[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

'Turning white blood cells into medicinal microrobots with light

Medicinal microrobots could help physicians better treat and prevent diseases. But most of these devices are made with synthetic materials that trigger immune responses [...] researchers [...] used lasers to precisely control neutrophils—a type of white blood cell—as a natural, biocompatible microrobot in living fish. The "neutrobots" performed multiple tasks, showing they could someday deliver drugs to precise locations in the body.

[...] cells already present in the body, such as neutrophils, could be a less invasive alternative for drug delivery [...]

[...] focused laser beams as remote optical tweezers. The light-driven microrobot could be moved [...] three times faster than a neutrophil naturally moves. In their experiments, the researchers used the optical tweezers to precisely and actively control the functions that neutrophils conduct as part of the immune system. [...] a neutrobot was moved through a blood vessel wall into the surrounding tissue. Another one picked up and transported a plastic nanoparticle, showing its potential for carrying medicine. And when a neutrobot was pushed toward red blood cell debris, it engulfed the pieces.'

Turning white blood cells into medicinal microrobots with light

Though they'd still have to get the nanoparticles (of drugs etc.) into the body, assuming they're not already present....




'A boost in performance in fiber-integrated quantum memories

Quantum memories are one of the building blocks of the future quantum internet. Without them, it would be rather impossible to transmit quantum information over long distances and expand into a real quantum network. These memories have the mission of receiving the quantum information encoded in a photon in the form of qubits, storing it and then retrieving it. Quantum memories can be realized in different material systems, for example ensembles of cold atoms or doped crystals.

[...] since the entanglement was shared between a visible photon stored in the quantum memory, and one at telecom wavelengths, the team also proved that the system is entirely compatible with telecommunications infrastructure and suitable for long-distance quantum communication.'

A boost in performance in fiber-integrated quantum memories

[Aptorian]

Abyss, on 13 July 2022 - 05:15 AM, said:

Almost picked a fight w Margaret Atwood on twitter.
Decided that was probably a bad idea.
She posted a picture of herself looking smug, sitting waterside holding a mug with the words 'I told you so'.
Predictably people started attacking, I caught the thread early, and in response to someone posting 'gloating isnt virtuous' she replied 'I never claimed to be virtuous'.
And I almost, almost, posted... 'you also never claimed to be a science fiction writer'.
If you're familiar with her history of denying she writes sf til handmaids tale tv took off, then reversing herself, you know why this is both funny and a huge burn. But still a bad idea.

I thought the point of Twitter was to send people spiteful comments?

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Aptorian, on 13 July 2022 - 03:24 PM, said:

Abyss, on 13 July 2022 - 05:15 AM, said:

Almost picked a fight w Margaret Atwood on twitter.
Decided that was probably a bad idea.
She posted a picture of herself looking smug, sitting waterside holding a mug with the words 'I told you so'.
Predictably people started attacking, I caught the thread early, and in response to someone posting 'gloating isnt virtuous' she replied 'I never claimed to be virtuous'.
And I almost, almost, posted... 'you also never claimed to be a science fiction writer'.
If you're familiar with her history of denying she writes sf til handmaids tale tv took off, then reversing herself, you know why this is both funny and a huge burn. But still a bad idea.

I thought the point of Twitter was to send people spiteful comments?

... and (in case anybody fails at that) to strive to misinterpret any comments in the worst of all possible ways (not sure what the best terms might be for the opposite of 'charitable interpretation')....

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 13 July 2022 - 04:06 PM

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

During Prime Day shopping I finally found a Tums equivalent without any sugar or artificial sweetener (or other additives)---not tablets but the active ingredient in (apparently) pure powder form. Was concerned about getting the dosage right---directions say '1 scoop' without defining what a scoop is---but from the customer Q&A apparently this defines 'a scoop' by coming with a scoop. Should be arriving today. (But lead me not (further) into gluttony... I shall be fasting for this day's remainder. Still intermittently gorging on unsalted cashews in my memory---enough to satiate my silly desire, and let go of the loops.)

Think I got something like 20% off plus 6% cash back on Prime Day vs 10% off and 2% back for Subscribe and Save. Wonder where I might be able to get it cheaper in bulk... then again it might eventually go bad.

Amazon.com: Nutricost Calcium Carbonate Powder 500 Grams : Health & Household

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 15 July 2022 - 08:11 PM

[Malankazooie]

I mean, not unexpected but still something that makes me and USA! USA! USA! happy - USWNT defeats Canada in CONCACAF Championship.

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

'New physics law could predict genetic mutations

[...] The paper finds the second law of information dynamics, or "infodynamics," behaves differently to the second law of thermodynamics—a discovery that could have massive implications for future developments in genome research, evolutionary biology, computing, big data, physics, and cosmology.

[...] "if the second law of thermodynamics states that entropy needs to stay constant or increase over time, I thought that perhaps information entropy would be the same."

"But [...] found [...] the exact opposite—it decreases over time. The second law of information dynamics works exactly in opposition to the second law of thermodynamics."

[...] "The worldwide consensus is that mutations take place at random and then natural selection dictates whether the mutation is good or bad for an organism," [...] If the mutation is beneficial for an organism, it will be kept.

"But what if there is a hidden process that drives these mutations? Every time we see something we don't understand, we describe it as 'random' or 'chaotic' or 'paranormal,' but it's only our inability to explain it."

"If we can start looking at genetic mutations from a deterministic point of view, we can exploit this new physics law to predict mutations—or the probability of mutations—before they take place."

[...] "The best example of something that undergoes a number of mutations in a short space of time is a virus. The pandemic has given us the ideal test sample as SARS-CoV-2 mutated into so many variants and the data available is unbelievable."

"The COVID data confirms the second law of infodynamics and the research opens up unlimited possibilities. Imagine looking at a particular genome and judging whether a mutation is beneficial before it happens. This could be game-changing technology which could be used in genetic therapies, the pharmaceutical industry, evolutionary biology, and pandemic research."'

New physics law could predict genetic mutations

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Potentially good news on the inflation and mass starvation fronts:

'Chinese scientists have found a rice gene that can boost yield and shorten the growth cycle

Over-expressing the gene in a common species can increase yield by more than 50 per cent and it can be harvested over two weeks early

[...] has been testing this since 2018 in areas with different climates[...]

[...] team's findings were published in Science [...]

"The gene can also be used in different crops,"'

Chinese scientists have found a rice gene that can boost yield and shorten the growth cycle

'Farmers Left With Glut of Strawberries and Cherries After Heatwave Growth Spurt'

UK Strawberry, Cherry Season: Farmers Left With Glut of Crops After Heatwave

'Russia and Ukraine reached a deal aimed at releasing millions of tons of grain through Ukraine's Black Sea ports that would mark a vital step toward shoring up global food supplies. Still, many logistical hurdles remain and it is uncertain how quickly exports will progress with Russia's war still raging—or whether Moscow will follow through at all.'

Ukraine, Russia Sign Deal to Unblock Grain Exports From Black Sea Ports

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 22 July 2022 - 09:44 PM

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

99 degrees out yesterday, 100 degrees out today, haven't used any air conditioning... and my apartment has remained =< 79 degrees. Heat wave has already started fading away from its peak today, and should effectively be over by tomorrow.

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 24 July 2022 - 11:01 PM

[Maark Abbott]

Aptorian, on 13 July 2022 - 03:24 PM, said:

Abyss, on 13 July 2022 - 05:15 AM, said:

Almost picked a fight w Margaret Atwood on twitter.
Decided that was probably a bad idea.
She posted a picture of herself looking smug, sitting waterside holding a mug with the words 'I told you so'.
Predictably people started attacking, I caught the thread early, and in response to someone posting 'gloating isnt virtuous' she replied 'I never claimed to be virtuous'.
And I almost, almost, posted... 'you also never claimed to be a science fiction writer'.
If you're familiar with her history of denying she writes sf til handmaids tale tv took off, then reversing herself, you know why this is both funny and a huge burn. But still a bad idea.

I thought the point of Twitter was to send people spiteful comments?

Man our twitters are markedly different

[Cause]

I have secured a ps5! Through sams club.

I have defied the dirty scalpers and I have a ps5 and it only took 2 years!!

[champ]

My best mate reads pretty much what I read, cheapskate waits for me to purchase/finish a book and then commandeers it from me. Don't think he's bought a book in the last 20 years...

Introduced him to Malazan over 15 year ago, he got half way through GotM and bailed - first time he had done that - saying he has no idea what's going on and it's not for him... no matter what protest I delivered he wouldn't get back on that horse... obviously I was shocked and dismayed to my core by this...

Years go by, every year I'd nag him to dive back in but it was dismissed, too long, confusing and I think to him, a daunting undertaking... so since he read what I read I started training him by buying longer books, more fantasy orientated too, all the usual authors we read/discuss here, in hope that the one day I can convince him to try again he won't find it too daunting...

Well convincing him wasn't happening until we were drunk and arguing about something, we made a bet and if I won he had to try Malazan again before he was 40, I won so I had this at least since we always stick to our bets... he had three years to man up before 40 hit...

But along came The God is not Willing, told him it was awesome and an easy in, strangely with no argument he decided to try it. Probably sick of the nagging by now and time running out... he absolutely loved it...

Exactly 1 year and 1 day ago he started GotM again and never looked back... today after 366 days he finished tCG, I was like a proud father reading his message, he was and is in awe of the series and cannot believe he held on for so long before trying it again. He now has a new favourite author and series! With Memories of Ice his favourite book and Karsa his favourite character...

So never give up, the masses can and will be converted to the Church of SE! Preach!

[Tiste Simeon]

It's my last day as a police officer! Going to miss the people I have worked with but otherwise I'm so happy to be out of this.

Also it's a tiny island so I'll see them plenty anyway!

[QuickTidal]

Tiste Simeon, on 28 July 2022 - 12:34 PM, said:

It's my last day as a police officer! Going to miss the people I have worked with but otherwise I'm so happy to be out of this.

Also it's a tiny island so I'll see them plenty anyway!

Congrats on completing this chapter of your life man, and moving onto new things with your young family!

[Aptorian]

Tiste Simeon, on 28 July 2022 - 12:34 PM, said:

It's my last day as a police officer! Going to miss the people I have worked with but otherwise I'm so happy to be out of this.

Also it's a tiny island so I'll see them plenty anyway!

Uh oh, this is usually the grizzled old cops last words before something tragic happens on their last case.

[worry]

Yah man, make sure there are no bombs strapped to your toilet.

[Tsundoku]

He was getting too old for this shit.

[Tiste Simeon]

worry, on 28 July 2022 - 07:29 PM, said:

Yah man, make sure there are no bombs strapped to your toilet.

I'm the only one dropping bombs in the toilet but I think I mean something different to you...

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

champ, on 27 July 2022 - 05:17 PM, said:

My best mate reads pretty much what I read, cheapskate waits for me to purchase/finish a book and then commandeers it from me. Don't think he's bought a book in the last 20 years...

Introduced him to Malazan over 15 year ago, he got half way through GotM and bailed - first time he had done that - saying he has no idea what's going on and it's not for him... no matter what protest I delivered he wouldn't get back on that horse... obviously I was shocked and dismayed to my core by this...

Years go by, every year I'd nag him to dive back in but it was dismissed, too long, confusing and I think to him, a daunting undertaking... so since he read what I read I started training him by buying longer books, more fantasy orientated too, all the usual authors we read/discuss here, in hope that the one day I can convince him to try again he won't find it too daunting...

Well convincing him wasn't happening until we were drunk and arguing about something, we made a bet and if I won he had to try Malazan again before he was 40, I won so I had this at least since we always stick to our bets... he had three years to man up before 40 hit...

But along came The God is not Willing, told him it was awesome and an easy in, strangely with no argument he decided to try it. Probably sick of the nagging by now and time running out... he absolutely loved it...

Exactly 1 year and 1 day ago he started GotM again and never looked back... today after 366 days he finished tCG, I was like a proud father reading his message, he was and is in awe of the series and cannot believe he held on for so long before trying it again. He now has a new favourite author and series! With Memories of Ice his favourite book and Karsa his favourite character...

So never give up, the masses can and will be converted to the Church of SE! Preach!

This is awesome

[Tiste Simeon]

Happy Yorkshire Day everyone! Join me in celebrating God's favourite place!

Oh also it's my wife's birthday and the two of us are going to London to watch a show which is pretty great.

[Macros]

Tiste Simeon, on 01 August 2022 - 09:38 AM, said:

Happy Yorkshire Day everyone! Join me in celebrating God's favourite place!

Oh also it's my wife's birthday and the two of us are going to London to watch a show which is pretty great.

http://youtu.be/tE8d-uGmIWk