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  • Google Nest Wifi Pro gets July 2025 update

    Google Nest Wifi Pro gets July 2025 update

    After a false start in April, Google has rolled out the latest firmware update for the Nest Wifi Pro on July 1st.

    Software update 3.76.479819 for the Google Nest Wifi Pro is dated July 1, 2025 with two entries:

    • Improved and more reliable whole-home coverage with Thread support
    • Stability and security vulnerability fixes

    For owners of the new Yale Smart Lock with Matter, this update addresses set-up issues.

    This is the same changelog as an update that was listed in April (3.75.467368), alongside the Nest Wifi, but never actually rolled out. (That entry was later removed.) As such, the last update was 3.74.447573 from December.

    Advertisement – scroll for more content

    We’re already seeing version 3.76 installed on our Nest Wifi Pro, with updates happening automatically in the background overnight. If you don’t have it yet, try restarting the router. 

    To check, open the Google Home app and go to the Devices tab. After selecting your Nest Wifi Pro, tap the gear icon in the top-right corner for Device settings. 

    Nest Wifi Pro July update

    More on Google Home:

    FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

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  • Which Is a More Accurate Predictor of Health?

    Which Is a More Accurate Predictor of Health?

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    Compared to BMI scores, body-fat percentages were a stronger predictor of the 15-year mortality risk of young adults, a new study found. Thana Prasongsin/Getty Images
    • A new study reports that measurements that detect body fat are a more accurate predictor of mortality risk than body mass index (BMI).
    • Experts say BMI doesn’t differentiate between weight attributed to body fat and weight attributed to muscle.
    • They do note that BMI is easier to calculate and less expensive than many body fat measurements.

    Body mass index (BMI) only tells part of the story when it comes to determining your overall health and death risk.

    Compared to BMI scores, researchers said body-fat percentages were a stronger predictor of the 15-year mortality risk of young adults ages 20 to 49.

    They reported that people with high body fat are 78% more likely to die from any cause compared to people without high body fat.

    In addition, those with elevated body fat percentages have a 262% higher chance of dying from heart disease.

    The researchers said BMI measurements did not detect these risks, but other measurements did. These included bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), which uses electrical current to measure body fat, muscle mass, and water weight.

    “Body fat percentage is a better predictor of 15-year mortality risk factor in young adults than BMI. A move to using [body fat percentages] rather than BMI may change how we measure body composition for risk stratification,” the researchers wrote.

    Experts not involved in the study say the results are not surprising.

    “Previous studies have shown similar results — measuring body fat, especially fat deep in the belly which is close to organs, more metabolically active and plays a greater metabolic risk, may be a better assessment than simply a number on the scale which cannot assess variations between muscle, fat, water, etc.,” said Kristin Kirkpatrick, RD, the president of KAK Consulting and a dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic Dept of Department of Wellness & Preventive Medicine.

    The concept of body mass index (BMI) was developed in 1832 by Belgian mathematician Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet.

    It’s calculated by basically dividing a person’s weight by their height squared. There are free calculators online to help do the math.

    Using that scale, medical professionals classify body composition of adults in the following way.

    • less than 18.5 — underweight
    • 18.5 to 24.9 — healthy weight
    • 25 to 29.9 — overweight
    • 30 or greater — obesity

    Obesity is classified by three subtypes using BMI:

    • class 1 obesity — 30 to 34.9
    • class 2 obesity — 35 to 39.9
    • class 3 obesity — 40 or higher

    Ali said the advantages of measuring BMI are that it’s a well-known gauge that is easy to calculate, relatively inexpensive, and generally accepted by insurance.

    Some past studies have shown that BMI can be a predictor of chronic diseases such as:

    • type 2 diabetes
    • cancer
    • kidney disease

    Mir Ali, MD, a general surgeon, bariatric surgeon, and the medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in California, said BMI doesn’t distinguish between weight obtained by muscle and weight due to body fat.

    “It doesn’t take into account the differences between fat and muscle in the body,” Ali told Healthline. “BMI is not necessarily the best measurement for body composition — it’s more of a guidance.”

    Becca Krukowski, PhD, a professor of public health services at the University of Virginia and a fellow at the Obesity Society, said BMI measurements have several shortcomings.

    “BMI is widely used in clinical settings because it is easy to compute,” she told Healthline.

    “However, BMI is a rough measure of body composition, and individuals can be misclassified with overweight or obesity if they are extremely muscular. In addition, someone with a BMI in the ‘normal’ category could still have a high body fat percentage, which still increases their risk of many chronic diseases,” Krukowski continued.

    Kirkpatrick expressed similar concerns.

    “BMI may offer a general assessment — and the location of fat in the body matters related to risk, [but] the major disadvantage [of BMI] is not being able to assess health risk simply based on the number,” she told Healthline.

    This system works by sending small electric currents throughout the body. Electrodes on the skin measures these currents after they pass through body tissues. These currents move easier through muscle than fat.

    Kirkpatrick said these types of body fat measurements provide a better overall picture.

    “[Body fat] assessment (and looking at where fat is stored) can help assess risk,” she explained.

    “For example, fat stored in the belly is much more dangerous in terms of metabolic risk than fat that is stored in the thighs and buttocks. Genetics play a role as well, with some individuals having more risk based on other factors.”

    Ali agreed. “Body fat may be a better measurement of overall health,” he said, noting the disadvantages of these types of measurements are that they can be more expensive and they aren’t as easy to calculate as BMI.

    Krukowski noted similar limitations. “Each of these methods have their pros and cons,” she said.

    “Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans are very accurate, but quite expensive and not available in many clinical settings. Although waist circumference measurement can be quite helpful in predicting disease risk, it is very complicated to do correctly. Finally, as the authors note in the article, bioelectrical impedance analysis machines have not always been able to provide accurate measurement of body fat percentage,” Krukowski continued.

    “However, this article indicates that perhaps this bioelectrical impedance analysis technology has improved enough to seriously consider this technology in estimating body fat percentage,” she added.

    Ali noted there are simple ways for people to assess their overall health, too. For example, if you have trouble walking up stairs or standing up after kneeling, your overall health may not be where it should be.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 40% of U.S. adults have obesity.

    The condition has a higher prevalence in people in certain groups, including non-Hispanic Black adults and people with less education.

    There are many health risks associated with obesity. Among them:

    • heart disease
    • stroke
    • high blood pressure
    • liver disease
    • certain cancers
    • pregnancy complications

    Experts say you can lower your risk of obesity by following a healthy lifestyle of exercise and diet.

    For exercise, it’s recommended to aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity.

    For diet, experts advise:

    • filling half your plate with vegetables
    • eating more whole grains
    • choosing lean sources of protein (i.e., chicken and seafood)
    • avoiding fried foods
    • avoiding sugary foods
    • avoiding or abstaining from alcohol

    “Body weight is just one component of fitness and health,” said Kirkpatrick. “Dietary patterns, sleep, exercise habits, genetics, and environment all may play a role in an individual’s health status.”

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  • Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2025 – Pamir Legends vs Maiwand Champions; Hindokush Strikers vs Mahipar Stars – Betting Tips, Match Predictions

    Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2025 – Pamir Legends vs Maiwand Champions; Hindokush Strikers vs Mahipar Stars – Betting Tips, Match Predictions

    Here are the Fantasy Cricket Predictions and Betting Tips for Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2025, Match 7 – Pamir Legends vs Maiwand Champions and Match 8 – Hindokush Strikers vs Mahipar Stars on the 2nd of July at the Kunduz Cricket Ground, Kunduz.

    Points Table

    Match 7 – Pamir Legends vs Maiwand Champions (Kunduz Cricket Ground, Kunduz)

    Current Form Pamir Legends:

    Pamir Legends are currently placed at the 3rd position on points table with 1 win and 2 losses to their credit.

    The top run scorer for Pamir Legends in the Afghanistan National T20 Cup is Mohammad Haroon with 124 runs to his name.

    The top wicket taker for Pamir Legends in the Afghanistan National T20 Cup is Bilal Sami with 6 scalps under his belt.
    Pamir Legends have lost their previous match against Hindokush Strikers by 94 runs.

    Hindokush Strikers batted first and they posted a total of 176 for 8 in 20 overs. Zubaid Akbari and Mobin Bakhtyar Khan played really well and scored 44 and 58 runs respectively. Just when things were really tight, Hindokush Strikers lost a couple of wickets in quick succession. However, Mohammad Ishaq found timely boundaries to smash 29 runs off 8 balls as he helped Hindokush Strikers get to 176 in their innings.

    During the chase, Pamir Legends lost their way right from the word go. They were reduced to 80 for 7 in the 14th over. Yama Arab bowled exceptionally well and picked up 4 wickets for just 21 runs. On the back of his brilliance with the ball, Pamir Legends were bowled out for 82, losing the match by a huge margin of 94 runs.

    Batting Stats T20

    Current Form Maiwand Champions:

    Maiwand Champions are currently placed at the 4th position on points table with 3 losses to their credit.

    The top run scorer for Maiwand Champions in the Afghanistan National T20 Cup is Imran Mir with 90 runs to his name.

    The top wicket taker for Maiwand Champions in the Afghanistan National T20 Cup is Khalel Ahmad with 5 scalps under his belt.

    Maiwand Champions have lost their previous match against Mahipar Stars by 5 runs.

    Mahipar Stars batted first and they posted a total of 171 for 5 in 20 overs. Hazaratullah Zazai finally clicked and smashed 57 runs in just 42 balls. He hit the bowlers to all parts of the ground and dominated the opposition in plain sight. Allah Noor also made a healthy contribution in the lower order as Mahipar Stars reached a commanding total of 171 in their innings.

    During the chase, Maiwand Champions lost a couple of early wickets and looked to be in deep waters right from the word go. Samiullah Shinwari made 32 runs but he once again consumed too many deliveries for doing so. Najibullah Zadran came out really late. He tried his best by scoring 42 quick runs but couldn’t do enough as Maiwand Champions eventually fell short by 5 runs.

    Let’s have a look at the squads:

    Maiwand Champions
    Najibullah Zadran, Yousaf Shah, Abdul Hadi, Mohammad Akram, Khalid Taniwal, Imran Mir, Shawkat Zaman, Ijaz Ahmad, Samiullah Shinwari, Ismat Alam, Babar Khan, Naseer Maroofkhil, M Gul Alizai, Khalil Ahmad, M Dawood, Sami Sarmast, Bashir Ahmad

    Pamir Legends

    Nangyal Kharoty, Noor Rahman, Murad Muradi, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Haroon Khan, Barakzai Naseri, Bilal Ahmad, Emal Shaheen, Rahmanllah Zadran, Asif Shah, Mohib Hamraz, Mohammadullah, Arab Gul Momand, Lalbaz Sinzai, Sayed Shirzad, Kamil Kakar, Bilal Sami

    Match Prediction – Maiwand Champions v Pamir Legends

    Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions* – PrePlay

    Who will win the toss? – Pamir Legends

    Who will win?– Pamir Legends

    Top Batter (Runs Scored) – Wafiullah (Pamir Legends), Shawkat Zaman (Maiwand Champions)

    Top Bowler (Wickets taken) – Sayed Shirzad (Pamir Legends), Babar Khan (Maiwand Champions)

    Most Sixes – Wafiullah (Pamir Legends), Shawkat Zaman (Maiwand Champions)

    Player of the Match– Sayed Shirzad (Pamir Legends)

    Team Scores Batting first – Pamir Legends 150+, Maiwand Champions 140+

    Match Handicap : Pamir Legends

    Wicket Takers T20

    Match 8 – Hindokush Strikers vs Mahipar Stars (Kunduz Cricket Ground, Kunduz)

    Current Form Hindokush Strikers:

    Hindokush Strikers are currently placed at the 1st position on points table with 3 wins to their credit.

    The top run scorer for Hindokush Strikers in the Afghanistan National T20 Cup is Mohammad Ishaq with 100 runs to his name.

    The top wicket taker for Hindokush Strikers in the Afghanistan National T20 Cup is Dawlat Zadran with 6 scalps under his belt.
    Hindokush Strikers have won their previous match against Pamir Legends by 94 runs.

    Hindokush Strikers batted first and they posted a total of 176 for 8 in 20 overs. Zubaid Akbari and Mobin Bakhtyar Khan played really well and scored 44 and 58 runs respectively. Just when things were really tight, Hindokush Strikers lost a couple of wickets in quick succession. However, Mohammad Ishaq found timely boundaries to smash 29 runs off 8 balls as he helped Hindokush Strikers get to 176 in their innings.

    During the chase, Pamir Legends lost their way right from the word go. They were reduced to 80 for 7 in the 14th over. Yama Arab bowled exceptionally well and picked up 4 wickets for just 21 runs. On the back of his brilliance with the ball, Pamir Legends were bowled out for 82, losing the match by a huge margin of 94 runs.

    Most 6’s T20

    Current Form Mahipar Stars:

    Mahipar Stars are currently placed at the 2nd position on points table with 2 wins and 1 loss to their credit.

    The top run scorer for Mahipar Stars in the Afghanistan National T20 Cup is Mohammad Shahzad with 120 runs to his name.

    The top wicket taker for Mahipar Stars in the Afghanistan National T20 Cup is Saleem Safi with 7 scalps under his belt.
    Mahipar Stars have won their previous match against Maiwand Champions by 5 runs.

    Mahipar Stars batted first and they posted a total of 171 for 5 in 20 overs. Hazaratullah Zazai finally clicked and smashed 57 runs in just 42 balls. He hit the bowlers to all parts of the ground and dominated the opposition in plain sight. Allah Noor also made a healthy contribution in the lower order as Mahipar Stars reached a commanding total of 171 in their innings.

    During the chase, Maiwand Champions lost a couple of early wickets and looked to be in deep waters right from the word go. Samiullah Shinwari made 32 runs but he once again consumed too many deliveries for doing so. Najibullah Zadran came out really late. He tried his best by scoring 42 quick runs but couldn’t do enough as Maiwand Champions eventually fell short by 5 runs.

    Let’s have a look at the squads:

    Hindokush Strikers

    Mohammad Ishaq, Mobin Khan, Zubaid Akbari, Hassan Esakhil, Kamal Khan, Asif Mosazai, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Sohail Khan, Tariq Stanikzai, Abdullah Tarakhil, Izharulhaq Naveed, Azeem Zadran, Lutfullah, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Dawlat Zadran, Yama Arab, Faridoon Dawoodzai

    Mahipar Stars

    Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Shahzad, Hamza Khan Alikhil, Usman Sadaat, Naveed Obaid, Shir Khan Bahadur, Allah Noor, Sediq Pacha, Javid Sulaimankhil, Shamsurrahman, Farmanullah Safi, Khalil Gurbaz, Qamar Shams, Mohammad Ibrahim, M Saleem Safi, Aftab Alam, Mohib Zurmatai

    Match Prediction – Hindukush Strikers v Mahipar Stars

    Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions* – PrePlay

    Who will win the toss? – Hindokush Strikers

    Who will win?– Hindokush Strikers

    Top Batter (Runs Scored) – Safiqullah Pacha (Mahipar Stars), Zubaid Akbari (Hindokush Strikers)

    Top Bowler (Wickets taken) – Aftab Alam (Mahipar Stars), Yama Arab (Hindokush Strikers)

    Most Sixes – Allah Noor (Mahipar Stars), Mohammad Ishaq (Hindokush Strikers)

    Player of the Match- Mohammad Ishaq (Hindokush Strikers)

    Team Scores Batting first – Mahipar Stars 170+, Hindokush Strikers 175+

    Match Handicap : Hindokush Strikers

    Live Cricket Streaming Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2025: The live cricket streaming page which enables you to watch live cricket  – Geo-restrictions apply

    *NB these predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In-Play’ features, so stay tuned.

    © Cricket World 2025
     

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  • Sonos is offering a refurbished Era 100 for just $119

    Sonos is offering a refurbished Era 100 for just $119

    Earlier this year, Sonos permanently dropped the price of its Era 100 speaker to $199, making it more affordable for people looking to build a multiroom wireless speaker setup. Now, the small-but-mighty speaker is even cheaper to kick off summer. Sonos is offering the refurbished Era 100 for just $119 ($40 off), the lowest price we’ve seen on the smart speaker. Sonos Certified Refurbished products are thoroughly inspected, cleaned, and tested by the brand’s in-house team, and you get the same one-year warranty as new Sonos products.

    The Sonos Era 100 is the brand’s mainstream home speaker, offering stereo sound, line-in and Bluetooth audio support, and more intuitive physical controls. For instance, there are dedicated track controls — no need for swipe gestures — and a separate indented bar for volume. The speaker features two tweeters, enabling proper left and right channel reproduction. Additionally, the Era 100 comes with a larger midwoofer compared to its predecessor, Sonos One, for more booming bass.

    In his review of the Sonos Era 100, former senior reviewer at The Verge, Chris Welch, said the smart speaker provides rich sound that’s consistently strong across genres, making it a great option for first-time buyers or those looking to add to their Sonos system. The Era 100 supports Sonos’ Trueplay feature, allowing you to fine-tune the speaker’s sound based on the room it’s in. Additionally, you can pair a second Era 100 for wider, more immersive sound.

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  • Mariah Carey Confirms New Album Is ‘Finished’

    Mariah Carey Confirms New Album Is ‘Finished’

    Mariah Carey confirmed Monday that she’s finished her upcoming 16th studio album.

    She sat down with Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden at the new Apple Music Studios in Culver City, California, during a special live broadcast to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the streaming service. The three briefly chatted about her latest single “Type Dangerous,” which Lowe described as a “heavy record, it’s got real weight to it” before asking if fans can expect more new music from her soon.

    “I’m trying not to tell too much about the new album. ‘It’s a special occasion/ Mimi’s emancipation’ — that’s a lyric from one of my songs,” Carey said quoting 2005’s “It’s Like That.” “What is next? The album coming out. I don’t wanna tell too much about it because I just don’t want to reveal the whole thing. It’s finished.”

    Mimi also revealed there are 11 or 12 songs featured on the full-length project. “We got some Mariah ballads,” she told Darden, adding that “a second single is coming soon. I’m very excited about it. It’s very summery. I like the beat as well.”

    Carey released “Type Dangerous” at the top of last month via gamma., the company founded by former Apple Music executive Larry Jackson in 2023. “Type Dangerous,” which samples Eric B. & Rakim‘s 1986 track “Eric B. Is President,” became her 50th Billboard Hot 100 hit and hit the top 10 of R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. She performed the song alongside Rakim at the 2025 BET Awards last month, when she received her first BET Award ever: the Ultimate Icon Award.

    “I’ve always loved ‘Eric B. Is President.’ It wasn’t something like, ‘Oh, I’m gonna flip this’ — I just wouldn’t think of doing it,” she explained to Darden and Lowe. “But then we were in this restaurant in Aspen and they had different music on, and they played ‘Eric B. Is President’ and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh! I love this song!’ We ended up in the studio a couple months later and we did it.”

    Chance the Rapper also briefly chatted with Lowe and Darden about his new music coming out soon. Ciara, Dominic Fike, Fuerza Regida, FLO, Hit Boy, Kamasi Washington, Kevin Abstract, kwn, Teezo Touchdown, Tommy Richman, Vince Staples and many more celebrated Apple Music’s 10th anniversary at the company’s newly opened studio space on Monday night.

    Mariah Carey and Ebro Darden attend the Apple Music 10th anniversary celebration and global live Apple Music Radio broadcast on June 30, 2025 at Apple Music’s new studio space in Culver City, Calif.

    Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Apple Music

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  • Focus remains on the ECB Forum and US jobs

    Focus remains on the ECB Forum and US jobs

    The Greenback dipped to new multi-year troughs before attempting a mild rebound on Tuesday, as investors continued to assess the participation of Chief Powell at the ECB Forum, while fresh tensions emerged on the trade front in anticipation of the July 9 tariffs deadline.

    Here’s what to watch on Wednesday, July 2:

    The US Dollar Index (DXY) added to the ongoing lower leg and receded to new multi-year lows in the sub-97.00 neighbourhood. The usual weekly MBA Mortgage Applications are due, followed by Challenger Job Cuts, the ADP Employment Change report, and the EIA’s weekly report on US crude oil stockpiles.

    EUR/USD halted its multi-day positive streak shortly after reaching fresh yearly peaks above the 1.1800 level. The ECB Forum on Central Banking will precede the release of the EMU’s Unemployment Rate.

    GBP/USD resumed its decline soon after hitting new YTD tops near 1.3790, just to end the day with humble gains in the low 1.3700s. Next on tap across the Channel will be the BoE’s DMP Survey and Credit Conditions Survey, seconded by the final S&P Global Services PMI, all due on July 3.

    USD/JPY remained on the back foot and retreated to the 142.70 region, or four-week lows. Next on the Japanese docket will be the weekly Foreign Bond Investment figures on July 3.

    Following its risk-related peers, AUD/USD hit new tops just below the 0.6600 barrier before succumbing to some modest downside pressure. The Ai Group survey is due alongside Building Permits, Retail Sales and Private House Approvals.

    WTI prices maintained their multi-day erratic performance on Tuesday, always around the $65.00 mark per barrel as traders remained prudent ahead of the OPEC+ meeting and rising expectations surrounding the trade front.

    Gold prices rose markedly and revisited the $3,360 zone per troy ounce, or multi-day highs, following the increasing caution around the US trade policy and the vacillating Greenback. Silver prices extended Monday’s uptick to two-day highs around $36.60 per ounce.

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  • Here’s What Mark Zuckerberg Is Offering Top AI Talent

    Here’s What Mark Zuckerberg Is Offering Top AI Talent

    As Mark Zuckerberg staffs up Meta’s new superintelligence lab, he’s offered top tier research talent pay packages of up to $300 million over four years, with more than $100 million in total compensation for the first year, WIRED has learned.

    Meta has made at least 10 staggeringly high offers to OpenAI staffers, sources say. One high ranking researcher was pitched on the role of chief scientist but turned it down, according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations. While the pay package includes equity, in the first year the stock vests immediately, sources say.

    “That’s about how much it would take for me to go work at Meta,” says one OpenAI staffer who spoke with WIRED on the condition of anonymity as they aren’t authorized to speak publicly about the company. Other employees said that they were weighing the money against the potential impact they could have at Meta in comparison to OpenAI. Several believed their impact would be greater at OpenAI.

    “These statements are untrue – the size and structure of these compensation packages have been misrepresented all over the place,” says Meta spokesperson Andy Stone. “Some people have chosen to greatly exaggerate what’s happening for their own purposes.”

    A senior engineer who spoke to WIRED confirmed their pay was around $850,000 per year at Meta—an impressive sum that pales in comparison to the packages currently on offer. Those in the pay band above this engineer (E7’s, in Meta terms) make on average $1.54 million a year, according to user data submitted on Levels.FYI.

    Andrew Bosworth, chief technology officer at Meta, said that not everyone is getting a $100 million offer during a Q&A with employees last week. “Look, you guys, the market’s hot. It’s not that hot. Okay? So it’s just a lie,” he said. “We have a small number of leadership roles that we’re hiring for, and those people do command a premium.” He added that the $100 million is not a sign-on bonus, but “all these different things” and noted OpenAI is countering the offers.

    As a point of comparison, Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, received $79.1 million in total compensation in 2024, most of it in stock, according to a financial filing by the company. Dara Khosrowshahi, the CEO of Uber, made roughly $39.4 million (again, mostly in stock) the same year.

    On Monday, Mark Zuckerberg sent a note to Meta staff introducing the new superintelligence team. Alexandr Wang, formerly the CEO of Scale AI, is now Meta’s chief AI officer, Zuckerberg said. He’s joined by Nat Friedman who previously led GitHub. Together, Wang and Friedman will colead an organization Zuckerberg dubbed the Meta Superintelligence Labs. The company did not name a chief scientist or a chief research officer as part of the announcement. Neither Wang nor Friedman are thought of as researchers, at least in the traditional sense. None of the OpenAI staffers who left for Meta received the $300 million offer, according to a source with knowledge of the contracts.

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  • Mark Zuckerberg’s costly AI talent push has not cost Meta stock yet. Here’s why

    Mark Zuckerberg’s costly AI talent push has not cost Meta stock yet. Here’s why

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  • Cardiac MRI shows heart damage caused by air pollution

    Cardiac MRI shows heart damage caused by air pollution

    Cardiac MRI shows the effects of air pollution on the heart — and the findings aren’t good, according to a study published July 1 in Radiology.

    The research adds to growing evidence that air pollution is a cardiovascular risk factor, contributing to residual risk not accounted for by typical clinical predictors such as smoking or hypertension, the RSNA noted in a statement.

    “Even modest increases in air pollution levels appear to have measurable effects on the heart,” said senior author Kate Hanneman, MD, of the University of Toronto in Canada. “Our study suggests that air quality may play a significant role in changes to heart structure, potentially setting the stage for future cardiovascular disease.”

    Heart disease is the main cause of death around the world, the investigators noted. Although prior work has indicated that poor air quality contributes to cardiovascular disease, changes in the heart resulting from exposure to air pollution have remained unclear, they explained, observing that fine particulate matter in the air may contribute to diffuse myocardial fibrosis, a form of scarring in the heart muscle that can precede heart failure. (“Fine particulate matter” can include vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions and wildfire smoke, and particles are small enough to enter the bloodstream through the lungs.)

    With Hanneman, a team led by Jacques Du Plessis, MD, also of the University of Toronto, explored the relationship between long-term exposure to fine particulate matter with 2.5-µm or smaller aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) and the extent of diffuse myocardial fibrosis quantified with cardiac MRI native T1 mapping z scores (used to assess myocardial tissue characteristics; score expressed as zero, positive, and negative, with positive scores indicating potential abnormality).

    The study included a total of 694 patients who underwent cardiac MRI between January 2018 and December 2022. Of these, 493 had dilated cardiomyopathy and 201 had normal findings. Du Plessis’ team quantified diffuse myocardial fibrosis and assessed patients’ residence-specific ambient PM2.5 concentration (the mean of daily exposure concentration in the year before cardiac MR imaging using measurements from the nearest air quality monitoring station).

    The group reported the following:

    • In multivariable models, each 1-µg/m3 increase in one-year mean PM2.5 exposure was associated with a 0.3 higher native T1 z score in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (p < 0.001) and 0.27 higher native T1 z score in controls (p = 0.02).
       
    • For absolute values, each 1-µg/m3 increase in one-year mean PM2.5 exposure was associated with 9.1 msec higher native T1 at 1.5-tesla imaging (p = 0.01) and 12.1 msec higher native T1 at 3-tesla imaging (p < 0.001). (An elevated native T1 typically indicates abnormal changes in the myocardial tissue composition.)
       
    • The largest effect sizes for the association of PM2.5 exposure with native T1 z scores were in women (p < 0.001), smokers (p = 0.04), and patients with hypertension (p = 0.004).

    Images from cardiac MRI native T1 mapping show that higher long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution is associated with higher extent of myocardial fibrosis. Images and caption courtesy of the RSNA.

    Overall, higher long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution was connected to higher levels of myocardial fibrosis in both the patients with cardiomyopathy and the controls, suggesting that “myocardial fibrosis may be an underlying mechanism by which air pollution leads to cardiovascular complications,” the authors wrote.  

    How can clinicians gauge a patient’s cardiac health in relation to poor air quality? Neighborhood data can help, according to Hanneman.

    “A simple way to estimate someone’s exposure to air pollution is by looking at air quality data for the neighborhood they live in — information that is publicly available in many areas,” she told AuntMinnie. “Some health providers may ask about environmental exposures during routine visits. For people who want a more detailed assessment, portable air monitors are available that provide real-time air quality data.”

    In any case, the effects of air pollution on lung health can be mitigated both on individual and societal levels, Hanneman noted.

    “On a personal level, people can take steps like limiting outdoor activity on days when air quality is poor and using indoor air purifiers to reduce exposure,” she said. “On a broader scale, public health efforts include improving air quality standards, reducing emissions from traffic and industry, and addressing sources such as wildfire smoke to improve air quality for everyone.”

    In an accompanying commentary, Davis Vigneault, MD, DPhil, of Stanford University emphasized the role radiology can play in tackling the problem of air pollution exposure and heart disease risk.

    “The study … suggests several interesting avenues for future research, including the investigation of particulate pollution components, related co-pollutants, and at-risk subgroups,” he noted. “Moreover, [the] work sets an important example of how imaging research may be used beyond the diagnosis of an individual patient to guide public policy interventions to improve health outcomes more broadly.”

    The complete study can be found here.

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  • Solar System Science Program (ROSES C.2)

    Solar System Science Program (ROSES C.2)

    We are seeking virtual panelists and/or external (email) reviewers for the Solar System Science Program. Signing up does not commit you to serve, nor is NASA obligated to ask/invite you. If you are a funded team member on a proposal to a given panel, then you will not be able to serve on that review panel. You may be able to serve on another panel or provide external reviews.

    Here are the rules:

    • All items with an asterisk* require a response before submission.
    • Type in 1) your contact information and 2) things that may be a conflict of interest and/or clarify your expertise.
    • Otherwise just click the buttons.

    In the overall comments box note any additional information about 1) your expertise that could be useful for review assignments, and 2) potential conflicts of interest that you may have beyond your listed institutional employer/affiliation. Thank you!

    Have you ever served on a NASA panel?(Required)
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    Please select decadal survey topics most relevant to your expertise.
    Please select disciplines most relevant to your expertise.
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    Please select target bodies most relevant to your expertise.

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