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Prior to 2014, there were only a few thousand adult day centers operating throughout the United States. Today, there are likely over 10,000 centers in existence, each one trying to make a lasting mark in an extremely fragmented industry.

Founded in 1991, Tennessee-based Centennial Adultcare Center is among that group. The medical-model adult day provider is led by CEO William Zagorski, who says big things are in store for the space in months and years to come.

Home Health Care News recently caught up with Zagorski during the latest installment of its podcast, Disrupt.

Among topics of conversation, the CEO outlined industry challenges and explained how at-home care providers will play a critical role in adult days future. Zagorski a member of the National Adult Day Services Associations board of directors also discussed how the adult day model is becoming increasingly for-profit.

Highlights from HHCNs conversation with Zagorski are below, edited for length and clarity. Subscribe to Disrupt via Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, SoundCloud or your favorite podcast app.

Zagorski: American Senior Care Centers is our corporate name. We operate as Centennial Adultcare Center. We have three medical-model adult day health care facilities in the central Tennessee area. We also operate non-medical in-home care services and transportation services, all of which are under our Centennial Adultcare Center brand.

But that medical model of adult day is our primary focus. We serve Individuals 18 and over of all acuity ranges. That means all diagnoses, all physical and cognitive conditions. There are very few individuals who we have not been able to help over the years.

Were the largest comprehensive, medical-model adult day health care facility in Tennessee.

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Happy to be the first! Adult day health care is certainly a newer, lesser-known part of the continuum of care, so Im happy to talk about it.

Its a long story that takes lots of meandering paths.

My parents started our company back in 1991. One of the main inspiring factors was a grandmother who had been diagnosed with Alzheimers, who then moved from Chicago to Nashville to live with us.

She attended a social-model adult day program in Nashville for a number of years. But as soon as her acuity rose to where she could no longer attend the social programs, there was nowhere for her to go. So we set up shop as the first medical-model adult day health care provider in Tennessee. We were one of the only providers able to assist individuals with advanced dementia, you know, progressing to the point of wandering, incontinence and other issues.

Thats the genesis of our company. I was younger when that company opened and did not plan on staying in Tennessee. My personal history is mired in scientific research; I spent a number of years in cancer research, then in molecular genetics as my primary academic research through the late 90s and early 2000s.

I came back to our company in 2011. Weve increased our daily attendance by double since. I opened our second location in 2015. And then our third location in late 2017.

Our in-home care agency has been in progress for a number of years as well, though theres been some growth and retraction.

Adult day mirrors the same growth trends that were seeing in home health and home care. The driving factor is individuals want to remain living at home.

Historically, adult day has existed throughout the United States for decades. It took off in the late 70s and 80s, mostly on the East Coast and West Coast. It has been a little bit slower to grow through the Midwest and even slower in the South.

But it continues to grow overall, ramping up over the past five years. In fact, today, there are probably close to 10,000 adult day centers in the U.S., which is up almost 50% from 2014.

One of the factors inhibiting growth is the fact theres no federal model or federal definition of what adult day care is. Its regulated differently from state to state, with some states being more permissive for social-model or medical-model services.

As of 2016, slightly over 50% of the adult day centers throughout the country are in the for-profit space as opposed to the nonprofit world. Thats been a big switch compared to the past.

There has also been a divergence between the social model of adult day services and the medical model. There has been a social stigma around this industry, so we try to be consistent with terms for what different players are doing. The common nomenclature is to use adult day services for the social model, then adult day health care for the medical model.

Yeah. Very much so. I mean, the different regulation from state to state is so significant. Just look at the state-to-state variation on licensure and certification. There are a dozen or so states that still have no type of licensure status. Theres still a few where its like the Wild West. Of course, there are also Medicaid issues. There are lower reimbursement states or the Medicaid-prohibitive states, usually in the Deep South or in lower-income, lower-population areas in the North.

And when it comes to access to care, since adult day is a lesser-known model and varies from place to place, nobody really knows what adult day really is. They dont know whether its adult day services or adult day health care, whether adult day is part of the continuum of care or separate.

Theres a lot of confusion and lack of knowledge.

It certainly can be a profitable space. And I think thats really reflected by the for-profit side of the industry doubling in recent years. But its hard to define what the margins are because reimbursement models differ so much. And theres a lot of providers that only operate in a Medicaid space. Theres some providers that only operate in a private-pay space. Some people work with the VA.

Weve been a for-profit company for the better part of 30 years, and its been profitable over that time for sure, but it varies. The fact is that youre in a conglomerate setting where your staffing levels are slightly lower, so youre able to do things that are slightly lower in terms of expense rate.

Its difficult to answer on the margins. A ballpark answer, you know, theyre somewhere, probably between 1% and 40%.

Were able to staff at a slightly lower level than the one-on-one care thats needed for home care.

In the adult day setting, most states are in the six-to-one or eight-to-one suggested or mandatory ratios. Most organizations run in the four-to-one or six-to-one ratios. Another advantage is service availability, being able to provide services without interruption. Centers can be staffed with three to six employees at any given time.

Cost is certainly a competitive advantage. The average cost of adult day is $72 a day and thats usually for six to 10 hours of care. In Tennessee, most of the companies we work with are open for eight to 11 hours per day. Some of them are even open on weekends. So being able to provide services for 10 hours at $72 a day is certainly a competitive advantage.

Medical oversight in the adult day health care industry is continuing to progress, and most centers have registered nurses on staff to provide ongoing medical oversight as well as medication assistance and management of vitals.

Many centers are truly interdisciplinary, with masters-level social workers, registered dietitians, RNs, LPNs, recreational therapists. Many programs bring in pet therapist, music therapist, art therapist so the ability to provide comprehensive therapeutic services in a conglomerate setting provide some unique advantages and a social situation. Not to mention the social determinants of health were avoiding avoiding geriatric depression and combating loneliness.

Adult day health care is great, but it cant do it all. Centers cant be open all the time. They cant do everything. It is essential for individual providers or larger companies to be able to associate with home-based care providers and wraparound services, including transportation.

If you take in-home services, transportation services, adult day health care and everything else, you put it all together, its still so much less expensive than most assisted living or skilled nursing facilities.

I think theres significant, increasing interest. But from an M&A standpoint, adult day does have those real challenges I talked about. Additionally, the largest provider of adult day services has about 112 locations throughout the U.S. and thats less than 1% of market share. So that fragmentation is a downside for those looking for a large investment opportunity. Still, that means the industry is ripe for consolidation.

Many adult day centers throughout the United States are still in the first round of ownership and are privately owned probably family-owned. Many of us are aging and looking for exits.

There are lots of plans. Weve grown slowly over time and have opened two additional centers in the last four years. We plan to continue growing when opportunities present themselves. Theres room for expansion in Tennessee. Theres only about 40 providers throughout the entire state, and theres room for about double that.

Ive also had the pleasure of working as the president of the Tennessee Association of Adult Day Services, as well as working with the National Adult Day Services Association, where we have pretty significant policy efforts.

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Adult Day Industry Trending Toward For-Profit Status, 2020 Boom - Home Health Care News

The touch of a feather, the itch of a mosquito bite, the prick of a needle: The body is capable of distinguishing and responding to all of these sensations in a near instantaneous relay, from skin to brain and back again.

Our brain is constantly computing these things, and in healthy people it never gets it wrong, says Ishmail Abdus-Saboor, a biologist in Penns School of Arts and Sciences.

The details that drive these processes are now at the heart of Abdus-Saboors research. Using a variety of techniques and models, he and his labestablished at Penn last yearseek to tease out the nervous system pathways involved in translating sensations to the brain, with a particular focus on acute and chronic pain.

His work has taken on a new significance in light of the opioid epidemic.

As a field we have really struggled in identifying novel pain killers, he says. This is why we have an overreliance on opioids.

Getting to the bottom of basic mechanisms in pain sensation has the potential to uncover new pathways that could be targeted with alternative medications. And with a new technique for applying a measurement to pain itself, Abdus-Saboor has in hand a platform that could be used to screen new drugs or even help clinicians one day evaluate their patients discomfort in a much more rigorous way than is currently available.

Animal behavior and biology got their hooks into Abdus-Saboor when he was a child. Growing up in Philadelphias Germantown neighborhood, he fashioned a laboratory in his home at age 14, winning a citywide science competition for his investigations of crayfish.

He carried that fascination with him through his undergrad years at North Carolina A&T State University, pursuing animal science as a pre-vet student. A summer in a laboratory at Penn refined that interest. The mysteries contained in the molecules and genes of animals began to emerge as the most captivating to Abdus-Saboor.

He wound up pursuing his graduate studies with Meera Sundaram at Penn in the Perelman School of Medicine, focusing on the genetics of the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans. But he made a conscious choice to shift gears as he embarked on two postdoctoral fellowships.

Thinking about running my own lab one day, I was considering which area has the biggest growth potential in biomedical research, he recalls. The brain is the last frontier; its the least well-understood organ. I thought that, if I could apply some of the tools that Id been learning in genetics and molecular biology toward the study of the nervous system, then perhaps I could make some important discoveries and look at things from a different vantage point.

First in a postdoctoral fellowship with Benjamin Shykind of Cornell University and in a second position working with Wenqin Luo back at Penn, Abdus-Saboor played catch up in the field of neuroscience.

Basically, every single approach that I worked on was new to me, he says. But I think that navet helped me.

Specifically, Abdus-Saboor started asking questions about the common techniques use to evaluate responses to sensory stimuli in mouse studies and wasnt satisfied with the answers. Certain assays, for example, relied on a binary responseeither the animals responded to a stimulus or they didnta measure that struck Abdus-Saboor as rather crude and possibly biased.

Over the last few years, as he wrapped up his postdoc with Luo and established his own lab at Penn, he set out to create a more refined scale for evaluating these types of responses. His technique relies on the use of a high-speed videography, capable of capturing 1,000 frames per second. In a paper published in August in Cell Reports, he, colleagueNathan Fried, Luo, and others reported the creation of a nuanced mouse pain scale that could effectively differentiate responses to a variety of sensory stimuli.

Taking lessons from other model systems, mainly fruit flies and zebrafish, people have been using high-speed cameras to slow down behaviors that we cant see with the naked eye, says Abdus-Saboor. I had the hypothesis that if we did this, maybe there was a lot more information we could extract that could inform us and teach us about what the animal is experiencing. And that turned out to be the case.

Processing frames from these recordings manually, which is how the researchers initially completed the study, was a tedious task. But working with biostatisticians, computational biologists, and machine-learning specialists, Abdus-Saboor and members of his lab were able to streamline the process, and, in collaboration with departmental colleague Joshua Plotkin, are working to automate the video frame-by-frame analysis.

We want others to easily adopt this technology, and automation would help avoid the potential error and variability of human scoring, he says. There are emerging technologies that are allowing us to do this.

So far, theyve tested the platform using both male and female mice representing a variety genetic types and have gotten consistent results across the board.

As his lab has developed this technology, theyve been working in parallel to more deeply understand the nervous system circuits that produce the sensation of pain, especially in the context of chronic pain. People who suffer from chronic pain become more sensitive to various types of touch, even an otherwise innocuous application of warmth or pressure.

This is the chronic pain we hear a lot about now, in this opioid epidemic era, Abdus-Saboor says.

In his relatively short time as a faculty member, hes already struck up collaborations with researchers working on pain elsewhere in the University to advance the science of treating pain. In the School of Dental Medicine, he and Claire Mitchell have worked together on a study of dental pain. Abdus-Saboor has also had productive conversations with researchers, such as Penn Dental Medicines Elliot Hersh, who are interested in applying his high-speed camera platform in clinical settings to objectively evaluate the patients pain and prescribe painkilling drugs appropriately.

Were not there yet, but these are conversations were starting to have, says Abdus-Saboor. If this technology could evolve into the clinic? That would be a wonderful thing.

Ishmail Abdus-Saboor is the Mitchell J. Blutt and Margo Krody Blutt Presidential Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Pennsylvanias School of Arts and Sciences.

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The science of sensations - Penn: Office of University Communications

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bionano Genomics, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNGO), a life sciences instrumentation company that develops and markets Saphyr, a platform for ultra-sensitive and ultra-specific structural variation detection in genome analysis, today announced the key takeaways from presentations given between October 15-19 by scientists from top institutes and diagnostic companies at the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) Annual Meeting and at Bionanos satellite educational event in Houston, TX.

At ASHG and at the satellite education event held prior to the conference and organized by Bionano, clinicians and researchers using the Saphyr system to analyze samples from patients with genetic diseases and cancer presented a series of new findings and validation results that support the adoption of Saphyr as a complement to next-generation sequencing for variant discovery and as a replacement for traditional cytogenetic methods in variant detection for clinical applications.

Alka Chaubey, Ph.D., Head of Cytogenomics at PerkinElmer Genomics summarized the validation of Saphyr technology by PerkinElmer that enabled the development of PerkinElmers assay for Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy (FSHD), which PerkinElmer and the University of Iowa developed based on the Bionano EnFocus FSHD Analysis tool. Dr. Chaubey presented 100% concordance between the assay and known disease state for publicly available cell lines, and 100% reproducibility among all runs and all FSHD patient samples at multiple test sites and with multiple operators.

Joe Devaney, Ph.D., Associate Director of R&D of diagnostic company GeneDx presented a Saphyr validation study for the detection of the disease-causing variants in FSHD and repeat expansion disorders such as Mytonic Dystrophy 1 and 2. For the 40 samples genotyped for the contraction causing FSHD and the 36 samples genotyped for CNBP gene expansion that causes Mytonic Dystrophy 2, the results generated with Saphyr had a sensitivity, specificity and Positive Predictive Value of 100%.

Dr. Gokce Toruner from the MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated 100% concordance between data generated with Saphyr and structural variant data generated with gold standard cytogenetic methods in five bone marrow specimens with hematological malignancies. All previously identified cytogenetic abnormalities detected by karyotyping, FISH or microarray analysis were detected by Saphyr. In addition, several novel structural and copy number changes were detected.

Professor Mark Ebbert from the Mayo Clinic used Saphyr to resolve challenging genomic regions implicated in neurodegenerative diseases on 31 brain samples collected post-mortem from patients with ALS, Parkinsons disease, and Alzheimers disease. One of the causes of ALS is an expansion of a repeat in a gene called C9orf72. While no technology commonly used today for genome analysis has been capable of spanning and measuring the larger repeat expansions of this gene, Dr. Ebbert was able to use the Saphyr system to size a range of expansions from a single brain biopsy, demonstrating a full continuum of mosaicism. In patients with Parkinsons disease, Saphyr resolved the structure of an inverted triplication of an associated gene. In patients with Alzheimers disease, Saphyr detected structural variants in CR1, an important gene with a repeat structure that cannot be fully analyzed with next-generation sequencing, and detected inversions in the Tau gene that protect against the disease.

Frances High, MD., Ph.D., from Massachusetts General Hospital for Children at Harvard University presented results of a study on 19 samples from patients with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), a common and severe structural birth defect that leads to malformation for the developing lungs. Using data from the Saphyr system, Dr. Highs team confirmed all high-confidence structural variants that were detected by cytogenetic methods, provided additional higher-resolution detail and elucidated the structure of several, and identified novel likely causative variants. Dr. High announced an upcoming larger study of 50 patient-parent trios, or 150 samples total, to identify novel structural variants that are causative for this disease.

Professor Jennifer Mulle from Emory University School of Medicine used the Saphyr system to study a genetic syndrome characterized by intellectual disability, autism and a 40-fold increased risk for schizophrenia. She identified a high degree of previously undocumented structural variation in the disease region, identified a new gene previously not known to be involved in the disease, and was able to develop a new hypothesis about the disease mechanism from the data generated by Saphyr.

Professors Eric Vilain and Hayk Barseghyan from the George Washington University and Childrens National Medical Center presented a number of cases from the Undiagnosed Diseases Network, patients with Disorders of Sex Development, Gitelmans Syndrome, FSHD and Beckwith-Wiedeman syndrome where Bionano was able to provide a molecular diagnosis, identify new likely causative genes, or identify structural variants affecting known or expected disease genes.

Other talks included those by Professor Claudia Carvalho of Baylor College of Medicine, who used data from the Saphyr system to analyze repeat-mediated inversions, which are complex genomic structures that are hard or impossible to resolve with other molecular methods but can predispose to genetic disease; Tina Graves-Lindsay from the McDonnell Genome Institute at Washington University, who corrected structural errors in the official human reference genomes with data generated with Saphyr; and Amir Trabelsi, CEO of Genoox, who announced the new release of a software pipeline that now automatically validates, annotates and classifies Bionano translocation calls from whole genome sequence data.

Erik Holmlin, Ph.D., CEO of Bionano, commented, The quality of the studies presented and wide variety of applications for Saphyr in genetic disease and cancer research is continuing to increase. Data generated by the Saphyr system are answering difficult questions in complex genetic diseases that have been historically very challenging according to each of the presenters who described their experiences with Saphyr. The validation studies for FSHD, repeat expansion disorders and hematological malignancies are setting the stage for Saphyr to become a routine tool in research and clinical settings. We are grateful to all our customers and collaborators for their inspiration and for their work in showing what Saphyr can do.

More information about Bionano Genomics is available at http://www.bionanogenomics.com.

About Bionano GenomicsBionano is a life sciences instrumentation company in the genome analysis space. Bionano develops and markets the Saphyr system, a platform for ultra-sensitive and ultra-specific structural variation detection that enables researchers and clinicians to accelerate the search for new diagnostics and therapeutic targets and to drive the adoption of digital cytogenetics, which is designed to be a more systematic, streamlined and industrialized form of traditional cytogenetics. The Saphyr system comprises an instrument, chip consumables, reagents and a suite of data analysis tools.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as may, will, expect, plan, anticipate, estimate, intend and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes and are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, including among other things, adoption of Saphyr as a routine tool in research and clinical settings and the effectiveness and utility of the Saphyr system in such settings. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include the risks that our sales, revenue, expense and other financial guidance may not be as expected, as well as risks and uncertainties associated with general market conditions; changes in the competitive landscape and the introduction of competitive products; changes in our strategic and commercial plans; our ability to obtain sufficient financing to fund our strategic plans and commercialization efforts; the ability of key clinical studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of our products; the loss of key members of management and our commercial team; and the risks and uncertainties associated with our business and financial condition in general, including the risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and in other filings subsequently made by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management's assumptions and estimates as of such date. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events or otherwise.

Contacts

Company Contact:Mike Ward, CFOBionano Genomics, Inc. +1 (858) 888-7600mward@bionanogenomics.com

Investor Relations Contact:Ashley R. RobinsonLifeSci Advisors, LLC+1 (617) 775-5956arr@lifesciadvisors.com

Media Contact:Kirsten ThomasThe Ruth Group+1 (508) 280-6592kthomas@theruthgroup.com

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Takeaways from ASHG 2019 in Houston: Users of Bionano's Saphyr System Presented Validation Results for FSHD, Repeat Expansion Disorders and Digital...

Have you ever wondered why you wash your rice or soak it overnight before cooking it? Perhaps you wash your rice grains to enhance taste, reduce starch levels, or maybe that's just the way your family has always prepped rice. Thanks to a tip from science communicator Samantha Yammine who came across Dr. Nausheen Sadiq's neat finding while live-tweeting a forum on Diversity and Excellence in Science it turns out there is another reason why, as washing rice actually helps reduce the concentration of heavy metals, like chromium, cadmium, arsenic, and lead.

Heavy metal contamination in crops can be caused by human activities, such as mining, fertilizers, pesticides, and sewage sludge. Compared to most cereal crops though, rice (Oryza sativa L.) actually accumulates more heavy materials, like cadmium or arsenic, where long-term heavy metal intake can cause health risks. For example, long-term arsenic exposure leads to skin disease, high blood pressure, and neurological effects. This is especially important to consider as rice is a staple food across the globe.

Heavy metal contamination in crops can be caused by human activities, such as mining, fertilizers, pesticides, and sewage sludge.

Photo by TUAN ANH TRAN on Unsplash

In a recent study, researchers investigated the effects of different cooking methods (normal, high-pressure and microwave cooking) on the concentration, bio-accessibility and health risks posed by three heavy metals (cadmium, arsenic and lead) in two strains of brown rice. After cooking 100 grams of brown rice grains, researchers evaluated bioaccessibility (i.e. how much of the heavy metal is released for absorption) by mixing rice samples with simulated gastric fluid, and then used spectrometery to measure heavy metal concentration. Lastly, the researchers calculated the health risk posed by the heavy metals by calculating values such as the average daily dose.

Overall, the researchers found that instead of the three different cooking methods, it was the washing process which significantly reduced concentrations of cadmium, arsenic and lead, suggesting that the reduction may be due to rice morphology. For example, lead is found largely in the outer compartments of rice kernels, so lead is more likely to be removed during rice washing.

In contrast, the three cooking methods did impact bioaccessibility i.e. how much of the heavy metal would be released for absorption by the body. Here, washing and soaking isn't enough as rice absorbs water poorly at 25C. This finding was also reflected in calculated values: the average daily doses of cadmium, arsenic and lead were lower in washed and cooked rice, compared to raw rice.

It's worth noting that the European Commission has enforced limits on heavy metal levels - for example, arsenic is currently limited to 200 parts per billion (ppb) for adults and 100 ppb for infants. Both the U.S. and Canada currently have no limits in place for arsenic in food though Canada is currently reviewing a proposal to add maximum levels for arsenic found in white and brown rice, while the U.S. FDA has previously released a (non-binding) risk assessment, suggesting the same 100 ppb levels as Europe.

So the takeaway here is that yes, your family and all those professional chefs have been right all along. Yes, washing rice involves sacrificing some of its nutritional value, but doing so means you can reduce the levels of heavy metals present in grains, and still enjoy dishes like rice cakes. And returning back to Yammine's reporting, Saudiq actually shared that by soaking and washing rice for ~5 mins, you can get rid of 50-100% of these elements. (Thanks Sam!)

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Scientists have created the first-ever 18-carbon ring, a major feat of molecular architecture - Massive Science

Its like the parable about the blindfolded men and the elephantonly instead of an elephant, its an enzyme.

For decades, researchers have groped at a family of proteins called Rafs. These proteinsincluding A-Raf, B-Raf and C-Raftransmit signals that control proliferation, differentiation and survival in every cell in the body.

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Raf proteins, especially B-Raf, are also well-known cancer drivers. Hence Rafs full name: rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma. Faulty control of their activity can cause melanoma; thyroid, colorectal, non-small cell lung and pediatric brain cancers; and other malignancies. Two FDA-approved drugs treat cancer by inhibiting B-Raf.

Given B-Rafs critical roles in health and disease, scientists have been keen to understand its structure. Theyve used genetics, chemistry, biology and other scientific approaches, but they havent been able to piece together a complete picture of Raf.

People had poked and prodded Raf for more than 30 years, but we could only see parts of it, saidMichael J. Eck, professor of biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology in the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Now, thanks to work by Eck and colleagues, researchers can see the whole enzyme.

As reported online this month inNature, Ecks team at last captured high-resolution images of B-Raf in its inactive or off state and in several active or on positions.

The findings clarify how B-Raf functions normally in the body as well as what happens when mutations alter its shape and lead to cancer.

The work should help researchers seeking to develop safer, more effective cancer drugs that lock onto particular forms of the enzyme like custom-made puzzle pieces.

Illuminating the huge, unsolved problem of B-Rafs structure could have major importance for understanding its biology and for drug discovery, said Eck.

Its exciting to see something no one has seen before, he added. Now that we can look at the thing, we can tell a coherent story that integrates many previous studies.

Protein whisperer

Several factors made the discovery possible.

First, Ecks team didnt try to study B-Raf alone but instead prepared it as a complex with two additional proteins: a known regulator of Raf with the catchy name of 14-3-3, plus MEK, the next link in the Raf signaling chain.

MEK was the crucial missing piece for solving the structure, said Eck, who is co-senior author of the study along withHyesung Jeon, research associate at HMS and a senior scientist at Dana-Farber. MEK is not just the next step in the signaling cascade, its also key for keeping Raf turned off.

Second, HMS research associateEunyoung Park, a senior scientist in the Eck Lab and first author of the study, served as a protein whisperer who tamed B-Raf, coaxing it into those well-behaved complexes with 14-3-3 and MEK, said Eck.

Third, researchers hadnt been able to determine B-Rafs structure using traditional methods such as X-ray crystallography. Advances incryo-electron microscopy, which visualizes molecules at near-atomic resolution, finally opened the door.

The Raf that rocks the cradle

At long last, the structures revealed themselves.

Like a snowman with a rocker base, the complex in its inactive or off state includes MEK on top, B-Raf in the middle and 14-3-3 on the bottom, cradle-shaped.

The team showed how 14-3-3 normally blocks B-Raf from binding with other B-Rafs, keeping it shut off as a default. When an incoming cell signal calls B-Raf to action, however, 14-3-3 swings aside and allows two B-Raf/MEK complexes to form a pair.

In doing so, 14-3-3 exposes a region of B-Raf that draws the complex to the cell membrane. There, B-Raf gets activated and in turn activates and releases MEK to send its growth-promoting signal.

The structural snapshots also revealed how mutations subvert this normal activation process by causing the B-Raf switch to get stuck in the on position.

The discovery isnt without precedent in the cancer biology world.

Weve seen this in other cancer-causing enzymes weve studied, said Eck.

The results could lead to improved treatments for people with cancers driven by dysfunctional B-Raf.

Current drugs that target mutated B-Raf are used to treat malignant melanoma, but they sometimes also stimulate the growth of new skin cancers by paradoxically activating the normal form of the enzyme. Patients then need to take a second drug, which can cause serious side effects.

The structure gives us ideas about new approaches for drug discovery, said Eck.

His group also plans to uncover more details about B-Raf activation in both healthy cells and cancers.

Funding and authorship

Additional coauthors are Shaun Rawson, Kunhua Li, Byeong-Won Kim, Scott Ficarro, Gonzalo Gonzalez-Del Pino, Humayun Sharif and Jarrod Marto.

This work was supported in part by the PLGA fund at the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research and the National Institutes of Health (grants P50CA165962, P01CA154303 and R50CA221830). Cryo-EM imaging was carried out at the University of Massachusetts Medical School Cryo-EM Core Facility and theHarvard Cryo-EM Center for Structural Biology.

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Caught in the Act - Harvard Medical School

Interpace hosts 2nd Annual Fellow Programs

PARSIPPANY, NJ, Oct. 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Interpace (IDXG) announced today that it will be presenting new data on the performance of its molecular thyroid and GI products at an industry known scientific international meeting. The American College of Gastroenterology annual meeting is held on October 27-30 in San Antonio, Texas and is one of the largest gatherings of gastroenterologists and endoscopists. These are two key targets for Interpaces PancraGEN test for early detection of cancer in indeterminate pancreatic cysts, solid lesions, and biliary structures. The PancraGEN publication entitled Serial molecular testing of pancreatic cyst fluid over time: progression and regression highlights the Companys unique clinical and molecular database of patient results, examining 2,167 patients with pancreatic cysts that underwent multiple PancraGEN tests over time. The results support the high negative predictive value of PancraGEN, showing that the majority of cases (92%) initially found to have low risk PancraGEN results remained low risk at follow-up. The small portion of patients that did progress only progressed to moderate risk levels, where risk most often regressed to low risk over time.

In addition to the poster, Interpace will host its second annual Fellows program. The keynote speakers will be Dr. Tamas Gonda, Columbia University, and Dr. James Farrell, Yale University. Dr.s Gonda and Farrell are going to be discussing their peer-reviewed published work on the utility of DNA analysis in managing patients with pancreatic cysts, describing molecular results of patients who have undergone PancraGEN testing and how those results can be used to impact patient management decisions.

About Interpace

Interpace is a leader in enabling personalized medicine, offering specialized services along the therapeutic value chain from early diagnosis and prognostic planning to targeted therapeutic applications.

Interpaces Diagnostic Business is a fully integrated commercial and bioinformatics business unit that provides clinically useful molecular diagnostic tests, bioinformatics and pathology services for evaluating risk of cancer by leveraging the latest technology in personalized medicine for improved patient diagnosis and management. Interpace has four commercialized molecular tests and one test in a clinical evaluation process (CEP): PancraGEN for the diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic cancer from pancreatic cysts; ThyGeNEXT for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer from thyroid nodules utilizing a next generation sequencing assay; ThyraMIR for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer from thyroid nodules utilizing a proprietary gene expression assay; and RespriDX that differentiates lung cancer of primary vs. metastatic origin. In addition, BarreGEN for Barretts Esophagus, is currently in a clinical evaluation program whereby we gather information from physicians using BarreGEN to assist us in positioning the product for full launch, partnering and potentially supporting reimbursement with payers.

Interpaces Biopharma Business provides pharmacogenomics testing, genotyping, biorepository and other customized services to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. The Biopharma Business also advances personalized medicine by partnering with pharmaceutical, academic, and technology leaders to effectively integrate pharmacogenomics into their drug development and clinical trial programs with the goals of delivering safer, more effective drugs to market more quickly, and improving patient care.

For more information, please visit Interpaces website at http://www.interpacediagnostics.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, relating to the Company's future financial and operating performance. The Company has attempted to identify forward looking statements by terminology including "believes," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "projects," "intends," "potential," "may," "could," "might," "will," "should," "approximately" or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, assumptions and uncertainties involving judgments about, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the Company's control. These statements also involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to the fact that there is no assurance the acquisition of the BioPharma business of Cancer Genetics, Inc. will be successfully integrated with the Company, or that the potential benefits of the acquisition, including future revenues, will be successfully realized. Additionally, all forward-looking statements are subject to the Risk Factors detailed from time to time in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Current Reports on Form 8-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Because of these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date of this press release and, except as may be required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

CONTACTS:Investor Relations - Edison GroupJoseph Green(646) 653-7030jgreen@edisongroup.com

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Interpace to Present at the American College of Gastroenterology Conference - GlobeNewswire

The latest research Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Market both qualitative and quantitative data analysis to present an overview of the future adjacency around Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Market for the forecast period, 2019-2024. The Clinical Trial Consumables Markets growth and developments are studied and a detailed overview is been given.

The ReportsIntellect dedicated research and analysis team consist of experienced professionals with advanced statistical expertise and offer various customization options in the existing study Of Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Market 2019.In-depth study of the Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Market with a special focus on market trend analysis.

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The report aims to provide an overview of Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Market with detailed market segmentation by Type, Delivery Method, Application and geography. The global Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the leading Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.

Top Companies are covering this Report:-Myriad Genetics, Cepheid, Illumina Inc., Abbott, Agilent , Technologies Inc., Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., GenePOC Inc., QIAGEN and more

This market research is an intelligence report with meticulous efforts undertaken to study the right and valuable information. Regulatory scenarios that affect the various decisions in the Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Market are given a keen observation and have been explained.

Market Segment by Type, coversAssays and KitsInstruments or AnalyzersServices and Software

Market Segment by Applications, can be divided intoRespiratory DiseasesSexually Transmitted DiseasesHospital-acquired InfectionOncologyHepatitisOthers

Get Instant Discount Now at: https://www.reportsintellect.com/discount-request/804219

Table Of Content:

1 Report Overview1.1 Study Scope1.2 Key Market Segments1.3 Players Covered1.4 Market Analysis by Type1.5 Market by Application1.6 Study Objectives1.7 Years Considered

2 Global Growth Trends2.1 Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Market Size2.2 Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Growth Trends by Regions2.3 Industry Trends

3 Market Share by Key Players3.1 Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Market Size by Manufacturers3.2 Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Key Players Head office and Area Served3.3 Key Players Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Product/Solution/Service3.4 Date of Enter into Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Market3.5 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion Plans

4 Breakdown Data by Product4.1 Global Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Sales by Product4.2 Global Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Revenue by Product4.3 Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Price by Product

5 Breakdown Data by End User5.1 Overview5.2 Global Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Breakdown Data by End User

Continued.

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Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Market by 2024 with Latest innovative report top key players Myriad Genetics, Cepheid, Illumina, Abbott, Agilent...

Yet another streaming contender enters the fray as passably successful tech company Apple launches a TV arm. As you would expect, it has got some big names onboard for its opening effort, a satire about a popular but troubled TV show. Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell and Gugu Mbatha-Raw star.From Friday, Apple TV+

David Attenborough returns with another of his spirit-restoring natural history epics. This series tracks life on every continent, focusing on the challenges faced by the flora and fauna found there. We begin in a surprisingly bountiful Antarctica.Sunday, 6.15pm, BBC One

Channel 4s annual Indian film season returns with another nicely curated selection of treats. Highlights include Trapped, Manmarziyaan and Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi. Most notable is the UK premiere of Shashanka Ghoshs buddy comedy Veere Di Wedding, which became one of the highest-grossing Indian films to feature a female lead.From Monday, Channel 4

A second series from the makers of Dr Death, a podcast about medical malpractice. This new pod explores stem-cell therapy, which is often posited as a miracle cure but harbours its own share of horror stories. Californian company Liveyon goes under the microscope here.Podcast

More disarming but prescient nerd banter as this excellent tech drama begins its final season. Silicon Valley has done a superb job of balancing the critical nature of the issues it explores with the inevitable comedy arising from many of the individuals involved. This last run will be no exception: Pied Piper has become a big player but expect scandals around data-harvesting to hit it hard.Monday, 10.10pm, Sky Atlantic

A heart-wrenching take on the war in Syria from film-maker Waad al-Kateab, whose husband volunteers in a hospital in Aleppo, and her attempts to raise a child amid the citys carnage. A heroic and unmissable act of documentation, shot through with fear, horror and love.Saturday, 9pm, Channel 4

Vladimir Putins Russia often seems to be a peculiar mixture of horror and comedy, and this documentary looking at Russian state TV captures that uneasy tone perfectly. Expect the odd topless hunting expedition but also the occasional glimpse of the iron fist lurking inside the velvet glove.Wednesday, 10pm, Channel 4

This season of the bun bonanza comes to a close. With the top prize at stake and relatives waiting expectantly outside the tent, Paul and Prue are rather cruelly charging the finalists with making souffles. Whose will rise and whose will fall?Tuesday, 8pm, Channel 4

The biblical trials of Job are transposed to modern Russia in Andrey Zvyagintsevs powerhouse drama of endemic corruption. Aleksei Serebryakov is the embattled Kolya, struggling vainly to prevent eviction from the family home by unscrupulous authorities. It is both a small-scale story of vodka-soaked despair and a tragedy on a universal scale.Saturday, 12.10am, BBC Two

The Fab Five apparently made the decision to take their empathic ebullience to Japan following a lengthy exchange of group texts with Japanese model and actor Kiko Mizuhara. So expect a guest appearance from her and also a visit from comedian Naomi Watanabe. Otherwise, its life-coaching business as usual as four Tokyo natives get makeovers.From Friday, Netflix

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This weeks best home entertainment: from The Morning Show to For Sama - The Guardian

Melanie Zanona, congressional reporter: The GOP raid on the secure facility where interviews with impeachment witnesses have been taking place. It was quite the scene Ive never seen anything like it in all my years covering Congress. The sergeant at arms even had to be called in at one point to defuse the situation and perform a security sweep because Republicans were violating the strict no cell phone use rules.

Josh Gerstein, legal affairs contributor: Probably what I got to witness first-hand, which was a defense lawyer for one of Rudy Giulianis associates, Lev Parnas, tell a federal judge that some of the evidence the government has collected in the straw-donor and foreign-donations case may not be usable because Parnas and Giuliani were working for the president of the United States. Giuliani hasnt been charged, of course, but when he was the swashbuckling top federal prosecutor in New York in the 1980s could anyone have predicted that his activities would be intimately connected to a case being prosecuted by that same office?

Nahal : Ive been fascinated by Rudy Giuliani for many years, so Im eyeing with interest the various criminal probes into his actions. Im not an expert on the Bard, but there has to be a Shakespeare play that captures the arc of Giulianis life and career. He will probably say its Much Ado About Nothing.

Natasha: The Giuliani investigation just got a lot more interesting, in light of new reporting from our colleague Darren Samuelsohn about the Justice Departments Criminal Division jumping into the fray. The other one to watch, of course, is the continuing probe out of the Southern District of New York into Giulianis two associates, Parnas and Igor Fruman, who were indicted on campaign finance charges earlier this month. Both men have pleaded not guilty.

Melanie: We now know the Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into itself. DOJ has transitioned from an administrative review into the origins of its Russia probe which Trump has repeatedly decried as a "hoax" despite mounds of evidence to the contrary to a criminal inquiry with subpoena and grand jury power. The news raised eyebrows in D.C., with some Democrats worried that the the department is acting like Trumps political attack dog instead of an independent law enforcement agency.

Josh: Like other Justice Department reporters, Im fascinated by this new criminal investigation and what the grounds or the predicate as they call it here for launching it. No one seems to have nailed that down yet. Some possibilities: the inspector general investigation stumbled across evidence that someone was illegally leaking to the press about the Trump-Russia probe; the IG thinks someone lied to them, to Congress or to the courts; or someone may have been conducting some surveillance or other investigate tactic that may have been illegal. I guess its remotely possible that the alleged crime has to do with the decision to launch the Trump-Russia inquiry in the first place or anti-Trump bias on the part of officials involved, but its hard to see how that itself can be torqued into a criminal case.

Nahal: I believe it will say that at the very least such an action would open the president to being investigated. Im not sure about prosecuted, at least not while hes in office.

Melanie: That was a shocking argument to many observers and likely to the judges as well. Essentially, Trumps lawyers are saying the president is above the law (although they did acknowledge that Trump could be criminally prosecuted once he leaves office).

Josh: Its a headline-grabber to be sure, but Im not sure its a question that the court has to answer directly in order to address the issue before them about turning over Trumps tax returns to the Manhattan D.A. A real weak point in the Trump legal teams argument is that they seem to be contending Trump has the right to keep any evidence about him away from investigators even if they want to use it to charge others. Even if a president does have some immunity, does that extend to all of his family members and business associates? I cant see any court adopting that stance.

Nahal: As a strategy it actually seemed pretty smart to me. At this stage, they have very little they can say on the substance of the impeachment inquirys findings. So they want to muddy the picture the public has of the process but claiming, often misleadingly, that it is unfair. They managed to do that, as well as changing the headlines for a few hours. They also showed the GOP base that they remain loyal to Trump.

Natasha: A stunt more than a strategy, and transparently so given how many Republicans currently have access to the closed-door depositions by virtue of their membership on the relevant committees including ones who participated in the crash of the SCIF on Wednesday.

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4 reporters break down the DOJ criminal probe and more impeachment bombshells - POLITICO

Global Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays Market Report 2019 Market Size, Share, Price, Trend and Forecast is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays industry.

The report also covers segment data, including: type segment, industry segment, channel segment etc. cover different segment market size, both volume and value. Also cover different industries clients information, which is very important for the manufacturers.

There are 4 key segments covered in this report: competitor segment, product type segment, end use/application segment and geography segment.

Make An EnquiryAbout This Report @ https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=2518510&source=atm

For competitor segment, the report includes global key players of Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays as well as some small players.

AppleSamsungCreative TechnologySanDiskSonyArchosMicrosoftKoninklijke PhilipsCoby ElectronicsCinepal

Segment by RegionsNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndia

Segment by TypeAudioVideo

Segment by ApplicationOnline SalesOffline Sales

Request Sample Report @ https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=2518510&source=atm

Important Key questions answered in Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays market report:

What will the market growth rate, Overview, and Analysis by Type of Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays in 2024?

What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the drivers, challenges, and business risks in Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays market?

What is Dynamics, This Overview Includes Analysis of Scope and price analysis of top Manufacturers Profiles?

Who Are Opportunities, Risk and Driving Force of Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays market? Knows Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing and Downstream Buyers.

Who are the key manufacturers in space? Business Overview by Type, Applications, Gross Margin, and Market Share

What are the opportunities and threats faced by manufacturers in the global market?

You can Buy This Report from Here @ https://www.researchmoz.com/checkout?rep_id=2518510&licType=S&source=atm

The content of the study subjects, includes a total of 15 chapters:

Chapter 1, to describe Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market driving force and market risks.

Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays , with price, sales, revenue and global market share of Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays in 2019 and 2015.

Chapter 3, the Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays competitive situation, sales, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.

Chapter 4, the Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales, revenue and growth by regions, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales, revenue and market share for key countries in the world, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 10 and 11, to segment the sales by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 12, Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion, appendix and data source.

Excerpt from:
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Market Sustains Competitiveness by Adoption of Technological Innovations - Health News Office

This year has delivered a whirlwind of hype surrounding 5G: how it will change lives, where 5G networks are launching around the world and when exactly your smartphone will be capable of lightning-fast speeds. But some people are concerned that the rollout of 5G is happening so quickly that we don't truly understand if or how the launch of next-generation connectivity will bring unintended health consequences.

The short answer: The scientific consensus is that 5G, like 3G and 4G before it, is not harmful to your health. In August, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officially determined that 5G's radio waves are safe.

But that finding probably won't stem the tide of worry over 5G's rollout, especially as more 5G phones hit the market and the coverage becomes more widespread.

Early 5G networks including those launched by AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile use high-frequency, millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum to deliver faster speeds. Some people are concerned that those radio waves, along with the additional cellular infrastructure needed to build out mmWave-based 5G networks in major cities, will increase the amount of radiation in the environment.

The scientific consensus is that there are no known health risks from all forms of RF energy at the low levels approved for everyday consumer use.

Millimeter-wave spectrum has never been used for telecommunications. However, that's not because it's dangerous; the higher-frequency bands are just not as effective at transmitting data across distances. An mmWave-based 5G signal can't penetrate objects, such as glass windows or concrete buildings. It also can't penetrate the body.

The concerns over 5G are an extension of the worries some people have about cellphones in general.

There are two types of radiation: ionizing and non-ionizing. Ultra-high-frequency ionizing radiation which includes gamma-rays, UV rays from the sun and X-rays is harmful to humans because it penetrates the body at the cellular level and causes electrons and atoms to break apart. Ionizing radiation can cause cancer, which is why you're supposed to wear sunscreen outdoors and avoid unnecessary medical X-rays.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Non-ionizing radiation does not cause cancer, and runs the gamut from FM radio waves to visible light. In between the two is 5G, which operates at a slightly higher frequency than 3G and 4G.

The FCC requires all electronic equipment sold in the U.S. to meet the agency's safety standards for acceptable radio-frequency (RF) energy by determining the device's specific absorption rate (SAR), or the rate by which the body absorbs RF energy. The FCC recently reevaluated its standards, which were created in 1996, when determining the safety of 5G. The recommended RF exposure limits remain unchanged.

MORE: What Is 5G? The Definitive Guide to the 5G Network Rollout

"The scientific consensus is that there are no known health risks from all forms of RF energy at the low levels approved for everyday consumer use," a spokesperson for CTIA, a trade group for the wireless communications industry, said in an emailed statement. "The FCC regulates RF emissions, including millimeter waves from 5G devices and equipment, and has adopted the recommendations of expert scientific organizations that have reviewed the science, including dozens of studies focused specifically on millimeter waves, and established safe exposure levels."

There are a few factors contributing to the concern or outright fear of 5G's effects.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The first is scientific research that has been interpreted by some to support concern about cellphone radiation. For instance, a 2018 study released by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) found that when rats and mice were exposed to radio-frequency waves like the kind that emanate from cellphones, they developed malignant tumors. This particular study looked at 2G and 3G phones. However, that doesn't mean 5G will cause cancerous tumors in humans.

Skeptics, like the University of California, Berkeley's Joel Moskowitz, are calling for a halt to 5G's rollout.

"The exposures used in the studies cannot be compared directly to the exposure that humans experience when using a cellphone," John Bucher, a senior scientist for the NTP, said when announcing the findings. "In our studies, rats and mice received radio-frequency radiation across their whole bodies. By contrast, people are mostly exposed in specific local tissues close to where they hold the phone. In addition, the exposure levels and durations in our studies were greater than what people experience."

The NTP has said it plans to develop thorough studies to evaluate the safety of 5G.

The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer has categorized RF waves from cellphones as a possible carcinogen, which is another factor contributing to the concerns over 5G. But, for context, an ingredient in coffee is also considered a possible carcinogen. Red meat is categorized as a probable carcinogen, which means it has a stronger link to cancer than cellphones do.

MORE: 5G Phones: Every Known Phone and Release Date

The New York Times reported earlier this year that one of the primary 5G fearmongers is Russian propaganda spreading on YouTube, Facebook and blogs across the internet. Videos and news articles filled with misinformation are scaring U.S. consumers even as Russia proceeds with its own 5G plans.

5G is a new standard for wireless communication, but from a technological standpoint, it isn't all that different from 3G and 4G. The radio-frequency waves from 5G cellphones are akin to the RF waves from LTE devices (i.e., non-ionizing). According to the American Cancer Society, most studies have shown that "the RF waves given off by cell phones don't have enough energy to damage DNA directly or to heat body tissues."

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

In 2000, a now-debunked study on the effect of radio waves on brain tissue fueled conspiracy theories about cellphones and radiation. The author of the study, physicist Bill Curry, claimed that wireless devices could cause brain cancer in humans. According to The New York Times, Curry neglected to take into account that our skin protects our internal tissues from high-frequency radio waves (which is, again, why you need to wear sunscreen to protect the skin from even higher-frequency UV rays).

"If you're more concerned about the base station on your building than you are [about] spending an hour in the noonday sun without any protection, you might want to think about your priorities."

However, because 5G networks are just now getting off the ground with a new roster of 5G phones, no long-term studies of the network or the devices and their effects on humans have been conducted. In addition, the types of devices we use and the way we use them are constantly changing. For that reason, skeptics such as Joel Moskowitz, director of the Center for Family and Community Health at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, are calling for a halt to 5G's rollout.

Moskowitz said it would be unethical to conduct a conclusive scientific study on human beings controlling for the health effects of cellphone radiation, so researchers rely on observational and animal studies. Those studies haven't proved conclusively that cellphones are harmful to humans, but Moskowitz thinks there's enough evidence to "put a moratorium on the rollout of new technologies" like 5G infrastructure build-out until more research is done.

"I'm certain that, within the next five years, radio-frequency radiation will be declared at least probably carcinogenic [by the WHO]," Moskowitz said.

But Christopher Collins, a professor in New York University's radiology department who studies the safety of electromagnetic fields, said the lack of 5G-specific research doesn't mean researchers are starting from scratch when evaluating 5G's potential effects on human health.

MORE: Here's Why Apple's 5G iPhone Isn't Coming Until 2020

"A lot of the premise of people who advocate against 5G or wireless communications fields in general seem to suggest that we just don't know and we need to do more studies," Collins said. "We know a lot. We've been doing experiments on humans and animals for decades over this entire spectrum."

Collins said scientists "never want to say the book is closed," but based on what we already know, there's no evidence to suggest that 5G will cause cancer or other detrimental health effects in most people.

Prior to the FCC's 5G safety determination, city and state regulators were hearing from residents who were concerned that not enough was known about 5G. Specifically, people are concerned that the density of small cell sites required to build out mmWave-based 5G networks would emit dangerous amounts of radiation.

The FCC's 5G FAST Plan, which requires municipalities to approve 5G cell sites within 60 to 90 days, has caused concern. Carriers are moving quickly to build out infrastructure without giving residents notice, The Wall Street Journal reported, and local legislators are pushing back. Some 90 cities and counties have filed suit against the FCC in a case currently pending in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Homeowners may not want new antennas outside their homes for aesthetic reasons, or because they want advance notice when changes occur in their communities, but the FCC, industry trade groups and many scientists maintain there is no proven health risk.

MORE: 5 Ways 5G Will Change Your Life

"Typical exposure to 5G devices such as small cells attached to phone poles or the sides of buildings is far below the permissible levels and comparable to Bluetooth devices and baby monitors," the CTIA spokesperson said. "The FCC continues to monitor the science to ensure that its regulations are protective of public health."

Or, as NYU's Chris Collins put it:

One thing that we know can cause cancer is sunlight. People would generally do better to worry about that than the exposure levels we're talking about with cellphones. If you're more concerned about the base station on your building than you are [about] spending an hour in the noonday sun without any protection, you might want to think about your priorities."

Scientists and researchers will keep studying radio-frequency waves, including 5G, to add to the existing body of research. But without replicable, concrete proof that radiation from cellphones or wireless networks causes serious adverse health effects in humans, Collins said, there's no reason to stop the rollout of 5G.

"Is it time to stop questioning? No, it's never time to stop questioning," he said. "It's important to remember that, based on what we know now, there is no effect except for heating. This is based on many decades' worth of study in these fields. It's another thing to say, 'Should we stop progress?' based on what I would call unfounded concerns. I am quite certain there's nothing to be alarmed about for millimeter waves."

If you are concerned, there are ways to mitigate your personal exposure to cellphone radiation by using fewer wireless devices. That might also do wonders for your mental health, too.

Read the original:
5G Health Risks: Here's What the Experts Say - Tom's Guide

Global Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays Market Report 2019 Market Size, Share, Price, Trend and Forecast is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays industry.

The report also covers segment data, including: type segment, industry segment, channel segment etc. cover different segment market size, both volume and value. Also cover different industries clients information, which is very important for the manufacturers.

There are 4 key segments covered in this report: competitor segment, product type segment, end use/application segment and geography segment.

Make An EnquiryAbout This Report @ https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=2518510&source=atm

For competitor segment, the report includes global key players of Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays as well as some small players.

AppleSamsungCreative TechnologySanDiskSonyArchosMicrosoftKoninklijke PhilipsCoby ElectronicsCinepal

Segment by RegionsNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndia

Segment by TypeAudioVideo

Segment by ApplicationOnline SalesOffline Sales

Request Sample Report @ https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=2518510&source=atm

Important Key questions answered in Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays market report:

What will the market growth rate, Overview, and Analysis by Type of Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays in 2024?

What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the drivers, challenges, and business risks in Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays market?

What is Dynamics, This Overview Includes Analysis of Scope and price analysis of top Manufacturers Profiles?

Who Are Opportunities, Risk and Driving Force of Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays market? Knows Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing and Downstream Buyers.

Who are the key manufacturers in space? Business Overview by Type, Applications, Gross Margin, and Market Share

What are the opportunities and threats faced by manufacturers in the global market?

You can Buy This Report from Here @ https://www.researchmoz.com/checkout?rep_id=2518510&licType=S&source=atm

The content of the study subjects, includes a total of 15 chapters:

Chapter 1, to describe Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market driving force and market risks.

Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays , with price, sales, revenue and global market share of Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays in 2019 and 2015.

Chapter 3, the Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays competitive situation, sales, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.

Chapter 4, the Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales, revenue and growth by regions, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales, revenue and market share for key countries in the world, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 10 and 11, to segment the sales by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 12, Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion, appendix and data source.

Read more from the original source:
Higher Education Market Industry Analysis, Opportunity Assessment and Forecast up to 2016 2023 - Health News Office

Global Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays Market Report 2019 Market Size, Share, Price, Trend and Forecast is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays industry.

The report also covers segment data, including: type segment, industry segment, channel segment etc. cover different segment market size, both volume and value. Also cover different industries clients information, which is very important for the manufacturers.

There are 4 key segments covered in this report: competitor segment, product type segment, end use/application segment and geography segment.

Make An EnquiryAbout This Report @ https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=2518510&source=atm

For competitor segment, the report includes global key players of Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays as well as some small players.

AppleSamsungCreative TechnologySanDiskSonyArchosMicrosoftKoninklijke PhilipsCoby ElectronicsCinepal

Segment by RegionsNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndia

Segment by TypeAudioVideo

Segment by ApplicationOnline SalesOffline Sales

Request Sample Report @ https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=2518510&source=atm

Important Key questions answered in Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays market report:

What will the market growth rate, Overview, and Analysis by Type of Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays in 2024?

What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the drivers, challenges, and business risks in Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays market?

What is Dynamics, This Overview Includes Analysis of Scope and price analysis of top Manufacturers Profiles?

Who Are Opportunities, Risk and Driving Force of Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays market? Knows Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing and Downstream Buyers.

Who are the key manufacturers in space? Business Overview by Type, Applications, Gross Margin, and Market Share

What are the opportunities and threats faced by manufacturers in the global market?

You can Buy This Report from Here @ https://www.researchmoz.com/checkout?rep_id=2518510&licType=S&source=atm

The content of the study subjects, includes a total of 15 chapters:

Chapter 1, to describe Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market driving force and market risks.

Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays , with price, sales, revenue and global market share of Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays in 2019 and 2015.

Chapter 3, the Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays competitive situation, sales, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.

Chapter 4, the Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales, revenue and growth by regions, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales, revenue and market share for key countries in the world, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 10 and 11, to segment the sales by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 12, Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Single-Phase Voltage Monitoring Relays sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion, appendix and data source.

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Cone Beam Computed Tomography Extremity Scanner Market Volume Analysis, Segments, Value Share and Key Trends 2018 2026 - Health News Office

If there's one thing that humans can't stop thinking about, it's death. But new research published in the journal Nature suggests that all that thinking might be the very thing that brings death on.

More precisely, researchers discovered that higher neural activity has a negative effect on longevity. Neural activity refers to the constant flow of electricity and signals throughout the brain, and excessive activity could be expressed in many ways; a sudden change in mood, a facial twitch, and so on.

"An exciting future area of research will be to determine how these findings relate to such higher-order human brain functions," said professor of genetics and study co-author Bruce Yankner. While it's probably not the case that thinking a thought reduces your lifespan in the same way smoking a cigarette does, the study didn't determine whether actual thinking had an impact on lifespan just neural activity in general.

To say this was an unexpected finding is an understatement. We expect that aging affects the brain, of course, but not that the brain affects aging. These results were so counterintuitive that the study took two additional years before it was published as the researchers gathered more data to convince their reviewers. Yankner was forbearing about the delay. "If you have a cat in your backyard, people believe you," he said. "If you say you have a zebra, they want more evidence."

Yankner and colleagues studied the nervous systems of a range of animals, including humans, mice, and Caenorhabditis elegans, or roundworm. What they found was that a protein called REST was the culprit behind high neural activity and faster aging.

First, they studied brain samples donated from deceased individuals aged between 60 and 100. Those that had lived longer specifically individuals who were 85 and up had unique gene expression profile in their brain cells. Genes related to neural excitation appeared to be underexpressed in these individuals. There was also significantly more REST protein in these cells, which made sense: REST's job is to regulate the expression of various genes, and it's also been shown to protect aging brains from diseases like dementia.

But in order to show that this wasn't simply a coincidence, Yankner and colleagues amplified the REST gene in roundworm and mice. With more REST came quieter nervous systems, and with quieter nervous systems came longer lifespans in both animal models.

Zullo et al., 2019

Normal mice (top) had much lower levels of neural activity than mice lacking the REST protein (bottom). Neural activity is color coded, with red indicating higher levels.

Higher levels of REST proteins appeared to activate a chain reaction that ultimately led to these increases in longevity. Specifically, REST suppressed the expression of genes that control for a variety of neural features related to excitation, like neurotransmitter receptors and the structure of synapses. The lower levels of activity activated a group of proteins known as forkhead transcription factors, which play a role in regulating the flow of genetic information in our cells. These transcription factors, in turn, affect a "longevity pathway" connected to signaling by the hormones insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1).

This longevity pathway has been identified by researchers before, often in connection with possible benefits to lifespan from fasting. Additionally, the insulin/IGF1 hormones are critical for cell metabolism and growth, features which relate to longevity in obvious ways.

The most exciting aspect of this research is that it offers targets for future research on longevity, possibly even allowing for the development of a longevity drug. For instance, anticonvulsant drugs work by suppressing the excessive neural firing that occurs during seizures, and in studies conducted on roundworms, they've also been shown to increase lifespan. This recent study shows that this connection might not be coincidental. Similarly, antidepressants that block serotonin activity have also been shown to increase lifespan. Dietary restriction has long been implicated in promoting longer lifespans as well. Dietary restriction lowers insulin/IGF1 signaling, which this study showed affects the REST protein and neural activity. More research will be needed to confirm or reject any of these possibilities, but all represent exciting new avenues to explore, possibly resulting in the extension of our lifespans.

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Thinking about death: High neural activity is linked to shorter lifespans - Big Think

How many of us will see our 100th birthdays?DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kayla Jo Finley/Released

The maximum lifespan of an organism varies significantly between species, ranging from a single day for mayflies, to several hundred years for Greenland sharks. While the goal for most organisms at an evolutionary level is to reproduce, humanity continuously aimed at increasing our lifespan. Life expectancy is used as an indicator of a countries development, as well as a measure of social and scientific progress. A longer life would permit us to spend more time having valuable life experiences, make crucial contributions to our fields of work, potentially helping humanity progress further as a species.

Recent medical advances allow us to further pursue this quest. The average life expectancy in the U.K. is around 81 years currently significantly higher than the 35 years it was in the 17th century. We now live in an era of diseases of old age, where degenerative disorders such as dementia are dubbed the biggest health crisis of our time in developed countries. This poses an important question are our bodies biologically capable of sustaining the lifespans we strive for, or are we being overly ambitious?

Research into longevity is extremely complex and controversial. We only know of 48 people in history who have lived past the age of 115. It was already hypothesised in 1825 that mortality rates increase exponentially with age, implying that human life expectancy must tend towards a maximum value. A 2016 study claimed that even with a perfectly healthy lifestyle and access to medical interventions when necessary, the natural biological human age limit is approximately 115, with only a few individual outliers, in part due to their genetic architecture. This would imply that regardless of the technology we develop, it should be unable to increase our life expectancy past this limit.

This is a plausible suggestion when we consider ageing on a cellular level. The Hayflick limit refers to the number of times that most cells divide before entering senescence. Hayflick (currently a UCSF Professor of Anatomy at 91 years of age) proposed this theory in the 60s, after finding that a human cell population could only divide between 40 to 60 times in culture before entering senescence. Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greide and Jack Szostak went on to win a Nobel prize in 2009 for their discover that this correlates with telomeres (repetitive sequences of DNA at the ends of chromosomes that protect them) being reduced to a critical length, since these shorten after each cell division.

We only know of 48 people in history who have lived past the age of 115

Even if the body did not undergo any other processes of ageing, the accumulation of senescent cells would eventually cause death. Almost all senescent cells either self-destruct or are destroyed by the immune system, though a small number remain and have a strong signalling effect which can lead to chronic inflammation or disruption of nearby tissues and potentially even stimulate surrounding cells to become senescent. These processes are thought to be linked to the development of numerous age-related diseases, including Alzheimers and Type II diabetes. It appears that regardless of the condition the body is kept in, degenerative conditions will inevitably catch up with everyone.

Recent investigations carried out in Italy by observing lifespans of over 3,000 individuals over the age of 100 have revealed that annual mortality risks plateau by the age of 115 at around 50%. This is likely because any age related disorders that were to occur would have set in by this point. As a majority of diseases is associated with increasing age, we need to better understand what is driving ageing. We may be able to, through a mixture of medical, lifestyle, and environmental interventions push our life expectancy up.

But what about going further than, say, 115 years? While the early attempts at extending telomeres (using the enzyme telomerase) caused cells to become cancerous, more recent efforts using more controlled delivery systems are more promising at increasing lifespan without the added cancer risk. Promising results have recently arisen in the form of research carried out by the Spanish National Cancer Centre.

It could be possible for us to alter our susceptibility to the degenerative effects of age

The telomeres of mice embryonic stem cells were elongated beyond normal levels, and mice developing from these stem cells were generated. These mice had a 12.8% increase in median longevity, and an 8.4% increase in maximum longevity, compared to mice with normal telomere length. The mice also underwent less DNA damage as they aged, and showed lower cholesterol and LDL levels, as well as improved glucose and insulin tolerance.

Such research demonstrates that it could be possible for us to alter our susceptibility to the degenerative effects of age. Much remains to be discovered at what governs the rate of ageing, and then, whether reductions in the rate of ageing actually translate to longer lifespans, or simply to better health along the lifespan.

While many questions remain concerning the upper bound on lifespan, much could be done to increase life expectancy right now. In the last 100 years, the increase in life expectancy can be attributed to factors such as effective immunisation programs, antibiotics and public health initiatives around hygiene and sanitation. While life expectancies may appear to be approaching a plateau, many believe that developments in fields such as artificial intelligence and genetics could be responsible for our next surge in life expectancy by improving the ways in which we deliver healthcare. Some claim that it does not matter if our bodies degrade if we are able to develop technologies such as prosthesis and bionics.

While extending lifespan may seem like an exciting concept, this may pose additional challenges on both a societal and personal level. For instance, we are already struggling as a planet with overpopulation and its associated consequences, such as carbon emissions. Increased life expectancy has played a role in the development of this problem and may continue to do so. Many countries, such as Japan, have an aging population individuals aged 65 and older in Japan make up a quarter of its total population, estimated to increase to a third by 2050. Therefore, the dependency ratio (the proportion of workers to non-workers) creates a need for more efficient social care provision and strategies. .

Ageing is a natural process, and it may not necessarily be possible to halt the clock. As a species, we seem to have more control over how long we live than many other species do. In modern society, it is becoming increasingly more likely that excess of food or age related degenerative disorders will kill us rather than starvation or disease. However, if we do strive to push our life expectancies to new limits, it is vital that we consider the challenges this will pose for our bodies and society.

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Does the human lifespan have a limit? - Varsity Online

Let's face it, just about everyone is looking for effective, safe ways to turn back the clock and boost longevity. If there were a switch we could flip to slow down the aging process (to counter the waning energy, to keep those memories sharp, to stay healthy enough to continue having amazing experiences), we'd probably all flip it in a heartbeat.

Unfortunately, there's no "fountain of youth" switch or pill just yet, and we can't stop aging altogether. But we do have significant influence over our longevity destiny, and we can slow aging with lifestyle and dietary changes that improve our body's ability to function optimally and repair itself. In fact, many top experts wholeheartedly believe in the saying, "Genetics loads the gun, lifestyle pulls the trigger."

"The thinking is that for the average person your genes influence about 25% of your longevity, and 75% is the environment," Robert Rountree, M.D., renowned integrative physician, recently told mbg.

Here, discover the small, sustainable, science-backed changesplus one really intriguing supplementthat may add quality years to your life.*

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8 Science-Backed Things You Can Do Now To Add Years To Your Life - mindbodygreen.com

There are a lot of theories about the secret to a long life.

Dozens of research show the many benefits to remaining physically and mentally active as we get older the level of brain activity influence life span.

A newstudyfrom the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School suggests the secret to living longer may lie in the level of brain activity.

The authors linked long life to a quieter brain keep calm and carry on living a little longer, the research found. Excessive electrical activity in the brain was linked to shorter life spans. An overworked brain may hasten the ageing-related decline in memory and thinking skills.

Excessive brain activity is common in the digital age rushing from one task to another, constantly looking for something to stimulate us, whether thats a TV show or the notifications on our phone.

I think the implication of our study is that with ageing, there is some aberrant or deleterious neural activity that not only makes the brain less efficient, but is harmful to the physiology of the person or the animal, and reduces life span as a result,saysBruce Yankner, senior study author and professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School and co-director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging.

In the study, the researchers examined hundreds of donated healthy brains of older adults, people who died between 60 and 100 years old and were cognitively intact.

The study revealed a surprising and shocking difference: people between the ages of 85 and 100 years had significantly less expression of genes linked to neural overactivity than those who died decades earlier (between 60 and 80).

Our study raises the possibility that modulating excitation state can affect lifespan, Yankner said.

The thing that is super unexpected is . . . limiting neural activity is a good thing in healthy ageing. Its very counterintuitive, says Michael McConnell, a neuroscientist on the Lieber Institute for Mind Growth.

The line between normal brain activity and over-excitement still remains blurred. Working out your brain helps build new neural networks and activates neural growth factors that are positive, says Yankner.

These activities arent likely the same as deleterious brain activity, which manifests in things like muscle twitches, mood changes, seizures, Alzheimers, bipolar disorder, and other neurological disorders, he adds.

Yankner is quick to caution people from jumping the gun around the studys findings. Professor Yankner said: Its not yet clear whether or how a persons thoughts, personality or behaviour affect their longevity.

What sometimes gets lost in the coverage of ageing research are the few things you can do for which there is really strong evidence are good for ageing, Yankner says.

I think overactivity, out-of-control excitation its not good for the brain. You want the neurons to be active, when and where you want them to be active, not to be just generally firing off, mentioned Cynthia Kenyon, VP of Growing Old Analysis at Calico Labs.

The good news is the decline associated with brain activity is preventable.

The solution to an overworked brain is about altering your behaviour in simple ways just being conscious of moments of hyperactivity and slowing down or shifting your habits in a way that calms you down.

If work is grinding you down, interfering with sleep, and forcing you to push aside fun, paying attention now to your mental, physical, and emotional health may help keep your mind sharp as you get older,writesPatrick J. Skerrett, editor of theHarvard Heart Letter.

Start appreciating the moments of stillness in your life plan to disconnect and make time for yourself, sit with a book and just read, draw something, write a letter, journal. Or better yet, sit quietly and watch the thoughts that drift through your mind while you do some deep breathing.

Keeping that mental stillness and physical state of calm takes practice so prioritize downtime. Put in on your schedule. If you commit to doing one thing daily that promotes you relaxing and being more present and in your body, not your brain, you will see change.

Just start there and know that its not lazy its taking care of your brain and your emotion and physical well-being. Perhaps its the small-scale, daily choices that will make the difference for your mental health.

Originally published on Medium.

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A Calm Mind Isn't Just a Nice-to-Have. It Can Actually Help You Live Longer. - Thrive Global

The 4.5 trillion global food industry is currently being influenced by numerous developments. From how food is designed, grown to how its consumed, the next generation of foodtech entrepreneurs are fighting for its piece of the pie. In the meantime, funding for food tech has skyrocketed and according to a report from Dealroom.co, foodtech has created 35 unicorns globally, with a combined value of 169 billion, of which 30 billion from Europe.

Few innovations introduced by European startups are currently shaping the future of food and give us a glimpse of what the future holds for the food industry.

The Magic of Food Science

One of the most interesting developments in the food industry is the introduction of new origins of food. Have you ever imagined that food could actually be made of electricity, air and water? Well, the Finnish company Solar Foods is here to make you believe it. They have produced a nutrient-rich protein, Solein, with air, water, and electricity as its main resources, laced with bacteria. Solar Foods makes Solein by extracting CO from the air using carbon-capture technology, and then combines it with water, nutrients and vitamins, using 100 percent renewable solar energy. Science fiction? Not so much. More like science fact. The end product looks and tastes like wheat flour, with 50% protein content and 510 % fat and 2025 % carbs. Producing Solein is entirely free from agriculture it doesnt require arable land or irrigation and isnt limited by climate conditions, said Solar Foods. And the best part of it? It will never run out.

Changing the way we source ingredients brings us to the next big thing in food science meat grown in a lab. Lab-grown meat is slowly becoming an alternative food option. A few years ago, Mosa Meat got the worlds attention when it announced the first-ever lab-grown meat burger from cow cells. The spin-off company from Maastricht University introduced the cultured meat in Europe and now, one of the newest companies to enter the market is Higher Steaks. Using state-of-the-art cell culture techniques, the UK-startup develops cell-based meat that has the potential to use 99% less land, 96% less water, 45% less energy and has up to 96% less greenhouse gas emissions, all the while tasting as conventional meat. The company uses stem cells obtained via a small blood sample or a skin patch and patented protocols licensed exclusively from its American university partners, allowing them to reprogramme stem cells into tissues like muscle and fat. A single blood sample could allow indefinite production of many meat products, its website states. Around the world, the demand for clean meat is consistently growing. Optimistically, their pork sausages will reach the market by 2021.

Diet for One and the Birth of Personalised Nutrition

One of the biggest advantages of nutrition in the modern age is personalisation. The basic idea is very simple: we all love food, but which food is good for us? Nutrino can give you the answer. The company unlocks the potential of nutritional data and provides its users with smart, personalised analyses of how their bodies interact with the foods they eat. By using machine learning and artificial intelligence, Nutrinos platform collects, processes, and analyses food-related data from its users, matches it with their ever-growing nutritional database and defines an individualised nutrition profile, called FoodPrint. By knowing your own FoodPrint, you will never again question what to eat. Closely related to the idea of eating the food that suits you best is the freedom to choose it. But in todays hectic world, we often forget about its importance.

Luckily, we have Gousto. Providingusers with 40 recipes on a weekly basis, this cook-at-home meal kit service delivers to your doorstep correctly portioned fresh ingredients matched to each recipe of your choice. Backed by an AI recipe recommendation tool, cooking at home has never been easier. Gousto has setanambitious target of delivering 400 million balanced and nutritious meals by 2025. As consumers growingrequest towards greater convenience in eating fresh foods and leading healthier lives increases, Gousto will reach its goal in no time.The same applies for Frichti, the most-funded food startup in France. Aiming to become the second kitchen of Parisians, Frichti offers healthy, seasonal meals at affordable prices, coupled with a fast delivery service. Now their recipe for success is expanding across Europe.

Innovations in Food Creation: 3D Food Printing

As the world goes digital, its time to digitise our kitchens as well. A Spanish startup called Natural Machines has introduced to the world a 3D food printer by the name of Foodini. Foodini uses fresh ingredients loaded into stainless steel capsules to make foods like pizza, pasta, quiche, pancakes or brownies. Not to be mistaken, a real pizza will not come of Foodini, but the dough for the pizza will be as it was prepared by an Italian grandmother. Foodini simply manages the difficult and/or time-consuming parts of handmade food preparation that often discourage people from cooking at home. The decorative potential of the device is also worth mentioning. From everyday foods to elaborate creations, each piece is visually appealing, inviting Michelin-star restaurants to boost their culinary creativity and elevate the restaurant experience.

The Rise of the Functional Beverage

One bottle. One meal. This is the new norm across Europe. Feed has made sure of that. The French startup has introduced a nutritionally complete and convenient meal packed in a bottle, containing just the right amount of protein, essential fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. All the nutrients ones body needs. Just add some water, shake it a bit and drink it. Feed is a new form of nutrition that offers you freedom. Healthy, convenient and economical, Feed will simplify your life,said Anthony Bourbon, CEO of Feed. Feed is vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, GMO-free, nut-free and comes in the form of nutrition bars (100g), drinks (500ml), drink mixes and other products. Holding the reputation of delivering quick nutrition, it seems like meal replacements are here to stay. This just might be the end of food, as we know it.

The Future of Dining is Delivery

Welcome to Keatz, the virtual restaurant without guests. Under the slogan We cook, you enjoy. Keatz has been operating since 2016 as the latest addition to the restaurant delivery marketplace. As one of the pioneers of the Ghost restaurants concept, Keatz is up and running thanks to the ongoing popularity of food delivery platforms. Currently it operates a total of 10 virtual restaurants in Berlin, Munich, Madrid, Amsterdam and Barcelona, focusing exclusively on food made for delivery, with minimal capital expenditure and time. Their idea is rather simple. Why should you do groceries and spend time cooking if you can get a great meal delivered in 20 minutes? Living in an on-demand society, consumers are expecting to get what they need whenever they want, and wherever they want. Food is no exception to that.

Fixing Food Loss with Technology

1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted every year, taking an enormous toll on the planet. At the same time, hunger remains one of the most urgent development challenges of our time. Luckily,consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious and plus, now they have technology to help them distribute the leftovers. This is what Karma is doing. Helping restaurants, cafes and shops to distribute their surplus food to Karma users who get to buy food at half price or more. By making a shared platform on which customers and food providers co-exist and benefit from each other, Karma has found an effective solution for tackling the issue of food waste. A win -win situation.Over 550 tonnes of food have so far been rescued and counting

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The food of tomorrow the latest innovations from Europe's foodtech sector - EU-Startups

Growing meat in a lab has the potential to change the face of food production, offering an alternative to current meat production methods thats both greener and more ethical. But, shallow creatures that we are, lab-grown meat is going to have to taste like the real thing before a large number of people are willing to give it a try. Thats where new research from Harvards John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) comes into play.

Scientists in Professor Kit Parkers lab at SEAS have developed a new method of growing rabbit and cow muscle cells on edible gelatin scaffolds. Sound kinda gross? Perhaps, but the important thing is that the results more accurately mimic the texture and consistency of real meat.

One of the main challenges holding back industrial production of lab-grown or cultured meat is the requirement for muscle cells to attach to something when they are growing in 3D, Dr. Luke MacQueen, a research scholar in Parkers lab, told Digital Trends. We found a way to convert gelatin, an edible component of natural meats, into 3D fiber networks that allow muscle cells to attach and grow in 3D. The combination of cells and scaffolds makes a tissue. Meat is mostly skeletal muscle tissue so our scaffolds cultured with muscle cells are a first step toward cultured meat.

The nanofiber production process pioneered by the team was inspired by cotton candy machines. They begin by feeding a solution of gelatin dissolved in water into a rotating reservoir with small holes in its walls. The rotation forces the gelatin solution out through the holes, forming gelatin jets which travel through the air for around 10 centimeters before being dehydrated in an ethanol bath. Finally, the gelatin fibers are freeze-dried and stored for future use.

We have a lot of work in progress on this topic, MacQueen continued. Some of that involves new scaffold formulations, including plant proteins, and some involves new cell types, like stem cells and fat. We are planning to commercialize this research.

A paper describing this research, titled Muscle tissue engineering in fibrous gelatin: Implications for meat analogs, was recently published in the journal Nature Science of Food.

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Cotton candy machines inspired this breakthrough in lab-grown meat - Digital Trends

Would you live in a city without streets? Or in a flat with no walls? Probably not and the cells in our bodies expect the same level of comfort. Today, were taking a look at the tissues that create and maintain an ideal working environment for our tissues: the extracellular matrix.

Weve had a look at the differences between animal and plant cells before (heres a refresher). One of the key differences between them is that plants reinforce their cells with thick, sturdy walls. These walls are why plant tissues such as wood can get so resilient. However, the reverse of the coin is that it also limits plant cells somewhat: a muscle made out of wood wouldnt be very effective.

Animals need cells that can perform a wide variety of activities, but these cells also need biological and mechanical support to perform their tasks. Thats where the extracellular matrix, or ECM, comes in.

The ECM is a complex mix of proteins and carbohydrates that fills the spaces between cells; it is comprised of the basement membrane and interstitial matrix. Going forward, Ill use the term ECM quite loosely to mean both the extracellular matrix and the interstitial matrix. If I dont mention the basement membrane specifically, Im probably talking about the interstitial matrix (as its the more dynamic and frankly more interesting half of the topic).

Think of the basement membrane as a sheet of plastic wrap the body stretches over every individual tissue or organ to keep everything tidy and in place. This membrane is made up of two layers of cells and its quite fibrous and hard to rip.

The interstitial matrix is, for lack of a better term, the goo that our cells live in. Most of the time, it looks and feels a bit like a clear gel. Its produced by the cells themselves, which secrete and release certain compounds around them.

The simplest definition of the extracellular matrix is that it represents the sum of non-cellular components present within all tissues and organs. As we go forward, keep in mind that the ECM isnt the same everywhere.

Although, fundamentally, the ECM is composed of water, proteins, and polysaccharides, each tissue has an ECM with a unique composition and topology that is generated during tissue development, Christian Frantz, Kathleen M. Stewart, Valerie M. Weaver, 2010.

Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is the main component of the ECM. Outside the cell, collagen binds with carbohydrate molecules and assembles into long molecules called collagen fibrils. These fibrils extend through the ECM and lend flexibility and strength to the material, acting similarly to the role of rebar in reinforcing concrete (which is tough but inflexible). Collagen fibrils are flexible and tough to break, so theyre used to bind together the rest of the ECM. In humans, genetic disorders that affect collagen (such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) cause tissues to become fragile and tear easily.

While the ECM contains a wide range of proteins and carbohydrates, another important set of compounds alongside collagen are proteoglycans (groups of proteins tied to simple sugars). Proteoglycans come with many shapes and functions, depending on which proteins and sugars theyre made of, and perform a wide range of tasks in the ECM. They can also bind to each other, to collagen (forming cartilage), or to hyaluronic acid, making them even more versatile. As a rule of thumb, proteoglycans act as fillers and regulate the movement of molecules through the ECM among other functions.

Their overall structure looks like a tree: the sugar part of the polyglycans are twigs set on a branch (the protein), which ties to a trunk made out of polysaccharide (many-sugar) molecules. A class of proteins in the membranes of cells, called integrins, serve as connection ports between the membrane and material in the ECM (such as collagen fibers and proteoglycan-polysaccharide bundles). Beneath the membrane, integrins tie into the cells support girders (the cytoskeleton).

The type of ECM Ive described so far is your run of the mill variety that youll find in skin, around muscle fibers, in adipose tissue (fat), and so on. But each tissue has an ECM that fully supports its function blood plasma is the interstitial matrix of blood. Unlike the ECM of muscles, for example, which is meant to reduce friction and wear in the tissue, blood plasma primarily works as a medium to carry blood cells around. Blood vessels are coated with a basement membrane, and together, they form the ECM of blood. Each type of animal connective tissue has its own type of ECM, even bone.

Seeing as there are many types of ECM out there, it stands to reason that there are many functions they perform. However, by and large, there are a few functions that all ECMs fulfill.

The first and perhaps most important function is that they provide support to tissues, segregate (separate) them, and that they mediate intercellular communication. The ECM is also what regulates a cells dynamic behavior i.e. whether a cell moves around, and how. The ECM keeps cells in place so we dont simply unravel. The connections formed between the ECM and integrins on a cells membrane also function as signaling pathways.

It is also essential for the good functioning of tissues at large. The ECM creates and maintains the proper environmental conditions for cells to develop, multiply, and form functioning tissues. While the exact details are still unknown, the ECM has been found to cause tissue regrowth and healing after injury. In human fetuses, for example, the extracellular matrix works with stem cells to grow and regrow all parts of the human body. Fetuses can regrow anything that gets damaged in the womb, but since babies cant, we suspect that the matrix loses this function after full development. Researchers are looking into applying it for tissue regeneration in adults.

The ECM can also act as a storage space for various compounds. In joints, it contains more hyaluronic acid which in turn absorbs water and acts as a mechanical cushion. ECMs can also store a wide range of cellular growth factors and release them as needed. This allows our bodies to activate cell growth on a dime when needed without having to produce and ship these factors to a certain area.

It also seems to impact cell differentiation and gene expression. Cells can switch genes on or off depending on the elasticity of the ECM around them. Cells also seem to want to migrate towards stiffer areas of the ECM generally (durotaxis) from less-firm ones.

The ECM isnt very well known today, and it definitely goes unsung. But no matter how you cut it, it is a key part of biology as we know it today. Without it, both animals and plants would be formless, messy blobs quite literally. And I dont know about you but I love it when my tissues stay where theyre supposed to, the way theyre supposed to.

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The extracellular matrix, and how it keeps you in tip top shape - ZME Science