SPACE

🚀 NASA's MESSENGER Celebrates 20 Years of Mercury Revelations

What's going on: NASA's MESSENGER mission is marking its 20th anniversary in 2024, having revolutionized our understanding of Mercury. The mission provided unprecedented geochemical data and confirmed the presence of water ice in the planet's polar regions.

What it means: MESSENGER's success showcases the power of long-term space missions in unveiling planetary secrets. Principal Investigator Sean Solomon highlighted the mission's technical prowess and enduring impact on planetary science. As we celebrate this milestone, MESSENGER's legacy paves the way for future explorations, including the upcoming BepiColombo mission. This achievement underscores humanity's growing capability to unravel the mysteries of our solar system, inspiring future generations of space scientists and explorers.

Phys.org + 2 other sources

HEALTH

🧠 WHO Finds No Link Between Mobile Phone Use and Cancer

What's going on: A comprehensive World Health Organization (WHO) review has found no increased risk of brain cancer or overall cancer from mobile phone use, even among long-term users. The analysis, covering 63 studies from 1994 to 2022, aims to reassure the public about mobile phone safety.

What it means: This landmark study provides much-needed clarity on a long-debated health concern. While the findings are reassuring for the billions of mobile phone users worldwide, experts still call for ongoing research, especially with emerging 5G technology. This study exemplifies the importance of large-scale, long-term health research in addressing public concerns and guiding technology use. It also highlights the need for continued vigilance and research as new technologies emerge, ensuring we balance innovation with public health.

The Washington Post + 14 other sources

TECH

💻 Canva Raises Prices, Eyes US IPO

What's going on: Canva, the popular design platform, is significantly raising its Teams subscription prices, with some users facing up to a 300% increase. The company attributes the hike to investments in AI tools and a platform redesign, as it gears up for a potential US IPO.

What it means: Canva's bold move signals its ambition to evolve from a user-friendly design tool to a comprehensive AI-powered platform. While the price increase has sparked backlash, especially among small businesses, it reflects the growing value and capabilities of AI in creative industries. This development highlights the ongoing transformation of digital tools and the increasing integration of AI in everyday software. For users and investors alike, it's a reminder of the rapid pace of technological advancement and the potential for AI to reshape creative workflows.

TechCrunch + 11 other sources