Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 28th, 2024

World Events and Politics — Prisoner Swap Between China and the US 

The New York Times

America and China have reached an agreement for a prisoner exchange that reportedly took several months of negotiations. Three American citizens—Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung—will return home after being held in China on various charges. In exchange, the U.S. will release at least one Chinese national. This exchange represents a significant diplomatic success for President Joe Biden during the concluding months of his presidency.

Science and Technology — LLMs Surpasses Human Expert in predicting Neuroscience Results 

Nature Human Behavior 

The study published in Nature Human Behaviour explores the capabilities of large language models (LLMs) in predicting experimental outcomes in neuroscience, utilizing a newly developed benchmark called BrainBench. This benchmark assesses whether LLMs can outperform human experts by predicting results based on abstracts from neuroscience research articles. The findings reveal that LLMs significantly surpassed human experts, achieving an average accuracy of 81.4% compared to the experts' 63.4%. Notably, an enhanced LLM, referred to as BrainGPT, demonstrated even better performance. The study suggests that LLMs can effectively synthesize vast amounts of scientific literature and may play a crucial role in advancing scientific discovery by assisting researchers in making predictions about experimental outcomes.

Business and Finance — Thinking of Buying AI Gadgets This Black Friday?

Ray Ban

Shoppers seeking generative AI gadgets for the holiday season will find limited options, despite some companies like Meta, Rabbit, and Bee AI offering Black Friday deals. While generative AI has gained significant attention since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, widespread adoption remains elusive, with many new devices underperforming compared to expectations. For instance, Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses feature AI capabilities but lack augmented reality, while Rabbit's r1 device has faced criticism for its functionality despite selling over 100,000 units. Bee AI is set to launch its smartwatch-like device that acts as a digital assistant, but it requires a subscription for advanced features. Experts suggest that a major breakthrough in GenAI hardware may not occur until 2025, indicating that the current market is still in its infancy.

Health and Wellness — Diabetes Risks Soars For Adults Who Had a Sweet Tooth as Kids

Nature 

A recent study analyzing UK sugar rationing from the 1950s reveals troubling news for Halloween: a high-sugar diet during the first two years of life is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure later in life. The research indicates that sugar consumption after six months of age has the most significant impact, while those exposed to higher sugar levels in utero also face greater health risks. Economist Tadeja Gračner, who was pregnant during the study, noted the irony of her findings as she indulged in chocolate at the time. While the results underscore the importance of good nutrition, Gračner emphasizes that pregnant individuals and parents do not need to eliminate added sugars entirely; moderation is key, especially since many consume over three times the recommended amount. This study adds to existing evidence linking early-life nutrition to long-term health outcomes, with researchers finding that those conceived during sugar rationing had a 35% lower risk of diabetes and a 20% lower risk of hypertension compared to those conceived afterward.

Thanksgiving Special — Sweet Potato Dump Cake 

Show off your baking skills at the Thanksgiving with this easy sweet ptotat dump cake. It is like sweet potato casserole, but the dessert version. It is buttery and sweet, with a crunch top, just like the special someone you are bringing home for parents to see (wink wink). 

All Recipes

Song Recommendation — The Christmas Song by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello 

Quote of the Day

“Fear not, we are of the nature of the lion, and cannot descend to the destruction of mice and such small beasts.” — Queen Elizabeth I

Queen Elizabeth I, born on September 7, 1533, was the daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, and she became Queen of England and Ireland from 1558 until her death in 1603. Her reign, often referred to as the Elizabethan Era, is celebrated for its cultural flourishing, marked by the works of playwrights like William Shakespeare and the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, which established England as a formidable naval power. Known as the "Virgin Queen," Elizabeth never married, choosing instead to focus on strengthening her kingdom and navigating the complex political landscape of her time.

Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your Americano and turkey dinner!