Ineffective Common Shoulder Treatments Identified

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A new study concludes that a combination of saline injection and ultrasound-guided irrigation in the treatment of shoulder calcific tendinopathy is no more effective than a placebo treatment, calling into question current treatments and calling for further treatment. The need for research and alternative approaches is emphasized.

Results from recent trials suggest that the use of this therapy should be reevaluated.

Recently published clinical trials BMJ A saline injection treatment commonly employed to treat calcific tendinopathy, a painful condition caused by calcium buildup in the rotator cuff tendons of the shoulder, has a significant It turns out that there is no advantage.

The study found that the perceived benefits of ultrasound-guided irrigation (a procedure in which calcium deposits are injected with saline to dissolve them), even when combined with steroid injections, are no greater than those gained from sham (placebo) treatment. It has been demonstrated that it is equivalent to

Researchers say the findings call into question the use of ultrasound-guided irrigation for this condition and should lead to a “significant reconsideration” of existing treatment guidelines.

Research background and methodology

Despite its widespread use, ultrasound-guided irrigation has never been compared to sham treatment, and it remains unclear whether the reported improvements are due to the treatment itself, natural recovery over time, or It is unclear whether this is due to a placebo effect.

To fill this important evidence gap, researchers from Norway and Sweden are the first to test the true effectiveness of ultrasound-guided irrigation with steroid injections in patients with shoulder calcific tendinopathy. A sham control study was conducted.

Their findings show that between April 2015 and March 2020, 218 adults (average age 50 years old, approximately 65% female).

At the beginning of the trial, patients provided information about various health and lifestyle factors, and X-rays were taken to assess the size of their calcium deposits.

Patients were then randomly divided into three treatment groups. Washing and steroid injection (73 participants), sham washing and steroid injection (74 participants), and sham only (71 participants). After treatment, all patients were asked to complete a home exercise program.

Evaluation and results

The primary measures of interest were pain intensity and functional disability on the Oxford Shoulder Score (0-48 point scale) reported by the patient at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 4, 8, 12, and 24 months. was.

At 4 months, there were no significant differences in pain and functional limitations between the three groups. At subsequent evaluations, scores remained similar even in patients whose calcium deposits had disappeared, which the researchers say casts doubt on the notion that lysis of periarticular calcium resolves symptoms. Says.

The steroid injection group reported better pain relief than the sham group at 2 and 6 weeks post-treatment, but of note, after 4 months the improvement was no different than the sham group. did not.

Findings and recommendations

Although the researchers acknowledge some limitations, including the lack of an untreated group to assess the natural course of symptoms, the double-blind, three-group design, including a sham group, They stated that they were able to evaluate the true clinical efficacy. Active treatment.

Therefore, they wrote, “Our results question existing recommendations for the treatment of calcific tendinopathy and may require a critical reexamination of established treatment concepts for these patients.” ” concludes.

Future studies should investigate alternative treatments, such as defined physical therapy programs, and should also include no treatment groups to assess the impact of the natural history of calcific tendinopathy on outcomes. the researchers added.

In a linked editorial, US researchers say that cleaning appears to be overused and may not be as effective as we think. However, it would be premature to conclude that ultrasound-guided irrigation or subacromial corticosteroid injections no longer have a role in the treatment of shoulder calcific tendinopathy.

These new findings should inform discussions with patients suffering from similar long-term symptom courses in which time resolves and corticosteroids may promote short-term pain relief. may provide some reassurance to the population,” the researchers added.

And they say future studies should include sham control groups, assess treatment response earlier in the course of symptoms, and investigate whether ultrasound classification systems can better predict treatment response. suggests.

Reference: “Ultrasound-guided lavage with corticosteroid injection versus sham lavage with corticosteroid injection for calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder: a randomized double-blind multi-arm study” Stefan Moosmayer, Ole Marius Ekeberg, Hanna Björnsson Hallgren, Ingar Heier, Synnove Kvalheim, Niels Gunnar Jewell, Jesper Blomquist, Hugo Ripp, Jens Ivor Brox, October 11, 2023, BMJ.
DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-076447

This study was funded by the Bergersen Foundation, the Aase Bye and Trygve J.B. Hoffs Foundation, Smith and Nephew, and the Medical Research Council of South East Sweden.

Source: scitechdaily.com

‘Avatar’ and ‘Jurassic Park’ animatronics company collaborates with Boston Dynamics

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Since its inception as an MIT spinoff, Boston Dynamics systems have consistently provided entertainment value. The Hyundai-owned company has long embraced this by releasing dozens of highly viral videos over the decades.

However, with a few exceptions, entertainment was more of a side benefit than the ultimate goal. But that will change in the near future. just announced the deal A collaboration with Singapore-based entertainment brand Neon.

Want the top robotics news in your inbox every week? Sign up for Actuator here.

Specifically (at least for our purposes) Neon is the parent company of Animax Designs. The Nashville-based company has created theme park and exhibit animatronics for some of Hollywood’s biggest franchises, including Avatar, Jurassic Park, Marvel, and Harry Potter.

No actual details have been revealed about the deal, other than the fact that it is “scheduled to culminate in late 2024 with an announcement that will captivate, inspire and surprise viewers.” Whether this means theme park robots or something else is completely unclear at this point.

A big advantage for Neon/Animax is that Boston Dynamics can produce robust, untethered autonomous systems at scale. The world of theme park robots has changed in recent years, with Disneyland’s Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge featuring robots that interact with park visitors.

“We are excited to collaborate with Neon and Animax on the development of a fully untethered entertainment robot,” Mark Thurman, Boston Dynamics’ chief strategy officer, said in a release. “These highly interactive creatures are poised to captivate consumers through novel and exciting initiatives. By partnering with Neon, a pioneer in immersive storytelling, we are proud to share our cutting-edge technology and the company’s ’s expertise in engaging storytelling.”

The agreement marks another step in Boston Dynamics’ commercialization roadmap, which began with Spot, a quadrupedal robot, and Stretch, a truck-unloading robot. But the company’s entertainment roots go back even further.mark lybert and team I also made a robot For the set of the 1993 Sean Connery/Wesley Snipes/Michael Crichton film Rising Sun.

Source: techcrunch.com

Experts Uncover the Key to Student Success in Education

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Research by the University of South Australia and its partners shows that increasing student engagement with complex learning tasks significantly improves critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This study suggests that teachers should focus on deep learning techniques to improve student outcomes.

High engagement, high returns. This is advice from education experts at the University of South Australia for teachers looking to improve student performance.

In a new study conducted in partnership with
flinders university
Researchers from the Melbourne School of Education found that fewer than a third of teachers engage students in complex learning, limiting students’ opportunities to develop critical thinking and solve problems. Did.

Researchers who filmed and assessed classroom content in South Australia and Victoria found that nearly 70% of student assignments consisted of simple questions and answers and notes, rather than activities that engaged students on a deeper level. I found that it is related to superficial learning such as taking things and listening to the teacher.

Emphasis on deep learning

UniSA researcher Dr Helen Stevenson said teachers needed more support to plan interactive and constructive lessons that foster deep learning.

“When it comes to learning, the greater the engagement, the deeper the learning. But too often, students are not very active and do passive work,” says Dr. Stevenson. Masu

“Our research suggests that about 70% of classroom content may be ‘passive’ (students have little observable input), or doing something simple like answering questions on a fact sheet. was considered to be “active”. While there is certainly a place for such tasks in the classroom, student learning is greatly enhanced when students spend more time doing complex activities that promote deep conceptual learning. Deep learning requires organizing knowledge into conceptual structures, which has been shown to improve information retention and improve learning outcomes. Deep learning also supports the knowledge needed for innovation. Making small changes to teachers’ existing lesson plans and instruction can significantly increase student engagement, which in turn improves overall outcomes. ”

She continues: “At a basic level, teachers need to consider how they can adjust existing classroom activities to place more tasks deeper into the learning scale. For example, suppose you watch a video. . Students can watch the video silently (this is “passive”). Watch the video and take notes using the presenter’s words (this is considered “active”). Write any questions that arise while watching the video (this is “constructive”). Or watch the video and discuss it with other students to generate different ideas (this is ‘interactive’). Interactive classroom engagement involves students participating in activities with other students and receiving stimulation that fosters deeper understanding. They make judgments, propose and criticize arguments and opinions, and come up with solutions to problems. These activities also help develop critical thinking and reasoning skills. All of these are predictive of learning gains. ”

Survey results regarding teacher awareness

Interestingly, one of the study’s key findings is that many teachers do not recognize or fully appreciate the importance of how classroom assignments can stimulate different modes of student participation. It seems like it hasn’t.

“Simply changing class activities from ‘active’ to ‘constructive’ can go a long way in improving student learning,” says Dr. Stevenson.

“Teachers should be supported to engage in professional development to shift their thinking to practices that support deeper learning and better outcomes for students.”

References: “Using the Extended ICAP-Based Coding Guide as a Framework for Analyzing Classroom Observations,” by Stella Vosniadou, Michael J. Lawson, Erin Bodner, Helen Stephenson, David Jeffries, and I Gusti Ngurah Darmawan; April 13, 2023 Education and teacher education.
DOI: 10.1016/j.tate.2023.104133

This research was funded by the Australian Research Council.

Source: scitechdaily.com

The most recent lawsuit filed by Mr. Tem against Shane is absolutely crazy.

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Early this week, the exchange argued that the conflict between PDD and Shein was noteworthy. PDD is a Chinese company that owns his famous Pinduoduo e-commerce business and Temu, a discount online retailer that has boomed in the US market in recent years.

Exchange explores startups, markets, and money.

Read it every morning on TechCrunch+ or get The Exchange newsletter every Saturday.

Our post was timely.Two days after exploring the rivalry a bit, Tim filed a lawsuit against Shane. This isn’t the first time the company has done something like this. Earlier this year, the companies filed suit against each other solely to: lawsuit dismissed in October. Now, Tem has filed a new lawsuit alleging a series of misconduct by Shane.

How did a new lawsuit come about after the companies dropped their dueling lawsuits? According to the complaint, since the first lawsuit was dismissed, “Tem has been concerned that Shein’s anti-competitive conduct has persisted. “We found that not only that, but also that it was intensifying,” the company claims. At this point, it may be helpful to recall Temu’s parent company, his PDD. I recently passed Alibaba has a market capitalization, and Shane wants to be listed in the United States.

A Shein spokesperson told TechCrunch+ that the company “believes in the following.”[s] This lawsuit is without merit and we intend to vigorously defend it. ”

What does Tem say Shane is doing?

The claims in the lawsuit are wide-ranging. Some have taken up Tem’s view that Shein has filed countless “questionable copyright infringement lawsuits” against the company, and that Shein has filed “a plethora of malicious DMCA takedown notices” against rivals. It claims to have issued.

But that’s just the beginning. Temu also claims that Shein used its “monopoly power in the U.S. ultrafast fashion market” to abuse its suppliers, entering into “exclusive trade agreements” with ultrafast fashion suppliers through which Shein They allege that their property was wrongfully confiscated. This prevents suppliers from listing and selling similar products on her Temu or other retail platforms.

Source: techcrunch.com

Discovery of a ‘Quantum Switch’ Controlling Photosynthesis by Scientists

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A new study reveals the quantum switching mechanism of light-harvesting complex II (LHCII), which is critical for efficient photosynthesis. This discovery, achieved through advanced cryo-EM and theoretical calculations, supports a dynamic role for LHCII in regulating energy transfer in plants. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

Photosynthesis is an important process that allows plants to use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds. Light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) consists of dye molecules bound to proteins. It alternates between two main roles. Under strong light, excess energy is dissipated as heat through non-photochemical quenching, and under weak light, light is efficiently transferred to the reaction center.

Recent bioengineering research has revealed that faster switching between these functions can improve photosynthetic efficiency. For example, soybean crops showed yield increases of up to 33%. However, the precise atomic-level structural changes in LHCII that cause this control have not been known until now.

The molecular mechanism of NPQ and acidity-induced changes in several key structural factors cause the LHCII trimer to switch between light-harvesting and energy-quenching states.Credit: Institute of Physics

innovative research approach

In the new study, researchers led by Professor Weng Yuxiang from the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with Professor Gao Jiali’s group from the Shenzhen Bay Institute, combined single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) research. Using multistate density functional theory (MSDFT) calculations of energy transfer between photosynthetic pigment molecules, we analyzed the dynamic structure of his LHCII at atomic resolution and identified photosynthetic pigment quantum switches for intermolecular energy transfer. Masu.

As part of the study, they developed a series of six cryogenic states, including energy transfer states with LHCII in solution and energy quenching states with laterally confined LHCII in membrane nanodisks under neutral and acidic conditions. reported the EM structure.

Comparing these different structures shows that LHCII undergoes a structural change upon acidification. This change allosterically changes the interpigment distance of the fluorescence quenching locus lutein 1 (Lut1)-chlorophyll 612 (Chl612) only when LHCII is confined to membrane nanodiscs, leading to the quenching of excited Chl612 by Lut1. cause. Therefore, lateral pressure-confined LHCII (e.g., aggregated LHCII) is a prerequisite for non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), whereas acidThe induced conformational change enhances fluorescence quenching.

Cryo-EM structures of LHCII in nanodiscs and surfactant solutions at pH 7.8 and 5.4. Credit: Institute of Physics

Quantum switching mechanism in photosynthesis

Through cryo-EM structures and MSDFT calculations of known crystal structures in the extinction state and transient fluorescence experiments, an important quantum switching mechanism of LHCII with the Lut1-Chl612 distance as a key factor was revealed.

This distance controls the energy transfer quantum channels in response to lateral pressure and conformational changes to LHCII. That is, a small change in the critical distance of 5.6 Å allows a reversible switch between light collection and excess energy dissipation. This mechanism allows for rapid response to changes in light intensity, achieving both high efficiency and efficiency. photosynthesis Balanced photoprotection using LHCII as a quantum switch.

Fluorescence decay rate, relationship of Lut1–Chl612 electronic bond strength to Lut1–Chl612 separation distance, and plot of Lut1–Chl612 distance versus crossing angle of TM helices A and B in different LHCII structures. Credit: Institute of Physics

Previously, these two research groups collaborated on molecular dynamics simulations and ultrafast infrared spectroscopy experiments to propose that LHCII is an allosterically controlled molecular machine. Their current experimental cryo-EM structure confirms previously theoretically predicted structural changes in his LHCII.

Reference: “Cryo-EM structure of LHCII in photoactive and photoprotected states reveals allosteric control of light harvesting and excess energy dissipation” Meixia Ruan, Hao Li, Ying Zhang, Ruoqi Zhao, Jun Zhang, Yingjie Wang , Jiali Gao, Zhuan Wang, Yumei Wang, Dapeng Sun, Wei Ding, Yuxiang Weng, August 31, 2023, natural plants.
DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01500-2

This research was supported by a project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Committee.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Early-stage investors respond to increasing challenges in securing Series A funding

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Lightspeed Venture Partners officially moves forward with scaling efforts as other companies make similar moves

Connie Loizos

@cookie
/
20 hours

hurdle Series A funding has increased significantly compared to a year ago, and investors in seed-stage companies are having to react.

If they want their startup to survive, they don’t have many options. When the market suddenly changed in the spring of 2022, late-stage companies were the first to feel the pain. But that downward financial pressure has also recently affected newer companies, resulting in lower valuations in subsequent rounds, up from 1.6x in the second quarter to 2013, according to Pitchbook data. This is the lowest value since the third quarter, making selection difficult. Series A investors with plenty of options.

There are countless ways VCs can get creative on this front. European venture firm Breega touts a “scaling team” to back many of its seed investments. Pear VC, a Bay Area-based seed-stage venture firm, continues to roll out new programs to support and educate the early teams it supports.

Even larger, more agnostic companies are doing more to show they’re responsive to today’s market. For example, in October, investment firm Greylock launched Edge, a three-month company-building program “aimed at taking selected pre-idea, pre-seed, and seed founders from launch to product-market fit.” It started.

VC powerhouse Lightspeed Venture Partners is also stepping up its efforts. The company has long written early (and in some cases first) checks to startups, including the messaging app Snapchat. application performance management company AppDynamics (acquired by Cisco just before his IPO); and publicly traded cloud computing company Nutanix (current market cap: $11.2 billion).

The company says it has long focused on polishing these rough diamonds. Still, given the rising standards for Series A investors overall, Lightspeed told TechCrunch that some of the mentorship the company has provided to portfolio companies for years will be extended to company-building for founders. He said that he decided to make it official through the program. launch.

The idea, led by partner Luke Betheda, is not to attract more founders to Lightspeed, but to pave the way for already-funded startups to advance to Series A rounds. It is said that Betheda explains that almost everyone faces the same questions and obstacles. “They need to know: How do I get a business up and running? How do I hire and build a core team? Build product strategy through customer interviews and build partnerships. How can we design and drive revenue?”

Going forward, Lightspeed hopes to answer these questions more systematically through expert-led workshops, seed “playbooks,” and other toolkits Lightspeed offers through new programs.

Certainly, any help, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated at this time.

While many startups simply disband, at least 3,200 According to data compiled by Pitchbook for the New York Times, venture-backed U.S. companies are expected to go out of business in 2023, but companies that focus on year-over-year growth and annual recurring revenue are realistic. Some companies think they won’t go out of business any time soon.

At this time, it also includes a Series A stage.

“In 2020, 2021 and towards the end of 2022, we went through a period of tremendous market excitement, where there was a sense that gravity was non-existent,” Benchmark VC Sarah Tavel said at TC told. At an event earlier this month, she spoke about the changing landscape of Series A funding.

“Now we’re back to the point where everyone realizes that the job of building a company is really hard. You have to have great direction for your customers. You have to have incredible direction to the fundamentals of the business you are in.”

Mr Tavel said: “It’s not just the cosmetic metrics, the top-line numbers, that get a lot of people confused. [succeed] It is what generates profits and cash flow. ”

Source: techcrunch.com

The Impact of High Blood Pressure on Brain Immunity

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

NINDS Research on High Blood Pressure and Cognitive Decline

by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) December 14, 2023

NIH-funded researchers have found that high blood pressure leads to an increase in interleukin-17 in the brain, which activates immune cells and causes cognitive decline. The discovery, made using a mouse model, points to the possibility of new treatments by targeting T cells in the brain’s protective membranes. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

An NIH-funded study in mice suggests a potential new target for treating hypertension. Research supported by National Institutes of Health The findings suggest that a response of immune system cells within the protective membrane that surrounds the brain may contribute to the cognitive decline that can occur in people with chronic hypertension. This discovery is natural neuroscience, may shed light on new ways to counter the effects of high blood pressure on cognition. This study was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the NIH. “Understanding the role of immune signaling in cognitive decline is critical,” said Dr. Roderick Corriveau, NINDS program director. “These findings provide insight into how signaling from the immune system contributes to the symptoms of cognitive decline that ultimately lead to the diagnosis of dementia.”

Global impact of hypertension and its impact on cognition

High blood pressure affects more than 1 billion people worldwide and can cause cognitive decline not only when a stroke occurs, but even when a person with high blood pressure does not have a stroke. However, efforts to control cognitive decline in people who have not had a stroke with blood pressure-lowering treatments have shown mixed results. The results of this mouse study suggest that under conditions that mimic common hypertension, immune cells around and within the brain become abnormally activated, and that this activation leads to impaired brain function. Fluorescent staining reveals an extensive vascular network of the dura mater. These blood vessels contain her T cells, which are activated in mouse models of chronic hypertension, causing a condition that can lead to dementia-like symptoms. Credit: Iadecola Lab

Research Insights: Mouse models of hypertension

Researchers led by Costantino Iadecola, MD, director and director of the Feil Family Brain and Mind Institute in New York City, used a mouse model of hypertension to investigate interleukin-17 (IL-17). It was discovered that the levels of A chemical normally released in the body, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain to activate the immune system. Previously, Dr. Iadekola’s team showed that a high-salt diet increases IL-17 in the intestine, followed by cognitive impairment. These new findings further deepen the story by showing that IL-17 is acting within the brain itself. It is also worth noting that these experiments used a different mouse model called the DOCA salt model, which more closely mimics common hypertension in humans. “This is the most realistic model of hypertension that we have at this time,” Dr. Iadecola said. “DOCA mice simulate low-renin hypertension, a type of hypertension that is common in people, especially black Americans.”

Role of IL-17 and brain macrophages

Further research has shown that when IL-17 enters the brain, it activates immune cells known as macrophages, which are responsible for activating inflammation and fighting infections. A series of experiments showed that both mice with brain macrophage deletion of IL-17 receptors and mice with brain macrophage depletion showed no effect of hypertension on cognitive function, and therefore these macrophages were not associated with the observed cognitive function. It was confirmed that this is important for the reduction of Functioning despite other hypertension symptoms. Researchers were still looking for a source of IL-17 that acts on brain macrophages. Based on previous studies, the researchers’ initial hypothesis was that the gut releases IL-17, which travels to the brain through the bloodstream. Once there, a reaction is triggered that damages the ability of the brain’s blood vessels to respond appropriately to increased brain activity. However, blocking the ability of cerebral blood vessels to respond to IL-17 only partially reversed the cognitive impairment, suggesting that another source of IL-17 is acting on the brain. Uncovering IL-17 pathways and protective barriers One clue suggests that one layer of the brain’s protective layer, known as the dura mater, contains immune T cells that secrete IL-17 and may influence mouse behavior. taken from other recent studies. Using special mice whose cells glow fluorescent green when they make IL-17, the researchers found that high blood pressure increases IL-17 in the dura mater, which is then released into the tissues. Normally, a barrier exists within the brain’s protective covering called the meninges to prevent unwanted spillage into the brain. However, in mice with experimentally induced hypertension, this barrier appears to be disrupted, allowing IL-17 to enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Two additional experiments helped confirm this hypothesis. First, drugs were used to block the migration of her T cells from the lymph nodes to the meninges. Second, antibodies were used to block the activity of her T cells within the meninges. In both cases, the hypertensive mice recovered cognitive function, suggesting that targeting hyperactive T cells may be a new therapeutic approach worth exploring. “Taken together, our data suggest that hypertension causes two distinct effects,” Dr. Iadecola said. “One is that IL-17 has an effect on blood vessels, but this seems to be relatively minor. The more prominent central effect is that IL-17 releases IL-17, which has a direct effect on immune cells in the brain. It is caused by cells in the meninges. These immune cells, activated by signaling from the meninges, affect the brain in a way that ultimately causes cognitive impairment.”

Future Research Directions

Dr. Iadekola and his team are now trying to connect the dots between activation of immune cells in the meninges and cognitive decline. Previous works by the group The researchers suggested a link between a high-salt diet, which suppresses the production of the chemical nitric oxide in brain blood vessels, and the resulting accumulation of tau, a toxic protein that forms clumps within affected neurons. Alzheimer’s disease disease. The findings also indicate suppression of nitric oxide production in cerebral blood vessels, and whether this also leads to increased tau production is currently being investigated.

Reference: “Meningeal interleukin-17-producing T cells mediate cognitive impairment in a mouse model of salt-sensitive hypertension” Monica M. Santisteban, Samantha Schaeffer, Antoine Anfray, Giuseppe Faraco, David Brea, Gang Wang, Melissa J. Sobanko , Rose Sciortino, Gianfranco Rachumi, Ali Wiseman, Rybaik Park, Joseph Anraser, Costantino Iadecola, December 4, 2023, natural neuroscience.DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01497-z of NINDS’ Mind Your Risks® Campaign This paper highlights the relationship between high blood pressure and brain health (including risk of stroke and dementia), particularly in Black men aged 28 to 45, and provides recommendations to prevent and reduce the impact of high blood pressure on brain health. We offer strategies. This research was funded by NINDS (NS089323, NS095441, NS123507), the Leon Levy Fellowship in Neuroscience, and the Feil Family Foundation.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Firefox’s Android browser now features 450+ new extensions after 3-year renovation

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

The experience has gotten even better for some markets who choose Firefox instead of Chrome, the default browser on Android devices. Mozilla, the maker of Firefox, today announced the release of over 450 new extensions (also known as browser add-ons). These are currently available on his website at Mozilla. Firefox browser add-ons page. These extensions allow users to customize their mobile browser to suit their needs. Tracking protection privacy tools, content blockerproductivity tools, or other features that introduce new experiences. streaming music, or anything that allows users to personalize their browser’s user interface – etc. Switch all websites to dark mode or provide A better way to manage tabs.

The lack of extensions has been a problem for Firefox Android users for years. 2020 launch of rebuilt version of mobile browser This replaces the app’s previous codebase with a new, faster, more customizable browser engine called ‘GeckoView’. At the time, the company said he had made a decision Limits supported extensions to those in the “Recommended Extensions” program, that is, extensions that are commonly installed by end users. This choice allowed Mozilla to quickly get the new browser into consumers’ hands, but it also killed the long tail of extension development and opportunities for software developers focused on this market. .

Nightly builds of Firefox have since enabled many more extensions, but hundreds of these extensions were not accessible in the publicly available Firefox browser for Android. This meant that most mainstream users of Firefox also had no access to extensions.

In August of this year, Mozilla said We finally have the infrastructure needed to bring the open extension ecosystem back to Firefox for Android. We then began testing hundreds more extensions for Firefox Android users, culminating in today’s news that we now have over 450 extensions available.

The company highlighted the importance of having an open ecosystem, noting that nearly half of all Firefox desktop users install extensions to customize their experience.

Many of the recommended extensions for Android browsers have six-figure user numbers or more, but the apps themselves only hold a small portion of the mobile browser market due to the traction that default browsers Chrome and Safari have gained in the mobile browser market. I have not. Android and iOS respectively. On mobile devices, Firefox has a market share of only 0.5% as of November 2023. According to data from StatCounter. In comparison, Chrome’s share is 64.23%. Safari, Samsung’s browser, Opera, etc. are also ahead of Firefox in the mobile browser competition.

Still, the app has a small but loyal following, including those looking for alternative options outside of big tech companies. One of its key selling points is automatic tracker blocking, which is appealing to those who value privacy. According to Google Play Store data, Firefox for Android has surpassed 100 million installs to date.

“The opportunities for innovation are huge,” said Giorgio Natiri, Director of Engineering at Firefox. announcement About launching extensions. “It’s exciting to see extension developers capitalizing on this moment and creating novel browsing experiences and features for Firefox for Android users. You don’t have to browse the mobile web with Extensions, which give you the freedom to change the way Firefox for Android looks and behaves. As more developers innovate in this exciting new field, things get even better. It will be,” he added.

Source: techcrunch.com

Large-scale language models are used by Agility to communicate with humanoid robots

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

I’ve spent most of the past year discussing generative AI and large-scale language models with robotics experts. It is becoming increasingly clear that this type of technology is poised to revolutionize the way robots communicate, learn, look, and program.

Therefore, many leading universities, research institutes, and companies are exploring the best ways to leverage these artificial intelligence platforms. Agility, a well-funded Oregon-based startup, has been experimenting with the technology for some time with its bipedal robot Digit.

Today, the company is showcasing some of its accomplishments in a short video shared across its social channels.

“[W]We were curious to see what we could accomplish by integrating this technology into Digit,” the company said. “The physical embodiment of artificial intelligence created a demonstration space with a series of numbered towers of several heights and three boxes with multiple features. Digit has We were given information about the environment, but we were not given any specific information about the task, just to see if we could execute natural language commands of varying complexity.”

In the video example, Digit is instructed to pick up a box colored “Darth Vader’s Lightsaber” and move it to the tallest tower. As you might expect from early demos, the process is not instantaneous, but rather slow and methodical. However, the robot performs the task as described.

Agility says: “Our innovation team developed this interactive demo to show how LLM can make robots more versatile and faster to deploy. In this demo, people can use natural language to communicate with Digit. You can talk to it and ask it to perform tasks, giving you a glimpse into the future.”

Want the top robotics news in your inbox every week? Sign up for Actuator here.

Natural language communication is an important potential application of this technology, along with the ability to program systems through low-code and no-code technologies.

On my Disrupt panel, Gill Pratt explained how Toyota Research Institute is using generative AI to accelerate robot learning.

We figured out how to do something. It uses the latest generative AI techniques that allow humans to demonstrate both position and force, essentially teaching the robot from just a handful of examples. The code hasn’t changed at all. What is this based on? There is a popularization policy. This is a study we conducted in collaboration with Columbia and MIT. We have taught 60 different skills so far.

MIT CSAIL’s Daniela Russ also told me recently: “Generative AI turns out to be very powerful in solving even motion planning problems. It provides much faster solutions and more fluid and human-like control solutions than using model prediction solutions. I think this is very powerful because the robots of the future will be much less robotic. Their movements will be more fluid and human-like.”

The potential applications here are wide and exciting. And Digit, as an advanced commercial robotic system being piloted in Amazon fulfillment centers and other real-world locations, seems like a prime candidate. If robots are to work alongside humans, they will also need to learn to listen to us.

Source: techcrunch.com

The Mistakes of Zuckerberg and Musk in Understanding the Digital Economy

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Understanding Digital Capitalism

New research analyzes Silicon Valley texts to understand the impact of today’s digital capitalism. The survey found that solutionism, the belief that technological solutions can beneficially address societal problems, is prevalent among technology leaders and is spreading to the digital economy. Nachtwey criticizes this ideology, arguing that it overlooks democratic processes and often fails to address real problems, exemplified by the practices of companies like Tesla and Meta. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

How significantly are the ideas of Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk shaping today’s digital economy? A study by economic sociologists at the University of Basel draws on lectures, book contributions, and articles from Silicon Valley. analyzes and demonstrates the emergence of a new spirit of digital capitalism.

What is the justification for making a lot of money? Nineteenth-century Calvinists interpreted economic prosperity as a sign of being counted among God’s chosen ones. This idea centered around Geneva influenced liberal capitalism.

The justification for economic activity today seems different. They focus on themes of flexibility and efficiency. Digital capitalists in particular claim to improve the world. Their belief is that every social problem, from climate change to inequality, has a technological solution that offers an opportunity to generate significant profits. This approach is known as solutionism.

Economic sociologist Oliver Nachtwey from the University of Basel in Switzerland, together with his colleague Timo Seidl from the University of Vienna in Austria, wanted to find out how influential this idea is today. For their research, they used a variety of texts from Silicon Valley, a global center of high technology on the West Coast of the United States.Their results will be published in a magazine theory, culture, society.

From the west coast to the east coast

With the help of machine learning algorithms, the researchers examined the speeches and written contributions of people like Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the West Coast tech elite. They also saw the following articles: wired, a popular magazine among technology developers and programmers. His third source investigated by Nachtwey and Seidl was an article in East Coast magazine harvard business reviewwhich American executives tend to read more than Silicon Valley types.

Nachtwey explains his choice of textual sources: But we wanted to know whether that ideology spread beyond the exclusive circles of Silicon Valley’s elite. ”

In this study, multiple people first classified independently selected text excerpts, focusing on the justifications listed in various paragraphs of economic activity, such as world improvement, flexibility, and efficiency. . The algorithm then calculated the proportion of different justifications. 1.7 million excerpts.

solutionism is widespread

For the technology elite of the US West Coast, solutionism has indeed proven to be the most important reference point of entrepreneurship. This idea is becoming increasingly popular in the world. wired, This more or less represents the broader idea of the technology environment in Silicon Valley.of harvard business reviewOn the other hand, it contained only fleeting traces of ideology. The fervor for good deeds clearly has not yet reached every corner of the American economy. But as digitalization advances, it will continue to spread to other sectors of economic activity and regions, Nachtwey said.

He summarized the study as follows: “We have demonstrated for the first time, based on extensive data, that a new way of thinking is emerging that provides the central legitimation for entrepreneurial activity within today’s digital capitalism. It is strongly influenced by principles.”

not a real doer

Nachtwey believes this new capitalist ethos is problematic because it underestimates democratic processes. For example, the great “activist” Mr. Musk has no value for worker protections or democratic regulation. As a result, Tesla factories in Germany have far more workplace accidents than comparable Audi factories.

Nachtwey also criticized Meta, formerly known as Facebook. Meta claims to unite the world, but it allows fake news to flourish. “Solutionism does not address real problems at all; it is just an empty ideological shell,” he concludes. Nachtwey understands that his study is a critique of the self-portrait of America’s big technology companies and that “we should take it with great skepticism.”

Reference: “Solutionist Ethics and the Spirit of Digital Capitalism” by Oliver Nachtwey and Timo Seidl, October 23, 2023 theory, culture, society.DOI: 10.1177/02632764231196829

Source: scitechdaily.com

The holiday season sees ongoing cryptocurrency hacks and chaos

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Welcome to Chain Reactions.

Get a roundup of TechCrunch’s biggest and most important crypto articles delivered to your inbox every Thursday at 12pm PT. Subscribe here.

If you’re feeling the holiday spirit this month, you’re probably aligning yourself with the millions of people who are spreading joy, love, warmth, and even generosity.

But if you’re feeling like the Grinch, you’re probably joining a smaller group of individuals, one that may (in this analogy) include crypto hackers. there is.

Even though it’s a fun season, hackers haven’t stopped. But hey, playing devil’s advocate, the attackers may be overjoyed every time someone falls for their scam. Two sides of the coin.

Earlier Thursday, hackers breached the code behind the cryptographic protocols used by multiple Web3 applications and services, crypto software and hardware wallet maker Ledger announced Thursday.

It was not immediately clear how many people were victims of the hack. ZachXBT, a well-known independent crypto researcher, wrote to X that one of the victims had over $600,000 in crypto assets leaked from his account.

Please see below for details.

what is happening in web3

Users hacked in supply chain attack targeting Ledger cryptocurrency wallets
Bitcoin ATM company Coin Cloud has been hacked. Even the new owners don’t know how.
Worldcoin adds integration with Minecraft, Reddit, Telegram, Shopify, Mercado Libre
Korus, a startup founded by Deadmau5, uses AI to create music

latest pod

this week's episode, Jacqueline We interviewed Johan Kerblatt, General Manager of Cryptocurrency at Robinhood.

Johan is leading applications efforts to grow the cryptocurrency exchange business and make digital assets more accessible to retail investors.

Before joining Robinhood, Johan was an engineer at Airbnb, served as Head of Engineering at Uber and VP of Engineering at privacy-focused crypto startup Iron Fish.

We discussed Robinhood's expansion outside the US, how the platform restricted holdings and trading of certain crypto assets in June, and the current situation.

We also discussed:

appeal to mainstream audiences
Grow your cryptocurrencies on the platform
Regulatory concerns
Robinhood’s 2024 Goals

apply Chain reaction upon apple podcast, spotify Or catch up on the latest episodes using your favorite pod platform. If you like what you hear, please leave a review.

follow the money

Line Next secures $140 million in funding for its Web3 platform
Lolli raises $8M in Series B to expand Bitcoin and cashback benefits to businesses
Andalusia Labs raises $48 million in Series A to improve risk infrastructure for digital assets
Dynamic raises $13.5 million from a16z cryptocurrency and Founders Fund for easy access to Web3 and cryptocurrency wallets
Avalanche-based Nodekit raises $1.2M in pre-seed round to build rollup-focused network

This list was compiled using information from Messari and TechCrunch's own reporting.

what else are you writing?

Ready to step outside the world of Web3? Here are some TechCrunch articles that caught our attention this week.

Mr. Tem’s latest lawsuit against Shane is wild (TC+)
OpenAI believes superhuman AI is coming and wants to build tools to control it.
AI is not evil and will not get smarter any time soon, but it is also irreversibly pervasive.
Here's where founders mess up their pitch decks most often (TC+)
Possible regulations surrounding generative AI (TC+) are on the horizon

Follow us on Twitter @Jacqmelinek Get the latest cryptocurrency news, memes, and more.

Source: techcrunch.com

Miracle Needed for White Christmas Wishes, extensive warmth predicted

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas?

If so, that dream may have to wait until 2024. Above-average temperatures are expected across much of the United States from December 21-27.

For the second year in a row, weather conditions across the country for the week ending December 25 are expected to be characterized by widespread shortages of cold air and precipitation, the two elements necessary for snow formation.

However, in some northern and mountainous regions, old snowpack from previous winter storms could help us have a white Christmas. This includes parts of the Rocky Mountains, Cascades, Sierra Mountains, and the northernmost parts of Minnesota, Michigan, and Maine.

Official definition of white Christmas According to the National Weather Service, this refers to the state in which at least 1 inch of snow has accumulated on the ground as of 7 a.m. local time on December 25. Snow can be old or new.

Outside of 2023, the chances of a white Christmas are generally fading away for much of the country, in part due to climate change.

When the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) updates its information Probability of white Christmas The study, based on typical weather conditions for thousands of locations across the United States from 1991 to 2020, found that more than half of weather stations had a higher chance of a white Christmas compared to the period before 1991. It was found that it was decreasing.

In the latest releaseNOAA scientists say that while direct comparisons of snowfall amounts on specific days over decades are more tied to daily weather patterns, the probability of a white Christmas is more likely to be due to changes in temperature and precipitation patterns across the country. It reflected trends, which are consistent with the effects of climate change, he said. climate change.

NOAA officials said in a statement that “there were more areas where the likelihood of a white Christmas decreased than where the likelihood of a white Christmas increased,” and these results reflect long-term global warming. It added that this is consistent with the data on

Compared to past decades, the cities where the probability of a white Christmas has decreased most dramatically are Denver (down from 40% to 34%), Minneapolis (down from 80% to 74%), and Chicago (down from 41%). 34%). %), Columbus, Ohio (29% to 23%).

17% of St. Louisans are now more likely to experience a white Christmas than 13% of New Yorkers. And Minneapolis has a better chance at 74% than Buffalo’s 53%. The odds for buffalo are about 50/50, but this is due to fluctuations associated with lake-effect snow events during the early winter months of each year.

There were also some surprising associations between major cities, including Seattle and Washington DC (both 4% chance) and Chicago and Denver (both 34% chance).

With 2023 set to be another harrowing year for those wishing for a white Christmas, it might be time to rethink the lyrics of Christmas classics.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

7 Affordable Photo Gifts for 2023

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Are you passionate about photography but feeling limited by the capabilities of your iPhone’s camera? Finding the perfect photography gifts and equipment can be overwhelming, but there’s no need to break the bank for a new camera. These fun options prioritize play and allow anyone to expand their photographic horizons without spending a fortune.

When it comes to hobbies, photography is very personal, with everyone having their own style, tastes, and equipment preferences. Whether you prefer film or digital photography, there are plenty of options to explore. Instant photography provides exciting and tactile options for those looking to break out of the smartphone photography mindset. Film and instant photography have made a comeback, focusing on the fun and serendipity of printing photos on the fly.

For aspiring content creators or those looking to elevate their vacation photos, consider Joby’s series of tripods designed for smartphones. Joby tripods allow you to securely mount your smartphone anywhere, making use of its high-resolution front-facing camera for stunning shots.

For those seeking adventure and fast-paced action photography, GoPro cameras are durable and designed for extreme environments. The industry-standard GoPro Hero Black is versatile and comes with a variety of accessories.

When it comes to camera bags, Peak Design and Wandrd offer a range of options to fit different needs. Whether you need a small hip-belt pack or a spacious backpack for all your gear, these brands have you covered.

If you’re interested in instant photography with filters and customizable options, the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo offers a twist on traditional instant cameras. You can choose which photos to print and even wirelessly send photos from your smartphone for printing.

For a truly unique and thoughtful gift, consider vintage film cameras and high-quality film. Shooting with film slows you down and makes each shot feel special, providing a more tactile photography experience.

No matter what type of photography you’re interested in, there are plenty of options for fun and unique gifts to expand your creative horizons.

Source: techcrunch.com

Producing Powdered Milk for Orphaned Animals in a Milk Bank

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Shaman, a hairy armadillo cub, cries after being fed custom baby milk

Roshan Patel/Smithsonian National Zoo/Conservation Biology Institute

Killer whale milk has a blindingly fishy smell. Seal milk has a rich orange color. Reindeer milk is about as thick as eggnog, which is probably appropriate. I’m not tempted to try it, and I can see other exotic milks stacked floor-to-ceiling on shelves. I put on my fluffy winter jacket and went inside the freezer that houses the world’s largest collection of animal milk. It contains milk from everything from shrews to two-toed sloths and giant anteaters.

Housed at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C., this collection is more than just a shelf of curiosities, it’s a vital resource for zoo workers here and at zoos around the world tasked with nourishing orphaned infants. By studying all this white and not-so-white stuff, scientists at the Smithsonian Institution hope to create custom infant formulas that give the animals in their care the best possible start in life. I can.

However, as our understanding of milk grew, we realized that milk lacked an important element: microorganisms. Now, as they investigate the diversity of microorganisms found in different milks and the benefits these organisms provide, they aim to recreate this in milk produced in the lab. This is not only to better help the young animals in the zoo, but also to help some animals survive. The rarest species in the wild.

Killer whale milk tastes fishy

Espen Bergersen/npl/Alamy

“The goal is not necessarily to freeze and archive milk…

Source: www.newscientist.com

Getaround’s Third Quarter Results Encourage Investors, but the Company Still Faces Challenges

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

peer-to-peer car sharing company Moving filed its first earnings report since going public a year ago Via SPAC combination. The company’s third-quarter earnings report details that while revenue is growing rapidly, it still doesn’t generate enough sales to cover expenses.

Getaround reported gross bookings of $69 million in the third quarter, resulting in revenue of $23.8 million in the period, up from $16.7 million in the year-ago period. In the first nine months of 2023, Getaround’s revenue reached his $54 million.

But while Getaround’s reported 42% year-over-year revenue growth in the third quarter has been well-received by investors, who have sent the stock up 75% in after-hours trading at the time of writing, the company is not. Still out of the forest.

Getaround’s operating expenses in the third quarter were worth $42.9 million, compared to the equivalent of $128 million for the first three quarters of this year, both numbers significantly higher than its gross profit for both periods. Still, Getaround has made some progress on the profitability front. In the third quarter, the company had a net GAAP loss of $27.3 million, an improvement of 16% from the third quarter of 2022 report. Using a more generous profit calculation, Get Around remained unprofitable in the latest quarter, with his adjusted EBITDA reported at -$11.3 million. Over the three-month period, it improved by 43% year-over-year.

Getaround is targeting gross bookings in the range of $200 million to $205 million for the full year of 2023. The company did not disclose revenue targets for this year, but third-quarter revenue reflects an annual run rate of more than $95 million. Getaround expects its 2023 adjusted EBITDA loss to be in the range of $68 million to $70 million.

Getaround ended the third quarter with $22.1 million in cash and cash equivalents. This number is a significant departure from the $64.3 million reported in cash and equivalents at the end of the third quarter of 2022. The company got some good news in the form of a $3 million infusion from Madrick Capital. Madrick Capital has an existing $15 million note with the company, which was expanded to provide a little more headroom for the getaround.

Getaround stock closed regular trading at about $0.17 on Thursday, ahead of the release of third-quarter data.

Rebuilding

Getaround is working to clean up its cost base, including reducing the company’s workforce. 10% of staff In February, the company announced that it would cut costs by $25 million to $30 million a year to achieve sustainability. The layoffs came a day after Getaround was declared a state of emergency. Delisting Notice from the New York Stock Exchange This is because the stock price was trading too low.

Now that the stock price has risen significantly following the earnings report, GetAround is still worth less than $1 per share, meaning it is still at risk of being delisted.Several SPAC combinations were executed reverse stock split This is probably why earnings per share have remained in the 100 yen range.

Getaround has also received other delisting notices for failing to timely file annual and quarterly reports. The company has not filed its 2022 annual report and just filed its third quarter earnings report. Getaround has not yet filed its first and second quarter results. The company says it will need more time to complete the audit and has now completed it.

Getaround CEO Sam Zaid told TechCrunch: Mr. Zaid would not comment on whether GetAround would seek a reverse stock split to boost its stock price.

car sharing companies too Acquires assets of startup HyreCar This will increase Getaround’s operating costs in the short term. Getaround hopes the scale provided by the acquisition will help accelerate its path to profitability.

This article has been updated with information from Getaround’s CEO.

Source: techcrunch.com

What is the status of the influx of new venture funds?

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

More venture companies may be opening the champagne corks before the New Year. Several investment companies announced new funds today. Artis VenturesBoxGroup, Playground Global, and Singular have all suspended funding; Partek announced the launch of a 360 million euro venture fund.

The announcements come as something of a shock, especially coming so quickly against a backdrop of layoffs and continued economic uncertainty. But they point out some fundamental truths about the current market.

Institutional investors remain interested in venture capital as an asset class. With a more rational valuation, they think his 2024 is a good time to put money into startups. They also want to maintain relationships with venture companies that have made some promises in recent years, especially after a bit of a breather in 2023.

As Eric Hippeau, managing partner at Lerer Hippeau, told TechCrunch last year when the company raised $230 million for 2022, this is what will happen in 2021.[A]All of our limited partners were completely overwhelmed by people raising money twice a year or much more than they normally would. ”

The question is to what extent LPs are starting to loosen their purse strings, and despite today’s flurry of funding news, the answer is far from clear.

Steph Chiu, a partner at venture firm Portage, insists that “the funding environment remains tough.” She believes that what we are seeing is a result of continued interest in funds with strong track records and distributions on paid-in capital.

Karim Gharani, general partner at Luge Capital, agrees. Limited partners “will continue to support fund managers who believe they can not only consistently select these companies, but also participate in those transactions when they are competitive,” Galani said in an email.

Falling valuations may also attract the attention of institutional investors. Their portfolio managers may have been overpaying for trades in recent years due to frothy markets, and could be getting better deals with talented teams, at least for now. .

“If you have dry powder as a fund, now is the time to deploy it, because the best vintages in venture history have come from the post-valuation reset period,” Choo said in an email. “Some forward-thinking LPs are also looking at similar historical trends, along with broader macros (strong public market performance, calls for soft landings, etc.), which will likely lead to renewed interest next year. there is a possibility.”

Meanwhile, LPs may not be reacting too much to what’s just around the corner in 2024, but may be looking out over a longer time horizon, especially given that venture funds typically invest over 10-year time horizons. There is.

As Gallani points out, the announcement of so many new funds does not necessarily indicate that 2024 will be a “year of prosperity.” The venture industry, which is always a cyclical business, is likely to recover, and this recovery is likely to occur sooner or later.

Connie Loizos also contributed to this article.

Source: techcrunch.com

Co-founder of Credit Karma, Nicole Mustard, resigns after 16 years in the company

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Credit Karma co-founder and chief revenue officer Nichole Mustard is leaving the company after 16 and a half years, TechCrunch exclusively learned today.

A spokesperson for the consumer fintech, now a subsidiary of Intuit, confirmed Mustard’s departure in an email, writing only: “We are certain that she has decided to leave the company. Her contribution has been significant and we wish her all the best.”

Mr. Mustard’s decision to step down marks the third high-profile departure of an executive at Credit Karma in 2023. Verified blind user. Colleen McCleary, Chief Human Resources Officer He resigned from his role in January and joined Ribbit Capital as an investor in June. In September, Greg Lulu announced: resign from the position of chief marketing officer As soon as his replacement is found.

Intuit closes with $8.1 billion in cash and stock sales purchase Credit Karma took a big hit in 2020, and things have been a bit volatile ever since.

Last November, Credit Karma confirmed to TechCrunch that it had “decided to pause substantially all hiring activities” due to “revenue challenges due to an uncertain environment.” At that time, we shared within the company: All credit karma areas were “negatively affected by macro uncertainty,” it said. Credit Karma experienced further deterioration in these areas in the final weeks of the first quarter [of 2022]”

In August, Intuit reported that Credit Karma confirmed the situation. decrease in income For the fiscal year ending July 31, 2023, it will increase 9% to $1.6 billion. Earlier this year, Intuit announced that: Personal finance app “Mint” terminated In January.intuition Acquired the Mint in 2009and the decision to close it came as a surprise to many.

Have a news tip or inside scoop on a topic we’ve covered? We’d love to hear from you. Contact us at maryann@techcrunch.com. Or send us a note at tips@techcrunch.com. We will be happy to honor your request for anonymity.

Want more fintech news in your inbox? Sign up for Interchange here.

Source: techcrunch.com

The Nasal Bones of Arctic Seals Are Unusual and Aid in Heat Retention

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Bearded seals have complex nasal bones that help retain internal heat.

Ole Jorgen Rioden/naturepl.com

Arctic seals have evolved clever adaptations to help them stay warm in frigid climates. The nose has a complex maze of bones.

Many birds and mammals, including humans, have a pair of thin, porous nasal bones called turbinates or nasal turbinates, which are covered with a layer of tissue.

“They have a scroll shape or a tree-like branching shape,” he says. Matthew Mason at Cambridge University.

When we breathe in, air first flows through the maxillary turbinates, allowing the surrounding tissues to warm and humidify the air before it reaches the lungs. When we exhale, the air follows the same route, trapping heat and moisture so it doesn’t get lost.

The more complex the shape, the larger the surface area and the more efficient it is at doing its job.

Animals that live in cold, dry environments, such as arctic reindeer, have been found to have more complex gnathonasal turbinates than animals that live in warmer climates.

Now, Mason and his colleagues have discovered that arctic seals have the most complex gnathonasal turbinates ever reported.

Researchers took a CT scan of a bearded seal (Elignathus barbatus), commonly found in the Arctic, and the Mediterranean monk seal (monax monax). Both species had complex turbinates, but the researchers found that the bearded seal’s nasal bones were much denser and more complex than anything seen before.

Mason and his colleagues used computer models to measure how much energy is lost as heat in physical processes at -30°C and 10°C (-22°F and 50°F). We compared how well the seals retain heat and moisture.).

With each breath at -30°C, Mediterranean monk seals lost 1.45 times more heat and 3.5 times more water than bearded seals. Similarly, at 10°C, monk seals lost about 1.5 times more water and heat than arctic seals.

“More complex structures evolved to make life in the Arctic possible,” he says. Sign Kelstrup At the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

The beta version of MrBeast’s analytics platform ViewStats has launched.

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Top US YouTuber MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) co-founds new analytics platform Viewing statistics, currently available in beta. similar to tools like social blade ViewStats uses the YouTube API to expose detailed statistics about your channel that can be viewed by both creators and fans.

It’s no coincidence that MrBeast has become one of the highest-paid creators of all time. He pays close attention to every detail of his videos. He recently did an A/B test to see whether a video performs better with thumbnails with open mouths or thumbnails with mouths not open (apparently, thumbnail with closed mouth win). So if he thinks certain metrics are essential to an analytics platform, they’re probably important.

Founded with creator Chucky Appleby, who works with MrBeast, ViewStats differentiates itself with this star power. Celebrity-backed startups aren’t as big as they seem, but star power in this case shouldn’t be underestimated. I myself witnessed this phenomenon when I attended a panel discussion hosted by MrBeast about understanding the YouTube algorithm. Seats filled up quickly and so many people turned away at the gate that VidCon probably could have given him a room twice his size and still get an overflow line. We wanted to hear the opinions of all creators, regardless of genre. This is what the algorithm king had to say.

Similar to Socialblade, ViewStats displays basic information such as number of subscribers, estimated monthly ad revenue, number of video views, and how those numbers fluctuate over a period of time. ViewStats is also available as a Chrome extension. applebee said More tools will be added to the platform in the future, including a thumbnail analysis tool. It’s not clear at this point how the platform plans to monetize, but Socialblade is monetizing certain more advanced analytics by putting them behind a paywall.

according to tube filter, ViewStats is a separate company from MrBeast, LLC. Both MrBeast and CEO Appleby funded this effort with their own money.

Source: techcrunch.com

Potential presence of cyanide in the ocean of Saturn’s moon Enceladus could aid in sustaining life

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Illustration of NASA’s Cassini spacecraft diving through the plume of Saturn’s moon Enceladus.

NASA/JPL-California Institute of Technology

The plumes of water vapor spewing from Enceladus’ surface appear to contain hydrogen cyanide, which, perhaps counterintuitively, suggests that there may be life in the oceans beneath the surface of this icy moon of Saturn. It shows that it is possible.

The Cassini spacecraft flew through Enceladus’ plume several times in the early 2000s, capturing samples as it hurtled past. Preliminary analyzes of these samples have revealed several elements and compounds that may be important for life, but many are not, as the molecules tend to fracture after impacting Cassini’s sampling chamber at high speeds. It has been difficult to identify specific compounds.

Jonah Peter Researchers at Harvard University performed a reanalysis of the Cassini data using new statistical methods and were able to extract more compounds present in the plume. They found evidence of several previously undetected compounds, including hydrogen cyanide, acetylene, ethane, and even trace amounts of the alcohol methanol.

All of these compounds could be part of chemical reactions important to life, but hydrogen cyanide is particularly promising.

“We still don’t have a complete picture of the molecules that are there and are necessary for the origin of life. We don’t even know how the origin of life occurred on Earth,” Peter said. say. “But we know a lot about some of the building blocks that are necessary for the beginning of life, and hydrogen cyanide is one of those very versatile building blocks.”

We know that it can be a building block for amino acids, RNA, and other large biomolecules, so its presence in the plume points to the possibility of life in Enceladus’ subsurface ocean. That’s a good sign.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Phoenix Airport now offers Waymo’s curbside robotaxi pickup service

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Choose what’s currently available for Waymo One riders Pick it up or drop it off? via the company’s robotaxis curbside at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Waymo became the first self-driving vehicle operator in the U.S. to launch a paid robotaxis service to and from airports in November 2022. This service ran to the airport shuttle stop at his 44th Street SkyTrain station. Navigating the hectic pace of hitting the terminal’s curbs is a whole new challenge, but in order to safely deploy and learn, Waymo has set a time limit of 10pm to 6am, with only Terminals 3 and 4 in place. Start.

Waymo has already completed “tens of thousands of airport trips” and provides more than 1,000 rides each week. According to the company. Waymo says the average travel rating for airport trips is about 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Waymo’s expansion of airport services comes as former competitor Cruise laid off nearly a quarter of its employees in the wake of an Oct. 2 incident in which a pedestrian was dragged under the company’s robot taxi. This was done amid the dismissal of several executives.

Waymo’s new airport service will be fully autonomous (meaning there is no human safety operator behind the wheel) and will be available to “a select group of active riders in Phoenix, and not necessarily just trusted testers.” “It’s just not available,” said Chris Bonelli, product communications manager. Waymo told TechCrunch. Waymo’s trusted testers are riders who have been vetted by the company and signed non-disclosure agreements.

As the Alphabet-owned company gains experience at the terminal, it plans to open these pick-up locations to all passengers and expand to 24/7 service in the “coming months.”

“Last year, we partnered with Waymo to become the first airport in the world to offer travelers the ability to travel to the airport in self-driving vehicles,” Chad Makowski, director of aviation at Sky Harbor Airport, said in a statement. . “This partnership has given us confidence in the technology, and we are excited to take the next step and safely extend this innovative service to the curb of the terminal.”

Source: techcrunch.com

DeepMind AI integrates fact checker to make groundbreaking mathematical findings

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

DeepMind’s FunSearch AI can tackle mathematical problems

Arengo/Getty Images

Google DeepMind claims to have made the first ever scientific discovery in an AI chatbot by building a fact checker that filters out useless output and leaves behind only reliable solutions to mathematical or computing problems. Masu.

DeepMind’s previous achievements, such as using AI to predict the weather or the shape of proteins, rely on models created specifically for the task at hand and trained on accurate, specific data. I did. Large-scale language models (LLMs), such as GPT-4 and Google’s Gemini, are instead trained on vast amounts of disparate data, yielding a wide range of capabilities. However, this approach is also susceptible to “hallucinations,” which refers to researchers producing erroneous output.

Gemini, released earlier this month, has already shown hallucination tendencies and even gained simple facts such as: This year’s Oscar winners were wrong. Google’s previous AI-powered search engine even had errors in its self-launched advertising materials.

One common fix for this phenomenon is to add a layer on top of the AI that validates the accuracy of the output before passing it on to the user. However, given the wide range of topics that chatbots may be asked about, creating a comprehensive safety net is a very difficult task.

Al-Hussein Fawzi Google’s DeepMind and his colleagues created a general-purpose LLM called FunSearch based on Google’s PaLM2 model with a fact-checking layer they call an “evaluator.” Although this model is constrained by providing computer code that solves problems in mathematics and computer science, DeepMind says this work is important because these new ideas and solutions are inherently quickly verifiable. is a much more manageable task.

The underlying AI may still hallucinate and provide inaccurate or misleading results, but the evaluator filters out erroneous outputs, leaving only reliable and potentially useful concepts. .

“We believe that probably 90% of what LLM outputs is useless,” Fawzi says. “If you have a potential solution, it’s very easy to tell whether this is actually the correct solution and evaluate that solution, but it’s very difficult to actually come up with a solution. So , mathematics and computer science are a particularly good fit.”

DeepMind claims the model can generate new scientific knowledge and ideas, something no LLM has ever done before.

First, FunSearch is given a problem and a very basic solution in the source code as input, and then generates a database of new solutions that are checked for accuracy by evaluators. The best reliable solutions are returned as input to the LLM with prompts to improve the idea. According to DeepMind, the system generates millions of potential solutions and eventually converges on an efficient result, sometimes even exceeding the best known solution.

For mathematical problems, a model creates a computer program that can find a solution, rather than trying to solve the problem directly.

Fawzi and his colleagues challenged FunSearch to find a solution to the cap set problem. This involves determining the pattern of points where three points do not form a straight line. As the number of points increases, the computational complexity of the problem increases rapidly. The AI discovered a solution consisting of 512 points in eight dimensions, larger than previously known.

When tackling the problem of bin packing, where the goal is to efficiently place objects of different sizes into containers, FunSearch discovered a solution that outperformed commonly used algorithms. The result is a result that can be immediately applied to transportation and logistics companies. DeepMind says FunSearch could lead to improvements in more math and computing problems.

mark lee The next breakthrough in AI will not be in scaling up LLM to ever-larger sizes, but in adding a layer to ensure accuracy, as DeepMind has done with FunSearch, say researchers at the University of Birmingham, UK. It is said that it will come from.

“The strength of language models is their ability to imagine things, but the problem is their illusions,” Lee says. “And this study breaks that down, curbs that, and confirms the facts. It’s a nice idea.”

Lee says AI should not be criticized for producing large amounts of inaccurate or useless output. This is similar to how human mathematicians and scientists work: brainstorm ideas, test them, and follow up on the best while discarding the worst.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Andreessen Horowitz is willing to provide funding to politicians in support of technology deregulation.

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz has announced its intention to begin lobbying the U.S. government, but their plan is as tone-deaf and insensitive as this summer’s dreaded “Techno-Optimist Manifesto.” Essentially, they would give anyone — literally anyone — Someone who “supports an optimistic technology-enabled future.”

These are called single-issue voters, and co-founder Ben Horowitz (who wrote the blog post) believes that publicizing themselves that way lends a childlike innocence to lobbying. It seems like it is, but it is quite the opposite.

The fact is that they are rich ideologues who have expressed a willingness to pay politicians who promote their agenda, regardless of what that politician’s other opinions may be. It’s really easy!

Fundamental to their approach is that technology is more important than people. They claim to be pro-human in the sense that they are pro-technology, e.g., writing, “Artificial intelligence has the potential to lift all humanity to an unprecedented quality of life.” right.

Therefore, being more AI-oriented means being more human-oriented.And actually, if you think about it, if you have AI. did it It justifies taking actions that lead to a 100-fold improvement in the human condition in the long term but have worse outcomes in the short term. For example, supporting politicians who oppose basic civil rights simply because they propose more liberal technology regulations.

For example, if a politician proposing a national abortion ban or a widespread ban on “Wake Agenda” books said he trusts AI companies to do what’s best for everyone, Andreessen and Would Horowitz support it? Now, according to A16Z’s statement of purpose here, abortion is not their business. They are “nonpartisan, one-issue voters.”

But that’s just bullshit, right?

To begin with, the idea that this one issue is bipartisan is at risk. Supporters of forced birth will likely describe themselves as independent, one-issue voters. After all, it’s not about politics, it’s about the right to life. It is irrelevant that a single political party has cynically linked this and other “traditional values” to all other policy proposals for decades.

No, no, you can’t just do that declare Nonpartisanship in blog posts. Technology regulation, like everything else, is a partisan issue. Net neutrality, Section 230, TikTok, social media disinformation, A16Z’s pet tech Debate about AI, cryptocurrencies, and biotech are all partisan. That’s just the nature of politics today.flat do not have Participating in lobbying is, in a sense, a partisan decision because it shows that you are not taking sides.

But that partisan language is just the usual pretense for this kind of announcement. Everyone claims it because it is a meaningless property and cannot be proven or disproved. The problem with A16Z’s philosophy here is that it is a wolf in sheep’s clothing: an overtly deregulatory and pro-capitalist agenda masked superficially in the language of empowerment.

You have to imagine some tobacco industry executive wrote a similar blog post in the 60’s. We are nonpartisan, single issue voters on a faulty regulatory system that unfairly prevents Americans from enjoying the great taste and health benefits of our natural tobacco products.

The same goes for plastics, food additives, leaded gas, and everything else. All they were interested in, and all Andreessen Horowitz was interested in, was removing onerous obstacles to increasing wealth from the boardroom.

If they actually cared at all about people and how politics and lobbying affect them, then perhaps “the people” would theoretically mean “exalted” in some imagined future. It would have been referred to as more than an abstract concept that could be ” or hurt.

It’s unrealistic to think that by donating to politicians who support a vision of deregulation, A16Z won’t also support other policies that people are actually voting for right now. voting rights, reproductive care, education, etc. This obvious conflict of interest is conveniently avoided. Are any positions or proposals so despicable that they will withdraw their support, or will they stand by their principles, if it can be described as such?

They cannot expect us to believe that their understanding of lobbying and politics is this simple. There are smart people in that company. We have to take at face value their statements that they really don’t care about anything other than growing the areas they’re investing in. But what they are proclaiming is not an idealistic pro-humanity position as they suggest, but cynical selfishness. Basically an anti-people attitude.

But A16Z doesn’t care. people — I’m curious about that. Human race.

And as we enter this golden age of technology and enter a dark age of social policy, humanity will no doubt be grateful, right? Women like Kate Cox may not have physical independencebut at least they will have blockchain.

Source: techcrunch.com

Thermal secrets uncovered in neutron star mergers through gravitational waves

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

by US Department of Energy
December 14, 2023

Scientists used supercomputer simulations to study gravitational waves produced by neutron star mergers and found a correlation between residual temperature and gravitational wave frequency. These findings are important for future gravitational wave detectors that distinguish models of hot nuclear material. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

Binary simulation neutron star This merger suggests that future detectors will distinguish between different models of hot nuclear material.

Researchers used supercomputer simulations to investigate the effects of neutron star mergers gravitational waves, found a significant relationship with debris temperature. This research will aid future advances in the detection and understanding of hot nuclear materials.

Exploring neutron star mergers and gravitational waves

When two neutron stars orbit each other, they emit ripples into spacetime called gravitational waves. These ripples drain energy from the orbit until the two stars eventually collide and combine into one object. Scientists used supercomputer simulations to investigate how the behavior of different models of nuclear material affects the gravitational waves released after these mergers. They found a strong correlation between the temperature of the debris and the frequency of these gravitational waves. Next generation detectors will be able to distinguish these models from each other.

Plot comparing density (right) and temperature (left) for two different simulations (top and bottom) of a neutron star merger, viewed from above, approximately 5 ms after the merger.Credit: Jacob Fields, Pennsylvania State University

Neutron Star: Institute for Nuclear Materials

Scientists use neutron stars as laboratories for nuclear materials under conditions that would be impossible to explore on Earth. They will use current gravitational wave detectors to observe neutron star mergers and learn how cold, ultra-dense matter behaves. However, these detectors cannot measure the signal after the stars have merged. This signal contains information about hot nuclear material. Future detectors will be even more sensitive to these signals. Because different models can also be distinguished from each other, the findings suggest that future detectors could help scientists create better models of hot nuclear material.

Detailed analysis of neutron star mergers

The study investigated neutron star mergers using THC_M1, a computer code that simulates neutron star mergers and accounts for the bending of spacetime due to the star’s strong gravitational field and neutrino processes in dense matter. . The researchers tested the effect of heat on mergers by varying the specific heat capacity of the equation of state, which measures the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of neutron star material by one degree Celsius. To ensure the robustness of their results, the researchers ran their simulations at two resolutions. They repeated the high-resolution run using a more approximate neutrino processing.

References:

“Thermal effects in binary neutron star mergers” by Jacob Fields, Aviral Prakash, Matteo Breschi, David Radice, Sebastiano Bernuzzi, and Andre da Silva Schneider, July 31, 2023. of Astrophysics Journal Letter.
DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ace5b2

“Identification of nuclear effects in neutrino-carbon interactions in low 3 momentum transfer” until February 17, 2016 physical review letter.
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.071802

Funding: This research was primarily funded by the Department of Energy, Office of Science, Nuclear Physics Program. Additional funding was provided by the National Science Foundation and the European Union.

This research used computational resources available through the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center, the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, and the Pennsylvania State University Computing and Data Science Institute.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Revolutionary New Technology Accelerates Diaper Recycling by 200 Times

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

The superabsorber becomes a liquid under ultraviolet light after absorbing enough water. It can then be reused. Credit: Ken Pekarsky, KIT

Water and UV light effectively and quickly break down the cross-linked polymers in diaper liners without the use of any chemicals. This process allows recycled plastic molecules to be reused for a variety of uses.

Superabsorbent materials such as sodium polyacrylate are important components of a variety of hygiene and medical products, including diapers, bandages, and dressings. These cross-linked polymers are typically insoluble in water, although they are known for their high absorbency. Recycling them traditionally required the use of strong acids.

It will not melt at high temperatures, it will only deteriorate. However, the acid “breaks” the chains and stabilizes the polymer after about 16 hours at 80 degrees. Celsius Therefore, recycling is now possible. Because this process is complex and expensive, superabsorbents are rarely recycled. Approximately 2 million tons of this waste is thrown away or incinerated each year.

Turns into liquid in 5 minutes instead of 16 hours

Researchers from KIT’s Institute of Biochemical Systems, Institute of Biointerfaces, and Institute of Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry have discovered that crosslinked sodium polyacrylate polymers degrade under ultraviolet light after uptake of water. .

“The chains that connect the polymers are broken by light, and they are so loose that they swim underwater and turn into liquid fibers,” explains Pavel Levkin, a professor at the Institute of Biochemical Systems. For the study, researchers cut liners from traditional diapers, wetted them with water and exposed them to a 1000 W lamp. After 5 minutes, the solid material turned into a liquid and fell into the collector. “This method using ultraviolet light is about 200 times faster than using acids,” Revkin says.

Recycled polymers can be used in a variety of ways

The team then used known processes to convert the liquid into new adhesives and dyes. “The observation that this substance is soluble and processable was very important. It could probably be turned into many other products,” explains the scientist.

In the test, the researchers used clean diapers. However, it is also possible to separate superabsorbents from used diapers. “Therefore, there is no reason why a near-realistic use should not be possible,” Revkin says. By using solar power, you can optimize recycling methods that are cost-effective and environmentally friendly. “We have discovered a promising strategy to recycle superabsorbents, which significantly reduces environmental pollution and contributes to a more sustainable use of polymers.”

Reference: “From diapers to thickeners and pressure-sensitive adhesives: recycling superabsorbents by UV degradation” by Shuai Li, Johannes M. Scheiger, Zhenwu Wang, Birgit Huber, Maxi Hoffmann, Manfred Wilhelm, Pavel A. Levkin , September 7, 2023 ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c06999

Source: scitechdaily.com

Kenyan e-commerce and fintech platform for mass market consumers copia global appointed John Lazarthe former CEO of Microsoft subsidiary Metaswitch, has joined the company’s board of directors on the back of $20 million in new funding.

Enza Capital, the pan-African venture capital firm co-founded by Lazar in 2019, is one of the larger participants in the Series C extension round, including global private bank LGT, investment firm Goodwell Investments, Also included is the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). ), German financial services provider DEG, Swiss impact fund Elea, Perivoli Foundation and Sorenson Foundation.

Lazar has extensive experience building and managing businesses. He joined Metaswitch Networks in 1987 as a software engineer and later became Chairman and CEO as the company established its leadership in cloud communications software with investment support from Francisco Partners and Sequoia Capital. I was appointed CEO. Lazar, who resigned from both roles in 2016, four years before Microsoft acquired the company, is also chairman of the UK-based charity Raspberry Pi Foundation, and is an angel investor and investor in the UK and Africa. He is also a mentor to over 40 pre-seed and seed investors. investment.

In a conversation with TechCrunch, Lazar said he has a long-standing professional relationship with the Copia team that has impressed Enza Capital with its fulfillment network over the years and increased digital adoption from consumers. , admitted that this is one of the reasons to support e-commerce in Kenya. Clothes.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), personal consumption in Africa is expected to exceed $2 trillion Over the next three years, the continent’s burgeoning middle class will drive this growth. Copia, which has been around for 10 years, targets rural, middle- and low-income African consumers. These consumers enjoy more choice, price, and access to goods and services compared to urban and high-income consumers who use Western-style or African-focused platforms such as Jumia and Takealot. , faces challenges in terms of reliability. Therefore, although this target market may be difficult to find and its wallet size may be small, Copia is approaching it with a hyper-local strategy, reaching a significant number of approximately 750 million people across Africa. We believe there is an opportunity given the collective purchasing power of

Copia leverages its local agent and logistics network to tap into this market. The company boasts a strong network of over 50,000 agents who are small business owners in towns and villages across Kenya and has served over 2 million consumers. Most of these orders executed through Copia’s distributor network are made offline, with customers ordering household goods, electronics, or food products in person at the distributor’s store, via USSD, or by phone. Ta.

However, driven by falling data costs and increasing smartphone penetration and ownership in Kenya (73% of low- and middle-income Kenyan consumers now own a smartphone, down from 10% a decade ago), A 10-year-old e-commerce company recently ran a campaign to digitize its agent network, increasing app usage from 5% to 80% in one year. Copia said in a statement that digitized agents can double their revenue, and by exploring smartphone financing models, they can focus their subsequent digitization efforts on millions of consumers. This will allow companies like M-KOPA to enter a thriving market.

“I have respected this company for a long time and think the conditions are right. E-commerce companies are facing some difficulties at the moment, but a kind of push towards digitalization is a good thing for us. It feels like a tipping point and just changes the game in unit economics and efficiency,” said Mr Lazar, who was awarded a CBE for services. “So when Tracy called us and told us they had this internal round and wanted to bring on additional partners, we were very excited to participate.”

Copia has recorded 100% annual growth over the past few years, with founder and chairman highlighting scale and rapid expansion as key objectives for profitability. tracy turner explained on the same call with TechCrunch. However, as global capital markets have experienced a downturn and investor focus has shifted from models that rely on scale for profitability, to now emphasize the importance of demonstrating sound unit economics. In response, Copia underwent fundamental changes last year.

The e-commerce company has secured more than $120 million in funding since its inception, including a $50 million Series C round in January, but this year it scaled back its expansion plans and implemented significant layoffs. . At least 700 roles will be eliminated. Reduce number of Kenyan employees by 25% July and Closed Uganda operations Similar to three months ago, this move is in line with broader trends seen across industries this year, with many companies considering reducing labor costs as their first strategy when adopting cost-cutting measures. are doing.

“We recognized in the capital markets environment that we did not want to continue operating in Uganda, which is a great market and opportunity. We did not have the funds to make it profitable, so it made sense to hold off there. Then we looked at our Kenyan operations and realized we needed to streamline there as well,” Turner said. “And the fact that our customers have become digital so rapidly, our current shift to a digital focus means we need to change the way we operate in Kenya. So we did this to focus our business on digital relationships with our customers, which is completely different than it was just a year ago.”

Copia’s shift in focus from simply growing sales to achieving profitability in Kenya has helped it minimize losses since new management took over in Q4 2022. It reflects a strategy similar to Jumia’s approach of slowing growth. Both companies face headwinds that call into question the sustainability of B2C electronic services. Commerce takes place in Africa, albeit with different e-commerce models operating. It is worth noting that B2B e-commerce platforms are also grappling with a series of challenges in the market.

Despite the challenges, executives from both e-commerce companies, which have been in business for 10 years, said in separate conversations with TechCrunch that the companies, which now offer financial services alongside e-commerce, are stable. We have unwavering confidence in our ability to achieve the same profitability. They argue that it is only a matter of time before these challenges are overcome and are optimistic about the future profitability of the business. However, both platforms face distinct goals. While Copia strives to achieve profitability in a single market, Kenya, Jumia has to compete across 11 markets.

But Turner said Copia, which will have annual revenue of more than $60 million by the end of 2023, maintains pan-African ambitions despite its focus on making money in Kenya. Point out. The founder and chairman said that once the e-commerce company achieves profitability in the East African market, it plans to expand to 14 other strategically planned countries. “We are keeping our heads down right now and focusing on Kenya and will not look up until we achieve that milestone. We have done a lot of scouting work and are planning where to go next. However, our international expansion plans will take place once we achieve profitability in Kenya,” she said.

As for John, as he said in the interview, three things remain of paramount importance to him now that he has joined the company’s board of directors. These include leveraging the experience and network of technical operators to support talent, providing sales and revenue generation strategies, and acting as a sounding board. To management.

Source: techcrunch.com

Results from recent trials suggest that the use of this therapy should be reevaluated.

Research background and methodology

Evaluation and results

Findings and recommendations

Emphasis on deep learning

Survey results regarding teacher awareness

What does Tem say Shane is doing?

innovative research approach

Quantum switching mechanism in photosynthesis

Lightspeed Venture Partners officially moves forward with scaling efforts as other companies make similar moves

NINDS Research on High Blood Pressure and Cognitive Decline

what is happening in web3

latest pod

follow the money

what else are you writing?

Rebuilding

Exploring neutron star mergers and gravitational waves

Neutron Star: Institute for Nuclear Materials

Detailed analysis of neutron star mergers

Turns into liquid in 5 minutes instead of 16 hours

Recycled polymers can be used in a variety of ways

Advanced research methods and results

Sex differences and hemispheric asymmetry

Impact and future directions

increase in perimeter

A little moment on holiday

new holiday traditions

Muddy white christmas