One unread message from Russia

Plus: A massive study finds diabetes risk rises after COVID-19, Russian troops exposed to ‘significant doses of radiation’ leave Chernobyl. Apr 02, 2022 [View in browser]( No one can deny Russia’s competency when it comes to cyberattacks. This time it’s accused of sending 5,000 messages to Ukrainian military and law officers requesting that they surrender. We don’t know if the Russian forces were really thinking this method would work but Ukrainian authorities defined the motivation of the act as shaking the moral and psychological state of the Ukrainian security forces. Doesn’t make any sense, does it? Who knows, maybe it was an April Fools joke. Speaking of April Fools, have you ever seen the best April Fools device? Let’s have a look at the video below and let it introduce you to the magneto-turboencabulator. Good morning. I’m Mert, an editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Keep reading! [Video]VIDEO OF THE DAY [A DIY YouTuber built the best April Fools device ever. That was never invented?]( This engineering in-joke has a long and funny history. [A DIY YouTuber built the best April Fools device ever. That was never invented?]( CULTURE [Russian bot farm sends 5,000 messages to Ukrainian officers. To persuade them to surrender?]( [Russia]( There is no doubt that Russia is one of the world's most sophisticated cyber aggressors. Now, it seems the warring nation is behind another cyber attack this time with the use of a bot farm. - A Russian bot farm in action. [Ukraine's intelligence service announced]( on a [Facebook post on Thursday]( that Russian operatives had engineered a bot farm that sent 5,000 SMS messages to Ukrainian military and law enforcement officers requesting that they defect and surrender to the Russians. It's unclear why the Russians would think such an attack would work but the Ukrainian Armed Forces further revealed in their Facebook post that the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) had managed to shut down the Russian bot farm, or "special information operation," which aimed to "shake the moral and psychological state of the Ukrainian security forces." For now, it seems that the bot farm had the opposite effect, fortifying Ukraine's dedication to its people and renewing its interest to protect its nation against Russian attacks. It also gave Ukraine another win to celebrate as the operation was quickly neutralized by the SSU. [Read More]( HEALTH [A massive study finds diabetes risk rises after COVID-19]( [Doctor use glucosmeter checking blood sugar level from patient hand.]( According to [a study published this week]( in Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, [people who get COVID-19 have a higher chance]( of developing type 2 diabetes up to a year later. - The researchers examined records from more than 8 million people, including 180,000 who had COVID-19, and saw that the risk of developing diabetes rose as COVID-19 severity increased. When compared to people who did not have COVID-19 and were not hospitalized or admitted to intensive care, those who were hospitalized or admitted to intensive care had roughly four times the risk. The findings are consistent with those of another study from Germany, which was smaller and shorter in duration than the new study. However, the results point to the same conclusion. “The risk is small but not negligible.” This study and many others are adding to our understanding of the long-term implications of COVID-19. While this is not to say that the findings will surely apply to other groups of people, the increase in diabetes risk could cause a dramatic increase in the number of people diagnosed with the disease globally. [Read More]( CULTURE [Russian troops exposed to ‘significant doses of radiation’ leave Chernobyl]( [View from a roof of 16-story apartment house in Pripyat town.]( - More than a month after occupying the Chernobyl nuclear plant, [Russian troops have left the site]( after facing the first signs of radiation exposure, [Reuters reported](. It’s also stated that the Russian soldiers at the site were most probably not aware of the 1986 explosion at Chernobyl, and roamed around without any protective gear. The radioactive Red Forest. The nearby area of Red Forest was named after the pine trees that absorbed the radiation from the explosion and changed color. It’s still one of the most contaminated sites around Chernobyl. Contrary to its earlier stance, Russia has now confirmed that it has sent conscripted men for its "specialized military operation" in Ukraine and not just professional units. Ukrainian nuclear energy operator, Energoatom, said in a social media post that Russian troops were likely building trenches and fortifications around the site when they could have also been exposed to radiation and panicked at the first sign of illness. The U.S., on the other hand, has a skeptical eye on the move and thinks that Russia is repositioning its troops on the eastern front and expects new attacks there. [Read More]( THINGS WE LOVE - You can easily say goodbye to bad odors and sneezing and welcome a breath of fresh air with [the best air purifiers out there!]( - Get help from[the most functional camping gadgets]( make your next trip a breeze. MAIL & MUSINGS Russia has confirmed that it sent conscripted men for its "specialized military operation" in Ukraine’s Chernobyl nuclear plant. How do you think this dangerous event will affect the course of the war? Be sure you check back tomorrow for the results! [War will probably continue in areas with lower radiation risk.]( [Russian soldiers can revolt against being put at such great risk.]( [Russia does not care about exposing its soldiers to nuclear radiation so nothing will change.]( [A nuclear disaster is imminent.]( Yesterday’s Results Yesterday we asked if you think we should contact aliens. While 44% see no harm in the idea, 36% approach it more cautiously and think we shouldn’t make them notice us. Yes. Let’s see what happens. 44% We should look for them, not make them aware of our existence. 36% No! It’s a recipe for disaster. 13% It’s not worth trying. Heat death is coming for us all. 7% QUOTE OF THE DAY “ A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools. ” Douglas Noel Adams in “Mostly Harmless” AND ANOTHER THING... - What was the past like? A U.S. census from the 1950s offers [a glimpse of how our great grandparents lived.]( - Satellite images confirm that [Russian forces have withdrawn from Antonov Airport]( outside of Kyiv. (CNN) - A new greenhouse prototype in Spain can generate [solar power with no harmful gases.]( - Russia’s aviation authority [switches back to pen and paper]( after a huge alleged cyberattack. (The Drive) - [Russia is allegedly deploying landmines in Ukraine]( and it could mean signs of the war will remain for a long time. - The new Royal Research Ship [Sir David Attenborough is proving its capabilities as an icebreaker.]( (BBC News) - Are a few geothermal plants all it takes [to solve the US' lithium supply crunch?]( [Share to Win]SHARE TO WIN [All products]( Share The Blueprint! Give your friends deeper insights into engineering and tech, and win exclusive IE swag for free. [Read Details]( Share your link Copy & share your referral link with others. [ [Referral Program Terms and Conditions]( Prepared by Loukia Papadopoulos and Mert Erdemir Enjoy reading? Don't forget to forward to a friend! Was this email forwarded to you? [Subscribe]( [About Us]( | [Advertise]( | [Contact Us]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. 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