Lucid dreaming app triples users’ awareness in dreams, study finds

In a recent study published in Consciousness and Cognition, researchers at Northwestern University showed that a smartphone app using sensory cues can significantly increase the frequency of lucid dreams—dreams in which a person is aware they are dreaming while still…

Sex-specific brain pathways influence threat processing

A new study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that male and female mice process threats differently in the brain, even though their behavioral responses are similar. By studying neural activity in two key brain regions, researchers discovered sex-specific pathways that…

Ars Live: Our first encounter with manipulative AI

In the short-term, the most dangerous thing about AI language models may be their ability to emotionally manipulate humans if not carefully conditioned. The world saw its first taste of that danger in February 2023 with the launch of Bing…

Amazon ready to use its own AI chips, reduce its dependence on Nvidia

Amazon is poised to roll out its newest artificial intelligence chips as the Big Tech group seeks returns on its multibillion-dollar semiconductor investments and reduce its reliance on market leader Nvidia. Executives at Amazon’s cloud computing division are spending big…

Narcissism test: Take the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI-13)

Narcissism, often seen as a hallmark of modern-day culture, is a personality trait associated with high self-focus, a sense of entitlement, and a drive for admiration. In psychological research, measuring narcissistic traits is essential to understanding their role in various…

Insect-eating plants digest faster with a fungal friend

Insects already have plenty to beware when it comes to carnivorous plants. But now, they can add an acid-loving fungus to the list. The fungus works with a type of meat-eating plant called a sundew. The plants’ tentacle-like leaves trap insects…

YouTube’s role in shaping autism perceptions explored in new study

A recent study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health suggests that YouTube plays a crucial role in shaping public perception of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Analysis of the content and comments of ASD-related YouTube videos…

Is “AI welfare” the new frontier in ethics?

A few months ago, Anthropic quietly hired its first dedicated “AI welfare” researcher, Kyle Fish, to explore whether future AI models might deserve moral consideration and protection, reports AI newsletter Transformer. While sentience in AI models is an extremely controversial…

Scientists Say: Quantum dot

Quantum dot (noun, “KWAHN-tum DAHT”) Quantum dots are teeny tiny crystals. They’re often made of semiconductors — materials that partially conduct electricity. Each quantum dot is mere billionths of a meter across. And at such tiny scales, these specks’ properties…

People with psychopathic traits fail to learn from painful outcomes

A recent study published in Communications Psychology reveals that individuals with higher psychopathic traits show reduced sensitivity to pain, which affects their ability to learn from painful consequences. The researchers found that people with elevated psychopathic traits tend to revert…