HONG KONG, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine) announced the official launch of the world’s first “AI-Powered Multikingdom Microbial Biomarkers Technology” (MSX Metagenie®) today, in collaboration with MicroSigX Biotech Diagnostic Limited, a CUHK spin-off. This innovative technology detects risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, enabling early intervention and support for at-risk families. In July 2024, the technology received Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), underscoring its global leadership in the early identification of ASD. A pilot project will offer free testing for 200 eligible children.

Innovative non-invasive technology that bridges unmet clinical needs

The global incidence of ASD has been steadily rising, with the number of new cases each year now quadrupling compared to two decades ago. Currently, children exhibiting suspected autism symptoms are often referred en masse to specialists for diagnosis, leaving many families feeling uncertain and anxious during the waiting period. There is an unmet need of effective risk stratification, i.e., excluding low-risk children to relieve unnecessary parental anxiety while identifying at-risk children for early assessment by specialists.

In 2024, CU Medicine published groundbreaking research in the prestigious journal Nature Microbiology, identifying changes in four kingdoms of microbial species in the gut microbiome of children with ASD. This led to the development of the world’s first MSX Metagenie®. Professor Siew Ng, Associate Dean (Research) at CU Medicine and Croucher Professor of Medical Sciences, explained: “We can measure microbial signatures from a small fecal sample, analysing bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, along with their genes and metabolic pathways. This data is processed through a validated AI model to generate an ASD risk score. This patented technology received FDA recognition in 2024 of its innovative nature, marking it as a pioneering diagnostic aid for autism.”

Professor Sandra Chan from the Department of Psychiatry at CU Medicine stated: “The test has shown a more than 95% negative predictive value, effectively ruling out autism. This provides reliable information to help exclude low-risk cases, enabling better allocation of medical and social resources to high-risk groups while alleviating parental concerns.”

CU Medicine is enhancing its translational efforts by launching MicroSigX, a spin-off company focused on developing innovative non-invasive diagnostic solutions. With strong support from the Hong Kong government’s RAISe+ Scheme, MicroSigX is expanding into the global market. The company plans to seek registration in Chinese Mainland and the US, aiming to benefit a broader community beyond Hong Kong.

Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR, stated: “MicroSigX’s technology is in part underpinned by the research conducted at Microbiota I-Center, a research centre established under InnoHK. We are happy to see that our research centres under InnoHK are turning upstream R&D into real application and products in the market.  Today’s pilot initiative not only marks a milestone in commercialisation of research and development outcomes, but also benefits the underprivileged local families by providing free tests to those in need with the assistance of non-governmental organisations. This is exactly our ultimate goal in promoting I&T: harnessing technological breakthroughs to benefit our society as a whole.”

Building a holistic care network and promoting cross-sector collaboration for neurodevelopmental assessment in preschool children

To raise public awareness and promote its patented technology, CU Medicine and MicroSigX will launch a pilot initiative in January 2026 in collaboration with non-profit organisations, offering free MSX Metagenie® tests to 200 eligible preschool children aged 18 months to 4 years with suspected ASD symptoms but no formal diagnosis. 

The team will adopt a “holistic care” model, partnering with NGOs and neurodevelopmental experts to create a cross-disciplinary team, and will not only provide objective ASD risk assessments but also support families with early planning information.

CU Medicine will establish an “Advancement Centre for Autism” to develop training programmes for community healthcare professionals. The goal is to promote practical knowledge on autism assessment, integrating medical, social, family, and educational support. This initiative aims to foster a sustainable environment for comprehensive support for individuals with ASD.

A vision in action: creating a Centre for Excellence in the Greater Bay Area as an innovative hub for the ASD community

MicroSigX views this initiative as a starting point. By focusing on innovative microbiome technologies, the project will engage multidisciplinary experts across the healthcare, public, and private sectors, as well as the finance and insurance industries, to develop a “Centre of Excellence” for ASD, benefiting Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and beyond.

Professor Francis KL Chan, Choh-Ming Li Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics from CU Medicine, stated: “Our groundbreaking technology shows how government, industry, academia, and the research community can tackle healthcare challenges through innovation. We look forward to partnering with all sectors to improve children’s health.”

DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is pleased to announce that Bybit On-Chain Earn now supports Monad (MON) staking, effective December 11, 2025. This integration enables users to participate in on-chain MON staking with competitive APR rates all within the Bybit app.

Monad is a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain engineered for speed without sacrificing security or decentralization, all while maintaining full compatibility with the existing Ethereum ecosystem. MON serves as the network’s native token, facilitating gas fee payments, securing the chain through staking mechanisms, and aligning validators, developers, and users around protocol growth.

To access potential APR opportunities, eligible Bybit users may simply log in to their Bybit account and stake MON on Bybit On-Chain Earn, which currently offers one of the highest dynamic APRs within the product.

MON Staking on Bybit:

• Competitive Returns: Participants can access enhanced APR through on-chain staking infrastructure.
• Streamlined On-Chain Staking: Bybit handles the technical complexities of on-chain staking, providing a simplified user experience.
• Supporting the Network: Staking participants contribute to blockchain security while earning rewards.
• Flexibility: Bybit Earn offers flexible staking and redemption options that support blockchain decentralization.

Once successfully enrolled, staking rewards begin accruing approximately 5.5 hours after on-chain transaction confirmation. MON earnings compound automatically and are distributed upon redemption. Interest accrual ceases once a redemption request is submitted.

Monad has demonstrated strong momentum in recent weeks, with the blockchain’s integration of major infrastructure providers strengthening its ecosystem. As MON prices stabilize, Monad has implemented technical upgrades focused on security and performance, including encryption protocols and enhanced RPC methods for instant transaction confirmations.

Terms and conditions apply. For details on qualification rules and eligibility, users may visit: Bybit On-Chain Earn: Monad (MON) Now Supported!

#Bybit / #CryptoArk / #IMakeIt

About Bybit

Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 70 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
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BEIJING, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The textile and clothing industry in Mule Town in Guiping, a county-level city in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is striving to boost development through e-commerce.

Known as a famous town of leisure sports clothing in China and the largest leisure clothing production base in Guangxi, Mule Town currently has 500-plus textile and clothing enterprises, with an annual production of over 300 million sets of clothing, and the products are sold well throughout China and even in Europe, North America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, etc.

With the rise of e-commerce in the clothing industry, the textile and clothing enterprises in the town are continuously cultivating their own e-commerce teams and gradually entering overseas e-commerce platforms for product sales. Currently, the average annual sales of clothing through e-commerce exceed 50 million sets, and there are over 3,000 personnel engaging in e-commerce sales.

Li Tailiang, general manager of Guangxi Guiping Suying Sports Goods Co., Ltd. based in Guiping, said that the company has seen a good momentum in live-streaming sales and e-commerce sales, and its new factory area in the Guiping textile and clothing industry park with an investment of 45 million yuan has started production, boasting a daily output of 4,000-5,000 pieces (sets) and a planned annual production capacity of over 1.6 million pieces (sets).

“Logistics convenience is an important advantage for us to attract investment,” project leader Wu Songze said at the construction site of the Guiping e-commerce logistics park, adding that the logistics park is an important component of the Guiping textile and clothing industry park, and at present, the park houses five logistics companies, 11 e-commerce companies, and 12 clothing companies.

As the core cluster area of Guiping’s textile and clothing industry, Mule Town has seen the textile and clothing output value reach 6.746 billion yuan from January to October this year, with the clothing express delivery hitting 11.5319 million pieces, a year-on-year increase of 5.52 percent, and the daily express delivery volume exceeding 50,000 pieces, and even up to 100,000 pieces during major events.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/348831.html  

Partnership Bridges Culture and Technology to Empower the People of Tomorrow

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — KuCoin, a leading global cryptocurrency platform built on trust, today announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Tomorrowland Winter (2026–2028) and Tomorrowland Belgium (2026–2028), becoming the festivals’ Exclusive Crypto Exchange and Crypto Payments Partner. This collaboration marks an important step in connecting global cultural experiences with the growing adoption of digital assets.

As the partnership is unveiled, both KuCoin and Tomorrowland highlight a deeply aligned vision—one centered on empowering the People of Tomorrow and building a borderless, inclusive and future-ready global community. Tomorrowland has long united millions across more than 200 countries through creativity, imagination and shared human experience.

KuCoin, originally known as the People’s Exchange, has evolved into a trusted global crypto platform that provides secure, transparent and accessible infrastructure enabling the free and efficient movement of value worldwide. This shared outlook forms the foundation for a collaboration that extends beyond commercial cooperation into a meaningful resonance of purpose and spirit.

With this vision in place, the partnership will introduce enhanced experiences across Tomorrowland’s flagship festivals. Tomorrowland Winter 2026 will take place from March 21–28, 2026, in Alpe d’Huez in the French Alps, while Tomorrowland Belgium 2026 will return to Boom, Belgium, across two weekends: July 17–19 and July 24–26, 2026. 

Reflecting on the collaboration, KuCoin CEO BC Wong said:

“Tomorrowland unites the People of Tomorrow through creativity, connection and a shared belief in a better world. KuCoin was born as the People’s Exchange, and today we carry that spirit forward as a trusted global platform enabling the secure and efficient movement of value worldwide. We share a common One World philosophy—one without borders, where everyone can participate and belong. Guided by trust, precision and resilience, we are proud to work with Tomorrowland to create future-ready experiences where culture and technology empower one global community.”

As crypto continues to evolve from a niche technology into a core component of global digital finance, this partnership enables KuCoin to introduce crypto to a broader mainstream audience through its collaboration with Tomorrowland. Together, the partnership reinforces the long-term potential for real-world crypto adoption globally.

Looking ahead, Tomorrowland connects the world through music and storytelling, while KuCoin connects it through value and technology. Together, the two brands aim to create new forms of participation and expression for the People of Tomorrow, shaping a future where digital innovation and global culture move forward as one.

About KuCoin

Founded in 2017, KuCoin is a leading global crypto platform built on trust and security, serving over 40 million users across 200+ countries and regions. Known for its reliability and user-first approach, the platform combines advanced technology, deep liquidity, and strong security safeguards to deliver a seamless trading experience. KuCoin provides access to 1,000+ digital assets through a broad product suite and remains committed to building transparent, compliant, and user-centric digital asset infrastructure for the future of finance.

Learn more: www.kucoin.com

About Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland was founded 20 years ago by Belgian brothers Manu & Michiel Beers and remains a family-owned business, driven by a creative and passionate team. Over the years, Tomorrowland has evolved into a global entertainment brand. The WEAREONE.world group consists of several business units, including Festival & Events, Music, Experiences, Leisure, Products, and Fiction. Today, over 350 passionate team members create magic from the headquarters in Antwerp (Belgium), as well as from local offices in Brazil, France and Ibiza. 

Japan’s largest multiple system operator deploys its first AI-enabled Wi-Fi 7 service to support the growing needs of its customers and their smart homes.

PALO ALTO, Calif., Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — J:COM and Plume today announced the introduction of J:COM’s first Wi-Fi 7 service for residential customers in Japan, powered by Plume’s AI-enabled platform. This launch combines J:COM’s high-performance Wi-Fi 7 gateway with the optimization of Plume’s cloud-based intelligence, creating an in-home experience that delivers higher speeds, more consistent connectivity, and readiness for the next generation of smart devices across Japan.

Plume and J:COM delivering AI-enabled Wi-Fi 7 for smarter, faster connections.

J:COM is Japan’s largest multiple system operator, providing services to approximately 5.7 million subscribers nationwide. As households adopt more connected devices and many families live in dense multi-dwelling environments, Wi-Fi must adapt to increasingly complex real-world conditions. WiFi 7 is designed for maximum speed, and Plume’s AI platform enhances that foundation with resilience, reliability, and coverage using intelligence trained on half a billion connected devices. This combination helps J:COM provide the nation’s best in-home WiFi experience.

“Together with Plume, we are taking an important step to better serve the current and future needs of our customers,” said Mr. Yoichi Iwaki, President and Representative Director of J:COM. “J:COM has trusted Plume as our strategic partner for several years, and we continue to select their technology to advance our offering. Wi-Fi 7 offers new throughput possibilities, and when combined with the intelligence of the Plume platform, we can deliver a service that is more consistent, more dependable, and easier for customers to use across all of their devices. J:COM will continue to introduce technology that enhances daily life, and our new J:COM NET service reflects the ongoing commitment to quality, reliability, and customer care.”

“We are grateful for the opportunity to support J:COM as they bring this advanced Wi-Fi 7 service to households across Japan,” said Dan Herscovici, President and CEO of Plume. “By combining Wi-Fi 7 with Plume’s intelligence, J:COM is delivering an experience that standard routers simply cannot match. Customers receive a smarter and more adaptive in-home experience that reflects deep respect for how families rely on connectivity every day. J:COM demonstrated thoughtful leadership in delivering services that meet customer needs, and we are honored to work alongside them as they continue to guide the market forward.”

How J:COM’s Wi-Fi 7 is Enhanced by AI

Wi-Fi 7 introduces wider channels, higher modulation, and Multi-Link Operation (MLO). These features increase peak speed, but most homes include mixed Wi-Fi generation devices, changing interference, and varied usage patterns.

J:COM’s Wi-Fi 7 service uses Plume’s AI platform to adapt to these conditions that Wi-Fi 7 alone cannot solve and create the best connection for every device.

The combined approach delivers:

• AI-driven adjustments based on real time performance in the home
• Improved results for Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 devices that cannot use all Wi-Fi 7 features
• More stable connectivity in Japan’s dense multi-dwelling unit environments
• Smoother streaming, gaming, and video calls
• Enhanced in-home cybersecurity to help protect devices and defend devices against online threats
• Better visibility and support tools for J:COM care teams

This helps J:COM customers experience Wi-Fi 7 performance not only at peak speeds but throughout everyday use, while also providing improved customer care and support experiences.

Plume Powered Wi-Fi 7 for J:COM Customers

Plume’s platform directs devices to the best available access point and band, manages mesh networking, reduces interference, and supports application-aware performance. These capabilities help provide better coverage, more stable speeds, and improved reliability throughout the home.

J:COM customers manage their service through the J:COM branded Plume Home app, which provides advanced controls for Wi-Fi, security, parental controls, and connected devices.

Additional information about Plume is available at plume.com.
Additional information about J:COM is available on J:COM’s official website.

About J:COM Co., Ltd.

Established in 1995, JCOM Co., Ltd. (J:COM) is Japan’s largest multiple system and multiple channel operator. In system operation, J:COM provides cable television, high speed internet access, telephony, mobile, electric power service, and services based on IoT devices to customers through 11 consolidated subsidiaries at the local level serving 5.77 million subscribing households in Sapporo, Sendai, Kanto, Kansai, and Kyushu-Yamaguchi regions. The number of serviceable households or “homes passed” in J:COM franchise areas is 22.55 million. In channel operation, J:COM invests in and operates 14 thematic channels which are provided to CATV, satellite and telecom operators.

About Plume

Plume created the first managed Wi-Fi platform for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in 2016 and continues to lead today with a best-in-class solution for cloud-managed Wi-Fi, security, and experience. With almost half a billion devices connected to its platform, Plume is a trusted technology partner for more than 400 ISPs around the world, helping them deliver better Wi-Fi experiences and services for subscribers while streamlining their own operations and support systems. Plume leverages OpenSync^®, an open-source framework that comes pre-integrated and supported on the leading silicon, CPE, and platform SDKs, and supports leading industry standards like RDK-B and prplWave. This approach allows Plume to offer turnkey and modular solutions, giving ISPs ultimate flexibility, while enabling simpler and faster deployments. Plume provides ISPs an intelligence and innovation edge to stay competitive and adapt to the changing needs of subscribers and the market. Discover more about how Plume is empowering ISPs by visiting https://www.plume.com.

Pan-European UCaaS leader recognised with multiple Platinum, Gold and Silver honours across innovation, customer service and technology categories

BRUSSELS, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Dstny has won more than 10 prestigious international awards in 2025, establishing itself as one of the most recognised unified communications providers in Europe.

Christian Hed Dstny Awards

The awards span innovation, technology, and customer excellence categories from programmes including the TITAN Business Awards, Stevie Awards, UC Awards, and Globee Awards.

Dstny received Platinum recognition at the TITAN Business Awards for Best Telecommunication Solution and the TITAN Innovation Awards for B2B Services. Gold awards included Best UCaaS Provider EMEA at the UC Awards, Company of the Year – Telecommunications at the Stevie International Business Awards, and Cloud-Based Telecom Solutions Disruptor at the Globee Awards.

“Winning more than 10 awards in a single year is extraordinary recognition of what our teams across Europe have built,” said Christian Hed, Head of Brand & Communications at Dstny. “Each award reflects our commitment to making business communications simpler and more effective. We’re proud to be leading the way in cloud communications innovation.”

The recognition highlights Dstny’s strength in Microsoft Teams integration, cloud telephony, and unified communications solutions serving businesses across multiple European markets.

About Dstny

Dstny makes hybrid work actually work by simplifying business communications across all boundaries — devices, locations, teams, and applications. Our solutions combine mobile-first architecture with patented technology to seamlessly integrate voice, video, and messaging into business-critical tools.

Through our AI-enabled platform and world-leading Microsoft Teams integration, we empower over 4 million users across 80+ markets to connect effortlessly with colleagues and customers, no matter where they work.

Headquartered in Brussels, Dstny has over 1,000 employees in 7 European countries.

Learn more at www.dstny.com.

Media Contact: Christian Hed, Head of Brand & Communications
Email: Christian.hed@dstny.com
Tel: +46707187603