Swiss neurophysiologists have established that during rapid sleep, there is an increased neural response to heartbeats, simultaneously with a gradual decrease in reaction to external sound stimuli. Based on this discovery, a method has been developed to determine the level of consciousness depression in patients in a coma. This study was published in Current Biology.
The brain constantly processes information from both the external environment and internal bodily systems. However, studying how this balance changes when transitioning from wakefulness to sleep remains insufficiently researched. The rapid sleep phase (REM sleep) is an interesting area of study because, according to EEG data, it resembles a state of wakefulness and is accompanied by dreams, while explicit behavioral reactions to external influences are absent.
The rapid sleep phase itself is heterogeneous and includes the alternation of two subphases: tonic and phasic. The first subphase is characterized by muscle atonia and relative physiological stability. In the second subphase, conversely, there are rapid eye movements, brief muscle twitches, and changes in breathing and heart rate indicators. Sensitivity to external stimuli decreases as one transitions from wakefulness to the tonic phase of rapid sleep, reaching a minimum level in the phasic phase.
Neurophysiologists, led by Marcia de Lucia from the University of Lausanne, used this gradual transition to compare the neural response to internal signals with the reaction to external auditory stimuli. In an experiment conducted with 25 volunteers over two nights and during wakefulness, brain activity was recorded using EEG. Scientists then correlated the electrical potentials generated in response to sounds with potentials triggered by heartbeats at different stages of sleep and during wakefulness.
The results showed that as the neural response to surrounding stimuli weakens (during the transition from wakefulness to phasic REM sleep), the reaction to internal signals, i.e., heartbeats, increases. Scientists were able to apply this finding in clinical practice by creating an audio-cardio index that reflects the state of consciousness. This index is calculated as the ratio of auditory neural responses to cardiac ones. The lower this indicator, the less the brain reacts to external stimuli, allowing it to be used to assess the degree of consciousness depression in people who cannot communicate actively, such as in cases of coma.
The article also mentions that centrifugation was previously required for similar analysis. Analysis of whole blood for glial fibrillary acidic protein and C-terminal hydrolase ubiquitin demonstrates high sensitivity and negative prognostic value (96.5% for both markers) in diagnosing intracranial injury. By eliminating centrifugation, the results of this test become available in just 15 minutes. This data was published in The Lancet Regional Health — Americas.
The NAVE Estelar notebook was tested using the configuration featuring an Intel Core i7-14700HX, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 with 8GB, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB NVMe SSD. The results indicated that the device can maintain a stable 60 frames per second (FPS) in most demanding games evaluated, in addition to having a 240Hz IPS screen with 100% sRGB coverage, confirming its promise as a functional 'hybrid machine' for both gamers and content creators.
Positive points include maintaining a stable 60 FPS in titles such as Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 6, and Street Fighter 6 in Ultra mode. The 16-inch IPS screen offers 240Hz and 100% sRGB coverage, making it ideal for color grading work. Additionally, the RTX 4060 supports Ray Tracing and DLSS, and the 230W power supply ensures stability even under maximum load, providing a good balance between gaming performance and audiovisual workflow.
On the other hand, notable drawbacks were identified: the 16GB of RAM may limit heavy multitasking when editing software is open simultaneously. In games requiring greater optimization, such as Forza Motorsport and Tekken 8, the frame rate tends to vary, moving out of the fixed 60 FPS range. Furthermore, the 512GB SSD is considered limited for those dealing with high-resolution video files.
The core idea of the NAVE Estelar is to cater to two distinct audiences that rarely overlap: the gamer and the creative professional. Although this is a common argument in the powerful notebook market, the NAVE Estelar attempts to validate this proposal by combining a robust processor for intensive multitasking with a screen specifically designed for color correction and video export.
By analyzing the tested version with the Intel Core i7-14700HX (with 14 cores), RTX 4060 with 8GB, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB NVMe SSD, we verified whether the claim of a 'hybrid machine' materialized in practice or was merely technical rhetoric.
The i7-14700HX is classified as a premium segment CPU, and this is reflected in its performance, allowing heavy tasks to be executed without slowdown, offering capacity for fast rendering and complex simulations. The 8GB RTX 4060 keeps pace, providing support for real-time Ray Tracing and the performance benefit of DLSS.
An important, yet often overlooked, aspect is the 230W power adapter. Notebooks with this combination of CPU and GPU often suffer from performance drops if the power supply does not meet the demand. In this model, the energy is supplied without fluctuations, ensuring that the CPU and GPU operate at factory limits without being constrained by the power supply.
The NAVE Estelar was run through several graphically demanding titles from the current market, aiming not only to see if they worked but also to identify their performance limits.
In Forza Motorsport, configured on medium with automatic DLSS, the notebook maintained an average of 60 FPS on clear-sky tracks. However, during heavy rain, the rate dropped above 50 FPS, signaling that the consistent 60 FPS performance has limits. In Forza Horizon 6, on 'High' settings, it managed to maintain a constant 60 FPS, even in dynamically generated open worlds, demonstrating its strong point.
Cyberpunk 2077 delivered smooth 60 FPS in all tested areas at high quality, exceeding expectations. Street Fighter 6 surprised by maintaining a stable 60 FPS, even when the pre-configured graphic setting of 'High' was forced to 'Ultra'. Finally, in Tekken 8, at native resolution of 2560x1600 with high settings, the FPS fluctuated in the 55 FPS range, showing frequent peaks of 60 FPS during confrontations.
The observed pattern is that, in well-optimized games (such as Forza Horizon 6, Cyberpunk 2077, and Street Fighter 6), the NAVE Estelar achieves stable 60 FPS without issues. In titles requiring greater optimization (Forza Motorsport and Tekken 8), it still provides a playable experience, but without the same guarantee of consistency.
It is in the screen that the NAVE Estelar transcends the category of 'just another powerful gaming notebook' and justifies its hybrid narrative. The 16-inch IPS panel with a 240Hz refresh rate would already be satisfactory for competitive gamers. However, the 100% sRGB coverage and high contrast are specific features for those who require chromatic accuracy, not just a high frame rate.
Combined with the processing power of the CPU and GPU, the notebook truly transforms into a mobile studio. Graphic designers, photographers, and video editors can perform precise color grading and render complex projects in high resolution without relying on calibrated external monitors.
It is relevant to understand the origin of this hybrid proposal, as it represents a brand repositioning, not just passing marketing. NAVE was established in 2020 as the gaming division of Daten, a Brazilian computer manufacturer founded in 2001. The company has its own factories in Ilhéus (BA) and Manaus, employing over 600 employees. Daten already provides solutions for banks, technology companies, and public agencies, holding international certifications for quality, sustainability, and governance.
In 2026, the brand formalized its expansion beyond the gaming niche, introducing the concept of 'High-Performance Professionals.' This audience includes video editors, animators, architects, engineers, content creators, designers, healthcare professionals, developers, and data analysts who rely on significant processing power daily. It is exactly this group that the NAVE Estelar targets with the combination of the RTX 4060 and the color-accurate screen.
Within the current NAVE line, the Estelar occupies an intermediate position: below it is the NAVE Lunar (which uses 14th Gen Intel Core + RTX 4050, focused on competitive gaming, streaming, and light creation), and above it is the NAVE SuperNova (equipped with Intel Core i9 + RTX 4070/4080/4090, intended for heavy rendering and professional audiovisual production). As NAVE itself states, the Estelar was conceived for AAA gaming, video editing, and 3D modeling, which corresponds to the test findings.
Another decisive factor in purchasing, especially for those who use the machine for work, is that the brand has over a thousand accredited technical assistance centers across all Brazilian states, minimizing the risk of being without support in case of failure.
The NAVE Estelar delivers on its promise, albeit with a caveat: it shows greater consistency in optimized games than in technically very demanding titles, and the 16GB of RAM requires attention from anyone planning to run games and editing software simultaneously. Excluding these points, every frame is significant, whether finishing a competitive match or delivering an audiovisual project on time.
For those seeking a single machine capable of sustaining high-performance leisure and a professional workflow without needing to switch equipment, the NAVE Estelar configures itself as a robust recommendation.
In South Korea, a group of female digital detectives is actively involved in searching for and removing illegal pornographic content created using artificial intelligence (AI).
These perpetrators use generative technologies and victims' photos to fabricate invasive pornographic images targeting their victims. Under the slogans 'Solidarity' and 'We are with the victims,' these female detectives sift through the internet in search of this AI-based phenomenon.
South Korea, known as a global leader in smartphone and memory chip production, faces the dark side of its technological success: human rights groups note the widespread prevalence of 'digital sexual crimes' against women. Victims are filmed by hidden cameras, blackmailed in chats for explicit content, and so-called 'revenge porn' is distributed without consent.
The newest threat is deepfakes, which allow offenders to create invasive pornographic images using generative technology and the victim's photograph.
Twenty-three women work at the National Center for Response to Digital Sexual Crimes, located in an office in Seoul, whose task is to stop this trend by monitoring websites and submitting takedown requests under threat of legal prosecution.
Last year, this group managed to have 318,000 videos and photos—including deepfakes, hidden camera footage, and intimate images shared without consent—removed on behalf of 10,600 people, 75 percent of whom were women and girls.
Kim Mi-soon, the head of the government-founded center, told AFP that South Korea acted faster than others because digital sexual crimes became common earlier than elsewhere, and women quickly and energetically stood up against them.
The center was established in 2018, the year when tens of thousands of women demanded action through protests against hidden cameras. The organization's headquarters and 17 regional centers also provide legal counseling, psychological support, and collect evidence for court cases.
One 33-year-old woman, who asked only to be identified by her surname Kim, recounted that in 2024, she had deepfakes distributed to encrypted applications inaccessible to the center's specialists. She noted that while the center is not perfect, it can provide immense help to victims suffering this nightmare alone.
Kim, who is a member of the armed forces, shared that she felt 'healed' thanks to the center's support, including financial assistance to obtain trauma diagnosis as evidence for court. She emphasized that going through the entire legal procedure alone while in a state of trauma would have been impossible, and the support brought her great relief and comfort.
Digital sexual crimes are an ever-changing threat. The 'Nth Room' scandal in 2020 revealed that men exploited dozens of women and girls, whom they called 'slaves' in chats for paid viewing related to sexual blackmail. Since the establishment of the national response center, sexual deepfakes have become a new trend.
According to cybersecurity firm Security Hero, the global spread of deepfakes increased by 550 percent between 2019 and 2023. According to the company's research, almost 98 percent of the content was AI-generated female pornography, with more than half of the victims being from South Korea.
Although K-pop stars are the main targets, ordinary women are increasingly falling into trouble in the country, where police data shows that digital sexual crimes account for 40 percent of all sexual offenses. One removal specialist, who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons, noted that there has been an increase in deepfakes of ordinary women and girls since last year, and the images are becoming significantly more sophisticated, while the victims are getting younger.
The center uses its own AI tools, including a monitoring system capable of detecting exploitative material and messages targeting children. A 31-year-old removal specialist told AFP that this work is not easy but brings great satisfaction when clients say their service saved their lives.
Pornography created with deepfakes is illegal in South Korea; possessing such material is punishable by up to three years in prison, and creators can receive up to seven years. In 2024, penalties were tightened after the discovery of a series of Telegram chats distributing AI-generated sexualized videos featuring acquaintances, classmates, colleagues, and relatives of women, sometimes made from photos taken from the victims' social media.
Claire Macglin, a law professor from Durham University in Britain and an expert on image-based sexual violence, stated that Seoul is 'leading the way in providing comprehensive support services and investing in cutting-edge technology for harm reduction.' She considers South Korea's approach a model for the entire world.
Nevertheless, activists warn that the root cause of the problem lies in patriarchal culture, which views women as sexual objects devoid of dignity. Kim Yo-jin, head of a non-profit center for responding to cybersexual violence in Korea, told AFP that the online problem requires an offline solution. She stressed: 'If we do not eliminate this fundamental cause by promoting greater gender equality in broader society and strengthening gender equality education in schools, no removal efforts will be sufficient.'
Artificial intelligence (AI) has established itself as one of the central marketing arguments in the computer industry. In recent years, manufacturers have emphasized the inclusion of specific neural processing units (NPUs), designed to speed up AI operations, in addition to promoting improvements in the performance of generative features and the introduction of a new product class.
