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- Salesforce Acquires AI Voice Company, First Nuclear Clock Tests Fundamental Constants, Childhood BMI Linked To Skin Disease Risk, Vega Rocket Final Mission
Salesforce Acquires AI Voice Company, First Nuclear Clock Tests Fundamental Constants, Childhood BMI Linked To Skin Disease Risk, Vega Rocket Final Mission
Rob
September 05, 2024
🤖 Tech & Computer Science
Salesforce has agreed to acquire Tenyx, a California-based startup that develops AI-powered voice agents, to enhance its AI-driven solutions. The acquisition, expected to close in the third quarter, will bring Tenyx's co-founders and team to Salesforce. While the deal value wasn't disclosed, it marks a shift for Salesforce, which had previously paused acquisitions under pressure from activist investors. This move aligns with other tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon, highlighting the growing competition for AI tools and talent.
The study uses diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) and clinical data to predict stroke outcomes, achieving better accuracy than existing methods. The model improves prognosis prediction by 0.04, with an AUC of 0.8080 and a dice score of 0.7375, outperforming current scoring systems by 0.16.
⚛️ Physics and Chemistry
In May 2024, graduate student Chuankun Zhang detected a signal physicists had sought for 50 years: the "nuclear clock" transition in a thorium-229 nucleus. After confirming the discovery, Zhang and his lab mates celebrated with their group leader, Jun Ye, who became emotional upon seeing the breakthrough. They marked the moment with champagne at 9:30 a.m.
A recent study published in Cell Reports Physical Science explores using molecular "cages" made of pseudopeptides to selectively target and eliminate cancer cells in acidic environments. Led by researchers from IQAC-CSIC, University of Burgos, and IDAEA-CSIC, the study aims to advance preclinical development of new ionophores with potential cancer treatment applications.
Researchers from the University of Oslo have found that twisted fibres are more effective than straight ones at capturing and transporting water from foggy air. This discovery could lead to advanced fog nets for harvesting fresh water, using materials inspired by natural water-collecting structures like cactus spines and spider silk.
🧬 Biology & Medicine
Childhood obesity is linked to a higher risk of immune-mediated skin diseases like alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. A study of over 2.1 million children in Korea found that transitioning from normal weight to overweight increases the risk of atopic dermatitis, while weight loss reduces this risk.
A study in Nature Reviews Endocrinology reviews advancements in cell replacement therapies for type 1 diabetes (T1DM). The focus is on generating replenishable β cells, improving transplantation techniques, and addressing issues like immune modulation and clinical application. Despite progress, challenges remain with donor availability, cell engraftment, and immunosuppression. The review highlights ongoing research in β cell generation, delivery technologies, and the clinical translation of these therapies.
🔭 Space & Astronomy
Europe's Vega rocket successfully completed its final mission on September 4, 2024, launching the Sentinel-2C Earth-observing satellite from Kourou, French Guiana. The launch, delayed by a day due to electrical issues, saw Sentinel-2C deployed into orbit 57.5 minutes later, with mission control celebrating the successful deployment.
NASA's PACE satellite, launched in February 2024, is gathering data on ocean health and atmospheric particles. This information helps scientists and decision-makers understand Earth's ecosystems and their interactions by providing accurate, simultaneous observations from space.
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