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Computer Science

“Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment with AI-Powered Precision Medicine”

A breakthrough AI system is revolutionizing cancer immunotherapy by enabling scientists to design protein-based keys that train a patient s immune cells to attack cancer with extreme precision. This method, capable of reducing development time from years to weeks, was successfully tested on known and patient-specific tumor targets. Using virtual safety screenings to avoid harmful side effects, the platform represents a leap forward in personalized medicine.

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In a groundbreaking study published in Science, researchers from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and the American Scripps Research Institute have developed an AI platform that can design proteins to tailor immune cells for precision cancer treatment. This innovative approach significantly shortens the process of finding effective molecules for cancer treatment from years to just weeks.

Associate Professor Timothy P. Jenkins at DTU explains, “We are essentially creating a new set of eyes for the immune system.” The current method involves finding T-cell receptors in the immune system of a patient or donor, which is a time-consuming and challenging process. In contrast, the AI platform designs molecular keys to target cancer cells using machine learning algorithms, producing a lead molecule within 4-6 weeks.

The researchers aimed to overcome a major challenge in cancer immunotherapy by demonstrating how scientists can generate targeted treatments for tumor cells while avoiding damage to healthy tissue. T cells naturally identify cancer cells by recognizing specific protein fragments (peptides) presented on the cell surface by molecules called pMHCs. However, utilizing this knowledge for therapy has been slow and challenging due to the variation in the body’s own T-cell receptors.

In the study, the researchers tested the strength of their AI platform on a well-known cancer target, NY-ESO-1, which is found in various cancers. They successfully designed a minibinder that bound tightly to the NY-ESO-1 pMHC molecules and created a unique new cell product named ‘IMPAC-T’ cells, which effectively guided T cells to kill cancer cells in laboratory experiments.

The researchers also applied their pipeline to design binders for a cancer target identified in a metastatic melanoma patient, successfully generating binders for this target as well. This demonstrated that the method can be used for tailored immunotherapy against novel cancer targets.

A crucial step in their innovation was the development of a ‘virtual safety check’ using AI to screen designed minibinders and assess them in relation to pMHC molecules found on healthy cells. This enabled them to filter out minibinders that could cause dangerous side effects before any experiments were carried out.

Precision in cancer treatment is crucial, and by predicting and ruling out cross-reactions already in the design phase, the researchers reduced the risk associated with the designed proteins and increased the likelihood of designing a safe and effective therapy. DTU professor Sine Reker Hadrup notes that it may take up to five years before this new method is ready for initial clinical trials in humans.

Once ready, the treatment process will resemble current cancer treatments using genetically modified T cells (CAR-T cells), which are currently used to treat lymphoma and leukemia. Patients will have their immune cells extracted from a blood sample, modified in the laboratory to carry AI-designed minibinders, and returned to the patient where they act like targeted missiles, precisely finding and eliminating cancer cells in the body.

Artificial Intelligence

Revolutionizing Electronics: Tiny Metal Switches Magnetism without Magnets, Enabling Faster, More Energy-Efficient Technology

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have made a promising breakthrough in memory technology by using a nickel-tungsten alloy called Ni₄W. This material shows powerful magnetic control properties that can significantly reduce energy use in electronic devices. Unlike conventional materials, Ni₄W allows for “field-free” switching—meaning it can flip magnetic states without external magnets—paving the way for faster, more efficient computer memory and logic devices. It’s also cheap to produce, making it ideal for widespread use in gadgets from phones to data centers.

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The University of Minnesota Twin Cities has made significant research breakthroughs in developing a material that could revolutionize the world of electronics. A study published in Advanced Materials, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, reveals a new understanding of Ni₄W, a combination of nickel and tungsten that produces powerful spin-orbit torque (SOT). This technology has the potential to make computer memory faster and more energy-efficient.

As technology continues to advance, the demand for emerging memory solutions is growing. Researchers are seeking alternatives and complements to existing memory technologies that can perform at high levels with low energy consumption. Ni₄W offers a promising solution, demonstrating a more efficient way to control magnetization in tiny electronic devices.

“Ni₄W reduces power usage for writing data, potentially cutting energy use in electronics significantly,” said Jian-Ping Wang, senior author on the paper and Distinguished McKnight Professor at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. This technology could help reduce the electricity consumption of devices like smartphones and data centers, making future electronics both smarter and more sustainable.

The researchers found that Ni₄W can generate spin currents in multiple directions, enabling “field-free” switching of magnetic states without the need for external magnetic fields. Yifei Yang, a fifth-year Ph.D. student and co-first author on the paper, noted that they observed high SOT efficiency with multi-direction in Ni₄W both on its own and when layered with tungsten.

Ni₄W is made from common metals and can be manufactured using standard industrial processes, making it an attractive option for industry partners. The researchers are excited about the potential of this technology to be implemented into everyday devices like smart watches, phones, and more.

In addition to Wang and Yang, the research team included Seungjun Lee, a postdoctoral fellow and co-first author on the paper, along with several other experts from various departments at the University of Minnesota. This work was supported by SMART (Spintronic Materials for Advanced InforRmation Technologies) and the Global Research Collaboration Logic and Memory program.

The next steps are to grow these materials into a device that is even smaller than their previous work. With continued research, Ni₄W has the potential to revolutionize the world of electronics, enabling faster, more energy-efficient technology for years to come.

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Artificial Intelligence

The Quantum Drumhead Revolution: A Breakthrough in Signal Transmission with Near-Perfect Efficiency

Researchers have developed an ultra-thin drumhead-like membrane that lets sound signals, or phonons, travel through it with astonishingly low loss, better than even electronic circuits. These near-lossless vibrations open the door to new ways of transferring information in systems like quantum computers or ultra-sensitive biological sensors.

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The Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen has made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize the way we transmit information. Researchers, in collaboration with the University of Konstanz and ETH Zurich, have successfully sent vibrations through an ultra-thin drumhead, measuring only 10 mm wide, with astonishingly low loss – just one phonon out of a million. This achievement is even more impressive than electronic circuit signal handling.

The drumhead, perforated with many triangular holes, utilizes the concept of phonons to transmit signals. Phonons are essentially sound waves that travel through solid materials by vibrating atoms and pushing each other. This phenomenon is not unlike encoding a message and sending it through a material, where signal loss can occur due to various factors like heat or incorrect vibrations.

The researchers’ success lies in achieving almost lossless transmission of signals through the membrane. The reliability of this platform for sending information is incredibly high, making it a promising candidate for future applications. To measure the loss, researchers directed the signal through the material and around the holes, observing that the amplitude decreased by only about one phonon out of a million.

This achievement has significant implications for quantum research. Building a quantum computer requires super-precise transfer of signals between its different parts. The development of sensors capable of measuring the smallest biological fluctuations in our own body also relies heavily on signal transfer. As Assistant Professor Xiang Xi and Professor Albert Schliesser explain, their current focus is on exploring further possibilities with this method.

“We want to experiment with more complex structures and see how phonons move around them or collide like cars at an intersection,” says Albert Schliesser. “This will give us a better understanding of what’s ultimately possible and what new applications there are.” The pursuit of basic research is about producing new knowledge, and this discovery is a testament to the power of scientific inquiry.

In conclusion, the quantum drumhead revolution has brought us one step closer to achieving near-perfect signal transmission. As researchers continue to explore the possibilities of this method, we can expect exciting breakthroughs in various fields, ultimately leading to innovative applications that will transform our understanding of the world.

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Computer Modeling

Scientists Crack Code to Simulate Quantum Computations, Paving Way for Robust Quantum Computers

A multinational team has cracked a long-standing barrier to reliable quantum computing by inventing an algorithm that lets ordinary computers faithfully mimic a fault-tolerant quantum circuit built on the notoriously tricky GKP bosonic code, promising a crucial test-bed for future quantum hardware.

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The researchers have successfully simulated quantum computations with an error correction code known as the Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) code. This code is commonly used in leading implementations of quantum computers and allows for the correction of errors without destroying the quantum information.

The method developed by the researchers consists of an algorithm capable of simulating quantum computations using a bosonic code, specifically the GKP code. This achievement has been deemed impossible until now due to the immense complexity of quantum computations.

“We have discovered a way to simulate a specific type of quantum computation where previous methods have not been effective,” says Cameron Calcluth, PhD in Applied Quantum Physics at Chalmers and first author of the study published in Physical Review Letters. “This means that we can now simulate quantum computations with an error correction code used for fault tolerance, which is crucial for being able to build better and more robust quantum computers in the future.”

The researchers’ breakthrough has far-reaching implications for the development of stable and scalable quantum computers, which are essential for solving complex problems in various fields. The new method will enable researchers to test and validate a quantum computer’s calculations more reliably, paving the way for the creation of truly reliable quantum computers.

The article Classical simulation of circuits with realistic odd-dimensional Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill states has been published in Physical Review Letters. The authors are Cameron Calcluth, Giulia Ferrini, Oliver Hahn, Juani Bermejo-Vega, and Alessandro Ferraro.

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