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Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Centre Writes to Chief Secretaries /Administrators of all States/UTs on Measures for Effective Management and mitigation of Adverse Effects of Extreme Heat Waves on Workers and Labourers

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 5:02PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Labour and Employment has advised all States and UTs to ensure effective measures to reduce the impact of extreme heat waves on workers and labourers engaged in different sectors.

    In a letter addressed to Chief Secretaries /Administrators of all States/UTs, Secretary, Ministry of of Labour & Employment emphasized upon the need to issue directions to the occupiers / employers / construction companies / industries to undertake necessary steps to mitigate the adverse effects of extreme heatwave on workers/labourers.

    The letter recommended for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach listing out various steps including rescheduling of working hours, ensuring adequate drinking water facilities, ventilation and cooling of work places, rest areas, conducting regular health check-ups for workers and providing emergency ice packs and heat illness prevention materials to construction workers etc.

    The letter also advised for instructions to be issued to mine and factory managements to allow slower work pace, flexible schedules, two-person crews during extreme heat, proper ventilation in underground mines. In addition to factories and mines, it stressed upon special attention to be given for construction and brick kiln workers and the need for widespread dissemination of information to workers about ways to protect themselves from extreme heat conditions through awareness camps, posters and banners at labour chowks etc.

    The ministry has also issued instructions to its organisations (DGLW, CLC, DTNBWED, VVGNLI, DGFASLI, DGMS, ESIC) to conduct awareness sessions and to include specific modules in their training programmes focusing on educating workers about causes and impact of heat wave, recognising heat stress, preventive strategies and ways to mitigate adverse effects of heatwave.

    Hospitals and dispensaries under DGLW and ESIC have also been asked to set up dedicated desks to take care of heat stroke cases and ensure adequate supply of ORS, ice packs and other heat illness prevention material.

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2123477) Visitor Counter : 14

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Guatemalan alien illegally residing in the United States and convicted of sexual battery indicted for fraudulently obtaining custody of an unaccompanied alien child in the United States, following ICE, joint law enforcement partner investigation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    WASHINGTON — A federal grand jury indicted an illegal alien, April 17, for his alleged role in smuggling an unaccompanied alien child to the United States and for allegedly submitting a sponsorship application with false statements to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement to gain custody of the minor after she entered the United States, following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, FBI, investigation.

    “This case is a testament to ICE’s commitment to hold predators accountable for the harm they inflict on children,” said ICE acting Director Todd Lyons. “We are making every effort to ensure the safety of children released to sponsors across the United States. This is vital work and through their victim centered approach, ICE Homeland Security Investigations special agents are perfectly positioned to uncover any similar crimes by predatory sponsors.”

    “The prior administration’s border policies created an environment that enabled human trafficking and allowed bad actors to take advantage of at-risk children,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We are committed to protecting children from the scourge of human trafficking and will not rest until we deliver justice for those who suffered during the border crisis.”

    According to the indictment, Juan Tiul Xi, 26, a Guatemalan national illegally residing in Cleveland, illegally entered the United States in 2023. Thereafter, Tiul Xi allegedly encouraged and induced a 14-year-old Guatemalan girl to illegally enter the United States and to use the identity of Tiul Xi’s sister as her alias. As a UAC, the Guatemalan girl was placed in the care and custody of ORR. As alleged, Tiul Xi then falsely stated on documents submitted to ORR when he applied to sponsor and obtain custody of the girl that he was the UAC’s brother and that her alias was her actual name. ORR relied on Tiul Xi’s alleged false statements when, on or about Sept. 5, 2023, ORR released the UAC to Tiul Xi’s care.

    Tiul Xi is charged with one count of encouraging or inducing illegal entry for financial gain, one count of making a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement, and one count of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on the illegal entry count, a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the false statement count, and a mandatory consecutive penalty of two years in prison on the aggravated identity theft count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    “The Office of Refugee Resettlement is committed to continuing vital policy changes that promote the safety and welfare of unaccompanied alien children related into the Unites States,” said ORR Acting Director Angie M. Salazar. “We have significantly increased sponsor vetting with the wellbeing of the child at the core of our process. We hope that our commitment is evident by our collaboration with law enforcement to right previous wrongs and help bring these crimes to light.”

    The indictment is the result of the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and other transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by HRSP and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, DEA, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 360 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 325 U.S. convictions; more than 270 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

    The ICE HSI and FBI Cleveland field offices are jointly investigating with assistance from HSI’s Attaché team in Guatemala. Additionally, HSI’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking in Washington, D.C. and ORR have provided valuable assistance.

    Senior Trial Attorney Christian Levesque of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, Joint Task Force Alpha detailee/Trial Attorney Spencer M. Perry of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and Acting U.S. Attorney Carol Skutnik and Criminal Division Chief Michael L. Collyer for the Northern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case, with assistance from HRSP Analyst/Latin America Specialist Joanna Crandall.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and other transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    Individuals across the world can report suspicious criminal activity to the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Highly trained specialists take reports from both the public and law enforcement agencies on more than 400 laws enforced by ICE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch, Tonko, Community Members Rally in Support of Medicaid

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    PLATTSBURGH, NY – Last night, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined U.S. Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY-20) in hosting a rally to fight back against Congressional Republicans’ proposed cuts to Medicaid. Held in Plattsburgh, Sen. Welch and Rep. Tonko spoke to a crowd of more than 175 New Yorkers and Vermonters about the importance of protecting this essential health coverage program. They also called out Republicans’ attempts to kick seniors, children, and people with disabilities off Medicaid to pay for a tax cut for those who don’t pay their fair share.  
    “This is about health care and the well-being of every American. President Trump and Republicans’ budget would cut care for those who need it most, all so they secure tax cuts for billionaires—that’s an acceptable deal to them. But as far as I’m concerned, there is no acceptable cut to health coverage,” said Senator Welch. “So while Republicans are attempting to finance a tax cut for the ultra-wealthy, Democrats will continue working to protect access to Medicaid for communities small and large and work to lower costs for hardworking families and seniors.” 
    See photos from the event below:  

    More than 157,000 Vermonters rely on Medicaid for their health coverage and access to care. Medicaid provides around 41% of children in Vermont with health care, and nearly 2,000 births per year are covered by Medicaid. More than 38,000 people with a disability in Vermont are covered by Medicaid. More than 60% of nursing home residents in Vermont rely on Medicaid to pay for the care in the nursing home. Every hospital in Vermont serves Medicaid beneficiaries. The Republican budget threatens to slash Medicaid funding by a third, which means 32,000 rural residents in Vermont could lose their coverage.  
    In New York, nearly 7 million people rely on Medicaid coverage. The Republicans’ proposed cuts to Medicaid could result in 590,000 kids and more than 150,000 rural New Yorkers losing coverage. More than 1 in 5 seniors in New York would lose their nursing home care.  
    Nationally, nearly 80 million Americans rely on Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Medicaid covers nearly a quarter of Americans in rural areas. Medicaid pays for nearly half of all births in the U.S., covers nearly half of all of America’s children, provides care to 2 in 3 nursing home residents, and provides peace of mind to 17 million women of reproductive age. More than 15.5 million Americans with a disability are covered by Medicaid.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lawton-Area Trio Sentenced to Serve More Than 12 Years Collectively in Federal Prison for Health Care Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendants Ordered to Pay Nearly $2.7 Million in Restitution Collectively

    OKLAHOMA CITY – JIMMIE MATHEWS, 41, NATHAN MATHEWS, 42, and AMBER DELGER, 55, all of the Lawton area, have been sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy to commit health care fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

    The defendants were each charged in May 2024, with Delger being charged by Information with conspiring to commit health care fraud, and both Jimmie and Nathan charged by a 16-count federal grand jury Indictment with conspiring to commit health care fraud and fifteen counts of health care fraud. Beginning in 2016, Nathan owned Emerald Lane Therapy Services (Emerald Lane) in Lawton, a massage therapy provider. Delger was a subsequent co-owner of the company. Nathan and Jimmie also owned a separate massage therapy provider, Stars & Stripes Therapy (Stars & Stripes), which opened its doors in Lawton in January 2020. Both businesses purportedly treated TRICARE beneficiaries, submitted claims to the Defense Health Agency (DHA), and received payments from DHA for those services.

    According to public record, beginning in January 2018, the defendants conspired together to submit false and fraudulent claims to TRICARE for services that were never rendered. Court documents allege that after TRICARE beneficiaries visited either of the businesses, the defendants would schedule multiple appointments for the beneficiaries many months in advance. If the beneficiary couldn’t make the appointments, or stopped coming altogether, the defendants would nonetheless continue to bill TRICARE as if the beneficiaries had received care. Additionally, Emerald Lane billed TRICARE using the National Provider Identity (NPI) number of an occupational therapist long after the therapist had stopped working for the business. In total, Emerald Lane and Stars & Stripes billed more than $7 million to TRICARE and received nearly $3 million in reimbursement.

    In October 2024, Jimmie and Nathan pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit health care fraud. Previously, on June 17, 2024, Delger pleaded guilty to the same.

    “Through their fraudulent conduct, these defendants exploited programs intended to provide critical benefits to our nation’s military, veterans, and their families” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. “Through vigorous investigation and prosecution, we will continue to protect taxpayer funded institutions and ensure that TRICARE dollars are protected and properly allocated to help those who serve.”

    “The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) is committed to ensuring TRICARE, the U.S. Military healthcare program, is not subjected to fraudulent schemes that expose beneficiaries to harm and waste valuable tax dollars,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Chad Gosch of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, DCIS Southwest Field Office.  “These sentencings demonstrate our tireless pursuit to investigate individuals that seek to enrich themselves at the expense of this valuable program.”  

    Last week, U.S. District Judge Jodi W. Dishman sentenced both Nathan and Jimmie. Nathan was sentenced to serve 87 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,410,255.66 in restitution. Jimmie was sentenced to serve 42 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $632,026.43 in restitution. Delger was previously sentenced on January 31, 2025, to serve 26 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $653,269.00. In announcing the sentences, Judge Dishman described the fraud scheme as egregious and far reaching in its scope, duration, and impact. Judge Dishman further noted that the public needs to know that health care fraud is not acceptable, will not be tolerated, and will result in prosecution and punishment.

    This case is the result of an investigation by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service of the United States Department of Defense. Assistant U.S. Attorney D.H. Dilbeck prosecuted the case.

    Reference is made to public filings for additional information.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Augmedics Completes 10,000th Augmented Reality Spine Surgery – Performed at UConn Health

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Augmedics, a pioneer in augmented reality (AR) surgical navigation, today announced it has treated 10,000 patients with the xvision Spine System®. The landmark achievement marks a new record for the use of augmented reality navigation for spine surgery.

    Dr. Isaac Moss, Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery at UConn Health, completes Augmedics’ 10,000th case in Hartford, CT.

    “Since inception, Augmedics has been a company of firsts – the first FDA-approved AR navigation system for surgery, the first augmented reality spine surgeries in US, the first clinical accuracy studies,” said Augmedics President & CEO Paul Ziegler. “With that, there has always been a high degree of interest in AR and its potential to improve the safety and efficacy of spine surgery. The milestone of 10,000 surgeries is not only a celebration of 10,000 patient lives impacted, but definitive proof that we are fundamentally changing the surgical status quo. AR is here to stay.”

    The 10,000 patient milestone comes as Augmedics’ initiates US commercial launch of its CT-Fluoro registration method, a move that greatly expands navigation access for spine surgeons and further builds on the flexibility of xvision’s open platform system.

    “Our mission to break down barriers to adoption and bring the benefits of navigation to surgeons and their patients remains steadfast,” said Ziegler. “The milestone of 10,000 patients and all it represents – the lessons learned, our growing body of clinical evidence, our surgeon advisors – is significant. Add to that the launch of CT-Fluoro, which significantly impacts the ease and access of surgical navigation, and it feels like we’re on the cusp of something really special.”

    X-ray vision beyond the “cool factor”
    The record-setting 10,000th case was performed by Dr. Isaac L. Moss, Chair of Orthopedic Surgery at UConn Health in Farmington, Connecticut. Moss and the UConn team began using Augmedics in May 2022, becoming the first in central Connecticut to offer AR navigated spine surgery. Today, with six spine surgeons across the orthopedic and neurosurgery departments regularly utilizing xvision, it’s one of the largest AR programs in the country.

    A childhood fan of Superman, Moss was originally drawn to the cool factor of a technology that gave him “x-ray vision.” Three years on, he views the clinical value through a different lens.

    “Augmented reality navigation makes instrumentation of the spine, even complex revision or deformity, a low cognitive load task,” explained Moss. “Meaning, you can achieve high levels of accuracy in complex situations with very little mental fatigue. This in turn allows surgeons to have greater focus during the potentially more complex parts of the procedure. While this can be achieved with traditional navigation, the ease of use and the intuitive nature of the augmented reality system gives it a significant advantage over other platforms. As a result, we can do more complex cases with less invasive techniques on a regular basis and achieve optimal results for patients with likely less surgeon fatigue and burnout in the short and long run.”

    Moss noted the UConn spine faculty has also demonstrated significant operative efficiency and reduction in radiation exposure using xvision. The team has also seen the positive impact of their AR program beyond clinical value.

    “This has been great for us, the growth of our reputation and program,” said Chris Hyers, UConn Health Vice President of Marketing and Clinical Strategy Advancement. “In a crowded and very competitive landscape, it’s hard to differentiate. By being an early adopter of AR, we could pair the tremendous talents and reputations of our faculty with something easy for the consumer to understand – an innovative leadership position consistent with an academic medical center and consistent with our brand.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Community Update: International Students and Colleagues

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Dear Colleagues and Students,

    We write today to follow-up on the April 10 message to the community regarding student visa revocations and Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record terminations that are disrupting the lives and academic careers of international students and scholars in the U.S., including at UConn.

    As of today, we are aware of 13 international students at UConn – 12 current students and one recent graduate completing postgraduate training – who have had their SEVIS records terminated. The university has not received any communication from the federal government regarding these actions; staff became aware of the revocations through repeated audits of the SEVIS system. There is no evidence these students were targeted due to political speech or affiliation.

    For an international student, losing one’s SEVIS status is devastating, particularly with only a few weeks remaining in the semester. UConn has been in regular contact with each of the 13 students and has connected them with one another. We are coordinating with the Dean of Students office and The Graduate School to provide academic triage while the students are evaluating their legal options. We have reached out to the schools and colleges to make them aware of the situation so they can help identify solutions to support the students academically and emotionally, and we have organized an immigration Q&A with outside legal counsel for impacted and potentially impacted students.

    Staff across multiple units continue to work together to identify additional avenues of support, including Global Affairs, Student Life and Enrollment, Diversity and Inclusion, General Counsel, and the Provost’s Office, among others.

    This week, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will host two meetings for international students and visiting scholars as a follow-up to the Immigration Q&A held last Tuesday.  Participants need to register and may also submit their questions in advance of the meetings.

    Immigration Q & A Follow Up for International Undergraduate Students, Exchange Students, and UCAELI students.

    As a reminder:

    • International students and visiting scholars can visit the Center for International Students & Scholars website for updated guidance on travel concerns and emerging trends related to their immigration status, and to connect with international advising staff who can provide individualized guidance.
    • Undocumented students can reach out to the Dean of Students Office and view the Undocumented Student Resources.
    • Additional student support is available from the Dean of Students Office and The Graduate School.
    • UConn employees who have questions about their employment-based visa sponsorship can reach out to Alison Cutler or Christene Cooper in Human Resources.
    • The International Office at UConn Health is responsible for all visas for international students and staff/faculty employed through UConn Health. Reach out to Kaitlin Dornenburg, Department of Human Resources, for assistance.
    • UConn faculty and staff can reach out to Rae Alexander, Assistant Vice President for Global Affairs, with general questions or concerns about changing immigration policies and their impact on our community.

    We are a Connecticut institution and also a global university with a deep sense of care and compassion for members of our community. This is a very difficult and stressful time for our international students, faculty, and staff. Even if just to offer a kind word, please reach out to the international classmates and colleagues you know – hearing supportive words from others will not solve a specific problem, but it will be a reminder that we are a community where we support one another.

    Radenka Maric
    President

    Anne D’Alleva
    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

    Nathan Fuerst
    Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment

    Jeffrey Hines
    Interim Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, and Chief Diversity Officer

    Daniel Weiner
    Vice President for Global Affairs

    Lakeesha Brown
    Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Walnut Consumption Curbs Inflammation and Colon Cancer Risk

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    There are new findings out about the benefits of eating walnuts. Results from a UConn School of Medicine clinical trial on the cover of the April edition of the journal Cancer Prevention Research show walnuts improve systemic inflammation while also reducing colon cancer risk.

    Why walnuts?

    Walnuts (Photo by California Walnut Commission).

    Ellagitannins, plant-derived polyphenol compounds found in walnuts, are shown to be metabolized exclusively by the gut microbiome into a wide range of anti-inflammatory molecules called urolithins. These urolithins are associated with very potent anti-inflammatory properties and may even inhibit cancer.

    “Ellagitannins in the walnut are importantly providing the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties that we’re seeing in patients in our clinical trial research, particularly the gut’s conversion of ellagitannins to a potent anti-inflammatory agent, urolithin A,” reports Daniel W. Rosenberg, Ph.D. and his multidisciplinary team of researchers at the UConn School of Medicine.

    Rosenberg serves as the HealthNet Chair in Cancer Biology and is an Investigator in the Center for Molecular Oncology. He has studied walnut properties for more than a decade and has researched the connection between walnut consumption and its anti-inflammatory properties.

    The UConn research team’s clinical trial findings show that high levels of urolithin A formation by the gut microbiome from walnut consumption has a positive impact on reducing inflammatory markers across blood, urine, and fecal samples, and may even positively affect the immune cells within colon polyps.

    For the clinical trial, patients between the ages of 40 to 65 years and at an elevated risk for colon cancer, were referred for the study from the Division of Gastroenterology at UConn Health, the University of Connecticut’s academic medical center. Each of the 39 enrolled study participants were screened by the clinical research team at UConn John Dempsey Hospital and asked to complete an NIH Food Frequency Questionnaire for analysis by Ock Chun Ph.D., a nutritional epidemiologist in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources at UConn Storrs. Patients were asked to avoid all ellagitannin-containing foods and beverages for a week to set their urolithin levels at or close to zero before they began consuming ellagitannin-rich walnuts as part of their closely monitored diet. At the end of the three-week study, all participants received a high-definition colonoscopy performed by Drs. John Birk and Haleh Vaziri.

    Among the key findings, the researchers found that elevated urolithin A levels in the urine of patients correlated with the serum levels of peptide YY, an interesting protein that has been associated with inhibition of colorectal cancer. Reduced levels of several inflammation markers present in the blood were also found, especially in obese patients that had the greatest capacity to form urolithins by their gut microbiome.

    UConn School of Medicine’s walnut clinical trial study findings are highlighted on the cover of Cancer Prevention Research this April 2025.

    Rosenberg also used high-dimensional spatial imaging technology that allowed UConn researchers to develop a detailed view of the direct cellular interactions present inside colon polyps that were removed during colonoscopy at the end of the walnut study. This cutting-edge advanced imaging technology revealed that patients with high levels of urolithin A formation following walnut consumption was directly associated with reduced levels of several important proteins that are often present in polyps, showing for the first time how walnut ingestion may directly enhance colon health.

    The research team also discovered that the protein vimentin, often associated with more advanced forms of colon cancer, was greatly reduced inside polyp tissues obtained from patients who had also formed the highest levels of urolithin A by their gut microbiome.

    These important new research findings build upon the earlier work of Dr. Masako Nakanishi, an assistant professor in the Rosenberg Lab, who showed in several earlier publications that walnuts had beneficial and anti-cancer effects in the colons of cancer-prone mice, key findings that prompted the current clinical trial.

    “Urolithin A has a very positive influence on inflammation and maybe even cancer prevention,” says Rosenberg. “Our study proves that dietary supplementation with walnuts can boost the general population’s urolithin levels in those people with the right microbiome, while significantly reducing several inflammatory markers, especially in obese patients.”

    Rosenberg concludes, “Our study provides strong rationale for dietary inclusion of walnut ellagitannins for cancer prevention. Nutrients from walnuts can contribute to reduced cancer risk. There are many potential benefits one can get from eating walnuts, with so little downside risk, that just grabbing a handful every day is really something that you can easily do for your long-term health benefit.”

    This research is supported by generous awards from the American Institute for Cancer Research, the California Walnut Commission, and the National Cancer Institute.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ashwagandha: this ancient herb is trending for its potential health benefits – but also comes with risks

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Dipa Kamdar, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, Kingston University

    Mateusz Feliksik/Shutterstock

    Depending on who you follow on social media, you may have come across talk of a little-known herb called ashwagandha over the past year. Celebrities including Meghan Markle, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston are reported to use ashwagandha for its calming effects. Ashwagandha has been trending on social media with data showing #ashwagandha had more than 670 million views on TikTok in 2024.

    Scientifically known as Withania somnifera, ashwagandha is a common herb used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine – an ancient Indian system of healing based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a balance between the body, mind and spirit. Ayurveda emphasises a holistic approach to health using natural treatments, such as herbal remedies, dietary changes, physical therapy, meditation and yoga.

    But beyond the social media buzz, what does science say about this herb’s benefits?

    Ashwagandha root has been used in traditional medicine as an adaptogen. This means it could help people become more resilient to various types of stress, whether biological, physical, or chemical.

    The strongest evidence available for ashwagandha is as a stress and anxiety reliever. A review looking at several small studies showed that ashwagandha can significantly reduce levels of perceived stress and anxiety in people. This may be partly due to its regulating effect on stress hormones such as cortisol.

    Ashwagandha is also known for its ability to improve sleep quality. The “somnifera” part of its scientific name, meaning “sleep-inducing” hints at its effects. Some trials show it can help people fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper, more restful sleep, thus boosting energy levels. This may be beneficial for people suffering from insomnia. But there is no evidence showing whether it is better than taking sleeping tablets.

    Possible benefits

    Recently, this herb has been associated with other benefits. The Sanskrit word “ashwagandha” means “the smell of a horse,” symbolising its ability to give the strength and stamina of a horse. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts may benefit from ashwagandha’s ability to enhance physical performance. Some research indicates that ashwagandha can improve strength, muscle mass and oxygen use during exercise.

    For men, ashwagandha has been shown in some small studies to boost testosterone levels and improve fertility by increasing sperm count and motility. This may be linked to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) – a sex hormone that your body naturally produces. DHEA is used to make other hormones such as testosterone. This means men with prostate cancer sensitive to testosterone should avoid using this herb.

    Ashwagandha has been linked to improved cognitive function, such as better memory and focus. Small studies, involving older people who have some cognitive impairment, suggest that ashwagandha may help to reduce oxidative stress – harmful molecules called free radicals that can damage cells in the body – and inflammation, which can negatively effect memory and thinking processes.

    There are also ongoing clinical trials investigating whether ashwagandha may be effective in treating long COVID symptoms such as fatigue and cognitive dysfunction – having trouble with mental tasks such as thinking, remembering and making decisions – but there’s no robust evidence yet.

    Ashwagandha is rich in phytochemicals, including withanolides. Withanolides are steroidal lactones – they are structurally similar to steroids, with a lactone ring in their chemical structure – that are thought to help cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream. This can lower blood sugar in both healthy people and those with diabetes, although larger studies need to be done. In animal studies, withanolides show anti-inflammatory activity.

    Side effects

    While ashwagandha may offer potential health benefits, it also has numerous risks and side effects. The long-term safety of ashwagandha is not well-documented. Most studies have focused on short-term use, typically up to three months – but the benefits may take some weeks or months to appear. The most common side effects are mild stomach upsets and nausea.

    Its use is not advised in people with some pre-existing health conditions such as liver disease. Although rare, there have been reports of liver problems, including severe liver failure, associated with ashwagandha use. Ashwagandha may stimulate the immune system, potentially causing flare ups for people with autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

    It’s also possible that ashwagandha may interact with some medications, such as immunosuppressants, sedatives and thyroid hormone medications. Research suggests that ashwagandha may influence thyroid function, particularly by increasing thyroid hormone levels. It may also interact with thyroid medications, such as levothyroxine, possibly leading to overmedication.

    Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to avoid ashwagandha, especially at higher doses. The herb may be linked to miscarriages and, although there’s conflicting evidence, it’s best to be cautious.

    Ashwagandha holds promise, then, as a stress reliever, sleep aid and even an energy booster. With growing interest and a large body of anecdotal evidence, it’s no surprise that it’s become a favourite among wellness enthusiasts. However, scientific research is still developing and more extensive clinical trials are needed to confirm the benefits, side effects and determine the safest, most effective doses.

    If you’re considering incorporating ashwagandha into your routine, especially for long-term use, do consult a healthcare professional first, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking other medications.

    Dipa Kamdar 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.

    – ref. Ashwagandha: this ancient herb is trending for its potential health benefits – but also comes with risks – https://theconversation.com/ashwagandha-this-ancient-herb-is-trending-for-its-potential-health-benefits-but-also-comes-with-risks-253979

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s Greenland plan glosses over a history of segregation and discrimination for Indigenous Alaskans

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Andrew Gawthorpe, Lecturer in History and International Studies, Leiden University

    Donald Trump has wanted America to annex Greenland for a long time. He now has a concrete plan to do it. As reported by the New York Times, the president’s National Security Council has instructed several government departments to get to work on acquiring the island.

    Trump has made it clear that the use of military force remains on the table. But, at least for now, it seems the plan will rely mostly on persuasion.

    The first component is a coordinated advertising and social media campaign aimed at convincing Greenlanders that their future lies under the stars and stripes. The administration plans to tell the island’s residents that they will be more prosperous and more secure as part of the US.

    Driving that message home will be an uphill struggle. A poll in January 2025 found that 85% of Greenlanders oppose the idea of being annexed by the US. A parliamentary election in March also showed little support for it. The best-performing party was the pro-business Demokraatit, which wants to slow walk changes to Greenland’s international status.

    To overcome this resistance, the Trump administration is reportedly planning to appeal to shared ethnic and cultural ties between Inuit Greenlanders, who make up about 88% of the island’s population, and Indigenous peoples in the US state of Alaska. Greenlanders are likely to question that approach for a number of reasons.

    These ties are not completely imaginary. Greenland Inuit are descended from the Thule people, who migrated from Alaska around 1,000 years ago. There are similarities between the languages of Alaskan and Greenland Inuit.

    But these people have been separated by 2,000 miles for centuries, and in the interim have been shaped by their divergent histories. Though their languages are similar, they are generally not mutually intelligible.

    One of the main factors separating Alaskan and Greenland Inuit is their separate colonial histories. Greenland was colonised by Denmark, and Alaska by the US. The details of this colonial history are likely to give Greenlanders pause.

    Alaska became a US state in 1959. Before then, it was a territory – a colonial holding similar to Puerto Rico or Guam today. During its time as a territory, the US government and white settlers treated Alaska’s Indigenous people with a mixture of disinterest and malice.

    Until discrimination was outlawed by a state law in 1945, Indigenous Alaskans lived in a system of segregation and limited rights similar to the “Jim Crow” policies of the southern US. Indigenous Alaskans, like African Americans in the southern states, were not guaranteed the right to vote, and “whites only” signs were commonplace in businesses.

    During the second world war, the US government feared a Japanese attack on the Aleutian islands, which form part of Alaska. As a result, it forcibly evacuated the Indigenous population, burning their villages to prevent invading Japanese troops from using them as housing. Evacuees were forced to live in unsanitary camps on the mainland for years, where more than one in ten died.

    The US government justified this as a geopolitical necessity. But given that great power politics is also behind its drive to control Greenland, the island’s residents should question whether their rights will be respected if they conflict with another perceived geopolitical necessity.

    Buying favour

    Another plank of the Trump administration’s plan is financial. The White House apparently wants to replace the subsidy that Greenland currently receives from Denmark with a payment of US$10,000 (£7,600) per resident. It’s not clear if this money is intended to go directly to the population, or to the island’s central government.

    This works out at just over US$568 million (£429 million) a year. If it’s a subsidy for the central government, then it’s slightly less than the island currently receives from Denmark. And if it’s a payment directly to the population, then it’s unclear how public services on the island would be funded.

    Here again, a look at the experience of Indigenous Alaskans is instructive. Indigenous Alaskans, who receive various US government services through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, have a much higher poverty rate than the general population, lower rates of health coverage and worse educational outcomes.

    They also generally don’t live as long. According to the most recent figures, the life expectancy for Indigenous Alaskans is 70.4 years – much lower than the statewide average of 74.5.

    Economic development – or, perhaps more accurately, exploiting Greenland’s natural resources – is also part of Trump’s plan. Trump is apparently interested in Greenland’s “rare earth minerals, copper, gold, uranium and oil”.

    Greenland does indeed have vast mineral wealth. But it is unclear if it can be safely accessed in the island’s current inhospitable environment.

    Such resource extraction could also easily lead to environmental damage, as it has done in Alaska. In 1989, for example, the Exxon Valdez oil supertanker spilled more than 10 million gallons of crude oil in Alaska’s Prince William Sound.

    Meanwhile, without strong regulation and taxation, the wealth generated could easily accrue to corporations rather than Greenlanders.

    There is a long history of colonising powers claiming that only they, rather than “the natives”, can deliver prosperity and progress to a country. Trump’s plan, which tries to turn the experience of Indigenous Alaskans into one that Greenlanders should want to emulate, fits squarely into this genre.

    But the history of US involvement in Alaska and its treatment of Indigenous Alaskans gives lie to that story. For Greenlanders to trade their sovereignty to the US in return for a guarantee of prosperity and security would be a risky gamble indeed.

    Andrew Gawthorpe 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.

    – ref. Trump’s Greenland plan glosses over a history of segregation and discrimination for Indigenous Alaskans – https://theconversation.com/trumps-greenland-plan-glosses-over-a-history-of-segregation-and-discrimination-for-indigenous-alaskans-254418

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Severance: what the hit show can teach us about cyber security and human risk

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Oli Buckley, Professor in Cyber Security, Loughborough University

    What if your work self didn’t know about your personal life, and your home self had no idea what you did for a living? In Apple TV’s Severance, that’s exactly the deal: a surgical procedure splits the memories of employees into “innies” (who only exist at work) and “outies” (who never recall what they do from nine to five).

    On the surface, it sounds like an ideal solution to a growing cyber security problem of insider threats, such as leaks or sabotage by employees. After all, if an employee can’t remember what they accessed at work, how can they leak it, sabotage it, or sell it?

    As someone who has researched insider threats for the last decade I can’t help but see Severance as a cautionary tale of what happens when we try to eliminate threats without understanding people.

    The threat from within

    Insider threats really hit prominence in the wake of high-profile incidents like Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden, who both leaked top secret government information. These threats are one of the most persistent challenges in security because unlike “traditional” hackers, insiders already have access to sensitive systems and information.

    They might act maliciously, stealing trade secrets or exposing data, or accidentally, through phishing links or lost devices. Either way, the consequences can be more serious because of the unprecedented levels of access someone has while working within an organisation.

    While we often think of the high-profile cases in the first instance, the reality of most insider incidents is far less dramatic. Think of the disgruntled employee who downloads a client database before leaving, or the well-meaning staff member who shares a sensitive file via the wrong link.

    In fact, one of the most iconic examples of an insider threat in fiction is Jurassic Park. The entire catastrophe begins, not with a dinosaur, but with a software engineer, Dennis Nedry, who disables the park’s security in an attempt to steal trade secrets. It’s a reminder that even the most sophisticated systems can be undone by a single rogue employee.

    Organisations try to manage this through access controls, behaviour monitoring and training. But people are unpredictable. Insider threats sit at the messy intersection of human behaviour, organisational culture and digital systems.

    This is where Severance strikes a chord. What if you could eliminate the human risk altogether, by turning employees into separate, tightly compartmentalised selves? In the show, workers at the shadowy Lumon Corporation have no memory of their job outside the office and vice versa.

    In a sense, it’s the ultimate form of “need to know.” An “innie” can’t tell anyone what they do because they don’t know anything beyond their desk. It’s a very elegant, although ethically problematic, solution for someone working in security. However, as the series unfolds, it becomes clear that the levels of control on offer through the process of severance come with a terrible cost.

    The problem with control

    The innies in Severance are trapped in an endless workday, unable to understand the meaning or value of their tasks. They form bonds, question authority and ultimately rebel. Ironically, it is the severed employees, the ones who are most closely controlled in the company, who become the greatest insider threat to Lumon.

    This mirrors something we know from real organisations: excessive surveillance, control and secrecy often backfires. For instance, Amazon has faced repeated criticism over its use of tracking technologies to monitor warehouse workers’ movements and productivity, with reports suggesting this has contributed to high stress, burnout and even rule-breaking as workers try to “game” the system.

    A 2022 study published in Harvard Business Review found that employees who feel overly monitored are significantly more likely to break rules or engage in counterproductive behaviour – undermining the very goals of workplace surveillance. If people feel undervalued or mistreated, they’re more likely to become disengaged or actively hostile. Security systems that ignore culture and trust are therefore often brittle.

    What Severance gets right is that insider threats are emotional and ethical problems as much as technical ones. They stem from how people feel about their role, their autonomy and their identity within a system. This is something that we can’t simply patch within a piece of software.

    Lessons from fiction

    Thankfully, no company in the real world is proposing surgical memory separation, at least not yet. But in an age of algorithmic management, increasing surveillance, and growing concerns about privacy, Severance resonates. It forces us to ask just how far should we go in the name of security?

    The answer isn’t to separate people from their work, but to build systems that are secure and respectful of the people within them; something increasingly backed by research.

    That means better design, clearer boundaries and a workplace culture that values openness, not just compliance. For example, implementing clear expectations around work hours and communication norms can help prevent burnout and promote wellbeing.

    Encouraging open communication channels, such as anonymous feedback systems, empowers employees to voice concerns without fear, fostering a culture of trust. Additionally, designing physical workspaces that promote collaboration, like open-plan areas and communal lounges, can enhance team cohesion and reflect organisational values.

    If we follow the example set by Lumon and try to remove all risk then we lose something far more essential – the humanity at the centre of our systems and organisations. Ultimately, removing that human focus could be the most significant vulnerability of all.

    Oli Buckley receives funding from Jason R.C. Nurse receives funding from The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Responsible AI UK.

    – ref. Severance: what the hit show can teach us about cyber security and human risk – https://theconversation.com/severance-what-the-hit-show-can-teach-us-about-cyber-security-and-human-risk-255024

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Urges HHS Secretary to Bring Back NIOSH Employees to Support Coal Industry

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, penned a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. regarding the recent layoffs at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in Morgantown, W.Va. Specifically, Senator Capito highlighted the important role NIOSH plays in the health and wellbeing of West Virginia coal miners and requested that the administration bring back these critical programs and employees that allow them to function properly.
    “I believe in the President’s vision to right size our government, but I do not think eliminating the NIOSH coal programs and research will accomplish that goal. The mission and work conducted by the specially trained NIOSH employees is not duplicative of any other government program. I am concerned that the RIFs at NIOSH will undermine the vital health programs important to so many West Virginians. I urge you to bring back the NIOSH employees immediately so they can continue to support our nation’s coal industry,” Senator Capito wrote.
    The full letter can be found HERE or below:
    Dear Secretary Kennedy,
    Thank you for taking the time to talk with me regarding the important work CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) does to improve and monitor the health care of our coal miners in West Virginia. During our discussion, I was pleased you agreed with me that the work happening at NIOSH is unique across the federal government. Now, I ask that the Department bring back not only the functions of the NIOSH coal offices and programs, but also some of the specialized employees impacted by the April 1 HHS-wide Reduction in Force (RIF) who do this important work in Morgantown, West Virginia.
    The NIOSH facility in Morgantown is known for its research aimed at preventing work-related injuries and illnesses, particularly in coal miners. The NIOSH Mining Program works to eliminate mining fatalities and injuries. Research on rock dust has resulted in safety changes to prevent explosions in underground mines. NIOSH research has also resulted in industry standards for pillar design and roof support programs to prevent collapses in underground mines. NIOSH’s Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) studies respiratory disease and provides black lung screenings to coal miners. It is my understanding that the RIF impacted every employee in these important programs.
    There are specialized labs at the NIOSH facilities in Morgantown where dedicated scientists with years of training had been researching coal and silica dust along with black mold. This research stands not just to make the mining industry safer but also to benefit workers exposed to silica dust at construction sites and residents in West Virginia and North Carolina impacted by the devastating flooding from Hurricane Helene. With all the scientists and employees that work in theses labs impacted by the RIF, the CDC will be starting the process to decommission the Morgantown labs in the coming days. Decommissioning the labs will cost millions of taxpayer dollars. If the labs were to later be brought back online, additional taxpayer dollars would be spent to re-comply with numerous regulations and inspections.
    Earlier this month, I was honored to join President Trump, along with miners from West Virginia, at the White House as he signed Executive Orders to support the coal industry and unleash American energy. The President’s Executive Orders are welcome news for our miners and will help ensure all Americans have access to affordable and reliable energy resources like coal. As the President recognizes the importance of coal, we must also recognize the health of our miners and I encourage you to bring back the NIOSH coal programs and researchers that will help ensure the President’s vision to unleash American energy can be done safely.
    I believe in the President’s vision to right size our government, but I do not think eliminating the NIOSH coal programs and research will accomplish that goal. The mission and work conducted by the specially trained NIOSH employees is not duplicative of any other government program. I am concerned that the RIFs at NIOSH will undermine the vital health programs important to so many West Virginians. I urge you to bring back the NIOSH employees immediately so they can continue to support our nation’s coal industry.
    Thank you for your attention to this important matter, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to Make American Healthy Again.
    Sincere regards,

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: CLIK Announces Acquisition of Remaining 75% Equity Interest in Leading Nursing Care Competitor, Solidifying Market Leadership and Expanding Revenue Base

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Hong Kong, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Click Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: CLIK) (“Click” or the “Company” or “we” or “our”), a leading provider of human resources (“HR”) solutions in Hong Kong specializing in Seniors Nursing Care, Logistics, and Professional HR services, is pleased to announce the acquisition of the remaining 75% equity interest in a prominent nursing care competitor (“Target Company”). 

    The Target Company has over a decade of experience serving the Hong Kong seniors community and maintains a talent pool of over 9,000 nursing professionals. It is expected to generate annual billings of over HK$60 million and net profit in the range of approximately HK$2.0 million to HK$3.5 million, making it a financially accretive addition to Click’s growing healthcare HR platform.

    Click previously acquired a 25% equity interest in the Target Company in March 2025. Upon completion of the remaining 75% acquisition, Click will hold 100% ownership, granting it full control to integrate operations and drive long-term strategic value.

    “This acquisition marks a transformative step for Click,” said Mr. Chan, CEO of Click. “With full ownership, we are able to consolidate operations, align our resources, and unlock significant synergies that will accelerate our leadership in the nursing care sector.”

    The acquisition expands Click’s total talent pool to over 19,000 registered professionals, strengthening its ability to meet surging demand for skilled nursing services across Hong Kong and surrounding regions. The integrated operations are also expected to create substantial operational efficiencies and boost overall profitability.

    Full ownership further enables Click to fast-track development in high-growth verticals, including Home Seniors Nursing Services and Smart Home Nursing Solutions — key focus areas in its long-term strategy to deliver scalable, tech-enabled care solutions.

    Click remains focused on executing its integration roadmap and delivering superior value to its clients, talent network, and shareholders. Further updates on the progress of the integration, service enhancements, and growth milestones will be shared in due course.

    About Click Holdings Limited

    We are a fast-growing human resources solutions provider based in Hong Kong, aiming to match our client’s human resources shortfall through our proprietary AI-empowered talent pool by one “click”. Our key businesses primarily include nursing solution (mainly seniors) services, logistics solution services and professional solution services.

    For more information, please visit https://clicksc.com.hk.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov.

    For enquiry, please contact:

    Click Holdings Limited
    Unit 709, 7/F., Ocean Centre
    5 Canton Road
    Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
    Hong Kong
    Email: jack.wong@jfy.hk
    Phone: +852 2691 8900

    The MIL Network –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: PHOTOS: Capito Delivers Keynote Remarks at Focus Forward Conference

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, traveled to Morgantown, W.Va. to deliver keynote remarks at the seventh annual Focus Forward conference: Long Live West Virginia.
    During her remarks, Senator Capito discussed the intersection of health, wellness, and economic mobility, as well as provided an update on some of the legislative solutions she has worked on in the United States Senate to improve health outcomes for West Virginians. After her remarks, Jon Retzlaff, Chief Policy Officer of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) presented Senator Capito with AACR’s 2025 Distinguished Public Service Award.  
    “The health and wellbeing of West Virginians is directly tied to the strength of our economy and the resilience of our people. As a United States Senator and as someone who has spent years working on health and economic issues—particularly in rural areas like West Virginia—I know just how interconnected these challenges are. We cannot talk about economic mobility without talking about health, we cannot promote wellness without looking at access to care, and we cannot plan for the future without acknowledging that Americans are living longer – often with more complex health needs. I was glad to share this message during the Focus Forward Conference and continue working together to improve health care opportunities so all West Virginians have a fair shot at a healthy, productive life,” Senator Capito said.
    “We are honored that Senator Capito could join our seventh annual Focus Forward conference, a broad-based convening of leaders to better understand an emerging issue that will impact West Virginia’s workforce and economy,” Jen Giovannitti, President of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, said. “As a leading champion in supporting legislation and policy on health, aging, neuroscience, cancer research and caregiving, her voice and impact at the federal and state level are critical as we navigate the future opportunities and challenges of how increasing life expectancies will impact our society, work, economy and everyday lives. We are grateful for her continued engagement at this event, as well as her leadership and time today.”
    Photos from today’s visit are below:

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) speaks at the Focus Forward conference in Morgantown, W.Va. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. 

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) receives the Distinguished Public Service Award from Jon Retzlaff of the American Association of Cancer Research in Morgantown, W.Va. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. 

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) at the Focus Forward conference in Morgantown, W.Va. on Tuesday April 22, 2025. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bean Increases Health Care Choices for Americans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Aaron Bean Florida (4th District)

    WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04) introduced the Flexible Savings Arrangements for Healthy Robust America (FSA-HRA) Act, to expand options for Americans seeking to save responsibly for their future health costs.

    Specifically, this commonsense bipartisan legislation amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit Americans to transfer Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) contributions into Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) in connection with establishing coverage under a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). 

    Upon introduction, Congressman Bean said: “Many hardworking individuals and families find our nation’s health care system too convoluted and confusing to navigate. As a result, many often forfeit their unused FSA contributions or lose their HRA contributions. We need to give Americans the flexibility to plan, save, and take charge of health care decisions for their families. That’s why I’m proud to introduce this commonsense bill that will make it easier for families to take control of both their physical and financial health.”

    Congressman Bean was joined by Congressmen Dan Crenshaw (TX-02) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) in introducing this bill.

    “This bill is simple. If you contribute your dollars to a tax advantaged account, you should be able to use those dollars to fund a health savings account,” said Congressman Crenshaw. “Arbitrary government rules shouldn’t stop Americans from using their own savings for health care.”

    “All too often, too many working families lose their unused FSA and HRA funds because of outdated “use-it-or-lose-it” rules,” said Congressman Panetta. “The FSA-HRA Act lets them roll those unused dollars into their Health Savings Accounts so they can save for future medical expenses tax-free.  This bipartisan fix gives working families more flexibility and ensures they’re not penalized for being prepared.”

    BACKGROUND 

    Currently, the law requires FSA and HRA contributions to be spent by the end of the year or otherwise forfeited and returned to the employer. 

    The FSA-HRA Act will allow American workers, or those switching jobs, to preserve their unused FSA and HRA funds by removing this out-of-date use-it-or-lose-it policy and giving them the flexibility to save for future medical expenses tax-free.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Owner of Collapsed Nursing Home Empire Sentenced to 36 Months’ Imprisonment for $38 Million Tax Fraud Scheme

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    NEWARK, N.J. – A New York man was sentenced to 36 months in prison for his role in a $38 million employment tax fraud scheme involving nursing homes he owned across the country, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Joseph Schwartz, 65, of Suffern, New York, previously pled guilty to two counts of an indictment charging him with willfully failing to pay over employment taxes withheld from employees of his company, and willfully failing to file an annual financial report (Form 5500) with the Department of Labor for the employee 401K Benefit Plan Schwartz sponsored, before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    Schwartz, an insurance broker and operator of Skyline Management Group LLC (“Skyline”), with headquarters in New Jersey, willfully failed to pay employment taxes relating to numerous health care and rehabilitation facilities that Skyline operated in 11 states.

    According to the indictment, Schwartz was required to collect, truthfully account for, and pay over to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) trust fund taxes withheld from the pay of employees of Skyline and related companies.  From October 2017 through May 2018, Schwartz caused taxes to be withheld from employees’ pay but failed to then pay over more than $38 million in employment taxes to the IRS.  As an administrator of the Skyline 401K plan, Schwartz further had an obligation to file an annual Form 5500 financial report with the Secretary of Labor for calendar year 2018, but knowingly and willfully failed to file the report.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan in Newark; Investigators with the Department of Labor-Employee Benefits Security Administration, under the direction of Regional Director Mark Seidel in the New York Regional Office; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly; and the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz in the New York Regional Office, with the investigation that led to the sentencing in this case.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel H. Rosenblum and Kendall R. Randolph of the Criminal Division in Newark and Trial Attorney Shawn Noud of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.

                                                                           ###

    Defense counsel: Kevin H. Marino, Esq. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Operators of New Jersey Company Sentenced to Prison and Enter Into Related Civil Settlement Agreement for Roles in $127 Million Health Care Fraud and Kickback Scheme

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    NEWARK, N.J. – Two operators of a New Jersey marketing company were sentenced to prison for their roles in conspiracies to commit health care fraud and to pay and receive illegal kickbacks, United States Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Eric Karlewicz a/k/a “Anthony Mazza,” 46, of Rockland County, New York, and Nicco Romanowski, 33, of Roswell, Georgia, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court following their guilty pleas to Informations charging conspiracy to violate the Federal Anti-Kickback statute and conspiracy to commit health care fraud.  Karlewicz was sentenced to 51 months in prison and Romanowski was sentenced to 80 months in prison.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    From in or around June 2017 through in or around May 2019, Karlewicz and Romanowski participated in a scheme with durable medical equipment (“DME”) companies, telemedicine companies, and doctors to submit false claims to health care benefit programs, including Medicare and TRICARE, based on a circular scheme of kickbacks and bribes.  Karlewicz and Romanowski controlled a New Jersey-based marketing company, Empire Pain Center Holdings LLC (“Empire”), though which they and their co-conspirators identified Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries to target.  Employees of Empire called the beneficiaries to pressure them to agree to accept DME, frequently consisting of back, shoulder, and knee braces. Karlewicz and Romanowski paid Empire’s employees commissions, bonuses, and incentives to encourage them to convince as many beneficiaries as possible to accept DME, regardless of medical necessity.

    Karlewicz and Romanowski, through Empire, then paid kickbacks to telemedicine companies, which in turn paid kickbacks to doctors in exchange for prescriptions for the DME. As agreed upon, the doctors signed the prescription orders regardless of medical necessity, often without ever speaking to the patient.  Karlewicz and Romanowski distributed the prescriptions to DME suppliers around the country, with which Empire had additional kickback arrangements. These DME suppliers submitted claims for reimbursement to health care benefit programs including Medicare and TRICARE, and thereafter sent a portion of the proceeds to Empire as payment for the doctor’s orders generated through the conspiracy.  Empire received more than $63 million from DME suppliers in exchange for the referrals. 

    In total, Karlewicz and Romanowski caused the submission of false and fraudulent claims to health care benefit programs totaling in excess of $127 million for DME.  Using proceeds from the scheme, Karlewicz and Romanowski purchased luxury vehicles, including a Ferrari, and Lamborghini, a Bentley, and a BMW.

    In addition to the prison terms, Judge Salas sentenced each defendant to three years of supervised release and ordered them to pay $127,600,000 in restitution.  Karlewicz was ordered to forfeit over $63 million, and Romanowski was ordered to forfeit over $5.5 million.

    United States Attorney Habba also announced that Karlewicz and Empire entered into a civil settlement agreement. As part of that civil settlement agreement, Karlewicz and Empire admitted to violating the False Claims Act and agreed to the entry of a consent judgment against them in the amount of $63.8 million.

    The civil settlement agreement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties, called relators, to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The relator, Robert Jackson Tyler, Jr., will receive a share of the funds recovered by the United States pursuant to the False Claims Act.

    United States Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz, and U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Silvestro, with the investigation.

    The government is represented in the criminal case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine M. Romano of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Senior Trial Counsel Barbara Ward of the Bank Integrity, Recovery, and Money Laundering Unit in Newark.

    The government is represented in the civil case by Assistant U.S. Attorney David V. Simunovich of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Trial Attorney Martha Glover of U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Fraud Section. 

                                                                           ###

    Defense counsel: Darren Gelber, Esq. (for Eric Karlewicz)

                                Alyssa Cimino, Esq. (for Nicco Romanowski)

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan’s Most Popular Baby Names for 2024

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on April 22, 2025

    eHealth Saskatchewan released a list of the top 20 baby names for 2024 today and it shows a lot of movement.

    In 2024, Sophia ended Olivia’s nine-year run as the most popular name for baby girls, bumping Olivia down to second spot. Hazel rose from 20th to sixth, Ellie from 19th to fifth, Harper from 17th to eighth, and Isla from 10th to fourth. Ivy lost ground, falling from fifth place last year to 17th place this year. For the first time, Lainey is one of the most popular names for baby girls, coming in at number 20. Sadie and Grace return after being absent from the list for a few years, while Brielle, Nora, Evelyn and Sophie did not return this year after appearing in the top 20 in 2023.

    On the boys’ side, Henry jumped from 18th place all the way up to number one, bumping Oliver down to second place while long-time favourites Liam and Noah follow in third and fourth spots respectively. Other favourites like Levi, Hudson, Jack and Theodore remain strong. Daniel appears back on the list for the first time since 2017, and Asher, Alexander, Brooks and Elijah also return after being absent for some years. Muhammad climbed to 13th this year after first appearing in the top 20 in 19th place last year. Another favourite, Leo, fell from fourth place last year to 16th place this year, while Lincoln, Emmett, Ethan and Luke did not return to the top 20 this year.  

    Check out the top 20 baby names over the last 10 years.

    The list of top 20 baby names for 2024 is created with a preliminary count of 13,189 live births registered in Saskatchewan as of April 5, 2025. eHealth is still completing birth registrations from the end of 2024. The number of live births registered in 2023 was 13,080. This does not include Saskatchewan mothers who gave birth outside of the province.

    Top 20 Boy Names

    Top 20 Girl Names

    Rank

    Name

    Total Named

    Rank

    Name

    Total Named

    1

    Henry

    53

    1

    Sophia

    48

    2

    Oliver

    50

    2

    Olivia

    43

    3

    Liam

    49

    3

    Charlotte

    39

    4

    Noah

    46

    4

    Isla

    39

    5

    Levi

    45

    5

    Ellie

    37

    6

    Jack

    43

    6

    Hazel

    37

    7

    Theodore

    43

    7

    Violet

    36

    8

    William

    43

    8

    Harper

    35

    9

    Bennett

    39

    9

    Emma

    34

    10

    Hudson

    38

    10

    Sadie

    29

    11

    Alexander

    37

    11

    Scarlett

    29

    12

    Lucas

    35

    12

    Amelia

    28

    13

    Muhammad

    35

    13

    Emily

    27

    14

    Asher

    33

    14

    Grace

    27

    15

    Brooks

    33

    15

    Isabella

    27

    16

    Leo

    32

    16

    Aurora

    26

    17

    Elijah

    31

    17

    Ivy

    26

    18

    Beau

    30

    18

    Lily

    26

    19

    Owen

    30

    19

    Mia

    26

    20

    Daniel

    28

    20

    Lainey

    25

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Massachusetts Lawmakers Sound Alarm on Trump Cuts to National Endowment for the Humanities Staff, Grants

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    April 22, 2025

    “We write to seek answers about why you are crippling an agency that punches so far above its weight and is essential to enabling access to libraries, museums, archives, historic sites and more for Massachusetts residents and Americans in every state.” 

    Lawmakers highlight Massachusetts impacts, including canceled projects which helped state capture and preserve history and culture, promote learning, make humanities more accessible

    Text of Letter (PDF)

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), along with Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Bill Keating (D-Mass.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Richard Neal (D-Mass.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), and Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), sent a letter to Michael McDonald, Acting Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), regarding the impacts of recent staffing cuts and attempts to cancel grants in Massachusetts and across the country. 

    During the week of April 1, 2025, following the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) recommendations, a majority of NEH staff were placed on administrative leave and hundreds of grants were canceled. In the following days, state humanities councils and other grant recipients received emails notifying them that their funding would be terminated immediately and that the Trump administration would be “repurposing its funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of the president’s agenda.”

    “We write to seek answers about why you are crippling an agency that punches so far above its weight and is essential to enabling access to libraries, museums, archives, historic sites and more for Massachusetts residents and Americans in every state,” wrote the lawmakers.

    Congressionally appropriated NEH program funds directly benefit local communities. The NEH was founded by Congress in 1965 to “promote progress and scholarship in the humanities and the arts in the United States,” and the agency enables work in the humanities by funding libraries, museums, archives, historic sites, media outlets, research institutions, educators and independent scholars. These cuts will have devastating impacts on cultural institutions and scholarship in Massachusetts and across the country.

    The Trump administration’s actions put tremendous financial strain on researchers, universities, and institutions. According to one institution in Massachusetts, the termination notices sent to individual recipients of NEH grants included language that the individuals will remain “subject to audit.” Grant recipients now face concerns that they will have to repay their funds to NEH at an undetermined time.

    NEH-funded projects in Massachusetts — including research projects to better understand the impact of war on naval veterans and their families, projects to understand the role of historic textile mills in the American industrial revolution, and programs supporting museums’ efforts to digitize, archive, and modernize the products of Massachusetts art and culture — have enriched the state’s ability to capture and preserve history and culture, promote new knowledge and learning, and make the humanities more accessible.

    “These actions at NEH mark another instance of overreach by the Trump administration, causing more destruction and devastation to research institutions and scholars across the country, but providing little in savings,” wrote the lawmakers.

    Senator Warren has consistently pressed for answers on other federal funding cuts impacting Massachusetts, including those from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) causing “ongoing chaos” and harm to research institutions across Massachusetts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Donald Norcross Moved out of Intensive Care, Continues to Make Improvement

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

    CHERRY HILL, NJ — Today, the office of Congressman Donald Norcross issued an update about his condition and treatment.

    “Congressman Norcross’ health has continued to improve and he was transferred out of the Intensive Care Unit on Friday. He has been successfully treated for his infection and has completed his course of antibiotic. The Congressman is on his way to making a full recovery.” 

    The Congressman and his family are grateful for the well wishes and prayers he has received. Among the many people they’d like to thank are his incredible medical team, including the nurses and staff at Cooper University Health Care.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Inaugural USGS Wildlife Health Awareness Day – April 25, 2025

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Filter Total Items: 83

    December 16, 2024

    Antibodies to influenza A virus in Lesser (Aythya affinis) and Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) in the USA

    Scaup, including both Lesser and Greater (Aythya affinis and Aythya marila, respectively), are a grouping of populous and widespread North American diving ducks. Few influenza type A viruses (IAV) have been reported from these species despite a high prevalence of antibodies to IAV being reported. Existing virologic and serologic data indicate that IAV infection routinely occurs in scaup…

    Authors

    Harrison Huang, Rebecca L. Poulson, Jeffery D. Sullivan, Susan E.W. De La Cruz, Hutchison Walbridge, David E. Stallknecht, Diann Prosser

    December 1, 2024

    Reproductive trends in Little Brown Bats before and after the onset of white-nose syndrome in Virginia

    Myotis lucifugus (Little Brown Bat) declines in Virginia following white-nose syndrome (WNS) prompted an investigation into reproductive behaviors of surviving individuals. To examine reproductive change, we examined female bats prior to, during and after endemism establishment. We also examined capture trends of juveniles at maternity colonies. Timing and proportion of reproductive…

    Authors

    Karen E. Powers, W. Mark Ford, Richard J. Reynolds, William D. Orndorff, David E. Yates, Thomas E. Malabad

    October 23, 2024

    Defining the pathobiomes associated with drippy blight in Colorado and drippy nut in California

    Drippy blight, an emergent bacterial disease of oaks, was described recently from urban oaks in the Front Range of Colorado, U.S.A. This disease, which causes branch dieback and oozing of bacterial exudates from cankers, is caused by Lonsdalea quercina and primarily affects red oaks, with northern red oak (Quercus rubra) being the most susceptible. Drippy nut is a similar, less acute…

    Authors

    Hope Raymond, Rachael Sitz, Ian Pearse, Jorge Caballero Ibarra, Brad Lalande, Jane Stewart

    October 16, 2024

    Demographic risk factors vary in the invasion front of chronic wasting disease in West Virginia, USA

    After detecting chronic wasting disease (CWD) in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Hampshire County, West Virginia, USA, in 2005, we investigated the change of CWD apparent prevalence and potential factors influencing infection risk during the invasion front. Over eight sampling years (2006–2012 and 2017) during a 12-yr period within a 101-km2-area monitoring zone, we sampled…

    Authors

    Brian Scott Dugovich, Ethan P. Barton, James M. Crum, M. Kevin Keel, David E. Stallknecht, Mark G. Ruder

    September 17, 2024

    Genomic characterization of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza viruses from Alaska during 2022 provides evidence for genotype-specific trends of spatiotemporal and interspecies dissemination

    The ongoing panzootic of highly pathogenic H5 clade 2.3.4.4b avian influenza (HPAI) spread to North America in late 2021, with detections of HPAI viruses in Alaska beginning in April 2022. HPAI viruses have since spread across the state, affecting many species of wild birds as well as domestic poultry and wild mammals. To better understand the dissemination of HPAI viruses…

    Authors

    Christina Ahlstrom, Mia Kim Torchetti, Julianna B. Lenoch, Kimberlee Beckmen, Megan Boldenow, Evan J Buck, Bryan Daniels, Krista Dilione, Robert Gerlach, Kristina Lantz, Angela Matz, Rebecca L. Poulson, Laura Celeste Scott, Gay Sheffield, David R. Sinnett, David E. Stallknecht, Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Eric B. Taylor, Alison R. Williams, Andrew M. Ramey

    September 14, 2024

    Pathology of tissue loss in three key gorgonian species in the Mediterranean Sea

    The Mediterranean is known for its marine biodiversity, especially gorgonian forests. Unfortunately, these are experiencing rapid declines due to climate change, manifested by repeated marine heat waves resulting in mass mortality events since the early 1990 s. To better understand why gorgonians are declining, more systematic approaches to investigate the exact causes are needed, and…

    Authors

    Jacopo Gobbato, Thierry M. Work, Martina P. Facchinelli, Federica M. Siena, Enrico Montalbetti, Davide Seveso, Yohan D. Luisa, Paolo Galli, Simone Montano

    August 30, 2024

    Freshwater mussel viromes increase rapidly in diversity and abundance when hosts are released from captivity into the wild

    Freshwater mussels create habitat, filter water, and enhance food webs, but they are also among the world’s most imperiled taxa. Conservation efforts largely rely on captive propagation in which mussels are grown in protected aquaculture environments (hatcheries) for later release. Recent evidence has highlighted the importance of pathogens in population losses of freshwater mussels. In…

    Authors

    Jordan C. Richard, Tim W. Lane, Rose E. Agbalog, Sarah Colletti, Tiffany Leach, Christopher D. Dunn, Nathan Roy Bollig, Addison R. Plate, Joseph T. Munoz, Eric M. Leis, Susan Knowles, Isaac Standish, Diane L. Waller, Tony L. Golberg

    August 29, 2024

    The skin I live in: Pathogenesis of white-nose syndrome of bats

    The emergence of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in North America has resulted in mass mortalities of hibernating bats and total extirpation of local populations. The need to mitigate this disease has stirred a significant body of research to understand its pathogenesis. Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causative agent of WNS, is a psychrophilic (cold-loving) fungus that resides within the…

    Authors

    Marcos Isidoro-Ayza, Jeffrey M. Lorch, Bruce S. Klein

    August 26, 2024

    Quantitative support for the benefits of proactive management for wildlife disease control

    Finding effective pathogen mitigation strategies is one of the biggest challenges humans face today. In the context of wildlife, emerging infectious diseases have repeatedly caused widespread host morbidity and population declines of numerous taxa. In areas yet unaffected by a pathogen, a proactive management approach has the potential to minimize or prevent host mortality. However…

    Authors

    Molly Bletz, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Graziella Vittoria DiRenzo

    August 1, 2024

    Disentangling genetic diversity of Myotis septentrionalis: population structure, demographic history, and effective population size

    Myotis septentrionalis (Northern Long-eared Bat) has recently suffered a >90% decline in population size in North America due to white-nose syndrome (WNS). We assessed genetic diversity, population structure, current effective population size, and demographic history of M. septentrionalis distributed across the United States to determine baseline levels pre-WNS. We analyzed RADseq data…

    Authors

    Jenna R. Grimshaw, Deahn M. Donner, Roger W. Perry, W. Mark Ford, Alex Silvis, Carlos J. Garcia, Richard D. Stevens, David A. Ray

    July 25, 2024

    Host jump of an exotic fish rhabdovirus into a new class of animals poses a disease threat to amphibians

    Spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) is a rhabdovirus that primarily infects cyprinid finfishes and causes a disease notifiable to the World Organization for Animal Health. Amphibians, which are sympatric with cyprinids in freshwater ecosystems, are considered non-permissive hosts of rhabdoviruses. The potential host range expansion of SVCV in an atypical host species was evaluated by…

    Authors

    Eveline J. Emmenegger, Emma K. Bueren, Carla M. Conway, George E. Sanders, A. Noble Hendrix, Tamara Schroeder, Emiliano Di Cicco, Phuc H. Pham, Lumsden John S., Sharon C. Clouthier

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Merkley, Blumenthal, Markey: President Trump’s Cuts To Tobacco Prevention Will Make Americans Sicker & Cause More Tobacco-Related Deaths, Diseases

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    April 21, 2025

    CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) along with U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) today slammed the Trump Administration for staffing cuts at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that will devastate tobacco use prevention efforts across America.

    “Dozens of staffers at the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) have been placed on administrative leave, including the Center’s director, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) has been gutted. These actions risk undermining progress that has been made in reducing the death, disease, and addiction caused by tobacco use,” the Senators wrote. “Without these critical staff, we are concerned that more youth will start using tobacco products, fewer people will quit, and more people will become ill and die from tobacco-caused disease.”

    The Senators stressed the impacts of these staffing cuts on the federal government’s ability to protect kids from nicotine addiction and reduce chronic diseases caused by tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States and creates billions of dollars of health care related costs every year.

    “We cannot make a serious effort to reduce chronic disease and protect children’s health without addressing the harm caused by tobacco,” the Senators continued. “Yet the drastic reductions in force at HHS has led to the removal of key officials at the CTP, a center at the FDA created by Congress under the bipartisan Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Without adequate personnel, CTP will not be able to meet its statutory requirement to enforce the law and effectively conduct premarket reviews of new tobacco products and prevent the entry of products that will increase youth tobacco use.”

    The Senators warned, “The firing of thousands of staff at HHS also effectively eliminates CDC’s OSH, which plays a critical role in preventing youth tobacco use and helping adult tobacco users to quit. Eliminating this office will deprive states of the only dedicated source of federal funding for state tobacco prevention and cessation programs. It also means the end of its national public education campaign, Tips from Former Smokers, which helped about one million people to quit, prevented an estimated 129,100 smoking-related deaths, and saved about $7.3 billion in health care costs from 2012 through 2018. Eliminating OSH will not improve efficiency. Instead, it will only cost lives and increase health care expenses.”

    In addition to Durbin, Merkley, Blumenthal, and Markey, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Jack Reed (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

    The letter was also endorsed by the American Cancer Society Action Network, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Lung Association, National LGBTQI+ Cancer Network, Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation, and The Fenway Institute.

    Full text of the letter can be found by clicking here and follows below:

    Dear Secretary Kennedy, Acting Director Monarez, and Commissioner Makary,

    We write to express deep concerns regarding the impact your drastic staffing cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will have on efforts to reduce smoking and other tobacco use. Dozens of staffers at the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) have been placed on administrative leave, including the Center’s director, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) has been gutted. These actions risk undermining progress that has been made in reducing the death, disease, and addiction caused by tobacco use. Without these critical staff, we are concerned that more youth will start using tobacco products, fewer people will quit, and more people will become ill and die from tobacco-caused disease.

    Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States and is responsible for about $240 billion in health care costs every year. More than 16 million Americans are currently living with a tobacco-caused disease, including chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes. Nearly 500,000 Americans die each year from tobacco use, making up one in every five deaths in the United States.

    Tobacco use has been described as a pediatric disease because almost all tobacco use begins during adolescence. Tobacco companies have a long history of making and marketing products that appeal to kids. E-cigarettes, for example, come in a wide variety of kid-attracting flavors and expose users to high doses of nicotine and other harmful substances. In fact, e-cigarettes have been the most popular tobacco product among youth since 2014. Last year, 1.6 million middle school and high school students were e-cigarette users with many of them using e-cigarettes frequently or daily, an alarming sign of addiction.

    We cannot make a serious effort to reduce chronic disease and protect children’s health without addressing the harm caused by tobacco. Yet the drastic reductions in force at HHS has led to the removal of key officials at the CTP, a center at the FDA created by Congress under the bipartisan Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Without adequate personnel, CTP will not be able to meet its statutory requirement to enforce the law and effectively conduct premarket reviews of new tobacco products and prevent the entry of products that will increase youth tobacco use. CTP already has an extensive backlog of premarket applications and has had difficulty stopping unauthorized e-cigarettes from entering the market. Fewer employees will only make matters worse. Severe reductions in regulatory personnel also will cripple FDA’s ability to establish product standards to reduce the appeal, addictiveness, and harm of tobacco products.

    The firing of thousands of staff at HHS also effectively eliminates CDC’s OSH, which plays a critical role in preventing youth tobacco use and helping adult tobacco users to quit. Eliminating this office will deprive states of the only dedicated source of federal funding for state tobacco prevention and cessation programs. It also means the end of its national public education campaign, Tips from Former Smokers, which helped about one million people to quit, prevented an estimated 129,100 smoking-related deaths, and saved about $7.3 billion in health care costs from 2012 through 2018. Eliminating OSH will not improve efficiency. Instead, it will only cost lives and increase health care expenses.

    Given the significant ramifications of the HHS proposed reorganization on the federal government’s ability to protect kids from nicotine-addiction and to reduce chronic diseases caused by tobacco use, we request responses to the following questions by Friday, April 25, 2025.

    1. How many total FDA CTP employees have lost their jobs? How many have lost their jobs as a result of:
      1. The recent reductions in force announced by the Department on March 27, 2025 (including transfers to other federal agencies)?
      2. The termination of probationary employees?
      3. Other Administration efforts to reduce the federal workforce (e.g., early retirement and Fork in the Road)?
    2. For each office within FDA CTP (e.g., Office of the Director, Office of Management, Office of Regulations, Office of Science, Office of Health Communications and Education, and Office of Compliance and Enforcement), how many people have been removed from their positions and how many remain?
    3. Which directors of offices within FDA CTP have been removed from their positions, placed on administrative leave, or transferred to other federal agencies?
    4. Does FDA CTP intend to spend the $712 million in tobacco user fees authorized under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act and included in the FY 2025 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act (P.L. 119-4)? Please indicate how CTP intends to spend its tobacco user fees for FY 2025, including, but not limited to, dollars spent on premarket review, enforcement of marketing and sales of illegal products, and Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science.
    5. What functions of CTP have been transferred to other offices at FDA or to other agencies? To which offices or agencies were they transferred?
    6. What functions of CTP have been eliminated?
    7. How many employees does CDC OSH currently have? What are their roles and functions?
    8. Have any of the programs and activities, including data collection, previously run by CDC OSH been transferred to other agencies? To what other offices or agencies were they transferred to?
    9. The FY 2025 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act (P.L. 119-4) allocated $125.85 million from the Prevention and Public Health Fund to CDC OSH. How does the Department plan to spend this money if CDC OSH has been eliminated?
    10. Will states no longer receive federal grants from the National and State Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) to support state and local tobacco control programs? If so, when will states be notified of this loss in federal funding?
    11. Does the proposed elimination of CDC OSH mean that the highly effective media campaign, Tips from Former Smokers, will end? What about Tips ads for which air time has already been purchased? When do you anticipate the current Tips ad buy (both on Over-the-Top [OTT] and Over-the-Air [OTA] platforms) will conclude?
    12. Will the proposed elimination of CDC OSH eliminate federal funding for quitlines and cause state quitlines to reduce the services they can provide and the number of people they can serve?

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New DHSC Permanent Secretary Appointed

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    New DHSC Permanent Secretary Appointed

    Samantha Jones has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health and Social Care

    Samantha Jones

    The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has announced the appointment of Samantha Jones as the new Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). 

    Samantha is currently a non-executive director at DHSC, and the Chief Operating Officer for Xlinks, a renewable energy company.

    Samantha began her career as a nurse in the NHS, and was a hospital Chief Executive before moving to NHS England to lead the New Models of Care programme.  She has also led one of the largest primary care providers in England. Since her time in the NHS, Samantha served as an expert advisor to the PM on NHS Transformation and Social Care in 2021, before taking up post as the interim Permanent Secretary and Chief Operating Officer for 10 Downing Street. 

    Samantha will join DHSC at a critical time, as the government rebuilds the NHS as part of the Plan for Change. Samantha will be building a team to deliver this vital transformation which will include appointing a Chief Operating Officer. 

    Samantha will replace Chris Wormald, who left DHSC in December last year, to take up the role of Cabinet Secretary.

    The Health and Social Care Secretary, the Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, said:

    I am delighted to welcome Samantha in her new role as Permanent Secretary.

    Samantha brings a wealth of experience from the frontline of healthcare as a general and paediatric nurse – she knows what it is like to be working on wards and will translate that expertise to her work across the department.

    Equally, her work in senior management roles across both Whitehall and the health and social care sector will prove invaluable as we reintegrate NHS England back into the department to cut red tape, reduce duplication and make it fit for the future as part of our Plan for Change.

    Cabinet Secretary, Sir Chris Wormald, said:

    I am delighted to see Sam take up the role of Permanent Secretary at DHSC, having worked with her closely during my time there. Samantha is an outstanding public servant, who has spent much of her career working to improve and enrich the lives of people across the country.

    This is a critical time for DHSC, as they look to welcome their NHS England colleagues back into the department, and work to deliver the government missions and Plan for Change. Samantha is uniquely positioned to drive forward this work, and I look forward to working with her. 

    I also want to put on record my thanks to Professor Chris Whitty for his leadership of the Department since my departure.

    Samantha Jones said:

    It is an absolute privilege to be appointed Permanent Secretary at DHSC, working with colleagues across health and social care  to support the government’s Plan for Change and deliver a rebuilt NHS, fit for the future.

    Having worked alongside the brilliant team at DHSC over the past few years, serving on their board, I look forward to leading a department of committed public servants to improve the health of our nation.

    ENDS

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    Updates to this page

    Published 22 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mpox Found in Wastewater in North Carolina, NCDHHS Urges Public and Providers to Be on Alert

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Mpox Found in Wastewater in North Carolina, NCDHHS Urges Public and Providers to Be on Alert

    Mpox Found in Wastewater in North Carolina, NCDHHS Urges Public and Providers to Be on Alert
    stonizzo
    Tue, 04/22/2025 – 09:49

    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is asking people and providers to be on alert for mpox cases following the detection of mpox particles in multiple sewage samples found through routine wastewater testing. This year there have been two cases of mpox in North Carolina and the new wastewater detections were determined to be another type, clade I, not previously found in North Carolina. These detections indicate potential undiagnosed or unreported cases. At this time, the risk to the public remains low.        

    The mpox virus, formerly known as monkeypox, is primarily spread by prolonged close contact, typically skin-to-skin, often during sexual activity. There are two genetic types of the virus, known as clade I and clade II. The viral particles found in wastewater were determined to be clade I. To date, only four clade I cases have been reported in the U.S. Clade I mpox is responsible for a large outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa, which appears to be spreading mostly through heterosexual contact with some spread to household members, including children.

    North Carolina’s detections were found in wastewater samples collected on March 25, March 28, and April 8 from a treatment plant in Greenville, NC. No clade I cases have been reported to date; however, these detections mean there was possibly at least one person with an undiagnosed or unreported clade I mpox infection present or traveling through the Greenville area around the time of these detections.

    “The detection of clade I mpox virus in wastewater surveillance tells us the virus is potentially here   in our state, even though no cases have been reported and confirmed,” said NC Health and Human Services  Secretary Dev Sangvai. “We encourage health care providers to be on the lookout for mpox cases  and we encourage people who are at higher risk to protect themselves by getting vaccinated.”

    NCDHHS requests that all North Carolina health care providers consider mpox in patients with compatible symptoms and ask about any recent international travel. Providers who are treating patients with mpox infections should contact their local health department or the NCDHHS Division of Public Health’s 24/7 epidemiologist on-call number: 919-733-3419.  

    These recent results were found by the North Carolina Wastewater Monitoring Network, which launched in 2021 to better understand the spread of certain viruses in communities across North Carolina. This network is a collaboration between NCDHHS, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, wastewater utilities and local health departments. Samples are collected routinely from 35 wastewater treatment plants across the state and tested for specific viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). People with these viruses shed viral particles in their stool even if they don’t have symptoms. These virus particles are no longer infectious but can still be detected through lab testing.  

    While wastewater surveillance has become a valuable tool for tracking and responding to viruses, the program is now at risk due to proposed federal funding cuts. Wastewater surveillance funding allows  North Carolina to have a crucial early warning system for levels of infections that can help public health officials and health care providers make decisions, such as providing guidance on how to prevent infections.       

    NC Wastewater Monitoring Network results are routinely shared on the NCDHHS wastewater monitoring dashboard. Testing for mpox is done on samples from 18 of the participating sites and results are shared on the CDC Mpox wastewater dashboard.

    If you think you have mpox or have had close contact with someone who has mpox, visit your health care provider or contact your local health department. Symptoms include a rash on any part of the body, like the genitals, hands, feet, chest, face or mouth. The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy. The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing. Some people experience flu-like symptoms before the rash, while others get a rash first followed by other symptoms. In some cases, a rash is the only symptom experienced.  

    Vaccines are available to protect against mpox infection from both clade types and can reduce the severity of illness if infection does occur. Information about vaccine recommendations and where to find vaccine is available on the NCDHHS mpox page.   

    El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte está pidiendo a las personas y a los proveedores que estén alertas ante casos de viruela símica (mpox) después de la detección de partículas de mpox en múltiples muestras de aguas residuales encontradas a través de pruebas rutinarias de aguas residuales. Este año hubo dos casos de mpox en Carolina del Norte y se determinó que las nuevas detecciones de aguas residuales eran de otro tipo, clado I, que no se había encontrado anteriormente en Carolina del Norte. Estas detecciones indican posibles casos no diagnosticados o no notificados. En este momento, el riesgo para el público sigue siendo bajo.

    El virus de la viruela símica (mpox), anteriormente conocido como viruela del mono, se transmite principalmente por contacto cercano prolongado, generalmente piel con piel, a menudo durante la actividad sexual. Existen dos tipos genéticos del virus, conocidos como clado I y clado II. Se determinó que las partículas virales encontradas en las aguas residuales eran del clado I. Hasta la fecha, solo se han reportado cuatro casos de clado I en los EE. UU. La viruela del clado I es responsable de un gran brote en África Central y Oriental, que parece estar propagándose principalmente a través del contacto heterosexual con algunos miembros del hogar, incluso los niños.

    Las detecciones de Carolina del Norte se encontraron en muestras de aguas residuales recolectadas el 25 de marzo, el 28 de marzo y el 8 de abril de una planta de tratamiento en Greenville, Carolina del Norte. No se han informado casos de clado I hasta la fecha; sin embargo, estas detecciones significan que posiblemente había al menos una persona con una infección por viruela del clado I no diagnosticada o no informada presente o que viajaba por el área de Greenville en el momento de estas detecciones.

     “La detección del virus de la viruela símica del clado I en la vigilancia de aguas residuales nos indica que el virus está potencialmente aquí en nuestro estado, a pesar de que no se han reportado y confirmado casos”, dijo el Secretario de Salud y Servicios Humanos de NC, Dev Sangvai. “Animamos a los proveedores de atención médica a estar atentos a los casos de mpox y alentamos a las personas que corren un mayor riesgo a protegerse vacunándose”.

    El NCDHHS solicita que todos los proveedores de atención médica de Carolina del Norte consideren la viruela símica (mpox) en pacientes con síntomas compatibles y pregunten sobre cualquier viaje internacional reciente. Los proveedores que atienden a pacientes con infecciones por mpox deben comunicarse con su departamento de salud local o llamar al número de guardia las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana del epidemiólogo de la División de Salud Pública de NCDHHS al: 919-733-3419.

    Estos resultados recientes se encontraron por la Red de Monitoreo de Aguas Residuales de Carolina del Norte, que se lanzó en 2021 para comprender mejor la propagación de ciertos virus en las comunidades de Carolina del Norte. Esta red es una colaboración entre NCDHHS, la Universidad de Carolina del Norte en Chapel Hill, los servicios públicos de aguas residuales y los departamentos de salud locales. Las muestras se recolectan rutinariamente de 35 plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales en todo el estado y se analizan para detectar virus específicos, incluido el SARS-CoV-2 (el virus que causa COVID-19), la influenza y el virus sincitial respiratorio (RSV). Las personas con estos virus eliminan partículas virales en las heces, incluso si no tienen síntomas. Estas partículas de virus dejan de ser infecciosas, pero aún pueden detectarse mediante pruebas de laboratorio.

    Si bien la vigilancia de las aguas residuales se ha convertido en una herramienta valiosa para rastrear y responder a los virus, el programa ahora está en riesgo debido a los recortes de fondos federales propuestos. El financiamiento de la vigilancia de aguas residuales permite que Carolina del Norte tenga un sistema de alerta temprana crucial para los niveles de infecciones que puede ayudar a los funcionarios de salud pública y proveedores de atención médica a tomar decisiones, como proporcionar orientación sobre cómo prevenir infecciones.

    Los resultados de la Red de Monitoreo de Aguas Residuales de NC se comparten de forma rutinaria en el tablero de monitoreo de aguas residuales de NCDHHS. Las pruebas de la viruela símica (mpox) se realizan en muestras de 18 de los sitios participantes y los resultados se comparten en el tablero de aguas residuales de CDC mpox.

    Si cree que tiene viruela símica (mpox) o ha tenido contacto cercano con alguien que tiene mpox, visite a su proveedor de atención médica o comuníquese con su departamento de salud local. Los síntomas incluyen una erupción en cualquier parte del cuerpo, como los genitales, las manos, los pies, el pecho, la cara o la boca. La erupción de piel puede parecer inicialmente como granos o ampollas y pueden ser dolorosas o provocar comezón. La erupción pasará por varias etapas, incluyendo costras, antes de sanar. Algunas personas experimentan síntomas similares a la influenza (gripe) antes de la erupción, mientras que otras tienen una erupción primero seguida de otros síntomas. En algunos casos, el único síntoma que se experimenta es una erupción cutánea.

    Las vacunas están disponibles para proteger contra la infección por mpox de ambos tipos de clados y pueden reducir la gravedad de la enfermedad si se produce la infección. La información sobre las recomendaciones de vacunas y dónde encontrarlas está disponible en la página web de NCDHHS mpox.
     

    Apr 22, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Leader of Notorious Philadelphia ‘10th and O Crew’ Sentenced to Six Years for Opioid Drug Conspiracy

    Source: US State of California

    A South Philadelphia man was sentenced yesterday in the District of New Jersey to six years in prison for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, a highly addictive controlled substance. 

    According to court documents, between January 2022 and February 2024, Michael Procopio, 50, coordinated the unlawful sale of prescription oxycodone pills as a leader of South Philadelphia’s notorious “10th and O Crew.” Procopio obtained the pills from doctors’ offices in the area. He then unlawfully distributed them through a network of intermediaries. In February 2024, during a search of Procopio’s residence pursuant to a search warrant, law enforcement found oxycodone, Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine), and other drugs stored in a safe concealed in a hollowed-out dictionary. During the execution of the search warrant, Procopio stated, “take me to jail” and “I f***ed up.”

    Pursuant to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, one gram of actual oxycodone is equivalent to 6,700 grams of converted drug weight. Procopio admitted to distributing approximately 14,925 milligrams of oxycodone, which equates to between 80 and 100 kilograms of opioids by converted drug weight.

    “The defendant led a criminal ‘crew’ that diverted addictive prescription drugs to sell on the streets of Philadelphia,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The unlawful distribution of opioids ravages communities, whether it’s fentanyl from overseas or prescription oxycodone obtained from a doctor. The Department of Justice is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to eradicate the illegal sale of these dangerous drugs.” 

    In June 2024, Procopio pleaded guilty to conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances. Court documents show that Procopio was previously convicted of sexual assault in Pennsylvania.  

    Special Agent in Charge Wayne Jacobs of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Philadelphia Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey Field Division joined the announcement.

    The FBI, DEA, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Paul J. Koob and Nicholas K. Peone of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Smart brain implants are helping people with Parkinson’s and other disorders

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Vladimir Litvak, Professor of Translational Neurophysiology, UCL

    Although the brain is our most complex organ, the ways to treat it have historically been rather simple. Typically, surgeons lesioned (damaged) a structure or a pathway in the hope that this would “correct the imbalance” that led to the disease. Candidate structures for lesioning were usually found by trial and error, serendipity or experiments in animals.

    While performing one such surgery in 1987, French neurosurgeon Alim-Louis Benabid noticed that the electrical stimulation he performed to locate the right spot to lesion had effects similar to the lesion itself. This discovery led to a new treatment: deep brain stimulation. It involved a pacemaker delivering electrical pulses via electrodes implanted in specific spots in the brain.

    This treatment has been used to treat advanced Parkinson’s since the early 2000s. However, until today, the stimulator settings had to remain constant once they were set by a specialised doctor or nurse and could only be changed when the patient was next seen in the clinic.

    Accordingly, most researchers and doctors thought of stimulation as merely an adjustable and reversible way of lesioning. But these days the field is undergoing a revolution that challenges this view.

    Dr Alim Louis Benabid’s discovery led to deep brain stimulation.
    Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

    Adaptive deep brain stimulation was approved earlier this year by the US and European health authorities. It involves a computer interpreting brain activity and deciding whether to adjust the stimulation amplitude up or down to achieve the best relief of a patient’s symptoms.

    Parkinson’s is a complex disorder with fluctuating symptoms that are greatly affected by the drugs a patient takes several times a day. While for some patients constant stimulation does a good job controlling their symptoms, for others it is too strong some of the time and overly weak at other times.

    Ideally, the treatment should only kick in when it is most helpful.

    The discovery that made adaptive stimulation possible was made by scientists at University College London over two decades ago, around the time when the first patients with Parkinson’s started getting electrodes implanted in the UK National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.

    When recording deep brain activity from these electrodes shortly after the surgery, the scientists noticed that a particular kind of brain wave appeared when a patient stopped their medication and their symptoms worsened.

    The waves went away when the patients took their medication and started feeling better. It took a decade of further research before the same team of scientists first attempted to use the brain waves to control stimulation.

    The idea is akin to a thermostat controlling an air conditioner. When the waves (temperature) reach a certain threshold, an electronic control circuit turns the stimulator (airconditioner) on. This reduces the waves and when they go away the stimulation can be turned off for a while until the waves re-emerge.

    The original setup was bulky and could only be used in the hospital, and it took another decade to make it fit inside a device smaller than a matchbox that could be implanted in a patient’s chest.

    New challenges

    While the option to make brain stimulation adaptive gives new tools to doctors and nurses to fit stimulation to a patient in the best possible way, it comes with new challenges.

    Even with the original fixed settings, there are many parameters doctors have to set to ensure effective treatment with minimal side-effects. Making stimulation adaptive adds another layer of complexity and puts extra demand on a clinical team’s time and attention.

    In the case of Parkinson’s, stimulation effects are almost immediate so it is relatively easy to see how well particular constant settings work. But an adaptive setting must be tested over at least a few days to see how well it copes with the patient’s daily routine and medication cycles.

    Adaptive stimulators also come with sensing abilities. They can record the harmful brain wave levels over days and weeks so that the clinical team can review them and see how well they are controlled.

    These possibilities are new in the treatment of Parkinson’s, although similar implanted devices have been in use for years by cardiologists and epileptologists (neurologists who specialise in epilepsy).

    Studying brain waves recorded by the smart stimulators in Parkinson’s patients opens new doors for understanding other diseases. Many patients suffer from problems such as depression and cognitive decline. Researchers could search for features in their brain signals that track the severity of these symptoms using AI tools to find relations too subtle or too complex for a human observer.

    A parallel branch of deep brain stimulation research is focused on precisely mapping out the brain circuits responsible for different neurological and psychiatric symptoms. Several recent studies reported successes in treating depression, OCD and severe headaches.

    Stimulating in the right place at the right time considering what the patient is doing is where the field is heading. With the basic technology now in place, progress could be rapid.

    Vladimir Litvak previously collaborated with Medtronic plc on a research project.

    – ref. Smart brain implants are helping people with Parkinson’s and other disorders – https://theconversation.com/smart-brain-implants-are-helping-people-with-parkinsons-and-other-disorders-253699

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: A Leader of Notorious Philadelphia ‘10th and O Crew’ Sentenced to Six Years for Opioid Drug Conspiracy

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    A South Philadelphia man was sentenced yesterday in the District of New Jersey to six years in prison for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, a highly addictive controlled substance. 

    According to court documents, between January 2022 and February 2024, Michael Procopio, 50, coordinated the unlawful sale of prescription oxycodone pills as a leader of South Philadelphia’s notorious “10th and O Crew.” Procopio obtained the pills from doctors’ offices in the area. He then unlawfully distributed them through a network of intermediaries. In February 2024, during a search of Procopio’s residence pursuant to a search warrant, law enforcement found oxycodone, Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine), and other drugs stored in a safe concealed in a hollowed-out dictionary. During the execution of the search warrant, Procopio stated, “take me to jail” and “I f***ed up.”

    Pursuant to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, one gram of actual oxycodone is equivalent to 6,700 grams of converted drug weight. Procopio admitted to distributing approximately 14,925 milligrams of oxycodone, which equates to between 80 and 100 kilograms of opioids by converted drug weight.

    “The defendant led a criminal ‘crew’ that diverted addictive prescription drugs to sell on the streets of Philadelphia,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The unlawful distribution of opioids ravages communities, whether it’s fentanyl from overseas or prescription oxycodone obtained from a doctor. The Department of Justice is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to eradicate the illegal sale of these dangerous drugs.” 

    In June 2024, Procopio pleaded guilty to conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances. Court documents show that Procopio was previously convicted of sexual assault in Pennsylvania.  

    Special Agent in Charge Wayne Jacobs of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Philadelphia Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey Field Division joined the announcement.

    The FBI, DEA, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Paul J. Koob and Nicholas K. Peone of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Recognition for student driven to make a difference

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Lawson Connor is an Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA) of the Year Award finalist.

    In brief:

    • Gungahlin College student Lawson Connor is a national finalist at the 2024 Australian Training Awards.
    • He has overcome health challenges and wants to become a paramedic.
    • He hopes others are aware there are many career pathways.

    A couple of years back, Lawson Connor was picked up from school by ambulance so often, he was on first-name terms with many paramedics.

    He missed a whole term of year 9 at Gold Creek School. This was due to epilepsy-related health challenges.

    One of seven children, Lawson says he pretty much grew up in hospital.

    A proud Wiradjuri man, he is now 17 and at Gungahlin College. And tonight, he is a national finalist at the 2024 Australian Training Awards.

    He is in the running for the Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA) of the Year Award.

    People from all over Canberra, and further afield, in Wiradjuri country, will cheer him on.

    A turning point

    If there was a turning point for Lawson, perhaps it was when he became vice-captain of Gold Creek School.

    He led several initiatives and was a mentor for many. This included other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

    A teacher encouraged Lawson to consider applying for an ASbA. He hasn’t looked back.

    A clear career path

    Lawson was inspired by the kindness he’d experienced in the health system. He had already decided to pursue a career in health care.

    He was accepted into Indigenous Allied Health Australia’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy ASbA program.

    Through this, he is completing a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (HLT33021) through CIT. He is doing this while finishing years 11 and 12.

    The program has given him insights into career pathways in the health sector. He has also found clarity about his career goal.

    “Through placements I’ve tried out different areas … physio, occupational therapy, aged care … it’s really helped me narrow it down, to paramedicine.”

    “It would be such an honour to be able to provide emergency healthcare within the community, especially a rural or remote community, or a disadvantaged Indigenous community, where I could provide a level of cultural care and understanding.”

    Lawson has also taken an online university class this year. It is part of an early entry program for Midwifery, Nursing and Paramedicine.

    Well-deserved recognition

    Today, Lawson’s health is much better. He has been also received several awards. These include:

    • a Year 10 Excellence Award
    • the ACT ASbA of the Year Award, ACT Training Awards
    • an Exceptional Young Person Award, ACT Children’s Week Awards
    • the flagship Children’s Commissioner Award, ACT Children’s Week Awards.

    Advice for others

    Lawson hopes other students may be inspired by his journey to consider alternative pathways.

    It worries him that a lot of his friends are stressed about getting a high-enough ATAR.

    “I want a lot of people to know that ATAR isn’t the only option to get into a university or have a successful life,” he said. “There are so many avenues.”

    Lawson recommends talking to careers teachers at school about available pathways.

    For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, there are dedicated programs and supports to consider.

    “There are so many opportunities out there,” Lawson said.

    “If you really want to do something, pursue it. You can achieve it.”

    Find out more about the ASbA program on the ACT Education website.

    Read more like this:

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: China to advance development of multivalent, novel vaccines: official

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, April 22 — China will continue to advance the research and development of multivalent and novel vaccines, said an official of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration on Tuesday.

    Li Xiaocui, an official of immunization planning at the administration, said at a press conference that efforts would be made to guide and support the transformation of research outcomes related to vaccines based on disease prevention needs and vaccine demand.

    The administration will accelerate the promotion of electronic vaccination certificates and facilitate the cross-provincial sharing of immunization data, Li said.

    She added that the administration had ordered further optimization of vaccination services and encouraged local authorities to innovate service models to meet the diverse vaccination needs of the public.

    Li also noted that the coverage rate of vaccines included in the national immunization program among eligible children in China had consistently remained above 90 percent.

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pingree, Heinrich Lead Charge to Reach Net-Zero Emissions, Boost Profitability in US Agriculture

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

    In honor of Earth Day, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) reintroduced the Agriculture Resilience Act (ARA), comprehensive legislation that aims to help the U.S. reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector by 2040—while giving America’s farmers more tools and resources to increase their profitability. 

    “From historic droughts and wildfires to devastating floods and extreme weather, America’s farmers are directly impacted by the climate crisis,” said Pingree, a longtime organic farmer and senior member of the House Agriculture Committee. “With the Farm Bill in limbo and the Trump Administration actively undermining farmers’ interests, bold legislation like the Agriculture Resilience Act is more urgent than ever. These goals are ambitious—but they’re achievable. By helping farmers adopt practices that boost resilience and profitability, this bill charts a path to not only create a more sustainable future for America’s agriculture sector, but ensure greater economic viability for our farmers as well.”

    “New Mexico’s agricultural producers and rural communities rely on the health of our land and water to sustain their families and communities. They are also the first to feel the impacts of climate change. That is why we need to provide our farmers and ranchers with new tools to not only protect their land and way of life, but also be part of the climate solution,” said Heinrich. “I’m pleased to reintroduce the Agriculture Resilience Act, which sets a national goal of achieving net-zero emissions in agriculture by 2040 through farmer-led, science-based initiatives. I’ll continue working to bring our communities the tools they need to improve soil health, expand conservation programs, increase research into climate-friendly agricultural practices, and support on-farm renewable energy projects.”

    To reach net-zero agricultural emissions within the next 15 years, the ARA focuses on six concrete policy areas—and solutions that are rooted in science.

    These goals include:

    1. Increasing Research: The ARA would ensure existing agriculture research programs prioritize climate change research, increase funding for USDA’s Regional Climate Hubs, support public breed and cultivar research, and create a new SARE Agricultural and Food System Resilience Initiative for farmer and rancher research and demonstration grants.
    2. Improving Soil Health: The ARA would create a new soil health grant program for state and tribal governments, authorize USDA to offer performance-based crop insurance discounts for practices that reduce climate risk, expand the National Agroforestry Center by authorizing three additional regional centers, and provide more technical assistance and flexibility in USDA conservation programs to support climate-smart practices.
    3. Protecting existing farmland and supporting farm viability: ARA would increase funding for the Local Agriculture Market Program to help keep local farms profitable and create a new subprogram for farm viability and local climate resilience centers to help farmers reach new markets. The bill would also increase funding for the Agriculture Conservation Easement Program to make farmland affordable for the next generation. 
    4. Supporting pasture-based livestock systems: The ARA would create a new alternative manure management program to support an array of livestock methane management strategies and establish a new grant program to help small meat processors cover the costs associated with meeting federal inspection guidelines.
    5. Boosting investments in on-farm energy initiatives: The ARA would increase funding for the Rural Energy for America Program to prioritize low-emissions electrification projects and direct USDA to study dual-use renewable energy and cropping or livestock systems.
    6. Reducing food waste: The ARA would standardize food date labels to reduce consumer confusion about the shelf life of foods, create a new USDA program to reduce food waste in schools, and increase federal support for food waste research and outreach, composting, and anaerobic digestion food waste-to-energy projects.

    The ARA is supported by dozens of national and local organizations including American Farmland Trust, the World Wildlife Fund, and Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, as well companies like Stonyfield and Organic Valley. Click here for a full list of endorsers. 

    READ WHAT ORGANIZATIONS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE ARA. 

    An organic farmer since the 1970s, Pingree has been recognized as a national policy leader on sustainable food and farming. Pingree is the founder of Congress’s first-ever Bipartisan Food Recovery Caucus and is Vice Chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition Climate and Agriculture Task Force. In addition to serving on the House Agriculture Committee, Pingree is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, where she serves as Ranking Member on the Interior and Environment Subcommittee and on the Agriculture Subcommittee.  

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: John Snow Labs Unveils New AI-Powered HCC Coding Engine to Enhance Risk Adjustment Accuracy and Revenue Integrity

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEWES, Del., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — John Snow Labs, the AI for healthcare company, today announced its new end-to-end Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) coding engine designed to help healthcare providers and payers improve risk adjustment accuracy and revenue integrity. This was introduced at the company’s annual Healthcare NLP Summit in a session titled, “Transforming HCC Coding with Healthcare-Specific Language Models.”

    Accurate HCC coding is critical for patient risk adjustment, as it directly impacts reimbursement models and financial sustainability in value-based care. However, studies indicate that as many as half of all patients may have prior conditions, complications, or severity indicators documented in clinical notes but not reflected in claims or electronic health records (EHRs).

    The new end-to-end solution automates the discovery of missed clinical codes that are evidenced in unstructured clinical notes, but not properly coded. The solution includes a human-in-the-loop validation as well as a full audit trail. The ability to fine-tune the model to a local patient population results in higher accuracy compared to off-the-shelf models and services.

    Powered by state‑of‑the‑art, healthcare‑specific language models from John Snow Labs, healthcare organizations can bring AI‑powered HCC coding in‑house, empowering clinical teams with greater control, scalability, and cost efficiency. Additionally, integrating the engine into existing coding workflows can reduce dependency on outsourced services, which can significantly reduce costs and maintain better quality control.

    These enhancements come at a critical time. Earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its 2026 Medicare Advantage (MA) Rate Announcement, projecting a 5.06% average increase in payments to MA plans, signifying the largest rate hike in a decade. With the additional funding comes an expectation for plans to deliver more accurate risk scores, improve coding integrity, and prove that the MA model can deliver better value. John Snow Labs can help organizations do this in a way that meets the specific demands of the healthcare industry.

    “Our new HCC coding engine was developed to address the challenges of today’s healthcare industry—creating a more accurate and consistent revenue cycle at a lower cost,” said David Talby, CEO, John Snow Labs. “By leveraging the latest healthcare-specific AI models and human-in-the-loop workflows to improve them, both payers and providers can run HCC coding in-house at lower cost, with higher accuracy, and tighter control compared to outsourced or black-box services.”

    To learn more about John Snow Labs’ AI-powered HCC coding solution, visit https://www.johnsnowlabs.com/.

    About John Snow Labs
    John Snow Labs, the AI for healthcare company, provides state-of-the-art software, models, and data to help healthcare and life science organizations put AI to good use. Developer of Medical LLMs, Healthcare NLP, Spark NLP, the Generative AI Lab No-Code Platform, and the Medical Chatbot, John Snow Labs’ award-winning medical AI software powers the world’s leading pharmaceuticals, academic medical centers, and health technology companies. Creator and host of The NLP Summit, the company is committed to further educating and advancing the global AI community.

    Contact
    Gina Devine
    Head of Communications
    John Snow Labs
    gina@johnsnowlabs.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/490e7235-dc9a-4b8d-8daf-a73854c095e4

    The MIL Network –

    April 23, 2025
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