New HIV variant uncovered in the Netherlands. And it's more contagious

Years of domestication result in the shrinking of cats' brains, In a first, EV company builds a 1-mile long wireless road in Detroit Feb 05, 2022 [View in browser]( Good morning. I’m Mert Erdemir, an editor at Interesting Engineering. Unfortunately, the first news of the day is not very positive. The lately discovered variant of HIV progresses faster and is much more contagious. Additionally, our domestication of cats does not seem to have done much good for their evolution. On the other hand, things seem more hopeful for electric vehicles with the new wireless road. This innovation dubbed inductive charging will enable us to charge our electric vehicles while they are moving or standing still. This is The Blueprint. Keep reading. HEALTH [New HIV variant uncovered in the Netherlands. And it's more contagious]( [HIV virus particles]( The HIV-1 virus affects more than 37 million individuals globally and has resulted in 36 million fatalities to date, according to [World Health Organisation (WHO) data](. Scientists are scrambling to develop a vaccine; however, viruses mutate, making things harder. - A more contagious variant. Now, scientists have discovered a [new and very virulent HIV strain]( in the Netherlands. It has been named the "VB variant", which stands for virulent subtype B, and people infected with it have demonstrated substantial differences before starting antiretroviral treatment when compared to people infected with other HIV variants, according to [a study published in Science]( by researchers from the University of Oxford’s Big Data Institute. These differences include infected people having a viral load that is between 3.5 and 5.5 times higher. The rate of CD4 cell decline was also twice as fast. Moreover, these people also showed an elevated risk of spreading the virus to others. As the VB variety is distinguished by multiple mutations scattered throughout the genome, a single genetic etiology cannot be discovered right now, and the scientists will need to look into the mechanism that makes the VB variation more transmissible and harmful to the immune system, which could lead to the identification of [potential targets for next-generation antiretroviral drugs.]( [Read More]( SCIENCE [Years of domestication result in the shrinking of cats' brains]( [Cute kitten licking glass.]( There's no doubt that [we love cats so much](. But our love and domestication may not be the best for them, according to a study in [the journal Royal Society Open Science.]( Researchers studied the cranial measurements of house cats as well as African (Felis lybica) and European wildcats (Felis silvestris). And the result was nothing extraordinary. Cranium size in house cats has diminished over the past 10,000 years especially compared to that of their wild ancestors. - Does cranium size equal brain size? According to the researchers, it seems it does. The findings aren't entirely new. Similar studies had been undertaken in the 1960s and 1970s but these had one major flaw: they compared house cats to only European wild cats. Today's most recent genetic research has deduced that African wild cats are the closest living ancestor of modern domestic cats. It was essential therefore that the researchers compare house cats to both European and African species. The team reported that the old research was still valid: house cats had as much as 25% smaller cranium sizes as African and European wildcats. Are cats dumber now? A smaller cranium does not make them a dumber species immediately. Instead, more studies would have to be conducted testing their actual intelligence. It does however indicate that domestication is indeed affecting cats and that is something worth investigating. [Read More]( INNOVATION [In a first, EV company builds a 1-mile long wireless road in Detroit]( [Wireless road.]( Last May, researchers introduced a method that could [make charging electric vehicles while driving a reality.]( This technology is now here and will soon be used on a U.S. road, according to[a press release]( by the Israeli provider of wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging technology Electreon. The development may forever change how electric cars travel, giving them a much-needed boost. - The first-ever wireless EV road in the U.S. that will be located in Detroit, Michigan will be about a mile long and will be operational next year. The new road will aim to service Detroit's Michigan Central Terminal, an abandoned train station that [Ford is transforming]( into its "mobility innovation district," a 30-acre walkable community set to offer flexible workspaces, hands-on labs, and innovation studios. The new technology, dubbed inductive charging, will charge electric vehicles whether they're in motion or standing still. Gas cars and those not equipped with this advanced feature will be able to use the road as a simple normal stretch of land. The road, however, may ease worries that people have about EV charging by reassuring them that their cars will never run out of power. If adopted by more regions, we could see a significant rise in EVs throughout U.S. soil, something that [Biden's administration has been aiming for.]( Could this new road pave the way for a greener more sustainable country? Time will tell. [Read More]( THINGS WE LOVE - [Get a taste of virtual reality]( with the best VR headsets to live in your imagination and enjoy the world of Metaverse. - No matter what race track you are on, it is time to [equip yourself with the best gaming wheels]( for success down the road! MAIL & MUSINGS Considering the fact that Electreon's wireless road innovation is already in use in Sweden, Israel, and Italy, do you think this type of road would really be efficient in the U.S.? Do you think these wireless roads will encourage people to switch from gas cars to electrical vehicles? Be sure you check back tomorrow for the results! [No, I think gas vehicles will always be more advantageous.]( [Absolutely. I am also considering switching to electric vehicles.]( [I don't know enough about electric cars.]( [I'm not sure, but I appreciate this innovation.]( Yesterday’s Results Following the news that Apple's privacy changes have cut $278 billion from 4 Big Tech firms, we have asked you if you think social media platforms' monetizing on user engagement was fair game. Well, it turns out that more than half of the participants consider this as a violation of privacy. On the other hand, a quarter thinks it’s the cost of using a free platform. No, it was a violation of privacy. 56% Yes, it’s the cost of using a free platform. 24% I don’t have strong opinions, but I appreciate the transparency. 16% Sue me, but I like personalized ads. 4% QUOTE OF THE DAY “ Theories are nets cast to catch what we call “the world”: to rationalize, to explain, and to master it. We endeavor to make the mesh ever finer and finer. ” Karl Popper in The Logic of Scientific Discovery AND ANOTHER THING... - Student builds [3D prostheses for injured dogs]( that give them new life. It took only 15 minutes for one of the dogs to adjust to his new prosthetic limb. - An [oil production ship off the Nigerian coast]( has exploded. Now it's sending fire and black smoke off of its hull. (Jalopnik) - [North Korea attacks a US hacker.]( So he shuts down the whole country’s internet. - U.S. Authorities Charge [6 Indian Call Centers Scamming]( Thousands of Americans. (The Hacker News) - [What is 5G technology]( and how will it transform our lives? - [Woman sues Tesla]( for “rampant” racism. (Futurism) - Here are[21+ cool gifts for gamers]( that will make their lives easier. [Share to Win]SHARE TO WIN [All products]( Share The Blueprint! Give your friends deeper insights into engineering and tech, and win exclusive IE swag for free. 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