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Monday, August 20, 2012

ScienceDaily: Top Science News

ScienceDaily: Top Science News


Researchers make quantum processor capable of factoring a composite number into prime factors

Posted: 19 Aug 2012 12:37 PM PDT

Computing prime factors may sound like an elementary math problem, but try it with a large number, say one that contains more than 600 digits, and the task becomes enormously challenging and impossibly time-consuming. Now, a group of researchers has designed and fabricated a quantum processor capable of factoring a composite number -- in this case the number 15 -- into its constituent prime factors, 3 and 5. Factoring very large numbers is at the heart of cybersecurity protocols, such as the most common form of encoding, known as RSA encryption.

Massachusetts butterflies move north as climate warms

Posted: 19 Aug 2012 12:37 PM PDT

A new study shows that, over the past 19 years, a warming climate has been reshaping Massachusetts butterfly communities. Subtropical and warm-climate species -- many of which were rare or absent in Massachusetts as recently as the late 1980s -- show sharp increases in abundance. At the same time, more than three quarters of northerly species -- species with a range centered north of Boston -- are now declining in Massachusetts, many of them rapidly.

New space-age insulating material for homes, clothing and other everyday uses

Posted: 19 Aug 2012 12:34 PM PDT

A major improvement in the world's lightest solid material and best solid insulating material may put more of this space-age wonder into insulated clothing, refrigerators with thinner walls that hold more food, building insulation and other products.

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