Tech and Science Daily | The Standard

Elon Musk, already the world’s richest man, has had a record-breaking pay deal approved — one that could be worth nearly $1 trillion.At Tesla’s annual meeting in Texas, 75% of shareholders backed the move, giving Musk what’s believed to be the biggest compensation package in corporate history.But over the next decade, will he hit the huge goals needed to earn it?Sir Keir Starmer has told COP30 that the UK is “all in” on net zero.Speaking in Belem, the gateway to the Brazilian Amazon, the Prime Minister said clean energy is key to jobs, growth, and climate security.It comes as the UN warns 2025 is set to be the second or third hottest year on record, after an “unprecedented streak” of global heat.The University of Cambridge is offering a new, minimally invasive enzyme injection to treat a severe spinal disease in dogs — the first and only treatment of its kind in the UK.The injection has been said to have an exceptional success rate.It targets intervertebral disc disease, which affects around a quarter of dachshunds.We’ll hear from Professor Paul Freeman at Cambridge’s Veterinary School, who co-developed the treatment with colleagues at Texas A&M University.Also in this episode:The much-awaited GTA 6 has been delayed again, now expected in November 2026.Scientists warn that a common diabetes drug may reduce the benefits of exercise.Google announces its biggest-ever carbon removal deal, funding restoration of the Amazon rainforest through carbon credits.

Ever heard of “vibe coding”? It's been named Word of the Year by Collins Dictionary, but what does it mean?You can thank OpenAI's co-founder Andrej Karpathy, who came up with the phrase.The World Weather Attribution has released new data revealing that climate change significantly amplified Hurricane Melissa’s destructive winds and rainfall.We speak to the rapid study's co-author, climate scientist Theodore Keeping, from the World Weather Attribution team at Imperial College London.Three Chinese astronauts are stuck in space for longer than expected, after an unidentified object hits the return spacecraft.Also in this episode:UK energy supplier Tomato Energy has collapsedPrince William honours young environmentalists at Earthshot PrizeThe newly described species of toads that give birth to fully formed toadletsAI chatbots "suffer from brainrot" too

Marks & Spencer’s revealed the impact of a massive cyber attack earlier this year. The retailer says profits were hit hard when hackers took them offline at Easter, knocking out online sales and leaving shelves bare for weeks.Elsewhere, scientists in London are looking at whether wireless power could be used to keep lunar rovers running in space. The collaboration between Imperial College London and MSA Space is being funded by the UK Space Agency.Suze Cooper speaks to Professor of Electrical Energy Conversion at Imperial, Paul Mitcheson, about what it could mean for future space exploration.Also in this episode…Plans to block scam mobile calls from abroad within a yearIs Government red tape causing UK science and tech to ‘bleed out’?Scientists warn geoengineering could trigger droughts and hurricanesSky Live to be discontinued less than three years after launchWhatsApp officially arrives for Apple Watch wearersAn extra reason to look to the skies this bonfire night

OpenAI has signed a $38 billion (£29 billion) deal with Amazon.The seven-year partnership gives OpenAI access to Amazon Web Services. It’s the latest in a string of partnerships necessary to ensure what OpenAI CEO Sam Altman describes as the ‘massive, reliable compute’ needed to scale up AI.Elsewhere, UK scientists have developed a gel that encourages teeth to regrow their own enamel - something long thought impossible. We speak to Professor Alvaro Mata, Chair in Biomedical Engineering & Biomaterials at the University of Nottingham, about how it works and why it’s a breakthrough for oral healthcare.Also in this episode…Victims of ‘silent scandal’ pregnancy drug call for UK inquiryStudy shows walking 5,000 steps a day could slow Alzheimer’s-linked brain declineAmazon rolls out UK’s largest fleet of electric lorriesAre video game developers breaking the law by ‘switching off’ games people have purchased?The campaign calling on parents to get their kids moving this winterCan chimpanzees make rational decisions?

Water companies are being urged to clean up potentially harmful ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water.High levels of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances have been discovered in UK water sources and while industry body Water UK says it’s still safe to drink - they are calling for a ban on the chemicals to avoid future problems.Also in this episode, The Bionic Awards are coming to London. Entries are now open for the inaugural event to be held in Shoreditch next year. We speak to founder of the awards and London Standard tech editor Alex Pell along with AI filmmaker Diane Laidlow of Afro Futcha, about the importance of recognising AI creativity.Plus…A new £1.9million study will look at whether AI can help doctors make better decisions around how to treat prostate cancerNew research shows skipping breakfast might leave you feeling hungry but won’t impact your thinking skillsThe Microsoft glitch that’s waited 10 years for a fixA new sustainable tub for Cadbury’s Heroes and a change to the chocolate line-up

Behavioural scientist Coltan Scrivner, from the Recreational Fear Lab, explains the science behind our fascination with fear.In this episode:What is morbid curiosity?How our bodies react to horrorWhy are we drawn to shows like Terrifier 2 and Netflix’s Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer StoryDo we lack empathy if we like scary films?Recurring themes in horror movies and why they’re usedThe morbid films a behavioural scientist watches…Can horror have a bad impact on our mental health, or is it beneficial?For all the latest news head to standard.co.uk

U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to restart nuclear weapons testing for the first time since 1992, citing the need to stay on an “equal basis” with Russia and China.Virgin is to take on the Channel Tunnel, challenging thirty years of Eurostar dominance.Ahead of the release of Small Achievable Goals on ITVX on November 1st, we join Canadian actress and writer, Meredith MacNeill, who stars as Kris in the show. Meredith talks about bringing menopause to the screen with humour and honesty.The Government confirms £55bn boost for science and tech research and development.Also in this episode:MAX conference: Adobe unveils a series of new AI-powered toolsMediterranean diet can help tackle IBS symptoms, trial findsAstronomers have made an unexpected discovery at the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS — one of only three ever observedDictionary.com has chosen “6‑7” as its 2025 Word of the Year 

Nvidia is poised to reach a $5 trillion dollar market value after its shares jumped 5% following a string of announcements at its annual GPU Technology Conference.Hurricane Melissa has hit Cuba after ferocious winds caused power outages and catastrophic damage across Jamaica.And why looking at art in galleries can provide immediate stress relief, with Dr Tony Woods from King's College London.Also in this episode:OpenAI completes shift to becoming for-profitMorning-after pill is now available for free in pharmacies across EnglandScientists conclude how corals rebuild themselves on the reefThree big cats have specialist CT scans to solve medical mystery

All main global operations are understood to be impacted, with the UK among those to see office roles axed.Storm hunters fly into Hurricane Melissa as Jamaica braces for 'storm of the century'.To hear our chat with Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Rudman, click here. From December, Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat will start blocking users under the age of 16 in Australia.And, why the British Library's 'Secret Maps' exhibition is so significant now, with Nick Dykes, Curator of Modern Map Collections. Plus, why Taylor Swift may even draw a crowd.Also in this episode:Turkey hit by a magnitude 6.1 earthquakeSuffolk on alert following a new bird flu outbreakCRISPR-engineered pig kidney keeps man alive for nine months