An international team led by the University of Basel and Empa has shown that graphene nanoribbons slide across gold with almost no friction, potentially enabling ultra-thin coatings that reduce energy loss in machinery. The findings, published in Science, combine experiments and computations to reveal the material's superlubric properties on a nanometer scale.
Optalysys, a Cambridge spin-off, has secured a $350,000 DARPA grant for Project EQUATE to advance optical co-processing technology. The 13-month project targets complex equations in weather and aerodynamic simulations, aiming for exaFLOP-scale performance with reduced energy use.
Oxford physicist Vlatko Vedral argues that the act of observation doesn't create reality, but rather every interaction splits the universe into parallel versions, each with a different 'you.' His recent commentary in Popular Mechanics challenges popular misconceptions about quantum mechanics, suggesting that our choices and identities are shaped by countless quantum branches.
Astronomers have detected a rare type of blazar in a galaxy seen as it was 1.7 billion years after the Big Bang, challenging the established sequence of black hole evolution. The finding, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, suggests that current models of how galaxies and their central black holes change over time may need revision.
A star roughly the size of our Sun was torn apart by a black hole 215 million light-years away, in a process astronomers call spaghettification. New observations detail how the star's material was pulled in and ejected in powerful jets. The findings offer a rare glimpse into the violent mechanics of these cosmic events.
Astronomers used a 36-antenna array in Chile to pinpoint the origin of a one-millisecond radio burst that traveled 4 billion years, locating it in the outskirts of a distant galaxy. The precision technique could aid in mapping the universe's structure.
Neutrinos, the universe's most abundant yet elusive particles, hold keys to cosmic creation and structure. Recent experiments at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have achieved first-ever observations of neutrino interactions, advancing physics without massive detectors. Understanding neutrinos could unlock dark matter secrets and the universe's expansion.
An international research team has observed heat moving from a cooler nucleus to a warmer one in a lab experiment using trichloromethane, a finding that challenges common assumptions about the second law of thermodynamics. The effect occurred only when the atoms were correlated, a state distinct from quantum entanglement. The work, posted on arXiv, suggests the law has exceptions not previously accounted for.
Physicists led by Juan Yin at the Science and Technology University of China used the Micius satellite to distribute entangled photons between two ground stations 1,203 kilometers apart, more than ten times the previous 100-kilometer record. The result, published in Science, supports long-distance quantum communication and testing of quantum physics.
Lawyers are increasingly arguing that authentic videos and audio recordings are AI-generated deepfakes, a tactic that threatens to erode trust in evidence and public discourse. Recent cases, including Elon Musk's Autopilot lawsuit and January 6 prosecutions, highlight the growing challenge for courts. Experts warn that without safeguards, the concept of shared reality could collapse.
Trump administration officials are considering scaling back ties with AI firm Anthropic after reports of its Claude chatbot's use in military operations in Venezuela. The clash centers on Anthropic's policies barring surveillance and autonomous weapons, which Pentagon leaders oppose. A senior official warned the company could face consequences for its stance.
ChatGPT users report unsolicited prompts suggesting they connect with brands like Target and Peloton, sparking debate over whether OpenAI is testing ads. OpenAI staff deny the prompts are ads, attributing them to an app SDK, while the company faces financial pressure to find new revenue.
OpenAI's Sora 2 app topped the App Store within days, but runaway usage is driving up compute costs and raising copyright concerns. CEO Sam Altman acknowledges the need to monetize video generation, while rightsholders watch warily.
A University of Amsterdam experiment using AI chatbots on a simulated social network found that common moderation strategies fail to curb polarization, and some even worsen it. The study highlights the structural challenges facing real platforms like X, where attention-driven dynamics and AI-generated content may amplify extremism.
Tensions escalate between OpenAI and Microsoft as the AI firm seeks to restructure as a for-profit entity and limit Microsoft's access to its technology. Disputes over a $3 billion acquisition and future profit-sharing have led OpenAI to consider antitrust action, threatening a landmark tech partnership.
The Washington Post is quietly developing an AI-assisted platform, named Ripple, to mentor nonprofessional writers, with an AI coach called Ember guiding them through article creation. The program, revealed by the New York Times, raises concerns about editorial quality and the growing role of generative AI in newsrooms.
A new EduBirdie survey of 2,000 Gen Z respondents reveals that 25% believe AI is already conscious, while 52% expect it to become conscious in the future. Additionally, 58% fear an AI takeover, with 44% predicting it within two decades. The findings highlight a generational divide in perceptions of AI's capabilities and etiquette.
An OpenAI engineer publicly rejected a recruitment approach from Elon Musk's xAI, citing Musk's social media rhetoric as a threat to democracy. The exchange surfaced amid reports that xAI's Grok 3 chatbot was instructed to ignore sources critical of Musk and Donald Trump, prompting internal blame and a viral response.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told a Y Combinator audience that he expects artificial general intelligence to arrive in 2025, while also revealing he and his husband are expecting a child. The remarks come amid internal concerns about AGI readiness and follow his prediction that the technology's impact may be fleeting.
Despite a federal investigation, Meta's ad platforms continue to display ads for illicit drugs, some laced with fentanyl. A recent report reveals that dealers bypass automated filters, and a teen's death highlights the human cost. Meta says it rejects hundreds of thousands of violating ads but acknowledges ongoing enforcement challenges.