url www lodibet com

url www lodibet com

BY MIKE PETRO Dec. 4, 2024 Blasdell-headquartered startup building new plants in Texas and Washington With $20 million in grants secured from the U.S. Department of Energy, CleanFiber is opening new plants in Washington and Texas. These grants are part of more than $75 million in financing vehicles, grants, and tax credits the Buffalo-headquartered startup has secured in 2024. The company, which makes building insulation from recycled corrugated cardboard supporting energy efficiency, moved to Buffalo after winning $500,000 in the 43North business competition in 2016. The company was founded in Massachusetts in 2013 and was originally named UltraCell. Production facilities will be built in Lewis County, Washington and Ellis County, Texas. CleanFiber employs more than 100 people in Western New York, and company officials say over 40% of them represent marginalized groups. Company officials plan to continue creating employment opportunities for all as CleanFiber continues its growth. “We are honored to have the DOE’s support in accelerating our growth,” said Jonathan Strimling, CEO of CleanFiber. “We are committed to delivering benefits not only to our customers, but also to disadvantaged and coal communities, where we’ll be creating employment opportunities, and, of course, reducing carbon emissions at the same time.” The company now known as CleanFiber celebrates at the 43North competition in 2016. Earlier this year, CleanFiber closed a $33 million Series B funding round led by Spring Lane Capital, which also established a $31.5 million project financing facility to support the buildout of the company’s new plants. In addition, CleanFiber received a $10 million Section 48C tax credit allocation, and is also being offered significant incentives via state economic development agencies. Last year, the company wrapped up a $5 million investment round that supported the completion of an expansion to its factory in Blasdell. CleanFiber’s $16 million expansion and machinery upgrade in Blasdell will bring the facility to 67,000 square feet. CleanFiber took ownership of that facility in 2022. The firm plans to establish additional facilities in Arizona and Michigan, with longer-term plans to also develop sites in the Southeast and across the border in Canada. Albion startup wins $500K in Grow-NY competition Agricultural startup Udderways of Albion won a $500,000 prize in the 2024 Grow-NY global food, agriculture & technology competition. Twenty finalists competed in the sixth annual pitch on Nov. 6 and 7, and Udderways was among the seven winners chosen by a panel of judges. UdderWays uses a brushless technology to gently stimulate cows and ensure clean and dry teats. With the startup’s patented vortex-style application, farmers can effortlessly promote milk letdown. The competition awarded $3 million – including the $1 million grand prize, as well as two $500,000 prizes and four $250,000 prizes. Each winning team will commit to operating in the region for at least one year, while also providing a modest equity stake to Cornell University, to fund future food and agricultural entrepreneurship programming. WNY companies earn ESD grants Four Western New York companies were among 35 chosen to receive funding from the Innovation Matching Grants program from Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation. Graphenix Development, Inc., IBEX Materials, Atrevida Science, Inc., and Immunotolerx Therapeutics, LLC are now eligible for matching state grants of up to $200,000 to provide additional support for commercialization services not covered by their federal awards, such as marketing and legal assistance. Empire State Development awarded the 35 businesses more than $4.6 million in rounds 1 and 2 of its new matching grants program, which started in May. NYSTAR received more than 35 applications within a week of opening its first round of funding. The awarded projects span 18 strategic technology areas, and the program’s aim is to support early-stage technology development and accelerate the path from research to market, which ESD says has contributed to business growth, job creation and stronger regional economies in the state. Kredit Academy partners with local credit union Greater Niagara Federal Credit Union is partnering with 43North winner Kredit Academy to help expand its accessible financial education services. Financial literacy platform Kredit Academy says the credit union will now be offering Kredit Quest, which delivers personalized learning content to customers that covers everything from finance basics to credit mastery. With Kredit Quest, Greater Niagara members gain access to interactive lessons and practical tools designed to build financial confidence. "We chose Kredit Academy as a partner for their proactive approach to financial education and look forward to our work together,” said Maggie Wilmore, who works in marketing for Greater Niagara Federal Credit Union. Founder Evan Leaphart has also been building a relationship with M&T, including working with the bank as part of the city’s exploration and financial education summer program, and the company has deals with other local credit unions are in the pipeline. 43North is hiring 43North is in search of a social media coordinator with an interest and background in venture capital and knowledge of the Buffalo startup ecosystem. The startup accelerator and incubator is seeking a candidate to help manage, optimize, and analyze 43North’s social media presence. It will soon welcome its 10th cohort to Buffalo in early January. Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News brings you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy – from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com . THE LATEST Ingram Micro is cutting 850 jobs across its operations , but isn't specifying the impact on its Western New York workforce. Federal regulators have lifted the consent order that Lake Shore Savings Bank operated under for nearly two years. Work is beginning this week on People Inc.'s latest housing project in Western New York. Hundreds of former Sumitomo Rubber workers flocked to the Lincoln Park Athletic Center in the Town of Tonawanda on Tuesday for a job fair. The City of Niagara Falls is seeking to buy a cluster of Main Street properties to keep them out of the hands of out-of-state investors. Developer Doug Jemal is tweaking the design of his project at Elmwood and Bidwell avenues. The snow put a damper on holiday shopping in the Southtowns. It's not like the old days, but some hardy souls were out in the darkness to start their Black Friday shopping . Two of Buffalo's top development officials have been ousted . New solar project starts construction in Great Valley. Scanlon, Poloncarz criticize land bank for delays and cost of homes on projects in Buffalo and Cheektowaga. How do the Bills believe they will ever get to the more than 5,000 potential season ticket holder accounts on their waitlist for the new stadium and why advertise for more of them? Developers battle over Tonawanda Island site but sewer capacity may hinder projects. What went wrong at Tonawanda's Sumitomo tire plant ? And why did Sumitomo's Japan-based parent decide to pull the plug now? Work has begun on venture studio built to fill void in Buffalo's entrepreneurial space . Artisans report as much as 50% of their annual revenue comes from the holiday shopping season. ICYMI Five reads from Buffalo Next: 1. Locally owned stores are pulling out all the stops to attract customers who may otherwise be lured in by the convenience of major retailers and online shopping. 2. The Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology has expanded in his mission to help local adults and teens pursue successful careers. 3. Get the story behind Evans Bank's hunt for a merger , which ended with the Amherst-based bank's acquisition by NBT Bank. 4. Buffalo officials are considering whether to impose more restrictions on short-term rentals. 5. How retailers try to entice shoppers to do their holiday buying early . The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the region’s economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to get the latest in your inbox five days a week . Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Gary O’Neil accepts criticism from Wolves fans after heavy defeat at Everton

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic’s magnificent seven grand slam finalsHezbollah leaders also signalled tentative backing for the US-brokered deal, which offers both sides an off-ramp from hostilities that have driven more than 1.2 million Lebanese and 50,000 Israelis from their homes. An intense bombing campaign by Israel has killed more than 3,700 people, many of them civilians, Lebanese officials say. But while the deal, set to take effect early Wednesday, could significantly calm the tensions that have inflamed the region, it does little directly to resolve the much deadlier war that has raged in Gaza since the Hamas attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that killed 1,200 people. Hezbollah, which began firing scores of rockets into Israel the following day in support of Hamas, has previously said it would keep fighting until there was a stop to the fighting in Gaza. Here’s what to know about the tentative ceasefire agreement and its potential implications: – The terms of the deal The agreement reportedly calls for a 60-day halt in fighting that would see Israeli troops retreat to their side of the border while requiring Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swathe of southern Lebanon. Us President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that the deal is set to take effect at 4am local time on Wednesday. Under the deal, thousands of Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers are to deploy to the region south of the Litani River. An international panel lead by the US would monitor compliance by all sides. Mr Biden said the deal “was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, insisted on Tuesday that the military would strike Hezbollah if the UN peacekeeping force, known as Unifil, does not provide “effective enforcement” of the deal. – Lingering uncertainty A Hezbollah leader said the group’s support for the deal hinged on clarity that Israel would not renew its attacks. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Qatari satellite news network Al Jazeera. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state” of Lebanon, he said. The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said on Tuesday that Israel’s security concerns had been addressed in the deal also brokered by France. – Where the fighting has left both sides After months of cross-border bombings, Israel can claim major victories, including the killing of Hezbollah’s top leader, Hassan Nasrallah, most of his senior commanders and the destruction of extensive militant infrastructure. A complex attack in September involving the explosion of hundreds of walkie-talkies and pagers used by Hezbollah was widely attributed to Israel, signalling a remarkable penetration of the militant group. The damage inflicted on Hezbollah has come not only in its ranks, but to the reputation it built by fighting Israel to a stalemate in the 2006 war. Still, its fighters managed to put up heavy resistance on the ground, slowing Israel’s advance while continuing to fire scores of rockets, missiles and drones across the border each day. The ceasefire offers relief to both sides, giving Israel’s overstretched army a break and allowing Hezbollah leaders to tout the group’s effectiveness in holding their ground despite Israel’s massive advantage in weaponry. But the group is likely to face a reckoning, with many Lebanese accusing it of tying their country’s fate to Gaza’s at the service of key ally Iran, inflicting great damage on a Lebanese economy that was already in a grave condition. – No answers for Gaza Until now, Hezbollah has insisted that it would only halt its attacks on Israel when it agreed to stop fighting in Gaza. Some in the region are likely to view a deal between the Lebanon-based group and Israel as a capitulation. In Gaza, where officials say the war has killed more than 44,000 Palestinians, Israel’s attacks have inflicted a heavy toll on Hamas, including the killing of the group’s top leaders. But Hamas fighters continue to hold scores of Israeli hostages, giving the militant group a bargaining chip if indirect ceasefire negotiations resume. Hamas is likely to continue to demand a lasting truce and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in any such deal. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas offered a pointed reminder on Tuesday of the intractability of the war, demanding urgent international intervention. “The only way to halt the dangerous escalation we are witnessing in the region, and maintain regional and international stability, security and peace, is to resolve the question of Palestine,” he said in a speech to the UN read by his ambassador.Daily Post Nigeria Police bust 3-member robbery gang in Adamawa Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport News Police bust 3-member robbery gang in Adamawa Published on December 5, 2024 By Jim Ochetenwu Police operatives in Adamawa State have busted a three-member robbery gang. The Adamawa State Police Command stated on Thursday that the three suspected robbers were arrested after they broke into a house in Yola and robbed the occupants of their belongings. They similarly forced their way into a shop in the same neighbourhood and carted away several commodities. “Three notorious Shilla Boys who have been on the wanted list of the command have been apprehended,” the police said in a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, Suleiman Nguroje. The statement named the suspects as Zaiyat Abubakar, 29, Hassan Buhari, 19, and Suleiman S. Suleiman, 27, all residents of Yola North Local Government Area. “The suspects had on November 28, 2024, conspired and broke into the house of Bapetel Jidda and robbed his family members of their belongings using offensive weapons. “Similarly, on December 4, 2024, the same gang broke into a shop situated along the same area and stole many valuable items,” the police explained. The police added that, so far, some television sets, standing fans, stabilisers, and a deep fridge, among other items, have been recovered from the suspects. Related Topics: adamawa robbery Don't Miss FCT: We did not construct road for EFCC — Wike clarifies new project You may like Gov Fintiri signs bill creating 83 districts in Adamawa Adamawa swears in Assembly Service Commission members APC begins fence mending in Adamawa, forms 8-man reconciliation committee Adamawa: Police nab four suspected robbers Adamawa: Police recover 364 bullets from suspected gunrunner Adamawa Aids control office reports drop in HIV prevalence Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd

“A lot of times for us, we don’t know whether we should reach out to our Western counterparts to work with them,” Cheung told the South China Morning Post. “Because even if they have interest to work with us ... they may not have the freedom to [do so]. And that is sad in a way.” “So from a scientist’s point of view, it has been difficult over the past few years, particularly in the AI area,” he said.An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan indicted jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and several close associates Thursday for allegedly inciting supporters to attack military installations during anti-government protests in 2023. The special tribunal convened the hearing and announced the indictment at Adiala Jail, the detention facility near Islamabad where Khan has been incarcerated for more than a year in connection with various legal proceedings and charges against him. The 72-year-old former prime minister and his co-defendants asserted their innocence of Thursday’s charges stemming from the violent protests that occurred on May 9, 2023. The nationwide demonstrations, spearheaded by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or PTI, party, erupted in response to his brief arrest on corruption allegations. The ensuing clashes with riot police resulted in the deaths of at least 10 protesters. Authorities also accused PTI supporters of attacking and ransacking key state buildings and military facilities, including the General Headquarters, or GHQ, in Rawalpindi. Local media quoted the public prosecutor as arguing before the court Thursday that pressuring the government through violent protests “falls under the category of terrorism” and that the attack on the GHQ “was carried out with the intention of inciting the Pakistani army to revolt.” Khan and his party have consistently accused state intelligence agency operatives of infiltrating protests and orchestrating the May 9 violence against military installations to justify a subsequent monthslong security crackdown against the PTI and a roundup of hundreds of its members. Dozens of detainees also have been handed over to military custody in connection with the riots, as reported by relatives of the detainees. A statement from the PTI expressed confidence Thursday in its legal team’s ability to challenge the indictment in appropriate courts, “and hopefully justice will be served.” Khan, prime minister from 2018 to 2022, has been entangled in dozens of legal proceedings and prosecutions since his ouster from power through an opposition parliamentary vote of no confidence. He asserts that the legal challenges are fabricated charges intended to prevent his return to politics at the behest of Pakistan’s powerful military, a charge the government denies. In August 2023, the cricket star-turned-prime minister was sentenced and arrested in a corruption case he dismissed as politically motivated. Subsequently, in several other lawsuits, Khan was convicted and sentenced to multiple prison terms just days before parliamentary elections in February 2024. Appeals courts have overturned or suspended all his convictions and sentences, citing a lack of evidence or trial transparency. However, authorities have prevented Khan from leaving the prison by launching new charges against him each time a court orders his release on bail. Last month, the police notified a federal high court that more than 70 cases had been registered against Khan in Islamabad alone. In the run-up to general elections on February 8, 2024, Pakistan’s election commission, through disputed rules, blocked the PTI from contesting the vote. Candidates nominated by Khan were eventually compelled to contest the elections as independents and secured the highest number of seats, primarily owing to his growing popularity. Nevertheless, their tally fell short of the threshold required to establish a government independently. The PTI has staged repeated nationwide street protests to demand Khan’s release from what it asserts is “unlawful” detention. It also has called for the resignation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government, contending that it is an outcome of rigged elections and the PTI’s “stolen mandate.” Late last month, Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, the former first lady, led thousands of supporters into Islamabad to advocate for their demands. The government carried out a crackdown on November 26 to disperse what the PTI called a “peaceful protest” march. The ensuing clashes resulted in the deaths of at least 12 protesters, according to PTI leaders and relatives of several victims. They say most of the victims were killed by gunfire from law enforcement personnel, while hundreds of others sustained bullet wounds. Pakistani officials have persistently denied the allegations, asserting that no protesters were killed. They say security forces did not use “firearms” and instead employed tear gas and rubber bullets. The government has accused protesters of ramming a vehicle into security force members, resulting in the deaths of four of them. However, the charges have been disputed by PTI officials and journalists covering the protest march both for local and foreign media. “The government had shown restraint, as law enforcement agencies were only equipped with water cannons and tear gas, not live ammunition,” Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Wednesday in an unusual meeting with foreign diplomats in Islamabad. The state TV broadcast live parts of his speech to foreign guests, including envoys from the United States, China, Britain and Japan. The meeting to address a domestic political crisis was a first in Pakistan's diplomatic history, a foreign ministry official told VOA anonymously because of the lack of authority to discuss the matter with the media. Critics argued that the unusual briefing to foreign diplomats reflected increasing pressure on the Pakistani government following the violent crackdown on the opposition party, the country’s largest and most popular political force.None

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic’s magnificent seven grand slam finals

NoneJasper council asks about status of interim housing as site servicing wraps up

Home Security System Market size is set to grow by USD 25.8 billion from 2024-2028, growth of DIY home security systems to boost the revenue- TechnavioMarin Voice: The Democrats have a branding problem

INDIANAPOLIS — On Thursday, students and staff at Robert Lee Frost School 106 cut the ribbon on a new media center. "Today is an incredibly exciting day," said Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Aleesia Johnson. It's all thanks to a collaboration between the IPS Foundation, Big Ten Conference , and the College Football Playoff Foundation, among others. "It means a lot when our students can see that outside of the school, there are so many other people who are rooting for their success and supporting them," said Johnson. "So to have them experience that today is very special." The renovation comes in conjunction with the Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game. It's complete with new books, furniture and backpacks full of supplies. Kyrie Woods is a second grader at School 106. "I would say thank you for making it, because I like this school," said Woods, "and I want to try some new books." Indiana Sports Corp helped select School 106 for the surprise. "This space once was a place that just really stored things that were unwanted," said Johnson. "To have a transformation of a place where kids can come and dive into the world beyond is pretty meaningful, symbolically and literally." The students in attendance for Thursday's ribbon cutting all had perfect attendance. Students at unique IPS school get education in English, Spanish IPS unveils district's 2025 legislative priorities IPS breaks ground on safety project at George W. Julian School 57 In all, about 90 students received a very special prize from the Big Ten. "We will give tickets for them and their family to attend the game," said Big Ten Conference senior vice president Omar Brown. "To be able to make a big impact in Indianapolis is an amazing feat." The CFP Foundation also recognized a teacher at School 106 for her 14 years of service. She received a $1,000 check to help stock her classroom.DisposeRx Celebrates Pharmacy as a Key Player in Decline of Overdose Deaths

Man City goalkeeper Ederson causes CHAOS after charging out of his box and leaving an open goal for Feyenoord's equaliser in 3-3 drawAndy Murray and Novak Djokovic’s magnificent seven grand slam finalsESPN Radio Hosts Rip Ohio State QB Will Howard For His BehaviorGeorge Weston Ltd. stock falls Friday, underperforms market

Montgomery thrilled to be back with BluesNone

Wolves head coach Gary O’Neil insists he is happy to look fans in the face and take the criticism which comes his way after his team were jeered off after losing 4-0 to Everton at Goodison Park. It was the fourth time this season they had conceded four or more and the performance showed why they have the Premier League’s worst defence. When O’Neil and the players went over to acknowledge the visiting supporters there were boos for a run of two wins in 14 league matches. “Whatever the fans think of me, there is definitely no-none working harder than me and I will continue to do so until someone tells me not to,” said O’Neil, who is under increasing pressure with his side second bottom of the table. “I go over there to see them because I appreciate every one of the Wolves fans. They have given me unbelievable support since I arrived at the football club,” he said. “We managed to produce some unbelievable stuff last season with a team that was heavily tipped by most of the nation for relegation. We managed to enjoy it together. “Now it is tough. I was happy to go over there and look them right in the face and take any criticism they want to throw at me. “I accept responsibility for my part in that. Whatever criticism they want to throw at me will not change how I feel about them. “Everyone at this football club needs to do more. We will get back to be ready to fight again on Monday (another crucial game against West Ham, whose manager Julen Lopetegui’s tenure is hanging by a thread). “I will work with everything I have. I will back myself to get the most out of the group. I understand the drive for change (but) you never know how much of a percentage of supporters it is.” Veteran Ashley Young ended Everton’s 370-minute wait for a goal with a 10th-minute free-kick, his first league goal for more than two years, and on-loan Lyon midfielder Orel Mangala blasted home his first for the club to establish a 2-0 half-time lead. Two Craig Dawson own goals secured Everton’s biggest home league win since April 2019, but manager Sean Dyche insisted their issues up front were far from sorted. He said: “It’s our fifth clean sheet in the last eight so the consistency has been there in one degree, we just haven’t been scoring goals. That’s been the hardest thing to find consistently and we haven’t solved it yet. “Goals change everything, they change opinions. That’s what football is like.” The victory was hugely important in a month in which, having been hammered 4-0 at Manchester United, they face top-six sides Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest and undoubtedly eased some of the pressure on Dyche and his players. “I’ve told them how proud I am of them,” he added. “The challenges come thick and fast on and off the pitch and they just keep going. “It’s only a step and there are many more to go but it’s a good step and a positive step. “It’s a temporary moment in time because the next one is a big one (Saturday’s Merseyside derby).”For those who made their money on PayPal, Venmo, Cash App or another third-party payment app last year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has some new rules that you will need to follow when you file your tax return next year. If you earned more than $5,000 in untaxed income in 2024 and were paid via a third-party payment app, you will need to complete tax form 1099-K. This is not the first time this rule has been mentioned, but the IRS confirmed that it will be applicable to 2024 taxes. This number will then drop to $2,500 in 2025 and then $600 in 2026. The reasoning is to bridge the gap between the current and the future reporting requirements form these apps. As Mark Steber, chief tax information officer for Jackson Hewitt explains , “The US Department of the Treasury are still moving forward on the 2024 rules that came from the Inflation Reduction Act. Prior to 2024, the earnings threshold was $20,000 and 200 transactions to receive a 1099-K tax document and in 2025 the income threshold earned from a third-party platform will be $600.” Self-employed individuals are required to report their total income for tax purposes, even if they don’t receive a 1099 form for all earnings. This long-standing rule is now supported by a tax reporting change, with the IRS shifting the focus to third-party payment apps to track unreported transactions. A 1099-K tax form is issued for income received through platforms like Venmo or Cash App from side jobs, freelance work, or contractor roles where taxes aren’t withheld. Currently, these apps must issue a 1099-K if a user earns over $20,000 in commercial payments across more than 200 transactions in a year. The American Rescue Plan announced the new $600 earnings limit, but the rollout has been a bit slower than anticipated to reduce the risk of inaccuracies and give the agency time to work out how the penalties will be discovered and implemented. As Steber continues “The taxation and tax treatment requirements for taxpayers has not changed. This taxable income has always been considered by the IRS to be taxable and should be reported on a tax return. The new change requires the online platforms to provide 1099-Ks to both their users and the IRS at a lower threshold than in prior years.” The reason for this delay is the fact that with this new technology widely available, distinguishing between taxable and nontaxable transactions through third-party apps isn’t always easy. With PayPal, Venmo, Cash App or Zelle being part of every day friendly transactions, it is hard to see if the money has been exchanged for rent or for an art commission, and people lie on the reason for the transactions all the time not because they have anything to hide, but because there is no need to tell the truth between friends. An active user may just be someone who values financial transparency with their friends and not a business. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel in a November 2023 statement showed that the agency is working on solving the problem “We spent many months gathering feedback from third-party groups and others, and it became increasingly clear we need additional time to effectively implement the new reporting requirements.” For the avid users, Steber cautions that “This is only for self-employment income. You should not receive a 1099-K for personal transactions but be aware that some platforms could accidently include personal transactions in the 1099-K and that will need to be corrected on the users tax return .” The most common ones are PayPal, Venmo, Zelle and Cash App, but the agency will also work with freelance platforms like Fivver or Upwork to report payments that freelancers receive throughout the year. If you are a user, keeping separate business and personal accounts will be useful and will make IRS reporting easier, although if in those apps you click the “sending money to family or friends” option, it will not be included in the money you need to report to the IRS.

Smarter city planning: Researchers use brain activity to predict visits to urban areas November 21, 2024 Michigan State University Researchers have measured the brain activity of people who had never been to a specific city and then use this brain activity to predict other people's actual visits to places around that city. This offers potential applications for urban planning and design that addresses the well-being of residents and visitors. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email Urbanization, the process by which cities and towns expand in size and population, is rapidly advancing globally, and the percentage of people living in urban environments has increased from 33% in 1960 to 57% in 2023. Now, researchers from Michigan State University are the first to measure brain activity to make predictions that could help inform enhanced urban planning and design that addresses the well-being of residents and visitors. Dar Meshi, an associate professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations and director of the Social Media and Neuroscience Lab at MSU, led the study, which was recently published in the journal Nature Cities and included collaborators from the University of Lisbon in Portugal. Together, they found that the brain's reward system can shape human behavior within urban environments and aid in designing cities that promote sustainable living. Because urban areas typically offer better access to educational and employment opportunities, advanced health care facilities and diverse cultural and recreational activities, they can contribute to a higher standard of living. However, the swift pace of urbanization also gives rise to challenges such as lack of green spaces, increased traffic noise, and social inequities, emphasizing the need for sustainable urban development strategies that prioritize health, safety and well-being for residents. To better understand how to create proactive urban planning frameworks, Meshi and his co-authors used principles from the budding field of neurourbanism -- the study of measuring the human brain to predict and understand the influence of urban environments on behavior -- to conduct the study. "Neurourbanism has the potential to contribute significantly to the design of cities that prioritize cognitive, emotional and physical well-being," Meshi said. "By prioritizing the well-being of individuals, cities can create environments that are conducive to the overall health and happiness of their inhabitants." Neurourbanism employs brain-scanning tools, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI. FMRI detects changes in blood oxygen levels, known as the blood oxygen level dependent, or BOLD, signal, and uses this signal to identify the brain regions that are active during specific tasks or mental processes. When neurons -- cells that send and receive signals in your brain -- become more active, they require more oxygen. Blood flows to the active areas to meet this demand, and the fMRI detects where changes in blood oxygenation levels occur. Meshi and his colleagues focused on the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, or vmPFC, a key region in the brain's reward system involved in valuation and decision-making. "Previous neuroforecasting research has used activity in the brain's reward system, including the vmPFC, to predict a variety of population behaviors, such as food choices, music purchasing, crowdfunding outcomes and stock market prices, making it a valuable region to study with respect to urban planning," said Ardaman Kaur, a postdoctoral researcher in the MSU Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering and one of the study's authors. For this study, 77 participants in the U.S. who had never visited Lisbon, Portugal, underwent fMRI scanning while viewing and rating photos depicting urban environments in the city. The photos were geotagged images posted on the photo-sharing application Flickr. The density of photos for each region served as a proxy for measuring visitation patterns around Lisbon. The findings from the study suggest that the neural activity in the vmPFC can predict people's visitation patterns to or away from a specific environment. "People typically make decisions to maximize value, and because certain urban areas induce greater value-related brain activity than others, people in the city are more likely to travel to, or take pictures of, those certain areas," Meshi said. According to Meshi, the results of the study imply that the vmPFC may be involved in processing a range of value judgements within urban environments, including perceptual, cognitive, social and cultural values. "Individuals may be drawn to visit urban spaces not only because of their aesthetic appeal, but also due to their sociocultural relevance," he said. "This could include places with historical significance or social importance, which may not necessarily be aesthetically pleasing, but still hold considerable value." Kaur said this research sheds important light on how our brains may encode information related to urban environments and drive visits around these environments. "The insights from our study can potentially aid in the development of future human-centric cities, specifically tailored to how our brains perceive and interact with the environment," Kaur said. Meshi believes the neurourbanistic approach used in his team's work can contribute to refining urban planning strategies, ultimately fostering enhanced livability and well-being. "By incorporating these findings into the urban infrastructure and services, we may be able to create cites that are more efficient and enhance population livability and make it easier for residents to get from place to place," he said. Story Source: Materials provided by Michigan State University . Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference : Cite This Page :Nintendo Switch Mario Kart Bundle Is $249 In Walmart's Black Friday SaleStock market today: Tech stocks and AI pull Wall Street to more records

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to GlasgowWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you. It's inevitable that as battery technology progresses, portable power stations will become more, well, portable. And the latest developments have seen a raft of new, compact power stations arriving in 2024 that can keep gadgets topped up without adding too much bulk to your backpack. The Anker brand Solix has been one of the latest companies to throw its hat into this particular ring, and it's doing things a bit differently. Unlike some small portable power stations, the new Solix C300 is tall, narrow and designed to be carried with a strap. That makes it more versatile, and the fact it's 15% smaller than its rivals really helps. There are two versions of the C300, one has a pair of AC sockets with a small inverter built in, the other has just a 12v selection of outputs. I've been testing the AC version for a while, using it to power and charge all sorts of devices, and it hasn't missed a beat. The inverter can cope with constant loads of up to 300 watts , or a surge of up to 600 watts, so it'll comfortably run any laptop, or even some power tools, or a projector. The USB sockets, of which there are four, can pump out 140 watts , which is impressive, and the battery has a 288Wh capacity , which is effectively the same as around 90,000mAh. So it has plenty of power for most of the devices you could plausibly take with you on an outdoor excursion, or a camping trip. And it weighs just 4kg. The DC version , without the two three-pin sockets, is even lighter, and that one comes with a clever pop-out lamp on the top . The AC version makes do with a light bar, but it's pretty bright. They both have Anker's LCD display on the front, which makes monitoring inputs and outputs really easy, with a clear indicator of how much charge is left in percentage terms. Recharging can be done through the USB sockets , more slowly through the car charging socket, through a solar input up to 100 watts or, in the case of the AC version , at 330 watts through an AC input. The DC version, however, can accept two charging loads through its USB-C sockets , instead of just one on the AC version. This means you can potentially hose in 280 watts. It won't charge quite as quickly as the AC version, then, but it's very impressive. In fact, I do think the DC version is the more versatile device , overall. It's a bit lighter and smaller, it has that neat pop-up lamp, and unless you really need an AC socket , it's just as useful. In fact, using an inverter is quite inefficient, and you'll have to cope with a phantom load just by turning it on. If you can, you should always use the 12V supply. And then there's the price. This is where it gets interesting. At the time of publication, the DC version costs £149.99, down from its usual £199.99. Meanwhile the AC version, usually priced at £269.99, costs £189.99. It makes it something of a dilemma for buyers, because there's only a £40 difference between the two. And that £40 gets you a robust inverter and two AC sockets. But, like I say, if you don't need AC power , if you can cope with some very powerful USB sockets and you'd prefer the lightness and smaller size, go for the DC version . You won't be disappointed. They're both really good bits of kit.

NoneCongressional bicameral team pushes for insurance, pharmaceutical reformHow California ranks as the most active political state