STRIKE ONE FOR PRIVATE SPACE EXPLORATION.
Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander, part of NASA’s CLPS program for cost-effective lunar research, encountered a critical propulsion system failure after its launch on January 8. This malfunction, leading to a substantial propellant loss, threatens its mission to the moon. Peregrine was carrying five NASA payloads, including instruments for detecting subsurface water ice, marking an important step in private moon exploration and preparation for NASA’s Artemis crewed missions. Despite the setback, NASA remains committed to the CLPS program, viewing such missions as high-risk yet potentially rewarding for advancing lunar science. The incident is seen as an opportunity to learn and improve future endeavors. The lander also carried 20 diverse payloads, like Mexico’s inaugural lunar probes and a Celestis memorial capsule containing human remains, which drew criticism from the Navajo Nation. A separate Celestis payload, carrying remains of “Star Trek” icons and DNA of former U.S. presidents, was sent into solar orbit. The program’s next mission, Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander, is scheduled for a near-future launch, aiming to land near the moon’s south pole. (space.com)
THE DIGITAL DARK AGES.
In 2024, social media’s shift towards AI-generated content and restricted data access signals a troubling era for research. Platforms like Twitter and Facebook, once key for understanding public behavior, especially in significant events, are now mired in misinformation due to large language models (LLMs). Twitter’s recent move to end free API access, notably under Elon Musk, has significantly hindered data accessibility for research. This change presents substantial challenges in monitoring and analyzing online activities, particularly in the context of key global elections. The tools previously used for identifying social media manipulation and misinformation are now less effective due to these limitations. Efforts to combat these issues, like AI4TRUST, are underway but face hurdles. Meanwhile, advocacy for safer and more transparent online platforms is growing, with organizations pushing for regulatory measures like the EU’s Digital Services Act and the UK’s Online Safety Bill. However, their implementation is gradual. This transition represents the beginning of a new, complex digital era, profoundly affecting research and information reliability. (Wired)
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AI COPYRIGHT DISPUTE.
In 2023, generative AI, notably ChatGPT by OpenAI, surged in popularity, leading to legal challenges in 2024. OpenAI faces lawsuits alleging illegal training on copyrighted texts, but the company argues this falls under “fair use.” They claim scraping online works is essential for their AI’s effectiveness, citing “memorization” issues in training with widely available content. OpenAI’s January 8 blog post responds to The New York Times’ lawsuit, claiming their actions are justified and criticizing the lawsuit’s portrayal. They report collaborations with various news organizations for dataset partnerships, except The Times, and label any copyrighted material use as a “rare bug.” Support for OpenAI’s stance comes from entities like Duolingo, which argues AI-generated output from copyrighted materials shouldn’t automatically be considered infringing. This is amidst Duolingo’s AI-related workforce reduction. The New York Times, in their lawsuit, contends OpenAI’s use of their content diminishes reader subscriptions. This lawsuit is among several others targeting copyright infringement. OpenAI is also lobbying regulators, arguing that limiting training data to public domain work would hinder AI effectiveness. Critics, however, question OpenAI’s rationale, comparing it to justifying illegal activities for profit. (Popular Science)
RUMBLE IN FOR A TUMBLE?
In 2023, Rumble, a platform touted as a free speech alternative to YouTube, became the subject of an SEC investigation. The SEC confirmed this probe in response to WIRED’s public records request, denying access to documents as the investigation is “active and ongoing.” Allegations claim Rumble inflated user metrics, which the company denies. The SEC clarifies that the investigation doesn’t imply any legal violations. Rumble responded to the SEC’s request for documents voluntarily, urging caution against hasty conclusions about the company. Rumble, founded in 2013, shifted from hosting viral pet videos to political content, notably hosting shows by Donald Trump Jr. and Steven Crowder, and partnering with the Republican National Committee for 2024 primary debates. Investors include prominent figures like JD Vance and Peter Thiel. Culper Research, having taken a short position in Rumble, released a report questioning Rumble’s monthly active user counts. Following this, Rumble reported a 40% decrease in users, attributing it to less active creators and a slowdown in news events. Rumble’s CEO, Chris Pavlovski, criticized the SEC investigation and the report, alleging a scheme to profit through market manipulation. (Wired)
BRAIN RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGH.
Dutch researchers have created mini-brains from human fetal tissue, marking a significant advancement in brain research. These organoids, about the size of a grain of rice, include various cell types and show sustained growth, offering new insights into brain function and pathologies like cancer. Traditionally, research on tissue biology and associated diseases used cell cultures or animal models. Recently, scientists have employed organoids, 3D mini-organs that replicate many aspects of actual organs, made possible by stem cell technology. Unlike previous methods that used individual cells, this study by the Hubrecht Institute and the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology developed organoids directly from fetal brain tissues. These organoids self-organize in three dimensions, creating structures for other brain cells to grow on. They’re advantageous for reproducibility and genetic engineering, especially in brain cancer research. The team successfully manipulated genes related to cancer using CRISPR, offering potential for future research in neurodevelopmental diseases and brain cancer. This breakthrough provides a more accurate model of human brain development, though experts caution about interpreting results due to organoids’ limitations compared to actual organs. (El Pais)
BILLIONAIRE BLUDGEONS ACADEMIA WITH PLAGIARISM CLUB.
Bill Ackman, a hedge fund manager, is intensifying his campaign against MIT’s president, Sally Kornbluth, and plans to check the entire faculty and board for plagiarism. This follows his successful push for Claudine Gay’s resignation as Harvard’s president over plagiarism allegations. Ackman, angered by Business Insider’s exposés on his wife, Neri Oxman’s academic work, suggests without evidence that MIT influenced these articles. Oxman’s work allegedly contained unattributed material from other sources and Wikipedia. Ackman’s broader agenda questions academic integrity at leading universities like Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Penn, and Dartmouth. His actions reflect a growing trend of using plagiarism allegations as a weapon in academic disputes. Experts debate the feasibility and value of extensive plagiarism checks, recognizing the complexity and time required for such an endeavor. The situation at MIT remains tense, with Kornbluth supported by the faculty and trustees, despite Ackman’s persistent pressure and financial influence. This controversy underscores broader issues of academic integrity and the challenges of addressing plagiarism in high-profile academic environments. (Science)
CRISPR CAN REVOLUTIONIZE AGRICULTURE.
Jiayang Li, a plant geneticist, is pioneering the rapid domestication of wild rice species Oryza alta using genome editing. This South American wild rice is nutritious but not harvest-friendly due to seed shattering. Li’s team sequenced its genome, identifying and editing genes similar to those in domestic rice to improve traits like grain size and stem diameter. However, seed shattering still presents a challenge. This effort is part of a broader movement to domesticate new crops quickly using techniques like CRISPR–Cas9. Traditional domestication took millennia, but genome editing could achieve this in years. These wild crops, resistant to environmental stresses like drought and disease, could enhance global food resilience. However, the process faces significant challenges. Understanding the complex biology of wild plants is crucial, and gene editing can’t replicate all mutations that differentiate domestic crops from wild ancestors. Additionally, ethical concerns arise, particularly regarding Indigenous knowledge and rights. Despite these challenges, researchers see immense potential in de novo domestication for sustainable and resilient agriculture. (Nature)
SAVE THE GLACIERS.
In 2016, British glaciologist John Moore considered a radical idea to combat climate change impacts on glaciers. After learning about Greenland’s Jakobshavn Glacier, which contributes significantly to sea-level rise, Moore proposed building a sea wall in Disko Bay to block warm water from reaching the glacier, potentially slowing its melt. In 2018, he and colleague Michael Wolovick suggested a 100-meter-high barrier on the ocean floor made of gravel and sand, which could stabilize Jakobshavn and reduce Greenland’s contribution to sea-level rise. Moore’s idea represents a type of geoengineering, interventions in Earth’s natural systems to mitigate climate change effects. These projects range from high-tech solutions like dispersing particles in the atmosphere to simpler methods like painting roofs white. Moore’s underwater barrier, while novel and potentially impactful, faces immense technical, financial, political, and ethical challenges. The concept highlights broader debates around geoengineering, including its feasibility, risks, and role alongside emission reduction efforts. The proposal also raises concerns about interfering with natural ecosystems and Indigenous rights, particularly in Greenland. Despite uncertainties and opposition, Moore’s idea has progressed, with preliminary studies and discussions about testing smaller-scale versions in Norway and Greenland. This exploration of geoengineering options reflects the urgency to find solutions as Earth’s temperatures continue to rise. (New York Times)
CRACKING A SECRET CODE.
With the code book and other resources, Chan determined the messages were from Army Signal Service weather stations in the U.S. and Canada, per NOAA. The line “Bismark, omit, leafage, buck, bank” meant that in Bismarck, the temperature was 56 degrees Fahrenheit and the barometric pressure was 30.08 Hg—information encoded in the word “omit.” The word “leafage” conveyed the dew point was 32 degrees at 10 p.m. Skies were clear with no precipitation and wind from the north (“buck”), blowing at 12 miles per hour (“bank”). Chan and Rivers Cofield are still unsure about who owned the dress and how they ended up with the weather report. Several women worked as clerical staff for the Army Signal Service in Washington, D.C. in the 1880s, per NOAA. But Chan couldn’t find records of anyone named “Bennett” working there at the time, leaving that bit of the mystery still unsolved. (Smithsonian)
Thanks for reading. Let’s be careful out there.
WORDS: The Biology Guy.
IMAGE CREDIT: Astrobotic.