Photo Credit: Alpha Tau / YouTube screen captureGraphic image of a solid cancer tumor
Israeli researchers have created a new way to deliver drugs directly to cancerous tumors.
The researchers at Tel Aviv University developed a new platform using polymeric nanoparticles to deliver drug pairs to specific cancer types, including skin cancer and breast cancer.
Advertisement
Here are five things in business tech news that happened this week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?
Business Tech News #1 – The most popular AI tools of 2024 (and what that even means).
David Gewirtz of ZDNet reported on the most popular AI tools for 2024. Highlighting data that was gathered in August, the most utilized AI tools by market share are the following: ChatGPT (54.96 percent); publishing tool Canva (14.92 percent); translation platform DeepL (5.38 percent); Google Gemini (4.75 percent); and Character.AI (3.90 percent). Gewirtz noted that measuring the popularity for each is challenging as some tools are standalone while others are embedded in products. Metrics from platforms like Semrush and Similarweb were used to estimate traffic volume. Claude, Perplexity AI, and Microsoft Copilot were also on the list. (Source: ZDNet)
Why this is important for your business:
All are fine and fun. But this like when the iPhone was introduced and then the AppStore came along and all these apps appeared. The good ones either became unicorns or were gobbled up by big tech. The list above? I’m betting when we look at it in just a few years it will be completely different. In 2024, AI was overhyped and unreliable and certainly not ready for prime-time for any business to use. But of course these applications will be better and smarter and likely replaced by more advanced offerings.
Business Tech News #2 – Big changes are coming to AI in 2025: Microsoft.
According to executives at Microsoft, significant changes coming to AI in 2025. Ashley Llorens – Microsoft’s corporate vice president and managing director – said that we can expect AI to handle “a more sophisticated set of tasks.” Companies will release more powerful and energy-efficient AI models. AI Agents will become more prominent, performing specific tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously (e.g., extracting specific information from expense reports or simulating conversations to analyze which company processes are most efficient). Efforts to bring AI features to more consumers will be stepped-up. Microsoft is developing AI agents to connect employees and facilitate tasks like scheduling “coffee chats” with colleagues. (Source: Yahoo Finance)
Why this is important for your business:
I’ve written here about agents. And I’ve written here about how some industries – particularly financial services – are already replacing people with AI applications. All of this will be rolled out in 2025. But before you get too excited, just remember the oldest law in technology: NEVER buy the first version of any software applications, particularly if it’s been made by Microsoft. Agents will need a year or two to get rid of the bugs and become more pervasive in our business applications. We’ll need that time to fully understand what they can and how they can be best used in our businesses.
Business Tech News #3 – LegalZoom and 1-800Accountant join forces to deliver full-service tax and bookkeeping solutions for small business owners.
LegalZoom and 1-800Accountant have entered into a multi-year strategic partnership to offer full-service tax and bookkeeping solutions for small business owners. According to the press release, LegalZoom customers will have access to year-round, expert-led bookkeeping and tax services provided by 1-800Accountant. A recent survey revealed that tax management, liability protection, and legitimacy are key motivations for small business owners, making advisory services critically important. This collaboration aims to enhance LegalZoom’s ecosystem of products, partnerships, and services that support small business owners’ legal, compliance, and business management needs. The new product offering is expected to launch in January 2025. (Source: GlobeNewswire)
Why this is important for your business:
It’s a nice idea for businesses that use either service to take advantage of the other service. Hopefully this partnership will provide for a more cost-effective solution. But this is going to be for very small businesses, maybe those with less than 10 employees. As companies get bigger and more complex their taxes need to be done by CPAs and other knowledgeable professions who are more intimately familiar with their clients’ activities, and not just an “800” accounting service with a revolving staff.
Business Tech News #4 – This is how HR will transform in 2025.
HR expert Cheryl Swirnow outlined her key predictions for how human resources will transform by 2025. Swirnow anticipates that HR will shift from a support role to a central player in corporate leadership, with over 55 percent of CEOs involving HR leaders in strategic decisions. HR will no longer be seen as the sole answer to retention and cultural challenges – instead, companies will adopt a more collaborative, cross-functional approach. Investments in HR Tech will increase significantly as companies that don’t adopt advanced HR technology will struggle to remain competitive. Additionally, employee wellbeing – an issue that workers have been more vocal about in the pandemic era – will become a central business priority. “HR isn’t just a side player—it’s a game-changer for business success,” Swirnow said. (Source: Fast Company)
Why this is important for your business:
CEOs involving HR leaders in their strategic decisions isn’t a tech issue, it’s a critical management issue and we should all be doing that. HR tech decisions need to be collaborative with HR executives, IT and other leaders within an organization.
5 – Wix releases AI feature for businesses to engage with customers online.
Wix’s new AI feature – AI Site-Chat – is designed to help businesses engage with customers online. The AI Site-Chat acts as a virtual agent, answering customer questions and providing relevant information around the clock – even when business owners are unavailable. It integrates with the site’s internal systems to pull live data, ensuring accurate and up-to-date responses – a key function in capturing leads. The chat feature is fully customizable to reflect the brand’s voice and can be configured with specific guidelines. “Businesses can seamlessly use this feature to deliver real-time, conversational customer service, sales, and support in one place,” said Yaniv Ben Simon, Head of Product for AI Site-Chat at Wix. (Source: MarTech Cube)
Why this is important for your business:
This is great, but businesses should also be looking at similar AI offerings from their CRM (customer relationship management) providers. Most of the good, mainstream CRM platforms have this kind of functionality available that’s easily integrated into a website and can then be used for further service and marketing actions.
Every Sunday I summarize five business tech news stories and offer my thoughts on why they’re important for your business.
By Kaanita Iyer, CNN Washington (CNN) — As Joe Manchin prepares to leave Congress after nearly 15 years, the West Virginia senator — who left the Democratic Party and registered as an independent earlier this year — is further distancing himself from his former party, calling the Democratic brand “toxic.” “The D-brand has been so…
How should the government approach public information campaigns on climate awareness at a time when people are preoccupied with immediate pressures? In the context of public messaging, fear appeals have long been a popular tactic, writes Linda Stewart, news editor at Applied Microbiology International. Vegan food. Picture: Keith Heppell Fear-based messages, highlighting threats like physical…
The study, published recently in the journal Nature Geoscience, was conducted jointly by researchers from Peking University, Pennsylvania State University, the University of California at Riverside and other institutes.
The team reconstructed the state of ocean acidification during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a climatic event characterized by significant increases in global temperatures and severe ecosystem disruptions. The study found striking parallels between ocean acidification during the PETM and current trends caused by rising atmospheric carbon dioxide.
During the PETM, the sharp increase in carbon emissions led to a sharp decrease in ocean pH, which reduced the availability of carbonate ions needed by marine organisms to form shells, a critical component of ocean carbon storage.
Using paleoclimate data assimilation that combines proxy records with simulations of Earth system models, the researchers reconstructed changes in the chemical composition of carbonates in the ocean. They calculated that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels rose from 890 parts per million (ppm) to 1980 ppm during the PETM, which was accompanied by an average decrease in ocean pH of 0.46 units.
“These findings are a clear warning for the future,” said Li Mingsong, a professor at Peking University, adding that the drop in ocean pH during the PETM closely resembles modern predictions under high-emission scenarios.
Li noted that the current rate of carbon emissions is much faster than during the PETM, posing a serious threat to marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
“The PETM, which lasted about 200,000 years, represents a natural analogue of what uncontrolled carbon emissions can cause today. The accelerated emissions we face today pose an even greater, long-term threat to marine life, especially in vulnerable regions like the Arctic,” Li added.
According to the researchers, the findings underscore the lasting consequences of increased carbon emissions and highlight the urgent need for climate action to protect ocean health and global biodiversity. | BGNES
A couple’s life has been turned into a ‘horror movie’ after they discovered a secret room hidden under their concrete floor. The husband explained how he and his wife bought their very first home and started renovating it to make the space their own. In the process, they set to work remodelling their garage, which…
A travel firm has erupted in fury over an impending regulation in Majorca intended to cap guided walking tours at just 20 participants. The Balearic Islands’ Travel Agencies Business Association (Aviba) has blasted the proposed cap as ‘disproportionate’ and ‘nonsensical’. Speaking to Ultima Hora, Aviba’s top brass Pedro Fiol declared: “If this is implemented, you…
Letters to the editor should be 250 words or less. Include your name and city or community of residence. Guest opinions should be 600 words or less and include a brief summary of the author’s credentials relevant to the topic. Guest opinions may include a head shot of the author. For the Fort Myers News-Press,…
Did Micheal Gambon read the Harry Potter books? (Photo Credit – Instagram)
Micheal Gambon didn’t read the Barry Potter books, not a single one. His reason? Simple. Micheal trusted the script and stuck to it—literally. During an interview, Gambon unapologetically explained his reasoning: “No point in reading the books because you’re playing with [screenwriter] Steve Kloves’ words.”
For Gambon, the magic of the wizarding world lay in the script, not the source material. And honestly, who could argue with a legend who effortlessly blended gravitas with charm?
Gambon stepped into some big shoes after Harris’ death in 2002. Fans already adored Harris’ portrayal of the gentle, grandfatherly Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films. But Gambon wasn’t about to imitate. Instead, he brought his own “a little scary” flavor.
“He’s got to be a bit scary. All headmasters should be a bit scary, shouldn’t they?” he mused. To Gambon, Dumbledore wasn’t just a whimsical, kindly figure. He was a protector—fierce, calculated, and not afraid to throw down when needed. Fans might’ve winced at some of his bold choices, but Gambon stayed true to his vision.
Sure, some diehard Potterheads weren’t thrilled. They missed the softness Harris brought to the role. Gambon’s infamous “Did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?!” moment still sparks debates. (Yes, it was fiery. No, it wasn’t “book accurate.”) But Gambon didn’t flinch. He let his performance stand tall, rooted in instinct rather than pages.
And his instincts worked. Gambon’s Dumbledore became a fixture in pop culture, celebrated for his commanding presence and his ability to humanize the all-powerful wizard. He didn’t just play Dumbledore—he owned him.
Off-screen, Gambon cherished the love fans showered upon the franchise. He often reflected on the overwhelming passion of Harry Potter devotees. One memory stood out—a rainy premiere for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, where fans braved a storm just to catch a glimpse of the cast. Gambon admitted, “I was really moved.”
That connection with audiences wasn’t limited to his Potter days. Gambon’s career, spanning decades, left behind a legacy few can match. From the stage to the big screen, he carried himself with humility, wit, and a sprinkle of mischief—just like the character he so memorably portrayed.
Skipping the books might seem sacrilegious to some, but for Gambon, it was genius. By avoiding Rowling’s novels, he focused entirely on the script and his interpretation of Dumbledore. The result? A portrayal that was equal parts commanding and tender, fiery yet lovable. Gambon didn’t just read about the magic; he became it.
Though Michael Gambon left us in 2023, his spellbinding performances—and his unconventional choices—continue to enchant fans worldwide.
For more such stories, check out Hollywood News
Must Read: Liam Payne’s Tragic Farewell: Secret Song For Naomi Campbell Reveals Heartbreaking Love Story
Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube | Google News
By WILIAM HUNTER Published: 06:37 EST, 22 December 2024 | Updated: 07:12 EST, 22 December 2024