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Researching the future since 2013

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BT/ Samsung expands 3D sensor lineup with face, iris biometrics capabilities
Biometrics biweekly vol. 80, 1st January - 15th January


TL;DR
▫️ Samsung Electronics introduced two new ISOCELL Vizion sensors: the ISOCELL Vizion 63D (a time-of-flight sensor) and the ISOCELL Vizion 931 (a global shutter sensor).

▫️ A new WEF cybersecurity report underscores the need for biometric solutions.

▫️ Google and Telus will pay $50 for short videos of children to grow biometric datasets.

▫️ BioConnect adds asset management to biometric safes with an acquisition.

▫️ ZeroBiometrics signs up the Web3 insurance platform for biometric ZKP authentication.

▫️ BIO-key authentication is deployed to boost security for retail and governments in Europe.

▫️ Passkey orchestration platform integrates Xperix flagship biometric scanner.

▫️ Automotive biometrics turned inside-out at CES with trinamiX access control system.

▫️ UNHCR embraces blockchain and zero-knowledge proofs to improve aid systems.

▫️ NADRA pens a deal to pursue domestic biometric and digital ID-related services.

▫️ Intellicheck aces an independent fake ID detection test.

▫️ IDNow adds to age verification bona fides with German compliance assessment.

▫️ Trust Stamp files a patent for tokenized biometrics and inks an IoT collaboration.

▫️ SecuGen expands beyond biometrics with a smart payment and ID card reader.

▫️ Ekemp wins MOSIP compliance for a new integrated biometric device.

▫️ Aware partners with Avanza to provide biometric authentication to MEA fintech.

▫️ ThreatMark anti-fraud behavioral biometrics integrated by digital bank.

▫️ Voice clone detection software from ID R&D tackles potent new AI-assisted threats.

▫️ US Homeland Security is asking after synthetic data systems.

▫️ DNA collection from Chinese minority groups for biometrics research raises alarms.

▫️ User IDs and passport data leaks for 230K crypto users in Iran.

▫️ India counts on Aadhaar authentication to reduce tax registration fraud.

▫️ Taiwan regulator says banks and fintech should push digital ID verification envelope.

▫️ Selfie biometrics app for farmers launches in Australia; digital ID program looms.

▫️ Indonesia to roll out digital ID and other DPI platforms this year.

▫️ Biometric chip passports get priority in Israel, Pakistan, and Russia.

▫️ UK legal charity decries the use of biometric immigrant monitoring devices.

▫️ Family members of expatriates must register fingerprints in Saudi Arabia.

▫️ Gabon gets a $68.5M World Bank loan to facilitate access to legal ID and digital services.

▫️ Next Biometrics wins a new $1.15M volume order amid steady Asian market breakthrough.

▫️ Researchers at BYU develop a fraud detection keystroke tracking system with 95.5% accuracy.

▫️ Columbia engineers build a new AI that challenges the belief that fingerprints from different fingers of the same person are unique.

▫️ Researchers claim improved small object detection with a multi-modal 3D network.

▫️Biometric industry events. And more!


#BT #Biometrics https://medium.com/paradigm-research/bt-samsung-expands-3d-sensor-lineup-with-face-iris-biometrics-capabilities-54a2f54b789d
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Crypto News Weekly Recap 📰
9th January – 16th January


▫️ The SEC approves Bitcoin ETFs, with Commissioner Peirce expressing disappointment over the squandered opportunities in the past decade.

▫️ The SEC's Twitter account was compromised through a phone number without 2FA.

▫️ USDC stablecoin issuer Circle confidentially files for an IPO.

▫️ New York DFS settles with Genesis for compliance failures, imposing an $8 million penalty and ordering them to cease operations in the state.

▫️ The United Nations identifies USDT as a prominent choice for fraud in Southeast Asia, according to the Financial Times.

▫️ GameStop axes its NFT marketplace, citing regulatory uncertainty.

▫️ PayPal's stablecoin market cap has grown by 70% over the last month, reaching $290 million.

▫️ Coinbase partners with stablecoin exchange Yellow Card as part of its African expansion.

▫️ Genesis Global Trading agrees to pay $8 million in a settlement after New York's regulator found cybersecurity failings.

▫️ A Solana-based MEV bot earns $1.8 million after back-running a memecoin trader in seconds.

▫️ Wise Lending experiences a ~177 ETH exploit due to a precision issue.

▫️ Behind the scenes of the Euler March 2023 exploit and fund recovery.

▫️ Vitalik Buterin endorses raising the Ethereum gas limit by 33% to improve network capacity.

▫️ Optimism’s RetroPGF round 3 results in 30 million OP allocated to 501 builders and creators.

▫️ OpenSea introduces email onboarding, allowing users to create a non-custodial wallet via email address using Privy.

▫️ Starknet’s governance approved a vote to add the ability to use STRK for paying transaction fees.

▫️ Berachain unveiled its Artio testnet ahead of its mainnet.

▫️ Bitfinity, a Bitcoin L2, raised $7M in a token round.

▫️ Pontem raises $6 million to enable Ethereum and Move-compatible apps.

▫️ Altitude, a project that aims to make DeFi loans more efficient, secured $6.1M in seed funding.

▫️ Saros closed a $3.75M private round, which included investors like Solana Ventures and Hashed.

▫️ Unicef Rwanda utilizes staking to fund school internet connectivity.

▫️ Near Foundation announces a 40% staff cut, stating the treasury 'remains strong'.

▫️ Twitter (X) removes NFT profile picture support.
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Explore our ongoing Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) series on @CointelegraphI

Our latest piece delves into the eNaira, Nigeria's CBDC, crafted to propel financial inclusion, improve payment system efficiency, and stimulate economic development.

Read more at: https://cointelegraph.com/learn/nigeria-enaira-cbdc
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NS/ Transparent brain implant captures deep neural activity from the surface
Neuroscience biweekly vol. 101, 3rd January - 17th January


TL;DR
▫️ Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a neural implant that sits on the brain's surface, providing high-resolution data about deep neural activity. The implant uses a thin, transparent, and flexible polymer strip with graphene electrodes, tested in transgenic mice, bringing researchers closer to a minimally invasive brain-computer interface (BCI). Published in Nature Nanotechnology.

▫️ New research from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience reveals that chandelier cells, a specific type of brain cell, become active during unexpected situations. The functionality of these cells has been a longstanding mystery.

▫️ The world's largest ancient human gene bank has been created by analyzing the DNA of nearly 5,000 humans who lived in Western Europe and Asia up to 34,000 years ago. The study maps the historical spread of genes and diseases, uncovering origins of neurodegenerative diseases, height differences in northern Europeans, and the impact of migration 5,000 years ago.

▫️ Adults with PTSD have a 2% smaller cerebellum than those without the disorder, expanding understanding of the cerebellum's role beyond balance and movement to include emotion and cognition. Targeting the cerebellum may improve PTSD treatments like deep brain stimulation.

▫️ The estrogen receptor (ER) in the lateral septum of the limbic system plays a crucial role in suppressing anxiety-like behavior in male mice during social situations. The study also identifies differences in the distribution and expression region of ER compared to ER.

▫️ A new study reveals that a part of the brain is responsible for putting a loved one on a pedestal during the initial stages of romance, shedding light on the phrase "love is blind."

▫️ Caloric restriction improves health and extends lifespan, and researchers at Buck Institute have identified a gene called OXR1 that is essential for the lifespan extension seen with dietary restriction and crucial for healthy brain aging.

▫️ Researchers have discovered a gene linking deafness to cell death in the inner ear in humans, opening new possibilities for preventing hearing loss.

▫️ Investigating a brain molecule tied to cellular communication, scientists uncover significant information about proteins influencing alcohol-drinking behavior and those that do not.


#NS #Neuroscience https://medium.com/paradigm-research/ns-transparent-brain-implant-captures-deep-neural-activity-from-the-surface-33d84166ebd5
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QT/ Functional semiconductor made from graphene
Quantum news biweekly vol.66, 2nd January — 18th January


TL;DR
▫️ Researchers have created the first functional semiconductor made from graphene, a single sheet of carbon atoms held together by the strongest bonds known. The breakthrough throws open the door to a new way of doing electronics.

▫️ Scientists have developed a method to extract the spectral density for molecules in solvent using simple resonance Raman experiments -- a method that captures the full complexity of chemical environments.

▫️ Engineers pair vibrating particles, called phonons, with particles of light, called photons, to enhance the nonlinear optical properties of hexagonal boron nitride.

▫️ Researchers have fabricated a new high-performance shortwave infrared (SWIR) image sensor based on non-toxic colloidal quantum dots. They report on a new method for synthesizing functional high-quality non-toxic colloidal quantum dots integrable with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology.

▫️ Perovskite nanosheets show distinctive characteristics with significant applications in science and technology. In a recent study, researchers achieved enhanced signal amplification in CsPbBr3 perovskite nanosheets with a unique waveguide pattern, which enhanced both gain and thermal stability. These advancements carry wide-ranging implications for laser, sensor, and solar cell applications, and can potentially influence areas like environmental monitoring, industrial processes, and healthcare.

▫️ An international research team recently demonstrated how magnetism can be actively changed by pressure.

▫️ Lights could soon use the full color suite of perfectly efficient organic light-emitting diodes, or OLEDs, that last tens of thousands of hours, thanks to an innovation from physicists and engineers at the University of Michigan.

▫️ Researchers developed a way to quickly calculate the transition state structure of a chemical reaction, using machine-learning models.

▫️ For the first time, scientists publish results on a new chip composed of diamond and lithium niobate. The results demonstrate the combination as a promising candidate for quantum devices.

▫️ In a study that could help fill some holes in quantum theory, the team recreated a 'quantum bomb tester' in a classical droplet test.


#QT #Quantum https://medium.com/paradigm-research/qt-functional-semiconductor-made-from-graphene-31d34244023e
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𝐒𝐓/ Astronomers make rare exoplanet discovery, and a giant leap in detecting Earth-like bodies
Space biweekly vol.90, 4th January - 19th January

TL;DR
▫️ Researchers have made the rare discovery of a small, cold exoplanet and its massive outer companion - shedding light on the formation of planets like Earth.

▫️Astronomers have discovered a planet closer and younger than any other Earth-sized world yet identified. It's a remarkably hot world whose proximity to our own planet and to a star like our sun mark it as a unique opportunity to study how planets evolve.

▫️Researchers have taken the first steps toward finding liquid solvents that may someday help extract critical building materials from lunar and Martian-rock dust, an important piece in making long-term space travel possible. Using machine learning and computational modeling, researchers have found about half a dozen good candidates for solvents that can extract materials on the moon and Mars usable in 3D printing. The powerful solvents, called ionic liquids, are salts that are in a liquid state.

▫️A team of astronomers has unraveled the enigmatic atmosphere of the exoplanet HAT-P-18 b, shedding light on its intriguing blend of gases, clouds, and even the effects of its star's activity.

▫️Astronomers have detected a three-ringed structure in the nursery of planets in the inner planet-forming disk of a young star. This configuration suggests two Jupiter-mass planets are forming in the gaps between the rings. The detailed analysis is consistent with abundant solid iron grains complementing the dust composition. As a result, the disk likely harbors metals and minerals akin to those in the Solar System's terrestrial planets. It offers a glimpse into conditions resembling the early Solar System over four billion years ago during the formation of rocky planets such as Mercury, Venus, and Earth.

▫️Neptune is fondly known for being a rich blue and Uranus green - but a new study has revealed that the two ice giants are actually far closer in color than typically thought. The correct shades of the planets have now been confirmed.

▫️Analysis of organic compounds - called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) - extracted from the Ryugu asteroid and Murchison meteorite has found that certain PAHs likely formed in the cold areas of space between stars rather than in hot regions near stars as was previously thought. The findings open new possibilities for studying life beyond Earth and the chemistry of objects in space.

▫️Astrophysicists outline the links between atmospheric oxygen and the potential rise of advanced technology on distant planets.

▫️Astronomers believe they may have found the origin of the universe's giant odd radio circles: they are shells formed by outflowing galactic winds, possibly from massive exploding stars known as supernovae.

▫️Analysis of iron meteorites from the earliest years of the solar system indicate that the planetary 'seeds' that ultimately formed Earth contained water.


#ST #Space https://medium.com/paradigm-research/st-astronomers-make-rare-exoplanet-discovery-and-a-giant-leap-in-detecting-earth-like-bodies-b7d3a99f9708
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Science News Weekly Recap 🔬
15th January – 22nd January


Astronomy & Space Exploration
▫️ Samples from Wild 2 comet reveal a surprising past
▫️ James Webb Space Telescope: Finally, the edge of the universe and beyond
▫️ NASA regains contact with mini-helicopter on Mars
▫️ Water may have flowed intermittently in Martian valleys for hundreds of millions of years
▫️ European crew arrives at ISS on private mission
▫️ Lightest black hole or heaviest neutron star? MeerKAT uncovers a mysterious object in Milky Way

Quantum Physics
▫️ Experiment could test quantum nature of large masses for the first time
▫️ Protons reveal universal phenomenon of maximal entanglement
▫️ Quantum physicist uses graphene ribbons to build nanoscale power plants
▫️ Researchers find evidence of long-lived valley states in bilayer graphene quantum dots

Optics & Photonics
▫️ Scientists compute with light inside hair-thin optical fiber
▫️ Research team uses water as a nonlinear medium for ultra-broadband white laser

Nanophysics
▫️ Scientists create qubits using precision tools of nanotechnology
▫️ Researchers create faster and cheaper way to print tiny metal structures with light
▫️ Research team reports observing vibrational spectra of a single protein with infrared nanospectroscopy

Neuroscience
▫️ Transparent brain implant captures deep neural activity from the surface
▫️ Brain cells that react to surprising situations identified
▫️ Love scrambles the brain and scientists can now tell us why
▫️ Scientists give new insight into a molecular target of alcohol

Robotics
▫️ Novel snake-like robot 3D prints its own body to grow longer
▫️ Mini-robots modeled on insects may be smallest, lightest, fastest ever developed
▫️ Robots that can autonomously build structures out of lattice blocks
▫️ A hybrid control architecture that combines advantages of current quadruped robot controls

Earth Sciences
▫️ Study says ice age could help predict oceans' response to global warming
▫️ Climate change and atmospheric dynamics unveil future weather extremes
▫️ Research suggests European Alps eroding slower than >10,000 years ago
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NT/ Researchers optimize 3D printing of optically active nanostructures
Nanotechnology & nanomaterials biweekly vol.47, 8th January — 22nd January


TL;DR
▫️ Researchers can now simulate the shape, size, and optical properties of 3D nanostructures in advance, enabling high-precision production on various surfaces. Nanoprobes and optical tweezers with nanometer-scale sizes are now achievable.

▫️ Tohoku University researchers have developed guidelines for a single-nanometer magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), customizable for diverse applications such as AI/IoT, automobiles, and space technologies.

▫️ An innovative graphene-based neurotechnology developed by the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, among others, holds transformative potential in neuroscience and medical applications. This technology is being developed for therapeutic use through the spin-off INBRAIN Neuroelectronics.

▫️ University of Cambridge and University of Newcastle researchers introduce a method to measure helium atom diffraction with microscopic spatial resolution, offering new opportunities for close observation of physical phenomena.

▫️ A KAIST research team has developed an anti-icing and de-icing film coating technology utilizing the photothermal effect of gold nanoparticles without the need for heating wires or periodic spray, impacting industrial sites.

▫️ Cryo-EM reveals the atomic structure of an 'RNA copy machine,' shedding light on the primordial RNA world and advancing RNA nanotechnology and medicine.

▫️ Scientists have devised a method to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbon nanofibers using tandem electrochemical and thermochemical reactions, providing a potential means for achieving negative carbon emissions.

▫️ A new theoretical model explains the production of black silicon, a crucial material in solar cells, light sensors, antibacterial surfaces, etc. The model precisely details how fluorine gas breaks silicon bonds depending on their orientation.

▫️ Columbia University researchers successfully synthesize the first 2D heavy fermion material, a layered intermetallic crystal composed of cerium, silicon, and iodine (CeSiI), as published in Nature.


#Nanotechnology #Nanomaterials https://medium.com/paradigm-research/nt-researchers-optimize-3d-printing-of-optically-active-nanostructures-311ed52a9606
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Crypto News Weekly Recap 📰
16th January – 23rd January


▫️ Bitcoin ETFs have accumulated nearly $4 billion in assets.

▫️ The EU reaches a provisional agreement on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, requiring customer due diligence for crypto transactions exceeding €1,000.

▫️ China forms a metaverse working group with companies like Huawei, Tencent, Ant Group, and others.

▫️ Socket and Bungee restart operations after a $3.3 million exploit.

▫️ MetaMask introduces an Ethereum validator staking feature, powered by ConsenSys.

▫️ Ethereum developers implement the Dencun upgrade on the Goerli testnet.

▫️ Chainlink collaborates with Circle to introduce cross-chain stablecoin transfers.

▫️ Manta replaces Base as the fourth-largest scaling solution.

▫️ Dagon (DAO singleton) goes live on mainnet & Optimism, adding weighted token voting to any account.

▫️ WalletConnect introduces the Web3Inbox app for its wallet.

▫️ Delphi Labs introduces the Asteroid protocol, enabling innoscriptions on Cosmos.

▫️ Conflux introduces its EVM-compatible Bitcoin Layer 2 solution.

▫️ AltLayer announces the token launch of $ALT on Binance.

▫️ Kiln raises $17 million in the latest funding round to expand its crypto staking platform.

▫️ Crypto exchange WOO X raises $9 million to improve liquidity.

▫️ 0xScope V2 is launched with a new AI data layer focus and secures a new $5 million funding round.

▫️ Renzo, an EigenLayer-based restaking protocol valued at $25 million, raises $3.2 million in seed funding.

▫️ GameStop's NFT marketplace is shutting down on February 2 due to regulatory uncertainty.

▫️ Donald Trump states he will 'never allow' Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) issuance if elected.
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RT/ Soft robotic, wearable device improves walking for individual with Parkinson’s disease
Robotics & AI biweekly vol.88, 8th January —23rd January


TL;DR
▫️ Researchers have used a soft, wearable robot to help a person living with Parkinson's walk without freezing. The robotic garment, worn around the hips and thighs, gives a gentle push to the hips as the leg swings, helping the patient achieve a longer stride. The device completely eliminated the participant's freezing while walking indoors, allowing them to walk faster and further than they could without the garment's help.

▫️ Robots and autonomous vehicles can use 3D point clouds from LiDAR sensors and camera images to perform 3D object detection. However, current techniques that combine both types of data struggle to accurately detect small objects. Now, researchers have developed DPPFA Net, an innovative network that overcomes challenges related to occlusion and noise introduced by adverse weather. Their findings will pave the way for more perceptive and capable autonomous systems.

▫️ People who received gentle electric currents on the back of their heads learned to maneuver a robotic surgery tool in virtual reality and then in a real setting much more easily than people who didn't receive those nudges, a new study shows.

▫️ AI-driven system has autonomously learned about certain Nobel Prize-winning chemical reactions and designed a successful laboratory procedure to make them. The AI did so in just a few minutes and correctly on its first attempt. According to the authors, this is the first time that a non-organic intelligence planned, designed and executed this complex reaction that was invented by humans.

▫️ Scientists show that breathing may be used to control a wearable extra robotic arm in healthy individuals, without hindering control of other parts of the body.

▫️ Researchers were able to show that statistical models created by AI predict very accurately whether a medication responds in people with schizophrenia. However, the models are highly context-dependent and cannot be generalized.

▫️ To combat viruses, bacteria and other pathogens, synthetic biology offers new technological approaches whose performance is being validated in experiments. Researchers applied data integration and AI to develop a machine learning approach that can predict the efficacy of CRISPR technologies more accurately than before.

▫️ Much of the discussion around implementing AI systems focuses on whether an AI application is 'trustworthy': Does it produce useful, reliable results, free of bias, while ensuring data privacy? But a new article poses a different question: What if an AI is just too good?

▫️ Physician-investigators compared a chatbot's probabilistic reasoning to that of human clinicians. The findings suggest that AI could serve as useful clinical decision support tools for physicians.

▫️ The introduction of AI is a significant part of the digital transformation bringing challenges and changes to the job denoscriptions among management. A new study shows that integrating AI systems into service teams increases demands imposed on middle management in the financial services field. In that sector, the advent of AI has been fast and AI applications can implement a large proportion of routine work that was previously done by people.


#RT #Robotics https://medium.com/paradigm-research/rt-soft-robotic-wearable-device-improves-walking-for-individual-with-parkinsons-disease-b7ce0fdd60e0
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Biweekly update on @Humanode vol.66
10th January — 24th January

TL;DR
Greetings and welcome to the biweekly report on Humanode. This update provides insights into the recent progress made by the Humanode project as it continues to work towards its mission of fostering a future marked by decentralization and fairness.

The Humanode development team has made substantial progress in Substrate updates. Version 40, currently in internal testing, and preparations for version 42 mark significant milestones. The EVM transition from London to Shanghai is underway in the release cycle. Moreover, the mainnet website has undergone improvements, introducing new metrics like the Nakamoto coefficient, active validators count, and bioverifications. The user experience has been refined with smoother scrolling, updated events, and a direct link to Humanode Biostaker.

Biomapper, utilizing cryptobiometrics, is on the horizon. The tool ensures real, unique humans behind each EVM address and is set to revolutionize airdrops, whitelisting, and user engagement. Fees generated will benefit validators. The development team is actively crafting Biomapper documentation, with the integration paths finalized. The focus now shifts to completing the technical information segment for an imminent release.

In recent weeks, the BD team at Humanode has successfully forged several partnerships. Collaborating with Viction to bring Sybil-resistance to its ecosystem, BotBasher is now integrated into Viction's Discord. A special campaign on QuestN celebrates this partnership, offering rewards on the Viction chain. Partnering with StarkFinance, a decentralized IDO platform aiming to revolutionize token sales, Humanode introduces BotBasher on StarkFinance's Discord for Sybil-resistant campaigns. Teaming up with Decibling, a web3 platform that blends music with crypto, it integrates BotBasher into Decibling's Discord for Sybil-resistant airdrops and more. Users can secure their role by completing a quick facial scan. Partnering with Nabla Finance, BotBasher has been integrated into its Discord for Sybil-resistant airdrops. The collaboration is celebrated with the Humanode Galxe campaign, offering attractive rewards. Collaborating with Gagarin launchpad, the project integrates BotBasher powered by cryptobiometric technology for Sybil resistance within their Discord.

Get ready to rekindle the flames once again! Engage with Humanode founders and explore updates in the upcoming Humanode Fireside on Friday, January 26th, at 14:00 UTC on Humanode Discord.

Humanode Got Talent 2024 has been unveiled! Showcase your talent related to Humanode and stand a chance to win from the 2,000 USD prize pool. Submit your entries from January 16th to February 6th, 2022. More details are here.

The Humanode team also invites journalists, writers, and researchers to contribute to its official blog and news channels. They are actively seeking your engagement in writing, sharing your work, and publishing with Humanode. The selected stories for publication will be commissioned, presenting a valuable opportunity for interested individuals. Interested individuals can apply here. For more details, please read this article.

Hurry up! Participate in the Humanode campaign during the Galxe New Year Festival until January 26th, with a chance to earn points and win rewards.

That concludes our update. Stay tuned for further developments!

#Humanode https://medium.com/paradigm-research/humanode-biomapper-on-the-horizon-humanode-collaborates-with-viction-starkfinance-integrates-7aa6b2eb7222
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GT/ Next-generation batteries could go organic, cobalt-free for long-lasting power
Energy & green technology biweekly vol.62, 11th January — 25th January


TL;DR
▫️ In the switch to ‘greener’ energy sources, the demand for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries is surging. However, their cathodes typically contain cobalt — a metal whose extraction has high environmental and societal costs. Now, researchers in report evaluating an earth-abundant, carbon-based cathode material that could replace cobalt and other scarce and toxic metals without sacrificing lithium-ion battery performance.

▫️A research team has achieved remarkable advancements in the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells.

▫️Researchers have developed a framework that uses machine learning to accelerate the search for new proton-conducting materials, that could potentially improve the efficiency of hydrogen fuel cells.

▫️Scientists developed literal ‘power plants’ — tiny, leaf-shaped generators that create electricity from a blowing breeze or falling raindrops. The team tested the energy harvesters by incorporating them into artificial plants.

▫️A research team has developed a novel catalyst for the high-efficiency and stable production of high-purity green hydrogen.

▫️Scientists have developed a way to convert carbon dioxide, a potent greenhouse gas, into carbon nanofibers, materials with a wide range of unique properties and many potential long-term uses. Their strategy uses tandem electrochemical and thermochemical reactions run at relatively low temperatures and ambient pressure and could successfully lock carbon away to offset or even achieve negative carbon emissions.

▫️A study has found that green ammonia could be used to fulfill the fuel demands of over 60% of global shipping by targeting just the top 10 regional fuel ports. Researchers looked at the production costs of ammonia which are similar to very low sulphur fuels, and concluded that the fuel could be a viable option to help decarbonize international shipping by 2050.

▫️Scientists use light-reactive molecules to influence the acidity of a liquid and thereby capture of carbon dioxide. They have developed a special mixture of different solvents to ensure that the light-reactive molecules remain stable over a long period of time. Conventional carbon capture technologies are driven by temperature or pressure differences and require a lot of energy. This is no longer necessary with the new light-based process.

▫️Researchers are tapping into idled electric vehicles to act as mobile generators and help power overworked and aging electricity grids. After analyzing energy demand on Alberta’s power grid during rush hour, the research proposes an innovative way to replenish electrical grids with power generated from fuel cells in trucks.

▫️Engineers have succeeded in implementing a stretchable organic solar cell by applying a newly developed polymer material that demonstrated the world’s highest photovoltaic conversion efficiency (19%) while functioning even when stretched for more than 40% of its original state. This new conductive polymer has high photovoltaic properties that can be stretched like rubber. The newly developed polymer is expected to play a role as a power source for next-generation wearable electronic devices.


#Greentech #GT https://medium.com/paradigm-research/gt-next-generation-batteries-could-go-organic-cobalt-free-for-long-lasting-power-5d321c44c8f2
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DAOs biweekly vol.45
11th January - 26th January

▫️ DAOs lowering proposal thresholds.

▫️ Optimism's 'optimistic approval' process.

▫️ Gitcoin’s 'long tail public goods funding'.

▫️ Aave’s GHO cross-chain strategy.

▫️ Arbitrum’s Security Council improvement proposal.

▫️ Nouns’ Artist Program proposal.

▫️ Getty Hill ideas for “revitalization and growth” in Uniswap.

▫️ DAO elections.


#DAO https://medium.com/paradigm-research/daos-daos-lowering-proposal-thresholds-optimisms-optimistic-approval-process-arbitrum-s-42a0a63f249c
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Science News Weekly Recap 🔬
22nd January – 29th January

Robotics and AI
▫️ Scientists design a two-legged robot powered by muscle tissue
▫️ Google announces the development of Lumiere, an AI-based next-generation text-to-video generator
▫️ Scientists announce breakthrough in hypersonic heat shield
▫️ Robot shows how dinosaurs flapped feathers to scare prey

General Physics
▫️ Unlocking the secrets of the universe through neutrinoless double beta decay
▫️ Rare decay of the Higgs boson may point to physics beyond the Standard Model
▫️ Gravity helps show strong force strength in the proton
▫️ Validating the low-rank hypothesis in complex systems

Condensed Matter
▫️ Manipulated hafnia paves the way for next-generation memory devices
▫️ Shining a light on the hidden properties of quantum materials

Astronomy & Space Exploration
▫️ Astronomers investigate the properties of a peculiar cataclysmic variable
▫️ Stars travel more slowly at Milky Way's edge: Galaxy's core may contain less dark matter than previously estimated
▫️ NASA collaborating on European-led gravitational wave observatory in space
▫️ After three years on Mars, NASA's Ingenuity helicopter mission ends
▫️ 'Old smokers': Strange new type of star discovered in Milky Way
▫️ Japan's precision moon lander has hit its target, but it appears to be upside-down
▫️ Gravitational wave, Venus missions get European green light

Nanotechnology
▫️ Researchers optimize 3D printing of optically active nanostructures
▫️ Catalytic combo converts CO2 to solid carbon nanofibers
▫️ Cryo-microscopy reveals nano-sized copy machine implicated in origin of life
▫️ Research team develops anti-icing film that only requires sunlight
▫️ Collecting helium diffraction patterns in microscopic regions of samples

Biotechnology
▫️ Scientists spin naturalistic silk from artificial spider gland
▫️ Cultivated meat production costs could fall significantly: Bovine muscle engineered to produce their own growth signals
▫️ Bioengineers on the brink of breaching the blood-brain barrier

Environment
▫️ Seaweed 'could survive nuclear war, avert famine,' says new study
▫️ Climate change behind extreme Amazon drought: study
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BT/ Mastercard launches biometric authentication via passkeys, X announces passkey support
Biometrics biweekly vol. 81, 15th January - 29th January


TL;DR
▫️ Mastercard announces its Passkey service, while X also announces Passkey support.

▫️ Android phone users can enable the security key feature on their phones to confirm logins into Chrome.

▫️ Researchers develop a new biometric system that identifies individuals by measuring their breath, specifically their exhalations.

▫️ Fingerprint biometrics receive a 3D upgrade through digital holographic imaging.

▫️ A demographic-agnostic tool for deepfake detection shows promise.

▫️ Fingerprint Cards (FPC) introduces a biometric card enrollment device ready for distribution.

▫️ Idemia achieves top fingerprint biometric accuracy marks across PFT III datasets.

▫️ Qualcomm develops a smart car biometrics system and partners with Daon on insurance.

▫️ Expertum's SaaS face biometrics engine demonstrates near-perfect accuracy.

▫️ Zwipe shifts focus, dialing back its biometric pay product, and emphasizing access cards.

▫️ Oliu and IDnow announce integrations with fintech for ID verification.

▫️ Regula integrates biometric liveness detection and document validation with the bank platform.

▫️ DHS S&T reveals liveness detection track details for remote ID validation assessment.

▫️ Paravision launches facial liveness detection software after iBeta Level 2 success.

▫️ Phonexia launches a voice biometrics product for forensic investigations.

▫️ ETSI standard for mobile biometrics and security certified by French authority.

▫️ NADRA partners with a local university to promote biometrics research and development.

▫️ Yubico takes cybersecurity initiatives to Hollywood.

▫️ Ireland progresses digital initiatives with 2.3 million verified MyGovID accounts.

▫️ Czech Republic introduces a new digital ID app with over 70,000 downloads on the first day.

▫️ Beijing implements facial recognition for foreigners registering a business.

▫️ The Indian government blocks plans to procure facial recognition and drones for monitoring elections.

▫️ Cambodia introduces a CRVS law to expand legal ID issuance.

▫️ Trans Indonesians to receive physical and digital IDs in time for elections.

▫️ Facial recognition planned for all stadiums in Italy's top football league.

▫️ Digital identity and passkey startup Dapple raises $2.3 million in a pre-seed round.

▫️ Various biometric industry events and more.


#BT #Biometrics https://medium.com/paradigm-research/bt-mastercard-launches-biometric-authentication-via-passkeys-x-announces-passkey-support-f461bc92a282
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🎙 METACAST: Top Crypto Podcasts of January 2024

Greetings, everyone! 
Take a swift glimpse at the highlights of what we've been tuning into this month!


TL;DR
▫️ Bitwise's Matt Hougan and VanEck's Matthew Sigel discuss the initial days of Bitcoin ETF trading.

▫️ Attorney Sam Enzer discusses the significance of the SEC's case against Coinbase.

▫️ Brian Armstrong of Coinbase shares insights on using crypto to improve science.

▫️ Robert Breedlove offers his perspective on Bitcoin.

▫️ Anthony Sassano, Mike Ippolito, and Jordi Alexander provide insights into Ethereum's 2024 outlook.

▫️ Isidoros Passadis talks about staking decentralization for Ethereum.

▫️ Anatoly Yakovenko, Nick White, and Chris Burniske discuss modular vs. monolithic blockchains.

▫️ David Schwartz of Ripple shares insights on the SEC Ripple XRP ruling, crypto disruption in traditional finance, and emerging use cases on the XRP Ledger.

▫️ Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK Invest, discusses the Bitcoin ETF launch, its impact, price predictions, central banks holding Bitcoin, and the next industrial revolution.

▫️ John Palmer, President of Cboe Digital, discusses new Bitcoin & Ethereum futures, ETF dynamics, and the 2024–2025 crypto market outlook.

▫️ Mark Yusko of Morgan Creek Capital Management discusses the impact of Bitcoin ETFs, Jamie Dimon's anti-Bitcoin stance, and Ethereum Spot ETF predictions.

▫️ Sunny Lu talks about VeChain's web3 & sustainability plans.

▫️ Stuart Buck of the Social Science Research Council and the Good Science Project discusses challenges in science funding and research.

▫️ Brian Magierski of Cerebrum DAO explores advancing research in brain health through decentralized science.

▫️ Illia Polosukhin shares Near Protocol's journey.

▫️ Prabal Banerjee explains Avail's approach to Data Availability.

▫️ Howard Wu and Alex Pruden discuss the evolution of Aleo.

▫️ Discussions on decentralized P2P file sharing and FHE-powered Ethereum L2 with Fileverse.

▫️ Hugo Philion of Flare talks about Google Cloud's role, FAssets, Flare staking, AI integration, and the SEC Ripple XRP ruling.

▫️ Jason Bailey shares stories and solutions from the NFT space.

▫️ Blockcrunch episode featuring Jay Jog discussing Sei Network, the first parallelized EVM chain.

▫️ Glen Weyl and Vitalik Buterin explore the Taiwanese plural experience at TempoX Accelerator space.

▫️ And more!


#METACAST https://medium.com/paradigm-research/%EF%B8%8F-metacast-top-crypto-podcasts-of-january-2024-aa16419e2517
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NS/ Neuralink implants brain chip in first human
Neuroscience biweekly vol. 102, 17th January - 31st January


TL;DR

▫️ The first human patient has received an implant from brain-chip startup Neuralink on Sunday and is recovering well, the company's billionaire founder Elon Musk said. "Initial results show promising neuron spike detection," Musk said in a post on the social media platform X on Monday.

▫️ A study reveals that the six anatomical layers of the mammalian brain cortex exhibit distinct patterns of electrical activity consistent throughout the entire cortex and across various animal species, including humans.

▫️ A groundbreaking study establishes a significant link between anxiety disorders and the brain receptor TACR3, as well as testosterone.

▫️ New research highlights a cellular-level process where the brain distinguishes between similar experiences over time, critical for understanding and treating memory disorders like Alzheimer's disease.

▫️ A multidisciplinary team demonstrates two strategies using deep brain stimulation to improve Parkinson's disease symptoms by targeting two key brain structures simultaneously with a novel self-adjusting device.

▫️ Cortical gray matter thinning is identified as an accurate biomarker for dementia development 5 to 10 years before symptoms appear, according to researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

▫️ Scientists discover that communication among memory-coding neurons is disrupted with aging, beginning in middle age.

▫️ Electrical deep brain stimulation (DBS) is applied with a new technique called magnetogenetics, using small magnets to wirelessly trigger specific, gene-edited nerve cells in the brain, effectively relieving motor symptoms in mice without damaging surrounding tissue.

▫️ Physical exercise before and after practicing skills benefits violinists, surgeons, gamers, and anyone aiming to enhance fine motor skills.

▫️ KAIST researchers identify the principle by which musical instincts emerge in the human brain without special learning, using an artificial neural network model.

▫️ Recent advances in generative AI help explain how memories facilitate learning, reliving experiences, and constructing new experiences for imagination and planning, according to a new study.


#NS #Neuroscience https://medium.com/paradigm-research/ns-neuralink-implants-brain-chip-in-first-human-3d7353201a0e
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GN/ Nearly dead plants brought back to life: Keys to aging hidden in the leaves
Genetics biweekly vol.50, 13th January — 1st February


TL;DR
▫️ Scientists have known about a particular organelle in plant cells for over a century. However, scientists have only now discovered that organelle’s key role in aging.

▫️ Researchers have used DNA origami, the art of folding DNA into desired structures, to show how an important cell receptor can be activated in a previously unknown way. The result opens new avenues for understanding how the Notch signalling pathway works and how it is involved in several serious diseases.

▫️ Research group has elucidated a so-far enigmatic, exceptional secretion mechanism, that allows the release of the gigantic Tc toxins. In a kind of kamikaze attack, a small group of so-called “soldier” bacteria, packed to the brim with toxins, release their deadly cargo by exploding in the host. Targeting such subpopulations in medical therapies could be a promising treatment strategy for diseases triggered by bacteria that are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.

▫️ A team of scientists discovered the secrets of cell variability in our bodies. The findings of this research are expected to have far-reaching effects, such as improvement in the efficacy of chemotherapy treatments, or set a new paradigm in the study of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

▫️ The repair of damage to genetic material (DNA) in the human body is carried out by highly efficient mechanisms that have not yet been fully researched. A scientific team has now discovered a previously unrecognized control point for these processes. This could lead to a new approach for the development of cancer therapies aimed at inhibiting the repair of damaged cancer cells.

▫️ An international team of researchers has uncovered a remarkable genetic phenomenon in lycophytes, which are similar to ferns and among the oldest land plants. Their study reveals that these plants have maintained a consistent genetic structure for over 350 million years, a significant deviation from the norm in plant genetics.

▫️ In a new study, researchers have discovered how a system of proteins, called TamAB, helps Salmonella survive under the harsh conditions inside macrophages.

▫️ Researchers have engineered one of the world’s first yeast cells able to harness energy from light, expanding our understanding of the evolution of this trait — and paving the way for advancements in biofuel production and cellular aging.

▫️ To function properly, the genetic material is highly organized into loop structures that often bring together widely separated sections of the genome critical to the regulation of gene activity. Scientists now address how these loops can help repress or silence gene activity, with potentially far-reaching effects on human health.

▫️ With human retinas grown in a petri dish, researchers discovered how an offshoot of vitamin A generates the specialized cells that enable people to see millions of colors, an ability that dogs, cats, and other mammals do not possess.


#GN #Genetics https://medium.com/paradigm-research/gn-nearly-dead-plants-brought-back-to-life-keys-to-aging-hidden-in-the-leaves-b26cd7b1a263
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QT/ What coffee with cream can teach us about quantum physics
Quantum news biweekly vol.67, 16th January - 2nd February


TL;DR
▫️ A new advancement in theoretical physics could, one day, help engineers develop new kinds of computer chips that might store information for longer in very small objects.

▫️ New research conducted by nuclear physicists is using a method that connects theories of gravitation to interactions among the smallest particles of matter. The result is insight into the strong force, a powerful mediator of particle interactions in the subatomic realm. The research has revealed, for the first time, a snapshot of the distribution of the shear strength of the strong force inside the proton -- or how strong an effort must be to overcome the strong force to move an object it holds in its grasp.

▫️ Scientists have discovered a first-of-its-kind material, a 3D crystalline metal in which quantum correlations and the geometry of the crystal structure combine to frustrate the movement of electrons and lock them in place.

▫️ An international team of researchers has disproved a previously held assumption about the impact of multiphoton components in interference effects of thermal fields (e.g. sunlight) and parametric single photons (generated in non-linear crystals).

▫️ Researchers found evidence that bilayer graphene quantum dots may host a promising new type of quantum bit based on so-called valley states.

▫️ In a new study, a group of researchers reports that they have achieved quantum coherence at room temperature: the ability of a quantum system to maintain a well-defined state over time without getting affected by surrounding disturbances.

▫️ Certain materials have desirable properties that are hidden and scientists can use light to uncover these properties. Researchers have used an advanced optical technique, based on terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, to learn more about a quantum material called Ta2NiSe5 (TNS).

▫️ A team of scientists has succeeded in cooling traveling sound waves in wave-guides considerably further than has previously been possible using laser light. This achievement represents a significant move towards the ultimate goal of reaching the quantum ground state of sound in wave-guides.

▫️ Researchers grew a twisted multilayer crystal structure for the first time and measured the structure's key properties. The twisted structure could help researchers develop next-generation materials for solar cells, quantum computers, lasers and other devices.

▫️ Non-Heisenberg-type approximant crystals have many interesting properties and are intriguing for researchers of condensed matter physics. However, their magnetic phase diagrams, which are crucial for realizing their potential, remain completely unknown. Now, a team of researchers has constructed the magnetic phase diagram of a non-Heisenberg Tsai-type 1/1 gold-gallium-terbium approximant crystal. This development marks a significant step forward for quasicrystal research and for the realization of magnetic refrigerators and spintronic devices.


#QT #Quantum https://medium.com/paradigm-research/qt-what-coffee-with-cream-can-teach-us-about-quantum-physics-8b15e0f2b7c8
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Science News Weekly Recap 🔬
29th January – 5th February


Astronomy & Space Exploration
▫️ Methane pulses on Mars possibly driven by atmospheric pressure changes
▫️ Scientists discover the moon is shrinking, causing landslides and instability in lunar south pole
▫️ Are space elevators possible? Physicists say they could transform humanity into a 'spacefaring civilization'
▫️ Japan's moon lander comes back to life
▫️ Study predicts best times for Curiosity to sample Mars' methane
▫️ After three years on Mars, NASA's Ingenuity helicopter mission ends

Neuroscience
▫️ Neuralink implants brain chip in first human
▫️ Study reveals a universal pattern of brain wave frequencies
▫️ Mechanism linking anxiety to testosterone
▫️ Using magnetized neurons to treat Parkinson's disease symptoms
▫️ Research into the nature of memory reveals how cells that store information are stabilized over time
▫️ Thinning of brain region may signal dementia risk 5-10 years before symptoms

Biotechnology
▫️ Team develops a non-allergenic wheat protein for growing better cultivated meat
▫️ An enzyme used in laundry detergent can recycle single-use plastics within 24 hours
▫️ Cultivated meat production costs could fall significantly: Bovine muscle engineered to produce their own growth signals
▫️ Using CRISPR technology, researchers succeed in growing tomatoes that consume less water without compromising yield

Condensed Matter
▫️ Physicists develop highly robust time crystal
▫️ Researchers discover new ways to excite spin waves with extreme infrared light
▫️ Exploring new physics arising from electron interactions in semiconductor moiré superlattices

Optics & Photonics
▫️ A Trojan approach to guide and trap light beams via Lagrange points
▫️ Device could jumpstart work toward quantum internet

Robotics
▫️ Team designs robots to help with human habitation in space
▫️ A strategy to design lithium anode interlayer for all-solid-state lithium-metal batteries
▫️ Scientists develop 3D-printed pneumatic modules that control the movements of soft robots using air pressure
▫️ Avocado robot swings its way to unexplored treetops
▫️ Humanoid robot startup Figure AI in funding talks with Microsoft, OpenAI
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NT/ Solving mysteries of metallic glass at the nanoscale
Nanotechnology & nanomaterials biweekly vol.48, 22nd January — 5th February


TL;DR
▫️ In a new study, researchers explore the physical quirks of how metallic glasses and other amorphous metals behave at very small sizes, providing insights that could lead to new ways of creating metallic glasses.

▫️ Severely oxidized metallic glass nanotubes were found to attain ultrahigh recoverable elastic strain, outperforming most conventional super-elastic metals. The physical mechanisms underpinning this super-elasticity were also discovered, opening up unique properties for applications in sensors, medical devices, and nanodevices.

▫️ A machine-learning method predicts the growth of carbon nanostructures on metal surfaces, potentially making it easier to design and synthesize carbon nanostructures with unique chemical versatility.

▫️ Scientists demonstrate the formation of functional nanoclusters (NCs) with atomic-scale precision, growing cobalt NCs on flat copper surfaces using molecular arrays as traps. This breakthrough paves the way for advancements in single-atom catalysis and spintronics miniaturization.

▫️ Nanostructures enhance the neural response in a locust's brain to specific odors, improving odor identification. This research could have implications for sensory enhancement in other organisms and potential applications in various fields.

▫️ MXene nanoparticle scaffolds stimulate muscle growth, with researchers explaining the molecular mechanisms behind their positive influence on muscle regeneration. This discovery could advance MXene scaffolds for muscle reconstruction surgeries and other medical applications.

▫️ A universal method is developed for producing a variety of designed metallic and semiconductor 3D nanostructures. Using a 'hacked' form of DNA, molecules organize themselves into targeted 3D patterns, offering potential applications in next-generation semiconductor devices, neuromorphic computing, and advanced energy applications.

▫️ Researchers fabricate a soccer ball-shaped construction using edge-to-edge assembly of 2D semiconductor materials, showcasing a novel approach to constructing nanostructures.

▫️ Rice University researchers map out how flecks of 2D materials move in liquid, providing knowledge that could help assemble macroscopic-scale materials with the useful properties of 2D counterparts.

▫️ Perovskite quantum dots, a kind of artificial atom, demonstrate improved properties through chemical surface treatment and quantum mechanical effects, making them more promising for applications in displays and quantum technologies.


#Nanotechnology #Nanomaterials #NT https://medium.com/paradigm-research/nt-solving-mysteries-of-metallic-glass-at-the-nanoscale-ed30a7345982
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