science

The most powerful artificial intelligence tools all have one thing in common. Whether they are writing poetry or predicting protein structures, they rely on the “transformer” architecture Source link

Understanding the “landscape of fear” that predators create in their environments has helped us uncover just how drastically humans have upended the natural world Source link

Humans have been inadvertently using microbes to influence our health for thousands of years. But only recently has the microbiome rocketed to the forefront of healthcare Source link

A pet cow has learned to scratch herself with a broom, showing creative problem-solving skills that make it harder to ignore the fact that these animals have minds, says Marta Halina Source link

The protein that protects tardigrade DNA from radiation and mutagenic chemicals was thought to be harmless, but can in fact have major downsides Source link

A United Nations agreement for the “conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity” in the open oceans has now taken effect Source link

Volunteers consider it relatively unacceptable to cancel social plans – but they are more forgiving if it’s someone else cancelling the plans Source link

Since launching in 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope has found hundreds of distant and apparently bright galaxies dubbed “little red dots”, and now it seems they may each carry a baby black hole Source link

Our growing understanding of how other animals also share skills and knowledge will help us chip away at the folly of human exceptionalism, say Philippa Brakes and Marc Bekoff Source link

The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week Source link