Finding information in the randomness of living matter
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 23-Apr-2026 15:16 ET (23-Apr-2026 19:16 GMT/UTC)
New mathematical tools shed light on the fluctuations of living matter
Fluctuations in such energy-consuming systems cannot be assessed by traditional physics due to the influence of the arrow of time on their behavior
Quantitative predictions on the behavior of active matter can facilitate the experimental design of such systems
A research team at Kumamoto University (Japan) has unveiled a new mathematical framework that makes it possible to accurately model systems using multiple sensors that operate at different sensing rates. This breakthrough could pave the way for safer autonomous vehicles, smarter robots, and more reliable sensor networks.
Researchers at Heriot-Watt University have unveiled a prototype quantum network that links two smaller networks into one reconfigurable, eight-user system capable of routing and even teleporting entanglement on demand.
The demonstration, reported this week in Nature Photonics, sets a new benchmark for how large, flexible and capable quantum networks can become.Researchers have demonstrated a new approach to building quantum convolutional neural networks (QCNNs) using photonic circuits, paving the way for more efficient quantum machine learning. The method, reported in Advanced Photonics, introduces an adaptive step called “state injection,” allowing the circuit to adjust its behavior based on real-time measurements. Using single photons and integrated quantum photonic processors, the team achieved over 92 percent classification accuracy on simple image patterns, closely matching theoretical predictions. This proof-of-concept shows that QCNNs can be implemented with existing photonic technology and highlights a path toward scalable quantum processors for future applications in AI and data processing.
The same personalized algorithms that deliver online content based on your previous choices on social media sites like YouTube also impair learning, a new study suggests. Researchers found that when an algorithm controlled what information was shown to study participants on a subject they knew nothing about, they tended to narrow their focus and only explore a limited subset of the information that was available to them.
A team from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore has broken new ground in understanding quantum noise — a major source of error in quantum computing. Their findings, published in Physical Review Letters, address a critical challenge that must be solved to develop useful quantum computers.
Children who count on their fingers between ages 4 and 6 1/2 have better addition skills by age 7 than those who don’t use their fingers, suggesting that finger counting is an important stepping stone to higher math skills, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.