Why trolls, extremists, and others spread conspiracy theories they don’t believe
Some just want to promote conflict, cause chaos, or even just get attention. There has been a lot of research on the types of people who believe conspiracy theories, and their rea.....»»
Spread of deadly EEE virus explodes 5-fold in New York; one death reported
Normally only 2 or 3 counties have EEE-positive mosquitoes; there's 15 this year. Enlarge / An entomologist for the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness in a swampland area on August 25, 2021 in Louisville, K.....»»
Concern grows as bird flu outbreaks continue to rise among California dairy herds
Reports of H5N1 bird flu outbreaks at California dairy herds are continuing to rise as the nation's largest milk producer scrambles to contain the spread......»»
A versatile approach to realize quantum-enhanced metrology with large Fock states
The collecting of highly precise measurements can enable research developments and technological advancements in numerous fields. In physics, high-precision measurements can unveil new phenomena and experimentally validate theories......»»
Hackers are leveraging pirated games to spread malware
There's been a rise in fake CAPTCHA tests that are tricking users looking for pirated PC games into installing malware......»»
A new genetic analysis of animals in the Wuhan market in 2019 may help find COVID-19"s origin
Scientists searching for the origins of COVID-19 have zeroed in on a short list of animals that possibly helped spread it to people, an effort they hope could allow them to trace the outbreak back to its source......»»
"Pirate birds" force other seabirds to regurgitate fish meals. Their thieving ways could spread lethal avian flu
It's not easy finding food at sea. Seabirds often stay aloft, scanning the churning waters for elusive prey. Most seabirds take fish, squid, or other prey from the first few meters of seawater. Scavenging is common......»»
Forever chemicals persist through waste incineration, researcher finds
PFAS, often called "forever chemicals," present in municipal solid waste can survive the high temperatures of waste incineration and continue to spread into the environment via residues from waste-to-energy plants......»»
Scientists in South Africa say they have identified the first known outbreak of rabies in seals
Scientists in South Africa say they have identified an outbreak of rabies in seals that is believed to be the first time the virus has spread in sea mammals......»»
Support for Taylor Swift get-out-the-vote efforts falls after Super Bowl conspiracy theory
Support for Taylor Swift get-out-the-vote efforts falls after Super Bowl conspiracy theory.....»»
Scientists say there is enough evidence to agree to global action on microplastics
Science has provided more than sufficient evidence to inform a collective and global approach to tackle the continued spread of plastic pollution, according to a new report......»»
First-of-its kind tool allows scientists to manipulate cells without touching them
When studying the spread of cancer or the behavior of a virus like the one that causes COVID-19, the irony is that working with these harmful pathogens requires gentleness. Especially in the case of COVID, the particles do not survive well when makin.....»»
“Dead Internet theory” comes to life with new AI-powered social media app
SocialAI takes the social media "filter bubble" to an extreme with 100% fake interactions. Enlarge (credit: gremlin via Getty Images) For the past few years, a conspiracy theory called "Dead Internet theory" has picked u.....»»
AI Could Help Save Us from Conspiracy Theories, and Massachusetts Could Help Save Us from Our Trash
AI fights conspiracy theories, Massachusetts leads the way on waste reduction, and more in this week’s science news roundup.....»»
Public attention on the invasive lionfish helps monitor its ecological impact in real time
A new study from the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) has demonstrated that public interest in the lionfish (Pterois miles), an invasive species native to the Indo-Pacific, is aiding in monitoring its spread nearly in real time......»»
Q&A: Authors discuss addressing the crisis of species loss
No oncologist would wait for a patient's cancer to spread before treating it. Similarly, waiting to detect the potential loss of a species across all its known habitats means interventions are often too late to turn the tide of extinction, according.....»»
Can AI make you less gullible or is it a conspiracy?
Researchers demonstrate AI chatbot that can dismantle conspiracy theories......»»
Can AI talk us out of conspiracy theory rabbit holes?
New research published in Science shows that for some people who believe in conspiracy theories, a fact-based conversation with an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot can "pull them out of the rabbit hole." Better yet, it seems to keep them out for.....»»
Energy transmission in quantum field theory requires information: Research finds surprisingly simple relationship
An international team of researchers has found a surprisingly simple relationship between the rates of energy and information transmission across an interface connecting two quantum field theories. Their work was published in Physical Review Letters.....»»
AI chatbots might be better at swaying conspiracy theorists than humans
Co-author Gordon Pennycook: "The work overturns a lot of how we thought about conspiracies." Enlarge / A woman wearing a sweatshirt for the QAnon conspiracy theory on October 11, 2020 in Ronkonkoma, New York. (credit: Stephanie.....»»
Conversations with AI can successfully reduce belief in conspiracy theories
Have you ever tried to convince a conspiracy theorist that the moon landing wasn't staged? You likely didn't succeed, but ChatGPT might have better luck, according to research by MIT Sloan School of Management professor David Rand and American Univer.....»»