Big Science: Fusion, Cancer, and AIs
Dec. 18th, 2022 01:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tcpipAs 2022 comes to a close once again the utility of scientific research becomes evident, through incremental progress and the occasional breakthrough. One such big breakthrough in recent days was successful fusion ignition at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; more power was produced than what was put in. True, it was a very minor proof, and there was significant energy put into the lasers to begin with, but it should not be understated - fusion energy would provide abundant, cheap, and safe energy - if the hard limiting issues of temperature, pressure, and duration can be resolved. This success is much more significant than, say, the successful "artificial sun" from China's Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak in 2018, or the generator from the first stellarator at Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in 2015.
This year has also witnessed a succession of interesting discoveries and inventions in cancer research. The application of dostarlimab, used to treat endometrial cancer, resulted in all 12 people being treated at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) with rectal cancer tumors being cured. Although this is a small trial, it is something that has never happened in the history of cancer. Also, the University of Texas Dallas synthesized a novel compound called ERX-41 that has shown promise in eliminating a broad spectrum of hard-to-treat cancer cells, including triple-negative breast cancer. Just a few days ago, a Moderna mRNA melanoma vaccine with personalised treatment reduces recurrence or death by 44% compared to
immunotherapy drug alone - the cookers won't like that one.
To finish the trilogy, one cannot help but notice the explosion of interest in AI over the past few weeks in social media. In part, this has been due to the excitement and concerns around AI-generated art. For many consumers, it has been a toy for many artists they have become nervous, and my favourite gaming company, Chaosium, has released a statement banning AI-generated art in their books. I am not convinced by their reasoning, but I certainly understand the motivation. As an alternative, I am interested in comparison that various programming forums are largely enthusiastic with tools like OpenAI in producing fairly reasonable code, and an explanation, all faster than StackOverflow, for example. I wonder whether the "procedural music" being produced by 65dos (No Man's Sky, Wreckage Systems) counts? Either way, it makes for an interesting space to watch, and I will stick to the argument that inevitably anything that can be automated will be automated. This does mean a challenge to the value of labour and the ownership of capital, and it will mean a challenge to for human beings in their own inventiveness, creativity, etc.
This year has also witnessed a succession of interesting discoveries and inventions in cancer research. The application of dostarlimab, used to treat endometrial cancer, resulted in all 12 people being treated at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) with rectal cancer tumors being cured. Although this is a small trial, it is something that has never happened in the history of cancer. Also, the University of Texas Dallas synthesized a novel compound called ERX-41 that has shown promise in eliminating a broad spectrum of hard-to-treat cancer cells, including triple-negative breast cancer. Just a few days ago, a Moderna mRNA melanoma vaccine with personalised treatment reduces recurrence or death by 44% compared to
immunotherapy drug alone - the cookers won't like that one.
To finish the trilogy, one cannot help but notice the explosion of interest in AI over the past few weeks in social media. In part, this has been due to the excitement and concerns around AI-generated art. For many consumers, it has been a toy for many artists they have become nervous, and my favourite gaming company, Chaosium, has released a statement banning AI-generated art in their books. I am not convinced by their reasoning, but I certainly understand the motivation. As an alternative, I am interested in comparison that various programming forums are largely enthusiastic with tools like OpenAI in producing fairly reasonable code, and an explanation, all faster than StackOverflow, for example. I wonder whether the "procedural music" being produced by 65dos (No Man's Sky, Wreckage Systems) counts? Either way, it makes for an interesting space to watch, and I will stick to the argument that inevitably anything that can be automated will be automated. This does mean a challenge to the value of labour and the ownership of capital, and it will mean a challenge to for human beings in their own inventiveness, creativity, etc.
no subject
Date: 2022-12-19 06:49 am (UTC)A: There are many ways that human resources could be harnessed to improve quality of life for all. Some ideas might include:
Investing in education and training programs to help people develop the skills they need to succeed in the workforce and contribute to their communities.
Encouraging workplace diversity and inclusion to create more welcoming and supportive environments for all employees.
Providing access to affordable healthcare and other benefits that can help employees maintain their physical and mental well-being.
Implementing work-life balance initiatives, such as flexible work schedules and telecommuting options, to help employees manage their personal and professional responsibilities more effectively.
Promoting work-place safety to prevent injuries and accidents, and providing support for employees who may be struggling with mental health issues or other challenges.
Supporting employee development and growth through mentorship and leadership development programs.
Offering fair compensation and benefits packages that recognize and reward the contributions of employees.
Overall, there are many ways that human resources can be leveraged to improve quality of life for all, and it's important for organizations to consider a variety of strategies and approaches to ensure that they are meeting the needs of their employees and contributing to the well-being of their communities.