Science News Round Up, April 16, 2025

by Mandy Morgan April 16, 2025

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AI in health care is not a standalone solution, researchers caution

Artificial intelligence plays a vital role in enhancing predictive medicine for cancer treatment, yet it should be used alongside traditional mathematical modeling to avoid the pitfalls of overgeneralization and improve specificity in outcomes. Additionally, ethical data sharing, coupled with measures to protect patient privacy and ensure reproducibility, is fundamental to advancing research and achieving better health solutions.

Embracing Climate Change to Hurt China

The article explores the geopolitical and economic tensions between Western nations and China, particularly examining how the U.S. and EU are deprioritizing climate goals in favor of competitive and militaristic agendas, negatively impacting the global push for clean energy. It highlights how such actions could thwart efforts to combat climate change, increase reliance on fossil fuels, and incite global economic instability, thereby exacerbating climate and financial crises, while also calling out the broader pattern of Western nations prioritizing their ideological and economic superiority over genuine environmental takeaways.

Federal Education Research Has Been ‘Shredded.’ What’s Driving This?

The Trump administration’s significant cuts to federal education research funding underscore a growing distrust in expertise, with political motives targeting education research as partisan, contributing to a broader trend of undermining academic independence and threatening the integrity of democratic institutions. As educational institutions become caught in ideological battles, the challenge lies in restoring trust in research as an apolitical enterprise and resisting moves that compromise educational inquiry and data collection for political gain.

From retail to the military, ‘intelligent connectivity’ raises ethical dilemmas

As society increasingly relies on the convergence of artificial intelligence, 5G, and the Internet of Things, the transformative potential of these technologies is clear, offering advancements from smart cities to enhanced military capabilities. However, with this rapid technological growth come significant concerns about privacy, security, and ethical implications, underscoring the urgent need for public awareness and regulatory oversight to ensure these innovations benefit society fairly and safely.

##Gold refreshes all-time highs on US-China trade war

Gold prices have surged to an all-time high of around $3,318 amidst escalating trade tensions between the US and China, driven by their reciprocal tariffs on critical minerals, emphasizing the precious metal’s role as a safe-haven asset in turbulent economic times. With the US and China intensifying their economic strategies, which include tariff threats and non-tariff barriers, the global market faces uncertainties that could have profound implications for economic stability and investors’ strategies, highlighting the necessity for cautious and informed decision-making.