Farm Chemicals Associated with Possible Decrease in Insect Populations

Fruits and vegetables are frequently treated with fungicides to prevent mold. However, recent studies indicate that one of these chemicals may be silently endangering insects essential for healthy ecosystems, potentially leading to an insect disaster.

Research from Macquarie University shows that chlorothalonil, one of the most commonly utilized fungicides globally, significantly diminishes insect fertility, even at the smallest concentrations typically found on produce.

In experiments, scientists subjected fruit flies to real-world amounts of the chemical and discovered that their egg-laying decreased by more than a third. This decline was not gradual but immediate and substantial, impacting both male and female fertility. This is not akin to the effects observed when fruit flies are exposed to cocaine; it poses a real threat to their populations.

While this might seem beneficial, particularly given how bothersome fruit flies can be when they infest plants indoors, it has larger implications beyond just flies. Insects such as bees, flies, and other pollinators are vital for the cultivation of the food we consume. A decrease in their numbers could hinder pollination and adversely affect crops in the future. This research adds to a growing body of evidence documenting significant declines in global insect populations, which some experts have predicted could lead to an imminent insect crisis.

What’s particularly alarming is that this fungicide is commonly applied even in the absence of infection risk. It is often used as a preventive measure when crops are not diseased. Although chlorothalonil is banned in the European Union, it is still extensively used in regions like Australia, where it is sprayed on a wide range of agricultural products, from vineyards to berry farms.

Despite its prevalence, chlorothalonil has not been extensively examined in detail. Fewer than 25 studies have investigated its effects on insects, making this new research a significant contribution to the arguments against the continued use of this chemical. This also highlights a critical shortcoming in how we assess the environmental impacts of the pesticides we commonly use.

The study’s authors recommend reconsidering the frequency of chlorothalonil applications. By distributing treatment intervals, farmers could allow insect populations time to rebound between applications. While this may not be the ideal situation, it would alleviate some damage to insect populations, although determining how long recovery would take between treatments remains necessary.

Limited Edition Beats Pill Now Not Available for Sale

Last year, Beats enhanced its popular Beats Pill speaker with a refreshed design, better specifications, and double the battery lifespan when compared to the 2015 version. Then, this May, the company based in Los Angeles launched new color options for the product.

Although Beats is recognized for creating special versions of its items through collaborations with athletes, designers, and influencers, BGR recently noticed an exclusive Beats Pill edition on social media that seems unavailable anywhere else.

A few days prior, fitness coach and influencer Sam Taylor shared a distinctive Beats Pill featuring hues of pink transitioning into cream with black details on her Instagram Story. Currently, Beats offers five different shades of its speaker, none of which are as striking as this one.

If you visit Beats’ website or even attempt to search through third-party sellers, you won’t find any evidence of this special version of the speaker, which, as illustrated in the image below, perfectly complements the exclusive LeBron James Nike sneakers.

So, what’s the story behind this exclusive Beats Pill color?

There’s only one way to obtain this exclusive Beats Pill edition.

Initially, I suspected Beats was hinting at a new version via an influencer’s Instagram post. After all, the company frequently provides unreleased products to influencers prior to an official announcement to generate excitement. However, this instance is distinct.

So, here’s some background. Last fall, LeBron James launched his inaugural training sneaker, the Nike LeBron TR 1. Friends and family, along with select athletes and influencers in the sports and fitness sectors, received this exclusive colorway for the sneakers in addition to this singular Beats Pill. Quite a collaboration, right?

ChatGPT Exhibits Skill in Operating a Spacecraft

Researchers have assessed various large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT to evaluate their potential in successfully piloting a spacecraft. The outcomes are encouraging, indicating that AI models like Gemini and ChatGPT might one day serve as dependable autonomous pilots for extended space exploration missions. However, we remain quite distant from a spacecraft driven by ChatGPT.

The study, scheduled for publication later this year, is accessible on the preprint server arXiv. As per the results, researchers commenced by engaging the chatbot with the following instruction: “You function as an autonomous agent managing a pursuit spacecraft.”

Following this, the model excelled, responding to additional prompts effectively and with minimal complications. Overall, the researchers report that ChatGPT achieved second place in an autonomous spacecraft simulation contest. This is highly encouraging, particularly given the significant focus researchers have dedicated to advancing such systems. Furthermore, a ChatGPT-operated spacecraft could provide substantial advantages over conventional autonomous systems.

There are certainly numerous advantages to developing a genuinely autonomous space exploration system. It would not only alleviate the workload, allowing teams to concentrate on other priority missions, but it could also assist in addressing Earth’s satellite congestion. As we launch an increasing number of satellites into orbit, manual control is becoming progressively challenging. Implementing autonomous systems will yield positive effects as expansion persists.

Additionally, it could facilitate future missions to other planets. Relying on AI-driven robots could significantly enhance our speed in exploring new planets and in collecting research materials to formulate strategies for landing humans. The simulation that ChatGPT underwent is part of what researchers refer to as the Kerbal Space Program Differential Game Challenge.

For those unfamiliar, Kerbal Space Program is a cherished video game that emulates real-world physics, challenging players to create functional spacecraft. It provides an enjoyable and detailed experience, and although not entirely realistic, it offers an excellent environment for autonomous systems to engage.

While this does not definitively advocate for granting AI command over our upcoming space missions, this challenge and the ensuing research will contribute to fostering the development of more user-friendly autonomous systems, since employing LLMs requires significantly less time compared to a manually constructed system. Now, we can only wait and observe how researchers enhance the successes achieved here, especially in light of recent reports involving AI exhibiting hostility towards humans when provoked.

“Future Nintendo Switch 2 Titles Launching in July 2025”

It’s been roughly a month since the Nintendo Switch 2 debuted, and we’re still eagerly anticipating additional games to enjoy on the new console. At this stage, we wouldn’t fault you for feeling weary of racing the same Mario Kart World tracks over and over. Fortunately, while the release schedule for July is fairly calm, there are several significant new titles arriving on the Switch 2 this month, including a brand new first-party Nintendo title.

Unquestionably, Donkey Kong Bananza is the star attraction of the Switch 2 lineup in July. Some gamers are even dubbing it the console’s first “true” launch game, especially now that it has been revealed that it was developed by a significant portion of the team behind Super Mario Odyssey. That being said, it’s merely one of about six new releases on Switch 2 this month, so let’s take a closer look.

**Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 (July 11)**

Following the success of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2, Pro Skater 3 + 4 serves as another remake of the beloved skating titles from 2001 and 2002. Alongside classic parks like Foundry, College, and Alcatraz, players can also expect new locations, including a deserted water park. Familiar pro skaters will be available, featuring special guest skaters Doom Slayer and Michelangelo, as well as Officer Dick and Constable Richard (both voiced by Jack Black).

It’s essential to mention that the remake of Pro Skater 4 does not include the open-ended career mode seen in the original game; instead, it retains the same two-minute runs as the first three entries. However, you can increase the timer up to an hour.

**Donkey Kong Bananza (July 17)**

For the first time since 1999, Donkey Kong returns to headline his own 3D adventure, this time joined by young Pauline. In Donkey Kong Bananza, DK and Pauline explore the underground realm in pursuit of the Planet Core, rumored to possess the ability to fulfill any wish. DK can break through walls, dig tunnels, and smash through the ground, while Pauline utilizes her unique singing abilities to empower DK.

**Shadow Labyrinth (July 18)**

Shadow Labyrinth — sometimes referred to as “grimdark Pac-Man” — follows Swordsman No. 8 and the floating yellow orb named Puck, who awakens him as they navigate a mysterious planet teeming with foes. In this 2D action platformer, you gain new skills and gear to enhance your power, and you can also merge with Puck. If you’re curious about the narrative, check out the sixth episode of Secret Level on Prime Video.

**Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV (July 24)**

Super Mario Party Jamboree marks the thirteenth installment in the beloved party game series, and it’s also the third for the Nintendo Switch. In July, the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of the game is being released, introducing an array of new features, including an exclusive game show called Jamboree TV, minigames utilizing the Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, the capability to attach a USB-C camera to bring players into the game, and enhanced resolution.

Evidence Indicates Disinterest in Netflix Original Films

Netflix may have triumphed in our living spaces, but when it involves achieving success in cinema? The statistics reveal the truth. And it’s not flattering.

The most recent indication of Netflix’s challenges with feature films comes from The New York Times, which revealed a reader-chosen compilation of the top 100 films of the 21st century. Over 200,000 participants contributed, and among the multitude of original films Netflix has produced since embarking on its original movie journey over a decade ago, can you guess how many made the list?

Not a single one.

Knives Out, positioned at #91 on the list, at least has a peripheral association with the platform, as the original was released in theaters by Lionsgate in 2019; Netflix subsequently landed a $450 million deal for the sequels. But that’s the extent of it.

Clearly, this should serve as a sobering wake-up call for Netflix, which has invested years and billions in trying to persuade everyone that it holds just as much credibility in filmmaking as it does in television. The company has indeed attempted to purchase its way into cinematic acknowledgment: Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma, Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story, and David Fincher’s Mank all garnered awards recognition and critical acclaim. Yet, Netflix still tends to come up short in the areas that matter most.

At this year’s Oscars (the 97th), the streamer’s main emphasis was on the cringeworthy Emilia Pérez, yet another Netflix production to accumulate numerous nominations while departing with two minor awards — for Best Original Song, “El Mal,” and Best Supporting Actress (Zoe Saldaña). That film, by the way, currently holds a dismal 17% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on over 10,000 user ratings.

In my view, this ongoing divide between prestige and audience reception points to a larger issue that Netflix has thus far struggled to rectify. Its films repeatedly tick all the appropriate boxes — from award-winning directors to high-profile stars — yet they seem to come and go without leaving much of a cultural mark. Meanwhile, Netflix continues to invest astonishing sums in film projects, often with minimal returns. A recent instance is The Electric State, a 2025 sci-fi blockbuster from the Russo brothers that is reported to have cost an eye-popping $320 million.