SCIENCE AND TECH
Ryan Offman 12, Dec 4 mins
4 mins
The Ritz Herald
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Bridging the gap: Expert Ryan Chesterfield shares insights on achieving product-market fit in robotics

In the rapidly evolving sphere of robotics, achieving product-market fit is often the defining hurdle for success. While spectacular demonstrations can showcase the potential of a solution, the real challenge lies in ensuring these technologies deliver in the complexity of real-world facilities. According to Failory, over 50% of startups fail due to poor product-market fit—a statistic that underscores the importance of bridging the gap between innovation and practical application.

Ryan Chesterfield, founder of Auto-FC, a leading supply chain automation consulting firm, has dedicated over 15 years to addressing this very challenge. With extensive experience integrating cutting-edge technologies into operational systems, Chesterfield offers invaluable insights for robotics companies seeking to make the leap from prototype to practical, scalable solutions.

1. Real-Life Usefulness: Moving Beyond the Demo Room

“Some robotics solutions are dazzling in the demo room but fail spectacularly in real-world environments,” Chesterfield says. Dubbed the “Looking-Good-in-the-Demo-Room Syndrome,” this issue stems from overlooking the operational complexities of warehouses and fulfillment centers.

Chesterfield emphasizes the need for solutions that are user-friendly and seamlessly integrate with existing workflows. For instance, while autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) might seem ideal, companies often face unexpected challenges during implementation, such as compatibility issues with legacy systems or resistance from operators. Chesterfield’s approach involves rigorous on-site assessments to identify potential obstacles before they become costly missteps.

2. Broader Impact Over Niche Utility

Another common pitfall is targeting overly specific problems that limit a solution’s scalability. “If a technology only addresses a narrow pain point, its customer base and market potential will inevitably be restricted,” Chesterfield notes. He advises robotics companies to focus on solutions that address industry-wide challenges, such as labor shortages or the demand for…

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Study Reveals Alarming Rise in Alcohol Use During and After COVID-19 Pandemic
The Ritz Herald

Alcohol use increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and remained elevated even after the pandemic ended, according to a large nationally representative Keck Medicine of USC studypublished in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

From pre-pandemic (2018) to the height of the pandemic (2020), heavy alcohol use among Americans rose by 20%,…

Discovery of a Protein’s Key Role in RNA Processes Could Improve Disease Treatment in Humans and Plants
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Texas A&M AgriLife researchers uncovered a promising target for controlling gene expression and other cellular processes, which could lead to advancements in crop resilience and our understanding of certain human diseases.

This target centers on RNA regulation, which, when disrupted in humans, is often linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease…

Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s Builds Genome Sequencing Team
The Ritz Herald

Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s has appointed highly respected pediatric physician-scientists Mustafa Khokha, MD, and Saquib Lakhani, MD, to advance knowledge and application of genome sequencing with the goal of improving screening and treatment of genetic disorders and abnormalities.

Khokha and Lakhani, who specialize in rare pediatric genetic diseases and conditions, have published…

The Role of Boredom in Fostering Creativity in Early Childhood Education Introduction
The Ritz Herald

Do you feel guilty when your children get bored? Please don’t! Boredom has traditionally been seen as something to avoid, but recent research highlights its significant role in fostering creativity, especially in early childhood. With increasing access to technology and structured activities, children today have fewer opportunities to experience…

Honeywell and Google Cloud to Accelerate Autonomous Operations With AI Agents for the Industrial Sector
The Ritz Herald

Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) and Google Cloud announced a unique collaboration connecting artificial intelligence (AI) agents with assets, people and processes to accelerate safer, autonomous operations for the industrial sector.

This partnership will bring together the multimodality and natural language capabilities of Gemini on Vertex AI – Google Cloud’s AI platform…

9 mins
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The Ritz Herald

Living longer is a common aspiration, but living healthier as we age holds even more value. As the global population ages, promoting healthy aging through preventative geriatric care becomes crucial. With advancements in medical science and lifestyle awareness, many seniors can enjoy not just longer, but better lives. This care goes beyond treating illnesses—it’s about forestalling them.

Preventative geriatric care focuses on maintaining health and well-being, delaying the onset of chronic diseases, and ensuring that older adults remain active and engaged. It’s not merely about adding years to life but adding life to years. This approach helps seniors lead fulfilling lives, and it reduces the burden on healthcare systems. Exploring strategies for preventative care, from regular screenings to lifestyle modifications, can empower older adults to stay vibrant and independent.

Dr. Philippe Smith, a dedicated family practitioner with over a decade of experience, uncovers how preventative geriatric care can revolutionize the aging experience, offering valuable insights for seniors and caregivers alike.

Understanding Healthy Aging

Understanding the journey of aging is like unlocking a new level in the game of life. It’s not about slowing down but navigating the road with wisdom and grace. Healthy aging isn’t just a number or a specific…

5 mins
© Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Ritz Herald
Study demonstrated that a previously approved drug could replace chemotherapy as a first-line therapy for certain cancers

Researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) found that larotrectinib, an oral drug that stops cancer-cell growth, was highly effective in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed infantile fibrosarcoma (IFS) or other solid tumors that have a neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) gene fusion without a known acquired resistance mutation. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, is the first COG trial to test precision medicine in a front-line setting across all different types of solid tumors based on a genetic biomarker rather than histology. It is poised to redefine the approach to treatment for newly diagnosed fibrosarcoma and other solid tumors with the NTRK gene fusion, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for these patients to receive chemotherapy.

“Precision medicine is transforming pediatric cancer care, offering tailored treatments that bring new hope for better outcomes and a brighter future for children and their families,” said  Theodore W. Laetsch, MD, the lead study author and a pediatric oncologist at CHOP, who leads the hospital’s Developmental Therapeutics Program and Very Rare Malignant Tumors Program, as well as holding national leadership roles in each of these areas within COG.

IFS, a rare soft-tissue sarcoma, typically presents as a localized tumor….

Honeywell Awarded $103M Contract by U.S. Army for Next-Generation Radar Altimeter System
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iAsk Secures $4.2M to Lead the Next Wave of AI Search Innovation
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For over two decades, Google has been the undisputed leader in online search, shaping how billions of people access information. But now, artificial intelligence is disrupting its dominance. iAsk AI is stepping up and positioning itself as the future of search innovation that will lead the next wave of…

Lilly Announces $4.5 Billion Investment to Establish Lilly Medicine Foundry for Advanced Manufacturing and Drug Development
The Ritz Herald

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced a $4.5 billion investment to create the Lilly Medicine Foundry, a new center for advanced manufacturing and drug development. This unique facility will give Lilly the ability to research new ways of producing medicines, while also scaling up manufacturing of medicines for…

Case Study: DSI Managed Services at Garland ISD – Driving Success and Innovation in the K12 Sector Introduction
The Ritz Herald

Garland Independent School District (GISD), one of the largest school districts in Texas, serving over 55,000 students across 70 campuses, embarked on a transformative journey in 2016 to overhaul its aging IT infrastructure. The district partnered with DISYS Solutions, Inc. (DSI Tech), a leader in managed network services, to…

HiPP vs. Holle: A Comprehensive Comparison of Organic Baby Formulas
The Ritz Herald

Parents have become increasingly more aware of the quality of food that goes into their little ones’ bodies and demanding of better. Organic’s Best Shop has emerged as a trusted source of high-quality, safe, and nutritious organic baby formulas. The company has carved a niche in the industry by…

8 mins
The Ritz Herald
© Austin Pacheco

Impulse control in children isn’t just about preventing tantrums or saying “no.” It’s a crucial skill that helps young minds navigate social situations, manage emotions, and achieve personal goals. While some kids seem to naturally possess strong impulse control, many need guidance to hone this skill.

By involving children in games and exercises designed to improve self-regulation, parents, and educators can foster an environment conducive to growth and learning. Such activities make the process enjoyable while enhancing the child’s ability to think before acting. Through consistent, fun-filled practice, children can develop better control over their impulses, laying the groundwork for future success and well-being.

Understanding Impulse Control in Children

Impulse control is a fundamental aspect of a child’s development, serving as the foundation for emotional regulation and decision-making. It helps children interact successfully with peers, teachers, and family members. By understanding the biological factors behind impulse control and recognizing its impact on development, caregivers can take a proactive role in supporting children.

The prefrontal cortex, located in the frontal lobe of the brain, plays a pivotal role in managing impulse control. This part of the brain is responsible for critical functions such as problem-solving, planning, and inhibiting inappropriate behaviors.

“During early childhood and adolescence, the prefrontal cortex undergoes significant development, which is crucial for improving impulse control skills over time,” says Dr. Rebecca Jackson with Brain Balance. “It’s important to note that this development varies among individuals and is influenced by genetics and environmental factors. Parents and educators can support this growth with activities that stimulate cognitive…

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Senior study author Elizabeth Winzeler handles culture medium containing malaria parasites. © UC San Diego Health Sciences
The Ritz Herald
Study of malaria parasite genomes paves the way for new, more effective treatments

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“A lot of drug resistance research can only look at one chemical agent at a time, but what we’ve been able to do here is create a roadmap for understanding antimalaria drug resistance across more than a hundred different compounds,” said Elizabeth Winzeler, Ph.D., a professor at UC San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Department of Pediatrics at UC San Diego School of Medicine. “These results will be useful for other diseases as well, because many of the resistant genes we studied are conserved across different species.”

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