Lifeboat Foundation: Safeguarding Humanity
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In the intricate world of quantum physics, where particles interact in ways that seem to defy the standard rules of space and time, lies a profound mystery that continues to captivate scientists: the nature of deconfined quantum critical points (DQCPs). These elusive critical phenomena break away from the conventional framework of physics, offering a fascinating glimpse into a realm where quantum matter behaves in ways that challenge our classical understanding of the fundamental forces shaping the universe.

A recent study, led by Professor Zi Yang Meng and co-authored by his Ph.D. student Menghan Song of HKU Department of Physics, in collaboration with researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Yale University, University of California, Santa Barbara, Ruhr-University Bochum and TU Dresden, has unraveled some of the secrets concealed within the entangled web of .

Their findings, recently published in Science Advances, push the boundaries of modern physics and offer a fresh perspective on how operates at these enigmatic junctures. The study not only deepens our understanding of quantum mechanics but also paves the way for future discoveries that could revolutionize technology, materials science, and even our understanding of the cosmos.

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In new research published in Nature, Weizmann Institute scientists introduce a powerful tool to explore quantum phenomena—the cryogenic Quantum Twisting Microscope (QTM).

Using this pioneering instrument, researchers have observed—for the first time—the interactions between electrons and an exotic atomic vibration in twisted sheets of graphene, called a phason. These findings shed new light on the mysterious superconductivity and strange metallicity that emerge when graphene sheets are rotated to the magic angle.

The fundamental properties of materials depend critically on their underlying particles—the flow of electrons governs , and atomic lattice vibrations, termed phonons, drive heat conductivity. However, when electrons and phonons are coupled, remarkable new phenomena can emerge.

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Scientists found a genetic link between autism and DM1, where repeat DNA sequences disrupt brain gene splicing. This sheds light on ASD’s development and opens new paths for targeted treatments. Researchers from The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UN

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Lake sediment cores in Guatemala reveal directional ground shaking from the 1976 earthquake, offering rare insight into seismic directivity and helping reconstruct a 4,000-year paleoseismic history. Sediment cores collected from four lakes in Guatemala have captured evidence of the direction in w

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Without coordinated action, genomic data could be exploited for surveillance, discrimination, or even bioterrorism. Current protections are fragmented, and vital collaboration between disciplines is lacking. Key to successful prevention will be interdisciplinary cooperation between computer scientists, bioinformaticians, biotechnologists, and security professionals – groups that rarely work together but must align.

Our research lays the foundations for improving biosecurity by providing a single, clear list of all the possible threats in the entire next-generation sequencing process.

The paper also recommends practical solutions, including secure sequencing protocols, encrypted storage, and AI-powered anomaly detection, creating a foundation for much stronger cyber-biosecurity.

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In a groundbreaking study, scientists discovered that the brain forms “cold memories” which can later trigger increased metabolism even without a drop in temperature.

By training mice to associate specific visual cues with cold environments, the researchers showed that the animals began heating themselves in anticipation of cold, driven by brain-stored memories. They pinpointed these cold memories to engram cells in the hippocampus and demonstrated that stimulating these cells could artificially activate thermogenesis. This exciting work opens up potential therapeutic strategies for conditions like obesity and cancer by harnessing learned thermal regulation and highlights the deep connections between memory, behavior, and metabolism.

Brain Forms “Cold Memories” That Influence Metabolism.

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UNIGE scientists have identified a brain circuit that may be at the root of the social difficulties experienced by individuals with autism spectrum disorders. From birth, human survival relies on the ability to connect with others. This capacity, crucial for healthy development, appears to be dis

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Cybersecurity researchers have revealed that Russian military personnel are the target of a new malicious campaign that distributes Android spyware under the guise of the Alpine Quest mapping software.

“The attackers hide this trojan inside modified Alpine Quest mapping software and distribute it in various ways, including through one of the Russian Android app catalogs,” Doctor Web said in an analysis.

The trojan has been found embedded in older versions of the software and propagated as a freely available variant of Alpine Quest Pro, a paid offering that removes advertising and analytics features.

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