Currently available data are consistent with increased severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) replication at temperatures encountered in the upper airways (25–33°C when breathing room temperature air, 25°C) compared to those in the lower airways (37°C). One factor that may contribute to more rapid viral growth in the upper airways is the exponential increase in SARS‐CoV‐2 stability that occurs with reductions in temperature, as measured in vitro. Because SARS‐CoV‐2 frequently initiates infection in the upper airways before spreading through the body, increased upper airway viral growth early in the disease course may result in more rapid progression of disease and potentially contribute to more severe outcomes. Similarly, higher SARS‐CoV‐2 viral titer in the upper airways likely supports more efficient transmission. Conversely, the possible significance of air temperature to upper airway viral growth suggests that prolonged delivery of heated air might represent a preventative measure and prophylactic treatment for coronavirus disease 2019.

We use principles from the thermodynamics of spacetime to modify the path integral of quantum mechanics. Entropy of the vacuum is interpreted as microstates that correspond to the measure of the path integral. The result is a contribution to the action that is proportional to the Einstein-Hilbert action. Because the contribution is real, not imaginary, it is likely to result in convergence in many cases. Paths that minimize the Einstein-Hilbert action make the largest contribution to the path integral, implying that the maximum likelihood paths are solutions of the Einstein equation.

In this paper, we present a statistical model of spacetime trajectories based on a finite collection of paths organized into a branched manifold. For each configuration of the branched manifold, we define a Shannon entropy. Given the variational nature of both the action in physics and the entropy in statistical mechanics, we explore the hypothesis that the classical action is proportional to this entropy. Under this assumption, we derive a Wick-rotated version of the path integral that remains finite and exhibits both quantum interference at the microscopic level and classical determinism at the macroscopic scale. In effect, this version of the path integral differs from the standard one because it assigns weights of non-uniform magnitude to different paths. The model suggests that wave function collapse can be interpreted as a consequence of entropy maximization. Although still idealized, this framework provides a possible route toward unifying quantum and classical descriptions within a common finite-entropy structure.

Innovation in basic research is vital to scientific progress and technological development; however, such research finds insufficient support in the current research environment. To stimulate high-risk, high-reward basic research, this paper proposes a “research equity” funding model in which funders—such as government agencies and philanthropies—would pay researchers and institutions for completed research: The more valuable the research, the greater the reward. The valuation of completed research could be done with a novel “chess rating” method: A peer reviewer would be presented with a pair of research papers and would decide which of the two is of greater value, and a large number of comparisons would produce a numerical rating to inform payment. Payment based on research value would enable many of the qualities found in healthy markets. Initial capital for basic research would be provided by research institutions, which would be financially incentivized to invest in a diverse body of basic research that includes both low-risk, conservative research and high-risk, innovative research. Institutions would be motivated to demonstrate the value of completed research in their portfolios, which may accelerate recognition of important results. By motivating researchers and institutions to produce and promote valuable research, the research equity model could stimulate more rapid scientific discovery and progress. Notably, the research equity model could coexist with grant funding.