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28/09/2023 ---- 05/10/2023

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05.10.2023
THEME: WORLD

Attosecond Physics Revolution: Nobel Laureates Illuminate the Invisible World of Electrons

The 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz, and Anne L’Huillier for their pioneering work in attosecond physics, a field that has revolutionized our understanding of the microcosm. Their innovative technique, involving precision lasers to observe the rapid movements of electrons, has provided a new lens through which we can view our universe.

The scale at which these laureates operate is incredibly minute, dealing with attoseconds, an extraordinarily short unit of time. To comprehend this scale, consider that there are as many attoseconds in one second as there have been seconds since the universe's inception.

The laureates' technique involves generating ultra-short bursts of light with precision lasers. This has enabled scientists to measure rapid electron processes that were previously unobservable, appearing as mere blurs under even the most sophisticated microscopes.

Anne L’Huillier, a professor at Lund University in Sweden, discovered a new effect from a laser light’s interaction with atoms in a gas. This discovery was further developed by Pierre Agostini, a professor at Ohio State University, and Ferenc Krausz, a professor at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Germany, who demonstrated that this effect could be used to create even shorter light pulses.

According to the Nobel committee, their experiments have allowed scientists to "capture the shortest of moments," akin to a strobe light imaging rapid movements. Although the technique doesn't permit direct observation of electrons, it enables scientists to measure various attributes of these subatomic particles.

The implications of their work are profound, with potential applications ranging from enhancing our understanding of electrons, crucial to electronics, to developing imaging tools for the semiconductor industry, and even improving medical diagnostics.

Michael Moloney, the chief executive of the American Institute of Physics, lauded this breakthrough as a "transformative moment in physics and in science," and emphasized that it has "opened up a whole new window on our universe."

The laureates' work has not only advanced our understanding of the microcosm but also made history. L’Huillier's win is particularly notable as she is only the fifth woman to win a Nobel Prize in Physics since the awards were instituted in 1901.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which announced the award on 3 October 2023, emphasized that the laureates' experiments resulted in "pulses of light so short that they are measured in attoseconds." This breakthrough in "attosecond physics" is anticipated to lead to more precise electron microscopes, faster electronics, and new early disease diagnosis tests.

The laureates will share the prize money of 11m Swedish krona (£824,000), a modest recognition for the monumental impact their work has had and will continue to have on our comprehension of the universe.

In essence, the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics underscores the power of scientific inquiry and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. As we continue to explore the realm of attoseconds, we edge closer to unraveling the mysteries of the microcosm, and who knows what other secrets of the universe we might uncover?

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05.10.2023
THEME: WORLD

Pioneers of the Nanoworld: The Nobel Triumph of Three Nanotechnology Scientists

On October 4, 2023, the scientific community celebrated as Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus, and Alexei I. Ekimov were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences recognized these three scientists for their revolutionary work in nanotechnology, specifically for their discovery and synthesis of quantum dots.

Quantum dots, nanoparticles whose properties are dictated by their size, were first synthesized in the 1980s by Alexei Ekimov. He utilized copper chloride nanoparticles within colored glass, marking the inception of a new era in nanotechnology. Louis Brus advanced this research by demonstrating size-dependent quantum effects in particles suspended in fluid. The synthesis of quantum dots was further refined in 1993 by Moungi Bawendi, who improved their chemical production, resulting in nearly flawless particles.

The unique characteristic of quantum dots is their color emission, which varies depending on their size. This has led to numerous applications, including use in QLED technology for computer monitors and television screens, LED lamps, and even in medical diagnostics to differentiate between healthy and diseased tissue during tumor removal.

The laureates' work has paved the way for a multitude of potential future applications such as flexible electronics, miniaturized sensors, slimmer solar cells, and encrypted quantum communication. Despite an early leak of the laureates' names by the Swedish Academy of Sciences, the award, amounting to 11 million Swedish kronor (£824,000), was unaffected. The laureates, all based in the US, were celebrated as “pioneers in the exploration of the nanoworld” by the Nobel committee for chemistry. The president of the American Chemical Society, Judith Giordan, also commended the laureates for transitioning their work from theory to practical application.

The laureates' diverse backgrounds further underline the global impact of their work. Bawendi, a Paris-born professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brus, a Cleveland-born professor at Columbia University, and Ekimov, a former Chief Scientist at Nanocrystals Technology Inc. born in the former USSR, have all made substantial contributions to nanotechnology.

The 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry thus stands as a testament to the power of scientific discovery and the limitless potential of nanotechnology. Prof Gill Reid, the president of the Royal Society of Chemistry, encapsulated this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives and teamwork in scientific advancements. As our world becomes increasingly reliant on technology, the work of these laureates underscores the infinite possibilities that lie within the exploration of the infinitesimal.

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02.10.2023
THEME: WORLD

Nobel Laureates' Revolutionary Work: The mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines

The year 2023 was a significant milestone in the scientific community as the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman. Their pioneering work in nucleoside base modifications led to the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, a monumental achievement in the face of a global health crisis.

Karikó, a Hungarian biochemist, and Weissman, an immunologist, embarked on their groundbreaking research in the early 1990s at the University of Pennsylvania. Their shared fascination with mRNA, the molecule that conveys genetic instructions from DNA to the cell's protein-making machinery, led them to a groundbreaking discovery. They found that dendritic cells, critical in immune surveillance, saw in vitro transcribed mRNA as foreign, triggering an inflammatory response. This response was nearly eradicated when base modifications were introduced into the mRNA, a revelation that reshaped our understanding of cellular recognition and response to different mRNA forms.

Their research, published in 2005, laid the groundwork for mRNA vaccines. Over the next years, they demonstrated that base-modified mRNA enhanced protein production significantly compared to unmodified mRNA. Initially overlooked, these findings became a cornerstone in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

By 2020, the world was grappling with the pandemic and desperate for a vaccine. Drawing on Karikó and Weissman's work, two base-modified mRNA vaccines encoding the SARS-CoV-2 surface protein were swiftly developed and approved by December 2020. These vaccines, manufactured by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, have been administered over 13 billion times globally, saving millions of lives and preventing severe disease in countless others.

Despite their monumental achievement, both Karikó and Weissman continue their careers in science. Karikó is a Professor at Szeged University in Hungary and an Adjunct Professor at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Weissman serves as the Roberts Family Professor in Vaccine Research and Director of the Penn Institute for RNA Innovations.

Their innovative work has not only been crucial in curbing COVID-19 but has also opened new avenues in medicine. The mRNA technology they developed is being examined for potential use against other diseases, including malaria, RSV, HIV, and cancer.

In 2023, the Nobel Prize committee recognized their revolutionary contribution by awarding them the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Their work has reshaped our understanding of mRNA's interaction with our immune system, leading to an unprecedented rate of vaccine development during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In summary, Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman's story epitomizes the power of scientific curiosity and perseverance. Their pioneering work has not only changed the world but also saved countless lives. Their story continues to inspire future scientists and offers a beacon of hope amidst global health crises.

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02.10.2023
THEME: WORLD

Slovakia's Political Dynamics in Flux: Implications of Robert Fico's Potential Fourth Term

The political landscape of Slovakia is undergoing a significant transformation as former Prime Minister Robert Fico initiates negotiations to form a coalition government. Fico's Smer-SD party, founded in 1999, secured nearly 23% of the votes in the recent elections, paving the way for his possible fourth term. Born on 15 September 1964, Fico, a former Communist party member, has emerged as a key player in Slovak politics, notably leading the country into the eurozone in 2009.

Fico's political career, however, has been marred by controversy. Despite his election victory in 2010, he failed to form a coalition and resigned in 2018 amidst protests over a journalist's murder. Fico's admiration for Putin and Hungary's leader, Viktor Orban, his resistance to aiding Ukraine against Russia, and criticism of sanctions against Moscow have drawn attention. His views on immigration, same-sex marriage, adoption, and his opposition to Covid pandemic measures such as masks, lockdowns, and vaccination have also been contentious.

As Fico begins coalition talks, political analysts anticipate he will seek alliances with the moderate Hlas and the nationalist, pro-Russian Slovak National party (SNS). This potential coalition could command a slim majority of 79 seats in the 150-seat Slovak parliament. Nevertheless, observers caution about potential threats to the rule of law, the judiciary, media, and minority rights under this coalition.

Fico's potential return to power could also influence Slovakia's foreign policy. The country's arms shipments to Ukraine might decelerate or halt entirely, and Slovakia may align more closely with Hungary's Viktor Orban, thereby challenging the EU’s consensus on military support for Kyiv, migration, and the green transition.

The election results have stirred diverse reactions. Progressive Slovakia (PS), a liberal and pro-Ukrainian party that secured 18% of the vote, has pledged to do everything possible to prevent Fico from governing. Slovakia's President, Zuzana Čaputová, who has tasked Fico with forming a government, has responded with restrained enthusiasm to his victory.

Fico's victory has also caused unease among European Union and NATO members due to his stance on Ukraine and his criticism of the EU and NATO. As a member of both NATO and the European Union, Slovakia has traditionally backed Ukraine and called for strong EU sanctions against Russia, a position that may shift under a Smer-SD-led government.

However, not all outlooks are bleak. Some analysts suggest that Fico may steer clear of damaging disputes with Slovakia's main EU and NATO partners, given the probable participation of the more moderate Hlas in the coalition.

With Fico's coalition negotiations underway, the future of Slovakia's political landscape is at a critical juncture. The outcomes of these discussions could have far-reaching implications for not only Slovakia but the entire European Union. Whether Fico will guide Slovakia towards a more nationalist, anti-western direction or strike a balance between pro-EU positions and his own rhetoric is yet to be determined. What is certain is that Slovakia's political future is embarking on a crucial new chapter.

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