Cat Chow believes that cats have a profound impact on our mental well-being, and the brand is launching the "Cats as Therapy Project" to promote mental well-being through the healing power of cats.

In partnership with Pet Partners, a leading pet therapy organization, the campaign kicks off in New York City with the Cat Chow Therapod, a mobile wellness pod that will offer college students -- a group facing constant connectivity and social media pressure -- relief from screen fatigue and a break from daily life by spending time with cats. The only requirement? Entrants must temporarily turn in their phones for admission.

Recognizing the healing power of cats, Cat Chow is rolling out the Therapod -- a cozy, mobile space where college students ages 18 and up can enjoy a 10-minute session with a therapy cat in a quiet, welcoming environment.

One in five adults1 -- approximately 59 million Americans -- struggles with daily mental health challenges, and Gen Z is particularly affected. A recent report found that 83 % of Gen Z2 believe they have an unhealthy relationship with their phones, citing negative impacts on mental health, focus, and overall quality of life.

Amid the digital overload, a surprising source of healing has emerged: cats. Research from the American Educational Research Association reveals3 that college students who spent just ten minutes a day petting a cat experienced a measurable drop in cortisol, the stress hormone, suggesting that even small doses of feline interaction can offer meaningful relief.

Sustained health starts with a strong immune system. This is especially important during the back-to-school season, when children return to closed classrooms and close encounters with other germ-carrying peers. California Greens is shining a spotlight this autumn on Gardy, a natural supplement that improves immunity through the synergy of a number of top-shelf ingredients -- especially medicinal mushrooms.

The immune system is the body's frontline defense. A strong immune system provides a collective and coordinated response to the introduction of foreign substances, which is a common occurrence when a child attends school. In fact, younger school-aged children get between six and 12 colds per school year. This includes classic challenges, like strep throat, the flu, the stomach flu, pink eye (conjunctivitis), and of course, the common cold.

"Everyone is aware of the threat of things like the flu, especially in the fall. In search of a response to this ongoing need, our team turned to the best illness prevention barrier we know: our own bodies," explained Dr. Ahmed Albandy. "We worked on creating an immunity-boosting formula that includes garlic, echinacea, honey, black seed, propolis, and several essential vitamins and minerals. The part that really stood out, though, was the inclusion of three medicinal mushrooms."

The best tool to guard against this onslaught of infection? Gardy. The mushroom-powered nutraceutical consists of a slurry of natural ingredients, consumable in a drinkable shot format. The formula was invented during the depths of the coronavirus pandemic.

Shrub Oak International School and The Pines at Shrub Oak continue to advance pioneering research that shapes best practices in autism education. Through its Center for Autism Education Research, Institutional Review Board (IRB), and a growing network of strategic partnerships, Shrub Oak integrates current research directly into daily programming, ensuring students benefit from the latest knowledge and innovation.

"Research here is not abstract -- it is about deepening our understanding of what truly helps, and holding ourselves accountable to more than our intentions. It is about learning from our practice in a way that can benefit not only our own students, but the broader field," said Dr. Salam Soliman, Director of Clinical Services & Research at Shrub Oak.

A comprehensive framework for ethical, impactful research

At the heart of research efforts at Shrub Oak International School and The Pines at Shrub Oak is the Center for Autism Education Research, which supports a continuous cycle of critical literature review, original study design, and program evaluation, ensuring that practices remain closely aligned with student needs. Complementing this is the Institutional Review Board (IRB) -- a nine-member panel representing diverse expertise -- charged with safeguarding participant rights and welfare while upholding the highest ethical standards. Together, these structures ensure that research remains both rigorous and directly relevant to student outcomes.

As stress levels rise, wellness travel is booming -- but it often comes with long flights, hefty price tags, and treatments that don't always deliver lasting results. This World Mental Health Day, ASICS and its newest wellbeing ambassador, Natasha Rothwell, are inviting the world to take an Everyday Escape -- a simple 15 minute movement break - that is proven to transport you to a happier place and deliver more lasting benefits than a week at a wellness retreat.[1]

According to Euromonitor, the global demand for wellness holidays has surged by 33% in the last year [2], with the Global Wellness Institute finding that people spend an average of $1,764 for a week away, 41% more than standard travel.[3] However, new global research by ASICS[4], surveying 11,000 people who recently took a wellness holiday, reveals that whilst people travel on average 1,920km for their wellness holidays[4], they don't always deliver. Two-thirds (67%) said their wellness holiday failed to meet all expectations, and an equal number (67%) reported that any wellness benefits faded as soon as they left the retreat or shortly after returning home. For some, the experience even added to their stress levels, nearly a third (32%) cited cost, and a quarter (25%) said long travel distances were stress-inducing.

In contrast, ASICS' research highlights the transformative power of movement on mental wellbeing, showing that just 15 minutes and 9 seconds of exercise can trigger a measurable mental uplift.[5] In a new Everyday Escape trial, overseen by Dr Brendon Stubbs of King's College London, participants who took a simple daily 15-minute movement break reported a 21% greater uplift in their overall mental state compared to their wellness holiday. In fact, 71% said daily movement was more effective at reducing stress, 65% found it more mood-enhancing and 73% experienced longer-lasting mental wellbeing benefits than after their recent wellness holiday.

Ocean plastic pollution affects over 1,000 marine species and costs billions in environmental and economic damage. But small actions, like opening a browser, can add up to massive impact. That's the philosophy behind a new partnership between Wave Browser and global ocean cleanup company 4ocean. Since its inception, 4ocean has successfully removed over 40 million pounds of plastic and trash from our ocean, rivers, and coastlines.

Every Wave Browser user contributes to a cleaner ocean, just by browsing. As part of a Certified Cleanup Partnership, Wave has committed to funding the removal of 100,000 pounds over 12 months. Wave is now one of the only web browsers with verified ocean cleanup built directly into its core experience. Users don't need to change their behavior. Just using the browser helps reduce ocean plastic and trash. A cleanup impact tracker is now available to Wave Browser users so they can see how their daily browsing contributes to the broader environmental mission.

"We're making environmental impact as effortless as opening a new tab," said Deniz Gezgin, CEO of Eightpoint. "As we expand our portfolio of digital products, we're also investing in sustainability-aligning growth with global impact. We're exploring additional partnerships, environmental features, and mission-driven innovations that turn everyday digital habits into positive change."

"Wave Browser is proving that technology can be a force for good," added Alex Schulze, co-founder and CEO of 4ocean. "Together, we're removing hundreds of thousands of pounds of trash from the ocean and empowering millions of people to help."

Peloton, the global leader in connected fitness, and Respin Health, the most comprehensive platform for holistic, personalized menopause care, announce a groundbreaking partnership to advance the conversation around women's health during perimenopause and menopause. Together, the brands will partner to offer special fitness content, unite communities to empower women, and launch one of the first large-scale research studies exploring how targeted exercise can improve menopause-related symptoms, bringing scientifically validated solutions and mainstream visibility to an often-overlooked life stage.

The partnership will unfold in two key phases. Beginning this October, Peloton and Respin Health will invite 500 Peloton members to take part in an innovative research study. Aptly named 'PRESS' (Peloton/Respin Exercise & Symptoms Study), the study will provide participants with free access to a curated collection of Peloton workouts designed in collaboration with Respin Health's menopause care program, which integrates clinically informed, science-backed protocols to help manage symptoms such as sleep disruption, mood swings, and energy fluctuations. The study will run through December, with results to be shared in January 2026. Those findings will power the next phase of the partnership: the launch of the Peloton x Respin Menopause Care Program, giving women everywhere ongoing access to evidence-based exercise and menopause support.

The venture marks Peloton's inaugural curation of content specifically for menopausal women, available to all Members on the Peloton platform. The eight-week program consists of a Collection of Peloton classes and new classes co-created with Respin featuring inspiring Peloton Instructors Christine D'Ercole, Susie Chan, Joslyn Thompson Rule and Charlotte Weidenbach. To allow participants to share in community, Peloton will leverage the brand's Teams feature by creating a dedicated "Menopause Health" Team, available on the Peloton App.

Altri SGPS S.A., a Portuguese-listed leader in sustainable cellulosic pulp production, has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in AeoniQ -- marking a decisive leap into sustainable textiles. The Altri investment, including a capital increase, will allow building out commercial-scale AeoniQ production capacity, reinforcing its strategic vision to diversify into high-value, low-impact cellulosic applications.

AeoniQ, a Swiss-based cleantech spin-off of HeiQ Materials AG, has developed the world's first climate-positive, biodegradable cellulosic filament yarn engineered to replace polyester and nylon. The AeoniQ platform is poised to disrupt the global textile industry by offering a fully circular, plastic-free alternative that mirrors the performance of synthetic fibers -- without their environmental toll.

As part of the agreement, the world's first industrial AeoniQ plant will be constructed at Altri's Caima pulp mill. Construction is expected to begin in 2026 with an initial capacity of 1.750 tons per year. On top of the already existing pilot lines in Austria, a pre-industrial plant will be launched in early 2026 in Portugal to accelerate prototyping, brand partnerships, and capsule collections.

Following a successful launch in Europe earlier this year, inTouch announced that its AI conversational companion is now available in North America. The service provides personalized daily phone calls to help seniors stay mentally engaged and independent wherever they live, while addressing the growing loneliness crisis and supporting the "sandwich generation" of caregivers. inTouch is the first in its category and available in English, Spanish and French to serve the diverse aging population with exciting new features, which allows seniors to call in 24/7.

A recent National Poll on Healthy Aging found that 75% of Americans over 65 report poor mental or physical health and feelings of loneliness, with isolation rates particularly high among those living alone. According to a recent inTouch survey, 47% of US caregivers indicated value in an AI service that would call their loved ones, especially seniors, on a daily basis and provide them with daily updates.

inTouch was born from founder Vassili Le Moigne's experience caring for his mother while living far away. "Even with the best intentions, it was difficult to call my mom on a daily basis while living and working across the country. I created inTouch so that she could have daily conversations that help her stay mentally active and independent. It was also a great way for her to keep me informed of her well-being," said Le Moigne.

In response to a growing epidemic of untreated spine issues affecting nearly half of the population, the Croatia Polyclinics has launched an innovative public health initiative called "Your Posture Is Your Future." This project combines health awareness with AI technology to promote preventive care on an unprecedented scale.

"In Croatia, nearly half the population unknowingly faces potential spine issues. Reluctance to seek professional help has led to what is commonly known as a silent pandemic, hurting the nation's collective spine with alarming numbers. But now, we made sure the innovation steps in where the hesitation prevails," said Dr. Tatjana Kujundzić, head of Croatia Polyclinics.

Here's how it works: passers-by stand in front of an interactive digital billboard equipped with computer vision and AI-powered software. The system scans their posture by analyzing the alignment of the neck, mid-back, and lower spine through eight key points. Within seconds, it detects potential problems and provides immediate feedback, both visual and numeric, highlighting any areas of concern. If an issue is identified, the screen prompts the individual to book an appointment with a physiotherapist on the spot via a QR code, turning what might have been a casual wait for the bus into proactive health action.

Dr. Chris DeArmitt, internationally acclaimed materials scientist and the world's #1-ranked plastics expert, has released "Shattering the Plastics Illusion," a revolutionary book that exposes how environmental misinformation is creating serious public health risks and preventing life-saving solutions. This urgent scientific expose follows his acclaimed first book, "The Plastics Paradox."

Dr. DeArmitt's extensive analysis of thousands of peer-reviewed studies reveals that widespread myths about plastics are driving people toward choices that may actually harm their health and the environment. Dr. DeArmitt is committed to uncovering and communicating the truth about plastics, microplastics, and their health and environmental impact. "Shattering the Plastics Illusion" has also been peer-reviewed and endorsed by top scientists from around the world.

"Society has been fed myths about plastics by organizations that often have questionable motives," says Dr. DeArmitt. "It's time to be informed and ground our decisions in solid science rather than sensationalism so that we can finally implement solutions that genuinely benefit our environment."

Breathtaking glacier photography features in the international exhibition "Walk of Water", which launched in June. Amid predictions that up to two-thirds of Earth's glaciers will vanish by 2100, this exhibition offers a stunning visual journey into melting ice worlds, highlighting critical water stories, ingenious local solutions, and the urgent need for global action.

Organised by German non-profit Onewater, with support from UNESCO's World Water Assessment Programme, MPB, the Asian Development Bank, and the City of Burghausen, the 2025 "Walk of Water" showcases a curated collection from highly decorated artists, including World Photography Awards winners and National Geographic explorers. Their powerful images span Alpine peaks, Himalayan communities, and polar expanses, capturing not only the stark reality of receding ice but also vibrant water festivals, indigenous adaptation strategies, and the profound cultural ties to these frozen landscapes -- all threatened by a warming planet.

The loss of glaciers means rising sea levels, endangered drinking water and food production, and the disappearance of unique plants, animals, ecosystems and cultural heritage.

Glaucoma, one of the leading causes of permanent blindness, often does its damage silently -- with no noticeable symptoms -- as vision is lost. Glaucoma affects an estimated 3 million Americans, but most people don't know they have the condition until it's revealed in an eye exam.

Once vision is lost, it cannot be recovered. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause blindness. That's why when it comes to detecting and treating glaucoma, the earlier, the better.
Glaucoma is an eye disease caused by increased pressure in the eye, which can damage the optic nerve and reduce vision, sometimes making objects look blurry or dark. Early on, most people don't notice what's happening, but as glaucoma progresses, you may notice some loss of peripheral vision. By this point, the disease has progressed significantly toward blindness, and treatment options may be limited.

Regular eye exams, including specific glaucoma tests, are important for the early detection and diagnosis of glaucoma. If diagnosed early, an eye doctor can recommend treatment to manage glaucoma and help prevent vision loss.

National Debt Relief, the industry leader in debt settlement known for its unique approach to debt relief, released findings from a new survey examining the toll debt is taking on older Americans -- and the stark impact it's having on their ability to retire. The results paint a concerning picture: debt is widespread among Gen X and baby boomers, forcing some to postpone retirement plans indefinitely.

In February 2025, National Debt Relief partnered with Talker Research to survey 1,000 Gen X (over 55 years old) and 1,000 baby boomer Americans. The results show that debt is not only common, but also deeply disruptive to the financial and emotional well-being of older Americans.

Debt has become a near-universal experience for older Americans -- one that affects every aspect of their financial lives.

• 72% of survey respondents have accumulated at least some debt, with over half saying their debt has "held them back" in life.
• Likewise, over half reported they feel overwhelmed by debt and fear they will never pay it off.
• Credit card debt is the most common form of debt, with 45% of respondents carrying a balance. On average, they owe nearly $9,000 and pay $418 towards it each month.
• Medical debt is also a significant burden. Nearly 1 in 5 (17%) reported having an average of $9,144 in outstanding medical bills.

Americans are deeply and overwhelmingly opposed to slashing funding for Medicaid, according to new polling data released by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Seven in ten Americans, including a majority across party lines, disagree that Medicaid funding should be cut to reduce government spending, and nearly eight in 10 (78%) believe that Medicaid saves lives by helping people access mental health care. This new data comes as Congressional leaders are debating a budget plan this week that would cause harmful cuts to lifesaving Medicaid funding.

Medicaid is a lifeline for more than 72 million Americans, providing important access to health care coverage. Medicaid pays for one in four dollars spent on mental health and substance use care in this country and covers 40% of non-elderly adults with a mental health or substance use condition. New research, conducted with Ipsos, highlights widespread support for Medicaid, which 84% of Americans agree is an essential program for providing health care to vulnerable populations -- with support high across the political spectrum. With this new data, NAMI urges members of Congress to vote against any budget resolution that would require cuts to Medicaid.

"We often hear that our country is divided on nearly everything -- but this polling shows that, across party lines, Americans agree on two important priorities: protecting Medicaid and doing more to address mental health," said NAMI Chief Executive Officer Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. "We are facing a mental health crisis in our country, and the message from the American public is clear: they want our policymakers to do more, not less, to address it."

Understood.org, a leading resource for people with learning and thinking differences, has announced the launch of Climbing the Walls, a new limited-series investigative podcast. Hosted by health and science journalist and documentarian Danielle Elliot, the podcast explores why women weren't diagnosed with ADHD for so long and what led to new ADHD diagnoses among women ages 20-49 nearly doubling between 2020 and 2022 (CDC).

Across six episodes, Elliot weaves together scientific explanations with personal stories, including her own, from the many women who know ADHD all too well. Through their lived experiences and candid conversations with experts, she explores big questions around the surge in ADHD diagnoses, like why women? And why now? Among those Elliot speaks with are Sari Solden, MS, a psychotherapist and pioneer in the field of ADHD counseling, and Terry Matlen, MSW, a psychotherapist and ADHD coach specializing in women's experiences.

"When I was diagnosed with ADHD at 36, I didn't understand how we'd missed this -- not just in me, but in, apparently, an entire generation of women and all those who came before us," says Elliot. "I wanted to know if there was something different about the world now, or different about women, or something else underlying this rise in diagnosis."

As Elliot searched for answers to her original questions in Climbing the Walls, new ones arose. Now that the diagnosis gap between men and women with ADHD is closing, more women require medical and emotional support in ways that differ from men. Are our systems equipped to support these women? And how do we ensure that women with ADHD get the support they need?

DHL Express, the world's leading international express service provider, has partnered with Tusk, a charity dedicated to accelerating the impact of Africa-driven conservation, to transport17 critically endangered Mountain Bongo Antelopes from the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation (RSCF) in Florida to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya. Bred in Florida, the Bongos are on the verge of extinction with fewer than 100 left in the wild due to poaching, forest degradation and habitat fragmentation.

As a partner of Tusk, DHL used its expert and specialist logistics services to provide point-to-point air transfer for the Bongos. Meeting the requirement that the full herd be transported together; DHL provided a dedicated aircraft which carried the Antelopes 7146 nautical miles directly from Palm Beach International Airport (Florida) to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya.

The Bongos were transported in custom-built crates, alongside 6 tonnes of pelleted feed and 3 specialist animal care staff including a veterinarian and 2 Bongo specialists from the US. The Mountain Bongos were released into a 20-acre sanctuary, which has been set aside for their long-term management and recovery by the Kenya Forest Service. The sanctuary plays a critical role in the national recovery plan and is key to the ongoing success of the project.

Dr. Elsey's, a veterinarian-founded company committed to feline health and wellness, has announced the immediate discontinuation of its Ultra Scented cat litter line. This decision marks a significant step in the company's ongoing mission to provide products that align with the natural needs of cats, ensuring their health, comfort, and well-being.

For years, Dr. Elsey's has been at the forefront of feline wellness as an industry leader, offering scientifically backed, veterinarian-formulated solutions that support a cat's natural instincts. While the company previously produced scented litter in order to accommodate consumer demand, recent scientific research and the latest veterinary insights have mandated the immediate need to eliminate artificial fragrances from its product lineup.

"Cats rely on their sense of smell to navigate their world, and artificial fragrances can significantly disrupt their instincts, causing stress and discomfort," said Dr. Bruce Elsey, founder of Dr. Elsey's. "We've always been committed to doing what's best for cats, and breakthrough scientific studies now show us that scented litters introduce unnecessary risks. We're acting on that knowledge and making this important change, and we are hoping and advocating that other manufacturers do what is right and follow our example."

If left unchecked, both overabundant white-tailed deer populations and invasive shrubs like Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) can devastate deciduous native tree regeneration. Yet, a management strategy focused only on deer, or only on invasive shrubs, results in little or no forest health improvement, according to research from Ohio, spanning more than 10 years.

"Control of only invasive shrubs will reduce native cover and not improve tree regeneration," says David Gorchov, Ph.D., and Miami University (Ohio) biology professor. "Managing only deer will increase woody plants but reduce native cover. Management of both stressors is needed to promote tree regeneration and plant community restoration."

These conclusions summarize research, recently published online in Invasive Plant Science and Management (IPSM), volume 17, issue 1, by Cambridge University Press, a Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) research journal. For this study, Gorchov and his coauthors, M.S. student Marco Donoso and undergraduate honors student Hanna Leonard, investigated deer pressure and Amur honeysuckle effects for 11 years in a split-plot experiment in the Miami University Natural Areas in southwest Ohio, where both were at high density.

Each new year begins with hopeful resolutions--a chance to reset, reflect, and pursue a more purposeful life. Yet by Blue Monday--the third Monday of January and the so-called saddest day of the year--many feel the weight of unmet aspirations. Studies reveal nearly 80% of New Year's resolutions fail by early February, leaving individuals overwhelmed and disconnected.

This failure isn't just about personal shortcomings. In a world of economic uncertainty, societal shifts, and relentless digital noise, traditional strategies like willpower alone are no longer enough. As pressures mount, more individuals are actively looking to step away from the demands of modern life and seek tools and support to create lives rooted in clarity, resilience, and intentional choices.

Recognizing this need, Glimmery Moments introduces the Seasonal Self-Discovery Guide--a thoughtfully crafted tool blending behavioral science and mindfulness. Designed to anchor progress in small, intentional steps, the guide empowers individuals to build resilience, set achievable goals, and embrace a life aligned with their values.

According to the latest research by LG Electronics (LG), 48 percent of consumers say they are more optimistic now than they were compared to six months ago.

The survey, conducted across 16 markets, provides extensive data on global optimism, its drivers and the demographics that feel the most optimistic and happy. The global average optimism score is 7.49/10. France, the UK and Australia were revealed to be among the least optimistic countries, scoring 14.5 percent below the average. Conversely, Saudi Arabia (12 percent above), India (10.8 percent above) and the UAE (8.1 percent above) were the most optimistic. Consumers were most optimistic about their personal growth and development (69 percent) and family dynamics (66 percent), but least optimistic about their finances.

Sunny, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering meaningful social connection, is breaking new ground with its latest report, Social Connection in the Modern World. Leveraging data from the 2024 U.S. Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey, this analysis shines a light on the stark realities of loneliness and isolation in America today--offering valuable insights and practical actions for building connection.

"With our custom analysis, we can see the scale of the loneliness crisis with incredible clarity," says Heather Liu Leary, PhD, co-author of the report. "This remarkable data set doesn't just describe the problem; it points us directly to where we might uncover effective solutions."

The National PACE Association (NPA) has said that President Biden's signing of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act gives veterans increased access to the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) across the nation demonstrates an innovative model of care for all seniors.

"This bill will dramatically expand the options available to our veterans who want to age in place," said Shawn Bloom, president and CEO of NPA. "Moving forward, there are a myriad of additional actions that Congress can take to easily implement PACE for hundreds of thousands of additional seniors and their families who would benefit from PACE."

PACE is a Medicare and Medicaid program that allows seniors with a nursing home-level of need to be cared for while remaining living in their own homes. PACE reduces costs for state Medicaid budgets when compared to nursing homes.

Providing care at home and in the community not only enhances the quality of life for veterans, their families and their caregivers, but also reduces VA health expenditures. Generally, the cost of HCBS is notably less than institutional care. Further, the VA has found that the use of HCBS creates additional savings by either delaying admission to a nursing home or avoiding such an admission altogether as well as lowering the risk of preventable hospitalizations.

An ancient brain circuit, which enables the eyes to reflexively rotate up as the body tilts down, tunes itself early in life as an animal develops, a new study finds. Led by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, the study revolves around how vertebrates, which includes humans and animals spanning evolution from primitive fish to mammals, stabilize their gaze as they move. To do so they use a brain circuit that turns any shifts in orientation sensed by the balance (vestibular) system in their ears into an instant counter-movement by their eyes.

Called the vestibulo-ocular reflex, the circuit enables the stable perception of surroundings. When it is broken -- by trauma, stroke, or a genetic condition -- a person may feel like the world bounces around every time their head or body moves. In adult vertebrates, it and other brain circuits are tuned by feedback from the senses (vision and balance organs). The current study authors were surprised to find that, in contrast, sensory input was not necessary for maturation of the reflex circuit in newborns.

Published online January 2 in the journal Science, the study featured experiments done in zebrafish larvae, which have a similar gaze stabilizing reflex to the one in humans. Further, zebrafish are transparent, so researchers literally watched brain cells called neurons mature to understand the changes that let a newborn fish first rotate its eyes up appropriately as its body tilts down (or its eyes down as its body tilts up).

"Discovering how vestibular reflexes come to be may help us find new ways to counter pathologies that affect balance or eye movements," says study senior author David Schoppik, PhD, associate professor in the Departments of Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery, Neuroscience & Physiology, and the Neuroscience Institute, at NYU Langone Health.

GasBuddy, a PDI company, has released its 2025 Fuel Price Outlook, forecasting a third consecutive year of lower gas and diesel prices. The outlook highlights key trends in gasoline and diesel prices utilizing specific inputs, potential impacts on production, supply and demand changes and a change in leadership in Washington.

GasBuddy projects that the yearly national average for gasoline in 2025 will decline to $3.22 per gallon, down from $3.33 in 2024 and significantly below the record highs of 2022. This decline represents continued relief for American drivers, but comes amid emerging uncertainties surrounding geopolitical tensions, potential tariffs and a change in energy policies that add risk to this year's forecast.

A new report from Guidehouse Insights examines the global biogas market for industrial buildings and applications.

Biogas holds significant promise for helping to decarbonize industrial activities that are difficult to conduct without fuel combustion, though substantial barriers have thus far limited market development. According to a new report from Guidehouse Insights, the market for industrial biogas is expected to accelerate significantly over the next decade as decarbonization policies, carbon pricing regulations, border carbon adjustments, and other measures to address carbon pollution exert economic pressure on fossil fuels. Guidehouse Insights expects annual demand for industrial biogas is expected to grow from 666.9 billion cubic feet (BCF) in 2024 to 2,042.4 BCF by 2033, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.2%.

"Of the biogas generated globally for use in industrial applications today, roughly two-thirds is converted into renewable natural gas (RNG) for use in any application that would normally use fossil gas. The balance of industrial biogas is used for power generation, process heating, or cogeneration, typically onsite where it was generated," says Grant Samms, research analyst with Guidehouse Insights. "Municipal facilities, such as landfills and wastewater treatment sites, and agricultural operations are the largest generators of industrial biogas, though the prominence of each source varies significantly by geographic region."

Global strategy and management consultancy Kearney has released its first report on the state of health equity in the U.S. The report, "Building better societies: a road map to improving health inequity," provides context for how healthcare disparities have evolved, acknowledges the roadblocks to solving health inequity, and outlines the steps organizations across the healthcare industry are taking to right the ship and deliver a healthier future for all.

The report acknowledges recent shifts in regulatory and legislative frameworks that have spurred more equitable practices in healthcare, then calls on businesses to carry that torch.

"It's time to turn the tide in health equity, and the private sector can lead the way," noted report co-author and Kearney partner Dominique Harris. "Through our work with organizations across the health ecosystem, we have seen the need to make health equity more of the core business to drive better business outcomes. It's not only a moral imperative; it's sound business strategy."

Home health leaders with the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare (the Partnership) were again disappointed that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continued its policy of cuts by finalizing a -1.975 percent permanent cut to home health in its CY2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) Final Rule. Today's cut --the latest in a series of troubling rate reductions -- comes despite mounting evidence and clear data that patient access to lifesaving care is declining due to consecutive years of cuts to patient-preferred home health. While the Final HH PPS Rule did mitigate the permanent payment cut proposed by CMS earlier this year, the Partnership warns that any additional cut to home health in 2025 will further restrict beneficiary access.

"The cut that CMS finalized nearly negates the market basket increase that is meant to help providers keep pace with rising costs. The outcome of today's Final Rule means continued challenges for home health providers as they struggle to keep pace with rising workforce costs. Credible third-party data and evidence we shared with CMS indicate that patient access to home healthcare is declining. Unfortunately, yet another year of cuts will further destabilize home-based care for older Americans," said Joanne Cunningham, CEO of the Partnership.

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) joined other national leaders at the White House's roundtable on water security and climate resilience, on October 31, 2024. As a water sector representative, WEF had the unique opportunity to highlight its commitment to building a more sustainable and resilient water future.

Ralph Exton, WEF's Executive Director, stressed the importance of moving toward a circular water economy -- an approach that makes the most of every drop by reusing water, reducing waste, and turning byproducts into valuable resources. This shift is essential to ensure that America's homes, agriculture, and industries have a dependable water supply, especially as we face intensifying climate pressures.

Exton also emphasized WEF's ongoing commitment to promoting innovative conservation technologies, as well as the importance of redefining the economics of water to drive conservation and resilience. In particular, WEF advocated for policy changes to provide targeted incentives for water conservation technologies, including grants, low-interest loans, and tax incentives.

New archaeological research has revealed an exceptional Bronze Age town in the Khaybar oasis of northwest Arabia, confirming a major transition from mobile, nomadic life to settled, town life in the second half of the third millennium BCE.

The finding infers that oases such as Khaybar were carefully controlled and valued landscapes that, with the advent of agriculture, supported permanent populations as centres for exchange and interaction with mobile communities. This nascent urbanism profoundly impacted the region's socio-economic organisation.

Known as al-Natah, the newly discovered town provides evidence for differentiated functional areas -- residential and funerary -- within fortifications. Al-Natah was built around 2400-2000 BCE and endured until 1500-1300 BCE. Home to some 500 people across 2.6 hectares, it was protected by a stone rampart that encircled the Khaybar oasis.

The Simpson Centre for Food and Agricultural Policy at the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy has announced a $1 million donation from BMO to launch a ground-breaking program to change how society perceives and interacts with the food system. The program, Ag Literacy for Healthier People and Planet, will help build understanding about the complexities of the agricultural system in a world where the food we eat plays a crucial role in both our health and the health of our planet.

The Simpson Centre and its strategic academic partners -- 13 universities across Canada, as well as Stanford University in the U.S. -- will conduct outreach and research on food systems over a period of approximately five years, to foster a deeper understanding of the food choices we make and inform the design of agricultural policies. Through targeted outreach and research, the Centre will work to promote positive change in food habits and agricultural policies.

"BMO is a proud partner of Ag Literacy for Healthier People and Planet to help broaden the understanding and importance of sustainable innovation within the agricultural food system and how our communities interact with it," said Helen Seibel, Head, Employee & Community Giving, BMO. "Supporting agricultural excellence in next generations of students across Canada and the U.S. aligns with BMO's Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life and demonstrates how we are driving progress for a sustainable future."

Since its founding, method has been on a mission to increase the sustainability of its product, including innovative packaging. Now, method is making all its clear plastic bottles from recycled recovered coastal plastic*, sourced through a partnership between SC Johnson and Plastic Bank. To date, the SC Johnson and Plastic Bank partnership has recovered the equivalent of 3 billion bottles that are recycled and turned into consumer product packaging, and method is excited to begin to contribute to these efforts.

From its inception, method has made innovative, strikingly designed packaging from recycled plastics sourced from curbside recycling programs. In 2012, method first introduced recycled recovered coastal plastic into limited edition hand soap and dish soap bottles, and now is advancing sustainable packaging by utilizing more recycled recovered coastal plastic across several home cleaning, hand soap, and specialty cleaner products. Recycled recovered coastal plastic is plastic that has been collected on land, within 31 miles of the coast, to stop it from ending up in the ocean or a landfill. Since 2018, SC Johnson has worked with Plastic Bank to create over 550 plastic collection locations across Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Brazil, where collection members are compensated for gathering plastic.

In India, half the waste produced by households is wet waste, often destined for landfills where it contributes to environmental degradation. Similarly, vast quantities of floral offerings from places of worship end up polluting water bodies and posing health risks. However, these under-utilised resources hold tremendous potential. The Art of Living, under guidance from the world renowned spiritual leader and humanitarian, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is tapping into this potential to foster a cleaner and healthier environment.

The Art of Living has initiated a revolutionary change by setting up waste separation facilities and management plants at major places of worship and urban centres across India. Beyond waste management, this initiative promotes economic independence among community members. Unemployed youth are trained in the operation and maintenance of waste management machinery, enabling them to become environmental entrepreneurs.

The organisation's strategy begins with a comprehensive assessment of the required facilities, considering factors such as the volume of solid waste generated, including peak demands. Following agreements with the place of worship authorities or the city's municipal corporation, the project's capital funding is secured. The civil infrastructure for the composting unit is built and waste collection and segregation facilities are established. Training is provided to staff for machinery operation and maintenance.

A pioneer and stand-alone presence in holistic pet nutrition, Side by Side is the only company committed to enhancing pet health using the principles of Eastern Food Therapy (EFT). By providing nutritionally balanced, natural foods that align with the ancient wisdom of EFT, Side by Side recipes ensure happier and healthier lives for our furry family members.

At Food Energetics we formulate our batches using the time-tested method of Eastern Food Therapy, a proven practice for over 5000 years that each ingredient has energetic properties that can either negatively or positively impact your pet's internal organs. When combined correctly, food can both nourish and aid in healing. We Nourish and Balance from the Inside Out.

Legendary actor and singer David Hasselhoff -- AKA 'The Hoff' -- has joined the world's leading video game studios in supporting not-for-profit PlanetPlay's ever-growing Make Green Tuesday Moves (MGTM) initiative -- which enables players to make a real-world impact in the fight against climate change.

Starting Tuesday July 2nd 2024, each participating game is launching specially created green items featuring The Hoff, which will be exclusive to the MGTM movement and remain live until the next monthly activation begins.

Zhao Yan, Chairperson and CEO of Bloomage, attended the 15th Annual Meeting of the New Champions (Summer Davos Forum) organized by the World Economic Forum to offer insights on navigating the current uncertainties in the global economy. This year's Summer Davos Forum focused on "The New Frontiers of Future Growth." Among its six main discussion points, the interconnection between climate, nature, and energy was a hotly debated topic. The event welcomed 1,600 attendees from nearly 80 countries and regions.

During interviews with the media, Zhao Yan revealed that amid current uncertainties challenging the ever-complex global economy, scientific innovation remains the most reliable way to discover opportunities and growth while staying eco-conscious. Elaborating on this, Zhao Yan stressed the intertwining relationship between the economy and the environment, emphasizing the pressing need to support the health of the planet with better technology.

Exos, the industry-leading performance coaching company that is helping organizations reimagine the future of work, has released the results of their four-day workweek pilot. Collected in partnership with the Wharton School of Business, the data reveal that pro-recovery practices can support employee well-being and sustain workplace effectiveness.

Last spring, Exos released the evidence-based Readiness Culture Code as a tool to help coach their employees to think differently about how they approach work. Accompanying this was the announcement of a four-day workweek pilot, which was complimented by the implementation of intentional scheduling, meeting auditing, daily microbreaks, and other tactics aimed at maintaining business effectiveness while adding recovery and flexibility into each employee's day.

The pilot results showcase how Exos' data-informed methodology and approach could be a solution for other employers looking to reform their workplace, reverse the exhaustion modern employees are facing, and retain top talent. Key learnings from the study include:

Plant feedstocks are the biggest focus of companies entering the emerging alternative leather market. Companies are utilizing a very diverse selection of input feedstocks, including bamboo, grapes, apple skin, cactus, and pineapple leaves. Additionally, there are several different approaches to the incorporation of plant-based materials and the general manufacturing process.

The emergence of a wide field of competing feedstocks from different sources raises the question of which feedstock comes to dominate the field of plant-based leather and whether the feedstock would support the scale-up of the production of that plant-based leather. The question of whether these are mere eye-catching gimmicks or if these materials can be a serious competitor to the very well-established incumbent leather materials market must be answered.

Answers to this question with an extensive breakdown and analysis of commercial plant-based leathers, market players, and outlook alongside other competing alternative leather materials are available in IDTechEx's market report, 'Emerging Alternative Leathers 2024-2034: Technologies, Trends, Players'.

Grosvenor, an international property owner and developer with a 70+ year track record in North America, has launched its Pathway to Net Zero, a reductions-first approach to help the company achieve a projected 42% decrease in carbon emissions, relative to a 2021 baseline year, by 2030 and reach Net Zero by 2050.

The North American Net Zero Carbon Pathway directly supports Grosvenor's ambition to reduce carbon emissions in line with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees C, building on and accelerating the organization's progress in curbing its carbon footprint across its global business activities.

In North America, the company has been actively working to reduce its environmental impact and has publicly reported its consumption and carbon emission reduction numbers for over a decade.

Grosvenor signed the World Green Building Council's (WGBC) Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment in 2019 and has been reporting to the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB), an independent group that tracks ESG progress across 2,200 companies, for three years. In 2023, Grosvenor maintained a strong 4 Green Star rating for its Development portfolio with a score of 91 placing it 12 points above its benchmark average. The Investment portfolio scored 77, a 12-point increase since the firm's initial submission to GRESB in 2021.

Water pollution poses a significant threat to environmental and human health, with various sources such as residential, industrial, agricultural, and livestock activities contributing to its degradation. Traditional methodologies for addressing water pollution often fall short, necessitating innovative solutions. Nature based interventions have emerged as effective strategies for mitigating water pollution, leveraging the inherent power of natural elements like microorganisms, plants, and algae. Says Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, "We need to protect the environment- this is our first and foremost duty as citizens of this world. If we take care of the environment, it will take care of us and bring us health, prosperity, and happiness.''

Amidst the tranquil landscape of The Art of Living International Centre in Bengaluru, lies Radha Kunj Lake, also known as Udipalya Kere, once faced with severe pollution issues, endangering aquatic life, and posing health risks to the surrounding ecosystem. To combat this challenge, a multi-faceted approach incorporating nature-based solutions was implemented in April 2023 by The Art of Living. Boulder checks were strategically installed along the stream to filter pollutants and facilitate natural filtration processes. Additionally, native vegetation and hyperaccumulator plants were reintroduced to absorb contaminants and restore ecological balance.

Microbial remediation techniques, such as bioremediation and phycoremediation, played a crucial role in detoxifying the water. Bio-bridges constructed with indigenous materials provided habitats for microbial communities, while diatomaceous algae were introduced to enhance the lake's natural cleansing abilities. Furthermore, aeration through fountain systems injected oxygen into the water, revitalising the aquatic habitat and promoting biodiversity.

L-Nutra, the premier nutri-technology company, has unveiled the results of a pioneering clinical trial, published in Diabetologia, which aims to redefine the approach to managing Type 2 Diabetes. Conducted over a 12-month period and compared to the current standard of care, the study assessed the impact of a Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) on glycemic control and medication reduction, delivering compelling evidence to support the integration of the FMD program into primary care management of Type 2 Diabetes.

Over 30 million people in the U.S. suffer from diabetes, and nearly 98 million have pre-diabetes. These striking numbers directly correlate with unhealthy lifestyles and medications that mostly slow disease progression rather than reversing it. This new data suggests a viable, nutrition-led intervention that enhances the effectiveness of the standard of care, allowing the possibility of diabetes regression to be within reach.

The research involved 100 Type 2 Diabetes patients with a BMI greater than 27 and HbA1C levels above 6.5%, who were either on standard care or treated with Metformin. This randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded trial introduces a new paradigm in diabetes management, focusing on "glycemic management,'' a new metric used to measure efficacy by medication reduction.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a burgeoning global health concern, posing a significant threat to public health and escalating the burden on healthcare resources. Characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver, MASLD increases the risk of progressing to more severe conditions such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), which is marked by inflammation, ballooning, and potential fibrosis.

In response to the pressing need of effective treatments for these metabolic disorders, researchers led by Prof. Jin Hee Ahn from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) meticulously developed compound 11c, a novel peripheral 5HT2A antagonist. This research was made available online on January 20, 2024, and was published in Nature Communications, highlighting a significant therapeutic breakthrough. The compound showcased a promising profile and demonstrated efficacy in preclinical models, positioning it at the forefront of groundbreaking advancements in the field.

11c exhibits promising attributes, including robust biological activity and a favorable safety profile. Dr. Haushabhau Shivaji Pagire, first author and senior researcher at the Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory at GIST, emphasizes, "Our meticulous analyses have revealed a significant reduction in inflammatory and fibrosis markers, attesting to the potent anti-inflammatory and fibrotic effect of the compound. This action, targeting both inflammation and fibrosis, is a promising step forward in treating MASH."

Norfolk Southern Corporation has released its inaugural Climate Transition Plan (CTP). The CTP is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with a focus on transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability is rooted in Norfolk Southern's values and its deep understanding of climate science.

Norfolk Southern's CTP will focus in part on fuel management and consumption, all to help achieve its science-based target of reducing GHG emissions intensity 42% by 2034. These include innovative technologies and operating practices to improve locomotive fleet fuel economy. Fuel accounts for over 90% of the company's scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions. Increased consumption of low carbon fuels and renewable energy usage are also key components of the plan.

"Reducing the environmental impact of our operations is driven by our commitment to a cleaner and better planet for our employees, our customers, and our communities for generations to come," said Josh Raglin, Chief Sustainability Officer at Norfolk Southern. "We recognize the significant role of greenhouse gas emissions in global climate change, and we are determined to do our part in mitigating these emissions."

The rising costs of healthcare coupled with the stresses of modern working life have made employee health and well-being an increasingly critical priority for employers. Investing in workplace wellness initiatives yields benefits in productivity, absenteeism, recruitment, retention, company culture, and more. However, designing and implementing impactful programs comes with substantial challenges. Employers must balance quality programming with cost management, account for diverse workforce needs, and leverage data analytics to gauge value.

To better understand the value of products and programs that support employee health, the Integrated Benefits Institute conducted a mixed methods research study analyzing survey data from 305 HR professionals in the United States alongside qualitative insights. Data collection focused on factors driving benefits priorities, implementation challenges, partnerships, use of data and metrics, lessons from the pandemic, tensions between employee desires and business objectives, and recommendations for strategic investment.

IBI's survey found that 51% of employers cited employee satisfaction as their organization's most important goal, followed by cost mitigation/revenue generation (41%). Forty-four percent of companies collect employee health data either monthly or continuously to assess program value; 72% collect data on satisfaction, 57% on retention, and 52% on productivity - linking insights to both quality and costs. Sixty-four percent of respondents indicated that they conduct formal evaluations of their health programs annually.

When organisms pass their genes on to future generations, they include more than the code spelled out in DNA. Some also pass along chemical markers that instruct cells how to use that code. The passage of these markers to future generations is known as epigenetic inheritance. It's particularly common in plants. So, significant findings here may have implications for agriculture, food supplies, and the environment.

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Professors and HHMI Investigators Rob Martienssen and Leemor Joshua-Tor have been researching how plants pass along the markers that keep transposons inactive. Transposons are also known as jumping genes. When switched on, they can move around and disrupt other genes. To silence them and protect the genome, cells add regulatory marks to specific DNA sites. This process is called methylation.

Martienssen and Joshua-Tor have now shown how protein DDM1 makes way for the enzyme that places these marks on new DNA strands. Plant cells need DDM1 because their DNA is tightly packaged. To keep their genomes compact and orderly, cells wrap their DNA around packing proteins called histones. "But that blocks access to the DNA for all sorts of important enzymes," Martienssen explains. Before methylation can occur, "you have to remove or slide the histones out of the way."

The Body Shop has announced that it has become the world's first global beauty brand* to achieve 100% vegan product formulations across all ranges including skincare, body care, haircare, makeup and fragrance. The entire product formulations portfolio has been certified by the Vegan Society.** The trailblazing beauty retailer has achieved the ambitious target it set itself in 2021, when 60% of its products already carried the Vegan Society trademark.

The Body Shop was also the first beauty retailer to campaign against animal testing in cosmetics in 1989, with a fundamental belief that animals should not be harmed in the pursuit of beauty. While the fight continues for a worldwide ban on animal testing in cosmetics, for The Body Shop, a fully vegan product range is the next milestone in cruelty-free beauty.

The vegan cosmetics industry is predicted to grow with 6.31% compound annual growth rate between 2023-28 and reach $24 billion by 20281. With over one in ten young people saying that 'vegan' is an important factor in their health and beauty purchase decisions2, this move from The Body Shop also responds to growing customer demands.

Gaia Herbs, a respected global leader in herbal supplements, is excited to announce they are partnering with philanthropist, New York Times bestselling author, and supermodel Gisele Bundchen. Together, they look to inspire and teach people about steps to take to start living a healthier lifestyle. Gisele will join Gaia Herbs in the role of "Wellness Ambassador" she will share her personal experiences with wellness and herbs with the Gaia Herbs audience.

For over 20 years, Gisele has included Gaia Herbs' products in her personal wellness rituals. She has included in her routine Adrenal Health - Lion's Mane Mushroom -Turmeric Supreme Extra Strength, and she supports her family's immune system with Black Elderberry Syrup. As a student, she will bring attention to the importance of knowing how to identify and choose the highest quality and most transparent herbal supplements.

"I first learned about herbs from my grandmother, who had a tea for everything," Gisele said. "She wasn't an herbalist, but she knew about the power of plants. Today, after years of connecting with plants and wellness, I'm proud to partner with Gaia Herbs and excited that together, we can help share nature's wisdom with everyone."

This partnership is a natural fit for Gisele, who trusts Gaia Herbs' unmatched purity, quality, traceability, and transparency. Together, they share the mission of supporting others as they develop their own wellness rituals with their health advisors.

Neurohacker Collective, a global nutraceutical company dedicated to healthy aging, has announced a physician's only masterclass about the emerging science of senolytics and how health practitioners can use senolytics in their practice.

Neurohacker's science team recently achieved promising results in a double-blind, placebo controlled trial of their health formula for better aging, Qualia Senolytic. Now, their science team is paying their formulation knowledge forward by hosting a free masterclass for other doctors and health professionals.

Senolytic science is the study of how to reduce the accumulation of senescent cells in the human body, particularly through supplementation of many little known natural compounds recently discovered to assist in that process.

Senescent cells (also called "zombie cells"), are old cells in the human body that no longer perform their useful function, but linger on in our bodies, wasting our energy and nutrition without providing a valuable health benefit. As we age, senescent cells tend to accumulate in our bodies, leading to many negative outcomes, such as low energy, joint discomfort, and slow workout recovery, all commonly associated with aging.

Aker Carbon Capture has been awarded a feasibility study to implement carbon capture for mineral production facilities in the U.S. Midwest. The combined planned capture capacity will be approximately 1.5 million tonnes CO2 per year, based on Aker Carbon Capture's Big Catch concept.

The feasibility study will develop a design and cost basis for Big Catch CO2 capture and conditioning facilities. Big Catch facilities are fully integrated into the emitting production facility and include both advanced heat integration, and downstream integration, enabling record low energy consumption by making it possible to reuse energy along the value chain.

"We are excited to be working on this decarbonization project, which represents a significant step in our strategy to expand into the North American market. We are scaling up to meet the growing demand for carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) in North America, fueled by strong support from the U.S. Government. New funding provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and favorable CCUS tax credit changes introduced by the Inflation Reduction Act, have incentivized the deployment of CCUS substantially," said Jonah Margulis, Head of North America at Aker Carbon Capture.

Members of Talquin Electric Cooperative are now getting the clean, cost-effective energy benefits from 7 MWAC of solar energy, enough electricity to power approximately 1,400 homes. Officials from the cooperative, along with Seminole Electric Cooperative, Origis Energy and local community leaders dedicated three new solar facilities this week.

The projects are Hinson Solar, a 4 MWAC project, located in Gadsden County, FL; Hilliardville Solar, a 2 MWAC project, located in Wakulla County; and Bristol Solar, with a capacity rating of 0.63 MWAC, located in Liberty County.

All three projects were developed, constructed and are owned by Origis Energy. Each will deliver clean energy at competitive rates under Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) executed between Seminole Electric Cooperative, Talquin's wholesale power provider, and Origis.

SeaWorld San Antonio is thrilled to announce the beginning stages of the installation of a state-of-the-art solar parking lot canopy. This landmark project will not only provide valuable shade to visitors during extreme heat but will also help SeaWorld make significant strides towards a more sustainable future, something embedded in its mission.

The solar canopy, boasting a capacity of 4.3 megawatts (MW), showcases the company's unwavering dedication to environmental responsibility. As the largest canopy in the SeaWorld system to date, this project sets a new standard for solar energy integration within the amusement park industry.

Located in the VIP section of SeaWorld San Antonio's parking lot, the canopy will shade approximately 1,200 parking spots. Beyond its cooling benefits, the solar panels integrated into the canopy will produce an impressive 16% of the park's electricity consumption, significantly reducing SeaWorld's carbon footprint. The impact of this added renewable energy is immense: It is equivalent to 28,000,000 pounds of coal burned in a year, 5,500 cars driven in one year, and 3,000 home's annual energy use.

The Super Patch Company Inc., an International healthcare Company headquartered in Florida, USA, has announced that they have been invited to present recent patient results from their clinical trial, HARMONI, at the 12th World Congress of the World Institute of Pain (WIP) in Antalya, Turkey from October 28-30, 2023.

The prevalence of pain and pain-related diseases are so vast that they are the leading causes of disability and disease burden across the globe. Over 100 million people are estimated to live with chronic or recurrent pain in the United States and it is the most common reason patients consult primary care clinicians.

"Conventional pharmacological treatments for pain have been associated with dangerous adverse effects. Identifying effective, alternative treatment strategies, including those that are non-invasive and non-pharmacologic and that have reduced and limited side effect profiles, will provide options that may be preferable in how clinicians traditionally treat pain," said Jeff Gudin, MD, Principal Investigator for the HARMONI and INVIGOR Trials. "We are excited to share results of the HARMONI trial and look forward to bringing potential new treatment options to those suffering from various pain conditions."

To celebrate World Sight Day, HCP Cureblindness

World Sight Day is an annual day of awareness to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment. This year, HCP is also supporting the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).

Stats on Needless Blindness: 1) 43 million globally are blind, 2) Another 295 million suffer from moderate-to-severe vision impairment, 3) 90% of these individuals live in low-to-middle income countries, where poor nutrition and limited access to eye care can mean a life limited by needless blindness.

The Helper Bees, America's leading aging-in-place platform, and NourishedRx, a digital health and nutrition company, have announced that they've delivered more than 30,000 food orders to older adults across the country. NourishedRx serves as one of the top food as health providers within The Helper Bees provider network, which in total represents 20,000+ vetted companies. As the country's population continues to age, and with more than 80 million people expected to be age 65+ by 2040, the two companies partner to ensure that older adults can access groceries and meals personalized to their health needs and delivered to their doors so they can comfortably age in place.

"Access to healthy food is one of the most important drivers of whether people can continue to age independently," said Lauren Driscoll, CEO of NourishedRx. "With integration of The Helper Bees and NourishedRx platforms, we're able to deliver thousands of personalized meals and grocery orders to older adults, even more efficiently and at greater scale than before. The process is convenient for the older adults and caregivers we serve and has streamlined operations for both companies. We're grateful for our partnership with The Helper Bees and look forward to our continued work together to nourish our aging population."

Global nonprofit iDE has announced it has reached carbon neutrality, a major milestone in its efforts to be part of the solution to climate change and help bring about positive change for low-income communities served by the organization. Becoming carbon neutral means the organization has purchased offsets, known as carbon credits, for its emissions, which come from the use of electricity, and emissions made by iDE directly, from operating heaters, air conditioners, and vehicles, for example.

Dedicated to ending poverty by powering developing world entrepreneurs, iDE last year pledged to go even further on cutting emissions, and reach "net zero" - not only offsetting but producing as few emissions as possible - by the end of 2030. To reach net zero, iDE will also purchase "carbon renewal credits" to offset any emissions we continue creating. Carbon renewal credits remove carbon from the atmosphere and are different from "carbon credits" which reduce or avoid emissions.

iDE CEO Lizz Ellis said the organization wanted to be a role model for contributing no net emissions, joining international efforts to contain global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. "iDE works in countries across powering rural entrepreneurs to end poverty," says Ellis. "These entrepreneurs, and the low-income communities they work in, are the least responsible for changing climate, yet are the most vulnerable to its consequences and are dealing with its impacts today. We believe everyone - governments, companies, nonprofits and individuals - has a role to play in reducing emissions, preventing the worst impacts of climate change and ensuring vulnerable people can continue to increase their incomes and improve their wellbeing."

Ellis said iDE recognized the need for reducing the negative climate impacts of its work and aimed to lead the nonprofit sector by example when it came to becoming carbon neutral and reaching net zero.

Efficient use of resources is key to maximizing yield potential and optimizing a grower's return on their fertilizer investment. Improving nutrient use efficiency (NUE) is a major concern for farmers as they plan input applications. In a recent study on biostimulants, growers cited an increase in nitrogen efficiency and a decrease in fertilizer expenses as one of the key drivers for the use of biostimulants*. As growers look to optimize inputs while meeting productivity goals, address regulatory pressure, and ultimately improve ROI, biostimulants provide a powerful tool to increase NUE.

Large fertilizer applications are an effective way to maximize yield, but this can result in offsite nutrient loss, which has led to increasing regulatory pressure. The European Commission aims to reduce nutrient losses by 50% by 2030, while maintaining soil fertility for crop production. This is projected to result in an overall 20% reduction in NPK fertilizer inputs. Compounding this challenge of reduced inputs, it is well known that 25-65% of fertilizers applied to crops are not fully utilized. Fertilizer efficiency can be impacted by a great number of factors, including environmental conditions, crop management, water quality, and soil health. As growers contend with these challenges, many are turning to biostimulants to optimize their NUE and increase their return on investment in fertilizer.

This year an ambulance makes an appearance at the Oxford Business Park for National Plants at Work Week 2023. "The ambulance felt like the perfect tool to confirm the importance of plants to our health and wellbeing," confirmed plants@work Ambassador Ian Drummond.

Of course onlookers were keen to know who was in need of medical help. Watching from afar one person noted something wasn't quite right -- plants kept appearing/peeping out of the back of the ambulance and by the doors.

Searching for the bed and the patient in the ambulance was difficult as the back was full of plants!

"Research over many years has shown that plants improve our moods, reduce stress levels and generally help our workflow," commented Ian Drummond. "They can improve our performance and concentration plus they lessen noise by deflecting and diffracting sound."

Shirley Smith of Botanica Nurseries who has several clients in the business park and looks after their plant installations with the same care as doctors and their patients, commented, "Plants make us more productive and help our creativity as well as reduce our stress levels."

Nature's Path Organic Foods, North America's leading organic breakfast and snack food company, has announced the 15 winners of its 2023 Gardens for Good program. The grant recipients -- 10 organic community gardens from the United States and 5 from Canada -- were selected for the meaningful role they play in making fresh, nutritious organic fruits and vegetables accessible in their communities.

"Gardens for Good embodies our commitment to helping make organic food accessible to all, says Jyoti Stephens, VP of Mission and Strategy at Nature's Path Organic Foods. "These gardens strengthen their communities, not only by growing organic food for those who need it most but by creating spaces where people can learn and grow together."

Nature's Path Organic Foods will donate $7,500 each to the 15 deserving gardens, totaling more than $100,000. The 2023 winners were selected using a comprehensive judging process which includes: public voting, the ability to establish and maintain a garden, the compelling nature in which the garden is described, and the demonstrated need within the community. They represent a diverse range of projects and communities, all with the common goal of sustainable, community-centered organic growing.

Summer is the perfect time for picnics and barbecues. During these outdoor gatherings, it's important to keep food safety in mind. This time of year is a favorite for foodborne bacteria that cause foodborne illness (also known as food poisoning), because they multiply faster at temperatures between 40 degrees F and 140 degrees F. Follow the tips below to keep you and your loved ones safe when eating outdoors.

Before your picnic or barbecue

• Defrost meat, poultry, and seafood in the refrigerator. If you thaw by submerging in cold water or defrost in the microwave, cook the food immediately afterward.
• Never reuse marinade that touched raw foods unless you boil it first. Instead, you can set some of the marinade aside before marinating food to use for sauce later.
• Marinate foods in the fridge, not the countertop.
• Wash all produce before eating, even if you plan to peel it. The knife you use to peel it can spread bacteria into the part you eat. Produce that is pre-cut or peeled should be refrigerated or kept on ice to maintain quality and safety.
• If your picnic site doesn't offer clean water access, bring water and soap or pack moist disposable towelettes for cleaning surfaces and hands.
• Don't forget to pack a food thermometer!

Geotab Inc. -- a global leader in connected transportation solutions -- has released its 2022 Sustainability and Impact Report, titled "Unlocking the power of data for a sustainable future," which outlines the company's environmental, social and ethical impact, and highlights how data intelligence is a key driver of success in the carbon reduction journey. The report also includes examples of how organisations in the transportation sector are starting and managing carbon reduction initiatives using data intelligence to inform their decision-making and transition.

"The transportation sector has one of the biggest global opportunities to truly impact the climate crisis. At Geotab, we are learning from our own efforts and feel privileged to share this knowledge, supporting our customers and partners with their sustainability goals through connected transportation solutions and data insights," said Neil Cawse, CEO and founder of Geotab. "This report demonstrates our commitment to continuously improving our sustainability practices to make a positive impact on the planet."

With over 3.2 million connected vehicles around the world, Geotab is uniquely positioned to help accelerate decarbonisation in the transportation sector by providing a full suite of data-driven tools and insights to support fleets on their sustainability journeys (including the EV Suitability Assessment (EVSA) and Green Fleet Dashboard), scaling electrification and technology innovation through education (such as the Geotab EV Drivers Handbook), and collaborating on research projects.

Iberostar Group, an international leader in responsible tourism, has released its Wave of Change 2022 Year in Review to outline progress on its sustainability efforts. Among its achievements, Iberostar reduced 10% of its carbon footprint in 2022, equating to 24,500 tons of CO2 emissions.

In addition to the 2022 results, the report includes some of the company's most ambitious plans for 2023, including supporting a circular economy, promoting the consumption of responsibly sourced seafood and improving the coastal health of the ecosystems surrounding its hotels.

"The 2022 results are proof of our commitment to responsible tourism, generating value in our operations while maintaining quality and customer service, a commitment that is proving to be profitable," said Gloria Fluxa, Vice-Chairman and Chief Sustainability Officer, Iberostar Group. "Our progress towards achieving our 2030 Agenda is evidence of our commitment to real and tangible change in how we understand and enjoy tourism."

Momentum has been growing for primary care physicians to provide whole-patient care, which includes addressing their physical and behavioral health needs through team collaboration. Two articles published in the March/April issue of the Annals of Family Medicine identify the characteristics of primary care practitioners and clinics that are more likely to close the gaps on uniting the two aspects of care, as well as a first-person essay that shows how integrated patient care can improve patients' overall health.

Characteristics of Family Physicians Practicing Collaboratively With Behavioral Health Professionals

Research led by Sebastian Tong, MD, MPH, of the University of Washington Department of Family Medicine, scanned questionnaire responses to determine the characteristics of family physicians who work collaboratively with behavioral health professionals. The team cited prior research showing that integrated behavioral health can improve mental health and overall health outcomes, patient care experience, and clinician satisfaction, while reducing health care use and costs.

More than 60% of the 25,222 family practitioners who responded to the questionnaire reported that they did not work collaboratively with behavioral health professionals. Physician characteristics that were significantly associated with increased odds of working with a behavioral health professional included being female and working as core/salaried faculty at an academic institution.

The plant-based food market is expected to continue to boom in the near future with Generation Z being the main driving force. But what does the future look like? According to a recent survey conducted by MIDDS, 70% of Gen Z will continue to pursue a vegan diet within the next five years.

MIDSS polled over 3000 Gen Zers to learn how this generation will shape the future of the food and health industry. Surprisingly, the majority are in favor of a vegan diet. And while they might not all want to be vegan themselves, it's clear that the vegan trend is going to continue to convert meat-eaters to a more plant-based diet.

Gen Z is the population born between 1997 and 2012. Right now, they're in their pre-teens up to about 28 years old. They're the digital natives of the world; the first ones born into a fully digital era. They're also the most racially and ethnically diverse generation in U.S. History.

New research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition further supports that daily consumption of wild blueberries improves episodic memory, executive function, and blood pressure in healthy adults. The 12-week clinical trial called BluFlow, led by Dr. Ana Rodriguez-Mateos, Associate Professor in Nutrition at the Department of Nutritional Sciences of King's College London, and Professor Claire Williams, Chair of Neuroscience in the School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences at the University of Reading, investigated the cognitive and vascular benefits of daily wild blueberry consumption in healthy older individuals.

BluFlow Study Design & Results

The BluFlow, double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial focused on healthy older men and women, ages 65 to 80. Participants were divided into two groups with one receiving a beverage made with 26 grams of freeze dried whole wild blueberry powder (equivalent to about a quarter cup whole berries, or 178 grams of fresh blueberries) and the other, a placebo matched for macro and micronutrients, as well as fiber, color, and taste. Both groups consumed their beverages daily at the same time over the course of 12 weeks.

Scientists found that daily wild blueberry supplementation for 12 weeks led to improvements in cognitive and vascular function. Specifically, those who consumed the wild blueberry beverage daily exhibited:

• Improved episodic memory (AVLT immediate word recall)
• Improved accuracy and quicker reaction time on switch task (executive function)
• Improved peripheral vascular function (flow mediated dilation (FMD) and lower systolic blood pressure)

"In terms of vascular function, our results reinforce what we've found before in younger populations -- that consuming wild blueberries improves blood vessel function as well as lowers blood pressure. We think the effects are driven by the blue pigments in blueberries, the anthocyanins, and we found increases in their metabolites in the blood and urine of the volunteers consuming wild blueberry. This study also documented increases in some beneficial bacteria in the gut that seem to be driven by wild blueberry consumption, although larger studies are needed to confirm the role of the gut microbiota on the beneficial effects seen here," explains Dr Rodriguez-Mateos.

Fishing is one of the oldest forms of human use of the ocean, playing an important role in supporting food security and in national revenues and employment. Recently, researches from the Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, China, have published a research paper entitled "Mesoscale eddies modulate the dynamics of human fishing activities in the global midlatitude ocean" in Fish and Fisheries. For the first time, this study quantified the global pattern of how mesoscale eddies affect fishing activities and found that fishing activities (mainly targeting tuna) in mid-latitude oceans exhibit opposite responses to cyclonic eddies and anticyclonic eddies. The study also proposed a novel "ecological conduits (barriers)" hypothesis related to mesoscale eddies to explain this phenomenon.

Mesoscale eddies are high-energy rotating water masses that are widely present in the upper ocean, with spatial scales ranging from 10s-100s km and typically lasting for weeks even years. The complex physical processes caused by mesoscale eddies, such as trapping, stirring, pumping, and mixing, dominate local biogeochemical processes. Generally, cyclonic eddies are considered to be regions of high primary productivity and conversely, anticyclonic eddies are thought to be impoverished "ocean deserts". Due to the changes in local environmental and foraging conditions caused by eddies, the distribution of high trophic organisms, such as fish species, are expected to be significantly affected, which in turn affects human fishing activities.

Clarifying the effects of mesoscale eddies on these high trophic organisms is key to the comprehensive understanding of the biophysical interactions in the ocean as well as the fishermen decision-making behaviors.

New aerial technologies are entering the market to better account for landfill emissions. These technologies include satellites, manned aircraft, and other drone-based technologies. The SnifferDRONE's "hyper-local" solution is unique in collecting air samples directly at the ground surface, measuring methane concentrations within collected air samples in parts per million (ppm) and correlating measurements to discrete latitude/longitude coordinates during flight. This data is then transformed into specific leak locations consistent with US EPA regulations as actionable information. The data can also be transformed to estimate fugitive gas emissions and analyzed to understand site gas migration in conjunction with operational changes.

Reducing methane emissions is necessary to limit climate change. In November 2022, the US EPA presented a Draft Report on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases estimating methane's social cost due to the future impacts of climate change at $1,600/metric ton. This cost translates to landfill methane emissions' overall societal cost of $136+ billion annually. Further, methane emissions that could be collected and converted to energy is lost revenue to the industry - estimated at $6 Billion annually based on a Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) valuation. The opportunity to reduce landfill emissions offers direct benefits to firms' operations and society's quality of life.

The park has seen a clear increase in visitors since the pandemic, reflecting a growing trend of leisure and tourism in periurban natural and protected spaces. As a result, park managers have observed changes in the behavioral patterns of the Bonelli's eagle, which nests in the park and is listed as vulnerable in the Spanish Red Book of Birds.

A Michigan plastic surgeon says one way to eliminate multiple symptoms of poor health is to have aging breast implants removed. Most implants last about 10 years before those with them begin experiencing a multitude of physical ailments, many associated with leaking and deteriorating implants.

"We have a thorough checklist on our website of symptoms that often turn out to be related to breast implant illnesses," says Dr. Shaher W. Khan, owner at Executive Plastic Surgery and an expert in en bloc capsulectomy - the gold standard for surgical removal of implants and the capsule of scar tissue surrounding them.

Immune health has been a key focus since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but recent surveys indicate other priorities are rising as well. In one survey of over 5,000 consumers from seven countries, the top concerns were sleep quality and stress, as well as brain health and function. In the blog post, you will find Dr. Murray's recommendations for the top supplements for each of these health concerns.

Using the latest digital projection technology, 360-degree audio environments and immersive fine-dining, Hidden Worlds showcases the wonders of the world's at-risk ocean ecosystems. The "Our Ocean, Our World" experience will engage the senses (smell, sight, and sound) of guests through immersive art displays.

Daniel Hettwer, Hidden Worlds Entertainment CEO, is thrilled to unite with The Bahamas, a destination sharing the same philosophy to ultimately save the ocean.

The Working Group will bring together a team of field and technical experts. Together, it will develop a concept note to be submitted to Verra's VCS Program, the world's leading greenhouse gas program, later this year. The final methodology will then be developed by the Timber Finance Initiative and South Pole. A rigorous carbon methodology will help realize the climate value of stored carbon in mass timber construction and help scale mass timber as a negative emissions technology and low-emissions building material.

Conducted by independent insights consultancy GlobeScan for the MSC, the international not-for-profit responsible for the world's most widely used sustainable seafood ecolabel, the study1 found that 31% of global respondents who said they changed their diet in the past two years did so for a variety of environmental reasons. These include to eat more sustainably sourced food (17%), to reduce climate change impact (11%), and to protect the oceans (9%). These conscious consumers aim to shop for products that meet their personal environmental values, and a growing group of shoppers strive to be "climatarian"2 in their decision making. Californians reported the highest number of consumers reporting changing their diets for environmental reasons, at 40%, with Pacific Northwesterners not far behind at 39%.

In addition to the environmental worries causing consumers to change buying habits, rising food costs and overall inflation are new concerns
shaping purchasing decisions. In the US, the price of groceries is up 13.5% according to the Consumer Price Index3, with an up to 4% increase expected by December 2022 for food-at-home prices4. Increasingly, the challenge for conscious consumers is to stock the fridge and pantry with affordable meals that are also nutritious and environmentally friendly.

"Walnuts are highly versatile, accessible and play a valuable role in a variety of recommended dietary patterns. We are delighted to see FDA officially recognize walnuts as a healthy food," shared Robert Verloop. "Today's announcement affirms the decades of nutrition research that reinforce the important contribution of walnuts in a healthy lifestyle, providing additional reason to move walnuts beyond the baking aisle and highlight them among other healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables."

The book details insights from both scientific research and David's over 35 years studying Kabbalah & the human subconscious, 30 years as a business executive, and 15 years working directly with trauma sufferers, with a particular penchant for corporate and executive cases.

"For too long, trauma has been underrepresented as a root cause for so many contemporary ailments, particularly in the business and corporate world," said David Dardashti.

"The goal of this book is to show how trauma is both simpler than people might realize, while being more complexly integrated into how we evolve and mature as people."

For the second year in a row, engagement in the International Monarch Monitoring Blitz received enthusiastic participation, surpassing the rates of previous years, with a new record of more than 2,600 participants from across 75 states, provinces, and territories in North America. This support resulted in nearly 6,000 observations. In the context of the recent listing of the North American migratory monarch butterfly by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on its Red List of endangered species, this trinational effort in community science demonstrates the vital importance and value of continental collaboration.