Scientists have been exploring both experimental and theoretical ways to prove quantum supremacy.
Ramis Movassagh, a researcher at Google Quantum AI, recently had a study published in the journal Nature Physics. Here, he has reportedly demonstrated in theory that simulating random quantum circuits and determining their output will be extremely difficult for classical computers. In other words, if a quantum computer solves this problem, it can achieve quantum supremacy.
But why do such problems exist?
By John Jeffay, ISRAEL21c
Researchers in Israel have announced a breakthrough in safely detecting landmines – using bacteria.
They’ve developed tiny pellet-sized biosensors based on E. coli. The biosensors are dispersed over the target area, where they sniff out the chemical signature of buried explosives and become luminescent.
Anencephaly is a rare birth defect in which a baby is born without most of its brain. The disease largely can be prevented with folic acid.
Immunotherapy, which uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, is an effective treatment option, yet many patients do not respond to it. Thus, cancer researchers are seeking new ways to optimize immunotherapy so that it is more effective for more people.
Now, Salk Institute scientists have found that manipulating an early step in energy production in mitochondria—the cell’s powerhouses—reduces melanoma tumor growth and enhances the immune response in mice.
The study, published in Science on September 21, 2023, revealed that when electrons take one of two initial routes through mitochondria, genes and proteins become activated that are needed for immune cells to recognize and kill tumor cells.
I have said it time and time again. Ironically I have been an electronic music producer for decades.
Electronic producer, singer and AI advocate Holly Herndon has drawn a comparison between AI music and sampling, saying that AI music could impact music in the same way sampling did hip-hop.
Herndon made the statement during a recent interview with Mixmag, as part of a feature entitled The rise of AI music: a force for good or a new low for artistic creativity? The feature explores the advantages and disadvantages of using AI technology to create music.
“Sampling old records to create something new led to the formation of genres like hip hop and innovative new forms of artistic expression.” She says. “AI music has the potential to do something very similar.”
What does it take to bring life-changing medical robotic devices to reality? This is a question Dr. Gregory Fischer, founder and CEO of AiM Medical Robotics, explored in his keynote “From Concept to Commercialization: It’s not Brain Surgery, or is it?” at BIOMEDevice Boston, MA. As a researcher, professor, and lead investigator supported by federal government grants, director of a state-funded medtech accelerator, and founder of multiple medical device companies, Fischer has a unique perspective on conceptualizing, refining, and commercializing medical devices, as well as the challenges that come with each step.
Focusing on neurosurgery, he highlighted specific challenges clinicians face during procedures including an inability to leverage real-time intraoperative MR imaging for precision — surgeons must transfer a patient mid-surgery to an MRI in a separate room and sometimes even a separate building within the hospital complex — resulting in inefficient workflow and interruptions in sterility and anesthesia during transfers. Additionally, he mentioned limited compatibility with various MRI scanners, and an increased risk of human errors because of complex manual processes.
Integrating robotic assistance, he said, enhances the reachable target area and improves dexterity and precision of motion during such difficult procedures such as neurosurgery, adds enhanced feedback and virtual fixtures, reduces procedure time, and avoids ergonomic issues. An increase in intervention accuracy through inherent integration with image guidance tools, and improved diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes are also advantages of robotic assistance, according to Fischer.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The most common type of childhood cancer is acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), a blood and bone marrow cancer that creates immature white blood cells that can’t perform their typical functions. Because of this, the disease worsens quickly.
Most likely to occur in early childhood, ALL is more common in boys than girls, according to the American Cancer Society. Children younger than five are at highest risk for developing ALL.
Asmaa Ferdjallah, M.D., a Mayo Clinic pediatric hematologist and oncologist, treats children of all ages with ALL. Here’s what she wants families to know about this disease:
Inflammation is generally a good response that occurs in the body when infected with a foreign pathogen. The infected area gets hot and swollen from immune cell infiltration to kill the pathogen. As soon as the pathogen is killed, the body sends signals to reduce inflammation and bring the body back to baseline or homeostasis. This acute inflammation is necessary, but when inflammation is prolonged or chronic, it can have devastating effects.
Cytokines are small proteins released by cells that help direct function and communicate between one another. During inflammation many different cytokines are released to signal immune cells to come and kill the pathogen. Additionally, once the immune cells get there, they also release cytokines to get more immune cells to the sight of infection. There becomes a positive feedback loop until the pathogen is killed, in which the cells then send anti-inflammatory cytokines to regulate the immune system. In chronic inflammation the release of inflammatory cytokines is sustained and leads to a “cytokine storm”. A “cytokine storm” is a phrase used to describe millions of different cytokines in an area with inflammatory functions. A “cytokine storm” usually leads to cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which makes a person sick. CRS can result in many different symptoms including, but not limited to, fever, fatigue, headache, and rash. In extreme cases, it can result in infection and even death.
This November, researchers, clinicians, and investors will descend on Miami, Florida for the annual Wonderland conference. This year, the world’s leading psychedelics conference is expanding its focus to include longevity for the first time, welcoming top speakers from across the field, from Bryan Johnson to Aubrey de Grey.
Through a series of keynotes, round table and panel discussions, and town hall open mic sessions, the event aims to explore the increasingly linked topics of psychedelic medicine, mental health, and longevity medicine.
Longevity. Technology: Every month it seems, more and more research is highlighting the connection between mental health and longevity – from accelerated biological aging to reduced life expectancy. With psychedelics simultaneously demonstrating compelling results in the treatment of mental conditions, from depression to PTSD, the synergies between longevity and psychedelic medicine are clear. We caught up with leading longevity physician Dr Halland Chen to tap into his views on recent developments in longevity medicine and its links with the psychedelic world.