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Orcas Might Be Capable of Tool Use with a Bit of Kelp from a Companion

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The killer whale populations in the southern regions are critically endangered and are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Currently, their population averages around 73 years. These creatures are highly social, forming close-knit family groups led by their mothers and grandmothers.

Each whale receives a tracking number from the Whale Research Center and is meticulously monitored by researchers, photographers, and whale watchers.

According to Giles, “I would argue that this is the most studied whale population globally, regardless of species, due to the extensive research conducted over the last 50 years.”

What led to this remarkable behavior going unnoticed by researchers for decades?

The issue lay in their perspective.

Weiss remarked, “This behavior is truly inexplicable. It’s predominantly underwater, with approximately two feet of kelp wedged between the two animals.”

Recently, researchers have begun utilizing drones to observe whales from the sky. As drone technology has advanced, so too has the quality of the data gathered.

“A major breakthrough during the 2024 field season was our acquisition of a new drone,” Weiss revealed.

He mentioned that researchers first noticed a whale nudging another whale’s horn in April, followed by about 15 minutes of them rubbing against each other.

Once this unusual behavior was recognized, its occurrence began to increase significantly.

“We started observing it frequently. At least one whale exhibits this behavior every day when we fly the drone,” Weiss said.

Researchers believe this behavior may have been ongoing all along.

Giles noted, “We simply lacked the appropriate perspective. This behavior may have existed since ancient times. We’ve only scratched the surface of understanding these animals.”

For years, Southern resident whales have been at the forefront of conservation efforts. The Marine Mammals Commission reports that these whales face numerous threats, such as decreased prey availability, toxic pollution, and disturbances from ship noise. Studies indicate that without urgent intervention, Southern resident killer whales could face extinction.

Weiss emphasized that these new insights highlight the necessity of protecting the species.

“Through these discoveries, I’ve realized that the later stages of our study present even more to uncover, and we must ensure their survival to learn it,” he stated. “This isn’t just a group of 73 whales; it’s a distinct culture and society. These whales possess a rich array of traditions that trace back thousands of years.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Scientists Achieve Breakthroughs in Crystal Bit Manipulation Accuracy

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A group of physicists from Oxford University has accomplished the lowest error rate (just 0.000015%, or one error in 6.7 million operations) in quantum logic operations.

Ion trap chip rendering. Image credit: Jocchen Wolf and Tom Harty of Oxford University.

“As far as we know, this is the most accurate qubit manipulation ever reported globally,” stated Professor David Lucas from Oxford University.

“This represents a crucial milestone in constructing a practical quantum computer capable of solving real-world problems.”

To conduct meaningful calculations on quantum computers, millions of operations must engage numerous qubits.

Consequently, if the error rate is excessively high, the end result of the computation becomes useless.

Error correction techniques can address mistakes, but they require additional qubits, which come at a cost.

By minimizing errors, new methodologies decrease the number of qubits needed, leading to a reduction in both the cost and size of the quantum computer itself.

“By significantly decreasing the chances of errors, this advancement will greatly lessen the infrastructure necessary for error correction, paving the way for future quantum computers to be smaller, faster, and more efficient,” said Molly Smith, a graduate student at Oxford University.

“Kitz’s precise control is beneficial for other quantum technologies, including timepieces and quantum sensors.”

This groundbreaking accuracy was attained using trapped calcium ions as qubits.

These ions are ideal candidates for storing quantum information due to their longevity and resilience.

Researchers adopted an alternative method, using electron (microwave) signals to manage the quantum states of calcium ions instead of traditional lasers.

This technique is more stable than laser control and offers several advantages for constructing practical quantum computers.

For instance, electronic control is less expensive and more robust than lasers, facilitating easier integration into ion trap chips.

Moreover, the experiment was conducted at room temperature and without magnetic shielding, simplifying the technical necessities of operating quantum computers.

“This record-setting achievement signifies a significant milestone, but it is part of a larger challenge,” the author remarked.

“In quantum computing, both single and two-qubit gates must function together.”

“Currently, the gates of the two-qubit systems still experience a very high error rate, approximately 1 in 2,000 even in the best demonstration to date.

Their paper has been published online in the journal Physical Review Letters.

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MC Smith et al. 2025. Single qubit gate with errors at the 10-7 level. Phys. Rev. Lett, in press; doi: 10.1103/42w2-6ccy

Source: www.sci.news

The Snake Bit This Man Hundreds of Times—Now His Blood Saves Lives.

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Tim Friede has endured hundreds of snake bites. Presently, researchers are analyzing his blood with the aim of developing more effective snake bite treatments.

Friede has a long-standing fascination with reptiles and other venomous creatures. He used to milk scorpions and had a collection of dozens of snakes at his home in Wisconsin.

To protect himself from snake bites and satisfy his “simple curiosity,” he started injecting himself with small doses of snake venom, gradually increasing the amount to build his tolerance before allowing a snake to bite him.

“It was very frightening at first,” Friede said. “But the more you do it, the better you become at handling it, and the more comfortable you get.”

While no healthcare professional would endorse this practice, experts indicate that his approach sheds light on how the body functions. When the immune system encounters snake venom, it produces antibodies that can counteract the venom. If exposed to a small quantity, the body might respond before being overwhelmed, and prior exposure can lead to quicker reactions to larger doses.

For nearly two decades, Friede has endured snake bites and self-injections, yet he still keeps a fridge stocked with venom. In a video on his YouTube channel, he showcases the prominent fang marks on his arms from black mamba, taipan, and water cobra bites.

“I essentially wanted to test the boundaries of life and death as much as possible,” he stated.

In addition, Friede sought to contribute to science. He reached out to numerous scientists, requesting studies on the tolerance he had developed.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 110,000 people die from snake bites annually. Developing antivenoms is both costly and challenging, often requiring large mammals like horses to produce antibodies through venom injections. These antivenoms tend to be effective against only specific snake species and can cause adverse reactions due to their non-human origin.

Tim Friede stands in a lab in Southern San Francisco, California, utilizing his blood to prepare anti-venom for various snake bites.
Centibacs via AP

Upon learning about Friede, Peter Kwon from Columbia University remarked, “Oh, wow, this is quite extraordinary. He is a uniquely special individual with remarkable antibodies developed over 18 years.”

In a publication in the Journal Cell on Friday, Kwon and collaborators shared insights on what Friede’s unique blood can accomplish. They have identified two antibodies capable of neutralizing venom from multiple snake species, aiming to create a treatment that could eventually provide broad protection.

This study is in its early stages—antivenoms are currently tested only on mice, with years needed before human testing can commence. While their experimental treatments show promise for certain snake categories, including mambas and cobras, they are less effective against vipers.

“Despite the potential, there is still much work to be done,” noted Nicholas Casewell, a snakebite researcher at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, in an email. Casewell was not part of the recent study.

Friede’s journey has not been without challenges. He mentioned that a bad snake bite resulted in part of his finger needing amputation, and some severe cobra bites sent him to the hospital.

Friede is currently working with Centivax, which is developing a treatment, and he is hopeful that his 18-year journey might someday lead to a lifesaving solution for snake bites. However, his advice for those inspired to follow his path is straightforward: “Don’t do this,” he cautioned.

Source: www.nbcnews.com