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Nov 6, 2022

Stability AI backs effort to bring machine learning to biomed

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, chemistry, health, robotics/AI

Stability AI, the venture-backed startup behind the text-to-image AI system Stable Diffusion, is funding a wide-ranging effort to apply AI to the frontiers of biotech. Called OpenBioML, the endeavor’s first projects will focus on machine learning-based approaches to DNA sequencing, protein folding and computational biochemistry.

The company’s founders describe OpenBioML as an “open research laboratory” — and aims to explore the intersection of AI and biology in a setting where students, professionals and researchers can participate and collaborate, according to Stability AI CEO Emad Mostaque.

“OpenBioML is one of the independent research communities that Stability supports,” Mostaque told TechCrunch in an email interview. “Stability looks to develop and democratize AI, and through OpenBioML, we see an opportunity to advance the state of the art in sciences, health and medicine.”

Nov 5, 2022

The doomsday argument is normal

Posted by in category: existential risks

TL;DR: crazy predictions based on anthropic reasoning seem crazy only because they contradict our exaggerated expectations about too good future.

Nov 5, 2022

Nanoweapons: A Growing Threat to Humanity

Posted by in categories: futurism, military

Louis A. Del Monte.

Nearly invisible weapons of mass destruction.

Nanoweapons just might render humanity extinct in the near future—a notion that is frightening and shocking but potentially true. In Nanoweapons Louis A. Del Monte describes the most deadly generation of military weapons the world has ever encountered. With dimensions one-thousandth the diameter of a single strand of human hair, this technology threatens to eradicate humanity as it incites world governments to compete in the deadliest arms race ever.

Nov 5, 2022

Neal Stephenson Named the Metaverse. Now, He’s Building It

Posted by in categories: futurism, virtual reality

Since I won’t be posting on Facebook that much in the future. I will leave you with this post, and also hope to see you there, as with Twitter.

Neal Stephenson invented the metaverse. At least from an imagination standpoint. Though other science fiction writers had similar ideas—and the pioneers of VR were already building artificial worlds—Stephenson’s 1992 novel Snow Crash not only fleshed out the vision of escaping to a place where digital displaced the physical, it also gave it a name. That book cemented him as a major writer, and since then he’s had huge success.


Plus: Depicting the nerd mindset; the best lettuce; and the future is flooding.

Continue reading “Neal Stephenson Named the Metaverse. Now, He’s Building It” »

Nov 5, 2022

Chinese scientists turn a simple wire into laser-like light

Posted by in categories: mobile phones, security

The invention could enhance the speed of electronic devices and improve security screening technology.

Chinese scientists have conceived of a new method for generating laser-like light that could significantly enhance the communication speed of everyday electronics, according to a report by the South China Morning Post.

The new device that makes this light possible is known as a free-electron laser, and it has been developed by scientists from the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Continue reading “Chinese scientists turn a simple wire into laser-like light” »

Nov 5, 2022

Eco-friendly funeral service: France’s first undertaker riding a bicycle hearse is here

Posted by in category: transportation

In the U.S. alone, CO2 emissions from cremations surpassed 360,000 metric tonnes in 2020.

A French woman has started a strange but environmentally friendly funeral service dubbed ‘Corbicyclette,’ which is French for a bicycle hearse.

An unusual “cargo bike” could shake up the funeral industry in France, Euronews reported on Wednesday.

Nov 5, 2022

Discovery of a law of friction leads to a material that minimizes energy loss

Posted by in categories: chemistry, energy, engineering, law

The fundamental laws of friction remain a mystery to this day.

Researchers at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering have discovered a fundamental friction law that is leading to the design of two-dimensional materials capable of minimizing energy loss, according to a press release from the institution published on Thursday.

Continue reading “Discovery of a law of friction leads to a material that minimizes energy loss” »

Nov 5, 2022

Astronomers find a giant new galaxy concealed within a puzzling region of the Milk Way

Posted by in category: space

Nobody has known what exists in this region of space known as the “Zone of Avoidance.” Now astronomers edge one step closer.

Astronomers have found a giant “extragalactic structure” concealed behind the Milky Way, according to a new study published in Arxiv.

The study explained that the zone of avoidance (ZOA) does not allow clear optical observations of extragalactic sources behind the Milky Way.

Continue reading “Astronomers find a giant new galaxy concealed within a puzzling region of the Milk Way” »

Nov 5, 2022

Humanoid robots could generate $154 billion in revenue over next 15 years, Goldman Sachs report

Posted by in categories: business, Elon Musk, robotics/AI, transportation

The investment giant was inspired by Tesla’s Optimus to conduct the report.

A new Goldman Sachs report is revealing that humanoid robots could be a $154 billion-a-year business within the next 15 years, according to a report.

Continue reading “Humanoid robots could generate $154 billion in revenue over next 15 years, Goldman Sachs report” »

Nov 5, 2022

5 Hurdles to Overcome Before Zero-Emission Trucks Become a Reality

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, transportation

Beyond passenger cars and pickups: 5 questions answered about electrifying trucks.

As part of its effort to reduce air pollution and cut greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change, California is pursuing aggressive policies to promote clean trucks. The state already requires that by 2035, all new cars and other light-duty vehicles sold in the state must be zero emission. Its powerful Air Resources Board has adopted rules requiring that most trucks be zero emission by 2035 and is now proposing that all trucks sold by 2040 must be zero emission. The Conversation asked a panel of transportation experts from the University of California, Davis, what’s involved in such a rapid transition.


XH4D/iStock.

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