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Wednesday, October 29, 2025
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Trying to Scare Smokers with Graphic Images Does Not Stop Them

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Types of reactions to the graphic images on cigarette packs

This is the latest realization that a group of researchers from the University of Illinois have had, after studying various types of reactions to the graphic images on cigarette packs. The presence of these images has been a topic for discussion for smokers and non-smokers alike since they were introduced to the wrappers of cigarette packs in the United States back in 2009.

They normally depict large warnings regarding the health concerns of smoking, images of dying people, diseased organs – all a result of the habit in question – and yet, it would seem that their intended purpose has barely been fulfilled. The study performed at the University of Illinois found a grand variety of reactions and responses to these images, out of which very little were of serious consideration of quitting smoking.

It would appear that the graphic images are more prone to make individuals try to cover them up rather than stop smoking. And that’s saying something when you stop to thing just how disturbing the images truly are. Originally, larger and even more graphic warnings were intended to be displayed on packs somewhere in 2012, but the movement was ceased due to several lawsuits against it.

In some cases, the images appeared to have a completely opposite effect, where individuals spotting them felt like their freedom was being infringed on and ended up encouraging them to smoke even further, rather than reduce their willingness to do it.

The study was performed on 435 undergraduate college students, with ages 18 to 25. Out of them, only 17.5 percent were smokers. However, half of the two representative groups were shown packs of cigarettes that displayed graphic images and warnings and were asked to then fill in a survey that asked them more about their personality and their reaction to the package they had been given.

There seems to have been a nearly unanimous reaction towards it: both smokers and nonsmokers affirmed they felt that the packaging was bothering them and felt like the government was “trying too much” or “meddling in their business”. The results concluded that these attempts made by the FDA to reduce the number of smokers are, as a matter of fact, having the polar opposite result. Because there seems to be a reluctance in individuals to listen when they feel like they’re told what to do – a trait even moreso present in smokers – the initial reaction is to do the opposite of what they are advised.

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Studying Galaxies 55 Million Light Years Away from Us

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Studying Galaxies 55 Million Light Years Away from Us

When you stop to think how unfortunately grounded mankind is to their home planet still, you can’t help but be amazed when you hear stories about scientists studying galaxies 55 million light years away from us. But that is hardly a joke or an overstatement: scientists at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research are currently just free out of a new discovery that was made regarding galaxy NGC 4569.

The NGC 4569 galaxy, situated in the Virgo cluster and also known as Messier 90, is a spiral galaxy that was named the largest and brightest of the ones observed so far, thanks to its absolute magnitude of -22. However, the NGC 4569 is what scientists call a prototype of an anemic galaxy due to its seemingly scarce star formation in its midst.

Thanks to using the super sensitive camera on the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, scientists decided to give this particular galaxy a little more attention than before when, between intermittent studies, the NGC 4569 seemed to have lost a fair amount of its quantity of gas, as it had been noticed prior. However, no previous observations were able to elucidate where the missing gas had done.

After a longer-term observation of the galaxy, scientists were awed to find that the galaxy was actually leaving a 300,000 light year long trail of gas in its wake. The galaxy seems to be moving through the cluster at an average speed of 1,200 kilometers per second, and because of this velocity, gas is gradually stripped from it and left behind as it moves.

This thoroughly explains the missing mass of the NGC 4569 and also explains the same phenomenon that has been noticed in other galaxies across the observable space.

The explanation that the scientists found for the phenomenon was the fact that big clusters of galaxies tend to trap a large amount of hot gas. Afterwards, when a galaxy such as the NGC 4569 enters a cluster, it is subjected to the pressure of all the present gasses that act just like a powerful, hot wind for the galaxy. Because of the strength of these ‘winds’, the newcomer galaxy ends up having matter stripped from it under the impact.

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The Neuroscientific Explanation to Acting Under Orders

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The Neuroscientific Explanation to Acting Under Orders

Researchers have studied high and low to find the neuroscientific explanation to acting under orders; more specifically to determine whether ‘I was following orders’ is truly just an excuse or whether it has more serious complications. Enormous world or nation-scale events have led to scenarios where individuals would resort to that type of response to accusations. Following the second World War outcome, ‘excuses’ of this sort became known as the Nuremberg defense – and turned into a method for Nazi war criminals to act without consequence.

There have been studies performed back in the 1960s, known as the Milgram experiments that studied the way the human brain works when asked to perform tasks. This was done by asking a subject to give electric shocks to a different individual in an adjacent room. However, the latter was just an actor who wouldn’t truly be subjected to shocks, but it gave a great amount of insight regarding what the reactions were at a cerebral level.

Now, the experiment is being performed again, except it’s slightly different. This time around, there are electric shocks given, but they do not exceed a very small limit; also, both subjects are placed in the same room. One of them is given 2 buttons to press – one of them doesn’t do anything while the other one zaps the other person and transfers a small amount of money to the individual pressing the button.

The scenarios would differ from experiment to experiment and involved both the study of the reactions themselves as well as the perception that both subjects had of the events unfolding. The discoveries that were made as a result ended up being more than just insightful, and on several different levels.

Firstly, it was detected that there is actually a decrease in brain activity when someone is issued orders and they are ‘following’ them. This was read through the help of electroencephalogram caps, that also suggested that the consequences of the subject’s actions were perceived differently when they were told to do so.

Secondly, the experiment resulted in the conclusion that by simply ‘following orders’, one may lose some portion of their sense of responsibility by simply shifting the weight onto the one issuing the order. Perception of time also seemed to differ in the case of this experiment, when subjects reported that they felt that the time lapse before the tone that notified them to hit the ‘zapping’ button came was longer than the one when they did it of their own accord.

This proves that following orders has some deeper implications than just doing what one is told. The differences occur at a neurological level and could prove to be an explanation for other previously researched topics.

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Microsoft Translator Now Includes Text Recognition from Images

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Microsoft Translator Now Includes Text Recognition from Images

Similarly to how Google did with its own Google Translate mobile app, Microsoft Translator now includes text recognition from images too, along with its previous methods. So now you can also easily translate signs and entire chunks of text you can see by taking a photo of them and letting Microsoft Translator do the job. This completes the series of methods you can use in order to find your way around foreign countries, airports and whatnot, in addition to typing text or voice recognition.

This is a change that has only been made on the iOS version of Microsoft Translator so far, and currently only has support for 11 languages: English, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese. This takes the Microsoft Translator app up to par with its direct competitor, Google Translate by making it possible to easily read content on signs, menus, flyers and so on.

Even though the two services are almost identical right now, they still differ the smallest amount. For the time being, at least, it would seem that Microsoft doesn’t yet support instant image translation, by making use of an overlay translation as soon as you point your camera at something. On top of that, the app requires you to manually download different free translation packs for particular languages.

So in case you’re planning to go in a particular country where you expect Microsoft Translator to be able to do all the heavy lifting of translation for you, make sure you have the right packages installed before you leave. It’s also great to know that the image translation service can be used offline, so you don’t even need to worry about the aspect of Wi-Fi connectivity.

Considering you can use it with iPhone and iPod Touch devices running iOS 8.0 or over, and even includes the Apple Watch in its midst of compatible devices, even if at the moment the last of the three doesn’t include a camera on it, there’s a large growing curve for the app’s mere usefulness.

On top of the newest image translation addition, the Microsoft Translator app does a fairly consistent job of translating real life conversations, on the spot. However, the voice translation feature is not supported in offline mode, meaning you will have to have a stable internet connection or mobile data turned on in order to be capable of making use of it.

It hasn’t been announced when the new features will be making their way on to Android platform as well, but Microsoft stated that they want all versions of the Translator to offer the same package of services, regardless of platform used.

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The Classiest Wheels for Your Children

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The Classiest Wheels for Your Children

Because it seems that child-sized cars have already entered the little ones’ hierarchic system as a new method for wealthy children to show off, Radio Flyer now plans to start making the classiest wheels for your children. To be more exact, there is now a Tesla Model S that comes in about 20 sizes smaller and naturally, a lot less fast.

Radio Flyer is the name that also produces the infamous red wagon for kids and just announced the Tesla Model S for kids as starting preorders with the first units shipping out somewhere in May. And while the basic model starts at $499, there’s a surprisingly huge amount of customization that you can do to it. Although it will cost you.

The Tesla Model S comes in more color variations: there’s the classic Red Multi-Coat that you can see in the preview videos as the classic model, Midnight Silver Metallic and Deep Blue Metallic. Seeing a close-up photo of the Tesla Model S for kids could probably easily fool you into thinking it was a full scale model, thanks for the carefully designed exact model replica of the real thing. Not to mention that you can also customize it a fair bit too: you can get custom Tesla-branded license plates that will cost you an extra $15, a parking sign that will be an extra $25 or even a $50 indoor car cover.

Not to mention that you can also get some flashy and classy new wheel covers called the Silver Turbine Wheels for an extra $15.

The Tesla Model S for kids works on a 140 Wh rechargeable battery that is hidden in the back of the car, which will also be able to be upgraded to a 190 Wh model for an extra $50. It has a surprisingly fast recharging time (up to 3 hours), and can either be plugged to charge through the side of the car or by taking it out.

The Tesla Model S for kids also has 2 different speed levels: one will limit your kid’s speed to 3 mph while the speedier one will go up to 6 mph. Not only that, but the small scale vehicle has its own sound system that you can hook up your music player too, fully functional headlights and a trunk, which albeit is in the front is relatively spacious for the size of the car.

The Tesla Model S for kids is made for children ages 3 to 8 and has a weight capacity of 81 pounds. You can preorder one of those fashionable cars for your kids straight off the Radio Flyer website.

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What The Future of Console Gaming Holds

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What The Future of Console Gaming Holds

There is a lot of uncertainty spreading its tendrils when it comes to consoles, and more specifically when we are to talk about what the future of console gaming holds. While the number of game titles that come out on single, exclusive platforms has dwindled a lot in the past years, it’s undeniable that for consoles it’s hard to keep up with technical specifications.

At least hard to keep up at the same pace gaming computers do.

Console releases only happen every few years, and their firmware and software updates can only do so much. Along with the fact that computer makers have found plenty of methods to also provide gamers with the comfort of playing from somewhere else than your computer chair, consoles keep losing ground. With the comfort of playing from your living room couch being taken away from consoles, the only real remaining advantage of console gaming remains the questionable ability to co-op play from the same machine.

The latest PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are now in their third year of life and already beginning to become muddled by the rapidly increasing requirements of new titles. If we’re to take into account the amount of time it took for these models to come out in comparison to their predecessors, we’ve got a worrying 7-8 year span between releases.

So what do analysis think about the declining life of console gaming? With at least another 2 years left until we will even get to see new consoles, users and developers alike start wondering what are the real benefits of owning such a machine, or developing their games for this platform, respectively.

Things are the polar opposite of what they were 20 years ago, when consoles were your better shot at entertainment and computers were scarcely found. Specialists have studied the matter and concluded on several points that could help revive the console scene for future releases.

  • More game titles at launch. It is only recent that older Xbox 360 titles became playable on Xbox One via emulators. Anyone who has purchased a new PS4 or Xbox One at release date found themselves with only several titles to choose from, then proceed to watch dust settle on their consoles. Having earlier and more game releases for these platforms would help.
  • Exceed technical expectations. Because you can only release new console models so often, manufacturers should consider investing in creating machines that top the state-of-the-art specifications of computers at the time of release. Limiting your games to 30 FPS is never a good start.
  • Backwards compatibility on launch. What good is a new console if you can’t even play your older titles on it once you get it?
  • VR integration.
  • This could be a selling point if manufacturers can find a way to make it work. As it is, consoles have diminished in size and weight and yet cannot pride themselves on the portability factor.

These are all ideas that analysts have determined could lead to the re-installment of consoles such as PlayStation 5 or the next Xbox in an equal position as gaming PCs in the near future.

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We Say Goodbye to the Comet Lander Philae

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Say Goodbye to the Comet Lander Philae

It is time that we say goodbye to the comet lander Philae, the European Space Agency probe that was sent out on the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko comet nearly a year ago as part of the Rosetta mission. The mission had started nearly 10 years prior to that and now seems to be the time when this particular part of the mission has come to an end.

The Philae spacecraft is a name worth knowing as it has performed the first soft landing on a comet nucleus on November 12th of 2014, while being remotely operated from the German Aerospace Center (also known as DLR) in Cologne, Germany. While the achievements of the spacecraft were undeniable, the shuttle started having issues in late 2014, when its batteries ran out due to reduced sunlight. This led to the craft needing to enter hibernation in hopes that the solar panels would be able to capture enough energy by August 2015 in order to reboot the comet lander.

Sadly, this did not happen due to unexpected conditions the shuttle encountered. After very sporadic communication being established between the spacecraft and the Earth base between June 13th and July 9th, and a temporary re-entering of the online mode, all communications were lost. Scientists have not been able to re-establish a connection with the probe since leading to the conclusion that no further communications with it were likely in January 2016.

The comet 67P that Philae is currently rooted on has entered a phase where conditions on it are increasingly hostile; because it has moved very far away from the sun – approximately 350 million kilometers, temperatures are unbearably low: minus 180 degrees Celsius, or minus 292 degrees Fahrenheit. At that temperature, scientists say that Philae’s system cannot function.

Before the German Aerospace Center deemed Philae ‘dead’, they sent one last signal to the probe in hopes of re-establishing contact with it – an attempt that was unsuccessful. However, due to the increasing difficulty of communicating with the probe before then, it is very unlikely that a response is due to come. If anything, the scientists have left the channel dedicated to the Philae probe open in case it ever comes back to life.

Considering that the final conclusion scientists drew suggests that the total of 8 pings sent from Philae to the Rosetta mothership on the span of a month were actually false positives and merely the failure of transmitters and receivers, the tale of the probe may have ended even earlier than we thought.

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Robots That Mimic Roaches May Be Sent to the Rescue

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Robots That Mimic Roaches May Be Sent to the Rescue

Despite one of the least popular creatures that we coexist with or without our knowledge, roaches seem to be inspirational: robots that mimic roaches may be sent to the rescue in potential future disaster sites such as a building collapse.

No matter how much we dislike them, the regular roach seems to be an amazing living thing. In any sci-fi story that depicts a post-apocalyptic story, which animal do you think is one of the last remaining species with no other radioactive mutation than growing really big? Roaches of course. What other animal can reduce its regular body size to about a quarter in order to squeeze through different places and withstand up to 900 times its weight and still be unscathed?

Which is why may be humans may dislike them so much too. Extremely resilient and shockingly fast – about 60 centimeters per second – roaches have become muse for a group of scientists at the University of California-Berkeley. The reason – they wish to study the way roaches function in order to start working on a prototype robot that could assist rescue teams for events such as earthquakes.

The first focus of the scientists in the study they commenced on the theme was roaches’ ability to move through incredibly small spaces. By making use of high-speed cameras in order to film the insects move through various places, the researchers observed the roaches moving through spaces as narrow as 3 millimeters wide – and that is about one fourth of the standing height of a roach.

The roaches’ speed is also a reason the scientists wish to take example from them in order to build their robot. The reason roaches are so fast is the fact that they make use of more than just their legs – by employing a form of sliding thanks to the friction they have on their backs and bellies. The scientists call this “body-friction legged crawling”, meaning that roaches use several methods of moving in order to be efficient.

Once the study is complete, more details regarding CRAM – Compressible Robot with Articulated Mechanisms – will be made official to the public and even have a prototype presented. The robot in question wishes to impersonate a roach’s ability to squeeze through tight spots and also withstand huge amounts of weight in order to help rescuers sift through debris without endangering the construction even more.

While it’s not exactly already thought out how the robot would be able to help with actually rescuing any potential victims, but they could at least be used to squeeze through and send back information to rescuers regarding survivors and even the nature of injuries they have.

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Google Starts Guarding Users Against Deceptive Content

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Google Starts Guarding Users Against Deceptive Content

Chrome, one of the most popular Internet browsers tightens up its security even further as Google starts guarding users against deceptive content. The way it does that is in reference to the kind of ‘hidden’ links that anyone can – at one point – fall victim to.

For example, even if one is particularly careful about which parts of a website they click on and are careful enough to even look at the true URL that is displayed in the bottom left part of the browsers, it can still happen that sometimes, a seemingly innocent download button or link may actually turn out to be something different. Sometimes it’s ads, other times it can lead you to more worrying things such as malware or viruses.

Google announced that its browser, Chrome, will also start working in accordance with the social engineering policy that was announced in November by the company. According to it, the browser will analyze embedded content on a web page and try to determine whether it falls into the category of social engineering, whenever it attempts to act, look or feel like a trusted entity.

As a result, Chrome should prevent you for actually accessing any dangerous content by adding a gateway webpage before you actually reach the malicious website’s content. Similar to what antivirus programs have been doing for years, basically. The red gateway page will let you know that the content on the website you’re trying to access may be dangerous for you, give you details about it and prevent further action.

There is no mention of a ‘Proceed’ button yet, or whether the browser will or will not allow you to venture out on the targeted website. This is obviously a great addition to the browsing experience, but if you look at it both ways, it may have a problem here or there. Firstly, it’s certain that websites that always indulge in the irritating ‘advertising’ practices will end up getting flagged and the users kept safe from them. However, it is not unheard of for websites that do not truly have malicious content on them to also get flagged.

Without knowing what exactly triggers the new Chrome feature to prevent access to a website when it considers it ‘dangerous’, there is a chance that some smaller, innocent websites but with a poor design choice and desperate to pay for the bills via some questionable ads will also end up getting flagged and inaccessible.

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