The NHTSA has proposed new regulations aimed at redesigning vehicles to enhance pedestrian safety, following a significant rise in pedestrian fatalities. The rule, which is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, seeks to minimize head injuries in crashes involving pedestrians.

Apple has introduced the iPhone 16, emphasizing its AI capabilities, alongside new AirPods and Apple Watch models. The iPhone 16 will be available for pre-order on September 13 and will ship on September 20.

Elon Musk has proposed an ambitious timeline for human colonization of Mars, suggesting landings could occur within four years and a self-sustaining city could be established in 20 years. Experts express skepticism about the feasibility of these timelines, citing technical and logistical challenges.

Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis successfully completed the first private spacewalk as part of the Polaris Dawn mission, reaching an altitude of 870 miles. The mission tested new SpaceX spacesuits and marked a significant milestone in commercial space travel.

A widely cited claim that Indigenous peoples protect 80% of the world's biodiversity has been debunked as unsupported by data. The scientific journal Nature published findings that challenge the validity of this statistic, raising concerns about its impact on conservation efforts.

Minnesota is establishing itself as a hub for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, aiming for commercial aviation to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Key milestones include the development of a SAF blending facility and commitments from airlines to increase SAF usage.

Intel has entered a multibillion-dollar agreement with Amazon's AWS to produce an artificial intelligence fabric chip, while also restructuring its business and planning significant layoffs.

New Mexico is exploring the treatment of oil wastewater as a potential solution to its ongoing drought, with plans to regulate its use for agricultural purposes. However, concerns about safety and costs remain significant challenges.

Johnson Senior High School in St. Paul, Minnesota, has installed a ground source heat pump cooling system, significantly improving conditions for students and staff. The installation addresses the need for updated heating and cooling systems in schools, particularly in light of rising temperatures and heat waves.

The author shares their journey of smartphone addiction and the decision to switch to a basic phone, leading to improved focus and personal connections. They reflect on the broader implications of smartphone use on freedom and personal experience.

Death Valley National Park experienced its hottest summer on record, with an average temperature of 104.5 degrees Fahrenheit, coinciding with the hottest summer globally. The extreme heat led to multiple heat-related incidents, including two fatalities.

Experts estimate that up to a billion birds die annually from collisions with buildings, prompting architects to adopt bird-friendly glass and cities to implement building codes aimed at reducing these incidents.

NASA has cleared the Europa Clipper spacecraft for launch on October 10, 2024, to explore the potential habitability of Jupiter's moon Europa. The mission will involve 49 flybys to study the moon's subsurface ocean and icy crust.

GSK has reported positive results from a mid-stage trial of its mRNA flu vaccine, leading to its progression to late-stage clinical development. The vaccine demonstrated effective immune responses against influenza A and B strains in both younger and older adults.

The UK government has designated data centers as Critical National Infrastructure to enhance cybersecurity and support operators in threat response. This move includes backing a significant investment in a new data center project in Hertfordshire.

A study indicates that hydrogel microparticles can enhance bumblebee survival rates by 30% when exposed to lethal doses of neonicotinoids. The microparticles also help reduce symptoms in bees exposed to lower, non-lethal doses of these pesticides.

The International Energy Agency reports that global oil demand growth is at its slowest since the pandemic, primarily due to a slowdown in China's economy and a shift towards electric vehicles. Oil prices have dropped below $70 a barrel as a result of oversupply and weak demand forecasts.

Top executives from major tech companies met with U.S. officials to address the energy and infrastructure requirements for the growing AI industry. The discussions included the need for reliable electricity and the construction of data centers in the United States.

Researchers are studying the symbiotic relationship between coral and algae to understand how to protect coral reefs from global warming. The Aquatic Symbiosis Genomics project aims to sequence coral genomes to identify traits that enhance resilience to climate change.

Illinois DMV offices have begun accepting contactless payments through digital wallets, with plans to introduce digital IDs by the end of 2025.

A recent analysis reveals that the actual greenhouse gas emissions from the data centers of major tech companies are significantly higher than what they report. As demand for data centers grows, particularly due to AI, emissions are projected to rise sharply by 2030.

Intel Corp has qualified for up to $3.5 billion in federal grants to produce semiconductors for the U.S Department of Defense under the Secure Enclave program. This funding is part of broader efforts to revitalize U.S. semiconductor manufacturing.

Mercedes-Benz is collaborating with Factorial to create a solid-state battery named Solstice, which aims to significantly enhance electric vehicle range. The new battery technology is expected to be ready for production by the end of the decade.

SLB has announced the commercial launch of its direct lithium extraction system following successful tests in Nevada, aiming to produce lithium for electric vehicle batteries by 2027. The company plans to build a plant capable of producing 10,000 metric tons of lithium per year at a competitive cost.

A robot has commenced a two-week mission to collect melted fuel debris from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, marking the first attempt to retrieve such material since the 2011 disaster. The operation is part of a long-term decommissioning process expected to last several decades.

A study published in Nature Cities reveals that while cities like Zurich and Milan have high accessibility to essential services, sprawling North American cities like San Antonio lag significantly behind. The research emphasizes the need for urban planning that minimizes car dependency and promotes walkability.

A G2 geomagnetic storm watch has been issued, indicating that the northern lights may be visible in parts of the Midwest, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Cloud cover may impact visibility in some areas.

Meta has acknowledged that it scrapes public posts and photos from Facebook and Instagram to train its AI models, dating back to 2007. Users in the EU can opt out, but those in the US and Australia cannot.

Pirelli and Bosch are partnering to create an 'intelligent tyre' system that integrates tyre sensors with vehicle control systems to enhance safety and performance. The initial project focuses on stability control for Pagani supercars.

Mastercard has announced its acquisition of threat intelligence company Recorded Future for $2.65 billion to enhance its cybersecurity capabilities. The deal is expected to close by the first quarter of 2025.