How do birds navigate during migration?

'a bird on a branch'

Birds navigate during migration using a combination of techniques that include celestial navigation, geomagnetic sensing, and visual landmarks. They may use the position of the sun during the day and the stars at night, adjusting their course based on their internal clocks and the apparent movements of these celestial bodies[3][6]. Additionally, some birds are believed to detect the Earth's magnetic field, possibly with the help of special molecules in their eyes, which aids in orientation[3][4].

Other navigational aids include familiar physical landmarks like mountains and rivers, which can guide birds during their flights[2][5]. The interplay of various cues, including biological clocks and environmental signals, ensures accurate migration paths[6].

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The Oldest Satellite

Transcript

In the vastness of space, a small grapefruit-sized satellite called Vanguard 1, launched on March 17, 1958, continues its silent journey around our planet. This remarkable object, built by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, remains the oldest man-made object in space even though it stopped transmitting in 1964. Its enduring orbit, tracked between roughly 650 km and nearly 4,000 km above Earth, offers us a glimpse into the dawn of human space exploration. Today, Vanguard 1 stands as a timeless artifact, quietly circling our world and reminding us of humanity's early triumphs beyond our home.

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What differentiates native agent models from modular agent frameworks?

Contribute to bytedance/UI-TARS development by creating an account on GitHub.

Native agent models differ from modular agent frameworks because workflow knowledge is embedded directly within the agent’s model through orientational learning[1]. Tasks are learned and executed in an end-to-end manner, unifying perception, reasoning, memory, and action within a single, continuously evolving model[1]. This approach is fundamentally data-driven, allowing for seamless adaptation to new tasks, interfaces, or user needs without relying on manually crafted prompts or predefined rules[1].

Frameworks are design-driven, and lack the ability to learn and generalize across tasks without continuous human involvement[1]. Native agent models lend themselves naturally to online or lifelong learning paradigms[1]. By deploying the agent in real-world GUI environments and collecting new interaction data, the model can be fine-tuned or further trained to handle novel challenges[1].


What are some lesser known takeaways from these sources that spark curiosity?

Anthropic logo

AI agents can operate reliably using a three component system that includes a model, tools and instructions[3]. The most successful agent implementations use simple composable patterns rather than complex frameworks or specialized libraries[1]. When prompts contain too many conditional statements, dividing each logical segment across separate agents should be considered to maintain the clarity[3].

Also, for Chain of Thought prompting, put the answer after the reasoning because the reasoning's generation changes the tokens that the model gets when it predicts the final answer[2]. With Chain of Thought and self-consistency you need to be able to extract the final answer from your prompt, separated from the reasoning[2].

[1] anthropic.com Favicon anthropic.com
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Discoveries at Göbekli Tepe: Insights into Early Neolithic Society

Discovery of Göbekli Tepe

'a stone structure in the ground'
title: 'Göbekli Tepe' and caption: 'a stone structure in the ground'

Göbekli Tepe, located in southeastern Turkey near Şanlıurfa, is a profound archaeological site that has reshaped our understanding of early human civilization. This monument, often referred to as 'Potbelly Hill' due to its shape, was initially identified in 1963 and extensively excavated starting in 1994[1][2][4][8]. The discoveries at this site provide extraordinary insights into Neolithic society, specifically its architecture, rituals, and social organization.

Site Overview and Early Excavations

Central monumental buildings of Göbekli Tepe under swooping fabric-and-steel shelter
title: 'Central monumental buildings of Göbekli Tepe under swooping fabric-and-steel shelter' and caption: 'a group of people standing on a bridge over a stone structure'

Göbekli Tepe, believed to be the world's oldest temple complex, dates back to the 10th millennium BCE. The site is characterized by large, T-shaped limestone pillars arranged in circular enclosures[4][5][6][9]. These pillars, some over 16 feet tall and weighing up to 50 tons, are adorned with intricate carvings of animals such as foxes, lions, scorpions, and vultures[1][4]. The architectural complexity and the scale of the construction required significant labor, indicating collaboration among large groups of people[4][6][7].

The site was first surveyed by Turkish and American archaeologists, who mistook the pillars for grave markers, underestimating its significance[4][8]. It wasn't until Klaus Schmidt, a German archaeologist, re-examined the site in 1994 that its true importance was recognized[4][8]. Schmidt's continued excavations revealed the extensive nature of the site, with up to 20 circular structures identified through geophysical surveys[4][8].

Architectural and Artistic Features

'a stone with a drawing on it'
title: 'A lion carved into a piece of a pillar © Vincent J. Musi/National Geographic Society/Corbis' and caption: 'a stone with a drawing on it'

The pillars at Göbekli Tepe are remarkable not just for their size but also for their detailed carvings. The majority of the pillars feature images of dangerous animals, possibly intended to serve a protective or symbolic function[1][6]. The site includes both circular and rectangular buildings, with the latter believed to have emerged later in the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B period[7].

In addition to animal carvings, the pillars often depict abstract symbols and, occasionally, human limbs, suggesting anthropomorphic significance[1][2][7]. Some of the pillars show human arms and shoulders, leading to the hypothesis that the T-shapes might represent stylized humans or deities[1][4][7].

Sociocultural Implications

Göbekli Tepe has significantly altered the narrative of the Neolithic Revolution. Traditionally, it was believed that complex societal structures and religious practices emerged only after the advent of settled farming communities. However, Göbekli Tepe's construction predates domesticated plants and animals, indicating that hunter-gatherers were capable of organizing labor-intensive projects[4][6][7].

Schmidt theorized that Göbekli Tepe served as a central sanctuary for nomadic hunter-gatherers who gathered here for rituals and feasts, drawn by shared beliefs[3][4]. This challenges the view that settled agriculture was a prerequisite for monumental construction[4][6][8]. Instead, it suggests that the need for cooperative efforts in building and maintaining such complexes might have spurred the transition to agricultural societies[4][5][7].

Religious and Ceremonial Significance

'a stone pillars in a stone building'
title: 'Pillar with carvings that may represent priestly dancers © Vincent J. Musi/National Geographic Society/Corbis' and caption: 'a stone pillars in a stone building'

Göbekli Tepe is often described as a 'cathedral on a hill,' reflecting its likely role as a religious center[3][5][6]. The absence of domestic residues like trash pits and hearths supports the idea that it was not a permanent settlement but a site for ceremonial activities[2][3][4]. The presence of numerous wild animal bones, used in feasts, underscores its ritual importance[2][4].

Some researchers, like Dragos Gheorghiu, propose that Göbekli Tepe might have served as a cosmogonic map relating the community to their environment and cosmos[7]. The exact purpose of these enclosures remains debated, with theories ranging from burial sites to places for communal rituals involving animal sacrifices[1][2][4].

Recent Developments and Continuing Excavations

'men working on a stone structure'
title: 'Portal found buried in the floor of the temple © Vincent J. Musi/National Geographic Society/Corbis' and caption: 'men working on a stone structure'

Since Schmidt's death in 2014, excavations have continued under the direction of various international teams. These recent efforts have uncovered evidence of domestic buildings, suggesting that, contrary to Schmidt’s initial hypothesis, there might have been some level of permanent settlement at the site[1][3][8][10].

The discovery of rainwater harvesting systems and numerous tools for processing cereals indicates a more complex society than previously thought[1][3][10]. Turkish archaeologists have also identified several other sites with similar T-pillars, indicating that Göbekli Tepe was part of a wider cultural tradition in the region[1][3][10].

Conclusion

'a stone pillar with carvings on it'
title: 'A short carved pillar © Vincent J. Musi/National Geographic Society/Corbis' and caption: 'a stone pillar with carvings on it'

Göbekli Tepe is a groundbreaking archaeological site that compels us to reconsider the origins of human civilization. Its monumental architecture, intricate carvings, and the social organization required for its construction reveal a sophisticated society of hunter-gatherers capable of complex ceremonial practices. The continuing excavations promise to further deepen our understanding of this enigmatic site and its role in the late Epipalaeolithic and early Neolithic periods[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10].

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The Lighthouse: A Story of Man and the Sea - Five-Part Summary

The Fishermen and the Wreck

Early one summer morning in Forfarshire, two fishermen, the ill-favored Jock Swankie and the shorter, well-favored Davy Spink, set out to sea[1]. They rowed in silence towards the dreaded Inch Cape, or Bell Rock, a reef unmarked by any beacon and notorious for shipwrecks[1]. A recent storm had strewn the coast with wreckage, promising a grim harvest for the wreckers[1]. Upon reaching the rock, they fished briefly, then searched the emerging ledges for debris[1]. Swankie discovered the body of an old man amidst a pile of wreckage[1]. He rifled the corpse, finding a gold watch, several rings, and a purse full of sovereigns[1]. When Spink arrived, Swankie reluctantly shared the jewels after arguing, but kept the gold for himself[1]. They found a paper hinting at a jewel-case and secrets before loading their boat with metal scraps and the old man's body and returning to Arbroath[1]. (152 words)

Ruby and the Press-Gang

The next day, about a mile east of Arbroath, young Minnie Gray waited atop the cliffs for her lover, Ruby Brand, a sailor pursued by a relentless press-gang[1]. As Ruby arrived, so did the lieutenant and his men, intent on forcing him into naval service[1]. To evade capture, Ruby laughingly defied them and leaped from the cliffs into the sea, horrifying Minnie[1]. The lieutenant ordered his men down the cliffs, but their descent was difficult[1]. Ruby swam to a sea-filled cavern with an opening onto the cliffs[1]. He scaled the cliffs near a sleeping seaman only to be discovered after nearly scalping him[1]. A scuffle alerted the press-gang, and Ruby was brought to a halt when Minnie stopped him[1]. (155 words)

Grief and Departure

Ruby finally made it to his mother's cottage, to find her in deep mourning[1]. His father had been the captain of a small sloop, the Penguin, which was lost in the recent storm. His body had been recovered from the Bell Rock[1]. Now burdened with supporting his widowed mother and adopted cousin Minnie, Ruby was forced to leave home and go to sea[1]. He secured a berth on a small sloop, borrowing from his wages, and entrusted his mother and Minnie to the care of his eccentric but kind-hearted uncle, Captain Ogilvy[1]. As Ruby departed, his uncle gave peculiar farewell advice incorporating chart, compass, and consideration sailing down life's troubled stream[1]. (150 words)

Intrigue and False Accusations

That same night, Big Swankie and his partner, the Badger, planned to burglarize a house in Arbroath, not knowing Major Stewart had unexpectedly returned home from India[1]. As they ransacked the dining room, the Badger coughed, alerting the Major, who surprised them[1]. A struggle ensued, and in the chaos, the burglars escaped[1]. Smartly, Swankie and the Badger planted silver from the house in Widow Brand’s garden in an attempt to frame Ruby[1]. The next morning, Captain Ogilvy discovered the silver, and a detective accused Euby of burglary[1]. (143 words)

Building a Lighthouse

A year passed with Ruby still at sea, and the burglary case unsolved[1]. Due to many shipwrecks, the construction of a lighthouse on the Bell Rock was authorized, and Robert Stevenson was hired as the engineer[1]. This was a bold undertaking, given the rock’s location, which made it accessible only for a few hours at low tide[1]. A floating lightship, the Pharos, was anchored nearby, and a building yard established at Arbroath to prepare stones[1]. Work on the rock began in August 1807, with a timber beacon erected, and the foundation for the lighthouse[1]. It was around this time that Ruby Brand, after a long absence, returned to his native town[1]. (142 words)

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Google is what kind of negotiator?

Google is characterized as a tough negotiator. Samsung noted that negotiating with Google was challenging, particularly regarding exclusivity requirements, indicating that they are assertive in their demands[2]. Additionally, during negotiations with Apple, Google demonstrated a strong stance by refusing to pay for certain arrangements and imposing strict limitations on growth opportunities for Apple, underscoring their firm negotiating tactics[3].

Moreover, Google's negotiation style includes making ambitious initial proposals, such as unlimited pages, but they are willing to adjust and settle on narrower terms, as evidenced by a reduction to 500 pages during discussions[1]. This combination of assertiveness and adaptability reflects Google's complex negotiating approach.


How do brain chips change computing?

'a close-up of a circuit board'

Brain chips, particularly those using organoid intelligence (OI), introduce a novel form of biological computing that may be faster, more efficient, and more powerful than silicon-based computing and AI, requiring only a fraction of the energy[3]. Hybrid platforms with live human neurons are capable of adapting, learning, and responding to external inputs in real time[2]. The advantages of biological computing over machine learning are multiplicative; potentially, the total energy spent to learn a new task might be significantly lower[3].

Specifically, organoid intelligence (OI)-based biocomputing systems may allow faster decision-making and continuous learning, and greater energy and data efficiency[3]. If biologically-based intelligence could be leveraged, it may offer a thermodynamically sustainable system, accessible at a personal level, that would act in a simple, efficient and adaptive manner[1]. The development of 'intelligence-in-a-dish' could help elucidate the pathophysiology of devastating developmental and degenerative diseases, potentially aiding the identification of novel therapeutic approaches to address major global unmet needs[3].

[1] rsv.org.au Favicon rsv.org.au[2] ieee.org Favicon ieee.org

Scottish Lighthouses

❓ According to the text, what is the name of the famous rock that lies twelve miles off the coast of Forfarshire and is a hazard to ships?
Difficulty: Easy
🔍 The text mentions an engineer for the Bell Rock lighthouse; what was his last name?
Difficulty: Medium
💡 What natural phenomenon prompted increased public interest in constructing a lighthouse on Bell Rock?
Difficulty: Hard

Are superfans reshaping music monetisation?

Yes, superfans are reshaping music monetisation. The industry sees an opportunity to improve monetisation by segmenting users based on their engagement, particularly targeting superfans who may spend significantly more on music. It is estimated that 20% of paid streaming subscribers could be classified as superfans, with the potential to double their spending compared to average users. This could represent a substantial market opportunity of $4.5 billion, indicating a potential uplift of 26% to current revenue estimates for paid streaming by 2025[1].

Moreover, companies are exploring new premium tiers or apps aimed specifically at superfans to enhance engagement and revenue. Initiatives are already underway, with major music companies emphasizing the importance of strengthening the artist-fan relationship through tailored experiences[1].