Risks

A study from Spain reveals that Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure impacts the gut microbiome of children differently, with normal-weight children showing greater bacterial diversity compared to those who are overweight or obese. This research underscores the importance of understanding BPA’s role in childhood obesity and the potential for future health interventions.Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic chemical, is extensively utilized in creating long-lasting plastic items such as glasses, water bottles, and epoxy resins. However, it…

A comprehensive study supported by the National Institutes of Health demonstrates a significant link between frequent cannabis smoking and increased risks of heart attack and stroke. Credit: SciTechDaily.comNIH-funded observational study shows risk grows sharply with more frequent use.Frequent cannabis smoking may significantly increase a person’s risk for heart attack and stroke, according to an observational study supported by the National Institutes of Health. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart…

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely heralded for its potential to enhance productivity in scientific research. But with that promise come risks that could narrow scientists' ability to better understand the world, according to a new paper co-authored by a Yale anthropologist. Some future AI approaches, the authors…

Credit: Chalmers University of Technology | Hanna Magnusson What we colloquially refer to as "e-scooters" can differ greatly when it comes to steering and braking capabilities, wheel size, and suspension systems; something that can have harmful consequences in the event of a crash. And it is the small, lighter e-scooters made for private use that are often more unsafe than the larger rental ones.…

The EU’s strictest-ever crackdown on big tech has only just begun, but critics fear it’s already missing the targets. Called the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the landmark law aims to curb the power of tech giants. Under the rules, the EU can designate companies that dominate a marketplace as “gatekeepers.” This forces them to make their services open to competitors.  Whatsapp, for instance, has to become interoperable with third-party messaging services. Mobile operating systems, meanwhile, must…

Florida Risks Making a Dangerous Measles Outbreak Much WorseBy ignoring common sense and medical advice, Florida’s health officials risk accelerating a burgeoning measles outbreakBy Katelyn Jetelina & Kristen PanthaganiIllustration of measles virus. Credit: Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library/Getty ImagesAn outbreak of measles in Florida has grown to 10 cases. Most have been linked to an elementary school with nearly three dozen unvaccinated students. The count includes seven cases tied to the school, two in the same…

The rapid digitalisation of finance in Asia could pose new risks to financial system stability, Bank of Japan (BOJ) governor Kazuo Ueda said on Wednesday, stressing the right balance is needed between the benefits and costs of financial innovation.Digital financial services have spread dramatically in the Asia-Pacific region as many people living in emerging nations, who still do not have access to face-to-face financial services, jumped at the convenience of smartphones to make daily payments.Elevate Your Tech Prowess…

A Deep Dive into AI’s Impact on Pediatrics: Benefits, Risks, and Real-world Examples The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in pediatrics represents a groundbreaking advancement in healthcare, offering a spectrum of benefits and challenges. AI applications in pediatrics have shown promise in disease diagnosis, neonatal care, and early intervention. However, alongside these benefits, the adoption of AI in pediatric healthcare faces obstacles related to data standardization, privacy protection, and…

After some time, the adversarial image prompted one agent to retrieve a harmful statement from the chat history and pose it as a question to the other agent. If the other agent responded with a harmful answer, then the adversarial image had done its job. Their approach is "infectious" because the same malicious, alerted image is being stored by each answering chatbot, so that the image propagates from one chatbot to the other, like a virus.Also: The safety of OpenAI's GPT-4 gets lost in translationOnce the mechanics…

From genomic information to internet-connected cars, the United States is rethinking its data protection policies -- with further trade curbs aimed at China in the cards -- as tech like AI brings new risks.In the past week alone, President Joe Biden took steps expanding Washington's national security toolkit, sounding the alarm on possible risks from Chinese vehicles and tech, a day after issuing an order to limit the flow of sensitive personal data abroad. The fear is that such data can be used to track citizens,…