August 2016

IBM chip with artificial neurons (Image courtesy IBM Research. All rights reserved)

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An article published in the journal “Nature Nanotechnology” describes the creation by IBM of artificial neurons using phase change materials to record and process data. The company created a chip that contains the devices that constitute the “heart” of these neurons on a chip and there may be even millions of them. The aim is to mimic biological neurons to achieve progress in the development of neuromorphic techniques to be applied for example to cognitive computing.

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An article published in the journal “Palaeogeography, palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology” describes a study that offers new evidence supporting the theory that the first animals caused the first major mass extinction that took place on Earth. According to a group of researchers led by Simon Darroch of Vanderbilt University, the animals species that emerged in the so-called Cambrian explosion altered their environment in such a way that they caused that extinction.

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SolarCity has announced that it has accepted the Tesla Motors offer to acquire it for $2.6 billion, which will be paid in shares. Every SolarCity share was assessed at $25.83 and for each one the shareholders will receive 0.11 Tesla Motors shares. The peculiar characteristics of this agreement is that Elon Musk is the CEO of Tesla Motors, the chairman of SolarCity and is a shareholder of both companies.

The Fractal Prince by Hannu Rajaniemi

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The novel “The Fractal Prince” by Hannu Rajaniemi was published for the first time in 2012. It’s the sequel to “The Quantum Thief”.

Jean le Flambeur, or at least a version of the thief, is trying to recover his memories on the way to the Earth on the spaceship Perhonen. It’s a very complex task and as if that wasn’t enough a new danger threatens seriously he and Mieli when Perhonen is attacked.

In the city of Sirr, Tawaddud Gomelez has a chance to mend relations with her father after becoming the family’s black sheep. She can help to maintain her father’s influence in the City Council on the occasion of a major decision. However, there are ramifications that may have unintended consequences and change the future of Sirr.