Quantum computers are set to transform computing and society with their ability to solve problems that are currently intractable.
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‘Oceans are hugely complex’: modelling marine microbes is key to climate forecasts
An interesting exploration of the importance of oceanic microorganisms to biogeochemical processes, how existing computational climate models do not adequately capture the complexity introduced by these microbes, and suggestions for future directions in climate modeling that better incorporate the…
Microorganisms are the engines that drive most marine processes. Ocean modelling must evolve to take their biological complexity into account.
NFIL3 contributes to cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated killing
Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are important effectors in the clearance of virally infected and cancerous cells, and defects in their function give rise to many pathologies.
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are key effectors of the adaptive immune system that recognize and eliminate virally infected and cancerous cells. In naive CD8+ T cells, T-cell receptor (TCR) engagement drives a number of transcriptional, translational and proliferation changes over the course of hours and days leading to differentiation into CTLs. To gain a better insight into this mechanism, we compared the transcriptional profiles of naive CD8+ T cells to those of activated CTLs. To find new regulators of CTL function, we performed a selective clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) screen on upregulated genes and identified nuclear factor IL-3 (NFIL3) as a potential regulator of cytotoxicity. Although NFIL3 has established roles in several immune cells including natural killer, Treg, dendritic and CD4+ T cells, its function in CD8+ CTLs is less well understood. Using CRISPR/Cas9 editing, we found that removing NFIL3 in CTLs resulted in a marked decrease in cytotoxicity. We found that in CTLs lacking NFIL3 TCR-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation, immune synapse formation and granule release were all intact while cytotoxicity was functionally impaired in vitro. Strikingly, NFIL3 controls the production of cytolytic proteins as well as effector cytokines. Thus, NFIL3 plays a cell intrinsic role in modulating cytolytic mechanisms in CTLs.
CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are key effectors of the adaptive immune response that precisely recognize and eliminate virally infected and cancerous cells. In naive CD8+ T cells, T-cell receptor (TCR) engagement induces a number of transcriptional, translational and proliferation changes over the course of hours and days leading to differentiation into CTLs [1,2]. TCR ligation of differentiated CTLs drives a rapid response and the formation of a transient area of plasma membrane specialized in signalling and polarized secretion, termed the immune synapse [3]. CTLs undergo rapid rearrangements in microtubule and actin cytoskeletons as the centrosome and microtubule network polarize towards the synapse and cortical actin is transiently depleted [4–7].
US Deploys “Project Maven” In Middle East As AI Warfare Underway
She continued: “We’ve certainly had more opportunities to target in the last 60 to 90 days,” adding the US is currently looking for “an awful lot” of rocket launchers in the region.
Moore’s comments provide some of the strongest evidence to date that the US military is using AI targeting systems to identify potential strike areas. She noted that even after Google walked away from the project, experimenting has continued with drone or satellite imagery.
Based at Central Command, or Centcom headquarters in Tampa, Florida, Moore revealed that US forces in the Middle East have been testing AI targeting systems using a combination of satellites and other data sources and conducted exercises over the past year with the technology.
Ford’s next-gen EVs could feature 800V fast charging
Ford has big plans for its next-gen EVs. This may include an 800V fast charging architecture as it looks to keep pace with rivals like Hyundai, Porsche, and Kia.
Amid intensifying competition, Ford’s CEO Jim Farley said a “seismic change” has shaken the EV market following the automaker’s Q4 earnings results.
Farley cited two reasons behind the shift. The first is major price cuts from EV makers like Tesla. The second is a “tremendous amount” of capital and new capacity surging into the two-row crossover segment—Ford’s best-selling EV market with the Mustang Mach-E.
Ford’s NACS Fast Charging Adapter Now Available As Tesla Charging Network Opens
Everybody knows that the public fast-charging life is just easier when you’re a Tesla owner. But starting today, Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E owners will begin to play on their level too as the Tesla Supercharger network opens up to them.
Ford today announced two major developments on the electric front. First, Ford customers can now order the Fast Charging Adapter—the first from a major automaker—that allows Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) plugs to link up to the Combined Charging System (CCS) fast-charging port standard on basically all non-Tesla EVs.
