Touchpoint 1
New DNA-infused computer chip can perform calculations and make future AI models far more efficient
What is it?
DNA is great for storing information and has a lot more memory in a tiny space than conventional computers. But it takes a longer time to get data onto and off of DNA. Scientists think they can manipulate DNA to make it faster and hope to one day use it for AI calculations.
Potential message to students:
Do you think it’s a good idea to use biological material in a computer? If we use enough biological material to build AI systems, at what point does it stop being a computer and start being a living machine?
Touchpoint 2
836 Pitt undergraduates contributed data for a new study on plants and pollution
What is it?
In 2018, biology professors were encouraged to incorporate real research into college courses. Two professors worked with hundreds of undergraduate students to track duckweed in ponds over multiple years. This research led to a paper that was just published based on the work of 836 college students.
Potential message for students:
Isn’t it cool that even before students graduate college, they can help with real-world research? Do you think we should be using more students to help collect data for larger studies? Could an entire biology department work together on a single paper?
Touchpoint 3
Study reveals ‘considerable farmer knowledge’ on aspects of antibiotics risk
What is it?
There are antibiotics available for use with livestock in Kenya. Researchers wanted to study whether Kenyan farmers were using them and how safely. 80% of Kenyan farmers are using antibiotics and 76% are aware of the diseases these antibiotics treat or prevent.
Potential message to students:
Do you think medicine availability or local knowledge about medicines is a bigger issue for the developing world? Do you think more medicines would be used if information sharing was better? What do you think about farmers educating other farmers?