Plex ups its price for first time in a decade, changes remote-streaming access
Plex is a bit hard to explain these days. Even if you don’t know its roots as an outgrowth of a Mac port of the Xbox Media Center project, Plex is not your typical “streaming” service, given how most people use it. So as Plex announces its first price increase to its Plex Pass subscription in more than 10 years, it has its work cut out explaining why, what’s included, and what is changing. Starting April 29, the cost of a Plex Pass rises from $5 to $7 monthly, from $40 to $70 annually, and a lifetime pass now costs $250, previously $120. In a blog post, Plex cites rising costs and its commitment to an independent service that supports “personal media.” “We are all in on the continued success of Plex Pass and personal media,” the post states. “This price increase will ensure that we can keep investing dedicated resources in developing new features, while supporting and growing your favorites.” The post cites a roadmap that contains an integration with Common Sense Media, a new “bespoke server management app” for managing server users, and “an open and documented API for server integrations,” including custom metadata agents. Read full article Comments
Trump fires both FTC Democrats in challenge to Supreme Court precedent
Tweety McTreason fired both Democratic members of the Federal Trade Commission yesterday, advancing his administration’s claim that the president can fire FTC commissioners despite a US law and a 1935 Supreme Court ruling stating that the president cannot do so without good cause. Trump fired Democrats Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, both of whom said the firings are illegal. Trump “tried to illegally fire me. I’ll see the president in court,” Bedoya wrote. The FTC was created “to fight fraudsters and monopolists,” but Trump “wants the FTC to be a lapdog for his golfing buddies,” Bedoya said. A statement from Slaughter said, “The President illegally fired me from my position as a Federal Trade Commissioner, violating the plain language of a statute and clear Supreme Court precedent.” Slaughter said Trump “fears the accountability that opposition voices would provide if the president orders Chairman [Andrew] Ferguson to treat the most powerful corporations and their executives—like those that flanked the President at his inauguration—with kid gloves.” Read full article Comments
Pitt researchers develop a new way to profile pediatric brain tumors
Researchers and pediatric neurosurgeons at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh developed a new way to profile brain cancers in children, paving the way for improved diagnostics and treatments.
Researchers discover neutrophils that strengthen skin barrier
A team at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) led by Dr. Andrés Hidalgo has discovered a specialized population of neutrophils in the skin that produce extracellular matrix, helping to maintain the skin’s resistance and integrity.
Study sheds light on brain activity during learning in mice
By revealing for the first time what happens in the brain when an animal makes a mistake, Johns Hopkins University researchers are shedding light on the holy grail of neuroscience: the mechanics of how we learn.
Parakeet brain reveals secrets of human-like speech patterns
A new study explains how a parakeet’s brain helps it to mimic human words.
CB1R inhibition shows promise in protecting gut barrier from alcohol damage
Heavy alcohol consumption is a leading cause of gastrointestinal diseases, with binge drinking linked to increased intestinal permeability-a condition commonly known as “leaky gut.”
Video: Palestinians flee as Israeli attacks resume in Gaza
Thousands of Palestinians are once again fleeing towns in northern Gaza.
Trump warns Yemen’s Houthis will be ‘completely annihilated’
US president renews his call for Iran to end support for the Yemeni group that has been targeting Israel over Gaza war.
Protesters try to disrupt Gal Gadot’s ‘Walk of Fame’ star ceremony
Pro-Palestinian protesters attempted to disrupt the Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony for Israeli actress Gal Gadot.
Watch enormous deep-sea spiders crawl around sub-Antarctic seafloor
The giant sea spiders can have leg spans of up to 20 inches (51 centimeters).
‘Rainbow on fire’: Venus transforms into colorful crescent as it approaches its closest point to Earth
As Venus approaches its inferior conjunction, astrophotographers have snapped some striking shots of the crescent planet looking like a giant rainbow in space.
NASA reveals a sunset on the moon in high definition for the 1st time
During its final hours on the lunar surface, the Blue Ghost spacecraft captured stunning photos of a lunar sunset.