Computer Science: Quantum Computers Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

Experiment could test quantum nature of large masses for the first time      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new experiment could in principle test the quantumness of an object regardless of its mass or energy.

Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

Chasing the light: Study finds new clues about warming in the Arctic      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The Arctic, Earth's icy crown, is experiencing a climate crisis like no other. It's heating up at a furious pace -- four times faster than the rest of our planet. Researchers are pulling back the curtain on the reduction of sunlight reflectivity, or albedo, which is supercharging the Arctic's warming.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Computer Science: Quantum Computers Energy: Nuclear Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General Physics: General Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Solid-state qubits: Forget about being clean, embrace mess      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New findings debunk previous wisdom that solid-state qubits need to be super dilute in an ultra-clean material to achieve long lifetimes. Instead, cram lots of rare-earth ions into a crystal and some will form pairs that act as highly coherent qubits, a new paper shows.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
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NASA analysis confirms 2023 as warmest year on record      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Earth's average surface temperature in 2023 was the warmest on record, according to an analysis by NASA. Global temperatures last year were around 2.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 degrees Celsius) above the average for NASA's baseline period (1951-1980), scientists from NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York reported.

Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: Water Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
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Beaches and dunes globally squeezed by roads and buildings      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Beaches and dunes globally squeezed by roads and buildings. Beaches and dunes are becoming increasingly trapped between rising sea levels and infrastructure. Researchers found that today, when dropped on a random beach anywhere in the world, you only need to walk 390 meters (on average) to find the nearest road or building. And while that short walking distance may seem convenient if you want a day at the beach, it's bad news for our protection against rising sea levels, drinking water supplies and biodiversity.

Computer Science: General Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
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New study pinpoints the weaknesses in AI      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

ChatGPT and other solutions built on Machine Learning are surging. But even the most successful algorithms have limitations. Researchers have now proven mathematically that apart from simple problems it is not possible to create algorithms for AI that will always be stable. The study may lead to guidelines on how to better test algorithms and reminds us that machines do not have human intelligence after all.

Computer Science: General Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
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Integrating dimensions to get more out of Moore's Law and advance electronics      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Engineers suggest a way to fit more transistors on a chip by seamlessly implementing 3D integration with 2D materials.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Marine Ecology: Nature Ecology: Sea Life Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
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Focus on biological processes does not capture the whole picture      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The ocean plays a crucial role in the storage of carbon dioxide (CO2). The so-called marine biological carbon pump is an important research topic in this context. However a key component is often overlooked. Colleagues outline why it is insufficient to focus solely on biological processes when investigating the accumulation of CO2 in the ocean by the biological carbon pump.

Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
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PFAS flow equally between Arctic Ocean and Atlantic Ocean      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The frigid Arctic Ocean is far removed from the places most people live, but even so, 'forever chemicals' reach this remote landscape. Now, research suggests that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) won't stay there indefinitely. Instead, they are transported in a feedback loop, with the Arctic Ocean potentially exporting as many PFAS to the North Atlantic Ocean as it receives, circulating the compounds around the world.

Engineering: Biometric Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
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AI discovers that not every fingerprint is unique      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Engineers have built a new AI that shatters a long-held belief in forensics -- that fingerprints from different fingers of the same person are unique. It turns out they are similar, only we've been comparing fingerprints the wrong way!

Biology: Marine Biology: Zoology Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
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Acidity of Antarctic waters could double by century's end, threatening biodiversity      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Without drastically reducing global emissions, the Antarctic Ocean could become too acidic for hundreds of species living there, many already endangered by rising temperatures and sea ice loss.

Computer Science: Quantum Computers Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Engineering: Nanotechnology Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
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New study uses machine learning to bridge the reality gap in quantum devices      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A study has used the power of machine learning to overcome a key challenge affecting quantum devices. For the first time, the findings reveal a way to close the 'reality gap': the difference between predicted and observed behavior from quantum devices.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

New soft robots roll like tires, spin like tops and orbit like moons      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have developed a new soft robot design that engages in three simultaneous behaviors: rolling forward, spinning like a record, and following a path that orbits around a central point. The device, which operates without human or computer control, holds promise for developing soft robotic devices that can be used to navigate and map unknown environments.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Geoscience: Oceanography Geoscience: Severe Weather
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Path-following performance of autonomous ships      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

With recent requirements for reducing greenhouse gas emissions of autonomous ships, an emerging body of research is focused on assessing the path-following performance of maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) at low speeds under adverse weather conditions. To combat the poor accuracy of traditional methods, in a new study, researchers investigated the path-following performance of MASS using a free-running computational fluid dynamics model. Their findings can help ensure safer autonomous navigation with reduced propulsion power.

Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
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Re-calibrating the sail plan for Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders in ocean sciences      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In Hawaii and across much of Oceania, Pacific Islanders celebrate the connections between their islands and the ocean that surrounds them.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
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Could an electric nudge to the head help your doctor operate a surgical robot?      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

People who received gentle electric currents on the back of their heads learned to maneuver a robotic surgery tool in virtual reality and then in a real setting much more easily than people who didn't receive those nudges, a new study shows.

Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography Space: General
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Millions of mysterious pits in the ocean decoded      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The world's ocean are a vast habitat for countless creatures that settle, spawn, dig or feed on the seafloor. They also influence the shape of the ocean floor. How exactly this takes place has been scarcely investigated so far. In an interdisciplinary study, geoscientists, biologists and oceanographers, have examined crater-like depressions on the seafloor of the North Sea. They were able to show that these directly relate to the habitats of porpoises and sand eels, and for the first time provide a conclusive explanation for the importance of vertebrates in shaping the seafloor.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography Geoscience: Severe Weather
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Scientists uncover link between the ocean's weather and global climate      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists outline the first direct evidence linking seemingly random weather systems in the ocean with climate on a global scale. The team's work creates a promising framework for better understanding the climate system.