Tag Archives: faster

Our Solar System is Traveling Over Three Times Faster Than Anticipated

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In order to understand the motion of the solar system, astrophysicist Lukas Böhme and his team at Bielefeld University examined the arrangement of radio galaxies.

An artist’s representation of the solar system. Image credit: NASA/JPL.

“Our findings indicate that the solar system is moving over three times faster than existing models suggest,” stated Dr. Böhme, the study’s lead author.

“This outcome starkly opposes expectations grounded in standard cosmology and compels us to re-evaluate our previous beliefs.”

In their research, the authors studied the distribution of radio galaxies, which are distant galaxies emitting exceptionally strong radio waves, a type of electromagnetic radiation with long wavelengths similar to those used in radio transmissions.

Radio waves are capable of penetrating dust and gas that block visible light, enabling radio telescopes to detect galaxies that are hidden from optical instruments.

As the solar system traverses space, its movement generates subtle “headwinds.” Consequently, the number of radio galaxies appearing in its path will be marginally increased.

These variations are slight and can only be discerned through extremely sensitive measurements.

Utilizing data from the LOFAR (Low Frequency Array) telescope along with two additional radio observatories, astronomers successfully counted these radio galaxies with remarkable accuracy for the first time.

They employed a novel statistical method to address the complexity posed by the fact that many radio galaxies consist of multiple components.

This enhanced analysis improved the realism of the measurements, albeit with increased uncertainties.

Nonetheless, the combination of data from all three radio telescopes unveiled deviations exceeding 5 sigma, a statistically significant signal that suggests an important scientific finding.

The measurements indicated that the anisotropy (dipole) in the distribution of radio galaxies is 3.7 times more robust than the predictions of the Standard Model of the Universe.

This model outlines the universe’s origin and evolution since the Big Bang, assuming a nearly uniform matter distribution.

“If the solar system is indeed moving at this velocity, we must question fundamental notions about the large-scale structure of the universe,” commented study co-author Professor Dominic Schwartz from Bielefeld University.

“Alternatively, the spatial distribution of radio galaxies themselves may not be as uniform as previously thought.”

“In any event, our current model is undergoing scrutiny.”

The new findings align with prior observations when astronomers investigated quasars, the very bright centers of distant galaxies featuring supermassive black holes that consume matter and release vast energy.

This same anomalous effect is present in infrared data, indicating that it is a genuine characteristic of the universe rather than a measurement anomaly.

This research underscores how innovative observational techniques can fundamentally alter our understanding of the universe and highlights the vast areas still awaiting discovery.

For more details, view the study published in this month’s issue of Physical Review Letters.

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Lucas Boehme et al. 2025. Number of overdispersed radio sources and detection of excessive radio dipoles. Physical Review Letters 135, 201001; doi: 10.1103/6z32-3zf4

Source: www.sci.news

Analog Computers May Train AI 1,000 Times Faster While Consuming Less Energy

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Analog computers use less energy compared to digital computers

Metamol Works/Getty Images

Analog computers that can swiftly resolve the primary types of equations essential for training artificial intelligence models may offer a viable solution to the growing energy demands of data centers spurred by the AI revolution.

Devices like laptops and smartphones are known as digital computers because they handle data in binary form (0s and 1s) and can be programmed for various tasks. Conversely, analog computers are generally crafted to tackle specific problems, using continuously variable quantities like electrical resistance rather than discrete binary values.

While analog computers excel in terms of speed and energy efficiency, they have historically lagged in accuracy compared to their digital counterparts. Recently, Zhong Sun and his team at Peking University in China developed two analog chips that work collaboratively to solve matrix equations accurately—crucial for data transmission, large-scale scientific simulations, and AI model training.

The first chip generates low-precision outputs for matrix computations at high speed, while the second chip refines these outputs through an iterative improvement algorithm to assess and minimize the error rate of the initial results. Sun noted that the first chip produced results with a 1% error rate, but after three iterations with the second chip, this rate dropped to 0.0000001%, comparable to the accuracy found in conventional digital calculations.

Currently, the researchers have successfully designed a chip capable of solving 16 × 16 matrices, which equates to handling 256 variables, sufficient for addressing smaller problems. However, Sun acknowledges that addressing the complexities of today’s large-scale AI models will necessitate substantially larger circuits, potentially scaling up to 1 million by 1 million.

A unique advantage of analog chips is their ability to handle larger matrices without increased solving time, unlike digital chips, whose solving complexity rises exponentially with matrix size. This translates to a 32 x 32 analog chip outperforming the Nvidia H100 GPU, a leading chip for AI training.

Theoretically, further scaling could yield throughput up to 1,000 times greater than digital alternatives like GPUs while consuming 100 times less energy, according to Sun. However, he cautions that practical applications may exceed the circuit’s limited capabilities, limiting the perceived benefits.

“This is merely a speed comparison; your specific challenges may differ in real-world scenarios,” Sun explains. “Our chip is designed exclusively for matrix computations. If these computations dominate your tasks, the acceleration will be substantial; otherwise, the benefits may be constrained.”

Sun suggests that the most realistic outcome may be the creation of hybrid chips that incorporate some analog circuitry alongside GPUs to tackle specific problem areas, although this development might still be years away.

James Millen, a professor at King’s College London, emphasizes that matrix calculations are pivotal in AI model training, indicating that analog computing has the potential to make a significant impact.

“The contemporary landscape is dominated by digital computers. These remarkable machines are universal, capable of tackling any computation, yet not necessarily with optimal efficiency or speed,” Millen states. “Analog computers excel in performing specific tasks, making them exceptionally fast and efficient. In this research, we leverage analog computing chips to enhance matrix inversion processes—essential for training certain AI models. Improving this efficiency could help mitigate the substantial energy demands accompanying our expanding reliance on AI.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Scientists Perplexed as Earth Spins Faster Than Normal Today

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Today’s rotation is inexplicably accelerating, making it one of the shortest days of the year.

While summer days are certainly longer, July 9th, 2025, will be 1.3 ms shorter than the average.

This speed fluctuates slightly, but it generally takes 24 hours, or 86,400 seconds, for one complete rotation around the axis. To monitor these variations, International Earth Rotation and Reference System Services (IER) continuously tracks the length of the day with remarkable precision.

In 2020, the IER noted that our planet has been spinning faster and has continued this trend since then.

Their data suggests that the shortest days of the year will occur on July 9th, July 22nd, and August 5th, when the moon is at its farthest from the equator.

The moon subtly influences Earth’s rotation through tidal braking, where its gravitational pull slightly distorts our planet.

This phenomenon not only creates tides but also gradually siphons off angular momentum from Earth’s rotation, slowing it down by about 2 ms each century.

This means that during the Triassic period, around 200 million years ago, a day was just under 23 hours long. After another 200 million years, we can expect days to extend to 25 hours.

Days were shorter for Brachiosaurus

IERS may implement a second leap second to ensure that high-precision clocks remain accurate. The most recent leap second was added on December 31, 2016.

During times when the moon is far from the equator, the impact on Earth’s rotation is less pronounced, causing these days to be slightly longer. However, the duration seen in recent years is about half of what it was before 2020.

Several events can alter Earth’s rotation, such as the 2011 9.0 magnitude Japan earthquake, which shortened the day by 1.8 microseconds, but the cause of the current accelerating trend remains unknown.

A gradual slowdown is unlikely to have any catastrophic consequences for our planet. The time difference is too minimal for most to notice—you may need to consider skipping a leap second in 2025, with one potentially added again in 2029.

Regardless of the cause, this phenomenon is unlikely to be permanent, and our planet will eventually revert to its long-term rotation pattern.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

This Machine Solves the Rubik’s Cube Faster Than Most Humans!

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Blink and you’ll miss it: Purdue University’s engineering students have developed a robot capable of solving a Rubik’s Cube in just 0.1 seconds.

This robot, dubbed “Purdubik’s Cube,” set a Guinness World Record last month. The record for the fastest robot to solve puzzle cubes was achieved with a time of 0.103 seconds, surpassing the prior record of 0.305 seconds set by Mitsubishi Electric Engineers in May 2024.

Located on Purdue’s campus in West Lafayette, Indiana, these robots utilize custom algorithms optimized for machine vision, speed, and industrial-grade motion control hardware for color recognition, as stated in a press release from Purdue University.

The Purdubik’s Cube team features a rapid robotic system that can solve scrambled Rubik’s Cubes in 0.103 seconds, including members Junpei Ota, Aiden Hurd, Matthew Patrohay, and Brock Berta.
Purdue

Formed by engineering students Junpei Ota, Aiden Hurd, Matthew Patrohay, and Brock Berta, the robots were initially created for the December 2024 Spark Challenge organized by Purdue’s Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. After clinching first place, the team aimed to enhance their robots with support from Purdue’s Laboratory for Control, Optimization and Networking.

The innovative Purdubik’s Cubes aren’t just a novelty; high-speed robotic systems like these are already being utilized across various industries, including manufacturing and packaging.

The Rubik’s Cube first emerged as a cultural sensation in the 1980s, only to wane in popularity during the 1990s. However, a surprising revival occurred thanks to the internet, spurring the development of SpeedCubing, where participants race to solve a 3 x 3 puzzle as quickly as possible.

Today, enthusiasts frequently attend events dedicated to solving Rubik’s Cubes in numerous styles. Nonetheless, no human can match the speed of Purdue’s robot. The current world record for human solvers is held by Max Park, who completed a cube in 3.13 seconds in 2023.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Scientists Reveal That Objects in Our Universe Dissipate Faster Than Previously Believed

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A 2023 study by Professor Haino Falk and his team at Ladbou University revealed that not just black holes, but all cosmic entities can “evaporate” through a mechanism akin to Hawking radiation. Following the publication, the researchers were inundated with inquiries regarding the duration of this process. Their latest findings estimate that the universe’s conclusion is approximately 1078 years away. If only radiation, similar to Hawking radiation, is taken into account, the timeline shortens to just a few years. This represents the time required for a white dwarf—the most stable astronomical object—to collapse through a Hawking-like radiation process. Previous research, which overlooked this effect, had estimated the lifespan of white dwarfs to be around 101100 years.

An artistic depiction of neutron stars undergoing gradual ‘evaporation’ through Hawking-like radiation. Image credits: Daniëlle Futselaar/Artsource.nl.

“Thus, the ultimate conclusion of the universe will arrive significantly sooner than anticipated; however, rest assured, it will still take an incredibly long time,” noted Professor Falk.

In 1975, physicist Stephen Hawking proposed that particles and radiation could escape black holes, challenging the conventional framework of relativity.

Near the edge of a black hole, two transient particles emerge; one gets drawn into the black hole while the other successfully escapes.

A notable outcome of Hawking radiation is the gradual disintegration of black holes into particles and radiation.

This finding stands in opposition to Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity.

Professor Falk and his co-authors determined that the process of Hawking radiation applies to various objects with theoretically significant gravitational fields.

Their further calculations indicated that the “evaporation time” for an object is contingent entirely upon its density.

Surprisingly, neutron stars and stellar black holes have an identical decay time of 1067 years.

This result was unexpected, given that black holes possess a more intense gravitational field.

“However, black holes lack a surface,” remarked Dr. Michael Wandrack, a postdoctoral researcher at Radboud University.

“They reabsorb parts of their own radiation, which inhibits the process.”

“We also explored how long it would take for humans and the moon to evaporate via Hawking-like radiation: about 1090 years,” the researcher added.

“Naturally, other mechanisms could lead to faster disappearance for humans and the moon.”

“This research exemplifies an exciting interdisciplinary collaboration, merging astrophysics, quantum physics, and mathematics to yield new insights,” stated Professor Walter Van Suisilecom from Radboud University.

“By pursuing these inquiries and examining extreme scenarios, we aim to enhance our understanding of the theory. Hopefully, one day, we will unravel the enigma surrounding Hawking radiation.”

The new paper is set to be published in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics.

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Haino Falke et al. 2025. The lifetime limit of the star remnants from gravity pair generation. jcap in press; Arxiv: 2410.14734

Source: www.sci.news

Keeping your eyes open can lead to faster sleep because of the body’s natural response to darkness.

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Do you find yourself tossing and turning all night once again? Are you counting down the hours until your unyielding alarm goes off? If you’re a reader struggling with sleep, you’re not alone.

Many of us have experienced the frustration of feeling like the more we try to force ourselves to sleep, the more it eludes us. But is this truly the case?

According to recent trends on TikTok, trying to fall asleep can actually hinder your ability to do so. In fact, influencers are actively promoting the idea of not trying to fall asleep. This counterintuitive technique is known as “paradoxical intent,” and while it may be new to TikTok, it’s a scientifically backed method.

As it turns out, there is scientific support behind TikTok after all. Who would have thought?

“Paradoxical intentions are a well-established therapeutic technique that has been used in psychotherapy for decades,” explains Colin Espie, Professor of Sleep Medicine at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford. “In fact, I conducted my first research using paradoxical intention therapy in the 1980s.”

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What is paradoxical intent?

Paradoxical intent can be useful for various phobias and anxiety disorders, but the underlying premise remains the same: deliberately adopting an attitude contrary to the desired outcome.

For instance, if a patient has a phobia of failure, a psychologist might assist the patient in confronting failure instead of avoiding it, ultimately reducing fear and anxiety.

“The fundamental directive regarding sleep is that you should aim to stay awake when you’re in bed, feeling sleepy, or waking up in the middle of the night,” Espie explains. “You need to switch your intention from sleeping to staying awake.”

Although this approach may seem illogical at first, it is based on the idea that trying too hard to sleep can backfire.

“Sleep is largely an involuntary process, so attempting to control it often interferes with the natural sleep process,” Espie says. “Essentially, you can’t force sleep; you can only invite it. It’s like stepping back from being awake rather than actively pursuing sleep.”

How to use paradoxical intention to fall asleep faster

Implementing paradoxical intent is simple, but there are some considerations to keep in mind before giving it a try.

1. Go to bed when you feel sleepy (not before)

It may seem obvious, but you can’t sleep unless you’re tired. While paradoxical intention involves trying to stay awake, attempting this during the day is not as challenging.

“Sometimes people go to bed early because they’re desperate for sleep, but if they’re not morning people, they may struggle, leading to falling asleep early in the evening,” Espie notes.

2. Prepare for bed as usual

Despite its fancy name, paradoxical intent doesn’t require any elaborate setup. There’s no need for high-tech gadgets or sleep meditation apps; simplicity is key.

Espy recommends getting into bed, turning off the lights, and lying down.

3. Keep your eyes open instead of closing them

There are several ways to practice paradoxical intent, but this is the simplest approach.

“Keep your eyes open, assume that position, and tell yourself, ‘I am not falling asleep, I am not falling asleep, I am not falling asleep,'” Espie suggests.

“Then, encourage yourself further by saying phrases like, ‘I will stay awake a bit longer,’ or ‘I will keep my eyes open for 10 more seconds.’ Whenever you feel your eyes drooping, say ‘No.'” he explains.

Gradually, it becomes increasingly challenging to keep your eyes open, and instead of struggling to fall asleep, you find yourself struggling to keep your eyes open.

If you sense sleep approaching, try not to resist or acknowledge it too much. Simply allow it to happen.

As an additional tip, Espie recommends keeping a tissue or handkerchief under your pillow in case your eyes start to water.

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4. Don’t take it too literally

The most common mistake people make when employing paradoxical intent is interpreting it too literally.

“It’s not about tormenting yourself to stay awake at all costs. The goal isn’t to prevent yourself from sleeping,” Espie clarifies.

“If you overdo it, you will be overly determined to stay awake, interfering with sleep. The real aim is to allow sleep to naturally happen,” he adds.

5. Be consistent

Changing your sleep patterns doesn’t happen overnight, so persistence is key. “To derive the most benefit from these strategies, you need to continue using them for a while,” Espie advises.

“One challenge with such an approach,” notes the Oxford professor who advocates for it, “is that if it works initially but falters over time, people may become disillusioned, potentially leading to depression.”

“This is usually because individuals underestimate the extent of their sleep problems and the ingrained habit of overthinking,” he explains.

If the issue persists, seeking professional help is crucial. “It’s not just a lifestyle matter,” Espie emphasizes, “sometimes, people need assistance.”

“This is not a hack”

Contrary to what TikTokers may suggest, there is no magical trick to manipulate our brains.

“You can’t outsmart human nature,” Espie asserts. “Sleep is an essential process, and this is not a technique to switch on sleep. It’s not a game.”

He finds it intriguing that sleep advice and techniques are gaining popularity on social media. TikTok’s #insomnia tag currently boasts around 600,000 posts, while the #sleep tag has over 2.9 million posts.

Meanwhile, according to a study investigating American adults, nearly three-quarters of social media usage occurs right before bedtime. It might be an opportune time to learn new sleep strategies, don’t you think?

According to Espie, the increasing online interest in the subject could indicate rising levels of insomnia.

“The value of sleep and the need for effective solutions to sleep issues are sorely underestimated, with many young individuals in particular struggling,” he observes.

“This is why paradoxical intentions are so beneficial; they remind us that the answer isn’t a gimmick, pill, or potion. It’s sleep itself.

“The solution lies in establishing healthy sleep habits to attain the rest you deserve.”

About our experts

Colin Espie is a Professor of Sleep Medicine at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience (NDCN) at the University of Oxford. He established the Experimental and Clinical Sleep Medicine Research Program at the Sir Jules Soane Sleep & Circadian Institute (SCNi). Additionally, he serves as the Clinical Director of Oxford’s Sleep Medicine Online Program.

Professor Espie is also a Research Fellow at Somerville College, University of Oxford, and a Senior Research Fellow in the University’s Department of Psychiatry. He is the author of the book “Overcoming Insomnia,” a self-help guide utilizing cognitive-behavioral techniques, including guidance on paradoxical intentions.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Faster computers on the horizon with first commercially available graphene semiconductor

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The team's graphene device grown on a silicon carbide substrate chip

Georgia Tech

A functioning, scalable semiconductor has been created from graphene for the first time, potentially paving the way for new types of computers that are faster and more efficient than today's silicon chips.

Graphene is a material made from a single layer of carbon atoms that is stronger than an equivalent thickness of steel. It is an excellent conductor of electricity and has excellent resistance to heat and acids. But despite its benefits, practical graphene semiconductors that can be controlled to conduct or insulate electricity at will have eluded scientists. Such semiconductors are key to creating the logic chips that power computers.

The problem is the lack of something known as a bandgap. Semiconductors have higher and lower energy bands and points at which excited electrons can hop from one to the other, or band gaps. This effectively turns the flow of current on and off, making it conductive or non-conducting, creating the binary number system of zeros and ones used in digital computers.

Previous research has shown that graphene can be made to behave like a semiconductor on small scales, but it has never been scaled up to a size that could be used in computer chips. Previous research has shown that wrinkles, domes, and holes in graphene sheets can have unusual effects on the flow of electricity, and that creating the right conditions for defects could lead to the creation of logical chips. It is shown. But so far nothing has scaled up.

now, Walter de Heer His colleagues at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta created graphene with a bandgap and demonstrated its operation as a transistor, an on/off switch that prevents or allows current to flow. Their process relies on technology similar to that used to create silicon chips, which should make it even more useful for scaling up.

De Heer's group used heated silicon carbide wafers to force the silicon to evaporate before the carbon, effectively leaving a layer of graphene on top. At the time of writing, Mr. de Heer was not available for an interview. said in a statement The electrical properties of graphene semiconductors were much better than those of silicon chips. “It's like driving on a gravel road versus driving on a highway,” he said.

Silicon chips are cheap to manufacture and supported by huge manufacturing infrastructures around the world, but we are reaching the limits of what these chips can do. Moore's Law states that the number of transistors in a circuit doubles approximately every two years, but the rate of miniaturization has slowed in recent years as circuit densities have been reached where engineers cannot reliably control the electrons. are doing. Graphene circuits have the potential to reignite progress, but hurdles remain.

“The fact that we're using wafers is important because it's really scalable,” he says. david carey At the University of Surrey, UK. “We can scale up this process using all the technologies that the entire semiconductor industry is familiar with.”

But Carey is skeptical that this development means the world will soon move from silicon to graphene chips. That's because new research requires many improvements in transistor size, quality, and manufacturing technology, and silicon has a huge head start.

“Most people who work in silicon research are exposed every day to new amazing materials that are trying to replace silicon, and nothing like this has ever happened before,” he says. . “If you're a silicon enthusiast, you'll be sitting pretty happily on top of the mountain. The idea of ​​replacing your laptop with graphene isn't quite there yet.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com