October Current Events 2022: Science & Technology News

Updated October 27, 2022 | Infoplease Staff

World News | US News | Disaster News

The world is a very busy place, and it's hard to stay on top of everything. Infoplease has got you covered. Here are the Science & Technology news events you need to know so far for October 2022.

  1. European Parliament Passes Law For Universal Cable Chargers
  2. Meta Set To Launch Quest Pro VR Headset
  3. Pfizer Scientists Looking Towards Developing A Vaccine For Cancer By 2030
  4. Apple To Comply With EU Directive Of Universal Charging Cable

 

European Parliament Passes Law For Universal Cable Chargers

USB-C

Photo Source: iStock

Wednesday, October 5, 2022 – The members of the European Parliament passed a new law requiring portable devices such as phones, tablets, digital cameras, and laptops. The voting process saw 603 members favor the motion, 13 MPs vote against it, and 8 abstain from the process.

Under the existing Brexit negotiations, the Law will apply to every member State of the European Union and possibly Northern Ireland. The UK, however, will not go along with this law as it stated in June 2022.

The EU commissioner for competition, Margrethe Vestager, praised the new law due to its ability to reduce waste and the inconvenience of having multiple chargers. starting in 2024, the Law will cut across all products, including Apple devices, which have maintained an opposing view since the law was suggested, while laptop producers can start making the changes by 2026.

Source: BBC 

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Meta Set To Launch Quest Pro VR Headset

Meta VR

Photo Source: AP Photo/Tony Avelar

Tuesday, October 11, 2022 – Facebook and Instagram Parent Company Meta held an online event targeted at developers where he unveiled a new Quest headset. 

The Quest headset allows users to access Virtual Reality applications, including games and streaming platforms.

At the event, The Quest Pro was priced at $1,499, making it 4 times the amount of the Quest 2. New advancements were also announced, including thinner lenses, a curved battery, and self-tracking controllers that allow users to view their real surroundings around the screen. 

According to Microsoft CEO, windows 365 will be featured on the device, making the Metaverse suitable for both entertainment and as a work tool.

Although Meta is a pioneer in the virtual reality world, other companies are also making headway into the technology. However, it is expected to take a few more years, especially with very little product demand.

Source: BBC 

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Pfizer Scientists Looking Towards Developing A Vaccine For Cancer By 2030

Pfizer

Photo Source: AP Photo/Richard Drewm Fuke

 

Sunday, October 16, 2022 – The couple scientists that founded BioNTech and partnered with Pfizer to manufacture the Covid Vaccine have reported significant breakthroughs that could lead to the successful engineering of a vaccine for cancers in the next few years. 

According to the scientists Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci, the vaccine will be based on the mRNA technology that was also employed to manufacture the Covid Vaccine and could be available before 2030. The basis of the breakthrough lies in repurposing the mRNA vaccine to target and attack cancer cells instead of coronaviruses.

The scientists are, however, cautious and maintain that "even though there is hope of rapid development, there is hesitation in delivering such news without proper and repeated trials."

BioNTech has been in the research for the past 20 years, according to the founders, but only diverted to developing Covid Vaccines during the 2020 pandemic due to its urgency.

Source: The Guardian 

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Apple To Comply With EU Directive Of Universal Charging Cable

Universal charger

Photo Source: AP Photo/iStock

 

Wednesday, October 26, 2022 – Following the new EU regulations mandate all phones sold after the autumn of 2024 to have USB-C charging connectors, Apple has stated that it would remove the Lightning connector from its iPhones after European authorities ruled that all handsets should have USB charging as standard within two years.

Other consumer goods, including e-readers, gaming consoles, laptops, and many new Android phones, already have oval-shaped connectors.

The company had resisted the necessity to transition its phones to the standard, claiming that "tight legislation mandating only one type of connection stifles innovation rather than fostering it, harming consumers in Europe and throughout the world."

Given the company's yearly iPhone release schedule, it seems anticipated that either the iPhone 15, due in September 2023, or its follow-up, due in September 2024, will be the first to include the connection.

Source: The Guardian 

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