Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Friday, 5:12 AM

May 16, 2025

Good morning news friend! Follow the threads of today’s stories as they weave the fabric of tomorrow. 📰🌟

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Coinbase Cyberattack

Coinbase faces a potential financial impact of $180 million to $400 million from a cyberattack where hackers bribed offshore staff, stealing information from fewer than 84,000 customers, less than 1% of monthly active users.

An extortion demand of $20 million was made, which Coinbase refused, instead offering the same amount as a reward for information leading to the criminals' arrest.

The stolen data included names, phone numbers, and partial Social Security numbers but not login credentials.

Coinbase is reimbursing affected customers and enhancing security. Its stock dropped 6.5% post-incident. Meanwhile, the SEC is investigating possible misrepresentation of user figures as Coinbase prepares to join the S&P 500 index.

Sources: Reuters, France24, BBC, Ledgerinsights, Fortune

Walmart's Price Hikes

Walmart will increase prices on various products starting May 2025 due to 30% tariffs on Chinese goods. Bananas will rise from 50 cents to 54 cents per pound, and car seats may jump from $350 to $450.

As a response to tariff pressures, Walmart's net sales grew 2.5% to $165.6 billion, with same-store sales up 4.5%.

Microsoft announced price hikes for Xbox consoles, raising the Series S from $299.99 to $379.99 and the Series X from $499.99 to $599.99.

Toolmaker Stanley Black & Decker confirmed price increases in April and anticipates more hikes this summer. Analysts expect inflation to reach 3.3% in the coming year.

Sources: AP News, Reuters, BBC, AXIOS, WallStreetJournal

Flood of Scams in Meta (Facebook, Instagram)

Scammers exploit Meta's platforms, using the name of legitimate businesses like Half-Off Wholesale to create fake ads. Nearly half of reported Zelle scams from 2023 to 2024 are linked to Meta, with 70% of new advertisers promoting scams.

An business found over 4,400 fraudulent ads using their address. The platform's Marketplace has become a hub for scams, including pet listings using stolen images.

Meta’s advertising revenue rose 22% in 2024, surpassing $160 billion, despite warnings about scam issues. Regulators express concern over Meta’s lack of strict enforcement, prioritizing revenue over user safety, while internal documents reveal advertisers can accumulate multiple strikes for fraud before facing penalties.

Sources: WallStreetJournal.

Google’s AlphaEvolve

Google's AlphaEvolve is advancing algorithm development, achieving breakthroughs in mathematics. It improved the matrix multiplication algorithm for 4×4 complex matrices, reducing scalar multiplications from 49 to 48, surpassing a 1969 achievement.

AlphaEvolve solved around 75% of over 50 tested open problems, with 20% showing improvements, including a new lower bound in the "kissing number" problem by arranging 593 spheres.

It also optimized Google’s computing infrastructure, recovering 0.7% of global capacity and enhancing matrix multiplication efficiency by 23%.

AlphaEvolve evolves code iteratively, with potential applications in drug discovery and sustainability, and early access for researchers will soon be available.

Sources: News9live, Mezha, Venturebeat, Deepmind, Arstechnica

Retinal Exams for Parkinson’s Detection

New research identifies retinal exams as a potential early detection method for Parkinson's disease.

A study found that the retina of Parkinson's patients reacts differently to light than that of healthy individuals, enabling non-invasive screening through routine eye exams.

Traditional diagnosis occurs after motor symptoms appear, often too late for effective intervention. Researchers tested 20 patients diagnosed within the last five years and observed a distinct retinal response.

Similar findings in transgenic mice suggest early detection may be possible before motor symptoms manifest. The team advocates for functional retinal exams starting at age 50 to improve outcomes in individuals at risk.

Sources: SciTechDaily, Citybuzz, Healthcare-In-Europe, Medicalxpress

Broken Heart Syndrome

Recent research on broken heart syndrome, or takotsubo cardiomyopathy, found an overall death rate of 6.5% among hospitalized patients from 2016 to 2020.

Men had a mortality rate of 11.2%, more than double the 5.5% for women. Complications included congestive heart failure (35.9%), atrial fibrillation (20.7%), and 6.6% experienced cardiogenic shock.

Patients over 61 showed the highest rates, while those aged 46 to 60 faced incidence rates 2.6 to 3.25 times higher than those aged 31 to 45.

Race and socioeconomic factors also affected outcomes. Early detection and awareness of symptoms are crucial for improving treatment and reducing mortality.

Sources: Sciencealert, NSN, NBC, DiscoverMag

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Did you know we also write in-depth deep dives? They are long, packed with insights, and have received rave reviews. If you’re up for a detailed, action-packed read, check them out:

• Consumer Spending Trends

• Rare Earths and National Security

• How Trade Wars are Reshaping the US Treasury Market

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️