Daily Business Report: December 24, 2024
A look back at 2024: Breakthroughs
in heat resilience, AI, the microbiome and beyond
by Janet Howard | UCSD
As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on a remarkable year of research that pushed the boundaries of knowledge and innovation. From tackling the heat crisis in Southern California to exploring the secrets of deep-sea survival, researchers at UC San Diego have made strides that could reshape our understanding of the world and improve lives globally. Join us as we revisit some of the most impactful studies, including advances in artificial intelligence for health care, bioelectronics, cognitive robotics and the hidden language of our microbiome. These stories highlight the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and the pursuit of solutions to society’s most pressing challenges.
Rising temperatures: How can SoCal survive the heat crisis?
With 2024 on pace to be yet another year of record-breaking temperatures, an interdisciplinary team from Scripps Institution of Oceanography is working to better understand how heat waves will impact Southern California and develop strategies to adapt to the heat. The National Science Foundation-funded SoCal Heat Hub aims to better understand heat waves, their impacts, and generate impactful, data-driven solutions in the face of extreme heat in Southern California, and around the globe.
A first step to “talking” with animals?
Meet CARMEN, a robot that helps people with mild cognitive impairment
CARMEN is a small tabletop robot designed to help people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) learn skills to improve memory, attention and executive functioning. For example, CARMEN teaches users to identify routine places to leave household items so they don’t get lost. The robot was developed by the research team in collaboration with clinicians, people with MCI and their care partners. The researchers deployed CARMEN in the homes of several people with MCI, with positive results.
AI Surveillance tool helps to predict sepsis
Annually, nearly 2 million adults in the United States develop sepsis, and approximately 350,000 will die from the blood infection which can trigger a life-threatening chain reaction in the body. In a new study, researchers at the School of Medicine utilized an AI model in the emergency departments at UC San Diego Health to quickly identify patients at risk for sepsis infection. The study found the AI algorithm resulted in a 17% reduction in mortality.
City works on homeless issues along the San Diego River
The City has completed a major effort to address homelessness and environmental concerns along the San Diego River. Over four months, City teams and partners provided shelter and resources to individuals experiencing homelessness while removing 78 tons of trash and debris from encampments near I-5 and Friars Road. A total of 48 people transitioned from the unsanitary and unsafe encampment into shelters or Safe Sleeping Program sites. Nine more in the encampment have been placed in long-term housing, and 13 are awaiting placement. City crews and partners removed waste using heavy equipment and boats. This marks the first phase of a multi-step project aimed at ensuring public safety, preventing debris from entering the river during rain, and addressing homelessness along the San Diego River. The City will continue to maintain the area and prevent unsafe encampments from returning, while expanding outreach and support services for those in need.
Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina opens new outdoor roller rink
Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina has unveiled a new outdoor roller rink experience ‘Downtown Skate,’ which opened Nov. 25. Located on the hotel’s scenic Marina Terrace, this unique 6,000-square-foot rink offers an extraordinary opportunity to skate beneath the swaying palm trees and idyllic docked boats, with unobstructed views of the stunning San Diego Bay. “We are thrilled to bring San Diego’s first bayfront outdoor roller rink to our guests and local community with Downtown Skate,” said Dan Shaughnessy, director of sales and marketing at Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. For more information and programming updates, visit Downtown Skate’s homepage and follow @marriottmarquissd on Instagram.
SD Master Chorale to hold auditions for new singers
The SD Master Chorale will hold auditions for new singers in San Diego for the 2025-26 season in January 2025. Audition applications for both volunteer singers and paid staff singers are now open for all sections. Founded in 1961, the San Diego Master Chorale is a 130 voice chorus of San Diego County residents. The SD Master Chorale is a hybrid choir made up of primarily Volunteer Singers and a paid core of Staff Singers. Repertoire performed by the Chorale spans from symphonic to chamber works, sacred music to Broadway, and masterworks to contemporary choral works. Weekly rehearsals are typically held Monday evenings from 7-9:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Mission Valley. There are additional rehearsals during the week preceding each concert, and sectional rehearsals may be scheduled, as needed.
California Coast Credit Union launches food drive for college students
According to recent research, nearly 45% of local college students face food insecurity, which means they do not have reliable, consistent access to food. This obstacle increases the likelihood that students will miss classes or drop out of school. To address this challenge, California Coast Credit Union has partnered with the San Diego Food Bank and local community colleges to launch the 6th annual Pack the Pantry virtual food drive. The fundraiser runs through Nov. 30 and all funds raised will help stock food pantries on local community college campuses in San Diego and Imperial counties. In addition, Cal Coast Credit Union will match donations up to $5,000.
Point Loma McDonald’s reopens after renovations
The Point Loma McDonald’s at 1624 Rosecrans St. reopened on Nov. 12 after months of renovations to provide a better customer experience. The Point Loma restaurant reopened after a full rebuild and community members were invited to celebrate with free samples of menu classics, including cheeseburgers, Chicken McNuggets and McCafé Caramel Frappés. Event attendees also enjoyed appearances by McDonald’s characters, music and opportunities to win prizes. “Our recent renovations were designed to enhance the customer experience with a new drive-thru and mobile order pick-up windows to provide quality food, even faster, to our brand fans,” said Chris Rowe, owner and operator of the Point Loma McDonald’s.
Airport Authority releases 2023 Environmental,
Social, and Government Report
The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority has released its 2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance Report, which can be viewed and downloaded at san.org/ESG. The report serves as a barometer for San Diego International Airport’s (SAN) relationship with the greater San Diego community through its environmental stewardship, social responsibility and responsible governance. Since 2011, the Airport Authority has published an annual sustainability report, and for the 2022 report, began incorporating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goals. With this 2023 ESG Report, the Airport Authority is embracing efforts by the airport industry to coalesce around a common reporting framework.
New lacrosse program offered
Presented locally by UC San Diego Health in collaboration with the San Diego Seals, ELEVATE28 is a program designed to help grow the sport of lacrosse leading up to its debut at the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Locally, the Seals will take the program to 15 San Diego County middle schools, including Pacific Beach Middle School. Physical education teachers at each of the participating schools will receive kits that include lacrosse balls, sticks and nets and a curriculum to teach the game of lacrosse to their students. ELEVATE28’s publicly-stated mission is to double the country’s participation in the sport to 4 million annual players by the end of the decade.
