ScienceDaily AI

Researchers have shown that exotic quantum particles called non-Abelian anyons can perform the full range of operations needed for universal quantum computing. Using 54 qubits on Quantinuum’s H2 processor, they combined braiding and fusion to unlock capabilities that braiding alone could not provide.

A new AI control system lets MIT’s tiny flying robot move with insect-like agility, boosting its speed by about 450 percent and allowing it to pull off 10 somersaults in 11 seconds. The technology could eventually enable miniature robots to search earthquake rubble and navigate dangerous spaces that conventional drones cannot reach.

A mathematical shape famous for covering a surface without ever repeating has revealed an unexpected ability to twist light into unusual chiral patterns. The discovery could lead to new ways of controlling light, polarization, and advanced optical devices.

AI analysis of 400,000 Reddit posts found that users of drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound reported unexpected symptoms including menstrual changes, chills, hot flashes, and fatigue. Researchers cannot say the medications caused these problems, but the patterns may reveal overlooked signals worth studying.

Researchers have found a way to perform certain quantum operations more than 1,000 times faster, cutting thousands of repeated control cycles down to just one. The advance could reduce errors and bring reliable, fault-tolerant quantum computers closer to reality.

Physicists have demonstrated a new way to entangle distant quantum bits without the constant measurements and active control normally required. The team created a “quantum bath,” a shared environment filled with correlated microwave photons that automatically pushes separated qubits into an entangled state and helps keep them there. The experiment confirms a theoretical prediction made more than 20 years ago and could offer a simpler way to connect modules in future quantum computers.

IBM and University of Chicago researchers have completed a quantum computation that leading classical methods could not practically reproduce. The system used 70 error-corrected logical qubits and finished the task in roughly 15 minutes while also providing statistical evidence that the result was reliable.

NASA has successfully tested a system that allows satellites to navigate without GPS by using other spacecraft and debris as landmarks in orbit. In just three days, FALCON also improved the known orbits of more than 200 space objects completely autonomously.

Researchers have built microscopic, light-driven robots that can rapidly navigate through liquid, collect bacteria, and deposit them in chosen locations. These tiny “cleaners” could open new possibilities for manipulating cells and microbes with remarkable precision.

Researchers combined synthetic DNA with a semiconductor to create an ultra-low-power memory device capable of storing and processing information in the same place. The bio-hybrid technology could eventually help make AI systems and next-generation computers far more energy efficient.

An eight-year Finnish study found that children who spent more time on screens tended to show better cognitive processing as teenagers, challenging common assumptions about screen use. Researchers say the key may be balancing physical activity with screen activities that encourage learning, creativity, and active thinking.

Scientists at Aalto University have demonstrated the first cyclic quantum heat engine built in a superconducting circuit, converting heat near absolute zero into useful work. Future autonomous versions could reduce the need for costly, noisy microwave cables in large quantum computers.

Scientists have created a programmable optical chip that can slow light on demand, giving engineers far greater control over how optical signals propagate through a circuit. The technology could provide the delays, synchronization, and buffering functions needed to make light-based computing more practical. A single chip could eventually perform several tasks that currently require separate devices, potentially reducing energy use, cost, and complexity in AI servers and data centers.

A new book claims AI has been built on a flawed assumption dating back to Alan Turing's famous 1950 paper. Peter J. Denning argues that the most important parts of human intelligence, including common sense, intuition, culture, and practical know-how, cannot be encoded into computers. He believes this makes true human-level AI impossible, regardless of how large language models become.

A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reveals that decision-making begins earlier in the brain than previously believed, challenging the traditional hierarchical model. The researchers found that even primary sensory regions like the somatosensory cortex are influenced by higher brain areas through rapid feedback loops, suggesting a more dynamic process. These insights could inspire future AI systems that are more efficient and brain-like.

A new AI-powered framework could transform how astronomers measure the expansion of the Universe. By analyzing images of Type Ia supernovae and modeling their environments in unprecedented detail, researchers can estimate cosmic distances with near-spectroscopic accuracy. The technique is designed for the flood of data expected from the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory and may greatly improve our understanding of dark energy.

Researchers gave top AI models a classic attention test used in psychology and found a major flaw. While the models could correctly name colors in short lists, their performance deteriorated sharply as the task became longer and more complex. Some leading systems fell from over 90% accuracy to nearly complete failure.

New studies suggest consciousness can't be judged solely by behavior, whether it's a chatbot discussing philosophy or a bee searching for nectar. Researchers are increasingly focusing on the internal mechanisms of brains and computers, concluding that today's AI is likely not conscious while leaving open the possibility for both conscious insects and future machines.

NASA is testing a next-generation space computer chip that could give spacecraft the ability to operate far more independently in deep space. The radiation-hardened processor is showing performance levels hundreds of times beyond current spaceflight computers while surviving punishing tests designed to mimic the harsh conditions of space. The technology could enable AI-powered spacecraft, faster scientific discoveries, and smarter missions to the Moon and Mars.

A quantum-inspired algorithm developed at Aalto University simulates quasicrystals with over 268 million sites in seconds, enabling design of topological qubits and lossless electronics.

Everyday speech patterns like pauses and filler words are linked to executive function. Using AI to analyze natural conversations can predict cognitive performance accurately, paving the way for simple speech-based tools to detect early signs of dementia well before traditional tests.

Synthegy, a new AI system developed at EPFL, allows chemists to guide synthesis and reaction planning using natural language. It combines large language models with traditional algorithms to score and explain the best pathways, outperforming in double-blind studies with 71.2% agreement with chemists.

For decades, psychologists have debated whether the human mind can be explained by one unified theory or must be broken into separate parts like memory and attention. A recent AI model called Centaur seemed to offer a breakthrough, claiming it could mimic human thinking across 160 different cognitive tasks. But new research is challenging that bold claim, suggesting the model isn’t truly “thinking” at all—it’s just memorizing patterns.

Hyper-realistic AI personas may soon flood social media, shaping opinions while posing as everyday people. If left unchecked, they could quietly tip elections and erode trust in what’s real. Researchers warn that the next election could be the true test of this technology’s power.

A new study from Iowa State University reveals that while anthropomorphic language in news coverage of AI is less common and more nuanced than expected, even occasional use can mislead the public about AI's true capabilities. Analyzing a 20-billion-word corpus, researchers found that mental verbs like "needs" often describe basic requirements, not human-like traits. They urge writers to consider context and impact.

In crowded environments, more robots don't always mean faster results—in fact, too many can bring everything to a standstill. Harvard researchers discovered a surprising fix: adding a bit of randomness to how robots move can actually prevent gridlock and boost efficiency. By allowing robots to 'wiggle' slightly instead of marching in straight lines, they can slip past each other and keep tasks flowing smoothly.

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a theoretical quantum system based on 'giant superatoms,' merging giant atoms and superatoms to protect, control, and distribute quantum information, potentially enabling scalable quantum computers.

A team of engineers at the University of Southern California has created a breakthrough memory device that continues to operate at 700°C, far beyond the limits of current electronics. The memristor, made from tungsten, hafnium oxide, and graphene, can store data and perform computations under extreme heat, with potential applications in space exploration, geothermal energy, and AI computing.