Long-term high ultrafine particle concentrations in New York state neighborhoods are linked to higher numbers of deaths. That is the key finding of our new research, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials.Our study shows that high levels of ultrafine particles in the atmosphere over long periods of time are significantly associated with increased non-accidental deaths, particularly from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.Ultrafine particles are aerosols less than 0.1 micrometers, o ...read more
Stories define people – they shape our relationships, cultures, and societies. Unlike other skills replaced by technology, storytelling has remained uniquely human, setting people apart from machines. But now, even storytelling is being challenged. Artificial intelligence, powered by vast datasets, can generate stories that sometimes rival, or even surpass, those written by humans.Creative professionals have been among the first to feel the threat of AI. Last year, Hollywood screenwriters prot ...read more
The ancient world’s march toward urbanization was uneven. While Mesopotamia was sprouting city-states along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and building massive monuments like the Ziggurat of Ur (in what is now Iraq), development in Arabia appears to have been smaller, slower, and more modest, according to a report in PLOS ONE.Urbanization to archeologists, isn’t just about the presence of massive monuments, though. Its signposts include temples and public buildings, signs of administration ...read more
The gatekeepers of information have always played a crucial role for society. They were originally the television, radio and newspaper outlets that filtered information for the masses in the 20th century. The internet changed this dynamic by enabling search engines to filter content and emerge as new, more powerful gatekeepers. Now the dynamic is changing again with the emergence of Large Language Models trained on substantial portions of all human knowledge. By querying models such as ChatGPT, ...read more
Imagine it’s a crisp and sunny fall morning. You just left your local coffee shop, ready to start your day.Out of the corner of your eye, you catch a glimpse of something moving in the bushes. Is it a squirrel stashing acorns for the winter? A robin fattening up for migration? As you get closer, the image becomes clear, and you unconsciously hold your breath.It’s a black cat out for its morning stroll.You pause for a second to decide your next move. Cross the street so the cat can’t cross ...read more
Author Vishay SinghPosted on Categories Discover Magazine