Plastic pollution is a growing problem in Japan, prompting cleanup efforts to recover plastic litter from water bodies. However, research on recovery rates from different river basins remains limited. In a recent study, researchers from Japan conducted a nationwide analysis of plastic litter recovery in over 100 river basins, shedding light on the impact of climate change, population density, and natural disasters. Their findings will help inform future cleanup strategies and improve plastic management.

This paper introduces WisdomBot, a novel Large Language Model (LLMs) designed specifically for education. By incorporating educational theories and specialized knowledge, WisdomBot aims to overcome the limitations of general LLMs in educational domain. The model utilizes self-instructed knowledge concepts and instructions guided by Bloom’s Taxonomy for training. Additionally, during inference, it employs local knowledge base retrieval augmentation and search engine retrieval augmentation to enhance accuracy and professionalism of its responses. Experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of WisdomBot in generating reliable and professional educational content.

The University of California, Riverside, is transforming undergraduate chemistry classes, allowing students multiple opportunities to demonstrate knowledge while reducing the high stakes of traditional exams. Educators believe the approach will improve outcomes for underserved students.

The University of Tennessee and the University of Sheffield recently signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate educational and research collaborations, share best practices, and promote student and staff exchanges between the institutions.  

The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California San Diego is creating programs to improve safety for all roadway users, including drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. With support from two grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the NHTSA, the school is developing an educational program geared towards Native American youth as well as new online courses to improve older driver safety.

SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, has announced Morgan Fogarty, who is expected to receive her PhD in Imaging Science from Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) in February, as the recipient of the 2025 SPIE-Franz Hillenkamp Postdoctoral Fellowship in Problem-Driven Biomedical Optics and Analytics. The annual award of $75,000 supports interdisciplinary problem-driven research and provides opportunities for translating new technologies into clinical practice for improving human health. Fogarty will be recognized at the Sunday evening plenary session during SPIE Photonics West, scheduled for 26 January 2025.