Month: April 2020

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Are Plants Quantum?

https://gizmodo.com/are-plants-quantum-1842734189

The FMO complex, the subject of a new review.
Image: Julian Adolphs (Wikimedia Commons)

A long-standing debate over just how “quantum” photosynthesis is may finally be coming to an end.

Subatomic particles obey a strange set of mathematical rules as they move around. They can only take on defined values of certain properties (kind of like taking positions on a staircase), but they might take on multiple values at the same time or entangle such that their values become more correlated than regular probability would otherwise allow. Scientists have long wondered what roles this quantum weirdness might play in biology, most notably in increasing the efficiency of photosynthesis. This line of research kicked into high gear after a controversial 2007 experiment found that something called quantum coherence appeared to play a key role in how plants make energy. But a new review of experiments has demonstrated that photosynthesis probably isn’t as quantum as scientists thought.

“There are lots of well-established and well-understood quantum effects in biology—normal effects that people have understood and seen for years,” Richard Cogdell, professor at the University of Glasgow and an author of the new review, told Gizmodo. “The idea that there are unexpected, strange quantum effects akin to things being in two places at once, for example—there’s really no evidence for that.”

In 2007, a paper published in Nature kicked off the debate. A team of scientists with the University of California, Berkeley, Washington University in Saint Louis, and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab performed measurements of a complex found in certain photosynthesizing bacteria called the Fenna–Matthews–Olson complex. This complex is made up of pigment and protein molecules and acts as a sort of wire connecting the light-harvesting part of a cell to the center where photosynthesis occurs. The team cooled the complex to -321 degrees Fahrenheit (-196 Celsius) and measured how it reacted to laser pulses. They spotted a pattern of oscillations they deemed to be evidence that the complex incorporated quantum coherence, essentially taking on a superposition of multiple electron states at once, to find the most efficient route to transfer energy.

This work set off a flurry of quantum biology research trying to understand where quantum weirdness appears in biology and how these effects manifest in a meaningful way. But researchers since then have questioned whether quantum coherence was actually responsible for the telltale oscillations, and whether photosynthesis—in which an organism converts energy from light into chemical fuel—would actually require coherence in order to achieve its efficiency. Perhaps most notable among those researchers is Dwayne Miller at the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter in Germany. Miller is the corresponding author of the new review on the matter published in the journal Science Advances.

The researchers combined evidence from past experiments to make their case against electronic coherence. They noted that atomic vibrations can also take on correlated behavior and produce similar-looking observations, which are difficult to separate. They also noted that experiments conducted at so-called room temperature—the less-extreme range of temperatures at which photosynthesis would actually occur—demonstrate that quantum coherences in the FMO complex lasts just tens of femtoseconds (that’s not nearly long enough for it to have a meaningful impact on the efficiency of energy transfer). They conclude that the energy transfer process is just an incoherent “hopping” process, where excitations caused by sunlight jump between molecules, rather than a process governed by the weirdness of quantum mechanics.

Basically, the protein-pigment complex doesn’t just sit on its own in an ultra-cold lab experiment; it sits in a bath of cellular material at much higher temperatures. All of those complicating factors together made it clear that, “although quantum biology is really great and exciting, it’s too good to be true for real systems,” said Amy Stevens, assistant professor in chemistry at the University of Saskatchewan who was not involved in this review.

Another scientist not involved in the study, chemistry professor Shaul Mukamel at the University of California, Irvine, agreed that this paper could very well be the nail in the coffin for the quantum interpretation of the oscillations.

Graham Fleming, a University of California, Berkeley chemistry professor and one of the authors of the 2007 paper, told Gizmodo in an email that he had no specific comment on the new review. However, he has begun analyzing the vibrational spectra of these molecules and pointed Gizmodo to a recent paper demonstrating a new spectroscopic technique. He explained that the vibration mentioned in the new review failed to recreate their observations of another photosynthetic light-harvesting complex. But Miller replied to Gizmodo that the paper Fleming discusses still doesn’t show that the energy transfer process is a quantum-coherent process.

This isn’t the end of the line for quantum biology, as there are still places where macroscopic manifestations of quantum mechanics could appear in biological systems. There’s some evidence that quantum processes might be behind bird navigation, for example. Others wonder whether they play a role in how we smell. “These are still important questions that should be explored,” Mukamel told Gizmodo.

As for photosynthesis, it seems like there’s nothing particularly mystical about it. At least, nothing aside from billions of years of evolution that has allowed life to develop out of energy harvested from a nearby star.

via Gizmodo https://gizmodo.com

April 9, 2020 at 11:15AM

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Engineers Are Working to Turn Breast Pumps Into Ventilators

https://gizmodo.com/engineers-are-working-to-turn-breast-pumps-into-ventila-1842773817

The ventilator shortage in the U.S. and across the globe is a huge problem and everybody knows it. It’s led to state governors bidding against each other for extra ventilators and forcing hospitals to get creative amid the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. While plenty of companies like Dyson and Apple are working to help mitigate the shortage, engineers in Maryland are taking a more novel approach by converting unused breast pumps into the much-needed, life-saving devices.

The group is comprised of four engineers working out of the University of Maryland’s TechPort incubator, according to a local WMAR2 news report. The engineers’ plan is to reverse airflow from the breast pumps—meaning that instead of sucking air into the pump’s tubes, they could instead blow air into a patient’s lungs. Another plus is that engineer Brandi Gerstner told another local publication The Bay Net that breast pumps are “sanitize-able biomedical device[s]” that are both reliable and approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The best part is the engineers say it only takes four hours to create a prototype and costs roughly $300. Meanwhile, traditional hospital-grade ventilators can cost thousands or even tens of thousands apiece.

The engineers have since created a Facebook page to promote their project, and are currently accepting donations in the form of breast pumps, Arduino circuit boards, and money to fund the project. (If you’d like to contribute, you can directly reach the group via the email breastpumpvent@gmail.com). The group has reported several breast pump donations so far, though according to its Facebook page it is only accepting Spectra models at the moment.

While the idea is both novel and shows a great deal of ingenuity, it still has to receive FDA approval before they can actually be used in hospitals. In March, the FDA enacted an Emergency Use Authorization to allow “positive pressure breathing devices modified for use as ventilators”, which would theoretically cover the retrofitted breast pumps during the covid-19 pandemic. Part of that is ensuring that the makeshift breast pump ventilators can be outfitted with new circuit boards and sensors for consistent airflow. The prototypes also have to be easily sanitizable to prevent contamination. Until then, the engineers are focusing on consulting with pulmonologists to review the design, as well as getting access to a biomedical simulation laboratory.

via Gizmodo https://gizmodo.com

April 9, 2020 at 11:03AM

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Blackmagic’s pro livestreaming switcher can broadcast without software

https://www.engadget.com/2020-04-03-blackmagic-atem-mini-pro-livestreaming-switcher.html

If you’re devoted enough to livestreaming that you want the kind of features you’d expect from a TV studio, Blackmagic might have your back. It’s releasing the ATEM Mini Pro, an enhanced version of the ATEM Mini switcher that’s focused on the most elaborate streaming setups. There’s now a hardware streaming engine that lets the Pro stream directly to Twitch, Facebook and YouTube through an Ethernet connection, with no special software required. You can also save recordings for posterity to USB flash drives, and multiview on the HDMI output lets you monitor all inputs on one screen.

The ATEM Mini Pro includes all the features of the base model, including four HDMI inputs, chroma key, 12-channel audio mixing and a built-in video editor for picture-in-picture and other effects. If you do have favorite streaming software, a USB connection treats the switcher like a wildly overpowered webcam.

Blackmagic is selling the Pro now for $595. That’s utter overkill for most streamers, many of whom who would be better-served by a simple device like the Elgato Stream Deck Mini. Even the $295 standard ATEM Mini may be more than enough for serious users. If your stream is large enough that you have a multi-cam setup and might only spend some of your time at a desk, though, the price might be easier to swallow.

via Engadget http://www.engadget.com

April 3, 2020 at 03:15PM

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Make your own face mask—no sewing machine required

https://www.popsci.com/story/diy/make-diy-face-masks/

Polypropylene bags can do more than carry groceries—they can also be turned into face masks.

Polypropylene bags can do more than carry groceries—they can also be turned into face masks. (Alden Wicker/)

Follow all of PopSci’s COVID-19 coverage here, including how to make your own hand sanitizer, how to work from home, and the latest findings on the virus itself. For global updates, see here.

As COVID-19 spreads across the United States, hospitals are struggling to keep fully functional while running through their limited supplies of face masks, gowns, and other protective equipment.

The Phoebe Putney hospital in Georgia went through six months of supplies in less than a week, Stanford Hospital in California has asked sustainable t-shirt startup For Days to make cotton terry cloth N95 mask covers, and even high-end fashion designers like Christian Siriano have begun making medical-grade masks and gowns.

“No one before would have thought of fashion designers or anybody helping with DIY masks,” says Katie Kozel, a medical supply chain consultant in Colorado. “But no one before would have thought of trying to use rain ponchos as isolation gowns either, which we’re seeing happen now.”

Tutorials for DIY masks have proliferated across social media and the internet as news of the dire conditions in hospitals across the country hit the news, and people want to pitch in. But the value of such a mask may not lie so much in helping medical professionals, but in helping to protect yourself and the people around you.

The difference between N95 and surgical masks

N95 respirators are stiff masks with a filter that blocks 95 percent of particles larger than 0.3 microns, and are fit-tested to each healthcare worker to ensure they create a sealed barrier. Like most personal protective equipment (PPE), N95 masks are meant to be discarded after each use. But as a result of the shortage, the CDC has recommended healthcare workers store their used N95 masks in paper bags between uses, which raises the risk of disease transmission between healthcare workers and patients.

In contrast, surgical masks are loose-fitting coverings made of pleated melt-blown fabric: a fine mesh of synthetic polymer fibers that allows the wearer to breathe while blocking tiny particles that could carry the virus. However, they don’t fit as tightly as N95 respirators, so they don’t provide the same protection against airborne coronavirus particles (which may persist in the air for up to three hours).

Surgical masks aren’t meant to shield the wearer from infection, but to protect others by corralling any infectious droplets that may come out of your mouth or nose—whether you’re symptomatic or not. That’s why authorities have insisted only people presenting symptoms or suspected of having COVID-19 should wear them.

However, healthcare professionals now have no choice but to wear surgical masks around COVID-19-infected patients, donning the safer, scarcer N95 respirators only when performing risky procedures like intubation. And even surgical masks are running low.

Cloth masks as an alternative to medical masks

Cloth masks aren't impenetrable, but some research suggests they may be better than nothing.

Cloth masks aren’t impenetrable, but some research suggests they may be better than nothing. (Pavel Anoshin/Unsplash/)

Researchers at the University of New South Wales who studied the use of reusable cloth masks several years ago found that doctors who wore them had a significantly higher chance of respiratory infection. Almost 97 percent of particles got through the cloth masks used in the study, compared with the 44 percent that penetrated synthetic medical masks. The cloth’s ability to retain moisture, plus the fact that the masks were reused, might have also contributed to their inefficiency.

No wonder that the World Health Organization says cloth masks are “not recommended under any circumstances” in healthcare settings during the COVID-19 outbreak.

As the pandemic advances, however, experts are starting to question whether cloth masks could help the general public. That’s because it’s still unclear how wearing a cloth mask compares to wearing no mask. A 2006 study by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh pointed out there’s no easy way to prove the effectiveness of homemade masks. On the other hand, researchers in a 2013 study by Public Health England concluded that while "a homemade mask should only be considered as a last resort,” it might be better than nothing at all.

How to make a face mask

Let’s make this clear: masks, no matter how effective, are not guaranteed to protect you from COVID-19.

“A mask is only ever as good as the wearer, and isn’t a replacement for social distancing and good hand hygiene,” says Anna Davies, one of the researchers in the Public Health England study.

In a perfect world, everyone would have their own masks to wear in public to help prevent the virus from quietly spreading, and the CDC is reportedly considering recommending that everyone wear masks in public, not just those with symptoms.

Unfortunately, masks are a bit hard to come by right now, and buying masks reduces the supply for healthcare workers who need them. Even if the CDC doesn’t make a new recommendation, anyone taking care of a sick loved one should probably have at least two, so they can sterilize one while wearing the other.

Our tutorial is a simple project for people who don’t have a sewing machine, adapted from MakerMask by Helpful Engineering, a global open-source COVID-19 project. While many projects call for cotton, Davies says there’s no indication it is better or worse than other fabrics—it’s just comfortable and something people tend to have on hand. Because of researchers’ hypotheses about cotton masks’ hydrophilic (water-loving) qualities contributing to higher rates of respiratory infection, we’ve stayed with MakerMask’s suggestion to use a hydrophobic synthetic material similar (but not identical) to the material used in surgical masks. And many people have it right in their own home.

Stats

Time: 90 minutes if sewn by hand

Estimated materials cost: less than $5

Difficulty: medium

Tools

  • Needle and thread
  • Scissors
  • Ruler
  • <a href="https://amzn.to/2JutH9A" target=_blank>Clothing iron</a>
  • Sewing or safety pins
  • Permanent marker
  • (Optional) Seam ripper

Materials

  • 1 medium non-woven polypropylene reusable grocery bag
  • 2 <a href="https://amzn.to/2JAgnR0" target=_blank>pipe cleaners</a> (or <a href="https://amzn.to/2UZgtap" target=_blank>plastic-coated twist ties</a>)
  • (Optional) 60 inches of <a href="https://amzn.to/3aO0TVP" target=_blank>ribbon, between ½ and 1 inch wide</a>

Instructions

You most likely have everything you need to make one of this at home.

You most likely have everything you need to make one of this at home. (Alden Wicker/)

1. Wash the reusable grocery bag.

  • <b>Caution:</b> We specifically recommend a reusable grocery bag <a href="https://ift.tt/342AkJT" target=_blank>made of non-woven polypropylene</a> (NWPP for short), not a disposable plastic one. It may sound obvious, but you’ll need to be able to breathe through the mask. Stay away from insulated bags (these usually have some foil material on the inside) or waterproof bags lined with plastic, too.
  • <b>Note:</b> If you can, choose the bag with the longest handles you can find. This project will be easier if you can use them as straps for the mask. If the handles aren’t long enough, we’ll explain how to make straps out of ribbon.

2. Cut the sides off the grocery bag so the material lays flat. Don’t cut off the handles.

3. Cut the material into two sheets. If your bag has a seam at the bottom, cut it like you did the side seams. You’ll get two clean sheets of NWPP, each with its own handle.

Your mask will have two layers of fabric.

Your mask will have two layers of fabric. (Alden Wicker/)

4. Measure and cut one sheet. Using your ruler, measure the edge with the handle to find the center. Mark it with your permanent marker. Using that as a starting point, measure back toward the handles 4 ½ inches and mark again. From each mark, measure down 9 inches and draw parallel vertical cutting lines. Connect the lines at the bottom. You should have a 9-by-9-inch square with a finished (sewn) edge at the top with the handle.

  • <b>Note:</b> If your handle is spaced too widely to fit inside the square you measured, the simplest solution is to skip over <b>Step 8</b> and use ribbon instead (<b>Step 9</b>).

5. Repeat Step 4 on the other sheet of material.

6. Fold over the edge opposite from each handle. Place one sheet with the wrong side (the bag’s former interior) up, and fold half an inch of material in from that edge. Iron the fold on low heat to set it. Then, sew it a quarter inch from the edge. Place the other sheet with the right side (the bag’s former exterior) up, and like the other sheet, fold it in a half-inch, iron it, and sew it a quarter-inch in from the edge.

  • <b>Caution: </b>Polypropylene is a type of plastic. Using a high heat setting will melt it, ruining your project and, most likely, your iron. If there’s no “poly” setting, try the lowest one (usually silk) and increase it slightly if the fold doesn’t set.

Set each fold with an iron, but be aware of using it at the right temperature.

Set each fold with an iron, but be aware of using it at the right temperature. (Alden Wicker/)

7. Place the sheets together. Your mask will have two layers of fabric. Place one of the sheets on your work surface with the handle facing to the left. Place the other one on top of it with the handle facing to the right. Pin in place.

  • <b>Note:</b> We recommend that the printed side of the sheets face the same direction, so the back of the mask is a different color than the front. Davies says this will help ensure you don’t accidentally put the mask on the wrong way, with the contaminated side against your mouth and nose.

Pin the fabric sheets together. It'll make sewing them together that much easier.

Pin the fabric sheets together. It’ll make sewing them together that much easier. (Alden Wicker/)

8. Make the head ties. Fold the handles in half and cut them at the center. Hold the mask centered over your face with the handles coming out of the sides, and make sure the handles are long enough to reach the back of your head with at least 4 inches to spare.

9. (Optional) Make straps out of ribbon. If the handles of your bag are not long enough to become straps, you’ll need to make your own. Cut the handles off your NWPP sheets or use a seam ripper to take them out. Hold the mask in the center of your face and use your measuring tape to figure out the length of each strap—they should each be long enough to go from the edge of your face to the back of your head and comfortably tie behind it. Cut the ribbons and pin them where the handles used to be. Check the fit by putting your mask on. If the length of the ribbons is right, double your thread and sew the pieces into place on the wrong side of the sheets.

10. Sew the sheets together. Double your thread and sew around all the edges.

11. Finish the bottom edge. Like you did in Step 6, make a half-inch fold at the bottom and iron it. Sew it closed a quarter-inch from the edge.

12. Make the adjustable noseband. Again, fold half an inch of the top edge over and iron it. Twist the pipe cleaners or twist ties together and cut them to the same width as the mask. Fold in their ends to blunt them. Tuck the metal ties inside the fold and pin the fold over them. Then, sew the fold below and on the sides of the ties to hold them in place.

Those twist ties you accumulate every time you buy a loaf of bread can make the perfect noseband.

Those twist ties you accumulate every time you buy a loaf of bread can make the perfect noseband. (Alden Wicker/)

12. Make three folds to pleat the mask for expansion. Pleats should be approximately 1 ½ inches wide on the outside, a half-inch wide on the inside, and be parallel to the nose band. If it helps, mark lines on your fabric, fold them, and then iron them in place. Stitch these in place by sewing both sides a quarter-inch in from the edge. This time, double back your stitch to make sure the pleat seam is strong.

Make three folds on your mask and set them with an iron.

Make three folds on your mask and set them with an iron. (Alden Wicker/)

13. Sterilize your mask. Before using it for the first time, submerge your mask in boiling water for 10 minutes. Repeat this step between uses.

It’s important to remember a face mask by itself is not enough. Make sure you also wear glasses or goggles to protect your eyes, and never touch the part that covers your mouth. When you’re done using it, sterilize it, let it dry completely (in the sun if you have access) to stave off any bacteria growth, and then store the mask in a clean, plastic, resealable container.

This DIY mask is not meant to be donated to a hospital, but kept for yourself, your family, and your community. In a time of mask shortages, it’s a “better than nothing” precaution if you need to move through a crowded or public space, or take care of someone who is sick. Please follow instructions from your local authorities and remember that social distancing, washing your hands thoroughly, and staying home are still the best ways to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19.

via Popular Science – New Technology, Science News, The Future Now https://www.popsci.com

April 2, 2020 at 08:20AM

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Google’s AI can replicate your photos in the style of iconic paintings

https://www.engadget.com/2020-04-02-googles-ai-can-replicate-your-photos-in-the-style-of-iconic-pai.html

There are loads of apps out there that use filters to turn your photos into works of art. You can give your selfie a delicate watercolor feel, for example, or ramp up the colors and composition to create a frenzied portrait of your pet. Now, thanks to Google, you can give your pics a makeover in the style of your favorite artist.

Art Transfer is a new feature in the Google Arts & Culture app that lets you apply the characteristics of well-known paintings to your photos, from the bold swirls of Vincent van Gogh to the surreal brushstrokes of Frida Kahlo. It’s powered by an algorithmic model that doesn’t just blend images or overlay your photo, but instead produces a unique recreation of the image inspired by the specific art style chosen. And it all happens right on your device — no cloud involved.

To try it out, open the camera menu in the Google Arts & Culture app and choose "Art Transfer." Take or select a picture, then scroll through dozens of masterpieces to choose the art style you want to use. You can even use the scissors icon to select which bits of the image you want to apply the style to.

via Engadget http://www.engadget.com

April 2, 2020 at 08:33AM

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Amazon’s latest Blink camera costs just $35

https://www.engadget.com/amazons-blink-mini-camera-announcement-183048551.html

Amazon’s Blink is known for making affordable, easy-to-install cameras like the XT2. Its latest camera continues the trend. At $35, the Blink Mini is Blink’s most affordable product at the moment and a close competitor to devices like the Wyze Cam Pan. For that price, you get an indoor camera that can capture 1080p footage, detect motion and send alerts to your smartphone. With two-way audio, you can also use the device to talk to your pets and, in a worst-case scenario, intruders.

As you might expect, it pairs with Alexa, allowing you to watch both live and recorded footage, as well as arm and disarm the device using only your voice. Each Blink Mini also includes a free trial of the company’s cloud storage subscription through to the end of the year. 

Unlike with Blink’s past cameras, the Blink Mini doesn’t need any batteries. Instead, setup consists of plugging the camera into a wall outlet, connecting it to your WiFi network and adding the camera to the Blink app. However, the lack of batteries does mean the camera won’t work if there’s a power outage at your home. 

Blink Mini is available to pre-order today, with general availability in the US slated for April 15th. With its modest features, the Blink Mini probably won’t win any head-to-head comparisons, but it’s safe to say it will appeal to people who want an affordable home security solution. 

via Engadget http://www.engadget.com

April 2, 2020 at 01:39PM

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Google’s COVID-19 reports show where people are obeying stay-at-home orders

https://www.engadget.com/google-covid-19-community-mobility-reports-095050862.html

Google has unveiled the COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports in an effort to help public health officials understand how people are moving about in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The reports show location data from folks who have agreed to share their location history with Google in order to show places that are following instructions to shelter in place — or not.

"As global communities respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increasing emphasis on public health strategies, like social distancing measures, to slow the rate of transmission," wrote Google Geo SVP Jen Fitzpatrick. "In Google Maps, we use aggregated, anonymized data showing how busy certain types of places are—helping identify when a local business tends to be the most crowded. We have heard from public health officials that this same type of aggregated, anonymized data could be helpful as they make critical decisions to combat COVID-19."

The reports are available to all users in 131 countries, and in some regions, you can search for regional state and county data. Once a region is selected, Google will generate the report in a PDF form that’s easy to share with workers in the field, the company said.

The reports cover six categories, including retail and recreation (restaurants, museums, shopping centers, etc.), grocery and pharmacy, parks (including beaches, marinas, etc.), transit stations, workplaces and residences.

Coronavirus infection curves
Statista

Here in France, as shown in the post’s lead image, there has been a massive decline in movement to most categories — up to 88 percent — with a 56 percent drop in workplace travel and an 18 percent increase in people staying at home. That’s down to a government mandated lockdown (confinement) that prohibits any unnecessary travel, with penalties ranging from fines up to 1,500 euros and even prison time for extreme recidivists.

In California, which has implemented some of the strictest confinement rules in the US, we see a drop of just 50 percent in retail and recreation zones. Those rules are still essentially self-enforced, however, which could explain why France has started flattening its infection curve, while the US curve is a rocket ship traveling straight up.

Other mobile ad companies are also sharing similar data with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to the WSJ. However, Google has access to massive amounts of anonymized location data, and reportedly created the reports to help public health officials prioritize regions based on need.

Location tracking has been used by nations like Korea and Taiwan to track movements of quarantined and healthy citizens. However, such actions are of limited use alone. Those countries have also been testing a high percentage of their populations and implementing stricter social distancing rules as well.

On top of the reports, Google said its also collaborating with epidemiologists to created an updated dataset of anonymized aggregated data, "to better understand and forecast the pandemic," the company said.

via Engadget http://www.engadget.com

April 3, 2020 at 04:57AM