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Mar 29, 2023

Direct observation of a superconducting vortex diode Communications

Posted by in category: computing

A nonreciprocal critical current is known as the superconducting diode effect (SDE). Here, the authors use SQUID-on-tip to study SDE in a EuS/Nb bilayer and find that the stray field from magnetized EuS creates screening currents in the Nb, which lead to SDE by affecting vortex flow dynamics.

Mar 29, 2023

A robust quantum memory that stores information in a trapped-ion quantum network

Posted by in categories: computing, particle physics, quantum physics, space

Researchers at University of Oxford have recently created a quantum memory within a trapped-ion quantum network node. Their unique memory design, introduced in a paper in Physical Review Letters, has been found to be extremely robust, meaning that it could store information for long periods of time despite ongoing network activity.

“We are building a network of quantum computers, which use trapped ions to store and process quantum information,” Peter Drmota, one of the researchers who carried out the study, told Phys.org. “To connect quantum processing devices, we use emitted from a single atomic ion and utilize between this ion and the photons.”

Trapped ions, charged atomic particles that are confined in space using , are a commonly used platform for realizing quantum computations. Photons (i.e., the particles of light), on the other hand, are generally used to transmit quantum information between distant nodes. Drmota and his colleagues have been exploring the possibility of combining trapped ions with photons, to create more powerful quantum technologies.

Mar 29, 2023

Machines on Genes through the Computational Microscope

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, computing, nanotechnology

Macromolecular machines acting on genes are at the core of life’s fundamental processes, including DNA replication and repair, gene transcription and regulation, chromatin packaging, RNA splicing, and genome editing. Here, we report the increasing role of computational biophysics in characterizing the mechanisms of “machines on genes”, focusing on innovative applications of computational methods and their integration with structural and biophysical experiments. We showcase how state-of-the-art computational methods, including classical and ab initio molecular dynamics to enhanced sampling techniques, and coarse-grained approaches are used for understanding and exploring gene machines for real-world applications.

Mar 29, 2023

Why black holes unlock the quantum majesty of the Universe

Posted by in categories: computing, cosmology, mathematics, particle physics, quantum physics

The story of modern physics has been one of reductionism. We do not need a vast encyclopedia to understand the inner workings of Nature. Rather, we can describe a near-limitless range of natural phenomena, from the interior of a proton to the creation of galaxies, with apparently unreasonable efficiency using the language of mathematics. In the words of theoretical physicist Eugene Wigner, ‘The miracle of the appropriateness of the language of mathematics for the formulation of the laws of physics is a wonderful gift which we neither understand nor deserve. We should be grateful for it.’

The mathematics of the twentieth century described a Universe populated by a limited number of different types of fundamental particles interacting with each other in an arena known as spacetime according to a collection of rules that can be written down on the back of an envelope. If the Universe was designed, it seemed, the designer was a mathematician.

Today, the study of black holes appears to be edging us in a new direction, towards a language more often used by quantum computer scientists. The language of information. Space and time may be emergent entities that do not exist in the deepest description of Nature. Instead, they are synthesized out of entangled quantum bits of information in a way that resembles a cleverly constructed computer code. If the Universe is designed, it seems, the designer is a programmer.

Mar 29, 2023

“The self” doesn’t exist. Instead, you constantly shape multiple selves

Posted by in category: futurism

The self is a complex and dynamic construct influenced by personal experiences, cultural background, and beliefs about oneself and others.

Mar 29, 2023

PASTE, Don’t Cut: Genome Editing Tool Looks Beyond CRISPR and Prime

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, genetics

A recently patented genome editing tool called PASTE holds genuine promise for expanding the universe of treatable genetic diseases. The approach combines elements of CRISPR and prime editing with a pair of enzymes designed to enable the integration of large segments of DNA without incurring double-stranded DNA breaks.

U.S. Patent No. 11,572,556, assigned to MIT, covers systems, methods, and compositions for programmable addition via site-specific targeting elements (PASTE). The patent describes site-specific integration of a nucleic acid into a genome, using a CRISPR–Cas9 nickase fused to a reverse transcriptase (RT) and a serine integrase. These enzymes target specific genome sequences known as attachment sites, binding to them before integrating their DNA payload.

PASTE can insert DNA fragments as large as 50,000 base pairs, which puts it on a different plane compared to other genome editing tools such as prime editing.

Mar 29, 2023

10 Women Founders Taking The Synthetic Biology World

Posted by in categories: bioengineering, biological, food, health

Here’s a list of 10 visionary synbio company founders – who happen to be women – harnessing the power of biology to transform everything from health to human and animal nutrition, agriculture, haircare, bioremediation, and mining.

Mar 29, 2023

Collateral activity of the CRISPR/RfxCas13D system in human cells — Communications Biology

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

The collateral activity of the CRISPR/RfxCas13D system in mammalian cells is explored using spike-in RNA-seq and reporter assays.

Mar 29, 2023

Moon to Mars

Posted by in category: space travel

NASA’s plans to enable human exploration of the Moon as preparation for human missions to Mars and deeper into the solar system.

Mar 29, 2023

THE MACHINE STOPS — E M Forster read

Posted by in category: futurism

https://youtube.com/watch?v=YerWN5b_-m0

The story of the overdependence of mankind on technology written in the 1920s by E.M Forster.


“The Machine Stops,” which depicted a world where people spend most of their time physically isolated from one another but technologically connected.