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One clue comes from the observation that most galaxies contain massive black holes at their centers. That has led to the proposal that galaxies form around black holes which act as seeds for this process.

But there is a problem with this idea. If it is true, something must stop stars from falling into black holes as they form, but nobody knows what.

Now a new theory of black holes explains this process. The new theory “gives a general mechanism by which a central black hole can catalyze galaxy formation,” says Stephen Adler, at Princeton University in New Jersey.

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It’s no surprise that machines have the same problem. Although they’re armed with a myriad of sensors, self-driving cars are still trying to live up to their name. They perform well under perfect weather conditions and roads with clear traffic lanes. But ask the cars to drive in heavy rain or fog, smoke from wildfires, or on roads without streetlights, and they struggle.

This month, a team from Purdue University tackled the low visibility problem head-on. Combining thermal imaging, physics, and machine learning, their technology allowed a visual AI system to see in the dark as if it were daylight.

At the core of the system are an infrared camera and AI, trained on a custom database of images to extract detailed information from given surroundings—essentially, teaching itself to map the world using heat signals. Unlike previous systems, the technology, called heat-assisted detection and ranging (HADAR), overcame a notorious stumbling block: the “ghosting effect,” which usually causes smeared, ghost-like images hardly useful for navigation.

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer the future; it’s the everyday. We’ve become so accustomed to tapping into it for day-to-day tasks like searching the internet or choosing a movie to watch we barely even register that we’re using it.

Now, the advent of generative tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard means that the power and transformative potential of AI is in the hands of every business, big or small.

Every day I work with businesses that are finding exciting new ways to put this technology to work. This can involve creating exciting new services, driving improved efficiency, or even disrupting entire industries.

Unveiling the pivotal role of a Chief AI Officer, this article delves into why businesses, regardless of size or industry, must embed AI in their core strategy.

Continue reading “Why Every Company Needs A Chief AI Officer” | >

Brain-computer interfaces are devices that allow for direct communication between the brain and external devices, such as computers or prosthetics. As significant investments flow into R&D, cutting-edge companies are gearing up for human trials. These trials aim to showcase and fine-tune the potential of these interfaces to treat conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and depression.

While these technologies’ immediate use is for treating conditions, they also have the potential to access vast information at unprecedented speeds. As it stands today, the field not only aims to aid recovery, but also enhance existing cognitive functions. These goals introduce various ethical and… More.

Can cutting-edge technology transform the way humans learn, remember and evolve?

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Trinity and IBM Dublin simulate superdiffusion on a quantum computer, marking a milestone in quantum physics.

Quantum physicists at Trinity have teamed up with IBM Dublin in an innovative project, successfully simulating superdiffusion on a quantum computer. This significant accomplishment is among the initial results of the TCD-IBM predoctoral scholarship program.

Credits: Trinity College Dublin.

TCD-IBM predoctoral scholarship program.

Continue reading “Quantum simulation reveals the secrets of superdiffusion” | >

The energy storage solution uses inexpensive carbon blocks that are inexpensive to make and easy to scale.

MIT alumni David Bierman and Jordan Kearns have joined hands to build a thermal battery that lets industrial users rely on renewable energy round the clock, a university press release said. The duo, who studied at the university during the last decade had set up separate companies in the field of renewable energy that have now merged and could see joint projects become operational as early as 2025.

As renewable energy installations such as solar and wind have increased recently, increased production and lower demand during parts of the day have resulted in low electricity prices. Although this is good news for end-use customers, it dampens investments in the sector.

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Chandrayaan-3 is edging closer to making a soft landing on the lunar south pole on August 23.

The Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) third Moon mission is edging closer to making a soft landing on the lunar south pole on August 23.

The agency is now preparing for the last stage of its Chandrayaan-3 mission.

ISRO

Continue reading “India’s third moon mission gears up for Moon soft landing” | >

Australian researchers have developed a new method to reprogram human cells to better mimic embryonic stem cells called transient-naive-treatment (TNT).

Stem cells, serving as a repair system for our body, generate all other cells with specialized functions. There are two main types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.

In a scientific advancement in the 2000s, it was discovered that somatic cells, which are responsible for the growth and development of an organism, could be artificially reprogrammed into a state that resembles embryonic stem (ES) cells, also known as induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. These cells can then generate any cell in the body.

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A genetically modified pig kidney transplanted into a brain-dead man on life support has exhibited regular functioning for over a month, showing no signs of rejection or infection.

A new milestone in animal-to-human organ transplants in the United States has been achieved.

A gene-edited pig kidney implanted into a brain-dead man on life support has been functioning normally for over a month with no signs of rejection or infection.

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