🚨 Zombie Card trick revives expired Visa contactless cards

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst demonstrated the "Zombie Card" attack to revive expired Visa contactless cards for in-store purchases. This exploit was tested against five major US banks, focusing on EMV transactions on August 12 to 14, 2026. The attack succeeds by rewriting the expiration date read by the POS terminal without breaking cryptography. Bank A allowed the date modification and accepted multiple cards simultaneously. The findings were disclosed in May 2025, highlighting a critical security gap. 💳

🩺 Prostate cancer treatment links to rising metabolic syndrome

Metabolic Syndrome is increasing rapidly in prostate cancer patients after starting concurrent ADT and ARPI treatment. This was found in a national cohort study involving 16,924 adult men who had no prior MetS before treatment. Over the first 12 months, the cumulative incidence of metabolic syndrome climbed nearly to 40%. The risk was highest in patients aged 70–79 years, with hypertension being the most common issue. Researchers suggest systematic cardiometabolic monitoring is needed during this therapy.

❤️ AI to tailor care for heart attack survivors

Experts suggest an AI tool could significantly assist heart attack survivors in receiving personalized medical treatment. This technology is being developed by researchers across various medical institutions. Initial studies show promise with data gathered from thousands of patients over the past two years. The AI analyzes individual health profiles to recommend customized recovery plans and interventions. Further clinical trials are planned for the next fiscal quarter to validate its effectiveness.

🔭 JWST finds hidden stars in early galaxies

The James Webb Space Telescope revealed that early galaxies contain many more small, faint stars than previously thought. This discovery was made by studying nine galaxies, combining JWST data with observations from the Very Large Telescope on Earth. The research, published on August 18, shows the proportion of small stars is much higher than in modern galaxies like the Milky Way. This implies early galaxies are significantly more massive than older models suggested, potentially affecting planet formation theories. The team plans to apply this technique to more of the universe's earliest structures. 🚀

🤖 AI's Hidden Labor: Who Trains the Machines?

Sociologist James Muldoon discussed the invisible global workforce powering Artificial Intelligence systems. This 'hidden army' performs data annotation tasks outsourced to locations across the Global South, including India and East Africa. While a small minority of engineers earn high salaries, the 80% of AI work is done by low-paid data workers. These workers often endure monotonous shifts in conditions resembling 'digital sweatshops.' Muldoon emphasized that human knowledge is being turned into algorithms to teach computers. 🤖

✒️ Poems capturing life's fractures in India

Five poems explore the trauma and fractures present within Indian life. These works feature diverse imagery, ranging from references to the Papal State to descriptions of Bengal's mixed nature. The collection includes evocative pieces touching upon family memory and intense emotional experiences. Themes often revolve around the burdens carried and the search for something better amidst struggle. Readers can find a deep dive into the complex emotional landscape of contemporary India through these writings. 📖

⚽ Bold predictions for 2026-27 Premier League season

Football writers have put forward bold predictions for the upcoming 2026-27 Premier League campaign. Leo Collis and Nick Akerman offered diverse takes on the league's major contenders and top scorers. They debated who would win the Golden Boot, with Haaland being a strong favorite for many. The predictions also covered which teams would qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season. These forecasts set the stage for intense rivalry and unpredictable results. ⚽

😮 Modi shown as Hindu deity at Delhi event

Narendra Modi was portrayed as a Hindu deity during an event held at the Press Club of India in Delhi on Thursday. A group of transgender community members organized the gathering and recited what they called the “Modi Chalisa.” The event also featured slogans like “Jai Jai Modi” and “Har Har Modi.” The Press Club later clarified they did not organize it and stopped the gathering due to rule violations. The event subsequently faced criticism online regarding religious sentiments. 😮

🌲 Yellowstone's ancient climate secrets revealed

Sediment cores from Yellowstone's Lower Geyser Basin show that summers were warmer and drier between 12,000 and 6,000 years ago. Researchers from Montana State University examined these lake sediments to reconstruct past environmental changes. During this period, charcoal accumulation increased, indicating more wildfire activity, while diatom records showed lower lake levels. This study provides a long-term view of Yellowstone's response to shifting climate conditions. Future warming might lead to more fires and reduced hydrothermal activity in the area. 🌲

✈️ Dubai builds world's biggest automated airport mover

Dubai Aviation City Corporation awarded a contract for the world's largest automated people mover system for Al Maktoum International Airport. This massive project involves a consortium including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Larsen and Toubro Limited in Dubai. The system will span approximately 50km across nine stations, significantly exceeding the current 8km record. This development is key to Dubai's vision of making Al Maktoum a major global hub. Completion is set for December 2031 ahead of the airport's 2032 opening. 🚀

✨ Hyderabad guy finds a mystery black hole star

Rohan Naidu, who grew up in Hyderabad, is now an assistant professor in Hawaii. He was part of a team that discovered a cosmic object, named MoM-BH*1, in 2023. This black hole star, visible via JWST, is the size of our solar system and billions of light years away. It challenges old theories about massive black hole formation in a chaotic 'interregnum' period. Next, Naidu is working on the NASA Celeste mission to better study these objects. 🌌