Feedback provides the latest insights into science and technology from New Scientist, showcasing recent developments. To share intriguing items you think our readers would enjoy, email us at Feedback@newscientist.com.

Computer vs Dog

Feedback often receives emails that start with striking statements. Elliot Baptist recently wrote, expressing curiosity about the comparison of well-trained New Zealand dogs to quantum computers.

Elliot referenced a Preprint paper by cryptographers Peter Gutman of Auckland and Stephen Neuhaus of Zurich’s University of Applied Sciences. This work documents efforts to develop quantum computers capable of factoring very large numbers, specifically identifying two numbers that multiply to a given target.

This is a significant concern because many encryption systems depend on large numbers that are hard to factor. If a quantum computer is built that can easily manage large numbers, it would compromise the security of numerous servers and transactions. There have been notable advancements; for instance, IBM created a computer capable of factoring 15 in 2001 (5×3, for reference) and upgraded to 21 (7×3) by 2012. In 2019, the startup Zapata claimed they could factor 1,099,551,473,989.

However, Gutman and Neuhaus remain optimistic about the future of encryption, noting that many of the quantum factors are engineered. “Like stage magic, when a new quantum factorization is announced, the fascination lies not just in the trick, but in discerning how it was achieved,” they state.

Consequently, we attempted to replicate quantum factorizations using advanced technology. I utilized a home computer for a detailed explanation, which I’ll leave to readers as an exercise. The Abacus method is simpler, but larger numbers necessitate an Abacus arranged in 616 columns.

Now, let’s consider the dog method. To replicate the factorizations of 15 and 21, researchers trained dogs to bark three times. “We took the recently proofed reference dog, depicted in Figure 6, and commanded it to bark together for both 15 and 21,” they wrote. “This task was more complicated than expected, as Scribble performed exceptionally well and hardly barked.”

Elliot admits that he “is not qualified to judge the discussion’s validity,” and remarks that the Feedback team might be even less so. Readers with a deep understanding of quantum computing and encryption are encouraged to write in and elucidate what is happening globally. Feedback may not grasp the explanation, but try presenting it to one of the cats and note their reactions.

Robot Response

Feedback received inquiries about next year’s “inspirational” conference focused on love and interactions with robots, slated to occur in Z Jiang, China.

Tim Stevenson pointed out that I failed to mention a critical detail: the attendance fee. Feedback thrives on diligence, so I revisited the conference website and discovered it costs $105.98 to register. I suspect the actual tickets could hold higher prices, but I didn’t want to register just to find out.

Meanwhile, Pamela Manfield weighed in, disagreeing with Feedback’s stance. However, she acknowledged the controversy, especially given the Trump administration’s cuts to research funding.

Seasonal Injuries

Nicole Golowski wrote to spotlight research from 2023 that may have flown under our radar. She remarked it was akin to “obvious findings.” The study on “Penis Fracture: Merry Christmas Price” exemplifies this notion, as Nicole puts it, “It speaks for itself.”

Using data from Germany between 2005 and 2021, researchers examined whether “tears of the tunica albuginea surrounding the corpora cavernosa” were more frequent during certain times of the year, particularly around the holiday season. The Christmas period (December 24th-26th) and summertime exhibited a higher incidence of such injuries, while unexpectedly, the New Year (December 31st to January 2nd) did not follow this trend. The researchers proposed that “Christmas may be a risk factor for penile fractures due to the heightened intimacy and joy associated with the festive season.”

The study concludes: “Last year’s Christmas penile fractures rose in frequency. This year, let’s avoid doing anything that leads us to tears.”

Apologies for any typos: Feedback noted that this section seemed to curl up defensively.

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