New training approach could help AI agents perform better in uncertain conditions

Sometimes, it might be better to train a robot in an environment that’s different from the one where it will be deployed.

Adam Zewe | MIT News • mit
Jan. 29, 2025 ~7 min

Genetic code’s origin story may need a rewrite

Researchers have discovered strong evidence that the textbook version of how the universal genetic code evolved needs revision.

Daniel Stolte-Arizona • futurity
Jan. 28, 2025 ~7 min


Team cracks Irish potato famine origin mystery

In recent decades, scientists have been split in their theories about the Irish potato famine pathogen's origin. A new study cracks the case.

Mick Kulikowski-NC State • futurity
Jan. 28, 2025 ~6 min

New tech helps turn seawater into drinking water

New water purification technology helps turn seawater into drinking water without tons of chemicals, researchers report.

U. Michigan • futurity
Jan. 28, 2025 ~6 min

When did human ancestors begin to eat meat?

A new study identifies human ancestor Australopithecus as a plant eater, narrowing when regular meat consumption increased and brains grew.

Gregory Filiano-Stony Brook • futurity
Jan. 28, 2025 ~6 min

Deepseek: China’s gamechanging AI system has big implications for UK tech development

The Chinese AI tool has shifted the dynamics in the AI market.

Feng Li, Chair of Information Management, Associate Dean for Research & Innovation, Bayes Business School, City St George's, University of London • conversation
Jan. 28, 2025 ~7 min

‘Sorry, I didn’t get that’: AI misunderstands some people’s words more than others

Speaking with an AI bot can be amusing and even helpful – if it understands you. How well AIs do that is a matter of whose speech they’ve been trained on.

Roberto Rey Agudo, Research Assistant Professor of Spanish and Portuguese, Dartmouth College • conversation
Jan. 27, 2025 ~7 min

Astronauts Stay Busy on International Space Station Awaiting Flight Home

VOA Learning English • voa
Jan. 26, 2025 ~6 min


Is this the new playbook for curing rare childhood diseases?

When his son received a devastating diagnosis, Fernando Goldsztein MBA ’03 founded an initiative to help him and others.

Danna Lorch | MIT Sloan School of Management • mit
Jan. 24, 2025 ~9 min

The technology that runs Congress lags so far behind the modern world that its flag-tracking system just caught up to 2017-era Pizza Hut

The information systems Congress uses have existed largely unchanged for decades, while the world has experienced an information revolution.

Lorelei Kelly, Research Lead, Modernizing Congress, McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University • conversation
Jan. 24, 2025 ~9 min

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