Latest news with #ICL
Al-Ahram Weekly
11 hours ago
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
The First of its Kind Collaboration with Imperial College London in the Region - Economy
Ushering through a strategic partnership to drive global sustainability solutions, Mentors Gate Development, a leading consultancy group working on SME and innovative entrepreneurship development across Africa and the Middle East, have joined hands with Imperial College London (ICL), ranked 1st in the UK and Europe; 2nd in the world in QS World University Rankings 2025, to officially launch a groundbreaking Industrial Wastewater Treatment Program, powered by ICL's WICKED Acceleration Labs, marking a critical step in advancing Egypt's environmental, industrial and economic goals. The initiative, unveiled during a high-level event in Cairo, aims to accelerate innovative, scalable solutions for industrial water treatment, aligning with Egypt's Vision 2030, UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the ongoing efforts for increased partnerships with the UK and EU countries towards creating viable opportunities for economic development in Egypt and the region. At the heart of this program is a commitment to driving real-world, sustainable impact. Industrial wastewater treatment has emerged as a global and national priority, with challenges pertaining to cost, infrastructure, regulations. The initiative targets not only technical innovation but also practical deployment, ecosystem engagement, and investment readiness. The launch event brought together a distinguished group of speakers on top of whom was Cristobal Garcia, Co-Founder of Wicked Acceleration Labs, Bassel Rahmy, MSMEDA Executive Director, Ambassador Magdy Amer, Former Egyptian Ambassador to China, FAO Communications Expert Rawya El Dabi, and ILO Project Manager Martin Ostenmeier. Respected guests included representatives of the UK Embassy in Egypt, the EU, as well as representatives from the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI), government entities, research institutions, and private sector leaders. Some of Mentors' Gates strategic partners have also joined the launch, most notably Orange Digital Center and Track 3 Consulting. Key highlights of the multi-day launch-visit included site tours in Alexandria's industrial zones, discussions at the City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, and workshops that fostered dialogue between major players in Egypt's innovation ecosystem and lab representatives. Wicked Acceleration Labs Co-Founder & Faculty at IMPERIAL Business School, Dr. Cristobal Garcia-Herrera said that "This collaboration represents the essence of what Wicked Acceleration Labs were created to do—connect top-tier research institutions with on-the-ground 'wicked' and complex challenges in emerging economies, to drive effective solutions by envisioning desirable futures and orchestrating stakeholders. It is also of additional value to carry out this initiative in Egypt, where a spirit of advancement, collaboration and innovation is clearly sensed, and we plan to take this partnership with our partner-elect, Mentors' Gate, as a launching point to forge new, pioneering partnerships in the Middle East". Meanwhile, Dr. Mohamed El-Sery, Founder and CEO of Mentors' Gate Development, clarified that "Egypt is at a pivotal moment, and we believe this program can catalyze long-term change by merging innovation with industrial and environmental imperatives. It is a first of its kind initiative in the region, with one of the world's topmost academic entities on board, and it is an invaluable opportunity to move forward Egypt's sustainability plans". This program builds on the success of the Wicked Accelerator's previous global efforts, most notably with Imperial College London's Zikomo Initiative in Zambia - where Mentors' Gate played a key a role in the initiative - significantly reducing milk spoilage through solar refrigeration technology and increasing farmers' profit by 30-60%. The Egypt edition of Wicked Acceleration Labs seeks to replicate such impact by tackling Egypt's most pressing challenges and capitalize on increased call for sustainable, safety-ensuring and efficient practices, particularly as it comes on the heels of the UK and Egypt's announcement of a pledged $500 M fund towards Egypt's 'green growth' and decarbonization, Mentors Gate, the lead organizer and sponsor of the initiative in Egypt, is a global force in SME acceleration and entrepreneurship. With operations in 41 countries and a robust network of over 47,000 trainees and 12,750 business clients, the organization is well-positioned to empower startups and scale-ups working on sustainable industrial solutions. Their initiatives and projects focus on addressing sustainability, and food-nexus challenges including decarbonization and innovation development. For more information, visit: | Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
India Today
15 hours ago
- India Today
Apple wants AI to be more personal and write in your style, research paper reveals
If you have ever asked an AI to write an email or a message, you have likely noticed a familiar flaw: the results often sound too generic. Even with detailed instructions, large language models like ChatGPT or Gemini often struggle to reflect a person's actual tone or writing style. Apple now believes it has found a solution. In a new research paper to be presented at the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML 2025), Apple researchers introduced a technique called PROSE, which is short for Preference Reasoning by Observing and Synthesising Examples. It is designed to help AI systems learn directly from a user's writing history, so future outputs can better match the user's natural tone and is PROSE and how does it work?Unlike older methods such as prompt engineering or reinforcement learning from human feedback, PROSE builds a unique and evolving profile of how a person writes. It works in two key steps:1. Iterative refinement: The AI compares its generated drafts with actual user-written examples and adjusts its internal style description until the output closely resembles the user's tone. 2. Consistency verification: The system then checks whether the identified writing preferences (like 'use short sentences' or 'be friendly and casual') appear consistently across multiple samples. This ensures that the AI doesn't overly rely on just one piece of result is a self-learning system that can tailor its future writing based on your overall writing behaviour, not just a single document or Apple didn't name any of its products in the research paper, the potential applications are clear. With the company's growing push into Apple Intelligence – its next-gen AI assistant features – tools like PROSE could allow apps like Mail or Notes to generate texts that sound much more like new Foundation Models framework, announced recently, will let developers access Apple's local language models. That means PROSE-style personalisation could eventually power writing tools inside a wide range of third-party apps as PROSE, Apple also introduced a new dataset called PLUME – short for Preference Learning from User Emails and Memos. It replaces an earlier dataset, PRELUDE, and aims to better test how well AI systems can understand and replicate writing tested using PLUME, PROSE beat existing personalisation techniques. It outperformed a similar system named CIPHER by 33 per cent and even showed better results than standard in-context learning (ICL) approaches, particularly when used with advanced models like GPT-4o. Interestingly, combining PROSE with ICL delivered the best overall results – with up to a 9 per cent improvement over ICL personalised AI like PROSE matter Apple's PROSE research isn't happening in isolation, it follows another critical finding from the company's AI team that raises serious questions about how reliable today's large language models (LLMs) really are, especially when faced with complex a separate paper titled The Illusion of Thinking, which was released earlier this month, Apple researchers argue that even top-tier models like ChatGPT o3, Claude 3.7 Sonnet, and DeepSeek-R1 may not be as intelligent as they seem. These models are often described as 'Large Reasoning Models' (LRMs) because they attempt to break down complicated tasks using a step-by-step 'chain of thought.' But Apple's study suggests this ability might be more fragile than expected. To test this, the researchers created custom environments — including puzzles like the Tower of Hanoi, River Crossing, and Blocks World — designed to gradually increase the complexity of the problems. The aim wasn't just to test whether the AI could get the right answer, but whether it could reason its way there results were surprising. When tasks were simple, traditional models without complex reasoning strategies often performed better. At a medium level of complexity, reasoning-based models did briefly take the lead. But as complexity increased further, all models -- including the most advanced -- experienced what the researchers call a 'performance collapse.' In short, the AI systems that seemed smart at first struggled or gave up entirely when the problems got too hard -- despite having enough computing power to highlights why Apple's PROSE approach is timely. If AI can't truly 'think' through tough challenges yet, then at the very least, it should be able to sound more human -- by learning how you write.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Houston LASIK & Eye Launches EVO ICL: The Latest Innovation for Patients with Thin Corneas
Houston, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Houston, Texas - HOUSTON, TX – Houston LASIK & Eye, a globally recognized center for laser vision correction, is proud to announce the addition of EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) to its comprehensive selection of vision correction solutions. This revolutionary technology offers new hope for patients with thin corneas, severe refractive errors, and dry eye who previously were not candidates for traditional procedures like LASIK. Unlike LASIK, which reshapes the cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, EVO ICL involves implanting a biocompatible, collagen-based lens between the iris and the natural lens through a tiny incision. This procedure preserves the corneal tissue while delivering exceptional visual outcomes, representing a notable advancement in vision correction technology. "We're thrilled to bring EVO ICL to our patients in Houston and beyond," said Dr. Amjad Khokhar, Medical Director at Houston LASIK & Eye. "This technology combines the long-term results of LASIK with the removability of contact lenses, offering an ideal solution for patients with thin corneas or chronic dry eyes who weren't candidates for traditional laser eye surgery." The EVO ICL procedure takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete and often provides immediate vision improvement. The lens is designed to treat astigmatism from 1.0 to 4.0 diopters and nearsightedness ranging from -3.00 to -20.00 diopters. Additionally, the implant offers UV protection and reduced glare, enhancing overall visual quality. With over 2 million lenses successfully distributed worldwide and a remarkable 99% patient satisfaction rate, this technology has proven its effectiveness across diverse patient populations. The procedure itself is remarkably straightforward; after administering a topical anesthetic, your eye surgeon creates a small incision and injects the folded lens through a specialized cartridge, where it naturally unfolds to fit seamlessly in your eye. Key benefits of EVO ICL include: sharp, clear, high-definition vision, excellent night vision capabilities, no exacerbation of dry eye syndrome, rapid recovery with minimal downtime, preservation of corneal tissue, removability if needed, and built-in UV protection. Houston LASIK & Eye's adoption of EVO ICL technology aligns with its commitment to providing cutting-edge vision correction solutions. Founded in 2005 by Dr. Khokhar, the practice has established itself as a leader in ophthalmological care, attracting patients from across the United States and internationally. The center's reputation for excellence has drawn patients from every continent except Antarctica, cementing its status as a premier global destination for vision correction. Houston LASIK & Eye offers a comprehensive range of ophthalmological services, including LASIK, EVO ICL, and treatments for various eye conditions. With state-of-the-art technology and a commitment to personalized care, the practice has become a destination for patients seeking premium vision correction services. "At Houston LASIK & Eye, we believe everyone deserves access to high-quality, technologically advanced eye care," added Dr. Khokhar. "With the addition of EVO ICL, we can now help even more patients achieve freedom from glasses and contacts, regardless of corneal thickness." The best candidates for EVO ICL are individuals between 21 and 45 years old with no history of serious eye conditions or previous ophthalmic surgery. Houston LASIK & Eye offers complimentary consultations to determine candidacy for this procedure. With locations in Houston, Sugar Land, and Pearland, Houston LASIK & Eye continues to expand its services while maintaining its commitment to personalized care, advanced technology, and exceptional outcomes. For more information about EVO ICL or to schedule a consultation, please call Houston LASIK & Eye at 281-240-0478 or visit their website. ### For more information about Houston LASIK & Eye, contact the company here:Houston LASIK & EyeDr. Amjad Khokhar,(281) 240-0478info@ Southwest Freeway, Suite 350,Houston, TX 77074 CONTACT: Dr. Amjad Khokhar,
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Pune study finds special lens implants can help patients who can't get LASIK
Pune: A 35-year-old man from US with -3 myopia, who couldn't undergo LASIK due to thin corneas and other conditions, recently underwent an advanced surgical procedure in Pune to fix his eyesight. Doctors said the patient went through an Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) procedure, which involves surgically placing flexible lenses on the eye to correct vision problems such as myopia. His successful treatment was mentioned in a research paper on the technique by his doctors, who said it can be safely extended to people deemed unfit for LASIK. "This patient's thin cornea along with low myopia meant LASIK was out of the question," said Dr Vardhaman Kankariya, director of Asian Eye Hospital and Laser Institute and the lead investigator of the research. "He wanted to completely rid himself of his glasses so we went for what's known as EVO ICL technology, found to be effective in over 300 people with low to moderate myopia," Dr Kankariya said, adding that the lenses were earlier used to treat only high or very high myopia. "But our study showed the lenses had significant promise in patients with lower myopia as well," he said. Low myopia or patients with a 'glasses number' of less than -6 are sometimes rejected for LASIK due to thin corneas, keratoconus or severe dry eyes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Such patients will need a pair of glasses for life. But the study, the doctors said, found that ICL implants helped these people ditch spectacles. Dr Kankariya said: "We evaluated patients with mild to moderate myopia (up to -6 diopters) and with unsuitable corneas for LASIK. All 361 evaluated patients were successfully treated with ICL implants, offering them spectacle-free vision. Our study has been peer reviewed and earned the 'Best Research Paper Award' at the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) annual conference that was held in Delhi in April. " The ICL procedure involves placing a thin, flexible, biocompatible lens in front of the eye's natural lens. Unlike LASIK, ICL does not require corneal thinning, does not induce dry eyes and is fully reversible, a feature the doctors said made it an ideal alternative for patients with borderline corneal parameters. Dr Shirin Sonvane, presenting author of the study, said: "The procedure takes 5 minutes, is painless and does not require anesthesia. This study gives hope to many myopia patients who earlier had no option but to depend on glasses or contact lenses." Dr Viraj Padwal, a contributor to the study said: "Traditionally, ICL was reserved for patients with high myopia, more than -8D, but this study demonstrated it is effective in lower myopia ranges as well." Dr Harshul Tak, executive committee member of the Indian Intraocular and Refractive Society said nearly 10% of those applying for LASIK are rejected due to multiple reasons. "But this study on ICL implants, for LASIK-rejected patients with low myopia, is good research. There have been very few reports of the ICL procedure on such patients in the past. This is the largest study in the world on such patients, making it a valuable reference for ophthalmologists globally," Dr Tak said.
Vogue
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
What Exactly Is the Liquid Rhinoplasty? And Would It Work for Me?
Last fall, after decades of vision so poor I couldn't recognize my closest friends across a small room without glasses, I paid $10,000 for ICL surgery, a newish LASIK alternative in which permanent contact lenses are installed in one's eyeballs. Besides the somewhat daunting, monthlong course of prescription eye drops that followed, recovery was swift. I've had no major medical complications, only subtle psychological ones: Improving my vision, I realized, impaired the way I saw myself. For the first time in as long as I could remember, I looked in the mirror and saw only my face staring back at me. No brow-hiding frames, no eye-distorting lenses. And most crucially, perhaps, was my nose: bare, no longer horizontally bifurcated by a ridge of black acetate. In a good mood, on a good day, my nose is 'striking' or 'distinguished.' It has 'character,' to quote my mother. In a bad mood, on a bad day, it is simply crooked. 'I'm so glad she never fixed it,' a famous artist recently told a mutual friend, upon meeting me. Meant as a compliment, I, of course, interpreted it as insult. Should I have fixed it? A basketball to the face in middle school left a hairline fracture and with it a slight asymmetry I was always aware of without really caring about. But now the asymmetry shone (sometimes, especially in photographs, literally: reflecting a spot of glare back at the camera). My friends and family all called me crazy whenever I mentioned it, but their reassurances were of little value. It wasn't that I didn't believe them—I didn't care what they looked like either!—but I wanted a professional opinion. One drizzly spring morning, I entered the sprawling, multistory Park Avenue office of plastic surgeon Lara Devgan, MD, whose Instagram follower count approaches 1 million and whose proprietary skin-care fans include Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Aniston. Known for what she calls 'facial optimization,' Devgan tends toward an approach made up of 'tweaks,' as she refers to them—the facial equivalent of having an old dress tailored rather than getting a fabulous new one custom-made. 'So you have a 'deep radix,' ' she said, petting the depression at the top of my nose with her index finger. There was also, she went on, a 'widening of the dorsal nasal aesthetic lines': the bridge, in lay terms. There was 'some crookedness,' which she said was 'likely the site of prior trauma.' Lastly, I suffered from what she described as 'a little bit of a bulbous and slightly droopy nasal tip.' Finally, some honesty, I thought to myself. A good, old-fashioned rhinoplasty could, of course, make my nose smaller and less crooked. It would also cost close to $20,000, require general anesthesia, take up to a full year to see the final results, and turn me into a person who got a purely elective nose job at an age (37) that was, in my opinion, decades past the point of utility. But there were other methods. 'One of the hallmarks of modern plastic surgery is customizability,' Devgan said. Some well-placed injections of hyaluronic acid—which functions almost like a cartilage graft—at the top of the nose (to lessen the prominence of the bump) might 'optimize' my appearance, as she put it. 'We don't have to have you look textbook to be happy.' Devgan was describing, essentially, a nonsurgical nose job—or a 'liquid rhinoplasty'—a procedure that has been growing in popularity without being, in itself, new. (The practice of injecting the nose with various liquids dates back to the turn of the 20th century, when precarious substances including oils and waxes were used.) The first filler made of hyaluronic acid—which is also used topically for its moisturizing properties—was approved for cosmetic use by the FDA in 2003, and in the years since its effects can be seen everywhere from the enviably sculpted cheekbones of influencers to the trout-y mouths of the ladies populating Bravo and so many of the women who love to hate them.
