Movate, a key player in digital technology and IT services, has secured a leadership position in the prestigious Everest Group's Digital Workplace Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2024 for mid-market enterprises. The accolade acknowledges Movate's forward-thinking Digital Workplace Service Offering, known for integrating cutting-edge generative AI applications and smart workplace tools to meet modern enterprises' evolving needs. Sunil Mittal, CEO of Movate, highlighted the company's commitment to reimagining the employee experience through smart, AI-driven solutions. The approach has helped Movate become a leader in its sector, especially catering to mid-market enterprises with unique sourcing needs. (With inputs from agencies.)Family of Hamas hostage Edan Alexander celebrates his 21st birthday in NYC's Central Park
Imagine if for $1 million you could buy a business that makes $100,000 in annual profit. In investing lingo, one would say this business trades at 10 times its earnings or at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 10. It's helpful. In this particular scenario, one would recoup the purchase price after 10 years. Year 11 and beyond would allow the investor to make serious money. Of course, it's an over-simplistic way of looking at things. In the real world earnings are rarely static. But it still demonstrates how a P/E ratio works and why one would want to buy a business at a lower P/E ratio if at all possible. Buying shares of Costco Wholesale ( COST 0.88% ) at a lower P/E ratio is not possible right now. As of this writing, Costco stock trades at 55 times its earnings, which is just the second time in its history that its P/E ratio has gone over 50. COST PE Ratio data by YCharts Costco stock is up approximately 60% over the past year, which is crushing the S&P 500 and consequently attracting at lot of attention from investors. But should investors buy with the P/E ratio this high? Well, investors can use history to guide that decision. Here's what happened last time In early 1999, Costco stock jumped up over 50 times its earnings. The famous dot-com bubble in the stock market was in full force at the time. Costco stock would go on to hit an all-time high (at the time) in early 2000 right as the stock market bubble was about to pop. It eventually did pop and Costco stock lost roughly 50% of its value by the end of 2002. Keep in mind that Costco's business continued to perform quite well over this time. From the start of 2000 through the end of 2002, both revenue and earnings per share (EPS) were up. But the stock still got cut in half. COST data by YCharts One might argue that it's irrelevant to note that Costco's P/E ratio was over 50 at the time. After all, when a bubble pops, almost all stocks go down regardless of valuation. But one could also argue that Costco's lofty valuation was the direct result of the bubble, making it very relevant indeed. It's possible that the S&P 500 is currently in bubble territory yet again. From a P/E ratio perspective, the S&P 500 currently trades at its second highest valuation since the dot-com bubble popped over 20 years ago. The only other time it was pricier was in 2021, right before it plunged in 2022. In other words, Costco's P/E ratio is over 50 again and an overvalued market could be the culprit, just like in 2000. And back then, Costco stock wound up dropping by over 50%. Here's what will probably happen this time A lofty P/E ratio is usually only appropriate when a company can achieve above-average earnings growth. But at Costco's current size, I think earnings growth will be somewhat modest. For this reason, I wouldn't be surprised if the stock drops in the near future like it did over 20 years. In short, I'm comfortable saying it's overvalued today. But there's more to the story. It's true that Costco stock dropped, which was tragic for any investor who invested all of their money at the top. But the company has a great business model and it eventually regained highs and has been an extraordinary long-term investment, gaining over 1,900% since 2000. In other words, Costco stock was a great stock to dollar-cost average into when its P/E ratio was over 50. Consider the potential returns from the table below. Investment Date Investment Percentage Return by 2010 Value by 2010 Jan. 1, 2000 $1,000 58% $1,583 Jan. 1, 2001 $1,000 81% $1,808 Jan. 1, 2002 $1,000 63% $1,627 Jan. 1, 2003 $1,000 157% $2,573 Jan. 1, 2004 $1,000 94% $1,942 Total $5,000 91% $9,533 Data source: YCharts. If someone invested all of their money in Costco stock at the valuation peak, it took awhile to recover. And 10-year returns of 58% weren't fantastic. But by continuing to invest in a top company such as Costco over time, investors were able to greatly improve their long-term returns while avoiding being the victims of a stock market crash. That's a powerful thought. I believe Costco stock is overvalued today and I would avoid making a substantial investment in the company at this exact moment. That said, I also believe that Costco is one of the best and most resilient businesses around, meaning this is a stock that's worth holding in a portfolio. For those who agree with me regarding the quality of Costco's business, I think it could be a great idea to space out an investment over the next several years. This will help you avoid the risk of buying overvalued shares before a potential drop in the market.
Why Lucid Stock Jumped Again TodayPLAINS, Ga. (AP) — Newly married and sworn as a Naval officer, Jimmy Carter left his tiny hometown in 1946 hoping to climb the ranks and see the world. Less than a decade later, the death of his father and namesake, a merchant farmer and local politician who went by “Mr. Earl,” prompted the submariner and his wife, Rosalynn, to return to the rural life of Plains, Georgia, they thought they’d escaped. The lieutenant never would be an admiral. Instead, he became commander in chief. Years after his presidency ended in humbling defeat, he would add a Nobel Peace Prize, awarded not for his White House accomplishments but “for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” The life of James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, ended Sunday at the age of 100 where it began: Plains, the town of 600 that fueled his political rise, welcomed him after his fall and sustained him during 40 years of service that redefined what it means to be a former president. With the stubborn confidence of an engineer and an optimism rooted in his Baptist faith, Carter described his motivations in politics and beyond in the same way: an almost missionary zeal to solve problems and improve lives. Carter was raised amid racism, abject poverty and hard rural living — realities that shaped both his deliberate politics and emphasis on human rights. “He always felt a responsibility to help people,” said Jill Stuckey, a longtime friend of Carter's in Plains. “And when he couldn’t make change wherever he was, he decided he had to go higher.” Defying expectations Carter's path, a mix of happenstance and calculation , pitted moral imperatives against political pragmatism; and it defied typical labels of American politics, especially caricatures of one-term presidents as failures. “We shouldn’t judge presidents by how popular they are in their day. That's a very narrow way of assessing them," Carter biographer Jonathan Alter told the Associated Press. “We should judge them by how they changed the country and the world for the better. On that score, Jimmy Carter is not in the first rank of American presidents, but he stands up quite well.” Later in life, Carter conceded that many Americans, even those too young to remember his tenure, judged him ineffective for failing to contain inflation or interest rates, end the energy crisis or quickly bring home American hostages in Iran. He gained admirers instead for his work at The Carter Center — advocating globally for public health, human rights and democracy since 1982 — and the decades he and Rosalynn wore hardhats and swung hammers with Habitat for Humanity. Yet the common view that he was better after the Oval Office than in it annoyed Carter, and his allies relished him living long enough to see historians reassess his presidency. “He doesn’t quite fit in today’s terms” of a left-right, red-blue scoreboard, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who visited the former president multiple times during his own White House bid. At various points in his political career, Carter labeled himself “progressive” or “conservative” — sometimes both at once. His most ambitious health care bill failed — perhaps one of his biggest legislative disappointments — because it didn’t go far enough to suit liberals. Republicans, especially after his 1980 defeat, cast him as a left-wing cartoon. It would be easiest to classify Carter as a centrist, Buttigieg said, “but there’s also something radical about the depth of his commitment to looking after those who are left out of society and out of the economy.” ‘Country come to town’ Indeed, Carter’s legacy is stitched with complexities, contradictions and evolutions — personal and political. The self-styled peacemaker was a war-trained Naval Academy graduate who promised Democratic challenger Ted Kennedy that he’d “kick his ass.” But he campaigned with a call to treat everyone with “respect and compassion and with love.” Carter vowed to restore America’s virtue after the shame of Vietnam and Watergate, and his technocratic, good-government approach didn't suit Republicans who tagged government itself as the problem. It also sometimes put Carter at odds with fellow Democrats. The result still was a notable legislative record, with wins on the environment, education, and mental health care. He dramatically expanded federally protected lands, began deregulating air travel, railroads and trucking, and he put human rights at the center of U.S. foreign policy. As a fiscal hawk, Carter added a relative pittance to the national debt, unlike successors from both parties. Carter nonetheless struggled to make his achievements resonate with the electorate he charmed in 1976. Quoting Bob Dylan and grinning enthusiastically, he had promised voters he would “never tell a lie.” Once in Washington, though, he led like a joyless engineer, insisting his ideas would become reality and he'd be rewarded politically if only he could convince enough people with facts and logic. This served him well at Camp David, where he brokered peace between Israel’s Menachem Begin and Epypt’s Anwar Sadat, an experience that later sparked the idea of The Carter Center in Atlanta. Carter's tenacity helped the center grow to a global force that monitored elections across five continents, enabled his freelance diplomacy and sent public health experts across the developing world. The center’s wins were personal for Carter, who hoped to outlive the last Guinea worm parasite, and nearly did. As president, though, the approach fell short when he urged consumers beleaguered by energy costs to turn down their thermostats. Or when he tried to be the nation’s cheerleader, beseeching Americans to overcome a collective “crisis of confidence.” Republican Ronald Reagan exploited Carter's lecturing tone with a belittling quip in their lone 1980 debate. “There you go again,” the former Hollywood actor said in response to a wonky answer from the sitting president. “The Great Communicator” outpaced Carter in all but six states. Carter later suggested he “tried to do too much, too soon” and mused that he was incompatible with Washington culture: media figures, lobbyists and Georgetown social elites who looked down on the Georgians and their inner circle as “country come to town.” A ‘leader of conscience’ on race and class Carter carefully navigated divides on race and class on his way to the Oval Office. Born Oct. 1, 1924 , Carter was raised in the mostly Black community of Archery, just outside Plains, by a progressive mother and white supremacist father. Their home had no running water or electricity but the future president still grew up with the relative advantages of a locally prominent, land-owning family in a system of Jim Crow segregation. He wrote of President Franklin Roosevelt’s towering presence and his family’s Democratic Party roots, but his father soured on FDR, and Jimmy Carter never campaigned or governed as a New Deal liberal. He offered himself as a small-town peanut farmer with an understated style, carrying his own luggage, bunking with supporters during his first presidential campaign and always using his nickname. And he began his political career in a whites-only Democratic Party. As private citizens, he and Rosalynn supported integration as early as the 1950s and believed it inevitable. Carter refused to join the White Citizens Council in Plains and spoke out in his Baptist church against denying Black people access to worship services. “This is not my house; this is not your house,” he said in a churchwide meeting, reminding fellow parishioners their sanctuary belonged to God. Yet as the appointed chairman of Sumter County schools he never pushed to desegregate, thinking it impractical after the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board decision. And while presidential candidate Carter would hail the 1965 Voting Rights Act, signed by fellow Democrat Lyndon Johnson when Carter was a state senator, there is no record of Carter publicly supporting it at the time. Carter overcame a ballot-stuffing opponent to win his legislative seat, then lost the 1966 governor's race to an arch-segregationist. He won four years later by avoiding explicit mentions of race and campaigning to the right of his rival, who he mocked as “Cufflinks Carl” — the insult of an ascendant politician who never saw himself as part the establishment. Carter’s rural and small-town coalition in 1970 would match any victorious Republican electoral map in 2024. Once elected, though, Carter shocked his white conservative supporters — and landed on the cover of Time magazine — by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Before making the jump to Washington, Carter befriended the family of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., whom he’d never sought out as he eyed the governor’s office. Carter lamented his foot-dragging on school integration as a “mistake.” But he also met, conspicuously, with Alabama's segregationist Gov. George Wallace to accept his primary rival's endorsement ahead of the 1976 Democratic convention. “He very shrewdly took advantage of his own Southerness,” said Amber Roessner, a University of Tennessee professor and expert on Carter’s campaigns. A coalition of Black voters and white moderate Democrats ultimately made Carter the last Democratic presidential nominee to sweep the Deep South. Then, just as he did in Georgia, he used his power in office to appoint more non-whites than all his predecessors had, combined. He once acknowledged “the secret shame” of white Americans who didn’t fight segregation. But he also told Alter that doing more would have sacrificed his political viability – and thus everything he accomplished in office and after. King's daughter, Bernice King, described Carter as wisely “strategic” in winning higher offices to enact change. “He was a leader of conscience,” she said in an interview. Rosalynn was Carter's closest advisor Rosalynn Carter, who died on Nov. 19 at the age of 96, was identified by both husband and wife as the “more political” of the pair; she sat in on Cabinet meetings and urged him to postpone certain priorities, like pressing the Senate to relinquish control of the Panama Canal. “Let that go until the second term,” she would sometimes say. The president, recalled her former aide Kathy Cade, retorted that he was “going to do what’s right” even if “it might cut short the time I have.” Rosalynn held firm, Cade said: “She’d remind him you have to win to govern.” Carter also was the first president to appoint multiple women as Cabinet officers. Yet by his own telling, his career sprouted from chauvinism in the Carters' early marriage: He did not consult Rosalynn when deciding to move back to Plains in 1953 or before launching his state Senate bid a decade later. Many years later, he called it “inconceivable” that he didn’t confer with the woman he described as his “full partner,” at home, in government and at The Carter Center. “We developed a partnership when we were working in the farm supply business, and it continued when Jimmy got involved in politics,” Rosalynn Carter told AP in 2021. So deep was their trust that when Carter remained tethered to the White House in 1980 as 52 Americans were held hostage in Tehran, it was Rosalynn who campaigned on her husband’s behalf. “I just loved it,” she said, despite the bitterness of defeat. Reevaluating his legacy Fair or not, the label of a disastrous presidency had leading Democrats keep their distance, at least publicly, for many years, but Carter managed to remain relevant, writing books and weighing in on societal challenges. He lamented widening wealth gaps and the influence of money in politics. He voted for democratic socialist Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in 2016, and later declared that America had devolved from fully functioning democracy to “oligarchy.” Yet looking ahead to 2020, with Sanders running again, Carter warned Democrats not to “move to a very liberal program,” lest they help re-elect President Donald Trump. Carter scolded the Republican for his serial lies and threats to democracy, and chided the U.S. establishment for misunderstanding Trump’s populist appeal. He delighted in yearly convocations with Emory University freshmen, often asking them to guess how much he’d raised in his two general election campaigns. “Zero,” he’d gesture with a smile, explaining the public financing system candidates now avoid so they can raise billions. Carter still remained quite practical in partnering with wealthy corporations and foundations to advance Carter Center programs. Carter recognized that economic woes and the Iran crisis doomed his presidency, but offered no apologies for appointing Paul Volcker as the Federal Reserve chairman whose interest rate hikes would not curb inflation until Reagan's presidency. He was proud of getting all the hostages home without starting a shooting war, even though Tehran would not free them until Reagan's Inauguration Day. “Carter didn’t look at it” as a failure, Alter emphasized. “He said, ‘They came home safely.’ And that’s what he wanted.” Well into their 90s, the Carters greeted visitors at Plains’ Maranatha Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and where he will have his last funeral before being buried on family property alongside Rosalynn . Carter, who made the congregation’s collection plates in his woodworking shop, still garnered headlines there, calling for women’s rights within religious institutions, many of which, he said, “subjugate” women in church and society. Carter was not one to dwell on regrets. “I am at peace with the accomplishments, regret the unrealized goals and utilize my former political position to enhance everything we do,” he wrote around his 90th birthday. Pilgrimages to Plains The politician who had supposedly hated Washington politics also enjoyed hosting Democratic presidential contenders as public pilgrimages to Plains became advantageous again. Carter sat with Buttigieg for the final time March 1, 2020, hours before the Indiana mayor ended his campaign and endorsed eventual winner Joe Biden. “He asked me how I thought the campaign was going,” Buttigieg said, recalling that Carter flashed his signature grin and nodded along as the young candidate, born a year after Carter left office, “put the best face” on the walloping he endured the day before in South Carolina. Never breaking his smile, the 95-year-old host fired back, “I think you ought to drop out.” “So matter of fact,” Buttigieg said with a laugh. “It was somehow encouraging.” Carter had lived enough, won plenty and lost enough to take the long view. “He talked a lot about coming from nowhere,” Buttigieg said, not just to attain the presidency but to leverage “all of the instruments you have in life” and “make the world more peaceful.” In his farewell address as president, Carter said as much to the country that had embraced and rejected him. “The struggle for human rights overrides all differences of color, nation or language,” he declared. “Those who hunger for freedom, who thirst for human dignity and who suffer for the sake of justice — they are the patriots of this cause.” Carter pledged to remain engaged with and for them as he returned “home to the South where I was born and raised,” home to Plains, where that young lieutenant had indeed become “a fellow citizen of the world.” —- Bill Barrow, based in Atlanta, has covered national politics including multiple presidential campaigns for the AP since 2012.
PDP Commends Adeleke’s Achievements In Two YearsNo. 11 Tennessee crushes UTEP to enhance CFP chances
Rising Preference For Convenience Foods: A Key Driver Transforming the Food Flavors Market 2024AP News Summary at 6:48 p.m. EST
Trump convinced Republicans to overlook his misconduct. But can he do the same for his nominees?There are currently eight publicly traded companies with market caps of $1 trillion or more: Nvidia , Apple , Microsoft , Alphabet , Amazon , Meta Platforms , Tesla , and Berkshire Hathaway . Those stocks are highly renowned, and for good reason: They have made plenty of investors wealthy. However, none of them are particularly known as dividend stocks, and thus far the trillion-dollar club has excluded longtime dividend payers. However, that could soon change. Walmart ( WMT 2.32% ) , the world's biggest retailer and the largest company in the world by revenue, has quietly blown away the rest of the retail sector in recent years as its commitment to omnichannel sales and reputation for everyday low prices have delivered steady growth. Meanwhile, many of its peers have struggled with inflation and weak consumer spending. Walmart reported another round of strong quarterly results on Tuesday morning. Top-line growth was strong across the board with comparable-store sales (comps) up 5.3% at U.S. stores (excluding fuel), its best performance in at least five quarters. And Sam's Club, its members-only warehouse retail chain, reported 7% comps growth excluding fuel. At its international segment, which has historically been a challenging segment for the company, constant-currency revenue rose 12.4% to $30.3 billion. Overall, revenue was up 5.5% to $169.6 billion, which topped the consensus at $166.6 billion. The retailer also delivered solid margin improvement, with gross margin increasing 21 basis points to 24.2%, driven by lower markdowns in U.S. stores and strong inventory management. Overall operating margin expanded as well, as operating income was up 8.2% to $6.7 billion. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) rose from $0.51 to $0.58, ahead of the consensus at $0.53. Walmart's stores performed well, but it's also benefiting from emerging growth businesses like advertising, where revenue jumped 28%, and global e-commerce remains strong with sales up 27% as it gains market share on Amazon and other competitors. The company also raised its guidance, showing increased confidence in the holiday quarter. It now expects net sales to rise 4.8% to 5.1% and full-year adjusted EPS of $2.42 to $2.47. Can Walmart reach $1 trillion? Walmart's market cap topped $700 billion for the first time on Tuesday, Nov. 19, meaning the company is approaching a $1 trillion market cap. At its current valuation, the stock would only have to grow by 43%, which seems achievable given its recent momentum. The stock is now up 66% year to date, though it will be difficult to repeat that performance next year. At this point, the biggest risk to the stock appears to be its valuation. Based on its EPS guidance for this year, the stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 35, which is well above most of its retail peers, and puts it in league with the big tech companies that make up the trillion-dollar club like Microsoft and Apple. Walmart has earned that premium thanks to its recent execution and its track record of steady growth and expanding margins. Ten years ago, many thought the company would be elbowed aside by Amazon, but it has responded to the challenge by building out its omnichannel business, tapping new growth opportunities like advertising, and strengthening its competitive advantages in areas like price and convenience. As Walmart's valuation has soared, its dividend yield has fallen to just 1%, but the company's track record of dividend hikes is unmatched by any company in the trillion-dollar club. It has raised its dividend annually for 51 years in a row, making it a Dividend King. Is Walmart a buy? Walmart's third-quarter earnings report was virtually flawless, and it's a reminder to investors that the company still enjoys several competitive advantages, such as economies of scale; a recession-proof business model that leans toward food and groceries; and growth opportunities in advertising, e-commerce, and beyond. The stock might seem expensive at its current valuation, but the company has just proved its ability to grow in a difficult environment. As it sharpens its focus on general merchandise, the business looks prepared to continue its steady growth toward a $1 trillion market cap. If you're looking for a balance of growth and income, Walmart looks like a great fit.NoneAP Business SummaryBrief at 6:26 p.m. EST
Disney is remaking a number of animated classics into live-action movies. Some are remakes while others are origin stories or sequels to existing live-action adaptations. Among its current remakes are a live-action "Moana" and "Lilo & Stitch." Advertisement Despite Disney's late 2024 live-action release, "Mufasa: The Lion King," making substantially less ($35 million) than its 2019 "The Lion King" CGI-fueled release ($191.7 million) in its opening weekend at the domestic box office, the studio still has plans for two live-action adaptations of beloved animated movies coming in 2025 : "Snow White" and "Lilo & Stitch." And there are plans for more beyond that. Here's everything we know about the upcoming live-action releases of Disney's animated classics. Advertisement Kirsten Acuna contributed to a previous version of this story.
Rams don't dominate, but they're rolling toward the playoffs with superb complementary football
( MENAFN - GetNews) A Heartfelt Memoir of Love, Loss, and Resilience in the Face of Dementia Dementia is a term that encompasses a range of conditions, each affecting the brain in its own way, resulting in a decline of memory, reasoning, judgment, and the ability for individuals to care for themselves. To be diagnosed with dementia, these symptoms must significantly interfere with daily life and involve multiple areas of brain function, such as memory, communication, or language. While different types of dementia manifest uniquely, they all carry one thing in common-the emotional toll they take on both the individual and their loved ones. In Me, Mom, and Dementia , Quinn Morris opens up about the personal and poignant experience of caring for a mother with dementia. This deeply moving memoir offers readers a window into the complexities of caregiving, emotional strain, and the unbreakable bond between mother and child. Through Morris' reflective and empathetic narrative, the book becomes a valuable resource for anyone navigating the difficulties of dementia within their own families, as well as a compassionate guide to understanding how different dementias progress and impact those affected. The book delves into the different stages of dementia, the challenges that come with each, and the resilience needed to provide support while maintaining one's own emotional and mental well-being. Me, Mom, and Dementia not only tells a personal story but also provides insight into the broader experience of dementia, making it a must-read for caregivers, family members, and those seeking to better understand the complexities of this widespread condition. Available now on Amazon: Me, Mom, and Dementia by Quinn Morris About the Author Quinn Morris is an author, caregiver, and passionate advocate for those living with dementia and their families. Drawing from his personal journey of caring for his mother as she battled dementia, Quinn's writing provides both a deeply emotional narrative and a thoughtful exploration of the impact of dementia on families. His candid reflections offer comfort, insight, and hope to those who are walking a similar path, reminding them that they are not alone in their struggles. Quinn is committed to raising awareness about dementia and improving understanding of the challenges faced by both caregivers and patients. Through his writing, he seeks to create a space where individuals can connect, share their stories, and find strength in the face of adversity. When he is not writing, Quinn enjoys spending time with his family, engaging in advocacy work, and continuing his personal journey of healing and growth. Me, Mom, and Dementia is his first book, born out of his desire to share his experience and offer guidance to others navigating the complexities of dementia caregiving. About Author's Tranquility Press Author's Tranquility Press is a top publicity agency known for delivering innovative solutions designed to help writers across genres to reach a wider audience. The company combines the use of the latest technologies and the expertise and diverse experience of the team to provide quality, relatable content to as many people as possible, irrespective of their location across the globe. MENAFN16122024003238003268ID1108999825 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
December 16, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread by National University of Singapore Researchers from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) have developed a novel way to engineer yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to create microbial communities that can perform complex tasks and self-regulate their composition in response to external signals. By reprogramming how yeast cells switch types, the team enabled these micro-organisms to form cooperative groups that can perform complex tasks and self-regulate their composition based on external signals. These engineered yeast cells have the potential to help transform personalized health care by delivering tailored treatments that adapt to a patient's condition in real time. This approach could lead to more effective therapies with fewer side effects, paving the way for significant advancements in medical treatment while also significantly enhancing the efficiency, sustainability, and scalability of biotech applications. The study is published in the journal Nature Communications . Traditional microbial biotechnology has focused on single-cell organisms, limiting their ability to handle complex tasks. The NUS Medicine team re-engineered yeast cells to mimic natural ecosystems , enabling them to divide into two specialized types that work together synergistically. These synthetic microbial communities can autonomously adjust their population composition in response to environmental stimuli , making them ideal for tasks undertaken in precision medicine or therapeutic applications in the human gut. The yeast cells act as microscopic factories, capable of producing therapeutic compounds or breaking down complex substances into simpler, usable forms. By responding dynamically to disease markers— small molecules that accumulate in the body during illness—the yeast adjusts its structure and activity to deliver just the right amount of therapeutic compounds. This smart programming ensures the yeast only produces what is needed, reducing waste and increasing precision. "This artificially engineered smart yeast could revolutionize how microbial communities are controlled for health purposes. As the communities can independently split into different types of cells that work together, it allows them to divide tasks and share the workload, alleviating the burden it places on the cells," said research team leader A/Prof Matthew Chang, Director of the Synthetic Biology Translational Research Program at NUS Medicine and NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation. "For example, in the gut these yeast cells can adjust their balance and activity based on health signals, like disease markers, without needing any manual adjustments. This approach reduces stress on the cells and allows for precise production of helpful compounds, making it useful for flexible, targeted therapies in treatments and thus potentially reducing any side effects and improving treatment efficacy." The research team is now fine-tuning their results, with a focus on optimizing how the yeast communities adapt their actions in response to various disease markers. They will then explore the efficacy of using this autonomous system to produce health-conferring molecules for treatment of specific diseases. More information: Yu Chyuan Heng et al, Tunable cell differentiation via reprogrammed mating-type switching, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52282-w Journal information: Nature Communications Provided by National University of Singapore
What Happened At Katy Mills Mall In Texas? Reports Of 'Shooting' And 'Active Shooter' Amid Police ResponseOnly Fools And Horses stage show stars left 'visibly upset' after two black cast-members are 'racially abused by a rowdy audience member' Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com By GERAINT LLEWELLYN FOR MAILONLINE Published: 23:40 GMT, 23 December 2024 | Updated: 23:56 GMT, 23 December 2024 e-mail View comments The cast of Only Fools And Horses musical were victims of vile racist abuse from a 'rowdy' audience member during a performance at the Eventim Apollo in London's Hammersmith, on Friday. Black actors Bradley John and Gloria Acquaah-Harrison, who play truck driver Denzil Tulser and and new character Mrs Obooko, were said to be the target of the disgusting comments which left them 'visibly upset'. An onlooker told The Sun : 'It was a rowdy crowd, with everyone in the Christmas spirit, but this idiot spoiled the performance for those in ear shot'. Before adding: 'Security were unable to identify the culprit and eject them.' While a source close to the production told the publication: 'Cast members were visibly upset, they couldn't believe what they were hearing.' Denzil was played by actor Paul Barber in the original BBC sitcom, while Mrs Obooko is a new character created for the show. Only Fools And Horses musical cast were reportedly victims of vile racist abuse from a 'rowdy' audience member during a performance at the Eventim Apollo in London's Hammersmith Black actors Bradley John (L) and Gloria Acquaah-Harrison (R) who play truck driver Denzil Tulser and and new character Mrs Obooko, were said to be the target of the comments Following the incident show bosses took to social media with a stark warning to future audiences Following the incident show bosses took to social media with a stark warning to future audiences which read: 'Here at Only Fools and Horses The Musical we always act with respect and kindness towards ourselves and others'. 'We do expect our audiences to do the same. Any unkind comments, bullying, discrimination or any form of abuse towards our cast or company members will not be tolerated by the producers or theatres'. 'We expect respect on and off stage. We are committed to working closely with the venue teams to ensure that out cast, company and audiences embrace an environment of respect inclusivity and safety'. MailOnline have contacted the show's producer's for further comment. The musical is enjoying a three week run at the venue over the festive period with The Fast Show's Paul Whitehouse as Grandad and Vinnie Jones in the role of villain Danny Driscoll. It comes after Sir David Jason praised the 'hysterical and moving' musical after attending it's gala performance last week. The actor, 84, who portrayed Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter on the beloved BBC sitcom, said the stage show 'brought a tear to my eye' as memories of his time on the series came flooding back. Sam Lupton has taken on his iconic character with Vinny Jones playing Danny Driscoll and Paul Whitehouse as Grandad. Denzil was played by actor Paul Barber (R) in the original BBC sitcom, while Mrs Obooko is a new character created for the show (pictured in the show with David Jason) The musical is enjoying a three week run at the venue over the festive period with Paul Whitehouse (R) as Grandad and Vinnie Jones (L) in the role of villain Danny Driscoll. Speaking to The Sun at the show David said it was 'hysterical' and added he even found himself laughing despite knowing the gags. The beloved BBC sitcom ran from 1981 to 1991 followed by several Christmas specials that ended in 2003. Read More Sir David Jason, 84, meets with the cast of Only Fools and Horses The Musical as he makes a rare public appearance for the gala performance In January 2022, Only Fools and Horses topped a BBC poll of the best 20 TV programmes the corporation has ever made. Sir David reportedly almost quit Only Fools And Horses during its prime back in 1986 and almost an entirely different ending for Del Boy character was written. According to The Sun , as the actor contemplated leaving, head writer John Sullivan wrote a potential final episode called Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. The episode did air that year but it almost had a very different ending. It saw a character named Jumbo Mills arrive in Peckham after supposedly making a fortune while living in Australia. The initial idea was that Jumbo would cross paths with Del and tempt him to return to Australia with him to make his fortune there. This would have given David the opportunity to make a clean break from the show while setting up for the series to carry on without him. Producers were reportedly contemplating making Nicholas Lyndhurst the star of a new version of the show called Hot Rod, centred around his character Rodney. While the fate of Only Fools And Horses hung in the balance, David ultimately changed his mind and decided to stay with the series. The episode aired with Del rejecting Jumbo Mils' offer to go to Australia. London BBC Share or comment on this article: Only Fools And Horses stage show stars left 'visibly upset' after two black cast-members are 'racially abused by a rowdy audience member' e-mail Add comment