Cancer test for dogs, Iceland volcano, and Super Bowl origins.

Adam Rogers
February 09, 2024

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Big Stories

Researchers from multiple colleges have created a new, noninvasive urine test for early cancer detection in dogs.

Cancer is common in dogs, with nearly half of canines over 10 years old expected to develop the disease. Certain breeds are more susceptible to specific types of cancer, which makes early screening important for all dog owners.
Using a process called Raman spectroscopy, researchers identified unique molecular patterns in the urine of cancerous dogs that act as a “fingerprint” for the disease. The samples are compared against a database of urine scans to see if the sample matches a cancer fingerprint or a healthy fingerprint. The research has been more than 90% accurate so far.
This urine test offers advantages over traditional blood tests because it’s more accurate, cheaper, and provides fast results. It also has the potential to be done at home because it’s non-invasive. Researchers aim to further develop the test to assess treatment response and check for cancer recurrence. They hope to expand its use to other animals and, potentially, human health studies.

President Biden “willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency,” according to a special counsel’s final report.

Special counsel Robert Hur concluded his investigation into President Biden's handling of classified documents without bringing charges, despite finding that Biden's actions posed "serious risks to national security."
The report noted Biden's memory limitations, including difficulty recalling significant events such as the date of his son's death. Biden's legal team disputed the account of his memory in the report, arguing that it unfairly characterized common memory lapses.
Detailed photos of the classified documents were included in the report, revealing their sensitive nature and relevance to foreign policy, particularly regarding Afghanistan. Former President Trump faced a similar case. However, he was charged with 40 criminal counts including obstruction of justice for resisting the government’s efforts to retrieve the classified documents.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has outlawed the use of AI-generated voices in scam robocalls.

In a unanimous ruling, the FCC categorized calls featuring AI-generated voices as "artificial," which makes them illegal under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The move was supported by a bipartisan coalition of 26 state attorneys general.
Generative AI technology has made voice scams more convincing. The tech has been used to “extort vulnerable family members, imitate celebrities, and misinform voters," per the FCC.
President Biden’s voice has already been used to discourage voters from participating in New Hampshire’s primary and experts anticipate a surge in such scams during the 2024 elections. The FCC's decision will give state attorneys more tools to crack down on fraudsters spreading misinformation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was willing to negotiate with the US for the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich who has been held for nearly a year on unproven espionage charges. During an interview with former Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson, Putin mentioned he wants to see Gershkovich return home, but expects something in return from the US. (More)

Ukraine's President Zelenskyy replaced his top general, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, hoping to reinvigorate efforts in the ongoing war with Russia. Zelenskyy promoted the commander of Ukraine's ground forces, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, to lead the army. (More)

Astronomers have found more evidence suggesting that Mimas, one of Saturn's small moons, has a global ocean under its icy surface. Previously, Mimas was thought to be just a frozen mass until NASA's Cassini mission studied Saturn and its moons from 2004 to 2017. (More)

A volcano in Iceland erupted again, marking the third eruption since December. Lava shot up to 80 meters high, disrupted the hot water supply to over 20,000 people, and prompted the Civil Protection Agency to declare an emergency. (More)

Cristobal del Solar set a new record in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event by scoring a 13-under 57, the lowest ever. Despite missing a 6-foot putt on the 18th hole that would have given him a 56, he carded nine birdies and two eagles without any bogeys. He is now also tied for the lowest round ever recorded in a professional tournament. (More)

Why showers change temperatures when the toilet flushes (and how to stop it).

How people around the world say, “I love you.”

How the Super Bowl became the Super Bowl.

A man spent 8 years building the Eiffel Tower from 700,000 matchsticks.

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