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IBM Introduces Two Quantum Computers with Unmatched Complexity

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IBM researchers hold components of the Loon quantum computer

IBM

In the competitive landscape of developing error-resistant quantum supercomputers, IBM is adopting a unique approach distinct from its primary rivals. The company has recently unveiled two new quantum computing models, dubbed Nighthawk and Loon, which may validate its methodology and deliver the advancements essential for transforming next-gen devices into practical tools.

IBM’s design for quantum supercomputers is modular, emphasizing the innovation of connecting superconducting qubits both within and across different quantum units. When this interconnectivity was first proposed, some researchers expressed skepticism about its feasibility. Jay Gambetta from IBM noted that critics implied to the team, “You exist in a theoretical realm; achieving this is impossible,” which they aim to refute.

Within Loon, every qubit interlinks with six others, allowing for unique connectivity that enables vertical movement in addition to lateral motion. This feature has not been previously observed in existing superconducting quantum systems. Conversely, Nighthawk implements four-way connections among qubits.

This enhanced connectivity may be pivotal in tackling some of the most pressing issues encountered by current quantum computers. The advancements could boost computational capabilities and reduce error rates. Gambetta indicated that initial tests with Nighthawk demonstrated the ability to execute quantum programs that are 30% more complex than those on most other quantum computers in use today. Such an increase in complexity is expected to facilitate further advancements in quantum computing applications, with IBM’s earlier models already finding utility in fields like chemistry.

The industry’s ultimate objective remains the ability to cluster qubits into error-free “logical qubits.” IBM is promoting strategies that necessitate smaller groupings than those pursued by competitors like Google. This could permit IBM to realize error-free computation while sidestepping some of the financial and engineering hurdles associated with creating millions of qubits. Nonetheless, this goal hinges on the connectivity standards achieved with Loon, as stated by Gambetta.

Stephen Bartlett, a researcher at the University of Sydney in Australia, expressed enthusiasm about the enhanced qubit connectivity but noted that further testing and benchmarking of the new systems are required. “While this is not a panacea for scaling superconducting devices to a size capable of supporting genuinely useful algorithms, it represents a significant advancement,” he remarked.

However, there remain several engineering and physical challenges on the horizon. One crucial task is to identify the most effective method for reading the output of a quantum computer after calculations, an area where Gambetta mentioned recent IBM progress. The team, led by Matthias Steffen, also aims to enhance the “coherence time” for each qubit. This measure indicates how long a quantum state remains valid for computational purposes, but the introduction of new connections can often degrade this quantum state. Additionally, they are developing techniques to reset certain qubits while computations are ongoing.

Plans are in place for IBM to launch a modular quantum computer in 2026 capable of both storing and processing information, with future tests on Loon and Nighthawk expected to provide deeper insights.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Inouye Solar Telescope Reveals Unmatched Detail in Coronal Flare Loop

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Astronomers utilizing a visible broadband imager at NSF’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope captured an extraordinary coronal loop strand during the attenuation phase of the X1.3 class flare on August 8, 2024. This discovery heralds a significant advancement in determining the fundamental scale of solar coronal loops, advancing flare modeling into a groundbreaking territory.

High-resolution image of flares from the Inouye Solar Telescope, taken at 8:12 UT on August 2024. The image shows approximately four earth diamonds on each side. Labels for various related regions of the image are added to clarify: flare ribbons (bright regions of energy emissions in the dense low solar atmosphere) and arcades of coronal loops (arcs of magnetic field lines that transport energy from the corona to the flare ribbons). Image credit: NSF/NSO/AURA.

Coronal loops are plasma arches that follow solar magnetic field lines and often precede solar flares, which release massive amounts of energy tied to some of these lines.

This energy burst ignites solar storms that can impact Earth’s vital infrastructure.

Inouye astronomers observe sunlight at the H-Alpha wavelength (656.28 nm) to reveal specific solar features that remain hidden in other forms of solar observation.

“A lot of effort has gone into understanding this domain,” noted Dr. Cole Tamburi, an astronomer from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

“These flares represent some of the most energetic occurrences in our stars, and we were fortunate to capture this under ideal observational conditions.”

Dr. Tamburi and his team concentrated on the thin magnetic field loops resembling razors, woven over the flared ribbons.

On average, the loops measured around 48 km in width, although some results were limited by the telescope’s resolution.

“Before Inouye, I could only envision what this scale might look like,” remarked Dr. Tamburi.

“Now we can witness it in reality. These are the tiniest coronal loops observed on the sun.”

Inouye’s Visible Broadband Imager (VBI) tuned to the H-Alpha filter can resolve features down to 24 km.

This resolution is more than twice as sharp as that of the next best solar telescope, making this discovery possible.

“It’s one thing to theorize about a telescope’s capabilities,” commented Dr. Maria Kazachenko, PhD, from the University of Colorado Boulder.

“It’s invigorating to see those theories validated in practice.”

Initially, the research plan involved investigating the dynamics of chromospheric spectral lines using Inouye’s Visible Spectrometer (VISP). However, VBI data uncovered an unexpected treasure: an intricate coronal structure that can directly enhance flare models built with complex radiative hydrodynamic codes.

“We set out to find one thing and stumbled upon something even more intriguing,” Dr. Kazachenko stated.

The prevailing theory suggested that coronal loops could range from 10 to 100 km in width, but verifying this observationally had been challenging.

“We are finally gaining insight into the spatial scales we have long speculated about,” Dr. Tamburi explained.

“This paves the way for examining not just size, but shape, evolution, and even the scales where magnetic reconnection—the engine behind flares—occurs.”

Perhaps the most exciting implication is that these loops might be fundamental structures, core components of flare architecture.

“In that scenario, we wouldn’t just be mapping out clusters of loops; for the first time, we’re analyzing individual loops,” Dr. Tamburi added.

“It’s akin to observing a forest and suddenly recognizing all the trees.”

The image itself is stunning. A radiant arcade crowned with dark, thread-like loops, vibrant flared ribbons marked with strikingly sharp contours—ascending triangular patterns near the center and arc-shaped formations at the top.

“Even casual observers will soon recognize its complexity,” Dr. Tamburi remarked.

“This represents a landmark moment in solar science.”

“We are finally observing the sun at a scale that makes sense.”

The team’s paper will be published in Astrophysics Journal Letters.

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Cole A. Tumburi et al. 2025. Revealing unprecedented microstructure in coronal flare loops using DKIST. apjl in press; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ADF95E

Source: www.sci.news

Captured a Single Electron at an Unmatched Speed

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Rapid detection of individual electrons proves challenging

agsandrew/shutterstock

Now, detecting a solitary electron with a resolution of a trillion can be achieved in a mere second. This breakthrough could be crucial for advancing new generations of quantum electronic devices.

While conventional electronic circuits are packed with numerous electrons, their interactions often diminish their efficiency and performance. Is it possible to effectively manage a single electron to create a speedy and efficient circuit that operates with one electron at a time? Masaya Kataoka from the UK’s National Institute of Physics (NPL) and his team have advanced this objective by developing highly precise techniques for electron detection.

They introduced two electrons at different locations within a thin layer of the semiconductor gallium halide arsenide. The charged particles moved rapidly toward each other. When their paths drew near, the force between the electrons caused them to diverge, altering their trajectories. The researchers tracked one of the electrons and leveraged this deflection to identify the other electrons. They managed to detect it within 6 trillion interactions, which is roughly 100 times quicker than previous methods.

“Our experiments can be regarded as electrons acting as the world’s smallest sensors, detecting the world’s smallest object,” remarks Kataoka.

Team member John Fletcher at NPL explains that interactions among electrons can occur over trillion-second intervals. With this timescale now achievable, researchers are beginning to explore what two electrons do within a device and leverage this knowledge to design new electronic innovations.

Vyacheslavs Kashcheyevs from the University of Latvia believes this work could mark a pivotal point in the creation of a new generation of electronic devices reliant on high-speed single electrons. He elaborates that a single electron is inherently a quantum entity, which means future devices may harness their quantum characteristics directly, similar to their current applications in quantum computing and communication.

Researchers envision that a single-electron device could accomplish tasks akin to those performed by quantum devices that utilize a single photon, yet it would be significantly smaller. Such electron-based devices could even be integrated onto chips for convenience, says Christian Flindt from Aalto University in Finland. He emphasizes that this detection method will serve as the foundational building blocks for these potential applications.

The findings are also expected to enhance the understanding of electrical currents. Rolf Haug from Hannover University of Leibniz, Germany, notes that the current standards used for measuring current could be refined by implementing the “electron pump” utilized by the team to inject electrons in their experiments, he states.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Imaging Molecules’ Minute Quantum Jitter with Unmatched Clarity

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Accelerator tunnels at the European XFEL, where atomic motion is meticulously studied.

Xfel/Heiner Mueller-Elsner

In a groundbreaking achievement, a highly advanced X-ray laser has successfully unveiled the slight atomic movements of molecules that are typically expected to remain stationary.

Quantum physics thrives on uncertainty. Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle prevents scientists from simultaneously and accurately determining a particle’s position and momentum, indicating that quantum particles can never be fully at rest. Instead, atoms are perpetually in motion, albeit minuscule.

Nonetheless, measuring this subtle Heisenberg wiggle is challenging in complex molecules where atoms exhibit various motion patterns. Recently, Till Janke from the XFEL facility, along with his team, successfully captured this phenomenon using molecules composed of 11 atoms, including carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and iodine.

“This was my first experiment utilizing an extraordinary tool,” Janke remarked. The pivotal device was the “laser beast,” which bombarded molecules with intense bursts of X-rays. Although the pulse duration was only a quarter of a second, it was a million times brighter than conventional medical X-rays.

Each X-ray pulse stripped electrons from the molecule, causing the atoms to become positively charged and repel explosively from each other. By analyzing the aftermath of these explosions, scientists were able to reconstruct quantum variations of atoms in detail at their lowest energy states.

The team discovered that Heisenberg’s wiggle appears to follow a synchronized pattern in the movements of specific atoms. While this wasn’t unexpected based on the molecular structure, the researchers were astonished by the precision of their measurements, as noted by team member Ludger Inhester at German electronic synchrotrons.

Next, the researchers aim to explore how quantum fluctuations influence molecular behavior during chemical reactions. They also intend to adapt their methodology to study electron movements.

“We are exploring ways to expand our findings to larger systems. There are numerous avenues for future research,” shared team member Rebecca Bol from European XFEL.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Review: Unmatched Slimness at Its Finest

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hSamsung aims for a sleeker, lighter design with the specialized edge version of the premium Galaxy S25 Android.


The S25 edge measures 5.8mm in thickness, making it remarkably thin—if you disregard the camera bump, it is a whole 1.5mm slimmer than its S25+ counterparts, equating to roughly the thickness of a stack of seven credit cards. Its weight of just 168g adds to the illusion of slimness, making it feel lighter than the specifications may imply.

The ultra-thin model sits between the £999 S25+ and the £1,249 S25 Ultra, being around £100 pricier compared to other 6.7-inch models from Samsung.




Despite its ultra-slim build, the S25 edge maintains a similar appearance to other prominent Samsung models on the screen side. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The expansive, high-quality 6.7-inch OLED display is vibrant, sharp, and fluid, featuring a quick fingerprint scanner integrated into the screen. The lightweight design allows for comfortable handling, though using it typically requires both hands. Adding a case can eliminate the slimness advantage, making it advisable to use it without one.

The device shares many traits with the other Samsung models, powered by Qualcomm’s top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, ample RAM, and a minimum of 256GB storage. It swiftly navigates through apps and games, thanks to Samsung’s Android 15 (One UI 7), which offers numerous customization options, though some default settings mirror Apple’s iOS more closely than one might expect.

Packed with advanced AI tools from Google and Samsung, some features, like image editing, shine, while others can be overlooked. The notification bar and live notifications displaying ongoing tasks, such as playing music via Spotify, prove to be extremely handy, appearing prominently on lock and home screens.

Samsung will extend software updates for the Edge until May 31, 2032, ranking it among the longest-supported mobile devices on the market.




The camera array protrudes from the back of the S25 edge, increasing the overall thickness of the device. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Specifications

  • Screen: 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X 120Hz

  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Galaxy Elite

  • RAM: 12GB

  • Storage: 256 or 512GB

  • Operating System: One UI 7 (Android 15)

  • Camera: 200MP + 12MP 0.6x; 12MP front

  • Connectivity: 5G, USB-C, WiFi 7, NFC, Bluetooth 5.4, UWB, GNSS

  • Water Resistance: IP68 (1.5m for 30 minutes)

  • Size: 158.2 x 75.6 x 5.8mm

  • Weight: 163g




Charging the S25 Edge to full takes about 80 minutes, reaching 50% in just 26 minutes with a USB-C power adapter of 25W or more (not included). Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The Edge’s remarkably thin form comes with certain compromises, the most notable being its smaller battery, which has a capacity slightly less than that of the regular S25. Consequently, the Edge’s battery life is somewhat short for a large device. It can last about a day and a half with light usage, meaning daily monitoring is advisable, though it falls behind the S25 Ultra by approximately a day.

Additionally, it may run warmer than other Samsung devices during gaming sessions, potentially affecting battery performance when playing demanding titles like Fortnite.

Camera




The Samsung Camera App is user-friendly, and the lightweight S25 edge facilitates one-handed photography. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Another significant trade-off for the slim design is in the camera setup. The rear features only two cameras, lacking the telephoto sensor found in the other S25 series models.

The primary camera is a stellar 200 megapixel unit closely resembling the one on the S25 Ultra. It offers superior performance compared to the 50MP main sensors of the S25 and S25+, capturing excellent images across various conditions, and compensating for the absence of a dedicated telephoto sensor with its capable digital zoom. The 12MP Ultra Wide Camera is robust and suitable for close-up shots, complemented by a commendable selfie camera.

The camera app features the same extensive mode array as other S25 variants, delivering impressive video quality and ease of use. Overall, the main camera stands out excellently; if you don’t require true zoom capabilities, it may well suffice for your imaging needs.

Sustainability




The titanium chassis and hardened glass exude sturdiness despite the phone’s considerable dimensions. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

While Samsung does not specify the battery’s expected lifespan, it is designed to endure more than 500 full charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of its original capacity.

The device is generally repairable; screen replacement at an authorized service center costs £259 and includes battery replacement. Samsung also offers a self-healing program.

The phone integrates recycled materials, and Samsung runs a trade-in, recycling scheme for older devices. The company publishes annual sustainability reports and impact assessments for select products.

Price

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is priced from £1,099 (€1,259/$1,099/A$1,849).

In comparison, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is £1,249, the S25+ is £999, and the S25 is £799. Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL is priced at £799, OnePlus 13 at £899, while Apple’s iPhone 16 Plus is also £899.




Despite its lightweight and design, the S25 Edge remains a large device, challenging to maneuver with one hand without grips or handles. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Verdict

The S25 Edge represents a fascinating direction for Samsung. Many users might wish for slimmer, longer-lasting devices with better cameras. Most tend to use cases, quickly negating slight differences in thickness that premium models boast.

However, using the Edge brought attention to just how bulky modern large phones can feel. It offers a remarkably light experience, whether cradled in hand or stashed in a pocket, all while featuring a substantial high-resolution display. The battery life isn’t stellar, but it isn’t a complete dealbreaker for extended days of typical use.

While the main camera performs admirably, the absence of a versatile telephoto lens may disappoint some users. I felt its lack. Additionally, while the titanium frame seems robust, subjecting it to stress tests is something I wouldn’t recommend if it’s placed in my back pocket.

The S25 Edge boasts high-quality hardware. If you’re seeking a lighter, thinner phone with a larger display, this could be your pick. However, for those who prioritize other features, better alternatives from Samsung and competitors abound at this price point.

Pros: Stunning large display, ultra-lightweight design, exceptionally thin, outstanding main camera, quick fingerprint reader, superb software with 7 years of support, high-end Android chipset, and advanced AI features.

Cons: Lacks telephoto lens, relatively short battery life, premium price, and its benefits diminish with a case.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Physicists Achieve Unmatched Precision in Measuring Magnetic Anomalies in Mines

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Researchers from the Muon G-2 Experiment have unveiled their third measurement of the Muon magnetic anomaly. The conclusive results align with findings published in 2021 and 2023 but boast significantly improved precision at 127 parts per billion, surpassing the experimental goal for 140 people.

Muon particles traveling through lead in the cloud chamber. Image credit: Jino John 1996 / cc by-sa 4.0.

The Muon G-2 experiment investigates the wobble of a fundamental particle known as the Muon.

Muons resemble electrons but are roughly 200 times more massive. Like electrons, they exhibit quantum mechanical properties called spins, which can be interpreted as tiny internal magnets.

When subjected to an external magnetic field, these internal magnets wobble akin to the axis of a spinning top.

The precession speed of a magnetic field is influenced by the muon’s characteristics, captured numerically as the G-factor.

Theoretical physicists derive G-factors based on our current understanding of the universe’s fundamental mechanics, as outlined in the standard model of particle physics.

Nearly a century ago, G was anticipated to be 2; however, experimental measurements revealed minor deviations from this value, quantified as the Muon magnetic anomaly, Aμ, based on the formula (G-2)/2, giving the Muon G-2 experiment its name.

Muon magnetic anomalies encapsulate the effects of all standard model particles, enabling theoretical physicists to compute these contributions with remarkable precision.

Earlier measurements conducted at the Brookhaven National Laboratory during the 1990s and 2000s indicated potential discrepancies with the theoretical calculations of that era.

Disparities between experimental results and theoretical predictions could signal the existence of new physics.

In particular, physicists contemplated whether these discrepancies could stem from an undetected particle influencing the muon’s precession.

Consequently, physicists opted to enhance the Muon G-2 experiments to obtain more accurate measurements.

In 2013, Brookhaven’s magnetic storage ring was relocated from Long Island, New York, to Fermilab in Batavia, Illinois.

Following extensive upgrades and enhancements, the Fermilab Muon G-2 experiment launched on May 31, 2017.

Simultaneously, an international collaboration among theorists established the Muon G-2 theory initiative aimed at refining theoretical calculations.

In 2020, the Theoretical Initiative released updated and more precise standard model values informed by data from other experiments.

The differences between the experimental results continued to widen in 2021 as Fermilab announced the initial experimental results, corroborating Brookhaven’s findings with improved accuracy.

Simultaneously, new theoretical predictions emerged, relying significantly on computational capabilities.

This information closely aligned with experimental measurements and narrowed the existing discrepancies.

Recently, the Theoretical Initiative published a new set of predictions integrating results from various groups using novel calculation techniques.

This result remains in close agreement with experimental findings and diminishes the likelihood of new physics.

Nevertheless, theoretical endeavors will persist in addressing the disparities between data-driven and computational approaches.

The latest experimental values for the muon magnetic moment from Fermilab’s experiments are:

aμ =(g-2)/2 (Muon experiment) = 0.001 165 920 705

This final measurement is based on an analysis of data collected over the past three years, spanning 2021 to 2023, and is integrated with previously published datasets.

This has more than tripled the dataset size utilized in the second results from 2023, achieving the precision target set in 2012.

Moreover, it signifies the analysis of the highest quality data from the experiment.

As the second data collection run concluded, the Muon G-2 collaboration finalized adjustments and enhancements to the experiment, boosting muon beam quality and minimizing uncertainties.

“The extraordinary magnetic moment of the muon (G-2) is pivotal as it provides a sensitive test of the standard model of particle physics,” remarked Regina Lameika, associate director of high energy physics at the U.S. Department of Energy.

“This is an exhilarating result, and it’s fantastic to witness the experiment reach a definitive conclusion with precise measurements.”

“This highly anticipated outcome represents a remarkable achievement in accuracy and will hold the title of the most precise measurement of muon magnetic anomalies for the foreseeable future.”

“Despite recent theoretical challenges that have lessened the evidence for new physics in Muon G-2, this finding presents a robust benchmark for proposed extensions to the standard model of particle physics.”

“This is an incredibly exciting moment; not only did we meet our objectives, but we surpassed them, indicating that such precision measurements are challenging.”

“Thanks to Fermilab, the funding agencies, and the host lab, we accomplished our goals successfully.”

“For over a century, the G-2 has imparted crucial insights into the nature of reality,” stated Lawrence Gibbons, a professor at Cornell University.

“It’s thrilling to contribute accurate measurements that are likely to endure for a long time.”

“For decades, muon magnetic moments have served as a significant benchmark for the standard models,” noted Dr. Simon Kolody, a physicist at Argonne National Laboratory.

“The new experimental results illuminate this fundamental theory and establish a benchmark to guide new theoretical calculations.”

These new results will be featured in the journal Physical Review Letters.

Source: www.sci.news

League of Legends finals: A showcase of unmatched talent and pure joy captured in a button push

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GGiven the influx of bad news from the gaming industry over the past 10 months, it’s no surprise that this weekend, sitting in a crowd of 20,000 happy and passionate fans, the biggest event on the esports calendar, The League Being able to watch the Of Legends World Championship was somewhat reassuring. Finals. The event, held at London’s O2 Arena, was the culmination of a five-week global competition to discover the world’s best teams. Having never been to one before, I had no idea what to expect, mainly because the finals are usually held in Asia, where the best players usually gather. Can we track what’s going on? Would you care? The answers to these questions were “fairly well” and “well, yeah.”


For the uninitiated, League of Legends is a multiplayer online battle arena game (Moba for short) in which two teams of five players choose a warrior from a pool of 170 warriors to destroy their opponent’s home base. Fight to control the fantasy-themed map. . The arena is divided into three lanes, with an area known as the jungle in the middle, and similar to traditional team sports, each team member patrols their own specific section. Adding to the complexity is the fact that every champion character has unique skills, weapons, and magical attacks, and throughout the game you must defeat monsters and dragons to earn experience points that make you more powerful. Masu. It’s both a deep strategy game and a tremendous riot of stomping warriors, galloping horsemen, and hovering wizards.

This year’s final was between experienced Korean team T1 and Chinese newcomer team Bilibili Gaming (abbreviated as BLG). The latter had gained momentum by defeating local rival Weibo Gaming in the semi-finals, but T1 was the firm favorite to win the tournament having already won four times. They were almost eliminated from the competition early on, but they seem to have a habit of getting back into it the moment everyone quits. At the arena, I managed to get a seat next to James Lynch of the esports news site dexerto volunteer to tell me about the action. He describes T1 as the League of Legends equivalent of the 1974 Netherlands World Cup team. Free-spirited, unconventional, and full of neurotic genius. Lee “Faker” Sang-hyuk is widely considered to be the greatest player in league history, and at the center of it all is the master Johan Cruyff. “His movements are very strange and unpredictable,” Lynch says. “It’s very difficult to kill him.”




South Korea’s T1 team celebrates their victory over China’s Bilibili Gaming in the League of Legends world finals. Photo: Benjamin Kremer/AFP/Getty Images

Before the finals begin, there will be a 10-minute mini-concert featuring American rappers Ashnikko and Linkin Park, complete with fireworks, giant LED displays and incredible art direction from dozens of dancers. The whole thing has the feel of a major sporting event mixed with live K-Pop, a riot of color, passion, and performing arts. In the hours leading up to the finals, fans flocked to the venue to purchase original merchandise, meet friends from the community and, of course, dress up as their favorite League of Legends characters.

It turns out I was extremely lucky that this was my debut watching League of Legends. It’s an exciting encounter. Once the showdown begins, the best-of-five format is pushed to its limits, with the two teams taking turns killing each other for the first four games. Throughout the finals, Faker is a formidable playmaker, continually jumping into skirmishes, taking out opponents, and managing to escape with only a millimeter of health left. In the arena, 10 young players can be seen competing on a giant screen suspended above the stage. These displays draw us in rather than taking us out of the game. The crowd of mostly 20 fans loudly applauds the smart move and chants as their team gains the upper hand.

The showdown was a deliberate affair, with warriors gingerly roaming the map, poking and prodding at each other. Eventually, the whole thing explodes into a massive clash, making the battle between the Bastards look like a mini-brawl outside a kebab shop.




During the battle between Bilibili Gaming and T1. Photo: Benjamin Kremer/AFP/Getty Images

T1 was victorious, but it was also a victory for the entire concept of esports. The scene has struggled to live up to its 2010s hype, at least financially. At the time, the team’s overestimated global value attracted large investors and sponsors, which led to a bloated team organization and soaring salaries for star players. Last year saw many organizations, events, and tournaments shut down, including Activision Blizzard’s much-hyped Overwatch League. But this weekend’s event drew a peak audience of 6.94 million viewers, most of whom watched from home on streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube, setting a new record for esports.

It’s easy to think of video games as an industry rather than a culture that brings joy to people. Sometimes it’s more than just sales or viewership, it’s about sitting in an arena with 20,000 adoring fans. Outside the O2 Megaplex, I spoke to Morgan, an attendee perfectly dressed as Aphelios (or, more accurately, in his Heartsteel costume). He explained the appeal as follows: But he’s very friendly. Also, there are so many different communities in the league, and it’s great to see them come together and bond over something they have in common and one thing they’re really passionate about. That’s what’s really beautiful about this work.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Research Shows That the Medium Size of a Cheetah Contributes to its Unmatched Speed

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The fastest animals are neither large elephants nor small ants, but intermediate sizes such as: Cheetah(Acinonychus jubatus). Why does running speed deviate from the regular patterns that govern an animal's anatomy and most other aspects of performance? A new study shows that, as previously thought, maximum running speed This suggests that there is not one limit to speed, but two: the speed and distance at which the muscle contracts. The maximum speed an animal can reach is determined by which limit is reached first, and that limit is determined by the size of the animal.

Cheetah (Acinonychus jubatus).

University of the Sunshine Coast researcher Professor Christopher Clemente said: “The key to our model is understanding that maximum running speed is limited by how fast the muscles contract and how much they can shorten during contraction. ” he said. University of Queensland.

“Animals as big as cheetahs exist in a physical sweet spot of about 50 kg where these two limits meet. Therefore, these animals are the fastest, with speeds of up to 105 km/h (65 mph). will reach.”

The first limit is called the “kinetic energy capacity limit'' and suggests that muscles in small animals are limited by how fast they can contract.

Because small animals generate large forces relative to their body weight, running for them is similar to trying to accelerate in a low gear when riding a bicycle downhill.

The second limitation is called the “work capacity limitation” and suggests that muscles in large animals are limited by the range over which they can contract.

Large animals are heavy, so their muscles produce less force relative to their body weight, and running is similar to trying to accelerate up a hill in a high gear on a bicycle.

“For large animals like rhinos and elephants, running can feel like lifting huge weights because their muscles are relatively weak and gravity takes a big toll on them,” says Harvard University. says researcher Dr. Peter Bishop.

“As a result of both, animals eventually have to slow down as they grow.”

To test the model's accuracy, the authors compared its predictions to land animal speed and size data from more than 400 species, ranging from large mammals, birds, and lizards to small spiders and insects.

The model accurately predicted how maximum running speed varied with body size for animals whose weights varied by more than 10 orders of magnitude, from a tiny 0.1 milligram tick to a 6-ton elephant.

Their findings shed light on the physical principles behind how muscles evolved and could inform future designs of robots that can match the athletic performance of the best animal runners.

The new model may not only explain how fast animals can run, but also provide important clues for understanding differences between groups of animals.

Large reptiles, such as lizards and crocodiles, are generally smaller and slower than large mammals.

“One possible explanation for this may be that reptiles' limb muscles make up a small proportion of their body mass, meaning that reptiles reach their work limits quickly when they are light. It needs to stay small in order to move,” he said. Taylor Dick is a researcher at the University of Queensland.

The researchers' model, combined with data from living species, also predicted that land animals weighing more than 40 tonnes would be unable to move.

The heaviest land mammal living today is the African elephant, which weighs approximately 6.6 tons, but there are also land dinosaurs such as: Patagotitanit probably weighed well over 40 tons.

“This indicates that caution is needed in extrapolating the muscle anatomy of extinct animals from data from non-extinct animals,” the researchers said.

“Rather, the data indicate that extinct giants may have evolved unique muscle anatomy, which warrants further study.”

Dr David Labonte, a researcher at Imperial College London, said: “Our study raises many interesting questions about muscle physiology in both extinct animals and living animals, including human athletes.” said.

“Physical constraints affect animals that swim and fly just as they do animals that run, and lifting these constraints is our next challenge.”

a paper The survey results were published in a magazine nature communications.

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D. Labonte other. 2024. Dynamic similarity and unique allometry of maximum running speed. Nat Commune 15, 2181; doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-46269-w

Source: www.sci.news

The Complexity of the Human Brain: Is It Truly Unmatched in the Universe?

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Crescent Nebula: More complex than the human brain?

Reinhold Wittich/Stocktrek Images/Alamy

Back in 2012, neuroscientist Christoph Koch wrote in his book: Consciousness: Confessions of a Romantic Reductionist The human brain is “the most complex object in the known universe.” This seems intuitive, given that the brain has approximately 86 billion neurons, which are connected in ways that are still beginning to be understood. But when I put it, David Wolpert At New Mexico's Santa Fe Institute, founded in the 1980s as a hub for the budding field of complexity science, he doesn't think so. “It's almost a travesty that we are the most complex system in the universe,” he says. “That question is actually misguided.”

Nevertheless, I persevere. Is there a common measure of complexity that can be applied to complex systems of all kinds? After all, if you squint, galaxy clusters and the filaments that connect them look like intertwined circuits of neurons. Masu. The human brain even has almost as many neurons as there are galaxies in the observable universe. This formal similarity may have something to do with the general laws by which complexity emerges, he says. Ricard Sole At Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, ​​Spain. Or maybe not. “By chance, it might show up in both systems, but that doesn't mean anything,” he says.

Moreover, complexity is not defined by components and their interconnections. It's the idea that the whole is more than just something.

Source: www.newscientist.com