🤖 Computer Science

Dense object detection methods in RAW UAV imagery based on YOLOv8

We propose D-YOLOv8, an improved YOLOv8 for detecting dense apricot flowers using drones. It includes Dense Feature Pyramid Networks (D-FPN) and a Dense Attention Layer (DAL) to enhance feature extraction and accuracy. Using RAW data further enriches the dataset. Validation showed D-YOLOv8m achieved 98.37% AP with only 13.2 million parameters, making it highly effective for dense target detection tasks.

Mission Impossible: A Statistical Perspective on Jailbreaking LLMs

Large language models (LLMs) can exhibit harmful behaviors due to insufficient quality control in training data. Preference alignment via fine-tuning helps but isn't foolproof, as LLMs can be manipulated with adversarial prompts. Our paper offers insights into this issue and proposes E-RLHF, an improved training method that enhances response safety without extra costs. E-RLHF outperforms standard RLHF in alignment tests without sacrificing performance.

⚛️ Physics and Chemistry

Cosmic microwave background experiments could probe connection between cosmic inflation, particle physics

Upcoming cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiments, like the LiteBIRD satellite and CMB Stage 4 observatories, aim to detect primordial gravitational waves. Researchers at Université Catholique de Louvain suggest these observations could measure the coupling of the inflaton field to other particles for the first time. This could help explore the connection between cosmic inflation and particle physics.

Smashing heavier ions creates superheavy livermorium

Physicists have used a titanium-50 beam to create the element livermorium, marking the first use of nuclei heavier than calcium-48 to synthesize a superheavy element. Led by Jacklyn Gates at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, this approach may lead to discovering new elements. Superheavy elements, with atomic numbers over 103, challenge our experimental and theoretical capabilities, enhancing our understanding of nuclear forces.

🧬 Biology & Medicine

FDA Approves First Engineered Cell Therapy for a Solid Tumor

The FDA approved afamitresgene autoleucel (afami-cel) for advanced synovial sarcoma, the first engineered cell therapy for a solid tumor. It targets tumors expressing melanoma-associated antigen A4 and is for adults with specific criteria. Synovial sarcoma affects about 1,000 people in the US annually.

FDA approves AChEI ALPHA-1062 for Alzheimer’s disease treatment

On July 29, 2024, the FDA approved ALPHA-1062 (Zunveyl®) by Alpha Cognition Inc. for treating mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease, affecting 6.7 million people in the US. This approval addresses physician dissatisfaction with current therapies and the high discontinuation rate due to side effects and limited efficacy.

🔭 Space & Astronomy

SpaceX launches private Cygnus cargo craft to ISS (video, photos)

SpaceX launched a private cargo spacecraft to the ISS on Aug. 4, its second launch of the day. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 11:02 a.m. EDT after a weather delay. The rocket's first stage landed back at Cape Canaveral, and the Cygnus freighter was deployed into low Earth orbit.

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