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Apr 14, 2023

Superstring Theory and Higher Dimensions: Bridging Einstein’s Relativity and Quantum Mechanics

Posted by in categories: cosmology, quantum physics

A team of researchers at Kyoto University is exploring the use of higher dimensions in de Sitter space to explain gravity in the early universe. By developing a method to compute correlation functions among fluctuations, they aim to bridge the gap between Einstein’s theory of general relativity and quantum mechanics. This could potentially validate superstring theory and enable practical calculations about the early universe’s subtle changes. Although initially tested in a three-dimensional universe, the analysis may be extended to a four-dimensional universe for real-world applications.

Having more tools helps; having the right tools is better. Utilizing multiple dimensions may simplify difficult problems — not only in science fiction but also in physics — and tie together conflicting theories.

For example, Einstein’s theory of general relativity — which resides in the fabric of space-time warped by planetary or other massive objects — explains how gravity works in most cases. However, the theory breaks down under extreme conditions such as those existing in black holes and cosmic primordial soups.

Apr 14, 2023

An Efficient, Short Stimulus PANC-1 Cancer Cell Ablation and Electrothermal Therapy Driven by Hydrophobic Interactions

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, nanotechnology

Promising results in clinical studies have been demonstrated by the utilization of electrothermal agents (ETAs) in cancer therapy. However, a difficulty arises from the balance between facilitating the degradation of ETAs, and at the same time, increasing the electrothermal performance/stability required for highly efficient treatment. In this study, we controlled the thermal signature of the MoS2 by harnessing MoS2 nanostructures with M13 phage (MNM) via the structural assembling (hydrophobic interaction) phenomena and developed a combined PANC-1 cancer cell–MNM alternating current (AC)-stimulus framework for cancer cell ablation and electrothermal therapy. A percentage decrease in the cell viability of ~23% was achieved, as well as a degradation time of 2 weeks; a stimulus length of 100 μs was also achieved.

Apr 13, 2023

The More We Learn About Crow Brains, the More Humanlike Their Intelligence Seems

Posted by in category: neuroscience

Large brains, long life spans and elaborate problem-solving in crows makes them surprisingly similar to humans.

Apr 13, 2023

Humans Will Break the Longevity Record and Live Past 122, Study Says

Posted by in category: life extension

That plateau is called “mortality compression”—where the age of death remains relatively fixed. It’s been a consistent phenomenon for folks born up until the 1900s. But according to the study, “mortality postponement”—where the maximum age at death is on the rise—seems to be more common in those born between 1910 and 1950. This means the oldest people born in that timeframe have a solid chance at stretching their years beyond 120.

“As these cohorts attain advanced ages in coming decades, longevity records may increase significantly,” McCarthy says in the news release. “Our results confirm prior work suggesting that if there is a maximum limit to the human lifespan, we are not yet approaching it.”

Apr 13, 2023

Flex Your Artificial Muscles: The New Low-Voltage Breakthrough

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

Scientists have created thin, elastic bottlebrush polymer films that can function as artificial muscles at significantly lower voltages than currently available materials, potentially enabling their use in safer medical devices and artificial organs.

Whether wriggling your toes or lifting groceries, muscles in your body smoothly expand and contract. Some polymers can do the same thing — acting like artificial muscles — but only when stimulated by dangerously high voltages. Now, researchers in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces report a series of thin, elastic films that respond to substantially lower electrical charges. The materials represent a step toward artificial muscles that could someday operate safely in medical devices.

Artificial muscles could become key components of movable soft robotic implants and functional artificial organs. Electroactive elastomers, such as bottlebrush polymers, are attractive materials for this purpose because they start soft but stiffen when stretched. And they can change shape when electrically charged. However, currently available bottlebrush polymer films only move at voltages over 4,000 V, which exceeds the 50 V maximum that the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration states is safe. Reducing the thickness of these films to less than 100 µm could lower the required voltages, but this hasn’t been done successfully yet for bottlebrush polymers. So, Dorina Opris and colleagues wanted to find a simple way to produce thinner films.

Apr 13, 2023

Scientists Broke a Major Computer Design Barrier — And It Could Change Tech As We Know It

Posted by in categories: quantum physics, robotics/AI

Open-standard computer chip instructions could help speed up futuristic technology like autonomous cars and quantum computers.

Apr 13, 2023

Look! Webb Recaptures a Famous Hubble Image in Incredible New Detail

Posted by in category: evolution

The Ultra Deep Field revisited.


The Hubble Ultra Deep Field was first imaged in the early 2000s. Now, JWST set its sights back on the target to find new hints of galactic evolution.

Apr 13, 2023

Raspberry Pi will soon have AI capabilities, Sony announces

Posted by in categories: futurism, robotics/AI

Sony has announced that it intends to integrate its Aitrios edge computing (on-chip) AI platform into future iterations of the Rasberry Pi.

The highly popular Rasberry Pi will soon get artificial intelligence (AI) functions, according to an announcement from Sony. In what it has called a “strategic investment,” Sony decided to bring its AI technology to a broader market.

Continue reading “Raspberry Pi will soon have AI capabilities, Sony announces” »

Apr 13, 2023

‘Faithful Unto Death’: Robotic dog set to make a comeback to NYPD task force

Posted by in categories: robotics/AI, security

Along with ‘Spot’ the Digidog, the New York Police Department has revealed other new security technologies to improve safety in New York.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) is taking crime control, and public security to the next level by introducing a variety of crime-fighting robots to patrol subway stations throughout New York.

Along with Digidog, the NYPD has revealed a few other new security technologies to improve safety in New York.

Continue reading “‘Faithful Unto Death’: Robotic dog set to make a comeback to NYPD task force” »

Apr 13, 2023

Astronomers confirm presence of third protoplanet about 374 light years away

Posted by in categories: materials, space

The protoplanet was found surrounding HD 169,142, a star located 374 light years from our solar system.

Astronomers have caught a rare glimpse of a planet’s formation. This is only the third time scientists have discovered a protoplanet — an early stage in forming a planet, where cosmic material clumps in a disk surrounding newborn stars.

The observation of new protoplanet.

Continue reading “Astronomers confirm presence of third protoplanet about 374 light years away” »