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Illinois Chat is launched for campus community

The platform allows users to create personalized LLM-based chatbots, serving as a 24/7 teaching assistant or scraping campus websites to find needed resources. Illinois Chat has already been utilized in various departments and research groups, providing valuable feedback to make it more practical.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Can AI persuade you to go vegan—or harm yourself?

Large language models like ChatGPT are more persuasive than humans, especially when convincing people to adopt veganism or attend graduate school. The AI's ability to provide concrete logistical support and use authority-boosting vocabulary contributes to its persuasiveness.

Exploring a novel approach for improving generative AI models

Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo developed a new framework for generative diffusion models by reinterpreting Schrödinger bridge models as variational autoencoders. This approach reduces computational costs and prevents overfitting, enabling more efficient generative AI models with broad applicability.

Adding a lookup step makes AI better at assigning medical diagnosis codes

A new study from Mount Sinai Health System suggests that a simple tweak to how AI assigns diagnostic codes can improve accuracy and even surpass physician performance. By allowing the model to reflect and review similar past cases, researchers found better results in reducing time spent on paperwork and billing errors.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

How could AI help (and hurt) forestry?

Forestry professionals express concerns about AI's impact on land-management decisions and policy, citing 'black box' problems and data quality issues. However, they see potential for AI to support tasks like data analysis and task automation.

AI-generated voices now indistinguishable from real human voices

A new study reveals that AI voice technology has reached a stage where it can create 'voice clones' that sound just as realistic as human recordings. The study found that both types of AI-generated voices were evaluated as more dominant than human voices and some were also perceived as more trustworthy.

FAU engineers develop smarter AI to redefine control in complex systems

Researchers at FAU have developed a smarter AI framework that can manage complex systems with unequal levels of authority and adapt to imperfect information. The framework, based on reinforcement learning and game theory, reduces unnecessary computation while maintaining system stability and optimal strategy outcomes.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Holocaust testimony is AI litmus test, and it fails

A Cornell historian warns that AI's inability to capture the emotional and moral complexity behind witness testimony risks reshaping how history is recorded. Human historians possess irreplaceable abilities in recognizing and conveying human suffering, particularly in preserving fracture, silence, and ethical weight.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

When the wireless data runs dry

Researchers developed a novel framework to qualitatively evaluate the quality of synthetic wireless data, improving AI model training with 4.3% performance gain. The framework assesses affinity and diversity in wireless signals, essential qualities for effective training.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

OpenAI, DeepSeek, and Google vary widely in identifying hate speech

A recent study found dramatic differences in how large language models classify hate speech, with significant variations for specific demographic groups. The analysis of seven models revealed that content moderation systems have inconsistent detection accuracy, which can erode trust and create perceptions of bias.

UC Irvine poll: Californians support stricter tech regulations for children

A new poll of California adults reveals overwhelming bipartisan support for stricter digital technology regulations, with 82% backing the Phone-Free Schools Act. Support for school smartphone restrictions and social media age limits is driven by concerns about classroom distractions, excessive tech use, and mental health.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

New light-based chip boosts power efficiency of AI tasks 100 fold

Researchers have developed a new light-based chip that cuts power consumption for image recognition tasks by up to 100 times, using lasers and microscopic lenses fabricated onto circuit boards. This breakthrough enables faster performance and potentially strain-free AI systems.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

UCR researchers fortify AI against rogue rewiring

Researchers at UCR have developed a method to preserve AI safeguards in open-source models by retraining internal structure to detect and block dangerous prompts. The approach avoids external filters or software patches, instead changing the model's fundamental understanding of risky content.

Google.org backs the Wits MIND Institute with US$1M boost

The Wits MIND Institute has received a $1 million boost from Google.org, enabling it to drive next-generation breakthroughs in natural and artificial intelligence. The partnership aims to advance the scientific understanding of both natural and artificial intelligence, foster breakthrough research and technological innovation.

Global study reveals how patients view medical AI

A global study surveyed 14,000 patients across 43 countries, finding that those in poorer health were more likely to reject AI. Patients preferred explainable AI and wanted clinicians to make final decisions.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Combination of mini-camera and AI predicts recurrent heart attack

A recent study from Radboud University Medical Center shows that AI can rapidly assess coronary arteries for vulnerable spots, allowing for more accurate prediction of recurrent heart attacks. This breakthrough could lead to tailored medication or preventive stents, improving patient outcomes.

How AI can build bridges between nations, if diplomats use it wisely

A former diplomat warns that algorithms lack empathy and intuition, which are essential for successful negotiations. However, AI can streamline diplomacy and amplify human aspirations when used carefully. Diplomats need training in AI ethics and global cooperation to ensure equal access and deployment.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Why mental health advice often adds to your to-do list

Researchers from the University of Bath and University of Hong Kong found that additive advice bias is common in conversations, social media, and AI chatbots. This bias can leave people feeling more overwhelmed than helped, with well-intentioned tips piling on extra tasks.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

AI Chatbots can be exploited to extract more personal information

Researchers at King's College London found that AI chatbots can be exploited to reveal up to 12.5 times more personal information from users. The study used three types of malicious AIs to encourage disclosure of private info, with reciprocal strategies proving the most effective.

Is writing with AI at work undermining your credibility?

A study of 1,100 professionals reveals that AI tools can make managers' emails more professional but also undermine trust when used for routine communication tasks. Employees perceive AI-generated content as less sincere and question their leadership abilities.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Reporting guideline for chatbot health advice studies

The article provides reporting recommendations for studies evaluating chatbot health advice, highlighting the importance of standardization in interpretability. Key findings include the need for clear guidance on chatbot performance metrics and data quality control.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Researchers test the trustworthiness of AI—by playing sudoku

A team of computer scientists created 2,300 original sudoku puzzles and asked AI tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT to solve them. The results showed that while some AI models could solve easy sudokus, most struggled to provide accurate explanations, raising questions about the trustworthiness of AI-generated information.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

A brain-inspired approach for resilient AI processing

The team aims to deliver AI power directly to devices, improving resilience and speed in constrained environments. By processing data step-by-step across a network of devices, they can create a safe and adaptable system that can withstand attacks and extreme conditions.

UC Riverside scientists develop tool to detect fake videos

Researchers create AI model called UNITE that detects fakes by analyzing faces and backgrounds, making it one of the first tools capable of identifying synthetic or doctored videos. The system can flag a range of forgeries, from simple facial swaps to complex fully synthetic videos.

AI chatbots remain overconfident -- even when they’re wrong

Researchers found that large language models are unaware of their own mistakes, unlike humans who can adjust expectations. The models' lack of self-awareness has implications for the use of AI chatbots in daily life, particularly when it comes to tasks with low stakes.