⤴⤵ Up Wing/Down Wing #40
A curated selection of pro-progress and anti-progress news items from the week that was
In case you missed it .. .
✨ Civilizational stakes and opportunity costs (Monday)
✨🏛️ The political economy of AI: A Quick Q&A with … policy analyst Anton Leicht (Tuesday)
🌐⚔ Trade wars and rumors of trade wars (Thursday)
✨ The state of AI, heading into the America Trade Shock (Friday)
⤴ Up Wing Things
⚛️ Public opinion of nuclear energy is climbing relative to fossil fuels. Public support for nuclear energy in the US has climbed to 61 percent — just one point below its all-time high—amid rising energy demands from AI and tech firms. While Americans still prefer renewables over fossil fuels, that support has dropped to its lowest level since 2011. Fracking and offshore drilling remain divisive, with only Republicans showing majority backing. Meanwhile, concern about energy affordability and availability has eased since its 2022 peak. The landscape reflects shifting attitudes as the US weighs energy security, cost, and climate priorities. (Gallup)
🧠 Scientists hit “impossible” milestone in brain research. In a stunning scientific leap, researchers have mapped the structure and recorded the activity of a cubic millimeter of a mouse brain — a feat once deemed “impossible” by Nobel laureate Francis Crick. The MICrONS project, involving over 100 scientists, produced 1.6 petabytes of data (“the equivalent of 22 years of nonstop high-definition video”) and revealed intricate neural patterns and connections previously unknown:
The researchers zeroed in on a portion of the mouse brain that receives signals from the eyes and reconstructs what the animal sees . . . All told, the team charted 200,000 neurons and other types of brain cells, along with 523 million neural connections.
This milestone not only marks a breakthrough in understanding brain function but also lays the groundwork for future efforts to map entire brains. Though challenges remain, the work offers new hope for precision treatments for neurological disorders. (NYT)
☢️ Texas chemical company wants nuclear power. Dow Chemical and X-energy are teaming up to bring nuclear power directly to a Texas chemical plant, marking a potential first for industrial energy use. They've applied for a construction permit to install four advanced reactors at Dow’s Seadrift facility, which produces billions of pounds of materials annually. The compact, high-temperature gas-cooled reactors will supply both steam and electricity, offering a lower-carbon, more reliable alternative to aging natural gas infrastructure. If approved, this project could become a model for data centers and other energy-intensive industries looking to decarbonize. Operations are expected to begin “early next decade.” (MIT)
💊 A groundbreaking moment for pain relief. For the first time in over 20 years, the FDA has approved a new class of painkiller called Journavx, a non-opioid drug that sidesteps the risk of addiction. Unlike morphine or oxycodone, Journavx targets sodium channels in pain-sensing neurons rather than brain receptors. Though it is only approved for short-term moderate to severe pain, its success marks a major milestone. Other drugs, like cebranopadol and THC-based VER-01, are also showing promise in trials. These advances suggest the future of pain treatment could be safer, more nuanced, and multi-pronged. A world without opioid dependence may finally be within reach. (Guardian)
📦 Delivery drones are on their way to your doorstep. Zipline, a leader in drone delivery, is launching its next-gen airborne service in Mesquite, a Dallas-Fort Worth suburb—with plans to expand to Seattle later this year. These advanced, autonomous aircraft can deliver small packages with precision, flying beyond visual line of sight thanks to FAA clearance:
A P2 drone can hover in place using five propellers and take off vertically before seamlessly transitioning into efficient forward flight. When it reaches its destination, doors on the bottom open, and a second aircraft emerges. This baby craft, called a "Zip," drops down on a tether. . . The P1 is a fixed-wing aircraft [that] . . . launches into the sky like a glider . . . It can fly for over 120 miles on a charge before dropping its cargo, a package that glides to the ground via parachute.
Zipline has already completed over 1.4 million deliveries globally, including life-saving medical drops in Rwanda. With Walmart as an initial partner, Zipline’s US expansion signals a big leap forward for clean, efficient, last-mile logistics. (Ars)
🖼️ Google Search gets smarter with images. Google is leveling up its AI Mode by letting users search with images. Now rolling out to millions of Google Labs users in the US, the feature uses a custom Gemini model to interpret photos alongside text. For example, showing a stack of books prompts detailed recommendations for similar reads. While still opt-in, the shift hints at a future where AI-led search could replace traditional blue links. It may soon become the default way we search. (Ars)
🐟 AI tackles salmon farming and ocean health. Tidal, an Alphabet subsidiary, is using AI and robotics to make fish farming more sustainable:
. . . today’s wild-fishing practices are unsustainable, with almost 90 percent of the world’s fisheries now considered either fully exploited (used to their full capacity) or overfished.
Aquaculture offers a promising solution. Fish farming has the potential to alleviate pressure on wild fish stocks, provide a more sustainable way to produce protein, and support the livelihoods of millions. Fish is also a much more efficient protein source than land-based protein. Salmon have a “feed conversion ratio” of roughly one to one; that means they produce about one kilogram of body mass for every kilogram of feed consumed. Cows, on the other hand, require 8 to 12 kilograms of feed to gain a kilogram of mass.
Born from Alphabet’s X lab, the company partnered with aquaculture giant Mowi to build underwater camera systems that track salmon growth, health, and behavior. These tools help farmers reduce waste, cut costs, and catch diseases early. Tidal’s autonomous feeding system also fine-tunes how much fish eat, improving efficiency and protecting the surrounding ocean. Tidal is now independent, has monitored over 50 million fish, and is exploring applications beyond aquaculture, from carbon mapping in seagrass to infrastructure monitoring. Its mission: smarter oceans for a healthier planet. (IEEE)
🧬 Dire wolves return from the dead. Colossal Biosciences has unveiled what it calls the world’s first “de-extincted” animal, a genetically engineered dire wolf. By editing 14 genes in gray wolves to reflect traits found in ancient dire wolf DNA, including broader skulls, heavier musculature, and thicker coats—the startup has created animals it claims look and act like their Ice Age ancestors. While debate lingers over whether these qualify as “true” dire wolves, the company sees them as powerful tools for raising awareness around conservation. The same technology has already produced cloned red wolves, boosting genetic diversity in one of America's most endangered species. Colossal says rewilding is off the table, but who knows what the future holds for species we’d believed we’d lost. (Wired)
🧠 Shingles shot shows promise against dementia. In a breakthrough study conducted in Wales, researchers found that older people who received a shingles vaccine were 20 percent less likely to develop dementia over the next seven years. The study’s clever natural experiment showed that the vaccine was key:
The researchers looked at the health records of the more than 280,000 adults who were 71 to 88 years old at the start of the vaccination program and did not have dementia . . . Because the researchers could find no other confounding factors that might explain the difference — like years of education or other vaccines or health conditions like diabetes — they were confident the shingles vaccine was the difference maker.
This bolsters a provocative new theory: that inflammation triggered by dormant viruses may play a central role in cognitive decline. A low-cost vaccine could reshape how we combat one of aging’s most feared diseases. (Vox)
On sale everywhere ⏩ The Conservative Futurist: How To Create the Sci-Fi World We Were Promised
⤵ Down Wing Things
🚀 Budget cuts incite fear over NASA’s future. The Trump White House has proposed steep cuts to NASA’s science programs in its draft FY2026 budget, slashing funding nearly 50 percent — from $7.5 billion to $3.9 billion. Major missions like the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, Mars Sample Return, and the DAVINCI Venus mission would be canceled, with some funding preserved for Hubble and Webb. Critics call it an “extinction-level” threat to US space science. While the proposal may face pushback in Congress, the cuts raise serious concerns about America’s leadership in space exploration and the future of NASA’s research centers. (Ars)
💻 Data center investment is likely to slow due to effects of tariffs. New tariffs from the Trump administration are expected to raise data center development costs, particularly for projects still in planning or early construction. Despite a temporary pause and semiconductor exemptions, steep import duties on servers, cooling, and power equipment — especially from China, Taiwan, and Europe — could strain supply chains and delay infrastructure upgrades. While tech companies like Apple are investing in US manufacturing, reshoring will take time and may not offset higher costs:
The Trump administration may hope to spur data center suppliers to build more final manufacturing capacity in the United States, but that won’t happen overnight and likely won’t result in a total reshoring of data center supply chains due to lower labor costs abroad
Industry experts say long-term tariffs could drive demand for flexible grid solutions and disrupt financing for essential power infrastructure tied to data center growth. (Facilities Drive)
💲 Trust in American assets is growing shaky. Recent market turmoil amid President Trump’s escalating trade war has sent unsettling signals: falling stocks, a weaker dollar, and rising bond yields — an unusual trio. Traditionally, fear drives investors to the safety of US assets, but not this time. Analysts suggest foreign investors are reevaluating America’s reliability due to its more combative and unpredictable stance. While Trump paused some tariffs, deeper concerns remain about the US’s ability to finance its massive deficits if demand for dollar assets weakens. The dollar’s global dominance, long considered secure, may no longer be a guarantee in today’s shifting financial landscape. (WSJ)
🤖 Tariffs put American AI in jeopardy. New tariffs are threatening Big Tech’s massive investments in AI, potentially slowing the momentum of the current boom. Companies like Microsoft, Meta, Alphabet, and Amazon had planned over $270 billion in data center spending this year — much of which was to power AI with Nvidia chips. But with recession fears rising and AI still not delivering strong returns, analysts expect some firms will scale back. Microsoft has already slowed projects, and others may follow suit. While AI remains promising, higher costs and economic uncertainty could force tech giants to rethink their aggressive growth strategies—at least for now. (WSJ)
📱 Customers race to buy Apple products ahead of tariff price jumps. With major new tariffs on Chinese, Indian, and Vietnamese imports set to take effect, Apple fans are racing to upgrade their devices before prices jump. The Trump administration’s push to reshape global supply chains—with iPhones in the crosshairs—could add over $250 to a $1,000 device:
For years, Apple has sought to mitigate the potential impact of trade policy targeting China by expanding its manufacturing base. AirPods, Apple Watches and MacBook laptops often bear “Made in Vietnam” labels. And while Apple’s signature product, the iPhone, was once solely assembled in China, the company has increasingly leaned on India to piece together some of its lower-end models as well as the iPhone 16.
As uncertainty shakes markets and Apple’s stock dips, it’s unclear whether the company will absorb costs or pass them to consumers. Either way, a more expensive iPhone era may be just around the corner. (Wapo)
💻 AI costs could rise with new tariffs. Trump’s sweeping tariffs may soon squeeze the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure boom. While semiconductors were initially spared, key building materials like steel and electrical transformers, which are often sourced overseas, are now subject to steep duties. That could hike data center construction costs for Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, whose planned AI investments top $250 billion this year. Experts warn that these rising expenses may trickle down to businesses and consumers using AI services. “Every expense will be scrutinized,” said Aisera CEO Muddu Sudhakar. If inflation pressures persist, the price of powering AI may become just as formidable as training it. (WSJ)
🧫 Measles could regain a deadly foothold. Measles was eliminated in the US in 2000, but public health experts now fear a dangerous comeback. A fast-moving outbreak in West Texas has sickened over 480 people and spread to at least three states. Cuts to local health departments and the CDC, plus moves to defund global immunization efforts like Gavi and withdraw from the WHO, are making things worse. National measles vaccination rates remain below the 95 percent threshold needed to limit the spread of the disease. If current trends hold, the US could soon lose its elimination status, putting babies, the immunocompromised, and basic trust in public health at growing risk. (NYT)
💻 Big tech bet on Trump hits turbulence. Hoping for deregulation and favor, tech giants cozied up to Trump. But the benefits have yet to come. Instead, sweeping tariffs have triggered foreign retaliation, including steep taxes on rare earths and talks of EU digital service penalties. The tariffs have hit cloud infrastructure hard, raising costs on steel and data center components. Apple, Meta, and Amazon saw stock losses topping 13 percent each. Meanwhile, the administration is doubling down on antitrust suits and signaling more chip tariffs. Industry insiders are uneasy, caught between private frustration and public silence as Trump’s trade chaos complicates planning and cools investment momentum. (Wapo)
🧬 US risks losing biotech edge to China. A new congressional report warns that the US could fall permanently behind China in biotechnology if it does not act within the next three years. The bipartisan National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology urges Congress to invest at least $15 billion to boost domestic research, manufacturing, and data infrastructure. China has made biotech a strategic priority for two decades and now supplies key drug ingredients and innovates rapidly. The report calls for barring federal contractors from using certain Chinese suppliers and launching a biotech strategy office. Without fast, coordinated investment, US biotech leadership may become a thing of the past. (WSJ)