Tag Archives: Improving

Key Concepts for Improving Plastic Recycling

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“To enhance both plastic recycling and reuse, brands should utilize similar packaging for products within the same category.”

Elaine Knox

Since its inception in 1899, the US National Biscuit Company has utilized packaging as a marketing strategy by wrapping Uneda soda crackers in wax paper inside cardboard boxes. Over the decades, businesses have increasingly turned to plastics, making unique packaging a key component for establishing brand identity.

However, the fragile economics of plastic recycling are deteriorating, compounded by the complexity introduced by varying pigments, materials, and more. Currently, only 10% of plastic packaging is recycled globally. In contrast, reusable packaging remains in a niche market.

There are effective and straightforward methods to enhance both the recycling and reuse of plastics, such as having brands adopt similar packaging for products in the same category.

Initially, prioritize recycling. Despite decades of consumer awareness and infrastructure investments, managing various plastic types into specific subcategories remains prohibitively costly. Eliminating pigments and sorting by color is expensive, leading to many plastic varieties being downcycled into gray pipes and construction materials. The supply chain is inconsistent and fragmented, with virgin plastics remaining cheaper, resulting in a lack of reliable buyers for most recycled plastics.

Standardization could significantly improve this situation. If product categories adopt uniform guidelines for plastic types, colors, labels, and adhesives, recyclers could potentially recover much more material at a reduced cost. This would enhance economic viability for recycling and facilitate the vision of producing new bottles from old ones.

The case for standardized reuse systems is equally compelling. Presently, many brands experimenting with reuse employ different containers, necessitating individual return points coupled with specialized cleaning equipment and quality assurance checks, which adds costs and complexity while reducing convenience. Systems based on standardized packaging and shared infrastructure could capture 40% of the market through a more consolidated approach, as noted by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

While standardized packaging might seem anti-capitalistic to some, many brands already produce similar packaging, such as milk jugs in the UK and toothpaste tubes in various countries. Standardization does not imply that all products must look identical. Brands can still employ unique labels, washable inks, embossing, and other distinguishing features. They can also maintain their own shapes and sizes.

It’s undoubtedly challenging to envision competitors like Procter & Gamble and Unilever willingly agreeing to package shampoo in identical bottles. However, with billions lost annually due to single-use plastics, where data ends up incinerated or in landfills, research increasingly highlights health risks associated with unstudied chemicals in plastics. Brands may find it challenging to safeguard their interests. Legally, it could be argued that the harm stemming from customized packaging outweighs the advantages of standardized containers.

More brands might soon have little choice. Regulatory frameworks are evolving in Europe and other regions, focusing on reuse targets and increased recycled content. Standardized packaging offers brands a pathway to meet these objectives while minimizing complexity and cost increases.

Undoubtedly, like-colored shampoo bottles won’t solve all issues, but such changes are becoming increasingly sound from a business perspective. Without them, achieving truly circular packaging remains a distant goal.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Improving Your Pancake Game Made Simple

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Many people around the world now associate Tuesday’s Shrove – the day before Christian Lent that marks the traditional East Feast – with pancakes.

Pancakes are enjoyed by cultures worldwide in various shapes and sizes. French crepes, American griddle cakes, and Indian dosas are just a few examples of these versatile fried batter circles that offer endless sweet and tasty possibilities.

To ensure pancake day success, a bit of science can make a big difference. Materials chemists and food scientists Professor Matt Harting and Professor of Fluid Mechanics Ian Eames have shared their insights to enhance your favorite pancake recipes.

1. Replace regular milk with buttermilk

To achieve the perfect stack of fluffy American pancakes, consider substituting regular milk with buttermilk. Buttermilk adds a unique flavor profile to the pancakes and contains key molecules like diacetyl, aldehydes, ketones, amino acids, and lactic acid that enhance both taste and texture.

If you don’t have buttermilk at home, adding lemon juice to the batter can mimic the acidic effect of buttermilk.

2. Add melted butter to the batter

Melted butter in the pancake batter helps achieve a golden brown color and rich flavor due to the Maillard reaction. Butter ensures consistent thermal contact with the hot pan and contributes to the browning process.

Pro-tip: If using buttermilk, consider adding more baking soda to balance the acidic environment.

3. Use the Golden Ratio

The perfect pancake balance depends on the baker’s ratio, which determines the thickness and texture of the pancakes. For British pancakes, a ratio of 100g flour to 200ml milk is recommended.

4. Let the batter rest!

Allowing the pancake batter to rest for about 30 minutes helps relax the gluten in the flour, resulting in lighter pancakes with a smoother texture.

About our experts

Matt Harting is an associate professor of chemistry at the American University of Washington with expertise in food chemistry.

Ian Eames is a professor of fluid mechanics at the University of London and has conducted scientific studies on pancake-making.

This article was originally published in 2024

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Reducing Bias, Improving Recruitment: How AI is Revolutionizing Hiring for Small Businesses

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Artificial intelligence is trained on human-created content, known as actual intelligence. To train AI to write fiction, novels are used, while job descriptions are used to train AI for writing job specifications. However, a problem arises from this approach. Despite efforts to eliminate biases, humans inherently possess biases, and AI trained on human-created content may adopt these biases. Overcoming bias is a significant challenge for AI.

“Bias is prevalent in hiring and stems from the existing biases in most human-run recruitment processes,” explains Kevin Fitzgerald, managing director of UK-based employment management platform Employment Hero. The platform utilizes AI to streamline recruitment processes and minimize bias. “The biases present in the recruitment team are embedded in the process itself.”

One way AI addresses bias is through tools like SmartMatch offered by Employment Hero. By focusing on candidates’ skills and abilities while omitting demographic information such as gender and age, biases can be reduced. This contrasts with traditional methods like LinkedIn and CVs, which may unintentionally reveal personal details.

AI helps businesses tackle bias when screening for CVs. Photo: Fiordaliso/Getty Images

Another concern is how AI processes information compared to humans. While humans can understand nuances and subtleties, AI may lack this capability and rely on keyword matching. To address this, tools like SmartMatch evaluate a candidate’s entire profile to provide a holistic view and avoid missed opportunities due to lack of nuance.

SmartMatch not only assists in matching candidates with suitable roles but also helps small businesses understand their specific hiring needs. By analyzing previous hires and predicting future staffing requirements, SmartMatch offers a comprehensive approach to recruitment.

Understanding SME needs and employment history allows SmartMatch to introduce you to suitable candidates. Photo: Westend61/Getty Images

By offering candidates the ability to maintain an employment passport, Employment Hero empowers both job seekers and employers. This comprehensive approach to recruitment ensures that both parties benefit from accurate and efficient matches.

For small and medium-sized businesses, the impact of poor hiring decisions can be significant. By utilizing advanced tools like SmartMatch, these businesses can access sophisticated recruitment solutions previously available only to larger companies.

Discover how Employment Hero can revolutionize your recruitment process.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Improving Sleep by Deleting Email App: Overcoming Feeling Overwhelmed

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Being a freelance writer means that my daily routine can vary greatly. Some days, I have too much work to handle, while on other days, I have too little to do.

Regardless of the type of job you have, one thing remains constant – email. I receive around 100 emails every day, ranging from trivial updates to important messages from my editor.

Every morning, the first thing I do after turning off my alarm is check my email. And before putting my phone away at night, I make sure to clear out any unread messages. I check my phone constantly throughout the day, always afraid of missing something crucial.

Approximately a year ago, I noticed that checking my email had become more of a distraction. I found myself constantly replying to messages during bathroom breaks and feeling anxious if I hit a mental block while working. I began receiving push notifications on my phone twice as often as checking on my computer.

To make matters worse, I started checking and responding to emails even during meals and walks, turning my downtime into work time.

The red dot on my email app had become a symbol of my professionalism. The more unread emails I had, the less competent I felt. Responding quickly to emails was crucial to maintain my reputation and continue receiving work assignments.

However, prioritizing speed over quality was taking a toll on me. I was overextending myself, not leaving any room for thoughtful work. I realized that I needed a change.

After a particularly busy emailing week, I decided to delete the email app from my phone.

Initially, I felt uneasy without notifications on my phone and checked my email frequently on my laptop. But soon, I noticed a positive difference. Being away from my computer allowed me to focus on things other than work, improving my sleep quality and reducing nighttime stress.

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While my work days remain unpredictable, I’ve learned the importance of setting boundaries for myself even in the absence of a structured routine. Taking uninterrupted breaks helps me focus better when I return to work. Delaying responses to emails by a few hours instead of immediately has not affected the sender and allows me to grasp the message better.

As a freelancer in a fast-paced industry, I no longer feel overwhelmed. Creating space for myself has been beneficial, allowing me to prioritize rest and relaxation. Now, I can spend my time on activities other than constantly checking emails on my phone.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Improving Nature, Climate, and Health Simultaneously through a Unified Approach

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Tree-planting projects help tackle the climate crisis, but they can also impact water supplies

Cost Photo/NurPhoto

The major environmental, social and economic crises facing the world today, including biodiversity, climate change, health, food, and water, are closely linked, and we must work together to tackle them. has many advantages. However, focusing on just one issue can exacerbate other crises.

This is the conclusion of a major report compiled by 165 researchers from 57 countries and approved by 147 governments over the past three years.

United Nations conventions on issues such as biodiversity and climate focus on these issues separately. “So what we will do now in this report, which has not been done before, is to combine all of these and make sure that looking at these crises individually is not only inefficient, but actually the real danger. “It's about showing what's involved,” he says. paula harrison He co-chaired the evaluation process for the report at the UK Center for Ecology and Hydrology. “Action is urgent, but unless we act in a way that takes these interdependencies into account, we will create new problems or exacerbate existing ones.”

Mr Harrison said the scientific studies assessed for this report provide strong evidence that there are a number of actionable actions that can have beneficial effects on all five areas simultaneously. . These include conserving and restoring mangrove forests, improving soil health and carbon content, creating early warning systems for all kinds of hazards, reducing the risk of disease spread from animals to humans, and universal health insurance. It includes international cooperation on technology related to the problem.

There is a trade-off. Actions that have broad benefits are not the same as actions that are the best solution to a particular problem, she says.

“What you can’t do is get the best value possible at the same time,” Harrison says. “While we cannot optimize food production without negatively impacting everything else, we can take a balanced approach that benefits all.”

Harrison gives the example of planting trees to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. If the focus is solely on climate, the trees selected are likely to be fast-growing non-native species that do not support wildlife and affect water supplies by taking up too much water. However, if a project takes a more holistic approach, it may choose native tree species that use less water and increase biodiversity. “It may not sequester as much carbon, but it will add a lot of value to other aspects of the system,” Harrison says.

There are also economic benefits to integrated approaches that help conserve biodiversity and achieve other goals. nexus reportMore than half of the world's gross domestic product ($50 trillion), as it is officially known, states that it is moderately to highly dependent on nature.

“The unaccounted costs of our current approach to economic activity, including climate change impacts on biodiversity, water, health, and food production, are estimated to be at least $10 trillion to $25 trillion per year. It has been.” Pamela McElwee The other co-chair, a professor at Rutgers University in New Jersey, said in a statement.

“There is a lot of evidence that there are very strong and growing biophysical risks to economic prosperity and financial stability if we continue the way we are,” Harrison said.

The Nexus report was compiled by: Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)which is a non-UN body, but functions in a similar way to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The report was formally approved by representatives of the 147 IPBES member countries who met in Namibia on 16 December.

says the report is very ambitious Anne LarigoderlyExecutive Director of IPBES. Its purpose is to provide the science and evidence needed to support the achievement of other international conventions, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Paris Agreement on climate change. , she says.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Melatonin’s benefits extend beyond improving sleep

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Have you ever taken melatonin to help you sleep? Melatonin is a natural hormone involved in sleep. Our brains react to darkness by synthesizing melatonin, which helps regulate our internal and biological clocks. circadian rhythm. However, melatonin has many diverse functions that help maintain our health. It’s more than just a good night’s sleep.

For example, researchers have shown in the past that melatonin is an antioxidant and helps calm inflammation. When our bodies are damaged, the immune system initiates a natural repair response through inflammation, but excessive inflammation can actually harm cells. Scientists have discovered that melatonin has anti-inflammatory properties and can help stop harmful inflammation.

These properties have led scientists to propose that melatonin may also help heal injuries associated with severe inflammation, such as spinal cord injuries. These complex injuries are rooted in the central nervous system and can affect our ability to move, speak, and process information. Healing is very difficult because spinal cord cells cannot regenerate like other cells such as skin cells.

A team of Chinese scientists recently began testing whether melatonin can reduce spinal cord injuries in mice. They hypothesized that melatonin may do so through a biochemical pathway that activates it. anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.

The researchers paralyzed the limbs of 100 mice to simulate spinal cord injury, then injected them with different doses of melatonin. They injected a control group of 25 mice with a placebo and compared their responses to mice receiving melatonin injections.

The scientists took sections of tissue from the spinal cords of mice before and after giving them melatonin. They stained the tissue to see if the cells were dead, dying, or normal. They found that mice injected with melatonin had fewer dead cells than the control group.

To see how the mice responded to these treatments at the cellular level, the scientists also investigated the energy factories in the mice’s cells, mitochondria. They stained the mice’s mitochondria and examined them under a microscope. Scientists have discovered that the mitochondria in mice are fatally affected by paralysis. They observed bubble-like structures within the mitochondria. vacuole, only in mice that did not receive melatonin. This means that the mouse’s cells died from lack of energy, just as plants die when they are deprived of water.

The research team confirmed that fewer vacuoles formed within mitochondria in mice injected with melatonin. They suggested that this means that melatonin’s antioxidant properties protect the membranes of our cellular power-generating factories, just as our skin protects us from the elements.

Scientists also tested whether melatonin could prevent inflammation and other changes in the chemical structure of cells by interacting with proteins.a protein called NLRP3 inflammasome Code of inflammation within our body. Scientists predicted that too much NLRP3 could promote injury, cause uncontrolled inflammation, and cause cell death.

The scientists used a gel-based method to separate proteins in tissue samples based on size. western blot, to detect what kind of proteins are made by mice injected with melatonin. They confirmed that melatonin interacted with the NLRP3 inflammasome in these mice through proteins of the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway and reversed the inflammatory effects of NLRP3. They confirmed that melatonin reduced inflammation in these mice and prevented the progression of the simulated spinal cord injury.

The researchers concluded that melatonin may reduce spinal cord injury and provide insight into the recovery process. They suggested that future researchers should test whether melatonin’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects could treat other diseases associated with cell death, such as Alzheimer’s disease.


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Source: sciworthy.com

AI that predicts flavor preferences can advise brewers on improving beer taste

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Beer brewers produce a wide variety of flavors from just a handful of ingredients

Cthredrig/Getty Images

Artificial intelligence that can predict taste from beer's chemical composition could help create alcohol-free versions that taste exactly like regular beer.

Predicting flavor from a compound is difficult because complex interactions between ingredients and the psychology of taste can result in surprisingly different perceptions, even among people who have tasted the same thing.

To deal with this, kevin verstrapen Professors at the University of Leuven in Belgium have developed an AI model that can predict the flavor profile of beer based on its chemical composition and suggest ways to improve the flavor.

The model was trained on beer reviews by a panel of 16 expert tasters who scored each beer on 50 attributes, as well as 180,000 public ratings from online beer rating websites. The study compared these subjective descriptions with measurements of 226 compounds in 250 Belgian beers.

“Hundreds of these compounds are received by our nose and mouth, but mostly in the nose, and then processed in the brain to give us what we think of as flavor,” Verstrepen says. “The fact that we can actually predict this accurately using machine learning is pretty amazing.”

Verstrepen and his team used this model to predict how to improve the flavor of beer by adding mixtures of specific compounds, such as lactic acid and ethyl acetate. The resulting beer was given significantly higher ratings by a panel of trained tasters.

In another study, which has not yet been published, after making the changes suggested by the model, non-alcoholic beer became indistinguishable from regular beer, Verstrepen said.

The idea is that brewers should aim to implement AI recommendations by tweaking recipes, rather than simply adding flavors, he says. “Simply adding pure aroma compounds is not really acceptable in beer brewing. All you need is malt, hops, water, and yeast.”

“So I look at it as a tool, specifically to be used to make better non-alcoholic beer, but not to take away the art of crafting good beer in an artisanal way,” Versträpen said. To tell.

topic:

  • chemistry /
  • Eating and drinking

Source: www.newscientist.com

Improving the Outcomes of Life’s Big Choices: A Guide to Decision Making

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You could argue that LIFE is like a long game of blackjack. A common version of this is that each person is first dealt her two playing cards. The goal is to increase your hand to 21, or as close to this as possible without bursting. Players can either “stick” with their existing hand or “twist” it by requesting that they be dealt another card to add to their total. Of course, going over 21 risks being eliminated.

This may sound far from an everyday choice, but many of the most important decisions in our lives end up in dilemmas like this. Should I stay like this or should I take the plunge and move house? Should you keep your job or start your own business? Should you put up with an unsatisfactory relationship, or try your hand at love another time? In each case, we have to weigh the safety of what we have against riskier but potentially more valuable alternatives.

The uncertainty inherent in these dilemmas causes many of us to become paralyzed and stagnant in our analysis, ending up staying where we are and not giving ourselves a chance to win big. In contrast, some people are easily swayed by the lure of new things. They quickly turn to gambling until they lose everything due to impulsive behavior. If any of these scenarios sound familiar, help may be on the way. Thanks to a greater understanding of our underlying cognitive biases and how to escape them, we now have evidence-based strategies to think more rationally about these challenges, so we can put our lives on the line. Playing the game gives us the most benefit.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Improving the Outcome of Major Life Decisions: A Guide to Decision Making

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You could argue that LIFE is like a long game of blackjack. A common version of this is that each person is first dealt her two playing cards. The goal is to increase your hand to 21, or as close to this as possible without bursting. Players can either “stick” with their existing hand or “twist” it by requesting that they be dealt another card to add to their total. Of course, going over 21 risks being eliminated.

This may sound far from an everyday choice, but many of the most important decisions in our lives end up in dilemmas like this. Should I stay like this or should I take the plunge and move house? Should you keep your job or start your own business? Should you put up with an unsatisfactory relationship, or try your hand at love another time? In each case, we have to weigh the safety of what we have against riskier but potentially more valuable alternatives.

The uncertainty inherent in these dilemmas causes many of us to become paralyzed and stagnant in our analysis, staying where we are and never getting the chance to win big. In contrast, some people are easily swayed by the lure of new things. They are quick to gamble until they lose everything due to impulsive behavior. If any of these scenarios sound familiar, help may be on the way. Thanks to a greater understanding of our underlying cognitive biases and how to escape them, we now have evidence-based strategies to think more rationally about these challenges, so we can put our lives on the line. Playing the game gives us the most benefit.

Source: www.newscientist.com

AI’s potential for improving software development comes with hard truths

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aAs you may have noticed, we’re in the midst of a craze about something called generative AI. Many hitherto ordinary people, and economists alike, are riding a wave of irrational enthusiasm about the potential for change. It’s the newest new thing.

Two antidotes are recommended for people suffering from fever. The first one,
Hype Cycle Monitor created by consultant Gartner
This indicates that the technology is currently at the “peak of inflated expectations” before plummeting into the “trough of disillusionment”. the other one is,
hofstadter’s law
describes the difficulty of estimating the time required for difficult tasks: “Even when Hofstadter’s law is taken into account, it always takes longer than expected.” Just because a powerful industry and its media patrons are losing their marbles about something doesn’t mean it’s going to wash over society as a whole like a tsunami. Reality moves at a much slower pace.

In the Christmas issue,
economist We published an instructive article titled “
Tractor history in English
” (itself a low-key homage to Marina Levicka’s hilarious 2005 novel).

History of Ukrainian tractors

of

)This article aims to explain “What tractors and horses can tell us about generative AI.” The lesson is that tractors have a long history, but they took a long time to transform agriculture. He has three reasons for this. Early versions were not as useful as backers thought. Introducing these required changes in the labor market. And farms had to reinvent themselves to use them.

So history suggests that whatever transformations AI hypemongers predict, they will materialize more slowly than expected.

However, there is one exception to this rule. It’s computer programming, or the business of creating software. Ever since digital computers were invented, humans have had to tell machines what they want them to do. Because machines could not speak English, machine code and programming languages ​​such as Fortran, Algol, Pascal, C, C++, Haskell, and Python evolved over generations. So if you wanted to communicate with a machine, you had to learn to speak Fortran. , C++ or whatever, is a tedious process for many people. And as the title the great Donald Knuth gave to the first book of his seminal five-volume guide suggests, programming has become something of an esoteric craft.

the art of computer programming
. As the world went digital, this craft became industrialized and rebranded as “software engineering” to downplay its artisanal origins. But mastering it remained an esoteric and valuable skill.

Then along came ChatGPT and the amazing discovery that not only could you create apparently clear sentences, but you could also create software. What’s even more remarkable is that when you outline a task with a plain English prompt, the machine writes the Python code needed to accomplish that task. Often the code is not perfect, but can be debugged by further interaction with the machine. And suddenly, a whole new perspective opened up. Even non-programmers can tell a computer to do something without having to learn computer conversation.

inside
new yorker Programmer James Summers recently wrote the following:
Lamentation essay What are the implications of this development? “A range of knowledge and skills that previously took a lifetime to acquire are being swallowed up all at once,” he said. “For me, coding has always felt like an endlessly deep and rich field. Now, I want to write a memorial to it. I’ve been thinking about Lee Sedol. Sedol is the world One of the best Go players and a national hero in South Korea, he is now best known for losing to a computer program called AlphaGo in 2016.”

That seems a little strange to me. The evidence we have suggests that programmers are embracing AI assistance like ducks to water.a
recent research
For example, 70% of software developers are using or plan to use AI tools in their work this year, and 77% of them have a “favorable or very favorable” opinion of these tools. I found out that They see them as a way to increase your productivity as a programmer, speed up your learning, and even “improve accuracy” when writing computer code.

This doesn’t seem like defeatism to me, but the attitude of experts who see this technology as “power steering for the mind,” as the saying goes. In any case, they don’t sound like horses.
economist's story. But just as tractors ultimately transformed agriculture, this technology will ultimately transform the way software is developed. In that case, software engineers will need to be more like engineers than craftsmen. It’s almost time (says this engineer and columnist).

what i was reading

Smart move?
Great quote from Gary Marcus on his Substack blog.
AI companies will be exempted from lobbying activities Not responsible for copyright infringement.

control mechanism
A very thoughtful article by Diana Enríquez on the Tech Policy Press website about what it means to be.
“managed” by algorithms.

Get out of your head

a
nice post Margaret Atwood’s Substack on films about the French Revolution, including Ridley Scott’s works
napoleon.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Improving Your Home Coffee with 5 Science-Based Rules

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Are you wondering how to make the best cup of coffee possible? Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer. Navigating through social media and specialized coffee communities can leave you perplexed by expensive machines and unique methods for achieving the ideal flavor.

Given that taste in coffee is subjective, there isn’t really a “perfect” cup of coffee. Instead, it’s about finding a really good cup that suits your personal preferences. To achieve this, there are a few key components you’ll need. While additional costs can bring improvements, they are typically minimal.

So the real question is, how can you make excellent coffee without breaking the bank? We consulted Chris Hendon, a leading expert in coffee science and a professor of computational materials chemistry at the University of Oregon.

1. Get the right beans

Good coffee starts with high-quality beans, which comes as no surprise. While pre-ground coffee from the supermarket might be convenient, it doesn’t offer the best results in terms of flavor.

Hendon explains, “Coffee is a seasonal natural product. As it is roasted, gases escape and the organic molecules responsible for aroma and flavor are lost. The fresher the coffee, and the closer it is to the roasting and harvest date, the better. The flavor profile is enhanced when the coffee is fresher.”

“Look for coffee that has been roasted within one to four weeks before purchasing. Although it may take some effort to find, it makes a significant difference in the end result.”

While this may require more time and money, avoiding pre-ground coffee and opting for fresh, high-quality beans will deliver the best taste.

Credit: Jose A. Bernat Bacete

2. Perfect the grind

Although we mentioned that you don’t need to invest in expensive coffee equipment, if you’re going to spend money on one gadget, make it a grinder. According to Hendon, this will make the most significant difference in the taste of your coffee.

Typically, more expensive burr grinders grind coffee instead of breaking it with blades. Additionally, for those who want to take an extra step, Hendon and his team have researched the concept of “splitting beans.” This includes adding a small amount of liquid to the ground beans, resulting in reduced static electricity and a richer flavor.

3. Change the water

While ground coffee is a crucial ingredient in this widely popular drink, there’s another element often overlooked: the water used. The quality of the water can significantly impact the end result of your cup of coffee, and it all comes down to chemistry.

“Hendon points out that there is a substantial water quality issue in the UK, as hard water with high mineral content, including calcium and bicarbonate, forms calcium stones, which adversely affects the taste of coffee. Specifically, the calcium extracts flavor from the coffee, whereas bicarbonate neutralizes acidic compounds, ultimately detracting from the taste.”

Given that hard water is prevalent in the UK and worldwide, it may be the reason why the coffee you brew at home doesn’t match the quality of coffee from cafes, even when accounting for other factors. Hendon suggests trying soft or distilled water with your homemade coffee and observing any noticeable differences. If there is a discernible improvement, your hard water could be limiting the flavor of your morning cup of coffee.

4. Control temperature, timing, and mass

While investing in a top-notch grinder and high-quality coffee and using soft water can enhance your coffee, there are four additional essential factors that impact the taste of your coffee. The good news is that these factors don’t entail any extra expenses.

  • Extraction time
  • Water temperature
  • Water mass
  • Coffee mass

These four variables significantly influence the flavor and strength of your coffee.

“Hendon elaborates, “These are the four big factors that influence the final taste of coffee. There are nuances, such as how the grind affects brewing time, resulting in a slower process.”

“Higher temperatures facilitate the flavor extraction process, while adjusting the amount of water and coffee controls the coffee’s strength. More coffee and less water yield a stronger flavor, whereas it becomes diluted in the opposite scenario.”

5. Experiment

Ultimately, coffee is subjective. While science can provide guidelines for brewing great coffee, it can’t account for individual preferences. Feel free to experiment with various brewing methods to discover your preferred coffee flavor.

Consider experimenting with different brewing methods or altering aspects such as water quantity, temperature, brew time, bean type, and unique techniques like wetting beans before grinding or storing coffee in the freezer. Enjoy the process and have fun taking your coffee to new levels!

Read more:

About our expert Christopher Hendon

Christopher Hendon is a professor of computational materials chemistry at the University of Oregon and an author of multiple books and articles on how to brew the perfect cup of coffee.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Improving the Understanding and Management of AI

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evil robot artificial intelligence

A new paper discusses the complex role of AI in society and highlights its potential for both benefit and harm. He explores AI’s contribution to national security, its role in exacerbating social problems such as radicalization and polarization, and the importance of understanding and managing its risks.
Credit: SciTechDaily.com

Artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms have and are being used to exacerbate radicalization, strengthen polarization and spread racism and political instability, according to academics at Lancaster University. .

Jo Barton, professor of international security at Lancaster University, argues that AI and algorithms are not just tools used by national security agencies to thwart malicious online activity. He suggests that they can foster polarization, radicalism and political violence, thereby posing a threat to national security itself.

In addition to this, he says the securitization process – which presents technology as an existential threat – has helped shape how AI is designed, how it is used, and the harmful outcomes it produces.

AI in securitization and its social impact

Professor Barton’s paper was recently published in Elsevier’s High Impact magazine. Technology in society journal.

“AI is often framed as a tool to counter violent extremism,” Professor Barton says. “This is the other side of the argument.”

This paper examines how AI has been securitized throughout its history and in media and popular culture depictions, creating polarizing and radicalizing ideas that have contributed to political violence. We explore this by examining contemporary examples of AI that have had an impact.

AI in War and Cybersecurity

This article explores how the classic film series The Terminator, which depicts a holocaust caused by an “advanced and malignant” artificial intelligence, has changed the public’s perception of artificial intelligence and how machine consciousness could have catastrophic consequences for humanity. He cites it as being more helpful than anything else in instilling fear. Humanity – In this case nuclear war and a deliberate attempt to wipe out humanity. seed.

“This distrust of machines, the fear associated with them, and their association with biological, nuclear, and genetic threats to humanity has led to a desire on the part of governments and national security agencies to influence the development of technology. connected, we can reduce risks and (in some cases) exploit its positive potential,” writes Professor Barton.

Professor Barton said advanced drone roles, such as those used in the Ukraine war, were now capable of full autonomy, including functions such as target identification and recognition.

There have been widespread and influential campaign discussions, including at the United Nations, to ban “killer robots” and ensure that humans are always informed about life-or-death decisions. According to him, the infiltration of armed drones continues to advance rapidly.

In cyber security (computer and computer network security), AI is used in major ways, the most prevalent areas being (dis)information and online psychological warfare.

The Putin regime’s actions against the 2016 US election process and the subsequent Cambridge Analytica scandal showed that AI combined with big data (including social media) polarizes, encourages extremist beliefs, and manipulates identities. It showed the possibility of producing political effects centered on group. This demonstrated the power and potential of AI to divide society.

The social impact of AI during the pandemic

And during the pandemic, AI was seen as a positive in tracking and tracing. virus But it also led to privacy and human rights concerns.

This article examines AI technology itself, arguing that problems exist in the design of AI, the data it relies on, how it is used, and its outcomes and impacts.

The paper concludes with a strong message for researchers in cybersecurity and international relations.

“AI certainly has the ability to transform society in positive ways, but it also poses risks that need to be better understood and managed,” said John C., an expert on cyber conflict and emerging technologies and a university professor. Professor Barton, who is part of the Security and Protection Science Initiative, writes:

“It is clear that understanding the dichotomous impact of technology is critical at every stage of its development and use.

“Cybersecurity and international relations scholars have an opportunity to incorporate these elements into new AI research agendas and avoid treating AI as a politically neutral technology.

“In other words, concerns about the security of AI systems and their societal impact should not be overridden by how they are used in international and geopolitical struggles.”

Reference: “Algorithmic extremism? The Securitization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its Impact on Radicalism, Polarization, and Political Violence,” by Joe Barton, September 14, 2023. Technology in society.
DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2023.102262

Source: scitechdaily.com