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Is 2020 the Year eSports Become Mainstream?

Published

4 years ago

April 17, 2020

The sporting world as we know it is currently upside down due to the Coronavirus pandemic. We are seeing many events cancelled, suspended, have a date change and various other issues.

With little else to watch, place a bet on and enjoy, many people are beginning to take an interest in eSports. Many people are looking for ways to keep their mind busy, some are turning to games while others are learning about new things such as eSports.

The eSports industry has been around for many years, but against other sports it has always struggled to attract a consistently big audience. Despite that, it has turned into a big industry, with the best players winning millions each year from big events.

We find ourselves in a situation where eSports can take a prominent role right now, can those who run the industry take advantage of that? Will 2020 be the year that eSports becomes mainstream?

How to Keep New Fans on Board

This is the biggest task ahead of those who play major roles in the running of eSports. People are watching now because there is little else to watch and get excited about.

When programming and the sports world returns to normal, how do you keep these people interested in eSports, either instead of what they did before or alongside it?

There needs to be people right now coming up with ideas and innovative ways in which they can make eSports appeal to the masses and continue to look exciting.

We have seen people watch, and some of them are betting, now it is the turn of those in charge to make these people stick around, doing whatever it takes for that to happen.

eSports as a Betting Platform

With no sports currently taking place, betting numbers are down massively. Those who are missing betting are looking elsewhere and one thing they can bet on is the eSports events that we currently have taking place.

These are offering a lifeline to both bookmakers and punters at the moment, giving the bookmakers something to market and the punters something to watch and bet on. Many eSports bookies will offer sign up bonuses to players who join them, so now is a great time to join in the fun.

With players able to play remotely from their own home and the ability to use the internet to link up with any other player around the world, eSports should never need to stop during this pandemic.

More events have been created, and bookmakers are even offering new betting markets for their customers to use. Everything is being done right now to provide a top quality betting service around eSports.

Does eSports Need TV?

The answer to this is probably no, it doesn’t need TV to thrive. We are all becoming accustomed to watching sports in very different ways, from using bookmakers who stream events to buying PPV streams online.

While a big TV deal would of course be excellent for eSports, it won’t be the one thing that takes the industry into the mainstream. This will happen regardless of any TV deal being in place, if indeed it does happen at all.

Fans of eSports are all likely to be interested in gaming, with many playing online themselves. This means they will already have devices and fast internet, both of which allow you to watch online.

If fans are equipped already, there is no need to have a TV deal to give them the ability to watch live, they already have that.

Whether the eSports industry does go mainstream or not is something we will have to wait on. However, it doesn’t need TV like some other sports do, so that won’t be the deciding factor.

Blog

Applications of Automation in Research and Clinical Diagnostics

Published

2 months ago

May 18, 2024

Rosario Farell

Precision counts in the fields of science and medicine. This is particularly true for the basic task of counting and analyzing cells, which is used in both clinical and research settings. The introduction of automatic cell counters, which provide efficiency and accuracy that manual approaches cannot match, has resulted in a notable advancement in this field.

What is Automated Cell Counting?

Automated cell counters are advanced instruments that are made to precisely and swiftly count and examine cells. In contrast to manual counting methods that rely on human vision and a microscope, automated counters use software algorithms and image technology to count and analyze cells. This ensures more accurate findings by expediting the procedure and lowering the possibility of human error.

Type of Automated Cell Counters

There are several types of automated cell counters used in research and clinical diagnostics, each employing different technologies and methods for cell counting. The main types of automated cell counters include:

● Image Cytometers: These devices use optical microscopy to statically image cells, which are frequently labeled to detect certain molecules or provide contrast. Cell counting is aided by the automation of image cytometers made possible by digital cameras.

● Flow Cytometers: Use a regulated flow of suspended cells to align individual cells for analysis. Staining cells with fluorochromes enables visual characterization of the cells and facilitates high-throughput analysis.

● Cell Sorters: Arrange cells according to their electrical properties. Sorting is accomplished by dividing the fluid stream containing the cells into droplets whose electrical charge varies according to the kind of cell and guiding them into various containers.

● Time-Lapse Cytometers: Allow for continuous monitoring of cells in an incubator by employing non-heat-generating light sources, such as LEDs, in conjunction with image cytometry to investigate cellular dynamics without causing damage to living cells.

● Hemocytometers: A qualified technician, an optical microscope, and a gridded slide with known volume wells are used in this manual cell counting approach. Up until the 1950s, hemocytometers were the norm for counting cells.

These various types of automated cell counters provide effective and precise methods for cell counting and analysis, each with unique benefits and uses in clinical and research environments.

Research

Automated cell counters have become indispensable tools in understanding cell behavior. They are used in various research fields, including cancer research, drug discovery, and stem cell therapy.

One of the key benefits in research is the ability to handle large volumes of data. For instance, in drug discovery, automated counters can quickly analyze the effects of thousands of compounds on cell growth and death. This high-throughput capability accelerates the pace of research, allowing scientists to screen potential drugs more efficiently than ever before.

Moreover, automated cell counters offer the precision required to detect subtle changes in cell populations. This is crucial in fields like cancer research, where understanding the behavior of cancer cells can lead to the development of more effective treatments.

Clinical Diagnostics

The impact of automated cell counters extends beyond the research laboratory and into clinical diagnostics. In medical laboratories, these devices play a critical role in routine blood tests, infectious disease diagnostics, and monitoring patient health during treatment.

For example, in a routine complete blood count (CBC), automated cell counters can quickly provide a detailed analysis of different blood cell types. This information is vital for diagnosing conditions such as anemia, infections, and blood cancers. The speed and accuracy of automated counters mean that patients can receive diagnoses and begin treatment more swiftly.

In the context of infectious diseases, automated counters can detect and quantify specific pathogens or immune cells, helping to diagnose infections quickly and accurately. During the COVID-19 pandemic, automated cell counting technologies were instrumental in monitoring virus spread and patients’ immune responses, showcasing their value in crisis situations.

Challenges and Future Directions

The initial cost of these devices can be high, and their operation requires specific technical expertise. Additionally, different types of cells and conditions may require customized counting protocols, necessitating ongoing adjustments and updates to software algorithms.

Looking ahead, ongoing advancements in technology promise to further enhance the capabilities of automated cell counters. The global cell counting market growth is anticipated at a CAGR of 7.5% by 2032. Innovations in imaging technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are expected to improve accuracy, speed, and the ability to analyze more complex cell characteristics. As these technologies evolve, automated cell counters will become even more integral to research and diagnostics, opening new avenues for scientific discovery and patient care.