Science and Technology
5.14.08Quantum computers take step toward practicality with demonstration of new device
Computers based on the powerful properties of quantum mechanics have the potential to revolutionize information technology and security, but for decades they have remained more theoretical than practical, and difficult to scale up. That is changing, however, as demonstrated in a report last week in the journal Science. In the paper, engineers and physicists from Stanford and the University of California-Santa Barbara demonstrate a potential progenitor of an essential component of quantum computers, "a logic gate" that enables interaction between just two particles of light.
Professor studies what cars can learn from drivers’ words
Years ago, Stanford communication and sociology researcher Clifford Nass wondered why some people treated their computers as humans, instead of machines, a question that led him down a path of interesting research. Now he wonders about drivers willing to have personal conversations with the artificial voice in their cars—and what will become of the secrets the humans share with their four-wheeled friends.
National Academy of Sciences elects five Stanford professors to its ranks
In recognition of their distinguished and original contributions to scientific research, Stanford Professors Steven Boxer, Margaret Fuller, Ronald Levy, Andrei Linde and David A. B. Miller have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
Army program does not violate university policy, Senate committee concludes
The Committee on Research of the Faculty Senate has concluded that Stanford's participation in a five-year, $105 million computing research program with the Army does not conflict with the university's Openness in Research Policy.
Gift from science philanthropist to benefit astrophysics students
The Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology (KIPAC)—which seeks to understand the universe on all scales, from colliding galaxies to tiny unseen particles that constitute the lion's share of the universe—has received a new infusion of support from science philanthropist Fred Kavli and The Kavli Foundation.
Professor ferrets out mysteries of biology by giving computers ‘intelligence’
Computer science professor Daphne Koller this week was named the first-ever recipient of the ACM-Infosys Foundation Award in the Computing Sciences.
Tai chi master studied for power to control body
What was Master Chen Xiang, an 18th-level tai chi master from Beijing, doing last month in a laboratory at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital?
Researchers synthesize plant compound to flush out HIV
Any hunter will tell you that when your quarry goes into hiding, you have to flush it out to get a good shot at it. Such is the case with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Five scholars elected to the National Academy of Sciences
Five professors from Stanford were elected to the National Academy of Sciences on Tuesday, along with 67 other new members and 18 foreign associates in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.
Seven university scholars elected fellows of eminent learned society
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS), one of the country's oldest honorary learned societies, announced on Monday the election of 190 new fellows and 22 new foreign honorary members, including seven scholars from Stanford University: Mark Granovetter, Philip C. Hanawalt, Mark A. Horowitz, Mark Gregory Kelman, Herbert S. Lindenberger, James D. Plummer and Scott Sagan.
Tech giants work together to enable software to power parallel computing
Stanford and many of the biggest companies in computing announced on Friday, May 2, a joint effort to address a major missed opportunity in information technology: the dearth of software that can harness the parallelism of the multiple processors that are being built into virtually every new computer.
‘Energy Crossroads’ conference April 30 and May 1 at Stanford
A conference devoted to exploring ways to broaden the use of clean, sustainable energy will take place April 30 and May 1 at Stanford University.
Biothreats aren't new, but they are real and warrant study, says researcher
The biological arsenal that could be used for harm against humanity has an almost limitless supply of weaponry, thanks to nature's own talent for creating infectious agents of destruction.
Study: Mountains reached current elevation earlier than thought
Geologists studying deposits of volcanic glass in the western United States have found that the central Sierra Nevada largely attained its present elevation 12 million years ago, roughly 8 or 9 million years earlier than commonly thought.
Memory-boosting, and minty, gum? Welcome to 2008 Cool Product Expo
The Think Gum table seemed out of place at this year's Cool Product Expo in the Arrillaga Alumni Center, and it wasn't just because the company founder's mother was there.
