The common fate of all: Welcome to Wednesday, dear readers, as we hustle our way through the first full workweek of May 2024 and the beautiful spring weather gives way to a few days of rain.
Ah, well, like old H.W. Longfellow once said, “into each life some rain must fall” … fortunately, you have this snappy innovation review to brighten your day.
Cross your heart: The Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies safeguards human lives — and humanity — around the globe.
Red carpet: Today is May 8 and we begin by rolling out World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, recognizing the humanity and heroism of the international humanitarian/disaster relief movement dedicated to protecting life and ensuring respect for all people.
Front desk: Also earning our respect today (and every day) are the professionals who keep corporate offices and business communications running smoothly, stars of the show on National Receptionists Day.
If you’re not sure how to show your appreciation for the receptionist in your life, aim for the sweet tooth: It’s both National Give Someone a Cupcake Day and National Coconut Cream Pie Day, both raising the dessert bar every May 8.
Meter reader: Not really appreciated in the United States – but fully embraced by 192 of 195 of the world’s countries – the Metric System was born on this date in 1790 in France. (Bonus points if you know the other two holdouts … no Googling, answers below.)
Take me to your liter: From meters to liters, which despite America’s distaste for the Metric System is indeed how we measure our soda – the most popular of which is Coca-Cola, which was first served on this date in 1886.
Pizza, pizza: Little Caesars has been dishing it out for more than six decades.
Hail, Caesar! Nothing goes better with an ice-cold cola than a slice of pizza – even Little Caesar’s, the national chain that opened its first shop (officially, Little Caesar’s Pizza Treat) 65 years ago today in Garden City, Mich.
The secret (agent) is out: Speaking of tasty firsts, the first James Bond movie – “Dr. No,” starring Scottish thespian Sean Connery in the role that made him an international icon – premiered on this date in 1963.
Small miracle: And it was May 8, 1980, when the World Health Organization’s 33rd World Health Assembly declared that the human race had “won freedom from smallpox,” with the deadly and highly contagious viral infection officially eradicated by vaccine.
The disease had plagued humanity for more than 3,000 years, killing 300 million people in the 20th Century alone, for those keeping score.
Separating the Wheatly from the chaff: African American poet Phillis Wheatley Peters (alternately Phyllis Wheatly, 1753-1784) – an emancipated slave remembered as the first African-American author of a published book and the third American woman poet to be published – would be 271 years old today.
Quirk of fate: Truman succeeded FDR less than a month before VE Day and less than four months before the atomic bomb was ready.
Also born on May 8 were German American businessman, theater impresario and composer Oscar Hammerstein I (1846-1919), an opera aficionado who spawned a legion of influential Hammersteins; American financier, inventor, promoter, speculator and steel magnate John Gates (1855-1911), who hit it big in barbed wire fencing; 33rd U.S. President Harry Truman (1884-1972), who did a lot but will forever be the one who dropped the bomb; British broadcaster, biologist, natural historian and writer Sir David Frederick Attenborough (born 1926), known best for his educational television programs; and American author, screenwriter and environmental activist Peter Benchley (1940-2006), who leveraged fame and fortune from his hit novel “Jaws” into a lifelong ocean-conservation mission.
Toni winner: And take a bow, Cathryn Antoinette “Toni” Tennille! The American singer, songwriter and keyboardist – known best for teaming up with former husband Daryl Dragon to form the 1970s pop duo Captain & Tennille, which cranked out several hit records and even hosted a television variety series – turns 84 today.
Wish the multimedia star well at editor@innovateli.com, where we never Shop Around for good stories (thanks to your news tips) and Love Your Calendar Events Will Keep Us Together (go ahead … Do It To Me Us One More Time).
(Every recognized nation on Earth measures via the Metric System to some extent, but only three – the United States, Liberia and Myanmar – have not adopted it as their official measurement system.)
About our sponsor: Arthur Germain, founder of sponsor Brandtelling, has written a new book, “The Art of Brandtelling: Brand Storytelling for Business Success,” a how-to guide for strengthening customer relationships and increasing business profitability. Get your copy today and start building your unique brand story. Use code “ILIR20” and get a 20 percent discount on the eBook bundle when you order from the Brandtelling website.
BUT FIRST, THIS
Molecular man: Northwell Health’s new Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory will improve cancer diagnoses and prognoses, according to Jeff Boyd.
Molecular formula: Long Island’s first clinical Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory has opened in Lake Success.
The $3.2 million 2,800-square-foot facility – part of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute – is stocked with a cutting-edge array of next-generation sequencing technologies designed for point-of-care tumor treatments, patient genomic profiling and high-precision cancer therapies. The big-picture idea is to refine cancer diagnoses and prognoses, not only improving outcomes for patients but lowering costs for both patients and the health system.
The MDL is equipped with eight Thermo Fisher Scientific Genexus Integrated Sequencers – which automate next-generation sequencing to more efficiently analyze solid tumor and blood samples for specific genetic mutations – and closely aligned with Northwell Health Laboratories, among other state-of-the-art health system resources. “It’s critical to know the genetic architecture of each tumor so we can know how best to treat the type of cancer,” said Jeff Boyd, chief scientific officer and director of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute’s Center for Genomic Medicine. “This clinical achievement further demonstrates our commitment to advancing cancer care and access to precision medicine throughout our health system and the communities we serve.”
Green day: New York State’s transition to a “green” economy was front and center during a recent meeting of the Long Island Association’s Energy & Environment Committee.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen Harris joined 80-plus regional business leaders to discuss Albany’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which became law in 2019 and requires that 70 percent of statewide electricity comes from renewable sources by 2030. Topics included the burgeoning offshore-wind industry, the rise of electric vehicles, the energy transition’s economic benefits for local supply chains and the importance of collaboration between regional governments, businesses and residents.
The discussion was moderated by Energy & Environment Committee Co-chairman Rich Humann, an LIA board member and President and CEO of Melville-based H2M architects + engineers. “Today’s discussion … was a testament to Long Island’s commitment to leading the charge in New York’s energy transition,” Humann noted. “The insights shared today reinforce our resolve to champion initiatives that promote a greener economy, foster innovation and pave the way for an inclusive energy landscape that benefits all New Yorkers.”
TOP OF THE SITE
Pet smart: The Islip Arts Council and Babylon-based American Pet Professionals have unleashed one of the IAC’s all-time-biggest art exhibitions, featuring household pets from across Long Island.
Smarter by the minute: Another new episode of “Spark: The Innovate Long Island Podcast” drops soon, featuring our latest educational one-on-one with an enlightening innovation-economy leader – catch up first on these 45 captivating ’casts.
VOICES
Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano Managing Member and Voices Legal Anchor Michael Sahn pulls jury duty in this week’s Voices column, reviewing high-profile celebrity trials – from Trump and Weinstein to Gwynneth Paltrow and O.J. Simpson – and exploring the good, the bad and the screen-worthy of the American trial-by-jury system.
STUFF WE’RE READING
Shoots herself (in the foot): Sorry, Kristi – even a second Trump Administration must draw the line somewhere. Newsweek dashes Noem’s VP hopes.
Tikked off: TikTok is suing the U.S. government over its “unconstitutional” ban. The Verge makes it quick.
Fake news: How to spot the telltale signs of a false conspiracy theory. The Conversation proves it.
RECENT FUNDINGS
+ Zanskar Geothermal & Minerals, a Utah-based geothermal-exploration pioneer, closed a $30 million funding round led by Obvious Ventures.
+ Nanochon, a Washington-based biotech focused on orthopedic devices, raised $4 million in a seed-prime fundraising round led by The University of Virginia Licensing and Ventures Group Seed Fund.
+ EnviroSpark, a Georgia-based manufacturer of electric-vehicle-charging systems, received a $50 million investment from Basalt Infrastructure Partners.
+ Latus Bio, a Pennsylvania-based biotech focused on gene therapies, raised $54 million in Series A funding led by 8VC and DCVC Bio.
+ Karius, a California-based leader in genomic diagnostics for infectious disease, raised $100 million in Series C funding led by Khosla Ventures, 5AM Ventures and Gilde Healthcare.
+ Resonance Security, a New York City-based Web2 and Web3 cybersecurity provider, raised $1.5 million in pre-seed funding led by Arca, Fabric VC and Blockchain Founders Fund.
Like this newsletter? Innovate Long Island newsletter, website and podcast sponsorships are a prime opportunity to reach the inventors, investors, entrepreneurs and executives you need to know (just ask Brandtelling). Marlene McDonnell can tell you more.
BELOW THE FOLD (Smarter Than You Look Edition)
Conventional wisdom: The prevailing theory says wisdom teeth must come out — but this is not a universal truth.
Wisdom: Do we really need to have our wisdom teeth removed? Debate rages.
Intelligence: Turns out plants may be conscious and intelligent.
Brains: So, how exactly do our minds work?
Pure genius: Please continue supporting the amazing agencies that support Innovate Long Island, including Brandtelling, where your best and most creative “brand story” always comes from putting mind over matter. Check them out.
