Science

WTF Fun Fact 13353 – New Deepfake Research

New deepfake research is attempting to resurrect victims of crime for the common good. Of course, like all deepfakes, this too raises ethical concerns.

How new deepfake research brings people “back from the dead”

Deepfakes are a technology that uses artificial intelligence to create hyper-realistic images and videos of people. But so far, they’ve largely been misused to spread misinformation.

Now, researchers at the University of Florida and the University of Michigan are now exploring the possibility of using deepfake resurrections to promote the public good.

Their study focuses on “deepfake resurrections.” This refers to bringing deceased individuals virtually “back to life” using AI-generated images and videos. The researchers emphasize that their approach is different from controversial cases of deepfake resurrections, such as the ones used for political manipulation or commercial purposes. Instead, they aim to explore scenarios where deepfake resurrections could have a positive impact on society.

Can this technology be used for good?

The researchers conducted a study involving approximately 2,000 participants to explore the potential applications of deepfake resurrections. In this study, they focused on creating deepfake resurrections of victims of drunk driving and domestic violence. The aim was to examine the reactions of the participants and assess whether such resurrections could effectively raise awareness about these pressing social issues.

By using deepfake resurrections to share the stories of these victims, the researchers sought to humanize the issues and evoke empathy in the audience.

However, the PSA had little effect and a more negative than positive reaction. The researchers chalked this up to the lack of trust in deepfakes overall, noting that this affected the effectiveness of deepfake resurrections in raising awareness about social issues.

Ethical considerations

The exploration of deepfake resurrections for the public good raises several ethical questions. One major concern is consent. Since the deceased cannot provide consent, the researchers suggest obtaining permission from the deceased’s estate or family members. This would require creating guidelines to ensure that deepfake resurrections are used in a manner that respects the individual’s legacy and values.

Another ethical consideration is the potential emotional impact on the deceased’s loved ones. While some may find comfort in deepfake resurrections, others might perceive it as a disturbing or disrespectful act. To address this concern, researchers propose involving mental health professionals in the development of deepfake resurrections to ensure they are created with sensitivity and empathy.

Lastly, there is the question of authenticity. The researchers acknowledge the potential for deepfake resurrections to spread misinformation or perpetuate false narratives. To mitigate this risk, they suggest that deepfake resurrections should be transparently labeled as such and accompanied by disclaimers.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Dying To Tell You: “Deepfake Resurrections” To Promote Public Good Explored By Researchers” — IFL Science

WTF Fun Fact 13350 – Netherlands Sperm Donor

A Netherlands sperm donor has been told to stop donating after skirting the law and fathering over 550 children worldwide.

Sperm donation is a valuable service that can help countless couples and individuals realize their dreams of parenthood. However, the story of a man referred to only as “Jonathan” raises crucial questions about the potential consequences and ethical considerations surrounding sperm donation.

His prolific donations eventually led to him being banned from further donations due to concerns about the potential implications of having such a high number of offspring.

Netherlands sperm donor raises issues about genetic diversity

One of the primary issues arising from a single donor fathering a large number of children is the potential lack of genetic diversity within the donor-conceived community. This diversity is essential for maintaining a healthy population and avoiding potential genetic disorders. That’s because a limited gene pool increases the risk of inherited diseases and conditions. This can have long-term implications for the affected individuals and their families.

When a single donor has an excessive number of offspring, it increases the likelihood of his genetic traits being overrepresented within the donor-conceived community. This can lead to unintentional relationships between closely related individuals.

Donor regulations

This case highlights the importance of implementing stricter regulations on sperm donations. This includes limiting the number of offspring per donor and providing greater transparency in the industry. In fact, some countries have already implemented such measures.

In the Netherlands, where the prolific sperm donor’s case took place, they already strict regulations that govern sperm donation. Dutch law dictates that a sperm donor can father a maximum of 25 children.

However, the man managed to father over 550 children by bypassing these rules. He donated sperm at multiple fertility clinics and engaged in private arrangements outside of the Netherlands.

The lack of a centralized system to track donations across different clinics and private agreements facilitated his ability to donate far beyond the legal limit.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Sperm donor who fathered 550 children ordered to stop” — BBC News

WTF Fun Fact 13349 – Rewatching Your Favorites

When you truly want to chill out, do you find the latest Netflix show or do you enjoy rewatching your favorites? If you said the latter, you might be interested in a study that says it might be good for you.

Rewatching favorite shows can improve mental health

Studies have shown (and there’s one cited at the bottom for proof) that rewatching your favorite TV shows could help improve your mental health. It turns out the warm feelings of nostalgia we experience from reruns can actually help reduce stress and anxiety. So maybe it’s time to turn on some Lassie, The Munsters, The Jetsons…you get the picture.

Nostalgia is a powerful emotion. It can transport us back to the past. It also evokes fond memories of a time when things seemed simpler and more comfortable. This emotional response has been recognized as an effective coping mechanism against stress and anxiety.

If you’re struggling to deal with the pressures of everyday life, nostalgia can provide a reminder of the good times.

The comforting nostalgia of rewatching your favorites

One reason old reruns are so effective in reducing stress is the sense of familiarity they offer. When we watch a show we’ve seen before, we know what to expect and can anticipate the storyline. This predictability creates a safe and controlled environment that allows us to relax without any surprises or challenges.

One study even showed that when participants viewed familiar television programs, their levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) decreased significantly.

Our connection to familiar characters is also important to the soothing power of TV nostalgia. Over time, we form attachments to the people we see on screen. We may even feel as if we know them personally. These bonds can provide us with a sense of companionship, which is especially important when we’re feeling lonely or isolated.

When we’re feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, it’s good to find healthy ways to manage the feelings. By providing a comforting escape from reality, old reruns can help us unwind and decompress.

It can even have a meditative effect. The familiarity of the show means we don’t have to pay as much attention. This can help clear our minds, allowing us to focus on the present moment and let go of the worries and concerns that have been troubling us.

So, next time you want to practice self-care without leaving the couch, turn on some reruns of your favorite old show.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “The Temporal and Focal Dynamics of Volitional Reconsumption: A Phenomenological Investigation of Repeated Hedonic Experiences” — Journal of Consumer Research

WTF Fun Fact 13344 – Humans Can’t Feel Wetness

The fact that humans can’t feel wetness seems ridiculous at first. You may have even read that it’s a misconception. But, technically speaking, we do not have the right “gear” to directly sense wetness – even though we all know when something is wet.

But how does that work?

Why humans can’t feel wet

Humans lack dedicated hydroreceptors – the specialized sensory receptors solely responsible for detecting wetness. As a result, wetness is not a distinct sensation for us, but rather an interpretation of multiple sensory inputs.

When a liquid, such as water, comes into contact with the skin, several different types of sensory receptors are activated. These include thermoreceptors, mechanoreceptors, and nociceptors. Thermoreceptors respond to temperature changes and can detect the cooling effect of the liquid on the skin. However, this response alone does not convey the specific quality of wetness.

Mechanoreceptors, responsible for sensing pressure and touch, provide information about the physical presence of the liquid. They detect the pressure exerted by the liquid and signal the brain accordingly. However, the activation of mechanoreceptors alone does not differentiate between wet and dry sensations.

Nociceptors, which detect pain and discomfort, may also play a role in the perception of wetness. If the liquid is extremely hot, cold, or otherwise causes discomfort, nociceptors are activated, contributing to the overall sensation. However, this response is not exclusive to wetness and can be triggered by other stimuli as well.

How we sense “wet”

Due to the absence of dedicated hydroreceptors, the brain must integrate and interpret these various signals to create the perception of wetness. It combines the inputs from thermoreceptors, mechanoreceptors, and nociceptors, along with other contextual cues, to generate the subjective experience of being wet.

While humans can recognize and differentiate wet sensations, it is important to note that wetness itself is not a distinct sensory modality. Rather, it is a perception resulting from the brain’s processing of multiple sensory inputs related to temperature, pressure, and even discomfort.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Humans Technically Can’t Feel Wetness, And People Are Confused” — IFL Science

WTF Fun Fact 13341 – Parrot Video Calls

Parrots are social animals. That’s why they don’t always make the best solo pets. However, recently, researchers have given pet parrots a new way to thrive after teaching the birds to use technology to make parrot video calls.

Parrot playtime with video calls

Researchers from Northwestern University, MIT, and the University of Glasgow conducted the study. With the help of some parrot parents, the team successfully trained parrots to communicate with each other.

Over several months, participants taught captive African grey parrots to use a custom-built video-calling system. First, researchers trained the birds to use touchscreens mounted inside their enclosures with easy-to-understand symbols and icons representing different contacts. The researchers rewarded their interactions with food treats. As the birds grew more comfortable with the devices, they were gradually introduced to video calls, first with their handlers and later with other parrots.

Parrots embrace technology

The African grey parrots demonstrated a remarkable ability to learn and adapt to the use of the video-calling system. Not only were they able to initiate calls, but they also showed preferences for specific contacts, indicating that they understood the purpose of the technology and were actively seeking social interaction through the calls.

The study found that the parrots were more likely to engage in video calls when they were alone in their enclosures. This suggests that the video-calling system provided social stimulation and companionship, especially in the absence of human interaction. The introduction of video-calling technology in captive settings could potentially improve the quality of life for these intelligent and social animals.

So, it turns out parrots like to video chat with one another just like humans do, and that it makes them feel less lonely. Many birds in the study stayed on the calls for the maximum allotted time and still choose to call their buddies from the research study over a year later.

According to Northwestern University:

“The most popular parrots were also the ones who initiated the most calls, suggesting a reciprocal dynamic similar to human socialization. And while, in large part, the birds seemed to enjoy the activity itself, the human participants played a big part in that. Some parrots relished the extra attention they were getting from their humans, while others formed attachments for the humans on the other side of the screen.”

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Scientists Taught Pet Parrots to Video Call Each Other—and the Birds Loved It” — Smithsonian Magazine

WTF Fun Fact 13338 – Monkey in the Mirror

It’s not until we’re around 2 years old that we figure out what the mirror is showing us. And not all animals can recognize their own reflections. But if you train a rhesus monkey in the mirror, it will the first thing it’ll do is check out its genitals.

The monkey in the mirror

A 2015 study found that rhesus monkeys are capable of recognizing themselves in mirrors and engaging in self-exploration behaviors, but only after some training. The research helps shed light on the cognitive abilities of non-human primates and their level of self-awareness.

The researchers trained a group of rhesus monkeys to touch a red dot on their faces after seeing it in a mirror. This task is commonly used to test an animal’s ability to recognize itself in a mirror and is considered a measure of self-awareness. It’s called the “standard mark test.”

It took several weeks of training for rhesus monkeys to pass the standard mark test. But, eventually, they were able to recognize themselves in the mirror and understand that the reflection was a representation of their own bodies.

The first thing the monkeys did after that? Umm. Let’s just say they engaged in a range of self-exploration behaviors.” And they started with their own genitals.

Monkey see

The rhesus monkeys didn’t spend all their time “down there” though. They eventually moved on to the nose and mouth, behavior similar to what has been observed in chimpanzees and orangutans.

The act of inspecting their own genitals may seem amusing, but it actually provides insight into the cognitive abilities of non-human primates. The ability to recognize oneself in a mirror is considered a measure of self-awareness. And that’s a crucial component of consciousness.

Self-awareness allows animals to engage in complex social behaviors, such as empathy, cooperation, and deception.

Rhesus monkeys’ ability to recognize themselves in mirrors and engage in self-exploration is significant because it suggests that they have a level of self-awareness that we previously thought unique to humans.

The study also has implications for our understanding of animal welfare. Animals that are self-aware are more likely to experience emotions, including pain, fear, and stress. This means that they may be more susceptible to negative welfare impacts, such as confinement and isolation.

If we understand the cognitive abilities of non-human primates, we can work towards improving their welfare.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Monkeys Learn to Recognize Themselves in a Mirror – And Promptly Check Out Their Butts” — Discover Magazine

WTF Fun Fact 13337 – Light Pollution

Usually, when we think about pollution, we’re worried about smelling it or ingesting it somehow. Simply seeing it isn’t thought of as dangerous. But did you know light itself could be a sort of “pollutant”? Light pollution is a growing problem that is affecting us and our planet in many ways.

What is light pollution, and how does it hurt us?

Light pollution is the use of artificial light that is excessively bright or misdirected. For example, when streetlights or buildings shine light upwards into the sky. Sure, we need a lot of our street lights to keep us safe on roads and sidewalks, but so many lights and lights that are shining so broadly or brightly can really mess up our sleep and our ecosystem.

For starters, excess and misdirected light has serious consequences for nocturnal animals. It can disrupt their migration patterns, feeding habits, and breeding cycles. And as we know, everything on earth is interconnected in some way.

But light pollution also has a direct negative effect on human health. Our exposure to artificial light at night can interfere with our circadian rhythms. So think about how much light you can still see in your room when you shut off your light fixtures. Can you still see lights from streetlamps? Billboard? Store signs? Neighbors’ holiday decorations?

Exposure to light can lead to a range of health problems, including sleep disorders, obesity, and depression. It can also disrupt our hormones.

A waste of energy

Light pollution also requires energy consumption. And as we know, this can produce greenhouse gas emissions. So by reducing light pollution, we can help our ecosystem, ourselves, and reduce the energy consumption that negatively impacts our future.

What can we do to address the problem of light pollution? One solution is “dark-sky friendly” lighting. This means using lighting fixtures that are designed to minimize the pollution. It wouldn’t involve installing all new light fixtures. Rather, it involves the use of shields or hoods that would direct light downwards (which is where we need it to see roads and sidewalks anyway) instead of upwards. Using these fixtures can reduce the amount of excess and misdirected light while keeping us safe.

Most people don’t even know about light pollution and how it affects them. But once they do, they generally take steps to reduce their own contributions to it. (And we bet the neighbors are grateful!)

Reducing your light output might mean turning off unnecessary lights at night, using lower-wattage bulbs, and making sure outdoor lights only shine downwards.

If you’re seeking some darkness in order to see the stars at night, check out the International Dark-Sky Association. It’s a nonprofit organization that works to preserve and protect the night sky, and it has designated more than 100 Dark Sky Places around the world, including parks, cities, and communities that are committed to reducing light pollution and preserving the beauty of the night sky.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Light pollution” — National Geographic

WTF Fun Fact 13336 – Oceans with More Plastic Than Fish

Imagine a world where the oceans have more plastic in them than fish (by weight). Well, if you’re still around in 15 years, you might not have to imagine it.

Do our oceans have more plastic than fish?

According to the WWF (cited below):

“Whilst plastic has revolutionized our way of life since it was invented in the 1950s, the problem is that most of the plastic ever made still exists. The amount of plastic in the ocean is expected to double in the next 15 years, and by 2050 there could be more plastic than fish in the sea (by weight).

There are giant plastic islands floating on the ocean surface, and beaches around the world are increasingly littered with plastic rubbish even in the Arctic. It may come as a shock to know that most of the plastic in the ocean is out of sight, either underwater or on the ocean floor….90% of seabirds have plastic in their stomachs and half of marine turtles have eaten plastic. Sea life chokes on plastic rubbish or gets tangled in it, often causing a painful slow death. And plastic pollution is contributing to the breakdown of coral reefs.”

Wow, that’s depressing.

What’s the problem with plastics?

The problem with plastic is that it doesn’t biodegrade like other materials. Instead, it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, called microplastics, which stick around for centuries. Microplastics enter the food chain and accumulate in the bodies of land animals and marine life. This obviously effects humans eventually too.

Our plastics end up affecting over 700 species of marine animals, including sea turtles, dolphins, and whales. These animals can become entangled in plastic debris or mistake plastic for food, leading to starvation or blockages in their digestive systems.

Plastic disrupts the entire ecosystem. For example, plastic debris can alter the flow of water, which can affect the movement and distribution of plankton, the base of the marine food chain. This can have ripple effects throughout the ecosystem, ultimately impacting human populations that rely on the ocean for food and income.

How did we get to this point?

Plastic is cheap and convenient and people don’t like to be inconvenienced or have their minds changed. The use of plastic has become ubiquitous and we show no signs of giving it up (soggy paper straws aren’t going to solve the whole problem).

Another problem is that we don’t properly dispose of or recycle plastic. Researchers estimate that we’ve only recycled around 9% of all plastic ever produced, and we send the majority to landfills. So now it’s accumulating.

Addressing industries will be a big step. For example, the clothing manufacturing, carpet, and soft drink industries use huge amounts of plastic. Of course we can reduce our use of single-use plastics, but curtailing the use of plastics in manufacturing is going to have a much bigger effect than banishing your plastic baggies. You can help by supporting policies and regulations that promote sustainable practices and reduce plastic waste.

Another important step is to properly dispose of plastic waste can prevent it from entering the environment and ultimately ending up in our oceans. That’s another job primarily for industries, but we can do our part as individuals as well.

Want to do something immediately to support conservation efforts to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean? You can participate in beach cleanup if you live nearby a body of water. Otherwise, an email or phone call to the politicians you vote for is a good start.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Will there be more plastic than fish in the sea?” — WWF

WTF Fun Fact 13335 – Fast Fashion Pollution

Cheap clothing is convenient, and changing out our wardrobes every season might make us feel more fashionable, but fast fashion pollution is a bigger problem than we imagined.

The United Nations named the fashion industry the second most polluting industry in the world. It produces 8% of all carbon emissions, 20% of all global wastewater, and uses about 93 billion cubic meters of water annually. The fashion industry is responsible for more carbon emissions than international flights and global shipping combined.

Fast fashion pollution

According to a study published in the journal Water (cited below), the fast fashion industry is a major contributor to water pollution since these brands produce large quantities of clothing at a rapid pace. This leads to excessive water usage as well as the release of harmful chemicals into our waterways.

The study found that fast fashion brands use up to 2,700 liters of water to produce a single cotton t-shirt. This excessive water usage can lead to the depletion of water resources in areas where water is already scarce.

The industry also contributes to water pollution through the use of hazardous chemicals in the manufacturing process. Many brands use synthetic dyes and chemicals that can be harmful to the environment and human health.

The disposal of fast fashion clothing also contributes to water pollution. Many fast fashion items are made from synthetic materials that do not biodegrade, leading to them ending up in landfills or incinerators. The disposal of these items can release harmful chemicals into the air and leach into nearby waterways.

How to make it stop

Well, money talks. You can always invest in clothing that lasts or repair the clothing you have.

To address the water pollution associated with fast fashion, companies do try to implement more sustainable manufacturing practices. But it’s unclear to what extent this really works if they’re still selling so many garments.

Some fast fashion brands are incorporating recycled materials into their products, reducing the amount of virgin materials needed and the associated water usage. Others are implementing closed-loop systems, which recycle water and chemicals used in the production process.

But in the end, consumers may play the biggest role in reducing the water pollution associated with fast fashion. Choosing to buy clothing made from sustainable materials and produced using sustainable manufacturing practices is an option. But a better one is reducing clothing waste by donating or recycling clothing to keep textiles out of landfills and reduce the pollution associated with textile disposal.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “The Environmental Impacts of Fast Fashion on Water Quality: A Systematic Review” — Water (Journal)