This week, researchers shared findings related to a cosmic impact at notable Clovis archaeological sites. In Texas, biologists found a rare hybrid bird, a combination of a blue jay and a green jay. Additionally, a study indicates that using low-dose aspirin can reduce the chance of cancer recurrence after surgery for certain colon and rectal tumors.
In more intriguing news, there’s a quick new method for verifying results from quantum computers, the surprising alcohol intake of chimpanzees, and insights into how exercise leads to weight loss:
Multidimensional checksum
Standard analog computers operate on binary bits, representing “1” or “0.” In contrast, quantum computers leverage superstates of particles for multidimensional bits that can exist in several states at once. This capability allows them to solve complex problems rapidly—potentially in seconds or minutes—while classical computers might take millions of years. But then, how do you confirm the accuracy of outputs? Using standard computing for verification could take eons.
Researchers at Swinburne University of Technology have created new ways to validate the output from a specific quantum computer known as a Gaussian boson sampler, which uses photons for probability calculations. Their methods enabled them to validate results that would have required 9,000 years of processing on today’s supercomputers using just a conventional laptop.
Alexander Dellios, one of the researchers, notes that scalable methods for validating quantum computations are crucial. They enhance our understanding of errors that impact these systems and how to correct them, ensuring the systems maintain their unique quantum properties.
Making every hour happy hour
Fruits fall from trees, ferment, and turn into alcohol over time. So, of course, chimpanzees partake! According to recent research from the University of California-Berkeley, these primates may consume around 14 grams of pure alcohol daily.
The study examined 21 fruit types from two locations in Uganda and the Ivory Coast, discovering that the fermented fruits had an average alcohol content of 0.26% by weight. Given that the chimpanzees average about 10 pounds of fruit a day, this consumption could translate to two standard alcoholic drinks daily—and that’s likely an underestimation.
Biologist Robert Dudley mentions that if the chimps are randomly sampling fruits, the reported average would stand, even without a preference for ethanol. However, if they favor riper, sweeter fruits, this figure may actually be a conservative estimate of their ethanol intake.
Exercise validated
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have uncovered a mechanism behind weight loss seen in exercise. When a person—or any exercise-loving creature—exercises, blood levels of a metabolite called Lac-Phe increase. This metabolite suppresses appetite, resulting in weight loss. In earlier studies, the team found that administering Lac-Phe to obese mice led to weight loss, and they’ve now identified how this process works.
The mechanism is rooted in the brain, particularly involving two types of neurons: AgRP, which stimulates hunger, and PVH, which suppresses it. Typically, AgRP neurons inhibit PVH neurons, resulting in increased hunger. When AgRP neurons are turned off, PVH neurons become more active, reducing appetite. Notably, Lac-Phe directly inhibits AgRP neurons, triggering PVH activity and thus reducing appetite.
This led to weight loss in mice, and crucially, their behavior remained normal throughout, implying no unpleasant side effects from the appetite suppression linked to exercise.
