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China’s Carbon Emissions Could Begin to Decrease by 2025

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China’s swift transition to solar energy is contributing to lower emissions in the energy sector

Cost Photo/NurPhoto (via Getty Images)

The year 2025 could mark the beginning of a long-term decline in China’s greenhouse gas emissions, although achieving this objective still appears uncertain.

As the largest producer of carbon dioxide globally, China aims to reduce its emissions by 2030, a critical threshold to avert a climate emergency in the coming years.

With the first three quarters of 2025 completed, it’s premature to determine if emissions will see a slight rise or a decline for the entire year. An analysis by Lauri Milivirta presented by Carbon Brief at Finland’s Energy and Clean Air Research Center highlights these uncertainties.

Total emissions in China have remained steady or slightly decreased since March 2024. The significant expansion of solar and wind energy is central to this emissions reduction; however, fossil fuel demand continues to rise in various sectors, Millivirta noted.

“While emissions from the power, cement, and steel industries are declining, coal and oil consumption in the chemical sector is beginning to rise significantly again,” he stated.

From January to August, electricity demand surged by 320 terawatt-hours, marking a 4.9% year-on-year increase. In contrast, contributions from solar PV increased by 250 TWh, wind by 105 TWh, and nuclear by 30 TWh, resulting in a total surge of 385 TWh from these non-fossil sources.

The rate of solar energy growth in China is remarkable, according to Milivirta. “In just the first half of 2025, solar capacity installations were akin to setting up 100 solar panels every second,” he mentioned. “In the first nine months of this year, 240 gigawatts of solar capacity were added, reflecting a 50 percent increase compared to the previous year. This addition alone surpasses the total installed capacity in the United States.”

The trade tariffs enacted by former US President Donald Trump have yet to significantly influence China’s emissions; both the positive and negative aspects of the trade war have largely balanced each other out, Millibirta stated.

If emissions in China do begin to decline, it’s likely that global trends will follow suit, according to Li Shuo from the Asian Society Policy Institute in Washington, DC. “However, we require data from the upcoming years to verify trends, so we should be cautious about declaring a peak too early,” he added.

“The fate of the temperature targets outlined in the Paris Agreement relies on how swiftly China and developed nations advance their emissions reductions, alongside how developing nations manage to control emissions while promoting economic growth,” Li stated.

David Fishman expects emissions to decrease this year, but urges against excessive optimism. “Any number of events could unfold in the closing months of 2025,” he remarked.

“The rise in electricity demand has been fully met, and then partially addressed by renewable energy sources, slightly slowing or even reversing emissions growth in the power sector.”

Even if China’s emissions peak ahead of its 2030 target, a swift decline over the following five years seems unlikely, as consumers in China still utilize less energy per capita than those in higher-income nations, Fishman noted. “I anticipate that China’s emissions will likely stay flat until 2030, and we won’t witness any significant drop until post-2030.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Common Vitamin D Supplements May Actually Decrease Your Vitamin D3 Levels

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A recent study reveals that taking vitamin D2 supplements can actually lower vitamin D3 levels in the body, according to a research published in Nutrition Reviews.

This finding comes at a time when health experts advise individuals to start replenishing vitamin D, especially as the Northern Hemisphere transitions into autumn.

Vitamin D plays a critical role in regulating calcium and phosphate levels, which are essential for maintaining healthy bones, teeth, and muscles. The deficiency of this vitamin is prevalent globally; for instance, in the US, the rates are 31% among non-Hispanic Black adults.

Not all vitamin D is alike; it comes in two primary forms: Vitamin D2, which is derived from plants and mushrooms, and Vitamin D3, which is synthesized in the skin when exposed to sunlight and can also be found in animal products like oily fish.

During summer months, individuals living in higher latitudes can typically produce sufficient amounts of vitamin D through sun exposure. However, as autumn and winter approach, the sun’s angle is often insufficient for this to occur.

“People often produce vitamin D on sunny days in October, November, and December,” said Professor Susan Lanham-New, the Director of Nutrition Science at the University of Surrey and co-author of the study. This was reported by BBC Science Focus. “But they aren’t actually doing anything.”

A simple rule of thumb: If your shadow is not shorter than your height, the sun is not strong enough for vitamin D3 production.

We analyzed 20 randomized controlled trials to assess the impact of vitamin D2 supplementation, as noted by Emily Brown, a doctoral researcher in the Lanham-New group. Of these trials, 18 participants receiving vitamin D2 exhibited lower levels of vitamin D3 when compared to placebo or control groups.

In northern latitudes during winter, our bodies cannot produce vitamin D even on sunny days – Credit: Getty

“We don’t want people to think that vitamin D2 is somehow harmful. That’s not the case,” Brown commented to BBC Science Focus. “While vitamin D2 does elevate overall vitamin D levels, vitamin D3 should be prioritized.”

A prior study indicated that vitamin D3 is converted more efficiently into its active form compared to vitamin D2, making it a preferable option for supplementation, particularly during the darker months.

Brown is currently planning to explore the reverse effect, specifically what happens to D2 levels when individuals take D3.

The findings are especially pertinent for vegans who cannot obtain D3 from conventional dietary sources. While vegan-friendly D3 is derived from lichens, it is not as widely accessible as D2.

In 2022, scientists also developed a GMO tomato capable of producing D3, and the Lanham-New team is currently investigating whether this can effectively boost human vitamin D levels.

“I was genuinely surprised to find that when I administered D2, my D3 levels fell even when compared to placebo,” Lanham-New said.

“There is a lot we need to investigate now, as the long-term implications might hinder our ability to meet necessary vitamin D levels, potentially worsening the situation,” she added.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

New Research Suggests Caffeine May Decrease Effectiveness of Some Antibiotics

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Researchers from the University of Tübingen and Würzburg have found that components of our everyday diet, including caffeine, can influence bacterial resistance to antibiotics. They observed that E. coli bacteria adjust complex modulation cascades to respond to chemical signals from their immediate environment, potentially impacting the effectiveness of antibiotics.

This diagram illustrates a 3D computer-generated image of a group of E. coli. Image credits: James Archer, CDC.

In a systematic screening, Professor Ana Rita Brochado and her team examined the effects of 94 different substances, including antibiotics, prescription medications, and dietary components, on the expression of critical gene regulators and transport proteins in E. coli bacteria.

Transport proteins function as pores and pumps within bacterial membranes, regulating the movement of substances in and out of cells.

A precisely adjusted balance of these mechanisms is crucial for bacterial survival.

“Our data reveals that certain substances can exert subtle yet systematic influences on gene regulation in bacteria,” explained doctoral student Christoph Vincefeld.

“These findings indicate that even everyday substances, which lack direct antibacterial properties, like caffeinated beverages, can impact specific gene regulators that modulate transport proteins, thereby modifying bacterial import and composition.”

“Caffeine initiates a cascade of events starting with the lob gene regulator, resulting in alterations in several transport proteins in E. coli. This effect reduces the uptake of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin,” Professor Rita Brochado added.

“Consequently, this diminishes the antibiotic’s effectiveness.”

The researchers characterize this effect as an “antagonistic interaction.”

The diminishing efficacy of certain antibiotics also applies to salmonella enterica, a close relative of E. coli.

This suggests that even similar bacterial species can react differently to identical environmental cues, likely due to variations in transport pathways and how they contribute to antibiotic absorption.

“This foundational study on the effects of commonly consumed substances highlights the significant role of science in addressing and resolving real-world challenges,” stated Professor (Doshisha) Karla Pollmann.

“This research contributes meaningfully to the understanding of what is termed ‘low-level’ antibiotic resistance, which does not result from classical resistance genes but rather through regulation and environmental adaptation.”

“These insights could influence future treatment strategies involving drug or dietary component modifications.”

The results will be published online in PLOS Biology.

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C. Vincefeld et al. 2025. Systematic screens reveal regulatory contributions to chemical cues in E. coli. Plos Biol 23(7): E3003260; doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3003260

Source: www.sci.news

Study: Neanderthal-Inherited Genetic Mutations Decrease Major Muscle Enzyme Activity

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An AMPD1 variant from Neanderthals reduces enzyme activity by 25% in lab-produced proteins and up to 80% in muscles of genetically modified mice. This variant is present in all sequenced Neanderthals but absent in other species. It entered the modern human gene pool through interbreeding approximately 50,000 years ago, leading to its presence in up to 8% of today’s Europeans.

Maccak et al. Research indicates that genetic variants inherited from Neanderthals impair essential enzyme functions in muscle performance. Image credit: Holger Neumann/Neanderthal Museum.

The enzyme AMPD1 is crucial for muscle energy production and overall muscle function.

A decrease in its activity due to genetic mutations is the leading cause of metabolic myopathy in Europeans, with a prevalence of 9-14%.

In a recent study led by Dr. Dominik Macak from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, researchers compared ancient Neanderthal DNA with modern human genomes.

They discovered that all Neanderthals have specific AMPD1 variants absent in other species.

Enzymes produced in the lab with this variant exhibited a 25% decrease in AMPD1 activity.

In genetically modified mice, this reduction in muscle tissue activity reached 80%, negatively affecting enzyme performance.

Moreover, the study shows that modern humans acquired this variant from Neanderthals who lived in Europe and Western Asia before interacting with modern humans around 50,000 years ago.

Currently, approximately 1-2% of non-African individuals carry Neanderthal DNA.

The Neanderthal AMPD1 variant is found in 2-8% of Europeans today, indicating general acceptance in the gene pool.

“Interestingly, most individuals with these variants do not face serious health concerns,” noted Dr. McCuck.

“However, enzymes seem to significantly influence athletic performance.”

Analysis of over 1,000 elite athletes across diverse sports showed that those with non-functional AMPD1 are less likely to reach the highest athletic levels.

“Having defective AMPD1 enzymes decreases the chances of achieving elite athletic ability by half,” Dr. McCuck said.

While AMPD1 activity appears to have moderate significance in contemporary Western societies, it becomes crucial under extreme physical conditions, such as those faced by athletes.

Researchers highlight the need for studying genetic variation within physiological and evolutionary contexts to grasp biological implications.

“Cultural and technological advancements in both modern humans and Neanderthals may have lessened the necessity for extreme muscle performance,” explains Dr. Hugo Zeberg, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and Karolinska Institute.

“Understanding how current gene variants influence human physiology can yield valuable insights into health, performance, and genetic diversity.”

Survey results were published in the journal Natural Communication on July 10, 2025.

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D. McCuck et al. 2025. Muscle AMPD1 exhibited reduced deaminase activity in Neanderthals compared to modern humans. Nat Commun 16, 6371; doi:10.1038/s41467-025-61605-4

Source: www.sci.news

GM Revokes Profit Forecasts as Trump’s Tariffs Decrease

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On Tuesday, the automaker announced that General Motors has revised its profit growth forecasts for the year, citing uncertainties stemming from President Trump’s trade policies.

This month, the Trump administration declared a 25% tariff on imported vehicles and plans to impose the same duty on imported parts starting Saturday. Typically, about half of GM’s sales in the U.S. come from vehicles manufactured overseas, primarily in Canada and Mexico.

During a conference call with reporters, Paul Jacobson, the company’s CFO, stated, “We prefer not to discuss figures that are mere speculation regarding the administration’s actions.”

He further emphasized that GM perceives the potential impact of Trump’s tariffs as “material,” indicating a significant influence on the company’s revenue this year.

GM reported a profit of $2.8 billion for the first quarter on Tuesday, reflecting a 7% decrease compared to the prior year. The profits were primarily driven by a 14% drop in earnings before North American interest and taxes, while the international business reported modest gains.

Previously, the company had forecasted net profits of $11.2 billion to $12.5 billion for 2025, which would effectively double last year’s net profit of $6 billion.

“We cannot rely on earlier projections,” Jacobson remarked.

Along with the 25% tariff on imported cars, the Trump administration has elevated tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, raising the costs of metals crucial for car manufacturing. Additionally, tariffs on China have increased significantly, with several other countries also facing higher duties, which have temporarily decreased to 10% for a 90-day period.

Jacobson described GM’s discussions with the Trump administration regarding tariffs as “productive,” though he declined to provide further details, stating, “I don’t want to appear as negotiating in public.” He expressed hope for greater clarity on the tariff situation within the automotive sector.

Jacobson noted that the tariffs only became effective on April 3, thus having a negligible effect on the company’s financial results for the first quarter. “We have a solid foundation for our operations,” he reported.

GM has previously stated plans to ramp up production of pickup trucks at its facility located near Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Reducing high blood pressure may decrease the likelihood of developing dementia

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Low blood pressure is associated with a lower risk of dementia

Shutterstock/Greeny

According to a large study from Chinese people, lowering hypertension reduces the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment.

Many studies link Hypertension is also known as hypertension, and is at a high risk of developing dementia.. Some studies have also shown that side effects of blood pressure treatment may be at a lower risk of dementia.

now, jiang he At the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas and his colleagues are directly considering the effectiveness of drugs that lower blood pressure for dementia and cognitive impairment.

They studied 33,995 people in rural China. They were all over 40 years old and had high blood pressure. Participants were split into one of two random groups, each with an average age of approximately 63 years.

On average, the first group actively received three antitherapeutic drugs, such as ACE inhibitors, diuretics, or calcium channel blockers, actively ensuring lower blood pressure. They also coached home blood pressure monitoring and lifestyle changes that help to reduce blood pressure, such as weight loss and alcohol and salt intake.

Another set treated as a control group achieved local treatment levels with the same coaching and more general levels of treatment, including on average one drug.

At follow-up appointments 48 months later, participants were tested for blood pressure and measured for signs of cognitive impairment using a standard questionnaire.

Concerns about hypertension begin when a person’s systolic pressure exceeds 130 mm mercury (mmHg) or when diastolic pressure exceeds 80 mmHg. blood pressure It has exceeded 130/80.

On average, many people who received the medication lowered their blood pressure from 157.0/87.9 to 127.6/72.6 mmHg, while the control group was able to take it from 155.4/87.2 to just 147.7/81.0 mmHg.

The researchers also found that 15% fewer people who received multiple drug therapies during the study received dementia diagnosis compared to the control group, and 16% suffered from cognitive impairment.

“The results of this study demonstrated that lowering blood pressure is effective in reducing the risk of dementia in patients with uncontrolled hypertensive conditions,” he says. “This proven and effective intervention should be widely adopted and expanded to alleviate the global burden of dementia.”

“Over the years, many people know that blood pressure is likely a risk factor for dementia. Zachary Malcolm At Washington University in Seattle.

Raj Shah Rush University in Chicago says it’s helpful to add evidence that treating high blood pressure can help stop dementia, but that’s just one of the dementia puzzles, as we affect brain abilities as we age.

“You need to treat hypertension for multiple reasons,” says Shah. “Because of people’s longevity and happiness, they can age healthyly over time.”

Marcum also says people should think more broadly than just blood pressure to avoid dementia. He says there is Other known risk factors This is associated with an increased risk of dementia, including smoking, inactivity, obesity, social isolation, and hearing loss.

And many factors are more influential at different stages of life. To reduce the risk of dementia, “a holistic approach is needed throughout your life,” says Shah.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Trump’s tariffs leading to decrease in automobile imports and factory closures

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President Trump’s 25% tariff on imported vehicles, which came into effect last week, has already sent tremors through the automotive industry, urging businesses to halt ship cars to the US, shutting down factories in Canada and Mexico, and firing workers in Michigan and other states.

The UK-based Jaguar Land Rover said it will temporarily suspend luxury car exports to the US. Stellantis Idled Factory in Canada and Mexico fired 900 US workers who built Chrysler and Jeep vehicles and supply engines and other parts to those factories.

Volkswagen’s luxury division, Audi, has also suspended exports of cars from Europe to the US, telling dealers to sell whatever they still have on their lot.

If other car manufacturers move in the same way, the economic impact will be severe, leading to rising car prices and widespread layoffs. Auto tariffs are one of the first of several industry-specific collections Trump has in his vision, and can provide early clues as to how companies will respond to his trade policies, such as whether to raise US prices or increase manufacturing prices. The president also said he would like to tax the imports of medicines and computer chips.

Applying new tariffs on imported vehicles could increase costs to consumers by thousands of dollars and significantly reduce the demand for those vehicles. For some Jaguar Land Rover or Audi models, customs duties can be over $20,000 per car.

While many of the initial effects of tariffs were destructive, in at least one case, Trump’s obligations had the intentional impact of increasing production in the United States. Last week, General Motors said it would increase production of light trucks at its Fort Wayne, Indiana plant.

The long-term impact of the 25% tariff is unknown. Many automakers are still trying to find ways to avoid rising prices because consumers can’t afford a new car. Investors are pessimistic. Stocks of Ford Motor, GM and Tesla have declined in trading over the past few days.

“Everyone in the automotive supply chain is focused on what they can do to minimize the impact of tariffs on their balance sheets and prices,” said Kevin Roberts, director of Economic and Market Information at Cargurus, an online shopping site.

However, automakers have never had to sign such high tariff levys with such little notice. Analysts and dealers also had little insight into what the president would do next.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Reduced number of flights may decrease prediction accuracy

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The National Weather Service has been releasing weather observations at over 100 sites across the country for decades, operating like clockwork in the Pacific and Caribbean.

Meteorologists launch balloons equipped with radiozond devices twice a day at 8am and 8pm ET. These balloons rise about 15 feet every 2 hours, collecting data on temperature, humidity, and wind speed as they ascend through the atmosphere. The data is transmitted back using radio waves.

When the balloons reach a certain altitude, they pop and descend back to Earth with parachutes, completing their mission. The data gathered from these balloons is crucial for feeding into weather models that form the basis of forecasts in the United States.

However, many of the launch sites have been impacted by staffing cuts under the Trump administration, leading to reduced launches and restrictions. Meteorologists and experts are concerned that these changes will compromise forecast quality and increase risks during severe weather events.

The cuts in balloon launches are part of a broader downsizing effort across federal agencies. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which includes the National Weather Service, has seen significant staff reductions and budget cuts.

Recent announcements about balloon launch suspensions in various locations across the country have raised concerns among meteorologists. These cuts could have implications for weather forecasting accuracy, particularly in regions prone to severe weather events.

Weather balloons play a critical role in providing high-resolution data on atmospheric conditions, which is essential for accurate weather modeling. Without this data, forecasters may struggle to predict events like storms and precipitation types.

Private companies are attempting to fill the gaps left by the National Weather Service cuts, but it is unlikely they will fully replace the services provided by NOAA. These companies are looking to expand coverage and enhance existing data collection efforts.

The impact of these cuts on weather forecasting remains to be seen, but there is concern among experts that forecast accuracy could suffer without the crucial data collected by weather balloons.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Chances of Asteroid 2024 YR4 Colliding with Earth in 2032 Decrease Once More

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The artist's impression of what asteroid 2024 YR4 looks like as they approached Earth in December 2032

NASA

NASA downgraded the risk that the 2024 YR4 would hit the planet by 1.5% in 2032. 1-in-67from the height of a 1-in-32 The chance was the best odds ever.

Astronomers discovered that an asteroid was slamming barrels towards Earth in December, and that has since been the focus of telescopes and space agencies around the world. As they collected more data on the exact orbit of the asteroid, astronomers were able to calculate the likelihood of hitting Earth more accurately. The asteroid is thought to be between 40 and 90 meters wide and can release energy equivalent to TNT's 7.7 megatonnes.

According to NASA, the likelihood of a 2032 collision has increased from a coincidence of one-third since it was first discovered. It then moved to 1/67, 1/53, 1/53, 1/53, 1-in-43, 1-in-38, 1-in-32, and now it's 1/67 I did. The European Space Agency has slightly different odds, Currently giving asteroids a 1.38% chance of collision. These changes reflect an increasing understanding of the asteroid path, meaning they may not necessarily impact Earth.

But we are running out of time to predict the risks of asteroids. One problem is that the 2024 YR4 flies behind the sun in April and goes outside from most Earth-based telescope views. It says it limits the amount that astronomers can narrow down their predictions. Hugh Lewis At the University of Southampton, England. That doesn't necessarily mean it's going down before April. It could continue to rise, but in the end I still miss us. ”

Once the asteroid pops out of sight, it is rare to get any more information before it comes back into view in 2028. However, astronomers can look at past data to reveal previously overlooked asteroid observations. Trajectory. The process is already being carried out by the world's space agencies, Lewis says.

We hope that important information about the size and composition of the asteroid will be collected by James Webb's Space Telescope in the coming months, Lewis says. This helps us understand whether an asteroid can make it intact through Earth's atmosphere and whether it can cause an impact or not.

“It helps us to determine what we need to do about it because if it's a stone asteroid, it's a very different proportion of iron metal asteroids,” Lewis said. I say it. Stone-rich asteroids will be even worse as stone-like asteroids potentially split during impact. “Mass makes a huge difference in terms of whether energy and the atmosphere affects it.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oczdfwl05tq

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Tesla Observes Decrease in Car Delivery and Unfortunate 4th Quarter Revenue

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After the US stock market closed, Tesla released its fourth-quarter 2024 revenue on Wednesday, showing a decrease in sales for the year but a strong stock price performance.

The automotive company reported earnings of $0.73 per share and a profit of $257 billion, lower than Wall Street analysts’ predictions of $27.222 billion. Profit also declined compared to the previous year.

Tesla’s stock dropped by around 4% after the news.

During the revenue call on Wednesday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the Tesla Saber Cub, an autonomous driving taxi set to be produced in 2026. The company also mentioned a delay in release and the launch of the Robotaxi business, with plans for an advanced version of the Model Y sedan to be released in March. Tesla is currently under federal investigation for the use of complete autonomous driving functions in the US.

“This is not a fantasy,” Musk stated. “2025 will be a crucial year for Tesla.”

Recently, Tesla became the world’s top electric manufacturer in the last quarter of 2023, regaining its top spot in the first three quarters of 2024. This success was attributed to a sudden price reduction.

In the revenue report, Tesla disclosed 495,570 deliveries in the fourth quarter and 1.8 million for the year, marking its first year-over-year decline after missing delivery targets in 2024.

The reduction of European subsidies for electric vehicles has impacted Tesla, leading to a 24% drop in Tesla vehicle sales. Some Wall Street analysts predict that lower interest rates set by the US Federal Reserve could boost Tesla demand.

Last year, Tesla’s disappointing delivery numbers highlighted delays in new model releases and a lack of demand for older models, like the cyber truck priced at $80,000.

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Facing legal battles over his compensation, Musk had threatened to leave the company but ultimately remained. Tesla’s stock price has soared over the past year and has gained 75% in the last six months, buoyed by Musk’s relationship with US regulators and favorable business environment.

Despite threats of tariffs on various products from China, including cars, Tesla remains optimistic about future growth.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Amazon purchases UK’s largest electric truck to decrease carbon footprint

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Amazon is set to deploy nearly 150 electric heavy goods vehicles in the UK to reduce carbon emissions from its delivery operations. The company has purchased over 140 electric Mercedes-Benz HGVs and eight Volvo trucks, marking the UK’s largest order for electric trucks. These vehicles will join Amazon’s fleet over the next 18 months, increasing its current electric HGV fleet from nine vehicles.

The switch to electric logistics is being supported by government funding under the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator Program (ZEHID). Amazon plans to set up fast-charging points across its UK network to keep its electric trucks operational.

Amazon’s investment in green transport is part of a £300m initiative announced in 2022 to increase its electric HGV fleet to 700 vehicles by 2025. However, challenges such as a lack of public infrastructure, high costs, and range concerns are hindering the industry-wide transition to electric HGVs.

Amazon Logistics European vice president Nicola Fyfe stated that the company’s commitment to electric vehicles aligns with its goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040. The move includes large-scale deliveries by rail and foot in city centers, expanding Amazon’s green delivery options.

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Amazon’s shift towards electric vehicles represents a significant step in its sustainability efforts and commitment to reducing its environmental impact.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Sales of boxed video games decrease in UK while digital revenues remain steady

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With music sales and streaming revenue reaching a record high of £2.4 billion, the UK video games market has experienced consistent growth over the years, despite a 4.4% decrease. The most significant decline was seen in boxed video game sales, which dropped by 35%.

Data from the Digital Entertainment and Retail Association (ERA) predicts that the UK video games market will reach £4.6 billion in 2024, making it the second-largest market after TV and film, which is valued at £5 billion.

The shift in consumer buying habits from physical games to digital downloads and in-game purchases is evident in the increasing popularity of games like Fortnite and Roblox. Currently, boxed games account for 27.7% of new game sales in the UK, according to ERA data.

According to an ERA spokesperson, several factors have contributed to the decline in physical sales, including the shift towards digital downloads, subscription access, the console cycle downturn, and the lack of new hit IPs in the market.


The decrease in physical sales also reflects a decline in brick-and-mortar video game retail, with Games being one of the last specialist video game retailers in the UK. The shift away from selling video games towards toys and other merchandise has left customers with limited options for buying boxed games in-store.

Global trends in the gaming industry indicate a decline in physical sales as digital distribution becomes more popular. While physical formats may still exist as collector items, digital distribution is expected to dominate the market in the future.

Download sales saw a slight decrease, while subscription revenue and mobile/tablet game revenue increased. Despite job losses and reduced investment, analysts anticipate a rebound in sales and profits in 2025 with new console releases and game titles.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Temperatures Expected to Decrease to Below 1.5°C by 2025 According to Global Forecasts

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Severe storms caused by La Niña in Queensland, Australia

Genevieve Vallee/Alamy Stock Photo

The UK's national weather and climate agency, the Met Office, predicts that the Earth's average surface temperature in 2025 will be between 1.29°C and 1.53°C warmer than the pre-industrial average, and possibly 1.41°C. This is slightly lower than 2024, when temperatures are expected to exceed 1.5°C for the first time in the calendar year.

“A year ago, our 2024 forecasts highlighted for the first time the potential for temperatures to exceed 1.5C,” the Met Office's Nick Dunstone said in a statement. “While this appears to have happened, it is important to realize that temporarily exceeding 1.5°C does not mean a violation of the Paris Agreement. However, the first year above 1.5°C It is certainly a solemn milestone in climate history.”

The Paris Agreement set a goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C to 2°C above pre-industrial standards. Most climate scientists currently define pre-industrial temperature as the Earth's average surface temperature between 1850 and 1900. This is because this is the earliest period for which reliable direct measurements were obtained. However, some studies suggest that by that time, the world had already warmed significantly as a result of human activity.

Next year will be among the top three warmest years on record, according to 2025 projections

Japan Meteorological Agency

The expected drop in surface temperatures in 2025 is the result of heat transfer from the atmosphere to the oceans due to La Niña, and does not mean that global warming has stopped. The overall heat content of the oceans and atmosphere continues to rise as atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations are rising due to increased carbon dioxide emissions from human activities.

During a La Niña event, cold water rises in the Pacific Ocean and spreads across the Earth's surface, resulting in a net heat transfer from the atmosphere to the ocean. When an El Niño event occurs, the opposite happens. The 2023 El Niño helped break records for surface temperatures that year, which will be surpassed in 2024. But El Niño alone cannot fully explain the record temperatures.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Using a combination of crushed rock and fertilizer can decrease nitrous oxide emissions on farms

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Spreading rock dust on fields can sequester carbon and reduce nitrous oxide emissions.

SO-Photography/Alamy Stock Photo

Spreading crushed basalt on farmland and using special fertilisers to prevent nitrogen loss could cut global agricultural emissions of gases that are a powerful driver of global warming by 25%.

Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas with a warming potential 270 times greater than carbon dioxide. It has increased by 40% in the past 40 yearsAgriculture is a major factor, due to increased use of nitrogen-based fertilisers and rising livestock numbers.

Microorganisms in the soil convert ammonium in manure and animal waste into nitrates, releasing nitrous oxide in the process. Compounds that interfere with this process are called nitrification inhibitors, and can be added to fertilizer to reduce nitrous oxide emissions. Applying basalt dust to the soil, a technique called enhanced rock weathering (ERW), can also help by making the soil more alkaline.

However, nitrous oxide emissions are not only a global warming pollutant, they also have a complex relationship with the ozone layer, and in some circumstances even help it recover, so figuring out the best way to mitigate nitrous oxide emissions without damaging the ozone layer is difficult.

To address this, Maria Val Martin Researchers from the University of Sheffield in the UK modelled the impacts of widespread use of both ERW and nitrification inhibitors on nitrous oxide emissions and the ozone layer under two different climate scenarios.

The researchers found that a “moderate” approach, in which ERWs were introduced in key regions around the world and most farmers except the poorest used nitrification inhibitors, could reduce nitrous oxide emissions from agriculture by 25 percent, while nitrous oxide emissions overall would be reduced by 5 percent. These gases also come from combustion engines and industry.

What's more, up to two gigatons of additional carbon could be sequestered in the soil thanks to ERW, and neither scenario would harm the ozone layer, Val Martin says.

“we [carbon] “Enhanced rock weathering would sequestrate carbon dioxide, reduce nitrous oxide emissions, which is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide, resulting in climate benefits, and protection of the ozone layer,” she says.

Deploying nitrous oxide abatement efforts on this scale would cost billions of dollars. Sequestering carbon using ERW costs between $80 and $180 per tonne of CO2. According to previous researchAccording to Val Martin, reducing nitrous oxide emissions is a “free” side benefit of carbon sequestration. Applying nitrification inhibitors costs about $28-45 per hectare, which would cost $17-27 billion per year to cover the 600 million hectares modelled in the study – roughly one-eighth of all agricultural land.

Still, Val Martin says the scenario is deliberately cautiously ambitious, and one that could play out in the real world. “What we wanted to do in this study is to come up with a realistic scenario, so if governments want to curb nitrous oxide emissions, [these] It’s a strategy we’re implementing.”

Parbhu Suntaralingam Researchers from the University of East Anglia in the UK say new strategies to curb nitrous oxide emissions are urgently needed, and that this research is particularly valuable because it focuses on curbing emissions without damaging the ozone layer.

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  • Agriculture/
  • Greenhouse gas emissions

Source: www.newscientist.com

Ammonites did not decrease before end-Cretaceous extinction, study finds

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A team of British and American paleontologists has analysed the fossil record of ammonites (marine mollusks best known as snails) from the Late Cretaceous period (105 to 66 million years ago), a period that some scientists characterise as a period of decline before their complete extinction at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary. The study suggests that, far from disappearing before this, ammonites were still going strong around the world during the Late Cretaceous.

An ammonite basking in the sun from the Late Cretaceous period. Image courtesy of Callum Pursall.

Ammonites thrived in the Earth’s oceans for more than 350 million years before becoming extinct in the same chance event that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago.

Some paleontologists argue that the extinction of ammonites (the last major lineage of ammonoids) was inevitable, and that ammonite diversity declined long before their extinction at the end of the Cretaceous.

But new research suggests that ammonites’ fate is not sealed; rather, the final chapter of their evolutionary history is more complicated.

“Understanding how and why biodiversity has changed over time is extremely difficult,” said Dr Joseph Flannery Sutherland, a palaeontologist from the Universities of Birmingham and Bristol.

“The fossil record tells us part of the story, but it’s often an unreliable narrator.”

“Patterns of diversity may simply reflect sampling patterns — essentially when and where new fossil species were discovered — rather than actual biological history.”

“Analysing the extant Late Cretaceous ammonite fossil record as if it were a complete global story is probably why previous researchers have thought of ammonites as being in a long-term ecological decline.”

To overcome this problem, Dr. Flannery Sutherland and his colleagues have built a new database of Late Cretaceous ammonite fossils to fill sample gaps in the record.

“We used museum collections to provide new sources of specimens rather than relying on what has already been published,” said researcher Cameron Crossan of the University of Bristol.

“By doing this, we’re confident that we’ll get a more accurate picture of the biodiversity before it went extinct.”

The paleontologists used the database to analyze how ammonite speciation and extinction rates changed in different regions of the planet.

If ammonites had declined throughout the Late Cretaceous, their extinction rate would have generally been higher than their speciation rate in every region the team studied.

What the researchers found instead was that the balance between speciation and extinction has shifted through geological time and between different geographic regions.

“These differences in ammonite diversification around the world are an important reason why the story of the Late Cretaceous has been misunderstood,” said Dr James Witts, a palaeontologist at the Natural History Museum in London.

“The fossil record in some parts of North America is very well-sampled, but looking at it alone it might seem like North America was struggling while other parts were thriving.”

“Their extinction was an accident, not a foreseeable event.”

To understand why ammonites continued to thrive throughout the Late Cretaceous, scientists investigated factors that may have changed ammonite diversity over time.

They were particularly interested in whether ammonite speciation and extinction rates were driven primarily by environmental conditions such as ocean temperature and sea level, or by biological processes such as pressure from predators and competition between ammonites themselves.

“We found that the causes of ammonite speciation and extinction were as geographically diverse as their rates,” said Dr. Colin Myers, a paleontologist at the University of New Mexico.

“You can’t look at the whole fossil record and say, for example, that diversity is entirely driven by changes in temperature.”

“In reality it was more complicated and it depended on where in the world they lived.”

Team result Published in a journal Nature Communications.

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JT Flannery Sutherland others2024. Late Cretaceous ammonites show regional heterogeneity in drivers of diversification. Nat Community 15, 5382; doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-49462-z

Source: www.sci.news

Tesla experiences decrease in sales following a tumultuous week and global price reductions.

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Tesla has reduced prices on three of its five models in the U.S. and globally, including in China and Germany, due to declining sales, a Cybertruck recall, and increasing competition in the electric vehicle market. The price cuts have affected the Model Y, Model X, and Model S, while the Model 3 and Cybertruck prices remain unchanged.

The Model Y now starts at $42,990, the Model S at $72,990, and the Model X at $77,990 following the price reductions. Tesla also slashed the price of its “fully self-driving” software in the U.S. from $12,000 to $8,000.

In China, the starting price of the updated Model 3 was reduced by 14,000 yuan ($1,930) to 231,900 yuan ($32,000). Meanwhile, in Germany, the price of the rear-wheel-drive Model 3 dropped to 40,990 euros ($43,670.75) from 42,990 euros.

The price cuts extend to many other countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, as Tesla tries to boost sales following a decline in global car deliveries in the first quarter of the year.

The series of price reductions come amidst challenges for the company, including a Cybertruck recall due to issues with the gas pedal. This incident has added to Elon Musk’s recent troubles, with Tesla stock dropping and criticism from investors mounting.

Analysts are awaiting the release of the Model 2, a smaller electric car expected to cost around $25,000. Reports of Musk canceling the project have created uncertainty, but he has denied these claims.

Tesla is set to announce its first quarter results soon, with expectations of a significant drop in sales compared to the previous year, marking the first decline in quarterly sales in about four years for the company.

Contributed by Kari Paul report

Source: www.theguardian.com

Tesla’s quarterly new car deliveries experience their first decrease in nearly four years

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Tesla experienced its first drop in vehicle deliveries in almost four years, failing to meet Wall Street’s expectations. This indicates that the impact of price reductions is diminishing as car manufacturers face tougher competition and subdued demand.

Since the start of the year, Tesla’s shares have plummeted by nearly 30% and were down 5.7% in early trading on Tuesday.

The world’s most valuable automaker delivered approximately 386,810 vehicles in the first quarter of the year, a 20.2% decrease from the previous quarter, while producing 433,371 vehicles. Wall Street analysts, surveyed by Visible Alpha, had anticipated Tesla to deliver 454,200 vehicles on average.

Compared to the previous year, deliveries from electric vehicle manufacturers dropped by 8.5%. The last time Tesla encountered a decline in sales was in the second quarter of 2020, when the pandemic caused production halts.

The company attributed the decrease in production to preparations for scaling up production of the new Model 3 at its Fremont, Calif., plant, and disruptions at its Berlin plant due to transportation diversions amid the Red Sea conflict and an arson fire. This led to a temporary halt in early March. A left-wing group claimed responsibility for setting fire to a pylon at a German factory that churns out 500,000 cars annually.

In China, Tesla faces tough competition from local companies like BYD, which overtook the American company as the largest EV maker in the last quarter, and newcomer Xiaomi.

Despite this competition, Elon Musk’s company managed to outsell BYD in the quarter, delivering 369,783 Model 3s and Model Ys, along with around 17,000 other models including the Model S sedan, Cybertruck, and Model X premium SUV.

In January, Tesla also cautioned that sales growth would be “significantly slower” this year as it shifts its focus towards producing next-generation electric vehicles.

Source: www.theguardian.com

EPA introduces new regulations to decrease carbon emissions and encourage the use of electric vehicles and hybrids

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The Biden administration revealed updated vehicle emissions standards on Wednesday, described as the most ambitious effort yet to reduce global warming emissions from passenger vehicles.

While the new regulations relax the original tailpipe limits proposed last year, they will ultimately align more closely with the stringent standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency.

These standards will be enforced in conjunction with the sale of electric vehicles, which must meet the requirements. The auto industry had opposed the EPA’s initial standards, announced in April last year, citing a slowdown in sales growth. The administration, however, remains committed to its ambitious plans to decrease emissions from passenger cars contributing to global warming.

Under the finalized rule, the EPA will mandate that by 2032, 56% of new vehicle sales should be electric vehicles, with at least 13% being plug-in hybrids or partially electric vehicles, along with more fuel-efficient gasoline-powered cars that get higher mileage.

The EPA estimates that these new standards will result in annual savings of $100 billion, over 7 billion tons of avoided global warming carbon emissions over the next three decades, reduced healthcare costs, fewer deaths, and more than $60 billion in healthcare savings, ultimately leading to overall cost savings in fuel, maintenance, and repairs.

On January 2, 2008, exhaust gas blows out of a car’s tailpipe in San Francisco.
David Paul Morris/Getty Images File

The EPA rule pertains to model years between 2027 and 2032, covering new emissions from new passenger cars, light trucks, pickup trucks, as well as greenhouse gas emissions like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter that contribute to global warming. It will also significantly reduce other forms of air pollution. The EPA asserts that the rule will help combat the climate crisis by substantially decreasing air pollution while promoting the adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies. The finalization of the rules follows a record increase in sales of clean vehicles, including plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles, last year.

The revised rules will push back the strict pollution standards’ implementation from 2027 to 2029 after the auto industry argued against the feasibility of the proposed benchmarks. By 2032, the rules will be bolstered to nearly meet the EPA’s recommended thresholds.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan affirmed to reporters that the final rule will yield pollution reductions equal to or greater than those outlined in the proposal. In addition to addressing carbon pollution, Regan emphasized that the ultimate standard will also lessen other severe air pollutants contributing to heart attacks, respiratory issues, exacerbating asthma, and diminishing lung function.

Regan stressed the critical nature of these new standards for public health, American jobs, the economy, and the planet. The standard is designed to be technology-neutral and performance-based, granting auto and truck manufacturers the flexibility to choose pollution control technology that aligns with their customer needs while meeting environmental and public health objectives.

The adjustments in the regulations seem aimed at addressing the strong industry resistance to the accelerated adoption of electric vehicles and the public’s hesitation to fully embrace new technology. Legal challenges in conservative courts also pose a legitimate threat.

With a conservative majority, the Supreme Court has increasingly restricted the power of federal agencies, including the EPA, in recent years. The court has limited the EPA’s ability to combat air and water pollution, further hindering their capability to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants that contribute to global warming.

President Joe Biden has made fighting climate change a central feature of his presidency, with a focus on reducing carbon dioxide emissions from gasoline-powered vehicles, the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.

To achieve these goals, a Democratic president needs cooperation from the auto industry and political backing from auto workers, a crucial voting bloc. The United Auto Workers union, supporting Biden, endorses the transition to electric vehicles but aims to safeguard jobs and ensure that industry pays competitive wages to workers involved in producing EVs and batteries.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre expressed confidence in the EPA’s final rule, stating that the administration understands that achieving such goals takes time and remains committed to climate action.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Expected to Decrease Starting in 2024

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Carbon emissions from fossil fuels could finally start declining in 2024

Villanor/Shutterstock

Emissions of greenhouse gases that cause global warming have been on the rise since the Industrial Revolution, and 2023 looks set to be no different. According to him, this year emissions from fossil fuel combustion increased by more than 1% compared to 2022. global carbon budget Edited by Pierre Friedlingstein and his colleagues from the University of Exeter, UK.

However, in 2024, these emissions could begin to decline for the first time, largely due to unprecedented circumstances.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Hippocampal Taurine Levels Decrease by 20% in Association with Depression

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A groundbreaking study by South Korean researchers has revealed a link between lower levels of taurine in the hippocampus and depression in young women. This discovery, using 7T MRI technology, opens new avenues in the treatment and understanding of depression and highlights the importance of taurine in brain health. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

Precise observation using ultra-high magnetic field 7T MRI. A South Korean research team has discovered for the first time that there is a significant relationship between depression and taurine levels in the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for memory and learning functions. This discovery provides an opportunity to promote the role and importance of taurine in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of depression in the future. (source)

Advanced imaging technology reveals important insights. Researchers from the Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI, Director Sung-kwan Yang) biochemical analysis team (Dr. Young-kyu Song, Dr. Ji-hyun Cho, and Dr. Chae-joon Jeong) used ultra-high magnetic field 7T human MRI (7T MRI). (source)

The study was conducted in collaboration with a research team led by Dr. Kim Hyun-jun from the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM) and Professor Song Jin-hoon from Chungnam University (CNU), and compared two groups of female participants. It is, a group of 36 female patients with major depressive disorder, and a control group of 40 healthy women. All participants were between 19 and 29 years old. (source)

(A) Brain regions where spectra were measured (yellow box) (B) 1H MR spectrum of the hippocampus: taurine signal in the hippocampus shown at 3.4 ppm (arrow). Black line: actually measured spectrum. Red line: LCModel fitting spectrum. Credit: Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI)

Global impact of depression. Depression is an illness that causes serious damage and loss, not only personally, but also socially and economically. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 260 million people worldwide suffer from depression, and more than 800,000 people take their own lives each year. (source)

What is taurine? Taurine is an aminosulfonic acid acid unlike most others, amino acid, does not build proteins. Instead, it plays several important roles in the body. It is naturally present in the brain, heart, eyes, and muscle tissue. Taurine can be synthesized in the body and can also be obtained from the diet, especially meat, fish, and dairy products. It is also a common ingredient in energy drinks. (source)

Taurine acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain and has a calming effect on the nervous system. It also plays a role in regulating calcium levels in certain cells, contributes to heart function, and has antioxidant properties that protect cells from damage. Taurine’s role in health, particularly heart and brain health, has been the focus of numerous medical studies. (source)

Taurine concentrations in the hippocampus, frontal cortex (anterior cingulate cortex, ACC), and occipital cortex (OCC) (red: depressed patient group, blue: healthy control group). The average taurine concentration within the hippocampus was 0.91 mM in the depressed patient group and 1.13 mM in the healthy control group. Credit: Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI)

Pioneering research methods. MRI is widely used in brain disease research because it can accurately scan specific locations within the body and obtain a variety of quantitative information. Previous MRI studies of depression have focused on uncovering changes in metabolites mainly confined to areas of the cerebral cortex at the edges of the brain. This study is the first to reveal the relationship between metabolites in the hippocampus, located inside the brain, and depression. (source)

Detailed analysis of brain metabolites. To identify substances closely associated with depression, the research team identified seven substances that are present in the frontal, occipital, and hippocampal regions of depression: taurine, choline, creatine, glutamine, glutamic acid, myo-inositol, and N-acetylaspartate. The concentrations of two metabolites were measured and compared. young woman. (source)

When performing MRI scans, there are technical limitations to measuring metabolite concentrations within the hippocampus due to the location of the hippocampus in the brain. Taurine is also particularly difficult to obtain magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) signals due to its low concentration compared to other metabolites. The research team used 7T MRI, which provides high signal sensitivity and resolution, and an sLASER pulse sequence designed to reduce chemical shift displacement errors, to detect subtle differences in taurine signals in the hippocampi of patient and control groups. succeeded in measuring. (source)

(Left) Dr. Cho Ji-hyun (Right) Dr. Song Young-gyu.Credit: Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI)

Implications for future research. Concentrations of metabolites were also precisely measured, taking into account the precise distribution of components of white matter, gray matter, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is individual-dependent. In the future, it is expected that these measurement results will be applied to brain disease research customized to individual characteristics. (source)

KBSI research team leader Dr. Jee-Hyun Cho said, “This study will advance research on the role of taurine in the hippocampus and its relationship with depression, and will contribute to etiological research and diagnostic development of depression.” he declared. Furthermore, “Using KBSI’s cutting-edge research equipment, we plan to conduct follow-up research on changes in taurine concentration in the brain through long-term observation of patients with depression, as well as the effects of taurine intake as a treatment.” Ta. depression. (source)

collaborative efforts. The KBSI research team proposed an initial research idea on the relationship between depression and hippocampal taurine levels, performed measurements of brain metabolites using 7T MRI, and conducted an analysis of the obtained data. . The research team from KIOM and CNU participated in the recruitment of depressed patients and a healthy control group, conducted psychological tests and clinical interviews, and controlled demographic, (source)

Reference: “Association between hippocampal taurine levels and major depressive disorder in young women: A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study at 7 Tesla” Yong-Gyu Song, Ji-Hyun Cho, Hyun-Jung Kim, Yong-Jim, Yi-Hae Chung, Sunyoung Choi , Jeong-Hon Park, Sungho Tak, Bumwoo Park, Jin-Hun Sohn, Gyunggoo Cho, Chaejoon Cheong, September 5, 2023, biological psychiatry.[source]

DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.08.025[source]

Source: scitechdaily.com

ShareChat experiences significant decrease in valuation following new funding round

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ShareChat is in the final stages of discussions to secure about $50 million in new funding that would bring the startup’s valuation below $1.5 billion, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Existing backers including Temasek and Tencent are among the investors in advanced stages of talks to invest in the new round, the sources said, asking not to be identified as the matter is private. Stated. ShareChat has been in talks with several potential new investors this year, and one of the potential investors the startup has engaged says that ShareChat is expected to receive a high valuation compared to its current low revenue. Many investors are hesitant to take this opportunity because of the current situation.

The terms of the negotiations are still ongoing and could change slightly, according to people familiar with the matter, but ShareChat’s current valuation is less than $1.5 billion, which is the same as when ShareChat raised funding early last year. This is a significant drop from its valuation of $4.9 billion.

The round could be completed as early as the end of the year. ShareChat did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday morning. Temasek declined to comment, citing its own policies.

The loss-making Bengaluru-headquartered startup, which operates a social network and counts X, Snap and Tiger Global among its backers, has raised more than $1.4 billion so far, according to venture intelligence platform Tracxn.

Amid the TikTok ban, ShareChat’s failed bet in India’s short video space forced it to raise capital and prompted a price cut. (TechCrunch exclusively reported earlier that in late 2020 and early 2021, X considered acquiring ShareChat in a $2 billion deal.)

sharechat metric

Sensor Tower estimates daily active users of Google’s Android platform in India (shared with TC by industry executives). In an official statement, ShareChat claims to have over 300 million monthly active users.

ShareChat, which launched short video app Moj in mid-2020, doubled its position in the category by acquiring MXTakaTak, a video app in the Times Internet portfolio, for more than $600 million. But industry analysts say YouTube and Instagram have filled TikTok’s void as creators migrate to these much larger platforms.

Eight-year-old ShareChat is scrambling to find ways to grow revenue and cut expenses after its two co-founders left earlier this year to start a new startup. It has tried a series of initiatives, including a fantasy sports app and a live voice chat service. However, sales were still lower at the end of the fiscal year ending in March. $65 million. The company plans to cut another 15% to 20% of its workforce in the coming weeks, another person said.

Many investors around the world are devaluing their holdings in startups, as the prolonged economic slowdown has also reduced the valuations of nearly all publicly traded technology companies. Prosus recently lowered Byju’s valuation to less than $3 billion from $22 billion in early 2022. Byju’s has raised more than $5 billion through equity and debt.

Source: techcrunch.com

Q3 Sees Another Drop in VC Funding for Foodtech Startups as Deals Decrease

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Venture capital investment in the food technology sector fell for the eighth consecutive quarter in Q3 2023, with 205 deals reported reaching $2 billion in value. New PitchBook Report.

This is a 13.9% decrease compared to the previous quarter, when 268 investments were made worth $2.2 billion. And compared to the previous year, it was down more than 71%. At PitchBook, we consider “food tech” to be a field that includes alternative proteins, bioengineered foods, discovery and reviews, e-commerce, food production, restaurant and retail technology.

“It’s a little disappointing to see deal activity continue to be weak,” report author Alex Frederick, senior analyst for emerging technologies at PitchBook, told TechCrunch. “But the market is still developing.”

He believes one of the bright spots in the third quarter was Instacart’s IPO, and says there was excitement in that regard, especially since it did so well. But Frederick also said he hasn’t yet seen many other tech startups retreat.

He added: “The IPO window remains closed and venture activity will continue to be challenged.”

Investor opinion

Meir Rabkin, founder and managing partner of climate technology venture firm Blue Vision Capital, said in an interview that climate technology as a whole has been “very resilient” over the past two years. He notes that this resilience is about corporate valuations, and that the contraction felt in other sectors was not as widespread in climate technology.

Rabkin said investing in food tech is “a bit of a tough space” for a variety of reasons, including relatively high capital expenditures and time-consuming research and development.

“That being said, there’s a lot of disruption and innovation that needs to go on there,” Rabkin said. “It’s a very exciting space to be in.”

But Christina Rohr, managing director of food and agriculture investments at impact investment firm S2G Ventures, says capital constraints aren’t all bad.

She found that when the availability of capital decreased, companies’ business models became more resilient because founders considered more capital-efficient methods. She is also considering different types of collaborations, including licensing her models.

Lohr isn’t surprised that venture capital is lagging in food technology, as companies focus on achieving scalability and positive unit economics.

“We are in an environment that is influenced by commodity prices and supply chain costs,” Lohr said. “Given all of this, to be scalable, costs must be comparable to existing technology and products. With these large rounds coming together, investors are looking at technological milestones and , we look at the combined ability to achieve these milestones in a manner that has positive unit economics.”

Plant-based is not growing as fast

Meanwhile, the alternative protein sector saw $724.2 million invested in 46 deals in the third quarter. The report says venture capital funding for plant-based foods is “down significantly from its peak in Q3 2021,” but deal activity remains strong, with further increases for the second consecutive quarter. That’s what it means.

Despite the rise in plant-based investment deals, Pitchbook’s Frederick said the sector is “struggling” when it comes to meat substitutes, citing shrinking grocery store shelf allocations. Ta.

The reasons for this are primarily price and taste perception, and because these products are processed foods, it is difficult to get new customers to try these premium products, Frederick said.

“It’s hard to get it and keep it on the shelf,” he said. “Achieving results is critical for these companies.Currently, consumer packaged goods across the board are under significant challenge from rising prices.Consumers seek lower-cost alternatives. The trend is for plant-based beef companies to sell at a 2% price premium over conventional meat.”

Notable deals in alternative proteins in the third quarter include that of Meati. Series C extension is $200 millionMeatable’s $35 million round and €40 million raised is enough.

As seen on TechCrunch

Fresh capital injection puts Farmless on path to first alternative protein product

I wrote a funding update on Farmless, a company I reported on earlier this year. A Dutch startup working to develop alternative protein sources through fermentation technology has raised a further €4.8 million in seed funding. This will be applied to Farmless’ goal of discovering microorganisms that can be fermented and used in various food applications.

what else are you reading

Great deal: The Canadian Food Innovation Network has awarded Crush Dynamics approximately $2 million to develop and test new ingredients that improve food quality and reduce sugar and sodium content in foods. learn more.

Sustainable supply chain: The Clean Food Group has now received £1 million from the UK Government to fund a project to promote new low-emission food production systems. read more.

Cultured meat support: Alternative protein investor Big Idea Ventures has launched Nexture Bio, a startup that will develop scaffolding technology used to create 3D meat substitute products that more closely resemble whole cuts of meat. get the scoop.

Eye stain: The alternative seafood industry has a new advocate: the Future Ocean Foods Association, founded by Marissa Bronfman. It involves his 36 companies from 14 countries representing cultivation, plant-based and fermentation technologies. read more.

Next time I go to New York, I will: Stop by Eleven Madison Park to try The Every Company’s newly added plant-based egg alternatives to the menu. check it out.

If you have an interesting tip or information about something happening in the world of venture or food technology, please contact Christine Hall at chall.techcrunch@gmail.com or Signal at 832-862-1051. Anonymous requests will be honored.

Source: techcrunch.com