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Keir Starmer was looking forward to a family holiday in Madeira in the New Year, but Elon Musk was set to disrupt it. The world’s richest man has been using social media to attack the Prime Minister and suggesting he may donate millions to the British Reform Party.
The controversy surrounding Mr. Musk’s comments has sparked public debate and media attention. What exactly has caused Mr. Musk’s outrage?
grooming gang
In the early hours of New Year’s Eve in London, Musk focused on the issue of “Pakistani grooming gangs,” posting a screenshot that stirred controversy.
Musk’s comments led to heated discussions on social media, with accusations and criticisms flying. His tweets on various controversial topics have garnered significant attention.
Tommy Robinson
Musk’s tweets touched on the imprisonment of Tommy Robinson and raised questions about the UK justice system. His remarks triggered a debate on the treatment of convicts in the country.
Musk’s social media activity has drawn reactions from politicians and officials, with differing opinions on the matters he raised.
British Reform
Musk’s involvement in political issues has put pressure on both the Conservative and Labour parties. His calls for reform in the UK have gained attention and sparked discussions online.
Talks of Musk potentially making donations to the Reform UK party have added fuel to the fire, with speculations swirling about his influence on political dynamics.
Economy
Political figures have reacted to Musk’s criticisms of the British economy, with varying opinions on the impact of his statements.
Musk’s relentless attacks on various issues have stirred controversy and debates, with responses from government officials and leaders.
2024 was the year of large-scale language models (LLMs), and 2025 looks set to be the year of AI “agents.” These are semi-intelligent systems that leverage LLM to go beyond the usual tricks of generating plausible text and responding to prompts. The idea is that you can give your agent a high-level (or even a vague goal) and break it down into a series of actionable steps. Once you “understand” your goals, you can create a plan to achieve them, just like humans do.
So why are these automatic money pennies suddenly being hailed as the next big thing? Even though the tech industry has spent trillions of dollars building huge LLMs, Does it have something to do with the fact that you still can’t expect a reasonable return on your investments? This is not to say that an LLM is useless. This is extremely useful for people whose work involves languages. And for computer programmers, these are very useful. But for many industries, at the moment, they still seem like a solution looking for a problem.
With the advent of AI agents, things could change. LLM has the potential to be attractive as a building block for virtual agents that can efficiently perform many of the complex task sequences that make up the “work” of any organization. Or so the tech industry thinks. And, of course, McKinsey, the consulting giant that provides the subconscious hymn sheet every CEO sings. agent AI,
McKinsey’s Barbles
“we are moving from thinking to acting” as “AI-enabled ‘agents’ that use underlying models to execute complex multi-step workflows across the digital world” are adopted.
If that really happens, we may need to rethink our assumptions about how AI will change the world. At the moment, we are primarily concerned with what technology can do for individuals or humanity (or both). But if McKinsey & Company’s claims are correct, deeper long-term effects could come through the way AI agents transform companies. After all, companies are actually machines for managing complexity and turning information into decisions.
Political scientist Henry Farrell, a keen observer of these issues, suggests this possibility. LLM, he claims “an engine for summarizing vast amounts of information into something useful.” Because information is the driving force behind their operations, large companies will adopt any technology that provides a more intelligent and contextual way of processing information. information – as opposed to just something data they are currently process. As a result, Farrell says, companies will “introduce LLMs in ways that seem boring and technical, except for things that are immediately relevant, for better or worse, but actually important.” Big organizations shape our lives! As people change, our lives will change in countless seemingly unexciting but important ways.
At one point in his essay, Farrell likens this “boring and technical” transformative impact of LLMs to the way a humble spreadsheet reshapes large organizations. this is, classy explosion Written by economist and former stock analyst Dan Davis irresponsible machine It was one of the nicest surprises of the year. He points out that spreadsheets have “enabled entirely new working styles for the financial industry in two ways.” First, it allows for the creation of larger and more detailed financial models, allowing for different ways of budgeting, creating business plans, evaluating investment options, etc. And second, this technology allows for repetitive work. “Instead of thinking about what assumptions make the most business sense and then sitting down and predicting them, Excel [Microsoft’s spreadsheet product] We just presented our predictions and encouraged them to tweak their assumptions up or down until they got an answer they were happy with. What’s more, it’s also an answer that your boss will be satisfied with.
The moral of the story is clear. Spreadsheets were as revolutionary a technology when they first appeared in 1978 as ChatGPT is in 2022. However, it has now become a routine and integral part of organizational life. The emergence of AI “agents” built from models like GPT appears to be following a similar pattern. In turn, the organizations that absorb them will also evolve. And in time, the world may rediscover the famous dictum of Marshall McLuhan’s colleague John Culkin: “We shape our tools, and our tools shape us.”
what i was reading
economics story transcription of fascinating interview We will talk about economics, pluralism, and democracy with renowned economist Hajun Chan.
AI? “False consolation due to AI skepticism” energetic essay Casey Newton on the two “camps” in the AI debate.
Trump’s next move “I have a cunning plan…” Here is Charlie Stross’ blog post: A sketch of a true dystopian story Regarding the impact of President Trump’s inauguration.
Microneedling may trigger a wound healing response that promotes collagen formation
Rick Eglinton/Toronto Star via Getty Images
This article is part of a special issue that explores important questions about skin care. Check out the entire series here.
As we age, our skin inevitably loses some elasticity. Once upon a time, the main weapon against wrinkles and sagging, for those who could afford it, was the use of a surgeon's knife. Today, there are a wealth of minimally invasive alternatives that promise to tighten and rejuvenate our skin. There's everything from Botox injections to devices that shine light or ultrasound waves on your skin, to “vampire” facials that inject blood extracts into your face. .
Given that healthy skin has a wide range of health benefits, do these “tweaks” rejuvenate you from the outside in? “The question is, is this just vanity, or is it more important to your future self?” “Are you doing something useful?'' says the dermatologist. clare keeley At Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London. “It depends on the type of treatment.”
lost elasticity
Aging involves many changes, but the main cause of wrinkles is the loss of collagen and elastin, proteins that provide firmness and elasticity. Treatments such as Botox (an injection of botulinum toxin to prevent muscle contraction) cannot stop these changes, but when injected into specific facial muscles, it can be an effective way to prevent frown lines. There is a gender. Similarly, gel-like substances called dermal fillers, injected under the skin, can smooth wrinkles and add volume to sagging tissue, but they do not address underlying structural changes and are associated with risks. Masu.
LLetters to Santa used to be filled with ideas from Argos catalogs and children’s TV ads, but for today’s kids who have grown up ‘swiping and streaming’, YouTube is now the main source of influence. This shift is evident in this year’s Christmas wish list, with some children asking for plastic toilets.
The holiday season is a critical time for the toy industry, with consumers spending approximately £900 million, a quarter of the annual sales, on dolls, games, and action figures.
Despite the high stakes, this year’s sales could fall short without a significant last-minute surge. Current data from Sarkana shows that spending is about 5% lower compared to 2023.
Reaching today’s kids in bulk has become a challenge, with traditional broadcast TV campaigns struggling to reach more than 30% of the targeted child audience. In contrast, over 80% of children aged 4 to 9 regularly access YouTube, and more than 70% play games, as reported by research firm Childwise.
Melissa Simmons, executive director of British toy company Circana, notes the shift from traditional TV advertising to digital platforms, saying that YouTube has become an integral part of children’s daily lives.
While online video sharing platforms like YouTube are increasingly seen as alternatives to traditional children’s television, the two mediums are converging. Many children’s favorite shows are now distributed on YouTube, blurring the line between television and online content.
As children spend more time watching videos online, toy manufacturers have adapted their strategies to align with these shifts. They now collaborate with popular online creators and integrate merchandising plans from the outset.
PAW Patrol maker Spin Master has launched Unicorn Academy, which is more of a “complete franchise ecosystem” than a TV show. Photo: Reuters
Spin Master’s Unicorn Academy is an example of this trend, with a multi-platform approach that includes movies, series, and toy lines to create a comprehensive franchise ecosystem.
Rachel Simpson Jones, editor of Toy World magazine, highlights the importance of storytelling and character-driven content in successful toy lines, reflecting children’s expectations shaped by their consumption of various forms of digital content.
YouTube, alongside other tech giants like Google, holds significant influence over children’s preferences, as noted by the Toy Retailers Association. Major toy brands are now leveraging YouTube channels to connect with young audiences and create engaging content.
In this digital landscape, trends can quickly emerge and shape the toy industry. Brands need to adapt rapidly to meet changing consumer preferences and capitalize on online platforms to reach their target audience.
With children’s tastes evolving rapidly, retailers face challenges in predicting which products will resonate with young consumers. The dynamic nature of children’s preferences, influenced by online trends, poses a constant challenge to the toy industry.
WWhen James Irungu took a new job at technology outsourcing company Summersource, his manager gave him few details before training began. However, the role was so sought after that his salary almost doubled to £250 a month. Additionally, it provided a way out of Kibera, a vast slum on the outskirts of Nairobi where he lived with his young family.
“I thought I was one of the lucky ones,” the 26-year-old said. But then he finds himself examining a trove of violent and sexually explicit material, including tragic accidents, suicides, beheadings, and child abuse.
“I remember logging in one day and seeing a child with a huge slit in his stomach, suffering but not dead,” the Kenyan told the Guardian. When he saw the subject matter of child exploitation, he said, “that’s when I really knew this was something different.”
He was hired by Samasource to moderate Facebook’s content and eliminate the most harmful posts. Some of the most painful images were etched into his mind, sometimes causing him to wake up in night sweats. He kept it to himself for fear that opening up about his work would cause discomfort, concern, or criticism from others.
His wife, annoyed by his “secrecy,” gradually became estranged from him. Irungu continued to work for three years, resigned to the possibility of their separation and convinced that he was protecting her. He says he regrets pushing.
“I don’t think it’s a job for humans,” he says. “I became really isolated from the real world because I started to think of it as a very dark place.” He became afraid to take his daughter away from his eyes.
“If you ask yourself, was it worth sacrificing your mental health for that money, the answer is no.”
Another former host said some of his colleagues dropped out after being alarmed by some of the content. But she found purpose in managers’ assurances that their work protects users, including young children like her.
“I felt like I was helping people,” she said. However, when I stopped, I realized that what I had taken for granted until now was now a problem.
She recalled screaming in the middle of her office floor after seeing one horrifying scene. She said it was as if nothing had happened, except for a few glances from co-workers and a team leader pulling her aside to tell her he was “going to wellness” for counseling. The wellness counselor told her to take a break and get that image out of her head.
“How do you forget when you get back on the floor after a 15-minute break and move on to the next thing?” she said. She questioned whether the counselor was a qualified psychotherapist and said the moderator would never escalate a mental health case, no matter what she saw or how distressed she was.
She was the kind of person who entertained friends at every opportunity, but she rarely left the house, cried over the deaths of people she didn’t know, felt numb, struggled mentally, and at times struggled with suicidal thoughts. Ta.
“This job damaged me and I could never go back,” the woman said, adding that the lawsuit will impact Africa’s content moderation industry as global demand for such services grows. I hope that you will give me.
“Things have to change,” she said. “I don’t want anyone to go through what we did.”
Intermittent fasting can be effective for weight loss, but it can also have negative effects on hair growth, as shown in a recent mouse experiment conducted by researchers at Westlake University in China. The study found that mice undergoing intermittent fasting experienced improved metabolic health but showed delayed hair regrowth. This link between restrictive eating and hair regrowth was also observed in a study published in Cell.
While similar effects may occur in humans, they are typically less severe due to differences in metabolic rate and hair growth patterns. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware of the potential unintended consequences of intermittent fasting, as highlighted by senior author and stem cell biologist Dr. Bing Zhang.
Further research is needed to fully understand the effects of fasting on hair growth, as current studies have primarily focused on its benefits for blood, muscle tissue supply, and metabolism. The research team at Westlake University conducted experiments on mice to explore the impact of intermittent fasting on hair regrowth, with findings suggesting that prolonged fasting stresses hair follicle stem cells, leading to delayed hair growth.
A small clinical trial involving 49 healthy young individuals showed that time-restricted eating with 18 hours of daily fasting reduced hair growth by an average of 18 percent. However, the researchers caution that the study’s small sample size and short duration may yield different results in larger-scale studies.
Future research will investigate how fasting affects other types of stem cells in the body and its implications for wound healing speed. Despite the potential drawbacks, intermittent fasting remains a popular and beneficial practice for many individuals.
The impacts of climate change are widespread, ranging from biodiversity loss to extreme weather events, rising sea levels, wildfires, and mass human migrations. Each year reveals more about our impact on the environment, with some discoveries more surprising than others.
One of the most shocking revelations to join this list is the recent discovery that our greenhouse gas emissions are altering the Earth’s rotation.
As a result, Earth days are gradually becoming longer, potentially leading to significant changes in how we experience time in the future.
“It’s fascinating how our actions as humans can have such a profound impact on the entire planet through the extensive climate change we’ve triggered over the last century,” says Professor Benedict Soja, a scientist at ETH Zurich who contributed to uncovering this concerning trend.
“This effect may surpass previous significant influences on Earth’s rotation.”
Could we see more hours in a day?
We are familiar with the greenhouse effect, where gases like carbon dioxide trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to a rise in temperatures.
Last year, global temperatures were 1.18 degrees Celsius above the 20th-century average, approaching the 1.5 degrees Celsius target set in 2015 as a limit to avoid the worst consequences of climate change.
Record melting of Swiss glaciers in 2022 – Credit: Getty Images
The primary consequence of this warming is the melting of large ice areas in the Arctic and Antarctic, with Switzerland losing 10% of its glacier mass in the last two years, Antarctica shedding 150 billion tons of ice annually, and Greenland losing 270 billion tons.
While many are concerned about the impact of this melting on coastal areas, Soja and his team posed a different question: Will this significant mass redistribution likely prevail? What will be its broad-scale impact on the planet? In a recent study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), they provided an answer.
“As the ice melts, the Earth’s mass shifts from the polar regions to the oceans,” Soja explained. “This results in the Earth becoming flatter and more oblate, with its mass moving further from the rotation axis.”
Understanding the Mechanism
Similar to any rotating object, the Earth adheres to the law of momentum conservation. Simply put, momentum must be preserved, and it depends on the moment of inertia and rotational speed. As mass moves away from the rotation axis due to melting ice, the moment of inertia increases.
Therefore, to uphold its momentum despite ice melting, the Earth’s rotation slows down, elongating our days.
Soja likens this concept to a figure skater performing a spin, where extending the arms slows down the rotation, while pulling them in speeds it up.
The study indicated that from 1900 to 2000, the climate’s impact on the length of Earth’s day ranged from 0.3 to 1.0 milliseconds per century. Since 2000, accelerated melting has raised this rate to 1.3 milliseconds per century, with a potential increase to 2.6 milliseconds per century by 2100 if emissions remain unchecked.
While these changes may seem small in our daily lives, they could have significant effects on a globally synchronized technological network.
Considerations on Time Management
Three main timescales play crucial roles in timekeeping: International Atomic Time (TAI), Universal Time (UT1), and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). TAI relies on atomic clocks, UT1 is determined by Earth’s rotation, and UTC synchronizes the two.
Leap seconds were introduced in 1972 to align UTC with UT1 within 0.9 seconds.
Unlike predictable leap years, leap seconds are added irregularly as needed. Since 1972, 27 leap seconds have been added, with the most recent in 2016. Disruptions from leap seconds have caused issues in the digital age, impacting technology companies striving for synchronization.
Atomic clock made in Germany – Credit: Alamy
The recent discovery of Earth’s core slowing down further complicates matters. If the planet’s rotation continues to accelerate, a negative leap second may need to be introduced to UTC. This unprecedented situation poses substantial challenges as systems are unprepared for negative adjustments.
“This has never occurred before, and frankly, I don’t think anyone anticipated it,” Agnew remarked. He compares this scenario to the Y2K scare when concerns about potential computer errors surfaced at the end of the 20th century.
“The critical aspect is that we don’t know the consequences of introducing a negative leap second,” he cautioned. “The negative impacts could be unforeseen.”
According to Agnew, if the effects of climate change had not slowed down, a negative leap second would have been necessary in 2026. “Global warming might postpone negative leap seconds and eliminate their need entirely,” he noted.
While this discovery regarding climate change may offer a positive effect, considering less necessity for negative leap seconds, the implications of further greenhouse gas emissions outweigh any potential benefits. As the situation stands, negative leap seconds may still be required in 2029.
Perhaps it’s time to reconsider the current system?
Agnew proposed a solution to reduce the required precision between timescales, eliminating the need for negative leap seconds and allowing for more predictable positive adjustments.
“It could resemble a leap year. You add a fixed number of seconds at a specific time and accept that it may not be exact but is tolerable,” suggested Agnew.
This proposition aligns with the dominance of slowing over longer timescales, rather than the complex interactions involving Earth’s core or ice melting.
Efforts are reportedly underway to implement this system, with a target to eliminate the need for leap seconds by 2035. However, international agreement hurdles must be overcome. Failure to adapt before requiring a negative leap second could lead to unprecedented chaos, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Meet the Experts
Benedict Soja: Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geoengineering at ETH Zurich.
Duncan Agnew: Professor Emeritus at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, specializing in crustal deformation measurement and geophysical data analysis.
WEllen Kafamtengo felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen and thought she might be going into labor. It was the ninth month of her first pregnancy, but she wasn’t taking any chances. With the help of her mother, the 18-year-old took a motorbike taxi and raced to a hospital in Malawi’s capital Lilongwe, a 20-minute drive away.
At Area 25 Health Center, she was told it was a false alarm and taken to the maternity ward. But when a routine ultrasound reveals that the baby is much smaller than expected at this stage of pregnancy, things quickly escalate, leading to suffocation, a condition that limits blood flow and oxygen to the baby may cause.
In Malawi, approx. 19 out of 1,000 babies Death occurs during childbirth or within the first month of birth. Childbirth asphyxia is the leading cause of neonatal death in this country and can result in brain damage to newborns with long-term effects such as developmental delays and cerebral palsy.
Doctors reclassified Ms Kafamtengo, who was expected to have a normal delivery, as a high-risk patient. Further tests using AI-powered fetal monitoring software revealed that the baby’s heart rate was slow. Stress tests revealed that the baby would not survive delivery.
Chikondi Chiweza, head of maternal and child care at Area 25 Health Center in Lilongwe, said: Photo: Provided by Halma plc
Chikondi Chiweza, the hospital’s head of maternal and child care, knew she had less than 30 minutes to deliver Kafamtengo’s baby by caesarean section. Having delivered thousands of babies in some of the city’s busiest public hospitals, she was well aware of how quickly a baby’s chances of survival can change during delivery.
Chiweza, who gave birth to Kafamtengo’s baby healthy, says the fetal monitoring program has made a huge difference to hospital births.
“[In Kaphamtengo’s case]we wouldn’t have realized what we did until later or as a stillborn baby,” she says.
Software donated by a birth safety technology company Perigen Through a partnership with the Malawi Ministry of Health, Texas Children’s Hospitaltracks your baby’s vital signs during delivery, giving clinicians early warning of abnormalities.
Since it began using the system three years ago, the number of stillbirths and neonatal deaths at the center has fallen by 82%. It is the only hospital in the country that has introduced this technology.
“The period around birth is the most dangerous for mothers and babies,” says Jeffrey Wilkinson, an obstetrician at Texas Children’s Hospital who leads the program. “Most deaths can be prevented by ensuring the baby’s safety during the birth process.”
AI monitoring systems require less time, equipment, and skilled staff than traditional fetal monitoring methods, making them essential for hospitals in low-income countries such as Malawi, which face severe health worker shortages. Routine fetal monitoring often relies on a doctor performing routine tests. This means that while the AI-assisted program provides continuous, real-time monitoring, important information may be missed during the interval. Traditional tests also require doctors to interpret raw data from various devices, which can be time-consuming and error-prone.
Area 25’s maternity ward handles approximately 8,000 births annually with a staff of 80 physicians. While only about 10% are trained to perform traditional electronic monitoring, most can detect abnormalities using AI software, helping doctors recognize higher-risk or more complicated births. Masu. Hospital staff also say that the use of AI has standardized key aspects of obstetric care in the clinic, such as interpreting fetal health status and deciding when to intervene.
Kafamutengo, who is excited to become a new mother, believes that doctors’ intervention may have saved her baby’s life. “They realized early enough that my baby was suffering and were able to take action,” she said as she held her son, Justice.
Doctors at the hospital hope the technology will be introduced to other hospitals in Malawi and across Africa.
“AI technology is being used in many fields, and saving the lives of babies is no exception,” Chiweza said. “We can really close the gap in the quality of care available to underserved populations.”
People with a uterus experience menstruation about once every 28 days for approximately 40 years of their lives.
Menstruation goes beyond just blood. It’s common for 84% of women to experience menstrual pain regularly. Severe menstrual pain can lead women to miss numerous days of education or work each month. Additionally, periods are costly, with an estimated lifetime cost of around 4,800 pounds (approximately $6,100).
Given these challenges, it’s only natural to want to stop menstruation. While periods may naturally cease during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menopause, many women in the UK opt to stop their menstrual cycles using hormonal contraception.
Contraceptive pills, implants, and hormonal coils work by releasing hormones that prevent ovulation. Without an egg being released or the lining of the uterus thickening for pregnancy, menstruation, which occurs due to shedding of this lining, typically stops when it ceases to grow.
“There’s nothing harmful about not having a menstrual cycle,” affirms Dr. Nicola Tempest, a researcher and gynecologist at Liverpool Women’s Hospital. “Taking hormones doesn’t detract from your body’s wellbeing.”
But are there any drawbacks to not having periods?
For individuals with regular menstrual cycles (not taking hormonal contraceptives), the sudden absence of periods may signify underlying health issues.
While the occasional missed period isn’t typically worrisome, a prolonged absence of periods after having regular cycles could indicate potential problems such as early menopause or polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Tempest notes that individuals with such conditions may require hormone medication as part of their treatment, which could help in diagnosing these conditions along with other associated symptoms, even if periods have ceased due to birth control pills.
There may be certain side effects associated with hormonal contraceptives, such as a slight increase in the risk of breast, liver, and cervical cancer with long-term use. However, Tempest emphasizes that prolonged use of birth control also reduces the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer.
In her view, menstruation is not an indispensable aspect of a person’s health. “If you wish to forego menstruation, you have that choice,” she states.
This article addresses the question “Can I stop my period?” posed by Veronica Nielson via email.
If you have any queries, please reach out to us via email:questions@sciencefocus.comor connect with us onFacebook,×orInstagram(please include your name and location).
Explore more interestingfun factsDiscover more fascinating science insights.
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Meet our experts:
Dr. Nicola Tempest I am a clinical researcher and gynecologist at Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Her research includes chronic pelvic pain, exercise and reproduction, and endometriosis.
Recent research has found a significant connection between cholesterol levels and the risk of developing dementia. It is not just high cholesterol levels that are concerning, but also the fluctuations in levels over time. A study of 10,000 individuals suggests that these fluctuations could increase the chances of developing dementia by up to 60 percent.
The study also indicates that large variations in cholesterol levels, from high to low, are linked to a higher risk of general cognitive decline, regardless of dementia. Dr. Jen Zhou, a researcher at Monash University in Australia, emphasized the importance of closely monitoring and actively intervening to prevent such fluctuations.
The research focused on two main types of cholesterol – “bad cholesterol” or LDL and “good cholesterol” or HDL. Large fluctuations in LDL levels were found to accelerate cognitive decline, while fluctuations in HDL levels did not impact cognitive decline risk significantly.
The study highlighted the potential adverse effects of LDL cholesterol levels above 130mg per deciliter and the role of LDL fluctuations in destabilizing atherosclerotic plaques in arteries, potentially leading to impaired blood flow to the brain.
The study involved individuals in their 70s from Australia and the United States who did not have dementia at the start of the observation period. By the end of the study, a portion of participants developed dementia while others experienced cognitive decline. Those with stable cholesterol levels had a lower risk of neurological symptoms.
Globally, high levels of bad cholesterol contributed to millions of deaths in 2021. To manage cholesterol levels, individuals are advised to undergo regular medical check-ups and make lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, and consuming a healthy diet.
According to Emily McGrath from the British Heart Foundation, lowering cholesterol can be achieved through various lifestyle adjustments, including reducing saturated fats and opting for foods rich in unsaturated fats like olive oil, nuts, seeds, and oily fish.
You've probably already noticed that the prices of many foods in your shopping cart have increased significantly. In the UK, the price of white potatoes is 20% increase in the past yearwith carrots 38% increase Olive oil rose 40%. And while that means the cost of assembling a roast dinner has soared, specialty items have also seen an even bigger price increase, with you now paying nearly twice as much for a portion of a chocolate bar. It will be.
The drivers of price increases are complex, but one of the biggest drivers is climate change. In the short term, extreme weather caused by global warming is having a devastating impact on producers. For example, in Northern Europe, heavy rains in the spring of 2024 left fields too waterlogged to harvest vegetables or plant new crops. Meanwhile, Morocco, which normally exports many vegetables to Europe, experienced a drought and ran out of water for irrigation. As a result, the prices of potatoes and carrots have soared.
As average global temperatures rise by 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels in the coming years, heat waves, droughts and extreme storms will become more common and intense, causing major disruptions to food production. It will be. But current efforts to compensate for the effects of crop failures, such as clearing forests to grow more crops, are exacerbating many other problems, from biodiversity loss to rising carbon dioxide levels. I am. Are we underestimating the magnitude of the impact, when it's already happening to so many foods? If so, what can we do about it?
A team of scientists from the University of Arizona, Delft University of Technology, and the California Institute of Technology's Lunar and Planetary Institute has developed a new method to calculate how tides affect the interiors of the solar system's planets and moons. Importantly, they investigated the effects of internal tides on objects that do not have perfectly spherical internal structures.
Europa's surface stands out in this newly reprocessed color view. Image scale is 1.6 km per pixel. North of Europe is on the right. Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SETI Institute.
Celestial tides refer to the deformations that celestial bodies experience when they interact with other bodies due to gravity.
Consider how Jupiter's powerful gravity pulls on its icy moon Europa.
Because Europa's orbit is not circular, the overwhelming gravitational pressure on Jupiter's moons changes as it moves along Jupiter's orbit.
When Europa is closest to Jupiter, the planet's gravity is most felt.
The energy of this deformation heats Europa's interior, allowing an ocean of liquid water to exist beneath the moon's icy surface.
“The same is true for Saturn's moon Enceladus,” says Dr. Alexander Byrne, a researcher at the California Institute of Technology.
“Enceladus has an ice shell that is expected to have much more aspherical symmetry than Europa.”
The body tides experienced by celestial bodies influence how the world evolves over time and, in cases like Europa and Enceladus, its potential habitability for life as we know it. may give.
“The tidal response of spherically symmetric objects has the same wavelength as the tidal forces. Lateral inhomogeneities generate additional tidal responses with spectra that depend on the spatial pattern of such fluctuations.” the researchers said.
“For Mercury, the Moon, and Io, the amplitude of this signal is as much as 1-10% of the dominant tidal response to long-wavelength shear modulus fluctuations, which exceed about 10% of the mean shear modulus.”
“For Europa, Ganymede, and Enceladus, a shell thickness variation of 50% of the average shell thickness could result in an additional signal of about 1% and about 10% for Jupiter's moons and Enceladus, respectively.”
The authors also discussed how their results can help scientists interpret observations made by missions to a variety of different worlds, from Mercury to the moon to the outer planets of our solar system. .
“Future missions such as BepiColombo and JUICE have the potential to measure these signals,” they said.
“Lateral changes in viscosity affect the distribution of tidal heating.”
“This may promote the thermal evolution of tidal bodies and influence the distribution of active areas.”
of findings will appear in Planetary Science Journal.
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Mark Rovira-Navarro others. 2024. A spectral method for calculating the tides of laterally inhomogeneous objects. planet. Science. J 5, 129; doi: 10.3847/PSJ/ad381f
This article is a version of a press release provided by NASA.
When it comes to natural disasters, it is often impossible to predict them more than a few months or even days in advance. We cannot say, “Let's prepare because an earthquake will occur within two years.'' But one of the few things we can really prepare for is an asteroid impact.
Although no one has yet discovered a large asteroid on a collision course with Earth, scientists, engineers, and policymakers are working on plans to defend the planet in the event it does. Techniques to avoid disaster are already being tested, such as impacting asteroids to change their orbits, as NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test Mission did successfully in 2022.
One of the most surprisingly useful planetary defense tools is running a role-playing game. This reveals roadblocks that can derail even the best-laid plans. Paul Chodas of NASA, who runs some of these exercises, says they reveal problems that would never have been considered otherwise. In our special feature, “If an asteroid is heading towards Earth, can we avoid disaster?”you can try such games yourself.
Compared to other existential threats, the risk from asteroids is relatively small
It goes without saying that factors such as the size of rocks coming from space and how quickly they are discovered have a major impact on whether disasters can be successfully avoided. So is the ability to communicate effectively. different options. These are important lessons that go beyond just protecting yourself from asteroids.
Compared to other existential threats, the risk of an asteroid coming our way is relatively small. Climate change is already happening. Pandemics have occurred regularly throughout human history, and global warming has made them even more likely. We know that these involve technical challenges, such as the development and deployment of green technologies, but the social challenges are equally important.
Only with effective global cooperation and communication can humanity tackle its greatest challenges. That's as true in the Asteroid Roleplaying Game as it is in real life.
Whether you're roasting a chicken in the oven, browning onions in a skillet, or choosing a spread for your toast, oil is at the heart of our culinary endeavors.
The choices are dizzying. Around 30 different oils are currently used in cooking, from sunflower to flaxseed, avocado to coconut. Deciding which one to use can have a big impact on your health, including your cholesterol, blood pressure, and risk of cardiovascular disease.
If the headlines are to be believed, palm oil is obsolete, sunflower oil is in limbo, and there seems to be no end to the benefits extra virgin olive oil can bring to our plates. But are these claims backed by solid science, and how do the health impacts of these products compare to their environmental costs?
Saturated or unsaturated?
First, let's talk about chemistry. Edible oil contains fat, which is made up of long chains of carbon atoms. Saturated fats found in red meat and dairy products are so named because each carbon atom is connected to the next carbon atom by a single bond. The remaining electrons of each carbon atom are available to form bonds with hydrogen atoms, and the molecule becomes completely “saturated” with this element. This structure makes these fats very hard and stable, which is why butter and lard are solid at room temperature.
Unsaturated fats, which are commonly found in plants and fatty fish, have at least one double bond between adjacent carbon atoms, which reduces the number of bonds.
Cygnus OB2 is the giant young stellar association closest to the Sun.
In this new composite image, Chandra data (purple) shows the diffuse X-ray emission and young stars of Cygnus OB2, along with infrared data (red, green, blue, cyan) from NASA's now-retired Spitzer Space Telescope reveals young stars. And it creates cold dust and gas throughout the region. Image credits: NASA / CXC / SAO / Drake others. / JPL-California Institute of Technology / Spitzer / N. Walk.
At a distance of approximately 1,400 parsecs (4,600 light years), Cygnus OB2 It is a huge young body closest to the Sun.
It contains hundreds of double stars and thousands of low-mass stars.
Dr. Mario Giuseppe Guarcero of the National Institute of Astrophysics, Dr. Juan Facundo Albacete Colombo of the University of Rio Negro, and colleagues used NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory to study various regions of Cygnus OB2. observed.
This deep observation mapped the diffuse X-ray glow between the stars and also provided an inventory of young stars within the cluster.
This inventory was combined with other inventories using optical and infrared data to create the best survey of young stars within the association.
“These dense stellar environments are home to large amounts of high-energy radiation produced by stars and planets,” the astronomers said.
“X-rays and intense ultraviolet radiation can have devastating effects on planetary disks and systems that are in the process of forming.”
The protoplanetary disk around the star naturally disappears over time. Part of the disk falls onto the star, and some is heated by X-rays and ultraviolet light from the star and evaporates in the wind.
The latter process, known as photoevaporation, typically takes 5 million to 10 million years for an average-sized star to destroy its disk.
This process could be accelerated if there is a nearby massive star that produces the most X-rays and ultraviolet light.
researchers Found Clear evidence that protoplanetary disks around stars actually die out much faster when they approach massive stars that produce large amounts of high-energy radiation.
Also, in regions where stars are more densely packed, the disk dies out faster.
In the region of Cygnus OB2, which has less high-energy radiation and fewer stars, the proportion of young stars with disks is about 40%.
In regions with higher-energy radiation and more stars, the proportion is about 18%.
The strongest influence, and therefore the worst location for a star to become a potential planetary system, is within about 1.6 light-years of the most massive star in the cluster.
In another study, the same team I looked into it Characteristics of the diffuse X-ray emission of Cygnus OB2.
They discovered that the high-energy, diffuse radiation originates from regions where winds of gas blown from massive stars collide with each other.
“This causes the gas to become hot and generate X-rays,” the researchers said.
“The low-energy release is likely caused by gas within the cluster colliding with gas surrounding the cluster.”
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MG Guarcero others. 2024. Photoevaporation and close encounters: How does the environment around Cygnus OB2 affect the evolution of the protoplanetary disk? APJS 269, 13; doi: 10.3847/1538-4365/acdd67
JF Albacete vs Colombo others. 2024. Diffuse X-ray emission in the Cygnus OB2 coalition. APJS 269, 14;doi: 10.3847/1538-4365/acdd65
‘I
I think AI is going to change everything,” San Francisco Ballet Artistic Director Tamara Rojo told me earlier this year. “We just don’t know how.” Artificial intelligence’s influence on the creative industries can already be seen everywhere in film, television and music, but dance relies heavily on live bodies performing in front of an audience. As a format, it appears to be somewhat isolated. However, this week, choreographers Ao Nakamura and Esteban Lecoq, collectively known as AΦEis launching Lilith.Aeon, what is billed as the world’s first AI-driven dance production. The performer, Lilith, is an AI co-created with Mr. Nakamura and Mr. Lecoq. “She” appears in an LED cube, which the audience moves around, and their movements trigger Lilith’s dance.
Nakamura and Lecoq argue that they are interested in enhancing storytelling, rather than pursuing cutting-edge technology for its own sake. Working as dancers with the theater company Punchdrunk opened their eyes to the idea of immersive experiences, which led to virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and now AI. Their question is always, “How can we make this technology happen?” But it’s not like robots are going to take over the world.
Lilith.Aeon’s story is inspired by transhumanism (using technology to evolve beyond human limitations) and began as a script written by an AI bot. Nakamura and Lecoq provided all of their research to AI, including images, audiobooks, and discussions. “And we were able to interact with the AI, collaborate with it, and co-create the work together.” The two created a “dictionary-like” step that Lilith was trained on; The AI continued to generate new “words” of its own. They were excited when Lilith did something they never expected, but the choreography is still tailored to their aesthetic. “It’s not random,” Lecoq says. “I’m not interested in looking at things like screensavers.”
“It’s not random. I’m not interested in looking at things like screensavers.” … Lilith.Aeon. Photo: Shaneobenson @Shaneobenson
You can’t talk about AI in dance without talking about Wayne McGregor. Always at the forefront when it comes to technology, I first started researching AI 20 years ago. McGregor developed it in collaboration with Google. Somais a choreographic tool trained on his 25-year archive of work that can analyze thousands of hours of video and derive real-time suggestions, just as dancers improvise in the studio. He used AISOMA to generate a new version of his 2017 work autobiography It varies from performance to performance. His latest project, which opens next year, is on another earthdeveloped with Professor Geoffrey Shaw in Hong Kong, uses a 360-degree screen with sensing technology to allow viewers to build their own experiences.
choreographer alexander whitley We are also developing ways to use AI to integrate audiences into our work. The VR version of The Rite of Spring works on using audience movements as triggers for avatars trained on Whitley’s database of choreography. This technology allows amateur spectators to make their movements more artistic, and even allows them to arrange their movements to the music, like a dance version of Autotune.
Technology is developing rapidly. A type of motion capture that was once the province of Hollywood studios is now accessible through an app on your phone (try it) Move.ai), much of the progress is being driven by the gaming industry. However, there are some pitfalls that are worth looking into. Video game performers, including motion capture actors, impressive In the US, due to concerns about being replaced by AI (similar to the actors’ strike in 2023). Dancers are already being recorded by companies that build motion banks (“We’ve done about a million projects that require motion capture, like someone spinning on their head,” McGregor says). And the issue of rights and royalties when using dancers’ movements (and expertise) to train AI is a big one. McGregor said outright acquisitions were common in motion capture deals in the past. “We didn’t understand how the technology would be applied in the future.” He is currently working with Arts Council England on intellectual property (IP), motion data and “ethical AI”. I would like to take action. If done well, this could become a new source of income for dancers. “Coding choreo makes coin,” quotes Jonzi D from a hip-hop show. frayedfeaturing AI-generated dancing avatars.
But what if you want to create coins for others? Dancing is an ever-changing art form, passed down through dance floors, studios, and now social media, and where ideas originate. It can be difficult to know or prove what happened. You can copyright a dance piece, but you can’t copyright a step, as dancers who tried to sue the makers of the video game Fortnite discovered. Files can be copyrighted. Nigerian choreographer Kudus Onyikeku uses AI to recognize and classify movements to build a dance databank and protect intellectual property, especially of black artists, which has often been exploited in the past. We are conducting research.
Artists who are serious about AI are partnering with big companies like Nvidia, Amazon, and Dell. They get technology, and in return companies get ideas, accolades, and importantly, data. Are they selling their souls or just pragmatism? Potentially, it affects both directions. “We don’t want to be an adopter of technology,” McGregor says. “You want to be part of the conversation from the beginning and be the voice. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, otherwise you’ll just be servicing the technology.” Often developing tools Commercial funding is the only way to do so, and some tools have the potential to democratize dance and demystify it. Whitley is working on software that can be used in education, allowing students with no dance knowledge to create their own choreography on screen.
A scene from Wayne McGregor & Co.’s Autobiography (v95 and v96) held at Sadler’s Wells, London, earlier this year. Photo: Tristram Kenton/Guardian
“I think humans and AI can do great things together,” says Jonzi D. But he also notices that most of the AI-generated content he sees has a certain similar look. “It comes down to how creatively you can use it.” Lecoq agrees that if everything is trained on the same content, everything will look the same. Art will undermine itself. “It would be lazy not to push the boundaries further,” he says. AI is not a shortcut when developing technology as we go along, as AΦE does. “It’s a long cut. It’s a very difficult and lonely process.”
Rojo thinks of several useful applications for AI in dance. For example, algorithms that can solve the headache of recasting a ballet when someone is injured can calculate who is available, who knows the role, etc. in seconds. Less useful, she says, “is if the composers were changed, the set and lighting designers were changed,” and the choreography patterns were created by artificial intelligence. “And it’s not outside the realm of possibility.”
However, computer intrusion into creativity is nothing new. “Computers are the future of dance,’’ said the choreographer. Merce Cunningham Back in 1995, he had already been working on the LifeForms program for six years, manipulating avatars on screen and transmitting the results to dancers. The intention was to shed the dancers’ natural habit of one movement instinctively leading to another and find something new, which choreographers have always tried.
So is that good or bad for the industry? “I try to avoid the binary of technology as either a savior or a destroyer,” Whitley says. There will inevitably be disruptive effects on the industry, “but there are also some really exciting possibilities that come with it.” Not all dancers will lose their jobs. “I’m not worried about turnover at all,” McGregor says. For him, it’s about using technology to better understand the complexities of the human body. “And we are far from building a version that somehow replicates the brilliance of the human body. Human virtuosity and ingenuity are what we are most often associated with.”
Watching dance is also about getting to know the limits of the human body and seeing it reach its limits. There’s no point in having an avatar that can do anything. Mr McGregor said: “There is no danger in the digital world.” But even if there is AI intervention in the choreography, “when performed by living, breathing humans, it becomes meaningful and tangible.” says Whitley. “Certainly, live performance cannot replace digital experiences,” Nakamura says. She’s not interested in seeing real people replicated on screen (“What do you mean?”), but with Lilith.Aeon, she wants to create something that couldn’t exist otherwise. I’m thinking. But despite the fact that AΦE is pioneering the latest in artificial intelligence, Lecoq claims that they are not very interested in technology. “The best technology that I like is the washing machine and the microwave.”
When I think about the members of my social network, I am almost filled with feelings of pure love and warmth. I can't wait to see them again, knowing we can bask in each other's love and support.
But for some, it evokes a completely different emotion: a mixture of enthusiasm and fear. In terms of conversation, encounters like Russian roulette are guaranteed. If I'm in a good mood, these guys will give me a fun night, but if I catch them at the wrong time, they can suck all my goodwill. I have no idea what will happen.
If this sounds familiar, it means you have a frenemy too. Psychologists call them “ambivalent relationships,” and not only can they ruin a good party, but they can also have surprising consequences for your happiness. A wealth of research shows that love-hate relationships like this are often more stressful than interacting with people who are constantly mean. It can harm your mental and physical health. They can also cause you to age prematurely.
Knowing this, the easy solution seems to be to cut ties with these people. However, our relationship with frenemies is not simple, and it is not always possible or desirable to abandon them. However, gaining deeper insight into your own ambiguous relationships can help you cope more effectively. You might even become better friends that way. Because if you know the signs to look out for, you may realize that the frenemy in some relationships is you.
The frozen River Thames is being hit by cold winds, the Mersey docks are blocked by ice floes, and crops are failing in the UK. Meanwhile, rising sea levels are flooding the east coast of the United States, and the Amazon ecosystem is experiencing disruptions due to changing seasons. The world has undergone significant changes. What has caused this?
These events may seem like scenes from a disaster movie, but a recent scientific study focusing on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) warns that these scenarios could become a reality as early as 2050. Learn more.
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What is AMOC, why is it vital, and what changes can we expect? Will disruptions lead to catastrophic events, and how can we address the situation?
The Importance of AMOC and Expected Changes
The AMOC, also known as the “Great Ocean Conveyor,” is a vast ocean current system that includes the Gulf Stream. It transports warm, salty water from the tropics northward into the North Atlantic Ocean. As this water cools and becomes denser, it sinks, flows back southward at depth, and eventually rises to the surface, creating a continuous circulation loop.
This circulation system moves significant amounts of heat around the Atlantic Ocean, equivalent to boiling approximately 100 billion kettles. The AMOC plays a crucial role in distributing heat input to the Northern Hemisphere and affects climate zones worldwide. Any weakening of the AMOC could lead to shifts in global climate patterns, impacting various regions.
Direct measurements of AMOC strength started in 2004 using the RAPID array across the Atlantic Ocean. Observations indicate a 10% decline in intensity over nearly two decades, but year-to-year variations pose challenges in determining a clear long-term trend.
Past indirect measures, such as cooling trends in southern Greenland, suggest a weakening AMOC. Salt accumulation in the South Atlantic further supports the notion of reduced heat and salt transport due to system weakening.
By studying marine sediment cores and ancient shells, paleoclimatologists have discovered that the current AMOC weakening is unparalleled in the last 1,600 years, indicating a potential 15% decline in the system’s strength.
Future Outlook for AMOC
Climate models predict a 30-50% weakening of AMOC by the end of the century if greenhouse gas emissions continue. This could result in altered weather patterns, increased extreme events, and sea level rise along certain coastlines.
A small increase in global temperatures might trigger a swift shutdown of the AMOC, leading to severe climate impacts. Understanding the potential collapse mechanisms, such as “salt feedback,” highlights the need for immediate climate action to prevent such scenarios.
Managing AMOC Risk
To mitigate the risks associated with AMOC collapse, we must urgently reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance climate resilience, and prepare for potential disruptions in food and water supplies. Addressing the root cause of global warming and implementing sustainable practices are crucial in safeguarding the stability of the Earth’s climate system.
Various methods have been attempted to combat aging, but without breakthroughs in anti-aging drugs, scientists are focusing on lifestyle changes, particularly diet.
A recent study suggests that dietary restriction, which involves reducing total daily calorie intake, has a greater impact on shortening lifespan compared to intermittent fasting. The study, published in the magazine nature, involved tracking the health of 960 mice fed different diets, highlighting the importance of diet in longevity.
However, while the study provides valuable insights, experts caution against directly applying the results to humans, emphasizing the need for careful consideration due to the differences between mice and humans.
The study revealed that mice on a low-calorie diet lived longer on average, with those consuming 60% of their baseline calories having the longest lifespan. Surprisingly, the very low-calorie diet consistently extended the mice’s lifespans, showcasing the importance of resilience in maintaining health.
Genetic factors may also play a role in how different individuals respond to diet and weight loss, highlighting the complexity of longevity and the need for personalized approaches.
Ultimately, the study sheds light on the intricate relationship between diet, weight loss, and longevity, emphasizing the importance of moderation and resilience in achieving long-term health goals.
Your genetics may be interfering.
Individual variability and resilience to weight loss were key factors observed in the study, with genetic factors potentially influencing the effects of diet on lifespan. Maintaining a healthy immune system and avoiding extreme weight loss were associated with longer lifespan in mice.
While metabolic markers like weight and body fat are important indicators of overall health, the study suggests that caloric restriction may have a more significant impact on longevity than previously thought.
Experts stress the importance of individualized approaches to diet and weight loss based on genetic factors and resilience, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of longevity and health.
About our experts
Dr. Andrew Steele, a scientist and author, delves into the science of aging and longevity in his book Ageless: The new science of growing older without getting older. His interdisciplinary background allows him to provide unique insights into aging and health.
Upon entering my department’s weekly Astro Coffee Journal Club some years ago, I was immediately struck by an existential crisis regarding the future of our planet.
Let me clarify; our discussion was not centered on the planet itself. Rather, we were delving into a newly published research paper detailing intriguing features in the light spectrum of very distant stars known as white dwarfs—or dead stars.
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While this white dwarf wouldn’t directly impact Earth, nor did its spectrum pose any particular threat, the paper did offer a peek into our Sun and, in turn, our own future in a somewhat terrifying manner.
First and foremost, rest assured that our sun won’t explode, contrary to popular belief. One prevalent astronomical misconception is the notion that our sun will eventually go supernova, ending in a dramatic explosion that engulfs our solar system.
Based on our knowledge of stellar evolution, this fate does not await our Sun at all.
There are two main routes for a star to go supernova: a nuclear collapse supernova, where a massive star exhausts its fusion fuel, collapses, and bounces back in a violent explosion, or when a stellar remnant interacts catastrophically with a companion star, annihilating both. Fortunately, our Sun is safe from these outcomes as it lacks the mass for nuclear collapse and doesn’t have a companion star.
Nonetheless, immortality isn’t in the cards for the Sun.
Presently, our sun operates as a massive fusion reactor, converting hydrogen into helium at its core and emitting vast energy. Although some energy escapes as light, the rest bounces inward off the plasma, creating pressure that counteracts gravitational collapse—similar to how air pressure shapes a balloon. For the next 5 billion years, the Sun will function normally, but as hydrogen depletes, its core will compress, triggering fusion of helium into heavier elements and causing the sun to swell and grow brighter.
At this point, the sun will become potent enough to evaporate Earth’s oceans, likely wiping out life. Mercury and Venus will face a more severe fate, swallowed by the expanding sun. The future of Earth is uncertain during this phase, known as the red giant phase, when the Sun ceases nuclear fusion and sheds its outer layers, potentially birthing stunning planetary nebulae.
As the core collapses, it forms a dense white dwarf star sustained by quantum mechanical processes rather than fusion. Eventually, all Sun-like stars end as white dwarfs, cooling and fading away.
In our journal club, researchers studied a white dwarf’s spectral lines and noted unexpected elements like calcium, potassium, and sodium—fragments likely from a devoured planet, a notion hauntingly depicted as blood on a predator’s jaw. This insight into contaminated white dwarfs evoked a sense of emotional calm and reflection.
Perhaps in the distant future, alien astronomers will gaze upon us, reminiscing about the once vibrant Earth. The contemplation of these cosmic phenomena leaves one pondering the impermanence of all things.
Joanne McNally investigates… Was Furby spying on us? BBC Sounds, weekly episodes Why was Furby, the cute talking toy from the ’90s, banned from the Pentagon? Could Furby be a secret listening device for the Chinese government? The comic’s latest fun, self-aware “investigation” finds her calling aviation authorities and heading to the home of a Furby collector who hangs Furby skins out to dry on a clothesline. It’s fun and silly. Alexi Duggins
Doubt everything Widely available, with weekly episodes Brian Reed, of S-Town and The Trojan Horse Affair, is launching a new show that explores journalism’s place in the modern world. The show was inspired by the reaction to S-Town, which saw Reed have to prove in court that his podcast was journalism. It’s an admirable and forthright take on an important issue, and the striking first episode sees Reed confront one of his biggest critics: advertisement
A visitor walks past the Furby exhibit at the Hasbro booth at the Tokyo Toy Show 2024. Photo: Franck Robichon/EPA
Night shift Widely available, with weekly episodes Jake Adelstein returns to his Missouri hometown in the 1990s, when patient deaths soared at his local hospital. This is a depressing story of a hospital that smelled of “soap and cigarettes” and provided solid medical care, only to be hit by a rise in “Code Blue” alarms. Adelstein tells the story without being exploitative. Hannah Verdier
The Road to Joni Widely available, with weekly episodes Carmel Holt travels the US to explore Joni Mitchell’s appeal across ages and generations. She meets Joni fans like Hozier, Esperanza Spalding, and Don Was to ask them how they got into Joni and where she’s taken them. Lovingly written and delightfully rambling, this is a wonderful tribute to an utterly unique artist. Phil Harrison
Dealcraft: Insights from Great Negotiators Widely available, with weekly episodes Ready for a raise? Join host Jim Sebenius for “Cool Deal” tips from negotiation gurus. Proving that negotiating is never boring, attorney John Branca shares how he helped Michael Jackson get access to his master recordings that were traditionally held by his record company. HV
There is a podcast
Cybertruck: Shaping the future of automobiles? Photo: Tesla/Reuters
this week, Charlie Lindler Top 5 podcasts selected futureFrom climate-conscious programming to policing tech excesses
How to save the planet “What if there was an uplifting show about climate change?” asks Gimlet’s Climate Change Podcast, hosted by Alex Blumberg and his “geek gang.” The show focuses on solving environmental problems now and in the future. The podcast ended two years ago, but fortunately (or unfortunately), the topics Blumberg and company explore with a positive, optimistic attitude remain relevant. Should I get rid of my lawn? How can I buy less? Is fast fashion really that bad for the planet? Listen in and find out.
Managing the future of work Hold on, come back! Yes, this podcast is as business-focused as you’d expect from a show produced by Harvard Business School. Sure, there are episodes on HR databases, supply chains, and AI in the workplace. But thanks to an engaging host and knowledgeable guests, there’s a rich back catalogue of real, usable, relevant research on how work is changing our lives, and vice versa. Start with computer scientist and author Cal Newport’s talk on “The Productivity Deficit” and you’ll be hooked.
Easy to understand English This political and cultural podcast from journalist Derek Thompson, less tech-driven and more focused on humanity, quickly became a favorite of mine when it launched in 2021. The content delivered by not only Thompson’s guests but the host himself makes every episode rich with interaction and always leaves you smarter than before you started listening. Thompson has a talent for putting names to social phenomena you’ve felt but can’t quite pinpoint. Fittingly, the title of the first episode, about the metaverse, NFTs, and everything in between, is “The Future Is Going to Be Crazy Weird.”
Concentrate your full attention Produced by the Center for Humane Technology, the show closely monitors the ever-expanding, unregulated tech industry and asks whether we are truly using our advancements for good. Host Tristan Harris, a former Google design ethicist, was a compelling commentator in Netflix’s excellent documentary The Social Dilemma, which explores how social media manipulates our minds. Here, he continues the sobering thought process with guests including authors Yuval Noah Harari, Kara Swisher, and Esther Perel, who comments on the impact of technology on intimate relationships.
All the future If you have any doubts, just listen to The Wall Street Journal’s all-encompassing podcast. From modern bookstore design to how the Tesla Cybertruck is impacting auto manufacturing to scientists developing artificial breast milk, this long-running, award-winning podcast covers cutting-edge technological advances. While the AI portion may be too much for many listeners, a quick browse through the show’s extensive archives will find enough to fill your commute, all in 15-minute, digestible episodes.
Give it a try…
From family group chat etiquette to helping your child get their first period, This is so awkward They’re there to hold the hands of nervous, sweaty parents.
Dinosaurs ruled the earth for around 180 million years. But fossils that are at least 65 million years old are incredibly hard to decipher, so we know very little about what these iconic prehistoric creatures lived. Finding out more has long seemed impossible, but not anymore.
Over the past few decades, new techniques and new specimens have provided previously unimaginable insights into the behavior and ecology of dinosaurs. Combined with insights from modern animals, this has finally enabled paleontologists to understand dinosaur biology, from parental care, migration, and hunting styles to communication, sociality, and combat.
David Horne is one of the researchers trying to find out more about life during the time of the dinosaurs: the paleontologist at Queen Mary, University of London, is soon to publish a book about his latest findings. Revealing dinosaur behavior: What they did and how we know. New Scientist From mobile herbivores and semi-aquatic predators to why ostriches are problematic for understanding which dinosaurs doted on their young, here’s some of what’s been discovered so far.
Collin Barrass: Some of the biggest dinosaurs were Diplodocus or BrachiosaurusFor example, dinosaurs were not at all similar to living animals, so how do we figure out how they behaved?
David Horne: One of the most important things we can do as paleontologists is to better utilize our knowledge of the biology and behavior of modern animals. Mouth shapes are a good example. People with small mouths usually target nutritious food, such as shoots and leaves, one by one. If…
Climate change affects our planet and our lives in many ways. Dry the atmosphere To Increase in home runs Climate change accelerates glacial melt with each Major League Baseball season. Greenland Ice Sheet The land ice mass that covers about 80% of Greenland. When glaciers melt, icebergs form, a process called “iceberg formation.” Glacier collapse Recent climate change has increased the rate at which icebergs are flowing from the Greenland Ice Sheet into the North Atlantic.
Scientists have found that in the past, large increases in the rate of glacial collapse have disrupted important ocean current systems in the Atlantic Ocean. Atlantic Meridional Gyre Or as the AMOC, it carries warm water north and cold water south, affecting global temperatures and moving nutrients across the Atlantic Ocean, meaning that disrupting the AMOC could change the climate and destabilize marine ecosystems. Recently, scientists conducted a study to determine whether the current increase in glacier collapse could disrupt the AMOC.
For this study, the researchers developed a method to quantify glacial runoff during past periods of increased glacial collapse in the North Atlantic that disrupted the AMOC. Heinrich Event They began by looking at present-day glaciers in the North Atlantic and the Arctic. As icebergs break up, they deposit sediment. This sediment includes sand and rocks from the land below the ice sheet, as well as the remains of organisms that lived on the ice sheet. When the icebergs melt at sea, the sediment is released and sinks to the ocean floor.
Scientists observed modern glaciers melting and measured the average amount of sediment, by volume, that they released. Using this average, the researchers estimated how much ice was released during past Heinrich events, based on the amount of sediment that was deposited on the floor of the North Atlantic Ocean.
Scientists used this method to estimate the total amount of ice lost during 10 Heinrich events (the last of which) that occurred over the past 140,000 years. Glacial Cycle Previous scientists had determined the duration of Heinrich events, which allowed the researchers to estimate the ice runoff rate during each event. The researchers compared their estimated runoff rates to current ice runoff rates and found that current ice runoff rates are similar to those of previous mid-sized Heinrich events that disrupted the AMOC. However, the scientists who conducted the study also noted that the AMOC is currently stable.
The researchers suggested two factors that could help explain why the current increase in glacial collapse is not disrupting the AMOC as much as it has in the past. First, the researchers think that the AMOC was stronger when the current glacial runoff rate began to increase than it was at the start of past Heinrich events, which may make the current AMOC more resistant to disruptions. Second, each of the 10 Heinrich events the scientists used in their study lasted about 250 years, while the faster glacial collapse seen today may have been due to a slowdown in the early Heinrich events. It began in recent decades They suggested that AMOC collapse could only occur after a longer period of increased glacier calving than has happened previously.
If the rate of glacial calving continues to increase by the time the AMOC collapses, the size of the Greenland Ice Sheet may limit its influence on the AMOC. The researchers noted that if the Greenland Ice Sheet continues to melt at its current rate, the rate of calving will slow before 250 years have passed. The icebergs that caused the Heinrich events in the last glacial cycle broke off from a much larger ice sheet. Laurentide Ice Sheet It no longer exists.
The scientists who conducted the study said that freshwater runoff from the melting Greenland Ice Sheet could also disrupt the AMOC, but its impact would be less severe than ice runoff. However, they noted that freshwater runoff is likely to increase as glacial collapse slows in the coming decades, which could have unpredictable consequences. The researchers suggested that the scientific community should continue their work to model the impacts of a melting Greenland Ice Sheet as accurately as possible, because, in their words, “the fate of the AMOC remains uncertain.”
The impact of intergroup conflict on demographics has long been debated, especially in prehistoric and non-state societies. In their study, scientists from the Complexity Science Hub, the University of Washington, and the Leibniz Center for Archaeology believe that beyond the direct casualties of combat, conflicts can create “landscapes of fear” that can lead many non-combatants near conflict zones to abandon their homes and migrate.
The Battle of Orsha by Hans Krell.
“Around the world, scientists have extensively studied and debated the existence and role of prehistoric conflict,” said Dr Daniel Condor, a researcher at the Complexity Science Hub.
“But it remains difficult to estimate the impact on population numbers and so on.”
“The situation is further complicated by potential indirect effects, such as people leaving their homes or avoiding certain areas out of fear.”
These indirect effects of conflict can have caused significant long-term demographic changes in non-state societies such as Neolithic Europe (c. 7000-3000 BC).
“Our model shows that fear of conflict led to population declines in potentially dangerous areas.”
“As a result, people began concentrating in safer areas, such as on the hills, and overpopulation threatened to increase death rates and decrease birth rates.”
“The results of the simulation study are in good agreement with empirical evidence from archaeological field investigations, for example the Late Neolithic site of Kapellenberg near Frankfurt, dating to around 3700 BC,” added Dr Detlef Groenenborn, researcher at the Leibniz Archaeological Centre.
“There are many examples of agricultural land being temporarily abandoned as groups retreated to more defensible locations and invested heavily in extensive defensive systems such as walls, palisades and ditches.”
“The concentration of people in particular, often well-defended locations, may have led to growing wealth inequalities and political structures that legitimised these differences,” said Dr Peter Turchin, a researcher at the Complexity Science Hub.
“Thus, the indirect effects of conflict may also have played an important role in the emergence of larger political units and the rise of early states.”
To simulate the demographic dynamics of Neolithic Europe, the authors developed a new computational model.
To test their model, the researchers used a database of archaeological sites and analysed a number of radiocarbon dates from different locations and time periods, under the assumption that this reflects the scale of human activity and therefore population numbers.
“This allows us to explore the typical amplitudes and time scales of population growth and decline across Europe. Our goal was to reflect these patterns in our simulations,” Dr Conder said.
“Direct collaboration with archaeologists is crucial to ensure we have as complete a picture as possible.”
“This study is a great example of the potential of such interdisciplinary collaboration.”
of study Published in Royal Society Journal Interface.
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Daniel Condor others2024. Landscapes of Fear: Indirect Impacts of Conflict May Cause Large-Scale Population Declines in Non-State Societies. JR Association Interface 21(217):20240210;doi:10.1098/rsif.2024.0210
This article is based on an original release by Complexity Science Hub.
Throughout the history of cinema, filmmakers have constantly pushed the boundaries of special effects. From early techniques like using puppets to create dramatic scenes to more advanced methods involving animation and computer graphics, the evolution of visual effects has been remarkable.
In the past, creating high-quality computer graphics for films was a time-consuming and expensive process. However, with the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI), this has changed. AIs like DALL.E, Midjourney, and Firefly have demonstrated the ability to generate stunning visuals from text descriptions almost instantly.
These AI-powered tools not only make it easier to edit images and footage but also offer the potential to create fully computer-generated movies without the need for physical actors. While there has been some resistance from screenwriters and actors, the rapid advancements in AI technology are reshaping the film industry.
Despite some concerns about copyright and the originality of AI-generated content, it is clear that AI is revolutionizing the creation of special effects in movies. While the long-term impact of AI on the film industry remains uncertain, it is certain that visual effects are becoming more accessible and affordable thanks to AI.
Ultimately, AI can be a powerful tool in post-production and help filmmakers focus on storytelling and performance rather than just visual effects. The future of filmmaking may be different, but with the right approach, AI can enhance the creative process and lead to more memorable films.
This article is a response to a question sent via email by Hilda Patterson: “To what extent will AI change the film industry?”
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aArtificial intelligence (AI) will soon be coming to iPhones in a move that Apple says will completely change how people use the devices. The iPhone maker’s AI tools, branded “Apple Intelligence”, will include an enhanced voice assistant, Siri, in partnership with ChatGPT owner OpenAI.
Apple isn’t the first smartphone maker to adopt AI: the technology is already available in phones like Google’s latest Pixel and Samsung’s Galaxy series.
But the sheer volume of data required for AI raises concerns about data privacy. Apple has built its reputation on privacy. Its advertisements state: Privacy. That’s the iPhone. – so this is an area where the company claims to be different.
What is Apple Intelligence and when is it available?
Apple Intelligence is the iPhone maker’s collective name for its AI features, including the ChatGPT-4o integration that will arrive in the iOS 18 software upgrade.
The first version of iOS 18 will debut alongside Apple’s iPhone 16 models in September, while the AI features will arrive later in the iOS 18.1 update scheduled for mid-to-late October.
The first iOS 18.1 Apple Intelligence features available in the beta include new writing tools, suggested replies in the Messages app, email summaries, transcription of phone calls, and more.
Other features coming later this year or in early 2025 include Image Playground, which lets you create your own animated images within the app, and custom emojis called Genmoji. Meanwhile, long-awaited AI enhancements to Apple’s chatbot, Siri, include ChatGPT integration, richer language understanding, and more. Deeper integration Within individual apps, Siri will be able to look at your calendar, photos and messages and improve responses to texts — for example, if you ask when your mom’s flight is going to land, Siri will make an inference based on recent messages and emails, Apple said.
Apple Intelligence is set to roll out globally, but regulatory concerns are expected to mean significant delays in the EU and China.
Because AI requires powerful hardware, the feature won’t be compatible with older devices: Apple says that to access all the features, you’ll need an iPhone 15 or later, or an Apple device with an M1 or M2 chip.
How will it change the way you use your iPhone?
The feature is being rolled out gradually, so you won’t see any dramatic changes right away. But with Apple Intelligence enabled, you’ll notice your interactions become more personalized and your tasks get done faster. For example, using the summary tool to write emails on the go can help. Call recording and transcription “After you’ve asked for permission, of course.”It can make everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable to perform, says Adam Biddlecombe, co-founder of AI newsletter Mindstream.
Similar to ChatGPT, Apple’s intelligent assistant will develop the ability to provide contextual responses, i.e. remember the threads of previous Siri conversations. On the privacy front, a new visual indicator around the Siri icon will let you know if Siri is listening.
But it’s worth noting that, like any shiny new technology, Apple’s AI may have some hiccups at launch. AI models need data to work, and while the technology is improving, even Apple’s CEO Tim Cook admits he’s “not 100% sure” Apple’s minds don’t hallucinate“I’m confident it’s going to be very high quality,” he said in a recent interview, “but to be honest with you, I’m nowhere near 100 percent. I would never say I’m 100 percent.”
So unless you have full confidence in the chatbot’s accuracy, we recommend double-checking the airline’s website to see when your mom’s flight will land.
How is ChatGPT on iPhone different from using the ChatGTP app?
Apple uses ChatGPT as a backup to perform functions it can’t control itself: Users ask Siri questions, but when Apple’s chatbot can’t answer more complex requests, it hands the baton over to ChatGPT.
The same thing Creating text and creating imagesWhile Apple Intelligence offers these features, and ChatGPT can write text and create images from scratch, Apple still isn’t that good at them.
Camden Woolven, head of the AI group at consulting firm GRC International Group, said the main difference between the app and ChatGPT on the iPhone is how it handles data: “When you use ChatGPT directly, your queries go directly to OpenAI’s servers. There’s no middleman.”
But when using Siri’s ChatGPT integration, Apple acts as a “privacy-focused intermediary,” he says.
“Siri will attempt to fulfill your request directly on your device, but if it can’t, it will send some data to Apple servers in an encrypted and anonymized form,” he explains.
If both your device and Apple’s servers can’t process the request, Siri will contact ChatGPT, “but even in that case, the request still goes to Apple first, where it’s anonymized and encrypted before being sent to OpenAI,” Woollven says. “This means that when you use Siri, your data gets an extra layer of privacy protection that you don’t get when using ChatGPT directly.”
Users can access the GPT-4o-powered Siri for free without creating an account, and ChatGPT subscribers can connect their account to access paid features, including larger message limits and access to enhanced features like a new voice mode that lets you communicate with ChatGPT over real-time video.
Are my conversations tracked or stored anywhere? If so, by whom?
Apple says that there are built-in privacy protections for users who access ChatGPT, and most of the processing is done on-device, so your data never leaves your iPhone.
IP addresses are hidden, OpenAI does not store your requests, and users who choose to connect their accounts are subject to ChatGPT’s data usage policy.
For more complex queries that require the cloud, Apple says it anonymizes and encrypts the data end-to-end before sending it to its servers or to ChatGPT. “This means that neither Apple nor even OpenAI can see the contents of your request, only the encrypted and anonymized version,” Woollven said.
But even anonymized data can still be linked to you if it’s specific enough, Woolven warns: “So while Apple isn’t directly storing your conversations in a way that can be linked to you, there is still a small risk that very specific queries could potentially be linked to you.”
More broadly, all Apple Intelligence requests that need to be processed off-device are sent to the company’s private cloud. Private Cloud Computing claims to protect your data from external sources.
Apple says it will be transparent about when it uses your data, providing a detailed on-device report called the Apple Intelligence Report that shows how your Siri requests were processed, so you can see for yourself what data was used and where it was sent.
But AI needs a lot of information to function, and to perform these functions, Apple will need access to more of your data: “Apple will be able to read your messages, monitor your calendar, track your maps and location, record your calls, view your photos, and understand other personal information,” Moore said.
I’m not sure about this, can I opt out?
Yes, you must turn on Apple Intelligence in Settings, so even if you’re concerned about data privacy or have doubts about the accuracy or usefulness of these features, you’re under no obligation to use them.
Creative hobbies give us a sense of self-expression and progress.
Botanical Vision/Alamy
Engaging in arts and crafts improves mental health and a sense that life is worth living, and these activities have positive effects that are equal to or greater than the improvements in mental health that come with employment.
Decades of research have shown that health, income, and employment status are key predictors of people’s life satisfaction. But researchers from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK wanted to explore what other activities and situations might improve mental health. “Crafts are accessible, affordable, and already popular, so we were interested in finding out whether they have health benefits,” the researchers say. Helen Keyes.
Keys and her colleagues analyzed more than 7,000 responses to the annual survey. Participate in the surveyThe survey asks people in England about their involvement in activities such as arts and culture, sport and internet use. All participants were also asked about their levels of happiness, anxiety, loneliness, life satisfaction and whether they feel their life is worth living.
More than a third of participants said they had done at least one arts or crafts activity in the past year, including pottery, painting, knitting, photography, filmmaking, woodworking, and jewelry making. The researchers found that engaging in arts and crafts was associated with higher scores across measures of mental health, even after accounting for factors such as health and employment status.
Although the increase was small (about 0.2 on a 10-point scale), crafting was a stronger predictor of feeling that life was worth living than factors that are harder to change, such as having a job.
“There’s something about making things that gives you a sense of progress and self-expression that you can’t get in a job,” Keys says. “You can take real pride in what you make, and you can see the progress in real time.” The positive effect of creative activities on people’s sense of value in life was 1.6 times higher than in a job situation.
Arts and crafts also increased happiness and life satisfaction, but did not produce significant changes in reported loneliness, which may be because many crafts can be done alone.
Promoting and supporting arts and crafts can be used as a preventative mental health strategy on a national scale, Keys said: “When people do it, they have fun. It’s an easy win.”
Around this time last year, Dean Grubbs and his colleagues were celebrating a conservation success story.The star of the show was the smalltooth sawfish, a large ray with a saw-like snout lined with tiny teeth. Victim of coastal development and bycatch, in 2003 it became the first saltwater fish to receive federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. By 2023, Florida's population will be the last sawfish in the US, and it's on the rise. “We were excited. We were seeing the population start to bounce back,” says Grubbs, a marine ecologist at Florida State University.
Then disaster struck. In January, a sawfish was found dead, thrashing about in shallow waters, spinning like crazy. This was after months of the smaller fish exhibiting similar behavior. Suddenly, Grubbs and his team were spending their days pulling dead sawfish from the water. After months of research and testing, the culprit finally emerged: ocean heat. A record-breaking heatwave brought “hot tub” water temperatures to Florida's coast in 2023, setting off a chain reaction that appears to have devastated the vulnerable sawfish population.
This is just one cautionary tale: something is wrong with the world's oceans. From orange algae blooms in the North Sea to outbreaks of gelatinous Bombay duckfish off the coast of China to the disappearance of Antarctic “bottom waters,” evidence is mounting that extreme temperatures are wreaking havoc on our oceans. After years of acting as silent sinks for excess human-made heat, the oceans are beginning to creak under the pressure. And we're finally starting to realize just how worried we should be.
It is widely known that excessive alcohol consumption is detrimental to health, a fact that has been established by scientific research over many years.
Despite this, there is still much to learn about the effects of alcohol on the body and whether consuming small amounts of certain types of alcohol may have potential benefits.
New research is shedding light on how alcohol impacts the body and accelerates the aging process, particularly at a cellular level that determines biological age.
Unlike chronological age, which simply counts the number of years someone has lived, biological age assesses cellular function and disease risk. Two key indicators of biological age, telomere length, and epigenetic age, provide evidence of the harmful effects of alcohol consumption on the body.
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of DNA damage
Telomeres are essential components of our genetic structure, protecting chromosomes from damage during cell replication. Over time, telomeres naturally shorten as cells divide. Shortened telomeres are associated with age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, and heart disease.
Research conducted by Anya Topiwala and her team at Oxford University in 2022 found that excessive alcohol consumption leads to a reduction in telomere length, accelerating the biological aging process.
Observational studies have shown that consuming 29 or more units of alcohol per week can result in a 1-2 year change in telomere length compared to drinking less than six units per week. Individuals with alcohol use disorders were found to have even shorter telomeres.
The exact mechanism by which alcohol shortens telomeres is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to oxidative stress caused by alcohol consumption.
Certain types of alcohol are bad for you
Epigenetic age, which assesses DNA methylation linked to aging using multiple biomarkers, indicates the impact of lifestyle choices on biological age. Studies have shown that cumulative alcohol exposure increases biological age, with liquor drinkers being at a higher risk of premature aging compared to beer or wine drinkers.
Further research is being conducted to better understand the connection between alcohol consumption and biological aging, as the specific reasons behind these effects are not fully clear.
Can biological age be reversed?
While biological aging is theoretically reversible, the practical methods to achieve this reversal are not yet established. Scientists believe that by addressing environmental factors and lifestyle choices that impact DNA function, it may be possible to slow down the aging process.
Quitting or reducing alcohol consumption has been shown to slow down biological aging. Both studies emphasize that moderate drinking does not have any protective effects and that increased alcohol consumption accelerates the aging process.
About our experts
Anya Topiwala: A psychiatrist at Oxford University, Topiwala’s research focuses on the impact of alcohol consumption on brain health using large datasets and advanced imaging techniques.
Hou Li-Fan: A Professor of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University, Dr. Hou’s research integrates epidemiological methods with molecular technologies to identify molecular markers and understand their role in disease prevention.
Rats in John Cryan's lab were withdrawn and anxious, behaving in ways that mirrored those who had been bullied at work and suspected they might encounter the bully again.
Believe it or not, the good news is that they fed some of these rodents a slurry of microbes extracted from their own feces. This may sound unpleasant, but it had a surprisingly positive effect on their behavior. “That was surprising,” says Cryan, a neurobiologist at University College Cork in Ireland. “We found that the behavioral changes that were induced by stress were normalized, and they started to behave like normal animals.”
Even more surprising, the mental changes weren't brought about by changes to gut bacteria, but by modifying another key aspect of the microbiome whose importance is only now being recognized: viruses.
After all, our bodies are full of these viruses – trillions of stowaways that do no harm to our health, but instead play a key role in nurturing a beneficial microbiome and making us healthier. Recent studies have found that the influence of this “virome” can be found throughout the body, from the blood to the brain. The hope is that tweaking it might lead to new ways of treating a variety of ailments, from inflammatory bowel disease and obesity to anxiety.
Microbiome Diversity
Over the past decade, there has been growing interest in the microbiome (all the tiny organisms that live on and in our bodies), but that interest has focused primarily on bacteria. Until recently, it was assumed that…
Today, the South Bronx has the least amount of green space per capita in the city and is crisscrossed by power plants, waste dumps and freeways, causing significant noise and air pollution. Residents face high rates of infant mortality, cognitive impairment, heart disease, and asthma, and Mott Haven is known as ‘ Asthma Alley.’ These conditions increase vulnerability to heat.
“Environmental racism in the South Bronx is clear,” said Arif Ullah, executive director of the environmental justice group South Bronx Unite.
Similar inequities have been identified across the country. Analysis of 115 metropolitan areas from San Jose, California, to Louisville, Kentucky, to Hartford, Connecticut, neighborhoods with larger numbers of residents who identify as black, African American, Hispanic, or Latino were found to be less likely to have air conditioning.
To combat rising temperatures, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has implemented heatstroke measures. For one week, starting June 18, hundreds of locations were designated as air-conditioned facilities where residents could stay cool during the day.
Installing air conditioning for people with mobility impairments is actually essential as outdoor temperatures rise — or these individuals may never be able to reach a cooling center. In areas like Brownsville, the South Bronx, and East Harlem, residents also report being exposed to crime and drug dealing when they go outside to cool off.
Celine Olivarius, who has lived in the South Bronx for nine years, brought her two grandsons, ages 9 and 4, to cool off in the fountains at Willis Playground. She expresses concern about the opioid epidemic, as drug users are injecting in the bathroom, and she worries that children might pick up needles.
Environmentalists say one solution to beat the heat in sprawling cities is to plant more trees, create green spaces like parks and meadows, and cover rooftops with vegetation.
“We need to focus on low-income communities, people of color, and immigrant communities,” Uhlfelder said. Areas with a 33 percent reduction in tree canopy area are likely to experience a 13-degree increase (7 degrees Celsius) in temperature compared to predominantly white areas just two miles away.
“I’ve never felt anything like it,” said Howard Shillingford, a 58-year-old janitor who grew up in the South Bronx, on a recent sweltering day. It’s especially bad when he’s cleaning school staircases, where the windows often don’t open.
“Oh my goodness, those stairs look like an oven,” Shillingford said as he read the news on a computer at Mott Haven Public Library, another cooling center.
Residents in heat-stricken areas are getting resourceful. Berrios holds a wet towel to the back of her neck. Olivarria squirts her grandchildren with a toy water gun. Jorge Morales, a 54-year-old graffiti artist from the South Bronx, showers twice a day and washes his Chihuahua, Bugsy, in the sink. Residents sometimes unscrew fire hydrants, allowing water to spill off the sidewalk and onto the street.
“I don’t like wasting water, but people here do it. It’s a way of survival,” Morales, who is half Puerto Rican and half Cuban, said as he charged his phone in the same library.
“If we continue on this path, the heat wave in 2044 will be much worse than the one we’re experiencing now,” said Jones, the science historian. “This is not an unusual heat wave. It is a sign of things to come.”
debtFacebook users of a certain age may remember a particularly lonely-looking farm animal that appeared in their feeds during the platform’s heyday. A lonely cow wandered into FarmVille players’ pastures with a frown on its face and tears in its eyes. “She’s very sad and needs a new home,” the caption read, urging players to adopt the cow or message a friend for help. Ignore the cow’s pleas and you’ll likely lose both your friend and your food. Message your friends about it and you’ll have fueled one of the biggest online crazes of the 2010s.
When FarmVille was released 15 years ago, it was a smash hit. Over 18,000 players played on the first day, and by the fourth day that number had risen to 1 million. At its peak in 2010, over 80 million users were logging in each month to plant crops, care for animals, and harvest to earn coins to spend on decorations. They made their obsession public.McDonald’s created farms for promotions long before artists were releasing music on Fortnite. Lady Gaga performs new song From her second album to a cartoon farm sim. Not bad for a game made in five weeks.
By 2009, developer Zynga had established itself as a pioneer in social media gaming, when four friends from the University of Illinois presented plans for a farming sim. It was a hastily reworked version of a failed browser game they’d made that copied The Sims, but Zynga was impressed enough to buy the technology, hire the four people, and pair them with some in-house developers. Zynga quickly released FarmVille.
The world of FarmVille… Photo: PhotoEdit/Alamy
“Facebook was exploding in popularity and engagement in a way that was novel at the time,” says John Tien, a former director of product at Zynga. Farm Town, a farming simulation game with a similar cartoony look and design made earlier by another studio, was already attracting 1 million daily active users on Facebook’s platform. Facebook had previously courted game studios and told Zynga it would soon give third-party developers access to user data, friends lists, and news feeds.
“By opening up its platform to app developers like Zynga, Facebook has been able to create an almost symbiotic relationship,” Tien says. “Facebook has given Zynga access to a large, engaged user base, and Zynga has given Facebook users more to do on the platform.”
Features like the lonely cow, which gently nudged players by requesting their friends to help grow their farm, became central to the experience, and Facebook was flooded with posts and notifications promoting FarmVille to the masses. These viral mechanics gave the game a “meme-like buzz,” says former Zynga vice president and general manager Roy Segal. “It’s this water cooler effect: you see your friends playing and you want to join in.”
And once you were in, it was hard to get out. For each crop you planted, you had to return at a set time, a few hours later, to harvest it. If you left it for too long, it would wither and die. “The idea is that the player makes their own schedule,” says Amitt Mahajan, co-creator and lead developer of FarmVille. “That’s what keeps people coming back every day.”
The result, Tien says, is a game that players feel they have to accomplish. “We all have growing lists of things we need to do and we’re struggling to get them done in the time we want,” Tien says. “Checking things off a list is viscerally satisfying, and playing FarmVille was a way for players to experience that satisfaction.”
New features and content were added several times a week to keep players interested, but the real magic happened behind the scenes with Zynga’s in-house data analytics tool, ZTrack. The tool could monitor the most detailed player behaviors, from what features players used to how long they spent on them to where they clicked on the screen, with the goal of building an ever-evolving, data-driven picture of player interests.
“At any given time, we had hundreds, maybe thousands, of dashboards and experiments running,” says Tien. “We could see core metrics every five minutes. We could see immediately after a new feature was released whether it was having an effective impact.”
Metrics-based design is standard today across social media platforms, apps, online retailers and digital services. Reliance on big data to predict consumer behavior is the foundation of everything from Google’s advertising empire to Cambridge Analytica’s political consulting. But back in 2009, no one was doing it quite like FarmVille.
“Zynga’s approach to game analytics inspired the entire digital analytics industry,” says Jeffrey Wang, co-founder and chief architect of analytics platform Amplitude. “One of Amplitude’s earliest customers was a former Zynga product manager who had started his own company and was looking for a tool comparable to ZTrack. There was nothing even close at the time.”
ZTrack became the backbone of FarmVille – features were repeatedly tested, analyzed and optimized, and the results determined what to deploy, monetization options and how to integrate to maximize player retention.
“Zynga’s dirty secret is that none of our five company values are more important than our metrics,” the Zynga co-founder said. Andrew Trader Ken Rudin, former vice president of growth, analytics and platform technology at Zynga, went a step further: Quoted In 2010:[Zynga is] An analytics company disguised as a gaming company.”
Like most Facebook apps at the time, users could not play FarmVille without giving Zynga permission to collect their personal Facebook data. But the details of what data would be shared were written in small print on click-through screens that most users habitually ignored. “We as citizens, and government policymakers, didn’t really know the extent of it. [online data harvesting]”We’ve seen the harm that can come from unrestricted data extraction,” says Florence Chi, an associate professor of communication at Loyola University Chicago. But since then, she says, “we’ve seen the harm that can come from unrestricted data extraction.” Discovered in 2010 They share players’ personal data with advertisers and online data brokers.
FarmVille’s success, driven by data-driven design, was short-lived. Over the next few years, players abandoned the game, Zynga turned to unpopular sequels, and Facebook eventually revoked access to developers the game relied on for its early virality. In 2020, Adobe dropped support for Flash, the software that powers FarmVille. The game suddenly went offline.
But Zynga’s success continued. Words with friendsmobile racing game CSR Racing, Draw Something and a suite of slot machine games all use player data to maximise engagement. Zynga still makes data-driven, aggressively monetised games for mobile phones under Take-Two Interactive, which acquired the company in 2022 for $12.7bn (£9.4bn).
For Chee, FarmVille was a Silicon Valley entrepreneur’s dream, and very much a product of its time. “If you look at today, there’s not really a Facebook social phenomenon like there was in 2009,” she says. “It was a very special time for a game like FarmVille to come out, and the recommendation systems and algorithms were just in the right place.”
If a week is a long time in politics, five years between elections feels like an eternity in the UK. The political landscape has changed dramatically since the Conservative Party’s landslide victory in 2019, but so has the social media landscape.
In 2019, TikTok was “the video-sharing app that became phenomenally popular among teenagers,” according to a commentator at The Guardian.
Fast forward to 2023 and an Ofcom investigation has found that: 10% of people aged 16 and over The number of people saying they get their news from TikTok is higher than BBC Radio 1 and on par with the Guardian, a significant increase from 1% in 2020 after the last election.
While some say the so-called battle over TikTok has been exaggerated, the platform’s creators are well aware that there is an audience among TikTok users, young and old, who enjoys political content.
To understand how the 2024 election unfolded on TikTok, we monitored the platform for one hour per day for a week using four separate accounts, searching for the widely used tag “#ukpolitics” as well as campaign-specific hashtags and terms.
Before we begin, a few disclaimers: No one outside TikTok knows how TikTok’s algorithm works, nor do we know whether and how the algorithm can be manipulated to promote certain content.
The platform is also notoriously difficult to measure: there’s no “most popular” section, so the sample is just a snapshot of what people saw on the site for one hour each day for one week over the duration of the campaign.
Straight TikTok: “Traditional” News for a New Audience
If you think of TikTok as all dance crazes, lip-sync challenges, and make-up artist tutorials, you’d be right – but you’ll also find some familiar faces, including BBC and ITV news anchors, LBC radio presenters, and broadcast journalists.
…
Conspiracy theorist
We found very few accounts spreading conspiracy theories, at least in the sample we collected, but they do exist.
While we do not intend to help conspiracy theorists by spreading their videos more widely on this platform, topics we saw included false claims that Labour would introduce Sharia law if it came to power.
Again, it is not known why such content was served, but AI Forensics warns that such content could be amplified by a “secret recipe” hidden in the platforms’ algorithms.
“Engagement can be both good and bad, so polarized discussions around extreme views and hate speech can drive up engagement metrics,” Romano said.
At least three accounts initially identified as containing conspiracy theories were removed during the investigation, though it is unclear whether this was of the accounts’ own volition or if they were removed by TikTok.
When Gene Marrazzo was announced as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) last year, he became one of the world's leading public health policymakers, and the responsibilities are heavier than ever before for the institute's new director, who will succeed Anthony Fauci, who held the position during the coronavirus pandemic and became a household name.
After decades of working on HIV prevention and sexually transmitted diseases, as well as overseeing COVID-19 treatment interventions, Marrazzo is now responsible for NIAID's $6.6 billion annual budget and the future of infectious disease control in the United States.
This includes working with the institute's 21 laboratories across the country, leading the fight against Ebola and HIV, and spearheading the development of new vaccines, treatments, diagnostics and technologies.
Top of Marrazzo's to-do list is tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), or drug-resistant superbugs, which are predicted to cause 10 million deaths a year and cost the global economy $1 trillion annually by 2050. In May, Britain's former chief medical officer warned that the rise of these pathogens could make pandemics seem “small” and that the problem is more serious than climate change.
Global warming is one of the factors contributing to the increase in drug-resistant bacteria, and changes in the climate conditions on Earth Salmonella Causes cholera Biblio To survive, we'll need to avoid our current antibiotic arsenal altogether. Here, Marrazzo outlines what we should probably fear most, and some developments we can expect in the near future.
When discussing diet and nutrition, opinions can often be divisive and passionate. Recently, I found myself in the middle of a debate surrounding supermarket bread that sparked unexpected backlash.
The controversy began after I wrote an article on “ultra-processed foods” (UPF). These foods are products of industrial processes that are difficult to replicate at home, including sweetened drinks, prepackaged foods, and most supermarket breads. In the UK, around 50% of our daily calories come from UPF (source).
UPF has garnered a negative reputation for several reasons. Firstly, these foods tend to be low in protein and fiber, making them easily digestible and calorically dense. Secondly, the processing of UPF often strips away natural flavors, leading to high amounts of added sugar, salt, and fat to enhance taste. Lastly, there are concerns that excessive consumption of UPF may lead to various health issues (British Medical Journal).
While the negative effects of UPF are well-documented, the term itself is vague, encompassing a wide range of foods from heavily processed items to minimally altered products like mass-produced supermarket bread.
In a response to my article, it was argued that real sourdough bread made through lactobacterial fermentation may offer health benefits that are lacking in supermarket bread. It was also noted that supermarket bread tends to be higher in salt and sugar, leading to potential weight gain.
While artisanal sourdough may provide some advantages over supermarket bread, it’s essential to consider the accessibility of such premium products to a broader demographic.
A balanced discussion on the prevalence of UPF in our food supply is necessary, but the demonization of supermarket bread, a staple for many households, may be unwarranted without substantial evidence of harm.
“Put that phone away!” Most parents have yelled something similar to this at their children, usually resulting in a shocked look on the child’s face.
In recent years, the spread of smartphones and social media has led us to spend more time in front of screens. Children are no exception. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in children’s screen time due to lockdowns and school closures.
There are many frightening claims about excessive screen time for children and teens: that it harms their mental health, leading to depression, eating disorders and even suicide; that it cuts into time they could be spending on socializing and exercise, making them feel lonely and less physically fit; and more. In short, the fear is that spending too much time on digital devices is ruining our children’s lives, with the tech companies who design the apps that keep us hooked being complicit. It’s no wonder that governments around the world are considering restricting screen time for under-18s.
Yet a closer look at the evidence does not support this overwhelmingly negative view. This does not mean that the tech giants are harmless and that further regulation is not needed. But it does mean that we need to think more carefully about what healthy screen time looks like for young people, and how we can make the online world the most accessible to them. So here is your guide to what we actually know about the impact of screens and social media.
One thing is clear in this complex field: children and young people, like the rest of us, spend a lot of time in front of screens.
As summer approaches in the Northern Hemisphere, Florida is already facing extreme weather conditions. Storms have hit South Florida, bringing heavy rain and causing severe flooding in cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Sarasota. This comes after an early-season heatwave pushed temperatures above triple digits. All of this is happening as forecasters predict a particularly active hurricane season.
These events are all exacerbated by climate change, a reality that clashes with the current state politics in Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis has become known for his opposition to addressing climate change, with recent legislation deprioritizing climate change in the state’s energy policy. This goes against the scientific consensus that these extreme events are linked to climate change.
DeSantis has also signed bills that prevent cities and counties from implementing measures to protect against heat-related illnesses in the workplace. This leaves workers vulnerable as Florida faces a warmer-than-normal summer.
Experts argue that DeSantis’ policies are out of sync with climate science and hinder efforts to protect people from the impacts of climate change. The state’s refusal of federal funding for climate change initiatives further complicates efforts to address the issue.
While some Republicans are beginning to take climate change more seriously, it remains a divisive issue. Former President Donald Trump and DeSantis have downplayed the threat of climate change, aligning themselves with a stance that dismisses the urgency of addressing it.
Despite these challenges, climate change advisers stress the importance of taking action to protect communities from the impacts of global warming. It is crucial for states like Florida to prioritize mitigation measures to safeguard against the worsening effects of the climate crisis.
Kathy Schwartz had been sober for 10 years, but battling cravings was a daily struggle. “They were always in my head,” she said. But last June, the cravings subsided.
After being prescribed the weight-loss drug semaglutide, she not only lost nearly 30 kilos over 10 months, but also eliminated her desire for drinks or pills. “The cravings went away, and I didn’t realize that was a side effect,” Schwartz says. Amazingly, the depression and anxiety that had previously hit her in waves also subsided.
Schwartz isn’t the only one to have had this experience: New research is showing that semaglutide drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as other diabetes and weight-loss drugs that mimic gut hormones released after eating, can have surprising benefits for brain and mental health.
Though it’s still early days, evidence suggests that these drugs could potentially be repurposed to treat depression, anxiety, addiction, and even certain eating disorders, as well as neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. What’s more, these benefits appear to be mediated not simply through weight loss, but through a direct effect on the brain.
The history of drugs like Ozempic dates back to the 1970s and 1980s, when researchers discovered them. A gut hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 has been discovered. When GLP-1 was injected into rodents in the lab, it was able to stimulate insulin secretion. Even more amazingly, these animals started to eat less and lose weight. We now know that this hormone leads to an increased feeling of fullness.
There is a growing trend in the beauty industry to seek treatments for bloating and cellulite, with lymphatic drainage massage becoming increasingly popular among A-list celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian, and Sean “Diddy” Combs.
These celebrities have touted the fast health benefits and weight loss advantages of this treatment, but what exactly does lymphatic drainage massage do?
Lymphatic drainage massage is unique as it targets the lymphatic system, setting it apart from other massage therapies such as Swedish, sports, deep tissue, and aromatherapy. Each type of massage offers different benefits, so your choice depends on your desired results.
The lymphatic system is a crucial part of the body’s immune system, consisting of tissues, organs like the spleen and bone marrow, and a network of interconnected blood vessels and lymph nodes. These components work together to filter out waste and maintain fluid balance, producing white blood cells to fight infections.
People opt for lymphatic drainage massage to combat cellulite as the treatment aids the absorption of fat and excess fluids back into the bloodstream.
Lymphatic drainage massage can benefit those dealing with lymphedema, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, deep vein thrombosis, and lymphatic buildup post-cancer treatment. While athletes benefit from preventative and restorative sports massages, lymphatic drainage massage can aid recovery after injury or surgery.
If your lymphatic system is not functioning optimally, you may experience swelling and puffiness in various parts of the body. Lymphatic drainage massage can help alleviate these symptoms by improving circulation, reducing swelling, and eliminating toxins.
While lymphatic drainage massage may improve the appearance of cellulite, it cannot completely remove it. The treatment may lead to temporary weight loss due to the elimination of excess fluids.
During a lymphatic drainage massage, the therapist employs gentle pressure techniques that do not cause discomfort or skin redness. The massage focuses on clearing and absorbing, enhancing skin health.
Having a positive mindset can have unexpected results
DEEPOL (Plain Picture/photo by Anja Weber Dekker)
Do you suffer from low self-esteem? If so, you may have been told to repeat phrases like, “I am worthy of love, I am worthy of love, I am worthy of love.” Repeating positive statements like these is called self-affirmation, and it's said to boost a person's mood and sense of worth. Sounds incredible, right? Well, it is. When psychologists tested the effectiveness of this mantra, it backfired. Participants who started out with low self-esteem ended up feeling worse. The problem was, they simply didn't believe what they were being told.
We know that a positive attitude is good for your health, and that the right mindset can really impact your health and happiness. But it turns out that too much of a good thing can be bad. What psychologists who study self-esteem have discovered is an example of “toxic positivity” – the idea that forcing yourself to interpret your experiences in an optimistic way and suppressing negative emotions can actually do you harm. The term has become something of a buzzword in both academia and pop culture. And yet, the messages that “happiness is a choice” and “positivity is a mindset” are rampant.
What is needed is a return to balance. It is not enough to say that excessive positivity is harmful; we need to know when, why and for whom it is harmful. Fortunately, there is a growing body of research addressing these questions. …
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