“Gypsy” Transforms Junk into Tiny Wonderland for Granddaughter

Daily Upsider on December 19, 2023

A Cheyenne Man— Known as Uncle Gypsy to some or just Gypsy to most, has been constructing his own tiny home south of Cheyenne for the past few years. His goal is to pass this on to his 21-year-old granddaughter, Kianna when the time comes.

In contrast to the average cost of $52,000 for a professionally built tiny home, Gypsy has invested only $5,000, primarily using salvaged materials from old RVs. He shouldered much of the construction himself, with a friend assisting in moving a 100-gallon water tank into place.

Living off the grid, Gypsy relies on a combination of ingenuity and community support. His tiny home features upcycled items, a 400-watt inverter, and a commitment to renewable energy once his solar panels and wind turbine are installed.

Gypsy’s journey doesn’t end there; he plans to take his tiny home on the road, settling on a friend’s property west of Cheyenne to oversee and exchange electrical work. Here’s some pictures of his tiny home if you would like to see them.

Non-Opioid Painkiller

Daily Upsider on December 19, 2023

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a leading biotechnology company, recently made headlines as their stock price jumped following the successful mid-stage trial results of their non-opioid painkiller, VX-548. The drug, which targets peripheral neuropathic pain often suffered by diabetics, has shown great promise in providing pain relief without the addictive potential of opioid medications.

Background

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a well-known name in the biotech industry, with a history of developing innovative treatments for various health conditions. The company’s latest venture, VX-548, aims to provide a non-opioid alternative for pain management, a much-needed solution in the face of the ongoing opioid crisis.

The Trial Results

In the recent phase 2 trials, VX-548 demonstrated significant pain reduction among diabetic patients suffering from chronic nerve conditions. The drug’s NaV1.8-inhibiting properties were found to be effective in reducing pain levels by an average of 20%, with over 30% of the trial participants experiencing a pain reduction of more than 50%.

Market Reaction

Following the positive trial results, Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ stock price jumped, reaching an all-time high. Investors and industry experts are optimistic about the potential of VX-548 to revolutionize pain management and provide a safer alternative to opioid-based medications.

This is a great thing to see research and work on. Opioid painkillers can cause a lot of problems and having a safe alternative could be huge positive turn in the world of pharmaceutical medicine.

10 Billion Dollars for a Gardener!!

Daily Upsider on December 18, 2023

Nicolas Puech, the 80-year-old heir to the luxury clothing brand Hermès fortune, is reportedly considering an unconventional way to distribute his wealth. According to the Swiss publication Tribune de Genève, Puech is thinking about naming his former gardener and handyman, a 51-year-old man of Moroccan descent, as his heir. With a net worth estimated between $10 billion and $11 billion, Puech may pass on a significant portion of the Hermès fortune to this individual. The legal proceedings for this arrangement have already begun.

Puech, the fifth-generation heir of Thierry Hermès, the founder of the fashion house, has faced family challenges, particularly during the acquisition of 23% of Hermès by LVMH in 2014. He resigned from the supervisory board at that time due to conflicts within his family.

That gardener must have done an exceptional job at taking care of Puech’s plants!

Netflix Changes Streaming Forever… Again

Daily Upsider on December 17, 2023

In a groundbreaking move that has sent shockwaves through the streaming industry, Netflix released its viewing numbers for the first time. This unprecedented step has sparked a wave of curiosity and speculation among both industry insiders and casual viewers alike.

Netflix, known for its secretive approach to viewership data, has long been the subject of intense speculation and analysis. Despite being a dominant force in the world of streaming entertainment, the company has traditionally been tight-lipped about the performance of its shows and movies. This has made it difficult for industry analysts to gauge the true popularity of Netflix’s offerings and has left fans in the dark about the fate of their favorite shows.

However, Netflix has now decided to lift the veil on its closely guarded viewership data. This move has been met with both excitement and skepticism, as it represents a major departure from the company’s long-standing policy of keeping its numbers under wraps.

The decision to release viewing numbers is particularly unusual for a streaming service, as it provides a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the company and offers valuable insights into the viewing habits of its massive global audience. It also marks a significant departure from the strategies of other major streaming services, which have also been very secretive about their viewership data.

So, what prompted Netflix to make this bold move? While the company has not provided an official explanation, industry analysts speculate that it may be an attempt to increase transparency and foster greater trust among its users. This newfound openness could also be a way for Netflix to demonstrate the strength of its content library and to showcase the popularity of its original programming.

Despite the potential benefits of this move, some critics have expressed concerns about the accuracy of the data and the potential for misinterpretation. However, Netflix has assured its users that the data is accurate and that it will continue to provide regular updates on its viewership numbers.

I am curious if any other streaming services will follow suite. My suspicion is that Netfilx would only put this out if they were well ahead of their competition. Eventually we will see whether or not this move will be successful, but one thing is certain: the streaming landscape will never be the same.

This Smart Roof Can Cut Heating and Cooling Bills

Daily Upsider on December 16, 2023

UC Santa Barbara researchers, Charlie Xiao, Elliot Hawkes, and Bolin Liao, have introduced a solution to address the high energy consumption associated with heating and cooling in buildings. Their creation, outlined in a recent Device journal paper, is an adaptive roof tile designed to autonomously switch between heating and cooling states based on the temperature, without relying on electronics.

The breakthrough came with Xiao’s idea of utilizing a wax motor—a technology found in common appliances. The wax motor responds to temperature changes and adjusts louvers on the tile’s surface. In colder temperatures, the wax solidifies, closing the louvers and absorbing sunlight. As temperatures rise, the wax melts, opening the louvers to reflect sunlight and emit heat.

The researchers’ tests showed a significant reduction in cooling and heating energy consumption—3.1 times and 2.6 times, respectively—compared to non-switching devices with conventional coatings. Remarkably, the device operates without electronics, batteries, or external power sources, relying solely on the wax motor. Its simplicity allows for customization and potential mass production.

While still in the proof-of-concept stage, the researchers anticipate that this technology could positively impact the cost of heating and cooling our houses.