US NEWS

NYC's Affordable Housing Lottery Near Central Park

What's going on: New York City is offering affordable pre-war apartments on West 80th Street, starting at an astonishingly low $174,000, just two blocks from Central Park. The development consists of 17 units, including studios ranging from 240 to 343 square feet and one-bedroom apartments from 466 to 544 square feet. Priced at approximately $340 per square foot, these units are significantly more affordable compared to other major cities. The lottery targets New Yorkers earning less than 120% of the area's median income, with asset limits around $280,000. For a household of two, the maximum qualifying income is set at $150,000.

What it means: This initiative represents a beacon of hope in the midst of New York's largest housing shortage in over 50 years. By offering affordable options in one of the world's most expensive neighborhoods, the city is taking concrete steps to address inequality and maintain diversity in its urban core. The overwhelming response – over 10,000 applicants for just 17 units ahead of the August 27 deadline – highlights both the desperate need for such programs and their potential to change lives. As Mayor Eric Adams pushes for increased residential construction, having already rezoned areas to create 7,000 new homes in the Bronx, this project could serve as a model for future developments. With the city also conducting lotteries for homes in other upscale neighborhoods like Hudson Yards, Astoria, and the Upper East Side, we're seeing a broader commitment to expanding affordable housing options across the city.

Fortune + 1 other source

SCIENCE

DNA Scavengers: A New Weapon Against Antibiotic Resistance

What's going on: Researchers at Michigan State University have developed 'DNA scavengers' that eradicate antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment plants. This groundbreaking method, detailed in Nature Water, offers a significant advancement in combating antibiotic-resistant microbes. The team cultivated the bacteria Shewanella oneidensis to produce a nuclease enzyme, specifically targeting mobile genetic elements in wastewater. In their study, they added a restriction enzyme to wastewater in concentrated amounts, achieving near-total destruction of four types of mobile genetic elements within four hours.

What it means: This innovation could be a game-changer in the fight against one of the most pressing public health threats of our time: antibiotic resistance. By targeting the genes responsible for resistance at their source, we're not just treating symptoms but addressing the root cause. Wastewater has been identified as a significant environmental reservoir for antibiotic resistance genes, posing risks to human health through water, food, and livestock. This eco-friendly approach could revolutionize wastewater treatment, making our water systems safer while reducing the environmental impact of traditional disinfectants like chlorine. With engineered bacteria showing the capability to remove over 99% of antibiotic resistance genes from wastewater, we're looking at a future where we can significantly slow the spread of antibiotic resistance, potentially saving countless lives and preserving the effectiveness of our crucial antibiotics for future generations.

Phys + 1 other source

HEALTH

AI Boosts Mammogram Accuracy by 50%

What's going on: Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland have introduced MV-DEFEAT, an AI algorithm that significantly enhances mammogram density assessment, improving breast cancer risk stratification by over 50%. This novel deep-learning approach, validated on diverse datasets, uses a multi-view deep evidential fusion approach, integrating Dempster-Shafer evidential theory and subjective logic for a comprehensive analysis of mammogram images. Using the VinDr-Mammo dataset of over 10,000 mammograms, MV-DEFEAT achieved a significant 50.78% improvement in screening accuracy, effectively distinguishing benign from malignant tumors.

What it means: This breakthrough could revolutionize breast cancer screening, potentially saving countless lives through earlier and more accurate detection. By improving risk stratification, healthcare providers can offer more personalized screening plans, ensuring high-risk individuals receive the attention they need while potentially reducing unnecessary procedures for others. The study revealed that interval cancer rates were significantly higher in the BI-RADS 4 category, indicating a pressing need for improved screening protocols for women with high-density breasts. As AI continues to advance in medical applications, we're seeing a future where technology and human expertise combine to provide better, more efficient healthcare for all. However, the research team stressed the importance of ongoing refinement and validation of MV-DEFEAT to ensure its reliability in clinical settings and build trust among healthcare professionals.

MDPI + 1 other sourcs

BUSINESS

Xiaomi's $10 Billion Electric Vehicle Gambit

What's going on: Xiaomi is investing $10 billion to become a top global automaker within 20 years, aiming to replicate its smartphone success in the EV market. Despite reporting a second-quarter loss of 1.8 billion yuan ($252 million), the company has raised its 2024 EV delivery target from 100,000 to 120,000 vehicles. Xiaomi is expanding its EV lineup, with plans to introduce a sport utility vehicle comparable to Tesla's Model Y by 2025, and has recently acquired a site in Beijing for capacity expansion.

What it means: Xiaomi's bold move into the EV market signals a seismic shift in the automotive industry. Known for disrupting the smartphone market with high-quality, affordable devices, Xiaomi's entry could democratize electric vehicles, making them more accessible to a broader consumer base. The company's strategy for its EVs mirrors its successful approach in the smartphone sector, emphasizing value-for-money to achieve scale and future profitability. While the EV business is currently incurring losses of approximately 60,000 yuan per vehicle sold, Xiaomi's long-term vision and significant investment demonstrate its commitment to the sector. As the company explores global expansion, showcasing its sedan at the Olympic Games in Paris, we can expect to see more innovation, potentially lower prices, and faster adoption of EVs worldwide, accelerating the global transition to sustainable transportation.

Yahoo Finance