UMG and Spotify announce ‘next era of streaming’ with new deal
The two companies are renewing their contract together, having first signed up for a partnership in 2015. In a press release they said the new deal would focus on ‘growth, innovation and the advancement of artists’ and songwriters’ success.’ Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify have renewed their partnership,...
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Does practicing gratitude make you more generous?
It’s long been theorised that giving thanks can cultivate a stronger desire to be giving. Now, there’s neuroscience to back this up, with recent research revealing a link between a grateful brain and an altruistic one. If you’re into mindfulness, then you’ll know how transformative it can be to practice...
Apple sued by Democratic Republic of Congo for illegal mining
The DRC’s lawyers have stated that tech giant Apple has knowingly sourced minerals from conflict zones in East Africa while publicly painting itself as sustainable and ethical. The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed lawsuits in both Paris and Brussels claiming that tech-giant Apple purchased illegal ‘blood minerals’ from...
Scientists finally understand why people with schizophrenia hear voices
According to new research – which represents a ‘paradigm shift’ for mental health disorders – the way people experience auditory verbal hallucinations isn’t that different from the way humans hear external sounds. For decades, scientists have been endeavouring to understand why people with schizophrenia (which affects
The impact of Grindr on gay men’s mental health
In the digital age, it’s assumed that dating has never been easier. Yet as the LGBTQ+ community increasingly finds itself struggling to navigate the complex landscape of these apps, many are beginning to question the psychological toll of platforms offering instant gratification. Grindr, with its three million daily active users,...
Does the moon actually influence human health?
Researchers have long dismissed such claims but surprising new evidence suggests that the lunar cycle does in fact subtly affect sleep, menstruation, and certain mental illnesses. In astrology, the moon represents the inner world – namely our emotions. Understanding how to work with its 29.5-day cycle has always been the aim...
Complex life on Earth may be 1.5 billion years older than thought
Previous studies suggest animal life did not emerge on Earth until around 635 million years ago. New research claims to have found new evidence deep within rocks showing environmental conditions for animal life 2.1 billion years ago. As it currently stands, animals first showed up on Earth around 635 million years ago. Or did they? According to an international team of researchers, this previous estimate may need to be revised –...
Noise-cancelling headphones are good for our ears
As it turns out, while many of us are steadily destroying our hearing with unsafe listening practices, noise-cancellation might actually be our one saving grace, protecting us from the incessant din of the outside world and the neglected effects of this on our health. I wear noise-cancelling headphones every single day, often for hours at a time. As someone who’s prone to sensory overload, they’ve changed my life, making commuting to...
Apple unveils new accessibility features including eye-tracking
In a positive step forward for disability awareness, Apple’s latest updates will make navigation easier via eye-tracking. Its software will also be available to a wider range of users. Coinciding with Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Apple has announced several new updates specifically designed for people with physical disabilities. These will include eye-tracking, music haptics, and vocal shortcuts. ‘We believe deeply in the transformative power of innovation to enrich lives,’
Indie act ‘Washed Out’ releases first OpenAI Sora music video
A new song called ‘The Hardest Part’ by the artist Washed Out was created entirely using OpenAI’s Sora, which converts text prompts to realistic video. The first of its kind, it is both impressive and terrifying, depending on where you stand. It seems like every week we’re writing about AI. Using text prompts to create auto-generated content has exploded in popularity in the past two years. Where once it seemed like...
