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Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo, Risch, Blumenthal Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Deliver Combat-Injured Veterans Full Military Benefits

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) led reintroduction, along with Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), of S. 1032, the Major Richard Star Act.  This bipartisan legislation would provide combat-injured veteran retirees their full benefits.

    “The Major Richard Star Act corrects a severe injustice for combat-wounded veterans,” said Crapo.  “The support for this correction is clear.  Though the namesake of our legislation is no longer with us, I continue to press for its passage on behalf of the more than 50,000 veterans, including hundreds in Idaho, who stand to benefit.” 

    “Our veterans made significant sacrifices for our freedoms. Penalizing their retirement benefits due to injuries they incurred during their honorable service to our country is unacceptable,” said Risch.  “The Major Richard Star Act protects the entirety of veterans’ earned benefits and give our nation’s heroes the respect they deserve.”

    “This measure corrects one of the deepest injustices in our present veterans’ disability system,” said Blumenthal.  “It is unacceptable that tens of thousands of combat-injured veterans are denied the full military benefits they earned.  Our bipartisan bill will right this longstanding injustice and finally provide these military retirees who have already sacrificed so much their full VA disability and Defense Department retirement payments.”

    Currently, only veterans with disability ratings above 50 percent and more than 20 years of service are eligible to receive the full amount of their U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) retirement and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability payments, leaving behind more than 50,000 combat-injured military retirees, including hundreds in Idaho.  The Major Richard Star Act would fix this unjust policy for retired combat veterans—providing them full VA disability and DOD retirement payments earned by their service.

    The bipartisan legislation is named in honor of Major Richard A. Star, a decorated war veteran who was forced to medically retire due to his combat-related injuries.  Major Star sadly lost his battle with cancer on February 13, 2021. S. 1032 has 43 bipartisan co-sponsors.

    Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-Florida) and Raul Ruiz (D-California) introduced companion legislation, with 185 bipartisan co-sponsors, in the U.S. House of Representatives.

    The bipartisan effort to provide combat-injured veterans their due benefits is supported by the Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA), Air & Space Forces Association (AFA), American GI Forum, The American Legion, American Military Society, American Veterans (AMVETS), Armed Forces Retiree Association, Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA), Association of Military Surgeons of the United States  (AMSUS), Association of the United States Army (AUSA), Association of the United States Navy (AUSN), Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), Burn Pits 360, Chief Warrant Officers Association of the US Coast Guard (CWOA), Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service, Inc. (COA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), Heroes Athletic Association, Gold Star Wives of America (GSW), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America (JWV), K9s for Warriors, Marine Corps League (MCL), Marine Corps Reserve Association (MCRA), Military Chaplains Association of the United States of America (MCA), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Mission Roll Call, National Defense Committee, National Military Family Association (NMFA), Naval Enlisted Reserve Association (NERA), Non-Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA), Operation First Response, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Quality of Life Foundation, Reserve Organization of America (ROA), Stronghold Freedom Foundation, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA), The Independence Fund (TIF), United States Army Warrant Officers Association (USAWOA), USCG Chief Petty Officers Association (CPOA), VetsFirst/United Spinal Association, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Wounded Paw Project and Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNAIDS chief warns of ‘real surge’ in deaths unless US restores funding

    Source: United Nations 2

    Health

    Amid continuing uncertainty about the impact of deep US funding cuts to humanitarian work worldwide, the head of the UN agency coordinating the fight against HIV-AIDS warned that an addition 6.3 million people will die in the next four years, unless support is reinstated.

    “We will see a …real surge in this disease – [we] will see it come back and we see people dying the way we saw them in the 90s and in 2000s,” said Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director, pointing to a “tenfold increase” from the 600,000 AIDS-related deaths recorded globally in 2023.

    “We also expect an additional 8.7 million new infections. At the last count, there were 1.3 million new infections globally (in) 2023”.

    Speaking in Geneva, Ms. Byanyima noted that the funding freeze announced by the White House on 20 January was due to end next month, after a 90-day review.

    “We have not heard of other governments pledging to fill the gap,” she told journalists.

    Already, drop-in centres where HIV patients can pick up the anti-retroviral medicines they need are not reopening, “for fear that this might not be consistent with the new guidelines”, she maintained.

    “This sudden withdrawal of US funding has led (to) shutting down of many clinics, laying off of thousands of health workers, these are nurses, doctors, lab technicians, pharmacy workers…it’s a lot.”

    Focus on Africa

    Focusing on Africa – where the east and south of the continent share 53 per cent of the global HIV burden – Ms. Byanyima warned that closing down “all of a sudden drop-in centres for girls and young women will be disastrous, because more than 60 per cent of new infections – amongst young – new infections on the continent are amongst girls and young women”.

    Speaking to UN News earlier this month, the head of the UNAIDS office in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Susan Kasedde, said there were still major questions over the extent and scope of cuts due to be made to US PEPFAR initiative programmes, which began in 2003 to prevent and contain HIV infections – the presidency’s emergency plan which has saved an estimated 26 million lives.

    There are currently around 520,000 people living with HIV in the DRC, including 300,000 women and 50,000 children. The epidemic continues to grow, as the number of new infections is almost double the number of deaths linked to the disease.

    PEPFAR’s expected contribution for the 2025 fiscal year was due to be $105 million, and it aims to provide treatment half of the population living with HIV in the DRC – some 209,000 people.

    “This means that we currently have 440,000 people living with HIV who are on treatment. Thanks to this treatment, they are alive”, said Ms. Kasedde.

    “And then treatment cannot work without operational capacity, treatment cannot be provided if there is not a proper-functioning supply chain”, she stressed, pointing out that the response to HIV in the DRC involve largely interdependent programmes which reinforce each other.

    Global impact of cuts

    Several other UN agencies that are heavily reliant on US funding have also warned that the cut in support – in addition to chronic under-investment in humanitarian work globally – is already having a serious impact on the communities they serve.

    On Friday, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said that thousands have been left without lifesaving aid in the war-torn eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    The UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) also announced that funding cuts have severe repercussions for vulnerable migrant communities, exacerbating humanitarian crises and undermining essential support systems for displaced populations.

    Together with IOM, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned last Friday that that the liquidity crunch has jeopardized lifesaving work, including progress in reducing child mortality, which has fallen by 60 per cent since 1990.

    “It is reasonable for the United States to want to reduce its funding – over time. But the sudden withdrawal of lifesaving support is having a devastating impact across countries, particularly Africa, but even in Asia and Latin America,” said UNAIDS’ Ms. Byanyima.

    “We urge for a reconsideration and an urgent restoration of services – of life-saving services.”

    Presidential appeal

    And in a direct appeal to President Donald Trump, the UNAIDS chief noted that just as President George W Bush had introduced the groundbreaking PEPFAR initiative, the new White House incumbent could also be part of the “prevention revolution”, involving injectable HIV injections that are required just twice a year to provide protection.

    “The deal is that an American company is enabled to produce and to license generics across the regions to produce millions and roll out this injectable to those who really need it,” she insisted.

    According to UNAIDS, approximately 40 million people globally live with HIV, based on 2023 data. Of this number, some 1.3 million became newly infected with HIV in the same year and 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Will mummy make it better? The curious case of mummified remedies in early modern medicine

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Michelle Spear, Professor of Anatomy, University of Bristol

    Andrea Izzotti/Shutterstock

    The history of medicine is filled with remedies that, viewed through a modern lens, seem perplexing, misguided or downright macabre. Among these is “mumia” — a medicinal substance derived from mummified human remains.

    From the 12th to the 17th century, physicians across Europe prescribed powdered mummy as a cure-all for ailments ranging from internal bleeding and broken bones to epilepsy and melancholia.

    Once regarded as a potent elixir infused with the life force of the ancients, mumia was a staple in apothecaries, sought after by the wealthy and recommended by the learned. Yet, as medical knowledge evolved, so too did attitudes toward this unusual remedy, and by the 18th century, it had largely faded into obscurity.

    The belief in mumia’s healing power was deeply rooted in prevailing medical theories of the time. One such theory was the doctrine of signatures, which held that natural substances resembled the ailments they were meant to cure.

    Mummified flesh, preserved for centuries, seemed an obvious candidate for treating decay, wounds and internal deterioration. Another influential idea was vitalism, the notion that life force could be transferred from one body to another, particularly from a preserved human to a living patient.

    Adding to this was the European fascination with the medical traditions of the Islamic world. Arabic physicians such as Avicenna had described the therapeutic use of bitumen – a naturally occurring tar-like substance also called mūmiyā – that had medicinal applications in wound healing.

    When these texts were translated into Latin, European scholars mistakenly conflated mūmiyā with Egyptian mummies, assuming that the embalmed dead were imbued with similar restorative properties. The result was a booming trade in ground-up human remains, with mummies sourced from Egyptian tombs, grave robbers and even local execution sites.

    Grave robbers got in on the racket.
    David Leshem/Shutterstock

    Mumia was prescribed for an astonishing array of conditions. Physicians believed it could speed up healing, prevent infection and even cure epilepsy. Ingested in powdered form or mixed into tinctures, it was recommended for internal bleeding, strokes and tuberculosis. Some suggested it could ward off melancholy or restore youthful vitality, making it a popular remedy among the European elite.

    Apothecaries stocked mummy powder alongside other human-derived medicines such as powdered skull (cranium humanum) and distilled human fat (axungia hominis).

    The more ancient the remains, the more potent they were thought to be. However, as the demand for mumia outstripped the supply of genuine Egyptian mummies, opportunistic traders turned to more recent corpses – some even resorting to robbing the gallows to meet the market’s needs.

    Eventual decline

    Despite its widespread use, mumia was not without its detractors. By the 16th century, some physicians began to question both its efficacy and its ethical implications. The Swiss physician Paracelsus (1493–1541) argued that only fresh human remains – not ancient, embalmed flesh – had medicinal value, while others dismissed the practice as nothing more than superstition.

    The growing emphasis on empirical science in the 17th and 18th centuries further eroded faith in mumia. As anatomy and pathology advanced, the idea that centuries-old preserved tissue could heal the living seemed increasingly implausible. At the same time, public attitudes toward human remains began to shift.

    The rise of Egyptology and archaeological interest in mummies reframed them as historical artefacts rather than medical commodities, making their consumption distasteful even to those who had once sworn by their healing properties.

    By the early 18th century, mumia had largely disappeared from medical practice, relegated to the annals of history as an example of medicine’s sometimes gruesome past.

    Mumia’s decline serves as a reminder of how medical knowledge evolves, shedding once-revered treatments in favour of evidence-based approaches. Yet, while medicinal cannibalism may seem shocking today, the pursuit of miraculous cures continues. From stem cell therapies to longevity supplements, the desire to harness the essence of life itself persists – albeit with more scientific rigour.

    Looking back at the use of mummified medicine, we are reminded that the boundary between science and superstition is not always as clear as we might like to believe.

    Michelle Spear 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. Will mummy make it better? The curious case of mummified remedies in early modern medicine – https://theconversation.com/will-mummy-make-it-better-the-curious-case-of-mummified-remedies-in-early-modern-medicine-247727

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: World Health Organization (WHO) calls for renewed commitment to eradicate tuberculosis

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

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    On World Tuberculosis Day, March 24, the World Health Organization (WHO) encourages Member States to step up their commitment and investments to accelerate progress in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) and safeguard public health.

    In 2023, TB regained its dismal title as the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. The WHO African Region is particularly affected, with 2.5 million new cases and 404,000 deaths – equivalent to one life lost every 78 seconds.

    Dr. Nzuzi Katondi, WHO TB officer in Angola, said that the WHO congratulates the Angolan government for its dedicated efforts to eliminate TB and encourages it to continue accelerating initiatives and to quickly adopt the new WHO recommendations to end the suffering and deaths of Angolan citizens due to TB.

    “The coverage of TB services in Angola has seen a remarkable improvement from 2018 to 2023, thanks to WHO’s support in the implementation and revision of the National TB Control Strategic Plan (PEN TB) 2018-2022 and the development of the new TB Strategic Plan (PEN TB 2023-2027),” said Dr. Katondi. He added: “WHO strongly encourages the government to accelerate crucial actions to end TB and safeguard public health. This includes expanding rapid diagnosis and treatment services into communities, systematizing screening, ensuring patient-centered TB care, and strengthening the primary health care network.”

    Despite the ongoing efforts, Angola remains one of the 20 countries most affected by TB worldwide, with an annual average of more than 65,000 new cases over the last five years. This underlines the urgent need to strengthen joint action to overcome the persistent challenges in the fight against TB and protect the health of the population.

    To strengthen initiatives against TB and end the suffering of families, the WHO calls on governments to implement five key measures: (a) closing the TB funding gap by increasing national investments, (b) strengthening surveillance and data systems to improve case detection and treatment outcomes, (c) expanding access to rapid diagnostic tools and innovative treatment regimens, (d) engaging communities to ensure patient-centered TB care, and (e) addressing the social determinants of TB, including poverty, malnutrition and inadequate access to healthcare.

    TB is one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, but it can be prevented and cured. At the second United Nations high-level meeting on tuberculosis in September 2023, world leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ending the tuberculosis epidemic by 2030. The WHO, therefore, encourages high-level leadership, increased investment, the adoption of innovations, accelerated action, and multisectoral and cross-country collaboration to combat the tuberculosis epidemic and realize the commitments made. 

    “The coverage of TB services in Angola has seen a remarkable improvement from 2018 to 2023, thanks to WHO’s support in the implementation and revision of the National TB Control Strategic Plan (PEN TB) 2018-2022 and the development of the new TB Strategic Plan (PEN TB 2023-2027),” said Dr. Katondi. He added: “WHO strongly encourages the government to accelerate crucial actions to end TB and safeguard public health. This includes expanding rapid diagnosis and treatment services into communities, systematizing screening, ensuring patient-centered TB care, and strengthening the primary health care network.”

    Despite the ongoing efforts, Angola remains one of the 20 countries most affected by TB worldwide, with an annual average of more than 65,000 new cases over the last five years. This underlines the urgent need to strengthen joint action to overcome the persistent challenges in the fight against TB and protect the health of the population.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Angola.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Distinguished Scientist Award Goes to UConn’s Dr. David C. Steffens

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Dr. David C. Steffens is the 2025 recipient of the Distinguished Scientist Award from the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.

    Steffens, professor and chair of the Department of Psychiatry at UConn School of Medicine, was named the winner of this lifetime achievement award during the annual meeting of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry on March 14 in Phoenix, Arizona.

    Steffens was honored with the Distinguished Scientist Award for his career of scientific accomplishments in the field of geriatric psychiatry, as well as his mentoring of the next generation of researchers.

    The AAGP is a national association representing and serving its members and the field of geriatric psychiatry. AAGP promotes the mental health and well-being of older people through professional education, public advocacy, and support of career development for clinicians, educators, and researchers in geriatric psychiatry and mental health.

    “I am humbled that my colleagues nominated me and that I was selected for this honor,” shared Steffens whose work focuses on mood and cognitive disorders in older adults. For over two decades he has been continuously funded by The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and other NIH institutes.

    Steffens has served as chair of the Department of Psychiatry at UConn since 2012. He joined UConn after more than 20 years at Duke University School of Medicine, where he had served as a professor of psychiatry, vice chair for education and division chief of Geriatric Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He is the past president of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, has authored more than 350 peer-reviewed papers and is the primary editor of the leading textbook in geriatric psychiatry. Steffens also has considerable experience in medical education and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, medical students, resident physicians, post-doctoral fellows and junior faculty.

    Steffens is graduate of Rice University and the University of Texas, Houston Health Science Center School of Medicine, and he completed his internship and residency in psychiatry at Duke.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Orange Bank & Trust Promotes Two Officers to Support the Growth of Orange Wealth Management

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIDDLETOWN, N.Y., March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orange Bank & Trust Company (the “Bank”), the banking subsidiary of Orange County Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” – Nasdaq: OBT), is pleased to announce the promotion of two officers to support the ongoing expansion of Orange Wealth Management. Carla Alfieri has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Director of Private Banking and Jacqueline Weimmer will serve as Director of Trust Services.

    As Senior Private Banking Officer, Alfieri will lead the Bank’s private banking division, focusing on managing relationships with high-net-worth clients. She will oversee the development of personalized financial solutions, identify new opportunities to grow the sector and implement strategic plans to enhance the private banking client experience. The Bank’s northern private banking and southern private banking departments will report directly to Alfieri.

    Alfieri joined the Bank in 1988 as part of the Branch staff, advancing through numerous supervisory, management, and AVP positions including Senior Customer Service Representative, Assistant Branch Manager, AVP and Branch Manager, AVP and Business Development Officer, Corporate Training and Development Specialist, and most recently, VP and Senior Private Banker. She began working in Private Banking in 2018 and has played a significant role in the creation and success of the service, which now has more than 700 clients.

    In her new role as Director, Weimmer will oversee the Trust Services division with a focus on business development efforts. She will manage client relationships and provide strategic direction to the Bank’s comprehensive trust and estate planning solutions, ensuring clients’ intentions are implemented effectively and efficiently. The Bank’s Special Needs Trust (SNT), Trust & Estates and Trust Operations departments will report directly to Weimmer.

    She joined the Bank’s Trust Services Department in 2023 as First Vice President, Trust Officer, and Manager of the SNT and Guardianship Department in Mount Vernon. Weimmer previously worked for Comerica Bank in New York City, where she was Vice President and National Manager of the Special Needs Solutions Team. She has extensive experience with the intricacies of SNT administration and has focused her career on trust and estate planning for individuals with disabilities. She also has broad experience in managing personal trust accounts. She is a court-appointed Special Advocate for children in the foster care system and sits on the board of Care Point Health at Bayonne Hospital.

    “We are delighted to welcome Carla and Jacqueline to their new roles as part of Orange Wealth Management,” said David Dineen, EVP, Senior Managing Director of Orange Wealth Management. “They have each demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to our clients. We know their expertise and commitment will continue to drive our mission of providing personalized, high-quality services.”

    About Orange County Bancorp Inc.
    Orange County Bancorp, Inc. is the parent company of Orange Bank & Trust Company and Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc. Orange Bank & Trust Company is an independent bank that began with the vision of 14 founders over 130 years ago. It has grown through ongoing innovation and an unwavering commitment to its community and business clientele to 2.5 billion in total assets. Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc. is a Registered Investment Advisor in Goshen, NY. It was founded in 1996 and was acquired by the Company in 2012. In recent years, Orange Bank & Trust has added branches in Rockland, Westchester and the Bronx.

    Contact:
    Candice Varetoni
    AVP Marketing Officer
    cvaretoni@orangebanktrust.com
    Orange Bank & Trust Company

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 21 March 2025 Departmental update WHO partners with Thailand and Sri Lanka to pilot a new tool to combat and address infodemics

    Source: World Health Organisation

    To help countries strengthen their capacity to respond quickly during crises—including the dissemination of critical information and understanding the factors influencing this—WHO has partnered with the Ministries of Health in Sri Lanka and Thailand to pilot a new global Information Environment Assessments (IEA) tool and training package. Funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the new IEA tool is designed to help countries identify the factors influencing how communities’ access, process, exchange, engage with, understand, and share information.

    To read more please click on the link.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Diabetic foot pain: expert tips on how to cope

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Peter Kamerman, Professor, University of the Witwatersrand

    An estimated 1 in 10 people worldwide have diabetes. Africa is the region with the fastest growth and it’s estimated that the number of people on the continent with diabetes will more than double in the next 20 years, increasing to about 55 million people by 2045.

    Having diabetes has serious consequences for health and is associated with increased risk of developing diseases related to damage to the heart (heart attacks), blood vessels (strokes, foot ulcers), kidneys (chronic kidney failure), and the nervous system (blindness, loss of sensation).

    When it comes to nerve damage, it typically affects long nerve fibres that supply the feet and can sometimes affect fibres that supply the hands too (a so-called glove and stocking distribution).

    It is the nerve fibres that detect sensations such as touch and temperature that are often worst affected, resulting in numbness. The numbness that develops can be a nightmare for people and is often described as their “feet feeling dead”.

    A peculiarity of this numbness is that it may be accompanied by intractable pain. This type of pain, resulting from damage to sensory nerve fibres, is called neuropathic pain.

    As scientists in the field of pain and pain management we work on neuropathic pain in people living with diabetes and its management. In this article we aim to draw attention to the problem and discuss how it can be managed.

    Nerve damage

    It has been estimated that up to 50% of people with diabetes will develop damage to peripheral nerves during their lifetime, and up to 50% will experience pain because of that nerve damage.

    The predictors of developing nerve damage are well established. Older age, increased duration of diabetes, and poor control of blood glucose concentration are the main culprits. What determines whether the nerve damage is associated with pain is largely unknown.

    Neuropathic pain is often described as a “burning” pain, and is frequently
    accompanied by other sensations such as “pins and needles”, and pain that feels like stabbing, shooting, electric-like shocks, and deep aching.

    In some people there is very little or no numbness. In these people pain can often be triggered by gentle touch and movement across the skin (for example, bed sheets brushing across a foot, putting on socks), and cool and warm temperatures that are not normally felt as painful.

    Sometimes my feet will hurt really badly and I can’t get up and can hardly walk. – Anonymous patient

    Having such intractable pain has devastating consequences for quality of life.

    Pain sufferers have less social interaction with family and friends, and find it much more difficult to enjoy their favourite activities. Sleep is significantly disrupted.

    Having neuropathic pain is associated with high rates of anxiety and depression. To make matters worse, the sleep disruption, anxiety and depression may feed back into a vicious cycle to worsen and maintain the pain.

    There are days when I’d really like to go somewhere or do something and just
    don’t go. I know it will hurt. There’s no point in doing it. – Anonymous patient

    Medications to manage the pain

    Neuropathic pain is not responsive to the medications used to treat conditions such as headaches and joint pains (for example, paracetamol and ibuprofen).

    Instead, neuropathic pain is responsive to medications that in some cases are also used to treat conditions such as depression and epilepsy.

    Examples include:

    • low doses of tricyclic antidepressants (for example, amitriptyline)

    • a class of antidepressants called serotonin and noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors (for example, duloxetine)

    • anti-seizure drugs like gabapentinoids (for example, gabapentin and pregabalin).

    However, there is very little information to guide doctors to predict which drug will work best for a patient.

    So, often finding the correct treatment is a trial-and-error approach, which can be frustrating for both patients and doctors.

    Coping mechanisms

    Chronic pain management is also about teaching people to cope with their pain so that they get back to enjoying their lives and are no longer consumed by the pain.

    Such interventions include the practice of mindfulness, cognitive behavioural therapy, and other self-management activities specifically designed for people with chronic pain.

    With the rapidly growing number of individuals with diabetes, it is more important than ever that we detect and treat the pain caused by nerve fibre damage.

    Public education and increased awareness of this painful consequence of diabetes will hopefully encourage affected people to seek early medical attention, thus allowing management of the condition, maintaining well-being and restoring function.

    Peter Kamerman receives funding from the National Research Foundation of South Africa. He is the sole proprietor of Blueprint Analytics, and consults for Partners in Research.

    Andreas C Themistocleous receives funding from UK Medical Research Council.

    – ref. Diabetic foot pain: expert tips on how to cope – https://theconversation.com/diabetic-foot-pain-expert-tips-on-how-to-cope-251937

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Egg prices soar as outdated supply chains crack under pressure

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jack Buffington, Associate Professor of Practice in Supply Chain Management, University of Denver

    Experts predict that egg prices will keep climbing in 2025. Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    There may be no kitchen table issue in America more critical than the price of food.

    So when the price of eggs rose over 40% from 2024 to 2025, it became a headline news story in Colorado and across the nation.

    Public officials and the media blamed high egg prices on bird flu outbreaks and said containing the outbreak in supply chains would lower prices. In early March 2025, egg prices fell in the U.S., but these trends are likely to reverse due to higher seasonal demand during Easter and Passover.

    Rising prices and market volatility have led to food costs climbing to 11.4% of American’s disposable income, the largest percentage since 1991.

    Arresting these rising costs, as I argue in my 2023 book, means reinventing supply chains to address the growing supply, demand and price volatility that has created uncertainty for consumers since the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

    I have described global supply chains, and supply chains in the U.S. in particular, as “efficiently broken.” By this I mean that they aspire to offer low prices from economies of scale but lack sufficient resiliency to create stability.

    Without addressing the systemic weaknesses in supply chains, I believe major health and economic disruptions will continue to happen in Colorado, nationally and around the world.

    Cage-free eggs

    Colorado faces a double whammy where egg prices are concerned.

    It’s one of nine states with a cage-free egg mandate, which requires all eggs sold in the state to come from cage-free facilities. The regulation has been shown to increase the price of eggs by as much as 50%.

    Over the past two decades, cage-free egg laws have been passed in states as consumers have grown more concerned with the welfare of farm animals. What that means varies from state to state because the term cage-free isn’t regulated by a federal agency. In Colorado, egg-laying hens must be housed in a cage-free system and must have a minimum of 1 square foot of usable floor space per hen.

    Colorado is the 28th largest egg producer in the U.S., far behind Midwestern states such as Iowa, Indiana and Ohio, but it has a few large producers such as Morning Fresh Farms, as well as smaller ones such as the Colorado Egg Producers Association, a collection of seven family-owned farms.

    Colorado’s cage-free egg law went into effect in January 2025 – around the same time that consumers noticed bare egg shelves at their supermarkets. Many consumers and some elected Republicans in Colorado blamed the cage-free law.

    Nevada is pulling back on its cage-free egg mandate to deal with the challenge of unaffordable egg prices.

    But cage-free laws are not the main driver of increasing egg prices, as I’ve noted in my research. Like many others, the egg supply chain needs to be reinvented to balance price, scale, resiliency and stability.

    Supply chain issues

    What is driving up the prices of eggs and other consumer goods is the concentration of producers. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed just how vulnerable prices and supply chains are.

    Five years ago this month, when the pandemic started, many products became unavailable and more expensive.

    In 2022, a major product recall of Similac led to a baby formula shortage in the U.S. The baby formula market is highly concentrated, with four companies responsible for approximately 90% of the domestic market. A large-scale facility that produced the baby formula was found to have unsanitary conditions and contaminated products. Pulling this one facility offline at the same time the nation was coping with pandemic-related supply chain issues led to the shortage.

    Supply chain issues led to a U.S. shortage of baby formula in 2022.
    Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    Then at the beginning of 2024, supplies of insulin ran short due to production issues at Eli Lilly, one of the three companies responsible for over 90% of the U.S. insulin market.

    And in the second half of 2024, hospitals couldn’t get enough IV fluid due to damage caused by Hurricane Helene to a Baxter factory in North Carolina that manufactures approximately 60% of IV fluids in the U.S. This factory had been relocated to North Carolina from Puerto Rico due to the supply impact from Hurricane Maria that damaged the island in 2017.

    In all of these cases, the supply chain was easily interrupted due to a reliance on a few large producers. In 2025, bird flu and eggs are just another example of America’s “efficiently broken” supply chain.

    Bird flu and cost of eggs

    In the U.S., the top five egg producers are responsible for 40% of hens, with Mississippi-based Cal-Maine Foods alone responsible for 13% of total U.S. production.

    An average-sized production facility in the U.S. can house 75,000 to 500,000 hens. Large facilities can house over 4 million. The mass production of eggs from these facilities means eggs are, in stable times, cost effective for the American consumer. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, eggs in the U.S. never surpassed $3 a dozen, and it was an affordable food solution compared with processed foods.

    But this scale and efficiency comes at the price of resiliency during something like a bird flu outbreak. Larger farms create a higher risk of viral outbreak, which leads to the need for culling millions of birds and a heightened risk of viral replication and mutation.

    The solution may increase prices

    Policymakers want to reduce the spread of disease at American egg factories to mitigate the spread of bird flu. But these measures are expensive.

    Factory farms increase the potential for viruses to spread rapidly and even mutate. Therefore, bird flu is a more serious precursor of supply chain disruption than a hurricane or product recall because it has the potential to create a public health crisis.

    One solution to limit the spread of bird flu is to regulate the number of hens allowed in a single facility. This would lead to smaller and more farms across the U.S., but also higher consumer prices.

    This solution would mirror other countries such as Canada, where the average facility size is much smaller than in the U.S. and eggs and poultry cost significantly more. That’s why – under the terms of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement – Canada has quota and tariff protection from American companies flooding its market with eggs and poultry that would cost consumers two to three times less.

    Yet in March 2025, the price of eggs in Canada is 50% cheaper than eggs in the U.S. because the country has not suffered the same damages from bird flu.

    Following Canada’s lead wouldn’t result in egg prices as low as giant factory farms, but it would protect American consumers from the periodic price shocks caused by disease or localized weather events that disrupt supplies.

    Despite the threat of a public health crisis, American consumers don’t want to pay more for eggs – and their leaders have promised they won’t have to.

    Read more of our stories about Colorado.

    Jack Buffington does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Egg prices soar as outdated supply chains crack under pressure – https://theconversation.com/egg-prices-soar-as-outdated-supply-chains-crack-under-pressure-251425

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Poor neighborhoods, health care barriers are factors for heart disease risk in Black mothers

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Curisa M. Tucker, Assistant Professor of Nursing Science, University of South Carolina

    The study examined more than 7 million births that occurred over 22 years. supersizer/E+ via Getty Images

    Living in a disadvantaged neighborhood contributes to a rare form of heart failure known as peripartum cardiomyopathy, a potentially deadly disease that disproportionately affects Black mothers.

    That’s the key finding of my recent study, published in February 2025 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

    Peripartum cardiomyopathy can occur in pregnant or postpartum mothers during late pregnancy up to five months after birth. The disease is difficult to identify and is often misdiagnosed. Multiple studies estimate that 7% to 20% of U.S. mothers who have it don’t survive.

    As a nurse scientist with a research focus on maternal health equity, I wanted to learn more about the factors that cause peripartum cardiomyopathy.

    My team and I examined more than 7.3 million birth records in California between 1997 and 2019. By using the neighborhood deprivation index, which measures socioeconomic disadvantage in a geographic area, we linked hospital discharge and vital records information up to 12 months postpartum follow-up on each woman. From that data, we developed a more complete picture on why women developed the illness.

    We found that living in poor neighborhoods with fewer resources was associated with a 20% to 70% increased risk of developing this disease. Those in the most under-resourced neighborhoods – areas with less access to nutritious food, stable housing and quality health care – had the highest risk. This was true even after accounting for other factors, like income, race, high blood pressure and obesity.

    But living in highly stressed neighborhoods explained only part of the reason for the higher rates of peripartum cardiomyopathy in Black women. We found that even if they lived in better neighborhoods, Black women were still more than three times as likely to develop the condition than others.

    Why it matters

    Our findings suggest deeper issues are contributing to the increase in the disease, particularly in Black women.

    Barriers to health care are critical. These include insurance gaps,
    transportation issues, the biases of doctors and other providers and inadequate access to care.

    A better understanding of these factors can help policymakers develop effective interventions for all women at risk and reallocate resources – and dollars – to prevent disparities in maternal health outcomes.

    Pregnancy itself causes increased stress on the heart.

    What still isn’t known

    Our study only points to neighborhood disinvestment and chronic high blood pressure as contributors to the risk of peripartum cardiomyopathy. Unanswered questions remain about the other causes.

    More research is needed to fully understand how social determinants of health, which are the environmental conditions where people are born, live, work and play, affect health outcomes.

    For example, these communities are often food deserts – places with limited access to healthy food and larger supermarkets. Overcrowded or poor-quality housing also contribute to stress and health problems. So does the lack of safe space for physical activity.

    What’s next

    My future work will focus on further identifying the key factors that influence peripartum cardiomyopathy risk, such as economic stability and the effects of environmental stressors, like pollution.

    I’ll also track the long-term health of peripartum cardiomyopathy survivors to understand how social factors affect recovery. My ultimate goal is to inform policies and practices that reduce disparities and improve maternal heart health for all.

    The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.

    NIH provided funding to support this work.

    – ref. Poor neighborhoods, health care barriers are factors for heart disease risk in Black mothers – https://theconversation.com/poor-neighborhoods-health-care-barriers-are-factors-for-heart-disease-risk-in-black-mothers-250591

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Genomic sequencing reveals previously unknown genes that make microbes resistant to drugs and hard to kill

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Nneka Vivian Iduu, Graduate Research Assistant in Pathobiology, Auburn University

    In the 20th century, when a routine infection was treated with a standard antibiotic, recovery was expected. But over time, the microbes responsible for these infections have evolved to evade the very drugs designed to eliminate them.

    Each year, there are more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections in the United States, leading to over 35,000 deaths and US$4.6 billion in health care costs. As antibiotics become less effective, antimicrobial resistance poses an increasing threat to public health.

    Antimicrobial resistance began to emerge as a serious threat in the 1940s with the rise of penicillin resistance. By the 1990s, it had escalated into a global concern. Decades later, critical questions still remain: How does antimicrobial resistance emerge, and how can scientists track the hidden changes leading to it? Why does resistance in some microbes remain undetected until an outbreak occurs? Filling these knowledge gaps is crucial to preventing future outbreaks, improving treatment outcomes and saving lives.

    Antimicrobial resistance can be deadly.

    Over the years, my work as a microbiologist and biomedical scientist has focused on investigating the genetics of infectious microbes. My colleagues and I identified a resistance gene previously undetected in the U.S. using genetic and computational methods that can help improve how scientists detect and track antimicrobial resistance.

    Challenges of detecting resistance

    Antimicrobial resistance is a natural process where microbes constantly evolve as a defense mechanism, acquiring genetic changes that enhance their survival.

    Unfortunately, human activities can speed up this process. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in health care, farming and the environment push bacteria to genetically change in ways that allow them to survive the drugs meant to kill them.

    Early detection of antimicrobial resistance is crucial for effective treatment. Surveillance typically begins with a laboratory sample obtained from patients with suspected infections, which is then analyzed to identify potential antimicrobial resistance. Traditionally, this has been done using culture-based methods that involve exposing microbes to antibiotics in the lab and observing whether they survived to determine whether they were becoming resistant. Along with helping authorities and researchers monitor the spread of antimicrobial resistance, hospitals use this approach to decide on treatment plans.

    However, culture-based approaches have some limitations. Resistant infections often go unnoticed until antibiotics fail, making both detection and intervention processes slow. Additionally, new resistance genes may escape detection altogether.

    Genomics of antimicrobial resistance

    To overcome these challenges, researchers have integrated genomic sequencing into antimicrobial resistance surveillance. Through whole-genome sequencing, we can analyze all the DNA in a microbial sample to get a comprehensive view of all the genes present – including those responsible for resistance. With the computational tools of bioinformatics, researchers can efficiently process vast amounts of genetic data to improve the detection of resistance threats.

    Despite its advantages, integrating genomic sequencing into antimicrobial resistance monitoring presents some challenges of its own. High costs, quality assurance and a shortage of trained bioinformaticians make implementation difficult. Additionally, the complexity of interpreting genomic data may limit its use in clinical and public health decision-making.

    Bioinformatics allows researchers to analyze large biological datasets.
    hh5800/iStock via Getty Images Plus

    Establishing international standards could help make whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatics a fully reliable tool for resistance surveillance. The World Health Organization recommends laboratories follow strict quality control measures to ensure accurate and comparable results. This includes using reliable, user-friendly computational tools and shared microbial databases. Additional strategies include investing in training programs and fostering collaborations between hospitals, research labs and universities.

    Discovering a resistance gene

    Combining whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics, my colleagues and I analyzed Salmonella samples collected from several animal species between 1982 and 1999. We discovered a Salmonella resistance gene called blaSCO-1 that has evaded detection in U.S. livestock for decades.

    The blaSCO-1 gene confers resistance to microbes against several critical antibiotics, including ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and, to some extent, cephalosporins and carbapenems. These medications are crucial for treating infections in both humans and animals.

    Salmonella Typhimurium invading a cell.
    NIAID/Flickr, CC BY-SA

    The blaSCO-1 gene likely remained unreported because routine surveillance usually targets well-known resistance genes and it has overlapping functions with other genes. Gaps in bioinformatics expertise may have also hindered its identification.

    The failure to detect genes like blaSCO-1 raises concern about its potential role in past treatment failures. Between 2015 and 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began implementing whole-genome sequencing for routine surveillance of Salmonella. Studies conducted during this period found that 77% of multistate outbreaks were linked to livestock harboring resistant Salmonella.

    These missed genes have significant implications for both food safety and public health. Undetected antimicrobial resistance genes can spread through food animals, contaminated food products, processing environments and agricultural runoff, allowing resistant bacteria to persist and reach humans. These resistant bacteria lead to infections that are harder to treat and increase the risk of outbreaks. Moreover, the global movement of people, livestock and goods means that these resistant strains can easily cross borders, turning local outbreaks into worldwide health threats.

    Identifying new resistance genes not only fills a critical knowledge gap, but it also demonstrates how genomic and computational approaches can help detect hidden resistance mechanisms before they pose widespread threats.

    Strengthening surveillance

    As antimicrobial resistance continues to rise, adopting a One Health approach that integrates human, animal and environmental factors can help ensure that emerging resistance does not outpace humans’ ability to combat it.

    Initiatives like the Quadripartite AMR Multi-Partner Trust Fund provide support for programs that strengthen global collaborative surveillance, promote responsible antimicrobial use and drive the development of sustainable alternatives. Ensuring researchers around the world follow common research standards will allow more labs – especially those in low- and middle-income countries – to contribute to global surveillance efforts.

    The health of future generations depends on the world’s ability to ensure food safety and protect public health on a global scale. In the ongoing battle between microbial evolution and human innovation, vigilance and adaptability are key to staying ahead.

    This research was supported by the USDA Agricultural Research Service Program, the FDA and the HHS.

    – ref. Genomic sequencing reveals previously unknown genes that make microbes resistant to drugs and hard to kill – https://theconversation.com/genomic-sequencing-reveals-previously-unknown-genes-that-make-microbes-resistant-to-drugs-and-hard-to-kill-250148

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press Conference to present the “Vatican Longevity Summit: Challenging the Clock of Time”

    Source: The Holy See

    Press Conference to present the “Vatican Longevity Summit: Challenging the Clock of Time”, 24.03.2025
    At 12.15 today, a press conference was held at the Holy See Press Office, Via della Conciliazione 54, to present the “Vatican Longevity Summit: Challenging the Clock of Time”, taking place this afternoon at the Augustinianum Conference Centre, Via Paolo VI 25, Rome.
    The speakers were: Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life; Professor Fr. Alberto Carrara, LC, president of the Organizing Committee; Professor Giulio Maira, neurosurgeon and founder of the Atena Foundation; Professor Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Noble Prize Winner for Chemistry, 2009; Professor Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte, scientist specializing in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.
    The following are their interventions:

    Intervention of Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia
    Good morning to all of you. The Pontifical Academy for Life has decided to sponsor this important international event. As you know, the topic of aging and aging well is at the center of my interest. It is at the center of my interest, not only for personal reasons, but because the quality of old age is the litmus test of the degree of civilization of a nation.
    Longevity should not be seen simply as a biological goal but as an opportunity to enhance the elderly in the social context. The elderly are not a burden on society but a valuable resource: their experience and wisdom represent an irreplaceable cultural and human heritage. Pope Francis often reminds us that “a people that does not cherish the elderly is a people without a future,” emphasizing the need to promote a culture that recognizes the value of old age and counteracts the marginalization of the elderly.
    In this context, equitable access to scientific discoveries becomes a central issue. Biomedical innovations should not be the privilege of the few but tools to improve quality of life for everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status. The goal is not just to live longer but to live better, preventing degenerative diseases and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for healthy and dignified aging. Longevity, then, is not just a matter of science but of justice, solidarity, and collective responsibility.

    Intervention of Professor Fr. Alberto Carrara, LC
    Good morning to all the journalists present. Today we understand the importance of preserving cognitive function through an integrated approach involving neuroscience, psychology, nutrition, and the environment.
    Fundamental to this is the six-pillar model of Brain Health, which includes nutrition, movement, sleep, cognitive stimulation, stress management, and social relationships, demonstrating how brain wellness is the true driver of healthy longevity.
    It is not enough to extend life; we need to improve the way we live it, and a systematic approach to longevity is important. In my talk at the Congress, I also explore the role of music, art, and sensory experiences in maintaining cognitive health, demonstrating how the brain can be constantly nourished and stimulated. This is a call to reflection and action to invest in our brain health, building a future in which longevity and quality of life go hand in hand.
    This unique event brings together Nobel laureates, internationally renowned scientists, and world leaders at the Vatican to discuss issues related to healthy, sustainable, and integral aging. It takes place the afternoon of Monday, March 24, starting at 4 p.m. at the Augustinianum Congress Center Auditorium in the Vatican. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin will speak for an opening greeting.

    Intervention of Professor Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
    Ribosomes, are the “molecular factories” that produce the proteins essential for life. Without healthy ribosomes, our cells age and deteriorate. But what if we could preserve their functionality to prolong health?
    The ribosome translates genetic instructions into proteins, ensuring proper cellular functioning. However, as we age, ribosomes suffer accumulative damage that impairs their efficiency, leading to errors in protein production and contributing to cellular decline. Recent studies have shown that ribosomal malfunction is closely linked to disease processes such as neurodegeneration, cancer, and premature aging, paving the way for new therapeutic strategies to preserve ribosomal integrity and improve longevity.
    Preserving ribosome function could be a key to slowing aging at the molecular level. Most advanced research is focusing on two main strategies: first, reducing ribosomal stress through nutritional and pharmacological interventions that modulate protein metabolism and increase ribosomal efficiency. Second, the possibility of reprogramming the ribosomes themselves to optimize protein synthesis and prevent the accumulation of misfolded proteins, a major cause of neurodegenerative diseases and aging-associated muscle decline.
    The implications of these findings are revolutionary: if we could directly intervene in ribosomes, we could not only combat aging but also prevent chronic diseases and improve quality of life in old age.

    Intervention of Professor Giulio Maira
    My research aims to better understand human development and regenerative potential. Aging is not an inescapable fate, but a scientific frontier to be explored. In my talk at the Conference, I will show how the cellular reprogramming factors discovered by Nobel Laureate Yamanaka can revolutionize the length and quality of human life. Age-related diseases result from the progressive decline of our tissues and organs. However, groundbreaking studies show that manipulating epigenetic mechanisms could reverse this process, offering new opportunities to prevent and treat the diseases of aging. What can we learn from the longest-lived organisms on the planet? We have some animal species on our planet that manage to live long and healthy lives, opening up new perspectives for innovative cellular rejuvenation strategies. The goal is not just to extend life but to improve our biological resilience by reversing age-related degeneration.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Diabetic foot pain: expert tips on how to cope

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Peter Kamerman, Professor, University of the Witwatersrand

    An estimated 1 in 10 people worldwide have diabetes. Africa is the region with the fastest growth and it’s estimated that the number of people on the continent with diabetes will more than double in the next 20 years, increasing to about 55 million people by 2045.

    Having diabetes has serious consequences for health and is associated with increased risk of developing diseases related to damage to the heart (heart attacks), blood vessels (strokes, foot ulcers), kidneys (chronic kidney failure), and the nervous system (blindness, loss of sensation).

    When it comes to nerve damage, it typically affects long nerve fibres that supply the feet and can sometimes affect fibres that supply the hands too (a so-called glove and stocking distribution).

    It is the nerve fibres that detect sensations such as touch and temperature that are often worst affected, resulting in numbness. The numbness that develops can be a nightmare for people and is often described as their “feet feeling dead”.

    A peculiarity of this numbness is that it may be accompanied by intractable pain. This type of pain, resulting from damage to sensory nerve fibres, is called neuropathic pain.

    As scientists in the field of pain and pain management we work on neuropathic pain in people living with diabetes and its management. In this article we aim to draw attention to the problem and discuss how it can be managed.

    Nerve damage

    It has been estimated that up to 50% of people with diabetes will develop damage to peripheral nerves during their lifetime, and up to 50% will experience pain because of that nerve damage.

    The predictors of developing nerve damage are well established. Older age, increased duration of diabetes, and poor control of blood glucose concentration are the main culprits. What determines whether the nerve damage is associated with pain is largely unknown.

    Neuropathic pain is often described as a “burning” pain, and is frequently accompanied by other sensations such as “pins and needles”, and pain that feels like stabbing, shooting, electric-like shocks, and deep aching.

    In some people there is very little or no numbness. In these people pain can often be triggered by gentle touch and movement across the skin (for example, bed sheets brushing across a foot, putting on socks), and cool and warm temperatures that are not normally felt as painful.

    Sometimes my feet will hurt really badly and I can’t get up and can hardly walk. – Anonymous patient

    Having such intractable pain has devastating consequences for quality of life.

    Pain sufferers have less social interaction with family and friends, and find it much more difficult to enjoy their favourite activities. Sleep is significantly disrupted.

    Having neuropathic pain is associated with high rates of anxiety and depression. To make matters worse, the sleep disruption, anxiety and depression may feed back into a vicious cycle to worsen and maintain the pain.

    There are days when I’d really like to go somewhere or do something and just don’t go. I know it will hurt. There’s no point in doing it. – Anonymous patient

    Medications to manage the pain

    Neuropathic pain is not responsive to the medications used to treat conditions such as headaches and joint pains (for example, paracetamol and ibuprofen).

    Instead, neuropathic pain is responsive to medications that in some cases are also used to treat conditions such as depression and epilepsy.

    Examples include:

    • low doses of tricyclic antidepressants (for example, amitriptyline)

    • a class of antidepressants called serotonin and noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors (for example, duloxetine)

    • anti-seizure drugs like gabapentinoids (for example, gabapentin and pregabalin).

    However, there is very little information to guide doctors to predict which drug will work best for a patient.

    So, often finding the correct treatment is a trial-and-error approach, which can be frustrating for both patients and doctors.

    Coping mechanisms

    Chronic pain management is also about teaching people to cope with their pain so that they get back to enjoying their lives and are no longer consumed by the pain.

    Such interventions include the practice of mindfulness, cognitive behavioural therapy, and other self-management activities specifically designed for people with chronic pain.

    With the rapidly growing number of individuals with diabetes, it is more important than ever that we detect and treat the pain caused by nerve fibre damage.

    Public education and increased awareness of this painful consequence of diabetes will hopefully encourage affected people to seek early medical attention, thus allowing management of the condition, maintaining well-being and restoring function.

    – Diabetic foot pain: expert tips on how to cope
    – https://theconversation.com/diabetic-foot-pain-expert-tips-on-how-to-cope-251937

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Cyabra Report Uncovers AI-Driven Disinformation Campaign Targeting Pope Francis, Featured in The New York Times

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Cyabra has entered into a business combination agreement with Trailblazer Merger Corp. (TBMC)

    New York, NY, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Cyabra Ltd., a leading AI platform for real-time disinformation detection, has released a new report uncovering how fake social media profiles fueled widespread disinformation about Pope Francis’ health. Conducted in early March, the investigation found that 31% of the profiles discussing the Pope on X were inauthentic, amplifying false rumors of his death. The report has been featured in The New York Times and The Mail Online, highlighting the urgent need to counter influence operations online.

    “Our research underscores the alarming scale at which fake accounts are influencing public narratives,” said Dan Brahmy, CEO & Co-founder of Cyabra. “The dis and misinformation surrounding Pope Francis’ health is just one example of how AI-generated fake profiles are being weaponized to spread fear, confusion, and distrust.”

    The full report, “Pope Francis’ Health Misinformation Fueled by Fake Profiles,” is available here.

    Cyabra’s findings come at a critical time as online threats to public trust grow more sophisticated. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Cyabra remains at the forefront of detecting and neutralizing harmful narratives and inauthentic online behavior.

    Cyabra has entered into a business combination agreement with Trailblazer Merger Corporation I (NASDAQ: TBMC), a blank-check special-purpose acquisition company.

    About Cyabra

    Cyabra is a real-time AI-powered platform that uncovers and analyzes online disinformation and misinformation by uncovering fake profiles, harmful narratives, and GenAI content across social media and digital news channels. Cyabra’s AI protects corporations and governments against brand reputation risks, election manipulation, foreign interference, and other online threats. Cyabra’s platform leverages proprietary algorithms and NLP solutions, gathering and analyzing publicly available data to provide clear, actionable insights and real-time alerts that inform critical decision-making. Cyabra uncovers the good, bad, and fake online.

    For more information, visit www.cyabra.com.

    Media Contact:

    Jill Burkes
    PR@cyabra.com

    Investor Relations Contact:

    Miri Segal
    MS-IR
    msegal@ms-ir.com

    About Trailblazer

    Trailblazer is a blank check company formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization, or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. For more information, visit: www.trailblazermergercorp.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to certain products and services that are the subject of a proposed transaction (the “Business Combination”) between Trailblazer and Cyabra. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding Cyabra’s business strategy, products and services, research and development costs, plans and objectives of management for future operations, and future results of current and anticipated product offerings, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to, the following risks relating to the proposed transaction: the ability to complete the Business Combination or, if Trailblazer does not consummate such Business Combination, any other

    initial business combination; expectations regarding Cyabra’s strategies and future financial performance, including its future business plans or objectives, prospective performance and opportunities and competitors, revenues, products and services, pricing, operating expenses, market trends, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital expenditures, and Cyabra’s ability to invest in growth initiatives and pursue acquisition opportunities; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Trailblazer or Cyabra following announcement of the Business Combination Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; the inability to complete the proposed Business Combination due to, among other things, the failure to obtain Trailblazer stockholder approval; the risk that the announcement and consummation of the proposed Business Combination disrupts Cyabra’s current operations and future plans; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed Business Combination; unexpected costs related to the proposed Business Combination; the amount of any redemptions by existing holders of Trailblazer’s common stock being greater than expected; limited liquidity and trading of Trailblazer’s securities; geopolitical risk and changes in applicable laws or regulations; the size of the addressable markets for Cyabra’s products and services; the possibility that Trailblazer and/or Cyabra may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; the ability to obtain and/or maintain the listing of the combined company’s common stock on Nasdaq following the Business Combination; operational risk; and the risks that the consummation of the proposed Business Combination is substantially delayed or does not occur.

    Important Information for Investors and Stockholders

    In connection with the Business Combination, Trailblazer Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Trailblazer (“Holdings”) has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which includes a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, and certain other related documents, which will be both the proxy statement to be distributed to holders of shares of Trailblazer’s common stock in connection with its solicitation of proxies for the vote by its stockholders with respect to the Business Combination and other matters as may be described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus of Holdings relating to the offer and sale of its securities to be issued in the Business Combination. . After the Registration Statement is declared effective, the proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to all Trailblazer stockholders so that they may vote on the Business Combination.

    INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF TRAILBLAZER ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION AND THE PARTIES INVOLVED.

    Trailblazer stockholders are currently able to obtain copies of the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference therein, and will be able to obtain the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference therein, once available, in all cases without charge, at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: Trailblazer at 510 Madison Avenue, Suite 1401, New York, NY 10022, Telephone: 646-747-9618.

    Participants in the Solicitation

    Cyabra, Trailblazer, and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Trailblazer stockholders regarding the proposed Business Combination. Information about Trailblazer’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Trailblazer’s securities is set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus pertaining to the proposed Business Combination.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval. No sale of securities shall occur in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful before registration or qualification under applicable laws.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: The Gender Pay Gap Stalls in 2025 – Payscale’s Research Shows

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Despite pay transparency laws, wage equity progress continues to stall nationwide, with systemic barriers still limiting women’s earning potential.
    • The “childbearing penalty” remains highly evident, as women with children continue to earn just 75 cents for every dollar fathers make, while fathers make 2% more than childless men.
    • While the gender pay gap showed gradual improvement from 2018 to 2022, progress has remained stagnant since the Great Resignation, with declines especially evident among older women.

    SEATTLE, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Payscale Inc., the leading provider of compensation data, software and services, released its 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report (GPGR), revealing that despite pay transparency laws, the closing of the gender pay gap has stalled nationwide, with systemic barriers still limiting women’s earning potential.

    Payscale’s analysis found that in 2025 women still earn just 83 cents for every dollar men make. While this is unchanged from last year, according to AAUW, Equal Pay Day shifted back more than two weeks this year, meaning that women must work that much longer to achieve the same earnings as men in 2025, compared to 2024. The controlled gender pay gap also remains the same as last year, at 99 cents. The controlled gender pay gap is the amount that women earn for every dollar that a man earns when accounting for job title and compensable factors, while the uncontrolled gender pay gap is the difference in median pay for men and women overall.

    “Even though our 2025 Compensation Best Practices Report showed a minor decrease in support for pay equity (57%), and there has been a recent weakening of public support around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) of late, some states have shown promising progress towards closing the gender pay gap,” said Ruth Thomas, pay equity strategist at Payscale. “While not every state has enacted pay transparency laws, which are shown to support pay equity efforts, many organizations are still staunchly committed to the cause. In fact, compared to 2020, there has been a 19% increase in corporate commitment to these efforts.”

    Key takeaways from GPGR:

    Working Parents — Motherhood continues to hurt pay equity, while fathers get a raise as a result of the childbearing penalty.

    • Women with children face a significantly wider gender pay gap, earning just 75 cents for every dollar fathers make—unchanged from last year.
    • This gap is even wider for women of color, with American Indian and Alaska Native mothers experiencing the largest disparity, earning just 64 cents for every dollar fathers earn.
    • When controlling for job roles and experience, mothers earn 98 cents for every dollar earned by fathers with similar characteristics, a figure that has remained steady.
    • Meanwhile, fatherhood financially benefits men, who earn 2% more than childless men, while mothers face stagnant or reduced pay compared to childless women.

    Job Seeking — Women seeking new jobs are closing the pay gap, but parenting responsibilities and workplace flexibility keep many stuck with lower wages.

    • The gender pay gap is narrower for women actively seeking a new job in the next six months compared to those not looking, suggesting that a willingness to leave positions may lead to higher pay.
    • Yet, this uncontrolled gender pay gap slightly widened this year to $0.83 from $0.84 last year, indicating slower progress overall.
    • Women who stay in their current job may do so due to benefits they can’t afford to lose, such as flexible work schedules, which can result in tolerating lower pay.
    • Workplace culture, flexibility, and work-life balance may be more important to women than men when deciding whether to stay with an employer, potentially influencing their pay trajectory.

    Higher Education — Despite earning advanced degrees like MBAs, law degrees, and health professional doctorates, women still face a significant pay gap, highlighting that education alone doesn’t guarantee pay equity.

    • Women with MBAs face the largest uncontrolled pay gap, earning just 77 cents for every dollar earned by men with the same degree.
    • Health professional doctorates have the smallest uncontrolled pay gap at 89 cents, while women with law degrees earn 87 cents for every dollar men with the same degree make, marking a slight decrease from last year.

    Leadership and Career Progress — Not only do women earn less as their career progresses, they’re also less likely to reach leadership roles.

    • White men are the most likely to hold leadership positions, with 45% serving as managers or in higher roles. Women are underrepresented in leadership roles, with only 5% of white women becoming executives compared to 7% of white men. The numbers are even lower for women of color: 3% for Hispanic women, 4% for Black or African American women, and 3% for Asian women.
    • Women who do ascend the corporate ladder earn less than their male counterparts, with the gap widening at higher levels. Women at the executive level earn 93 cents for every dollar men make, even when controlling for job characteristics, and just 72 cents when not controlling for these factors.
    • The gender pay gap is widest for Hispanic women and American Indian and Native Alaskan women at the executive level when data are controlled, currently standing at 91 cents, which is two points narrower than 2024.

    Gender Norms — While STEM industries show progress toward pay equity, traditional gender norms continue to widen the gap in other sectors.

    • The biggest pay gaps appear in occupations with deep-rooted gender norms, including Legal (63 cents), Farming & Fishing (77 cents), and Management (79 cents), where men dominate top-paying positions.
    • The gender pay gap is also widest in Finance & Insurance (78 cents) and Agencies & Consultancies (84 cents) industries, despite women making up 53% and 59% of the workforce in these industries, respectively.
    • Even in female-dominated industries like Healthcare (89 cents), Education (91 cents), and Nonprofits (88 cents), pay disparities persist.
    • Some STEM-heavy industries show pay equity when controlled, but women remain underrepresented in higher-paying roles within these industries.

    Location – States with and without salary transparency laws have seen improvements in the controlled gender pay gap, likely due in part to increased awareness from transparency efforts in other regions or companies adopting national pay transparency practices.

    • In 2025, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont and Massachusetts will enact pay transparency legislation.
    • The controlled pay gap remained closed in 2025 for California, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington, D.C. – all showed closed pay gaps last year, and, except for New Jersey and Oregon, have active pay transparency laws.
    • While other states continue to show improvement, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, New Mexico, Vermont, and Washington state have seen their gaps widen.
    • New gains are emerging in Alabama, Delaware, Nebraska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and West Virginia, where the controlled pay gap has recently closed.

    “It’s disappointing to still see a lack of progress towards closing the gender pay gap. Beyond being the right thing to do, ensuring fair pay without discrimination is required by law. This fact alone should support closing the gender pay gap. Even more, it’s a critical retention tool for businesses, which is why, unsurprisingly, women employees frequently leave organizations because they don’t think they are being paid fairly,” said Lulu Seikaly, senior corporate employment attorney at Payscale. “Pay transparency has an important role to play here, because when an employee has an understanding of their compensation trajectory it increases trust and loyalty. Our 2025 Compensation Best Practices Report revealed that over half (56%) of companies are sharing pay ranges in their job postings regardless of whether or not it’s required by law — a promising nod to the future of fair pay.”

    According to Payscale’s 2025 Compensation Best Practices Report, 72% of HR and compensation professionals believe that gender pay gap research is meaningful. Paired with Payscale’s compensation management software and services enable organizations to easily evaluate their current compensation strategies and standardize their internal pay practices to increase transparency and ensure fair pay.

    The 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report analyzes crowdsourced data from over 369,000 people in the U.S. who took Payscale’s free online salary survey between January 2024 and January 2025. The full report and its methodology, including analysis by race, job level, age, education, industry, occupation, and location, can be accessed in its entirety at Payscale.com/research-and-insights/gender-pay-gap.

    About Payscale
    As the industry leader in compensation management, Payscale is on a mission to help job seekers, employees, and businesses make sustainable fair pay a reality. Empowering 65% of the Fortune 500, Payscale provides a combination of diverse and dynamic data sources, experienced compensation services, and scalable software to enable organizations such as Panasonic, ZoomInfo, Chipotle, AccentCare, University of Washington, American Airlines, and PetSmart to make fair and appropriate pay decisions.

    Pay is powerful.

    To learn more, visit www.payscale.com.
      
    Contact: Press@Payscale.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Help our staff members reach patients with care

    Source: Doctors Without Borders –

    Individuals like you keep Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) fiercely independent.

    Your support enables us to respond at a moment’s notice when a disaster strikes. You ensure that we can recruit local staff who understand the needs of their communities best. You make it possible for us to deliver high-quality, culturally responsive emergency care and aid.

    Until Monday, March 31, all gifts will be TRIPLED, to have THREE TIMES the impact on our lifesaving work around the world. Please don’t wait to make your 3X MATCHED contribution now >>
    —
    All gifts given, up to $500,000, will be tripled through midnight on Monday, March 31—thanks to a generous matching grant from Worthington & Margaret Mayo-Smith. Gifts received after the match has been met will not be matched but will be used where needed most.

    1. Amount
    2. Payment Information
    3. Your Information
    4. Billing Information

    A Donation has been made to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

    In Honor of

    From

    The verification code for Visa, Master Card, and Discover is a 3-digit number printed on the back of your card. The American Express verification code is a 4-digit number printed on the front of your card. We ask for your email address so we can send you a receipt for tax purposes. We ask for your phone number so we can send you updates from the field. We ask for the name of the company or organization making this gift so we can properly attribute the donation in our database to the company or organization making this donation.

    By making a gift to MSF-USA, you’ll receive an email confirming your donation, along with regular updates on our work in the field through emails and SMS messages (if mobile number is provided). You can update your preferences or unsubscribe at any time.

    By clicking DONATE your credit card will be securely processed.

    Unrestricted donations enable MSF to carry out our programs around the world. If we cannot honor a specific request, we will reallocate your donation to where the needs are greatest.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI: Wearable Devices to Expand AI-Powered Bio-Signal Intelligence with LMM for Health Monitoring Potential Uses

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Yokneam Illit, Israel, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wearable Devices Ltd. (the “Company” or “Wearable Devices”) (Nasdaq: WLDS, WLDSW), a technology growth company specializing in artificial intelligence (“AI”)-powered touchless sensing wearables, today announced the expansion of its Large Motor Unit Action Potential Model (“LMM”) into new potential markets, such as predictive health monitoring and cognitive state analytics. This development will enable the broadening of bio-signal intelligence applications beyond wearables and will offer businesses and healthcare providers access to real-time physiological insights for monitoring health and wellness conditions.

    This announcement follows Wearable Devices’ recent introduction of LMM as a groundbreaking AI-driven bio-signal platform focused on gesture-based control in extended reality (“XR”) and neural interaction with digital devices. The Company’s LMM approach to analyzing muscle activity signals will support the expansion into the field of health monitoring, enabling users to enhance their performance across various domains.

    From Passive Monitoring to Proactive Intelligence

    Unlike traditional bio-sensors that collect data passively, LMM continuously learns and adapts, turning muscle activity signals from the wrist into actionable insights. The technology is now being evaluated in controlled environments for real-world applications, including:

    • Predictive Health Monitoring – Detecting hidden patterns in muscle activity that may indicate early signs of health conditions before symptoms appear, revolutionizing preventive diagnostics and digital health tracking.
    • Cognitive State & Performance Analytics – Monitoring focus, fatigue, and stress levels through muscle tone and micro-movements, optimizing work productivity and mental well-being.
    • Exploring Predictive Analytics – Assessing whether continuous monitoring of neural data can improve AI-driven user behavior predictions.

    A Platform for Innovation: Opening LMM to Business Partners

    Recognizing the transformative potential of bio-signal intelligence, Wearable Devices is intending to make LMM available to enterprises, researchers, and developers. The Company’s AI-powered bio-signal data platform is expected to enable businesses to:

    • Develop custom applications tailored to healthcare and sports for athletic performance optimization.
       
    • Integrate real-time physiological insights into enterprise solutions to enhance safety, performance, and productivity.
       
    • Leverage LMM’s AI engine to continuously refine predictive health and interaction models.

    Following the initial evaluation phase, Wearable Devices aims to accelerate commercialization and strategic partnerships across the health sector, reinforcing its position as a pioneer in bio-signal intelligence and neural interface technology.

    “We believe LMM represents the next leap in bio-signal intelligence,” said Guy Wagner, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Wearable Devices. “Beyond XR and wearable computing, LMMs will allow us to enter markets that need real-time physiological insights – helping businesses, AI based health platforms, and healthcare providers to gain insights that will transform and personalize their services at scale.”

    About Wearable Devices Ltd.

    Wearable Devices Ltd. is a pioneering growth company revolutionizing human-computer interaction through its AI-powered neural input technology for both consumer and business markets. Leveraging proprietary sensors, software, and advanced AI algorithms, the Company’s innovative products, including the Mudra Band for iOS and Mudra Link for Android, enable seamless, touch-free interaction by transforming subtle finger and wrist movements into intuitive controls. These groundbreaking solutions enhance gaming, and the rapidly expanding AR/VR/XR landscapes. The Company offers a dual-channel business model: direct-to-consumer sales and enterprise licensing. Its flagship Mudra Band integrates functional and stylish design with cutting-edge AI to empower consumers, while its enterprise solutions provide businesses with the tools to deliver immersive and interactive experiences. By setting the input standard for the XR market, Wearable Devices is redefining user experiences and driving innovation in one of the fastest-growing tech sectors. Wearable Devices’ ordinary shares and warrants trade on the Nasdaq under the symbols “WLDS” and “WLDSW,” respectively.

    Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or other comparable terms. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss the benefits and advantages of our devices and technology, including the potential of LMMs, the potential to accelerate commercialization and strategic partnerships across the health sector, and entering markets that need real-time physiological insights. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release regarding our strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: the trading of our ordinary shares or warrants and the development of a liquid trading market; our ability to successfully market our products and services; the acceptance of our products and services by customers; our continued ability to pay operating costs and ability to meet demand for our products and services; the amount and nature of competition from other security and telecom products and services; the effects of changes in the cybersecurity and telecom markets; our ability to successfully develop new products and services; our success establishing and maintaining collaborative, strategic alliance agreements, licensing and supplier arrangements; our ability to comply with applicable regulations; and the other risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed on March 20, 2025 and our other filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    Investor Relations Contact
    Michal Efraty
    IR@wearabledevices.co.il

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Snow Coach to Mt Buller

    Source: FairTrading New South Wales

    Snow Coach to Mt Buller

    Published: Tue 25 Mar 2025

    The Mt Buller snow season will end early on Sunday 1 September 2024. No lifts will operate after 5pm Sunday 1 September 2024. The V/Line Snow Coach will continue running one coach in each direction per day until Saturday 7 September to ensure people can vacate the snowfields.

    The Melbourne – Mansfield – Mt Buller Snow Coach service will run from Friday 6 June until Sunday 5 October.

    V/Line has once again teamed up with multiple partners to provide a seamless Snow Coach service for customers to enjoy the ski season.

    The Snow Coach consists of three connecting coach services including: 

    • V/Line Melbourne – Mansfield coach service
    • Mansfield Mt Buller Bus Lines (MMBL) service Mansfield – Mt Buller Village
    • Mt Buller ‘Ride Share’ service between Mt Buller Village and the customer’s accommodation  

    Each coach service is timed to ensure all customers travelling will experience a smooth journey and connection from the city to the slopes. 

    Due to the popularity of the Snow Coach service, tickets must be reserved for both directions.

    Tickets can be purchased:

    • by calling 1800 800 007 (6am-midnight)
    • at staffed V/Line stations
    • at metropolitan premium stations
    • or at V/Line ticket agents. See where to buy tickets for more information.

    If you wish to travel only between Mansfield – Mt Buller please call MMBL directly on (03) 5775 2606 to reserve your seats.

    Customers travelling with a mobility aid should contact MMBL 24 hours in advance to arrange travel from Mansfield to Mt Buller Village. 

    Please refer to the MMBL website to view timetables.

    Fares

    Please note, customers buying tickets to Mt Buller Village must transfer between the coach drop-off point at Mt Buller Village and the customer’s accommodation using their own alternative transport.

    Melbourne to Mt Buller (single and return) including the coach services between Melbourne and Mt Buller (includes gate entry fee). 

      Return  Single
      To accommodation To Mt Buller Village To accommodation To Mt Buller Village
    Adult $141.20 $124.00 $88.60 $80.00
    Concession $106.20 $89.00 $69.10 $60.50
    Child (4 – 18) $89.70 $78.50 $55.60 $50.00

    Mt Buller to Melbourne fares (single only) including the coach services from Mt Buller to Melbourne (gate fees not required). Tickets should be pre-purchased for this service as there is no V/Line ticket office at Mt Buller.

      From accommodation From Mt Buller Village
    Adult $66.60 $58.00
    Concession $47.10 $38.50
    Child (4 – 18) $44.10 $38.50

    *Gate entry fee – all visitors to Mt Buller are required to pay a gate fee onto the mountain

    Luggage

    Total luggage limit is 32 kilograms per customer. Luggage is restricted to a maximum of two items per person, with no one item weighing more than 16 kilograms. One set of ski gear (boots, stocks, & skis) is considered as one luggage item. One carry-on item is also permitted.
     
    Website
    www.mmbl.com.au/winterservice

    More Information

    • Concession fares are available to Seniors Card holders, pensioners, students, and Victorian Health Care card holders. A valid concession card must be presented upon request.
    • No further discounts (including voucher or group travel tickets) apply to these fares.
    • Return travel can be completed anytime until the end of the snow season, Sunday 05 October 2023. As reservations are required on all services, it is recommended that both outbound and return travel are booked at the same time.
    • Normal refund conditions apply.
    • Pensioner and Seniors Free Travel Vouchers are not available on the Mansfield – Mt Buller coach. These vouchers can only be redeemed on the journey between Melbourne and Mansfield. Tickets for travel between Mansfield and Mt Buller should be booked in advance by calling MMBL on (03) 5775 2606.
    • myki cannot be used on the Melbourne – Mansfield and Mansfield – Mt Buller coach services. Only V/Line tickets are available for these services. 
    About V/Line
    Trademarks

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/PAKISTAN – Lent and Ramadan are celebrated together at St. Elizabeth Catholic Hospital in Hyderabad

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    St Elisabeth Hospital

    Hyderabad (Agenzia Fides) – The fact that in 2025 the Christian Lent and the Muslim Ramadan coincide was seen as an opportune moment to promote dialogue and exchange: Christians and Muslims in a time of spiritual reflection. The goal is to reconnect with oneself and recognize the value of one’s fellow human beings, every person one knows, regardless of their faith, culture, or language. This also happened at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Hyderabad, a Catholic healthcare facility known for its leadership and excellence in the Pakistani province of Sindh.To fully experience Lent and Ramadan, the Catholic and Muslim staff of the hospital and the students of the adjacent Midwifery school have decided to meet every Friday for a shared time of reflection and to celebrate the moment of breaking the fast together. In the dining room of the dormitory of the St. Elizabeth Midwifery School, Catholics and Muslims on duty meet to share a modest meal of rice and vegetables, dates, and fruit.”It is much more than just a shared dinner. Experiencing these moments together, each in their own faith, is an initiative that strengthens the human, spiritual, and professional bonds between people. In this way, the hospital becomes a place of work and service to humanity, where dialogue is practiced, mutual respect is deepened, and the deep motivations of one’s faith are sought in order to fully live the mission one fulfills,” Father Robert McCulloch, an Australian missionary of the Missionary Society of St. Columban and a member of the hospital’s board of directors, told Fides.In a Catholic institution inspired by the values and principles of faith and service, Catholic employees fast every year during Lent and participate in the Stations of the Cross. Given the increasing presence of doctors, nurses, and staff of the Muslim faith working at the hospital, they now wanted to share this experience with other faithful. “It is an extraordinary testimony of faith and openness to others. St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and its Catholic and Muslim staff are thus at the forefront of manifesting and promoting religious harmony in Hyderabad,” said Father McCulloch.Work continues at the hospital on the construction of the “St. Elizabeth Palliative Care Day Centre,” a special unit that will provide palliative care for cancer and terminally ill patients. Such care is already offered free of charge by the hospital through a home service in the region and will soon be available within the hospital as well. The new inpatient center for such patients will be the first in all of Pakistan. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 24/3/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Nagano Lean Body Tonic Benefits, Ingredients, and Real Results Explained

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLMADGE, Ohio, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Individuals are constantly searching for practical solutions to weight management and overall vitality in a world increasingly focused on health and wellness. Nagano Lean Body Tonic emerges as a promising contender in dietary supplements, offering a unique blend of natural ingredients designed to support weight loss, boost energy levels, and enhance overall health. This potent elixir is not merely about shedding pounds; it aims to rejuvenate the body and improve the quality of life. The formula is rooted in traditional wisdom, drawing inspiration from Japanese practices that have stood the test of time. With the rise of obesity and lifestyle-related diseases, the need for effective solutions has never been more critical. Nagano Lean Body Tonic is crafted to meet this demand, targeting stubborn fat areas while promoting a healthier metabolism. This article will delve deep into the formulation, benefits, and science behind this remarkable product, providing the information you need to make an informed decision about your health journey.

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic – Essential Overview

    Product Type:

    Natural Weight Management Formula

    Core Ingredients:

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic is crafted from a potent blend of science-backed botanicals and plant-based extracts, including:

    • Camu Camu – A powerful antioxidant fruit rich in vitamin C
    • EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) – A green tea extract known for enhancing fat oxidation
    • Mangosteen – A tropical superfruit with anti-inflammatory and metabolism-supportive properties
    • Ashwagandha – An adaptogen that supports stress reduction and cortisol balance
    • Panax Ginseng – Used to promote energy, stamina, and metabolic health
    • Momordica Charantia (Bitter Melon) – Traditionally used to aid in blood sugar regulation
    • Acerola Cherry – Packed with antioxidants to support immunity and wellness
    • Alfalfa Leaf – A fiber-rich green known for its detoxifying properties
    • Eleuthero Root (Siberian Ginseng) – Helps combat fatigue and supports vitality.
    • Ginger Root – Aids in digestion and supports thermogenesis
    • Inulin (Prebiotic Fiber) – Promotes healthy gut bacteria and digestive function.
    • Cinnamon Cassia – Known for balancing blood sugar and supporting metabolism

    Key Benefits of Nagano Lean Body Tonic:

    • Promotes Natural Weight Loss – Helps activate fat-burning mechanisms through enhanced metabolic function
    • Encourages Restful Sleep – Supports relaxation and deep sleep, essential for weight management
    • Supports Digestive Wellness – With prebiotic fiber and gut-friendly herbs
    • Increases Daily Energy & Focus – Combats fatigue while supporting a more active lifestyle
    • Enhances Overall Vitality – Provides antioxidant protection and immune system support.

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic Pricing & Bundle Deals:

    • 1 Bottle: $69 + standard shipping
    • 3 Bottles: $59 per bottle (total $177) – Free shipping included
    • 6 Bottles: $39 per bottle (total $234) – Free shipping included

    Risk-Free Purchase Guarantee:

    All purchases are backed by a 180-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try Nagano Lean Body Tonic with peace of mind.

    Where to Buy:

    Visit the official site to place your order and learn more: leanbodytonic.com

    Product Overview

    Formulation

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic is meticulously crafted from a blend of carefully selected natural ingredients, each chosen for its unique properties that contribute to weight loss and overall wellness. The formulation targets metabolism, energy levels, and appetite control, making it an all-encompassing solution for those looking to transform their bodies. This emphasis on natural ingredients ensures the product is safe and beneficial for your health.

    Key Ingredients

    The tonic features a range of powerful ingredients, including Camu Camu, EGCG from green tea, Mangosteen, Panax ginseng, Momordica charantia, Ashwagandha, Acerola, eleuthero root, Alfalfa Leaf, Cinnamon, Cacao, Ginger, Inulin, and a proprietary blend of eight super antioxidants. Each ingredient is vital in enhancing metabolic function and promoting fat loss.

    Bottle Contents

    Each bottle of Nagano Lean Body Tonic contains a 30-day supply of the elixir, designed for daily use. This ensures a consistent intake of the beneficial nutrients necessary for achieving desired health outcomes.

    Guarantee

    The manufacturer’s confidence in Nagano Lean Body Tonic is evident in its 180-day money-back guarantee. If users do not experience satisfactory results, this assurance of a full refund makes it a risk-free investment in their health, reinforcing the product’s effectiveness and the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction.

    Cost

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic offers various purchasing options designed to provide significant savings. The pricing includes $79 for a single bottle, $59 per bottle when purchasing three, and an impressive $39 for six bottles. Each package comes with valuable bonuses, enhancing the overall value and making it a cost-effective choice for those serious about their health.

    What is Nagano Lean Body Tonic?

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic is a unique dietary supplement that supports weight loss and boosts overall health. This potent elixir combines traditional Japanese ingredients known for their health benefits with modern nutritional science. The tonic aims to awaken a dormant metabolism, making weight loss more straightforward and enjoyable. Providing essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants helps combat the fatigue often associated with dieting, allowing users to maintain their energy levels throughout the day. The elixir is designed for daily consumption, with a simple mix of one scoop of water or a favorite beverage each morning. This easy incorporation into a morning routine ensures that users can seamlessly integrate it into their lifestyle, enhancing their chances of long-term success.

    The formulation is rooted in the philosophy that natural ingredients can effectively support bodily functions. By targeting multiple aspects of health—such as metabolism, energy levels, and digestive health—Nagano Lean Body Tonic offers a comprehensive approach to wellness. This holistic approach ensures that your health is cared for in a well-rounded manner.

    Who is Nagano Lean Body Tonic Specifically For?

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic is designed for individuals serious about improving their health and wellness. It caters to a diverse audience, including:

    1. Weight Watchers: For those aiming to shed pounds, the tonic provides a natural way to support metabolism and fat loss. Its blend of ingredients helps to minimize cravings and enhances the body’s ability to burn calories efficiently.
    2. Busy Professionals: Many professionals struggle to maintain energy levels throughout the day. Nagano Lean Body Tonic offers a convenient solution, boosting energy and vitality that can combat fatigue and improve focus.
    3. Fitness Enthusiasts: The tonic’s ability to enhance endurance and recovery can benefit individuals engaged in regular workout routines. The ingredients support muscle function and energy production, helping to maximize workout results.
    4. Health-Conscious Individuals: Nagano Lean Body Tonic appeals to those who prioritize their health and seek to incorporate natural supplements into their diets. It is formulated with high-quality, natural ingredients that align with a holistic approach to wellness.
    5. Aging Adults: As metabolism naturally slows with age, many older adults may struggle with weight management. This tonic can help support healthy metabolism and vitality, making it suitable for individuals over 40 looking to maintain their health.

    Does Nagano Lean Body Tonic Work?

    The effectiveness of Nagano Lean Body Tonic lies in its carefully selected ingredients, each with scientific backing for their health benefits. Many users have reported positive outcomes, including weight loss, increased energy, and improved mental clarity after integrating the tonic into their daily routine. This scientific backing reassures you about the product’s effectiveness and potential to improve your health.

    Clinical studies have shown that several of the tonic’s ingredients, such as EGCG from green tea and Camu Camu, have significant properties that support weight loss and metabolic health. For example, EGCG has been linked to increased fat oxidation and improved metabolic rates. Similarly, Camu Camu is noted for its high vitamin C content and antioxidant properties, which can enhance metabolic function.

    While individual results may vary, the combination of ingredients in Nagano Lean Body Tonic aims to synergize and amplify the overall benefits. Users are encouraged to adopt a holistic approach to health, combining the tonic with a balanced diet and regular exercise for optimal results. Many testimonials support the product’s efficacy, reinforcing its reputation as a reliable supplement for those seeking to improve their health.

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic Real Customer Reviews and Testimonials

    Customer feedback for Nagano Lean Body Tonic has been overwhelmingly positive, with many users expressing satisfaction with their results. Claire S. from Dayton, OH, shared her success story: “After putting on weight during quarantine, I felt discouraged. I started using Nagano Tonic nine weeks ago and noticed a significant difference in my cravings and appetite. I stepped on the scale this morning and am delighted—this is a game changer!”

    Similarly, Mike C. from Ann Arbor, MI, noted, “I started using Nagano Tonic just over a month ago and saw immediate improvements in my weight loss efforts. I love the taste and now have much more energy without feeling jittery.”

    Hazel W. from Norfolk, VA, added, “I wanted to look great for my high school reunion, so I decided to give this a shot. After using Nagano Tonic for two months, I was thrilled with my results and felt amazing.”

    These testimonials highlight not only the effectiveness of the tonic but also the positive changes in lifestyle and confidence that users experience. The collective feedback from real customers is a testament to the product’s potential in fostering healthier living.

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic: Support your wellness journey naturally.

    The Science Behind Nagano Tonic: How Traditional Ingredients Support Modern Metabolic Health

    As we age, our metabolism slows down, energy levels decline, and maintaining a healthy weight becomes more difficult. Nagano Tonic, a unique blend of traditional botanical ingredients inspired by Japanese and Eastern medicine, is gaining attention for its potential to support metabolism, thermogenesis, and weight management. Nevertheless, what does the science say?

    This article explores the research-backed mechanisms of Nagano Tonic’s key ingredients—from green tea and ginger to camu camu and ashwagandha—and how they contribute to metabolic health, inflammation reduction, and body composition.

    Understanding the Aging-Metabolism Connection

    Aging naturally reduces basal metabolic rate (BMR)—the number of calories our bodies burn at rest. Studies show that this decline in BMR is primarily due to a loss in lean muscle mass and hormonal shifts. A 1993 study by Shimokata and Kuzuya documented these changes, revealing that metabolic efficiency decreases with age, especially without proper dietary and activity adjustments.

    A 1998 paper in Metabolism by Piers et al. confirmed that older adults exhibit reduced energy expenditure, even when accounting for body composition. This highlights the importance of interventions that can reignite metabolic activity—something Nagano Tonic aims to do.

    Thermogenesis: Your Inner Furnace

    One of the most promising approaches to boosting metabolism is through thermogenesis, the body’s process of heat production that burns calories. According to Hursel and Westerterp-Plantenga (2010), specific food-derived bioactives can stimulate thermogenesis, aiding weight control. Nagano Tonic includes several such thermogenic compounds.

    Green Tea Extract: A Proven Metabolic Enhancer

    Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is one of the most studied ingredients for metabolism. Its active polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), have significantly boosted thermogenesis and fat oxidation. According to Ohishi et al. (2021), green tea polyphenols enhance metabolism and offer potent antioxidant protection.

    A 2016 clinical trial by Chen et al. found that high-dose green tea extract led to meaningful weight loss and improved lipid profiles in overweight adults. Another study (Campbell et al., 2016) demonstrated increased resting metabolic rate in women after a single dose of a green tea thermogenic supplement.

    Additionally, green tea has been declared safe in regulated doses, according to Jiang Hu et al. (2018), making it an effective and reliable cornerstone of Nagano Tonic’s formula.

    Ginger: Igniting Energy Expenditure

    Ginger (Zingiber officinale) offers more than just flavor—it is a metabolism booster supported by multiple randomized controlled trials. A 2019 meta-analysis by Maharlouei et al. found that ginger significantly reduced body weight and waist-to-hip ratio in overweight individuals.

    In rodent studies (Sayed et al., 2020), ginger water improved energy expenditure and reduced fat accumulation. Furthermore, a comprehensive 2020 review by Nguyen et al. highlighted ginger’s thermogenic, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering effects, supporting its role in holistic metabolic health.

    Camu Camu: A Gut-Microbiome Ally

    A lesser-known superfruit, Camu Camu (Myrciaria dubia), offers remarkable metabolic benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. Research published in Gut (Anhê et al., 2019) found that camu camu supplementation altered the composition of gut microbes to prevent obesity in mice.

    Additionally, its high levels of vitamin C and polyphenols exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as Inoue et al. (2008) demonstrated, further supporting metabolic balance and immune resilience.

    Bitter Melon: The Natural Insulin Sensitizer

    Momordica charantia, or bitter melon, is traditionally used for blood sugar regulation—modern science backs this up. A 2013 review by Joseph and Jini reported that bitter melon improves insulin sensitivity, reduces blood glucose, and aids lipid metabolism.

    Bitter melon can indirectly reduce fat accumulation and improve energy utilization by improving glucose control and inflammation, making it a brilliant addition to Nagano Tonic.

    Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients for Metabolic Repair

    Chronic low-grade inflammation, marked by elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), is both a cause and effect of obesity. A 2020 study by Qiling Li et al. confirmed that high CRP levels contribute to adult-onset obesity through inflammatory pathways.

    Nagano Tonic tackles this head-on with anti-inflammatory botanicals like cinnamon, turmeric, and ashwagandha.

    Cinnamon: A Spice for Fat Regulation

    Cinnamon has demonstrated the ability to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation. Hamidpour et al. (2015) discussed cinnamon’s impact on angiogenesis and metabolic health, while a 2020 meta-analysis by Mousavi et al. linked cinnamon supplementation with significant reductions in body weight, BMI, and fat mass.

    Turmeric: Anti-Gout and Anti-Fatigue Properties

    Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has been shown to reduce inflammation markers and oxidative stress. Kiyani et al. (2019) explored its benefits in gout and inflammation, but its antioxidant power also contributes to improved metabolic health, particularly in those dealing with obesity-linked inflammation.

    Ashwagandha: Adaptogenic Stress Support

    Chronic stress is another hidden trigger for weight gain. Ashwagandha, an adaptogenic herb, has shown promise in stress reduction and weight management. In a 2017 study, Choudhary et al. found that ashwagandha supplementation reduced cortisol levels and supported healthy body composition under chronic stress conditions.

    A 2019 clinical trial published in Cureus further confirmed its anxiolytic and energy-boosting effects, which are key to maintaining a sustainable, active lifestyle as we age.

    Ginseng and Eleuthero: Traditional Tonics with Modern Benefits

    Korean Red Ginseng

    A study by Song et al. (2014) demonstrated that Korean red ginseng alters gut microbiota in a way that positively influences obesity markers. Ginseng also lowers CRP levels, as noted in a 2019 meta-analysis by Saboori et al., further supporting its inclusion in Nagano Tonic’s anti-inflammatory arsenal.

    Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian Ginseng)

    This herb, known as Siberian ginseng, boosts physical endurance and metabolic efficiency. A study by Kuo et al. (2010) showed improved human endurance capacity, while further analysis by Huang et al. (2011) highlighted its anti-fatigue benefits. Hashimoto et al. (2020) found that Eleuthero modulates metabolic proteins in fat and muscle cells, supporting its role in energy regulation.

    Acerola & Alfalfa: Micronutrient-Dense Enhancers

    Acerola Cherry

    Acerola (Malpighia emarginata) is an underutilized superfruit rich in vitamin C, polyphenols, and antioxidants. Prakash and Baskaran (2018) state that its bioactive compounds support immune function, oxidative stress reduction, and collagen synthesis, indirectly contributing to a healthier metabolism.

    Alfalfa

    Often overlooked, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) has demonstrated blood glucose-lowering properties in animal and human studies. Amraie et al. (2015) showed that alfalfa extracts help regulate blood sugar and lipids. Raeeszadeh et al. (2021) noted its neuroprotective and antioxidant effects, which benefit aging adults with metabolic syndrome.

    Mangosteen and Inulin: Gut & Glucose Optimization

    Mangosteen Extract

    Mangosteen is a tropical fruit with potent xanthones and shows strong insulin-sensitizing effects. A 2018 randomized trial by Watanabe et al. found that mangosteen improved insulin sensitivity and supported weight loss in obese women, likely through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.

    Inulin: The Fiber for Fat Loss

    Inulin, a prebiotic fiber, has been shown to reduce visceral fat and improve metabolic profiles. A 2015 randomized trial by Guess et al. demonstrated that inulin supplementation led to meaningful reductions in weight and ectopic fat among prediabetic individuals. By feeding healthy gut bacteria, inulin supports improved digestion, hormone balance, and energy metabolism.

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic: Inspired by nature, designed for you.

    Nagano Tonic’s Synergistic Science

    Nagano Tonic is more than a blend of exotic ingredients—it is a strategic, science-backed formula that targets the root causes of slow metabolism, weight gain, inflammation, and energy depletion.

    Each component contributes to a comprehensive metabolic revival, from the thermogenic effects of green tea and ginger to the gut-boosting benefits of camu camu, inulin, and ginseng. Meanwhile, anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic ingredients like turmeric, cinnamon, and ashwagandha protect against modern lifestyle stressors and aging-related metabolic decline.

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic: Pros and Cons

    When considering Nagano Lean Body Tonic, it is essential to weigh the pros and cons to make an informed decision. Here is a detailed analysis:

    Pros

    • Natural Ingredients: The tonic is formulated with high-quality, natural ingredients known for their health benefits.
    • Comprehensive Benefits: It addresses multiple health aspects, including fat loss, energy boost, and mental clarity.
    • User Testimonials: Many users report positive experiences and successful weight management.
    • Money-Back Guarantee: The 180-day satisfaction guarantee provides reassurance for new users.
    • Convenient Use: The tonic can easily be incorporated into daily routines, promoting consistency.

    Cons

    • Individual Results May Vary: While many users report success, results can differ based on personal factors such as diet and exercise.
    • Availability: Nagano Lean Body Tonic is only available through the official website, which limits some consumers’ purchasing options.
    • Initial Cost: The price may be considered high for some, mainly if individuals are unsure about the product’s effectiveness.

    By carefully considering these pros and cons, potential users can make an informed choice about integrating Nagano Lean Body Tonic into their health regimen.

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic: Usage, Integration, and Purchase Guide

    How to Use Nagano Lean Body Tonic Effectively

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic has been formulated for simplicity and convenience, making it easy to include in any daily routine. The powdered formula dissolves quickly in water, requiring just one scoop mixed into a glass to deliver its full range of benefits. This straightforward method of consumption promotes consistency, which is essential for long-term health improvements.

    While Nagano Lean Body Tonic can be taken at any time, developing a consistent habit—such as consuming it in the morning or before a workout—can help ensure daily adherence and maximize results.

    Combining Nagano Lean Body Tonic with Other Supplements

    Many individuals use multiple supplements to address different wellness goals. However, it is vital to consider ingredient overlap when combining products. The ingredients in Nagano Lean Body Tonic are designed to work synergistically. Taking similar supplements concurrently may diminish the tonic’s intended balance or effectiveness.

    Following the recommended serving size and usage guidelines is crucial to avoid unintended interactions. Consulting the product label and directions ensures proper use and helps support the body’s natural balance.

    Professional Guidance Before Beginning Any Supplement Regimen

    Before incorporating Nagano Lean Body Tonic into your routine, especially if you have existing health conditions, allergies, or are taking prescription medications, it is strongly recommended that you consult with a healthcare professional. Personalized medical advice ensures that the supplement aligns with your unique health needs and supports your goals safely and effectively.

    Enhancing Results with Healthy Lifestyle Habits

    While Nagano Lean Body Tonic is designed to assist with weight management and metabolic support, the results are most noticeable when paired with a healthy lifestyle. Regular physical activity—whether through structured workouts, walking, or yoga—can naturally boost metabolism and energy levels.

    Likewise, a balanced diet of whole foods enhances the tonic’s benefits. Nutrient-dense meals that include fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats support digestive health and help sustain energy throughout the day.

    Incorporating stress management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or mindfulness can also play a significant role. Stress impacts metabolism and sleep, and managing it holistically can further enhance the benefits provided by Nagano Lean Body Tonic.

    Purchasing Nagano Lean Body Tonic: Packages, Pricing, and Exclusive Bonuses

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic can be purchased exclusively through the official website. Flexible package options are available for new users and long-term wellness plans.

    Available Packages:

    • Single Bottle: $69 + shipping
    • Three Bottles: $59 each (total $177) with free shipping
    • Six Bottles: $39 each (total $234) with free shipping

    These tiered options allow customers to start with a smaller commitment or maximize savings with a bulk purchase.

    Included Digital Bonuses

    Each order of Nagano Lean Body Tonic includes three complimentary digital guides created to support your overall health journey:

    • The Anti-Aging Blueprint – Strategies for boosting energy, improving sleep, and supporting vitality.
    • Sleep The Fat Off – A guide to understanding how sleep quality influences metabolism and weight loss.
    • Energy-Boosting Smoothies – A collection of easy-to-make smoothie recipes to maintain energy and reduce cravings.

    These resources are designed to complement the benefits of the tonic and provide practical lifestyle support.

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic: A refreshing way to support vitality.

    180-Day Money-Back Guarantee

    To ensure a risk-free experience, Nagano Lean Body Tonic is backed by a 180-day money-back guarantee. This allows users to try the product with confidence. If results do not meet expectations, a full refund can be requested within the trial period.

    More Nagano Lean Body Tonic Actual User Reviews and Testimonials

    The positive experiences of users highlight the effectiveness of Nagano Lean Body Tonic. Many individuals have shared their success stories, illustrating the tonic’s transformative impact on their lives. Users praise not only the weight loss results but also the increased energy and improved mental clarity they experience after regular use.

    For example, Emily R. from Denver, CO, stated, “I have struggled with my weight for years, and nothing seemed to work until I tried Nagano Tonic. I have lost 15 pounds in just two months and feel more energized than ever!”

    Similarly, James T. from Chicago, IL, commented, “This tonic has been a game-changer for me. Not only have I lost weight, but I also feel sharper and more focused at work.”

    These testimonials provide valuable insights into Nagano Lean Body Tonic’s real-life benefits, reinforcing its reputation as an effective supplement for weight management and overall health.

    Are There Side Effects to Nagano Lean Body Tonic?

    While Nagano Lean Body Tonic is formulated with natural ingredients, some users may experience mild side effects. Possible side effects can include digestive discomfort, such as bloating or gas, particularly for individuals sensitive to specific ingredients like Inulin. Additionally, those sensitive to caffeine may experience jitters from the EGCG present in the formula.

    Potential users should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement, especially if they have underlying health conditions or are taking medications. This precaution helps ensure that the tonic is suitable for individual health needs. Most users tolerate Nagano Lean Body Tonic well, appreciating its natural formulation and beneficial effects.

    Who Makes Nagano Lean Body Tonic?

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic is produced by a reputable company dedicated to formulating high-quality dietary supplements. The manufacturer adheres to strict quality control standards and sources ingredients from trusted suppliers. The tonic is crafted in an FDA-registered facility, ensuring it meets rigorous safety and efficacy guidelines.

    The company’s commitment to transparency and quality is evident in its approach to product development. By focusing on natural ingredients and scientific research, the manufacturer aims to provide consumers with practical and safe supplements that align with their health goals.

    Does Nagano Lean Body Tonic Work?

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic is backed by potent ingredients that support weight management and overall health. Many users report positive results, including weight loss, increased energy, and improved mental clarity. The scientific research surrounding the individual ingredients further supports the tonic’s effectiveness, highlighting their roles in boosting metabolism and promoting fat loss.

    While individual experiences may vary, the synergy created by combining ingredients in Nagano Lean Body Tonic is designed to enhance overall effectiveness. Users who combine the tonic with a balanced diet and regular exercise will likely experience the most significant benefits, making it a valuable addition to a healthy lifestyle.

    Is Nagano Lean Body Tonic a Scam?

    No, Nagano Lean Body Tonic is not a scam. It is a legitimate dietary supplement developed by a reputable company committed to quality and consumer safety. The product is crafted with natural ingredients, and the manufacturer offers a 180-day money-back guarantee, demonstrating confidence in its effectiveness.

    Consumer testimonials and reviews further validate the tonic’s reputation, as many users have reported positive experiences and successful weight loss journeys. As with any supplement, individual results may vary, and it is essential to approach weight management with realistic expectations and a holistic lifestyle.

    Is Nagano Lean Body Tonic FDA Approved?

    While Nagano Lean Body Tonic is manufactured in an FDA-registered facility, dietary supplements do not require FDA approval before marketing. However, the company adheres to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure product quality and safety. This commitment to quality control helps give consumers confidence in the product’s formulation and effectiveness.

    Consumers must research and understand the ingredients and potential benefits of any supplement they are considering. Nagano Lean Body Tonic is backed by scientific research, and its formulation is designed to support health and wellness effectively.

    Where to Buy Nagano Lean Body Tonic?

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic is exclusively available for purchase through the official website. This direct purchasing model ensures that consumers receive authentic products stored and handled correctly. By avoiding third-party platforms, the manufacturer can maintain control over product quality and safety, providing customers with peace of mind when purchasing.

    Is Nagano Lean Body Tonic Really on Amazon, eBay, and Walmart?

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic on Amazon.com

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic is unavailable on Amazon or through any Amazon partners. This strategic decision by the manufacturer ensures that the product is handled and stored correctly before reaching consumers. By avoiding third-party platforms, the company guarantees the integrity and safety of the tonic. If you wish to purchase, the only authorized source is the official website, with no plans for future sales via Amazon.

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic on eBay.com

    You will not find Nagano Lean Body Tonic for sale on eBay or any affiliated eBay stores. The manufacturer avoids selling on eBay to maintain complete control over product quality. This decision helps prevent contamination or tampered goods sold, which could harm customers. Always purchase the tonic directly from the official website to ensure safety, as it is not endorsed for sale on eBay.

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic on Walmart.com

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic is not available on Walmart’s shelves or website. While Walmart may carry other natural products, this tonic requires specific storage and handling to preserve its purity and effectiveness. By selling directly through the official website, the manufacturer minimizes consumer risks and guarantees the best product quality.

    Conclusion

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic is a powerful ally in pursuing health and wellness. With its unique formulation and a blend of natural ingredients, it addresses multiple aspects of weight management, energy levels, and overall vitality. The positive customer testimonials and the science behind its ingredients provide compelling evidence of its effectiveness.

    For anyone seeking a reliable supplement to support their health goals, Nagano Lean Body Tonic presents an attractive option. The 180-day money-back guarantee further enhances its appeal, allowing users to try the product risk-free. By incorporating this tonic into a balanced lifestyle, individuals can take significant steps toward achieving their health and wellness aspirations.

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic FAQs

    What is Nagano Lean Body Tonic?

    Nagano Lean Body Tonic is a dietary supplement containing natural ingredients to support weight loss and overall health.

    How does Nagano Lean Body Tonic work?

    The tonic enhances metabolism, reduces cravings, and increases energy levels, making it easier for users to manage their weight.

    Who should use Nagano Lean Body Tonic?

    It suits busy professionals, fitness enthusiasts, and aging adults who want to lose weight, boost energy, and improve overall wellness.

    What are the key ingredients?

    Key ingredients include camu camu, EGCG, Mangosteen, Panax ginseng, and Ashwagandha, each contributing to the tonic’s benefits.

    Are there any side effects?

    Some users may experience mild digestive discomfort, but most tolerate the tonic well. It is recommended that you consult a healthcare professional before use.

    Is there a money-back guarantee?

    Yes, Nagano Lean Body Tonic has a 180-day satisfaction guarantee, which allows users to request a refund if they are unsatisfied.

    Where can I buy Nagano Lean Body Tonic?

    The tonic is exclusively available through the official website, ensuring product quality and safety.

    Is it available on Amazon or eBay?

    No, Nagano Lean Body Tonic is not sold on Amazon or eBay to maintain product integrity. Purchases should be made from the official website.

    Does Nagano Lean Body Tonic require FDA approval?

    While manufactured in an FDA-registered facility, dietary supplements do not require FDA approval before selling. The company adheres to Good Manufacturing Practices for safety.

    Can Nagano Lean Body Tonic help with energy levels?

    The tonic boosts energy levels and vitality, helping users feel more energetic throughout the day.

    Unlock natural energy today with Nagano Lean Body Tonic.

    Contact: Nagano Lean Body Tonic

    Address: 285 Northeast Ave, Tallmadge, OH 44278, United States.

    Email:: support@leanbodytonic.com

    Order Status Support: (863) 591-4284

    Legal Disclaimer

    The information presented in this article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content is not a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment a licensed healthcare provider provides.

    Statements about any products, including Nagano Tonic and its ingredients, have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

    Always consult a qualified healthcare professional, including dietary supplements, before changing your health routine. Individual results may vary, and no guarantees are made regarding effectiveness or safety for any individual.

    The information included herein is based on current publicly available scientific literature. While we strive for accuracy, the publisher and authors make no warranties regarding this information’s completeness, reliability, or applicability and disclaim all liability arising from its use.

    Affiliate & Financial Disclosure

    This article may contain affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link and choose to make a purchase, we may earn a commission or referral fee at no additional cost. This compensation helps support the maintenance of our website and the continued creation of high-quality content.

    We do not accept payments in exchange for positive reviews or misleading claims. All opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and reflect honest, research-based assessments of the information available during writing.

    Before purchasing any product mentioned on this site, you must research and consult a healthcare professional. The publisher, authors, and affiliated entities expressly disclaim all liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage arising from reliance on the information or products referenced.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f2355c13-a367-48f9-a847-f98940810269

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Hinksey Outdoor Pool to reopen on Saturday 5th April with free hot drink joining offer

    Source: City of Oxford

    Monday, 24 March 2025

    More Leisure Community Trust (MLCT), which in partnership with Serco Leisure operates five leisure centres across Oxford, has announced a spring special offer for the first 100 customers who purchase a Season Pass at Hinksey Outdoor Pool, which will reopen to the public on Saturday 5th April.

    Each of the first lucky 100 Season Pass purchasers will receive five free hot drink vouchers to use at the pool, which has been repainted over the winter and given an all-over pressure wash in readiness for April’s reopening day.

    “There’s nothing like a lovely cup of coffee or comforting hot chocolate after an outdoor swim, so we’re expecting this joining offer to fly off the shelves.

    “April 5th can’t come soon enough! We’re looking forward to welcoming swimmers of all ages, as they enjoy the many mental and physical health benefits of outdoor swimming.”

    Rob Jennings, MLCT’s Contract Manager in Oxford

    “Outdoor swimming is fantastic for both physical and mental wellbeing, and Hinksey Outdoor Pool is one of Oxford’s most treasured facilities. With the pool refreshed, changing rooms repainted and site all ready for the new season, we’re excited to see swimmers back in the water enjoying the benefits of open-air swimming in our city.”

    Cllr Chewe Munkonge, Cabinet Member for A Healthy Oxford at Oxford City Council

    To sign up for a Season Pass at Hinksey Outdoor Pool, please visit its website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: China still faces TB prevention challenges despite steady incidence decline

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A doctor writes tuberculosis prevention information on the health bulletin board at his clinic in Yangang Village of Yudu county, east China’s Jiangxi province, Aug. 15, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
    The incidence rate of tuberculosis (TB) in China has declined by 3% annually since 2021, but challenges with the disease prevention and control persist.
    Liu Qing, a senior official of infectious disease with the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, revealed that the mortality rate of TB has maintained a low level. However, China still struggles to contain one of the world’s most fatal infectious diseases, with the number of TB patients still high globally.
    There is still an imbalance of TB incidence and prevention among different regions, and efforts need to be intensified for the timely identification of patients, Liu said at an event marking World Tuberculosis Day 2025, which fell on Monday.
    Amid the challenging situation, Chinese experts have called for greater efforts to improve TB prevention, including better legislation, early screening for patients without symptoms and the application of new diagnostic technologies.
    China has made notable progress in curbing the infectious disease. The incidence and mortality rates of TB in China had dropped 30% compared with 2012, according to a national plan for TB prevention and treatment that was issued in November 2024.
    It aims to reduce the TB incidence rate to below 50 per 100,000 by 2025 and below 43 per 100,000 by 2030, as per the plan.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Coalition Sues Trump Administration For Dismantling Department of Education, Hurting All Students

    Source: US National Education Union

    Washington, D.C. — Advocacy organizations representing millions of educators, civil rights champions, school employees, students, and families will file a lawsuit Monday to stop the Trump Administration’s illegal attempts to dismantle the United States Department of Education. The plaintiffs include the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), public school parents, The National Education Association (NEA), and AFSCME Maryland Council 3, and they are supported by Student Defense and Education Law Center (ELC).

    Since taking office, Trump Administration officials have taken an escalating series of steps to dismantle the Department, including a series of staff reductions and the termination of $1.5 billion in current contracts and grants for Congressionally-authorized programs and activities. On March 11, the Secretary instituted a Department-wide reduction in force, which, when combined with prior staff reductions, slashes the already lean Department workforce in half.  

    Most recently, on March 20, 2024, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order formally instructing Secretary Linda McMahon to pursue “all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the States.” The very next day, President Trump indicated that the administration would move the higher education student loan portfolio to the Small Business Administration and disability-related programs to the Department of Health and Human Services.  

    “Taken together, Defendants’ steps since January 20, 2025, constitute a de facto dismantling of the Department by executive fiat…,” the complaint argues. “But the Constitution gives power over ‘the establishment of offices [and] the determination of their functions and jurisdiction’ to Congress—not to the President or any officer working under him.” Because it is a Congressionally-created federal agency, legally eliminating the Department of Education, or its constituent offices, or transferring them to other federal agencies, requires Congressional approval. 

    While state and local governments are responsible for the vast majority of America’s public education system, Congress created the Department to help bridge longstanding gaps in educational opportunity and provide critical funding and supports to students. The Department fulfills that role by enforcing civil rights laws, supporting students with disabilities, promoting equal educational opportunities, bolstering the educator workforce, and administering the Federal Student Aid programs that place college within reach of working Americans. 

    Eliminating or effectively shuttering the Department puts at risk the millions of vulnerable students, including those from low-income families, English learners, homeless students, rural students, and others who depend on Department support. It also jeopardizes more than 400,000 educator jobs; makes it impossible for the Department to ensure that federal education funding actually is spent as Congress intended; threatens support for 7.5 million students with disabilities; and leaves millions of students vulnerable to discrimination. It could also reduce access to Pell Grants, upend repayments for student loan borrowers, and invite fraudulent and predatory behavior from unscrupulous institutions of higher education.

    The lawsuit alleges that actions to dismantle the Department exceed the constitutional authority of the executive branch and violate the federal Administrative Procedure Act. It asks the court to immediately halt the government’s attempt to dismantle the Department.

    “As a parent of a child with disabilities who has an Individual Education Program (IEP), I am deeply troubled by the severe cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Department of Education,” said Mara Greengrass, a Maryland mother who is a plaintiff in the litigation. “Funding for special education and the Department’s oversight have been crucial in ensuring my son receives the quality education he—and every child in this country—deserves.”

    “Nothing is more important than the success of students. America’s educators and parents won’t be silent as Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Linda McMahon try to steal opportunities from our students, our families, and our communities to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. Gutting the Department of Education will hurt all students by sending class sizes soaring, cutting job training programs, making higher education more out of reach, taking away special education services for students with disabilities, and gutting student civil rights protections. Parents, educators, and community leaders know this will widen the gaps in education, which is why we will do everything in our power to protect our students and their futures,” said National Education Association President Becky Pringle.

    “Education is power. By firing half of the workforce at the Department of Education, Trump is not only seeking to dismantle an agency — he is deliberately destroying the pathway many Americans have to a better life,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “The forceful elimination of thousands of essential workers will harm the most vulnerable in our communities. The NAACP and our partners are equipped with the necessary legal measures to prevent this unlawful attack on our children’s future.”

    “Congress created the Department of Education, and Congress controls its future — not billionaires Marylanders never voted for,” said AFSCME Council 3 President Patrick Moran. “This illegal move to bypass our elected representatives would be devastating to our state’s public schools. Department of Education funding supports AFSCME Council 3 members in their essential work every day. It helps bus drivers get students in rural areas to school on time, ensures cafeteria workers can deliver consistent meals to students in low-income areas, keeps custodial workers on staff to ensure public schools are safe environments, supports disability and English as a second language school services, and more. Without this funding, we lose essential school workers — and our most vulnerable students will pay the price.”

    “The Trump Administration’s effort to dismantle the Department of Education is not only illegal; it inflicts great harm on students, schools, and communities across the country,” said Robert Kim, Education Law Center Executive Director. “The Administration’s assertion that critical federal funding and support for schools and students will somehow continue as normal even after shuttering the Department reveals a dangerous lack of understanding of the Department’s role to provide funding for and implement programs for our most underserved student populations, ensure equal access and opportunity, and enforce civil rights in our nation’s schools. We cannot afford to let the Trump Administration throw our public schools into chaos.”

    “Donald Trump’s own Secretary of Education has acknowledged they can’t legally shut down the Department of Education without Congress,” said Student Defense President Aaron Ament. “Yet that is, for all intents and purposes, exactly what they are doing. It’s a brazen violation of the law that will upend the lives of countless students and families.”

    # # #

    About the National Education Association:

    The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org 

    About the NAACP:

    The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

    NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.

    About AFSCME Maryland Council 3:

    AFSCME Maryland Council 3 represents more than 50,000 public service workers in local, city, county and state government as well as in higher education and the private sector who provide the valuable public services that our communities rely on. From Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore, we make Maryland happen.

    About Education Law Center:

    Education Law Center pursues justice and equity for public school students by enforcing their right to a high-quality education in safe, equitable, non-discriminatory, integrated, and well funded learning environments. We seek to support and improve public schools as the center of communities and the foundation of a multicultural and multiracial democratic society. To achieve these goals, we engage in litigation, research and data analysis, policy advocacy, communications, and strategic partnerships and collaborations. https://edlawcenter.org/

    About Student Defense:

    The National Student Legal Defense Network (“Student Defense”) is a non-profit organization that works, through litigation and advocacy, to advance students’​ rights to educational opportunity and to ensure that higher education provides a launching point for economic mobility.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Meet the Undergraduate Researcher: Kayvona Brown, CLAS

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Though she’s in her last semester at UConn, Kayvona Brown (‘25 CLAS) isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Her research is just too important. 

    Brown, who is from Stamford, is a truly interdisciplinary scholar: a psychological sciences major with minors in sociology and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies (WGSS). Over her four years at UConn, she found a way to braid together her interests in psychology and supporting the health and development of women and children of color, especially Black mothers and children.  

    Now, she is poised to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical or developmental psychology and “continue to make a difference in my community, with the people around me who don’t often get their voices heard.” 

    On Trauma, Pain, and Healing 

    Brown’s current research revolves around pain and post-traumatic stress – and ultimately, healing — among sexual assault survivors. 

    “Typically, when we study PTSD, we are looking at veterans, survivors of natural disasters; those types of traumas, not necessarily sexual assault,” she says. “For people who do not have this experience, it can be a really taboo topic, and we don’t necessarily do a lot of that research within psychology.” 

    She adds, “As a survivor myself, I really wanted to understand the biopsychosocial effects on my whole body.” 

    Brown’s research has been supported by the national McNair Scholars program, a prestigious initiative designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. 

    The first research project Brown helped complete investigated how people of various gender identities experienced pain, as well as how they described this pain to male or female clinicians. She worked with Teresa Graziano ’24 Ph.D., and Natalie J. Shook, a professor in the School of Nursing. 

    “When it comes to reporting pain, there’s a lack of research on transgender and nonbinary individuals,” Brown says. This project sought to fill this gap, exploring the complex gender dynamics between patients and clinicians, as well as how hormone replacement therapy can affect patients’ physiological experiences of pain. 

    In November 2024, Brown was one of just eight students nationwide selected to share her research with the National Science Foundation and the Board of the US Department of Education at the annual McNair conference, hosted at the University of Maryland – Baltimore County. 

    The more we learn about these symptom clusters, the more we can make better and improved treatments that are personalized for specific clusters.

    She presented her poster “Relations between PTSD Symptoms Clusters and Pain within Recent Sexual Assault Survivors: An Examination of Racial Differences,” which she had previously shared at the Fall Frontiers in Undergraduate Research exhibition at UConn Storrs. 

    This work explored how PTSD symptoms impact the experience of pain for sexual assault survivors. Overall, she found that women sexual assault survivors with greater PTSD symptoms tend to have greater reported pain severity and pain interference (the degree to which pain interferes with daily life). Brown also found a significant difference in the experience of pain between white and nonwhite survivors, with survivors of color reporting higher pain levels. 

    “Pain and PTSD are highly comorbid – they go hand in hand,” Brown says. 

    Brown is specifically intrigued by the way that PTSD symptoms tend to manifest in what are called “symptom clusters.” The DSM-5 defines four distinct clusters: intrusion (intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and flashbacks), avoidance (avoidance of potentially triggering situations), negative alterations in cognition or mood, and hyperarousal (reactivity, hypervigilance, and difficulty relaxing). Each individual with PTSD will experience different symptoms across these categories. 

     “The more we learn about these symptom clusters, the more we can make better and improved treatments that are personalized for specific clusters,” Brown says. 

    Brown’s research is part of a growing tradition in the field of psychology that recognizes the interplay between people’s everyday experiences and their psychological and physiological symptoms. For instance, research has shown that experiencing racism can lead to heightened levels of chronic stress, which in turn can cause and exacerbate adverse health outcomes. 

    Bringing it Home 

    Brown presents her research at UConn’s Undergraduate Fall Frontiers in Research symposium. (Courtesy of Kayvona Brown)

    For Brown, just exploring this link through research wasn’t enough – she also wanted to try to help stop the cycle at its source. So she joined the UConn Women’s Center Violence Against Women Prevention Program (VAWPP) and started doing direct outreach in her community. 

    With the VAWPP and its associated One Love program, Brown has spoken with students in First-Year Experience (FYE) classrooms and student athletes. She leads presentations on gender-based violence and how it can manifest in different environments, as well as intimate partner violence prevention and healthy relationships. 

    Presenting her research on this subject to the Board of Education was a full-circle moment, Brown recalls. 

    “We were able to really connect, and I was able to share my story and share the stories of millions of other women,” she says. “And I remember people coming up to me and saying, that was really impactful. I realized that was something that I really wanted to continue to pursue.” 

    Currently, Brown is working on a research project entitled “The Impact of Self-Blame on PTSD Symptom Clusters in Interpersonal Trauma-Exposed Violence.” This work is taking with Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor Crystal Park, in her Spirituality, Meaning, and Health Lab. 

    She is also working in the lab of Marketa Burnett, an assistant professor of Human Development & Family Sciences and Africana Studies. With Burnett, she’s supporting a one-of-a-kind research initiative dedicated to exploring the hopes and dreams African American parents have for their daughters, as well as how these hopes show up in their parenting styles. The project’s title is “‘Getting her to see herself the way I see her’: Exploring Black Caregivers’ Hopes and Dreams for their Daughters.” 

    One variable the research team is investigating is how Black parents are supporting their daughters in dreaming big by encouraging both creative expression and STEM ambitions. 

    “A lot of parents don’t teach [girls] that STEM is an option for them,” Brown says, “and if they do, they’re teaching them to do nursing or become a doctor. But there are other types of STEM, like getting your Ph.D. and being a scientist.” 

    Soon enough, Brown will be taking the next step in her academic journey to do just that.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Science in Seconds: Freeze Frame

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Conn Health is now home to a cryo electron microscope (cryo-EM). The advanced imaging system uses a beam of electrons to image frozen biological samples. The images are then used to create a 3D model revealing the hidden structures of proteins, viruses and cells with unprecedented clarity and detail.

    In this Science in Seconds segment, Wolfgang Peti, PhD, professor of molecular biology and biophysics, shows us how cryo-EM works and how it can help speed up drug design and ultimately patient care.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to news that influenza of avian origin (H5N1) has been confirmed in a single sheep in Yorkshire

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on the first case of Avian Flu (H5N1) confirmed in a sheep in Yorkshire. 

    Prof Ed Hutchinson, Professor of Molecular and Cellular Virology, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (MRC CVR), said:

    “Influenza viruses are common in wild birds. Over the last five years, a particularly aggressive strain of the H5N1 avian influenza virus has spread through bird populations across the world. On the way, it has caused repeated ‘spillover’ infections of mammals: mammals that wouldn’t normally get avian influenza have caught the disease from birds. Usually these are one-off infections that don’t go any further, although last year the virus began to spread widely among dairy cattle in the USA, demonstrating the potential influenza viruses have for adapting to new species.

    “The emergence of avian influenza in cattle last year was surprising, as normally cattle don’t catch this type of influenza (influenza A virus). Another animal we hadn’t previously thought of as a host for influenza A viruses is sheep, which makes this announcement of H5N1 influenza in a single sheep in Yorkshire startling. Sheep haven’t previously been thought of as hosts for influenza A viruses, although last year in the USA young goats did get infected with H5N1 at a farm in Minnesota – in this case, this was a one-off infection that didn’t go any further.

    “The sheep was on a farm where avian influenza was present in captive birds, suggesting an obvious route of transmission from wild birds to captive birds to the sheep.

    “The fact that the virus was detected in the sheep’s milk is also surprising. It suggests parallels to the ongoing H5N1 outbreak in dairy cattle in the USA, where the virus is spreading through cow’s milk. At the moment there is no evidence of any ongoing transmission from the sheep, and the case appears to have been contained.

    “More work will be needed to understand what’s going on here – in particular to understand if this is a very rare or one-off event which happened because there was a lot of H5N1 around and this was just the wrong sheep in the wrong place, or whether sheep infections with H5N1 might become more common in the future. Ongoing surveillance will be needed to understand the risk this virus poses to the welfare of sheep as well as to food security.

    “In terms of direct risk to humans, we know from the dairy outbreak in the USA that H5N1 in milk is a possible source of human infection. H5N1 can cause severe illness in humans and it is important to minimise the risk of farmed animals infecting them, although so far in the USA human cases of H5N1 contracted from cows in dairies have typically been quite mild. There is also a risk of H5N1 ‘breeding’ with human strains of influenza to produce a new human influenza virus. There is no evidence that this has happened anywhere with an H5N1 virus, but it is important that we work hard to keep that risk as low as possible.

    “A single infected sheep does not pose a significant risk to humans, particularly because it looks as if the farmer, DEFRA and the APHA have worked together effectively to contain and monitor the situation. However, H5N1 is globally distributed in birds, and if it did become clear that this was not a one-off and that sheep are at risk of infection then this would have implications for surveillance and farm biosecurity in any country with sheep farming. For the time being, this is one to keep an eye on, but not to get too alarmed about.”

     

    Professor Ian Brown, Group Leader at the Pirbright Institute, said:

    “The detection of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the mammary gland of sheep which has had close contact with infected birds is not an unexpected finding. Proactivity in looking for spillover to domestic mammals has been strengthened in the UK subsequent to the spread of infection amongst USA dairy cattle. The threat to animals and humans remains unchanged since such spillover we have learnt is possible when close contact occurs between multiple infected species. It is too early to consider whether such virus is capable of onward spread within sheep but this was an isolated small holding with a small number of birds and sheep. The pathways of spread of these viruses in the USA has been shown to be by movement of dairy cattle in commercial milking herds which appears not applicable in this single case of one animal becoming infected. It does emphasise the importance of separating species and maintaining good farm hygiene.”

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/influenza-of-avian-origin-confirmed-in-a-sheep-in-yorkshire  

    Declared interests

    Prof Ed Hutchinson: I have received honoraria for work in a steering group of the Centre for Open Science (Open Practices in Influenza Research; 2021-2022) and on an advisory board for Seqirus (2022). I have unpaid positions on the board of the European Scientific Working group on Influenza and other respiratory viruses (ESWI) and as a scientific adviser to PinPoint Medical. I am part of FluTrailMAP(OneHealth), a UKRI-funded research consortium aiming to respond to H5N1.

    Prof Ian Brown: IB receives research funding to study avian influenza in multiple hosts. IB is a member of the UK scientific committee ‘New and Emerging Respiratory Threats Assessment Group’. IB participates in UKHSA led fora that assess the risk to human health from avian influenza viruses.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Liverpool Honours Eight Outstanding Citizens

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Eight individuals, who have made significant contributions to Liverpool, are set to receive one of the city’s highest honours on the same evening.

    And in a Liverpool-first, two sisters – Natasha Jonas and Nikita Parris – will be among the recipients.

    In a special ceremony taking place at Liverpool Town Hall on Wednesday 26 March, the accolade of Citizen on Honour will be bestowed on:

    • Lady Anne Dodd – for her contribution to charitable causes.
    • Former President of the Faculty of Public Health, Professor John Ashton – for his advocacy, innovation and leadership in Public Health.
    • Boxer Natasha Jonas – for representing Great Britain at the Olympics and being an inspirational figure for young women, as well as her youth work, education projects and charity work.
    • Former Rector of Liverpool, Dr Crispin Pailing – for his work with the local community, faith groups, businesses and charitable organisations.
    • Footballer Nikita Parris – for her outstanding contribution to football and her commitment to giving back to the community.
    • Creative consultant Yaw Owusu – for his dedication to developing the music careers of young artists from Liverpool, and spotlighting the importance of the city’s black music heritage.

    The award will also be given posthumously to:

    • Community leader Chrissie Byrne – for her passionate campaigning for green spaces and determination to protect parks from development. She was the chair and organiser of the Friends of Walton Hall Park and also supported other friends of parks groups across the city.
    • Photographer Leroy Cooper – for his services to the community and his dedication to celebrating Liverpool 8 through his art and photography, leaving an archive of more than 250,000 when he died in 2023.

    The Lord Mayor, Councillor Richard Kemp, will lead the proceedings, along with Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Liam Robinson and City Council Chief Executive, Andrew Lewis.

    Five of the newly appointed Citizens of Honour will receive their certificates in person, Nikita Parris’ sister will accept her award on her behalf.

    Members of Chrisse and Leroy’s family will accept their posthumous honours.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government activities for the week 24 – 28 March 2025

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Monday, March 24, 2025

    On Monday, 24 March, the Deputy President Paul Mashatile will deliver the keynote address at the national World TB Day commemorative event and launch of the National End TB Campaign at Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre, Gamalakhe Township, KwaZulu-Natal.

    On Tuesday, 25 March, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George to lead the Group of Twenty (G20) Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group as part of South Africa’s Presidency of the G20. 

    On Wednesday, 26 March, South Africa hosts the second G20 Health Working Group Meeting in KwaZulu-Natal (26-28 March). 

    On Thursday, 27 March, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition is offering Basic Sewing Training Programme in Mthatha, Eastern Cape (17-28 March).

    Friday, 28 March, no confirmed events.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Indian Army doctors conduct over 350 cataract surgeries during five-day camp at 158 Base Hospital in West Bengal

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Indian Army doctors conduct over 350 cataract surgeries during five-day camp at 158 Base Hospital in West Bengal

    17 ex-servicemen & their dependents from Nepal with ophthalmic ailments successfully treated free of cost

    Posted On: 24 MAR 2025 12:58PM by PIB Delhi

    Indian Army conducted a state-of-the-art eye surgical camp at 158 Base Hospital, Bagdogra, West Bengal from March 20 to 24, 2025, providing advanced medical care to ex-servicemen. A total of 1,752 ex-servicemen and their dependents were screened for various ophthalmic ailments, including cataract. An expert medical team from Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi; Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt and Command Hospital, Lucknow cumulatively conducted more than 350 cataract surgeries over five days.

    In addition, over 500 high-standard glasses were distributed free of cost. The use of top-tier equipment and high-quality lenses ensured that patients received the best possible care, reinforcing the Ministry of Defence’s emphasis on quality healthcare under the leadership of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh.

    The biggest highlight of the camp was the Ophthalmic patients from Nepal. A total of 17 ex-servicemen including their dependents were screened for ophthalmic ailments and some of them were subjected to cataract surgeries free of cost with high-quality lenses.

    This initiative was spearheaded by Brig Sanjay Kumar Mishra, an ophthalmic surgeon and the Head of Department of Ophthalmology at Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi. Brig SK Mishra has been credited to perform over one lakh successful cataract, vitreoretinal, refractive and glaucoma surgeries. He stated that the camp had brought world-class treatment at the doorsteps of veterans who have devoted their life to the nation in the foothills of the Himalayas, spanning a vast region of West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, and even Nepal. It was ensured that the veterans receive the care they deserve without the need to travel, he added.

    The camp was conducted under the directives of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on the request of Governor of West Bengal Shri CV Ananda Bose, extending high-quality ophthalmic treatment to the region. This initiative is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Indian Army in ensuring top-tier medical services reach our veterans in an eastern sector.

    This initiative highlighted the Indian Army’s commitment to the well-being of its veterans and their families. It is a testament to the collaborative efforts between the state and military leadership, especially the Trishakti Corps, to enhance healthcare access for the bravehearts who have served the nation.

    ***

    VK/Savvy

    (Release ID: 2114306) Visitor Counter : 42

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER UNDER JJM IN RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN TAMIL NADU

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 24 MAR 2025 12:13PM by PIB Delhi

    The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal, is being implemented since August, 2019, in partnership with States, to make provision of potable tap water supply in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality and on regular & long-term basis to rural households. The Government of India supports the States including Tamil Nadu by providing technical and financial assistance. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, as per existing guidelines, Bureau of Indian Standards’ BIS:10500 standards are adopted as benchmark for quality of water being supplied through the piped water supply schemes. Drinking Water being a State subject, the responsibility of Planning, Approval, Implementation, Operation & Maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those under the Jal Jeevan Mission, is vested with State/UT Governments.

    As per the Operational Guidelines, States/ UTs including Tamil Nadu can utilize up to 2% of their annual allocation of funds under JJM for Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance (WQM&S) activities, inter-alia, which includes setting up and strengthening of water quality testing laboratories, procurement of equipment, instruments, chemicals, glassware, consumables, hiring of skilled manpower, surveillance by community using field test kits (FTKs), awareness generation, educational programmes on water quality, accreditation/recognition of laboratories, etc. To enable States/ UTs to test water samples for water quality, and for sample collection, reporting, monitoring and surveillance of drinking water sources, an online JJM – Water Quality Management Information System (WQMIS) portal has been developed. The State–wise details of water quality test reported through WQMIS are available in public domain on JJM Dashboard and can also be accessed at: https://ejalshakti.gov.in/WQMIS/Main/report

    In order to empower the communities to monitor the water quality States/ UTs have also been advised to identify and train 5 persons, preferably women, in every village to conduct water quality testing using Field Testing Kits (FTKs) at village level and report the same on the WQMIS portal. So far, as reported by States/UTs on WQMIS, as on date, more than 24.81 lakh women (including 62,898 in Tamil Nadu) have been trained for testing water using FTKs.

    As reported by States/UTs, as on date, there are 2,182 drinking water quality testing laboratories (including 113 in Tamil Nadu) at different levels viz. State, district, sub-division and/ or block level in the country. To encourage water quality testing to ensure potable drinking water supply, States/ UTs have opened water quality testing laboratories to general public for testing of their water samples at a nominal rate.

    As reported by States on JJM-IMIS, since the inception of JJM, 13,706 Arsenic affected, and 7,745 fluoride affected habitations have been reported to be covered with piped water supply schemes as on date. Further, there are 314 Arsenic and 251 Fluoride affected rural habitations in the country where the piped water supply schemes compliant to JJM standards are yet to be commissioned. However, all these habitations (314 for Arsenic and 251 for Fluoride) have been provided with safe drinking water through CWPPs/ IHPs purely as an interim measure. Thus, all habitation in rural area of the country are provided safe drinking water free from Arsenic and Fluoride contamination.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has done study on the potential benefits of the JJM, estimating that achieving its goals could save over 5.5 crore hours daily in rural areas, which are inter alia spent on collecting water, predominantly by women without the intervention of JJM. This time savings translates into economic benefits and an improved quality of life for rural families. Furthermore, the WHO has projected that providing safely managed drinking water to all households could prevent nearly 4,00,000 deaths from diarrheal diseases and 14 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) averted during the mission period. Adding to this, Nobel laureate Prof. Michael Kremer’s research paper suggests that universal access to safe water could lead to a nearly 30% reduction in mortality among children under five years old, potentially saving 1,36,000 young lives each year.

    The allocation of JJM Funds has given a weightage of 30% for the stated under Desert Development Programme (DDP), Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP), Hill Area Development Plan (HADP) and special category hill states in terms of rural areas.  The year-wise details of Central fund allocated, drawn and utilization reported by the State/ UTs under JJM since 2019-20 to 2024-25 (as on 17.03.2025) for making provision of safe drinking water through household tap water connection to rural households including in water stressed and drought-prone areas is at below.

    Jal Jeevan Mission: Central fund allocated, drawn and reported utilization in 2019-20 to 2024-25

    (Amount in Rs. Crore)

    FY

    Central Share

    State Share Expenditure

    Opening Balance

    Allocated Funds

    Released Amount

    Expenditure

    2019-20

    2,436.37

    11,139.21

    9,951.81

    5,983.49

    4090.79

    2020-21

    6,447.36

    23,033.02

    10,917.86

    12,544.51

    7,905.45

    2021-22

    4,825.92

    92,308.77

    40,009.77

    25,326.67

    18,226.18

    2022-23

    19,510.05

    1,00,789.77

    54,742.30

    50,667.81

    40,147.74

    2023-24

    23,584.58

    1,32,936.83

    69,885.01

    82,295.58

    69,219.37

    2024-25*

    11,180.11

    69,926.68#

    22,341.74

    27,333.70

    33,616.09

    *As on 17.03.2025      Source: JJM-IMIS   # restricted to utilization of Rs. 22,694 Cr. only

    Apart from this, RLBs/ PRIs have been allocated Rs. 2,36,805 Crore rupees under 15th Finance Commission out of which 60% tied grants amounting to Rs. 1,42,084 Crore is to be spent on 1) Drinking Water Supply and 2) Sanitation.

    This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI V. SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

    DHANYA SANAL K

    (Lok Sabha US Q3238)

    (Release ID: 2114281) Visitor Counter : 82

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –