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Saturday’s Quick Hits

Feeling crowded yet? The US Census Bureau estimates the world’s population has passed 8 billion

The global human population has surpassed 8 billion, driven by longer lifespans despite declining birth rates, according to the US Census Bureau. The estimate differs from the United Nations, which marked November 22, 2022, as the "Day of 8 Billion." The differences in how countries count people lead to the variations in the data. While the population has grown from 6 billion to 8 billion since 2000, the rate of increase has slowed, influenced by factors such as aging populations, declining fertility rates, and varying mortality trends worldwide. Global fertility rates are expected to continue declining through 2060. (More)

Crew aboard a U.S.-bound plane discovered a missing window pane at 13,000 feet

A US-bound plane from London took off with four damaged window panes and two that were completely missing. No injuries occurred, and the malfunction was linked to high-power lights used in a film shoot that melted the window seals. The Airbus A321, carrying 11 crew members and nine passengers, noticed the missing windows at 13,000 feet. A crew member found a window seal flapping after the cabin noise was unusually loud during takeoff. The aircraft safely returned to Stansted airport after 36 minutes. (More)

Taylor Swift makes Grammy Awards history with most song of the year nominations

Taylor Swift has made Grammy history with her seventh Song of the Year nomination for "Anti-Hero," surpassing Paul McCartney and Lionel Richie. She also received Album of the Year and Record of the Year nods, earning six nominations in total. SZA leads with nine nominations. New rules reduced nominations per category to eight. Morgan Wallen and Doja Cat were “snubbed” and received fewer major nods. The Grammys are on February 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (More)

Novel brain implant helps paralyzed woman speak using a digital avatar

Researchers from UCSF and UC Berkeley have developed a groundbreaking implantable AI-powered device that translates brain signals into speech and facial expressions. Tested on a woman who lost her ability to speak due to a stroke, the device allows communication through a talking digital avatar that conveys emotions. Using machine learning to map brain signals, this innovation builds on previous work, aiming to create a standalone, portable device for long-term use. (More)

Patients are lining up for $2,500 full-body MRI scans that can detect cancer early

Prenuvo, a Silicon Valley-based company offering full-body MRI scans, has announced plans to open 11 more locations by 2024 due to high demand. The company's technology can identify over 500 conditions, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, and brain aneurysms. While the service is currently not covered by insurance and costs $2,500 for a full-body scan, some companies offer it as an employee perk. Prenuvo aims to bring down costs through scaling and is exploring AI to further reduce scan durations and prices. (More)

Big Ten bans Michigan's Jim Harbaugh from sideline

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season by the Big Ten under its sportsmanship policy, stemming from an ongoing NCAA investigation into the school's alleged in-person sign-stealing ring. The suspension allows Harbaugh to coach during the week but bans him from the sideline on game day. The bans comes as the NCAA is investigating allegations of off-campus scouting and signal stealing by former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions. Harbaugh could face Level I charges for failing to cooperate with NCAA investigators, potentially resulting in further penalties. (More)

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Weekly Dose of Positive

The world has made substantial progress in increasing basic levels of education

Access to education has evolved significantly. In the early 1800s, less than 1 in 5 adults received basic education, which was mainly accessible to a small elite. Over time, this ratio has reversed, with less than 1 in 5 adults lacking formal education today. This transformation is evident in literacy rates, as two centuries ago, few could read and write, while now, most people have basic literacy skills. (More)

Indian schoolboy invents affordable smart spoon for trembling hands

Motivated by his uncle's struggle with Parkinson's disease, 17-year-old Aarrav Anil from Bengaluru, India, invented a smart spoon to help those with tremors. The battery-operated spoon is currently undergoing trials and uses sensors to detect tremors and counteracts them, providing stability while eating. Aarrav refined the design based on feedback, aiming to make it affordable for the estimated 7 million people with Parkinson's in India. The trials are expected to conclude early next year, with hopes to manufacture the spoon on a small scale for hospitals. (More)

Staff sergeant reunites with retired military dog through adoption project

Staff Sergeant Thomas Watkins has been reunited with his former military dog, Blek, through Project K-9 Hero. Initially labeled a challenging dog, Watkins and Blek formed a strong bond and successfully carrying out duty together for over two years. After Watkins was transferred, Project K-9 Hero stepped up and cared for the dog until Watkins was in a position to care for the Blek full time. The organization also surprised Watkins by covering Blek's lifetime food and veterinary care. (More)

AI will help farmers grow crop in Africa

Theofrida Muginga, a student from the University of Rwanda, is developing 'Mkulima GPT,' a Swahili chatbot driven by ChatGPT. The project utilizes AI and IoT to assist small-scale farmers by detecting crop diseases and offering agricultural advice. 'Mkulima GPT' stands out for its emphasis on local languages and plans to expand services to more African languages. It is expected to launch in December. (More)

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