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Submission + - Across the Country, College Students Must Pay to Turn In Their Homework. (edsurge.com) 1

Submitted by jyosim
jyosim writes: A professor at Arizona State U says he was let go from his teaching job in the economics department because he wouldn't embrace assigning homework software that he says “requires students to pay just to turn in homework.”

His students rushed to his defense on social media, saying that many of their courses now require them to pay for online systems if they want to submit homework.

The university says the professor is spreading misinformation and is the villain.

Details of the ASU situation are messy, but the broader issue of homework software is one that students around the country have been complaining about, while textbook companies see them as the future because they eliminate the used textbook market and lead to more sales as more students are forced to buy directly from publishers.

Publishers argue their software is sophisticated, expensive to build, and improves student grades because it is integrated with helpful bells and whistles. They want colleges to buy in bulk so all students have access.

Is the move to digital homework systems creating a new kind of digital divide at colleges?

Submission + - Is cyberwarfare war? Insurers balk at paying for some cyberattacks 1

Submitted by Lasrick
Lasrick writes: In an era of unceasing cyberattacks, including cases of state-sponsored hacking, insurance companies are beginning to re-interpret an old line in their contracts known as the “war exclusion.” Take the case of snack company Mondelez International, hit in the so-called “NotPetya” attack of 2017. Zurich Insurance rejected a $100 million claim from the company after the White House, in January 2018, attributed the NotPetya attack to the Russian military. Mondelez filed a lawsuit last fall, so the question for Zurich is whether the chain of events that led to NotPetya striking down Mondelez’s network qualifies as warfare. A court ruling in favor of Zurich could make cyberwar much more real, and costly.

Submission + - Apple Music Caught Censoring Pro-Democracy Music In China (gizmodo.com)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: Chinese journalists and netizens recently found that Apple Music’s Chinese streaming service censored a song by Hong Kong singer Jacky Cheung that references the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests, an extremely politically sensitive topic for the Chinese Communist Party. The incident’s 30th anniversary is coming up in June. Sophie Richardson, the China Director at Human Rights Watch, called the reported move “spectacularly craven.” The Tiananmen protests are emblematic of a larger pro-democracy movement in China that was snuffed out by the Beijing government. Thousands of protesters were killed, but the exact numbers have themselves been censored by Chinese government officials.

Apple Music has also reportedly censored Anthony Wong and Denise Ho, two pro-democracy singers. After being noticed by Chinese netizens, the removals were reported by the Hong Kong Free Press and The Stand, two Hong Kong-based news outlets. Taiwan News also reported the censorship of Cheung’s “Ren Jian Dao.” The music remains available on Apple Music’s North American products.

Submission + - Scientists Reverse Memory Decline Using Electrical Pulses (theguardian.com)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: The study focused on a part of cognition called working memory, the brain system that holds information for short periods while we are making decisions or performing calculations. Working memory is crucial for a wide variety of tasks, such as recognizing faces, doing arithmetic and navigating a new environment. Working memory is known to steadily decline with age, even in the absence of any form of dementia. One factor in this decline is thought to be a disconnection between two brain networks, known as the prefrontal and temporal regions. In young people, the electrical brain activity in these two regions tends to be rhythmically synchronized, which scientists think allows information to be exchanged between the two brain areas. However, in older people the activity tends to be less tightly synchronized. This may be as result of deterioration of the long-range nerve connections that link up the different parts of the brain.

In the study, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, 42 people aged 20–29 and 42 people aged 60–76 were assessed in a working memory task. The older group were slower and less accurate on the tests. The scientists then subjected them all to 25 minutes of non-invasive brain stimulation. This aimed to synchronize the two target brain regions by passing gentle pulses of electricity through the scalp and into the brain. After the intervention, working memory in the older adults improved to match the younger group and the effect appeared to last for 50 minutes after the stimulation. Those who had scored worst to start with showed the largest improvements.

Submission + - Fermi satellite clocks pulsar going 2.5M MPH (upi.com) 1

Submitted by schwit1
schwit1 writes: Astronomers have discovered a pulsar traveling at unprecedented speeds. Observations by NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope suggest the star is moving through space at 2.5 million miles per hour.

Pulsars are extremely dense neutron stars that spin rapidly, producing a pulsing jet. The pulsing radio-emitting jet, or tail, points toward the remnants of a recent supernova explosion.

Scientists aren't totally sure how J0002 accelerated to such tremendous speeds. In the wake of the supernova explosion from which the pulsar originated, expelled gas and dust from the exploded companion star likely outraced J0002.

Submission + - New "Metallic Wood" Is as Strong as Titanium But Much Lighter (nature.com)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: Titanium has long been touted as the metal of the future, due to its strength, rust resistance, and amazing lightness. Now researchers have discovered a way to create a new "metallic wood" material that is as strong as titanium, but five times lighter. It was created by building tiny plastic spheres, suspending them in water, allowing the water to evaporate, and then electroplating the spheres with nickel. Researchers then dissolved the plastic spheres, producing an incredibly strong, porous metal that floats on water.

Submission + - Are Custom Android ROMS Still A Thing?

Submitted by Thelasko
Thelasko writes: Reading Kashmir Hill's series Goodby Big Five on Gizmodo made me consider switching to a custom Android ROM like LineageOS again. The Gizmodo articles make it seem that most phones are so locked down it is almost impossible to do. My last experience with custom ROMs confirmed that to be true for me. Is anyone having success? Why is LineageOS making builds for 185 devices if no one can use them?

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