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Jun 25, 2023

DeepMind introduces self-improving AI model called RoboCat

Posted by in category: robotics/AI

The development could result in many more general-purpose robots being developed at a faster rate.

Robots today can do a variety of tasks as long as they are trained on real-world data. But what if they could bypass this step? It would result in many more general-purpose robots being developed at a faster rate.

Continue reading “DeepMind introduces self-improving AI model called RoboCat” »

Jun 25, 2023

Wimbledon to use IBM tech to power AI commentary for online highlights

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, robotics/AI

“This year, we’re introducing new features that use AI to help fans gain more insight and access commentary through our match highlights videos.”

Wimbledon, one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world, is set to revolutionize its coverage this year by introducing artificial intelligence-powered commentary and analysis, according to a press release. The All England Club has partnered with tech giant IBM to offer fans a unique immersive experience with AI-generated audio commentary and captions in online highlights videos.

IBM, pioneers of AI-curated video highlights which earned the IBM Consulting team an Emmy Award, trained its bleeding-edge Watson AI platform in tennis… More.

Continue reading “Wimbledon to use IBM tech to power AI commentary for online highlights” »

Jun 25, 2023

‘Farming in Our Curriculum’: How I Transformed My School Campus Into an Organic Farm

Posted by in categories: education, food, sustainability

Suseela Santhosh, director of Vishwa Vidyapeeth school in Bengaluru started an organic farm in her school that feeds its 1,400 students and staff for free.

Jun 25, 2023

Passive cooling system could benefit off-grid locations

Posted by in categories: food, solar power, sustainability

As the world gets warmer, the use of power-hungry air conditioning systems is projected to increase significantly, putting a strain on existing power grids and bypassing many locations with little or no reliable electric power. Now, an innovative system developed at MIT offers a way to use passive cooling to preserve food crops and supplement conventional air conditioners in buildings, with no need for power and only a small need for water.

The system, which combines radiative cooling, evaporative cooling, and thermal insulation in a slim package that could resemble existing solar panels, can provide up to about 19 degrees Fahrenheit (9.3 degrees Celsius) of cooling from the ambient temperature, enough to permit safe food storage for about 40 percent longer under very humid conditions. It could triple the safe storage time under dryer conditions.

The findings are reported today in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science, in a paper by MIT postdoc Zhengmao Lu, Arny Leroy PhD ’21, professors Jeffrey Grossman and Evelyn Wang, and two others. While more research is needed in order to bring down the cost of one key component of the system, the researchers say that eventually such a system could play a significant role in meeting the cooling needs of many parts of the world where a lack of electricity or water limits the use of conventional cooling systems.

Jun 25, 2023

A jump through time — new technique rewinds the age of skin cells by 30 years

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

Research from the Babraham Institute has developed a method to ‘time jump’ human skin cells by 30 years, turning back the ageing clock for cells without losing their specialised function. Work by researchers in the Institute’s Epigenetics research programme has been able to partly restore the function of older cells, as well as rejuvenating the molecular measures of biological age. The research is published today in the journal eLife and whilst at an early stage of exploration, it could revolutionise regenerative medicine.

What is regenerative medicine?

As we age, our cells’ ability to function declines and the genome accumulates marks of ageing. Regenerative biology aims to repair or replace cells including old ones. One of the most important tools in regenerative biology is our ability to create ‘induced’ stem cells. The process is a result of several steps, each erasing some of the marks that make cells specialised. In theory, these stem cells have the potential to become any cell type, but scientists aren’t yet able to reliably recreate the conditions to re-differentiate stem cells into all cell types.

Jun 24, 2023

Science Saturday: Study finds senescent immune cells promote lung tumor growth

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, science

Researchers have discovered a type of white blood cell in the lungs, called senescent macrophages, that promote tumor growth.

Jun 24, 2023

MIT’s Nematic Leap: Physicists Discover a New Switch for Superconductivity

Posted by in categories: materials, particle physics

MIT researchers have found a new mechanism by which the superconductor iron selenide transitions into a superconducting state. Unlike other iron-based superconductors, iron selenide’s transition involves a collective shift in atoms’ orbital energy, not atomic spins. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for discovering unconventional superconductors.

Under certain conditions — usually exceedingly cold ones — some materials shift their structure to unlock new, superconducting behavior. This structural shift is known as a “nematic transition,” and physicists suspect that it offers a new way to drive materials into a superconducting state where electrons can flow entirely friction-free.

But what exactly drives this transition in the first place? The answer could help scientists improve existing superconductors and discover new ones.

Jun 24, 2023

Pepsi Reveals Tesla Semi Operations Details With Real Mileage Numbers

Posted by in category: transportation

Three days ago CNBC reporters visited Pepsi’s Frito-Lay facility in Modesto, California, where it is using Tesla Semi’s new electric trucks. CNBC wanted to see whether the Semis live up to the hype. Watching that report I learned a couple of very interesting details about Pepsi Tesla Semi operations and here I wanted to share with you.

Jun 24, 2023

Tesla is removing one of the last barriers to EV ownership

Posted by in category: futurism

Tesla is preparing to open to its previously exclusive Supercharger network via partnerships with Ford, GM, and Rivian. That could help EV adoption.

Jun 24, 2023

Alan Turing and the Limits of Computation

Posted by in categories: biological, mathematics, robotics/AI

Note: June 23 is Alan Turing’s birth anniversary.

Alan Turing wore many scientific hats in his lifetime: a code-breaker in World War II, a prophetic figure of artificial intelligence (AI), a pioneer of theoretical biology, and a founding figure of theoretical computer science. While the former of his roles continue to catch the fancy of popular culture, his fundamental contribution to the development of computing as a mathematical discipline is possibly where his significant scientific impact persists to date.