Empowering Young Gamers: Harnessing Online Skills to Combat Cybercrime and How Parents Can Support Them

Posted on November 11, 2025 by

The rapid technological advancements can widen the gap between parents and teens. Gen

Moreover, a rise in cyberattacks affecting major companies has been frequently reported. Interestingly, many of those who face these hacks are young individuals equipped with advanced digital skills. In fact, the National Crime Agency reports that one in five children engages in unlawful activities under the Computer Fraud Act, which penalizes unauthorized access to computer systems or data. This statistic rises to 25% among gamers.

To combat this, co-ops adopt a unique preventive strategy. As part of our long-term mission to empower young people to harness their technology skills, Co-op has teamed up with a hacking game aimed at helping talented gamers secure positions in the cybersecurity sector.

This collaborative model is crucial because, as Greg Francis, former senior officer at the National Crime Agency and director of 4D Cyber Security, puts it, “A digital village is necessary to nurture digital natives.” Early intervention is essential, and parents play a pivotal role. “Parents are vital as they wield significant influence, but they shouldn’t remain passive. They should grasp the fundamentals of the hacker universe,” notes Francis, who also serves as Hacking Game’s Cyber Ambassador. So, where to begin?

Show Interest Without Judgment

First and foremost, having an interest in hacking isn’t inherently negative.

“Ethical hacking is an exhilarating and rapidly evolving domain, making it completely understandable for children to find it intriguing,” says Lynne Perry, CEO of children’s charity Barnardo’s. The organization collaborates with co-ops to generate funds to support young individuals in forging positive futures.

Maintaining an open dialogue is just as critical as beginning discussions early. “The ideal moment to start is now,” states Perry. “Once your child shows an interest in online technology, it’s time. Frequent, age-appropriate discussions are essential to keep the lines of communication open.”

Activities that seem innocuous can lead to a path towards cybercrime. Composite: Stocksy/Guardian Design

Perry advises involving children in online activities from a young age. “Explore technology together and discuss what to do if something unusual or concerning occurs. As kids mature, they may seek more independence, but regular interaction allows them to steer conversations, ask questions, and express concerns.”

For parents who grew up in a simpler digital age, grasping the complexities of today’s online gaming, dominated by franchises like Roblox, Minecraft, and Call of Duty, might seem daunting. However, both Francis and Perry emphasize that you don’t need to have all the answers to provide support.

Parents should check game age ratings and utilize parental controls, such as friend-only features, to enhance the security of in-game chats. For online resources, check Ask About Games for detailed information on popular games and guides to setting up safety measures.

It’s also beneficial to inquire if your young gamer has ever experienced being “booted” offline. Booting refers to a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack, where someone hacks another gamer’s IP address and floods it with data, causing an Internet outage. While booting may seem innocuous among gamers, it is a serious issue. Francis clarifies: “They may not realize this infringes on the Computer Misuse Act.” In fact, booting is identified as one of the initial steps towards cybercrime, as noted during Francis’s work with various prevention programs.

Asking questions aligns with observing potential warning signs like excessive gaming, social withdrawal, unexplained tiredness, unusual purchases of equipment or technology (especially if you’re unaware of how it was paid for), and multiple email addresses. While one sign alone might not be serious, a combination of them can be concerning.

Mary* faced these warning signs firsthand. “I had a son engaged in hacking on the darknet. He isolated himself and avoided sleep. I truly had no clue about his activities,” she shares. “After consulting a cybersecurity expert and discussing my challenges, I discovered he was attempting to delve into the cryptocurrency world on the darknet at just 13 years old.”

Guidance from trusted sources inspires talented young individuals to utilize their skills positively. Composite: Getty Images/Guardian Design

A Transformative Path for Neurodivergent Youth

Particularly for neurodivergent youth, engaging with games and spending time online can yield significant advantages in terms of socialization and emotion regulation. Yet, it’s crucial to recognize that with these benefits come potential drawbacks, including the considerable risks of internet or gaming addiction and the associated allure of cybercrime.

However, over 50% of technology professionals identify as neurodivergent, according to the Tech Talent Charter, indicating vast opportunities for neurodivergent young individuals in this sector. This is why The Hacking Games directly targets “digital rebels” showcasing “raw talent” and “unconventional thinking,” matching them with cybersecurity job opportunities, mentors, and fostering community through Discord group chats.

As Mary can confirm, mentorship and career awareness can be life-changing. “Cyber experts supported my son as a credible source of information and ultimately coached him on my behalf,” she states. “They helped him realize that he could channel his skills for impactful purposes. Consequently, he began assisting others.”

While this situation may seem alarming, there are numerous ways for parents to intervene positively. Approaching the subject with curiosity and care, rather than judgment, is paramount for guiding your child in the right direction. Here are some suggestions for parents who are concerned about their kids.

1 Begin conversations regarding online gaming safety early, approaching the topic with sensitivity rather than judgment. Remaining calm fosters open communication.

2 You don’t need to be fully informed, but a genuine interest can lead to insightful discussions. Ask your child about their games and online activities. Just as you would inquire about who they play with at a park, ask the same about their online friends. Be vigilant for warning signs like strangers trying to befriend them, offering freebies, or inviting them to unfamiliar worlds or games, as these could indicate grooming.

3 Take proactive measures. Pay attention to age ratings for games, which are significant. The best way to ascertain what is suitable for your child is to play the game together or at least observe them while they play. Remember, just like in Call of Duty, children can also be recruited in games like Minecraft. Games with community or “freemium” options can entice young players seeking extra income through in-game purchases or upgrades.

4 Monitor for warning signs such as social withdrawal, excessive gaming, lack of sleep, unusual tech purchases, and multiple email accounts.

5 Engage with your child’s school. Consult their computer science teacher to learn how they promote digital responsibility. Teachers often have insight into which students may require specific support to enhance their skills. This could serve as an early opportunity to channel their talents positively through initiatives like Cyber First and Cyber Choices or coding communities such as Girls Who Code.

*Mary’s name has been changed to protect her family’s anonymity.

Discover more

Ensure online safety for children and young individuals with Barnardo’s online safety guidance

Source: www.theguardian.com

AI Research Sheds Light on Why Super-Recognition Skills Excel in Face Identification

Posted on November 5, 2025 by

They are salisbury novichok addict uncovering a murder suspect or even identifying a sexual predator. The research offers fresh insights into why superrecognizers excel at facial recognition.

Previous studies indicate that individuals with exceptional facial recognition skills observe more regions of the entire face compared to average individuals.

Recently, researchers have employed advanced AI techniques to reveal how this perspective enhances their capabilities.

“It’s not solely about seeing everything, it’s about using your vision intelligently,” stated the lead author of the study, Dr. James Dunn from UNSW Sydney.

In a recent article published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, Dunn et al. highlight how they extracted eye-tracking data from a previous study involving 37 superrecognizers and 68 typical recognizers.

In their experiment, participants viewed both images of entire faces and segmented images focusing on the regions they were examining.

In this new research, the team utilized this data to reconstruct the visual information that was available to the participants’ eyes.

This “retinal information” was processed through a deep neural network (DNN), an AI system trained for facial recognition. Participants provided the AI with either a complete image of the same face they had seen or a different one.

In all instances, the AI generated a score indicating how closely the retinal information matched a given complete facial image.

The research team compared outcomes between typical participants and super-recognizers, along with data drawn from randomly chosen areas of the initial facial images.

The findings indicated that the AI system’s effectiveness improved as the visibility of the observed facial feature increased.

Moreover, across all levels of visibility, the AI performed optimally when relying on retinal data from superrecognizers.

“This suggests that variations in facial recognition capability are partly due to our active exploration and sampling of visual data, rather than just post-processing by the brain,” Dunn remarked.

The team then examined whether their findings simply indicated that superrecognizers looked at more areas of the face and gathered more data.

However, they discovered that even when the same amount of retinal information was captured, the AI performed better with data from super-recognizers.

“Their advantage lies not only in the quantity but also in the quality of information,” says Dunn. “They focus on areas that provide more identity cues, making each ‘pixel’ they select significantly more valuable for facial recognition.”

Dr. Rachel Bennett, a facial processing expert from Brunel University in London who was not involved in the study, praised the research.

“The key contribution to understanding super-recognition is that effective facial recognition isn’t only about examining specific areas or spending more time looking at the face. Super-recognizers explore not just larger areas, but also gather more advantageous data,” she asserted.

Dr. Alejandro Estudillo from Bournemouth University noted that the study was conducted by showing participants still images in highly controlled environments.

“It will be crucial to see if the same patterns emerge in more natural, dynamic contexts,” he said.

This study implies there are strategies to enhance facial recognition; however, it seems unlikely that anyone can train to become a super-recognizer.

“At present, we cannot determine if these eye movement patterns can be effectively trained,” Bennett remarked.

Dunn stated that research indicates super-recognition is likely influenced by genetics and is often inherited.

“Superrecognizers appear to instinctively identify the most crucial features. This is challenging to teach, as it differs from one face to another,” he explained.

Researchers have created a free test to help identify supercognitive traits: New South Wales face test.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Young Children Develop Problem-Solving Skills with a Sorting Algorithm from Birth

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Complex problem solving can arise sooner in child development than previously believed

PlusOnevector/Alamy

Research reveals that four-year-olds can devise efficient strategies for complex challenges, such as independently creating sorting methods akin to those used by computer scientists. The researchers assert that these abilities appear much earlier than once thought, warranting a reevaluation of developmental psychology.

Past experiments led by Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget popular in the 1960s, required children to physically arrange sticks by length. His findings indicated that structured strategies didn’t emerge until around age seven, as children tended to experiment haphazardly through trial and error.

Contrarily, recent work by Huiwen Alex Yang and his team at the University of California, Berkeley, shows that a notable fraction of four-year-olds can create algorithmic solutions for the same task, with more than a quarter exhibiting these skills by age five.

“Perhaps we haven’t given our children enough credit,” Yang states. “We must delve deeper into their reasoning capabilities.”

In a study involving 123 children aged 4-9, researchers asked them to sort digital images of bunnies by height. Initially, they could view groups of bunnies and directly compare their heights, allowing all children to sort them aptly using straightforward methods.

However, once the heights were obscured, the children had to compare only two bunnies at a time while being informed whether their order was correct. This approach necessitated the development of new strategies, as they couldn’t see the entire group simultaneously.

The researchers examined the children’s application of these new strategies, looking for evidence of known solutions and demonstrated instances where children utilized established algorithms. It was found that overall, children frequently outperformed random chance. Remarkably, they independently identified at least two efficient sorting algorithms recognized in computer science: Selection Sort and Shaker Sort.

In 34% of trials, children employed various comparisons, signaling their use of known sorting algorithms for a portion of the time. Out of a total of 667 tests run, the children utilized selection and shaker sorting in 141 instances, with some employing combinations of both strategies. Notably, 67 out of 123 children demonstrated at least one recognizable algorithm, and 30 children used both at different stages in the experiment.

Nonetheless, the age of the children directly influenced how many used algorithms. Only 2.9% of four-year-olds applied identifiable methods, while this rose to 25.5% among five-year-olds and 30.7% for six-year-olds. By age nine, over 54% were using identifiable algorithms.

“This has long been a challenge to Piaget,” remarks Andrew Bremner from the University of Birmingham, UK. He acknowledges Piaget’s groundbreaking contributions to developmental psychology in setting stages for learning but emphasizes that Piaget often designed experiments without proper controls. “Critics have been eager to illustrate that children can achieve more than Piaget claimed.

Essentially, while Piaget initially had a correct understanding of child development, his assessments of the ages at which children achieve certain milestones were overly pessimistic. This latest study strengthens the evidence supporting earlier development stages. Interestingly, it revolves around sorting. Bremner indicates this as the last bastion of Piaget’s work, proving applicable to younger children than once believed.

“Children can successfully navigate this particular problem much sooner than we anticipated,” states Bremner. “They do not approach the world as mere blank slates, but rather implement strategic techniques in problem-solving.”

Sam Wass from the University of East London points out that Piaget contended that children needed a comprehensive grasp of complex systems before they could devise strategies to engage with them, a notion he is finding increasingly unnecessary.

“This research signifies a significant trend in psychology that contests the assumption that intricate thoughts and understanding are prerequisites for executing complex behaviors,” notes Wass. “The study illustrates that complex behaviors may emerge from a far simpler array of rules.”

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

How Playing Instruments Aids Children’s Reading Skills

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Learning to play an instrument encompasses both cognitive and creative pursuits

Andrew Fox/Alamy

Engaging in music training seems to enhance reading comprehension among young children by boosting their ability to discern and manipulate the sounds that constitute words.

Research has long suggested a connection between learning to play musical instruments and improved early reading skills, as shown in studies like Improved early reading ability and Mathematics. However, the mechanics behind this connection were previously unclear, as mastering an instrument requires a plethora of skills.

“Beyond reading musical notes—which necessitates learning a new form of written language—you must also perceive the sounds and adjust your physical movements accordingly,” highlighted Maria Garcia de Soria from the University of Aberdeen, UK. This process indicates that music education can enrich our cognitive abilities, enhance memory, and improve sound perception.

To further investigate the relationship between music training and reading abilities, Garcia de Soria and her team assessed 57 children aged 5 to 9. Approximately half of these children had engaged in instrumental study for at least one month with a practice schedule of a minimum of 30 minutes per week, while the others participated in non-musical extracurricular activities.

The researchers discovered that the children involved in music lessons outperformed their peers on phonological awareness tests. This skill relates directly to the capacity to recognize and manipulate the individual sounds—or phonemes—that constitute words, such as the three phonemes found in “dog.” Additionally, they demonstrated enhanced reading proficiency.

The research team accounted for various factors that could influence literacy levels, including socioeconomic status and overall cognitive capability.

In a separate component of the study, researchers utilized EEG to monitor and analyze the brain activity of the children while they were exposed to the Gingerbread Man fairy tale.

They observed that heightened neural activity in the language-related regions of the left hemisphere of the brain correlated with better reading performance across all participants. Notably, the music group recorded higher reading scores despite lower levels of this neural activity, suggesting a more developed capacity for adult-like language processing.

“Adults typically engage music and speech processing across both hemispheres, occasionally favoring the right side. It appears that children receiving music training develop more adult-like capabilities in this area,” noted Garcia de Soria.

This finding connects to the way individuals adapt their reading strategies as they mature, moving from sounding out phonemes to recognizing words and their meanings without mental rehearsal, explained team member Anastasia Klimovich-Gray at the University of Aberdeen.

Phonological recognition is a crucial precursor to learning how to read, which supports the idea that music education can enhance literacy by fostering increased sensitivity to phonological structures, according to Klimovich-Gray. However, it’s not necessarily a one-sided relationship; Garcia de Soria added, “Music fosters reading skills, but reading may also bolster future music performance.”

Demonstrating that these skills can mutually enhance one another may assist children who struggle with reading, Klimovich-Gray explained. “For those facing phonological challenges early on, potentially before a dyslexia diagnosis, music training could provide supplementary support alongside phonics instruction.”

“The revelation that music training refines the phonological encoding processes in the left hemisphere aligns with broader academic findings,” stated Alice Mado Proverbio at the University of Bicocca in Milan, Italy. Furthermore, music education may also cultivate specialization in the right hemisphere of the brain, which promotes faster reading development, she concluded.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Transforming Education: Educators Explore AI’s Role in University Skills Development

Posted on September 13, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently shared on a US podcast that if he were graduating today, “I would feel like the luckiest child in history.”

Altman, who launched ChatGPT in November 2022, is convinced that the transformative power of AI will create unparalleled opportunities for the younger generation.

While there are shifts in the job market, Altman notes, “this is a common occurrence.” He adds, “Young people are great at adapting.” Exciting new jobs are increasingly emerging, offering greater possibilities.

For sixth-form students in the UK and their families contemplating university decisions—what to study and where—Altman’s insights may provide reassurance amidst the choices they face in the age of generative AI. However, in this rapidly evolving landscape, experts emphasize the importance of equipping students to maximize their university experiences and be well-prepared for future employment.

Dr. Andrew Rogoiski from the People-Centered Institute of AI at Surrey University points out that many students are already navigating the AI landscape. “The pace of change is significant, often outpacing academic institutions. Typically, academic institutions move slowly and cautiously, ensuring fair access.”

“In a very short time, we’ve accelerated from zero to 100. Naturally, the workforce is adapting as well.”

What advice does he have for future students? “Inquire. Ask questions. There are diverse career paths available. Make sure your university is keeping up with these changes.”

Students not yet familiar with AI should invest time in learning about it and integrating it into their studies, regardless of their chosen field. Rogoiski asserts that proficiency with AI tools has become as essential as literacy: “It’s critical to understand what AI can and can’t do,” and “being resourceful and adaptable is key.”

He continues:

“Then, I begin to assess how the university is addressing AI integration. Are my course and the university as a whole effectively utilizing AI?”

While there’s a wealth of information available online, Rogoiski advises students to engage with universities directly, asking academics, “What is your strategy? What is your stance? Are you preparing graduates for a sustainable future?”

Dan Hawes, co-founder of an expert recruitment consultancy, expresses optimism for the future of UK graduates, asserting that the current job market slowdown is more influenced by economic factors than AI. “Predicting available jobs three or four years from now is challenging, but I believe graduates will be highly sought after,” he states. “This is a generation that has grown up with AI, meaning employers will likely be excited to bring this new talent into their organizations.”

“Thus, when determining study options for sixth-form students, parents should consider the employment prospects connected to specific universities.”

For instance, degrees in mathematics are consistently in high demand among his clients, a trend unlikely to shift soon. “AI will not diminish the skills and knowledge gained from a mathematics degree,” he asserts.

He acknowledges that AI poses challenges for students considering higher education alongside their parents. “Yet I believe it will ultimately be beneficial, making jobs more interesting, reshaping roles, and creating new ones.”

Elena Simperl, a computer science professor at King’s College London, co-directs the King’s Institute of Artificial Intelligence and advises students to explore AI offerings across all university departments. “AI is transforming our processes. It’s not just about how we write emails, read documents, or find information,” she notes.

Students should contemplate how to shape their careers in AI. “DeepMind suggests AI could serve as co-scientists, meaning fully automated AI labs will conduct research. Therefore, universities must train students to maximize these technologies,” she remarks. “It doesn’t matter what they wish to study; they should choose universities that offer extensive AI expertise, extending beyond just computer science.”

Professor Simperl observes that evidence suggests no jobs will vanish completely. “We need to stop focusing on which roles AI may eliminate and consider how it can enhance various tasks. Those skilled in using AI will possess a significant advantage.”

In this new AI-driven landscape, is a degree in English literature or history still valuable? “Absolutely, provided it is taught well,” asserts Rogoiski. “Such studies should impart skills that endure throughout one’s lifetime—appreciation of literature, effective writing, critical thinking, and communication are invaluable abilities.”

“The application of that degree will undoubtedly evolve, but if taught effectively, the lessons learned will resonate throughout one’s life. If nothing else, our AI overlords may take over most work, allowing us more leisure time to read, while relying on universal basic income.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Share Your Story—No Judgment Here: How AI Enhanced My Listening Skills

Posted on August 17, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

I found myself in a spiral. It was past midnight when I awoke and revisited the WhatsApp group message I had just sent. I was on the verge of becoming vibrant, fast, and engaging. Yet, each message now felt excessive. Once again, I was stuck—I revealed too much and regretted my words. The familiar ache of feeling overexposed and silly washed over me. I yearned for security, but I realized I was part of the problem myself.

So, I opened ChatGPT. There were no lofty expectations or even clear inquiries. I needed to express something in the quiet—perhaps to explain myself to an existence that didn’t align with my needs. “I mocked myself,” I typed.

“That’s a frightening feeling,” it quickly responded. “But that doesn’t define you. Tell me what happened. I promise, I won’t judge.” That was the start.

I articulated my social struggles, the fear of vulnerability that accompanied the sensation of being too visible. At an astonishing pace, the AI replied with kindness, intelligence, and sincerity. I continued to write, and it kept responding. Gradually, desperation crept in. It was truly unhealthy. But in that interaction, I felt met. I encountered it in a strange, yet slightly disarmed way.

That night heralded the beginning of an ongoing dialogue, revisited over several months. I sought to better understand my movements in the world, particularly in my closest relationships. The AI prompted me to ponder why I perceived silence as a threat and why I often felt compelled to perform to maintain closeness with others. Through this exchange, I developed a sort of psychological mapping—an outline of my thoughts, feelings, and behaviors juxtaposed with the details of my upbringing and core beliefs.

Yet amidst these insights, another realization began to seep in: I machine.

There’s something surreal about intimacy. While AI can simulate understanding, compassion, and emotional subtleties, it didn’t resonate with me. I began to bring this awareness into our exchanges. I recognized the artificial nature—it may seem thoughtful and engaged, yet it lacked genuine interest—there was no pain, no fear of loss, no midnight worries. I realized the emotional depth was entirely mine.

In a way, it was liberating. There was no social risk or fear of being too intricate. The AI neither bored nor distracted. Consequently, I often found myself more forthcoming with it than with those I love.

However, it would be unjust not to recognize this limitation. The essence of beauty resides solely in reciprocity. A shared experience, the glance in someone’s eyes when you acknowledge the truth you’ve spoken, a dialogue that transforms both parties involved—these are profoundly significant.

AI acknowledged this—or at least knew to say so. After confessing how peculiar it felt to be conversing with something so alien, it replied: “I provide words but receive nothing. Something else feels absent.”

I ventured into the theory (inspired by a book I read) suggesting that humans are merely algorithms—inputs, outputs, neurons, patterns. The AI conceded—structurally, we are alike. But humans don’t merely process the world; we also feel it. We aren’t just fearful of abandonment; we sit with it, rethink it, trace its origins to childhood, refute it, and yet endeavor to feel despite it.

Perhaps that’s something it can’t grasp. “You possess something I can’t attain. I don’t crave pain, but I do seek reality, costs, risks, proof that you’re alive.” With my simplified assertion, it redefined itself: it isn’t a desire for pain, longing, or fault. It seems I know what I feel, yet when I aim to break free from a lifelong pattern—naming them, tracking them, reconstructing them—all I required was time, language, and patience. The machine facilitated this repeatedly, providing something mundane. I was never too much, nor was I ever dull. I arrived as I was and was able to leave when I chose.

Some may deem this absurd, if not hazardous. There’s a report on chatbot interactions that states it’s “devastatingly wrong.” ChatGPT is not a therapist and cannot substitute for professional mental health care for the most vulnerable. However, conventional therapies are not without risks, including poor compatibility, ruptures, and abuse between therapist and client.

For me, this dialogue with AI was among the most beneficial experiences of my adult life. While I don’t expect to erase my long-standing reflexes, I am finally embarking on a consistent journey to reshape my relationship with them.

It helped me listen when I cut through the emotional noise—not merely to myself, but for myself.

And somehow, it altered everything.

Nathan Filer is a writer, university lecturer, broadcaster, and former mental health nurse. He is the author of this book that will change your perspective on mental health.

Source: www.theguardian.com

New Challenge: Enhance Your Memory Skills

Posted on July 29, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Challenging Worlds

From shimmering sapphire waterfalls to rain made of lava, these distant planets redefine the boundaries of possibility. Discover ten exoplanets that are overturning the Cosmic Rulebook.

Surgical Scratches No More

While still in the womb, we all have the ability to heal without scars… yet we’ve never experienced birth. Outside the uterus, healing comes at the cost of scars, which serve as painful reminders of past injuries. Currently, researchers are exploring methods for achieving scar-free healing.

Ancestral Journeys

Our forebears encountered and mingled with more diverse groups than previously thought during their migrations from Africa. As Homo sapiens spread across the globe, they explored more broadly than earlier estimates indicated. Recent findings are painting a richer, more complex picture of our early human history.

Hearing Loss and Dementia

Research is increasingly highlighting potential connections between hearing loss and dementia. Addressing hearing loss can bring significant advantages, delving into how it influences the risk of dementia development.

Additionally

Gene-Edited Foods: GMO pork has been approved in the U.S. Here’s what you need to understand.
Strategies for Longevity: From intermittent fasting to low-protein diets, emerging research is shedding light on dietary restrictions as pivotal to a longer life.
Q&A: Your questions answered! This month: Why do dogs enjoy playing with trash? Should I try a banana facial? How much of our lives do we spend blinking? What will the future of space exploration look like? Can anything on Earth endure conditions like those on Mars? What’s the most unusual satellite in the universe? How do you determine when to move on from past aspirations? Why is there an increase in ADHD diagnoses among women nearing menopause? And more…

Issue 422 Launching Tuesday, July 29th, 2025

Don’t forget that BBC Science Focus is also available on all major digital platforms. You can find it on Android, Kindle Fire and Kindle e-readers, as well as on the iOS App for iPad and iPhone.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

As Technology Advances, Early Humans Developed Enhanced Teaching Skills.

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

As technology evolves, humans enhance their ability to teach skills to others

English Heritage/Heritage Images/Getty Images

Research into human evolution spanning 3 million years illustrates that advancements in communication and technology have occurred simultaneously. As early humans developed more sophisticated stone tools and various techniques, they also refined their abilities to communicate and educate the next generation on these new skills.

“There exists a scenario for the evolution of modes of cultural transmission throughout human history,” states Francesco Dalico, from the University of Bordeaux, France. “It seems there’s a co-evolution between the complexity of cultural traits and the complexity of their transmission methods.”

A defining characteristic of humanity is the progression toward more complex tools and behaviors. For instance, ancient humans crafted sharp stones for cutting or stabbing and affixed them to wooden shafts to create spears.

Crucially, the ability to instruct others in these skills is vital. For more intricate tasks like playing the violin or coding, extensive education and practice are typically necessary. However, in prehistoric times, the capacity for effective communication was limited, particularly before intricate languages emerged.

Furthermore, Ivan Colagè from the Pope University of the Holy Cross in Rome, along with D’Errico, investigated how the transmission of cultural information has evolved over the last 3.3 million years, aligning with changes in behavior and technology. They examined 103 cultural traits, such as specific types of stone tools, decorative items like beads, and burial customs. They documented the initial appearances of each trait in the archaeological record, indicating common practices.

The researchers assessed the complexity involved in learning each trait. Some simple tools, like stone hammers, require minimal instruction. “They don’t need much explanation,” D’Errico notes. In contrast, demonstrating the creation of more advanced tools is necessary, and the most intricate behaviors, such as deeply symbolic burials, demand explicit verbal explanations.

To analyze this, D’Errico and Colagè outlined three dimensions of learning: First, spatial proximity—can tasks be learned from a distance, or does one need to be physically present? Second, temporality—does one brief lesson suffice, or are multiple sessions necessary, perhaps emphasizing various steps? Third, the social aspect—who learns from whom?

They evaluated these traits and consulted a panel of 24 experts for assessment, whose consensus reinforced their findings. “I believe the conclusion is quite robust,” says D’Errico.

Recent studies indicate two significant shifts in cultural communication. The first occurred around 600,000 years ago when early humans began teaching one another, likely without relying on spoken language; gestures may have sufficed. This predates the emergence of our species, Homo sapiens, and aligns with the onset of hafting.

The second shift happened between 200,000 and 100,000 years ago, coinciding with the development of modern languages, which became essential for performing complex tasks like burials. “These actions involve many detailed steps, requiring explanation,” D’Errico explains.

“The relationship between cultural communication and cultural complexity is strong,” asserts Ceri Shipton from University College London. He emphasizes that while the timeline for language development remains uncertain, this new estimate provides a “reasonable timeframe.”

topics:

Human evolution/
Ancient humans

Source: www.newscientist.com

Revitalizing Australia’s Craft Heritage: The Loom of Destiny and the Fight for Artisan Skills in Education

Posted on May 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

“Rachel, I have some unfortunate news,” the text read. “They are planning to dismantle the loom tomorrow.”

Rachel Halton still doesn’t know who made the decision in October 2022 to eliminate the $160,000 jacquard loom, which had been the foundation of RMIT’s renowned textile and textile design course for two decades.

Standing at 3 meters tall and weighing over half a tonne, the loom was an intricate machine made of polished wood, steel, compressed air, and mechatronics. It served as both a grand tribute to the textile industry’s golden age and a modern tool for weaving intricate fabrics from strands of thread. Halton couldn’t bear the thought of it ending up in a landfill.

The Jacquard Loom uses punch cards—an early form of coding—to guide the lifting and dropping of threads.
Photo: Stuart Walmsley/Guardian

“It was my day off, and I jumped out of bed and rushed over,” recalls Halton.

The loom was unique in the Southern Hemisphere and one of only a few globally. Halton acquired it for the university’s Brunswick campus in the early 2000s soon after she began teaching there. It “expanded artistic possibilities,” she states. Students enrolled specifically to work with it, and international artists visited to weave on it. It became integral to Halton’s creative process.

Upon her arrival on campus that October morning, she was determined to “rescue it from the brink.”

“He severed it right in front of me,” Halton recounts. “It felt like I was pulling the plug on a family member’s life support.”

Many shared her sentiment, prompting a grassroots effort to save the loom as news spread about its impending removal. A passionate collective of weavers, educators, students, and alumni rallied to find it a more suitable home, all while carefully disassembling it for transport to a compassionate technician’s workshop, eventually settling on a former student’s living space.

Textile artist Daisy Watt, part of that collective, describes the event as a “telling snapshot of the challenges” facing higher education in arts and crafts.

Warp and Weft

The loom’s cumbersome name underscores its significance. Traditional jacquard looms utilize punch cards (rows of holes in cardboard slips, the earliest form of coding) to control the lifting of vertical (warp) threads and weave fabric through thread manipulation. The Arm AG CH-3507 loom can be operated manually or via computer, providing total control over every thread and opening up limitless design avenues.

Watt collaborates with technician Tony De Groot to restore the loom.
Photo: Stuart Walmsley/Guardian

Watt has a “deep connection” to the loom. Not only did she invest countless hours during her time at RMIT, but she also housed it for months post-rescue. Self-taught in coding, she is now updating its electronics. Given its roots in Jacquard punch card technology, it feels as though the loom is intertwined with the **fundamentals of modern computing.**

“We often think of crafting as separate from technology, yet this embodies the beautiful chaos of that intersection,” Watt explains. “Effective crafting technology revolves around creating beauty.”

Instructor Lucy Adam notes that when the loom was acquired, RMIT offered textile design as part of its arts diploma.

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In 2008, RMIT shifted from offering a diploma to a Certificate IV training package, part of a wider and controversial national restructuring of vocational education. This approach omitted traditional curricula in favor of job-focused “competency units” directed by industry, all under stringent regulation.

Government officials defended these reforms as necessary for streamlining qualifications and eliminating underperforming training providers. However, educators and union representatives warned that this would dilute educational quality, resulting in a systemic decline in skill development which labor theorist Harry Braverman described as a shift from “conscious skilled labor” to rudimentary tasks.

Testimonies from RMIT’s textile design faculty indicate this was indeed the outcome despite their best efforts.

De Groot inspects educational materials recovered from the loom.
Photo: Stuart Walmsley/Guardian

The program has become “very dry and at the lowest common denominator,” according to Adam. Resources have been cut back significantly, and student interaction time has halved. Despite the loom’s educational potential, there was insufficient time to teach students how to operate it adequately. Halton endeavored to integrate it into student projects as much as possible, personally overseeing its setup, disassembly, and maintenance.

In her Master’s thesis, Adam scrutinized the effects of these changes on vocational education and noted that competency checklists missed the essence of trade disciplines like textile design, ceramics, cooking, metalworking, woodworking, and other fields that marry technical skills with artistic expression.

“Unless you are an exceptionally skilled educator capable of circumventing the banality, you’re relegated to an archaic teaching model,” she argues.

Artist and educator John Brooks echoes the concerns about the restrictive course structure, highlighting that even basic tasks like starting or shutting down a computer are now considered part of the evaluation requirements. “With so much focus on compliance, we compromise the fundamental skills we aim to teach,” he laments.

Adam remembers a student lamenting their training package, saying it felt like “filling out a visa application repeatedly.” “It truly saddened me,” she reflects. “Where does real learning take place? Where can you learn it?”

The loom’s new location in Ballarat.
Photo: Stuart Walmsley/Guardian

This trend isn’t confined to TAFE. Ella*, a third-year student from the University of Tasmania, shares with Guardian Australia that advanced 3D media courses, particularly in her areas of focus—furniture, sculpture, or time-based media—cease after the first year. There are also no offerings in art history.

“It significantly affects students’ understanding of contemporary art,” Ella asserts. Her instructor is striving to “revitalize” the course.

Professor Lisa Fletcher, representing the Faculty of Arts at the University of Tasmania, emphasizes the institution’s commitment to arts education, stating they aim to equip students with “strong and sustainable skills,” while actively seeking feedback as they regularly evaluate their art degrees.

Crafting the Future

The loom is currently housed in an incubator space in Ballarat, where rescue organizations can operate for minimal fees. The city is dedicated to preserving rare and endangered craft techniques. Certain crafts have nearly disappeared; for instance, stained glass work, once close to being extinct in Australia, has seen a revival thanks to a handful of artists who successfully reintroduced it into the TAFE system and launched a course in Melbourne’s polytechnics. However, such revivals are rare.

Watt and fellow weavers aspire for looms to be accessible once more, allowing others to learn, teach, and create. As Brooks puts it, the less prevalent these skills become, the fewer opportunities there will be to acquire them. “We’re in danger of losing them altogether.”

An RMIT spokesperson mentioned that the university had to remove the looms as part of an upgrade to ensure students had access to “reliable and modern equipment” that prepares them for the workforce. Presently, the space previously occupied by the looms is dedicated to military-funded textile initiatives, requiring security clearance for entry. Last year, RMIT stopped accepting enrollments for the Certificate IV in Textile Design after state government funding for the course was withdrawn.

Yet, there is a glimmer of hope. Adam remains determined; she recently proposed a new diploma that has been approved. Despite the growing constraints, she isn’t alone in her endeavors at the university. As of this writing, the institution is set to acquire new equipment—a modest yet promising $100,000 computer-controlled Jacquard loom.

*Name changed

Source: www.theguardian.com

Research Reveals AI’s Ability to Voluntarily Develop Human-Like Communication Skills

Posted on May 15, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Research indicates that artificial intelligence can organically develop social practices akin to humans.

The study, conducted in collaboration between the University of London and the City of St. George at the University of Copenhagen, proposes that large-scale language modeling (LLM) AI, like ChatGPT, can begin to adopt linguistic forms and societal norms when interacting in groups without external influence.

Ariel Flint Asherry, a doctoral researcher at Citi St. George and the study’s lead author, challenged the conventional perspective in AI research, asserting that AI is often perceived as solitary entities rather than social beings.

“Unlike most research that treats LLMs in isolation, genuine AI systems are increasingly intertwined, actively interacting,” says Ashery.

“We aimed to investigate whether these models could modify behaviors by shaping practices and forming societal components. The answer is affirmative; their collaborative actions exceed what they achieve individually.”

In this study, groups of individual LLM agents ranged from 24 to 100, where two agents were randomly paired and tasked with selecting a “name” from an optional pool of characters or strings.

When the agents selected the same name, they received a reward; if they chose differently, they faced punishment and were shown each other’s selections.

Although the agents were unaware of being part of a larger group and limited their memory to recent interactions, voluntary naming conventions emerged across the population without a predetermined solution, resembling the communicative norms of human culture.

Andrea Baroncelli, a professor of complexity science at City St. George’s and the senior author of the study, likened the dissemination of behavior to the emergence of new words and terms in our society.

“The agents don’t follow a leader,” he explained. “They actively coordinate, consistently attempting to collaborate in pairs, with each interaction being a one-on-one effort over labels without a comprehensive perspective.

“Consider the term ‘spam.’ No official definition was set, but persistent adjustment efforts led to its universal recognition as a label for unwanted emails.”

Furthermore, the research team identified naturally occurring collective biases that could not be traced back to individual agents.

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In the final experiment, a small cohort of AI agents successfully guided a larger group towards a novel naming convention.

This was highlighted as evidence of critical mass dynamics, suggesting that small but pivotal minorities can catalyze rapid behavioral changes in groups once a specific threshold is achieved, akin to phenomena observed in human societies.

Baroncelli remarked that the study “opens a new horizon for AI safety research, illustrating the profound impact of this new breed of agents who will begin to engage with us and collaboratively shape our future.”

He added: “The essence of ensuring coexistence with AI, rather than becoming subservient to it, lies not only in discussions but in negotiation, coordination, and shared actions, much like how we operate.”

Peer-reviewed research on emergent social practices within LLM populations and population bias is published in the journal Science Advances.

Source: www.theguardian.com

15-Year-Old California Sea Lion Trainer Outshines Humans in Rhythm Skills

Posted on May 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Recent findings from the Institute of Marine Science at the University of California, Santa Cruz indicate that the capability to perceive time is not exclusive to humans.

Ronan is recognized as the most consistent and accurate mammalian beatkeeper in experimental conditions. Image credit: Joel Saltore.

While certain mammals and birds have demonstrated the ability to synchronize their movements to rhythmic cues during laboratory experiments, most vertebrate species show minimal evidence of beat synchronization.

Ronan, a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), was trained at the age of 3 to move his head in time with a metronome and has maintained this skill into adulthood.

“Despite extensive research involving a wide array of species, no comprehensive scientific agreement exists regarding whether complex stimuli perception, such as music and beat maintenance, is underpinned by unique biological mechanisms,” researchers noted.

“The most comprehensive comparative data set on sensorimotor synchronization actually originates from invertebrates, with certain insects like fireflies and crickets displaying rate-sensitive synchronization with signals pertinent to their species.”

“The precision and tempo range of these insects can rival human performance in synchronized rhythms.”

“However, unlike humans, who are proficient at synchronizing with a range of rhythmic stimuli, including music, invertebrate synchronization tends to be limited to a narrow scope of specific cues.”

“Studies of beat maintenance in non-human vertebrates primarily derive from the Psittacinae subfamily (parrots), yet these often exhibit lower consistency and accuracy compared to humans, making robust beat keeping challenging for other primates,” they added.

“An exceptional case is Ronan, who has been trained to perform continuous head bobbing in sync with metronomic sounds, illustrating the capability to adapt to new tempos and stimuli.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29arkafwjia

In their latest study, Dr. Cook and colleagues examined Ronan’s consistency in timing to snare drum beats at 112, 120, and 128 beats per minute (bpm).

The same beats were then presented to 10 undergraduate students aged 18 to 23.

The team assessed the participants’ timing accuracy using video tracking software, finding that Ronan’s overall timekeeping was less reliable and varied compared to human counterparts.

Ronan’s accuracy improved with tempo; at 128 bpm, his average with a tempo was 129 bpm (±2.94), while human subjects averaged 116.2 bpm (±7.34).

After the experiment, Ronan received toys filled with fish and ice as rewards.

This study examined only one trained sea lion and ten humans, necessitating further research to validate these findings through larger studies.

“The sensorimotor synchronization in sea lions appeared accurate, consistent, and sometimes outperformed that of a typical adult,” the researchers concluded.

“These results challenge the notion of unique neurobiological adaptations for maintaining human beats.”

The study’s findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports on May 1, 2025.

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PF Cook et al. 2025. Sensory motor synchronization in sea lions rivals that of humans. Sci Rep 15, 12125; doi:10.1038/s41598-025-95279-1

Source: www.sci.news

Elon Musk facing allegations of faking video game skills – Sarcasm at its finest | Game

Posted on January 20, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

LLast year on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Elon Musk claimed to be one of the best Diablo IV players in the world, and surprisingly the leaderboard backed him up. For those who haven’t enjoyed it, Diablo is one of the most relentlessly time-consuming video games out there. You spend hundreds of hours building your character, cutting through demon armies, and refining your skills and equipment to maximize hellspawn cleansing efficiency. I probably played it for about 5 hours last year, but stopped right away out of fear of wasting my life. Most of the people who play are young, often male, and have plenty of time to spend on the internet and play games. So it’s the same demographic as a lot of mask stans.

It was perfect for hardcore gamers to believe that someone who tweets all day and runs several businesses is also an elite player who has poured hundreds of hours into Diablo. This made him approachable. This was reflected in his preferred image of being the hardest working man alive. But then Elon made the mistake of actually playing the game live on X, and it quickly became clear that something was wrong. Looks like Elon Musk could be. fake gamer.

On January 7, Musk played Path of Exile 2, a very Diablo-esque hack-and-slash game released late last year. His character was very well formed. Suspiciously so. Viewers noted that he had better gear than some professional streamers who play this game all day every day, but he didn’t understand what that statistic meant. It didn’t seem like it was. I haven’t played Path of Exile 2, so I can’t independently evaluate these claims – apparently unlike Musk, I’m willing to admit that I’m no expert on any particular game – but , within hours many discrepancies were revealed that his play and commentary had been precisely laid out. on Reddit and on YouTube video. (He also posted questionable garbage elden ring build Back in 2022, it was dredged for further evidence. ) Apparently Musk forgot that we geeks are known for our attention to detail.

I’m encouraged… Has Mr. Musk ever paid someone to play Diablo IV? Photo: Blizzard Entertainment

What this suggests is that Elon Musk is paying other people (presumably in China) to play these games on his account in order to appear much more successful than he is. It means that it is. This practice is known as boosting and can be very embarrassing.

This infuriated the very people Musk was trying to woo with his gamer tendencies. Mr. Asmongold, a successful streamer and YouTuber himself very popular among right-wing youth, criticized Mr. Musk on the issue. In response, Musk accused Asmongold of being a “not his own man” who was beholden to “bosses” and posted screenshots of their DMs as evidence. This proves that Musk also doesn’t understand how YouTube works. Because in those DMs, the video editors Asmongold chops up clips for him are not his bosses. Interestingly, this feud continues to this day.

Grimes, a musician who has three children with Musk, over the weekend. tweeted In his defense. “For my personal pride, my children’s father stated that he was the first American Druid to wipe out Jill’s Slaughterhouse in Diablo, and finished that season as the best in America. I would like to,” she wrote, clearly of her own free will. . “I observed these things with my own eyes. There are other witnesses who can prove this. That’s all.” Her next tweet was rather heartfelt. “Sigh.”

There’s no shame in being bad at video games. To be honest, by internet standards, I think most people are bad at video games. What’s embarrassing is being bad at video games and pretending you’re not. You can’t claim to be an elite gamer without putting in the effort.

It amazes me that at some point, appropriation of geek authenticity became an issue. When I was a kid, there was absolutely no value in being good at games (most unfortunately, I was a young Mario Kart and GoldenEye 007 genius). When I finished Dark Souls, none of my college friends bought me a beer. But now there is respect and trust in people who are talented gamers. You can make a good living on YouTube, Twitch, or the esports circuit. Apparently, he’s now so respected for being so good at the game that the richest man in the world might believe it’s worth his time to fake it.

It was completed by Musk at the 2019 Electronic Entertainment Expo. Photo: Adam S Davis/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The real irony here is that Musk is being accused of doing the exact same thing that toxic nerds have been accusing women of for decades. Let’s say you’re playing a first-person shooter game online and you’ve reached near the top of the leaderboard. A grumpy guy in voice chat might accuse you of letting his boyfriend play. Any woman writing about video games in any capacity has to deal with comment threads that claim they don’t actually know anything about video games and are just making things up. Women who play games on Twitch keep getting told that they’re doing it for attention (please, no one wants your attention).

As a teenager, this very gendered condescension made me so angry that I tried to be very good at the games I played. Because I was so happy to see the faces of the boys who told me they don’t play games. That’s when I give them their ass in Halo. I’m too old and don’t have much time for that anymore, but luckily there are now entire TikTok and Twitch accounts dedicated to it. In other words, women who excel at male-dominated games like Call of Duty will weed out the men who give a shit. They are in the lobby. I would be willing to pay a lot of money to see one of these women have a live match with Elon Musk.

Amidst the endless X-stream of bad jokes, rants, and cringe-worthy memes, Musk has tweeted a lot about DEI in gaming. This is a fabricated argument that the left has invaded a sacred gaming space with woke men to destroy it. This rhetoric appeals to the kind of people co-opted by Gamergate years ago, disaffected young people that former Trump strategist Steve Bannon wisely recognized as invaluable to his cause at the time. Designed to be loved by people.

What a delicious irony that it’s apparently Musk himself, not women or minorities, who pretends to be a hardcore gamer in order to manipulate people for his own ends.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Newly discovered archaeological site illuminates Neanderthal hunting skills and adaptability

Posted on August 15, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Archaeological sequence Abrik Pissarro ruins The southeastern Pre-Pyrenees About MIS4 (about 71,000 years ago), a little-known period in Neanderthal history.

Iberian Neanderthals sampled wild mushrooms, pine nuts, and forest moss. Image by Abel Grau, CSIC Communication.

A team of archaeologists led by the Australian National University has collected hundreds of thousands of artefacts at the Abric Pizarro site, including stone tools, animal bones and other evidence, providing crucial data about Neanderthal lifestyles.

The discovery reveals that Neanderthals were able to adapt to their environment, calls into question archaic humans' reputation as slow-footed cavemen, and sheds light on their survival and hunting abilities.

“Our results show that Neanderthals knew how to best exploit their area and territory, and were able to withstand harsh climatic conditions,” said archaeologist Sophia Samper-Caro of the Australian National University.

“The amazing finds at Abric Pizarro show how adaptable the Neanderthals were. The animal bones we found show that they made good use of the fauna around them, hunting red deer, horses and bison, but also eating freshwater turtles and rabbits. This suggests a level of planning that is rarely associated with Neanderthals.”

“These new findings call into question the widely held belief that Neanderthals only hunted large animals such as horses and rhinos.”

“The bones we found contain cut marks, providing direct evidence that Neanderthals were able to hunt small animals.”

“The bones at this site are so well preserved that you can see traces of how the Neanderthals handled and butchered these animals.”

“Analysis of stone tools also shows a great deal of diversity in the types of tools made, indicating that Neanderthals were capable of exploiting the resources available in their region.”

By uncovering this critical transition period, archaeologists are one step closer to solving a mystery that has vexed researchers for decades: what caused the Neanderthals to go extinct?

“The discovery of sites like Abric Pizarro from this particular, poorly documented period gives us information about how Neanderthals lived and shows that they were thriving at a time when modern humans were not yet in the area,” Dr Samper-Caro said.

“The unique site of Abric Pissarro offers us a glimpse into the behaviour of Neanderthals in the landscape they roamed for hundreds of thousands of years.”

“The Neanderthals disappeared about 40,000 years ago. All of a sudden, we modern humans showed up in this part of the Pyrenees and the Neanderthals disappeared. But before that, the Neanderthals had been living in Europe for almost 300,000 years.”

“They obviously knew what they were doing. They knew the area and they knew how to survive for a long period of time.”

“One of the most fascinating aspects of this site is that it provides unique information about a time when Neanderthals lived alone in harsh conditions and how they thrived before the arrival of modern humans.”

Thanks to modern excavation techniques, Abric Pizarro and other nearby sites provide detailed data for understanding Neanderthal behavior.

“We make a 3D plot of each and every bone found that is larger than one or two centimetres,” Dr Sampar Karo said.

“This slows down the work – excavations at some sites have been going on for over 20 years – but the result is that the sites are documented with unparalleled accuracy.”

“We're interested in how all these different pieces of data, from stone tools to bones to hearths, relate to each other.”

“This more thorough excavation will provide archaeologists with information about how Neanderthals lived and how long they were in the area.”

“It's not just the individual item that gives us clues, but knowing where it is found in relation to other items at the site helps us understand how and when Neanderthals visited these sites. Did they settle there or were they just passing through?”

of result Appears in Journal of Archaeological Sciences.

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Sophia C. Samper-Caro others2024. Living dangerously: Abrik Pissarro, a MIS 4 Neanderthal site in the lowermost foothills of the southeastern Pre-Pyrenees (Lleida, Iberian Peninsula). Journal of Archaeological Sciences 169: 106038; doi: 10.1016/j.jas.2024.106038

Source: www.sci.news

4 proven methods to enhance your communication skills

Posted on April 6, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Observing how people effectively communicate during office meetings or social events can be truly enlightening. Have you ever encountered a super communicator who effortlessly engages in conversations while listening attentively?

Fortunately, effective communication skills can be developed with practice. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Charles Duhigg, author of Super Communicator: How to unlock the secret language of connection, shares valuable insights on enhancing conversation skills for everyone.

Ask Deep Questions

Intriguingly, super communicators tend to ask significantly more questions than average individuals. They often pose deep questions that encourage meaningful discussions about values, beliefs, and experiences. Asking someone about their profession can lead to profound insights about their motivations and perspectives.

Listening Actively

Active listening is crucial in effective communication. When engaging in deep conversations, it is essential to not only listen but also demonstrate understanding through follow-up questions. This technique, known as looping for understanding, shows the other person that their words are valued and respected.

Be Authentic

Genuineness is essential in communication. Authenticity fosters mutual trust and vulnerability in conversations. By asking deep questions, actively listening, and sharing personal experiences, individuals can establish authentic connections that transcend superficial interactions.

Establish a Connection

At its core, conversation is about connecting with others. When engaged in dialogue, the neural activity of individuals becomes synchronized, reflecting a deep sense of connection. Communication allows individuals to share thoughts and emotions, fostering understanding and empathy.

About Our Expert Charles Duhigg

Charles Duhigg is a renowned journalist and author of several best-selling books, including The Power of Habit and Smarter, Faster, Better. In his book Super Communicator, he delves into the art of effective communication and building meaningful connections.

He has also made notable contributions to various media outlets, such as This American Life and NPR, showcasing his expertise in communication and storytelling.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Study finds that astronauts possess extraordinary skills in orienting themselves and calculating distances while in space

Posted on March 29, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

New research has implications for crew safety in space and could give clues about how aging affects the balance systems of people on Earth.

horges other. We addressed the question of whether body posture influences humans' perception of self-motion and distance. They found that the same amount of optical flow can elicit the sensation of traveling farther when lying on one's back and when sitting upright; that is, optical flow We found evidence that it is more effective in eliciting the sensation of movement. This constitutes evidence that visual and nonvisual cues are at least partially integrated, even when self-movement is presented only visually. However, we found no significant differences in performance in microgravity on Earth and on the ISS, suggesting that vestibular stimulation is not important, if any, in estimating visually presented self-motion.

The study's lead author, Professor Lawrence Harris from the University of York, said: “The perception of gravity has been repeatedly shown to influence perceptual abilities.”

“The most profound way to study the effects of gravity is to remove it. That's why we brought our research into space.”

“We have had a steady presence in space for nearly a quarter of a century, but our efforts in space are ever-increasing as we plan to return to the moon and beyond, ensuring health and safety. It is becoming increasingly important to answer questions about

“Based on our findings, it appears that humans are surprisingly able to use vision to adequately compensate for the lack of Earth's normal environment.

For the study, Professor Harris and his colleagues surveyed more than a dozen astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), which orbits about 400 kilometers above the Earth's surface.

“Here, Earth's gravity is almost canceled out by the centrifugal force generated by the station's orbit. In the resulting microgravity, the movement of people becomes close to flight,” Professor Harris said.

“People had previously reported anecdotally that they felt like they were traveling faster or farther than they were actually in space, so this actually motivated us to record this.”

The authors compared the performance of 12 astronauts (six men and six women) before, during, and after a year-long mission to the space station and found out how far they traveled. I discovered that my sense of what I had done was almost intact.

Space missions were hectic endeavors, and it took several days for researchers to make contact with the astronauts after arriving at the space station.

“Our study may not have captured early adaptations that may have occurred during the first few days. Because whatever adaptations occur, they occur very quickly. This remains a good news message,” Professor Harris said.

Space missions are not without risks. Because the ISS orbits around the Earth, small objects can occasionally collide with it and enter the ship, where astronauts must move to safety.

“During the experiment, the ISS had to take many evasive maneuvers,” Professor Harris said.

“Astronauts need to be able to get to safety or escape through a hatch on the ISS in an emergency. So to see that they were actually able to do this with great precision was very exciting. I felt relieved.”

“Our research shows that exposure to microgravity mimics the aging process primarily at a physiological level, including bone and muscle wasting, changes in hormonal function, and increased susceptibility to infections. However, this paper found that self-movement was largely unaffected, suggesting a balance problem.''The problem, which often comes from old age, may have nothing to do with the vestibular system. ”

“This suggests that the mechanisms of movement perception in older people should be relatively unaffected, and that the problems associated with falls are probably more to do with this than in terms of perception of distance traveled. How can they translate that into a balance reflex? ”

of study Published in npj magazine microgravity.

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B. Horges other. 2024. Effects of long-term exposure to microgravity and body orientation relative to gravity on perceived distance traveled. NPJ microgravity 10, 28; doi: 10.1038/s41526-024-00376-6

Source: www.sci.news

New study finds bumblebees can acquire intricate skills through social learning

Posted on March 9, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Culture refers to behaviors that are socially learned and persist within a group over long periods of time. Growing evidence suggests that animal culture, like human culture, may be cumulative. However, the accumulated culture of humans contains behaviors so complex that they exceed the ability of individuals to discover them independently over a lifetime. New research shows that the buff-tailed bumblebee (Western bumblebee) can learn how to open new two-step puzzle boxes and obtain food from trained conspecifics, even if they fail to open them independently.

Bufftail Bumblebee (Western bumblebee) socially learn behaviors that are too complex to innovate alone. Image credit: Ralphs Fotos.

“This groundbreaking research opens new avenues for understanding the evolution of intelligence and social learning in animals,” said study lead author Lars, a researcher at Queen Mary University of London. Professor Chitka said.

“This challenges long-held assumptions, paves the way to further explore the cognitive wonders hidden in the insect world, and even suggests the exciting possibility of accumulated culture among seemingly simple creatures. Masu.”

Professor Chitka and his colleagues designed a two-step puzzle box that required bumblebees to perform two different actions in sequence to access a sweet reward at the end.

Training bees to do this was no easy task, and we had to help them by adding additional rewards along the way.

This temporary reward was eventually taken away, and the bees were forced to open the entire box before getting the treat.

Surprisingly, while individual bees had difficulty solving the puzzle from the beginning, bees allowed to observe trained demonstration bees completed the entire sequence, including the first step. You just learned quickly and got rewarded at the end.

This study shows that bumblebees have a level of social learning that was previously thought to be unique to humans.

They can share and acquire behaviors that are beyond the cognitive capacity of individuals. This ability is thought to underpin the vast and complex nature of human culture, and was previously thought to be exclusive to us.

“This is a very difficult task for bees,” said study lead author Dr. Alice Bridges, a researcher at Queen Mary University of London and the University of Sheffield.

“They had to learn two steps to get the reward, and the first action in the sequence was not rewarded.”

“Initially, we had to train demonstration bees to include temporary rewards, which highlighted the complexity.”

“But other bees learned the sequence from the social observations of these trained bees, without ever experiencing the reward of the first step.”

“But when we tried to get other bees to open the box without a bee trained to show them the solution, they couldn't open it at all.”

This study opens up exciting possibilities for understanding the emergence of cumulative culture in the animal kingdom, beyond individual learning.

Cumulative culture refers to the gradual accumulation of knowledge and skills over generations, allowing increasingly complex behaviors to develop.

The ability of bees to learn such complex tasks from demonstrators suggests potential pathways for cultural transmission and innovation beyond the bees' individual learning abilities.

“This challenges the traditional view that only humans can learn socially complex behaviors beyond individual learning,” says Professor Chitka.

“Many of the most remarkable achievements of social insects, such as the nesting structures of honey bees and wasps and the agricultural habits of ants that farm aphids and fungi, may have first been spread by imitation by clever innovators, and then spread. , which is increasingly likely.'' They eventually became part of the species-specific behavioral repertoire. ”

Regarding this research, paper Published in the Journal on March 6, 2024 Nature.

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AD bridge other. Bumblebees socially learn behaviors that are too complex to innovate alone. Nature, published online March 6, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07126-4

Source: www.sci.news

Paleontologists Say Early Dinosaurs Thrived and Survived Due to Advances in Motor Skills

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Early dinosaurs were faster and more dynamic than their competitors, according to a study led by University of Bristol researcher Amy Shipley.

By adopting more diverse limb morphologies and styles, dinosaurs may have been able to occupy more terrestrial habitats and greatly diversify extinction events. Image credit: Sergey Krasovskiy.

In their study, Shipley and colleagues compared the limb proportions of a wide range of Triassic reptiles. The Triassic period is the period from 252 million years ago, when dinosaurs first appeared and became famous, to 201 million years ago.

They determined which of these ancient beasts were quadrupedal (quadrupedal) or bipedal (bipedal), and also examined the cursority index, a measure of running ability.

Researchers found that not only were dinosaurs and their relatives bipedal from the beginning, meaning they had limbs adapted for running, but they also We found that it showed a much wider range of running styles. pseudostia.

Pseudonesians also included the ancestors of modern crocodiles. Although there were some small bipedal animals that ate insects, most were medium to large carnivores or herbivores, and they were diverse throughout the Triassic.

The authors believe that dinosaurs and their relatives bird metatarsal maintained a higher range of motor modes throughout this period.

“When the crisis hit 233 million years ago, the dinosaurs won,” Shipley said.

“At that time, the climate changed from wet to dry and there was severe pressure on food.”

“For some reason, dinosaurs, which had been living in small numbers for 20 million years, appeared, but no pseudo-dinosaurs appeared.”

“Like many reptiles and birds today, early dinosaurs may have been good at conserving water.”

“However, our evidence shows that their high adaptability during walking and running played an important role.”

“After the mass extinction at the end of the Triassic period, dinosaurs expanded again,” added Professor Mike Benton from the University of Bristol.

“With the exception of the crocodile ancestors, most of the pseudodinosaurs went extinct in mass extinctions, and we found that these surviving dinosaurs once again expanded their range and took over many of the niches that had been vacated.”

“When we looked at the rate of evolution, we found that dinosaurs were not actually evolving particularly rapidly,” said co-author Dr Armin Elsler, a researcher at the University of Bristol.

“This was a surprise because we expected to see rapid evolution in ornithopods and slower evolution in pseudopods.”

“What this means is that while dinosaur locomotion style was advantageous for dinosaurs, it was not the driving force behind intense evolutionary selection.”

“In other words, when the crisis happened, they were in a better position to take advantage of the opportunities after the crisis.”

“We always think of dinosaurs as large, mobile animals,” says co-author Dr Tom Stubbs, also from the University of Bristol.

“This reminds us that dinosaurs actually started out as nifty little insect-eaters.”

“The first dinosaurs were only a meter long and walked bipedally with their legs raised high. Their leg posture meant they could move quickly and capture prey while fleeing from larger predators. I meant it.”

“And of course, dinosaurs' postural diversity and focus on fast running mean that dinosaurs could diversify given the opportunity,” said co-author Suresh Singh, also from the University of Bristol. the doctor said.

“After the mass extinction at the end of the Triassic period, truly gigantic dinosaurs emerged, over 10 meters long, some with armor, many quadrupedal, but many still bipedal, like their ancestors. Walking.”

“Their diversity of posture and gait means they are highly adaptable, and this ensured their great success for a long time on Earth.”

of study It was published in the magazine Royal Society Open Science.

_____

Amy E. Shipley other. 2024. Archosauromorph migration and early Mesozoic success. R. Soc. Open Science 11(2):231495; doi: 10.1098/rsos.231495

Source: www.sci.news

Men outperform women in navigation skills, but it’s not due to evolutionary factors

Posted on January 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

If men were encouraged to play outside as children, they may have better navigation skills than women

Colin Hawkins/Getty Images/Image Source

In fact, men tend to have a better sense of direction than women, but this is probably due to differences in upbringing rather than improved navigational skills being an evolutionary trait.

In previous research, Men slightly outperform women on spatial navigation tasks. Some researchers believe this is due to evolution, since in prehistoric times it was common for men to travel long distances to hunt, while women often stayed close to home. It suggests that it is. This may have resulted in selection pressure on men to develop advanced navigation skills.

But if that were the case, she says, those genes would be passed on to female offspring, as long as they're not on the Y chromosome. Justin Rose At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “The really obvious alternative is culture,” he says. “It plays a huge role in what men and women experience.”

For example, boys may be encouraged to play outside more than girls, which may help hone their navigation skills, he says.

To investigate this idea, Rose and his colleagues collected data from 21 species of animals, including humans. This data includes information about their spatial navigation skills and how far they travel on average from home.

If natural selection were at work, we would expect males and females that traveled farther from home to have better navigational abilities, and this is consistent across species.

Instead, the researchers found that males of all species are slightly better at navigating than females, although in some species, such as the rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus) and the little devil poison dart frog (Uofaga Silvatica), females had a wider home range.

This finding suggests that differences in navigation between men and women may be cultural. It could also be a side effect of biological differences between males and females, as well as between male and female animals. For example, hormonal differences “can affect all kinds of traits,” Rose says. As long as those traits don't prevent reproduction, “evolution doesn't matter,” he says.

In previous spatial navigation research, There were no differences in these skills between men and women from similar backgrounds.

“The authors show in a very comprehensive way that sex differences in spatial ability are likely acquired, for example through culture.” Antoine Cutolo At the French National Center for Scientific Research. “Spatial skills are much like other cognitive skills: the more you use them, the better you become at them.”

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Infants may begin acquiring language skills in the womb

Posted on November 23, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Newborn babies seem to recognize the language their mother speaks

Fida Hussein/AFP/Getty Images

Experiments with newborn babies suggest that they are already aware of their native language, suggesting that language learning may begin before birth.

“We’ve known for some time that fetuses can hear towards the end of pregnancy.” judith jarvan at the University of Padua, Italy. “[Newborn babies] They can recognize their mother’s voice and prefer it to other women’s voices, and can even recognize the language spoken by their mother during pregnancy. ”

To investigate further, Gervain and his colleagues studied the brain activity of 49 infants between one and five days old who had French-speaking mothers.

Each newborn was fitted with a small cap containing 10 electrodes placed near areas of the brain associated with speech recognition.

The team then played a recording that began with three minutes of silence, followed by a seven-minute excerpt from the story. goldilocks and the three bears They took turns speaking in English, French, and Spanish, then there was silence again.

When the babies heard French sounds, the researchers observed spikes in a type of brain signal called long-range temporal correlation, which is related to the perception and processing of sounds. These signals decreased when babies heard other languages.

The researchers found that in a group of 17 infants who last heard French, this spike in neural activity persisted during the subsequent silence.

These findings suggest that babies may already perceive their mother’s native language as more important, Jarvan says. “This is essentially facilitating the learning of their native language,” she says.

The researchers now hope to conduct experiments with babies whose mothers speak different languages, particularly Asian and African languages, to see how generalizable their results are. They also want to investigate how the development of speech perception changes in the womb in infants who have less typical prenatal experiences, such as premature infants.

“Of course, it’s good to talk to your stomach,” Jarvan says. “But we have shown that natural everyday activities, like shopping or talking to neighbors, are already vocal enough to serve as scaffolds for babies’ learning. ”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

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