Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a research guidance program focused on Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models for autonomous driving, aimed at helping students develop their research skills and produce publishable papers in the field [5][36]. Group 1: Program Overview - The VLA research guidance program includes 12 weeks of online group research, 2 weeks of paper guidance, and 10 weeks of paper maintenance [15][36]. - The program addresses common issues faced by students, such as lack of direction, poor hands-on skills, and difficulties in writing and submitting papers [38]. Group 2: Course Structure - The course is structured into 14 weeks, covering topics from introductory lessons to advanced VLA models and paper writing methodologies [10][12][37]. - Key topics include traditional end-to-end autonomous driving, modular VLA models, and reasoning-enhanced VLA models [10][12][36]. Group 3: Target Audience and Requirements - The program targets students at various academic levels (bachelor's, master's, and doctoral) who are interested in enhancing their research capabilities in autonomous driving and AI [16][36]. - Basic requirements include familiarity with deep learning, Python programming, and the use of PyTorch [22][36]. Group 4: Course Benefits - Participants will gain insights into classic and cutting-edge papers, coding skills, and methodologies for writing and revising papers [21][36]. - The program aims to provide each student with a research idea, enhancing their ability to conduct independent research [21][36]. Group 5: Teaching Methodology - The program employs a "2+1" teaching model, featuring a main instructor and additional support staff to ensure comprehensive learning [24][25]. - Continuous assessment and feedback mechanisms are in place to optimize the learning experience and address individual student needs [25][36].

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. scientific research system is facing unprecedented challenges due to abrupt funding cuts from the government, leading to a crisis in research institutions like UCLA and IPAM, which are struggling to maintain operations and support for emerging scientists [1][5][12]. Group 1: Impact on Research Funding - The U.S. government has implemented drastic cuts to research funding, resulting in the suspension of billions in ongoing projects and experiments [12][14]. - Many scholarships and research grants aimed at nurturing the next generation of scientists have been significantly reduced, causing a loss of opportunities for students and postdoctoral researchers [14][19]. - The National Science Foundation (NSF) has drastically cut funding for key programs, leading to delays and interruptions in research plans [14][19]. Group 2: Personal Accounts and Reactions - Mathematician Terence Tao expressed deep frustration over the funding cuts, stating that he has never felt such despair in his 25-year research career [1][6]. - Tao's personal research funding has been suspended, and he has had to prioritize summer funding for his students amid the crisis [14][16]. - The leadership at UCLA has emphasized that research funding is an investment in the future, not a form of charity [17]. Group 3: Broader Implications for U.S. Science - The cuts are seen as a systematic dismantling of the research ecosystem that has historically supported scientific breakthroughs in the U.S. [11][12]. - The abrupt changes have bypassed established procedures, undermining the independence of the research community and its ability to respond to challenges [12][23]. - The government's actions have raised concerns about the future of scientific inquiry and the role of science in addressing national and global challenges [23][24].

Core Viewpoint - The establishment of the Life Sciences Open Alliance aims to promote the integration of technological and industrial innovation in the life sciences sector, enhancing collaboration among high-level universities and research institutions in mainland China and Hong Kong-Macau to address global challenges such as human health, food crises, and extreme weather [1][2]. Group 1 - The alliance was launched on August 12, involving 15 universities and research institutions from mainland China and Hong Kong-Macau, including notable institutions like Peking University, Tsinghua University, and the University of Hong Kong [1]. - The alliance's objectives include fostering international collaboration in talent cultivation, technological innovation paradigm shifts, and the transformation of research outcomes [1][2]. - The alliance aims to create a global innovation network and a hub for talent development in the life sciences field [1]. Group 2 - The alliance plans to develop a series of high-level journals in the life sciences, with the main journal "Vita" being led by West Lake University and published by the Higher Education Press [2]. - It will establish an international open ecosystem for research data, addressing compliance and usability issues, and creating a high-quality data open platform [2]. - The alliance will leverage the advantages of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area to accelerate technology transfer and transformation mechanisms between mainland and Hong Kong-Macau [2].

Core Viewpoint - Shandong Province is implementing a comprehensive reform of the evaluation system for scientific and technological talents, aiming to enhance innovation vitality by categorizing talents based on their roles and contributions [2][4]. Group 1: Reform Overview - The reform will officially start in January 2024, with Shandong being one of six pilot provinces, focusing on a "classification-oriented" approach [2]. - The evaluation system will categorize scientific talents into four main types: those undertaking major national and provincial tasks, basic research, applied research and technology development, and social welfare research [2][4]. Group 2: Evaluation Criteria - For applied research and technology development talents, the reform emphasizes market-oriented evaluation metrics, including technology contract transaction amounts and market valuations [3]. - Basic research talents will be evaluated based on originality and contribution rather than the quantity of publications or impact factors [3][4]. - Social welfare research talents will be assessed based on their contributions to specific sectors like agriculture and healthcare, with a focus on societal impact [4]. Group 3: Pilot Unit Examples - Qingdao University of Science and Technology has delegated evaluation authority to key research teams and established special channels for urgently needed talents [3]. - Shandong University has increased the weight of performance in completing major tasks in its evaluation metrics, resulting in a 60% year-on-year increase in the number of national key research projects undertaken [4]. - The Shandong First Medical University Affiliated Eye Hospital has implemented a new evaluation system that prioritizes clinical skills and contributions for promotions, benefiting doctors like Wang Fuhua [4]. Group 4: Impact of the Reform - The reform has led to over 160 individuals receiving expedited promotions through a "one-vote pass" system in the past year across 20 pilot units [5].

Core Viewpoint - The public science day event organized by the Chinese Academy of Sciences successfully engaged over 5,000 attendees, showcasing the intersection of science and entertainment through interactive experiments and demonstrations [1][2][3][4] Group 1: Event Highlights - The event featured a variety of interactive science experiments, including a performance titled "Nezha is Here! Unlocking the Superpowers in Movies," which explained the scientific principles behind mythical abilities [1] - Attendees experienced hands-on demonstrations, such as water-repellent paper made from modified cellulose, showcasing innovative materials inspired by nature [1][2] - The "Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream" booth attracted significant attention, illustrating the fun side of science through culinary applications [2] Group 2: Scientific Engagement - The event included over 30 interactive experiments covering diverse scientific fields such as photochemistry, bionic materials, low-temperature physics, and crystal lasers, making complex scientific concepts accessible to the public [2] - A "Low-Temperature Cryotherapy Experience Chamber" allowed participants to experience extreme cold safely, highlighting the practical applications of scientific research in sports recovery [3] - The event fostered dialogue between researchers and the public, transforming complex scientific work into engaging and relatable experiences [3][4] Group 3: Impact on Public Perception - The event inspired young attendees, with children expressing aspirations to invent advanced materials, indicating a successful cultivation of scientific curiosity and ambition [4] - The interactive nature of the event helped demystify scientific research, making it more approachable and enjoyable for the general public [3][4]

Group 1 - The 2025 Public Science Day organized by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) officially launched on May 17, 2023, with the theme "Inspiring Future Journeys with Scientific Questions" [1][3] - This year's event features nearly 400 science popularization activities organized by 135 CAS units, with participation from over 6,000 researchers and volunteers [3][4] - The event includes high-interactivity online science activities and integrates various science education topics, inviting representatives from schools and scientists for roundtable discussions [3][4] Group 2 - Prominent CAS academicians participated in the event, conducting lectures and interactive sessions on various scientific topics to inspire young people to engage in scientific careers [3][4] - Several key research facilities and laboratories were opened to the public, showcasing significant scientific instruments and national key laboratories [4][5] - Special focus was placed on artificial intelligence (AI) with dedicated activities, including demonstrations of advanced AI applications in healthcare and robotics [5]

Group 1 - The 21st Public Science Day organized by the Chinese Academy of Sciences will take place from May 17 to 18, featuring the theme "Inquiring Science to Inspire Future Journeys" [1] - Nearly 400 science popularization activities will be organized by 135 affiliated units of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, with over 20 academicians conducting lectures and interactive sessions on popular scientific topics [1][9] - The event aims to inspire young people to engage in scientific careers and includes discussions on innovative practices in science education with representatives from schools and scientists [1] Group 2 - Approximately 400 research facilities will be opened to the public, allowing visitors to experience frontline scientific research, including major national research instruments and key laboratories [4] - Interactive science experiences will be available, enabling the audience to directly engage with scientific principles through experiments demonstrating physical concepts [5] Group 3 - This year's Public Science Day will feature special activities focused on artificial intelligence, showcasing its clinical applications in areas such as medical data management and non-invasive brain-machine interfaces [9] - The event has been held annually since 2005, and this year is expected to attract nearly 500,000 visitors based on registration data [9]