NewzIntel.com

Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Phil Scott Appoints 83 to Boards and Commissions

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott’s office today announced a range of appointments made in the second quarter of 2025.

    Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities. The Governor’s office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations. All those interested in serving on board or commission should visit the Governor’s website at https://governor.vermont.gov/boards-commissions to apply.

    Appointments made in the second quarter of 2025 are listed below.

    ACT 264 Advisory Board

    • Alice Maynard, Underhill
    • Cynthia Smith, Fair Haven
    • Heather Freeman, Hyde Park
    • Laurie Mulhern, Bennington

    Board of Pharmacy

    • Kate-lyn Trucott, Lyndonville
    • Marvene Martinez, Vergennes

    Board of Professional Engineering

    • William Nourse, Essex

    Building Bright Futures Council

    • Dimitri Garder, North Bennington
    • Libby Daghlian, Winooski
    • Sharron Harrington, Burlington
    • Xusana Davis, Montpelier

    Caledonia County Sheriff

    • Brandon Thrailkill, Lyndonville

    Caledonia County Assistant Judge

    • Joe Benning, Lyndonville

    Capitol Complex Commission

    • Jireh Billings, Plymouth
    • John Hollar, Montpelier

    Clinical Utilization Review Board

    • Coleen Horan, M.D., Montpelier
    • Jennifer Chambers, Baltimore, MD

    Council for Equitable Youth Justice

    • Honorable Katherine Hayes, Brattleboro
    • Mercedes King, White River Junction
    • Peter Brown, Manchester, NH

    Department of Financial Regulation Commissioner

    • Kaj Samsom, Montpelier

    Deaf, Hard of Hearing, And Deaf/Blind Advisory Council

    • Amelie Briggs, Shelburne
    • Dr. Linda Hazard, Moretown
    • Julie Porter, Colchester
    • Kate Parrish, Hanover, MA
    • Rebecca Lalanne, Vernon
    • Sharon Henry, Hinesburg
    • Tracy Hinck, Norwich
    • Anne Daly, Brattleboro
    • Katharina Cahill, Waterbury Center

    Franklin County Assistant Judge

    • Jay Sweeny, St. Albans

    Human Rights Commission

    • Aditeei Lagu, Essex Junction

    Justice of the Peace

    • Krista M Rodrigue, Canaan
    • Justin Wright, St. Albans

    Northeast Forest Fire Protection Commission

    • Jay Hooper, Randolph Center

    Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens’ Advisory Panel

    • J. Randall Pratt, Wolcott

    Parole Board

    • Angela A. Chicoine, Essex Junction

    Passenger Tramway Board

    • Parker Riehle, South Burlington
    • Scott J. Reeves, Stowe

    State Infrastructure Bank Board

    • Dani Delaini, Brattleboro

    State Labor Relations Board       

    • Gwenna Peters, Duxbury

    State Rehabilitation Council

    • Ana Russo, Middlesex
    • Andrea Bacchi, Shaftsbury
    • Helena Kehne, Adamant
    • Krista Siringo, Bristol
    • Laura Flint, Waterbury
    • Sarah Launderville, Williamstown
    • Sherrie Brunelle, Colchester
    • William Garrison Meirs, Essex Junction

    State Veterinary Board 

    • Anne Murphy, Weybridge
    • Danielle Teehan, Newport
    • Jessica Alexander, Jericho

    Substance Misuse Prevention Oversight and Advisory Council

    • Amy Brewer, Williston

    Vermont Apprenticeship Advisory Board

    • Chris Damato, Derby Line
    • Greg Gove, Danville
    • Jeff Wimette, Fairfax
    • Jerry Baake, Pewaukee, WI
    • Pam Benoit, Barre

    Vermont Aviation Advisory Council

    • John Connor, Berlin
    • Victor Rivas, Bondville

    Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs

    • Alana Ojibway, Wilder
    • Charles Calley, Newbury
    • Linda Savoca, Cabot

    Vermont Community Development Board

    • David Riegel, Barton

    Vermont Economic Development Authority

    • Sarah Furman, Rutland

    Vermont Economic Progress Council

    • Heather Chase, Chester
    • Mark Nicholson, West Danville
    • Michael Keane, North Bennington
    • Mike Donohue, Shelburne
    • Rachel Smith, St. Albans

    Vermont Humanities Council

    • Candace Lewis, Georgia
    • Joseph Antonioli, Williston
    • Kathryn Santiago, Burlington

    Vermont Milk Commission

    • Harold Howrigan, Fairfield
    • Kiersten Bourgeois, St. Albans
    • Nicole Foster, Bridport
    • Rob Howe, Tunbridge

    Vermont Rail Advisory Council

    • Mark McKeon, Chester

    Vermont State Board of Nursing

    • Andrew D. Kehl, Hinesburg
    • Krystal Disorda, Brandon

    Vermont Veterans Home Board of Trustees

    • Steve Deal, Swanton

    Working Lands Enterprise Board

    • Stephanie Pope, Bridport
    • Susie Walsh Daloz, Middlesex

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: How pro basketball and theoretical physics shaped one health tech CEO

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    Non-communicable diseases like stroke and heart disease have swapped spots with infectious diseases as top global killers. Improving health access – whether in the developed or emerging world — can save the lives of billions. CEO Bernd Montag explains how Siemens Healthineers is partnering with providers around the world to deliver technologies and help reduce the complexities that can stand in the way of efficient treatment. He’ll also share his own unique background – as a professional basketball player and later theoretical physicist – and how it shaped how he makes decisions and leads.

    This interview was recorded January 2025 at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

    About this episode:
    https://www.siemens-healthineers.com/

    Transcript:
    https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/bernd-montag-siemens-healthineers

    Related podcasts:
    Bridging the gap in women’s health technology, policy and more:

    Kearney:
    https://tinyurl.com/3jmahwwj

    Tackling these surprising blindspots can bridge gender gaps in health, opportunity and more: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0HfUaxq69cJBZfVgGctVMB?go=1&sp_cid=974f0d02895cc3e5dc6ee274371893a7&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=38d6c85af7df484e

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

    World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
    YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/wef
    Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/worldeconomicforum/ 
    Twitter ► https://twitter.com/wef
    LinkedIn ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-economic-forum
    TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@worldeconomicforum
    Flipboard ► https://flipboard.com/@WEF

    #WorldEconomicForum

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECEgJAlM72A

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £22 million to tackle waiting times in NHS Lothian

    Source: Scottish Government

    Additional funding to build on progress in clearing longest waits.

    Health Secretary Neil Gray has welcomed progress in reducing waiting lists at NHS Lothian as he confirmed the health board will be allocated an additional £22 million for the year ahead – as part of a £106 million investment across the NHS to tackle the longest waits.

    Latest figures show a 14% decrease last year in inpatient/daycase waits for all specialties at NHS Lothian – down from 26,462 at 31 March 2024 to 22,762 at 31 March 2025.

    The reduction in ongoing waits was driven by reductions in:

    • General surgery -19.6%
    • Gynaecology -20.6%
    • Orthopaedics -17.9%
    • Urology -27.9%

    On a visit to the Day Surgery Unit at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, the Health Secretary met with staff and patients and saw first-hand the positive impact Scottish Government investment is having on waits. The Day Surgery Unit carries out 30 – 40 scheduled procedures every day – this helps allow patients to leave for home from 2pm onwards with a focus on same day discharge.

    A huge variety of procedures are performed with patients from a mix of five specialties, including gynaecology, general surgery, vascular, neurosurgery and orthopaedics. Last year, around 4,500 procedures were carried out by the Unit.

    Mr Gray said:

    “This government is focussed on taking the action needed to cut waiting lists and we are determined to make it easier, faster and fairer for patients to get access to the treatment they need.

    “I was pleased to meet the team at the Royal Infirmary’s Day Surgery Unit who are carrying out fantastic work to help target long waits and making significant progress.  We want to build on this success and drive that improvement across Scotland – our additional investment of £106 million support this work across all health boards.

    “Figures published today show monthly A&E performance at its best since July 2023 and delayed discharge at its lowest since October 2023. Our plan to improve our NHS is working and we will build on this progress by increasing capacity and investing to tackle the longest waits to ensure patients get faster access to care.”

    Background

    £106 million to reduce waiting times – gov.scot

    Stage of treatment waiting times – Inpatients, day cases quarter ending 31 March 2025 – Publications – Public Health Scotland

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: IAEA Holds Rays of Hope Forum To Increase Access to Cancer Care

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death on the continent, claiming around 2,000 lives every day.

    Three years ago, to close the global cancer care gap, we launched the IAEA’s #RaysOfHope initiative at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa.

    Today, we returned to take stock:

    • More than 90 countries have joined
    • Over €90 million mobilized
    • Hospitals upgraded
    • PET/CTs, SPECTs, mammography units and LINACs delivered
    • Radiotherapy centres coming online across several countries
    • Staff trained and networks developed

    Building on this momentum, we signed a $4.5 million partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – the largest contribution from a non-traditional partner to our cancer care work to date. We also launched a new nuclear medicine service at Black Lion Hospital – one of four radiotherapy centres supported by the IAEA in Ethiopia. The hospital now has SPECT/CT scanners, a linear accelerator, trained staff, and a mammography unit on the way.

    Learn more: Rays of Hope IAEA Flagship Initiative →

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI: Global Neuro-Psychiatric Disorders & Treatment Market Projected to Reach $166 Billion by 2032

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Worldwide, there is a rising demand for neuropsychiatric disorder treatments which is expected to fuel the global markets for years to come. With expanding research and development efforts and a robust pipeline of novel medications, the neuropsychiatric disorders treatment landscape is evolving rapidly. Pharmaceutical companies are focusing on innovative drug therapies to meet the growing need for effective and affordable treatments. The market is primarily driven by the high incidence of mental illnesses, including depression and anxiety, and the rising awareness of these conditions. As a result, new treatment options are being developed, and drug-related activities such as clinical trials and drug approvals are intensifying. Recently an article on the 4th European Congress of Neurology and Neuropsychiatry website said that: “The global neuropsychiatric disorders and treatment market is on an upward trajectory, with a significant increase in demand for innovative solutions that cater to the growing burden of mental health conditions. In 2024, the market was valued at USD 130.5 billion, and by 2032, it is projected to reach USD 166.3 billion, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.20% from 2023 to 2032. This growth is fueled by continuous research, advancements in treatment, and heightened awareness of neuropsychiatric disorders.”   Active Companies active today in markets include: Cybin Inc. (NYSE: CYBN) (NEO: CYBN), COMPASS Pathways plc (NASDAQ: CMPS), Sage Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAGE), Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc. (NASDAQ: MNMD) (NEO: MMED), atai Life Sciences (NASDAQ: ATAI).

    The article continued: “The growing global burden of neuropsychiatric disorders is a critical driver for the treatment market. With over 9.1 million annual deaths attributed to neurological diseases and an additional 8 million caused by neuropsychiatric conditions, this category represents a substantial public health challenge. These disorders contribute significantly to disability globally, with an estimated 461 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost each year. Moreover, rising awareness through public education, media coverage, and advocacy organizations is encouraging more individuals to seek early diagnosis and treatment, ultimately improving outcomes for patients. Social media and celebrity-led campaigns have also played a pivotal role in removing the stigma surrounding mental health, further boosting the demand for treatments. Drug treatments continue to be the fastest-growing segment in the neuropsychiatric disorders market, driven by ongoing advancements in pharmacology. New medications are being developed with fewer side effects and increased efficacy in managing conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease.”

    Cybin Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN: CYBN) (Cboe Canada: CYBN) Announces Financing of up to US$500 Million Aggregate Principal Amount of Convertible Debentures – Funding agreement contemplates a conversion formula with a potential 30% premium upon conversion and positions the Company for growth, and accelerated advancement of its clinical pipeline programs, CYB003 and CYB004 –   Cybin Inc. (“Cybin” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage breakthrough neuropsychiatry company committed to revolutionizing mental healthcare by developing new and innovative next-generation treatment options, is pleased to announce the Company has entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with High Trail Special Situations LLC (“High Trail”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell and issue to High Trail up to US$500,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible debentures (the “Convertible Debentures”). The sale and issue of US$50,000,000 principal amount of Convertible Debentures was completed on June 30, 2025 (the “Private Placement”). The sale and issue of US$450,000,000 of the principal amount of Convertible Debentures will be determined at a future date, upon mutual agreement of the parties.

    “This financing represents a major inflection point for Cybin and supports our position as a leader within our sector,” said Doug Drysdale, Chief Executive Officer of Cybin. “High Trail Capital is an experienced investor, and its confidence and appreciation of our breakthrough clinical data and intellectual property portfolio recognize the potential of the Company. This financing comes at an opportune time for Cybin, as we advance our lead programs, CYB003 and CYB004, in Phase 3 and Phase 2, respectively. CYB003 demonstrated over 70% remission rates and continued durability over 12 months for patients with uncontrolled depression. We await the conclusion of our CYB004 Phase 2 proof-of-concept study, in patients with generalized anxiety disorder,” said Drysdale.

    Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC acted as the sole placement agent in connection with this transaction.

    Pipeline Acceleration Drives Multiple Value Creation Catalysts

    The funding will accelerate Cybin’s clinical-stage programs across multiple high-value indications:

    CYB003 Program Achievements:

    • Breakthrough Clinical Results: Unprecedented 71% remission rate in major depressive disorder at 12 months after two 16 mg doses in Phase 2 study
    • Durability advantage: 12-month sustained efficacy demonstrating long-term therapeutic benefit
    • FDA Recognition: Breakthrough Therapy Designation received, expediting regulatory pathway
    • Multinational Phase 3 PARADIGM program underway

    CYB004 Program Momentum:

    • Dual Indication Strategy: Expanding addressable market opportunity
    • Phase 2 GAD study expected to complete around mid-year 2025 1

    Commercialization Infrastructure:

    • Manufacturing Scale-Up: Finalizing production capabilities for market launch
    • IP Portfolio Expansion: Strengthening competitive moat with more than 90 patents issued and over 230 applications pending
    • Strategic Partnerships: Developing market access and pre-commercialization alliances

    Value Catalysts Drive Sustained Momentum

    Near-Term Catalysts:

    • CYB004 Phase 2 GAD study expected to complete around mid-2025 1
    • Initiation of second CYB003 pivotal study, EMBRACE, around mid-2025 1
    • EXTEND study initiation imminent 1

    Medium-Term Catalysts (2025-2026):

    • Phase 3 top line readout for CYB003 2H 2026 1
    • Regulatory submission preparations
    • Commercial manufacturing readiness
    • International market expansion planning

    CONTINUED… Read the Transaction Terms and full Press Release for Cybin at: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-cybn/      NOTES: 1.There is no assurance that timelines will be met. Anticipated timelines regarding the initiation, advancement and results of clinical trials are based on reasonable assumptions informed by current knowledge and information available to the Company. See “Cautionary Notes and Forward-Looking Statements in the Full Press Release”.

    In other active company biotech news in the markets:

    atai Life Sciences (NASDAQ: ATAI), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company on a mission to develop highly effective mental health treatments to transform patient outcomes, and Beckley Psytech Limited (“Beckley”), a private clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the next generation of mental health treatments, recently announced a definitive agreement under which atai and Beckley plan to combine in an all-share transaction subject to pre-agreed BPL-003 (mebufotenin benzoate) Phase 2b success criteria.

    “The strategic combination marks a transformational moment, solidifying us as a leader in rapid-acting and accessible psychedelic treatments for mental health conditions with a pipeline of potential first-in-class and best-in-class assets,” stated Srinivas Rao, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of atai. “With a unified vision and a synergistic pipeline, we believe we are well-positioned to unlock the strategic value of our clinical development programs for both patients and shareholders. Together, we plan to move confidently towards our goal of bringing innovative interventional psychiatry therapies to patients in need of new treatments.”

    Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc. (NASDAQ: MNMD), a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company developing novel product candidates to treat brain health disorders, recently announced the issuance of inducement grants to four newly hired non-executive employees consisting of options to purchase an aggregate of 128,750 common shares of the Company (the “Options”), with effective grant dates of June 2, 2025 and June 9, 2025, depending on the applicable employee’s respective start date. The Options have an exercise price equal to the closing price of MindMed’s common shares on the last trading day on which MindMed’s common shares traded prior to the date of the respective grant, and will vest over a four-year period with 25% vesting on the first anniversary of the date of the grant and the remaining 75% vesting in substantially equal monthly increments over the three-year period thereafter, subject to each employee’s continued employment.

    Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (SUPN) and Sage Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAGE) recently announced a definitive agreement for Supernus to acquire Sage through a tender offer for $8.50 per share in cash (or an aggregate of approximately $561 million), payable at closing, plus one non-tradable contingent value right (CVR) collectively worth up to $3.50 per share in cash (or an aggregate of approximately $234 million), for total consideration of $12.00 per share in cash (or an aggregate of up to approximately $795 million). The CVR is payable upon achieving certain net sales and commercial milestones. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025.

    The transaction will provide Supernus with an innovative marketed product: ZURZUVAE® (zuranolone) capsules CIV, the first and only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved oral medicine indicated for the treatment of adults with postpartum depression. Through a collaboration agreement with Biogen, Inc., Supernus will report collaboration revenue that is 50% of total net revenue Biogen records for ZURZUVAE in the U.S.

    Compass Pathways plc (NASDAQ: CMPS), a biotechnology company dedicated to accelerating patient access to evidence-based innovation, recently announced the successful achievement of the primary endpoint in the ongoing Phase 3 COMP005 trial, the first of two Phase 3 trials evaluating COMP360, a synthetic, proprietary formulation of psilocybin, for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The primary endpoint is the difference in change from baseline in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores between the active treatment group and the placebo group at week 6. A single dose of COMP360 25 mg versus placebo demonstrated a highly statistically significant reduction in symptom severity with a p-value of <0.001 and a clinically meaningful difference of -3.6 in change at the primary endpoint. The Company plans to discuss these preliminary COMP005 data with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has not yet reviewed the data.

    The ongoing Phase 3 COMP005 trial is the first study of an investigational, synthetic psilocybin, and the first classic psychedelic to report Phase 3 efficacy data. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, which dosed 258 participants with TRD across 32 sites in the United States, aims to assess the efficacy and safety of a single dose of COMP360 25 mg versus placebo for reducing symptom severity in TRD.

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    DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third-party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM was compensated forty two hundred dollars for news coverage of current press release issued by Cybin Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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    SOURCE FN Media Group LLC

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: IAEA Holds Rays of Hope Forum To Increase Access to Cancer Care

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

    Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death on the continent, claiming around 2,000 lives every day.

    Three years ago, to close the global cancer care gap, we launched the IAEA’s #RaysOfHope initiative at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa.

    Today, we returned to take stock:

    • More than 90 countries have joined
    • Over €90 million mobilized
    • Hospitals upgraded
    • PET/CTs, SPECTs, mammography units and LINACs delivered
    • Radiotherapy centres coming online across several countries
    • Staff trained and networks developed

    Building on this momentum, we signed a $4.5 million partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – the largest contribution from a non-traditional partner to our cancer care work to date. We also launched a new nuclear medicine service at Black Lion Hospital – one of four radiotherapy centres supported by the IAEA in Ethiopia. The hospital now has SPECT/CT scanners, a linear accelerator, trained staff, and a mammography unit on the way.

    Learn more: Rays of Hope IAEA Flagship Initiative →

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Sues Trump Administration for Slashing Youth Mental Health Funding

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and 15 other attorneys general sued the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon for unlawfully terminating more than $1 billion in bipartisan federal funding for school-based mental health services. Attorney General James and the coalition are challenging ED’s abrupt decision to discontinue funding for two mental health grant programs – the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program (MHSP) and the School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program (SBMH) – which Congress created in response to the worsening youth mental health crisis and a series of tragic school shootings, including in Parkland, Florida and Uvalde, Texas. The attorneys general argue that ED’s terminations are unconstitutional and ideologically driven, and are urging the court to reinstate the funding and protect the critical youth mental health infrastructure schools have built under these programs.

    “By cutting funding for these lifesaving youth mental health programs, the Department of Education is abandoning our children when they need us most,” said Attorney General James. “These grants have helped thousands of students access critical mental health services at a time when young people are facing record levels of depression, trauma, and anxiety. To eliminate these grants now would be a grave disservice to children and families in New York and nationwide, and my office is fighting back to preserve these much-needed programs.”

    “SUNY is grateful to Attorney General James for protecting New Yorkers, including critical resources for mental health support,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “At a time when school-based mental health services are more important than ever, SUNY is proud that our campuses play a vital role in training mental health providers and we will vigorously defend this important work.”

    In 2018, following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Congress established and funded MHSP to address a shortage of mental health professionals in high-need public schools. Two years later, Congress expanded these efforts with SBMH, which provided funding to help schools hire, train, and retain school-based mental health staff. In the wake of the devastating 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Congress dramatically increased funding for both programs, appropriating more than $100 million annually to each program through 2026 and requiring ED to submit detailed spending plans and biweekly updates. Each program was designed as a five-year initiative, with the goal of placing 14,000 new mental health professionals in schools, particularly those in low-income and rural areas.

    In the lawsuit, the attorneys general highlight the broad, bipartisan support behind these programs. As Republican Texas Senator John Cornyn noted, Congress “crafted this landmark law with a simple purpose: to reduce violence and save lives.” He explained that the law contains “commonsense measures to improve how our schools address mental health,” noting that “too often, adolescents with untreated mental health conditions become the very same perpetrators who commit acts of violence.”

    Attorney General James and the coalition emphasize that these programs have already demonstrated measurable success. In the first year alone, nearly 775,000 students received mental or behavioral health services. More than 1,200 school-based mental health professionals were hired and 95 percent retained. Student wait times dropped by 80 percent. Grantees reported a 50 percent reduction in suicide risk at high-need schools, lower absenteeism and behavioral incidents, and stronger student-staff relationships.

    Despite these successes, on April 29, 2025, the administration abruptly notified dozens of grantees that their funding would be discontinued, claiming that these program were no longer aligned with “current administration priorities.” The boilerplate notices included vague justifications with no specific findings or performance issues. In statements to Congress and the media, ED acknowledged that it targeted grants for discontinuation based on the programs’ diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals, despite the fact that such efforts were required under longstanding federal law and were part of the announced criteria used to evaluate and award the grants. 

    As a result of the administration’s decision to discontinue mental health funding, Attorney General James and the coalition assert that, starting this fall, public schools nationwide will no longer reliably be able to offer critical mental health services. The attorneys general argue that if allowed to move forward, these terminations will force the layoffs of hundreds of school-based mental health professionals, abruptly end services for thousands of vulnerable students, dismantle graduate training pipelines that were helping to address nationwide shortages, and destroy projects that have been years in the making.

    New York stands to lose at least $19 million in previously approved funding as a result of these cuts, including over $7.6 million for the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Unless the terminations are reversed, SUNY Binghamton will be forced to pull mental health professionals from schools serving more than 9,000 rural students, laying off 10 full-time staff and several part-time employees and graduate assistants. SUNY Buffalo would be forced to end a fellowship program training school social workers to serve students in Western New York, jeopardizing care for an estimated 3,000 students. Several New York school districts and private institutions have also had their funding discontinued, jeopardizing mental health services for students in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Long Island, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, Central New York, and other communities throughout the state.

    Attorney General James and the coalition argue that the cancellation of this funding is both unlawful and unconstitutional, as it undermines Congress’ authority and equity directive and violates the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) because of the lack of notice. The attorneys general also contend that the administration breached the grant agreements and violated federal regulations that govern the continuation of grant awards. Under these regulations, once a multiyear grant is awarded, the decision to continue funding must be based on the grantee’s performance. In this case, ED failed to offer any evidence that the grantees failed to meet performance standards and instead applied an ideological litmus test after the fact, leaving schools and students to suffer the consequences.

    The attorneys general are asking the court to declare these grant terminations unlawful, reinstate the funding for the full intended term of the awards, and prevent ED from imposing similar ideological conditions moving forward.

    Joining Attorney General James in this lawsuit are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Sues Trump Administration over Unlawful Discontinuation of School Mental Health Grant Funding

    Source: US State of California

    $200 million of funding intended to support the mental health and well-being of California students is at risk

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced joining a coalition of 16 states, in suing the Trump Administration’s Department of Education over their unlawful decision to discontinue grants awarded through Congressionally-established school mental health funding programs, including roughly $200 million awarded to local education agencies, county offices of education, and universities in California. If allowed to stand, starting this fall, many States’ elementary and secondary schools will lose mental health services critical to students’ well-being, safety, and academic success. The Department had awarded this funding to the nation’s high-need, low-income, and rural schools pursuant to its Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program (MHSP) and its School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program (SBMH). The lawsuit, filed yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington seeks injunctive and declaratory relief to safeguard this critical funding, which fosters safe and supportive learning environments, and supports the well-being of our students. 

    “The Trump Administration’s Department of Education is attempting to rip away funding and projects that support the mental health and well-being of our students – it’s not only immoral, it’s unlawful,” said Attorney General Bonta. “These mental health programs were established by Congress following a wave of tragic and unacceptable school shootings, and they do critical work to ensure students can not only succeed but thrive. The loss of this funding would cause immense harm to California students, especially in our low-income and rural communities. The California Department of Justice will not stand idly by – we’re once again taking the Trump Administration to court, this time to protect the mental health and well-being of our students.” 

    Spurred by episodes of devastating loss from school shootings, Congress established and funded MHSP in 2018 and SBMH in 2020 to increase students’ access to mental health services. MHSP addresses the shortage of school-based mental health service providers by awarding multi-year grants to projects that expand the pipeline for counselors, social workers, and psychologists through partnerships between institutes of higher education and local educational agencies; and SBMH funds multi-year grants to increase the number of professionals that provide school-based mental health services to students through direct hiring and retention incentives. The ultimate goal of the programs is to permanently bring 14,000 additional mental health professionals into U.S. schools.

    The programs have been an incredible success. In their first year, the programs provided mental and behavioral health services to nearly 775,000 elementary and secondary students nationwide. Sampled projects showed real results: a 50% reduction in suicide risk at high-need schools, decreases in absenteeism and behavioral issues, and increases in positive student-staff engagement. Data also showed recruitment and retention efforts are working – in the first year of the programs, nearly 1,300 school mental health professionals were hired and 95% of those hired were retained. Importantly, these newly hired school-based mental health providers were able to create an 80% reduction in student wait time for services.

    In California, 44 local education agencies, county offices of education, and universities are set to lose roughly $200 million. The grants have helped schools hire hundreds of psychologists, counselors, and social workers who have served thousands of students, including in the state’s most economically disadvantaged and rural communities. By all markers, these programs work.

    Despite these successes, on or about April 29, 2025, the Department sent boilerplate notices to grantees, including state education agencies, local education agencies, and institutes of higher education, claiming that their grants conflicted with the Trump Administration’s priorities and would not be continued. The notices claimed the Department intends to reallocate funds based on new priorities of “merit, fairness, and excellence in education,” providing little to no insight into the basis for the discontinuance, while destroying projects years in the making. However, in the press, the Trump Administration admitted that it targeted Plaintiff States’ grants for their perceived diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, which the States argue is not a legal basis for discontinuation. 

    In the lawsuit, the attorneys general argue that the Trump Administration’s decision to discontinue funding through a vague boilerplate notice, without any mention of grantees’ performance, violates the Administrative Procedure Act and is an unconstitutional violation of the Spending Clause and Separation of Powers. If allowed to stand, the Trump Administration’s unlawful decision to discontinue this funding would cause irreparable harm to States that would be forced to lay off school-based mental health service providers, cutting off much-needed mental health services to their rural and low-income schools. Furthermore, it will harm States’ students who have already benefitted from these Programs, making it more challenging for schools to provide services to students who feel abandoned and distrust mental health resources due to the interruption in services caused by the discontinuation.

    In filing the lawsuit, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Washington, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.

    A copy of the lawsuit is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Autobrush: How This U-Shaped Toothbrush Is Changing the Way Adults Clean Their Teeth – Read Autobrush Report 2025!

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Bethlehem, PA, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The future of adult oral hygiene is undergoing a bold transformation, and one name is leading that shift—Autobrush. Recognized for its distinct U-shaped design and ADA acceptance, Autobrush is redefining what it means to practice effective at-home dental care in just 30 seconds.

    Unlike conventional brushing routines, which often fall short of dentist-recommended coverage and consistency, Autobrush’s automated technology delivers a complete clean that fits seamlessly into modern lifestyles. As personal wellness and preventative care take center stage across the U.S., Autobrush has quickly become more than a product—it’s a movement toward smarter oral health.

    Inside the Technology: 360° Coverage with Medical-Grade Precision

    At the core of Autobrush is an innovation that eliminates guesswork. The device features a mouthpiece-style brush head crafted from soft, antibacterial silicone that conforms to the natural shape of adult teeth. This allows all surfaces—front, back, and biting edges—to be cleaned simultaneously in a fraction of the time.

    The hands-free operation is powered by auto-cleaning sonic vibrations calibrated to provide optimal plaque removal without damaging enamel. With pre-filled, mess-free foaming toothpaste pods and modes for whitening and gum care, the technology supports a dentist-level clean tailored to busy adult routines.

    Visit Official Website To get More Information

    ADA Acceptance: A Milestone in Hands-Free Dental Innovation

    Autobrush’s acceptance by the American Dental Association (ADA) has reinforced its credibility in clinical circles. The ADA seal signifies that the brush meets rigorous standards for safety and effectiveness—a particularly important milestone for a hands-free, U-shaped model.

    Experts emphasize that the ADA’s recognition marks a turning point in the toothbrush category, validating the move toward automated, full-arch cleaning systems for adult users. In an age where convenience often competes with effectiveness, Autobrush offers both—without compromise.

    Designed for the Adult Lifestyle: Speed, Simplicity, and Compliance

    In today’s fast-paced world, adult routines demand efficiency—especially when it comes to personal care. Autobrush responds to this reality with a dental care solution that values both time and results. The device’s standout feature is its hands-free, full-mouth cleaning in just 30 seconds, offering a seamless fit into morning and evening rituals without disrupting a busy schedule.
    Unlike traditional brushing, which can be inconsistent or rushed, Autobrush promotes compliance by making oral hygiene feel automatic. Its U-shaped mouthpiece design, pre-loaded foaming toothpaste pods, and multiple cleaning modes (including whitening and gum massage) eliminate the hassle and guesswork often associated with brushing. For adults juggling work, family, and wellness goals, it simplifies the process down to a single press of a button.
    Its cordless build and travel-friendly profile allow users to maintain consistent oral hygiene habits on the go. Whether preparing for a meeting or winding down at night, Autobrush adapts to real-world adult behavior. By prioritizing ease of use without compromising effectiveness, Autobrush aligns with the growing demand for low-effort, high-reward health tools—proving that speed and simplicity can still deliver dentist-level cleaning.

    Dentist and Hygienist Insights: Shifting Perceptions in Clinical Practice

    Autobrush is not only turning heads in consumer circles—it’s also changing minds within the professional dental community. Many hygienists and general dentists who initially viewed hands-free brushes with skepticism are now acknowledging the evidence-based value Autobrush brings to daily care routines. With its ADA acceptance and focus on full-mouth coverage, the device offers an alternative for patients who struggle with consistency or manual dexterity.
    Dental professionals particularly highlight the benefits for adults with orthodontic appliances, mobility limitations, or inconsistent brushing habits. By automating brushing and ensuring all tooth surfaces receive uniform attention, Autobrush addresses long-standing concerns around missed areas and plaque buildup.
    “Autobrush has become a conversation starter in our practice,” shares Dr. Andrea Patel, a practicing DDS in Chicago. “We’ve had patients improve their oral hygiene scores in weeks just by switching to it. It’s an excellent support tool for preventative care.”
    The shift is especially important as dental offices begin embracing patient-friendly tech that reinforces compliance at home. Rather than replacing dental visits, Autobrush complements professional cleanings by filling the daily care gap. The result is a more informed, engaged user—and a cleaner, healthier mouth in between check-ups.
    Visit Official Website To get More Information

    How Autobrush Works: Inside the 30-Second Cleaning System

    At the heart of Autobrush’s innovation is its ability to streamline brushing into a simple, timed routine. Rather than relying on manual strokes and guesswork, Autobrush uses a U-shaped mouthpiece lined with rows of soft, antibacterial silicone bristles that conform to the adult dental arch. This unique structure ensures simultaneous coverage of all tooth surfaces, something that even meticulous manual brushing rarely achieves.
    Once the device is placed in the mouth, users select their preferred vibration mode, ranging from standard cleaning to gum massage and whitening. The motor then delivers up to 30,000 sonic pulses per minute, removing plaque and buildup efficiently—without the risk of applying too much pressure.
    Complementing this is the use of foam-based toothpaste pods, which distribute evenly throughout the mouth during use. These pods eliminate the need to squeeze tubes or lather manually, simplifying the process even further.
    The built-in 30-second auto timer ensures users clean long enough to meet basic hygiene standards—without wasting time or overthinking technique. This fully automated approach makes Autobrush ideal for adults looking to maintain consistent care, especially during busy mornings or late-night routines.

    Why Autobrush Fits the Preventative Health Movement

    Preventative health is no longer a trend—it’s a way of life. As adults seek to avoid chronic conditions and maintain overall wellness, daily habits have become the first line of defense. Autobrush aligns with this mindset by offering a proactive, time-efficient oral care solution that helps prevent cavities, gingivitis, and plaque accumulation before they start.
    Unlike reactive treatments or intensive cleanings after dental issues arise, Autobrush empowers users to take control of their oral health at home. Its clinically-supported vibration modes and mouth-conforming silicone bristles ensure that even hard-to-reach areas are addressed consistently. This kind of thorough daily cleaning supports long-term gum and enamel health—critical to preventing more costly or invasive dental work later on.
    In the broader landscape of personal wellness—where wearable trackers, hydration apps, and gut health supplements dominate—Autobrush finds its place as an essential oral hygiene companion. It reflects a shift from symptom-focused care to daily, tech-enabled routines that promote longevity and health span.
    As part of a well-rounded wellness approach, Autobrush complements diet, sleep, and fitness habits. It proves that something as simple as toothbrushing can carry real weight in the prevention conversation—and do so in a way that fits real life.
    Visit Official Website To get More Information

    Autobrush in the Media: Growing Momentum in 2025

    National media outlets and tech-forward dental publications are increasingly spotlighting Autobrush for its role in modernizing oral hygiene. From parenting blogs to tech podcasts, the conversation has shifted from novelty to necessity.

    Influencers and health advocates are incorporating Autobrush into morning and evening rituals, often emphasizing the time savings, clean feel, and whitening results reported within weeks. This visibility has contributed to a groundswell of trust and social proof in 2025.

    User Experience in Real Life: What Adults Are Saying About Autobrush Use at Home

    Across the U.S., Autobrush is quietly becoming a household name—not just in dental offices, but in real-life homes where routines matter. Adult users report a range of benefits that go beyond traditional brushing, with consistency, convenience, and cleanliness topping the list.
    For many, the appeal starts with time savings. “I used to rush through brushing every morning,” says Anthony D., a New Jersey-based sales executive. “Now, I pop in the Autobrush while making coffee. It’s done before the kettle’s even hot.”
    Others point to the sensory experience. The soft silicone bristles and gentle vibrations provide a clean, polished feel without abrasiveness. Adults with sensitivity or receding gums appreciate the lack of harsh scraping, which can sometimes make traditional brushing uncomfortable.
    Parents of teens and caretakers of elderly adults are also finding value in Autobrush. The hands-free model helps ensure proper cleaning with minimal effort—ideal for individuals who struggle with mobility, dexterity, or forgetfulness.
    Overall, real-world usage confirms what the data suggests: Autobrush transforms brushing from a chore into a ritual. And with visible improvements in freshness, plaque control, and even surface stains, users are more inclined to stick with it long-term.

    Autobrush and the Rise of AI in Personal Health Tech

    The personal health tech landscape has witnessed a surge in automation, and Autobrush sits comfortably within this shift. While not powered by artificial intelligence in the traditional sense, its design reflects a larger trend: using smart engineering and automated systems to replace manual health routines with optimized alternatives.
    Autobrush’s pre-programmed cleaning modes, intelligent pressure calibration, and universal mouthpiece mirror the functionality often attributed to AI—simplifying decisions, enhancing precision, and ensuring repeatable, high-quality outcomes. As more consumers adopt hands-free health tools like posture trainers, hydration trackers, and sleep monitors, oral hygiene is finally getting its tech-forward counterpart.
    Industry experts see Autobrush as part of the next evolution in daily care devices: tools that eliminate human error while boosting compliance and consistency. Rather than requiring users to learn better technique, Autobrush automates it, delivering results that match or exceed traditional methods—without added time or effort.
    This movement toward tech-assisted self-care is particularly relevant for adult users balancing packed schedules, long commutes, or physical limitations. Autobrush provides a glimpse of how oral care will continue to evolve: automated, intelligent, and seamlessly integrated into daily life.

    Where to Buy Autobrush in 2025: Official Access and Safety Tips

    With the growing popularity of Autobrush across the U.S., ensuring secure and authentic access to the latest models has never been more important. In 2025, consumers are encouraged to purchase directly through the official Autobrush website to guarantee product authenticity, warranty eligibility, and access to updated features and accessories.
    The official online store offers the full lineup of adult Autobrush models, including the latest Pro and ADA-accepted designs. Buyers can also find custom-fit mouthpieces, foaming toothpaste refills, and bundle discounts that are often unavailable through third-party platforms.
    Due to rising demand, Autobrush products have begun appearing on unauthorized e-commerce sites and social marketplaces. However, experts strongly caution against purchasing from unverified sources, as counterfeit or outdated units may not deliver the safety, hygiene, or effectiveness of genuine devices

    Final Word: The Future of Toothbrushing Is Already Here

    Autobrush is not just an alternative to the manual toothbrush—it’s a leap forward in how adult oral hygiene is understood and practiced. With ADA recognition, expert endorsements, and a user-first design, the device is reshaping expectations around what a “clean mouth” means.

    As adults prioritize efficiency, wellness, and clinical results, Autobrush has earned its place at the intersection of health tech and personal care. For those ready to upgrade how they protect their teeth, this innovation offers a future-facing solution—already in the present.

    For more information, educational content, and direct purchasing, visit the official Autobrush website.

    Company: Autobrush
    Hanoverville Road Bethlehem,
    PA, 18020
    Ph – 1-888-468-7404
    Email: customercare@autobrush.com
    Website – https://tryautobrush.com/

    Disclaimer 

    The information provided in this review is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your physician or another qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new supplement, dietary change, or health program—especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have existing health conditions, or are taking medications. Results may vary among individuals. 

    The statements made regarding Autobrush have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Autobrush is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Any claims made within this article about symptom relief, hearing improvement, or related health benefits are based on the product’s formulation and individual testimonials and not on conclusive clinical evidence. This content does not constitute professional health or medical advice and should not be interpreted as such. Readers should always perform their own due diligence and consult medical professionals before making decisions related to health products.

    No responsibility is assumed for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the content, nor any consequences arising from the use of the information contained in this article. The publisher and its affiliates do not endorse or guarantee any product mentioned herein. All trademarks, service marks, and brand names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Test Boost Max: This Legal Testosterone Supplement For Men Now Available in USA

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In an era where men’s health is at the forefront of the wellness conversation, Test Boost Max by Sculpt Nation has rapidly emerged as one of the most talked-about natural testosterone support supplements in the U.S. market. With consumers increasingly seeking solutions that enhance vitality, energy, and hormonal balance without synthetic ingredients, the growing momentum behind Test Boost Max marks a significant shift in how testosterone support is being approached.

    Positioned as a plant-powered formula that targets the body’s natural testosterone production, Test Boost Max has gained traction not through hype, but by aligning its formulation with scientific findings and time-tested herbal components. The supplement’s blend of botanicals, adaptogens, and minerals has drawn attention not only from fitness-minded consumers, but also from physicians, wellness professionals, and clinical nutritionists who are witnessing increased demand for natural alternatives to hormone therapy.

    Addressing a Quiet Epidemic: The Testosterone Decline in Modern Men

    According to the official product website (https:://sculptnation.com/) Testosterone levels in men have been gradually declining over the past few decades. While aging remains a natural factor, modern lifestyle stressors—ranging from chronic sleep deprivation and poor dietary habits to environmental toxins and sedentary routines—have exacerbated hormonal imbalances across age groups. According to recent data published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, men today produce significantly less testosterone than men of the same age just 30 years ago.

    In this context, Test Boost Max is not marketed as a quick fix, but as part of a larger wellness framework that prioritizes stress management, movement, and nutritional support. Sculpt Nation emphasizes that the product was never designed to mimic synthetic testosterone or replace hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Instead, the supplement supports endocrine function by addressing the upstream mechanisms that influence testosterone levels.

    Inside the Formula: A Science-Grounded Approach

    The proprietary blend behind Test Boost Max is built around a core belief: the body’s hormonal systems respond best to natural compounds that have evolved alongside human biology. The formulation includes ingredients such as Ashwagandha root extract (KSM-66), Longjack (Tongkat Ali), Tribulus Terrestris, Epimedium, American Ginseng, Cordyceps, and Hawthorn Berry.

    Each ingredient was selected based on peer-reviewed research that supports its individual ability to affect stress, energy, libido, muscle performance, or hormonal signaling. For example, Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce cortisol levels—a known antagonist of testosterone—while also increasing serum testosterone in male subjects undergoing strength training. Tongkat Ali, meanwhile, has earned recognition in both Western and Southeast Asian medical communities for its potential to increase free testosterone and enhance energy metabolism.

    “What’s unique about Test Boost Max is the synergy,” explained Dr. Brandon Carr, an integrative health specialist not affiliated with the company. “These ingredients don’t just operate in isolation. Together, they create a broader effect—lowering stress, improving sleep quality, optimizing metabolic function—that all converge on hormonal health.”

    Sculpt Nation’s research and development team worked with clinical advisors to calibrate dosages to align with those tested in human trials. The aim, they say, was to balance safety with physiological efficacy—something often overlooked in overcrowded supplement categories where ingredient stuffing is more common than scientific restraint.

    View official website for latest pricing and promotions

    Natural Doesn’t Mean Passive: Results Without the Risks

    One of the reasons Test Boost Max has attracted attention in 2025 is because it operates within a unique space in men’s health: powerful enough to support results, yet gentle enough to respect the body’s own regulatory systems. With no synthetic hormones, banned substances, or pharmaceutical additives, it avoids many of the risks associated with testosterone replacement therapy, which can include fertility disruption, acne, mood instability, and cardiovascular strain.

    Early consumer data collected by Sculpt Nation suggests a favorable profile:

    • Men using the supplement for 60 days or more reported noticeable improvements in energy, sexual performance, strength, and lean muscle development.
    • Anecdotal feedback has highlighted a sense of renewed motivation and physical resilience, particularly in individuals aged 35 and above.

    Still, the company remains cautious not to overpromise. “We’re not here to sell magic pills,” said Dimond. “Test Boost Max is most effective when combined with movement, nutrition, and lifestyle adjustments. It’s a catalyst—not a cure-all.”

    Navigating a Crowded Market

    The U.S. supplement industry surpassed $60 billion in annual revenue in 2024, with male performance and hormonal health categories among the fastest growing segments. With competition from legacy brands and newer digital-first startups, it’s difficult for any one product to cut through the noise.

    However, Test Boost Max appears to be achieving just that—not by reinventing the wheel, but by refining it. The formula doesn’t overwhelm with dozens of unproven ingredients. It doesn’t rely on influencer gimmicks. It doesn’t bombard the body with megadoses. Instead, it does something rare: it respects the intelligence of the modern consumer.

    Its rising success may also be partially due to Sculpt Nation’s larger ecosystem. As the supplement arm of V Shred, a digital fitness brand known for personalized training programs, Sculpt Nation has access to an existing audience of millions already tuned into strength, performance, and transformation. For many of these customers, Test Boost Max serves as a natural extension of the lifestyle changes they’ve already adopted.

    No Gimmicks, Just Guarantees

    Perhaps the most striking move by Sculpt Nation was its decision to back Test Boost Max with a 100% lifetime money-back guarantee. Unlike the standard 30- or 60-day windows, this policy removes the pressure for immediate results and encourages long-term use, which aligns with how natural supplements often work.

    “We’re confident in what we’ve built,” said CEO Vinnie Fisher in a previous statement. “If someone doesn’t feel a meaningful difference, even after months or years, they deserve a refund. It’s that simple.”

    The gesture has been well received across industry forums, with many seeing it as a bold but welcome pivot toward accountability in the wellness supplement space.

    How Does Test Boost Max Work?

    According to the official product website, Test Boost Max is formulated to support the body’s endogenous testosterone production by enhancing the signaling pathways and physiological conditions that naturally encourage hormone synthesis. Instead of introducing synthetic testosterone, the product seeks to optimize the environment in which the body produces its own.
    The formula primarily works through several complementary mechanisms:
    Reducing Cortisol and Stress Load: Ingredients like Ashwagandha have been clinically shown to lower cortisol levels. Since cortisol has an inverse relationship with testosterone, reducing stress hormones helps preserve and potentially elevate testosterone levels.
    Improving Sleep Quality and Recovery: Many users of Test Boost Max report better sleep. Since testosterone is primarily produced during deep sleep, improving sleep quality can have a measurable effect on hormonal output.
    Stimulating Leydig Cell Activity: Longjack and Tribulus Terrestris are thought to stimulate the Leydig cells in the testes—the very cells responsible for testosterone synthesis—thereby nudging the body to produce more testosterone naturally.
    Supporting Circulation and Nutrient Delivery: With adaptogens like Epimedium and circulation-enhancing herbs like Hawthorn Berry, the formula helps improve blood flow, ensuring key nutrients are effectively delivered to the endocrine system.
    Enhancing Free Testosterone Availability: Some ingredients work by reducing the action of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), a protein that binds to testosterone and makes it unavailable. By reducing SHBG’s effects, more testosterone remains bioavailable.
    Together, these mechanisms enable Test Boost Max to create an internal environment conducive to hormonal balance and performance, rather than forcing an artificial response.

    View official website for more information

    Consumer Caution & Professional Guidance

    Despite its natural composition, Test Boost Max isn’t designed for everyone. Men with hormone-sensitive conditions, those on medication, or individuals with a history of endocrine disorders should consult a medical professional before using any testosterone-related supplement. Sculpt Nation includes this guidance on its packaging and insists that responsible supplementation starts with awareness.

    “We always recommend people consult their doctors—not because we doubt our product, but because every person’s health landscape is different,” said Dimond.

    Healthcare professionals, including naturopaths and performance dietitians, have echoed this stance. Some practitioners are beginning to integrate products like Test Boost Max into broader protocols, particularly in cases where patients seek natural alternatives to traditional hormone therapies.

    Looking to the Future

    With a growing body of data, increasing consumer awareness, and positive early outcomes, Test Boost Max seems well positioned for longevity in an otherwise trend-heavy market. Sculpt Nation has hinted at possible clinical collaborations in 2026 to study the supplement’s long-term effects in controlled populations—a move that could further solidify its credibility and differentiate it from opportunistic copycats.

    As wellness trends evolve in the post-pandemic era, the importance of hormone health is being redefined. Where testosterone was once whispered about behind closed doors, it is now part of a larger conversation about mood, motivation, metabolic resilience, and quality of life. Products like Test Boost Max are stepping into that conversation not as magic bullets, but as tools—respectful of science, rooted in nature, and oriented around sustainable results.

    About Sculpt Nation

    Sculpt Nation is a premium supplement brand founded by the creators of V Shred, a digital fitness platform with over 10 million users globally. Focused on science-driven formulations and high-quality ingredients, Sculpt Nation develops performance supplements that support fat loss, muscle building, hormonal balance, and total wellness. All products are manufactured in the USA and third-party tested for purity and safety. With a mission to bring transparency, accountability, and real results to the supplement space, Sculpt Nation is redefining the way people approach performance nutrition.

    For more information, educational content, and direct purchasing, visit the official Test Boost Max website.

    Contact:

    https:://sculptnation.com/
    V Shred
    4530 S Decatur Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89103
    support@vshred.com

    Disclaimer The information provided in this review is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your physician or another qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new supplement, dietary change, or health program—especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have existing health conditions, or are taking medications. Results may vary among individuals.
    The statements made regarding Test Boost Max have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Test Boost Max is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Any claims made within this article about symptom relief, hearing improvement, or related health benefits are based on the product’s formulation and individual testimonials and not on conclusive clinical evidence. 
    This content does not constitute professional health or medical advice and should not be interpreted as such. Readers should always perform their own due diligence and consult medical professionals before making decisions related to health products.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Toxic fungus from King Tutankhamun’s tomb yields cancer-fighting compounds – new study

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University

    Miro Varcek / Shutterstock.com

    In November 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter peered through a small hole into the sealed tomb of King Tutankhamun. When asked if he could see anything, he replied: “Yes, wonderful things.” Within months, however, Carter’s financial backer Lord Carnarvon was dead from a mysterious illness. Over the following years, several other members of the excavation team would meet similar fates, fuelling legends of the “pharaoh’s curse” that have captivated the public imagination for just over a century.

    For decades, these mysterious deaths were attributed to supernatural forces. But modern science has revealed a more likely culprit: a toxic fungus known as Aspergillus flavus. Now, in an unexpected twist, this same deadly organism is being transformed into a powerful new weapon in the fight against cancer.

    Aspergillus flavus is a common mould found in soil, decaying vegetation and stored grains. It is infamous for its ability to survive in harsh environments, including the sealed chambers of ancient tombs, where it can lie dormant for thousands of years.

    When disturbed, the fungus releases spores that can cause severe respiratory infections, particularly in people with weakened immune systems. This may explain the so-called “curse” of King Tutankhamun and similar incidents, such as the deaths of several scientists who entered the tomb of Casimir IV in Poland in the 1970s. In both cases, investigations later found that A flavus was present, and its toxins were probably responsible for the illnesses and deaths.

    Despite its deadly reputation, Aspergillus flavus is now at the centre of a remarkable scientific finding. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that this fungus produces a unique class of molecules with the potential to fight cancer.

    These molecules belong to a group called ribosomally synthesised and post-translationally modified peptides, or RiPPs. RiPPs are made by the ribosome – the cell’s protein factory – and are later chemically altered to enhance their function.

    While thousands of RiPPs have been identified in bacteria, only a handful have been found in fungi – until now.

    The process of finding these fungal RiPPs was far from simple. The research team screened a dozen different strains or types of aspergillus, searching for chemical clues that might indicate the presence of these promising molecules. Aspergillus flavus quickly stood out as a prime candidate.

    The researchers compared the chemicals from different fungal strains to known RiPP compounds and found promising matches. To confirm their discovery, they switched off the relevant genes and, sure enough, the target chemicals vanished, proving they had found the source.

    Purifying these chemicals proved to be a significant challenge. However, this complexity is also what gives fungal RiPPs their remarkable biological activity.

    The team eventually succeeded in isolating four different RiPPs from Aspergillus flavus. These molecules shared a unique structure of interlocking rings, a feature that had never been described before. The researchers named these new compounds “asperigimycins”, after the fungus in which they were found.

    The next step was to test these asperigimycins against human cancer cells. In some cases, they stopped the growth of cancer cells, suggesting that asperigimycins could one day become a new treatment for certain types of cancer.

    The team also worked out how these chemicals get inside cancer cells. This discovery is significant because many chemicals, like asperigimycins, have medicinal properties but struggle to enter cells in large enough quantities to be useful. Knowing that particular fats (lipids) can enhance this process gives scientists a new tool for drug development.

    Further experiments revealed that asperigimycins probably disrupt the process of cell division in cancer cells. Cancer cells divide uncontrollably, and these compounds appear to block the formation of microtubules, the scaffolding inside cells that are essential for cell division.

    Tremendous untapped potential

    This disruption is specific to certain types of cells, so this may in turn reduce the risk of side-effects. But the discovery of asperigimycins is just the beginning. The researchers also identified similar clusters of genes in other fungi, suggesting that many more fungal RiPPs remain to be discovered.

    Almost all the fungal RiPPs found so far have strong biological activity, making this an area with tremendous untapped potential. The next step is to test asperigimycins in other systems and models, with the hope of eventually moving to human clinical trials. If successful, these molecules could join the ranks of other fungal-derived medicines, such as penicillin, which revolutionised modern medicine.

    The story of Aspergillus flavus is a powerful example of how nature can be both a source of danger and a wellspring of healing. For centuries, this fungus was feared as a silent killer lurking in ancient tombs, responsible for mysterious deaths and the legend of the pharaoh’s curse. Today, scientists are turning that fear into hope, harnessing the same deadly spores to create life-saving medicines.

    This transformation, from curse to cure, highlights the importance of continued exploration and innovation in the natural world. Nature has in fact provided us with an incredible pharmacy, filled with compounds that can heal as well as harm. It is up to scientists and engineers to uncover these secrets, using the latest technologies to identify, modify and test new molecules for their potential to treat disease.

    The discovery of asperigimycins is a reminder that even the most unlikely sources – such as a toxic tomb fungus – can hold the key to revolutionary new treatments. As researchers continue to explore the hidden world of fungi, who knows what other medical breakthroughs may lie just beneath the surface?

    Justin Stebbing 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. Toxic fungus from King Tutankhamun’s tomb yields cancer-fighting compounds – new study – https://theconversation.com/toxic-fungus-from-king-tutankhamuns-tomb-yields-cancer-fighting-compounds-new-study-259706

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: Koa Moana 25 U.S. Marines and Sailors Lifesaving Kits Empowering Palau in Time for Pacific Mini Games

    Source: United States Navy

    KOROR, Palau – On June 25, 2025, U.S. Marines and Sailors with Koa Moana 25 delivered 100 first aid kits to the Belau National Hospital in Palau. Koa Moana is a recurring exercise that fosters partnerships with Compact of Free Association nations like the Republic of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia through medical aid, engineering, and security cooperation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: IAEA Holds Rays of Hope Forum To Increase Access to Cancer Care

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death on the continent, claiming around 2,000 lives every day.

    Three years ago, to close the global cancer care gap, we launched the IAEA’s #RaysOfHope initiative at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa.

    Today, we returned to take stock:

    • More than 90 countries have joined
    • Over €90 million mobilized
    • Hospitals upgraded
    • PET/CTs, SPECTs, mammography units and LINACs delivered
    • Radiotherapy centres coming online across several countries
    • Staff trained and networks developed

    Building on this momentum, we signed a $4.5 million partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – the largest contribution from a non-traditional partner to our cancer care work to date. We also launched a new nuclear medicine service at Black Lion Hospital – one of four radiotherapy centres supported by the IAEA in Ethiopia. The hospital now has SPECT/CT scanners, a linear accelerator, trained staff, and a mammography unit on the way.

    Learn more: Rays of Hope IAEA Flagship Initiative →

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: IAEA Holds Rays of Hope Forum To Increase Access to Cancer Care

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death on the continent, claiming around 2,000 lives every day.

    Three years ago, to close the global cancer care gap, we launched the IAEA’s #RaysOfHope initiative at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa.

    Today, we returned to take stock:

    • More than 90 countries have joined
    • Over €90 million mobilized
    • Hospitals upgraded
    • PET/CTs, SPECTs, mammography units and LINACs delivered
    • Radiotherapy centres coming online across several countries
    • Staff trained and networks developed

    Building on this momentum, we signed a $4.5 million partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – the largest contribution from a non-traditional partner to our cancer care work to date. We also launched a new nuclear medicine service at Black Lion Hospital – one of four radiotherapy centres supported by the IAEA in Ethiopia. The hospital now has SPECT/CT scanners, a linear accelerator, trained staff, and a mammography unit on the way.

    Learn more: Rays of Hope IAEA Flagship Initiative →

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Nutanix Study Finds Adoption of GenAI and Containers in the Healthcare Sector Has Accelerated, But IT Infrastructure Modernization to Support it Lags Behind

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN JOSE, Calif., July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nutanix (NASDAQ: NTNX), a leader in hybrid multicloud computing, announced the findings of its seventh annual global Healthcare Enterprise Cloud Index (ECI) survey and research report, which measures enterprise progress with cloud adoption in the industry. The research showed that 99% of healthcare organizations surveyed are currently leveraging GenAI applications or workloads today, more than any other industry. This includes a mix of applications from AI-powered chatbots to code co-pilots and clinical development automation. However, the overwhelming majority (96%) share that their current data security and governance measures are insufficient to fully support GenAI at scale.

    “In healthcare, every decision we make has a direct impact on patient outcomes – including how we evolve our technology stack,” said Jon Edwards, Director IS Infrastructure Engineering at Legacy Health. “We took a close look at how to integrate GenAI responsibly, and that meant investing in infrastructure that supports long-term innovation without compromising on data privacy or security. We’re committed to modernizing our systems to deliver better care, drive efficiency, and uphold the trust that patients place in us.”

    This year’s report revealed that healthcare leaders are adopting GenAI at record rates while concerns remain. The number one issue flagged by healthcare leaders is the ability to integrate it with existing IT infrastructure (79%) followed closely by the fact that healthcare data silos still exist (65%), and development challenges with cloud native applications and containers (59%) are persistent.

    “While healthcare has typically been slower to adopt new technologies, we’ve seen a significant uptick in the adoption of GenAI, much of this likely due to the ease of access to GenAI applications and tools,” said Scott Ragsdale, Senior Director, Sales – Healthcare & SLED at Nutanix. “Even with such large adoption rates by organizations, there continue to be concerns given the importance of protecting healthcare data. Although all organizations surveyed are using GenAI in some capacity, we’ll likely see more widespread adoption within those organizations as concerns around privacy and security are resolved.”

    Healthcare survey respondents were asked about GenAI adoptions and trends, Kubernetes and containers, how they’re running business and mission critical applications today, and where they plan to run them in the future. Key findings from this year’s report include:

    • GenAI solution adoption and deployment across healthcare will necessitate a more comprehensive approach to data security. Healthcare respondents indicate a significant amount of work needs to be done to improve the foundational levels of data security/governance required to support GenAI solution implementation and success. The No. 1 challenge faced by healthcare organizations when it comes to leveraging or expanding utilization of GenAI is privacy and security concerns of using large language models (LLMs) with sensitive company data. Furthermore, 96% of healthcare respondents agree that their organization could be doing more to secure their GenAI models and applications. Improving data security and governance at the scale needed to support emerging GenAI workloads will be a long-term challenge and priority for many healthcare organizations.
    • Prioritize infrastructure modernization to support GenAI at scale across healthcare organizations. Running modern applications at enterprise scale requires infrastructure solutions that can support the necessary requirements for complex data security, data integrity and resilience. Unfortunately, 99% of healthcare respondents admit they face challenges when scaling GenAI workloads from development to production – with the No. 1 issue being integration with existing IT infrastructure. For this reason, we believe it is imperative that healthcare IT decision-makers prioritize infrastructure investments and modernization as a key enabling component of GenAI initiatives.
    • GenAI solution adoption in the healthcare sector continues at a rapid pace, but there are still challenges to overcome. When it comes to GenAI adoption, healthcare metrics are excellent, with 99% of industry respondents saying their organization is leveraging GenAI applications/workloads today. Most healthcare organizations believe GenAI solutions will help improve levels of productivity, automation, and efficiency.
    • Meanwhile, real-world GenAI use cases across healthcare segments gravitate towards GenAI-based customer support and experience solutions (e.g., chatbots), and code generation and code co-pilots. However, healthcare organizations also note a range of challenges and potential hindrances regarding GenAI solution development and deployment, including patient data security and privacy, scalability, and complexity.
    • Application containerization and Kubernetes® deployments are expanding across the healthcare industry. Container-based infrastructure and application development has the potential to allow organizations to deliver seamless, secure access to patient and business data across hybrid and multicloud environments. Application containerization is pervasive across industry sectors and is set to expand in adoption across healthcare as well, with 99% of industry respondents saying their organization is at least in the process of containerizing applications.This trend may be driven by the fact that 92% of healthcare respondents agree their organization benefits from adopting cloud native applications/containers. These findings suggest that the majority of IT decision-makers in healthcare will be considering how containerization fits into expansion strategies for new and existing workloads.

    For the seventh consecutive year, Nutanix commissioned a global research study to learn about the state of global enterprise cloud deployments, application containerization trends, and GenAI application adoption. In the Fall of 2024, U.K. researcher Vanson Bourne surveyed 1,500 IT and DevOps/Platform Engineering decision-makers around the world. The respondent base spanned multiple industries, business sizes, and geographies, including North and South America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA); and Asia-Pacific-Japan (APJ) region.

    To learn more about the report and findings, please download the full Healthcare Nutanix Enterprise Cloud Index, here and read the blog here.

    About Nutanix
    Nutanix is a global leader in cloud software, offering organizations a single platform for running applications and managing data, anywhere. With Nutanix, companies can reduce complexity and simplify operations, freeing them to focus on their business outcomes. Building on its legacy as the pioneer of hyperconverged infrastructure, Nutanix is trusted by companies worldwide to power hybrid multicloud environments consistently, simply, and cost-effectively. Learn more at www.nutanix.com or follow us on social media @nutanix.

    © 2025 Nutanix, Inc. All rights reserved. Nutanix, the Nutanix logo, and all Nutanix product and service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks or unregistered trademarks of Nutanix, Inc. (“Nutanix”) in the United States and other countries. Other brand names or marks mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s). This press release is for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes a warranty or other binding commitment by Nutanix. This release may contain express and implied forward-looking statements, which are not historical facts and are instead based on Nutanix’s current expectations, estimates and beliefs. The accuracy of such statements involves risks and uncertainties and depends upon future events, including those that may be beyond Nutanix’s control, and actual results may differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied by such statements. Any forward-looking statements included herein speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, Nutanix assumes no obligation to update or otherwise revise any of such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: John Snow Labs Launches Martlet.ai, Setting New Standards for Risk Adjustment with Healthcare Large Language Models

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The first of several new spinoff companies, Martlet.ai reimagines how payers and providers approach HCC coding with an on-premise, secure, AI-based solution

    LEWES, Del., July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — John Snow Labs, the AI for healthcare company, today announced the launch of Martlet.ai, a healthcare AI company focused on redefining how payers and providers approach Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) Coding. Founded by engineers and payment experts from John Snow Labs, this is the first of several planned spinoff companies that will address specific, high-impact, healthcare industry challenges with AI.

    HCC coding plays a vital role in patient risk adjustment, directly influencing reimbursement structures and ensuring the financial sustainability of value-based care models. This is becoming even more crucial in light of the CMS Medicare Advantage rate hikes announced for 2026, which will further tie reimbursement to precise documentation and coding.

    Martlet.ai’s state-of-the-art HCC engine is the answer to this challenge. Co-founded by CTO Hasham Ul Haq and CRO Ritwik Jain, this venture was born from years of hands-on success delivering AI solutions to leading healthcare enterprises. Run fully behind the customers’ firewalls, models are trained directly on patient charts to deliver unmatched accuracy, auditability, and speed. Unlike general-purpose AI tools, Martlet.ai was built for clinical documentation, making it highly effective for powering coding workflows.

    West Virginia University (WVU) Medicine is already realizing the value of Martlet.ai to uncover missed HCC codes, improve risk adjustment factor (RAF) scoring, and streamline physician workflows. The implementation includes seamless two-way integration into the electronic health record (EHR) system with full compliance. As shared in their NLP Summit session “Maximizing Patient Care through AI-Enhanced HCC Code Discovery,” WVU experienced a notable increase in HCC code accuracy and a significant reduction in manual review time.

    “Martlet.ai gives healthcare organizations the power to take HCC coding into their own hands with a level of customization and compliance that is unmatched,” said David Talby, CEO, John Snow Labs. “The combination of state-of-the-art, healthcare-specific, proprietary medical language models, an optimized human-in-the-loop workflow, and enterprise-grade validation layers, Martel.ai was engineered by industry leaders to be compliant, effective, and production-ready from day one.”

    To learn more or schedule a demo, visit Martlet.ai.

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

    About Martlet.ai
    Martlet.ai is an AI platform created to automate Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) coding and streamline risk-adjustment workflows for high-compliance environments. Medicare Advantage and Medicaid MCOs, commercial insurers, ACOs, provider organizations, and revenue-cycle management (RCM) firms trust Martlet.ai for its secure, on-premise coding engine, ensuring accuracy, auditability, and transparency at every step. Made possible with domain-specific LLMs, Martlet.ai optimizes reimbursement while maintaining regulatory alignment.

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: John Snow Labs Launches Martlet.ai, Setting New Standards for Risk Adjustment with Healthcare Large Language Models

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The first of several new spinoff companies, Martlet.ai reimagines how payers and providers approach HCC coding with an on-premise, secure, AI-based solution

    LEWES, Del., July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — John Snow Labs, the AI for healthcare company, today announced the launch of Martlet.ai, a healthcare AI company focused on redefining how payers and providers approach Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) Coding. Founded by engineers and payment experts from John Snow Labs, this is the first of several planned spinoff companies that will address specific, high-impact, healthcare industry challenges with AI.

    HCC coding plays a vital role in patient risk adjustment, directly influencing reimbursement structures and ensuring the financial sustainability of value-based care models. This is becoming even more crucial in light of the CMS Medicare Advantage rate hikes announced for 2026, which will further tie reimbursement to precise documentation and coding.

    Martlet.ai’s state-of-the-art HCC engine is the answer to this challenge. Co-founded by CTO Hasham Ul Haq and CRO Ritwik Jain, this venture was born from years of hands-on success delivering AI solutions to leading healthcare enterprises. Run fully behind the customers’ firewalls, models are trained directly on patient charts to deliver unmatched accuracy, auditability, and speed. Unlike general-purpose AI tools, Martlet.ai was built for clinical documentation, making it highly effective for powering coding workflows.

    West Virginia University (WVU) Medicine is already realizing the value of Martlet.ai to uncover missed HCC codes, improve risk adjustment factor (RAF) scoring, and streamline physician workflows. The implementation includes seamless two-way integration into the electronic health record (EHR) system with full compliance. As shared in their NLP Summit session “Maximizing Patient Care through AI-Enhanced HCC Code Discovery,” WVU experienced a notable increase in HCC code accuracy and a significant reduction in manual review time.

    “Martlet.ai gives healthcare organizations the power to take HCC coding into their own hands with a level of customization and compliance that is unmatched,” said David Talby, CEO, John Snow Labs. “The combination of state-of-the-art, healthcare-specific, proprietary medical language models, an optimized human-in-the-loop workflow, and enterprise-grade validation layers, Martel.ai was engineered by industry leaders to be compliant, effective, and production-ready from day one.”

    To learn more or schedule a demo, visit Martlet.ai.

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

    About Martlet.ai
    Martlet.ai is an AI platform created to automate Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) coding and streamline risk-adjustment workflows for high-compliance environments. Medicare Advantage and Medicaid MCOs, commercial insurers, ACOs, provider organizations, and revenue-cycle management (RCM) firms trust Martlet.ai for its secure, on-premise coding engine, ensuring accuracy, auditability, and transparency at every step. Made possible with domain-specific LLMs, Martlet.ai optimizes reimbursement while maintaining regulatory alignment.

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Select Committee on Social Services Commends Provincial Departments for Progress on Implementation of Health Patient Registration System (HPRS)


    Download logo

    The Select Committee on Social Services received briefings last week from the Eastern Cape, Free State and Western Cape provincial departments of health on their implementation of the Health Patient Registration System (HPRS) and action plans to address the findings of the Auditor-General for the 2023/24 financial year.

    The Eastern Cape reported 98% progress in its implementation rate of the HPRS across its healthcare facilities in spite of the challenges the province faces particularly in rural areas where there is poor technological connectivity. The Eastern Cape MEC for Health who led the provincial health delegation, Ms Ntandokazi Capa said: “While we have made substantial progress, the reality is that our rural facilities struggle with connectivity, which affects service delivery.”

    The committee expressed concern over the impact of connectivity issues on data integrity, with members asking, the strategies that are in place to ensure that the collected data is accurate, especially when facilities are unable to connect to the system.

    The Free State provincial department of health reported a successful registration of 3.8 million patients on the provincial HPRS. The delegation highlighted areas in which there are challenges regarding the implementation of the HPRS. The areas included immovable asset register and financial governance.

    The Western Cape provincial health department told the committee about their IT capabilities and integration of the HPRS with existing systems. The province has been sending daily updates from its Patient Master Index to the national system since June 2020.

    The Acting Head of the Western Cape Provincial Department of Health, Dr Saadiq Karim told the committee that their IT infrastructure is among the most advanced in the country, allowing them to leverage data effectively for patient care. He highlighted the critical role of interoperability with national systems to ensure a seamless flow of information.

    The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Desery Fienies, said the engagement with the provinces highlighted encouraging achievements and challenges faced by the provinces. She called for more improvements in the work that the provincial departments of health reported. She said: “The implementation of HPRS is a significant step forward, but we must address the existing challenges to realise its full potential.”

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Peter Kyle’s speech at CityWeek 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    Peter Kyle’s speech at CityWeek 2025

    Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle, delivered a speech at the CityWeek 2025 on Tuesday 1 July 2025.

    Last week, I represented the British government on a trip to Singapore.

    I was there to celebrate 60 years of partnership between our 2 countries.

    And drum up investment into British technology.

    It was my first time in Singapore.

    And it struck me that it’s a place that has mastered the art of reinvention.

    From traditional fishing village to global financial centre.

    Small trading post to one of the most competitive economies in the world.

    An economy that, like ours, knows that the key to staying competitive is being squarely focussed on the future.

    It’s a similar idea that brings us together today.

    Because this is a sector that’s also defined by an ability to reinvent itself.

    Where centuries-old banks have had to rip up the playbook.

    To compete with nimble, digital-first firms.

    And where new technologies have made the way you work unrecognisable from how it once was.

    One of my first proper jobs was in a finance team.

    It was 1989, and I worked in the purchase ledger at The Body Shop – a hero of the British high street at the time.

    I matched goods that came in with invoices.

    And inputted all of that into an arcane mainframe computer.

    I’m sure quite a few of you will remember those days.

    And the change after change you’ve seen your institutions through since.

    Because before PIN codes, there was paper.

    Before blockchain, there were books of accounts that landed with a thud on the desk.

    Before cashless, there was ‘Cashier number 3 please’.

    These are changes that financial services firms have not just weathered, but pioneered.

    To keep this sector as the engine of economic growth it truly is.

    And to keep creating products that improve the lives of working people.

    Over the past few years, another change has rippled through the sector:

    AI has reshaped what’s possible.

    And there’s not a sector of our economy it will leave untouched.

    There’s a simple difference between this change and those that came before:

    Sheer speed.

    In past waves of transformation, industry and the state alike could afford to dip a toe in.

    To spend a few years seeing how the water feels.

    This time, we need to jump.

    Since joining government, I’ve been clear that the UK will not be swept along as others lead the AI revolution.

    We’ll shape that revolution here.

    6 months ago, we launched the AI Opportunities Action Plan.

    Setting out how the UK will seize the massive potential for economic growth that AI offers us.

    Growth that’s at the heart of our Plan for Change.

    Since that launch, we’ve opened up applications for areas in the UK to become AI Growth Zones – hotspots of AI infrastructure and investment.

    And had over 200 responses.

    The full weight of government is behind the plan.

    With the Chancellor announcing £2 billion to deliver it, as part of the Spending Review.

    And a Modern Industrial Strategy that doubles down on our commitment to AI…

    …as one of the 6 frontier technologies our digital and tech sector plan focusses on.

    Crucial to that plan is adoption.

    Because talking about the power of AI to grow the economy is all well and good.

    But unless companies use it, that growth only exists in theory.

    Not in practice.

    Financial services is at the front of the pack here.

    Around 3 quarters of firms surveyed by the Bank of England the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) already use AI.

    That’s the 3rd highest rate of adoption across the economy.

    That doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.

    The UK led the world in open banking.

    We led the world in near-instant digital payments.

    And our reputation in fintech is second-to-none.

    The most valuable private tech company in Europe is Revolut, a British fintech.

    Our fintech crown is one I’m infinitely proud of.

    If we’re to hold on to it, you need a government that continues to back you.

    That doesn’t just call for you to keep exploring new technologies.

    But actively enables you to do it.

    When I talk to firms about adoption, they tell me about 2 barriers more than any other.

    A lack of skills.

    And finding their way through a web of complex regulation.

    On skills, we’re partnering with 11 major tech companies to train 7.5 million workers in the UK with essential AI skills by the end of this decade.

    So that a lack of expertise will never put a ceiling on what you can do.

    Regulation shouldn’t be that ceiling, either.

    In her Mansion House speech last year, the Chancellor set out a vision:

    For a regulatory environment that cares about managing the burden we put on businesses.

    Since then, she’s launched a radical action plan on regulation to kickstart growth.

    My part in that is making sure we ease the burden on businesses when it comes to adopting emerging tech.

    About 9 months ago, I launched the Regulatory Innovation Office.

    A dedicated unit to curb red tape.

    And get game-changing tech into the public’s hands quickly and safely.

    It’s already delivered results.

    Apian, a British start-up founded by NHS doctors, is now freed up to use drones to take blood samples from Guy’s Hospital in London Bridge, over to a lab in St. Thomas’ for testing.

    Before the NHS had the okay to work with them, those samples were carted over in vans.

    The journey took around half an hour.

    More if they were snarled up in traffic.

    After support from Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), each delivery now takes just 2 minutes.

    Beds are freed up faster.

    NHS waiting lists go down.

    And a crucial difference is made for patients where every second counts.

    Thanks to RIO’s close work with regulators, companies have made advances like these in fields like space or engineering biology, too.

    But I want more sectors to benefit from the breath of fresh air it offers.

    Instead of being stifled by a blanket of bureaucracy.

    So, today, I can announce that RIO is joining forces with digital regulators.

    To consolidate a labyrinth of regulation, and make it easier for innovators to bring AI products to market quickly and easily.

    This marks a significant boost for fintechs.

    Right now, your efforts to use emerging tech can get mired in a lack of clarity.

    Because there’s no single port of call on what you can do with AI.

    You’re left going from regulator to regulator, picking your way through different sets of rules.

    For start-ups and scale-ups without big legal teams, that’s nigh-on impossible to navigate.

    And for bigger banks and firms, it’s days of productivity sunk.

    Now, RIO is teaming up to the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF).

    To bring all of that guidance together into a one-stop shop.

    A digital library that lets you quickly search for answers.

    These are changes that firms of all shapes and sizes can take advantage of.

    Up-and-coming fintechs to household-name banks will go from idea to impact faster:

    Using AI to spot credit card fraud hours before humans can alone.

    To get instant answers to your customers.

    To analyse stocks, so people can get more out of their investments.

    We’re clearing the path for you to harness AI to stay ahead of the game.

    And to make people’s lives fundamentally better.

    Because I know this is a sector that will keep reinventing itself.

    Just as I know that AI will continue to bring profound, positive change to the UK.

    With the right backing on adoption…

    Access to skills…

    And clarity on regulation…

    We’ll make sure that this isn’t just a change that fintechs and banks are part of.

    But a change that you lead.

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein’s Task Force on Child Care and Early Education Release Report Proposing Initial Solutions to Child Care Crisis

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Stein’s Task Force on Child Care and Early Education Release Report Proposing Initial Solutions to Child Care Crisis

    Governor Stein’s Task Force on Child Care and Early Education Release Report Proposing Initial Solutions to Child Care Crisis
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today Governor Josh Stein announced that the North Carolina Task Force on Child Care and Early Education co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt and Senator Jim Burgin released its interim report outlining six recommendations to make high-quality child care more accessible, affordable, and sustainable in North Carolina.

    “Investing in child care benefits everyone. When children grow up in a supportive and nurturing environment, it sets them on the trajectory to thrive as adults,” said Governor Josh Stein. “We must come together to make child care more accessible and affordable so that we can secure a brighter future for North Carolina’s children.” 

    “North Carolina families are struggling to find quality child care while centers are closing their doors, making it harder for children to get the education they need and for parents to go to work without worry,” said Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt. “This Task Force has brought together industry leaders and community partners to find real solutions. While our work will continue, I believe this report lays out a path forward to make child care more accessible and affordable.”

    “Child care is a business issue, a talent issue, and a health issue that must be addressed to maintain our competitiveness and to increase statewide prosperity,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “Public-private solutions, like Commerce’s Child Care Business Liaison position, supported by the NC Department of Health and Human Services and Invest Early NC, are a critical piece of this puzzle and increase capacity for identifying collaborative solutions to addressing the multifaceted child care challenges in North Carolina.”

    “Child care is the most important issue facing young families. In reality, many families start tackling this issue before conception,” said Senator Jim Burgin. “This task force has looked at all aspects of child care and early education and explored many possible solutions. I am grateful for Lt. Gov. Hunt and the task force as they work to support the well-being of the children of North Carolina. I would also like to thank Gov. Stein for placing importance on this topic.”

    North Carolina’s child care system faces significant challenges associated with recruitment and retention of early childhood education professionals, and in turn availability and affordability of care. The average cost of infant care in North Carolina is more expensive than the cost of in-state college tuition. As such, many parents with young children are making difficult decisions to leave the workforce due to lack of care, costing the state over $5.65 billion in additional economic output in 2023.

    The interim report outlines findings and six recommendations developed by Task Force members to explore the key factors impacting North Carolina’s child care landscape. 

    TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS

    1. Set a statewide child care subsidy reimbursement rate floor
    2. Develop approaches to offer non-salary benefits for child care professionals
    3. Explore partnerships with the UNC system, community colleges, and K-12 schools to increase access to child care for public employees and students at public institutions
    4. Explore subsidized or free child care for child care teachers
    5. Link existing workforce compensation and support programs for early childhood professionals
    6. Explore the creation of a child care endowment

    A brief summary of each recommendation can be found below. 

    Set a Statewide Child Care Subsidy Reimbursement Rate Floor

    Child care subsidies reimburse child care providers for services they deliver to low-income families, helping low-income parents stay in the workforce, and strengthening our economy. A statewide floor for child care subsidy reimbursement rates would set a minimum subsidy rate in North Carolina, ensuring child care programs across all 100 counties receive a minimum child care subsidy reimbursement to help sustain child care programs that are currently struggling to break even. 

    Develop Approaches to Offer Non-Salary Benefits for Child Care Professionals 

    Many child care providers are unable to offer non-salary benefits, such as health insurance or retirement, which makes it challenging to recruit and retain early childhood education professionals. The Task Force will explore whether early childhood professionals could be made eligible for non-salary benefits, such as the North Carolina State Health Plan, or offered other non-salary benefits like paid leave, loan forgiveness, and mental health support.  

    Explore Partnerships with UNC System, Community Colleges and K-12 School Systems to Increase Access to Child Care for Public Employees and Students 

    The Task Force will explore options for increasing access to child care for public employees, including supporting subsidized child care for public sector employees. These partnerships could increase access to child care and support training for prospective child care employees by setting up child care centers on school and community college campuses. 

    Explore Subsidized or Free Child Care for Early Childhood Educators 

    Child care as an employer benefit is a significant talent recruitment and retention tool across industries and could be particularly valuable to help grow and sustain the child care workforce. The Task Force will explore how child care workers could be made eligible for child care subsidies.

    Link Existing Workforce Compensation and Support Programs for Early Childhood Professionals 

    The Task Force will explore how current workforce training and compensation support programs for early childhood education professionals could be improved by expanding them statewide and linking programs sequentially along a career pathway. North Carolina currently has several programs aimed at improving recruitment and retention, including the Child Care WAGE$ Program, the Teach North Carolina Early Childhood Scholarship Program, the Building Bright Futures program, Child Care Academies, and the Family Child Care Home Pilot Program. 

    Explore the Creation of a Child Care Endowment 

    A child care endowment leverages public and/or private dollars to set up an investment fund, the annual interest of which can be used for state child care needs. The Task Force will explore how a child care endowment could help address the current child care crisis in North Carolina by providing an ongoing source of supplemental child care funding for the state and maximizing child care funding through investment from private companies, philanthropy, and communities in partnership with the state.

    In coming months, the Task Force will dive deeper into the recommendations outlined in this report, and work groups will examine additional challenges, opportunities, and innovations affecting our state’s child care and early education landscape. The Task Force will also produce an additional report and set of recommendations to submit to Governor Stein by the end of December 2025. 

    Members of the North Carolina Task Force on Child Care and Early Education include:

    • Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt, State of North Carolina, Co-Chair
    • Senator Jim Burgin, NC General Assembly, Co-Chair
    • Senator Jay Chaudhuri, NC General Assembly
    • Ashton Clemmons, Associate Vice President of P12 Strategy & Policy, University of North Carolina System
    • Representative Sarah Crawford, NC General Assembly
    • Amy Cubbage, President, NC Partnership for Children
    • Senator Ralph Hise, NC General Assembly
    • Lori Jones-Ruff, Regional Programs Manager, Southwestern Child Development Commission, Inc.
    • Michelle Logan, Vice President & General Manager of Drug Product, North America, Thermo Fisher
    • Amar Majmundar, Policy Director, NC Office of State Human Resources
    • Beth Messersmith, NC Senior Director, Moms Rising
    • Dr. Mary Olvera, State Director of Teacher Education, Public Services, and Perkins Special Populations, NC Community College System
    • Ellen Pancoast, Vice President of People Operations, Cone Health
    • Susan Gale Perry, Chief Executive Officer, Child Care Aware of America
    • Rhonda Rivers, Chair, NC Child Care Commission
    • Dan Rockaway, President, NC Licensed Child Care Association
    • Gary Salamido, President & CEO, NC Chamber
    • Meka Sales, Director of Special Initiatives, The Duke Endowment
    • Erica Palmer Smith, Executive Director, NC Child
    • Theresa Stacker, Executive Director, NC Early Childhood Foundation
    • Noelle Talley, Deputy Secretary for Advocacy, NC Department of Administration
    • Dan Tetreault, Assistant Director of Early Learning, NC Department of Public Instruction
    • Representative David Willis, NC General Assembly
    • Mary Elizabeth Wilson, Chief of Staff & General Counsel, NC Department of Commerce
    • Candace Witherspoon, Director, Division of Child Development and Early Education, NC Department of Health and Human Services

    Read Governor Stein’s executive order establishing the Task Force on Child Care and Early Education here.

    Read the Task Force’s full report here.

    Learn more about the Task Force here.

    Jul 1, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Sagtec Global (NASDAQ: SAGT) Accelerates Middle East Expansion with US$10 Million Smart Hospitality Tech Deal in UAE

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sagtec Global Limited (NASDAQ: SAGT) (“Sagtec” or the “Company”), a leading provider of customizable enterprise software solutions, today announced the signing of a US$10 million smart hospitality technology agreement with SMD Tech – FZCO, a UAE-based digital infrastructure firm. This major win represents a pivotal step in Sagtec’s expansion strategy across the Middle East and its entry into the high-growth hotel automation segment.

    Under the terms of the deal, Sagtec will develop and manage a next-generation Hotel Self Check-In/Out System across premium hospitality properties in the UAE. The project includes software licensing, systems integration, data analytics, and long-term service and maintenance, delivering an end-to-end solution that supports the region’s push toward smart tourism and contactless guest experiences.

    Contract Breakdown:

    • US$4 million – Licensing and custom software development
    • US$3 million – Five-year service and maintenance agreement
    • US$3 million – Five-year data hosting and analytics contract

    Over 60% of The Contract Value Represents Multi-Year Recurring Revenue Streams

    This latest development builds upon Sagtec’s May 2025 announcement of a US$30 million revenue pipeline stemming from the exclusive distribution of its Speed+ Smart Ordering System. The UAE partnership diversifies Sagtec’s SaaS verticals beyond Food & Beverage into the rapidly growing hospitality tech domain.

    “This strategic collaboration with SMD Tech not only affirms confidence in Sagtec’s innovation capabilities but also unlocks new market opportunities in one of the fastest-growing tourism economies in the world,” said Kevin Ng, Chairman, Executive Director, and Chief Executive Officer of Sagtec. “As the hospitality industry undergoes digital transformation, our tailored solutions are set to redefine how hotels operate and engage guests.”

    Sagtec’s comprehensive solution suite will include:

    • Integrated hotel check-in/out automation
    • Unified integration platform for backend operations
    • Automated room key card dispensing systems
    • CRM and POS modules optimized for hotel environments
    • Custom-built self check-in kiosks
    • Self Check-In Machine Operational Readiness Platform (ORP)

    Capitalizing on UAE’s Smart Hospitality Growth

    The UAE’s hospitality sector is undergoing a major digital transformation, fueled by government smart city initiatives, a post-pandemic travel rebound, and growing demand for seamless guest experiences. According to IMARC Group, the UAE hospitality market is expected to reach US$37.7 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2025 onwards.

    Sagtec’s latest offering is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth, addressing operational efficiency and customer experience simultaneously—key priorities for premium hospitality operators in the region.

    About Sagtec Global Limited

    Sagtec is a leading provider of customizable software solutions, primarily serving the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector. The Company also offers software development, data management, and social media management to enhance operational efficiency across various industries. Additionally, Sagtec operates power-bank charging stations at 300 locations across Malaysia through its subsidiary, CL Technology (International) Sdn Bhd.

    For more information on the Company, please log on to https://www.sagtec-global.com/.

    About SMD Tech – FZCO

    SMD Tech – FZCO is a technology-focused enterprise based in the United Arab Emirates, specializing in digital infrastructure, IoT solutions, and enterprise transformation. With a mission to empower businesses through innovative software and hardware integration, SMD Tech delivers cutting-edge solutions tailored to the region’s fast-evolving digital ecosystem. The company is committed to driving operational excellence and future-ready growth for its clients.

    Contact Information:

    Sagtec Global Limited Contact:
    Ng Chen Lok
    Chairman, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer
    Phone: +6011-6217 3661
    Email: info@sagtec-global.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Invasive carp threaten the Great Lakes − and reveal a surprising twist in national politics

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Mike Shriberg, Professor of Practice & Engagement, School for Environment & Sustainability, University of Michigan

    Invasive Asian carp are spreading up the Mississippi River system and already clog the Illinois River. AP Photo/John Flesher

    In his second term, President Donald Trump has not taken many actions that draw near-universal praise from across the political spectrum. But there is at least one of these political anomalies, and it illustrates the broad appeal of environmental protection and conservation projects – particularly when it concerns an ecosystem of vital importance to millions of Americans.

    In May 2025, Trump issued a presidential memorandum supporting the construction of a physical barrier that is key to keeping invasive carp out of the Great Lakes. These fish have made their way up the Mississippi River system and could have dire ecological consequences if they enter the Great Lakes.

    It was not a given that Trump would back this project, which had long been supported by environmental and conservation organizations. But two very different strategies from two Democratic governors – both potential presidential candidates in 2028 – reflected the importance of the Great Lakes to America.

    As a water policy and politics scholar focused on the Great Lakes, I see this development not only as an environmental and conservation milestone, but also a potential pathway for more political unity in the U.S.

    A feared invasion

    Perhaps nothing alarms Great Lakes ecologists more than the potential for invasive carp from Asia to establish a breeding population in the Great Lakes. These fish were intentionally introduced in the U.S. Southeast by private fish farm and wastewater treatment operators as a means to control algae in aquaculture and sewage treatment ponds. Sometime in the 1990s, the fish escaped from those ponds and moved rapidly up the Mississippi River system, including into the Illinois River, which connects to the Great Lakes.

    Sometimes said to “breed like mosquitoes and eat like hogs,” these fish can consume up to 40% of their body weight each day, outcompeting many native species and literally sucking up other species and food sources.

    Studies of Lake Erie, for example, predict that if the carp enter and thrive, they could make up approximately one-third of the fish biomass of the entire lake within 20 years, replacing popular sportfishing species such as walleye and other ecologically and economically important species.

    Invasive carp are generally not eaten in the U.S. and are not desirable for sportfishing. In fact, silver carp have a propensity to jump up to 10 feet out of the water when startled by a boat motor. That can make parts of the Illinois River, which is packed with the invasive fish, almost impossible to fish or even maneuver a boat.

    Look out! Silver carp fly out of the water, obstructing boats and hitting people trying to enjoy a river in Indiana.

    The Brandon Road Lock and Dam solution

    Originally, the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River were not connected to each other. But in 1900, the city of Chicago connected them to avoid sending its sewage into Lake Michigan, from which the city draws its drinking water.

    The most complete way to block the carp from invading the Great Lakes would be to undo that connection – but that would recreate sewage and flooding issues for Chicago, or require other expensive infrastructure upgrades. The more practical, short-term alternative is to modify the historic Brandon Road Lock and Dam in Joliet, Illinois, by adding several obstacles that together would block the carp from swimming farther upriver toward the Great Lakes.

    The barrier, estimated to cost US$1.15 billion, was authorized by Congress in 2020 and 2022 after many years of intense planning and negotiations. For the first phase of construction, the project received $226 million in federal money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to complement $114 million in state funding – $64 million from Michigan and $50 million from Illinois.

    On the first day of Trump’s second term, however, he paused a wide swath of federal funding, including funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. And that’s when two different political strategies emerged.

    A brief documentary explains the construction of a connection between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River basin.

    Pritzker vs. Whitmer vs. Trump

    Illinois, a state that has voted for the Democratic candidate in every presidential election since 1992, has the most financially at stake in the Brandon Road project because the project requires the state to acquire land and operate the barrier. When Trump issued his order, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, postponed the purchase of a key piece of land, blaming the “Trump Administration’s lack of clarity and commitment” to the project. Pritzker essentially dared Trump to be the reason for the collapse of the Great Lakes ecosystem and fisheries.

    Another Democrat, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, a swing state with the most at stake economically and ecologically if these carp species enter the Great Lakes, took a very different approach. She went to the White House to talk with Trump about invasive carp and other issues. She defended her nonconfrontational approach to critics, though she also hid her face from cameras when Trump surprised her with an Oval Office press conference. When Trump visited Michigan, she stood beside him as they praised each other.

    When Trump released the federal funding in early May, Pritzker kept up his adversarial language, saying he was “glad that the Trump administration heard our calls … and decided to finally meet their obligation.” Whitmer stayed more conciliatory, calling the funding decision a “huge win that will protect our Great Lakes and secure our economy.” She said she was “grateful to the president for his commitment.”

    Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer greets President Donald Trump as he arrives in her state in late April 2025.
    AP Photo/Alex Brandon

    Why unity on carp?

    Whether coordinated or not, the net result of Pritzker’s and Whitmer’s actions drew praise from both sides of the aisle but was little noticed nationally.

    Trump’s support for the project was a rare moment of political unity and an extremely unusual example of leading Democrats being on the same page as Trump. I attribute this surprising outcome to two key factors.

    First, the Great Lakes region holds disproportionate power in presidential elections. Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania have backed the eventual winner in every presidential race for the past 20 years. This swing state power has been used by advocates and state political leaders to drive funding for Great Lakes protection for many years.

    Second, Great Lakes are the uniting force in the region. According to polling from the International Joint Commission, the binational body charged with overseeing waterways that cross the U.S.-Canada border, there is “nearly unanimous support (96%) for the importance of government investment in Great Lakes protections” from residents of the region.

    There aren’t any other issues with such high voter resonance, so politicians want to be sure Great Lakes voters are happy. For example, Vice President JD Vance has been particularly vocal about the Great Lakes. And Great Lakes restoration funding was one of the few things in the presidential budget that Democrats and Republicans agreed on.

    Both Pritzker and Whitmer likely had state-based and national motivations in mind and big aspirations at stake.

    Their combined effort has put the project back on track: As of May 12, 2025, Pritzker authorized Illinois to sign the land-purchase agreement he had paused back in February.

    And perhaps the governors have identified a new area for unity in a divided United States: Conservation and environmental issues have broad public support, particularly when they involve iconic natural resources, shared values and popular outdoor pursuits such as fishing and boating. Even when political strategies diverge, the results can bring bipartisan satisfaction.

    Mike Shriberg was previously the Great Lakes Regional Executive Director of the National Wildlife Federation, which entailed being a co-chair (and, for part of the time, Director) of the Healing Our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition.

    – ref. Invasive carp threaten the Great Lakes − and reveal a surprising twist in national politics – https://theconversation.com/invasive-carp-threaten-the-great-lakes-and-reveal-a-surprising-twist-in-national-politics-257707

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Keeping brain-dead pregnant women on life support raises ethical issues that go beyond abortion politics

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Lindsey Breitwieser, Assistant Professor of Gender & Women’s Studies, Hollins University

    Laws such as Georgia’s LIFE Act can complicate ethical and legal decision-making in postmortem pregnancy.
     Darya Komarova/Moment via Getty Images

    Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old woman from Georgia who had been declared brain-dead in February 2025, spent 16 weeks on life support while doctors worked to keep her body functioning well enough to support her developing fetus. On June 13, 2025, her premature baby, named Chance, was born via cesarean section at 25 weeks.

    Smith was nine weeks pregnant when she suffered multiple blood clots in her brain. Her story gained public attention when her mother criticized doctors’ decision to keep her on a ventilator without the family’s consent. Smith’s mother has said that doctors told the family the decision was made to align with Georgia’s LIFE Act, which bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy and bolsters the legal standing of fetal personhood. A statement released by the hospital also cites Georgia’s abortion law.

    “I’m not saying we would have chosen to terminate her pregnancy,” Smith’s mother told a local television station. “But I’m saying we should have had a choice.”

    The LIFE Act is one of several state laws that have passed across the U.S. since the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson decision invalidated constitutional protections for abortion. Although Georgia’s attorney general denied that the LIFE Act applied to Smith, there’s little doubt that it invites ethical and legal uncertainty when a woman dies while pregnant.

    Smith’s case has swiftly become the focus of a reproductive rights political firestorm characterized by two opposing viewpoints. For some, it reflects demeaning governmental overreach that quashes women’s bodily autonomy. For others it illustrates the righteous sacrifice of motherhood.

    In my work as a gender and technology studies scholar, I have cataloged and studied postmortem pregnancies like Smith’s since 2016. In my view, Smith’s story doesn’t fit straightforwardly into abortion politics. Instead, it points to the need for a more nuanced ethical approach that does not frame a mother and child as adversaries in a medical, legal or political context.

    Birth after death

    For centuries, Catholic dogma and Western legal precedent have mandated immediate cesarean section when a pregnant woman died after quickening, the point when fetal movement becomes discernible. But technological advances now make it possible sometimes for a fetus to continue gestating in place when the mother is brain-dead, or “dead by neurological criteria”– a widely accepted definition of death that first emerged in the 1950s.

    The first brain death during pregnancy in which the fetus was delivered after time on life support, more accurately called organ support, occurred in 1981. The process is extraordinarily intensive and invasive, because the loss of brain function impedes many physiological processes. Health teams, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, must stabilize the bodies of “functionally decapitated” pregnant women to buy more time for fetal development. This requires vital organ support, ventilation, nutritional supplements, antibiotics and constant monitoring. Outcomes are highly uncertain.

    Adriana Smith’s baby was delivered by cesarian section on June 13, 2025.

    Smith’s 112-day stint on organ support ranks third in length for a postmortem pregnancy, with the longest being 123 days. Hers is also the earliest ever gestational age from which the procedure has been attempted. Because time on organ support can vary widely, and because there is no established minimum fetal age considered too early to intervene, a fetus could theoretically be deemed viable at any point in pregnancy.

    Postmortem pregnancy as gender-based violence

    Over the past 50 years, critics of postmortem pregnancy have argued that it constitutes gender-based violence and violates bodily integrity in ways that organ donation does not. Some have compared it with Nazi pronatalist policies. Others have attributed the practice to systemic sexism and racism in medicine. Postmortem pregnancy can also compound intimate partner violence by giving brain-dead women’s murderers decision-making authority when they are the fetus’s next of kin.

    Fetal personhood laws complicate end-of-life decision-making in ways that many consider violent too. As I have seen in my own research, when the fetus is considered a legal person, women’s wishes may be assumed, debated in court or committee, or set aside entirely, nearly always in favor of the fetus.

    From the perspective of reproductive rights advocates, postmortem pregnancy is the bottom of a slippery slope down which anti-abortion sentiment has led America. It obliterates women’s autonomy, pitting living and dead women against doctors, legislators and sometimes their own families, and weaponizing their own fetuses against them.

    A medical perspective on rights

    Viewed through a medical lens, however, postmortem pregnancy is not violent or violating, but an act of repair. Although care teams have responsibilities to both mother and fetus, a pregnant woman’s brain death means she cannot be physically harmed and her rights cannot be violated to the same degree as a fetus with the potential for life.

    Medical practitioners are conditioned to prioritize life over death, motivating a commitment to salvage something from a tragedy and try to partially restore a family. The high-stakes world of emergency medicine makes protecting life reflexive and medical interventions automatic. Once fetal life is detected, as one hospital spokesperson put it in a 1976 news article in The Boston Globe, “What else could you do?”

    This response does not necessarily stem from conscious sexism or anti-abortion sentiment, but from reverence for vulnerable patients. If physicians declare a pregnant woman brain-dead, patienthood often automatically transfers to the fetus needing rescue. No matter its age and despite its survival being dependent on machines, just like its mother, the fetus is entirely animate. Who or what counts as a legal person with privileges and protections might be a political or philosophical determination, but life is a matter of biological fact and within the doctors’ purview.

    The first baby born from a postmortem pregnancy was delivered in 1981.
    Emmanuel Faure/The Image Bank via Getty Images

    An ethics of anti-opposition

    Both of the above perspectives have validity, but neither accounts for postmortem pregnancy’s ethical and biological complexity.

    First, setting mother against fetus, with the rights of one endangering the rights of the other, does not match pregnancy’s lived reality of “two bodies, sutured,” as the cultural scholar Lauren Berlant put it.

    Even the Supreme Court recognized this entangled duality in their 1973 ruling on Roe v. Wade, which established both constitutional protections for abortion and a governmental obligation to protect fetal life. Whether a fetus is considered a legal person or not, they wrote, pregnant women and fetuses “cannot be isolated in their privacy” – meaning that reproductive rights issues must strike a balance, however tenuous, between maternal and fetal interests. To declare postmortem pregnancy unequivocally violent or a loss of the “right to choose” fails to recognize the complexity of choice in a highly politicized medical landscape.

    Second, maternal-fetal competition muddles the right course of action. In the U.S., competent patients are not compelled to engage in medical care they would rather avoid, even if it kills them, or to stay on life support to preserve organs for donation. But when a fetus is treated as an independent patient, exceptions could be made to those medical standards if the fetus’s interests override the mother’s.

    For example, pregnancy disrupts standard determination of death. To protect the fetus, care teams increasingly skip a necessary diagnostic for brain death called apnea testing, which involves momentarily removing the ventilator to test the respiratory centers of the brain stem. In these cases, maternal brain death cannot be confirmed until after delivery. Multiple instances of vaginal deliveries after brain death also remain unexplained, given that the brain coordinates mechanisms of vaginal labor. All in all, it’s not always clear women in these cases are entirely dead.

    Ultimately, women like Adriana Smith and their fetuses are inseparable and persist in a technologically defined state of in-betweenness. I’d argue that postmortem pregnancies, therefore, need new bioethical standards that center women’s beliefs about their bodies and a dignified death. This might involve recognizing pregnancy’s unique ambiguities in advance directives, questioning default treatment pathways that may require harm be done to one in order to save another, or considering multiple definitions of clinical and legal death.

    In my view, it is possible to adapt our ethical standards in a way that honors all beings in these exceptional circumstances, without privileging either “choice” or “life,” mother or fetus.

    This research was supported by a grant from The Institute for Citizens and Scholars.

    – ref. Keeping brain-dead pregnant women on life support raises ethical issues that go beyond abortion politics – https://theconversation.com/keeping-brain-dead-pregnant-women-on-life-support-raises-ethical-issues-that-go-beyond-abortion-politics-258457

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Free Community College for In-Demand Fields

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today launched New York’s free community college program for SUNY and CUNY students as part of her fight to lower costs for New Yorkers and make education more affordable. Starting this fall through SUNY and CUNY Reconnect, New York State will cover tuition, fees, books and supplies for community college students ages 25-55 pursuing select associate degrees in high-demand occupations.

    “The cost of pursuing a degree should never be a barrier for New Yorkers — that’s why we’re opening the doors of opportunity at SUNY and CUNY so that students can achieve their dreams,” Governor Hochul said. “I’m fighting to make education more affordable and accessible, and the Reconnect program will continue to pave the way forward for students as they enter our State’s future workforce.”

    As part of Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State address, free community college for adults in high-demand fields builds on her legacy of ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to a world-class and affordable education.

    For the four million working-age adults in New York who do not already have a college degree or credential, the free community college program for adult students provides a valuable education at SUNY and CUNY campuses, with tuition, fees, books and supplies all covered after applicable financial aid. In addition, eligible students will have access to advising and support.

    New York State has stepped up as a national leader in many emerging industries such as semiconductor and advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and AI. As a result of these investments, many of the new jobs available in New York will require workers with a degree or credential to fill these specialized positions. The SUNY and CUNY Reconnect programs will help connect eligible New Yorkers to these job opportunities.

    In order to be eligible for the program, students will enroll in high-demand fields including:

    • Advanced manufacturing
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cybersecurity
    • Engineering
    • Technology
    • Nursing and allied health fields
    • Green and renewable energy
    • Pathways to teaching in shortage areas

    In order to ensure that students have the tools they need to succeed, the program includes funding for SUNY and CUNY to support retention through wrap-around supports such as academic advising and student success coaching. In addition, it also includes funding to support marketing for effective outreach for the program.

    SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “The Governor’s free community college initiative will help empower eligible New Yorkers to achieve their full potential and move our state economy forward. By implementing SUNY Reconnect, campuses throughout New York have already seen promising interest and enthusiasm from adult learner students ready to seize this opportunity. We appreciate the strong support from Governor Hochul and the State Legislature to ensure New Yorkers receive the world-class education and job training opportunities they deserve, on the path to upward mobility and career advancement.”

    CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, “Talent is abundant across our city—but access to opportunity must be intentional and inclusive. I’m grateful to Gov. Hochul and the state legislature for addressing this challenge by removing financial barriers for eligible adults to earn associate degrees in high-demand fields at CUNY’s community colleges.”

    State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said, “Everyone’s educational journey is different. Sometimes the path has hurdles and challenges. This initiative will enable students between the ages of 25 to 55 to complete their journey. It also expands workforce development in high demand fields. As a result, everyone benefits.”

    State Senator Sean Ryan said, “SUNY Reconnect is a creative way to promote economic development while empowering more New Yorkers to pursue careers in fields with plenty of stable, good-paying jobs. This program builds on our public universities’ history of helping build New York’s middle class and will create the highly skilled workforce needed to position New York as a leader in emerging industries.”

    Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “Developing a workforce in these high demand fields is an essential part of the equation when it comes to driving New York’s advanced manufacturing and semiconductor industries forward. By providing sweeping supports for adult students, this program has the potential to change lives. It removes economic barriers and makes these specialized positions accessible to those aspiring to start a career. It not only empowers SUNY and CUNY students to realize their potential, but it also helps construct a future-ready workforce that will support New York’s emerging economic leadership in a technology-driven world.”

    Assemblymember Michaelle Solages said, “For far too long, the cost of higher education has blocked working-class New Yorkers from reaching their full potential. That is why the free SUNY and CUNY community college program is so transformative. It will not only prepare New Yorkers for high-demand careers but also attract new employers and fuel economic growth across the state. I fully support this initiative and look forward to seeing it change lives, strengthen families, and build a more inclusive and resilient New York.”

    Assemblymember Chantel Jackson said, “This is a game-changer for New Yorkers who thought higher education was out of reach. By removing financial barriers and investing in our adult learners, Governor Hochul is helping to build a stronger, more inclusive workforce. I’m proud to support the SUNY and CUNY Reconnect initiative, which will open doors for thousands of students across our state and create real pathways to economic mobility.”

    New York City Council Member Eric Dinowitz said, “While our federal government continues to divest from the people and institutions that make our country thrive, Governor Hochul is showing what real leadership looks like—making smart, meaningful investments in New York’s future. This bold initiative removes financial barriers for thousands of adult learners, connects them to high-demand careers, and strengthens our workforce in critical sectors, creating a stronger New York. As a proud CUNY and SUNY graduate and chair of the NYC City Council’s Committee on Higher Education, I applaud the Governor for expanding access to opportunity and continuing to build pathways to economic mobility for working New Yorkers.”

    Governor Hochul’s program will significantly expand the reach and impact of CUNY Reconnect, which launched in 2022. As of fall 2024, CUNY Reconnect has supported over 40,000 New Yorkers in their efforts to return to college. Drawing from the proven strategies of outreach, re-enrollment and support services that made Reconnect successful, the governor’s program expands this work by providing tuition-free pathways specifically aligned with labor market needs.

    SUNY Reconnect, launching in fall 2025, will help empower New Yorkers and serve as a powerful engine of upward mobility for hard-working adults. Through SUNY Reconnect, community colleges will hold information sessions this summer to assist all who are interested in eligible degree programs. Information can also be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UKSPF programmes to help Prestonians

    Source: City of Preston

    1 July 2025

    Activities to help and support Prestonians across a range of programmes is being funded via UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

    The Government announced in December 2024 there would be £900m available across the UK as transitional funding for an extra year of activities for 2025/26 after the 2022/2025 funding programme closed.

    Our goal is to deliver a wide-reaching and impactful programme of activities that will build pride of place in Preston and increase life chances in the city, in line with the overall goals of the UKSPF. This will be delivered via three investment priorities, as defined by Government:

    1. Communities and Place
    2. Supporting local business
    3. People and skills

    Councillor Matthew Brown, Leader at Preston City Council, said:

    “Thanks to UKSPF funding, we’ve equipped people and local businesses across Preston with essential support and skills that have a huge impact on all our communities.

    “This extra funding will enable us to invest in the future of the city despite other financial challenges the Council faces.

    “It’s about giving people the tools they need to succeed, building a fairer and more democratic Preston economy, and revitalising our communities to build a more inclusive, connected, and resilient Preston for the future.”

    More information

    A table of 2025/26 programme activity for Preston is provided at the end of this article.

    • The fund aims to support local communities and businesses across the UK, and will contribute to the delivery of the government’s Five Missions:
    • Mission 1 (M1): Kickstart economic growth  
    • Mission 2 (M2): Make Britain a clean energy superpower 
    • Mission 3 (M3): Take back our streets 
    • Mission 4 (M4): Break down barriers to opportunity 
    • Mission 5 (M5): Build an NHS fit for the future

    About UKSPF

    The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a fund allocated by the UK Government and managed by local authorities in partnership with local stakeholders.

    Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) was awarded a total of £21,748,007 for 2025/6 enabling projects and initiatives to continue for another year across the county. Preston City Council’s allocation was £2,462,651.

    UKSPF programme 2025/26 under revised themes and sub-themes

    Priority 1 – Communities and Place

    Sub-theme – Health and Wellbeing Programme and Inclusivity

    1. Community Programme, including:

    • Volunteering and community grants
    • Youth Strategy
    • Sport
    • Tree planting
    • Digital Connectivity

    Sub-theme – Development of visitor economy

    2. City Events Programme

    Sub-theme – Reduce crime and fear of crime

    3. City Safety

    • City centre lighting
    • Community safety initiatives
    • Parks enhancements

    Priority 2 – Supporting local businesses

    Theme – Support for Businesses

    Sub-theme – Advice and support to business

    1. Preston Business Support programme, including:

    • Innovation & Technology business support
    • Kickstart and Pre-Start up support

    2. Innovation Programme

    • Business research & development programme
    • Decarbonisation support

    3. Community Business support

    • Sustainable Transport
    • Green Energy
    • Supporting Preston Democratic Economy

    Priority 3 – People and Skills

    Theme – Employability

    Sub-theme – Supporting people in and towards employment

    1. Preston Employability Programme

    • Support for those not in education, employment or training (NEET)
    • Breaking down barriers to employment
    • Improving Life Chances learning and skills

    Theme – Skills

    Sub-theme – Employment related skills

    1. Preston Skills Programme

    • Green energy skills
    • Numeracy skills

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Columbia Forest Products Streamlines M&A Pipeline with Midaxo

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON and GREENSBORO, N.C., July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Columbia Forest Products, the largest manufacturer of hardwood veneer and hardwood plywood in the U.S., has transformed its M&A operations with Midaxo’s purpose-built deal management platform, complete with seamless Microsoft Outlook integration. The result: a smarter, faster, and more connected pipeline that helps the company scale with both purpose and precision.

    “Our M&A strategy is rooted in values. We’re not just acquiring businesses—we’re giving them a lasting home where employees become part-owners, not just staff,” said Rick Brewer, Vice President of Corporate Development at Columbia Forest Products. “To do that well, we needed smarter tools that fit the way we work. Midaxo’s Outlook Plug-in brought instant visibility and clarity to our pipeline. Now we always know where every deal stands—and what comes next.”

    Previously reliant on spreadsheets and manual processes, Columbia’s M&A team sought a scalable solution to manage growing deal flow while maintaining their people-first approach. With Midaxo, they now have a centralized, real-time view of every conversation, document, and task—embedded directly within their email workflow.

    “We’re proud to support Columbia Forest Products as they scale with purpose,” said Jude McColgan, CEO of Midaxo. “Our platform is designed for teams that want speed without sacrificing control. With powerful real-time analytics, integrated VDR, and seamless Outlook integration, we’re helping Columbia close more of the right deals, faster.”

    The move to Midaxo isn’t just a digital upgrade—it’s a strategic shift. By aligning intuitive technology with their mission-driven approach, Columbia is accelerating deal execution, strengthening transparency, and staying true to what matters most: people.

    About Columbia Forest Products
    Columbia Forest Products is North America’s leading manufacturer of hardwood plywood and hardwood veneer products. Known for its environmental leadership and innovation, Columbia was the first in its industry to eliminate added urea formaldehyde from its panels using its proprietary PureBond® technology. The company supplies a wide range of sustainable wood solutions to cabinet, furniture, and millwork manufacturers, as well as DIYers across the U.S. and Canada. Headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, Columbia is 100% employee-owned and operates with a strong commitment to quality, sustainability, and customer success.

    About Midaxo
    Midaxo provides the most widely used work management solution for corporate development. Digitally transforming the transaction process, Midaxo Cloud leverages automation, AI, and machine learning to deliver accelerated inorganic growth while decreasing deal risk. The platform can be customized to fit the needs of each company to enable corporate development and M&A leaders to find, evaluate, and deliver inorganic growth with unprecedented speed and accuracy. Users of the M&A capabilities report identifying and managing 5x more targets, reducing diligence time by 50%, and accelerating time to value realization up to 40%. More than 500 Midaxo customers, including Banner Health, Daimler AG, Professional Services Co., and United Site Services, have closed over 5,000 transactions valued in excess of $1 trillion.

    Contact:
    Hanna Brenner
    Midaxo
    Hanna.Brenner@midaxo.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Columbia Forest Products Streamlines M&A Pipeline with Midaxo

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON and GREENSBORO, N.C., July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Columbia Forest Products, the largest manufacturer of hardwood veneer and hardwood plywood in the U.S., has transformed its M&A operations with Midaxo’s purpose-built deal management platform, complete with seamless Microsoft Outlook integration. The result: a smarter, faster, and more connected pipeline that helps the company scale with both purpose and precision.

    “Our M&A strategy is rooted in values. We’re not just acquiring businesses—we’re giving them a lasting home where employees become part-owners, not just staff,” said Rick Brewer, Vice President of Corporate Development at Columbia Forest Products. “To do that well, we needed smarter tools that fit the way we work. Midaxo’s Outlook Plug-in brought instant visibility and clarity to our pipeline. Now we always know where every deal stands—and what comes next.”

    Previously reliant on spreadsheets and manual processes, Columbia’s M&A team sought a scalable solution to manage growing deal flow while maintaining their people-first approach. With Midaxo, they now have a centralized, real-time view of every conversation, document, and task—embedded directly within their email workflow.

    “We’re proud to support Columbia Forest Products as they scale with purpose,” said Jude McColgan, CEO of Midaxo. “Our platform is designed for teams that want speed without sacrificing control. With powerful real-time analytics, integrated VDR, and seamless Outlook integration, we’re helping Columbia close more of the right deals, faster.”

    The move to Midaxo isn’t just a digital upgrade—it’s a strategic shift. By aligning intuitive technology with their mission-driven approach, Columbia is accelerating deal execution, strengthening transparency, and staying true to what matters most: people.

    About Columbia Forest Products
    Columbia Forest Products is North America’s leading manufacturer of hardwood plywood and hardwood veneer products. Known for its environmental leadership and innovation, Columbia was the first in its industry to eliminate added urea formaldehyde from its panels using its proprietary PureBond® technology. The company supplies a wide range of sustainable wood solutions to cabinet, furniture, and millwork manufacturers, as well as DIYers across the U.S. and Canada. Headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, Columbia is 100% employee-owned and operates with a strong commitment to quality, sustainability, and customer success.

    About Midaxo
    Midaxo provides the most widely used work management solution for corporate development. Digitally transforming the transaction process, Midaxo Cloud leverages automation, AI, and machine learning to deliver accelerated inorganic growth while decreasing deal risk. The platform can be customized to fit the needs of each company to enable corporate development and M&A leaders to find, evaluate, and deliver inorganic growth with unprecedented speed and accuracy. Users of the M&A capabilities report identifying and managing 5x more targets, reducing diligence time by 50%, and accelerating time to value realization up to 40%. More than 500 Midaxo customers, including Banner Health, Daimler AG, Professional Services Co., and United Site Services, have closed over 5,000 transactions valued in excess of $1 trillion.

    Contact:
    Hanna Brenner
    Midaxo
    Hanna.Brenner@midaxo.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Columbia Forest Products Streamlines M&A Pipeline with Midaxo

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON and GREENSBORO, N.C., July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Columbia Forest Products, the largest manufacturer of hardwood veneer and hardwood plywood in the U.S., has transformed its M&A operations with Midaxo’s purpose-built deal management platform, complete with seamless Microsoft Outlook integration. The result: a smarter, faster, and more connected pipeline that helps the company scale with both purpose and precision.

    “Our M&A strategy is rooted in values. We’re not just acquiring businesses—we’re giving them a lasting home where employees become part-owners, not just staff,” said Rick Brewer, Vice President of Corporate Development at Columbia Forest Products. “To do that well, we needed smarter tools that fit the way we work. Midaxo’s Outlook Plug-in brought instant visibility and clarity to our pipeline. Now we always know where every deal stands—and what comes next.”

    Previously reliant on spreadsheets and manual processes, Columbia’s M&A team sought a scalable solution to manage growing deal flow while maintaining their people-first approach. With Midaxo, they now have a centralized, real-time view of every conversation, document, and task—embedded directly within their email workflow.

    “We’re proud to support Columbia Forest Products as they scale with purpose,” said Jude McColgan, CEO of Midaxo. “Our platform is designed for teams that want speed without sacrificing control. With powerful real-time analytics, integrated VDR, and seamless Outlook integration, we’re helping Columbia close more of the right deals, faster.”

    The move to Midaxo isn’t just a digital upgrade—it’s a strategic shift. By aligning intuitive technology with their mission-driven approach, Columbia is accelerating deal execution, strengthening transparency, and staying true to what matters most: people.

    About Columbia Forest Products
    Columbia Forest Products is North America’s leading manufacturer of hardwood plywood and hardwood veneer products. Known for its environmental leadership and innovation, Columbia was the first in its industry to eliminate added urea formaldehyde from its panels using its proprietary PureBond® technology. The company supplies a wide range of sustainable wood solutions to cabinet, furniture, and millwork manufacturers, as well as DIYers across the U.S. and Canada. Headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, Columbia is 100% employee-owned and operates with a strong commitment to quality, sustainability, and customer success.

    About Midaxo
    Midaxo provides the most widely used work management solution for corporate development. Digitally transforming the transaction process, Midaxo Cloud leverages automation, AI, and machine learning to deliver accelerated inorganic growth while decreasing deal risk. The platform can be customized to fit the needs of each company to enable corporate development and M&A leaders to find, evaluate, and deliver inorganic growth with unprecedented speed and accuracy. Users of the M&A capabilities report identifying and managing 5x more targets, reducing diligence time by 50%, and accelerating time to value realization up to 40%. More than 500 Midaxo customers, including Banner Health, Daimler AG, Professional Services Co., and United Site Services, have closed over 5,000 transactions valued in excess of $1 trillion.

    Contact:
    Hanna Brenner
    Midaxo
    Hanna.Brenner@midaxo.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Roadmap unveiled to boost rights for half of all UK workers and provide certainty to employers

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Roadmap unveiled to boost rights for half of all UK workers and provide certainty to employers

    Government publishes the Employment Rights Bill Implementation Roadmap, setting out timelines for measures in the Bill coming into effect.

    ·       Comprehensive roadmap for Employment Rights Bill to raise living standards across the country whilst giving employers and workers the time to adapt.    

    ·       Sets out timelines for new landmark rights with 15 million, or half of all, workers set to start benefitting from later this year.  

    ·       Government will continue to consult with employers, workers and trade unions to ensure the best deal for growth and boosting living standards in line with the Plan for Change.     

    The Government has today (Tuesday 1 July) unveiled its comprehensive roadmap setting out how it will deliver its new package of workers’ rights through the plan to Make Work Pay.    

    Landmark changes delivered through the Employment Rights Bill including sick pay for 1.3 million of the lowest earners and day one rights to parental and paternity leave will be introduced for the first time from early next year, demonstrating the government’s determination to boost living standards and protections for millions, whilst giving employers the certainty they need to plan for future changes.  

    It also announces that the new Fair Work Agency will launch from early next year, creating a level-playing field so rogue employers cannot undercut good businesses who comply with the law.  

    Informed by more than 190 pieces of engagement with businesses and other crucial stakeholders over the last 12 months, a phased approach was taken to give workers clarity and employers time to prepare. Key measures in the Bill will come into effect in 2026 and 2027, whilst further consultations are planned from this year into next.  

    The reforms are a key part of the Government’s Plan for Change – the mission to make the country fit for the future by kick-starting economic growth and boosting productivity.    

    Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:     

    We’re working fast to deliver our promise of better living standards and more money in the pockets of working people as part of our Plan for Change.  

    These landmark reforms will kick in within months, demonstrating our commitment to making work pay for millions of workers across the country and delivering real change.

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:     

    The Employment Rights Bill is a core part of the Plan for Change, directly benefiting half of all workers and boosting living standards across the country.     

     Since the beginning, we have been working with businesses big and small to ensure this Bill works for them, and this roadmap will now give them the clarity and certainty they need to plan, invest and grow.      

     By phasing implementation, our collaborative approach balances meaningful worker protections with the practical realities of running a successful business, creating more productive workplaces where both employees and employers can thrive. 

    Whether you’re a worker, an employer in the public or private sector, a trade union, a representative organisation, or from civil society, a wide range of voices have helped shape this Bill.     

    Delivering change that works for everyone remains a priority, which is why the Government will continue to consult with business groups, employers, workers and trade unions in phases on the detail of the measures, beginning this summer and continuing into the new year.      

    The rollout of all measures will follow a structured timeline, so that stakeholders can plan their time and resources to make sure they are ready when the changes come into effect. Highlights of the roadmap include:     

    After the bill is passed: 

    • Immediate repeal of the strikes (minimum service levels) act 2023 and the majority of the trade union act 2016 to create a better relationship with unions that will prevent the need for strikes. 

    • Protections against dismissal for taking industrial action to ensure workers can defend their rights without fear of losing their jobs. 

    April 2026: 

    • Collective redundancy protective award – doubling the maximum period of the protective award to provide stronger financial security for workers facing mass redundancies. 

    • ‘Day one’ paternity leave and unpaid parental leave to support working families from the very start of employment. 

    • Whistleblowing protections to encourage reporting of wrongdoing without fear of retaliation. 

    • Fair work agency established to enforce labour rights and promote fairness in the workplace. 

    • Statutory sick pay – removing the lower earnings limit and waiting period to ensure all workers can afford to recover from illness without financial hardship. 

    • A package of trade union measures including simplifying trade union recognition process and electronic and workplace balloting to strengthen democracy and participation in the workplace. 

    October 2026: 

    • Ending unscrupulous fire and rehire practices to protect workers from being forced into worse terms under threat of dismissal. 

    • Regulations to establish the fair pay agreement adult social care negotiating body in England to raise standards and pay in the social care sector.  

    • Tightening tipping law – strengthen the law on tipping by mandating consultation with workers to ensure fairer tip allocation. 

    • Requiring employers to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment of their employees to create safer, more respectful workplaces. 

    • Introducing an obligation on employers not to permit the harassment of their employees by third parties to extend protections to all work environments, including public-facing roles. 

    • A package of trade union measures including new rights and protections for trade union representatives, extending protections against detriments for taking industrial action and strengthening trade unions’ right of access. 

    2027: 

    • Gender pay gap and menopause action plans (introduced on a voluntary basis in April 2026) to promote gender equality and support women’s health in the workplace. 

    • Enhanced dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers to safeguard job security during pregnancy, maternity leave and a return-to-work period. 

    • Further harassment protections, specifying reasonable steps which will help determine whether an employer has taken all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment to provide clearer guidance and stronger enforcement against harassment. 

    • Creating a modern framework for industrial relations to build a fairer, more collaborative approach to workplace relations. 

    • Bereavement leave to give workers time to grieve with job security. 

    • Ending the exploitative use of zero hours contracts to provide workers with stable hours and predictable income. 

    • ‘Day 1’ right to protection from unfair dismissal to ensure all workers are treated fairly from the start of employment. 

    • Improving access to flexible working to help people balance work with family, health, and other responsibilities. 

    To ensure employers and workers are in the best possible position when these measures come into effect, the Government will produce clear and comprehensive guidance to help organisations navigate the changes. This guidance will be made available in advance of implementation deadlines to allow time for familiarisation and preparation.     

    The Government will also work closely with Acas which will play a crucial role in both implementation of the new measures and continuing to provide support to employers and workers moving forward.      

    By taking a phased and measured approach to implementation, the Government aims to create lasting positive change to employment rights in the UK that works for both workers and businesses.    

    Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, commented:  

    We asked for a clear plan from the government, so we’re pleased to see this roadmap launched today, which will give employers some more clarity to prepare for the biggest set of workplace reforms in decades.   

    We’re pleased to see that the measures are being phased in gradually over many months. This will give more time for further consultation on key points of detail, and organisations more time to update their policies and practices.   

    It’s positive to see the recognition of the critical role for Acas in supporting employers to comply with the new measures. We will work with the government to help provide the guidance the HR profession and managers need to implement the upcoming changes. Small businesses in particular will need clear advice and guidance to help them comply.

    TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: 

    After the failed era of insecure work and squeezed living standards, the Employment Rights Bill is badly needed. Banning exploitative zero hours contracts, giving workers a stronger voice and ending fire and rehire are all common-sense and popular reforms. 

    It’s welcome that workers will start to benefit from these long overdue changes from later this year – but this timetable must be a backstop. We need to see these new rights in action as soon as possible. Decent employers don’t need to wait for the law to change. They should be working with staff and unions right now to introduce these changes as quickly as possible.  

    It’s time to level up Britain’s workplaces and end the scourge of insecure work.

    Co-op Group CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq said: 

    The Co-op is supportive of the Government’s ambitions to strengthen rights for workers through the Employment Rights Bill – as the world’s oldest and UK’s largest consumer co-operative, doing right by our 54,000 colleagues is core to our approach to doing good business. 

    We are convinced that treating employees well promotes productivity – it helps employers recruit, develop and retain the talent they need.  Working in partnership with Government we believe this Bill is a once in a generation opportunity to ensure all workers are treated fairly whoever their employer might be.

    Neil Carberry, Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Chief Executive, said:  

    This clear timeline on the Employment Rights Bill gives room for full and frank consultation on how the new rules will be structured. It also gives businesses important time to plan.  

    Now we have the roadmap, ongoing and meaningful engagement will be critical to ensuring new regulations allow the flexibility workers and companies value to remain. That’s what gives workers freedom and choice, and helps businesses adjust in changeable markets. A clear process which addresses reasonable business concerns about the new rules is essential.  

    The Bill is a real opportunity to update workplace protections in a way that reflects how people work today, but getting the balance right will be crucial to supporting the government’s growth ambitions.

    Acas Chief Executive Niall Mackenzie said:   

    We welcome the publication of the Employment Relations Bill Roadmap, giving clarity to employers and workers on the timescale for these important changes to employment law. At Acas, we know that good workplace relations is at the heart of resilient, successful organisations and good business. It is encouraging to see the government place employment relations at the heart of its plan to grow the economy.  

    Acas will continue to work with the Department for Business and Trade, employers, trades unions and others to support employers and workers. We are proud to be the go-to organisation to help navigate changes to workplace relations through our expert Codes, guidance and freely available advice.

    Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said:  

    Clear and precise timelines on when aspects of this legislation, and the processes to deliver them, will come into force is essential, and it was important that the Government embark on providing clarity. 

    There are substantial changes for businesses in the Employment Rights Bill and it’s right that the Government is using the appropriate implementation periods for the most complex issues for hospitality, in order to get the details right for both businesses and workers.

    Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy said:  

    With such an important and technical piece of legislation, there is always a balance to be struck between speed and precision, and this sensible timetable ensures that there is sufficient time to make sure the legislation is robust and works as intended.    

    The Bill rightly involves a significant rebalancing of workplace power in favour of employees, and this must lead to improved industrial relations based on constructive working between unions and employers.  

    Ultimately, the big change we need in the labour market is an increase in trade union membership and density in the private sector, and it is welcome that next year will see the lifting of many of the restrictions that have constrained the growth of unions and our ability to represent workers across the economy.

    Community Assistant General Secretary Alasdair McDiarmid said:  

    It’s great that we now have a comprehensive roadmap in place for the Employment Rights Bill.  

    The government has engaged diligently with unions and businesses during the development of the bill, and we are proud to have played a role in shaping what we believe will be a transformative piece of legislation for working people across the UK.  

    We will continue to work closely with the Department for Business and Trade to ensure that the bill is successful, and we would encourage other stakeholders to do the same.

    Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary, said:  

    It is good to see that this Government is matching words with action on trade union rights. There’s always more that can be done, but the Employment Rights Bill represents the biggest improvement in workers’ rights for a generation.  

    GMB members now know when these much-needed improvements will happen – we urge good employers not to wait; do the right thing and make these changes a reality today.

    Notes to editors:     

    ·       Full details of the implementation roadmap are available here.    

    ·       Employment Rights Bill to be implemented in phases, giving employers the time and certainty they need to adapt.    

    ·       Roadmap outlines timelines for delivery, ranging from soon after the Bill is passed to April 2026, October 2026 and 2027.      

    ·       Government will continue to consult with employers, workers and trade unions to ensure the best deal for growth and boosting living standards in line with the Plan for Change.     

    ·       The 15 million workers figure is based on analysis of the Labour Force Survey (October to December 2024) to avoid double counting, and includes workers that will benefit from Unfair Dismissal, Zero Hour Contracts, Statutory Sick Pay, Trade Union changes and Fair Pay Agreements.

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Students Combat Opioid Crisis in CT through Adopt a Health District Program

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    The Adopt a Health District (ADOPHD) Program provides students with internship experiences that directly support Connecticut communities fighting the opioid epidemic.

    “It empowers the students to feel like they count, that they can make a difference in the world,” says Peaches Udoma, ADOPHD program coordinator and adjunct professor of pharmacy practice.

    The program’s design began in 2021, when Nathaniel Rickles, project director and associate dean for admissions and student affairs in the School of Pharmacy, received a grant from the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

    Since the first year, when the program included just two interns, it has grown substantially. During the 2024-25 academic year, 10 students participated. Next year, the program will expand to include the Stamford Health District, the Housatonic Valley Health District, and a total of 14 interns.

    “The program is a great example of life-transformative education, as it bridges classroom learning with real-world application that can change the lives of those in our communities with the greatest needs for support and care,” says Rickles.

    Students participate in a variety of activities related to the opioid crisis, including receiving and providing training to use Narcan, a medicine that can rapidly reverse an overdose, providing information about recognizing fake pills and general information about opioids, and assisting in the safe disposal of medication.

    Two interns work in collaboration at each health district. Interns have worked in districts which include the towns of New London, Groton, East Hartford, West Hartford, Stratford, Bristol, Burlington, Cheshire, Prospect, and Wolcott.

    “The health districts get new ideas from people who are reading the research, who are on the cutting edge, who are excited and idealistic about changing the world,” Udoma says. “The benefits of the relationship are endless, on both sides.”

    While the program is administered through the School of Pharmacy, students have also come from the UConn MPH program, and more MPH students are applying this year. The majority of the interns, however, have come from the allied health sciences (AHS) program in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.

    “Our students are really trying to get experience in different areas of healthcare and health promotion, so this is a perfect opportunity for them to get out into the community and put their knowledge to use,” says Jill Skowrenski, AHS administrative lead for student placement and engagement. “It’s so vital for the students to experiment in different paths in healthcare. It’s a great mix, this program led by the School of Pharmacy connecting with allied health students.”

    Eva-LaRue Barber ‘25 (CAHNR) was one of the AHS students who participated in the program last year.

    Barber works as an EMT and firefighter in New Haven, and already had experience administering Narcan.

    “I was really curious about how larger prevention techniques could be employed by a community,” Barber says.

    Barber interned in the Chesprocott Health District, which includes Cheshire, Prospect, and Wolcott.

    There, she and the other intern assigned to the district analyzed data to identify what groups were experiencing overdoses and how that compared to the district’s demographics.

    Because the population in the Chesprocott district is older, the interns went to senior centers and provided information about pill sorting and how to prevent accidental overdoses.

    They also hosted Narcan trainings at a school and participated in Drug Takeback Day.

    Barber made a video for the program’s YouTube channel, based on the in-person trainings.

    “I thought that was a really accessible way for people who couldn’t make it in for the trainings, and also to share with their friends and families,” Barber says.

    Barber will be working as a researcher at the Yale School of Medicine’s Department of Dermatology in the fall, before eventually attending medical school. She will continue to work with ADOPHD as a student coordinator.

    “I’m really interested in communities and how you can educate communities, especially with targeted approaches for their specific challenges,” Barber says. “For me, that’s something that was really important – recognizing communities and creating things for them.”

    Baber says she appreciates how she was able to tailor the experience to fit her interests.

    “You can really customize it to fulfill your needs,” Barber says. “You get out of it what you put into it.”

    Throughout the year-long program, students also collaborate on different teams to organize the program’s marketing, data, resources, and social events.

    “It’s not just academics, it’s not just what you learn in the classroom that is crucial to your success out in the world, it’s also your ability to work with others effectively and consider other opinions,” Udoma says. “So that’s why we put so much focus on the team-based approach.”

    Udoma says she and Rickles hope the program can become a national model.

    “If we could get students as boots on the ground all over the country bringing their ideas, their passion, and their openness to learning, we could really make a difference in the opioid crisis,” Udoma says.

    This work relates to CAHNR’s Strategic Vision area focused on Enhancing Health and Well-Being Locally, Nationally, and Globally.

    Follow UConn CAHNR on social media

    MIL OSI USA News –