MAY 13, 2024
Google DeepMind’s new AlphaFold can model a much larger slice of biological life: Google DeepMind has released an improved version of its biology prediction tool, AlphaFold 3, that can predict the structures not only of proteins but of nearly all the elements of biological life, including DNA, RNA, and molecules like ligands essential for drug discovery. This development, which uses diffusion techniques to handle a much larger set of inputs, could help accelerate drug discovery and other scientific research by providing a more nuanced and dynamic portrait of molecule interactions than anything previously available.
Apple nears deal with OpenAI to put ChatGPT on iPhone: Report: Apple is reportedly in advanced negotiations with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT features into its upcoming iOS 18 operating system for iPhones, marking a significant step in the tech giant’s broader initiative to incorporate artificial intelligence capabilities into its devices. The deal would enable Apple to offer a popular chatbot as part of a suite of new AI features that the company plans to unveil during its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June, as it aims to showcase its unique advantages in this transformative field.
Gen Z’s wobbly path to the career ladder: A significant portion of Generation Z, the emerging workforce, is facing hurdles in transitioning into the job market and grappling with mismatches between their college education and the practical skills demanded by employers, leading to difficulties in securing and retaining employment opportunities. Employers are increasingly prioritizing skills-based recruitment strategies over traditional emphasis on academic qualifications, as the employment-to-population ratio among individuals aged 20 to 24 has shown improvement, but their actual earnings have remained relatively stagnant.
Jim Simons: A Short Story of My Life and Mathematics: Jim Simons, the renowned mathematician and hedge fund manager, recounts his remarkable life journey in this captivating video. From his early days as a codebreaker during the Vietnam War to his groundbreaking work in mathematics and the founding of the highly successful Renaissance Technologies hedge fund, Simons’ story offers invaluable insights into the power of intellectual curiosity, mathematical prowess, and entrepreneurial vision.
Stubbornly High Rents Prevent Fed From Finishing Inflation Fight: Stubbornly high rents are a significant obstacle for the Federal Reserve in its efforts to combat inflation, as they contribute to the overall price increases and make it difficult for the central bank to achieve its target inflation rate. The persistence of high rents, despite the Fed’s aggressive interest rate hikes, underscores the complexity of the inflation problem and the need for a multifaceted approach to address the root causes of price pressures.
Google Built Some of the First Social Apps for Android, Including Twitter and Others: Google played a pivotal role in shaping the early social media landscape on Android by developing some of the first popular social apps for the platform, including Twitter. While these apps were eventually spun off or acquired by other companies, Google’s early investments in social features and integrations laid the groundwork for Android’s success in the mobile era.
Baby Born Deaf Can Hear After Breakthrough Gene Therapy: A baby girl born deaf in the UK named Opal Sandy has become the first patient to receive a groundbreaking gene therapy treatment at 11 months old, which has allowed her to hear unaided for the first time, even with her cochlear implant in the other ear switched off. The treatment, which involves delivering a working copy of the OTOF gene via a harmless virus, has shown “mind-blowing” results, with Opal now able to respond to soft sounds and communicate words like “Dada” and “bye-bye” at just 18 months old, marking a major milestone in the treatment of genetic hearing loss.