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Dec 11, 2018

How developments in Quantum Computing could affect cryptocurrencies

Posted by in categories: bitcoin, computing, cryptocurrencies, economics, mathematics, particle physics, quantum physics

by Eloisa Marchesoni

Today, I will talk about the recent creation of really intelligent machines, able to solve difficult problems, to recreate the creativity and versatility of the human mind, machines not only able to excel in a single activity but to abstract general information and find solutions that are unthinkable for us. I will not talk about blockchain, but about another revolution (less economic and more mathematical), which is all about computing: quantum computers.

Quantum computing is not really new, as we have been talking about it for a couple of decades already, but we are just now witnessing the transition from theory to realization of such technology. Quantum computers were first theorized at the beginning of the 1980s, but only in the last few years, thanks to the commitment of companies like Google and IBM, a strong impulse has been pushing the development of these machines. The quantum computer is able to use quantum particles (imagine them to be like electrons or photons) to process information. The particles act as positive or negative (i., the 0 and the 1 that we are used to see in traditional computer science) alternatively or at the same time, thus generating quantum information bits called “qubits”, which can have value either 0 or 1 or a quantum superposition of 0 and 1.

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Dec 11, 2018

Understanding Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension, neuroscience

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more-serious decline of dementia. It can involve problems with memory, language, thinking, and judgment that are greater than normal age-related changes.

If you have mild cognitive impairment, you may be aware that your memory or mental function has “slipped.” Your family and close friends also may notice a change. But generally these changes aren’t severe enough to significantly interfere with your day-to-day life and usual activities.

Mild cognitive impairment may increase your risk of later progressing to dementia, caused by Alzheimer’s disease or other neurological conditions. But some people with mild cognitive impairment never get worse, and a few eventually get better.

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Dec 11, 2018

Scientists just created tiny specs of ultra-hot early universe matter

Posted by in category: futurism

Scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder have been able to create what they call tiny droplets of the ultra-hot matter that once filled the early universe. The matter they created formed th…

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Dec 11, 2018

The source of stem cells points to two proteins

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

Mammalian embryos are unlike those of any other organism as they must grow within the mother’s body. While other animal embryos grow outside the mother, their embryonic cells can get right to work accepting assignments, such as head, tail or vital organ. By contrast, mammalian embryos must first choose between forming the placenta or creating the baby.

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Dec 11, 2018

Apollo 8: A Story of Christmas Around The Moon

Posted by in category: space

50 years ago this Christmas, we orbited the Moon for the first time. 1 out of every 4 people on Earth watched the crew’s broadcast on Christmas Eve. This is the story of Apollo 8:

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Dec 11, 2018

Researchers Reveal Inner Workings of the Proteasome

Posted by in categories: energy, sustainability

Researchers from Scripps Research have discovered how the proteasome, which is made of protein complexes in the cell that breaks down damaged and unwanted proteins, converts energy into motion to unfold target proteins for recycling.

What is the proteasome?

The proteasome is a protein complex whose job is to break down and recycle proteins that have become damaged or are no longer required. It achieves this via a process called proteolysis, a chemical reaction that breaks the peptide bonds, thus allowing the target protein to be destroyed and broken down into its constituent parts, which become ready to be reused to make new proteins. The enzymes that facilitate this recycling process are known as proteases.

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Dec 11, 2018

Gene study unravels redheads mystery

Posted by in category: genetics

Eight genes linked to red hair have been discovered by scientists, helping to shed light on how redheads inherit their distinctive locks.

The Edinburgh University-led research has been described as the largest genetic study of hair colour to date.

It had been thought red hair was controlled by a single gene, MC1R, with versions passed on from both parents.

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Dec 11, 2018

Organs grown in space: Russian scientists 3D-print mouse’s thyroid on ISS in world first

Posted by in categories: 3D printing, bioprinting, biotech/medical, space

Medical research has taken a leap into the future as Russian scientists have managed to grow a mouse’s thyroid in zero gravity using a 3D bioprinter on the International Space Station (ISS). And human organs may be next in line.

The breakthrough device dubbed Organaut was delivered to the ISS by a Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft on December 3 by Expedition 58.

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Dec 11, 2018

Answering the mystery of what atoms do when liquids and gases meet

Posted by in categories: mathematics, particle physics

How atoms arrange themselves at the smallest scale was thought to follow a ‘drum-skin’ rule, but mathematicians have now found a simpler solution.

Atomic arrangements in different can provide a lot of information about the properties of materials, and what the potential is for altering what they can be used for.

However, where two materials touch – at their interface – arise that make predicting the arrangement of atoms difficult.

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Dec 11, 2018

First Pinoy app nominated as global finalist to the NASA Space Apps Challenge

Posted by in categories: astronomy, computing, space

MANILA, Philippines — Among the 2,729 teams in 200 locations all over the world who participated in the NASA Space Apps Challenge, an app made by Filipino innovators was nominated first time by NASA scientists and experts to become a finalist at the global level. Altogether, they will join the top 25 in competing for the six winners of the biggest hackathon in the universe.

The winning app seeking to communicate scientific data to fishermen even without Internet connection was made by IT professionals Revbrain G. Martin, Marie Jeddah Legaspi, and Julius Czar Torreda from team iNON, which stands for “It’s now or never.” Named ISDApp, from the Tagalog word “isda” meaning fish, it sends useful information to fishermen such as real-time weather, sunrise and sunset, wind speed, and cloud coverage to plan their fishing activities in catching more fish using the NASA GLOBE Observer app, a data collection from citizen scientists around the world used in concert with NASA satellite data to identify or communicate information, and educating the public about planet Earth. Fishermen will receive SMS notifications from the Amazon Web Services gateway while local government officials would manage their details using a smartphone app connected to the cloud. NASA scientists and experts consider this fisherfolk app made by Pinoys as one of the solutions “with the most potential to improve life on Earth or in the universe,” therefore nominated as global finalist for Galactic Impact.

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