Benefits of Petting Seedlings: How Touching Boosts Growth and Strength

Is your windowsill brimming with seeds for the upcoming gardening season? Indoor seedlings might flourish in ideal conditions, but they often become tall and leggy, making them prone to falling over shortly after germination. Can an age-old technique help sustain your gardening ambitions into 2026? Let’s explore why nurturing your plants with gentle touches is not as far-fetched as it sounds.

Plant propagation requires a delicate balance. Starting seedlings in controlled environments helps shield them from severe temperatures, pests, and diseases, thus boosting their early survival. However, this sheltered growth can lead to issues like yellowing, which compromises their strength. Known vulnerabilities can make indoor plants fragile, especially when exposed to outdoor elements. With billions in the agricultural sector riding on plant health, commercial growers have long sought effective solutions.

Chemical growth regulators provide one approach, fostering stronger plants. Yet, many of these products aren’t available for home gardeners. Conversely, studies reveal that mechanical stimulation—such as simply rubbing or stroking seedlings—can effectively combat yellowing. This response is attributed to a process known as thigmomorphogenesis, where plants adjust their growth in response to physical touches and environmental forces. Research shows that such interactions promote thicker, more supportive stems and overall compact growth. Many studies have highlighted that mechanically stimulated seedlings are structurally superior and more resilient against challenges like pests and drought.

This effect has been observed in various popular garden plants, from tomatoes and lettuce to petunias and marigolds. Experiments utilizing electric fans, vibrating benches, and even gentle brushing have demonstrated that these methods can significantly reduce stem elongation by 20-50%.

The key takeaway? While commercial growers have employed machines for this form of stimulation since the 1970s, it’s easy to replicate at home. Just ten gentle strokes on a seedling once a day can yield benefits. You can use an old envelope, a soft feather duster, or even your hand. It takes only 10 seconds daily, and the potential rewards are substantial—all supported by solid scientific research.

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James Wong is a botanist and science writer specializing in food crops, conservation, and environmental issues. Trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London, he maintains over 500 houseplants in his compact apartment. Connect with him on X and Instagram @botanygeek.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Apple Achieves Record iPhone Sales as New Lineup Boosts Global Demand

On Thursday, Apple unveiled its quarterly results following the introduction of its new iPhone models, surpassing analysts’ forecasts on Wall Street. The company demonstrated solid financial growth and robust profits, even amidst a sluggish progression in artificial intelligence. This report comes shortly after Apple achieved a market capitalization of $4 trillion for the first time.

“We are thrilled to announce a record revenue of $102.5 billion for the September quarter, featuring unprecedented revenue from both the iPhone and our services division,” stated Apple CEO Tim Cook. Despite the encouraging overall iPhone sales, the revenue generated from smartphone sales in China did not meet Wall Street’s expectations.

Cook also anticipates a revenue growth of 10% to 12% for the quarter ending in December, which is typically Apple’s peak growth period.

The launch of new iPhones, particularly the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro, has rekindled demand for Apple products, notably in China, where sales have been underwhelming. There is ongoing speculation regarding the demand for the ultra-slim iPhone Air, with analysts divided on whether production has been decreased.

“Although the market is predominantly focused on AI adoption and monetization, Apple has demonstrated that its traditional strategy continues to yield results this quarter, fueled by substantial sales growth in core products and services, alongside a stronger global economy than anticipated,” commented Thomas Monteiro, senior analyst at Investing.com.

Apple recorded a revenue of $102.47 billion, reflecting an 8% year-on-year increase, surpassing the analyst expectation of $102.24 billion. Additionally, the company exceeded expectations for revenue from “other products” and services. However, iPhone sales amounted to $49.03 billion, slightly under the estimated $50.19 billion. Apple’s shares saw a modest rise in after-hours trading.

John Belton, a portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds, attributed the optimistic forecast to climbing iPhone sales and increased prices for the latest models. “The standout data point from Apple’s last earnings report was iPhone sales,” noted Belton. “Double-digit growth signifies the strongest iPhone growth in three years.

Despite this robust revenue, Apple trails behind other tech firms in rolling out AI products. The company has yet to launch any AI offerings to rival those by Meta, Google, and Microsoft. Furthermore, Apple faces challenges due to the varying tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump on China and India, where a large portion of its manufacturing occurs.

Nonetheless, Apple’s stock price has increased over recent weeks, consequently boosting its market cap and placing it among only three companies globally valued at over $4 trillion, alongside Nvidia and Microsoft.

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Apple’s stock has surged more than 50% since its lows in April, with analysts attributing the rise to the introduction of the company’s new products. Alongside the iPhone 17, Apple also unveiled new AirPod earbuds featuring live translation capabilities and upgrades to its Apple Watch lineup.

This week, Apple will be joined by other leading tech giants—Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and Alphabet—as they report their earnings while the overall U.S. stock market reaches unprecedented highs. While Microsoft and Alphabet showcased strong results on Wednesday, Meta Inc. reported more mixed outcomes, resulting in a dip in stock prices.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Testosterone Boosts Sex Drive During Menopause – Could It Alleviate Other Symptoms Too?

Therapy that balances testosterone and estrogen reduces menopausal symptoms

Alamy Stock Photo

The menopause can bring a host of challenging symptoms such as mood fluctuations, difficulties in concentration, and a decline in sexual drive. Hormone replacement therapy is commonly sought to alleviate these issues, primarily focusing on restoring estrogen and progesterone levels, which drop significantly during midlife. Recent studies indicate that testosterone may also play a crucial role in managing various menopausal symptoms beyond just libido, including mood improvement and muscle retention.

While typically categorized as a male hormone, testosterone is also present in women, albeit at lower levels—approximately ten times less than in men. Dr. Sarah Glynn, a contributor to menopause treatment guidelines at the British Society of Sexual Medicine, notes that limited understanding of testosterone’s effects has hindered research in this area, but recent findings are changing that narrative. Increasing evidence highlights the hormone’s crucial role in women’s sexual health and its potential benefits for cognitive, muscular, skeletal, and urinary function.

Approximately half of a woman’s testosterone is produced by the ovaries, with the remainder being synthesized by the adrenal glands. Testosterone levels generally peak in the 20s and begin to decline gradually after age 30, with production halving by middle age. Dr. Sharon Parrish from Cornell University mentions that although this decline often coincides with menopause, it may not be a direct result of it.

We know little about the health implications of this decline, but it is evident that it can reduce sexual interest. “[Testosterone] plays a critical role in sexual function,” states Dr. Joan Pinkerton from UVA Health in Virginia, influencing factors such as sexual arousal, desire, and lubrication. Consequently, it makes sense that nearly half of menopausal and postmenopausal women experience issues with sexual desire, with a leading cause being hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD)—a distressing lack of sexual fantasies or desire lasting at least six months. In a survey of 1,800 postmenopausal women in Europe, over one-third reported reduced desire and more than half indicated decreased interest in sex.

The notion that low testosterone contributes to diminished sex drive was established in the 1940s. Numerous studies have consistently shown that testosterone replacement therapy can enhance sexual function in menopausal women. For instance, a 2005 report involving 533 women who underwent hysterectomies noted that those receiving testosterone patches along with estrogen reported more satisfying sexual experiences than those on estrogen alone. A similar study in 2010 corroborated these findings with 272 menopausal participants.

In 2019, a meta-analysis encompassing over 80 studies involving 8,480 women demonstrated that testosterone treatment for postmenopausal women significantly heightened sexual desire and increased frequency of sexual satisfaction, arousal, orgasm, and overall self-esteem. This study garnered support from approximately 12 medical organizations, including the International Menopause Society, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the North American Menopause Society, which endorsed the use of testosterone for HSDD.

Testosterone enhances sex drive by interacting with brain receptors that activate the neural pathways governing desire, explains Parrish. Thus far, only four countries—Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK—have approved women-specific testosterone products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to approve these, citing insufficient data on potential long-term side effects. Nevertheless, Professor Parrish argues this caution is unwarranted, stating that some studies have tracked participants for years without revealing increased risks of cardiovascular, breast, or uterine issues.

“Most healthcare providers focused on menopausal women seek an FDA-approved testosterone therapy that is both safe and effective. We genuinely believe there’s an urgent need for such treatments, particularly concerning sexual health,” Pinkerton comments.

Finding the Right Balance

Women report feeling more like themselves after menopausal hormone treatment

Cavan Image/Alamy

Some medical professionals believe that testosterone therapy can extend benefits beyond just sexual health. A 2023 analysis covering seven studies found that testosterone may contribute to increased muscle mass, reduction in body fat, and improvements in insulin sensitivity and cholesterol levels. In 2024, Glynne and her team assessed hormone therapy in 510 women experiencing perimenopause and menopause who were also on estrogen. After four months, around 50% reported fewer anxiety episodes and less crying, while approximately 40% noted improvements in mood, focus, and fatigue. More than a third experienced enhanced memory and reduced irritability. “Common feedback is that women feel more like themselves—stronger and more empowered,” states Glynn.

Yet, skepticism remains. Pinkerton cautions that many of these studies lacked control groups, relying heavily on self-reports, which raises questions about whether improvements were genuinely due to testosterone or might be attributed to a placebo effect. “There’s some evidence concerning cognition, mood, muscle strength, cardiovascular health, and bone health, but the lack of substantial randomized controlled trial efficacy and safety data doesn’t justify recommendations for these issues,” Parrish remarks.

Most clinical trials combine testosterone therapy with estrogen, though some studies indicate that testosterone alone can effectively enhance sexual function. However, due to frequent side effects such as acne and excessive hair growth, it is generally not advised. Glynne prefers to prescribe estrogen initially, adding testosterone only if symptoms remain unresolved.

Experts agree that comprehensive clinical trials focusing on testosterone’s impacts beyond sexual health are urgently needed. Questions concerning optimal timing, dosage, and duration also persist, as Pinkerton highlights.

What stands out is that many current menopause treatments fall short for numerous individuals, particularly those with a history of hormone-sensitive breast cancer who are hesitant to undergo estrogen therapy due to concerns regarding potential tumor growth or recurrence. “This represents a significant gap in knowledge, and we need more data,” Glynn concludes.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Plant Extract Serum Boosts Hair Growth in Just Weeks

Hair growth significantly enhanced after 56 days of serum use

Tsong-Min Chang et al. 2025

A serum aimed at reversing hair loss has shown promising outcomes within a two-month period. This topical treatment, formulated with plant extracts and proteins that stimulate cellular activity, demonstrated notable enhancements in hair density compared to a placebo.

Hair loss affects approximately: 50% of men and 40% of women by the time they reach 50. Various treatments, such as finasteride and minoxidil, also known as Rogaine, may be effective; however, their success can vary based on genetics and the degree of hair loss.

Researchers are exploring innovative techniques for hair regeneration, including stem cell applications. Investigations into fibroblast manipulation, a cell type crucial for connective tissue formation, and a drug aimed at revitalizing dormant hair follicles are underway.

In a unique approach, researchers from Schweitzer Biotech in Taiwan have developed a serum enriched with caffeine, commonly found in health products, alongside two proteins known to enhance cellular growth: Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and Fibroblast growth factor-7 (FGF-7), both displaying potential for hair follicle regeneration. Additionally, extracts from Centella asiatica, a tropical herb widely used in skincare, appear to support hair follicle health.

To evaluate efficacy, an international research team enlisted 60 adults aged 18 to 60 without severe hair loss. Participants were divided into five groups; the first group received a placebo serum devoid of active ingredients, while the second group was provided with a basic preparation of 0.1% caffeine and vitamin B5, known for its moisturizing properties. The remaining groups used this base formulation, with the third group incorporating IGF-1 and FGF-7, the fourth group including IGF-1 and FGF-7 with C. asiatica, and the fifth group receiving all components.

All participants were instructed to apply 1 milliliter of serum to their entire scalp nightly for 56 days. Improvements were observed in all groups across various measured outcomes, including hair density, thickness, and reduced hair loss. The most significant increase in hair density was found in Group 5, which saw nearly a 25% improvement—almost double that of the placebo group.

Researchers propose that C. asiatica extracts may enhance hair root strength and boost blood circulation around hair follicles. “This plant has been recognized for its anti-aging, reparative, and anti-inflammatory properties,” explains Christos Tziotsios from King’s College London. “It could be somewhat of a miracle plant. There’s stronger evidence for some of the other components in this study. For instance, IGF-1 and FGF-7 are both known to influence hair cycle dynamics.”

Participants in Group 5 demonstrated improved hair growth

Tsong-Min Chang et al. (2025)

Both Tziotsios and the research team emphasize that while the study’s scale is noteworthy, extended trials are essential before a treatment utilizing this formulation can be deemed available. “This doesn’t negate its potential interest, but it’s clear that further investigation is required,” says Tziotsios. “The more we comprehend the molecular mechanisms linked to hair loss and hair biology, the closer we will be to achieving a definitive treatment.”

Source: www.newscientist.com

Daylight Boosts Immune System’s Infection-Fighting Power: Study Findings

In their recent study, scientist Christopher Hall and his team at the University of Auckland concentrated on neutrophils, a specific type of white blood cell significant for antibacterial defense.

yi du et al. We identified a photoresponsive endometrial timer that regulates time variations in antibacterial activity. Image credit: Summerstock.

The researchers employed zebrafish as a model organism due to its similar genetic composition to humans, and its capability of being raised with a transparent body, facilitating real-time observation of biological processes.

“Previous research has noted heightened immune responses in the morning during the initial stages of active fish,” Dr. Hall explained.

“I believe this reflects an evolutionary adaptation where the host is more vigilant during daylight, thus more prone to encounter bacterial infections.”

Nevertheless, the team aimed to determine how immune responses align with sunlight exposure.

The findings revealed that neutrophils have a circadian clock that activates during the day, boosting their bacterial-killing efficacy.

Most cells in our body maintain a circadian clock to synchronize with external time, thus regulating bodily functions.

Light plays a crucial role in resetting these circadian clocks.

“Given that neutrophils are the first immune cells to respond to inflammatory sites, our results carry significant implications for therapeutic advancements in many inflammatory diseases,” Dr. Hall remarked.

“This discovery opens avenues for developing drugs aimed at neutrophil circadian clocks to enhance our capability to fight infectious diseases.”

Study will be featured in the journal Scientific Immunology.

____

Lucia Yi du et al. 2025. Light-regulated circadian timers optimize the bactericidal function of neutrophils and enhance daytime immunity. Scientific Immunology 10 (107); doi: 10.1126/Sciimmunol.Adn3080

Source: www.sci.news

A recently identified gene enhances photosynthesis and boosts plant growth

Biologists have identified a new gene California poplar trees (Populus trichocarpa) — named booster —It can promote photosynthesis and increase the height of trees.

Transgenic hybrid poplar with increased expression levels BSTR Increased photosynthetic efficiency and biomass under greenhouse conditions. Image credit: Feissa others., doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.11.002.

“Historically, much research has focused on steady-state photosynthesis, where all conditions remain constant,” the co-senior authors said. Dr. Stephen Burgessa researcher at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

“However, this does not represent a field environment where the light is constantly changing.”

“In recent years, these dynamic processes have been thought to be more important, but they are not fully understood.”

In the new study, Dr. Burgess and his colleagues focused on poplar trees. Because poplar trees grow quickly and are great candidates for making biofuels and bioproducts.

They conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) by sampling approximately 1,000 trees in an outdoor research plot and analyzing their physical characteristics and genetic makeup.

The researchers used GWAS populations to search for candidate genes related to photosynthetic quenching. Photosynthetic quenching is the process that regulates how quickly plants adapt between sun and shade and dissipate excess energy from excessive sun to avoid damage.

One of the genes Booster (BSTR)was unusual because it is unique to poplar and contains sequences derived from chloroplasts, even though it is within the nuclear genome.

“We found that this gene can increase Rubisco content and subsequent photosynthetic activity, resulting in tall polar plants when grown in greenhouse conditions,” the authors said.

“In field conditions, we found that the genotypes were highly expressed. booster Up to 37% taller and more biomass per plant. ”

The researchers also booster at the model factory ArabidopsisAs a result, biomass and seed production increases.

This discovery is booster Can potentially cause yield increases in other plants.

“This is an exciting first step, but it is a small-scale experiment and there is much work to be done. If we can reproduce the results on a large scale, this gene has the potential to increase biomass production in crops.” said Dr. Burgess.

“Next steps in the research could include trials at other bioenergy and food plants, recording plant productivity under different growing conditions to analyze long-term success. .”

“We also plan to investigate other genes identified in the GWAS study that may contribute to crop improvement.”

of findings Featured in this week's diary developmental cells.

_____

Birk A. Feissa others. orphan gene booster Increases photosynthetic efficiency and plant productivity. developmental cellspublished online on December 3, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.11.002

Source: www.sci.news

Using sunscreen particles on rice during heatwaves boosts growth

Sunrise over rice terraces in Bali, Indonesia

Aliaksandr Mazurkevich / Alamy

Zinc nanoparticles, a common sunscreen ingredient, could help protect rice from heat-related stress, an increasingly common problem under climate change.

Zinc is known to play an important role in plant metabolism. Minerals in the form of salts are often added to the soil as fertilizer or sprayed on the leaves, but this is not very efficient. Another approach is to deliver zinc as particles smaller than 100 nanometers, which can pass through microscopic pores in leaves and accumulate within the plant.

Researchers have been investigating such nanoparticle carriers as a way to provide more nutrients to plants and help maintain crop yields while reducing environmental damage from excessive fertilizer use. Ta. now Hu Hong Researchers from China’s Nankai University tested how these zinc oxide nanoparticles affected crop performance under heat wave conditions.

They grew flowering rice in a greenhouse under normal conditions and a simulated heat wave in which temperatures exceeded 37 degrees Celsius for six consecutive days. Some plants were sprayed with nanoparticles, while others were not treated at all.

When harvested, the average grain yield of plants treated with zinc nanoparticles was 22.1% higher than non-sprayed plants, and the rice also contained higher levels of nutrients. Zinc was also beneficial under heat wave conditions. In fact, in these cases, the difference in yield between treated and untreated plants was even greater.

Based on detailed measurements of nutrients in leaves, the researchers found that zinc boosts yields by fortifying enzymes involved in photosynthesis and antioxidants that protect plants from harmful molecules known as reactive oxygen species. It was concluded that it increased.

“Nanoscale micronutrients have great potential to increase climate resilience of crops through a number of unique mechanisms related to reactive oxygen species,” he says. jason white At the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.

The researchers also found that rice treated with zinc nanoparticles retained a greater diversity of microorganisms living in the leaves, called the phyllosphere, which may contribute to improved growth. I discovered it.

Tests of zinc oxide nanoparticles on other crops such as pumpkin and alfalfa have also shown increased yields. But Hu says more research is needed to verify that this could benefit other crops.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Amazon boosts pay for tens of thousands of UK employees by nearly 10%

Amazon has announced a pay increase of nearly 10% for tens of thousands of UK workers, rejecting attempts by the GMB union to gain negotiating rights over pay and working conditions.

The online retailer said the increase will see the minimum wage rise by 9.8%, to between £13.50 and £14.50 an hour depending on location. Staff with more than three years of service will receive a minimum wage of between £13.75 and £14.75 an hour.

The pay increase will apply to thousands of employees from September 29th, including those working in Amazon’s UK fulfilment centres.

Amazon’s UK workers have recently staged a series of strikes. The company is investing £550 million in pay increases for staff from 2022 onwards, adding that staff receive benefits such as subsidised meals and discounts.

A spokesman said: “That’s why we’re proud to announce that we’re increasing the minimum starting salary for all frontline employees to the equivalent of at least £28,000 per annum and continuing to offer industry-leading benefits from day one.”

GMB organiser Rachel Fagan said: “Forced to act by workers striking, Amazon’s management has done too little, too late. Amazon’s reputation has been tarnished by the way it treats its workers and now management is trying to cover up the facts. Unsafe working conditions, low pay and excessive oversight are ruining the lives of Amazon workers every day.”

In July, GMB narrowly lost a statutory vote at an Amazon warehouse outside Coventry that led to the union’s formal recognition. In a hotly contested vote, 50.5% of workers rejected recognition of the union.

Workers in Coventry have staged a series of strikes over the past 18 months demanding a £15 an hour minimum wage and the right to negotiate directly with management, and last November they were joined on the picket lines by trade unionists from Europe and the US who have been raising similar issues in their home countries.

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Amazon, which has a global policy of refusing to work with labor unions, preferring to deal directly with employees, is the retail-to-cloud services group founded by Jeff Bezos in his garage in 1994 and now worth nearly $2 trillion.

Some workers at the Coventry warehouse have accused Amazon of using union-busting tactics, such as displaying QR codes which, when scanned, would send an email to GMB’s membership department to cancel employees’ membership.

The Labour government has promised to make it easier for trade unions to gain recognition as part of a package of measures aimed at increasing the bargaining power of British workers.

Source: www.theguardian.com

New Sponsor Boosts Sui Overflow Hackathon Funding Pool to $1 Million: Blockchain News, Opinion, TV, Jobs

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, April 22, 2024, Chainwire

Alibaba Cloud, AngelHack and dWallet are among the latest supporters of the global event.

Sui Layer 1 blockchain offering industry-leading performance and infinite horizontal scaling funds Sui Overflow, the first-ever global virtual hackathon focused on creating exciting products on Sui. Our offering has doubled in recent weeks thanks to donations from our loyal supporters.

Originally set at $500,000, Sui Overflow’s funding pool grew to $1,000,000 after a surge of support from outside backers. With the help of a huge reward pool, builders from all over the world come together to build projects on the Sui network and demo them in front of judges. Categories eligible for prizes include Consumer & Mobile, Infrastructure & Tools, Gaming, DeFi, and more. Developers are also encouraged to take advantage of specific technologies in the Sui ecosystem, such as zkLogin, advanced movement capabilities, randomness, and multi-chain capabilities.

Sam Blackshear, co-founder/CTO of Mysten Labs and creator of the Move smart contract language said: , Kiosks, DeepBook, and native randomness. Some of Sui’s top projects have come from previous local hackathons, so we’re really looking forward to seeing what our first global hackathon will produce.

Previous Sui-sponsored hackathons have been fertile ground for projects that started as hackathon participants to grow into sustainable businesses on the network. Scallop was launched in June 2023 at Sui’s Soul Builder House with a small team of developers who won the first place in the event. Currently, Scallop has over $117 million in its TVL and is one of the better DeFi protocols in Sui. Navi Protocol is also one of Sui’s “Hackathon Heroes”. A month after Scallop, the Navi team emerged and won the gold medal in the DeFi and Payments category of the Sui X KuCoin hackathon. Navi currently has over $130 million in TVL and is another major DeFi protocol in Sui.

In addition to the support of title sponsor dWallet Labs, the hackathon is sponsored by Elixir Capital, Alibaba Cloud, Comma3 Ventures, MoveBit, Scallop, GSR, Supra, Wormhole, AngelHack, Pyth, Ryze Labs, and ZettaBlock. The prizes awarded in each category at the Sui hackathon are as follows: First place will receive $30,000, second place will receive $15,000, and second place will receive $7,500. Ten $2,500 University Prizes and ten $2,500 Community Favorite Prizes will also be awarded during the hackathon. Additionally, contestants are not limited to a single category. Individual teams can participate in multiple tracks simultaneously, with prize pools exceeding $100,000. Additionally, many projects in the Sui ecosystem offer unique incentives, adding even more ways for great projects and great teams to benefit.

With funding doubling to $1 million, Sui Overflow participants will receive Sui Foundation acceleration grants after the hackathon, along with benefits such as audits and credits to support the successful launch of their projects. be eligible to receive it.

“Homegrown projects born out of developer meetups and hackathons like Sui Overflow are a critical part of the lifeblood that will sustain the Sui ecosystem into the future,” said Greg Siurounis, Managing Director of the Sui Foundation. “Overflow’s impact has been greatly strengthened by the overwhelming support from the Sui community, which has allowed us to expand our reward potential beyond our planned trajectory and provide prudent funding, audit credits, and, we were able to benefit the most promising projects with selected acceleration grants.”

“Sui Overflow is more than just an event. It is the launching pad for our brightest future blockchain innovators,” said Omer Sadika, co-founder of dWallet Network. “We are very proud to work with all the partners involved and look forward to seeing the results from this hackathon.”

Users can apply and developers can register Sui overflow portal Find all the more detailed information. We encourage everyone to join for regular updates. Discord server overflow.

Registration period: April 21st to May 31st

virtual demo day: June 15th.

Announcement of winners: Late June 2024

contact

Sui Foundation
media@sui.io

Source: www.the-blockchain.com

New Sponsor Boosts Sui Overflow Hackathon Funding Pool to $1 Million – Blockchain News, Opinion, TV, Jobs

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, April 22, 2024, Chainwire

Alibaba Cloud, AngelHack and dWallet are among the latest supporters of the global event.

SuiLayer 1 blockchain that delivers industry-leading performance and infinite horizontal scaling funds Sui Overflow, the first-ever global virtual hackathon focused on creating exciting products on Sui Our offering has doubled in recent weeks thanks to donations from our loyal supporters.

Originally set at $500,000, Sui Overflow's funding pool grew to $1,000,000 after a surge of support from outside backers. With the help of a huge reward pool, builders from all over the world come together to build projects on the Sui network and demo them in front of judges. Categories eligible for prizes include Consumer & Mobile, Infrastructure & Tools, Gaming, DeFi, and more. Developers are also encouraged to take advantage of specific technologies in the Sui ecosystem, such as zkLogin, advanced movement capabilities, randomness, and multi-chain capabilities.

Sam Blackshear, co-founder/CTO of Mysten Labs and creator of the Move smart contract language said: , Kiosks, DeepBook, and Native Randomness. Some of Sui's top projects have come from previous local hackathons, so we're really looking forward to seeing what our first global hackathon will produce. ”

Previous Sui-sponsored hackathons have been fertile ground for projects that started as hackathon participants to grow into sustainable businesses on the network. Scallop was launched in June 2023 at Sui's Soul Builder House with a…sumers are not limited to a single category. Individual teams can participate in multiple tracks simultaneously, with prize pools exceeding $100,000. Additionally, many projects in the Sui ecosystem offer unique incentives, adding even more ways for great projects and great teams to benefit.

With funding doubling to $1 million, Sui Overflow participants will receive Sui Foundation acceleration grants after the hackathon, along with benefits such as audits and credits to support the successful launch of their projects. be eligible to receive it.

“Homegrown projects born out of developer meetups and hackathons like Sui Overflow are a critical part of the lifeblood that will sustain the Su…ns, we were able to benefit the most promising projects with selected acceleration grants.”

“Sui Overflow is more than just an event. It is the launching pad for our brightest future blockchain innovators,” said Omer Sadika, co-founder of dWallet Network. “We are excited and honored to work with all partners involved and look forward to the results from this hackathon.”

Users can apply and developers can register Sui overflow portal Find all the details. We encourage everyone to join for regular updates. Discord server overflow.

Registration period:April 21st to May 31st

virtual demo day: June 15th.

Announcement of winners: Late June 2024

contact

Sui Foundation
media@sui.io

Source: the-blockchain.com

Brain Scan Shows How Neural Network Boosts Creativity

Practicing mindfulness improves creative thinking

Giraxia/Getty Images

It's easy to name people who have evolved human thinking, from Jane Austen to Albert Einstein, Zaha Hadid to Ai Weiwei, but why are these people so much more creative than others? It's much more difficult to explain what kind of thinking you do. Are their brains just built that way, or can anyone learn it? The mystery of creativity has long puzzled scientists. Now, researchers are finally making some progress towards closing the curtain. Even better, their insights can help us all exercise a little more original thinking.

Some of them are exciting insights This stems from the “dual process theory” of creativity, which distinguishes between idea generation and idea evaluation. Idea generation involves digging deep into existing knowledge for seeds of inspiration. Perhaps it is done by drawing analogies from completely different areas. Free association is key at this stage, as one thought leads to another, more original insight. The second phase, idea evaluation, requires you to apply a more critical eye to select the ideas that best fit your goals. Novelists must decide whether strange, supernatural plot twists will excite readers or turn them off. Engineers must consider whether a fish-inspired airplane would be practical and efficient. Large projects require these two stages to be repeated many times during the long and winding journey from concept to completion.

Brain scans of people engaged in creative problem solving suggest that idea generation and evaluation relies on…

Source: www.newscientist.com