Coronavirus Research, Learning Cajun Fiddle, AI Film Festival, More: Saturday ResearchBuzz, June 28, 2025

In this week's curated collection of research insights, fascinating stories, and emerging trends, we're diving into the world of COVID-19 research, exploring the intersection of technology and art through an AI film festival, and discovering innovative ways to harness artificial intelligence in filmmaking.

Coronavirus Research

To better understand the evolution of coronavirus research over the past twenty years, a team developed a pipeline using natural language processing techniques. This comprehensive system systematically catalogues and synthesises the vast array of research articles, resulting in a dataset with more than eight hundred thousand articles from July 2002 to May 2024.

Learning Cajun Fiddle

In celebration of what would have been beloved Cajun musician Al Berard's 65th birthday, his family and supporters proudly announce the digital release of 'Al Berard Teaches Cajun Fiddle for Beginners' — a free instructional video series now available to the public on YouTube. The series is a testament to Al's enduring legacy and his commitment to teaching others about the beauty of Cajun music.

Curated Realities: An AI Film Festival

The festival, hosted by Runway, a company that produces models and tools for generating images and videos, brought together industry professionals to discuss the potential of Hollywood embracing AI tools. Panels and press briefings highlighted the benefits of incorporating AI into filmmaking, while private meetings revealed a widening philosophical divide within the film and television business.

New Google Search Emoji Answer Feature

Google is testing a new feature that replaces all those copy and paste emoji websites. This innovative solution allows users to easily identify emojis for specific emotions and copy them directly into their clipboard with just one search query.

You Don’t Need a Big Camera to Shoot Wildlife—Trust Me, I Use a Phone

A recent discovery has shown that people don't need expensive equipment to capture stunning wildlife photos. With the right smartphone and some creativity, anyone can take breathtaking images of their favorite animals – no telephoto lens or camo tent required.

Russia: Fact-checking is the Kremlin’s Latest Propaganda Tool

Reporters Without Borders condemns a new instrument of Russian propaganda, The Russian Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN), which claims to verify facts but is actually created and run by Kremlin-affiliated entities. This move is another example of the government's efforts to manipulate public opinion through fact-checking.

‘Remember to Remember’: Alabama Nonprofit Strives to Preserve Civil Rights Stories Amid Funding Cuts

An Alabama nonprofit has been working tirelessly for seven years to share lesser-known stories of the civil rights movement. Despite facing funding cuts, Reverend Lukata Mjumbe and his team continue to travel around the state, sharing these important stories with the public.

Google Invented New Ways to Alter Movies with AI for The Sphere

Google has developed innovative AI-powered techniques using generative models like Veo 2 and Imagen 3. These tools can reimagine entire shots with extended backgrounds, add characters missing from view, and generate new content based on the entirety of a film.

DeepSeek Faces Ban from Apple and Google App Stores in Germany

A Chinese AI startup called DeepSeek has been asked to be removed from Apple and Google's app stores in Germany due to concerns over data protection. This move follows similar crackdowns in other countries.

Western Sydney Uni Student Charged For Hacking University Database To Alter Grades

A 27-year-old former student at Western Sydney University has been charged with hacking into the university's database to change her own grades and threaten to sell other students' personal data on the dark web. The incident highlights the growing concern of cybercrime in educational institutions.

Iran’s Internet Blackout: How Does a Country Shut Down the Internet?

In countries with privatised mobile and internet providers, control is often exercised through legislation or government directives. In contrast, Iran has developed the capacity to directly control its telecommunications infrastructure, raising questions about how other countries might achieve similar control over internet access.

Customizable, 3D-Printed Robot for Tech Newbies

Berkeley engineers have developed a customizable, 3D-printed robot designed for tech newbies. The robot's modular design allows users to source components from widely available e-commerce platforms or fabricate them with standard desktop 3D printers.

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