Category Physics

Trade the Chair for Fresh Air: Sitting Time and Cardiac Health

New research is adding further weight to the argument that prolonged sitting may be hazardous to your health. An international study surveying more than 100,000 individuals in 21 countries found that people who sat for six to eight hours a day had a 12-13 per cent increased risk for early death and heart disease, while those who sat for more than eight hours daily increased that to a sobering 20 per cent.

The study, co-led by Simon Fraser University health sciences professor Scott Lear and Wei Li of Beijing’s Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, is published today in the journal Jama Cardiology...

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A Neuromorphic Computing Architecture that can Run Some Deep Neural Networks More Efficiently

A neuromorphic computing architecture that can run some deep neural networks more efficiently
One of Intel’s Nahuku boards, each of which contains eight to 32 Intel Loihi neuromorphic chips. Credit: Tim Herman/Intel Corporation

As artificial intelligence and deep learning techniques become increasingly advanced, engineers will need to create hardware that can run their computations both reliably and efficiently. Neuromorphic computing hardware, which is inspired by the structure and biology of the human brain, could be particularly promising for supporting the operation of sophisticated deep neural networks (DNNs).

Researchers at Graz University of Technology and Intel have recently demonstrated the huge potential of neuromorphic computing hardware for running DNNs in an experimental setting...

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Quantum Computer Programming Basics

2022-06-14 External News Standard Article Feature@2x
A new guide to programming quantum algorithms walks programmers through every step, from theory to implementing the algorithms on IBM’s publicly available 5-qubit ibmqx4 quantum computer and others. Credit: Dreamstime

For would-be quantum programmers scratching their heads over how to jump into the game as quantum computers proliferate and become publicly accessible, a new beginner’s guide provides a thorough introduction to quantum algorithms and their implementation on existing hardware.

“Writing quantum algorithms is radically different from writing classical computing programs and requires some understanding of quantum principles and the mathematics behind them,” said Andrey Y...

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Engineers Build Artificial Intelligence Chip

computer chips graphic
Caption:MIT engineers have created a reconfigurable AI chip that comprises alternating layers of sensing and processing elements that can communicate with each other.
Credits:Credit: Figure courtesy of the researchers and edited by MIT News

The new design is stackable and reconfigurable, for swapping out and building on existing sensors and neural network processors. Imagine a more sustainable future, where cellphones, smartwatches, and other wearable devices don’t have to be shelved or discarded for a newer model.

Instead, they could be upgraded with the latest sensors and processors that would snap onto a device’s internal chip — like LEGO bricks incorporated into an existing build. Such reconfigurable chipware could keep devices up to date while reducing our electronic waste.

N...

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