Science and Technolgy blog
Large Language Model (noun, “LARJ LANG-wuhj MAH-del”) A large language model — or LLM — is an artificial intelligence computer program that can read text and write responses. LLMs power many modern artificial intelligence, or AI technologies, such as ChatGPT.…
A robot whirs along a library shelf. Instead of books, this shelf holds napkin-sized squares of flat, clear glass. The robot selects a piece of glass and brings it over to a microscope. The instrument peers deep inside the glass.…
NASA’s Curiosity rover photographed remnants of rippling waves in an ancient Martian lakebed, proving that the Red Planet had open water for longer in its history than previously thought.
Like it or not, generative AI is carving out its place in the world. And some Reddit users are definitely in the “don’t like it” category. While some subreddits openly welcome AI-generated images, videos, and text, others have responded to…
A small, wooden diorama found in an ancient Egyptian tomb reflects the importance of grain in an agricultural society.
New research published in the European Journal of Social Psychology indicates that people tend to view women’s bodies through a moral lens far more often than men’s bodies. This means that when considering issues related to bodily autonomy, such as…
Although many researchers assume that birthday celebrations date back to the ancient Egyptians, the earliest textual evidence of a birthday party proves these annual events are much older.
A recent case report published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs tells the story of a middle-aged man who underwent an innovative treatment combining low-dose ketamine sessions with psychotherapy. Over a three-year period, this treatment helped him overcome severe alcohol…
A new study reveals that Americans’ commitment to democratic norms might be weaker than previously assumed, as their willingness to accept actions that undermine these norms appears to depend significantly on whether their preferred political party is in power. The…
A new study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research has found that a single session of high intensity interval training can temporarily increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a brain protein important for memory and learning, in individuals…
A new study published in the journal Neuroscience has found that long-term exposure to high-altitude conditions can slow down the way people recognize faces and change the way their brains process emotions. The research compared young adults living at high…
New simulations reveal that around 1 million “macroscopic” objects from our closest stellar neighbors, the Alpha Centauri system, may already reside in the Oort Cloud, far from sight.
A new study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B challenges the widely held belief that fluctuations in testosterone levels directly influence changes in men’s sexual desire. Researchers who tracked the daily hormone levels and self-reported desires of men…
Test your knowledge of humanity’s major space-faring milestones and the incredible astronauts who accomplished them.
A study of Chinese youths found that individuals who suffered maltreatment in childhood tended to have more sleep problems, possibly due to impaired emotion regulation processes. Participants who experienced high levels of physical and emotional maltreatment used fewer cognitive reappraisal…
Older chatbots, just like people, show signs of cognitive impairment, failing on several important metrics in a test normally used on human patients.
A new study published in Scientific Reports reveals a significant and widespread misunderstanding among Americans regarding their fellow citizens’ views on diversity and inclusion. Researchers discovered that people consistently underestimate the extent of support for diversity in the United States.…
In the summer of 2024, a robotic mission landed for the first time on the far side of the Moon. The Chinese Chang’e-6 lander planted a flag, dug up more than four pounds of rock and soil, and brought it…
Animals hear other species communicate around them every day. Do they understand what they’re saying?
The James Webb Space Telescope has zoomed in on Leo P, a tiny galaxy with some big things to say about star formation.
A new study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior provides evidence that men’s sperm quality is influenced by how many potential sexual rivals they believe their partner has. Men who thought their partner was more likely to spend time…
A unique design and grat display, but performance is only so-so
Scientists are losing funding and even their jobs under the new Trump administration. Researchers at the AAAS meeting shared fears and coping strategies.
Getting people excited about science can be a challenge, but a recent study offers a promising approach. Researchers discovered that inducing awe, specifically through immersive planetarium films, is highly effective at sparking and growing people’s interest in scientific subjects. This…
An inert and unreactive gas may not seem like an obvious candidate for treating Alzheimer’s disease, yet a new study in mice suggests that xenon might just be the breakthrough we need. Xenon is one of the six noble gases.…
Receiving routine vaccinations against common infections like tetanus, shingles, and pneumonia may offer an unexpected benefit: a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life. A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in 2023 found that older…
For years, Maciej “Groobo” Maselewski stood as the undisputed champion of Diablo speedrunning. His 3-minute, 12-second Sorceror run looked all but unbeatable thanks to a combination of powerful (and allowable) glitch exploits along with what seemed like some unbelievable luck in…
This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for their newsletter here. For now, Priester’s will have to stick to its famous pecans in Fort Payne,…
Labord’s chameleons are only found in Western Madagascar and have developed a live fast die young life cycle to cope with the extreme environmental conditions.
A recent study published in PLOS One provides evidence that artificial intelligence can be just as helpful as a human tutor when it comes to learning mathematics. Researchers discovered that students using hints generated by ChatGPT, a popular artificial intelligence…
An analysis of data from the Twins Early Development Study revealed that the association between ADHD symptoms and emotional problems increased in magnitude from early childhood to adulthood. These two clinical conditions appear to have a shared genetic basis. The…
The Summerville ghost lanterns have mystified locals for generations. But geologists may have finally cracked the case.
Smiling, often associated with happiness and joy, might be more than just a simple expression of positive emotion. A recent study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology suggests that smiling during moments of pain can have a noticeable effect…
People go on 5K and 10K runs all the time. But what’s the farthest humans can run at one time?
The new Surface offers a great display and long battery life
Feb. 15, 2025: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.
Hyundai Ioniq 5s with NACS (J3400) ports, as opposed to the CCS1 style, are starting to roll out of its factory in Savannah, Georgia. It’s the first manufacturer to sell electric vehicles with native NACS ports—other than Tesla, that is,…
The cadre of elite disease detectives at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to be left in ruin today as the Trump administration continues to slash the federal workforce. Many members of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service,…
For many, parenthood is considered a key component of a fulfilling life. However, with an increasing number of adults remaining childfree, concerns have emerged regarding their long-term well-being. Laura Buchinger and colleagues investigated how life goals in early adulthood predict…
As prominent anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed to the nation’s top health position Thursday, Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham sent a memo to the state’s health department saying that the state “will no longer promote mass vaccination”…
On Wednesday, OpenAI published the latest version of its “Model Spec,” a set of guidelines detailing how ChatGPT should behave and respond to user requests. The document reveals a notable shift in OpenAI’s content policies, particularly around “sensitive” content like…
In 2019, Haley Olson’s life in Grant County, Oregon, was upended when people in town appeared to know about private nude photos that Olson kept on her phone. Worse, some of the people appeared to have seen and shared the…
Researchers have uncovered a sustained and ongoing campaign by Russian spies that uses a clever phishing technique to hijack Microsoft 365 accounts belonging to a wide range of targets, researchers warned. The technique is known as device code phishing. It…
Remains of a civic basilica give archaeologists clues to what the original layout of Roman London looked like.
A new study has found that individuals with dark personality traits are more inclined to use inappropriate strategies when negotiating. This tendency is amplified in situations where they perceive less dependence on the other party and stand to gain significant…
James Howells, the IT pro who lost about 8,000 bitcoins in a landfill more than a decade ago, thinks he has one last chance to dig up his buried treasure before it’s lost forever. He wants to buy the landfill.…
A measles outbreak in an area of Texas with abysmal vaccination rates continues to mushroom, with cases doubling since Tuesday and expanding into additional counties. A week ago, officials reported nine confirmed cases in Gaines County, at the border of…
The funding agency aims to cap “indirect costs” in biomedical research grants. But this behind-the-scenes work is crucial to making research happen.
The venerable late-night sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live is celebrating its 50th anniversary season this year. NBC will air a special on Sunday evening featuring current and former cast members. I’ve long been a big fan of the show,…
Working at the intersection of Apple’s newest hardware and Linux kernel development, for the benefit of a free distribution, was never going to be easy. But it’s been an especially hard couple of weeks for Hector Martin, project lead for…
