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- Mapping Out the Atomic Clock, Super Banana DNA, and the Cosmic Universe.
Mapping Out the Atomic Clock, Super Banana DNA, and the Cosmic Universe.
Jae Lee
April 12, 2024
Our world’s greatest builders are making clocks.
Why do we, a species with a life span the length of a blink of a cosmic eye, care about keeping time that will last eons after our generation departs?
After all, “time” is merely a man made concept.
It is believed that before agriculture, hunter-gatherers had a much more flexible approach to time by responding to their immediate needs and conditions.
When they see the herd migrate, the tribe migrated. When they feel the coldness of winter, they moved towards more warmth.
For our early ancestors, “time” happened when a particular flower bloomed.
After the discovery of agriculture, the concept of time changed. We started to predict it, quantify it, and ritualize it.
By working hard in the farms during the fecund warm now times, we can live more safely during the harsh cold later times.
this meme, but unironically.
It’s why our greatest builders are making clocks that can keep time for basically the end of time. They are thinking long term on behalf of humanity as a whole.
It’s how one should also view their own life. Measure it in years and decades, not by the hours and days.
The future is looking bright.
What’s On The Menu?
Atomic clock that will tick for 40 billion years.
3D cosmic map of the universe assembled by scientists.
New quantum computing reliably achieved.
1800 year-old head of Apollo unearthed in northwest Greece.
Super banana genetically modified to reduce blindness.
World's Most Accurate Clock Can Tick For 40 Billion Years.
TL;DR:
Scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed an atomic clock made of lasers and strontium atoms that only loses one second every 40 billion years, making it twice as accurate as the previous record holder.
This clock has the potential to accurately keep time for nearly three times the age of the universe.
So what…?
This innovation in atomic clocks also not only enhances our understanding of time, it opens up new realms for scientific discovery especially in physics, dark matter studies, and testing theories like Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity.
“impressive, very nice. let’s see jeff bezos’ clock.“
Biggest 3D Cosmic Map Of The Universe Alters Understanding of Dark Energy.
TL;DR:
Scientists have created a new 3D map of the universe featuring over 6 million galaxies, assembled from data collected by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument in Arizona.
This map, which includes three times as many galaxies as previous iterations, has enabled researchers to measure the universe’s expansion speed throughout history with unparalleled precision, confirming its acceleration.
Remarkably, the findings imply that dark energy, the force driving this acceleration, might not be a constant.
Big whoop, and…?
One day, we’ll look back on this map just like how we view old ones 500 years ago.
In addition, the implications of this research potentially reshape our understanding of dark energy, the big bang, and future projections of the universe.
“you still use a 3D map of the universe? don’t you have universal gps? - future human“
New Reliable Quantum Computing Achieved By Microsoft And Quantinuum.
TL;DR:
By using a qubit-virtualization system on ion-trap hardware, Microsoft and Quantinuum have created highly reliable logical qubits, marking a significant advancement in quantum computing.
This led to reliable logical qubits seeing an 800x improvement in error rate and would allow hybrid supercomputing capacities that could address problems too complex for classical computers.
Who cares…?
Another step towards quantum computing becoming a reality.
This development moves us closer to the real-life implementation of quantum technology, potentially revolutionizing computing and uncovering solutions to previously insurmountable scientific and commercial challenges.
“qubit tidbit: they zip and zit in a realm where classic physics splits”
Archaeologists Uncover a 1,800-Year-Old Marble Head of Apollo.
oh hi there
TL;DR:
A team from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki recently found a well-preserved marble head of Apollo, the Greek god of archery and music, dating from the 2nd or 3rd century C.E. in Philippi, northwest Greece.
The statue was originally part of a devotional figure, but it is believed that during the medieval times, it was used as a decoration in a town square fountain.
This idea is supported by the recent unearthing of a coin depicting Emperor Leo VI, dating from the 8th or 9th century. The head of Apollo was found east of the Philippi’s southern main road, near where last year, a statue of Hercules was discovered.
Why does this matter…?
This discovery provides valuable insights into the ancient history and cultural continuity of the city of Philippi, enhancing our understanding of how Greek gods were venerated and their symbols transformed through varying historical periods.
“somewhere out there is a headless and naked body with great abs waiting to be found“
Super Banana Engineered To Save Thousands Of Lives And Reduce Blindness.
TL;DR:
Ugandan scientists have engineered a genetically modified 'super banana' named Banana21, to tackle vitamin A deficiency, which can cause blindness and immune failure.
Despite fighting fertilizer, land, and water shortages, the project, two decades in the making, now faces regulatory hurdles and potential consumer resistance due to Banana21's novel orange hue, resulting from high vitamin A concentrations.
And that means…?
This breakthrough can transform the lives of malnourished individuals, especially children, in a cost efficient way.
Overcoming prejudice against genetically modified foods could open doors to other innovations in sustainable and health-enhancing agriculture.
“super bananas are super a-peeling“
That’s it for this week!
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Cheers,
Jae
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