It was revealed on July 18 that a private Israeli firm, NSO Group, developed Pegasus spyware used to hack the iPhones of journalists, activists and government officials. The investigation into…
REvil and the rise of ransomware
Ransomware gang REvil’s websites mysteriously disappeared off the dark web during the week of July 13. This news comes just days after U.S. President Biden demanded Russian President Vladimir Putin…
UAPs and the limits of our technology
Unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) have long existed in the popular imagination, and they have been a hot topic for many conspiracists. Now, the United States Office of the Director of…
The science behind climate change and our weather extremes
Portland made national headlines this weekend over the rare heat wave weather event, causing temperatures to rise above 110°F, with night temperatures remaining as high as 90°F. Cooling shelters have…
Supply chain mayhem: Why GPUs and consoles are so hard to come by
The Entertainment Software Association recently concluded its online convention, E3 2021, and next-generation exclusive video games are being released. It’s a unique year for the video game market, as the…
CS department struggles with retention and diversity
In September 2018, 355 students entered Portland State’s degree program in computer science, located in the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science (MCECS), according to student research. By the...
Sextech entrepreneur gives keynote speech at TechFestNW 2021
TechFestNW kicked off its 2021 conference on Friday morning at 9 a.m. for a jam-packed day of speaking events and networking opportunities for Oregon tech entrepreneurs and investors. TechFestNW…
A deep dive into Portland’s facial recognition ban
Portland has banned both public and private use of facial recognition technologies since January 9, instating one of the most restrictive bans in the country. The ban, drafted by…
China’s space agency criticized after rocket debris takes a high dive
China’s National Space Agency (CNSA) has come under fire by the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) after remnants of its Long March 5B-Y2 rocket plummeted into the Indian Ocean…
Vaccine inequality looms over Oregon
30% of Oregonians have now been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with another 14% having received at least one dose, but vaccine inequality in the state has become a greater issue…
Apple testifies to Senate over antitrust violations
Apple is once again facing the United States Senate Judiciary’s antitrust subcommittee following the announcement of its AirTag location trackers on April 20. The hearing arrives while Apple is…