December 2024 – Page 63 – news.buyenne.com

AI helps ID paint chemistry of Berlin Wall murals

Italian scientists designed a neural network to analyze spectral data from handheld Raman spectroscopy devices.

The fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 was a seminal moment in 20th century history, paving the way for German reunification. Many segments, both large and small, were preserved for posterity—including portions covered in graffiti or murals. A team of Italian scientists used a combination of spectroscopic analysis and machine learning to study paint chips from wall fragments to learn more about the chemistry of the paints and pigments used, according to a new paper published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society,

There has been increased attention in recent years over preserving street art, which is vulnerable both to degradation over time as well as deliberate vandalism. For instance, in 2021, Italian chemists figured out how to use hydrogels to remove added graffiti from vandalized murals in Florence. (Over-painting by vandals is so chemically similar to the original painting underneath that it is difficult to selectively remove just the over-painting without damaging the original.) Unlike most classic masterpieces of the past, created with paints designed to last centuries, street art is more ephemeral in nature, using materials that lack such longevity.

In many cases, like the Berlin Wall, the painters didn't bother to document the specific materials they used, their application techniques, or other useful information that conservators could use to restore or conserve street art. Modern painting materials are also much more complex, and manufacturers typically do not report specific information on the composition of those materials.

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Olimex RP2040pc is a $16 single-board computer powered by an RP2040 microcontroller

The Olimex RP2040pc is a compact single-board computer that measures 80 x 65mm (3.15″ x 2.56″) and features four USB 2.0 ports, two USB Type-C ports (one for power and one for programming), and HDMI, and 3.5mm audio ports, as well as a few …

The post Olimex RP2040pc is a $16 single-board computer powered by an RP2040 microcontroller appeared first on Liliputing.

Weight loss drugs may also treat addiction, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease

Pharmaceutical companies are already cashing in on their other health benefits.

One of Dr. Mo Sarhan’s patients was experiencing intense cravings for opioids and alcohol when the Florida-based doctor offered him a striking solution: the Eli Lilly weight-loss drug Mounjaro.

“Within days, all of his cravings were gone and he was much more effective in his engagement and treatment. He’s done great since,” Sarhan says.

Sarhan and his colleague Steven Klein at the Caron Treatment Centers in Florida and Pennsylvania have prescribed a range of so-called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) to treat addictions, using them alongside traditional therapies, to around 75 patients.

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YouTube TV is hiking prices again after denying “erroneous” report days ago

$83/mo price lines up with Hulu TV Live, and not as far below traditional cable.

YouTube TV, now one of the country's leading cable (or cable-ish) television providers, is starting to act like it. The service told customers in an email this morning that prices are going up in the new year, from $73 per month for the Base Plan to $83 on January 13, 2025—just days after suggesting that wasn't happening.

"We don’t make these decisions lightly, and we realize this has an impact on our members," Google's email to subscribers read. "We are committed to bringing you features that are changing the way we watch live TV, like unlimited DVR storage and multiview, and supporting YouTube TV’s breadth of content and vast on-demand library of movies and shows."

Google cited "the rising cost of content and the investments we make in the quality of our service" in announcing the price increase. It noted that customers can pause or cancel their subscription in their Settings and that current trials and promotions will be honored and unchanged.

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In an odd bit of propaganda, Belarus claims to have its own Starlink technology

Mom, can we have a Starlink? Mom: We have a Starlink at home.

In recent days, there has been a smattering of coverage in state-run Russian media outlets about how the Belarusian army has developed its own satellite Internet service akin to SpaceX's Starlink constellation, called "Kulisa."

According to the TASS news service, for example, the Kulisa mobile communications technology has "already entered service and is being used in military units of the Armed Forces."

And Pravda, which started out as the official newspaper of Russia's Communist Party more than a century ago, taunted the developer of the technology, saying, "How's that for you, SpaceX?"

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