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[13th October 2024] Interesting Things I Learnt This Week

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1. ROS : ROS (Robot Operating System) is a versatile open-source framework that simplifies robot development. It provides a modular architecture, robust communication mechanisms, and a vast ecosystem of tools and libraries. This comprehensive platform empowers developers to create efficient and innovative robotic systems, from hardware abstraction to high-level behavior control. ROS's flexibility and adaptability make it suitable for a wide range of robot applications, while its active community fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing. My Take:  I recently discovered ROS, which has been around since 2007. It's remarkable that such a powerful tool has existed for so long. Over the years, ROS has evolved into a comprehensive platform, offering a vast array of algorithms to simplify robot development. The ability to run ROS on Raspberry Pis further enhances its capabilities, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of robotic projects. 2. Should we be worried about vega

RIP Ratan Tata

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My career began with Tata Elxsi, right after completing my BE in Computer Science, marking a significant milestone in my career. It was my first taste of the corporate world, and while not everything was perfect, the experience I gained there has been invaluable. I'm particularly grateful to JRD Tata and Ratan Tata for his vision in establishing Tata Elxsi as a pure electronics and software technology services company. In a landscape dominated by consulting firms, Tata Elxsi's focus on technology and product innovation was refreshing. The company's history in India is a testament to its commitment to technological advancement. Founded in 1989 as a joint venture between the Tata Group and France's Thomson-CSF, Tata Elxsi has played a pioneering role in India's IT industry. Though what it started with and how is diversified into a variety of different fields is an amazing story by itself. He was the true visionaries who managed to build not just one but a spectrum of

[6th October 2024] Interesting Things I Learnt This Week

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 1. Stem cells reverse woman’s diabetes - Scientists have achieved a breakthrough in treating type 1 diabetes by using reprogrammed stem cells. A woman was successfully treated by receiving a transplant of these cells into her abdominal muscles. Following the transplant, she was able to maintain stable blood sugar levels without insulin for over a year. This is the first time such an approach has shown to be effective in reversing type 1 diabetes. While this is a promising development, more research is needed to confirm its long-term safety and efficacy in a larger group of people. My Take : This is a groundbreaking discovery. My father, along with millions of others, suffers from diabetes. Unfortunately, due to genetics, I'm likely to join them soon. However, this news offers hope not only for me but also for countless individuals who endure daily injections. I sincerely hope that the cost of this treatment remains affordable. Perhaps the government could intervene to ensure acce

[29th September 2024] Interesting Things I Learnt This Week

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 1. Google says it’s made a quantum computing breakthrough that reduces errors - Google researchers have made a breakthrough in quantum error correction, which could pave the way for useful quantum computers. The main challenge in quantum computing has been the high error rate of the hardware, which prevents them from executing long and useful algorithms. The new research demonstrates that it is possible to add components to reduce these errors, which was previously thought to be impossible due to engineering limitations. This bolsters the idea that error correction is a viable strategy for building a useful quantum computer. My Take : While these advancements may seem incremental, they are crucial for the development of quantum computers. However, it’s important to avoid overhyping their implications, as was the case with the early hype surrounding GenAI being AGI. Despite this, the progress made with GPTs represents a significant leap forward in the field of AI. Similarly, these rec

[22nd September 2024] Interesting Things I Learnt This Week

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1. The Genius Behind the Quantum Navigation Breakthrough - This is the World's First Unhackable Quantum GPS. Using the coldest atoms in the Universe, it may revolutionise the way we navigate. This Youtuber to got to go behind the scenes and see their device up close to try and understand just how important this breakthrough is. My Take : This video goes into more details about how quantum navigation works as well hits the home run in explaining why its really needed. I had also mentioned about Quantum Navigation in a previous post where IEEE had covered it. This video goes to explain more details of it and if you are a physics nerd, you would enjoy it.   2. Forget ChatGPT: why researchers now run small AIs on their laptops -  This article talks about the different small and locally runnable LLMs which various scientists are using for not just poetry but also for medicine. The locally runnable LLMs have the distinct advantage of preserving privacy, fine tuning using the open weig

[15th September 2024] Interesting Things I Learnt This Week

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 1. Our Memories Are Stored in Triplicate - This is an article about how the brain stores memories. It discusses what part of the brain is involved in memory storage and how different types of neurons are involved. The article also discusses how memories can change over time. Some important points are that memories are stored in multiple copies and that different copies are used for different purposes. Also, early-born neurons are involved in long-term memory and late-born neurons are involved in short-term memory. My Take : The research on the brain is fascinating, as it delves into the least understood part of our body. It reminded me of the 3-2-1 backup rule for data, emphasizing the importance of preserving memories. The most intriguing aspect is how memories can evolve over time, a phenomenon we all experience to some degree, particularly when reflecting on past experiences. 2. The Illustrated AlphaFold - This is an article about how AlphaFold3 works. It discusses the goals of t

[8th September 2024] Interesting Things I Learnt This Week

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1. A Single Gold Bar Is Worth $1 Million for the First Time in History - It discusses why the price has gone up and what this means for the future. The price of a single gold bar has recently reached $1 million for the first time ever. This is because gold is seen as a safe investment during times of economic uncertainty. The article predicts that the price of gold will keep going up. My Take : Gold has always been seen as a safe investment in India. We have seen the Gold Bond which were introduced by Government of India which has become too popular to be supported by GoI. E-Gold is a safe way to keep gold especially since for folks who are buying to for purely investment purpose and not holding black money in India. I hope that the space becomes more reliable and competitive. Though folks would say that Gold does not give the best returns always, which is true but the fact also is that it provides safety in terms of investment unlike stock market, at least till we are able to create