Tag Archives: difference

Instagram’s Ongoing Commitment to Youth Safety: Will the New “PG-13” Guidelines Make a Difference?

Posted on by
Reply

For months, Instagram has faced challenges in persuading parents, advocates, and officials that it is a safe environment for children, despite increasing evidence indicating otherwise. Now, the platform is rolling out another safety feature intended to protect teens. Yet, given its track record, parents remain skeptical.

Beginning this week, all users under 18 will automatically be categorized for ages 13+ and their feeds will be restricted to content suitable for the U.S. PG-13 movie rating.

However, Instagram’s previous unfulfilled commitments make this latest content restriction feel like mere window dressing—an illusion of action without genuine effectiveness.

The company has accrued substantial profits while advocacy groups have long cautioned against exposing minors to inappropriate content and individuals. $100 billion annually is what it reports in profits. Meta’s own estimates suggest that about 100,000 children using Facebook and Instagram face online sexual harassment daily. This is concerning, especially considering that as of July 2020, internal communications revealed that the measures to prevent child grooming on the platform were, at best, “between zero and negligible.” The lawsuit in New Mexico claims that Meta’s social networks, including Instagram, have essentially become a haven for child predators. (Meta refutes these core allegations, claiming the lawsuit is ‘unfair’.)

Last year, the firm finally enacted mandatory Instagram accounts for teenagers. However, a recent study led by a whistleblower revealed that 64% of the new safety features designed for teens were ineffective.

Research indicates that 47% of young teen users on Instagram encounter unsafe content, and 37% of users aged 13 to 15 receive at least one unsafe piece of content or unwanted message weekly. This includes “approximately 1 in 7 users viewing self-harm content, unwanted sexual content, discriminatory content, or substance-related content every week.”

“These failures showcase a corporate culture at Meta that prioritizes engagement and profit over safety,” stated Andy Burrows, CEO of the UK’s Molly Rose Foundation, which advocates for stronger online safety legislation, as part of the investigative team. BBC reported. A spokesperson for Meta countered that the study “misrepresents our commitment to empowering parents and protecting youth, and mischaracterizes the functionality of our safety tools and their use by millions of parents and youth.”

Concurrently, measures introduced last year followed a significant moment for Meta’s public perception. In January 2024, the leaders of the world’s major social media firms were summoned to the U.S. Senate to discuss their security policies. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg issued an apology to parents whose children allegedly endured harm from social media.

Despite Instagram’s lengthy struggle to address these concerns, it appears to continually place children at risk, only to issue apologies afterward. On Monday, Reuters reported that it has been found in company-specific research that teens who frequently felt negative about their bodies on Instagram encountered three times more “eating disorder-related content” than their peers. Alarmingly, technology companies and social media platforms have become so entrenched in everyday life that it’s nearly impossible to engage with society without them, particularly for children.

So, what is the resolution? Primarily, we must acknowledge online spaces as extensions of the real world, rather than merely digital counterparts. Social media platforms replicate real-life violence and can cause other tangible harms, putting children at a higher risk.

It’s essential for lawmakers to require these companies to incorporate safety measures into their design processes rather than treating them as an afterthought. Equally vital is for parents to educate their children on online safety, just as they would about physical safety in public.

The technology developed by these profit-driven companies is pervasive. If we cannot rely on them to safeguard our most vulnerable users, it falls upon us to ensure our own protection.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Paleontologists Reveal Significant Size Difference Between Male and Female Australopithecus

Posted on by
Reply

Two extinct hominins, Australopithecus afarensis and Australopithecus africanus, exhibited much greater sexual dimorphism than chimpanzees and modern humans. According to Dr. Adam Gordon, a paleontologist at the University of Albany and Durham, Australopithecus afarensis displayed even higher levels of dimorphism.

Reconstructing the face of Australopithecus afarensis. Image credit: Cicero Moraes/CC by-sa 3.0.

The sexual size dimorphism is not just a mere physical trait; it indicates deeper behavioral and evolutionary strategies.

In line with sexual selection theory, the sexual size dimorphism seen in modern primates typically correlates with intense male-male competition and social structures, fostering a one-sided mating system where one or more large males dominate access to multiple females.

Conversely, low sexual dimorphism is characteristic of species that exhibit paired social structures with lower competition for mating opportunities.

Contemporary human populations show low to moderate sexual size dimorphism, with males generally being slightly larger than females on average, although there is considerable overlap between the sexes.

Fossil data is often incomplete, making it exceedingly difficult to ascertain the gender of ancient individuals.

To overcome this issue, Dr. Gordon utilized a geometric averaging method for estimating size from multiple skeletal elements, including the upper arm, femur, and tibia.

Resampling techniques were then employed to simulate thousands of comparisons between fossil hominins and living primates, ensuring that the statistical model accounted for the incomplete and varied nature of fossil samples.

A comparative framework was developed using data from contemporary gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans with known genders and complete skeletons.

Unlike earlier studies where ambiguous or inconclusive statistical results were interpreted as signs of similarity, Dr. Gordon’s approach unveiled clear and significant differences, even with relatively small fossil samples.

To eliminate the potential of body size changes in Australopithecus afarensis reflecting broader evolutionary trends rather than gender distinctions, Dr. Gordon also analyzed time series trends over a 300,000-year span from the Khadar Formation in Ethiopia.

His analysis indicated no significant size increase or decrease over time, suggesting that the observed variations were more likely due to differences between males and females.

“These were not minor differences,” Dr. Gordon stated.

“In the case of Australopithecus afarensis, males were significantly larger than females—possibly more so than the great living apes.”

“Both of these extinct hominin species displayed gender-specific size distinctions from modern humans, yet differed from extant ape species in this regard.”

Australopithecus africanus. Image credit: JM salas/cc by-sa 3.0.

Dr. Gordon’s previous research indicates that the elevated sexual size dimorphism seen in living primates may correlate with considerable resource stress. In situations where food is scarce, smaller, healthier females can better meet their metabolic needs and reproduce quicker than larger females, leading to offspring with smaller mothers and greater size disparities between males and females.

The pronounced sexual size dimorphism observed in both Australopithecus afarensis and Australopithecus africanus suggests a high level of male competition, akin to differences noted in chimpanzees and gorillas. However, the distinctions between the two fossil species could reflect varying intensities of sexual selection or resource stress in their environments (e.g., differences in the length of dry seasons that could affect female body size).

In any event, the high sexual size dimorphism of these fossil hominins starkly contrasts with the more balanced sizes seen in modern humans, offering insights into different models of early human existence.

The implications of these findings are significant. Australopithecus afarensis, which inhabited the Earth between 3.9 and 2.9 million years ago, is often viewed as very closely related to the direct ancestors of modern humans.

However, its pronounced sexual dimorphism suggests that early human social systems may have been much more hierarchical and competitive than previously believed.

On the contrary, Australopithecus africanus—which appears slightly later in the fossil record—exhibits less dimorphism compared to Australopithecus afarensis. This could represent different evolutionary branches within the human lineage or perhaps reflect various social behavioral stages in the development of hominins.

“We often categorize these early hominins together as a single group called Gracile Australopithecines, believed to have interacted with their physical and social environments in similar ways,” Dr. Gordon explained.

“While there is some truth to this, the significant differences in dimorphism between the two species indicate that these closely related hominins were under distinct selection pressures, unlike those affecting modern human pair bonds.”

The survey findings will be published in the American Journal of Biological Anthropology.

____

Adam D. Gordon. 2025. Dimorphism of sexual size in Australopithecus africanus and A. afarensis in contrast to modern humans despite low power resampling analysis. American Journal of Biological Anthropology 187(3): E70093; doi: 10.1002/ajpa.70093

Source: www.sci.news

Unveiling the Quantum Computers That Can Make a Difference

Posted on by
Reply

Zhang Bin/China News Service/VCG Getty Images

In the last decade, quantum computing has evolved into a multi-billion dollar sector, attracting investments from major tech firms like IBM and Google, along with the U.S. military.

However, Ignacio Cirac, a trailblazer in this field from Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, provides a more measured assessment: “Quantum computers are not yet a reality,” he states, because creating a functional and practical version is exceedingly challenging.

This article is part of our special feature that delves into how experts perceive some of science’s most intriguing concepts. Click here for more information.

These quantum systems utilize qubits to encode data, in contrast to the traditional “bits” of conventional computers. Qubits can be generated through various methods, ranging from small superconducting circuits to ultra-cold atoms, yet each method presents its own complexities in construction.

The primary advantage lies in their ability to leverage quantum attributes for performing certain calculations at a speed unattainable by classical computers.

This acceleration holds promise for various challenges that traditional computers face, such as simulating complex physical systems and optimizing passenger flight schedules or grocery deliveries. Five years ago, quantum computers appeared poised to tackle these and numerous other computational hurdles.

Today, the situation is even more intricate. Certainly, the progress in creating larger quantum computers is remarkable, with numerous companies developing systems exceeding 1000 qubits. However, this progress also highlights the formidable challenges that remain.

A significant issue is that as these computers scale up, they tend to generate increased errors, and developing methods to mitigate or correct them has proven more challenging than anticipated. Last year, Google researchers made notable strides in addressing this problem, but as Cirac emphasizes, a fully functional useful quantum computer remains elusive.

Consequently, the list of viable applications for such machines may be shorter than many previously anticipated. Weighing the costs of construction against the potential savings reveals that, in many scenarios, the economics may not favor them. “The most significant misconception is that quantum computers can expedite all types of problems,” Cirac explains.

So, which issues might still benefit from quantum computing? Experts suggest that quantum computers could potentially compromise the encryption systems currently employed for secure communications, making them appealing to governments and institutions concerned with security. Scott Aaronson from the University of Texas at Austin notes this.

Another promising area for quantum computers is in modeling materials and chemical reactions. Because quantum computers operate within a framework of quantum objects, they are ideally suited for simulating other quantum systems, such as electrons, atoms, and molecules.

“These are simplified models that don’t accurately reflect real materials. However, if you appropriately design your system, there are numerous properties of real materials you can learn about physics.” Daniel Gottesman from the University of Maryland adds.

While quantum chemical simulations might seem more specialized than flight scheduling, the potential outcomes (such as discovering room-temperature superconductors) could be groundbreaking.

The extent to which these ambitions can be realized heavily relies on the algorithms guiding quantum computations and methods for correcting those pesky errors. This is a complex new domain, as Vedran Dunjko of Leiden University in the Netherlands points out, prompting researchers like himself to confront fundamental questions about information and computation.

“This creates a significant incentive to investigate the complexity of the problem and the potential of computing devices,” Dunjko asserts. “For me, this alone justifies dedicating a substantial portion of my life to these inquiries.”

Explore more articles in this series by using the links below:

topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

The Impact of the Season on Your Metabolism: How Your Thinking Can Make a Difference

Posted on by
Reply

Ah, the circle of life! Your parents engage in intimate activities, and nine months later, you make your grand entrance into the world (apologies for that mental image).

However, did you know that the temperature during your parents’ romantic encounters could impact your metabolism for the long haul?

According to recent research conducted by a researcher at the University of Tokyo in Japan, this might be the case.

The study analyzed the season when 642 Japanese adults were conceived and discovered that individuals conceived during colder months tend to have lower body mass index (BMI), less visceral (abdominal) fat, and a faster metabolism compared to those conceived in warmer months.

This correlation is linked to brown fat, a type of fat that burns energy even at rest, helps keep the body warm, and assists in regulating blood sugar levels.

“People conceived during colder seasons tend to have more active brown fat as adults,” explained Takeshi Yoneshiro, an associate professor at Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, in an interview with BBC Science Focus.

Having more active brown fat means the body burns more energy while resting, potentially resulting in a faster metabolism compared to individuals with lower levels of brown fat.

Our bodies utilize white fat for calorie storage, but brown fat is essential for maintaining warmth. – Credit: nopparit via Getty

Professor Jaswinder Sethi, an expert in immuno-metabolism at the University of Southampton who was not involved in the research, stated to BBC Science Focus: “Brown fat’s primary role is to produce heat and maintain body temperature.

“Moreover, brown fat activity significantly contributes to energy expenditure, aiding in reducing the need for storage and potentially preventing the risk of obesity and metabolic disorders.”

Yoneshiro suggested that parental exposure to cold temperatures could lead to epigenetic modifications, influencing how our genes are expressed.

“In modern times, this metabolic system may help regulate energy balance and protect against metabolic diseases by acting as a heater and air conditioner,” Yoneshiro explained.

However, Sethi cautioned: “It’s crucial to note that, similar to many known genetic variations associated with obesity, these changes are not the sole contributors to future health issues, as individuals may have genetic predispositions affecting their metabolism.”

Additionally, Dr. Adam Collins, an Associate Professor of Nutrition at the University of Surrey not involved in the study, stated to BBC Science Focus that the significance of brown fat in metabolic regulation may be overemphasized.

“Having abundant brown fat might not necessarily equate to a higher metabolic rate,” Collins noted. “The benefit of brown fat lies in its ability to generate heat, particularly in cold conditions, rather than simply burning calories.”

Since this study is observational, it cannot definitively prove that the season of conception impacts a child’s metabolism in the long term.

Nonetheless, Yoneshiro expressed hope: “If other factors can reproduce this effect, targeted interventions may be developed to enhance metabolic resilience in future generations.”

Read more:

About our experts:

Dr. Takeshi Yoneshiro is an associate professor of biomedical sciences specializing in molecular physiology and metabolism at Tohoku University’s Graduate School of Medicine. Prior to joining Tohoku University in 2023, he served as an associate professor at the Center for Advanced Science and Technology Research at the University of Tokyo.

Jaswinder Sethi is a professor of immunotherapy at the University of Southampton. She is also an Honorary NHS Foundation Trust Research Fellow and a member of the Life Sciences Institute. Her research focuses on immune metabolism, obesity, metabolic diseases, and tissue remodeling.

Dr. Adam Collins is an Associate Professor of Nutrition at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Surrey. With over 20 years of experience as a qualified nutritionist, he leads BSc and MSc nutrition programs at the university. His research includes studying exercise intensity and energy balance, intermittent fasting, dietary composition and timing, and carbohydrate manipulation for metabolic health.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com