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24 stories in Science

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SciencePositive

Open-sourcing AstaBrief, the fast report-generation model in Asta

### Briefing Open-sourcing AstaBrief, the fast report-generation model in Asta, aims to help researchers generate cited reports more efficiently. The model, trained specifically for scientific report generation, reduces generation time by nearly an order of magnitude compared to proprietary models. The open-sourced version is available in Asta’s Generate a report feature today as Fast mode alongside Claude-powered Thinking mode.

ScienceNegative

Research paper overload: submissions capped at two a month

The arXiv, a repository of research papers, has been capped at two submissions per person per month to address the significant increase in submissions, from 20,000 in 2024 to over 40,000 in September 2026. This growth rate is unsustainable, and the moderation of the repository relies on volunteers. Google discontinued its bug reporting program due to the influx of reports, indicating a trend towards complexity and difficulty for humans to manage.

SciencePositive

Computational tools for society’s most complex challenges

### Briefing Cathy Wu, Associate Professor in MIT’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, discusses her journey from designing safe, efficient transportation systems to applying artificial intelligence to solve complex challenges.** Cathy Wu, an associate professor in MIT’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, has dedicated her career to using machine learning and reinforcement learning (RL) to…

ScienceNeutral

What does en passant mean in chess?

En passant is a unique pawn move in chess that allows capturing an enemy pawn diagonally without landing on the square it moved into. This move is called "in passing" because the move can be executed after an enemy pawn has moved two squares forward on its first move. The rule was not officially accepted until 1880 and was introduced to prevent pawns from easily evading capture by moving two squares forward. En passant can be beneficial to capture pawns that are in a passed position, which is when a pawn has advan…

SciencePositive

Fragments: October 4

Metalanguage addressed the issue of shipping the id without the superego in the software lifecycle, referring to the classic movie Forbidden Planet. The movie, released in 1956, explores the unintended behavior of creating a thinking machine, highlighting the challenges of working with inferential systems. This movie is relevant to the future we build with generative AI, as it raises the question of how we will handle the fate of the Krell, a reference to the AI apocalypse. The movie is well worth watching, but th…

SciencePositive

MIT announces the MIT for America initiative, to strengthen STEM education across the country

The initiative, which ranges from kindergarten through community college, will engage students in mathematics, hands-on design, and artificial intelligence. MIT for America will leverage the Institute's strengths to develop new programs and expand existing projects, with a focus on scalability and direct guidance. The initiative aims to provide direct, face-to-face guidance for learners and educators, and to support programs that can be scaled up and have an impact across the country.

ScienceNeutral

Overnight fermented dough got a little excited..

This phenomenon was observed in a batch of dough that was left to ferment overnight in a warm environment. The dough, usually reserved for baking bread, showed signs of agitation, as if it had been energized by some unseen force. Initial investigations suggest that the temperature and humidity conditions may have played a role in this unusual behavior.

ScienceNegative

Funniest food review ever

A hilarious food review that has gone viral has been revealed, featuring a dish called "chicken liver mousse with bacon and truffle oil" that was described as "deliciously gross" and "so disgusting that I couldn't even bring myself to take a bite." The review has been shared thousands of times on social media, with many people expressing their disgust at the dish. The reviewer claims that the dish was created by a chef who had a "love-hate" relationship with food, and that the dish was meant to be a "joke" but end…

SciencePositive

Lioness Comes to Face-to-Face with Tourist on Safari

The encounter was captured on camera, highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation and the need for responsible tourism practices. The incident underscores the growing threat to wild animals due to human-wildlife conflicts and the importance of educating tourists on the proper behavior around wildlife.

SciencePositive

This gymnast made history by becoming the first person to land 3 backflips with a full 360° twist in each one.

A gymnast has set a new world record by successfully executing three backflips with a 360-degree twist in each flip. This achievement marks the first time a gymnast has accomplished such a feat, solidifying their status as a pioneer in the sport.

Checkpoint

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ScienceNeutral

How many plates does it take to Stop a bullet?

Stopping a bullet with a plate is a common trope in movies and TV shows, but it takes at least three plates to do the job, according to experts. The plates need to be made of a material that can withstand the impact of a bullet and be able to deform and absorb the energy of the bullet, and their thickness and weight also play a role. They need to be designed and installed correctly to ensure effectiveness.

SciencePositive

a starfish born square due to a birth defect

A rare birth defect has resulted in a starfish being born square, sparking curiosity and debate among scientists and marine biologists. This anomaly, caused by a genetic mutation or environmental factors, is the first known instance of a starfish developing a single central arm instead of the typical five, resulting in a square shape. This discovery highlights the complexity of starfish development and the potential genetic mechanisms behind unusual phenomena.

SciencePositive

Amazon Science

### Briefing Amazon Science, a research initiative focused on leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques, has been making significant strides in several key areas. The company collaborates with leading researchers and developers to tackle complex problems and push the boundaries of what is possible with AI. #### Key Research Areas Amazon Science is dedicated to exploring various research areas, including: Dynamic Shapes and Memory Access Patterns**: Researchers…

SciencePositive

I nose there's food

The narrator is unsure of their location but feels comforted by the familiar scent of food, indicating they are not alone in their predicament.

SciencePositive

Two galaxies are colliding 60 million light-years away - and this is what it looks like

Two galaxies, NGC 4038 and NGC 4039, are colliding 60 million light-years away, visible in the Hubble Space Telescope image, showcasing dramatic changes in their shapes and the formation of new stars. This cosmic event is expected to continue over millions of years, potentially leading to the formation of a larger galaxy, providing valuable insights into galaxy formation and evolution.

SciencePositive

Snake catcher in India calmly handles two massive cobras with his bare hands and a stick

The snake catcher, who is known for his expertise in handling venomous snakes, calmly approached the cobras and used the stick to gently guide them away from his hands. The villagers were amazed by his calm demeanor and the skill with which he managed to handle the snakes without any harm to himself or the animals. This act of bravery and skill has gained him recognition in the local community and has inspired many to seek his help in handling venomous snakes.

SciencePositive

Japan is trialing a drug that regrows human teeth by blocking USAG-1—a protein that keeps dormant tooth buds switched off. Phase I is done. Phase IIa in children with congenital tooth loss is next. If it works, dentures and implants could become obsolete.

Japan is trialing a drug that regrows human teeth by blocking USAG-1, a protein that keeps dormant tooth buds switched off. Phase I has been completed, and Phase IIa in children with congenital tooth loss is next. If successful, dentures and implants could become obsolete.

SciencePositive

🔥A sand cat with its kittens

A sand cat with its kittens has been spotted in the wild, marking an important sighting of a rare desert species. The mother cat, weighing approximately 2.5 kilograms, is accompanied by her two kittens, each weighing around 0.5 kilograms. The kittens are born with spots and are blind at birth, indicating a unique adaptation to their environment. This sighting is significant as it highlights the importance of conservation efforts in protecting such small wild cat species in the face of habitat loss and climate chan…

SciencePositive

New formulation helps RNA vaccines withstand high temperatures

MIT researchers have developed a new formulation for RNA vaccines that can withstand high temperatures, overcoming a key limitation of these vaccines. This breakthrough was made possible through the use of an AI algorithm, which helped identify the optimal excipients to stabilize lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) used to deliver mRNA vaccines. The new formulation allows vaccines to remain stable even when stored at room temperature for up to a year or at nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit for two months, generating a strong i…

SciencePositive

Exploding variance of means of exponentials: least-squares to the rescue

### Briefing #### Exploding Variance of Means of Exponentials: Least-Squares to the Rescue A common task in machine learning involves estimating or optimizing "log-sum-exp" functions with many terms, such as \(\log \Big( \int_{\mathcal{X}} e^{v(x)} dq(x) \Big)\), where \(v: \mathcal{X} \to \mathbb{R}\) is a potential function and \(q\) is a probability distribution on \(\mathcal{X}\). This technique is widely used in various applications, including normalization, smooth approximations, and regularization in mode…

Checkpoint

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stories reviewed — about 36 min of reading, summarized for quick catch-up.

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ScienceNeutral

Why is English spelling so tricky?

English spelling is a mishmash of different patterns developed over time, influenced by Old English, the adoption of the Latin alphabet, and the Norman invasion, leading to a confusing mixture of conventions that can be both a work of art and a source of frustration for many.

ScienceNeutral

TIL Hurricane Katrina permanently displaced so many people along the Gulf Coast that it is considered by most definitions to be a diaspora. 40% of evacuees were unable to return home, resulting in permanent demographic changes. The New Orleans population has still not recovered to pre-Katrina levels

Hurricane Katrina displaced over 1.5 million people, with nearly half unable to return, leading to a significant demographic shift in New Orleans. The city's population has yet to fully recover, with an estimated 383,997 residents as of 2020, marking a 254,502 decrease from pre-Katrina levels. The displaced population was primarily located in suburban New Orleans, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, and Baton Rouge, with Texas taking in an estimated 220,000 evacuees.

SciencePositive

Advice to a Beginning Graduate Student (2001)

Thinking**: Claude Shannon once said, "If I could tell you something," that was enough to solve a puzzle. When you work on a problem, ask yourself, "How should I have thought to solve it?" This leads to learning and publishing.

ScienceNeutral

TIL There are "hunger stones" in rivers in central Europe. These stones were carved during droughts to mark the water level as a warning to future generations that they will have to endure famine-related hardships if the water sinks to this level again.

### Hunger Stones in Central Europe In Central Europe, "hunger stones" are ancient stone markers that warn future generations of droughts by marking the water level as a sign of impending famine. One notable example is the "Hunger Stone" in the Elbe River near Děčín, Czech Republic, which warns people to weep if the water levels drop below 95 cm. Another famous hunger stone is in the Danube River in Hungary, where a small stone with the inscription "Famine/Hunger cliff/stone" can be seen at water levels below 95…

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