Fifty years ago, the first retail barcode was scanned, marking a pivotal moment in computing history by linking a physical product to its digital identity.

To commemorate this milestone and in conjunction with Cambridge Tech Week, Orca Scan has launched a new exhibition, ‘Celebrating 50 Years of Barcode Scanning’, in collaboration with Datalogic and the Centre for Computing History.

AI-Media - the global provider of audiovisual encoding technology and AI-driven transcription and translation solutions, and Speechmatics - the provider of speech recognition technology, have announced a strategic expansion of their multi-year partnership to deliver new and better AI-driven products to market.

Digital banking platform Ibanera, spearheaded by CEO Michael Carbonara, has entered into a collaboration with Visa, the digital payment solutions provider. This opportunity will enable Ibanera to leverage Visa’s card issuing capabilities to support its clientele’s banking and finance needs.

British Business-to-Business (B2B) companies take on average 32 days to collect, collate and enrich all the necessary data for a new product launch, significantly impacting UK productivity and go-to-market times, according to research conducted by Akeneo, the Product Experience (PX) Company and leading provider of Product Information Management (PIM) solutions.

Paynetics, provider of embedded finance services, has entered into a strategic partnership with tell.money to implement the Confirmation of Payee (CoP) service. The collaboration ensures that Paynetics will take advantage of tell.money CoP service, allowing partners to embed financial services while staying fully CoP covered with minimal effort.

Jisp, the retail technology company, has marked the three-year anniversary of its Scan & Save app achieving high performance figures. Jisp reports that, since its launch in 2021, Scan & Save has earned retailers almost £6million while shoppers have saved over £2.2million in that time.

The Golden Quarter of retail is approaching. Perfect time for retailers to gather mounds of consumer data. But how to do so compliantly? Two Toronto-based marketing specialists have an answer: Precision Retail, a new venture offering what they believe to be the world's first and only rewards-based post-purchase survey plugin to capture 0PD.

GreyOrange Inc. has introduced SoftFence, a virtual shielding technology from its retail software as a service (SaaS) platform, gStore.

Casinos and high-end resorts are constantly challenged to provide a personalized and engaging guest experience while maximizing revenue and operational efficiency.The growing demand for immersive, tailored experiences means that traditional analog video systems are no longer sufficient.

A global study by Checkout.com, the global digital payments company, highlights the consumer buying behaviour which is powering today’s digital economy. The research, conducted across the UK, US, UAE and China, reveals a number of trends, including the growing spending power of Generation Alpha.

New research by BSI reveals growing public confidence in AI capabilities, with over half (51%) of respondents saying AI could perform some aspects of their job, up from 38% in 2023.

Whilst the survey highlighted some concerns related to deployment, it showed that people are optimistic about AI’s capabilities....

In 2024, the retail landscape has continued to evolve rapidly, with leading retailers adopting the best solutions to increase efficiency and improve customer experience. In recent years, ESLs (Electronic Shelf Labels) have been viewed as the next big thing for accurate price communication and inventory management for retailers.

Datalogic, the global provider of automatic data capture and industrial automation solutions, has announced that the Memor 30/35 has been officially certified as a rugged device under the prestigious Android Enterprise Recommended (AER) program, meeting and surpassing key standards set by Android.

Merchants, payment service providers (PSPs) and third-party providers (TPPs) recognise the potential of Commercial Variable Recurring Payments (CVRP, in the UK) and Dynamic Recurring Payments (DRP, in Europe) to deliver better payment experiences, more choice and lower processing costs. There are real concerns, however, that lack of bank support is impeding their delivery.

By Franklin Carpenter, freelance writer.

The importance of customer data in retail continues to grow, pushing businesses to seek efficient management strategies. Cloud computing has proven to be a powerful resource for tackling customer data challenges, enabling retailers to streamline their processes.

UK bespoke software development firm, Propel Tech, recently conducted a nationwide survey uncovering the UK’s top everyday annoyances at home, at work, and while out and about. With 1,080 responses, the findings highlighted how frustrations like forgetfulness, technology failures, and disruptive weather often disrupt daily life, and how tech can ease these little irritations.

TrusTrace, a global SaaS company with a platform for product traceability and supply chain compliance in fashion and retail, host a key session at COP29 entitled, ‘Data-Driven Decarbonisation: Navigating Fashion’s Path to Net Zero’ on November 16th from 13.00-13.40 at the Swedish Pavilion, C17, COP29 Blue Zone. 

Moscow is dealing with an explosive increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said, Interfax reports. According to him, the admission of seriously ill coronavirus patients to hospitals has increased by 70 percent. “Today we are on the rise, and a very big one. It is higher than, say, in April-May of the previous  year, when we first encountered this, and has almost reached the December peak, which was reported late last year," Sobyanin said during a visit to the coronavirus hospital at City Clinical Hospital No. 15 named after Filatov.

The Indian coronavirus strain, known as the delta variant or B.1.617, has four dangerous new symptoms, Express reports with reference to Abdul Ghafur, an infectious disease doctor from the Indian city of Chennai. According to the doctor, the symptoms of the delta variant of COVID-19 are similar to those of common cold: an infected individual develops a headache, runny nose and sore throat. Four new symptoms of the disease have been identified to date: diarrhea, hearing impairment, severe stomach disorders and blood clots that may lead to gangrene. Doctors note the new variant of the virus is unpredictable and state that any of the above symptoms could indicate an infection.

In Russia, the first case of delta plus coronavirus infection was recorded. "This is the only one case, most likely from abroad,” Darya Danilenko, deputy director of the Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza said. This strain was recorded in isolated cases in the United States and Great Britain.

The largest vaccination station in Europe was opened in Moscow on the territory of the Gostiny Dvor shopping mall, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.  According to the message posted on Sobyanin's website, the station can take up to 6,000 people a day. This is the largest vaccination centre in Moscow, Sobyanin said.  The mayor added that the vaccination station in Moscow's iconic GUM department store on Red Square does not accommodate those who want to get vaccinated, nor is it possible to ensure social distance there due to small premises. The new vaccination station in Gostiny Dvor was opened instead of the one in GUM. 

Russia's CoviVac drug is effective against the delta coronavirus strain, Aidar Ishmukhametov, one of the creators of the vaccine, director general of the Chumakov Federal Research Center, said, TASS reports. “The studies carried out have shown comparable results on the immunological efficacy of the vaccine,” Ishmukhametov said. Earlier, immunologist Vladimir Bolibok compared the infectivity of the Wuhan and Indian strains of coronavirus. According to him, contracting the new coronavirus strain has become a lot easier.

There is nothing wrong with having sex after vaccination against COVID-19, Vladislav Zhemchugov, Doctor of Medical Sciences, specialist in especially dangerous infections, said in an interview with RIA Novosti. According to him, sex is an energy-intensive process. However, according to the doctor, everything depends on the person.  “I think that on the contrary, a higher emotional background contributes to an increase in immunity,” the specialist said.

In Russia, as many as 986 people died of COVID-19 over the past 24 hours. This is a new record for Russia since the start of the pandemic, the operational headquarters for the fight against the coronavirus infection said on October 14. A day earlier, on October 13, 984 deaths were reported in Russia. The total death toll since the start of the pandemic thus amounts to 220,315 people.  Over the past 24 hours, 31,299 new cases of coronavirus infection were registered in the Russian Federation. This is the largest number of COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The total number of positive cases during the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia has thus amounted to 7.892,980. A day earlier (October 13) 28,717 cases of the coronavirus infection were recorded in the country.

Centrers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that the more contagious subvariant BA.2 of omicron strain now makes up 72% of COVID-19 infections in the U.S. According to the data, the BA.2 is able to displace all other COVID-19 strains and its subvariants. Ali Mokdad, an epidemiologist at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in Washington state, estimates that the displacement might happen in the next two weeks. According to different sources, the BA.2 is from 30% to 80% more contagious than the BA.1. A top WHO official, Maria Van Kerkhove, describes BA.2 as the most transmissible version of the virus so far. 

A research group from the George Institute for Global Health in Australia found out that the estrogen levels can be an indicator of a woman's risk of developing dementia. The researchers suggest that some of the reproductive factors (early or late menstruation, early menopause) are a sign of a higher risk of certain neurological problems connected with cognitive and social skills. According to the PloS Medicine journal, pregnancy and abortion are connected with the lower risk of dementia and other neurological problems.

An American from California simultaneously contracted the coronavirus and monkeypox, reports NBC. Mitcho Thompson, from the town of Sebastopol, told the TV channel that he tested positive for COVID-19 at the end of June, and soon after noticed red spots on his back, legs, arms and neck. "The doctor was absolutely certain that I had monkeypox and that I had both," Thompson said.

Laysan Utyasheva, a famous gymnast, shared the recipe for a miraculous drink that she swears by. She only learned the recipe for this drink at the beginning of 2022, and since then she has been drinking it every morning to wake up quickly. Utyasheva claims that this drink helps her wake up better than five cups of coffee. In an interview on the YouTube show "Daring Cooking," Laysan Utyasheva explained that one morning, when she was going on a desert excursion, she really needed to wake up quickly, but five cups of coffee didn't do the trick. That's when she tried the new drink, which woke her up much better. The recipe for this drink is simple: add a pinch of turmeric, cinnamon, and lemon to warm water. This drink helps reduce swelling and boost immunity. However, Laysan Utyasheva warned that the taste of the drink is not very pleasant, but it is very effective.

Experts at the Mayo Clinic have identified certain eating habits that can shorten one's lifespan, revealing that even foods that are considered healthy can have a negative impact. According to their research, it's best to avoid consuming too many diet drinks as they often contain sugar substitutes that can be harmful. Furthermore, inadequate water intake can also speed up the aging process and lead to poor health. Juices with high sugar content should also be consumed in moderation, with natural alternatives being the preferable option. Frequent consumption of soda can lead to rapid weight gain and excessive cholesterol production.

Makaronina.Ru has compiled a list of natural antidepressants, namely indoor plants that have the ability to positively affect a person's emotional state. One such plant is lavender, whose aroma can help alleviate headaches, anxiety, and stress. The plant's essential oils, which are actively released into the air, can also reduce high blood pressure and combat insomnia. Basil is another plant that can have a positive impact on both the cardiovascular system and emotional state, while lemon is effective in combating stress, anxiety, and tension.

Margarita Koroleva, a professor at the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, a doctor of medical sciences and a dietician, shared her recommendations regarding the way of cooking vegetables to get the best of them. Some vegetables should be boiled to extract as many nutrients as possible. For example, boiled carrots are better absorbed by the body than raw ones, which allows us to obtain more vitamin A from this vegetable. When tomatoes and red peppers are thermally processed, lycopene, a wonderful antioxidant that is highly beneficial for tissue and blood health, is activated and better absorbed by the body. The specialist also advised people with digestive problems should consume boiled turnip and radish, as their nutrients are better digested by the human body if those vegetables are boiled.

Smoking vapes and electronic cigarettes may lead to the development of a new lung disease that was dubbed as EVALI (E-cigarette and Vaping use-Associated Lung Injury). Research works to study EVALI slowed down with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic due to the similarity of symptoms, whereas the detection rate stopped growing, the Russian Health Ministry said. Symptoms of EVALI similar to those of COVID-19 Symptoms of the new disease are in many ways similar to symptoms of COVID-19. They include:

UCLA investigators have shown that that combining pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug, with standard chemotherapy can improve treatment outcomes for patients with small cell bladder cancer and small cell/neuroendocrine prostate cancer.

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses awarded three AACN Impact Research Grants of up to $50,000 each, bringing its total support to more than $1.5 million in funding since 2011.

Catina Latham, PhD, will succeed Brenda Battle as UChicago Medicine's Senior Vice President for Community Health Transformation and Chief Equity Officer

With its large scientific community and engaged leadership, UdeM plays a unique role in advancing and applying the One Health approach to the well-being of humans, animals and ecosystems.

Scientists have identified a molecule that appears to restore normal breathing in mice following a large dose of fentanyl.

In an effort to foster economic growth throughout Southern California's diverse communities, Cedars-Sinai has taken a lead role in creating a first-of-its-kind centralized resource directory designed to help diverse-owned vendors secure business opportunities with Southern California hospitals.

These miniature immune system models -- known as human immune organoids -- mimic the real-life environment where immune cells learn to recognize and attack harmful invaders and respond to vaccines. Not only are these organoids powerful new tools for studying and observing immune function in cancer, their use is likely to accelerate vaccine development, better predict disease treatment response for patients, and even speed up clinical trials.

Physicians and investigators from the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai will give more than 30 presentations at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions Nov. 16-18 in Chicago.

Childhood trauma can increase a breast cancer survivor's chance of experiencing more severe and longer-lasting treatment-related anxiety, depression and fatigue, as well as reduced cognitive function, years after cancer treatment has ended, according to a preliminary study led by Jamie Myers, Ph.D., FAAN, research associate professor at the University of Kansas School of Nursing.

Only half of people with early-onset cancers reported discussing fertility preservation options prior to their oncology treatments, according to results of a cross-sectional study published Nov. 12 in JAMA Network Open.

Supporting a loved one as they near the end of their life can be confronting. Palliative care is there to help but such services are not equally accessible to all Australians, particularly those in rural areas.

The use of biologic and targeted therapies for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) surpassed more typical therapies in recent years, according to Rutgers Health researchers.

The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) announced that they have developed an advanced disease diagnosis and treatment system based on nanomaterials.

Over 60 percent of Illinois parents had never asked another parent about an unlocked firearm in their home before allowing their child to visit for a playdate, according to a survey from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago published in Pediatrics. Many parents reported they had not asked about firearms because it never occurred to them to do so, which highlights a critical need to raise awareness of this important safety concern.

A research team has identified 2,586 orphan genes (OGs) in Rosa chinensis, offering new insights into the role of these unique genes in flower development, stress response, and environmental adaptation.

People with conditions or habits such as high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, or smoking, not only have a higher risk of stroke, they may also have more severe strokes than people without these risk factors, according to a study published in the November 13, 2024, online issue of Neurology(r), the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.