discuss Science & Technology news & discussion

CraigD · Oct 19, 2020

Post and discuss interesting articles & videos about science and technology.

You don't need to be an expert - just interested in the wonders of modern science, technology, and the history of these fields.

Please keep it rational, and post articles from reputable sources.
Try not to editorialise headlines and keep the copy to just a paragraph with a link to the original source. When quoting excerpts from articles, I think the best method is to italicise the copy, and include a link to the source.

Have some fun with your comments and discussions... just keep the sources legitimate.

Other threads:
The Break Room has a number of other popular threads, so there is no need to post material here that is better suited to these other threads:

- Covid19-Coronavirus updates and news
- Conspiracy Thread Free For All
- The *religious* discussion thread

Please enjoy!

Hakan Yildiz · Oct 21, 2020

Sutruk said:
As my understanding, we have to distinguish here about science and fantasy:
Science: the existence of a wormhole is clearly possible, by physics, by science, by the theory of general relativity.
Fantasy: entering the wormhole, and ending at the other end in one piece

I think; sci-fi and real science are so close to eachother. Remember, most of the fantesies of Jules Verne were became true like electrical submarines, newscasts, solar sails, lunar modules etc. Or CD / Compact Disc which shown on the Star Trek original series.
The issue is "just matter of time".
Today, we almost know hundred percent of Newton Universe, also mostly understand Einstein Universe. But we are at the very begining of Quantum Universe. I think new gates will be opened for science and engineering via new perspectives on space-time and help of AI (Artificial Intelligence). Remember "I Robot" stories of Asimov. They invented Interstellar Drive using AI. I think AI will bring new knowledge levels we can not imagine now.
For example "Alcubierre drive"...
May the science be with us.

CraigD · Oct 21, 2020

Hakan Yildiz said:
The Microbots Are on Their Way
Tiny sensors with tinier legs, stamped out of silicon wafers, could one day soon help fix your cellphone battery or study your brain....
He imagines a wealth of uses for these microbots, which are about the size of a cell. They could crawl into cellphone batteries and clean and rejuvenate them. They might be a boon to neural scientists, burrowing into the brain to measure nerve signals. Millions of them in a petri dish could be used to test ideas in networking and communications....

For details see New York Times article

Richard Feynman "Tiny Machines" Nanotechnology Lecture - aka "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom"

Richard Feynman gave his famous talk "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom" on December 29th 1959 at the annual meeting of the American Physical Society at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) as his vision on how physics and engineering could move in the direction that could eventually create nanotechnology.

CraigD · Oct 21, 2020

Russia suspected of Cold War-style microwave attack on CIA agents in Australia

Two agents from the United States' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) fear they were attacked with a sophisticated microwave weapon while visiting Australia late last year, as part of a global campaign by Russia targeting US officials.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10...cked-with-microwave-ray-in-australia/12800086

koolishman · Oct 21, 2020

CraigD said:
Any idea when we will see some footage from the OSIRIS-REx mission?

Mister Funsky · Oct 22, 2020

Quantum Tunnels Show How Particles Can Break the Speed of Light

Recent experiments show that particles should be able to go faster than light when they quantum mechanically “tunnel” through walls

https://www.quantamagazine.org/quantum-tunnel-shows-particles-can-break-the-speed-of-light-20201020/

Mister Funsky · Oct 22, 2020

Surprising leap in ancient human technology tied to environmental upheaval

Sediment core evidence reveals the critical factors that may have given rise to strikingly complex behaviors some 320,000 years ago, around the time the first members of our species appeared.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/...ancient-human-technology-tied-to-environment/

Sutruk · Oct 22, 2020

koolishman said:

That was quick... but it worked as it was planned!

Sutruk · Oct 22, 2020

Mister Funsky said:
Surprising leap in ancient human technology tied to environmental upheaval

Sediment core evidence reveals the critical factors that may have given rise to strikingly complex behaviors some 320,000 years ago, around the time the first members of our species appeared.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/...ancient-human-technology-tied-to-environment/

I am totally convinced that our hands, its versatility, had a critical role on developing our brain.
The way we can manage tools with our hands is crucial to develop complex behaviors and our brain.
So the point when first Hominids developed the ability to manage and build tools with their hands, was the critical point of evolution for them.

Sutruk · Oct 22, 2020

Mister Funsky said:
Quantum Tunnels Show How Particles Can Break the Speed of Light

Recent experiments show that particles should be able to go faster than light when they quantum mechanically “tunnel” through walls

https://www.quantamagazine.org/quantum-tunnel-shows-particles-can-break-the-speed-of-light-20201020/

Another reason why Relativity and quantum mechanics seem to never be reconciled.

Although it's an article from 2015...:

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/nov/04/relativity-quantum-mechanics-universe-physicists

Relativity versus quantum mechanics: the battle for the universe

"Physicists have spent decades trying to reconcile two very different theories. But is a winner about to emerge – and transform our understanding of everything from time to gravity?

Relativity and quantum mechanics are fundamentally different theories that have different formulations. It is not just a matter of scientific terminology; it is a clash of genuinely incompatible descriptions of reality.

In general relativity, events are continuous and deterministic, meaning that every cause matches up to a specific, local effect. In quantum mechanics, events produced by the interaction of subatomic particles happen in jumps (yes, quantum leaps), with probabilistic rather than definite outcomes. Quantum rules allow connections forbidden by classical physics."

CraigD · Oct 22, 2020

koolishman said:

Fantastic - the footage was better that I expected!

Velocity at impact was 10cm per second - slower than walking pace. A lot of science & effort went into designing the sample collector.

Fingers crossed that on Sept 24 2023, after a 4.4 billion mile round trip, the spacecraft will return the sample capsule to the Utah desert

koolishman · Oct 22, 2020

Year 2050.

SpaceX craft touched down with 50 tons of gold from Asteroid CD55.

Probable?

https://futurism.com/falcon-heavy-asteroid-mining

CraigD · Oct 22, 2020

koolishman said:
Year 2050.

SpaceX craft touched down with 50 tons of gold from Asteroid CD55.

Probable?

https://futurism.com/falcon-heavy-asteroid-mining

Probable.

50-tonnes of gold is valued at roughly 3.25 billion USD at todays exchange rate.

Edited for correction about stock market value - I originally miscounted zero's

so it's probably not enough wealth to affect the stock market.

Interestingly, while double-checking my figures, I just came across this link where my local Australian mint produced a 1-tonne gold coin in 2011.
https://www.perthmint.com/1-tonne-gold-coin.aspx

koolishman · Oct 22, 2020

Assume weekly trips.

CraigD · Oct 22, 2020

Sutruk said:
Another reason why Relativity and quantum mechanics seem to never be reconciled.

Although it's an article from 2015...:

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/nov/04/relativity-quantum-mechanics-universe-physicists

Relativity versus quantum mechanics: the battle for the universe

"Physicists have spent decades trying to reconcile two very different theories. But is a winner about to emerge – and transform our understanding of everything from time to gravity?

Relativity and quantum mechanics are fundamentally different theories that have different formulations. It is not just a matter of scientific terminology; it is a clash of genuinely incompatible descriptions of reality.

In general relativity, events are continuous and deterministic, meaning that every cause matches up to a specific, local effect. In quantum mechanics, events produced by the interaction of subatomic particles happen in jumps (yes, quantum leaps), with probabilistic rather than definite outcomes. Quantum rules allow connections forbidden by classical physics."

My gut feeling is that someone will find eventually find a Grand Unified Theory:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Unified_Theory
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_everything

Perhaps the ultimate answer is 42
"I always thought something was fundamentally wrong with the universe."

CraigD · Oct 22, 2020

Feynman on Scientific Method

Physicist Richard Feynman explains the scientific and unscientific methods of understanding nature.

koolishman · Oct 22, 2020

Brainiacs, not birdbrains: Crows possess higher intelligence long thought a primarily human attribute

Now the birds can add one more feather to their brainiac claims: Research unveiled on Thursday in Science finds that crows know what they know and can ponder the content of their own minds, a manifestation of higher intelligence and analytical thought long believed the sole province of humans and a few other higher mammals.

A second study, also in Science, looked in unprecedented detail at the neuroanatomy of pigeons and barn owls, finding hints to the basis of their intelligence that likely applies to corvids’, too.

“Together, the two papers show that intelligence/consciousness are grounded in connectivity and activity patterns of neurons” in the most neuron-dense part of the bird brain, called the pallium, neurobiologist Suzana Herculano-Houzel of Vanderbilt University, who wrote an analysis of the studies for Science, told STAT. “Brains can appear diverse, and at the same time share profound similarities. The extent to which similar properties present themselves might be simply a matter of scale: how many neurons are available to work.”

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/369/6511/1567

CraigD · Oct 22, 2020

Roger Penrose - Is Mathematics Invented or Discovered?

Is mathematics invented by humans just like chisels and hammers and pieces of music? Or is mathematics discovered—always out there, somewhere, like mysterious islands waiting to be found? Whatever mathematics is will help define reality itself.

koolishman · Oct 22, 2020

CraigD said:
This reminds me of an article I read last week.

More Humans Are Growing an Extra Artery in Our Arms, Showing We're Still Evolving

Researchers from Flinders University and the University of Adelaide in Australia have noticed an artery that temporarily runs down the centre of our forearms while we're still in the womb isn't vanishing as often as it used to.

https://www.sciencealert.com/more-o...rtery-in-our-arm-showing-we-re-still-evolving

Upon researching this further,

Human 'microevolution' sees more people born without wisdom teeth and an extra artery

Babies now have shorter faces, smaller jaws and extra bones in their legs and feet, a study in the Journal of Anatomy found.

As part of natural selection and our increased ability to chew food, this has resulted in fewer people being born with wisdom teeth, Dr Teghan Lucas from Flinders University, Adelaide, said.

CraigD · Oct 22, 2020

koolishman said:
Upon researching this further,

Human 'microevolution' sees more people born without wisdom teeth and an extra artery

Babies now have shorter faces, smaller jaws and extra bones in their legs and feet, a study in the Journal of Anatomy found.

As part of natural selection and our increased ability to chew food, this has resulted in fewer people being born with wisdom teeth, Dr Teghan Lucas from Flinders University, Adelaide, said.

I wish I had been born without wisdom teeth.
After 20-years of issues compounded by a fear of the dentist, I think I now appreciate why they are called wisdom teeth!

CraigD · Oct 22, 2020

koolishman said:
Brainiacs, not birdbrains: Crows possess higher intelligence long thought a primarily human attribute

Now the birds can add one more feather to their brainiac claims: Research unveiled on Thursday in Science finds that crows know what they know and can ponder the content of their own minds, a manifestation of higher intelligence and analytical thought long believed the sole province of humans and a few other higher mammals.

A second study, also in Science, looked in unprecedented detail at the neuroanatomy of pigeons and barn owls, finding hints to the basis of their intelligence that likely applies to corvids’, too.

“Together, the two papers show that intelligence/consciousness are grounded in connectivity and activity patterns of neurons” in the most neuron-dense part of the bird brain, called the pallium, neurobiologist Suzana Herculano-Houzel of Vanderbilt University, who wrote an analysis of the studies for Science, told STAT. “Brains can appear diverse, and at the same time share profound similarities. The extent to which similar properties present themselves might be simply a matter of scale: how many neurons are available to work.”

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/369/6511/1567

A Murder of Crows

This documentary covers crow intelligence, and how they can not only recognise people, but also pass on information about people to their extended family and neighbours.

Incidentally, the Australian Magpie can also recognise up to 100 people. I have befriended a number of magpies in my local area - they are very intelligent, inquisitive, and they rarely attack me like they do others. They also have an amazing song repertoire.

CraigD · Oct 22, 2020

Sutruk said:
I read that book too! Although it was long time ago! Very very interesting one.

Thanks for the reference, it was interesting to read:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawking_radiation

"Hawking radiation is black-body radiation that is predicted to be released by black holes, due to quantum effects near the black hole event horizon."

"Hawking radiation reduces the mass and rotational energy of black holes and is therefore also known as black hole evaporation. Because of this, black holes that do not gain mass through other means are expected to shrink and ultimately vanish."

Hawking Radiation

It’s the most famous prediction of perhaps the most famous genius of our time... Stephen Hawking's theory of Hawking Radiation.
Another great video from Dr. Matt O'Dowd at PBS Space Time

Cannuck · Oct 22, 2020

CraigD said:
Fantastic - the footage was better that I expected!

Velocity at impact was 10cm per second - slower than walking pace. A lot of science & effort went into designing the sample collector.

Fingers crossed that on Sept 24 2023, after a 4.4 billion mile round trip, the spacecraft will return the sample capsule to the Utah desert

A 'shout out' to the Canadian Space Agency who designed and produced the laser altimeter that played a key role in making the NASA mission to Bennu possible

CraigD said:
A Murder of Crows

This documentary covers crow intelligence, and how they can not only recognise people, but also pass on information about people to their extended family and neighbours.

Incidentally, the Australian Magpie can also recognise up to 100 people. I have befriended a number of magpies in my local area - they are very intelligent, inquisitive, and they rarely attack me like they do others. They also have an amazing song repertoire.

I've also noticed that recently as well, having fed the murder of crows in my backyard the leftover fish guts and game that I catch. They're friendlier, coming closer (3 meters) and seem to be speaking to me. I also hear them talking from the trees when I pass by and am just beginning to understand their language.

koolishman · Oct 23, 2020

Humans are born with brains ‘prewired’ to see words

Humans are born with a part of the brain that is prewired to be receptive to seeing words and letters, setting the stage at birth for people to learn how to read, a new study suggests.

Analyzing brain scans of newborns, researchers found that this part of the brain – called the “visual word form area” (VWFA) – is connected to the language network of the brain.

“That makes it fertile ground to develop a sensitivity to visual words – even before any exposure to language,” said Zeynep Saygin, senior author of the study and assistant professor of psychology at The Ohio State University.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-75015-7

Cannuck · Oct 23, 2020

Science and Technology news and discussion is not politics, or is it?

While scientific researchers are looking for answers, confusion and doubt is fueled and manipulated by the media embroiled in heated political debate. There have been many technological breakthroughs in the recent past that have been quenched by those who have little knowledge of actual science. Many potential solutions to the world's problems are lost in mundane pursuits merely for economic benefit.

“Policy making must be informed by the best available evidence without it being distorted, concealed, or otherwise deliberately miscommunicated incidents of the politicization of science, particularly the overriding of evidence and advice from public health officials and derision of government scientists.”

That said, this thread is not about politics, however; it must be acknowledged that, in order to advance our society, we must take off the blinders of political affiliation and recognize the value of science. It is the most timely question of our day, and that question is: who do we owe the future to? Do we rest our faith in the politics of the day or in the knowledge and understanding gained by those who have spent careers in pursuit of clarity and rigor? Future generations will be the judge, hindsight is 2020.

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/202...ect-us-science-so-why-are-some-parts-thriving

Cannuck · Oct 23, 2020

CraigD said:
Roger Penrose - Why Did Our Universe Begin?

This year’s Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded for earlier work that indirectly established the existence of black holes.

The English mathematical physicist Roger Penrose won half the prize for his 1965 paper showing that “black hole formation is a robust prediction of the general theory of relativity,” according to the Nobel committee. The other half was shared by rival astrophysicists Reinhard Genzel and Andrea Ghez, who made groundbreaking observations of stars orbiting the Milky Way’s center that suggested that a supermassive, invisible, compact object must reside there.

https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2020/summary/

https://www.quantamagazine.org/physics-nobel-awarded-for-black-hole-breakthroughs-20201006/

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