In my research recently published in an open access journal, I used a popular language model, GPT-4 by OpenAI, to create simple summaries of scientific papers. These summaries generated by artificial intelligence (AI) used simpler language and more common words, like “job” instead of “occupation”, than summaries written by the researchers who had done the work.

    In one experiment, I found that readers of the AI-generated summaries had a better understanding of the science than readers of the human-written summaries. A second experiment investigated what effects the simpler summaries might have on people’s perceptions of the scientists who performed the research. In this experiment, participants rated the scientists whose work was described in the simpler texts as more credible than the scientists whose work was described in the more complex texts.

    Have you ever read about a scientific discovery and felt like it was written in a foreign language? New scientific information is probably hard to understand — especially if you try to read a science article in a research journal. In an era where understanding science is crucial for informed decision--making, the abilities to comprehend and communicate complex ideas are more important than ever. Trust in science has been declining for years, and one contributing factor may be the challenge of understanding scientific jargon.

    As AI continues to evolve, its role in science communication may expand, especially if using generative AI becomes more commonplace. Simple science descriptions are preferable to and more beneficial than complex ones, and AI tools can help. But scientists could also achieve the same goals by working harder to minimize jargon and communicate clearly — no AI necessary.

(David Markowitz. https://theconversation.com, 30.10.2024. Adaptado.)

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Bali and Lombok are neighbouring islands; both are part of the Indonesian archipelago. It is easy to appreciate each island as an attractive tourist destination – majestic scenery; rich culture; white sands and warm, azure waters draw visitors like magnets every year. Snorkelling and diving around the nearby Gili Islands is magnificent, with marine fish, starfish, turtles and coral reef present in abundance. Whereas Bali is predominantly a Hindu country, the inhabitants of Lombok are mostly Muslim with a Hindu minority. Bali is known for its elaborate, traditional dancing which is inspired by its Hindi beliefs. Most of the dancing portrays tales of good versus evil; to watch it is a breathtaking experience. Art is another Balinese passion – batik paintings and carved statues make popular souvenirs. Artists can be seen whittling and painting on the streets, particularly in Ubud. The island is home to some spectacular temples, the most significant being the Mother Temple, Besakih. Lombok, too, has some impressive points of interest – the majestic Gunung Rinjani is an active volcano and the second highest peak in Indonesia. Like Bali, Lombok has several temples worthy of a visit, though they are less prolific. Lombok remains the most understated of the two islands.

Disponível em: https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/preparing-for-uni/0/steps/1177/. Acesso em: 11 set. 2025.

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Back To School But Not To Screens: States Ramp Up Cellphone Bans

        Work has been easier for public high school teacher Brian Kerekes since last August, when he first experienced the impacts of a newly enacted Florida law to restrict students’ cellphone use during class. The longtime statistics instructor, who started a new school year on Monday, now spends less time circling the classroom policing students and more time educating them on how to gather and interpret data.

        Before Florida passed the ban in May 2023 — becoming the first of at least eight U.S. states to prohibit or restrict cellphone use in schools — phones proved a constant disruption in Kerekes’ classroom at Tohopekaliga High School in the central Florida city of Kissimmee.

        “Students were either using them to talk to someone in a different class or talk to someone on the other side of the room or just to zone out, get on TikTok or whatever,” Kerekes, who's been a teacher for 17 years, said in an interview.

        Fellow teachers nationwide face the same challenge, which explains why more states and districts are moving to limit or outright ban cellphones in the classroom, and even during the school day altogether.

        The rules will look different from state to state and district to district, but all stem from the same concerns.

        Seventy-two percent of high school teachers cite cellphones as a major distraction in the classroom, according to a fall 2023 Pew Research Center study. Educators also worry that constant access to social media can adversely impact kids’ mental health.

        U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy went so far as to issue a health advisory last year, warning that enough evidence exists to show social media can be unsafe for children and teens. “We are in the middle of a national youth mental health crisis,” he said, “and I am concerned that social media is an important driver of that crisis, one that we must urgently address.”

        While social media can connect kids, make them feel less alone and offer an entertaining and creative outlet, it also exposes them to harmful content, Murthy pointed out in the advisory released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. And, as educators such as Kerekes note, some students use their phones to bully fellow students online during the school day, and in the most extreme cases, to set up fights and film them.

The hope is that cellphone bans will reduce such incidents. Kerekes said he’s hearing they have.

Fonte: KATZ, Leslie. Back To School But Not To Screens: States Ramp Up Cellphone Bans. Forbes, 13 ago. 2024. Disponível em: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lesliekatz/2024/08/13/back-to-school-but-not-to-screens-more-students-face-cellphone-bans/

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The decline of teenagers reading is an impact on education

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What links Sir Isaac Newton, alien solar systems, and a new multi-million dollar TV show? The answer is “the three-body problem”: a conundrum in astronomy and mathematics that describes why it’s often difficult to predict the long-term trajectory of planets, moons and stars. So, what exactly is the problem? And how did it end up becoming the title of a TV series?

To understand, you first need to know a bit about the background to the TV show and its premise. The story is based on Liu Cixin’s epic sci-fi trilogy, The Remembrance of Earth’s Past, of which The Three-Body Problem is the first book. The original trilogy is characterised by the author’s attention to scientific detail. The adaptation is less so, but still crammed with scientific ideas.

The TV series focuses on the “Oxford Five”, who all studied under the same professor at the University of Oxford. Some have gone on to become scientists themselves (a postdoctoral physics researcher, a founder and chief scientific officer of a nano-tech company, and a theoretical physics academic), one has become a school physics teacher, while the fifth is now a snack-food entrepreneur. Scientific credentials abound.

The crux of the story is that an alien race — called the Trisolarans or San-Ti Ren — is headed to Earth to colonise it. Through intergalactic communication, these travellers attempt to intimidate human scientists into slowing down our rapid technological advancement, making Earth easier to conquer. But why are these aliens so hell-bent on taking over our planet in the first place? This is where the three-body problem comes in.

Bodies, in this context, is a scientific byword for planets, moons, suns or any other massive astronomical object. The extraterrestrials’ home planet is situated in a solar system with three suns, hence their name in the English translation of the book — the Trisolarans. This three-sun system can be highly unstable, making conditions difficult for life, hence the desire to travel across the Universe in order to inhabit our relatively stable Solar System. We only have one Sun, so Earth’s future is relatively predictable — at least for the next few million years.

Fonte: YATES, Kit. What is the three-body problem? The chaotic, cosmic mathematics behind the Netflix TV show. BBC, 2024. Disponível em: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240328-the-science-astronomy-and-mathematics-of-netflixs-3-body-problem-tv-show. Adaptado.

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The Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CCBC) hosted Canada Day 2024, aimed at providing opportunities for young Brazilians who wish to do an exchange program, study, and explore the Canadian job market. The event featured representatives from the Consulate General of Canada in Brazil, who highlighted the efficiency of visa processing, allowing students to begin their studies in the country.

During the event, experts from various universities and educational institutions in Canada shared information and provided clarifications for students, offering a comprehensive view of the available opportunities.

Canada leads the list of the most sought-after destinations by Brazilians for studying abroad. According to the 2023 Belta Survey released by the Brazilian Association of Exchange Agencies, the number of Brazilian students seeking to study abroad grew by 18% in 2022 compared to the pre-pandemic period. This is because the region offers excellent quality of life, safety, and academic options, as well as work opportunities during and after studies, and the possibility of obtaining permanent residency in Canada.

For those who are thinking about studying in Canada, it is essential to pay attention to the registration deadlines offered by the institutions and to prepare the documentation, such as sending transcripts, English test results and necessary proof of income. The institutions present at the event highlighted the importance of starting the application process in advance, as soon as each university opens its applications.

Furthermore, to obtain a student visa for Canada it is necessary to follow a series of steps after receiving the acceptance letter from the educational institution and the scholarship. There are different types of visa, each suited to specific situations: the SX-1, for shortterm courses (up to 24 weeks), which requires an acceptance letter; the V-1, a tourist visa that can also be used for courses of up to 24 weeks; and the S-1 Study Permit, required for courses longer than 24 weeks.

To speed up the process, it is recommended to seek help from an exchange agency that offers guidance and support during all stages. In addition to the acceptance letter, you must have a passport valid for at least six months, demonstrate family ties in your country of origin, prove your financial capacity to support yourself in Canada during the study period and send all the necessary documentation, detailing your plans. For courses lasting more than six months, a medical examination is also required.

Disponível em: ccbc.org.br/en/publicacoes/news-ccbc/canada-offers-great-study-opportunities-for-brazilians-who-want-to-do-an-exchange-program. 17 July 2024 / news CCBC [adapted]. Acesso em: 04 out. 2024.