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Oct 3, 2022

Tim Cook is latest CEO to question the ‘metaverse’

Posted by in categories: augmented reality, virtual reality

“I always think it’s important that people understand what something is,” Cook told Dutch publication Bright (via Google Translate). “And I’m really not sure the average person can tell you what the metaverse is.” In other words, despite persistent reports of Apple’s interest in building all manner of AR and VR hardware, Cook isn’t ready to claim that the company is working towards any so-called “metaverse.”

Mark Zuckerberg has a different view. Earlier this year, the Meta CEO told his employees that the company is in a “very deep, philosophical competition” with Apple to build the metaverse. “This is a competition of philosophies and ideas, where they believe that by doing everything themselves and tightly integrating that they build a better consumer experience,” Zuckerberg said, contrasting what he says is Apple’s closed approach with Meta’s more interoperable development.

Oct 3, 2022

Artificial intelligence designs batteries that charge faster than humans can imagine

Posted by in categories: chemistry, particle physics, robotics/AI

An electrolyte moves ions – atoms that have been charged by either gaining or losing an electron – between the two electrodes in a battery. Lithium ions are created at the negative electrode, the anode, and flow to the cathode where they gain electrons. When a battery charges, the ions move back to the anode.

Battery innovations can take years to come to fruition because there are so many different chemicals involved in their production. Working out the ratio of chemicals and optimising them for peak use can be an arduous task.

However, when the research team used an automated arrangement of pumps, valves, vessels, and other lab equipment to mix together three potential solvents and one salt, and then fed those results through ‘Dragonfly’, they found that the AI delivered six solutions that out-performed an existing electrolyte solution.

Oct 3, 2022

Physicist Apologizes for Fooling Public Into Thinking a Picture of Chorizo Was a Star

Posted by in category: futurism

But there was just one problem: it’s not Proxima Centauri.

In fact, this magnificent, planetary orb, a swirling masterpiece of dazzling reds and glowing orange, is just a slice of Spanish chorizo.

Now, Klein — who meant the post as a harmless prank — has had to make a public apology for causing any confusion.

Oct 3, 2022

New Discovery Means Parkinson’s Could Be Diagnosed With a Swab in Just 3 Minutes

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, chemistry, neuroscience

When it comes to developing treatments and eventual cures for diseases, being able to diagnose a condition early and accurately makes a huge difference – and scientists have now developed a quick, reliable method of identifying people with Parkinson’s disease.

The test can be run in as little as 3 minutes after a skin swab has been taken. The swab is analyzed for changes in the chemical mix of sebum, a natural waxy oil produced by the skin that has previously been linked to Parkinson’s.

At the moment, there’s no conclusive test for Parkinson’s disease – specialists look at symptoms, medical history, the results of a lengthy physical examination, and in some cases, a brain scan to diagnose the condition.

Oct 3, 2022

Tesla is finally going to expand Gigafactory Nevada

Posted by in categories: energy, sustainability, transportation

Tesla is finally planning to expand the Gigafactory Nevada building after years of being “stuck” at about “30% of its final size.”

Tesla Gigafactory Nevada was the first major step in Tesla’s effort to secure battery cell supply for its ambitious growth.

The automaker partnered with Panasonic to deploy new battery cell production capacity at the facility, and Tesla used those cells to build battery packs for its vehicles and energy storage products.

Oct 3, 2022

Unlocking the Mysteries of Brain Regeneration — Groundbreaking Study Offers New Insight

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, neuroscience

Because of its distinctive and adorable look, the axolotl Ambystoma mexicanum is a popular pet. Unlike other metamorphosing salamanders, axolotls (pronounced ACK-suh-LAH-tuhl) never outgrow their larval, juvenile stage, a trait known as neoteny. It’s also recognized for its ability to regenerate missing limbs and other tissues including the brain, spinal cord, tail, skin, limbs, liver, skeletal muscle, heart, upper and lower jaw, and ocular tissues like the retina, cornea, and lens.

Mammals, including humans, are almost incapable of rebuilding damaged tissue after a brain injury. Some species, such as fish and axolotls, on the other hand, may replenish wounded brain regions with new neurons.

Oct 3, 2022

How to 3D-Print One of the Strongest Stainless Steels

Posted by in categories: 3D printing, nuclear energy, transportation

For airliners, cargo ships, nuclear power plants and other critical technologies, strength and durability are essential. This is why many contain a remarkably strong and corrosion-resistant alloy called 17–4 precipitation hardening (PH) stainless steel. Now, for the first time ever, 17–4 PH steel can be consistently 3D-printed while retaining its favorable characteristics.

A team of researchers.

Oct 3, 2022

Google Says It’s Closing in on Human-Level Artificial Intelligence

Posted by in category: robotics/AI

Artificial intelligence researchers are doubling down on the concept that we will see artificial general intelligence (AGI) — that’s AI that can accomplish anything humans can, and probably many we can’t — within our lifetimes.

Responding to a pessimistic op-ed published by TheNextWeb columnist Tristan Greene, Google DeepMind lead researcher Dr. Nando de Freitas boldly declared that “the game is over” and that as we scale AI, so too will we approach AGI.

Greene’s original column made the relatively mainstream case that, in spite of impressive advances in machine learning over the past few decades, there’s no way we’re gonna see human-level artificial intelligence within our lifetimes.

Oct 3, 2022

China Now Producing Cloned Pigs Using Only Robots

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

Chinese scientists are reported to have developed a fully-automated, pig-cloning robot, and the AI-powered bot is apparently way more efficient than humans.

Oct 3, 2022

Finding the on-ramp: Converting Web2 to Web3

Posted by in category: futurism

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Every time someone invents a new standard, the rest of the world is compelled to comply: VHS to DVD, DVD to Blu-ray, or Blu-ray to streaming. Change is inexorable, but it can also be glacially slow. Converting the tech geeks and conspicuous consumers is easy, but getting the long tail of ordinary users to embrace the “new paradigm” is fiendishly hard — and so, it is with Web3.

We’re living through a transitional time when the slow deprecation of one standard is being countered with the mainstreaming of another. To say that red pilling the masses on the wonders of Web3 has been tough would be an understatement, however. At this stage, it cannot even be said for certain that Web3 will replace its numerical predecessor — rather, it is more of an if. For Web2 to go the way of the VHS and fully transition to a new format — much needs to happen first.