Why it matters: As you all probably learned today for the first time (unless you're an IT pro), because internet management company Cloudflare quietly sits between users and many of the world's biggest apps, a single glitch in its network can ripple out and simultaneously disrupt everything from payments and deliveries to music streaming and AI tools. The incident is a reminder that a handful of infrastructure providers have become critical choke points for the modern internet, so their resilience, security and transparency directly affect everyday life and the broader economy.

Why it matters: The word "parasocial," which is meant to describe an extreme attachment to people (namely, celebrities and other TV stars) you don't actually know, used to be a mere vehicle for academia. However, it has found its way into more common discourse on social media in recent years. Cambridge Dictionary has named it its Word of the Year due to how pervasive it has become. It makes a ton of sense, especially in the aftermath of a global pandemic that largely kept us confined in bubbles. Add in the explosion of the generative AI revolution, and you can easily go long periods of time without needing to engage with someone in person. The million-dollar question, to me, isn't "how do we fix it?" It's "do we want to fix it?"

Why it matters: The first human trial of LungVax, a vaccine to prevent lung cancer, is set to begin in the UK with the support of a £2.06 million grant from Cancer Research UK and the CRIS Cancer Foundation. Developed by the University of Oxford and University College London, LungVax uses technology similar to the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to prime the immune system against early cancerous changes in lung cells. The phase I trial will involve individuals at high risk of lung cancer, aiming to determine the optimal dose and assess potential side effects. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the UK, with only 10% of patients surviving more than 10 years.

Why it matters: Despite facing higher housing costs and significant student debt, federal data suggest Gen Z is outperforming previous generations economically at the same age. The median income and net worth for young adults in Gen Z are higher than those of boomers or millennials when they were in their mid-twenties. Unemployment rates for Gen Z are also at historic lows, and their overall spending burden on housing and education is slightly below previous averages. However, these positive metrics are tempered by the persistent challenges of housing affordability and education debt.

Why it matters: Struggling to figure out the base for your Thanksgiving stuffing? Chefs say that sourdough is the best bread for stuffing because of its tangy flavor and sturdy texture. "The sturdy, chewy crumb soaks up broth without getting soggy, while its tangy flavor adds a depth you don't get from plain white bread," says Justin Ferrera, executive sous chef at Fleeting in Savannah, Ga. Brioche is recommended for a richer stuffing, while cornbread is preferred for Southern-style dressing.

Why it matters: A new study suggests that greying hair might be a byproduct of the body's defense against cancer. Researchers found that pigment-producing cells shut down when their DNA experiences double-strand breaks, preventing the spread of mutations. Over time, this leads to fewer pigment cells and grey hair.

Why it matters: Yes, deepfakes can be extremely harmful in the wrong hands. But, as computer scientist Ambuj Tewari argues, in the right hands, synthetic data is increasingly being used to train AI models as real data becomes scarce, offering a solution for situations where collecting real data is costly or risky. Synthetic data is generated through rule-based models or generative AI, creating realistic examples that mimic real ones. However, synthetic data can introduce biases and inaccuracies and should be clearly distinguished from real data to maintain trust and ethical standards.