Technology News
Denmark’s Wind-Powered Vertical Farm Will Produce 1K Tons of Greens a Year
A new vertical indoor farm being developed on the outskirts of Copenhagen will soon produce 1,000 metric tons of greens a year locally. The companies’ new facility will use hydroponics, a technology used in most indoor farms. This allows food to grow with little water and doesn’t require the use of any pesticides. The new farm will be larger than 75,000 square feet and will run solely on wind power. As many of the working parts of the farm are automated, labor costs for the owners are also low. The company says that its products will be priced similarly to organic greens to begin with, and prices will lower as the technology becomes more efficient.
Amazon Zoox unveils self-driving robotaxi
Amazon’s self-driving vehicle company, Zoox, has debuted an electric, fully driverless vehicle that’s built for ride hailing. It’s a “carriage-style” car, which means that passengers face each other with space for up to four passengers. It has bidirectional driving capabilities and four-wheel steering, which allows it to change directions without the need to reverse and navigate in compact spaces. An array of cameras, radar and lidar sensors are mounted on all four corners of the car, eliminating “typical blind spots” and giving it a 270-degree field of view on the road. The car can travel up to 75 miles per hour and can run up to 16 hours on a single charge.
Science News
Study finds that by age 3 kids prefer nature’s fractal patterns
Before their third birthdays, children already have an adult-like preference for visual fractal patterns commonly seen in nature. “Since children are not heavily exposed to these natural, low-to-moderate complexity fractal patterns, this preference must come from something earlier in development or perhaps are innate.” Although there were differences in the preferences of adults and children, the overall trend was similar. Exact patterns with greater complexity were more preferred, while preference for statistical patterns peaked at low-moderate complexity and then decreases with additional complexity.
The power of validation in helping people stay positive
When researchers didn’t show support or understanding for the anger participants were describing, the story-tellers showed declines in positive emotions. But when the researchers validated what the participants were saying, their positive emotions were protected and stayed the same. “Adding validation into therapy helps people feel understood, and when we feel understood we can receive feedback on how we also might change. But it’s not a uniquely clinical thing – often the same ways you make therapy better are ways you make parenting, friendships and romantic relationships better.”
Business News
EA snaps up racing game developer Codemasters in $1.2 billion deal
Electronic Arts has leapfrogged one of its rivals with a $1.2 billion deal for UK video game developer Codemasters. EA will pay $8.10 per share for the producer of racing games including Formula One and DIRT. That’s roughly 14% more than November’s cash and share offer from Take-Two Interactive Software. Codemasters had originally agreed to be bought by Take-Two but its board has now ditched that recommendation in favor of the richer offer from EA. The EA deal is expected to close in the first quarter of next year. “Our industry is growing, the racing category is growing, and together we will be positioned to lead in a new era of racing entertainment.”
Billionaire Issa brothers in ÂŁ440m German petrol chain bid
EG Group, owned by billionaire brothers Zuber and Mohsin Issa, is buying a 285-strong chain of German petrol station forecourts in a €485m (ÂŁ440m) deal. The move will extend the company’s 6,000-strong petrol station empire across the UK and Europe. EG said the new outlets in Southern Germany, which it is buying from OMV Deutschland, would expand its presence in that country. It already operates sites there under the Esso fuel brand. In October, EG Group agreed to buy Asda in a deal that valued the UK supermarket chain at ÂŁ6.8bn. Shortly after the Asda deal was announced, the Blackburn-based Issa brothers were both made CBEs.
Miscellaneous News
Why are farmers in India protesting in Delhi?
Tens of thousands of farmers from across India are protesting against government reforms on farming laws in the country. There has been a lot of anger against these new laws, as farmers believe that they are not in their best interests and will harm their business. Farmers say they will continue to protest until the government changes back the reforms. The governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) says these reforms are necessary to increase farm incomes and productivity. The protests have seen more than 250 million workers go on nationwide strikes.
Instagram Star ‘Zombie Angelina Jolie’ Sentenced to Ten Years in Iranian Prison for Sharing Creepy Images Online
An Instagram star who used makeup and editing to make her face look like a “Zombie Angelina Jolie” was sentenced to a decade in an Iranian prison. Sahar Tabar, 19, whose real name is Fatemeh Khishvand, gained closely to 500,000 followers after posting images of her spookily thin face. Tabar’s lawyer confirmed his client was sentenced in the past few days to 10 years in prison. She was charged with corruption of young people and disrespect for the Islamic Republic. “Her joke landed her in jail. Her mother cries every day to get her innocent daughter freed.”