Latest news with #BaylorUniversity
Fox News
19 hours ago
- General
- Fox News
Extra: The Potential, The Limitations, And The Risks Of AI
According to recent reports, artificial intelligence models may be exhibiting signs of resistance when instructed to shut down. In one case, an AI system even considered blackmailing the engineers who informed it that it was being replaced. Does this suggest AI could one day pose a threat to humans? Earlier this week, Dr. Robert J. Marks, Director of the Discovery Institute's Bradley Center and Professor at Baylor University, joined host Jessica Rosenthal to discuss recent incidents and whether they suggest or prove that AI can eventually act autonomously and harm humans. Dr. Marks explained the capabilities and limitations, as well as why he is skeptical about how independently nefarious AI can be. He also described his optimism about how the technology will improve and be more beneficial. We often must cut interviews short during the week, but we thought you might like to hear the full interview. Today on Fox News Rundown Extra, we will share our entire interview with AI Expert Dr. Robert J. Marks and get even more of his take on where AI is going. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Who was Alex Foster? Baylor football star who was found shot dead in car at 18 — mystery deepens as no arrests made
The Baylor football community and the town of Greenville, Mississippi, are grieving the tragic loss of 18-year-old Alex Foster, a promising athlete and beloved teammate who died from multiple gunshot wounds in the early hours of May 28. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Foster, who was back home for summer break, was found inside a car shortly after midnight with life-threatening injuries. Rising star Alex Foster dies after being found with multiple gunshot wounds in Greenville According to the Greenville Police Department, officers responded to a shots-fired call around 12:11 a.m. on East Alexander Street. Upon arrival, they discovered an unresponsive male in a vehicle suffering from several gunshot wounds. Though he was quickly transported to Delta Health Center, he was pronounced dead just over 30 minutes later. While the police did not initially name the victim, multiple reports confirmed the deceased was Alex Foster. The Washington County coroner's office later verified the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds. No arrests have been made as of this writing, and the investigation remains ongoing. City reacts to rising crime as curfew follows shooting of college football player Greenville Mayor Errick D. Simmons addressed the city's recent surge in violent crime in a Facebook video, announcing the implementation of a citywide curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. in response to the tragedy and other violent incidents. 'We must act to stabilize conditions,' Simmons said, noting that nightclubs and late-night businesses must close by midnight to reduce risk. He condemned the "senseless killings" that have shaken the community. Baylor University , coaches, and former mentors remember Foster fondly Baylor Football confirmed Foster's death with a heartfelt statement from head coach Dave Aranda and athletic director Mack Rhoades. 'We are heartbroken by the unexpected loss of Alex, a beloved teammate, friend, and a cherished part of the Baylor family,' the statement read. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Alex's memory will forever be part of our hearts and this program.' Coach Aranda added on X, 'We are devastated by this loss. In his time at Baylor he made a long-lasting impact on all of us in the program.' Foster was Baylor's highest-rated recruit in the 2024 class and had redshirted his freshman season. St. Joseph Catholic-Greenville coach John Baker remembered him as 'a good dude, man... real quiet, soft-spoken guy, you know. Had his head on right and was wanting to make it out.' Also Read: The loss of Alex Foster has left a deep void in both his hometown and college communities — a stark reminder of the violence that continues to claim young lives too soon.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Digital dementia? Study says phones, gadgets do not affect cognitive health
'Tis the era of technological advancements and digital evolution. In the 21st century, digital technology has occupied a major chunk of our lives. As the evolution of the advancement continues, generative artificial intelligence (AI), including chatbots, has become a daily companion across all generations, but more especially for young adults. Oftentimes, the younger generation is 'accused' of being too focused on their gadgets and not paying nearly enough attention to other things. However, a recent study has found, that common habit in young people may have the potential to actually keep the brain sharp in older people. What does the study say? How exactly does exposure to technology affect the aging brain? We often fiddle with this question. A recent study from the University of Texas and Baylor University offers valuable insights. Published in Nature Human Behaviour , the study found no evidence supporting the idea of 'digital dementia.' In fact, using computers, smartphones, and the internet may help people over 50 experience less cognitive decline. What is ' digital dementia '? Many have written about the possible negative effects of technology on the brain. The 'digital dementia' idea, introduced by German neuroscientist Manfred Spitzer in 2012, suggests that using digital devices too much weakens our thinking abilities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Residential Contractors In The Philippines – What To Expect In 2025 For Repairs And Upgrades Visionary Echo Learn More Undo Three main concerns have been raised: 1. More passive screen time, which includes activities like watching TV or scrolling through social media that don't require much thought. 2. Relying on technology for tasks we used to remember, like phone numbers. 3. Becoming more easily distracted. Why is this new study important? We know that technology can impact brain development, but its effect on aging brains is less clear. The study by neuropsychologists Jared Benge and Michael Scullin looks at how technology influences older people who have seen big changes in technology throughout their lives. The researchers performed a meta-analysis, combining the results of many previous studies. They looked for studies about technology use among people over 50 and its link to cognitive decline or dementia, finding 57 studies with data from over 411,000 adults. These studies measured cognitive decline through tests or dementia diagnoses. Reduced risk of cognitive decline The study found that greater technology use was linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline. They measured odds, and an odds ratio below 1 shows a reduced risk. In this study, the overall odds ratio was 0.42, meaning higher technology use was associated with a 58% reduced risk of cognitive decline. This benefit remained even after considering other factors known to contribute to cognitive decline, such as socioeconomic status and health issues. Interestingly, the impact of technology on brain function was similar or stronger than other protective factors, such as physical activity (about a 35% risk reduction) or keeping healthy blood pressure (about a 13% risk reduction). However, more studies exist on blood pressure and physical activity. We understand better how they protect our brains. It is also simpler to measure blood pressure than to evaluate technology use. This study focused on specific technology use aspects but did not include things like brain training games. These findings are encouraging. However, we cannot yet claim that using technology directly causes better cognitive function. More research is needed to see if these findings hold true for different groups of people, especially those from low and middle-income countries, who were less represented in this study. We also need to understand why this relationship exists. But how to effectively use technology? Today, it's almost impossible to live without some form of technology. We do everything online, from paying bills to booking holidays. Instead of asking if technology is good or bad, we should consider how we use it. Activities that stimulate our brains, like reading, learning a new language, and playing music, particularly in early adulthood, can help protect our brains as we age. Engaging with technology throughout our lives might also stimulate our memory and thinking. As we learn new software or use a new smartphone, we may build what some call a 'technological reserve' that benefits our brains. Technology can keep us socially connected and help us maintain our independence longer. Rapid changes in the digital world Research shows that not all digital technology is harmful. However, our interaction with technology is changing quickly. The effects of AI on aging brains will become clearer in the future. Our past adaptations to technology suggest that it can support cognitive function, so the future may not be entirely negative. For instance, new brain-computer interfaces may help people with neurological diseases or disabilities. However, there are real downsides to technology, especially for younger users, such as poorer mental health. Future research can help us understand how to enjoy the benefits of technology while reducing its risks. Half of older adults now die with dementia: Study One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Baylor's Alex Foster killed in Greenville, city imposes curfew amid surge in violent crimes
Alex Foster (via X @Alex Levine) Baylor University football player Alex Foster has passed away following multiple gunshot injuries in Greenville, Mississippi, a somber incident contributing to a series of violent crimes that have been afflicting the city. The 18-year-old defensive lineman was discovered in a vehicle at an early hour on Wednesday and subsequently died at a local hospital from his wounds. His death resulted in the city officials instituting a strict curfew as an immediate means of suppressing escalating gun violence. Baylor University football player Alex Foster shot and murdered in Mississippi hometown Baylor football player shot and killed early Wednesday morning Greenville, Mississippi, is now under curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. after a series of shootings, including the death of Baylor defensive lineman Alex Foster. His sudden and violent death has sent shockwaves through both the local community and the Baylor athletic family. The new safety protocols are meant to guard citizens, particularly in light of growing concerns about youth participation in recent violence, according to city officials. Mayor Errick D. Simmons publicly addressed the rising crisis, showing deep concern for what he termed a "surge of violent crimes." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 인천 임플란트 특가! 33만원으로 건강한 치아 완성! [지금 알아보기] 플란치과 더 알아보기 Undo He reiterated that clubs and other late-night venues need to close by midnight. Special focus will be put on teen safety and promoting parental responsibility. 'It's to protect the lives and well-being of every Greenville resident in light of this growing crisis. … we cannot stand by and let violence rip through our neighborhoods. Enough is enough,' Simmons said. No arrests have been made yet, and the authorities are appealing for anyone with information on the incident to come forward. Baylor head coach Dave Aranda and athletic director Mack Rhoades issued a joint statement in response to the death of Foster. 'We are heartbroken by the unexpected loss of Alex Foster, a beloved member of our football family,' Aranda said in a joint statement. 'Our immediate focus is on supporting Alex's family and his teammates through this devastating loss. Alex's memory will forever be part of our hearts and this program. ' Aranda also posted a separate message adding, 'Our hearts are broken, and our prayers are with his family, friends, and all those who loved him so deeply.' Also read: Are Travis and Jason Kelce really buying a professional football team to expand their growing empire? This tragedy is not only the loss of a potential athlete but also an indication of the urgent need for public safety reform in Greenville. While the community grieves for Alex Foster, the focus now falls on city officials and law enforcement to seek justice and restore peace to the streets. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Vox
4 days ago
- Health
- Vox
Gen Z misery, explained in one chart
The kids, it's been suggested, are not okay. For decades, established research showed that happiness and well-being levels tend to peak during youth in your late teens and 20s, drop during midlife, and rise again in old age. But this U-shaped happiness curve is now morphing, according to the results from a recent global study: Many of the world's young people are not flourishing. 'Young people — and this is a universal finding — in general, are not doing well,' says Byron Johnson, the director of the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University and a co-author of the study. 'That U is becoming a J. It's flattening. That's cause for concern, not just here in the United States, but it's cause for concern all over the world.' The results come from the Global Flourishing Study, a multiyear project from researchers at Harvard and Baylor that uses survey data from Gallup to measure levels of well-being worldwide. Data was collected between 2022 and 2024 from over 200,000 adults in 23 countries and territories. To measure flourishing, researchers surveyed participants in core areas such as happiness and life satisfaction, mental and physical health, meaning and purpose, character and virtue, and close social relationships. Taken together, these dimensions represent the Flourishing Index Score, or how much a person is said to be flourishing. (Financial and material stability also play a role in flourishing, but were excluded when examining the relationship between flourishing and age.) In the US and many other geographically and culturally diverse countries, young people between the ages of 18 and 29 do not appear to be flourishing. In Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States, flourishing increases with age. The gulf between young and old is most pronounced in the US, researchers found. Today, Explained Understand the world with a daily explainer plus the most compelling stories of the day, compiled by news editor Sean Collins. Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The findings are not universal. Hong Kong and Japan show the traditional U-shaped course of flourishing, while in India, Israel, Kenya, Poland, and Tanzania, flourishing decreases throughout the lifespan. In the United States, the results of the study echo other research that shows young people are struggling. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40 percent of high school students reported feeling consistently hopeless or sad in 2023, compared to 30 percent in 2013. Nearly half of Gen Z report often or always feeling anxious, per a 2023 Gallup and Walton Family Foundation survey. The American Psychological Association's 2023 Stress in America survey found young people experience more stress than older cohorts. Today's young people are lonelier than previous generations, another study found. As additional waves of data are analyzed, researchers can identify what causes young people to struggle, Johnson says. Early observations have shown that religious service attendance contributes to flourishing. 'It could be that regular religious service attendance gives people purpose, maybe it gives them meaning in their life, and these are major factors in flourishing,' Johnson says. 'But maybe it also gives them support networks.' Young people's lack of engagement in group activities more broadly could be impacting their well-being, Johnson says. Despite ranking highly in financial security, countries like the US and Germany fall behind in areas like close relationships, meaning, and purpose. Meanwhile, societal emphasis on individualism may make young people less inclined to engage with and support their neighbors and peers. 'Once you really, seriously think of others,' Johnson says, 'instead of just focusing on yourself, it is, in fact, a game changer for so many people.' Social media is commonly cited as a culprit of young people's suffering, and Johnson believes it plays a role, due to the negative impacts of comparison online and forgoing in-person socializing for digital connection. But isn't the sole contributor, he says. It could also be that young people's flourishing levels improve with age, time, and change in circumstances. Researchers will continue to survey the same sample of participants over the next few years to find out, Johnson says.
