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Real-time News
On March 5th, neurotechnology company Science Corp. raised $230 million from investors to commercialize its implantable device for the blind and develop more advanced brain-computer interface devices. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that this round of financing brings Sciences valuation (including the new funds) to $1.25 billion. This makes it the second most valuable brain-computer interface company globally, after Elon Musks startup Neuralink. The company is also one of the best-funded companies, having raised a total of $489 million to date. Science is developing a retinal implant called PRIMA, a chip implanted at the back of the eye that helps blind people regain sight with the aid of special glasses that project images into the eye. A study published last October in the *New England Journal of Medicine* showed that the system improved vision in 26 of 32 patients with advanced age-related macular degeneration. In recent years, investors have poured more than $2 billion into the top six brain-computer interface companies in the United States. Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any devices for long-term commercial use, so these devices are only available in clinical trials.March 5th - TD Securities strategists noted in a report that unless Fridays US non-farm payroll report is significantly weak, it is unlikely to have a major impact on the US dollar. They stated that US economic data may take a backseat, with market focus shifting to the Middle East conflict and its potential impact on the Federal Reserves ability to cut interest rates this year. The strategists said, "You need to see a much worse report, and an increase in the unemployment rate, for the market to refocus on this weeks non-farm payroll data and reverse recent price movements." They believe that given the USs energy independence and the reduced prospect of interest rate cuts, the dollar should remain strong if oil prices remain high.Federal Reserves Barkin: Gasoline prices continue to affect consumer confidence and may squeeze other consumption.Federal Reserves Barkin: Instinctively inclined to shrink the Feds balance sheet, but only if it does not trigger an adverse market reaction and can effectively control interest rates.Federal Reserve Bank of Barkin: Agrees with the idea that the Federal Reserve should play a smaller role in the market.
