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

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.

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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).

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IE QUIZ: THE RESULTS

In yesterday’s quiz, we asked you to solve the number sequence.

The answer is: 14

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