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Google Chrome will soon let you talk to Gemini right in the address bar

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Google appears to be working on adding quick access to its AI chatbot Gemini to the drop-down menu that appears in your address bar. If you want to talk to the bot quickly you’ll be able to type in ‘@gemini’ and get instant access to the bot. 

According to Windows Report, Chrome is due to have a ‘chat with Gemini’ shortcut to the address bar, so you don’t have to go to the official Gemini website. The feature is yet to be widespread, but with the ‘chat with Gemini’ shortcut, you should be able to give it a try. 

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Peer-replication model aims to address science’s ‘reproducibility crisis’

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A group of three female technicians discuss work in laboratory while wearing white lab coats.

An independent team could replicate select experiments in a paper before publication, to help catch errors and poor methodology.Credit: SolStock/Getty

Could the replication crisis in scientific literature be addressed by having scientists independently attempt to reproduce their peers’ key experiments during the publication process? And would teams be incentivized to do so by having the opportunity to report their findings in a citable paper, to be published alongside the original study?

These are questions being asked by two researchers who say that a formal peer-replication model could greatly benefit the scientific community.

Anders Rehfeld, a researcher in human sperm physiology at Copenhagen University Hospital, began considering alternatives to standard peer review after encountering a published study that could not be replicated in his laboratory. Rehfeld’s experiments1 revealed that the original paper was flawed, but he found it very difficult to publish the findings and correct the scientific record.

“I sent my data to the original journal, and they didn’t care at all,” Rehfeld says. “It was very hard to get it published somewhere where you thought the reader of the original paper would find it.”

The issues that Rehfeld encountered could have been avoided if the original work had been replicated by others before publication, he argues. “If a reviewer had tried one simple experiment in their own lab, they could have seen that the core hypothesis of the paper was wrong.”

Rehfeld collaborated with Samuel Lord, a fluorescence-microscopy specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, to devise a new peer-replication model.

In a white paper detailing the process2, Rehfeld, Lord and their colleagues describe how journal editors could invite peers to attempt to replicate select experiments of submitted or accepted papers by authors who have opted in. In the field of cell biology, for example, that might involve replicating a western blot, a technique used to detect proteins, or an RNA-interference experiment that tests the function of a certain gene. “Things that would take days or weeks, but not months, to do” would be replicated, Lord says.

The model is designed to incentivize all parties to participate. Peer replicators — unlike peer reviewers — would gain a citable publication, and the authors of the original paper would benefit from having their findings confirmed. Early-career faculty members at mainly undergraduate universities could be a good source of replicators: in addition to gaining citable replication reports to list on their CVs, they would get experience in performing new techniques in consultation with the original research team.

Rehfeld and Lord are discussing their idea with potential funders and journal editors, with the goal of running a pilot programme this year.

“I think most scientists would agree that some sort of certification process to indicate that a paper’s results are reproducible would benefit the scientific literature,” says Eric Sawey, executive editor of the journal Life Science Alliance, who plans to bring the idea to the publisher of his journal. “I think it would be a good look for any journal that would participate.”

Who pays?

Sawey says there are two key questions about the peer-replication model: who will pay for it, and who will find the labs to do the reproducibility tests? “It’s hard enough to find referees for peer review, so I can’t imagine cold e-mailing people, asking them to repeat the paper,” he says. Independent peer-review organizations, such as ASAPbio and Review Commons, might curate a list of interested labs, and could even decide which experiments will be replicated.

Lord says that having a third party organize the replication efforts would be great, and adds that funding “is a huge challenge”. According to the model, funding agencies and research foundations would ideally establish a new category of small grants devoted to peer replication. “It could also be covered by scientific societies, or publication fees,” Rehfeld says.

It’s also important for journals to consider what happens when findings can’t be replicated. “If authors opt in, you’d like to think they’re quite confident that the work is reproducible,” says Sawey. “Ideally, what would come out of the process is an improved methods or protocols section, which ultimately allows the replicating lab to reproduce the work.”

Most important, says Rehfeld, is ensuring that the peer-replication reports are published, irrespective of the outcome. If replication fails, then the journal and original authors would choose what to do with the paper. If an editor were to decide that the original manuscript was seriously undermined, for example, they could stop it from being published, or retract it. Alternatively, they could publish the two reports together, and leave the readers to judge. “I could imagine peer replication not necessarily as an additional ‘gatekeeper’ used to reject manuscripts, but as additional context for readers alongside the original paper,” says Lord.

A difficult but worthwhile pursuit

Attempting to replicate others’ work can be a challenging, contentious undertaking, says Rick Danheiser, editor-in-chief of Organic Syntheses, an open-access chemistry journal in which all papers are checked for replicability by a member of the editorial board before publication. Even for research from a well-resourced, highly esteemed lab, serious problems can be uncovered during reproducibility checks, Danheiser says.

Replicability in a field such as synthetic organic chemistry — in which the identity and purity of every component in a reaction flask should already be known — is already challenging enough, so the variables at play in some areas of biology and other fields could pose a whole new level of difficulty, says Richard Sever, assistant director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press in New York, and co-founder of the bioRxiv and medRxiv preprint servers. “But just because it’s hard, doesn’t mean there might not be cases where peer replication would be helpful.”

The growing use of preprints, which decouple research dissemination from evaluation, allows some freedom to rethink peer evaluation, Sever adds. “I don’t think it could be universal, but the idea of replication being a formal part of evaluating at least some work seems like a good idea to me.”

An experiment to test a different peer-replication model in the social sciences is currently under way, says Anna Dreber Almenberg, who studies behavioural and experimental economics at the Stockholm School of Economics. Dreber is a board member of the Institute for Replication (I4R), an organization led by Abel Brodeur at University of Ottawa, which works to systematically reproduce and replicate research findings published in leading journals. In January, I4R entered an ongoing partnership with Nature Human Behaviour to attempt computational reproduction of data and findings of as many studies published from 2023 onwards as possible. Replication attempts from the first 18 months of the project will be gathered into a ‘meta-paper’ that will go through peer review and be considered for publication in the journal.

“It’s exciting to see how people from completely different research fields are working on related things, testing different policies to find out what works,” says Dreber. “That’s how I think we will solve this problem.”

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Common Challenges in IT Support and How Turnkey Solutions Address Them

In today’s digitally connected world, information technology (IT) support is the backbone of businesses across industries. IT support teams are critical in ensuring that technology operates smoothly, employees remain productive, and organizations can achieve their strategic goals.

However, managing IT support comes with many challenges, from the rapid pace of technological change to the increasing expectations of users. This article delves into IT support’s shared challenges and explores how turnkey solutions can effectively address these issues.

Common Challenges in IT Support and How Turnkey Solutions Address Them

IT support is an essential function for businesses of all sizes. However, it comes with its fair share of challenges. Let’s explore some common challenges in IT support and how Turnkey IT solutions can effectively address them:

1. Rapid Technological Advancements

One of the most pressing challenges for IT support teams is keeping up with the rapid pace of technological advancements. As new technologies emerge continuously, managing and supporting various devices, operating systems, and software applications becomes increasingly complex.

How Turnkey Solutions Address It?

Turnkey solutions are equipped to handle the relentless pace of technological change. They often include proactive monitoring and automatic updates to ensure that supported systems always run the latest software versions. Additionally, turnkey providers invest in ongoing training and development for their teams, ensuring they remain well-versed in the latest technologies. This allows businesses to stay ahead of the curve and leverage new tech for competitive advantage.

2. High User Expectations

In the age of instant gratification, users expect quick responses, minimal downtime, and efficient resolutions to their IT issues. Meeting these elevated expectations can pose a considerable challenge for IT support teams.

How Turnkey Solutions Address It?

Turnkey solutions prioritize user satisfaction and often have robust service level agreements (SLAs) that guarantee rapid response times and efficient issue resolutions. These SLAs instil confidence in users, showing them that their IT concerns will be addressed promptly and effectively. As a result, turnkey solutions enhance user satisfaction and foster trust in the IT support team.

3. Budget Constraints

Many organizations need more money to hire and retain top-tier IT support talent or invest in the latest tools and technologies. This can hinder the team’s ability to provide high-quality support and keep systems current.

How Turnkey Solutions Address It?

Turnkey solutions present a cost-effective alternative to maintaining an in-house IT support team. Outsourcing IT support to a turnkey provider allows organisations access to top-notch expertise and cutting-edge technology without significant upfront investments. This cost-effective approach enables businesses to allocate their budgets more efficiently and reduces the risk of unexpected IT expenses.

4. Cybersecurity Threats

The increasing sophistication of cyber threats poses a significant challenge to IT support teams. Protecting sensitive data and systems from cyberattacks requires constant vigilance and proactive security measures. Failure to do so can result in data breaches and significant financial losses.

How Turnkey Solutions Address It?

Turnkey solutions often include robust cybersecurity services as part of their offerings. They employ advanced security technologies, conduct regular security audits, and implement best practices to safeguard systems and data. This comprehensive approach to cybersecurity helps organizations mitigate risks and stay ahead of potential threats, enhancing overall security posture.

5. Scalability

Organizations frequently experience fluctuations in their IT support needs, especially during periods of growth or restructuring. Scaling up or down quickly to meet changing requirements can be a logistical challenge for in-house IT support teams.

How Turnkey Solutions Address It?

Turnkey solutions offer scalability and flexibility, allowing organizations to adjust their level of support as needed. Whether a company is expanding its operations or temporarily reducing IT support requirements, turnkey providers can adapt their services to match the organization’s changing needs. This ensures optimal support at all times without the inefficiencies of overstaffing or understaffing.

6. Resource Management

Adequate IT support necessitates efficiently allocating resources, including personnel and technology. Balancing workloads, prioritizing tasks, and optimizing resource allocation can be challenging without the right tools and strategies.

How Turnkey Solutions Address It?

Turnkey solutions often incorporate advanced resource management capabilities into their services. They leverage data-driven insights and analytics to allocate resources effectively, ensuring that IT support teams are deployed where needed most. This data-driven approach enhances productivity and reduces resource wastage.

7. Compliance and Regulations

Many industries are subject to strict regulatory compliance requirements concerning data security and privacy. Ensuring IT systems and practices align with these regulations can be a daunting challenge for IT support teams.

How Turnkey Solutions Address It?

Turnkey solutions are well-versed in industry-specific compliance standards and can help organizations align their IT practices with these regulations. They often include compliance monitoring and reporting as part of their services, simplifying the process of demonstrating adherence to regulatory requirements during audits. This minimizes the risk of non-compliance-related penalties and reputational damage.

8. Lack of Documentation

A common challenge in IT support is proper documentation for IT systems and processes. Inadequate documentation can hinder issue resolution, slow down troubleshooting, and lead to errors in system management.

How Turnkey Solutions Address It?

Turnkey providers prioritize comprehensive documentation as part of their best practices. They maintain detailed records of IT systems, configurations, and processes, ensuring that there is always an apparent reference for troubleshooting and maintenance. This documentation accelerates issue resolution and minimizes the risk of errors caused by incomplete or outdated information.

9. Employee Turnover

High turnover rates within IT support teams can disrupt operations and lead to a loss of institutional knowledge. Repeatedly training new staff members can be both time-consuming and expensive.

How Turnkey Solutions Address It?

Turnkey solutions provide continuity by offering a stable and experienced support team. They take on the responsibility of staff training and retention, ensuring that organizations benefit from a consistent and knowledgeable support staff. This minimizes the disruptions caused by employee turnover and maintains the quality of IT support.

10. Geographical Dispersal

Managing IT support across different geographical locations can be a logistical challenge for multinational organizations. Ensuring consistent service quality and response times across time zones and regions requires a well-orchestrated effort.

How Turnkey Solutions Address It?

Many turnkey solutions have a global presence and can offer 24/7 support across multiple locations. They implement a follow-the-sun support model, guaranteeing that support is available whenever and wherever it is needed, regardless of geographical disparities. This global reach ensures a consistent and seamless IT support experience for organizations with diverse geographical footprints.

Winding Up

IT support is the lifeline that keeps organizations running smoothly in the digital age, but it is not without its challenges. From the rapid evolution of technology to budget constraints, cybersecurity threats, and scalability concerns, IT support teams face a complex landscape. 

Turnkey solutions provide a compelling response to these challenges, offering cost-effective, scalable, and expert-driven support services that empower organizations to overcome common IT support obstacles.

Organizations can access the expertise, resources, and technologies needed to excel in an ever-changing technological landscape by outsourcing IT support to a turnkey provider. With a focus on user satisfaction, cybersecurity, scalability, and compliance, turnkey solutions enable businesses to thrive while maintaining a cost-efficient and dependable IT support system. 

As technology continues to evolve, embracing turnkey solutions is not merely a choice but a strategic imperative for organizations aiming to remain competitive and resilient in today’s dynamic business environment.

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News

Karine Jean-Pierre slammed for refusing to address border crisis issue in viral exchange: ‘Pathetic’

In a single day, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported more than 10,000 border crossings.
On Thursday, people on social media were upset that White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wouldn’t answer Peter Doocy’s question about the situation at the border.

During the day’s press conference, Doocy asked Jean-Pierre about recent data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which said that more than 7,500 undocumented people crossed the border on Sunday, and that number was expected to rise to more than 10,000 a day by the end of the week. The conversation got heated when Jean-Pierre yelled at Doocy for talking over her.

“So, what do you call it here at the White House when 10,000 people cross the border illegally in a single day?” Doocy inquired.

“So, what do you call it, Peter, when the GOP puts forward a—wait, no, no, no, no, no, you can’t,” Jean-Pierre said, talking over Doocy as he tried to clarify the question.
“You’re answering my question with a question,” Doocy said.

“I’m answering. OK, let’s move on,” Jean-Pierre says as the two start talking over each other.

“Karine, please,” said Doocy.

Again, she said, “No, no, no, we’re moving on,” and then she pointed to another reporter. “Back there.”

“You said you were going to stop people from crossing the line. Ten thousand people moved…” Doocy said before he was again cut off.

“Peter, I tried to answer the question, but you stopped me,” Jean-Pierre told the other reporter before turning back to the first one. “Shall we go?”

People on social media talked about the back-and-forth between the two, pointing out that Jean-Pierre hadn’t done anything to stop the nearly record number of border crossings.
Kevin McMahon, a video writer for Townhall.com, joked about how Karine acts like a replacement teacher.

As of last month, sources told FOX News that the government was holding about 20,000 refugees. NBC News says that after people cross the border, Border Patrol immediately lets anywhere from 100 to 200 of them out onto U.S. streets. A radio host and FOX News analyst, Guy Benson, said it was “pathetic.”

The editor-in-chief of The Post Millennial, Libby Emmons, said, “She doesn’t think Doocy deserves a response. In this clip, I have to say that she reminds me a lot of my evil stepmother.
Doug Powers of Twitchy said, “KJP actually said, ‘I know you are, but what am I?’ because she won’t answer for the mess they’ve made on purpose.”

Chris Brunet, a contributor to the American Conservative, said, “As a Canadian, I couldn’t move to the U.S. even if I wanted to, which I do. “SMH, I should have been born in Guatemala.”
“It’s called ‘an invasion,’” actor Dean Cain wrote.

“‘What do you call it here at the White House when 10,000 people cross the line illegally in one day?’ The situation is in trouble. “She should say ‘crisis,’” the official “X” account of the GOP said.