A huge race is on to develop quantum technologies. The time to discuss risks is now

Important highlights:

• The significance of quantum science: To highlight its importance and impact, the United Nations declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Quantum mechanics, with its complex and often counterintuitive concepts like entanglement and superposition, is foundational to the development of quantum computers, communication systems, and sensors, which could eventually revolutionize artificial intelligence.

• Economic and national security implications: Quantum technology has the potential to revolutionize multiple commercial sectors such as telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, banking, and mining. Quantum advancements in national security, such as secure communication systems, quantum radar, and quantum AI for autonomous weapons, could create new power dynamics and security challenges.

• Urgent need for ethical and security considerations: Historical examples like the unintended consequences of nuclear technology underscore the importance of addressing the potential risks and ethical concerns of quantum technologies early. The rapid advancements in quantum machine learning and cloud computing necessitate proactive discussions on their impact on global security and peace to avoid repeating past mistakes and ensuring a balanced approach to technological progress.

Main takeaways:

• Discovery of Ichthyotitan severnensis: Researchers have identified a new species of giant ichthyosaur named Ichthyotitan severnensis from jawbone fossils found in Somerset, England. Estimates place this marine reptile, potentially the largest ever, at up to 26 meters long, comparable to the size of a blue whale.

• Fossil findings and analysis: Paul de la Salle discovered the initial incomplete jawbone in 2016, while Justin and Ruby Reynolds found a more complete specimen in 2020. These bones, approximately 202 million years old, are 25% larger than similar bones from other known giant ichthyosaurs, supporting the identification of a new species.

• Significance and contributions: The fossils predate a mass extinction event that eradicated such giants, making this discovery crucial for understanding prehistoric marine life. The research involved detailed bone histology, revealing the ichthyosaur was still growing at the time of its death. Notably, the discovery highlights how amateur fossil hunters, like Ruby Reynolds, can significantly contribute to paleontology.

Summary insights:

• Hubble tension and its Importance: The Hubble tension, a discrepancy between two methods of calculating the universe's expansion rate, challenges the standard cosmological model. The James Webb Space Telescope's recent observations have intensified the debate, with findings that both support and challenge previous measurements, suggesting potential gaps in our understanding of the universe.

• New observations and conflicting Data: Nobel laureate Adam Reiss's study confirmed the Hubble Space Telescope's expansion rate of 73 km/s per megaparsec using Cepheid stars. However, another study by Wendy Freedman using different stars produced a closer rate to the cosmic microwave background prediction of 67 km/s per megaparsec, highlighting ongoing uncertainties.

• Impact on cosmological models: Astronomers emphasize the significance of resolving the Hubble tension, as it could necessitate fundamental changes in cosmological theories. They propose the emergence of a new theory of gravity or an explanation for dark energy and dark matter, reflecting historical shifts in scientific understanding when prevailing models proved inadequate.