AI exhibits racial bias in mortgage underwriting decisions, researchers find
Putting AI to use in mortgage lending decisions could lead to discrimination against Black applicants, according to new research. But researchers say there may be a surprisingly simple solution to mitigate this potential bias......»»
New infosec products of the week: December 13, 2024
Here’s a look at the most interesting products from the past week, featuring releases from Cato Networks, Horizon3.ai, SecureAuth, Stamus Networks, Trellix, and Versa Networks. Trellix Drive Encryption enhances security against insider attacks Trel.....»»
Butterfly puts Bluesky on your Apple Watch with a beautiful app
Want the latest social network that’s popping off to be available on your Apple Watch? Leave it up to indie developers to always find a way. The latest is an all-new client for Bluesky called Butterfly — no relation to MacBook butterfly keyboard.....»»
Character.AI steps up teen safety after bots allegedly caused suicide, self-harm
Character.AI's new model for teens doesn't resolve all of parents' concerns. Following a pair of lawsuits alleging that chatbots caused a teen boy's suicide, groomed a 9-year-old.....»»
Are LLMs capable of non-verbal reasoning?
Processing in the "latent space" could help AI with tricky logical questions. Large language models have found great success so far by using their transformer architecture to e.....»»
Researchers develop faster hazardous spill response method
When responding to a hazardous spill, every second counts—and Purdue University researchers have found a way to maximize that time......»»
New chemical structures show vastly improved carbon capture ability
Oregon State University researchers have synthesized new molecules able to quickly capture significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the air, an important tactic in climate change mitigation......»»
Do animals get jealous like people? Researchers say it"s complicated
It's a question that has puzzled thinkers for centuries: Are we humans alone in our pursuit of fairness and the frustration we feel when others get what we want?.....»»
Scientists call for all-out, global effort to create an AI virtual cell
Noting that recent advances in artificial intelligence and the existence of large-scale experimental data about human biology have reached a critical mass, a team of researchers from Stanford University, Genentech, and the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative.....»»
Dogs walked off-leash cause 20% more disturbance to protected lowland heaths, UK study finds
Researchers at Royal Holloway University of London have used GPS trackers to measure where dogs roamed during walks in lowland heaths in South-East England, home to several protected birds like the European nightjar and Dartford Warbler. They found t.....»»
Barn swallow research offers real-time insight on how new species form
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder—even if that beholder is a barn swallow. Depending on where the birds live, some of them may favor mates with a paler chest color while others find a redder chest more attractive. The difference in what these bi.....»»
Floods, insufficient water, sinking river deltas: Hydrologists map changing river landscapes across the globe
A study in Science by researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and University of Cincinnati has mapped 35 years of river changes on a global scale for the first time......»»
"Mirror bacteria" could pose serious global health risks
A group of researchers has published new findings in Science Policy Forum on potential risks from the development of mirror bacteria—synthetic organisms in which all molecules have reversed chirality (i.e., are "mirrored")......»»
Could the ESA"s PLATO mission find Earth 2.0?
Currently, 5,788 exoplanets have been confirmed in 4,326 star systems, while thousands more candidates await confirmation. So far, the vast majority of these planets have been gas giants (3,826) or Super-Earths (1,735), while only 210 have been "Eart.....»»
More precise snowmelt forecasts thanks to high-resolution satellite data
SLF researchers have used satellite data to optimize their models, which they use to predict how much snow there is and when and where it will melt. This progress is important in order to be able to warn of floods and inundations in good time......»»
El Niño exacerbates effects of drought on Amazon groundwater and increases fire risk, study finds
The risk of fires in the Amazon is greater in regions where groundwater storage is compromised, especially when El Niño exacerbates the drought. Using satellite images and data from fires, researchers have been able to demonstrate the relationship b.....»»
South Dakota outbreak reveals potential H5N1 adaptation in domestic cats
University of Pittsburgh researchers have identified evidence of H5N1 adaptation in domestic cats. Work centered on a rural outbreak in South Dakota, where multiple cats died after showing neurological and respiratory symptoms......»»
iWork just entered the Apple Intelligence era
Apple released the second round of AI features powered by Apple Intelligence this week through iOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia. Now it’s the iWork suite of productivity apps that has an Apple Intelligence update ready for the world. more….....»»
United Airlines and Air Canada first to offer official support for AirTag link sharing
Those traveling for the holidays via United Airlines and Air Canada can now generate a shareable AirTag tracking link with airlines.Image Credit: AppleThere's little else more frustrating than waiting at a luggage carousel only to find out that your.....»»
Google steps into “extended reality” once again with Android XR
No pricing or availability, but there's new competition in headsets and glasses. Citing "years of investment in AI, AR, and VR," Google is stepping into the augmented reality mark.....»»
OpenAI introduces “Santa Mode” to ChatGPT for ho-ho-ho voice chats
An AI version of old St. Nick arrives as a seasonal character in popular chatbot app. On Thursday, OpenAI announced that ChatGPT users can now talk to a simulated version of Santa.....»»