2026 - Iba magazine

06 Mar

How New Delivery Methods Are Revolutionizing Gene Therapy

Gene therapy aims to treat disease by adding, editing, or regulating genetic material within a patient’s cells. The effectiveness of these therapies depends less on the genetic instructions themselves and more on how precisely, safely, and efficiently those instructions reach the right cells. Early gene therapies struggled with immune reactions, limited targeting, and short-lived effects. New delivery methods are changing that landscape by improving accuracy, durability, and safety while expanding the range of treatable diseases.Cutting-edge viral vector platformsViral vectors remain a central delivery tool because viruses naturally enter cells. Recent advances focus on making them more selective and less likely…

What influence operations are and how to spot them

06 Mar

Recognizing Influence Operations: Safeguarding Your Information

Roger W. WatsonInternational

Influence operations are coordinated efforts to shape opinions, emotions, decisions, or behaviors of a target audience. They combine messaging, social engineering, and often technical means to change how people think, talk, vote, buy, or act. Influence operations can be conducted by states, political organizations, corporations, ideological groups, or criminal networks. The intent ranges from persuasion and distraction to deception, disruption, or erosion of trust in institutions.Key stakeholders and their driving forcesThe operators that wield influence include:State actors: intelligence agencies or political entities operating to secure strategic leverage, meet foreign policy objectives, or maintain internal control.Political campaigns and consultants: organizations working…

La Paz, in Bolivia: How informal economies influence pricing and competitive strategy

06 Mar

Understanding Pricing: La Paz’s Informal Economy Perspective

Roger W. WatsonEconomy

La Paz and the growing visibility of its informal economyLa Paz, Bolivia’s administrative capital, stands as a high-altitude metropolis where tightly interwoven formal and informal economic activity operates side by side. The informal sector in Bolivian cities is sizable by global measures, representing nearly two-thirds of non-agricultural employment and contributing a significant, though difficult to quantify, portion of local production. In La Paz, this informal landscape influences how goods and services are valued, shapes competitive dynamics among businesses, and guides the decisions consumers ultimately make.How informality changes price formationInformal economic actors influence prices through several mechanisms that differ from formal…

Issues of Odoo for Gravity Forms Plugin by WeConnectCode

03 Mar

Odoo Gravity Forms Plugin: Integration Nightmares with WeConnectCode

Roger W. WatsonScience and Technology

Integration Nightmare: Customer Reports Plugin Failure and Lack of Support from WeConnectCodeA business client recently expressed significant worries about customer support and service dependability after acquiring several licenses of the Odoo for Gravity Forms plugin created by WeConnectCode, and the situation underscores the increasing frustration felt by software purchasers when technical issues emerge and vendors do not deliver prompt help.The client states that the company acquired 25 licenses of the plugin from the vendor’s official site to incorporate WordPress Gravity Forms into the Odoo ERP platform as part of its professional workflow, and although the plugin initially seemed fully operational,…

Urban growth drives rising values in residential projects in Panamá Viejo

01 Mar

Panamá Viejo’s Residential Market: A Boom Fueled by Urban Sprawl

Roger W. WatsonInvestments and Business

The appreciation of residential projects has emerged as one of the key benchmarks for assessing the real estate market in Panama City. In an urban landscape that continually transforms, factors such as strategic positioning, transportation access, and thoughtful development plans play a decisive role in shaping property value growth. Against this backdrop, Panamá Viejo has risen in relevance as an area where historical heritage blends with ongoing urban expansion, increasing its attractiveness for both prospective homeowners and investors.This popularity is reflected in projects such as Panamá Viejo Residences, offering modern apartments in a cultural space steeped in history. If you…

01 Mar

Investing in Panama: Essential Info for US, Canadian & European Expats

Roger W. WatsonInvestments and Business

Interest among investors from the United States, Canada, and Europe in settling in Panama has steadily intensified in recent years, as the nation’s blend of economic stability, favorable tax conditions, and a vibrant real estate sector has helped establish it as one of Latin America’s most appealing choices for individuals aiming to diversify their holdings or relocate.Thanks to the country's conditions, many high-profile residential developments such as Oceana Residences & Skyhomes have emerged, combining strategic location, contemporary design, and high value appreciation potential, which are key elements for investments. Are you an investor from the United States, Canada, or Europe…

Panama emerges as an ideal retirement destination thanks to its coastal lifestyle

01 Mar

Coastal Retirement in Panama: A Dream Come True

Roger W. WatsonInvestments and Business

Planning for retirement means prioritizing well-being, stability, and an environment that promotes a peaceful life without sacrificing modern amenities, and if there is one country that stands out above the rest in these areas, it is undoubtedly Panama. In recent years, the country has gained international recognition as an attractive destination for people looking to start a new chapter with a coastal lifestyle.Its combination of tropical climate, developing infrastructure, economic stability, and openness to foreign residents has driven interest from retirees from North America, Europe, and other countries in the region, especially in projects such as Bayside properties. Are you…

01 Mar

Investing in Panama: Beyond Traditional Finance

Roger W. WatsonInvestments and Business

In a global economic environment characterized by stock market volatility and financial uncertainty, real estate investment in Panama has gained prominence as a solid alternative to instruments such as stocks, bonds, or investment funds. The dynamism of the construction sector, the country's macroeconomic stability, and sustained demand for residential properties have made the Panamanian real estate market a benchmark for local and international investors.High-end residential projects, such as Oceana Residences & Skyhomes, are part of this trend, offering developments located in strategic areas with high appreciation potential. Over the last decade, Panama has strengthened its position as an attractive destination…

Keys to successfully starting a real estate investment in Panama

28 Feb

Beginning Real Estate Investment in Panama: Key Success Factors

Roger W. WatsonInvestments and Business

income over time is real estate investment, and Panama has emerged as a key reference in this sector due to its reliable economy, ongoing urban expansion, and a legal framework that favors purchasing property and real estate.However, before committing to any investment, it is crucial to grasp how the Panamanian real estate market operates and which elements directly influence a property's yield and long-term value. If this subject interests you, the following guide offers all the essential insights you need to start investing in real estate in Panama.What factors make Panama an especially attractive environment for real estate investment?Panama offers…

Panama competes with Miami as a real estate investment destination

28 Feb

Panama vs. Miami: Real Estate Investment Showdown

Roger W. WatsonInvestments and Business

For decades, Miami has been considered one of the leading references for premium real estate investment in the Americas. However, in recent years, Panama has begun to position itself as a direct competitor in the regional arena, offering economic, fiscal, and urban conditions that attract the attention of international investors.Projects such as IPANEMA Residences are part of this new generation of developments that reflect the evolution of the Panamanian market towards global standards of luxury and profitability. The combination of modern infrastructure, international connectivity, and planned urban growth has driven a high-end residential offering, geared toward both investment and personal…