Light can be used to operate quantum information processing systems, e.g. quantum computers, quickly and efficiently. Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Chimie ParisTech/CNRS have now significantly advanced the development of molecule-based materials suitable for use as light-addressable fundamental quantum units. As they report in the journal Nature … [Read more...] about A molecule that responds to light
The incredible bacterial ‘homing missiles’ that scientists want to harness
Imagine there are arrows that are lethal when fired on your enemies yet harmless if they fall on your friends. It's easy to see how these would be an amazing advantage in warfare, if they were real. However, something just like these arrows does indeed exist, and they are used in warfare ... just on a different scale. These weapons are called tailocins, and the reality is … [Read more...] about The incredible bacterial ‘homing missiles’ that scientists want to harness
Column: Why spend billions for Ancestry’s DNA data if you don’t plan to use it?
Shirley Ruge has long been fascinated with exploring her family tree. At one time, that meant many hours spent combing through records at courthouses and libraries.For the last 20 years or so, the Indian Wells resident has focused her research on Ancestry (a.k.a. Ancestry.com), one of the leading sites for genealogical sleuthing and DNA analysis. The company says it has 18 … [Read more...] about Column: Why spend billions for Ancestry’s DNA data if you don’t plan to use it?
165 new cancer genes identified with the help of machine learning
A new algorithm can predict which genes cause cancer, even if their DNA sequence is not changed. A team of researchers in Berlin combined a wide variety of data, analyzed it with "Artificial Intelligence" and identified numerous cancer genes. This opens up new perspectives for targeted cancer therapy in personalized medicine and for the development of biomarkers. In cancer, … [Read more...] about 165 new cancer genes identified with the help of machine learning
A video game celebrates Ramadan through food and explores personal boundaries
Each time I played through the interactive narrative of “Good Lookin’ Home Cookin’” I was struck by how the game tensely toed the line between optimism for the future — infused with adoration of our loved ones — and just plain exhaustion at everything, a nagging emotion that can simmer below our daily interactions. It’s present in our dearest relationships. It’s there in casual … [Read more...] about A video game celebrates Ramadan through food and explores personal boundaries
Discovery could help lengthen lifespan of electronic devices: The research could lead to electronics being designed with better endurance
Ferroelectric materials are used in many devices, including memories, capacitors, actuators and sensors. These devices are commonly used in both consumer and industrial instruments, such as computers, medical ultrasound equipment and underwater sonars. Over time, ferroelectric materials are subjected to repeated mechanical and electrical loading, leading to a progressive … [Read more...] about Discovery could help lengthen lifespan of electronic devices: The research could lead to electronics being designed with better endurance
Energy transmission by gold nanoparticles coupled to DNA structures
Using DNA structures as scaffolds, Tim Liedl, a scientist of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munich, has shown that precisely positioned gold nanoparticles can serve as efficient energy transmitters. Since the inception of the field in 2006, laboratories around the world have been exploring the use of 'DNA origami' for the assembly of complex nanostructures. The method … [Read more...] about Energy transmission by gold nanoparticles coupled to DNA structures
Graphene: Everything under control in a quantum material
How can large amounts of data be transferred or processed as quickly as possible? One key to this could be graphene. The ultra-thin material is only one atomic layer thick, and the electrons it contains have very special properties due to quantum effects. It could therefore be very well suited for use in high-performance electronic components. Up to this point, however, there … [Read more...] about Graphene: Everything under control in a quantum material
Artificial Intelligence could ‘crack the language of cancer and Alzheimer’s’
Powerful algorithms used by Netflix, Amazon and Facebook can 'predict' the biological language of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, scientists have found. Big data produced during decades of research was fed into a computer language model to see if artificial intelligence can make more advanced discoveries than humans. Academics based at St John's College, … [Read more...] about Artificial Intelligence could ‘crack the language of cancer and Alzheimer’s’
Novel algorithm reveals birdsong features that may be key for courtship: Findings highlight potential for ‘bottom-up’ approaches to drive discovery in vocal communication
Researchers have developed a new algorithm capable of identifying features of male zebra finch songs that may underlie the distinction between a short phrase sung during courtship, and the same phrase sung in a non-courtship context. Sarah Woolley of McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS Computational … [Read more...] about Novel algorithm reveals birdsong features that may be key for courtship: Findings highlight potential for ‘bottom-up’ approaches to drive discovery in vocal communication