Technology

Do Some Electric Fish Sense the World Through Comrades’ Auras?

Published

2 years ago

March 6, 2024

Scientists uncover evidence for a new form of collective sensing that appears to enable elephantnose fish to extend their perceptual reach

NEW YORK, March 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — It would be a game-changer if all members of a basketball team could see out of each other’s eyes in addition to their own. A research duo at Columbia’s Zuckerman Institute has found evidence that this kind of collective sensing occurs in close-knit groups of African weakly electric fish, also known as elephantnose fish. This instantaneous sharing of sensory intelligence could help the fish locate food, friends and foes.

“In engineering it is common that groups of emitters and receivers work together to improve sensing, for example in sonar and radar. We showed that something similar may be happening in groups of fish that sense their environment using electrical pulses. These fish seem to ‘see’ much better in small groups.” said Nathaniel Sawtell, PhD, a principal investigator at Columbia’s Zuckerman Institute and a professor of neuroscience at Columbia’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

In a paper published online today in Nature, Dr. Sawtell and postdoctoral research associate Federico Pedraja, PhD, combine multiple lines of evidence to argue that the species of electric fish they study, Gnathonemus petersii, pull off a lightning-fast feat of collective sensing never before documented in biology.

Scientists have long known that electric fish sense changes in the electric fields they project into their waterscapes, much like the acoustic signals that bats and dolphins deploy. The fish rely on specialized organs in their skin that emit and sense electric fields to communicate. They also use them for an electric version of echolocation to detect, track and distinguish various objects in their watery environments.

G. petersii electric fish dwell in African river habitats that are dark and murky, where the fishes’ eyes are of limited value. In thinking about that challenge with an engineering mindset, Drs. Pedraja and Sawtell conjectured that the fish might have evolved sensory abilities akin to networked radar and sonar systems, whose multiple units can collaborate to detect objects further out and in more detail than can lone unconnected units.

To test if this principle of collective sensing applied to electric fish, the researchers first developed a computer model in which they could simulate the fishes’ electrical environment. They analyzed whether individual electric fish were better at detecting objects by tapping into signals emitted by nearby fish.

“Think of these external signals as electric images of the objects that nearby electric fish automatically produce and beam to nearby fish at the speed of light,” said Dr. Pedraja. “Our work suggests that three fish in a group would each receive three different “electrical views” of the same scene at virtually the same time,” added Dr. Sawtell.

Among the most telling results of the simulation study, Dr. Sawtell noted, is that collective sensing could extend the electro-location range of the electric fish up to 3 times. The researchers say that such a large sensory enhancement would almost certainly confer survival benefits.

The researchers then went in search of an actual neural basis for such an ability in G. petersii. Recordings in a part of the brain devoted to the electrosensory system showed that the fish respond to both their own electric discharges and to external electrical signals from, say, other electric fish or lab-generated mimics of the signals. Particularly exciting to the scientists was how the patterns of brain activity closely matched what the simulation studies suggested the researchers might see in neural recordings.

Behavioral observations added more evidence that the fish really do engage in collective sensing. In the tanks, the fish assumed in-line and right-angle formations that the computer model showed are favorable for collective sensing. Also, recordings of a kind of electrical dialog between fish featured highly-precise turn-taking in which the fish emitted their electrical discharges in strict alternation. The authors speculate that this behavior, previously termed the “echo response,” might play a key role in coordinating collective sensing.

As the researchers have uncovered a new sensory capability, more fascinating questions have emerged for them.

“These fish have some of the biggest brain-to-body mass ratios of any animal on the planet,” said Dr. Sawtell. “Perhaps these enormous brains are needed for rapid and highly sophisticated social sensing and collective behavior?”

The researchers noted that learning more about the brain mechanisms involved could provide leads for artificial sensing technologies for applications including underwater autonomous vehicles and medical imaging.

The paper, “Collective Sensing in Electric Fish,” by Federico Pedraja and Nathaniel Sawtell of Columbia’s Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, was published online in Nature on March 6, 2024.

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

CONTACT: Ivan Amato, news@zi.columbia.edu; 301-919-0626

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SOURCE Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute

Technology

MemeMax Officially Launches, Introducing a Meme-Native Perpetual Trading Infrastructure

Published

52 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

SEOUL, South Korea, SHANGHAI and NEW YORK, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MemeMax, a perpetual decentralized exchange (Perp DEX), has officially launched, positioning itself as a trading infrastructure purpose-built for the meme coin market.

As the memecoin sector has grown into a multi-billion-dollar asset class, the lack of derivatives infrastructure tailored to its unique dynamics has become increasingly evident. MemeMax enters the market aiming to address this gap by offering a perpetual trading environment designed specifically for meme-driven assets.

Major meme assets such as DOGE, PEPE, and WIF have historically exhibited extreme volatility driven by narrative cycles and community participation. However, existing trading platforms have struggled to fully accommodate these characteristics.

Why Traditional Perp DEX Models Fall Short for Meme Markets

Most existing perpetual DEXs were originally designed around assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), where liquidity depth, relatively stable volatility, and structured price discovery dominate market behavior.

Memecoins operate under a fundamentally different dynamic. Price movements are often driven less by fundamentals and more by narrative momentum, community coordination, and viral attention cycles. These assets tend to experience rapid expansions and collapses, often outpacing the assumptions embedded in traditional oracle and liquidation systems.

Despite this, most platforms continue to apply the same infrastructure across all asset classes—creating a structural mismatch when applied to meme markets. MemeMax takes a different approach:

rather than adapting meme assets to fit existing systems, it introduces a trading infrastructure designed specifically for meme-driven market behavior.

Trading the Full Meme Cycle

MemeMax is designed to enable users to trade across the entire lifecycle of a meme.

Shorting narrative breakdownsEntering early during revival phasesNavigating extreme volatility environments

To support this, the platform’s oracle and liquidation mechanisms are structured with high-volatility, lower-liquidity assets in mind, rather than being retrofitted from BTC-centric models

Redefining Trading as Participation

Another key distinction lies in how MemeMax reframes trading itself.

Rather than viewing trading as isolated execution, MemeMax positions it as continuous participation. On-chain user actions are interconnected within a broader system, where behavior contributes directly to the dynamics of the platform.

This reflects a broader shift in meme markets, where price formation is increasingly influenced not only by liquidity, but also by attention and user participation.

Max Points (MP): A Participation-Based Metric

At the core of the platform is Max Points (MP), a native utility system designed to quantify user engagement beyond simple trading volume.

MP is calculated based on multiple dimensions, including:

Profit and loss (P&L) experienceConsistency of platform activity

Note: Incorporating “time spent in positions” into the calculation is planned as an additional feature in a future update.

By incorporating these factors, MemeMax moves away from purely volume-driven incentive models and introduces a system that captures holistic user participation.

MP is expected to serve as a foundational metric across the ecosystem, with applications in reward distribution, seasonal events, and access to platform features. Early participation is designed to provide compounding advantages as the ecosystem evolves.

Max Points (MP): An Activity Reward System

As part of the platform’s reward system, Max Points (MP) exist to reward users for their activities. To encourage consistent user participation rather than just focusing on trading volume, MP operates on a flexible seasonal basis. Adapting to market trends, each season introduces new objectives and various forms of rewards, such as airdrops, recognizing the broader value of ecosystem participation beyond simple PnL.

Staking (Coming Soon)

The staking feature is currently in preparation and will be officially launched in the future as the platform continues to expand.

REKT Pack (In Preparation)

Additionally, it has been confirmed that a “REKT Pack” is currently in preparation. This feature aims to add a layer of entertainment by playfully sublimating user liquidations into meme culture, turning the unfortunate event of getting “rekt” into an engaging and fun experience for the community.

Seasonal Structure for Continuous Expansion

The platform operates on a continuously live trading environment, complemented by recurring seasonal events.

Each season introduces new participation mechanics and reward structures without resetting existing user data. This allows MemeMax to maintain continuity while continuously evolving alongside market dynamics.

Toward a Dedicated Financial Layer for Meme Markets

As memecoins continue to evolve into a distinct segment of the crypto market—driven by community behavior and narrative cycles—the need for specialized infrastructure has become more apparent.

MemeMax positions itself within this trend by treating memes not simply as speculative assets, but as behavior-driven market primitives, embedding these dynamics directly into its trading architecture.

According to the team, “MemeMax is not just another exchange listing meme assets—it is designed as the financial infrastructure that the meme ecosystem has been missing.”

Now Live and Closed Beta Successfully Concluded

A closed beta test was held on April 14 and successfully concluded with great interest from participants.

MemeMax is now live, with users able to access perpetual trading immediately. Participants can begin accumulating Max Points (MP) through on-chain activity and take part in upcoming seasonal events and reward programs. Early users may benefit from first-mover advantages in MP accumulation, positioning themselves favorably within the platform’s evolving incentive structure.

Learn More

Homepage: https://go.mememax.com/official-ptradeDocs: https://docs.mememax.comX (Twitter): https://x.com/MemeMax_Fi

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SOURCE MemeMax

Technology

Sonata Software Achieves AWS Migration and Modernization Competency Status

Published

52 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. and BENGALURU, India, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sonata Software (NSE: SONATSOFTW) (BSE: 532221), a leading AI-first Modernization Engineering company, today announced that it has achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Migration and Modernization Competency status.

This designation recognizes Sonata Software’s technical expertise and customer experience in helping enterprises accelerate application migration and modernization on AWS. It also reflects the company’s capabilities in supporting organizations as they modernize critical applications, improve operational efficiency, and build agile, resilient, and scalable digital platforms.

The AWS Migration and Modernization Competency helps customers identify AWS Partners with validated capabilities in migrating and modernizing applications from on-premises environments or other cloud platforms. This designation reflects Sonata Software’s capabilities in supporting customers across transformation initiatives spanning application migration, modernization, and optimization on AWS.

“Achieving the AWS Migration and Modernization Competency is an important milestone for Sonata Software and reflects our continued focus on modernization-led transformation,” said Manu Swami, Chief Technology Officer at Sonata Software. “For many enterprises, application modernization is now central to improving resilience, accelerating software delivery, and creating a more adaptable technology foundation. Our focus is on helping clients reduce technical debt, modernize with engineering rigor, and build platforms that support continuous innovation at scale.”

“Achieving the AWS Migration and Modernization Competency reinforces Sonata Software’s position as a trusted partner for enterprises pursuing large-scale transformation,” said Anthony Lange, Chief Revenue Officer at Sonata Software. “Our clients are looking for modernization programs that move quickly, reduce risk, and deliver visible business impact. This recognition strengthens our ability to take that message to the market and underscores the value we bring in helping customers accelerate outcomes through our partnership with AWS.”

Sonata Software continues to strengthen its AWS-aligned capabilities across cloud migration, application modernization, data transformation, platform engineering, and AI-enabled software delivery. In addition to the AWS Migration and Modernization Competency, Sonata has recently achieved AWS DevOps and Generative AI Competencies, along with key AWS service certifications, further reinforcing its ability to help enterprises simplify complexity, modernize business-critical systems, and derive value from their AWS investments.

About Sonata Software

Sonata Software is an AI-first modernization engineering company that helps enterprises transform legacy systems into intelligent, scalable business platforms. Powered by its Platformation™ framework and Harmoni.AI platform, Sonata delivers AI-led modernization across cloud, data, AI, Dynamics, test automation, and managed services. Headquartered in Bengaluru, India, Sonata has more than $1.2 billion in revenue and 6,400+ AI engineers supporting global delivery across regions including the US, UK, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Australia, DACH, and the Nordics. With deep partnerships across Microsoft, AWS, Salesforce, and Snowflake, Sonata helps Fortune 500 enterprises accelerate innovation, improve efficiency, and drive sustainable growth.

For more information, please visit https://www.sonata-software.com/

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2961889/Manu_Swami_CTO_Sonata_Software.jpg
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2681656/5928499/Sonata_Software_logo.jpg

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SOURCE Sonata Software

Technology

BELLA+CANVAS Brings Coachella 2026 Merchandise to Life with Immersive “Museum of Merchandise” Experience

Published

52 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

Premium apparel leader transforms festival merch into a living archive of culture, creativity, and self-expression

INDIO, Calif., April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BELLA+CANVAS, the industry leader in premium blank apparel, successfully concluded its role as the official blank apparel provider for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2026 merchandise program, delivering both product and a standout on-site activation across two record-setting festival weekends.

At the heart of Coachella’s merchandise ecosystem, BELLA+CANVAS powered official festival products featuring a custom “printed on BELLA+CANVAS” neck label, giving fans a deeper connection to the garments they take home as wearable memories.

Extending beyond product, the brand introduced a first-of-its-kind immersive installation, “Coachella Merchandise: Then and Now — A Retrospective of Coachella Over the Years”. The design-forward, walk-through experience hosted by BELLA+CANVAS reimagined festival merchandise as both cultural archive and creative canvas. Hundreds of festivalgoers explored “Coachella: Then & Now”, revisiting standout pieces from past years while engaging in live, on-site customization.

At the “Museum of Merchandise” experience, guests were invited to print the vintage Coachella designs onto new BELLA+CANVAS t-shirts and sweatshirts of their choosing, blending past and present through personal style. With eight archival designs and eight premium garment options, attendees created unique combinations that reflected their individuality. Through live customization and past inspiration, the experience transformed nostalgia into one-of-a-kind, wearable pieces tied to each guest’s festival journey.

Across both weekends (April 10–12 and April 17–19), the “Museum of Merchandise” drew strong engagement. From festivalgoers, creators, and a curated network of industry influencers, including screen printers, merch designers, and apparel decorators, the experience was amplified in real time across digital platforms.

“Festival merchandise today is more than something you buy. It’s something you become part of,” said Megan Spire, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, BELLA+CANVAS. “At Coachella, BELLA+CANVAS set out to elevate the role of the blank and show how it serves as the foundation for cultural storytelling, creativity, and identity.”

In addition to festivalgoers, media and partners were also offered exclusive access to guided walkthroughs, behind-the-scenes insights into the evolution of festival merchandise, and conversations at the intersection of fashion, music, and experiential storytelling.

As festival merchandise continues to evolve into a form of cultural currency, BELLA+CANVAS’ presence at Coachella 2026 reinforced its position not only as a supplier but as a defining force behind how those stories are created and worn.

About BELLA+CANVAS
BELLA+CANVAS is a premium apparel company redefining the role of the “blank” clothing product in modern fashion, retail, and brand storytelling. Known for its elevated quality, on-trend fits, and commitment to innovation, the company partners with leading brands, creators, and cultural institutions to power high-impact merchandise and experiential moments. By combining fashion-forward design with scalable production capabilities, BELLA+CANVAS sits at the intersection of apparel, creativity, and culture while serving as the foundation behind some of today’s most influential branded experiences.

Social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellacanvas/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bellacanvas/

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SOURCE BELLA+CANVAS