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First magnetoelectric material solves nerve signal problems

A study finds a material that is 120 times faster than similar ones, demonstrating its precision in remotely stimulating neurons and repairing severed sciatic nerves in rats.

A new study is paving the way for alternative approaches to treating brain and nerve problems gently without the need for major surgery by introducing a magnetoelectric material.

Despite challenges such as nerve cells not responding well to the signals made by these materials, Researchers wanted to find a way to make these signals easier for our nerves to understand.

This AI tool can predict virus mutations before they occur

It can be used in the development of vaccines and treatments.

Now, scientists at Harvard Medical School and the University of Oxford have produced an AI tool that can achieve that called EVEscape.

What if we could predict virus mutations before they actually took place? We could prepare for their arrival and perhaps even conceive of vaccines in time to protect populations.

This is according to a press release by the institutions published on Wednesday.

Collaborative work creates detailed cellular map of the brain

The vast set of information has been detailed in a series of 21 papers.

The majority of our actions are initiated by the brain, which plays a pivotal role in processing sensory information, making decisions, coordinating movements, and regulating bodily functions.

Overall, the human brain is an incredibly complex organ. It contains over 86 billion neurons – perhaps around the number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy.

Google’s Green Light: AI for smarter and greener traffic lights

Google’s Green Light initiative uses AI and Google Maps to optimize traffic lights and reduce emissions.

Traffic jams are not only frustrating but also harmful to the environment. According to a study, road transportation accounts for a large share of global and urban greenhouse gas emissions, and the situation is worse at city intersections, where pollution can be 29 times higher than on open roads. The main reason is vehicles’ frequent stopping and starting, which consumes more fuel and emits more carbon dioxide.

But what if we could use artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize traffic lights and reduce these emissions? That is the idea behind Green Light, a Google Research initiative that… More.

XH4D/iStock.

Novel membrane could reduce energy expenditure in separating molecules for desalination, drug development

Separating molecules is critical to producing many essential products. For example, in petroleum refining, the hydrocarbons—chemical compounds composed of hydrogens and carbons—in crude oil are separated into gasoline, diesel and lubricants by sorting them based on their molecular size, shape and weight. In the pharmaceutical industry, the active ingredients in medications are purified by separating drug molecules from the enzymes, solutions and other components used to make them.

These separation processes take a substantial amount of energy, accounting for roughly half of U.S. industrial energy use. Traditionally, molecular separations have relied on methods that require intensive heating and cooling that make them very energy inefficient.

We are chemical and biological engineers. In our newly published research in Science, we designed a new type of membrane with nanopores that can quickly and precisely separate a diverse range of molecules under harsh industrial conditions.

NASA’s SPICES sensor to assess the origins of matter in space

It will detect plasma in space and track it back to the Sun, planetary atmospheres, comet tails, and interstellar space.

NASA is working on a concept similar to a hidden decoder ring with which you can read a secret message containing significant information about the objects around you: where they originated from, why they are there, and what will happen to them in the future.

Now, consider the secret decoder ring, a sensor that can be launched into space to reveal secrets about matter in the solar system. Where did this matter come from, how did it get electrified, and how can it affect humanity on Earth and in space?

Meta is paying $5 million to celebrities for their AI likeness

Celebrities like Tom Brady, Kendall Jenner, and Snoop Dogg have inked deals with Meta.

Meta announced last month that it’s adding artificial intelligence characters of celebrities based on their likeness to its platforms, and according to The Information.

The compensation will be paid over two years, said a person close to the matter. As per the report, Meta’s initial budget was $1 million to use the celebrity’s likeness, but it ended up paying $5 million to creators. The insider didn’t take names of who got the $5 million deal.

Google deals a deadly blow to passwords, switches to passkey

The tech giant is following Uber and eBay’s lead in ditching passwords and could have the greatest impact in making it happen.

The death of passwords is imminent and Google has taken a giant step in ensuring it by suggesting users switch to an easier option – passkeys. Starting immediately, Google users will be able to create passkeys and use them to sign in to their accounts, avoiding passwords when possible, the company said in a recent blog post.

Since the advent of the internet passwords have been the most hated component of the entire experience. Early on, users could get away with using simpler combinations of letters and numbers but as cybersecurity risks grew, passwords started becoming longer, tougher, and harder to remember.

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