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THE COMPOUNDING LOOPHOLE

Compounding pharmacies, pharmacies that make some drugs on site, may be the answer to how the economy will handle the supply of expensive drugs in high demand like GLP-1 agonist drugs.

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CURSOR RAISES $60M

Cursor raised a Series A to continue building its AI-powered coding IDE.

PERPLEXITY AI PLANS TO START RUNNING ADS IN FOURTH QUARTER

Perplexity AI, an AI-assisted search startup, plans to introduce ads on its search app in Q4 following increased usage and a recent $1 billion valuation.

PIXEL 9 PHONES: THE GEMINI AI STUFF, REVIEWED

Google's Gemini AI is a key feature in the Pixel 9 phones, offering users a range of AI-powered functionalities like task assistance, image editing, and screenshot management. However, its performance as a full-fledged assistant is mixed, with occasional glitches and some features from Google Assistant not fully integrated. Despite these issues, unique capabilities such as document summarization and creative photo "reimagining" tools are intriguing benefits for Pixel users.

JAMBA LARGE (HUGGING FACE HUB)

AI21 has released new versions of its hybrid Transformer and State space model architecture.

AGI SAFETY AND ALIGNMENT AT DEEPMIND

This post is a long in-depth summary of what DeepMind is working on in its AGI safety and alignment research efforts.

STREAMLINING BIORXIV PREPRINT SUMMARIES WITH LLMS

The new biorecap R package helps researchers manage the overwhelming volume of bioRxiv preprints by using locally run large language models to retrieve and summarize recent publications.

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AURORA ATMOSPHERIC MODEL

Microsoft has open sourced model, code, and checkpoints for a high fidelity atmospheric prediction model.

NUCLEI SEGMENTATION

Researchers have developed a new framework called NuSegDG to enhance the generalizability of nuclei segmentation across different medical images.

RECONSTRUCTING 3D INDOOR SCENES FROM A SINGLE PANORAMA

Pano2Room is a new method that reconstructs high-quality 3D indoor scenes from a single panoramic image, addressing challenges in single-view 3D scene synthesis.

THE NEWEST WEAPON AGAINST MOSQUITOES: COMPUTER VISION

Computer vision advancements are contributing to the fight against malaria through applications like VectorCam, which allows quick identification of mosquito species and data collection. The app, developed with support from the Gates Foundation, can distinguish malaria-transmitting species and help refine strategies for disease control. These innovations in mosquito surveillance are crucial for the strategic deployment of insecticides and other mitigation measures.

FIELDS THAT I REFERENCE WHEN THINKING ABOUT AI TAKEOVER PREVENTION

This post shares insights on designing and evaluating robust AI safety measures, drawing parallels between AI control and fields combating insider threats. It highlights the granular control developers can exert over AIs compared to employees, while also noting that unlike humans, AI duplicitousness can be consistently pervasive. Although inspired by various fields like physical security and safety engineering, AI control primarily differs due to its adversarial nature and lack of complex system interactions.

SURVEY ON ROBOTIC MANIPULATION

This repository provides a comprehensive overview of embodied learning, a promising approach in robotic manipulation that emphasizes physical interaction and perceptual feedback.

AMD EXPLAINS ITS AI PC STRATEGY

AMD is advancing the AI PC market with its Ryzen AI 300 chips, integrating NPUs to enhance AI-powered features like Microsoft's Recall.

GEMINI IN GMAIL CAN NOW HELP POLISH UP YOUR DRAFTS

Google is enhancing its AI-powered Gemini writing tools in Gmail, introducing a new "Polish" feature for refining drafts alongside existing options like "Formalize" and "Elaborate".

GRAYSCALE UNVEILS INVESTMENT TRUST FOR AVALANCHE'S AVAX TOKEN

Grayscale Investments has introduced the "Grayscale Avalanche Trust," offering accredited investors exposure to Avalanche's AVAX token. This addition to its portfolio aims to provide more access to the crypto ecosystem.

SAM ALTMAN'S WORLDCOIN VIOLATED DATA POLICIES, COLOMBIA REGULATOR SAYS

Colombia's Superintendence of Industry and Commerce has accused Worldcoin and parent company Tools for Humanity of violating data protection regulations in the country. Worldcoin has been collecting biometric information in its onboarding process across the country using its Orb device to capture iris information. If found guilty, Worldcoin could face economic sanctions or permanent closure in Colombia. Other Latin American countries, including Ecuador and Argentina, have also investigated Worldcoin's activities.

$ME TOKEN COMES TO MAGIC EDEN

The $ME token claim will be executed on the Magic Eden wallet. Its team hopes to power the top cross-chain dApps ecosystem, allowing trading of fungibles and NFTs across major chains.

MAKER LAUNCHES TWO NEW TOKENS

Endgame has launched NewStable and NewGovToken, which are upgraded versions of the current DAI and MKR tokens. The switch will maintain flexibility for users to switch between the old and new tokens while ensuring that both DAI and MKR remain functional for governance and existing applications.

FRANKLIN TEMPLETON LAUNCHES TOKENIZED MONEY MARKET FUND ON AVALANCHE

Franklin Templeton has launched the first U.S.-registered mutual fund on the Avalanche blockchain, introducing the tokenized U.S. Government Money Fund (FOBXX), tokenized as BENJI. This expansion allows for features like USDC conversions for investments and peer-to-peer transfers of fund shares, with plans for future trading and collateral use.

HOW TO BE A BETTER CRYPTO ANALYST

Navigating complex protocols as an analyst can be challenging, especially when deciphering Solidity code and contract interactions. This guide walks through an example using Zora x Uniswap, teaching you how to identify key contracts, trace transactions, and decode contract functions to understand the flow of funds and interactions. The process involves using tools like block explorers, transaction logs, and Solidity interfaces to uncover how the protocol operates behind the scenes.

FRAUD PROOF WARS

Optimistic rollups face a fundamental trilemma, making it difficult to design safe systems with fixed delays that rely on a 1-of-N honest assumption, primarily due to the risk of resource exhaustion attacks. This article examines the fraud proof designs of projects like Arbitrum, Cartesi, and Optimism, and questions the viability of fraud proofs in a zero-knowledge (ZK) context.

JUSTIN SUN'S USDD STABLECOIN LOSES BITCOIN BACKING

Justin Sun's USDD stablecoin has lost its Bitcoin backing. 12,000 BTC worth around $726 million were withdrawn from its collateral. USDD is now primarily backed by Tron's native token, TRX. The move raises concerns due to TRX's volatility, though Sun claims it aligns with the plan to upgrade USDD and make it more competitive in the decentralized stablecoin market.

THE GRASS BULLCASE

The Grass DePIN protocol is positioned to disrupt the AI space by focusing on real-time data acquisition through its 2+ million user-run nodes. Its Live Context Retrieval engine allows for continuous internet crawling, potentially rivaling search engines after enough data is collected. Its decentralized infrastructure benefits from censorship resistance and real-time data-driven LLMs.

WHY DOES POLYMARKET NEED CRYPTO?

Polymarket is a leading example of crypto's advantage in global prediction markets.

MEMECOIN WARS

Solana's PumpFun led today's Memecoin War with 7,225 tokens generating $432K in revenue, followed by Tron's SunPump with 5,873 tokens and $329K in revenue and BSC's FourMeme at 2,029 tokens and $62K, indicating a shift towards Solana's dominance.

BITCOIN ETFS RECORD SIGNIFICANT INFLOWS

Hong Kong's Bitcoin ETFs saw their highest inflows in a month, totaling ~$15M, indicating a slow but steady increase.

FBI WILL USE NFTS TO CONTACT VICTIMS OF CRYPTO FRAUD SCHEME CLUCOIN

The FBI plans to use NFTs to notify victims of the CluCoin fraud from 2021.

MIDJOURNEY LAUNCHES ITS WEBSITE AND BECOMES FREE TO USE

Midjourney has launched a website, making its image generation capabilities accessible to all with a free trial of 25 AI-generated images. New users can register using a Google or Discord account, simplifying access without needing a separate login. Midjourney has provided a tutorial video to help users maximize their free image quota. Continued use after the trial requires a monthly subscription, with plans starting at $10.

SAMSUNG ODYSSEY 3D OFFERS A GLASSES-FREE 3D EXPERIENCE FOR GAMERS AND CREATORS

The Samsung Odyssey 3D monitor introduces a breakthrough in stereoscopic 3D technology by enabling 3D viewing without the need for glasses or headsets. It utilizes built-in stereo cameras to track eye movements and a lenticular lens to display separate images to each eye, creating a floating 3D effect. Primarily aimed at gamers, the monitor features 4K resolution, 1 ms response time, and a 165Hz refresh rate, making it valuable for designers and content creators working in 3D spaces.

IDEOGRAM 2.0 HAS ARRIVED TO EAT MIDJOURNEY'S LUNCH

The competition for AI image generation is intensifying, with Ideogram announcing the release of Ideogram 2.0. The updated version features five distinct image styles: General, Realistic, Design, 3D, and Anime. In addition to new creative capabilities, Ideogram 2.0 has introduced an iOS app, a beta version of its API, and a visual search engine. Subscription plans range from a generous free tier to a $48/month Pro plan, offering varying levels of image generation credits.

PUTTING DESIGN AT THE HEART OF TECHNOLOGY

Design projects integrate branding, technology, and user experience, which is essential to creating a successful product. Prioritizing simplicity and consistency in design systems enhances customer satisfaction and brand identity. By developing adaptable frameworks, businesses can ensure efficient collaboration, faster deployment, and a unified brand presence.

GOOGLE'S AI ‘REIMAGINE' TOOL HELPED US ADD WRECKS, DISASTERS, AND CORPSES TO OUR PHOTOS

Google's new Pixel 9 tool, "Reimagine," allows users to easily generate AI-modified images by typing prompts, raising concerns about potential misuse. While Google claims it has guardrails in place, the ability to create disturbing and misleading content is already outpacing the tools available to detect or prevent its spread, raising the need for more skepticism toward online images.

HOW WE MADE OUR HARDWARE PACKAGING 100% PLASTIC-FREE

Google has achieved its goal of making all packaging for Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest devices 100% plastic-free ahead of its 2025 target. Its new packaging uses innovative materials such as more robust, stretchable paper and molded fiber pulp from recycled newspapers. These materials reduce plastic waste and enhance recyclability and visual appeal. Google has shared its updated Plastic-Free Packaging Design Guide to help other companies transition to sustainable packaging solutions.

CIRCULAR TEXT (FIGMA PLUGIN)

A Figma plugin that generates circular and arc text.

ICONS FOR AI

This collection features over 100 free 16x16 SVG icons tailored for AI use cases under a CC BY 4.0 license.

INFOGRAPHICS ON FILM, TELEVISION, AND SPORTS

Visu features infographics highlighting key moments in film, television, and sports.

KIT STUDIO'S RETAIL IDENTITY FOR LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM TAPS INTO TFL'S GRAPHIC ICONOGRAPHY

Kit Studio developed a new retail identity and packaging for the London Transport Museum, drawing from TFL's graphic iconography and visual history. The design features a sustainable system of colored 'tiles' that balances the brand's heritage with a fresh, modern approach, reducing plastic use and utilizing a limited color palette and Johnston typeface.

ROBOT FOOD GIVES GERMAN NUTRITION BRAND A VIBRANT NEW LOOK AND FEEL

Leeds-based agency Robot Food redesigned the German health-food brand More, focusing on joy and self-empowerment with a vibrant color palette and expressive 'M' logo. The rebrand aimed to shift consumer perceptions of healthy food through positive messaging and appealing product photography.

HOW TO DEAL WITH AN ENGINEERING TEAM THAT IS OUTPACING YOUR DESIGNS

Adopting "Slow Productivity" can help maintain quality when facing pressure from an engineering team outpacing your designs. Focus on fewer tasks, work naturally, and leverage AI tools for tedious jobs. This approach ensures thoughtful design progress without sacrificing quality, even under tight deadlines and high expectations.

BEHIND THE DESIGN: CRAFTING OVER 800+ ICONS FOR WEBFLOW'S REBRAND

Webflow's rebrand involved designing over 800 icons with a focus on simplicity, consistency, and pixel perfection.

CREATIVE BLOCK? A WORK-FRIENDLY BEER TO GET THINGS FLOWING AGAIN

London-based agency Office of Overview created "Creative Juice," a low-alcohol beer designed to boost creativity during work hours.

GENERATIVE AI IS SLIDING INTO THE ‘TROUGH OF DISILLUSIONMENT'

Generative AI is entering the "trough of disillusionment" as companies focus on tangible ROI and excitement fades.

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YOUR STARTUP IS ALWAYS FOR SALE

CEOs often maintain an "always for sale" mindset in VC-backed companies, balancing the goal of building long-term value with the need to be attractive to potential buyers. This dual focus arises because acquisitions are a more common exit strategy than IPOs, given the rarity of companies going public. Employees may not be aware of acquisition discussions until they are finalized, as CEOs must navigate the complexities of both growing the business and preparing for potential sales without causing unnecessary anxiety.