Research Connections :: 暗网吃瓜

A quantum processor semiconductor chip is connected to a circuit board in the lab of John Nichol, an assistant professor of physics at the University of Rochester. (暗网吃瓜 photo / J. Adam Fenster)

Teleportation in the quantum world

Last year scientists confirmed that information could be passed between photons on computer chips even when the photons were not physically linked.

Now, according to new research from the University of Rochester and Purdue University, teleportation may also be possible between electrons.

In a paper published in and one to appear in , the researchers, including John Nichol, an assistant professor of physics at Rochester, and Andrew Jordan, a professor of physics at Rochester, explore new ways of creating quantum-mechanical interactions between distant electrons. The research is an important step in improving quantum computing, which, in turn, has the potential to revolutionize technology, medicine, and science by providing faster and more efficient processors and sensors.

A different kind of wonder

In 1871, a group of Norwegian hunters discovered an odd clump in the frozen terrain of far northern Russia, on the island of Nova Zembla鈥攎ore than 1,000 miles away from any permanent human settlement. What was this icy, gravelly hunk? Art, as it turned out鈥攎ore than 400 Flemish engravings, the pages fused together like a brick over almost three centuries as the ground surrounding them alternately froze and melted.

The package was a relic of a 1596 expedition to the Far North led by Dutch navigator William Barents, namesake of the Barents Sea. In search of a Northeast Passage to the Indies, the expedition was marooned in northern Siberia for more than nine months.

When the survivors returned to the Netherlands in late 1597, one of them–sailor Gerrit de Veer–published an illustrated account of their experience. The book鈥攁 memoir of survival in the style of a ship鈥檚 logbook, with stories of polar bears, frostbite, Arctic foxes, and the aurora borealis鈥�became 鈥渙ne of the first adventure bestsellers,鈥� says 暗网吃瓜 art historian Christopher Heuer.

Heuer’s new book, examines Renaissance Europe’s preoccupation with the Arctic, and why it matters now.

Biostatistics training for non-statisticians

The website was developed to serve medical and public health researchers and professionals who wish to learn more about biostatistics. The site contains carefully selected and reviewed training materials especially suited for a non-statistician audience.

Keeping abreast of the University's response to COVID-19

Here are four important links for researchers:

for important updates and guidance on working, teaching, and learning remotely
for restrictions, resources, and news
Office of Research and Project Administration (ORPA) site on
鲍苍颈惫别谤蝉颈迟测鈥檚 .

Hydroxychloroquine Studies Halted at URMC, Nationally:聽In early June, URMC announced that it was joining two national clinical trials testing whether hydroxychloroquine, an FDA-approved anti-malarial drug, could improve outcomes for hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients. On Friday, June 19, 2020,聽the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Novartis officially halted the trials, citing difficulty enrolling patients.

National COVID Cohort Collaborative:聽The NIH has launched a centralized, secure enclave to store and study vast amounts of medical record data from people diagnosed with COVID-19 across the country. It is part of an effort, called the聽, to help scientists analyze these data to understand the disease and develop treatments.

New COVID-19 Funding Opportunities:

The Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics – Underserved Populations (RADx-UP)聽initiative aims to understand and reduce disparities in COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.聽聽is offering 聽for community-engaged research on COVID-19 testing among underserved or vulnerable populations. The first application due date for all of these opportunities is聽August聽7, 2020.
The National Institute on Aging is investigator-initiated multi-site clinical trials (all phases or聽stages) of interventions focused on specific aging-related issues to reducing transmission, risk, morbidity, mortality, severity, or complications of COVID-19.聽Applications are due on a rolling basis through February 1, 2021.
1) the impacts of mitigation strategies to prevent COVID-19 transmission in NIH-designated health disparity populations and other vulnerable groups; and 2) already implemented, new, or adapted interventions to address the adverse psychosocial, behavioral, and socioeconomic consequences of the pandemic on the health of these groups.聽The first round of applications is due August 28, 2020.

Expiring COVID-19 Funding Opportunities:

The USDA is offering to increase access to education, training聽and health care resources. Relevance to COVID-19 is encouraged. Apply by July 13, 2020.
Deadlines for two funding opportunities from the聽Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute聽(PCORI) are fast approaching.聽PCORI-funded principal investigators or project leads can submit proposals to address the COVID-19 public health crisis through enhancements of currently-funded PCORI or 听产测 July 17, 2020.

Reopening plans submitted to the state: The University has submitted to New York State , aligning with the governor鈥檚 guidelines and recommendations. The plan鈥攚hich prioritizes the health and safety of faculty, staff, and students鈥攊s the result of extensive discussions and planning efforts from several advisory committees and working groups across the University.

The plan was included in the inaugural issue of , a weekly newsletter that aims to provide context for how we鈥檙e approaching the complicated tasks that come with re-establishing activities and programs at the University of Rochester. @Rochester subscribers automatically receive Rochester Restart, but others are welcome to .

Phase 4 guidance for remote work: The Finger Lakes Region last week started Phase 4 of . This is the final phase of the state鈥檚 reopening process, however many operating and activity restrictions are still in place to contain the spread of COVID-19 in our region. The University continues to require that those employees working from home continue to do so unless approved to return by leadership. Essential staff in areas including public safety, facilities, dining services, residential life, and in some research facilities who are approved to restart or who are聽responsible for continuing operations at the University may be working on campus. .

New York State travel advisory: Last Friday, the University outlined how the recent issued by New York State affects members of the University community with its general requirement that travelers coming into New York State from a current COVID-19 hot spot need to self-quarantine for 14 days. Further guidance on this applies to essential employees at the University, who according to the details of the advisory are able to report to work. These essential employees do however need to adhere to stay-at-home quarantine procedures when not at work, and additionally need to take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of returning. The University generally considers essential staff as those who work in areas including health care, public safety, facilities, dining services, residential life, and in some research facilities who were approved to restart.

If you believe you are an essential employee and are traveling to and from one of the affected states, speak with your manager or department head about your obligations. HR Business Partners are also available to assist. To inquire about a COVID-19 test under these circumstances, contact University Health Service at (585) 275-2662; if you鈥檙e at the Medical Center, contact Employee Health at (585) 275-6040 and review .

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