☕️ Researchers May Have Solved a Brain Paradox with AI.

Good morning. Happy Thanksgiving! As an Australian, I have no idea what that means, but nevertheless, Happy Thanksgiving!"

Dylan J. Dance

SCIENCE

☄️ Fireball Meteor Discovered Hours Before Exploding Above Niagara Falls Was the Smallest Asteroid Ever Seen. A fireball meteor that exploded above Niagara Falls was identified just hours before impact, making it the smallest asteroid ever observed. The space rock, designated 2025 AN9, provided scientists with valuable data on how such small objects interact with Earth's atmosphere.

🔍 Researchers May Have Solved a Decades-Old Brain Paradox with AI. In a sense, each of us begins life ready for action. Many animals perform amazing feats soon after they’re born. Spiders spin webs. Whales swim. But where do these innate abilities come from? Obviously, the brain plays a key role as it contains the trillions of neural connections needed to control complex behaviors. However, the genome has space for only a small fraction of that information. This paradox has stumped scientists for decades. Now, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Professors Anthony Zador and Alexei Koulakov have devised a potential solution using artificial intelligence. In AI, generations don’t span decades. New models are born with the push of a button. Zador, Koulakov, and CSHL postdocs Divyansha Lachi and Sergey Shuvaev set out to develop a computer algorithm that folds heaps of data into a neat package—much like our genome might compress the information needed to form functional brain circuits. They then test this algorithm against AI networks that undergo multiple training rounds. Amazingly, they find the new, untrained algorithm performs tasks like image recognition almost as effectively as state-of-the-art AI. Their algorithm even holds its own in video games like Space Invaders. It’s as if it innately understands how to play. Does this mean AI will soon replicate our natural abilities? “We haven’t reached that level,” says Koulakov. “The brain’s cortical architecture can fit about 280 terabytes of information—32 years of high-definition video. Our genomes accommodate about one hour. This implies a 400,000-fold compression technology cannot yet match.” Nevertheless, the algorithm allows for compression levels thus far unseen in AI. That feature could have impressive uses in tech. Shuvaev, the study’s lead author, explains: “For example, if you wanted to run a large language model on a cell phone, one way [the algorithm] could be used is to unfold your model layer by layer on the hardware.”

🌠 Solution to Cosmic-Ray Muon Puzzle. In a groundbreaking study, researchers have proposed a solution to the cosmic-ray muon puzzle that has baffled scientists for decades. The findings reveal key mechanisms explaining the distribution of muons in the atmosphere, potentially reshaping cosmic-ray research.

👣 A Fossil First: Scientists Find 1.5-Million-Year-Old Footprints of Two Different Species of Human Ancestors. A recent discovery near Lake Turkana, Kenya, has uncovered fossilized footprints of two different species of human ancestors. This discovery offers unprecedented insights into the coexistence of species like Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei, shedding light on their interaction and competition for resources millions of years ago.

🐟 Orcas Start Wearing Dead Salmon Hats Again After Ditching the Trend for 37 Years. Orcas off the coast of the Pacific Northwest have started wearing dead salmon on their heads, reviving a behavior that hasn't been seen since the 1980s. Researchers believe this unusual practice may be a form of social bonding or play, offering insights into orca culture and social behaviors.

🪨 Mars Rover Takes Another Look at Mysterious Sulfur White Stones
NASA's Curiosity rover has once again examined the mysterious sulfur stones in the Gedis Vallis channel on Mars, leaving scientists puzzled as to why pure sulfur rocks litter the area. The presence of these sulfur stones in a seemingly dry region suggests that Mars may still hold secrets about its geological and possibly hydrological past. "We’ve gathered a ton of data, and now we have a fun puzzle to solve," said Curiosity’s project scientist Ashwin Vasavada

TECH

🖥️ Changing a Single Number Among Billions Can Destroy an AI Model. New research reveals that changing just a single number in a vast dataset can completely destroy an AI model. This fragility of AI highlights the importance of robust data practices and careful testing to prevent catastrophic errors in AI systems.

💻 Google's Chrome Worth Up to $20 Billion if Judge Orders Sale. Google's popular Chrome browser could be worth as much as $20 billion, according to analysts, if a judge orders its sale amid ongoing antitrust investigations. This valuation emphasizes Chrome's significant market dominance and influence.

🤖 The Way Cheerios Stick Together Has Inspired a New Kind of Robot. Researchers have developed a new type of robot inspired by the way Cheerios cluster together in milk. Using similar physical principles, the robots are designed to assemble and disassemble autonomously, opening new possibilities for self-healing materials and adaptive systems.

HEALTH

📱 Social Media Algorithms Can Change Your Views in Just a Single Day. A new study suggests that social media algorithms can significantly alter user perspectives in as little as 24 hours. The study shows how recommendation algorithms manipulate user content, potentially swaying opinions and even political views in a short period of time.

🛑 Hunger's Hidden "Off Switch": Newly Discovered Neuron May Hold the Key to Stopping Overeating. A newly identified neuron, BNC2, rapidly inhibits hunger signals in the brain, providing new insights into appetite control and possible treatments for obesity. "This discovery fundamentally changes how we think about appetite regulation," said Dr. Han Tan, lead author of the study.

🤲 Small Kindness, Big Impact: The Psychology of Everyday Acts of Kindness. A recent study explores how small, everyday acts of kindness have a profound impact on mental well-being. "Even a simple gesture, like holding a door open, can create significant positive psychological effects," explains Dr. Lucas, a co-author of the study, highlighting how prosocial behavior enhances happiness and connection.

SPACE

🎸 NASA Spots Flame-Throwing 'Guitar Nebula' Shredding Antimatter Along a Cosmic String. NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has detected the Guitar Nebula expelling antimatter along a cosmic string. This nebula, named for its distinctive shape, is a rare example of how stellar remnants interact with the universe's underlying fabric, offering a glimpse into the high-energy processes of the cosmos.

🪐 Baby Exoplanet Equivalent to a 2-Week-Old Infant Is the Youngest Alien World Ever Spotted. Astronomers have discovered a baby exoplanet orbiting a wonky star, making it the youngest alien world ever observed. The planet, estimated to be just a few million years old, provides unique insights into the early stages of planetary formation and stellar dynamics.

WORLD

🐋 More Than 30 Stranded Whales Rescued in New Zealand by People Lifting Them on Sheets. In an inspiring rescue, more than 30 stranded whales were saved in New Zealand by volunteers who lifted the marine giants onto sheets and guided them back to the ocean. The effort showcases the power of community action and the deep connection between people and wildlife.

☕ Coffee at Highest Price Since 1977 Following Extreme Weather in Vietnam, Brazil. Coffee prices have soared to their highest in 47 years due to extreme weather conditions in major producing regions. Brazil experienced its worst drought in 70 years followed by heavy rains, while Vietnam has seen multiple years of poor output, further straining global supplies.

🧬 Lost Genetic Secrets: Ancient DNA Reveals Europe's Hidden Revolution. Researchers analyzed ancient DNA to uncover how Europeans adapted over 7,000 years, identifying genetic changes linked to vitamin D production, lactose tolerance, and immunity. These findings reveal the evolutionary pressures faced during the transition to agriculture.

🐋 More Than 30 Stranded Whales Rescued in New Zealand by People Lifting Them on Sheets. In an inspiring rescue, more than 30 stranded whales were saved in New Zealand by volunteers who lifted the marine giants onto sheets and guided them back to the ocean. The effort showcases the power of community action and the deep connection between people and wildlife.

💰 Coins Worth Over $1 Million Recovered from 1715 Spanish Treasure Shipwrecks in Florida. Treasure hunters have recovered coins worth more than $1 million from shipwrecks off the coast of Florida. The coins are part of the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet, which sank during a hurricane, and provide a fascinating glimpse into the maritime history and the riches that traveled across the Atlantic.