🤖 Tech & Computer Science

What is Apple Intelligence, when is it coming and who will get it?

Apple unveiled its new AI platform, Apple Intelligence, at WWDC 2024, addressing speculation that it was lagging behind in the generative AI race. Unlike other tech giants, Apple has taken a more subtle, pragmatic approach, integrating AI into its existing products rather than launching it as a standalone feature. The AI-driven technology will enhance current apps with new features, operating mostly behind the scenes. More details are expected at the upcoming iPhone 16 event, where updates to other Apple products like the Apple Watch and AirPods are also anticipated.

Trust, trustworthiness and AI governance

This paper examines the challenges of AI alignment in public authorities, particularly the integration of algorithmic decision-making (ADM) into state functions. The authors highlight the complexity of aligning AI with trust and trustworthiness, drawing from sociology, political science, and computer science. They argue that a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach is needed to understand trust dynamics in socio-technical contexts. The paper outlines steps to ensure AI-Governance trustworthiness by addressing trust-related values across machines, humans, and institutions.

⚛️ Physics and Chemistry

First detection of cross-correlation between cosmic shear and X-ray background enhances baryonic matter understanding

A new study published in Physical Review Letters reports the first detection of the cross-correlation between cosmic shear and the diffuse X-ray background, aiding in understanding the distribution of baryonic matter in the universe. Baryonic matter, making up about 5% of the universe and consisting of protons and neutrons, is key to the formation of stars, planets, and galaxies. It gathers in dark matter halos due to dark matter's gravitational pull, existing in either concentrated forms (e.g., stars) or diffuse forms (e.g., hot gas).

Nicotine analogues emerging in e-cigarettes to evade regulations

Recent research highlights a loophole exploited by US tobacco and vape companies to market new products without regulatory oversight. Unlike in the EU, where nicotine analogues are automatically regulated, US laws only cover nicotine itself. This allows manufacturers to sell products with nicotine analogues, which may have similar biological effects, without FDA approval. As a result, similar unregulated products are also emerging in other regions as producers test legal boundaries.

🧬 Biology & Medicine

Found: a brain-wiring pattern linked to depression

A new study published in Nature reveals that the brain network associated with directing attention is nearly twice as large in people with depression compared to the general population, and this pattern persists even when symptoms subside. This discovery suggests that the brain wiring behind depression remains consistent for life, offering a potential biological marker for diagnosing the condition. However, the researchers emphasize the need for further validation in diverse populations before clinical use.

Researchers Turn Skin Invisible Using Food Dye

Researchers have made living tissue temporarily transparent using a common food dye, tartrazine (FD & C Yellow 5). This breakthrough, published in Science, could lead to medical advancements like improved muscle injury management and cancer detection. The team achieved transparency by matching the refractive indices of different soft tissues, allowing light to pass through without scattering. This innovative approach turns science fiction into reality by safely and temporarily making tissues like skin transparent.

Hypertonic saline speeds recovery from colds

A study presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress found that using hypertonic saline nasal drops can reduce the duration of the common cold in children by two days and decrease the spread of colds to family members. The ELVIS-Kids trial involved 407 children, with 301 developing colds. Half received salt-water nasal drops, and the other half received usual care. The research, led by Professor Steve Cunningham and Dr. Sandeep Ramalingam, explored the effectiveness of salt-water treatments, commonly used in South Asia, in a large-scale study.

🔭 Space & Astronomy

Asteroid slams into Earth triggering stunning green 'fireball' above the Philippines — 8 hours after it was 1st spotted

A newly discovered asteroid, 2024 RW1, exploded in a bright green fireball over the Philippines, visible for hundreds of miles. Discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey on the same day, the roughly 3-foot-wide space rock was predicted to break apart harmlessly in the atmosphere. This spectacular event occurred around 12:46 p.m. ET on Sept. 4 above Luzon Island in the Philippines.

SpaceX launches next-gen US spy satellites on 2nd leg of spaceflight doubleheader

SpaceX had a busy day on Sept. 5, launching two Falcon 9 rockets. The first delivered 21 Starlink satellites from Florida, while the second, launching from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base at 11:20 p.m. EDT, carried next-gen spy satellites for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The rocket's booster successfully landed on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean. This marked the 20th launch and landing for this booster, with 14 of its flights supporting Starlink missions.

Thanks For Reading!

Please move this email to your Primary Inbox (if it is not already there) to make sure you don’t miss any of the exciting news and updates!
Reply directly to this email with any questions, comments or suggestions. 🚀