Research shows that while connections between innovations speed discovery, they also sharply increase the risk of total system collapse—with the sweet spot for sustainable innovation proving surprisingly narrow.
Innovation is a central currency of global power. Whether in the race for leadership in artificial intelligence, the development of clean energy technologies, or the search for medical breakthroughs, major players like China, the United States, and the European Union are investing billions in research and development to secure the next technological leap—and with it, economic and strategic advantage.
Yet, as a new study from the Complexity Science Hub (CSH), published in Physical Review Research, indicates, long-term innovation is only sustainable under specific structural conditions. First, the study finds that innovation can only endure over time if it is balanced with “exnovation”—the loss or forgetting of older possibilities.
Marine cone snails are host to a family of dangerous neurotoxins. Very little is known about how those toxins interact with the human body, making this an area of interest for medical drug research and an area of concern in national security spaces. For the first time, a team at Los Alamos National Laboratory has successfully trained a machine learning model that predicts how alpha conotoxins bind to specific human receptor subtypes, which could help researchers develop lifesaving anti-toxins.
“Because of the diversity and complexity of natural conotoxins, it is estimated that only 2% of them have been sequenced,” said Gnana Gnanakaran, theoretical biologist at Los Alamos. “No antidotes exist for conotoxins, but by using machine learning to predict conotoxin binding, we now have the ability to develop tools to understand and respond to these threats.”
The deadly secretions issued by any one of the more than 800 cone snail species represent a conglomeration of more than 1 million natural conotoxins. The research team concentrated their machine learning work on alpha conotoxins, a particularly prevalent and deadly conotoxin family.
Elon Musk’s AI company has officially rolled out Grok Imagine, xAI’s image and video generator, to all SuperGrok and Premium+ X subscribers on its iOS app. And true to form for Musk, who positions Grok as an unfiltered, boundary-pushing AI, the generator allows users to make NSFW content.
Grok Imagine, which promises to turn text or image prompts into a 15-second video featuring native audio, has a “spicy mode” that allows users to generate sexually explicit content, including partial female nudity. There are limits to how explicit one can get. Many of our spicier prompts — made in the name of Journalism! — generate blurred-out images that are “moderated” and therefore inaccessible. We were, however, able to generate semi-nude imagery.
The NSFW content is unsurprising for xAI, given the release last month of a raunchy, hyper-sexualized anime AI companion. But just as Grok’s unrestrained nature was entertaining until it started spewing hateful, antisemitic, misogynistic content, Grok Imagine could be poised to bring its own set of unintended consequences.
A group of Chinese scientists has created powerful new tools that allow them to edit large chunks of DNA with incredible accuracy—and without leaving any trace. Using a mix of advanced protein design, AI, and clever genetic tweaks, they’ve overcome major limitations in older gene editing methods. These tools can flip, remove, or insert massive pieces of genetic code in both plants and animals. To prove it works, they engineered rice that’s resistant to herbicides by flipping a huge section of its DNA—something that was nearly impossible before.
A new strategy for strengthening polymer materials could lead to more durable plastics and cut down on plastic waste, MIT and Duke University researchers report.
The hosts delve into “The Future of Science” (Будущее Науки) by Viktor Filaletov (Виктор Филалетов), offering a profound exploration of science’s fundamental nature, evolving methodology, and crucial future prospects. The sources consistently portray science as a systematic process of knowledge acquisition, driven by the meticulous study of regularities and an unwavering commitment to understanding reality. At its core, scientific activity involves rigorous observation, precise experimentation, and the development of robust theories through the generalization of observations and facts. This entire scientific work is depicted as a deeply intellectual activity, fueled by intellectual curiosity and the unyielding pursuit of objective truth.
A significant focus is placed on scientific methodology, highlighting the importance of systematic research, the interplay of logic and intuition, and precise data analysis in tackling diverse scientific problems and achieving groundbreaking scientific discoveries. Scientific progress is depicted as a continuous, dynamic process, requiring constant critical thinking, scientific skepticism, and an openness to challenge established theoretical frameworks for ongoing intellectual development. The text distinguishes between fundamental research and applied research, acknowledging the vital role of both in advancing knowledge and understanding the world.
The sources candidly address the inherent challenges in scientific research, including navigating uncertainty in science and confronting the inherent limits of human understanding and perception. They underscore the vital human element, where scientific thought and scientific creativity are integral to the investigative process. Furthermore, crucial ethical considerations and profound scientific responsibility are discussed, particularly regarding the immense societal impact of science and its implications for future generations. The relentless pursuit of scientific truth often necessitates confronting the unknown and achieving scientific validation through empirical evidence. The text also touches upon the philosophical aspects of science and the importance of scientific integrity in all endeavors.
Looking towards the future of science, the discourse emphasizes relentless innovation and accelerated technological advancement. A compelling and recurring theme is the necessity of interdisciplinary research and expanded global scientific collaboration to effectively address and solve complex global challenges. The ongoing evolution of scientific thought and collective intellectual development are posited as essential drivers for uncovering new scientific breakthroughs and pushing the very frontiers of knowledge. Ultimately, scientific inquiry is presented as an unending pursuit of understanding, continually redefining our comprehension of the world and ensuring the future of scientific endeavor remains vibrant and impactful. #science #philosophy #FutureOfScience #ScientificResearch #ScienceProgress #KnowledgeDiscovery #HumanityForward #deepdive #skeptic #podcast #synopsis #books #bookreview #science #aiart #ai #artificialintelligence #booktube #aigenerated #videoessay
