Minister: 23 million genetic database would help save on healthcare costs – ERR News

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A person's DNA at the Estonian Genome Center in Tartu.

Ossinovski said that developing a decision support system in personal medicine bringing together residents' genetic information and medical histories could be done in 10 years.

"Adding information about the whole population of Estonia to the genetic database would cost approximately 23 million, which is a negligible amount of money compared to the 1 billion we spend to finance medicine annually," Ossinovski said at a roundtable on the future of the Estonian healthcare system organized by the American Chamber of Commerce.

According to the health minister, if genetic information is combined with ten-year medical histories that the healthcare system already has and the necessary tools are created for doctors and the healthcare system to assess risks and offer better, more personalized service, this would be more cot-effective than the current healthcare system.

"The Genome Center has found that we have a high percentage of people suffering from hypertension just like every other society, but the drug that they use does not work on approximately ten percent of people as DNA analysis has revealed that their body produces a certain protein which makes this drug useless," Ossinovski offered as an example.

"Nationwide campaigns for testing for breast cancer that we currently have almost never find anything before it is too late," he also noted. "We are spending money and time to tet all women, although 90 percent of them have no risk of breast cancer and do not need testing. And in the people who do have a risk of breast cancer, it is detected too late."

Instead of this, the minister continued, it would be possible to determine with a test at birth already whether they run the risk of getting breast cancer when they are older. "And that information can be used in order for people to get better services and the system to be more cost-effective," Ossinovski added.

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Genetic engineering boosts immunity against crop disease – Daily Nation

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= By ANGELA OKETCH More by this Author 11 hoursago

The chemicals that farmers spray on their crops in form of pesticides to kill pests and prevent diseases have always been a bone of contention, with researchers trying to find safer alternatives. A new variety of rice that fights multiple pathogens with no effect on the yield of the crop, is thus a welcome relief for both farmers and scientists.

The discovery is based on a study of the plants immune system. Plants use receptors on the outside of their cells to identify molecules that signal a microbial invasion, and respond by releasing antimicrobial compounds. Therefore, identifying genes that kickstart this immune response yields disease-resistant plants.

Just like sick humans who are unproductive at work, plants grow poorly and produce unfavourable yields when their immune systems are overloaded. For a long time, scientists have focused on the NPR1 gene from a small, woody plant called Arabidopsis thaliana, to boost the immune systems of rice, wheat, tomatoes and apples.

However, NPR1 is not very useful for agriculture because it has negative effects on plants. To make it useful, researchers needed a better gene that would activate the immune response only when the plant is under attack. Rice with the gene was able to combat rice blast which often causes an estimated 30 per cent loss of rice crop worldwide, every year.

A segment of DNA called the TBF1 cassette acted as a control switch for the plants immune response. When the TBF1 cassette from the Arabidopsis genome was copied and pasted alongside and in front of the NPR1 gene in rice plants, it resulted in a strain of rice that could fend off offending pathogens without causing stunted growth seen in previously engineered crops.

The researchers tested the superiority of engineered rice over regular rice by inoculating crop leaves with the bacterial pathogens that cause rice blight and leaf streak, as well as the fungus responsible for blast disease. Whereas the infections spread on the leaves of wild rice plants, the engineered plants confined the invaders to a small area.

The researchers say this innovation could come in handy in the developing world where farmers with no access to fungicide often lose their entire crop to disease. The study was published in Nature.

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A new wave of gene therapies ready to hit US shores – BioPharma Dive

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Gene therapy has finally made it over the hump.

After decades of research and some devastating setbacks, major technical hurdles have been overcome, opening up the long-anticipated promise of this field. A new approval has buoyed interest, pipelines are bubbling with new candidates and big investments are being made.

Two gene therapies have hit the European market and the first is expected to hit the U.S. market as early as next year. Beyond that, there is a growing pipeline rapidly coming forward.

All this is fueling high hopes of actual cures for previously incurable diseases and big profits. So whats the rub?

The first ever approved gene therapy was Shenzhen SiBiono GenTechs Gendicine, a recombinant Ad-p53 gene therapy for head and neck cancer, which launched in China in 2004. But it was Glybera's (alipogene tiparvovec) approval in fall 2012 that sparked investor interest in gene therapy. For a while that drug reigned as the most expensive treatment in history, costing more than $1 million per patient.

Glybera turned out to be a disappointment due to the high price tag. The drug restores lipoprotein lipase enzyme activity in patients with LPL deficiency (an ultra rare disease), but the drug comes with the severe side effect of pancreatitis. After use by only one patient and five years on the European market, maker uniQure chose not to seek renewal of its European approval this fall and is not pursuing U.S. approval.

Despite the failure of Glybera, GlaxoSmithKlines Strimvelis has further fueled investor interest with its approval in Europe in May 2016.

Strimvelis treats severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) due to adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency. It is estimated that about a couple dozen children per year are diagnosed with ADA-SCID in the U.S. and Europe combined. One year on the market, the British pharma has confirmed that one patient has been treated with the drug. "A patient has been treated with Strimvelis and others have been referred and are currently being assessed for eligibility to receive the drug," GSK spokesperson Anna Padula told BioPharma Dive.

After the Glybera debacle, GSKs experience with Strimvelis will be telling, but there are also some up-and-coming gene therapies that may teach us more.

Gene therapy was originally regarded as one of those "no-brainer"approaches to curing genetically caused diseases. After all, if the DNA is broken, why not just fix it? Unfortunately, it turned out to be much more complicated.

Many of the challenges are around how new DNA is incorporated. One choice is to inject a viral vector attached to a payload that naturally integrates its genetic material into that of the patients. The other choice is to remove the patients cells, modify them, and return them, a process known as ex vivo therapy.

One of the early fears was that DNA would incorporate in the wrong place thereby not fixing the error, as well as creating a new one. That turned out to be a real worry with some of the first vectors, reinforced by early gene therapy treatments for SCIDS that led to T-cell leukemia in some treated boys. At least one of those boys died from the cancer they developed.

Further, there was the tragedy of Jesse Gelsingers death at the University of Pennsylvanias Institute of Human Gene Therapy in 1999. Eighteen-year-old Gelsinger was taking part in a trial aimed at treating ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, but just days after receiving the therapy he died of massive organ failure, likely sparked by an immune reaction to the adeno-viral vector used.

Then there were treatments that just didnt work. Avigens gene therapy worked well in animals, producing adequate Factor IX levels for several years in models of hemophilia. But in clinical trials, only one patient responded, and that response lasted only four weeks. The patient, as one observer noted, had "touched the rainbow" only to watch it fade from view.

Beyond efficacy, manufacturing is still a challenge. "But we are getting better at that and in the selection of indications," said Scott Burger, principal at Advanced Cell and Gene Therapy. Because gene therapy is such a young field, Burger noted that "long-term monitoring of patients will be key." The boys who developed leukemia in the early SCID trial were all diagnosed a couple of years after treatment.

Every field has its ups and downs, but these tragic events left gene therapy with tremendous baggage. Still, some dogged proponents have soldiered on, and the news now more than a decade later seems to be getting a lot better.

"A new generation of vectors have dramatically improved the prospects for this field," said Geoff MacKay, President and CEO of AvroBio. "There are now hundreds of gene therapies that are in trials and many of them are a one time cure."

News about promising gene therapies in the clinic is sprouting up all the time.

BioMarin has a gene therapy for hemophilia A in Phase 2b. "We are far ahead in the development process and could potentially market the first gene therapy for this condition," said company spokesperson Debra Charlesworth. "The physician and patient community will be looking for strong clinical data," she added. "In addition we have commissioned a gene therapy manufacturing facility that will come online in the middle of this year."

GSK has a license to develop multiple new gene therapies with Fondazione Telethon and Ospedale San Raffaele, the same groups that helped produce Strimvelis. The agreement covers six additional treatments, including one for metachromatic leukodystrophy and one for Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome. Padula reports that both of these are in clinical trials.

The next wave of gene therapies will focus on rare diseases like hemophilia and even inherited forms of blindness.Spark Therapeutics, for example,recently submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) with the FDA for voretigene neparvovec, a gene therapy for the treatment of vision loss due to biallelic RPE65 mutation-associated retinal disease.

And Pfizer has inked deals with both Spark and Sangamo for gene therapies to treat different forms of hemophilia. Meanwhile, Biogen spin-off Bioverativhas picked up two gene therapies from Sangamo.

Scientific challenges remain considerable, though, and pricing will clearly be one of the biggest hurdles for gene therapies going forward. "Todays challenges are all around building a viable business model," said MacKay. That has not dampened enthusiasm for the blossoming field that has been rising and falling out of favor for at least two decades.

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Gene therapy hope for allergies and asthma – BioNews

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Life-threatening allergies and asthma could one day be treated by a single injection, say researchers who have successfully treated mice using gene therapy.

Dr Ray Steptoeofthe University of Queensland in Australia and colleagues 'turned off' the immune system's memory of an allergen in mice, suggesting that it could be possible for a single treatment to permanently stop the cause of allergic reactions, rather than just managing the symptoms.

The immune system's memory is the underlying cause of both asthma and allergies, as immune cells incorrectly recognise and 'remember' allergens as being potentially dangerous, andmount an immune response. Repeated exposure to an allergen can cause increasingly severe and potentially fatal reactions. However, it is extremely difficult for potential therapies to contend with the permanence ofimmune memory.

The researchers worked with mice who were allergic to a protein found in egg white. They first inserted a gene which regulates the egg white protein into blood stem cells then transplanted these modified stem cells into the allergic mice. Transplanting the modified stem cells was enough to remove the mice's immune memory of the egg white protein as an allergen, meaning that the animals were no longer sensitive to the protein.

'We have now been able "wipe" the memory of these T-cells in animals with gene therapy, de-sensitising the immune system so that it tolerates the protein,' said Dr Steptoe. 'This research could be applied to treat those who have severe allergies to peanuts, bee venom, shell fish and other substances.'

But the findings should be treated with some caution, given the early stages of the research, note some. Professor Adnan Custovic at University College London told The Independent: 'A mouse model is not the same as a human model We can cure allergies in mice but we cannot do it in humans the mechanisms are not identical. Only time will tell whether this approach will be a viable one.'

The researchers are now working on making the treatment simpler and safer and it is hoped that human trials could begin in as little as five years.

Asthma is a major public health issue with some 5.4 million people in the UK with the condition; costing the NHS 1 billion annually. As allergies play a significant role in around 75 percent of asthma cases, as well as affecting the 44 percent of British adults who have at least one allergy, there is a need to produce effective, long-term treatments for these conditions.

The research was published in JCI Insight.

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Elon Musk Says Deep AI, Not Automation, Poses the Real Risk for Humanity – Futurism

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In Brief Elon Musk takes to Twitter, saying deep AI, not automation, is what humanity should be worried about. Musk is part of a group of tech leaders working to create protective technological measures to prepare for the advancement of deep AI. Deep AI Vs. Automation

In an apparent attempt at a joke, a Twitter user sent a Business Insider tweet featuring a driverless Tesla car to Elon Musk, asking him to confirm that the development in humanless automation would not result in a robotic apocalypse. Musk replied via tweet, reaffirming his oft-repeated position that it is not automation per se, but deep AI, that poses more of an apocalyptic risk to humanity:

Disruption may cause us discomfort, but its not a threat in and of itself. However, Musk and others do see the potential for deep AI to be world-shattering, at least for humans.

Its easy to understand why some are worried about this; AIs are learning how to encrypt messages efficiently. Jrgen Schmidhuber, considered to be the father of deep learning, believes that there will be trillions of self-replicating robot factories along our Solar Systems asteroid belt by 2050. He also thinks that robots will eventually explore the galaxy by themselves, motivated by their own curiosity, capable of deciding their own agenda without much human oversight. And, perhaps most disturbing, scientists working with Googles DeepMind AI tested whether or not AIare more prone to cooperation or competition and found that it can go either way, and AI are even capable of developing killer instincts, or a cooperative mindset, depending on the situation.

Musks solution to this potential threat is his famous neural lace concept. In brief, this ambitious project would use easily injectable electrodes to form a neural lace over the brain. The lace could both stimulate and interpret the brains electrical activity, and would eventually merge with the brain entirely, making human and AI part of the same organism.

The key isnt halting progress, or even fearing AI its learning how to merge with it successfully.

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Elon Musk Says Deep AI, Not Automation, Poses the Real Risk for Humanity - Futurism

The Cryptocurrency Market is Exploding. Here’s What You Need to Know. – Futurism

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A Major Spike

On April 1, 2017, the total market cap for all cryptocurrencies was slightly higher than $25 billion. Roughlytwo months later, the cap exceeded $100 billion. In just over 60 days, the value of cryptocurrencies surged by 300 percent. So what is going on?

The leading cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, recently made headlines by climbing dramatically in value (itscurrently sitting around $2,600USD, about 160 percent higher than its value in April). But Bitcoin hasnt been alone in this extreme growth. The cryptocurrency market as a whole has spiked in value within the last few months.

While those already invested in Bitcoin might be celebrating, this jump is clearly reason to pause for anyone considering entering the market. Historically, what goes up super-fast must come down at least when it comes to the stock market. This has prompted many to call this rise a bubble, leaving investors to wonder when it will burst.

In an interview with Bank Innovation,cryptocurrency trader Jacob Eliosoff, who runs a Bitcoin-focused investment fund, explains:

Factor number one in the general price rise is just another of cryptos periodic bubble[s]: see Nov 2013, March 2013, July 2011. Lots of coins which patently have no plausible long-term use case or value the classic example is Dogecoin, an obsolete joke have set new highs during this frenzy a bad sign.

Author, professor, and game designer Ian Bogosthas previously written about bitcoin for The Atlantic.He shared his view on the latest cryptocurrency surge in an interview with Mic, explaining how the investors themselves could cause a drop in value:

Weve seen with these sort of ups and downs, these small groups of mostly Chinese pools end up with more than 50% of the capacity. And we dont know anything about these organizations. Are they state controlled? The moment [there is too much consolidation in the mining pools], then effectively the platform is dead, at least as a currency.

Anyone looking for proof of the volatile nature of cryptocurrencies, specifically Bitcoin, got it whenMark Cuban publicly criticized the currency.After the billionaire entrepreneur claimed on Twitter that Bitcoin was in a bubble and not, in fact, a currency at all, the cryptocurrency dropped significantly in value, seemingly illustrating a fragile and unstable nature.

Whether due to historical precedent, a monopoly on investment, or simply an easily swayed investor pool, it seems pretty likely that this recent rise of cryptocurrencies will lead to some sort of drop. However, that doesnt mean cryptocurrencies dont have the potential to be a major player, if not the only player, in the future of finance.

One positive development is the increasing diversity of cryptocurrencies. While Bitcoin was long the definitive leader in the market, holding roughly 80 percent of the total market cap, others such as Ethereum are making major gains, knocking Bitcoin down to just about 50 percent. As TechCrunch writer Fitz Tepper notes, The fact that these gains have come from currencies other than Bitcoin are a good sign that this is less of a bubble and more of a resurgence of interest in crypto.

Other experts notethat while drops in value are likely, they dont signal an end to cryptocurrency by any means. As Brian Kelly, CEO and founder of global investment management firm BKCM, told CNBC, Bitcoin isin the first years of what is likely to be a multi-year bull market. Of course there will be corrections and even crashes along the way, but Bitcoin is here to stay.

Blockchain, the technology supporting these digital currencies, may be even more worthy of the investment than the cryptocurrencies themselves. I would say I think conventional wisdom now is that blockchain and the underlying technology is probably more interesting and has more potential than maybe Bitcoin does by itself, Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank President Neel Kashkari explained in aReuters report.

The link between digital currencies and this super-securedistributed database lends further support to the argument that digital currencies are a sound investment. However, only time will tell whether this current period of rapid growth will slow, plateau, drop, or continue skyward. As with any investment, the potential for reward comes with its share of risks, but right now, the future looks pretty bright for cryptocurrency.

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The Cryptocurrency Market is Exploding. Here's What You Need to Know. - Futurism

In Letter, At Least 12 States Will Sue to Block Any Rollback of Emissions Standards – Futurism

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States Take A Stand

While the White House and Scott Pruitt, head of the EPA, have indicated their plan to roll back vehicle emissions standards set by the Obama administration in 2011, the attorneys general of 12 states and Washington District of Columbia have pledged to sue the EPA if the roll back happens. The states California, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Oregon, Maine, New York, Massachusetts, and Maryland made their intentions clear in a letter to Pruitt.

Back in 2011, President Obamas administration made the deal with automakers, who agreed to work on doubling their average fuel efficiency fleet-wide until it reaches 54.5 miles per gallon by the year 2025. The parties also agreed to undergo mid-term evaluations no later than April 2018 to ensure progress was on track. Under former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, the evaluations were ahead of schedule, so the administration did not make any adjustments before President Obama left office.Click to View Full Infographic

Once President Trump took office, however, Fiat Chrysler, VW, Ford, Toyota, GM, Nissan, Honda, and Hyundai asked for a re-evaluation of the efficiency guidelines. Trump ordered the EPA to review the standards for fuel efficiency, and Pruitt is clearly onside, calling the standards costly for automakers and the American people.

The states all dispute these characterizations, as well several unusualprocedural issues the Trump administration and Pruitt have cited: Although EPA is often faulted for missing deadlines, we are unfamiliar with any occasion on which the EPA Administrator has criticized his own agency for fulfilling its regulatory obligations ahead of schedule, reads the letter. [T]here are at least three separate reports by scientists, engineers, and other experts analyzing the standards and concluding that they are feasible. The record is clear that appropriate technology exists now for automakers to achieve the current standards for model years 2022-25 at a reasonable cost.

Efforts to create vehicles that use renewable energy and run clean are just one important aspect of managing climate change an area that states as well as municipalities and private companies have taken thelead in as the federal government effectively abdicates its leadership role. Some of the largest states in the U.S., along with several major cities, have formed the United States Climate Alliance with the intent of adhering to the Paris Accord despitePresident Trumps removal of the U.S. from it. Various American cities, including Burlington, Vermont, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Chicago, and New York City have all stepped up to the plate in recent weeks wth plans to continue to their fight against climate change.This latest move by state attorneys general todefend against theEPAs backsliding is another major boost for fighting climate change at the state and local level, as these officials are recognizing the importance of their role. Any effort to roll back these affordable, achievable, and common-sense vehicle emission standards would be both irrational and irresponsible, attorney general Eric Schneiderman of New York wrote in the letter. We stand ready to vigorously and aggressively challenge President Trumps dangerous anti-environmental agenda in court as we already have successfully done.

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In Letter, At Least 12 States Will Sue to Block Any Rollback of Emissions Standards - Futurism

Expert: We’ll Find Alien Life in the Next 10 to 15 Years, but It Won’t … – Futurism

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The Search for Life

Fromhighly trained scientists toiling away at research institutesto amateur enthusiasts gazing upwardfrom their backyards, humanity boasts no shortage of people looking for life beyond Earth. Add to that the massive size of the universe estimates range in the trillions of galaxies and probability dictates that we should have already encountered another species by now.

And yet, we still have no evidence that we arent alone in the universe.

However, according to astronomy researcherChris Impey, this hunt for life beyond Earth may soon yield results. In an interview with Futurism, he revealed that he believes that we are less than two decades away from finding extraterrestrial lifebut it may not be the kind of life we were hoping for: I put my money on detecting microbial life in 10 to 15 years, but not at all detecting intelligent life.

While Impey is skeptical that intelligent life is within our sights, he does have a couple of suggestions as to where we should focus our search for extraterrestrial lifeforms, intelligent or not. The first is our own backyard, or, more accurately, our own solar system.

While Impey tells Futurismhe doesnt rule out the possibility that life still exists on Mars,he says that those lifeforms are likely below the surface and are, therefore, much harder to detect. As such, he asserts that we have a better chance of finding evidence of life that used to exist on the Red Planet: If we actually get Mars rocks back here to Earth from a place that we think could have been habitable in the past, then we might find evidence of prior life.

Other bodies in our solar system could potentially host life as well, according to Impey, including the water world Europa(one of Jupiters several moons). He thinksfuture missions targeting the satellite could yield helpfulif not entirely conclusiveresults, asserting that they should at least give us some better idea if that ocean could have life in it.

Of course, our solar system is just one very small corner of a very massive universe, so wed be remiss if we didnt look beyond it for signs of life. To narrow down the scope of our search, Impey suggests targeting the manyexo-Earths weve already uncovered. Instead of focusing on the planets surfaces, though, we should research their atmospheres.

In the next few years, well be able to use the James Web Space Telescope and other detection devices to look for biomarkers such as oxygen and methane in the atmospheres of these Earth-like planets, says Impey. This biomarker experimentcould find evidence of microbial life indirectly, he explains. The research should help us pinpoint the planets that are the closest to Earth as possible, not in distance, but in character, he adds, and since Earth is the only place we know life exists, finding the most Earth-like planets is our best bet for finding life.

Even if Impey is right, and humanity is still decades away fromfinding intelligent alien life, the discovery of microbial life on Mars, Europa, or one of the thousands of exoplanets weve identified would still be a huge development. It would mean Earth isnt unique, that something else living is out there.

We could use the knowledgewe glean from studying this microbiallife to narrow down our hunt for other, more complex organisms. By providing valuable insights into how other living beings are able to survive on worlds far different from our own, this microbial life could help in our quest to become a multi-planetary species. Even the discovery of past microbial life would be helpful, as it could serve as something of a cautionary tale, providing us with the opportunity to learn and ensure we dont meet the same fate.

As Impey notes, thanks to dramatic advances in technology, weve never been better equipped to discover life beyond Earth than we areright now: Every new SETI experiment done now is about as good as the sum of all previous SETI experiments put together.

However, even if all of the currently planned experiments and missions came up short, Impey doesnt envision humanity giving up the hunt for extraterrestrial life any time soon: The first SETI experiment was in 1959, so obviously it has been going on for over half a centurywithout any success. The people who do it dont seem put off by failure.

This interview has been slightly edited for clarity and brevity.

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NASA Unveiled a Rover Concept That Could Be the Future of Human Exploration on Mars – Futurism

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In Brief NASA has revealed a Mars rover concept designed to be driven by humans. The vehicle weighs more than two tons, runs on solar power, and features a detachable lab.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has taken one step forward in the journey to Mars: a brand new rover conceptthatsdesigned to carry people. Thats right. This new model would, in theory, transport humans across the Red Planet, ideally within a budding Martian colony.

The chunky concept rover is 3.3 meters (11 feet) tall, 8.5 meters (28 feet) long, and 4.3 meters (14 feet) wide. On its six equally chunky wheels, the rover weighs 2.7 tons. It is certainly not a flimsy vehicle, but despite its heft, it can reach speeds up to 110 km/h (68 mph) though it probably wouldnt travel faster than 24 km/h (15 mph) on Mars.

According to NASA, the rover features life-support systems, navigation and communication systems, and design and materials that relate to conditions and resources on Mars. It is designed totransport up to four astronauts at a given time, and it even comes equipped with a detachable laboratory. The vehicle runs off of solar power, carrying with it a 700-volt battery.

While this exact model might not be going into production anytime soon, parts of the concept may be used for future robotic rovers that are sent to the Red Planet.

One thing is certain, though. The fact that this concept exists shows that NASA scientists are carefully considering how humans might best move around Mars. It puts us one step closer to actually reaching the Red Planet, and though it might still seem like a far-off fantasy, as more details are considered and even small-seeming advancements are made, the closer we will get to becoming a multi-planetary species.

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NASA Unveiled a Rover Concept That Could Be the Future of Human Exploration on Mars - Futurism

Qatar’s Crisis is About Freedom of Expression – EFF

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The tiny Gulf country of Qatar is in crisis. Over the past few weeks, members of the Gulf Cooperation Council have systematically sought to isolate and suffocate the country, accusing Qatar of supporting extremism, severing diplomatic ties, and calling upon their allies to do the same.

It is not only a diplomatic crisis, but a crisis for free expression in an already restrictive region. As some analysts have pointed out, the singling out of Qatar has as much to do with the countrys alleged support of terrorism as it does with neighboring countries desire to shutter Al Jazeera, Qatars flagship media organization.

Al Jazeera, a comprehensive media outlet funded by the Qatari government with several international satellite television channels, websites, and online video operations, is not exactly a beacon of free expressionit rarely reports negatively on Qatar or other Gulf countries, for examplebut it has stood strong in its reporting on the Arab region and much of the world, covering topics that other outlets often ignore.

Although the country restricts access to some websites and outlaws criticism of its rulers, it has nevertheless set itself apart as a regional media leader. Al Araby Al Jadeed (The New Arab) and Huffington Post Arabi are just two of the online media outlets to emerge from the country in recent years.

Its Gulf neighborsnamely Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)offer a much more restrictive online environment, with each blocking numerous websites, including international media. Now, as they seek to isolate Qatar, theyre homing in on its media and using the internet as a means to an end.

It all began just a few days after President Trumps May 22 meeting with Gulf leaders in Saudi Arabia, when Qatar News Agency (QNA) published comments critical of the United States attributed to the countrys ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Al Jazeera claimed QNA's site had been hacked, but satellite channels from the UAE and Saudi Arabia reported the comments as legitimate and subsequently blocked Al Jazeeras main website on May 24.

From there, things escalated quickly: on May 25, Egypt blocked access to Al Jazeera and other Qatari-funded news sites, and took the opportunity to also block local independent site Mada Masr. Saudi Arabia and Jordanfollowed suit by revoking Al Jazeeras license and closing its offices.

And now, under the pretext of cybercrime (a favored means of repression in the region), Qatars neighbors are seeking to prosecute anyone who speaks favorably about the country. The UAE has threatened up to 15 years in prison or debilitating fines for anyone who shows sympathy to embattled Qatar, while Bahrains Ministry of Interior announced penalties of up to five years imprisonment on their website. SaudiNews tweeted that the government of Saudi Arabia would impose up to five years imprisonment for pro-Qatar speech as well, on the grounds of the countrys 2007 cybercrime law, which bans material impinging on public order. The kingdom took their restrictions a step further, banning satellite TV from hotels to prevent visitors from watching Al Jazeera. Finally, on June 8, Al Jazeera suffered a massive cyberattack.

These restrictions, as well as restrictions on travel to and from Qatar, are pushing the embattled country into isolation and threatening the economy and livelihood of Qatars residents and citizens. But they also set a dangerous precedent in an already extremely restrictive environment for freedom of expression: the use of economic and travel sanctions to shut down a powerful media outlet and further, punish anyone who speaks out against that act.

As a media leader in the region, Qatar has an important role of providing news coverage to citizens in the Gulf and beyond. And while press freedom still has a long way to go in Qatar, further suppression of human rights by members of the GCC is not the answer. EFF condemns the Council's attempts to sever diplomatic ties with the country and silence Qatari media outlets, like Al Jazeera, under the guise of combating terrorism. Supporting Qatar's media environment, and helping it become more free, is an imperative.

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Qatar's Crisis is About Freedom of Expression - EFF

Mutual trust will help ensure freedom in the Pacific – Los Angeles Times

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I am an immigrant to the United States born in South Korea. My parents fled the North to escape communism. I understand the important relationship that exists between the United States and Korea. It is a history that is forged in blood and sacrifice.

During the Korean War, about 140,000 South Koreans and more than 35,000 Americans gave their lives to stop the spread of communism and bring freedom to all Koreans.

After the war, the United States continued to aid Korea with financial and military assistance that helped with Koreas post-war recovery. The U.S. continues to support Korea to this day. Nearly 30,000 Americans are stationed in South Korea, risking their lives every day to defend freedom on the peninsula.

North Koreas unstable communist dictator, Kim Jong-un, continues to test ballistic missiles, increasing the threat to the Republic of Korea and freedom in the Pacific.

Of course the previous American presidential administrations laissez-faire attitude toward North Koreas belligerence are in part to blame for making us more vulnerable to its increasing threats.

The constant threat of North Korea, not only to the U.S. national security but to our allies in the Pacific, is becoming more concerning. North Korea poses a physical threat to our allies, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

Dealing with an unhinged oppressive leader is not something unfamiliar to the United States. However, the previous administrations diminishing of the number of troops and military funding, increasingly aggressive actions and changes in leadership there are cause to be anxious. The scandal and impeachment of President Park Geun-hye and recent election of President Moon Jae-in in the South have created an even greater concern with the instability of the region. The change in leadership in the South and the reckless aggression in the North is a dangerous combination for our regional allies.

Therefore, it is now more important than ever to ensure our alliances in the area continue to be strong. We cant afford to allow either Japan or the Republic of Korea to be threatened by such unpredictable power in the region.

The United States is resolved to remain loyal to its longtime allies. It is even more important for Koreans to understand what is on the table and to trust the United States. We understand the importance and the great mutual advantages of our alliance.

Ranked as the 11th largest economy in the world, the Republic of Korea has continued to grow as a global power. Once a recipient of U.S. aid, in 2010 the Republic of Korea became a member of the Development Assistance Committee and officially moved from an aid recipient to a donor; managing to become an official democracy and global power in only a few short decades.

Now is not the time to create greater turmoil with South Korea, which is still unstable from its latest election. However, it is important the new leaders understand the people of the United States will not be patient and complacent when it comes to matters of security. If forced, the United States could be put in the position to take preemptive action against the North.

Both Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Vice President Mike Pence have shared after their visits to Korea the continual use and testing of ballistic missiles by the North is unacceptable, and the new leadership in the South should understand the United States wants to see immediate change concerning the North.

As Pence stated during his trip to the Demilitarized Zone, the alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States is ironclad. Our loyalties will always remain with our allies in the Pacific. In return, it is their loyalty we will need in order to ensure our mutual protection, safety and continued freedom.

Surfside resident MICHELLE STEEL serves on the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

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Mutual trust will help ensure freedom in the Pacific - Los Angeles Times

Let’s talk about parks: The extraordinary nature knowledge of freedom seekers – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Let's talk about parks: The extraordinary nature knowledge of freedom seekers
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
This proved essential for survival and was a key element of the journey from slavery to freedom. During the antebellum period of the 19th century, Pittsburgh and other northern cities became destinations of freedom, and many freedom seekers passed ...

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Let's talk about parks: The extraordinary nature knowledge of freedom seekers - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

VP leads Freedom Day rites – Inquirer.net

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VP Leni Robredo leads the flag raising ceremony and wreath laying during the 119th Independence day celebration held at Rizal Park in Manila. also in photo from left: Executive Sec Salvador Medialdea and DFA Sec Alan Peter Cayetano. INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

Tired and not feeling well, President Duterte skipped his first Independence Day rites at Rizal Park in Manila on Monday.

In his stead, Vice President Leni Robredo led the flag-raising and wreath-laying at the monument of national hero Jose Rizal.

Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said the President was not feeling well after visiting on Sunday afternoon soldiers wounded in the fighting in Marawi City and then condoling later in the evening with the families of the slain Marines.

You know that the President has been working 24/7meeting the troops, meeting the commandersand then late last night visiting the wounded and those who died, Cayetano told reporters at Rizal Park. Its nothing to worry about its just that hes not feeling well, tired and lacking in sleep.

I dont have the full details but I received the call around 5:30 this morning and I talked to his people and inquired and was told that theres no problem. Hes OK but tired and doesnt feel that well. Its better to rest, he said.

Mr. Duterte went to Villamor Air Base after arriving in Manila from Mindanao to condole with the families of eight of the 13 Marines who were slain in Marawi on Friday. He then went to the Philippine Marines headquarters in Fort Bonifacio to visit the wake of two other Marines killed in Marawi.

Palace event canceled

Last week, Malacaang canceled the traditional Independence Day vin dhonneur reception at the Palace so that Mr. Duterte could attend to pressing matters in Mindanao.

He doesnt feel giving a toast while soldiers are dying and evacuees are in provinces surrounding Marawi, Cayetano said.

As you know, the target was to liberate Marawi today, June 12, but as you can see yourselves the problem is complex and there are so many developments but we hope to resolve this once and for all, he added.

The heroism of government troops who died battling terrorists in Marawi was extolled in separate celebrations in Kawit, Cavite province, where the nations independence from Spain was proclaimed 119 years ago, and at Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan province, which hosted the assembly that established the first Philippine Republic in 1899.

Modern Katipuneros

Many lives have been lost in the fighting, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said at the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit. I would like to honor our countrys modern-day Katipuneros: the soldiers and policemen, who day and night offer their lives in the name of public service to protect peace and our safety against criminality and other plagues of the society.

Lacson said that fighting for the country did not end when President Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence in 1898. He said freedom should not be a mere chapter of history but something that had to be protected for the sake of generations to come.

He told reporters he would also support a move by Cavite representatives to declare March 22, the birth date of Aguinaldo, a national holiday.

On the Barasoain Church grounds in the City of Malolos in Bulacan province, Sen. Loren Legarda led a moment of silence as a wreath was offered for the soldiers, policemen and civilians killed in the fighting with Islamist terrorists in Marawi.

Legarda said it was fitting to dedicate the Independence Day celebration to those who have invested their lives for freedom.

In his speech at Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan City, Sen. Sonny Angara called for unity in the face of the Marawi conflict.

Theres a mix of sadness in todays celebration of our Independence Day upon hearing the 11 p.m. news that 58 soldiers and policemen have died due to the clashes in Marawi City, he said, adding he hoped that the conflict in Mindanao would soon be resolved.

Seeds of revolution

The Battle of Pinaglabanan in August 1896 resulted in the great losses to Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan but it lit the fire and planted the seeds of revolution that eventually resulted in the proclamation of independence in 1898.

In the morning, the Philippine flag was raised simultaneously in San Juan City and other historical parts of the country.

Let us unite so that our prayers would reach the citizens, that amid the violence and turmoil, they will be safe and that our police and soldiers would gain the strength and courage to keep fighting for our flag, Angara said.

In Angeles City in Pampanga province, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan urged Filipinos to pray for peace in Marawi and for the eternal repose of the fallen troops.

During a dramatization of the countrys revolutionary struggles for freedom, local artists performed a skit about the clashes between government troops and terrorists in Marawi.

In her Independence Day message, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno urged the Filipino people to remember those who have fought for and continue to fight for our countrys freedom and sovereignty.

Sereno skipped the flag-raising ceremony and Independence Day rites at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City as she attended the preliminary conference of the oral arguments on the three petitions challenging President Dutertes martial law proclamation in Mindanao, according to Theodore Te, the Supreme Court spokesperson.

The judiciary pays homage to all Filipino heroes, draws inspiration from them, reflects with sorrow on the fallen in Marawi and renews its commitment to the people to defend their freedoms, Sereno said.

We celebrate the valor of our fallen heroes present and past, all of who sacrificed lives and wealth, safety and comfort, she added.

Just and humane

In his first Independence Day message as foreign secretary, Cayetano said the Philippines remained in good standing in the international community as the country faced threats of terrorism and crimes.

He insisted that the country would pursue an independent foreign policy while the Duterte administration continued the fight for freedom from poverty, crime, illegal drugs and corruption.

He also hailed the more than 10 million Filipino workers who labored overseas to provide for their families at home.

As a nation, we Filipinos on bended knees implore the aid of Almighty God to guide us to maintain a just and humane society, especially amid the threats of international terrorism and international crimes, Cayetano said, without mentioning the militarys campaign to dislodge terrorists entrenched in Marawi.

At the same time, we stand tall as Filipinos as the Philippines is a responsible and respected member of the community of nations, he said.

Last week, 32 countries from Europe expressed deep concern over extrajudicial killings related to the antidrug campaign and urged the government to allow the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Agnes Callamard, to investigate without preconditions or limitations. WITH REPORTS FROM MARICAR CINCO, MARLON RAMOS, DONA Z. PAZZIBUGAN, JODEE A. AGONCILLO, CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE, VILLAMOR VISAYA JR. AND TONETTE OREJAS

Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.

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VP leads Freedom Day rites - Inquirer.net

Japan, rights expert trade barbs over Tokyo’s record on freedom of expression – The Japan Times

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GENEVA A senior Japanese diplomat and a U.N. rights expert traded barbs Monday at the U.N. Human Rights Council over a report released in May that criticized Tokyos record on freedom of opinion and expression.

David Kaye, the U.N. special rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, cited significant worrying signals in his report, including government pressure on media and restrictions on information access justified on national security grounds.

It is regrettable that some parts of the report are written without accurate understanding of the governments explanation and its positions, Japanese Ambassador to Geneva Junichi Ihara said in his statement to the Council.

Regarding Japans broadcasting law, in which Article 4 theoretically provides the government with the basis to suspend broadcasting licenses if TV stations are not considered politically fair, Ihara said that the act does not give rise to any pressure on the media.

There were no cases in which the operation suspension order was applied by the Broadcast Act, he said.

In his statement, Kaye argued that the authority of the government to suspend broadcast licenses on grounds of fairness, even if the government has never taken advantage of that authority, presents a certain measure of risk for any broadcaster, one that the government would do well to remove.

Ihara also responded to Kayes concern about a contentious secrecy law aimed at preventing leaks and state secrets that took effect in 2014, under which civil servants or others who leak designated secrets could face up to 10 years in prison. Those who instigate leaks, including journalists, could be subject to prison terms of up to five years.

In his report, Kaye said the law involved the risk of arbitrariness because specific subcategories under which information may be designated as secret remained overly broad.

Information designed as specially designated secrets is limited under strict conditions, Ihara said, adding that information gathering activities performed by journalists are not punishable under the act.

Kayes report, presented on Monday to the Human Rights Council, is the result of the first-ever research on freedom of expression in Japan conducted by a U.N. special rapporteur.

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Japan, rights expert trade barbs over Tokyo's record on freedom of expression - The Japan Times

Intudo Ventures launches $10M fund for Indonesia’s fast-growing startup ecosystem – TechCrunch

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Indonesia is one of Southeast Asias most promising startup market. Today, its ecosystem gained a new investor with the launch of Intudo Ventures debut fund, which has more than $10 million to invest into about 12 to 16 early-stage startups, as well as joint ventures with overseas companies that want to break into the Indonesian market.

Intudo was founded by Eddy Chan and Patrick Yip (pictured above), who are working with founding advisor Timothy Chen. Collectively, the three have invested in a notable roster of companies including PayPal, SpaceX, Palantir, Netscreen, and Fortinet. Intudo (a combination of the Bahasa Indonesian words for integrity, sincerity, and serendipity) will look for companies in e-commerce, finance, healthcare, education, and media.

While Indonesias startup industry and venture capital ecosystem are still young, Chan told TechCrunch that Intudos team sees strikingly similar trends to what we observed in China in the early 2000s.

Indonesia is the worlds fourth-largest country by population, with about 260 million people, and it is also one of the fastest-growing Internet markets by penetration, with Internet users (most mobile-first) expected to jump from a current 92 million to 215 million in 2020.

Furthermore, Indonesias population is relatively young and increasingly affluent, and this gives consumer startups a lot of opportunities.

For example, Indonesian-based marketplace Tokopedia has raised about $248 million from investors including SoftBank, while Alibaba poured $1 billion into Lazada last year to gain a stronger foothold in Southeast Asia e-commerce. A few other examples of tech companies and investors paying close attention to Southeast Asiaand Indonesia in particularinclude Tencent (which recently led a $1.2 billion round in on-demand transportation startup Go-Jek), Amazon, and JD.com.

Another parallel between Indonesia and Chinas startup industries is the high-profile of founders who have worked or studied abroad. Called sea turtles in China, Chan refers to their Southeast Asian counterparts as S.E.A. Turtles and he says they will have an important influence on Indonesias tech sector by bringing knowledge and networks acquired while overseas.

Some S.E.A. Turtles returned to Indonesia specifically to launch startups, while others were recruited by the local offices of tech leaders like Google, Facebook, Amazon, Alibaba, or Tencent before leaving to found their own companies.

Either way, Intudos goal is to help promising returnees nail down the right time to have a major impact on Indonesias ecosystem. In China, Chan says, sea turtles had significant influence in the 2000s, but as the tech sector matured, their advantages became less unique.

Nowadays, with the clear establishment of best practices, talent, and infrastructure in place in China, sea turtle talent still fits a niche, but is no longer as much of a game changing factor, says Chan.

We feel the Indonesian startup industry/venture capital ecosystem is still emerging, making it ripe for S.E.A. Turtles to return to help build out best practices and infrastructure, which will allow them to capitalize the growth of the venture capital ecosystem. If they do not return in the next few years, the window may have closed and they may be left on the outside looking in.

Intudo will focus on leading seed and Series A rounds, with initial investments ranging from $200,000 to $1.25 million, and the total amount invested from the fund into a startup ranging from about $1 million to $2.5 million. (Chan says that while Silicon Valley-based startups usually raise about $1 million to $5 million for seed funding, and $5 million and $15 million for Series A rounds, in Indonesia that figure is usually divided by five because of differences in cost structure. In other words, Indonesia-based startups usually raised about $200,000 to $1 million for seed rounds, and $1 million to $3 million in Series A financing, though recently he has seen funding amounts and valuations for some startups increase dramatically by their Series B and Series C rounds, so that they are comparable to similar companies in Silicon Valley).

For joint ventures, Intudo will look at companies that have already raised their Series B or C and want to expand into Indonesia.

Chan says Intudo is very bullish on the consumer sector and the opportunity to build some world-class direct-to-consumer brands, as well as financial tech because credit card penetration in Indonesia is still very low. He adds that inefficiencies in the countrys healthcare system also creates opportunities in the health sector if the right distribution partners are found.

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Intudo Ventures launches $10M fund for Indonesia's fast-growing startup ecosystem - TechCrunch

Rhode Island Ready to Enter Autonomous Vehicle Ecosystem – Government Technology

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With the release of a request for information, the smallest state in the country is hoping to have an outsized role in the future of transportation. by News Staff / June 12, 2017

The 6/10 connector runs through Providence and its suburbs. (Rhode Island Department of Transportation)

Rhode Island is calling out for experts, academics and interest groups for connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) that could transform the states transportation ecosystem. Whether it's a private company looking to test out a fleet of autonomous shuttles or a driverless transportation network, Gov. Gina Raimondo and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) are ready to listen.

On June 7, RIDOT published an RFI (PDF) seeking advice and suggestions on how to position the state as a leader in the developing the transportation system of the future. Although the primary focus is on how to adapt and get ready for CAVs, the document also states RIDOTs interest in other innovative transport system technologies such as on-demand ride-sharing services, and high-speed intercity and inter-suburb transporter technology.

Regional states have already begun working in this space. Boston is working on an autonmous vehicle strategy in partnership with the World Economic Forum and released their Go Boston 2030 transportation plan. New York is taking applications for autonomous vehicle testing in the state and was chosen by the U.S. DOT as a test site for connected vehicle technologies. Pennsylvania has entered into a multi-state coalition with Ohio and Michigan to explore the future of inter-state transportation.

"By embracing innovation in transportation, we are positioning Rhode Island to be a leader and we will create jobs, said Gov. Raimondo in a release. By launching this process, we will be prepared to make best use of new and emerging technologies."

The RFI is broken down into six primary questions:

The state is interested in seeing who will come to the state with proposals and what the future of transportation in the state will look like. Respondents are encouraged to conceptually propose how you envision a proof-of-concept or pilot CAV or on-demand ride sharing service deployment. Five locations are listed as potential locations, which include smart transportation corridors, business parks and university campuses.

"This is a time of rapid innovation in the automotive sector, as products adapt to develop and incorporate new technology, and meet changing consumer demand," RIDOT's Chief Operating Officer Shoshana Lew said. "There is an opportunity to help integrate that conversation with infrastructure planning and execution. Rhode Island can be a place where we help bring those threads together.

Submissions are due to the Department of Administration by July 12, in both hardcopy and CD-ROM.

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Rhode Island Ready to Enter Autonomous Vehicle Ecosystem - Government Technology

Lost ecosystem turns up in seafloor mud – Futurity: Research News

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Paleontologists investigating the sea bed off the coast of southern California have discovered a lost ecosystem that for thousands of years had nurtured communities of scallops and shelled marine organisms called brachiopods.

These brachiopods and scallops had thrived along a section of coast stretching approximately 250 miles from San Diego to Santa Barbara for at least 4,000 years. But they had died off by the early 20th century, replaced by the mud-dwellling burrowing clams that inhabit this seabed today.

Evidence indicates that the brachiopod and scallop die-off occurred in less than a century. Because this community disappeared before biologists started sampling the seafloor, its existence was unknown and unsuspected. Only dead shells remain.

This loss unfolded during the 19th century, thus well before urbanization and climate warming, says Susan Kidwell, professor in geophysical sciences at the University of Chicago. The disappearance of these abundant filter-feeding animals coincided with the rise of lifestock and cultivation in coastal lands, which increased silt deposition on the continental shelf, far beyond the lake and nearshore settings where we would expect this stress to have an impact.

Continental shelves, the submerged shoulders of the continents, are a worldwide phenomenon. They form a distinct environment separated by a steep slope from the much deeper and vaster expanse of ocean floor beyond, and provide key habitats for biodiversity and fisheries.

The seabed off southern California is one of the most thoroughly studied in the world, but in applying geologic methods to modern biological samples of the sea floor, Kidwell and coauthor Adam Tomaovch of the Slovak Academy of Sciences encountered unsuspected results. Today that seabed consists of soft sediments, where creatures such as segmented worms, crustaceans, molluscs, crabs, and urchins feed on organic matter.

This is a fundamentally different ecosystem than the one that preceded it not so long ago, says Tomaovch, who heads the department of paleoecology and organismal evolution at the Slovak Academy.

The methods applied here provide crucial information on ecosystem response to natural and human pressures over otherwise inaccessible timescales, he says.

Kidwell and her associates work in conservation paleobiology has shown that misfits between live populations and the shells they leave behind on modern sea floors do not signal poor preservation. The differences instead indicate a recent ecological shiftone usually driven by human activities such as pollution or sea-floor dredging.

Tomaovch and Kidwell based their new study on the analysis of samples and data collected from multiple sources. They have conducted their own research on the sea floor off southern California, but theyve also benefited from samples and monitoring data that other scientists have collected from the area since 1954.

Brachiopods and scallops, which prefer cold waters and a gravelly environment, range from the US-Mexico border to the Gulf of Alaska. Tomaovch and Kidwell eliminated climate warming as a likely culprit in their ecosystem collapse, given that large populations of brachiopods persist near Catalina Island, where water temperatures are similar to those of southern Californias mainland coastal waters.

The paleontologists instead pointed to the dramatic changes that southern Californias watersheds have undergone since 1769, after Spanish missionaries introduced cattle, horses, and sheep to the area.

The researchers established the age of the brachiopods using a molecular dating technique called amino acid racemization. All of the 190 shells analyzed were more than 100 years old, and most were older than 200 years, indicating that the start of the population die-off coincided with the rise of livestock and cultivation on the nearby mainland.

Brachiopods and scallops have low tolerance for high levels of suspended sediment, leaving them vulnerable to the side effects of a regional economy that focused on cattle production from 1769 to the 1860s. During this time, much of modern-day Los Angeles and Orange counties were subject to unmanaged, open-range grazing. The economy shifted to agriculture in the late 19th century, but in the absence of soil conservation methods, the side effects on the coastal ocean would have continued unabated into the early 20th century.

The researchers conclude that siltation associated with this prolonged period of unmanaged land use probably drove the collapse of the brachiopod-scallop populations.

Extirpation was complete by the start of 21st-century urbanization, warming, bottom fishing, and scientific surveys, Tomaovch and Kidwell report.

They further conclude that siltation derived from coastal land-use practices is an under-recognized ecological factor on continental shelves around the globe.

They report their findings in Royal Society Proceedings B.

Funding came from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Science Foundation, and the Slovak Grant Agency.

Source: University of Chicago

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Lost ecosystem turns up in seafloor mud - Futurity: Research News

South Florida Startup Ecosystem Continues Pattern of Growth and Investment – Government Technology

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(TNS)-- Nearpod, an education-technology startup, keeps outgrowing its Aventura offices.

We have been doubling the company every year in people, revenue, users, all the key metrics, said Felipe Sommer. He co-founded the company with Guido Kovalskys and Emiliano Abramzon, three Argentine friends who have worked on ventures together for more than a decade. Nearpod now employs 70 people and expects to be 100-strong by the end of the year.

As you can see, he said, motioning toward the dozens of workers in the spacious, open office, we like to double.

Now the company, which develops online lessons for students and teachers, will be doubling down on South Florida. Until now, Nearpod has kept some of its top management in Silicon Valley to tap talent and stay close to its Bay Area investors. Those employees, including CEO Kovalskys, the vice president of marketing and directors of content and product, will be relocating to Miami.

Nearpod and other South Florida fast-growing startups will be celebrated as the fourth annual eMerge Americas technology conference opens Monday at the Miami Beach Convention Center. At least 13,000 people are expected to attend the two-day conference, headlined by Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple; Uri Levine, co-founder of Waze; Gustavo Cisneros, founder of Grupo Cisneros; and Marcelo Claure, founder of South Floridas Brightstar and now CEO of Sprint. eMerge will also be a show of force for the startup community: More than 125 startups will be exhibiting, while scores more will be attending.

The backdrop for the conference: a number of recent success stories in South Floridas tech community.

In a transaction that closed last month, Dania Beach-based Chewy.com was acquired by PetSmart for about $3 billion, the largest e-commerce deal ever. Chewy CEO Ryan Cohen said the 5,000-employee unit that booked $900 million in revenue in 2016 will operate as an independent subsidiary and continue to grow in South Florida.

Modernizing Medicine, the Boca Raton health-tech company founded in 2010, raised $231 million to fund its growth. Modernizing Medicine employs more than 550 people and is booking $100 million in annual revenue.

And theres the near-instant global technology player in cybersecurity company Cyxtera Technologies, headed by Manny Medina, who also founded Terremark Worldwide, Medina Capital and eMerge Americas. The result of a $2.8 billion transaction that closed last month, Cyxtera combines 57 data centers and four cybersecurity and data analytics companies from Medina Capitals portfolio, and employs 1,000 people worldwide about 100 in South Florida.

With the major successes were seeing like Modernizing Medicine, Chewy.com and Cyxtera not to mention the massive potential impact of [augmented-reality technology company] Magic Leap we are poised to have a number of very large, global technology companies based in this ecosystem, said Xavier Gonzalez, CEO of eMerge Americas. These companies and many others will continue to grow, innovate and attract talent from all over the world. That talent will develop new companies and bring even more interest from investors.

The cycle, he said, points to increasing maturation of Miamis technology sector.

Matt Haggman agrees. He is the Miami program director of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which leads the local movement to develop South Florida into a hub for technology and innovation. Increasingly, what we are seeing is an evolution from what could be to what is now, and that is super exciting, he said. If you go online right now for jobs in tech, there are hundreds of jobs.

The Knight Foundation has funded organizations and projects to develop an ecosystem since 2012, including Endeavor Miami, Miami Dade Colleges Idea Center, Startupbootcamp, The LAB Miami and LaunchCode. It has committed more than $25 million in more than 200 projects in the Miami area, including recently $1.2 million to the Miami Urban Future Initiative, a joint project of Florida International University and the Creative Class Group for economic research on entrepreneurship and technology in South Florida. It also recently announced $1.2 million in new support for Code Fevers signature event Blacktech Week, planned for September, and related programs that aim to expand opportunities for entrepreneurs of color.

The foundation plans to continue investing in infrastructure projects and organizations that help support and accelerate the growth of an entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Were just getting started, Haggman said. If this is a nine-inning game, we are at the bottom of the first or the top of the second. The important thing to understand is that it can happen.

Recent studies shed light on the challenges of that long game ahead. South Florida is a startup and small-business factory, sprouting more new businesses every year than any other large U.S. metro area. But growing large companies has always been a challenge for the Miami area as well as for the state.

Last year, the Miami metro area ranked 39th among the 40 largest metro areas for growth entrepreneurship. Bloombergs 2016 U.S. State Innovation Index ranked Florida 34th. The Milken Institutes State Technology and Science Index for 2016 put Florida in 41st place four places lower than in 2014. Among the components of the Milken index, the state ranked the lowest, 46th, for science and technology workforce. Other indicators show the state and South Florida lagging in patent activity and venture capital. (See related data on tech and startups here.)

If you look at startup activity in Miami its new venture creation it is incredibly high. When we look at growth entrepreneurship, its pretty low, said Arnobio Morelix, senior research analyst at the Kauffman Foundation and one of the authors of recent reports on startup activity and growth entrepreneurship.

Another key challenge: Miami-Dades technology sector is dwarfed by the service economy and its low-paying jobs. Still, by number of employees, tech is growing faster than aviation, banking/finance, creative design, tourism, healthcare and trade/logistics all industries targeted for growth by the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the countys public-private economic development agency.

The tech sector is growing faster than the overall economy, said Jaap Donath, the Beacon Councils senior vice president of research and strategic planning. What we are starting to see is growth subsets linked to existing sectors, such as fintech, health IT, trade/logistics and tourism.

By number of employees, the technology sector has grown 27.6 percent from 2012 through 2016 to 10,413 employees in Miami-Dade, according to Beacon Council data. The number of tech companies, 1,654, is up 10.9 percent, and the average salary is $95,087, up 16.8 percent the second-highest after banking/finance.

In Broward County, where technology is a much larger sector with the likes of Magic Leap, MDLIVE, Chewy and JetSmarter, 3,742 technology companies employ 44,431, and the average salary is $94,273. Thats up 19.2 percent from 2012, when the industry employed 37,266, according to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance.

The last five years have seen an enhancement of our tech ecosystem. For us, it is very exciting to see that growth, especially looking at potential scalability, Donath said. Weve seen that with CareCloud that was a local startup, and now [the health-tech company] is a mainstay of the Miami economy with hundreds of employees. Albert [Santalo, founder of CareCloud,] made a conscious choice to build and grow the company in Miami.

This goes for companies focused on the Latin American market, too. Were seeing companies that come out of Latin America but find what they need in Miami to sell their products back into Latin America a good example being Yellow Pepper, the fintech company, said Donath. Based in Wynwood with a team of 61, Yellow Pepper is a pioneer and leading player in mobile payments and banking solutions in Latin America and has been recently valued by the Inter-American Development Bank at more than $100 million.

Community leaders point to progress on other fronts as well.

In the past year, new incubators and accelerators such as Startup FIU, Startupbootcamp and Babson WIN Lab have graduated their first cohorts, joining pioneer Venture Hive. Global fund 500 Startups has run a growth accelerator, conference and other events here; it is now planning to establish a permanent presence in Miami. An international venture-builder, with Silicon Valley veterans at the helm, will be launched in Miami and announced during eMerge Americas. Organizations such as LaunchCode and coding bootcamps train tech developers and designers and help match them with job openings.

Although the region still lags badly in venture capital investment, several new funds have been announced in the past year, including Rokk3r Fuel and Las Olas Venture Capital. Local companies are attracting investment from beyond the region. They include JetSmarter, which raised $105 million in December, and Modernizing Medicine, which last month announced an investment of $231 million. Other firms including Boatsetter, MealPal, Nearpod, Nymbus, Altor Bioscience and F1 Oncology have each raised well north of $10 million in the last six months.

Wynwoods Rokk3r Labs is announcing Monday the launch of 10xU, a global educational platform focused on teaching entrepreneurs to identify and assess opportunities for fast-growing, world-changing companies, as well as the nuts and bolts of team building, raising capital, scaling and exiting. Its content and programming will also be targeted at corporations whose models will likely face disruption.

10xU will become a portfolio company of Rokk3r Labs, a company builder that has worked with more than 40 startups. In March, Rokk3r announced that it launched an investment fund, Rokk3r Fuel. It aims to raise a $150 million fund its not there yet and already has invested in startups AdMobilize, Hyp3r, Taxfyle and Emerge.me. Over the next few weeks, the fund plans to announce more capital deployments, locally and globally. A second set of investments is planned in the fourth quarter, said Nabyl Charania, CEO of Rokk3r Labs.

The growth of an ecosystem is not an overnight thing. If we wait for someone else to come in and do things for us, we will just continue to wait, he said. Thats why we proceeded with Rokk3r Fuel and 10xU and will continue to co-build companies, because we believe that is the best way to help an ecosystem providing all the right tools to build world-changing companies.

Some local serial entrepreneurs are already beginning to sprout new ventures and invest in others. After the $2 billion sale of Terremark, Medina started eMerge, Medina Capital and now Cyxtera. The $1.65 billion sale of Mako Surgical made way for co-founder Rony Abovitz to start Magic Leap, while former Mako CEO Maurice Ferr is involved with several health-tech ventures, including running the Israel-based Insightec from Miami.

Adam Boalt sold his first company, RushMyPassport.com, in 2013. Last September, Boalt sold his second tech company, LiveAnswer.com, to Stericycle, a publicly traded Fortune 1000 company. Now he is building again.

govWorks will be launching in January 2018 and will change the way the public interfaces with the government, Boalt said. The platform is aimed at greatly simplifying the processes for travel visas, passports, fishing licenses and other documents by storing customer information securely. An earlier company, the original govWorks, collapsed after raising $60 million. Boalt acquired the domain name: They had a good idea that was ahead of their time, and they had challenges executing. I know the time is right now, and we have the team that can pull it off.

govWorks has a team of 32 in Miami, 80 percent of them engineers. Boalt expects to add 20 more software engineers and product designers later this year.

Ive had opportunities to be in New York and the West Coast, but this is my home, Boalt said. I feel like people have doubts about Miami. I hate that. I feel like I can make a difference here.

Other entrepreneurs have been urged to move elsewhere sometimes by their own investors. Abovitz may be the most famous of these South Florida bulls, choosing Plantation as the base for his cutting-edge, mixed-reality technology startup, valued at an eye-popping $4.5 billion with a whos who list of Silicon Valley and global investors, even though its initial product has yet to be released. Now Magic Leap is rumored to be raising another round of funding at a $6 billion to $8 billion valuation.

In Aventura, meanwhile, above a Bank of America office, Nearpods bright and open offices hum with employees at work on laptops or on the phone with customers. Two years ago, the company moved into 3,000 square feet; now Nearpod has filled 9,000 square feet, and it could already use more space.

As the co-founders demo the companys virtual reality lessons, Abramzon explains that students virtually visit sites of history or culture like the Eiffel Tower, the Egyptian Pyramids and Checkpoint Charlie to learn about the Cold War or even concentration camps. The visits are accompanied by in-app videos, quizzes and opportunities for questions and interaction with teachers. Altogether, the VR lessons, which Nearpod began offering last year, have drawn more than 6 million views.

Nearpod has users in one of every 10 schools nationwide, including more than 40 schools in the Miami-Dade and Broward County public school districts, Gulliver Prep, LaSalle, American Heritage and Pine Crest. About 4 million students worldwide view the content monthly. Nearpod also recently launched Nearpod for ELL at Miami-Dade public schools, which includes 500 ready-to-teach lessons designed specifically for non-native English speakers.

In March, Nearpod announced it had raised $21 million to fund its growth. We are hiring for VPs of customer success and finance and a head of content, said Abramzon. All will be based in South Florida because of its lifestyle, cost of living, diversity, growing entrepreneurial environment, strong partnerships with local schools, and support from local investors Krillion Ventures, Knight Enterprise Fund and the AGP network.

Miami is in our DNA, added Sommer. We want everyone under the same roof, and that roof is going to be in Miami.

But for all its growth, Rokk3rs Charania believes South Floridas startup ecosystem needs to develop more quickly: What we need is more people from the community supporting the ecosystem. We need corporations to step into the game. We need the government and educational institutions with a lot more impact. Were not there yet but people are starting to pull together.

Knights Haggman said its important to get the word out about the opportunities here: There is still some disconnect, whether it is job opportunities, resources or funding, because there are still fixed ideas about this place, and we are changing. We are a much different place than we were, say, five years ago.

Haggman also believes the ecosystem should connect the entire community, west of Miamis urban corridor and well north of the Broward County line, and this isnt the time to rest: This is a work in progress. This is a long game.

2017 Miami Herald Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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South Florida Startup Ecosystem Continues Pattern of Growth and Investment - Government Technology

RISE: Ready To Put Hong Kong’s Startup Ecosystem Back On The Global Map – Forbes

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RISE: Ready To Put Hong Kong's Startup Ecosystem Back On The Global Map
Forbes
One of the most efficient ways to boost the Hong Kong startup ecosystem is by hosting large scale tech and startup events. An upcoming conference, which is truly putting Hong Kong firmly on the global map, is RISE. Produced by Web Summit, RISE is the ...

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RISE: Ready To Put Hong Kong's Startup Ecosystem Back On The Global Map - Forbes

InFocus Transforms Collaboration with ConX Ecosystem – Twice

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From cloud-based video conferencing services to broad array of software and hardware endpoints, InFocus ConX enables real-time collaboration between anyone, anytime on virtually any device.

Portland, Ore. June 12, 2017 InFocus unveils its transformative ConX communication and collaboration ecosystem today, centered around the new ConX Cloud video conferencing service. ConX Cloud connects with ConX display hardware solutions ranging from Mondopad touch-enabled displays and ConX video phones to scalable ConX video conferencing walls supporting up to 96 displays, as well as ConX software and web apps for laptops, iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. The ConX system also supports H.323 and SIP industry standards, allowing businesses, schools and government agencies to connect to anyone using standards-based third-party devices.

With ConX, users can connect and collaborate with more ease and more flexibility than ever before. From small team meetings to large-scale, company-wide meetings of people and ideas, the ConX universe has everything needed to connect people and information. And unlike any other solution on the market, ConX delivers the freedom and flexibility for anyone to actively participate in a virtual meeting, no matter the device or operating system in front of them. The combination of ConX Cloud and ConX devices and software from InFocus provides an unparalleled, integrated collaboration experience, while built-in support for industry standards provides the freedom to connect with people using legacy systems and other video conferencing services both inside and outside their organization

Our intention is to propel the collaboration market to the next level of possibility and affordability. The ConX ecosystem leverages our three decades of leadership in touch-enabled display solutions and collaboration software with cloud services that allow anyone to connect on virtually any device. With ConX, InFocus provides a complete end-to-end universe of solutions meeting all of the communication and collaboration needs of businesses, schools, and public agencies, said Mark Housley, CEO of InFocus. Unlike every other hardware or software communication solution out there, were not locking you into a proprietary, limited system. Were also not going to make our customers pay for the things that should be included like support for industry standards. Our ConX Cloud service is boundless and available at prices unmatched in the industry. We think this kind of connectivity should be available and affordable for every entity, large and small. But if your business prefers other communication services or you have legacy display equipment, thats fine too. InFocus ConX works seamlessly with all of it.

ConX Cloud Video Conferencing Service The new ConX Cloud was designed and built to enable powerful, reliable video conferencing and collaboration from anywhere. Instead of presenting one-way data during a meeting, ConX Cloud provides dual-stream data and video allowing everyone to see both faces and information at the same time, providing the closest experience to an in-person meeting. With ConX endpoints from InFocus, users on the video conference can present, annotate, whiteboard, create, edit, share, save and send information in real-time. ConX Cloud supports SIP, H.323, and Skype for Business interoperability, so you can bring people and data together through a wide variety of endpoints and services on both InFocus and legacy third-party devices. Connectivity across communication platforms is essential and ConX Cloud delivers it at no extra cost.

ConX Cloud service includes support for InFocus Mondopad and a range of InFocus ConX endpoints including ConX Wall, ConX Exec, and ConX Phone, as well as audio (PSTN) dial-in, ConX mobile apps for iOS and Android, ConX apps for Windows and Mac OS, and ConX web apps. ConX Cloud also supports InFocus BrightCam technology for intelligent HD video enhancement, adaptively improving video conferencing image color and detail in a variety of ambient light conditions on selected InFocus devices.

ConX Ecosystem Hardware ConX hardware endpoints integrate advanced video and information-sharing technologies into fully configurable and scalable solutions for conference rooms, huddle rooms, and video walls.

Offering the capabilities typically provided by multiple devices in traditional conference rooms, Mondopad is an enormous touch-enabled screen that combines an HD video conferencing system, an interactive whiteboard, a 1080p or 4K screen, audio conferencing, and a powerful PC. Users can control the system, present, annotate, and whiteboard using their fingers and an intuitive, easy to use graphical user interface. Documents can be saved to the Mondopad for future access, stored to the network, or emailed to anyone directly from the device. A built-in high-quality camera and speakers facilitate enterprise-grade video conferencing, making Mondopad the standalone collaboration system that connects people, devices and information easily, seamlessly and reliably right out of the box. Mondopad is available in 57-inch and 65-inch sizes and Mondopad Ultra, with 4K resolution and an even more robust PC, is available in 70-inch and 85-inch sizes.

- ConX Wall and ConX Exec

For collaboration and conferencing with even more screen real estate, InFocus offers ConX Exec and ConX Wall. Both are video conferencing solutions that feature multi-screen configurations that can scale from two displays to 96 showing both shared data and video conferencing participants. ConX Wall and ConX Exec are ideal for those applications in which seeing the big picture means seeing a big picture. Using multiple ultra-narrow-bezel HD displays, users can customize these ConX solutions for any wall size ranging from that in an executive suite to the largest venue.

What sets ConX Wall and ConX Exec apart from a basic video wall is an integrated video conferencing multipoint control unit (MCU) server. The server enables users to instantly configure and change each input image to any number of the displays, allowing in-room participants to focus on whatever content they want at any given time, such as a data or video stream from a remote participant. This unique ability to create a user-defined layout and to have control from all kinds of devices makes ConX Wall and ConX Exec ideal for enterprise management, public services, education and training.

ConX Exec is available in pre-configured display, hardware and software solutions available in 2x2 or 3x2 configuration with 48.5-inch HD screens. ConX Wall is a fully-configurable solution that can be matched with third-party displays, accommodating up to 96 screens for enormous collaboration walls.

- ConX Phone

The ConX Phone from InFocus is a powerful desktop videophone with a 10.1-inch color HD screen, a 720p camera, and an immediately familiar user interface. The built-in wide-band speaker and high-dynamic-range microphone ensure clear hands-free conversations, or use your headset. Making an audio or video call with the ConX Phone is as easy as using a standard phone and you can import your existing contact lists and manage features from the web. ConX Phone users not only see and hear remote participants on any supported ConX device, but can also see shared presentations and whiteboards on the integrated screen.

ConX Software and Web Apps In addition to the range of ConX hardware endpoints from InFocus, users can also participate in ConX video conferencing and collaboration from their own PCs, laptops, smartphones and tablets using ConX apps. These apps support both iOS and Android mobile devices. In addition, there are ConX apps for both Windows and Mac OS computers. There is also a ConX web app that works with browsers that support WebRTC, such as Google Chrome and Firefox. With universal support and compatibility for virtually every platform, the ConX system offers more ways to connect and collaborate than any other solution on the market.

ConX Cloud Pricing ConX Cloud is both powerful and affordable, designed to make the power of collaboration available to more people and more institutions than ever before. It is the only service that is available at a single price without hidden fees. Support for standards and Skype for Business is built-in and included at no additional charge. The goal is maximum connectivity and flexibility, assuring the system is compatible with important standard protocols and future-proof for any changes that an enterprise may undertake in the future. ConX Clouds game changing price makes it possible for businesses, agencies, and schools to provide every office and employee with their own video conferencing and collaboration system.

ConX

Pricing

3-seat room

10-seat room

50-seat room

10 50-seat rooms

100 50-seat rooms

Promotions

Free 1-yr trial

$4.99 promotional price (valid for 1 year with contract)

Monthly

$8.29/month/room

$9.99/month/room

$7.49/month/room

$5.99/month/room

Total Annual Cost

$99.00

$119.00

$899.00

$7,099.00

InFocus ConX is the ultimate way for people to connect, continued Housley. With ConX Cloud, people can video conference and collaborate in boardrooms, in huddle rooms, at their desk and on-the-go more powerfully, easily, and more affordably than ever before. Combining the aggressively priced ConX Cloud service with our uniquely expansive and complete range of ConX hardware and software solutions, people can see each other and collaborate easily, reliably and more effectively than ever before.

ConX Cloud, ConX Wall, ConX Exec, Mondopad and all other ConX hardware and software solutions are available now. To learn more, visit: http://www.infocus.com/conx. To get a free ConX Cloud trial, go to http://www.infocus.com/conx-cloud.

About InFocus Corp. InFocus makes connecting people and ideas easy, reliable and affordable. The industry leader for more than 30 years, InFocus creates innovative collaboration solutions that support visual teamwork. Its award-winning, integrated services, hardware and software products are employed and trusted by thousands of the most successful businesses, public agencies, and schools around the world. With solutions for conference rooms, huddle rooms, office desktops, control rooms, classrooms, large venues, and people on the move, there is an InFocus product and service for every application. Learn more at http://www.InFocus.com. Visit the InFocus store at http://www.InFocusDirect.com. Follow InFocus on social media at facebook.com/InFocusCorp, linkedin.com/company/InFocus or twitter.com/InFocusCorp.

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InFocus Transforms Collaboration with ConX Ecosystem - Twice