Science and Tech

Telegram: ‘The dark web in your pocket’

Telegram: 'The dark web in your pocket'

BBC A picture posted to one of the drugs channels by a member About nine months ago while researching a story, I found myself added to a large Telegram channel which was focused on selling drugs. I was then added to one about hacking and then one about stolen credit cards. I realised my Telegram settings had made it possible …

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Five tips for turning gaming from a hobby to a job

Five tips for turning gaming from a hobby to a job

Want to turn your gaming hobby into a sustainable career? That’s exactly what Jordan Smith, who goes by the username Peeceful, did. The 31-year-old gamer started with Call of Duty 4 on a laptop, before navigating his way through competitive gaming, streaming, and eventually leading a games company. Putting together a portfolio of work, staying consistent and networking are among …

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Animal welfare: In Vietnam digital systems are helping farmers

Animal welfare: In Vietnam digital systems are helping farmers

Quang Doan Hong There are about 600 pigs on Quang Doan Hong’s farm Quang Doan Hong is a busy person. The accountant, who lives with his family in Hưng Yên, Vietnam, also owns a farm with about 600 pigs. He’s had to learn quickly about pig health, from which vaccines are effective to when to use antibiotics. “When the weather …

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Could this little robot help rehabilitate stroke patients?

Could this little robot help rehabilitate stroke patients?

Recovering from a stroke can be a long process, requiring hours of repetitive exercises to regain limb function. Robotic “coaches” programmed to guide stroke and brain injury survivors through rehabilitation exercises could soon be tested in Scotland. Using a headset worn by the participant, the Nao robot picks up patient brain waves to understand their intended movements and guide them …

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The mind-bending mirrors behind advanced technology

The mind-bending mirrors behind advanced technology

ESO/F Carrasco The Extremely Large Telescope under construction in Chile’s Atacama desert High on a mountain, in Chile’s bone dry Atacama desert the European Southern Observatory (ESO) is currently building the world’s largest optical telescope. No time was wasted on choosing a name – it will be called the Extremely Large Telescope or ELT. Instead, huge energy has gone into …

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Is this the end for the magnetic stripe?

Is this the end for the magnetic stripe?

Getty Images Once everywhere the magnetic keycard is being phased out As he slipped the key card into the reader on his hotel room door and tried the handle – to no avail – he realised what he had done. For years, Steven Murdoch, a security researcher at University College London, had taken care not to put tickets or cards …

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AI and stand up comedy

AI and stand up comedy

Dahlia Katz Comedian Anesti Danelis used AI to make his show for the Edinburgh Festival “Why did the politician bring a ladder to the debate? To make sure he could reach new heights with his promises!” Ask AI to write a political joke, and the above is an example of what you can get. Perhaps not funny enough to deliver …

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