Technology News

According to a study by a University of Ottawa professor, some humans first settled in what is now Alaska nearly 14,000 years ago, following in the footsteps of mammoths.

For four years, associate professor at the University of Ottawa's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Clément Bataille, and several other researchers have been trying to learn more about the mammoths that lived in Alaska several thousand years ago.

“They're still fascinating and majestic species, so it's fascinating to study them,” Mr. Bataille admits in an interview with The Canadian Press.

After looking at the life of a male specimen named “Kik,” who lived 17,000 years ago, the researchers turned to “Elma,” a female whose life dates back about 14,000 years.

What caught the researchers' attention this time was that the Elma fossil was found in the same spot where humans would have set up camp around the same time, suggesting the hypothesis that these humans were lured to North America on the trail of mammoths.

“We know that humans came to Alaska about 13,500 years ago. The first place where there is completely irrefutable evidence that humans are present is Swan Point, and it is in this place that we find this tusk of this female, Elma,” mentions Mr. Bataille.

“The interesting thing about how people came to Alaska at this time is that all of their villages and settlements are in places where there are lots of mammoths,” he continues.

“These are areas with high numbers of mammoths. Therefore, our hypothesis may be that humans would have been attracted to any of these large numbers of mammoths that existed in North America as they traveled from Asia to North America across the Bering land bridge that was formed at that time. and especially in this area, where there was more of it than anywhere else. »

We know that humans hunted mammoths because they already did so in Europe and Eurasia. Without being able to confirm this, researchers also hypothesized that Elma was killed by hunter-gatherers.

Initially, his fossil was found where there was also a camp. She was in good health at the time when she died at the age of 20 – “what a mammoth is still very young,” specifies Mr. Bataille. Then she was found near the fossils of two other young mammoths, including a baby, that were part of the same herd.

“So these are still three coincidences that are quite strong and show us that this female and these two young mammoths were most likely hunted and brought back to the camp,” emphasizes Mr. Bataille.

The effects of climate change

The researchers also analyzed the effects of climate change on mammoths, which became extinct in the Americas between 11,000 and 12,000 years ago.

Even when comparing the lives of Kik and Elma, they noticed some differences.

“What we saw is that this male mammoth moved enormously over distances that were much, much, much greater than this female, sometimes with movements of 300 or 400 kilometers,” says Clément Bataille.

Kik's life 17,000 years ago took place before the glaciers melted. This means that Beringia, which separated Russia and Alaska, is “a large tundra plain,” a “really ideal environment for mammoths,” the researcher said.

But Elma, who lived 14,000 years ago, didn't have it so easy because her life took place during the melting of glaciers, which turned the valleys into wetlands.

“Our hypothesis would be that it was still quite limited by the climate. These are animals that were very adapted to this open tundra environment. If the tundra disappears or becomes fragmented, it will be much more difficult for them to move through this area and they may be more vulnerable to hunting and also more vulnerable to extinction,” explains Mr. Bataille.

Mr. Bataille and his colleagues are continuing their work to better understand what happened at the end of the last ice age, when several species, including mammoths, went extinct.

Her research on Elma was published in the journal Science Advances.

To watch in the video

THE Impedance scalesalso known as Bioimpedance balancesNot only do they measure our weight, but they also give us an overall picture of our body composition and also measure ours fat massTHE Lean mass, the mass of our skeleton and the amount of water in our body, but also more specific information such as the ratio between essential fats and fatty fat. This information is useful for determining diets, exercise training, and health monitoring in clinical settings.

How does impedance compensation work?

Impedance scales use basic electrotechnical quantities that, in combination with empirical algorithms, estimate other body parameters.

The theory behind these devices is Bioimpedance measurementor analysis ofbioelectrical impedance (BIA, from English: Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) of the human body. This analysis is widely used in body composition assessment due to the high speed of information processing, as it is a non-invasive method that generates information using wearable devices, is easy to use and relatively inexpensive, and allows estimation of body composition distribution fluids in the body. and extracellular spaces.

L'electrical impedance It is a basic term in electrical engineering that it describes how well a circuit resists the flow of current when a voltage is applied at its terminals. It is quite similar to the concept of electrical resistanceHowever, it is a generalized concept because it takes into account not only the effects of electrical resistance but also the effects of Capability and from inductors present in the circuit (so-called reactances). These reactive effects only occur in circuits that are powered by time-varying variables (alternating variables) and increase or decrease depending on the frequency change. These effects do not occur in circuits that are supplied with direct current (in the steady state).

From an electrical perspective, the human body behaves like one driver It therefore has its own electrical impedance, which is made up of resistance and capacitive reactance. However, this impedance is not always constant in the human body, but rather very variable and depends on various factors such as: fluid intake, state of health, stress, amount of muscle mass, fat mass and external environmental conditions. through the path that the current takes in the body itself.

Bioimpedance scales not only have the standard sensors for measuring body weight, but also some of them metal plates on the support surface (the most advanced ones also have dumbbells to hold in their hands, like in the title picture), which look like real ones Electrodes. By climbing the scales (barefoot, of course, and possibly naked), the scales leave a very faint and imperceptible impression on the body of the person standing on the scales. Electrical power, high frequency and low voltage. The same electrodes measure the potential difference that occurs between the two feet and thus determine the value of the impedance. Once the body impedance has been measured, this data, together with the measured weight and a series of other data and information requested by the scale itself or by the application that manages it (such as gender, age, height, physical activity performed, etc.), displayed .), application of certain empirical formulas treasure indirect all evaluable parameters described above.

Possible uses of impedance scales

The best professional impedance scales are useful tools for monitoring body composition in areas such as nutrition, fitness training or medicine. They can help you track progress towards your health and fitness goals and provide a more comprehensive view of your body than just weight.

These devices are then used and used Nutrition professionals to determine the basis on which to build a diet or to monitor its development over time, rather than as a personal trainer and in sports in general, monitoring the physical condition of an athlete or a person simply personal physical performs activity.

Finally, bioimpedance measurement is also used clinical area, for example for the monitoring of certain chronic diseases, thereby providing additional data on the clinical development of patients observed in the medium and long term. In this case, the analysis of bioelectrical impedance is carried out not with scales, but with special medical devices that can provide more precise and reliable values.

How reliable are impedance scales?

The accuracy of impedance scales can vary depending on several factors, including fluid intake and food intake. Additionally, as mentioned, the data they provide does not directly measure fat or muscle mass, but these values ​​do derived indirectly based on empirical estimates. The use of this scale is therefore intended for simple general monitoring without claiming to be a precise diagnostic method.

It is therefore important to remember that these scales provide useful information about your physical condition, but are not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is always advisable to implement an exercise program tailored to your body instead of a diet. First, consult your doctor or healthcare professional Expert. In order to correctly interpret the data, it is necessary to have a good knowledge of the basics of this method, the correction equations used and the resources that the method can offer to assess body composition.

We have already published a few articles about Kospet: The manufacturer is successively offering new smartwatches whose sensors are almost far-fetched. In principle, the sensors announced by Kospet are actually possible on a smartwatch. However, the advertised blood sugar measurement is by no means accurate and diabetics in particular should not take the displayed values ​​at face value. The blood sugar curve shown by Kospet as a demonstration also seems completely unrealistic. In addition, the watch should be able to measure heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. But here too, accurate blood pressure measurement is probably an exaggerated advertising promise. It is not at all clear to what extent optical sensors can generate precise values. EGCs should also be possible.

The watch is equipped with a large 2.01-inch screen with a resolution of 240 x 296. It is 12 millimeters thick and weighs around 40 grams. It is equipped with a 280 mAh battery that is said to last 15 days under normal use and a week under heavy use, such as recording numerous sporting activities. A microphone and a speaker are built in, so that the iHeal 6 can be used both as a Bluetooth hands-free device and to interact with digital assistants. As usual, an analysis of sleep quality and duration is promised and music playback from the paired smartphone can be controlled. Notifications can be displayed and your own photos can be used as a background on the watch face.

The watch is said to be IP67 certified, meaning it is protected from dust and water. The iHeal 6 is available now for just under $50. Shipping costs and import duties may also apply.

Other possible solutions: Buy the Fitbit Sense 2 or Amazfit Balance on Amazon.

Quantum technologies, with their potential to accelerate data processing, improve drug development and create new sensing applications, are at the center of scientific research. Experimentally studying quantum behavior remains challenging due to the short duration over which most systems can sustain these effects.

A recent study succeeded in expanding this quantum behavior and opening up new perspectives for the study of quantum interactions.

“The reason mysterious features of quantum physics tend to disappear so quickly is a process called decoherence,” he said Kaden HazzardAssociate Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Rice University and co-author of a study published in Nature Physics.

“This happens when a quantum system interacts with its environment and changes physics. The larger the system and the greater the couplings with the environment, the more likely the system is to behave in classical, non-quantum ways – and you lose your ability to study things at the quantum level. »

Kaden Hazzard (left to right), Zewen Zhang and Jonathan Stepp. Photo credit: Photo by Gustavo Raskosky/Rice University

A “magic trap” for expanding quantum behavior

Rice scientists and their collaborators managed to extend quantum behavior in an experimental system nearly 30 times by using ultracold temperatures and laser wavelengths to create a “magic trap” that helped delay the occurrence of decoherence. The study is the first experimental demonstration of its kind and opens new foundations for the study of quantum interactions.

The group of Simon Cornish from the Department of Physics at the University of Durham in the United Kingdom worked with Hazzard and his group at Rice to cool molecules to a billion times below room temperature, creating a unique quantum mechanical system. They then use microwave radiation to cause these molecules to undergo quantum rotation – a situation comparable to molecules aligning and rotating clockwise and counterclockwise at the same time.

Zewen Zhang (left to right), Jonathan Stepp and Kaden Hazzard. Photo credit: Gustavo Raskosky/Rice University

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This study successfully extended quantum behavior using a “magic trap” created by ultracold temperatures and laser wavelengths. This advance could open new perspectives for the study of quantum interactions and have significant implications for the development of quantum technologies.

For better understanding

What is quantum decoherence?

Quantum decoherence is the process by which a quantum system loses its quantum properties such as superposition and entanglement due to its interaction with the environment.

What is a “magic trap”?

A “magic trap” is an experimental technique that uses ultracold temperatures and laser wavelengths to extend the quantum behavior of a system.

What are the implications of this study?

This study could open new perspectives for the study of quantum interactions and have significant implications for the development of quantum technologies.

synthetic

This innovative research has opened a new avenue for studying quantum interactions by extending the quantum behavior of an experimental system. The use of a “magic trap” created by ultracold temperatures and laser wavelengths made it possible to delay the appearance of decoherence.

For better understanding

What is quantum decoherence?

Quantum decoherence is the process by which a quantum system loses its quantum properties such as superposition and entanglement due to its interaction with the environment.

What is a “magic trap”?

A “magic trap” is an experimental technique that uses ultracold temperatures and laser wavelengths to extend the quantum behavior of a system.

What are the implications of this study?

This study could open new perspectives for the study of quantum interactions and have significant implications for the development of quantum technologies.

What is quantum physics?

Quantum physics is a branch of physics that deals with phenomena at the scale of atoms and subatomic particles.

What is quantum technology?

Quantum technology is a new generation of devices and systems that exploit the properties of quantum mechanics such as superposition and entanglement.

References

Caption: Artist's imagination of molecules rotating in a trap in a quantum superposition, with rotation rates varying clockwise (red) and counterclockwise (blue) in space. Photo credit: Hazzard Group/Rice University

Hazzard, K., Cornish, S., et al. (2024). Extending quantum behavior with a magic trap. Natural physics.

[ Rédaction ]

The Galaxy Tab S7 FE is one of the most sophisticated tablets from Samsung. It is available in different versions, depending on which memory, color and connection type you are interested in. As part of this offer on Cdiscount, many color options are offered: pink (Mystic Pink), but also black, silver or green. To save 70 euros on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE tablet, simply order the 64 GB model with WiFi connection for 559.95 euros instead of 629.95 euros. This corresponds to 4 monthly payments of 143.48 euros each if you choose split payment. As a bonus, you get a 1-year subscription to McAfee Total Protection Antivirus and can install it on 3 different devices.

You can purchase this Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE tablet for less than 560 euros

Like all touch tablets from Samsung, the Galaxy Tab S7 FE also works with the Android operating system. The standard storage capacity is 64GB, but you can also opt for a more efficient model with 128GB of storage and 5G compatibility. This tablet is calibrated to meet the needs of the vast majority of consumers. Its 12.4-inch screen displays detailed images with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. Professionals also recommend it because of the quality of its photo block discreetly integrated into the back. Thanks to its lightness you can take it anywhere. This Wi-Fi tablet also features an immersive sound architecture with Dolby Atmos compatible speakers. Its multitasking processor is capable of running up to three applications at the same time.

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Welcome to Samsung Week, marked by the official release of the Galaxy S24, S4 Plus and version Ultra, but also the new Galaxy AI features. These new technology gems are already available for pre-order, offering technology enthusiasts the chance to be among the first to own them. To make the experience even more attractive, Samsung is offering special pre-order offers both on its official website and at various retailers. Don't miss the highlights from Xiaomi and Honor in this weekly review

Samsung Galaxy S24 series: an introduction under the sign of artificial intelligence

On January 17, the tech community from around the world gathered online for Samsung's first and most important annual event: Galaxy Unpacked 2024. The event began at 7 p.m. and was largely dedicated to the South Korean brand's new family of high-end smartphones : the Galaxy S24 series. A look back at the highlights and key announcements from this conference.

Bargain alert: Samsung is offering you a truly irresistible offer for the launch of the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+!

On Wednesday, January 17, 2024, the Samsung Galaxy S24 series was finally unveiled as part of the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Unpacked conference. The big novelty of this new product range can be summarized in two words: artificial intelligence. To convince the most impatient among us to fall for these little technological gems, the South Korean brand is pulling out all the stops with an extremely attractive pre-order offer, valid only until January 30th.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra can be pre-ordered on the Samsung website: take advantage of the introductory offer!

The manufacturer's new flagships were presented this Wednesday, January 17th. As usual, the new Galaxy S series consists of three models: S24, S24+ and S24 Ultra. Good news: they are already available for pre-order! Are you planning to go for the top new generation smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra? To start, Samsung is offering you an exceptional offer. We tell you everything in this article! …

Galaxy S24 series pre-order offer: big discounts and benefits galore at RED BY SFR!

That's it ! The Samsung Galaxy S24 series has been officially launched and is already available for pre-order at several retailers and partners of the brand with very advantageous pre-order offers. This is especially true for the operator RED BY SFR, which offers very interesting discounts as well as several benefits on each of these three new premium smartphones until January 30, 2024.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: A spectacular price drop today only with the promo code of this famous retailer

The new Samsung Galaxy S24 models are just around the corner and in response, the Rakuten platform is adjusting the price of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, a premium phone that falls below the 800 euro mark. Discover all the details about this irresistible promotional offer in this article!

Galaxy S23: Price drop before the release of the Galaxy S24, it falls below the 500 euro mark

While Rakuten waits for the announcement of the new Samsung Galaxy S24 smartphones, it is cutting the price of the Samsung Galaxy S23, the brand's high-end phone. You can get it for less than 500 euros.

Galaxy S24 vs. Galaxy S23: the differences

The latest smartphone in the Galaxy series, the S24, arrived this week. But should we choose it over the Galaxy S23 released last year? We'll tell you everything.

Our top 3 5G smartphones under 300 euros at the beginning of the year

How do you start the year right? Simply by purchasing a new smartphone that is 5G compatible! And of course at a reasonable price. And that's a good thing, because we found 3 models in this category whose prices remain below 300 euros. Let's learn more about these devices without wasting any more time.

New: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 for under €200 is here!

The manufacturer Xiaomi is offering a brand new entry-level smartphone with the Redmi Note 13. Offered at a very attractive price of just €199.90, this phone offers exceptional features and performance that rival much more expensive models.

Completely crazy advertising for the Honor Magic6 Lite 5G, this new designer and robust smartphone falls under the 300 euro mark

The brand new Honor Magic 6 Lite is a real gem in the world of smartphones and its launch is accompanied by an irresistible pre-order offer. Currently you can purchase this gem of technology for less than 300 euros instead of the original price of 399 euros. And that's not all ! Honor gives you a pair of HONOR CHOICE earbuds…

Winter shopping: These 3 high-end smartphones Google Pixel 8, Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ at great prices at SFR!

Would you like to start 2024 well with a new smartphone? Do your winter shopping at SFR during this sales period! The operator offers several mobile devices for sale, including these three high-end models: the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and the Google Pixel 8. Let's take stock of these golden opportunities!

A homage portrait to the musician Karim Ouellet, who died in 2021, was a great success during the happening charity auction of the theater group Nous suis ici.

It was the artist from Laval, Émile Turcotte, better known by the pseudonym ET, who offered this work in the image of his visual signature at the auction of this charity evening on Friday.

“Invited to offer work […] “I immediately thought that my work would be ideal as a tribute to Karim Ouellet,” the artist, who has lived in Old Quebec since 2016, told ET. I’m pleased that the work found good competition at the silent auction.”

The traces of different shapes and colors that characterize his work “form only one and the same image, just as man is unique, but only form one nature,” we can read in the description of the work.

The artist's portrait, made of acrylic on wood, was designed in spring 2023. Its value is $750.

Recall that on January 17, 2022, Karim Ouellet was found lifeless in a music studio in the Saint-Roch district. According to the report by coroner Sophie Régnière, his death was dated November 15, 2021.

This charity happening, launched in 2008, aims to raise funds for the theater group We Are Here. This year the event also celebrated the company's 15th anniversary. Simon Boulerice and Élise Guilbault were the guest DJs for this edition.

More and more customers are bringing drinks and food to restaurants, an American waitress claims in a video that went viral on TikTok.

• Also read: $655 for drinks and 12 oysters

The excerpt published on the social network shows the pseudo-customer and the waitress and depicts a situation in a lunch restaurant.

User @poorandhungry regrets that a small portion of her customers bring personal items to the restaurant.

Among the elements mentioned in the excerpt, which has been viewed more than 500,000 times, we find coffee and even granola bars.

“This happens every shift I’ve worked,” assures the employee.

FRIENDLY PHOTO

According to her, the customer pictured in the video wanted to enjoy some time with her long-time friend without ordering food or drinks.

The reactions in the comments multiplied. Here are a few:

“I work in an airport restaurant and these situations happen to me at least five times a day.”

“It’s completely absurd that customers would do that.”

“This ALWAYS happens in the restaurant where I work. Customers have left poor reviews for the place for the same reason.”