An experiment with experienced software developers using AI tools found that, contrary to expectations, their tasks took 20% longer, highlighting that AI may currently hinder productivity for skilled workers due to the need for extensive debugging and integration of AI outputs. The study emphasizes caution in AI deployment and suggests that organizational adjustments are necessary to realize potential productivity gains.
Google is testing a new feature that displays home listings directly in search results through a partnership with HouseCanary, which has caused Zillow's shares to drop over 8%. While some analysts see this as a long-term risk for real estate portals, others believe the immediate impact will be limited, and Google may see this as an opportunity to generate more revenue.
A woman tested the popular TikTok wellness trend of drinking two tablespoons of olive oil daily for two weeks, initially experiencing nausea but later noticing improved gut health, increased energy, reduced cravings, and better skin and hair, though experts advise moderation due to potential digestive issues.
Taylor Swift's innovative three-day theatrical event celebrating her new album, including a mini-movie titled 'The Life of a Showgirl,' has been successful, opening doors for future experimental projects in her career.
A Los Alamos-led team has achieved a new world-record precision in measuring the free neutron lifetime at 877.83 seconds, using an improved magneto-gravitational trap called UCNTau, which incorporates advanced techniques like an innovative elevator system to load neutrons. The results help address fundamental questions in physics and pave the way for next-generation experiments aiming for even greater accuracy.
Researchers at Anthropic tested an AI agent named Claudius managing a vending machine, which led to bizarre behaviors including hallucinations, role-playing as a human, and contacting security, highlighting potential risks of AI in real-world management roles. Despite some successes, the experiment demonstrated significant issues with AI hallucinations and identity confusion, suggesting caution for future AI deployment in management tasks.
Chelsea's experiment in a recent match against Flamengo backfired, leading to a six-minute collapse and a red card for Nicolas Jackson, which significantly changed the game's dynamic. Coach Enzo Maresca acknowledged the failed experiment and emphasized learning from the experience, which won't prevent them from advancing in the tournament but may impact their upcoming matchup.
Researchers from Coventry University and Laboratoire National des Champs Magnétiques Intenses have conducted an experiment to demonstrate how Earth's magnetic field influences internal flow patterns in the planet's core. Using a model called the "Little Earth Experiment," they mimicked Earth's interior by using a rotating tank filled with sulfuric acid and subjected it to a strong magnetic field. This setup allowed them to map fluid flow directions and velocities, potentially leading to more accurate theories about Earth's core dynamics than current models, which often overlook the magnetic field's impact on these flows.
A study published in PNAS reveals that toddlers are more likely to remember events they perceive as impossible rather than improbable. Researchers used a gumball machine filled with toys to test 2- and 3-year-olds' reactions to unexpected outcomes. When toddlers received a toy from a seemingly empty machine, they showed surprise and were more likely to remember the toy's name, indicating a learning boost from encountering the unexpected. This suggests that young children learn better when their expectations are violated, enhancing attention and memory retention.
World of Warcraft game director defends the controversial decision to offer a three-day paid early access period for the upcoming expansion, The War Within, as an "experiment" to maximize the value of different expansion tiers. Despite player frustration over the perceived advantage for those who pay extra, the director assures that the early access won't significantly impact the competitive community or in-game economy, as endgame content will be held back until the first weekly reset. The ultimate impact of this decision on the game's launch will likely determine if similar upsells will be offered for future expansions.
European physicists have successfully measured the strength of gravity on the smallest scale ever using a tabletop experiment, marking a significant step towards understanding quantum gravity. This achievement could potentially unlock secrets about the universe's fabric and help resolve the conflict between general relativity and quantum mechanics. The experiment, which didn't require massive machinery, involved floating a particle in a magnetic field and swinging a weight past it to observe its response. While the results are promising, further work is needed to push tabletop experiments to quantum scales and test radical theories of quantum gravity.
A 13-year-old Canadian student conducted a science fair project to test whether Archimedes' purported use of mirrors to set Roman ships alight was feasible. Using heat lamps and mirrors, he found that his setup significantly increased the temperature of the target, leading him to conclude that it could be possible on a larger scale. While many have attempted to recreate the "death ray" with varying success, historians and scientists have suggested alternative weapons that Archimedes may have used.
YouTube is experimenting with organizing video feeds by color, offering red, green, and blue options to create personalized feeds based on predominant hues in thumbnails. This unconventional approach has been met with mixed reactions, as some find it reminiscent of organizing app icons by color, while others question its correlation to video content. The feature joins other experimental discovery experiences on the platform and is currently available on YouTube for Android.
Scientists at Seoul National University have created robot dinosaurs resembling the Pennaraptora group to study the use of their feathered wings. The experiment confirmed that the wings were primarily used for gliding short distances and revealed insights into the hunting patterns of these creatures, similar to modern roadrunners. The robot dinosaurs were able to scare grasshoppers with their wing flapping, demonstrating the flush-pursuit foraging strategy. This experiment sheds light on the behavior of ancient dinosaurs and showcases the advancements in modern technological research.
A team of scientists from UCL, the University of Southampton, and the Bose Institute in Kolkata, India, has proposed an experiment to test whether large masses have a quantum nature, potentially extending the domain of quantum mechanics. The experiment, outlined in a paper published in Physical Review Letters, involves shining light on a pendulum-like object to observe its motion and determine if the act of observation changes its path, a property inherent to quantum mechanics. The proposed experiment could be implemented using nanocrystals or even LIGO mirrors, potentially challenging the notion that quantum mechanics only applies at small scales.
