Author: Frank Salvato

Researchers are advancing CRISPR-based antivirals that could revolutionize how we fight seasonal and pandemic influenza by directly disabling the virus’s RNA. According to Wired’s science coverage, scientists at the Peter Doherty Institute in Melbourne are developing CRISPR-Cas13 systems delivered via lipid nanoparticles as nasal sprays or injections to target conserved flu RNA segments, potentially stopping replication across strains where drugs like Tamiflu fall short. Early lab models, including Harvard Wyss Institute human lung “Organ Chips,” demonstrate that these therapies can reduce viral replication and inflammation with minimal off-target effects in human-like tissues. Independent preclinical studies using advanced Lung Chip models…

Experts are increasingly warning that U.S. federal cybersecurity defenses are weakening due to an expiration of critical authorities, staff cuts, and recent government shutdown impacts, leaving the nation more vulnerable to hacks and systemic weaknesses. A recent WIRED analysis reports that staffing at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has plunged, with key personnel and institutional continuity lost, even as high-profile breaches during a prolonged shutdown underscore the risk of attack surface erosion; insiders warn that piecemeal progress on basic digital defenses could be reversed without sustained investment. Coverage from the World Economic Forum notes that the Cybersecurity Information…

Uber, Lucid Motors, and autonomous tech specialist Nuro revealed a production-intent robotaxi built on the all-electric Lucid Gravity SUV at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, marking a major step toward commercial autonomous ride-hailing later this year. The vehicle features a distinct roof-mounted sensor array dubbed the “halo,” packed with lidar, radar, and high-resolution cameras for 360-degree perception and enhanced road safety, alongside integrated LED lighting for vehicle identification and status updates. Powered by Nvidia’s DRIVE AGX Thor platform and Nuro’s Level 4 autonomy system, this robotaxi aims to compete with industry players like Waymo and Tesla. Passenger experience elements include…

Hyundai Motor Group and its robotics subsidiary Boston Dynamics unveiled an all-electric humanoid robot called Atlas at CES 2026 and announced plans to begin mass-producing the machine by 2028, aiming to build 30,000 units annually for deployment at U.S. manufacturing plants such as the Savannah, Georgia facility, where these robots will assist with repetitive and parts-sequencing tasks before advancing to more complex assembly work; the initiative is part of Hyundai’s broader push into factory automation and AI-assisted production, backed by partnerships with AI leaders like Google DeepMind and Nvidia, though this shift also stokes debate about the future of human…

A self-styled cybercrime crew calling itself Scattered LAPSUS$ Hunters claimed on Telegram to have breached the internal systems of cybersecurity company Resecurity and accessed sensitive logs and employee data — but multiple independent reports confirm the breach was a deliberate trap, a honeypot loaded with fake information designed to lure and monitor attackers rather than represent real assets. According to coverage by ITPro, the threat actors posted screenshots of supposed access to internal chats, logs, and client data before the post was removed; Resecurity’s security team says the incident involved an isolated environment full of synthetic data used to observe…

Amazon has revealed a significant overhaul of its Fire TV operating system at CES 2026, aiming to modernize the user experience, boost performance, and simplify navigation. The redesigned interface features a cleaner, more intuitive layout with top-of-screen tabs for content categories like movies, shows, sports, news, and live TV, along with support for pinning up to 20 apps on the home screen — a notable increase from the previous limit. Amazon claims the updated OS delivers up to a 30 percent improvement in responsiveness thanks to optimized code, and it introduces deeper integration with Alexa+ for voice control of content…

U.S.-based Striker Venture Partners, a newly launched venture capital firm, said it will dedicate up to half of its $165 million debut fund toward early-stage Israeli startups focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, including deploying checks of $5 million to $30 million into roughly five Israeli companies as part of a 10-company portfolio — a bold bet on the resilience and long-term potential of the “Startup Nation” despite geopolitical uncertainties. Broader trends show robust investment continuing in Israel’s tech ecosystem, with private funding rising to nearly $15.6 billion in 2025 and major funds such as Viola Ventures also raising…

Microsoft is rolling out an update that will automatically enable key messaging security features in Microsoft Teams starting January 12, 2026, for tenants still using standard, unmodified settings. The new defaults include weaponizable file type protection, malicious URL detection with warning labels on suspicious links, and a feedback mechanism for reporting false positives, aiming to curb phishing and malware risks without requiring admin action. Administrators are advised to review and adjust settings ahead of time if they want custom configurations to remain in place; those who ignore the change will have Microsoft’s stricter policies applied automatically. This marks a broader…

Venezuela’s possession of advanced Israeli military technology traces back to a largely forgotten period when Caracas maintained pragmatic defense relationships with Western-aligned suppliers, including Israel, before the ideological realignment under Hugo Chávez. As reported by The Jerusalem Post and supported by independent defense and aviation records, Venezuela acquired Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ Python 4 short-range air-to-air missiles and Rafael Litening targeting pods for integration onto its U.S.-built F-16 fighter jets. These purchases occurred when Venezuela was still viewed as a conventional regional military actor rather than a sanctioned adversary, allowing Israeli systems—also used by U.S. and NATO forces—to be legally…

A U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General audit has revealed that the Pentagon failed to properly track a significant portion of the estimated $13.4 billion worth of U.S. military equipment and weapons supplied to Israel following the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, with only about 44 percent of weapons subject to enhanced end-use monitoring accounted for as of November 2024, down from 69 percent pre-war, and oversight failures attributed to operational restrictions, staffing shortages and shifting battlefield conditions; the report warned that weak tracking increases the risk of sensitive arms falling into the hands of adversaries, cited inadequate…