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Genetic Breakthrough Enables Malaria-Resistant Mosquitoes to Clear Crucial Test

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Research conducted on Anopheles mosquitoes, native to Tanzania, shows promising results in malaria control.

James Gathany/CDC via AP/Alamy

A genetic technology known as gene drive has the potential to aid in malaria prevention by transferring genes to wild mosquitoes that inhibit parasite transmission. Recent tests in a Tanzanian lab have indicated that one specific gene drive could be effective if released within the country.

“This technology is poised to be transformative,” states George Christofides from Imperial College London.

Typically, a portion of an organism’s DNA is passed to only half of its offspring due to the halving of DNA in eggs or sperm. By enhancing this inheritance rate using gene drives, small segments of DNA can proliferate swiftly within a population, even if they do not confer any evolutionary advantages.

Many natural gene drives function through various means, potentially even in some human communities. In 2013, scientists engineered an artificial gene drive utilizing CRISPR gene-editing technology, allowing DNA segments to be copied from one chromosome to another.

The objective is to disseminate DNA segments that impede malaria transmission, but the question remains: which segments? Christofides revealed in 2022 that the development of malaria parasites in mosquitoes could be notably curtailed by two small proteins, one derived from honeybees and another from Xenopus. The genes linked to these anti-malarial proteins correspond with those that produce enzymes aiding in blood digestion, so the proteins are synthesized post-blood meal, secreted into the intestine.

However, these tests used lab strains of mosquitoes and malaria pathogens collected decades ago, leaving uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of this method in contemporary Africa.

Currently, Christofides and Dixon Rwetoihera from the Ifakara Health Research Institute in Tanzania have updated local data. The Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, derived from this strategy, produced gene drive components that were maintained separately to prevent spreading, all within a secure setting.

Initial tests revealed significant suppression of malaria parasites collected from infected children, alongside successful gene replication for anti-malarial proteins. “We can now confidently assert this technology has field application potential,” states Christofides.

The forthcoming phase involves releasing mosquitoes that create anti-malarial proteins onto islands in Lake Victoria and monitoring their behavior in a natural setting. Rwetoijela notes that the team is conducting risk assessments and engaging local communities. “Thus far, political and public backing has been robust.”

The expectation is that gene drives will significantly contribute to the eradication of malaria in endemic regions. A. gambiae is the only species responsible for malaria transmission, and “gene drives could change the course,” claims Christofides.

Multiple organizations are also exploring gene drives for malaria control, alongside various strategies aimed at managing other pest populations.

Genetically modified mosquitoes have already been deployed in certain countries to manage wild mosquito numbers, but these strategies generally depend on continuously releasing high quantities of insects.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

London AI Firm Claims Getty’s Copyright Case Poses a Clear Risk to the Industry

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The London-based firm Stability AI, specializing in artificial intelligence, argues that the copyright lawsuit initiated by global photography agency Getty Images poses a significant “obvious threat” to the AI generation industry.

Stability AI contested Getty’s claims in the London High Court on Monday, which center on issues of copyright and trademark infringement regarding its extensive collection of photographic works.

Stability enables users to create images based on text prompts. Among its directors is James Cameron, the acclaimed director of Avatar and Titanic. In response, Getty criticized those training AI systems as “tech nerds,” suggesting they disregard the ramifications of their technological advancements.

Stability retorted by asserting that Getty is pursuing a “fantasy” legal path, investing around £10 million to challenge a technology it views as an “existential threat” to their operations.


Getty syndicates around 50,000 photographers’ work to clients across more than 200 countries. It alleges that Stability trained its image generation models using an extensive database of copyrighted photographs. Consequently, a program named Stability Diffusion continues to produce images bearing watermarks from Getty Images. Getty maintains that Stability is “completely indifferent” to the sources of their training data, asserting that the system “is associated with pornography-related trademarks” and generates “AI garbage.”

Getty’s legal representatives noted that the contention over the unauthorized utilization of thousands of photographs, including well-known images of celebrities, politicians, and news events, “is not a conflict between creativity and technology where a victory for Getty Images spells the end for AI.”

They further stated: “The issue arises when AI companies like Stability wish to use these materials without compensation.”

Lindsay Lane KC, representing Getty Images, commented, “These were a group of tech enthusiasts enthusiastic about AI, yet indifferent to the challenges and dangers it poses.”

In her court filing on Monday, Getty contended that Stability had trained an image generation model using a database that included child sexual abuse material.

Stability is contesting Getty’s claims overall, with its attorney characterizing the allegations regarding child sexual abuse material as “abhorrent.”

A spokesperson for Stability AI stated that the company is dedicated to ensuring its technology is not misused. It emphasized the implementation of strong safeguards “to enhance safety standards and protect against malicious actors.”

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This situation arises in the context of a broader movement among artists, writers, and musicians—including figures like Elton John and Dua Lipa—who are advocating for copyright protection against alleged infringement by AI-generated content that allows users to produce new images, music, and text.

The UK Parliament is embroiled in a related issue, with the government proposing that copyright holders should have the option to opt-out of the material used for training algorithms and generating AI content.

“Of course, Getty Images acknowledges that the entire AI sector can be a formidable force, but that does not justify permitting the AI models they are developing to blatantly infringe on their intellectual property rights,” Lane stated.

The trial is expected to span several weeks and will address, in part, the use of images by renowned photographers. This includes a photograph of former Liverpool soccer manager Jürgen Klopp, captured by award-winning British sports photographer Andrew Livesey, a photo of the Chicago Cubs baseball team by American sports photographer Gregory Shams, and images of actor and musician Donald Glover by Alberto Rodriguez, as well as photographs of actor Eric Dane and film director Christopher Nolan.

The case brings forth 78,000 pages of evidence, with AI experts summoned to testify from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Freiberg in Germany.

Source: www.theguardian.com

As a new ban period looms, TikTok’s impact on society becomes clear

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On January 18th, I was one of millions of Americans, scrolling through Tiktok when the all-you-can-eat video buffet service suddenly stopped just before the federal ban came into effect.

It was a breathtaking moment when I was mourning me. For daily doses of Hollywood gossip, video game news, anime updates, where did I wonder where I was going now?

Tiktok, owned by a Chinese company, was bytedance, and rose to life the next day, facing legal deadlines to find or face a ban on US owners. President Trump then quickly signed an executive order extending the window for Tiktok’s sale to April 5th.

With that new deadline approaching, Tiktok’s fate, claiming more than 170 million American users, remains uncertain. However, for now, at least, it seems unlikely that there will be a repeated blackout in January.

Last month, Trump He told reporters That he can extend the deadline again. And while bytedance has not confirmed sales plans, Oracle, Data Center Company and others have emerged as potential suitors.

The latest deadlines provide convenient members to reflect on the role of apps in society. This is what I found.

Tiktok started as Musical.ly 11 years ago. It’s an app for users to post lip sync videos, but over time it has evolved into a generic video app that lets people scroll through short clips of news and entertainment. Currently, there are over 1 billion users worldwide.

With Tiktok’s popularity surged worldwide over the past five years, Meta, Google and others have created clones that allow users to scroll through video clips endlessly. but Young users still prefer Tiktok To watch a short video, according to a survey by research firm Emarketer.

Tiktok’s preferences may be linked in part to product quality. Videos made on Tiktok generally look clearer, more rigorously edited and catchy than videos made with similar apps like Instagram reels. (Why drink lukewarm cola when you can get a classic cola?) Tiktok’s tools, including the editing app Capcut, streamline the production of video for your app.

For me, switching to the reel felt crazy when Tiktok was temporarily down. Many users have posted videos they found to be incomplete, including a video of sourdough bread that I was asked to read the caption to learn how to bake the perfect bread. Why don’t you explain it in a video instead of a small text caption?

Meta, who owns Instagram, catches up to Tiktok’s editing tools. An Instagram spokesperson mentioned a company spokesperson announcement The editor is CapCut’s competitor for editing reel videos and is expected to debut in the coming weeks. This tool allows Instagram users to upload videos to a higher resolution, improving image quality, among other perks.

Tiktok’s secret source, which others have not replicated either, is an algorithm for people to decide which video they want to watch next. Many people in their research say that Tiktok surfaces the type of video they want to watch for everything from diet ideas to video games, and glues them to the screen for hours a day.

The effectiveness of Tiktok in keeping people scrolling has been a topic of widespread concern among parents and academic researchers wondering whether people could be thought of as obsessed with apps, just like video game addiction.

Research on this topic continues and remains conclusive. One, It was released last year He also looked into the overuse of Tiktok, led by Christian Montag, a professor of cognitive and brain science at the University of Macau in China. The study reported that although few people involved 378 participants of various ages, they were obsessed with Tiktok.

But broadly speaking, the consensus from multiple studies on Tiktok and other social media apps is that young people are more likely to report being addicted, Dr. Montag said in an interview.

“I don’t think kids should appear on these platforms at all,” he said of an app similar to Tiktok. People’s brains can take at least 20 years, mature and self-regulate, he added.

A Tiktok spokesperson said the app includes tools to manage screen time, including new settings for Tiktok to block children’s phone work during certain times.

Tiktok has become the main hub for companies to promote their products through posted videos and products sold at the in-app store, Tiktok Shop.

The company is working hard to make Americans realize the impact on the economy, running flashy advertising campaigns in newspapers and billboards, portraying them as a small business champion.

A Tiktok spokesperson cited a study claiming that Tiktok increased revenues for small businesses to $15 billion in 2023. This is the number that should be collected with salt grains because Tiktok asked for research. However, from scrolling through Tiktok, it is clear that many brands enjoy using it to spread videos showing quirky products.

Tiktok’s video confesses that he was inspired to buy expensive tools to remove dog fur from car seats and an automatic scrubber to clean the kitchen sink.

As for the so-called creators, the platform usually helps self-promotion rather than making money, as influencers post videos of Tiktok that often get viral, said actress Alyssa McKay, who has a follower of Tiktok in New Jersey.

The video, which earns 2 million views, can earn her a few dollars, she said. She added that it is because Tiktok only pays for the scenery that comes from people who have not yet followed you.

Tiktok was banned in the first place because he feared that US government officials could share data collected by American users with the Chinese government for espionage purposes.

These concerns peaked at the Supreme Court hearing in January. There, the Biden administration argued to ban the app. This cites concerns that Tiktok could create new pathways for China’s intelligence reporting agency that permeates American infrastructure. However, authorities did not provide evidence that Tiktok was associated with such a threat.

But Tiktok is linked to a small US data scandal. Tiktok confirmed in 2022 that four employees were fired for using the app to silly several journalists to track information sources.

Tiktok spokesperson pointed to a video This app protects the data of American users on server systems protected by Oracle, a collaborative US database giant, and prevents unauthorized foreign access.

Matthew Green, a security researcher at Johns Hopkins University and an associate professor of computer science, said that the US government’s security concerns about Tiktoc have been exaggerated as there has yet to be a major scandal, but it is effective because of the potential for hypothetical harm.

Many apps created by American companies are companies that collect information about us and sell insights to data brokers, marketers, including parts of China. But Tiktok in particular can gather sensitive data on Americans that are useful for hostile governments, such as address books, Dr. Green added.

“We’re leaking so much information, we don’t need Tiktok to make things worse, but with millions of different phones running this app, things get worse,” Dr. Green said.


Source: www.nytimes.com

Smartphones can benefit children if they steer clear of social media

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Smartphones help kids socialize

AYO Production/Shutterstock

A study of over 1,500 children suggests that smartphones are beneficial for mental and social well-being unless they begin using social media.

Justin Martin The University of South Florida surveys state children ages 11 to 13. 25 years of national research To explore the link between digital media and happiness.

The researchers found that 78% of the 1,510 children surveyed owned smartphones, and 21% of these reported symptoms of depression and anxiety. Children with phones were also more likely to report spending time in person with friends.

“We thought ownership of a smartphone was related to negative outcomes or negative measures,” Martin says. “But it wasn’t.”

The researchers found that children with low-income parents are more likely to own smartphones than children with rich parents. The highest prevalence of 87% smartphone ownership was found in children living in households collected between $50,000 and $90,000, while only 67% of children in households who own smartphones over $150,000 have a smartphone.

Martin suggests that this may reflect the school policies that children attended, in response to a greater awareness of negative headlines about the supposed risks of social media affecting their mental health.

But such a ban — Florida was the first US state to introduce in 2023 — could be in a volatile scientific position, Martin says. “We were careful to emphasize associations rather than causality, but children with smartphones probably use them for social purposes and like many adults,” he says.

However, not all smartphone use is a benefit of dirt. The researchers also found that children who said they were often posted on social media were twice as likely to report sleep problems or symptoms of depression or anxiety compared to people who never use these platforms. That said, the study failed to determine whether increased use of social media has led to mental health and sleep problems, or whether the opposite is true, says Martin.

“We recommend that parents and adults consider protecting their children from the social platforms that their children post frequently, or try to avoid posting on social platforms,” ​​says Martin. “Of course, it’s hard to tell your kids. ‘You can use Instagram. You can use Tiktok, but don’t post it.” ”

Children surveyed are evenly divided on the merits of social media, with 34% agreeing that social media is more harmful than good, 33% disagreeing, and the rest are undecided about the issue.

“This is an attractive study that makes an important distinction, especially between smartphones and social media,” he says. Jess Maddox At the University of Alabama. “These two are synonyms for each other, but this study shows that they are not actually the same.”

“These are truly subtle findings and we hope that parents, educators and politicians will not be banned, but will encourage them to think more about their children’s education on smartphones and social media,” she says.

David Ellis At Bath University in the UK, this work confirms similar findings from previous studies, but understanding more work to understand what the data is directing us before deciding what to do about children’s smartphone use is that “the lack of analysis will strengthen conclusions that are more difficult to justify policy changes.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Consumers steer clear of company with Trump as boss after losing trust: Consumer concerns

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In In late January, Lauren Bedson did something that many people thought could not think. She has cancelled her Amazon Prime membership. The catalyst was Donald Trump's inauguration. More Americans are planning to make similar decisions this Friday.


Bedson moved her after seeing pictures of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos sitting with other tech moguls and billionaires.

Bedson of Camas, Washington, told the Guardian. “I've lived in Seattle for over 10 years. I've been an Amazon fan for a long time and I think they have good products. But I'm so tired of it. I don’t want to give these billionaire oligarchs my money anymore.”

Emotions have been felt by many Americans since Trump entered the White House. Business and business leaders who were once passive or vocally critical of Trump are trying to protect what they feel comfortable with, questioning the value of brands that consumers trusted. A recent Harris poll found that a quarter of American consumers have changed in their political stance and are no longer shopping at their favorite stores.

Many are inspired by the calls to boycotts coming from social media. One boycott It has become a virus over the past few weeks. “Power blackouts” for businesses that have reduced some of their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals, including Target, Amazon, and Walmart, are scheduled for February 28th, with protesters planning to halt all spending on these companies.




Lauren Bedson has cancelled his Amazon Prime membership. Photo: Lauren Bedson

But people are also deciding to boycott within their communities at kitchen tables, trying to find a way to resist Trump, and perhaps corporate capitalism.

The Guardian asked readers how their shopping habits have changed over the past few months as the political situation began to change after Trump's victory. Hundreds of people from across the country say they no longer shop at stores like Walmart and have targeted targets who publicly announced the end of their DEI goals. Dozens, like Bedson, had cancelled their long-held Prime accounts. Others shut down their Facebook and Instagram accounts in protest of the meta.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The danger of “broken down narcissists” and how to steer clear of them

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Narcissists are individuals who exhibit grandiosity and entitlement, often convinced of their own specialness. They typically lack empathy and constantly seek attention.

In severe cases, a person may receive a diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder. Despite their outward confidence, narcissism is believed to stem from deep-rooted insecurities referred to as “fragile narcissism.”

Research supports this notion. For instance, a brain scan study revealed that when narcissists viewed images of themselves, neural activity indicated negative emotions.

Another study found that narcissists display reduced connectivity between various brain regions related to self and reward. Neural regions related to self and reward.

For some narcissists, the need to attract attention and show off serves as a coping mechanism for personal self-doubt. However, this strategy can backfire if the narcissist faces rejection or public humiliation.

While the term “disintegrated narcissist” is not included in psychiatric diagnostic manuals, therapists and psychologists use it to describe a narcissist who experiences a breakdown, leading to feelings of deflation and anger.

Studies have shown that vulnerable narcissists react to imagined insults or rejection with feelings of sadness and self-hatred. Additionally, disintegrated narcissists often respond to provocation with shame, anger, and rage.

Attempting to bring a narcissist down a notch may escalate conflicts and worsen underlying insecurities. A better approach may involve helping the narcissistic individual build healthier self-esteem and cultivate empathy towards others.

This article is in response to a question posed by Jules Morrison via email: “What is a disintegrated narcissist?”

If you have any questions, please contact us at: questions@sciencefocus.com or reach out to us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (remember to include your name and location).

Explore more:

  • How does a narcissist’s personality change with age?
  • How to identify the hidden narcissist in your life
  • Are we becoming more narcissistic?

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Top 10 Electric Vehicles to Consider if You’re Looking to Steer Clear of Tesla | Automotive

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pictureRon Musk is making headlines lately, with controversial posts and support for Donald Trump’s campaign. However, his negative comments are starting to affect Tesla owners, leading to a decline in sales for the second consecutive quarter in July.

Despite this, Tesla produces excellent electric cars like the latest Model 3, which is one of the best options available. Many other major and newer car manufacturers are catching up to Tesla in the electric car market. Here are the top 10 non-Tesla EVs you can buy now, excluding the upcoming Renault 5 set to launch in the UK in Q1 2025.

Most Affordable EV

Dacia Spring

from £14,995

Scope of claims Up to 140 miles

Battery size 26.8kWh

Lease A 48-month lease starts from around £152 per month, with initial costs of around £1,370. Selective Car Lease Sample lease, or OffersPrices vary when it comes to leasing, however, so we recommend you always shop around – check out our FAQs below for more information.

The Dacia Spring may not be the ultimate car in terms of refinement, but with a range of up to 140 miles and a comfortable ride, it’s perfect for city use.

There’s not a lot of space inside, but it can seat two adults and two children comfortably. The trunk is big enough for a carry-on or your weekly groceries. All models come with air conditioning, and more expensive models have a 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone connectivity. There’s also an app that lets you control charging and turn on the heat and air conditioning before you get in the car.

Most people will avoid entry-level cars, especially since the monthly costs won’t be that high. Take out a finance deal and upgrade to a better-equipped, more powerful version, with prices not exceeding £16,995.

The Best Small EV

Volvo EX30

from £32,850

Scope of claims Up to 295 miles

Battery size 51 to 69 kWh

Lease A 48-month lease starts from around £423 per month, with initial costs of around £5,501. Lease.com Sample lease, or Volvo Cars.

Volvo’s EX30 is a smart small car that feels premium but doesn’t come with a steep price tag.

The audio system uses a full-dash sound bar instead of speakers in the doors to produce impressive sound, the window switches have been moved to the center of the car – all to save costs – and you can operate most…

Source: www.theguardian.com

Roaring Kitty reemerges as GameStop shares drop without a clear game plan

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“Can you hear me now?” Keith Gill began the broadcast. “I kind of forgot how to do it.”

In 2021, an influencer known as Roaring Kitty led a retail investor movement that sparked an extraordinary surge in shares of the embattled video game chain GameStop, convulsing Wall Street, and Mr. Gill became an internet star and testified before Congress about his bullish stance on the stock.

And then he disappeared. For years after the stock market turmoil began, Gill remained silent online, even as a Hollywood movie was made about his battle with the financial establishment.

Last month, a series of cryptic social media posts suggested Roaring Kitty had woken up from a three-year slumber, reigniting a volatile rally in GameStop shares. But they raised more questions than they answered.

Hundreds of thousands of viewers were waiting when Gill reappeared on YouTube today, but those tuning in hoping for an explanation were in for a frustrating 50 minutes.

The first time GameStop's stock price surged in 2021 was Loss-making companiesThree years later, the company is still unprofitable and struggling to find its place in the modern gaming industry.

Its latest earnings report, released just before Roaring Kitty was released, revealed a steep decline in sales since the start of the year. GameStop also Confirmed Plan The company plans to take advantage of the recent surge in its share price by selling up to an additional 75 million shares.

“We will not be holding a conference call today,” GameStop said in a brief press release, without explaining any reasons for the poor performance. The company's shares fell by about 25 cents and trading was halted multiple times.

Retailers weren't ready for the market, but one enthusiastic follower was happy to oblige. Gill reappeared with his arm in a sling, his head bandaged, his face in a bandage, and sunglasses. With the sound of life support machines ringing in the background, he pretended to be dead.

Keith Gill Livestream on June 7, 2024. Photo: YouTube

“Yeah, that was close,” he laughed, thanking the audience for bringing him back to life, even as the stock price of GameStop Corp. showed up in the background and looked far from healthy.

Gill was keen to dispel the rumours: “This is me, by the way,” he said, stressing that he controls his own dealings and social media accounts and does not work with anyone else.

So why the return?

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Despite speculation that he might offer new information to explain his confidence in the fading retailer, Gill clarified that he had “no concrete plans,” instead rambling on about movie memes, playing with a Magic 8 Ball and thanking his followers for their well wishes ahead of his birthday.

“It's been a few years now. How are you all?” he said. “I'm so glad to be back.”

Gill reiterated his long-held belief that GameStop's management would one day reinvigorate the chain in some way, but this is hardly a new revelation. Gill hastened to add that while it's not a guarantee, Ryan Cohen, the billionaire entrepreneur who heads the company, “seems to be doing the right thing.”

“In this case, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence,” he argued about GameStop's recovery, but the company's shares continued to fall when it became clear that his livestreams would not be covering any significant news.

“I haven't said anything right,” he continued. The stock price had fallen 40% since the start of the day. “I'm just saying something wrong. Where's the eject button?”

After a while, he found and pressed it. “A toast to everyone,” Gil said, taking a swig of his beer, and finished. “We'll see what happens next.”

Source: www.theguardian.com