Latest in Science

From Z machines and AI recruiters to Force Jackets!

Here is “Latest in Science”, once again, of what’s happening in the world around us? A second article I’m writing of this kind as a part of The Research Nest’s initiative as I keep a track of all research and discoveries from around the world. Here is my top 5 pick, explained short and brief;

Ever heard of the Z Machine?

(Image Source: Flickr)

Imagine you combine all the power plants from all the cities across the world and make one giant structure. The power such a plant would generate is unimaginable right? What if I told you that the Z machine can discharge more power than that in a fraction of a second! The Z machine is truly a terrifying invention. What do you think would happen then? It would create temperatures up to 2 to 3 million degrees, here on earth confined to a tiny space! The kind of temperature that plasma in the stars exists at. So what’s the recent news? A 7 million dollar grant has been awarded to the University of Texas, Austin to conduct this research that will help scientists understand stars, white dwarfs specifically better. Humans have built crazy machines over the years, but this one has been the most stunning I have come across in recent time. Surprisingly, such a machine has actually existed since the 1960s.

How long do spiders live?

(Image source: CNN)

These 8 legged creatures are some of the most intriguing life forms on the planet, often associated with pop culture and fictional disasters. Some spiders are truly deadly but many of them are quite harmless. The spiders that you may probably come across at your home live no longer than about a year. Some of the variants from the wild may live up to 2 to 3 years. Some of the largest spider species, the female Goliath birdeater, may live up to 25 years. But have you ever wondered what’s the age of the oldest spider ever? Last week witnessed an important moment in the domain of biology and life on earth, the death of the oldest ever recorded Spider, which died at an age of 43. It was a female Giaus Villosus trapdoor spider, interestingly, given the name, “Number 16”. Maybe there are older species just waiting to be discovered. We never know.

How to remember your dreams better?

We all dream but not all of them are remembered. Why is it so difficult to recollect some dreams? This may be a difficult question to answer and requires a lot of research. But, one thing that can be speculated is that the part of the brain responsible for creating and storing memories aren’t functional during sleep. An interesting development in this topic comes from a recently published paper which signifies that vitamin B6 could help you recollect your dreams better! Looks like that came out of nowhere but it actually isn’t. There are good reasons that they are linked. A quick look at the benefits of B6 shows that it is essential for maintaining a healthy nervous system. I am not a neuroscience expert and there is a lot of technical jargon behind this research. Check out this paper here that explains it.

Recruiters, take a look at this technology!

Wondering who this animated person in the image is? It is actually an AI program called Robot Vera developed by a Russian Startup, Stafory. This technology stands at number 2 in the Research Nest’s countdown for the most intriguing AI technologies across the world. Technically this isn’t something that was launched just last week but I came to know of it just then. It was worth a mention. So what is so special about it? It is basically an AI-based recruiter with a capability of taking real-time interviews of potential future employees! It’s a recruiter capable of screening candidates as well as taking online interviews! Another classic example of machines taking over the jobs of humans. In this case, it is also a machine giving jobs to humans. Maybe in future, it will be a machine recruiting other machines for companies run by machines. This technology could be revolutionary in the HR industry if successful. From efficiency to unbiased accuracy, will this mark the end of a job profile that humans have held for long? Only time will answer that.

New research from Disney; The Force Jacket

If you have seen the recent Hollywood flick, “Ready Player One”, you probably might have an idea of what I am going to talk about now. The final pick for this article is the one that could make something unreal more realistic than ever before. Virtual reality is already one of the hottest topics in the industry and an active area of research. The force jacket will make VR more intriguing. Essentially, it will make you feel sensations corresponding to the virtual events happening in the VR world you are immersed in. For example, like a punch, a hug or a snake moving across your body. This tech can literally enable you to feel the punches if you play a VR based boxing game!

That’s it for this edition. Developments in various spheres of science have never been as disruptive as it is today. New job opportunities are being created as old ones are becoming obsolete. Breathtaking discoveries and revolutionary inventions continue to happen at a faster pace. The world as we know it is changing. Are we adapting accordingly?