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Polar Bears Increasingly Thrive in the World’s Hottest Regions: A Study on Weight Gains

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Polar bears in Svalbard

Researchers Monitor Polar Bears’ Body Condition in Svalbard

John Earls, Norsk Arctic Institute

In the Svalbard archipelago of Norway, a region known for its climatic extremes, polar bears are surprisingly gaining weight despite the alarming reduction of sea ice. However, scientists warn this trend may not be sustainable.

The northern Barents Sea, located between Svalbard and Russia’s Novaya Zemlya, is warming disproportionately—seven times faster than the global average. Over the past two decades, sea ice around Svalbard has diminished, disappearing two months earlier each year. Currently, polar bears must swim over 200 kilometers between their hunting grounds and birthing caves.

<p>Despite this challenging environment, the overall size and weight of Svalbard’s polar bears has increased since 2000, presenting a puzzling contradiction. <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jon-Aars-2">Jon Aars</a>, who led the research at the Norwegian Polar Institute, claims it's positive news for Svalbard. However, he cautions that areas most affected by climate change show severe decline in polar bear populations.</p>

<p>This widely dispersed solitary predator counts among its many challenges the difficulty of accurate population estimates. The numbers <a href="https://www.iucn-pbsg.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PBSG-Status-Criteria-and-Report_Final_2024Oct7.pdf">are declining</a> in some regions while stable or even increasing in parts of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland; for nine populations, data remains insufficient.</p>

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<p>Estimations suggest the Barents Sea bear population ranges from 1,900 to 3,600 individuals, and appears stable or potentially increasing. From 1995 onward, researchers used tranquilizers via helicopter to study 770 bears, measuring their body length and thorax circumference to approximate weight.</p>
<p>Analysis of trends demonstrated a decline in body condition until 2000, followed by a gradual increase leading up to the last assessments in 2019.</p>

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                <p class="ArticleImageCaption__Title">Crucial Role of Sea Ice in Polar Bear Survival</p>
                <p class="ArticleImageCaption__Credit">Trine Lise Sviggum Helgerud, Norsk Arctic Institute</p>
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<p>In spring, the birth of seal pups on sea ice provides a vital food source for polar bears, allowing them to build fat reserves for the warmer months. Researchers like Earls speculate that diminishing ice may actually assist bears in hunting seals more easily.</p>
<p>With the retreating ice, bears are adapting by exploring new food sources. The approximately 250 bears remaining on Svalbard may increasingly hunt bearded and harbor seals along the coast, while thriving walrus populations might offer additional sustenance.</p>
<p>These adaptable "local bears" are now raiding nesting colonies for bird eggs and chasing reindeer, showcasing a remarkable resilience. According to researchers, such flexibility may be delaying their extinction, says <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jouke-Prop">Jouke Prop</a> of the University of Groningen.</p>
<p>"This is a desperate tribe. They're doing unique things," he notes. "While this adaptability may not apply universally, it could suffice for a while in Svalbard."</p>
<p>Although polar bears have not yet reached Svalbard's ecological limits, thanks to the prohibition of hunting since 1973, warming temperatures threaten to disrupt the delicate food chain that begins with algae on sea ice, according to Prop.</p>
<p>"Should the sea ice vanish, sustaining a significant number of polar bears will become incredibly challenging," he warns.</p>
<p>"There exists a threshold beyond which continuous sea ice loss will negatively impact polar bears in Svalbard," Aars adds.</p>

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            <h3 class="SpecialArticleUnit__Heading">Uncover the Beauty of Svalbard and Tromsø</h3>
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                <p>Embark on an adventurous journey to Norway's Arctic region. Discover the scientific marvels behind the Northern Lights, the unique Arctic ecosystem, and how humans adapt to the challenges of the Far North.</p>
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  5. Adaptive Language: Used active language to engage readers while remaining informative, suitable for an audience interested in environmental issues.

Source: www.newscientist.com

As Synthetic Music Gains Popularity, AI Dominates Billboard and Spotify Charts

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This week, three songs generated by artificial intelligence have reached the top of music charts, securing spots at the pinnacle of both Spotify and Billboard rankings.

Walk My Walk made waves with Breaking Rust’s “Livin’ on Borrowed Time” leading the U.S. “Viral 50” chart, which highlights the “most viral songs” daily on Spotify. The anti-immigrant anthem “We Say No, No, No to an Asylum Center” by JW “Broken Veteran” also soared to the top of Spotify’s global viral chart during this timeframe. Additionally, “Breaking Rust” landed in the top five globally.

The lyrics of “Walk My Walk” include the line, “If you don’t like the way I talk, you can kick a rock,” directly addressing critics of AI-generated music.

Shortly after climbing the charts, the Dutch song vanished from Spotify and YouTube, along with all other tracks by Broken Veteran. Spotify told Dutch outlet NU.nl that it had not removed the music and that the rights holder was responsible. Broken Veteran expressed confusion over the disappearance, stating he is investigating and hopes for a resolution soon.

Opting to remain unnamed, Broken Veteran shared with the Guardian via email that he views AI as “just another tool for expression,” especially for individuals like himself who have important messages but lack formal musical training. He emphasized that the technology has “democratized music production” and clarified that his song critiques government policies, not immigrants.

For three weeks, “Walk My Walk” has led Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales chart, which tracks downloads and digital purchases. This chart is considered minor compared to Billboard’s broader metrics like “Hot Country Songs” and “Top Country Albums.” Breaking Rust has yet to respond to media inquiries.

AI-Generated Music’s Growing Presence

These three tracks exemplify the surge of AI-generated music flooding streaming services. A recent study by Deezer reveals that roughly 50,000 AI-generated songs are uploaded daily, representing 34% of all music submissions.

“Walk My Walk” and “We Say No, No, No to an Asylum Center” are not the first AI tracks to gain popularity. Earlier in the summer, an AI-produced song by a group named Velvet Sundown achieved over 1 million streams on Spotify, which one of its members later referred to as “art quackery.”

Ed Newton Rex, a musician and founder of a nonprofit aiming to ensure fair data training for generative AI companies, notes that the high volume of AI-generated songs available online is a significant factor behind the emergence of AI hits.

“This reflects a trend of rapidly growing interest in AI music, driven primarily by the volume of content,” he explained. “Daily, we see 50,000 new songs competing with human artists, marking the rise of a new, highly scalable competitor built through exploitation.”

AI music quality has noticeably improved since its early days. In a survey conducted as part of the study, Deezer found that 97% of the 9,000 participants from eight countries could not differentiate between AI-generated music and human-created compositions.

“This is undeniable. It’s now fairly safe to say that the top-tier AI music is indistinguishable from human-composed tracks,” Newton-Rex stated.

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Emerging Distribution Models for AI-Generated Music

The success of AI-generated tracks on Spotify transcends mere quality. Much like various domains within the AI economy, numerous tools and platforms facilitate the distribution of AI music, along with user sub-communities eager to share strategies for navigating the system.

Jack Righteous, a blogger focused on AI content creation, has highlighted how his followers can generate a “passive income stream” through a music distribution service called DistroKid, which allocates royalty fees to creators whenever an AI track is streamed on platforms like YouTube, Spotify, or TikTok.

DistroKid is part of a wider ecosystem of online music distribution services, including Amuse, Landr, and CD Baby, all helping creators publish their music on major platforms like YouTube and Spotify. These services have varying policies regarding AI-generated content, with blogs like noting that DistroKid is “more forgiving.” This includes some hits from Breaking Rust such as “Livin’ on Borrowed Time” and “Resilient,” which appear to be distributed by DistroKid.

“In essence, most AI music you encounter isn’t being handled by a legitimate label. It’s crafted by individuals in their personal spaces and uploaded to distribution platforms,” said Chris Dalla Riva, author of “Unknown Territory,” which delves into the data behind music virality.

When approached for comments, Spotify cited their policy regarding AI-generated tracks.

Source: www.theguardian.com

AI is Joining the Radiology Workforce: Efficiency Gains Observed So Far.

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Nine years ago, a prominent artificial intelligence scientist picked an at-risk profession.

“Individuals should stop pursuing a career as a radiologist now,” stated Jeffrey Hinton, asserting that AI would undoubtedly surpass human performance in this area within five years.

Currently, radiologists—medical imaging specialists diagnosing and treating diseases—are still in significant demand. Recent studies indicate a steady workforce growth projected by the American College of Radiation until 2055.

Dr. Hinton, who earned a Nobel Prize in physics for his groundbreaking AI research last year, has indeed had a monumental influence on technology.

This is evident at Mayo Clinic, one of the nation’s premier healthcare systems, with its primary campus located in Rochester, Minnesota. In recent years, Mayo Clinic has embraced AI technology to analyze images, automate everyday tasks, detect medical issues, and forecast diseases. AI also acts as a “second opinion.”

“But will it replace radiologists? We don’t believe so,” said Dr. Matthew Colestrom, chairman of radiology at Mayo Clinic. “We understand how challenging this work is and its interrelations.”

Computer scientists, industry experts, and policymakers have long debated the future of AI in the workforce. Will it serve as a smart assistant, enhance human performance, or be a robotic agent that displaces millions of workers?

The conversation intensifies as the cutting-edge technology behind chatbots appears to be advancing more quickly than anticipated. Leaders from companies like OpenAI and others forecast that AI will automate most cognitive tasks within a few years. Conversely, numerous researchers predict a more gradual transformation, akin to the introduction of electricity and the Internet, consistent with historical technological disruptions.

The potential obsolescence of radiologists serves as an illustrative example. Thus far, AI has proven to be a robust medical asset that enhances efficiency and augments human abilities, rather than replacing them.

Radiology has been a primary focus in the development and implementation of AI in healthcare. Of the more than 1,000 AI applications approved by the Food and Drug Administration for medical purposes, approximately 75% pertain to radiology. AI excels in identifying and assessing specific abnormalities, such as lung lesions and breast tumors.

“While there have been remarkable advancements, these AI tools mainly focus on general cases,” remarked Dr. Charles E. Kern Jr., a radiology professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine and editor of the journal. Radiology: Artificial Intelligence.

Radiologists do much more than merely examine images. They provide consultations to other physicians and surgeons, engage with patients, compile reports, and scrutinize medical histories. After detecting potential tissue anomalies, they interpret the implications for individual patients based on their unique medical backgrounds, drawing from years of expertise.

David Ortl, a labor economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, stated that AI “underestimates the intricacy of work performed by humans.”

At Mayo Clinic, AI tools are being researched, developed, and customized to align with the hectic schedules of physicians. Since Dr. Hinton’s prediction, the radiology staff has expanded by 55%, now exceeding 400 radiologists.

Prompted by concerns and advancements in AI-related image recognition in 2016, radiology leaders assembled a team to evaluate the potential effects of the technology.

“Our initial thought was to leverage this technology for our betterment,” recalled Dr. Callstrom. “That was our primary objective.”

A decision was made to invest. Today, the Department of Radiology boasts a 40-member AI team, featuring AI scientists, radiation researchers, data analysts, and software engineers. They have created a diverse suite of AI tools, from tissue analysis instruments to disease prediction models.

The team collaborates with specialists like Dr. Theodora Pototzke, who focuses on the kidneys, bladder, and reproductive organs. She regards the radiologist’s role as that of a “secondary physician,” clearly conveying imaging findings and providing guidance.

Dr. Pototzke employs AI tools to gauge kidney volume. Growth in the kidneys, when coupled with cysts, can signal a decline in function even before changes are detectable in blood tests. Previously, she measured kidney volume mainly by hand, akin to using an on-screen ruler, resulting in variable outcomes and lengthy processes.

Serving as a consultant, end user, and tester for the department’s AI team, Dr. Pototzke assisted in designing software with color coding for various conditions and evaluating measurements.

Now, she can simply retrieve an image on a computer, click an icon, and instantly see the kidney volume measurements. This saves her 15-30 minutes with each kidney scan and consistently yields accurate results.

“This is a fantastic example of effectively utilizing AI for increased efficiency and accuracy,” Dr. Pototzke commented. “AI can augment, enhance, and quantify processes, but I am not in a position to relinquish interpretative duties regarding technology.”

In the hall, staff radiologist Dr. Francis Buffer elaborated on the various AI applications prevalent in the field, often operating behind the scenes. He stated that manufacturers of MRI and CT scanners incorporate AI algorithms to expedite image acquisition and enhance quality.

AI also autonomously identifies images with the highest likelihood of abnormal findings, effectively informing the radiologist, “focus here first.” Another application scans for heart or lung clots, even when the medical emphasis lies elsewhere.

“AI is currently integrated throughout our workflow,” noted Dr. Buffer.

In total, Mayo Clinic implements over 250 AI models, both developed in-house and sourced from vendors. The Radiology and Heart Disease divisions are the largest consumers of these technologies.

In some circumstances, emergent technologies unveil insights surpassing human capabilities. One AI model analyzes ECG data to forecast patients likely to develop cardiac fibrillation.

Research initiatives in radiology utilize AI algorithms to detect subtle transformations in pancreatic shape and texture, potentially identifying cancers up to two years before conventional diagnoses. The Mayo Clinic team is collaborating with other healthcare organizations to further validate these algorithms with more data.

“Mathematical modeling enables us to perceive what the human eye cannot,” mentioned Dr. John Haramka, president of the Mayo Clinic Platform, overseeing the digital initiatives of the health system.

Dr. Halamka, an advocate for AI, is confident that this technology will revolutionize medicine.

“In five years, failing to use AI will be considered a form of medical malpractice,” he suggested. “However, this means that humans and AI will collaborate closely.”

Dr. Hinton concurs. Reflecting on his previous statements, he believes he was overly broad in 2016, clarifying that his remarks were solely about image analysis, and while he may have misjudged the timeline, he maintains his original stance.

Over the years, most medical imaging interpretations are made through a partnership between AI and radiologists, which not only enhances accuracy but also significantly increases radiologists’ efficiency, according to Dr. Hinton.

Source: www.nytimes.com

One of the World’s Biggest Weather Buzzwords Gains Traction

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For residents of the West Coast, the weather event known as the atmospheric river, stretching from San Diego to Vancouver, can deliver winter-like conditions similar to those in Boston, with heavy rain and snowfall.

Much like the storms that affect the East Coast, the term “Atmospheric River” can often feel trendy. While it may resonate more with those walking the streets of San Francisco than just plain “heavy rain,” it precisely describes moisture-laden storms in the Pacific Ocean that release precipitation upon hitting the mountain ranges in Washington, Oregon, and California.

Yet, these plumes of highly humid air driven by strong winds are not exclusive to the West Coast. They can occur globally, and recently, meteorologists and scientists are starting to apply this term to storms occurring east of the Rocky Mountains. This spring, a series of heavy rains in the central and southern United States resulted in fatal floods, with Accuweather identifying the unusual weather phenomenon as an Atmospheric River. CNN did as well.

Some researchers are hopeful that the term will gain wider acceptance, although not all meteorologists, including those at the National Weather Service, are on board. The crux of the debate revolves around how forecasts will describe the conditions for the day.

These weather systems typically form over oceans in tropical and subtropical regions, where water vapor evaporates and coalesces into extensive streams of steam that travel through the lower atmosphere towards the poles. Averaging around 500 miles wide and extending up to 1,000 miles, while many weak atmospheric rivers bring beneficial precipitation, stronger ones can lead to severe rainfall, causing flooding, landslides, and significant destruction.

Rain is not the only aspect; just as squeezing a wet sponge releases water, atmospheric rivers require a mechanism to shed rain and snow. As they ascend, the water vapor cools, condenses, and ultimately falls as precipitation.

On the West Coast, this process repeats from late fall to early spring, facilitated by mountain ranges such as the Cascade and Sierra Nevada, which provide the necessary lift. Atmospheric rivers from the Pacific Ocean collide with these mountains, forcing the water vapor upward where it turns into liquid.

The situation is more complex in other regions, where upward lift usually arises from less defined and unpredictable atmospheric instability rather than geographical features. In early April, for example, cold air descending from the north pushed under the Atmospheric River originating from the bay, elevating the moist air.

“When warm air is forced up to a higher elevation than its surroundings, it can rapidly ascend, leading to severe thunderstorms,” explained Travis O’Brien, an assistant professor at Indiana University and co-author of a noteworthy paper. This study garnered attention regarding Atmospheric Rivers impacting the Midwest and East Coast.

Regions like Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas experienced extreme flooding, with rainfall exceeding 15 inches in some areas.

Atmospheric rivers have existed for ages; however, scientists began recognizing and naming them in the mid-1970s to 1980s with advancements in satellite technology, specifically the global operating environment satellite known as GOES, developed by NASA and administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Clifford Masa, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Washington, noted, “Prior to that, we didn’t discuss it much.”

Advancements in satellite technology allowed researchers and meteorologists to visualize atmospheric rivers, leading to more discussions and the formal naming of the phenomenon.

The term “Atmospheric River” was introduced in the 1990s by two scholars at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology: meteorologist Reginald E. Newell and research scientist Yong Zhu. They originally referred to it as Tropospheric River, named after the lowest layer of the Earth’s atmosphere where most weather phenomena occur. It later evolved into “Atmospheric River,” as it was noted that these rivers “carry about the same amount of water as the Amazon.”

Though the term became more prominent in the 2010s to 2020s, it primarily gained traction on the West Coast, as scientists focused on and studied atmospheric rivers. Numerous research papers identified them as a key source of rain and snow across California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as major contributors to flooding events. One notable occurrence was a series of nine atmospheric rivers that inundated California in December 2022 and January 2023, resulting in widespread flooding and alleviating drought conditions.

Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, highlighted that interest in atmospheric rivers tends to peak during California’s exceptionally wet storm seasons. While he appreciates the label, he also points out its potential misuse, stating that excessive use can mislead the public if distinctions between different atmospheric river intensities are not made.

“The primary misconception is that every atmospheric river is an extreme and destructive event, which is not accurate,” Swain explained.

A classification system for atmospheric rivers was introduced in 2019 to clarify this confusion. Dr. Marty Ralph, director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego and the Center for Extreme Weather and Water in the West, spearheaded the development of this classification system, which has been applied in various global regions including the Arctic and Antarctic. He has been a prominent advocate for researching and popularizing the term atmospheric river, particularly in California, authoring numerous papers on the topic.

“It was Marty Ralph who convened the scientific community around the concept of Atmospheric Rivers as a topic deserving of attention, and his efforts have implicitly tied this concept to the West Coast, despite the original studies being global in scope,” Dr. O’Brien remarked.

This association may mislead the public as daily forecasts from West Coast offices frequently discuss atmospheric rivers, whereas offices in other regions may not.

“In the Midwest and Southeast, we typically don’t use that terminology,” stated Jimmy Barham, lead meteorologist with the Arkansas Meteorological Service. “We simply refer to it as higher-level moisture.”

The focus on the West Coast also means that atmospheric rivers are studied less frequently in other regions, where hurricanes and summer thunderstorms also contribute significantly to rainfall and draw considerable attention.

Dr. Ralph aspires for expanded research to reach the East Coast, asserting, “Even the East Coast often experiences strong, potentially impactful atmospheric rivers.”

Source: www.nytimes.com

Electronic music gains popularity over indie in Tiktok post views

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The music industry is evolving in parallel worlds. While the Gallagher brothers dominate stadiums this summer, Tiktok users are grooving to a different beat.

Electronic music has surged on Tiktok, surpassing indie and alternative genres in popularity. #ElectronicMusic garnered over 13 billion views globally, marking a 45% increase from 2023. Videos featuring electronic music tags doubled in number during the same period.

Tiktok creators are increasingly using electronic music as the soundtrack for sports, fitness, fashion, travel, and summer vacation content. The success of British electronic artists like Disclosure and Joel Corey on Tiktok highlights the genre’s mainstream appeal.

Tiktok’s influence on the music industry is evident, with artists like Adam Port and Posa gaining popularity on the platform before becoming streaming hits. Electronic artists are making waves in major markets as well as climbing the mainstream charts.

British DJs like Hannah Line and Billy Gillies have also found success on Tiktok, further boosting the electronic music scene. The community-driven nature of electronic music is reflected in the platform’s user-generated content.

Spotify reports a significant increase in streams for dance and electronic music, indicating a growing global interest in the genre. Despite the rise of electronic music, indie and alternative genres, as well as rap and hip-hop, remain popular among Tiktok users.

Last year, Tiktok saw a surge in back catalog music usage, with users incorporating older tracks into their content. This trend was not limited to the UK, as global users embraced classic tracks from past decades.

Source: www.theguardian.com

A push to eliminate food dyes gains momentum nationwide, according to RFK Jr.

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The movement to ban synthetic dyes in food across the US is gaining momentum, driven by critics who argue that these dyes pose a problem that should not be ignored.

States like West Virginia are referencing the Make America Healthy Movement, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as a key driving force. There is no established monitoring for this issue.

In the first three months of the year, 20 states, including Oklahoma, West Virginia, and New York, have introduced nearly 40 bills aimed at restricting artificial dyes and other food additives, the highest number in any year according to the Environmental Working Group, a food safety advocacy group.

Advocate Brandon Cowd, who with his wife Whitney created the film “Documentary” cited by West Virginia lawmakers, expressed optimism about the progress being made. “We have bills on the table in states like Oklahoma, Tennessee, Florida, New York, Texas, and Arizona. There is a strong showing from all these states,” Cowd said.

The FDA has approved 36 color additives, including nine synthetic dyes used in food and beverages. Despite their approval, concerns have led to bans on certain dyes like Red No. 3 in January due to potential cancer risks.

These synthetic dyes are commonly found in products marketed to children such as candies, breakfast cereals, and soda, due to their bright and eye-catching colors.

Recently, West Virginia lawmakers passed a bill to ban seven dyes, including Red 40 and Green 3, effective 2028 upon the governor’s signature. This follows a previous ban on six dyes from foods served in public schools, similar to actions taken in California.

Lawmakers in Arizona also discussed a bill to ban certain chemicals, including synthetic dyes, from foods served in public schools.

Kennedy advocates for the elimination of artificial dyes

While the FDA has not established direct links, some government officials and groups claim a connection between these dyes and health issues.

Harvard nutrition professor Jerrold Mande noted the increasing attention to this issue and credited grassroots movements for the shift in focus. Studies have suggested possible links between dye consumption and behavioral issues in children.

Kennedy has been a vocal advocate for the elimination of artificial dyes, citing reports that indicate these dyes could disrupt normal behavior in children. He also plans to address major food company executives on this issue.

While scientific evidence regarding the effects of artificial dyes on health is inconclusive, many state lawmakers have taken action based on precautionary principles, pointing to stricter regulations in European countries.

Consumers like Wendy Bacos and Liz Dent have taken the initiative to avoid foods containing artificial dyes for their children, citing health concerns and seeking out alternatives to these additives.

Source: www.nbcnews.com