Professor Mike Scott will present a seminar at the Technology Innovation Institute's Cryptography Research Centre in the UAE. The seminar will focus on the challenges of keeping secrets safe from attackers in the context of cryptography. It will review proposed solutions, discuss use cases, and present a promising new approach. Why it matters: This seminar indicates TII's ongoing research and development efforts in advanced cryptography, a crucial area for secure digital infrastructure in the UAE and beyond.
KAUST and EPFL Blue Brain Project researchers propose a new theory about a 'secret language' used by cells for internal communication regarding the external world. Using a computational model, they suggest that metabolic pathways can code details about neuromodulators that stimulate energy consumption. The model focuses on astrocytes and their cooperation with neurons in fueling the brain. Why it matters: This suggests a new avenue for understanding information processing in the brain and how cells contribute to the energy efficiency of brains compared to computers.
The paper introduces SectEval, a new benchmark to evaluate sectarian biases in LLMs concerning Sunni and Shia Islam, available in English and Hindi. Results show significant inconsistencies in LLM responses based on language, with some models favoring Shia responses in English but Sunni in Hindi. Location-based experiments further reveal that advanced models adapt their responses based on the user's claimed country, while smaller models exhibit a consistent Sunni-leaning bias.
KAUST researchers have published a study in Nature Genetics detailing genomic analysis of wild rice relatives. The study examined nine tetraploid and two diploid wild relatives of rice, finding significant genetic diversity due to transposable elements. This diversity includes genes that confer resilience to heat, drought, and salinity. Why it matters: These findings can help improve rice yields, introduce rice cultivation to currently untenable regions, and protect rice crops against climate change, especially in the Middle East.
Communications Physics journal has a focus collection on space quantum communications. The collection covers supporting technologies, new quantum protocols, inter-satellite QKD, constellations of satellites, and quantum inspired technologies and protocols for space based communication. Contributions are welcome from October 20, 2020 to April 30, 2021, and accepted papers are published on a rolling basis. Why it matters: Space-based quantum communication is a critical area for developing secure, global quantum networks, and this collection could highlight relevant research for the GCC region as it invests in advanced technologies.
Prof. Daniel Panario gave a seminar on irreducible polynomials over finite fields and their applications in cryptography. The seminar covered how finite fields are used as basic components in many cryptographic applications. It surveyed families of irreducible polynomials and commented on their properties. Why it matters: The talk highlights the mathematical foundations and ongoing research relevant to cryptographic implementations in the region.
KAUST and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) have partnered to develop a new method using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to detect adulterants in olive oil. The method aims to identify and quantify vegetable oils mixed with olive oil, addressing concerns about the mislabeling of olive oil in the Saudi market. KAUST's comprehensive suite of NMR machines was critical for the project. Why it matters: This collaboration enhances food safety and quality control in Saudi Arabia, a major olive oil importer, and helps to ensure consumers receive authentic, high-quality products.