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Large language models and agricultural extension services
Abstract Several factors have traditionally hampered the effectiveness of agricultural extension services, including limited institutional capacity and reach. Here we assess the potential of large language models (LLMs), specifically Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT), to transform agricultural extension. We focus on the ability of LLMs to simplify scientific knowledge and provide personalized, location-specific and data-driven agricultural…
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‘Oceans are hugely complex’: modelling marine microbes is key to climate forecasts
Marine microorganisms are crucial for ocean health. Bacteria, archaea, fungi, algae and viruses make up most of the biomass in the seas and form the base of marine food webs. They support nutrient cycling and drive crucial biogeochemical processes, including key steps in the carbon, nitrogen and silicon cycles. But the climate crisis is putting…
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Rapid and sensitive detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by isothermal amplification combined with Cas12a-mediated detection
Abstract CRISPR based technologies have been used for fast and sensitive detection of pathogens. To test the possibility of CRISPR based detection strategy in Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, a combined method of recombinase polymerase amplification followed by Cas12a-mediated detection via fluorescence reader or lateral flow biosensor (named Cas12a-RCFL) has been established in this study. The Cas12a-RCFL…
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Overlooking vegetation loss outside forests imperils the Brazilian Cerrado and other non-forest biomes
The global emphasis on halting forest loss has failed to recognize the biodiversity and ecosystem services provision of non-forest biomes such as the Brazilian Cerrado. Here, we stress the urgent need to address their destruction, including at the upcoming UN Conference of the Parties (COP28), and for coordinated efforts to protect these non-forest ecosystems amid…
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Netflix’s Poisoned nominated for Best Science/Nature Documentary
I am off to New York for a Court hearing on November 13th, but also attending The Critics Choice Association (CCA) Gala and Awards Ceremony the evening before. I hope my tux fits. The Critics Choice Association (CCA) has announced the nominees for the Eighth Annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards (CCDA). The winners will be revealed at a Gala Event on Sunday,…
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Quantum-aided secure deep neural network inference on real quantum computers
Abstract Deep neural networks (DNNs) are phenomenally successful machine learning methods broadly applied to many different disciplines. However, as complex two-party computations, DNN inference using classical cryptographic methods cannot achieve unconditional security, raising concern on security risks of DNNs’ application to sensitive data in many domains. We overcome such a weakness by introducing a quantum-aided…
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Mother Nature knows best when it comes to climate solutions, social media users say
Share of sentiments and emotions as well as share of conspiracy-related tweets for each technology category. Credit: Finn Müller-Hansen A survey of more than a million social media posts suggests that people feel more positive about nature’s ability to solve climate change than human technology, according to new research published in the journal Global Environmental…
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Acoustic transmission loss in Hilbert fractal metamaterials
Abstract Acoustic metamaterials are increasingly being considered as a viable technology for sound insulation. Fractal patterns constitute a potentially groundbreaking architecture for acoustic metamaterials. We describe in this work the behaviour of the transmission loss of Hilbert fractal metamaterials used for sound control purposes. The transmission loss of 3D printed metamaterials with Hilbert fractal patterns…
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Evaluation of industrial ecology in the π-shaped curve area of China’s Yellow River based on the grey Lotka–Volterra model
Abstract Industrial ecology (IE) is the process of constructing industrial-ecological systems (IES) with the realization of the mutual benefits for industrial system (IS) and ecological system (ES). Therefore, the IE level depends on the IES development and the relationship between IS and ES. This paper calculated the development index of ES and IS to account…
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Mapping annual 10-m maize cropland changes in China during 2017–2021
Abstract China contributed nearly one-fifth of the world maize production over the past few years. Mapping the distributions of maize cropland in China is crucial to ensure global food security. Nonetheless, 10 m maize cropland maps in China are still unavailable, restricting the promotion of sustainable agriculture. In this paper, we collect numerous samples to produce…