Make it so.
Is a warp drive possible?
Posted in space travel
The legacy of César Lattes
Posted in particle physics
Brazilian physicist César Lattes, considered a national hero for his discoveries, paved the way for trailblazing research projects in particle astrophysics across Latin America and beyond.
The legendary electrical engineer held 112 U.S. patents. The post It’s Nikola Tesla’s birthday – here’s why that name sounds so familiar appeared first on MotorBiscuit.
Engineers at EPFL have developed a device capable of transforming heat into electrical voltage efficiently at temperatures even colder than those found in outer space. This breakthrough could significantly advance quantum computing technologies by addressing a major obstacle.
To perform quantum computations, quantum bits (qubits) need to be cooled to temperatures in the millikelvin range (close to-273 degrees Celsius) to reduce atomic motion and minimize noise. However, the electronics used to control these quantum circuits generate heat, which is challenging to dissipate at such low temperatures. Consequently, most current technologies must separate the quantum circuits from their electronic components, resulting in noise and inefficiencies that impede the development of larger quantum systems beyond the laboratory.
Researchers in EPFL’s Laboratory of Nanoscale Electronics and Structures (LANES), led by Andras Kis, in the School of Engineering have now fabricated a device that not only operates at extremely low temperatures, but does so with efficiency comparable to current technologies at room temperature.
Webb’s image of RX J1131-1231 uses gravitational lensing to explore the quasar ’s black hole and dark matter, revealing details about its growth and the universe’s mass composition.
This new James Webb Space Telescope image features the gravitational lensing of the quasar known as RX J1131-1231, located roughly six billion light-years from Earth in the constellation Crater. It is considered one of the best-lensed quasars discovered to date, as the foreground galaxy smears the image of the background quasar into a bright arc and creates four images of the object.
Gravitational lensing, first predicted by Einstein, offers a rare opportunity to study regions close to the black hole in distant quasars, by acting as a natural telescope and magnifying the light from these sources. All matter in the Universe warps the space around itself, with larger masses producing a stronger effect. Around very massive objects, such as galaxies, light that passes close by follows this warped space, appearing to bend away from its original path by a clearly visible amount. One of the consequences of gravitational lensing is that it can magnify distant astronomical objects, letting astronomers study objects that would otherwise be too faint or far away.
A global research team has devised a method to decompose plastics and other materials into their smallest components using a laser, enabling their future reuse.
The breakthrough involves placing these materials on two-dimensional structures called transition metal dichalcogenides and then exposing them to laser light. This technique could significantly enhance the disposal of plastics that are currently almost impossible to break down with existing technologies.
Why did the experience of consciousness evolve from our underlying brain physiology? Despite being a vibrant area of neuroscience, current research on consciousness is characterised by disagreement and controversy – with several rival theories in contention.
A recent scoping review of over 1,000 articles identified over 20 different theoretical accounts. Philosophers like David Chalmers argue that no single scientific theory can truly explain consciousness.
We define consciousness as embodied subjective awareness, including self awareness. In a recent article published in Interalia (which is not peer reviewed), we argue that one reason for this predicament is the powerful role played by intuition.
The country’s current progress appears to be on par with Elon Musk’s Neuralink.
China has created a committee to steer the nation’s development of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), with the hope of becoming the global leader in brain chip technology.
The committee will reportedly develop nationwide standards for development to compete with Western technology outfits, such as Elon Musk’s Neuralink.
3D Gaussian Ray Tracing
Posted in particle physics
Gaussian ray tracing: fast tracing of particle scenes.
Nicolas Moenne-Loccoz, Ashkan Mirzaei, Or Perel, Riccardo de Lutio, Janick Martinez Esturo, Gavriel State, Sanja Fidler, Nicholas Sharp, Zan Gojcic NVDIA 2024 https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.07090 https://radiancefields.com/3d-gaussian-ray–…
Today, things are taking an exciting step forward with the introduction of 3D Gaussian Ray Tracing (3DGRT).
This study presents a discovery in the fight against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by identifying the protein Schlafen 11 (SLFN11) as a key factor influencing the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Through comprehensive analysis using humanized orthotopic HCC mouse models and in vitro co-culture systems, the research unveils how SLFN11’s deficiency in tumor cells leads to an increase in C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) secretion. This phenomenon promotes the infiltration of immunosuppressive macrophages and leads to immune evasion. The study also showcases the therapeutic potential of blocking CCL2/CCR2 signaling to enhance the efficacy of ICIs in patients with low SLFN11 expression. These findings pave the way for future research to explore additional therapeutic targets within the immune landscape of HCC, offering hope for more effective treatments and improved patient outcomes.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with advanced stages showing dismal survival rates due to limited treatment efficacy. The efforts to improve the situation have focused on immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), though their success varies significantly among individuals due to the complex interplay of tumor growth and immune evasion within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Previous studies have hinted at the role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and chemokines like CCL2 in the functional remodeling of TAMs. However, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms driving immune evasion and therapy resistance in HCC has been lacking. This research proposes a solution by identifying SLFN11’s role in modulating the immune landscape of HCC, specifically its influence on macrophage polarization and CCL2 signaling. The outcome offers new avenues for enhancing ICI therapy effectiveness.
Statistics from the World Health Organization reveal that liver cancer, primarily hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), contributes significantly to the cancer mortality rate. This research highlights the urgency of developing more effective treatments for HCC, aligning with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by aiming to reduce premature mortality from cancer and promote access to quality essential healthcare services. Moreover, by elucidating novel targets for therapeutic intervention, this study contributes to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), fostering innovation through the development of new and effective treatments for HCC.