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Nature Physics, Published online: 17 January 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-023-02334-7

Using the valley degree of freedom in analogy to spin to encode qubits could be advantageous as many of the known decoherence mechanisms do not apply. Now long relaxation times are demonstrated for valley qubits in bilayer graphene quantum dots.

Nature Physics, Published online: 17 January 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-023-02332-9

The strengths of connections in networks of neurons are heavy-tailed, with some neurons connected much more strongly than most. Now a simple network model can explain how this heavy-tailed connectivity emerges across four different species.

Nature Physics, Published online: 17 January 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-023-02328-5

Coherence between rotational states of polar molecules has previously been limited by light shifts in optical traps. A magic-wavelength trap is able to maximize the coherence time and enables the observation of tunable dipolar interactions.

Nature Physics, Published online: 17 January 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-023-02330-x

Topological features such as modularity and small-worldness are common in real-world networks. The emergence of such features may be driven by a trade-off between information exchange and response diversity that resembles thermodynamic efficiency.

BioDynaMo: cutting-edge software helps battle cancer

Choosing the right cancer treatment is a massive undertaking involving multiple stages, high experimental complexity and significant costs. Currently, two main methods are used to find the best possible treatment solutions: in vitro testing and clinical trials. However, predicting the drug effects on each individual patient remains the Holy Grail of personalised medicine.

Born from CERN openlab in the CERN IT department, BioDynaMo is an innovative tool for “in silico” testing, i.e. experimentation carried out on a computer. Based on mathematical models, it creates and runs complex 3D computer simulations that help understand cancer progression and identify the most effective treatment strategies for specific tumour cases.

In a recent scientific publication, scientists affiliated with CERN, the Technical University of Munich and the University of Texas at Austin demonstrated the significant potential of advancing medical therapy with the help of BioDynaMo. The model successfully replicates medical data on recorded tumour growth and the effects of two anti-cancer drugs, Doxorubicin and Trastuzumab. By fitting the BioDynaMo models to the available pre-clinical data, scientists proved the platform’s ability to simulate different levels of efficacy of various drugs, treatment combinations and dosage regimens.

BioDynaMo is an open source project that strives to provide the most efficient and performant simulation platform for agent-based models. It accommodates a diverse range of use cases and can address research questions in oncology, neuroscience, epidemiology and many more disciplines. With its ability to simulate almost two billion agents (or cells), BioDynaMo is a powerful tool for analysing many different complex systems. Since 2015, BioDynaMo's consortium of scientists has been working on developing and optimising the engine, improving its performance and usability. For more information, click here.

The BioDynaMo project is funded with the support of CERN’s budget for knowledge transfer for the benefit of medical applications and of the CERN and Society Foundation. Find out how you can support the BioDynaMo project here.

ndinmore Tue, 01/16/2024 - 11:54 Byline Marina Banjac Publication Date Tue, 01/16/2024 - 11:43

CERN Alumni Third Collisions: A confluence of reconnection, networking and celebration  

"Great stories of entrepreneurship! It was amazing to see the impact that CERN alumni are making in society." These are the words of a CERN alumni who took part in the Second Collisions event, in 2021. These sentiments echo the anticipation surrounding the upcoming Third Collisions event, taking place at CERN from 9 to 11 February.

In less than a month, CERN will play host to several hundred alumni, marking the third reunion of this network, now entering its seventh year of existence. The event promises a rich tapestry of experiences, blending insightful talks, stimulating panels, and the chance to reconnect with former colleagues. The focus of the talks and panels extends beyond the scientific realm, delving into pressing topics like climate change, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. The event serves as a nexus for networking, providing opportunities for alumni to reconnect and engage with members of the CERN community.

A notable addition to this year's programme is the inaugural jobs fair, bringing together companies and EIROforum organisations actively seeking individuals with skills cultivated at CERN. CERN Alumni companies will also feature, as will CERN teams such as Knowledge Transfer, CERN Courier, and the CERN & Society Foundation, amongst others. Many companies will be in place, as of the afternoon of Thursday, 8 February, in the Main Building, and will eagerly welcome those at CERN contemplating their next professional venture.

The Third Collisions aren't just about work; they encompass a spectrum of events, sparking CERN nostalgia, including a welcome reception, gala dinner, and multiple coffee breaks that facilitate informal networking. The agenda also boasts diverse entertainment options, ranging from a ski outing to a MusiClub alumni DJ set and the screening of "Almost Nothing", followed by a Q&A with one of the directors. Fitness activities are also on the menu, ensuring a well-rounded experience for all participants.

The event's detailed programme, list of speakers, and additional information can be accessed here.

To facilitate participation, a small financial contribution is requested, ensuring the smooth execution of this grand event. For the first time, participants are welcome to bring a plus one (over 18s only), enhancing the sense of community and celebration.

Additionally, the organising committee is seeking volunteers to contribute to the event's success. Those willing to lend a helping hand will have their registration fees waived, further emphasising the collaborative spirit that defines the CERN and CERN Alumni communities. Please contact alumni.relations@cern.ch for more information.

Join us at CERN Alumni Third Collisions, which promise to be an extraordinary blend of knowledge exchange, professional networking, and celebration, reinforcing the impact of CERN alumni on society and echoing the continuous legacy of excellence set by CERN and its remarkable alumni.

anschaef Tue, 01/16/2024 - 10:37 Byline CERN Alumni programme Publication Date Tue, 01/16/2024 - 10:34

Nature Physics, Published online: 16 January 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-023-02369-w

Scalable quantum computers require quantum error-correcting codes that can robustly store information. Exploiting the structure of well-known classical codes may help create more efficient approaches to quantum error correction.

Nature Physics, Published online: 16 January 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-023-02355-2

Quantum technologies change our notion of measurement. Chenyu Wang elaborates on how quantum squeezing enhances the precision of gravitational-wave interferometers.

Nature Physics, Published online: 16 January 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-023-02381-0

Two-dimensional crystals have revolutionized fundamental research across a staggering range of disciplines. We take stock of the progress gained after twenty years of work.

Nature Physics, Published online: 16 January 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-023-02356-1

Never write off writing

Nature Physics, Published online: 16 January 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-023-02373-0

A tiny escape

Nature Physics, Published online: 16 January 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-023-02327-6

Bilayer graphene is known to host states where interactions dominate the electronic behaviour. Now, transport measurements show that this is also true for trilayer graphene and give evidence for ferroelectric states and states with high Chern number.

Nature Physics, Published online: 16 January 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-023-02326-7

External driving of qubits can exploit their nonlinearity to generate different forms of interqubit interactions, broadening the capabilities of the platform.

Nature Physics, Published online: 16 January 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-023-02325-8

Large quantum computers will require error correcting codes, but most proposals have prohibitive requirements for overheads in the number of qubits, processing time or both. A way to combine smaller codes now gives a much more efficient protocol.

Computer Security: Hits are coming closer

Like it or not, the cyber realm is unfortunately developing alongside the physical world. While in the real world, conflicts tragically dominate world politics, the usual commercial cyber-attackers have increased their attacks, too. And, unlike in the past, the research and education (R&E) sector is no longer spared.

Until recently, universities had been attacked only very occasionally. One of the last in this sad line-up was the University of Michigan. But the last year has also seen major attacks against accelerators and telescopes ─ as collateral damage and as the attackers’ main focus, respectively. What we feared in the past has become reality: where there is operational value, there is a business opportunity for malicious evildoers to extract money ─ and this applies to the R&E community as well. To “ransom” the operator, threaten operations, stop production and cause damage.

Over the past 12 months, the CERN Computer Security team has tirelessly helped dozens of universities worldwide to protect themselves against such “ransomware” attacks (see our monthly security reports) and improve their defences, as well as providing training, tipping them off to imminent danger where our threat intel permits and assisting them in incident response when it was too late and damage had been done. Similarly, the base question is not “if” but “when” CERN will be subject to a ransomware attack. The three mantras of ransomware defence are “Don’t get it”, “Don’t pay” and have all-encompassing, complete and thoroughly tested back-ups in place. While CERN has taken a firm position on the second mantra (incidentally, governments are increasingly prohibiting ransom payments), and the IT department, in collaboration with many stakeholders in the Organization, is hard at work on the third, the first mantra – raising our defences – is the hardest one. Many projects are already under way and we’re not done yet:

• 2024 will see an even more all-encompassing roll-out of 2-factor protection, in particular to our user community and to holders of so-called “secondary” accounts. It will eventually also cover LXPLUS and the CERN Windows terminal servers.
• The “new” anti-malware solution will finally be deployed to all CERN/centrally managed Windows PCs and we will investigate whether this protective means can also be forced onto any other Windows laptop or Macbook purchased and owned by the Organization.
• Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing against CERN’s internet presence is currently being tendered and will start in early 2024 (the owners of vulnerable websites and web servers may possibly be required to contribute to the cost).
• Together with HR’s Learning and Development group, we will expand CERN’s training catalogue and offer dedicated hands-on courses on secure programming and software development, as well as IT operations.
• In parallel, Gitlab security scanning may make it into your pipelines and into your choice of virtual machines and containers in order to reduce the risk through the “software supply chain”.
• Our Security Operations Centre will extend its remit to cover even more data sources, enabling us to monitor more network segments than ever before, as well as our main cloud-based services (such as Google and Microsoft).
• Finally, CERN recently concluded an external audit on “cyber security” and its findings and resulting recommendations will be addressed in the course of 2024 (more on that in a future Bulletin article).

In any case, ransomware hits are coming closer. Unlike some of our unfortunate partner universities and some astronomy experiments and particle accelerators, CERN has not been hit yet. Yet! And we hope to keep it that way. Cybersecurity is a permanent marathon: our work will never be done. But for this race, we appreciate (and need!) your help in securing the Organization. As “sec_irty” is not complete without “u”!!! Let’s have a (more) peaceful 2024.

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Do you want to learn more about computer security incidents and issues at CERN? Follow our Monthly Report. For further information, questions or help, check our website or contact us at Computer.Security@cern.ch.

In case you missed it in December, the talk "CERN Computer Security: Abuse, Blunder and Fun" will be repeated on 30 January at 11 h in the Council Chamber. More information on Indico: https://indico.cern.ch/event/1365440/ anschaef Mon, 01/15/2024 - 11:48 Byline Computer Security team Publication Date Mon, 01/15/2024 - 11:45

Nature Physics, Published online: 15 January 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-023-02343-6

Optical atomic clocks are extremely accurate sensors despite the poor use of their resources. A parallel quantum control approach might help to optimize the resources of optical atomic clocks, which could lead to an exponential improvement in their performance.

Nature Physics, Published online: 15 January 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-023-02322-x

Quantum-correlated photons typically characterize strongly nonlinear quantum emitters. A two-photon correlation spectroscopy method now provides a powerful probe of weakly nonlinear many-body quantum systems.

Nature Physics, Published online: 15 January 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-023-02321-y

Quantum coherence is hard to maintain in solid-state systems, as interactions usually lead to fast dephasing. Exploiting disorder effects and interactions, highly coherent two-level systems have now been realized in a rare-earth insulator compound.

Nature Physics, Published online: 15 January 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-023-02323-w

Addressing optical transitions at the level of a single site is crucial to unlock the potential of quantum computers and atomic clocks. A scheme based on atom rearrangement now demonstrates such control with demonstrable metrological benefits.

Nature Physics, Published online: 12 January 2024; doi:10.1038/s41567-023-02331-w

Precise frequencies of nearly forbidden transitions have been ascertained in the simplest molecule, the molecular hydrogen ion. This work offers a new perspective on precision measurements and fundamental physical tests with molecular spectroscopy.