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Increasing Economic Impact of Wildfires, Severe Storms, and Earthquakes

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A report published on Tuesday by German multinationals revealed that weather-related disasters in the first half of this year caused $93 billion in damages within the United States. insurance company.

An analysis from Munich RE, the largest reinsurer in the world, indicated that over 70% of the global damages from this year’s weather disasters occurred in the United States, leading to a burden of $22 billion on uninsured Americans and their local governments.

The report underscores the increasing economic impact of wildfires, severe storms, and other extreme weather events both in the US and globally. It also highlights the escalating insurance crisis in nations frequently afflicted by such disasters.

“Approximately 90% of all industry losses were observed, with $72 billion out of $80 billion occurring in the US,” stated Tobias Grimm, chief climate scientist at Munich RE. “That is remarkable.”

The catastrophic wildfires in Southern California in January ranked as the most expensive disaster in the country during the first half of 2025. The two major fires, responsible for at least 30 fatalities and displacing thousands, swept through the Pacific Ocean’s Pallisad and Altadena neighborhoods.

Munich RE estimated the wildfire losses at $53 billion, including costs affecting uninsured residents. The reinsurer noted that these flames in the Los Angeles area resulted in “the highest wildfire loss ever recorded.”

The significant economic and social impacts of wildfires can be partly attributed to the increasing development in fire-prone areas.

“In many instances, losses are growing due to property developments causing damage,” Grimm explained. “People continue to reside in high-risk zones.”

Urbanization in disaster-prone areas can similarly escalate the costs associated with other weather-related events, like hurricanes and floods, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change.

Research indicates that climate change is becoming increasingly frequent as temperatures rise and drought conditions worsen. Consequently, the intensity of wildfires is also increasing.

A report by the World Weather Attributes Group issued in late January found that high temperatures, along with dry and windy conditions conducive to fire spread in Southern California, could be approximately 35% more likely due to human-induced global warming.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Alcohol Consumption Among Women is Increasing: Ongoing Health Implications

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The dangers that alcohol presents to women’s health have escalated in the last two decades, as more women are drinking more frequently and in larger amounts.

Alcohol-related deaths among women have more than doubled from 1999 to 2020, and deaths due to alcohol-related hepatitis, which causes severe liver inflammation, have almost tripled among women during the same timeframe.

Recent research published this Wednesday in the medical journals Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology has also shown a rise in the risk of alcohol-related liver disease in women, encompassing various types of liver damage that stem from excessive alcohol consumption. Severe damage, known as cirrhosis, can progress to early-stage inflammation, ultimately leading to liver failure.

Women are more susceptible to alcohol-related liver disease than men due to several factors. One reason is that they typically have lower body weight and a higher body fat percentage, leading to elevated alcohol concentrations in the blood that the liver must process. Additionally, women naturally possess fewer enzymes called alcohol dehydrogenases, which assist in metabolizing alcohol, resulting in higher blood alcohol levels.

These biological differences, combined with a significant spike in alcohol use and conditions like bulimia, put women at a heightened risk for alcohol-related health issues.

“Historically, there have been differences in the prevalence rates of alcohol consumption between men and women. Essentially, that gap has now narrowed, with the male-to-female drinking ratio nearing one-to-one,” stated Shelley McKee, director of the Yale Score Program on Gender Differences in Alcohol Use Disorders.

McKee noted that shifting lifestyles have led to increased alcohol consumption among women. Today’s young adults drink less than previous generations, yet more women are enrolling in college than men. This trend is typically linked to an uptick in alcohol consumption, she explained.

“Combine that with the fact that women are postponing childbirth and marriage, which allows them more freedom to continue drinking during college,” McKee added.

Catherine Keys, an epidemiology professor at the Postal Public Health School at Columbia University, observed that high alcohol consumption among women is most prevalent in middle-aged individuals. While some researchers attribute this trend to workplace stress and drinking culture, Keys emphasized that many women drink more simply for enjoyment. She pointed out that wine and spirits are often marketed to women as luxury items or relaxation aids.

Experts express that raising awareness of the health risks associated with alcohol consumption can encourage women to cut back.

“We’re excited to help you get started,” remarked Jessica Mellinger, a senior staff doctor at Henry Ford Health, Michigan’s health system. The more individuals consume, the greater their likelihood of developing alcohol-related liver disease at every stage, she added.

A study released this Wednesday revealed that heavy drinkers now exhibit more than double the rates of alcohol-related liver disease compared to 20 years ago. Researchers suspect this may be due to individuals at risk for liver disease—including women, those with obesity, and people with diabetes—drinking more than they did decades prior.

“Modern American drinkers are not the same as they were 20 years ago,” stated Dr. Brian Lee, lead author and liver specialist at Keck Medicine at the University of Southern California.

Using data from a national government-led survey, researchers analyzed drinking behaviors and liver health in the U.S., classifying heavy drinkers as men consuming at least 30 grams of alcohol daily and women consuming at least 20 grams.

Among heavy drinkers, the incidence of severe liver damage has more than doubled in 22 years, rising from nearly 2% between 1999-2004 to over 4% from 2013-2020.

The presence of metabolic syndrome—characterized by symptoms such as obesity and hypertension that elevate the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke—among heavy drinkers has also increased from 26% to almost 38%. Both obesity and type 2 diabetes can lead to fat accumulation in the liver, heightening the risk of liver disease.

“It could be a perfect storm situation. We are seeing increased alcohol consumption alongside changes in the prevalence of these [health] conditions,” Keys remarked.

Lee emphasized the importance of individuals being honest with their healthcare providers about their alcohol intake so that doctors can determine the need for liver disease screenings.

“The risk of liver disease might be greater than you think,” he cautioned. “The reality is that liver disease often presents no symptoms, even in cases of cirrhosis, which is a terminal condition. I often say it’s both a blessing and a curse.”

Keys noted that women, in particular, often delay seeking medical help for heavy drinking due to societal stigma.

“It’s becoming a hidden trend where women postpone seeking help for serious alcohol-related conditions,” she stated.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Gallup Poll Shows Increasing Number of Americans Unable to Afford Healthcare

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The high cost of living in America not only drives up egg prices and housing costs but also contributes to the unhappiness of its citizens. The affordability of healthcare remains a major concern for millions of people. A recent investigation published on Wednesday sheds light on the challenges many individuals face in affording doctor visits and prescription medications, even before discussions about reducing government aid.

According to the survey, 11% of respondents reported being unable to afford necessary medication and care in the past three months, marking the highest level in the four years of the survey. More than a third of those surveyed, approximately 91 million adults, stated they would be unable to pay for medical care if needed.

The survey, conducted by Western Health and Gallup from mid-November to late December 2024, revealed a widening disparity between black and Hispanic adults and individuals with lower incomes. A quarter of respondents earning annual household incomes under $24,000 expressed inability to afford care in the past three months.

“The extent to which this issue is magnified highlights the vulnerability of these particular groups,” noted Dan Witters, a senior researcher at Gallup.

While white adults and high-income earners reported no significant change in their ability to afford care, the rising premiums, additional physician costs, and recent reductions in Medicaid coverage all contribute to the financial burden on individuals. The Trump administration and Republican lawmakers’ arguments about repealing Medicaid cuts and tax reductions under the Obamacare plan could further exacerbate the issue, experts warn.

“This puts additional strain on already burdened systems and leads to financial toxicity,” stated Tim Rush, president of the West Health Policy Center. Many families are already grappling with medical debt. Rush emphasized that avoiding necessary care due to financial constraints could result in severe health consequences or even death.

Sarah R. Collins, vice president of healthcare coverage and access at the Nonprofit Commonwealth Fund, pointed out that even with insurance, many individuals lack sufficient coverage to meet their healthcare expenses. She warned that proposed cuts by Republican lawmakers and the Trump administration could lead to a rise in the number of people unable to afford care.

Collins remarked, “We’re regressing to pre-Affordable Care Act levels.”

Source: www.nytimes.com

University graduates facing increasing layoffs and rising unemployment rates

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When Starbucks announced last month it was firing more than 1,000 corporate employees, it highlighted a disturbing trend for white-collar workers. Slow wage growth.

It also fueled that long-standing discussion of economists. Is recent unemployment just a temporary development? Or will they inform something more ominous and irreversible?

After sitting below 4% for more than two years, the overall unemployment rate since May has surpassed that threshold.

Economists say the job market remains strong by historical standards, and much of the recent weakening appears to be linked to the economic impact of the pandemic. Companies actively hired amid a surge in demand and moved to layoffs after the Federal Reserve began to raise interest rates. Many of these companies are trying to make their businesses more lean under investor pressure.

But amid the rapid advances in artificial intelligence and President Trump’s federal targets, it disproportionately supports white-collar jobs, which some thinks it has begun a permanent decline in knowledge work.

Karltannenbaum, chief economist at Northern Trust, said: “I tell people that there are waves.”

To date, few industries have typical shifts over the last few years than creating video games. The boom began in 2020 Couch-bound Americans searched for a new form of home entertainment. The industry reversed the course and actively hired it before embarking on a period of layoffs. Thousands of video game workers lost their jobs last year and the previous year.

The scale of unemployment is Game Developers Choice AwardsThe industry’s annual awards show complained about the “record layoffs” during the 2024 opening monologue. The unionization trend that began with low-wage quality assurance testers that same year has spread to better-paid workers, such as game producers, designers, engineers, and more, of companies making hit games. fall out and World of Warcraft.

At Bethesda Game Studios, owned by Microsoft and creating fallout, workers said they had unionized some because they felt the union would leverage in the soft labor market, as they were wary of rounds of company layoffs in 2023 and 2024.

“It was the first time Bethesda had experienced a layoff in such a long time,” said Taylor Welling, a studio producer who earned a master’s degree in interactive entertainment. “It scared so many people,” Microsoft declined to comment.

unemployment Finance and related industrieswhile still low, it increased by about a quarter from 2022 to 2024. The rise in interest rates slowed demand for mortgages, and businesses were trying to lean more. In Revenue Call Last summer, Wells Fargo’s chief executive noted that the company’s “efficiency initiative” had pruned its workforce over 16 quarters, including a cut in nearly 50% of workers in the company’s home lending sector since 2023.

Last fall, Wells Fargo fired about a quarter of the approximately 45 employees of the Behavioral Management Intake Team, which confirms accusations of corporate misconduct against customers and employees. Heather Rolfs, The let go of lawyer said she believes the company is trying to save money by reducing the US workforce, and she and her colleagues believe it is an attractive target as they have recently tried to put in on the union.

“I think it’s great to get rid of two birds with one stone,” Rolfs said. Some of her former colleagues say they are worriedly waiting every Tuesday after payday. “We feel we can be fired at any time,” he said. Eden Davis, Another worker on the team.

A spokesman for Wells Fargo said in a statement that the layoffs have nothing to do with the union, saying “we will regularly review and adjust staffing levels to suit the market situation.” He said two managers on the team also lost their jobs.

Atif Rafiq, author of a book on corporate strategy in senior positions at McDonald and Amazon, said many companies are trying to emulate Amazon’s model of building teams that go beyond capabilities to reduce barriers between workers with different expertise, such as coding and marketing. In the process, they may discover redundancy and take on layoffs.

CEO Brian Nicole in a memo announcing the layoffs at Starbucks last month I quoted the goal “Delete layers and replicas and create smaller, more agile teams.” Nissan provided similar evidence for management reductions announcement this month.

Overall, the latest data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York show Unemployment rates among university graduates have risen by 30% (2% to 2.6%) since falling from the bottom in September 2022, compared to about 18% (3.4% to 4%) for all workers. An analysis by Julia Pollack, Chief Economist at Zippleck Crutter, shows that unemployment rates are the highest among those with bachelor’s or university degrees, but do not have a degree.

Employment rates were slower for jobs that require university degrees than for other jobs. According to ADP Researchresearching the labor market.

Some economists say these trends are inherently short-term and may have little concern for themselves. Lawrence Katz, a labor economist at Harvard University, noted that the increase in unemployment rates among college-educated workers was slightly greater than the overall increase in unemployment rates, and unemployment rates for both groups remained low due to historic measures.

Professor Katz argued that slowing wage growth for middle-class workers could simply reflect the discounts that these workers effectively accepted in exchange for being able to work from home. Data from the Institute of Liberal Economic Policy Wages for workers in the 70th and 80th percentiles of income distribution have shown that since 2019 they have grown more slowly than wages in other groups.

However, there are other indications that returns on university degrees may have changed over time. Wage gap between people with university degrees and those without one It has grown steadily It started in 1980, but has been flattened over the past 15 years, but it remains high.

Flattening may partially reflect the fact that as university attendance increases, there are more college-educated workers that employers can choose. However, some economists Make a claim What it reflects Reduced Employer Needs For university graduates, for example, information technology is more sophisticated, which means fewer jobs like bookkeeping. Such jobs do not necessarily require a university degree, but they were often appealing to graduates.

Artificial intelligence can also reduce the need for it by increasing the automation of white-collar jobs. recently Academic Paper Software developers using AI coding assistants have improved their key measures of productivity by over 25%, and found that productivity gains appear to be the biggest among the most experienced developers. The results suggested that employing AI could reduce the wage premium enjoyed by more experienced coders as it erodes productivity benefits over beginners.

Mert Demirer, a MIT economist who co-authored the paper, said in an interview that the work of software developers could change over the long term, making human coders a type of project manager overseeing multiple AI assistants. In that case, wages could rise as humans become more productive. Also, if cheaper software leads to even greater demand, AI will expand employment among coders.

Still, at least in the short term, many tech executives and their investors seem to see AI as a way to trim staffing. Software engineers at large tech companies said they refused to be named for fear of harming their job prospects. His team was about half of last year, and he and his colleagues said they were expected to do roughly the same amount of work by relying on AI assistants. Overall, Unemployment rate In the technology and related industries, it jumped more than half from 2022 to 2024, from 2.9% to 4.4%.

Then there was Trump’s attempt to remake the federal government. This has so far resulted in job losses and employment freezes for federal employees and employees of universities and other nonprofits that rely on government funds. Johns Hopkins University, which relies heavily on funding for federal research, announced this month that it has abandoned 2,000 workers around the world as a result of Trump’s cuts.

Professor Katz at Harvard University noted that the majority of university-educated workers relied on the federal government over other groups, either directly or through nonprofit funding. “What appears to be a major contraction in science and research, education and government spending could potentially have a very large impact,” he said.

“The overall unemployment rate among university graduates does not seem to be particularly rising,” he added. “But that could be in the next six months.”

Source: www.nytimes.com

Increasing Risks to EPA Investigations of Severe Contamination

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Refineries in New Mexico are blaming the federal government for severe air pollution issues.

A chemical plant in Louisiana is under investigation for gas leaks from storage tanks.

An Idaho rancher is accused of polluting wetlands.

Under President Biden, the Environmental Protection Agency took a strong stance on environmental enforcement against pollution and waste violations. On the other hand, the Trump administration aims to shift the EPA’s focus from environmental protection to reducing costs related to transportation, heating, and business operations. The stability of long-term research initiatives is now uncertain due to recent EPA policy changes.

A memo from March 12 states that EPA enforcement actions will not intervene in energy production unless there is an immediate health risk. The memo also undermines President Biden’s efforts to address pollution disparities affecting low-income communities. It emphasizes that no consideration should be given to the affected individuals’ minority or economic status.

EPA Administrator, Lee Zeldin, believes these changes enable agents to focus on their core mission and contribute to a successful American resurgence.

David Ullman, who oversaw enforcement at the EPA during the Biden administration, criticized the recent memo for absolving corporations, especially in the oil and gas industry, of responsibility for breaking the law.

He expressed concern that these changes harm communities across the United States.

EPA spokesperson, Molly Vaseliou, refrained from commenting on ongoing investigations. The Justice Department, facing internal issues and budget cuts, also chose not to comment.

Conservatives argue that EPA regulations hinder economic growth and investment, while supporters believe that deregulation efforts will boost American energy and reduce costs for families.

Despite ongoing enforcement cases initiated by the Biden administration, the direction of the EPA’s objectives is shifting under the Trump administration, including the removal of key environmental regulations.

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Source: www.nytimes.com

Increasing marine heat sources indicate acceleration of climate change.

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The high seawater temperature that contributed to the weather of California’s storm in late 2023

Kevin Carter/Getty Image

Researchers say the rapid increase in marine temperature up to the level of the record breaking in 2023 and 2024 is a sign that the pace of climate change has accelerated.

The world marine temperature reached a record high for 450 days in 2023 and early 2024. The Ehninho’s weather pattern, which appears in the Pacific Ocean, can explain some of the extra heat, but about 44 % of the recorded warmth is decreasing to the world. According to the sea, which absorbs heat from the sun, the acceleration speed Christmer chat At a British lady university.

Merchants and his colleagues have analyzed marine warming over the past 40 years using satellite data, concluding that the speed of warming has been more than four times since 1985.

The team says that this rapid acceleration depends on the rapid change of the EEI of the earth’s energy. This is the scale of how much heat is trapped in the atmosphere. The EEI has doubled since 2010, and the sea has absorbed much more heat than before.

“The sea generally sets a pace of global warming,” says a merchant. “Therefore, as an extension, global warming is accelerating as a whole, including land.” Merchants are “I personally convinced that accelerating climate change is a major factor in recent marine temperature increase. I say. “

Based on their analysis, merchants and his team predict that marine warming will continue to increase rapidly in the next few decades. “If the tendency of the EEI is out of the future, a large amount of global warming can be expected in the next 20 years, as in the past 40 years.

The climate model hopes that the speed of climate change will accelerate, but the analysis of the merchant suggests that the trend of the real world is in line with the most pessimistic model forecast. “The fact that this data -driven analysis is placed in a high -end high -end that the model predicted is a problem that needs to be viewed,” he says.

However, early data suggests that EEI decreased in 2024 after a recorded spike in 2023. Some researchers argue that this data may not accelerate in the worst scenario.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing in young populations globally

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It’s not entirely clear why colorectal cancer is increasing among adults under 50

Steve Gschmeisner/Science Photo Library

The incidence of colorectal cancer in young adults is increasing worldwide, but this trend appears to be most prevalent in high-income countries.

Previous studies have shown that the incidence of bowel or colorectal cancer is increasing. Over the past few decades, it has increased in this age group in Western countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. This has led to speculation that Western lifestyles, including a diet high in meat and processed foods, may be to blame.

To better understand the extent of the problem, song hyunah Researchers from the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, Georgia, and colleagues looked at the incidence of colorectal cancer in 50 countries and territories around the world. They typically used the World Health Organization’s database to collect data on incidence rates from 1975 to 2017, although some countries started reporting this information several years after 1975. Ta.

The research team found that the incidence of colorectal cancer among people aged 25 to 49 is rising in 27 countries and territories. These also include non-Western countries such as Japan and less wealthy countries such as Turkey, raising the possibility that Western lifestyles are not solely behind this trend.

The increase is also unlikely to be related to improved screening tests, the researchers said in the paper, as most countries do not routinely test people for colorectal cancer until age 50.

However, all 27 countries and territories have high or very high scores on the United Nations Human Development Index, which is based on life expectancy, education level, and per capita income.

Additionally, all but six are considered high-income earners, according to the World Bank. Unlike most of the high-income countries studied, in these six countries, cases of colorectal cancer among older people are increasing at the same or faster rate than among younger people.

“I think there’s still evidence of trends that economic development and westernization of lifestyles are really having an impact,” he says. Andrew Chan The Harvard University researchers noted that many countries are adopting aspects of this lifestyle as their economies grow. for example, Japanese meat intake It increased more than seven times between 1961 and 2021.

“Having said that, I think we need to take into account the fact that there are probably other factors at play, such as environmental contaminants,” Chan says.

The researchers note that their study has several limitations, the most obvious being that countries in Africa, Asia and small islands were underrepresented. For example, only one African country was included: Uganda. Some countries did not have complete datasets. For example, India’s figures represent only 4 percent of the population.

Still, these findings could improve our understanding of how colorectal cancer incidence varies in many countries and help devise new ways to prevent the disease, Zhang said. say.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Increasing access and appeal to the mega-settlement of the Trypilian culture

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Archeology has a long history of utilizing various philosophies and philosophical concepts. One common criticism is that theoretical debates often have little impact on actual archaeological research and interpretation. In a recent interdisciplinary study, archaeologists and philosophers from Kiel University applied the “capability approach” to the large settlements of the Trypylian culture (5050 BC to 2950 BC).

Reconstruction of Trypillia’s house. Image credit: Susanne Beyer, Keele University.

The Trypilian culture emerged in Ukraine in the 5th millennium BC and extended into modern-day Romania, Moldova, and the Dnieper River region.

Known for its large ring-shaped settlements and high-quality pottery, the culture had a matrilineal society where women led households and engaged in various crafts.

Dr. Vesa Arponen from Kiel University noted the link between archaeological categories and the United Nations Human Development Index, allowing connections between the past and present.

The “capability approach,” developed by Amartya Sen, focuses on well-being beyond material possessions and influences the United Nations Human Development Index.

Applying this approach to ancient societies presents unique challenges, as Dr. René Ohrlau emphasized the need to understand the dynamic activities behind material remains.

The researchers used an analytical scheme to relate archaeological categories to the UN Human Development Index, revealing insights into societal development and innovation.

The study highlighted the social equality and opportunities for active participation in Trypilia, challenging previous notions of climate change and population growth as drivers of innovation.

The team’s paper was published in the journal open archeology, shedding light on the role of philosophy in shaping archaeological interpretations.

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V. Alponen others. 2024. Ability approaches and archaeological interpretations of transformation: On the role of philosophy in archaeology. open archeology 10(1): 20240013;doi: 10.1515/opar-2024-0013

Source: www.sci.news

Chimpanzees show signs of increasing technological advancement through their cultural development.

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Some chimpanzees use sticks to catch termites

Manoj Shah/Getty Images

Chimpanzees in the wild, just like humans, seem to learn skills from each other and improve their skills from generation to generation.

In particular, young females who migrate between groups bring cultural knowledge with them, allowing groups to combine new and existing techniques to become better at foraging. Such “accumulated culture” means that some chimpanzee communities are becoming more technologically advanced over time, even if very slowly, he says. Andrew Whiten At the University of St. Andrews, UK.

“If chimpanzees have cultural knowledge that the community they migrate to doesn’t have, they may pass it on in the same way they pass on genes,” he says. “And that’s where the culture is built.”

Scientists already knew that chimpanzees use tools in sophisticated ways and can pass on that knowledge to their offspring. However, compared to humans’ rapid technological development, chimpanzees did not seem to have advanced in previous technological innovations, Whiten said. The fact that chimpanzee tools are often made from biodegradable plants makes it difficult for scientists to track chimpanzee cultural evolution.

Cassandra Gunasekaram Researchers at the University of Zurich in Switzerland thought they might be able to apply genetic analysis to this puzzle. Male chimpanzees remain in their home regions, but young females leave their home communities to search for mates elsewhere. She wondered if these women were bringing their skill sets to the new group.

To find out, she and her colleagues obtained data from 240 chimpanzees representing all four subspecies. previously collected by other research groups At 35 research facilities in Africa. The data included precise information about what tools, if any, each animal used and their genetic connections over the past 15,000 years. “Genetics gives us a kind of time machine to see how culture was transmitted among chimpanzees in the past,” Whiten says. “It’s quite a revelation to have new insights like this.”

Some chimpanzees used complex combinations of tools to hunt termites, including drill rods and fishing brushes made by pulling plant stems between their teeth. The researchers found that even if they lived thousands of miles apart, chimpanzees with the most advanced tool sets had the same level of performance compared to chimpanzees that used simple tools or chimpanzees that did not use any tools at all. They found that they were three to five times more likely to share DNA. Also, the use of advanced tools is more strongly associated with women’s migration compared to the use of simple tools or no tool use.

“Our interpretation is that these complex toolsets were actually invented, perhaps building on earlier, simpler forms, so we learned from the community that first invented them and from all the others along the way. “We need to rely on women’s transmission to communities,” she says. Whitens the skin.

“This shows that complex tools rely on social interactions between groups, which is very surprising and interesting,” says Gunasekaram.

thibault gruber The University of Geneva professor said he was not surprised by the results, but said the definition of complex behavior was debatable. “Having worked with chimpanzees for 20 years, I would argue that cane use itself is complex,” he says.

For example, his own team discovered what is called a cumulative culture of chimpanzees that make sponges from moss instead of leaves. This is not very complicated, but Works more efficiently to absorb mineral-rich water from the clay pores.. “It’s not a matter of more complexity, it’s just that some technologies build on previously established technologies,” he says.

Gunasekaram says that cumulative culture in chimpanzees is still significantly slower than in humans, likely due to differences in chimpanzees’ cognitive abilities and lack of language skills. Additionally, chimpanzees interact far less with others outside their community than humans, and have fewer opportunities to share culture.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The benefits of increasing your online presence after 50: latest research findings

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It’s commonly believed that spending time online can negatively impact mental health. However, a new study suggests that internet use could actually benefit adults over the age of 50, reducing symptoms of depression by approximately 9%. The study, which examined over 87,500 adults, also indicates that internet use may increase overall life satisfaction. Internet users reported their health as being 15% better on average compared to non-users.

According to one of the co-authors of the study, the internet provides valuable opportunities for older adults to access health-related information, connect with others, and find entertainment. The research, published in the magazine nature, analyzed internet habits in 23 countries and how they correlated with symptoms of depression and life satisfaction among participants.

The study found that adults in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and China experienced the most positive effects from internet use. Even older users, particularly those aged 65 and above with lower levels of social contact, benefited significantly. Additionally, the study showed that internet users did not need to go online frequently to experience benefits, but those who used the internet more frequently generally had better mental health.

Dr. Zhang Qingpeng, one of the co-authors of the study, emphasized the global potential of the internet as a tool to improve mental health. While acknowledging the positive aspects of internet use, some experts caution that it should be used in moderation to maintain meaningful face-to-face interactions and reduce loneliness.

Professor Andrea Wigfield, director of the Center for Loneliness Research, highlights the importance of balancing internet use with real-life connections to combat loneliness. While the study did not address negative effects of internet use on mental health, experts agree that moderation is key in leveraging the benefits of online connectivity while also nurturing in-person relationships.

About our experts:

Dr. Zhang Qingpeng: An associate professor at the University of Hong Kong, Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on data science, AI in medical analytics, and drug discovery.

Dr. Andrea Wigfield: Director of the Center for Loneliness Research and co-director of the Campaign to End Loneliness, Dr. Wigfield specializes in social isolation and well-being at Sheffield Hallam University.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Increasing proof suggests that air pollution is a cause of eczema

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Air pollution is difficult to avoid, especially for city dwellers

Ron Adder/Alamy

Air pollution is increasingly linked to an increased risk of eczema, with new research showing a clear link between air pollution and skin conditions.

Vehicles and power plants emit pollution particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, called PM2.5. These have previously been associated with an increased risk of eczemathis is thought to be the result of the immune system becoming overactive and causing inflammation, drying out the skin and causing itching.

In order to collect more evidence, Jeffrey Cohen Professors at Yale University School of Medicine analyzed the medical records of more than 280,000 people. Most of them were in their 50s and participated in this medical treatment. Research programs for all of us. It collects health data from a diverse population in the United States, with an emphasis on people typically underrepresented in research, such as ethnic minorities.

The researchers also looked at average PM2.5 levels in the areas where these people live, using data collected in 2015. Atmosphere, Climate and Energy Solutions Center In Virginia.

We then compared PM2.5 levels at 788 locations across the United States to eczema cases diagnosed through mid-2022. They found that for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter of PM2.5, the incidence of eczema more than doubled. “More contaminated areas of the country had more eczema outbreaks,” Cohen says.

The research team considered factors that could influence the results, such as ethnicity and whether the participants smoked or had food allergies.

“This study successfully demonstrated a clear correlation in a large population and advanced the science,” he says. Giuseppe Varacchi at North Carolina State University. PM2.5, like pollen and dust mites, can irritate the immune system and cause inflammation when it comes into contact with the skin, Valacki said. Inhaling it may also have an effect, he says, because it can worsen inflammation in the body.

The study should give governments new reasons to implement policies to reduce air pollution, Cohen said. Meanwhile, people living in contaminated areas can reduce their risk by wearing long sleeves and staying indoors when pollution levels are particularly high, Valacki said.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Baby bats are increasing in size due to a specific cause

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Bats may not have the best reputation, with myths about them being vampires and getting tangled in hair. The coronavirus pandemic also added to their negative image, with beliefs that they played a role in spreading the virus.

However, according to Rodrigo Medellin, a bat ecologist at the Institute of Ecology at the University of Mexico, bats are actually incredibly important to ecosystems. They are often misunderstood and mistreated, but they play a vital role in maintaining the health of various environments.

Despite facing extinction due to climate change, bats are unique creatures with fascinating abilities. They sleep upside down, have evolved wings from their hands, and can fly with incredible speed and agility, reaching up to 160 miles per hour in some species.

These remarkable mammals have the longest lifespan relative to their body size and remain healthy throughout their lives with low rates of cancer and the ability to resist deadly viruses. They also possess intricate biosonar capabilities, using ultrasonic chirps to navigate their surroundings.

Bats have diverse diets and play a crucial role in pollination and seed dispersion. They are essential for forest regeneration, helping to maintain ecosystems and biodiversity around the world.

Additionally, bats are powerful pest predators, providing natural pest control in agriculture. They can consume large numbers of pests, helping to reduce the need for pesticides and saving billions of dollars annually in agricultural costs.

Unfortunately, bats are facing challenges due to climate change, with rising temperatures affecting their habitats and populations. It is crucial to protect and conserve bats to ensure their continued contribution to ecosystems and human well-being.

About our experts

Rodrigo A. Medellin: A senior professor of ecology at the Institute of Ecology of the University of Mexico, known as Mexico’s “Batman” for his advocacy and conservation efforts for bats.

Danilo Russo: A bat ecologist, animal behaviorist, and conservation biologist at the Second University of Naples Federico in Italy. He is actively involved in assessing the benefits of bats in agriculture and promoting bat conservation in response to climate change.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Increasing fire risk due to drought in Northeastern areas.

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overview

  • Much of the Northeast is in drought after an unusually dry and warm start to autumn.
  • Nationally, October was one of the driest months on record.
  • Fires are burning in New Jersey and Connecticut, and the fire danger remains high.

The dryness and unseasonably warm weather in the Northeast has pushed much of the region into drought, sparking wildfires in New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

October ended as one of the driest months on record in the United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Precipitation was particularly low in the northeast.

Cities such as Philadelphia. Newark, New Jersey. Wilmington, Delaware. And Norfolk, Virginia, recorded no rain at all in October. Southeast Regional Climate Center collects precipitation data from more than 1,400 weather stations across the country. Several cities, including Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., set new records for consecutive days without any measurable precipitation in October.

Firefighters and wildfire in Evesham, New Jersey, Wednesday, November 6, 2024
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (via AP)

“This is an area that is not typically associated with drought,” said Benjamin Cook, a part-time researcher at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, New York. “It's not very common for really severe drought conditions to last this long.”

The drought continues into the first week of November, leaving much of the region in a “severe” drought. US Drought Monitor tracks the national situation and publishes weekly color-coded maps showing the extent and intensity of the drought.

The Drought Monitor's latest maps released Thursday showed drought conditions extending from Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York to Massachusetts and Maine. Dry conditions have intensified in some states, with parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland currently in “extreme” drought.

“Extreme drought is basically a once-in-25-year type of drought,” says Brian, a climatologist at the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and one of the mapmakers for the U.S. Drought Monitor.・Mr. Fuchs says. .

Drought watches and warnings have been issued in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, asking people to voluntarily reduce their water use.

Part of the region's dry and warmer-than-usual weather is due to a strong high-pressure system that has remained over much of the country for several weeks. In the Northeast, Great Lakes, and South, temperatures were 15 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit above normal for late October and early November.

More than half of the continental United States is experiencing some degree of drought. That includes 56% of the Northeast, according to the Drought Monitor.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Study suggests that increasing caffeine intake can lead to better blood vessel health

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In a study led by Sapienza University in Rome, caffeine intake was positively correlated with the proportion of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in lupus patients.

Orefice others. studied the role of caffeine intake on endothelial function in lupus patients by evaluating the effects of caffeine intake on circulating endothelial progenitor cells. Image credit: Sci.News.

Vascular disease, damage to blood vessels, and the resulting heart attacks and strokes are among the leading causes of death in the general population.

These risks are even higher in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

This is due both to the disease itself and to some of its treatments, especially cortisone derivatives.

Until now, doctors’ recommendations for reducing these vascular risks have primarily been about avoiding risk factors.

This includes traditional recommendations such as smoking cessation, reducing cholesterol, and managing high blood pressure, as well as stopping inflammation and reducing the dose of cortisone medications.

But researchers at Rome’s Sapienza University think that doing something that’s actually fun may help patients improve their vascular health.

Research suggests that the caffeine found in coffee, tea, and cocoa helps regenerate the lining of blood vessels and actively supports endothelial progenitor cells, a group of cells involved in blood vessel growth.

Diets rich in vitamin D (found in fatty fish and eggs) and vitamin A (found in many fruits), polyunsaturated fatty acids and low in sodium appear to play a role in reducing inflammatory burden well known.

“We were also wondering about caffeine,” said Dr. Fulvia Ceccarelli and colleagues.

“In addition to its well-known stimulant effects on the body, caffeine also exerts anti-inflammatory effects because it binds to receptors expressed on the surface of immune cells.”

“The effects of caffeine intake on cardiovascular health have been widely investigated, but results are contradictory.”

The study authors surveyed 31 lupus patients without traditional cardiovascular risk factors using a 7-day dietary questionnaire.

After a week, the researchers drew blood from patent patients to measure blood vessel health.

They found that patients who consumed caffeine had better blood vessel health, as measured through the endothelial cells that form the critical lining of blood vessels.

“This study is an attempt to provide patients with information about the possible role of diet in controlling the disease,” said Dr. Ceccarelli.

“The results will need to be confirmed through longitudinal studies aimed at assessing the actual impact of coffee consumption on the course of the disease.”

of result Published in a magazine Rheumatology.

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Valeria Orefice others. Caffeine improves endothelial dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus by promoting survival of endothelial progenitor cells. Rheumatologypublished online October 9, 2024. doi: 10.1093/rheumatism/keae453

Source: www.sci.news

The increasing danger of unexploded World War II ordnance

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The danger of aging explosives from unexploded ordnance is increasing

Gail P. Novik (2024)

A study of unexploded ordnance from World War II found that one of the explosives it contained had become shock-sensitive and could ignite if dropped during disposal. The explosive, called Amatol, was widely used during World War I and World War II and is still included in some of the ammunition used during Russia's war in Ukraine.

“Based on our findings, we can say it's relatively safe to handle, but you can't treat it like TNT,” he says. Gail Petter Novik At the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment. “In contrast to TNT, it can definitely explode if dropped.”

There are millions of tons of unexploded ordnance around the world, some in old ammunition dumps and some in shells and bombs that did not explode after being fired or dropped. Novick said there is a widespread misconception that unexploded ordnance becomes less dangerous over time. In a 2022 study, he examined samples of TNT and PETN, two of the most widely used high explosives, taken from World War II bombs and shells. test and There was no deterioration in explosive properties..

He has now tested the impact sensitivity of five samples of Amatol taken from unexploded World War II bombs and artillery shells found in Norway. The test involved dropping weights from various heights on small samples to see what would explode. All five samples were more sensitive to shock than expected with Amatol, and one sample was four times more sensitive.

Novick says this discovery will change the way he and his team deal with unexploded ordnance. For example, when clearing a dump, fewer volumes are transported at once. He now plans to find out why shock sensitivity has increased. “We think sensitive crystals or salts may have formed,” he says.

This may be the result of contaminants from the manufacturing process, or reactions with the metal case as the lining deteriorates, or simply due to aging.

Amatol is the name used to describe an explosive made from a mixture of TNT and ammonium nitrate. It was developed by Britain's Royal Arsenal in 1915 when TNT was in short supply. As TNT production increased at the end of World War II, many countries stopped using Amatol, although it continued to be used in countries such as the Soviet Union. “Several types of Soviet-era ammunition currently in use in Ukraine are known to contain Amatol,” Novik said.

It's impossible to say what percentage of the world's unexploded ordnance contains amatol, he says. But five of the 20 bombs and shells he cut open for this study contained the substance, and so did most of the World War II unexploded ordnance he examined. has been found.

Accidents in which unexploded ordnance explodes also occur frequently.For example, in 2023, World War II bombs Explosion at Great Yarmouth Currently being disposed of in the UK. In 2004, new scientist A US ship that sank in the Thames Estuary was carrying 1,400 tonnes of high explosives and posed a serious threat to nearby towns, an unpublished risk assessment has revealed. A 2023 survey of the ship found plans to remove the mast could be dangerous and were postponed.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Experts warn of increasing cyberattacks tied to Chinese intelligence agencies

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Warning analysts have highlighted the increasing power and frequency of cyberattacks linked to Chinese intelligence as foreign governments test their response. This comes in the wake of revelations concerning a large-scale hack of British data.

Both the British and American governments disclosed that the hacking group Advanced Persistent Threat 31 (APT 31), supported by Chinese government spy agencies, has been targeting politicians, national security officials, journalists, and businesses for several years. They have been accused of carrying out cyber attacks. In the UK, hackers potentially accessed information held by the Electoral Commission on tens of millions of British voters, and cyber espionage targeted vocal MPs on the threat posed by China. Sanctions have been announced against Chinese companies and individuals involved by both the US and UK governments.

New Zealand’s government also expressed concerns to the Chinese government about Beijing’s involvement in attacks aimed at the country’s parliamentary institutions in 2021.

Analysts informed the Guardian that there are clear indications of a rise in cyberattacks believed to be orchestrated by Chinese attackers with ties to Chinese intelligence and government.

Chong Che, an analyst at Taiwan-based cyber threat analysis firm T5, stated, “Some hacking groups often rely on China to carry out attacks on specific targets, such as the recent iSoon Information incident. It’s an information security company that has a contract with intelligence agencies.” T5 has observed an increase in constantly evolving hacking activity by Chinese groups in the Pacific region and Taiwan over the past three years.

Chong also mentioned that while there isn’t enough information to directly trace activities to China’s highest leadership (with the Chinese government denying the allegations), activity can’t be discounted considering the Chinese system that does not differentiate… They believe that their objective is to infiltrate specific targets and steal critical information and intelligence, whether political, military, or commercial.

Several analysts noted that Western governments have become more willing to attribute cyberattacks to China after years of avoiding confrontation with the world’s second-largest economy.

David Tuffley, senior lecturer in cybersecurity at Australia’s Griffith University, remarked, “We’ve shifted from being less critical in the past to being more proactive, likely due to the increased threat and scale of actual intrusions. They are now a much more significant threat.” Cyberattacks are part of China’s gray zone activities, actions that approach but do not reach the threshold of war.

Tuffley highlighted that while much of the cyber activity is regionally focused on Taiwan and countries in the South China Sea with territorial claims, the cyberattacks are widespread. China aims to cause instability in the target country and test adversary defenses, rather than engage in violent war.

Tuffley warned of the risk of escalation, noting that other governments like the US and UK also possess sophisticated cyber espionage capabilities but have not publicly threatened action against China. US authorities charged individuals with conducting cyberattacks in violation of US law, suggesting a deep level of knowledge about the attacks.

Adam Marais, chief information security officer at Arctic Wolf, commented, “If you’ve been involved in cybersecurity for many years, this report from UK authorities won’t surprise you at all. Beijing continues to view cyber as a natural extension of its national strategy and has little fear of using cyber technology to advance its national interests.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Increasing proof suggests that consuming a daily multivitamin can aid in maintaining strength as you grow older

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It is unclear which components of multivitamins are involved in improving cognitive function.

Asia Vision/Getty Images

Studies have shown that taking a daily multivitamin slows the rate of memory decline in older adults.

This study is the third randomized trial to yield such results, and adds to a growing body of evidence that multivitamins can slow age-related cognitive decline.

“The result is the equivalent of delaying cognitive aging by two years, which is huge,” he says. joan manson from Harvard Medical School was involved in all three clinical trials. These were part of a larger study, funded by the makers of cocoa supplements, to examine whether taking multivitamins and cocoa extract supplements could help prevent heart disease and cancer in people over 60.

Some participants also took a memory test designed to measure whether any of the supplements were having a psychological effect.

The latest trial compared both types of supplements with a placebo pill in 573 people who took in-person memory tests at the start of the study and two years later. Those who took a multivitamin called Centrum Silver performed slightly better on memory tests than those who took a placebo pill.

This is similar to the results of two other arms of a large study that administered memory tests to people online or over the phone.

“The results of this study suggest that multivitamins hold promise as a safe and affordable strategy to protect memory and slow cognitive aging in older adults,” Munson says.

It is unclear which components of multivitamins are responsible for their effects.

Duane Mellor The British Dietetic Association says the trial was not designed to investiage memory effects and further research specifically set up to study this issue is needed. “The results need to be treated with caution,” he says. “It's not a definitive study.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

FTC warns of increasing QR code scams – Tips to safeguard against them

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Since the COVID-19 pandemic, codes have grown in popularity and their use in the form of paperless menus and invoices has skyrocketed. But the convenience and efficiency of scannable codes comes with threats. Users can easily fall victim to fraud. According to a report by Check Point cybersecurity experts: 587% increase In phishing, or “kissing,” the Federal Trade Commission is also warning consumers who may be putting their personal information at risk. Cybercriminals send legitimate codes (also known as “quick response” codes, traditionally seen as a mix of white and black pixels that direct the scanner to a website) by sending the scanner to a fake site. It can be hidden with a unique code that steals personal and private information. Install malware. Fake codes can be found in public places, such as parking meters, or sent via texts or emails claiming there was suspicious activity on your account or there was a problem with your package delivery. There is also. The coronavirus pandemic has seen a surge in the use of codes, offering consumers a completely paperless way to view menus, pay bills, and fill out forms. adobe stock “We want you to scan a code and open a URL without thinking,” the FTC said. was warned about Wednesday’s blog post. To protect yourself, the FTC advised inspecting before opening them to make sure they haven’t been spoofed by misspellings or transposed characters. The agency also recommends not opening codes from unexpected communications (such as urgent messages indicating problems with your account), keeping your phone updated and enabling two-factor authentication. The FTC warned the public not to scan random codes and to be suspicious of unsolicited communications containing codes. adobe stock The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s September blog post also urged consumers to be skeptical and “suspicious” of codes that request login information after scanning, and further warned consumers not to scan codes that appear to have been “tampered with.” did.

Source: nypost.com

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

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

Connie Loizos

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: techcrunch.com

Traditional Finance’s Increasing Involvement in Bitcoin Revealed – Blockchain News, Analysis, Interviews, Opportunities

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Last week, Bitcoin (BTC) rose 5.9% to close at around $37,000 compared to the previous week’s closing price of $35,000. This week has seen solid price movements, with BTC seeing fluctuations with prices increasing continuously every day from Monday to Friday. The highest trading price was observed on Thursday, reaching nearly $38,000. After this peak, prices declined slightly and stabilized at around $37,000 from Friday through the weekend.

BTC dominance, which measures Bitcoin’s market capitalization relative to the overall digital asset market, fell for the second consecutive week, settling at around 52.3%. This corresponds to a decrease of 0.7% compared to the previous week and highlights the continued dispersion of liquidity among more speculative assets. This is characteristic of a phase in which investors express confidence in the market and engage in riskier trades.

Trading activity continues to soar, with cumulative daily volume on centralized exchanges reaching $31.4 billion, calculated on a seven-day moving average. This figure is the highest since the end of March and reaffirms that the recent uptrend is driven by strong trading activity.

A notable aspect is the heavy involvement of traditional finance in the recent uptrend. Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME)’s BTC open interest exceeded 100,000 contracts for the first time, surpassing Binance and becoming the top exchange in terms of BTC open interest. This strong presence of traditional financial investors is evident in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) discount rate, which has now narrowed to 10.3%, its lowest level since August 2021. .

The increase in traditional financial activity related to BTC confirms the confidence market investors currently have regarding the approval of a future BTC spot ETF. It is important to note that the first final decision deadline from the SEC on the 21Shares BTC Spot application is scheduled for January 10, 2024. Presumably, to avoid giving issuers a first-mover advantage, the SEC will make a final decision to approve or deny all applications by this date. Additionally, applications for digital asset spot ETFs continue, with recent news including BlackRock’s ETH Spot ETF following Grayscale’s decision to apply for conversion from Ethereum Grayscale Trust (ETHE) to ETH Spot ETF. It has been revealed that he has applied for an ETF. How many weeks ago?

The surge in prices and trading activity, particularly through traditional financial channels, coupled with a consistent decline in the GBTC discount and significant net inflows observed in ETPs underlying digital assets, has led investors in the market to bet on approval. It suggests that Securing approval from the SEC is likely to attract significant investment from traditional finance, bringing an influx of new investors and potentially strengthening digital assets and pushing them into a more recognized asset class. . Conversely, a rejection would likely cause a short-term economic downturn, given the general expectation in favor of approval and the subsequent positioning of market participants, which will be heavily influenced by this expectation.

Source: the-blockchain.com