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This Self-Shaping Liquid Defies Thermodynamics — And Always Rebuilds Its Form

In a surprising twist, a graduate student at UMass Amherst discovered a strange new fluid behavior that seems to defy thermodynamics.

While experimenting with oil, water, and magnetized nickel particles, he found that no matter how hard the mixture was shaken, it would always return to the same elegant urn shape. This behavior sparked curiosity among physicists, who eventually traced the cause to unusually strong magnetism altering the way the fluids interact. Though it has no immediate use, the finding opens new frontiers in soft-matter science.

A surprising discovery in soft matter.

The Immune Molecule That Rewires Your Brain — From Anxiety to Sociability

A surprising link between the immune system and brain behavior is emerging, as new research reveals how a single immune molecule can affect both anxiety and sociability depending on which brain region it acts upon.

Scientists found that IL-17 behaves almost like a brain chemical, influencing neuron activity in ways that alter mood and behavior during illness. These findings suggest the immune system plays a much deeper role in shaping our mental states than previously thought, opening new doors for treating conditions like autism and anxiety through immune-based therapies.

Immune Molecules and Brain Behavior.

Molecules in a Twist: How a Flash of Light Flips Chirality

Scientists in Japan have uncovered a surprising twist, literally, in how molecules organize themselves. By introducing tiny leftover fragments from previous assemblies, they discovered a way to flip the direction of helical molecular structures.

Using specific intensities of UV and visible light, they controlled whether these molecules formed left-handed or right-handed spirals, revealing a new method to fine-tune optical and electronic properties. This groundbreaking insight could unlock novel ways to engineer smarter, more responsive materials.

Revealing the power of molecular self-assembly.

Paper Werewolf Deploys PowerModul Implant in Targeted Cyberattacks on Russian Sectors

The threat actor known as Paper Werewolf has been observed exclusively targeting Russian entities with a new implant called PowerModul.

The activity, which took place between July and December 2024, singled out organizations in the mass media, telecommunications, construction, government entities, and energy sectors, Kaspersky said in a new report published Thursday.

Paper Werewolf, also known as GOFFEE, is assessed to have conducted at least seven campaigns since 2022, according to BI.ZONE, with the attacks mainly aimed at government, energy, financial, media, and other organizations.

SpyNote, BadBazaar, MOONSHINE Malware Target Android and iOS Users via Fake Apps

The clone websites identified by DTI include a carousel of images that, when clicked, download a malicious APK file onto the user’s device. The package file acts as a dropper to install a second embedded APK payload via the DialogInterface. OnClickListener interface that allows for the execution of the SpyNote malware when an item in a dialog box is clicked.

“Upon installation, it aggressively requests numerous intrusive permissions, gaining extensive control over the compromised device,” DTI said.

“This control allows for the theft of sensitive data such as SMS messages, contacts, call logs, location information, and files. SpyNote also boasts significant remote access capabilities, including camera and microphone activation, call manipulation, and arbitrary command execution.”

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