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HKFP
17 hours ago
- Climate
- HKFP
Show Your Stripes Day: Hong Kong temperature rise visualised in climate warning stripes
The rise in Hong Kong's temperature has been illustrated in the latest set of 'warning stripes' by British climate scientist Ed Hawkins as part of a worldwide campaign to spark discussion on global warming. Saturday marks the eighth annual Show Your Stripes Day. The June 21 event encourages people around the world to share graphics representing temperature changes in different countries and regions over the past century and more. Launched in 2018 by Hawkins, a University of Reading professor, the graphics for most countries and regions feature stripes that have shifted from predominantly blue to red in recent years, indicating rising temperatures in those locations. The graphic for Hong Kong charts the city's average temperature since 1885, based on data from the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). The most recent stripe, shown in dark burgundy, represents the highest temperature rise relative to the average recorded between 1961 and 2010. In a promotional video shared last month, Hawkins said the warning stripes aimed to transform 'abstract meteorological data' into 'something people can't ignore.' He said he wanted the graphics – which have been featured on football jerseys, projected onto the Tower of London, and displayed at the UN COP25 conference in Madrid – to prompt people to 'ask questions.' 'You don't need to be a scientist to understand the message and feel concern. The Earth is heating up, and the pace is accelerating,' Hawkins said. Last year was Hong Kong's hottest since records began 140 years ago. The city broke 35 heat records, experiencing its warmest winter and autumn on record. According to the Hong Kong Observatory's annual report released in January, the annual mean temperature reached 24.8 degrees Celsius, 1.3 degrees above the 1991–2020 average. Hong Kong recorded the hottest day of the year on June 10, with temperatures reaching a maximum of 34.3 degrees Celsius. The maximum UV index reached 12, an exposure level classified as 'extreme.' The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that the intensity and frequency of heatwaves have continued to increase since the 1950s due to human-caused climate change. The prevalence of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide – which trap heat in the atmosphere – raises the planet's surface temperature, with hotter, longer heatwaves putting lives at risk. Hong Kong has already warmed by 1.7 degrees Celsius since the Industrial Revolution, research NGO Berkeley Earth says. Heat and humidity may reach lethal levels for protracted periods by the end of the century, according to a 2023 study, making it impossible to stay outdoors in some parts of the world.
India Today
4 days ago
- India Today
UK universities see surge in students cheating with AI tools
Cheating in British universities is quietly changing form -- and AI tools like ChatGPT are at the centre of it. A Guardian investigation has revealed that almost 7,000 university students were caught using AI to cheat in 2023-24, a sharp rise from the previous about 5.1 students per 1,000, and early figures for 2024-25 suggest that the number could rise jump in AI misuse has come amid a drop in traditional plagiarism cases, showing how students are swapping copy-paste tactics for AI-generated content. In 2019-20, plagiarism made up nearly two-thirds of all academic misconduct. But by 2023-24, those cases dropped to 15.2 per 1,000, and early data shows it may fall even further to 8.5 per 1,000 this STILL PLAYING CATCH-UPThe Guardian requested misconduct data from 155 UK universities. While 131 responded, not all could give complete records, and many still don't log AI misuse separately, showing just how unprepared the system believe most AI cheating goes undetected. A recent University of Reading experiment found AI-written essays bypassed detection software 94% of the are also getting smarter about using AI -- YouTube and TikTok are full of tips on how to 'humanise' AI text to dodge university SEE AI AS A TOOL, NOT JUST A CHEATadvertisementAccording to the investigation, students aren't just copy-pasting answers. Some use AI tools to plan structure, paraphrase complex points, or summarise readings -- especially those with learning difficulties like in that sense, is also seen as a study aid, not just a HOW STUDENTS ARE ASSESSEDStill, this shift is forcing universities to rethink how they assess students. Exams may not fully solve the problem, and not every skill worth learning can be tested say the focus now needs to shift to teaching skills AI can't easily replace -- like critical thinking, communication, and teamwork -- while also helping students understand the value behind the assignments they're UK government, meanwhile, says it's investing in skills programmes and wants AI to support, not damage, education. But for now, the sector is still figuring out how to balance the benefits of AI with the risks it brings to fair learning.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
73-million-year-old bird fossils found in Arctic, hint at nesting during dinosaur age
At a time when the Arctic was home to some of the last remaining dinosaurs, birds were not just surviving there– they were nesting and raising their young. A new international study has found fossil evidence confirming that birds were breeding in polar regions as far back as 73 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous period. The discovery significantly pushes back the known timeline of bird activity in the Arctic and reveals that these ancient species were far more adaptable than previously believed. Fossil clues from Alaska offer fresh insight The research was carried out by an international team led by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, with participation from the University of Reading in the UK. The team studied over 50 small fossil specimens, including bones and teeth, collected from the Prince Creek Formation in northern Alaska– an area already known for dinosaur discoveries. According to Dr Jacob Gardner from the University of Reading, a co-author of the study, and as quoted by the University of Reading website, 'For the first time, we determined the identities of large numbers of fossils using high-resolution scans and the latest computer tools, revealing an enormous diversity of birds in this ancient Arctic ecosystem.' Juvenile bird fossils point to nesting behaviour Among the fossils, researchers identified several bones belonging to very young birds. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Wrinkle Cream Keeps Selling Out At Costco (Find Out Why) The Skincare Magazine Undo This rare find strongly suggests that birds were not simply migrating through the Arctic but were nesting and raising their offspring in the region. 'Finding bird bones from the Cretaceous period is already very rare. To find baby bird bones is almost unheard of. That is why these fossils are significant,' said Lauren Wilson, the lead author of the study, as quoted by the UAF website. Polar nesting began much earlier than thought The fossils are around 73 million years old, showing that birds were nesting in the Arctic at least 30 million years earlier than scientists thought. This discovery changes what we know about how early birds lived and how they adapted to harsh environments. As Wilson stated, 'Birds have existed for 150 million years. For half of the time they have existed, they have been nesting in the Arctic.' Range of bird types identified According to the report, the fossil remains showed several types of birds, including early diving birds, gull-like birds, and ones similar to today's ducks and geese. These birds seemed well-suited to life in the ancient Arctic, which was warmer than it is now but still tough for nesting. The study gives a rare and important look at how birds lived with dinosaurs in northern regions, helping us learn more about life in ancient ecosystems.
NDTV
6 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
Nearly 7,000 UK University Students Caught Cheating Using AI: Report
Nearly 7,000 university students in the UK were caught cheating using ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence tools during the 2023-24 academic year, according to data obtained by The Guardian. As part of the investigation, the British newspaper contacted 155 universities under the Freedom of Information Act. Of those, 131 institutions responded. The latest figures show 5.1 confirmed cases of AI-related cheating for every 1,000 students, a rise from 1.6 per 1,000 the previous year. Early projections for the current academic cycle suggest the number could climb even higher to 7.5 per 1,000 students. The growing reliance on AI tools like ChatGPT is proving to be a major challenge for higher education institutions. At the same time, cases of traditional plagiarism have dropped. From 19 per 1,000 students in 2019-20 to 15.2 last year, the number has gone down and is expected to fall further to 8.5 per 1,000. Experts warn that the recorded cases may be only scratching the surface. "I would imagine those caught represent the tip of the iceberg," said Dr Peter Scarfe, associate professor of psychology at the University of Reading. "AI detection is very unlike plagiarism, where you can confirm the copied text. As a result, in a situation where you suspect the use of AI, it is near impossible to prove, regardless of the percentage AI that your AI detector says (if you use one). This is coupled with not wanting to falsely accuse students." Evidence suggests AI misuse is far more widespread than reported. A February survey by the Higher Education Policy Institute found that 88 per cent of students admitted to using AI for assessments. Researchers at the University of Reading tested their own systems last year and found AI-generated submissions went undetected 94 per cent of the time. Online platforms are making it easier. The report found dozens of videos on TikTok promoting AI paraphrasing and essay-writing tools that help students bypass standard university detectors by "humanising" ChatGPT-generated content. Dr Thomas Lancaster, an academic integrity researcher at Imperial College London, said, "When used well and by a student who knows how to edit the output, AI misuse is very hard to prove. My hope is that students are still learning through this process." Science and technology secretary Peter Kyle told The Guardian that AI should be used to "level up" opportunities for dyslexic children. Tech giants are already targeting students as key users. Google offers university students a free 15-month upgrade to its Gemini AI tool, while OpenAI provides discounted access to students in the US and Canada.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
76-million-year-old mystery: Crocodile-like predator left its mark on this fossil
A fossil unearthed in the badlands of Alberta, Canada, has offered a rare glimpse into the interactions between ancient reptiles that lived over 76 million years ago. Researchers studying the remains of a young flying reptile have found what appears to be clear evidence of a crocodile-like predator bite, making it an unusual and scientifically valuable discovery from the Late Cretaceous period. Bone with a bite: Pterosaur fossil found with tooth mark The fossil, a small neck bone of a juvenile pterosaur, was discovered in July 2023 during a field course led by Dr Brian Pickles from the University of Reading. After a detailed analysis, scientists identified a puncture wound on the bone, which they believe was caused by the tooth of a crocodilian species from the same era. The research was conducted jointly by scientists from the University of Reading, the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology (Canada), and the University of New England (Australia). According to the team, micro-CT scans confirmed the mark was not the result of post-burial damage or fossilisation but a bite that likely occurred during the animal's lifetime or shortly after its death. Fragile fossil, uncommon evidence Pterosaur bones, due to their lightweight and hollow structure, rarely preserve well. This makes any fossilised sign of damage or interaction with other animals a rare find. As quoted by the BBC, according to Dr Caleb Brown from the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, 'Pterosaur bones are very delicate, so finding fossils where another animal has clearly taken a bite is exceptionally uncommon.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 motivi per rottamare ora la caldaia per una pompa di calore Aira Scopri di più Undo Dr Brown, who is the lead author of the research paper, further said, 'This specimen being a juvenile makes it even rarer.' The juvenile is believed to have belonged to the Azhdarchid group of pterosaurs. Researchers estimate this individual had a wingspan of about 2 metres. In contrast, adults of the same group were significantly larger, reaching wingspans of up to 10 metres. Insight into Cretaceous ecosystems Dr Brian Pickles, under whose supervision the discovery was made, highlighted the importance of such findings. 'Bite traces help to document species interactions from this period,' he said, as quoted by the BBC. He also explained that while it remains uncertain whether the young pterosaur was alive at the time of the bite, the fossil does indicate interaction between crocodilians and pterosaurs. 'We can't say if the pterosaur was alive or dead when it was bitten, but the specimen shows that crocodilians occasionally preyed on, or scavenged, juvenile pterosaurs in prehistoric Alberta over 70 million years ago,' Dr Pickles said, as quoted by the BBC. First of its kind in the North American fossil record This discovery is being noted as the first confirmed instance in North America of a crocodile-like predator feeding on a pterosaur. The scientific community regards it as a rare and significant addition to existing knowledge of Mesozoic-era life. The fossil provides a rare and direct record of how prehistoric creatures interacted within their ecosystems, especially involving species that rarely leave behind such detailed evidence. The study was published in the Journal of Palaeontology and adds a meaningful layer to our understanding of predator-prey dynamics in the Late Cretaceous period. Image credit: Created by Canva AI. For representational purposes only.
