🤖 Tech & Computer Science

Here are the 5 Startup Battlefield finalists at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024

TechCrunch has announced the five finalists for Startup Battlefield 2024. From thousands of applicants, 200 companies were initially chosen, narrowed down to 20 who pitched at TechCrunch Disrupt this week. Following in the footsteps of alumni like Dropbox and Cloudflare, these finalists will pitch once more on October 30 to a panel of top investors. Startup Battlefield Alumni have collectively raised over $29 billion with 200+ exits.

Enhancing small target traffic sign detection with ML_SAP in YOLOv5s

Researchers propose an enhanced YOLOv5s model, integrating a multilevel squeeze feature perception (ML_SAP) mechanism, to improve small traffic sign detection accuracy in complex traffic settings. Key upgrades include an added detection layer and the WIoU loss function to optimize anchor boxes. Tested on CCTSDB-2021 and TT100K datasets, the model shows a recall boost of up to 5.4% and mean average precision (mAP) increase of up to 4.6%, outperforming the base YOLOv5s model on small-scale traffic sign recognition.

⚛️ Physics and Chemistry

“Impact printing” is a cement-free alternative to 3D-printed structures

ICON is nearing completion of the world’s largest 3D-printed neighborhood in Texas, reflecting 3D printing’s growing role in construction for its speed, cost efficiency, and reduced material waste. However, researchers from ETH Zurich propose a greener alternative called "impact printing," which uses Earth-based materials like sand and clay, potentially lowering costs and CO₂ emissions even more. This method repurposes site-excavated materials, aiming for sustainability beyond 3D printing in the construction industry.

Nanoparticle-based approach targets inflammatory cells for obesity treatment

Researchers at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation have developed a nanoparticle-based therapy to treat obesity by targeting inflammatory cells in fat tissue, promoting immune modulation and fat browning. Using simvastatin-loaded nanoparticles, the therapy reduces inflammation and white fat production, resulting in weight loss in lab models. This approach, led by Dr. Alireza Hassani Najafabadi, shows potential for targeted obesity treatment with minimized side effects.

🧬 Biology & Medicine

FDA OKs New Drug for Urinary Tract Infections

The FDA approved Orlynvah, a new oral antibiotic for uncomplicated UTIs in women with limited treatment options. This drug combines sulopenem etzadroxil and probenecid to enhance antibiotic retention, effectively targeting resistant bacteria like E. coli. Tested in over 3,800 women, Orlynvah showed similar or better results than ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin with manageable side effects. Dr. Marjorie Golden highlights it as a vital new choice for hard-to-treat UTIs, though patients with certain conditions should consult doctors beforehand.

Exercise linked to lower mortality risk in dementia patients

Physical activity of any intensity after a dementia diagnosis is linked to a 30% lower risk of death, according to research in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. This study, using data on 60,252 individuals from Korea’s National Health Insurance Service Database, suggests that maintaining or beginning an exercise routine could help extend life expectancy, often limited to 4–5 years post-diagnosis. Activities ranging from walking to vigorous exercise showed benefits, underscoring the importance of physical activity for dementia patients.

Record-Breaking Ocean Slaughter Sees Millions of Fish Killed in Hours

Scientists have recorded a remarkable instance of predation in Norway, where a massive swarm of Atlantic cod feasted on millions of migrating capelin fish. Using a sonar technique called Ocean Acoustic Waveguide Remote Sensing (OAWRS), researchers observed the capelin forming a shoal of about 23 million fish, which attracted cod that consumed approximately 10 million capelin in just four hours. This event, described as the largest documented fish massacre, offers insights into marine ecosystem dynamics.

🔭 Space & Astronomy

James Webb telescope finds 1st possible 'failed stars' beyond the Milky Way — and they could reveal new secrets of the early universe

The James Webb Space Telescope has potentially identified the first brown dwarfs, or "failed stars," beyond the Milky Way, in the young star cluster NGC 602 in the Small Magellanic Cloud. These objects, larger than planets but unable to sustain nuclear fusion, could provide insights into stellar formation and the conditions of the early universe. The findings suggest that these brown dwarfs formed similarly to stars, but didn't acquire enough mass to ignite fusion, revealing secrets about how stars and planets formed in primordial conditions.

NASA's Perseverance rover gets stunning view of big Mars crater from slippery slope (video, photos)

NASA's Perseverance rover recently paused its climb of Jezero Crater's western rim to survey its past exploration area. After landing in February 2021, the rover collected samples while hunting for signs of past life. On September 27, Perseverance captured 44 images to create a mosaic showcasing various landmarks it has explored, sharing the breathtaking view with mission control on Earth. This moment highlights both the rover's ongoing mission and the stunning Martian landscape.

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