Researchers have developed a genetic algorithm for designing phononic crystal nanostructures, significantly advancing quantum computing and communications.
The new method, validated through experiments, allows precise control of acoustic wave propagation, promising improvements in devices like smartphones and quantum computers.
Quantum Computing Revolution
Treating cancer can sometimes feel like a game of Whac-A-Mole. The disease can become resistant to treatment, and clinicians never know when, where and what resistance might emerge, leaving them one step behind. But a team led by Penn State researchers has found a way to reprogram disease evolution and design tumors that are easier to treat.
They created a modular genetic circuit that turns cancer cells into a “Trojan horse,” causing them to self-destruct and kill nearby drug-resistant cancer cells. Tested in human cell lines and in mice as proof of concept, the circuit outsmarted a wide range of resistance.
The findings were published today, July 4, in the journal Nature Biotechnology. The researchers also filed a provisional application to patent the technology described in the paper.
The advent of quantum computers promises to revolutionize computing by solving complex problems exponentially more rapidly than classical computers. However, today’s quantum computers face challenges such as maintaining stability and transporting quantum information.
Phonons, which are quantized vibrations in periodic lattices, offer new ways to improve these systems by enhancing qubit interactions and providing more reliable information conversion. Phonons also facilitate better communication within quantum computers, allowing the interconnection of them in a network.
Nanophononic materials, which are artificial nanostructures with specific phononic properties, will be essential for next-generation quantum networking and communication devices. However, designing phononic crystals with desired vibration characteristics at the nano-and micro-scales remains challenging.
A team of scientists from the University of Sharjah say they have invented a biosensor capable of detecting the gene mutations responsible for the loss of hearing.
Advances in Care Podcast — Episode 24In today’s world, genetic testing has become increasingly accessible for more people, creating an increased opportunity…
This prospective, multimodal neuroimaging study systematically assessed both intracerebellar pathology and cerebrocerebellar connectivity alterations in a genetically stratified cohort of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis:
Background and Objectives.
This single-center longitudinal cohort study has followed known carriers of PRNP pathogenic variants at risk for prion disease, individuals with a close relative who died of genetic prion disease but who have not undergone predictive genetic testing, and controls. All participants were asymptomatic at first visit and returned roughly annually. We determined PRNP genotypes, measured NfL and GFAP in plasma, and RT-QuIC, total PrP, NfL, T-tau, and beta-synuclein in CSF.
This study uncoversthe pivotal role of the enzyme METTL4 in promoting tumor metastasis through the mediation of nuclear N6-methyldeoxyadenosine (6mA) in mammalian cells. By utilizing cellular models, the study demonstrates how hypoxia induces METTL4 to mediate 6mA modifications. This process, in turn, activates genes essential for tumor metastasis, including the involvement of specific long noncoding RNA and a novel HIF-1α co-activator, ZMIZ1. These findings not only shed light on the epigenetic mechanisms driving tumor progression but also establish METTL4 as a prognostic marker for cancer and a potential target for therapeutic intervention. The promise of this discovery lies in its potential to inspire new strategies for combating hypoxia-induced tumor progression, opening avenues for further research and development in cancer treatment.
DNA N6-methyldeoxyadenosine (6mA) has been recognized in various organisms for its role in gene regulation. However, its function in mammalian cells, particularly in the context of cancer, has remained elusive. Previous studies have shown that 6mA modifications can influence gene expression and are present in several species, indicating a potential regulatory role in tumorigenesis. This research addresses a critical gap in understanding the nuclear role of 6mA and its enzymatic mediator METTL4, in mammalian tumor cells, particularly under hypoxia (a common condition in tumor microenvironments that promotes metastasis). The study posits that METTL4-mediated 6mA deposition is a key epigenetic modification that activates metastasis-inducing genes. This finding offers a new perspective on the mechanisms of tumor progression and identifying novel targets for therapeutic intervention.
According to recent World Health Organization statistics, cancer remains a leading cause of death globally, with metastatic cancers posing significant treatment challenges. This study’s revelations underscore the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies to address the complex mechanisms of cancer metastasis. By linking the research findings to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, the study highlights the potential for significant advancements in cancer treatment. Ultimately, the study paves the way for improved health outcomes and underscores the importance of continued investment in research and development to combat the global cancer burden.
Posted in genetics, robotics/AI
Building a conscious robot is a grand scientific and technological challenge. Debates about the possibility of conscious robots and the related positive outcomes and hazards for human beings are today no more confined to philosophical circles. Robot consciousness is a research field aimed to a unified view of approaches as cognitive robotics, epigenetic and affective robotics, situated and embodied robotics, developmental robotics, anticipatory systems, biomimetic robotics. Scholars agree that a conscious robot would completely change the current views on technology: it would not be an “intelligent companion” but a complete novel kind of artifact. Notably, many neuroscientists involved in the study of consciousness do not exclude this possibility. Moreover, facing the problem of consciousness in robots may be a major move on the study of consciousness in humans and animals.
Aussie scientists have developed a new gene-editing technique that could be a major breakthrough. It could allow scientists to make accurate and more significant changes to DNA.
#Science #GeneEditing #genes
