Lifeboat Foundation

Researchers from multiple security companies have reported that a massive supply chain attack on users of 3CX, a widely utilized voice and video calling desktop client, was carried out by computer hackers working on behalf of the government of North Korea. The attack targeted users of the Windows and macOS operating systems. 3CX users may make calls, examine the status of colleagues, chat, plan a video conference, and check voicemails all from the desktop program by using the 3CXDesktopApp, which is accessible for Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices.

The attack resulted in the compromising of the software build system that was used to generate and distribute versions of the app for Windows and macOS. The app delivers VoIP and PBX services to “over 600,000 clients,” some of which include American Express, Mercedes-Benz, and Price Waterhouse Cooper. Since the attackers controlled the software development system, they were able to insert malware into 3CX applications, even though those applications had been digitally signed using the official signing key for the firm.

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Laser-driven Hohlraums filled with gas at lower densities (0.6 mg/cc) have higher efficiency compared to original ≥ 0.96 mg/cc fill because of reduced backscatter losses [Hall et al., Phys. Plasma…

Many scientific problems can be formulated as sparse regression, i.e., regression onto a set of parameters when there is a desire or expectation that some of the parameters are exactly zero or do not substantially contribute. This includes many problems in signal and image processing, system identification, optimization, and parameter estimation methods such as Gaussian process regression. Sparsity facilitates exploring high-dimensional spaces while finding parsimonious and interpretable solutions. In the present work, we illustrate some of the important ways in which sparse regression appears in plasma physics and point out recent contributions and remaining challenges to solving these problems in this field. A brief review is provided for the optimization problem and the state-of-the-art solvers, especially for constrained and high-dimensional sparse regression.

Magneto-inertial fusion concepts, such as the magnetized liner inertial fusion (MagLIF) platform[M. R. Gomez et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 155003 (2014)], constitute an alternative path for achiev…

Scientists have precisely measured the masses of 19 neutron-rich nuclei, discovering a new isotope of uranium in the process.

When spun fast enough, a cold object can transfer heat to a nearby hot object.

Researchers have attained a 100-fold increase in the accuracy of a molecular clock that could serve as a terahertz-frequency standard and as a platform for investigating new physics.

Having more tools helps; having the right tools is better. Utilizing multiple dimensions may simplify difficult problems—not only in science fiction but also in physics—and tie together conflicting theories.

For example, Einstein’s theory of general relativity —which resides in the fabric of space-time warped by planetary or other massive objects—explains how gravity works in most cases. However, the theory breaks down under extreme conditions such as those existing in black holes and cosmic primordial soups.

An approach known as superstring theory could use another dimension to help bridge Einstein’s theory with quantum mechanics, solving many of these problems. But the necessary evidence to support this proposal has been lacking.

Researchers at University of Tokyo, JTS PRESTO, Ludwig Maximilians Universität and Kindai University recently demonstrated the modulation of an electron source by applying laser light to a single fullerene molecule. Their study, featured in Physical Review Letters, could pave the way for the development of better performing computers and microscopic imaging devices.

“By irradiating a sharp metallic needle with femtosecond pulses, we had previously demonstrated optical control of electron emission sites on a scale of approximately 10 nm,” Hirofumi Yanagisawa, one of the researchers who carried out the study, told Phys.org. “The optical control was achieved using plasmonic effects, but it was technically difficult to miniaturize such an electron source using the same principle. We were seeking a way to miniaturize the electron source and we hit upon the idea of using a single molecule and its molecular orbitals.”

Yanagisawa and his colleagues set out to realize their idea experimentally using electrons emitted from molecules on a sharp metallic needle. However, they were well-aware of the difficulties they would encounter, due to unresolved difficulties associated with the use of electron emissions from molecule-covered needles.