Candy Ashdown, board chair, Langley School District –
“Langley has experienced rapid growth in recent years, and we are working hard to build the schools that families need. Legislation that offers new tools to accelerate the construction of classrooms and schools is a positive step for our community. We look forward to working closely with government on continuing to ensure students have the high-quality learning environments they need to thrive.”
Everett Baker, mayor, City of Grand Forks –
“After the City of Grand Forks experienced catastrophic flooding in 2018, our main focus was on taking care of our community. In the years following, we completed over 40 different permitting processes to build back stronger. I hope this legislation could be used to help more communities rebuild what they’ve lost in a faster, more streamlined way, so municipalities can stay focused on supporting people and not lengthy or overlapping approval processes.”
Vivian Eliopoulos, president and chief executive officer, Vancouver Coastal Health –
“This new legislation is an important step forward in helping hospitals and health-care sites get built more efficiently and effectively. It will provide the tools to improve services, modernize infrastructure and better support the health and wellness of the communities we serve.”
Neil Fassina, president, Okanagan College –
“Post-secondary institutions across B.C. and throughout Canada are facing increased cost pressures as we work to meet the needs of our students, employees and communities. This legislation will support colleges, like Okanagan College, to move more quickly to build required facilities for students to get the training and education they require to be job ready.”
“This new legislation shows us that advancing critical infrastructure and upholding strong environmental standards are not mutually exclusive. It provides a clear path to get vital projects built and deliver the clean energy, modern grid systems and resilient communities the B.C. needs to anchor our prosperity without compromising our commitment to environmental stewardship.”
Patrick Johnstone, mayor, City of New Westminster –
“The infrastructure projects act is a good step toward accelerating the infrastructure our communities need to support growth. It will allow for greater collaboration between the Province and municipalities so we can work together delivering the schools, hospitals and other critical infrastructure our residents demand. This legislation provides a framework for prioritizing the needs of people in our growing communities and streamlining to deliver projects more efficiently.”
Geoffrey W. Payne, president and vice-chancellor, University of Northern British Columbia –
“Colleges and universities in B.C need the facilities to equip students for the future and the changing needs of the workforce, but we’re facing growing financial pressures as we try to do that. This legislation will allow us to work closer with government on projects that our students need so we can deliver faster and help strengthen our communities.”
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Washington (May 1, 2025) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) released the following statement after the Senate passed their resolution designating April 30, 2025 as “National Assistive Technology Awareness Day.”
“Assistive technology, which includes communication devices, modified vehicles, glasses, and mobility devices, is not a luxury – it is essential for individuals with disabilities and older Americans to live in their homes, access education, receive health care, and obtain employment,” said the lawmakers. “We are proud to recognize April 30th as ‘National Assistive Technology Awareness Day’ and highlight the importance of assistive technology and the state assistive technology programs that improve people’s lives every day.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported one in four individuals in the United States has a disability, including over 40 percent of adults 65 or older. Additionally, the Department of Education reported that there were more than 9 million children with disabilities.
“In their lifetime, everyone on the planet will either need Assistive Technology (AT) or know someone who does. That’s why awareness is crucial—before it’s needed! On behalf of ATAP and the State and Territory Assistive Technology Act Programs, we are grateful to Senators Markey and Cramer for leading the effort for National Assistive Technology Awareness Day 2025!” said Jeannie Krull, Executive Director, ATAP.
The resolution is endorsed by Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP), American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), Access Ready Inc., American Council of the Blind, CommunicationFIRST, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. (TDI), and Perkins School for the Blind.
Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, advocated reauthorization of the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program and noted the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) backing at a committee hearing on enhancing outreach to support veterans’ mental health. The Fox Grant Program, which he authored alongside Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and is currently scheduled to sunset in 2025, provides essential funding for mental health outreach and suicide prevention in veteran communities.
“This program was created out of a dire need to improve community-based resources to address the veteran suicide crisis,” said Boozman. “Veterans who battle mental health challenges respond best to support from those they know and trust, a need this program is critical in meeting.”
Boozman questioned Thomas O’Toole, M.D., Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Health for Clinical Services and Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the VA, on the program’s established success and the critical importance of funding reauthorization. In O’Toole’s exchange with the senator, he agreed the program’s emphasis on identifying and reaching out to veterans struggling as well as coordinating with veteran families and communities is crucial to saving lives.
“Grantees are able to effectively engage specific population groups that may be at higher risk for suicide,” O’Toole said about the potential for extending and expanding the number of organizations receiving Fox Grant Program funds. “That is our hope and aspiration.”
Boozman also pressed the VA official on the aspects that have made it a success and its future prospects.
“These community groups have credibility in the communities where veterans live. These are peers. These are organizations that are engaging veterans’ families,” O’Toole said. “The wrap-around and holistic approach is complimentary to what VA does.”
Click here to view Boozman’s exchange with O’Toole.
The Boozman-Warner reauthorization legislation, introduced earlier this year, would:
Reauthorize the Fox Grant Program until Sept. 30, 2028, and increase the total authorized funding for the grant program from $174 million to $285 million;
Expand the maximum potential award from $750,000 to $1.25 million;
Direct the VA to collect additional measures and metrics on outcomes to better serve veterans; and
Require annual briefings for VA medical personnel to improve awareness of the program and increase coordination with providers.
The program is named in honor of Parker Gordon Fox, a veteran and former sniper instructor at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, who died by suicide on July 21, 2020, at the age of 25.
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
April 30, 2025
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—founding co-chair of the Senate’s Environmental Justice Caucus—issued the following statement after a court filing revealed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to cancel nearly one billion dollars in environmental justice grants issued under the Biden Administration to 781 awardees across the country. These previously-approved grants help communities get the lead out of our kids’ drinking water, clean up dangerous toxins, protect against floods and wildfires, address the ongoing effects of legacy pollution—such as higher cancer, asthma and death rates—and more:
“Contrary to the Trump Administration’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ mantra, this move will make America sicker for generations to come,” Duckworth said. “Donald Trump is willing to devastate the long-term health and livelihood of communities across the country to make his billionaire buddies richer—it’s beyond despicable. I’m outraged, and I’m going to keep doing everything in my power to push back against this Administration’s cruel agenda to deteriorate the health and safety of millions just to put even more money in the ultra-wealthy’s pockets.”
These grants are part of the $3 billion in funding that Duckworth and fellow Senate Environmental Justice Caucus co-chair Cory Booker (D-NJ) successfully secured in the historic Inflation Reduction Act—the first time that environmental justice community grant funding has been authorized to EPA.
Additionally, Duckworth led the charge in the U.S. Senate to remove lead drinking water pipes across the country. Her Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA), which was included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is the most significant federal investment in water infrastructure in history, including $15 billion for national lead service line replacement. DWWIA, which focuses on disadvantaged communities, is helping rebuild our nation’s crumbling and dangerous water infrastructure and enable communities to repair and modernize their failing wastewater systems.
Last month, Duckworth and Booker condemned the Trump Administration for shutting down all of EPA’s environmental justice offices and slashing over 30 EPA regulations that have helped protect our nation’s public health and the environment for decades. In February, Duckworth and Booker—along with U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE)—urged EPA Administrator Zeldin to reopen the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR), which Duckworth and Booker led the charge to create. Duckworth also recently helped introduce legislation that would permanently codify the Office of Environmental Justice within the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) in response to Attorney General Bondi’s order eliminating all environmental justice efforts at the DOJ.
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Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 2
Media Advisory Thursday, May 1, 2025
NIH findings may lead to insights on pregnancy complications, adult health. What The genes of male and female placentas have marked differences in how they are expressed, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other institutions. These differences involve the presence or absence of tags on DNA known as methyl groups, which switch genes on or off without changing their structure. Understanding these DNA methylation patterns may inform future research on the higher risk for pregnancy complications involving male fetuses, such as stillbirth and prematurity, as well as later life health conditions that occur in adults who were born after a complicated pregnancy. Researchers analyzed male and female placental samples from a larger study for differences in their methylation patterns, and found differences in gene activity between male and female placentas that may play a role in birthweight and adult diseases. The study identified 2,497 previously unreported DNA sites that had different methylation patterns for males and females. Of these and more than 2,500 sites that had also been identified by previous studies, 66.9% of large increases in methylation occurred in DNA from male placentas and 33.1% from female placentas. Increases in methylation in male placentas was linked with greater neonatal size whereas those in females was linked with greater placental size. Some increases in methylation found in male placentas were located near the CCDC6 gene. Lower activation of CCDC6 has been linked with preterm birth in previous studies. Higher methylation near the FNDC5 gene was associated with lower expression of the gene in male placentas but not in female placentas. FNDC5 is involved with the manufacture of irisin, which protects the placenta from damage by reactive oxygen molecules and insulin resistance (cells’ difficulty in using insulin to lower blood sugar.) Lower irisin levels have been associated with the pregnancy-related high blood pressure disorder, known as preeclampsia. Variations in the genes ATP5MG and FAM83A, expressed in female placentas, have been associated with asthma, hay fever, eczema (dry, itchy, inflamed skin) and higher risk for breast cancer later in life. Genetic factors influence the health differences between males and females, from before birth to later in life. Male fetuses grow faster than female fetuses and their pregnancies are more likely to be complicated by such conditions as preeclampsia (a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy), failure to grow at an adequate rate, and preterm birth. They also are more likely to die in the year after birth. Dysfunction of the placenta underlies many pregnancy complications and is thought to set the stage for male and female health differences that occur later in life. Variations in methylation patterns are thought to underlie many of these differences. The study was conducted by Fasil Tekola-Ayele, Ph.D., of the NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and colleagues at other institutions. It appears in Nature Communications. Who Fasil Tekola-Ayele, Ph.D., is available for comment on this study. Reference Tekola-Ayele F, et al. Sex-differentiated placental methylation and gene expression regulation has implications for neonatal traits and adult diseases Nature Communications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58128-3 (2025) About the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): NICHD leads research and training to understand human development, improve reproductive health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents, and optimize abilities for all. For more information, visit https://www.nichd.nih.gov. About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov. NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health® ###
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) reintroduced the bipartisanPublic Service Worker Protection Act. This bill seeks to expand theOccupational Safety and Health Act of 1970to include public sector workers under its defined safety protections on the job. The goal of theOccupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) is to “assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women.” The 1970 law created theOccupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)at the federal level and provided that states could run their own safety and health programs as long as those programs were at least as effective as the federal program. Federal and state safety personnel work to ensure worker safety and health through work site enforcement, education, and compliance assistance.
While theOSH Act protects some public sector workers working under federal authority, federal OSHA law does not inherently cover workers at state and local government agencies. Instead, public sector workers in these states are protected by theOSH Actonly if their state has an OSHA-approved program—leaving a gap of public sector workers whose workplaces are subject to fewer safety standards and are given less protections. As of today, around two dozen states and territories have OSHA-approved programs that cover both private sector and public sector workers. Some states and territories may also have plans that only cover public sector workers. This leaves dozens of other states and territories where public sector workers lack worker safety protections.
“We just marked Workers’ Memorial Day, a solemn day to remember workers who died or were hurt on the job in the last year. American workers in every sector should expect to work in safe conditions and to be able to come home,” said Congressman Deluzio. “Toward that goal, let‘s make sure that every American worker has the strong safety standards and protections of OSHA in their workplace. I’m proud to reintroduce the bipartisanPublic Service Worker Protection Act with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick to extend these essential to the public servants who power our governments and help keep all of us safe. Let’s get this done.”
“We entrust our public servants with some of the most critical responsibilities—educating our children, safeguarding our communities, responding in times of crisis. Yet millions of these dedicated workers remain unprotected by the very workplace safety standards that exist to prevent harm. That is a gap we can no longer ignore. Our Public Service Worker Protection Act is a critical step toward equal protection under the law—no matter your job or your zip code. Congressman Deluzio and I are urging our colleagues: join us in standing with America’s public servants and let’s get this done,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.
“Every worker deserves a safe workplace, whether they’re in public service or work in the private sector,” said American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) President Lee Saunders. “But nearly 8 million public service workers still aren’t guaranteed basic safety protections on the job. In 23 states, frontline workers like EMS responders, road crews, and corrections officers are excluded from OSHA coverage — even though public service workers report injuries at a rate 81% higher than those in the private sector. It’s time to fix that. On behalf of the 1.4 million public service workers of AFSCME, we thank Rep. Chris Deluzio for sponsoring the Public Service Worker Protection Act, which would finally extend OSHA protections to public service workers nationwide. And we urge Congress to pass this legislation without delay, because protecting our communities starts with protecting the workers who keep America running.”
“More than 50 years after the introduction of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, too many of the workers who keep our cities and towns running are at risk of injury, illness, and even death on the job,” said Liz Shuler, President of the AFL-CIO. “The Public Service Worker Protection Act will ensure that these workers will finally have the full protections they are entitled to under federal law. This bill is an important step forward in our fight to make sure every worker comes home from work safe. We urge Congress to pass it without delay.”
“Public service workers have dedicated their lives to improving our communities, often putting their communities’ needs ahead of their own. Relying on individual states to implement their own health and safety plans is simply not enough. These workers deserve federal protections now. CWA proudly supports the Public Service Worker Protection Act, which extends OSHA protections to the public sector workers who keep our cities and states running. We commend Representatives Deluzio and Fitzpatrick for their leadership on this vital issue and call for the swift passage of this important legislation.”– Dan Mauer, Director of Government Affairs, Communications Workers of America (CWA).
“The fight for workplace safety is foundational to why the labor movement exists and core to the AFT,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). “No worker should fear for their safety on the job. We are proud to stand with Congressman Deluzio as he introduces thePublic Service Worker Protection Act. Far too many public employees are not covered by a state OSHA plan. This legislation would change that and be a meaningful step towards safer workplaces. Congress should take it up without delay.”
“Millions of public sector workers across 23 states are currently excluded from the Occupational Safety and Health Act, including thousands of USW members who serve as crossing guards, probationary officers, city workers and much more. This week, as we mark Workers Memorial Day and recommit ourselves to advancing workplace health and safety, we applaud Reps. Chris Deluzio and Brian Fitzpatrick for once again introducing the bipartisan Public Sector Worker Protection Act to close this loophole and protect public sector workers.” – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
Download broadcast quality video HERE.
WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) today introduced the bipartisan Comprehensive Health and Integrity in Licensing and Documentation (CHILD) Act to ensure all individuals with unsupervised access to children – including contractors hired by schools – are authorized to receive a nationwide background check.
Reps. Russell Fry (R-S.C.) and Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) are leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
“Parents should feel more confident that every individual who works with their children has been properly and thoroughly vetted. My bipartisan legislation with Senator Durbin would amend the Child Protection Improvements Act to help ensure all child care workers, including contractors, undergo nationwide background checks,” Grassley said. “Our legislative fix will help keep kids safe and give parents greater peace of mind.”
“When parents drop their kids off at school, they shouldn’t have to worry if their children are safe in the care of the school’s faculty. While the Child Protection Improvements Act was passed with the intent of keeping children safe, it created an inadvertent complication in securing nationwide background checks for all personnel with unsupervised access to children, namely contractors hired by schools,” Durbin said. “Schools often rely on contractors for a number of services geared toward children, including providing safe transportation. Today, I’m introducing bipartisan legislation with Senator Grassley to correct the current patchwork approach to securing nationwide background checks for those who work with children.”
The CHILD Act is endorsed by Students Against Destructive Decisions, Student Transportation & Education Equity, Roundtable, Parents Helping Parents Inc., National Diversity Coalition, RaisingHOPE Inc., National Center on Adoption & Permanency, Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE) and HopSkipDrive.
“Safety has always been, and will always be, our top priority at HopSkipDrive and background checks are an integral component of our 15-step certification process. We are proud to support the bipartisan CHILD Act to amend the National Child Protection Act and enhance access to safe, reliable student transportation. This crucial amendment will help ensure the highest standards of safety are met nationwide, and we extend our gratitude to the bill sponsors for their leadership on this important issue,” said Joanna McFarland, Co-Founder and CEO of HopSkipDrive.
Download bill text HERE.
Download a broadcast quality video of Grassley discussing the legislation HERE.
Background:
The National Child Protection Act of 1993 authorized nationwide background checks for all child care workers. However, the Child Protection Improvements Act of 2018 amended the National Child Protection Act and inadvertently removed the provision that allowed states to request nationwide background checks on child care contractors.
The CHILD Act would amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to ensure child care contractors are authorized to receive the same national background checks as all other child care employees.
If students have applied for undergraduate student finance before, they can use their existing online account to apply. If they’ve never applied for student finance before, then they’ll need to create a new account.
Continuing students don’t need to re-apply for their funding, it automatically rolls over for the next year of their postgraduate course. They should sign in to their online account to make sure their information is up to date.
SFE students applying for the 2025 to 2026 academic year can apply for:
a loan of up to £12,858 for a postgraduate Master’s course
a loan of up to £30,301 for a postgraduate Doctoral course
Disabled Student’s Allowance
SFW students applying for the 2025 to 2026 academic year can apply for:
a loan of up to £19,255 for a postgraduate Master’s course
a loan of up to £29,130 for a postgraduate Doctoral course
Disabled Student’s Allowance
Students should follow us on social media to get all the latest news and updates about student finance.
There’s more information about postgraduate student finance available at:
Newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney and the governing federal Liberals must work to reverse the trends in rising violent crime. Canada needs a federal minister with clear responsibility for the prevention of violent crime, supported by a deputy minister with no other responsibilities than stopping violence before it happens.
The evidence and successes in other countries suggest this approach could reduce violent and serious crime by 50 per cent in the next five years.
Canadian homicide rates have increased by 50 per cent in the past 10 years, returning to levels from the early 2000s. Black and Indigenous Canadians are victimized at rates several times higher than the national rate. Intimate partner and sexual violence are at epidemic levels, with one in three women experiencing some form in their lifetime.
Recent federal and provincial election campaigns left the impression that spending more on prisons and policing is enough to stop violent and serious crime.
Current crime-fighting proposals lack concrete, evidence-based actions and proven public health strategies that are known to significantly and cost-effectively reduce violent crime.
Over the last 50 years, research in Canada and internationally has identified a short list of programs proven to reduce violent crime by as much as 50 per cent within three years.
These initiatives are promoted by prestigious organizations such as the World Health Organization and the United Kingdom’s Youth Endowment Fund. The non-partisan Washington State Institute for Public Policy has also demonstrated the cost-effectiveness of many of these programs compared to the dominant systems of policing and incarceration. These initiatives include:
• Community violence interveners who build trust with the young men most involved in violence and help them go back to school, get job training and gain control over the emotions that lead to senseless violence.
• Stop Now and Plan, developed in Toronto, reaches young men as they enter adolescence to problem-solve instead of resorting to violence.
Public health strategies that diagnose the risk factors that contribute to crime and implement effective solutions have cut crime in half in other countries.
In the 2000s, the Scottish city of Glasgow established a small violence reduction unit and organized community outreach to young men most involved in a violent lifestyle. The results were a 50 per cent reduction within three years.
By 2020, the U.K. replicated the violence reduction unit model across more than half the country, where independent evaluations have demonstrated a 25 per cent reduction in violent crime in areas with a unit. While some areas are still facing problems with youth violence, experts point to multi-agency work as most effective when partners prioritized youth violence.
In 2023 in the United States, Joe Biden’s administration established the White House Office on Gun Violence Prevention and provided funding for cities to implement proven solutions, including community violence interveners.
The mayor of Boston based her public health strategy on convening citywide departments, community organizations and experts in violence prevention. By increasing outreach workers and teaching problem-solving skills, Mayor Michelle Wu promised to reduce violence by 20 per cent within three years — only to overachieve by cutting it by 50 per cent in two years
What Canadian officials should do
The Ontario Police Act calls for public health strategies called community safety and well-being plans to tackle the risk factors that contribute to crime and monitor results.
When she was elected in 2023, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow called for strategies to combat gun violence and violence against women. She called for “a scientific public health approach, like the one exemplified by Glasgow’s efforts to address violence as a public health issue (that) has proven effective in reducing violence.”
No Canadian officials are doing the smart planning or making the affordable and smart investments to reduce violent and serious crime significantly.
Carney can and should lead by example. The federal government can invest in stopping violence before it happens by:
Developing the human capacity nationally for smart community safety planning;
Establishing a knowledge centre on violence prevention;
Shifting from its current funding model of short-term projects to partnering with the provinces via sustained and adequate funding of effective violence prevention programs.
Prevention saves money
Parliamentary committees have recommended an annual investment equivalent to five per cent of spending on police and corrections, or about $400 million federally, and $900 million from other orders of government.
Research, results and best practices make clear that a 25 per cent reduction in violent and serious crime could be achieved within five years, and a 50 per cent reduction in a decade.
That would mean 200 fewer lives lost and more than 500,000 fewer victims of violence in the next five years, and significantly less money — as much as $1.5 billion — spent annually on police and prisons.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Steven W. Kerrigan, Professor of Precision Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
The mouth is often described as a window to overall health – and for good reason. A growing body of research reveals a significant link between poor dental hygiene and cardiovascular disease. While these two areas of health may seem unrelated, the condition of your oral health can have far-reaching effects on the heart.
Gum disease and oral infections can trigger inflammation, allow harmful bacteria into the bloodstream, and, in severe cases, even lead to direct infection of heart tissue. Together, these effects can contribute to serious, sometimes life-threatening, cardiovascular conditions.
At the centre of this connection lies periodontitis – a severe form of gum disease caused by long-term plaque buildup and inadequate oral hygiene. Left untreated, plaque irritates and inflames gum tissue, eventually causing it to recede and deteriorate.
This breakdown gives oral bacteria easier access to the bloodstream. Everyday actions like brushing, flossing, or chewing – and especially dental procedures – can provide a pathway for these microbes to travel through the body.
Once in the bloodstream, certain bacteria can attach to the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels. This disrupts the vascular barrier, making it easier for infection to spread throughout the body, including to vital organs. In extreme cases, this can lead to organ failure – or even death.
Inflammation and infection
Systemic inflammation is one of the main ways oral health affects heart health. Chronic periodontitis triggers a prolonged immune response, increasing levels of key inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and cytokines.
These molecules can damage blood vessel linings and contribute to the development of atherosclerosis – a condition that narrows arteries, raises blood pressure and dramatically increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Inflammation is now recognised not only as a symptom of cardiovascular disease but also as a driving force behind it. This insight elevates oral care from a cosmetic concern to a critical aspect of heart disease prevention.
Poor oral hygiene can also increase the risk of infective endocarditis (IE), a serious infection of the heart’s inner lining or valves. This condition typically occurs when oral bacteria – especially from the streptococcus viridans group –enter the bloodstream and colonise damaged areas of the heart.
People with pre-existing valve abnormalities, prosthetic valves, or congenital heart defects are particularly vulnerable. For patients with prosthetic valves or certain heart conditions, dentists may even recommend antibiotics before specific procedures to minimise the risk of infective endocarditis. IE is a medical emergency requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or, in some cases, surgery.
Epidemiological studies support this oral-cardiac link. People with gum disease are significantly more likely to suffer from heart disease. While these studies can’t always prove direct causation, the correlations are strong – even after accounting for shared risk factors like smoking, diabetes and poor diet.
One study found that people with periodontitis were up to twice as likely to develop coronary artery disease compared to those with healthy gums. Other studies point to a “dose-response” effect: the more severe the gum disease, the greater the cardiovascular risk.
Oral microbiome
Smoking, unhealthy diets, excessive alcohol consumption and diabetes all contribute to both poor oral health and heart disease. Tobacco weakens gum tissue and suppresses immune function. Alcohol can dry out the mouth and disrupt the oral microbiome. And poorly controlled diabetes impairs circulation and slows healing, worsening both periodontal and cardiovascular conditions.
This overlap doesn’t make the research less meaningful – in fact, it strengthens the case for addressing health holistically. Healthy habits benefit the whole body, not just isolated systems.
Emerging research also suggests that oral hygiene may influence heart health through changes in the body’s microbiome. A poorly maintained mouth allows harmful bacteria to overtake beneficial microbes, causing an imbalance known as dysbiosis. This can disrupt immune function and contribute to chronic inflammation and atherosclerosis.
To be clear, good dental hygiene alone won’t eliminate heart disease risk. Genetics, diet, exercise and underlying conditions all play crucial roles. But maintaining oral health is a simple, effective and often overlooked part of preventive health care. Regular brushing and flossing, routine dental visits and prompt treatment of gum disease can all reduce the risk of systemic complications.
Increasingly, health professionals are recognising the importance of collaboration. Cardiologists are being encouraged to ask about oral health, and dentists are urged to consider cardiovascular risk factors during checkups. This integrated approach can lead to earlier detection, more personalised care, and better long-term outcomes.
The mouth is far more than just the beginning of the digestive system – it plays a vital role in overall wellbeing. The connection between oral health and heart disease underscores the need to treat oral care as a foundational part of preventive medicine. By brushing up on good habits, individuals can protect not only their smile – but their heart, too
Steven W. Kerrigan receives funding from Science Foundation Ireland, Health Research Board of Ireland, Irish Research Council and Enterprise Ireland .
As temperatures rise and sandals make their seasonal debut, our feet step into the spotlight. But summer presents challenges that make foot care especially important. Heat, sun exposure and the temptation to go barefoot can lead to dry, cracked heels – leaving feet feeling uncomfortable.
The good news? A few simple habits can keep your feet healthy, smooth and ready for sandal season.
Cracked heels – also known as heel fissures – develop due to dry skin and reduced elasticity. Because feet lack sebaceous glands, they don’t produce natural oils, which makes them more prone to dryness. In response to friction and pressure, the skin thickens, but this added thickness can split under the stress of walking or standing.
Summer tends to exacerbate the issue. Open-back shoes like flip-flops allow the heel’s fat pad to expand, increasing stress on the surrounding skin. Research shows that repeated exposure to hot and dry environments significantly reduces skin hydration, increasing the risk of fissures developing. So, long hours standing at events or walking on hot surfaces – like pavement or poolside tiles – further weaken the skin’s barrier.
Other contributing factors include obesity, which places greater pressure on the heels. Conditions like eczema and psoriasis, especially when they cause broken skin, significantly compromise the skin barrier. These conditions can lead to inflammation, dryness and reduced moisture retention, weakening the skin’s ability to act as a protective barrier. Excess moisture from sweating or prolonged soaking may soften the skin too much and reduce its resilience, making it prone to fissures.
Cracked heels aren’t just a cosmetic problem – they can become painful and even dangerous. Without treatment, fissures can deepen and bleed, making walking uncomfortable and increasing the risk of infection.
For those with health conditions like diabetes, hypothyroidism or vascular disease, even small cracks can escalate into serious complications, including cellulitis or ulcers. Poor circulation and reduced healing ability mean these issues can quickly become severe.
Prevention
Prevention is simple and effective when made part of your daily routine.
Moisturise daily – use creams with 10% urea or lactic acid to retain moisture and soften thickened skin.
Wear supportive footwear – while sandals are summer staples, many lack proper support. Choose shoes with cushioning and heel support when possible. If you wear open-back styles, alternate with more structured footwear to minimise heel stress.
Avoid going barefoot – walking on rough or hot surfaces dries out the skin and causes micro-traumas that increase the risk of cracking.
Exfoliate weekly – briefly soak your feet (for up to five minutes), then gently remove dead skin with a pumice stone or file. This prevents the buildup of thickened skin.
Treatment
If cracks have already formed, timely treatment can help heal and restore your skin’s health.
Apply a heel balm – use a formula containing 10–25% urea and up to 6% salicylic acid. Urea deeply hydrates and softens thick skin, while salicylic acid aids in exfoliation. Avoid using these products during the day if you’re wearing open shoes, as they can make your feet slippery, increasing the risk of falls and injuries.
Nighttime occlusion – apply balm before bed and cover your feet with cotton socks to lock in moisture. Studies show this improves hydration and speeds up healing.
See a professional if needed – if your heels are severely cracked, infected, or not responding to at-home care, consult a podiatrist. They may use medical adhesives or prescribe stronger treatments to support healing.
Take extra care if you’re in a high-risk category – if you have diabetes, circulatory issues or inflammatory skin conditions, regular foot checks and prompt treatment of minor cracks are crucial. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines recommend professional care and properly fitted footwear to help avoid serious complications.
Caution: foot peel socks
Exfoliating foot peels – often sold as “foot peel socks” – contain exfoliants like glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid, usually in concentrations of 5–17%. These acids help shed layers of dead skin and can be effective for general roughness. However, they are not recommended for cracked heels or heel fissures.
When used on broken or fragile skin, these peels can cause irritation, delay healing and increase the risk of infection. Those with underlying health issues that affect skin integrity – such as diabetes, poor circulation or chronic skin conditions – should be particularly cautious. In these cases, experts advise against chemical exfoliants due to the higher risk of skin damage and slower healing.
Instead, targeted treatments like heel balms containing 10–25% urea offer a safer, more suitable option. These help soften and hydrate dry, thickened skin without compromising the protective barrier.
Your feet support you every day; this summer, return the favour. With a bit of daily care, smart footwear choices and early intervention when problems arise, you can keep your feet looking and feeling great.
Cracked heels don’t have to be part of your summer story.
Craig Gwynne does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP), (both D-VA) and 40 of their congressional colleagues reintroduced the bicameral Assault Weapons Ban of 2025, legislation that would revive the 1994 nationwide ban on assault weapons two decades after the original ban expired in 2004. This legislation would ban the sale, transfer, manufacture, and import of military-style assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and other high-capacity ammunition feeding devices that have repeatedly been used in mass shootings across the nation.
“Gun violence continues to rock communities across the country over and over without meaningful intervention from lawmakers,” said Warner. “It’s time that we step up and once again put in place this commonsense safeguard to better protect Virginians from these weapons of war.”
“Everyone in America should be able to live free from the fear of injury or death caused by a firearm,” said Kaine. “I’m proud to reintroduce this commonsense gun safety legislation that will once again put in place this essential safeguard to make Virginia and our nation a safer place for all, and I’ll keep pushing for additional legislation to make our communities safer from gun violence.”
While the 1994 ban was in place, the United States saw gun massacres decline by 37% and mass shooting fatalities were 70% less likely. When the ban expired, deaths in a gun massacre rose 239%. A ban on assault-style weapons is widely supported by Americans.
In addition to Senators Warner and Kaine, the bill is led by U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) and co-sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Edward Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
Congresswoman Lucy McBath (D-GA-06) is leading the bill’s reintroduction in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The bill has been endorsed by Brady: United Against Gun Violence, GIFFORDS, Newtown Action Alliance, Everytown for Gun Safety, March for Our Lives, Sandy Hook Promise, and the National Parent Teacher Association.
Warner and Kaine have long supported gun violence protection measures. Earlier this month, Kaine introduced the Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion (GOSAFE) Act and the bipartisan Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts (BUMP) Act, two pieces of legislation that will help protect communities from gun violence by limiting large capacity ammunition feeding devices and prohibiting the sale of bump stocks, devices that are used to turn semiautomatic weapons into machine guns by increasing their rate of fire. Warner and Kaine have championed the Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act, legislation to federally enact a series of commonsense gun violence prevention measures adopted by Virginia since 2020, including provisions to mandate reporting of lost and stolen firearms, prevent children from accessing firearms, and implement a one-handgun-a-month policy.
Full text of the bill is available here.
Plymouth’s busy Manadon Interchange is set for a major overhaul thanks to new government funding.
The Department for Transport has given a green light to an outline plan for a variety of improvements and awarded just over £133 million in development funding to take this scheme onto detailed design.
The Manadon Interchange, which connects the A38 Devon Expressway with the A386 Tavistock Road, is one of Plymouth’s busiest and most critical junctions.
It plays a vital role in linking different parts of the city and providing access to key employment and healthcare sites, including Derriford Hospital, Plymouth Science Park, and the Dockyard.
Originally designed for far lower traffic volumes, the interchange now struggles to cope with demand.
With the planned growth of Plymouth, including over 29,000 new homes and the creation of more than 13,000 skilled jobs, the city’s road infrastructure must be improved to support this expansion.
Without these upgrades, congestion will continue to worsen, impacting local businesses, emergency services, and people’s daily lives. This investment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve Plymouth’s road network for the future.
The outline plans for the scheme will be launched next month when a six week period of public engagement will begin, allowing residents to attend information sessions and feedback on a number of areas in an initial design, which focuses on:
Safer roads – New junctions, crossings, and layouts to reduce accident risks and improve conditions for all road users.
Better walking and cycling routes – Safer, segregated cycle lanes and improved pedestrian paths to encourage more people to walk and cycle where possible.
A new community space at Treveneague Gardens – Transforming an underused area into a new park with footpaths, biodiversity enhancements and recreational space for local residents.
Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Improvements to Manadon are well overdue so I’m delighted that we have got to this crucial stage of the process.
“Our city needs to grow to respond to the rising population and be economically viable. We need more jobs and homes.
“That means that junctions like Manadon have to be able to cope, which is why it is so important to that we invest in the infrastructure of the future.”
The total cost of the scheme, from design right through to construction is £156 million, with £133 from government funding and the remaining £23 million from other transport grant funding, developer contributions and the Council’s own investment.
It is estimated that construction on the scheme would not begin before 2028.
Vimkunya vaccine approved to prevent disease caused by the chikungunya virus in people 12 years of age and older
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today (1 May 2025) approved a vaccine (Vimkunya) used to prevent disease caused by the chikungunya virus in people 12 years of age and older.
Chikungunya disease is caused by the chikungunya virus, which is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The disease is found in countries across Asia, Africa and the subtropical regions of the Americas. Most people infected with the virus develop fever, rash, and severe pain in multiple joints that typically resolve between one to two weeks, but symptoms may last for months or years.
This vaccine has been approved through the International Recognition Procedure (IRP). The IRP allows the MHRA to take into account the expertise and decision-making of trusted regulatory partners for the benefit of UK patients.
The MHRA conducts a targeted assessment of IRP applications and retains the authority to reject applications if the evidence provided is not considered sufficiently robust.
As with any medicine, the MHRA will keep the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine under close review. Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine are encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, either through the website (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/) or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.
Notes to editors
The variation to the marketing authorisation was granted on 01 May 2025 to Bavarian Nordic A/S.
More information can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information leaflets which will be published on the MHRA Products website within 7 days of approval.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgments to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.
The IAM is pleased to announce the 2025 Scholarship winners. An impartial committee of educators selected 16 recipients for this year’s awards. We congratulate the winners and thank all those who participated in the competition.
Kendall Alexander Jackson, Local 2198Beatrice Richer, Member, Local 712Matthew Morgani, Local 2323Carson Poe, Local 1943Skylar Wiley, Local 804Cynthia Benzel,Local 1947Alexander Urban, Local 701Makena Blalock, Local 709Jaycee Williams, Local 2003MilesJacob Wood (Vo-Tech), Local 2003Steven Sergenti (Member), Local 2766Boni Jo Boser (Member), Local 463Noah Jimenez – ROMAN MAYFIELD WINNER, Local 1930Kaylee Henry, Local 289Conner Wilson, Local T491Honorable Mentions
Kendall Alexander Jackson College: Sam Houston State University Major: Criminal Justice/Forensic Science Parent: Stacey Jackson Lodge: 2198 Company: United Airlines Territory: Air Transport
Matthew Morgani Parent: Francesco Morgani College: University of Toronto Major: Engineering Lodge: 2323 Company: Air Canada Territory: Canada
Carson Poe Parent: William Poe College: The Ohio State University Major: Biomedical Engineering Lodge: 1943 Company: Cleveland Cliffs Territory: Eastern
Skylar Wiley College: University of Louisville Major: Biomedical Sciences/Pre-Med Parent: Jason Wiley Lodge: 804 Company: UPS Territory: Eastern
Cynthia Benzel College: Moraine Park Technical College Major: Registered Nurse Parent: Benjamin Benzel Lodge: 1947 Company: Mercury Marine Territory: Midwest
Alexander Urban College: Marquette University Major: Finance/Economics Parent: Russell Urban Lodge: 701 Company: Arnie Bauer Buick Cadillac HMC Territory: Midwest
Makena Blalock College: University of Georgia Major: Agriculture Communications Parent: Chris Blalock Lodge: 709 Company: Lockheed Martin Territory: Southern
Jaycee Williams College: Troy University Major: Exercise Physiology Pre-Health Parent: Chad Williams Lodge: 2003 Company: M1 Support Services Territory: Southern
Miles Bailess (Vo-Tech) College: Hallmark University Certificate: Aircraft Mechanic Parent: Katie Gamez Lodge: 2916 Company: Amentum Territory: Southern
Jacob Wood (Vo-Tech) Parent: Thomas Wood College: Alabama Aviation College Certificate: Airframe and Powerplant Certification Lodge: 2003 Company: M1 Support Services Territory: Southern
Steven Sergenti (Member) Lodge: 2766 Company: Boeing College: University of Alabama – Huntsville Major: Aerospace Engineering Territory: Southern
Boni Jo Boser (Member) Lodge: 463 Company: Nova Technologies Trade School: Nutritional Therapy Association Major: Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Territory: Southern
Noah Jimenez – ROMAN MAYFIELD WINNER College: University of Oregon Major: Political Science/Latino Studies Parent : Ana Jimenez Lodge: 1930 Company: City of Long Beach Territory: Western
Kaylee Henry College: Graceland University-Lamoni Major: Forensic Psychology Parent: Nathan Henry Lodge: 289 Company: SSA Terminals Territory: Western
Conner Wilson College: Alfred State Major: Welding Technology Parent: Scott Wilson Lodge: T491 Company: CSX Intermodal Territory: Rail Division
Saskatchewan residents living with epilepsy will now have another medication available for their treatment. Beginning May 1, the Government of Saskatchewan is adding the anti-seizure medication Xcopri to the Saskatchewan Formulary to treat patients with epilepsy.
“Individuals living with epilepsy and the specialists who care for them have been calling for access to this medication. We’re proud to respond to that call,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. “This drug offers real hope to people struggling with uncontrolled seizures. It could mean fewer hospital visits, fewer surgeries, and a better quality of life.”
Epilepsy is a chronic disease characterized by seizures. The cause of epilepsy can include infections, genetics, trauma, stroke and tumors.
Xcopri is an epilepsy medication that is used along with other medications to manage seizures that are not controlled with other therapies. Approximately 10,500 people in Saskatchewan live with epilepsy. It’s estimated about 100 people could benefit from this medication in the first year of coverage.
“XCopri has shown it has the potential to reduce/control seizures, even for a demographic that has historically struggled with seizure control,” Epilepsy Saskatoon President Lori Newman said. “By having the government add XCopri to the Saskatchewan Formulary, tangible hope exists for people living with epilepsy that their doctor now has unimpeded access to prescribe a new medication – one that has the power to be life-changing.”
Drug funding decisions in Saskatchewan are informed through a rigorous review process that includes medication assessment through Canada’s Drug Agency, the provincial Drug Advisory Committee of Saskatchewan, and manufacturer pricing negotiations with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA). Saskatchewan is a member of the pCPA and works collaboratively with other provinces and territories to achieve better value for the publicly funded drug plans as well as patients.
The Saskatchewan Formulary offers a variety of medications that may be appropriate for epilepsy patients. Patients are encouraged to discuss their medication needs with their health care provider.
Criteria for coverage of Xcopri is listed on the Saskatchewan Formulary.
Headline: Governor Stein Announces $55 Million in Grants Have Been Distributed to Nearly 3,000 Western North Carolina Businesses
Governor Stein Announces $55 Million in Grants Have Been Distributed to Nearly 3,000 Western North Carolina Businesses lsaito
Raleigh, NC
Today Governor Josh Stein announced that the Dogwood Health Trust, the Duke Endowment, and the State of North Carolina have distributed $55 million to 2,812 small businesses through the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative. These grants are supporting western North Carolina businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene and bolstering regional economic recovery. More than 7,300 businesses applied.
“These grants will go a long way in helping western North Carolina’s beloved small business owners keep their doors open after Helene,” said Governor Josh Stein. “But the volume of unfunded applications makes it crystal clear – more help is desperately needed. I’m ready to work with the legislature to deliver support for small businesses that power our mountain economy.”
“The Dogwood Health Trust is proud of this partnership’s work to support small business owners in western North Carolina,” said Dogwood President and CEO Dr. Susan Mims. “The Dogwood Health Trust created the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative last fall as part of our larger Helene relief efforts. These businesses are vital to the health of our communities, and we must continue to support them.”
The Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative, initiated by the Dogwood Health Trust and then expanded by the State of North Carolina and the Duke Endowment, awarded grants of up to $50,000 to small business with an annual revenue of up to $2.5 million. Earlier this week, Governor Stein announced the new $55 million Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program, which directs up to $1 million in grants to local governments to rebuild public infrastructure like sewers and sidewalks, which small businesses rely upon to attract business. Governor Stein’s second Hurricane Helene relief budget proposal will include increased support for small businesses in western North Carolina.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Daniel B. Oerther, Professor of Environmental Health Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Tatooine’s moisture farming equipment stands in the desert of Tunisia, where parts of the ‘Star Wars’ movie series were filmed.Véronique Debord-Lazaro via Flickr, CC BY-SA
Just 48 short years ago, movie director George Lucas used the phrase “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away” as the opening to the first “Star Wars” movie, later labeled “Episode IV: A New Hope.” But at least four important aspects of the “Star Wars” saga are much closer – both in time and space – than Lucas was letting on.
And we, an environmental health engineer and a civil engineer, know there are at least three more elements of these ancient, distant Lucas stories that might seem like science fiction but are, in fact, science reality.
Moisture farming
In that first movie, “Episode IV,” Luke Skywalker’s Uncle Owen was a farmer on the planet of Tatooine. He farmed water from air in the middle of a desert.
Each day, a human needs to consume about the equivalent of 0.8 gallons of water (3 liters). With more than 8 billion people living on the planet, that means engineers need to produce nearly 2.6 trillion gallons (10 trillion liters) of clean drinking water every year. Taken globally, rainfall would be enough, but it’s distributed very unevenly – including landing in the oceans, where it immediately becomes too salty to drink safely.
Researchers at places such as Berkeley have developed solar-powered systems that can produce clean drinking water from thin air. In general, they use a material that traps water molecules from the air within its structure and then use sunlight to condense that water out of the material and into drinkable liquid. But there is still a ways to go before they are ready for commercial distribution and available to help large numbers of people.
Researchers can harvest water from air in the desert, in a process powered only by the Sun.
Space debris
When the second Death Star was destroyed in “Return of the Jedi,” it made a huge mess, as you would expect when blowing to smithereens an object at least 87 miles across (140 kilometers). But the movie’s mythology helpfully explains a hyperspace wormhole briefly opened, scattering much of the falling debris across the galaxy.
As best as anyone can tell, a hyperspace wormhole has never appeared near Earth. And even if such a thing existed or happened, humans might not have the technology to chuck all our trash in there anyway. So we’re left with a whole lot of stuff all around us, including in space.
According to the website Orbiting Now, in late April 2025 there were just over 12,000 active satellites orbiting the planet. All in all, the United States and other space-faring nations are trying to keep track of nearly 50,000 objects orbiting Earth. And there are millions of fragments of space debris too small to be observed or tracked.
Just as on Earth’s roads, space vehicles crash into each other if traffic gets too congested. But unlike the debris that falls to the road after an Earth crash, all the bits and pieces that break off in a space crash fly away at speeds of several thousand miles per hour (10,000 to 30,000 kph) and can then hit other satellites or spacecraft that cross their paths.
Engineers at NASA, the European Space Agency and other space programs are exploring a variety of technologies – including a net, a harpoon and a laser – to remove the more dangerous pieces of space junk and clean up the space environment.
There are many different kinds of mitochondria, and medical professionals are learning how to transplant mitochondria from one cell to another just like they transplant organs from one person’s body to another. Maybe one day a transplant procedure could help people find the light side of the Force and turn away from the dark side.
May the Fourth – and the Force – be with you.
Daniel B. Oerther is affiliated with the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists.
William Schonberg occasionally receives funding from NASA.
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced a resolution designating April 29, 2025, as “National Fentanyl Awareness Day” to raise awareness about the dangers fentanyl poses to Americans and their families. The resolution was unanimously passed by the U.S. Senate.
“There’s always more we can and should be doing to address the substance use disorder crisis and prevent more Granite Staters from dying of drug overdoses,” said Senator Shaheen. “Our resolution memorializes the lives that have been lost to this epidemic and underscores the need to raise awareness and commit more resources to combating the flow of fentanyl into our communities.”
“Fentanyl overdoses claimed the lives of more than 58,000 Americans last year, many of whom suffered from accidental poisonings after taking counterfeit prescription pills. President Trump has taken strong action to stem the flow of fentanyl pills. Additionally, Congress must act to hold corporations accountable for their role in the illicit drug trade,” Grassley said. “Our resolution demonstrates continuing resolve to put an end to America’s fentanyl epidemic.”
A copy of the Resolution can be found here.
Senator Shaheen has led efforts to address the substance use disorder epidemic in the Granite State. Earlier this month, Shaheen led the New Hampshire Congressional delegation in calling on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to immediately restore more than $80 million in federal funding cut from HHS that New Hampshire relies on to help communities address the substance use disorder and mental health crises. Shaheen recently held a roundtable at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Concord to highlight the consequences of these cuts. Shaheen also recently introduced the bipartisan Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act with Senator Grassley that would help prevent youth opioid use and overdoses by establishing a new grant program that allows current or former Drug-Free Communities (DFC) coalitions to partner with schools to provide resources educating students about the dangers of synthetic opioids.
Launching the new Tak£500+ project for 2025 is the Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Councillor Sarah Duffy with the Participatory Budgeting Working Group.
Applications for the Tak£500+ project are now open and groups can receive up to an incredible £1000 for a project to benefit their area!
This Participatory Budget Fund encourages local residents within the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon borough to apply for funding for a project that they think will have a positive impact on their community.
This is the fourth year of this fantastic project so, if you have an idea in mind of something that would bring value to your area and support your community, especially in these increasingly difficult times, look no further!
There are seven information sessions taking place over the new few weeks where you can find out all you need to know, so come along and find out more!
“Tak£500+ is an excellent opportunity to get funding for a project in your local community and really make a difference to those living in your area. I would encourage everyone to come along to one of the information sessions and see how you can benefit from this fantastic project,” commented Councillor Sarah Duffy, Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon.
“I have seen the difference that the Tak£500+ project has made to local communities and the incredible impact it has had across the borough. This project is now in its fourth year and continuing to grow – so don’t miss out on the chance to receive up to £1000 to help benefit the residents in your area.”
Information sessions are as follows:
Thursday 1st May: Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre, 7pm – 8pm
Friday 2nd May, Online via Zoom, 10am-11am
Tuesday 6th May, Banbridge Civic Building, 7pm-8pm
Wednesday 7th May, Chamber at Armagh Palace Demesne, 7pm – 8pm
Thursday 8th May, Online via Zoom, 10am-11am
Thursday 8th May, Online via Zoom, 2pm-3pm
Tuesday 13th May Online via Z00m, 7pm-8pm
Both constituted groups and non-constituted groups can apply for funding to help bring an idea to life. Ideas can be based on the Take 5 Ways to Wellbeing – which are a great guide to helping you to look after yourself and others during these uncertain days, including keeping you connected to the people around you and encouraging communities to lean on each other.
If you need more information or support, please contact a member of the PB Working Group who will be happy to help you. Full contact details are online or alternatively, you can email
*protected email*
This project is being taken forward by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Community Planning Partnership and has been funded by a range of partners including the Public Health Agency, ABC Council, Heritage Places, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, PSNI, Department for Communities, Ark Housing, Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Arbour Housing.
It has also been supported by the Community and Voluntary Panel, the Children and Young Peoples Strategic Partnership, the Policing & Community Safety Partnership, Education Authority and Sport NI.
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 2
News Release Thursday, May 1, 2025
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes for Health (NIH) today announced the development of the next-generation, universal vaccine platform, Generation Gold Standard, using a beta-propiolactone (BPL)-inactivated, whole-virus platform. This initiative represents a decisive shift toward transparency, effectiveness, and comprehensive preparedness, funding the NIH’s in-house development of universal influenza and coronavirus vaccines, including candidates BPL-1357 and BPL-24910. These vaccines aim to provide broad-spectrum protection against multiple strains of pandemic-prone viruses such as H5N1 avian influenza and coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1, and MERS-CoV. “Our commitment is clear: every innovation in vaccine development must be grounded in gold standard science and transparency, and subjected to the highest standards of safety and efficacy testing,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The program realigns BARDA’s operations with its statutory mission under the Public Health Service Act—to prepare for all influenza viral threats, not just those currently circulating. “Generation Gold Standard is a paradigm shift,” said NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya. “It extends vaccine protection beyond strain-specific limits and prepares for flu viral threats – not just today’s, but tomorrow’s as well – using traditional vaccine technology brought into the 21st century.” Generation Gold Standard, developed exclusively by NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID):
Recalibrates America’s pandemic preparedness. Unlike traditional vaccines that target specific strains, BPL-inactivated whole-virus vaccines preserve the virus’s structural integrity while eliminating infectivity. This approach induces robust B and T cell immune responses and offers long-lasting protection across diverse viral families. Moreover, the intranasal formulation of BPL-1357 is currently in Phase Ib and II/III trials and is designed to block virus transmission—an innovation absent from current flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Embodies efficient, transparent, and government-led research. The BPL platform is fully government-owned and NIH-developed. This approach ensures radical transparency, public accountability, and freedom from commercial conflicts of interest. Marks the future of vaccine development. In addition to influenza and coronavirus, the BPL platform is adaptable for future use against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), metapneumovirus, and parainfluenza. It also offers the unprecedented capability to protect against avian influenza without inducing antigenic drift—a major step forward in proactive pandemic prevention.
Clinical trials for universal influenza vaccines are scheduled to begin in 2026, with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval targeted for 2029. The intranasal BPL-1357 flu vaccine, currently in advanced trials, is also on track for FDA review by 2029. About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov. NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health® ###
For the ninth consecutive time, UConn’s John Dempsey Hospital holds the highest mark for hospital safety, according to an independent national nonprofit watchdog.
The Leapfrog Group issues its Hospital Safety Grades semi-annually to general hospitals across the country based on more than 30 measures of accidents, error, injuries, and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.
Dr. Scott Allen is UConn Health’s chief medical officer and the UConn John Dempsey Hospital medical director of clinical effectiveness and safety. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)
“Our continued letter grade ‘A’ for hospital patient safety by Leapfrog is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to being a high-reliability organization, from leadership to front-line staff,” says Dr. Scott Allen, UConn Health’s chief medical officer and the hospital’s medical director of clinical effectiveness and safety. “Keeping patients safe from harm is just one aspect of the overall excellence in care received at UConn Health.”
John Dempsey Hospital has maintained an ‘A’ grade from Leapfrog every six months since first earning it in the spring of 2021.
“Achieving an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade reflects enormous dedication to patient safety,” says Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “I extend my congratulations to UConn’s John Dempsey Hospital, its leadership, clinicians, staff and volunteers for creating a culture where patients come first.”
Leapfrog describes its Hospital Safety Grade as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries. The program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.
BURLINGTON, Mass., May 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ascend Learning, a leading healthcare and learning software company, has acquired myTIPreport, a platform that modernizes medical education feedback and competency tracking. myTIPreport will be integrated into Ascend’s MedHub brand, enabling medical education institutions to more efficiently and conveniently track the performance of both medical trainees and programs. With this enhanced offering, medical training institutions and programs can ensure the next generation of clinicians have the training and clinical competencies needed to deliver best-in-class care for the growing patient population.
By incorporating the myTIPreport technology into the MedHub portfolio of products and services, alongside curriculum and assessment technology, Ascend provides medical education institutions with comprehensive solutions to track trainee, program, and institutional performance and effectiveness. myTIPreport offers a suite of features enabling:
Real-time feedback for streamlined evaluation processes benefitting educators and trainees
Increased engagement via mobile notifications and gamification, building a positive culture around feedback across institutions
Comprehensive evaluation and tracking via class summary reports and tools for rotation assessments
Streamlined milestone reporting
Data visualization and increased understanding via reporting and analytics dashboards
“myTIPreport is a vital tool for numerous medical education programs and specialty boards worldwide, many of which are also clients of MedHub,” said Mike DeSimone, VP of Product, Medicine and Workforce Solutions at Ascend Learning. “Through these offerings, we’re enhancing our capabilities to help institutions efficiently manage learner, program, and institutional processes and data.”
“Since its inception in 2014, myTipReport has grown organically, driven by users who find genuine value in its ability to solve critical feedback challenges in medical training. Allowing MedHub to carry myTIPreport into the future is a natural progression for us, as they bring a deep understanding of the medical education landscape, robust technical capabilities, and the reach to expand our impact across multiple specialties,” said Taylor Lafrinere, Creator of myTIPreport. “Together, both companies aim to enhance competency-based training and foster a culture that values the essential process of giving and receiving feedback, ultimately contributing to the development of better healthcare professionals.”
About Ascend Learning Ascend Learning is a leading healthcare and learning technology company. With products that span the learning continuum, Ascend Learning focuses on high-growth careers in a range of industries, with a special focus on healthcare and other licensure-driven occupations. Ascend Learning products, from testing to certification, are used by physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, allied health professionals, certified personal trainers, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals and insurance brokers. Learn more at www.ascendlearning.com.
About MedHub MedHub is a leading provider of healthcare education management solutions for graduate and undergraduate medical education and advanced practice healthcare institutions. MedHub consolidates disparate data into one platform, providing an integrated approach to healthcare education management. Its focus is boosting overall program efficiencies, including daily programmatic and workflow processes, so that curriculum, coursework, scheduling, assessments, site management, task distribution, and other program facets can live in a single platform.
Heated tobacco products are often marketed by tobacco companies as less harmful than cigarettes, but they can pose health risks to users, according to a new review I co-authored in the journal Tobacco Control. Evidence on their health risks in people who smoke is limited, sometimes contradictory, and hard to make sense of.
Heated tobacco products are electronic devices that heat tobacco so users can inhale nicotine. Common brands include IQOS, available in the U.S., and Ploom and Glo, sold in other countries.
Heated tobacco products are different from e-cigarettes, though they may look similar. E-cigarettes, which are also called vapes, heat a liquid containing nicotine but not tobacco, whereas heated tobacco products heat actual tobacco leaf. Heated tobacco products are also different from traditional cigarettes, which burn tobacco rather than heating it. These distinctions matter because it’s the burning of tobacco leaf – not the nicotine – that directly causes the disease and death associated with smoking.
There is limited long-term data about the health harms of heated tobacco products. My colleagues and I analyzed the available data, drawn from 40 clinical trials, that followed participants who used these products for a year or less. We looked at molecular changes in the blood, breath and urine, called biomarkers, to explore the potential risks of heated tobacco products.
The studies we reviewed reported changes in 143 different biomarkers, including measures linked to heart disease and cancer. But drawing clear conclusions from the data was hard because of issues with the available evidence. Of the 40 studies, 29 were funded by the tobacco industry. Furthermore, 31 of the 40 studies were conducted in confined settings, meaning that participants’ activities and their use of the assigned product were controlled. This may not reflect heated tobacco products’ real-world use.
If heated tobacco products are less harmful than cigarettes, we would expect to see largely beneficial effects in smokers who switched to them. However, the evidence we reviewed was inconclusive. Though most studies suggested that heated tobacco products might reduce risks of disease compared with smoking, other studies found no difference, or even the potential of increased risk. Compared with quitting smoking completely, use of heated tobacco products had more consistently harmful effects.
Tobacco companies claim that heated tobacco products pose less of a health risk than cigarettes.
Few studies have directly compared the effects of heated tobacco products with e-cigarettes. However, many independently funded, longer-term studies have examined e-cigarettes and have shown they can help people stop smoking and reduce health risks in people who switch completely from smoking to vaping.
Why it matters
Heated tobacco products may be coming to a town near you – or already be there. They are already widely used in Japan. IQOS was removed from the U.S. market in 2021 after a court ruled that the product had infringed on an existing patent. However, following a flurry of promotional activities, IQOS relaunched in March 2025 in Austin, Texas. Like most heated tobacco product brands, IQOS is owned by one of the largest cigarette companies in the world, Philip Morris International.
The company claims it wants to bring IQOS to the U.S. market to provide smoking adults a “better alternative” to cigarettes. But the science we’ve reviewed on whether heated tobacco products are truly healthier is inconclusive. Our review found inconsistencies in data on health effects, and other research suggests these products may not help smokers quit.
What still isn’t known
We do not know the long-term health effects of heated tobacco products, nor whether they can actually reduce the risk of disease and death in people who switch from smoking to using heated tobacco products. It is also unclear how heated tobacco products fit into the wider tobacco and nicotine market, especially in light of other available products and interventions already proved to help smokers quit.
While our findings do not rule out the possibility that these products have fewer health risks than cigarettes, they provide little support for such claims.
Jamie Hartmann-Boyce receives research funding for tobacco related research from the US NIH-FDA and Cancer Research UK. She has provided research consultancy for the Truth Initiative. Her involvement in this work was not funded and the views expressed here are those of the researchers and do not necessarily represent those of her funders. Other authors of this work are funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies as part of the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco use. This funder had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Indu Subramanian, Clinical Professor of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at an April 16, 2025, news conference in Washington, D.C.Alex Wong via Getty Images
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has attracted a lot of attention for his raspy voice, which results from a neurological voice disorder called spasmodic dysphonia.
Kennedy, 71, says that in his 40s he developed a neurological disease that “robbed him of his strong speaking voice.” Kennedy first publicly spoke of the quiver he had noticed in his voice in a 2004 interview with journalist Diane Rehm, who also had spasmodic dysphonia.
In 2005, Kennedy was receiving shots of botulinum toxin, the neurotoxin that is now used in Botox as well as to treat migraines and other conditions, every four months. This first-line treatment for dysphonia helps to weaken the vocal folds that contract abnormally with this condition. He used botulinum toxin injections for 10 years and then stopped using them, saying they were “not a good fit” for him.
Kennedy initially developed symptoms while in the public eye teaching at Pace University in New York. Some viewers wrote to him suggesting that he had the condition spasmadic dysphonia and that he should contact a well-known expert on the disease, Dr. Andrew Blitzer. He followed this advice and had the diagnosis confirmed.
I am a movement disorders neurologist and have long been passionate about the psychological and social toll that conditions such as dysphonias have on my patients.
Kennedy says his condition began in 1996, when he was 42.
Typically, a neurologist may suspect the disorder by identifying characteristic voice breaks when the patients is speaking. The diagnosis is confirmed with the help of an ear, nose and throat specialist who can insert a small scope into the larynx, examine the vocal folds and rule out any other abnormalities.
The most common type of spasmodic dysphonia is called adductor dysphonia, which accounts for 80% of cases. It is characterized by a strained or strangled voice quality with abrupt breaks on vowels due to the vocal folds being hyperadducted, or abnormally closed.
In contrast, a form of the condition called abductor dysphonia causes a breathy voice with breaks on consonants due to uncontrolled abduction – meaning coming apart of the vocal folds.
Potential treatments
Spasmodic dysphonia is not usually treatable with oral medications and sometimes can get better with botulinum toxin injections into the muscles that control the vocal cords. It is a lifelong disorder currently without a cure. Voice therapy through working with a speech pathologist alongside botulinum toxin administration may also be beneficial.
Surgical treatments can be an option for patients who fail botulinum toxin treatment, though surgeries come with risks and can be variably effective. Surgical techniques are being refined and require wider evaluation and long-term follow-up data before being considered as a standard treatment for spasmodic dysphonia.
The sudden, uncontrollable movements caused by irregular folding of the vocal folds are referred to as spasms, which gave rise to the name spasmodic dysphonia.
Dysphonias fall into a broader category of movement disorders
Spasmodic dysphonia is classified as a focal dystonia, a dystonia that affects one body part – the vocal folds, in the case of spasmodic dysphonia. Dystonia is an umbrella term for movement disorders characterized by sustained or repetitive muscle contractions that cause abnormal postures or movements.
Another type, called blepharospasm, involves involuntary muscle contractions and spasms of the eyelid muscles that can cause forced eye closure that can even affect vision in some cases. There can be other dystonias such as writer’s cramp, which can make the hand cramp when writing. Musicians can develop dystonias from overusing certain body parts such as violinists who develop dystonia in their hands or trumpet players who develop dystonia in their lips.
Stigmas and psychological distress
Dystonias can cause tremendous psychological distress.
Many dystonias and movement disorders in general, including Parkinson’s disease and other conditions that result in tremors, face tremendous amounts of stigma. In Africa, for instance, there is a misconception that the affected person has been cursed by witchcraft or that the movement disorder is contagious. People with the condition may be hidden from society or isolated from others due to fear of catching the disease.
In the case of spasmodic dysphonia, the affected person may feel that they appear nervous or ill-prepared while speaking publicly. They may be embarrassed or ashamed and isolate themselves from speaking to others.
My patients have been very frustrated by the unpredictable nature of the symptoms and by having to avoid certain sounds that could trigger the dysphonia. They may then have to restructure their word choices and vocabulary so as not to trigger the dysphonia, which can be very mentally taxing.
Some patients with dysphonia feel that their abnormal voice issues affect their relationships and their ability to perform their job or take on leadership or public-facing roles. Kennedy said in an interview that he finds the sound of his own voice to be unbearable to listen to and apologizes to others for having to listen to it.
A 2005 study exploring the biopsychosocial consequences of spasmodic dysphonia through interviews with patients gives some insight into the experience of people living with the disorder.
A patient in that study said that their voice sounded “like some kind of wild chicken screeching out words,” and another patient said that it “feels like you’re having to grab onto a word and push it out from your throat.” Another felt like “there’s a rubber band around my neck. Someone was constricting it.” And another said, “It feels like you have a sore throat all the time … like a raw feeling in your throat.”
Patients in the study described feeling hopeless and disheartened, less confident and less competent. The emotional toll can be huge. One patient said, “I used to be very outgoing and now I find myself avoiding those situations.” Another said, “People become condescending like you’re not capable anymore because you don’t speak well.”
As conditions such as spasmodic dysphonia become better recognized, I am hopeful that not only will treatments improve, but that stigmas around such conditions will diminish.
Indu Subramanian does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
HO-HO-KUS, N.J., May 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TravMark, a specialty insurance broker that has protected more than one million travelers, including youth program and summer camp participants, today released a first-of-its-kind analysis on the reasons families make insurance claims on behalf of their children attending summer camps and programs. The examination of claims made by the parents of 10,000 TravMark-insured campers and travelers in 2024 showed that the need to use an insurance policy is most often based on events that can happen to anyone before or during these wonderful experiences.
TravMark’s 2024 Summer Camp & Program Insurance Utilization Report found that 41% of claims were related to sickness and 17.5% due to accidental injury, while 36.8% of claims involved families using a “cancel for any reason (CFAR)” option prior to traveling. Overall, just over half (50.5%) of claims were made to cancel prior to departure.
“Our 2024 Summer Camp & Program Insurance Utilization Report highlights the fact that insured families file claims for a diverse array of reasons and it’s generally not about ‘that will never happen’ events,” said Mark Ceslowitz, president and chief executive officer of TravMark. “Camp and youth travel programs are memorable experiences that shape children’s lives in so many meaningful ways – ones that families typically spend thousands of dollars on each year. TravMark uses decades of data and real-world case studies to protect that investment, shaping policies that truly protect young campers and travelers.”
There are two parts to most travel insurance policies, including those offered for summer camps and youth travel programs: cancellation insurance, which covers the period before departing home for covered reasons (medical, etc.) and often includes the CFAR option that generally protects the insured person until two days prior to leaving; and interruption insurance, which then takes over if the stay is interrupted or impacted for covered reasons.
TravMark 2024 Summer Program Claims by Type:
Trip Cancellation: 50.5%
Trip Interruption: 21.3%
Travel Delay: 13.7%
Travel Medical: 11.9%
Baggage: 2.6%
TravMark 2024 Details of Cancellation Claims by Type:
Sickness: 41%
Cancel for Any Reason: 36.8%
Accidental Injury: 17.5%
Death of a family member 3.8%
Other: 0.9%
Protecting Physical & Mental Health
TravMark is one of the few companies to remove psychological exclusions from many of its policies, providing coverage that recognizes the significance of mental health to effectively support the needs of today’s youth.
“Going to summer camp or traveling on your own – for the first time or any time – can be an overwhelming experience for many children and their families, and insurance protection offers valuable peace of mind,” said Shannon Lofdahl, TravMark managing director. “From ensuring you are financially covered for medical issues that might arise to reducing the unease that your plans might change before summer arrives, camp and youth program insurance helps assure that you are making the most of summer.”
TravMark works with camp registration platforms, standalone camps and individual families to provide insurance that meets the unique needs of both campers and camps. With more than 20,000 year-round and summer camps annually serving 26 million campers, according to the American Camping Association, it’s a thriving industry where too few insurance providers have the experience and insight to effectively protect campers and camp operators.
To learn more about TravMark’s camp insurance options, visit TravMark.com.
About TravMark Established in 2000, TravMark provides all forms of business and individual insurance programs, assisting travel providers and program operators with their insurance needs. Based in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, TravMark insures travelers and program participants through its custom developed plans, focusing on the unique demands of the market and the changing demands of travelers in today’s travel environment. TravMark is a proud member of the U.S. Travel Insurance Association (USTIA), U.S. Tour Operator Association (USTOA), Student Youth Travel Association (SYTA) and American Camp Association (ACA).
TUPELO, Miss., May 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Renasant Corporation (the “Company”) announced that Kevin D. Chapman has officially assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer and President of both the Company and Renasant Bank (the “Bank”). C. Mitchell Waycaster, immediate past Renasant CEO, will continue as Executive Vice Chairman for both the Company and the Bank. As Executive Vice Chairman, Waycaster will continue to be involved in strategic planning, investor relations, mergers and acquisitions, and providing guidance and board level oversight for the Company.
“As previously announced with our company’s succession plan, it is with full confidence and great enthusiasm that the Board and I pass the leadership torch to Kevin Chapman as our new CEO,” said E. Robinson McGraw, Chairman of the Board of the Company and the Bank. “We are in exceptionally capable hands under Kevin’s leadership, and we are confident that his proven track record and vision will guide Renasant to even greater success. On behalf of our shareholders, board, and employees, we congratulate Kevin on this well-deserved promotion and look forward to supporting him as he leads Renasant into the future.”
About Kevin D. Chapman: Chapman has been President since May 2023 and Chief Operating Officer for the Company since May 2018. Prior to his current role, Chapman held several different roles including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller.
Chapman has worked in the financial services industry for more than 25 years with experience that includes initial public offerings, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, capital raises, investor relations and corporate strategy. Prior to Renasant, he served as Corporate Controller for a large regional bank and as an accountant with Ernst and Young in Birmingham, Alabama.
Chapman received his M.B.A. and B.S. in Accounting from Troy University. He is a licensed C.P.A. in the state of Alabama. Chapman is involved in many community and non-profit organizations and has served as a board or committee member of the Community Development Foundation of Tupelo, the Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi, North Mississippi Medical Center, Yocona Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, United Way of Northeast Mississippi, and the North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra.
Chapman has served as a past board member of Mississippi Bankers Association and Mississippi Young Bankers. Additionally, he has served on various committees for the American Bankers Association.
ABOUT RENASANT CORPORATION: Renasant Corporation is the parent of Renasant Bank, a 121-year-old financial services institution. As of April 1, 2025, Renasant has assets of approximately $26.0 billion and operates more than 280 banking, lending, mortgage and wealth management offices throughout the Southeast and offers factoring and asset-based lending on a nationwide basis.
There are many reasons why older people may avoid strength training, such as a lack of knowledge about exercise, lack of access to a gym and stigma. Another major reason is the fear that exercise might make their muscles and joints even more sore than they already are.
But the good news is that older adults are no more likely to experience muscle soreness after a workout than young adults are. In fact, our recent study found older adults actually experienced less muscle soreness following exercise than young adults did. This research overturns the widespread belief that ageing muscles are less resilient.
We pooled data from 36 studies which looked at a total of 389 younger adults and 390 older adults with the aim of comparing their experiences of exercise-induced muscle damage. We analysed three different types of studies in our research, including those where participants self-reported on their muscle soreness, studies which looked at markers of muscle damage in the blood, and studies which analysed muscle function the day after a workout.
We found that older adults do not experience greater muscle function loss after exercise compared with younger people. Maybe most importantly, muscle soreness was consistently lower in older adults after a workout. Older adults experienced only two-thirds of the soreness younger people did at 48 hours, and only one-third of the muscle soreness at 72 hours compared with younger people.
Because we looked at 36 different studies, not all of them compared the same age groups. But they generally compared younger adults (people in their 20s) to older adults (people aged between 30 and 60).
We also found that biological sex appeared to play a role in muscle function recovery, with males showing slightly greater losses in muscle function after exercise than females. This effect was true for both upper body and lower body exercises, as well as body strength and aerobic workouts.
These findings challenge the widespread belief that ageing muscles recover more slowly or are more prone to exercise-induced damage. This misconception often discourages older adults from engaging in regular physical activity due to fears of prolonged soreness or weakness. The findings also show us that older adults may not need longer recovery periods between workouts – potentially allowing for more frequent or intense training sessions, leading to better long-term health outcomes.
How to get started
Although our study shows that older adults are no more likely to experience muscle damage compared to younger adults, this doesn’t mean older people won’t experience some soreness when they start working out.
There are two important factors that can increase muscle damage (including soreness) after exercise.
The first is novelty. If you haven’t done a particular exercise before (or even for a long time) then it’s more likely you’ll feel sore for a couple of days afterwards if you overdo it. This happens because a new movement or type of exercise challenges our muscles. This causes the body to trigger a cascade of processes that build new muscle. While this temporarily makes us sore, it ultimately makes it easier for us to cope when we do that exercise again.
The second are “eccentric” muscle contractions. What we mean by eccentric contractions is when you’re attempting to slow down a weight (imagine the downwards phase of a bicep curl – your bicep is working to slow the bar from dropping to the floor). Another example of an eccentric muscle movement is downhill running.
Eccentric muscle contractions cause more damage than other movements mainly because they subject the muscle fibers to exceptionally high force loads, which is often distributed unevenly. This can overstretch and disrupt the integrity of our muscles, causing stress and damage. But while this leads to soreness in the short-term, these changes ultimately make us stronger.
To overcome the problem of being new to exercise, you should ease yourself into a new exercise programme. The couch to 5K programme is a great example of this. This programme guides people to build their aerobic fitness gradually.
So for instance, you might start by going for a 5-minute walk on Monday. If you feel okay on Wednesday, you might try a 10-minute walk instead. This means that every walk is only five additional minutes of novel exercise, allowing your body to gradually build fitness without too much risk of soreness.
The same principle applies to the eccentric exercises we might do while strength training. Start easy. For an older beginner, just standing up from a chair and returning to seated can be a starting point. This is a very useful movement as it uses our main leg muscles. Being able to raise from a chair is also a huge predictor of independence in later life. Another benefit of this exercise is that you can always return to the seat if you lose balance – so it is quite safe.
If you can do five of these in a row on Tuesday, see you if you can do two lots (we call these sets) of five on Thursday. Much like aerobic fitness, you’ll soon improve your muscle strength. For the upper body, raising light weights above your head and back down to your lap can be a start. You could also use tins of unopened beans if you don’t have any equipment at home. Try to do these strength-based activities at least two days per week.
The findings of our study and many others suggest exercise has no age limit. Move more to live longer and healthier. Aim for 150 minutes of activity each week, add strength training twice per week – and most importantly, find a workout you love. When you enjoy it, you’re more likely to stick with it.
Lawrence Hayes has received funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the Chief Scientist Office (CSO), the RS Macdonald Charitable Trust, and the Physiological Society.
John Fernandes does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
An Asian American and lifelong liberal from the San Francisco Bay Area, I became a first-time gun owner as a 42-year-old in 2011. I began a now 14-year journey into an unfamiliar and complex world of firearms. In my work, I draw on both my personal experiences and sociological observations to understand the long-standing presence of a robust legal gun culture in America.
In contrast to the dominant scholarly approaches, which focus on gun deviance and harm, I find there is more to firearms than criminal violence, injury and death; more to gun owners than straight white men; and more to gun culture than democracy-destroying right-wing politics.
Let me share five observations essential to understanding guns in America:
1. Guns are normal
About 86 million American adults – 1 in 3 – own at least one of the estimated 400 million firearms in the U.S. today.
Imagine if everyone who uses TikTok in the U.S. owned a gun – and then add the population of New York City. That is enough gun owners to fill over 1,000 NFL stadiums.
Humans have used projectile weapons like rocks and spears from the beginning. This unbroken history continues in every society, with firearms as the weapon of choice in all but the most isolated communities. People who could legally own guns in colonial America commonly did so. Even today, civilian firearms ownership remains exceptionally high in the U.S. compared with other industrialized nations.
The right of everyday Americans to own guns is a deep part of American culture, enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and many state constitutions.
Before the mid-1800s, people primarily used firearms for practical purposes: hunting for food, defense from and offense against indigenous populations, controlling enslaved people, expanding territory and fighting against oppressive rulers.
Kevin Dixie, at a firearms retailer and gun range in Ballwin, Mo., believes that gun rights are about empowering minority communities and ensuring freedom for every American. AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
Starting in the mid-1800s, Americans developed a more complex gun culture that included recreational hunting, organized target shooting and gun collecting. These elements continue today, but, in a shift, Americans increasingly own guns for self-defense.
Gun Culture 2.0 is more diverse and inclusive than the United States’ historical gun culture because security is a universal human concern.
The response to feelings of insecurity varies. Portfolios of protective measures in the U.S. include home security systems, dogs, the hyperlocal social networking service Nextdoor, gated communities and firearms.
4. Guns are lethal tools
Many tools like knives and chainsaws are lethal, meaning they have the capacity to cause death. Guns differ because their lethality is by design. Consequently, guns can make dangerous situations more deadly.
While the U.S. has a moderate overall suicide rate compared with other developed countries, it has a firearm suicide rate that substantially exceeds these other nations. This is because firearms are widely available and highly lethal. When people attempt suicide using guns, they die in up to 90% of cases.
Similarly, although the U.S. is not exceedingly violent or criminal compared with peer nations, its criminal violence is more deadly because these lethal tools are more frequently involved.
Starting in the mid-1800s, Americans developed a more complex gun culture that included recreational hunting, as depicted in this 1852 lithograph of woodcock hunters. Universal History Archive/Getty Images
5. Guns are paradoxical
Despite high rates of firearm suicide and homicide, most guns in the U.S. will not kill anyone, and most American gun owners will not commit violence against themselves or others. My calculations, based on the 2023 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, indicate that just one gun death occurred per 8,560 firearms and 1,840 gun owners – meaning at least 99.99% of guns and 99.95% of gun owners were not directly involved in fatalities that year.
These observations collectively point to a final insight: Guns resist simple categorization and embody multiple paradoxes.
To different people, they are fun and frightening, dangerous and protective, diffuse and concentrated, unifying and divisive, attractive and repulsive, interesting and controversial, useful and useless, good and bad, and neither good nor bad.
This is to say, guns are not inherently anything. They take on different meanings according to the various purposes to which people put them.
A realistic view requires maintaining a clear-eyed understanding of the lethal capabilities of firearms. But the tendency to focus exclusively on firearms-related harms, while understandable, becomes a problem, in my view, when it fails to acknowledge the normality of guns and the diversity of gun owners.
David Yamane has received funding from The Louisville Institute for the Study of American Religion to study church security. He is a member of the Liberal Gun Club, National African American Gun Association, and National Rifle Association, and financially supports the Liberal Gun Owners 501c4 and Walk the Walk America 501c3 organizations.
The leader of Reform UK’s plans to introduce private healthcare insurance to the UK would “cost lives”, says Scottish Greens health spokesperson Gillian Mackay MSP.
The statement was said by the millionaire politician Nigel Farage during an interview with Sky News political editor Beth Rigby, where he said “I do not want it [the NHS] funded through general taxation.”
The Reform UK MP implied that he would instead replace it with a system of private insurance, which would cost working people across Scotland more.
Scottish Greens have always stood up for publicly owned healthcare in Scotland and criticised moves from the Labour UK government to implement privatisation in sectors of the NHS south of the border.
“Nigel Farage is a millionaire who has no problem funding his own healthcare, but he wants to push these dire plans to punish the least well off in society, the families and communities most likely to need crucial healthcare.
“Healthcare must always be accessible and free for everyone. We have that right now in Scotland, and any suggestion to introduce private insurance is a blatantly obvious attempt to Americanise our healthcare system.
“I have no doubt that these proposals from Farage would cost lives. Charging patients to access healthcare will have tragic consequences for those who need healthcare the most.
“Our NHS needs help to deal with the disastrous staffing crisis caused by the withdrawal from the EU – which Scotland didn’t vote for -, and recovery from one of the worst health crises in centuries. This kind of political distraction isn’t going to help the nurses, doctors and patients; it simply drives profit from ill health.
“Scottish Greens have always worked to protect Scotland’s NHS, in the 2025/26 budget we supported a £2 billion increase in frontline NHS funding in order to reduce waiting times, improve access and ensure everyone can access the healthcare they need.
“With the real prospect of a far right Reform government without a single MP in Scotland, independence has never been so crucial. Next year, Scotland can reject the dire and dangerous ideas of Reform UK and Nigel Farage, by voting for Scottish Green MSPs who will protect our NHS, put money in people’s pockets and tackle the climate emergency.”
