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Jul 8, 2016

How Feynman Diagrams Almost Saved Space

Posted by in category: quantum physics

Quantum theory amplified Maxwell’s revolution.


Richard Feynman’s famous diagrams weren’t just a way to do calculations. They represented a deep shift in thinking about how the universe is put together.

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Jul 8, 2016

Google to experiment with quantum computing-ready algorithms in Chrome

Posted by in categories: computing, information science, quantum physics, security

Google advances on QC with Chrome.


In preparation for a quantum computing future, Google is testing post-quantum algorithms in Chrome to ensure security in the future.

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Jul 8, 2016

Google Tinkers With Chrome Cryptosecurity To Fight Quantum Hacks

Posted by in categories: cybercrime/malcode, encryption, privacy, quantum physics

Glad Google is doing this because next month could be a real test when China launches its Quantum Satellite.


Today’s encryption is an arms race as digital security experts try to hold off hackers’ attempts to break open user data. But there’s a new tech on the horizon that even the NSA recognizes as crucial to protect against: quantum computing, which is expected to dramatically speed up attempts to crack some commonly-used cryptographic schemes. To get ahead of the game, Google is testing new digital security setups on single-digit populations of Chrome users.

Quantum computing is such a potential threat because it can do many more simultaneous calculations than current computers. Modern binary bits can only be in two states when electric current is run through them: 0 or 1. But the ambiguous nature of the quantum state means its elemental units (known as “qubits”) could be in either state at a time, so two could potentially be in four orientations at one time: 00, 01, 10 or 11. That ambiguity is exponential, so three qubits could be in eight at a time, and so on.

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Jul 8, 2016

Extra-Coding RNAs Regulate DNA Methylation in the Adult Brain

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, neuroscience

A special form of RNA called extra-coding RNA controls the careful targeting to add or remove methyl groups to chromosomal DNA of the adult neuron. The ecRNAs are fundamental regulators of DNA methylation patterns in the adult brain through interaction with DNA methyltransferase enzymes and are involved in creation of memories.

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Jul 8, 2016

New security tool addresses Android app collusion threat

Posted by in category: security

As we reported last month app collusion, where apps work together to extract sensitive data, now represents a very real security risk to mobile devices.

To address this emerging threat, component technology firm Formaltech, today is releasing FUSE, a DARPA-funded tool that detects inter-application collusion and other vulnerabilities in Android apps.

The FUSE platform identifies potential security vulnerabilities and tracks information flow through multiple apps, revealing potential collusion between apps. The tool uses static binary analysis to detect vulnerabilities without requiring the source code of the apps, allowing security professionals to analyze third party apps without the need for vendor cooperation. It operates in the cloud, supporting Android app (APK) analysis from anywhere. Developers and testers can easily drill down into the FUSE interface when FUSE displays errors, warnings and informational alarms.

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Jul 8, 2016

Stealthy 3D Printing at Airshow?

Posted by in categories: 3D printing, military

I hate that I am going to miss the Farnborough airshow.


The Farnborough airshow begins next week and will feature a number of announcements from the 3D printing industry. The show only takes place once every 2 years and will see a flurry of news and displays of the latest aviation technology. These include Boeing’s 737 MAX airliner with its 3D printed LEAP engines and also demonstrations by the first Lockheed Martin F-35 Lighting II, or Joint Strike Fighter, stealth jets to arrive in the UK.

Additive manufacturing company Norsk Titanium (NTi) hopes their announcements will make an equally large splash. During 2016 a number of press releases by the company have piqued the interest of insiders in the 3D printing industry and also in the aerospace industry. Outside of this group, the name Norsk Titanium may be relatively unknown.

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Jul 8, 2016

DARPA Goes Full Tron With Its Grand Battle of the Hack Bots

Posted by in categories: cybercrime/malcode, robotics/AI

Definitely the longer term goal with security bots.


With its Cyber Grand Challenge—a battle of autonomous security software—DARPA is taking us inside the machine.

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Jul 8, 2016

Man Builds Half Ton Tetris Computer Because Why Not

Posted by in category: computing

Tetris #1 fan.


This giant homemade machine runs at 8kHz.

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Jul 8, 2016

IARPA wants big data intel tools that can predict the future

Posted by in category: information science

IARPA is interested in proposals ranging four broad topics – anticipatory intelligence, analysis, operations and collection – to better integrate intelligence.

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Jul 8, 2016

Tunable wetting and adhesion of graphene demonstrated

Posted by in categories: engineering, materials

Nice.


“Our study suggests for the first time that the doping-induced modulation of the charge carrier density in graphene influences its wettability and adhesion,” explained SungWoo Nam, an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at Illinois. “This work investigates this new doping-induced tunable wetting phenomena which is unique to graphene and potentially other 2D materials in complementary theoretical and experimental investigations.”

Graphene, being optically transparent and possessing superior electrical and mechanical properties, can revolutionize the fields of surface coatings and electrowetting displays, according to the researchers. A material’s wettability (i.e. interaction with water) is typically constant in the absence of external influence and are classified as either water-loving (hydrophilic) or water-repelling (hydrophobic; water beads up on the surface). Depending on the specific application, a choice between either hydrophobic or hydrophilic material is required. For electrowetting displays, for example, the hydrophilic characteristics of display material is enhanced with the help of a constant externally impressed electric current.

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