All posts tagged: Index

High body mass index identified as a direct cause of vascular dementia

High body mass index identified as a direct cause of vascular dementia

Excess body weight appears to be a direct cause of vascular dementia, with the damage largely driven by high blood pressure. A new genetic analysis indicates that maintaining a healthy weight and managing hypertension could prevent a substantial number of dementia cases. These findings were detailed in a study published recently in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. The relationship between obesity and cognitive decline has challenged researchers for decades. Previous observational studies frequently produced contradictory results regarding how body weight influences brain health. Some research indicated that obesity in midlife increased dementia risk. Other studies suggested that high body weight in late life might actually protect against the disease. This paradox often stems from the limitations of traditional observational research. In the early stages of dementia, patients frequently lose weight due to a loss of appetite or metabolic changes. This weight loss can make it appear as though being thin carries a higher risk, when in reality the disease caused the weight loss. To resolve these conflicting signals, a research team led by …

AI fails at freelancer tasks 97% of the time, new ‘Remote Labor Index’ shows

AI fails at freelancer tasks 97% of the time, new ‘Remote Labor Index’ shows

Mininyx Doodle/iStock/Getty Images Plus Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways AIs were given work tasks already completed by real people. The AIs failed miserably compared with the human workers. But AI is getting smarter. One of the many fears about AI is that it will replace people in their jobs. And though such fears aren’t unfounded, they may be overblown, at least for now, according to a new study. Remote Labor Index To gauge whether artificial intelligence could complete a project as effectively as a human being, a group of researchers gave several AIs a series of work projects to perform. Already accomplished by real remote freelance workers, the projects covered game development, product design, architecture, data analysis, and video animation.  More specifically, the tasks included such challenges as the following: Build an interactive dashboard for exploring data from the World Happiness Report. Create 3D animations to showcase the features of a new earbuds design and case. Create a 2D animated video advertising the offerings of a free …

Artificial Analysis overhauls its AI Intelligence Index, replacing popular benchmarks with ‘real-world’ tests

Artificial Analysis overhauls its AI Intelligence Index, replacing popular benchmarks with ‘real-world’ tests

The arms race to build smarter AI models has a measurement problem: the tests used to rank them are becoming obsolete almost as quickly as the models improve. On Monday, Artificial Analysis, an independent AI benchmarking organization whose rankings are closely watched by developers and enterprise buyers, released a major overhaul to its Intelligence Index that fundamentally changes how the industry measures AI progress. The new Intelligence Index v4.0 incorporates 10 evaluations spanning agents, coding, scientific reasoning, and general knowledge. But the changes go far deeper than shuffling test names. The organization removed three staple benchmarks — MMLU-Pro, AIME 2025, and LiveCodeBench — that have long been cited by AI companies in their marketing materials. In their place, the new index introduces evaluations designed to measure whether AI systems can complete the kind of work that people actually get paid to do. “This index shift reflects a broader transition: intelligence is being measured less by recall and more by economically useful action,” observed Aravind Sundar, a researcher who responded to the announcement on X (formerly …

Meet the New Release Index

Meet the New Release Index

Book Riot Editorial is made up of passionate readers, writers, and book lovers dedicated to delivering insightful book recommendations, literary analysis, and the latest in book culture. With expertise spanning multiple genres and a deep understanding of the publishing industry, we offer thoughtful commentary, book deals, and news that matters to readers. Whether it’s uncovering hidden gems, analyzing literary trends, or championing diverse voices, Book Riot’s editorial team is here to keep you informed and inspired. View All posts by Community Great news! Book Riot All Access now includes the New Release Index! We’re all about bringing you the best bookish bang for your buck, and a subscription to All Access just got even sweeter. Not a member yet, or need a refresher on what your subscription entails? Read on for a rundown of All Access subscriber perks and to learn more about the New Release Index. What Do I Get with an All Access Subscription? Unlimited access to exclusive content: Dive deep into publishing trends, get expert insights, and read bonus articles that are …