Day: May 17, 2023

Human DNA can be pulled from the air: A Boon For Science, While Terrifying Others

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Environmental DNA sampling is nothing new. Rather than having to spot or catch an animal, instead the DNA from the traces they leave can be sampled, giving clues about their genetic diversity, their lineage (e.g. via mitochondrial DNA) and the population’s health. What caught University of Florida (UoF) researchers by surprise while they were using Read more about Human DNA can be pulled from the air: A Boon For Science, While Terrifying Others[…]

The ‘invisible’ cellulose coatings that mitigate surface transmission of pathogens (kills covid on door handles)

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Research has shown that a thin cellulose film can inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus within minutes, inhibit the growth of bacteria including E. coli, and mitigate contact transfer of pathogens. The coating consists of a thin film of cellulose fiber that is invisible to the naked eye, and is abrasion-resistant under dry conditions, making it suitable Read more about The ‘invisible’ cellulose coatings that mitigate surface transmission of pathogens (kills covid on door handles)[…]

LLM emergent behavior written off as rubbish – small models work fine but are measured poorly

Posted on by Robin Edgar

[…] As defined in academic studies, “emergent” abilities refers to “abilities that are not present in smaller-scale models, but which are present in large-scale models,” as one such paper puts it. In other words, immaculate injection: increasing the size of a model infuses it with some amazing ability not previously present. […] those emergent abilities Read more about LLM emergent behavior written off as rubbish – small models work fine but are measured poorly[…]