Light-based Quantum Computer Exceeds Fastest Classical Supercomputers

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December 03, 2020

Dear Reader, For the first time, a quantum computer made from photons—particles of light—has outperformed even the fastest classical supercomputers. Read our lead story to learn more. Next, a big slice of corporate America—including utilities, banks and auto manufacturers—signed onto a statement yesterday calling on President-elect Joe Biden to work with Congress on "ambitious, durable, bipartisan climate solutions." And lastly, check out our infographic on how COVID-19 lockdowns calmed seismic activity on a global level.

Sunya Bhutta, Senior Editor, Audience Engagement @sunyaaa

Physics Light-based Quantum Computer Exceeds Fastest Classical Supercomputers The setup of lasers and mirrors effectively "solved" a problem far too complicated for even the largest traditional computer system By Daniel Garisto

Public Health Who Will Get COVID Vaccines First and Who Will Have to Wait In the U.S., health workers come first, but for other groups scientists and policy makers are weighing a mix of disease risks, logistics and ethics By Sara Reardon

Evolution When Same-Sex Mating Makes Reproductive Sense Under the right circumstances, indiscriminate mating with both males and females can enhance animals' evolutionary success By Emily Willingham

Climate Major Companies Call on Biden to Act on Climate Change Utilities, banks and car makers signed a statement urging the President-elect and Congress to enact ambitious climate policy By Nick Sobczyk,E&E News

Environment COVID Pandemic Reduces Seismic Noise Vibrations in the earth's crust generated by human activity dropped as lockdowns went into effect By Mark Fischetti,Shirley Wu

Engineering Inventing Us: How Inventions Shaped Humanity Materials scientist and science writer Ainissa Ramirez talks about her latest book The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another. By Ainissa G. Ramirez,Steve Mirsky | 24:30

Behavior & Society Conflicts of Interest and COVID Financial incentives can be a factor in pandemic policy decisions—albeit frequently at a subconscious and unintentional level By Sunita Sah

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FROM THE ARCHIVE Hands-On with Google's Quantum Computer Staking its claim for "quantum supremacy," the company pulls back the curtain on its landmark Sycamore chip By Neil Savage | October 2019

QUOTE OF THE DAY "At the very broadest level, if we thought of the universe as a computer, then what kind of computer is it? Is it a classical computer? Or is it a quantum computer?" Scott Aaronson, theoretical computer scientist at the University of Texas at Austin

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