This week

• An app created by MIT aimed at combating coronavirus while safeguarding privacy... I've installed it, hoping it helps.
• Nuclear fusion is gaining momentum in the U.S. with a new report that could enhance research efforts... fingers crossed for success!
• Researchers are looking to nature to develop a chip capable of sensing... often imitated but NEVER duplicated.
• Some hackers have declared a ceasefire with healthcare institutions... generous, but not all share the same morals.
• Cryptocurrency values are dropping alongside financial markets... is Bitcoin truly the safe haven its creators promised?
• Lastly, a refreshing note on Euler... or the elegance of mathematics showcased through his solution to the Basel problem.

Innovation & Startup

This MIT and Harvard-Built App Could Slow the Spread of Coronavirus — futurism.com

HERE'S THE CONCEPT: Everyone installs an application, and anyone who tests positive for coronavirus presses a button — notifying others they've come into contact with. It sounds fantastic in theory, yet practical challenges arise, especially regarding privacy and user uptake. Will it be effective? A talented team from MIT, Harvard, Mayo Clinic, Google, and Facebook is investigating this.

Fusion researchers support push for pilot power plant in the U.S. — news.mit.edu

The urgency surrounding fusion technology for energy generation in the U.S. has intensified this week with the release of a consensus report from a diverse group of researchers across academia, government labs, and industry. Among its suggestions is the establishment of a pilot fusion power plant, marking a significant milestone toward a U.S. fusion energy sector.

This report is the first of its kind in nearly two decades, resulting from an unprecedented 15-month collaboration, identifying key scientific requirements to bridge knowledge gaps in fusion, fostering the ambition to make it a viable energy source. It will guide the U.S. Department of Energy's Fusion Energy Science Advisory Committee (FESAC) as it embarks on a new strategic planning phase for its fusion energy research program.

If successfully developed, fusion could revolutionize the global energy landscape, providing safe, plentiful, and carbon-free electricity.

Artificial Intelligence

A new computer chip mimics the neurocircuitry of our noses to smell — www.technologyreview.com

A novel chip has been designed to replicate the olfactory neurocircuitry. Recently, a paper published in Nature introduced a neuromorphic chip that emulates the structure and functions of the olfactory bulb. Intel researchers created a silicon-based electrical circuit inspired by neural pathways activated during odor processing in animals. An algorithm was then developed to reflect the electrical signal propagation within this circuit.

This combination of algorithm and chip can effectively distinguish 10 distinct "smells," using data from 72 different chemical sensors, with significantly fewer training samples than traditional neural networks on standard chips. This showcases the potential for more data-efficient AI through neuromorphic computing.

Cybersecurity

Ransomware Gangs to Stop Attacking Health Orgs During Pandemic — www.bleepingcomputer.com

Certain ransomware operators have announced they will refrain from targeting health and medical organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently, BleepingComputer reached out to operators of Maze, DoppelPaymer, Ryuk, Sodinokibi/REvil, PwndLocker, and Ako Ransomware to inquire about their plans regarding health organizations during the outbreak.

Here are the responses from two of them. It remains to be seen if they will uphold their commitment.

Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies

Coronavirus is forcing fans of Bitcoin to realize it’s not a “safe haven” after all — www.technologyreview.com

The pandemic is leading Bitcoin advocates to understand that it may not be a "safe haven" after all.

Financial markets are in turmoil due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, if you've engaged with Bitcoin enthusiasts, you've likely heard that cryptocurrencies were designed for turbulent times and serve as a refuge during market crashes.

Regrettably, Bitcoin—and indeed the entire cryptocurrency market—has plummeted alongside the stock market (though it has seen a rebound in the past day). Is Bitcoin truly a safe haven? Despite appearing to have failed its most significant test, the discussion is likely to continue, reminding us that we are still defining what Bitcoin represents.

Science

On the Beauty of Math — towardsdatascience.com

The Basel problem, first posed in 1650 by Italian mathematician Pietro Mengoli, was resolved by Euler in 1734, earning him immediate fame. This problem seeks the sum of the inverses of the squares of natural numbers.

Many notable mathematicians have attempted to derive a formula for this sum. Among them are John Wallis and the illustrious Gottfried Leibniz, both of whom did not succeed. Euler solved it at the young age of 28, and the nature of his solution surprised the mathematical community. His initial proof, while not entirely rigorous, was remarkable for its beauty, simplicity, and originality.