How brands reach consumers is always evolving. And at the Fast Company Grill at SXSW this past weekend, executives from Duolingo, NBCUniversal, and Creators Corp. discussed how theyre not only holding their consumerss attention, but finding ways to embed their brands into their daily lives, primarily through branded entertainment. NBCUniversal: Find Ways to Engage Fans within an ExperienceWhen John Jelley, SVP of product and user experience at Peacock and global streaming for NBCUniversal, thinks about branded entertainment, he thinks about fandoms.From Love Island to The Traitors to Saturday Night Live, NBCUniversal has a wide array of IP with deep fandoms Jelley is looking to engage in broader ways through the companys streaming service Peacock. In January, the company slowly began rolling out mini-games and short video clips within the Peacock app. And to Jelley, its been about providing casual entertainment but also leaning into the fandom these shows have attained. I think its really important as well, not just to think about people coming in the game, but how are youre going to get them to stay and feel progression. And so I think one of the things were thinking about is since we have these fandoms and people are kind of a little competitive, seeing where you rank against others in that fandom, Jelley said. If the user can feel like youre testing their knowledge and theyre themselves part of the game in a way and associated with the brand, theyre going to be much more open to playing it versus it feeling sort of somehow forced or non-organic.Duolingo: Build your Brand with your audienceEntertainment is core to language learning app Duolingos brand, said senior creative director James Kuczynski. Because the app is a gamified way to learn, everything revolves around making it fun, he said.Duolingos entertainment marketing plan focuses on creating brand partnerships that stand out and dont feel boring, he noted.For example, when Squid Games first season launched on Netflix, Duolingo saw an increase in Korean language learning by 40%. So, with the release of season two this past December, Duolingo partnered with Netflix to launch the Learn Korean or Else campaign that played off of the rather aggressive tactics Duolingos viral mascot Duo employs to get users to stick with their lessons. For us, it was really about tapping into that fandomhow can we help fans of a specific topic get the most out of what they love? said Kuczynski. And that really is the core question that we ask for every single partnership that we have. Because if were not adding value, then it just feels like another brand attaching themselves onto another IP.Last year, Duolingo also made a deal with Sony Music last year to bring recordings from popular artists to the apps music course, as well as teaming up with comic platform Webtoon for a series of digital comics featuring the apps various characterssome of whom have become almost as popular as Duo. Case in point: the apps angsty, emo teen Lily got her own sitcom Living with Lily in 2023. Weve really built our brand listening to all of our fans and followers. And I think thats something that over the course of the last several years, we just keep leaning into, Kuczynski said. Were looking for ideas that allow our fans and people on the internet to just create our brand for us. We listen to them, we lean in, and then we create content that they want to share.Creators Corp.: Know where you BelongOver the past decade, brands have learned to meet audiences where they are, said Anne-Margot Rodde, founder and CEO of game studio Creators Corp., which partners with notable figures including four-time NBA champion Steph Curry, sports and comedy creators Dude Perfect, and others to create branded video games.In the gaming space, Rodde said that young audiences gravitate towards highly social games like Roblox and Fortnitewhere creators can build whatever branded entertainment they want within the game. However, in creating this content, Rodde said that authenticity and recognizing what audiences want is key.I think the place where there still needs to be improvement is really understanding the audience and understanding what works, she said. A lot of the time you see branded experiences where the brand is everywhere. Its not something that the player necessarily wants to see in the game that they love and want to play.

In recent years, advancements in technology and a deeper understanding of biological systems have given rise to groundbreaking medical innovations. These developments are enhancing patient care and also redefining the possibilities within the medical field. From revolutionary materials to cutting-edge devices, we have curated a collection of ten of the most exciting medical innovations that are transforming healthcare.As we embrace this new era of medical innovation, the possibilities for improving patient care and outcomes are limitless. These top 10 medical innovations highlight the remarkable progress made in recent years but also offer a glimpse into a future where healthcare is more effective, personalized, and accessible to all. As research and development continue to advance, the potential for further breakthroughs in medical technology is immense, promising a brighter and healthier future for people around the world.1. INDOOManaging diabetes involves meticulous tracking of insulin doses, a task made easier by INDOOs smart insulin pen caps. These caps transform ordinary insulin pens into smart devices, recording dosage data and syncing it with health apps. This innovation simplifies diabetes management, reducing the risk of errors and enhancing patient autonomy.With interchangeable caps fitting various pen brands, INDOO offers flexibility and convenience. This advancement underscores the critical role of smart technologies in chronic disease management, ensuring that patients maintain control over their health with minimal disruption to their daily routines.2. Electric SlimeThe University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, has pioneered a material that could redefine medical and energy solutions. This electricity-producing slime, composed mainly of water, oleic acid, and amino acids, generates electricity when compressed. Its unique ability to dynamically rearrange its microscopic structures is what fuels this energy production.Such a breakthrough isnt just an academic novelty it holds transformative potential for the medical field. Imagine bandages that accelerate healing by attracting necessary healing cells to wounds or a targeted drug delivery system where medication release is structurally triggered. Beyond medicine, its application could span energy-efficient flooring solutions or innovative mobile charging systems. This slime exemplifies how convergence between biology and material science can lead to versatile and sustainable innovations.3. Origami-Inspired Medical PatchMIT engineers have introduced an origami-inspired medical patch that could significantly advance surgical procedures. This patch is designed to wrap seamlessly around internal organs, especially in hard-to-reach areas like the intestines or airways. Once applied, it morphs into a gel that adheres firmly to the tissue, aiding in healing.This patchs structure, composed of zwitterionic polymers and bio-adhesive hydrogels, ensures it stays in place until the injury heals. This innovation reduces the need for invasive procedures, offering a biodegradable solution that safely integrates into the body. The origami design improves its functionality and also highlights a creative approach to addressing complex medical challenges.4. Transcutaneous Oxygen SensorThe Transcutaneous Oxygen Sensor by ASON Co. Ltd. is set to transform personal health monitoring. This wearable device utilizes advanced luminescent gas sensing technology to measure blood oxygen levels with precision. Its integration of soft electronics ensures prolonged comfort for users.By providing real-time health insights, this sensor empowers individuals to proactively manage their well-being. As wearable technology continues to evolve, devices like the Transcutaneous Oxygen Sensor exemplify how innovation can bridge the gap between advanced diagnostics and everyday health management. It serves as a versatile tool for individuals seeking to monitor their health in real time.5. Kineon MOVE+The Kineon MOVE+ is a groundbreaking device that harnesses red light therapy to alleviate chronic pain. Unlike traditional painkillers that merely mask symptoms, MOVE+ targets the source, reducing inflammation and promoting tissue healing. This portable device can be strapped to any part of the body, offering a non-invasive and chemical-free alternative to pain management.Its ability to accelerate recovery makes it an essential tool for athletes and individuals with chronic conditions. By focusing on healing rather than temporary relief, MOVE+ represents a shift towards sustainable and health-promoting medical technologies. It has a sleek and portable design that makes it easy to carry around with you!6. WIMThe WIM Smart Heating Pad is a testament to the power of technology in enhancing personal well-being and comfort. Designed specifically to address the discomfort associated with menstrual cramps, this device offers a practical and non-invasive solution for pain relief. The heating pad is crafted from advanced biometric textiles, which not only deliver targeted heat therapy but also incorporate body sensors to tailor the experience to each users unique needs.This ensures optimal comfort and efficacy, allowing users to maintain their daily activities without being sidelined by pain. As women balance the demands of modern life, having a reliable tool like WIM that empowers them to manage menstrual discomfort naturally and discreetly is invaluable. It alleviates cramps without the reliance on medication and promotes a holistic approach to wellness, enabling women to remain active and focused, regardless of the time of the month.7. Ring PillcaseIn an era where hygiene and precision are paramount, the Ring Pillcase emerges as a simple yet ingenious solution to a common everyday problemdispensing medication. The design of the Ring Pillcase is centered around minimizing the risk of contamination and ensuring that users can manage their medication regimen with ease and confidence. Its intuitive mechanism allows for the controlled release of one or two pills at a time directly into the users palm, thereby drastically reducing the risk of pills falling out and being exposed to contaminants.The Ring Pillcase caters to the practical needs of individuals who rely on daily medications but also provides peace of mind, knowing that their health and safety are prioritized. This innovation underscores the role of thoughtful design in addressing both everyday challenges and broader public health concerns.8. Syntropics HeadsetSyntropic Medical has unveiled a groundbreaking innovation in the realm of mental health care with its light-based depression treatment device. This pioneering headset utilizes the power of targeted light pulses to stimulate the brain, offering a novel, drug-free alternative for treating depression. By focusing on enhancing neuroplasticitythe brains ability to reorganize and form new neural connectionsthis device addresses the underlying causes of depression rather than merely alleviating symptoms.This approach is especially promising for individuals who have not responded well to traditional pharmaceutical treatments or who wish to avoid the often debilitating side effects of antidepressants. The non-invasive nature of the device makes it an attractive option for long-term use, providing a safer and more tolerable solution for managing mental health.9. DiagNozeIn the quest for more accessible and efficient healthcare solutions, DiagNoze stands out with its groundbreaking approach to disease detection through breath analysis. Utilizing cutting-edge sensor technology developed with insights from NASA, this device is capable of identifying volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled air. These VOCs serve as biomarkers for various medical conditions, including tuberculosis, allowing DiagNoze to provide accurate real-time diagnostics.With its portable design, the device can be used almost anywhere, making it a game-changer for regions with limited access to traditional healthcare facilities. The integration of next-generation machine intelligence ensures that diagnostics are not only rapid but also reliable, bridging critical gaps in healthcare accessibility.10. S1Shanmu, a leading micro-medical robot company based in Shenzhen, has developed the S1a compact device thats nothing short of a high-tech marvel in personal health diagnostics. At first glance, the S1 may appear unassuming, but it houses a digital microfluidic chipset coupled with artificial intelligence, making it a powerful tool capable of revolutionizing at-home health monitoring.By analyzing just one microliter of urine, the S1 can provide accurate insights into ten crucial health indicators within minutes, effectively acting as a personal laboratory technician. Its user-friendly design, complete with an IPX7 waterproof rating and medical-grade anti-fouling features, ensures that it remains both durable and hygienic for regular use.The post Top 10 Groundbreaking Medical Technologies That Are The Innovative Health Solutions We Need first appeared on Yanko Design.

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In case you haven't checked outArchinect's Pinterestboards in a while, we have compiled ten recently pinned images from outstanding projects on various ArchinectFirmandPeopleprofiles.Today's top images (in no particular order) are from the boardArchitect Sure!.Tip:use the handyFOLLOW featureto easily keep up-to-date with all your favorite Archinect profiles.Villa Sidoniusin Prague, Czech Republic byStempel & Tesar architekti; Photo:Filip lapal A table elevated in the landscape inLogroo, Spain byGonzlez Serrano Studio+ and J-AF Architecture; Photo: Josema CutillasFlying Carpet inQingdao, China byGN Architects; Photo:Zhangyong Karlheinz Hora Hof inVienna, Austria byquerkraft; Photo:Hertha Hurnaus House Noir inMalibu, CA byLorcan O'Herlihy Architects [LOHA]; Photo:Paul Vu Potash Tower inAhmedabad, India byINI Design Studio; Photo:Vinay Panjwani Whidbey Farm inFreeland, WA bymwworks architecture + design; Photo:Kevin ScottOur Lady of...

Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle,the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional-grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage & protect Apple devices at work. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost.Request your EXTENDED TRIALtoday and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple.One of the things that Apple got right with the foundation of macOS (then OS X) was the ability to operate the computer as a limited user. Running as a Standard user is one of the best ways to level up your macOS security, especially in the enterprise. The Mac team at SAP recently released Privileges 2.1, which has some great features to help IT teams allow their users to gain admin privileges when needed. About Apple @ Work:Bradley Chambers managed an enterprise IT network from 2009 to 2021. Through his experience deploying and managing firewalls, switches, a mobile device management system, enterprise grade Wi-Fi, 1000s of Macs, and 1000s of iPads, Bradley will highlight ways in which Apple IT managers deploy Apple devices, build networks to support them, train users, stories from the trenches of IT management, and ways Apple could improve its products for IT departments.Whats new in Privileges 2.1?With this 2.1 update,Privilegesnow includes a menu bar status item for users who prefer not to keep the app in the Dock (its me). Admin privileges can also be renewed without waiting for them to expireusers will receive a notification one minute before expiration but can also manually renew access at any time via the app, Dock icon, menu bar, orPrivilegesCLI. For Apple IT teams managing access policies, version 2.1 adds the ability to exclude specific macOS users from having their admin rights revoked at login through a configuration profile deployed via your device management systemOther improvements with Privilege include the option to customize the help button, which can now be hidden or configured to direct users to an internal IT support page instead of the default GitHub page. Apple IT teams can also pass custom data to the app, such as a machines serial number or hostname, through the webhook for better tracking and automation. Finally, the update includes aBulgarian localization, making it more accessible to a wider audience.Wrap upThis app might seem simple, but its amazing for leveling up macOS security across your fleet. SAPs decision to give this app away instead of charging is a huge benefit to the entire Mac Admins community (go support the Mac Admins Foundation!) Managing admin privileges on macOS is a balancing act between security and user productivity. With Privileges 2.1, Apple IT teams gain more flexibility and control over how and when users elevate their access while keeping security policies intact. For organizations trying to balance productivity with security across their Mac fleet, this update makes Privileges an even more valuable tool for managing permissions effectively.Download Privileges 2.1Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle,the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional-grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage & protect Apple devices at work. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost.Request your EXTENDED TRIALtoday and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

There's a new twist in the hunt for dark matter, the invisible substance believed to make up 85 percent of all the mass in the universe: it may actually be way lighter.In a study published in the journal Physical Review Letters, an international team of researchers propose a new form of the hypothetical substance that's lower in mass compared to other dark matter candidates, which could explain a mysterious phenomenon at the center of our Milky Way galaxy, in a region called the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ)."At the center of our galaxy sit huge clouds of positively charged hydrogen, a mystery to scientists for decades because normally the gas is neutral," said study co-lead author Shyam Balaji at King's College London in a statement about the work. "So, what is supplying enough energy to knock the negatively charged electrons out of them?""The energy signatures radiating from this part of our galaxy suggest that there is a constant, roiling source of energy doing just that," Balaji added, "and our data says it might come from a much lighter form of dark matter than current models consider."While scientists have extensive evidence that dark matter exists, determining what it is and where it resides remains one of the biggest questions in physics,with theories ranging from parallel universes to primordial black holes. But one of the original and still leading explanations for dark matter is that it comprises a type of nearly undetectable particles called Weakly Interacting Massive Particles, or WIMPs.As the moniker suggests, WIMPs don't interact strongly with other particles, including light, but are massive enough that they would clump together in the way that astronomers have observed galaxies and other cosmic structures do which dark matter, through its gravitational influence, is hypothesized to govern the shapes of from the shadows.But perhaps there's more than one form of it that's less massive than WIMPs, as the researchers suggest. The thinking goes that in the extremely dense environment of the CMZ, these lighter dark matter particles would be constantly colliding and destroying each other upon impact, and subsequently releasing energy. This is a process known as annihilation, and the energy it liberates would then ionize nearby hydrogen gas.Conversely, the researchers argue that WIMPs and other proposed dark matter particles like axions don't undergo enough annihilation to ionize hydrogen to the extent observed in the CMZ. Nor can the phenomenon be explained by cosmic rays, powerful beams of energetic particles that zip throughout the universe at nearly the speed of light."The biggest problem this model helps solve is an excess of ionization in the CMZ," Balaji told Space.com. "Cosmic rays, the usual culprits for ionizing gas, don't seem to be strong enough to explain the high levels of ionization we observe."There's still a lot of work to be done before the idea gains more steam. But if the theory holds true, Balaji says, we'd have an "entirely new way" to study dark matter rather than just its gravitational influence; now, we could observe the ionization it causes in gases."Dark matter remains one of the biggest mysteries in physics, and this work shows that we may have been overlooking its subtle chemical effects on the cosmos," Balaji toldSpace.com.Share This Article

Donald Trump's administration appears to be cracking down on the production of amyl nitrite, a popular grey-market inhalant better known as "poppers" that induces a brief headrush and can be used as an anal sex aid and it's probably because his health czar, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., thinks they cause AIDS.In a March 13 statement that was subsequently circulated on social media, the poppers brand Double Scorpio announced that it "has stopped all operations following a search and seizure at our offices" by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is partof the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that RFK Jr. now runs."We dont have a lot of information to share," the statement said, "but we believe that the FDA has performed similar actions towards other companies recently."Indeed, asFast Company reports, two other merchants of the popular grey-legal substance, whose names were not disclosed so they could speak freely, said that other popper producers have been impacted by the apparent raids.Thus far, neither the FDA nor its parent agencyhas issued any public confirmation about the alleged crackdown. In a statement to Futurism, an FDA spokesperson said that "as a matter of policy, the FDA does not comment on possible criminal investigations" a cryptic message, because it's unclear what Double Scorpio or any other company would have done that's broken any laws.Despite that non-confirmation, we don't need any new statements to know Kennedy's stance on poppers because he has repeatedly insisted, falsely and moronically, that the drug and not the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).As journalist Justin Ling pointed out back in 2023, the brain-wormed political scion has echoed molecular biologist-cum-conspiracy theorist Peter Duesberg, who believes, as RFK Jr. wrote in his book "The Real Anthony Fauci," that "heavy recreational drug use in gay men and drug addicts was the real cause of immune deficiency among the first generation of AIDS sufferers.""The initial signals of AIDS, Kaposis sarcoma and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), were both strongly linked to amyl nitrite 'poppers' a popular drug among promiscuous gays," he wrote. "Other common 'wasting' symptoms were all associated with heavy drug use and lifestyle stressors."In the years since publishing the book that arguably paved the path for his ascension to the head of HHS, Kennedy has repeated that nonsensical assertion about AIDS. As the queer news site Them previously reported, RFK Jr. lied to supporters of his failed presidential bid when claiming during a 2023 campaign event that "100 percent of the people who died the first thousand who had AIDS were people who were addicted to poppers."Along with throwing queer and trans communities under the bus after the US government left them to die of HIV and AIDS, RFK's spin on the poppers myth also blasts drug users a group he used to very much used be a part of, and has since demonized to the point that he's suggested that people on legal stimulants should be sent to work camps to detox from them.It's worth noting that despite the murky regulatory grey area in which poppers are produced, they are legal and making or selling them over the counter under the guise of "VHS cleaner" or "nail polish remover" is no sketchier than selling raw milk or ivermectin using animal loopholes.In this administration, however, legality is beside the point and loopholes are only for fellow travelers and the queers and their allies who sniff poppers in the club or in their bedrooms are certainly not that.More on our new HHS head: RFK Jr. Suggests That Everyone Just Catch MeaslesShare This Article