🕵️ Elderly Report Less Cybercrime & Peas Make Great Beer
Plus dolphins like to party but you might not like their style...
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💸 Seniors Spend Less Time Online, Hit Harder By Cybercrime?
Just because grandparents don’t swipe all day on TikTok doesn’t mean they don’t fall prey to cybercrime. A growing body of research shows that, while adults aged 75+ may use the internet less than younger folks, they’re suffering bigger losses when cybercriminals strike. Even more alarming? Seniors are less likely to report these crimes than younger victims. That could be due to fear, shame, or simply not knowing where to turn.
From email phishing to phone scams, fraudsters are targeting seniors relentlessly and that means they tend to experience repeat victimization. Scammers use a mix of old-fashioned fraud, hacking, and social engineering to trick victims into handing over sensitive information or money. Even when individual losses are small, they can add up to big bucks: adults in the UK over the age of 55 lost more than €4 million EUR in a single year.
Phone scams, in particular, are hitting older adults hard. A recent study found that 40% of elderly UK adults receive fraud attempts at least monthly, with 75% of those scams happening via phone calls or texts. In one case, an elderly woman was tricked into writing nearly £100,000 GBP in checks to scammers shortly after her husband passed away. She only got compensated for the losses after her daughter pressured the bank with help from an ombudsman. These constant fraud attempts aren’t just a financial headache: they create stress, fear, and mental health struggles for victims.
So, what’s the fix? Researchers say older adults need better fraud awareness training and a safe, judgment-free way to report scams. As scammers shift their tactics — moving from phone calls to email and text-based schemes, for example —cybersecurity education is key. Helping seniors recognize red flags and empowering them to take action could make all the difference in keeping their savings (and peace of mind) intact.
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🍺 There Might Be Peas In Your Next Pint
Beer lovers who fancy a sour pint have a reason to celebrate: scientists have discovered a method to speed up the brewing process without sacrificing that signature tart, fruity flavor. The secret ingredient is… peas.
Traditionally, brewing sour beer is a slow and unpredictable process that favors old-world techniques. That might mean using open vats, wooden barrels, wild yeasts, finicky bacteria, or adjuncts such as fruits and berries in the brewing process. Brewers need a ton of experience before perfecting their approach to sours, and both brewers and imbibers need to be patient because proper fermentation can take a while.
But by swapping out the usual malts and starches for pea-derived sugars, the fermentation process becomes faster and more efficient. Researchers found that sugars from field peas, known as raffinose-family oligosaccharides (RFOs), can enhance sour beer production by serving as a carbon source for lactic acid bacteria. Brewing with RFOs led to increased lactic acid, ethanol, and flavor compounds, resulting in fruitier, more acidic beers with intensity comparable to commercial varieties.
The resulting beer packs plenty of flavor, with a great balance of acidity and fruitiness — minus the dreaded "beany" taste that legumes often bring. This pea-powered innovation could be a game-changer for brewers looking to speed up production of sour batches.
So the next time you find yourself in a hip pub with a tulip glass, remember to mind your *peas* and Q’s. 🍻
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🐬 Dolphins Know How To Throw A Party
More than 1,500 Risso’s dolphins gathered in a spectacular "super pod" off the coast of California, marveling witnesses. Marine biologists watched them leaping, splashing, and tail-slapping, as the aquatic mammals did their best impression of MTV Spring Break.
These deep-diving dolphins usually travel in much smaller groups, making this rare sighting a thrilling surprise. Researchers had set out to track migrating gray whales, but instead found themselves surrounded by playful dolphins stretching as far as the eye could see. The nutrient-rich waters of Carmel Bay, home to a variety of marine life, provided the perfect backdrop for the spectacle.
While the gathering was a joyous sight, experts warn that human-made ocean noise could threaten these social creatures by disrupting their communication. Sightings of Risso’s dolphins in new areas suggest they may be affected by changing ocean conditions and are altering their behavior to adapt.
Dolphins often engage in social behavior that baffles scientists, and it’s not necessarily nice to witness. In a recent example, Amazon river dolphins have been observed in puzzling displays that are definitely a party foul. 😜
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Bits On Tape™ is a twice-weekly replay of science & technology stories by cyber experts. These bits are put to screen by Sean O’Brien, leading voice behind privacy and cybersecurity at Yale Law School and founder of Yale Privacy Lab, and edited by Cherise Labonte, science researcher and licensed Registered Nurse.
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