Why measles is spreading again, how hackers are targeting freezers, and whether cats fart
One story asks whether cats fart. The others are a lot less funny
A cat fart investigation, a deadly measles case, and cyberattacks on supermarket freezers occupy the headlines this week. The first story concerns a recent death linked to measles in upstate New York, marking the first such fatality in the state in three decades. The victim was an unvaccinated seven-month-old child in Lewis County.
The virus can cause severe complications, including pneumonia and brain inflammation, which can be deadly. Infants too young for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine rely on herd immunity for protection, but vaccination rates are declining, putting them at risk.
Next, hackers have targeted European supermarket freezers, causing the spoilage of their products. This attack followed a similar incident in French supermarkets reported last month. The vulnerability stems from the Internet connection of many commercial freezers, which allows hackers to manipulate their temperature settings. While proper firewalls and regular updates can mitigate these risks, many businesses and municipalities lack the resources to implement these safeguards.
Finally, a cat fart investigation appears in the news, providing a light-hearted conclusion to the otherwise serious stories.
Written by urgent.news from Scientific American's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
