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Universe Today

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Image Credit: Universe Today

America’s Particle Physics Plan Spans the Globe — and the Cosmos

Hitoshi Murayama, the Berkeley professor and particle physicist, speaks on the top five projects recommended over the next 10 years of US investment, which focus on phenomena ranging from subatomic smash-ups to cosmic inflation.
Projects recommended for US funding are not new, and not all are based in the US itself, with recommendations stretching to include South Dakota, Japan and Chile.
85% of all of the matter in the universe is thought to exist in an invisible form that has yet been undetectable but is in the process of being investigated.
The Big Bang is thought to have created equal amounts of matter and antimatter, both of which would annihilate each other; this process is being studied by examining neutrinos and the way they behave.
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antartica is currently undergoing a dramatic expansion to help observe the universe in different ways.
The P5 endorsed a longer-term effort to develop an advanced particle accelerator machine that would produce collisions between subatomic particles known as muons, which would increase chances of finding new frontiers in physics.
The recommendations are under consideration by the US Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation.
The cost of pursuing the offshore Higgs factory is certain to amount to billions of dollars.
Uncertainty around prioritisation is compounded by worries that a U.S. Air Force fleet of cargo airplanes used for ice research is due for retirement, with no immediate replacement.
Sabine Hossenfelder has produced a video on the matter arguing that the list of multimillion dollar physics experiments should not be followed.

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Knowridge

Image Credit: Knowridge

Scientists turn flat radio images into 3D views of the universe

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a technique to transform 2D radio images into 3D models, providing a better understanding of the Universe.
The method, called 'Pseudo3D cubes', allows scientists to study galaxies, black holes, and high-speed particle movements in space.
By utilizing polarized radio light and measuring Faraday rotation, researchers created detailed 3D models that revealed new insights about cosmic phenomena.
The approach is expected to revolutionize how we analyze space data and could lead to surprising discoveries in the future.

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Physicsworld

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Image Credit: Physicsworld

How Albert Einstein and John Bell inspired Artur Ekert’s breakthrough in quantum cryptography

Artur Ekert won the Royal Society Milner Prize for “outstanding achievement in computer science” for his contributions to quantum communication and computation which transformed the field of quantum information science.
Ekert is renowned for his 1991 invention of entanglement-based quantum cryptography.
Quantum cryptography is essential for key distribution protocols and offers secure encrypted communication, unlike classical key distribution protocols.
Ekert’s entanglement-based protocol is called E91 which has its roots in the Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen paradox, a theory developed by Einstein to show that quantum mechanics was “incomplete” in how it described reality.
The quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols are commercially available, but the users and developers must ensure that they are implemented properly.
Developers of protocols like Ekert are still fighting to close bell loopholes in QKD, the situation where classical phenomena could accidentally affect Bell test, giving a classical system appear quantum.
Quantum solutions are not available for all cryptographical applications, making it essential to find new solutions to safeguard against unwanted parties.
Artur Ekert’s scholarship has revolutionized the way cryptography and security protocols work.
The challenge for developers of quantum cryptography remains significant.
Further investigation in quantum cryptography could lead to an increased understanding of Bell tests and how classical phenomena can impact them.

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Physicsworld

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Image Credit: Physicsworld

Physicists in cancer radiotherapy

The University of Manchester has launched a master’s degree programme in medical physics, with a focus on cancer radiation therapy. Taught together with clinical physicists from The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, students will be equipped with the skills to progress towards careers in clinical, academic research or commercial medical physics opportunities. The course reflects the modern field of medical physics, bringing together expertise from academics in pioneering the use of image-guided radiotherapy and big data analysis. Students will also benefit from attending research seminars led by professionals at the forefront of cancer treatment developments.
The programme focuses on the cancer radiation therapy patient pathway, with the aim of equipping students with the skills to progress onto careers in clinical, academic research or commercial medical physics opportunities.
Manchester has a long history of developing solutions to drive improvements in healthcare, patients’ lives and the wellbeing of individuals. This new course draws on scientific research and innovation to equip those interested in a career in medical physics or cancer research with specialist skills that draw on a breadth of knowledge.
The course units bring together expertise from academics that have pioneered, amongst other work, the use of image-guided radiotherapy, big data analysis using real-world radiotherapy data, novel MR imaging for tracking oxygenation of tumours during radiotherapy, and proton research beam lines. Students will benefit directly from this network of research groups by being able to join research seminars throughout the course.
The master’s course is taught together with clinical physicists from The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, one of the largest single-site cancer hospitals in Europe, where 16 linear accelerators across four sites, an MR-guided radiotherapy service and a high-energy proton beam service are operated.
Complementary to X-ray therapy, students will learn about the concepts of proton beam therapy, how the delivery of protons is different from X-rays, and the potential clinical benefits and unique difficulties of protons due to greater uncertainties from how protons interact with matter. The course will provide an in-depth understanding of how imaging can be used throughout the patient pathway to aid treatment decisions and guide the delivery of radiation.
The course delves into the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, giving students the opportunity to implement their own solution for image classification or image segmentation. For those with leadership aspirations, guest lecturers from various academic, clinical or commercial backgrounds will detail career routes and how to develop knowledge in this area.
The assessments are designed to allow sudents to apply their new knowledge to real medical physics problems, including dosimetric calculations, Monte Carlo simulations of proton depositions, image registration pipeline creation, and pitching for funding.
The final part of the course is the research project, with examples for the current cohort including training an AI segmentation model for muscle in CT images, simulating prompt gamma rays from proton deliveries for dose verification, and assisting with commissioning MR-guided workflows for ultra-central lung treatments.
The Medical Physics in Cancer Radiation Therapy MSc is a one-year full-time programme at the University of Manchester, and applications for the next academic year are open.

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Hobbieroth

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Image Credit: Hobbieroth

Trusted Information on Public Health

Trusted information on public health can be found from reliable sources such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In addition to these institutions, two independent sources of trusted public health information are 'Your Local Epidemiologist' by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina and 'Immunologic' by Dr. Andrea Love.
Dr. Katelyn Jetelina is a public health newsletter founder and aims to translate evolving public health science into evidence-based decision-making. Dr. Andrea Love is an immunologist and microbiologist who educates the general public on scientific topics and addresses misinformation and misconceptions.
Both Dr. Jetelina and Dr. Love provide credible information based on scientific literature and represent the consensus of scientific and medical communities.

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Physicsworld

229

Image Credit: Physicsworld

EU must double its science budget to remain competitive, warns report

The European Union should more than double its budget for research and innovation in its next spending round, dubbed Framework Programme 10 (FP10).
A report by an expert group advises that a dramatic increase to €220bn is needed for European science to be globally competitive once again.
The experts recommend setting up an experimental unit for disruptive innovation programs, simplifying funding applications, and fostering better international collaborations.
The report highlights the need for a transformative agenda in FP10, focusing on competitive excellence, industrial competitiveness, societal challenges, and research ecosystem.

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Brighter Side of News

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Image Credit: Brighter Side of News

Riding a space elevator to the Moon is possible using today’s technology

Researchers from the University of Cambridge and Columbia University have proposed a space elevator concept called “spaceline” to make space travel cost effective and easier. Instead of an elevator from Earth, the concept involves tethering a cable to the Moon and extending it towards Earth. The slow orbital rotation of the Moon and the gravitational equilibrium between the Moon and Earth can help climb the cable using vehicles. This can eliminate the need for expensive propellants. The line can be made from high-strength materials like carbon polymers that can support a cable extending from the Moon to geostationary orbit.
The Spaceline concept could revolutionize space travel by reducing fuel needs for the Moon by a third of today's levels. It will provide safe access to the Lagrange point, an ideal location for construction/maintenance of space infrastructure with relatively low gravitational gradients. According to researchers, it can become a base camp for advanced experiments and missions.
The untapped region of the Lagrange point can make frequent cost-effective travel between Earth, the Lagrange point, and the Moon a reality. Access to new regions of space could accelerate scientific discovery and innovation. With current technology, the Spaceline could significantly reduce the cost of space travel, paving the way for a new era of space exploration. The possibilities are vast.
Building a space elevator that can reduce the cost of overcoming Earth's gravity to space exploration has been a challenge for years. The cost of launching just one kilogram into orbit could be tens of thousands of dollars. The Spaceline concept could provide a feasible solution to this problem.
The cable for the Spaceline would be anchored to the Moon instead of Earth, making it viable with current high-strength materials like carbon polymers, including Zylon. Constructing such a structure could be at a cost comparable to other large-scale space missions, estimated at around several billion dollars.
The Spaceline would provide access to the Lagrange point, which offers a stable platform for a variety of scientific and technological endeavors, including space-based telescopes, particle accelerators, gravitational wave detectors, power generation facilities, and a launch station for deep-space missions.
The Spaceline can help in reducing the complexity of reaching orbit and beyond, paving the way for a new era of space exploration from lunar bases to interplanetary missions.
The Spaceline concept isn't a futuristic dream but a grounded concept in the current technology, according to the researchers from the University of Cambridge and Columbia University. The initial investment could be substantial, but the long-term benefits could transform space travel, making it cost-effective.
The possibilities of the Spaceline are vast. One of the critical advantages is the reduction in fuel required to reach the moon, which will open unprecedented opportunities for lunar exploration and development.
The Spaceline concept is a gateway to the next frontier, which will reduce the cost and complexity of space exploration, enabling both scientific research and commercial ventures.

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Medium

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Best practices and top trends for serverless at scale

Capital One's journey to serverless architecture has given rise to the best practices which can be used to leverage potential of serverless computing. One such practice involves creating standards to manage a large number of accounts.
Capital One runs thousands of accounts and tens of thousands of Lambda functions in AWS Lambda at a massive scale.
Capital One launched its Serverless Center of Excellence (COE) to establish development and compliance standards for serverless at scale.
The Serverless COE team includes representatives from each line of business that regularly meet to discuss and share guidance on Lambda default settings, observability, runtime deprecation process and training.
To optimize memory, utilize tools such as Lambda Power Tuner. Optimize for Lambda's cold/warm lifecycle by optimizing code, packaging and configuration. Understand observability signals to keep an eye on key metrics to ensure optimal performance and resource utilization.
The top trends identified in serverless technology include multi-cloud approach, use of AI, securing the software supply chain and durable execution.
The interest in serverless architectures will continue to increase as large enterprises will realize the benefits of lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), allowing developers to focus on delivering value and delighting customers.
Capital One is focused on increasing awareness and adoption of serverless technologies driven by its mission to change banking for good.
To leverage the potential of serverless computing within a massive-scale environment, others can borrow best practices from Capital One's journey.
This article was authored by Brian McNamara, a Distinguished Engineer at Capital One, who's focused on increasing awareness and adoption of serverless technologies.

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Physicsworld

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Image Credit: Physicsworld

Space travel: the health effects of space radiation and building a lunar GPS

Radiation oncologist James Welsh discusses the biological effects of space radiation on astronauts and how it impacts human health.
Physicists Biju Patla and Neil Ashby propose using atomic clocks to create a universal time standard for the Moon, which could also operate as a GPS-like system for navigation.
The human body appears to be more resilient to radiation than spacecraft microelectronics, potentially making damage to computers a limiting factor for space exploration.
Implementing a lunar time system could serve as a prototype for a more ambitious system on Mars.

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Interactions

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CNRS and TRIUMF join forces to create the French-Canadian NPAT laboratory dedicated to research in nuclear physics and astrophysics

The French research organization CNRS and Canada's particle accelerator centre, TRIUMF, have agreed to create an international research laboratory named NPAT for ‘Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Astrophysics and Accelerator Technologies’. The lab will open in Vancouver on 1 January 2025. The new IRL will draw on existing facilities in both institutions to facilitate the construction and operation of innovative new instruments in research into ‘exotic’ nuclei and nuclear astrophysics. The field of investigation will also include research and development on ion accelerators that underpin the synthesis of exotic nuclei.
The electrostatic ISOLDE (isotope separation online) facility at CERN and the SPIRAL1 facility at GANIL will make it possible to carry out precision manipulations such as mass spectrometry and laser spectroscopy, which will be the main focus of the DESIR facility, currently under construction at GANIL.
NPAT will exploit the synergies between the ISOL facilities in both institutions to carry out research on ‘exotic’ nuclei to explore the mechanisms of nucleus cohesion and research into nuclear astrophysics, which links extreme astrophysical objects such as neutron stars with the behaviour of nuclear matter.
NPAT will also facilitate advances in nuclear physics informing the construction and operation of innovative instruments such as DESIR and the ARIEL photofission facility currently being built at TRIUMF as well as promoting the development of innovative ion accelerators and associated techniques. The IRL will draw on existing facilities at GANIL and TRIUMF.
Located within TRIUMF, on the grounds of the University of British Columbia, NPAT will also provide a new home for French scientists in Canada. This new structure will consolidate already thriving collaborations between the two counties’ physics communities.
The CNRS is France's largest research organisation, with more than 1,100 research laboratories in France and abroad. TRIUMF is Canada’s particle accelerator centre.
Through the creation of the international research laboratory, NPAT, CNRS Nucléaire & Particules aims to consolidate relationships with key players in nuclear physics research on the North American continent.
The electrostatic ISOLDE (isotope separation online) facility at CERN and the SPIRAL1 facility at GANIL will make it possible to carry out precision manipulations such as mass spectrometry and laser spectroscopy.
The IRL will enable exchange of good processes and know-how to achieve the research and development objectives. Both organisations stand to gain valuable from the potential resources.
NPAT will bring together the Canadian and French nuclear physics communities around two key themes, research on ‘exotic’ nuclei and nuclear astrophysics, which will be studied through innovative new research tools and processes.

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Physicsworld

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Image Credit: Physicsworld

Hybrid irradiation could facilitate clinical translation of FLASH radiotherapy

FLASH radiotherapy delivers radiation at high dose rates to tumours, with reduced injury to healthy tissues.
Preclinical studies show that FLASH radiotherapy has potential to produce better anti-tumour effects in some types of cancer.
One challenge facing FLASH radiotherapy is the limitation of existing electron beams.
Researchers at Lausanne University Hospital & the University of Lausanne demonstrated that a hybrid ultrahigh-dose rate (UHDR) electron & conventional dose rate (CDR) photon radiotherapy could significantly overcome the deep-seated tumour treatment challenge.
The team's proof-of-concept study showed that a hybrid approach combining both UHDR and CDR radiotherapy for glioblastoma, pancreatic cancer and localized prostate cancer was equivalent to conventional radiotherapy.
This hybrid approach is achievable through dual-use clinically approved linear accelerators (linac).
The hybrid study delivered the majority of the prescribed dose per treatment fraction at UHDR and without delivery pauses.
The researchers also estimated the potential FLASH sparing effect achievable with their hybrid technique.
The team is currently working on further enhancing plan quality, flexibility, and UHDR proportion of the delivered dose using the hybrid treatment approach.
Additional research is ongoing to quantify its biological benefits and explore its technical realization.

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Physicsworld

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Image Credit: Physicsworld

Trailblazer: Astronaut Eileen Collins reflects on space, adventure, and the power of lifelong learning

Astronaut Eileen Collins reflects on her extraordinary journey as the first woman to pilot and command a spacecraft.
Collins shares her lifelong sense of adventure and recent passion for reading history books.
She frequently shares her experiences with audiences, inspiring others to pursue their dreams.
The documentary SPACEWOMAN, based on Collins' memoir, will have its world premiere on November 16, 2024.

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Slack

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There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch!

Incident Management takes time, and incidents need responders that are trained and experienced.
Slack uses self-service training and live courses based on prepared content as part of their incident management program.
The missing piece in training staff on incident response is the availability of practical experience before joining a real incident.
Slack developed the Incident Lunch exercise which teaches incident response through constraints, role-playing, time-pressure, and fun.
In this exercise, participants are assigned roles and must obtain lunch for everyone in the room using incident response practices.
The exercise, now available for any employee to join, has minimal resource requirements and can be run on a regular basis.
Chaos Cards were added to the exercise to add an element of unpredictability and realism to the situation.
The Incident Lunch exercise works well for both the team running it and participating staff, as it requires minimal preparation and involves non-technical staff as well.
The exercise can reveal the predisposed skill set of participants which can be useful for internal recruitment or building up ICs who seek more experience.
The only major limitation of the exercise is that it can only be run in person and not remotely. Alternate versions could be developed for hybrid or remote work environments.

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Arstechnica

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Image Credit: Arstechnica

IBM boosts the amount of computation you can get done on quantum hardware

IBM announced developments aimed at enabling limited but useful calculations on quantum hardware.
Changes across the hardware and software stacks have improved efficiency and reduced errors.
The introduction of the second version of IBM's Heron processor with 133 qubits is a significant milestone.
IBM is optimistic that its users will find certain calculations where quantum hardware provides an advantage.

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COSMOS

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Image Credit: COSMOS

75 years ago today, Australia’s first computer booted up

Australia's first computer, CSIR Mk1 (later renamed CSIRAC), was switched on on 14 November 1949.
Designed and built by Trevor Pearcey with help from Maston Beard and Geoff Hill, CSIRAC was the 4th stored-memory electronic computer in the world.
It became fully operational in 1951, could perform 1,000 operations per second, and stored about 2 kilobytes of data.
CSIRAC holds records as the first computer to play electronic music and do numerical weather forecasting, and it is the only surviving first-generation computer worldwide.

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