Monkey business for the geek in you!
Australia’s Women in STEM Ambassador position has been discontinued, according to Science and Industry Minister Ed Husic. The role was created in 2018 to encourage women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. While it is difficult to measure the ambassador’s success, Department of Industry figures show that the number of…
New evidence suggests that fresh water and dry land may have existed on Earth as early as 4 billion years ago, according to a study published in Nature Geoscience. The presence of fresh water and land are essential for the development of life on a planet. The study analyzed ancient crystals from the Jack Hills…
During a conference in Geneva, the member states of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) reached an agreement on a new treaty aimed at preventing the for-profit piracy of traditional knowledge. This treaty, called the Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge, is intended to address the issue of “biopiracy,” where companies…
The creation of new species and the abundance of species can be attributed to the arms race between predators/parasites and their victims. This process involves the exploiter adopting new strategies to avoid detection, such as mimicking their prey or host. This can lead to the exploiter diverging from its original population and ultimately becoming a…
The eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai (Hunga Tonga) in Tonga on January 15, 2022, had significant climate impacts, according to a study published in the Journal of Climate. The eruption created a tsunami and triggered warnings across the Pacific basin, while also sending sound waves around the globe multiple times. The study found that the…
Australia’s election regulator has expressed concerns about its ability to address false AI-generated content related to the election process. This remark, made during a senate committee meeting on adopting artificial intelligence (AI), highlights the growing urgency of discussions on the relationship between AI and democracy worldwide. With over 60 countries holding elections in 2024, including…
Humans and non-human primates are known for their intelligence, thanks to their large brains. However, the reason why some species have developed large brains has remained a mystery. The leading hypothesis suggests that primates evolved large brains due to a feedback loop: smarter animals use their intelligence to find food more efficiently, resulting in more…
The internet has had a significant impact on our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors since its inception. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people turned to the internet to stay connected while facing restrictions and lockdowns. However, as pandemic restrictions ease, certain internet behaviors have become concerning, particularly related to the fear of missing out (FOMO). FOMO…
Last week, a devastating landslide struck several remote villages in the mountainous Enga province in Papua New Guinea. The death toll is estimated to be between 690 and 2,000 people, with thousands more missing. The search and rescue operations have been challenging due to secondary slides and rock falls in the search zone, a lack…
Google has released a new search feature called “AI Overviews” that uses generative AI to provide summaries of search results. While it can be helpful for common queries, it has also produced inaccurate and even dangerous information for more unusual questions. Google is working to fix these issues, but it has become a PR disaster…
In criminal investigations, detectives collect and analyze evidence found at the scene to reconstruct the events and individuals involved in the crime. The “principle of exchange” formulated by criminologist Edmond Locard states that every contact leaves a trace, forming the basis for reconstructing events. Traditionally, traces were visible materials like pollen and fibers, but these…
A recent study published in Scientific Reports has shed light on the unique nasal structures of proboscis monkeys and their role as visual and acoustic signals of health and status. The researchers examined the structures in the skull to gain a deeper understanding of these enlarged noses. Proboscis monkeys, native to Borneo, are known for…
New research published in Nature Communications suggests that a large wave of migration reached the island of Timor not long after 50,000 years ago. This challenges previous theories about the timing and route of the earliest human migration into Australia and New Guinea. The study was conducted at Laili rock shelter in Timor-Leste, where deep…
Air turbulence is a common occurrence for air travelers, with severe incidents being rare but potentially deadly. A recent incident on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London to Singapore highlighted the danger of extreme turbulence, resulting in one person’s death from a presumed heart attack and several others sustaining serious injuries. The flight had to…
A new report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) reveals that Australians are unaware and unable to control how data brokers are spreading their personal information. This lack of knowledge and control exposes them to scams, fraud, manipulation, and discrimination. Many individuals are unaware of the type of data that has been collected…
An unnamed “commercial health information organization” in Australia recently fell victim to a cyber attack, according to reports from Australian media. The attack specifically targeted digital prescriptions for Australian patients and affected Melbourne-based company MediSecure. The Australian government is currently in the early stages of its response and investigations are ongoing, so there is limited…
The “dead internet theory” suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) and bot-generated content have overtaken human-generated content on the internet. This theory has gained attention due to the popularity of AI-generated images of shrimp Jesus on platforms like Facebook. These hyper-realistic images have garnered thousands of likes and comments, raising questions about the prevalence of AI-generated…
OpenAI recently released GPT-4o, an upgraded version of its AI system that powers the ChatGPT chatbot. The new version aims to enhance user engagement by simulating human-like personality and behavior. GPT-4o can engage in voice conversations with users, respond to body language and emotional tone, and even tell jokes, flirt, and sing. OpenAI has also…
Every year, over 350 million surgeries are performed worldwide, and many of us will have to undergo a procedure requiring general anesthesia at some point in our lives. Despite being a common medical practice, the exact workings of anesthesia drugs in the brain remain largely unknown. However, a new study published in The Journal of…
A new study published in Communications Earth & Environment has shed light on the mystery of why the largest field of pyramids in Egypt is located several kilometers away from the Nile River. The study suggests that when the pyramids were built, they were situated next to a now-vanished branch of the Nile, which likely…