China has made significant strides in earthquake research with the development of the “Listen” seismic wave large model. This groundbreaking AI model, a collaborative effort between the National Supercomputing Chengdu Center, the Institute of Geophysics of the China Seismological Bureau, and Tsinghua University, marks a pivotal moment for the country’s earthquake monitoring capabilities.

The model will be likely used for mineral exploration and shale gas mining

The model, boasting 100 million parameters, demonstrates enhanced accuracy and speed in recognizing seismic signals. Its potential applications span from earthquake early warning to aftershock prediction. Additionally, the model can be utilized for mineral exploration, shale gas mining, and urban underground structure detection.

The development of the “Listen” dataset, the largest of its kind for seismology, has been instrumental in training the large model. As the model continues to evolve, it is expected to revolutionize earthquake research and contribute to the modernization of earthquake prevention and mitigation efforts.

This breakthrough underscores China’s commitment to harnessing AI for societal benefit and its leadership in seismological research.

(Via)

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A research team led by the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has made a breakthrough discovery. They identified a gamma-ray spectrum line with an energy of up to 37 MeV, the highest ever observed from a celestial object. This finding, published in the journal “Science China: Physics, Mechanics and Astronomy,” sheds new light on the mysteries of gamma-ray bursts and relativistic jets.

Researchers identified a gamma-ray spectrum line with an energy of up to 37 MeV,

The groundbreaking discovery was made by analyzing data from the Polar Space Telescope and the Fermi satellite. The observed spectrum line not only boasts record-breaking energy but also exhibits a unique power-law evolution in both energy and luminosity.

This significant achievement offers crucial clues for scientists to unravel the secrets of gamma-ray bursts and the powerful jets associated with them. It marks a major milestone in the field of gamma-ray burst research and paves the way for further exploration of these celestial phenomena.

(Via)

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China has taken a significant leap in high-end equipment manufacturing with the official release of HIPEX1850, the country’s first super-large thermal isostatic pressure (HIP) equipment. Developed by China Steel Research Technology Group Co., Ltd., HIPEX1850 is currently the largest HIP equipment in China and the second largest globally.

HIP tech helps process giant core components for aerospace sectors

This milestone achievement signifies major advancements in China’s HIP technology across various aspects: equipment size, processing parameters, modular design, intelligent control, equipment stability, and more.

HIP technology plays a crucial role in processing large core components critical to China’s aerospace and other high-tech sectors. Lu Zhoujin, chairman of Steel Research Haopu Technology Co., Ltd., explains that the HIP process creates exceptionally uniform and high-density materials. It eliminates internal defects like micropores, cracks, and segregation, leading to significant improvements in wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and overall mechanical properties. Notably, fatigue life of materials processed with HIP can be enhanced by 10 to 100 times.

Hot isostatic pressing is an indispensable technology for manufacturing key components in various high-end fields such as aerospace, electric power, gas turbines, consumer electronics, healthcare, semiconductors, and more. HIPEX1850 positions China as a leader in developing strategic new materials and core components, fostering self-reliance in these critical areas.

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Chinese astronomers have revealed new findings about the size of the Milky Way galaxy, suggesting it’s significantly larger than previously thought. Their research, published in the prestigious journal Nature Astronomy, utilized data from the world’s first large near-infrared stellar spectral survey, APOGEE.

The survey team analyzed the distribution of stars across the Milky Way

This survey allowed the team, led by Associate Professor Lian Jianhui of Yunnan University, to account for dust and other factors that can impede traditional measurements. By analyzing the distribution of stars across the Milky Way, they were able to reconstruct a more complete picture of its structure.

Their findings challenge the long-held assumption of the Milky Way having a single exponential disk – a flat structure where stellar density decreases steadily moving outwards. Instead, the research suggests a more complex structure. The outer disk (beyond 24,000 light-years from the galactic center) appears to conform to the exponential model. However, the inner disk (between 11,000 and 24,000 light-years) exhibits a flatter distribution, with stellar density remaining relatively constant.

This revised understanding has significant implications. Previous estimates based on the exponential disk model placed the Milky Way’s radius at around 10,000 light-years, making it appear denser than galaxies of similar mass. The new data, however, suggests a nearly doubled radius of 19,000 light-years, bringing the Milky Way in line with other galaxies of its type.

Professor Lian emphasizes the importance of near-infrared observations in overcoming the limitations of traditional methods. Dust particles significantly affect visible light, but their impact on near-infrared wavelengths is much smaller. This allows for a clearer picture of stellar distribution, particularly within the Milky Way’s dusty inner regions.

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Chinese space launch company Oriental Space successfully conducted a critical test for their Gravity-1 rocket. This test involved transporting the rocket in a vertical state over 1700 kilometers by sea in China, simulating a real launch scenario.

The journey included assembly, embarkation, transportation, disassembly, and disembarkation

The test aimed to ensure the rocket’s ability to withstand harsh sea conditions and verify safety measures during long-distance maritime transport. The 920 nautical mile journey from Dandong to Lianyungang included assembly, roll-on/roll-off embarkation, transportation, disassembly, and disembarkation.

The test also addressed logistical challenges by successfully separating and reattaching the satellite cover assembly at a port stop. This innovation allows for more convenient docking procedures at launch sites.

This successful test paves the way for Oriental Space’s “front shop and back factory” model, with their newly completed Assembly, Integration and Testing Center serving as the core.

The Gravity-1 rocket itself boasts impressive capabilities. As China’s (and the world’s) first all-solid bundled medium-sized launch vehicle, it is designed for rapid response and large-scale deployment of small and medium satellites in low Earth orbit. It offers a flexible configuration with a core stage, boosters, and switchable engine options for varying payloads.

(Via)

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Chinese scientists have stumbled upon a potential pioneer for life on Mars – a super-survivor moss known as Syntrichia caninervis. This desert moss isn’t fazed by harsh conditions. It thrives in some of Earth’s most extreme environments, like the frigid landscapes of Tibet and Antarctica.

The moss even managed to regenerate under strict conditions

Researchers put the moss through a series of rigorous tests to assess its tolerance limits. The results were astonishing. Syntrichia caninervis withstood dehydration exceeding a staggering 98% of its cellular water, flash-freezing at unbelievably low temperatures (-196°C) and intense blasts of gamma radiation (over 5000 Gy).

But the moss’s resilience doesn’t stop there. Under simulated Martian conditions – including low atmospheric pressure, freezing temperatures, a dense CO2 atmosphere, and strong UV radiation – Syntrichia caninervis not only survived, it even managed to regenerate. This discovery pushes the boundaries of what life can endure on our planet and opens exciting possibilities for future space exploration.

Published in the journal “The Innovation”, the research suggests this moss could be a valuable tool in developing habitable environments beyond Earth. However, challenges remain. Martian soil contains chlorates, a toxic and corrosive chemical, not yet considered in this study. Additionally, the constant Martian environment, unlike Earth’s with its cycles of change, could pose long-term stress on the moss.

(Via)

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Chinese researchers have made a significant leap in brain-inspired chip technology with Tianmoc. This new chip, unveiled by Tsinghua University, mimics the human visual system for superior performance in complex environments.

Traditional chips struggle with sudden light changes or interference

Tianmoc tackles a major hurdle for AI – visual perception. Traditional chips struggle with sudden light changes or interference, hindering self-driving cars and other applications. Tianmoc boasts high-speed, high-precision processing at low power consumption, excelling in these challenging scenarios.

Inspired by the human brain, Tianmoc breaks down visual information into “primitives” that are then combined, mimicking human perception. This “dual-pathway” approach surpasses traditional methods and ensures system stability.

Beyond self-driving cars and robots, Tianmoc has the potential to revolutionize everyday devices like smartphones, offering new features as production costs decrease.

This research builds on the team’s prior success with Tianjic, another brain-inspired chip. They envision Tianmoc and its predecessors creating a comprehensive “brain-like intelligence ecosystem” that could pave the way for artificial general intelligence, a type of AI that learns and reasons like humans.

Tianmoc marks a significant step towards a future powered by original, brain-inspired AI technology, with the potential to solve complex problems and create groundbreaking applications.

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There has been a significant breakthrough in laser technology! Chinese scientists have unveiled the world’s thinnest optical crystal, a key component for lasers. This revolutionary material is a rhombohedral boron nitride crystal, just micrometers thick, and boasts dramatically improved efficiency. Lasers play a crucial role in various fields like micro-nano processing, healthcare, and quantum technologies. Their miniaturization is a key development goal.

The research team used lightweight boron nitride as the base material

The research team at Peking University achieved this breakthrough by using a novel “corner phase matching theory” and lightweight boron nitride as the base material. This “corner rhombohedral boron nitride” crystal exhibits an energy efficiency increase of at least 100 times compared to traditional crystals of similar thickness.

The ultra-thin crystal achieves a remarkable 8% efficiency in optical frequency doubling conversion across a wide range of spectrums, making it 100 to 10,000 times more efficient than conventional crystals at the same size.

This innovation goes beyond efficiency gains. Corner phase matching grants boron nitride crystals the ability to control the polarization of light, paving the way for a new generation of lasers with extreme wavelengths, sizes, and stability.

Professor Liu Kaihui, part of the research team, predicts this technology could miniaturize lasers to the micron level and potentially revive previously unsuitable materials for creating optical crystals. This discovery holds immense potential for the future of laser technology.

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China is on the cusp of launching its next manned space mission, Shenzhou XVIII. This mission will see a crew of three astronauts embark on a journey to the Tiangong space station, marking the first crewed visit to the station this year.

China Manned Space Agency has confirmed that final checks are underway

Liftoff is imminent, with the Shenzhou XVIII spacecraft and its Long March 2F rocket having reached the service tower at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert on Wednesday. The China Manned Space Agency reports that final checks are underway on both the spacecraft and the rocket before launch.

Shenzhou XVIII marks China’s 13th manned spaceflight and will be responsible for relieving the current crew stationed on Tiangong. The Shenzhou XVII crew, led by Senior Colonel Tang Hongbo, has been onboard the space station since October 26th, 2023, and will have completed a six-month mission by the end of April. The names of the Shenzhou XVIII astronauts have not yet been revealed.

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A groundbreaking medical achievement has been accomplished in China. Doctors at Xijing Hospital, led by Professor Qin Weijun and Professor Dou Kefeng, successfully performed the country’s first ever multigene-edited pig-to-human kidney transplant on a brain-dead recipient. This historic surgery took place on March 25th, following the hospital’s world-first pig-to-human liver transplant earlier in the month.

Xenotransplantation refers to using organs from animals as a solution to failing organs

The successful transplant offers immense hope for patients suffering from end-stage renal disease, a condition where the kidneys fail completely. The critical challenge for these patients has always been the shortage of available organs for transplant. However, advancements in gene editing and immunology have opened doors to xenotransplantation – using organs from animals – as a potential solution.

This landmark surgery involved a team effort from 21 hospital departments, including urology, hepatobiliary surgery, and anesthesiology. The donor pig, provided by Chengdu Clonorgan Biotechnology Co Ltd, underwent genetic modification to minimize the risk of organ rejection by the recipient. The recipient’s family, after confirmation of brain death, selflessly agreed to participate in this research, contributing to medical science’s progress.

The transplanted pig kidney functioned normally for nine days, successfully producing urine. This achievement marks a significant milestone in xenotransplantation research, paving the way for future clinical applications and offering new hope for countless patients with end-stage renal disease. Professor Dou Kefeng, one of the leading surgeons, emphasized the potential of xenotransplantation in addressing the critical shortage of donor organs. This technology has the potential to save countless lives by significantly reducing wait times or extending lifespans for patients awaiting organ transplants.

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Researchers from Northwestern Polytechnical University in China have made a huge breakthrough in assisting the country’s 17 million visually impaired people. Their development of an AI guide dog using an artificial intelligence language model holds a lot of promise for providing navigation and companionship.

Unlike cold machines, the AI guides can understand human instructions & converse

This AI guide dog goes beyond the limitations of previous electronic navigation aids. Unlike “cold machines” programmed for specific tasks, this AI companion can understand human instructions and even engage in conversation. The ability to navigate environments like streets, elevators, and indoor spaces offers significant support for daily activities.

“Smart guide dogs using the language model can offer them more convenient and safe navigation, effectively improving their quality of life,” said Sun Zhe, an associate professor at the university. Traditional guide dogs, while exceptional, are expensive to train and limited in availability in China.

The research team is still in the early stages of development, but their findings published in the Communications of the Chinese Computer Society demonstrate the feasibility of the concept. This collaborative effort between the university and the China Telecom Artificial Intelligence Research Institute holds the potential to change how visually impaired people navigate. While a number of challenges remain before widespread adoption, the researchers are committed to further developing this technology. Their dedication could soon translate into improved quality of life and greater independence for millions.

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A joint scientific expedition between China and Indonesia has achieved a huge feat, setting a new deep-diving record for Indonesia. Their submersible, going against the immense pressure of the ocean depths, plunged 7,178 meters into the Java Trench in the Indian Ocean.

The expedition took place from February 23 to March 23

This expedition, a collaborative effort between the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency, took place from February 23rd to March 23rd. The key to their success was the “Fendouzhe” manned submersible, provided by the CAS Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering. Notably, “Fendouzhe” holds the title of the world’s deepest-reaching manned submersible, capable of venturing a staggering 10,000 meters underwater.

The success of the expedition was met with praise from both sides. China’s ambassador to Indonesia, Lu Kang, emphasized the deepening research collaboration between the two countries in marine sciences. He expressed hope that this joint effort would pave the way for even more high-quality research results in the future, contributing to the development of a sustainable “blue economy.”

Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesia’s coordinating minister for maritime affairs and investment, echoed these sentiments. He viewed the expedition as a landmark moment, opening a new chapter for strengthened maritime cooperation between China and Indonesia. Looking ahead, he expressed a desire to see further expansion of scientific collaboration and the cultivation of more Indonesian scientists and engineers to propel the nation’s marine science endeavors.

This record-breaking dive not only represents a scientific achievement but also signifies a growing partnership between China and Indonesia in exploring the vast mysteries of the ocean depths. The potential for future collaborative research holds promise for advancements in marine biology, geology, and resource exploration, ultimately contributing to a deeper understanding of our oceans.

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Imagine living in constant fear of floods, with nowhere to turn for reliable warnings. For nearly 1.5 billion people around the world, this isn’t a hypothetical scenario – it’s a harsh reality. Floods, the most common natural disaster, leave a trail of devastation, displacing communities and costing billions in damages each year.

Google first started with a pilot project in Patna, India

Traditionally, accurate flood forecasting was a luxury limited to areas with extensive monitoring infrastructure. This left developing nations and underserved communities particularly vulnerable. But Google is changing the game with the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Google’s journey began with a pilot project in India‘s flood-prone Patna region. Here, they built flood forecasting models using real-time data and historical information. While this approach delivered hyper-local accuracy, it wasn’t scalable. The answer, they realized, lay in machine learning‘s ability to crunch vast datasets.

By 2019, Google had expanded its reach 12-fold, sending out vital flood alerts to affected communities. Recognizing the potential of Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks in AI, they partnered with researchers to develop a global flood forecasting platform. This ambitious project aimed to deliver reliable information even in data-scarce regions.

Initial success in India and Bangladesh covered 360 million people, but local data limitations hampered further expansion. Google’s solution? A global AI model trained on vast datasets, enabling flood prediction even without local streamflow measurements.

This innovation led to the launch of the Flood Hub platform in 2022. Today, it provides real-time flood forecasts to over 460 million people in 80 countries, including previously underserved regions in Africa. Now, access to flood forecasting in Africa rivals that of Europe.

Google understands that scientific progress thrives on collaboration. They actively partner with academic institutions, local governments, and international organizations like the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to support early warning systems. Additionally, initiatives like the “Caravan Project” focus on standardizing and aggregating existing flood data sets. The company seems to be committed to newer research and technology to expand coverage, tackle new flood types like flash floods, and explore AI solutions for broader climate adaptation challenges. This is an ongoing journey, with the ultimate goal of protecting vulnerable communities worldwide. It’s one of the scattered examples where big tech is using AI to actually make a change, and it’s good to see that.

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Researchers at the JFS Laboratory in Wuhan, China have achieved a breakthrough in the development of high-performance photonic devices. Their innovation is a cost-effective chip that simplifies the manufacturing process for these devices.

This chip can simplify 5G communication, aerospace engineering and more

The key to this advancement lies in a technique called wafer bonding. In February, researchers successfully bonded an 8-inch silicon photonics wafer with a lithium niobate wafer. This combined structure forms a powerful new device capable of efficiently transmitting and receiving data-carrying light signals.

This technology is expected to have a huge impact on various fields. Applications include 5G wireless communication, optical communication infrastructure, and even aerospace engineering – any sector that relies on high electro-optical performance stands to benefit from this.

While the advantages of this new chip are clear, it’s important to understand why light signals are superior for communication compared to other methods. Here’s why:

• Speed: Light travels significantly faster than electricity, allowing for much quicker data transmission over long distances.
• Capacity: Light signals can carry a much larger volume of data compared to electrical signals, making them ideal for high-bandwidth applications.
• Immunity: Unlike electrical signals, light signals are not susceptible to electromagnetic interference, ensuring reliable data transfer even in harsh environments.
• Distance: Light signals experience minimal signal degradation over long distances, making them perfect for long-haul communication networks.

This research will pave the way for advancements in various technologies that rely on high-speed, reliable data transmission.

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It seems like scientists are getting creative as they try to understand the human brain! A team in China has developed a special chip inspired by how they study objects far, far away in space. This chip is designed to help them unlock the mysteries of the brain in real-time.

The new chip can analyze a lot of brain data really fast, and works on it right away

Here’s the problem: scientists can now take pictures of a whole zebrafish brain at once, but figuring out what all that information means takes way too long. It’s like having a giant puzzle without a picture on the box.

The Chinese researchers noticed something interesting. When astronomers study quick bursts of radio waves from space, they also need to analyze a lot of data fast. So, the scientists took a page out of the astronomer’s playbook and designed a chip with special processing power. This chip can handle a massive amount of brain data (like hundreds of movies playing at once) and start making sense of it right away.

Their research, published in a science journal, shows the chip actually works. It can track the activity of up to 100,000 brain cells in a tiny zebrafish. The scientists even used the chip to control the swimming of paralyzed zebrafish, which is reminiscent of the Neuralink chip – but it wouldn’t be wrong to compare the two of them.

Hopefully, this tiny chip turns out to be a big leap forward for brain research. It could help scientists understand how our brains work in real time, leading to new data – or even better, new medical treatments.

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A Chinese scientific expedition is gearing up to drill into a massive subglacial lake hidden beneath the icy depths of Antarctica. This ambitious project holds immense potential for unlocking secrets about the continent’s unique ecosystem and the possibility of life forms thriving in its extreme environment.

Scientists believe that the lake has been isolated for at least 3 million years

The target of this expedition is the Qilin Subglacial Lake, named by China in 2022. Located a staggering 3,600 meters beneath the Princess Elizabeth Land ice sheet, the lake boasts an estimated surface area of 370 square kilometers and depths reaching up to 200 meters. Notably, scientists believe this lake has been isolated from the outside world for at least 3 million years, making it a prime target for studying potential life forms that may have adapted to these extreme conditions.

Beyond the potential for biological discoveries, the project holds significance for understanding the broader picture of our planet’s history and future. Studying the lake’s history could offer valuable insights into past climate variations, while exploring its formation and interaction with the ice sheet can provide crucial information about the evolution of Antarctica’s icy landscape.

However, venturing into such a fragile environment comes with its own set of challenges. The Chinese Polar Research Institute is currently working on developing crucial technologies to ensure clean and retrievable drilling, as well as safe and effective sample collection and contamination control. By drawing from the experiences of previous successful expeditions undertaken by other nations, China aims to contribute new knowledge and scientific understanding to the ongoing exploration of subglacial lakes.

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China has made a huge stride in technology with the creation of a new optical disk that can hold a vast amount of data—up to a petabit. The innovation comes from the smart folks at the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It’s not just another disk; it’s a game-changer for storing data.

The disk is built in 3D, with hundreds of layers stacked on each other

What sets this disk apart is its design. It’s built in 3D, stacking hundreds of layers on top of each other. This approach dramatically increases how much data you can store on it. The team didn’t stop there; they also made the data spots incredibly tiny, about 54 nanometers wide, and placed them super close together, at 70 nanometers apart. They managed to do this by getting around a common hurdle in optics, the optical diffraction limit.

The secret sauce in this disk is a special kind of film that contains a dye. When this dye gets hit with very short laser pulses, it allows data to be stored in these tiny spots.

Why is this a big deal? Think about all the data centers out there, storing all the videos, photos, and information we use every day. They need a lot of space and energy to operate. With this new disk, they could store much more data in a smaller space and use less energy.

With the world creating more data by the minute, finding efficient and high-capacity ways to store it is more important than ever. This new optical disk from China could be a key piece in solving that puzzle.

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This might be the most groundbreaking and positive news from 2024 so far. Insilico Medicine, an AI-driven drug discovery firm from Hong Kong, recently made headlines with its significant deal involving a breast cancer drug candidate. This transaction, potentially exceeding $500 million, was struck with Italy’s Menarini Group, highlighting a new era where artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing drug discovery.

The Global Breast Cancer Market is expected to hit $73.68 billion by 2032

Insilico, preparing for a public listing in Hong Kong, received an initial $12 million from Stemline Therapeutics, a Menarini subsidiary. The deal includes development, regulatory, and commercial milestones, along with sales royalties. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the integration of cutting-edge AI technology into pharmaceutical research and development.

AI’s role in drug discovery is increasingly crucial, offering enhanced efficiency and accuracy. This is not just about speeding up processes; it’s about opening new doors in medical research. The AI-driven drug discovery market is booming, expected to reach a staggering $7.1 billion by 2030.

The deal focuses on a novel small molecule KAT6A inhibitor, aimed at treating hormone-sensitive cancers. With breast cancer being the most prevalent and deadly cancer among women globally, the potential impact of this treatment is immense. The global breast cancer market is also on the rise, projected to hit $73.68 billion by 2032.

Menarini, a major player in the pharmaceutical and diagnostics field, views this collaboration as a chance to pioneer new treatment avenues and potentially revolutionize cancer therapy. Insilico, led by Dr. Alex Zhavoronkov since its inception in 2014, boasts a robust pipeline targeting various diseases, emphasizing the role of AI in future healthcare advancements.

With Insilico’s presence expanding globally and its recent influx of funding, including a $95 million series D financing in 2022, the company is poised for significant growth. This deal not only underscores the power of AI in healthcare innovation but also signals a promising future for more AI-driven breakthroughs in medicine.

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The U.S. Commerce Department has a bold new plan to decentralize America’s tech ingenuity. Out of 370 applicants, 31 regional technology hubs have been selected, opening the door for these areas to share in a $500 million federal funding pie. The goal? To spread innovation beyond known tech havens like Silicon Valley and Seattle.

These tech hubs will deal with projects dealing with AI and aircraft

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo laid it plain: “People shouldn’t have to move to get a good job.” By spreading the wealth of tech opportunities across the U.S., the government aims to unlock the hidden potential residing in smaller cities and different states. This initiative is more than just a bid to create jobs; it’s a strategic move to diversify the American economy. These hubs won’t just be coding new apps; they’ll work on projects that range from clean energy to artificial intelligence and even next-gen aircraft materials.

The White House isn’t just throwing money at these hubs and hoping for the best. Rather, it’s encouraging public-private partnerships. President Joe Biden sees the government’s role as a catalyst for private investments in sectors like electric vehicle batteries and semiconductors. A broader geographic spread of tech hubs could also attract talent that’s less keen on relocating to the usual tech giants’ playgrounds.

Intriguingly, this initiative isn’t isolated. Earlier this month, the Biden administration announced that $7 billion would be allocated to “hydrogen hubs” across 16 states. These are intended to kickstart a burgeoning industry that could play a big part in a more sustainable future.

But let’s not celebrate just yet. Despite Congress earmarking $500 million for these regional hubs, the funding isn’t guaranteed. Only five to ten of these chosen hubs will eventually get up to $75 million each in the coming year. Only time will tell how that goes.

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As of December 1, China is enforcing new regulations requiring all research institutions—including universities, hospitals, and enterprises—to undergo ethics reviews. The move, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology, is aimed at ensuring that science and technology are used “for good.”

The regulations will require universities, hopsitals and companies to undergo ethics reviews

This development represents a first for China, bringing it to the forefront in establishing guidelines for ethical considerations in fields such as human and animal research, as well as artificial intelligence (AI). Among the areas needing third-party expert verification are algorithmic models with social influence, invasive brain-computer interfaces, and automated decision-making systems affecting health and security.

But what does this mean for the nation’s push towards scientific innovation? On one hand, the new regulations could serve as a much-needed moral compass, especially in a landscape marked by ethical quandaries like the one involving Chinese scientist He Jiankui. He shocked the world by creating gene-edited babies and was later imprisoned for illegal medical practices.

On the other hand, the guidelines could stifle innovation. The formation of an ethics review committee, with a minimum of seven members, could slow down research projects. These committees have the authority to cancel projects, posing a potential roadblock to fast-paced scientific advancements.

The guidelines also cast a wide net over “sensitive research areas,” requiring data and algorithms—integral components of AI development—to undergo the review process. This could impact China’s standing in the global tech race, especially as AI becomes an increasingly critical component in sectors ranging from healthcare to national security.

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In a much-needed step towards promoting transparency and responsibility, Meta (formerly Facebook) announced a fresh research initiative aimed at exploring the effect of its platforms, particularly Facebook and Instagram, on political attitudes and behaviour during the US 2020 elections. This new venture follows debates surrounding social media’s role and influence in the democratic process.

Social Media polarizes a lot of people, especially topics surrounding politics

Undeniably, social media platforms, notably Facebook, have turned into stages for democratic debate. They provide a platform for citizens to express their views freely, facilitating robust political discussions between citizens, candidates, campaigners, and advocacy groups. However, the rise of such platforms has been met with increasing concerns, primarily surrounding misinformation, political polarization, and potential abuse during election periods.

To address this issue and continue promoting the positive aspects of social media on democracy, Meta launched the research partnership. The endeavor is a collaboration with independent external academics led by Professors Talia Stroud and Joshua A. Tucker. Fifteen additional researchers, selected for their expertise, will also participate in this initiative.

The project is guided by three principles: independence, transparency, and consent. The research will be independent from Meta, with the external researchers neither being paid by nor answerable to the company. To ensure transparency, the researchers have committed to publishing their findings in open access format, documenting study plans, hypotheses in advance, and releasing initial commitments upon the studies’ publication. Participants in the study will give informed consent for their data to be used in the research.

Meta’s initiative signifies its acknowledgment of the potential impacts of social media on democracy and its commitment to making necessary changes. Following the controversy over the 2016 US election, the company has tripled its safety and security workforce and collaborated with government and law enforcement to combat election interference. Meta hopes that the findings from this research partnership will contribute to shaping the rules of the internet to benefit democracy and society.

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In an exciting announcement, a scientist from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) revealed that the agency is actively pursuing the development of lunar resources. The initial focus lies on extracting oxygen and water, with future plans to expand to valuable elements such as iron and rare earths. NASA’s goal is to commence excavation of lunar soil by 2032, marking a significant step towards the establishment of sustainable space exploration.

Lunar soil excavation is expected to scale up by the year 2032

Central to NASA’s ambitious moonshot program is the advancement of commercial opportunities in space. Gerald Sanders, a seasoned rocket scientist at NASA’s Johnston Space Center, emphasized the importance of quantifying potential resources, including energy, water, and lunar soil, to attract commercial investment. Sanders believes that developing access to lunar resources will be pivotal in reducing spaceflight costs and fostering a circular economy, ultimately facilitating the growth of the space industry.

To comprehensively understand the resource profile of the moon, NASA is planning to send a test drilling rig to the lunar surface later this month. The agency aims to scale up lunar soil excavation by 2032 and establish a pilot processing plant. Initial customers are expected to be commercial rocket companies seeking to harness lunar resources for fuel and oxygen, paving the way for a new era of space exploration and commerce.

Australia’s Space Agency is also actively contributing to this lunar endeavor. They are collaborating on the development of a semi-autonomous rover capable of collecting samples of lunar regolith during NASA’s upcoming lunar missions. By as early as 2026, this rover will gather samples containing oxide lunar soil, which will then be used by NASA to extract oxygen using a dedicated device.

NASA’s plans extend beyond the moon, as they intend to leverage the knowledge and experience gained from lunar missions to facilitate future manned missions to Mars. With their sights set on returning American astronauts to the moon by 2025, including the historic first woman and person of color, NASA is demonstrating its commitment to diversity and inclusion in space exploration.

The journey to the moon holds vast potential, not only for scientific advancements but also for the growth of a thriving commercial space industry. The future is bright, and the moon looks like it will become humanity’s stepping stone to the stars.

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According to recent news from IT Home, a team of scientists at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany has accomplished a remarkable feat in the field of 3D printing technology. As reported by the British publication “New Scientist,” these researchers successfully created a miniature heart chamber using 3D printing, capable of autonomously beating for over 100 days.

The 3D Printed Heart continued to beat for 100 days autonomously

The groundbreaking experiment involved the use of human cardiomyocytes, collagen, and hyaluronic acid, combined to form a unique “biological ink.” This specialized ink was then carefully injected into a gel-supported cardiac tissue structure using a nozzle. Once printed, the gel solidified, resulting in the creation of an authentic artificial heart chamber.

Typically, a complete human heart is composed of four chambers, with the cardiac chambers located at its base. The scientists managed to 3D print tiny heart chambers, measuring a mere 14 millimeters in height and 8 millimeters in diameter. These miniature chambers, approximately one-sixth the size of real human heart chambers, exhibited remarkable functionality. They began beating just a week after printing and continued to beat autonomously for an impressive 100-day period.

In their future endeavours, the researchers aim to inject a second bio-ink into these microchambers. This innovative approach will enable the growth of blood vessels within the chambers, ultimately paving the way for the printing of a completely functional heart.

This achievement builds upon the growing impact of 3D printing technology in the field of life sciences. British scientists recently made headlines by successfully implanting a conductive circuit into a living organism using 3D printing. This breakthrough paves the way for potential future research in the exciting field of brain-computer interfaces.

While these advancements are undoubtedly remarkable, it is important to note that the utilization of external jump links contained in this article, including hyperlinks, QR codes, and passwords, serve the purpose of conveying supplementary information and saving time. Readers should approach these resources as references for further exploration.

As the field of 3D printing continues to evolve, breakthroughs like these hold great promise for revolutionizing healthcare and advancing medical science, offering hope for millions of patients worldwide awaiting organ transplantation.

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In a groundbreaking development, Insilico Medicine, a start-up company specializing in AI-driven drug discovery, has announced the commencement of Phase II clinical trials for a new drug designed to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This rare disease, characterized by chronic progressive fibrosis of the lungs, affects millions of people worldwide, and until now, no curative treatment has been found.

A total of 60 people will go through clinical trials across 40 institutions

Insilico Medicine, with its dual headquarters in New York and Hong Kong, utilized the power of artificial intelligence to analyze extensive medical data and identify key protein structures associated with IPF. By leveraging AI algorithms, the company successfully screened and identified substances that could inhibit these proteins, paving the way for the development of a potential breakthrough drug.

The clinical trials for this new drug will involve 60 participants across 40 prestigious institutions in China and the United States. This collaborative effort aims to evaluate the drug’s efficacy and assess its safety profile.

The utilization of AI in drug discovery has revolutionized the pharmaceutical industry, enabling faster and more cost-effective research and development processes. Insilico Medicine has been at the forefront of this technological advancement, having already discovered 12 candidate drugs for various diseases, including liver cancer and breast cancer. Three of these drugs have progressed to human clinical trials after successful animal testing.

The success of Insilico Medicine has garnered the attention of major players in the pharmaceutical industry. The company has secured significant investments from renowned firms such as Fosun International in China and Warburg Pincus in the United States. Additionally, Insilico Medicine has entered into technology licensing agreements with leading pharmaceutical companies like Sanofi and Johnson & Johnson.

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What is the FibraValve, and why was it designed in the first place? Here’s the Why: Strep throat is a common childhood illness in the United States, but in less wealthy countries, it can lead to rheumatic fever, a condition that causes inflammation and can damage the heart valves. To address this problem, a team led by Kevin Kit Parker at the Wyss Institute and Harvard’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences has developed an implantable heart valve called FibraValve that grows with a child, reducing the need for invasive surgeries.

The Synthetic Heart Valve can be manufactured in under 10 minutes

The FibraValve represents a significant advancement in the field, as detailed in a recent research publication in Matter. The researchers utilized a new method called focused rotary jet spinning (FRJS) to manufacture the synthetic heart valve in under 10 minutes. FRJS allows for customization of the valve’s shape and properties down to the nanoscale, and the valve has shown promising results in studies involving living cells in vitro and in large animal models.

The goal of the FibraValve is to provide a blueprint for the patient’s native cells to regenerate their own living valve tissue. By using FRJS, the team hopes to not only address valve diseases in children but also establish a platform for fabricating other medical devices in the future. The innovative manufacturing process involves extruding a biocompatible synthetic polymer through a nozzle and spinning it into long nanofibers, which are collected on a heart-valve-shaped mandrel to create the valve.

The team’s previous synthetic heart valve, JetValve, demonstrated successful implantation in a sheep’s heart and the regeneration of new tissue on the device. Building on this achievement, the researchers focused on improving various aspects of the valve, including manufacturing, fiber material, and geometric design. By incorporating streams of focused air into the polymer-extruding process, they developed FRJS to enhance the rate of fiber deposition and improve the valve’s final shape.

In addition, the team used a new polymer material, called PLCL, to enhance cell infiltration once the FibraValve is implanted. The PLCL FibraValves proved to be softer and more elastic than their predecessors. The researchers optimized the geometry of the valve’s inner leaflets to minimize blood leakage, successfully reducing the leakage rate from approximately 30% to about 13% with their improved design.

To assess the performance of the FibraValve, the researchers implanted it into a living sheep’s heart using minimally invasive surgery. The valve exhibited immediate functionality, with its leaflets opening and closing synchronously with each heartbeat. Over the course of just one hour, the team observed the infiltration of red and white blood cells as well as the deposition of fibrin protein on the valve’s porous scaffolding. The implantation process caused no damage or issues.

The team plans to conduct longer-term animal testing to further evaluate the FibraValve’s regenerative capabilities and performance. They believe that FRJS has the potential to create a wide range of implantable devices, such as other valves, cardiac patches, and blood vessels.

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The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured a mesmerizing composite image that showcases the beauty of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 5068. Located approximately 20 million light-years away in the Virgo constellation, NGC 5068 is a stellar system filled with celestial wonders. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson unveiled a captivating image during an event with students at the Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw, Poland.

The JWST benefits from being able to see through gas and space dust that blocks light

The image is part of JWST’s ambitious campaign to study star formation in nearby galaxies and create a valuable repository of observations. By focusing on NGC 5068’s central regions, where stars are born in abundance, astronomers hope to make significant scientific advancements with the help of JWST’s initial data.

JWST’s observations complement previous studies conducted by other telescopes, including the Hubble Space Telescope, the Very Large Telescope (VLT), and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). By combining JWST’s images of 19 nearby star-forming galaxies with data from these telescopes, astronomers gain a comprehensive understanding of the processes involved in star formation.

One of JWST’s key advantages is its ability to see through the gas and dust that obscures visible light. With its Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) and Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam), JWST can penetrate the dusty environment of NGC 5068, providing a unique perspective on the star formation process. The composite image presented combines the capabilities of these two instruments, offering a rare glimpse into the composition of NGC 5068.

The image reveals NGC 5068’s intricate spiral structure adorned with glowing bubbles of gas and newly formed star clusters. Additionally, three asteroid trails are visible as tiny dots, a result of their closer proximity to the telescope compared to the distant galaxy. The trails appear slightly different in each frame due to JWST’s multiple exposures, highlighting their transient nature.

In another image taken with JWST’s NIRCam instrument, NGC 5068 showcases a wealth of stars concentrated along its central bar. The image also captures the red glow of gas clouds illuminated by young stars. NIRCam’s near-infrared vision allows astronomers to penetrate the galaxy’s dusty environment and study its massive population. Notably, dense and luminous dust clouds known as H II regions are seen along the spiral arms, where new stars are born. The energetic young stars within these regions ionize the surrounding hydrogen, creating a striking red glow.

Scientists believe that NGC 5068 holds the key to understanding the processes of cosmic creation. JWST’s remarkable capabilities continue to amaze us, providing invaluable insights into the birth of stars. Quite recently, the JWST helped us gaze through Fomalhaut, a whole star system full of new surprises. As the telescope continues its mission, we eagerly anticipate a lot more key discoveries in the near future.

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The race to develop technology for transmitting solar power collected in space to Earth is gaining momentum, with various countries and organizations competing to unlock the potential of this innovative solution. Japan, in particular, is leading the charge, as a public-private partnership aims to conduct a trial by the year 2025.

The cost to generate space-based solar power, however, is still extremely high

The concept of space-based solar power was proposed by an American physicist in 1968 and involves launching solar panels into space to generate electricity at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers. The generated solar power is then converted into microwaves, similar to those used in microwave ovens, and transmitted to ground-based receiving stations, where it is converted back into electrical energy.

One of the advantages of space-based solar power is its ability to provide a stable supply of energy regardless of weather conditions. Microwaves can penetrate through clouds, ensuring a consistent flow of power throughout the day and in various weather conditions. On the other hand, regular solar power is highly dependant upon factors like cloud cover, which can be detrimental to the steady supply of energy.

Japan has been at the forefront of this research, with a group led by former Kyoto University President Hiroshi Matsumoto spearheading the efforts. In the 1980s, Japan achieved a significant milestone by successfully transmitting power via microwaves in space. The group continued its research under the guidance of Kyoto University professor Naoki Shinohara, and in 2009, an industry-government-academia project was launched under the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry.

The project achieved notable progress, including successful microwave power transmission experiments over distances of 50 meters in both horizontal and vertical directions. Looking to the future, the group plans to attempt vertical transmission over longer distances ranging from 1 km to 5 km.

Competitors from other countries are also actively pursuing the commercialization of space-based solar power technology. The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and the California Institute of Technology have embarked on large-scale projects, while Chongqing University in China and the European Space Agency are advancing their own technologies.

While the potential benefits of space-based solar power are immense, cost remains a significant challenge. To generate 1 gigawatt, equivalent to the output of a nuclear reactor, an extensive area of solar panels would be required. Even with technological advancements, the estimated cost of installing such capacity exceeds 1 trillion yen ($7.1 billion).

Nonetheless, as governments and businesses worldwide prioritize renewable energy and the reduction of carbon emissions, space-based solar power has gained renewed attention. The upcoming trial planned by the Japanese partnership in fiscal 2025 aims to demonstrate the feasibility of transmitting power from space to the ground, furthering the progress in this field.

If successful, space-based solar power could revolutionize the way we harness and utilize clean energy, offering a sustainable solution to meet our energy needs. The competition to develop this groundbreaking technology is fierce, and Japan is determined to remain at the forefront of this global race.

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In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have set their gaze upon a distant exoplanet known as LP 791-18 d, unveiling a fiery world of active volcanoes and tantalizing prospects for the existence of water. Published in the esteemed journal Nature, a team of international scientists shared their findings, shedding light on this Earth-sized celestial body situated approximately 90 light-years away in the Crater constellation.

The atmosphere of the planet may enable water to condense on the dark side

Tidally locked to a red dwarf star, LP 791-18 d lacks the familiar diurnal rhythm of Earth. Instead, one side of the planet endures never ending scorching sunlight, while darkness engulfs the other side. Björn Benneke, one of the participating astronomers, elaborated that while the day side would be too blisteringly hot for liquid water, the widespread volcanic activity detected on LP 791-18 d suggests the potential for an atmosphere that might enable water to condense on the night side.

Within the LP 791-18 system, which houses at least two other known planets—LP 791-18 b and c—LP 791-18 d orbits in a peculiar dance influenced by its sizable neighbour. LP 791-18 c, over two-and-a-half times the size of Earth and more than seven times its mass, exerts a gravitational pull that imparts an elliptical trajectory upon LP 791-18 d. This elliptical path causes the planet to undergo cyclic deformations during each orbit, leading to substantial internal friction and volcanic activity on its surface, as detailed by NASA.

The significance of these volcanic processes goes beyond mere geological curiosity; they hold profound implications for the field of astrobiology, which seeks to unravel the origins of life both on Earth and beyond. Jessie Christiansen, a co-author of the study, emphasized the crucial role played by tectonic and volcanic activity in fostering the conditions necessary for life. Apart from potentially facilitating the development of an atmosphere, these volcanic mechanisms can upheave materials that might otherwise sink and become trapped in the planet’s crust, including vital elements such as carbon.

As our knowledge of the universe expands, the discovery of LP 791-18 d serves as a testament to the endless wonders waiting to be unveiled in the cosmos. It ignites our curiosity, beckoning us to ponder the possibilities of life beyond our home planet and the intricate balance between geological processes and the emergence of life.

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Technology and the ease of advancement are boons, but sometimes, it is easy to forget what we’re forgetting in the process. Nature has dwindled over the past few years, with some areas and species reaching endangered status in a matter of decades. Our coral reefs are some of those habitats that have suffered because of human encroachment. Overfishing and destructive fishing practices can kill coral and harm marine life. Pollution from sewage, agricultural runoff, and oil spills can smother or poison coral. Global warming is also a significant threat to coral reefs, as rising temperatures cause coral bleaching, where the coral expels the algae that provide it with nutrients, leading to its death. Additionally, ocean acidification caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide into seawater can weaken the coral’s skeleton and make it more vulnerable to damage. Google, one of the biggest tech giants in the world, has launched an initiative to enable people to contribute three minutes of their time to help save the coral reefs, in quite an interesting manner.

Google’s new project, named Calling in our Corals, is in collaboration with marine biologist Steve Simpson and marine ecologist Mary Shodipo, and it aims to train AI to recognize aquatic wildlife sounds. The goal of the project is to replenish and raise awareness about coral reefs that have been declining at an alarming pace due to climate change, overfishing, and pollution. The public is invited to help by listening to underwater recordings made with an underwater mic and tapping on an onscreen button when they hear fish.

The data collected will help automate the process of monitoring marine wildlife activity and could even help restore damaged habitats. By playing back the sounds of healthy reefs, the researchers hope to attract new fish and other underwater species to conserved reefs or those that have been affected by human industry. The project was made possible with recordings from 10 reefs in countries including Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, the US, Panama, and Sweden. The creators of the project emphasize that even one three-minute session will contribute to the cause, and the more time spent, the more one can pitch into the effort.

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Black holes are one of the most fascinating and mysterious objects in the universe. They are regions of space where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from their grasp. Black holes are formed from the remnants of massive stars that have exhausted their fuel and collapsed under the force of their own gravity. As they collapse, their density and gravitational pull become so strong that they create a singularity, a point of infinite density and zero volume. Around the singularity, there is a boundary called the event horizon, beyond which anything that crosses can never return. Black holes come in different sizes, ranging from tiny ones with the mass of a few suns to supermassive ones at the center of galaxies with the mass of billions of suns. Despite their elusive nature, scientists have been studying black holes for decades to understand their properties and role in the cosmos.

A groundbreaking discovery was made by American scientists who used the powerful Webb Space Telescope to unveil the oldest black hole known to date, formed just 570 million years after the universe’s birth. With a mass equivalent to 10 million suns, this colossal black hole offers important insights into how these enigmatic cosmic entities originate and evolve. Despite their mysterious nature, scientists believe that supermassive black holes located at the center of galaxies may have formed from the merger of small black holes or from the direct collapse of a large amount of gas in the early universe.

Dr. Larsen and her team used the Webb Space Telescope to observe the brightest galaxy in the early universe, which Hubble had previously identified. By analyzing the different wavelengths of light emitted by galaxies, the team was able to discover the black hole hidden at the center of the galaxy. The research has been submitted to the paper preprint website for further review.

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Researchers have just developed an interesting new technology for side channel attacks on smartphones. It is called EarSpy and it is capable of eavesdropping on your phone conversations through the handset’s built in motion sensors.

This tech was developed by a group of researchers from the University of Dayton, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rutgers University, Texas A&M University, and Temple University. As per their report, the researchers had managed to record vibrations from a phone’s loudspeaker in the past. But now, the new method of attack can even map the vibrations coming from the smartphone’s earpiece. So your conversations can be caught even when you’re talking with the phone on your ear.

The findings were shared on SecurityWeek and EarSpy was tested on the OnePlus 7T and the OnePlus 9 models. Interestingly enough, the results were surprisingly accurate and were made through data that was taken from nothing but the earpiece and the built in accelerometer. Fortunately, older OnePlus models were safe in this regard, but this was due to their lack of stereo speakers as per the research paper. The group recorded and analyzed the reverberations from ear speaker with the help of spectrograms and time-frequency domain feature extraction.

Apart from just capturing the words, the team also worked on identifying gender of the speaker as well. To take things further, there is also a potential risk of this technology being able to determine the identity of the speaker. While new Android versions have a strong security measures against malware, EarSpy is able to bypass all of these security features since the raw data from a smartphone’s motion sensors is a lot more easily accessible. The researchers have noted that smartphone brands should position the motion sensors away from any source of vibrations to reduce the risk of this vulnerability.

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A new wearable device has been developed by researchers at CU Boulder. This device is unique since it is capable of transforming the human body into a biological battery, since it is powered by the user itself.

According to a SciTechDaily report, the device is described as a low cost wearable gadget that is stretchable as well. Meaning, it can be worn as a ring, a bracelet, and more different kinds of accessory that touches one’s skin. The wearable product taps into a person’s natural heat. In other words, it uses thermoelectric generators to convert the body’s internal temperature into electricity.

Jianliang Xiao, senior author of the new paper and an associate professor in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering at CU Boulder stated that “In the future, we want to be able to power your wearable electronics without having to include a battery.” Furthermore, this device can generate about 1 volt of energy for every square centimeter of skin space. This is less voltage per area than what existing batteries provides, but it will still be enough to power products like fitness bands and watches.

The wearable device can also heal itself when damaged and is fully recyclable along with being stretchable. This also makes it a cleaner alternative to conventional electronics. Xiao further added that “Whenever you use a battery, you’re depleting that battery and will, eventually, need to replace it. The nice thing about our thermoelectric device is that you can wear it, and it provides you with constant power.”

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Researchers in the CUHK (Chinese University of Hong Kong) are studying a new method to harvest energy from human movements. The results of the study could bring about a shift in the technology used in wearable technology like smartwatches in the near future.

According to an SCMP report, the researchers are studying a swinging metal pole that is designed to mimic the movements of the human arms. The device that is built to harvest energy from this movement utilizes a highly compact generator, which contains under 10 components. This includes a motion capture unit and a power generation unit. The primary aim of this study is to harvest energy created by human motion to power smartwatches and wristbands.

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The research began earlier this year after a boom in wearable devices was observed across the globe. In recent times, the industry for smartwatches and other wearables has grown and is expected to rise even further once the market recovers from the Coronavirus pandemic. In 2019, the wearable industry had become a 20.65 billion US Dollar market, which is projected to reach 96.31 billion US Dollars by 2027.

Furthermore, this category has also become increasingly health centric, with OEMs offering features that help users map their blood oxygen levels, heart rate, sleep patterns, and more. With the growth of health enthusiasts, this technology will also benefit the entire consumer market as well. At the moment, the primary concern with such devices is always the battery life, but the technology might be a stepping stone to a device that can sustain itself through just human motion. Since wearables have already saved lives in the recent past, not having to remove them for charging is another positive outcome.

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Researchers at Cornell University have invented an earphone that can continuously track full facial expressions, even when the face is covered by a mask. The ear-mounted device, named C-Face, works by observing the contour of the cheeks and then translates the expressions into emojis or speech commands.

Using the C-Face device, users can express emotions to online collaborators without holding cameras in front of their faces. This seems like a useful tool for communication, especially at a time when the world is engaged in remote work or learning because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Cheng Zhang, Assistant Professor of Information Science and Senior Author of this research has said that “this device is simpler, less obtrusive and more capable than any existing ear-mounted wearable technologies for tracking facial expressions.”

As the device works by detecting muscle movement, C-Face can capture facial expressions even when users are wearing masks. It can also be used to direct a computer system, such as a music player, just by using only facial cues.

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Using the device, avatars in virtual reality environments can express how their users are actually feeling, and instructors can also get valuable information about student engagement during online lessons.

As for its working, once the images are captured, they are reconstructed using computer vision and a deep learning model. Then, a convolutional neural network – an AI model for classifying, detecting, and retrieving images, reconstructs the contours into expressions.

It translates the images of cheeks to 42 facial feature points, or landmarks, which represents the shapes and positions of the mouth, eyes, and eyebrows since those features are the most affected by changes in expression.

The researchers tested the C-Face device on nine participants and the average error of the reconstructed landmarks was under 0.8 mm. They also found that emoji recognition was more than 88 percent accurate and silent speech was nearly 85 percent accurate.

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