Geek News 12-27-23

This is a new feature we’ll have a few times a week and it’ll include some various technology/gadget/entertainment/science, etc/etc news. With that being said, check out these eye-catching tidbits:

Teleportation Breakthrough

Alright, folks, buckle up! We’re about to dive into some mind-blowing tech shtick that sounds straight out of a sci-fi movie. Our friends over at the University of Rochester have taken a giant leap in the world of technology and trust us, this is no ordinary tech news. We’re talking about teleporting, folks! No, not us (unfortunately), but digital images!

Here’s the best part: it’s all done using just light. Yep, you read that right, no wires, no cables, just good ol’ photons. Now, before you get your knickers in a twist, let’s make it clear that we’re not talking about teleporting physical things (at least, not yet). Instead, our smarty-pants scientists have managed to teleport information about light particles over what they’re calling a ‘Quantum Network.’

Here’s how it works in layman’s terms: an image gets broken down into tiny, bite-sized particles of light (called photons). These little guys get teleported across the network and then reassembled on the other side. And voila! Your image has been securely teleported from point A to point B!

What’s even more exciting is the serious potential this tech has for secure communications. Since it’s light teleporting the data, no sneaky hacker can intercept it in transit. It’s like delivering a letter that can only be opened by the person it’s intended for.

So, teleportation is no longer the stuff of science fiction. It’s here, it’s now, and it’s all thanks to the power of light! How’s that for a ‘lightbulb’ moment, eh?

Star-Studded Music

Alright, geek insiders, did you know that stars aren’t just shiny things up in the sky? They’re also out there dropping hot tracks. Yep, you heard it right! Our science nerds have been tuning in to the celestial radio, and they’ve picked up on something incredibly cool. Some clever folks have managed to measure the distance to stars using their ‘music’ – or, in more scientific terms, their oscillations. The distance to a star is a key element in understanding many aspects of cosmology and astrophysics, so this is a pretty big deal. This space-bending discovery was made by an international team of astronomers known as the “Asteroseismic Group.” So, the next time you look up at the night sky, remember – those stars might be a lot closer than you think, and they’re dropping beats while they’re at it!

Eat Up

You know how we all love a good Christmas dinner, right? Well, here’s some fantastic news to make your festive season even brighter. Some brainiacs have found out that our beloved Christmas dinner can actually be healthy for us!

Yes, you heard it right. It turns out our traditional gobble-gobble isn’t just about indulging and packing on those holiday pounds. Researchers from the University of Warwick have been studying the nutritional benefits of a classic Christmas dinner. Their findings? Many of the items on our festive plates have some serious health-boosting properties.

Let’s start with the turkey. It’s not just tasty but is also packed with protein and low in fat. It’s got something called tryptophan in it, and it’s not just a tongue-twister. It’s an amino acid that helps produce serotonin, a chemical that regulates mood. In other words, turkey is a natural anti-depressant.

And let’s not forget about the veggies. Brussels sprouts, which many of us might avoid like a virus-infected zombie, are packed with vitamins A and C, along with some much-needed fibre. And those roasted potatoes? They’re a good source of vitamin C too!

While we wouldn’t recommend overindulging (moderation, remember?), this research goes to show that a Christmas dinner can be both delicious and nutritious. So, this season, when you’re chowing down on that festive feast, remember you’re also doing some good for your body.

Better Electricity?

If you’ve ever played with a toy train set, you know that without the right connections, the train doesn’t move. It’s the same thing with electricity. For our gadgets to work, electricity needs to flow freely. Copper is one of the champs when it comes to conducting electricity. But, scientists at the DOE’s Argonne National Laboratory thought, “Hey, can we make it even better?” And guess what? They did!

This group of brainy folks discovered a new way to make copper – the stuff we use in everything from smartphones to electric cars – conduct electricity even more efficiently. How, you ask? They used a method called electrodeposition. Don’t worry about the complicated name. Imagine giving copper a boost with a Red Bull, and you’ll get the idea.

The results were pretty shocking (pun intended). This new method gave copper a nearly 7 percent bump in conductivity! That might not sound like a ton, but in the world of electrical conductivity, that’s a huge deal!

So, why should we care? Well, this means that our devices could be faster and more efficient. It could save a lot of energy, not to mention our phone battery life! And in a world where we’re more connected than ever, that’s a win we can all celebrate.