Natural Awakenings Twin Cities June 2023

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global briefs Microplastics Released by Tea Bags Most mesh tea bags are made of 20 to 30 percent plastic, which can release microplastics and nanoplastics, causing harmful effects for both human health and the environment. In a study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, researchers found that one standard tea bag made with plastic released 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics into a cup of tea. The particles in the tea matched the nylon and polyethylene terephthalate in the original tea bag. Safer alternatives include steeping loose teas with a stainless steel or silicone tea strainer, or purchasing tea from brands that offer plastic-free teabags. Organic teas jatupronAdobeStock.com may still have plastic in the tea bag, as the packaging is not overseen by organic-certifying organizations. Open Letter to Pause AI Experiments A group of leading technology executives, researchers, academics and others from around the world have signed an open letter prepared by the Future of Life Institute calling for a six-month pause on large, human-competitive artificial intelligence (AI) experiments. As of March 31, more than 1,800 CEOs and 1,500 professors had signed the letter. “AI labs are locked in an out-of-control race to develop and deploy ever more powerful digital minds that no one— not even their creators—can understand, predict or reliably control,” the letter contends. The authors are concerned that “AI systems are now becoming human-competitive at general tasks.” While AI systems grow more powerful, there is no natural law or barrier to technical progress. The letter’s authors and signers are asking all AI labs to pause the training of powerful AI systems so that safety protocols can be implemented to ensure the effects of these systems will be positive and the risks manageable. According to the letter, “If such a pause cannot be enacted quickly, governments should step in and institute a moratorium.” Individuals can view and sign the letter at Tinyurl.com/ AImoratorium. lazaalaexa/ShutterStock.com Plastic Rocks Found on Remote Brazilian Island Brazilian researchers have discovered rocks formed from plastic debris in the permanently preserved area of Trindade Island, approximately 680 miles off the coast of Brazil. The island is a remote refuge for green turtles, which come by the thousands every year to lay their eggs. The only human inhabitants of the island are members of the Brazilian navy. The team of researchers ran chemical tests on the rocks, called plasticglomerates, and determined that they were formed when fishing nets were dragged by the current and accumulated on the beach. It is believed that the nets melt when the temperature rises and they become embedded with the sedimentary granules and other debris on the beach. erome LABOUYRIEShutterStock.com 10 NA Edition/Location website address
Artificial Intelligence That Can See With the Mind’s Eye A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Stanford University are using artificial intelligence (AI) to decode human brain scans and determine what a person is picturing in their mind. Participants underwent brain scans using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) machine while looking at more than 1,000 pictures, such as a red firetruck, a gray building and a giraffe eating leaves. This fMRI data was processed by an AI model for roughly 20 hours per patient, as it trained to associate certain brain patterns with the different images. To test the learning capabilities of the AI model, the subjects were then shown new images while undergoing fMRI. Upon reviewing the brain waves, the AI system generated a shorthand description of each person’s brain state and sketched its best-guess facsimile of the image the participant saw. The AI-generated image matched the attributes (color, shape and other details) and semantic meaning of the original image approximately 84 percent of the time. Researchers believe that in a decade the technology could be used on anyone, anywhere. photo courtesy of Wikipedia Locally owned and independent since 1968! Mastel’s HEALTH FOODS EST. 1968 vitamins, minerals, supplements, herbs, grocery, personal care, homeopathy, tcm 1526 ST. CLAIR AVENUE, ST. PAUL, MN 55105 T. 651-690-1692 • WWW.MASTELS.COM OPEN WEEKDAYS 9-8 • SATURDAY 9-6 • SUNDAY 12-5 Unburden your mind, heart and soul Wisdom Listening wisdomsisterstudio.com/listening Barb Ryan, CSD 612-922-2389 barb@wisdomsisterstudio.com Book Online Today! Annette Rugolo, Soul Coach AnnetteRugolo.com 612-394-3736 Are You Ready for Greater Success? Remove blocks preventing you from achieving greater success in any area of your life. Book Your Session Now! https://annetterugolo.com/activating-your-success-session/ <strong>June</strong> <strong>2023</strong> 11
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