Bits & Atomen Van pizza-etende hagedissen tot dronken vleermuizen: wat de Ig Nobelprijzen ons leren
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Sep 19, 2025 In this intriguing discussion, guest journalist Tom Ysebaert shares insights into the peculiar world of the Ig Nobel prizes, revealing how seemingly silly studies, like pizza-loving lizards and drunken bats, can spark genuine reflection. The conversation dives into the DNA secrets of mammoths, unearthing their dental woes over millennia. They also tackle Elon Musk's ambitious plans for mobile networks and weigh in on Anthropic's hefty payouts to authors amidst evolving AI copyright battles. A mix of humor and science awaits!
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Mammoth Mouths Held Modern-Like Bacteria
- Ancient mammoth mouth DNA reveals many oral bacteria similar to modern elephants.
- Short degraded DNA fragments distinguish authentic ancient microbes from recent contamination.
AI Payments Raise Complex Licensing Questions
- Anthropic offered payments to authors after legal pressure over using books to train models.
- The settlement scheme raised complex questions about reuse, frequency of payments, and scope across companies.
Clarify Terms Before Allowing AI Training Use
- Authors and creators should consult legal counsel and track how companies use their works.
- Negotiate clear recurring or one-off payment terms before allowing dataset reuse by AI firms.