Latest news with #Mercuri
Indianapolis Star
4 days ago
- Science
- Indianapolis Star
Woman finds massive tooth from this prehistoric creature on a Florida beach
A woman discovered a rare shark tooth in Florida, offering a glimpse into prehistoric times. Nicole Mercuri, 26, was walking along a Florida beach when she says she spotted a giant tooth that once belonged to a Megalodon, a massive prehistoric shark that roamed the ocean millions of years ago. She was absolutely "ecstatic" about the rare find. "There is no way I just found this," Mercuri said in a video she posted to Instagram. Mercuri, who lives on the west coast of Florida, immediately pulled out her phone and began recording herself when she spotted the tooth and dug it out of the sand. "I was like so shocked and I just freaked out over it," Mercuri told USA TODAY. "I was just like 'Oh my God, Oh my God!'" The tooth is 3 inches wide and nearly 5 inches long. While Mercuri did find the tooth in Florida, she did not specify which beach it was found on. Mercuri found her first Megalodon tooth in 2024, but couldn't record her reaction because she didn't have her phone with her. "It's in the glass case right now," she said. "I still have it with the other one that I found recently." Mercuri has been hunting shark teeth for six years. She started off looking for teeth, and then became interested in hunting shells as well. "I go to the beach a lot, do a lot of shark tooth hunting in the area, shell hunting," said Mercuri. "I have a lot of fun with that, so that's kind of like my main hobby that I do around in this area." Her room now looks like the beach because of how many shells she's found, she said. The oldest Megalodon fossils date back to 23 million years ago, according to the Museum of Natural History. The prehistoric shark ruled the seas before it went extinct around 3.6 million years ago. The sharks don't have skeletons similar to those of other prehistoric creatures, such as a T. rex. Since its "bones" were made of cartilage, its body couldn't preserve itself as well as its teeth. And, while rare, those teeth are massive. The extinct predator could have been 50 to 60 feet long, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. And, just like its body, its teeth were massive, too. The shark's teeth, which look like serrated knives shaped like triangles, can be up to 7 inches long, according to the museum. More discoveries: Archeologists find 1880 shipwreck while searching for a different one Mercuri advises anyone who wants to start hunting for shark teeth and fossils to begin by joining a Facebook group for fossil hunters. "Talk to people about maybe they can give you like advice for it," Mercuri said. "You know there are beaches, there are places in Florida you can find fossils or any cool shells. You just got to trust in yourself." Fossil hunters should also plan to travel on their own. They can't just wait for the opportunity to come. "You've got to do it yourself. That way you can find what you're looking for."
USA Today
5 days ago
- Science
- USA Today
Woman finds massive tooth from this prehistoric creature on a Florida beach
A woman discovered a rare shark tooth in Florida, offering a glimpse into prehistoric times. Nicole Mercuri, 26, was walking along a Florida beach when she spotted a giant tooth that once belonged to a Megalodon, a massive prehistoric shark that roamed the ocean millions of years ago. She was absolutely "ecstatic" about the rare find. "There is no way I just found this," Mercuri said in a video she posted to Instagram. Mercuri, who lives on the west coast of Florida, immediately pulled out her phone and began recording herself when she spotted the tooth and dug it out of the sand. "I was like so shocked and I just freaked out over it," Mercuri told USA TODAY. "I was just like 'Oh my God, Oh my God!'" The tooth is 3 inches wide and nearly 5 inches long. While Mercuri did find the tooth in Florida, she did not specify which beach it was found on. Second Megalodon tooth discovery Mercuri found her first Megalodon tooth in 2024, but couldn't record her reaction because she didn't have her phone with her. "It's in the glass case right now," she said. "I still have it with the other one that I found recently." Mercuri has been hunting for shark teeth for six years. She started off looking for teeth, and then became interested in hunting for shells as well. "I go to the beach a lot, do a lot of shark tooth hunting in the area, shell hunting," said Mercuri. "I have a lot of fun with that, so that's kind of like my main hobby that I do around in this area." Her room now looks like the beach because of how many shells she's found, she said. A post shared by 𝒩𝒾𝓀𝓀𝒾 🌺 (@nikkitheasian) What were Megalodons? How big were they? The oldest Megalodon fossils date back to 23 million years ago, according to the Museum of Natural History. The prehistoric shark ruled the seas before it went extinct around 3.6 million years ago. The sharks don't have skeletons similar to those of other prehistoric creatures, such as a T. rex. Since its "bones" were made of cartilage, its body couldn't preserve itself as well as its teeth. And, while rare, those teeth are massive. The extinct predator could have been 50 to 60 feet long, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. And, just like its body, its teeth were massive, too. The shark's teeth, which look like serrated knives shaped like triangles, can be up to 7 inches long, according to the museum. More discoveries: Archeologists find 1880 shipwreck while searching for a different one Advice for beginner fossil hunters Mercuri advises anyone who wants to start hunting for shark teeth and fossils to begin by joining a Facebook group for fossil hunters. "Talk to people about maybe they can give you like advice for it," Mercuri said. "You know there are beaches, there are places in Florida you can find fossils or any cool shells. You just got to trust in yourself." Fossil hunters should also plan to travel on their own. They can't just wait for the opportunity to come. "You've got to do it yourself. That way you can find what you're looking for." Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn,X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@
Perth Now
22-06-2025
- Perth Now
Man rushed to hospital after citizens arrest in Northbridge
A man has broken two bones in his leg after using himself as a human shield to assist police in their chase for an alleged criminal on a busy street in Perth. Francesco Mercuri, 39, was waiting for an Uber when he saw 'about six police officers' running after a man in Northbridge at 4.30am on April 25. 'This guy was running for his life and he was well ahead of about six police officers who were chasing him down,' Mr Mercuri told The West Australian. 'I did what any good citizen would do and I put myself in between them and him and I tried to stop him with my leg, 'I actually don't know if he stomped on it or if it was the impact that knocked me off my feet but it was so painful.' Mr Mercuri broke his tibia and fibula and required immediate surgery on his right leg. Credit: Supplied Mr Mercuri broke his tibia and fibula and required immediate surgery on his right leg. 'I was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital and I stayed there for the next five days to recover,' he said. 'It was very debilitating, I couldn't do anything.' The Nollamara resident works as a chef at popular Mt Hawthorn restaurant Spritz Spizzicheria but won't be able to return to work for several months as he is currently wheelchair-bound. 'Doctors have told me it will take about a year to fully recover,' he said. 'I am lucky I have a great support network to help me'. Mr Mercuri's good friend Kasia Marsh described him as a 'deeply thoughtful man'. 'He is proud, generous and someone who's always there for others, whether it's a delicious meal, a helping hand, or a kind word,' she said. Mr Mercuri's good friend Kasia Marsh described him as a 'deeply thoughtful man'. Credit: Supplied Ms Marsh started a GoFundMe for Mr Mercuri to assist with bills while he can't work. 'If you know Francesco, you know he would never ask for help himself,' she wrote. 'Let's come together and show him the love and support he so deserves. 'Every dollar will go towards covering his living expenses and medical costs . . . no amount is too small — every bit helps.' A WA Police spokesperson confirmed the man was arrested at the scene, adding Mr Mercuri's efforts were 'greatly appreciated'. 'The WA Police Force thanks all members of the public for their assistance in an incident or an investigation,' they said. 'The WA community can play a crucial role in investigations.'
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Literal Labs Raises £4.6M Pre-seed Round to Develop Energy-efficient Logic-based AI Worldwide
Led by ex-Arm VP Noel Hurley, Literal Labs uses logic-based techniques to generate AI models that are orders of magnitude faster, more energy efficient and more explainable than today's neural networks. The round is led by Northern Gritstone, the science and tech-focused investment firm from Northern England, and co-led by Mercuri, the London-based fund focused on companies at the intersection of media, entertainment, and technology sectors. Headquartered in Newcastle, Literal Labs will use the capital to bring its first commercial product to market, grow its engineering team and continue delivering on its vision for AI that improves life for all and treads lightly on our environment. NEWCASTLE, England, June 03, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Literal Labs, the logic-based AI algorithm company led by ex-Arm VP Noel Hurley, today announces that it has raised £4.6M ($6.2M USD) in pre-seed funding. The round is led by Northern Gritstone, the science and tech-focused investment firm from Northern England, and co-led by Mercuri, the London-based fund focused on companies at the intersection of media, entertainment and technology sectors, with participation from Sure Valley Ventures, Cambridge Future Tech SPV, and several angel investors. Literal Labs is pioneering logic-based AI models that are orders of magnitude faster, more energy efficient and more explainable than today's neural networks. Its approach is inspired by the work of Mikhail Tsetlin; a mathematician and contemporary of John Macarthy who pioneered neural networks. Like neural networks, the Tsetlin machine can perform complex machine learning training. However, unlike neural networks, it is based on propositional logic which makes it more efficient in terms of computation and energy usage, whilst speeding up inferencing. Recent MLPerf Anomaly detection benchmarking shows Literal Labs can achieve 54x faster inferencing than "classic techniques" for machine learning applications, with 52x less energy consumption than equivalent neural networks. It also achieved 250x faster performance than XGBoost for machine learning applications. Literal Labs was spun out of Newcastle University by world leaders in logic-based AI, Dr. Alex Yakovlev and Dr. Rishad Shafik, along with company builder Cambridge Future Tech. Noel Hurley was later appointed CEO of Literal Labs in 2023, after having spent more than 20 years at Arm where he led its product marketing as well as its CPU division – which accounted for over 70% of revenue, totalling approximately $1bn. Literal Labs doubled its headcount from 6 to 12 in 2024, including appointing Leon Fedden – formerly AI Deep Learning platform lead at AstraZeneca – as Chief Technology Officer. The fresh injection of funding will be used to further grow its engineering team and bring its first commercial product to market later in 2025 for customers with EdgeAI who need to: Replace GPU-heavy algorithms which are too large, expensive or energy-intensive Operate in strict social or regulatory markets, in which explainability of AI is essential Have more efficient AI models for battery-based products Noel Hurley, CEO of Literal Labs, said: "We're at a pivotal moment for AI with adoption continuing to accelerate alongside sustainability and cost concerns. Our logic-based AI offers a new solution for those that want and need high-performing AI that is faster, more energy efficient and more explainable than what's currently available via neural networks. This funding comes at a time when we're ready to significantly speed up our product development and will enable us to bring our first product to market later this year." Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone, said: "Literal Labs is Northern Gritstone's first investment linked to Newcastle University, renowned for its technology-related research. We are delighted to support Noel Hurley and the Literal Labs team at a time when innovation can truly benefit from greater efficiency in AI." Esha Vatsa, Partner at Mercuri said: "We are excited to back Literal Labs as it redefines AI with a radically efficient alternative to existing neural networks. The team, combining deep research expertise and proven industry leadership, is uniquely positioned to commercialise this innovation." About Literal Labs Literal Labs is an AI algorithm company that uses logic-based techniques to generate custom AI models, which benchmarking studies have proven to be orders of magnitude faster, more energy-efficient and more explainable than neural networks. Its models are for companies that want to replace GPU-heavy algorithms that are too large, expensive and energy-intensive, for companies that operate in strict social or regulatory markets in which explainability of AI is essential, or for companies needing more efficient AI models for battery-based products. The company was spun out of Newcastle University by world leaders in logic-based AI, Dr. Alex Yakovlev and Dr. Rishad Shafik, and is led by former Arm CPU division VP and semiconductor startup founder, Noel Hurley. Read more at About Northern Gritstone Northern Gritstone is an investment company, dedicated to supporting ambitious science and technology businesses in the North of England. Its philosophy is 'profit with purpose' combining strong returns for investors with wider positive, societal and economic impact, including high-skilled job creation and regional growth. Active since May 2022, the company has made 37 investments to date in some of the UK's most exciting future businesses including semiconductor design and manufacturing; novel materials; secure computing; AI; healthtech; and gene therapies. Together with NG Innovation Services, Northern Gritstone offers 'Capital+++' connecting early-stage company founders with funding and expertise to scale their businesses. In April 2025, Northern Gritstone announced that it had raised further funding bringing its total committed capital to £362 million. About Mercuri Mercuri is an early-stage venture capital fund that leads pre-seed and seed funding rounds for UK technology companies. The firm is dedicated to backing outstanding entrepreneurs who are at the forefront of developing tech-driven products designed for the new age of enterprise and the digital lifestyle of the consumer. For more information, please go to: View source version on Contacts Media contact Connor Mitchellconnor@ Commplicated Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Melden Sie sich an, um Ihr Portfolio aufzurufen. Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten
Associated Press
28-01-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Pat Mercuri, Founder of Managed Direct Response, was Nominated for OCBJ's Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards for the 11th Consecutive Year
Pat Mercuri, President and Founder of Managed Direct Response, has been nominated for the prestigious Orange County Business Journal (OCBJ) Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards for an extraordinary 11th consecutive year. This recognition highlights Pat's exceptional leadership and his embodiment of the entrepreneurial spirit that drives success in Orange County. Pat Mercuri is widely acknowledged as a trailblazer and innovator in the direct marketing and lead generation industries. He has consistently adapted to industry shifts, ensuring that Managed Direct Response remains at the forefront by providing cutting-edge solutions to its clients. This ongoing innovation and focus on customer satisfaction have fueled the company's sustained growth and earned it a loyal client base. The OCBJ Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards celebrate individuals who demonstrate the American entrepreneurial spirit, which is marked by creativity, determination, and an ability to build and sustain successful business ventures. 'To be nominated for the 11th consecutive year is a true reflection of our incredible team's hard work and dedication,' said Mercuri. 'We've always sought to push the envelope and redefine what's possible in direct marketing. This recognition reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional client results, and I'm already looking forward to our 12th nomination next year!' Under Pat Mercuri's leadership, Managed Direct Response has evolved over the past 20 years into one of Orange County's premier direct marketing firms. The company specializes in diversified services such as email marketing, direct mail, and print and mailing solutions. With extensive experience in continuously testing and adapting marketing techniques, Managed Direct Response has successfully driven business growth for its clients, mailing hundreds of millions of direct mail pieces over the years. 'I'm incredibly proud of this recognition, but none of this would be possible without the exceptional team around me,' said Mercuri. 'They are always pushing the boundaries to help our clients succeed.' Managed Direct Response is a full-service marketing agency based in Irvine, California, specializing in direct response marketing. The company is known for its innovative strategies, client-centered approach, and outstanding results. It serves a variety of industries, including mortgage, non-profits, solar, automotive, and retail. For more information, visit Managed Direct Response Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 01/28/2025 03:28 PM/DISC: 01/28/2025 03:28 PM
