Sunspots 1004

Things I have spotted that may be of interest to others:

An extensive web site on Charles Wesley.

Gizmodo reports on terrible conditions for living things in ancient times. Probably these threats were caused, or enhanced, by ferns. That's right, ferns.

An article in The Conversation, discusses testosterone levels carefully. Unlike some.

NPR, and other outlets on a rogue artificial intelligence, which hacked into another AI, without help from real humans.

SpaceDaily reports on exploration, deep in ocean tranches, by a Chinese group, which found large ecosystems, getting their energy from methane and other molecules.

Joel Duff has posted a careful analysis of Intelligent Design ideas.

Heart, Mind,, Soul and Strength gives a list of Greek words for kinds of love, and, also, Greek words for love that weren't used in the New Testament.

Sunspots 1003

Things I have spotted that may be of interest to you:

Gizmodo reports that sugar molecules have been detected in deep space. Note: These are not the kinds of sugar we use in cooking.

Gizmodo reports on occasions where President Trump claimed some event was actually staged using artificial intelligence, but the event really happened. 

Gizmodo also reports that ancient humans, living in Norway, caught fish and placed them in high bodies of water. Amazing! 

We get frequent (about 2 per week) calls suggesting that our Social Security benefits are not as great as they could be. I checked on-line, and these calls are scams. Hang up.

Sunspots 995

 

Things I have spotted that may be of interest to others.

Discover Wildlife reports on a fish with a hole in its head, and what that hole probably does. Photos included.

National Public Radio reports that a Texas A&M professor has been told to not consider Plato in his philosophy class.

Gizmodo reports that rich people, world-wide, are responsible for a large portion of greenhouse gasses emitted.

A BigThink writer discusses the question "Why does something exist instead of nothing?" (The writer says that there is no possible scientific answer to this question.)

BisThink also discusses the state of particle physics, with discussion and diagrams.

ZDNet tested six chatbots, and found that all of them made a serious error on at least one of the tasks posed by the author.

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 992

 

Gizmodo reports on a woman who married an artificially intelligent entity that she created in cyberspace. Really.

Gizmodo also reports that moss plants survived conditions in space, such as temperatures from -196 to 55 degrees Celsius.

Gizmodo warns against giving AI - enabled toys for Christmas (or at any other time).

Gizmodo also reports that many pro-MAGA X accounts are actually not based in North America. 

Reuters News reports on how the Trump administration has treated over 200 people or entities perceived as being enemies of that administration, or of  Trump.

Sunspots 989

 

Things that I have spotted that may be of interest to others:

Gizmodo reports that spending too much time reading or scrolling while defecating increases your likelihood of getting hemorrhoids. 

Gizmodo also reports that some ant queens are capable of producing offspring of a different species.

Politico reports that Artificial Intelligence war games have a disturbing tendency to escalate into global war.

Biologos points out that several of the most important Christian thinkers of the past did not believe that the Genesis 1-2 were to be taken as describing literal 24 hour days, in sequence.   These thinkers included Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and B..B. Warlield.

Ken Schenck discusses the concept of creation out of nothing, and concludes that our current understanding of that idea has not existed (!) until recently.

Politico says that Apple is making a forthcoming artificial intelligence ability so that it's more likely to please Donald Trump.

Nature reports that scientists are discussing the possibility of producing "mirror life," organisms made from  molecules that are mirror images of those naturally occurring in living things.

Today is "square root day" -  9 + 16 = 25.

Thanks for reading!

Sunspots 988

A Zdnet article tells us that most attempts to use Artificial Intelligence in businesses do not really help those businesses.

National Public Radio discusses the recent renovation of the White House rose garden.

Joel Edmund Anderson explains Ecclesiastes. 

The Evidence is Plain blog describes how the Answers in Genesis Ark Encounter departs from AiG's own supposed standard, of following literally what the Bible says. The Ark Encounter includes lots of made-up stuff about Noah.

Gizmodo reports that the Trump family has made billions in cryptocurrency.

NPR discusses the use of "um" in speaking.

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 982

 

Things I have spotted that may be of interest to others:

Gizmodo reports on a study that found that all of the largest US cities are sinking.

Kenneth Schenck discusses politics and Christianity.

Gizmodo reports that the new pope (and the previous one) has warned about possible dangers from artificial intelligence.

Equus, and other sources, report that horses are especially able to move fast because of a gene peculiar to horses and their relatives.

Gizmodo on whether Pope Leo XIV is an environmentalist (and on whether Francis was).

CNN reports on the melting of polar ice and its dire consequences.

NPR reports that the Centers for Disease Control is no longer warning the medical community about disease threats.

Sunspots 977

Things I have spotted that may be of interest to others.    

ZDNet reports that a study, by the BBC, about how good artificial intelligence (chatbots) do in summarizing news stories, showed that they don't do that very well.

There are still Brazilian tribes that are unknown by the rest of us, according to Gizmodo.

Gizmodo also reports on dating apps, finding that using one is a way for a female user to be raped, more often than other means of connecting. The report also says that the companies involved could do a much better job of removing dangerous users, but has chosen not to.

MSN describes the animals with the longest lifespan. (Thanks to one of my brothers for this information)

CNN lists a number of GOP senators who deny Trump's claim that the Ukraine-Russia was started by the Ukraine.

South American tapirs were thought to be extinct. They aren't!

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 965

A Conversation article discusses dietary supplements, with some warnings. 

Another Conversation article tells us about synthetic human embryos.

A Grist report suggests that we are now occasionally experiencing category 6 hurricanes.

A Conversation writer examines the ethnic and national diversity among the Israeli defense forces.

Joel Duff pleads with Christian leaders who routinely post material, opinions, copied from others without checking -- the equivalent of posting material from the tabloids on sale at supermarket checkout areas, he says.

Gizmodo warns us that Mac computers are vulnerable to viruses.

A Conversation writer discusses having relationships with artificial intelligences.

Caitlin Clark has set a record for points scored over a career in women's basketball, according to NPR and multiple other sources. She's not a ball hog -- she recently made her 1000th assist. The all-time record for either sex, set by Pete Maravich over 50 years ago, is likely the next record Clark will break.

Sunspots 964

Things I have spotted that may be of interest to others:

A splendid essay on eight principles of sound Christian thinking.

A Conversation writer discusses treason and the 14th amendment to the US Constitution.

Another Conversation writer tells us that there are limits to the length of legal briefs, and some lawyers do their best to get around such limits.

Gizmodo has an article which tells you how to find out what model your phone is.

Heart, Mind, Soul and Strength considers demons, whether real beings or diseases.

Gizmodo reports that a woman has received a brain implant device that controls her OCD and bipolar disease.

Gizmodo also reports on a Russian man who found his wife using artificial intelligence.

LiveScience reports that blue whales, the largest animals on earth, have been mating, occasionally, with another species of whale.

NPR reports that gardeners can now grow purple tomatoes. The purple color comes from snapdragon flowers.

Thanks for reading!

Sunspots 957

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others* 

Computing: Gizmodo reports that the Biden administration has produced an executive order on artificial intelligence.

Health: NPR reports that the Food and Drug Administration appears to be going to approve the use of a gene editing technique as a treatment for sickle cell disease.

Politics: A Conversation writer discusses the violence of former President Trump's rhetoric.

Science: SciTech Daily has a report on the genetics of skin color in humans.

Phys.org reports on extensive study of the body of sea stars (aka starfish). It turns out that they are mostly head.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 954

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*

Christianity: (and Politics) The Conversation discusses five events in the life of former President Jimmy Carter, and his accomplishments.

Computing: Gizmodo reports that artificial intelligence is expected to take as much electricity as a country like Sweden does.

Science: Gizmodo reports on mammals that glow in the dark. Really.

Gizmodo also reports on amazing progress in artificial hands in people who have lost one.

There's a report, in a source I'm not familiar with, of a now-extinct Mediterranean goat species that was cold-blooded, like reptiles.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 946

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*

Computing: VentureBeat discusses the problem of getting artificial intelligence to forget information.

Politics: Vox discusses the Supreme Court's past and present on church and state matters.

Environment: A USA Today story tells us that feeding birds is not always good for the birds.

Food: Low-paid migrant workers do much of the dangerous preparation of food for sale, for example fixing crabs for eating, according to a Conversation article.

Another Conversation article explains how carbonated drinks are made, and their effect.

Health: NPR reports that doctors lose a percentage of what they get paid. It's put into the coffers of financial middlemen.

Science: The Guardian reports on a study which indicates that there are a lot of organisms that live in the soil, but are not known well, if at all.

TheScientist (and other outlets) report on nematodes that have lived in suspended animation for over 40,000 years.

Gizmodo reports on the discovery of a large brown dwarf star.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

 

Sunspots 930

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*: 

The Arts: (and computing) A Conversation author discusses art produced by artificial intelligence, and finds it wanting.

Health: Gizmodo reports on a smartphone app that can be used to take one's temperature, with no added hardware.

Science: Gizmodo reports on the use of dolphins in warfare, by Russia. (The US has also used them.)

Two Conversation writers tell us that we aren't going to crush microbes by walking on them.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 929

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*:

The Arts: (and computing) A Conversation writer discusses the use of artificial intelligence in the production of art works.

Christianity:  Two senators, one from each party, are introducing legislation which would hold artificial intelligence companies liable for AI errors, says Gizmodo.

Health: A Conversation writer discusses the finding that over 96% of the US population had antibodies to COVID.

Gizmodo reports that gas stoves produce carcinogens.

Science: Science Alert reports that humans have (usually invisible) stripes on their skins.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 938

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*:

Computing: Gizmodo reports that a TikTok official may have lied to the US Congress (which is a crime), when he said that TikTok doesn't send user data to China.

Gizmodo on how artificial intelligence can do bad things.

NPR on detecting Artificial Intelligence creations from real ones.

Environment: The National Weather Service has released a video of major air pollution in New York City, mostly from fires in Canada.

History: (and Politics) A Conversation writer describes situations somewhat like the race to become President, with a Vice President running against a previous President.

Another Conversation writer discusses Cleopatra and the rulers (at least some were female) of Nubia.

Humor: (or something) Gizmodo reports that Ikea has developed a couch that folds up for a one-person carry, weighs about 22 pounds, and doesn't require screws, etc., to put together.

Politics: A Conversation writer sets us straight on the Espionage Act.

Science: An exhaustive study, reported in Nature, finds that people all over the world believe that there is a continuing moral decline. But the study reports that this decline is merely perceived, not actual.

A fascinating article in Science Alert discusses how parasites may alter the behavior of their hosts.

Sci-Tech Daily reports that curly hair may have helped early humans to survive.

A Conversation writer tells us all sorts of things about glass.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 937

 Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*:

The Arts: Gizmodo argues that artificial intelligence is, so far, not creative. The article links to several types of artificial intelligence productions.

(or something) Gizmodo reports that production of the Barbie movie caused a shortage of some pink paint.

Education: (and Health) NPR says that medical students often don't attend classes.

Finances: A Conversation writer discusses work decisions among very wealthy US couples. Unlike in the general public, women in such families are not likely to work outside the home.

Humor: (or something) The Lego company has produced a Captain America Shield, with over 3000 pieces.

Politics: (or something) CNN reports that Japan and South Korea make better warships than the US.

Science: Gizmodo reports that ancestors of humans may have buried their dead and used symbols.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 936

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*:

Computing: A number of people involved in the development of artificial intelligence are warning of serious dangers from such use. Report by Gizmodo.

Education: A Conversation writer tells how to do well in spelling bees.

Health: (and Politics) A conversation writer discusses life expectancy in red states vs. blue states.

History:  A Conversation writer tells us the cause of Civil War.

Politics: Chick-Fil-A is being attacked, as some on the far right have discovered that the company has a policy of being open to a wide variety of workers, and has introduced a cauliflower-based sandwich.

Science: Science Alert describes a long-term experiment, in which selection took single-celled organisms and made much larger, multicellular ones.

Gizmodo reports that a Japanese satellite, made of wood, will be launched soon.

Gizmodo reports that a vast area of deep ocean has many previously undescribed species, but deep-sea mining may harm these.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 932

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*:

Christianity:  Charles Stanley, long-time pastor of Atlanta's First Baptist Church, and speaker and author, has died.

Computing: Gizmodo reports that some Artificial Intelligence databases include material from troubling sources.

Environment: Gizmodo reports that rich people's swimming pools are a serious contributor to water shortages.

Politics: (and art) A Conversation writer discusses courtroom art. There's a sketch of former President Trump with the article.

Gizmodo reports that some state legislatures and governors are making child labor legally acceptable.

Science: (and history) The BBC discusses the importance of donkeys in human endeavors.

Various entities are planning to build data-collection equipment on the moon. Example: radio astronomy would be mostly, or entirely, shielded from signals from earth, if it was based on the side of the moon that we never see, says Gizmodo.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

 

Sunspots 925

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*: 

Christianity: Christianity Today discusses the so-called "Black National Anthem."

Computing: (or something) A science fiction/fantasy magazine has stopped receiving submissions, because so many of them were produced by artificial intelligence.

Finances: A The Conversation writer discusses the practice of placing company funds in non-US tax havens.

Food: On whether soy milk, almond milk, etc., can really be called "milk."

Politics: Some newspapers have dropped the Dilbert comic strip, because of racist statements by the author.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.