The Future of Star Trek: Lower Decks Bids Farewell, While Strange New Worlds Continues to Soar

Attention all Trekkies! There’s both good news and bad news for fans of the Star Trek franchise. Let’s start with the good news first: the excellent series Strange New Worlds has been renewed for at least one more season beyond its currently filming third season. This means that we’ll get to continue exploring the galaxy with Captain Christopher Pike and his crew, which is always a cause for celebration.

Now, here’s the bad news: another member of Paramount’s current Trek streaming stable is preparing to say goodbye. Lower Decks, the animated series developed by Rick and Morty and Solar Opposites’ Mike McMahan, will conclude with its fifth season, which is set to begin streaming on Paramount+ this fall. While this may be sad news for fans of the show, there is a glimmer of hope that the characters and their adventures may continue in some form in the future.

In a statement from McMahan and Trek architect Alex Kurtzman, they expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to bring Lower Decks to life and stated that they remain hopeful that the crew of the USS Cerritos will live on with new adventures. The show has been a shining pillar of Star Trek’s current streaming age, offering a unique blend of humor and nerdy questions about life aboard a Starfleet vessel. Season four concluded on a high note, with the main characters finding themselves on promoted paths and ready to find new purposes in their places on or off the USS Cerritos.

While it’s sad to see Lower Decks come to an end, it’s heartening to know that the creators remain hopeful about the future of the crew. Perhaps we’ll see spin-offs or sequels down the line that continue the adventures of Boimler, Mariner, Tendi, and Rutherford. In the meantime, we can look forward to more episodes of Strange New Worlds, which promises to continue exploring the vast expanse of the galaxy with its unique blend of action, drama, and humor.

If you’re a fan of Star Trek, there’s never been a better time to be a part of the franchise’s streaming age. With Strange New Worlds set to continue boldly going where no one has gone before, and Lower Decks leaving behind a legacy of laughter and adventure, there’s plenty to look forward to in the world of Star Trek. So grab your phaser, put on your best Starfleet uniform, and get ready to explore the galaxy with some of the most iconic characters in science fiction history.

The Brightest Of All Time (BOAT) explosion has been a topic of great interest in the scientific community since its detection in October 2022. Recently, a team of researchers used the Webb Space Telescope to study the event and have concluded that it was caused by a supernova, the brightest ever seen. However, despite the abundance of heavy elements in the universe, the team did not find any signs of gold or platinum, leaving the question of their origins still open.

The BOAT explosion was detected by the Gemini South telescope in Chile and was quickly identified as the brightest ever seen. To study the event further, the researchers used the Webb Space Telescope’s Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) to look for elements typically seen in supernovae. The signal was not particularly bright, indicating that the supernova itself was not exceptionally powerful.

The BOAT explosion is of particular interest because some scientists had hypothesized that such an event could produce heavy elements like gold and platinum. However, despite the extreme brightness of the event, no evidence for these heavy elements was found. This is striking, as one would expect to find such elements in a supernova of this magnitude.

The BOAT explosion is classified as a long gamma-ray burst, lasting an astonishing 10 hours. This is much longer than typical gamma-ray bursts, which last only a few seconds. The burst was so bright that it could be seen from Earth, and its energy reached up to 13 teraelectronvolts, the same energy as CERN’s Large Hadron Collider during its second run.

The researchers also studied the structure of the burst’s jet, which may cause physicists to rework their models of jet structure. The BOAT explosion is not the largest explosion ever seen in space; that title belongs to AT2021lwx, a nearly 8-billion-year-old outburst from a distant black hole and the gas cloud surrounding it. However, the BOAT explosion is one of the most significant events of its kind, and scientists will likely continue to study it for years to come.

The study of the BOAT explosion highlights the importance of continued exploration and research into the mysteries of the universe. With the help of next-generation observatories like the Vera Rubin Observatory, scientists will continue to make groundbreaking discoveries that shed light on the workings of the cosmos. The BOAT explosion may not have produced the heavy elements expected, but it has provided a wealth of knowledge and insights into the extreme events that occur in the universe.

Discover the Fossilized Treasures of North America

If you’re fascinated by fossils, then a road trip across North America is just what you need. From the west to the east coast, there are countless destinations that offer an escape from modernity and a glimpse into the ancient world. With over 320 dinosaur species found in the United States alone, according to the National Parks Service, there’s no shortage of fossilized treasures to explore.

1. West Gold Hill Dinosaur Tracksite, Colorado

Just acquired by the U.S. Forest Service in April 2024, this site boasts the largest continuous dinosaur trackway in the world, featuring 134 prints covering over 300 feet. The tracks were made by an individual sauropod over 150 million years ago, and are a must-see for any fossil enthusiast.

2. Dinosaur State Park, Connecticut

Housing over 2,600 dinosaur footprints, this park is an exception to the rule that the northeast is not particularly renowned for its fossil beds. With 1/3 of the tracks exposed and 2/3 reburied, there’s plenty to explore both above and below ground.

3. The Badlands, South Dakota

For well over a century, paleontologists have been discovering fossilized remains in the Badlands. Members of the Oglala Lakota had been finding fossils long before that, according to the National Parks Service. The park has yielded thousands of fossil specimens from millions of years of Earth’s history, including large mammalian brontotheres and reptilian mosasaurs.

4. Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

Known for its Triassic fossils, this park features petrified trees and fossilized plants and animals, as well as living desert denizens. The world as it existed over 200 million years ago has been frozen in time, offering a unique glimpse into the past.

5. Rancho La Brea Tar Pits, California

Located in the middle of Los Angeles, this site has yielded millions of Pleistocene fossils, including massive mammoths and the little legs of Ice Age woodpeckers. The asphalt deposits at the Tar Pits ensnared many animals over thousands of years, providing a terrific repository of ancient life for scientists to study.

6. The Mammoth Site, South Dakota

Born in the mid-1970s after construction-related excavations uncovered mammoth skeletons, this site features overwhelmingly male mammoth remains that died in an ancient sinkhole. The site has yielded 60 Columbian mammoths and three woolly mammoths, offering a unique look into the lives of these prehistoric creatures.

7. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado

Featuring fossilized redwoods and thousands of insect and plant fossils, this monument is a must-visit for any fossil enthusiast. The visitor center and on-site yurt serve as a fossil lab, offering a unique opportunity to learn about the little organisms that matter.

8. Dinosaur Valley, Texas

Once an ancient ocean, the area near Dallas and Fort Worth was home to dinosaurs that walked along its beaches. Now, the Paluxy River plays host to their fossilized footprints, offering a glimpse into a more ancient Earth.

9. The Green River Formation, Wyoming

Dubbed the “Aquarium in Stone” by the National Parks Service, this site now lies high and dry in Wyoming. Featuring over 2,000 fossils from the monument’s Green River Formation, there’s no shortage of fossilized aquatic life to explore.

1. The John Day Fossil Bed, Ohio

Discovered in the 1850s, this site features over 12,000 bones from at least 70 different ancient animals. With a quarry open for exploration, there’s no better place to get up close and personal with the fossilized remains of these prehistoric creatures.

From coast to coast, North America is home to an incredible array of fossilized treasures. Whether you’re a seasoned paleontologist or just starting your journey into the ancient world, there’s something for everyone on this list. So pack your bags, fuel up your car, and hit the road for an unforgettable adventure through the fossilized history of our planet.

A long-time indie horror director discusses his love for genre films and his newest work “Blackout”. Fessenden started his production company in the 80s and has since been a pioneer of indie filmmaking, surfing the wave of digital revolution. However, he notes that financing and distribution have become increasingly difficult due to the lack of respect for small films and the changing industry landscape. He describes his approach to genre films as bringing naturalism and immediacy into the horror space, and how his latest film “Blackout” frames a classic creature-feature story in an indie drama way. The film focuses on a werewolf tale with a protagonist already struggling with addiction and personal issues, highlighting the intersection between horror and self-betrayal. Fessenden expresses his desire to make one more monster movie and hopefully pull it off, but also mentions a possible future project, a musical or Christmas movie.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has announced the results of a nine-month investigation into the potential link between GLP-1 drugs and suicidal thoughts and actions. The review found no evidence to support a causal association between the use of GLP-1 medications and suicide. This is the second recent investigation by health regulators to clear GLP-1 drugs of any link to suicide, following a preliminary assessment by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January.

The EMA’s review analyzed case reports, data collected from drug makers, and the results of a recent study of electronic health records. The agency also conducted a separate analysis of health records specifically focused on people taking GLP-1s for their type 2 diabetes, which found no link to suicide at all. These findings are reassuring for anyone taking Ozempic and other similar drugs to treat type 2 diabetes and/or obesity.

The investigation was prompted by case reports tying the use of GLP-1 drugs to suicide ideation, specifically liraglutide and semaglutide. However, the EMA’s review found no evidence to support a causal association between these medications and suicide. The agency additionally found that the available evidence does not support a link between GLP-1 drugs and self-injurious thoughts and actions.

The findings of the review are in line with some recent research that has suggested that GLP-1 drugs could have mental health benefits. For example, a paper published this February found that GLP-1 use was linked to lower rates of anxiety and depression. However, it is important to note that GLP-1s do have their drawbacks, such as common side effects like nausea and gastrointestinal symptoms, and the potential for rare but serious complications like gastroparesis. Additionally, not everyone who could benefit from taking these medications will respond or be able to tolerate the side effects.

Despite these potential drawbacks, the EMA’s review provides reassurance that GLP-1 drugs are safe for use in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity. The agency has stated that drug makers will continue to monitor their data for potential complications and report any new findings as part of standard post-approval safety practices.

In conclusion, the results of the EMA’s investigation are comforting for anyone taking Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs for type 2 diabetes and/or obesity. The review found no evidence to support a link between these medications and suicide, and the available evidence does not support a link between GLP-1 drugs and self-injurious thoughts and actions. While GLP-1s may have their drawbacks, they have been shown to be effective in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, and the EMA’s review provides reassurance that they are safe for use.

Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans’ New Graphic Novel, We Called Them Giants, is a Poignant and Devastating Tale of Communication Across a Chasm at the End of the World

In their follow-up to the critically acclaimed RPG-horror series Die, Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans have teamed up once again for We Called Them Giants, a new standalone original graphic novel that promises to be just as captivating and subversive as its predecessor. This time around, the creative duo has crafted a poignant and devastating tale of communication across a chasm at the end of the world, featuring beautiful, painterly artwork from Hans and an emotionally charged story from Gillen.

According to Gillen, We Called Them Giants was born out of a desire to do something completely different after the success of Die. “So, in the middle of the covid lockdowns, I was left alone with my cats, staring at them, and staring at me, and thinking about the miracle of relationships between beings of completely different kinds of intelligences, and the wonder of the jump across that gap,” he explained to io9 in a statement over email. “The image of the feral girl in the devastation and the giants came quickly after that, and we were away.”

The story follows a young girl named Lori, who wakes up one day to find the world suddenly a lot more empty than it should be. With all that remains of humanity scraping for survival and fighting among itself, Lori’s life is transformed all over again when horrifying, beautiful creatures suddenly enter the picture. As she navigates this new, post-apocalyptic world, Lori will fall in love, have her heart broken, and experience the full range of emotions that only a Hans/Gillen collaboration can provide.

“People will fall in love and have their hearts broken—the full Hans/Gillen experience,” Gillen continued. “Despite the post-apocalypse setting, the story has an almost weird-fable kind of vibe, and ends up basically as a conversation between The Walking Dead and The Iron Giant. Basically, We Called Them Giants is the story of communication across a chasm at the end of the world.”

Hans added that working on We Called Them Giants was a joy, especially given the opportunity to luxuriate in creating a single long story with a poignant, romantic, and devastating tone. “It’s nothing like we did before,” she said. “In all the best ways.”

We Called Them Giants is set to hit shelves on November 12, and fans of Gillen and Hans’ previous work can expect a beautiful, heart-wrenching tale that explores the human condition in the face of unimaginable devastation. The artwork from Hans is sure to be breathtaking, as always, and the story from Gillen promises to be an emotional rollercoaster that will leave readers both devastated and uplifted.

Don’t miss out on this incredible new graphic novel from two of the most talented creators in the industry today. Check back soon for more updates on We Called Them Giants, and be sure to click through to see some teases of Hans’ gorgeous artwork from inside the book.

Researchers from the security firm Binarly have discovered a serious vulnerability in the firmware of certain Lenovo and Intel products that could allow hackers to access sensitive information. The vulnerability is located in Lighttpd, an open-source web server that is widely used in various tech products, including firmware components.

The vulnerability was first identified in the summer of 2018, but the maintainers of Lighttpd quietly fixed the issue without formalizing it with a CVE identifier. As a result, many companies using Lighttpd did not receive the fix, leaving their products vulnerable to the bug.

According to Binarly researchers, the vulnerability can be exploited by a skilled cybercriminal to access sensitive information such as memory addresses, which could potentially be used to bypass security mechanisms like ASLR. However, the severity of the vulnerability is considered moderate, and it is not enough on its own to allow for a successful attack.

The impacted devices include certain Lenovo and Intel products, which are now end-of-life and will never receive any additional software updates. This means that these devices will remain vulnerable to the bug indefinitely.

When reached for comment, Lenovo stated that they are “aware of the AMI MegaRAC concern identified by Binarly” and are working with their supplier to assess any potential impacts on their products. Intel, on the other hand, confirmed that the affected device is end-of-life and will not receive any further updates.

While the vulnerability is serious, it is important to note that it is not enough on its own to allow for a successful attack. The bug primarily presents an opportunity for intrusion and compromise, rather than posing an immediate threat.

In conclusion, the discovery of this vulnerability highlights the importance of software updates and the need for companies to keep their products up-to-date with the latest security patches. It also underscores the potential risks associated with end-of-life devices, which can remain vulnerable to exploits even after they have been discontinued. As always, it is crucial for consumers and businesses alike to stay informed about potential security threats and take proactive measures to protect their devices and data.

The Ending of Alex Garland’s “Civil War” Will Leave You Speechless

Alex Garland’s “Civil War” has left audiences stunned with its powerful and emotional final moments. The film, which follows a group of characters as they navigate the chaos of a civil war, ends on a haunting note that will leave you feeling a mix of sadness, shock, relief, pride, and excitement all at once.

The film’s writer/director, Alex Garland, recently spoke with io9 about the inspirations behind the ending and how it all came together. He explained that the final moments were inspired by the idea of a “baton pass,” where one character passes on their state to another. In the case of the film, this means that the older character, Lee (played by Kirsten Dunst), dies and passes on her state to the younger character, Jessie (played by Cailee Spaeny).

Garland also revealed that he experimented with different versions of the final scene in editing, and ultimately chose the version that contained more power. The result is a sequence of still photos that show Lee’s death, followed by Jessie’s photo of the soldiers over the body of the President, slowly developing as the credits roll.

The decision to end the film with this haunting image was inspired by Garland’s desire to ground the film in reality as much as possible. He explained that the film is trying to “contact reality” through its use of lived experience, news photography, and documentaries as its framework. The trophy shot of the soldiers over the President’s body is a disturbing reminder of the real-life violence and chaos that can occur during times of war.

Overall, the ending of “Civil War” is a powerful and emotional conclusion to an already intense and thought-provoking film. If you haven’t seen it yet, be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions that will leave you speechless long after the credits have rolled.

Explore the Moon like never before with Lunar Horizons, a new immersive gaming experience from Epic Games, the European Space Agency (ESA), and Hassell. This 3D game takes you on a journey to the lunar south pole, the main hotspot for future missions to the Moon, where you’ll gather resources, build a habitat, and explore the realistic landscape based on actual space facts.

As a player, you’ll navigate through the cratered surface of the Moon, just like real-life astronauts will in future missions. You’ll work with tools, collect resources, and assemble each module of the lunar habitat. The game draws from real-life mission plans, so while it may not look super realistic, it’s a thrilling way to learn about space exploration.

One of the most exciting aspects of the game is encountering ESA’s Argonaut lunar lander, which will be used to supply cargo for future crews on the lunar surface. The game’s opening line sets the stage: “Welcome to the south pole of the Moon. Your mission is to gather water and Helium-3 to complete the ESA lunar habitat.”

The lunar south pole is the main destination of future missions because it could contain pockets of water ice hidden in permanently shadowed regions that have never seen the light. Water will be an essential resource for building a habitat on the Moon, which is crucial to establishing a permanent human presence on the lunar surface. This presence could eventually help us reach farther destinations in space.

The game also focuses on harvesting clean forms of energy from the lunar surface, such as Helium-3, which could provide safer nuclear energy in a fusion reactor. This aspect of the game highlights the importance of the Moon as a stepping stone for further space exploration and development.

Lunar Horizons is an immersive gaming experience that not only provides an exciting adventure but also offers a unique opportunity to learn about real-life space facts. As a space nerd, I can’t wait to explore the lunar surface, collect resources, and build a habitat just like future astronauts will.

So, if you’re ready to embark on a thrilling space adventure, grab your gaming console and head to Fortnite to access Lunar Horizons. You can find the game by using code 3207-0960-6428 or by searching for ‘Lunar Horizons’ in Discover. For more spaceflight fun, be sure to follow us on X and bookmark Gizmodo’s dedicated Spaceflight page for more exciting updates from the world of space exploration.

Apple is reportedly set to release a new chip, the M4, alongside a new production of iMacs, MacBooks, and a new Mac Mini. The M4 will be AI-centric and is expected to be released later this year. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company might talk up the M4 chip during its WWDC 2024 conference.

The M4 chip will reportedly last through 2025 and will likely be used in new MacBook Airs. The Cupertino company is trying to make up for sluggish Mac sales from 2022 to 2023, and the competition in the CPU market is heating up. Intel has started the ball rolling with its Meteor Lake series of mobile chips, and Qualcomm is set to release Snapdragon X Elite, its ARM-based CPU, in June.

The M4 chip will likely have a neural processing component, which Apple has not needed to talk up until now. The company started mentioning it with the latest MacBook Air release, and it seems it will only get louder from here. However, the advent of the “AI PC” seemed extra premature when considering all the new chips coming out that claim they’ll have the capacity for on-device AI.

The new M4 MacBooks are expected to look and function the same as the M3, which looked and functioned exactly like the M2. The constant stream of new chips is causing weariness among consumers, and it remains to be seen if Apple can make up for sluggish Mac sales with the new M4 chip.

Overall, the CPU market is heating up, and Apple is trying to keep up with the competition. However, the constant emphasis on AI capabilities may be a marketing ploy, and it remains to be seen if the M4 chip will live up to its hype.