The world’s oldest living lab rat points the way to rejuvenation
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 09, 2023
“Sima”, a 47 months-old female rat, is being treated with E5, a treatment intended to recreate the circulatory environment of a young mammal; the maximum recorded lifespan for this species is 45.5 months.
An experiment led by Dr Harold Katcher, one of the discoverers of the first breast cancer gene, is giving humanity hope of fulfilling the dream of undoing ageing.
While working at Yuvan Research Inc., he discovered which part of the blood of young animals controls the age of the organism, and tested it in eight Sprague Dawley female rats.
“Sima” is the last survivor, but the age she has reached allows us to see a path for human rejuvenation.
“Cellular ageing is a cell non-autonomous process – it doesn’t depend on the cell’s history, but on its environment”, states Katcher, Chief Scientific Officer of Yuvan, a startup based in California working on rejuvenation treatments.
This experiment is a follow-up to another experiment showing that Yuvan’s therapy caused a 54% rejuvenation in male rats according to an epigenetic clock analysis performed by then UCLA professor Dr Steve Horvath.
Afterwards, a Belgian non-profit, HEALES, decided to fund two lifespan studies, one using Yuvan’s treatment, called “E5”, and another one, led by Dr Rodolfo Goya, professor at La Plata University (Argentina), using young rat plasma.
Goya’s experiment achieved moderate life extension. Yuvan’s experiment is still ongoing as Sima is alive at 47 months of age.
Also, Sima and the other treated rats showed a grip strength 2.8 times higher than the controls. According to Goya, “muscular strength indicates prolonged health span.”
Sima is a Rattus norvegicus, a species with a maximum recorded lifespan of 45.5 months. Their average lifespan is 24-36 months. Yuvan’s treatment started when the rats were already 24 months old and even so pushed the maximum lifespan of the species with a treated group comprising only 8 rats.
The E5 production process is patent-pending, and the story of its discovery is captured in Katcher’s book The Illusion of Knowledge.
Yuvan is planning trials in other species before testing it in humans – in human terms, Sima is already 126 years old, considering 122.5 years as the human maximum lifespan.
“Sima” means “limit/boundary/frontier” in Sanskrit, and by surpassing the lifespan limit of its species, it reminds us that human history is a history of surpassing limits.
Disney to lay off 7,000 workers in major restructuring
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 09, 2023
Walt Disney Co on Wednesday announced a sweeping corporate restructuring that will result in 7,000 people losing their jobs as part of an effort to achieve $5.5 billion in cost savings.
The layoffs represent an estimated 3.6% of Disney’s global workforce.
The media company, which is under pressure to turn a profit from its global streaming business, said it would reorganize into three segments: an entertainment unit that encompasses film, television and streaming; a sports-focused ESPN unit; and Disney parks, experiences and products.
The company said the restructuring would streamline operations, making its business more efficient, and reducing costs. Disney is the latest media company to announce job cuts in response to slowing subscriber growth and increased competition for streaming viewers. Disney earlier reported its first quarterly decrease in subscriptions for its Disney+ streaming media unit which lost more than $1 billion.
Warner Bros Discovery Inc and Netflix Inc previously underwent layoffs.
The last time Disney made cuts was during the height of the pandemic, when it announced in November 2020 that it would lay off 32,000 workers, primarily at its theme parks. The cuts took place in the first half of fiscal 2021.
Disney said it planned to cut $2.5 billion in sales and general administrative expenses and other operating costs, an effort that is already underway. Another $3 billion in savings would come from reductions in non-sports content, including layoffs.
CEO Bob Iger outlined the cost-cutting plan to investors during the company’s fiscal first-quarter earnings call, in which Disney reported adjusted earnings per share of 99 cents, ahead of the average analyst estimate of 78 cents, according to Refinitiv data.
Net income came in at $1.279 billion, below analyst estimates of $1.429 billion. Revenue hit $23.512 billion, ahead of Wall Street estimates of $23.4 billion.
The reorganization marks a new chapter in the leadership of Iger, whose first tenure as CEO began in 2005. He went on to fortify Disney with a roster of powerful entertainment brands, acquiring Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Entertainment and Lucasfilm. A decade later, Iger repositioned the company to capitalize on the streaming revolution, acquiring 21st Century Fox‘s film and television assets in 2019 and launching the Disney+ streaming service that falls.
Iger stepped down as CEO in 2020 but returned to the role in November 2022.
Now, Iger will seek to put Disney’s streaming business on a path to growth and profitability. The new structure also makes good on Iger’s promise to restore decision-making to the company’s creative leaders, who will determine what movies and series to make and how the content will be distributed and marketed.
This marks Disney’s third restructuring in five years. It reorganized its business in 2018 to accelerate the growth of its streaming business, and again in 2020, to further spur streaming’s growth.
SEC to make it binding on crypto exchange platforms to warn buyers of risks
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 09, 2023
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has drafted a new regulation to govern the exchange of cryptocurrencies by requiring the exchange platforms to warn buyers of the risk of losing their money.
The SEC is soliciting public opinion on the draft regulation through its website and the online public hearing process will continue until February 24.
The new regulation has been drafted after taking into account the opinions of operators of digital asset trading platforms and the general people on how to inform the public of the risks of trading. The opinions were solicited from September 15 to October 17 last year.
After the SEC had compiled the opinions from the round of hearings, it resolved during a meeting on December 1 to abolish the minimum purchase of a cryptocurrency in line with opinions.
As per the new draft regulation, operators of cryptocurrency trading platforms would be required to visibly announce the following wordings on their platforms: “Cryptocurrencies are fraught with high risks. You may lose your entire invested amount.”
The new draft also requires operators to inform investors of the estimated amount of investment, and the investors must be told to acknowledge their awareness of the risks before they can make purchases.
The SEC said the new regulation would take effect 30 days after being published in the Royal Gazette. It is expected to take effect in the middle of this year.
KBank and Lombard Odier identifies turning points as global economy likely to head for a mild recession
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 09, 2023
They recommend increasing investments in fixed-income, global and China equities, and risk diversification through alternative assets
KBank Private Banking, in strategic alliance with Lombard Odier, a Switzerland-based global private bank, estimates the 2023 global economy to undergo a mild recession due to signs of disinflation, lowered risks around Europe’s energy crisis, and benefits from China reopening.
At the seminar “2023: A Year of Turning Points“, KBank Private Banking recommends investment strategies in response to major events in the global economy: minimizing portfolio volatility through alternative assets and increasing investments in fixed-income, global, China and Asia equities, and mixed funds as risk assets set to become more attractive.
KResearch expects Thai economic growth to accelerate from drivers in tourism while the export sector still faces pressure.
Jirawat Supornpaibul, Executive Chairman, Private Banking Group, KASIKORNBANK, said, “The investment landscape in 2022 was highly challenging due to the depreciation of almost all asset classes. However, economic conditions in early 2023 have been beneficial for investment so far, from gradual disinflation in goods despite service prices remaining high from the tight labour market, and policy interest rates of global central banks – particularly the US – close to reaching their peaks and likely stay at an elevated level throughout 2023. We expect the economies of developed countries to enter a Slow Down while emerging markets are likely to be boosted by China reopening.”
Charl Kengchon, Executive Chairman of Kasikorn Research Center, added, “With Thailand’s economy continuing to regain recovery, KResearch has upgraded its 2023 GDP growth projection to 3.7 %, owing to an upswing in the tourism sector as China reopened the country sooner than previously forecast. According to the latest estimation, international tourist arrivals are likely to reach 25.5 million. Exports, however, remain under pressure from a slow global economy and a strong baht, which is expected to persist throughout the year. Thailand’s exports, therefore, are projected to contract by 0.5%.”
Charl Kengchon, Executive Chairman of Kasikorn Research Center
As for the global economy in 2023, Lombard Odier expects continuous pressures from various negative factors before the recovery can materialize, with three key takeaways as follows:
Inflation has started its descent but central banks will remain restrictive for a while
· Inflation has peaked and is rolling over thanks to falling energy costs.
· Service inflation remains elevated and related to the strength of labour markets.
· Central banks should stop hiking in Q1’2023 but refrain from cutting rates for an extended period of time.
Europe & energy-driven supply shock
· The prospect of a full-blown energy crisis this winter has become less likely. We see little risk of shortages.
· On top of the benefits of a warm winter so far, European governments have taken measures to mitigate the impact on households and corporates.
· New equilibrium in natural gas and oil markets reduces the impact of military developments in Ukraine.
China & zero Covid policy
· Spiking cases and fatalities should create volatility in economic activities as consumers adjust to the novelty of the high infection environment.
· Activities to accelerate on a faster timeline than our initial expectation, after volatility in Q1 due to COVID waves.
· Government leaning on dovish monetary policy and industry deregulation to address downside risks from initial turmoil related to the rapid re-opening process.
Given the recent peak in US 10-year real yield and China reopening, Lombard Odier shared their ten investment convictions for 2023 based on major turning points to watch as follows:
Peak in 10-year real yield
Inflation has started to roll over. Monetary policy tightening in the western world, amid a global downturn in economic activity, translates into an unfavourable set-up for risk assets.
Macro conditions warrant a cautious exposure to risk assets focusing on assets that can better withstand the impact of weaker growth or higher rates.
Sovereign and high-quality corporate returns look promising in 2023.
Peak in US dollar
We prefer quality and diversification across asset classes. We look for quality companies with the ability to defend their margins and be exposed to China reopening.
Earnings per share (EPS) will be revised downwards as margins squeeze due to elevated input costs and reduced customer buying power.
Emerging markets will be boosted by China’s Reopening. After a Fed pivot, we expect emerging assets to rebound. However, a shift in sentiment and growth dynamics is needed.
Recession
Given current volatility levels and upcoming geopolitical concerns, we recommend asymmetric return profiles.
Global growth and real yield models have turned for a weaker USD in 2023
High-yield credit will become increasingly attractive as investor sentiment improves, and the appetite for risk assets will increase.
Start of rate cuts
With lower rates, a weaker US dollar, and China reopening, gold prices should rise.
Jirawat concluded that “In response to key turning points of this year’s global economy, we recommend clients to expand return opportunities through alternative assets, such as hedge funds and private assets, and increase investments in fixed-income, global equities under the theme Winner of the New Economy, China and Asia equities under the theme The Rise of China and Asia, as well as sustainability funds and mixed funds, namely K-ALLROAD Series to minimize portfolio risks.”
New THAI CEO confident of early takeoff from rehabilitation plan
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 09, 2023
The new chief executive of Thailand’s financially ailing national airline on Thursday expressed confidence that it would be able to exit the rehabilitation plan ahead of schedule.
Chai Eamsiri, chief executive officer of Thai Airways International PLC (THAI), said he was confident that the recovery in the travel and tourism sectors would help the national flag carrier complete its rehabilitation conditions and exit the plan earlier than late 2024.
He said that an early exit would allow THAI shares to resume trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 2025.
“The crisis is now over for Thai Airways. We are now in the phase of making money continuously for sustainable development of the organisation,” said Chai, who took charge only on February 1.
THAI has resumed flights on 65% of its pre-Covid routes and its cabin factor was a healthy 85% last year, the CEO said, adding that the airline has made profits since May last year, with a “very good” cash flow of 30 billion baht at present.
The airline earned about 90 billion baht in revenue last year and the figure was estimated to rise by 40% this year, according to the CEO.
He said Thai Airways’ earnings would grow strongly for another year, thanks to the return of Chinese tourists and increased demand for air travel.
According to the CEO, THAI has met most conditions in the business rehabilitation plan quicker than expected.
The airline also has begun its long-term growth programme that includes procurement of new planes and fleet modernisation. With 49 planes at present, THAI aims to expand its fleet to meet rising demand for air transport, taking delivery of six rented Airbus A350 jets in April and planning to lease three more wide-body planes within this year or early next year, according to the CEO.
In September 2020, the Central Bankruptcy Court approved THAI’s recovery plan after the Covid-19 pandemic paralysed global air travel. The airline’s debts stood at 338.9 billion baht against total assets of 298.9 billion baht as of September 30 that year.
Siemens expects high growth in Thailand, Asean CEO says
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 09, 2023
The largest industrial manufacturer in Europe, Siemens, expects substantial growth in Thailand, especially in green energy and sustainability, the company’s Asean CEO, Thai Lai Pham, said in a recent interview with Krungthep Turakij.
“Siemens eyes substantial growth in Thailand with investments in existing businesses, personnel development, and finding partners to expand into new businesses related to green energy and sustainability,” Pham said.
He said that Siemens’ current business plan in Thailand focuses on digital industries and smart infrastructure. The company aims to sell more of its technology products in the Thai market, he said, adding that Siemens invested 5.6 billion euros (201.5 billion baht) in research and development during its last fiscal year.
The key to Thailand’s success will be upgrading its digital infrastructure, Pham said.
Thailand’s location is attractive, he added, explaining that the country is in the heart of the Asean where investments in technology and manufacturing are growing rapidly.
“Global investors are interested in every country in the Asean region thanks to high investment in infrastructure and supply chains,” he said. “The Thai government must focus on upgrading the country’s infrastructure, especially its digital [infrastructure] to attract investors, boost competitiveness, and improve people’s quality of life.”
Pham added that investments in education and staff training are as important as investing in high-value industries.
“All investment projects must contribute to the development toward sustainability by finding the path that is most suitable for Thailand to achieve the goals,” he said.
“I’m not saying Thailand is currently doing it wrong. But the country needs to improve upon what it has achieved in several aspects, to be even more efficient and ensure the fullest use of FDI,” he said, referring to foreign direct investment.
Sustainability will be the biggest challenge for all businesses, he said, noting that Thailand has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050 and zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2065.
The effective adaptation of technology to suit business objectives and real-world applications will always be the answer for businesses aiming to increase their productivity and prevent losses amid the shift towards greater sustainability, he said.
Travel tech company profiles emerging travel ‘tribes’
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 09, 2023
Nongluck Ajanapanya
Global travellers will prioritise unique experiences, sustainability, and more technological innovation over the next 10 years, according to a study released by travel technology company Amadeus.
The study examined forces transforming travel, as well as emerging traveller traits, behaviours, and preferences, to pinpoint what travellers will want a decade from now, Karun Budhraja, Amadeus senior vice president for marketing in the Asia Pacific region, told a media briefing at the company’s Singapore office.
The study identifies four “Traveller Tribes” that will develop over the next decade and likely be dominant in 2033.
They are “pioneering pathfinders” (43%), “excited experientialists” (25%), “memory makers” (17%), and “travel tech-fluencers” (15%).
“Pathfinders” live fast-paced lives and are always looking for their next adventure, Budhraja said. Most (82%) are between the ages of 23 and 41.
This group is more willing than others to let sustainability influence their travel decisions and is very comfortable using alternative payment methods, Budhraja said.
“Experientialists” are more likely than other travellers to act on instinct and prefer less predictable and more exciting lodging experiences, he said. Almost half of them are single and they have high-paying jobs with a flexible schedule, he added.
“Tech-fluencers” are the most familiar with using technologies to make their lives easier, but they are the group most concerned about data security, Budhraja said.
“Memory makers” take a more straightforward approach to travel, focusing on making memories and visiting places, Budhraja said. They are older – 44% are over the age of 42 – but travel regularly.
Karun Budhraja
“For them, the future can be a frightening prospect,” Budhraja said.
“They prioritise people over technology and sustainability [and are] reassured by existing methods [of travel],” he added.
Thai tourists fall into the same four categories: half are pathfinders, 23% are experientialists, 15% are tech-fluencers, and 12% are memory makers.
The study indicates that many travellers will be open to new and emerging technologies, and will want to travel in more sustainable ways.
However, with some travellers concerned about the proliferation of technology and the growing need for cyber-security and data privacy, the industry must ensure that all travellers benefit from technological advances.
“The travel landscape in Asia Pacific markets is incredibly diverse. As the travel industry evolves, the Traveller Tribes report identifies what matters most to Asian Pacific travellers, such as sustainable travel or emerging technologies. Their behaviours and the values they seek in travel will shape the industry in 2033 and beyond,” Budhraja said.
Fred Barou, Amadeus’ senior vice president for customer success management in the Asia Pacific region said travellers are excited by the ability to reach destinations more quickly. They also want sustainable travel, fewer problems with technology, and more diverse payment methods, Barou said.
The survey helps travel agencies and related businesses become aware of what technologies they should look for, he said.
Fred Barou
Biofuel could be the next game changer in the travel industry, he said, adding that cashless payment, cryptocurrency, data security, and biometrics are playing a bigger role in travel.
While technology may make travel easier in many ways, travel agencies and other tourism businesses still have a role to play, he said. They need to be more focused and personalised in their service, he explained.
The study is based, in part, on a survey of 10,000 travellers in 15 countries.
Northstar Research Partners was partnered to conduct the study.
Thai trans tycoon welcomes revenue surge from universal beauty
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 09, 2023
Stephanie Adair
The purchase of the Miss Universe Organisation by JKN Global Group has already seen 800 million baht flow into the Thai company so far, and the amount will rise to 1.2 billion baht this year, its CEO and managing director Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip told a press conference.
El Salvador is paying 400 million baht to host the pageant this year and JKN is in the process of signing contracts for hosting the pageant for the following two years, she said.
JKN bought the Miss Universe Organisation from Endeavor Group in October last year.
JKN plans to use the Miss Universe brand to promote its own consumer products, starting with beverages that will be launched in the first quarter of this year, Jakkaphong said.
JKN is planning to expand into the beverage, wellness and cosmetic segments with direct sales to consumers through JKN18 channel, JKN Hi shopping and Omni Channel and Social Commerce, she said.
Revenues will total 4 billion baht this year, Jakkaphong said.
JKN aims to become a global content creator and to take the lead in Asean by purchasing the rights to sell global brands.
“We are currently using JKN Global to sell the Miss Universe organisation [for] broadcast fees, franchise fees, production fees, everything. So, as we go into the content market, we go as JKN Universe or Miss Universe organisation. That’s part of the blending,” Anne explained.
“The second part will be consumer products. A lot of them will be branded as Miss Universe skin care, Miss Universe cosmetics, and beverages, too … [Miss Universe] beverages will include collagen, multivitamin beauty drinks, and also mineral water. Everything will be under the same ecosystem, led by the logo or brand of Miss Universe,” she added.
The success of the Miss Universe Organisation has improved JKN’s cash flow. As a result, its board of directors agreed at a January 30 meeting to cancel a decision made on January 5 to sell an additional 1,019,917,296 shares to increase its capital.
Instead, it will sell 510,043,387 shares to existing shareholders, and reduce the number existing shareholders can buy to two new shares for every share they hold, instead of three. The shares
JKN will also issue new ordinary shares – 66,666,666 million at 4.50 baht apiece – in a private placement to Unistretch Co Ltd, which is part of the GP Group under the management of Nishita Shah.
The group is JKN’s strategic partner in expanding the Miss Universe Organisation.
JKN decided to postpone the rights offering and reduce its size because it forecasts higher than expected revenue this year from the Miss Universe Organisation.
The reduced rights offering will have no effect on JKN’s expansion plans, Jakkaphong said.
Nara Park Deer Stay Genetically Pure for Over 1,000 Years
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 09, 2023
A team of researchers from Japanese universities has found that a herd of Japanese deer inhabiting Nara Park has maintained a unique genotype for over 1,000 years.
Amid shrinking deer habitats caused by hunting and development, the herd in the park adjacent to Kasugataisha Shrine and local temples survived without mixing with other herds, as it was protected as sacred by humans, according to a paper released Jan. 31 by researchers at Fukushima University, Nara University of Education and Yamagata University.
The paper was published in the Journal of Mammalogy of the American Society of Mammalogists.
The team, including Toshihito Takagi, a graduate student at Fukushima University, collected muscle and blood samples from a total of 294 wild deer in 30 locations in the Kii Peninsula, including Nara Park, and analyzed their genetic structures.
The team found that deer in all locations had the same ancestors and could be divided into three groups — one in Nara Park, one in the western part of the Kii Peninsula and another in the eastern part of the peninsula.
The group from Nara Park had never mixed with the others after diverging from the ancestor group more than 1,000 years ago. The groups from the western and eastern parts of the Kii Peninsula diverged around the 16th century and mixed with each other in the central part of the peninsula.
The team said the outcome reflects the effects of human activities, noting that the overall number of deer has been decreasing due to the spread of rice cultivation, urbanization and hunting. In contrast, the worshipped herd of deer at Nara Park had been subject to protection.
It concluded that the unique genetic identity of the herd at the park has therefore been preserved for more than 1,000 years.
“Problems for people and the environment caused by deer overpopulation have become an issue. We hope the finding of our research will help people understand the origin of deer at Nara Park and devise new deer protection plans for the future,” Takagi said.
Jirawat Supornpaibul, Executive Chairman, Private Banking Group, KASIKORNBANK
Charl Kengchon, Executive Chairman of Kasikorn Research Center
Karun Budhraja
Fred Barou
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