Integrated Quantum Optical Circuits Market : Industry Analysis and Forecast (2018-2026) Material Type, Application and Region. – LionLowdown

§ January 5th, 2021 § Filed under Quantum Medicine Comments Off on Integrated Quantum Optical Circuits Market : Industry Analysis and Forecast (2018-2026) Material Type, Application and Region. – LionLowdown

Global Integrated Quantum Optical Circuits Market was valued at US$ 426 Mn in 2017 and is expected to reach US$ 1450 Mn by 2026 at CAGR of 16.55% during a forecast period.

North America generated the highest revenue share in 2017 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.6% during the forecast period.

Integrated Quantum Optical Circuit is a device that combines multiple optical devices to form a single photonic circuit. This device takes light instead of electricity for signal processing and computing. It consists of a complex circuit design due to the integration of various optical devices including a multiplexer, amplifier, modulator and other into a small compact circuit. Usually, integrated circuits work by conducting electricity whereas the photonic circuit uses quantum of lights for the signal processing.

Hybrid photonic and monolithic integration are the two different kinds of photonic integration methods. The hybrid photonic circuit consists of a package of photonic devices, which are used for the same function whereas a lot of optical devices of different function are integrated to form a single IC. The application of Integrated Quantum Optical Circuits includes fiber-optic communication, biomedical, computing, and optical sensors.

Increase in demand for high-speed internet connectivity, multiplication of app-based solution in personal & professional services and an increase in demand for powerful and enhanced alternative for usual technology are key factors that drive the growth of the globally integrated quantum optical circuits market. Currently, the developing countries such as India, China, Brazil, and others are focusing on constructing a high-speed internet infrastructure. Hence, an increase in investment by IT & telecom industry over these countries is expected to raise the demand for high-speed internet connectivity. Therefore, different developed economies are investing in these countries to build their business globally.

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Although, the high initial cost and design complexity associated with the fabrication of circuits are expected to restrain the growth of the global market. Also, the rise in investment on building a 5G network is anticipated to provide gainful growth opportunities for the global integrated quantum optical circuits market in near future.

Optical fiber sensors segment dominated the global integrated quantum fiber circuits market in 2017 and is expected to continue dominant during the forecast period. Optical sensors application is the other hopeful application in this market. It is used in fields like defense, aerospace, energy, transportation, medicine, and further appearing fields. Quantum computing is another application of Photonic Integrated circuits (PICs) which is forecasted to be commercialized in 2017. This technology is expected to entirely transform the computing industry. PICs are also used in the biomedical field.

In 2017, North America generated the highest revenue in the globally integrated quantum optical circuits market and it is expected to dominate during the forecast period, due to at present North America has the largest market for PIC based products, especially in data centers and WAN applications of optical fiber communication. However, Asia Pacific (APAC) is the immense player in the access network application of optical fiber communications right now. North America is the leader in a PIC market with 49% market share still it is estimated that APAC will appear as the market leader by 2026 growing at a CAGR of 35.9% from 2018 to 2026.

In 2017, the silicon photonics segment generated the highest revenue in the globally integrated quantum optical circuits market, it is expected to remain dominant during the forecast period due to it is simple to fabricate and multiple functions can be combined in the chip whereas the Indium Phosphide segment also expected to dominate the globally integrated quantum optical circuits market during the forecast period due to Indium Phosphide has the capability of cost-productive mass production using standard high-yield, batch semiconductor forming processes.

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The key players operating in the global integrated quantum optical circuits market are Infinera (U.S.), Alcatel Liucent (U.S.), Neophotonics (U.S.), JDSU (U.S.) Kotura (U.S.), Aifotec AG, Ciena Corporation, Finisar Corporation, Intel Corporation, Infinera Corporation, Neophotonics Corporation, TE Connectivity, Oclaro Inc., Luxtera, Inc., and Emcore Corporation. These key players have adopted strategies such as product portfolio expansion, mergers & acquisitions, agreements, geographical expansion, and collaborations to enhance their market penetration. Scope of the Global Integrated Quantum Optical Circuits Market

Global Integrated Quantum Optical Circuits Market, by Material Type

Indium Phosphide Silica Glass Silicon Photonics Lithium Niobate Gallium Arsenide Global Integrated Quantum Optical Circuits Market, by Application

Optical Fiber Communication Optical Sensors Bio Medical Quantum Computing Global Integrated Quantum Optical Circuits Market, by Region

North America Europe Asia-Pacific Middle East & Africa South America Key Players operating in the Global Integrated Quantum Optical Circuits Market

Infinera (U.S.) Alcatel Liucent (U.S.) Neophotonics (U.S.) JDSU (U.S.) Kotura (U.S.) Aifotec AG Ciena Corporation Finisar Corporation Intel Corporation Infinera Corporation Neophotonics Corporation TE Connectivity Oclaro Inc. Luxtera, Inc. Emcore Corporation

Major Table Integrated Quantum Optical Circuits Market of Contents Report

1. Preface 1.1. Research Objectives 1.2. Report Scope and Market Segmentation

2. Assumptions and Research Methodology 2.1. Abbreviations 3. Executive Summary 3.1. Global Integrated Quantum Optical Circuits Market Size, by Market Value (US$ Mn) and Market

4. Market Overview 4.1. Introduction 4.2. Market Dynamics 4.2.1. Drivers and Restraints Snapshot Analysis 4.2.2. Drivers 4.2.3. Restraints 4.2.4. Opportunities 4.2.5. Porters Analysis 4.2.6. Value Chain Analysis 4.2.7. SWOT Analysis 4.3. Global Integrated Quantum Optical Circuits Market Industry Trends

5. Global Integrated Quantum Optical Circuits Market Analysis and Forecast 5.1. Global Integrated Quantum Optical Circuits Market Size& Y-o-Y Growth Analysis 5.1.1. North America 5.1.2. Europe 5.1.3. Asia Pacific 5.1.4. Middle East & Africa 5.1.5. South America

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Integrated Quantum Optical Circuits Market : Industry Analysis and Forecast (2018-2026) Material Type, Application and Region. - LionLowdown

Quantum computers’ power will remake competition in industries from technology to finance – MarketWatch

§ December 31st, 2020 § Filed under Quantum Medicine Comments Off on Quantum computers’ power will remake competition in industries from technology to finance – MarketWatch

Quantum computers, once fully scaled, could lead to breakthroughs on many fronts medicine, finance, architecture, logistics.

First, its important to understand why quantum computers are superior to the conventional ones weve been using for years:

In conventional electronic devices, memory consists of bits with only one value, either 0 or 1. In quantum computing, a quantum bit (qubit) exhibits both values in varying degrees at the same time. This is called quantum superposition. These ubiquitous states of each qubit are then used in complex calculations, which read like regular bits: 0 and 1.

Since qubits can store more information than regular bits, this also means quantum computers are capable of processing greater quantities of information. Having four bits enables 16 possibilities, but only one at a time. Four qubits in quantum superposition, however, let you calculate all 16 states at once. This means that four qubits equal 65,500 regular bits. Each qubit added to the quantum computing system increases its power exponentially.

To put things in perspective, a top supercomputer can currently accomplish as much as a five- to 20-qubit computer, but its estimated that a 50-qubit quantum computer will be able to solve computational problems no other conventional device can in any feasible amount of time.

This quantum supremacy has been achieved many times so far. Its important to mention that this doesnt mean the quantum computer can beat a traditional one in every task rather, it shines only in a limited set of tasks specially tailored to outline its strengths. Also, a quantum computer still needs to overcome many obstacles before it can become a mainstream device.

But once it does, its computational power will boost science and industries that profit from it.

Large companies working on quantum computing in their respective industries include AT&T T, -0.18%, Google holding company Alphabet GOOG, -1.09% GOOGL, -1.22%, IBM IBM, +0.44% and Microsoft MSFT, -1.10%.

Here are a few industries that could benefit the most:

Quantum chemistry, also called molecular quantum mechanics, is a branch of chemistry focused on the application of quantum mechanics to chemical systems. Here, quantum computers help in molecule modeling, taking into account all of their possible quantum states a feat that is beyond the power of conventional computing.

That, in turn, helps us understand their properties, which is invaluable for new material and medicine research.

Quantum cryptography, also known as quantum encryption, employs principles of quantum mechanics to facilitate encryption and protection of encrypted data from tampering. Using the peculiar behavior of subatomic particles, it enables the reliable detection of tampering or eavesdropping (via the Quantum Key Distribution method).

Quantum encryption is also used for secure encryption key transfer, which is based on the entanglement principle. Both methods are currently available, but due to their complexity and price, only governments and institutions handling delicate data (most notably in China and the U.S.) can afford them for the time being.

Quantum financeis an interdisciplinary research field that applies theories and methods developed by quantum physicists and economists to solve problems in finance.This especially includes complex calculations, such as the pricing of various financial instruments and other computational finance problems.

Some scientists argue that quantum pricing models will provide more accuracy than classical ones because theyre able to take into account market inefficiency, which is something classical models disregard.

Quantum computing will also enhance analysis of large and unstructured data sets, which will improve decision making across different areas from better-timed offers to risk assessment. Many of these calculations will require a quantum computer with thousands of qubits to resolve, but the way things have been progressing recently, its not unrealistic to see quantum computers reach this processing potential in a matter of years, rather than decades.

Although still in the domain of conceptual research, principles of quantum mechanics will help quantum computers achieve a markedly greater speed and efficiency than what is currently possible on classical computers when executing AI algorithms this goes especially for machine learning.

Current computational models used in weather forecasting employ dynamic variables, from air temperature, pressure and density to historic data and other factors that go into creating climate prediction models. Due to limited available processing power, classical computers and even conventional supercomputers are the bottlenecks that limit the speed and efficacy of forecasting calculations.

To predict extreme weather events and limit the loss of life and property, we need faster and more robust forecasting models. By harnessing the power of qubits, quantum computing is capable of providing necessary the raw processing power to make that happen. Furthermore, machine learning provided by the quantum AI can additionally improve these forecasting models.

Despite its rapid progress, quantum computing is still in its infancy, but its clearly a game changer, capable of solving problems previously deemed insurmountable for classical computers.

This power will provide most benefits not only to science and medicine, but also to businesses and industries where fast processing of large datasets is paramount.

As a marketing specialist, I can see a huge advantage for my industry, but others, especially finance and cryptography, will undoubtedly find the quantum boost to their decision-making processes and quality of their final product hugely beneficial.

The real question is who will be the first to harness this power and use quantum computing as a part of their unique value proposition and competitive advantage? The race is on.

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Quantum computers' power will remake competition in industries from technology to finance - MarketWatch

Invest In Interns To Build Hawaii’s Future – Honolulu Civil Beat

§ December 31st, 2020 § Filed under Quantum Medicine Comments Off on Invest In Interns To Build Hawaii’s Future – Honolulu Civil Beat

Ive been accused of being an optimist. Im guilty as charged but for good reason.

Like most, I follow the news and realize that there are many valid reasons to be pessimistic:Hawaiis cargo cult tourist economy. The ALICE report, detailing the struggles of those who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed. Incomplete or absent government policies. Outmigration. The global pandemic. And so on.

Over the last 30-plus years, we have conducted a summer intern program at Oceanit, the mind to market company I run, where we begin with ideas and bring them to life in the world.

The majority of our interns are from Hawaii and are working on their undergraduate or graduate college educations. We build cohorts of people from diverse backgrounds some students from public schools, some from private schools, some from economically or socially challenged upbringings, others with unique life experiences.

When we started this program, we hoped to make a small contribution to building Hawaiis future. Each year we are overwhelmed by the number of qualified applicants. So far, we have hosted over 700 paid summer interns, investing many millions of dollars.

We expect a high level of professionalism and performance, and our interns invariably respond with quality contributions. The tragedy is that each year we receive way too many high-quality applicants, most of them from Hawaii.

Our summer intern program is very structured and includes weekly seminars on topics such as innovation, community, inequality, the environment, etc. The last thing the interns do before returning to school is an innovation project.

It is an open-ended challenge to explore an idea their idea, any idea to make the world a better place. We dont tell interns what to focus on but do encourage them to consider something that they care deeply about.

We also encourage interns to think big thoughts about the future and what could be what technology, science or engineering breakthroughs could make the world a better place.

Conversations range from digital medicine to quantum encrypted communication. Interns see the jagged edges of science unfold, revealing fantastic possibilities that feed the future, enabled by changing methods and materials what was once impossible becomes possible.

Consider the impact of penicillin on surgery or the jet engine on trans-Pacific flight and how these and other innovations changed the world.

These young people are a lens into the future and its always interesting and informative to learn what they care about.

Their ideas are incredibly diverse too: ways to remove plastics from the ocean, reduce the risk of falls by the elderly, recycle batteries, remove birds from airport runways, breathe underwater like Aquaman, manage toxic waste, regrow amputated limbs, help socially disadvantaged kids improve their English, reinvent agriculture with artificial intelligence, sequester carbon, etc.

Each innovation is presented and defended with scientific, economic and business analyses arguing why the idea is worth pursuing and how it will affect the world.

What we consistently see is that contrary to what local folks may think, local talent is of a very high quality. These young people have both the education and the imagination to create the future. Each year we watch them transform from being uncertain to finding focus and drive to pursue the things that matter to them.

What strikes me is that while these young people see the future, there is little community interest in understanding what they see. After many years, Ive concluded that when it comes to building Hawaiis future, the kids are fine its the grownups that leave something to be desired.

Today, the Hawaii business community focuses almost entirely on the tourism and related industries at the exclusion of just about everything else.

While this has been economically beneficial for some and has enabled Hawaiis economy to grow, it has cultivated economic Group Think that believes tourism is the only economic option for Hawaii.

This hyper-focus creates few high-paying jobs and further underscores a lack of interest or trust in young people, their ideas or their interests. In fact, many teachers and parents implicitly communicate that to be successful, you must leave Hawaii.

Moreover, policies developed by government rarely address the minimum investment of attention, support or capital needed to entertain diverse industries.

Instead, these industries are given only enough attention to say, We tried, but not enough to actually open the aperture of the future. Its no wonder that many talented young people dont see their future selves building careers in Hawaii.

An unexpected consequence of the coronavirus pandemic is that its accelerating time, and the future is coming into focus faster than it would under normal circumstances.

A spotlight is shining on the frailty of tourism, illuminating both the industrys lack of long-term sustainability and its contribution to chronic inequality.

The pandemic has given us the opportunity to think deeply about our future the future we all want. A future that creates diverse jobs that provide a living wage. A future where our economic ecosystem values education and imagination. A future where kids dont have to leave to find their own success.

In my opinion, Hawaiis future is not limited as much by the physical world as it is by our imagination.

I see a future version of Hawaii where we create solutions from Hawaii to the world, rather than the present approach where we spend resources to import goods and services and bring in experts while we export our most precious resource: our kids.

When I talk like this, its pretty common to hear, That sounds good, but how does that actually happen? Could you be more specific?

If I were to name just a few areas that are ripe for opportunity, I would include artificial intelligence, green hydrogen energy, quantum computation and communication. I explored innovation and the ways we think in depth in a book I published this year, Intellectual Anarchy, The Art of Disruptive Innovation.

In the immediate, having found ourselves in a pandemic with an urgent global need for accurate and fast testing, we pivoted to inventing and manufacturing a COVID-19 rapid saliva test. We are seeking to address an enormous global need for 20 to 50 million tests per day.

Were in the midst of a real-life example of how we can do more than tourism in Hawaii. In the ideal, we would have the manufacturing infrastructure in place in the islands to make these billions of tests in Hawaii, thereby creating and growing quality manufacturing jobs.

Also, note that two prior Oceanit interns are currently part of the team working on this technology. One earned a Ph.D. in engineering, the other earned a masters degree in engineering and both came back to Hawaii.

To find our future, we need to do more than imitate Silicon Valley, copy Singapore or search for a silver bullet or magic formula.

To discover our better future, we need to begin by looking into the mirror, we need to take responsibility, we need to bet on Hawaii.

It boils down to a choice. Do we decide to bet on Hawaiis people or hope that someone shows up to save us? Our future is what we choose.

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Invest In Interns To Build Hawaii's Future - Honolulu Civil Beat

It will take five to seven years for us to double the number of intensivists if we start work from today – Express Healthcare

§ December 31st, 2020 § Filed under Quantum Medicine Comments Off on It will take five to seven years for us to double the number of intensivists if we start work from today – Express Healthcare

Recently, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan announced plans to transform its critical care unit into a Centre of Excellence with a focus on evidence-based protocols, training, and capacity building of critical care specialists. Dr Rahul Pandit,Director-Critical Care, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai and Member of Maharashtras COVID-19 Task Forceshares more details about the endeavour, the gaps and challenges in Indias existing critical care system, lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic, need stronger collaborations between private and public healthcare sectors and more, in an interview with Lakshmipriya Nair

The COVID-19 pandemic strained our critical care systems and infrastructure. What are the biggest gaps and challenges in our existing systems?

The pandemic inflicted a huge strain on the countrys critical care infrastructure. Critical care services throughout the nation were challenged and stretched beyond limits. We were three times short of trained doctors to look after critical patients and those in need of intensive management. The number of trained nurses and paramedical staff to support this pandemic were even shorter than doctors. Also, in the rural parts of the country, there are hardly any critical care specialists to contribute to COVID-19 care.

In India, training for healthcare professionals in critical care management picked pace in the past ten to 15 years, therefore it has not percolated to rural India. There is huge scope for improvement in the training of critical care specialists. A comprehensive process needs to be established to train doctors and other medical professionals to cater to the critically ill population.

How do we need to transform our healthcare system to be more future-ready in terms of critical care, especially for contagious/infectious diseases?

During the pandemic, the biggest gap was seen in trained manpower. So, firstly we need to establish critical care as a super-speciality discipline in medical colleges and teaching institutes. Currently, we have a handful of colleges that provide this super-speciality training in India. We need to have super-speciality training across all the medical colleges in India. Secondly, the attitude towards critical care as an independent speciality needs to change. The role and importance of critical care and an intensivist has changed quite significantly due to the pandemic. Thirdly, in metro cities, there should be independent or separate hospitals and units catering to patients suffering from infectious diseases. As far as India is concerned, we need to upgrade and revamp infectious disease services to address the many gaps in our system.

If we look at the last 20 years, the world has gone through several infectious disease episodes. In 2003- 2004 the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong and China was followed by H1N1, Avian influenza, Ebola, and now the COVID-19 pandemic. We also experience tuberculosis endemic in India. Therefore, in India, the need of the hour is to build robust critical care and infectious disease centres which can cater to a large number of patients.

What role does Fortis envisage for itself in this transformation? How are these goals inculcated in the new Centre of Excellence at Fortis Kalyan?

Fortis Hospitals have always been at the forefront as far as critical care services are concerned. Fortis Mulund unit has been recognised for training by the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine for both diploma and fellowship courses, Diplomat of National Board, (DNB) for DNB Critical Care medicine, and by the College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia for training. They found our standards and treatment protocols at par with the Australian hospitals and teaching institutes.

What we intend to do in Kalyan is to not only ramp up our expertise for critical care but also to inculcate a culture of education and introduce new training programmes. Also, we would like to enhance our protocols for caregiving and make it standardised across all units. We would like to bring across a quantum change in which patients who come to any centre can find the same kind of quality care standards. We would also like to bring about a sense of responsibility and empowerment among our nursing staff to ensure high-quality care at all levels.

Some of the infection control policies and as well as key performance indicators (KPIs) will be enhanced bloodstream infections, surgical site infections, reincubation rates etc., will be looked at; alongside, protocols will be put in place to achieve better outcomes.

What are the short-term and long-term steps needed to build our capabilities in terms of our workforce and their skills for critical care services?

Workforce capability training is never a short-term goal, it is always a long-term goal. To build-up for the future, it takes up one to two years before we can have an ongoing teaching programme. A long-term plan not only looks at training medical professionals but also looks at establishing career growth for those enrolling for the programme. The beauty of this programme lies in the fact that it is designed in such a way that in future, our specialist-to-patient ratio will be 1:15 in the ICU unit, which is the internationally accepted ratio for optimal patient outcomes.

What are the biggest lessons for critical care management (protocols, policies) from the pandemic?

The biggest lessons for critical care management learnt during the pandemic is that India needs to strengthen its critical care workforce and put all the patient doubts and anxieties to rest. There were these pressing concerns and various rumours that patients on life support for COVID-19 care werent doing well and that there is a delay in treatment. It took us a good four to five months to convince people and gain their trust in the quality of care provided and the outcomes were good. It is not the ventilator which treats the patient, it is the care that is provided that helps the patient recover faster.

There is a lot of ignorance among patients and doctors alike about critical care management. But the efforts taken to upgrade and train professionals in critical care made a big difference in management and outcomes.

How should hospitals of the future adopt and implement digital solutions within their OTs and ICUs to transform critical care?

One of the big opportunities in critical care is the use of digital platforms. Electronic ICUs are no more things of the past. We have a lot of solutions where physicians can remotely monitor patients. They act as a second safety net and can support doctors with critical health information. They also help in enhancing clinical outcomes through connect health services. For instance, if you have on-ground medical personnel trained to do the procedure, the Intensive Care Specialist can guide reasonable therapy even from a far off place. This improves clinical and patient outcomes. Timely referral to a special care unit is extremely important as well.

Stronger collaborations between private and public healthcare stakeholders will also be crucial to strengthening the countrys critical care system. In your opinion, how can such collaborations be facilitated?

Currently, modern intensive care practices are well established at some of the private hospitals in the country. Whereas many public hospitals, barring a few, lack basic critical care services. To improve this infrastructure, public-private partnerships (PPP) are the right way. The partnership basically should include manpower and resources enhancement. This can be done by way of involving private sector critical care specialists to work with the government as part of public programmes or on an honorary basis so that patients at government hospitals also get specialised care and these doctors can be a part of the upskilling and training programmes. It will take five to seven years for us to double the number of intensivists if we start work from today. If we dont work from today, then we might not be able to rebuild or save our crippling healthcare system.

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It will take five to seven years for us to double the number of intensivists if we start work from today - Express Healthcare

The Most Important Fact About Science Heading Into 2021 – Forbes

§ December 31st, 2020 § Filed under Quantum Medicine Comments Off on The Most Important Fact About Science Heading Into 2021 – Forbes

This image shows our fragile planet Earth, with clouds, ocean, land masses, and the border between ... [+] the atmosphere and space visible. The most remarkable fact about the Universe is that is can be understood, but we must take care to take advantage of that understanding.

In a nutshell, 2020 has been a unique year in human history. For the first time since the dawn of modern medicine, a pathogen that spreads through the air but whose spread can be contained with a few simple, straightforward public health intervention spread to all 7 continents across the globe, setting new records for infections and deaths in the process. All that weve suffered, from infections to deaths to long-term chronic conditions, to the accumulated economic damage and mental health struggles that have come along as unavoidable damage, to the impact on education, healthcare workers, and countless other areas of our society, was entirely preventable.

Make no mistake: it was not the virus itself, but rather our lack of responsible collective action on a global scale in response to the virus, that has resulted in the situation we now face. As various vaccines slowly roll out, most of us are expecting the pandemic to finally come to a gradual end as the majority of society acquires an immunity to this virus. But through it all, theres a scientific fact that should be guiding us in every aspect of our lives, a fact that we all too often ignore.

The Universe, and every physical thing within it, obeys the same fundamental, underlying rules. Discovering and understanding those rules, and how they apply to any particular phenomenon, is the most successful tool arguably, the only reliably successful tool humanity has ever developed to tackle the problems that face us. As 2020 comes to an end and we face the dawn of 2021, this is the one fact we should all not only embrace, but demand that we weave into the very fabric of our civilization.

The Hubble eXtreme Deep Field (XDF) may have observed a region of sky just 1/32,000,000th of the ... [+] total, but was able to uncover a whopping 5,500 galaxies within it: an estimated 10% of the total number of galaxies actually contained in this pencil-beam-style slice. The remaining 90% of galaxies are either too faint or too red or too obscured for Hubble to reveal, but perhaps the James Webb Space Telescope will reveal many of them.

I want you to imagine a very different Universe from our own: one where the laws of nature changed, randomly and chaotically, over time. Instead of the force of gravity tethering us to Earth, accelerating us towards its center at a constant 9.8 m/s2, you can imagine a Universe where gravitation got stronger or weaker at random, even reversing its sign periodically. The Sun could randomly cease shining, or just as easily burn so hot that it could cook all life on Earth in just a few minutes. In fact, the list of what could go wrong in a Universe where the rules are inconsistent in time or space is as long as our creative impulses allow.

The atoms in your body could suddenly begin to radioactively decay; your cellular matrix could spontaneously fall apart; the forces that prevent our planet from collapsing into a black hole could all instantaneously go away. The person next to you could fly off into space while you fell through the Earth, hurtling towards its center. In a Universe where the rules are arbitrary and change at random, all hope of making concrete predictions about the future is lost.

The first color movie of Jupiter from NASA's Cassini spacecraft shows what it would look like to ... [+] peel the entire globe of Jupiter, stretch it out on a wall into the form of a rectangular map, and watch its atmosphere evolve with time. Observations of many different phenomena show a Universe that evolves with time, but with rules that remain the same in all locations and at all times.

When we first began our scientific investigations of our physical reality, there was no guarantee that the laws of nature wouldnt be changing over time. There was no a priori reason that the rules our reality plays by had to be the same everywhere or at all times. And yet, when we examine the Universe down to the finest details that we can from biology to chemistry to physics, from subatomic to cosmic scales and everything in between we find that they are. The quantum rules governing atoms here on Earth are identical to the rules that govern them tens of billions of light-years away, as far away as were able to measure.

The rules that govern subatomic particles, from radioactive decays to nuclear reactions, havent changed in billions of years. We can look at our own planets geological history, at meteorites of various ages, and even of Earths natural nuclear reactor thats been inactive for nearly 2 billion years, and reconstruct just how constant the laws of physics have been. To the limits of our precision measurements, neither the rules governing reality nor the values of the fundamental constants have changed in any measurable fashion.

The absorption lines at a variety of redshifts show that the rules of fundamental physics and sizes ... [+] of atoms have not changed throughout the Universe, even as the light has redshifted due to its expansion. Unfortunately, the most light-blocking material exists at the earliest times, making finding the most distant galaxies an incredible challenge.

For many of us, thats where wed want science to stop. Ok, you say, science gives us the facts, and thats fine, but what we do with those facts is up to all of us, and goes beyond the scope of science.

Nonsense.

If that were the policy we adopted, it would be the equivalent of the legend of the ostrich burying its head in the sand, deliberately blinding itself to the approaching danger while it should be defending itself: either fighting or fleeing, as appropriate.

As it turns out, science even teaches us that common image is a myth. Ostriches do indeed bury their heads in the sand/dirt at times, but not as a response to impending danger. On the contrary, when an ostrich senses danger, its first instinct is to flee. If flight is impossible, it falls to the ground and remains still, attempting to blend in with the terrain. The sight of an ostrich with its head in the ground arises because they dig shallow holes to bury their eggs, which they must turn multiple times a day. Contrary to some humans, ostriches know better than to deliberately blind themselves to a very real danger.

Although we frequently deride ostriches as burying their head in the sand in response to approaching ... [+] danger, nothing of the sort is true. Instead, ostriches typically lay eggs in the sand, and rotate them many times a day, which requires sticking their heads in the sand and rotating them with their beaks. Here, a responsible future mother rotates one of her eggs.

The fact that the Universe, and all things in it, obey the same fundamental rules is a tremendous cause for celebration. It means that if we take the proper approach and interrogate the Universe by subjecting it to a variety of experiments, observations, and careful measurements under controlled conditions, we can uncover what those rules are. We can essentially learn what the instruction manual for the Universe is for any aspect of it that we sufficiently investigate and make accurate predictions about what will occur in the future given the initial conditions.

Its the simplest concept imaginable: if you can understand the rules and your starting conditions, you can predict how things will unfold. For many aspects of reality, there are complicating factors, as the predictions we obtain are only as good as the quality of the models and their ability to accurately reflect reality. Fortunately, were outstanding at quantifying which aspects of various models are successful and how successful they are; in instances where objections no longer have a scientifically valid leg to stand on, the overwhelming majority of scientists working in that field (95%+) will reach a consensus position.

The global surface average temperature for the years where such records reliably and directly exist: ... [+] 1880-2019 (at present). The zero line represents the long-term average temperature for the whole planet; blue and red bars show the difference above or below average for each year. The warming, on average, is by 0.07 C per decade, but has accelerated, warming at an average of 0.18 C since 1981.

If youve ever met a scientist, you have to realize what a remarkable feat this is. The job of a scientist is to be a professional skeptic, interrogating whatever aspect of the Universe theyre studying to the best of their abilities. While most of us formulate an idea of whats going on whether we call it a theory, a hypothesis, or just a hunch scientists go far beyond that. We take whatever ideas weve come up with and we work out the consequences.

If this idea were true, what would that imply, experimentally or observationally? What consequences could we go out and test or measure to compare with the predictions of our theory, and when those critical measurements are made, how did our hypothesis fare? How did it fare compared to other, competing hypotheses? What is the range of validity of our leading ideas, and under what conditions are those predictions no longer valid?

Only after passing every test we can throw at it over a particular range of validity can a scientific theory be accepted. And even though we can extrapolate beyond that range of validity for whatever comes next, the theory is only as good as the experimental or observational evidence indicates.

The particles and antiparticles of the Standard Model are predicted to exist as a consequence of the ... [+] laws of physics. The quarks and leptons are fermions and matter; the anti-quarks and anti-leptons are anti-fermions and antimatter. These particles have all been confirmed to exist; no other particles beyond this, although they are suspected to exist, have ever been directly discovered.

The fact that the Universe can be understood is remarkable, and we should be very careful not to undersell just how well-understood various phenomena truly are. Many have attempted to sow doubt about what science has established far beyond any reasonable doubt, using what can only be described as dirty tactics that appeal to our sense of distrust for what violates either our common sense or our ideologies.

Unfortunately, common sense is an extraordinarily poor predictor of scientific results. Darwins theory of evolution and the mechanism of natural selection was touted as violating common sense. Einsteins theory of relativity, the Big Bang origin of our Universe, and the notion of the germ theory of disease all defied the common sense of their time. If common sense were a good indicator for how the Universe worked, we wouldnt need science. The fact is that our common sense which typically derives from our own experience has a range of validity thats much narrower than we typically perceive, and learning to distrust your common sense in favor of what scientific results indicate is a mandatory lesson that every scientist-in-training must learn along the way.

The quantum fluctuations inherent to space, stretched across the Universe during cosmic inflation, ... [+] gave rise to the density fluctuations imprinted in the cosmic microwave background, which in turn gave rise to the stars, galaxies, and other large-scale structure in the Universe today. This is the best picture we have of how the entire Universe behaves, where inflation precedes and sets up the Big Bang.

Every so often, a study will come out that derides the level of scientific ignorance found among the general public. Most often, these studies come in the form of surveys, leading to headlines like 1 in 4 Americans believe that the Sun revolves around the Earth. This is used as a proxy to claim that Americans are not scientifically literate, as though memorizing a set of facts and being able to regurgitate them accurately and on demand is any metric of how well someone understands science.

If you put a particle physicist in a virology lab, they will fare just as poorly as the next non-scientist. You wouldnt put a polymer chemist at work in a nuclear reactor, and you wouldnt put a theoretical astrophysicist to work in the operating room. Although science is both the complete body of knowledge available to humanity at any point in time and a self-correcting process of investigation and a synthesis of the full suite of data, none of us are good enough polymaths to be a practicing scientist in all aspects of life. Instead, we rely on two underappreciated aspects of science literacy:

This is the inside of a nuclear reactor, shown emitting the characteristic blue glow from Cherenkov ... [+] radiation, created when particles move slower than light in vacuum, but faster than light in a medium such as water. The physics behind nuclear reactions is very well understood, but not by many people who themselves aren't experts: nuclear physicists.

The Universe can be understood. Any aspect that we care to investigate with the right tools and techniques, if it can be physically explained, scientific investigation is the path to unlocking its secrets. Simply being aware that science is both the full suite of information we have concerning a topic and the process of continued interrogation of the Universe under controlled conditions should be enough to instill a respect in each of us of our massive ignorance outside of our narrow area of expertise, while simultaneously instilling a respect for the expert opinions of those who have specialized in that particular aspect of reality.

Similarly, you are most likely reading this article on a device that takes advantage of numerous Nobel-winning technologies and scientific advances, at a time where humanity has more knowledge and understanding of the Universe than at any time in our history. It is through science that we have come to understand the root causes behind problems we face in our human society, on Earth, and beyond, and it is through science that we learn how to adequately address them. But only if we listen to it. As Galileo famously said,

I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.

As shown here, the International Space Station flies over a spectacular aurora on display in Earth's ... [+] atmosphere. Although the aurora may be a beautiful sight, it is no longer mysterious, as science has unlocked the physics that creates this phenomenon, as well as the technological advances capable of having humans observe it from above.

As 2020 draws to a close, its important to look not just at the most pressing issue of the day the novel coronavirus and the havoc it has wrought on our world but at all aspects of our society where the best advice of science is not heeded. From vaccines to climate change to clean air and potable water to public health and safety to hurricane warnings and much more, science is not some buffet where we get to pick-and-choose the various aspects were comfortable with, while rejecting the ones that offend our sensibilities.

The Universe does not care about our ideological preferences, our political leanings, or our notions of what our rights and freedoms are. It simply obeys the laws of nature, and we will be left to deal with the consequences of our actions and inactions. In many ways, science is our only light against the darkness of giving into our most base impulses, but listening to it requires us to find that humility within ourselves of what we dont know. Its time to not only incorporate that into our lives as individuals, but to weave that into the fabric of society. Without it, we risk being torn apart by our own intellectual prejudices.

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The Most Important Fact About Science Heading Into 2021 - Forbes

From virtual patient to electric planes, top emerging tech of 2020 – CRN.in

§ December 31st, 2020 § Filed under Quantum Medicine Comments Off on From virtual patient to electric planes, top emerging tech of 2020 – CRN.in

While scientists developed vaccines against Covid-19 in a record time this year, emerging technologies like high-tech replacements for human volunteers could make clinical trials even faster and safer in the future, according to a new report from the World Economic Forum and Scientific American magazine.

The report identified the top 10 emerging technologies after experts whittled down scores of nominations to a select group of new developments with the potential to spur real progress.

These technologies include the following:

Microneedles for painless injections and tests: These tiny needles could make injections and blood testing pain-free, said the report.

Microneedles at no more than the depth of a sheet of paper and the width of a human hair can be attached to syringes or patches, or even mixed into creams.

They penetrate the skin without troubling underlying nerve endings.

Sun-powered chemistry: Making many of the chemicals we use every day requires fossil fuels. By using sunlight to convert waste carbon dioxide into useful chemicals, a new approach holds the promise of reducing the sectors emissions.

Recent developments in the sunlight-activated catalysts needed for this process are a step towards creating solar refineries to produce useful compounds from the waste gas, said the report.

These components could be turned into everything from medicines and detergents to fertilisers and textiles.

Virtual patients: The process of initial assessments of drugs and treatments could become faster with virtual patients, according to the report.

In this system, data taken from high-res images of a human organ is fed into a complex mathematical model of the mechanisms that control that organs function.

Then, computer algorithms resolve the resulting equations and generate a virtual organ that behaves like the real organ.

Spatial computing: Spatial computing is the next step of virtual-reality and augmented-reality technologies that bring physical and digital worlds together.

As with VR and AR, it digitizes objects that connect via the cloud, allows sensors and motors to react to one another and creates a digital representation of the real world, said the WEF and Scientific American magazine report.

But it goes even further, adding spatial mapping that lets a computer coordinator track and control the movements and interactions of objects as a person moves through the digital or physical world.

Digital medicine: While they will not replace doctors any time soon, apps that monitor conditions or administer therapies could enhance their care and support patients with limited access to health services.

Electric aviation: As a number of organisations including Airbus and NASA are working on the technology, air travel of the future could cut out carbon emissions significantly.

There are about 170 electric plane projects in development, mainly for private, corporate and commuter travel but Airbus says it could have 100-passenger electric planes ready for take-off in 2030, said the report.

Lower-carbon cement: Researchers and start-ups are working on lower-carbon approaches, including tweaking the balance of ingredients used in the process, employing carbon capture and storage technology to remove emissions, and taking cement out of concrete altogether.

Quantum sensing: Imagine self-driving cars that can see around corners, or portable scanners that can monitor a persons brain activity. Quantum sensing could make these things and much more a reality. Quantum sensors operate with extreme levels of precision by exploiting the quantum nature of matter for example, using the difference between electrons in different energy states as a base unit.

Green hydrogen: This technology could have a key role in energy transition by helping decarbonise sectors like shipping and manufacturing that are harder to electrify because they require high-energy fuel.

Whole-genome synthesis: Improvements in the technology can give insights into how viruses spread or help in producing vaccines and other treatments. In the future, it could help sustainably produce chemicals, fuels or construction materials from biomass or waste gases, said the report.

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From virtual patient to electric planes, top emerging tech of 2020 - CRN.in

Gemma Arterton says she had reservations about taking Bond girl role in 2008’s ‘Quantum of Solace’ – Yahoo Canada Shine On

§ December 31st, 2020 § Filed under Quantum Medicine Comments Off on Gemma Arterton says she had reservations about taking Bond girl role in 2008’s ‘Quantum of Solace’ – Yahoo Canada Shine On

Eat This, Not That!

Withcoronavirus casesandhospitalizationshitting record numbers, many stats are considering more robust restrictionsyet your favorite sushi joint, barbershop, or watering hole may still be open for business. Some places are riskier than others when it comes to potential coronavirus infection, and it is incredibly important to be educated about all aspects of exposure. Here are 20 places you where you're more likely to catch the coronavirus.Read on, and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss theseSure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus. 1 Family Events or Gatherings "Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities," warns theCDC. Examples include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies, "planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals." In addition, small family gatherings are also causing major spread. Don't hold them. "You get one person who's asymptomatic and infected, and then all of a sudden, four or five people in that gathering are infected,"Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease doctor, says. "To me, that's the exact scenario that you're going to see on Thanksgiving." 2 Religious Services Whether you walk into a mosque, temple, shrine, or church, most religious services involve a lot of talking, singing, hand shaking, and even sometimes drinking from the same cup. And, there are generally high concentrations of peoplemany of an older agein an enclosed space. In fact, religious services have been linked to a number of community outbreaks across the world. "Larger gatherings (for example, more than 250 people) offer more opportunities for person-to-person contact and therefore pose greater risk of COVID-19 transmission," explains the CDC, who has formally issued guidance for community and faith-based gatherings. Until it is safe to practice religion with your peers in person, your safest option is attending a virtual service. 3 Hair and Nail Salons When you get your hair, nails, or any other salon service done, it is physically impossible to socially distance, which makes salons a potential hotspot for COVID-19. According to California Governor Gavin Newsom, the first community spread of coronavirus in the state started in a nail salon. 4 Cruise Ships As we all witnessed toward the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, cruise ships are definitely hotspots for the virus. "CDC recommends that all travelers defer all cruise ship travel worldwide. Recent reports of COVID-19 on cruise ships highlight the risk of infection to cruise ship passengers and crew. Like many other viruses, COVID-19 appears to spread more easily between people in close quarters aboard ships," the health organization warns. 5 The Doctor's Office/Hospital Call your medical professional the minute you think you need a COVID-19 test but remember the simple fact that sick people visit the doctor and hospital, so your chances of infection with COVID-19 (or any other virus for that matter) are higher in any sort of a medical setting.RELATED: The Unhealthiest Supplements You Shouldn't Take 6 Restaurants and Bars Other risky places, according to Erin S. Bromage, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, are restaurants and bars. While the chances of catching COVID-19 via eating food are slim to none, dining or drinking in an indoor space is dangerous due to airflow. He explains that due to the fact that respiratory droplets can travel more than six feet through the air on their own, depending on where the AC is blowing, where you are sitting, and how long you are spending there. You might be a sitting target. 7 Theaters, Sporting Events, Concert Venues Large groups gathering in small, enclosed spaces mixed with potentially contaminated surfaces and a whole lot of eating and drinking going on, make theaters, sporting events, and concert venues places you want to stay away from during a pandemicwhich isn't hard, due to the fact that they are all closed. If you are desperate to go to the movies, find a drive-in theater near you instead. 8 Public Transportation Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, public transportation has been used less and less. Despite agencies taking preventative action, cleaning vessels and requesting riders to wear masks, there have been a number of casualties of transit workers across the nation. There are several reasons as to why public transportation can be a hotspot for the virus, but the two main issues have to do with airflow in the small, enclosed spaces and the fact that it isn't possible to disinfect contaminated surfaces in between riders. If you can, avoid taking public transportation at all costs during the pandemic. 9 Restrooms In a viral blog post, Bromage reveals that bathrooms are a hotspot for COVID-19and not just because of hypothetical transmission via feces. "Bathrooms have a lot of high touch surfaces, door handles, faucets, stall doors. So fomite transfer risk in this environment can be high," he writes. Then, there is the fact that "toilet flushing does aerosolize many droplets," he points out. He urges you to "Treat public bathrooms with extra caution (surface and air), until we know more about the risk" but you should also be careful about using the bathroom when visiting the homes of friends and family as well. 10 Your Office There's a reason why most of the country has been working from home for the last few months. Small, enclosed spaces filled with lots of peoplelikely talking, laughing, and collaboratingpaired with shared surfaces, such as kitchens and workspaces, make for a potential breeding ground for coronavirus. The CDC is urging workplaces to take into consideration a variety of factors before inviting workers back in. Obviously, if it is an option, you should continue to work from home as long as possible.RELATED: The Unhealthiest Things in Your Medicine Cabinet 11 Schools and Camps and Daycare Centers Because children are often asymptomatic carriers of coronavirus, schools and daycare centers can be risky environments for community spread. "Information about COVID-19 in children is somewhat limited, but the information that is available suggests that children with confirmed COVID-19 generally had mild symptoms. Person-to-person spread from or to children, as among adults, is thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Recent studies indicate that people who are infected but do not have symptoms likely also play a role in the spread of COVID-19," the CDC explains. 12 Elevators A small, poorly ventilated, enclosed space holding several people at a time, with hundredsor even thousandscirculating daily is a recipe for disaster when it comes to germs. But, according to experts, the riskiest part of an elevator when it comes to COVID-19 is the buttons, which are touched by so many different fingers with no sanitizing in between. If you do touch them, make sure to wash your hands or sanitize them ASAPbut especially before touching your eyes, nose or mouth, warns the CDC. 13 Your Gym It should come as zero surprise that gyms are generally germy. When you take a bunch of people, pack them into a small space, and add in a bunch of touchable equipment difficult to clean between every use, it makes it incredibly hard to avoid transmission. If you do decide to return to a communal exercise setting, you should be incredibly diligent about social distancing in the space as well as sanitizing every piece of equipment that you use and practicing excelling hand hygiene. 14 Your Grocery Store While grocery store workers are at a high risk for coronavirus infection due to the amount of time they spend in the store, Dr. Bromage maintains that shoppers face a much lesser risk. While shopping make sure to wear a mask to prevent the spread, use a shopping cart that has been sanitized, and make sure to diligently practice hand hygiene during and after your shopping trip, making sure to avoid touching your face while at the store. 15 Airplanes Surprisingly, stepping onto an airplane is a lot safer than many other activities. According to the CDC, due to how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, most viruses and other germs do not spread easily. "Although the risk of infection on an airplane is low, try to avoid contact with sick passengers, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol," they urge. 16 Hotels or Rental Properties The CDC discourages nonessential travel, which includes staying at hotels. "Staying in temporary accommodations (hotels, motels, and rental properties) may expose you to the virus through person-to-person contact and possibly through contact with contaminated surfaces and objects," they warn on their website. If you do decide to take the risk, they suggest taking the same steps you would in other public placeswhich include avoiding close contact with others, washing your hands often, and wearing a cloth face covering. 17 Campgrounds Even going camping can be dangerous, warns the CDC, "if you come in close contact with others or share public facilities at campsites or along the trails."RELATED: Dr. Fauci Says Most People Did This Before Catching COVID 18 Public Swimming Pools While there is "no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas," per the CDC, it is difficult to maintain social distancing in these sorts of situations. This is why many public and community pools have opted to remain closed this summer. 19 The Beach Beaches have started reopening around the country, however, many people are worried about the risk of infection. The research is still out on whether or not COVID-19 can survive in saltwater. However, the Surfrider Foundation points out that while similar coronaviruses can "remain viable and infectious, at least temporarily, in natural freshwater environments including lakes and streams," it is unclear how it responds to the ocean. Your biggest concern at the beach, however, should be social distancing. 20 Outdoor Exercise Spots Walking, running, and hiking are the safest ways to exercise in public, mostly due to being outdoors and the fact that you are constantly moving. Just make sure to stay six feet away from other exercisers. "While joggers may be releasing more virus due to deep breathing, remember the exposure time is also less due to their speed," explains Dr. Bromage. "Please do maintain physical distance, but the risk of infection in these scenarios are low." And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.

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Gemma Arterton says she had reservations about taking Bond girl role in 2008's 'Quantum of Solace' - Yahoo Canada Shine On