Bayonettas big birthday is here (PlatinumGames)The developer behind Bayonetta has promised to create games that will surprise and delight following the departure of key staff members.PlatinumGames were once one of the most exciting developers in the games industry, releasing titles like Bayonetta, Vanquish, and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.While the studio has still produced some great games in recent years, like 2019s Astral Chain and Bayonetta 3, there has been concern around its future following the failure of 2022s Babylons Fall and the departure of co-founder Hideki Kamiya in 2023.Kamiya, who directed the original Bayonetta, has since set up new studio Clover, which is working on a sequel to kami. The majority of around 25 staff at Clover are comprised of his former colleagues from Platinum, who decided to leave the studio to join his new venture.The exit of key staff members led to some concern around Platinums future, but the studio has now posted a statement to announce plans for Bayonettas 15th anniversary.In a post on X, Platinum stated it had a few things in store to celebrate the games 15th anniversary so keep your eyes peeled. A post on the studios website states the celebration will last for one full year.Therere no details on what this will involve but theyve already released the first of a series of monthly calendar images, that are intended to be used as smartphone wallpaper.The studio also appeared to address concerns surrounding Platinum, adding: Moving forward, we will continue to take on new challenges to create games that surprise and delight our fans. We look forward to your continued support of Bayonetta and PlatinumGames!The first Bayonetta was released in October 2009 in Japan, so technically its already had its 15th anniversary. Although the game didnt launch in the West until January 2010.It has spawned two sequels and spin-off Bayonetta Origins: Cereza And The Lost Demon, which came out on Nintendo Switch in 2023.Fans are already hoping that a fourth mainline Bayonetta game will be announced as part of these celebrations. Kamiya has previously talked about Bayonetta 4 being in the works, but this was before he left the studio, so its unclear if plans at Platinum have shifted since then.Although its worth noting that while Kamiya oversaw the whole series he was only director on the first entry, with each of the other games having a different director.At the very least, this anniversary statement confirms Bayonetta will have some sort of future at Platinum but well just have to wait and see what form that takes.Another big question is whether Kamiyas previously announced game, Project G.G., is still in development. When asked about the titles future following his exit, Kamiya told a fan on X to ask Platinum about Platinum, so it seems like hes no longer involved. The studio has not said anything about the project since it was revealed in 2020.Aside from Kamiyas new studio, some former Platinum developers have also left for jobs elsewhere. Abebe Tinari, who directed Bayonetta Origins, has confirmed he has joined Returnal studio Housemarque.According to his LinkedIn profile, Tinari has joined Housemarque as a Lead Game Designer specialising in enemy and boss design. Theres no indication, however, what game he is working on.More TrendingIn fact, theres no information at all about Housemarques next project, although it is expected to be a new IP. Its unclear if well ever see a sequel to Returnal, but the studio has continued to support the title through updates and special anniversary art books. Housemarque is now in the house of Sony (Sony Interactive Entertainment)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Maybe 2025 is your get organized year, especially when it comes to all the digital files that live on your computer or even across a collection of little thumb drives. Its time to consolidate all of those photos, videos, and more onto one huge, reliable USB drive thats compatible with all of your devices the Samsung T7 Shield SSD, which Amazon has just slashed the price on by 45%.See at AmazonThe best feature of the Samsung T7 Shield, though, isnt its enormous capacity, exceptional file-transfer speed, or compact size for easy portability. Its the rugged design that stands up to dust and water and has a drop resistance of nearly 10 feet, which makes it the ideal partner for travel or creative work in outdoor locations.Perfect for Photo and Video ShootsContent creators know that doing outdoor shoots presents numerous potential hazards, from bad weather to accidental equipment drops. Another challenge is finding a external solid-state drive thats large enough to carry huge files and fast enough to be written to directly from a professional-quality still or video camera, while still being small enough to be easily transported.The Samsung T7 Shield SSD is a favorite of professional photographers and videographers because it checks off all of those boxes. Its available in 1, 2, and 4TB capacities, and the USB 3.2 Gen 2 connection allows sequential read-write speeds of up to 1,050/1,000 MB per second, so those high-def videos and burst photography shoots can be written directly to and edited on the drive. And even with all of that speed and power enclosed within an ultra-compact body that measures only 3.4 x 2.2 x 0.5 inches and weighs use 3.4 ounces, Samsungs Dynamic Thermal Guard technology keeps the drive from overheating and cooking your valuable content.Tough and VersatileWe also love the nearly universal compatibility of the Samsung T7 Shield SSD. It comes with both USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables, and its able to serve as a backup drive or added storage for both Mac and PC laptops and desktops, Android devices, gaming consoles, iPads and iPhones, and more. Its USB 3.2 but able to work retroactively with USB 2.0 devices.The T7 Shields calling card, though, is its ability to take a licking and keep on ticking. The exterior is covered with a rubberized grip material to help you keep from dropping it, but if it does slip out of your hand, the 10-foot drop resistance is there to save your data. The drive is built with IP65 rated resistance to dust and water, and the built-in Samsung Magician Software lets you monitor the drives health and automatically download and install firmware updates.Amazons 45% price drop on the 2TB version of the Samsung T7 Shield SSD brings the price down to just over $158, making it a terrific deal on a big, sturdy, and versatile external hard drive to help you get organized.See at Amazon

I Saw the TV Glows Jane Schoenbruns next film gets meta with horror. Josh Gad discusses the unenviable task of catching Mel Brooks up on 40 years ofStar Wars movies forSpaceballs 2. Plus, Kathryn Hahn wants to keep playing Agatha Harkness all along. To me, my spoilers! Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma According to The New Yorker,I Saw the TV Glow director Jane Schoenbruns next film is titled Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, and follows a queer filmmaker hired to direct a new installment of a long-running slasher franchise. The director fixates on the prospect of casting the final girl from the original movie, and the two women descend into a frenzy of psychosexual mania. In the article, the project is described asPortrait of a Lady on Fire set in a Friday the 13th sequel. Spaceballs 2 Appearing as a guest on the Lets Talk Off Camera podcast with Kelly Ripa (via Variety), Josh Gad revealed he had to clue in Mel Brooks on the last 40 years of Star Wars movies before pitching Spaceballs 2. Mel is incredibly involved. Ill share a funny story that I havent yet shared. When we were pitching him the original conceit for what we wanted to do with the film, at the beginning he goes, Im just telling you now, I want you to really go into detail because I dont know a lot about the new Star Wars films. And I said, Okay. Its literally like, I am a combat vet just going to war in front of one person. Im sweating, I am getting into every line and every beat and every comedic set piece, every reveal. Im painting all of it, and Im speaking to how this speaks to a certain Star Wars moment. In response, Brooks told Gad it really sounds like youve got your finger on the pulse [of Star Wars], which the actor stated was the greatest compliment I could have ever gotten, even though theres no context for it for Mel. The Batman, Part II During a recent interview with Deadline at The Golden Globes, Matt Reeves stated hes really excited to get new people involved in The Batman, Part II which he feels people are going to be really surprised by. Additionally, filming is expected to begin later this year. Im really excited to be making it, and to get our cast back together, and to get new people involved I think, what Im excited about is I feel like were doing something that absolutely continues where the story came from, but is something that I hope that people are going to be really surprised by. The Substance 2 Meanwhile,Coralie Fargeat told Variety at the Golden Globes she doesnt see the need for a sequel to The Substance.No, the point of this movie is to bring fresh things to the world. No sequels, no prequels Im going to be so happy to bring something fresh to the world in a bit. Peter Pans Neverland Nightmare Peter Pan introduces himself in a new clip from Peter Pans Neverland Nightmare. Agatha All Along In conversation with TV Line, Kathryn Hahn stated she isnt personally done playing Agatha Harkness, but has no idea if Disney has additional plans for the character. Am I personally done with playing this witch? No. [However] Wed have to let the powers that be make those decisions.I am as in-the-dark as you are. Theres going to be a Vision show, so that could be of a trilogy [with WandaVision and Agatha All Along]. But who knows? The Penguin Finally, co-executive producer Dylan Clark confirmed there have been quiet conversations about a potential second season of The Penguin during a recent interview with TV Line. If we could come up with an idea for what a second season might be, theres a chance that [HBO CEO] Casey Bloys and the HBO team would want to pursue that. There have been quiet conversations about that. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Rev up your building experience with Legos latest masterpiece the Technic Bugatti Racing Car Set. This isnt just another brick in the wall; its a meticulously designed replica that captures the essence of one of the worlds most iconic hypercars, the Bugatti Bolide.Right now, you can grab this engineering marvel for $40, down from its regular price of $50. Thats a solid 20% off, saving you $10 on a set thats bound to provide hours of engaging building fun.See at AmazonWake up in a (Lego) BugattiThe yellow and black color scheme isnt just eye-catching. Its a faithful recreation of the Bolides iconic appearance. But what really sets this set apart is the fact that it has multiple working features. Young builders get to assemble a functioning W16 engine, complete with moving pistons that mirror the real thing. The steering system actually works, and those signature scissor doors? They open and close just like the real supercar.Perfect for budding engineers aged 9 and up, this set does more than just look good on a shelf (though it certainly does that too). Its a hands-on introduction to automotive engineering, teaching kids about mechanics and construction while they build. The attention to detail is impressive from the aerodynamic body design to the authentic sticker details that bring the model to life.The best part may very well be that this isnt just a toy. Its an educational tool disguised as a super cool car. Whether its destined for proud display in a kids room or hours of imaginative play, this Bugatti set delivers both style and substance. And at this price point, its an accessible way to own a piece of automotive history even if it is brick by brick.For any young gearhead or Lego enthusiast, this set offers the perfect blend of challenge and reward. Its detailed enough to engage experienced builders but not so complex that itll frustrate newcomers to the Technic line. And once its built? Youve got a stunning display piece thats sure to spark conversations and inspire future engineering dreams.So be sure to pop out and grab this Lego set while you still can, because at this new years lowest price, you can bet itll go out of style extremely quickly. Everyone loves being able to build small versions of things like cars, buildings, and setpieces from their favorite pop culture setpieces, and a Bugatti is a status symbol just about anyone can recognize.See at Amazon

The Price of Growth: Urban Sprawl and Sustainability in South Asian CitiesSave this picture!Dhaka, Bangladesh. Image UN Photo/Kibae ParkWith millions of residents flocking to metropolitans each year, South Asia is witnessing staggering levels of urban development. Growth brings economic prosperity and ecological strain as concrete jungles replace natural habitats. The region, home to countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, the Maldives, and Nepal, is faced with addressing contextual challenges when it comes to balancing urbanization with environmental sustainability. These negotiations are fairly nuanced, with a need to understand the economic, social, and political scenarios systematically in each country.Urban Sprawl in South AsiaSave this picture!South Asia's urbanization is a multifaceted phenomenon. Rural-to-urban migration, the primary driver for urbanization, has positively influenced economic opportunities, fast-paced industrialization, better standards of living, urban expansion and domestic and international investment. The influx has further led to a boom in construction activity. On the flip side of these benefits are the byproducts of urban sprawl. Related Article How to Plan and Manage Sustainable Urbanization in Fast-Growing Cities? The Global Future Cities Program In most South Asian cities, the demand for housing and infrastructure outpaces their capacity to plan and manage growth. Here, it is identified by low-density development, increased car dependency, and a gradual encroachment on natural ecosystems. Urban sprawl is a global concern; however, most developing countries struggle to productively deal with it. For instance, in Pakistan, urban development policies are tenuous and urban areas remain without certified boundaries, causing an unrestricted sprawl in major cities of the country. Surprisingly most of the urban sprawl has consistently taken place on fertile agricultural land in the peripheries of cities. Save this picture!In coastal metros like Mumbai, India, land reclamation projects that are aimed at expanding city boundaries have aggravated environmental degradation. These projects usually involve filling in wetlands and mangroves that lead to the loss of biodiversity and disrupt ecosystems and their functions. Loss of natural barriers along the coast affects the vulnerability of coastal cities and their communities to sea-level rise.Save this picture!The Mumbai Coastal Road project has received criticism for its detrimental impact on coastal regions of the city. Disruption of natural drainage systems leads to increased flooding and impacts of extreme weather events which presents risks to both human life and property. The project also disproportionately affects indigenous fishing communities, displacing them from their traditional livelihoods and altering their quality of life. Save this picture!Though one of the least populated countries in South Asia, Bhutan has seen compromised forest and agricultural land in the pursuit of constructing more hotels, buildings, and towns. The lack of agriculture is detrimental for the Bhutanese as it is their primary source for food, income, and jobs. However, only a small portion of Bhutan's land is suitable for productive progress due to heavy regulation on industrial resource extraction. Therefore, as urbanization increases, there is a risk of available land which leads to other issues such as sanitation, waste disposal, and clean water.The Green Ghettos of South AsiaSave this picture!South Asia's era of progress and urbanization is clearly resulting in unchecked expansion. Exemplified by cities like Dhaka, Bangladesh, urban growth has often prioritized the needs of the wealthy, resulting in a "green divide" where the benefits of sustainable development are unequally realized. In Delhi, India, high-rise apartments and luxury housing complexes often incorporate "green" features, but primarily serve the affluent, while the majority of the population is challenged with meeting basic needs like clean air and water. As renowned Bangladeshi architect Muzharul Islam observed, Dhaka's development has been "chaotic, inefficient, and visually ugly" primarily catering to the elite with areas like Gulshan and Dhanmandi showcasing this disparity. This exclusive development, encouraged by profit, neglects the needs of the vast majority of the population. This restriction negates the very essence of sustainable development, which must be inclusive and equitable.Save this picture!South Asia finds itself in the paradox of urbanization, balancing the weights of equitable and economic development. As cities like Bengaluru, Dhaka, and Colombo expand in size and population, the moment has arrived for a departure from profit-driven models of growth that prioritize corporations and the wealthy. Sustainable development, equitably distributed across all segments of society, is a goal that South Asia can pursue and set as a model for the world to follow.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorAnkitha GattupalliAuthorCite: Ankitha Gattupalli. "The Price of Growth: Urban Sprawl and Sustainability in South Asian Cities" 06 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025347/the-price-of-growth-urban-sprawl-and-sustainability-in-south-asian-cities&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Simple Design Archive Gallery / HAS design and researchSave this picture! W WorkspaceGalleryHefei, ChinaArchitects: HAS design and researchAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:440 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:W Workspace Lead Architects: Jenchieh Hung, Kulthida Songkittipakdee More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. Simple Design Archive is a composite museum that collects contemporary Asian artworks and modern Northern European furniture. Located in Anhui, China, it is widely known for the famous Huangshan Mountain, whose picturesque mountain scenery leaves an impression as poetic as a painting, bringing people a sense of eternity and endless spiritual perception. This unique natural beauty has also influenced HAS Design and Research founders and architects, Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee, prompting them to create an infinite natural flow experience in this museum and art spaces.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The entrance of Simple Design Archive is different from conventional museums, which usually open directly to the outside. Due to the busy and noisy surrounding environment, Hung And Songkittipakdee (HAS) have set up nearly ten curved walls at the entrance, resembling landscape caves facing the sky. These walls not only block the noise from the external roads but also create an "echo chamber" courtyard inside the cave by gradually changing the height of the wall openings, becoming a poetic sound sanctuary.Save this picture!The echo chamber courtyard in front of the museum attracts insects and animals such as cicadas and birds from the natural environment during the day through the fragrant landscape greenery. This brings visitors a rich and diverse auditory feast and introduces a refreshing and natural micro-ecosystem to the noisy surroundings, providing city residents with a different sense of relaxation. In the afternoon, the curved walls block the harsh western sunlight, allowing partial sunlight to filter into the echo chamber courtyard, creating a sacred space reminiscent of a church. This adds a sense of extraordinary ritual to the otherwise mundane city life.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The internal space is influenced by the external architecture, with its curved walls extending from the outside to the inside, creating a dynamic and flowing effect that subtly merges the interior and exterior spaces. Visitors pass through the foyer to reach the curvy gallery, where the towering walls of the exterior seasonal skylight forest garden have no openings, except for a five-meter-high skylight. This forest area, in coordination with the movement of the sun, casts unique light and shadows on the seasonal trees below, giving the space a timeless and eternal feeling. On the other side, the art and materials library features continuous and unending walls that combine art collections with handcrafted wooden furniture, providing visitors with a relaxed and unpressured viewing experience.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Simple Design Archive uses continuous walls to distinguish between interior and exterior spaces, while also utilizing these walls as architectural elements for guiding, displaying, and storage functions. In this project, architects Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee strive to create a poetic sanctuary that seamlessly blends both exterior and interior spaces. It serves not only as a museum and collection space but also offers deeper spiritual healing and a sense of spatial belonging to people in the densely populated and busy city. This approach transcends the limitations of the architectural site, bringing a fresh impression of life to both the city and its users.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Hefei, ChinaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officePublished on January 06, 2025Cite: "Simple Design Archive Gallery / HAS design and research" 06 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025279/simple-design-archive-gallery-has-design-and-research&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Quantum Computing Remains Experimental Despite 2024 Advances: ForresterBy John P. Mello Jr.January 6, 2025 5:00 AM PT ADVERTISEMENTQuality Leads That Turn Into DealsFull-service marketing programs from TechNewsWorld deliver sales-ready leads. Segment by geography, industry, company size, job title, and more. Get Started Now. Quantum computing made significant strides in 2024, but its yet to demonstrate a practical advantage over classical digital computers, according to a recent trends report released by Forrester Research.Despite improvements in qubit count, coherence time, and gate fidelity, the technology remains experimental, with broad-scale applications likely still a decade away, maintained the report written by Forrester Vice President for Emerging Technologies Brian Hopkins and Principal Analyst David Mooter, with Stephanie Balaouras, Mike Gualtieri, Charlie Dai, James McGlynn, and Jen Barton.Key developments in optimization, quantum simulation, and quantum machine learning show promise for specific industries like finance and pharmaceuticals, yet challenges such as high error rates and scalability persist, the analysts added.Roger A. Grimes, author of Cryptography Apocalypse: Preparing for the Day When Quantum Computing Breaks Todays Crypto, published by Wiley, acknowledged that practical, usable quantum computers havent made a public appearance yet, but some useful applications of quantum have been deployed, such as quantum random number generators, networks, sensors, and all sorts of other devices.No one has publicly shown a problem solved by a quantum computer that is super usable in the real world, he told TechNewsWorld. Today, your wristwatch has more power than what we have in quantum computers. But that is changing. We are making steady progress, and the day when quantum computers turn into sufficiently-capable quantum computers is not far away.Quantum Solving Problems NowTrevor Lanting, chief development officer at D-Wave Systems in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, agreed that gate-model quantum computing has not yet demonstrated a practical quantum advantage but pointed out that annealing quantum computing is delivering value over classical computing today.Gate-model quantum computers use quantum logic gates to perform operations on qubits, similar to how classical computers use logic gates to perform operations with digital bits. The gate model is more suitable for general-purpose computing, while annealing quantum computing is more narrowly focused on optimization problems, such as workforce scheduling and portfolio optimization.D-Wave has been using annealing quantum technology in a hybrid solution to solve complex optimization problems. For example, it was able to optimize the mobile network resources of Japans largest telecom provider, NTT Docomo, in 40 seconds, compared to 27 hours using classical methods.Forresters report predicted that gate-based quantum computing platforms will likely remain experimental for 10 to 15 years, a prediction that Lanting agrees with. However, annealing quantum computing which is uniquely suited for solving complex optimization problems is here now, he told TechNewsWorld.Optimization problems are everywhere from workforce scheduling to vehicle routing and D-Waves annealing quantum computers are already delivering measurable results for customers, he said.Lanting maintained that D-Waves technology helped Pattison Food Group, a Canadian grocery chain, reduce an 80-hour scheduling task to just 15 hours an 80% time savings and at the Port of Los Angeles, working with SavantX, cargo handling efficiency was improved by 60%.These arent theoretical use cases, he said. Theyre real businesses solving real problems right now with quantum and hybrid quantum computing.Optimization Apps Will Lead WayWhile D-Waves annealing platform has been touted by the company for years as superior to gate-based solutions for optimization problems, Forrester pointed out that those claims were challenged in 2024.Q-CTRL has challenged D-Waves claim by using IBMs gate-based quantum computers to outperform D-Wave for an optimization problem, the analysts wrote. Gate-based algorithms offer the potential for greater solution speedups as qubit counts and quality increase.This makes Q-CTRLs claim an interesting challenge to D-Waves self-proclaimed lead in optimization, they continued.Optimization is an important application for quantum computing because it matters to most industries, Forrester noted. For finance, representative areas include risk modeling, trading strategy optimization, asset pricing optimization, and portfolio optimization, it explained. Health care use cases include optimizing radiotherapy treatments, generating targeted cancer drug therapies, and creating protein models, it added. And for energy, use cases include energy exploration, seismic survey optimization, reserve and spot trading optimization, and reservoir optimization.In the near term, if quantum is going to go beyond experimentation and generate a return on investment for users, its going to be through optimization tools, explained Erik Garcell, director of quantum enterprise development for North America for Classiq, a global quantum computer software maker.Optimization offers more near-term benefits because it scales so well on quantum computers, he told TechNewsWorld. Even having a few quantum resources, you know, 100 qubits on your quantum chip, means a lot for that kind of problem.The bigger the problem, the harder it is for a classical computer to solve, he continued, but that many more resources arent needed for a quantum computer because of how it scales. So, youre going to actually see applications in quantum for very large optimization problems that are causing classical computers to chug.Quantum Machine Learning Shows Signs of LifeGrimes, though, contends focusing on optimization can be too limiting for quantum. Optimization completely rules out the chances of brand-new advancements, he said. Im not sure if quantum is like the AI world, but it is getting the same sort of feel.It really feels like we are possibly on the cusp of tremendous, sudden improvement, he continued. There are so many organizations making steady improvement. It seems strange to me to think that not one of those vendors out of the thousands wouldnt make a substantial breakthrough.Another 2024 quantum breakthrough cited by the Forrester analysts is the emergence of quantum machine learning. They explained that quantum-as-a-service (QaaS) has expanded access to quantum computing, enabling breakthroughs in quantum machine learning. Researchers are now developing quantum neural networks, quantum support vector machines, and quantum algorithms for complex tasks like image and natural language processing.These advancements are pushing the boundaries of what machine learning can achieve, making it a critical area of growth, they wrote. Training AI models on classical computers is time-intensive and computationally expensive, especially with deep learning networks, observed Skip Sanzeri, co-founder and COO of QuSecure, a maker of quantum-safe security solutions, in San Mateo, Calif.Using an algorithm like the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm, along with other quantum enhancements like gradient descent, could speed up the training of machine learning models by orders of magnitude, he told TechNewsWorld.Sanzeri also pointed out that AI on classical systems is not exponentially scalable, so classical machines tend to struggle with combinatorial problems like optimization. Since quantum computers are exponential in nature, they will be able to handle these combinatorial problems much better, he explained.Quantum algorithms can also be used to process and analyze large data sets more efficiently using the Quantum Fourier Transform, leading to faster insights and real-time decision-making, he noted.Generative AI models, too, can be challenging for classical computing systems, he added. Superposition and entanglement quantum properties can be used to generate data distributions more efficiently and accurately, he said.Preparation for Quantum Threats Becoming UrgentAs quantum advances push the boundaries of what machine learning can achieve, theyre also driving a focus on quantum security. With NIST [the U.S. Department of Commerces National Institute of Standards and Technology] setting standards for quantum-resistant algorithms, the need to safeguard data against future quantum threats is becoming more urgent, the Forrester analysts wrote.They added that cryptography and machine learning hold substantial potential, but their benefits remain years away. Shors algorithm could one day break todays PKI cryptography, they noted, although this is likely a decade or more in the future.Sanzeri disagreed with Forrester. With the use of ever increasingly powerful AI, combined with other breakthroughs in the quantum computing industry like Googles Willow chip we could see that 10-year time frame getting cut in half, he argued.Meanwhile, Grimes cautioned that government intelligence agencies working to break quantum-susceptible encryption dont need a fully-capable quantum computer to break todays cryptography. They will make quantum devices that are specialized in breaking encryption, just like they do with todays regular non-quantum encryption breaking, he said.The NSA isnt using laptops, servers, and regular cloud computing to break crypto, he continued. They use specialized crypto-devices, maximized for crypto-breaking efficiency. Certainly, they are doing the exact same thing with quantum cracking. It would be insane to do anything else if I was in their shoes. He also warned about using Shors algorithm, created in 1994, as a benchmark for what kind of quantum power is needed to crack PKI cryptography. I think there is a good chance that the U.S. government has access to another algorithm that is far more efficient than Shors, he contended. If youre fixated on Shor as the standard to meet, youre probably not focused on the right algorithm.Even if a quantum solution that can crack PKI is 10 years away, the time to act on that possibility is now, declared Tomas Gustavsson, chief PKI officer at Keyfactor, a digital identity management company, in Cleveland. A decade is a short time for this type of migration, as it is an immense undertaking, he told TechNewsWorld.We need to act now for the migration to be completed in a decade. Organizations must not start in a decade, Gustavsson said. So, when saying that a practical Shors algorithm is at least a decade away, Forrester is reiterating what NIST and others are saying. I also hope its at least a decade away. If not, we are in trouble.Winter of Quantum Investor Discontent?Despite quantums promise, Forrester predicts a winter setting in on investment in the technology. Although the number of quantum computing deals hit a record in 2023, investment dollar totals peaked in 2021 and have declined sharply since as generative AI excitement has claimed investor funding, Forresters analysts wrote.They added that geopolitical pressures, like vendors in China transferring their IP to academia, are also at play. This will put pressure on startups, causing many to seek exits with little to show, they noted.On the plus side, the investment winter will delay the time when quantum computing platforms become powerful enough for mainstream use, which means a delay of Y2Q: the day when quantum computers break state-of-the-art asymmetric cryptography, the analysts reasoned.However, they warned about procrastinating about Y2Q. Although this development may buy more time to implement post-quantum encryption, they urged security leaders to begin planning now on how to protect against harvest now, decrypt later vulnerabilities, where encrypted data is gobbled up by adversaries now with an eye on decrypting it later with a quantum computer. Forresters glum weather forecast isnt shared by everyone. Growth estimates for the quantum computing market by industry forecasters range from a low CAGR of 27.04% over the next eight years to a high CAGR of 32.7% over the next five years, growing from slightly over a billion dollar market in 2024 to US$6.95 billion to $16.22 billion market in the early 2030s.We would not expect a quantum winter but may see the same level of investment or increased investment in 2025, Sanzeri predicted. There has been significant progress in quantum computing in 2024 with some breakthroughs that are fundamental. We cannot find a reason why there would be at least the same level of investment in 2025 as in 2024.The recent relative downturn in quantum investment is really just a factor of the original, overstated quantum hype dying down at the same time as AI took off, added Grimes. Quantum will have plenty of investment, and as the steady improvements turn into sufficiently-capable quantum computers, the needed investment will flood back. Im not concerned.John P. Mello Jr. has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, IT issues, privacy, e-commerce, social media, artificial intelligence, big data and consumer electronics. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including the Boston Business Journal, the Boston Phoenix, Megapixel.Net and Government Security News. Email John.Leave a CommentClick here to cancel reply. Please sign in to post or reply to a comment. New users create a free account.More by John P. 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Its only early January, but last years baby pygmy hippo mania is staying strong. Thailands feisty Moo Deng became a social media sensation in 2024, taking the world by storm with her knee-biting and hose playing antics. Now, pygmy hippo enthusiasts in the United States dont have to visit Thailand or even hop across the pond to Scotland and visit Haggis to see a new baby pachyderm.On December 9, 2024, the Metro Richmond Zoo in Mosely, Virginia welcomed a 15-pound female baby pygmy hippo of its own. Whether this new baby will be as big of a ham as Moo Deng, is still too early to call.After over 116,000 votes from 165 countries, this new bundle of joys name was announced live on the TODAY show this morning. Poppy is the winner, with 52.8 percent of the vote.Poppy was born to parents Iris and Corwan after a 7-month gestation. The baby girl is Iris and Corwins third calf in 4.5 years. This birth was also the first time that Iris gave birth underwater. Common hippos typically give birth underwater, but their smaller relatives the pygmy hippo are born on land or in water.Poppy arrived on December 9 at 4:50 p.m., with several zookeepers and even a few zoo guests present. The babys natural instincts kicked in and she started moving around in the water immediately, according to zoo officials.Poppy splashing in her habitat. CREDIT: Metro Richmond Zoo.Poppy splashing in her habitat. CREDIT: Metro Richmond Zoo.At birth Poppy weighed 15 pounds, but fully grown pygmy hippos can reach up to 600 pounds. They are roughly 10 times smaller than a standard-size hippo, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Despite their stocky size, these large mammals can move fairly quickly. They can run about 18 miles per hour on average, comparable to lizards and humans.On December 30, Iris and Poppy returned to the indoor pool area and were seen by the general public for the first time. This was the babys first time submerged in water since she was born in that very same pool three weeks earlier.Poppy is mom Iris third calf in over four years. CREDIT: Metro Richmond Zoo. On the first day, we lowered the water level so the baby could become comfortable with her new surroundings. We have gradually increased the level each day, the zoo wrote in a statement. Like a human baby, our little hippo spends her days nursing, sleeping, and pooping, but with one glaring differenceshe loves to swim!Throughout this winter, Poppy and Iris will stay in the indoor pool area during the day for public viewing. During the evening, they will return to a room full of hay to rest. The zoo plans to move them to their outdoor habitat once the weather is warmer and Poppy has grown a bit more.[ Related: Humans likely wiped out Cyprus tiny hippos and elephants in record time. ]Pygmy hippos can also be spotted at a few other zoos, including ZooTampa in Florida and the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, Massachusetts. In the wild, they are native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, primarily in Liberia. They are listed as Endangered, with only an estimated 2,500 remaining in the wild due to habitat loss from logging, minding, and other human activities.This birthlike all of Iris birthsplays an important role in helping protect this rare and elusive species, the zoo said.The post Newest pygmy hippo born on US soil gets a name appeared first on Popular Science.

Heather Huson shares time with a sled dog at the Baker Institute in 2019.John Munson/Cornell University. ShareFor Cornell University geneticist Heather Huson, soccer and softball games werent on the family calendar growing up. Her family raced sled dogs instead. What started slowly as a casual hobby evolved into her mother, step-father, and sister all competing in races. The family competed during the winter months in their home state of Pennsylvania, owned upwards of 50 dogs, and found community. Get the Popular Science newsletter Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.We had kind of like a whole extra family that were sled dog mushers that we would see every weekend in the winter, Huson tells Popular Science. Huson continued to race, eventually competed in the International Federation of Sleddog Sports World Championships, and won the Tok Race of Champions in 2004. This six-dog race, still held in Tok, Alaska remains Husons favorite event.Now retired from racing, Huson has her eyes on a physically smaller prize with a greater impactunderstanding sled dog genetics.A young Huson with one of her early teams and their trophies during the mid-1980s. CREDIT: Heather Huson. What makes a sled dog?Huson is studying the genetic differences between Siberian huskies that are bred for sledding, showing, or as a pet, in addition to the varied genetic lineages in sled dogs, and what makes them such incredible canine athletes.When we say sled dogs, most of the public think of Siberian huskies or Alaskan malamutes, explains Huson. And yes, these are sled dogs. They were created for that, but theyve also been molded into kind of these purebred dogs as well. Theyre faster and theyre just more competitive.Surprisingly, almost any type of dog breed can technically become a sled dog. Even standard poodles have successfully completed the Iditarod. There is also no true definition of what an Alaskan sled dog is, other than can it perform in a race. Sled dogs are primarily still mixed breeds and that genetic mixing helps give them the traits that they need to make it through racing.Musher Ken Chezik and his team race along the Alaska Sled Dog Racing Association in Anchorage, with his lead dogs Beech and Fog. CREDIT: Britt Coon. According to Huson, sled dogs generally have an amazing worth ethic and they almost always want to run. Thousands of years of breeding have led to these animal athletes that can withstand cold temperatures and run over various distances.Huson experienced this canine athleticism when she first took to the trail as a musher at only seven-years-old. Taking these athletic dogs outside and exercising with themto her, the ultimate way to feel that human-dog bondwas exhilarating.It was a real sense of accomplishment to train them and then see how well they did, says Huson. For better or worse, it taught me those responsibilities of how these are animals, you darn well, better take care of them. It was really just that human-dog bond on steroids.The breed for speed. Or not?Racing dogs are similar to humans, in that there is a difference between a three mile run and a 26.2 mile marathon. The shortest races that a dog will compete in is three miles and these short distances offer mushers and breeders more flexibility.Theres a significant difference between dogs that have been selected for distance racing or sprint racing, says Huson. Especially in the sprint racing, theres a lot more crosses with pointers, German short hair pointers, English pointers, salukis, greyhounds. This is where you really want more speed and you have more flexibility on something like their hair coat.For dogs racing thousands of miles like those that run the Iditarod, mushers cant be as flexible since they need dog breeds with good hair and durability in their feet to make it over the snow and harsh terrain.According to Huson, the attempts to breed for speed is particularly interesting from a genetics perspective. There have been some attempts at breeding greyhoundswho can run over 40 miles per hourinto sled dogs.It makes sense why you would do that. But when I did the genetics of it, I never found traces of greyhounds in the general sled dog population.Huson racing in an Alaska Dog Mushers Association Challenge Series race in 2005. The race was held at the Jeff Studdard Sled Dog Race Track in Fairbanks, Alaska. CREDIT: Heather Huson. Traits from these sleek race dogs would completely disappear over time. By comparison, if pointers are bred in, those traits will stay.With both my perspective as a dog musher as well as the geneticist, I think the real reason is that the greyhounds just dont have any endurance, where the pointers do, says Huson. The greyhounds have got nothing to get them on the three miles.Talking dogsHuson is now continuing her research at Cornell University, where she hopes to learn more about how genes are related to the biology and evolution of dogs and other animals. Her work has particularly strong applications in understanding aging, and it can be applied to better testing, breeding, and health management in dogs. Huson also feels like she has the perfect pedigree for helping both the four and two-legged members of the sled dog community.Musher Kourosh Partow competing in the Eagle River Classic in Chugiak, Alaska with his lead dogs Boost and Leah. CREDIT: Britt Coon. I believe sled dog mushers are more accepting and trusting of my research because I do know sled dogs. I can talk dogs with them and totally understand what they are saying and they understand what Im saying, says Huson. They see I am genuine and want to understand and help. Hence, they also come to me when they have a genetic question. I miss racing a lot but stay in touch with the sport and people through my research.

NeuroscienceThe unique neural wiring of the human hippocampus may maximize memoryThe memory center contains sparse but robust nerve cell connections Pyramidal cells (shown) are the main type of nerve cell in the hippocampus, the brains memory center.Jake WatsonBy McKenzie Prillaman1 minute agoOur brains memory center bears a sleek design.A peek into living tissue from human hippocampi, a brain region crucial for memory and learning, revealed relatively few cell-to-cell connections for the vast number of nerve cells. But signals sent via those sparse connections proved extremely reliable and precise, researchers report December 11 in Cell.One seahorse-shaped hippocampus sits deep within each hemisphere of the mammalian brain. In each hippocampuss CA3 area, humans have about 1.7 million nerve cells called pyramidal cells. This subregion is thought to be the most internally connected part of the brain in mammals.