Evolution and Innovation in Treating Psoriasis in Pediatric Patients – Dermatology Times

When we talk about evolution in treatment for psoriasis, we have come a long way, April W. Armstrong, MD, MPH, told attendees at the Society for Pediatric Dermatology Pre-AAD Meeting.1

April W. Armstrong, MD, MPH

Armstrong, Chief of the Division of Dermatology at the UCLA Health and the David Geffen School of Medicine, added that through this evolution we are looking for treatments that are effective, convenient and safe. Not too long ago, arsenic was used to treat psoriasis,2 she told attendees. Yes, it killed psoriasis but also killed a lot of other things.

Fortunately, she shared there are now options that are meet the 3 important criteria: safe, effective, and even convenient. For instance, biologics have emerged as a good option for treating psoriasis, especially in adults, Armstrong explained. In general, there are a number of factors she considers when choosing among the biologics, which when grouped include tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors (ie, etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab), interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors (ie, ixekizumab, secukinumab, brodalumab, bimekizumab), and IL-23 inhibitors (ie, guselkumab, risankizumab, tildrakizumab, ustekinumab [a IL12/23 inhibitor]).

The IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors are a good choice for robust psoriasis efficacy. In addition, guselkumab, risankizumab, ustekinumab have been shown to be effective for psoriatic arthritis, while IL-17 inhibitors have been shown to be effective for peripheral and axial psoriatic arthritis. There is evolving evidence for the use of IL-23 inhibitors in psoriatic arthritis of the spine. She cautioned that IL-17 inhibitors should be avoided in patients with a history of inflammatory bowel disease and can be associated with increased risk of oral candidiasis.

Meanwhile, Armstrong noted TNF inhibitors should be avoided in patients with hepatitis B and demyelinating disease. They also are not preferred when there is a history of latent tuberculosis or advanced congestive heart failure. Like the other biologics, TNF inhibitors can be effective for psoriatic arthritis (peripheral and axial) and she added that certolizumab has been great in pregnant patients.

Currently, there arebiologics approved for use in pediatric patients. Ustekinumab which inhibits p40 subunit of IL12/23, has been approved for pediatric plaque psoriasis in patients aged 6 years and older. She pointed to the CADMUS Trial, which found that nearly 70% of patients aged 12 years or older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis achieved sPGA0/1 (vs 5.4 in the placebo group).3

Secukinumab is approved for pediatric patients aged 6 years and older, she said. She shared results from a study comparing secukinumab versus etanercept in this patient population, noting she especially appreciates head to head comparisons of agents because it speaks to the superiority of one medication over another over a time period. In the study, which was present at the EADV Virtual Congress in 2020, 85% of the patients on secukinumab achieved (and maintained) clear (IGA 0/1) at 52 weeks vs 72% on etanercept.

Approved in pediatric patients 6 years and older for moderate to severe psoriasis, Armstrong said ixekizumab has shown high efficacy when compared with placebo, with 50% of patients achieving PASI 100 by week 12 (vs 2% on placebo).

Bimekizumab, the newest approved biologic for adult patients, has shown fast onset, high efficacy, and robust maintenance of response, Armstrong told attendees. Treatment consists of two 160 mg doses every 4 weeks for the first 16 weeks and then every 8 weeks afterwards. She reminded attendees that labs (ie, tuberculosis, liver enzymes, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin) should be checked prior to treatment. Oral candidiasis is the most common adverse event, but she said it is manageable without discontinuation with 100 mg to 200 mg fluconazole for 7 days.

Meanwhile, a phase 2 trial of bimekizumab (NCT04718896) is currently underway to assess safety and efficacy in adolescents with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

Another important treatment to consider is the tyrosine kinase 2 (Tyk2) inhibitor deucravacitinib, Armstrong told attendees. Currently, deucravacitinib is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as an oral medication for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults. She shared data demonstrating Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75, PASI 90, and Static Physician's Global Assessment (sPGA) 0/1 response sustained through 3 years for patients on the agent, which she added is really impressive.

The tolerability is really where it shines, Armstrong told attendees. It has rates of diarrhea and nausea similar to placebo, and there are low rates of acne and zoster, she explained, but overall the discontinuation rates was lowest for patients on deucravacitinib when compared with patients on placebo or apremilast.

Before initiating treatment, Armstrong noted patients should be evaluated for tuberculosis and baseline liver and hepatitis serologies should be checked in patients with known or suspected liver disease. However, ongoing monitoring is only needed if the patient has liver disease or unmanaged triglycerides.

Im very excited about the possible extension to our pediatric population in the future, Armstrong said. She detailed a phase 3 trial (NCT04772079) is currently underway for pediatric patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis looking at safety and efficacy in that patient population. The study is looking at 2 doses across 2 cohorts based on ages (4 to 12 and 12 to 18 years).

The oral phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor apremilast is also a new medication that has shown efficacy in pediatric patients, according to Armstrong. It currenly is approved for adults regardless of severity, she said. She shared results of a placebo-controlled study of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis aged 6 to 17 years that found almost one-third were clear or almost clear at week 16 (vs 11% for placebo).

Armstrong briefly noted 2 innovative products in the pipeline. JNJ-77242113 is an oral therapeutic peptide selectively targeting IL-23R, she told attendees.4 DC-806 allosterically blocks the same biochemical step as the anti-IL-17 antibodies.

In the topical category, Armstrong pointed to tapinarof and roflumilast as novel non-steroidal agents. Tapinarof, currently approved for adult patients, is an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist that reduces TH17 cytokines; increases antioxidant activity via Nrf2 pathway; increases filaggrin, loricrin, and involucrin, and decreases Th2 cytokines. The PSOARING 1 study found that 40% of patients on tapinarof 1% cream daily achieved PASI 75 by week 12. Armstrong added that when tapinarof is stopped, patients are able to maintain clear/almost clear status for about 4 months. My opinion is it is probably similar to or stronger than a class 3 topical steroid, she told attendees. Armstrong is hopeful it will become available for pediatric patients in the near future.

Roflumilast is a PDE4 inhibitor approved for patients aged 6 years and older, Armstrong said. Overall it is quite well tolerated. In my opinion, it is probably similar to a class 3 topical steroid, she said. She uses it in clinical practice, but there are some tricks to make sure your patient has access to it, and knowing which local pharmacies are used to working with it.

References

1. Armstrong A. Updates in Psoriasis Management and New Therapeutics. Presented at: 36th Annual Pre-AAD Meeting of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology; March 7, 2024. San Diego, California.

2. Sarfraz R. H16 Arsenic to biologics: psoriasis treatment through the ages. British Journal of Dermatology. 2023; 188(Supplement 4. ljad113.298

3. Landells I, Marano C, Hsu MC, et al. Ustekinumab in adolescent patients age 12 to 17 years with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: results of the randomized phase 3 CADMUS study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015;73(4):594-603. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.07.002

4. Bissonnette R, Pinter A, Ferris LK, et al. An Oral Interleukin-23-Receptor Antagonist Peptide for Plaque Psoriasis. N Engl J Med. 2024;390(6):510-521. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2308713

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Evolution and Innovation in Treating Psoriasis in Pediatric Patients - Dermatology Times

Ex VR/AR lead at Unity joins new spatial computing cloud platform to enable the open metaverse at scale, AI, Web3 – Cointelegraph

The metaverse is reshaping the digital world and entertainment landscape. Ozones platform empowers businesses to create, launch and profit from various 3D projects, ranging from simple galleries or meetup spaces to AAA games and complex 3D simulations, transforming how we engage with immersive content in the spatial computing era.

Apples Vision OS launch is catalyzing mainstream adoption of interactive spatial content, opening new horizons for businesses. 95% of business leaders anticipate a positive impact from the metaverse within the next five to ten years, potentially establishing a $5 trillion market by 2030.

Ozone cloud platform has the potential to become the leading spatial computing cloud. Source: Ozone

The future of 3D technology seamlessly blends the virtual and physical realms using spatial computing technology. But, spatial computing can be challenging, especially when the tools are limited and the methods for creating 3D experiences are outdated.

A well-known venture capital firm, a16z, recently pointed out that its time to change how game engines are used for spatial computing, describing the future of 3D engines as a cloud-based 3D creation Engine and this is exactly what the Ozone platform is.

The Ozone platform is a robust cloud computing cloud for 3D applications. Source: Ozone

The platforms OZONE token is an innovative implementation of crypto at a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform level. You can think of the OZONE token as the core platform token that will unlock higher levels of spatial and AI computing over time, fully deployed and interoperating throughout worlds powered by our cloud.

Ozone is fully multichain and cross-chain, meaning it supports all wallets, blockchains, NFT collections and cryptocurrencies and already integrated several in the web studio builder with full interoperability across spatial experiences said Jay Essadki, executive director for Ozone.

Ozone Studios already integrated and validated spatial computing cross-chain interoperability. Source: Ozone Studio

He added, You can think of the Ozone composable spatial computing cloud as an operating system, or as a development environment. It continuously evolves by integrating new technologies and services.

The OZONE token, positioned as the currency of choice, offers not just discounts and commercial benefits but also, through the integration with platform oracles and cross-chain listings, enables the first comprehensive horizontally and vertically integrated Web3 ecosystem for the metaverse and spatial computing era.

Ozone eliminates technical restrictions and makes spatial computing, Web3 and AI strategies accessible to organizations looking to explore the potential of the metaverse with almost no technical overhead or debt.

Ozone is coming out of stealth with a cloud infrastructure supported by AI and Web3 microservices and is expanding its executive, engineering and advisory teams as it raises more capital in view to replace legacy game engines such as Unreal or Unity.

At the same time, Ozone provides full support for those engines created assets to be deployed on the Ozone platform across Web2 and Web3 alike.

Also Ozone is on a roll of enterprise and government discussions and has been establishing and closing enterprise and government customer relationships in view of initial cloud infrastructure deployment.

Ozone welcomes new advisoers as the platform comes out of stealth.

Ozones new 2024 advisors to make the open metaverse happen:

Ozone will finalize a full game engine based on fully integrated micro-templates that will make the build and deployment of all games and 3D spatial computing as simple as clicking a few buttons, and it is already working.

The upcoming features on the Ozone 3D Web Studio. Source: Ozone

Ozone is announcing a new suite of templatized games. With multi-AI integration, three completed games (Quest, Hide and Seek and RPG, coming in 2024) and more are underway.

It opens up the way to building interactive 3D experiences in a new way.

Ozone helps companies to build and share 3D experiences. Source: Ozone

At the heart of Ozone is the innovative Studio 3D development platform, complemented by a marketplace infrastructure to support e-commerce and the economy.

Ozones SaaS platform empowers businesses to create, deploy and monetize Spatial Computing experiences at scale for Web3 or traditional e-commerce applications. The platforms features, including social infrastructure, AI integration and gamification elements, enhance the interactive aspect of 3D experiences, digital twins and spatial data automation, while providing full interoperability and portability of content and data across experiences and across devices

Ozones vision of becoming the industry standard for interactive 3D development, with compatibility across devices and accessibility from any device, positions it as a catalyst for innovation in media and entertainment. Ozone is set to play a key role in shaping the future of immersive spatial web experiences.

Ozone has secured investments from prominent Web3 VC funds and is opening its first-ever VC equity financing round.

Disclaimer. Cointelegraph does not endorse any content or product on this page. While we aim at providing you with all important information that we could obtain in this sponsored article, readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company and carry full responsibility for their decisions, nor can this article be considered as investment advice.

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Ex VR/AR lead at Unity joins new spatial computing cloud platform to enable the open metaverse at scale, AI, Web3 - Cointelegraph

Project ECHOs digital prescription for rural health disparities – University of Nevada, Reno

Whether they were finding funding for telecom systems, reaching out to build the program's network, or helping providers navigate new technology, one of the hurdles that Project ECHO Nevada faced before Zoom became a household name was how to connect health care providers in rural communities to the telementoring program.

Then, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital learning methods and created an environment that broke down virtual connection barriers amid social distancing measures and stay-at-home mandates.

We were always a virtual telehealth platform, Mordechai Lavi, M.D., medical director of Project ECHO Nevada, said. We connect and create virtual communities of learning where we amplify best practices and share knowledge. These types of communities can helpespecially in rural communities.

In Nevada, where more than two out of three people live in a primary care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), according to the Physician Workforce in Nevada: A Chartbook, providing educational and support resources in rural areas is critical.

Through telementoring, rural clinicians can stay updated with the latest medical practices and treatments, which can directly translate into improved patient care and outcomes. This is especially vital for rural communities where accessing specialized medical training and resources may otherwise require extensive travel or be entirely out of reach.

As ECHO expands primary care physicians' knowledge base, patients benefit by reducing health care-related travel, long waits and costs. They receive quality care within their own communities when physicians can work together to solve medical problems.

In the years following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Project ECHO continues to serve some of the most rural communities in the Silver State and demonstrate the value of its outreach. Rural health care and public health professional participation in the program grew by more than 26% from 2019 to 2022. During the same time, participation from all state organizations grew by 180%. And in 2023, the program experienced a 98% increase of case reviews conducted across all ECHO sessions from pre-COVID operations.

One of the cornerstone programs of Project ECHO is teleECHO programs, during which health care professionals across the state review patient cases with a multidisciplinary team of subject matter experts to collaborate on treatment using multi-point video technology. The case review process increases the impact of a session by providing the reviewing provider with recommendations about their case and offering other participants new skills and training.

A physician in Ely may have had a similar experience as a physician in Yerington and be able to share advice or recommend resources, Dr. Lavi said.

With interdisciplinary teams and shared experiences, ECHO sessions become a community of learning. Issues sometimes relate to navigating the vast health care system network, like prior authorization, income barriers or functional deficits, affecting whether a patient gets the care they need.

We can create that community of learning that Project ECHO is known for, Dr. Lavi said. It helps us connect so we can learn from each other.

In this way, the ECHO model is not traditional telemedicine where the specialist assumes patient care but instead a guided practice model where the primary care provider retains responsibility for managing the patient.

Providers practicing in rural areas have similar workforce shortages and fewer resources, such as social workers or therapists, and these sessions have allowed for innovative solutions, Troy Jorgensen, senior program manager for Project ECHO Nevada, said.

By enabling specialists to serve as mentors and train community providers in clinical areas previously outside their expertise, primary care providers can operate with increased independence as their skills and self-efficacy grow.

According to post-session evaluations since 2017, 91.9 percent of ECHO participants either strongly agree or agree that their participation has decreased their sense of professional isolation.

These sessions can help providers feel not so alone in what can be a really lonely environment, Dr. Lavi said. It lets them know other people are dealing with the same challenges in other communities.

Housed within the Office of Statewide Initiatives, Project ECHO Nevada connects everyone that works in health care from primary care providers and specialists to community health workers and administrative partners. Dr. Lavi said the program is proving particularly impactful in rural areas.

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) proactively addresses these health care challenges by retaining medical school graduates and recruiting medical residents to work in Nevada. Among the initiatives aimed at filling the health care void is Project ECHO.

ECHO is giving physicians and other providers direct access and support to a specialist where they can consult on cases and feel connected to a larger community, Dr. Lavi said.

Thats the vision that Sanjeev Arora, M.D., founded the virtual program on nearly 20 years ago. Now Project ECHO director at the University of New Mexico, Dr. Arora would see patients from rural areas, some suffering from diseases in advanced stages that could have been treated sooner.

These experiences led Dr. Arora to develop Project ECHO. The virtual program adheres to four guiding principles:

As physicians and other providers participate in ECHO, they get feedback and reinforcement about their practice, Dr. Lavi said. These are conversations physicians often dont get to have after residency due to time, workload or proximity to other health care providers.

As Project ECHO continues to grow and evolve, UNR Med remains committed to improving access to health care and enhancing the quality of life for individuals in rural Nevada. In 2024, the program plans to add more learning sessions on topics such as diabetes, pediatrics and rheumatology and increase its outreach and impact.

Ultimately, we're really trying to make improve health at the population level, meaning patients health is improving, Dr. Lavi said. That takes changing providers practices, and ECHO is the force multiplier that we can use to make those changes.

Learn more about Project Echo

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Project ECHOs digital prescription for rural health disparities - University of Nevada, Reno

A robot surgeon is headed to the ISS to dissect simulated astronaut tissue – Space.com

Very soon, a robot surgeon may begin its orbit around our planet and though it won't quite be a metallic, humanoid machine wearing a white coat and holding a scalpel, its mission is fascinating nonetheless.

On Tuesday (Jan. 30), scientists will be sending a slew of innovative experiments to the International Space Station via Northrop Grumman's Cygnus spacecraft. It's scheduled to launch no earlier than 12:07 p.m. ET (1707 GMT) and, if all goes to plan, arrive at the ISS a few days later on Feb. 1.

Indeed one of the experiments onboard is a two-pound (0.9-kilogram) robotic device, about as long as your forearm, with two controllable arms that respectively hold a grasper and a pair of scissors. Developed by a company named Virtual Incision, this doctor robot of sorts is built to someday be able to communicate with human doctors on the ground while inserting itself into an astronaut patient to conduct medical procedures with high accuracy.

"The more advanced part of our experiment will control the device from here in Lincoln, Nebraska, and dissect simulated surgical tissue on orbit," Shane Farritor, co-founder of Virtual Incision, said during a presentation about Cygnus on Friday.

For now, as it's in preliminary stages, it's going to be tested on rubber bands but the team has high hopes for the future as missions to the moon, Mars and beyond start rolling down the space exploration pipeline. Remote space medicine has become a hot topic during the last few years as space agencies and private space companies lay plans for a variety of future crewed space missions.

Related: International Space Station will host a surgical robot in 2024

NASA's Artemis Program, for instance, hopes to have boots on the moon in 2026 plus, that's supposed to pave the way for a day on which humanity can say they've reached the Red Planet. And together, those missions are expected to pave the way for a far future in which humanity embarks on deeper space travel, perhaps to Venus or, if we're really dreaming, beyond the solar system. So to make sure astronauts remain safe in space an environment they're literally not made to survive in scientists want to make sure space-based medical treatment sees advancement in tandem with the rockets that'll take those astronauts wherever they're going.

A quick example that comes to mind is how, in 2021, NASA flight surgeon Josef Schmid was "holoported" to the ISS via HoloLens technology. It's sort of like virtual reality meets FaceTime meets augmented reality, if that makes sense.

However, as the team explains, not only could this robotic surgery mission benefit people exploring the void of space, but also those living right here on Earth. "If you have a specialist who's a very good surgeon, that specialist could dial into different locations and help with telesurgery or remote surgery," Farritor said. "Only about 10% of operating rooms today are robotic, but we don't see any reason that shouldn't be 100%."

This would be a particularly crucial advantage for hospitals in rural areas where fewer specialists are available, and where operating rooms are limited. In fact, as Farritor explained, not only is Virtual Incision funded by NASA but also by the military. "Both groups want to do surgery in crazy places," he said, "and our small robots kind of lend themselves to mobility like that."

The little robot doctor will be far from alone on the Cygnus spacecraft as it heads to the ISS; during the same presentation in which Farritor discussed Virtual Incision, other experts talked about what they'll be sending up come Monday.

For one, it'll have a robot friend joining it in the orbital laboratory a robotic arm. This arm has already been tested within the station's constraints before, but with this new mission the team hopes to test it in fully unpressurized conditions.

"Unplugging, replugging, moving objects, that's the kind of stuff that we did with the first investigation," said May Murphy, the director of programs at company NanoRacks. "We're kind of stepping up the complexity ... we're going to switch off which tools we're using, we'll be able to use screwdriver analogs and things like that; that will enable us to do even more work."

"We can look at even beyond just taking away something that the crew would have to spend time working on," she continued. "Now, we also have the capacity to do additional work in harsher environments we don't necessarily want to expose the crew to."

The European Space Agency, meanwhile, will be sending a 3D-printer that can create small metal parts. The goal here is to see how the structure of 3D-printed metal fares in space when compared to Earth-based 3D-printed metal. 3D-printed semiconductors, key components of most electronic devices, will be tested as well for a similar reason.

"When we talk about having vehicles in space for longer periods of time without being able to bring supplies up and down, we need to be able to print some of these smaller parts in space, to help the integrity of the vehicle over time," said Meghan Everett, NASA's ISS program deputy scientist.

Per Everett, this could also help scientists learn whether some sorts of materials that aren't 3D-printable on Earth can be 3D-printed in space. "Some preliminary data suggests that we can actually produce better products in space compared to Earth which would directly translate to better electronics in energy producing capabilities," she said.

Another experiment getting launched on Monday looks at the effects of microgravity on bone loss. Known as MABL-A, it will look at the role of what're known as mesenchymal cells (associated with bone marrow) and how that might change when exposed to the space environment. This could offer insight into astronaut bone loss a well-documented, major issue for space explorers as well as into the dynamics of human aging. "We will also look at the genes that are involved in bone formation and how gravity affected them," said Abba Zubair, a professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic.

Lisa Carnell, division director for NASA's Biological and Physical Sciences Division, spoke about the Apex-10 mission headed up, which will see how plant microbes interact in space. This could help decode how to increase plant productivity on Earth, too.

Two of the other key experiments discussed during the presentation include a space computer and an artificial eye well, an artificial retina, to be exact. We'll start with the latter.

Nicole Wagner, CEO of a company named LambdaVision, has a staggering goal: To restore vision to the millions of patients that are blinded by end stage retinal degenerative diseases like macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.

To do this, she and her team are trying to develop a protein-based artificial retina that's built through a process known as "electrostatic layer-by-layer deposition." In short, this consists of depositing multiple layers of a special kind of protein onto a scaffold. "Think of the scaffold almost like a tightly woven piece of gauze," Wagner said.

However, as she explains, this process on Earth can be impeded by the effects of gravity. And any imperfections in the layers can pretty much ruin the artificial retina's performance. So what about in microgravity? To date, LambdaVision has flown more than eight missions to the ISS, she says, and the experiments have shown that microgravity does indeed generate more homogenous layers and therefore better thin films for the retina.

"In this mission," she said, "we're looking at sending a powdered form of bacteriorhodopsin to the ISS that will then be resuspended into a solution, and we will be using special instruments, in this case spectrometers, to look at the protein quality and purity on the International Space Station, as well as to validate this process used to get the protein into solution."

Could you imagine if doctors would be able to commission a few artificial retinas to be developed in space someday, then delivered to the ground for implantation into a patient. And that this whole process could give someone their sight back?

As for the space computer, Mark Fernandez, principal investigator for the Spaceborne Computer-2 project, posed a hypothetical. "Astronauts go on a spacewalk, and after their work day, the gloves are examined for wear-and-tear,' he said. "This must be done by every astronaut, after every spacewalk, before the gloves can be used again."

Normally, Fernandez explains, the team takes a bunch of high-resolution photographs of the potentially contaminated gloves, then sends those images out for analysis.

This analysis, he says, typically takes something like five days to finish and return. So, hoping to solve the problem, the team developed an AI model in collaboration with NASA and Microsoft that can do the analysis straight on the station and flag areas of concern. Each takes about 45 seconds to complete. "We're gonna go on from five days to just a few minutes," he said, adding that the team also did DNA analysis typically conducted on the space station in about 12 minutes. Normally, he emphasized, that'd take months.

But, the team wants to make sure Spaceborne Computer-2's servers will function properly while on the ISS, hence the Cygnus payload. This will mark the company's third ISS mission.

"The ISS National Lab has so many benefits that it's attributing to our nation," Carnell said. "It creates a universe of new possibilities for the next generation of scientists and engineers."

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A robot surgeon is headed to the ISS to dissect simulated astronaut tissue - Space.com

The Future of Cloud Computing in Business Operations – Data Science Central

The digital era has witnessed the remarkable evolution of cloud computing, transforming it into a cornerstone of modern business operations. This technology, which began as a simple concept of centralized data storage, has now evolved into a complex and dynamic ecosystem, enabling businesses to operate more efficiently and effectively than ever before. The Future of Cloud Computing holds unparalleled potential, promising to revolutionize the way companies operate, innovate, and compete in the global market.

Cloud computing refers to the delivery of various services over the Internet, including data storage, servers, databases, networking, and software. Rather than owning their computing infrastructure or data centers, companies can rent access to anything from applications to storage from a cloud service provider.

Cloud computing has revolutionized the way businesses operate, offering a plethora of advantages that enhance efficiency, flexibility, and scalability. In this discussion, well delve into the key benefits of cloud computing, explaining each in simple terms and underlining their significance in todays business landscape.

Cloud computing significantly cuts down on the capital cost associated with purchasing hardware and software, especially in sectors like the healthcare industry. Its an economical alternative to owning and maintaining extensive IT infrastructure, allowing businesses, including those in the healthcare sector, to save on setup and maintenance costs. This aspect is particularly beneficial in cloud computing in healthcare industry, where resources can instead be allocated toward patient care and medical research.

The ability to scale resources elastically with cloud computing is akin to having a flexible and adaptable IT infrastructure. Businesses can efficiently scale up or down their IT resources based on current demand, ensuring optimal utilization and avoiding wastage.

Cloud services are hosted on a network of secure, high-performance data centers globally, offering superior performance over traditional single corporate data centers. This global network ensures reduced latency, better application performance, and economies of scale.

Cloud computing facilitates a swift and agile business environment. Companies can quickly roll out new applications or resources, empowering them to respond swiftly to market changes and opportunities.

The efficiency and speed offered by cloud computing translate into enhanced productivity. Reduced network latency ensures applications and services run smoothly, enabling teams to achieve more in less time.

Cloud computing enhances collaboration by enabling team members to share and work on data and files simultaneously from any location. This virtual collaboration space is crucial for businesses with remote teams and global operations.

Here, we explore the transformative role of cloud computing in business, focusing on 7 key points that forecast its future impact and potential in streamlining and innovating operational landscapes.

In the Future of Cloud Computing, handling enormous amounts of data will become more critical than ever. Businesses of all sizes generate data at unprecedented rates. From customer interactions to transaction records, every piece of data is a potential goldmine of insights. Cloud computing steps in as the ideal solution to manage this surge efficiently.

Cloud storage provides a scalable and flexible way to store and access vast datasets. As we move forward, cloud providers will likely offer more tailored storage solutions, catering to different business needs. Whether its for high-frequency access or long-term archiving, cloud storage can adapt to various requirements.

Another significant aspect of data management in the Future of Cloud Computing is real-time data processing. Businesses will rely on cloud computing not just for storage, but also for the immediate processing and analysis of data. This capability allows for quicker decision-making, a crucial factor in maintaining a competitive edge.

One of the most transformative impacts of cloud computing is its ability to transcend geographical boundaries. In the Future of Cloud Computing, remote and global teams can collaborate as if they were in the same room. Cloud-based tools and platforms allow team members from different parts of the world to work on projects simultaneously, share files instantaneously, and communicate in real-time.

In the Future of Cloud Computing, we can expect a rise in virtual workspaces. These digital environments simulate physical offices, providing a space where remote workers can feel connected and engaged. They offer features like virtual meeting rooms, shared digital whiteboards, and social areas, replicating the office experience in a digital realm.

Cloud computing does more than just streamline operations; it also opens doors to innovation. With cloud resources, businesses can experiment with new ideas without significant upfront investment in infrastructure. This flexibility encourages creativity and risk-taking, which are essential for innovation.

Cloud computing accelerates the product development cycle. Teams can quickly set up and dismantle test environments, prototype more efficiently, and bring products to market faster. This agility gives businesses a significant advantage in rapidly evolving markets.

The landscape of cloud computing is rapidly evolving, with new trends constantly emerging to redefine how businesses leverage this technology. In the context of the future of cloud computing, 3 key trends stand out for their potential to significantly shape the industry. Understanding these trends is crucial for businesses looking to stay competitive and innovative.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are becoming increasingly integral to cloud computing. This integration is revolutionizing how cloud services are delivered and utilized. AI algorithms are enhancing the efficiency of cloud platforms, offering smarter data analytics, automating routine tasks, and providing more personalized user experiences. For instance, cloud-based AI services can analyze vast amounts of data to predict market trends, customer behavior, or potential system failures, offering invaluable insights for businesses.

This integration not only boosts the performance and scalability of cloud solutions but also opens up new avenues for innovation across various sectors.

As cloud computing becomes more prevalent, the focus on security and compliance is intensifying. The increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats make robust cloud security a top priority for businesses. In response, cloud service providers are investing heavily in advanced security measures, such as enhanced encryption techniques, identity and access management (IAM), and AI-powered threat detection systems.

Furthermore, with regulations like GDPR and CCPA in place, compliance has become a critical aspect of cloud services. The future of cloud computing will likely witness a surge in cloud solutions that are not only secure but also compliant with various global and industry-specific regulations. This trend ensures that businesses can confidently and safely leverage the cloud while adhering to legal and ethical standards.

Sustainability is a growing concern in the tech world, and cloud computing is no exception. There is an increasing trend towards green cloud computing, focusing on reducing the environmental impact of cloud services. This involves optimizing data centers for energy efficiency, using renewable energy sources, and implementing more sustainable operational practices.

It will likely see a stronger emphasis on sustainability as businesses and consumers become more environmentally conscious. Cloud providers who prioritize and implement eco-friendly practices will not only contribute to a healthier planet but also appeal to a growing segment of environmentally-aware customers.

The future of cloud computing is bright and offers a plethora of opportunities for businesses to grow and evolve. By staying informed and adapting to these changes, companies can leverage cloud computing to gain a competitive edge in the market.

Remember, the future of cloud computing isnt just about technology; its about how businesses can harness this technology to drive innovation, efficiency, and growth.

For businesses aiming to thrive in the ever-changing digital world, embracing the advancements in cloud computing is not just a choice but a necessity. Staying updated and adaptable will be key to harnessing the power of cloud computing for business success in the years to come.

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The Future of Cloud Computing in Business Operations - Data Science Central