That is as we speak’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication by MIT Know-how Assessment that gives a every day dose of what is going on on on the planet of know-how.

—James Ball

What do psychedelic medication do to our brains? AI might assist us discover out

The massive image: Psychedelic medication have lengthy been touted as doable remedies for mental-health problems like despair and PTSD. However little or no is basically identified about what these substances truly do to our brains. Understanding how they work might assist unlock their potential.

A brand new methodology: Some scientists are using AI to figure it out. A group at McGill College in Montreal used pure language processing to review written “journey stories” of customers’ experiences with a spread of medication. The group then built-in this information with data of which neurotransmitter receptors within the mind every drug is understood to work together with. Collectively, these steps let the group establish which receptors are linked to particular drug experiences.  

What subsequent: The work might make clear how hallucinogens set off particular psychological states, whether or not that be euphoria, anxiousness, or a way of being at one with the world. It might additionally assist design new medication for psychological well being problems—one thing some companies are already attempting to do. Read the full story.

—Jessica Hamzelou

The must-reads

I’ve combed the web to seek out you as we speak’s most enjoyable/necessary/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.

1 Russia has stepped up its marketing campaign of bombing civilians in Ukraine
It simply bombed a theater in Mariupol that tons of of individuals had been sheltering in. (AP)
  + US intelligence estimates Russia has misplaced greater than 7,000 troops already. (NYT $)
  + Zelensky urged extra US firms to give up Russia. (Quartz)
  + Biden pledged an additional $800 million for Ukraine’s warfare effort, together with drones and anti-aircraft methods. (Reuters $)
  + The tractor has change into a logo of Ukrainian resistance. (Vice)
  + Ukrainian influencers are documenting what’s happening. (The Verge)
  + What’s the danger of nuclear warfare? It’s not zero. (NYT $) 

2 Fb and YouTube eliminated a deepfake of the Ukrainian President 
It purported to point out him surrendering to Russia—however it was shortly debunked. (CNN)
  + Not earlier than inflicting a good bit of chaos yesterday, although. (Vice)
  + The largest risk of deepfakes is not the deepfakes themselves. (TR)  

three There’s a hyperlink between covid-19 deaths and web entry
It’s not clear precisely why, although. (Vox)
  + Covid circumstances are on the rise once more all over the world. (Ars Technica)
  + Citizen science is making a comeback. (Wired $) 

four NASA launched its first picture from the James Webb Telescope 🔭
And it’s a stunner. (Ars Technica)
 + NASA’s early warning system to detect asteroids acquired its first check. (CNN) 

5 Components of Kenya are slowly sliding underwater 
And tons of of 1000’s of persons are being displaced because of this. (The Guardian)
  + How rising groundwater attributable to local weather change might devastate coastal communities. (TR)
  + The promise of photo voltaic canal panels. (The Next Web) 

6 How Chinese language professors acquired caught up in a spying panic within the US
And, in some circumstances, noticed their livelihoods torn to shreds because of this. (New Yorker $)
  + The US authorities is ending the China Initiative. Now what? (TR) 

7 Inside a ransomware gang’s group chats
The Conti gang extorted $180 million from firms final 12 months. Now it desires to diversify into crypto tasks. (Wired $)

eight Netflix thinks it may well guilt you into paying for these passwords you share
Simply after it considerably hiked costs. Good luck with that. (Gizmodo)

9 How is Instagram going to keep away from internet hosting stolen NFTs?
It feels like a minor consideration however it’s actually not, given the world of NFTs is awash with them. (The Next Web)
  + Spotify is planning to hitch within the crypto craze. (FT $) 

10 Elon Musk is beefing with Chechnya’s brutal dictator on Twitter
Warning: extraordinarily excessive ranges of poisonous masculinity detected. (Vice)

“I believe he’s a warfare legal.”

—President Joe Biden delivers his sharpest rebuke but of Russian chief Vladimir Putin.

We are able to nonetheless have good issues

A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction in these bizarre occasions. (Bought any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)

  + Glad St Patrick’s Day to those that rejoice it! And earlier than you resolve whether or not to rejoice it, you may wish to take this quiz. 
  + These social media accounts are certain to cheer you up. 
  + A surprisingly touching interview with the residing legend that’s Denzel Washington.
  + GUTTED to be taught the world’s largest ‘potato’ is, the truth is, not a potato. 
  + The place you’ll discover some of the best sunsets and sunrises on the planet. 
  + My interior youngster was thrilled by this completely pointless, but completely hilarious, weapon.
  + A sort of bat not seen in 40 years has been present in Rwanda.