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Aug 31, 2023

Swiss researchers invent drone-flying AI that tops champions

Posted by in categories: drones, robotics/AI

The AI won 15 of the 25 races against humans and led the fastest time on the track by more than half a second.

Researchers at the University of Zurich in Switzerland have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system that can not only fly drones but also beat human counterparts who are champions, according to a press release published in Nature.

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Aug 31, 2023

Aditya-L1: India’s maiden Sun mission to lift off Sept 2

Posted by in category: space

The mission will observe the Sun from a unique vantage point and explore its activity and influence on space weather.

As nations across the world expand their exploratory missions into outer space, India is taking a crucial leap forward by setting its sights on our solar system’s most vital celestial body: the Sun. Slated for launch on September 2nd, India’s first-ever solar mission, Aditya-L1, has arrived at its launch pad at the Sathish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR in Sriharikota, off the eastern coast of India.


Source: ISRO

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Aug 31, 2023

Inspired by spider webs, scientists harvest water from air

Posted by in category: sustainability

Bearacreative/iStock.

This is according to a press release by the University of Waterloo published on Monday.

Aug 31, 2023

9000 Feet Deep — Magnetic Bacteria Discovered in Deep-Sea Vents

Posted by in categories: alien life, habitats

Bacteria that can align themselves with the Earth’s magnetic field have been found in a new habitat. Previously spotted on land and in shallow waters, these magnetotactic bacteria have now been confirmed to thrive in the depths of a hydrothermal vent. Despite the challenging conditions, the bacteria were able to adapt and survive in an environment that was not ideal for their typical needs.

Magnetotactic bacteria are of interest not only for the role they play in Earth’s ecosystem but also in the search for extraterrestrial life. Evidence of their existence can remain in rocks for billions of years. Their magnetic inclinations can also provide a record of how magnetic poles have shifted over time. This new discovery brings hope to researchers that the magnetic bacteria might be found in yet more unexpected locations, on Earth and perhaps even on Mars.

Mars is the second smallest planet in our solar system and the fourth planet from the sun. It is a dusty, cold, desert world with a very thin atmosphere. Iron oxide is prevalent in Mars’ surface resulting in its reddish color and its nickname “The Red Planet.” Mars’ name comes from the Roman god of war.

Aug 31, 2023

Supporting the Open Source AI Community

Posted by in categories: robotics/AI, security

We believe artificial intelligence has the power to save the world —and that a thriving open source ecosystem is essential to building this future.

Thankfully, the open source ecosystem is starting to develop, and we are now seeing open source models that rival closed-source alternatives. Hundreds of small teams and individuals are also working to make these models more useful, accessible, and performant.

These projects push the state of the art in open source AI and help provide a more robust and comprehensive understanding of the technology. They include: instruction-tuning base LLMs; removing censorship from LLM outputs; optimizing models for low-powered machines; building novel tooling for model inference; researching LLM security issues; and many others.

Aug 31, 2023

Industrializing AI Software Development

Posted by in categories: business, robotics/AI

Large language models (LLMs) are ushering in a revolutionary era with their remarkable capabilities. From enhancing everyday applications to transforming complex systems, generative AI is becoming an integral part of our lives.

However, the surge in demand for AI-powered solutions exposes a critical challenge: the scarcity of computational resources required to meet the growing appetite for logic and voice-based interfaces. This scarcity leads to a pressing need for cost-efficient platforms that can support the development and deployment of LLMs.

Industrializing AI software development will require transforming the processes for developing, deploying and maintaining AI systems from a research or ad-hoc approach into a structured, systematic and scalable industrial process. By focusing on cloud cost optimization and platform engineering, businesses can foster growth, profitability, and innovation in the field of AI.

Aug 31, 2023

A reliable sensor that can screen for water contamination

Posted by in category: electronics

Sensors can detect bacteria and viruses, toxins, or other contaminants.

Aug 31, 2023

Teaching with AI

Posted by in categories: education, robotics/AI

We’re releasing a guide for teachers using ChatGPT in their classroom—including suggested prompts, an explanation of how ChatGPT works and its limitations, the efficacy of AI detectors, and bias.

Aug 31, 2023

A new biological mechanism to regenerate and repair myelin

Posted by in categories: biological, neuroscience

A neonatal hypoxic-injury animal model revealed that CK2α mediated Daam2 phosphorylation, which plays a protective role in developmental and behavioral recovery after neonatal hypoxia, a form of brain injury seen in cerebral palsy and other conditions. Additionally, it facilitates remyelination after white matter injury in adult animals.

Together, these findings have identified a novel regulatory node connecting CK2α and Daam2 in the Wnt pathway that regulates stage-specific oligodendrocyte development and offers insights into a new biological mechanism to regenerate myelin.

“This study opens exciting therapeutic avenues we could develop in the future to repair and restore myelin, which has the potential to alleviate and treat several neurological issues that are currently untreatable,” Lee said.

Aug 31, 2023

Analog and digital: The best of both worlds in one energy-efficient system

Posted by in categories: computing, neuroscience

We live in an analog world of continuous information flow that is both processed and stored by our brains at the same time, but our devices process information digitally in the form of discrete binary code, breaking the information into little bits (or bites).

Researchers at EPFL have revealed a pioneering technology that combines the potential of continuous analog processing with the precision of digital devices. By seamlessly integrating ultra-thin, two-dimensional semiconductors with ferroelectric materials, the research, published in Nature Electronics, unveils a novel way to improve and add new functionalities in computing. The new configuration merges traditional digital logic with brain-like analog operations.

The innovation from the Nanoelectronics Device Laboratory (Nanolab), in collaboration with Microsystems Laboratory, revolves around a unique combination of materials leading to brain-inspired functions and advanced electronic switches, including the standout negative capacitance Tunnel Field-Effect Transistor (TFET).