As a shroud has descended over the freedom of science information in the US, we illuminate your weekend with the best sci-tech news. Image: PhotoSky/Shutterstock
Shining a light on science, diversity and innovation, we cover all the important areas in the sci-tech world this week.
1. Science and the US: A marriage on the rocks
This week began with a surprise push to keep various environmental agencies quiet in the US. What followed was numerous rogue Twitter accounts fighting back, a planned ‘march for science’ and now a surprise person taking the blame.
2. 10 security start-ups keeping emails safe from phishing
As phishing attacks have risen, so too has the backing of email security start-ups.
3. Astounding metallic hydrogen discovery a ‘holy grail’ moment
What was once theory is now reality, after a pair of scientists successfully turned hydrogen into metal, 80 years after it was first suggested. For fuels, superconductors and more materials, this is a turning point.
4. Music to Cork’s ears: Apple to move iTunes business to city on 5 February
Apple is to close its Luxembourg branch and transfer its international iTunes business to Ireland on 5 February.
5. Ireland likely to be first country in the world to ban fossil fuel investment
With the passing of the Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill in the Dáil, Ireland is just one step away from becoming the first country in the world to stop all Strategic Investment Fund payments that support fossil fuels.
6. Data privacy a human rights issue, a potential costly one under GDPR
Next year, the General Data Protection Regulation will dramatically change how much of our data is processed throughout European businesses. Companies, though, are slow to adapt.
7. Has Dropbox found the solution to global team collaboration?
Is your team based in one room, or do you collaborate across the globe? What if there was a way you could make that easier?
8. Backstage Capital plans second fund to back as ‘many women of colour as possible’
Backstage Capital, a start-up fund set up by Arlan Hamilton to back start-ups from more diverse backgrounds, is looking to start a second fund to back as many people of colour as possible.
9. DCU researcher applies maths to the human behaviour of investing
Dr Andrea Meireles Rodrigues is using maths to analyse how investors make decisions, in the hope of optimising portfolios. She spoke to Claire O’Connell.
10. Techmums taster courses released online, targeting 1m students by 2020
With optimistic plans of reaching 1m users by the end of the decade, Techmums is releasing a taster version of its free five-week IT course online.
