LLMs have a strong bias against use of African American English
Feedback gets rid of overt biases but leaves subtle racism intact. Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images) As far back as 2016, work on AI-based chatbots revealed that they have a disturbing tendency to reflect so.....»»
Proton VPN vs. Mullvad: Which is the best open-source VPN?
I compare Proton VPN Plus and Mullvad, two open-source VPNs with a strong privacy focus and fast servers worldwide, to find out which is best for you......»»
Durable supramolecular plastic is fully ocean-degradable and doesn"t generate microplastics
Researchers led by Takuzo Aida at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) have developed a new durable plastic that won't pollute our oceans. The new material is as strong as conventional plastics and biodegradable, but what makes it spec.....»»
Aquaculture researchers decode the genome of the African catfish to advance modern breeding approaches
Scientists at the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) in Dummerstorf have decoded the genome of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), in collaboration with international partners......»»
Illegal mining clampdown in South Africa: Treating desperate people like criminals is an injustice
Illegal artisanal gold mining in South Africa is in the spotlight again. Under Operation Vala Umgodi ("plug the hole"), South African authorities have since December 2023 been trying to disrupt the illicit gold mining economy by cutting off water, fo.....»»
Watch The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday season 3: release date, trailer, and more
The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday returns with a new group of contestants. Find out how to watch the competition......»»
Do pipe organs create an auto-tune effect? Understanding largest class of music instrument"s effects on concert halls
The pipe organ, with its strong timber base and towering metal pipes, stands as a bastion in concert halls and church sanctuaries. Even when not in use, the pipe organ affects the acoustical environment around it......»»
Mathematical modeling study demonstrates gene drives could boost malaria control when added to intervention package
The Target Malaria UK modeling team at Imperial College London has published their latest study in Nature Communications, titled "The potential of gene drives in malaria vector species to control malaria in African environments.".....»»
Collaboration uncovers mechanisms of an African plant with anti-HIV potential
A collaboration between The Wistar Institute and the University of Buea in Cameroon has uncovered the mechanisms for a medicinal plant with anti-HIV potential in Croton oligandrus Pierre & Hutch, a species of African tree that has been used in tradit.....»»
Readers Respond to the July/August 2024 Issue
Letters to the editors for the July/August 2024 issue of Scientific American.....»»
Contributors to Scientific American’s December 2024 Issue
Writers, artists, photographers and researchers share the stories behind the stories.....»»
Science Crossword: Equine Emergence
Play this crossword inspired by the December 2024 issue of Scientific American.....»»
Research reveals teenage truancy rates have risen in English-speaking countries since COVID-19
Truancy rates have risen faster in developed English-speaking countries since the COVID-19 pandemic than in non-English-speaking countries, according to a new working paper by UCL researchers......»»
Open-source and free Android password managers that prioritize your privacy
We’re often told to use strong, unique passwords, especially for important accounts like email, banking, and social media. However, managing different passwords for numerous accounts can be challenging. Password managers simplify this by securely s.....»»
Flies carry bacteria, and some are resistant to antibiotics—evidence from three South African hospices
Houseflies live close to humans and domesticated animals and because they are so mobile they can easily spread bacteria that make people sick......»»
Nearly half of Latin American migrants at US border experienced gun violence or threats back home
Almost half of the migrants crossing into the United States from Latin America and the Caribbean report previously experiencing firearm-related threats or violence in their home country, according to a University of Michigan study......»»
Bias in the NFT market: Study reveals female and black avatars sell for less, and offers solutions to promote equality
The United States has a long history of gender and racial disparities in wealth, education, employment, and consumption. Research on modern marketplaces, including online rental and labor markets, has identified ways to reduce gender and racial inequ.....»»
"Critically endangered" African penguins just want peace and food
Mashudu Mashau says it takes about two minutes to catch a penguin, a task he does weekly to investigate sightings of injured or sickly seabirds......»»
Is Apple Arcade still kicking? We demoed 4 upcoming games to find out
Apple Arcade is still going strong, with games scheduled to launch into 2025. We tried four upcoming titles to take a health check on Apple's gaming service......»»
Decline in West African coastal fish stocks threatens food security and livelihoods
Small-scale fisheries play a vital role in providing food and livelihoods for millions of people around the world, particularly in low-income countries in Africa. However, there is limited statistical data on the composition, abundance, and distribut.....»»
Let African Communities Manage Their Climate Adaptation Plans
Outside groups often offer their solutions for climate adaptation in Africa. But the best people to manage the climate crisis are the people in those communities themselves. For climate adaptation to succeed in Africa, let communities and local leade.....»»