Olympics inspire research. From urban pollution (Beijing 2008), to sprawl of security (London 2012), to relationships between athletes and coaches, Olympics are a catalyst for research in a variety of fields, with social sciences, medicine and engineering taking the pedestal. Nature
Quantum computer getting closer. Researchers at the University of Oxford have achieved a quantum logic gate with record-breaking 99.9% precision, reaching the benchmark required theoretically to build a quantum computer. Phys.org
Portable system to produce drugs on demand. Particularly relevant in remote locations and disaster areas, the new portable system might soon be able to produce on-demand small batches of medicines and vaccines. Fortune.
Female orgasm an evolutionary holdover. Women don’t need to have an orgasm to ovulate or to conceive, but hormonal changes that accompany intercourse persist and make intercourse more fun. Why? Just for old time’s sake. Journal of Experimental Zoology
ITMO makes Nature Index 2016 Rising Stars. Nature highlighted ITMO University in its Index 2016 Rising Stars and noted that ITMO “saw a leap of 184% in its WFC,” referring to the scientific publications index. It also featured an ITMO photo to represent scientific progress in all of Russia. Nature.
Photo credit: Nature
