📰 Severe weather emergency alerts: How to get loud phone warnings
Central Texas recently experienced devastating floods that resulted in over 100 fatalities and numerous missing persons. The rapid rise of the Guadalupe River by nearly 30 feet in under an hour caught many residents and emergency responders off guard, exposing critical gaps in alert systems during severe weather events. Despite some warnings, many residents reported receiving insufficient advance notice, prompting concerns about the effectiveness of alert systems. In response to criticisms of the National Weather Service’s alert system during the disaster, the Department of Homeland Security publicly supported the NWS, stressing the importance of timely severe weather alerts. The tragedy emphasized the necessity of having reliable and prompt emergency alerts on mobile devices, as every second is crucial during severe weather incidents.
The article provides guidance on ensuring that emergency alerts are enabled on phones, as some devices may silence or limit these warnings, potentially endangering individuals during severe weather events. It suggests steps to guarantee that emergency alerts override silent mode and recommends using third-party apps for additional assurance. The Storm Shield app and the American Red Cross Emergency app are highlighted as useful tools for receiving storm-based alerts and customizing NOAA alerts for various hazards, respectively.
The article introduces the NOAA Weather Radio network, operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which broadcasts official weather information and emergency alerts. It recommends the Raynic Emergency Weather Radio as a reliable device that offers multiple power sources, including solar panels and hand cranks, ensuring functionality during power outages. The Raynic radio features various functions such as AM, FM, and shortwave bands, a rechargeable battery, a flashlight, and a headphone jack for private listening, making it suitable for both home and outdoor emergencies.
The importance of combining the NOAA Weather Radio broadcast system with a dependable device like the Raynic Emergency Radio is emphasized to receive clear and timely severe weather alerts regardless of location or power availability. The tragic floods in Texas serve as a reminder of the sudden and deadly nature of severe weather, urging individuals to proactively enable emergency alerts and consider adding a NOAA Weather Radio to their emergency preparedness kit.
📰 Bricks made from recycled coffee grounds reduce emissions and costs
Researchers at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia have developed a method to create bricks from recycled coffee grounds, partnering with local coffee shops to collect the waste. By blending the coffee grounds with natural clay and an alkali activator, they produced low-emission bricks that are sustainable, cost-effective, and strong. This innovative approach significantly reduces energy usage during production, with the coffee bricks only needing to be cooked at 200 degrees Celsius compared to traditional clay bricks at over 900 degrees Celsius. The coffee bricks also surpass the Australian minimum strength standard and have lower manufacturing costs. Swinburne University signed an IP licensing deal with Green Brick, paving the way for real-world construction projects using these eco-friendly bricks. Other researchers globally are exploring similar sustainable building materials, such as “sugarcrete” made from sugarcane waste, indicating a growing trend towards recycled organic materials in construction.
📰 AI and learning retention: Does ChatGPT help or hurt?
Artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT are revolutionizing learning by offering personalized support and instant answers. However, concerns are arising about whether the convenience of these tools may hinder long-term knowledge retention. AI-powered platforms can adapt to individual learning styles, boosting engagement and retention rates by up to 30%. Despite the benefits, research suggests that passive use of AI, which provides ready-made answers, can lead to superficial learning and weaker retention over time. Educators emphasize the importance of integrating AI as a supplement, not a replacement, for active learning and critical thinking to maximize its benefits while minimizing drawbacks.
📰 Energy-sucking AI data centers can look here for power instead
The article discusses the increasing energy demands of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and the challenges posed by the energy consumption of modern AI technology. It highlights the innovative solution of repurposing electric vehicle (EV) batteries for AI data centers to address the energy needs. Redwood Materials, founded by Tesla co-founder JB Straubel, is leading this initiative through a new venture called Redwood Energy. The company collects and tests old EV battery packs, repurposing them into modular storage systems for AI operations. This approach not only helps in reducing waste and emissions but also offers financial benefits by making large-scale energy storage more accessible to AI developers and utilities. Redwood Energy aims to tap into the potential of over 100,000 retired electric vehicles in the United States this year, with plans to expand its second-life battery capacity to 5 gigawatt-hours next year. This sustainable solution is seen as a way to power the future of AI while contributing to a greener environment.
📰 How I almost fell for a Microsoft 365 Calendar invite scam
A new phishing scam is targeting Microsoft 365 and Outlook users by injecting fake billing alerts into their calendars, exploiting users’ trust in calendar invites. The scam combines fake calendar events, Microsoft branding, and social engineering tactics to trick users into revealing personal information or clicking on malicious content. The phishing email appears to be from Microsoft 365, warning about subscription renewal issues, with some versions including attachments designed to capture credit card details. The scam bypasses traditional email filters by sending malicious calendar invites that can still appear on the calendar even if the email is caught. Users are advised not to interact with suspicious calendar events, avoid clicking links or downloading attachments, and report phishing attempts to Microsoft.
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