A new study reveals that people with lower self-awareness about their own decision accuracy show stronger brain responses to morally charged political issues, potentially explaining why some political beliefs are so rigid.
This article details a DIY atomic force microscope built from mostly junk parts. It utilizes a laser-based deflection reading system instead of traditional piezo motors, achieving 35-um resolution with readily available materials. The project focuses on simplicity and cost-effectiveness, making it suitable for educational purposes.
Rejuvenating the brain’s lymphatic vessels can enhance memory in aging mice by improving the removal of waste products from the brain.
This study demonstrates that neural activity in the human brain aligns linearly with the internal contextual embeddings of speech and language within large language models (LLMs) as they process everyday conversations.
The article explores the concept of consciousness, arguing for a reductionist approach by Alan J. McComas. It discusses how consciousness is a function of the brain, with neural activities often preceding awareness. The piece also examines the role of large language models in chatbots, highlighting potential manipulative techniques and the need for vigilance in interactions. Additionally, it addresses the integration of AI in research and evolving journal standards.
Scientists are exploring the capabilities of the DeepSeek-R1 AI model, released by a Chinese firm. This open and cost-effective model performs comparably to industry leaders in solving mathematical and scientific problems. Researchers are leveraging its accessibility to create custom models for specific disciplines, although it still struggles with some tasks.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered that the fine control octopuses have over their arms is due to the segmentation of their nervous system circuitry, which is distributed with a significant number of neurons in the arms. This unique system allows for independent decision-making in each arm and precise control, potentially informing future soft robot designs.
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This study explores a more general notion of novelty, including novel combinations of existing elements, by introducing higher-order Heaps' laws and a new model (ERRWT) to reproduce the empirical properties of higher-order novelties.
Biotechnologist Sebastian Cocioba uses gene-editing to create new kinds of flowers from his home lab on Long Island, aiming to democratize genetic engineering.
The article from WIRED introduces Sebastian Cocioba, a biotechnologist who conducts plant engineering from his home lab on Long Island. Cocioba's journey in plant biotechnology began in his childhood with a fascination for plants, which later transformed into a passion for genetically modifying flowers to create novel varieties. Despite facing financial and academic challenges, Cocioba built a makeshift laboratory by acquiring equipment and using 3D printing to create affordable tools. His goal is to democratize the tools of genetic engineering and make them more accessible to amateurs. He documents his experiments online and sells plasmids used for flower transformation. Cocioba also collaborates with startups like Senseory Plants, aiming to engineer plants that emit unique scents, such as the aroma of old books, thereby redefining the indoor plant experience.
