- The Point by Modern Sciences
- Posts
- A Quantum Dead End, a Plastic Twist, and Our Evolving Story
A Quantum Dead End, a Plastic Twist, and Our Evolving Story
The Point by Modern Sciences - September 24, 2025
Don Smith
September 24, 2025
By The Modern Sciences Team | September 24, 2025 |
Happy Wednesday, Cultivators of Curiosity!
Welcome to the 38th volume of The Point by Modern Sciences! This issue is dedicated to the thrill of discovery that challenges what we think we know. Each of our stories this week takes a common assumption and turns it on its head, revealing a more complex and fascinating reality.
First, we explore a fundamental roadblock in the race to build a quantum computer, where scientists warn that the old rules of computing no longer apply. Then, we zoom in on a daily health concern, where a surprising study finds that your glass bottle may contain more microplastics than a plastic one. Finally, we journey deep into our own past, as ancient DNA reveals that the evolution of lighter skin in Europe was a far more gradual and intricate story than we ever imagined. These articles don't just present new facts; they invite us to think differently. Let's dive in.
MATH AND THE SCIENCES
To advance quantum computing, 'we can't continue to copy and paste,' scientists warn
Researchers are tackling a significant obstacle in quantum computing known as the "barren plateau," a phenomenon where powerful algorithms inexplicably stall. A new review from Los Alamos National Laboratory synthesizes six years of research, explaining why these computational dead ends occur and charting a new course beyond simply adapting classical methods for the quantum world.
The Point:
Quantum algorithms are getting stuck on "barren plateaus": This critical issue stalls the progress of variational quantum computing, a promising hybrid approach, by creating a computational dead end where the algorithm can no longer improve.
A significant review charts the scientific landscape: Led by Los Alamos National Laboratory, a new paper synthesizes six years of research to explain why barren plateaus occur and provides a comprehensive guide for predicting and avoiding them.
Researchers call for a new, quantum-native approach: The team concludes that the field must move beyond adapting classical computing methods and instead develop innovative algorithms explicitly designed for the unique rules of quantum systems.
EARTH
In a twist, study finds more microplastics in drinks from glass bottles than plastic ones
A surprising study from France's food safety agency reveals that beverages in glass bottles may contain significantly more microplastics than those in plastic containers. Researchers discovered the source was not the glass itself but tiny particles of paint flaking off the metal bottle caps. While the health effects are unknown, the study also identified a simple cleaning solution for manufacturers.
The Point:
Glass bottles contain more microplastics than plastic ones: A French study unexpectedly found that drinks packaged in glass contained significantly higher levels of microplastic particles compared to those sold in plastic bottles or cans.
Bottle caps were identified as the primary source of contamination: Researchers determined that the fragments were not from the glass itself but rather particles of paint flaking off the metal caps due to friction during storage and transport.
A simple cleaning method can drastically cut contamination: While the health risks of ingestion remain unknown, the study showed that rinsing the caps with air and water before bottling can reduce microplastic shedding by 60 percent.
HISTORY
Study Reveals Gradual Evolution of Lighter Pigmentation in European Populations Over 45,000 Years
New research using ancient DNA is rewriting the story of how Europeans developed lighter pigmentation. The study reveals that this was not a quick adaptation, but a gradual and complex process. Dark skin remained common across much of Europe for thousands of years, with the slow shift to lighter tones driven more by migration and gene flow than simple evolution.
The Point:
Key Insight: A new study from the University of Ferrara shows that lighter skin, eye, and hair color in Europe evolved gradually over 45,000 years, challenging previous assumptions of rapid change.
Scientific Explanation: Researchers used "probabilistic genotype likelihood" to analyze 348 ancient genomes, revealing that dark skin remained common well into the Copper and Iron Ages, with lighter pigmentation spreading slowly, especially after the advent of farming during the Neolithic period.
Broader Impact: The findings highlight that migration and gene flow, rather than simple natural selection, shaped pigmentation traits in Europe, showing a more complex pattern of human evolution than previously understood.