@Groovyeli Yep. Though the theory -- Quantum electrodynamics -- is among our most successful physics theories. In fact, if it were wrong, quantum mechanics would probably not hold up as a theory in the first place.

@Groovyeli So "rip apart empty space" is a bit dramatic, but the idea is to produce phenomena that doesn't normally occur.

@Groovyeli The "empty space" in this story refers to a vacuum. Normally, pairs of "virtual particles" pop in and out of existence even in an area completely evacuated of atoms.

However, near the borders of black holes, and in situations with sufficient power applied (e.g. hyper-intense lasers focused on a small area) the particles can be separated before they annihilate each other.

Physicists are planning to build lasers so powerful they could rip apart empty space

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/01/physicists-are-planning-build-lasers-so-powerful-they-could-rip-apart-empty-space

#CoSoScience

@Bemet_Or It seems to me that there would potentially be consequences to altering weather patterns over large areas. But I also think it depends on the location, etc.

Does cloud seeding really work? An experiment above Idaho suggests humans can turbocharge snowfall

(Research funded by the National Science Foundation)

www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/01/does-cloud-seeding-really-work-experiment-above-idaho-suggests-humans-can-turbocharge

#CoSoScience

ICYMI:

Less than 10% of Gmail users have enabled two-factor authentication

https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/featured/few-gmail-users-have-enabled-two-factor-authentication/

(The irony being that GMail has some of the strongest authentication methods available from any email provider)

#CoSoInfosec

Organic Thin-Film Transistors' New Gate Dielectric Opens Door to Future Electronics

https://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/devices/organic-thinfilm-transistors-on-threshold-of-next-generation-electronics

#CoSoScience

Intel Says Patches for Meltdown and Spectre are Flawed

https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1332880

#CoSoInfosec

Looking for the Andromeda Strain?

The hunt for viruses in space: You’ve probably heard of the field of astrobiology, but what about the field of astrovirology?

http://www.astronomy.com/news/2018/01/the-hunt-for-viruses-in-space

#CoSoScience

Metal-Mesh Breakthrough Could Solve Rechargeable Battery Issues

https://scitechdaily.com/metal-mesh-breakthrough-could-solve-rechargeable-battery-issues/

#CoSoScience

Is This New Design a Major Step Toward Portable AI Devices?

https://scitechdaily.com/new-design-is-a-major-step-toward-portable-ai-devices/

#CoSoScience

We're back!

Unexpected Discovery Challenges Scientists’ Understanding of Exoplanets

https://scitechdaily.com/unexpected-discovery-challenges-scientists-understanding-of-exoplanets/

#CoSoScience

So, back to work tomorrow!

As a follow-on:

"How to add a security key to Gmail"

(My only bit of advice: use the black Yubikey 4 keys instead of the blue ones. Yubikey 4 keys can also be used as second factors for programs like Lastpass.)

https://techsolidarity.org/resources/security_key_gmail.htm

#CoSoInfosec

This is unfortunate. GMail offers some of the most secure 2-factor authentication available.

"Less than 10% of Gmail users have enabled two-factor authentication"

https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/featured/few-gmail-users-have-enabled-two-factor-authentication

#CoSoInfosec

Four Malicious Google Chrome Extensions Affect 500K Users

https://www.darkreading.com/endpoint/four-malicious-google-chrome-extensions-affect-500k-users/d/d-id/1330822

#CoSoInfosec

Android security: This newly discovered snooping tool has remarkable spying abilities

http://www.zdnet.com/article/android-security-this-newly-discovered-snooping-tool-has-remarkable-spying-abilities/

#CoSoInfosec

INTEL SAYS FIRMWARE FIXES FOR SPECTRE AND MELTDOWN AFFECTING NEWER CHIPS

https://threatpost.com/intel-says-firmware-fixes-for-spectre-and-meltdown-affecting-newer-chips/129512/

#CoSoInfosec

Flu may be spread just by breathing
Coughing and sneezing not required for transmission

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180118142611.htm

#CoSoScience