Spy agencies brief people in power. We brief you. Each week we’ll bring you one story that matters, plus a few that don’t!
Your Brief for November 28, 2024: Squirrel Agent, Earth's mini-moon, AI versus doctors, Lucy's 50th anniversary and more!
News
Squirrel Agent
A new tool called Squirrel Agent could revolutionize efforts to protect the endangered red squirrel. This AI system, trained to identify grey and red squirrels with 97% accuracy, is already being tested across the UK. The AI allows red squirrels to access feeders stocked with food, while grey squirrels encounter feeders with contraceptive paste. This innovative approach aims to support red populations while humanely managing greys. Developed by Genysys Engine in partnership with wildlife charities, Squirrel Agent may have broader potential. If successful, it could be adapted for other species, bringing AI into the heart of conservation.
True Spies
Moonlight Maze
Could you stop a hacker in their tracks?
It’s 1999, and DoD intelligence officer Bob Gourley is at the vanguard of the US Government’s defense against cyber espionage. He’s joined a task force charged with uncovering shadowy hackers who've been siphoning America’s scientific secrets for 3 years. An attack vector that was so new even the highest reaches of the US government weren’t sure what to do about it.
Bob must navigate cutting-edge tech, inter-agency backbiting, and the machinations of an old enemy if he wants answers. And with no clear enemy to blame, interdepartmental relations within the government would be tested to their limit. Not only was the US government caught off guard, but this attack would signal the beginning of the digital game of cat and mouse that continues to this day!
What came of his mission? Join Bob in this week’s podcast selection, ‘Moonlight Maze’, to find out!
Executive produced by the Russo Brothers’ AGBO, Citadel Season 1, Citadel: Diana and Citadel: Honey Bunny, dive into the secret world of rival spy agencies.
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History
Lucy's 50th Anniversary
What famous fossil was named after a Beatles song?
On November 24, 1974, scientists unearthed Lucy, a 3.2-million-year-old fossil, in Hadar, Ethiopia. This Sunday marks 50 years since the discovery of one of the most complete hominin fossils ever found, with 40% of her skeleton intact. Standing about 3.5 feet tall, Lucy belongs to the Australopithecus afarensis species, a key figure in understanding how our ancestors walked upright long before their brains grew. Her name was inspired by the Beatles' song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, which played during the excavation. Housed today in the National Museum of Ethiopia, Lucy’s legacy continues to shape research into early human evolution. Though once thought to be humanity’s earliest ancestor, newer discoveries have sparked debates about which species is closest to modern humans.
Image Credit: Human Origins, Arizona State University
Quirky
AI Versus Doctors
Can AI outdiagnose a doctor?
ChatGPT-4 outperformed human physicians in diagnosing medical cases during a recent study, even when those doctors had access to the same chatbot. Dr. Adam Rodman, an internal medicine expert at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, anticipated that AI-powered tools could be a valuable aid for doctors.
ChatGPT-4 scored 90% when diagnosing conditions and explaining reasoning based on medical case reports. In comparison, doctors using the chatbot scored an average of 76%, while those without it scored 74%. The research revealed another surprising insight: doctors often stuck to their initial diagnoses, even when the AI suggested a more accurate alternative.
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How do 80 million Americans celebrate Thanksgiving?
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicked off the holiday this morning in New York City. The holiday might be about family and food, but record-breaking stats are no stranger to the table. This year, roughly 80 million Americans are heading 50 miles or more to celebrate. The majority will drive, while air travel is set to hit new highs with 3 million passengers expected on Sunday alone. 46 million turkeys will be served, and regional treats like mac and cheese or marshmallows with sweet potatoes might be found on the table!
Science
Earth's Mini-Moon
Where is Earth’s ‘second moon’ now?
Earth had a temporary companion—a 33-foot asteroid named 2024 PT5. Discovered in August, the space rock followed a horseshoe-shaped orbit before leaving in November. But here’s the twist: scientists think this asteroid might be a piece of our Moon. Its composition closely matches samples from lunar maria—dark plains formed by ancient lava flows—suggesting it was ejected by a massive impact millions of years ago. 2024 PT5 isn’t gone for good. It will pass by Earth again in January, coming within 1.1 million miles, before disappearing until 2055.
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