Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for July 5, #285

Yum China, the company behind KFC and Pizza Hut in mainland China, is doubling down on AI to streamline operations and boost profits. Their new AI assistant, Q-Smart, helps managers cut waste, improve food quality, and save on labor costs—freeing them up to focus on customers. It’s part of a broader push to make restaurants run smoother without sacrificing service.

Editor’s Note: Fast-food chains aren’t just competing on who has the crispiest chicken or cheesiest pizza anymore—tech is becoming a huge differentiator. Yum China’s move shows how AI isn’t just for Silicon Valley; it’s hitting the front lines of everyday businesses, from fryers to cash registers. For customers, this could mean faster service and better consistency. For workers, it might shift their roles toward more customer-facing tasks (or, skeptics might worry, fewer jobs). Either way, it’s a sign of how deeply AI is creeping into industries we don’t always associate with cutting-edge tech.

If you're a Wordle fan who likes to strategize or just wants to avoid repeating past guesses, this article has got you covered. It compiles every previous Wordle answer—organized both alphabetically and by date—so you can brush up on past solutions and maybe even spot patterns to help with today's puzzle.

Editor’s Note: Wordle isn’t just a daily brain teaser—it’s a cultural phenomenon with a dedicated fanbase. For players who take their five-letter guesses seriously, having a list of past answers is like a cheat sheet (without actually cheating). It’s a handy resource for casual players and competitive types alike, making the game a little more fun—or at least a little less frustrating.

This piece dives into the growing discomfort around how AI technologies are being aggressively pushed into everyday life, often without public consent or meaningful dialogue. It highlights concerns from tech communities and critics who argue that companies are prioritizing rapid deployment over ethical considerations, leaving users feeling like unwilling test subjects in a grand experiment.

Editor’s Note: AI is everywhere now—from chatbots to recommendation algorithms—but not everyone’s on board with how fast it’s being forced into our lives. The backlash isn’t just about privacy or job loss; it’s about feeling like we’ve lost a say in the process. If tech keeps barreling ahead without addressing these frustrations, the public’s trust (and patience) might wear thin.

Scientists have uncovered a fascinating clue about how memories stick around for decades—even though the brain's molecular building blocks are constantly being replaced. It turns out that two key proteins interact in a way that essentially "locks in" memories, acting like a molecular handshake that outlasts the individual components. This could explain why you still remember your childhood home even though the brain's physical materials have recycled themselves many times over.

Editor’s Note: This isn't just a nerdy science breakthrough—it could reshape how we understand memory disorders like Alzheimer's. If we crack the code of how memories persist, we might one day find ways to protect or even restore them. Plus, it’s a mind-bending reminder that our most vivid memories are written in disappearing ink… yet somehow endure.

Scientists have developed a high-tech gadget that zaps mosquitoes out of the air—literally. It uses lasers to detect and eliminate the pests mid-flight, functioning like a miniature anti-aircraft system for bugs. The idea is to reduce mosquito-borne diseases without chemicals or swatting.

Editor’s Note: If this tech scales up, it could be a game-changer for fighting malaria, dengue, and other mosquito-spread illnesses, especially in tropical regions. No more sticky sprays or smelly coils—just sci-fi precision. Plus, it’s oddly satisfying to imagine mosquitoes getting vaporized by lasers.