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Dec 16, 2020

Ultracold atoms reveal a new type of quantum magnetic behavior

Posted by in categories: information science, particle physics, quantum physics

A new study illuminates surprising choreography among spinning atoms. In a paper appearing in the journal Nature, researchers from MIT and Harvard University reveal how magnetic forces at the quantum, atomic scale affect how atoms orient their spins.

In experiments with ultracold lithium , the researchers observed different ways in which the spins of the atoms evolve. Like tippy ballerinas pirouetting back to upright positions, the spinning atoms return to an equilibrium orientation in a way that depends on the between individual atoms. For example, the atoms can spin into equilibrium in an extremely fast, “ballistic” fashion or in a slower, more diffuse pattern.

The researchers found that these behaviors, which had not been observed until now, could be described mathematically by the Heisenberg model, a set of equations commonly used to predict magnetic behavior. Their results address the fundamental nature of magnetism, revealing a diversity of behavior in one of the simplest magnetic materials.

Dec 16, 2020

The mind-expanding possibilities of Neuralink | Matthew Johnson and Lex Fridman

Posted by in category: neuroscience

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4Su69WA0KU

Lex Fridman Podcast full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICj8p5jPd3Y
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Dec 16, 2020

Pharmaceutical bottle packaging

Posted by in category: military

This article shares the results from an evaluation of a novel thermal imaging technology that took place before the initial implementation in a Pfizer manufacturing facility. The manuscript describes the technology and reviews the extensive process used to challenge its inspection capabilities through field testing. Finally, the potential benefits of adopting this first-in-class pharmaceutical technology as a new standard for non-destructive testing1, 2 of bottle induction sealing integrity in the pharmaceutical industry is summarised.

HIGH-RESOLUTION, cryogenically cooled thermal imaging technology was initially developed for military purposes. Furthering the commercialisation of the technology for civil applications, a pharmaceutical assembly – for high-speed and 100 percent inline verification of induction integrity in bottle packaging – was first developed and made available for testing relatively recently.3 This article summarises outcomes from initial plant feasibility work and extended rigorous proof-of-concept trials. The evaluation process resulted in the first Pfizer network implementation of the technology for the routine inspection of heat induction foil sealing integrity in a high‑speed bottle packaging line at a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.

Dec 16, 2020

Weather OK for SpaceX launch from KSC and Cape Canaveral landing

Posted by in category: space travel

Weather looks good for the Space Coast’s last launch of 2020 on Thursday, a mission that will include a SpaceX booster landing at Cape Canaveral.

Dec 16, 2020

Reading Computer Code Is Not the Same As Reading Language to the Brain

Posted by in categories: computing, mathematics, neuroscience

Neuroscientists find that interpreting code activates a general-purpose brain network, but not language-processing centers.

In some ways, learning to program a computer is similar to learning a new language. It requires learning new symbols and terms, which must be organized correctly to instruct the computer what to do. The computer code must also be clear enough that other programmers can read and understand it.

In spite of those similarities, MIT neuroscientists have found that reading computer code does not activate the regions of the brain that are involved in language processing. Instead, it activates a distributed network called the multiple demand network, which is also recruited for complex cognitive tasks such as solving math problems or crossword puzzles.

Dec 16, 2020

Heather Ann Blevins

Posted by in categories: cryonics, life extension

THE CRYONICS INSTITUTE NEWSLETTER ISSUE 03, 2020 https://www.cryonics.org/images/uploads/magazines/CI_NEWS_2020-03.pdf

Dec 16, 2020

Scientists develop novel self-healing human-machine interactive hydrogel touch pad

Posted by in categories: engineering, mobile phones, wearables

A research group led by Prof. Chen Tao at the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), developed a novel soft self-healing and adhesive human-machine interactive touch pad based on transparent nanocomposite hydrogels, in cooperation with the researchers from the Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems of CAS. The study was published in Advanced Materials.

With the rapid development of information technology and the Internet of things, flexible and wearable electronic devices have attracted increasing attention. A is a requisite input device for a mobile phone, smart appliance and point-of-information terminal. Indium tin oxide (ITO) has been used as the dominant transparent conductive film for manufacturing commercial touch pads, which inevitably have obvious shortcomings, like fragility.

To improve the stretchability and biocompatibility of touch pads to allow their interaction with humans, the researchers at NIMTE developed highly transparent and stretchable polyzwitterion-clay nanocomposite hydrogels with transmittance of 98.8% and fracture strain beyond 1500%.

Dec 16, 2020

Wheels Are Better Than Feet for Legged Robots

Posted by in category: robotics/AI

ANYmal demonstrates how hybrid mobility can benefit quadrupedal robots.

Dec 16, 2020

Skipping second dose of COVID vaccine could lead to virus spreading, mutating, experts say

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

The side effects are similar to that of the shingles vaccine. But studies show about 20 percent of the people who get the shingles vaccine skip the second dose.

Experts say if that happens with the COVID vaccines, there could be consequences.

The worst-case scenario is that skipping the second shot could allow the virus to spread and mutate, and potentially build resistance to the vaccines, according to Penn State University biologist David Kennedy.

Dec 16, 2020

Using Stress To Your Advantage

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension

Have you ever wondered why our bodies react as they do to stresses?

In this quick guide, I go right back to the primordial soup so to speak, and trace the factors that led to where we are today, and I finish off by looking at good and bad stresses so you can understand them, and use them to your advantage to stay fit and healthy, and even, maybe, to help you slow down aging…whilst we wait for the medical breakthroughs that will allow us to role back the years…

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