All posts tagged: Needle

The consequential AI work that actually moves the needle for enterprises

The consequential AI work that actually moves the needle for enterprises

Published by skeptic

Presented by OutSystems After two years of flashy AI demos, rushed agent prototypes, and breathless predictions, enterprise technology leaders are striking a more pragmatic tone in 2026. In a recent webinar hosted by OutSystems, a panel of software executives and enterprise practitioners made the case that the most consequential AI work happening now is focused on the practical matters of governance, orchestration, and iteration, along with integrating agents into the systems they’ve spent decades building. Enterprise leaders are increasingly focused on fundamentals. The priority is using new AI technologies to accelerate productivity, improve delivery, and produce measurable business results. Three elements shape this work: The move from AI agent prototypes to agentic systems that deliver measurable ROI in production The growing role of enterprise platforms in governing, orchestrating, and scaling AI agents safely The rise of the generalist developer and enterprise architect as the most valuable technical profiles in an era of AI-generated code Against this backdrop, the panel discussed governance frameworks, the economics of enterprise AI, and the limits of large language models without …

Lawmakers Add ID Requirement to Indiana’s Needle Exchanges

Lawmakers Add ID Requirement to Indiana’s Needle Exchanges

Published by Sam Flores

Previously, a person could anonymously swap used needles for clean ones at approved sites in six counties. The programs are credited with curbing bloodborne infections across the state, including HIV and hepatitis C cases. Speaking against the bill in committee testimony, the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council claimed the exchanges were facilitating drug use and causing a “proliferation of needles” in communities. Lawmakers responded with changes to the bill: requiring a 1 to 1 needle exchange rate; implementing regional restrictions on who can use the program; and barring the exchanges from operating near schools, day cares and churches. The IDs, Rep. Brad Barrett said during the House Public Health Committee, would help prove a person lives in a region that the county needle exchange is permitted to serve. “This is the first time we’ve actually put some guardrails and some accountability,” Barrett, R-Richmond, said later on the House floor. Advocates, though, say the change will all but eliminate access for some participants. “Addiction doesn’t care if you have an ID or not,” said Alan Witchey, the …

Why Firing 9% Of The Federal Workforce Didn’t Move The Needle

Why Firing 9% Of The Federal Workforce Didn’t Move The Needle

Published by Jenni Sidey

Authored by James Hickman via SchiffSovereign.com, In January 2025, the federal government employed about 3 million people. By November, that number had fallen by roughly 270,000 workers — a reduction of about 9%. According to the Cato Institute, that was the largest peacetime federal workforce reduction EVER. More than 150,000 employees took the “Fork in the Road” buyout offer to resign or retire. Tens of thousands more were laid off outright. Entire offices were emptied. Agencies that had been growing for decades shrank to staffing levels not seen since 2014. And yet, despite historic federal layoffs, government spending went UP last year. The federal government spent $7 trillion in Fiscal Year 2025— roughly $300 billion more than the year before. Bear in mind, 2025 was the year that DOGE was supposed to take a chainsaw to the budget and cut spending. This is not a failure of DOGE. It’s a revelation about the actual problem. The total federal payroll— every salary, every benefit, for every civilian federal employee (excluding the military)— comes to about $336 …

Mother ‘stabs baby 600 times with needle’ | World | News

Mother ‘stabs baby 600 times with needle’ | World | News

Published by Sam Flores

A mother has allegedly stabbed her 10-month-old baby boy 600 times for misbehaving as the child was rushed to hospital before horrified doctors discovered a metal tip was left lodged in his spine. The infant was initially admitted with a high fever and convulsions to the People’s Hospital of Mojiang County in China on 16 December last year. However, medical staff were left stunned after discovering the boy’s body was covered in scabs from head to toe. The worst of the young baby’s ordeal was yet to be uncovered. An examination confirmed the baby had been punctured between 500 and 600 times in a horrifying pattern of sustained abuse over a prolonged period. It was later discovered that the cause of the child being unwell was due to one of the needles the woman used to allegedly punish the child snapping off. Doctors found the metal needle tip, which had reportedly been pushed into his neck, remained lodged in his cervical spine, according to the South China Morning Post. The baby’s mother, whose surname was …

Threading the Needle: Can We Respect Local Knowledge While Resisting Misinformation?

Threading the Needle: Can We Respect Local Knowledge While Resisting Misinformation?

Published by Jenni Sidey

It’s common knowledge that we are awash in misinformation that can have severe negative consequences for society. When people hold false beliefs about the safety of vaccines, the outcomes of elections, or the causes of climate change, it is much more difficult for them to make responsible decisions on behalf of their families and communities. It is tempting to respond to this challenge by insisting that expert scientists know best and to dismiss those who challenge the experts. Scholarship by philosophers, historians, and sociologists of science suggests that this solution is too simple. There are numerous cases where nonspecialists have drawn on “local knowledge” gleaned from their own life experiences in order to challenge erroneous or misleading claims made by expert scientists. This sometimes occurs when community members identify threats from environmental pollution that experts initially dismiss, such as in Flint, Michigan or Woburn, Massachusetts. It can also happen when patients with poorly understood diseases question how medical experts diagnose, treat, or conceptualize their illnesses. In some cases, the dismissal of nonspecialist perspectives could even …

Tuft & Needle Original Hybrid Mattress Review: A Soft Landing

Tuft & Needle Original Hybrid Mattress Review: A Soft Landing

Published by skeptic

I’ve received all sorts of questions about mattresses over the years, ranging from what might help with back pain to suitable options for children. There’s one small use case that I’ve always had particular interest in, however: the best mattresses for putting in your guest room, vacation rental, or any space where visitors stay in the short term. Finding a mattress that will work for all sleeping positions and body types is a pretty tall order. When you’re traveling, you usually want a soft, supportive place to land for a bit. The Tuft & Needle Original Hybrid is one such mattress that pulls this off—just in time for those last-minute holiday guests you just found out will be staying with you. Stitched Up Chances are, you’ve heard of Tuft & Needle. The brand was one of the first to break into the DTC (direct-to-consumer) mattress-in-a-box scene when it was founded in 2012. T&N’s profile continued to skyrocket, with a pretty successful track record. I’ve tested many iterations of the brand’s mattresses over the years, and …

Tuft & Needle Promo Codes: 20% Off | December 2025

Tuft & Needle Promo Codes: 20% Off | December 2025

Published by skeptic

A good night’s sleep is worth every penny. But it sure is nice to get more for that penny, especially when you’re leveling up for a new mattress and bedding. Investing in a new mattress, pillow, or even just a quilt and sheets isn’t cheap—at least, not for the stuff you want to be buying. The good news? Tuft & Needle, a maker of mattresses, pillows, sheets and more, has coupon codes ready for you to snag so that you can get new bedding without paying top dollar for it. In this economy, that’s a relief to hear. Here’s what you can score with these Tuft & Needle discount codes right now. Top Tuft & Needle Promo Codes and Coupons If you’re looking for bedding deals rather than a full-on mattress, Tuft & Needle’s bundle offer has you covered. You can get 15% off Tuft & Needle’s cotton and linen blend quilt ($220) that comes in a couple lovely colors (I’m partial to the earth red cayenne color) when you pair it with a white …