Sea Lions Turn Cartographers

Australian researchers have enlisted sea lions as unlikely allies in marine exploration. Equipped with lightweight cameras, these aquatic mammals are mapping previously uncharted ocean floor habitats. Led by PhD student Nathan Angelakis, this innovative method has provided unprecedented insights into marine ecosystems.

The sea lions, primarily adult females from Olive Island and Seal Bay, captured 89 hours of footage documenting six distinct sea-floor habitats. From bare sand to algae meadows, these recordings are revolutionizing our understanding of underwater biodiversity off Australia's southern coast.

This groundbreaking approach not only advances marine science but also highlights the potential for non-invasive research techniques. As climate change threatens ocean ecosystems, the data collected by these sea lion cartographers could prove crucial for conservation efforts, helping protect vulnerable marine environments for future generations.

Nature + 7 • Science

US Abortion Rates Soar

Abortion rates in the United States have reached an all-time high in January 2024, with over 100,000 procedures recorded in a single month. This surge is largely driven by disparities in state laws following the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, which has created a patchwork of regulations across the country.

Since the ruling, 14 states have enacted total bans on abortion, while many others have imposed severe restrictions. This has led to significant shifts in access to reproductive healthcare, with telehealth usage for abortion care surging from 5% to 20% of all abortions.

Privacy concerns and state bans are forcing many to self-manage their care, raising new health and legal challenges. A notable percentage of individuals cite illegal abortion laws in their states as a reason for self-managing, underscoring the complex interplay between law, healthcare, and personal choice in the post-Roe era.

ABC News + 6 • US News • Health

Reddit Achieves Profitability

Reddit, the popular social media platform, has surpassed revenue expectations and achieved profitability in its latest earnings report. The company reported a 54% revenue spike to $281.2 million, with CEO Steve Huffman highlighting a 50% user growth and 342 million active users.

The platform's success is partly attributed to its strategic embrace of AI technology, which has improved user experience and content moderation. Reddit now boasts over one billion internal searches monthly, outperforming competitors like Facebook in terms of website traffic growth.

The Verge + 13 • Tech • Financial Markets

Sports, Entertainment & Culture

• Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna canceled due to security threat; 19-year-old suspect arrested. Authorities investigating possible accomplices. (More)

• Tenacious D's tour canceled after Kyle Gass's controversial joke about Trump rally shooting. Jack Black assures fans of band's return post-break. (More)

• Rafael Nadal withdraws from US Open, marking his third Grand Slam absence this season due to ongoing injuries. (More)

Science & Technology

• Scientists propose using metal nanorods to thicken Mars' atmosphere and warm the planet. Method could significantly raise temperatures and atmospheric pressure. (More)

• Imec and ASML unveil groundbreaking €350 million chip printing machine for smaller, faster chips. ASML's stock jumps 6% following the announcement. (More)

• Waymo expands autonomous ride-hailing service into San Francisco Peninsula and Los Angeles, increasing service territory by 26 square miles. (More)

Business & Markets

• CVS Health Corp slashes 2024 profit forecast due to rising medical costs in Aetna unit. CEO Karen S. Lynch to directly oversee struggling division. (More)

• Uber shares jump over 5% after strong Q2 earnings report, beating revenue forecasts. Gross bookings up 19% to $40 billion. (More)

• TSMC poised for substantial revenue growth, projecting $164 billion by 2028 driven by AI demand. Analysts forecast gross margin above 55% by 2025. (More)

Politics & World Affairs

• Famine declared in Zamzam camp near El-Fasher, northern Darfur, amid Sudan's escalating conflict. Over 500,000 people affected by severe food insecurity. (More)

• Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest decreases by nearly 46% over the past year. President Lula da Silva aims for 'zero deforestation' by 2030. (More)

• Iran executes 29 individuals, including 26 in mass execution, amid international condemnation. Human rights groups highlight link to protests. (More)