🎙️ Biden blames jet lag for poor presidential debate performance against Trump, predator with toilet seat-shaped head ruled Antarctic swamps in the Ice Age, US chooses cleaner, greener 4th of July celebrations

Plus: Google's AI data centers increase emissions by 48%, push back net zero goals                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 July 04, 2024 | [Read Online]( In Coordination with Incogni Safeguard your emails against whaling attacks with Incogni Identify data brokers and get your information removed to prevent scams. [Buy Now]( As Joe Biden faces backlash, even from his own party supporters, for his poor performance on stage during the first presidential debate, the US President has come up with an “explanation.” Biden claimed that his extensive travel plans and jet lag made him tired, which is why he “almost fell asleep on stage” during the presidential debate with his rival Donald Trump. “It’s not an excuse, but an explanation,” he told Democratic donors in Virginia.For more on this development, check out today’s [Must-Read.]( 🔥Today’s job of the day as featured on [jobs.interestingengineering.com](: >[Â]([Senior Performance Software Engineer, Deep Learning Libraries]( > [Software Researcher/Engineer - Applied Research Center (Infrastructure+AI)]( Reading Time: 4 mins Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? [Subscribe here.]( MUST READ 🎙️ [Biden blames jet lag for poor presidential debate performance against Trump]( According to Puck, a news website, Biden’s approval ratings experienced [“the largest single-week drop”]( in almost three years following the debate. Multiple reports and netizens too had raised questions at the President’s performance in the debate in which he appeared to be faltering on multiple occasions. Biden’s explanation comes at a time when many of the Democrats have been expressing their concern about the [POTUS’ health](. To put it into context, Biden is the [oldest-ever serving president](, and if he wins, he will be 82 by the time he takes the oath of office for the second time in January 2025. 🦕 [Predator with toilet seat-shaped head ruled Antarctic swamps in the Ice Age]( Forty million years before the first dinosaurs, a formidable predator prowled the swampy waters with a skull over two feet long. Known as [Gaiasia jennyae](, this ancient creature had a distinctive toilet seat-shaped head and would lie in wait with its jaws agape, ready to ensnare any prey that ventured too close. Describing this newly discovered fossil in Namibia, co-lead study author Jason Pardo says, “Gaiasia jennyae probably hung out near the [bottom of swamps and lakes](. It’s got a big, flat, toilet seat-shaped head, which allows it to open its mouth and suck in prey.” Pardo talked about Gaiasia jennyae in detail with Interesting Engineering. [Three hundred million years ago](, Namibia was situated close to the northernmost point of present-day Antarctica, during the tail end of an ice age. While equatorial swamps were drying and becoming forested, swamps near the poles persisted. In these colder regions, older forms of life like Gaiasia thrived. 🎆 [Drones over fireworks: US chooses cleaner, greener 4th of July celebrations]( As the Fourth of July approaches, cities and towns across the United States are preparing for celebrations. However, this year, many [traditional fireworks]( displays are being replaced by [drones](. The popularity of drone displays has surged over the past few years, captivating audiences with their impressive performances. From ringing in the Queen’s Jubilee and the King’s Coronation to breaking [Guinness World Records](, drones have become a staple in major celebrations. The shift towards drone shows is also driven by safety concerns, [environmental benefits](, and the impressive visual spectacles they provide. Love what you're reading, but too many emails? Sign up to IE+ to get Blueprint Weekly, our exclusive weekly premium newsletter that gives all the insights you love in a more digestible weekly format– plus, enjoy an Ad-Free experience on our website. Try IE+ today for just $1 in the first month. [Subscribe here]( A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR One simple email can rob your bank account! How do you combat such scams? A $21.5M loss from a “strictly confidential acquisition” email—sounds unbelievable, right? CEOs and CFOs at [Pathe Film Group]( fell victim to a sophisticated whaling attack. Whaling attacks, [up 131% between 2020 and 2021](, target C-suite members, mimicking internal emails to extract money or sensitive information. However, Incogni is here to help you avoid such scams. This tool identifies over 180 data brokers holding your information and sends ongoing removal requests, shielding your data from scams. Fortify your defences against whaling attacks with a [1-year Incogni subscription]( at 55% OFF using the code Interesting55 and keep your business safe. HOT TOPICS OF THE DAY SCIENCE > A study has begun on the skeletal remains of a 700,000-year-old giant lizard found on the Spanish island of Tenerife. ([More]() > Researchers studied the songbirds of Chernobyl and uncovered the surprising impact that radiation has had on their diets and gut microbiome. ([More]() > Researchers have uncovered a brain circuit in primates that rapidly detects faces. The findings could also have implications for understanding conditions such as autism, where face detection and recognition are often impaired from early childhood. ([More]() ENERGY > Google’s environmental goals are facing major hurdles due to its growing use of energy-hungry data centers. On Tuesday, Google reported a 48% increase in its greenhouse gas emissions over the last five years, mainly due to the high electricity use of its data centers and supply chain. ([More]() > The world’s largest sodium-ion storage battery, with a capacity of 100 MWh, is reportedly operational in Qianjiang, Hubei Province, China. Datang Group, a state-owned power generation company, connected the battery to the grid at the end of June. ([More]() > A new offshore wind farm system that promises faster, cheaper installation and operations will be tested in the Mediterranean. ([More]() INNOVATION > With the ambition to address the existing recycling challenges of mixed fiber textiles, scientists are addressing the fast fashion industry’s waste via a new chemical method. ([More]() > California-based robotics firm Figure has released a video showcasing its 01 humanoid robot executing its first job by participating in the vehicle assembly process. ([More]() > Japan will introduce new banknotes featuring what it claims to be the world's pioneering use of advanced holography. ([More]() VIDEO > The Shell Prelude is the biggest thing constructed by man ever put in the water. Displacing more than six aircraft carriers, it’s hundreds of miles off Australia’s coast. But the question is – is it worth the investment and the engineering? ([More]() > Zebrafish are tiny freshwater minnows – seemingly unlike human beings in every way. So how are zebrafish being used to explore the ramifications of disease in humans? ([More]() IE QUIZ: THE RESULTS In yesterday’s quiz, we asked, Can you crack the code? The answer is: 7 Ready for more brainy challenges? Gear up for future IE quizzes by following us on [Instagram]( and [Facebook!]( FROM THE WEB > New research has revealed a link between rooms with high ceilings and poorer examination [results]( > Google adjusted its policies to target AI spam earlier this year, but plagiarizing content still comes up higher in search results months later—and SEO experts aren’t sure [why]( > A new draft policy from Beijing proposes standards covering AI safety, governance, applications, computing systems, large language models, and [chips]( > Too short to study? Students can revise hard for the top grades, but there's little they can do about meeting a minimum height requirement for this one university [program]( > Charlotte, a stingray that got pregnant despite not having shared a tank with a male of her species for many years, has [died]( > Green campaigners in a diving resort in the Philippines have come up with a novel way to clean up the town's shores—offering to swap a bag of rice for every sack of trash gathered by local [residents]( Additional Reads --------------------------------------------------------------- [⚙️ Mechanical:](Explore the wonders of mechanical engineering. [🛩️ Aerospace:]( The latest on propulsion, satellites, aeronautics, and more. [🧑🏻‍🔧 Engineer Pros:]( The latest in engineering news, career updates, and insider knowledge. [🧠AI Logs:]( Insights into the intricacies and developments within the realm of artificial intelligence. [🎬 IE Originals:]( Weekly round-up of our best science, tech & engineering videos. [🟩 Sustainability:]( Uncover green innovations and the latest trends shaping a sustainable future for the tech industry. [⚡Electrical:]( From AI to smart grids, our newsletter energizes you on emerging tech. [🎓 IE Academy:]( Master your field and take your career to the next level with IE Academy --------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share your feedback? [contact@interestingengineering.com](mailto:contact@interestingengineering.com?subject=User%20feedback%20for%20the%20Blueprint) --------------------------------------------------------------- //link.mail.beehiiv.com/ss/c/u001.K6ndGU8d_KOkj4UfGsJPEcktYIaxSR7SdCQbODD_GYGnsx9za6C1sEpqYvc81lIl4tfEpOmm8xUuBEuIh5zJrlfb1rsr5ND63XCkm8kVGSM8t1uZRVycYZUIEwgtjnu7Nnj-cx5JwttVGvCCDyvISTcMFpp64URT7I1oXLjx4LRJEaUx3SdXCNkuFGJ3wefeC-8mIKuraEBFDtu-zqyP1DYvbWFpen7doGoOYK9LwNBlk5d_WOZp2-sg0ZQbNu_90Ewjk48GAiNvSupOG3Chpcf96CpvVnyvrFi47BF_lNfQo2Us3VR3a71WsGlrCJyBN3Qu6vgayDCyKpAESWZwtODG_cNf6hH_Sxh96DzftUJE66wlRRynliCxCTbsHPHlW4pl8SEk-Nue1EB-ybBNZ5WDdUW1ExeVr2ovsr6mTsn2Aj9_bipMDlea1YfK2ZU2/47r/48JJXd5TTEKt221wBkKKKw/h56/h001.RDgl7b7IQcmyKoXaYLBQfwmwIpZkblTky49xgJjE3ag//link.mail.beehiiv.com/ss/c/u001.O7cX42TEUwaVzaXjvY3lIBaVSA5HCDbqRL0r1mrSAZjXlQfx3AeIAMCqNceFzEl_q_WARK627ZB44CnqOlm3oTZ0yZKe8JXrMhFD-jMzqqvjp4J32PN1uuhmS8YPt7FAcRddKkfA6zrJyQ_MwUm_Cm2rwYr5Lhk_YolD40cTuQ5n4d3eam0rqVKijpGsHyPUW0y9SveVX3xa4LhZeZsI7BHDvcCZZoLQZ3kH6NiOkX08LbrEwaAqhkVd3RKESazOXsQJbiOYJK5BV835Gya7QlaMN_9YH0lXUj8UzSL2j_5UzA29EsnbCQs0pgO-qUSaAfsg8ffjwFI89K9jcjAHyE5AtBi_SutyBRvZ4QRWKJ9C5a0UDW_rJSzIGH3gn3MQ9NrgdsWFRnTCdU3VMy8exrA2rmFGSF-1xawl1pccrbI5-bFFo2Q5NDryUR_5EaXH/47r/48JJXd5TTEKt221wBkKKKw/h58/h001.yj24OGADwbQbMnHc-HgUyR13F3c1KYdERASUCE1DrSA//link.mail.beehiiv.com/ss/c/u001.lXP8MAk3H8kfS_nzsfeb6jWgiQY_x4ZXj58uyQyAyaI0CN1hGvPpnFTKRJASHsrgFRI6zYgMz7Ggye5P1topNMUNMsuuY4b3iLyuTPdFF6tfIApB3BuuNjln4raz9DTCy24HAAf2yxwlbJcZRxeP2fcgojCR-E1V-Kqgw7qf2tAIpEOwex5098xAWv9r1ZlDXIi-wdPMNGdpye3Rpvg8F5HZAopYPJHDQkCBMJeG2ySURDpr_vd7m3SdqLO0jkLqEB__YKoxLLfxeOMCJbWvwTunFXuEfi2T6Y9OKkptWYwAQciO46gItmzfVVIXl-5evy3lm3K9F9MBgTfWXgBmwuaZhWoy1mnHxr4P4EC46TCoYrsXAads_-ZFJ0YGr46d5n01zclO3Sw7iCX0OjeFqUSdaQjrR3fghedoozmoQaEtsjL5dpvTPt87lQm5Oemq/47r/48JJXd5TTEKt221wBkKKKw/h60/h001.njkPKyPuRiyVhuROQxy869tyQCgHY70xNvFNE1JTcBM Update your email preferences or unsubscribe [here]( © 2024 The Blueprint 530 5th Ave New York, New York 10036, United States of America [Terms of Service](