Tag Archives: merge

Two injured comb jellyfish might merge to create a single entity.

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A shimmering sea creature known as a comb jelly exhibits incredible abilities. Despite being injured, two comb jellies can fuse into one body without experiencing tissue rejection, unlike other animals. Moreover, their nervous systems merge, and their digestive tracts combine to share food.

This discovery could assist researchers in understanding how the immune system evolved to differentiate an organism’s own tissues from those of another organism, as well as shed light on the evolution of the nervous system.

Although commonly referred to as comb jellies or ctenophores, they are distinct from jellyfish due to their unique body structures. These creatures are the most ancient beings to have branched off from the common ancestor of all animals, making them a captivating subject for scientists studying early animal evolution. Their nervous system, composed of interconnected neurons forming a continuous network, sets them apart from other animals.

While studying the vibrant combs of ctenophores, specifically Mnemiopsis leidii, at the University of Exeter in the UK, researcher Kei Shirokura noticed a unique specimen with two posterior ends and apical organs. This prompted further investigation.

Through experimentation involving cutting out pieces from unrelated individuals and pairing them together, Shirokura discovered that in most cases, the two bodies seamlessly merged into one within hours. The absence of tissue rejection suggested a lack of xenorecognition, indicating an inability to distinguish between self and non-self.

When prodded, the fused body responded collectively, demonstrating complete integration of the nervous systems. Additionally, the digestive tracts fused, allowing shared food consumption through a single entry point.

This groundbreaking discovery raises questions about when animals developed heterogeneous cognition and the mechanisms behind neural network formation and information processing. Similarly, ctenophores possess the ability to revert from adulthood to a larval-like stage under certain conditions, hinting at a common ancestral characteristic shared among animals.

The potential applications of ctenophores in understanding biological processes like tissue rejection, regeneration, and aging, which are relevant to human health, make them a valuable model for future research.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Years of Study and a Grand Vision to Merge Computers and Brains

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Elon Musk’s announcement on Monday caught the attention of a small community of scientists who work with the body’s nervous system to treat disorders and conditions.

Robert Gaunt, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, said, “Inserting a device into a human body is not an easy task. But without neuroscience research and decades of demonstrated capabilities, I don’t think even Elon Musk would have taken on a project like this.”

Musk tweeted, “The first humans @Neuralink I was recovering well yesterday. Initial results show promising neuronal spike detection.” However, many scientists are cautious about the company’s clinical trials and note that not much information has been made public.

Neuralink won FDA approval to conduct its first human clinical study last year, and the company is developing brain implants that allow people, including severely paralyzed patients, to control computers with their thoughts.

Although it’s too early to know if Neuralink’s implants will work in humans, Gaunt said the company’s announcement is an “exciting development.” His own research focuses on restoring motor control and function using brain-computer interfaces.

“In 2004, a small device known as the Utah array was implanted in a human for the first time, allowing a paralyzed man to control a computer cursor with nerve impulses,” according to a report from University of Utah. Scientists have demonstrated how brain-computer interfaces can help people control robots, stimulate muscles, decode handwriting, speech, and more.

Musk said the clinical trials will aim to treat people with paralysis and paraplegia. However, many scientists believe enhancing human performance through brain-controlled devices is far in the future and not very realistic.

Still, Neuralink’s clinical trials represent a major advance for the fields of neuroscience and bioengineering. Funding basic science research is key to private companies advancing commercially viable products, says Gaunt.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Africa’s Biggest B2B e-commerce Platform MaxAB in Discussion to Merge with Wasoko

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Egyptian B2B e-commerce startup MaxAB and Wasoko, a Kenya-based e-commerce company with operations in Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia, are in talks to merge, TechCrunch exclusively learns from multiple sources. I got it. They said negotiations are still ongoing and the agreement has not yet been finalized.

The merger talks come as African B2B e-commerce companies continue to downsize due to lack of funding. Wasoko is no exception. The company recently carried out its largest ever layoffs, affecting most of its employees in Kenya, including some executives. Earlier this year, the company exited the Senegal and Ivory Coast markets and closed locations, including one in Mombasa, Kenya, as it sought profitability.

Additionally, our sources say Wasoko closed a $125 million round last year, with the funds scheduled to be released upon reaching set milestones. TechCrunch has learned that the company received just $30 million when merger talks, said to be investor-led, began. Wasoko has raised a Series B round from institutional investors including Tiger Global and Avenir at a post-money valuation of $625 million.

Like Wasoko, MaxABa food and grocery B2B e-commerce and distribution platform serving a network of traditional retailers in Egypt and Morocco, has raised over $100 million in funding, including DisruptAD, BII, Sources said the company is in talks with existing investors to raise a bridge round this year, including $55 million in Series A and $40 million in pre-Series B from Silverlake.

MaxAB is the largest player in the B2B retail and e-commerce market in Egypt and North Africa. The company acquired YC-backed Waystocap to expand in Morocco, and the supposed threat Capiter shut down amid a conflict between its founders and investors.

Last year, a merger between MaxAB and Wasoko, both asset-heavy B2B e-commerce startups, seemed unlikely. In discussions last year with MaxAB CEO Belal El Meghaber and Wasoko CEO Daniel Yu, there was no indication that they were considering any form of merger. MaxAB’s post-pre-Series B plans are focused on leveraging its network and relationships with local and multinational suppliers, with the aim of full distribution in Morocco and expansion into Saudi Arabia by the end of the year. Meanwhile, Wasoko was looking to expand in West Africa, aiming to expand its product offering to include point-of-sale systems, bill payments, and social commerce.

MaxAB does not have a presence in Saudi Arabia, at least according to its website, while Wasoko has expanded into two West African markets, Ivory Coast and Senegal, to complement its operations in East Africa’s core markets of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Not doing business. And Rwanda. His eight-year-old B2B e-commerce company has since expanded to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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Source: techcrunch.com