Terrifying ‘spy' laser that can read text smaller than a grain of rice from a mile away unveiled by China
SCIENTISTS in China claim they have developed a laser that can read millimetre-sized text from nearly a mile away.
That's smaller than a grain of rice.
2
2
The researchers say the new laser-based system can pick up small details from 1.36km away (0.85miles) that standard telescopes and binoculars would miss.
A typical telescope-based system at the same distance would only capture shapes around 42milimetres in size, researchers wrote in their study, published in the journal Physical Review Letters.
That is far too large to make out small writing.
Observing fine details from long distances with telescopes and high-power lenses brings its challenges.
Current long-distance reading systems require precise alignment of lasers and telescopes, making it tricky to pick out small features.
Distortion from the air can blur and scatter light over long distances, which can warp the view.
However, researchers took a new approach by on the way light hits a surface, rather than focusing on the image itself.
This method is called active intensity interferometry.
'Through outdoor experiments, we have successfully imaged millimeter-scale targets located at 1.36km away," the study authors wrote. "Achieving a resolution enhancement by about 14 times over the diffraction limit of a single telescope."
China & Russia will use drones 'the size of insects' to spy on UK & commit untraceable murders, ex-Google futurist warns
The researchers believe this method is 'promising for high-resolution optical imaging and sensing'.
Although, it also has a few limitations to overcome - for example, it needs a clear line of sight to the object.
The target must be illuminated with lasers, so it may not be suitable for surveillance scenarios where stealth is required.
Instead, the laser could be used by archaeologists to examine ancient carvings on cliffs without climbing them, and help environmental researchers monitor distant wildlife habitats.
The team has plans to improve the control of the laser, so they are easier to direct.
The researchers may also install artificial intelligence (AI), which could help reconstruct images more accurately.
Artificial Intelligence explained
Here's what you need to know
Artificial intelligence, also known as AI, is a type of computer software
Typically, a computer will do what you tell it to do
But artificial intelligence simulates the human mind, and can make its own deductions, inferences or decisions
A simple computer might let you set an alarm to wake you up
But an AI system might scan your emails, work out that you've got a meeting tomorrow, and then set an alarm and plan a journey for you
AI tech is often 'trained' – which means it observes something (potentially even a human) then learns about a task over time
For instance, an AI system can be fed thousands of photos of human faces, then generate photos of human faces all on its own
Some experts have raised concerns that humans will eventually lose control of super-intelligent AI
But the tech world is still divided over whether or not AI tech will eventually kill us all in a Terminator-style apocalypse
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
AI foot scanner could keep people with heart failure out of hospital
An in-home foot scanner that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to recognise the warning signs of heart failure could help keep people with the condition out of hospital, according to researchers. The device, which is roughly the size of a smart speaker, operates in a similar way to facial recognition by taking and analysing almost 2,000 pictures a minute to calculate the level of fluid in the feet and ankles. This water retention, known as oedema, is one of the three major warning signs that heart failure is becoming severe and potentially life threatening. The AI scanner is able to trigger an alert to healthcare professionals so they can take action, such as increasing their patient's medication. The Foot Study, which is being presented at the British Cardiovascular Society annual conference in Manchester, suggests these alerts come 13 days before a person would end up in hospital. It involved 26 heart failure patients from five NHS trusts who were enrolled between 2020 and 2022. They were monitored using the AI device and were also asked to weigh themselves using Bluetooth-enabled scales. Seven instance of worsening heart failure was detected in six patients, while one death from the condition was recorded. Researchers found that, in patients enrolled in the study for at least two weeks before an alert was triggered, the average lead time before hospital admission was 13 days. The lead time averaged eight days when all five triggers picked up by the device were analysed. The study also found that monitoring using the scales failed to predict any heart failure-related hospital admissions. Researchers suggested this is because patients struggled to stick to tracking their weight, whereas the AI device did not require any action. Dr Philip Keeling, senior author of the study and a consultant cardiologist at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'Only about half of people admitted to hospital with heart failure currently get assigned an early review by a heart failure nurse who can check to see if they are suffering a harmful build-up of fluid because their heart is not working properly. 'Amid a shortage of heart failure nurses, a device like this can be like a virtual nurse, tracking people's health.' The device, developed by Cambridge-based start-up Heartfelt Technologies, is mounted to the wall and is typically installed at a patient's bedside. It uses AI technology to detect a person's foot and lower leg and track their position, so a camera can take 1,800 pictures a minute from multiple angles. These images reveal the volume of fluid in the foot and lower leg. It works without wifi, and only scans the legs to a height of 50cm from the floor. Heart failure is a long-term condition that means the heart is unable to pump blood around the body properly, usually because the heart has become too weak or stiff. Is it estimated that more than a million people are living with heart failure in the UK. The three main symptoms that indicate the condition is getting worse are increased breathlessness, weight gain and swelling in the legs or ankles. Dr Keeling added: 'Living with heart failure can be overwhelming, with all the medications, medical tests and appointments, and the requirement to monitor your own health. 'This scanner, once it is installed, just automatically keeps an eye on you and alerts the heart failure nurse, which is a huge relief.' At the end of the study, 18 of the 22 surviving patients kept the AI device. Reacting to the findings, Professor Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said: 'This small study suggests a simple device could significantly improve outcomes for at-risk patients with heart failure by keeping them out of hospital. 'This study is a good example of how technology might aid earlier interventions and treatment, by allowing people to track a key sign of their heart health at home. 'Innovations with the potential to transform heart care in this way are a major part of the BHF's goal to save and improve lives of people living with cardiovascular disease.'
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Low-calorie diet ‘could increase risk of depressive symptoms'
Following a low-calorie diet could increase the risk of developing symptoms of depression, a study suggests. The effects of calorie restriction on mood were more pronounced in men and overweight people, researchers said. The findings contrast previous studies which claim low-calorie diets improve depressive symptoms. However, researchers argue prior trials included tailored and balanced diet programmes that may not be the same as what people realistically follow in everyday life. For the study, published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health, researchers in Canada used data from the 28,525 people who took part in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and had completed a health questionnaire relating to depressive symptoms, which gave them a score based on severity. Of the total, 14,329 were women and 14,196 were men. A little under 8% had reported depressive symptoms, while 33% were overweight and 38% were obese. The majority of the group (87%) said they were not on a specific diet, while 2,206 were restricting calories. Some 859 were on a 'nutrient-restrictive' diet, low in fat, sugar, salt, fibre or carbohydrate, and 631 were on diets tailored for the likes of diabetes. Researchers found low-calorie diets were more common among obese patients and those who were overweight. Questionnaire scores for depressive symptoms, such as a low mood, low energy and sleep disturbances, were higher among those restricting calories compared to those who reported not being on a diet at all. The scores were also higher among overweight people following low-calorie diets. Researchers said: 'Numerous studies have consistently focused on 'healthy' versus 'unhealthy' diets. 'They have shown that 'healthy' diets rich in minimally processed foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, lean proteins and fish have been linked to a lower risk of depression. 'In contrast, an 'unhealthy' diet dominated by ultra-processed foods, refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, processed meats and sweets is associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms. 'Therefore, individuals must adopt a perfectly healthy dietary pattern to reduce the risk of depressive symptoms. This dichotomy fails to capture the complexity of real-world eating habits.' Restricting calories can lead to deficiencies in protein, vitamins and minerals, researchers suggest, which puts the body under stress. The findings also contradict previous studies showing low-calorie diets improve depressive symptoms. Researchers highlight that these studies were controlled trials, with those taking part following carefully designed and balanced diets. The team said a focus on 'idealised diets' can 'overlook the diversity of dietary patterns', adding: 'In contrast, real-life calorie-restricted diets and obesity often result in nutritional deficiencies, particularly in protein, essential vitamins and minerals, and induce physiological stress, which can exacerbate depressive symptomatology including cognitive-affective symptoms.' Researchers stressed the study has a number of limitations, but gives an insight to how diets recommended by healthcare professionals should be considered for risk factors for depression, especially in men and obese patients. Professor Sumantra Ray, chief scientist and executive director of the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, which co-owns BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health with BMJ Group, added: 'This study adds to the emerging evidence linking dietary patterns and mental health, raising important questions about whether restrictive diets which are low in nutrients considered beneficial for cognitive health, such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12, may precipitate depressive symptoms. 'But the effect sizes are small, with further statistical limitations limiting the generalisability of the findings. Further well designed studies that accurately capture dietary intake and minimise the impact of chance and confounding are needed to continue this important line of inquiry.'
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Watch: AI-powered robot learns to play badminton against humans
An artificial intelligence -driven legged robot has been trained to play badminton against human opponents with impressive agility. It has been developed by a Swiss -led team at ETH Zurich, who used reinforcement learning — a type of AI that improves decision-making by learning from repeated attempts. The robot can follow the shuttlecock and hit it precisely in fast-paced games. It accurately predicts shuttlecock trajectories, navigates the game area, and competes with human players. Researcher Yuntao Ma believes it showcases AI's potential to drive legged robots in complex tasks, which could pave the way for future advancements in autonomous, intelligent systems, including humanoids.
