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@quantumcomputingreport.com
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Quantum Computing Report
, AI News | VentureBeat
NVIDIA is significantly advancing quantum and AI research through strategic collaborations and cutting-edge technology. The company is partnering with Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) to launch ABCI-Q, a new supercomputing system focused on hybrid quantum-classical computing. This research-focused system is designed to support large-scale operations, utilizing the power of 2,020 NVIDIA H100 GPUs interconnected with NVIDIA’s Quantum-2 InfiniBand platform. The ABCI-Q system will be hosted at the newly established Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI Technology (G-QuAT).
The ABCI-Q infrastructure integrates CUDA-Q, an open-source platform that orchestrates large-scale quantum-classical computing, enabling researchers to simulate and accelerate quantum applications. This hybrid setup combines GPU-based simulation with physical quantum processors from vendors such as Fujitsu (superconducting qubits), QuEra (neutral atom qubits), and OptQC (photonic qubits). This modular architecture will allow for testing quantum error correction, developing algorithms, and refining co-design strategies, which are all critical for future quantum systems. The system serves as a testbed for evaluating quantum-GPU workflows and advancing practical use cases across multiple hardware modalities. NVIDIA is also expanding its presence in Taiwan, powering a new supercomputer at the National Center for High-Performance Computing (NCHC). This supercomputer is projected to deliver eight times the AI performance compared to the center's previous Taiwania 2 system. The new supercomputer will feature NVIDIA HGX H200 systems with over 1,700 GPUs, two NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 rack-scale systems, and an NVIDIA HGX B300 system built on the NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra platform, all interconnected by NVIDIA Quantum InfiniBand networking. This enhanced infrastructure is expected to significantly boost research in AI development, climate science, and quantum computing, fostering technological autonomy and global AI leadership for Taiwan. Recommended read:
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@crypto.ku.edu.tr
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Koç University's Cryptography, Security & Privacy Research Group is offering scholarships and internships in the field of cryptography, security, and privacy, including positions at the post-doctoral level. These opportunities are available for Ph.D. and M.Sc. students, as well as post-doctoral researchers interested in contributing to cutting-edge research. The project funding is specifically related to applied cryptography, with a focus on privacy-preserving and adversarial machine learning. This initiative aims to foster talent and innovation in these critical areas of computer science and engineering.
The research group is also offering summer internships to undergraduates and graduates to improve their research skills and plan to attend graduate school. This experience can help them decide if they want to pursue graduate education or a research career. The program is available for international students, which takes place between June 30 and August 15th. The application deadline is May 16, 2025 and the applications opened March 12, 2025. The Koç University Summer Research Program is also open to motivated high school students. The program aims to help students experience a university environment, gather information on undergraduate areas they would like to study, and learn how to conduct academic research. Applicants must have completed Year 8. All applicants should have good academic standings and be sufficient in English Language as the medium of instruction is English. Recommended read:
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@quantumcomputingreport.com
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Metadata
, Quantum Computing Report
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Universities worldwide are engaging in a diverse range of mathematics-related activities, from exploring quantum communication to using origami for hands-on learning. Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh recently inaugurated a £2.5 million ($3.3 million USD) Optical Ground Station (HOGS) to foster advancements in satellite-based quantum-secure communication. This facility, equipped with a 70-cm precision telescope, aims to conduct quantum key distribution (QKD) experiments with satellites, monitor space debris, and test high-speed optical communications for next-generation networks. The project is a significant step in the UK's ambition to establish a quantum-secure internet, offering a unique platform for industry and academia to collaborate on secure communications across various sectors.
HOGS is connected to Heriot-Watt’s quantum labs via dark fibre, enabling real-time simulation and validation of optical quantum networks. This infrastructure will serve as a valuable R&D platform for secure communications in financial services, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, aiming to mitigate the UK's estimated £27 billion annual cost of cybercrime. The university also intends to expand Scotland’s space economy and workforce through partnerships and STEM programs, emphasizing the educational outreach aspect of the new facility. The Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) Hub also considers the station part of Heriot-Watt's role as a leader in the development of quantum-secure communications. Meanwhile, ETH Zürich is promoting practical mathematics through its goMATH funding program, exemplified by the Origami Challenge. ETH students visited schools to introduce origami mathematics in a fun and engaging way, encouraging pupils to create geometric origami artworks from paper without using glue. This initiative aims to make mathematics more accessible and enjoyable for young students. At the TLA+ Community Event in Hamilton, Ontario, discussions revolved around integrating TLA+ into tooling for fuzzers, trace validators, and compilers, emphasizing its evolving role beyond just specifications. Attendees observed that TLA+ is increasingly being used to build bridges from models to real-world applications. Recommended read:
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@thequantuminsider.com
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Heriot-Watt University has launched a £2.5 million Optical Ground Station (HOGS) at its Research Park in Edinburgh, marking a significant advancement in satellite-based quantum-secure communication. The facility, developed under the UK Quantum Communications Hub, features a 70-cm precision telescope equipped with adaptive optics and quantum detectors. This investment positions Heriot-Watt at the forefront of quantum communication research and development.
The HOGS facility will enable quantum key distribution (QKD) experiments with satellites, facilitating secure communication channels resistant to future decryption by quantum computers. The station is equipped to monitor space debris and test ultra-high-speed optical communications for next-generation networks. This is the UK’s first major infrastructure investment in free-space quantum key distribution research, as it will serve as a testbed for space-to-ground optical links that use quantum-secure protocols to exchange encryption keys via single photons. The project marks a major step in the UK’s efforts to build a quantum-secure internet, offering a unique testbed for industry and academia. Connected via dark fibre to Heriot-Watt’s quantum labs, HOGS enables real-time simulation and validation of urban to intercontinental optical quantum networks. HOGS is part of Heriot-Watt’s leadership in the new Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) Hub, positioning the university as a central player in the development of quantum-secure communications. The facility aims to grow Scotland’s space economy and future workforce, partnering with universities, national laboratories, and businesses, including STEM programs for students. Recommended read:
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Carl Franzen@AI News | VentureBeat
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Microsoft has announced the release of Phi-4-reasoning-plus, a new small, open-weight language model designed for advanced reasoning tasks. Building upon the architecture of the previously released Phi-4, this 14-billion parameter model integrates supervised fine-tuning and reinforcement learning to achieve strong performance on complex problems. According to Microsoft, the Phi-4 reasoning models outperform larger language models on several demanding benchmarks, despite their compact size. This new model pushes the limits of small AI, demonstrating that carefully curated data and training techniques can lead to impressive reasoning capabilities.
The Phi-4 reasoning family, consisting of Phi-4-reasoning, Phi-4-reasoning-plus, and Phi-4-mini-reasoning, is specifically trained to handle complex reasoning tasks in mathematics, scientific domains, and software-related problem solving. Phi-4-reasoning-plus, in particular, extends supervised fine-tuning with outcome-based reinforcement learning, which is targeted for improved performance in high-variance tasks such as competition-level mathematics. All models are designed to enable reasoning capabilities, especially on lower-performance hardware such as mobile devices. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella revealed that AI is now contributing to 30% of Microsoft's code. The open weight models were released with transparent training details and evaluation logs, including benchmark design, and are hosted on Hugging Face for reproducibility and public access. The model has been released under a permissive MIT license, enabling its use for broad commercial and enterprise applications, and fine-tuning or distillation, without restriction. Recommended read:
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@physics.mit.edu
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arstechnica.com
, physics.mit.edu
NASA astronaut Chris Williams, who earned a doctorate in physics from MIT in 2012, is set to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on a Russian Soyuz rocket no earlier than November 2025. The rookie astronaut, a member of NASA's 23rd astronaut class, will join cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev aboard the Soyuz MS-28, launching from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Williams will spend approximately eight months on the ISS as part of Expedition 74, serving as a flight engineer and continuing ongoing microgravity investigations into the effects of spaceflight.
This mission marks Williams' first assignment to space after completing his training. Prior to joining NASA, Williams completed a Medical Physics Residency training at Harvard Medical School and conducted research as a clinical physicist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. His selection for the Soyuz MS-28 mission follows the recent launch of fellow classmate Nichole Ayers on SpaceX's Crew-10 mission and the selection of Andre Douglas as part of NASA's Artemis 2 backup crew. The MS-28 crew will replace the MS-27 astronauts, including NASA's Jonny Kim, who arrived at the ISS in April. Separately, a new physics model has been developed to analyze the intricacies of bowling and determine the optimal conditions for achieving strikes. The model utilizes six differential equations relating to a rotating rigid body. This research considers several factors that influence a bowling ball's trajectory, including the composition and application of oil on bowling lanes, as well as the inherent asymmetries of bowling balls. The team of physicists involved in the study includes individuals with a strong background in bowling, including one who serves as a coach for Team England at the European Youth Championships. The study aims to move beyond statistical analysis of empirical data and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the physics behind bowling. Recommended read:
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Miranda Martinengo@Istituto Grothendieck
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Recent developments in the mathematics community showcase notable achievements and career advancements. Ryuya Hora, a doctoral scholar from the University of Tokyo specializing in topos theory and automata theory applications, has been appointed Research Associate of the Centre for Topos Theory and its Applications (CTTA). He is scheduled to collaborate with Olivia Caramello and other researchers at the Centre in Paris between April and June 2025. His appointment signifies a valuable addition to the field, with opportunities to follow his work, including his talk at the "Toposes in Mondovì" conference.
Cesare Tronci has been promoted to Professor of Mathematics at the University of Surrey, effective April 1, 2025. This promotion acknowledges his contributions to the field, and further information about his research can be found on his website. Also at the University of Surrey, Jessica Furber has successfully defended her PhD thesis, "Mathematical Analysis of Fine-Scale Badger Movement Data," marking the completion of her doctoral studies. Her external examiner was Prof Yuliya Kyrychko from Sussex, and the internal examiner was Dr Joaquin Prada from the Vet School, Surrey. In related news, the Mathematics Division at Stellenbosch University in South Africa is seeking a new permanent appointee at the Lecturer or Senior Lecturer level, with consideration potentially given to other levels under specific circumstances. While preference will be given to candidates working in number theory or a related area, applications from those in other areas of mathematics will also be considered. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2025, with detailed information available in the official advertisement. Recommended read:
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Tom Bridges@blogs.surrey.ac.uk
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Computational Complexity
Mathematical research and discoveries have been highlighted recently through several avenues. Vanderbilt University is hosting a series of workshops focused on "Groups in Geometry, Analysis and Logic," emphasizing the central role of group theory in mathematics and its connections to other fields. The workshops aim to foster collaboration and provide educational opportunities for graduate students and early-career mathematicians. The initial workshop, scheduled for May 28 through June 1, 2025, will specifically address Groups in Logic. In other news, Cesare Tronci delivered a PAP/MAS Colloquium at Nanyang Technological University on "Koopman trajectories in nonadiabatic quantum-classical dynamics."
The mathematical community is also celebrating the 238th Carnival of Mathematics, organized by Aperiodical. This event showcases a variety of mathematical art and engaging content. This month's carnival dives into the number 238, noting it is 2 × 7 × 17, the sum of the first 13 primes, and a "triprime." The community has contributed interesting facts about 238, including its connection to Uranium-238 and its representation as "EE" in Hex. The carnival also highlights mathematical blog posts and activities, such as Peter Cameron's reflections on compactness and government censorship in research, and Jeremy Kun's announcement of a new book on practical math for programmers. In related news, PDQ Shor, described as the smarter brother of Peter Shor and a Physicist/Computer Scientist/Mathematician/Astrologer/Psychic, has reportedly passed away. Known for his concept of unnatural proofs and contributions to quantum computing theory, PDQ Shor is credited with creating the perpetual Turing machine and reverse engineering his brother’s quantum space work. Despite his contributions to the field, there are some discrepancies with his actual existence and this could be an April Fools day joke. Recommended read:
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@sciencedaily.com
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Recent advancements in quantum computing research have yielded promising results. Researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, along with collaborators from Huzhou University in China, have discovered a method to shield quantum information from environmental disruptions, potentially leading to more reliable quantum technologies. This breakthrough involves manipulating quantum wave functions to preserve quantum information, which could enhance medical imaging, improve AI diagnostics, and strengthen data security by providing ultra-secure communication.
UK startup Phasecraft has announced a new algorithm, THRIFT, that improves the ability of quantum computers to model new materials and chemicals by a factor of 10. By optimizing quantum simulation, THRIFT enables scientists to model new materials and chemicals faster and more accurately, even on today’s slower machines. Furthermore, Oxford researchers have demonstrated a 25-nanosecond controlled-Z gate with 99.8% fidelity, combining high speed and accuracy in a simplified superconducting circuit. This achievement advances fault-tolerant quantum computing by improving raw gate performance without relying heavily on error correction or added hardware. Recommended read:
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Terence Tao@What's new
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beuke.org
, What's new
Terence Tao has recently uploaded a paper to the arXiv titled "Decomposing a factorial into large factors." The paper explores a mathematical quantity, denoted as t(N), which represents the largest value such that N! can be factorized into t(N) factors, with each factor being at least N. This concept, initially introduced by Erdös, delves into how equitably a factorial can be split into its constituent factors.
Erdös initially conjectured that an upper bound on t(N) was asymptotically sharp, implying that factorials could be split into factors of nearly uniform size for large N. However, a purported proof by Erdös, Selfridge, and Straus was lost, leading to the assertion becoming a conjecture. The paper establishes bounds on t(N), recovering a previously lost result. Further conjectures were made by Guy and Selfridge, exploring whether relationships held true for all values of N. On March 30th, mathematical enthusiasts celebrated facts related to the number 89. Eighty-nine is a Fibonacci prime, and patterns emerge when finding it's reciprocal. Also, the number 89 can be obtained by a summation of the first 5 integers to the power of the first 5 Fibonacci numbers. 89 is also related to Armstrong numbers, which are numbers that are the sum of their digits raised to the number of digits in the number. Recommended read:
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Webb Wright@Quanta Magazine
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The Quantum Insider
, Quanta Magazine
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Researchers are making significant strides in reducing the costs associated with quantum randomness, a crucial element for cryptography and simulations. Traditionally, obtaining true quantum randomness has been complex and expensive. However, the exploration of "pseudorandomness" offers a practical alternative, allowing researchers to utilize computational algorithms that mimic randomness, thus sidestepping the high costs of pure quantum randomness. This development broadens the accessibility of randomness, enabling researchers to pursue new scientific investigations.
The team from JPMorganChase, Quantinuum, multiple national labs, and UT Austin demonstrated a certified quantum randomness protocol. They showcased the first successful demonstration of a quantum computing method to generate certified randomness. Using a 56-qubit quantum machine, they output more randomness than they initially put in. What makes this truly remarkable is that this feat is considered impossible for even the most powerful classical supercomputers. This groundbreaking achievement could open new doors for quantum computing and cryptography research. Recommended read:
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@NASA
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NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has peered into the early Universe, observing galaxies from just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang. With its unique infrared sensitivity, JWST allows researchers to examine these ancient galaxies and uncover secrets from the Universe's formative years. The telescope's NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) played a key role in these observations.
An international team of astronomers has identified bright hydrogen emission from a galaxy, JADES-GS-z13-1, at an unexpectedly early time. This distant galaxy, observed just 330 million years after the Big Bang, has a redshift (z) of 13, indicating its age and distance. This discovery challenges existing understanding of how light could have pierced the thick fog of neutral hydrogen that filled space at that time. Recommended read:
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Matt Marshall@AI News | VentureBeat
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Microsoft Security Blog
, www.zdnet.com
Microsoft is enhancing its Copilot Studio platform with AI-driven improvements, introducing deep reasoning capabilities that enable agents to tackle intricate problems through methodical thinking and combining AI flexibility with deterministic business process automation. The company has also unveiled specialized deep reasoning agents for Microsoft 365 Copilot, named Researcher and Analyst, to help users achieve tasks more efficiently. These agents are designed to function like personal data scientists, processing diverse data sources and generating insights through code execution and visualization.
Microsoft's focus includes securing AI and using it to bolster security measures, as demonstrated by the upcoming Microsoft Security Copilot agents and new security features. Microsoft aims to provide an AI-first, end-to-end security platform that helps organizations secure their future, one example being the AI agents designed to autonomously assist with phishing, data security, and identity management. The Security Copilot tool will automate routine tasks, allowing IT and security staff to focus on more complex issues, aiding in defense against cyberattacks. Recommended read:
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Tom Bridges@blogs.surrey.ac.uk
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Recent activity in the mathematical community has highlighted the enduring fascination with mathematical constants and visual representations of mathematical concepts. A blog post on March 23, 2025, discussed a remarkably accurate approximation for pi, noting that π ≈ 3 log(640320) / √163 is exact within the limits of floating-point arithmetic, achieving accuracy to 15 decimal places. This discovery builds upon historical efforts to approximate pi, from ancient Babylonian and Egyptian calculations to Archimedes' method of exhaustion and the achievements of Chinese mathematicians like Liu Hui and Zu Chongzhi.
Visual insights in mathematics continue to be explored. A blog called Visual Insight shares striking images that help explain topics in mathematics. The creator gave a talk about it at the Illustrating Math Seminar. The blog features images created by people such as Refurio Anachro, Greg Egan, and Roice Nelson, and individual articles are available on the AMS website. Recommended read:
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Tom Bridges@blogs.surrey.ac.uk
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Joel David Hamkins
Professor Dame Alison Etheridge from Oxford University, who is also the first President of the Academy for the Mathematical Sciences and former Chair of the REF mathematical sciences sub-panel, visited Mathematics at Surrey on March 7, 2025. She presented a colloquium talk titled "The forwards and backwards of population models," discussing a class of models suitable for modelling plant populations, which includes a novel explicit modelling of the juvenile phase and its implications for inferring data from genetics.
Tom Bridges visited the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences in New York on March 5, 2025, for research interaction with Yuri Latushkin. Their work focused on various research problems related to the Maslov index, Fredholm operators, and the stability of solitary waves. Additionally, Joel David Hamkins is scheduled to present a talk on modal model theory at the Panglobal Algebra and Logic Seminar at the University of Colorado Boulder on March 12, 2025, which will be available live on Zoom. The International Conference of Numerical Analysis and Applied Mathematics (ICNAAM) 2025 features a session on "Mathematical modeling applied to epidemics and the spread of bioaerosols indoors." Organized by António F. Miguel and Murat Aydin, this session highlights the importance of mathematical modeling in predicting, assessing, and controlling disease outbreaks, with a focus on indoor viral bioaerosol transmission patterns. ICNAAM aims to gather leading scientists in numerical and applied mathematics to discuss original research. Recommended read:
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@phys.org
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mathoverflow.net
, medium.com
Recent mathematical research is pushing the boundaries of theoretical understanding across various domains. One area of focus involves solving the least squares problem, particularly with rank constraints. A specific problem involves minimizing a function with a rank constraint and the quest for efficient solutions to these constrained optimization challenges remains a significant area of investigation.
This also involves a three-level exploration into a "mathematics-driven universe," questioning whether math is discovered or invented, and delving into the philosophical implications of mathematics in modern physics. Furthermore, mathematicians are employing topology to investigate the shape of the universe. This includes exploring possible 2D and 3D spaces to better understand the cosmos we inhabit, hinting at intriguing and surprising possibilities that could change our understanding of reality. Recommended read:
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@Department of mathematics
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www.ams.org
, ams.org
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The American Mathematical Society (AMS) is actively advocating for mathematics, particularly concerning the National Science Foundation (NSF). The AMS has started a page to coordinate support for professional mathematics, focusing on executive orders impacting the NSF. Recently, the NSF has seen significant changes, including the firing of 168 employees, which raises concerns about the potential impact on quantum funding and artificial intelligence research. These layoffs, occurring in response to a presidential executive order aimed at reducing the federal workforce, have affected both probationary employees and part-time experts in physics-related fields.
The AMS provides tools for the mathematical community to engage with government representatives, ensuring that the voices of mathematicians are heard in policy discussions. The AMS also actively supports mathematics on a global stage, as demonstrated by the US team earning third place at the 2025 Romanian Master of Mathematics, a challenging international high school mathematics competition, with team members earning individual awards. Penn State also rose in the NSF Higher Education Research and Development rankings. The AMS is dedicated to advancing research and connecting the diverse global mathematical community through publications, meetings and conferences, MathSciNet, professional services, advocacy, and awareness programs. Recommended read:
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Blogs
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