Menu

Blog

Archive for the ‘computing’ category: Page 245

Mar 29, 2023

Machines on Genes through the Computational Microscope

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, computing, nanotechnology

Macromolecular machines acting on genes are at the core of life’s fundamental processes, including DNA replication and repair, gene transcription and regulation, chromatin packaging, RNA splicing, and genome editing. Here, we report the increasing role of computational biophysics in characterizing the mechanisms of “machines on genes”, focusing on innovative applications of computational methods and their integration with structural and biophysical experiments. We showcase how state-of-the-art computational methods, including classical and ab initio molecular dynamics to enhanced sampling techniques, and coarse-grained approaches are used for understanding and exploring gene machines for real-world applications.

Mar 29, 2023

Why black holes unlock the quantum majesty of the Universe

Posted by in categories: computing, cosmology, mathematics, particle physics, quantum physics

The story of modern physics has been one of reductionism. We do not need a vast encyclopedia to understand the inner workings of Nature. Rather, we can describe a near-limitless range of natural phenomena, from the interior of a proton to the creation of galaxies, with apparently unreasonable efficiency using the language of mathematics. In the words of theoretical physicist Eugene Wigner, ‘The miracle of the appropriateness of the language of mathematics for the formulation of the laws of physics is a wonderful gift which we neither understand nor deserve. We should be grateful for it.’

The mathematics of the twentieth century described a Universe populated by a limited number of different types of fundamental particles interacting with each other in an arena known as spacetime according to a collection of rules that can be written down on the back of an envelope. If the Universe was designed, it seemed, the designer was a mathematician.

Today, the study of black holes appears to be edging us in a new direction, towards a language more often used by quantum computer scientists. The language of information. Space and time may be emergent entities that do not exist in the deepest description of Nature. Instead, they are synthesized out of entangled quantum bits of information in a way that resembles a cleverly constructed computer code. If the Universe is designed, it seems, the designer is a programmer.

Mar 28, 2023

Neurotech’s Battles Impact Our Brains’ Future

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, computing, cyborgs, neuroscience, transhumanism

Nita Farahany, professor of law and philosophy at Duke University, has written a new book, The Battle for Your Brain: Defending the Right to Think Freely in the Age of Neurotechnology (Macmillan), which explores how our lives may be impacted by the use of brain-computer interfaces and neural monitoring devices.

Farahany argues that the development and use of neurotech presents a challenge to our current understanding of human rights. Devices designed to measure, record, and influence our mental processes—used by us or on us—may infringe on our rights to mental privacy, freedom of thought, and mental self-determination. She calls this collection of freedoms the right to cognitive liberty. IEEE Spectrum spoke with Farahany recently about the future and present of neurotech and how to weigh its promises—enhanced capabilities, for instance, including bionics and prosthetics and even a third arm —against its potential to interfere with people’s mental sovereignty.

portrait of a smiling woman on a white background
Author, Nita FarahanyMerritt Chesson.

Mar 28, 2023

Quantum Computing Stocks Offer Life-Changing Wealth Potential for Long-Term Investors

Posted by in categories: computing, quantum physics

Editor’s note: “Quantum Computing Stocks Offer Life-Changing Wealth Potential for Long-Term Investors” was previously published in January 2023. It has since been updated to include the most relevant information available.

As a long-term investor during periods of market volatility like we’re seeing today, there’s one thing I always do.

Mar 27, 2023

Scientists build ‘baby’ wormhole as sci-fi moves closer to fact

Posted by in categories: computing, cosmology, quantum physics, space travel

Year 2022 😗


WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (Reuters) — In science fiction — think films and TV like “Interstellar” and “Star Trek” — wormholes in the cosmos serve as portals through space and time for spacecraft to traverse unimaginable distances with ease. If only it were that simple.

Scientists have long pursued a deeper understanding of wormholes and now appear to be making progress. Researchers announced on Wednesday that they forged two miniscule simulated black holes — those extraordinarily dense celestial objects with gravity so powerful that not even light can escape — in a quantum computer and transmitted a message between them through what amounted to a tunnel in space-time.

Continue reading “Scientists build ‘baby’ wormhole as sci-fi moves closer to fact” »

Mar 27, 2023

Advances in brain modeling open a path to digital twin approaches for brain medicine

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, computing, neuroscience

In the current edition of The Lancet Neurology, researchers of the Human Brain Project (HBP) present the novel clinical uses of advanced brain modeling methods. Computational brain modeling techniques that integrate the measured data of a patient have been developed by researchers at AMU Marseille as part of the HBP. The models can be used as predictive tools to virtually test clinical hypotheses and strategies.

To create personalized models, the researchers use a called The Virtual Brain (TVB), which HBP scientist Viktor Jirsa has developed together with collaborators. For each patient, the computational models are created from data of the individually measured anatomy, structural connectivity and brain dynamics.

The approach has been first applied in epilepsy, and a major clinical trial is currently ongoing. The TVB technology enables clinicians to simulate the spread of abnormal activity during in a patient’s brain, helping them to better identify the target areas. In January, the team had presented the detailed methodology of the epilepsy work on the cover of Science Translational Medicine.

Mar 27, 2023

A New Field of Computing Powered by Human Brain Cells: “Organoid Intelligence”

Posted by in categories: computing, neuroscience

Johns Hopkins researchers break ground on new field of ‘organoid intelligence’.

According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, a “biocomputer” powered by human brain cells could be developed within our lifetime. This technology is expected to exponentially expand the capabilities of modern computing and open up new areas of research.

The team’s plan for “organoid intelligence” was outlined in a recent article published in the journal Frontiers in Science.

Mar 27, 2023

This is what the universe might have looked like after the Big Bang

Posted by in categories: computing, cosmology

Researchers have created a computer simulation of early universe in the epoch after the Big Bang. It’s designed to help them interpret real data in future.

Mar 27, 2023

IBM unveils world’s first quantum computer dedicated to healthcare research

Posted by in categories: computing, quantum physics

The quantum computer is now operational on the clinic’s Ohio campus.

Mar 27, 2023

Android app from China executed 0-day exploit on millions of devices

Posted by in categories: computing, mobile phones, neuroscience, security

Can you imagine if we had computer/brain interfaces what would happen? We’ll need brain firewalls and antivirus.


Android apps digitally signed by China’s third-biggest e-commerce company exploited a zero-day vulnerability that allowed them to surreptitiously take control of millions of end-user devices to steal personal data and install malicious apps, researchers from security firm Lookout have confirmed.

The malicious versions of the Pinduoduo app were available in third-party markets, which users in China and elsewhere rely on because the official Google Play market is off-limits or not easy to access. No malicious versions were found in Play or Apple’s App Store. Last Monday, TechCrunch reported that Pinduoduo was pulled from Play after Google discovered a malicious version of the app available elsewhere. TechCrunch reported the malicious apps available in third-party markets exploited several zero-days, vulnerabilities that are known or exploited before a vendor has a patch available.

Continue reading “Android app from China executed 0-day exploit on millions of devices” »