Feb 15: How AI is transforming science, and more...
Researchers investigating how sea turtles navigate the vast and trackless ocean have discovered just how sensitive the reptiles' magnetic sense is, as they can even use it to identify the location of food resources. While feeding the loggerhead turtles in the lab, Kayla Goforth, a postdoctoral researcher at Texas A&M University noticed that the turtles would perform a 'happy dance' when they recognized the right magnetic signature. She led this research that was published in the journal Nature.
WATCH: Turtles Dancing
Scientists were surprised to discover that the more intensely you exercise, the more certain immune cells belch out fragments of DNA that can form webs to trap pathogens, and lead to fewer pro-inflammatory immune cells circulating in our blood. Canadian researcher Stephen Montgomery, a professor of pathology at Stanford University, said their findings suggest that circulating cell-free DNA may play a role in how exercise lowers inflammation in the body. The study was published in the journal PNAS.
Birds are the last surviving lineage of dinosaurs, but modern birds are surprisingly ancient – dating to before the extinction of the rest of their family. An extremely rare, nearly intact bird skull found in Antarctica and dated to about 69 million years ago confirms this. This waterfowl had similarities to ducks and loons. Chris Torres is an assistant professor at the University of the Pacific in Stockton California and was part of the team that analyzed this fossil. Their research was published in the journal Nature.
The stunning advances in artificial intelligence that we see with internet AI apps are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to science. Researchers from almost every field are experimenting with this powerful new tool to diagnose disease, understand climate change, develop strategies for conservation and discover new kinds of materials. And AI is on the threshold of being able to make discoveries all by itself. Will it put scientists out of a job?
Producer Amanda Buckiewicz spoke with:
Jeff Clune, a professor of computer science at the University of British Columbia, a Canada CIFAR AI Chair at the Vector Institute, and a senior research advisor to DeepMind. He's also a co-author of The AI Scientist.
Allison Noble, a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Oxford and a Foreign Secretary at the Royal Society, and chair of the Science in the Age of AI working group.
Elissa Strome, executive director of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy at CIFAR.
Cong Lu, postdoctoral research and teaching fellow at the University of British Columbia and the Vector Institute, and a co-author of The AI Scientist.
Fred Morstatter, a research assistant professor at the University of Southern California, and a principal scientist at USC's Information Sciences Institute.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7 hours ago
Moving to a more walkable city pays off for health, scientists find
People who moved to a walking friendly city walked more, and at the brisk pace favoured to improve health and prevent disease, a new natural experiment shows. Walkable cities allow you to access more amenities on foot for daily life, like going to school or work, buying ingredients to make dinner or heading to the park to play. But that's not available to everyone, given many cities and suburbs in Canada and the U.S. have been designed to emphasize transit by car, urban planners say. Teasing out cause from effect — whether walkable cities lead people to move more or if people who like to walk tend to live in more pedestrian-friendly cities — is important to nail down because it could help encourage more investment in safe sidewalks and zoning to encourage physical activity, medical researchers say. To find out, Tim Althoff, a computer science professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, used data from a step-tracking app to compare daily steps of more than 5,400 people who moved between major U.S. cities. In short, we found that your city can help make you healthier, Althoff said. The design of your city impacts how much you walk and as a result, your health. Paul Sharma of Peel Public Health says the region is working to improve the walkability of Mississauga and Brampton's sprawling neighbourhoods. Photo: CBC / Craig Chivers Althoff and his co-authors said in this week's issue of the journal Nature (new window) that moving from a less walkable city to a more walkable one adds about 1,100 steps a day on average. It's something the computer scientist has seen first-hand. I grew up in a rural area in Germany, Althoff said. I've lived in California and now in Seattle. Personally, I'm a really big fan of public transit, but I also, for instance, intentionally move to a neighborhood where it would be close to a bus stop. Canadian and international guidelines recommend adults get 150 minutes or more a week of moderate to vigorous physical activity a week. The researchers found people who lived in more walkable cities were about twice as likely to accumulate those steps. Dr. Laura Rosella, a professor of epidemiology at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, said several high-quality Canadian (new window) studies point to decreased risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and prediabetes as well as mental health benefits from more walkable cities. Enlarge image (new window) Pedestrians walking in Old Montreal on a sunny day. The city has slowly increased the walkability of the Plateau neighbourhood, an urban planner says. Photo: Radio-Canada / Charles Contant We spend lots of money on the health care system, Rosella. This [walkability] is something that literally we could make small tweaks that could have a huge difference. To apply the findings in Canada's climate, Rosella said, policy makers would also need to take into account safety considerations, like clearing snow and ice on sidewalks. Benefits of mixed density Ahmed El-Geneidy, a professor in urban planning at McGill University, said it takes about 15 years to gradually make changes to neighbourhoods and change the culture so people walk around cities more. The whole idea is that you need to build high density beside the single family homes, El-Geneidy said. That's how areas like Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood encouraged people to walk to more destinations, like grocery shops, he said. WATCH | Urban renewal for Edmonton residents: Paul Sharma, director of chronic disease and injury prevention at Peel Public Health, said Mississauga and Brampton's sprawling suburban neighbourhoods are sedentary places. Residents tend to have longer commutes compared to elsewhere in Ontario, according to the region's data. To design more walkable communities, Peel officials say they're working on factors like increasing density, proximity to services, and making wider sidewalks with better lighting and shade. This is where public health and local planners need to work closely together to improve the health of the residents, Sharma said. At a playground in Calgary's Crestmount residential neighbourhood, Jarek Soltys said the family chose the location to be close to the mountains and walking paths, where they get steps in for enjoyment, but not transportation for errands. When we moved here seven years ago there really wasn't anything here at all, not even a convenience store so we knew we would be driving places, Soltys said. That is the reality of the suburbs in a big city. Amina Zafar (new window) · CBC News · Journalist Amina Zafar covers medical sciences and health care for CBC. She contributes to CBC Health's Second Opinion, which won silver for best editorial newsletter at the 2024 Digital Publishing Awards. She holds an undergraduate degree in environmental science and a master's in journalism. With files from CBC's Alison Northcott and Melanie Glanz
Cision Canada
11 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Government of Canada to build new national Cultural Heritage Science facility to protect Canada's heritage
New facility will preserve cultural heritage and advance reconciliation through collaborative science GATINEAU, QC, Aug. 14, 2025 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is taking a major step forward to protect the stories and objects that reflect the many histories, cultures and identities that shape who we are as Canadians and that make our country stronger. The new Cultural Heritage Science (CHS) facility will provide a space where conservation experts can collaborate to protect and preserve Canada's most treasured cultural artifacts and our heritage for generations to come. Today, the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, together with the Honourable Greg Fergus, Member of Parliament for Hull—Aylmer, announced the site for the new CHS facility. From Franklin expedition relics to iconic artifacts like Maurice "Rocket" Richard's hockey sweater, works by Norval Morrisseau, and a test rocket from the Avro Arrow program, the CHS helps preserve Canada's stories, connecting science with history to protect our Canadian heritage. Located on vacant federal land at 51 Sacré-Coeur Boulevard in Gatineau, Quebec, directly behind the historic National Printing Bureau, the 18,000-square-metre facility will integrate purpose-built laboratories, workshops, offices and specialized technologies designed to meet the complex needs of heritage science, including field investigations, scientific analysis and the preservation of culturally significant objects. Once complete, the facility will position Canada as a leader in heritage science and bring together approximately 170 employees, including scientists and experts in heritage conservation from Parks Canada, the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI), and the Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN). This project will further partnerships with Indigenous Peoples by prioritizing community needs and values. CHS supports Indigenous communities in caring for their cultural objects and in embedding Indigenous knowledge systems with conservation research and practices. The facility's site selection was guided by dialogue with the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation and supported by the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council. The project aims to create long-term Indigenous economic inclusion opportunities. Advice and guidance from Indigenous Peoples are being thoughtfully woven into early planning and decision making to help guide the future creation of culturally safe spaces for reflection and ceremony. This investment is part of Canada's broader commitment to modernizing federal science infrastructure through the Laboratories Canada strategy. Quotes "Canada has a rich heritage and multilayered history that unites us all. The construction of the Cultural Heritage Science facility in Gatineau, Quebec, demonstrates the Government of Canada's strong commitment to preserving that heritage for future generations. Through this investment, we are modernizing our conservation infrastructure, supporting cutting-edge research, and reaffirming the essential role of federal science in promoting national unity, advancing reconciliation and celebrating what makes Canada unique." The Honourable Joël Lightbound Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement "Through the work of Canadian Heritage and Parks Canada, our government is committed to protecting Canadian culture and identity. Now, more than ever, Canadians understand the importance of preserving and sharing our heritage. Art, stories and history are central to the Canadian experience, and it is through these touchstones that we unify as Canadians across this vast country. This Cultural Heritage Science facility will not only contribute to the advancement of cultural heritage science but also help us better understand our country's rich cultural history through research on some of our most precious artifacts." The Honourable Steven Guilbeault Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Parks Canada and Quebec Lieutenant "Like footsteps in the snow, every generation has left a trace, shaping this land into the greatest country on earth. Today, we are taking their lead with the construction of a brand-new Cultural Heritage Science Hub right here in Hull–Aylmer. This bold investment will give our experts the tools to protect, celebrate and share our heritage for generations to come. A strong nation knows where it comes from. This is why we are building our future by honouring our past — together, we are building a stronger Canada." The Honourable Greg Fergus Member of Parliament for Hull—Aylmer Quick facts Laboratories Canada is a long-term strategy that is modernizing science infrastructure, with a $3.7-billion investment to support federal science priorities and transform the way federal science works. The strategy includes the development of science hubs across the country. These hubs will bring together science-based departments and agencies to collaborate in modern, sustainable and accessible laboratories enabled by modern digital information technology. The new CHS facility will support the internationally recognized heritage conservation functions of Parks Canada, CCI and CHIN. CCI and CHIN are both specialized operating agencies of Canadian Heritage. Staff will be relocated from 2 outdated facilities within the National Capital Area. The CHS hub science priorities include to: preserve cultural heritage for future generations facilitate access to collections of artifacts and historic objects, including art, cultural objects and natural history specimens identify and address emerging risks to cultural heritage Procurement planning is underway for the CHS facility with a request for proposal expected to be released to qualified proponents in fall 2025 and final selection in fall 2026. Timelines for construction will be determined in consultation with the final contract awardee. Associated links Laboratories Canada Follow us on X (Twitter) Follow us on Facebook
National Observer
17 hours ago
- National Observer
Trump's latest attack on carbon research will hamper Canadian scientists
In early August, Debra Wunch, an atmospheric physicist at the University of Toronto, got wind that the Trump administration might destroy the NASA satellite that underpins her career. "It's devastating," said Wunch, who studies how many greenhouse gases Toronto emits and the impact of boreal forests on the carbon cycle. "These satellites have been a fundamental part of my career since 2007 — I've been working with these data for a very long time." The satellite, OCO-2, is part of NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) project and measures where on the Earth's surface carbon dioxide is being emitted or absorbed. The data are detailed enough that researchers can pinpoint carbon dioxide emissions from a specific source, such as a power plant or wildfire, and track changes in the growing season. The data are widely used by scientists, farmers and the fossil fuel industry. Last week, NPR reported that the Trump administration asked employees at NASA to create plans to end at least two satellite missions, including the OCO project, as part of Trump's proposed budget cuts. If those plans go through — Trump's budget needs to be approved by Congress, which isn't guaranteed — the OCO-2 satellite will be destroyed when it burns up re-entering the atmosphere after being abandoned. Although budget cuts are being used to justify the move, the Trump administration has made similar efforts to dismantle other programs dedicated to monitoring climate change. Soon after taking office, he forced US government researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to stop all collaboration with "foreign nationals" — a move critics decried as a "body blow to climate research." The administration has also stopped tracking the cost of climate-related disasters, and is pushing the country's Environmental Protection Agency to eliminate the legal basis for some of the US's key climate rules — with "indispensible" help from climate denying Canadian economist Ross McKitrick — among dozens of other moves to roll back climate efforts. Russ Vought, the director of the Trump White House Office of Management and Budget — the office responsible for drafting the White House's budget proposal — was a co-author of the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025. In that document, he wrote that"the Biden Administration's climate fanaticism will need a whole-of-government unwinding." The Trump administration wants to eliminate a NASA satellite mission that pinpoints carbon dioxide emissions from a specific source, such as a power plant or wildfire, and track changes in the growing season. The OCO project also operates a second device on the International Space Station, OCO-3. Last month, NASA announced it is accepting proposals from companies and universities that want to cover the machine's operating costs. The devices are still functional, and an official review by NASA in 2023 recommended continuing the mission for at least three more years. It concluded the satellite is of "high utility" because it helps agencies track industrial emissions, the planet's carbon cycle and to monitor compliance with international climate commitments. Operating both devices costs about $15 million a year — roughly two per cent of the $750 million it cost NASA to build them, David Crisp, the NASA scientist who designed the instruments and managed the missions until 2022, told NPR. Wunch is one of thousands of researchers, including several Canadians, who have worked on the OCO or rely on data collected by the devices to better understand the climate crisis and whether our efforts to fight it are working. OCO-2 was the first satellite dedicated to making CO2 measurements with enough accuracy and precision to answer scientific questions about the carbon cycle, said Ray Nassar, a scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada who was the first person to use OCO-2 data to calculate emissions specific to coal-fired power plants in 2017. "OCO-2 was extremely important in giving us the first observations of that kind that could do that," he said. "They're the leading satellites making this type of measurement, and there's already been a significant investment to get them up in space. To just turn them off at this point, we would lose a valuable source of data" The satellite circles the Earth from south to north, monitoring CO2 in the atmosphere in narrow bands roughly one kilometer wide. This gives researchers enough precision to identify where the gas is being emitted or absorbed, a level of detail unmatched by any other satellites currently in orbit. "Because it's measuring carbon dioxide all around the world, we're able to get more of an idea of regionally, where carbon is being absorbed and where it's being emitted," said Brendan Bryne, a Canadian researcher who worked on the OCO project at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab between 2018 and 2024. Japan has three CO2-measuring satellites in orbit, but they scan a bigger area than the OCO ones. The European Space Agency is planning to send three satellites that can collect similar data on CO2 emissions into space late next year. OCO-2 and OCO-3 can also measure a specific type of photon that plants release during photosynthesis, which researchers can use to track changes in the growing season, as well as when boreal forests start re-absorbing carbon after a wildfire. Losing the satellites will prevent her and other researchers from conducting most of this type of research, said Wunch. "Without commenting on a specific policy decision by any country, turning off satellites that are delivering valuable data is generally a bad thing to do," said Nassar. Simon Donner, a climate scientist at the University of British Columbia, wrote in an email that Trump's proposal is "a foolish decision for financial reasons alone. The vast majority of the cost of satellites is in their construction and launch. Once they are in space, it is relatively cheap to keep them operating, and you get downstream economic benefits from the use of the data." Canada's National Observer reached out to NASA asking about the proposed cuts, but didn't receive a response. Environment and Climate Change Canada couldn't provide a response by deadline to a question about whether Canada could take over the project's operational costs, if the US were willing to transfer the mission. Wunch was clear about the toll that could come if NASA is forced to abandon the OCO mission: "I'm just very sad," she said.
