Plants 'seen doing quantum physics'

The idea that plants make use of quantum physics to harvest light more efficiently has received a boost. Plants gather packets of light called photons, shuttling them deep into their cells where their energy is converted with extraordinary efficiency. A report in Sciencejournal adds weight to the idea that an effect called a "coherence" helps determine the most efficient path for the photons. Experts have called the work "a nice proof" of some contentious ideas. Prior work has shown weaker evidence that these coherences existed in relatively large samples from plants. But the new study has been done painstakingly, aiming lasers at single molecules of the light-harvesting machinery to show how light is funnelledto the so-called reaction centres within plants where light energy is converted into chemical energy. What has surprised even the researchers behind the research is not only that these coherences do indeed exist, but that theyalso seem to change character, always permitting photons to take the most efficient path into the reaction centres. Until very recently, quantum mechanics - a frequently arcane branch of physics most often probed in laboratory settings at the coldest temperatures and lowest pressures - would not have been expected in biological settings. The fact that plants and animals are extremely warm and soft by comparison would suggest that delicate quantum states should disappear inliving things, leaving behaviour explicable by the more familiar "classical physics" that is taught in school. But the new results join the ranks of a field that seems finally to be gaining ground: quantum biology. 'Something shocking' Niek van Hulst of the Institute of Photonic Sciences in Castelldefels, Spain, and colleagues studied the light-harvesting complexes of purple bacteria to addressthe question. The weird world ofquantum mechanics Quantum mechanicsstarts with the simple idea that energy does not come in just any amount; it comes in discrete chunks, calledquanta. But deeper intothe theory, some truly surprising - and useful- effects crop up *.Superposition:A particle exists in a number of possible statesor locations simultaneously - strictly, an electron might be in the tip of your finger andin the furthest corner of the Universe at thesame time. It is only when we observe the particle that it 'chooses' one particular state *.Entanglement:Two particlescan become entangled so that their properties depend on each other - no matter how far apart they get. A measurement of one seems to affect the measurement of the other instantaneously - an idea even Einstein called "spooky" *.Tunnelling:Aparticle can break through an energy barrier, seeming to disappear on one side of it and reappear on the other. Lots of modern electronics andimaging depends on this effect These are literally like antennas that gather up light, and are arranged like adjacent rings. When laser light is shone on just one isolated ring, some of it is re-released in the form of what is called fluorescence. But what the team saw is that over time, that amountof fluorescence rose and fell - a sign that the energy was coming and going elsewhere: a coherence. This is linked to the quantum mechanical notion of a "superposition": that aparticle can effectively be in multiple places at once -or try multiple paths simultaneously. "What you see here is thisphoton comes in, and it sees many energy pathways," explained Prof van Hulst. "Where does it go? It goesto the one that's most efficient, the one where this quantum effect tells you it has the highest probability (of being put to use)," he told BBC News. But the soft, flexible, warmconditions at room temperature mean that, as things move and jiggle - as life tends to do - that most efficient path can change. Remarkably, so didthe evident path along the rings. "Nature is very robust at keeping this up no matter what happens - this for meis something shocking," Prof van Hulst continued. "The result is that this fluffy stuff at room temperature where everything is variable, it just works - with an efficiency of 90%: way, waybetter than any solar cell we can make ourselves."

Long-lost medieval stone with mysterious carvings discoveredin Wales

In a small Welsh village, Nikki Vousden and Roderick Bale were enjoying an evening stroll in the woods when a rock with strange carvings bythe side of a stream caught their attention. Both archeologists, they knew it was no ordinary slab. It took a late night in the library and a call with an expert to realize they had discovered a long-lost medieval stone with religious significance

Supermoon will rise in weekend night sky

The largest full moon of 2013,a so-called "supermoon," will light up the night sky this weekend, but there's more to this lunar delight than meets the eye. On Sunday, June 23, at 7 a.m. EDT (1100 GMT), the moon will arrive at perigee — the point in its orbit its orbit bringing it closest to Earth), a distance of 221,824 miles. Now the moon typically reaches perigee once each month (and on some occasions twice), withtheir respective distances to Earth varying by 3 percent. But Sunday's lunar perigee willbe the moon's closest to Earthof 2013. And 32 minutes later, the moon will officially turn full.The close timing of the moon'sperigee and its full phase are what will bring about the biggest full moon of the year, a celestial event popularly defined by some as a " supermoon."

£1m to help identifyenergy links

A million pounds will be spent examining how to link the energy grids of Scotland and Ireland, Scotland's First Minister has announced. Ministers attending the British Irish Council summit in Derry-Londonderry have committed to work together to potentially transfer power between Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland through a project called Isles (Irish-Scottish Links on Energy Study). Alex Salmond said: "It is vital that we have the infrastructure in place to transfer the energy that is generated to whereit is needed. "This innovative, cross-border study is examining how we can establish an offshore electricity grid to make this transference of energy easier, supporting our flourishing renewables industry by powering the nationand allowing the surplus energy it generates to be exported to other markets. "The first part of Isles demonstrated that an offshore grid of this type was both technically feasible and economically viable. "Today's announcement thatIsles has been awarded £1 million in European fundingto identify and, where possible, break down the barriers to cross-border energy trading is another extremely welcome development and a fantastic example of how forums such as the British Irish Council bring administrations together to tackle issues of mutual interest in a positive, collaborative fashion. "The timing of the Isles funding is even more apt, coming as it does just days after SSE confirmed that the potential for renewable energy output on Scotland's islands had led it to submit a needs case to Ofgem for its £780 million subsea cable link to the Western Isles." He added: "Taken together, these announcements offer hugely encouraging progress on the infrastructure that we need to secure to ensure the burgeoning renewables industry, in marketsacross these islands, is allowed to reach its full potential." Northern Ireland Energy Minister Arlene Foster said: "This project has the potential to send important investment signals to private sector companies who are considering investing in offshore grids as it will allow them to position their projects favourably when bidding for funding from Europe." Pat Rabbitte, Ireland's Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Minister, said: "It can potentially deliver arange of wider economic, environmental and market-related benefits to both Ireland and the UK."

Nissan introduces electric racing car for La Mans 2014

ZEOD-RC, with the capability to reach speeds of more than 300km/h, is set to prove its abilities in next year’s La Mans race, it was announced today. ZEOD RC, standing for the Zero Emission on Demand Racing Car, will provide Nissan with an opportunity totest innovative electric technologies including variants of electric drive power train. In 2014, it is going to compete in the world’s oldest 24-hour sports car race near the French town of La Mans in thecategory of innovative vehicles. "Nissan has become a global leader in the development of zero emission automotive technology and the Nissan ZEOD RC will allow us to further develop those capabilities using the toughest endurance race in the world as a mobile test bed for our planned La Mans Prototype 1 (LM P1) power train," said Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President andExecutive Committee member at Nissan Motor Company Limited. Nissan has become a global leader in the electric-car market after introducing its Nissan LEAF (standing for Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable, Family car) in 2010. "The Nissan ZEOD RC is a natural progression that follows on from the development of the Nissan LEAF road car and the LEAF RC race car prototype. The technologies developed through the programme will form part of future innovations for road cars,” Palmer said. Nissan LEAF uses an 80kW front mounted engine, the same that is being used in the Nissan LEAF RC race car. However, the current batterytechnology of LEAF doesn’t suffice the needs of an electric racing car competing at a Le Mans type of event. Ben Bowlby, the designer of ZEOD RC, believes the development of the racing carwill help to tackle the obstacles on the way to ‘electrification’ of motorsport. Drop your comment.

Samsung Announces All in One PC

Samsung Electronics West Africa, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Company Ltd, a global giant in digital media and convergence technologies, has announced the availability of the all new All-In-One PC Series 7 into the Nigerian market. The new All in One (AIO) PC builds on the premium aspects of the Samsung Series 9 Notebook with advanced engineering, craftsmanship and stylish design. Beyond high performance, the new AIO PC Series 7 has been crafted to deliver an entirely new AIO PC experience. Driven by a 3rd generation Intel® Core™ i5-3470T Processor, 6GB RAM, dedicated AMD Radeon HD graphics and a Full HD display with resolution of 1920 x 1080, the new AIO PCSeries 7 embodies innovative sense recognitionfeatures such as 10-finger multi-touch screen control and hand gesture commands. According toHead, IT Solutions, Samsung Electronics West Africa,Folashade Oyelayo, "The new All-in-One PC packages the best of Samsung's precision engineering and premium design with top class performance and functionality. With its unique craftsmanship and boasting of the latest hardware and software, we predict that this new product will be accepted by discerning consumers. It offers a maximized home entertainment experience and is a perfect device for a family PC or desktop replacement. We feel that the All-in-One PC market carries enormous growth potential by taking convergence technologies tothe next level." With the upcoming new Windows 8 platform, demand in All-In-One PC is expected to increase further as AIOs will have stronger as well asmore convenient features, which is expected to replace the existing desktop PC in the market. To provide such true 'user benefits', Samsung has perfected not only the hardware but also the software aspects to offer never seen before experiences. For an unlimited premium user experience, Samsung AIO PC Series 7 has been equipped with a 10-finger multi-touch screen - a technological leap in interactivity, surpassing traditional two-finger multi-touch by providing full touch control using all ten fingers on an AIO PC. Its enhanced sensitivity enables users to enjoy the full capabilities of the latest entertainment applications or perform complicated content editing To enjoy its full capabilities as a home entertainment system, the new AIO PC has a viewing angle of 178 degrees vertically and horizontally, which makes watching a movie with friends a true pleasure. To further expand user benefits, the new AIO PCs have five hand gesture recognition features that conveniently let users control the device with just aflick of the wrist from up to ameter away, perfect for enjoying home entertainment.For example, swipe right or left to turn the pages of an e-book or rotate your palm clockwise or counter-clockwise to change the volume while watching a movie. You can simply close your hand to click on an option in a programme and stop watching a movie by just waving your hands. These features definitely offer more convenience to consumers. Power and performance are ensured with a 3rd generationIntel Core i5 processor and 6GB RAM.A powerful AMD Radeon HD7690Mgraphics processor, Blu-ray drive, and up to 1TBHDD ensure content in a widearray of formats is readily available in no time, and enable seamless playback, editing, creating and saving of content. To further expand the true all-in-one experience, the new devices are equipped with 14-Watt speakers whileTweeter and Dolby sound deliver rich sound quality in any environment. Also the latestFull HDdisplay featuring 1920x1080 resolutions delivers crisp, clear and all-encompassing viewing experience. Users are now able to fit more windows into a single screenwithout compromising on scale. Browsing online while simultaneously watching a movie is no longer an issue. Accentuate your home with a modern and minimalistic look. Samsung's AIO PC Series 7's clutter-free and space-saving design features a uniquely stylish metallic arch stand, an ultra-slim display with a durable metal edge, and an edge-to-edge glossyblack screen. This elegant new AIO PC adds a premium look to any living space or office.

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Infertile men may be at greater risk for developing cancer

Infertile men who have significantly limited levels of sperm production may be at an increased risk for developing an even more serious health condition: cancer. In a new study led by urologists from the Stanford University School of Medicine, men under the age of 30 who were diagnosed with azoospermia – a form of infertility in which there are nomeasurable levels of sperm inthe ejaculate – had an eight-fold cancer risk compared to the general population. “The thought was that if the testicles don’t develop correctly, and they can’t produce sperm… the normal pathways get dysregulated, which perhaps leads to cancer,” lead author Dr. Michael Eisenberg, assistant professor of urology at Stanford and director of male reproductive medicine and surgery at Stanford Hospital & Clinics, told FoxNews.com. Infertility is a fairly common condition in the United States, affecting 4 million men. Of thisgroup, 5 to 10 percent are diagnosed as azoospermatic, and about 600,000 of these men are of reproductive age. There are two main reasons for the occurrence of azoospermia. In obstructive azoospermia, a blockage in the vas deferens, epididymis, or ejaculatory duct prohibits sperm from being released. Fortunately microsurgical reconstruction can help restore sperm into the man’s semen, allowing them reproduce normally. But in non-obstructive azoospermia,there is an unknown issue with sperm production, leadingto undetectable levels of sperm in the semen. While some treatments can help to extract the sperm for in vitro fertilization, therapies for thiskind of infertility are limited.

Humans in 100,000 years: What will we look like?

Modern-day humans may someday evolve to have larger eyes, more pigmented skin and a thicker eyelids, thanks to genetic engineering technology. Here's how they'll change.(Nickolay Lamm / MyVoucherCodes.co.uk) In 20,000 years, in a world where genetic engineering is commonplace and humans have established colonies in space, human knowledge of the universe will increase andas such, the size of the brain will increase, Dr. Alan Kwan theorizes. As a result, the human head will have to become larger to accommodatethe larger brain size.(Nickolay Lamm / MyVoucherCodes.co.uk) In 60,000 years, Dr. Alan Kwanstates that after millennia of traveling through space, zygotic genome engineering will be used to create humans with larger eyes, more pigmented skin and a thicker eyelids. This will be done in order to see better in the dimmer environment of space, to shield humans from the UV rays and alleviate the effects of low to no gravity like today’s astronauts on the International Space Station.(Nickolay Lamm / MyVoucherCodes.co.uk) 100,000 years from now, Dr. Alan Kwan believes that futurehumans will have much larger eyes and “eye-shine” due to the tapetum lucidum, a layer oftissue behind the retina of theeye. This would be done to help protect our eyes from cosmic rays.(Nickolay Lamm / MyVoucherCodes.co.uk

Scientists moving 15-ton magnet from New York to Chicago

June 4, 2013: A red stabilizingapparatus that will be used to transport a 50-foot-wide electromagnet storage ring, atBrookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, N.Y., on eastern Long Island. The ring,which will capture subatomic particles that live only 2.2 millionths of a second, will be transported in one piece, and moved flat, to its new home atthe U.S. Department of Energy's Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Ill.(AP Photo/Brookhaven National Laboratory) June 11, 2013: A 50-foot-wideelectromagnet storage ring, atBrookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, N.Y., on eastern Long Island. The ring,which will capture subatomic particles that live only 2.2 millionths of a second, will be transported in one piece, and moved flat, to its new home atthe U.S. Department of Energy's Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Ill.(AP Photo/Brookhaven National Laboratory)

New language discovered in northern Australia

A new language, one that combines elements of English with traditional indigenous speech, has been discovered in northern Australia, according to a new study. The language, now known as Light Warlpiri, is spoken by approximately 600 people in aremote desert community about 400 miles from Katherine, a town located in Australia's Northern Territory, said Carmel O'Shannessy, a professor in the department of linguistics at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. O'Shannessy documented the discovery of Light Warlpiri in a study published online today in the journal Language. Light Warlpiri is known as a "mixed language," because it blends elements from multiple languages: Traditional Warlpiri, which is spoken by about 6,000 people in indigenous communities scattered throughout the Tanami Desert in the NorthernTerritory; Kriol, an English-based Creole language spoken in various regions of Australia; and English. [ 10 Things That Make Humans Special] "The striking thing about LightWarlpiri is that most of the verbs come from English or Kriol, but most of the other grammatical elements in the sentence come from Warlpiri," O'Shannessy told LiveScience.

Archaeologists say they found lost Maya city hidden for centuries in Mexican jungle

A team of archeologists say they have found an ancient Maya city that was hidden for centuries in the rainforests ofMexico in a remote nature reserve. Reuters reports the team, led byIvan Sprajc, an associate professor at the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts,dubbed the city "Chactun," which means "Red Rock" or "Large Rock." They hope studying the remains could reveal new information about why the ancient civilization collapsed around 1,000 years ago. The team found 15 pyramids, ball courts, plazas and other structures characteristic of Maya civilizations. As many as40,000 people may have livedthere, likely duringthe late Classic period of Maya civilization between 600 and 900 A.D., Sprajc tells Reuters. The team first spotted the citywhen viewing aerial photographs of the nature reserve. They then spent six weeks creating a 10-mile trail to get to the city. However, Sprajc tells Reuters they found evidence other people had been to the site only a few decades earlier. "Lumberjacks and gum extractors were certainly already there, because we saw cuts on the trees," Sprajcsaid. "What happened is they never told anyone." He hopes the find could shed new light on relations betweendifferent regions of the Maya empire during that period.

Michael Jackson went 60 days without sleep

From CNN. Michael Jackson died while preparing to set a world record for the most successful concert run ever, but he unknowingly set another record that led to his death. Jackson may be the only human ever to go two months without REM -- RapidEye Movement -- sleep, which is vital to keep the brain and body alive. The 60 nights of propofol infusions Dr. Conrad Murray said he gave Jackson to treat his insomnia is something a sleep expert says no one had ever undergone. Propofol disrupts the normalsleep cycle and offers no REM sleep, yet it leaves a patient feeling refreshed as if they had experienced genuine sleep, according to Dr. Charles Czeisler, a Harvard Medical School sleep expert testifying at the wrongful death trial of concert promoter AEG LIve. If the singer had not died onJune 25, 2009, of an overdose of the surgical anesthetic, the lack of REM sleep may have soon taken his life anyway, according toan opinion by Czeisler. Lab rats die after five weeks of getting no REM sleep, he said. It was never tried on a human until Dr. Murray gave Michael Jackson nightly propofol infusions for two months. Czeisler -- who serves as a sleep consultant to NASA, the CIA and the Rolling Stones -- testified Thursday that the "drug induced coma" induced by propofol leaves a patient with the same refreshed feeling of a good sleep, but without the benefits that genuine sleep delivers in repairing brain cells and thebody. "It would be like eating somesort of cellulose pellets instead of dinner," he said. "Your stomach would be fulland you would not be hungry, but it would be zerocalories and not fulfill any ofyour nutrition needs." Depriving someone of REM sleep for a long period of time makes them paranoid, anxiety-filled, depressed, unable to learn, distracted, and sloppy, Czeisler testified. They lose their balance and appetite, while their physical reflexes get 10 times slower and their emotional responses 10 times stronger, he said. Those symptoms are strikingly similar to descriptions of Jackson in his last weeks as described in e-mails from show producers and testimony by witnesses in the trial. Jackson's mother and children are suing AEG Live, contending the company is liable in his death because ithired, retained or supervised Dr. Murray, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. They argue the promoter pressured Dr. Murray to getJackson to rehearsals, whilefailing to get Jackson help despite numerous red flags warning that he was in trouble.

More on Samsung Ativ Q combines Windows with Android

A range of manufacturers including Lenovo and Dell have offered combined tablets and laptops, while Acer has also developed devices running both Windows and Android. The hinged Ativ Q allows users to lay the display flat over the keyboard for tabletmode; raise the display upright to type as on a laptop; ‘float’ and adjust thedisplay to a comfortable viewing angle; or flip the display to place in the stand mode to watch movies. It weighs 1.29kg and measuresonly 13.9mm, while offering what Samsung claims is the world’s highest resolution, QHD+ display. It uses 3200x1800pixels, with a 13.3-inch touch screen providing 275ppi, which is 2.8 times higher pixel density. Other devices announced bySamsung included the successor to the Series 9 laptop, the Ativ Book 9 Plus, featuring a similar resolutiondisplay but in a standard Windows 8 touchscreen laptop format and claiming 12hours of battery life in a 1.39kg package. The cheaper Ativ Book 9 Lite offers a touchscreen as an optional extra. Samsung's Galaxy S4 Zoom features an optical zoom on a Galaxy S4 Mini body Samsung also announced a new all-in-one PC, the Ativ One5, and a Windows 8 tablet called the Ativ Tab 3. It also confirmed the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom camera and introduced an Android-powered, 4G-enabled interchangeable lens 20.3MP camera called the Galaxy NX. The Galaxy NX offers Android and interchangeable lenses Pricing and availability were not confirmed.

Samsung Ativ Q combines Windowswith Android Samsung's Ativ Q hybrid tablet runs Windows 8 and Android

A raft of new Samsung products include the convertible Ativ Q tablet andlaptop that runs both Windows an Android. The device is the technologyindustry’s latest bid to combine laptop with tablet, and works in four different configurations. “Addressing a common desire among PC users to beable to access Android apps on a Windows-based PC, theATIV Q allows you to now experience both Windows 8 and Android Jellybean 4.2.2 on the same device,” Samsung said. “Not only will you get access to Android apps via Google Play, but you will also be able to transfer files or share folders and files from Windows 8 to Android.”

Hackers 'using webcams to spy on people in their own homes'

Computer hackers have been gaining access to users' webcams and spying on their victims in their own homes, an investigation has found. A BBC Radio 5 Liveprobe uncovered an underground market for selling footage of people who have been filmed without their knowledge through a process known as 'ratting'. Hackers involved in this practise usually target young women, but the report also states that Paedophiles have used the technique to target children. Victims - referred to as 'slaves' - are tricked into installing a rogue piece of software called a remote administration tool (RAT), which is usually disguised as alink to download music, view pictures or access an article. The sender is granted access to theuser's computer, including its webcam, if the rogue programme is successfully installed. Computer security experts have offeredadvice on how users can protect themselves against ratting, suggesting that webcams be covered up when not in use and all PCs equipped with anti-virus software. Tony Neate, of the Government's Get Safe Online campaign, said: "As more cases of "ratting" come to light, there is a serious need to educate the public about the methods hackers use to access the private lives of innocent people. "The most at-risk computers are those running older software, and those without up-to-date anti-virus software installed." Gaining remote accessto another person's machine without their knowledge is a criminal offence underthe terms of the Computer Misuse Act