AI is everywhere, is your business secure enough?

Business News

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Kashmir Scientist Dr Khalid Shah’s Dual Breakthrough in Cancer Therapy Will Revolutionise Oncology

Science and Health

    by Masood HussainSRINAGAR: Dr Khalid Shah, a Kashmiri scientist of global renown, has made another groundbreaking advancement in cancer research by developing a safety mechanism to eliminate cancer-killing cells after they have served their purpose. This latest innovation builds upon his earlier revolutionary work, where he engineered cancer cells to transform into cancer killers—a pioneering approach that has redefined possibilities in the treatment of glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer in adults.[embedded content]
The newly devised “safety switch” leverages RIPK3, an enzyme essential for programmed cell death, to ensure that the engineered cancer-killing cells self-destruct after completing their therapeutic mission. This method enhances the safety of cell-based therapies while maintaining their effectiveness. Published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation on January 16, the research demonstrates that this mechanism not only eliminates the therapeutic cells but also stimulates the immune system to continue its fight against tumours. In laboratory models, the technique has shown promising results, including improved tumour suppression, better survival rates, and reinvigoration of immune cells.This breakthrough complements Dr Shah’s earlier work, in which he developed a method to repurpose tumour cells into cancer killers. Harnessing the natural ability of cancer cells to locate and target other cancerous cells, his therapy involves editing tumour cells to deliver therapeutic agents directly to the tumour. The approach addresses significant challenges in drug delivery by ensuring that treatments reach even the most inaccessible tumour sites.Dr Shah’s earlier research introduced two innovative techniques. The first, referred to as the “off-the-shelf” method, uses pre-engineered tumour cells matched to a patient’s immune fingerprint to target cancer. The second approach, known as the “autologous” technique, involves editing a patient’s tumour cells using CRISPR technology to deliver therapeutic molecules. These modified cells are then reintroduced into the patient to combat the disease.The integration of these two discoveries represents a comprehensive approach to cancer therapy. By engineering cancer cells to act as precise tumour killers and then devising a mechanism to safely destroy these therapeutic cells after their job is done, Dr Shah’s work has opened a new frontier in oncology.Dr Shah, who is currently the Vice Chairman of Research at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Centre for Stem Cell and Translational Immunotherapy, has been widely recognised for his contributions to the field. His work has been featured in leading journals such as Nature Neuroscience, Science Translational Medicine, and Lancet Oncology. His innovations have also drawn significant media attention, with outlets like CNN and BBC highlighting his achievements.Beyond his research, Dr Shah has mentored students from over 45 countries and authored two influential books on stem cell therapeutics. He holds more than fifteen patents and has founded two biotech companies dedicated to translating his discoveries into clinical applications. His achievements have been recognised with numerous awards, including honours from the American Cancer Society and the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy.Making Cancer Fight Cancer“Our goal is to create therapies that are both innovative and translatable,” Dr Shah stated. “By ensuring the safety and efficacy of cell-based therapies, we aim to make a lasting impact on medicine and improve the lives of patients worldwide.”With these dual breakthroughs, Dr Shah has redefined the landscape of cancer treatment. His pioneering work not only offers hope for glioblastoma patients but also lays the groundwork for safer and more effective cell-based therapies in the future.Dr Shah’s advancements come at a critical time when glioblastoma, despite being the most common type of brain cancer, has one of the bleakest prognoses, with most patients surviving only 12 to 18 months after diagnosis. His research not only offers hope for extending survival rates but also opens new avenues for targeting other types of cancers.The safety switch mechanism developed by Dr Shah and his team has potential applications beyond glioblastoma. The technology could be adapted for use in other cell therapies, such as those involving T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and stem cells. This adaptability positions the discovery as a cornerstone for the next generation of personalised cancer treatments, where therapies are tailored not only to the type of cancer but also to the individual needs of patients.

Jennifer Lawrence slept with director of film which she admits she ‘doesn’t understand’

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Jennifer Lawrence revealed that she’s still lost on the plot of one of her most successful movies, despite being in a relationship with its director at the time.The 34-year-old is now happily married to Cooke Maroney with a second child on the way, but the star continues to be overly eager to share details about her private life.Rising to stardom as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games film series, Lawrence also won an Oscar for her role in 2012 movie Silver Linings Playbook.However, one of the actor’s films made headlines for an admission that she made on a talk show in 2023.Released in 2017, the horror film, titled Mother!, directed by Darren Aronofsky, stars Lawrence as the titular character.The flick follows a poet and his wife, whose calm life becomes a hectic mess when uninvited guests start to show up to their home in the countryside, uninvited.Described by many viewers as confusing and bizarre, the thriller is shrouded in symbolism and tone rather than character and plot, meaning it can be easy to get lost as the story progresses.And, it turns out that filmgoers weren’t the only ones who weren’t entirely sure what the fever dream of a movie was trying to say.In a conversation with Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live, Lawrence admitted she was still baffled by the movie.The actor has never been shy to spill the beans (Phillip Faraone/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)The host asked: “On a scale of one to totally confused, how much did you understand your film Mother!?”Lawrence responded: “I’m going to be honest. Well, I was sleeping with the director, so I had CliffsNotes. So… five? Or a four. But if anybody needs any tips on understanding their films, you know what to do!”When Cohen joked back, “F*** the director?,” Lawrence replied: “Yeah!”The actor tried to explain the film’s plot in an interview with Deadline in 2017.“The most important thing to know about this film before seeing it is that it’s all allegory. It’s all metaphor that’s tied to this narrative. It’s the creation and decimation of the universe, including Biblical themes and creation of religion,” she said.“I represent Mother Earth, and what I have is Baby Jesus – if we guess the religion. I play this woman who has built this home from the ground up. I’m in a relationship with an artist who is obsessed with needing appreciation from me first, and then I’m not enough.”Lawrence isn’t exactly sure about the plot of Mother! (Paramount Pictures)Lawrence dated Aronofsky, who also directed Black Swan, for a year before they broke up in November 2017.J-Law also revealed that with the director thinking of Mother! as ‘his baby,’ she found it hard to relax.In an interview with Variety, she said: “Normally, I promote a movie, ask people to go see it, and then it’s just out of your hands.“I normally just kind of let it go. Dating the director was different. We’d be on the [press] tour together, and that’s all he wants to talk about, and I get it. It’s his baby.He wrote it. He conceived it. He directed it. I was doing double duty trying to be a supportive partner while also being like, ‘Can I please, for the love of God, not think about Mother! for one second?’”

The Storyteller OTT Release: When and where to watch film

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

The Storyteller OTT Release Update: This upcoming heartwarming narrative headlined by Paresh Rawal is inspired by one of Satyajit Ray’s most acclaimed short stories. The film will explore themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the transformative power of storytelling. Directed by Ananth Mahadevan, The Storyteller will be streaming on Disney+ Hotstar starting January 28, 2025.The Storyteller’s premiseThe wholesome movie takes viewers on an emotional journey, inspired by Satyajit Ray’s Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro. The plot features Paresh playing a man named Tarini Khuro, an elderly and eccentric character who is known for his storytelling. He has a reputation in his village for spinning grand tales, some of which seem exaggerated or fantastical. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that there is a deeper layer to his storytelling abilities.
In the story, Tarini Khuro is not just a teller of stories, but a man who uses his craft to bring people together and make them think. He often shares tales of adventure, mystery, and fantasy, but his stories also carry important life lessons. The film adaptation, The Storyteller, explores these themes in a contemporary setting, paying homage to Ray’s original work.The Storyteller’s cast and crewOther than Paresh, the film also stars Adil Hussain, Revathy and Tannishtha Chatterjee among others. Produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Salil Chaturvedi, Succhanda Chatterjee, and Shubha Shetty, The Storyteller is backed by Jio Studios, Purpose Entertainment, and Quest Films. The music composed by Hriju Roy is to look out for.
The Storyteller’s awards and recognitions

Before its OTT release, The Storyteller has already received significant attention at several renowned film festivals. It was featured at the International Film Festival in 2022, the Palm Springs International Film Festival in 2023, Busan International Film Festival in 2022. In addition to these prestigious appearances, the film won Best Indian Feature Film at the Melbourne International Film Festival in 2023.For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.

When Salman stayed awake whole night for THIS reason while filming Salaam-E-Ishq; find out

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Salman Khan’s film Salaam-E-Ishq continues to hold a special place in the hearts of cinema lovers, remaining a classic to this day. Recently, director Nikkhil Advani reflected on the experience of filming. He shared that it was quite a challenge to get Salman to appear for a 5 AM shoot for the song Tenu Leke. Nikkhil recalled asking Salman to arrive early, but the actor insisted “Either sit with me and I will go to sleep straight at 10 am.”

The next big tech power grab is here. Does America have the will to police it? | Opinion 

Technology

Call me antisocial, but I deleted my X account last year. I’ve made exactly one Facebook post in each of the past two years.I’ve been in local journalism long enough — and at the right time — to watch social media support, usurp, and ultimately dismantle my profession around me. I’ve watched with disgust (and that’s precisely the right word) as Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk padded their pockets by monetizing content exploiting our society’s most base desires, all along knowing the harm their platforms have caused.Social media is like strong medicine, it turns out. There’s always been good to be found, but the side-effects become intolerable over time.Maybe that’s why I was struck Thursday night by a brief section of outgoing President Joe Biden’s farewell address. Biden offered a warning about the rise of a “tech-industrial complex” as social media billionaires cozy up to our nation’s highest seats of political might.”The free press is crumbling. Editors are disappearing. Social media is giving up on fact-checking,” Biden said. “The truth is smothered by lies, told for power and for profit. We must hold the social platforms accountable to protect our children, our families and our very democracy from the abuse of power.”Biden went on to say, “it’s going to be up to the president, the presidency, the Congress, the courts, the free press, and the American people to confront these powerful forces” while also touching on artificial intelligence’s potential for both benefit and harm to democracy.It’s clear that the tech billionaires see President-elect Donald Trump’s second term as an opportunity to exploit. Trump’s inauguration donor and attendee list reads like a who’s who of Silicon Valley — Musk, Zuckerberg, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Google CEO Sunda Pichai, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, Apple CEO Tim Cook and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, among others.It’s not exactly the “people over profits” crowd, so count me among those skeptical about big tech’s willingness to police itself. That’s where Trump, Congress and the courts will walk the razor’s edge of protecting free speech in an era when this most basic American right can be weaponized by bad actors both foreign and domestic and disseminated for maximum harm.A free press remains vital to helping the American people understand this evolving nexus of big tech and our nation’s politics. “Crumbling” as it may be, it’s the alternative to these powerful platforms monopolizing the flow of information about their own attempts to influence and wield our nation’s considerable might.Thankfully, examining these issues isn’t the sole purview of those in Washington, D.C. Local lawmakers, local citizens and, yes, local journalists are leading these discussions across the country.Last week, Indiana Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores, introduced a bill that would require parental consent before Hoosiers younger than 16 can access social media.IndyStar senior politics reporter Hayleigh Colombo wrote of the bill: Such policies are gaining traction nationwide as concerns grow about the impacts of social media on minors. For example, Florida residents under age 14 are now banned from accessing social media platforms. And Tennessee also now requires social media companies to verify parental consent for minor users. The Tennessee law resulted in a lawsuit filed by Facebook and Instagram’s parent company Meta, alleging free speech violations.While acknowledging that motivated youth have ample ways to get around the bill’s provisions, Bohaceck said the safety of children gives the state a “compelling enough reason to be able to put these restrictions in place.”ACLU executive director Christopher Daley testified against the bill, stating it would open up Indiana to litigation and infringe on younger Hoosiers’ First Amendment rights, Colombo reported.I don’t pretend to be smart enough to know if or where a line can be drawn concerning Americans’ open access to and expression of information. But as the father of three children who will grow up in an era when “is this real or an attempt to mislead me” will be the question of their time, I’m grateful for the leadership of Bohaceck and Daley in wrestling with the issue.I’m also grateful that Biden is only half right in his assessment of the free press that’s here to bring these discussions to light in the communities we serve. Diminished as the national press corps’ headcount may be, Hoosiers don’t have to look far for a counterpoint to “disappearing editors.”Not when IndyStar has added 14 journalists since this time last year. Not when Mirror Indy launched in December 2023 with nearly 20 journalists as part of Free Press Indiana’s efforts to expand journalism across the state. Not when our peers in numerous other newsrooms in Indy and across the state stand ready to tell Indiana’s stories.Journalists are hypercompetitive. You can expect us to fight for scoops, to compete to hire and retain talented reporters, photographers and editors who are dedicated to telling Indiana’s stories. We’re not always going to move in unison, but more journalists is a good thing for Indianapolis.Why? Because to a person we stand resolute to rise to the challenge Biden set forth. To confront these powerful forces with you, for you.Thank you, as always, for reading IndyStar.Eric Larsen is IndyStar executive editor. Reach him at [email protected].

Remembering Bob Uecker, TikTok ban and La Crosse’s mayor race: Highlights from La Crosse Talk PM with UW-L political scientist Chergosky

Science and Health

Dr. Anthony Chergosky, political science professor at UW-La Crosse, joined Friday’s La Crosse Talk PM and covered a variety of topics, including the passing of Milwaukee Brewers legend Bob Uecker, the TikTok ban, and key issues in La Crosse’s upcoming mayoral election. La Crosse Talk PM airs weekdays at 5:06 p.m. Listen on the WIZM…

Greek immigrant’s London business thrives with “Giant Gyros” challenge

Business News

Ilias Georgatos, a Greek immigrant from Kefalonia, is making waves in London’s competitive food scene after opening his own Greek fast-food shop, “Pittagoras,” in 2021. Despite facing the challenges of settling into a new country, the 42-year-old entrepreneur has successfully won over British customers with his authentic Greek flavors and the larger-than-life “Giant Gyros” challenge.

Georgatos moved to London seven years ago, seeking a better life amidst Greece’s economic crisis. He decided to pursue his passion for Greek street food and launched his business, which specializes in gyros and souvlaki. Recently, he introduced a bold 4-kilogram “Giant Gyros” sandwich as a fun challenge for customers. Those who finish it in under 15 minutes get it for free. Otherwise, the sandwich costs £50.

“I left Greece in 2018 during a time of deep economic hardship,” Georgatos said. “After three and a half years, I opened ‘Pittagoras’ – the name is a play on words that sparks interest, but it’s the food that truly draws people in.” His challenge, recently posted on TikTok and Instagram, quickly became a hit, drawing massive attention from food lovers.

Georgatos’ success is not just about the size of the sandwich but also the warm reception he’s received in the UK. “Since day one, the British embraced us and our food. I’ve never faced any racism here. Many customers, who’ve visited Greece, say our gyros remind them of their best holidays,” he said.

Georgatos’ family has a deep-rooted history in the Greek food business. His father owns a souvlaki shop in Lixouri, Kefalonia, and his grandfather was the first to introduce souvlaki to the island in 1956. Despite his initial decision not to return to the business, Georgatos’ love for Greek food led him to open “Pittagoras” in London.

Now, his business is expanding, with two shops already in operation, and two more set to open soon in Canary Wharf and London Fields. “Through our food, we aim to bring a taste of Greece to England,” Georgatos explained.

The business is also a family affair. His six-year-old son loves the gyros and visits the shop every week. “We try to raise our children with a love for our homeland and its traditions,” said Georgatos. His passion for sharing Greek culture extended to his son’s school, where he catered a Greek food event, offering gyros and souvlaki to students and talking about Greek culinary traditions.