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Lorenz system

The Lorenz system is a three-dimensional classical dynamic system represented by three ordinary differential equations. It was first developed by the meteorologist Edward Lorenz and describes chaotic behavior of fluid movement when subjected to heating.

Although the Lorenz system is deterministic, its dynamics depend on the choice of initial parameters. For some ranges of parameters, the system is predictable as trajectories settle into fixed points or simple periodic orbits. In contrast, for other parameter ranges, the system becomes chaotic and the solutions never settle down but instead trace out the butterfly-shaped Lorenz attractor, popularly known as butterfly effect. In this regime, small differences in initial conditions grows exponentially making long-term prediction practically impossible.

Nanomotors drive protein network formation inside artificial cells

No one has yet created a fully functioning artificial cell. But a research team at Aarhus University has taken a step in that direction:

They have equipped artificial cells with tiny motors inspired by an unusual movement mechanism found in nature—specifically from the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The result: artificial cells that can form internal networks of protein filaments—a function otherwise unique to living cells.

The study is published in ACS Nano.

Wooden Neurons: An Artistic Vision of the Brain

For Louis-Jan Pilaz, days spent with tools and wood began as simple home improvement projects. He soon found himself learning how to whittle scraps of wood. Then, as a neurobiologist, Pilaz noticed a striking parallel. “It made so much sense to use wood to render neurons…They look like trees, and they have this flow of energy that is just like in neurons.” Inspired, he began to shape wood into intricate neural forms, transforming casual whittling into science-inspired woodworking art.

When he first shared his artwork on X (then Twitter), the response was positive, and people expressed their interest in his work. Encouraged by his graduate student, Pilaz opened an Etsy shop in 2021 to sell his wood sculptures, and NeuroWoodworks was born.

Pilaz’s group at Sanford Research studies the development and dysfunction of the cerebral cortex and makes extensive use of microscopy, which fuels his research and serves as a source of inspiration for his wood art. “I’ve been obsessed with cell morphology since my PhD,” Pilaz said. “I experimented, just like I do in the lab, with the tools I have and tried to make [different cell] shapes.” He uses different types of wood, such as walnut and padauk, to create a variety of cell types and structures from Purkinje cells and radial glia to mitochondria.

New study suggests a way to rejuvenate the immune system

As people age, their immune systems decline. But a new study suggests a way to rejuvenate immune function: Stimulating the liver to produce some signals ordinarily generated by the thymus can reverse age-related declines in T-cell populations.

MIT and Broad Institute researchers found a way to overcome age-related immune system decline by temporarily programming liver cells to take over the maturation of T cells. Using mRNA, the researchers were able to rejuvenate the immune system, in a study of mice.

Snakes’ mind-bending ‘heat vision’ inspires scientists to build a 4K imaging system that could one day fit into your smartphone

Scientists in China have developed a first-of-its-kind artificial imaging system inspired by snakes that are able to “see” heat coming off their prey in total darkness. The sensor captures ultra-high-resolution infrared (IR) images in 4K resolution (3,840 × 2,160 pixels) — matching the image quality of the iPhone 17 Pro’s camera.

Any object with a temperature above absolute zero (−460 degrees Fahrenheit or-273 degrees Celsius) emits some electromagnetic radiation. For normal body heat, this has a wavelength in the IR range. The human eye can only pick up shorter wavelengths that are in the visible light range.

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