Ward: Education

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We May Never Know if AI Is Conscious, Says Cambridge Philosopher

As claims about conscious AI grow louder, a Cambridge philosopher argues that we lack the evidence to know whether machines can truly be conscious, let alone morally significant. A philosopher at the University of Cambridge says we currently have too little reliable evidence about what consciousness…

429

Research Reveals the Optimal Way to Optimize

The leading approach to the simplex method, a widely used technique for balancing complex logistical constraints, can’t get any better.

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New mathematical framework reshapes debate over simulation hypothesis

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111

Scientists unlocked a superconductor mystery under crushing pressure

Superconductors promise loss-free electricity, but most only work at extreme cold. Hydrogen-rich materials changed that—yet their inner workings remained hidden because they only exist under enormous pressure. Now, researchers have directly measured the superconducting state of hydrogen sulfide usin…

117

I doubt anything resembling genuine AGI is within reach

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109

Scientists Discover Neural Basis of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

Using lab-grown brain tissue, researchers uncovered complex patterns of neural signaling that differ subtly between healthy brains and those linked to severe psychiatric disorders. For the first time, scientists have used pea-sized brain organoids grown in the laboratory to uncover how neurons may m…

111

Origins of the TPC and the first 10 years

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211

The Surprising Things Scientists Are Learning About Diabetes Drugs and Cancer

Diabetes drugs may be doing more than managing blood sugar, they could also shape cancer biology in unexpected ways. New research is taking a closer look at how diabetes drugs may relate to cancer, with an emphasis on effects that go beyond lowering blood sugar or supporting weight control. Although…

119

Why Traditional Economic Metrics Miss the Data Center Opportunity

New research across 80 economies shows digital infrastructure drives measurable growth beyond GDP – validating data centers' critical economic role.

109

Chomsky and the Two Cultures of Statistical Learning

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109

SN 2023zaw: An Ultrastripped, Nickel-Poor Supernova from a Low-Mass Progenitor

Kaustav K. Das et al 2024 ApJL 969 L11 Modeling suggests that a recent supernova resulted from the explosion of a star with main-sequence mass below 10 solar masses that had been stripped of its atmosphere.
The post SN 2023zaw: An Ultrastripped, Nickel-Poor Supernova from a Low-Mass Progenitor appea…

222

Kite-Borne Spectroscopic Observations of the Corona During the 2023 April 20 Total Solar Eclipse

Benedikt Justen et al 2025 ApJL 981 L12 For the first time, researchers have used a kite, soaring to a height of 450 meters, as an airborne platform to study the solar corona during a total solar eclipse.
The post Kite-Borne Spectroscopic Observations of the Corona During the 2023 April 20 Total Sol…

334

Monster Shocks from Collapsing Magnetars

The collapse of a magnetar into a black hole may power the strongest shocks in the universe and produce brief, bright flashes of gamma rays.
The post Monster Shocks from Collapsing Magnetars appeared first on AAS Nova.

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How to Write a 21st Century Proof (2011) [pdf]

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109

Mathematicians don't care about foundations

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108

Challenging Long-Held Theories: Evolution Isn’t One-and-Done, New Study Suggests

Repeated environmental changes can lead evolution in unexpected directions, and research from Vermont shows that studying a single population does not capture the full story of an entire species. All forms of life exist in environments that are constantly shifting. Seasons change, wet years follow d…

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Early motherhood comes with a wage penalty

New research finds that pregnancy during early career stages can influence women's long-term earnings and career continuity.

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Woodrats have a trick to protect against rattlesnake venom

New research has uncovered a clue explaining how tiny rats have evolved such potent immunity against rattlesnake venom.

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Feathered Dinosaurs That Didn’t Fly Challenge Long-Held Ideas About Wing Evolution

A rare dinosaur discovery sheds new light on the evolution of flight. Fossils of dinosaurs found with well-preserved feathers suggest that some of these animals were no longer capable of flight. The researchers explain that even a detail as subtle as how feathers are replaced can dramatically reshap…

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Batteries lose charge when they ‘breathe’

Researchers have identified a key reason why the batteries that power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles deteriorate over time.