Daily Archives: September 14, 2022

Jaguar Mining Reports Confirmed Continuity of Mineralization at Pilar Gold Mine – Life of Mine Extension Drilling to Follow – Yahoo Finance

Posted: September 14, 2022 at 1:10 am

Drilling Highlights include:

104.72* g/t Au over an estimated true width of 2.8m

15.77 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 3.2m

9.53 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 7.5m

(*uncut)

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 13, 2022 / Jaguar Mining Inc. ("Jaguar" or the "Company") (TSX:JAG; OTCQX:JAGGF) is pleased to announce results from recent in-mine diamond drilling and plans for deep drilling which will target additional Life of Mine Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources at its Pilar Mine Complex, located in the Iron Quadrangle in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

In-mine diamond drilling at Pilar in 2022 has targeted extensions to the mines principle and subordinate mineralized structures which are accessible from current mine development throughout the mine, and importantly, down plunge extensions to depth beyond current production areas below level 13. Drilling at shallow levels is aimed at adding production areas while deeper drilling is primarily aimed at adding to the Life of Mine and will inform long-term capital planning.

Drill intersections show results consistent with the mines current published Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource in terms of both grade and width and include several important intersections with a grade x thickness (GT) greater than 20 (please refer to Table 1 and Figure 1). Mining development and drilling in the lowermost levels of the mine continue to demonstrate consistency in the ounces per vertical metre profile of > 2000 Oz/ Vm and in the case of Level 15 show an increase in Oz/Vm to around 2500 Oz/Vm.

A directional drilling program is planned to start in Q3 2022 which will target the projected depth extensions located down plunge of the principle mineralized structures. Drilling will target mineralization below level 17 down to level 25, representing a vertical interval of approximately 400m.

Vern Baker, President, and CEO of Jaguar Mining stated: "Drilling and development at Pilar Mine has validated our expectation of continuing economic mineralization at depth. Our drilling on level 15 (currently being developed) has indicated that the ounce per vertical meter mineral resource has increased in comparison to the level 12 mineral resource. This and good intercepts below level 15 indicating continuity of economic mineralization have us encouraged to initiate a deeper drill program which can extend our resources to depth by multiple hundreds of vertical meters. Over the next year we expect to develop the next two levels (16 and 17) while building the resource base to go significantly deeper. Having some intersections with excellent grade and one very anomalous grade intercept have brought excitement to our team working on this resource extension."

Story continues

Figure 1 - Pilar Mine Long Section showing 2022 drilling intersections with grade x thickness (GT) > 20

Jaguar Mining Inc., Tuesday, September 13, 2022, Press release picture

TABLE 1

Pilar Mine 2022 drilling intersections with grade x thickness (GT) > 20

PPL1003

114.60

129.70

15.10

10.00

3.34

33.40

LFW

216.00

232.00

16.00

7.90

4.89

38.63

BF/BFIII?

202.50

228.25

25.75

7.50

9.53

71.48

BF

239.25

262.30

23.05

7.30

4.58

33.43

BF

282.25

290.00

7.75

4.50

5.64

25.38

BF

294.35

307.25

12.90

5.80

6.80

39.44

BF

PPL970

42.95

50.50

7.55

2.30

12.89

29.65

BF

PPL818

89.00

97.00

8.00

2.20

12.11

26.64

TORRE

PPL1012

176.30

182.05

5.75

3.00

8.84

26.52

LFW

PPL956

103.30

121.55

18.25

6.50

10.53

68.45

BF

FSB870

10.45

33.00

22.55

6.05

10.73

64.92

BF

PPL902

155.00

See the article here:

Jaguar Mining Reports Confirmed Continuity of Mineralization at Pilar Gold Mine - Life of Mine Extension Drilling to Follow - Yahoo Finance

Posted in Life Extension | Comments Off on Jaguar Mining Reports Confirmed Continuity of Mineralization at Pilar Gold Mine – Life of Mine Extension Drilling to Follow – Yahoo Finance

Easy meals, life-saving knife skills part of West Texas Fair & Rodeo Spotlight Kitchen – Abilene Reporter-News

Posted: at 1:09 am

Three cooks in the Spotlight Kitchen on Monday at the West Texas Fair & Rodeo were not too many to showcase an easy weeknight meal.

The cooks were Texas A&M AgriLife Extension family and community health county agents for Jones, Nolan and Taylor counties.

Attendees at the 6 p.m. demonstration in the AEL Building (Round Building) at the Taylor County Expo Center lined up quickly after the demonstration to sample Zucchini Garlic Bites, Simple Beef Pasta Soup and No-Bake Dark Chocolate Bars.

Chef Opal Darlene Walton simply known as Chef Darlene is host of the Spotlight Kitchen each fair day that continues through Saturday (schedule listed below). Chef Darlene or local chefs demonstrate a dish or two or three during each session.

More:How to incorporate butternut squash into fall cooking

For those unfamiliar with county extension agents, Kim Miles from Taylor County started the introductions by saying "I describe it as we're school teachers We're just not in a school setting."

"... We cover nutrition, diet, health, child development, and then, of course, we have our ag program and our 4-H program," she added.

The three recipes shared during the demonstration are part of the AgriLife Extension's Dinner Tonight - Healthy Cooking for a Healthy Texas program, with more recipes at dinnertonight.tamu.edu.

Miles handled the main course of one-pot Simple Beef Pasta Soup with canned or frozen vegetables, tomato sauce, beef broth and orzo. Cooking the stew meat before the show made the dish come together quickly.

The recipe is part of the AgriLife Extension's goal to help people eat at home more to have better control of the fat, sodium, sugar and costs of their meals, she said.

Such control can be simple, too. Miles said her mother and grandmother were home economics from the school of thinking that every food had to be cooked in a separate pot and served in a dish.

She takes a less formal approach.

"We're just going to eat off the stove at my house," Miles said as she told the family tale while putting the soup together, to audience laughter.

Precluding the entre was a healthy appetizer by Kelli Maberry designed to trick kids into eating more vegetables.

"So as parents, it's always good when you can cover up some vegetables with strong flavors where they don't even taste the vegetables and they want to eat more of them," Maberry said as she used a paper towel to squeeze out the water from a cup of grated zucchini.

Bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and several spices provide just enough of a mask to transform the squash into a "I want more" food baked in the oven.

And, eating healthy does not mean skipping desserts. Staci Winders demonstrated No-Bake Dark Chocolate Bars, with the hardest step waiting for the chocolate to melt on the stovetop.

Peanut butter, dark chocolate and rolled oats elevate the nutritional value of the bars sweetened with honey instead of processed sugar, Winders said.

"This is an actual healthy snack," she said.

The extension agents conduct cooking classes and demonstrations throughout the year that are open to the public. Miles said one on canning is in the works in response to several requests.

To learn more about upcoming classes in the three counties, visit their websites taylor.agrilife.org, jones.agrilife.org and nolan.agrilife.org.

Chef Darlene handled Monday's 4:30 p.m. session on healthy snacks available from Spotlight Kitchen sponsor H-E-B.

While praising the granola bars, microwave popcorn with sprinkled seasonings and other organic snack options from the San Antonio-based grocery store, she shared some proper knife-handling skills. The first is having a sharp knife.

"A dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp knife. Why? Because when you're cutting you have to use force on that knife," Chef Darlene said.

A second tip is placing a flat paper towel or two under a cutting board to keep it from sliding, turning or slipping.

And, here's the big no-no: Placing your index finger on the spine of the blade while cutting. It's a kitchen crime some Food Network celebrity cooks have committed, she said, until they had additional culinary training.

The fingers should be on the knife handle behind the blade bolster for maximum control, said Chef Darlene as she held a knife incorrectly and then correctly.

"I want you to look professional, and also in control of the knife," Chef Darlene said.

More:West Texas Fair & Rodeo 2022: What and when for the annual almost-fall event

Where: East end of the Taylor County Expo Center grounds, AEL Building (Round Building), during the West Texas Fair & Rodeo

WEDNESDAY

2:30 p.m. Lytle Lane & Cattle, with Lindsay Flores

4:30 p.m. Texas Family Popcorn, with Toni Adams; H-E-B gift card giveaway

6 p.m. Life of Pie, with Leslie and Cory Bivens

THURSDAY

4:30 p.m. H-E-B "My Texas Table"

5:30 p.m. H-E-B "My Texas Table," gift card giveaway

6 p.m. Stalling Time Beer & Bistro, charcuterie board

7 p.m. The Winery at Willow Creek, with Maddy Green

FRIDAY

4:30 p.m. H-E-B "My Texas Table"

5:30 p.m. H-E-B "My Texas Table," gift card giveaway

6 p.m. The Local, with Chef Cody Enriquez

7 p.m. H-E-B "My Texas Table"

SATURDAY

2:30 p.m.. H-E-B "My Texas Table"

4:30 p.m. Sweet Thyme, with Misty Lowe and Mandi Sims

6 p.m. H-E-B "My Texas Table," gift card giveaway

7 p.m. H-E-B "My Texas Table"

(courtesy Texas A&M AgriLife Extension)

Ingredients

1 cup zucchini, grated and well drained

1 egg

1/3 cup bread crumbs

1/2 cup reduce-fat Parmesan cheese, grated fine

1 clove garlic, grated fine

2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped*

1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped*

1 teaspoon fresh basil, chopped*

1 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped*

1/4 teaspoon cumin powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

* A reduced amount of dried herds can be substituted for the fresh.

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees and lightly grease a baking sheet.

2. Grate or shred zucchini into fine pieces. Pat dry with a paper towel, or ring moisture out in a cheesecloth.

3. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well.

4. Form a tablespoon of the mixture into small balls and place on the prepared baking sheet.

5. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Yields about 20 balls.

(courtesy Texas A&M AgriLife Extension)

Ingredients

1 pound beef stew, cubed

4 cups low-sodium beef broth

1 (29-ounce) can unsalted mixed vegetables (frozen can be substituted)

1 (8-ounce) can unsalted tomato sauce

2 ounces orzo, uncooked

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. In a pot, brown the meat over medium-high heat.

2. Stir in the beef broth, mixed vegetables and tomato sauce.

3. Add the orzo, reduce the heat, and cook for about 15 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if necessary. Yields 4 servings.

(courtesy Texas A&M AgriLife Extension)

Ingredients

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup honey

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup dark chocolate morsels

2 cups rolled oats

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, met together the peanut butter, honey and butter.

2. Remove from the heat, add the chocolate chips and stir until melted.

3. Stir in the oats, vanilla and cocoa powder.

4. Line a 9- by 9-inch pan with parchment paper. Spread the peanut butter mixture into the pan. Refrigerate until hardened, about 2 hours. Cut into 12 bars.

Laura Gutschke is a general assignment reporterand food columnist and manages online content for the Reporter-News. If you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalistswith adigital subscription to ReporterNews.com.

More:West Texas Fair & Rodeo 2022: What and when for the annual almost-fall event

Continued here:

Easy meals, life-saving knife skills part of West Texas Fair & Rodeo Spotlight Kitchen - Abilene Reporter-News

Posted in Life Extension | Comments Off on Easy meals, life-saving knife skills part of West Texas Fair & Rodeo Spotlight Kitchen – Abilene Reporter-News

Beyond Bulletproof: Why Billionaires Are Chasing Everlasting Health – Newsweek

Posted: at 1:09 am

The world's most revolutionary business leaders have a habit of thinking big and redefining what's possible. From Peter Diamandis' interest in stem cell technology to Sergey Brin's $1 billion investment in an anti-aging lab in 2016, billionaires and elite achievers see opportunity where the rest of the world sees closed doors.

Radical life extension sounded like science-fiction when futurist Ray Kurzweil wrote about "living long enough to live forever" 18 years ago, but the anti-aging market is worth an estimated $65 billion today. The funding might even double in the next eight years, and all that research means you stand a good shot at living many decades longer than your ancestors. Of course, that will only happen if you stick around long enough to access the technology.

While those miracle drugs won't be available for years, there are things you can do right now to battle the effects of aging. And if living into the next millennium is part of your master plan, you need to stay healthy and vibrant today so you don't die before Alphabet or Amazon finds the cure for aging.

What can you do to stay healthy and fight the aging process today? I'm not going to drone on about antioxidants, exercise and getting enough sleep. You probably already know about those things.

Instead, I'm going to focus on something many high achievers overlook as they run from one massive goal to the next. I'm going to dive into mindset and explore how a permanent mental shift can potentially improve your physical health. As a human potential coach, I've seen countless clients, including CEOs of billion-dollar businesses, achieve extraordinary breakthroughs that result in healthier, metabolically younger bodies and minds.

Let's be clear, nobody comes to me for wishful thinking or daily affirmations. Every day, CEOs and other high achievers face people who try to tell them what they want to hear, but I do the opposite. I tell them what they need to hear because positive thinking alone without a massive shift in their underlying belief system won't get them very far. If that actually worked, I could point them to a new-age TikTok page and be done with it.

The kind of transformation I'm talking about demands rigorous honesty and self-awareness. It involves looking at your life in its entirety, seeing how every element fits together to identify what's working and what isn't. Are you earning seven or eight figures per year while neglecting your marriage? Have you built a thriving business but struggle to maintain morale because your employees are afraid of you? Are your relationships and health suffering because work consumes your life?

These are just a few of the challenges high-achievers face. Many go years without addressing the so-called elephant in the room, and over time it eats away at their mental and physical health. It often isn't until some friend, colleague or coach comes along and nudges them toward seeing that giant elephant. Only then do they decide to make a change, and that's when real transformation happens.

Through deep, impactful work that elicits emotion, you can rewrite beliefs and change behavior patterns. After all, beliefs are at the root of what we think, how we feel and what we do. By changing your deeply ingrained beliefs, you can unlock your own creative genius and radically transform every aspect of your life.

The kind of results are varied, and I can only speak to specific improvements from my clients some of whom have seen positive changes when it comes to various health problems. While the results like improved physical appearance or better outcomes from disease may not look the same for each person, transformation is possible through the deep, impactful work clients perform.

It should be no surprise these days that the mind and the body are closely connected, and that living a life where your thought patterns align with your vision and your values leads to a stronger, healthier body.

Researchers at Harvard University studied thousands of patients and found that a form of mindset modification called resilience training resulted in a 43% drop in the use of medical services. After growing stronger mentally and developing a deeper sense of purpose, the test subjects reported fewer illnesses and required less treatment.

Countless additional studies have shown a similar correlation, suggesting that a stronger, healthier mind slows down the aging process.

The path to a better mind-body connection begins with a personal mental revolution. I call this developing mental excellence. Billionaires are driven to achieve excellence in all areas, from business to family life. Complete success begins with mental excellence, and everything else flows from there.

This raises an important question. What leads highly successful people to pursue this type of profound transformation in the first place?

Many of my clients come to me because, despite their gorgeous homes, impressive portfolios and beautiful families, they remain unfulfilled on some level. They've done amazing things, but some part of them has bought into the myth that they cannot truly have it all. That belief is holding them back.

If this is how you're feeling today, I'm here to dispel the myth. I believe you can have it all financial and business success, fulfilling relationships, optimal health and enduring happiness. My clients prove this to me every day.

But mental excellence doesn't happen by chance. Great lives don't just happen they are created. If you're ready to begin that inner work, here is a quick, simple exercise that will get you started.

Grab a pen and paper and start writing about everything that isn't working in your life. How is your mental health? Physical health? How is your sleep? How is your marriage? Your happiness? Your confidence? Are you at peace? Do you feel that you are performing at your peak potential?

You can write in long form, or you can simply rate each category from 1 to 5 (5 being perfect). The only requirement is rigorous honesty. People always try to look good, and as much as I understand it, this is not the time. If you can resist the temptation to stroke your ego, this exercise will give you a great deal of clarity. It will spell out where you are now and show you where you need to focus, which is the first step toward mental excellence.

What often stands in the way of a brilliant, thriving life are the blind spots that even the world's most powerful people fail to see. The good news is that once these men and women become aware of those blind spots, they can use their focused, driven nature to transform their mental state.

This expansion of consciousness has a cascading effect that can help make them stronger and more effective in every arena. It can support an exponential transformation that empowers them to take complete control of their lives, reach new heights and thoroughly dominate the competition.

Read the original post:

Beyond Bulletproof: Why Billionaires Are Chasing Everlasting Health - Newsweek

Posted in Life Extension | Comments Off on Beyond Bulletproof: Why Billionaires Are Chasing Everlasting Health – Newsweek

Did California Truly Extend the Life of Diablo Canyon? Only Time Will Tell. – JD Supra

Posted: at 1:09 am

As most readers are likely aware, the Legislature recently passed Senate Bill 846, which aims to extend the Diablo Canyon nuclear powerplant (Diablo Canyon) to 2030. The Governor quickly signed the legislation that largely mirrored the draft legislation that he had first proposed. But those who believe that the extension is now a done deal should take a closer look at the various opportunities specifically established by the legislation where the extension could be quietly shelved either by the Governor or by various federal and state agencies. The legislation also establishes several public processes where opponents may eventually block the extension.

The initial proposal to extend Diablo Canyon came from Governor's office in mid-August. While the bill ultimately received bipartisan support in a 69-3 vote in the Assembly and a 31-1 vote in the Senate, numerous legislators expressed frustration stemming from the last-minute introduction of the bill and several significant changes made through the legislative process to address the concerns of various legislators with the initial proposal. Most importantly, these changes include a number of preconditions that must be achieved prior to Diablo Canyon's extension essentially providing extension opponents new venues beyond the Legislature to try to fight the extension or allowing Governor Newsom or these state and federal agencies to pull the plug on the extension at a later date.

First, the legislation expressly acknowledges that the new retirement dates for Diablo Canyon are conditioned on the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission extending the powerplant's operating licenses and receipt of U.S. Department of Energy funding. These processes are not slam dunks and pitfalls remain with each.

Second, the legislation expressly provides that the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Energy Commission may determine that operations at Diablo Canyon should not be extended. Opponents will use these venues to try to show that extension is not cost-effective or that reliability does not demand Diablo Canyon's extension.

We still think that the extension of Diablo Canyon will happen if the political will remains throughout the processes established in the new legislation. However, interested parties should monitor these various venues closely, especially if the political climate changes.

[View source.]

Continued here:

Did California Truly Extend the Life of Diablo Canyon? Only Time Will Tell. - JD Supra

Posted in Life Extension | Comments Off on Did California Truly Extend the Life of Diablo Canyon? Only Time Will Tell. – JD Supra

Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainings Offered This Fall – Iowa State University

Posted: at 1:09 am

AMES, Iowa Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will provide Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings to strengthen rural communities and support youth during the new school year.

Youth mental health remains at the forefront of many peoples minds. Over the last few years, youth mental health challenges have continued to rise. In response, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach continues to provide Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings to community members statewide.

This program provides adults with tools they can use to identify when a youth (ages 6-18) in their life might be struggling with a mental health and/or substance use problem.

Research shows that half of all mental illnesses begin by the age of 14 and 75% begin by age 25. Recovery from mental illness is possible and likely, but the sooner a person receives appropriate treatment, the better the outcome, said Demi Johnson, behavioral health program specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.

ISU Extension and Outreach will offer Youth Mental Health First Aid on Oct. 7 and Nov. 7, and both classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. via Zoom. All virtual classes require pre-registration and approximately two hours of pre-work. Private classes for groups of 15-30 participants are also available upon request.

The cost is $55. However, adults identifying as or working with farm families can register at no cost for any of these programs by using the code AGPRO when registering, thanks to current grant funding from the United States Department of Agriculture. To register, go to https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/MHFA.

Participants will learn how to connect youth to appropriate support and resources when necessary. A five-step action plan will be taught to guide participants through the process of reaching out and offering appropriate support.

Everyone can benefit from taking a mental health first aid course. Learning more about mental health can help reduce the stigma associated with behavioral health problems. When we can recognize signs of trouble, we can help young people get the assistance they need, said Johnson.

For more information, contact Demi Johnson at demij@iastate.edu.

Iowa Concern, offered by ISU Extension and Outreach, provides confidential access to stress counselors and an attorney for legal education, as well as information and referral services for a wide variety of topics. With a toll-free phone number, live chat capabilities and a website, Iowa Concern services are available 24 hours a day, seven days per week at no charge. To reach Iowa Concern, call 800-447-1985; language interpretation services are available. Or visit the website, https://www.extension.iastate.edu/iowaconcern/, to live chat with a stress counselor one-on-one in a secure environment. Or email an expert regarding legal, finance, stress or crisis and disaster issues.

Finding Answers Now. As Iowans deal with disruptions to their families and communities, this website at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/disaster-recovery provides information to help you cope with concerns about stress and relationships, personal finance, and nutrition and wellness.

Project Recovery Iowa offers free virtual counseling and assistance for all Iowans needing support. Counselors are available 24/7. Iowans of all ages may join groups online to find support and learn creative strategies for coping with the effects of the pandemic. To request support, go to https://projectrecoveryiowa.org/ or call the Iowa Warm Line at 1-844-775-9276.

Photo credit: Monkey Business/stock.adobe.com

Read more here:

Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainings Offered This Fall - Iowa State University

Posted in Life Extension | Comments Off on Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainings Offered This Fall – Iowa State University

Finland to Extend Validity of Residence Permits for Ukrainian Refugees Under Temporary Protection – SchengenVisaInfo.com – SchengenVisaInfo.com

Posted: at 1:09 am

The Ministry of the Interior of Finland has announced that it will extend the validity of residence permits for Ukrainian refugees based on temporary protection.

According to the Ministry, the legislative project will be extended from September 12, 2022, to March 31, 2023, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

As the Ministry explains, refugees from Ukraine will not need to apply for an extension of their residence permit.

In addition, the Ministry stated that the residence permit card is issued to Ukrainians in order for them to be able to show they are legally staying in Finland, in order to avoid any possible complications in their everyday life in this country.

Unfortunately, it seems that the war in Ukraine will continue for a long time. This means that the need for assistance will also continue. It is our duty to stand with Ukraine and help the war refugees who have arrived in Finland, the Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen said, commenting on the extension of the law.

Currently, the temporary protection in the EU lasts for one year from the entry into force of the Implementing Decision of the Council, in the case of Ukrainians, until March 4, 2023. However, the protection will be extended for one year automatically unless the Council decides to end it. In addition, the Council can also decide to extend the temporary protection for more than one year.

Meanwhile, based on the Temporary Protection Directive, the total duration cannot exceed three years.

While the decision is in force, Finland and all other EU Member States are obligated to grant temporary protection to the group specified in the decision and a residence permit to indicate it. Finland has issued residence permits based on temporary protection to about 37,000 people who have fled Ukraine. It is estimated that the number will be approximately 48,000 by the end of the year, the statement issued by the Ministry reads.

Recently, an online survey conducted by the same Ministry revealed that out of 2,136 surveyed Ukrainian refugees who resettled in Finland, about 27 per cent of them stated that they no longer plan to return to Ukraine.

Such data show that a third or 33 per cent of them had decided to return to Ukraine after the end of the war.

According to the survey data, about 51 per cent of respondents had applied for temporary protection in Finland because of Finlands good reputation. At the same time, 43 per cent applied because of friends and relatives and another 18 per cent for employment and study purposes.

>> Number of Russians Buying Properties in Finland Soars

View post:

Finland to Extend Validity of Residence Permits for Ukrainian Refugees Under Temporary Protection - SchengenVisaInfo.com - SchengenVisaInfo.com

Posted in Life Extension | Comments Off on Finland to Extend Validity of Residence Permits for Ukrainian Refugees Under Temporary Protection – SchengenVisaInfo.com – SchengenVisaInfo.com

Wildfire Smoke’s Affect on Potato Crops Being Studied – University of Idaho

Posted: at 1:09 am

MOSCOW, Idaho A two-year study by Boise State University and University of Idaho probes how wildfire smoke affects potato crops and seeks to identify smoke-resilient potato varieties.

Farmers know potato crops grown during seasons of heavy, extended wildfire smoke generally have smaller yields and worse quality. Past studies have identified some smoke components, such as ozone, that could impair potato growth, but limited research has largely left the underlying chemical relationships unexplained. This work tests industrys smoke-harm theory in controlled environments, allowing researchers to investigate the effects individual smoke compounds impart on Idahos flagship crop.

Observations from industry started all of this. When we have had bad, smoky years, yields are down and processing quality is down. Our hypothesis is smoke exposure causes that, said Mike Thornton, a professor in UofIs Department of Plant Sciences.

Thornton and Boise State Chemistry Department Chair Owen McDougal are analyzing smokes chemical effects on potatoes. The study also evaluates if certain potato varieties are more immune to smokes damage. Researchers will present preliminary findings this winter at potato industry meetings. Full results are expected for release after the 2023 harvest.

The existing understanding of smokes influence on potatoes points to a mixed bag. Several smoke components are suspected to affect potato crops, such as brown and black carbon, volatile organic compounds and even disease spores. Smoke reduces available light and raises nighttime humidity worsening environmental conditions for potato growth. But other parts of smoke, such as carbon dioxide, may be advantageous for plants.

This is the first time, at least in our review of academic research, that anybody has tried to do this on a large scale, Thornton said.

The new research involves subjecting three potato varieties Clearwater, Alturas and Russet Burbank to smoke emitted from pine needles, sage brush and wood. Burnt in a commercial smoker attached to a mixing drum, the blend attempts to emulate wildfire smoke. The smoke is piped to potato plots, where plastic covers trap smoke in with plants, while other control potato plants grow in a smoke-free environment to let researchers compare outcomes. Daily potato smoke treatment at the UofI Parma Research and Extension Center began July 11 and ended Aug. 18.

The two-year project is funded by $125,000 from the federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, authorized by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.

McDougal, director of the Boise State Food and Dairy Innovation Center, will oversee chemical analysis into possible changes potatoes experience from smoke exposure. Analysis occurs immediately after harvest, after six months in storage and after the potatoes are turned into frozen fries.

It will tell us what differences there are between a control and a treatment potato so we can pinpoint which metabolites chemicals within a potato change due to exposure to smoke, McDougal said.

Fries analyzed for the experiment will be processed at the UofI Food Technology Center in Caldwell.

Noticing potatoes dont seem to store well after intense wildfire years, McCain Foods lent expertise toward the project. Representatives from UofI, McCain Foods and Boise State serve on an advisory committee that oversees the research project.

Thornton anticipates applying similar research methods in future seasons to replicate the smoke study with other crops, including onions.

Note: Courtesy photos are available for download. Please contact Kyle Pfannenstiel at kylecp@uidaho.edu or 208-329-8947 for assistance.

Owen McDougalBoise State University Chemistry Department Chair, Professor208-426-3964owenmcdougal@boisestate.edu

Mike SharpBoise State University Director of Media Relations208-426-1597mikesharp@boisestate.edu

Mike ThorntonUniversity of Idaho Professor of Plant Sciences208-722-6701, Ext. 211miket@uidaho.edu

John OConnellUniversity of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life SciencesAssistant Director of Communications208-530-5959joconnell@uidaho.edu

Read this article:

Wildfire Smoke's Affect on Potato Crops Being Studied - University of Idaho

Posted in Life Extension | Comments Off on Wildfire Smoke’s Affect on Potato Crops Being Studied – University of Idaho

Sven Kili on reconvening with the ISCT – The Medicine Maker

Posted: at 1:08 am

Sven Kili is a busy and influential man. In addition to being CEO of Geneva startup Antion Biosciences, hes also an Honorary Professor at University College London, a board member of the Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine, Chair of the BioIndustry Associations Cell and Gene Therapy Advisory Committee, Co-chair of the Finance and Business Development Committee at the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT), and the list goes on

We sat down with Kili to discuss his perspective on the future of cell and gene therapy and the success of ISCT 2022.

My time serving as a meeting co-chair at ISCT 2022 was absolutely amazing a reawakening! It was the second in person, three dimensional meeting that I had attended since the onset of the pandemic, and it was a real treat to return to catching up with real people old friends, in fact over real cups of coffee. Something as simple as being present in a room while a speaker was presenting, and then being able to interact with them in person was really great.

There were several noticeable changes. The first was the way one asked questions. Very often in remote meetings, your questions are asked in a text box. Then, they could end up being interpreted literally or figuratively by a moderator, before they reach the speaker.

In addition, asking follow-up questions or requesting clarification becomes very onerous. Thus, all questions in virtual events tend to be short and open ended.

By contrast, offline events are far better suited for dialogue for a back and forth that allows for additional clarifying questions. These can then be taken even further after the event, by approaching the given speaker for a longer discussion, perhaps over one of those real cups of coffee.

There is the magic of chance encounters. For example, you might run into an old friend in a corridor, and find yourself lured into tagging along at a session that turns out to be much better than you would have expected, covering topics and taking a format you might never have anticipated. Such novelty only happens offline. A little bit of chaos goes a long way.

More powerful forms of learning happen offline, too. This year I attended a session outside my comfort zone, on manufacturing. At the session, the speaker presented a comparison of a number of cell therapy manufacturing machines and compared their output. It opened up lines of thought in me that would have remained closed had I attended via laptop, perched on a distant dining room chair.

First, there was a roundtable on off-target effects of gene editing. Its a hot topic in the field, so I and many others were very keen to join in and learn. Next, there was another roundtable on the developing needs of the cell and gene therapy workforce. That was also extremely interesting and gave me an opportunity to learn about what other people in other countries and institutions are doing to address the growing shortage. Some of the ideas were truly inspirational. Third, there was a talk on making cell and gene therapies available to patients in less-wealthy countries. This was interesting for me because in my previous life at GSK my colleagues and I did a lot of work trying to make sure that patients in low- and medium-income countries got access to therapies. Sadly it is still a challenge, albeit better understood, and thus the talk allowed us to have a really constructive, engaging discussion and share ideas and successes.

We are now considering not only how to mint more MScs and postdocs, but also how to engage schoolchildren in science and the cell and gene therapy field.

Beyond those three, I attended a roundtable and a talk on CAR T infrastructure. The roundtable focused on the potential for disseminating CAR T administration from a very limited number of key centers to many more smaller hospitals to treat a greater number of patients. The talk was on CAR T optimization, specifically improving the efficacy of allogeneic therapies.

Without a doubt, yes. Though I cant claim to own a crystal ball, there are some areas in which the field is already starting to see effects linking back to the conversations on headcount and workforce planning that took place at our conference. Before the conference, we had already seen a number of articles in magazines and journals hitting on this topic, and even some podcast episodes being put together. Awareness of the challenges is now higher, and efforts to tackle them are growing more coordinated. We are now considering not only how to mint more MScs and postdocs, but also how to engage schoolchildren in science and the cell and gene therapy field. In fact in the UK, this very topic has reached the level of government engagement.

Another really important area where our conversations should have a massive effect is gene editing. Many people are realizing that editing as powerful as the technology may be has its limits. Theyre realizing, too, that within developing technologies lie alternatives to gene editing, especially for more complex engineering tasks.

Were also seeing ongoing dialogue on making advanced therapies available in less wealthy countries. The solution here is not something as simple as shipping cells directly off to the worlds poorest regions. This is about starting at home, and thinking about how we manufacture these technologies at a lower cost, but with the same safety and the same efficacy. By improving the cost:benefit ratio, we can open the door to patients in lower- and medium-income countries. To pull that off, however, we need to keep these critical conversations going.

Without a doubt, we're seeing a shift in priorities towards employees quality of life.

The last hot topic Ill mention is engagement with regulators. In the last year or so it has been very difficult to engage face-to-face with regulators, such as the EMA and the FDA all thanks to a pandemic that not only closed off travel options but left many institutions, services, and corporations short-staffed. And so it was all the more special to have the opportunity to bring representatives from those regulatory bodies into ISCT 2022 for in-person discussions. Very recently, the FDA announced that from 2023 they will be moving back to business as usual, and hiring more staff for assessments and reviews. I like to think that our discussions (and the concerns we relayed) at ISCT 2022 helped sow seeds that will have influenced that decision.

Multiplex cell engineering presents serious challenges. No matter how efficient the modality, once you move into multiplexing, things rapidly grow more complex. Lets say you are editing out four different receptors to silence them. Each edit requires two double-stranded breaks. Thats four DNA breaks multiplied by four targets, giving a total of 16 breaks in the genome. Expecting them all to heal up spontaneously after disruption with congruent end-to-end joining and no translocations or other malformations would be unwise, because this is very seldom possible.

Furthermore, we should acknowledge that editing is not 100 percent effective. If you put 100 cells into the petri dish, youre not going to successfully edit all of them. Youll generally manage a rate of 9096 percent, but in some cases youll score as low as 3040 percent. As you introduce more edits, fewer cells survive the process. To mitigate that, you need to edit in steps. So you do one edit, then another, then another and at every step you have to select and expand the cells that have actually been edited. If youre doing that to T cells repeatedly pushing them into battle-readiness theyll be absolutely exhausted after just three or four edits. From there, theyll be of little to no use in the body.

Without a doubt, were seeing a shift in priorities towards employees quality of life. Instead of paying prospective staff over the odds, a number of companies are now advertising a market rate salary but then offering additional incentives tied to quality of life, such as uncapped holiday time, gym memberships, regular health checkups, coaching and development, and so on.

Much of the point here is to generate mutual feelings and engagement and purpose between the company and the employee. In some ways, it does feel like a return to older models that prioritized bonds and loyalty over employees ship-jumping self-interest and managements hire-and-fire flexibility. Were even seeing this play out in smaller companies that dont necessarily have the financial power to offer super high salaries.

These smaller companies can find themselves at a disadvantage in terms of staff loyalty, since they may lack the resources to train and develop their staff for a range of wider and more advanced roles. If you come in as a technician, youll likely stay a technician. In a larger company, that wont necessarily be the case. And thats why state-sponsored organizations, such as the UKs Cell and Gene Catapult and Canadas CCRM, are absolutely critical; they can provide essential on-the-job training to people working outside big pharma.

Apprenticeship schemes are a great option, too. Either way, on-the-job training is absolutely critical in our environment. We need it to let people grow, develop, and expand their knowledge and horizons. As companies grow in size, theyre able to offer more and more training, which then has a trickle down effect benefiting smaller companies that can continue to germinate and generate knowledge and skills. This tendency should encourage people to stay longer at their companies and develop more value. Ultimately, its about making the working environment as appealing to the worker as possible.

It depends on the company developing the therapy, and it depends on the indication and where the patients are located. For beta thalassemia or sickle cell disease, Sub-Saharan Africa is the most interesting spot. But then for certain other indications, Southeast Asia or South America will be far more interesting.

At ISCT 2022, we were fortunate enough to have speakers from across the global south. We had someone from India, someone from South Africa, and someone from South America, all there to talk about their experiences. Sitting in our comparatively very rich countries, we have a tendency to group all the low- and middle-income countries together. But, of course, what works in Chile will not necessarily work in Nigeria or Thailand. Different countries require different solutions. Understanding those specific contexts and challenges in detail is key to helping cell and gene therapy go global. The rest of the world just needs some love and cell attention.

Follow this link:
Sven Kili on reconvening with the ISCT - The Medicine Maker

Posted in Gene Medicine | Comments Off on Sven Kili on reconvening with the ISCT – The Medicine Maker

Study refutes long-held belief that the Corin gene causes hypertension in African Americans – University of Alabama at Birmingham

Posted: at 1:08 am

UAB researchers show there is no longer a connection between the previously linked gene and elevated blood pressure in those of African ancestry.

UAB researchers, Vibhu Parcha, M.D. (left), and Pankaj Arora, M.D. (right), were involved in this study. Photography: Andrea MabryFor many years, the Corin gene was believed to be associated with high blood pressure in Black individuals. Now, a recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association involving researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham disputes that belief. The research team says it is a misconception that Corin gene variants are responsible for the high prevalence of hypertension in the African American community.

Although we know there is a high prevalence of high blood pressure in the African American community, our research shows that Corin gene variants are not the cause, said Pankaj Arora, M.D., a physician-scientist in UABs Division of Cardiovascular Disease. There is still much work that needs to be done to fully understand why high blood pressure and poor cardiometabolic health is disproportionately higher among Black individuals.

The Corin gene regulates the processing of heart hormones called natriuretic peptides that help regulate blood pressure. It was previously presumed that the Corin gene variants seen almost exclusively in those of African ancestry contributed to the higher prevalence of elevated blood pressure in this community. In a study involving more than 11,000 Black individuals, researchers found that being a carrier of the Corin gene variants was not associated with higher blood pressure levels and did not impact the circulating levels of the natriuretic peptides. They also found that there were no expression differences in natriuretic peptides in the heart tissue of individuals with and without the Corin gene variant.

We know that hypertension results from numerous environmental factors, pervasive systemic health inequities and multiple social determinants of health that disproportionately impact the African American community, said Vibhu Parcha, M.D., a clinical research fellow in the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and the UAB Cardiogenomics Clinic. It is unfair to simply blame this on the Corin gene. Our findings suggest that we must look elsewhere for the root causes of the high prevalence of hypertension in this community and find ways to mitigate those causes.

Parcha says the scientific community has largely been unsuccessful in including Black individuals into genomic research, which has limited the understanding of the genetic determinants of cardiovascular health in Black individuals.

Research studies in the UAB Department of Medicine involving underrepresented communities help to advance the implementation of precision medicine an approach of using ones genetic information to guide their medical therapy. Using the latest advances in medicine, physician-scientists at the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine are continuing to make UAB a center of excellence for precision cardiovascular medicine. At the UAB Cardiogenomics Clinic, a patients care team uses their genetic history to help develop a personalized cardiovascular treatment plan. UAB Cardiovascular Institute has been advancing the initiative for the inclusion of Black individuals in clinical research and helping improve its understanding of what drives the development offatal cardiac illness in the Black community.

Continued here:
Study refutes long-held belief that the Corin gene causes hypertension in African Americans - University of Alabama at Birmingham

Posted in Gene Medicine | Comments Off on Study refutes long-held belief that the Corin gene causes hypertension in African Americans – University of Alabama at Birmingham

Akouos Receives FDA Clearance of its IND Application for AK-OTOF, a Gene Therapy Intended for the Treatment of OTOF-mediated Hearing Loss – Yahoo…

Posted: at 1:08 am

Akouos, Inc.

-The IND for AK-OTOF is the first to receive FDA clearance for a genetic form of hearing loss and the first for an AAV vector therapy with the potential to treat an inner ear condition

-Akouos plans to initiate a pediatric Phase 1/2 clinical trial, including children as young as two years of age in the dose-escalation phase (Part A), to evaluate AK-OTOF for the treatment of OTOF-mediated hearing loss

-Based on auditory brainstem response data from nonclinical studies, a one-time administration of AK-OTOF has the potential to deliver durable restoration of auditory function

BOSTON, Sept. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akouos, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKUS), a precision genetic medicine company dedicated to developing potential gene therapies for individuals living with disabling hearing loss worldwide, today announced that it has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Investigational New Drug (IND) application to initiate a Phase 1/2, first in human, pediatric clinical trial of AK-OTOF, a gene therapy intended for the treatment of patients with otoferlin gene (OTOF)-mediated hearing loss. Currently, there are no approved pharmacologic treatment options for individuals with OTOF-mediated hearing loss, a form of sensorineural hearing loss caused by mutations in the OTOF gene.

The AK-OTOF IND clearance from FDA is an important step toward achieving our mission of making healthy hearing available to all, said Manny Simons, Ph.D., M.B.A., co-founder, president, and chief executive officer of Akouos. This first in human clinical trial for AK-OTOF is groundbreaking and highlights Akouoss leadership in the field -- we expect this to be the first clinical trial for a genetic inner ear condition, the first in which an AAV gene therapy is administered to the inner ear, and the first for any inner ear condition to begin in a pediatric population.

We are excited to advance AK-OTOF into clinical development. There is a significant unmet need in OTOF-mediated hearing loss, as individuals typically have Severe to Profound sensorineural hearing loss from birth, and there are currently no approved pharmacologic options, said Jen Wellman, chief operating officer of Akouos. This clinical trial is designed not only to evaluate the safety and potential benefit of AK-OTOF for individuals with OTOF-mediated hearing loss, but also to help us demonstrate the applicability of our novel delivery approach to a broad range of inner ear conditions. We look forward to sharing what we learn from this pioneering work.

Story continues

OTOF-mediated hearing loss is a form of sensorineural hearing loss caused by mutations in the otoferlin gene, which encodes otoferlin, a protein that enables the inner hair cells of the cochlea to release neurotransmitter vesicles in response to stimulation by sound to activate auditory neurons. Individuals with OTOF-mediated hearing loss have bilateral hearing loss that is typically Severe to Profound and congenital, exhibiting absent or highly abnormal auditory brainstem response (ABR) from birth. Approximately 20,000 individuals are affected in the United States and Europe. In April 2021, FDA granted both Orphan Drug Designation and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation for AK-OTOF.

AK-OTOF is a dual adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-based gene therapy intended to treat patients with OTOF-mediated hearing loss by delivering transgenes encodingOTOFto the inner hair cells (IHCs) of the cochlea. A one-time, unilateral intracochlear administration of AK-OTOF is intended to result in the expression of normal full-length functional otoferlin protein in the IHCs, which has the potential to lead to recovery of auditory function.

The advancement of AK-OTOF into clinical development is supported by nonclinical data demonstrating administration of AK-OTOF in Otof knockout mice results in durable expression of human otoferlin protein sufficient for sustained restoration of auditory function, as assessed by translationally relevant ABR assessments. In both mice and non-human primates, AK-OTOF was systemically and locally well tolerated, and no adverse effects were observed in clinical pathology, otic pathology, systemic histopathology, or auditory or cochlear function.

The Phase 1/2 clinical trial is designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of escalating doses of AK-OTOF administered unilaterally to trial participants with OTOF-mediated hearing loss; it is also designed to assess efficacy through clinical measures such as ABR, which is an objective, clinically accepted endpoint. Given both the early onset of serious manifestations, as well as the need for timely intervention due to anatomical considerations and developmental considerations, eligible participants for the clinical trial will be pediatric. Based on interactions with FDA during the 30-day IND review period, the Company expects the first two participants will be as young as seven years of age, and that subsequent participants will be as young as two years of age at the time of administration.

The Company plans to provide an update on clinical trial initiation activities for AK-OTOF later this year.

About AkouosAkouos is a precision genetic medicine company dedicated to developing gene therapies with the potential to restore, improve, and preserve high-acuity physiologic hearing for individuals living with disabling hearing loss worldwide. Leveraging its precision genetic medicine platform that incorporates a proprietary adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector library and a novel delivery approach, Akouos is focused on developing precision therapies for forms of sensorineural hearing loss. Headquartered in Boston, Akouos was founded in 2016 by leaders in the fields of neurotology, genetics, inner ear drug delivery, and AAV gene therapy.

Forward-Looking StatementsStatements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the initiation, plans, timing of our future clinical trials for AK-OTOF, and the potential benefit of AK-OTOF. The words anticipate, believe, contemplate, continue, could, estimate, expect, intend, might, may, plan, potential, predict, project, should, target, will, would, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: our limited operating history; uncertainties inherent in the development of product candidates, including the initiation and completion of nonclinical studies and clinical trials; whether results from nonclinical studies will be predictive of results or success of clinical trials; the timing of and our ability to submit applications for, and obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for, our product candidates; our expectations regarding our regulatory strategy; our ability to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements with our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities; the potential advantages of our product candidates; the rate and degree of market acceptance and clinical utility of our product candidates; our estimates regarding the potential addressable patient population for our product candidates; our commercialization, marketing, and manufacturing capabilities and strategy; our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our product candidates; our ability to identify additional products, product candidates, or technologies with significant commercial potential that are consistent with our commercial objectives; the impact of government laws and regulations and any changes in such laws and regulations; risks related to competitive programs; the potential that our internal manufacturing capabilities and/or external manufacturing supply may experience delays; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations, and financial condition; our ability to maintain and establish collaborations or obtain additional funding; and other factors discussed in the Risk Factors included in the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 15, 2022, and in other filings that the Company makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the future. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts

Media:Katie Engleman, 1ABkatie@1abmedia.com

Investors:Courtney Turiano, Stern Investor RelationsCourtney.Turiano@sternir.com

View original post here:
Akouos Receives FDA Clearance of its IND Application for AK-OTOF, a Gene Therapy Intended for the Treatment of OTOF-mediated Hearing Loss - Yahoo...

Posted in Gene Medicine | Comments Off on Akouos Receives FDA Clearance of its IND Application for AK-OTOF, a Gene Therapy Intended for the Treatment of OTOF-mediated Hearing Loss – Yahoo…