gravelc · HackerTrans

13 gün öncediscuss

Tried this to see how it goes in my particular field - computational design of RNAi-based biopesticides. One-shotted a design for targeting the DvSnf7 transcript of western corn rootworm. It took a fairly naive approach (maybe how a 1st year PhD student would go about it), but got the job done. Also noted caveats with its approach (e.g. using mammalian design rules, limited off-target screening). Not bad really. But also not great. When its flaws were pointed out, the AI determined that it could have taken a more informed approach. Then Opus 4.8's safety system flagged the session.

gravelc

25 gün öncediscuss

The 'Ask Reason for Calling' iPhone feature has completely eliminated scam calls for me. Real callers not in contacts leave a short message and I pick it up. Best iOS feature from the last few years IMO.

gravelc

geçen aydiscuss

BYD only entered the Australian car market in 2022.

They are now the 2nd biggest seller after Toyota (https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/insight/byd-overtakes-rivals-...).

They are also priced much lower than KIA and Tesla.

FWIW I now own a GWM Cannon Αlpha PHEV pickup. Have also owned a Jeep Wrangler - the tech, build quality and reliability is not even on the same planet.

I can't imagine how the US manufacturers would compete with the Chinese ones on a level playing field. Not from the US, but it's hard to see how any administration would allow that. Would be the end of the local industry.

gravelc

2 ay öncediscuss

Banned in Australia (or at least in most states).

https://www.drive.com.au/caradvice/are-mobile-billboards-leg...

gravelc

3 ay öncediscuss

Pesticides form the backbone of crop protection. Without them, we're looking at at least a 40% reduction in global yield, and much greater uncertainty in food supply chains (the oil shocks show how bad that can be). Pesticides per se are not the problem; synthetic broad-spectrum pesticides with many unintended effects are. They're often toxic to people and ecosystems, and resistance among pests and pathogens is increasing anyway, so their days are numbered to a degree. Biopesticides, which are generally safer and much more sustainable, offer a real solution to at least the safety issue.

I work on RNAi-based biopesticides (sprayed dsRNA) - non-GM, doesn't impact beneficial species, doesn't hang around in the environment, etc. Already ubiquitous in nature (and part of our diet). Peptide-based biopesticides are another approach that is going well. Both approaches are now commercialised by smaller players (e.g. for varroa mite control in bee hives by GreenLight), and not by the Bayer, Syngenta types.

gravelc

6 yıl öncediscuss

My (Apple) Powerbeats Pro work about 50% of the time. A really bad design flaw with the tiny contacts means that 1 of the pair frequently doesn't charge in the case after a few minutes.

Go to use them for a run and one is often flat. Or my phone will try and connect to the non-charging one in the case, leaving me with no sound when I'm not actually using ear phones.

Some Apple stuff is great - but 'it just works' is a myth.

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