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Expert explores China for unknown reptiles

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2 years ago

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‘Doctor Snake’ from the US has discovered some 10 new species inside Hubei World Natural Heritage Site

BEIJING, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A report from China Daily

“Not venomous, it’s Elaphe carinata,” Kevin Messenger said to his companions with a smile, as a colorful king ratsnake sank its teeth into his left forearm.

The 42-year-old herpetologist from the United States, who is also a professor at the College of Life Sciences of Nanjing Forestry University, was conducting a field survey in the Shennongjia National Park in Hubei province.

“He’s not attacking, he’s defending. I attacked him,” he said calmly, clutching in his left hand the snake, which was almost as long as the height of a grown man, while one of his companions wiped away the fresh blood trickling from the wound.

Such a scene is a regular occurrence in his daily work. Over the years, Messenger has conducted scientific research in various ecological reserves in China, earning the nickname “Doctor Snake” among his colleagues.

Messenger has been fascinated by snakes since childhood. His earliest memory of a snake was at the age of 3, when his father, an emergency vet, brought home a python.

“I remember looking in the back of the truck and seeing this massive snake, and falling in love with it,” he recalled. “I just thought it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen.”

In May 2006, while he was finishing his undergraduate degree at North Carolina State University, Messenger noticed an online job posting that offered the chance to do a survey of reptiles and amphibians in the unexplored mountain range of Shennongjia.

He applied for the job, which was provided by a Sino-US collaborative research program, and just five days after his graduation, he flew to China and embarked on a four-month exploration of Shennongjia. “It was like a dream come true. Hiking and getting into the woods to catch reptiles and amphibians. … That is exactly doing what I love,” he said.

Messenger’s interest in China continued to grow in the following years, deciding to do field work in China for his PhD program.

In 2017, Messenger earned two PhDs, one from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University and the other from Nanjing Forestry University. He then received a job offer in the US, but stayed in China to continue his research.
“One of the reasons why I wanted to continue my work in China is because the state of herpetology in China is still wide open,” he said. “You can still go out to many many different places and find new species. And the natural history of many of these species we still don’t have a full understanding of.”

During a field survey, Messenger usually spends about one week at a field station, going out multiple times a day to find and identify the reptiles and amphibians, trying to get a complete picture of their distribution.

He photographs them, sometimes collects a specimen, and occasionally does genetic work to identify their species. Following the survey, he returns to the university or home base and documents all the recordings in a database. “It is very tiring, very hard and underappreciated. But it is also very enjoyable. Every single time I see a snake, I just get super excited,” Messenger said.

Although he’s been bitten by snakes countless times, he does not blame them, believing that the majority of snakes are gentle and kind, and that biting is a form of self-defense.

In May 2012, Messenger was bitten by a venomous snake — Protobothrops jerdonii, or Jerdon’s pit viper — in Shennongjia, which left him unconscious for 30 to 40 minutes and his entire arm swollen.

He stayed in the hospital for two days, and it wasn’t until the seventh day that he was able to use chopsticks or write with his right hand.

Shennongjia is a place that Messenger holds dear, having visited the area as many as 16 times. He has discovered roughly 10 new species within this UNESCO World Heritage Site and he is currently working on what’s most likely a new species of toad.

“I’ve noticed more and more local people having an appreciation for the environment and wildlife and being more interested in doing whatever they can do to help,” he said, adding that this has further motivated him to continue his work in Shennongjia.

In June, he was appointed by the Shennongjia National Park Administration as an external expert to conduct long-term field research in the area.

As part of his work, Messenger explores new areas outside of Shennongjia to study the local flora and fauna. If these areas meet the criteria for inclusion within the protective zone, new boundaries will be drawn accordingly.

“Protecting the environment is protecting ourselves, because we belong to the environment,” he said.

In March, Messenger registered his marriage to Li Yecheng, from Anhui province, who subsequently accompanied him on his exploration of Shennongjia.

Messenger said his sister always asks their father, who has visited China and attended his wedding, when her brother will return home.

On the most recent occasion, their father told her that he sees no reason for Messenger to go back, as his support system in China is so good. “I’m hoping to stay in China for at least another 10 years, and then maybe continue for another 10 years after that,” he said.

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SOURCE China Daily

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Gary Brecka’s The Ultimate Brew opens online orders nationwide after its Sprouts exclusive

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31 minutes ago

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November 10, 2026

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MIAMI, Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Ultimate Brew, the organic mold-free coffee from human biologist Gary Brecka, is now available to order online nationwide at theultimatebrew.com. It follows a three-week exclusive at Sprouts Farmers Market, where the coffee led The Ultimate Human endcap in stores across the country from October 7.

Price is $27.99, with subscription, $25.19 per bag. The three roasts will remain at Sprouts until the current lot sells out.

Tested, lot by lot

A 2024 systematic review of 40 studies worldwide covered 3,256 coffee samples. Ochratoxin A, a toxin produced by mold, was found in 1,778 of them, or 54.6%.[1] It can have no smell. No taste. No visible sign.

Every lot of The Ultimate Brew goes to an independent third-party laboratory and is tested for mycotoxins, pesticides, glyphosate and heavy metals. In the launch lot, mycotoxins and heavy metals came back not detected with pesticides and glyphosate below the laboratory’s reporting limits. A QR code on every bag opens the lab report for that lot.

“Clean should be a claim you can verify. That’s why we test every lot,” said Gary Brecka, founder of The Ultimate Human.

Gary spent more than 20 years analyzing mortality data for the life insurance industry and hosts The Ultimate Human podcast. Mold is personal for him. Hurricanes flooded two homes he and his wife own in Naples, Florida, twice, and the family found mold in their home’s HVAC coils.

He built the coffee after realizing he had never tested the first thing he drinks every morning. “Eventually I realized the coffee I was looking for was the coffee I was going to have to create,” he said on the podcast.

The coffee is released in finite lots. “I’m not sacrificing the standard to keep the shelf full,” Gary said.

The coffee

Three 12 oz whole-bean roasts: Medium, Dark and Espresso. USDA Organic, 100% Arabica, single-origin from Tolima, Colombia, grown at 1,500 to 1,850 meters, washed, and roasted in Miami by La Per’la Coffee Roasters.

About The Ultimate Brew

The Ultimate Brew is organic coffee from Gary Brecka, founder of The Ultimate Human. theultimatebrew.com | @theultimatebrew

Press images: https://next.frame.io/share/455dd745-f4ce-4ebd-ac39-88e4590c6fc0/1fd81e9b-77bc-4892-aa9e-add5ae6d8f1f

[1] Massahi T. et al., “A worldwide systematic review of ochratoxin A in various coffee products – human exposure and health risk assessment”, Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A, 2024;41(12):1594-1610. https://doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2024.2400697

Media contact

Chris Woodward
KW Public Relations
chris@kw-pr.com 

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SOURCE The Ultimate Brew

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HitPaw Edimakor Launches 2026 Black Friday Sale with Up to 70% Off!

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31 minutes ago

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November 10, 2026

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NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HitPaw Edimakor has announced its 2026 Black Friday Sale, running from November 10 to December 11, offering creators up to 70% off selected deals, AI Credits starting at just $14.99, and VIP plans bundled with 2,000 bonus AI Credits. The promotion also features a limited-time Pumpkin Surprise, where participants can randomly unlock either a special VIP bundle or an extra-large discount. Whether creators need AI resources for short-term projects or a long-term editing solution, the sale offers multiple ways to save while exploring Edimakor’s video editing and AI creation capabilities.

Get VIP Benefits and 2,000 AI Credits for Up to 65% Off

Edimakor VIP combines advanced video editing tools and AI creation features in one platform. During the Black Friday Sale, selected VIP bundles include 2,000 bonus AI Credits, which can be used for AI Video Generator, AI Avatar, AI Subtitle, and other supported AI features. Both bundles offer the same VIP benefits and bonus credits, with two subscription options:

Lifetime VIP + 2,000 AI Credits: $139.95 → $48.97 (65% OFF). Pay once for lifetime access, just $14 more than the yearly plan, making it a great long-term value.Yearly VIP + 2,000 AI Credits: $99.95 → $34.97 (65% OFF). Get the same VIP benefits and 2,000 AI Credits at a lower upfront cost with one full year of access.

Save Up to 67% on AI Credits, Starting at Just $14.99

For creators who need more AI generation power, Edimakor also offers discounted AI Credits packages during the Black Friday Sale. These credits support various AI creation features, helping users generate and enhance videos with greater flexibility.

4,000 AI Credits (1 Month): $39.99 → $14.99 ( 63% OFF), $0.0037/credit10,000 AI Credits (1 Month): $59.99 → $22.49 (63% OFF), $0.0022/credit100,000 AI Credits (1 Year): $585.99 → $191.99 (67% OFF), $0.0019/credit

The monthly packages are ideal for occasional AI creation and shorter projects, while the annual 100,000-credit package offers the lowest cost per credit, making it a better-value choice for creators with ongoing AI video production needs.

Shop the Black Friday Deals: Edimakor Black Friday Sale 2026: Save Up to 70% OFF

Unlock Up to 70% Off with the Black Friday Pumpkin Surprise

Looking for an extra surprise this Black Friday? Edimakor’s Pumpkin Surprise brings an exclusive mystery deal, giving participants the chance to unlock a special offer with discounts of up to 70% off. The reward is revealed at random, so you never know what exciting deal awaits. Join the fun and see what surprise you can uncover!

Create More with Edimakor’s Video Editing and AI Tools

Beyond the seasonal offers, Edimakor provides a versatile set of tools for different stages of video production. Users can edit footage on a timeline, add effects and stylized subtitles, generate videos from text or stories, create AI avatars, convert text into speech, and produce AI-generated music.

By bringing traditional editing and AI-powered creation into one workflow, Edimakor helps creators produce content for social media, marketing campaigns, tutorials, and personal projects. Whether users are just starting out or managing a regular content schedule, they can combine these features to bring their ideas to life more efficiently.

The HitPaw Edimakor 2026 Black Friday Sale runs from November 10 through December 11, 2026. Visit the official website to explore the offers and choose the plan that best fits your creative needs.

Explore the Black Friday Deals: Edimakor Black Friday Sale 2026: Save Up to 70% OFF

Follow Edimakor for the latest updates:

Official Website: https://edimakor.hitpaw.com/

X/Twitter: https://x.com/HitpawEdimakor

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HitPawEdimakorOfficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edimakor_official

This release was issued through Send2Press® on behalf of the news source. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.send2press.com/.

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SOURCE HitPaw Edimakor

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MemryX AI Unveils MX3+, Scaling AI Inference Beyond 1 POPS

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31 minutes ago

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November 10, 2026

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Next-generation accelerator delivers up to 10× more peak AI compute and nearly 10× more on-chip memory within the same low-power envelope as MX3

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MemryX AI, a fabless semiconductor company developing highly efficient and scalable AI inference solutions, today unveiled MX3+, its next-generation AI accelerator designed to support larger, more complex models across edge devices, industrial systems, and high-density inference infrastructure.

Building on the production-proven MX3 dataflow architecture, MX3+ is designed to deliver up to 10 times more peak AI compute and nearly 10 times more on-chip memory while remaining within the same low-power operating envelope as MX3. These advancements will broaden the range and complexity of AI workloads MemryX AI can address, including higher-resolution vision, transformer-based models, small language models, vision-language-action models (VLAs), hybrid architectures, and more sophisticated multi-model AI pipelines.

MX3+ will retain the scalable, multi-chip approach established with MX3, allowing multiple accelerators to operate as a unified logical device. Planned configurations will scale from a single accelerator to 16-chip systems capable of delivering more than one peta-operation per second of peak AI compute.

“MX3+ represents a major generational step for MemryX AI—not simply a faster chip, but a platform designed to bring more capable AI into real-world systems while significantly lowering total cost of ownership for high-density edge deployments,” said Ross Jatou, President and CEO of MemryX AI. “Customers will be able to use the same architectural foundation across embedded devices, industrial systems, and high-density inference infrastructure, giving them a seamless, highly scalable path to transition complex workloads from development straight to volume production.”

Designed to Scale Beyond 1 POPS

MemryX AI’s distributed dataflow architecture enables multiple accelerators to work together without requiring the host processor to manage individual chips. The MemryX Neural Compiler automatically maps neural networks across the available accelerators, allowing developers to scale performance without manually partitioning their models.

A 16-chip MX3+ configuration is designed to deliver more than 1 POPS of peak AI compute and 2.16 GB of distributed on-chip memory, supporting deployments ranging from embedded systems to high-density inference infrastructure.

Built for More Advanced AI Workloads

The expanded AI capabilities position MX3+ to address increasingly complex applications across industrial automation, robotics, intelligent transportation, smart infrastructure, video management systems, healthcare devices, retail, and consumer electronics.

Building on MemryX AI’s near-memory dataflow architecture, MX3+ combines substantially increased on-chip memory with a pipelined approach that keeps model data close to computation, minimizing data movement. This architecture is designed to support larger models and higher-resolution inputs while maintaining efficient, predictable, low-latency inference at a batch size of one.

MX3+ is also being designed to carry forward the ease of development established with MX3, providing developers with a familiar, straightforward experience for compiling and deploying AI applications, even as model complexity and system scale increase.

Beyond its performance and memory improvements, MX3+ represents an important step in MemryX AI’s long-term architecture roadmap. It preserves the modularity, scalability, and distributed dataflow principles established with MX3 while introducing new capabilities that will carry forward into MX4, the company’s future platform targeting advanced multimodal and large language model inference.

Availability

MX3+ engineering samples are targeted for late 2027, with volume production targeted for mid-2028. Additional product specifications, system configurations, and availability information will be announced as development progresses.

MemryX AI is currently accepting early-access requests from select strategic partners and enterprise customers interested in co-validating pre-production hardware and software platforms. To request access or schedule an executive briefing, contact sales@memryx.com.

About MemryX AI

MemryX AI is a fabless semiconductor company developing highly efficient and scalable AI inference solutions for edge devices, industrial systems, and data-center infrastructure. Its near-memory dataflow architecture is designed to deliver efficient, low-latency inference while allowing developers to retain their existing models, frameworks, applications, and host platforms.

MemryX AI is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

For more information, visit www.memryx.ai.

Media Contact
Joe Faris
VP, Sales and Marketing
MemryX AI
Joe.Faris@memryx.com

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SOURCE MemryX

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