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February 10, 2025 | Read Online​

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Happy Monday and welcome to Issue #33 of the Tech Fizz newsletter!

Scientists might have discovered a way to slow down the aging process, and it's something that's been right in front of us all along. Additionally, quantum computers that can do amazing things could be here sooner than we thought, thanks to the discovery of a new quantum particle that could change how we understand quantum mechanics.

🧠 Brain Blast
​Hot tech discoveries and breakthroughs from last week

Quantum Connectivity: Oxford researchers have achieved a significant advancement in quantum computing scalability by successfully linking independent processors into a unified system using photonic connections. This method, known as quantum teleportation, enables smaller quantum devices to communicate and function collectively, moving quantum computing closer to large-scale practical implementation.

Physics Finding: In another quantum discovery, scientists at Brown University have observed fractional excitons, a novel class of quantum particles, for the first time. These particles exhibit characteristics of both bosons and fermions, challenging conventional physics theories. This breakthrough could have a profound impact on the future of quantum computing.

Movement of the Masses: Research on Spain’s San Fermín festival has revealed that large crowds don’t move randomly but behave similarly to a flowing liquid. When crowd density reaches four people per square meter, a swirling, vortex-like movement emerges, subtly influencing people's motion. Understanding this phenomenon could help predict crowd behavior and prevent dangerous stampedes.

Plasma Production: Zap Energy, a U.S.-based company, has reported promising developments in nuclear fusion technology without relying on magnetic fields. Their latest research indicates that the superheated plasma required for fusion remains stable, addressing a long-standing challenge in the field. If further validated, this approach could pave the way for scalable, practical fusion energy production.

Grammar Genius: A recent study suggests that AI models trained in one language can effectively perform in others they weren’t explicitly trained on. This is because they learn underlying multilingual grammatical structures rather than simple word-for-word translations. By fine-tuning specific model features, researchers may be able to guide AI translations based on grammar rules, enhancing their accuracy across languages.

📸 Industry Snapshot
​A candid look at layoffs and venture capital funding

• Salesforce laid off 1,000 employees (1% of workforce) on February 3.
• TripAdvisor laid off 150 employees on February 4.
• Cruise laid off 1,000 employees (50% of workforce) on February 4 due to GM funding running dry.
• Workday laid off 1,750 employees (8% of workforce) on February 5 to prioritize investments in AI.

🧪 Tidal Vision, a company that manufactures bio-degradable industrial biopolymer, raised $140M on February 5.

💊 BlinkRx, a prescription access platform, raised $140M on February 6.

💻 Semgrep, an application security platform that scans code for bugs and security vulnerabilities, raised $100M on February 5 with Menlo Ventures as the lead investor.

📱 Social Cues
​What's poppin' in tech on social media

Avatar in Action: A Reddit user experiments with Pickle AI, an advanced video generator that creates a live digital avatar that moves in sync with the user’s voice and streams directly into video calls.

Microscopic Marvel: ASML’s latest "2nm" chip technology has taken social media by storm, leaving users in disbelief. However, some skeptics argue that the viral footage may be digitally manipulated, as light itself begins to break down at such a tiny scale.

Drift Daddy: YouTuber and toymaker James Bruton has engineered an extraordinary ride—an omnidirectional drift bike equipped with wheels made from plastic circus balls, allowing it to glide effortlessly in any direction.

Steampunk Setup: If Isaac Newton had designed gaming PCs, they might have looked like this. PC builder Billet Labs has unveiled a compact system resembling a 19th-century distillery, but underneath its vintage design lies an RTX 4090-powered, copper- and water-cooled powerhouse.

Target Acquired: China has taken the internet by surprise, announcing that it has achieved its clean energy targets an impressive six years ahead of schedule, sparking discussions across Reddit.

😎 Only Good Vibes
​A boost of positivity to jumpstart your week

Auditory Aid: EssilorLuxottica’s Nuance Audio Glasses have become the first software-based medical device (SaMD) to receive FDA approval in the U.S. Designed as subtle hearing aids, these glasses aim to assist the estimated 1.25 billion people worldwide experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss.

Health Hack: A Swiss study has identified a simple way to slow aging by up to four months. Researchers monitored DNA changes over time and found that a combination of daily omega-3 intake, vitamin D supplements, and basic strength training can significantly decelerate biological aging. Plans are underway to expand the research across Europe for further validation.

Vaccine Victory: In a phase I clinical trial, nine kidney cancer patients received a personalized vaccine targeting mutant tumors. Each patient successfully mounted an anti-cancer immune response, with no reported cases of cancer recurrence. Though still in early stages, this development could revolutionize cancer treatment.

Road Repair: A common cause of minor car accidents might soon repair itself. Scientists have created self-healing asphalt using microscopic, oil-filled spores that mend cracks before they worsen. In lab tests, these spores repaired microcracks in under an hour, offering a promising solution for longer-lasting road infrastructure.

Spinal Stimulation: A new drug-free treatment is showing promise for people with spinal muscle atrophy (SMA). In a small trial, electrical spinal stimulation successfully reactivated motor neurons, improving muscle strength, endurance, and walking ability. Researchers believe this technology could also help treat neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and are preparing for larger clinical trials.

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Thanks for reading and stay tuned for next week's edition!

- Tech Fizz Team