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Proteins serve as the essential engines that maintain the functionality of our cells, with numerous varieties of proteins performing distinct duties within them. It has been established for a long time that a protein’s configuration dictates its functionality. More recently, scientists have begun to recognize that a protein’s positioning is equally essential to its performance.…

The Haber-Bosch method, which transforms atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia fertilizer, revolutionized agriculture and assisted in feeding the increasing global population, but it also generated significant environmental challenges. It is among the most energy-demanding chemical reactions globally, accounting for 1-2 percent of worldwide energy use. Additionally, it emits nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse gas that damages…

The nucleus of a substantial conglomerate of galaxies seems to be producing considerably more stars than expected. Researchers at MIT and other institutions have now uncovered a crucial component within the cluster that elucidates the nucleus’s abundant starburst. In a recent study published in Nature, the scientists detail using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to…

In the forthcoming era, self-sufficient drones could be utilized to transport goods between expansive storage facilities. A drone could navigate into a dimly lit establishment the size of several football fields, swiftly moving through hundreds of uniform aisles before arriving at the exact location where its delivery is needed. Many of today’s drones would probably…

“Brilliant, compassionate, motivating, and filled with insight,” a student characterized Kenneth Oye. Another praised that “We are incredibly fortunate to have such a nurturing, supportive, understanding, and kind leader” in Maria Yang. Professors Maria Yang and Kenneth Oye are part of the 2023-25 Committed to Caring cohort, recognized for their dedication to encouraging students; advocating…

An electrospray propulsion system employs an electric field on a conductive fluid, producing a rapid jet of minuscule droplets capable of launching a spacecraft. These compact engines are particularly well-suited for small satellites known as CubeSats, frequently utilized in scientific investigations. Since electrospray propulsion systems leverage propellant more effectively than the robust, chemical rockets employed…

The MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing has garnered significant backing for its impressive new facility on Vassar Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A substantial donation from Sebastian Man ’79, SM ’80 will be acknowledged with the naming of an important area within the structure, enhancing the educational and research endeavors of the MIT Schwarzman…

During a session of class 6.C40/24.C40 (Ethics of Computing), Professor Armando Solar-Lezama presents the same challenging inquiry to his students that he frequently grapples with in the research he conducts with the Computer Assisted Programming Group at MIT: “How can we ensure that a machine fulfills our intentions, and only those intentions?” In this current…

Envision yourself as a culinary artist possessing a highly coveted recipe. To keep your confidential instructions in mind, you jot them down in a notebook, but the placement of those details within the book is obvious from the creases and tears on the edges of that frequently consulted page. Similar to how recipes are organized…

Jenny Martinez, Lloyd Minor, and David Studdert offer an update regarding the NIH declaration of its plan to impose a ceiling of 15% on indirect expenses.

Based on recent studies, physicians could gain from an LLM aid when encountering a medical dilemma.

As global warming heightens aridity, researchers at Stanford have discovered a possible method to enhance corn durability.

On Thursday, the Faculty Senate received briefings regarding the institution’s reaction to recent executive directives and input from the AI at Stanford Advisory Committee. Senators additionally cast their votes on two governance issues within the senate.

Kuo, an associate at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, states that this progression establishes a foundation for significant disparities in whom democracy benefits.

Purvesh Khatri, the researcher behind the test created at Stanford Medicine, talks about an advancement that has the potential to change the lives of countless patients annually.

The innovative examination, which identifies genetic substances from fungi, spares individuals from having tissue biopsies.

Nominations are currently available for the 2024-25 Gores, Dinkelspiel, and Cuthbertson Awards, aiming to honor faculty, students, and staff for their outstanding efforts in education, service, and scholarly excellence. Please submit a nomination by March 31.

Nominations are currently accepted for the Amy J. Blue Awards. Submit a nomination for a university staff individual who exhibits remarkable commitment, assists peers, and is enthusiastic about their responsibilities by February 21.

Recent studies from the Doerr School of Sustainability indicate that potential reductions in emissions might yield advantages that are more extensive and impactful than previously recognized.

A research paper co-written by economist David Deming explores the transformation induced by technology in the U.S. employment landscape over a century. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer Employment & Economy Is AI already disrupting the labor market? 4 patterns indicate significant transformation, according to researchers who analyzed a century of technological interruptions Christy DeSmith Harvard Staff…

Karen Thornber. Photo by Grace DuVal Campus & Community New horizons for the Bok Center Eileen O’Grady Harvard Staff Writer February 14, 2025 8 min read Director articulates vision for transformative teaching and learning As Karen Thornber contemplates the forthcoming phase for the Bok Center, her core principles revolve around connection, collaboration, and innovation. Since…

Nation & World How progress occurs Vice provost for research elaborates on the vital role of NIH backing in science and healthcare Alvin Powell Harvard Staff Writer February 13, 2025 long read On February 7, the National Institutes of Health released a notice, effective February 10, to limit reimbursements for indirect costs (IDC) related to…

Campus & Community Legacy of Slavery broadens collaboration with the oldest genealogical nonprofit in the U.S. Memorial Hall. Photo by Grace DuVal Andrea Perera Harvard Correspondent February 13, 2025 extended read Collaboration establishes foundation for University to interact with direct descendants Harvard has enhanced its collaboration with American Ancestors, recognized as the nation’s oldest genealogical…

Arts & Culture Technology has evolved. Dating? It’s complex. Illustration by Liz Zonarich/Harvard Staff Eileen O’Grady Harvard Staff Writer February 13, 2025 8 min read If you believe algorithms and chatbots are damaging romance, ‘Labor of Love’ author has a historical insight for you Moira Weigel embarked on a study of dating’s history in the…

Campus & Community Final ballot prepared for Overseer and HAA director elections John Harvard Statue blanketed in a new layer of snow. Photo by Grace DuVal February 13, 2025 5 min read Participants arranged in official ballot sequence Qualified Harvard alumni will once again have the opportunity to engage in the elections for new members…

“`html Ann Marie Lipinski. Photo by Lisa Abitbol Campus & Community Nieman curator Ann Marie Lipinski to resign Pulitzer laureate guided organization through a time of turmoil for the news sector and enhanced collaboration with the Harvard community February 13, 2025 8 min read Ann Marie Lipinski, curator of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at…

Campus & Community Through the Summer Youth Employment initiative, Harvard observes ‘a framework for opportunity’ View of Cambridge and Boston skyline from the Smith Campus Center. Harvard file photo Amy Kamosa Harvard Correspondent February 13, 2025 5 min read Career pathway initiatives assist youth, veterans, Cambridge, and Greater Boston In a few months, Harvard will…

“`html Eager to discover more? Fill out the form and you will be taken to a recording of the presentation. Incorporating the “I” in Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence Recorded in August 2023 Presenters:• Rachel Schoenig – Chief Security Officer, Examity; CEO, Cornerstone Strategies• Dr. Zeenath Reza Khan – Founding President and Board Member of the Centre for…

“`html How EdTech advancements are driving student achievement Has technology indeed emerged as a significant catalyst for constructive transformation? EdTech innovations are poised to transform how students engage in learning and how educators facilitate instruction. The global EdTech market is presently valued at an impressive $106.46 billion, reflecting its extensive influence and transformative capabilities. But…

How AI is poised to reshape the job skills certification sector in the ensuing 5 years Amidst swift technological progress, artificial intelligence (AI) has surfaced as a pivotal catalyst ready to overhaul various sectors. One industry particularly susceptible to upheaval is the job skills certification domain, integral in verifying and advancing professionals’ capabilities, thereby unlocking…

The space for action: Examity’s latest Waiting Room improvement At Examity, we continuously strive to enhance our platform to ensure a more seamless and secure testing experience, catering to all our users. Hence, we are thrilled to unveil our latest product upgrade for our proctored examinations: the Waiting Room. Located after screen sharing and prior…

Eager to gain further insights? Fill out the form, and you will be redirected to a recording of the presentation. Comprehending Online Examination and the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution Recorded May 2023 Presenters: Rachel Schoenig – Chief Security Executive, Examity. CEO, Cornerstone StrategiesDonald Balasa – CEO and Legal Advisor, American Association of…

Assessment Technologies and Public Sector Confidence in 2023 Have faith in our assertion that, in terms of online supervision, nothing supersedes trust. However, how is this trust garnered, particularly within the public sector?  Engaging with governments and public institutions globally continues to be a fundamental aspect of Examity’s global strategy. The report from the UK’s…

Eager to discover more? Fill out the form, and you will be directed to a recording of the presentation. Do Test Scores Vary by Proctor Type During a Pandemic? Documented March 2023 Speaker:Cindy James, Department Chair, Counseling, Academic Support & Assessment (CASA) and Lead Assessment Centre Coordinator, Thompson Rivers University Facilitator:Margaret Greenfield, VP of Business…

Safety, Agility, and Beyond: Why Online Testing Pioneer Questionmark Collaborated With Examity The pandemic accelerated the online examination sector. Physical testing venues were no longer viable for administering proctored assessments, compelling organizations to quickly transition their evaluation programs online. They soon discovered that shifting to digital testing was advantageous, as it provided the flexibility and…

How to Manage Multiple Online Assessments Simultaneously Obtaining a degree or certification can be fulfilling, yet at times, demanding. It is common to face the challenge of managing several online exams concurrently, which can be overwhelming. Lucky for you, we have compiled several best practices to assist you in staying organized and enhancing your chances…

Unified Resources Enhance the Testing Experience, Now Under a Single Brand BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Sept. 30, 2021 — Meazure Learning, a comprehensive provider of test creation and administration solutions for institutions of higher education and professional assessment organizations, announced today its intention to consolidate ProctorU and Yardstick under a unified company identity: Meazure Learning. Meazure Learning…

Tallahassee, FL – September 28, 2021 – Prolydian, a cloud-centric evaluation provider delivering a comprehensive collaboration platform for unified candidate administration, item storage, and examination execution, has partnered with ProctorU to enhance remote monitoring offerings.   “We are perpetually exploring methods to further enrich our services to ensure that our certification customers thrive and expand. Our partnership with ProctorU…

We engage with the world’s largest supplier of online monitoring services. “We are excited to collaborate with Testgrid to assist their clients in securely and safely administering employment evaluations online,” stated Carl Theobald, CEO of Meazure Learning. “Together, we will deliver the most secure online testing solution to the Australian market, allowing individuals to advance…

ProctorU, a Meazure Learning subsidiary, was established on a foundation of ongoing education and enhancement. We have implemented more substantial modifications and upgrades in the last 18 months since the pandemic first affected the globe than we achieved in our initial decade of operation. When our clients were compelled to transition online or suspend exams completely, we took initiative to intensify our commitment to advancing individuals in their academic and professional journeys.  As…

Cybersecurity analysts have revealed a novel variant of name ambiguity assault known as whoAMI. This technique permits any individual who releases an Amazon Machine Image (AMI) under a particular name to achieve code execution within an Amazon Web Services (AWS) account. “If implemented broadly, this assault could facilitate unauthorized entry to numerous accounts,” stated Datadog…

The North Korean threat entity referred to as the Lazarus Group has been associated with a previously unrecorded JavaScript implant called Marstech1 in relation to restricted targeted assaults on developers. This ongoing campaign has been labeled Marstech Mayhem by SecurityScorecard, with the malicious software being distributed through an open-source repository found on GitHub linked to…

Social manipulation is progressing rapidly, matching the pace of generative AI. This is providing malicious individuals with a variety of innovative tools and strategies for investigating, analyzing, and taking advantage of organizations. In a recent announcement, the FBI highlighted: ‘As technology keeps advancing, so do the strategies of cybercriminals.’ This piece investigates several consequences of…

Microsoft is drawing attention to a new threat group it refers to as Storm-2372, which has been linked to a fresh series of cyber assaults directed at numerous sectors since August 2024. The assaults have focused on government entities, non-profit organizations (NGOs), information technology (IT) services and technology, defense, telecommunications, healthcare, higher education, and the…

The malicious entities responsible for the RansomHub ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation have been noted exploiting recently-fixed vulnerabilities in Microsoft Active Directory and the Netlogon protocol to elevate permissions and attain illegitimate access to a victim’s network domain controller as a component of their post-breach tactics. “RansomHub has aimed at more than 600 enterprises worldwide, covering various…

Threat perpetrators responsible for the exploitation of a zero-day weakness in BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access (PRA) and Remote Support (RS) products in December 2024 are believed to have also leveraged a previously undiscovered SQL injection vulnerability in PostgreSQL, based on insights from Rapid7. The flaw, identified as CVE-2025-1094 (CVSS score: 8.1), impacts the PostgreSQL command-line…

A prevalent phishing initiative has been detected utilizing counterfeit PDF files hosted on the Webflow content delivery network (CDN) to illicitly obtain credit card details and engage in financial deception. “The perpetrator directs victims who are seeking documents on search engines, granting access to harmful PDF files that include a CAPTCHA image integrated with a…

A state-sponsored malicious entity associated with North Korea has been connected to a persistent initiative aimed at South Korean enterprises, government institutions, and the cryptocurrency industry. The offensive operation, named DEEP#DRIVE by Securonix, has been ascribed to a cybercrime faction referred to as Kimsuky, which is additionally monitored under the aliases APT43, Black Banshee, Emerald…

Have you ever experienced your team caught in an ongoing struggle? Programmers hurriedly implement new functionalities, while the security team frets over potential risks. What if it were possible to unite both perspectives without compromising one for the other? We welcome you to our forthcoming webinar, “Accelerating Secure Deployments.” This isn’t just another jargon-heavy tech…

An RA World ransomware assault in November 2024 aimed at an unidentified Asian software and services firm utilized a harmful instrument specifically employed by China-affiliated cyber surveillance factions, suggesting that the threat actor might be engaging as a ransomware operator independently. “Throughout the assault in late 2024, the perpetrator utilized a unique suite of tools…

The Vanderbilt University Medical Center is home to a child care canine known as “Squid.” Moderation guidelines for the blog.

Here is an up-to-date compilation of the locations and timings of my scheduled presentations: I will be presenting at Boskone 62 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, occurring from February 14-16, 2025. My presentation is set for 4:00 PM ET on the 15th. I will be participating in the Rossfest Symposium in Cambridge, UK, on March 25,…

Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s tumultuous strategies for reform are disrupting governmental operations. Essential activities have been stopped, tens of thousands of federal employees are being urged to leave, and congressional directives are being ignored. The subsequent phase: The Department of Government Efficiency allegedly aims to utilize AI to reduce expenses. Per The Washington Post,…

Within a matter of weeks, the US government has faced what could be the most significant cybersecurity incident in its past—not via an intricate cyber assault or an instance of international espionage, but rather through formal directives from a wealthy individual with an indistinct governmental role. The ramifications for national security are substantial. Initially, it…

Here’s a supply-chain vulnerability just waiting to occur. A team of analysts looked for, and subsequently registered, neglected Amazon S3 storage buckets for around $400. These storage spaces housed software libraries that remain in use. Presumably, the projects involved are unaware that they have been deserted, and continue to send requests for patches, updates, and…

Exceptionally well-done—and comprehensive—review of Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs).

Here’s a straightforward method for two individuals to remotely verify each other’s identities, ensuring that neither party is a digital counterfeit. To reduce that risk, I have created this uncomplicated solution that allows you to establish a distinct time-based one-time passcode (TOTP) between any two individuals. This is how it functions: Two individuals, Person A…

The Washington Post is reporting that the UK authorities have issued Apple a “technical capability notice” defined by the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, mandating it to dismantle the Advanced Data Protection encryption in iCloud for the purpose of assisting law enforcement. This is significant, and something we within the security sector have feared would occur…

Extended piece concerning the gigantic squid. Blogging moderation guidelines.

Kaspersky is informing about a novel form of mobile malware. This particular malware employs optical character recognition (OCR) to scrutinize a device’s image gallery, searching for screenshots of recovery phrases associated with crypto wallets. According to their evaluation, compromised Google Play applications have been installed over 242,000 times. Kaspersky states: “This represents the first identified…

In the middle of March 2024, KrebsOnSecurity disclosed that the creator of the personal data elimination service Onerep also established numerous people-search enterprises. Following the release of that investigation, Mozilla announced its decision to cease bundling Onerep with the Firefox browser and to terminate its collaboration with the organization. However, nearly a year afterwards, Mozilla…

Microsoft has released security patches today to address at least 56 vulnerabilities within its Windows operating systems and associated software, which includes two zero-day weaknesses that are currently under active exploitation. This month, all supported Windows operating systems will receive an update for a buffer overflow vulnerability known as CVE-2025-21418. Enterprises should prioritize this patch…

Wired disclosed this week that a 19-year-old employed by Elon Musk‘s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was granted entry to confidential US governmental systems despite his previous link to cybercriminal networks, which should have barred him from securing the needed security clearances. As today’s report elaborates, the DOGE adolescent is a past member of…

Recent mobile applications from the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) firm DeepSeek have consistently ranked among the top three “free” downloads for Apple and Google devices since their launch on January 25, 2025. However, specialists warn that several of DeepSeek’s design decisions — such as integrating hard-coded encryption keys and transmitting unencrypted user and device information…

The FBI collaborated with law enforcement across Europe last week to confiscate domain names associated with Cracked and Nulled, English-based cybercrime forums that hosted millions of users engaged in the trade of stolen data, hacking tools, and malware. An exploration into the background of these groups reveals that their visible co-founders operate an Internet service…

This week, the FBI alongside enforcement agencies in The Netherlands confiscated numerous servers and domains linked to a widely utilized spam and malware distribution service originating from Pakistan. The operators of this service, commonly referred to as “The Manipulators,” have been featured in three articles published here since 2015. According to the FBI, the primary…

“`html Image: Shutterstock, ArtHead. In a bid to assimilate and render their nefarious activities harder to obstruct, hosting companies serving cybercriminals in China and Russia are increasingly routing their operations through prominent U.S. cloud services. A study released this week on one such organization — a vast web associated with Chinese organized crime factions and…

Image: Shutterstock. Greg Meland. President Trump initiated a series of executive actions last week that disrupted several governmental initiatives aimed at enhancing the country’s cybersecurity framework. The president dismissed all consultants from the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Safety Review Board, advocated for the establishment of a strategic cryptocurrency reserve, and annulled a Biden administration…

The financial card behemoth MasterCard has just rectified a significant flaw in its domain name server configurations that could have permitted anyone to intercept or redirect online traffic for the organization by registering a dormant domain name. This misconfiguration remained unaddressed for almost five years until a cybersecurity expert invested $300 to secure the domain…

Inhabitants throughout the United States are overwhelmed with text alerts claiming to originate from toll road operators such as E-ZPass, cautioning that recipients may incur fines if an outstanding toll charge goes unsettled. Analysts indicate that the increase in SMS spam aligns with new functionalities added to a widely-used phishing kit marketed in China, facilitating…

I stumbled upon a Python script that employs a humorous anti-analysis technique. This script received a low rating on VT (4/59) (SHA256:d716c2edbcdb76c6a6d31b21f154fee7e0f8613617078b69da69c8f4867c9534)[1]. This sample piqued my interest due to its utilization of the tkinter[2] library. This library is utilized to develop graphical user interfaces (GUIs). It offers tools to create windows, dialogs, buttons, labels, text…

Throughout the previous weeks, I have been experimenting with several improvements to the DShield SIEM, aimed at handling DShield sensor logs from both local and cloud sensors utilizing Filebeat along with Filebeat modules. This setup allows for straightforward transmission of Zeek and NetFlow logs back to a local network ELK stack through home router NAT…

Blue teams face significant challenges – they remain vigilant regarding any technology implemented to identify threats, react to incidents, conduct digital investigations, and reverse-engineer malware (or appease malware when necessary!). Ideally, no individual should shoulder all these responsibilities alone, as there is also the ongoing education component of keeping up with the latest threat methods,…

This month, Microsoft issued fixes for a total of 141 weaknesses. Of these, 4 are labeled as critical, emphasizing the possible severe consequences if they are taken advantage of. It is important to note that 2 vulnerabilities are actively being exploited in the wild, reinforcing the need for prompt updates. Moreover, 1 vulnerability was revealed…

CVE-2025-0411 represents a flaw in 7-zip that has been indicated as being utilized in recent assaults. The issue arises because the Mark-of-Web (MoW) is not transferred appropriately: upon extraction, a file contained within a ZIP archive that is inside another ZIP archive will fail to inherit the MoW from the external ZIP archive.

SQL (Structured Query Language) and LINQ (Language Integrated Query) represent two of the most effective ways to manage and manipulate data. SQL serves as a straightforward technique for structuring data within databases, while LINQ is a feature exclusive to .NET languages such as C# that allows querying data directly from the codebase. If you’re already…