//www.koonmotors.com/news/strange_offbeat/science_society/ Quirky stories from ScienceDaily's Science & Society section. en-us Wed, 06 Sep 2023 14:56:29 EDT Wed, 06 Sep 2023 14:56:29 EDT 60 //www.koonmotors.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png//www.koonmotors.com/news/strange_offbeat/science_society/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823122608.htm Geoscientists have created a new method that can reconstruct the drift path and origin of debris from flight MH370, an aircraft that went missing over the Indian Ocean in 2014 with 239 passengers and crew. Wed, 23 Aug 2023 12:26:08 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823122608.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230731110750.htm The artificial intelligence language model GPT-3 performed as well as college students in solving certain logic problems like those that appear on standardized tests. The researchers who conducted the experiment write that the results prompt the question of whether the technology is mimicking human reasoning or using a new type of cognitive process. Solving that question would require access to the software that underpins GPT-3 and other AI software. Mon, 31 Jul 2023 11:07:50 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230731110750.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230713141947.htm Why do some people take part in genetic studies while others do not? The answer may lie within our genetic makeup. According to a groundbreaking study, people who participate in genetic studies are genetically more likely to do so, leaving detectable 'footprints' in genetics data. This breakthrough equips researchers with the ability to identify and address participation bias, a significant challenge in genetic research. Thu, 13 Jul 2023 14:19:47 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230713141947.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230607215856.htm Poems, essays and even books -- is there anything the OpenAI platform ChatGPT can't handle? These new AI developments have inspired researchers to dig a little deeper: For instance, can ChatGPT also design a robot? And is this a good thing for the design process, or are there risks? Wed, 07 Jun 2023 21:58:56 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230607215856.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230525141526.htm As robots assume more roles in the world, a new analysis reviewed research on robot rights, concluding that granting rights to robots is a bad idea. Instead, the article looks to Confucianism to offer an alternative. Thu, 25 May 2023 14:15:26 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230525141526.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230330172143.htm Researchers are learning more about ancient graffiti -- and their intriguing comparisons to modern graffiti -- as they produce a state-of-the-art 3D recording of the Temple of Isis in Philae, Egypt. Thu, 30 Mar 2023 17:21:43 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230330172143.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230330102400.htm Artificial intelligence technologies like ChatGPT are seemingly doing everything these days: writing code, composing music, and even creating images so realistic you'll think they were taken by professional photographers. Add thinking and responding like a human to the conga line of capabilities. A recent study proves that artificial intelligence can respond to complex survey questions just like a real human. Thu, 30 Mar 2023 10:24:00 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230330102400.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230330102315.htm Everyone is talking about the newest AI and the power of neural networks, forgetting that software is limited by the hardware on which it runs. But it is hardware become 'the bottleneck.' New collaborators might change that. They believe that they have developed a new type of chip with the best memory of any chip thus far for edge AI (AI in portable devices). To put it in context, right now, ChatGPT is running on a cloud. The new innovation, followed by some further development, could put the power of a mini version of ChatGPT in everyone's personal device. It could make such high-powered tech more affordable and accessible for all sorts of applications. Thu, 30 Mar 2023 10:23:15 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230330102315.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230328145225.htm With CRISPR-Cas9 technology, humans can now rapidly change the evolutionary course of animals or plants by inserting genes that can easily spread through entire populations. An evolutionary geneticist proposes that we call this evolutionary meddling 'genetic welding.' He argues that we must scientifically and ethically scrutinize the potential consequences of genetic welding before we put it into practice. Tue, 28 Mar 2023 14:52:25 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230328145225.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230323103316.htm In an innovative new study, researchers used a series of prompts and questions to encourage ChatGPT to produce the type of content commonly seen in academic publications. Researchers say in their paper's discussion section -- which was written without the software's influence -- that it demonstrates the new levels of sophistication which AI now offers and also the opportunities and challenges it poses for the academic community. Thu, 23 Mar 2023 10:33:16 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230323103316.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230309164657.htm Island-dwelling mammal species often expand or contract in size, becoming giant or dwarf versions of their mainland counterparts. A new Science study from a global team shows that those giants and dwarfs have faced extreme risk of extinction -- an existential threat exacerbated by the arrival of humans. Thu, 09 Mar 2023 16:46:57 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230309164657.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230207191603.htm New Zealand is one of only a few island nations that could continue to produce enough food to feed its population in a nuclear winter, researchers have found. Tue, 07 Feb 2023 19:16:03 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230207191603.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/01/230130150118.htm By working together, dolphins and net-casting fishers in Brazil each catch more fish, a rare example of an interaction by two top predators that is beneficial to both parties, researchers have concluded following 15 years of study of the practice. Mon, 30 Jan 2023 15:01:18 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/01/230130150118.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/12/221220165217.htm No matter how egotistical, power hungry or greedy the person is, many of us are still attracted to their dark side -- in part because we suspect some may have a redeeming quality. A recent study found that both adults and children more often reported that villains were inwardly good than that heroes were inwardly bad. Tue, 20 Dec 2022 16:52:17 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/12/221220165217.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/12/221212140804.htm By breaking the laws of physics in a virtual reality environment, researchers find that changing the location of a virtual assistant's voice in specific ways can be used as a tool to build rapport with customers. Mon, 12 Dec 2022 14:08:04 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/12/221212140804.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/12/221209094732.htm Wearing a face mask can temporarily disrupt decision-making in some situations, a new study of chess players has found. The study analyzed almost three million chess moves played by more than eight thousand people in 18 countries before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and found wearing a mask substantially reduced the average quality of player decisions. Fri, 09 Dec 2022 09:47:32 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/12/221209094732.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/12/221205104150.htm Lying to another person to get the better of them in a financial negotiation might win you more money, but you are likely to end up feeling guilty and less satisfied with the deal than if you had been honest, according to new research. Mon, 05 Dec 2022 10:41:50 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/12/221205104150.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/12/221201122920.htm AI shows potential in creating literary art rivaling that of humans without human help. AI-generated haiku without human intervention was compared with a contrasting method. The evaluators found it challenging to distinguish between the haiku penned by humans and those generated by AI. Evaluators showed algorithm aversion when unconsciously giving lower scores to those they felt were AI-generated. Thu, 01 Dec 2022 12:29:20 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/12/221201122920.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/11/221123193702.htm A newly compiled dataset quantitatively captures witchcraft beliefs in countries around the world, enabling investigation of key factors associated with such beliefs. Wed, 23 Nov 2022 19:37:02 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/11/221123193702.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/11/221109151935.htm In an experimental study, participants' first impressions of photos of strangers' faces were strongly influenced by disclosure of the stranger's political partisanship. Wed, 09 Nov 2022 15:19:35 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/11/221109151935.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/10/221027132714.htm Actors may suppress their core sense of self when acting, as they immerse themselves in a new role, according to a new study. Thu, 27 Oct 2022 13:27:14 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/10/221027132714.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/09/220907192546.htm Temperatures above or below a feel-good window of 12-21 degrees Celsius (54-70 °F) are linked to a marked rise in aggressive online behaviour across the USA, a new study finds. Wed, 07 Sep 2022 19:25:46 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/09/220907192546.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/09/220906114213.htm Scientists have developed a novel approach for dynamic difficulty adjustment where the players' emotions are estimated using in-game data, and the difficulty level is tweaked accordingly to maximize player satisfaction. Their efforts could contribute to balancing the difficulty of games and making them more appealing to all types of players. Tue, 06 Sep 2022 11:42:13 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/09/220906114213.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/08/220824102936.htm People with an obsessive urge to constantly check the news are more likely to suffer from stress, anxiety, as well as ill health, finds a new study. Wed, 24 Aug 2022 10:29:36 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/08/220824102936.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/07/220714165811.htm If simply breathing can spread the SARS-CoV-2 virus to others nearby, what about blowing into a tuba? Researchers used fluid mechanics to study the movement of aerosols generated by professional musicians. Thu, 14 Jul 2022 16:58:11 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/07/220714165811.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/06/220630114501.htm 一台新电脑模型使用公开可用的数据to predict crime accurately in eight U.S. cities, while revealing increased police response in wealthy neighborhoods at the expense of less advantaged areas. Thu, 30 Jun 2022 11:45:01 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/06/220630114501.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/06/220627125010.htm Researchers have found that people may have a tendency to form friendships with individuals who have a similar body odor. The researchers were even able to predict the quality of social interactions between complete strangers by first 'smelling' them with a device known as an electronic nose, or eNose. These findings suggest that the sense of smell may play a larger role in human social interactions than previously thought. Mon, 27 Jun 2022 12:50:10 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/06/220627125010.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/06/220627100218.htm Researchers studied the effect of the 'attitudes' of a semi-autonomous telepresence robot on its human operator. They found that when a person controlled only a part of the body of a semi-autonomous robot, its expressed opinions affected him or her. This work may help assist in the development of new semi-autonomous robots to perform labor more efficiently. Mon, 27 Jun 2022 10:02:18 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/06/220627100218.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/05/220519081106.htm Praying mantises have gained recent popularity as pets, sold at animal fairs and pet markets, but also collected in the wild by a fast-growing community of hobbyists and professional marketers. An overview of this market's dynamics reports on both problems and opportunities of the pet mantis market, like the absence of regulations, but also the potential of a stronger collaboration between hobbyists and scientists for biodiversity conservation. Thu, 19 May 2022 08:11:06 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/05/220519081106.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/04/220421141535.htm Displaying the highway death toll on message boards is a common awareness campaign, but new research shows this tactic actually leads to more crashes. This new study evaluated the effect of displaying crash death totals on highway message boards (e.g., '1669 deaths this year on Texas roads'). Versions of highway fatality messages have been displayed in at least 27 US states. Thu, 21 Apr 2022 14:15:35 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/04/220421141535.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/04/220401141337.htm The concept of a 'person' or 'people' is, despite its definition, not gender-neutral when it comes to how we use these terms. In fact, we tend to prioritize men when referring to people in general, shows a new study by a team of psychology and linguistics researchers. Fri, 01 Apr 2022 14:13:37 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/04/220401141337.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220322122820.htm Researchers have developed a new model to predict human flocking behavior based on optics and other sensory data. Tue, 22 Mar 2022 12:28:20 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220322122820.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220308120147.htm Linguistic convergence refers to temporary (and often subtle) shifts in speech to sound more similar to those around us. A new study shows that even our expectations about how other people might speak (rather than the speech itself) is enough to shape our own speech patterns. Tue, 08 Mar 2022 12:01:47 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220308120147.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220307132000.htm Computer engineers have developed virtual eyes that simulate how humans look at the world accurately enough for companies to train virtual reality and augmented reality programs. Called EyeSyn for short, the program will help developers create applications for the rapidly expanding metaverse while protecting user data. Mon, 07 Mar 2022 13:20:00 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220307132000.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/02/220203083556.htm 人们更舒适与女性早期er than male robots working in service roles in hotels, according to new research. The study, which surveyed about 170 people on hypothetical service robot scenarios, also found that the preference was stronger when the robots were described as having more human features. Thu, 03 Feb 2022 08:35:56 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/02/220203083556.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/12/211201145325.htm A new strategy to reduce the spread of COVID-19 employs a mobile robot that detects people in crowds who are not observing social-distancing rules, navigates to them, and encourages them to move apart. Wed, 01 Dec 2021 14:53:25 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/12/211201145325.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/11/211130101438.htm 科学家利用动画人形化身来研究how nonverbal cues influence people's behavior. The research offers insight into the brain mechanisms that drive social and economic decision-making. Tue, 30 Nov 2021 10:14:38 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/11/211130101438.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/11/211123131304.htm New research has found that drivers touch their face 26 times an hour on average, potentially spreading germs and infection, if handwashing is inadequate. Tue, 23 Nov 2021 13:13:04 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/11/211123131304.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/11/211116175020.htm Imagine your car starting the moment you get in because it recognizes the jacket you're wearing. Consider the value of a hospital gown that continuously measures and transmits a patient's vital signs. These are just two applications made possible by a new 'body area network'-enabling fabric. Tue, 16 Nov 2021 17:50:20 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/11/211116175020.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/11/211112121508.htm Imagine a world in which smart packaging for supermarket ready meals updates you in real-time to tell you about carbon footprints, gives live warnings on product recalls, and instant safety alerts because allergens were detected unexpectedly in the factory. But how much extra energy would be used powering such a system? And what if an accidental alert meant you were told to throw away your food for no reason? Fri, 12 Nov 2021 12:15:08 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/11/211112121508.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/11/211111214623.htm Volcanic eruptions may have triggered abrupt climate changes contributing to the repeated collapse of Chinese dynasties over the past 2,000 years, according to new research. The study also illustrates how volcanic eruptions can profoundly impact vulnerable or unstable regions and highlights the need to prepare for future eruptions. 星期四,2021年11月11日21:46:23 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/11/211111214623.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/11/211103140105.htm To counter hacking, researchers have developed a new system based on the concept of 'zero-knowledge proofs', the security of which is based on the physical principle of relativity: information cannot travel faster than the speed of light. Thus, one of the fundamental principles of modern physics allows for secure data transfer. Wed, 03 Nov 2021 14:01:05 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/11/211103140105.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/11/211103105018.htm Government action is needed so driverless vehicles can be insured against malicious hacks which could have potentially catastrophic consequences, a study says. Wed, 03 Nov 2021 10:50:18 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/11/211103105018.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/09/210929112814.htm In recent years, scientists have created music based on the structure of proteins as a creative way to better popularize science to the general public, but the resulting songs haven't always been pleasant to the ear. In a new study, researchers use the style of existing music genres to guide the structure of protein song to make it more musical. Wed, 29 Sep 2021 11:28:14 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/09/210929112814.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/09/210913220121.htm A team studied whether hanging out with conversational agents, such as Alexa or Siri, could affect the way children communicate with their fellow humans. Mon, 13 Sep 2021 22:01:21 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/09/210913220121.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/08/210830081808.htm What transpires in comedies and cartoons when a character has a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other is not far off from people's perceptions of the real world, finds a new study. Mon, 30 Aug 2021 08:18:08 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/08/210830081808.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/08/210809144046.htm Food companies, regulators, marketers, journalists and others should use the terms 'cell-based' or 'cell-cultured' when labeling and talking about seafood products made from the cells of fish or shellfish, according to a new study. Mon, 09 Aug 2021 14:40:46 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/08/210809144046.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/08/210806104357.htm 随着人们保护in place at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, sightings of wildlife in urban areas reinforced an intuitive belief: Carnivores were stretching their legs, and their ranges, by expanding into long-lost territory. But new research shows that mountain lions in Greater Los Angeles, when briefly spared the proximity of people, instead responded with an economy of movement that also reveals the costs of living near them. Fri, 06 Aug 2021 10:43:57 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/08/210806104357.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/07/210729183629.htm New research shows that city lights limit the ability of nocturnal animals to navigate by natural light in the night sky. Instead, they are forced to use streetlamps, neon light or floodlights to orient themselves. Thu, 29 Jul 2021 18:36:29 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/07/210729183629.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/07/210721120726.htm Simulated swimming race times show a small number of times recorded on quartzite oscillator-based devices are off by margins large enough to determine winners. Wed, 21 Jul 2021 12:07:26 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/07/210721120726.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/07/210720114405.htm The most promising method to achieve real-world BCI applications is through electroencephalography, a method of monitoring the brain's electrical activity. EEG-based BCIs will require a number of technological advances prior to widespread use, but more importantly, they will raise a variety of social, ethical, and legal concerns. Researchers conducted a review of modern commercial brain-computer interface devices and discuss the primary technological limitations and humanitarian concerns of these devices. Tue, 20 Jul 2021 11:44:05 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/07/210720114405.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/07/210720114330.htm When it comes to craft beer, the flavor doesn't have to be all in the hops. As a panel of amateur beer tasters at Washington State University recently demonstrated, malted barley, the number one ingredient in beer besides water, can have a range of desirable flavors too. Tue, 20 Jul 2021 11:43:30 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/07/210720114330.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/07/210714110506.htm An associate professor of marketing says digital avatars can replace a sales force and customer service employees at a fraction of the cost. Wed, 14 Jul 2021 11:05:06 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/07/210714110506.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/07/210701195245.htm Using datasets from neurosurgical patients and those with brain lesions, researchers mapped lesion locations associated with spiritual and religious belief to a specific human brain circuit. Thu, 01 Jul 2021 19:52:45 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/07/210701195245.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/06/210628123020.htm In March 2020, daily life in the United States changed in an instant as the country locked down to deal with the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. New research reveals how residents in one community returned to their routines as the restrictions lifted. Mon, 28 Jun 2021 12:30:20 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/06/210628123020.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/06/210624161657.htm Researchers were able to clearly connect declining levels of human mobility during regional shelter-in-place orders with pumas' increased willingness to utilize more urban habitat areas. Thu, 24 Jun 2021 16:16:57 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/06/210624161657.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/06/210622123303.htm 没有观众,男人跑得慢和女人快er: The lack of spectators during the coronavirus pandemic appears to have had a noticeable effect on the performance of athletes at the 2020 Biathlon World Cup, a new study shows. According to the new analysis, women also performed better in complex tasks, such as shooting, when an audience was present while men did not. Tue, 22 Jun 2021 12:33:03 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/06/210622123303.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/06/210617101241.htm Conservationists have long warned of the dangers associated with bears becoming habituated to life in urban areas. Yet, it appears the message hasn't gotten through to everyone. News reports continue to cover seemingly similar situations -- a foraging bear enters a neighbourhood, easily finds high-value food and refuses to leave. The story often ends with conservation officers being forced to euthanize the animal for public safety purposes. Thu, 17 Jun 2021 10:12:41 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/06/210617101241.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/06/210610135534.htm Humans expect that AI is benevolent and trustworthy. A new study reveals that at the same time humans are unwilling to cooperate and compromise with machines. They even exploit them. Thu, 10 Jun 2021 13:55:34 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/06/210610135534.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/06/210610091139.htm A team used dendrochronology and a form of radiocarbon dating called 'wiggle-matching' to pinpoint, with 95% probability, the years in which an ancient wooden structure's two main components were created: a lower tank in 1444 B.C., and an upper tank in 1432 B.C. Thu, 10 Jun 2021 09:11:39 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/06/210610091139.htm