Social media platforms have revolutionized human interaction, creating dynamic environments where millions of users exchange information, form communities, and influence one another. These platforms, including X and Reddit, are not just tools for communication but have become critical ecosystems for understanding modern societal behaviors. Simulating such intricate interactions is vital for studying misinformation, group polarization, and herd behavior. Computational models provide researchers a cost-effective and scalable way to analyze these interactions without conducting resource-intensive real-world experiments. But, creating models replicating the scale and complexity of social networks remains a significant challenge.The primary issue in modeling social media is capturing millions of users diverse behaviors and interactions in a dynamic network. Traditional agent-based models (ABMs) fall short of representing complex behaviors like context-driven decision-making or the influence of dynamic recommendation algorithms. Also, existing models are often limited to small-scale simulations, typically involving only hundreds or thousands of agents, which restricts their ability to mimic large-scale social systems. Such constraints hinder researchers from fully exploring phenomena like how misinformation spreads or how group dynamics evolve in online environments. These limitations highlight the need for more advanced and scalable simulation tools.Existing methods for simulating social media interactions often lack essential features like dynamic user networks, detailed recommendation systems, and real-time updates. For instance, most ABMs rely on pre-programmed agent behaviors, which fail to reflect the nuanced decision-making seen in real-world users. Also, current simulators are typically platform-specific, designed to study isolated phenomena, making them impractical for broader applications. They cannot often scale beyond a few thousand agents, leaving researchers unable to examine the behaviors of millions of users interacting simultaneously. The absence of scalable, versatile models has been a major bottleneck in advancing social media research.Researchers from Camel-AI, Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Dalian University of Technology, Oxford, KAUST, Fudan University, Xian Jiaotong University, Imperial College London, Max Planck Institute, and The University of Sydney developed OASIS, a next-generation social media simulator designed for scalability and adaptability to address these challenges. OASIS is built upon modular components, including an Environment Server, Recommendation System (RecSys), Time Engine, and Agent Module. It supports up to one million agents, making it one of the most comprehensive simulators. This system incorporates dynamically updated networks, diverse action spaces, and advanced algorithms to replicate real-world social media dynamics. By integrating data-driven methods and open-source frameworks, OASIS provides a flexible platform for studying phenomena across platforms like X and Reddit, enabling researchers to explore topics ranging from information propagation to herd behavior.The architecture of OASIS emphasizes both scale and functionality. The functions of some of the components are as follows:Its Environment Server is the backbone, storing detailed user profiles, historical interactions, and social connections.The Recommendation System customizes content visibility using advanced algorithms such as TwHIN-BERT, which processes user interests and recent activities to rank posts.The Time Engine governs user activation based on hourly probabilities, simulating realistic online behavior patterns.These components work together to create a simulation environment that can adapt to different platforms and scenarios. Switching from X to Reddit requires minimal module adjustments, making OASIS a versatile tool for social media research. Its distributed computing infrastructure ensures efficient handling of large-scale simulations, even with up to one million agents.In experiments modeling information propagation on X, OASIS achieved a normalized RMSE of approximately 30%, demonstrating its ability to align with actual dissemination trends. The simulator also replicated group polarization, showing that agents tend to adopt more extreme opinions during interactions. This effect was particularly pronounced in uncensored models, where agents used more extreme language. Moreover, OASIS revealed unique insights, such as the herd effect being more evident in agents than in humans. Agents consistently followed negative trends when exposed to down-treated comments, while humans displayed a stronger critical approach. These findings underscore the simulators potential to uncover both expected and novel patterns in social behavior.With OASIS, larger agent groups lead to richer and more diverse interactions. For example, when the number of agents increased from 196 to 10,196, the diversity and helpfulness of user responses improved significantly, with a 76.5% increase in perceived helpfulness. At an even larger scale of 100,196 agents, user interactions became more varied and meaningful, illustrating the importance of scalability in studying group behavior. Also, OASIS demonstrated that misinformation spreads more effectively than truthful information, particularly when rumors are emotionally provocative. The simulator also showed how isolated user groups form over time, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of online communities.Key takeaways from the OASIS research include:OASIS can simulate up to one million agents, far surpassing the capabilities of existing models.It supports multiple platforms, including X and Reddit, with modular components that are easily adjustable.The simulator replicates phenomena like group polarization and herd behavior, providing a deeper understanding of these dynamics.OASIS achieved a normalized RMSE of 30% in information propagation experiments, closely aligning with real-world trends.It demonstrated that rumors spread faster and more widely than truthful information in large-scale simulations.Larger agent groups enhance the diversity and helpfulness of responses, emphasizing the importance of scale in social media studies.OASIS distributed computing allows for efficient handling of simulations, even with millions of agents.In conclusion, OASIS is a breakthrough in simulating social media dynamics, offering scalability and adaptability. OASIS addresses existing model limitations and provides a robust framework for studying complex-scale interactions. Integrating LLMs with rule-based agents accurately mimics the behaviors of up to one million users across platforms like X and Reddit. Its ability to replicate complex phenomena, such as information propagation, group polarization, and herd effects, provides researchers valuable insights into modern social ecosystems.Check out the Paper and GitHub Page. All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. Dont Forget to join our60k+ ML SubReddit. Sana Hassan+ postsSana Hassan, a consulting intern at Marktechpost and dual-degree student at IIT Madras, is passionate about applying technology and AI to address real-world challenges. With a keen interest in solving practical problems, he brings a fresh perspective to the intersection of AI and real-life solutions. [Download] Evaluation of Large Language Model Vulnerabilities Report (Promoted)

Dec 28, 2024Ravie LakshmananVulnerability / Threat IntelligenceA high-severity flaw impacting select Four-Faith routers has come under active exploitation in the wild, according to new findings from VulnCheck.The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2024-12856 (CVSS score: 7.2), has been described as an operating system (OS) command injection bug affecting router models F3x24 and F3x36.The severity of the shortcoming is lower due to the fact that it only works if the remote attacker is able to successfully authenticate themselves. However, if the default credentials associated with the routers have not been changed, it could result in unauthenticated OS command execution.In the attack detailed by VulnCheck, the unknown threat actors have been found to leverage the router's default credentials to trigger exploitation of CVE-2024-12856 and launch a reverse shell for persistent remote access.The exploitation attempt originated from the IP address 178.215.238[.]91, which has been previously used in connection with attacks seeking to weaponize CVE-2019-12168, another remote code execution flaw affecting Four-Faith routers. According to threat intelligence firm GreyNoise, efforts to exploit CVE-2019-12168 have been recorded as recently as December 19, 2024."The attack can be conducted against, at least, the Four-Faith F3x24 and F3x36 over HTTP using the /apply.cgi endpoint," Jacob Baines said in a report. "The systems are vulnerable to OS command injection in the adj_time_year parameter when modifying the device's system time via submit_type=adjust_sys_time."Data from Censys shows that there are over 15,000 internet-facing devices. There is some evidence suggesting that attacks exploiting the flaw may have been ongoing since at least early November 2024.There is currently no information about the availability of patches, although VulnCheck stated that it responsibly reported the flaw to the Chinese company on December 20, 2024. The Hacker News has reached out to Four-Faith for comment prior to the publication of this story and will update the piece if we hear back.Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

UFC President Dana White (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)2017 Getty ImagesDonald Cowboy Cerrone is serious about his comeback to the UFC.On Friday, Cerrone told Adam Pac-Man Jones on his podcast that he was back in the UFCs testing pool, and would need to be clean for six months, and hes eyeing return in June or July.In October when news of Cerrones comeback attempt broke, UFC President Dana White was asked his thoughts. White wasted no time telling the reporter, I hate it. I hate it. Love him, hate that. He retired for a reason. For what? If it's about money, he can do something else. Cause he ain't gonna fight for the rest of his life, he's always gonna need to make money. So let's figure that out now instead of three years from now.Here is the corrected text following GPS rules, ensuring grammar, punctuation, and spelling corrections while retaining the original voice:Here is a look at the clip, which occurred during the post-event presser following an episode of Season 8 of the Dana White Contender Series.White also said he doesnt want to see Cerrone take any more damage.MORE FOR YOUCerrone has been open about his use of steroids and peptides during his time away from the Octagon. Hes said he feels great and ready to have two more fights in the UFC, which would bring his total to 50 under the Zuffa banner.However, Cerrone knows that he will need to detox from the performance-enhancing drugs hes been takinglegal for civilians, but banned for athletes in combat sports competitions.Former UFC champion and current analyst Daniel Cormier was openly critical of Cerrone returning to the Octagon.Despite the pushback from his former peers and the UFC president, Cerrone seems undeterred. Whites concerns are valid.Cerrones career in the UFC was severely on the downturn. He finished on a nine-fight winless streak, with a no-contest against Niko Price in September 2020 being the only decision that kept him from having a worse skid than Tony Ferguson.Cerrone was inducted into the UFCs Hall of Fame despite his 36-17 (two no contests) record and never having captured a championship. However, Cerrone established himself as one of the most exciting, durable, and available fighters in MMA history.In addition to his 55 professional MMA bouts, Cerrone won 21 performance bonuses. Cerrone fought for a championship twice: once in WEC and once in the UFC. He lost a split decision to Jamie Varner for the WEC lightweight championship in January 2009.In 2015, Cerrone was stopped in the first round by Rafael dos Anjos in his bid to become the UFC lightweight champion.If and when Cerrone comes back, he says he believes he would compete at middleweight. Itll be interesting to see who he draws if he makes it through the testing process.Ferguson would be a logical opponent, though he has never fought at middleweight. A rematch with Conor McGregor makes sense. However, at this point, it would be a bigger shock to see McGregor in the Octagon than Cerrone.Perhaps Nate Diaz or Jorge Masvidal would be willing to face Cerrone. Matching Cerrone with any young up-and-comer might set the Hall-of-Famer up to take unnecessary damage.Dont be surprised to see Cerrone appear on the prelims of International Fight Week in Las Vegas. Despite his retirement and absence from action, he still has a big name and legions of fans.Cerrones fight would be a strong featured prelim on that card, no matter who he fights.

Here's what not to do when you update your PCNurPhoto via Getty ImagesRepublished on December 28 with additional reports into new update warning.Microsoft has confirmed an unusual warning for Windows users updating their PCs. If you make a simple mistake, your PC might remain in a state where it cannot accept further Windows security updates. Bad news, especially as it will clearly be confusing if and when it happens.As Windows Latest reported on Christmas Day, if you use a USB or drive to install Windows 11 24H2 with the October 2024 or November 2024 security updates included, you might end up breaking Windows Update. By default, Windows 11 24H2 ships without October or November security patches.What Microsoft says in its documentation is that when using media to install Windows 11, version 24H2, the device might remain in a state where it cannot accept further Windows security updates. This occurs only when the media is created to include the October 2024, or November 2024, security updates as part of the installation (these updates were released between October 8, 2024 and November 12, 2024)... This only occurs when utilizing media - such as CD and USB flash drives - to install Windows 11, version 24H2. This issue does not occur for devices where the October 2024 security update or the November 2024 security updates are installed via Windows Update.Still, a confusing way to spend Christmas Day catching up on belated security updates to find yourself in something of a frozen update state. Windows Latest puts the issue down too the way in which users might create their Windows 11 external media copy to install the OS with newer updates.MORE FOR YOUMicrosoft remains in a bind with Windows 11. The stats are refusing to budge in its favor, as hundreds of millions of users vote with their PCs to stick to Windows 10. And to add to the messy situation, conflicting media reports suggest the company either is or is not relaxing its hardware hurdle for taking. the leap from Windows 10 to Windows 11. It is not.At first it was thought that only relatively few users would be impacted. Microsoft told Windows Latest the company is aware of these reports and that they only affect a very small number of PCs... What can you do if youre unable to install new cumulative updates after installing Windows 11 24H2? Youll need to download the Media Creation tool, create a fresh media file, and reinstall the OS.But 48-hours on from the initial story and it has created something of a buzz, suggesting either more users than first thought would be affected or it has added to the unfortunate Windows 11 narrative that Microsoft is battling. Per Bleeping Computer, Microsoft is currently working on a permanent fix The installation media issue is added to a long string of problems that impacts 24H2, the latest major feature update for Microsoft's operating system, which was released earlier this year to offer enhanced security, usability, and performance.As The Register explains, according to Microsoft's marketing for its flagship OS: "Your Windows 11 PC brings layers and layers of security measures to help keep your digital life in safe handsyours... Unfortunately, for some users, what it does not bring are security updates. While Microsoft's marketing and compatibility requirements for Windows 11 might imply that the security situation is all tickety-boo, the reality for the operating system and much of the rest of the software world is that a relentless stream of updates is required to keep out the miscreants.There have been a raft of these type of update and upgrade issues in recent weeks. Certain brands of PC or PCs with certain software installed being taken off update lists as software conflicts cause crashes or worse. Its not been smooth running.2025 is the critical year for Windows 11, with its more popular older sibling scheduled to hit end-of-support in October. Yes, users can now elect to pay Microsoft $30 to extend security support for 12-months, but there are hundreds of millions of holdouts so far refusing to budge, and many that cannot given they fail the hardware test. All told, Microsoft will want this tided up quickly. Microsoft is currently working on a permanent fix, Bleeping Computer reports, and recommends that media-based Windows 11 24H2 installations use the December 2024 security update, released on December 10, to avoid encountering subsequent updating problems.

Bogus health advice is widespread online, and often follows a few strategies.Misinformation can harm a person's physical and mental health.Look out for big claims and conspiratorial tones, Dr. Idrees Mughal advised.A doctor who challenges nutrition misinformation online and wrote a book about common tricks, listed red flags to look out for.Health misinformation can cause real damage to physical and mental health so it's crucial to learn how to spot it, said Dr. Idrees Mughal, a medical doctor with a master's degree in nutritional research.Mughal was speaking last month at an online nutrition misinformation conference hosted by the Royal College of Medicine and the nutrition organization Nutritank.It's impossible to be knowledgeable about all health claims, but being able to spot patterns can help you spot fakery, Mughal said.He are his three red flags:Absolute languageWords like "most," "top," "worst," "best," "always," and "never" do not belong in health advice because they don't consider individual differences, Mughal said. "No one who is truly evidence-based would use terms like these."People have different needs and goals, and no one ingredient or diet can be the top way to eat for the whole population, he said.Take nuts for example: They are a good source of fiber, protein, and healthy fats, and some studies suggest that eating them regularly is linked to longevity. But nut allergies are widespread, and can be fatal so the advice won't work for everyone.A quick fix"The promise of a quick fix is always a massive red flag," Mughal said.People are much more receptive to things that can be done fast. Silver-bullet-type content tends to garner more engagements, clicks, and likes, he said.But chronic diseases that can be impacted by our lifestyle choices, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, require a long-term lifestyle management treatment plan. "If you didn't develop them overnight, you're not going to fix them overnight," he said.Creating an 'us versus them' mentalityHealth misinformation can undermine public health and lead to mistrust in medical professionals, Mughal said.Some wellness influencers leverage this mistrust to market themselves and create an "us versus them" mentality, he said.Rather than providing evidence-based information, they might say things like, "The healthcare industry doesn't want you to know this. I'm about to let you in on a huge secret," which frames them as an expert with hidden knowledge, he said. At the same time, it encourages you to distrust the more established authorities"It's a very kind of predatory wellness marketing tactic," Mughal said.

Dynamic Center for "The Springs" / gmp ArchitectsSave this picture! CreatAR ImagesOffice BuildingsShanghai, ChinaArchitects: gmp ArchitectsAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:193540 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:CreatAR ImagesMore SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. The architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp) have completed an office campus in the northern part of Shanghai. It is located in Jiangwan New Town in the Yangpu District, with the commercial quarter of Wujiaochang to the south and the green spaces of the university town to the north. The building complex consists of high-rise slabs arranged in windmill formation and an organically shaped plinth landscape with shops and restaurants, forming the core of the new urban district "The Springs." This area of approximately 90 hectares, which includes office spaces, residential areas, hotels, as well as retail outlets, eateries, and entertainment facilities, has been developed in phases by the real estate company Tishman Speyer since 2011. Save this picture!Save this picture!The arrangement of the high-rise slabs in repeating patterns creates a high-density center of the new urban area. Two of the six office towers are connected by three-story bridges and are slightly offset from one another. One of the three pairs of buildings is rotated by 90 degrees. Their heights vary between 100 and 133 meters, with the highest point located at the southern end of the site, near "The Axiom" twin towers designed by Bro Ole Scheeren.Save this picture!Save this picture!A pedestrian bridge designed by gmp connects the areas. The site to the northeast, alongside the office towers, features a four-story ensemble of three organically designed buildings, which are also interconnected by bridges. This creates a transition to the area designed by Henning Larsen to the east. The gmp design spatially and functionally links the surrounding projects of these international architectural firms.Save this picture!Save this picture!The open urban design with its range of pathways, sightlines, and mix of functions, has created a busy hub in the center of "The Springs" that is throbbing with activity at all times of the day. Restaurants and shops are facing both the street and the interior promenades, complementing the office spaces currently predominantly occupied by the Douyin Group, the Chinese version of TikTok.Save this picture!A facade structure consisting of horizontal aluminum slats extends along the long sides of the individual office towers, reaching beyond the building edges. The copper-colored sun and glare protection elements give the ensemble a warm appearance. The sky gardens, formed by recesses at the ends of the high-rises, provide natural ventilation to the interiors, and in addition offer special amenities for the offices.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Shanghai, ChinaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officegmp ArchitectsOfficePublished on December 28, 2024Cite: "Dynamic Center for "The Springs" / gmp Architects" 28 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024828/dynamic-center-for-the-springs-gmp-architects&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save? / gmp ArchitectsYou've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Exploring lost civilizations has long been a source of fascination in video games, blending mystery, history, and adventure. From ancient ruins to forgotten empires, these games often immerse players in exotic worlds brimming with secrets and challenges.

About a third of the way through Dragon Quest 3 Remake's main story, you will find yourself tasked with completing three key tasks that will move the story forward. The exact nature of these tasks is listed after you defeat the Boss Troll in Manoza. We will go over each task in detail below, but for now we'll point out that they revolve around locating three key items: the Boatman's Bone, the Lovers' Locket, and the Mountaincleaver sword.

There are many genres of anime, from action to fantasy. Viewers enjoy mechas fighting and protagonists wielding massive weapons to defeat a great evil; however, sometimes people just want to sit back and watch something wholesome. When it comes to relaxing in front of the screen, some of the most feel-good anime tend to fall under the categories of comedy, romance, and slice of life. These often have less fan service and conflict appears in the form of everyday issues or comedic misunderstandings.