🤖 Tech & Computer Science

Typing these four characters could crash your iPhone

A newly discovered bug causes iPhones and iPads to briefly crash when users type certain characters, such as ""::, into specific search bars. The bug affects the Springboard interface but is not considered a security issue. Apple has not commented on the bug.

Factuality challenges in the era of large language models and opportunities for fact-checking

Large language models like ChatGPT can produce misleading content, posing risks of misinformation. Fact-checking is crucial to address these issues. This paper examines the challenges, threats, and solutions for improving LLM accuracy and supporting fact-checking efforts.

⚛️ Physics and Chemistry

AI tackles one of the most difficult challenges in quantum chemistry

New research using neural networks offers a solution to modeling complex molecular states, potentially enabling researchers to prototype new materials and chemical processes via computer simulation. The study, led by Imperial College London and Google DeepMind, was published in Science.

Drowsiness-detecting earbuds could help drivers stay safe at the wheel

Researchers at UC Berkeley are developing wearable earbuds that monitor fatigue by detecting drowsiness in the brain using electroencephalography (EEG). These earbuds could help protect drivers, pilots, and machine operators from the dangers of fatigue. Tests on volunteers have been successful, and the research was published in Nature Communications.

🧬 Biology & Medicine

Untreated Hypertension Tied to Alzheimer's Disease Risk

A meta-analysis of 31,250 older adults found that those with untreated hypertension have a 36% higher risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared to those without hypertension, and a 42% higher risk compared to those with treated hypertension. The study tracked participants (average age 72.1 years) across 14 countries for an average of 4.2 years, examining their blood pressure, hypertension diagnosis, and medication use.

FDA-approved drug could revolutionize organ transplantation

Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute successfully induced a hibernation-like torpor in Xenopus laevis tadpoles using donepezil (DNP), an FDA-approved Alzheimer's drug. This builds on previous work with the drug SNC80, which had similar effects but isn't approved for human use. DNP's clinical approval suggests it could be quickly repurposed to prevent organ damage during medical emergencies.

🔭 Space & Astronomy

SpaceX stacks 2nd Starship launch tower in Texas (photos)

SpaceX is preparing for more frequent launches of its Starship megarocket by installing a second launch pad at its Starbase facility in South Texas. The company recently achieved a significant milestone with the stacking of a second launch tower, which they announced with photos on August 21.

'A single magma ocean' once covered the moon, data from India's Chandrayaan-3 mission suggests

Data from India's Chandrayaan-3 mission supports the theory that the moon was once covered by an ocean of molten rock. After the successful landing of the Vikram lander on August 23, 2023, the Pragyan rover explored a southern region of the moon, providing new geological insights. The findings have been published in the journal Nature.

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