Lifeboat Foundation

Today, an altitude chamber. Next year, the moon.

Consciousness has long intrigued thinkers, from ancient philosophers to contemporary neuroscientists. It is a complex phenomenon we encounter daily, yet we often find it difficult to fully define or comprehend.

This elusive aspect of our existence encompasses our thoughts, emotions, perceptions, and self-awareness.

Despite significant advancements in fields like cognitive science and psychology, the true nature of consciousness remains one of humanity’s most profound mysteries.

A small medical center south of Dallas is offering 3D telehealth visits. Its CEO believes the technology is a “game changer” that could help save struggling hospitals.

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y., Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today at its inaugural IBM Quantum Developer Conference, IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced quantum hardware and software advancements to execute complex algorithms on IBM quantum computers with record levels of scale, speed, and accuracy.

IBM Quantum Heron, the company’s most performant quantum processor to-date and available in IBM’s global quantum data centers, can now leverage Qiskit to accurately run certain classes of quantum circuits with up to 5,000 two-qubit gate operations. Users can now use these capabilities to expand explorations in how quantum computers can tackle scientific problems across materials, chemistry, life sciences, high-energy physics, and more.

Researchers created the most detailed map of the brain’s functional networks using data from people watching movies, including “Inception,” “Home Alone” and “Erin Brokovich.”

Tumors find different ways to avoid immune cell detection and proliferate in their environment. Antitumor immune cells will initially recognize and target the growing tumor; however, different mutations and adaptive mechanisms allow the cancer to persist. For example, it is well documented that tumors secrete different proteins to suppress immune cell activity. In other words, these proteins prevent healthy immune cells from properly functioning. Researchers focus on different aspects of immune cell suppression to allow cancer-targeting cells, known as T cells, to appropriately recognize and stop tumor growth. Previously, it was discovered that lactic acid is generated and secreted by the tumor cells and aids in their progression. Specifically, lactic acid suppresses T cells and prevents immune cells from reaching the tumor. Lactic acid generates a low pH level in the tumor microenvironment that makes it difficult for immune cells to properly function. Lactic acid fermentation or production was also found to limit therapeutic efficacy and elicit cancer drug resistance.

The limitation of cancer immunotherapy is due to the dysregulated metabolism or energy uptake generated by lactic acid. Immune cells switch “off” their antitumor activity, which allows cancers to progress. The study of these different metabolic processes is difficult because of a cell’s ability to change nutrient breakdown instantly. Therefore, scientists have trouble isolating cells in their natural state without disrupting the cell’s metabolic integrity. Although metabolism is difficult to study, scientists are working to understand more about lactic acid and its effect on immune cells. In this context, researchers hope to develop stronger immunotherapies that elicit a robust and durable antitumor response.

A recent study in Nature Immunology, by Dr. Greg Delgoffe and others, discovered that tumor-infiltrating T cells in the tumor microenvironment uptake lactic acid through a specific membrane transporter that reduces their function. Delgoffe is a professor in the Department of Immunology at the University of Pittsburgh and a member of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. His work focuses on T cell metabolism in the tumor microenvironment and how physicians can leverage these processes to overcome therapeutic limitations.

A research team reports in the journal Angewandte Chemie that gamma radiation can transform methane into a diverse range of products at room temperature, including hydrocarbons, oxygenated molecules, and amino acids. This reaction likely plays a significant role in the formation of complex organic molecules in the universe—and may even contribute to the origins of life. Additionally, it presents new opportunities for industrially converting methane into high-value products under mild conditions.

With these research results, the team led by Weixin Huang at the University of Science and Technology of China (Hefei) has contributed to our fundamental understanding of the early development of molecules in the universe.

“Gamma rays, high-energy photons commonly existing in cosmic rays and unstable isotope decay, provide external energy to drive chemical reactions of simple molecules in the icy mantles of interstellar dust and ice grains,” states Huang. “This can result in more complex organic molecules, presumably starting from methane (CH₄), which is widely present throughout the interstellar medium.”

Following a signing ceremony Wednesday in Denmark’s capital city, Copenhagen, NASA embraced Denmark as the 48th nation to commit to the safe and responsible exploration of space that benefits humanity.

“We welcome Denmark’s signing of the Artemis Accords today,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Denmark, as a founding member of the European Space Agency (ESA), has contributed to space exploration for decades, including collaborating with NASA on Mars exploration. Denmark’s signing of the Artemis Accords will further international cooperation and the peaceful exploration of space.”

Christina Egelund, minister of higher education and science, signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of Denmark. Alan Leventhal, U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark also participated in the ceremony, and Nelson contributed recorded remarks.

Method could probe whether a key tenet of quantum mechanics applies to gravity, which has so far resisted quantum theory.