In our exceedingly fast-paced society, it can be challenging to exist in any state other than doing mode. Even when we think were resting, are we really?

Think about it when did you last create some space in your day to put down your to-do list, your phone or turn off the television and simply be with yourself in the present moment?

Its not easy, but it seems more of us are trying to do this by practicing techniques, such as meditation. According to Statista, the global meditation apps market is estimated to reach $7.09 billion by 2028. A 2017 survey conducted in the United States found that the percentage of adults practicing some form of meditation tripled between 20122017.

There are many different ways to meditate, which can make defining what meditation is a challenge. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says that the term meditation refers to a variety of practices that focus on mind and body integration and are used to calm the mind and enhance overall well-being. Meditation has inspired many scientific studies over recent decades, with researchers increasingly eager to pinpoint if and how these ancient techniques can deliver such benefits in modern-day life.

In this article, we explore some of the latest research on meditation, the brain and well-being.

Our global population is aging in a society that presents a myriad of challenges and complexities, all of which carry the potential to adversely impact our physical and psychological well-being. Could practicing long-term meditation help?

That was the question fueling a recent randomized, controlled clinical study co-led by University College London (UCL) scientists. This trial, lasting 18 months, is the longest randomized meditation training study conducted to date.

It is increasingly crucial to understand how we can support older adults in maintaining and deepening their psychological well-being, said Dr. Marco Schlosser, honorary research fellow at UCLs Division of Psychiatry and the studys lead author. We tested whether long-term meditation training can enhance important dimensions of well-being. Our findings suggest that meditation is a promising non-pharmacological approach to support human flourishing in late life.

One hundred and thirty-seven healthy individuals aged 6584 years in Caen, France, were assigned to either an 18-month meditation training program, an English language training program of the same duration or a passive control group with no training.

The meditation program consisted of a nine-month mindfulness module followed by a nine-month loving kindness and compassion module. Often used interchangeably, mindfulness meditation refers to a type of meditation that encourages the practitioner to experience a state of mindfulness, which is the presence of the current moment without judgment.

These modules were delivered in various formats: weekly group sessions that were two hours long, a retreat day and daily home practice sessions that were 20 minutes in length. All participants were assessed at a baseline visit, mid-intervention at 9 months and post-intervention at 18 months.

Credit: iStock.

Schlosser and colleagues collected self-report data on several measures of well-being in the study, including the Psychological Well-Being Scale and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF Assessment. They also collected data on participants experiences of awareness, connection and insight.

In the context of this study, awareness refers to undistracted attention to our thoughts, feelings and surroundings, while connection denotes feelings of respect, gratitude and kinship. Insight describes self-knowledge and understanding how our thoughts or feelings can contribute and shape our perception.

The 18-month meditation training was superior to English training on changes in awareness, connection, insight and global scores (comprising awareness, connection and insight) and superior to no-intervention only on changes in awareness and global scores, the authors said.

While long-term meditation training induced changes in awareness, connection and insight, it was not associated with higher scores on the Psychological Well-Being Scale, nor the WHOQOL-BREF Assessment compared to the English language training or control groups. The researchers question whether these measures accurately capture the depth of human flourishing that long-term meditation training could bring.

As with many studies in the realm of psychological well-being, the study is limited by its reliance on self-report data, which is sensitive to biases. The research team also highlighted that the sample, being well-educated, healthy participants that were recruited from one geographical location, is not necessarily representative of the general population.

Mindfulness has been linked to improved sleep, but how and why remains unclear.

Researchers at the University of South Florida (USF) sought to explore this further, focusing on employee well-being specifically and drawing from a theory known as emotion regulation. A simple definition of emotional regulation is that it describes an individuals ability to influence which emotions they have and when. The study is published in Health Psychology.

Led by Dr. Claire Smith, assistant professor of psychology at USF, the research group followed two independent cohorts of nurses (144 in total) over two weeks in the United States. Nurses were selected as the study population because they typically experience disrupted sleep patterns and are subjected to high-stress environments.

We know that good sleep restores us physically and psychologically, and it keeps us happier, safer and even more ethical at work. We wanted to explore which aspects of sleep are influenced by mindfulness and why, Smith said.

Participants were required to complete a survey three times a day which explored their state and trait mindfulness, and how much time they spent fixated on negative thoughts. Quality of sleep data was recorded through self-report methods and actigraphy data the following morning.

The study findings suggest that being mindful helped nurses reduce negative emotions and the amount of time spent ruminating. For instance, if you got a negative performance review at work, you might choose to shift your focus from negative thoughts of how you have failed and are incompetent to positive thoughts of what you did right and how you can grow, Smith said.

This, in turn, is associated with better sleep quality. Our research suggests that day-to-day mindful attention may help people regulate their emotions in a way that promotes their sleep quality. Particularly for those in high-stress occupations, like health care workers examined here, mindfulness may be helpful in daily maintenance of emotional well-being and sleep health, the authors said.

Smith and colleagues hope that future research on mindfulness confronts not only big picture results like sleep or productivity, but also how we handle emotions.

Research shows that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) can be effective at helping individuals manage symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, a key barrier to the study of MBIs and their clinical implementation is time they typically require several weeks of commitment from participants to complete.

Professor Michael J Telch and colleagues at the University of Texas at Austin recently devised a mindfulness-based single-session intervention (SSI), which is designed to overcome this barrier and improve the accessibility of MBIs. Telch and colleagues recently conducted a randomized clinical trial, recruiting 91 participants, which evaluated the effects of this intervention on self-perceptions of loneliness, stress, depression and anxiety.

Preliminary research suggests SSIs may reduce anxiety, stress and improve mental well-being in nonclinical samples, the authors said. Further, research suggests single-session mindfulness-based interventions may reduce negative affectivity (e.g., depression, rumination, anxiety, stress).

To date, only one clinical trial has evaluated the effectiveness of an SSI on loneliness, which became increasingly prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic when the study was conducted.

The 91 participants (60.44% female) were randomized to receive either a one-hour mindfulness-only telephone intervention, a one-hour randomized mindfulness and compassion intervention, or were placed on a one-week waitlist to form a control group.

Credit: iStock.

Those assigned to the mindfulness and compassion intervention were taught a third skill related to compassion [] Participants were instructed to think of a person, place, object, or spiritual or religious figure that consistently evokes feelings of warmth, love, kindness or whatever compassion feels like to them. They were encouraged to focus their attention on any sensations that arose after evoking this feeling, the authors said.

A variety of scales were used to evaluate perceived levels of loneliness, stress, anxiety and depression at one-week follow-ups. Data analysis revealed that, compared to the waitlist control group, the inclusion of a compassionate element in the SSI led to meaningful reductions in perceived levels of stress, anxiety and depression after one week, as described by the authors.

The researchers believe that SSIs offer an approach that could be easily adopted in a wide range of contexts, but further research is required to evaluate whether changes in self-reported symptoms are maintained for long durations of time.

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The Latest Research News on Meditation, Well-Being and the Brain - Technology Networks

London, 27th June 2024: The Global Chess League, a joint initiative between the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and Tech Mahindra, a leading global provider of technology consulting and digital solutions to enterprises across industries, is set for a highly anticipated second edition in London. Following the success of the first edition, the league aims to unite the world's top chess players in one of the most historic cities.

The 10-day, one-of-a-kind chess league featuring top players will take place at Friends House, located in the heart of central London, from October 3rd to 12th, 2024. Based on the feedback from fans worldwide, London was selected as the venue for this season to connect with the fast-growing fan base and enthusiasm for chess in the European region.

Photo: friendshouse.co.uk

Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President, said, After a fantastic response tothe inaugural season, we are excited to continue our mission of expanding the reach of chess worldwide and drawing in new experiences for chess fans. Tech Mahindras commitment to usher in a new era in the modern chess ecosystem is commendable, and we are confident that the second edition of the league will provide the right platform and push neededto further elevate the sport.

Through this innovative league, FIDE and Tech Mahindra aim to revolutionize the fan experience of chess through a new format and ecosystem, providing an inclusive platform for fans to support their favourite teams and stars, similar to major global sports leagues. The second edition will feature top players from around the world, including reigning world champions and rising stars, competing in a unique team format that emphasizes strategy, collaboration, and high-stakes play.

Mohit Joshi, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tech Mahindra, said, Chess and business share key values such as planning, speed, strategy, and risk management. The infusion of technology opens exciting new opportunities, transforming both fields. The Global Chess Leagues second edition creates a unique platform for the global growth of chess.

Building on the success of its first season, the league aims to further broaden the viewership base through live broadcasts, interactive fan experiences, and community engagement activities like soon to be launched Global Chess League Trophy Tour. In the tournament, theplayers will compete in a unique joint team format consisting of six players, including two top women chess players and a prodigy player per team. Each team will play a total of 10 matches in a double round-robin format, with the winner of each match being decided in a best-of-six board scoring system.

Peeyush Dubey, Chairperson, Global Chess League Board, said, "We will continue to leverage the Global Chess League's innovative format and next-gen technologies to captivate and engage fans worldwide. The second edition is seeing unprecedented excitement from our partners and stakeholders. Together with FIDE, our vision for the league is to bring the best from the chess world."

The second season will see FIDE and Tech Mahindra collaborate to tap into the growing chess fan base, build a larger audience for chess viewing, and engage in exciting fan activities such as the ongoing all-inclusive hackathon. The hackathon engages with participants of all chess skill levels and technical expertise and collates ideas for improving the way chess is experienced, played, and consumed. Participants can propose ideas in various categories, including education, digital innovation, social impact, business, and arts, among others.

About FIDE

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is the governing body of the sport of chess, and it regulates all international chess competitions. Constituted as a non-governmental institution, it was recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a Global Sporting Organization in 1999.

FIDE currently has its headquarters in Lausanne, but it was initially founded in 1924 in Paris under the motto Gens una Sumus (Latin for We are one Family). It was one of the very first International Sports Federations, alongside the governing bodies of the sports of Football, Cricket, Swimming, and Auto Racing. It is now one of the largest, encompassing 201 countries as affiliate members in the form of National Chess Federations. Chess is a truly global sport nowadays, with dozens of millions of players on all continents and more than 60 million games on average played every day.

More information: fide.com

Contact:press@fide.com

About Tech Mahindra

Tech Mahindra (NSE: TECHM) offers technology consulting and digital solutions to global enterprises across industries, enabling transformative scale at unparalleled speed. With 145,000+ professionals across 90+ countries helping 1100+ clients, Tech Mahindra provides a full spectrum of services, including consulting, information technology, enterprise applications, business process services, engineering services, network services, customer experience & design services, AI & analytics, and cloud & infrastructure services. It is the first Indian company in the world to have been awarded the Sustainable Markets Initiatives Terra Carta Seal in recognition of actively leading the charge to create a climate and nature-positive future. Tech Mahindra is part of the Mahindra Group, founded in 1945, one of the largest and most admired multinational federation of companies. For more information on how TechM can partner with you to meet your scale at speed imperatives, please visit techmahindra.com, connect with us on techmahindra.com

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For more information on Tech Mahindra, please contact: Abhilasha Gupta, Head - Global Corporate Communications & Public Affairs, Tech Mahindra

Email:Abhilasha.Gupta@TechMahindra.com; media.relations@techmahindra.com

About Tech Mahindra Global Chess League

The Global Chess League is the world's first and largest official franchise league of its kind, with chess players from all over the world competing in a unique joint team format. It is a joint venture between Tech Mahindra, a part of the Mahindra Group, and FIDE. The league will feature male and female chess champions competing in the same team. Playing on the popular Rapid format, the league's joint male-female teams will have the rare distinction of being a unique multiplayer team in the world of professional sports. In addition, the league is a one-of-its-kind live televised chess event offering fans a unique viewing experience. Tech Mahindra and FIDE will explore innovative ways to promote the game through interactive technology-enabled platforms by leveraging next-generation technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, among others.

For more information on Tech Mahindra Global Chess League, please visit: globalchessleague.com/

Contact: Abhilasha Gupta, Head - Global Corporate Communications & Public Affairs, Tech Mahindra

Email: Abhilasha.Gupta@TechMahindra.com; media.relations@techmahindra.com

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Tech Mahindra Global Chess League to host its second edition in London - FIDE

In a landmark development, a section of British Hindus have launched their first-ever 'manifesto', marking their growing political influence in the UK. As the country gears up for the general election on 4 July, the initiative tries to outline the community's aspirations and demands and urges candidates from all parties to acknowledge them.

Hinduism, now the third-largest religion in England, boasts a following of over 1.02 million people as per the 2021 Census. This collective voice, endorsed by 29 leading Hindu organisations such as BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha UK, Chinmaya Mission, and Iskcon UK, among others, marks a new chapter in the community's engagement with the UK's political landscape.

British Hindus number 1,066,894 in England and Wales alone, making up 1.6 per cent of the total population, andwield considerable influence electorally.

The "Hindu Manifesto UK 2024", launched by Hindu organizations in the UK ahead of the July 4 general elections, demands the recognition of anti-Hindu hate as a religious hate crime. The manifesto, supported by several parliamentary candidates, outlines seven key demands, including the protection of Hindu places of worship, access to fairer education, equal representation, streamlined immigration, healthcare, and social care, and the acknowledgment and protection of dharmic values. This document aims to unify the UK Hindu community's voice, urging all candidates to support their community.

In 1892, Dadabhai Naoroji became the first Indian elected to the British Parliament. Hailing from Bombay and of Parsi origin, Naoroji had travelled to Britain in 1885 as a business partner of Cama and Company. A versatile businessman, he also served as a Professor of Gujarati at University College London from 1856 to 1865. As a founder of the Indian National Congress in 1885, he played a pivotal role in the movement for Indian independence, earning him the title 'Grand Old Man of India.'

A flier from the election campaign of Mancherjee Bhownaggree in 1895

Mancherjee Bhownaggree, born in Bombay, became the second Indian to be elected to the UK Parliament in 1895 as Conservative MP for North-East Bethnal Green. He was re-elected in 1900 but lost in 1906.

In recent years, the Hindu community's political presence in the UK has seen significant growth. In the 2017 general election, eight Hindu MPs were elected to the British Parliament -- an all-time high -- reflecting the community's increasing political engagement. Priti Patel, Alok Sharma,Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Lord Swaraj Paul are some prominent leaders of Indian origin in the British Parliament.

A historic moment came in 2022 when Rishi Sunak of Indian origin became the UK's first non-white Prime Minister amid political turmoil in the country.

As per the 2021 Census, there are 1,066,894 Hindus in England and Wales, making up 1.6 per cent of the total population. The number has seen significant growth over the past two decades -- 552,421 in 2001 and 835,394 in 2011. In Scotland, the Hindu population numbered 29,929 in 2021. As of 2015, the UK has 189 officially registered Hindu places of worship.

Over 97 per cent of the UK Hindu population resides in urban areas, particularly in the southeast and London, where they contribute significantly to the cultural and social fabric.

Three major waves of Hindu immigration since 1947 have shaped a diverse community, with roots not only in India but also in Sri Lanka, East Africa, the Caribbean, Fiji, and Mauritius. Despite this rich diversity, 96 per cent of UK Hindus identify as of Asian ethnic background, with Indian heritage being the most prevalent.

The community's strong sense of British national identity, reported at 91 per cent in 2001 and their commitment to integration underscores their dual identity as Indian and British Indian.

On Camera, Family Of 7 Swept Away In Swollen Waterfall Near Mumbai

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UK Elections 2024: Significance Of Hindu Votes And "Hindu Manifesto UK 2024" - NDTV

At the Tech.eu Summit in London, Dr. Ken Urquhart, Global Vice-President of 5G/Edge/Satellite at Zscaler, and Steve Brierley, Founder and CEO of Riverlane, discussed the critical intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and quantum computing. Moderated by Duygu Oktem Clark, Managing Partner at DO Venture Partners, the talk underlined both the challenges and opportunities these technologies present.

Urquhart opened the discussion by addressing the limitations of AI in cybersecurity.

AI, as we apply it today, involves algorithms that are interpretable and useful for cyber defense, he said. However, he pointed out that current AI technologies, such as neural networks and large language models, come with issues like statistical variability and hallucinations, where the AI makes things up that may not be true.

Urquhart explained that these statistical models could become less accurate over time, adding: You need to be thoughtful about how you apply AI because it can give less accurate answers if asked the same question twice in a row over a span of hours or days.

Brierley shared his thoughts into the advancements in quantum computing and its implications for cybersecurity. He noted that while todays quantum computers are extremely error-prone and capable of only about 100 to 1,000 operations before failure, significant progress is being made with quantum error correction.

Quantum error correction is a layer that sits on top of the physical qubits and corrects errors in real-time, Brierley explained.

This development is crucial for achieving cryptographically relevant quantum computing capabilities.

2023 and 2024 have been pivotal years as we crossed the threshold in various qubit modalities, making error correction viable, he said. Brierley projected that within the next two to three years, we could see quantum computers performing up to a million operations, surpassing what classical computers can simulate.

As AI and quantum computing advance, ethical and security challenges emerge. Urquhart stressed the importance of understanding AIs current limitations.

We are on a journey with artificial intelligence. It does not think; it is a collection of statistical outcomes, he stated. Urquhart warned against over-reliance on AI for critical decisions, as its current form can lead to significant errors.

Brierley added that quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize industries, particularly in simulating molecular dynamics and chemical interactions.

Quantum computers can replace time-consuming lab experiments with simulations, transforming industries like drug discovery and material science, he said.

Both experts agreed on the necessity of collaboration among academia, industry and government to harness these technologies responsibly. Brierley called attention to the importance of a coordinated effort, likening it to a Manhattan-scale project to build the worlds most powerful quantum computers. We need effective collaboration across sectors to ensure the technology benefits society, he said.

Urquhart echoed this sentiment, giving emphasis to the role of commercial entities in driving innovation and the governments role in providing a regulatory and funding environment.

The machinery is there; we just need the will to engage and make it run, he remarked.

Looking ahead, both Urquhart and Brierley stressed the urgency of preparing for the impact of quantum computing on cybersecurity.

Quantum computing will break most encryption at some point, Urquhart warned, urging businesses to act now to mitigate future risks.

Brierley concluded: Quantum computers are not just faster computers; they represent a massive step forward for specific problems, and their potential for both good and bad is immense.

The discussion underscored the transformative potential of AI and quantum computing while cautioning against complacency. As these technologies evolve, proactive collaboration and ethical considerations will be paramount in shaping a secure digital future.

Featured image: Credit: Tech.eu

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The Interplay of AI, Cybersecurity & Quantum Computing - The Quantum Insider

NEW YORK, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The globalhealth and wellness food market size is estimated to grow by USD 541.5 billionfrom 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.27% during the forecast period. Increasing adoption of healthy eating habitsis driving market growth,with a trend towardsadoption of prebiotic and probiotic food. However,high cost of health and wellness food poses a challenge. Key market players include Amys Kitchen Inc., Archer Daniels Midland Co., Bobs Red Mill Natural Foods Inc., Chobani Global Holdings LLC, Clif Bar and Co., Dairy Farmers of America Inc., Danone SA, Dr. Schar, Fifty50 Foods, General Mills Inc., Glanbia plc, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Kellogg Co., London Foods Ltd., Mars Inc., Mondelez International Inc., Nestle SA, PepsiCo Inc., United Natural Foods Inc., and Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd..

Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies- View the snapshot of this report

Forecast period

2024-2028

Base Year

2023

Historic Data

2018 - 2022

Segment Covered

Product (Naturally health food, Functional food, BFY food, Organic food, and Food intolerance products), Distribution Channel (Offline and Online), and Geography (North America, APAC, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America)

Region Covered

North America, APAC, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America

Key companies profiled

Amys Kitchen Inc., Archer Daniels Midland Co., Bobs Red Mill Natural Foods Inc., Chobani Global Holdings LLC, Clif Bar and Co., Dairy Farmers of America Inc., Danone SA, Dr. Schar, Fifty50 Foods, General Mills Inc., Glanbia plc, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Kellogg Co., London Foods Ltd., Mars Inc., Mondelez International Inc., Nestle SA, PepsiCo Inc., United Natural Foods Inc., and Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.

Key Market Trends Fueling Growth

The health and wellness food market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing consumer awareness and demand for prebiotic and probiotic food products. Prebiotics, such as Quakers oats from Nestle, are nondigestible substances that reach the large colon undigested, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria for improved digestion and overall health.

Probiotics, like yogurt, provide live beneficial bacteria and offer benefits such as a strong immune system, improved digestion, and heart health. With millions of Americans suffering from digestive issues, companies like Danone and Yakult are responding by offering probiotic drinks to aid in digestion and reduce the risk of diseases. This trend is expected to continue driving market growth during the forecast period.

The food market is seeing a significant trend towards health and natural ingredients. Foods rich in fiber, such as nuts and fruits, are popular choices. Proteins from sources like eggs, meat, and probiotics are also in demand. Superfoods like quinoa and sourcing are gaining popularity.

Gluten-free and low-carb options are preferred by many consumers. Herbal supplements and functional beverages are also trending. Dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals are widely used. Sustainability and ethical sourcing are important considerations for consumers. Organic and locally grown produce are preferred. The market for functional foods and beverages is expected to grow further.

Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend. For more details-Download a Sample Report

MarketChallenges

For more insights on driver and challenges-Download a Sample Report

Segment Overview

1.1Naturally health food- The Health and Wellness Food Market is thriving, with consumers prioritizing nutritious meals. Supermarkets and online retailers stock a wide range of products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Healthy snacks, such as nuts and seeds, are also popular choices. Brands focus on clear labeling and transparent ingredient lists to meet customer demands. This market continues to grow, offering various options to cater to diverse dietary needs and preferences.

For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) - Download a Sample Report

Research Analysis

The Health and Wellness Food Market encompasses a wide range of organic and natural food products. These include items made with gluten-free, non-GMO ingredients, probiotics, antioxidants, superfoods, and whole grains. Plant-based, vegan, and vegetarian options, as well as dairy-free and sugar-free alternatives, are also popular choices. Low-carb and high-protein foods, omega-3 rich sources, fiber-rich ingredients, and functional foods are sought after for their health benefits.

Nutraceuticals, herbal supplements, and dietary supplements are often incorporated into daily routines for additional nutritional support. Clean label, cold-pressed, and fermented foods are preferred for their transparency and raw foods offer unprocessed goodness. Prebiotics and adaptogens are emerging trends in this market, while organic beverages and natural sweeteners, as well as low-glycemic options, cater to various dietary needs.

Market Research Overview

The Health and Wellness Food Market encompasses a variety of products designed to promote optimal health and nutrition. These include functional foods, fortified foods, and dietary supplements. Organic and natural ingredients are increasingly preferred, with a focus on fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins.

Gluten-free, low-sodium, and sugar-free options are also popular. Superfoods, such as chia seeds and kale, are sought after for their high nutrient content. Probiotics and prebiotics are essential components, supporting gut health and immunity. Sustainability and ethical production practices are key considerations for consumers. The market is driven by growing awareness of the link between diet and health, as well as increasing health concerns and lifestyle trends.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation

7Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email:[emailprotected] Website:www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio

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Health and Wellness Food Market size is set to grow by USD 541.5 billion from 2024-2028, Increasing adoption of ... - PR Newswire

By Chad Cox

Production Editor

Embedded Computing Design

June 10, 2024

News

London, United Kingdom / Toronto, Canada. In 2023, Alphawave Semi joinedArm Total Design and leveraged its collaboration with Arm to design an innovative compute chiplet built on Arm's Neoverse Compute Subsystems (CSS). The platform is ideal for artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), high-performance compute (HPC), data centers, and 5G/6G networking infrastructure applications.

According to the company, its chiplet-based custom silicon design solution adds a differentiator in its portfolio including IO extension chiplets, memory chiplets, compute chiplets, and Alphawave Semis ultra-high-speed connectivity IP and advanced packaging proficiencies.

Our Arm-based compute chiplet is a critical component in Alphawave Semis custom silicon platform and a demonstration of both our IP, SoC and packaging capabilities and our successful strategic partnership with Arm, said Mohit Gupta, Senior VP & GM, Custom Silicon & IP, Alphawave Semi.

Alphawave Semis portfolio features an Arm Neoverse N3 CPU core cluster and the Arm Coherent Mesh Network (CMN) ensuring efficient, scalable performance. Accessible on industry-leading process nodes, the SoCs allow quick deployment of high-performance digital infrastructure in order to create custom silicon solutions.

Eddie Ramirez, Vice President of Go-to-Market, Infrastructure Line of Business, Arm offered, Alphawave Semis new advanced compute chiplet is a fantastic example of how industry-leading companies are leveraging the performance-optimization and power efficiency benefits of Neoverse CSS to get to market faster and power the next-generation AI and HPC workloads.

For more information, visitawavesemi.com.

Chad Cox. Production Editor, Embedded Computing Design, has responsibilities that include handling the news cycle, newsletters, social media, and advertising. Chad graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a B.A. in Cultural and Analytical Literature.

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Alphawave Semi Leverages Arm's Neoverse Compute Subsystems for AI/ML Applications - Embedded Computing Design

NEW YORK (AP) Crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for a massive fraud on hundreds of thousands of customers that unraveled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the worlds most popular platforms for exchanging digital currency.

Though he described Bankman-Fried as extremely smart, U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan delivered a blistering analysis of Bankman-Fried and his crimes before announcing a sentence that was half of what prosecutors sought and less than a quarter of the 105 years recommended by the courts probation officers.

There is absolutely no doubt that Mr. Bankman-Frieds name right now is pretty much mud around the world, Kaplan said of the 32-year-old California man who seemed atop the cryptocurrency universe before his businesses collapsed in November 2022, leaving customers, investors and lenders short over $11 billion, which the judge ordered him to forfeit.

He was convicted in November of fraud and conspiracy a dramatic fall from a crest of success that included a Super Bowl advertisement, testimony before Congress and celebrity endorsements from stars like quarterback Tom Brady, basketball point guard Stephen Curry and comedian Larry David.

Kaplan imposed the sentence in the same Manhattan courtroom where, four months previously, Bankman-Fried testified that he had intended to revolutionize the emerging cryptocurrency market with his innovative and altruistic ideas, not steal.

The judge said Bankman-Fried repeatedly committed perjury on the witness stand in testimony that was often evasive, hair-splitting, dodging questions.

Kaplan said the sentence reflected the risk that Bankman-Fried will be in position to do something very bad in the future. And its not a trivial risk at all. He added that the sentence was fashioned for the purpose of disabling him to the extent that can appropriately be done for a significant period of time.

Kaplan said he would advise the Federal Bureau of Prisons to send Bankman-Fried to a medium-security prison near San Francisco because his notoriety, his association with vast wealth, his autism and his social awkwardness are likely to make him especially vulnerable at a high-security facility.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicolas Roos had recommended a prison sentence of 40 to 50 years, saying it was the only way to ensure the defendant doesnt do it again.

Prosecutors said tens of thousands of people and companies worldwide lost billions of dollars since 2017 after Bankman-Fried looted FTX customer accounts that he promised were safe to make millions of dollars of illegal political donations, bribe Chinese officials, make risky investments, buy luxury real estate in the Caribbean and live lavishly.

Kaplan agreed with prosecutors Thursday that Bankman-Fried should not be credited because some investors and customers might recover some money. He noted that customers lost about $8 billion, investors lost $1.7 billion and lenders were shorted by $1.3 billion.

When he spoke, Bankman-Fried stood and apologized in a rambling statement: A lot of people feel really let down. And they were very let down. And Im sorry about that. Im sorry about what happened at every stage.

He added, My useful life is probably over. Its been over for a while now, from before my arrest.

Wearing his khaki-colored prison uniform and chained at the ankles, Bankman-Fried seemed to briefly get emotional as he spoke for about 20 minutes, expressing regret about a lot of mistakes but casting some blame onto others. His trademark messy and bushy hair had returned from the trimmer look he displayed at trial.

He praised some of his former executives and workmates, saying: They threw themselves into it and then I threw all of that away. It haunts me every day.

Kaplan later criticized Bankman-Frieds remarks, saying he expressed never a word of remorse for the commission of terrible crimes.

As his misty-eyed client looked on, defense attorney Marc Mukasey said the portrayal of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate as an arrogant greedy swindler who thought he would get away with fleecing the hard-earned money of hard-working people was wrong.

Sam was not a ruthless financial serial killer who set out every morning to hurt people, Mukasey said in court after urging in court papers that any prison sentence be in the single digits. Sam Bankman-Fried doesnt make decisions with malice in his heart. He makes decisions with math in his head.

The judge later criticized Bankman-Frieds calculations, saying he was indeed a math nerd, who looked at decisions in terms of math, expected value.

He cited trial testimony in which Bankman-Frieds former girlfriend and fellow executive Caroline Ellison said Bankman-Fried once told her that his willingness to embrace risk was such that hed be happy to flip a coin if it came up tails and the world was destroyed as long as if it came up heads, the world would be twice as good.

The judge said Bankman-Fried utilized that risk-taking nature at his companies, betting on expected value and weighing the risk of getting caught with the probability of large gains.

That was the game, Kaplan said. Its his nature.

Bankman-Frieds attorneys, friends and family had urged leniency, saying he was unlikely to re-offend. They also said FTXs investors have largely recovered their funds a claim disputed by bankruptcy lawyers, FTX and its creditors.

Mr. Bankman-Fried continues to live a life of delusion, wrote John Ray, the CEO of FTX who has been cleaning up the bankrupt company. The business he left on November 11, 2022 was neither solvent nor safe.

One FTX customer, Sunil Kavuri, spoke at sentencing, saying hed traveled from London on behalf of over 200 victims who had sent impact statements to the judge.

He said hed spoken to other victims just like myself who had their dreams destroyed and had lived the FTX nightmare every day for almost two years, every day, every night, a lot of crying, sleepless nights.

Bankman-Frieds parents, both Stanford Law School professors, did not speak as they left the courthouse Thursday, but later issued a statement: We are heartbroken and will continue to fight for our son.

Bankman-Fried, of Palo Alto, California, was once worth billions of dollars on paper as the co-founder and CEO of FTX, which was the second-largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world at one time.

FTX let investors buy dozens of virtual currencies, from Bitcoin to more obscure ones like Shiba Inu Coin. Flush with billions of dollars of investors cash, Bankman-Fried took out a Super Bowl advertisement to promote his business and bought the naming rights to an arena in Miami.

But the collapse of cryptocurrency prices in 2022 took its toll on FTX, ultimately leading to its downfall. FTXs hedge fund affiliate, Alameda Research, had bought billions of dollars of various crypto investments that lost considerable amounts of value in 2022. Bankman-Fried tried to plug the holes in Alamedas balance sheet with FTX customer funds.

Three people from Bankman-Frieds inner circle pleaded guilty to related crimes and testified at his trial.

Besides Ellison, two onetime friends of Bankman-Fried Gary Wang and Nishad Singh testified they felt they were directed by Bankman-Fried to commit fraud.

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Fallen crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison - The Associated Press

2024-04-03 13:03:44 ET

Bermuda Monetary Authoritys insurance carrier, Realm Insurance , has just revealed a new set of insurance products tailored to addressing the risks associated with the cryptocurrency sector.

This step signifies a broader coverage of insurance for digital assets, covering several risks such as cyber threats to the particular vulnerabilities related to holding cryptocurrencies in hot wallets.

Realm also covers the insurance of emerging sectors such as cannabis and psychedelics. Its services are tailored to meet specific requirements of investment managers of digital asset funds, offering solutions such as coverage for losses incurred from stalking Ethereum.

Sufficient crypto insurance is quite rare, which previously only covered two areas mainly: the commercial crime market and the specie market.

The commercial crime market covers insurance related to cash in ATMs or cash transported in armoured cars.

The specie market is the market where insurance is related to designed vaults for storing items like gold or art.

Until now, there has been a noticeable deficiency in capacity related to crypto risks. Insurance broker Marsh has unveiled an $850 insurance package encompassing cold storage, along with other custody solutions like Multi-Party Computation (MPC), which involves the splitting of cryptographic keys into shards.

For quite a few years, Realm, under the leadership of CEO Joseph Ziolkowski, has provided insurance coverage to several organisations in the decentralised finance (DeFi) empire, including exchanges, payment and remittance platforms, custodians, software developers, and foundations supportive of decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs).

He mentions that their latest products target areas within the crypto space where there is a lack of insurance coverage, and the capacity limit is tailored to each organisation and circumstance.

Joseph Ziolkowski says, If you look at the amount of capacity in London for something like cold storage or specie cover, its the most basic exposures arising from digital asset operations, and as a result, theres a massive amount of capacity that exists. We deal with much more complex exposures that have far fewer markets that are willing to put their balance sheet on the line for these types of products.

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Bermuda's Realm insurance expands coverage to cryptocurrency sector - InvestorsObserver

A film described as the vegan documentary weve all been waiting for is being released in cinemas next month.

I Could Never Go Vegan, which comes from Dartmouth Films, explores and refutes some of the many arguments that non-vegans use against veganism.

The film is directed by award-winning filmmaker Thomas Pickering, who switched to a vegan lifestyle after being raised vegetarian. Despite the undeniable benefits veganism has for animals, us, and the planet, Pickering has stated that he is constantly being told by others that they are unable to drop animal products.

I Could Never Go Vegan is truly a film for anyone who has ever heard or said these words, Pickering said in a statement. Its not uncommon for me to have daily conversations with friends, colleagues or strangers, and for them to utter these words to me. But why? Thats exactly what I wanted to explore in this film, seeking to find out whether the arguments that face the vegan movement are justified or not

Arguments explored in the film include Where would I get my protein?, that animals live a good life, the B12 issue, as well as the idea that veganism is too expensive.

The film features a number of well-known faces in the vegan community, including environmentalist and author George Monbiot, powerlifting champion Sophia Ellis, as well as health professionals Dr Shireen Kassam, Dr Gemma Newman, and Dr Alan Desmond.

Vegan actor Alicia Silverstone endorsed the film describing it as the vegan documentary weve all been waiting for. She, alongside musician Alissa White-Gluz, businesswoman Heather Mills, and actor Peter Egan, serves as executive producer.

There will be two premieres of the film one in Londons Curzon Soho on April 10, and the other at Curzon Sheffield on April 11. Both premieres will also feature a Q&A session, and Peter Egan will host the London one. Premiere tickets are available to buy on the Curzon website.

The film is set for release on April 19, and will be available to watch in cinemas in the UK and Ireland. The current confirmed dates and locations are as follows (please note: there will be more cinema dates added in due course).

Buy tickets for Picturehouse screenings here

Pickering confirmed to Plant Based News that the film will be available to watch online after the cinema release. This means that viewers in the US and other countries will be able to watch it. The filmmakers will confirm what online platform it will be on at a later date.

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'I Could Never Go Vegan': How To Watch The Hugely Anticipated Documentary - Plant Based News

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The purge, the splurge, and the scourgethese are the terms the eponymous co-founder of Ethereum, Vitalik Buterin, used to describe the upcoming changes to Ethereum at a recent event in London.

Every week, crypto.news brings you #hashtag hearsay, a gossip column of scoops and stories shaping the crypto world. If you have a tip, email Dorian Batycka at [emailprotected]

On March 14, luminaries from the Ethereum community and beyond descended on London for ETHGlobals Pragma conference. Spearheaded by speakers like Vitalik Buterin and fellow Ethereum researcher Justin Drake, Chainlinks Sergey Nazarov, and Lens Protocols Stani Kulechov, the event took place in Christ Church Spitalfields, with attendeesincluding myselfanxious to know where Ethereum is headed post-Dencun upgrade.

Buterin began by stating that the Ethereum ecosystem is in the process of making a very big transition.

According to Buterin, this transition will shift from a focus on layer-1s (L1s) and core developer-centric advancements to enhancing usability and layer-2 (L2) solutions, like zkSync, Arbitrum, and Optimism.

The way that I see it is that the first decade of Ethereum is this kind of mostly inwardly focused ecosystem, developing things for itself, focused on being tech geeks, trying to satisfy tech geeks and creating beautiful technology. But the second decade of Ethereum needs to actually have a big impact on the real world.

Roll-ups, a key player in this transition, are L2 solutions that process and store transaction data on a sidechain before bundling (or rolling up) transactions together onto the main Ethereum chain, significantly enhancing scalability and efficiency without compromising security.

Buterin says that whats next is a shift towards more scalable, secure, and user-friendly horizons. Following the Dencun upgrade, which saw some L2s like Starknets gas fees reduced by as much as 99%, Ethereums stride towards achieving basic roll-up scalinga leap made possible through advancements in technology like EIP-4844 and the roll-up technology spearheaded by teams like Arbitrum, will now shift focus to allow for more user-friendly applications to take root on Ethereum.

We have officially hit basic roll-up scaling, but we still have full roll-up scaling to go, Buterin articulated, marking this milestone as the onset of a journey toward fully unlocking Ethereums scalability potential.

However, Buterin cautioned that more work is still needed. This he referred to as the purge.

We do not want the Ethereum protocol to be something that just keeps on accumulating junk, Buterin added, underscoring the necessity of a lean and agile blockchain protocol for Ethereums future. We want Ethereum to become cleaner, and this is what the purge is about; its about making users lives easier.

Then you have the splurge, Buterin said. Account abstraction, Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) improvements, making the EVM more friendly to advanced cryptography.

Lastly, Buterin described the scourge [] which is dealing with economic centralization risk and mitigating it. Referring to maximum extractable value (MEV) searchers and liquid staking, Buterin said that the next phases of Ethereum upgrades will work on mitigating the risks posed by economic centralization.

The elephant in the room at any Ethereum conference is, however, often Solana.

According to DefiLlamas data, over the last four months, Solana has significantly outperformed in terms of DEX volume, recording a total volume of $98.54 billion. This starkly contrasts with Ethereum mainnets $32.16 billion, not even reaching one-third of Solanas volume. When taking into account all Ethereum L2 solutions, the combined volume only reaches $67.31 billion, highlighting a clear dominance by Solana.

In the past 90 days, Ethereum hasnt led in volume on any day, with Solana consistently holding the top spot and BSC making occasional appearances.

While Ethereum enthusiasts may hold onto their narratives, the numbers paint a different picture. Given Solanas performance, Ethereum upgrades seem to be playing catchup; think again.

According to Justin Drake, a researcher at the Ethereum Foundation, the potential of Ethereum sharding and shared infrastructure components like settlement and data availability will eventually enhance the networks performance. Comparing developments to low-network fee blockchains like Solana, Drake introduced the concept of shared sequencing and execution as forward-looking innovations designed to boost Ethereums composability and efficiency. In some sense, were trying to recreate the user experience of Solana low latency user experience with synchronous composability on Ethereum, Drake said.

Beyond the technical developments, a theme echoed frequently at Pragma in London was that by moving away from Ethereums tech-centric approach, the blockchain should now focus on more user-friendly and accessible apps for end-users.

Pedro Gomes, founder of Wallet Connect, said that user experience-focused upgrades need to happen within Ethereum, a claim echoed by several of the other speakers as well. Nick Johnson, founder of the Ethereum Naming Service (which just inked a deal with GoDaddy), said that naming is ultimately a usability issue. While Anurag Arjun, founder of Avail and former Polygon dev, opined that roll-ups will eventually lead to greater user experience. I am very bullish on app-specific roll-ups, roll-ups that become mature to a point when app devs will find them easy to use and integrate almost seamlessly.

What does this all mean for the Ethereum post-Dencun update? Ethereums past and its trajectory toward a more accessible, secure, and scalable future serve as a reminder of the blockchains foundational goals. Its not just about creating a decentralized platform but about ensuring that Ethereum evolves to meet the needs of its growing community and the broader digital ecosystem. As Ethereum continues on its roadmap, the numerous challenges aheadnot least of which include formidable competition from Solanaremain plentiful.

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Is Vitalik worried about Solana? What's next for ETH post-Dencun? These and more insights #hearsay | Opinion - crypto.news