SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest - 41/2016.
SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest - 41/2016.
Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2016/10/time-crystals-robot-skill-acquisition.html
Time crystals, Robot skill acquisition, Heat shock proteins, Nanometer transistor, Advanced cell modelling, Quantum programming game, Bacteria influence brain, Cow-human hybrid vaccines, Graphene electrons refract, Diamond nanothread polymers.
1. Creating Time Crystals
A theoretical prediction from 2012 has been reduced to practise with the creation of the first time crystals from a chain of ytterbium atoms https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602541/physicists-create-worlds-first-time-crystal/. To think about time crystals, consider normal crystals as lowest energy state materials whose structure oscillates periodically in space. Likewise time crystals are lowest energy state materials whose structure oscillates periodically in time. The phenomenon exploits Anderson Localisation (worth reading up on), whose self-interference causes the atoms to appear localised in a single location. Finally, flipping the spins of the atoms established a periodic oscillation of spins along the chain, the period of which was double that of the original driving force, the only explanation of which was broken time symmetry caused by a time crystal.
2. Faster Robot Skill Acquisition
Google has a system that combines cloud robotics and deep learning platforms to facilitate general purpose skill learning across multiple robots http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/artificial-intelligence/google-wants-robots-to-acquire-new-skills-by-learning-from-each-other. In tests the ability to communicate and exchange experiences allowed the robots to learn more quickly and effectively. One of the additional strengths of this system is that the learning process benefits from a greater diversity of experiences as a result of different robots performing tasks in slightly different environments.
3. Benefits of Exogenous Heat Shock Protein
Heat shock proteins help to ensure correct protein function in the cell but typically decline with age and in neurons reduced activity can contribute to neurodegenerative disorders. Recent work in mice demonstrated intranasal delivery of heat shock protein enhanced mean and maximum lifespan, improved learning and memory, and facilitated improvements to locomotion and curiosity https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2016/10/heat-shock-protein-delivered-as-a-therapy-slows-aging-in-mice/. When delivered from middle-age maximum lifespan improved by 17%. This could be a fairly low-hanging piece of fruit therapeutically or enhancement-wise. Same with getting a hold of myostatin antibodies to boost your muscle mass by 20% https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2016/10/how-to-go-about-using-myostatin-antibodies-to-grow-muscle-today/.
4. Nanometer Transistor
Researchers have gone beyond the 5nm threshold for silicon transistors to create a functional 1nm transistor out of a carbon nanotube and molybdenum disulfide http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2016/10/06/smallest-transistor-1-nm-gate/. The structure utilises a single carbon nanotube as the gate, while a single sheet of molybdenum disulfide is the semiconductor, whose properties compared to silicon of lower dielectric constant and heavier effective electron mass facilitate scaling beyond what silicon is capable of. The latest gallium nitride technologies are also helping to take electronics far beyond what silicon is capable of http://www.nextbigfuture.com/2016/10/gallium-nitride-devices-can-reduce.html.
5. Advanced Cell Modelling
Biomolecular modelling and computational structural biology are approaching the level at which groups are starting to plan and create full realistic simulations of entire cells including all molecular structures and interactions http://www.nanowerk.com/news2/biotech/newsid=44719.php. Not only does such an effort help improve and shed light on a better fundamental understanding of the cell, but it will also improve the design and development of drugs and other therapeutic interventions. Due to the enormous complexity of such simulations the groups pursuing this are starting with the simplest possible prokaryotic cells.
6. Quantum Programming with Puzzles
MeQuanics is an online computer game that you can play to help, in a small way, to program future quantum computers https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602590/how-quantum-programing-turned-into-a-3-d-puzzle-game/. You do this by determining optimised qubit topologies that will form part of a large data set of optimised examples that comprise the very first training set for developing machine learning algorithms able to outperform humans in programming quantum computers. The basis is that a quantum program is basically a pattern of qubits in a lattice, and patterns that are topologically identical constitute the same quantum program, by optimising large qubit patterns to smaller but topologically identical patterns, smaller and thus more readily available quantum computers can be used to run that program.
7. Gut Bacteria Link to the Brain
This recent study tentatively links certain types of gut bacteria to neurodegeneration in the brain and proposes a theory for hos this might take place https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2016/10/theorizing-on-the-contribution-of-gut-bacteria-to-neurodegeneration/. Some bacteria produce a type of amyloid protein that is structurally similar to the amyloid protein found in human brains suffering Alzheimer’s disease, and there is a theory that these bacterial proteins can cause brain proteins to misfold via a process of cross-seeding. In studies on rats, those given gut bacteria that produce these proteins showed increased levels of amyloid-like protein in the intestine and brain, increased amyloid protein aggregates in the brain, and enhanced brain inflammation. It’d be good to find a naturally occurring model and intervene in the gut to stop or reverse the effect.
8. Vaccines from Cow-Human Hybrids
Cows genetically engineered to replace all of the genes that code for immune system antibody production with their human counterparts can quickly produce large amounts of human antibodies towards infectious disease pathogens https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602530/cows-engineered-with-human-genes-could-stop-our-next-disease-outbreak/. These human encoded antibodies can then be harvested from the animals by obtaining blood plasma and isolating the antibodies to produce a therapeutic drug for humans with the whole process taking two and a half months. I wonder if these process can produce the myostatin antibodies mentioned in #3 above? Each cow can produce up to 1,000 human doses of antibodies per month.
9. Optical Refraction of Graphene Electrons
Theoretical predications from 2007 have been experimentally verified by showing electrons travelling in graphene behave like light and can be made to exhibit negative refraction at conductor interfaces http://engineering.columbia.edu/news/james-hone-electrons-graphene. The electron density of a material plays a similar role to an optical index of refraction, and in this experiment as electrons passed a p-n semiconductor junction in graphene, an interface of high & low electron density, they exhibited negative refraction. Interesting applications like Veselago lenses might be possible with this. In related news, partnering graphene with boron nitride should produce a terahertz oscillator http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/materials/longtheorized-material-closes-the-terahertz-gap.
10. Diamond Nanothread Polymers
One dimensional diamond nanothreads were invented last year; long, one dimensional carbon molecules with diamond bond structures that are incredibly strong yet very brittle. New research introduces deliberate defects into these diamond nanothreads with hydrogen atoms that results in kinks in the chain forming at those positions and the threads becoming more flexible as a result https://www.qut.edu.au/science-engineering/about/news/news?news-id=110322. Changing the spacing of the defects allows the group to tune the flexibility as well as the thermal conductivity, binding sites for polymers, and other tensile properties. Scale up is an obvious issue but potential applications include incredibly strong composites and polymers and even a better candidate material for a space elevator.
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Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2016/10/time-crystals-robot-skill-acquisition.html
Time crystals, Robot skill acquisition, Heat shock proteins, Nanometer transistor, Advanced cell modelling, Quantum programming game, Bacteria influence brain, Cow-human hybrid vaccines, Graphene electrons refract, Diamond nanothread polymers.
1. Creating Time Crystals
A theoretical prediction from 2012 has been reduced to practise with the creation of the first time crystals from a chain of ytterbium atoms https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602541/physicists-create-worlds-first-time-crystal/. To think about time crystals, consider normal crystals as lowest energy state materials whose structure oscillates periodically in space. Likewise time crystals are lowest energy state materials whose structure oscillates periodically in time. The phenomenon exploits Anderson Localisation (worth reading up on), whose self-interference causes the atoms to appear localised in a single location. Finally, flipping the spins of the atoms established a periodic oscillation of spins along the chain, the period of which was double that of the original driving force, the only explanation of which was broken time symmetry caused by a time crystal.
2. Faster Robot Skill Acquisition
Google has a system that combines cloud robotics and deep learning platforms to facilitate general purpose skill learning across multiple robots http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/artificial-intelligence/google-wants-robots-to-acquire-new-skills-by-learning-from-each-other. In tests the ability to communicate and exchange experiences allowed the robots to learn more quickly and effectively. One of the additional strengths of this system is that the learning process benefits from a greater diversity of experiences as a result of different robots performing tasks in slightly different environments.
3. Benefits of Exogenous Heat Shock Protein
Heat shock proteins help to ensure correct protein function in the cell but typically decline with age and in neurons reduced activity can contribute to neurodegenerative disorders. Recent work in mice demonstrated intranasal delivery of heat shock protein enhanced mean and maximum lifespan, improved learning and memory, and facilitated improvements to locomotion and curiosity https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2016/10/heat-shock-protein-delivered-as-a-therapy-slows-aging-in-mice/. When delivered from middle-age maximum lifespan improved by 17%. This could be a fairly low-hanging piece of fruit therapeutically or enhancement-wise. Same with getting a hold of myostatin antibodies to boost your muscle mass by 20% https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2016/10/how-to-go-about-using-myostatin-antibodies-to-grow-muscle-today/.
4. Nanometer Transistor
Researchers have gone beyond the 5nm threshold for silicon transistors to create a functional 1nm transistor out of a carbon nanotube and molybdenum disulfide http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2016/10/06/smallest-transistor-1-nm-gate/. The structure utilises a single carbon nanotube as the gate, while a single sheet of molybdenum disulfide is the semiconductor, whose properties compared to silicon of lower dielectric constant and heavier effective electron mass facilitate scaling beyond what silicon is capable of. The latest gallium nitride technologies are also helping to take electronics far beyond what silicon is capable of http://www.nextbigfuture.com/2016/10/gallium-nitride-devices-can-reduce.html.
5. Advanced Cell Modelling
Biomolecular modelling and computational structural biology are approaching the level at which groups are starting to plan and create full realistic simulations of entire cells including all molecular structures and interactions http://www.nanowerk.com/news2/biotech/newsid=44719.php. Not only does such an effort help improve and shed light on a better fundamental understanding of the cell, but it will also improve the design and development of drugs and other therapeutic interventions. Due to the enormous complexity of such simulations the groups pursuing this are starting with the simplest possible prokaryotic cells.
6. Quantum Programming with Puzzles
MeQuanics is an online computer game that you can play to help, in a small way, to program future quantum computers https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602590/how-quantum-programing-turned-into-a-3-d-puzzle-game/. You do this by determining optimised qubit topologies that will form part of a large data set of optimised examples that comprise the very first training set for developing machine learning algorithms able to outperform humans in programming quantum computers. The basis is that a quantum program is basically a pattern of qubits in a lattice, and patterns that are topologically identical constitute the same quantum program, by optimising large qubit patterns to smaller but topologically identical patterns, smaller and thus more readily available quantum computers can be used to run that program.
7. Gut Bacteria Link to the Brain
This recent study tentatively links certain types of gut bacteria to neurodegeneration in the brain and proposes a theory for hos this might take place https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2016/10/theorizing-on-the-contribution-of-gut-bacteria-to-neurodegeneration/. Some bacteria produce a type of amyloid protein that is structurally similar to the amyloid protein found in human brains suffering Alzheimer’s disease, and there is a theory that these bacterial proteins can cause brain proteins to misfold via a process of cross-seeding. In studies on rats, those given gut bacteria that produce these proteins showed increased levels of amyloid-like protein in the intestine and brain, increased amyloid protein aggregates in the brain, and enhanced brain inflammation. It’d be good to find a naturally occurring model and intervene in the gut to stop or reverse the effect.
8. Vaccines from Cow-Human Hybrids
Cows genetically engineered to replace all of the genes that code for immune system antibody production with their human counterparts can quickly produce large amounts of human antibodies towards infectious disease pathogens https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602530/cows-engineered-with-human-genes-could-stop-our-next-disease-outbreak/. These human encoded antibodies can then be harvested from the animals by obtaining blood plasma and isolating the antibodies to produce a therapeutic drug for humans with the whole process taking two and a half months. I wonder if these process can produce the myostatin antibodies mentioned in #3 above? Each cow can produce up to 1,000 human doses of antibodies per month.
9. Optical Refraction of Graphene Electrons
Theoretical predications from 2007 have been experimentally verified by showing electrons travelling in graphene behave like light and can be made to exhibit negative refraction at conductor interfaces http://engineering.columbia.edu/news/james-hone-electrons-graphene. The electron density of a material plays a similar role to an optical index of refraction, and in this experiment as electrons passed a p-n semiconductor junction in graphene, an interface of high & low electron density, they exhibited negative refraction. Interesting applications like Veselago lenses might be possible with this. In related news, partnering graphene with boron nitride should produce a terahertz oscillator http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/materials/longtheorized-material-closes-the-terahertz-gap.
10. Diamond Nanothread Polymers
One dimensional diamond nanothreads were invented last year; long, one dimensional carbon molecules with diamond bond structures that are incredibly strong yet very brittle. New research introduces deliberate defects into these diamond nanothreads with hydrogen atoms that results in kinks in the chain forming at those positions and the threads becoming more flexible as a result https://www.qut.edu.au/science-engineering/about/news/news?news-id=110322. Changing the spacing of the defects allows the group to tune the flexibility as well as the thermal conductivity, binding sites for polymers, and other tensile properties. Scale up is an obvious issue but potential applications include incredibly strong composites and polymers and even a better candidate material for a space elevator.
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