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10 Bits: The Data News Hotlist

by Morgan Stevens
by
Nemo

This week’s list of top data news highlights covers April 15, 2023 to April 21, 2023 and includes articles on using quantum computers to advance mRNA research and training AI systems to monitor coral reefs.

1. Studying for Exams
Chegg, a U.S.-based education technology company, has partnered with OpenAI to launch an educational chatbot powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4. The chatbot, known as CheggMate, can personalize practice tests and study programs for students according to their academic programs and past exam errors.

2. Performing Robotic Surgery
Surgeons at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona have completed the world’s first fully robotic lung transplant. The team used a robotic arm and 3D cameras to replace a patient’s lung with a new lung. The new robotic technique improves upon conventional methods by reducing patients’ postoperative pain and infection risks.

3. Editing Videos
Adobe has announced plans to add video editing capabilities to its Firefly image editing software. Users can submit text prompts to change the lighting in videos, design storyboards, generate background music and scenery, and more.

4. Advancing mRNA Research
IBM has partnered with Moderna, a U.S.-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, to advance research in mRNA technology. Moderna will use IBM’s quantum computers and generative AI systems to better study potential mRNA technology and create new vaccines and therapies.

5. Conserving Coral Reefs
Google has launched a citizen science project to monitor and conserve coral reefs. Volunteers will learn to identify fish sounds and then listen for them in audio recordings of 10 coral reefs around the world. The company will then use the input to train an AI system to recognize marine life sounds.

6. Studying Genomic Data
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) All of Us Research program has expanded its genomic dataset to include nearly 250,000 whole genome sequences and health-related data from over 400,000 patients, 45 percent of whom identify with a racial or ethnic group that is underrepresented in medical research. Researchers can use the data to advance precision medicine.

7. Inspecting Underground Networks
The Autonomous Parisian Transportation Administration has deployed Boston Dynamics’ Spot the robot dog to monitor the metro network in Paris. Officials will use Spot to inspect areas of the network too difficult or dangerous for humans to enter.

8. Improving Robots’ Balance
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have created a quadruped robot that can walk on narrow surfaces, such as a balance beam, and turn mid-air to land on its feet if dropped while upside down. The robot uses a device known as a Reaction Wheel Actuator system to maintain balance regardless of the position of its feet.

9. Generating Code
Google has updated its AI-powered chatbot Bard to include programming capabilities. Bard can now generate code in 20 programming languages, debug code, and write explanations for parts of code.

10. Shopping for Clothes
Snap has announced plans to add augmented reality mirrors to certain U.S.-based retailers Nike and Men’s Warehouse stores in the United States. Customers can use the mirrors to virtually try clothes on in stores.

Image credit: Flickr user Max Sang

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