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Apr 30, 2023

Nightmare sufferers may find relief through innovative therapy approach

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

A recent study published in Current Biology provides evidence that people suffering from nightmare disorder can experience an acceleration in the remission of their symptoms when treated with behavioral therapy and Targeted Memory Reactivation.

Nightmare disorder (ND) is a condition characterized by recurrent nightmares that significantly affect daytime functioning. Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) is the most recommended treatment for ND, whereby patients imagine a more positive outcome for their nightmare, and then recall the new dream. However, “approximately 30% of patients are unresponsive to this treatment,” the authors of the new study explained.

A growing body of evidence indicates that Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep can aid in decreasing negative emotions and consolidating the recall of positive emotional memories. With this in mind, the authors sought to investigate whether manipulating memory processing during REM could accelerate the remission of ND when combined with Imagery Rehearsal Therapy.

Apr 30, 2023

Study finds dark personality traits are linked to increased bullying victimization

Posted by in category: neuroscience

The Dark Tetrad personality traits of sadism, narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism have long been associated with perpetrating negative behavior, but can they also put someone at higher risk for victimization? A study published in Frontiers in Psychology suggest that these traits may be associated with higher rates of being the victim of bullying.

Bullying is a serious and pervasive problem that can be associated with many negative outcomes for victims, including depression, anxiety, substance use, and even suicidality. Due to these potentially grave outcomes, research has attempted to delve into the dynamics surrounding bullying, including what makes people more likely to become a perpetrator and/or a victim of bullying.

The Dark Tetrad traits are typically linked with antisocial and criminal behaviors. They are personality traits that are frequently associated with a lack of empathy, increased manipulation, and a disregard for other people.

Apr 30, 2023

AI IRL

Posted by in categories: policy, robotics/AI, space

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Apr 30, 2023

Chinese hackers outnumber FBI cyber staff 50 to 1, bureau director says

Posted by in categories: cybercrime/malcode, government

U.S. cyber intelligence staff is vastly outnumbered by Chinese hackers, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray told Congress as he pleaded for more money for the agency.

“To give you a sense of what we’re up against, if each one of the FBI’s cyber agents and intel analysts focused exclusively on the China threat, Chinese hackers would still outnumber FBI Cyber personnel by at least 50 to 1,” Wray said in prepared remarks for a budget hearing before a House Appropriations subcommittee on Thursday.

The disclosure highlights the massive scale of cyber threats the U.S. is facing, particularly from China. Wray said the country has “a bigger hacking program than every other major nation combined and have stolen more of our personal and corporate data than all other nations—big or small—combined.”

Apr 30, 2023

Quantum computers could simulate a black hole in the next decade

Posted by in categories: computing, cosmology, quantum physics

Understanding the interactions between quantum physics and gravity within a black hole is one of the thorniest problems in physics, but quantum computers could soon offer an answer.

By Alex Wilkins

Apr 30, 2023

NASA’s next space station will be 1,000 times farther from Earth

Posted by in categories: habitats, space

While NASA prepares to launch its lunar space station, other groups are working to ensure we still have an off-world home closer to Earth.

Apr 30, 2023

New study finds ChatGPT outperforms doctors in giving ‘empathetic’ advice

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

Menno van Dijk/iStock.

This according to a study reported by The National Post on Friday.

Apr 30, 2023

Squawk! You there? Pet parrots video call each other to elevate social lives

Posted by in category: neuroscience

The study parrots engaged in various social behaviors that researchers would often see amongst groups of birds or in the wild, including dancing and singing together.

Parrots are socially complex animals, outperforming 6-and 7-year-old children in puzzle activities and memory skills. When kept as pets, these birds frequently lack suitable stimulation to meet their high social, cognitive, and emotional needs.

A recent study by the University of Glasgow and Northeastern University looked at this issue by using 18 pet parrots to see if video calls could help them meet their social demands.

Apr 30, 2023

‘Responsible AI’: ChatGPT bot gets ethical nod from G7 digital ministers

Posted by in category: robotics/AI

The G7 expressed their commitment to threats from outside, as worries about digital absolutism in nations like China persist.

The digital ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries have decided that “risk-based” regulation on artificial intelligence (AI) should be adopted.

TheG7 encouraged the ethical use of AI, including the ChatGPT AI bot created by the US company OpenAI, according to media reports.

Apr 30, 2023

MIT team designs robotic gripper that could soon clean our homes

Posted by in category: robotics/AI

“Now with reflexes, we think we can one day pick and place in every possible way, so that a robot could potentially clean up the house.”

Reacting to stimuli on the fly has been exclusive to living beings for much until now. In a world of uncertainties, adjusting to changes in our surroundings has been a big reason why we’re still around as a species.

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