TOKYO, March 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) announced that its FonesVisuas Test, an innovative blood test that predicts disease risk, is being offered by Royal Healthcare (*1), a Singapore-based medical institution and group company of Sojitz Corporation that combines the latest medical expertise with the art of hospitality.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global rise in lifestyle-related diseases and dementia underscores the urgency for advanced predictive diagnostics (*2). Concurrently, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) iLibrary data has identified cancer and cardiovascular diseases as leading causes of mortality worldwide (*3), amplifying the urgency for proactive health management solutions.

Royal Healthcare is based in Singapore’s medical hub, Novena, providing personalized, high-quality health screening services alongside customized medical experiences that prioritize efficiency and convenience for both local and international patients.

The addition of the FonesVisuas Test represents a significant advancement by analyzing proteins that reflect dynamic physiological changes. From just a small blood sample, the test can predict risks of developing conditions such as dementia, heart attack, lung cancer, chronic kidney disease, and prostate cancer over the next several years.

Royal Healthcare combines its services with conventional health checkups to guide individuals who are not yet ill but also not in optimal health toward lifestyle improvements. This approach aims to prevent future illness and enhance people’s quality of life.

Looking ahead, NEC plans to expand provision of the FonesVisuas Test internationally, particularly in the APAC region, underscoring its commitment to advancing global healthcare standards.

Notes

(*1) https://royal-healthcare.com/
(*2) https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases; https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
(*3) https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/social-issues-migration-health/health-at-a-glance-2023_7a7afb35-en

About NEC

The NEC Group leverages technology to create social value and promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. NEC Corporation was established in 1899. Today, the NEC Group’s approximately 110,000 employees utilize world-leading AI, security, and communications technologies to solve the most pressing needs of customers and society.

For more information, please visit https://www.nec.com, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

BEIJING, March 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This is a news report from China Daily: 

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has laid a foundation for coordinated innovation and is set to intensify efforts in the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, industrial upgrading and technology finance, a senior official said.

Jin Wei, vice-mayor of Beijing, highlighted that research collaboration across the region has grown stronger. A dedicated joint fund under the National Natural Science Foundation of China has been established. It supports 270 projects, fostering collaboration among more than 700 research teams, and incubating 179 hard-tech enterprises.

In terms of industrial collaboration, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has mapped out six key industry chains, including hydrogen energy and biomedicine, and jointly developed seven advanced manufacturing clusters, such as integrated circuits and artificial intelligence.

This Wednesday marks the opening of the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference. The five-day event lists deepening coordinated innovation in the region as one of its priorities, and will host the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated innovation and high-quality development forum as a parallel session on Friday.

The parallel forum will consist of six sessions, including keynote speeches, announcements, and cooperation signing ceremonies. It aims to connect cutting-edge technologies and international resources, explore pathways and models for coordinated regional innovation, and build a platform for exchanges and cooperation among governments, enterprises, universities and research institutions.

“We are jointly enhancing the prestigious reputation of Zhongguancun,” Jin said, adding that four such parks have been established in areas such as the Binhai New District in Tianjin and Xiong’an New Area in Hebei.

Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei have jointly set up operation teams, implemented supporting policies and improved cultivation systems. More than 9,800 enterprises have settled in these four parks. Notably, the park in Xiong’an New Area, inaugurated just over two years ago, has attracted more than 260 tech enterprises.

Looking ahead, Jin emphasized that the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region will continue to promote the transformation of sci-tech achievements and establish a regular mechanism for aligning research outcomes with practical applications.

The region will also organize strategic sci-tech forces, such as national laboratories, universities and research institutes, to cooperate with key enterprises in Tianjin and Hebei, and build industrialization carriers in areas such as Tongzhou, Wuqing and Langfang.

Escalating tech costs, volatile hardware markets, energy supply disruptions, and sovereignty mandates will erode purchasing power in the region

SINGAPORE, March 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — According to Forrester’s (Nasdaq: FORR) Asia Pacific Tech Market Forecast, 2026 To 2030, the region will spend over US$437 billion on acquiring new technology between 2025 and 2030. Forrester estimates that total spending on technology will grow by 9.3%, driven by investments in software, services, communications equipment, and tech outsourcing, but cost pressures (such as software inflation and hardware spikes), regulatory fragmentation, tariffs, energy shocks, uneven regional growth, and talent shortages will reduce the real impact of that investment.

Across Asia Pacific, computer equipment will see the strongest growth at 13.7%, boosted by hyperscalers’ investments in AI-optimized data centers and higher hardware prices tied to global component shortages. Software spending will grow 10.7%, with adoption of agentic AI accelerating and vendors incorporating AI-enhanced capabilities into renewal pricing.

In 2026, Forrester projects tech spend growth across countries in the Asia Pacific to be:

• 8.6% in Australia. Australia’s tech spending is forecast to reach nearly A$110 billion (US$70.6 million) in 2026, outpacing the country’s projected 2.2% GDP growth. Software prices are rising at nearly five times general inflation as vendors embed AI capabilities into contract renewals.

• 10.7% in China. China’s AI infrastructure spending will exceed US$70 billion in 2026, fueled by major investments from Alibaba and ByteDance as well as the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s industrial digitalization mandate. Data center and cloud platform buildout remain strong, but weak domestic demand and deflationary pressures will slow traditional enterprise IT spending.

• 13.4% in India. As Asia Pacific’s fastest-growing market, India is being propelled by rapid cloud adoption and data localization rules that are driving major onshore infrastructure investment. Software investment is also rising as vendors embed AI capabilities into renewal pricing, while domestic enterprise demand continues to be the primary driver of India’s double-digit tech spending growth.

• 6% in Singapore. Singapore’s growth is anchored to strong investment in AI transformation and hyperscaler expansion, but a significant talent shortage remains the main constraint on technology adoption as many employers continue to lag in developing their AI workforce.

• Strong in Southeast Asia. In 2026, tech spending will grow across Southeast Asia: 12.5% in Indonesia, 9.5% in Malaysia, 12.3% in the Philippines, 6.8% in Thailand, and 15.4% in Vietnam. The region’s digital economy has shifted from user acquisition to monetization, with digital services income reaching US$11 billion in 2024 — 2.5x higher than in 2022. Cross-border QR payment interoperability is accelerating financial digitization, while Industry 4.0 adoption continues to scale across Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand.

“Asia Pacific’s technology spending momentum remains strong, but the headline growth numbers mask a more complex reality,” said Frederic Giron, VP and senior research director at Forrester. “CIOs across the region are grappling with software inflation, hardware volatility, and increasing regulatory divergence that directly impact modernization plans. The conflict in the Middle East adds a new macro headwind — sustained energy cost inflation will compress GDP growth across oil-dependent countries in Asia. The CIOs in those markets should expect IT budgets to come under pressure if the conflict lengthens. To navigate this environment, leaders must shift to highly targeted investments — prioritizing automation, AI-enhanced platforms, and modernization initiatives that deliver measurable productivity gains.”

Resources:

• Read about Forrester’s Asia Pacific Tech Market Forecast, 2026 To 2030, in this blog or download the report here (client access required).
• Download Forrester’s 2026 Predictions guide to explore the critical questions that tech and security leaders must answer in 2026.

About Forrester
Forrester (Nasdaq: FORR) is one of the most influential research and advisory firms in the world. We empower leaders in technology, customer experience, digital, marketing, revenue, and product functions to be bold at work and accelerate growth through customer obsession. Our unique research and continuous guidance model helps executives and their teams achieve their initiatives and outcomes faster and with confidence. To learn more, visit Forrester.com.

Euromonitor International data shows that Tineco continues to lead the global floor care industry

SYDNEY, March 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Tineco, a global leader in intelligent floorcare, today announced that Euromonitor International has recognised the company as the world’s No.1 household wet & dry vacuum cleaner brand for the fourth consecutive year*. This recognition from a leading independent provider of strategic market research reinforces Tineco’s continued leadership and momentum within the global smart home cleaning category.

Over the past several years, Tineco has played a defining role in transforming household wet & dry vacuum cleaners into an essential category for modern homes. By combining advanced technology with user-centric design, the brand has built a global community of over 24 million users worldwide** while continuing to expand its footprint across key international markets.

According to Euromonitor International, Tineco achieved a 35% global market share in 2025, maintaining its position as the world’s No.1 household wet & dry vacuum cleaner brand for four consecutive years. This milestone highlights the brand’s sustained growth, category leadership, and commitment to delivering high-performance, intelligently designed cleaning solutions trusted by millions of households worldwide.

Tineco’s innovation is reflected across its flagship product lineup, representing its core cleaning categories. The FLOOR ONE S9 Artist Series (S9 Artist Steam, S9 Artist Pro) exemplifies the brand’s leadership in smart wet & dry floor washing, delivering advanced sensing technology and premium design for hard floor care. Meanwhile, the Carpet One Cruiser, which has also been recognised in TIME’s “Best Inventions of 2025” list in the Household category, highlights Tineco’s continued expansion into deep carpet cleaning, offering targeted solutions for more demanding cleaning environments.

More recently, the latest Floor One S7 Stretch Series (S7 Stretch Steam and S7 Stretch) highlights Tineco’s commitment to delivering effective home cleaning solutions to suit various budgets. The S7 Stretch Steam has secured with two TÜV certifications: bacteria elimination and pet-friendly cleaning, highlighting Tineco’s ability to combine professional-level hygiene and value-for-money, versatile cleaning performance.

Together, Tineco’s product line-up demonstrates the brand’s commitment to providing comprehensive, high-performance solutions for every surface in the modern home.

“Being recognised as the world’s No.1 household wet & dry vacuum cleaner brand by Euromonitor International for the fourth consecutive year is a significant milestone for Tineco,” said Ling Leng, CEO of Tineco. “This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation and our mission to simplify everyday life through intelligent technology. As consumer expectations continue to evolve, we remain focused on developing solutions that deliver powerful performance, convenience, and a better overall cleaning experience.”

Since its founding in 1998, Tineco has evolved from a vacuum cleaner manufacturer into a global innovator across smart floorcare, kitchen, and personal care categories. The company introduced the world’s first smart vacuum in 2018 and the first smart wet & dry vacuum cleaner in 2019, helping to establish a new standard for connected home cleaning.

Tineco continues to push the category forward through ongoing product innovation, integrating intelligent features such as real-time sensing, automated performance adjustments, and streamlined maintenance systems. The brand’s expanding portfolio is designed to meet the needs of today’s consumers, offering efficient, high-quality solutions for a wide range of home environments.

Tineco products are available in over 10,000 retail locations worldwide. In Australia, Tineco products are available via leading retailers such as Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys, Bing Lee and Costco in addition to online stores such as Amazon Australia, Big W Online, Retravision, Mobileciti, Tech Sales Online and Tineco’s official online store. The company continues to invest in global expansion and product development, with new innovations and category advancements planned for 2026.

To learn more about Tineco and its portfolio of intelligent appliances, please visit https://au.tineco.com/.

About Tineco

Tineco (“tin-co”) was founded in 1998 with its first product launch as a vacuum cleaner and, in 2019, pioneered the first-ever smart vacuum. Today, the brand has evolved into a global leader in intelligent appliances spanning floor care, kitchen, and personal care categories. With a growing user base of over 24 million households and availability in approximately 30 countries worldwide, Tineco remains committed to its vision of making life easier through smart technology and continuous innovation. For more information, visit us.tineco.com.

SYDNEY, March 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As modern childhood becomes increasingly fast-paced, from packed schedules to increased screen exposure, award-winning sleep wellness brand Woven Woven is addressing a quiet but rising concern regarding children’s sleep wellbeing.

Sleep plays a critical role in a child’s emotional wellbeing, behaviour, and cognitive development. Yet according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to one in three children in the United States may not be getting sufficient sleep on a regular basis ^[1]. At the same time, research supported by the National Institutes of Health suggests that insufficient sleep may affect areas of the brain linked to attention, memory, and emotional regulation ^[2].

According to paediatric sleep psychologist Dr. Lynelle Schneeberg, children often need support in learning how to wind down and transition into sleep, particularly in environments with high levels of stimulation. However, many children reach bedtime “tired but wired”—a result of moving from one activity to another without enough time to slow down, where stimulation is constant and transitions are often rushed.

Children who appear exhausted often struggle to settle, leaving parents questioning routines, schedules, and everything in between. Increasingly, however, the conversation is shifting away from discipline and strict routines, focusing instead on how calm a child feels at the end of the day.

Why Calm Is Becoming the Focus

Sleep is something the body allows when it feels safe and settled. This shift in narrative has led to a more holistic view of bedtime—one that prioritises regulation before sleep.

“If a child’s nervous system is still activated, even the best routine can struggle to work,” explains Joey Chang, sleep wellness advocate and founder of Woven Woven.

This echoes the growing interest in sensory-based approaches that support relaxation. Experts in sensory processing, like Dr. Temple Grandin, have long highlighted the role of deep pressure in helping to reduce anxiety and promote a calmer physiological state. As a result, families are beginning to focus less on enforcing sleep and more on creating the conditions that support it.

The Rise of Sensory-Based Bedtime Rituals

One approach gaining attention is the use of sensory inputs that gently signal the body to slow down. This includes methods grounded in Deep Pressure Stimulation—a technique involving gentle, evenly distributed pressure.

Research published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy found that deep pressure can help reduce physiological arousal and support a calmer state in children with sensory sensitivities ^[3]. In everyday practice, this has translated into simple, calming rituals—from quiet tactile play to the growing use of weighted blankets as part of a child’s wind-down routine.

While no single approach works for every child, emerging research offers insight into how sensory-based tools may support sleep. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that children using weighted blankets showed improvements in settling and reduced restlessness, with many expressing a clear preference for the blanket ^[4]. More recent findings in Sleep Medicine reported improvements in sleep duration and fewer night awakenings among children with attention-related challenges ^[5].

“Bedtime behaviour is often a signal, not a problem,” says Chang. “We believe that children don’t need to be pushed into sleep. They need to be supported into a state where sleep can happen naturally.”

Experts emphasise that these tools are most effective when used as part of a broader, supportive approach to sleep. Families are embracing more intentional evenings by:

• Creating slower transitions into bedtime
• Reducing stimulation from screens and bright lighting
• Incorporating breathing, storytelling, or quiet connection time
• Focusing on emotional calm, not just routine

Research into mindfulness-based approaches has also shown improvements in sleep quality and emotional regulation in children ^[6].

About Woven Woven

This evolving, evidence-based perspective is driving innovation within the sleep wellness space. Woven Woven was founded by Joey Chang out of a personal need to help her daughter settle at night. The brand has since gained international recognition, including being named Best Cooling Weighted Blanket for Kids by Forbes Vetted 2025, and named a “Best in Class” pick in The Strategist’s 8 Very Best Weighted Blankets for its Certified Organic Cotton Kids Weighted Blanket.

For more information about Woven Woven and their award-winning approach to children’s sleep wellness, visit their website or social accounts on Instagram and TikTok.

-ENDS-

REFERENCES

• [1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — National Survey of Children’s Health
• [2] National Institutes of Health — The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 2022
• [3] Gee, B. M., et al. (2016) — American Journal of Occupational Therapy
• [4] Gringras, P., et al. (2014) — Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine
• [5] Ekholm, B., et al. (2023) — Sleep Medicine
• [6] Journal of Child and Family Studies (2025) — “Do Group Mindfulness-Based Interventions Improve Emotion Regulation in Children? A Systematic Review”