HdReporter
News as it happens, views and opinions as they get formed, stories as they unfold.
09/09/2021
How memories of Japanese American imprisonment during WWII guided the US response to 9/11 In the wake of 9/11, some called for rounding up whole groups of people viewed as potential threats to the nation. But Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta knew the U.S. had done that before.
09/09/2021
Elon Musk’s Tesla Bot raises serious concerns – but probably not the ones you think If you see the Tesla Bot as a joke or a harbinger of a dystopian future, you could be missing the real threat, which has more to do with Elon Musk’s power than robots run amok.
09/09/2021
Undergraduate programs are springing up across the US to meet the burgeoning demand for workers trained in big data.
http://hdreporter.com/technology/10184-data-science-education-lacks-a-much-needed-focus-on-ethics
Data science education lacks a much-needed focus on ethics Undergraduate programs are springing up across the US to meet the burgeoning demand for workers trained in big data. Yet many of the programs lack training in the ethical use of data science.
04/03/2020
What really works to keep coronavirus away? 4 questions answered by a public health professional What can you do to keep yourself and your family safe from the coronavirus? A public health scholar explains antiseptics – and emphasizes the importance of good hand-washing.
01/11/2019
The Earth may be entering an era in which natural and human-generated fire together are reshaping the planet.
http://hdreporter.com/environment/6751-california-wildfires-signal-the-arrival-of-a-planetary-fire-age
California wildfires signal the arrival of a planetary fire age The Earth may be entering an era in which natural and human-generated fire together are reshaping the planet.
30/10/2019
Researchers are trying to boost the power of our immune system by genetically altering our white blood cells and transforming them into super-soldiers to fight cancer.
http://hdreporter.com/technology/6740-super-soldier-t-cells-fight-cancer-better-after-a-transformational-dna-delivery
Super-soldier T-cells fight cancer better after a transformational DNA delivery Researchers are trying to boost the power of our immune system by genetically altering our white blood cells and transforming them into super-soldiers to fight cancer.
30/10/2019
The 1918-1919 flu claimed millions of lives worldwide. Could it also have given birth to the viral zombie?
http://hdreporter.com/health/6730-zombie-flu-how-the-1919-influenza-pandemic-fueled-the-rise-of-the-living-dead
Zombie flu: How the 1919 influenza pandemic fueled the rise of the living dead The 1918-1919 flu claimed millions of lives worldwide. Could it also have given birth to the viral zombie?
30/10/2019
is yet another holiday that has become a mere ritual of America's very conspicuous consumption.
http://hdreporter.com/business/6731-half-a-billion-on-halloween-pet-costumes-is-latest-sign-of-americas-out-of-control-consumerism
Half a billion on Halloween pet costumes is latest sign of America's out-of-control consumerism Halloween is yet another holiday that has become a mere ritual of America's very conspicuous consumption.
29/10/2019
The US defense community is coming to understand that AI will significantly transform, if not completely reinvent, the world's military power balance.
http://hdreporter.com/politics/6733-is-the-us-losing-the-artificial-intelligence-arms-race
Is the US losing the artificial intelligence arms race? The US defense community is coming to understand that AI will significantly transform, if not completely reinvent, the world's military power balance.
29/10/2019
Instead of suppressing wildfire, the Karuk Tribe in the Pacific Northwest is using it as an integral part of its climate change management plan. Federal, state and local agencies are taking note.
http://hdreporter.com/environment/6734-what-western-states-can-learn-from-native-american-wildfire-management-strategies
What western states can learn from Native American wildfire management strategies Instead of suppressing wildfire, the Karuk Tribe in the Pacific Northwest is using it as an integral part of its climate change management plan. Federal, state and local agencies are taking note.
25/10/2019
As the climate changes, architects and engineers need to design buildings differently As climate change intensifies, much of the nation's building stock will need upgrading to strengthen it against flooding, snowstorms and other weather hazards.
25/10/2019
http://hdreporter.com/arts/6708-how-steak-became-manly-and-salads-became-feminine
How steak became manly and salads became feminine In the early 20th century, women's food started being described as 'dainty,' meaning fanciful but not filling.
25/10/2019
In the early 1970s, rumors about poisoned candy on Halloween led to mass paranoia. An experts explains why such fears emerge – and what, in reality, feeds them.
http://hdreporter.com/ethics/6705-when-halloween-became-americas-most-dangerous-holiday
When Halloween became America's most dangerous holiday In the early 1970s, rumors about poisoned candy on Halloween led to mass paranoia. An experts explains why such fears emerge – and what, in reality, feeds them.
24/10/2019
Multiple American have viewed US support of 's security and democracy as critical to the national interest. President Trump's dealings with Ukraine are a major divergence.
http://hdreporter.com/politics/6709-trump-has-upended-the-long-history-of-us-investment-in-ukraines-democracy
Trump has upended the long history of US investment in Ukraine's democracy Multiple American presidents have viewed US support of Ukraine's security and democracy as critical to the national interest. President Trump's dealings with Ukraine are a major divergence.
24/10/2019
Many Americans fear that AI will take their jobs. And it might – but it's more complicated than that.
http://hdreporter.com/business/6702-the-future-of-the-us-workforce-will-rely-on-ai-but-dont-count-human-workers-out-just-yet
The future of the US workforce will rely on AI, but don't count human workers out just yet Many Americans fear that AI will take their jobs. And it might – but it's more complicated than that.
18/10/2019
Members of Congress factor what the public thinks into their decisions. But it's difficult to measure what the public is really thinking.
http://hdreporter.com/politics/6651-how-to-know-which-impeachment-polls-to-believe-and-which-to-skip
How to know which impeachment polls to believe – and which to skip Members of Congress factor what the public thinks into their decisions. But it's difficult to measure what the public is really thinking.
18/10/2019
Teachers' unions often say they go on strike to improve conditions for students. A closer look at recent walkouts suggests they are also fighting for something else: membership.
http://hdreporter.com/education/6677-the-chicago-teachers-strike-isnt-just-about-kids-its-about-union-power-too
The Chicago teachers' strike isn't just about kids – it's about union power too Teachers' unions often say they go on strike to improve conditions for students. A closer look at recent walkouts suggests they are also fighting for something else: membership.
17/10/2019
As intensifies the risk of wildfires in California, insurers are dropping coverage for many homeowners.
http://hdreporter.com/environment/6673-in-fire-prone-california-many-residents-cant-afford-wildfire-insurance
In fire-prone California, many residents can't afford wildfire insurance As climate change intensifies the risk of wildfires in California, insurers are dropping coverage for many homeowners.
16/10/2019
functions integrate and compress multiple components of an experience, including sight and smell – which simply can't be handled in the way computers sense, process and store data.
http://hdreporter.com/technology/6669-why-a-computer-will-never-be-truly-conscious
Why a computer will never be truly conscious Brain functions integrate and compress multiple components of an experience, including sight and smell – which simply can't be handled in the way computers sense, process and store data.
15/10/2019
As the country grew, each census required greater effort than the last. That problem led to the invention of the punched card.
http://hdreporter.com/technology/6661-how-the-us-census-kickstarted-americas-computing-industry
How the US census kickstarted America's computing industry As the country grew, each census required greater effort than the last. That problem led to the invention of the punched card.
15/10/2019
These tiny nanoparticles might provide a new way to see what's happening in the brain and even deliver treatments to specific cells – if researchers figure out how to use them safely and effectively.
http://hdreporter.com/technology/6660-quantum-dots-that-light-up-tvs-could-be-used-for-brain-research
Quantum dots that light up TVs could be used for brain research These tiny nanoparticles might provide a new way to see what's happening in the brain and even deliver treatments to specific cells – if researchers figure out how to use them safely and effectively.
15/10/2019
may help voters identify which candidate shares their views but they do not help them think critically about those views. That's because presidential debates don't live up to their name.
http://hdreporter.com/politics/6654-presidential-debates-arent-debates-at-all-theyre-joint-press-conferences
Presidential 'debates' aren't debates at all – they're joint press conferences Debates may help voters identify which candidate shares their views but they do not help them think critically about those views. That's because presidential debates don't live up to their name.
15/10/2019
Two fire researchers argue that recent in Northern and Southern California show why health and social equity need to be part of fire preparedness.
http://hdreporter.com/environment/6655-why-we-need-to-treat-wildfire-as-a-public-health-issue-in-california
Why we need to treat wildfire as a public health issue in California Two fire researchers argue that recent fires in Northern and Southern California show why health and social equity need to be part of fire preparedness.
12/10/2019
A recent executive order from President Trump won't do much to help the US stay ahead of Chinese innovation and investment in .
http://hdreporter.com/technology/5464-china-is-catching-up-to-the-us-on-artificial-intelligence-research
China is catching up to the US on artificial intelligence research A recent executive order from President Trump won't do much to help the US stay ahead of Chinese innovation and investment in AI.
11/10/2019
When it comes to completing homework, getting organized and celebrating small victories along the way is key, an expert on learning strategies says.
http://hdreporter.com/education/6631-6-ways-to-establish-a-productive-homework-routine
6 ways to establish a productive homework routine When it comes to completing homework, getting organized and celebrating small victories along the way is key, an expert on learning strategies says.
11/10/2019
Progress has been made toward gender parity in science fields. But explicit and implicit barriers still hold women back from advancing in the same numbers as men to the upper reaches of STEM academia.
http://hdreporter.com/technology/6644-why-dont-more-women-win-science-nobels
Why don't more women win science Nobels? Progress has been made toward gender parity in science fields. But explicit and implicit barriers still hold women back from advancing in the same numbers as men to the upper reaches of STEM academia.
10/10/2019
The official celebration of Native Americans represents the fruits of a decades-long effort.
http://hdreporter.com/arts/6641-why-more-places-are-abandoning-columbus-day-in-favor-of-indigenous-peoples-day
Why more places are abandoning Columbus Day in favor of Indigenous Peoples' Day The official celebration of Native Americans represents the fruits of a decades-long effort.
10/10/2019
Most states have changed their rules in recent years to let science count as a required high school math or science class. A physics professor explains how that trend could set back.
http://hdreporter.com/education/6636-computer-science-now-counts-as-math-credit-in-most-states-is-this-a-good-idea
Computer science now counts as math credit in most states – is this a good idea? Most states have changed their rules in recent years to let computer science count as a required high school math or science class. A physics professor explains how that trend could set students back.
09/10/2019
The gravity and force of this Category 5 that lashed the Florida Panhandle and other Southern states may never have fully registered on the public’s radar.
http://hdreporter.com/environment/6632-hurricane-michael-recovery-efforts-point-to-the-power-of-local-generosity-after-overlooked-disasters
Hurricane Michael recovery efforts point to the power of local generosity after overlooked disasters The gravity and force of this Category 5 hurricane that lashed the Florida Panhandle and other Southern states may never have fully registered on the public’s radar.
09/10/2019
Technology experts have long worried about a 'digital divide' between those who could use computers and those who could not. algorithms are widening the gulf.
http://hdreporter.com/technology/5783-the-new-digital-divide-is-between-people-who-opt-out-of-algorithms-and-people-who-dont
The new digital divide is between people who opt out of algorithms and people who don't Technology experts have long worried about a 'digital divide' between those who could use computers and those who could not. Artificial intelligence algorithms are widening the gulf.
09/10/2019
drug design programs could discover new therapies for conditions that are difficult or prohibitively expensive to cure.
http://hdreporter.com/technology/5456-i-build-mathematical-programs-that-could-discover-the-drugs-of-the-future
I build mathematical programs that could discover the drugs of the future Artificially intelligent drug design programs could discover new therapies for conditions that are difficult or prohibitively expensive to cure.
09/10/2019
When algorithms are at work, there should be a human safety net to prevent harming people. systems can be taught to ask for help.
http://hdreporter.com/technology/5520-artificial-intelligence-must-know-when-to-ask-for-human-help
Artificial intelligence must know when to ask for human help When algorithms are at work, there should be a human safety net to prevent harming people. Artificial intelligence systems can be taught to ask for help.
09/10/2019
The pro-Kremlin political and media establishment have grown increasingly skilled at spinning stories to highlight US political weaknesses.
http://hdreporter.com/politics/6634-for-russia-talk-of-trump-impeachment-is-the-gift-that-keeps-on-giving
For Russia, talk of Trump impeachment is the gift that keeps on giving The pro-Kremlin Russian political and media establishment have grown increasingly skilled at spinning stories to highlight US political weaknesses.
09/10/2019
Ancient allows scientists to learn directly from the remains of people from the past. As this new field takes off, researchers are figuring out how to ethically work with ancient samples and each other.
http://hdreporter.com/technology/5538-ancient-dna-is-a-powerful-tool-for-studying-the-past-when-archaeologists-and-geneticists-work-together
Ancient DNA is a powerful tool for studying the past – when archaeologists and geneticists work toge Ancient DNA allows scientists to learn directly from the remains of people from the past. As this new field takes off, researchers are figuring out how to ethically work with ancient samples and each other.
08/10/2019
People – individually and in groups – were not as good at facial recognition as an . But five people plus the algorithm, working together, were even better.
http://hdreporter.com/technology/5537-humans-and-machines-can-improve-accuracy-when-they-work-together
Humans and machines can improve accuracy when they work together People – individually and in groups – were not as good at facial recognition as an algorithm. But five people plus the algorithm, working together, were even better.