A lot of the commentary concerning the UK Analysis and Innovation science funding cuts has centred across the determination to shut Jodrell Financial institution, with the long-lasting Lovell telescope rightly recognized as a “supply of surprise and pleasure” (Letters, 31 July). Much less seen, however no much less vital, is the world’s most intense supply of pulsed muons, on the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. Muons are particles that are used to reply elementary questions on magnetism, superconductivity, battery supplies, and lots of different questions of scientific curiosity and societal significance. UK scientists have been within the forefront in creating these methods, but this distinctive facility can be underneath menace by these cuts.
Prof Stephen Blundell
Oxford
With the harms of AI obvious throughout us, it’s unlucky that when one thing actually promising for human medication is in prospect, editors attain immediately for the “concern” button (Safety fears as scientists make first viruses designed by AI, 6 August). The viruses in query, bacteriophages, are the pure enemy of micro organism, have been utilized in medication for over 100 years, and might already fight disease-resistant micro organism. Engineering bacteriophages to show them into a very efficient remedy for basic use has been ongoing in lots of labs for many years. If there’s one activity AI should be employed in, above all others, that is it.
Peter Forbes
Muswell Hill, London
