Technologies

Huge ancient lake on Mars could be hiding fossilized signs of alien life

An ancient river delta at the site where NASA’s Perseverance rover landed might hold proof of past life on Mars.

Mars rovers may soon get a few new checkpoints to explore. Geologists say specific areas of an ancient river delta near where NASA’s Perseverance rover is stationed could hold fossilized evidence of extraterrestrial life.

Though they don’t expect to find any bug-eyed, green aliens, they do say vital organic compounds that suggest the presence of past life might exist there, waiting to be uncovered.

The crew of researchers behind the new study, published on Oct. 7 in the journal Science, dissected photographs taken by NASA’s recently landed Perseverance rover and uncovered ways that water flowed on Mars billions of years ago.

Their analysis unveiled spots on the arid orb that could house the highly sought-after biosignatures.

«We know that water was running on the surface at one point in the past, but we don’t know the duration of this activity,» said the study’s lead author, Nicolas Mangold, a geologist at the University of Nantes in France.

NASA’s Perseverance and the legend of Jezero

Once upon a time in space, Mars wasn’t a dry and dangerous world. It was covered in fresh rivers and lakes, a lot like those on Earth. And where there’s water, there could be life.

The vast bodies of H2O dried up eons ago as the formerly blue planet’s delicate atmosphere disappeared. This turned the environment into the inhospitable land we’ve come to know today.

Scientists have long been intrigued by the past existence of water on Mars. That’s why NASA sent Perseverance to traverse the planet in hopes of finding fingerprints of life. More specifically, they sent the rover to a huge crater called Jezero.

Believed to have once been flooded by water, the Jezero crater houses an ancient river delta — a delta that could be holding signs of alien life.

Deltas are landforms generated by rock and sediment swept up by a river’s flow. That stream often carries organic molecules and bacteria in its path, which means Jezero’s delta could easily contain an accumulation of such materials.

In other words, it could contain fossilized building blocks of life.

With that in mind, the study team’s proposed points of interest for locating evidence of life on Mars are all anchored by that delta. Initially, Mangold says, he hoped Perseverance would catch clear images of the spot, but unfortunately, Percy is a bit too far from the old river for that.

«Despite our disappointment,» he said, «we tried to look at the delta from a distance using our best cameras, and that gave really wonderful results.»

Clues from Kodiak

Surprisingly, the researchers didn’t find the prized areas just by analyzing Jezero’s main delta. They observed a nearby butte, or mound of rock, dubbed Kodiak. Kodiak is a part of the delta that’s slightly farther away.

«You can imagine that the delta was a little bit extended to the south and to the east, then erosion removed some of the material,» said Mangold. «But Kodiak is, by miracle, preserved.»

Kodiak serves as a geologic representation of the main river delta’s features. The stratigraphy, its rock layers, is relatively easy to see from afar, according to the researchers.

«By understanding the stratigraphy at Kodiak, it enables us to identify the deposits which are the most likely of interest for life preservation,» Mangold said.

He described the team’s first look at the photos as a «shock.»

«The first image is actually [one] where we can see boulders,» he said. «A delta fault … is not supposed to get some big boulders. It’s supposed to be consistent.»

Those boulders, he said, mean Jezero’s river delta is what’s called a Gilbert-type delta. These are formed with stronger water flow such as waves and tides, like that found in a lake. Thus, the team believes the river’s flow suddenly grew more intense during the course of its life.

«A big question for us,» Mangold said, «is to understand why there was this change of hydrological activity, because that is probably the signature of a change of climate.»

Kodiak also offered insight into how high the ancient body of water rose. Mangold says it would’ve been about 8,202 feet (2,500 meters) high, based on striations of rocks in the butte. That elevation varied over time, he says, which is also consistent with the idea the river advanced into a lake.

«That kind of observation is really key,» he explained. «Because it shows that there was a lake in Jezero, no doubt about that … in addition, the change from horizontal bedding to the faults, which are deep in layers, indicates the past water level.»

In the end, all this knowledge led Mangold’s team to isolate places where remnants of life could be found — deeper layers of Kodiak that likely have mud-dominated residue as well as sand grains. These types of sediments have been known to contain organic, life-sustaining molecules.

«Kodiak is not easily accessible by the rover because it’s a bit vertical facing,» Mangold noted.

«But we have identified some locations on the main delta fault where we can access similar types of layers. Those locations are some of our preferred targets for future rover travels.»

Technologies

Microsoft Plans to Purge Passwords — Here’s How to Protect Yours

Come August 1, all your saved passwords will be gone from the Authenticator app unless you export them.

Microsoft is moving closer to a password-free future, and if you’re still using the Authenticator app to manage logins, big changes are coming fast. Starting Aug. 1, the app will no longer support passwords at all. This shift has already been in motion-new password creation was disabled in June, and autofill support was cut off in July.

For years, Microsoft Authenticator was a go-to for managing both multi-factor authentication and saved passwords. But now, it’s being refocused to support passkeys instead. That means your logins will soon rely more on things like PINs, fingerprint scans, or facial recognition-more secure, faster and harder to steal than a standard password. If you’re still relying on Authenticator for password storage, it’s time to move your data elsewhere before it disappears.

Attila Tomaschek, CNET’s software senior writer and digital security expert, said that’s not a bad thing, though.

«Passwords can be cracked, whereas passkeys need both the public and the locally stored private key to authenticate users, which can help mitigate risks like falling victim to phishing and brute-force or credential-stuffing attacks,» Tomaschek said.

Passkeys get rid of the risky password habits practiced by 49% of US adults, like using the same password for multiple accounts or using personal hints, according to a CNET survey. However, those convenient hints can pose a bigger risk to scammers, identity theft and fraud.

If you’re a fan of Authenticator and not sure where to start before the switch, here’s what you need to do before Microsoft’s Aug. 1 move.

When will Microsoft Authenticator stop supporting passwords?

Microsoft Authenticator houses your passwords and lets you sign into all your Microsoft accounts using a PIN, facial recognition like Windows Hello, or other biometric data like a fingerprint. Authenticator can be used in other ways, such as verifying you’re logging in if you forgot your password, or using two-factor authentication as an extra layer of security for your accounts. In June, the company stopped letting users add passwords to Authenticator.

Starting this month, you won’t be able to use the autofill password function. And next month, you’ll no longer be able to use saved passwords.

If you still want to use passwords instead of passkeys, you can store them in Microsoft Edge. However, CNET experts recommend adopting passkeys during this transition. «Passkeys use public key cryptography to authenticate users, rather than relying on users themselves creating their own (often weak or reused) passwords to access their online accounts,» Tomaschek said.

Why are passkeys a better alternative to passwords?

So what exactly is a passkey? It’s a credential created by the Fast Identity Online Alliance that uses biometric data or a PIN to verify your identity and access your account. Think about using your fingerprint or Face ID to log into your account. That’s generally safer than using a password that is easy to guess or susceptible to a phishing attack.

Passkeys aren’t stored on servers like passwords. Instead, they’re stored only on your personal device. More conveniently, this takes the guesswork out of remembering your passwords and the need for a password manager.

How to set up a passkey in Microsoft Authenticator

Microsoft said in a May 1 blog post that it will automatically detect the best passkey to set up and make that your default sign-in option. «If you have a password and ‘one-time code’ set up on your account, we’ll prompt you to sign in with your one-time code instead of your password. After you’re signed in, you’ll be prompted to enroll a passkey. Then the next time you sign in, you’ll be prompted to sign in with your passkey,» according to the blog post.

To set up a new passkey, open your Authenticator app on your phone. Tap on your account and select «Set up a passkey.» You’ll be prompted to log in with your existing credentials. After you’re logged in, you can set up the passkey.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for July 13, #763

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for July 13, #763.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle wasn’t as tough as some puzzles are. I spotted the four purple category words right away. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group, to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Not a compliment.

Green group hint: Spammers want this.

Blue group hint: Read on.

Purple group hint: Cheers!

Answers for today’s Connections groups

Yellow group: Insult.

Green group: Credit card info.

Blue group: Slang for printed matter.

Purple group: Wine nicknames.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is insult. The four answers are burn, knock, slight and zing.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is credit card info. The four answers are expiration, name, number and zip.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is slang for printed matter. The four answers are glossy, mag, rag and zine.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is wine nicknames. The four answers are bubbly, cab, chard and zin.

Quick tips for Connections

#1: Say the clue words out loud, pausing before and after each. That helps you hear the words in the context of a phrase. The Connections editors love to group words together that are used in similar phrasing, like ____ Up.

#2: Don’t go for the obvious grouping. These editors are smart. Once, they offered SPONGE, BOB, SQUARE and PANTS in the same puzzle. None of those words were in the same category. If you like, hit the «shuffle» button to give yourself a different perspective on the words.

#3: Break down any compound words and look for similarities. «Rushmore» was once in a puzzle where the connection was that each word started with the name of a rock band

Technologies

Your Phone Is Filthier Than a Toilet Seat. Here’s How to Fix That

Experts say your phone needs cleaning way more often than you think.

Your phone goes everywhere with you, but it rarely gets the cleaning it needs. From work meetings to gym sessions and even bathroom breaks, your device touches a lot of surfaces — and picks up a lot of germs along the way. In fact, studies show the average smartphone is often dirtier than a public toilet seat, collecting bacteria and viruses through daily use.

If you’re not disinfecting your phone regularly, all that grime sticks around, transferring to your hands, face and anything else you touch. The good news? You don’t need fancy tools or harsh chemicals to get it clean. With the right cloth, a safe cleaning solution and just a few seconds of care, you can wipe away the germs without damaging your screen or hardware. Here’s how to do it right.

The Federal Communications Commission suggests disinfecting your phone daily, but not all cleaning methods are safe. Harsh chemicals and abrasive materials can damage protective coatings and potentially harm your screen. To keep your phone both clean and intact, it’s crucial to use the right cleaning techniques.

We’ll guide you through the best methods and products for keeping your device germ-free, from iPhones to Samsungs, and whatever their level of water resistance may be.

For more cleaning tips, here’s how to clean wireless earbuds and AirPods.

What are the best products for daily cleaning?

After touching surfaces that see a lot of action from the public — such as door handles, seats on public transportation, grocery carts and gas pumps — you might think you need a heavy-duty cleaning agent to use on your phone. However, you should avoid rubbing alcohol or products made of straight alcohol, since they can damage the protective coatings that prevent oil and water from harming your screen.

Some suggest making your own alcohol-water mix, but getting the concentration wrong can damage your phone. The safest option is using disinfectant wipes with 70% isopropyl alcohol. For daily cleaning, consider a UV light product like PhoneSoap, which kills 99.99% of germs and bacteria. We can also turn to phone manufacturers and cell service companies for guidance, too.

Apple now approves using Clorox Wipes and similar disinfectants, which was not recommended before the pandemic since they were thought to be too abrasive on the screen’s coating. AT&T advises spraying a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution on a soft, lint-free cloth and wiping your device down. Samsung also recommends using a 70% alcohol solution with a microfiber cloth. Always make sure your phone is powered off before cleaning it.

What are the best methods for removing fingerprints, sand and makeup?

Sometimes your phone needs a more specific treatment when washing up. The recommended process for daily cleaning may not be enough to remove pesky grains of sand after a beach vacation or tough foundation stains.

Get rid of fingerprints

Fingerprint smudges are inevitable since your skin produces oils. Every time you pick up your phone, your screen will get fingerprints. The safest way to make your screen print-free is with a microfiber cloth. For a deeper clean, dampen the cloth with distilled water (never apply water directly to the screen) and wipe down the surface. This works for the back and sides of your phone as well.

Alternatively, try a microfiber screen cleaner sticker that sticks to the back of your phone for easy wiping.

Remove sand and small particles

Grains of sand and lint can easily get stuck in your phone’s ports and crevices. To remove it, we recommend you use Scotch tape. Press it along the creases and speaker, then roll it up and gently insert it into the ports. The tape will pull out any debris. You can then just simply throw away the tape for easy cleanup.

For smaller speaker holes, use a toothpick gently or a small vacuum crevice tool to suck out the debris. These tools work well for other small appliances or hard-to-reach areas in your car too.

Cleanse makeup off your phone screen

When you wear makeup and skin care products, such as foundation and moisturizers, you’ll leave residue on your phone screen. While makeup remover works for your face, it’s not safe for screens due to potentially harmful chemicals. Instead, try a screen-safe makeup remover like Whoosh, which is alcohol-free and gentle on all screens.

Alternatively, use a damp microfiber cloth to clean your phone, then wash the cloth afterward. Make sure your cloth is only slightly wet to avoid soaking your phone in water.

What if my phone is waterproof?

For waterproof phones (IP67 and above), it’s best to clean the device with a damp cloth instead of submerging or running it under water — even if the phone advertises that it can withstand submersion for a certain amount of time.

Afterward, dry your phone with a soft cloth, ensuring all ports and speakers are patted dry. While your phone can withstand water, submerging it can lead to water in the ports, delaying charging. Remember, water resistance is meant for accidents, not swimming or regular cleaning.

Things to avoid when cleaning your phone

We’ve already covered why you should avoid makeup remover and rubbing alcohol, but those aren’t a comprehensive list of harmful cleaning agents. Here are a few other items and products you should never use to clean your phone:

Hand sanitizer: Fragrances and ethyl alcohol found in many sanitizers can harm your phone.
Window or kitchen cleaners: Harsh cleaners can strip the protective coating on your phone and leave it more vulnerable to scratches.
Paper towels: Paper can shred, making the debris on your phone much worse, and the rough texture can leave scratches on your screen.
Dish and hand soap: Most soaps require you to combine them with water, and since you should keep water away from your phone, it’s best to stick to a damp cloth.
Vinegar: Like cleaners and alcohols, vinegar will strip your phone screen’s coating.
Compressed air: Blowing intense and direct air into your phone’s portals can cause damage, especially to your mic. Apple specifically warns iPhone owners not to use compressed air.