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- Starting tomorrow, the Medcap Forum brings together a hundred companies with over 150 investors
- Arteche receives favourable report from BME Growth
- Funding channelled via the stock market grew 6-fold to April, BME highlights during the opening of the MedCap Forum
- Al Zahra Hospital Dubai Pioneers CMR’s Surgical Versius Robotic System for the 1st Time in the MENA Region
- 5 Reasons Why It’s a Bad Idea to Have Your Company’s Software Developed By an In-house Team By Peter Navarro
- Here are the upgrades Nintendo’s Switch Pro might have over the original
- Tools You Need for Online Security By Diane H. Wong
- Week in Review: Most popular stories on GeekWire for the week of May 23, 2021
- 5 Benefits of mPOS Solution Every Retailer Needs to Know By Nikunj Gundaniya
- Mammoths, mastodons and the fruit they left behind at Fermilab
| Starting tomorrow, the Medcap Forum brings together a hundred companies with over 150 investors Posted: 30 May 2021 05:41 PM PDT dWeb.News Article from dWeb.News Tech News The post Starting tomorrow, the Medcap Forum brings together a hundred companies with over 150 investors appeared first on dWeb.News Tech News from Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy             |
| Arteche receives favourable report from BME Growth Posted: 30 May 2021 05:41 PM PDT dWeb.News Article from dWeb.News Tech News The post Arteche receives favourable report from BME Growth appeared first on dWeb.News Tech News from Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy       |
| Posted: 30 May 2021 05:41 PM PDT dWeb.News Article from dWeb.News Tech News The post Funding channelled via the stock market grew 6-fold to April, BME highlights during the opening of the MedCap Forum appeared first on dWeb.News Tech News from Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy       |
| Posted: 30 May 2021 03:40 PM PDT dWeb.News Article from dWeb.News Tech News  • Al Zahra Hospital Dubai is the first hospital in the UAE to introduce The CMR Versius Robotic Surgical System Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 30, 2021 (Issuewire.com) – “Robotic surgical solutions” is a recent medical innovation that has become popular over the last decade. Robot-assisted surgical procedures have quickly expanded due to the increasing opportunities for minimally invasive surgery across surgical domains. As the market is diversifying, novel surgical modalities with new technologies are providing hospitals with elevated effectiveness and efficiency in patient outcomes, surgical precision, time efficiency, and decreased medical costs. Aligned with International forward thinking medical providers, Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, is aiming to transform surgical care in the whole MENA region by introducing the CMR’s next-generation Versius Robotic Surgical System. Cambridge-based medical device company CMR Surgical also known as Europe’s MedTech powerhouse has debuted their Versius Robotic Solution as an advanced version of conventional Robotic Systems, with their medical technologies being widely used across Germany, France, and Australia. Versius was designed with ergonomics in mind to help reduce stress and fatigue for surgeons while enhancing patient outcomes and improving recovery times. Laparoscopic procedures are associated with a wide range of patient benefits; however, many are highly complex and when performed manually, without the assistance of robotics possibly compromising quality and clinical outcomes. In addition, Versius has instinctive instruments, vision controls, and an open console design allowing surgeons to sit upright or stand, keeping them comfortable for longer each day, with all the benefits of Robotics, unlike other robotic solutions. “As a forward-thinking healthcare provider and the first private hospital in the UAE, Al Zahra Hospital did not set out to replicate just another Robotic Program. We set out to transform surgeries for millions of people by adopting the latest new generation of Surgical Robotic Systems. Our promise to patients and doctors alike is to continuously strive for medical innovation with higher surgical and medical outcomes. We are proud to pioneer this technology in the region I would like to thank his Royal Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Minister of Defense, and ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, for his vision and continuous support of the medical sector turning Dubai into a regional healthcare hub built on encouraging the spirit of innovation and quality in every aspect of the industry. ” – Sheikh Dr. Faisal Al Qassimi, Chairman of Al Zahra Hospital Dubai. It has been globally claimed that conventional Laparoscopic surgery can be challenging, both physically and mentally. For every 4 surgeons, 3 have claimed that they experience back pain which has an effect on the quality and clinical outcomes. This is a valuable differentiating factor for Versius Robotic Solutions. “We at Robotic Surgical Systems in association with CMR Surgical and our Partners Al Zahra Hospital Dubai share a common belief of value-based medicine that enables hospitals to provide their patients with more accessible less invasive treatment. For the providers, we are offering unique and flexible robotic designs, particularly user friendly and highly adaptable to the different procedure while offering surgeons comfort, precision and confidence”- David Mezher, General Manager at Robotics Surgical Systems. The United Arab Emirates has been a leader in the early adoption of cutting-edge MedTech innovation with a strong focus on digitalization and Artificial intelligence. With strong international and government funding in the sector, the use of AI in healthcare has been reported to add a $22 billion slice to the UAE economy by 2035.
Boiler Plate – Al Zahra Hospital Dubai: Al Zahra Hospital Dubai – is a leading healthcare provider in the UAE and a milestone in the country’s healthcare sector, with the brand breaking ground in 1975, as the first private healthcare provider. The hospital is located in Dubai, on Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha, catering to local and international patients through over 250 Doctors and more than 40 medical specialties. Accredited by the Joint Commission International, the hospital holds various distinguished centers of excellence, including a JCI accredited Breast Cancer Center, a JCI accredited Heart Attack Center, an accredited Rotator Cuff, and ACL Center. Dedicated to delivering world class healthcare, the hospital is a leader in implementing technological advancements and medical practices, housing the region’s first advanced 3Teasla MRI & the first private Hyperbaric Oxygenation Chamber. In 2016, Al Zahra Hospital Dubai was the first hospital to introduce water birthing to Dubai. In 2021 AL Zahra Hospital Dubai was the first Hospital in the Mena region to introduce the Versius Robotic Surgical Solutions. Some of the most sought-after services at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai include- Cardiology, Oncology, Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Spine Surgery, Joint Replacement, Interventional Medicine, Maternity, Pediatrics, General Surgery, Internal Medicine & more. Boiler Plate – CMR Surgical: CMR Surgical is a British medical device company, founded with a vision to transform surgery by developing a next generation robotic system which would be both versatile and affordable and bring the benefits of minimal access surgery to millions of people each year who do not currently receive it. CMR has successfully developed an innovative technology in robotics surgery and owns the intellectual property, including patents, design, trademark and know-how called the Versius Surgical System (“Licensed Technology”); Versius Robotic System is supposed to complement and extend what surgeons can do, helping to improve outcomes for patients. Compared to manual laparoscopy, the unique modular fully articulated wrists, direct hand to instrument mapping, and integrated stable 3D HD visualization on Versius Robot provides incredible precision, control, dexterity and superb depth perception. This gives the surgeons the means to perform surgical steps with greater accuracy and ease.
Source :Al Zahra Hospital Dubai This article was originally published by IssueWire. Read the original article here. Health, Technology The post Al Zahra Hospital Dubai Pioneers CMR’s Surgical Versius Robotic System for the 1st Time in the MENA Region appeared first on dWeb.News Tech News from Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy       |
| Posted: 30 May 2021 01:46 PM PDT dWeb.News Article from jaydiaz2013 dWeb.News Tech News  In this article, we'll understand why assembling an in-house team to develop your software can be a real trap for the business growth. Nowadays, everyone recognizes the importance of having an intelligent software that can optimize resources and is specifically focused to its target audience. Thinking of obtaining better results and establishing a more effective management of the business, many companies usually use customized software. But a mistake is often repeated by managers when it comes to developing a new software. Many prefer to set up an internal team within their own staff, rather than hiring a company specialized in market software. Find out below five reasons why, in the long run, this decision can put a business at risk. 1. The software will be yours forever; employees won'tAt first, building an in-house team to develop your company software may seem like a more attractive option. As a manager, there will initially be an impression of greater control and even personalization, as if that particular software was being tailored to your needs. But this is unlikely to be true. In practice, relying solely on an in-house team can turn out to be a shot in the foot. Currently, programmers are professionals who perform very specific functions and, therefore, have ample options in the market, being able to choose where they will work and even how much they will earn. It must be kept in mind that, if your employees receive an offer that cannot be rejected or leave the company for some reason, the software that they created for months or years will continue to exist in your company. The developers, however, will no longer be there to operationalize the system. 2. Don't throw your investment awayThis leads us to another critical question: would there be viable alternatives in the market to repair this loss? Probably not, because as a rule it would be the case to hire developers who would start a patchwork because they were unaware of the existing technology, or would start over from scratch with new techniques and ideas in mind. Two alternatives that effectively mean lost time, efficiency and money. It is worth remembering that, on average, to obtain satisfactory performance with a new software, an internal team needs one to two years in the development phase. And for the results to start to appear, it is essential that tests are done, the other departments of the company are trained and the software is assimilated by the entire organization. Is it worth taking the risk of wasting so much time investing in development, instead of simply customizing a market software with the support of an outside company? 3. Minimize surprise risksAnother important point is to consider your company's experience in developing software. Hiring dedicated developers on your own and guiding them in creating the ideal platform for their specific purpose can be a frustrating and tiring process. Both for managers, who would have to find the right professionals for such particular roles, and for new hires, who would need to get used to the culture of the new organization quickly. Would your company be prepared to absorb such challenging demands? 4. Prevent competition from stealing your goldAs good as the plan to hire a team of software developers works in the short term, there will always be a risk that your resources will leave the company and take with you the knowledge about the technology they have developed. And the greater this knowledge, the greater the damage to your business. Have you ever imagined seeing these professionals being hired by the competition? By "stealing" your treasure, your rivals in the marketplace would benefit from all the time you spent developing your platform. After all, for them, the acquisition of the trained team members would represent a much shorter investment cycle in the implementation of a system. In return, your company would be at a great competitive disadvantage, without the brains behind the technology that you have financed for a long time. A real nightmare for any manager. 5. Don't have to worry about updatesWe all know that regular updates are necessary for a software to remain efficient and functional. Although there are several types of software for the most varied businesses, they all need frequent maintenance, technical support and bug fixes to be successful. The external contracting of a development company would also bring many facilities in this regard. In addition to scheduling the proper tests before release and periodically checking the quality of the product for serving the market and always keeping an eye on the latest technical news, your partners would have all the updates ready for deployment whenever needed. By delegating this type of service to a third-party supplier, you also favor the ultimate goal of any software, that is, to meet project requirements with a great user experience. ConclusionWhen weighing all the options, it is easy to see that the best solution is to always hire a company specialized in software development. With the existing offers on the market today, where there are suppliers with expertise in numerous sectors, it is possible to find the ideal partner for your industry. Thus, as a senior executive, you avoid the dispersion of your efforts, ensure that your budget is respected and still make sure that your deadlines are met. via Technology & Innovation Articles on Business 2 Community https://bit.ly/3c6is5T In this article, we'll understand why assembling an in-house team to develop your software can be a real trap for the business growth. Nowadays, everyone recognizes the importance of having an intelligent software that can optimize resources and is specifically focused to its target audience. Thinking of obtaining better results and establishing a more effectiveideas, innovation, management, technology, Technology & Innovation Articles on Business 2 Community The post 5 Reasons Why It's a Bad Idea to Have Your Company's Software Developed By an In-house Team By Peter Navarro appeared first on dWeb.News Tech News from Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy       |
| Here are the upgrades Nintendo’s Switch Pro might have over the original Posted: 30 May 2021 12:42 PM PDT dWeb.News Article from Chris Smith dWeb.News Tech News  The PS5 and Xbox Series X were some of the most talked-about gadgets in tech last year, but the four-year-old Nintendo Switch is still the console to beat. Sony and Microsoft launched their high-end gaming rigs in late 2020, and they've been out of stock since initial preorders. Meanwhile, Nintendo kept selling millions of Switches, as everyone stuck at home was desperate for anything to entertain themselves. The Switch continued to outsell its rivals well into 2020, despite not being a real match for either of the new devices. Nintendo has been rumored to launch a "Switch Pro" version of the Switch, and the company kept denying those rumors in past years. But an increasing number of reports indicate that the upgraded Switch model might be heading to stores this fall, with a reveal coming as soon as mid-June. A brand new leak lists several purported Switch Pro upgrades, indicating the various ways in which the new console will outperform the original. Today’s Top DealAirPods Pro are back in stock at Amazon’s lowest price of 2021!Price: $197.00 Today’s Top Deals This viral grocery shopping hack from TikTok only takes one $18 purchase at Amazon Trending Right Now: Apple issued a serious warning to all iPhone users – read it right here The post Here are the upgrades Nintendo's Switch Pro might have over the original appeared first on dWeb.News Tech News from Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy       |
| Tools You Need for Online Security By Diane H. Wong Posted: 30 May 2021 11:43 AM PDT dWeb.News Article from jaydiaz2013 dWeb.News Tech News  79% of Americans today use the internet for research, shopping, communicating, and business transactions. Internet users are growing rapidly, adding more than 2 million users per month. As the internet becomes popular, more and more intruders and hackers are making millions in getting into the computers to get personal information for their personal use. Computer protection today is critical as protecting identity and investment. You use a WiFi card, but without protection, you are virtually exposing your assets and identity to the online world. The following are an effective tool in computer and identity protection: 1. Virus Protection – Virus slows down computer by duplicating itself on systems, networks, and drives without user intervention. They are usually attached to disks and files often disguise as images or games. The most common virus is called Trojan Horse. It is designed to appear as a useful or desirable program in order to penetrate and destroy the computer's operating system, software, and even the hard disk. Virus protection is a software service designed to keep computers safe from virus outbreaks. It usually includes a comprehensive and automatic scanning feature that actively wipes out malicious applications. 2. Spyware Protection – Spyware is considered more destructive than viruses. It is used by hackers to steal identity or personal information to acquire unauthorized access. It has the capability to record passwords, history, and keystrokes using what is known as a tracking cookie. Spyware also slows down the computer and causes frequent disconnection. It is usually associated with adware, an application that interrupts that online activity through pop up usually advertising products and services. Spyware protection is software that scans and eliminates adware and spyware. Like virus protection, it includes a comprehensive and automatic scanning feature to keep the hard drive and all the files safe. Users can also protect the computer from spyware and adware by not downloading e-mail attachments from unknown sender or software programs when surfing the net. 3. Firewall – Like spyware and virus protection, a firewall aims to keep your computer safe from hackers by preventing these people from accessing your PC from the internet or from your home network. The firewall may be a software program, hardware, or part of your computer's operating system. There are 3 different kinds of firewall, these are following: – Software firewall – this kind of firewall is being offered primarily by vendors. This software is available in retail stores and can be downloaded from the vendor's website. – Operating system firewall – this is included when you buy your operating system. – Gateway-based firewall – is designed for broadband subscribers using a home network. 4. Phishing Protection – Defined as social engineering through email and sometimes Instant messages (IM). Social engineers used well-known personalities or establishments (ex. Financial institution) to lure internet users to give out their password and billing information. Anti-phishing software empowers internet users to successfully identify scam email and IM by displaying the real domain of the website while acting as a toolbar. Aside from installing computer protection, a person can also protect the computer and his identity by following these tips: 1. Choose passwords that are hard to guess, preferably a combination of letters and numbers. Avoid using names, birthdays, school, or workplace. 2. If the computer is infected with a virus, unplug the phone line or broadband connection immediately and get help from your ISP or computer technician. 3. Do not open unsolicited email messages. Do not download attachments and be cautious when clicking on hyperlinks. via Technology & Innovation Articles on Business 2 Community https://bit.ly/3fENg01 79% of Americans today use the internet for research, shopping, communicating, and business transactions. Internet users are growing rapidly, adding more than 2 million users per month. As the internet becomes popular, more and more intruders and hackers are making millions in getting into the computers to get personal information for their personal use. Computerideas, innovation, management, technology, Technology & Innovation Articles on Business 2 Community The post Tools You Need for Online Security By Diane H. Wong appeared first on dWeb.News Tech News from Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy       |
| Week in Review: Most popular stories on GeekWire for the week of May 23, 2021 Posted: 30 May 2021 08:40 AM PDT dWeb.News Article from GeekWire dWeb.News Tech News Get caught up on the latest technology and startup news from the past week. Here are the most popular stories on GeekWire for the week of May 23, 2021. Sign up to receive these updates every Sunday in your inbox by subscribing to our GeekWire Weekly email newsletter. Most popular stories on GeekWireJeff Bezos to hand over Amazon CEO role to Andy Jassy on July 5, anniversary of company's creationAmazon founder Jeff Bezos put an expiration date on his tenure as CEO, saying Wednesday morning that Andy Jassy will succeed him in the role on July 5. … Read More Microsoft grapples with fallout from Bill Gates affair in unprecedented break from its pastSince becoming CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella has championed a growth mindset, pushing the company to continually evolve and learn from others and its own past. … Read More Salesforce discloses Tableau results for first time since $15.7B deal, offering new Slack cluesSeattle-based Tableau Software generated $394 million in revenue for Salesforce in its first fiscal quarter, up 38% from a year ago. … Read More Senators spar over the idea of giving billions to Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin venture for lunar lander programThe tussle over NASA funding for lunar landing systems has touched down in the Senate — with one leading senator seeking additional funding that could go to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin space venture, and another leading senator arguing against a "Bezos Bailout." The senator on the pro-funding side is Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., who chairs the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. … Read More Amazon will acquire MGM for $8.5B in tech giant's second-largest deal to boost Bezos' media empireIt's official: Amazon will buy MGM for $8.45 billion. … Read More Expedia Group hires top execs from Apple and Verizon as part of leadership structure overhaulExpedia Group has hired top executives from Apple and Verizon Media as the company overhauls its leadership structure and brand after a long period of organizational disarray and declining revenues. … Read More Microsoft adapts OpenAI's GPT-3 natural language technology to automatically write codeMicrosoft unveiled new tools for automatically generating computer code and formulas on Tuesday morning, in a new adaptation of the GPT-3 natural-language technology more commonly known for replicating human language. … Read More Tech Moves: Longtime Amazon HR leader joins Snap; Tableau CFO departs; and more— Darcie Henry, a 23-year Amazon veteran, will join Snap Inc. … Read More Report: Amazon, Microsoft and Google vie for billion-dollar Boeing cloud contractAmazon, Microsoft and Google are involved in a bidding process to provide Boeing with cloud computing services, a contract that's expected to be worth at least $1 billion over several years, The Information reports. … Read More How to maximize your chances of seeing the Supermoon total lunar eclipseThe only total lunar eclipse of 2021 will also be one of the shortest total lunar eclipses in recent years, lasting just less than 15 minutes. … Read More See the technology stories that people were reading on GeekWire for the week of May 23, 2021.… Read MoreGeekWire Weekly The post Week in Review: Most popular stories on GeekWire for the week of May 23, 2021 appeared first on dWeb.News Tech News from Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy       |
| 5 Benefits of mPOS Solution Every Retailer Needs to Know By Nikunj Gundaniya Posted: 30 May 2021 07:42 AM PDT dWeb.News Article from jaydiaz2013 dWeb.News Tech News  The last decade has witnessed multiple technological advancements in payment ecosystems. The inception of a mobile point of sale system has reshaped payment experiences by taking the place of heavy cash registers. Today credit cards have become a preferred payment mode and more merchants are working toward accepting them. Today, customers expect the similar services from the physical stores which they get from an online shopping platform. They expect the retailers to provide them with tailor-made offers and services, making their shopping experiences more personalized and convenient. That is why smart retailers are looking for ways to delight customers with in-store customer experiences, unlike anything that online shopping could provide. And, a mobile point of sale (mPOS) solution can help them better to provide these experiences. But what a mobile POS solution means and why retailers need it to survive in this digital era. In this blog, we will answer both of these questions by discussing the meaning and benefits of the mPOS solution in detail. What is a mPOS solution?Mobile point of sale or mPOS is a dedicated device like a smartphone or tablet that functions as a cash register. It is an ideal way for food trucks, home and repair services, market vendors, etc. to accept credit card payments instantly. The mPOS wallet solution requires a credit card & debit card reader, internet connection, and a device to download the app to carry out transactions. So, we can say that a mPOS or mobile point-of-sale system is the combination of software and hardware used to centralise business management. Advantages of mPOS solution for retail storesTechnology speeds up everything, and mPOS will do the same for your store's purchase transaction. The synchronization between devices integrated with POS such as barcode scanner, card swiper, and printer can reduce the time per transaction. Now your customers no longer need to stand in the long queue thanks to the groundbreaking mPOS solution. Besides this, there are also some other benefits of using mPOS solution for retail stores which are as follows: 1. Time savingIncreased employee comfort and the potential for improved employee performance is one of the major advantages of mPOS. For store associates, operating large or bulky POS equipment can be uncomfortable and may lead to mistakes or damaged merchandise. mPOS solutions can be used anywhere and are easy to set up. Since they require minimal counter space, there is typically room to display impulse items or signage in an organized and pleasing manner. 2. Effective employee managementToday's customers are having very high expectations from the sales executives. They want the sales executives to have an in-depth knowledge of everything like what an eCommerce platform is having such as costs, features and benefits of a product. Here mPOS solution is extremely helpful to the retailers. The mPOS solution provides all the essential details on the fingertips of sales representatives. Sales representatives can help a customer check our other things that fit well with the customer's purchase. In this way, mPOS solutions can help you enhance the customer's experience and build a positive perception of your business. This drives greater sales opportunities. 3. Fast and securemPOS solution provides a well-organized checkout area that helps the sales staff to serve the customers more quickly. Besides this, a robust mPOS solution supports multiple contactless payment options powered by Near Field Communications used in popular mobile wallets. Apart from this, mPOS tablets and other devices accept electromagnetic chip cards that provide protection against fraudulent payment transactions. Furthermore, an mPOS solution also contains a scanner that enables the sales associates to scan codes from a physical or digital coupon. Sales representatives can use mPOS solutions to redeem the loyalty points at the time of billing so that customers can directly get a cashback or other relevant reward. 4. Optimized checkoutThe process at the checkout counter could speed up thanks to the barcode scanner. In an eye blink, all information about picked products will be sent straight to the system. Based on the total transaction value, cashiers reward shoppers with points to leverage them for the next purchase. This action will happen when your stores run a Loyalty program to keep the customer coming to your stores again and again. With the functions integrated with Loyalty Program and various Payment Gate-away, POS supports your stores better market to clients by encouraging them to use reward points or gift cards to purchase in the next time. 5. Better customer relationshipsmPOS devices enable merchants to offer their customers with a higher level of personalisation in payments. The mPOS solution equips sales staff with the ability to assist customers effortlessly instead of allocating them the check-out points. For example, a salesperson can pitch other products to a customer that are related to its purchase. This will not only increase the overall sales but also create great customer experiences, which ultimately drives higher revenues in the future. Besides this, an advanced mPOS solution has a scanner in it that helps the sales attendants to scan barcodes and QR codes from a physical or digital coupon. ConclusionIn the retail industry, the mPOS system plays a crucial role in the smooth operation of a business by managing transactions, tracking stock movement, and analyzing sales. Along with traditional outlets, e-commerce businesses can also use mPOS solutions for completing customer transactions. A small investment in an mPOS solution can make a big difference to your business's bottom line. With mPOS solutions, you can improve operational efficiency, customize interactions with donors, reduce the organization's environmental impact and facilitate exceptional customer support. There are many mPOS solution providers in the market. So, choose a solution provider which has an excellent track record, experience, and expertise. If you are looking to transform your business with an mPOS solution, then feel free to reach out to us. Thank you for reading this blog. via Technology & Innovation Articles on Business 2 Community https://bit.ly/34teIHu The last decade has witnessed multiple technological advancements in payment ecosystems. The inception of a mobile point of sale system has reshaped payment experiences by taking the place of heavy cash registers. Today credit cards have become a preferred payment mode and more merchants are working toward accepting them. Today, customers expect the similar servicesideas, innovation, management, technology, Technology & Innovation Articles on Business 2 Community The post 5 Benefits of mPOS Solution Every Retailer Needs to Know By Nikunj Gundaniya appeared first on dWeb.News Tech News from Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy       |
| Mammoths, mastodons and the fruit they left behind at Fermilab Posted: 30 May 2021 06:50 AM PDT dWeb.News Article from Daniel Webster dWeb.News Tech News   On the east side of the Fermilab grounds, a few large, stately honey locust trees grow directly over the bike path, where they dump most of their pendulous, spiral bean pods in the fall and winter. (Photo: szántó) Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory are constantly pushing at the boundaries of the unknown in their attempt to understand the origin and physical properties of the universe. Yet Fermilab is more than a gateway to the subatomic world: It’s also home to rare and endangered ecosystems, such as grassland prairies and riparian forests, which are becoming increasingly hard to find in the northern United States. “Fermilab has many small pockets and remnant populations of plants,” said Fermilab ecologist Walter Levernier. “These still exist here mostly because when Fermilab was founded in 1967, much of the land was single-family-farmed.” Hidden away on the Fermilab grounds are three tree species that produce large, conspicuous fruit that go uneaten by wildlife. Every year, these fruits are produced in the hundreds and fall to the ground beneath their parent trees, still waiting to be dispersed by animals that went extinct over 10,000 years ago. The missing mammoths When Louis and Clark set out on their westward trek to the Pacific, they were given specific instructions by President Thomas Jefferson to be on the lookout for mammoths. Jefferson, who was an avid fossil enthusiast, didn’t believe in extinction (nor did most scientists at the time) and fully expected members of the expedition to find a menagerie of bygone beasts.  Osage orange trees are a type of mulberry that grow at Fermilab and produce large, vibrantly green fruit the size of softballs that were once likely consumed by mastodons but now go largely uneaten. (Photo: CameliaTWU) Of course, Louis and Clark never found any living mammoths. Most of the world’s large mammals had gone extinct some 10,000 years ago. As more fossils were discovered, including the 13,000-year-old skeleton of a woolly mammoth about a mile from Fermilab in 1977, scientists and enthusiasts alike were able to paint a vivid picture of a world that once was. For millions of years before and during the ice ages, giant mammals roamed most of the major continents. North and South America were home to ground sloths (Megatherium) as tall as a two-story building, heavily armored armadillos (Glyptodon) the size of compact cars, large dire wolves, cheetahs and saber-toothed tigers. A warming climate and the advent of a strange new type of ape that had learned to use tools would drive most species of megafauna to extinction not long after their first contact. But they didn’t vanish without a trace. Throughout the millions of years megafauna dominated Earth’s landscapes, they coevolved with a variety of plants they depended on for food. Trees with large, conspicuous fruit were an enticing meal to animals who were large enough to pluck them directly from the canopy. In return, megafauna would obligingly transport the seeds in their stomach to new locations, helping the plants expand their range. With the disappearance of most large mammals at the end of the ice ages, these plants found themselves bereft of their seed dispersers. Many of them would go extinct, while others managed to cling to survival by reproducing asexually. But the most successful of these anachronistic plants were those that managed to find new animals to disperse their seeds — us.  Honey locusts can in most cases be easily identified by their large thorns. (Photo: Bill Bumgarner) Anachronisms all around us On the American continents, the wild ancestors of gourds, squashes and cucumbers (Cucurbita) grew in the open, sunny landscapes. Megafauna not only ate these fruits and dispersed their seeds, but also helped create the exact types of environments these plants needed to survive. “If you look today at where forest elephants are living, they really modify the landscape very heavily,” said Logan Kistler, an anthropologist at the Smithsonian Institution. “They vacuum up a lot of vegetation, they’re tromping over stuff, they have to eat 70 or 100 kilograms of food a day. And in doing so, they’re creating a lot of disturbed habitat.” When the megafauna went extinct, these plants began disappearing as well. They might have gone extinct altogether had it not been for the fact that humans also tended to disturb the environment, both around their encampments, and later, their farms. By growing in these areas, certain plants garnered the attention of humans, who independently began cultivating them. First-of-its-kind flower smells like dead insects to imprison ‘coffin flies’  Kentucky coffee bean trees are dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female individuals. Those growing near Fermilab’s Illinois Accelerator Research Center are female, which means the flowers eventually mature into large, bean-shaped pods that give off a sweet aroma when opened. (Photo: Arb O’Retum) This pattern can be seen again and again in an entire host of plants we come in contact with on a daily basis, such as chocolate. “Cacao is a perfect example,” Kistler said. “It’s a really tough pod and a really sweet pulp that would be enticing for some large mammal that can chomp on it and get that nice taste all at once. It’s also got chemically protected seeds on the inside in the form of caffeine and theobromine.” And before avocados became popular in guacamole and on toast, they were once a favorite snack of gomphotheres, elephant-like creatures with four tusks that lived in Central and South America. Papaya, certain types of figs, pawpaw and persimmons are additional examples of fruits once favored by megafauna and later eaten by humans. Ancient fruit at Fermilab If you happen to live in Chicagoland, you’ve likely encountered a Kentucky coffee tree and its striking clusters of white flowers arranged in panicles that dangle from the canopy. The flowers ultimately give rise to plump, brown seed pods that exude a sweet odor when opened. A member of the bean family, these trees have made the adjustment from growing in ice age wilderness habitats to that of large cities and suburbs. “Kentucky coffee tree is interesting because it’s often popular as a landscaping plant,” Levernier said. Despite its given moniker, the seeds of Kentucky coffee tree are highly toxic to humans and should not be ingested.  For millions of years, megafauna like mastodons would eat large fruit, carrying the seeds to new, freshly disturbed environments, thus expanding the range of these plants. (Image: Jerald Pinson) The Fermilab site also features a few large, stately honey locust trees, which dump most of their pendulous, spiral bean pods over the Fermilab bicycle path along Batavia Road in the fall and winter. Another member of the bean family, honey locusts can often be easily identified by their large thorns that grow along the trunk. The honey locusts at Fermilab have had their thorns trimmed because of their close proximity to the bike path. A nonprofit promised to preserve wildlife. Then it made millions claiming it could cut down trees Another ancient but much less common plant in Illinois, osage orange trees are a type of mulberry that grow at Fermilab and produce vibrantly green fruit the size of softballs. These trees began disappearing from large portions of their former range after the disappearance of their dispersers. Likely the only reason they’re still around today is their ability to clone themselves by growing new trees from their long network of roots, or — in the case of those in Illinois — by being useful to humans. “Osage orange was introduced to north Illinois for use as fence rows,” Levernier said. “Once more modern fences were invented, this species has declined over time.” Return of the mammoths It’s entirely possible that mammoths might soon make a big comeback. Scientists have been able to extract as much as 80% of woolly mammoth DNA from preserved samples. While it’s unlikely we’ll ever be able to perfectly clone a mammoth due to the fragmentary nature of fossilized DNA, it’s possible that portions of the mammoth genome could be spliced with that of modern elephants. The resulting hybrid mammoths could then be returned to their former ranges in the cold northern tundra and areas where anachronistic plants have grown for thousands of years, awaiting the return of their missing partners. The post Mammoths, mastodons and the fruit they left behind at Fermilab appeared first on dWeb.News Tech News from Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy       |
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