Constructing the fastest computer has always been a huge challenge posed by technology. In the past, computer developments werheld back, as the machines, though extremely fast, could only perform one binary operation at a time. Today, this is no longer true.

In May 2011, computing company D-Wave released the first commercial quantum computers, which run on complex physics principles to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

Deep inside a common computer’s system, all operations boil down to 0’s and 1’s—like an “on” and “off” switch—in the programs. For example, a computer solves the basic numeric operation of 2+2 with a series of 0s and 1s in varying patterns, that will eventually be converted by the machine to print the symbol 4 on the screen. This set of instructions is known as binary code.

The speed of computer operations has been hampered by the fact that it takes time for a machine to go through the lists of 0s and 1s to accomplish a task. Though 2+2 is virtually instantaneous for a modern machine, current computing systems pose a serious time efficiency issue regarding large tasks requiring billions of operations.

Quantum computers, however, have the ability to perform multiple binary tasks simultaneously.

As stated on D-Wave’s website, “the laws of quantum physics, which govern the microscopic world, allow bits of matter to be in two states simultaneously…. [Quantum computing] put[s] bits of information into their 0 and 1 states at the same time.”

Promoters of the invention were skeptical at first, finding the idea esoteric and far-reaching. However, a research group from Burnaby, British Columbia made immense progress in this technological field, making the product a reality.

“At first I thought, ‘this sounds like science fiction’… and many people had told them over the years that [it] is impossible,” said Vern Brownell, CEO of D-Wave, in an email to the Tribune. “But they have really accomplished a miracle to get this far.”

These quantum computers are among the most predominant breakthroughs in worldly applications of deep quantum physics. Numerous corporations are supporting the promotion of these computers, showing a strong public interest in the new technology.

According to a D-Wave press release, “[As of 2010], Lockheed Martin purchased serial number 1, completing the historic first sale of a commercial quantum computer.” Since then, D-Wave has received support from Goldman Sachs, Harris & Harris, the Business Development Bank of Canada, and others.

The press release stated the company had over 100 pending patent applications worldwide, related to quantum computing and superconducting electronics.

Beyond a magnificent technological innovation, these computers show how science on the smallest scales is rapidly becoming more applicable. According to data released by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, the number of companies and organizations involved worldwide in nanotechnology projects has reached 1,200—an increase of 50 per cent since 2011.

With this immense support and  the percent increase in corporations involved, science on the nano and quantum scale is likely to bring rise to more of these “science fiction” innovations previously deemed impossible.

According to ScienceNews, incredible quantum effects, such as the ability to change the outcome of an event after it has happened, quantum teleportation, and quantum computing are properties that are currently being taken advantage of by researchers. These properties could lead to further discoveries that reach beyond basic human understanding.

Another practical use of quantum mechanics recently developed is the nearly perfected secret messaging technology known as cryptography. Based on the principle that a photon of light—a particle carrying light radiation—changes once observed, the code can catch any person trying to intercept the message. Observation of the photons would change the code and alert those on the receiving end to its interception.

The list of developments of recent quantum technology goes on. As the science expands, the previously esoteric quantum mechanics will continue to influence other fields of science, as well as spur invention. D-Wave computers are just the first of several small-scale innovations that lead to large-scale changes in life as we know it.

For people without a functional salivary gland, food tastes like it is rolled in sand, says Dr. Simon Tran, Faculty of Dentistry and Canada Research Chair in Craniofacial Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering.

Based on a recent paper by Vijayendra Kumar for the Indian Journal of Stomatology, up to 1.5 litres of saliva is produced in and secreted from the salivary glands every day. Composed mainly of water, saliva contains enzymes and lubricants that help the digestive system break down food, and make speaking, chewing, and swallowing more comfortable.

“Without functioning salivary glands, these actions would prove very difficult,” explained Tran, who has been working on clinical therapies to regenerate lost salivary gland tissue.

Two of the most common reasons for a dysfunctional salivary gland are the result of therapeutic irradiation treatment of patients with head or neck cancer, as well as the autoimmune disease Sjögren’s syndrome.

“Approximately 500,000 new cases of head and neck cancer occur each year worldwide,” Tran said. “Sjögren’s is estimated to affect as many as 4 million people in the United States alone, with nine out 10 patients being women.”

Tran’s lab, based at the Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, looks to bio-engineer new salivary glands by using bone marrow stem cells. So far, Tran has tested the use of bone marrow cells to bio-engineer salivary glands by means of mice models in the hope of restoring saliva flow. His experiments have been successful, and now Tran is looking ahead to restore salivary flow in humans.

“It’s harder,” Tran said. “The salivary glands, in terms of complexity, are somewhere between skin tissue and the heart.”

Understanding the therapeutic effect of bone marrow stem cells in restoring saliva flow is one of many areas of research on Tran’s list.

Tran and his colleagues have also built a prototype artificial salivary gland using a biodegrable polymer. A small tube-like structure, it is coated with human salivary cells, which would rest in the mouth near the salivary glands. The aim of this prototype is for the cells to form a “basement membrane,” which can lead to the stimulation and regeneration of the salivary tissue cells.

“Meanwhile, there are short term ‘reliefs’ for patients,” Tran said, explaining that artificial saliva or saliva substitutes can be prescribed and are regulated by the FDA as medical devices.

Artificial salivas are used to moisten and lubricate the mouth, but do not stimulate the salivary glands to make saliva, since they have no chemical action. The FDA has also approved several prescription drugs to relieve dry mouth caused by certain medical treatments or conditions, such as Cevimeline for Sjögren’s syndrome and Pilocarpine for radiation of head or neck cancer.

What exactly is Alzheimer’s?

Often referred to as “Old timer’s disease,” Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that affects nearly 36 million people worldwide. It causes problems with memory, thinking and behaviour, and is classified as a progressive illness, which means that symptoms will gradually worsen over time. Whereas someone with early stage Alzheimer’s might only be subject to memory problems, by the later stages of the illness, the same person could have lost the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment.

Alzheimer’s has remained a major research focus, not only due to the large amount of people afflicted by the illness, but also to the fact that no effective diagnoses or treatments have been discovered. Presently, the only way to diagnose Alzheimer’s with certainty is through an autopsy, and there are currently no treatments available to halt its progression.

While no effective Alzheimer’s treatments are yet on the market, there are many different methods of prevention. Although most of these preventative measures are dubious—avoiding flu shots and silver dental fillings to name a few—there are some easy and unexpected steps that can be taken, which are backed by scientific research.

Alzheimer’s prevention plan: 

1) Eat more curry

According to research conducted by Sally Frautschy, associate professor of medicine at UCLA, turmeric—a major component of curry powder—might be protective against Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists first became interested in curry powder when they noticed that India had an unexpectedly low rate of Alzheimer’s cases.

Curry, a dietary staple in India, is also used as a household remedy to treat conditions for which Western cultures typically use anti-inflammatory drugs. Since recent evidence suggests Alzheimer’s may also have an inflammatory component, scientists suspect that this anti-inflammatory property of curry may aid in treating the disease.

Alzheimer’s disease involves a buildup of a protein known as beta-amyloid in the brain. These abnormal deposits then cause inflammation, destroying cells as a result. If curcumin — the major ingredient in turmeric — were to have anti-inflammatory components, it makes sense that it may help with the treatment of Alzheimer’s.

Frautschy’s research showed that, when beta-amyloid was injected into the brains of rats to mimic Alzheimer’s, rats fed a diet rich in curcumin showed a reduced accumulation of the troublesome protein. It is possible that curcumin binds to beta-amyloid and deactivates it, thereby reducing the chances of these deposits building up to cause Alzheimer’s.

2) Brush your teeth with your other hand

In an interview with the McGill Reporter, Jens Pruessner, director of the McGill Center for Studies in Aging, stated: “The old adage ‘use it or lose it’ really applies to your brain.”

Cognitive training has been shown to preserve high cognitive function at an old age. Even exercises that involve adding variety to your daily mental routine can prove beneficial.

One easy exercise with which to experiment is alternating which hand you use to brush your teeth. Simple brain stimulating switch-ups, such as putting a watch on the other wrist, activate brain regions that might otherwise go unstimulated.