☕️ Aussie Mathematicians Debunk 'Infinite Monkey Theorem'.

Good morning. As this is a science newsletter I will be mostly ignoring politics. Mostly. In more significant news two fellow Aussie math nerds discovered that monkeys will never type Shakespeare and a slice of Swiss cheese almost derailed Europe’s most important rocket test… Read more about these important stories below. If only our politicians were as ingenious as these Shakespearean monkeys and Swiss engineers…

—Dylan J. Dance

SCIENCE

🐒 'Infinite monkey theorem' challenged by Australian mathematicians. Two Australian mathematicians have debunked the famous "infinite monkey theorem", which suggests that a monkey randomly typing on a keyboard for an infinite amount of time would eventually write all of Shakespeare's works. According to their calculations, the time required for this feat would far exceed the lifespan of the universe, making the theorem "misleading." Even with all of the world's chimpanzees typing continuously, they wouldn't come close to replicating even one of Shakespeare’s plays.

🕳️ Black hole study challenges Kerr solution assumptions. New research suggests the traditional Kerr model may not fully capture the nature of black holes. The study highlights the potential instability of the Kerr geometry, implying black holes may not stabilize as expected, challenging existing theories. Lead author Raúl Carballo-Rubio noted that understanding this instability is crucial for refining our understanding of black holes' internal dynamics and their link to spacetime.

🕸️ Nanofibrils study successfully measures strength of spider web 'super fibers'. Researchers at William & Mary have successfully measured the strength and stretchability of spider silk nanofibrils, finding that they can stretch eleven times their original length. This discovery showcases the potential of spider silk for applications such as protective materials or bungee cords, due to its combination of strength and stretchability, which is five times greater than that of steel.

➗ Using mathematics to better understand cause and effect. A new mathematical tool called the synergistic-unique-redundant decomposition of causality (SURD) has been developed by researchers at Caltech and MIT to determine causality in complex systems. SURD helps disentangle unique, redundant, and synergistic effects, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of causal relationships in fields like climate science and aerospace engineering.

TECH

⚛️ Royal Navy successfully tests quantum-sensing technology. The Royal Navy has successfully demonstrated the capabilities of ground-breaking cold atom technology. This technology, used aboard HMS Pursuer, unlocks possibilities in covert monitoring, navigation, and positioning, even in GPS-denied environments. It also marks a significant step towards developing quantum technology for military applications over the next few years.

⚡ Bizarre device sucks CO2 from atmosphere and turns it back into fuel. A startup called SpiralWave has developed a plasma-based device that can capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into green methanol. The tall, glowing column uses pulsed microwaves to break down CO2 and create a renewable fuel. Though it’s early days, SpiralWave envisions building a much larger version to remove substantial CO2 from the atmosphere.

🔧 Biden administration selects New York semiconductor R&D facility. The Biden administration has selected a new semiconductor research facility in New York as part of a broader plan to expand semiconductor production and research in the United States. This is part of ongoing efforts to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on overseas technology suppliers.

MEDICAL

🤖 Leaked training shows how doctors in New York's biggest hospital system are using AI. A leaked presentation reveals that Northwell Health, New York's largest healthcare provider, is encouraging its staff to use a tool called AI Hub for administrative tasks, translation, and even diagnostics. While the AI platform is not designed to make medical decisions, it is being used for tasks like summarizing patient records, raising questions about AI's growing role in healthcare.

🏃 Not too big, not too small: Why modern humans are the ideal size for speed. Research involving virtual models of human bodies has demonstrated that our size is optimal for running speed, similar to cheetahs and other intermediate-sized animals. Scaling models up or down showed that larger bodies struggle due to weaker relative muscle strength, while smaller ones face gravitational challenges. This study adds insight into how evolution has shaped human physiology for speed and efficiency.

🔍 Going down a Wikipedia rabbit hole? Science says you're one of these three types. A study on Wikipedia usage reveals three distinct types of curiosity-led users: busybodies, hunters, and dancers. Each type has a unique browsing pattern, contributing to our understanding of how curiosity influences information-seeking behavior and how different cultures approach learning.

SPACE

🪐 Saturn's moon Titan may have a 6-mile-thick crust of methane ice — could life be under there? Scientists at the University of Hawaii have discovered that Titan's icy shell could be as thick as six miles, made primarily of methane ice. This crust might make detecting signs of life beneath Titan's surface easier, as it may warm and transport potential biomarkers upwards. Titan remains one of the most Earth-like bodies in the solar system and a promising candidate for life beyond Earth.

🔭 Scientists prepare for the most ambitious sky survey yet, anticipating new insight on dark matter and dark energy. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory's upcoming Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) will gather 5.5 million images over 10 years, probing the nature of dark matter and dark energy. Scientists are using simulations to predict detectable patterns, potentially bringing us closer to understanding the 95% of the universe that remains a mystery.

💫 Hubble and Webb probe surprisingly smooth disk around Vega. NASA's Hubble and James Webb telescopes observed a surprisingly smooth dust disk around the star Vega, unlike other systems with rings shaped by planets. These findings suggest variations in circumstellar disk formation processes and their relation to underlying planetary systems, offering clues about Vega's unique architecture.

CLIMATE

🌊 New study reveals oceans absorb more CO2 than previously thought. A recent study indicates that the "ocean skin" — the cooler top layer of ocean water — significantly enhances carbon dioxide absorption. The findings suggest that the oceans absorb 7% more CO2 annually than previously estimated, which is equivalent to one and a half times the annual carbon captured by the Amazon rainforest, providing new insights for climate models.

WORLD

🧀 How a slice of cheese almost derailed Europe’s most important rocket test. During a historic rocket hop test in Europe, a student-led group from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne almost faced disaster because of a slice of Gruyère cheese strapped to their rocket. The cheese, attached for fun, caused an aero effect that led to unexpected spinning. Fortunately, the rocket landed safely, and the cheese survived the hop, ultimately providing some interesting engineering insights.

🎃 Thousands tricked by AI ad to show up for fake Halloween parade. In Dublin, thousands were duped by a fake Halloween parade ad generated using AI. The ad, promoted via social media, led people to gather for a nonexistent event, demonstrating the power of AI-driven misinformation. The police had to intervene, clarifying that no parade was planned. The incident highlights how easily AI-generated content can manipulate public behavior.

🐉 MrBeast disputes crypto fraud claims, says scammers used AI deepfake. Popular YouTuber MrBeast has rejected fraud claims, explaining that scammers used AI deepfake technology to impersonate him and promote fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. MrBeast has called on social media platforms to take more responsibility in handling such AI-generated frauds that damage reputations and mislead his followers.

🚫 Far-right governments seek to cut billions of euros from research in Europe. A rise in far-right parties entering European governments is raising concerns for the scientific community, as many of these parties are hostile or indifferent to research. In the Netherlands, the Party for Freedom (PVV) is pushing for €1 billion in cuts, affecting universities and early-career grants. Similar cuts are also being pursued in Italy, Hungary, and other nations. Experts worry that these cuts will lead to reduced innovation and increased dependency on competitive, industry-funded research.

Thanks for reading!