NPR News: 'Self-aware' robots can learn complex tasks by watching humans. Is that a good thing?

'Self-aware' robots can learn complex tasks by watching humans. Is that a good thing?
Scientists say they've made a key breakthrough that would allow robots to figure out complex tasks on their own — but experts say it raises questions about how much risk comes with letting robots be in charge of their own learning. 

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NPR News: In cities, wild things are hiding everywhere — if you put on your 'nature eyes'

In cities, wild things are hiding everywhere — if you put on your 'nature eyes'
NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Amy Jaecker-Jones of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County about a worldwide community science project happening this weekend — the City Nature Challenge.

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NPR News: Sycophantic AI flatters and suggests you are not to blame

Sycophantic AI flatters and suggests you are not to blame
The AI models and chatbots that we interact with tend to affirm our feelings and viewpoints — more so than people do, with potentially worrisome consequences.

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NPR News: Instead of civil war, a naked mole rat colony changed queens peacefully

Instead of civil war, a naked mole rat colony changed queens peacefully
These matriarchal rodents often have bloody succession wars to replace their queen. But in a colony in California, Queen Tere ceded the throne to her daughter, Arwen, without violence.

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NPR News: Animal activists celebrate their first global 'Sanctuary Day'

Animal activists celebrate their first global 'Sanctuary Day'
It's been 40 years since animal advocates founded a sanctuary for farm animals in New York and California, and they say April 17 is their first global sanctuary day.

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NPR News: A mine despoiled the beauty of the rainforest. This Goldman Prize winner took action

A mine despoiled the beauty of the rainforest. This Goldman Prize winner took action
"We women are the land guardians and keepers," says Theonila Roka Matbob of Papua New Guinea, recognized for her efforts to repair the environmental and social harms caused by a copper and gold mine.

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NPR News: The Little Probe That Could: Why Voyager 1 Matters, and Why NASA Just Switched Part of It Off

The Little Probe That Could: Why Voyager 1 Matters, and Why NASA Just Switched Part of It Off
This week, NASA announced it had shut down one of that spacecraft's remaining science instruments — not because the mission has failed, but to keep it alive a little longer.

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