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Research from the University of California, Irvine has revealed how disruption of the circadian clock, the body’s internal, 24-hour biological pacemaker, may accelerate the progression of colorectal cancer by affecting the gut microbiome and intestinal barrier function. This discovery offers new avenues for prevention and treatment strategies.

The study, published online today in the journal Science Advances, offers a more comprehensive understanding of how important changes occur in the function and composition of the gut microbiome when the circadian clock is disturbed in the presence of colorectal cancer.

“There is an alarming rise in early-onset colorectal cancer in adults under the age of 50,” said corresponding author Selma Masri, associate professor of biological chemistry. “Circadian misalignment through extended light exposure, late-night meals and other environmental factors could [be] driving these cases. Our study suggests that clock disruption, particularly through lifestyle choices, may play a significant role in gut health and, subsequently, cancer risk.”

Imagine tires that charge a vehicle as it drives, streetlights powered by the rumble of traffic, or skyscrapers that generate electricity as the buildings naturally sway and shudder.

These energy innovations could be possible thanks to researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developing environmentally friendly materials that produce electricity when compressed or exposed to vibrations.

In a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications, the team developed a polymer film infused with a special chalcogenide perovskite compound that produces electricity when squeezed or stressed, a phenomenon known as the piezoelectric effect. While other piezoelectric materials currently exist, this is one of the few high-performing ones that does not contain lead, making it an excellent candidate for use in machines, infrastructure as well as bio-medical applications.

In 2005, the futurist Ray Kurzweil predicted that by 2045, machines would become smarter than humans. He called this inflection point the “singularity,” and it struck a chord. Kurzweil, who’s been tracking artificial intelligence since 1963, gained a fanatical following, especially in Silicon Valley.

Now comes The Singularity is Nearer: When We Merge with A.I. where Kurzweil steps up the Singularity’s arrival timeline to 2029. “Algorithmic innovations and the emergence of big data have allowed AI to achieve startling breakthroughs sooner than expected,” reports Kurzweil. From winning at games like Jeopardy! and Go to driving automobiles, writing essays, passing bar exams, and diagnosing cancer, chunks of the Singularity are arriving daily, and there’s more good news just ahead.

Very soon, predicts Kurzweil, artificial general intelligence will be able to do anything a human can do, only better. Expect 3D printed clothing and houses by the end of this decade. Look for medical cures that will “add decades to human life spans” just ahead. “These are the most exciting and momentous years in all of history,” Kurzweil noted in an interview with Boston Globe science writer Brian Bergstein.

Upgraded AMECA, one of the world’s most advanced AI robots, is now showing human-like emotions, sparking fascination and unease. A viral video features AMECA and her companion Azi in a humorous interaction, highlighting their advanced facial expressions and lifelike movements. As AI robots like AMECA evolve, their emotional capabilities are raising questions about the future of human-robot interactions.

🔍 Key Topics Covered:
Upgraded AMECA and Azi showcasing human-like emotions, creating fascinating yet unsettling moments.
The viral interaction between two AI robots and how their expressions blur the line between human and machine.
How advanced facial expressions and conversational abilities are pushing AI robots closer to mimicking human emotions.

🎥 What You’ll Learn:
How AI robots like AMECA are displaying human-like emotions and what that means for the future.
Why AI robots’ interactions are becoming more relatable, raising new questions about human-robot connections.
The technological advancements behind AMECA’s lifelike movements and emotions, and their potential impact on society.

📊 Why This Matters:
This video explores the emotional capabilities of AI robots and the increasing realism in their interactions, sparking intrigue and concern about the role of AI in human-like communication. As AI continues to evolve, understanding its emotional and social impact is essential in navigating the future of human-robot relationships. The rise of AI with human emotions opens the door to exciting possibilities, but also raises important ethical and societal questions.

DISCLAIMER:
This video investigates the rapidly evolving emotional expressions of AI robots, analyzing the consequences of AI’s growing human-like behaviors. It brings attention to the unexpected shifts in AI technology and what it might mean for our future.

#ai.

196K likes, — kallaway on October 10, 2024: This company lets you order sunlight from an app. Wild.

It’s like Uber Eats for the Sun.

The company is called Reflect Orbital.

These two guys figured out if they launch reflective satellites and position them in just the right constellation, at just the right angle, they can beam sunlight to any spot on Earth.

Researchers from UCLA’s Institute for Carbon Management have developed a method that could eliminate nearly all of of the carbon dioxide emitted during the process of cement production, which accounts for about 8% of global atmospheric CO2 emissions.

In a new study published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, the researchers describe how the new approach could be easily incorporated into existing cement-production processes, providing a more affordable alternative to existing solutions to decarbonize the industry.

For many years, scientists believed that fundamental particles like protons and neutrons that form an atomic nucleus, can’t be divided further into smaller units. However, in the following years, physicists discovered quarks and gluons.

While quarks are particles that combine to form protons and neutrons, gluons act like glue, binding the quarks together.

So far, scientists have been studying the atomic nucleus using two models. In the first model, at low energies like in most typical nuclear experiments, they describe the atomic nucleus in terms of protons and neutrons. This is the classic way of understanding the nucleus.