Day: December 23, 2024

Dalai Lama seeks to allay health concerns as succession planning looms  Reuters India
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Cryptocurrency News
The crypto market in December 2024 is buzzing with fresh opportunities and transformative projects that promise massive returns. As new technologies and utilities redefine the blockchain landscape, projects like Qubetics, AAVE, and SUI are making waves.
Qubetics is rewriting the rules of blockchain innovation, particularly with its $7.5 million presale and groundbreaking features. Meanwhile, AAVE is strengthening its position as a DeFi powerhouse with its recent price surge and ecosystem developments. At the same time, SUI is capturing attention by integrating Bitcoin functionality into its network, enhancing its appeal to developers and investors alike.

With each project bringing something unique to the table, let’s explore why they’re the best altcoins to invest in now.
Contents
Qubetics is a blockchain ecosystem designed to simplify and expand blockchain adoption. By tackling critical challenges like scalability, interoperability, and asset tokenisation, Qubetics is creating a comprehensive platform for businesses, developers, and everyday users.
The numbers speak for themselves. Currently in its 13th stage, the Qubetics presale has raised over $7.5 million, sold more than 367 million $TICS tokens, and on boarded over 11,300 holders. At $0.0342 per token, there’s a limited window to invest before the next 10% price hike this weekend.
Analysts are optimistic about $TICS’ trajectory, predicting a price of $0.25 by the presale’s end, delivering a 630% ROI. Post-presale, the token is expected to hit $1, representing a 2,820% ROI, with projections of $15 after the mainnet launch—a jaw-dropping 43,711% ROI. For a $7,000 investment, this means potential returns of $50,732 at $0.25, $204,800 at $1, and a life-changing $3,072,000 at $15.
The QubeQode IDE is a standout feature that simplifies blockchain development. Traditionally, creating smart contracts or decentralised applications required extensive programming skills. With QubeQode, developers of all levels can easily create, deploy, and manage their blockchain projects.
Imagine a fintech startup automating cross-border payments or an artist tokenising their digital art collection—both without hiring a team of blockchain developers. QubeQode IDE is removing barriers and enabling more industries to embrace blockchain technology.

Qubetics’ Multi-Chain Wallet is another game-changer. This feature allows users to manage multiple cryptocurrencies across different blockchains seamlessly. For businesses, this eliminates the inefficiencies of juggling various wallets and platforms. A freelancer working with global clients could invoice Ethereum, Bitcoin, or stablecoins, all while maintaining one central wallet.
This innovation not only makes digital asset management simpler but also more secure and user-friendly, appealing to both seasoned crypto enthusiasts and new users.
Tokenising real-world assets is at the heart of Qubetics’ vision. By converting tangible assets like real estate, intellectual property, or commodities into digital tokens, Qubetics is opening up new investment opportunities and improving liquidity.
Consider a real estate developer looking to raise funds by tokenising a luxury apartment complex. Investors from around the world can now own fractional shares, enabling small-scale investors to participate in markets traditionally reserved for the wealthy. Qubetics is not just making investment more inclusive; it’s revolutionising asset ownership.

AAVE has long been a cornerstone of decentralised finance (DeFi), offering users a platform to lend, borrow, and earn interest on digital assets. Its adaptability and continuous innovation make it a mainstay in the crypto ecosystem.
Recently, AAVE’s price has surged to nearly $400, representing a 420% increase from its April low. This bullish trend is supported by a rise in active addresses and strong on-chain metrics, reflecting heightened interest in the protocol.
Beyond its price performance, AAVE’s utility in DeFi is unparalleled. Developers are leveraging AAVE’s flash loans for complex financial transactions, while users benefit from its flexible lending and borrowing options. As AAVE continues to evolve, it remains one of the best altcoins to invest in now.
SUI is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the crypto world. Its recent integration of SatLayer brings Bitcoin functionality to the SUI network, allowing developers to secure decentralised applications with Bitcoin.
The SUI ecosystem is thriving, with decentralised exchange volume exceeding $466 million in a single day. While a recent network outage temporarily affected its performance, SUI’s market cap has climbed to $2.73 billion, making it the 55th-largest cryptocurrency.
By bridging the gap between Bitcoin and modern blockchain applications, SUI is positioning itself as one of the best altcoins to invest in now. Its focus on innovation and user engagement ensures its long-term relevance in the rapidly evolving crypto landscape.
AAVE and SUI are undoubtedly impressive, each excelling in their respective niches. AAVE’s dominance in DeFi and SUI’s bold integration of Bitcoin functionality make them essential components of a diversified crypto portfolio.
However, Qubetics is the project redefining what blockchain technology can achieve. With its $7 million presale success, innovative features like the Multi-Chain Wallet, and groundbreaking focus on Real World Asset Tokenisation, Qubetics is setting a new standard for the industry.
The opportunity is now. Visit Qubetics’ presale page to secure your $TICS tokens before the price hike. As one of the best altcoins to invest in now, Qubetics isn’t just a cryptocurrency—it’s the future of blockchain innovation.
Qubetics: https://qubetics.com/
Telegram: https://t.me/qubetics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/qubetics
Disclosure: This is a sponsored press release. Please do your research before buying any cryptocurrency or investing in any projects. Read the full disclosure here.
Null Transaction PR is a cryptocurrency marketing group responsible for article distribution across a myriad of news sites. If you’re looking to advertise with us, contact us by email at [email protected] or visit our website.
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The web has been a mixed blessing for people who care about information. Yes, it’s made it easier than ever to access facts and opinions from around the globe — but it also throws out older data as quickly as it brings in new data. (And let’s not even talk about propaganda!)
One shining beacon for recording truthful and accurate records throughout the web’s history has been the Internet Archive.
The Archive was created by Brewster Kahle, who, beginning in 1980, wanted “to build a library of everything.”  His first step in that direction was creating the Internet’s first distributed search system, the Wide Area Information Server (WAIS). 
When he founded the Archives in 1996, his ambitious goal was to provide “universal access to all knowledge.” Kahle and his friends have been remarkably successful. Today, the Archives holds digital copies of 44 million books and texts, 15 million audio recordings, 10.6 million videos, 4.8 million images, a million software programs, and even a copy of Computerworld from 1969. 
To do this, he created the Internet Archive and its associated projects, including the Wayback Machine, which allows users to view archived versions of more than 866 billion saved web pages, and the Open Library project, which aims to create a web page for every published book.
It’s that last project that got the Archives into legal hot water. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kahle opened the library for free ebook borrowing via the Controlled Digital Lending (CDL) program. Publishing companies were not amused and the Internet Archive lost the resulting lawsuit, Hachette v. Internet Archive. The court rejected the Archive’s fair use defense, finding that its digital lending practices infringed on publishers’ copyrights. 
That’s a huge problem on its own. The Internet Archive is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with a gross revenue in its most recent 990 filing of only $30.5 million. For the size of the job it’s undertaken, it’s grossly underfinanced. 
Recently, though, adding insult to injury, the Archive has been subjected to one cyber-attack after another.The first major incident occurred Oct. 9-10 and involved two simultaneous attacks: First, hackers exploited a GitLab token, compromising the Archive’s source code and stealing user data from 31 million accounts. Concurrently, a pro-Palestinian group called SN BlackMeta launched a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, temporarily knocking the site — and the Wayback Machine — offline.
Blackmeta said it hit the site because it belongs to the United States, which supports Israel in the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict. Uhm, no, no it doesn’t. The only cause the Internet Archive espouses is freedom of information, and it has no connection with the US government. 
Maybe it should. I could argue that the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) should track the public web, but it doesn’t. 
Then, on Oct. 20, the Internet Archive suffered yet another security breach: This time, hackers exploited unrotated Zendesk, the help desk support program’s application programming interface (API) tokens, to access the Archive’s support platform. 
The results have been one mess after another. Many of the Archive’s services, including the Wayback Machine, have gone dark. In addition, people are worried that some of the data stored by the Archive has been deleted or compromised. 
Operators managed to get the site back up, and a few days ago, Kahle told CBC Radio, “It’s just so sad. It’s great to be back up, and we have millions of people now accessing the site again.” 
That didn’t last. Since then, it’s been hammered yet again!
Enough already — crashing the Internet Archive won’t make a lick of difference to the world’s geopolitical problems. No one will get rich from ripping off the Internet Archive users. There is no point in messing with the Archive. None!
The Archive is a useful library. That’s it. That’s all. And that’s enough.  
In particular, the Archive keeps the only real records of what’s been on the Web. As we put more of our records and news on the Web and nowhere else, that’s vitally important for historians and other people who appreciate knowing who said what to whom and when. 
The Archive needs to be preserved, not vandalized. I’m reminded of the dim-minded protestors whose big idea was to throw pumpkin soup on the Mona Lisa. Quick! What were they protesting?  
You don’t know, do you? 
It was about the right to healthy, sustainable food.
That attack made no difference whatsoever. 
Vandalism, whether on a politically neutral, useful website or on world-famous art, is not helpful; it’s only harmful. And, in the Internet Archive’s case, it’s also pointless. 
More by Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols:

Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols has been writing about technology and the business of technology since CP/M-80 was the cutting-edge PC operating system, 300bps was a fast Internet connection, WordStar was the state-of-the-art word processor, and we liked it!
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Social magazine app maker Flipboard is reinventing itself for the new era of the open social web. While the company’s original app allowed users to collect content from blogs, news websites, and traditional social media services like Facebook and Twitter in order to create curated magazines, its new app called Surf, launching into invite-only beta today, will instead allow users to browse and explore the open social web. This includes services like Mastodon and Bluesky, as well as other public web content like blogs, podcasts, YouTube videos, and more.
To work, Surf supports open protocols like RSS, which provides feeds for updates from websites and podcasts, Bluesky’s newer AT Protocol, and ActivityPub, which powers decentralized X competitor Mastodon, plus Pixelfed, PeerTube, Friendica, Ghost, and others, and is integrated with Meta’s own X competitor, Instagram Threads.
According to Flipboard CEO Mike McCue, Surf has been in development for almost two years to solve many of the problems users face when they want to leave larger, centralized social media services in favor of those built with open protocols.
“Under the hood, it’s a browser for the social web,” says McCue. “[Surf] lets you browse any feed on the social web, whether it’s ActivityPub, AT Proto, or RSS,” he continues. “People, of course, have their profiles — those are feeds that you can surf. There are hashtags that are feeds. Searches can be a feed.”
On the app’s home page, Flipboard’s editorial team offers a variety of pre-made feeds to follow, organized into sections like Featured, Trending, Expert Voices, Communities, and others.
But what makes the app powerful is that you can also build your own custom feeds that combine sources of your own choosing.
For instance, if you wanted to follow a specific topic, like AI model development, or a hobby like mountain biking, you could combine feeds that include the people you’d like to follow, real-time searches, keywords, popular hashtags, specific RSS feeds for websites and blogs you like, favorite YouTube channels, podcasts, and more.
Plus, Surf gives you a number of features to better configure and control the custom feeds you design.
The app comes with some 30,000 pre-defined topics you can combine and configure. Even if you add people or websites that post about a range of different subjects, you can go into your custom feed’s settings and toggle on an option to “Keep Feed on Topic.”
This automatically filters out any news or posts that aren’t about your subject of interest from appearing in the feed.
You — and optionally, other contributors — can also further configure the feeds to include or exclude replies, reposts, or mature content, and change how the feed will be ordered.
Custom feeds can also support multiple topics, if desired. (Initially, this will be by using “AND” to create a custom feed that combines two topics. But later, you’ll be able to curate feeds by saying this “OR” that, Flipboard says).
As you browse a feed, there are multiple ways to view it, too.
A “Discuss” tab offers a Twitter-like timeline experience where posts from across social networks and sites are featured, which you can also like, reply to, repost, and bookmark, when logged in with your Mastodon credentials. (Support for Bluesky login will arrive in a few weeks.)
However, you can also browse the feed by other tabs, “Watch,” “Read,” “Listen,” and “Look,” if you filter the feed to show only videos, news articles, podcasts, and photos, respectively.
In the “Watch” mode video view, browsing the feed feels a lot like scrolling TikTok.
Feed owners can choose which of these is the feed’s default tab.
The app can be particularly useful for those times when a community has become fractured across multiple services, as was the case with those posting to the hashtag NBA Threads on Metas’ Threads app. Some people left Threads for Bluesky and Mastodon after Meta’s moderation issues, which meant users now had to turn to multiple apps to follow the community.
With Surf, the community has been reunited by way of a custom feed that pulls in content from different services.
As Surf was being built, Flipboard was also integrating its magazine app with the open social web, also known as the fediverse, by connecting it with more open services like Mastodon and Bluesky.
“These existing experiences that have been made open — that’s been like the first wave of the social web,” McCue explains, referring to the updates his company made to Flipboard. “Now, I think we’re entering the next wave…which is imagining completely new kinds of user experiences that we’ve never seen before, based on the power of the social web.”
Surf is currently in an invite-only, closed beta, where the first testers will be those who are likely interested in building feeds because they’ve already built things like custom feeds or Starter Packs on Bluesky, or Twitter/X Lists, for example.
The app is initially available on iOS and Android on an invite-only basis while in beta testing, but will later be available on the desktop web.

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Sarah has worked as a reporter for TechCrunch since August 2011. She joined the company after having previously spent over three years at ReadWriteWeb. Prior to her work as a reporter, Sarah worked in I.T. across a number of industries, including banking, retail and software.
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Anne Marie Garcia/Courtesy photo
LANL FOUNDATION NEWS RELEASE
After 14 years of exemplary service, Anna Marie Garcia, Vice President of Early Childhood Education at the LANL Foundation, will retire at the end of 2024. Her tenure has been marked by transformative leadership, unwavering commitment, and a deep dedication to improving the lives of young children, families, and communities in Northern New Mexico.
Garcia has been a guiding force in the growth and success of the Early Childhood Program, leading with vision, integrity, and a passion for fostering equity and inclusion. Since joining the LANL Foundation in 2010, she has spearheaded significant advancements in early childhood education and played a pivotal role in supporting New Mexico’s statewide home visiting initiatives, including the First Born and More model. Her work has left an indelible mark on the field, championing inclusive spaces where all children can grow and thrive.
“While my decision to retire was not easy, I am confident in the future of the LANL Foundation. I look forward to watching the next generation of leadership take the Early Childhood Program to even greater heights. It has been an incredible honor to serve the communities, and I am deeply grateful to my colleagues, our partners, and the communities we serve for their support over the years,” Garcia said.
Before her time at LANL Foundation, she dedicated her career to supporting families across New Mexico. Garcia co-founded the Las Cumbres Community Services Early Childhood program, worked in early intervention programs advocating for children with diverse needs, and did private consulting, including with the State of New Mexico Infant Toddler Program to connect staff and families to vital resources. She also taught future educators at Northern New Mexico College and Santa Fe Community College. These roles reflect her lifelong commitment to empowering communities through education and support.
“Anna Marie has made an indelible impact on Northern New Mexico, nurturing early childhood programming for over 15 years — from home visiting to kindergarten preparation, to building coalitions that support childcare providers across our region. At the LANL Foundation, we will particularly cherish the impact she has made as a mentor and advisor for so many of us, serving as a shining example for how we best serve students and families,” said LANL Foundation President and CEO Dr. Gwen Perea Warniment.

Garcia’s leadership has garnered widespread respect for her strategic vision, advocacy, and ability to build positive, inclusive learning environments. Her impact is celebrated by colleagues, partners, and community leaders alike.
“The Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council extends our deepest gratitude to Anna Marie for her remarkable dedication and the profound impact she has had on the Pueblo Outreach Project,” ENIPC Executive Director Phillip Perez said. “Her unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions will shape the future of our programs for years to come. Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, Anna Marie!”
The LANL Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to promote racial and social equity through diverse programming that empowers Northern New Mexico communities. Garcia has furthered this vision through initiatives like self-care and special education classes, ensuring her legacy continues to inspire and support the region.
Jovanna Archuleta
Program Director
of Early Childhood Education
As Garcia steps into retirement, she will continue to serve as a trusted advisor to the Early Childhood team. Her successor, Jovanna Archuleta, currently the Early Childhood Director of Community Outreach at LANL Foundation, brings a wealth of experience to the role. Archuleta rejoined the Foundation in 2022 after serving as the Assistant Secretary for Native American Early Education and Care with the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department. She is deeply committed to continuing the impactful work initiated by Anna Marie.
“It is an honor to follow in the footsteps of Anna Marie, whose vision and leadership have set a remarkable path for our continued work,” Archuleta said. “I am deeply committed to building on the foundation she has laid and leading with innovation and success, supported by our talented early childhood team.”
The leadership transition will officially take place Jan. 1, 2025. The LANL Foundation plans to host a celebration in early spring to honor Garcia’s remarkable legacy and contributions.
To learn more about the LANL Foundation’s work in early childhood education, visit lanlfoundation.org.

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The cryptocurrency world has always been a hotbed of innovation, attracting both seasoned investors and curious newcomers. Bitcoin and Litecoin have long been at the forefront of this digital revolution, paving the way for cryptocurrencies to become mainstream financial assets. But as 2024 winds down, a new player, Qubetics, is commanding attention with its groundbreaking $7.5 million presale and ambitious plans to redefine blockchain technology.

While Bitcoin continues to surge past the $100,000 mark and Litecoin rides a wave of miner confidence and increasing adoption, Qubetics is blazing its own trail with unique features like interoperability and real-world asset tokenisation. Together, these three projects offer some of the best altcoins to invest in today, each serving different but complementary purposes in the evolving crypto ecosystem.
Qubetics is rewriting the rules of blockchain innovation by focusing on real-world challenges and providing practical, scalable solutions. From its groundbreaking presale success to its forward-thinking features like interoperability and real-world asset tokenisation, Qubetics is setting a new standard for blockchain ecosystems.
The Qubetics presale, now in its 13th stage, has raised over $7.5 million and sold more than 367 million $TICS tokens to over 11,300 holders. At $0.0342 per token, investors are flocking to secure their stake before a 10% price hike takes effect this weekend. Analysts predict that $TICS could reach $0.25 by the end of the presale, delivering a 630% ROI. Post-presale, projections indicate a rise to $1 (2,820% ROI) and as high as $15 after the mainnet launch (43,711% ROI).
For instance, an $8,000 investment today could yield $58,536 at $0.25, $233,600 at $1, and a staggering $3,504,000 at $15. These figures underscore why Qubetics is one of the best altcoins to invest in today.

One of Qubetics’ most compelling features is its focus on interoperability. Unlike traditional blockchains that operate in isolation, Qubetics allows seamless interaction between different networks. Imagine a business conducting transactions in Bitcoin, receiving payments in Ethereum, and managing records on a private blockchain—all facilitated by Qubetics.
For professionals, this means less hassle juggling multiple platforms. For developers, interoperability simplifies creating applications that work across various ecosystems. Whether it’s enabling cross-border payments or integrating supply chain systems, Qubetics is bridging gaps and streamlining operations, making it an essential tool for modern businesses.
Bitcoin’s journey from a niche digital asset to a globally recognised financial instrument is nothing short of extraordinary. In December 2024, Bitcoin shattered records by crossing the $100,000 mark, reaching an all-time high of $108,267.
Institutional interest is a key driver of Bitcoin’s recent success. Companies like MicroStrategy continue to double down on their Bitcoin investments, with the firm recently acquiring an additional 15,350 BTC. Moreover, luxury brands are starting to accept Bitcoin payments, a sign of growing mainstream acceptance. For instance, high-end retailers like Gucci and Balenciaga are exploring cryptocurrency transactions to attract affluent crypto investors.
Bitcoin’s status as a “digital gold” remains unchallenged, offering a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. Its limited supply of 21 million coins ensures scarcity, further driving demand. Whether you’re a long-term holder or a day trader, Bitcoin’s proven track record and rising adoption make it one of the best altcoins to invest in today.
Often referred to as the “silver” to Bitcoin’s “gold,” Litecoin has consistently proven its worth as a fast, reliable, and low-cost cryptocurrency. With recent market activity reflecting a 35% surge, Litecoin has climbed to a new weekly peak of $130.
What’s driving this growth? Miners have recently bought $18 million worth of LTC, reflecting strong confidence in its future potential. Technical analysis suggests Litecoin could hit $150 before encountering significant resistance. Its blockchain’s speed and affordability make it ideal for everyday transactions, and its upcoming ETFs could further boost its market presence.
Litecoin’s simplicity and efficiency have earned it a loyal following among users and investors alike. Its active development community and steady adoption rates ensure it remains a significant player in the crypto space, offering yet another compelling reason why it’s one of the best altcoins to invest in today.

While Bitcoin and Litecoin have established themselves as cornerstones of the cryptocurrency world, Qubetics is carving out its own path with innovative features and immense growth potential. Its presale success and focus on real-world applications make it more than just another blockchain project—it’s a blueprint for the future of digital finance.
The interoperability feature alone positions Qubetics as a leader in solving one of blockchain’s biggest challenges. By enabling seamless communication between different networks, Qubetics is eliminating barriers and making blockchain technology more accessible and efficient.
Add to that its focus on real-world asset tokenisation, and you have a project that’s not just about speculation but about creating tangible value. Whether you’re a business owner looking to digitise assets or an investor seeking high returns, Qubetics delivers on all fronts.
As the year comes to a close, Qubetics, Bitcoin, and Litecoin stand out as three projects that offer unique opportunities for investors. Bitcoin’s position as the market leader remains unshaken, with rising institutional interest and mainstream adoption driving its growth. Litecoin continues to serve as a reliable and efficient alternative, gaining traction among miners and everyday users.
However, Qubetics is the game-changer. With its $7.5 million presale, focus on interoperability, and ambitious growth plans, it’s redefining what’s possible in the blockchain space.
The clock is ticking. Visit Qubetics’ presale page today to secure your $TICS tokens before the price hike. Whether you’re new to crypto or a seasoned investor, Qubetics is your ticket to the future of blockchain innovation. Don’t miss out on one of the best altcoins to invest in today.
Qubetics: https://qubetics.com/
Telegram: https://t.me/qubetics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/qubetics
Disclosure: This is a sponsored press release. Please do your research before buying any cryptocurrency or investing in any projects. Read the full disclosure here.
Null Transaction PR is a cryptocurrency marketing group responsible for article distribution across a myriad of news sites. If you’re looking to advertise with us, contact us by email at [email protected] or visit our website.

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UPDATED 20:05 EST / DECEMBER 22 2024
by Mike Wheatley
Google LLC has proposed putting limits on its search partnerships in order to resolve antitrust violations in its search business, as an alternative to the U.S. Department of Justice’s suggestion that it sell its Chrome browser.
Google’s vice president of Regulatory Affairs Lee-Anne Mulholland detailed the company’s remedies proposal in a blog post. It comes in response to a ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in August that it’s running an illegal monopoly across the search engine and search advertising markets.
The DOJ and the group of states that brought the case against Google suggested last month that Judge Amit Mehta should force it to sell the Chrome browser to resolve the issues. In addition, they also requested that Google be prevented from entering default search agreements with companies like Apple In. They also want it to open up its search engine results to competing search companies, and further request that it spins off its Android operating system.
Mullholland said today that the DOJ’s proposal reflects an “interventionist agenda” that goes well beyond what the judge’s decision was actually about.
According to her, the main problem with the DOJ’s proposal is that it would actually harm American consumers more and undermine the country’s global technology leadership by requiring it to share user’s private search queries with foreign and domestic rivals, limiting its ability to innovate and improve its search algorithms.
Under her counter-proposal, Mulholland suggests Google should be allowed to continue partnering with third-parties like Apple in revenue-sharing deals, so it could still be the default search engine on its devices. However, such deals would instead be non-exclusive.
“We don’t propose these changes lightly,” Mulholland said. “They would come at a cost to our partners by regulating how they must go about picking the best search engine for their customers. And they would impose burdensome restrictions and oversight over contracts that have reduced prices for devices and supported innovation in rival browsers, both of which have been good for consumers.”
Google also suggests that Android device makers be given more flexibility to preload multiple search engine providers, and it would stop forcing them to pre-install apps such as Google Search and Chrome.
Google’s search engine rivals, such as Microsoft Corp., which offers the Bing search engine, DuckDuckGo Inc., Qwant SE and Startpage BV would likely benefit immensely if it were forced to sell off Chrome, which has a commanding share of the web browser market. However, it remains unclear how a possible Chrome spinoff would work.
Judge Amit Mehta has scheduled a hearing in April, where both sides will have the opportunity to present their proposals on how to remedy the case, and a final decision is expected by August.
However, the case may be complicated by a possible appeal. Google’s president of global affairs Kent Walker said after the original ruling that the company intends to appeal the judge’s decision, which could mean any remedy is delayed by several years.
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by WTFCF Staff | Dec 22, 2024
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From: The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and Enhanced Nature (EN), together with its parent company Symbiotic Sciences (SS), announced a joint program to develop methods to accelerate and optimize the in vitro growth of AMF (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) for more sustainable agriculture. The project is led by Armando Bravo, PhD, assistant member at the Danforth Center. Dr. Bravo’s field of expertise is the symbiotic relationship between AMF and plant roots. His counterpart is Shouvik Chowdhury, VP Product Development and Strategy at EN, who also manages the EN and SS AMF production facility in Delhi, India. 
FEATURE IMAGE: Armando Bravo, PhD, assistant member at the Danforth Center and two lab members in a greenhouse. Credit: Danforth Plant Science Center.
AMF live underground in tight association with plant roots, where they help plants take up nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen from the soil, and to tolerate environmental stress. In exchange, plants return essential carbon-containing compounds that allow the AMF to live and grow. About 70% of all plants naturally form symbiotic relationships with AMF, and AMF is recognized as a key organic component contributing to more sustainable and profitable agriculture practices. AMF sales worldwide have been projected to grow over the next 8 years at 10-15% annually (CAGR).
“Although AMF’s benefits to plants have been known for decades, widespread agricultural adoption has remained limited due to inefficient production methods,” said Bravo. “Recent breakthroughs in AM symbiosis research could enhance our ability to cultivate AMF more effectively. These advances not only deepen our understanding of AMF’s functions but also offer practical applications for improved fungal production. Just like the symbiotic relationship between AMF and plants, this collaboration will benefit both Symbiotic Sciences and the Danforth Center by advancing basic science and sustainable agricultural practices.” 
“For the last 15 years we have been operating one of the largest AMF production facilities in the world,” said Chowdhury. “As we have developed our proprietary methods, we have come to appreciate the complexity of culturing AMF at scale. Since EN has begun selling a variety of AMF products to the market we have observed a rapid increase in demand. Supply of high quality AMF is limited, so methods to increase production efficiencies without compromising quality are clearly needed. We are truly excited to partner with Dr. Bravo and the Danforth Center, as we believe this collaboration will open up innovative pathways to enhance production efficiency and scalability. We hope to collaborate with Danforth on other projects to facilitate the adoption of AMF in agriculture.”
About The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a nonprofit research institute with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Research, education and outreach aim to have an impact at the nexus of food security and the environment, and position the St. Louis region as a world center for plant science. The Center’s work is funded through competitive grants from many sources, including the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and through the support of individuals and corporations. Learn more at danforthcenter.org
About Enhanced Nature
Enhanced Nature (EN) drives the future of bionutrition, harnessing the power of concentrated AMF (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) to the ultimate benefit of farmers and growers around the world. Backed by the pioneering expertise and robust  foundation of Symbiotic Sciences—an innovator in AMF research and large-scale production—EN delivers on its promise of “Nature, Enhanced”. EN supplies the highest quality AMF-based bionutrients to bionutrient suppliers, retailers, and wholesalers.
The post New collaboration aims to optimize crop nutrient uptake and tolerance to environmental stress for more sustainable agriculture first appeared in the The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Newsroom.
 
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