Scientists have discovered a new class of antibiotics for drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria using AI. The discovery could be a turning point in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/12/20/scientists-discover-the-first-new-antibiotics-in-over-60-years-using-ai

My first cousin worked on some of the earliest sports-related video games. Mark shows up in this at around minute 13, but I dare say most of you will enjoy this for the game-programming nostalgia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=NRFT3iQx1BY

A 1990 experiment to test whether we could discern life on Earth remotely
> When Sagan and his colleagues pointed Galileo at Earth, they invented a scientific framework for looking for signs of life on these other worlds — one that has permeated every search for such biosignatures since. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03230-z

"If the first religious urges of humanity were to revere female creative and sexual power, represented iconically by the vulva, what happened? In a word, patriarchy."

https://msmagazine.com/2023/03/25/vulva-art-history/

Pantographia: A Specimen Book of All the Alphabets Known on Earth (1799) https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/pantographia/

From my personal wayback machine; I was its chief sysop:

January 1994: Ziff-Davis Publishing Co will bring out a new on-line information service called Interchange Online Network aimed at experienced computer users. https://techmonitor.ai/technology/ziff_davis_prepare_interchange_online_network

RIP Tommy Smothers

If you want to revisit how the Smothers Brothers changed TV and American culture, I recommend _Smothered - The Censorship Struggles of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour_.

Though this is essentially a watch-once DVD. My library has it; maybe yours does, too.

https://amzn.to/48QKIEP

Researchers have created a detailed live 3D model of all the people in a room by analysing Wifi signals using consumer-grade antennas. https://arxiv.org/pdf/2301.00250.pdf

The 10 biggest science stories of 2023, chosen by scientists https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/dec/23/the-10-biggest-science-stories-of-2023-chosen-by-scientists

How a child's accidental call to a top-secret phone line launched NORAD's Santa Tracker
TIL the Santa Tracker started in 1955.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/norad-santa-tracker-origin-story-1.7067662

Learn how Spotify uses psychology to create one of the most anticipated yearly events in the music industry. This is fascinating.
https://growth.design/case-studies/spotify-wrapped-psychology

Soviet military instructions demonstrating how to wear a pigeon vest, c. 1937

I have so many questions.

They did the math: About 20% of male love interests can be categorized as locals that the women meet on a visit to a small town. They are more likely to be someone from the woman’s past, like an old friend or ex-boyfriend. (gift link) https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/12/23/upshot/hallmark-lifetime-christmas.html

It's a day late but Happy "Washington Crossing the Delaware Day" to all who celebrated.

I've liked the Counterfeit Lady historical novel series, but my response to book 7 was "meh."
https://amzn.to/3REGxF2

How to Get the Most Flavor When Juicing a Lemon

I can confirm that the microwave trick works. (We have a lemon tree, so we have a lot of lemons.)
https://www.foodandwine.com/how-to-juice-a-lemon-8404717

A Digital Swedish Mitten Museum
https://digitaltmuseum.se/search/

The US Defense Department earns $100m/year operating slot machines used by soldiers on their bases. https://www.npr.org/2022/07/31/1110882487/dod-slot-machines-overseas-bases

In December of 1925, the Spanish-revival doors of the Milestone Mo-Tel Inn swung open to motorists mid-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, offering a luxurious overnight stay by any standards. https://www.messynessychic.com/2023/06/01/the-bittersweet-story-of-the-worlds-first-motel/

Holiday gifts for friends — homemade lemon curd made is the sous vide — is ready!