Beta Bytes: Week of January 16th
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
Snippets of breaking news calibrated to science, technology, and engineering topics as well as our clients’ interests.
Scientists ‘Program’ Living Bacteria to Store Data
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes and the University of California have discovered a way to electronically write data into the DNA of living bacteria.
DNA is being considered for data storage for several reasons because it is more than 1000 times as dense as the most compact hard drives, enabling it to store the equivalent of 10 full-length digital movies within the volume of a grain of salt.
This is also a viable option because DNA reading technology has become central to biology and research efforts, so the machinery needed to read and write it are expected to become cheaper and more powerful with time.
From Science Magazine
Qualcomm to Acquire NUVIA
Qualcomm announced that its subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire NUVIA for an estimated $1.4 billion.
The acquisition of NUVIA builds on Qualcomm Technologies' Snapdragon technology to deliver step-function improvements in CPU performance and power efficiency to meet the demands of next-generation 5G computing.
NUVIA CPUs are expected to be integrated across Qualcomm Technologies' broad portfolio of products, powering flagship smartphones, next-generation laptops, and digital cockpits, as well as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, extended reality, and infrastructure networking solutions.
From Qualcomm Investor Relations
Best of CES 2021: The Top Products Coming This Year
CES® is one of the most anticipated and influential tech events as the world's biggest brands do business, meet new partners, and share innovations on stage. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, CES features every aspect of the tech sector, and this year was a 100% virtual event
The product deemed “best in show” was the Kensington StudioDock, an integrated charging station that has the power to turn your iPad into an iMac through its stand, keyboard connection, and charging stations for almost every apple device.
Other top products included a high tech COVID facemask, a new Chromebook, gaming systems, and robo home assistants.
From How-To Geek
Boston Life-Science Nonprofit Expands in Calif. with $1m from J.P. Morgan
Life Science Cares Boston is a nonprofit organization that aims to harnesses the collective power of the industry to fight inequity by aggregating philanthropic efforts, from fund-raising to volunteering, across more than 400 companies.
In 2020, Life Science Cares Boston made more than $2 million in grants to local nonprofits, with half of the money used to address COVID-19 and its economic impact.
JP Morgan has granted them $1 million to launch affiliate groups in San Francisco and San Diego
From The Boston Globe
Information provided in this report is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, investment, legal, or tax advice; and does not constitute an offer, or a solicitation of any offer, to buy or sell any security, investment, or other product