As the search for life on Mars continues, new findings suggest structures once previously thought to be fossils, could instead, be mineral deposits from the Red Planet. If this proves to be true it could save a great deal of time and money in regard to future Mars missions. 

This recent study, led by astrobiologist Sean McMahon from the University of Edinburgh, shows that those tiny little tubes and filaments that look like they could be from the remains of some creature, could, in fact, be structures made up of iron-rich minerals. If this is the case it would enable scientists to better distinguish between non-biological structures and fossils during the Mars missions. At the moment Dr. McMahon is in the process of developing such a technique.

Part of his research involved creating minuscule formations that mimic both the shape and chemical make-up of those iron-rich structures quite often found in old rocks on Earth. The way he did that was by mixing the iron-rich particles with silicate or carbonate-based alkaline liquids in a process known as chemical gardening. 

Findings from the study suggest that there is not enough sufficient evidence from the structure alone to confirm if the tiny life-like structures are fossils. Further research will need to be carried out to explain exactly how they were formed. “Chemical reactions like these have been studied for hundreds of years but they had not previously been shown to mimic these tiny iron-rich structures inside rocks,” said Dr. Sean McMahon. “These results call for a re-examination of many ancient real-world examples to see if they are more likely to be fossils or non-biological mineral deposits.”

This year we’ve seen a major shift in the tech industry. Despite becoming more mainstream and inviting conversation around different aspects of the industry tech companies are under a lot of scrutiny from government officials and are looking for ways to adapt and expand to the majority of different fields without inviting even more challenges.

This year we saw a rise in fintech and the expenditure on technology in almost all industries. BigTech was a huge part of making this a more mainstream topic and making it accessible for the larger audiences to use and to take an interest in.

The rising importance of Tech

What has stood out this year though is the plethora of challenges that BigTech still faces even though most of the major players and lawmakers can agree that the benefits that these companies have brought to the modern customer can hardly be matcher with anything. Technology has slowly moved away from being its own secluded industry into now being an essential part of every service.

But the biggest challenge that these technologies still face is that they are restricted while the government officials do nothing to make the collaboration between the more realistic.

The digital presence is now essential to any business that wants to survive and achieve tangible success. Throughout embracing these technologies some brands and businesses managed to expand way past their scope in real life and have tapped into the audience that would have otherwise been inaccessible to them.

One of the clearest examples of this tendency would be online casinos. Different slots and user-friendly games have taken the gambling industry to another level. And this shift has been worldwide. You can access one of the online casino in Canada, which has more or less common regulations regarding gambling, or in Norway which has a unique approach to these topics. But the service is there and it is accessible for everyone, which is why digital presence is so important to all types of services.

The main challenges in the industry

Many people are already against these Big Tech companies because of the popular narrative about them abusing power and neglecting customer data safety. And while it would be wrong to generalize this to all tech companies, this narrative isn’t completely off base. A big reason why tech companies are facing many challenges is that throughout the years there have been far too many cases of companies like Facebook or Google using customer data beyond what’s disclosed on their terms and conditions but since their impact and power is so big they don’t really ever suffer from the consequences.

The CEOs might attend a hearing or answer questions publicly but there is still a lot that we don’t know about the way these big companies handle customer information. And the friendly relationship between the two is unlikely simply because of the regulations and the possibilities that we have there.

Despite the numerous controversies the shares keep going up. Just this year Apple stock went up 69% and set a high-water mark last week. Alphabet, Google’s parent company went up 28.5% setting its own record. These companies continue to thrive and grow despite all the investigations and accusations, which is why they rub the government officials the wrong way. It seems like these companies can do no wrong and hence the authorities are using a restricted hand when dealing with these companies.

But since the consumer input has become more important on both ends of the spectrum, it is likely that the authorities will have to loosen their grip. These companies have proven time and time again that they are more resilient and can bounce back even in cases of a major stock crash.

The most successful collaborations with the recent surge of fintech have been those between big tech companies and the well established, traditional financial institutions. It is evident the importance of technology will continue to grow at a fast rate and it is up to this traditional institution whether or not they want to become a part of this major shift of getting left behind.

Embracing technology has let many people finally have access to the services they have never experienced before and it has made a lot easier to make transactions safe and efficient. But this potential can only be explored fully with the encouragement from authorities and the government bodies. Their request for disclosing operating systems and complying with regulations is completely reasonable.

But these regulations are not necessarily fit for communicating with BigTech and often don’t consider the specifications of the industry. While tech firms have proven that they can thrive on their own as well, with the rise of fintech it is becoming increasingly important the traditional financial institution that does have the necessary licensing for conducting certain transactions and offering financial services it is becoming crucial that the two find a way to collaborate successfully.

For that to happen big transformations are necessary on both ends. Judging from the previous experiences both parties are motivated to stand their ground strongly, but if both reevaluate the possibilities they could tp into if they chose to collaborate, they will surely find a way to start these discussions.

Photo by Alex Kotliarskyi

Replacing vanadium oxides supported on titanium oxide with bulk vanadium oxide enables the removal of NOx (nitrogen oxide) gas from industrial exhausts at a much lower temperature and higher efficiency. And now, a team of scientists from Tokyo Metropolitan University has used that knowledge to develop a catalyst in which to do this.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are very common pollutants found in the air which are created by burning coal, gas, and other fossil fuels. They are a big contributor to both smog and acid rain which is the main reason why the removal of them from vehicle and factory emissions is so important. 

One way in which to remove nitrogen oxide is through the use of ammonia in a process called selective catalytic reduction (SCR). In this process the NOx is reduced to nitrogen and water, rendering it harmless. Usually, these catalysts require a high temperature in which to work, often between 200 to 400 degrees Celsius. The problem with this is that not only is there a higher chance of units becoming damaged by the high heat, but also an accumulation of ammonium sulfates. 

However, a team of researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan, led by Yusuke Inomata and Toru Murayama has developed a catalyst that will work at lower temperatures based on bulk vanadium oxides. Using a synthesized mixture of vanadium and vanadium oxides, the team found that the catalyst still worked at temperatures even lower than 100 degrees Celsius. And, what’s more, is that it converted NOx into harmless nitrogen 10 times faster than traditional catalysts.

Around 2 million Americans are affected by traumatic brain injuries each and every year. Traumatic brain injuries cause inflammation and cell death within the brain and those suffering from a head injury quite often experience lifelong memory loss, and even epilepsy. However, a group of researchers from the University of California has developed a new kind of cell therapy that gives hope to these patients.

In the study, published in Nature Communications earlier this month, the UCI team explains how it successfully transplanted embryonic progenitor cells into the brains of mice with traumatic brain injury. What the researchers discovered is the transplanted neurons moved to the injury where new connections were formed with those brain cells that were injured. 

Within just one month, they saw promising results. Not only were the mice showing signs of improved memory, but the cell transplants also stopped the mice from developing epilepsy. This was quite a significant result as more than half the mice that weren’t treated with new interneurons did develop the disease. 

While inhibitory neurons are involved in many aspects of memory, that are highly susceptible to dying after a brain injury. “While we cannot stop interneurons from dying, it was exciting to find that we can replace them and rebuild their circuits,” said Robert Hunt, Ph.D., lead author of the study and assistant professor of anatomy and neurobiology at UCI School of Medicine.  

In 2018, Hunt and his colleagues used a similar approach to restore memory in mice. However, back then the therapy was used to improve the memory of newborn mice born with a genetic disorder. But this new study was a huge leap for the researchers. “The idea to regrow neurons that die off after a brain injury is something that neuroscientists have been trying to do for a long time,” said Hunt. 

To test their observations even further, the team used a drug in which to silence the transplanted neurons. “It was exciting to see the animal’s memory problems come back after we silenced the transplanted cells because it showed that the new neurons really were the reason for the memory improvement,” said junior specialist and first author of the study, Bingyao Zhu.   

If this same treatment used in mice can be applied to humans, it could make a huge difference in the quality of life for those individuals. Next on the horizon is to create interneurons using human stem cells.

If your business isn’t using a modern POS system, you’re falling behind already. Modern POS systems have completely revolutionized the way payments are processed, and with other features like real-time inventory management, are revolutionizing the way businesses are run in general. It’s time to get updated on everything a POS can do for your business, so here are some of the key features that you’ll want to know about. 

Real-Time Inventory Management 

Inventory management has long been a struggle, even with proprietary software designed to make the process simpler. The fact is, inventory management is one of the most important aspects of an effective business. The way you manage your inventory will determine whether or not dead stock remains on the shelves, and if items are available when they’re supposed to be. Poor inventory management can lead to more than a bit of frustration among employees and customers, and end up costing your business money in the long run. 

You can leverage your POS system for more accurate inventory counts that are updated in real-time. You won’t have to worry about waiting hours for your proprietary inventory software to update, or for manual counts to be completed. Your POS will handle inventory, returns, and sales from one interface. Streamlining such services only means further efficiency for your business, and who could argue with that?

Take your inventory to the next level with a modern POS system. This feature is usually standard in just about every POS software, but be sure to check with your provider to ensure you’re getting what you need. Some inventory services will even work offline; uploading the information to cloud storage once a connection is reestablished. 

Customer Database

Building customer profiles is necessary for modern businesses and can be created within your POS software. This is especially useful for retail stores, as you’ll be able to see detailed reports of customers’ purchase history. When you know what your customers are buying, you can tailor your marketing efforts to be more customized to customer preferences, and therefore more effective at invoking action. 

Analytics Data 

One of the best tools your POS system has to offer is analytics data. Your POS system will generate reports on general revenue, item sales, and more, which you can then leverage to make better-informed decisions on promotional periods, discount offers, and staffing. Knowing when your business is busiest and how much money you’re making on a daily or monthly basis is absolutely critical to effective budget planning. 

Reflection is the most useful tool for growth, so your analytics reports are nothing less than a necessity for your business. Leveraging these means more efficient operations overall, and best of all, they’re free. You can view them within your POS interface or print them off/email them. Don’t forsake this amazing tool! You need to know exactly how much money you’re making and which products are generating the most revenue. 

Payment Processing 

Payment processing is the primary function of a POS system. Secure, fast, and simple payment processing makes for shorter lines and a more efficient checkout process and ensures customers that they can trust your business with their personal information. The way we exchange money is constantly changing, and modern POS systems are able to keep up with the trends. 

With a POS, you’ll be able to accept just about any payment method available, making your business that much more desirable to customers who only pay one way. You’ll get access to your typical methods as well, like cash and credit cards, but you’ll also be able to accept touchless payments and online payments. 

The more versatile your payment accepted payment methods are, the greater your customer reach will be. You wouldn’t want to lose a customer because you don’t accept their favorite payment method! 

Software Integration

Many POS systems are able to integrate with other software programs such as Quickbooks or your stock-ordering catalog. This makes things incredibly simple when your bookkeeping and ordering software is updated automatically on a daily basis! You won’t have to worry about spending extra time at the end of the day to keep things updated, which means less time and money spent on tedious tasks. 

POS systems can integrate with hundreds of other software programs, including calendars and even some marketing software. Unify your operations with a POS system and never have to worry about manual updates. 

The Bottom Line

A good POS system can perform a number of tasks, unifying your operations and creating a more streamlined business overall. From inventory management to payment processing and beyond, a POS system truly has become a requirement for the modern business. If you’re still skeptical about POS software, try a demo today!

Photo by Blake Wisz

One of the most important aspects of running a restaurant is keeping your data safe—your company’s and customer data. A breach of either or both can have disastrous consequences on a business. The good news is there are ways you can keep every piece of data secure.

Data breaches are generally associated with tech and finance companies, but they can and do happen in other industries as well. This includes retailers that have had customer and internal data compromised. There have been many stories in the news about retailers’ data getting breached.

One example is TJX Companies, the parent company of Marshall’s discount department store. In 2006 it was reported that a hacker stole customers’ credit card numbers when the information was sent electronically from one Marshall’s to another. However, conflicting reports stated data was breached through an in-store kiosk instead.

Either way, this proves that data breaches aren’t just a problem for financial companies. So if you own a restaurant, it pays to know how to prevent these breaches from happening to you.

There are a few steps you can take to protect your restaurant and your customers. The most obvious one is to tighten your security measures. Your firewalls should be configured so that your network isn’t fully accessible. The configurations should be set so that any POS in your restaurant is only able to access payment processing and other relevant websites.

PCI compliance is also a solution. This technology is designed to keep your customers’ credit card information safe from hackers. When your network is secure, it is easier to reassure your customers that they can trust your restaurant.

Above all, the most effective way to protect your restaurant is to use a cloud-based pos system. This is especially true if you own a chain of restaurants. Cloud-based pos means each location can stay linked, so you can safely share data among all of them.

In addition to keeping your business safe, it also makes it easier to run day-to-day operations. On each register, you will be able to access and update inventory lists instantly.

For your employees, the benefit is that they can view their schedules online, and you can change and update them the same way. It also makes it easier to run your customer loyalty program. POS software can personalize offers and coupons based on each customer’s dining habits and frequency.

Having a cloud-based POS system implemented in your restaurants is a multi-step process.

• The software and hardware must be installed first.
• Security measures must be set up within the system.
• Once the software is running securely, it is time to train your employees to use it.
• You may choose to have a professional from the software company show your staff how it works.

Keeping your data safe is the key to a successful business. It is not something that you should overlook the importance of.

Robotics is one area of technology that’s excelled phenomenally in the past decade. Not only are they being used to power machinery and drive cars, but they’re also being used to power artificial muscles. But before this technology is released into the public health domain more needs to be understood about the mechanics of it all.

And that’s exactly what a group of researchers from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) is doing as they discover some of the basic physical properties of artificial muscle fibers. 

“Thin soft filaments that can easily stretch, bend, twist or shear are capable of extreme deformations that lead to knot-like, braid-like or loop-like structures that can store or release energy easily,” said L. Mahadevan, the Lola England de Valpine Professor of Applied Mathematics, of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, and of Physics. 

In their experiments, the researchers have exploited this fact to develop prototypical artificial muscle fibers. While the mechanics of how these fibers all come together is still not entirely clear, the study does at least explain the theoretical principles underlying these transformations.

“Soft fibers are the basic unit of a muscle and could be used in everything from robotics to smart textiles that can respond to stimuli such as heat or humidity,” said Ph.D.

This recent research demonstrates the complex morphology of twisted and stretched fibers and provides guidelines as to which are the best designs to use. The researchers also discovered how different degrees of twisting and stretching result in the formation of different shapes. They found that in order for a coil to form, a good pre-stretch is essential. After demonstrating this they then modeled how these coils can be used later on in mechanical work. 

The research is essentially an experiment to see how soft filaments respond to different stretching and twisting. “Going forward, our work might also be relevant in other situations involving tangled filaments, as in hair curls, polymer dynamics and the dynamics of magnetic field lines in the sun and other stars,” said Mahadevan.        

Photo by Scott Webb