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Our understanding of the Amazon's rich history is changing as new technology reveals traces of fortified towns beneath the jungle. In the first of our Insights series on great mysteries of archaeology, Professor José Iriarte examines how these ancient societies used forest orchards and fisheries to apparently support significant populations without stripping away the rainforest ecosystem.
As people increasingly treat the output of a chatbot or AI-powered answer as reliable, despite the risk of errors, there have been growing reports of compulsive AI use, users becoming emotionally dependent on chatbots, or developing delusions brought on by the AI’s responses and suggestions. Should AI be regulated as if it were addictive? Professor Bernd Stahl explains.
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Paul Keaveny
Investigations Editor, Assistant Editor
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Rainforest of secrets.
BIOSPHOTO/Alamy
José Iriarte, University of Exeter
Archaeologists thought ancient Amazonia was only home to wandering people, but new technology has uncovered complex societies living in forest cities.
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DC Studio
Bernd Stahl, University of Nottingham
Generative AI systems show signs of being addictive, but the evidence is still at an early stage.
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An Israeli man looks at the remains of an Iranian ballistic missile that landed in a field next to the West Bank settlement of Mevo'ot Yericho on June 8.
Abir Sultan / EPA
Andrew Gawthorpe, Leiden University
Iran and Israel have attacked each other for the first time since April.
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Politics + Society
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Holly Murphy, York St John University; Gary Shepherd, York St John University; Robyn Timothy, York St John University
As podcasts have moved from an amateur pursuit to a commercialised powerhouse, their power to impact men’s mental health has been revealed.
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Arts + Culture
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Jenni Ramone, Nottingham Trent University; Alison Donnell, University of East Anglia; Anne Whitehead, Newcastle University; Manjeet Ridon, De Montfort University; Paty Paliokosta, Kingston University; Sojin Lim, University of Lancashire
Six books that explore the various joys and challenges of womanhood.
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Alexandra Makin, Manchester Metropolitan University
Why not give them a go – you might help keep a traditional skill alive.
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Abigail Harrison Moore, University of Leeds
It’s worth revisiting the philosophy behind the Arts and Crafts movement.
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Business + Economy
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Meilan Yan, Loughborough University; Dalu Zhang, University of Leicester; David T Llewellyn, Loughborough University
AI use in financial services is already widespread.
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Environment
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Jason Gilchrist, Edinburgh Napier University
Exporting rhino horn could generate funds for conservation – but also lead to more poaching.
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Ellen J. Dolan, Queen's University Belfast; Jaimie Dick, Queen's University Belfast; Ross Cuthbert, Queen's University Belfast
The natural connectivity of rivers acts like a highway, helping invasive species spread rapidly throughout a catchment.
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Health
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Eef Hogervorst, Loughborough University
Recent headlines have raised concerns about allergy tablets. The evidence is more nuanced than it first appears.
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Danny William Walmsley, University of South Wales; Damian Bailey, University of South Wales
From gumshield sensors to blood tests, AI may change how sport detects brain injury.
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Kirsty Lindsay, Northumbria University, Newcastle
In the 1950s, Arthur C. Clarke imagined an amputee astronaut. If John McFall reaches orbit, science fiction becomes science fact.
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Science + Technology
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Michael Garrett, University of Manchester
Astronomers should not try to message E.T. before international consultation has occurred.
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