Every Sunday, NPR host Will Shortz, The New York Times crossword puzzle guru, gets to quiz thousands of listeners in a long-running segment called the Sunday Puzzle. While written to be solvable without too much foreknowledge, the brainteasers are usually challenging even for skilled contestants.Thats why some experts think theyre a promising way to test the limits of AIs problem-solving abilities.In a new study, a team of researchers hailing from Wellesley College, Oberlin College, the University of Texas at Austin, Northeastern University, and startup Cursor created an AI benchmark using riddles from Sunday Puzzle episodes. The team says their test uncovers surprising insights, like that so-called reasoning models OpenAIs o1, among others sometimes give up and provide answers they know arent correct.We wanted to develop a benchmark with problems that humans can understand with only general knowledge, Arjun Guha, a computer science undergraduate at Northeastern and one of the co-authors on the study, told TechCrunch. The AI industry is in a bit of a benchmarking quandary at the moment. Most of the tests commonly used to evaluate AI models probe for skills, like competency on PhD-level math and science questions, that arent relevant to the average user. Meanwhile, many benchmarks even benchmarks released relatively recently are quickly approaching the saturation point.The advantages of a public radio quiz game like the Sunday Puzzle is that it doesnt test for esoteric knowledge, and the challenges are phrased such that models cant draw on rote memory to solve them, explained Guha.I think what makes these problems hard is that its really difficult to make meaningful progress on a problem until you solve it thats when everything clicks together all at once, Guha said. That requires a combination of insight and a process of elimination.No benchmark is perfect, of course. The Sunday Puzzle is U.S.-centric and English-only. And because the quizzes are publicly available, its possible that models trained on them and can cheat in a sense, although Guha says he hasnt seen evidence of this. New questions are released every week, and we can expect the latest questions to be truly unseen, he added. We intend to keep the benchmark fresh and track how model performance changes over time.On the researchers benchmark, which consists of around 600 Sunday Puzzleriddles, reasoning models such as o1 and DeepSeeks R1 far outperform the rest. Reasoning models thoroughly fact-check themselves before giving out results, whichhelps themavoid some of thepitfallsthat normally trip up AI models. The trade-off is that reasoning models take a little longer to arrive at solutions typically seconds to minutes longer.At least one model, DeepSeeks R1, gives solutions it knows to be wrong for some of the Sunday Puzzle questions. R1 will state verbatim I give up, followed by an incorrect answer chosen seemingly at random behavior this human can certainly relate to.The models make other bizarre choices, like giving a wrong answer only to immediately retract it, attempt to tease out a better one, and fail again. They also get stuck thinking forever and give nonsensical explanations for answers, or they arrive at a correct answer right away but then go on to consider alternative answers for no obvious reason.On hard problems, R1 literally says that its getting frustrated, Guha said. It was funny to see how a model emulates what a human might say. It remains to be seen how frustration in reasoning can affect the quality of model results.R1 getting frustrated on a question in the Sunday Puzzle challenge set.Image Credits:Guha et al.The current best-performing model on the benchmark is o1 with a score of 59%, followed by the recently released o3-mini set to high reasoning effort (47%). (R1 scored 35%.) As a next step, the researchers plan to broaden their testing to additional reasoning models, which they hope will help to identify areas where these models might be enhanced.The scores of the models the team tested on their benchmark.Image Credits:Guha et al.You dont need a PhD to be good at reasoning, so it should be possible to design reasoning benchmarks that dont require PhD-level knowledge, Guha said. A benchmark with broader access allows a wider set of researchers to comprehend and analyze the results, which may in turn lead to better solutions in the future. Furthermore, as state-of-the-art models are increasingly deployed in settings that affect everyone, we believe everyone should be able to intuit what these models are and arent capable of.

When selecting a motherboard for your newly purchased Ryzen CPU, you will encounter many options: X870, X670, B650, A620, and the newest additions, B850 and B840. But what do these names mean? How do X870E, X670E and B650E boards differ from their non-E counterparts? Which should you choose for your system? This guide will provide all the answers and more.The biggest difference between motherboard types is the chipset the chip (or two chips) that connects the CPU to other components in the system. In the past, the chipset consisted of a northbridge chip, which connected the CPU to the RAM and graphics card, and a southbridge chip, which connected the northbridge to the rest of the components. Nowadays, however, the functionality formerly attributed to the northbridge is integrated into the CPU, which connects directly to many components.ChipsetProcessor PCIe lanesGraphics cardNVMe SSD & additional GPP lanesTotal PCIe lanesMax usable PCIe 5 lanesUSB 5 GbpsUSB 10 GbpsUSB 20 GbpsUSB4Max PCIe 3.0 or SATA portsX870EPCIe 5.0 (1x16 slot or 2x8 slots)PCIe 5.01 x4 PCIe 5.0 4x PCIe GPP44242122Yes8X870PCIe 5.0 (1x16 slot or 2x8 slots)PCIe 5.01 x4 PCIe 5.0 4x PCIe GPP3624161Yes4B850PCIe 4.0 (1x16 slot or 2x8 slots)PCIe 4.01 x4 PCIe 5.0364161opt4B840PCIe 4.0 (1x16 slot)PCIe 4.01 x4 PCIe 4.0340220opt4X670EPCIe 5.0 (1x16 slot or 2x8 slots)PCIe 5.01 x4 PCIe 5.0 4x PCIe GPP44242122opt8X670PCIe 4.0 (1x16 slot or 2x8 slots)PCIe 4.01 x4 PCIe 5.0 4x PCIe GPP4482122opt8B650EPCIe 5.0 (1x16 slot or 2x8 slots)PCIe 5.01 x4 PCIe 5.0 4x PCIe GPP3624161opt4B650PCIe 4.0 (1x16 slot or 2x8 slots)PCIe 4.01 x4 PCIe 4.0 [PCIe 5.0 opt]360161opt4A620 / A620APCIe 4.0 (1x16 slot)PCIe 4.01 x4 PCIe 4.0320220opt4Ryzen 7000 and 9000 processors connect to high-bandwidth components through 28 PCIe lanes and support PCIe 5.0 speeds. Of these lanes, 16 are reserved for a graphics card (or two, with each utilizing eight lanes), and four are designated for an M.2 drive. Another four lanes are used to connect to the chipset. The remaining four lanes can be employed for elements such as another M.2 slot or a USB4 adapter that also connects to the CPU's integrated graphics to enable DisplayPort tunneling.Ryzen 8000G processors only have eight PCIe lanes for a graphics card (20 in total), and support PCIe 4.0 speeds. Additionally, Ryzen CPUs support four USB 3.1 (or "3.2 Gen 2") ports and a single USB 2.0 connector.Take a shortcut to your next Ryzen build...The current chipsets on the AM5 platform support either PCIe 4.0 speeds, which limits the total bandwidth of the devices connected to them at approximately 7GB/s, or PCIe 3.0 speeds, which sets the bandwidth at about 3.5GB/s. These devices may comprise storage drives utilizing either the NVMe or SATA interface, USB devices, network cards, and other internal components such as soundcards.Some motherboards feature more connectors than their CPU and chipset support, either to allow you to choose between some of them or because they employ splitters to share their bandwidth. With the basics covered, let's move on to the chipsets themselvesOld Is New Again: B840AMD B840 motherboards use the same Promontory 19 chip that was previously used on B550 motherboards with AM4 processors. Unlike the Promontory 21 used in other AM5 motherboards, it only supports PCIe 3.0 speeds, but it adds 10 PCIe lanes, and supports four SATA, two USB 3.1, two USB 3.0 (or "3.2 Gen 1"), and six USB 2.0 ports.In addition to the slower chipset, B840 motherboards omit several enthusiast-oriented features. They don't support PCIe 5.0 speeds, even for devices connected directly to the CPU. They don't allow CPU overclocking, although with today's CPUs it's more of an enthusiast hobby than a recommended practice. They also only support a single graphics card, but the era of multi-GPU gaming has essentially come to an end so that's not a big one.Only a few B840 motherboards are available at the time of writing, and quite surprisingly, they aren't cheap. Despite their limitations, they are quality boards with several heatsinks and many slots. That raises the question: whom are they meant for?If you want to upgrade an old system with PCIe 3.0 devices, then B840 motherboards may offer a good value, as they are cheaper than otherwise comparable B850 boards. Otherwise, feel free to ignore them.A Needless Compromise: A620A620 motherboards use the same Promontory 21 chip used in B650, B850 and X870 motherboards, but with some of its connectors disabled or limited. Like the Promontory 19, it adds support for two USB 3.1, two USB 3.0 (or "3.2 Gen 1"), and six USB 2.0 ports. It also incorporates eight PCIe 3.0 lanes, of which two or four can be employed for SATA ports.The real issue with A620 motherboards isn't the chipset itself; rather, it's that they are designed to be affordable boards with inexpensive voltage regulator modules (VRM) and like B840 boards, do not support PCIe 5.0 speeds. Worse, A620 boards not only disallow CPU overclocking, but they may also officially support CPUs with a TDP of up to only 120W, or even 65W.On paper, A620 motherboards are a good fit for Ryzen 8000G processors, which are meant for compact systems with fewer components and lower power consumption. In practice, decent A620 boards cost about the same as B650 ones, so we can only recommend them when they are on sale.The Best Value: X870 vs. B650E vs. B850 vs. B650B650, B650E, B850 and X870 motherboards all use a single, fully enabled Promontory 21 chip. It adds eight PCIe 4.0 lanes, allowing an M.2 drive to fully utilize the chipset's bandwidth on its own. Like in A620 boards, it also includes four PCIe 3.0 lanes that can be used for up to four SATA ports.The chipset provides support for six USB 2.0 and four USB 3.1 ports, as well as bandwidth that can be allocated for an additional two USB 3.1 ports or a single USB 3.2 ("Gen 2 x 2").Read our review: Most Affordable AMD B650 Boards TestedIf you were wondering about the difference between B650 and B650E motherboards, the answer is that B650E boards (E = short for "Extreme") support PCIe 5.0 for both the graphics card and at least one M.2 drive. X870 motherboards are basically the same as B650E, except they are required to use four PCIe lanes for USB4. However, because they are newer, the Wi-Fi cards they come with support Wi-Fi 7 rather than 6E.While B850 motherboards are required to support PCIe 5.0 on at least one M.2 drive, regular B650 boards may still have a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. Other than that, these boards don't limit the CPU in any way and will support any Ryzen processor until 2027.We recommend B650, B850, B650E and X870 motherboards for gamers and others who want to get everything that AM5 motherboards have to offer, but don't need to connect many drives to their PC simultaneously. Another advantage of these boards is their ability to fit all connectors into a compact micro-ATX form factor, which is useful if you're seeking a compact case to place on your desk.More is More: X870E vs. X670E vs. X670X670, X670E and X870E motherboards feature a Promontory 21 chip connected to another one through four PCIe 4.0 lanes, providing the second chip with the same bandwidth as the one connected to the CPU.Combined, the chipset adds twelve PCIe 4.0 lanes, allowing each M.2 drive to saturate the chipset's bandwidth individually, and eight PCIe 3.0 lanes for up to eight SATA ports. With SATA now becoming a legacy connector, it's common for some of those lanes to be allocated to network cards, freeing up all PCIe 4.0 lanes for faster interfaces.The chipset also offers support for twelve USB 2.0 ports and one of three options: twelve USB 3.1 ports; ten USB 3.1 ports and one USB 3.2 port, or eight USB 3.1 ports and two USB 3.2 ports.Read our full reviews: The Best AMD X670E Motherboards: 22 Board Roundup & AMD X870/X870E Motherboard Roundup: 21 Motherboards TestedUnlike B650, all X670 motherboards feature a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot, and of course, X670E boards support PCIe 5.0 graphics cards. If you purchase such a card when they become available, it probably won't even require all 16 lanes. So, if your board has another 16-lane PCIe 5.0 slot, you'll be able to use it for up to two M.2 drives with an adapter (some boards actually come with one). With X870E you can be sure you'll get USB4 and Wi-Fi 7.X670, X670E and X870E motherboards are the ideal choice for content creators who constantly feel the need to add another drive to their system. With numerous ways to utilize the dual chipset, particularly, you shouldn't buy a motherboard based solely on its name; instead, make sure it has all the connectors you require.

Koalas are usually regarded as solitary animals, but new footage is revealing a more gregarious side.Darcy Watchornat Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia, filmed male koalas grooming each other, playing, smelling each others genitals and spending long periods together in close physical contact. They were being ridiculously cute, says Watchorn. AdvertisementAdult male koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) generally avoid each other. If they do interact it is usually aggressive and involves fights over females, often leading to serious injuries.Watchorn thinks the extraordinary friendliness he observed was the result of too many koalas being crowded together. The population at the colony at Cape Otway in southern Victoria exploded after koalas were released there in the 1980s, but habitat fragmentation meant there was little space in which they could disperse.He captured the behaviour in 2015, but only released the footage now after realising the significance of these interactions, the likes of which have never been seen before. Unmissable news about our planet delivered straight to your inbox every month.Sign up to newsletterOn the flip side, he also observed and filmed a darker side of koala behaviour. It involved an unsuccessful mating between a male and a female, who had a young joey that had only been out of its pouch for a few days. The joey climbed onto the males back while its mother ascended into the tree canopy without him.Whilst it was incidental, it kind of looked like he stole the joey and ran away, says Watchorn. Then, after a little bit of time, the joey was quite annoying him. It was trying to come off his shoulder, around to his front where they would often sit with their mothers.Eventually, the male grabbed the joey, bit him and forced him out of the tree. He fell 7 metres to the ground.Watchorn realised that without intervention, the joey would almost certainly be eaten by a fox or die of exposure. I should have sat there and observed what happened without intervening, but, instead, I scooped up the joey, caught the mum and reunited them, he says. At the end of my study, a few months later, that joey was looking really good and big and fat and healthy.Journal reference:Australian Mammalogy DOI: 10.1071/AM24033Topics:animals

The PHerc.172 scroll as revealed by X-ray imagingVesuvius ChallengeAn ancient Roman scroll has been read for the first time since it was charred in the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius two millennia ago, thanks to artificial intelligence and a high-powered X-ray facility.The papyrus scroll was one of 1800 rescued from a single room in an ornate villa in the Roman town of Herculaneum during the 1750s, which is now the Italian town of Ercolano. All of them were carbonised by the heat of the volcanic debris that buried them. AdvertisementInitially, locals unknowingly burned the scrolls as firewood, but once it was discovered that they contained text, they were saved. Around 200 have since been painstakingly opened and read by mechanical devices based on clocks, which slowly tick and prise the scrolls open millimetre by millimetre.Three of these scrolls are kept at the University of Oxfords Bodleian Library, having been gifted by the future King George IV in 1804. The then-prince of Wales had traded a troop of kangaroos to King Ferdinand IV of Naples in exchange for the scrolls. (The Neapolitan king was constructing an elaborate garden and a collection of animals for his lover.)One of these three scrolls, known as PHerc. 172, has now been imaged and analysed using machine learning algorithms. It was scanned at Diamond Light Source in Oxfordshire, home to an extremely high-powered X-ray machine known as a synchrotron, and the resulting data was made available to participants in the Vesuvius Challenge a competition with a $700,000 grand prize for interpreting text from scrolls. Keep up with advances in archaeology and evolution with our subscriber-only, monthly newsletter.Sign up to newsletterThis method is much better than trying to open the scrolls mechanically, says Peter Toth, a curator at the Bodleian Library. The only problem, or risk, is that the imaging is so special that it cannot be done here, which means that the scroll had to leave the premises. And we were very, very nervous about that, he says.Researchers have so far revealed several columns of text, with about 26 lines in each column. Academics are now hoping to read the whole scroll, but can already make out the Ancient Greek word , meaning disgust. Toth suspects that it will relate in some way to the philosopher Epicurus, as so many of the other scrolls found at the same site have.PHerc. 172 was the only one of the three scrolls at the Bodleian Library deemed stable enough to travel, and then only in a specially 3D-printed case inside another padded box. The hope is that the technology can improve so much [in the future] that the items do not have to travel anywhere, but the technology can come to us, says Toth.Topics:

The Kansas City Chiefs are facing off against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Super Bowl on Sunday.The Chiefs' executive chef, Erin Wishon, said that a popular breakfast item among players is steak and rice.Recent studies suggest that consuming 0.7 grams of protein per pound of body weight is ideal for maximizing strength gains.The Kansas City Chiefs are heading to the Super Bowl this weekend, and their food and nutrition team is fueling them for success.In an interview with Us Weekly, the Chiefs' executive chef Erin Wishon spoke about the type of meals that the players are eating in the lead-up to the big game."I think something that people might find surprising is there's a lot of steak and rice for breakfast," Wishon told Us Weekly. "We have a couple players that eat two steaks 12-ounce filets and rice at breakfast. And then sometimes also at lunch."After working with the players for so long, Wishon says that her team has become familiar with their tastebuds."We're with them three or four meals a day, six or seven days a week for six-plus months of the year. We know what they want. Whether it's a special condiment or a brand of vegan patty, whatever it might be. We try to match everything as close to home as we can," she said.The Chiefs will face off against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The teams will be fighting for the title for the second time in three years they last met at Super Bowl LVII in 2023, which the Chiefs won 38-35.Leslie Bonci, a dietician who has worked with the Chiefs, previously told Business Insider that the players love eating breakfast."Breakfast is always a big hit, their favorite meal of the day," Bonci said, adding that some players even eat breakfast foods before a game.She also shared that they eat different meals depending on their goals: "gaining plates" for those trying to build muscle, "trimming plates" for those trying to lose weight, and "healing plates" meant to boost recovery. Regardless of their goals, protein is a huge component of each meal.The Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce eats about 4,000 calories a day, and his personal chef, Kumar Ferguson, describes the player's protein-heavy diet as "healthy steakhouse cuisine" featuring "steaks, chops, chicken, and stuff like that."What's a good breakfast?What many people think of as a "traditional breakfast" may not look the same for everyone, Yasi Ansari, a sports dietician based in LA, told BI."It is important to put together a meal that helps meet someone's needs for protein, carbohydrates, fats, fluids, and overall energy goals and helps them start their day off strong and alert ideally through a food-first approach," she said.For instance, eating a full breakfast like steak and rice, in the case of the Chiefs players will help athletes meet higher needs for protein, carbohydrates, and overall energy, she said."Generally speaking, beef can offer a good source of protein, zinc, iron, and vitamins B-12 and B-6, which can help support red blood cell formation, energy production, oxygen transport, and nervous system functioning," Ansari said, adding that beef can also contribute to the body's supply of creatine, which supplies energy to muscles.Ultimately, factors such as genetics, gut health, body composition goals, and physical activity level will affect the amount of protein a person needs to eat each day, dietitian Kylene Bogden told BI previously.That said, recent studies suggest that consuming 0.7 grams of protein per pound of body weight is the ideal amount for those who want to maximize strength gains.Chicken and beef contain similar amounts of protein, although the amount of protein per ounce will depend on the cut of meat, Ansari said."If someone prefers beef, I encourage looking for leaner cuts of beef. The leanest cuts of beef have the word 'round' or 'loin' in the name," Ansari said.Generally, for breakfast, she recommends a combination of lean protein, carbohydrates from starches such as potatoes, grains, or nutritionally dense breads and a side of fruits or vegetables.A representative for Wishon did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by BI outside regular hours.

Jamie Dimon said that while he "would never rule it out," running for president is tough.The JPMorgan CEO said in a podcast that being president would mean being away from his family."Some people are prepared for that, I was unprepared for it at the time," Dimon said.Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase, said his family was one reason he did not run for president."I tell people, had I run and won, when I was walking into that White House, I'd be waving goodbye to my family for four years. They'd be saying, 'See ya, dad,'" Dimon told David Novak on the latest episode of the "How Leaders Lead" podcast, which aired on January 30. "I'm not sure my wife would have gone with me, there."Dimon added that the presidency means "subjecting your family to some very tough stuff.""Some people are prepared for that, I was unprepared for it at the time," Dimon said.Dimon said that while he "would never rule it out," running for president would be difficult for him because of other reasons, too."I do think there are skills that people have in the business world that may translate to the political world, but I think it's a mistake to automatically think that's true," Dimon said, adding that he didn't think he had the necessary political skills to make the transition.That's on top of the experience one should accrue from smaller political appointments before gunning for the presidency, Dimon told Novak."I literally think you should kind of have a warm-up before you go for president. A warm-up could be Congress, or Senate, or governor," Dimon said. "You have seen people learn those skills before you go for the big enchilada."Running for president would also mean having to give up his job at JPMorgan, which he enjoys, Dimon said."I'm damn proud of it so I think I add a lot here. I'd be giving that up for kind of a wild goose chase," Dimon said.Dimon's age and health were also factors in his decision."I think it's hard. I'm 68 years old. As you know, I have had a health problem or two. So when you put it together, it just didn't seem like the right thing for me to do," Dimon said.In 2014, JPMorgan said Dimon had been diagnosed with throat cancer, though it went into remission after treatment. In 2020, Dimon had another health scare he was rushed to the hospital for emergency heart surgery.Representatives for Dimon at JPMorgan did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.This isn't the first time Dimon has been asked about his political ambitions. The 68-year-old banker said at an investors meeting in May that his retirement timeline was "not five years anymore," and that a plan to name his successor was "well on its way."Then, in October, Dimon told analysts in an earnings call that he had no plans to join President Donald Trump's second administration if he was offered a role."I think the chance of that is almost nil, and probably I'm not going to do it," Dimon said."I intend to be doing what I'm doing I almost guarantee I'll be doing this for a long period of time, or at least until the board kicks me out," he added.

VVVhisper House / Atelier BertigaSave this picture! Mario WibowoHousesSouth Jakarta, IndonesiaArchitects: Atelier BertigaAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:521 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2023 PhotographsPhotographs:Mario WibowoManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: CTI, CV Berkat Jaya, Toto Lead Architects: Ar. Mahadiyanto, IAI More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. VVVispher House, a project by Atelier Bertiga located in Pondok Indah, Jakarta, exemplifies a thoughtful exploration of space requirements and environmental optimization. Embracing the concept of whispering winds, this house is designed to bring natural airflow through porous elements, providing passive cooling without reliance on artificial systems. Situated on a 400-square-meter plot, the design uniquely combines curved accents from the original 1980s structure, preserving two large trees that serve as essential elements in the landscape.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The transformation of Whisper House addresses complex functional needs, expressed in a two-story structure that resonates with a resort-like ambiance. Indoor and outdoor spaces connect seamlessly, especially with a centrally placed swimming pool. This pool not only serves an aesthetic purpose but also acts as a "thermal battery," circulating cool air throughout the house and enhancing thermal comfort. A large void in the center of the building facilitates cross-ventilation, allowing optimal airflow across both levels.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Visually, Whisper House retains some classic elements from the old structure, including dynamic curves on the facade. The roof, which also serves as the facade, incorporates perforated panels and louvers, enhancing airflow while adding a distinctive aesthetic. On the ground floor, the living, dining, and kitchen areas are situated in the most private section, while the upper floor serves as a private zone with the master bedroom, children's rooms, and a workspace.Save this picture!Whisper House highlights simplicity with readily available materials that still convey character. With its understated yet thoughtful touches, this design creates a warm and comfortable ambiance, harmonizing with nature and the surrounding environment, while emphasizing a healthy, eco-friendly home concept for its inhabitants.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officePublished on February 06, 2025Cite: "VVVhisper House / Atelier Bertiga" 06 Feb 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1026385/vvvhisper-house-atelier-bertiga&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You'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

The conventional wisdom on why some antibiotics dont work rests on the concept of persistence. A small subset of bacteria sometimes hides out and escapes the effects of the drugs meant to kill them. These persisters can then come back with a vengeance and may no longer respond to the same antibiotic, the theory goes.For example, antibiotics are only partially effective against infections caused by the Salmonella bacteria. The persistence of that infection can lead to other conditions, such as typhoid fever.Researchers from the University of Basel challenge the persisters theory in a Nature article. If their theory holds true, scientists developing new antibiotics to mop up those recalcitrant bugs may want to reconsider their approach.The Persistence of BacteriaContrary to widespread belief, antibiotic failure is not caused by a small subset of persisters. In fact, the majority of Salmonella in infected tissues are difficult to kill, Dirk Bumann, a researcher from the University of Basels Biozentrum, said in a press release. We have been able to demonstrate that standard laboratory tests of antimicrobial clearance produce misleading results, giving a false impression of a small group of particularly resilient persisters.For many years, researchers believed that a small subset of dormant bacteria are the main problem in fighting infections. These so-called persisters can survive antibiotic treatment and cause relapses later. Researchers worldwide have been working on new therapies aimed at targeting and eliminating these sleeping bacteria. In a new study, Dirk Bumanns team from the Biozentrum of the University of Basel challenges the prevailing concept that persisters are the cause of antibiotic ineffectiveness. So, if natural persistence doesnt keep pesky bacteria around, what does?To find out, the Swiss team monitored how both mice and tissue-mimicking lab models affected Salmonella survival. They suspect that, when the body fights an infection, it reduces the number of nutrients available to the invader.Nutrition Plays Role in Bacteria SurvivalWhy would this be a bad thing? If bacteria need nourishment to survive, wouldnt limiting or cutting it off also take out the bacteria? The answer is counter intuitive.Under nutrient-scarce conditions, bacteria grow very slowly, Bumann said. This may seem good at first, but is actually a problem because most antibiotics only gradually kill slowly growing bacteria. As a result, the bacteria hang around, even though they are under attack. For the study, the scientists monitored antibiotic action in single bacteria in real time. They observed that a large amount of the entire Salmonella population survived the treatment not just a small subset of persisters.By contrast, previous methods that measure bacterial survival against antibiotics have used indirect and delayed measurements, as opposed to the Swiss groups real time approach. This has produced distorted or inaccurate results for years. Those results have falsely fed the persister narrative.As a result, Bumann would like to see antibiotic resistance research emphasis shift. There should be more attention paid to bacterial nutrition and less on rooting out the persisters, Bumann said. Researchers will need to change both the technology they use and the assumptions about what they are looking at.In a few years, modern methods like real-time single-cell analysis will hopefully become standard, Bumann said.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Before joining Discover Magazine, Paul Smaglik spent over 20 years as a science journalist, specializing in U.S. life science policy and global scientific career issues. He began his career in newspapers, but switched to scientific magazines. His work has appeared in publications including Science News, Science, Nature, and Scientific American.

Nature, Published online: 05 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08531-5Ancient DNA reveals how the explosive expansion of Yamnaya steppe pastoralists began with a small community north of the Black Sea speaking ancestral Indo-European, and detects genetic links with Anatolian speakers, stemming from a common Indo-Anatolian homeland in the North Caucasuslower Volga region.

Nature, Published online: 05 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08444-3Measurements of the superfluid stiffness in twisted trilayer graphene reveal unconventional nodal-gap superconductivity, where the superconducting transition is controlled by phase fluctuations rather than Cooper-pair breaking.