For the "Ideas" series at the New York Times, I take a look at what might be called LifeGPT: letting large-language-model-like programs teach themselves biology by looking at data from millions of cells. They are learning fast. Gift link: nytimes.com/2024/03/10/science

I received a baptism by tornado today, exactly 10 days after starting my new job as Assistant Provost and Campus Director at UGA Griffin. Can't wait for daybreak tomorrow to survey the full extent of damage and start the cleanup. Thankfully, we didn't suffer any injuries among those who remained on campus. Hundreds of downed trees and powerlines meant some employees were 3-4 hours late getting home.

"Here, we utilized unbiased genetic screens to map drug/gene interactions for a variety of clinically approved therapies used in the treatment of AML. This effort highlighted a unique genetic relationship between response to venetoclax and the function of specific RNA splicing factors."

cell.com/cancer-cell/fulltext/

@idlewild Very similar to the way my mother taught me to make baked beans. Adjust final acidity to taste using apple cider vinegar.

Oh that was FAST fast.

GPT-2 output detectors work for GPT-3 and GPTChat, which means people who do stuff like turnitin plagiarism checks have a tool for this fast-moving new frontier.

Personally, I do a choose-your-own adventure/create-your-own-assignment model for most of my non-intro classes, at this point, and frankly i'd be inclined to make this into an assignment, in its own right. It could look something like:

"Generate a GPTChat output on [topic(s)], then expand on and correct the output with specific references and citations from class readings and lectures. Turn in the prompt, the original, and your corrections as your full submission."

Reframe it like that and it helps them think about what the GPT platforms are and do, and then you can integrate that into the whole of the semester's work, rather than making it an arms race of plagiarism and "Gotcha" tools.

wandering.shop/@janellecshane/

Evolution of p‐coumaroylated lignin in eudicots provides new tools for cell wall engineering - Mottiar - 2023 - New Phytologist - Wiley Online Library
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/do

Global pine tree invasions are linked to invasive root symbionts - Policelli - 2023 - New Phytologist - Wiley Online Library
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/do

A timelapse showing the incredible movement of a growing vine, exhibiting both nastic movement to find, and then a thigmotropic response to grasp and hold.

Credit: Roger P. Hangarter

plantsinmotion.bio.indiana.edu

#botany #nature #plants #science

It’s a wrap! I had a hoot taping The Graham Norton Show, laughing about life and discussing my legacy project Allegiance. Catch us on the tele Friday at 10:45p on BBC1 and twice again over the weekend!
For tickets to Allegiance: Allegiancemusical.com

Evolution of p‐coumaroylated lignin in eudicots provides new tools for cell wall engineering - Mottiar - New Phytologist - Wiley Online Library
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/do

My favorite ginkgo tree on campus is still hanging onto its leaves and looking glorious.

Happy to share our latest work on marine giant viruses!

Diversity and genomics of giant viruses in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre

frontiersin.org/articles/10.33

#Marine #GiantViruses #Viruses #Virology

Study Provides New Insights on Flea-Borne Bacteria With Implications for Cats and People - University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine
vetmed.wisc.edu/study-provides

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