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Oct 9, 2023

Nanopore Sequencing Detects Dozens of Disease Biomarkers

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, robotics/AI

“We use these probes to fish out molecules of interest in the sample,” says Ivanov. “We know which barcode corresponds to which probe. This allows us to detect whether a molecule is present in solution or not. In a way we are fingerprinting what’s inside the solution.”

“It was the synergy of bringing it all together that makes this work important. This includes the precision with which you sequence, the ability to control the transport of the analyte, and also elements of machine learning to be able to reconstruct the signal.” —Aleksandar Ivanov, professor of chemistry, Imperial College London

Combining DNA bar coding and nanopore sequencing makes for a powerful technique by pairing both selectivity and sensitivity to more effectively screen for diseases, says Edel. “In the context of personalized [medicine] and being able to perform more effective diagnostics and screening, there are two aspects at play. One is getting a better snapshot of a patient by detecting an array of biomarkers. And for some diseases, biomarkers—especially in the early stages—are found at very low concentration. So being able to detect on an individual basis at low concentrations is absolutely critical.”

Oct 9, 2023

Frozen Bodies Brought Back to Life? Cryogenics and the Science of Immortality

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension, science

The idea of postponing or even reversing the ageing process has always fascinated humanity. Some claim that immortality will be possible as little as thirty years from now – but will it just be for the rich?

Our team visited research laboratories working on this objective and interviewed the world’s top researchers in the field. We ask just how long humans might be able to live, and what it could involve.

Continue reading “Frozen Bodies Brought Back to Life? Cryogenics and the Science of Immortality” »

Oct 9, 2023

Godfather of AI tells ‘60 Minutes’ he fears the technology could one day take over humanity

Posted by in categories: employment, robotics/AI

Geoffrey Hinton hails the benefits of artificial intelligence but also sounds the alarm on such things as autonomous battlefield robots, fake news and unintended bias in employment and policing.

Geoffrey Hinton, who has been called “the Godfather of AI,” sat down with 60 Minutes.

Hinton is a British computer scientist and cognitive psychologist, best known for his work on artificial neural networks — aka the framework for AI. He spent a decade working for Google before leaving in May of this year, citing concerns about the risks of AI.

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Oct 9, 2023

Tired of shortages, OpenAI considers making its own AI chips

Posted by in category: robotics/AI

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT and DALL-E 3 generative AI products, is exploring the possibility of manufacturing its own AI accelerator chips, according to Reuters. Citing anonymous sources, the Reuters report indicates that OpenAI is considering the option due to a shortage of specialized AI GPU chips and the high costs associated with running them.

Oct 9, 2023

Here’s where more than half of organizations are piloting generative AI

Posted by in categories: business, robotics/AI

A new Gartner poll reveals that genAI technology is being deployed by organizations for three key business processes, while a Google Cloud poll shows enthusiasm for AI tools among developers.

A poll of more than 1,400 executive leaders revealed a threefold increase in organizations piloting generative AI (genAI) and more than a doubling of those who have placed the tech into production.

The new Gartner Research survey revealed that 45% of organizations are running genAI pilots, and another 10% have put genAI solutions into production — a significant increase from an earlier poll conducted in March and April 2023, in which only 15% of respondents were piloting generative AI and 4% were in… More.

Oct 9, 2023

Goldman Sachs CIO is ‘anxious to see results’ from GenAI, but moving carefully

Posted by in category: robotics/AI

VentureBeat presents: AI Unleashed — An exclusive executive event for enterprise data leaders. Network and learn with industry peers. Learn More

With all the generative AI hype swirling among evangelists, one might think that the Fortune 500 is galloping wildly towards putting large language models (LLMs) into production and turning corporate America into one big chatbot. To that, I say: “Whoa, Nelly!” — meaning, think again.

That’s because for all the C-suite executives out there feeling generative AI FOMO and getting pressure from CEOs to move quickly to develop AI-centric strategies, things are actually moving far slower than you might imagine (or AI vendors, who warn companies about falling behind, might want). As I reported back in April, there’s certainly no doubt that executives want to access the power of generative AI, as tools such as ChatGPT continue to spark the public imagination. But a KPMG study of U.S. executives that month found that a solid majority (60%) of respondents said that while they expect generative AI to have enormous long-term impact, they are still a year or two away from implementing their first solution.

Oct 9, 2023

Meta Quest 3 takes a step closer to mainstream AR/VR

Posted by in categories: augmented reality, virtual reality

In a world where a $500 price point qualifies as cheap, Meta continues to be the best solution for casual extended reality.

Having spoken to most of the major vendors over the past year, it seemed like everyone relished the arrival of the 500-pound gorilla. They would, they reckoned, be ships among a rising tide. Even more to the point,… More.


However this all plays out, 2023 will almost certainly be regarded as a pivotal year for AR and VR. After years of waiting for the category to have its iPhone moment, Apple finally unveiled the Vision Pro during WWDC back in June. It was everything we’ve come to expect from the company: big, boisterous and polished, with lofty promises and a price tag to match.

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Oct 9, 2023

The UAE wants to build an underwater bullet train to Mumbai

Posted by in categories: finance, transportation

In addition to reducing travel times, it could also offer picturesque views using see-through windows if the project is deemed feasible.

The plan first came to light in 2018 but is now being actively pursued as Dubai looks to stamp its authority on impressive constructions again, with Saudi Arabia also aiming for a piece of the pie.


Hxdyl/iStock.

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Oct 9, 2023

World’s top supercomputer to simulate nuclear reactors

Posted by in categories: military, nuclear energy, supercomputing

The supercomputer which is under construction is 50 times more powerful that existing supercomputer at the facility.

The world’s most powerful supercomputer, Aurora, is being set up in the US to help scientists at the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) simulate new nuclear reactors that are more efficient and safer than their predecessors, a press release said.

The US is already home to some of the world’s fastest supercomputers, as measured by TOP500. These supercomputers can be tasked with a variety of computational roles. Last month, Interesting Engineering reported how the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) planned to use a supercomputer to check nuclear stockpiles for the US military.

Oct 9, 2023

Welcome to the AI gym staffed by virtual trainers

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, food, information science, media & arts, mobile phones, robotics/AI

Each member works out within a designated station facing wall-to-wall LED screens. These tall screens mask sensors that track both the motions of the exerciser and the gym’s specially built equipment, including dumbbells, medicine balls, and skipping ropes, using a combination of algorithms and machine-learning models.

Once members arrive for a workout, they’re given the opportunity to pick their AI coach through the gym’s smartphone app. The choice depends on whether they feel more motivated by a male or female voice and a stricter, more cheerful, or laid-back demeanor, although they can switch their coach at any point. The trainers’ audio advice is delivered over headphones and accompanied by the member’s choice of music, such as rock or country.

Although each class at the Las Colinas studio is currently observed by a fitness professional, that supervisor doesn’t need to be a trainer, says Brandon Bean, cofounder of Lumin Fitness. “We liken it to being more like an airline attendant than an actual coach,” he says. “You want someone there if something goes wrong, but the AI trainer is the one giving form feedback, doing the motivation, and explaining how to do the movements.”