Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Monday, 5:27 AM

December 23, 2024

Good morning news friend! Keep pace with the stories shaping our world, as events continue to unfold. 📰🌟

Houthi Missile Shakes Tel Aviv

A ballistic missile launched by the Yemeni Houthis struck a park in Tel Aviv, injuring 30 people. Emergency services treated 16 individuals for minor injuries from shattered glass, while another 14 sustained bruises while rushing to shelters.

The missile hit at 3:44 a.m., triggering sirens across central Israel. The Israeli military launched two interceptors but failed to neutralize the missile. The Houthis claimed the strike targeted a military site, although this remains unverified.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced a tougher stance against the Houthis, highlighting a collaborative effort with the US and allies.

He warned that operations may take time but will mirror past campaigns against Iran’s proxies.

Source: Read More

Terror Attack in Germany 

A rented car plowed into a crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. Resulting in five deaths, including a 9-year-old child. More than 200 others sustained injuries; at least 41 are in serious condition.

The suspect, a 50-year-old Saudi national who had resided in Germany since 2006, was arrested at the scene. Authorities believe he acted alone, but investigations are ongoing.

The police reported finding a suspicious bag in the vehicle, raising concerns about a possible wider network.

Authorities confirmed that the suspect had criticized Islam and German officials in the past. He shared support for the right wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party on social media.

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OpenAI's GPT-5 Headaches

OpenAI's GPT-5, code-named Orion, was incepted 18 months ago and was expected by mid-2024. The project is running over budget, with each six-month training run costing approximately $500 million in computing.

Despite two training attempts that produced disappointing results, researchers believe Orion could outperform GPT-4. OpenAI's $157 billion valuation is based on expectations of Orion unlocking new scientific discoveries.

However, experts claim there's insufficient diverse, high-quality data to support this advancement. OpenAI is experimenting with creating synthetic data and hiring specialists to generate fresh input.

The last training run revealed data diversification issues that hindered Orion's progress. OpenAI researchers now aim to pivot towards reasoning models, which could help Orion learn more effectively.

Source: Read More

America’s Farm Recession

Overall, net farm income dropped 4% to $141 billion this year, following a 20% decline last year.

Costs for essentials like fertilizer and equipment continue to rise. Per-acre losses for corn growers in 2025 are expected to worsen, according to the National Corn Growers Association.

The recent federal spending bill includes $10 billion in aid for farmers and $21 billion for disaster relief. Many farmers rely on government subsidies, which have been part of US agricultural policy since the 1930s.

In Iowa, farmland values fell 3% this year after five years of growth. Some experts predict a mixed future for farming, with poultry processors expected to thrive while grain traders like Cargill and ADM report weaker profits.

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The Future of Cryopreservation

Cryopreservation allows for the freezing and storing of biological materials. Millions use frozen sperm, eggs, and embryos. Cryopreserved organs may soon follow, addressing urgent organ shortages.

In 2023, scientists at the University of Minnesota achieved a breakthrough with rat kidneys. They flash-froze the organs using liquid nitrogen and successfully rewarmed them, resulting in functioning transplants after one month.

Early techniques faced many challenges, like ice formation damaging cells. Today, mixed nanoparticles with cryoprotectants can stabilize larger biological materials.

Future prospects include “cryosleep” technology for space travel. Experts envision cryopreserving individuals with terminal illnesses until cures are discovered.

Source: Read More

New Life Forms Discovered within Human Body

Researchers discovered previously unknown RNA-based life forms in the human body, named "obelisks." These novel entities, identified in 10% of microbiome samples, do not match known genetic patterns.

The research used advanced genetic analysis methods to uncover over 1,000 unusual base pairs. Obelisks have circular genomes and rod-like structures. They produce distinct proteins but their specific roles remain unclear.

Thousands of obelisk varieties have been located in bacteria from diverse human body regions, particularly the mouth and intestines. Their presence hints at a specialized function and complex relationships with their bacterial hosts.

Scientists note that obelisks challenge existing life classifications, sharing traits with viruses, bacteria, and viroids.

Source: Read More

“Modernity: we created youth without heroism, age without wisdom, and life without grandeur.”

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️