Lifeboat Foundation

They say you can’t judge a book by its cover. But the human immune system does just that when it comes to finding and attacking harmful microbes such as the coronavirus. It relies on being able to recognize foreign intruders and generate antibodies to destroy them. Unfortunately, the coronavirus uses a sugary coating of molecules called glycans to camouflage itself as harmless from the defending antibodies.

Simulations on the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Frontera supercomputer at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) have revealed the atomic makeup of the coronavirus’s sugary shield. What’s more, simulation and modeling show that glycans also prime the coronavirus for infection by changing the shape of its spike protein. Scientists hope this basic research will add to the arsenal of knowledge needed to defeat the COVID-19 virus.

Sugar-like molecules called glycans coat each of the 65-odd spike proteins that adorn the coronavirus. Glycans account for about 40 percent of the spike protein by weight. The spike proteins are critical to cell infection because they lock onto the cell surface, giving the virus entry into the cell.

What does this have to do with AI self-driving cars?

AI Self-Driving Cars Will Need to Make Life-or-Death Judgements

At the Cybernetic AI Self-Driving Car Institute, we are developing AI software for self-driving cars. One crucial aspect to the AI of self-driving cars is the need for the AI to make “judgments” about driving situations, ones that involve life-and-death matters.

The NASA official who oversaw the first SpaceX astronaut launch last month will now lead all the agency’s human spaceflight efforts, including its goal to land astronauts on the moon by 2024.

NASA chief Jim Bridenstine on Friday announced that Kathy Lueders was selected as the agency’s associate administrator of its Human Exploration & Operations mission directorate. He said in a tweet that Lueders to be “the right person to lead HEO as we prepare to send astronauts to the Moon.”

Lueders is the first woman to lead NASA’s human spaceflight efforts, the agency noted.

Fascinating talk on a fun topic.

How does quantum logic differ from classical logic? How do we live in a universe that accommodates both?
Is it possible to observe quantum logic at work in our macroscopic world?
Surprisingly a little bit of quantum logic can disentangle some of our clumsy everyday conceptualisations of biology, language and culture.

Continue reading “Chris Guest — Quantum Logic & the Rise of the Memes” »

The next major revolution in computer chip technology is now a step closer to reality. Researchers have shown that carbon nanotube transistors can be made rapidly in commercial facilities, with the same equipment used to manufacture traditional silicon-based transistors – the backbone of today’s computing industry.

Develops through 4 pillars: Energy, Innovation in Materials, Powertrain & Vehicle Architecture, Sound & Emotion.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=awnuJaEDVc4

Were they paratroopers with flashlights, satellites or, as Internet users point out, a flying saucer?

They claim to have recreated life. Sort of.

AI, networked sensors, and heads up displays.