☢️ Biden signs classified nuclear plan to counter China, evidence of cocaine use in 17th century found, world's fastest microscope captures electrons in motion

Plus: World’s largest solar farm to power 3 million homes, send energy to Singapore                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 August 22, 2024 | [Read Online]( President Joe Biden has approved a revised nuclear strategy aimed at addressing potential coordinated nuclear confrontations with Russia, China, and North Korea. This move, first reported by The New York Times, signals the administration’s acknowledgment of a rapidly evolving global nuclear landscape, where traditional arms control agreements are fading and new threats are emerging. The White House confirmed on Tuesday that the strategy, known as the Nuclear Employment Guidance, was approved earlier this year. However, the administration emphasized that the policy is not a direct response to any specific country or immediate threat. For more on this development, check out our [Must-Read](. 🔥Today’s job of the day as featured on [jobs.interestingengineering.com](: >[Â]([Sr. AWS Engineer]( > [Sr AI Engineer]( Reading Time: 4 mins Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? [Subscribe here.]( MUST-READ ☢️ [Joe Biden signs classified nuclear plan to counter China’s might, says report]( The new strategy comes amid growing concerns over [China’s rapid nuclear expansion]( and [Russia’s increasingly aggressive posturing](. The New York Times highlighted that the U.S. is particularly worried about the rapid buildup of China’s nuclear arsenal, which is expected to rival the size and diversity of U.S. and Russian stockpiles within the next decade. This development is occurring against the backdrop of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s threats to use [nuclear weapons in Ukraine](, raising alarms about a potential escalation in global nuclear tensions. The U.S.-based Arms Control Association has noted that despite these concerns, the overall U.S. nuclear weapons strategy remains consistent with the [2022 Nuclear Posture Review](. ❄️ [Cocaine found in mummified brains suggests Europeans used it in early 1600s]( Researchers have discovered that mummified brain tissues taken from two individuals buried in a [17th-century crypt in Italy]( have traces of [cocaine](. Cocaine, which is derived from coca plants, was thought to have become commonly available in Europe only in the [19th century]( – when the drug was derived using a chemical process from the plant. However, this new revelation sheds new light on the use of the coca plant and the [drug cocaine in Europe](. It can open new pathways towards the exploration of how the drug was used, the way it became available, and how popular it was in Europe and around the world. 🔬 [‘World’s fastest’ microscope captures electron motion in striking detail]( Researchers at the University of Arizona have created the world’s fastest electron microscope, a remarkable device capable of capturing [freeze-frame images of moving electrons](. They anticipate that this innovation will lead to [significant breakthroughs]( in fields such as physics, chemistry, bioengineering, materials science, and beyond. “This new tool has the highest temporal resolution to freeze time and see electron motion in action. This [Attomicroscopy electron imaging]( builds a strong bridge to convert scientific findings to engineering applications,” Mohammed Hassan, associate professor of physics and optical sciences, told Interesting Engineering (IE). 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]( HOT TOPICS OF THE DAY SCIENCE > Researchers have found that cilantro, bell pepper, and jalapeño can thrive better when cultivated in recycled glass from discarded bottles, such as those from beer or soda. ([More]() > As the human population grows, more than half of Earth’s land will experience an increasing overlap between humans and animals by 2070, according to a University of Michigan study. ([More]() > Researchers from the University of Vienna have identified potential candidates for multipotent stem cells in the sea anemone for the first time. ([More]() ENERGY > The Australian government has approved a massive new industrial solar project in the Northern Territory. The industrial solar project, touted as the “world’s largest solar precinct”, will generate enough energy to power 3 million homes. ([More]() > Researchers have proposed that warehouses, commercial areas, shopping centers, and factories’ unoccupied rooftops are great options for solar and battery power stations. If successful, such centers could produce 25% of Australia’s power. ([More]() > Australian windfarm operators are being urged to embrace a simple measure used overseas that scientists say could dramatically reduce the number of bats killed by turbines. ([More]() INNOVATION > Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in developing plastic-producing microbes—they have engineered bacteria to produce polymers with ring-like structures, which enhance the rigidity and thermal stability of the plastics. ([More]() > Designed to mimic human decision-making and physical interaction, China’s humanoid robot Astribot S1 can handle tasks that would traditionally require human dexterity and judgment. ([More]() > A single combined pill could ease the "tablet burden" for people who take multiple medications a day, researchers say. ([More]() VIDEO > This 2024, the Thames Barrier celebrated its 40th anniversary. But the world of today is not the world that it was originally built for. With sea levels on the rise as the climate emergency grows, can the Thames Barrier still keep London safe? ([More]() > The Microsoft Crowdstrike outage was enough to momentarily cripple the world. But what would happen if tech giants like Meta, Google, and Apple faced disaster? Can Silicon Valley survive an earthquake along the San Andreas Fault Line? ([More]() IE QUIZ: THE RESULTS In yesterday’s quiz, we asked you to solve the number sequence. The answer is: 14 Ready for more brainy challenges? Gear up for future IE quizzes by following us on [Instagram]( and [Facebook!]( FROM THE WEB > Chinese and Swedish work to sequence genes, finding mutations new to [cancer]( > Steve Jobs’ Apple-1 set to create a 'perfect storm' at [auction]( > Popular California beach closes after a crowd of sea lions [invades]( > Humpback whales create ‘bubble net’ to capture up to seven times more prey in a single dive, study [finds]( > Waterspouts: Rare phenomenon that sank luxury yacht off Sicily [explained]( 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. 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