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Harnessing molecular connections: unlocking long-lasting quantum entanglement.

Quantum entanglement—the mysterious connection that links particles no matter the distance between them—is a cornerstone for developing advanced technologies like quantum computing and precision measurement tools. While significant strides have been made in controlling simpler particles such as atoms, extending this control to more complex systems like molecules has remained challenging due to their intricate structures and sensitivity to their surroundings.

In a groundbreaking study, researchers have achieved long-lived quantum entanglement between pairs of ultracold polar molecules using a highly controlled environment known as “magic-wavelength optical tweezers.” These tweezers manipulate molecules with extraordinary precision, stabilizing their complex internal states, such as vibrations and rotations, while enabling detectable, fine-scale interactions.

The team successfully created a “Bell state,” a hallmark of quantum entanglement, with pairs of molecules. While some minor errors reduced the initial fidelity of the entangled state, correcting for these issues revealed that the entanglement could persist for remarkably long times—measured in seconds. This is a significant achievement, as second-scale lifetimes are exceptional in the quantum realm.

This breakthrough has far-reaching implications. Long-lived molecular entanglement could enhance quantum sensing technologies, provide new avenues for exploring chemical reactions at ultracold temperatures, and expand the potential of molecules as quantum bits (qubits) in simulations and memory storage for quantum computing. By unlocking the ability to precisely control and entangle molecules, scientists are paving the way for novel applications across quantum science, leveraging the rich internal dynamics of molecular systems.

Speech Recognition With LLMs Adapted to Disordered Speech Using Reinforcement Learning w/ Dr. Subhashini Venugopalan of University of Texas.

Speakers: Cecile Tamura, Subhashini Venugopalan

Scientists and engineers from the University of Bristol and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and have successfully created the world’s first carbon-14 diamond battery.

This new type of battery has the potential to power devices for thousands of years, making it an incredibly long-lasting energy source.

The battery leverages the radioactive isotope, carbon-14, known for its use in radiocarbon dating, to produce a diamond battery.

International research team unveils the first electrically pumped continuous-wave semiconductor laser designed for seamless integration with silicon.

Scientists from Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ), the University of Stuttgart, the Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics (IHP), and their French partner CEA-Leti have successfully developed the first electrically pumped continuous-wave semiconductor laser made entirely from group IV elements, commonly referred to as the “silicon group” in the periodic table.

This innovative laser is constructed from stacked ultrathin layers of silicon-germanium-tin and germanium-tin. Remarkably, it is the first laser of its type to be directly grown on a silicon wafer, paving the way for advancements in on-chip integrated photonics. The research findings have been published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications.

Stimulating dopamine-producing brain cells wirelessly with gold nanoparticles has proven effective at treating mice with Parkinson’s disease, even reversing a portion of their neurological damage.

Researchers from the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China (NCNST) say it’s a significant step forward for using brain simulation to tackle Parkinson’s in humans, a neurodegenerative condition that affects more than 10 million people worldwide.

Deep inside the brains of those with the condition, dopamine-producing neurons take a major hit as insoluable clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein accumulate, gradually depriving patients of an ability to control their movements.

SpaceX is preparing to launch the seventh Starship flight test. The window for the launch opens at 4 p.m. local time on Monday. The company has confirmed on its website, and X, that it is targeting a potential catch of the Super Heavy booster, if flight parameters allow for it. SpaceX will also try to re-ignite a single Raptor engine in space to demonstrate deorbit capabilities. This flight is the first one, that will feature the new upgraded Starship upper stage!

Window Opens: January 15th at 4PM CST (22:00 UTC)
Window Closes: January 15th at 5PM CST (23:00 UTC)

Mission: Starship’s seventh fully integrated test flight.
Launch location: Orbital Launch Pad A, Starbase, Earth.
Target orbit: Trans-atmospheric.
Booster: Booster 14
Booster recovery: Orbital Launch Pad A launch tower arms.
Ship: Ship 33
Ship recovery: Will attempt soft splashdown on the Indian Ocean.
Rocket trajectory: Straight east over the Gulf of Mexico.
Payload: 10 Starlink simulators.
Stats:
· SpaceX’s 7th launch of the year and the 7th launch of the month.
· Starship’s 7th launch.
· 3rd Super Heavy recovery attempt, hopefully the 2nd successful one.

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Starbase #Starship #SpaceX

Join us for LIVE coverage from Starbase, Texas of SpaceX’s 7th Flight Test of Starship including the SECOND CATCH ATTEMPT.

Pad : OLP-1 location : starbase, texas, USA rocket : starship. booster : TBD ship : TBD

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Snakebites affect 1.8 to 2.7 million people annually, causing around 100,000 deaths and three times as many permanent disabilities, according to the World Health Organization. Victims are predominantly in regions with fragile healthcare systems, such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Traditional antivenoms derived from animal plasma come with significant drawbacks: high costs, limited efficacy, and serious side effects.

The diversity of snake venoms further complicates treatment, as current antivenoms often target specific species. However, advances in toxin research and computational tools are now driving a new era in snakebite therapy.

Baker’s team, in collaboration with Timothy Patrick Jenkins from Denmark’s Technical University (DTU), harnessed AI to design proteins that bind to and neutralize three-finger toxins—among the deadliest components of cobra venom. These toxins are notorious for evading the immune system, rendering conventional treatments ineffective.