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Today’s Pulse rundown
Nauru Name Change
Transcript: What if your country decided to change its name to honor its history? The Pacific Island nation of Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero. President David Adeang says the move matches the spelling and pronunciation used in the national language. The country became known as Nauru because the local name was difficult for foreigners to pronounce. Now, the government is updating its international codes and asking other countries to recognize the shift. This change is meant to honor the nation's heritage and identity. If your town could pick a new name, what would it be?
Rare Living Stone
Transcript: Can a plant actually look like a pebble? In Namibia, a tiny succulent called Lithops werneri grows on a thin layer of gravel. These plants are known as living stones because they blend into their rocky environment. According to the IUCN, there are fewer than two hundred of these plants left in the wild. They have very shallow roots, which makes them vulnerable during harsh droughts. Because they grow in just one tiny area, any disturbance could threaten the entire species. Researchers are working hard to protect them from illegal collection and habitat loss. What is the most unusual plant you have ever seen?
Moonquake Water
Transcript: Can moonquakes help us find water? Researchers at the University of Maryland say that vibrations from moonquakes could reveal ice buried beneath the lunar surface. Ice makes the ground stiffer, which causes seismic waves to travel two to three times faster than they do through dry soil. These ice-rich areas can also reflect energy like an echo. NASA's Artemis program plans to send astronauts to the moon's south pole in 2028, where they might use this method to locate vital water supplies. Finding local water would help astronauts live off the land. What would you build on the moon?
Microelectronics Externship
Transcript: Want to see the future of technology? Thirty students from across the Northeast recently joined an externship program at MIT to explore the world of microelectronics. They visited premier research labs and manufacturing facilities like IBM and GlobalFoundries. The students met with engineers and researchers to learn how academic discoveries turn into commercial products. This program helps prepare the next generation of innovators for careers in AI and quantum computing. The students got a behind-the-scenes look at the advanced technologies that drive our modern world. If you could visit any research lab, which one would you choose?
EU AI Rules
Transcript: How do we know if an AI is talking to us? The European Union has introduced new rules to make it easier to identify chatbots and AI-generated content. Companies must now disclose when people are interacting with an AI model instead of a human. They also have to include machine-readable marks on synthetic audio, images, and videos. These rules are designed to help people make informed decisions and avoid misinformation. If a company fails to comply, they could face significant fines. These transparency obligations are now in effect for new systems. How do you feel about AI labels?
Antarctic Microbes
Transcript: What lives under the Antarctic ice? Researchers have discovered a distinct community of marine microbes in the salty water flowing from Antarctica's Blood Falls. This provides evidence that the water system beneath the glacier has a marine origin. The team used genetic techniques to identify these microorganisms in ice and sediment samples. They found that the microbes were associated with marine environments, suggesting they were trapped when sea levels fell and the glacier advanced over them. This discovery offers new insights into how microbial communities persist through major environmental changes. What would you want to discover in Antarctica?
Youngest Professor
Transcript: Can you be a college professor at eighteen? Nathan Thomas just set a Guinness World Record as the youngest male college professor. At eighteen years and three hundred forty-six days old, he taught a computer programming course at Miami Dade College. He had already earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering with honors. Thomas says he focuses on helping students learn, and he believes age does not factor into the classroom experience. He is now pursuing a law degree while continuing to teach online courses. What subject would you want to teach?
God of War Series
Transcript: Who will play the next God of War? Dave Bautista is currently in talks to play Kratos in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series. The production had to recast the role after Ryan Hurst suffered an injury on set. Bautista is known for his roles in major films and is already in the physical shape required for the character. The series will follow Kratos as he raises his son, Atreus, while battling gods from Norse mythology. Production is expected to start again by the fall. If you were casting a movie, who would you pick?
Zac Brown Cruise
Transcript: What if your concert came with a free cruise? During a show at Fenway Park, Zac Brown surprised every single person in the stadium with a free cruise for two. He partnered with a cruise company to create a music venue at sea called Same Boat. The giveaway is part of a massive promotional event for his tour. The crowd was shocked by the announcement, as it is one of the biggest giveaways in history. If you could win a trip anywhere, where would you go?
Water Cyberattacks
Transcript: How do we protect our water? The FBI reports that at least seven states have been targeted by cyberattacks on municipal water systems. Officials believe Iran is likely behind the disruption, which aims to sow chaos and fear. These attacks target the small computers that control water facilities, which often lack the funding or staff to fully secure their systems. Experts say our water infrastructure is vulnerable because it is run by small local municipalities. Federal agencies are working to help utilities beef up their security to prevent future incidents. Why is it important to protect our water?