David Lidsky's Blog, page 203

How machine learning can be used to identify microplastics

Data from microplastic analyses can inform health recommendations and policy decisions. Machine learning is one tool researchers have started using.

Microplastics—the tiny particles of plastic shed when litter breaks down—are everywhere, from the deep sea to Mount Everest, and many researchers worry that they could harm human health.

iPad shoppers beware: One of the new models is not like the others

Apple’s new iPad lineup is as confusing as ever.

This week, Apple updated half of its iPad lineup.

Canada suspends imports from biggest U.S. pork processing plant

Blocking shipments from the plant limits a market for U.S. pork products.

Canada has blocked imports from the biggest U.S. pork processing plant, a facility run by Smithfield Foods in Tar Heel, North Carolina, the company said on Friday.

YouTube is cracking down on gambling content. Here’s what’s changing

A new policy bans creators from linking to unapproved gambling sites and restricts access for underage users. But will it be enough to curb the flood of gambling content?

YouTube is taking steps to crack down on gambling content. 

CDC is planning a large study on vaccines and autism

Trump, in an address to Congress this week, cited the rise in autism among children.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is planning a large study into potential connections between vaccines and autism, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, despite extensive scientific research that has disproven or failed to find evidence of such links.

Homeland Security ends collective bargaining agreement with TSA union

The move, which the TSA union called an ‘unprovoked attack,’ marks a major effort to dismantle union protections under the Trump administration.

The Department of Homeland Security said Friday that it is ending the collective bargaining agreement with the tens of thousands of frontline employees at the Transportation Security Administration, marking a major effort to dismantle union protections under the Trump administration. The TSA union called it an “unprovoked attack” and vowed to fight it.

Cicadas are about to take over. Here’s what you should know

A massive wave of cicadas are set to emerge after 17 years underground, covering parts of the Eastern U.S.

Love ’em or hate ’em, the cicadas are coming. 2025 will bring back Brood XIV, the largest of all 17-year periodical cicada broods.

Cicada enthusiasts surely don’t mind the noisy creatures. But if you’re someone who finds the constant nighttime buzz bothersome and live in one of the following 13 states, maybe consider investing in a good pair of noise-canceling earbuds.

Tesla’s post-election stock gains vanish as shares dip to their lowest level since Trump’s victory

The EV maker’s once-surging stock continues to slide downward in the wake of slumping sales, tariff fears, and CEO Elon Musk’s political activities.

Tesla’s stock has hit its lowest price since Election Day, hovering around the $251 threshold on midday Friday before slowly creeping back up again.

These Gen Z top 10 favorite restaurant brands are all masters of generating buzz

Young consumers are flocking to ‘magnetic’ chains such as McDonald’s, Wingstop, and Crumbl Cookies, according to a new report.

McDonald’s, Wingstop, and Starbucks are among Gen Z’s most popular and appealing restaurant brands, as measured by organic, user-generated content, according to Dcdx’s new Magnetic 100: Restaurants report.

Hundreds of affordable housing projects are in limbo after Trump administration cuts contracts

Congress chose three nonprofits to distribute the grants, but HUD said in letters that it was cancelling contracts with two of the organizations which together were to distribute the $60 million.

The Trump administration has stalled at least $60 million in funding intended largely for affordable housing developments nationwide, throwing hundreds of projects into a precarious limbo, according to information and documents obtained by the Associated Press.