Latest news with #memory
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘A Photographic Memory' review: A beautiful search for a long-lost parent, in words and pictures
'So many cameras.' Unusual in the pre-digital age, before rampant cellphone camera chronicles of everyone's lives changed our visual landscape forever. This is what photographer and filmmaker Rachel Elizabeth Seed remembers of her childhood in 'A Photographic Memory,' a supple nonfiction triumph. Seed's film pieces together an idea of a vanished loved one, from inchoate fragments of loss unique to those who never really knew a parent. The filmmaker's mother, Sheila Turner Seed, was a remarkable, adventurous spirit and an accomplished global photographer, writer, interviewer and Chicago native. She died suddenly, of a cerebral hemorrhage, in 1979. She was 42. Daughter Rachel was 18 months old. There were photographs, of course, many taken by Seed's father, British photographer Brian Seed, who sold stock images featuring young Rachel as a frequent camera subject. She was just an everygirl in those photos, at a birthday party, or playing with friends on the sidewalk, or twirling around the house. It was, as director, co-writer and co-editor Seed says in 'A Photographic Memory,' a false front of normalcy. In 2008, well into adulthood, Seed discovered a stash of reel-to-reel audiotapes — hours and hours of interviews her mother conducted in the early 1970s with 10 celebrated photographers, including Henri Cartier-Bresson. This was a complicated emotional lifeline: the sound of her mother's voice, at long last. Seed, who followed her parents' career paths as a photographer, also discovered a trove of her mother's own photographs, revealing a distinctive, clear-eyed aesthetic and a nomadic itch. Turner Seed, as one of her friends and colleagues interviewed for 'A Photographic Memory' phrases it, wasn't a workaholic, exactly. She was a 'lifeaholic,' living, traveling, striving for the fullest possible existence. Her recorded conversations with Cartier-Bresson, Gordon Parks and others, and daughter Seed's own interviews decades later with many of the same people, become a beguiling whole in 'A Photographic Memory.' Turner Seed's interviews served as the basis for the popular eight-part audiovisual educational project 'Images of Man.' From this wellspring, Seed's documentary took shape, though it took a full 16 years to come to fruition. The delicately woven final version, made with co-writer and lead editor Christopher Stoudt, devotes precisely the right amount of screen time to Seed's own perspective and life circumstances. It's a movie about how we remember, and how photographs and audio recordings can answer questions, though never fully, and always open to interpretation. There are, however, remnants of Turner Seed's life that her daughter shares with us in this film that are wonderfully direct. Some are ordinary journal entries that turn out to be succinctly extraordinary in their brevity. At one point, teenage Turner Seed wrote in her journal: 'Mom told me I should marry him. How can she play with my life that way?' Without playing with anyone's life, 'A Photographic Memory' makes beautiful sense of the connections between mother and daughter, work and love and other mysteries. ——— 'A PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY' 3.5 stars (out of 4) No MPA rating (brief partial nudity) Running time: 1:25 How to watch: Now in theaters ———
Fast Company
4 hours ago
- Health
- Fast Company
Neuroscientists find brain cells that explain why stress keeps you up at night
If your anxiety before a big test or a high-stakes presentation has ever kept you up at night, you can rest easier knowing that scientists are trying to get to the bottom of things. A new study published this month in The Journal of Neuroscience explores how stress interferes with sleep, causing cascading negative effects on memory and other cognitive processes. By pinpointing the specific neural mechanisms involved in stress-related memory problems and sleep disruptions, scientists hope to figure out stress-zapping treatments in the future. A group of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine's Chronobiology and Sleep Institute simulated human stress in lab mice, restraining the animals so they couldn't move. They then observed the animals' neural activity while they slept and gave the mice a spatial memory test. Much like a human stressed out before a big test, the mice slept poorly and showed memory deficits. The researchers went on to simulate the effects of the stress scenario without actually restraining the mice. By activating neurons that release the stress hormone corticotropin in a specific part of the hypothalamus known as the paraventricular nucleus, the research team stressed the mice out and went on to observe the same sleep and memory issues as if the animals had actually been restrained. When they blocked the same stress hormone-releasing neurons during the stress-inducing event, the mice slept a little better and had significantly less trouble during their spatial memory test – a hopeful finding understanding how to mitigate the problems that stress creates in the human brain. The researchers called the findings on the pathways of corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons in that region of the hypothalamus 'an important step toward improving sleep and ameliorating cognitive deficits associated with stress-related disorders' – a conclusion that anyone tired of having that one same stress dream can definitely get behind.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Should You Buy Micron Technology Stock Before June 25?
Micron Technology is a leading supplier of memory and storage chips for data centers, computers, and smartphones. Micron's HBM3E memory was selected by Nvidia to power its Blackwell and Blackwell Ultra AI data center chips. Micron will report its latest quarterly financial results on June 25, and strong revenue and earnings growth might be on the table. 10 stocks we like better than Micron Technology › The semiconductor industry is the beating heart of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, because most development happens in large data centers that are filled with thousands of graphics processing units (GPUs) from chipmakers like Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) and Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD). Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) is another leading chip company, but it doesn't supply GPUs, so it receives less attention than the likes of Nvidia. Instead, Micron makes memory and storage chips, which are becoming extremely important for processing AI workloads, not only in data centers, but also in computers and smartphones. Micron is scheduled to release its financial results for its fiscal 2025 third quarter (which ended on May 30) on June 25, and the company's guidance suggests the report could reveal substantial growth at the top and bottom line, driven by AI. Should investors buy the stock ahead of the release? GPUs are ideal for AI workloads because they are designed for parallel processing, meaning they can handle multiple tasks at once with a high degree of efficiency. But GPUs need memory to store data in a ready state, so it can be called upon at a moment's notice to speed up processing time. Micron's HBM3E (high-bandwidth memory) for the data center is the best in the industry. In fact, Nvidia selected it to power its latest Blackwell and Blackwell Ultra GPUs, which are designed for next-generation "reasoning" AI models. These models require significantly more computing power and memory than traditional large language models (LLMs), because they spend more time thinking in the background to craft the most accurate responses for users. Micron expects the market for data center HBM to double to $35 billion this year, and then grow to $100 billion by 2030. The company is already completely sold out of HBM3E until 2026, and it's now working on HBM4E to stay ahead of the competition. This new solution will launch next year, and it could deliver a whopping 60% more bandwidth than its predecessor. But memory is also a critical component in computers and smartphones -- even more so now that some smaller AI workloads are designed to be processed on-device. In other words, chips are becoming powerful enough to run some AI applications (like chatbots) offline, so they don't need to lean on any computing power from external data centers. As a result, Micron says the minimum DRAM (memory) requirement in an AI personal computer is now 16 gigabytes, up from 12 gigabytes last year for non-AI computers. AI-enabled smartphones have also experienced a jump in memory demand to 12 gigabytes, compared to 8 gigabytes for their non-AI counterparts. During the fiscal 2025 second quarter (ended Feb. 27), Micron generated $8.1 billion in total revenue, which was a 38% increase from the year-ago period. That included $4.6 billion in compute and networking revenue -- where the company accounts for its data center memory sales -- which was up by a whopping 109%. Micron likely had another very strong three-month stretch in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, the results of which will be announced on June 25. The company forecast around $8.8 billion in revenue, which would be a 29% increase from the year-ago quarter. Management didn't offer any specific guidance for the compute and networking segment, but it has been the main driver of Micron's consistent strength over the past year, and that was likely the case again in Q3. Micron's surging revenue is also driving strong growth at its bottom line. The company delivered $1.56 in non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings per share (EPS) during the second quarter, a 271% increase from the year-ago period. Management's guidance suggests non-GAAP EPS came in at around $1.37 in Q3, which would be up 121% year over year. Based on Micron's $5.15 in trailing-12-month EPS, its stock is trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just 23.3. That makes it much cheaper than Nvidia stock, which trades at a P/E ratio of 45.7. Since Micron's HBM3E is embedded into Nvidia's most powerful GPUs, investors who believe Nvidia's AI chip sales will continue to soar should also hold a positive view of Micron's business from here. Back in March, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said his company already had orders for 3.6 million Blackwell GPUs from just four customers alone, which suggests Micron's data center business could boom for the foreseeable future. Therefore, Micron's success won't hinge on any single quarter. I think the stock could be a great buy right now based on its valuation and the demand pipeline for its memory chips, irrespective of the upcoming June 25 report. As long as investors are willing to hold the stock for the long term, they give themselves a good chance to earn a positive return. Before you buy stock in Micron Technology, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Micron Technology wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $658,297!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $883,386!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 992% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 172% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 9, 2025 Anthony Di Pizio has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Should You Buy Micron Technology Stock Before June 25? was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Experts pinpoint simple mindset change that could slash the risk of early dementia
Staying positive can cut the risk of memory loss in middle age, a major study suggests. Researchers tracked more than 10,000 people aged over 50 and found those with higher levels of wellbeing were more likely to have better scores on memory tests. They also reported a greater sense of control, independence and freedom to make choices than other people. While the link was small, researchers suggested it was significant. Co-author Joshua Stott, professor of ageing and clinical psychology at University College London, said: 'This study represents an important step toward understanding the interplay between wellbeing and memory over time. 'It offers new insights into how self-rated wellbeing is associated with memory and vice versa. 'While our findings are preliminary, they highlight the importance of considering psychosocial influences on brain health such as memory.' The study, published in the journal Aging & Mental Health, tracked 10,760 men and women aged over 50. They were assessed on wellbeing and memory every two years – a total of nine times during the 16-year study period, starting in 2002. Researchers checked people's ability to learn and recall ten words immediately and after a delay. Wellbeing was also assessed using a quality-of-life questionnaire, looking at areas such as pleasure, control and autonomy. Questions people were asked included the phrases: 'I can do the things that I want to do', and 'I feel that life is full of opportunities'. The study found a small but significant association between higher wellbeing and better memory, which still existed even after any depression was taken into account. The researchers suggested reasons why wellbeing may have a positive impact on memory, such as people may be more likely to exercise, which improves health. Age, gender, other lifestyle factors and socioeconomic status may also have a negative or positive impact on wellbeing and memory, they added. The authors found no evidence that it was poor memory causing low wellbeing in some people, but they stressed this could not be ruled out. The research was funded by Alzheimer's Research UK and others, including the Medical Research Council. Emma Taylor, information services manager at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: 'Loving your heart, staying sharp and keeping connected are key to protecting our brain health as we age. 'There are 14 established health and lifestyle risk factors for dementia, including lack of physical exercise, social isolation, and depression, which are linked to wellbeing. 'This study found that people over 50 who reported they felt happier and more fulfilled in life had a better memory over time. 'However, this research is observational – and more work is needed to understand how a positive wellbeing and memory are connected and whether this has a knock-on effect on dementia risk. 'Looking after our mental wellbeing plays an important part in our overall health. 'And it's never too late to start taking steps to keep our brains healthy throughout our lives and lessen the devastating impact of dementia.' Study co-author Dr Emily Willroth, assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri, said: 'Going forwards it would be fantastic if this research can build on the foundations of ongoing memory research to potentially inform strategies supporting cognitive health in ageing populations – that is the aim.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Says ‘We Are Heading Towards a World Where AI Will Just Have Unbelievable Context on Your Life'
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has called ChatGPT's new memory feature his 'favorite recent' advancement, but the technology's ability to remember and leverage deep context about users is raising as many questions as it answers. In a podcast released today, Altman described the feature as a 'real surprising level up,' saying, 'Now that the computer knows a lot of context on me, and if I ask it a question with only a small number of words, it knows enough about the rest of my life to be pretty confident in what I want it to do. Sometimes in ways I don't even think of. I think we are heading towards a world where, if you want, the AI will just have unbelievable context on your life and give you super, super helpful answers.' Is Palantir Stock Poised to Surge Amidst the Israel-Iran Conflict? CoreWeave Stock Is Too 'Expensive' According to Analysts. Should You Sell CRWV Now? 'It Has No Utility': Warren Buffett Doesn't Care How High Gold Goes, He Isn't a Buyer Tired of missing midday reversals? The FREE Barchart Brief newsletter keeps you in the know. Sign up now! The new memory feature allows ChatGPT to retain information from past interactions and build a persistent profile of each user's preferences, routines, and even personal milestones. This means the AI can provide more tailored, anticipatory responses — streamlining tasks, making recommendations, and even reminding users of important events or deadlines without being prompted. For many, this represents a long-awaited leap toward truly personal digital assistants, capable of understanding context and nuance in a way that feels almost human. However, this leap in convenience comes with significant privacy implications. Persistent memory means ChatGPT is storing more personal data than ever before, including potentially sensitive details about users' lives, work, and relationships. There are also concerns about how this data might be used for targeted advertising, profiling, or even surveillance. While much of this is just speculation right now, any large pool of stored data will inevitably become a target for bad actors. As scams become more elaborate, unauthorized access to a user's OpenAI account could spell disaster, as it would allow hackers access to sensitive work documents, fragile mental states, ongoing personal issues, and a host of other information. Even worse, bad actors could essentially use one's account as a search engine for detrimental information on that user. OpenAI has anticipated some of these concerns, and is promising robust user controls and transparency. According to the company, users will be able to review, edit, and delete their stored memories at any time. There will also be options to disable the memory feature entirely, reverting ChatGPT to a 'stateless' mode where no information is retained between sessions. Altman emphasized the importance of consent and user choice in the podcast, which hopefully means users currently have little to worry about. 'I hope this will be a moment where society realizes that privacy is really important,' Altman said during the interview. The introduction of persistent memory in consumer AI comes at a time of heightened regulatory scrutiny. Lawmakers in the U.S., EU, and elsewhere are actively debating new rules for AI transparency, data retention, and user rights. OpenAI's approach to privacy and user empowerment could set a precedent for the industry, but it will also be closely watched by regulators and privacy advocates. Competitors such as Google (GOOGL) (GOOG), Meta (META), and Anthropic are reportedly developing similar features, suggesting that persistent memory may soon become standard in advanced AI systems. This raises the stakes for getting privacy protections right from the outset. For users, the promise of a digital assistant that truly 'knows' them is both exciting and unsettling. The convenience of having an AI that can anticipate needs, manage schedules, and offer personalized advice is undeniable. Yet, as Altman's comments make clear, this future depends on a delicate balance between utility and privacy. As AI systems become more deeply integrated into daily life, the conversation around memory, context, and consent will only grow more urgent. OpenAI's latest innovation is a glimpse of what's possible — but also a reminder that, in the world of intelligent machines, privacy and trust must remain at the forefront. On the date of publication, Caleb Naysmith did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
