Watch the original episode on YouTube.
Today’s Pulse rundown
EU AI Labels
Transcript: Have you ever been tricked by a fake picture online? Starting this Sunday, the European Union is fighting back against deceptive artificial intelligence. Under the new AI Act, companies must clearly label artificially generated images, audio, and text that are designed to look real. This means that when you scroll through social media, you will see digital watermarks on synthetic content. The rules aim to protect the public from fake videos of politicians or misleading advertisements. Companies that break the rules could face fines of up to fifteen million euros. Do you think these labels will make the internet safer?
Three-Tier Fossil
Transcript: What if you found a prehistoric crime scene frozen in stone? Paleontologists in Australia have pieced together a rare fossil from one hundred million years ago. It shows a flying pterosaur that was eaten by a swimming ichthyosaur, which was then attacked by a massive pliosaur. Researchers at the University of New England discovered this three-tier food chain by examining the ichthyosaur's skeleton. They found bite marks from a pliosaur, known as the T. rex of the ocean. Inside the ichthyosaur's stomach area, imaging revealed the bones of the pterosaur it had swallowed earlier. Which ancient ocean predator do you think was the scariest?
DNA Protection
Transcript: Imagine if your cells had their own tiny security guards! Researchers at King's College London discovered a new way cells protect DNA during division. They found that proteins called ESCRT-III unexpectedly guard fragile DNA bridges. When a cell divides into two, it must copy and separate its DNA. Sometimes, thin strands get left behind, connecting the two new cells. The team discovered that ESCRT-III proteins protect these DNA bridges by forming a protective coating around the exposed DNA. This prevents severe damage and keeps the genome stable. Next time you scrape your knee, remember your cells are working hard to heal safely!
Sodium-Ion Batteries
Transcript: Could the secret to better clean energy be sitting in your salt shaker? Hugh Smith, a PhD candidate at MIT, is working to make energy storage more affordable. He is researching sodium-ion batteries as an alternative to lithium-ion technology. Instead of using expensive minerals like lithium, these new batteries use readily available elements like sodium, iron, and manganese. While not as lightweight as smartphone batteries, they are perfect for storing electricity for the power grid. Smith says balancing cost and reliability is key to unlocking clean energy. What kind of gadget would you invent if batteries lasted forever?
Snapchat AI Slop
Transcript: Have you noticed weird, robotic posts on your social media feeds lately? Snapchat is joining platforms like YouTube and LinkedIn to fight fake content. On Friday, the company announced it will stop recommending wholly AI-generated videos in its Spotlight feed. As artificial intelligence tools become easier to use, the internet is flooded with low-quality posts known as AI slop. Research shows up to forty percent of writing on social media is now fake. Platforms are changing their algorithms to reward authentic, human-made content instead. Can you easily spot a fake video made by a computer?
Amazon Geoglyphs
Transcript: What if a massive ancient civilization was hiding under the trees? Scientists discovered the Amazon rainforest was home to millions of people roughly two thousand years ago. Using aerial lasers, archaeologists mapped northern Brazil and found nearly four hundred geometric earthworks. These massive shapes, called geoglyphs, were built by the Aquiry civilization. Researchers from the University of Helsinki estimate up to three million people lived there. They built deep ditches in the shapes of circles and squares for public ceremonial centers. This proves the Amazon was a bustling, human-shaped landscape. What shape would you carve into the earth?
Sell By Labels
Transcript: Have you ever thrown away a good snack because of the date on the box? California recently became the first state to ban confusing sell-by dates on groceries. Now, states like New York and Massachusetts are looking to pass similar laws. Experts at ReFED say sell-by dates are actually meant for store employees, not your safety. Because these labels are confusing, Americans throw away thirty-one percent of all food, creating millions of tons of waste. New rules will simplify packaging to two phrases: best if used by for quality, and use by for safety. Will you look closer at the label next time?
Shaboozey Album
Transcript: Get this — a massive breakout music star just dropped a huge new project! Shaboozey has released a brand new twenty-track country concept album. It is called The Outlaw Cherie Lee and Other Western Tales, and it comes with a three-issue comic book. The album tells a sprawling story set in the Wild West, featuring narration from famous actors like Jamie Foxx. Shaboozey blends his hip-hop roots with traditional fingerpicked acoustic guitars and fiddles. By teaming up with stars like Kehlani and Orville Peck, he is proving his success was no accident. If you wrote an album, what story would it tell?
Disney Lorcana Format Coconut
Transcript: Are you ready to shuffle your deck for a new way to play? Disney Lorcana is officially testing a multiplayer mode called Format Coconut. Co-creator Ryan Miller announced that playtesting began this week at Gen Con in Indianapolis. This new format is designed for groups of friends to play together. Players build a sixty-card deck around one of eighteen special beta cards, like Moana or Snow White. Your chosen character dictates the ink colors you can use and grants an extra special ability during the match. It is a fun way to roleplay your favorite heroes. Which character would lead your deck?
Colorado River Cutbacks
Transcript: What happens when a river that supplies forty million people starts running dry? The federal government is stepping in to manage the shrinking Colorado River. The Bureau of Reclamation released a new blueprint for managing the water supply across seven western states. The river was divided up in 1922, but a long drought has reduced its flow by twenty percent. Because agriculture uses seventy-five percent of the water, experts at Arizona State University and Colorado State University say farmers will face the biggest cutbacks. The new ten-year plan will force states to make tough choices to keep reservoirs from emptying. How does your community save water?