Author Archives: Danzig

Delivering on the promise of precision cancer medicine and why it matters even more during a pandemic – MedCity News

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While many of us have avoided exposure to Covid-19 by sheltering in place, patients with advanced cancer have faced difficult choices about moving ahead with immune-compromising, but potentially life-saving treatments, and leaving the safety of their homes to receive infusions at hospitals or treatment centers.

Even more challenging, for many patients, the pandemic has altered the landscape of practically available treatment options. The best treatment for many patients with advanced cancer is often available only through a clinical trial. Trials traditionally have taken place at leading academic medical centers, which means patients often must travel long distances to participate and receive novel treatment.

Precision medicine has always been about getting the right drug to the right patient at the right time. I would argue not only do we in the oncology community need to embrace the promise of precision medicine more fully but also that the definition should be expanded to, the right drug to the right patient at the right time and in the right place. We need to make promising treatments, including the latest clinical trials, available locally.

Advancing Precision Medicine through Tumor Molecular ProfilingComprehensive tumor molecular profiling is foundational to precision medicine. While patients may have the same cancer type, variations within individual genomes may determine how well one patient responds to a certain treatment compared to another. Oncologists must have access to actionable molecular information to select the right treatment for their patients.

Since the human genome was mapped for the first time in 2003, a number of technological and scientific advances have made it possible for patients with cancer to receive comprehensive tumor molecular profiling results in less than two weeks, with costs increasingly covered by payers. Biomarkers are now widely used to identify patients for treatment with a specific therapeutic agent. Increasingly, cancer therapies are developed in tissue-agnostic indications, meaning they are approved based on molecular changes rather than the site of tumor. In June of this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved pembroluzumab (Keytruda) for the treatment of any solid tumor that is tumor mutational burden (TMB) high.

With these advances, one would think that every patient with advanced disease would receive tumor molecular profiling as a standard of care. However, this is not the case. Only about 15% of patients with advanced cancer receive comprehensive tumor profiling. Widespread deployment of tumor molecular profiling is emerging as a rate-limiting factor for how rapidly we can drive better outcomes for all patients with cancer.

Practical Challenges to Widespread Precision Oncology AccessWhy are patients not able to fully benefit from the promise of precision medicine? There are a several key barriers to access, including:

Addressing the ChallengeHow precision medicine companies, providers and health systems work together to develop and deploy solutions will determine how successfully we can deliver on the promise of precision cancer care. Some precision medicine companies are developing blood tests, called liquid biopsies, that identify potential tumor cells circulating in the blood with the goal of reducing reliance on tumor tissue biopsies. Others are undertaking educational campaigns to encourage broader uptake of comprehensive genomic testing. And there are companies that deliver a comprehensive precision oncology program to health systems, providing widespread and routine access to comprehensive tumor molecular profiling paired with local access to a portfolio of biomarker-guided clinical trials. A study presented by Kaiser Permanente Northern California at the 2020 ASCO meeting demonstrated how industry partnerships can enable health systems to implement and deliver a large-scale comprehensive precision oncology program.

Knowing which treatment is right can mitigate risk in unexpected ways as well. In a recent anecdote from our lab, tumor tissue from a 70-year old patient with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer was sequenced and found to have a rare, but highly actionable, gene fusion that could be treated with an orally available targeted therapy. Instead of having to attend multiple infusion visits for chemotherapy and immunotherapy that would result in substantial exposure risk to Covid-19, the patient can now receive a targeted therapy that can be taken at home with an expected dramatic response.

A Better FutureThis pandemic has taken a toll on everyone, and patients with advanced cancer have faced unique challenges. However, the opportunity before us is one to create the future we should all be working toward: a future where the right patient receives the right treatment, at the right time and in the right place. As we continue to work our way through this current pandemic, lets envision a future where every patient with cancer has access to the latest in precision medicine by implementing broad-scale genomic testing and democratizing access to clinical trials so that whatever environment we face, cancer patients will always receive the best care.

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Delivering on the promise of precision cancer medicine and why it matters even more during a pandemic - MedCity News

mTOR and the Science of Aging and Chronic Disease – The Doctor Weighs In

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What if you could age slower and maintain your ability to be active and enjoy your family well into your 70s or 80s or beyond? What if you could delay the onset of chronic disease by almost a decade? Well, that is no longer a dream. Thanks to advances in the science of aging and chronic disease, we know that there are things that you can do now to impact your health and, perhaps, your longevity.

Lets start our discussion by diving into some of the basic science related to prolongation of a healthy lifespan. Dont worry, we are going to start with a video and its going to be fun.

First, check out this very entertaining short TED talk by Cynthia Kenyon who is a top scientist at the University of California at San Francisco Medical School. Then come back to this post for an expanded discussion.

The importance of Dr. Kenyons work and that of contemporary aging researchers is that they showed, for the first time, that aging and age-related chronic diseases arent things that just happen to us. [1] They are, in fact, related to an evolutionarily-conserved complex, highly regulated, and interconnected series of biochemical pathways.

Central to these pathways is a molecule called mTOR which stands for mechanistic Target of Rapamycin. It is so-named because rapamycin, a naturally occurring substance, inhibits the many of the activities of mTOR triggering a variety of metabolic and clinical outcomes. The most well-known of which is the extension of healthy lifespan.[2, 3]

mTOR exists as a complex of proteins called mTOR complex or mTORC. There are actually two different forms mTORC known as mTORC1 and mTORC2. Activation of the complexes occurs via different pathways. Once activated the mTOR complexes, in turn, activate or inhibit pathways critical to cell function. [2, 3]

mTORC1 and 2 are activated or inactivated depending on the availability of nutrients in the cells environment (e.g., glucose, amino acids and various growth factors). In fact, you can think of mTORC as integrating and responding to the energy status of the cells environment.

When times are good and energy, oxygen, nutrients, and growth factors is plentiful, mTORC1 is activated and stimulates metabolic pathways that lead to growth. When times are tough, those pathways are suppressed and the pathways related to survival are activated.

Here are some of the cellular functions mTORC1 regulates [2,4]:

The last two functions are inhibited when energy, nutrients, and growth factors are plentiful.

mTORC2 is activated by insulin and growth factors. [2,4] It regulates the following:

Rapamycin inhibits most but not all of the activities of mTORC1. However, it does not inhibit mTORC2 in the short run. There is some evidence that chronic administration of rapamycin, however, can inhibit mTORC2.[4] Further, there are important feedback pathways between mTORC1 and mTORC2.

Living organisms on our planet are subject to varying availability of nutrients and other sources of energy. In order to survive, they must be able to sample the energy availability in their surroundings and adjust accordingly.

mTOR-linked pathways provide that mechanism. Receptors found in cell membranes have both an external-facing component and an internal-facing component. The external component binds to nutrients, such as glucose, amino acids, oxygen, and various growth factors. As described above, this leads to the activation or inactivation of different intermediate proteins that ultimately activate or inhibit mTOR.

For example, during times of energetic stress, a protein known as AMPK is activated. This in turn inhibits mTORC1 and leads to activation or inhibition of other intermediate compounds. The result is a state of cellular activity that favors prolongation of lifespan.[5]

Although the pathways are incompletely understood, it is of note that dietary restriction a self-induced famine in a way is also associated with longevity.[5] We must remember, though, because of complex feedback loops, the ability to prolong lifespan via these mechanisms is not limitless.

On the other hand, during times of plenty, the availability of glucose increases. In addition to reducing the activation of AMPK, it also triggers the release of the hormone insulin and insulin-like growth factor). This leads to mTOR activation and creation of a state that favors growth and development including such things as elevated lipid levels that favor the development of chronic diseases.

Understanding the molecular biology of the mTOR pathways has some very practical applications. For example, as we have already pointed out, restricting calories is associated with reduced levels of some factors that inhibit mTORC1 and is associated with lifespan extension.[5] Intermittent fastingand exercise also reduce mTOR activity.

Also, restricting carbohydrates in people with Type 2 diabetes is known to lower blood glucose, insulin, and IGF-1 levels. The benefits of this type of diet does not require weight loss, although many do lose weight with carbohydrate restriction. [6] In fact, some experts have called for dietary carbohydrate restriction to be the first intervention prescribed in diabetes management. [6]

The prevailing American high-carbohydrate, high-fat fast-food diet, on the other hand, drives extra calorie intake and as well as higher levels of the factors that activate mTORC1. This, unfortunately, leads to metabolic conditions that accelerate the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart artery problems.[6]

Metformin is the most commonly prescribed drug for Type 2 diabetes. It interferes with the same signaling pathways that we have been discussing. Specifically, it leads to the reduction of glucose, IGF-1, insulin levels. This, in turn, leads to inhibition of mTORC1. This results in a metabolic state that favors important health outcomes, such as:

Further, the drug has been proven to be safe with relatively few serious side effects. And, it is cheap, making it accessible even for people without health insurance.

Metformin is the also first drug approved by the FDA to enter a clinical trial to assess its effect on prolongation of a healthy lifespan. According to American Association for Aging Research, the Targeting Aging with Metformin (TAME) trials are a series of nationwide, six-year clinical trials at 14 leading research institutions across the country that will engage over 3,000 individuals between the ages of 65-79.

These trials will test whether those taking metformin experience delayed development or progression of age-related chronic diseasessuch as heart disease, cancer, and dementia.

As mentioned, the drug rapamycin inhibits mTORC1 activity and is associated with a prolonged lifespan. However, systemic rapamycin has unacceptable side effects, so its use is limited in humans.

It is used, however, for local applications. One example is the use of Sirolimus (the brand name of rapamycin) in early versions of drug-eluting stents (DES) used to treat coronary artery disease. [7]

More recently, scientists have modified rapamycin to create less toxic forms of the drug. They are known as rapalogs. These include everolimus, zotarolimus, and biolimus. Together with improved stent platform materials, the use of these DESs have been shown to lower thrombotic events related to the stents. [8]

There are a number of drugs that are used for cardiovascular disease that specifically impact the mTORC pathways by various mechanisms. For example, lisinopril (ACE inhibitor), losartan (angiotensin receptor blocker), atorvastatin (statin), and eplerenone (mineralocorticoid receptor blocker) all reduce oxidative particle formation. Indirectly, this lead to the inhibition of mTORC.

This, as we know, leads to metabolic changes that favor healthy aging. These effects on the mTOR-related signaling pathways may be the reason why these medications lower the risk of heart attack and stroke more than they reduce the target risk factors of blood pressure, lipid, and glucose levels.

On the other hand, tobacco smoke increases oxidative stress and favors the activation of mTORC pathways. This may eventually lead to Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) and lung cancer.

Interfering with this core signaling is a form of precision medicine that impacts the molecular biology that causes cardiovascular disease, cancer, and accelerated aging. These medications are antioxidants that work.

Here is the most shocking insight. The same core signaling that causes accelerated aging, chronic disease, and ultimately death is essential to produce a perfectly developed newborn. At the moment of conception, there is a single cell that will ultimately become all the cells in the body with their vastly different functions.

The DNA for every cell in your body is the same. Epigenetic regulation determines which genes are turned on or off in a particular cell type. For example, normal EGFR function is necessary to establish pregnancy successfully at the very beginning of life. However, it contributes to chronic disease development later.

Angiotensin II is required to form a normal fetal kidney, but inappropriate activation later in life contributes to developing hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and congestive heart failure.

mTOR activation via nutrient sensing and growth factor signaling in the fetus directs a master symphony of switching genes on in just the right place, at just the right time, with just the right intensity for an exact amount of time to produce a perfect infant.

However, the same genes that are essential to coordinate normal development cause disease and death with chaotic activation later.

The human genome project did not give us the answers for accelerated aging and common chronic diseases. These problems are caused by normal genes that are inappropriately switched on later in life by things like aging, unhealthy diets, and tobacco smoke.

Specific highly effective generic medications with few side effects can block the signaling from those genes and lead to dramatically better clinical outcomes at a lower cost. Caloric restriction, intermittent fasting, exercise, and the specific medications mentioned all impact the same signaling.

New science, new systems, and new payment models can improve our health at a lower cost. All the necessary elements are available. It is time to bring the stakeholders together and get started.

2. Papadopoli D, Boulay K, Kazak L, et al. mTOR as a central regulator of lifespan and aging [version 1; peer-review: 3 approved] latest versions as of 07/27/20. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6611156/pdf/f1000research-8-18802.pdf

3. Weichhart T. mTOR as regulator of lifespan, aging and cellular senescence. Gerontology. (2018) 64(2):127-134.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29190625/

4. Samidurai A, Kukreja R, Das A. Emerging role of mTOR signaling-related miRNAs in cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. Volume 2018, Article II6141902, 23 pages https://www.hindawi.com/journals/omcl/2018/6141902/

5. Longo V, Antebi A, Bartke A, et al. Interventions to Slow Aging in Humans: Are We Ready? Aging Cell (2015) 14, 497-510. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4531065/

6. Feinman R, Pogozelski W, Astrup, A, et al. Dietary carbohydrate restriction as the f first approach in diabetes management: Critical review and evidence base. Nutrition(2015) 31:1-13.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0899900714003323

7. Serruys P, Regar E, Carter A. Rapamycin eluting stent: the onset of a new era in interventional cardiology.Heart(2002) 87:305-305.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277539488_Rapamycin_eluting_stent_the_onset_of_a_new_era_in_interventional_cardiology

8. Im E, Hong, M-K. Drug-eluting stents to prevent stent thrombosis and restenosis (2016) 14(1):87-104 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26567863/

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mTOR and the Science of Aging and Chronic Disease - The Doctor Weighs In

A breakthrough: Stem cell therapy cures Covid-19 The Manila Times – The Manila Times

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SIX patients who were suffering from the acute coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) were cured through the stem cell technology using blood from preserved umbilical cords.

The revolutionary method of curing the dreaded virus, which originated in China and has spread worldwide, was announced by The Medical City (TMC) hospital in Pasig City.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd was informed of the breakthrough in treating the pandemic illness through a letter sent by Dr. Eugenio F. Ramos, TMC president and chief executive officer, on Thursday, July 23.

Our government, particularly the Department of Health, can take pride in the fact that the Philippines is not behind at all in innovative practice in medicine, said Ramos in his letter to Duque.

The TMC has been experimenting with stem cell therapy since 2015 through its Institute of Personalized Molecular Medicines stem cell program.

The stem cell experiment was made on seven Covid-19 patients who were so ill they were about to be intubated.

Intubation means inserting a tube into the patients mouth that reaches the trachea to allow him/her to breathe through a lung machine.

Six of the seven patients had recovered, the TMC said; one was so ill he died during the procedure.

As I told you this morning, we would have wanted to complete at least 10 Covid-19 cases before informing you, but it might be taken against us if we kept this knowledge from the public too long while patients are dying and no single drug seems to work, Dr. Ramos told Duque.

Ramos simplified for the public how the stem cell therapy works:

Stem cells are very young cells from the body that can be differentiated into whatever cell lines (lung, heart, kidney, liver, skin, etc.) that the body needs when it needs them, e.g., when an organ is injured or deteriorates. Stem cells can be triggered or infused to do [repair] work.

In severe Covid-19 cases, what triggers a cascade of inflammatory cells (called cytokines) is the injury caused by the virus. The lungs, in particular, become inflamed and the respiratory function rapidly deteriorates leading to death.

Before the cascade happens in which case the patient is in a severe condition probably requiring intubation the infusion of mesenchymal stem cells collected [from] the umbilical cord and grown in [the regenerative medicine laboratory of TMC into the patients veins, takes place.

A total of four infusions are given over a short period of a few days. These messenchymal stem cells rally the cells in the lungs to fight the cytokines.

In short, the stem cells from the umbilical cord produce new cells to replace those damaged by the virus in the lungs, leading to the patients recovery.

The umbilical cord is rich in nutrients to rebuild destroyed tissues, according to Ramos.

TMCs stem cell program also makes use of bone marrow taken from a patients spine to cure cancer.

But the bone marrow stem cell is also used to delay the aging process in elderly patients.

TMC had the most number of bone marrow transplantation for blood cancers, with more than 90 percent survival rate, said Dr. Ramos.

Since 2015, a total of 112 patients have enrolled in TMCs regenerative medicine program.

Of the total, 57 percent were cancer patients and 43 percent were non-cancer patients, said TMCs Dr. Michelle Joy Baldorado-de Vera.

Oncologists (doctors who specialize in cancer) are part of the regenerative medicine program Alan Olavere, Marina Chua-Tan and Josephine Tolentino.

Other members are hematologists (blood doctors) Norma Ona and Alma Calavera, neurologists John Tiongson and Marc Joseph Buensalido, and immunologist Michelle de Vera.

Dr. Sam Bernal, a Filipino American who grew up in the United States, is a consultant to the program.

Bernal is a molecular scientist and an oncologist who has been into stem cell technology for decades.

He was part of the foreign group that was tapped by the government for technology transfer.

Former Health secretary Alfredo Bengzon, who is a part owner of TMC, engaged Bernal to pioneer stem cell therapy in the country.

TMC has had foreign patients who underwent stem cell therapy, but refuses to disclose their number.

As is the norm among Filipinos who have the crab mentality, TMCs stem cell program has been criticized by fellow doctors.

Weve been defending the program from the outset, said Dr. Ramos.

But its not only TMC that has been into stem cell therapy; the other hospitals are the Makati Medical Center and the governments National Kidney and Transplant Institute.

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A breakthrough: Stem cell therapy cures Covid-19 The Manila Times - The Manila Times

A shift in brain glucose metabolism may help explain women’s increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease – National Institute on Aging

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In the United States, two-thirds of Alzheimers disease diagnoses are in women. While its well-established there are indeed sex differences in the risk and prevalence of Alzheimers, scientists are unsure about why women are more likely to get this disease. Even when taking womens average longer lifespans into account, the increased risk remains, indicating that biological sex differences influence how the disease begins and spreads.

To increase understanding, an NIA scientific team used data and samples from participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) along with animal and human cell models to zero in on sex-based differences in how the brain metabolizes sugar as a culprit and potential therapeutic target. Their findings were published the journal Acta Neuropathologica.

Prior studies have shown that women with Alzheimers carry higher levels of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles than male counterparts. Women also have more severe cognitive symptoms compared to men at the same disease stages. Based on previous work in the field, the NIA team knew that changes in brain glucose metabolism are seen decades before cognitive impairment becomes obvious. They focused on a cross-species approach to further investigate why problems metabolizing glucose (sugars) may be a prelude to dementia-like symptoms. To compare metabolic activity, they analyzed brain tissue and blood samples from BLSA participants who had Alzheimers, along with lab-grown human cell models of Alzheimers, two Alzheimers mouse models, and two specialized strains of flatworms.

The scientists observed that Alzheimers caused impairment in the mitochondria (cell powerhouses") of brain synapses junctions for chemical or electrical signals between neurons in female, but not male, mice. Next, the mouse and human cell models consistently showed that the brain and body try to adapt to this metabolic impairment by shifting from processing glucose (sugars) to lipids (fatty acids.) The scientists then proved that this metabolic shift is needed for survival in both worms and human cell culture Alzheimers models.

Interestingly, further study of animal models and human cell samples showed that males were better able than females to adapt to this metabolic shift at the molecular level. These significant differences in mitochondrial mechanisms and metabolic responses to Alzheimers may explain why there are sex-related differences in risk and disease development.

This study also identified specific molecular and metabolic impairment sites and pathways in mice and humans that are likely connected to sex differences. Further research is needed to develop precision medicine targets for interventions.

This research was funded in part by NIA grant ZIA AG00073817 and the NIA Intramural Research Program.

Reference: Demarest TG, et al. Biological sex and DNA repair deficiency drive Alzheimer's disease via systemic metabolic remodeling and brain mitochondrial dysfunction. Acta Neuropathologica. 2020;140(1):25-47. doi: 10.1007/s00401-020-02152-8.

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A shift in brain glucose metabolism may help explain women's increased risk of Alzheimer's disease - National Institute on Aging

Global Bioinformatics Service Market Report COVID-19 Outbreak Development Trends, Threats, Growth Opportunities and Competitive Landscape in 2024 -…

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Global Bioinformatics Service Market presents comprehensive insights into the present and upcoming industry trends, enabling the readers to identify the products and services, hence driving the revenue increase and effectiveness. The research report presents a complete breakdown of all the major factors affecting the market on a global and regional scale, including drivers, constraints, threats, challenges, opportunities, and Bioinformatics Service industry-specific trends. Further, the report mentions global facts and figures along with downstream and upstream analysis of leading players.

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Agilent TechnologiesQIAGENCD GenomicsThermo Fisher ScientificIlluminaStrand Life SciencesBGI GroupDNANEXUSBiomax InformaticsGene CodesCreative-BiolabsFIOS GenomicsGene CodeDNASTARBiomatters GeneiousPerkinElmerGSL Biotech LLC (SnapGene)Premier Biosoft

This research presents Bioinformatics Service market growth rates and the market value based on market dynamics, growth factors. The complete knowledge is based on the newest innovation in the business, opportunities, and trends. In adding up to SWOT analysis by key suppliers, the report contains an all-inclusive market analysis and major players landscape.

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Academics and Research CentersPharmaceutical and Biotechnology IndustriesForensics LaboratoriesOthers

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Global Bioinformatics Service Market Size, Status and Forecast 2020-2024

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Global Bioinformatics Service Market Report COVID-19 Outbreak Development Trends, Threats, Growth Opportunities and Competitive Landscape in 2024 -...

Photopharmacology Switching Drugs On and Off With Light – Technology Networks

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Light and medicine have a long and intertwined past. Most civilizations throughout history appear to have understood that there was a connection between sunlight and good health. The ancient Egyptians worshipped the sun, with Ra the sun god often described as the king of all gods. Both the ancient Romans and Greeks used sunbaths to maintain good health. Heliotherapy (helio is Greek for sun) was deemed an important part of athletic training in ancient Greece as it was thought to improve muscle health.The link between light and medicine was exemplified by Niels Finsen a pioneer of modern phototherapy. Finsen was awarded the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in recognition of his contribution to the treatment of diseases, especially lupus vulgaris, with concentrated light radiation, whereby he has opened a new avenue for medical science.

By the end of the first quarter of the 20th century, the use of phototherapy for medical purposes, in northern Europe and some regions of North America, was considerable. Prof. Dirk Trauner says that whist phototherapy has been hugely successful, the chemistry that currently mediates the effects of light in phototherapy is relatively simple.

Trauner and his team set out to develop more sophisticated ways to harness light therapeutically. We have been joined in this effort by a growing number of colleagues, explains Trauner. Ben L. Feringa is one such colleague, who was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the design and synthesis of molecular machines in 2016.

Trauners work is based photopharmacology, an innovative approach whereby light is used to activate and deactivate therapeutics and/or biological processes.

However, by introducing photopharmacology, Trauner explains that it is possible to add a further level of control to the PROTAC. One can target their [PROTACS] action to specific tissues or tumors, avoiding side effects elsewhere in the body, says Trauner.

Whilst phototherapy is typically applied to the surface of the skin, PHOTACs could be switched on and off within the body by means of an endoscope combined with a light source, or by using an implanted LED.

Furthermore, in future, by using different colors of light a concept known as color dosing it could be possible to control the activity of PHOTAC-based therapeutics even more precisely. By regulating the concentration of the active or switched-on form of the PHOTAC, dosage of the drug could be altered within the body gradually.

PHOTACs do work like PROTACS but can be activated or inactivated at will as long as light-delivery is possible. Light-delivery in the human body has become quite sophisticated in recent years. New technologies for light delivery are emerging, largely driven by optogenetics and photodynamic therapy, concludes Trauner.

Reference: Reynders, et al. (2020). PHOTACs enable optical control of protein degradation. Science Advances. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aay5064Dirk Trauner was speaking with Laura Elizabeth Lansdowne, Senior Science Writer for Technology Networks.

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Photopharmacology Switching Drugs On and Off With Light - Technology Networks

How AI is uncovering the ‘dark matter of nutrition’ – World Economic Forum

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The COVID-19 pandemic didnt just transform how we work and communicate. It also accelerated the need for more proactive health measures for chronic health problems tied to diet. Such problems have emerged as a top risk factor for coronavirus and people with poor metabolic health accounted for half of COVID-19 hospitalizations in some regions around the world. The resulting high numbers led the authors of a report in The Lancet to issue a call for more resources to tackle metabolic health to avoid needless deaths.

Thankfully, new tools have been developed to offer comprehensive understanding of nutrition. This expertise and technology wont just help us tackle metabolic health it could help us finally fully realize the power of plants to improve health and wellness outcomes.

The first global pandemic in more than 100 years, COVID-19 has spread throughout the world at an unprecedented speed. At the time of writing, 4.5 million cases have been confirmed and more than 300,000 people have died due to the virus.

As countries seek to recover, some of the more long-term economic, business, environmental, societal and technological challenges and opportunities are just beginning to become visible.

To help all stakeholders communities, governments, businesses and individuals understand the emerging risks and follow-on effects generated by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the World Economic Forum, in collaboration with Marsh and McLennan and Zurich Insurance Group, has launched its COVID-19 Risks Outlook: A Preliminary Mapping and its Implications - a companion for decision-makers, building on the Forums annual Global Risks Report.

The report reveals that the economic impact of COVID-19 is dominating companies risks perceptions.

Companies are invited to join the Forums work to help manage the identified emerging risks of COVID-19 across industries to shape a better future. Read the full COVID-19 Risks Outlook: A Preliminary Mapping and its Implications report here, and our impact story with further information.

We know that plants are critical for health, but do not fully understand why. Humans have not mapped the breadth of what plants offer, nor have we pinpointed the specific biological mechanisms of action triggered in our bodies when we eat them. This knowledge gap exists at the molecular level, with a need to understand how phytonutrients tiny plant molecules with anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective and neuroprotective properties work in our bodies. In fact, the scientific community refers to the vast world of phytonutrients as the dark matter of nutrition because less than 1% of these molecules have been catalogued to date. The opportunity to learn more about phytonutrients and further tangibly connect their impact to health is massive.

Technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, are helping researchers learn more about the biological connections between plants and humans. For instance, Brightseed has created a powerful artificial intelligence called Forager, which coupled with advanced metabolomics instrumentation, systematically identifies unknown plant compounds and predicts their likely roles in human health. Thus far, the technology has predicted beneficial phytonutrients for many important health conditions.

Recently, in collaboration with leading biomedical researchers, Brightseed discovered a powerful phytonutrient with the potential to improve metabolic health. This phytonutrient helps restore proper function of a central metabolic regulator, including maintaining healthy lipid and sugar levels in the bloodstream and key organs such as the liver, whose function is impaired by a poor diet. Brightseed will start clinical studies on this phytonutrient before the end of this year.

The impact of this discovery could be wide reaching and have profound implications for more than two billion people worldwide at elevated risk of chronic metabolic diseases. Elevated levels of fat in the liver (which are directly caused by chronic overeating) afflict between 25% and 30% of the global population. These individuals with fatty liver disease are 57% more likely to die prematurely and much more like to develop other debilitating metabolic diseases, including diabetes. The discovery of this phytonutrient is a glimpse into the positive change deeper nutritional understanding could bring.

Just as 1918 pandemic led to creation of the modern medicine industry, we now are at a similar tipping point with nutrition, on the precipice of developing a much more complete understanding of how plants are connected to human health.

The first step is improving our foundational knowledge. In the U.S., there is a broad-based effort among leading academic, non-profit and industry stakeholders to create a National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) to accelerate nutrition science and uncover the role of human nutrition in improving public health and reducing disease. The NIN, similar to institutes that exist in other countries, can support and incentivize higher-quality, more rigorous nutrition research at the molecular level. This research will provide a stronger foundation for nutrition recommendations and guidelines, which is essential to developing consensus in both the scientific and consumer communities.

The second step is a mindset shift. Modern food and agricultural systems have largely focused on - and solved - the problem of food insufficiency. However, preventable diet-driven chronic diseases have emerged instead. We need to pivot from merely increasing the supply of food to leveraging technologies that can help improve the nutritional quality of what we consume.

"We need to pivot from merely increasing the supply of food to leveraging technologies that can help improve the nutritional quality of what we consume."

Healthier food options can be the center of a new proactive health industry and provide the food industry the opportunity to make important contributions to health and longevity, while benefiting economically from the capture of existing healthcare investment that currently is directed to treating chronic disease. Our current treatment-focused healthcare system is increasingly unaffordable and poorly suited to addressing the needs of individuals at heightened risk of developing chronic diseases that are largely preventable through lifestyle modifications, especially those related to diet.

No changes will be possible without forging new collaborations between public and private entities. Through cooperation we can develop more nutritious options and greatly influence policy change. Partnerships are also how well create a more nourished world and maximize our impact.

For the first time, we have the tools to explore the plant kingdom at the molecular level and answer questions such as How does what we eat really affect us? or How can food become medicine?

Technology is exponentially improving our understanding of how plants are connected to health. Together, we can goal shift the healthcare model from one squarely focused on treatment of disease to one that promotes health and natural resilience.

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How AI is uncovering the 'dark matter of nutrition' - World Economic Forum

The Impact of COVID-19 on Mesothelioma Research – Mesothelioma.net Blog

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Published on July 28, 2020

The global pandemic has had a profound impact on all of our lives, not least of these being the ability for malignant mesothelioma researchers to continue their work. With patients fearful of leaving their homes to come in for treatments or examinations and scientists seeing a shortage of funds (and feeling an obligation to participate in the care of COVID-19 patients,) many fear that innovations will be delayed. But a professor of cancer medicine from the University of Oxford thinks the crisis will bring positive change in the long run.

Those concerned about mesothelioma research can take heart after reading what Professor David Kerr said in an article that appeared inMedscape.A professor of cancer medicine at the highly respected University of Oxford, Kerr acknowledges the hurdles that the COVID-19 pandemic has posed for cancer researchers, but also points to the remarkable ways that patients, physicians and researchers have responded.

Mesothelioma researchers will recognize the truth of what he is saying. In spite of research funding having slowed and staff members having been redeployed and reprioritized, researchers have turned to telemedicine to follow patients. Doing so has kept those vulnerable patients safe while still allowing clinical trial data to be collected.

While HIPAA regulations will require mesothelioma patients to grant authorization for remote consultations and access to their electronic health records, there are ways to ensure that confidentially will be maintained. The need for flexibility may also lead to greater collaboration between different research organizations.

The pandemic has proven that mobile phone apps and telemedicine allow patients to be monitored and supported remotely, giving a sense that clinical trials will still be able to proceed. Though patients will still need to report in person for their treatments, the amount of time that they have to be in the clinic can be cut dramatically, representing a significant improvement in convenience and quality of life, even after the crisis has passed.

If you are a mesothelioma patient who would like more information on participating in a clinical trial, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.

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Mesothelioma Victims Center Has Endorsed Attorney Erik Karst of Karst von Oiste to Make Certain a Steel Mill or Factory Worker with Mesothelioma –…

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HOUSTON, July 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --The Mesothelioma Victims Center says, "We have endorsed attorney Erik Karst the founding partner of the law firm of Karst von Oiste to make certain a steel mill or factory worker with confirmed mesothelioma receives the best possible financial compensation results-nationwide. In many instances because of the Coronavirus people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma this year might think hiring a local car accident attorney might be adequate when it comes to financial compensation-and this would be a huge mistake. If you or your husband-dad does not hire an extremely skilled lawyer who specializes in mesothelioma compensation full time the mistake could cost-you or your family hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. Erik Karst is one of the nation's leading mesothelioma attorneys and he will be able to help you.For direct access to attorney Erik Karst please call 800-714-0303."www.karstvonoiste.com

The Mesothelioma Victims Center fears that 2020 may go down as one of the worst years for mesothelioma compensation in decades for former steel mill or factory workers who have this rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure because people like this may have initially been diagnosed with the Coronavirus. Symptoms of mesothelioma and the Coronavirus include pneumonia, high fever, and shortness of breath. In other words- the symptoms are almost identical as they would be happy to discuss at 800-714-0303.

The group says, "If your husband or dad had significant exposure to asbestos at a steel mill, a factory or as a skilled trades worker maintaining a facility like this and he has been complaining about shortness of breath, or he is in the hospital with pneumonia-please tell his physicians about his asbestos exposure. If the doctors take a look-and determine it might be mesothelioma or possible mesothelioma based on an MRI or CT scan--please call 800-714-0303 for direct access to attorney Erik Karst to get a game plan. Financial compensation for people with mesothelioma might exceed a million dollars. Financial compensation for a person with mesothelioma who gets misdiagnosed with the Coronavirus is zero. We are advocates for people with mesothelioma and our top priority for people like this is they get the best compensation results."https://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

Each year about 3000 US citizens will be diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. High-risk work groups for exposure to asbestos include US Navy Veterans, power plant workers, shipyard workers, oil refinery workers, steel mill workers, miners, manufacturing workers, pulp or paper mill workers, plumbers, electricians, auto mechanics, machinists, construction workers, railroad workers, and firemen. Typically, the exposure to asbestos for these types of workers occurred in the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, or 1980's.https://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

The states indicated with the highest incidence of mesothelioma include Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Louisiana, Washington, and Oregon.

However, based on the calls the Mesothelioma Victims Center receives a steel mill or factory worker with mesothelioma could live in any state including New York, Florida, California, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, or Alaska.www.karstvonoiste.com/

For more information about mesothelioma please refer to the National Institutes of Health's web site related to this rare form of cancer:https://www.cancer.gov/types/mesothelioma

Media contact: Michael Thomas [emailprotected]800-714-0303

SOURCE Mesothelioma Victims Center

https://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

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Mesothelioma Victims Center Has Endorsed Attorney Erik Karst of Karst von Oiste to Make Certain a Steel Mill or Factory Worker with Mesothelioma --...

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation to Fund Additional Studies – Mesothelioma.net Blog

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Published on July 27, 2020

Though the nation and world are intensely focused on the COVID-19 crisis and finding effective treatments and vaccines, that in no way diminishes the need for continued attention to other challenging illnesses, including malignant mesothelioma. In recognition of the need for innovative new treatments, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation recently announced a continuation of its support of research on this fatal, asbestos-related cancer. The organization will be funding three separate and deserving research projects.

Speaking of the need for more effective treatment options for patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, nurse practitioner and Executive Director of the Meso Foundation Mary Hesdorffer said, We are keenly aware that mesothelioma patients still need effective treatments, first and foremost. We are deeply grateful to all of our donors and supporters who made this funding possible with their financial contributions.

Earlier in the year, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation joined with other charitable organizations that requested that Congressional leaders recognize the challenges of fundraising during the COVID-19 crisis. The group asked that Congress continue funding medical research. The newly announced investment from the 501(c)(3) non-profit totals $300,000, bringing the Meso Foundations funding total to $10.5 million since it began in the year 2000.

The Meso Foundation follows a robust selection process supported by experts in the field of mesothelioma research. Their goal is to fund the most promising studies, reviewing all applications for grants and ranking them through an unbiased peer-review process. The amount of funding available determines the number of projects that will be funded.

The three projects selected were chosen from nearly 50 applications that were narrowed down to eight finalists. Though all three that were selected for funding will examine the impact of immunotherapy on mesothelioma patients, each takes a different approach.

As scientists work to find effective treatments for malignant mesothelioma, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are working to support those who are currently afflicted with the disease. For more information on the resources available to you, contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.

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TCR2’s T-cell therapy curbs solid tumors in early phase 1 readout – FierceBiotech

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The first data are in for TCR2 Therapeutics lead program, and they look good. The T-cell therapy shrank tumors in five patients with mesothelin-expressing cancers, with two patients seeing enough shrinkage to be considered partial responders.

The data come from the first five patients in the phase 1 part of a phase 1/2 study. Although this portion of the study was geared to gauge safety and arrive at a dose for the phase 2 part, the company is encouraged by the results. Its developing the treatment, dubbed TC-210, for patients whose cancers express mesothelin, a protein that TCR2 CEO Garry Menzel calls an ideal cancer target. Mesothelin is expressed in high levels in several cancers and in low levels in healthy tissue.

Of the five patients, one had ovarian cancer and four had mesothelioma, a cancer of the mesotheliumthe thin tissue that lines the lung, chest wall and abdomenwith a five-year survival rate in the single digits. Before the trial, the patients had undergone a median of five other treatments. Three had tried checkpoint inhibitors.

RELATED: TCR2 IPO hits midpoint, setting stage for trials of CAR-T rivals

These early TC-210 data suggest our approach may overcome the challenges faced by many T cell therapies in the hostile solid tumor microenvironment, said Alfonso Quints-Cardama, M.D., TCR2 chief medical officer, in a statement. Our enrolled patients have failed multiple lines of therapy, including standard chemotherapy, checkpoint inhibitors and in some cases other mesothelin-directed approaches, in indications where survival has been historically shorter than six months.

No patients suffered side effects in the brain, a concern with CAR-T and other T-cell therapies. Three of the five patients (60%) developed cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a condition that occurs when T-cell treatment activates the immune system too strongly. Two patients had mild CRS, but the third needed aggressive treatment. This patient also suffered lung inflammation (pneumonitis) earlier in the trial and died about a month after treatment from fungal sepsis that was deemed unrelated to the treatment.

The company plans to enroll about 50 patients in the phase 2 part of the trial, including those with non-small cell lung cancer and bile duct cancer as well as ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. Each group will have 10 patients, except the lung cancer group, which will have 20 patients. Some will receive TC-210 on its own, while the others will get TC-210 in combination with an PD-1-blocking antibody.

TCR2s pipeline is built on its TRuC technology, which is designed to go where other engineered T-cell approaches, such as CAR-T or T-cell receptor (TCR) therapies, cannot. For example, CAR-T has seen success in some blood cancers but has faced difficulties in solid tumors. As for other engineered TCR treatments, they rely on the antigen HLA, which is downregulated in many cancers, making them invisible to T cells.

To avoid these problems, TCR2s tech, designed by Patrick Baeuerle, Ph.D., tethers a tumor antigen-binding domain directly to the TCR complex, creating a TRuC construct that is able to recognize highly expressed tumor antigens without HLA. The full TCR is activated, which stimulates the T cell to kill the cancer cell.

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Russia reclaiming lost island names in Oceania – Russia Beyond

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A descendant of famous explorer Nikolay Mikluho-Maklay is restoring original Russian geographical names in Oceania. Over 70 locations have already made the list. The data will be included in Russias updated World Atlas, commissioned by President Vladimir Putin.

A Russian flag flew over one of the villages of Papua New Guinea in 2019. The local aboriginals were greeting an expedition led by the great-nephew - and namesake - of the famed anthropologist Nikolay Mikluho-Maklay. 150 years ago, his great-great-grand uncles hut had stood where the flag was flying. They remember Russia really well here, and the man from the moon - a moniker given to Maklai for his skin color, Nikolay Miklukho-Maklai Jr. says. After his 2019 visit, the village was also subsequently renamed in his ancestors honor.

Together with colleagues from Moscow and St. Petersburg, Miklukho-Maklai Jr., a leading expert at the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAN), created a detailed chart with the names and coordinates of all the places in Oceania discovered by Russian explorers in 19-21 centuries.

During field trips in 2017 and 2019, with the aid of Australian archives, the researchers managed to establish the existence of 71 toponyms, of which eight had prior, original names. The rest were given new names.

The Russian scientists wish to preserve the memory of their forebears discoveries, at least on Russian maps.

READ MORE: 150 years on, another Miklouho-Maclay is off to meet the Papuans

The Maklai Shore - the north-eastern shore of the island of New Guinea, was renamed Rai Coast, a title borrowed from a nearby village in the early 20th century, at the time of German colonization. A similar fate befell some 50 other locations, originally named by Miklukho-Maklai and Russian sailors. There were also subsequent changes made by Australians.

Here is a list of locations in Oceania that carry their Russian names on international maps to this day.

Russia and Oceania possess a strong historical bond and a relationship that has lasted for more than two centuries. 19th century Russian circumnavigators, Soviet expeditions of the 1930s and 1970s, followed by Russian ones in 2017 and 2019 have all contributed greatly to the study of the regional aboriginal peoples and the advancement of their way of life.

The residents of several villages pass down stories of Miklukho-Maklais contributions in the form of metal tools, as well as some Russian words that ended up in the local language - Bongu. Words like topor (axe), kukuruza (corn) and arbuz (watermelon).

While carrying out his anthropological research in Australia, Milkukho-Maklai founded the first biological lab in the Southern Hemisphere. Aside from his research trips, the remainder of the Russians travels to Oceania in the 19th century were more or less transit stops. The sailors demonstrated to locals the Russian flag, refilled on food and fuel, which they swapped for metal weapons, and collected information on the settlement of Australia by English colonists. Using that knowledge, captain Ivan Krusenstern in 1823 published the Atlas of the Southern Sea - one of the only ones so accurate that it was used by sailors the world over to navigate the Southern Pacific until the start of the 20th century.

Today, the memory of Russian exploits in Oceania remains in part thanks to the family foundation, run by Nikolai Miklukho-Maklai Jr.

The Russians were doing research - not conquest, claims Sofya Pale, lead specialist of the Center for Asia-Picifc Studies at RANs Institute of Oriental Studies. Discovering another unknown island, the captains would travel around it to map the coastline and put it on the map. While there, they would either talk to the locals and find out the name, or, if the island was uninhabited, make up one of their own and lay in the coordinates for its newfound location into their journal, she adds. This information would then be sent to Russias maritime department, where it would be classified. The English, meanwhile, were a naval superpower, and anchored their ships in every port they happened upon.

Archives at the State Library of New South Wales, Australia, together with the sailors journal entries, enabled researchers to discover a number of the lost names. A chart was created, listing in alphabetical order the Russian and current names, together with the coordinates, circumstances of discovery and current political and administrative status. The resulting research was published in the book Russia and Oceania, and can be viewed in this short film.

The collated data is also being used in the creation of a new world atlas, commissioned by President Vladimir Putin in 2018. According to the Russian leader, the current information has sustained a number of edits, many of them regarding old Russian toponyms: Were not about to force our views on others but to abstain from reacting at a blatant twisting of historical and, in this case, geographical truths, is not within our rights, Putin said in April 2018 at a meeting of the board of trustees of the Russian Geographical Society, which he chairs. The naming project was assigned to The Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography, the Ministry of Defense and the Russian Geographical Society.

Each country has the right to assign such names as it seems fit, Miklukho-Maklai Jr. says. Renaming objects or listing alternate names in brackets for posterity is something we can only do on our own maps.

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Envision Digital appointed as Oceania partner by SharpSpring marketing automation solution – iTMunch

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US-based SharpSpring has appointed Perth-based cloud technology company Envision Digital as its Country Partner Oceania for its automated marketing platform. The two firms have signed a deal which will see Envision Digital Pty Ltd focus on becoming an implementation and distribution channel for SharpSpring.

The marketing automation company SharpSpring has been aggressive about its global expansion and is excited to start a coordinated campaign in the Australian market. A Mordor Intelligence study forecasted the digital marketing software market to grow by a CAGR of 10% from 2020 to 2025. It also found that smaller firms in Australia have been quicker in adapting digital marketing automation tools like marketing automation software, CRM and email software [1].

Founded in 2015 by Mr Rod Wakefield, Envision Digital focuses on harnessing cloud technology to enhance the productivity and efficiency of Australian businesses. They specialise in integrating automated marketing and lead generation software, analytics and CRM systems with websites to offer an all-in-one marketing solution. The marketing automation software company also specializes in implementing cloud software and website development.

Mr Wakefield is dedicated to helping Australian businesses become more profitable through strategic implementation of digital transformation and cloud technology. He says proper implementation of the two is imperative for the success of Australian businesses so that they can solve traditional hindrances with creativity, innovation and inter-connected knowledge resources.

The Managing Director of Envision Digital, Mr Wakefield believes the SharpSpring platform can offer great opportunities for marketing agencies by helping them create new profit centres and generating better results for their client.

SEE ALSO:Former VMLY&R ANZ execs launch a brand experience agency: Akcelo

SharpSpring, Inc. is a fast-growing global provider of marketing automation solution which is delivered through a cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform. As they expand globally, numerous businesses across the world now us the SharpSpring platform to drive their online marketing activities.The deal with SharpSpring will enable Envision Digital to provide valuable technical services to internal marketing teams and digital marketing agencies throughout the Oceanic Region, said Mr Wakefield.

He also believes SharpSprings lower pricing in comparison to HubSpot will encourage more businesses to leverage the benefits of automated digital marketing. Envision Digital and SharpSpring will be able to deliver marketing automation services far more cost-effectively as compared to their competitors in this market segment. The pricing for both implementation and subscription will provide a feasible marketing automation solution for the Australian SMEs.

Source

[1] Mordor Intelligence (2019) DIGITAL MARKETING SOFTWARE MARKET IN AUSTRALIA GROWTH, TRENDS, AND FORECAST (2020 2025) [Online] Available from: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/investment-opportunities-for-digital-marketing [Accessed July 2020]

SEE ALSO:Trimantium GrowthOps appoints former Publicis CEO Andrew Baxter to their board

For more updates and latest tech news, keep reading iTMunch

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All Whites set to go head to head with minnows in Oceania World Cup qualifying – Stuff.co.nz

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The All Whites are set to begin their qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in March next year.

The All Whites are set to face at least one Oceania minnow, if not two, when qualifying for the 2022 Fifa World Cup begins next March, raising the prospect of some one-sided scorelines.

All eleven Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) members are set to take part in the first stage of World Cup qualifying under a proposal submitted to Fifa and made public on Tuesday.

They will be split into a group of six and a group of five, based on their Fifa rankings, with group stage matches to be played in March and June 2021.

The All Whites, ranked 122nd in the world, will therefore potentially have to play one or two of American Samoa, ranked 192nd; Samoa, ranked 194th; Tonga, ranked 203rd; and the Cook Islands, who arent ranked at all teams they would likely beat handsomely if they made a 100 per cent effort with a full-strength squad.

READ MORE:* Chris Wood finishes English Premier League season with record 14 goals for Burnley* Kevin Muscat's Sint-Truiden makes play to sign Phoenix young gun Liberato Cacace* Young All White Dane Ingham seizes chance with two goals in two games for Perth Glory* Wellington Phoenix coach keen to keep hold of 'exceptional' Callum McCowatt

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, which will be contested on a home-and-away basis next September, with the winners advancing to the finals, which will be contested on a home-and-away basis the following month.

Whichever team comes out on top will then have the November and March windows to prepare for the intercontinental home-and-away playoff the top Oceania team must win in June 2022 to book their place at the World Cup in Qatar, scheduled for November and December that year.

Fifa is yet to determine where the Oceania teams opponent will come from, with the fifth-placed Asian team, the fifth-place South American team, or the fourth-placed North and Central American team the three possible options.

The All Whites last qualified for the World Cup in 2010, when they finished top in Oceania then beat Bahrain 1-0 on aggregate in the intercontinental playoff in November 2009.

They were beaten 9-3 by Mexico at the same stage ahead of the 2014 event and 2-0 by Peru ahead of the 2018 event.

Danny Hays side have secured a friendly against world No 1 Belgium this October, but it remains to be seen if the Covid-19 pandemic will allow that fixture in Brussels to go ahead.

Hay has only had two matches with the All Whites since taking charge last August losses to the Republic of Ireland and Lithuania in November last year.

NZ Football

All Whites coach Danny Hay is looking forward to hopefully playing Belgium in Brussels in October.

The group stage of World Cup qualifying will likely allow him to select some of the younger players he has on offer, as passage to the final four should be easy to secure. That could come in handy, as he will also take charge of the OlyWhites under-23 team for the Tokyo Olympics, if they go ahead as scheduled next July.

In recent times in mens football, the 11 OFC nations have typically been split into a stronger group of seven New Zealand, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Tahiti, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea and a weaker group of four American Samoa, Samoa, Tonga, and the Cook Islands.

The All Whites havent played any of the group of four since 2001, when they had a 2-0 win over the Cook Islands.

That was the same year Australia famously beat American Samoa 31-0, with Archie Thompson scoring 13 goals.

Oceania World Cup qualifying was originally meant to start in August and September this year, but, as it has with most things, the Covid-19 pandemic forced a delay.

The 2022 World Cup is the last one where the top Oceania team will have to win a playoff, with direct entry set to be on offer from 2026 when it expands from 32 teams to 48.

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Construction Material Testing Equipment Market 2020 Opportunities, Growth Analysis, Trends and Forecast by 2026 | Aimil, Controls Group, ELE…

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Market research report on Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Market 2020 with Industry Analysis, Size, Competitors, Trends and Forecast 2025.

Market Research Port offers you a comprehensive market research report on the global Construction Material Testing Equipment market. This report contains in-depth information on all the key aspects of the global Construction Material Testing Equipment market. This report contains data such as facts & figures, market research, market analysis, competitive landscape, regional analysis, and future growth prospects. The report also contains qualitative and quantitative research which gives you a detailed analysis of the global Construction Material Testing Equipment market. The report has been compiled by experts who have researched and documented all the important aspects of global Construction Material Testing Equipment market. The report authors are experienced and highly qualified, so you can trust the data provided in this report.

Get The Sample Report PDF with Detail TOC & List of [emailprotected]https://marketresearchport.com/request-sample/55470

This market research report also has data of all the important players in the industry. From their market share in the industry, to their growth plans, important information has been compiled in the report to let you get an insightful look at the leading players operating in the industry and what their strategies are. The functioning of the leading companies in the (industry name) market has a huge impact on how the market behaves. Therefore, data on these companies can also help you understand and predict how the market behaves. The competitor analysis in the report will give you a complete breakdown of all the important information you need about these top market players.

Major Companies Covered:

Aimil, Controls Group, ELE International, Humboldt Mfg, Matest, Applied Test Systems, Shimadzu Corporation, Olson Instruments, Illinois Tool Works (Instron), Canopus Instruments, Qualitest International, Tinius Olsen Testing Machine Company, Wirsam Scientific, Zwick Roell Group, MTS Systems, GlobalGilson, IMP Scientific, NL Scientific Instruments

In the global Construction Material Testing Equipment market report, there is solid in-depth data on various segments as well. These segments give a deeper look into the products, applications and what impact they are going to have on the market. The report also looks at new products and innovation that can be real game-changers.

The Report is Divided into The Following Segments:

Market Segmentation by Product Types:Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), Universal Testing Machine (UTM), Servo Hydraulic Testing Machine (SHTM), Hardness Testing Machine (HTM), Impact Testing Machine (ITM), Others

Market Segmentation by Applications:House Construction, Road Construction, Infrastructure Construction, Others

Regions Mentioned in the Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Market:

The Middle East and Africa North America South America Europe Asia-Pacific Middle East Oceania Rest of the World

Following Questions are Answered in This Report:

What will be the size of the global Construction Material Testing Equipment market in 2025? What is the current CAGR of the global Construction Material Testing Equipment market? Which product is expected to show the highest market growth? Which application is projected to gain a lions share of the global Construction Material Testing Equipment market? Which region is foretold to create the most number of opportunities in the global Construction Material Testing Equipment market? Will there be any changes in market competition during the forecast period? Which are the top players currently operating in the global Construction Material Testing Equipment market? How will the market situation change in the coming years? What are the common business tactics adopted by players? What is the growth outlook of the global Construction Material Testing Equipment market?

The data of the market research report has been studied, compiled and corroborated by leading experts and established authors. The format followed in the report is in accordance with most international market research reports. However, if you have any specific requirements, you can get in touch with us, and we will modify the report accordingly.

Do Enquiry For Customized Report as per Your [emailprotected]https://www.marketresearchport.com/reports/2015-2025-global-construction-material-testing-equipment-market-research-report-by-product-type-applications/55470

Table of Content:Chapter 1 Market Overview1.1 Market Definition And Segment1.1.1 Product Definition1.1.2 Product Type1.1.3 End-Use1.1.4 Marketing Channel1.2 Major Regions1.2.1 Europe Market Size And GrowthFigure Europe Construction Material Testing Equipment Market Size And Growth Rate, 2015e-2020f (Million Usd)Figure Europe Construction Material Testing Equipment Market Forecast And Growth Rate, 2020e-2025f (Million Usd)1.2.2 America Market Size And GrowthFigure America Construction Material Testing Equipment Market Size And Growth Rate, 2015e-2020f (Million Usd)Figure America Construction Material Testing Equipment Market Forecast And Growth Rate, 2020e-2025f (Million Usd)1.2.3 Asia Market Size And GrowthFigure Asia Construction Material Testing Equipment Market Size And Growth Rate, 2015e-2020f (Million Usd)Figure Asiaconstruction Material Testing Equipment Market Forecast And Growth Rate, 2020e-2025f (Million Usd)1.2.4 Oceania Market Size And GrowthFigure Oceania Construction Material Testing Equipment Market Size And Growth Rate, 2015e-2020f (Million Usd)Figure Oceania Construction Material Testing Equipment Market Forecast And Growth Rate, 2020e-2025f (Million Usd)1.2.5 Africa Market Size And GrowthFigure Africa Construction Material Testing Equipment Market Size And Growth Rate, 2015e-2020f (Million Usd)Figure Africa Construction Material Testing Equipment Market Forecast And Growth Rate, 2020e-2025f (Million Usd)

Chapter 2 Global Market Segmentation2.1 Global Production OverviewTable Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume (Volume), Ex-Factory Price, Revenue (Million Usd) And Gross Margin (%) List, 2015-20202.2 Global Consumption OverviewTable Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume (Volume), Terminal Price And Consumption Value (Million Usd) List, 2015-20202.3 Global Production By TypeTable Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Revenue By Type, 2015-2020 (Million Usd)Figure Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Revenue Share By Type In 2020 (Million Usd)Table Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume By Type, 2015-2020 (Volume)Figure Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume Share By Type In 2020 (Volume)2.4 Global Consumption By End-UseTable Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value By End-Use, 2015-2020 (Million Usd)Figure Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value Share By End-Use In 2020 (Million Usd)Table Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume By End-Use, 2015-2020 (Volume)Figure Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume Share By End-Use In 2020 (Volume)2.5 Global Consumption By RegionTable Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value By Region, 2015-2020 (Million Usd)Table Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume By Region, 2015-2020 (Volume)

Chapter 3 Europe Market Segmentation3.1 Europe Production OverviewTable Europe Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume (Volume), Ex-Factory Price, Revenue (Million Usd) And Gross Margin (%) List, 2015-20203.2 Europe Consumption OverviewTable Europe Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume (Volume), Terminal Price And Consumption Value (Million Usd) List, 2015-20203.3 Europe Production By TypeTable Europe Construction Material Testing Equipment Revenue By Type, 2015-2020 (Million Usd)Figure Europe Construction Material Testing Equipment Revenue Share By Type In 2020 (Million Usd)Table Europe Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume By Type, 2015-2020 (Volume)Figure Europe Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume Share By Type In 2020 (Volume)3.4 Europe Consumption By End-UseTable Europe Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value By End-Use, 2015-2020 (Million Usd)Figure Europe Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value Share By End-Use In 2020 (Million Usd)Table Europe Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume By End-Use, 2015-2020 (Volume)Figure Europe Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume Share By End-Use In 2020 (Volume)3.5 Europe Consumption By RegionTable Europe Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value By Region, 2015-2020 (Million Usd)Table Europe Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume By Region, 2015-2020 (Volume)

Chapter 4 America Market Segmentation4.1 America Production OverviewTable America Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume (Volume), Ex-Factory Price, Revenue (Million Usd) And Gross Margin (%) List, 2015-20204.2 America Consumption OverviewTable America Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume (Volume), Terminal Price And Consumption Value (Million Usd) List, 2015-20204.3 America Production By TypeTable America Construction Material Testing Equipment Revenue By Type, 2015-2020 (Million Usd)Figure America Construction Material Testing Equipment Revenue Share By Type In 2020 (Million Usd)Table America Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume By Type, 2015-2020 (Volume)Figure America Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume Share By Type In 2020 (Volume)4.4 America Consumption By End-UseTable America Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value By End-Use, 2015-2020 (Million Usd)Figure America Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value Share By End-Use In 2020 (Million Usd)Table America Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume By End-Use, 2015-2020 (Volume)Figure America Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume Share By End-Use In 2020 (Volume)4.5 America Consumption By RegionTable America Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value By Region, 2015-2020 (Million Usd)Table America Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume By Region, 2015-2020 (Volume)

Chapter 5 Asia Market Segmentation5.1 Asia Production OverviewTable Asia Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume (Volume), Ex-Factory Price, Revenue (Million Usd) And Gross Margin (%) List, 2015-20205.2 Asia Consumption OverviewTable Asia Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume (Volume), Terminal Price And Consumption Value (Million Usd) List, 2015-20205.3 Asia Production By TypeTable Asia Construction Material Testing Equipment Revenue By Type, 2015-2020 (Million Usd)Figure Asia Construction Material Testing Equipment Revenue Share By Type In 2020 (Million Usd)Table Asia Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume By Type, 2015-2020 (Volume)Figure Asia Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume Share By Type In 2020 (Volume)5.4 Asia Consumption By End-UseTable Asia Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value By End-Use, 2015-2020 (Million Usd)Figure Asia Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value Share By End-Use In 2020 (Million Usd)Table Asia Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume By End-Use, 2015-2020 (Volume)Figure Asia Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume Share By End-Use In 2020 (Volume)5.5 Asia Consumption By RegionTable Asia Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value By Region, 2015-2020 (Million Usd)Table Asia Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume By Region, 2015-2020 (Volume)

Chapter 6 Oceania Market Segmentation6.1 Oceania Production OverviewTable Oceania Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume (Volume), Ex-Factory Price, Revenue (Million Usd) And Gross Margin (%) List, 2015-20206.2 Oceania Consumption OverviewTable Oceania Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume (Volume), Terminal Price And Consumption Value (Million Usd) List, 2015-20206.3 Oceania Production By TypeTable Oceania Construction Material Testing Equipment Revenue By Type, 2015-2020 (Million Usd)Figure Oceania Construction Material Testing Equipment Revenue Share By Type In 2020 (Million Usd)Table Oceania Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume By Type, 2015-2020 (Volume)Figure Oceania Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume Share By Type In 2020 (Volume)6.4 Oceania Consumption By End-UseTable Oceania Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value By End-Use, 2015-2020 (Million Usd)Figure Oceania Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value Share By End-Use In 2020 (Million Usd)Table Oceania Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume By End-Use, 2015-2020 (Volume)Figure Oceania Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume Share By End-Use In 2020 (Volume)6.5 Oceania Consumption By RegionTable Oceania Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value By Region, 2015-2020 (Million Usd)Table Oceania Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume By Region, 2015-2020 (Volume)

Chapter 7 Africa Market Segmentation7.1 Africa Production OverviewTable Africa Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume (Volume), Ex-Factory Price, Revenue (Million Usd) And Gross Margin (%) List, 2015-20207.2 Africa Consumption OverviewTable Africa Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume (Volume), Terminal Price And Consumption Value (Million Usd) List, 2015-20207.3 Africa Production By TypeTable Africa Construction Material Testing Equipment Revenue By Type, 2015-2020 (Million Usd)Figure Africa Construction Material Testing Equipment Revenue Share By Type In 2020 (Million Usd)Table Africa Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume By Type, 2015-2020 (Volume)Figure Africa Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume Share By Type In 2020 (Volume)7.4 Africa Consumption By End-UseTable Africa Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value By End-Use, 2015-2020 (Million Usd)Figure Africa Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value Share By End-Use In 2020 (Million Usd)Table Africa Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume By End-Use, 2015-2020 (Volume)Figure Africa Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume Share By End-Use In 2020 (Volume)7.5 Africa Consumption By RegionTable Africa Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value By Region, 2015-2020 (Million Usd)Table Africa Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume By Region, 2015-2020 (Volume)

Chapter 8 Global Market Forecast8.1 Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Production ForecastFigure Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Revenue And Growth Rate Forecast 2020e-2025f (Million Usd)Figure Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume And Growth Rate Forecast 2020e-2025f (Volume)8.2 Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Forecast By TypeTable Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Revenue By Type, 2020e-2025f (Million Usd)Figure Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Revenue Share By Type In 2025 (Million Usd)Table Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume By Type, 2020e-2025f (Volume)Figure Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Production Volume Share By Type In 2025 (Volume)8.3 Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Forecast By End-Use (2020e-2025f)Table Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value By End-Use, 2020e-2025f (Million Usd)Figure Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value Share By End-Use In 2025 (Million Usd)Table Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume By End-Use, 2020e-2025f (Volume)8.4 Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Forecast By Region (2020e-2025f)Table Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value By Region, 2020e-2025f (Million Usd)Figure Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Value Share By Region In 2025 (Million Usd)Table Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume By Region, 2020e-2025f (Volume)Figure Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Consumption Volume Share By Region In 2025 (Volume)

Chapter 9 Global Major Companies List9.1 Aimil9.1.1 Aimil ProfileTable Aimil Overview List9.1.2 Aimil Products & Services9.1.3 Aimil Company Dynamics & News9.1.4 Aimil Business Operation ConditionsTable Business Operation Of Aimil (Sales Revenue, Sales Volume, Price, Cost, Gross Margin)9.2 Controls Group9.2.1 Controls Group ProfileTable Controls Group Overview List9.2.2 Controls Group Products & Services9.2.3 Controls Group Company Dynamics & News9.2.4 Controls Group Business Operation ConditionsTable Business Operation Of Controls Group (Sales Revenue, Sales Volume, Price, Cost, Gross Margin)9.3 Ele International9.3.1 Ele International ProfileTable Ele International Overview List9.3.2 Ele International Products & Services9.3.3 Ele International Company Dynamics & News9.3.4 Ele International Business Operation ConditionsTable Business Operation Of Ele International (Sales Revenue, Sales Volume, Price, Cost, Gross Margin)9.4 Humboldt Mfg9.4.1 Humboldt Mfg ProfileTable Humboldt Mfg Overview List9.4.2 Humboldt Mfg Products & Services9.4.3 Humboldt Mfg Company Dynamics & News9.4.4 Humboldt Mfg Business Operation ConditionsTable Business Operation Of Humboldt Mfg (Sales Revenue, Sales Volume, Price, Cost, Gross Margin)9.5 Matest9.5.1 Matest ProfileTable Matest Overview List9.5.2 Matest Products & Services9.5.3 Matest Company Dynamics & News9.5.4 Matest Business Operation ConditionsTable Business Operation Of Matest (Sales Revenue, Sales Volume, Price, Cost, Gross Margin)9.6 Applied Test Systems9.6.1 Applied Test Systems ProfileTable Applied Test Systems Overview List9.6.2 Applied Test Systems Products & Services9.6.3 Applied Test Systems Company Dynamics & News9.6.4 Applied Test Systems Business Operation ConditionsTable Business Operation Of Applied Test Systems (Sales Revenue, Sales Volume, Price, Cost, Gross Margin)9.7 Shimadzu Corporation9.7.1 Shimadzu Corporation ProfileTable Shimadzu Corporation Overview List9.7.2 Shimadzu Corporation Products & Services9.7.3 Shimadzu Corporation Company Dynamics & News9.7.4 Shimadzu Corporation Business Operation ConditionsTable Business Operation Of Shimadzu Corporation (Sales Revenue, Sales Volume, Price, Cost, Gross Margin)9.8 Olson Instruments9.8.1 Olson Instruments ProfileTable Olson Instruments Overview List9.8.2 Olson Instruments Products & Services9.8.3 Olson Instruments Company Dynamics & News9.8.4 Olson Instruments Business Operation ConditionsTable Business Operation Of Olson Instruments (Sales Revenue, Sales Volume, Price, Cost, Gross Margin)9.9 Illinois Tool Works (Instron)9.9.1 Illinois Tool Works (Instron) ProfileTable Illinois Tool Works (Instron) Overview List9.9.2 Illinois Tool Works (Instron) Products & Services9.9.3 Illinois Tool Works (Instron) Company Dynamics & News9.9.4 Illinois Tool Works (Instron) Business Operation ConditionsTable Business Operation Of Illinois Tool Works (Instron) (Sales Revenue, Sales Volume, Price, Cost, Gross Margin)9.10 Canopus Instruments9.10.1 Canopus Instruments ProfileTable Canopus Instruments Overview List9.10.2 Canopus Instruments Products & Services9.10.3 Canopus Instruments Company Dynamics & News9.10.4 Canopus Instruments Business Operation ConditionsTable Business Operation Of Canopus Instruments (Sales Revenue, Sales Volume, Price, Cost, Gross Margin)9.11 Qualitest International9.11.1 Qualitest International ProfileTable Qualitest International Overview List9.11.2 Qualitest International Products & Services9.11.3 Qualitest International Company Dynamics & News9.11.4 Qualitest International Business Operation ConditionsTable Business Operation Of Qualitest International (Sales Revenue, Sales Volume, Price, Cost, Gross Margin)9.12 Tinius Olsen Testing Machine Company9.12.1 Tinius Olsen Testing Machine Company ProfileTable Tinius Olsen Testing Machine Company Overview List9.12.2 Tinius Olsen Testing Machine Company Products & Services9.12.3 Tinius Olsen Testing Machine Company Company Dynamics & News9.12.4 Tinius Olsen Testing Machine Company Business Operation ConditionsTable Business Operation Of Tinius Olsen Testing Machine Company (Sales Revenue, Cost, Gross Margin)9.13 Wirsam Scientific9.13.1 Wirsam Scientific ProfileTable Wirsam Scientific Overview List9.13.2 Wirsam Scientific Products & Services9.13.3 Wirsam Scientific Company Dynamics & News9.13.4 Wirsam Scientific Business Operation ConditionsTable Business Operation Of Wirsam Scientific (Sales Revenue, Sales Volume, Price, Cost, Gross Margin)9.14 Zwick Roell Group9.14.1 Zwick Roell Group ProfileTable Zwick Roell Group Overview List9.14.2 Zwick Roell Group Products & Services9.14.3 Zwick Roell Group Company Dynamics & News9.14.4 Zwick Roell Group Business Operation ConditionsTable Business Operation Of Zwick Roell Group (Sales Revenue, Cost, Gross Margin)9.15 Mts Systems9.15.1 Mts Systems ProfileTable Mts Systems Overview List9.15.2 Mts Systems Products & Services9.15.3 Mts Systems Company Dynamics & News9.15.4 Mts Systems Business Operation ConditionsTable Business Operation Of Mts Systems (Sales Revenue, Cost, Gross Margin)9.16 Globalgilson9.16.1 Globalgilson ProfileTable Globalgilson Overview List9.16.2 Globalgilson Products & Services9.16.3 Globalgilson Company Dynamics & News9.16.4 Globalgilson Business Operation ConditionsTable Business Operation Of Globalgilson (Sales Revenue, Cost, Gross Margin)9.17 Imp Scientific9.17.1 Imp Scientific ProfileTable Imp Scientific Overview List9.17.2 Imp Scientific Products & Services9.17.3 Imp Scientific Company Dynamics & News9.17.4 Imp Scientific Business Operation ConditionsTable Business Operation Of Imp Scientific (Sales Revenue, Cost, Gross Margin)9.18 Nl Scientific Instruments9.18.1 Nl Scientific Instruments ProfileTable Nl Scientific Instruments Overview List9.18.2 Nl Scientific Instruments Products & Services9.18.3 Nl Scientific Instruments Company Dynamics & News9.18.4 Nl Scientific Instruments Business Operation ConditionsTable Business Operation Of Nl Scientific Instruments (Sales Revenue, Cost, Gross Margin)

Part 10 Market Competition10.1 Key Company Market ShareTable Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Sales Revenue 2015-2020e, By Companies, In Usd MillionTable Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Sales Revenue Share, 2015-2020e, By Companies, In UsdTable Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Sales Volume By Companies, 2015-2020e (Volume)Table Global Construction Material Testing Equipment Sales Volume Share By Companies, 2015-2020e (Volume)10.2 Regional Market ConcentrationFigure Europe Construction Material Testing Equipment Market Concentration Ratio In 2020eFigure America Construction Material Testing Equipment Market Concentration Ratio In 2020eFigure Asia Construction Material Testing Equipment Market Concentration Ratio In 2020eFigure Oceania Construction Material Testing Equipment Market Concentration Ratio In 2020eFigure Africa Construction Material Testing Equipment Market Concentration Ratio In 2020e

Part 11 Coronavirus Impact On Construction Material Testing Equipment Industry11.1 Impact On Industry Upstream11.2 Impact On Industry Downstream11.3 Impact On Industry Channels11.4 Impact On Industry Competition11.5 Impact On Industry Obtain Employment

Part 12 Construction Material Testing Equipment Industry Summary & Conclusion

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Construction Material Testing Equipment Market 2020 Opportunities, Growth Analysis, Trends and Forecast by 2026 | Aimil, Controls Group, ELE...

Forcing tech giants to the table – Otago Daily Times

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Australia plans to make Facebook and Google pay for news. Rob Nicholls explains how it will work.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has released its draft news media bargaining code, announced last week by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

The draft code allows commercial news businesses to bargain individually or collectively with Google and Facebook, in order to be paid for news the tech giants publish on their services.

According to ACCC chairman Rod Sims, the code aims to address the bargaining power imbalance between news publishers and major digital platforms, to bring about fair payment for news.

As Frydenberg said: "We want Google and Facebook to continue to provide these services to the Australian community, which are so much loved and used by Australians. But we want it to be on our terms."

The ACCC has previously found Google and Facebooks failure to pay for news content is eating into the advertising revenues which fund journalism.

The code is set out as exposure draft legislation and an explanatory memorandum.

These set out the rules for who can bargain. To be eligible, a news business must have employed journalists, earn more than $A150,000 ($NZ162,000) per year in revenue and be registered with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

And they must provide "core news", defined as: "journalism on publicly significant issues, journalism that engages Australians in public debate and informs democratic decision-making, and journalism relating to community and local events."

The code does not specify how much news businesses should be paid.

Instead, it provides a negotiating process in which Google and Facebook must take part. The negotiating phase lasts three months and includes at least one day of mediation.

If there is no agreement at the end, the process moves to compulsory arbitration (by an ACMA-appointed panel) for which both parties pay.

The arbitration panel will then select one of the final offers in a process sometimes called "baseball determination". Their decision will be binding.

The range of Facebook services subject to arbitration includes Facebook News Feed, Instagram and the Facebook News Tab. The Google services are Google Search, Google News and Google Discover.

The ACCC will also be able to make submissions in the arbitration process (which the arbitrator can decide to consider or not). Under limited and unlikely circumstances, the arbitrator may adjust the more reasonable of the final two offers.

The draft code introduces a series of "minimum standards" for digital platforms to meet in their dealings with news businesses.

These include a requirement for Google and Facebook to give 28 days notice of any algorithmic change that will affect either referral traffic to news or the ranking of news behind paywalls.

This gives news businesses the opportunity to adapt their business models to ensure their content retains its prominence. More importantly, it means their negotiated revenue will not drop. It may also help in decisions about what content stays behind paywalls.

There will be an obligation on Google and Facebook to give businesses clear information about the nature and availability of user data collected through users interactions with the news.

This does not mean Google or Facebook must share the data itself only that news businesses will be informed of what kind of data is being collected.

There are also obligations on the tech giants to publish proposals which appropriately recognise the media business original news on their platforms and to provide those businesses with flexible tools for user comment moderation.

In addition, Google and Facebook must allow news businesses to prevent their news from being included on any individual platform service. For instance, they may choose for an article to appear on Google Search but not Google News.

News businesses will be able to moderate comments more easily. This is important considering they can be sued for comments published on their posts via platforms such as Facebook.

The draft code will not result in a $A600million payday for news businesses, as Nines chairman proposed in May. However, the negotiation and arbitration process does provide certainty of a positive commercial outcome for news providers relying on advertising.

There will also be more work required for Google and Facebook to give notice of algorithmic changes, which are managed in the United States. This obligation will mean adjustments to both the tech giants business models.

Google has already taken steps down this path by successfully negotiating revenue sharing with some Australian news businesses. In effect, it has created a benchmark for its position in the new negotiation framework.

Meanwhile, Facebook has argued "news does not drive significant long-term commercial value" for it. However, it said it was committed to following "sensible regulatory frameworks for digital news".

A breach of the code by Facebook or Google could have a few potential outcomes. The first is an infringement notice which has a penalty of $A133,200 for each breach.

If the ACCC takes one of the tech giants to court, the maximum penalty is the higher of $A10million, 10% of the digital platforms turnover in Australia in the past 12 months, or three times the benefit obtained by the tech giant as a result of the breach (if this can be calculated).

The ACCC has previously had success against franchisers for breaches of the mandatory Franchising Code. It is likely to be just as vigilant in policing the news media bargaining code. theconversation.com

- Rob Nicholls is an associate professor of business law and director of the UNSW Business School Cybersecurity and Data Governance Research Network in Sydney.

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Forcing tech giants to the table - Otago Daily Times

Letter: Marlboro’s Degrees of Freedom can thrive – with innovation, collaboration – Brattleboro Reformer

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Editor of the Reformer,

The vision painted by Democracy Builders Fund (DBF) CEO Seth Andrew for Degrees of Freedom College is inspiring ("Marlboro College campus sold," July 24). However, the disparities between the vision painted and past experiences shared by the Black N Brown at DP collective are striking and deeply concerning.

After carefully reading posts from Seth Andrew and Black N Brown at DP, meeting with Seth and members of his team, as well as with J. LeShae (a representative for Black N Brown at DP), and listening to the recordings of the June 25 and July 9 Marlboro town meetings, I came to believe that a different owner should be found for the Marlboro College campus. When it became clear that was not possible, I resigned from the Marlboro College Board of Trustees.

Opportunity remains to realize the vision for a creative, safe and stable place for future learners on Potash Hill. The difficult conversation at the Marlboro town forum on July 20 is a start. Continued open conversation and honest engagement are needed to create alignment and collaboration between DBF, the town of Marlboro and the state of Vermont. The experiences from the past need to inform the work of the present.

Seth Andrew has spoken of the need for innovation in higher education. Innovation flourishes in open, transparent and collaborative environments. Mistakes will happen: transparency and collaboration are key to ensuring that mistakes can be corrected. I believe the Degrees of Freedom design team will benefit from a deep collaboration with members of the Vermont community, particularly those who are currently engaged in the kind of work Degrees of Freedom intends to champion. I ask the Degrees of Freedom design team commit to the following:

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- Appoint DBF board members from the town of Marlboro and one or more members of the Coalition for Black and Brown Students in Marlboro, the Vermont Coalition for Ethnic and Social Equity in Schools, and the Rights and Democracy movement.

- Publish the design principles for Degrees of Freedom with an opportunity for public comment.

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- Publish the bylaws for the Democracy Builders Fund corporation and Degrees of Freedom corporation (if they are separate).

- Public notice of DBF and/or Degrees of Freedom board meetings with the public invited.

- Publication of Degrees of Freedom handbooks for students, faculty and staff.

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Such commitments align well with the Vermont tradition of direct democracy and with the stated vision for Degrees of Freedom.

With hope for the future,

Kirsten A. Newcomer

Marlboro College, class of 1982

Bedford, Mass.

If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us. We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.

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Letter: Marlboro's Degrees of Freedom can thrive - with innovation, collaboration - Brattleboro Reformer

‘Freedom’ rally in Twin Falls decries moderate Republicans, public education, masks and the media – bigcountrynewsconnection.com

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TWIN FALLS Speakers covered a variety of issues at a Saturday rally, but their messages centered on a general idea: mainstream media and government are conspiring to take away individual freedoms and undermine the founding principles of the United States.

About a hundred people gathered in Twin Falls City Park for the Freedom is the Cure rally. The moniker comes from the John Birch Society and has been used as the title of other rallies in the Northwest, though organizers said the event was hosted independently.

Some of Idahos most conservative state lawmakers, candidates and organization leaders spoke at the event. They rallied support around defending liberty and the Constitution and said their movement is threatened by traditional Republicans and the media.

Hello, Christian patriots, John Birch Society coordinator Caleb Collier greeted the crowd. Are you motivated? Are you organized?

Collier said conservatives need to unify and warned the left is well aligned. He said Democrats want to implement a Luciferian globalist agenda through groups like Black Lives Matter and antifa.

These are all organizations that are dedicated to overthrowing the United States, he said

Collier said complicit with leftist ideas are Republicans in name only, or RINOs a pejorative term for Republican lawmakers who do not uphold what some say are sufficiently conservative values.

We will not let you be the designated defeat mechanism for our enemy, Collier said of moderate Republicans. We the people are tired of you, and were taking this country back.

Former representative Ron Nate agreed. Nate is attempting to return to the Legislature and is part of a rightward shift in the House after defeating Rep. Britt Raybould, R-Rexburg, in the 2020 Republican primary. He runs unopposed in November.

Nate called moderate Republicans sellouts. He said Democrats push an evil, Marxist agenda, but they are not the true enemies of Idaho.

(RINOs) may advertise the right positions, but they lack the necessary convictions, he said. The fiercest and most important battles are between true conservatives and establishment Republicans.

Real Three Percenters leader Eric Parker said residents need to be prepared to defend their constitutional rights and the rights of others. He noted the presidential election is 94 days away.

Its coming win or lose, Parker said of the election. The history of a peaceful transition of power in America is slowly going down the drain. If youre not prepared for that, youre behind the curve.

Some speakers weighed-in on public education.

Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin recounted a recent legislative work group meeting where lawmakers recommended calling a special session to consider a bill that could protect schools from COVID-related lawsuits.

How did we get to this place where we sue our neighbors for a disease? she asked.

McGeachin suggested parents should sign a liability release form before sending their child to school.

For those parents who are afraid that their kids might become infected at school, how about this: have the school district offer the parents a liability release form, she said. After all it is a privilege to attend public school in America.

And for those parents who still do not feel comfortable with this form of education, she continued, why dont we take some of that money we spend $8,000 per student why dont we take that $8,000 per student, give it to the parent to pool that money and hire a teacher. If 10 parents did that, theyd have hired a school teacher, paid him or her $80,000, and have 10 students in the classroom.

Idaho Freedom Foundation President Wayne Hoffman took a different approach.

Theres a question of whether schools should open this fall, he said. My answer is eh, I dont really care.

He said parents should be the ones to decide if their child goes back to school, but ultimately government should not be in the business of educating our kids. He said public schools are indoctrinating children to hate capitalism and teaching them to prefer communism from a young age.

Theyre learning how to hate all the things that make our country great, he said.

Its not enough to talk about policy, people need to actively seek change from their lawmakers, he said.

We have got to apply pressure on the politicians such that they are afraid to leave their houses because somebody is going to say to them What are you doing to get my kids out of the American education system.

Hoffman called on the crowd to continue advocating for the movement after the rally finished.

You have got to be the army, the force, the revolutionary warriors that weve been waiting for, he continued. We will only win if we all get together and say, Lets go and apply the remedy, the cure, freedom where it is needed most.

Gary Horn wears his patriotic shirt as he holds an American flag Saturday during the Freedom is the Cure rally at Twin Falls City Park in Twin Falls. 'I'm here to support our country, to stand for our rights,' he says.

Few if any masks were worn at the event. Several speakers criticized government attempts to require masks or implement other public safety measures in response to COVID-19.

The government is not going to save us, the masks are not going to save us, the CDC is certainly not going to save us, said Sarah Clendenon of Health Freedom Idaho, referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We need to remember the right to liberty is the only thing that can save us.

Just because the mob wants to wear masks, it doesnt matter, she continued. I have the right to enjoy and defend my liberty.

Miste Karlfeldt, also of Health Freedom Idaho, suggested the media is often incorrect about the pandemic.

Theyre poisoning our brains, she said.

Many other speakers also condemned coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Retired physician and Madison Liberty Institute fellow Jud Miller said the only people who fear the virus are those who follow it in the mainstream news.

Why are they trying to scare us? he said of the media. It seems the cure is becoming worse than the disease.

Miller also said conservative voices and efforts tend to be marginalized.

Sometimes its a little frustrating to be a minority, he said. We definitely are a minority.

John Birch Society coordinator and master of ceremonies John Munds dismissed reporters covering the event as fake news. He said media members are planning on overthrowing the American republic.

Rep. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton, said mainstream news is especially slanted against conservative voices.

The media is not our friend, she said. They are out there spewing information that is not correct.

Gary Horn wears his patriotic shirt as he holds an American flag Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, during the Freedom is the Cure rally at Twin Falls City Park in Twin Falls. 'I'm here to support our country, to stand for our rights,' he says.

A woman sits next to her 'Recall Gov. Little' sign Saturday during the Freedom is the Cure rally at Twin Falls City Park in Twin Falls.

Community members gather to talk about mask mandates, abortion laws, the public education system and other freedom related issues Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, during the Freedom is the Cure rally at Twin Falls City Park in Twin Falls.

Community members gather to talk about mask mandates, abortion laws, repealing governor Little and other freedom related issues Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, during the Freedom is the Cure rally at Twin Falls City Park in Twin Falls.

Community members gather to talk about mask mandates, abortion laws, the public education system and other freedom related issues Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, during the Freedom is the Cure rally at Twin Falls City Park in Twin Falls.

Community members gather to talk about mask mandates, abortion laws, the public education system and other freedom related issues Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, during the Freedom is the Cure rally at Twin Falls City Park in Twin Falls.

Gary Horn wears his patriotic shirt as he holds an American flag Saturday during the Freedom is the Cure rally at Twin Falls City Park in Twin Falls. 'I'm here to support our country, to stand for our rights,' he says.

Community members gather to talk about mask mandates, abortion laws, the public education system and other issues Saturday during the Freedom is the Cure rally at Twin Falls City Park in Twin Falls.

Pastor Paul Thompson leads the opening prayer Saturday during the Freedom is the Cure rally at Twin Falls City Park in Twin Falls.

Community members gather to talk about mask mandates, abortion laws, the public education system and other freedom related issues Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, during the Freedom is the Cure rally at Twin Falls City Park in Twin Falls.

John Birch Society coordinator and master of ceremonies Tom Munds introduces the first of more than a dozen speakers Saturday during the Freedom is the Cure rally at Twin Falls City Park in Twin Falls.

Community members gather to talk about mask mandates, abortion laws, repealing governor Little and other freedom related issues Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, during the Freedom is the Cure rally at Twin Falls City Park in Twin Falls.

Community members gather to talk about mask mandates, abortion laws, the public education system and other freedom related issues Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, during the Freedom is the Cure rally at Twin Falls City Park in Twin Falls.

Shari Martinez sings the National Anthem on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, during the Freedom is the Cure rally at Twin Falls City Park in Twin Falls.

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'Freedom' rally in Twin Falls decries moderate Republicans, public education, masks and the media - bigcountrynewsconnection.com

When it comes to freedom of the press, it is ‘problematic’ in many of the richest countries across the world – USA TODAY

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The coronavirus pandemic has canceled a lot of things, but your summer vacation doesn't have to be one of them. USA TODAY

Across the world, freedom of the press is entering a critical era. Several crises, from the coronavirus pandemic to a polarized public have serious consequences for journalism and global press freedom.

Prosperous nations, which include some of the largest and oldest elected democracies in the world, tend to have greater press freedom than poorer countries. But this trend is far from consistent. The 50 richest countries in the world based on GDP per capita rank anywhere from best in the world, to among the worst 10 countries for freedom of the press.

To compare press freedom in the worlds richest countries, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2020 World Press Freedom Index scores in the 50 countries with the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. In its annual press freedom index, the non-profit organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) measures freedom of information throughout the world by combining survey-responses of media experts, as well as counts of acts of violence against journalists.

Elected leaders in many democracies, which are known for having free and independent media, have tried to silence critical outlets and promote those that offer favorable coverage. Even the president of the United States, one of the oldest democracies and a country famous for its fierce defense of its First Amendment that guarantees freedom of the press, has frequently demonized the news media as the enemy of the people. His rhetoric has given succor to political leaders in other countries who have passed bills making fake news illegal, and have framed articles they dont like as bogus news.

When it comes to press freedom, one region stands out. Scandinavian countries continue to lead the world, and western Europe media remains mostly free despite a few wobbles. These two regions lead the way in another important areathese are countries that have come closest to true gender equality.

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Oman.(Photo: Source: Kerrick / E+ via Getty Images)

50. Oman

Population: 4,974,986

GDP per capita: $29,052

Freedom of the press score in 2020: 43.4 135th out of 180 ("difficult")

Freedom of the press score in 2019: 43.4 132nd out of 180 ("difficult")

Worst area of press freedom: Media independence

Best area of press freedom: Infrastructure

Oman, a small nation on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, is classified as "not free" by Freedom House, a U.S.-based watchdog for democracy, political freedom, and human rights. The government has broad powers to shut down news outlets and websites and revoke licenses. Journalists are frequently harassed in the sultanate of 4 million people, and they can be arrested and detained incommunicado for charges such as insulting government authorities or trying to disrupt civil order. In 2016, two independent newspapers were shuttered or had operations suspended by the government.

49. Russia

Population: 144,373,535

GDP per capita: $29,181

Freedom of the press score in 2020: 48.9 149th out of 180 ("difficult")

Freedom of the press score in 2019: 50.3 149th out of 180 ("difficult")

Worst area of press freedom: Media independence

Best area of press freedom: Legislative framework

Russia has one of the worst free press ratings in the world. Since anti-government protests in 2011 and 2012, free press has been stifled by website blocking and selectively applied laws that have landed journalists in prison. Meanwhile, television in the country pushes propaganda and is hostile towards members of the press trying to do their job fairly. Major TV networks in Russia are either state-run or managed by companies with close government ties.

48. Malaysia

Population: 31,949,777

GDP per capita: $29,526

Freedom of the press score in 2020: 33.1 101st out of 180 ("problematic")

Freedom of the press score in 2019: 36.7 123rd out of 180 ("difficult")

Worst area of press freedom: Media independence

Best area of press freedom: Infrastructure

Press freedom began to improve in Malaysia in 2018 after the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional was defeated after governing the Asian nation since 1957. The new government began easing laws and regulations that restricted the press, and the media are now offering more diverse coverage. The government is taking steps to end the Anti-Fake News Act, which the former government had adopted in April 2018. Even so, legislation such as the Sedition Act, the Official Secrets Act, and the Communications and Multimedia Act that have been used to suppress the press and regulate publication licenses, remains on the books.

47. Croatia

Population: 4,067,500

GDP per capita: $29,973

Freedom of the press score in 2020: 28.5 59th out of 180 ("problematic")

Freedom of the press score in 2019: 29.0 64th out of 180 ("problematic")

Worst area of press freedom: Media independence

Best area of press freedom: Pluralism

Although Croatia's score and ranking in the 2020 World Press Freedom Index has improved slightly since last year, the country's situation for journalists remains "problematic," according to RSF. The media enjoy a relatively high degree of independence, but investigative journalists, especially those looking into corruption, organized crime, or war crimes, are often targeted. It's illegal to publish "humiliating" content, as well as to insult the republic, flag, or national anthem.

Croatian radio-TV, HRT, owned by the state, is financed by advertising and a license fee. However, officials often meddle in how it's run. Journalists who voice their objections are often sued.

46. Seychelles

Population: 97,625

GDP per capita: $30,260

Freedom of the press score in 2020: 28.7 63rd out of 180 ("problematic")

Freedom of the press score in 2019: 29.4 69th out of 180 ("problematic")

Worst area of press freedom: Media independence

Best area of press freedom: Infrastructure

Media independence on the island nation in the Indian Ocean has been hampered by the country's legacy of decades-long communist party rule. The government exercises considerable influence over communications in the Seychelles the government owns the island's only television station as well as two radio stations. However, a greater diversity of media choices are emerging, though independently owned media tends to be politically slanted. The press exercises self-censorship in regard to controversial national issues in deference to its tourism industry, which is important to the national economy.

45. Greece

Population: 10,716,322

GDP per capita: $31,399

Freedom of the press score in 2020: 28.8 65th out of 180 ("problematic")

Freedom of the press score in 2019: 29.1 65th out of 180 ("problematic")

Worst area of press freedom: Media independence

Best area of press freedom: Legislative framework

Freedom of the press has improved slightly in Greece since last year, although the country still has one of the worst environments for censorship of the media among wealthy nations. Recently, journalists have been attacked and detained by police, and the headquarters of a weekly newspaper was raided by an anarchist group. Additionally, one broadcasting firm and the state news agency were both placed under the supervision of the country's prime minister. Greater media independence and transparency would go a long way to improve press freedom in Greece.

44. Latvia

Population: 1,912,789

GDP per capita: $32,204

Freedom of the press score in 2020: 18.6 22nd out of 180 ("satisfactory")

Freedom of the press score in 2019: 19.5 24th out of 180 ("satisfactory")

Worst area of press freedom: Media independence

Best area of press freedom: Legislative framework

Media outlets in Latvia are allowed to operate freely, face relatively few legal restrictions, and represent a wide range of political views. While Latvia ranks better than most wealthy countries for press freedom, the country is not without some troubling issues. Politicians regularly verbally attack media outlets and the country's public media is woefully underfunded. Latvia's media landscape is also growing less diverse as the country's oldest TV channel was shut down in 2019 and its newsroom merged with another existing channel.

43. Romania

Population: 19,356,544

GDP per capita: $32,297

Freedom of the press score in 2020: 25.9 48th out of 180 ("problematic")

Freedom of the press score in 2019: 25.7 47th out of 180 ("problematic")

Worst area of press freedom: Media independence

Best area of press freedom: Legislative framework

Out of the 180 nations reviewed by Reporters Without Borders, Romania ranks 48th for press freedom. Unlike many wealthy countries that rank higher, Romania's political and ruling class encourages censorship by pressuring journalists to reveal sources and minimize criticism of leadership. Corruption in the media undercuts journalistic integrity and news outlets often act as a medium for political propaganda.

Although Romania's press is considered to be more free than the press in most of the rest of the world, it lags behind most of the 50 wealthy countries on this list.

42. Panama

Population: 4,246,439

GDP per capita: $32,762

Freedom of the press score in 2020: 29.8 76th out of 180 ("problematic")

Freedom of the press score in 2019: 29.8 79th out of 180 ("problematic")

Worst area of press freedom: Media independence

Best area of press freedom: Legislative framework

Of all wealthy countries in both North and South America, Panama ranks as having the worst free press. Though most media outlets in the country are privately owned, the government still controls access to information and pressures media companies through allocation of state advertising revenue. Journalists in the country are often fined through defamation cases when they are critical of government policy or cover corruption.

Despite these and other problems, press freedom is far better in Panama than it is in many of its poorer regional neighbors.

41. Hungary

Population: 9,769,949

GDP per capita: $33,979

Freedom of the press score in 2020: 30.8 89th out of 180 ("problematic")

Freedom of the press score in 2019: 30.4 87th out of 180 ("problematic")

Worst area of press freedom: Media independence

Best area of press freedom: Pluralism

Hungary's ruling party has tight control over the country's media landscape which is dominated by a pro-government foundation. Independent journalists in the country are banned from certain events and from asking questions to members of parliament. Generally, politicians who hold power do not give interviews to outlets that are critical of the government. Investigative reporting on government corruption is generally published through online outlets.

Greater media independence and transparency would greatly improve press freedom in Hungary.

Slovakia(Photo: Source: TomasSereda / Getty Images)

40. Slovakia

Population: 5,454,073

GDP per capita: $34,178

Freedom of the press score in 2020: 22.7 33rd out of 180 ("satisfactory")

Freedom of the press score in 2019: 23.6 35th out of 180 ("satisfactory")

Worst area of press freedom: Media independence

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When it comes to freedom of the press, it is 'problematic' in many of the richest countries across the world - USA TODAY

Editors opened the doors to Freedom School, then even wider as magazine of black thought – Cambridge Day

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By Marc Levy Sunday, August 2, 2020A spread from the magazine Freedom School with art by Latisha Wade and PD Klein.

Heres a gift for a time cultural opportunities feel exhausted and the latest Netflix offering feels meaningless: A free, 100-page, sumptuously produced magazine full of voices and images most of us have never encountered or considered, with (as editors and graduate students Najha Zigbi-Johnson and Lesedi Graveline say in a foreword) poems, essays and short stories, photos, paintings and other visuals grounded in themes of afro-futurism, ecology, community, lineage and ancestors, abolition, embodiment and pleasure, art and movement.

The magazine, an often surreal and playful piece of art called Freedom School, became available online July 17 at freedomschool-litmag.com.

Thumb through its pages the format allows the reader to mimic actual page turning for a richer experience than a traditional website for a melding of words and images from people who are under-heard, and in many cases previously never heard. Thats on purpose: The editors goal is to be democratizing in a way that makes the magazines birthplace at the Harvard Divinity School even more surprising.

So Los Angeles-based filmmaker, architect and artist Kordae Jatafa Henry is interviewed in Freedom School (talking about how he connects his work to traditional African dance and ritual, as well as about how George Floyd and Breonna Taylor makes him think about the future). But theres also work by Aliyah Blackmore, whose mix of poetry, art and essay on themes of ancestry and queer black identity called Why Do You Wake Before the Sun? appears because Graveline knows them Graveline went to school with them.

Harvard produces publications that dont usually reflect the work of community advocates and leaders of people who dont go to places like Harvard. It was really important for us that we pulled from communities beyond Harvard and reflect an array of identities and experiences, Zigbi-Johnson said last week, as the editors sat for an interview by phone. (Some comments have been edited and condensed.) For us this publication is very much its own commentary on the limitations of academic scholarship.

Surprise again, then, to hear how Freedom School came about from within Americas most hallowed ivory towers: A class itself called Freedom School: A Seminar on Theory and Practice for Black Studies in the United States that Zigbi-Johnson created, pitched and got funded with doctoral student and Black Lives Matter leader Karlene Griffiths Sekou. It was a wholly student-led class focused on black thought and imagination that was made open to people from outside Harvard. (Assistant professor of African American religions Todne Thomas midwifed the idea.) This course came to be because of the lack of resources for particularly black students at Harvard who wanted to apply their studies in practical ways, Zigbi-Johnson said. One of the projects the class decided to do was the magazine.

With designers Giovanna Araujo and Chindo Nkenke-Smith, the editors began thinking last fall about Freedom School as a publication, though work began in earnest in March, after coronavirus arrived and was essentially done entirely via Zoom video conference.

There was a learning curve, Graveline said, but the reception to the final product has been encouraging from the halls of Harvard to among hometown audiences. I really didnt think that members of my community in little Auburn, Massachusetts, which is a very small, Central Massachusetts town, would necessarily want to read something like this theyre not even close to being proximate to black radical scholarship or thought, Graveline said. The fact that they could engage with this was really moving for me, because that was our goal.

To have my neighbors read it and say, I love that poem by Arianna Monet, the way shes talking about black women is so beautiful I love that, Graveline said.

People also want printed editions of the magazine, but those mass copies dont exist. Part of what we wanted for this magazine is that it would be free for everyone, and that there would be no limit to accessing it. Thats largely why its online right now, Graveline said, describing also the pleasure of watching word spread through social media in communities representing an eclectic list of contributors.

Another democratizing element of the publication is the several love letters Graveline delights in seeing scattered through Freedom School, which address their authors origins. (For Graveline, a grandmother and great-grandmother in Botswana, who I dont think would be mentioned in a Harvard publication for any reason its just so beautiful to see where people come from.)

Its important to highlight that we didnt do all this by ourselves. We are a part of a collective, Graveline said. We would not be here without our communities, without our ancestors. And we are doing this for those who will come after us.

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Editors opened the doors to Freedom School, then even wider as magazine of black thought - Cambridge Day