Colorectal cancer ranks as the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, impacting over a million individuals each year. Its prognosis worsens significantly if the cancer metastasizes, dropping the five-year survival rate from 70–90% to a stark 10%.

For metastatic colorectal cancer patients, treatment options primarily involve conventional therapies such as chemotherapy combined with biological agents. Despite initial efficacy, these treatments often encounter resistance over time, leading to disease progression and challenging clinical outcomes.

To address the variability in treatment response among patients, researchers at the Can Ruti Campus have been investigating potential biomarkers through collaborative efforts under the CARE and ProCURE programs. Their focus has centered on chemokines, small proteins secreted by tumor cells that influence the tumor microenvironment and immune response.

Among the chemokines studied, the CXC family, particularly CXCL13, has shown promise in predicting treatment outcomes for patients undergoing oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. High levels of CXCL13 correlate with positive responses to treatment and improved survival rates, whereas decreasing levels indicate poorer response and prognosis.

The research involved analyzing serum samples from 104 metastatic colorectal cancer patients at different stages of treatment—before initiation, during evaluation of treatment response, and at disease progression or follow-up visits. This approach offers a non-invasive method to monitor changes in biomarker levels over the course of treatment, providing insights into treatment efficacy and patient prognosis.

Dr. Eva Martínez Balibrea, leading the Resistance, Chemotherapy, and Predictive Biomarkers (RCPB) group, emphasizes the significance of CXCL13 as a potential tool for personalized medicine. She highlights its role in reducing unnecessary toxicities associated with oxaliplatin and improving overall quality of life for patients by optimizing treatment choices based on biomarker insights.

While acknowledging the preliminary nature of the study within a specific patient cohort, Dr. Martínez Balibrea remains optimistic about future research directions. She underscores the importance of continued investigation into predictive and prognostic markers, aiming to enhance treatment strategies and outcomes for metastatic colorectal cancer patients.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a cutting-edge technology renowned for its ability to explore the intricate biomechanical properties of brain cells and tissues at nanoscale resolution and with exceptional force sensitivity.

This review, led by Chwee Teck Lim from the National University of Singapore, underscores AFM’s pivotal role in neurobiological research and its burgeoning clinical applications. In experimental models, AFM has elucidated molecular, cellular, and tissue-level aspects of neurological disorders, revealing insights into ion channel distribution, neuron excitability in genetic disorders, and the resilience of axons to mechanical injury.

The clinical relevance of AFM extends to the early detection and monitoring of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS. By characterizing biomarkers in biofluids such as cerebrospinal fluid and blood, AFM shows promise in enhancing diagnostic accuracy.

Moreover, AFM’s capability to assess the stiffness of CNS tumors provides a nuanced approach for grading and guiding treatment decisions beyond conventional histopathological methods.

Despite its transformative potential, integrating AFM into clinical practice poses challenges such as sample variability and the complexity of data analysis. The review discusses innovative solutions like machine learning and neural networks, which offer avenues to surmount these hurdles, thereby facilitating AFM’s translation from research settings to routine clinical use.

The synergy of AFM with commercial nanotechnology platforms heralds a new era in personalized treatment strategies for neurological disorders. These advancements promise not only to deepen our understanding of disease mechanisms but also to refine therapeutic interventions tailored to individual patient profiles.

As AFM continues to evolve, its role in shaping the future landscape of neurology remains pivotal, offering hope for more effective management, treatment, and diagnosis of neurological conditions on a personalized basis.

The Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act (COPIED Act), a bipartisan initiative led by Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell, aims to tackle the challenges posed by AI-generated deepfakes and unauthorized content replication.

The Act proposes the implementation of watermarking technology to protect original content by allowing creators to embed unique, unalterable markers in their work. This measure is intended to enhance transparency and authenticity in online content, enabling creators to retain control over their intellectual property.

Senator Cantwell underscored the necessity of the COPIED Act during her statement to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Transportation, and Science, emphasizing its significance for artists, journalists, and musicians.

The urgency of the bill is further highlighted by recent legal issues, such as The New York Times suing OpenAI for copyright violations due to data scraping. The Act’s introduction is motivated by the need to address growing concerns over AI practices and to provide a framework for protecting intellectual property in the digital age.

The COPIED Act also reflects the broader regulatory concerns within the tech industry, with companies like Microsoft and Apple distancing themselves from OpenAI amidst privacy and data misuse issues.

Microsoft’s withdrawal from OpenAI’s board, despite a significant investment, and potential antitrust investigations by European regulators, underscores the global scrutiny faced by AI companies. These developments indicate a pressing need for comprehensive legislation like the COPIED Act to ensure ethical AI usage and protect creators’ rights.

While the US Senate is taking steps to regulate AI and protect intellectual property, China is rapidly advancing in AI adoption. A survey by SAS and Coleman Parkes Research reveals that China leads global investment in generative AI technology, with 83% of Chinese respondents using it.

This contrasts with lower adoption rates in the United Kingdom (70%) and the United States (65%), highlighting China’s significant strides in integrating AI across various industries.

The survey results indicate that globally, 54% of respondents have adopted generative AI, with extensive use in sectors such as insurance, retail, banking, telecommunications, healthcare, manufacturing, and energy.

These industries are leveraging AI to boost efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness, reflecting the technology’s growing importance in the digital landscape. The COPIED Act, therefore, is a crucial legislative response to the rapid evolution and widespread adoption of AI, aiming to balance technological advancement with ethical and legal safeguards for creators.

Apple has launched its first 2024 public betas for iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, and macOS Sequoia. These early builds offer a preview of the upcoming software updates set to officially released in the fall. Users interested in trying out these features can enroll their Apple ID in the Apple Beta Software Program to gain access.

The highlight of these updates is Apple’s new generative AI, called Apple Intelligence. This feature is integrated across all platforms, blending on-device and cloud processing, with optional ChatGPT integration. Apple Intelligence enhances Siri, provides Safari with new highlights and summaries, introduces advanced writing tools, and more.

iOS 18 offers significant customization for the Home Screen, allowing users to place apps and widgets freely and change app icon colors. The Control Center has been redesigned for easier access and greater customization. The Photos app receives its biggest update ever, and the Messages app introduces new formatting and effects.

iPadOS 18 incorporates many changes from iOS 18, including the addition of a native Calculator app with a new Math Notes feature for real-time problem-solving. The Smart Script tool in the Notes app can refine handwriting and convert recordings into searchable text. These updates enhance the functionality of the Apple Pencil and the overall note-taking experience.

macOS Sequoia introduces iPhone Mirroring for controlling an iPhone from a Mac. It also features a standalone Passwords app for managing credentials, window tiling for organizing open applications, and new video call options for customizing backgrounds. watchOS 11 brings the ability to pause Activity Rings, and adjust fitness goals, and includes a Vitals app for sleep tracking and a tool to monitor workout intensity over time.

To install the public betas, users need to register their Apple ID on the Apple Beta Software Program website. Once registered, they can navigate to Settings > General > Software Update on their devices, select the Beta Updates menu, choose the Public Beta option, and install the update.

On Monday, Elon Musk announced that Tesla’s robotaxi event, initially scheduled for August, has been postponed to October. Musk shared this update on X (formerly known as Twitter), a platform he owns, in response to a user’s inquiry.

He explained that the delay was due to his request for a significant design change to the vehicle’s front, and the additional time would also allow Tesla to showcase some other new features.

This announcement aligns with a recent Bloomberg report from July 11, which indicated that the event’s delay would provide Tesla with more time to develop additional prototypes.

The report mentioned that Tesla had communicated this delay internally, instructing the design team to rework specific elements of the car. This directive appears to be in line with Musk’s request to alter the front design of the robotaxi.

Originally, Musk had stated in early April that the Tesla Robotaxi would be revealed on August 8. This announcement coincided with a Reuters report revealing that Tesla was discontinuing plans for a $25,000 budget model, often referred to as the Model 2, to focus more on robotaxi development.

Musk responded to the Reuters report by accusing the publication of lying, though he did not specify which details he disputed.

In the weeks following these announcements, Tesla undertook significant cost-cutting measures, including reducing its workforce by over 10 percent from its more than 140,000 employees. Shortly thereafter, two senior executives were also let go as Musk emphasized the need for strict headcount and cost reduction.

Despite these efforts, Tesla reported a nearly seven percent drop in vehicle deliveries in the first half of 2024 and a nearly 15 percent decrease in production in the second quarter compared to the same period in 2023.

In 2024, brands have grown more comfortable in the gaming space, leading to longer and deeper sponsorships with creators. These partnerships are inherently integrated with creators’ content and communities, moving beyond one-off activations to more fully integrated programs.

This shift reflects brands’ recognition of the spending power of “cultural gamers” who engage with gaming through social media and digital content rather than playing games themselves.

Brands are increasingly reaching gamers outside of video games by extending the duration of their partnerships with creators. Instead of short-term campaigns with specific deliverables, brands are opting for open-ended campaigns lasting several months.

This allows creators the freedom to introduce brands to their audiences in a more natural and effective manner. Such long-term partnerships benefit both the creators and the brands by fostering a more authentic integration into the creators’ communities.

A notable example of this integrated sponsorship approach is Cody “Clix” Conrod, a YouTuber and professional Fortnite player. His partnership with apparel brand Hugo included not just social media promotions but also a sponsored trip to Berlin and a VIP fan event.

Conrod emphasizes the importance of brands committing long-term to add value to his community, reflecting a broader trend among influencers who prefer more flexible and meaningful collaborations with brands.

This sentiment is echoed by many creators, including those at Conrod’s esports organization, XSET. XSET CEO Greg Selkoe highlights the importance of allowing creators to be themselves and activate sponsorships authentically.

Brands are beginning to understand that rigid guidelines and prescriptive instructions can lead to inauthentic marketing efforts that fall flat with audiences. As a result, XSET prioritizes collaborations where creators genuinely like the brand or product.

As brands continue to deepen their presence within gaming platforms like Fortnite and Roblox, they rely on creators to promote these experiences and drive traffic. Long-term collaborations allow for ongoing feedback and improvements, making branded experiences more engaging and effective.

This approach is not a sudden strategic pivot but a natural evolution as brands work more closely with creators to reach gamers authentically. The unique relationship between creators and their audiences is key to successful marketing in the gaming space, as highlighted by Damon Lau of United Talent Agency.

The German Navy urgently needs to modernize its fleet of submarine frigates, particularly the outdated 8-inch floppy disk systems that have been in use since the 1990s. These disks are crucial for the operation of the Brandenburg class F123 frigates, managing essential functions such as airflow systems and power generation.

The reliance on such antiquated technology highlights the critical need for an upgrade to ensure the fleet’s efficiency and security.

Replacing the floppy disk system poses significant challenges. The disks play an integral role in controlling various ship operations, making the transition to modern systems complex and potentially risky.

This situation raises questions about the overall state of the technology used by the German Navy, humorously suggesting that other outdated gadgets like Palm Pilots or Tamagotchis are still in use for operational purposes.

Saab has been responsible for the maintenance of Germany’s F123 frigate fleet since 2021. Alongside the replacement of the floppy disk systems, the frigates are receiving upgrades to their weapons and weapon control systems, which are crucial for their role in submarine hunting. It is hoped that these upgrades will also include modern and user-friendly enhancements to the ship’s interface and control panels.

The use of floppy disks in government and military systems is not unique to Germany. Many institutions have relied on this outdated technology long after it became obsolete in the consumer market.

For instance, Japan’s Digital Agency recently eliminated floppy disks from its systems. The persistence of such old technologies raises concerns about the potential vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, emphasizing the need for ongoing modernization efforts.

In 2024, digital publishers are experiencing a summer marked by optimism despite ongoing market uncertainties. Gallery Media Group and Apartment Therapy Media report robust performances, with 15% year-over-year revenue growth in total and direct ad revenue respectively. Despite this, caution prevails among some publishers, who acknowledge the volatile nature of the ad market, capable of abrupt shifts.

Apartment Therapy Media’s president, Riva Syrop, anticipates a strong 17% annual revenue increase, buoyed by a 20% surge in direct-sold advertising.

Syrop notes a promising outlook for Q3, citing high renewal rates and increased RFP volumes. Similarly, Gallery Media Group’s CRO, Chris Anthony, attributes their 15% revenue growth to enhanced event and branded content investments, bolstering average deal sizes by 10% year-over-year.

Vox Media’s CRO, Geoff Schiller, highlights market unpredictability, noting fluctuating revenue performance across months. Despite challenges, optimism persists, with indications of recovery and growth in sectors like tech, telco, and pharma, although media and entertainment face unique hurdles such as content scarcity from writer strikes.

Market dynamics remain influenced by broader economic factors. An anonymous publisher executive rates their optimism at six out of ten, citing interest rates and inflation as pivotal influences.

Syrop underscores the resurgence of previously impacted sectors like big-box retail and CPG, while Anthony notes unexpected growth in auto advertising for a lifestyle publisher.

Post-Cannes insights reveal publishers’ strategic shifts toward AI and sports content. While AI remains in its infancy as a transformative tool, sports content, especially featuring athletes like Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, garners significant advertiser interest.

Publishers are leveraging these insights to shape their pitches for Q3 and Q4, with some eyeing longer-term planning into 2025.

While the ad market shows resilience and potential, publishers remain cautious amid economic uncertainties. Strategic investments in events, branded content, and targeted client engagement strategies are proving pivotal in navigating the unpredictable terrain of 2024’s advertising landscape.

Yasmeen Ahmad, from Google Cloud, addressed the complex relationship between size and performance in large language models (LLMs) during a recent discussion. She emphasized that while larger models generally exhibit improved capabilities, this trend is not limitless.

Small, context-specific models can often outperform their larger counterparts, leveraging domain-specific knowledge that enhances their effectiveness. Ahmad highlighted the pivotal role of data in this equation, asserting that industry-specific information empowers models significantly.

Moreover, Ahmad stressed the transformative potential of LLMs for enterprises, enabling unprecedented creativity, efficiency, and inclusivity. By harnessing previously inaccessible data, organizations can achieve comprehensive insights and foster innovative engagement across all facets of their operations.

Ahmad noted that these advancements blur traditional boundaries between technology and creativity, ushering in a new era where AI’s capabilities redefine conventional norms.

The conversation shifted towards practical applications within enterprises, emphasizing two key techniques: fine-tuning and retrieval augmented generation (RAG). Fine-tuning tailors LLMs to grasp the nuances of business language, while RAG facilitates real-time data connectivity, crucial for dynamic fields like financial and risk analytics.

Ahmad underscored the importance of multimodal capabilities in LLMs, which enhance their ability to process diverse data formats such as text, images, and videos, thereby enriching customer experiences and operational insights.

Addressing the evolving role of AI in business interactions, Ahmad highlighted the necessity for LLMs to engage in coherent, contextual dialogues akin to human conversations.

This conversational capability, she argued, distinguishes advanced AI from mere chatbots, transforming them into invaluable ‘personal data sidekicks’ capable of nuanced interactions and decision-making.

Ahmad expressed optimism about AI’s evolution towards greater autonomy and strategic acumen, with implications that extend into every facet of modern enterprise operations.

Ahmad painted a picture of AI’s accelerating integration into business frameworks, driven by its expanding capacity for complex analysis, real-time responsiveness, and conversational engagement. This evolution, she suggested, marks only the beginning of what lies ahead in AI’s transformative journey across industries.

News U.K. recently concluded its application process for the head of the consent role, marking a significant step in response to evolving data privacy regulations and industry standards. The role itself is pivotal, tasked not merely with ticking compliance boxes but with shaping a proactive and forward-thinking consent strategy across the publisher’s brands.

The responsibilities of News U.K.’s head of consent are extensive and interdisciplinary. They are expected to collaborate closely with various departments including data protection, product development, ad tech, and commercial teams.

The goal is to establish robust compliance processes and utilize technology effectively for managing user consent—a critical aspect amidst tightening data privacy laws and heightened consumer awareness.

This role underscores a broader trend where publishers are grappling with the dual challenges of regulatory compliance and commercial imperatives. Balancing legal and ethical data practices with business objectives has become increasingly complex, necessitating specialized roles like head of consent to navigate these intricacies.

The emergence of AI further complicates this landscape, posing new challenges and opportunities in data privacy management. Publishers are now compelled to proactively address these issues rather than reactively responding—a strategic shift highlighted by the creation of roles such as head of consent.

Matthew Rance at Immediate Media serves as a parallel example, having pioneered a similar role focused on commercial data and analytics. His approach aligns closely with the goals News U.K. seeks to achieve, integrating consent management beyond mere compliance into a foundational aspect of business strategy.

At its core, the role of head of consent aims to empower users with transparency and control over their personal data—an approach that not only ensures regulatory compliance but also builds trust and enhances user experience.

While News U.K. has taken a pioneering step, the broader industry response remains varied. Some publishers may not yet see the immediate need for such a role, while others may struggle with resource constraints or competing priorities. However, the growing demand from advertisers for transparent data practices suggests that roles like the head of consent could become more commonplace in the future.

The trajectory of roles like the head of consent reflects a shift in how publishers view privacy—from a compliance burden to a potential competitive advantage. CEOs and industry leaders must embrace this shift, prioritizing privacy as a cornerstone of their organizational strategy to navigate future challenges effectively.

By doing so, they not only mitigate risks but also unlock opportunities for sustainable growth and consumer trust in an increasingly data-driven world.

Google has announced that its dark web monitoring service, known as “dark web report,” will be available to all Google users in 46 countries, including the US and UK, by the end of the month. This feature, which was previously exclusive to Google One members, aims to enhance online security by detecting if users’ personal information has been compromised on the dark web.

Users will be able to access the dark web report through the “Results about you” page on myactivity.google.com. The service scans for personal information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, and email accounts that may have been leaked.

The introduction of this feature is particularly beneficial for those who have experienced hacking, information leaks, or identity theft. For instance, the recent incident involving 7.6 million AT&T customers, whose information was leaked to the dark web, highlights the necessity of such protective measures.

While Google is expanding this service, it joins the ranks of other platforms like Proton Mail and LastPass, which already offer dark web monitoring to alert users if their information has been found. This move underscores the growing importance of digital security and the need for robust measures to protect personal data.