That is right this moment’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication that gives a every day dose of what’s occurring on the earth of know-how.
The weeds are successful
For the reason that Nineteen Eighties, increasingly vegetation have developed to change into resistant to the biochemical mechanisms that herbicides leverage to kill them. This herbicidal resistance threatens to lower yields—out-of-control weeds can cut back them by 50% or extra, and excessive circumstances can wipe out complete fields.
At worst, it could actually even drive farmers out of enterprise. It’s the agricultural equal of antibiotic resistance, and it retains getting worse. Weeds have developed resistance to 168 totally different herbicides and 21 of the 31 identified “modes of motion,” which suggests the precise biochemical goal or pathway a chemical is designed to disrupt.
Agriculture must embrace a range of weed management practices. However that’s a lot simpler mentioned than carried out. Learn the complete story.
—Douglas Major
This piece is from the following print problem of MIT Expertise Evaluate, which delves into the bizarre world of meals. In case you don’t already, subscribe to obtain future copies as soon as they land.
Every little thing comes again to local weather tech. Right here’s what to look at for subsequent.
Local weather know-how by no means stands nonetheless. From power and transportation to agriculture and coverage, there’s at all times a brand new improvement to get your head round.
Casey Crownhart, our senior local weather reporter, has been fascinated by the place local weather tech will go subsequent. Take a look at her predictions for the long run.
This story is from The Spark, our weekly local weather and power publication. Join to obtain it in your inbox each Wednesday.
This octopus-inspired adhesive can stick with absolutely anything
What’s new: A brand new adhesive know-how pays homage to one among nature’s strongest sources of suction: an octopus tentacle.
What’s it? Researchers replicated an octopus’s sturdy grip and managed launch to create a software that manipulates a wide selection of objects. It might assist enhance underwater building strategies or discover utility in on a regular basis gadgets like an assistive glove. Learn the complete story.
—Jenna Ahart
Roundtable: Producing climate-friendly meals
Our meals techniques account for a serious chunk of world greenhouse-gas emissions, however some companies are trying to develop options that might assist handle the local weather impacts of agriculture. That features two corporations on the recently-announced 2024 record of MIT Expertise Evaluate’s 15 Local weather Tech Corporations to Watch. Pivot Bio is inventing new fertilizers, and Rumin8 is working to deal with emissions from cattle.
Be a part of MIT Expertise Evaluate senior editor James Temple and senior reporter Casey Crownhart right this moment at 12pm ET right this moment for a subscriber-exclusive Roundtable diving into the way forward for meals and the local weather with particular friends Karsten Temme, chief innovation officer and co-founder of Pivot Bio, and Matt Callahan, co-founder and counsel of Rumin8. Register right here.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to seek out you right this moment’s most enjoyable/necessary/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 The subsequent Hurricane Milton could possibly be even worse
Excessive storms are getting extra highly effective, and international warming isn’t serving to. (NY Magazine $)
+ Hurricane disinformation is rife—and extremely harmful. (The Atlantic $)
+ You should definitely examine credible sources for the newest updates. (Vox)
2 Tesla is getting ready to unveil its Cybercab robotaxi
The corporate is coming into a crowded and extremely aggressive market. (Wired $)
+ It’s time for Elon Musk to ship on his long-discussed guarantees. (The Verge)
+ What’s subsequent for robotaxis in 2024. (MIT Expertise Evaluate)
3 Russia has banned Discord
Regardless that its navy depends on its chat operate to speak on the battlefield. (WP $)
+ It’s the newest in an extended line of US platforms to be restricted in Russia. (Vice)
4 What the James Webb House Telescope tells us about cosmic historical past
That includes all the pieces from historical galaxies to colossal black holes. (Quanta Journal)
5 Meta’s new AI chatbot has lastly launched within the UK
Regulatory points prevented it from launched similtaneously the US. (The Guardian)
+ Nevertheless, not all of us wish to use chatbots on a regular basis. (NYT $)+ Neglect chat. AI that may hear, see, and click on is already right here. (MIT Expertise Evaluate)
6 Nigeria is trying to sanction Starlink
For almost doubling its month-to-month subscription price with out warning. (Bloomberg $)
7 Rise of the wood skyscrapers
It could possibly be a viable high-rise various to metal and concrete. (Knowable Journal)
+ The hidden local weather value of all the pieces round us. (MIT Expertise Evaluate)
8 Hold a watch out for porch pirates
Opportunistic thieves are stealing packages containing AT&T telephones throughout the US. (WSJ $)
9 Self-hypnosis apps are rising in reputation
Simply don’t deal with them as replacements for precise medication. (FT $)
10 The Europa Clipper mission is genuinely thrilling 
But it surely very almost didn’t occur. (Ars Technica)
+ House startups are attracting main curiosity from traders proper now. (Reuters)
+ NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft is about to search for life-friendly circumstances round Jupiter. (MIT Expertise Evaluate)
Quote of the day
“It has been a catastrophic 12 months.”
—Brian McNoldy, a senior analysis scientist on the College of Miami who focuses on tropical cyclone analysis, presents a frank evaluation of 2024’s hurricane season to the Atlantic.
How environmental DNA is giving scientists a brand new solution to perceive our world
Environmental DNA is a comparatively cheap, widespread, probably automated solution to observe the range and distribution of life.
In contrast to earlier strategies, which might establish DNA from, say, a single organism, the strategy additionally collects the swirling cloud of different genetic materials that surrounds it. It may possibly function a surveillance software, providing researchers a method of detecting the seemingly undetectable.
By sampling eDNA, or mixtures of genetic materials in water, soil, ice cores, cotton swabs, or virtually any surroundings conceivable, even skinny air, it’s now potential to seek for a selected organism or assemble a snapshot of all of the organisms in a given place.
It presents an exciting — and probably chilling — solution to gather details about organisms, together with people, as they go about their on a regular basis enterprise. Learn the complete story.
—Peter Andrey Smith
We will nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Acquired any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)
+ Get your time without work to the absolute best begin with this cute mole.
+ At 81, Martin Scorsese has no plans to retire any time quickly.
+ I wish to keep at each single one among these unimaginable surf inns.
+ Wait, if milk is white, why is cheese yellow?! 
