Lifeboat Foundation

Quantum entanglement occurs when two separate entities become strongly linked in a way that cannot be explained by classical physics; it is a powerful resource in quantum communication protocols and advanced technologies that aim to exploit the enhanced capabilities of quantum systems. To date, entanglement has generally been limited to microscopic quantum units such as pairs or multiples of single ions, atoms, photons, and so on. Kotler et al. and Mercier de Lépinay et al. demonstrate the ability to extend quantum entanglement to massive macroscopic systems (see the Perspective by Lau and Clerk). Entanglement of two mechanical oscillators on such a large length and mass scale is expected to find widespread use in both applications and fundamental physics to probe the boundary between the classical and quantum worlds.

Science, this issue p. 622, p. 625; see also p. 570

Quantum entanglement of mechanical systems emerges when distinct objects move with such a high degree of correlation that they can no longer be described separately. Although quantum mechanics presumably applies to objects of all sizes, directly observing entanglement becomes challenging as masses increase, requiring measurement and control with a vanishingly small error. Here, using pulsed electromechanics, we deterministically entangle two mechanical drumheads with masses of 70 picograms. Through nearly quantum-limited measurements of the position and momentum quadratures of both drums, we perform quantum state tomography and thereby directly observe entanglement. Such entangled macroscopic systems are poised to serve in fundamental tests of quantum mechanics, enable sensing beyond the standard quantum limit, and function as long-lived nodes of future quantum networks.

Humans are distinguished from other species by several aspects of cognition. While much comparative evolutionary neuroscience has focused on the neocortex, increasing recognition of the cerebellum’s role in cognition and motor processing has inspired considerable new research. Comparative molecular studies, however, generally continue to focus on the neocortex. We sought to characterize potential genetic regulatory traits distinguishing the human cerebellum by undertaking genome-wide epigenetic profiling of the lateral cerebellum, and compared this to the prefrontal cortex of humans, chimpanzees, and rhesus macaque monkeys. We found that humans showed greater differential CpG methylation–an epigenetic modification of DNA that can reflect past or present gene expression–in the cerebellum than the prefrontal cortex, highlighting the importance of this structure in human brain evolution. Humans also specifically show methylation differences at genes involved in neurodevelopment, neuroinflammation, synaptic plasticity, and lipid metabolism. These differences are relevant for understanding processes specific to humans, such as extensive plasticity, as well as pronounced and prevalent neurodegenerative conditions associated with aging.

Citation: Guevara EE, Hopkins WD, Hof PR, Ely JJ, Bradley BJ, Sherwood CC (2021) Comparative analysis reveals distinctive epigenetic features of the human cerebellum. PLoS Genet 17: e1009506. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.

Editor: Takashi Gojobori, National Institute of Genetics, JAPAN.

Organic transistors that can simulate basic synaptic functions and act as biomimetic devices are advantageous for next generation bioelectronics. Here, the authors realize non-volatile organic electrochemical transistors with optimized performance required for associative learning circuits.

If a key process for the production of coronavirus proteins is disrupted, viral replication in infected cells can be significantly reduced.

The Ocean Cleanup’s Boyan Slat talks about upgrades and future plans for deploying more Interceptors designed to catch plastic and debris in rivers all around the world.

Read the CNET article: The third-generation Interceptor is ready to stop ocean plastic https://cnet.co/2QexlM1

Continue reading “New river trash Interceptors are stopping plastic from reaching the ocean” »

Circa 2017 o,.o.

Ninety-three days, 4600 miles, and almost 2 million strokes. That’s what it took Chris Bertish to paddle across the Atlantic Ocean on a stand-up paddle (SUP) board.

“It was pretty radical, pretty incredible, driven by a passion and a purpose greater than yourself—and that powered me to get through everything, day in and day out,” said Bertish in a Skype interview with National Geographic.

Continue reading “Surfer Becomes First to Cross the Atlantic on a Paddleboard” »

We visited one of the longest-running cloud seeding operations in the country to get a full demonstration and walk-through of the equipment that aims to increase the rain we get from the clouds passing above our heads.

Safety of silver iodide: http://www.health.utah.gov/enviroepi/appletree/technicalassi…eeding.pdf.

Continue reading “Weather modification tech: How cloud seeding increases rainfall” »

Israeli/American company Eviation is preparing for the first test flights of its gorgeous Alice, an all-electric 11-seat luxury plane with an impressive 506-mile (814-km) range from a single charge of its huge 820-kWh battery pack.

The company says it’s just taken delivery of its first electric motor, one of three Magnix Electric Propulsion Units the Alice will use to power its three variable pitch pusher props, one on a pod at the end of each wing and a third on the tail. The latter is designed to accelerate fast-moving air around the fuselage and turn the whole body into a bonus wing surface for extra lift.

The prototype is certainly a striking looking aircraft, all space-age looking with its big v-tail and that tastefully squashed high-lift fuselage. Once everything’s all hooked up, it’ll carry two crew and nine passengers at cruise speeds up to 253 mph (407 km/h), and Eviation says the low noise output of its electric powertrain will make a solid contribution to the comfort factor in the back.

In our new HVP COVID Report, Dr. Nick Jackson from CEPI discuss second-generation COVID-19 vaccines and preparing for the next pandemic.