University Examiners Fail to Identify ChatGPT-Generated Answers in Real-World Test

Hello and welcome to Wednesday’s STEAM newsletter.

In today’s edition:

• Science - Experiment Captures Atoms in Free Fall to Investigate Gravitational Anomalies, and more.

• Technology and AI - University Examiners Fail to Identify ChatGPT-Generated Answers in Real-World Test, New Tool Detects AI-Generated Videos with 93.7% Accuracy, Mapping Media Bias: How AI Powers a New Media Bias Detector, and more.

• Engineering - Harvesting Drinking Water From Air With Innovative Absorbent Fins, Sound Waves Guide Objects Through Water: Potential for Drug Delivery, and more.

• Math - Math Makes Finding Bat Roosts Much Easier, Research Shows.

• Space - Surprising Phosphate Finding in NASA's OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample, and more.

• Health & Medicine - Precision Ultrasound Could Treat Deep Parts of Brain Without Surgery, and more.

• Environment - Wild Boars in National Park Contain Toxic PFAS at Alarming Levels, and more.

• Nature - Spotted Lanternflies' Surprising Weakness: Vibrations Could Help Control Infestation, Why Blue Animals Are Rare in Nature, and more.

• Industry - Biden's $1.8 Billion Transportation Package Focuses on Climate-Friendly Projects, and more.

• World - Iceland's Volcano Eruptions May Last Decades, and more.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

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This newsletter is curated by The STEAM Digest.

SCIENCE

New Study Reveals Unexpected Behavior of Black Holes in Expanding Universe: A new study explores the behavior of black holes in an expanding universe, challenging previous understanding. Researchers found that black holes can exhibit non-intuitive properties when interacting with the expanding fabric of space-time. This research could provide deeper insights into cosmology and the dynamics of black holes, influencing future studies on the evolution of the universe.

Experiment Captures Atoms in Free Fall to Investigate Gravitational Anomalies: Physicists at UC Berkeley have developed a highly precise experiment using an atom interferometer combined with an optical lattice to capture atoms in free fall. This setup aims to detect gravitational anomalies that could indicate the presence of dark energy particles, like chameleons or symmetrons. While no deviations from Newtonian gravity were found, the experiment's precision may eventually reveal evidence for these hypothetical particles and contribute to understanding quantum gravity.

TECHNOLOGY AND AI

University Examiners Fail to Identify ChatGPT-Generated Answers in Real-World Test: A recent experiment revealed that university examiners struggled to distinguish between answers written by students and those generated by ChatGPT. This test underscores the challenge that educational institutions face in ensuring academic integrity as AI tools become more sophisticated. The study suggests that current methods of detecting AI-generated content may not be sufficient, highlighting the need for updated strategies in assessment and monitoring to maintain the quality of education.

AI-Generated Exam Submissions Evade Detection Systems: A study reveals that AI-generated exam answers can evade current detection systems, challenging academic integrity. Researchers found that AI tools like ChatGPT can produce human-like responses, making it difficult for educators to identify fraudulent submissions. The findings highlight the need for improved detection methods and policies to ensure fair assessments in education as AI technology becomes more advanced.

New Tool Detects AI-Generated Videos with 93.7% Accuracy: Columbia University researchers have developed DIVID, a tool that accurately detects AI-generated videos with 93.7% accuracy. This tool uses DIffusion Reconstruction Error (DIRE) to identify discrepancies between input and output images reconstructed by a pretrained diffusion model. DIVID enhances existing methods and is crucial for combating the rising sophistication of AI-generated content, ensuring better detection and prevention of deepfakes and other AI-generated media.

Mapping Media Bias: How AI Powers a New Media Bias Detector: Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's Computational Social Science Lab have developed an AI-powered tool called the Media Bias Detector. This tool uses GPT-4 to analyze and classify news articles from various publishers, assessing the tone and political leaning of each article. The goal is to quantify how different topics are covered by various media outlets, providing insights into media bias and priorities. This innovative approach allows for a detailed understanding of media landscapes and biases at scale.

AI Research Explores Optimal Circumstances for Reaching a Common Goal: Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development have developed a model that identifies optimal conditions for collaboration towards common goals. By analyzing group dynamics and individual contributions, the model suggests that balanced participation, clear communication, and shared incentives are crucial for successful collaboration. This research can be applied to various fields, including team sports, corporate environments, and social movements, to enhance collective efficiency and outcomes.

ENGINEERING

Harvesting Drinking Water From Air With Innovative Absorbent Fins: Researchers have developed a compact device that harvests water from atmospheric humidity using absorbent-coated fins. This system traps moisture from the air and releases potable water when heated. The device, described in ACS Energy Letters, is designed for efficiency, capturing water even in dry environments. This technology could provide a sustainable water source in arid regions by integrating with existing infrastructure that produces waste heat.

Sound Waves Guide Objects Through Water: Potential for Drug Delivery: Engineers at EPFL have developed a technique using sound waves to move objects through water, potentially enabling new drug delivery methods. By harnessing "wave momentum shaping," they successfully navigated a ping-pong ball through an obstacle course in a water tank. This biocompatible and non-invasive method shows promise for guiding drugs to specific targets in the human body, improving treatments for conditions like tumors without physical interaction.

New Process Stores Carbon Dioxide in Concrete Without Compromising Strength: Researchers have developed a novel process to store carbon dioxide in concrete without compromising its strength. This method involves injecting CO2 into the concrete mix during production, where it mineralizes and becomes part of the concrete's structure. The innovation not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also enhances the material's durability, offering a sustainable solution for the construction industry.

New Solar Technology Increases Efficiency of Harvesting Solar Energy: Researchers have developed an innovative solar technology that significantly boosts the efficiency of solar energy harvesting. The technology integrates advanced materials and design improvements to enhance light absorption and conversion efficiency. This breakthrough could lead to more cost-effective and sustainable solar energy solutions, contributing to a cleaner energy future.

MATH

Math Makes Finding Bat Roosts Much Easier, Research Shows: Researchers have developed a mathematical algorithm that simplifies the process of locating bat roosts. By combining a model of bat flight patterns with data from acoustic detectors, the new method significantly reduces the search area needed to find roosts. This advancement aids conservation efforts by efficiently identifying crucial habitats, allowing ecologists to focus more on preservation activities rather than time-consuming searches.

SPACE

Surprising Phosphate Finding in NASA's OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample: NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission returned samples from the asteroid Bennu, revealing unexpected magnesium-sodium phosphate. This discovery suggests a watery past for Bennu, possibly originating from a primitive ocean world. The samples, rich in carbon and nitrogen, offer insights into the solar system's formation and prebiotic chemistry, enhancing understanding of potential life-building processes on Earth.

New Study Reveals Comet Airburst Evidence from 12,800 Years Ago: A study led by UC Santa Barbara has uncovered evidence of a comet airburst 12,800 years ago. The discovery of materials like platinum, microspherules, and shock-fractured quartz across several US sites supports the Younger Dryas Impact hypothesis, which suggests that a fragmented comet caused a dramatic climate shift and mass extinctions. This event, occurring in the atmosphere rather than forming craters, produced high temperatures and pressures, leaving distinct geological markers.

NASA's Juno Probe Observes Lava Lakes on Jupiter's Moon Io: NASA's Juno spacecraft has captured detailed infrared images of Jupiter's moon Io, revealing extensive lava lakes and volcanic activity. Using the JIRAM instrument, researchers identified bright rings of lava around caldera-like structures, suggesting a dynamic volcanic environment. The study provides new insights into Io's geology, highlighting the continuous upwelling and recycling of magma, and emphasizing the moon's status as the most volcanically active body in the solar system.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Wake-up Call - A Third of Adults Not Doing Enough Physical Activity: A recent WHO study reports that over 31% of adults globally are not meeting the recommended levels of physical activity, with rates projected to rise to 35% by 2030. Physical inactivity is a significant contributor to chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. The study highlights disparities in activity levels across countries and genders, emphasizing the need for increased promotion of physical activity through community sports and active transportation.

Precision Ultrasound Could Treat Deep Parts of Brain Without Surgery: Researchers have developed a precision ultrasound technique that targets deep brain regions non-invasively. This method could offer an alternative to traditional brain surgery, potentially treating conditions like Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. Using focused ultrasound waves guided by MRI, this approach allows for precise targeting without incisions, reducing risks and recovery time.

Study Shows How Liver Damage from Stress and Aging Might Be Reversible: Researchers at Duke University have identified a way to reverse liver damage caused by stress and aging. The study found that aging induces a type of cell death in liver cells called ferroptosis, which is exacerbated by metabolic stress. Using the drug Ferrostatin-1 in mice, they reversed liver aging and damage, suggesting potential treatments for human liver diseases related to aging and metabolic dysfunction.

Balancing Act: Novel Wearable Sensors and AI Transform Balance Assessment: Researchers from Florida Atlantic University have developed a new method using wearable sensors and AI to assess balance more accurately and objectively. This method, which utilizes machine learning models and sensor data from various body parts, has shown high accuracy in estimating balance scores. The innovative approach is cost-effective and suitable for remote monitoring, offering significant improvements over traditional balance assessment techniques.

ENVIRONMENT

Wild Boars in National Park Contain Toxic PFAS at Alarming Levels: A study by the James Hutton Institute and the University of Graz found wild boar in the Bohemian Forest National Park contain PFAS or “Forever Chemicals” levels nearly five times above the EU limit for human consumption. PFAS, or "forever chemicals," are persistent environmental pollutants linked to serious health risks. The study indicates widespread environmental contamination and highlights the need for further investigation into the sources and impacts of PFAS.

Climate Crisis Fuels Illegal Sand Mining in the Middle East: The climate crisis exacerbates water scarcity in the Middle East, leading to increased illegal sand mining. Sand is essential for construction and water filtration, but its over-extraction disrupts ecosystems and depletes resources. Researchers call for better regulations and sustainable practices to mitigate the environmental impact of sand mining, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive policies to address the intertwined challenges of climate change and resource management.

Geological Archives May Predict Our Climate Future: Researchers from the University of Geneva analyzed 56-million-year-old sediments to study the impact of past global warming on soil erosion. Their findings indicate a fourfold increase in erosion due to intensified rainfall and flooding. This ancient period, similar to current climate trends, suggests that contemporary global warming could lead to significant increases in flood risks and soil erosion. These insights underscore the importance of understanding historical climate events to predict future environmental changes.

Wildfires Increasingly Threaten Oil and Gas Drill Sites, Study Finds: A study by UC Berkeley reveals that wildfires pose growing risks to oil and gas drill sites, with over 100,000 wells in areas affected by past fires. Nearly 3 million people live near these sites, facing potential health hazards from future wildfires, which are predicted to increase due to climate change. The study highlights the need for policy changes to protect public health and manage the environmental impact of drilling in fire-prone areas.

How Forest Fires Impact Lakes: Forest fires can significantly affect lakes by altering water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Large quantities of water drawn from lakes for firefighting can disrupt lake structures, while smoke plumes deposit nutrients and pollutants on lake surfaces. Post-fire soil erosion increases nutrient runoff into lakes, potentially impacting aquatic life for years. These effects underscore the interconnectedness of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the context of climate change and environmental management.

NATURE

Spotted Lanternflies' Surprising Weakness: Vibrations Could Help Control Infestation: Researchers have discovered that highly invasive spotted lanternflies are attracted to vibrations, such as those from power lines. This vulnerability could be exploited to develop new methods for managing and controlling the spread of these pests, which have been causing significant damage to crops and native plants.

Why Blue Animals Are Rare in Nature: Blue animals are rare because true blue pigments are almost non-existent in nature. The appearance of blue in animals, such as the electric blue tarantula, blue lobsters, and blue carpenter bees, is often due to structural coloration, where microscopic structures reflect and scatter light. This process is complex, making blue less common compared to other colors. The rarity is also observed in plants, with fewer than 1 in 10 species displaying blue hues, often achieved through a combination of pigments and light reflection.

Whales Are Dying, but Not Because of Offshore Wind Farms: Recent investigations have revealed that the increased whale strandings and deaths along the East Coast of the United States are not linked to offshore wind farm development. Instead, factors such as ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear are primary causes. Additionally, climate change is altering whale migration patterns and the distribution of their prey, leading whales into more hazardous areas closer to shore. Although offshore wind activities generate noise that could potentially disturb marine life, there is no scientific evidence directly connecting these activities to whale fatalities.

Winter Sauna Therapy Helps Endangered Frogs Combat Fungal Disease: Researchers have discovered that using a "winter sauna" treatment can help endangered frogs fight off the deadly chytrid fungal disease. This innovative approach involves raising the temperature to a level that is lethal to the fungus but safe for the frogs. The treatment has shown promising results in improving the survival rates of these amphibians, providing a new method to protect vulnerable species from this widespread and destructive pathogen.

Farmland Weeds Can Help Combat Pests: A study by the University of Bonn suggests that leaving some weeds in farmland can aid in pest control. The research found that intercropping and planting wildflower strips along field edges attract beneficial insects like hoverflies and ladybirds, which prey on pests such as aphids. Additionally, residual weeds help these beneficial insects spread deeper into the fields, enhancing pest control without reducing crop yields. This approach is particularly effective in organic farming.

INDUSTRY

PFAS 'Forever' Chemical Laws Need an Overhaul, Court Rulings Highlight Loopholes: Recent court rulings reveal significant loopholes in existing PFAS regulations, calling for an urgent overhaul. Legal settlements have been made between chemical companies and water suppliers due to PFAS contamination from firefighting foams and other sources. These cases underscore the inadequacies in current laws and emphasize the need for stricter regulations and a global ban on all PFAS chemicals to protect public health and the environment.

 Waymo Robotaxi Service Opens to All in San Francisco: Waymo, owned by Google, has expanded its robotaxi service in San Francisco to all users. Previously available by invitation, the service now allows anyone to hail a driverless ride via the Waymo app. With over 300,000 people on the waiting list, Waymo aims to provide safe and reliable transportation, expanding its services to cities like Los Angeles, Phoenix, and soon Austin. Despite its success, Waymo faces scrutiny from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration due to recent incidents.

Biden's $1.8 Billion Transportation Package Focuses on Climate-Friendly Projects: President Biden's administration has announced a $1.8 billion transportation package dedicated to advancing climate projects. This funding, part of the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, aims to support a variety of projects that enhance sustainability and equity in transportation infrastructure across the United States.

Key initiatives include restoring highways affected by climate change, transitioning bus fleets to electric vehicles, and improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. The package emphasizes investments in historically disadvantaged communities, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health through more sustainable transportation options.

Robots Are Replacing Jobs, Leading to Decline in Union Membership: A study by Bocconi University highlights a significant decline in union membership in Europe, from 30% to 12% over 20 years. This decrease is attributed to automation and globalization, which reduce jobs in traditionally unionized sectors like manufacturing. The rise of technology-driven sectors, such as the gig economy, also lacks union presence. As union membership falls, so does their bargaining power, raising concerns about worker protection amidst rapid technological advancements.

Sony AI Develops Technology to Generate High-Quality Video Content: Sony AI has announced the development of new technology capable of generating high-quality video content from text descriptions. This advancement leverages machine learning to create detailed and coherent video sequences, opening possibilities for applications in entertainment, advertising, and more. The technology aims to streamline video production processes, reduce costs, and enable the creation of personalized content with ease.

Air Accidents More Common Among Unprofitable and Poorly Managed Airlines, Study Shows: A study from Concordia University reveals a correlation between airline financial health and accident rates. Unprofitable and poorly managed airlines have higher accident rates, often due to cost-cutting on safety investments like maintenance and pilot training. The research, which analyzed data from 1950 to 2019, highlights that 75% of accidents are linked to organizational factors. This underscores the importance of robust management and financial health in ensuring airline safety.

WORLD

Iceland's Volcano Eruptions May Last Decades: Scientists predict that Iceland is entering a prolonged period of volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula, potentially lasting decades or centuries. The region, which has been dormant for 800 years, has experienced eight eruptions since 2021. This renewed activity poses risks to Iceland's most populated area, its only international airport, and critical infrastructure. Researchers are studying magma sources to better understand and predict future eruptions.

In Colombia, a Long, Perilous Romance to Save the Harpy Eagle: In Colombia, biologists are working to save the endangered harpy eagle by encouraging breeding in captivity. A pair of harpy eagles, both rescued with injuries, are being monitored closely after being introduced to each other in a controlled environment. This effort aims to preserve the species, which faces threats from deforestation and hunting. The success of this breeding program could help increase the population of this powerful bird of prey, which has seen significant declines in parts of its range.

First Radioactive Rhino Horns to Curb Poaching in South Africa: South African scientists have initiated a project injecting radioactive material into rhino horns to deter. The radioactive dose is low, posing no risk to the animals or the environment but making the horns detectable at border posts using radiation detectors. This innovative approach aims to reduce poaching by rendering the horns unsuitable for traditional medicine and other uses, potentially providing a more effective deterrent compared to previous methods like dehorning.

After a Century Away, Sturgeons Return to Swedish Waters: After a century-long absence, Atlantic sturgeons have been reintroduced to the Gota alv river in Sweden. This 10-year project, led by the Swedish Anglers Association, began with the release of 100 young sturgeons from a German farm. The initiative aims to establish a self-sustaining sturgeon population, enhancing river biodiversity and ecosystem health. The project also involves tracking the sturgeons' movements across European waters using acoustic telemetry.