ANTHROPIC FUNDS NEW BENCHMARKS FOR AI SAFETY, IMPACT
Anthropic has launched a program to fund the creation of new benchmarks to evaluate AI models’ performance and impact, including generative models like its own Claude. The program, open to third-party organizations, aims to enhance AI safety and provide tools for the broader AI ecosystem. Anthropic acknowledges the current shortcomings in AI benchmarks and seeks to develop evaluations focusing on AI security and societal implications, such as cyberattacks, weapon enhancements, and misinformation. The initiative will also support research into AI’s potential in scientific study, multilingual conversations, and bias mitigation. Anthropic plans to establish platforms for subject-matter experts to create evaluations and conduct large-scale model trials. While the company commits to transparency and collaboration, there are concerns about aligning funded evaluations with Anthropic’s definitions of AI safety, and skepticism exists regarding the emphasis on catastrophic AI risks. Despite these challenges, Anthropic aims to set industry standards for comprehensive AI evaluation. (Tech Crunch)
UKRAINIAN DRONE COMPANY VYRIY ADVANCES AUTONOMOUS WARFARE TECHNOLOGY
Vyriy, a Ukrainian drone company, is developing autonomous drones capable of tracking and potentially targeting individuals, demonstrated by a drone following its CEO, Oleksii Babenko. The war with Russia has turned Ukraine into a hub for innovative weaponization of consumer technology, driven by deep learning and AI. Ukrainian companies are creating low-cost autonomous weapons, such as drones that can auto-lock onto targets, which have already been used in combat. This technological advancement raises ethical and legal concerns about AI on the battlefield, with fears of triggering a global arms race and increasing the risk of autonomous weapons falling into the wrong hands. Despite these concerns, Ukrainian efforts focus on leveraging automation to gain an edge against Russia and save soldiers’ lives. Autonomous technologies, although less advanced than military-grade systems, are significant due to their affordability and accessibility, potentially transforming warfare dynamics. (New York Times)
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USDA, FDA CONFIRM PASTEURIZATION INACTIVATES H5N1 IN MILK
A new USDA and FDA preprint study reveals that traditional pasteurization effectively inactivates the H5N1 avian flu virus in commercial milk processing. This complements an earlier FDA study where 297 dairy product samples tested negative for live HPAI H5N1 virus. The study found the virus highly sensitive to heat, with high-temperature-short-time (HTST) pasteurization—heating milk to 161°F (72°C) for 15 seconds—eliminating the virus in all tested samples. Additionally, researchers from Ohio State University and others found H5N1 RNA, but no live virus, in 36.3% of pasteurized retail milk samples, confirming pasteurization’s effectiveness. Both studies underscore pasteurization’s critical role in ensuring milk safety, though they have not yet been peer-reviewed. The USDA continues monitoring H5N1 outbreaks, recently confirming new cases in Colorado and Iowa. (CIDRAP)
CÉLINE DION’S AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE SHINES LIGHT ON CAR-T THERAPY BREAKTHROUGHS
Céline Dion recently disclosed that she suffers from stiff person syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease causing paralysis and severe pain. Only palliative treatments are currently available. However, Lilia, a 69-year-old Venezuelan in Germany, received an experimental CAR-T therapy, showing remarkable improvement. This treatment, which modifies T-lymphocytes to target harmful B cells, has enabled Lilia to walk long distances. Dr. Ralf Gold, her neurologist, noted this unprecedented recovery. CAR-T therapy, initially used for blood cancers, is now being applied to autoimmune diseases like myasthenia gravis and systemic lupus erythematosus, with significant success. Dr. Josep Dalmau from Barcelona’s Hospital Clínic is exploring CAR-T for neurological autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis. Although more research is needed, early results are promising, suggesting a potential new treatment paradigm for these challenging conditions. (El Pais)
“ZOMBIE SALMON” PHOTO SPARKS DEBATE ON ICELANDIC FISH FARMING
Activist Veiga Grétarsdóttir’s photo of a severely diseased farmed salmon, dubbed “Zombie Salmon,” has ignited controversy over salmon farming in Iceland. Over a million such salmon, ravaged by sea lice and bacteria, were pulled from Icelandic waters. The mass-breeding of salmon is highly contentious, with concerns about ecological damage to wild salmon populations. Two-thirds of Icelanders oppose fish farming, fearing it harms native salmon. Protests have taken place, and even celebrities like Björk have spoken out. Despite this, the industry is expanding, aiming to double output by 2030. Salmon farming is viewed as vital for Iceland’s economy, especially in the sparsely populated Westfjords. Critics argue for sustainable practices and stricter regulations to protect wild salmon, while some industry leaders advocate for offshore or land-based farming. The debate highlights the tension between economic interests and environmental conservation in Iceland’s fish industry. (Der Speigel)
MOUNT HALLA FACES ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT FROM HIKER’S RAMEN BROTH
Mount Halla, South Korea’s highest mountain, is facing an unusual environmental issue: ramen noodle broth disposal by hikers. Each day, visitors discard between 26 and 31 gallons of leftover salty broth, which threatens aquatic wildlife and endangered plant species. The broth’s smell attracts wildlife like crows and weasels, further disrupting the ecosystem. In response, the National Park Office of Mount Halla launched an initiative to encourage cleanliness, including signs suggesting hikers use half the noodles and water and providing five large containers for broth disposal. Mount Halla, located on Jeju Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, saw over 920,000 visitors in 2023. This island is known for its volcanic features, including lava tube caves and a lake-filled crater at the mountain’s peak. Interestingly, a local legend involving soup and the Yeongsil Trail adds cultural depth to this popular hiking destination. (Smithsonian)
MOTH INTEREST SOARS AMONG YOUTH, DRIVING CONSERVATION EFFORTS
Interest in moths is rapidly increasing, especially among the younger generation, due to their beauty, diversity, and crucial role as pollinators. Charles Waters, a moth expert, highlights that moths are more significant pollinators than butterflies in the UK, with 2,500 moth species compared to 59 butterfly species. At the Moonshadow moth garden at the Hampton Court Palace garden festival, Waters showcased moth-friendly plants such as wild strawberry, scabious, knapweed, and buddleia. The Sussex Moth Group, which Waters is part of, has seen a rise in membership, including younger people. Despite being largely nocturnal and often unfairly maligned due to a few harmful species, moths are vital for the ecosystem. Waters notes a 33% decline in moth numbers since 1968, primarily due to habitat loss. Conservation efforts, including creating moth-friendly gardens, are essential for reversing this decline and supporting birds that rely on moths for food. (The Guardian)
AUSTRALIAN CAVE FIND CONFIRMS ANCIENT ABORIGINAL SORCERY PRACTICES
An archaeological discovery in Cloggs Cave, Australia, aligns with 19th-century accounts of Aboriginal sorcery practices. Researchers found 12,000-year-old wooden sticks, matching descriptions of rituals where sorcerers would attach personal items to a stick, coat it with fat, and burn it to cast curses. This practice, documented by geologist Alfred Howitt in 1887, was linked to the mulla-mullung, or Aboriginal sorcerers. The study, published in *Nature Human Behaviour*, highlights the remarkable continuity of cultural practices over 12,000 years, demonstrating a sustained tradition passed through 500 generations. The findings emphasize the significance of Aboriginal oral traditions and their integration with archaeological evidence. The discovery was part of a collaboration between the GunaiKurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation and Monash University, aiming to rediscover and preserve Indigenous cultural heritage. This study marks an unprecedented instance of long-term knowledge transmission, providing insights into ancient ritualistic practices.
Thanks for reading. Let’s be careful out there.
WORDS: The Biology Guy.
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