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Facebook’s cryptocurrency plans unfurl to controversy

Michelle R. Matisons Science & Technology

Facebook has been steadily colonizing more and more of our lives. Now, the company has paved a direct road to the currency sector, as it recently announced plans to partner with a company called Libra to allow users all the conveniences of modern financial technology. After Facebook announced its cryptocurrency plans, Congress stepped in to request new rules. Why? Because Facebook's reach and influence are so widespread that cryptocurrency plans could upend and radically restructure financial markets.

Alternative meat products grow rapidly as more big names enter the sector

Bambi Majumdar Food & Beverage

A Barclays report on alternative meat predicts that the nascent industry will reach $140 billion over the next decade. The growing demand for animal-free food products will help it capture approximately 10% of the $1.4 trillion global meat industry. As consumers become more health- and environment-conscious, and demand more cruelty-free foods, the plant-based protein market continues to grow. Advocates of the new industry also add low sodium content to the growing list of advantages over traditional meats.

5 problems facing social media in 2019

Mashaal Ryan Marketing

In this article, we’ll look at five main problems that are causing people to "break up with their phones" or quit social media altogether. These are the toxic parts of the new online world. As businesses, we need social media to be relevant and stay in the eyes of the consumer, too. However, there are lines that could be crossed if you aren’t careful. Here are just a few issues that are erupting every day on the internet.

New study unveils the biggest marketing opportunities on Instagram

Emma Fitzpatrick Marketing

Did you know 90% of marketers are using Instagram to promote their products, according to a new report by Social Media Today? As of late, Instagram is the place for businesses to be. Reach on Facebook keeps dropping. New users aren’t flocking to Twitter or Snapchat. But on Instagram, the audience and engagement levels just keep growing. Marketers don’t see that wave stopping soon, either. As Instagram marketing becomes increasingly important, read on to learn what aspects of the platform offer the most opportunity.

Advancements in AI that are disrupting, reshaping the oil and gas industry

Joseph Zulick Science & Technology

The oil and gas industry has a reputation of being relatively slow to adopt new technologies. Within the past few years, though, it has moved beyond reliance on paper and pencil, physical labor, and machines. Volatility in world commodities markets has pushed companies to optimize efficiency and reduce costs. And because of the Fourth Industrial Revolution industry players are finding attractive solutions. This article examines the ways in which oil and gas companies are looking at AI as a tool to optimize performance.

Study: More mosquito-borne infections associated with early season hurricanes

Lynn Hetzler Medical & Allied Healthcare

Hurricanes and other heavy rainfall events (HREs) can affect the transmission of vector-borne infectious diseases in the southern coastal United States and other temperate areas of the world. Stagnant water left in the aftermath of a heavy rainfall event provides rich breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which increases the likelihood of human infection. The timing of a hurricane has a significant influence on a storm’s effect on the spread of these infections, such as West Nile virus, Zika, chikungunya and dengue, according to the result of new study published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

Unique patient identifier ban lifted in House vote, still faces Senate

Scott E. Rupp Healthcare Administration

The 20-year ban on the ability of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to establish a unique patient identifier has finally been struck down — in part. A unique patient identifier (or the lack of one) has long been a primary issue for health IT insiders and leaders. The U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of ending the ban June 12. If it becomes law, it would allow federal funds to create the long-sought-after patient identifiers. The bill now moves to the Senate to be taken up for debate.

Observing the latest hospitality tech from HITEC 2019 in Minneapolis

Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

I was in Minneapolis recently for HITEC 2019 (Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition & Conference), marking the third time I attended the conference's exposition. This time, I paid special attention to the new technologies and products on the exhibition floor, such as those using facial recognition or AI in providing robotic services. I was unable to recognize any revolutionary innovations at the exposition, but I believe two of my observations may warrant some discussion.

Manufacturing slowdown sparks new political strategies

Michelle R. Matisons Manufacturing

The White House's official optimistic manufacturing narrative has been seriously disjointed from real-world production and employment issues in the very important and inherently political manufacturing sector. President Trump hung his hat on increased manufacturing jobs to get elected, but a persistent trade deficit haunts his administration — increasing by $100 billion under his watch. Now that this harsh reality can’t be ignored, we see some politicians initiating new strategies to address the slowdown.

A net loss: Why focusing on Net Promoter Scores can hurt your business

Linda Popky Marketing

Net Promoter Score (NPS) is a customer loyalty metric introduced in 2003. It scores customer loyalty based on a single question: "On a scale of 1-10, how likely is it that you would recommend our company/product/service to a friend or colleague?" Customers who respond with a 9 or 10 are considered Promoters. Anyone scoring below 6 is considered a Detractor; those who answer 7 or 8 are considered Passive. The NPS score is calculated by subtracting the percentage of customers who are Detractors from those who are Promoters. It's an interesting methodology. The problem is it isn't necessarily right much of the time.

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