Technology

Strength from unlikely places: How glass and DNA form a material stronger than steel

Biology, Technology / /

DNA: the fundamental building block of all life. Nearly every student learns about the master of genetic information as early as elementary school. DNA is the carrier of this important code within all living organisms. However, it isn’t just what DNA encodes for that is important, but also its very design. The structure of DNA […]

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Hello computer: Brain powered biocomputers  

Technology / /

With the staggering advances of AI and brain-computer ventures like Neuralink, an “organo-technological” cyborg-like future seems to be on the not-so-distant horizon. However, some researchers are pioneering the reverse: brain powered computers. The burgeoning field of organoid intelligence posits future computer systems to run on networks of human brain cells. Organoids are stem-cell derived 3D

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Making AI more “human”: A conversation with Northeastern AI professor Lawson Wong

Technology, World / /

What is “intelligence”? Large language models like ChatGPT have showcased an impressive ability to generate human-like responses that appear highly intelligent. The current trend in AI development seems to revolve around creating increasingly larger models, with billions upon billions of parameters, as a path toward achieving general-purpose AI. However, Yann Lecun, chief AI scientist at

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Defeating paralysis: revolutionary brain implant allows woman to speak after 18 years 

Biology, Health, Technology / /

In 2004, a sudden brainstem stroke left the then 30-year-old Ann Johnson completely paralyzed. It took years of physical therapy for her to regain enough muscle control to express emotion on her face and breathe independently, but the muscles controlling her speech remained stagnant. Her daughter, 13 months old at the time of the stroke,

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ChatGPT, an AI chatbot and now a published author?

Technology, World / /

The public has scoffed at students for “cheating” their way through classes with AI homework helpers. Many feel as though it is dishonest to use technology for assignments, so how would those same people feel if they knew that reliable and credible scientific journals are starting to list one of these same “homework helpers” as

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How AI is changing the journalism industry

Technology, World / /

In the age of Hollywood writers striking over the use of artificial intelligence in writers’ rooms and AI-written articles, many have expressed concerns over the capabilities of artificial intelligence to replace journalists and media producers alike. Instead, some see artificial intelligence as a tool to expand the capabilities of the creative and journalistic industries.  For

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New snowmaking tech is helping New England ski resorts beat climate change

Environment, Technology, World / /

Preparations for ski season start early in Vermont’s Green Mountains. In early October, Greg Gleason, who runs snowmaking at Killington Ski Resort, gives his staff the all-clear. Over the next four hours the system of artificial snow production on which Vermont’s tourism industry increasingly depends roars to life. Hundreds of thousands of gallons of water

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