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Category: internet – Page 6

In science communication, realistic avatars may foster more trustworthiness than cartoon-like ones

On TikTok there are exceptional “testimonials” like Nikola Tesla or Marie Curie delivering short science-related messages that have garnered millions of views. This is just one of many examples where AI-generated avatars are used to communicate science—a strategy that might also have its drawbacks.

The generation of images and animations through is a rapidly growing field, constantly improving in quality. Yet many , though realistic, still present minor flaws—glitches, delays, inconsistent facial expressions or lip-syncing—sometimes barely noticeable, but still easily picked up by a human observer.

Jasmin Baake, researcher at the Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS), Bochum, Germany, and the other authors of a study in the Journal of Science Communication realized that these avatars could trigger a phenomenon known in as the “uncanny valley.”

‘Internet of nature’ helps researchers explore the web of life

A novel paper led by Dr. Ulrich Brose of the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) and the Friedrich Schiller University Jena is widening the understanding of how species interact within ecosystems via the so-called “Internet of Nature.”

Published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, the paper reveals that species not only exchange matter and energy but also share vital information that influences behavior, interactions, and ecosystem dynamics—revealing previously hidden characteristics of .

Traditionally, ecological studies have concentrated on material interactions, such as feeding, pollination, and seed dispersal. However, this new paper shines a light on the essential role of information exchange between species.

Simultaneously burying broadband and electricity could save small towns big money

When it comes to upgrading electrical and broadband infrastructure, new research from the University of Massachusetts Amherst shows that a “dig once” approach is nearly 40% more cost effective than replacing them separately.

The study, published in the journal Cell Reports Sustainability, also found that the greatest benefit comes from proactively undergrounding lines that are currently above ground, even if lines haven’t reached the end of their usefulness.

Co-undergrounding is the practice of burying both electric and broadband internet lines together.

Mathematicians Uncover Hidden Patterns Behind $3.5 Billion Cryptocurrency Collapse

A recent study published in ACM Transactions on the Web by researchers at Queen Mary University of London sheds new light on one of the most significant collapses in cryptocurrency history: the crash of the TerraUSD stablecoin and its sister token, LUNA. The research team uncovered evidence of suspicious, large-scale trading activity that may point to a coordinated effort to destabilize the ecosystem, triggering a rapid $3.5 billion loss in market value.

Led by Dr. Richard Clegg, the study uses temporal multilayer graph analysis, an advanced method for tracking dynamic and interconnected systems over time. By applying this technique to transaction data from the Ethereum blockchain, the researchers were able to trace complex relationships between cryptocurrencies and pinpoint how TerraUSD was systematically undermined through a series of calculated trades.

Stablecoins like TerraUSD are designed to maintain a steady value, typically pegged to a fiat currency like the US dollar. However, in May 2022, TerraUSD and its sister currency, LUNA, experienced a catastrophic collapse. Dr. Clegg’s research sheds light on how this happened, uncovering evidence of a coordinated attack by traders who were betting against the system, a practice known as “shorting.”

Decentralized platform is letting users own a piece of the AI models trained on their data

In February 2024, Reddit struck a $60 million deal with Google to let the search giant use data on the platform to train its artificial intelligence models. Notably absent from the discussions were Reddit users, whose data were being sold.

The deal reflected the reality of the modern internet: Big tech companies own virtually all our online data and get to decide what to do with that data. Unsurprisingly, many platforms monetize their data, and the fastest-growing way to accomplish that today is to sell it to AI companies, who are themselves massive tech companies using the data to train ever more powerful models.

The decentralized platform Vana, which started as a class project at MIT, is on a mission to give power back to the users. The company has created a fully user-owned network that allows individuals to upload their data and govern how they are used. AI developers can pitch users on ideas for new models, and if the users agree to contribute their data for training, they get proportional ownership in the models.

Mathematicians uncover the hidden patterns behind a $3.5 billion cryptocurrency collapse

In a new study published in ACM Transactions on the Web, researchers from Queen Mary University of London have unveiled the intricate mechanisms behind one of the most dramatic collapses in the cryptocurrency world: the downfall of the TerraUSD stablecoin and its associated currency, LUNA. Using advanced mathematical techniques and cutting-edge software, the team has identified suspicious trading patterns that suggest a coordinated attack on the ecosystem, leading to a catastrophic loss of $3.5 billion in value virtually overnight.

The study, led by Dr. Richard Clegg and his team, employs temporal multilayer graph analysis—a sophisticated method for examining complex, interconnected systems over time. This approach allowed the researchers to map the relationships between different cryptocurrencies traded on the Ethereum blockchain, revealing how the TerraUSD stablecoin was destabilized by a series of deliberate, large-scale trades.

Stablecoins like TerraUSD are designed to maintain a steady value, typically pegged to a fiat currency like the US dollar. However, in May 2022, TerraUSD and its sister currency, LUNA, experienced a catastrophic collapse. Dr. Clegg’s research sheds light on how this happened, uncovering evidence of a coordinated attack by traders who were betting against the system, a practice known as “shorting.”

Google rolls out easy end-to-end encryption for Gmail business users

Google has started rolling out a new end-to-end encryption (E2EE) model for Gmail enterprise users, making it easier to send encrypted emails to any recipient.

While businesses also have the option to configure the Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) protocol to send digitally signed and encrypted messages, this requires significant resources, including deploying certificates to all users and exchanging them before sending the emails.

Google says that after Gmail’s new E2EE model rolls out, business users will be able to send fully encrypted emails to any user on any email service or platform without having to worry about complex certificate requirements.