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Thursday, 5:21 AM

March 20, 2025

Good morning news friend! Keep your finger on the pulse of the stories shaping our world.📰🌟

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Decline in US Drug Overdose Deaths

From October 2023 to October 2024, US drug overdose fatalities dropped by 24%, with approximately 87,000 deaths reported. This translates to 70 lives saved each day.

The decline stems largely from reduced fatalities involving synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl.

Key factors include the widespread distribution of naloxone, a life-saving overdose reversal drug, and improved access to treatments such as methadone and buprenorphine.

The drug supply is shifting, with some users opting for less potent substances. Analysts indicate that 45 states reported reductions. Overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 44.

Sources: WallStreetJournal, ALS, AZPha, MR, Forbes.

Fed Keeps Interest Rates Untouched

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady at 4.25%-4.50%. Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted that inflation remains elevated, increasing forecasts to 2.7% for 2025 from 2.5%.

Economic growth for 2025 is projected at 1.7%, down from 2.1%. Additionally, unemployment might rise to 4.4% by year-end, up from 4.1%.

Powell suggested tariff policies could delay progress toward the Fed's 2% inflation target. Despite uncertainties, the Fed anticipates making two rate cuts by year-end.

The Fed will also slow its balance sheet reductions, allowing only $5 billion of Treasury securities to mature monthly, a drop from $25 billion. This aims to stabilize long-term interest rates.

Sources: APNews, Reuters, NYTimes, Bloomberg, WallStreetJournal.

EU’s Defense Plan

The European Union has launched a defense initiative aiming to mobilize up to €800 billion for military spending.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized a "Buy European" approach, mandating that 65% of defense project components come from Europe or Ukraine.

The plan includes €150 billion in loans available to member states for joint procurement of defense materials. The US and UK are excluded from the partnership for now.

The EU also encourages countries to exceed budget limits by 1.5% of GDP for four years to bolster military investments.

Sources: BNA, FinancialTimes, Euractiv, Reuters, France24, Politico.

AI Infrastructure Partnership

The AI Infrastructure Partnership (AIP) expanded as Elon Musk's xAI and Nvidia join forces with Microsoft, BlackRock, and MGX.

This collaboration aims to invest $100 billion to enhance AI infrastructure in the US. This investment will create next-generation data centers and energy solutions to meet rising AI demands.

BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners, GE Vernova, and NextEra Energy will focus on renewable energy, battery storage, and nuclear power to support AI facilities.

CEOs of BlackRock, Nvidia, and Microsoft emphasized AI's transformative impact on the global economy, the role of AI data centers in economic growth, and the necessity of robust AI infrastructure for future industries.

Sources: Bloomberg, Reuters, FinancialTimes, CryptoTimes, Investopedia.

Slushy Warning for Kids’ Health

Researchers in Ireland and the UK investigated 21 cases of kids falling ill after drinking slushies. 93% became sick within one hour of consumption.

Symptoms included hypoglycemia in 95% of cases, low consciousness in 94%, and signs of metabolic acidosis. All needed emergency treatment, including IV glucose.

Glycerol, a common sweetener in slush drinks, can lead to “glycerol intoxication syndrome,” a condition rarely seen before but now linked to slush consumption.

Doctors recommend that children under four avoid slush drinks entirely, while kids aged five to ten should consume no more than one slush per day.

Sources: SciTechDaily, EM, AOL, NEBL.

The Real Cone of Silence

Researchers have developed a sound technology called "audible enclaves." This allows for localized pockets of sound that only the intended listener can hear.

The technology uses ultrasonic waves, silent to humans, and uniquely manipulates them via acoustic metasurfaces. These surfaces bend sound waves, enabling them to reach specific locations while remaining inaudible elsewhere.

For instance, combining two ultrasonic beams at different frequencies creates a new audible sound that can only be heard at their intersection.

This system can project sound at 60 decibels roughly a meter away. Sound quality is affected by nonlinear distortion and remains a challenge.

Sources: ScienceAlert, Hackster, TheDebrief, GR.

“Finer men tolerate others’ small inconsistencies though not the large ones; the weak tolerate others’ large inconsistencies though not small ones.”

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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:

• Quantum Computing

• Cryptocurrencies

• America’s Opioid Crisis

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️