Anti-Clickbait News Summaries for September 11, 2024
Sneaker resale market surges to €10 billion, growing rapidly
The global sneaker resale market has surged to an estimated €10 billion in 2022, projected to reach €51 billion by 2032. Sotheby’s recorded a historic sale of Nike ‘Moon Shoes’ for $437,000 in 2019. High-profile collaborations and limited releases drive demand, with Michael Jordan's sneakers fetching $13.5 million. eBay reported top sneaker sales exceeding $100,000 in 2023, highlighting the market's lucrative potential.
New Alzheimer's risk locus identified on X chromosome
A recent X chromosome-wide association study identified SLC9A7 as a new risk locus for Alzheimer's disease. In the LIFT-AD trial, Athira Pharma's fosgonimeton failed to meet primary and secondary endpoints for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's. Additionally, imaging studies differentiated pediatric multiple sclerosis from myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease, while cadmium exposure linked to cognitive impairment was noted in the REGARDS study.
Source: https://www.medpagetoday.com/neurology/generalneurology/111885
CisLunar Industries partners with Atomos Space for power units
CisLunar Industries will supply power processing units for Atomos Space's Quark, a next-generation orbital transfer vehicle (OTV). This collaboration highlights the growing capabilities of aerospace companies in Loveland, Colorado, as they contribute to advancements in space travel technology. The partnership aims to enhance power management for future missions.
Source: https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/09/10/space-companies-team-to-provide-more-power-for-space-travel/
U.S. proposes mandatory reporting for advanced AI safety
The U.S. Commerce Department is proposing mandatory reporting for advanced AI developers and cloud providers to enhance safety and cybersecurity. The guidelines would require detailed reporting on "frontier" AI models, cybersecurity measures, and red-teaming outcomes. This initiative follows President Biden's October 2023 executive order aimed at ensuring AI systems meet safety standards amid rising security concerns, particularly regarding foreign adversaries.
Glean raises $260 million, doubling valuation to $4.6 billion
AI startup Glean has raised $260 million in a Series E funding round, doubling its valuation to $4.6 billion. Founded in 2019 by former Google engineers, Glean has now secured over $600 million from more than 20 investors. The company aims to enhance enterprise search with generative AI, competing against major players like Microsoft and Amazon. Global enterprise spending on generative AI is expected to rise from $16 billion in 2023 to $143 billion by 2027.
Roivant launches Pulmovant to develop Bayer's pulmonary drug
Roivant Sciences has launched Pulmovant to in-license mosliciguat from Bayer, securing exclusive worldwide rights for ~$14 million upfront and up to $280 million in future payments. Mosliciguat, an inhaled sGC activator, showed significant reductions in pulmonary vascular resistance in a Phase 1b study involving 38 patients. Pulmovant plans to initiate a Phase 2 study with 120 patients for pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease.
Apple's AI features criticized as unoriginal and incomplete
Apple's recent "Glowtime" event showcased its new AI features, branded as Apple Intelligence, which include text rephrasing, email summarization, and photo searches. Despite claims of "breakthrough capabilities," critics argue these functions are not innovative and resemble existing tools. The iPhone 16 will not launch with all promised features, raising questions about the technology's impact and Apple's marketing approach.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/09/10/apple-punts-on-ai/
Nuclear clocks may exceed atomic clocks in precision
Researchers have developed a technique for nuclear clocks that could surpass atomic clocks in precision. By exciting thorium-229 nuclei with ultraviolet light, they achieved measurements about 1 million times more precise than previous attempts. This advancement, published in Nature, suggests nuclear clocks may revolutionize timekeeping and physics, potentially aiding studies of dark matter and fundamental constants. Current atomic clocks are used in GPS and space exploration.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/10/science/nuclear-clocks-timekeeping-precision/index.html
Qualcomm is not buying Intel, despite speculation
Qualcomm is not acquiring Intel, despite speculation fueled by a Reuters report suggesting Qualcomm examined purchasing parts of Intel. Intel's market capitalization has dropped to $80 billion, its lowest in over a decade, while Qualcomm's stands at $176 billion. AMD's market cap is $224 billion, and Nvidia's has surged to $2.62 trillion. Intel plans to release its Lunar Lake CPUs on September 24.
Speaker Johnson pushes funding plan amid bipartisan opposition
Speaker Mike Johnson plans to advance a government funding package linked to the SAVE Act, despite opposition from both parties. With a narrow Republican majority, he can only afford four defections, yet several GOP members have expressed dissent. Johnson's proposal includes a six-month continuing resolution, aiming to prevent a government shutdown by the end of September, but faces challenges in the Senate and from the White House.
China accelerates Mars sample-return mission to 2028
China has advanced its Tianwen 3 Mars sample-return mission launch to 2028, two years earlier than planned. The mission aims to collect at least 500 grams of Martian surface samples, potentially returning them to Earth by 2031. It will involve two rocket launches and may include international payloads. This timeline positions China to potentially deliver samples before NASA's Mars Sample Return program, which faces delays.
Source: https://www.space.com/china-tianwen-2-mars-sample-return-mission-2028
Lupus research advances potential targeted therapies for treatment
Recent research published in Nature reveals insights into lupus, an autoimmune disease affecting women disproportionately. The study identified pathogenic CD4 T cells that disrupt B cell function, leading to harmful autoantibody production. Using CRISPR, scientists found that loss of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in T cells exacerbates this imbalance. The findings may guide the development of targeted therapies to manage lupus more effectively.
Inflation-adjusted incomes return to pre-pandemic levels
Americans' inflation-adjusted incomes have returned to their pre-pandemic peak, according to recent data. This recovery comes despite experiencing the highest price increases in 40 years. The adjustment reflects a significant shift in economic conditions, as households navigate the challenges posed by inflation.
New email rules may unintentionally increase unsubscribe rates
In early 2023, Yahoo! updated its bulk email rules, requiring a "List-Unsubscribe-Post" header for easier unsubscribing, impacting marketers' existing practices. This change allows users to unsubscribe directly from their inboxes, potentially increasing unsubscribe rates. Other platforms, including Hotmail and Outlook, are expected to adopt similar rules by 2025, prompting marketers to adapt their strategies to maintain email engagement and deliverability.
Source: https://www.techradar.com/pro/how-new-bulk-send-email-rules-inadvertently-unsubscribe-customers
AI helps discover microbe protein adaptations to extreme pressure
Johns Hopkins researchers, aided by Google's AI tool AlphaFold, discovered how proteins in the heat-loving microbe Thermus thermophilus adapt to extreme pressures, such as those in the Mariana Trench. Their study, published in PRX Life, found that 60% of the proteins resisted pressure due to flexible structures. This research could enhance understanding of life in extreme environments and inform future studies on extraterrestrial life.
Source: https://hub.jhu.edu/2024/09/10/extreme-microbe-ai/
Microsoft to host cybersecurity summit after global IT outage
Microsoft plans to host a cybersecurity summit on September 10, 2024, following a global IT outage on July 19 that affected 8.5 million Windows devices due to a faulty software update from CrowdStrike. The summit, held at Microsoft’s Redmond headquarters, will include government representatives and aims to address operational disruptions across various industries, including airlines, banks, and healthcare.
Tourism shifts to lesser-known, welcoming destinations
Tourism is shifting focus to lesser-known destinations as countries like Greenland, Morocco, Serbia, and Georgia aim to attract visitors. Greenland plans to enhance its tourism infrastructure with new airports, targeting adventure and year-round tourism. Morocco seeks to double its annual tourist arrivals to 26 million by 2030, while Serbia emphasizes sustainable tourism. Georgia is developing its tourism sector, improving accessibility and infrastructure to welcome diverse travelers.
Majority supports sensible gun reforms for school safety
A recent editorial highlights that a majority of Americans favor sensible gun reforms while still supporting the Second Amendment. It emphasizes the belief that constitutional restrictions on firearm ownership are possible. The piece reflects growing concerns over gun violence, particularly in schools, and the need for measures to protect students and teachers. Specific statistics or survey results were not provided in the summary.
Source: https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/09/10/editorial-students-and-teachers-dont-have-to-die/