The Pope Denounces Misinformation "Infodemic" About Vaccines
The Washington Post reports: Pope Francis denounced on Friday the "distortion of reality based on fear" that has ripped across the world during the coronavirus pandemic, but he also called for compassion, urging journalists to help those misled by c.....»»
More feelings of misinformation lead to more news avoidance, study shows
As people have more difficulty distinguishing fact from fiction in the United States, they are more likely to feel news fatigue and avoid news altogether, according to a University of Michigan study......»»
Developing a tech platform for fast, robust series production of nanoparticles
Nucleic acid-based medications such as mRNA vaccines offer tremendous potential for medicine and are opening up new therapeutic approaches. These active ingredients must be enclosed inside nanoparticles to ensure that they get to where they are neede.....»»
FTC fines Razer for every cent made selling bogus “N95 grade” RGB masks
“Deceptive advertising and misinformation posed a risk to public health." Enlarge (credit: Razer) The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced this week a proposed settlement [PDF] against Razer that would see the tec.....»»
Engineers muffle invading pathogens with a "molecular mask"
Vaccines remain the gold standard of protection against dangerous pathogens, but take considerable time and vast resources to develop. Rapidly mutating viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 can blunt their effectiveness and even render them obsolete......»»
The rising influence of AI on the 2024 US election
We stand at a crossroads for election misinformation: on one side our election apparatus has reached a higher level of security and is better defended from malicious attackers than ever before. On the other side, the rise of artificial intelligence (.....»»
Researchers analyze challenges faced by content moderators during pandemic
The responsibility for maintaining online safety relies on content moderators particularly in times of crisis. However, not all platforms even have moderation systems in place and so disinformation, misinformation, propaganda, and fake news often cir.....»»
A promising target for new RNA therapeutics now accessible
Only recently, a new era in medicine began with the first RNA vaccines. These active substances are modified RNAs that trigger immune responses of the human immune system. Another approach in RNA medicine targets the body's own RNA and its protein mo.....»»
A new algorithm to predict information superspreaders in social media
Understanding how information flows in social networks is critical to counteracting dangerous misinformation, promoting the spreading of news, and designing healthy online social environments. Scholars have long realized the role of information super.....»»
Embracing digital spaces: How older immigrants are navigating the infodemic
Occurring in tandem with the COVID-19 pandemic, another crisis was quietly escalating and unnoticed by many—an infodemic characterized by an overload of information, much of it misleading or false. Though concerns of an infodemic started before thi.....»»
Can language models read the genome? This one decoded mRNA to make better vaccines
The same class of artificial intelligence that made headlines coding software and passing the bar exam has learned to read a different kind of text—the genetic code......»»
Collaboration finds accuracy "nudges" decrease misinformation-sharing on both sides of the political aisle
A collaboration between two research teams with opposing perspectives found that, despite claims to the contrary, simply reminding people about the concept of accuracy improves the quality of information-sharing on both sides of the political aisle......»»
Molecular biology technique allows for discovery of novel targets for candidate vaccines against schistosomiasis
Researchers in Brazil have used an innovative technique in molecular biology to identify targets for candidate vaccines against Schistosoma mansoni, the parasite that causes schistosomiasis......»»
You can only play one of 2024’s best games on a tiny, 1-bit screen
Lucas Pope's Mars After Midnight is the perfect game for Panic's Playdate because it couldn't really work anywhere else......»»
AI abuse and misinformation campaigns threaten financial institutions
Though generative AI offers financial firms remarkable business and cybersecurity utility, cyberthreats relating to GenAI in financial services are a consistent concern, according to FS-ISAC. Cybercriminals exploit AI for data exfiltration The cybers.....»»
Chemists develop method to confirm mRNA vaccine stability
University at Albany researchers at the RNA Institute have developed a new method to test COVID-19 vaccine integrity that could allow anyone with basic skills in vaccine handling to detect expired vaccines quickly and effectively, without specialized.....»»
Can mRNA vaccines help boost livestock production?
University of Queensland researchers say mRNA vaccine technology could play an important role in boosting livestock production to meet global food demands......»»
Messenger RNAs with multiple "tails" could lead to more effective therapeutics, say researchers
Messenger RNA (mRNA) made its big leap into the public limelight during the pandemic, thanks to its cornerstone role in several COVID-19 vaccines. But mRNAs, which are genetic sequences that instruct the body to produce proteins, are also being devel.....»»
“Really bad timing”: Meta is killing misinformation analysis tool on August 14
Replacement tool will no longer allow access for journalists, public. Enlarge (credit: Getty) Meta is discontinuing data analysis tool CrowdTangle on August 14. The closure will come three months ahead of the next US pr.....»»
Q&A: How Instagram influencers profit from anti-vaccine misinformation
While Instagram might have a reputation for superficiality—a realm of exquisitely filtered images—it is now eclipsing other social media as a news source. The platform is increasingly filled with information, some of it pernicious and distributed.....»»
Scientists use a new type of nanoparticle that can both deliver vaccines and act as an adjuvant
Many vaccines, including vaccines for hepatitis B and whooping cough, consist of fragments of viral or bacterial proteins. These vaccines often include other molecules called adjuvants, which help to boost the immune system's response to the protein......»»