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Neopets Turns 25: A Virtual World that Shaped Generations

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Childhood Dreams Become Reality as Gaming Icon Comes to Life

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Neopets, the virtual universe that defined countless millennial childhoods, is breaking through screens and into reality as it celebrates its 25th anniversary! Fans are invited to dive back into the magical world of Neopia like never before. In honor of 25 years of shared joy, Neopets is launching a vibrant lineup of real-world events, pop-up gatherings, and tasty collaborations, sparking what fans are calling “The Neopian Renaissance.” These festivities offer a unique opportunity for devoted fans – who have kept the spirit of Neopia alive for a quarter-century – to connect face-to-face. It’s an open invitation for both old longtime players and new friends to unite and create new memories together.

(Download Full Media Pack & Detailed List of the Cities Here)

Dominic Law, CEO of Neopets, shared his thoughts on this milestone: “As Neopets marks its 25th anniversary, I can’t help but marvel at my own journey. Once, I was just another kid trading items and staying up late for quests, using Neopets to keep bonds alive with friends across oceans as I moved from Canada to Hong Kong. Today, I’m living a childhood dream, stewarding the very world that shaped my youth. This milestone celebrates more than just a game – it honors millions of friendships forged in Neopia, countless adventures shared, and a community that has made this virtual world feel like home. As we look to the next 25 years, I’m grateful to our passionate fans and partners who keep the magic of Neopets alive.

Virtual to Reality: Neopets Transforms 25-years of Digital Friendships

With fans spread across the globe; we are thrilled to support offline events throughout November. The love and enthusiasm from our community have been truly overwhelming, with close to 300 dedicated fans applying to host gatherings around the globe. These local celebrations have brought Neopets’ magic off the computer and into the real-world, creating a unique opportunity for fans to meet in person, many for the first time ever, bonding over the special place Neopets has in their heart. It’s heartwarming to see people who grew up exploring Neopia together reconnect, reliving cherished childhood memories while making new ones with their lifelong virtual companions. Participants bonded over cosplay contests, trivia challenges, and gaming sessions, crafting unforgettable experiences that elevated shared nostalgia to a whole new level.

These gatherings have become more than just meetups; they’re a phenomenon transcending online friendships from screens to long-lasting connections. They also stand as a testament to the enduring power of Neopets as a virtual companion in people’s lives for 25 years. With over 5,000 attendees across 40 cities, the response has been nothing short of extraordinary, bringing fans together to share stories and unforgettable memories. We have heard many incredibly heartwarming stories, but one that has stood out to us the most have been from our San Jose event host and Community Ambassador, Kay. She shared that Neopets has always been more than just a game; it’s a community that feels like family. Her daily interactions with her guildmates in Omneo have brought laughter, support, and friendships. “They make me laugh, they support me, they are lifelong friends. Many of them I’ve met in real life, but I leapt at the opportunity to get to know my Neopian neighbors better”. This event was also a touching tribute to a family tradition that began when her little sister introduced her to Neopets in 2000, “I’ve been making neofriends ever since”.

The incredible response from our meetups has inspired us to keep the celebrations going, with the next big gathering set for Asia at the Anime Festival Asia (AFA) – the largest anime convention in the region – this November in Singapore. Building on the success of our fan-led events, we’re bringing the celebratory spirit overseas, giving more fans the chance to be part of the magic. At AFA, Neopets will come to life with interactive experiences, exclusive merchandise, and spaces for fans to connect in person, celebrating their shared love for the game in a festive and immersive setting. It’s a chance to celebrate, shop, and meet others who share a love for the game.

From Pixels to Plates: Neopets Takes Over Fan-Favorite F&B brands

For fans who missed out on in-person events, or those craving even more ways to celebrate, Neopets has teamed up with some of the most popular food, and beverage spots to add a dash of Neopia to daily life. Get ready to set Instagram feeds ablaze with cult-favorite food spots to create photo-worthy experiences that are already generating waitlists:

Tsun Scoops (November 17 – December 14) in Garden Grove, CA, will serve limited-edition ice cream flavors inspired by Neopia, alongside Neopets-branded cups, spoons, and collectible merchandise.Yifang Taiwan Fruit Tea (November 25 – December 25) will transform nine California locations into Neopian outposts with themed drinksand exclusive cup sleeves, featuring characters like Kacheek and Aisha.It’s Boba Time (May 2025) in 100 locations across the US will feature Neopets-themed décor and giveaways, making every visit a mini Neopian party with collectible pins and stickers.

These partnerships are designed to be more than a simple treat; they’re a chance for fans to live in the world of Neopets in a whole new way and make every sip, spoonful, or visit a small, delightful toast to the game.

As Neopets celebrates 25 years, this milestone year shows how much love the community has for the brand, and it’s just the beginning. From local fan-led events and global conventions to delicious treats, Neopets is building on its iconic IP to bring the Neopian experience into everyday life. With a renewed focus on being the ultimate virtual companion and a source of joy and nostalgia, Neopets is here to stay, ready to grow and inspire the next generation of fans for years to come.

About Neopets

Founded in 1999, Neopets is the first digital native virtual pet platform that has captured the hearts of over 150 million players worldwide. Under new leadership since July 2023, Neopets has launched a robust revival, bringing back 100+ classic mini-games, introducing new storylines, and expanding into mobile gaming. Through strategic partnerships in collectibles, merchandise, and tabletop gaming, Neopets bridges digital and physical experiences while maintaining its core values of creativity and community. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Neopets continues to evolve as an inclusive entertainment brand that connects generations of players through shared adventures in Neopia.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/neopets-turns-25-a-virtual-world-that-shaped-generations-302315583.html

SOURCE Neopets

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Saving Southeast Asian vegetable biodiversity

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Assessing trends, current status, and building an inclusive roadmap for future conservation and use

3-4 December 2024
World Vegetable Center headquarters, Shanhua, Taiwan

TAIPEI, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Vegetables are hugely important for human nutrition, and for diverse and resilient farming systems that generate income for smallholder producers, processors and traders. But, due to changes in the climate, diets and land use, we see a loss in crop diversity, wild species and varieties that could hold valuable genetic material for breeding more tolerant and productive crops in the future. So, we urgently need to conserve and use more vegetable biodiversity, and this symposium is major step in that direction. The event will be attended by 35 professionals from 11 countries across Southeast Asia. 

This important international symposium comes at the end of the first phase of the Taiwan Asia Vegetable Initiative – ‘the TAsVI project’ – that is strengthening international collaboration for conserving more vegetable biodiversity in Asia, and promoting the use of vegetable germplasm in research, breeding and farming for improved health, nutrition and climate resilience. The World Vegetable Center leads implementation, with partners in Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

It begins on Tuesday 3 December with introductions, including The WorldVeg Director General and representations from the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other organizations. This will be followed by keynote presentations by leading WorldVeg scientists, and regional perspectives from many ASEAN countries. The second day will focus on building regional consensus on the development of the Southeast Asian Vegetable Biodiversity Rescue Plan, to benefit all countries.

A key component of the Taiwan Asia Vegetable Initiative has been the repatriation back to their respective home countries of more than 3,000 vegetable seed accessions stored at the WorldVeg genebank in Taiwan, that were collected across these countries 20-30 years ago. ‘Seed homecoming ceremonies’, celebrating the return of these seeds to respective national authorities, have been held in Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam in late 2024, alongside national workshops to promote the use of the accessions being sent ‘back home’, by connecting national genebanks with universities, government organizations, seed companies and farmer organizations. This aim is to expand such activities across the wider Southeast Asia region.

For media, contact – sara.chen@worldveg.org and angel.jeng@worldveg.org
For technical information, contact – maarten.vanzonneveld@worldveg.org

Acknowledgements
This symposium is part of the Taiwan Asia Vegetable Initiative (TAsVI), funded by the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2022-2024). It is implemented by the World Vegetable Center, in partnership with the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) National Plant Genetic Resources Center; Malaysia Agriculture Research and Development Institute (MARDI) Horticulture Research Centre; University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Institute of Plant Breeding, and Bureau of Plant Industries (BPI), the Philippines; Kasetsart University Tropical Vegetable Research Center (TVRC), and Department of Agriculture Horticulture Research Institute national genebank, Thailand; and Fruit and Vegetable Research Institute (FAVRI), and Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS) Plant Resource Center (PRC), Vietnam.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/saving-southeast-asian-vegetable-biodiversity-302320511.html

SOURCE Taiwan Asia Vegetable Initiative

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IEI Unveils HTB-230D-R680E Medical AI Computer: Transforming Medical Imaging with AI-Powered Precision

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TAIPEI, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — IEI Integration Corp. (TAIEX:3022) proudly announces the launch of the HTB-230D-R680E Medical AI Computer, a cutting-edge solution designed to revolutionize medical imaging diagnostics.

As the demand for precise and rapid medical imaging grows, healthcare professionals require tools that deliver both accuracy and efficiency. The HTB-230D-R680E meets this need with advanced AI computing capabilities and an intuitive 10.1″ PCAP touchscreen, significantly reducing diagnostic time while enhancing precision. The HTB-230D-R680E is ideal for surgical recording, medical diagnostic assistance, and AI Inference in Medical Imaging.

Advanced Computing Power for Medical Diagnostics

Powered by 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i9/i7/i5 processors and up to 128GB DDR5 memory, the HTB-230D-R680E supports NVIDIA Quadro RTX Ampere GPUs, delivering exceptional AI computing power. Healthcare professionals efficiently process imaging data, detecting subtle abnormalities often missed, enabling faster and more accurate diagnoses.

Medical-Grade Scalability and Reliability 

The HTB-230D-R680E is designed to adapt to diverse medical applications. It supports one PCIe x16 and two x4 expansion slots, allowing for the seamless integration of GPUs, video capture cards, and interface cards.

To meet rigorous demands in healthcare environments, it incorporates a 700W ATX medical-grade power supply and a sophisticated three-zone airflow system, ensuring stable operation under heavy workloads.

Interactive 10.1″ PCAP Touchscreen for Intuitive Diagnostics

Integrated with a 10.1″ 1920×1200 LCD featuring 10-point touch capability, this interactive display delivers real-time visualization and intuitive operation with multi-layer gloves, simplifying workflows and improving efficiency for healthcare professionals.

“The HTB-230D-R680E redefines efficiency and precision in medical imaging. By leveraging advanced AI capabilities powered by its robust CPU and GPU integration, it accelerates image recognition and pathological analysis, ensuring faster, more accurate for diagnostic assistance,” said David Hung, Product Manager at IEI.

Discover how HTB-230D-R680E transforms medical imaging. Visit https://www.ieiworld.com/en/product/model.php?II=1055

About IEI:

IEI Integration Corp. is one of the world’s leading providers of industrial computing and AIoT solutions. Committed to delivering innovative technologies in industrial computers, medical IT, and network communications, it paves the way for a smarter, more connected future across diverse industries. (www.ieiworld.com)

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhr4gV4HzLs
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2568260/image_5025592_8953033.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/iei-unveils-htb-230d-r680e-medical-ai-computer-transforming-medical-imaging-with-ai-powered-precision-302317248.html

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From a Hacker News Post to $1.5M Funding: Recall is on a mission to bring order to content chaos

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A post on Hacker News led to Recall securing a $1.5M funding round, led by renowned VC Jason Calacanis. Now, Recall is transforming how individuals and businesses consume, organize, and review their knowledge.

AMSTERDAM, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Recall (getrecall.ai), helps users summarize, organize, and revisit information. Unlike most AI tools that prioritize efficiency, Recall enhances learning through scientific techniques like active recall and spaced repetition. The journey began with a Hacker News post that attracted its first investment from Splash Capital within just 8 hours. Today, Recall has secured $1.5 million in pre-seed funding led by Jason Calacanis, with participation from Blockchain Founders Capital and Rocket Capital. This will fuel Recall’s mission to bring order to content chaos, transforming how individuals and businesses consume, organize, and retain knowledge.

The Story Behind Recall

South African CEO, Paul Richards, brings a decade of expertise in knowledge graphs in the cybersecurity industry, as one of the first employees at Maltego, seeing it through to exit. Recall was born from frustration with existing tools that required excessive manual effort but failed to connect and resurface knowledge effectively.

He envisioned a self-organizing knowledge graph that would dynamically connect his notes and resurface past content whenever new, related information emerged. So, he built Recall as a side project, but after a year of trying, he failed to gain any traction. The post on Hacker News was Paul’s last resort, and it turned out to be a lifesaver. That first check changed everything. He quit his job, went all in, and brought on CTO Igor Gligorević, a true 10x developer from Novi Sad, to accelerate development.

After a few successful Product Hunt launches, including getting #1 Product of the Month in June, the team got into Jason Calacanis’ accelerator programme. They were voted top startup in their cohort which then led to Jason leading their pre-seed round.

 “Our vision is to redefine knowledge management as ‘intelligence management,’ where content consumption is intentional and insightful,” said Recall’s COO, Sankari, who brings over 10 years of startup experience (7 years at Uber and 3 at CloudKitchens).

How Recall works

The web & mobile app organizes information into a personalized knowledge graph, automatically tagging and connecting content based on key entities. There are four main features:

Summarize – Recall summarizes online content from articles, PDFs, and YouTube videos up to 10 hours long.Categorize – Automatically categorize content using topic-based tags that adapt to the user’s existing taxonomy.Connect – Content is stored in a knowledge graph, revealing hidden connections and unlocking new insights.Review – Recall reinforces memory with a spaced repetition quiz, helping users retain content over time.

Product Hunt Launch

Get ready for an exciting new chapter in Recall’s journey! Soon bringing even more utility and powerful insights to its platform. Don’t miss out—follow the Recall team on Product Hunt to be the first to explore the new features.

Recall 

Recall is an AI powered personal encyclopedia that enables order amidst the chaos by summarizing, categorizing, and connecting content in a knowledge graph. It is a Delaware C corp, founded in 2022 in Amsterdam, by Paul Richards, a South African fullstack developer with a deep expertise in knowledge graphs in the cyber security industry. Founders: CTO: Igor Gligorevic (Serbian | FS Dev | EPAM) &  COO: Sankari Nair (South African | 7 years ex-Uber ).

For more information, visit www.getrecall.ai or contact us at support@getrecall.ai.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/from-a-hacker-news-post-to-1-5m-funding-recall-is-on-a-mission-to-bring-order-to-content-chaos-302318913.html

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