Metals like silver, gold and copper can kill bacteria and viruses. An electric current can also eliminate microorganisms. A team of U of A researchers combined the two approaches and created a new type of antimicrobial surface.
“It is a synergistic effect,” said physicist Yong Wang, one of the lead researchers on the project. “It’s not like 1+1=2. When we combine the two, it’s much more effective.”
In lab tests, the new technology, which uses thin nanowires of silver to carry a microampere electric current, eliminated all the E. coli bacteria on glass surfaces.
Here, the authors introduce Martini3-IDP, a refined model for disordered proteins that addresses prior over-compact structures. Validated across diverse systems, it captures IDP interactions and biomolecular condensates.
A breakthrough in safely delivering therapeutic DNA to cells could transform treatment for millions suffering from common chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
A new process that transports DNA into cells using tiny fat-based carriers called lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) developed by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania improved the process of turning on the DNA’s instructions in mice to make proteins inside cells, which is crucial in fighting disease. Signs also point to an improvement in reducing treatment risks, such as immune reactions, as compared to older DNA transfer techniques.
The team’s findings were recently published in Nature Biotechnology.
A pair of studies describing the findings also confirm the standard model of cosmology and offer compelling findings regarding the cosmological conundrum known as the Hubble Tension. The researchers also spotted light from several other sources, resulting in a virtual cosmic road map from the present to the beginning of time.
“We can see right back through cosmic history,” said Jo Dunkley, the Joseph Henry Professor of Physics and Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton University and the ACT analysis leader, in an announcement, “from our own Milky Way, out past distant galaxies hosting vast black holes, and huge galaxy clusters, all the way to that time of infancy.”
Researchers say they are finally unraveling the effects of ultrafast lasers that can change material states in attoseconds —one-billionth of one-billionth of a second—the time required to complete one light wave’s optical cycle.
The new Israeli research opens up new avenues for scientists to observe light closely in laboratory settings. Under these conditions, a wave crosses a hydrogen atom in a single attosecond, compared to the time required for light to move from Earth to the Moon.
Beyond its immediate use, the development may drive future speed advancements in communications and computing by increasing researchers’ understanding of high-speed quantumlight and matter interactions.
Sometimes cell phones die sooner than expected or electric vehicles don’t have enough charge to reach their destination. The rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in these and other devices typically last hours or days between charging. However, with repeated use, batteries degrade and need to be recharged more frequently.
OpenAI’s Sam Altman described the release as a “new high-water mark for creative freedom”, emphasizing that users will be able to create a wide range of visuals.
Artificial Intelligence is evolving rapidly, bringing us closer to the Singularity—a future where AI surpasses human intelligence. This shift could transform every aspect of life, from jobs to technology, creating both exciting possibilities and significant risks. As AI continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, understanding its impact on society is more crucial than ever.
🔍 Key Topics Covered: The rapid evolution of AI and its connection to the looming Singularity, where machines may surpass human intelligence. How AI could reshape industries, jobs, and even human life as we know it. The potential risks of uncontrolled AI growth, including the rise of misinformation, biased outcomes, and the threat of AI-designed chemical weapons. The need for a global governance framework to regulate and monitor AI advancements. The ethical and philosophical questions surrounding AI’s role in society, including its impact on human consciousness and labor.
🎥 What You’ll Learn: The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and its potential to reach the Singularity sooner than expected. How AI systems like neural networks and symbolic systems impact modern technology and the dangers they pose when left unchecked. The role AI could play in jobs, governance, and the potential for global cooperation to ensure safe AI development. Insight into real-world concerns such as disinformation, biased AI systems, and even the possibility of AI leading to catastrophic societal changes.
📊 Why This Matters: These developments highlight the critical need for responsible AI governance as the technology progresses toward potentially surpassing human intelligence. Understanding the rapid growth of AI and its implications helps us prepare for the future, where machines could fundamentally change society. Whether you’re interested in technology, philosophy, or the future of work, this content offers an in-depth look at the powerful impact AI will have on the world.
*DISCLAIMER*: The content presented is for informational and entertainment purposes, offering insights into the future of AI based on current trends and technological research. The creators are not AI experts or legal professionals, and the information should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised due to the speculative nature of the topics discussed. The views expressed are those of the content creator and do not necessarily represent any affiliated individuals or organizations.
