This worm grew a second head after a trip to space

There are all kinds of experiments going on aboard the International Space Station, but they all probably don’t produce results as strange as this one. An article published today in the journal Regeneration details a recent experiment in which an amputated flatworm grew two heads — twice.

Planarian flatworms are known to have extraordinary regenerative properties. They can regrow complex organs, including a central nervous system, from small pieces of their bodies. In order to study how space travel might affect these regenerative abilities, the scientists sent a group of worms up to the International Space Station; half were amputated, with their heads and tails cut off, and half were normal.

The worms stayed aboard the ISS for five weeks, after which they were observed for 20 months on Earth. This was when scientists noticed something very strange: One of the 15 amputated worms actually grew two heads. While this has occurred in fully Earth-bound worms, it’s incredibly rare — in 18 years of working with these worms, this specific research team has never encountered the phenomenon.

The team once again amputated the worm (seriously, what did this worm ever do to them?) and it grew another double head from the cut end. This has led the scientists to hypothesize that space travel has made some fundamental change to the worm’s regeneration abilities.

It’s not quite clear yet what implications this study has for humans, though it does support the idea that our bodies are permanently changed by space travel. These worms will help further examine the risks of space travel, but even more important than that, they may help scientists discover how to extend worms’ regenerative properties to humans. After all, being able to regrow a limb would be pretty useful in deep space travel.

Via: CNET

Source: Regeneration

New 2017 iPad Pro Models Now Available in Apple Stores

The new 2017 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models that were introduced at last week’s Worldwide Developers Conference are today available for purchase at Apple retail stores around the world.

With stock now available at retail locations, in-store pickup for the iPad Pro has also gone live, allowing customers to check stock at local Apple Stores.

Apple began accepting iPad Pro orders just after the WWDC keynote event, and the first iPad Pro models began shipping out over the weekend with most offering June 13 delivery dates.

The new 10.5-inch iPad Pro replaces the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, offering a bigger display with 40 percent smaller side bezels and a slightly larger and heavier body. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is the same size as the previous-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Both new iPad Pro models feature new ProMotion display technology, which offers refresh rates of up to 120Hz for fluid scrolling, improved responsiveness, and smoother motion, along with much more powerful A10X Fusion chips with 30 percent faster CPU performance and 40 percent faster GPU performance compared to the A9X chip.

Pricing for the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, which comes in Silver, Space Gray, Gold, and Rose Gold, starts at $649. Pricing for the 12.9-inch model, which comes in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold, starts at $799.

Tag: Apple retail
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Eero Reveals 2nd Gen Router, Wi-Fi Extending ‘Beacon’, Internet Security Service, and iOS App Update

Whole-home Wi-Fi company eero today announced two new pieces of hardware, a refresh to its iOS app, and a new premium internet security service called “eero Plus.”

The new, second-generation version of eero is the same size and form factor as the previous version, but includes twice the power according to the company. Simply called eero (2nd generation), the new router includes next-generation mesh network technology, which eero calls “TrueMesh,” to ensure that eero can adapt to any home in which it’s placed.

eero (2nd generation) and eero Beacon
If users stock their home with three eeros, they can even gain access to tri-band Wi-Fi, which broadcasts on three wireless radio bands simultaneously, generating a multi-user experience that doesn’t create lag for anyone in the home. As an example, eero said users will be able to download huge files, run a FaceTime call, or compete in a multiplayer game all at the same time, and the routers will provide the same Wi-Fi quality to each experience without compromise.

Once an eero (1st or 2nd generation) is connected to a network’s modem, users will be able to introduce the company’s all new eero Beacon into their network. eero Beacon is a full-fledged access point which the company says has 30 percent better performance than the original eero, but the Beacon is built for portability and plugs directly into any wall outlet.

Our vision for eero is to go beyond providing perfect connectivity by adding context and intelligence to our homes. As everything in our homes comes online, and we consume more and more content over the internet, we can imagine services and experiences — whether built by us or partners — relying on eero for WiFi and more. We can even imagine changing everything again, this time with another much bigger idea: that over time eero just might evolve into the underlying operating system for the home of the future.

The company said users can add as many Beacons to their network as they want in order to truly cover their entire home in reliable Wi-Fi. As a bonus, Beacon includes a built-in ambient light sensor that automatically lights up dark hallways and rooms at night, and turns off during the day.

In order to ensure that internet browsing is kept secure, eero has introduced a new subscription service called eero Plus, starting at $9.99/month. It includes the following features:

• Advanced Security: Blocks you from accidentally accessing millions of sites associated with harmful content, like malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. Unlike the built-in protections included in your browser or email client, the database of threats eero Plus protects against is automatically updated every single second.
• Expanded Parental Controls: Lets you filter adult, illegal, and violent content, or enable SafeSearch for specific profiles on your network. eero Plus ensures that as new content is posted, it’s filtered in real time.
• VIP Support: Gives you priority access to our support team so you don’t have to wait to speak with a WiFi expert.

Along with the hardware additions, eero is also updating its eero home Wi-Fi system iOS app [Direct Link], which it says will launch towards the end of June. The update brings a refreshed user interface and new tools, including a “home-type selector” that allows users to precisely detail the size and shape of their living space so they can get the most out of their eero devices.

The new eeros will use Thread, a low-power wireless protocol that uses IPv6 natively, resulting in more reliability and better encryption. Thread will also result in fewer hubs required by users to be scattered about their homes, and eero promised that over-the-air software updates “means your new eero system comes future-proofed.”

One eero sells for $199, while an eero Beacon costs $149 on the company’s store. Users can also choose from a few start-up packs to save some money, including a Small Homes pack (1-2 bedrooms) that includes one eero and one eero Beacon at $299, as well as a Most Homes pack (2-4 bedrooms) with one eero and two eero Beacons for $399. A Pro Wi-Fi System — which fuels tri-band mesh capabilities — packs in three eeros for $499.

The new devices begin shipping at the end of June, and can be ordered today from eero’s website, or retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart.

Tags: wi-fi, eero
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Best Buy gadget rental scheme lets you try before you buy

Why it matters to you

If you like the idea of getting hands-on with a pricey gadget before handing over the all the cash, Best Buy’s scheme could be for you.

It can be tricky buying a new gadget. You might read pages of online reviews about a new piece of equipment or watch lots of YouTubers taking it for a spin. If you finally decide to hit the buy button, it can be a few weeks before you know for sure that you made the right decision.

Best Buy hopes to make buying gadgets a whole lot easier by offering customers the chance to rent them for a while before making a final decision.

The scheme will start later this month, according to Recode, and focus on a range of popular consumer electronics devices, including cameras, fitness trackers, and audio equipment.

Rental options will show up alongside devices on Best Buy’s shopping website, though the actual scheme will be operated by San Francisco-based startup Lumoid, which has been running a similar kind of service via its own website since 2014.

Instead of using brand-new devices, Best Buy plans to send out products that have been bought and returned. The company reportedly sees this as a good way of making use of such products, as they can’t be resold at full price.

As Recode notes, rival online retailer Amazon doesn’t currently offer any kind of rental system, and so Best Buy sees its new scheme as a chance to attract new customers who like the idea of spending a decent amount of time with a product before deciding if it’s a good fit. Customers who go on to make a purchase will be able reduce its cost by about 20 percent of the final rental fee.

While it’s true that Best Buy already lets you return a product within 15 days for a full refund (though you could be charged a restocking fee), some customers may feel they want more time with something like a camera or fitness tracker as it can take a while to get a true feel of it. Also, it’s safe to assume that most customers who hit the buy button have little intention of returning it, whereas those of two minds are more likely to pull back from a purchase. A rental scheme therefore lowers the psychological barrier for undecided customers and could potentially lead to more sales.

Details on rental prices have yet to be revealed. Oh, and just in case you’re already making plans to use the scheme to try out DJI’s new Spark quadcopter, then you’ll be disappointed to learn that drones will not be offered. Best Buy probably realizes that that kind of rental has a good chance of coming back in bits so isn’t worth the hassle.

Best Buy gadget rental scheme lets you try before you buy

Why it matters to you

If you like the idea of getting hands-on with a pricey gadget before handing over the all the cash, Best Buy’s scheme could be for you.

It can be tricky buying a new gadget. You might read pages of online reviews about a new piece of equipment or watch lots of YouTubers taking it for a spin. If you finally decide to hit the buy button, it can be a few weeks before you know for sure that you made the right decision.

Best Buy hopes to make buying gadgets a whole lot easier by offering customers the chance to rent them for a while before making a final decision.

The scheme will start later this month, according to Recode, and focus on a range of popular consumer electronics devices, including cameras, fitness trackers, and audio equipment.

Rental options will show up alongside devices on Best Buy’s shopping website, though the actual scheme will be operated by San Francisco-based startup Lumoid, which has been running a similar kind of service via its own website since 2014.

Instead of using brand-new devices, Best Buy plans to send out products that have been bought and returned. The company reportedly sees this as a good way of making use of such products, as they can’t be resold at full price.

As Recode notes, rival online retailer Amazon doesn’t currently offer any kind of rental system, and so Best Buy sees its new scheme as a chance to attract new customers who like the idea of spending a decent amount of time with a product before deciding if it’s a good fit. Customers who go on to make a purchase will be able reduce its cost by about 20 percent of the final rental fee.

While it’s true that Best Buy already lets you return a product within 15 days for a full refund (though you could be charged a restocking fee), some customers may feel they want more time with something like a camera or fitness tracker as it can take a while to get a true feel of it. Also, it’s safe to assume that most customers who hit the buy button have little intention of returning it, whereas those of two minds are more likely to pull back from a purchase. A rental scheme therefore lowers the psychological barrier for undecided customers and could potentially lead to more sales.

Details on rental prices have yet to be revealed. Oh, and just in case you’re already making plans to use the scheme to try out DJI’s new Spark quadcopter, then you’ll be disappointed to learn that drones will not be offered. Best Buy probably realizes that that kind of rental has a good chance of coming back in bits so isn’t worth the hassle.

Artist turns his office into a replica of AI’s birthplace

Why it matters to you

From its humble beginning in a small office like this, AI has since become one of our most important technologies.

For three months the artist-in-residence of Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute turned his office into a rather unassuming room that actually had a huge impact on our everyday lives. The room is a replica of the offices of computer scientists Allen Newell and Herbert Simon, and it was here that the first artificial intelligence was born over fifty years ago.

“Newell and Simon developed ‘The Logic Theorist,’ the first program designed to solve problems like a human, a thinking machine,” artist Daniel Pillis told Digital Trends.

The researchers created the Logic Theorist in 1955 and 1956 — before the field of AI even existed — to prove mathematical theorems. The program was a first of its kind, built to mimic how humans solve problems, and is now considered the first deliberately designed AI program.

After spending days looking through old files in the office of one his advisers, Pillis felt the urge to share what he felt was such an enlightening experience.

“I wanted to create that experience for other people,” he said, “the experience of entering someone’s intimate information space, but with Newell and Simon as the subjects. The idea maps well onto artificial intelligence because the field is rapidly redefining our concepts of consciousness and the living.”

Using old archives and oral accounts from the computer scientists’ colleagues, Pillis slowly turned his office into a sort of blend of Newell and Simon’s many offices over the years. “They gave me general ideas, like colors and tones and materials, and from there it was about creating a vision of the past focused on particular materials and objects that I was able to connect to Newell and Simon’s time and research.

“It was by no means precise,” he added, “but instead an abstract approximation, no more precise than any machine is in relation to a human.”

Pillis included Simon’s original red leather rolling chair and some of Newell’s redacted documents. There was a chess machine prototype called Hi Tech, created by one of Newell’s students, and even some of Simon’s hair, which was embedded in a mold made of his hand. The desks were also equipped with iPads offering an augmented reality experience so visitors could virtually flip through the scientists’ files.

Pillis has since reverted his office back to its normal state but his website is full of records of the installation and documents from Newell and Simon’s archive.

Artist turns his office into a replica of AI’s birthplace

Why it matters to you

From its humble beginning in a small office like this, AI has since become one of our most important technologies.

For three months the artist-in-residence of Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute turned his office into a rather unassuming room that actually had a huge impact on our everyday lives. The room is a replica of the offices of computer scientists Allen Newell and Herbert Simon, and it was here that the first artificial intelligence was born over fifty years ago.

“Newell and Simon developed ‘The Logic Theorist,’ the first program designed to solve problems like a human, a thinking machine,” artist Daniel Pillis told Digital Trends.

The researchers created the Logic Theorist in 1955 and 1956 — before the field of AI even existed — to prove mathematical theorems. The program was a first of its kind, built to mimic how humans solve problems, and is now considered the first deliberately designed AI program.

After spending days looking through old files in the office of one his advisers, Pillis felt the urge to share what he felt was such an enlightening experience.

“I wanted to create that experience for other people,” he said, “the experience of entering someone’s intimate information space, but with Newell and Simon as the subjects. The idea maps well onto artificial intelligence because the field is rapidly redefining our concepts of consciousness and the living.”

Using old archives and oral accounts from the computer scientists’ colleagues, Pillis slowly turned his office into a sort of blend of Newell and Simon’s many offices over the years. “They gave me general ideas, like colors and tones and materials, and from there it was about creating a vision of the past focused on particular materials and objects that I was able to connect to Newell and Simon’s time and research.

“It was by no means precise,” he added, “but instead an abstract approximation, no more precise than any machine is in relation to a human.”

Pillis included Simon’s original red leather rolling chair and some of Newell’s redacted documents. There was a chess machine prototype called Hi Tech, created by one of Newell’s students, and even some of Simon’s hair, which was embedded in a mold made of his hand. The desks were also equipped with iPads offering an augmented reality experience so visitors could virtually flip through the scientists’ files.

Pillis has since reverted his office back to its normal state but his website is full of records of the installation and documents from Newell and Simon’s archive.

Lady Renault Twingo drivers can now get a nail polish to match their car

Renault has released a four-strong range of nail polishes that match four colour finishes of the Renault Twingo, the French car manufacturer’s dinky city car. Renault is all to aware that the Twingo is seen as a “girl’s car” and so is asserting that fact with this latest release.

• Renault Twingo review: Dynamique TCe 90 hits the streets

The nail polishes are available in Dragée Blue, Flamme Red, Etoilé Black and Eclair Yellow, and have been produced to “make life easier for vehicle owners”. Presumably for women to know that their nails match the colour of their car will reduce stress levels no end.

They haven’t just been produced to make female drivers look good, though. The ingenious thing about the polishes, is that they can also be used to touch up any chips and scratches that the car will inevitably pick up when driving in “built-up areas”. Renault has been sure to not associate dings and scrapes with female drivers.Reanult’s new range of nail polishes is available now for €8.90 each and while the company says that “manfriends” are more than welcome to wear them if they take a shine to them, we’ll hold out for a range of colour matching socks for the more masculine colours such as Blaze Orange to hit the shelves.

Renault

They haven’t just been produced to make female drivers look good, though. The ingenious thing about the polishes, is that they can also be used to touch up any chips and scratches that the car will inevitably pick up when driving in “built-up areas”. Renault has been sure to not associate dings and scrapes with female drivers.Reanult’s new range of nail polishes is available now for €8.90 each and while the company says that “manfriends” are more than welcome to wear them if they take a shine to them, we’ll hold out for a range of colour matching socks for the more masculine colours such as Blaze Orange to hit the shelves.

Google may only release two Pixel phones, one possibly made by LG

Reports have recently surfaced to suggest that Google will in fact only release two Pixel devices later this year and not three, as was previously thought. The manufacturer of said two Pixel devices is also up for question, with LG now entering the picture.

• Google Pixel 2: What’s the story so far?

Back in April we reported on a leak that suggested Google could have three Pixel devices in the pipeline, codenamed ‘Muskie’, ‘Walleye’ and ‘Taimen’. At the time it was believed the first two were the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, and that Taimen was something entirely new.Then last week we reported on a leaked listing from GFXBench that mentioned a Pixel 2XL phone with an 18:9 display and Snapdragon 835 processor. However the information meant the phone in question had a 5.6-inch display, which isn’t very XL-like.Now there are reports to suggest Google has shelved ‘Muskie’, one of the three phones. It leaves Google with ‘Walleye’ and ‘Taimen’, and it’s now believed Taimen will be the new Pixel XL device. Taimen is one of the largest fish in the salmon family, so therefore could refer to a large-screen device.Both Walleye and Taimen are still expected to come with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, and up until now, it was widely believed that HTC would once again manufacture both of them. 9to5Google has since found a bug entry in Android Issue Tracker that suggests LG maybe responsible for the Taimen phone.The entry reads: Android > Partner > External > LGE > Taimen > power, which gives strong evidence to suggest LG Electronics has some involvement with a device called Taimen. HTC is still expected to be manufacturing the regular-sized Google Pixel.Of course, as with any leaks and rumours, especially ones this vague, should be taken with a hefty pinch of salt. We’re not expecting to see Google announce anything official about the new Pixel devices until at least October, so there’s some fair way to go before we know anything for sure.

The Morning After: Tuesday, June 13th 2017

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

It’s Tuesday morning, and we’ve got a whole lot of PlayStation news to share. Yep, it was Sony’s turn to wow gamers. Did it? Well, maybe. It depends on what you were after. Oh, and did we mention that we’ve reviewed both the new iPad Pro and the Surface Laptop? Well, we did.

Also, stay tuned for more E3 2017 news as we report on Nintendo’s E3 Spotlight at noon ET before the show floor officially opens.

A tough target to hitWho wants to buy Microsoft’s Xbox One X?

Richard Lawler is already in — once Microsoft showed Forza Motorsport 7 running in 4K it had at least one Xbox One X sale penciled in. But what about everyone else? The $500 system is lacking an edge in exclusives and promises extra power in areas that are tough to justify to people who haven’t already bought into Ultra HD. And oh yeah, there’s another Xbox One that’s almost as good but costs half as much.

It’s better to wait before jumping on Microsoft’s powerhouse console.The Xbox One X will be great … next year

Who wants to buy the Xbox One X, most powerful console ever made? Microsoft will have no problem persuading some hardcore gamers to shell out another $500 on November 7th. But, as we’ve argued, it’s a tough sell for most shoppers. There simply isn’t a compelling reason for existing Xbox One owners, or anyone who doesn’t have a 4K TV, to take the plunge. And even if you’re 4K-ready, there’s still a clear lack of Xbox One X ready titles on the horizon and not even a hint at the new console’s VR strategy.

Drop the DualShockSony unveils PlayLink to control PS4 games from your phone

Get ready for more party games that use your mobile device as a controller on PS4. That will be thanks to PlayLink, a new push from Sony that pulls in Android or iOS devices as controllers that work as keyboards, microphones, touchpads and more. One of the first games to use the technology will be Hidden Agenda, which lets a group of players decide how to proceed based on a secret vote. Other games on the way include the quiz game That’s You and Singstar Celebration.

Sleek and small.A closer look at the Xbox One X

The world’s most powerful console is surprisingly petite.

The Xbox Design Lab is coming to Europe, too.Microsoft’s Xbox gamepads are more customizable than ever

Like the idea of customizing a controller in the Xbox Design Lab, but wish you could add a little more flair or (gasp) practical features? You just got your wish. Microsoft has added a slew of new customization options, including four new main colors, 11 thumbstick colors, metallic finishes on D-pads and triggers, and (most importantly) rubberized grips. Personalized gamepads are still expensive at $80, but you might feel like that money is better spent after this.

It’s an excellent tablet with the potential to get even better.iPad Pro 10.5 review: Where execution and ambition meet

iPad Pros have always been great options for people who need high-powered tablets, and the new 10.5-inch model is no exception. Chris Velazco says it’s a more exciting update than it might initially seem: The screen is bigger and brighter than before, and the new A10X Fusion chipset makes this model one of the most powerful in Apple’s Pro lineup. Throw in an excellent primary camera and the same 10-hour battery life we’ve come to expect, and what’s left is a great — albeit expensive — tablet for users who crave excellent performance. It still won’t replace your laptop, but it might be able to soon. iOS 11 is set to launch this fall, and the update will make these new Pros even better for people who need to multitask.

Here’s our first (lengthy) look at the webslinger in action.PS4-exclusive ‘Spider-Man’ arrives in 2018

The history of Spider-Man games is full of highs and lows. For every Spider-Man 2, there’s a Spider-Man: Edge of Time, an initially promising but ultimately lackluster outing. Sony hopes to change that with a new Spider-Man game, developed by Insomniac. Yesterday we got a much better look through a ton of gameplay footage at Sony’s E3 press conference. The game looks like it pays plenty of dues to the Batman: Arkham series of games. There’s lots of Spider-Man stealth-attacking baddies from above, zipping from building to building with his web, and doing a bunch of fun-looking ground-based fights as well.

We can’t believe it either.‘Beyond Good & Evil 2’ is really happening

So many f-bombs, though.

The ridiculous crossover nobody asked for is totally real‘Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle’ looks like an adorable ‘XCOM’

Without a doubt, the strangest Nintendo Switch rumor to surface in recent months revolved around a crossover between Super Mario characters and Ubisoft’s screaming Rabbids mascots. It was questioned, argued over and eventually, all but confirmed by leaked game art. Let this be the final word: Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is very real. Ubisoft just announced it at E3 2017. Mario’s got a gun.

It’s ‘the pinnacle of design.’Microsoft Surface Laptop review

The good news: With the Surface Laptop, Microsoft has delivered a “portable, well-built and powerful machine with great battery life.”

The bad news: It’s powered by the more restrictive Windows 10 S, which could be frustrating for plenty of customers.

Of course, you can always upgrade to regular Windows 10 and get the best of both worlds — which is what Devindra Hardawar eventually picked.

But wait, there’s more…

• ‘Destiny 2’ release dates: September 6th on consoles, October 24th on PC
• ‘Far Cry 5’ has a cult-fighting dog
• NASA will put on a colorful cloud show for the East Coast tonight
• Essential phone is exclusive to Sprint
• IRL: What we’re listening to in June
• The Xbox One X vs. the original Xbox One: What’s changed?
• Tweets will be official presidential records if the Covfefe Act passes

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