Aytu BioScience Submits Notice of Commercialization to the FDA, Allowing for Company’s Distribution of its 2-10 Minute COVID-19 IgG/IgM Point-of-Care…

Commercial Distribution of First 100,000 Tests to Commence Upon Receipt of Inbound Product Shipment

ENGLEWOOD, CO / ACCESSWIRE / March 23, 2020 / Aytu BioScience, Inc. (AYTU), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on commercializing novel products that address significant patient needs announced today that it has received confirmation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the company may begin distribution of its Coronavirus Disease 2019 ("COVID-2019") IgG/IgM Rapid Test throughout the United States. The COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test is intended for professional use and delivers results between 2 and 10 minutes at the point-of-care.

Aytu expects delivery of its first shipment of 100,000 tests this week. The Company has been in discussions with healthcare distributors, healthcare institutions, medical practices, and government agencies and is working quickly to begin distribution into the U.S. healthcare supply chain.

Josh Disbrow, Chief Executive Officer of Aytu BioScience, commented, "We are moving as quickly as we can to bring the COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test to the U.S. professional medical community. With product now in transit to our warehouse in Colorado we're optimistic that we can have test kits ready for sale in the very near term. In the two short weeks since signing our distribution agreement, we have ordered our first 100,000 tests and have received confirmation from FDA that we may begin distribution. We are optimistic that we're now just days away from placing these COVID-19 test kits into the hands of healthcare professionals."

The COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test is a solid phase immunochromatographic assay used in the rapid, qualitative and differential detection of IgG and IgM antibodies to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus in human whole blood, serum or plasma. This point-of-care test has been validated in a 126 patient clinical trial and is CE marked.

About Aytu BioScience, Inc.

Aytu BioScience is a commercial-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on commercializing novel products that address significant patient needs. The company currently markets a portfolio of prescription products addressing large primary care and pediatric markets. The primary care portfolio includes (i) Natesto, the only FDA-approved nasal formulation of testosterone for men with hypogonadism (low testosterone, or "Low T"), (ii) ZolpiMist, the only FDA-approved oral spray prescription sleep aid, and (iii) Tuzistra XR, the only FDA-approved 12-hour codeine-based antitussive syrup. The pediatric portfolio includes (i) AcipHex Sprinkle, a granule formulation of rabeprazole sodium, a commonly prescribed proton pump inhibitor; (ii) Cefaclor, a second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic suspension; (iii) Karbinal ER, an extended-release carbinoxamine (antihistamine) suspension indicated to treat numerous allergic conditions; and (iv) Poly-Vi-Flor and Tri-Vi-Flor, two complementary prescription fluoride-based supplement product lines containing combinations of fluoride and vitamins in various for infants and children with fluoride deficiency. Aytu recently acquired exclusive U.S. distribution rights to the COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test. This coronavirus test is a solid phase immunochromatographic assay used in the rapid, qualitative and differential detection of IgG and IgM antibodies to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus in human whole blood, serum or plasma. This point-of-care test has been validated in a 113 patient clinical trial and has received CE marking.

Aytu recently acquired Innovus Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company commercializing, licensing and developing safe and effective consumer healthcare products designed to improve men's and women's health and vitality. Innovus commercializes over thirty-five consumer health products competing in large healthcare categories including diabetes, men's health, sexual wellness and respiratory health. The Innovus product portfolio is commercialized through direct-to-consumer marketing channels utilizing the company's proprietary Beyond Human marketing and sales platform.

Aytu's strategy is to continue building its portfolio of revenue-generating products, leveraging its focused commercial team and expertise to build leading brands within large therapeutic markets. For more information visit aytubio.com and visit innovuspharma.com to learn about the company's consumer healthcare products.

Story continues

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this presentation, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally written in the future tense and/or are preceded by words such as ''may,'' ''will,'' ''should,'' ''forecast,'' ''could,'' ''expect,'' ''suggest,'' ''believe,'' ''estimate,'' ''continue,'' ''anticipate,'' ''intend,'' ''plan,'' or similar words, or the negatives of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. These statements are just predictions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual events or results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: market and other conditions, the completion of the registered direct offering, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the registered direct offering and the intended use of net proceeds from the registered direct offering, the regulatory and commercial risks associated with introducing the COVID-19 Rapid Test, effects of the business combination of Aytu and the Commercial Portfolio and the recently completed merger ("Merger") with Innovus Pharmaceuticals, including the combined company's future financial condition, results of operations, strategy and plans, the ability of the combined company to realize anticipated synergies in the timeframe expected or at all, changes in capital markets and the ability of the combined company to finance operations in the manner expected, the diversion of management time on Merger-related issues and integration of the Commercial Portfolio, the ultimate timing, outcome and results of integrating the operations the Commercial Portfolio and Innovus with Aytu's existing operations, risks relating to gaining market acceptance of our products, obtaining or maintaining reimbursement by third-party payors for our prescription products, the potential future commercialization of our product candidates, the anticipated start dates, durations and completion dates, as well as the potential future results, of our ongoing and future clinical trials, the anticipated designs of our future clinical trials, anticipated future regulatory submissions and events, our anticipated future cash position and future events under our current and potential future collaboration. We also refer you to the risks described in ''Risk Factors'' in Part I, Item 1A of the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the other reports and documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

Contact for Media and Investors:

James CarbonaraHayden IR(646) 755-7412james@haydenir.com

Contact for COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test-Related Inquiries:COVID-19@aytubio.com

SOURCE: Aytu BioScience, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/582030/Aytu-BioScience-Submits-Notice-of-Commercialization-to-the-FDA-Allowing-for-Companys-Distribution-of-its-2-10-Minute-COVID-19-IgGIgM-Point-of-Care-Rapid-Test

Original post:
Aytu BioScience Submits Notice of Commercialization to the FDA, Allowing for Company's Distribution of its 2-10 Minute COVID-19 IgG/IgM Point-of-Care...

Healthy lifestyle increases chances of surviving COVID-19 – KMTV – 3 News Now

OMAJHA. NEB. (KMTV) Researchers are working on a cure for the coronavirus but at this time there is not one available. Healthy people have a better chance of surviving if they do contract the COVID-19 virus, and one doctor from CHI Health says there area a few easy ways to better your chances.

David Quimby, a doctor who specializes in infectious diseases, said those looking to better their chance of surviving the coronovirus should follow some basic rules to create a healthier lifestyle: eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, getting enough sleep and exercising.

While fried, greasy comfort foods may seem like a good idea right now, staying healthy is a much better option. The stronger your immune system, the better your chances of survival.

According to some experts, citrus fruits, green vegetables, almonds, green tea and meats like poultry and shell fish are great for the immune system.

"Just like any sort of infection, your immune system has your body fighting it," Quimby said. "Usually your immune system wins, and you get healthy; occasionally when people have a bad outcome,their immune system does not work."

Quimby said healthy people could also experience less-severe symptoms. Some people who come into contact with the virus could remain perfectly healthy.

Although the death toll is high, the important thing to remember is that people can survive this disease.

Read the original here:
Healthy lifestyle increases chances of surviving COVID-19 - KMTV - 3 News Now

Magic Johnson Invests In Black-Owned Natural Health Products – Because of Them We Can

This is what our community needs!

Former NBA Superstar and business mogul, Earvin Magic Johnson, has invested in Naturade, a Black owned company that produces all natural health products, Black Enterprise reports.

Naturade has been producing plant based cough and cold formulas, soy protein powders and other health supplements for nearly 100 years. CEO Claude Tellis and chief marketing officer Kareem Cook acquired the company in 2012 and he'spartnering with the Hall of Famer to help expand the brand and mission. Johnson, along with Olympic gold medal winner, Grant Hill, both invested in the company with the hopes of providing access to quality health productsin underserved communities.

Ive followed Kareem and Claudes journey for some time and their mission aligns well with my own passion to live a healthy lifestyle. I strongly believe in exercise and being intentional about what I eat and drink. Therefore joining Naturade was an easy decision. Together we are proving that if you offer people healthy products that taste good and can positively impact their well-being, they will make the changes necessary to improve their lives, Johnson told WholeFoods Magazine.

Cook and Tellis are seeking to highlight the overwhelming numbers of pre-diabetics in the country, despite the booming health industry. There are 86 million prediabetics in this country according to the American Diabetes Association. The health supplement industry is a $13 billion industry and growing. The goal for most companies is to make money; they want to sell to the premium stores where they can sell a product for a high price and people will buy it. And thats a great business model but it doesnt solve the problem, Cook said.

Naturade is seeking to change that by ensuring that communities who need these products the most have access to them. I grew up in the Bronx. Why should people in my family have to get on a bus and a train to get to a Whole Foods to buy these products when they should be able to go downstairs to a local store and have the same access? Magic understands that from his own business dealings. He proved people wrong so many times before, and this is an opportunity to prove people wrong again, and to make a successful business doing it, said Cook.

Tellis said that Naturade is a disruptive brand. He and Cook are looking to prove that people in underserved communities place a premium on their health as well. And with a little bit of education and access to quality products, they too will invest in their wellness. Cook hopes that the added star power will help spread the word.

Magic Johnson and Grant Hill and other people will be coming on board who are able to amplify the message because they have such strong followings. They have people look up to them and respect their decisions and the way theyre living their lives, Cook said.

Naturade offers a variety of products for weight loss, energy and vitality, protein intake, immune and digestive health, as well as supplements for the whole family.

To learn more about their products visit http://www.naturade.com.

Photo Courtesy of Whole Foods Magazine

Read more here:
Magic Johnson Invests In Black-Owned Natural Health Products - Because of Them We Can

The Cost of Fat-Shaming | Opinion – Harvard Crimson

There was a moment last year when pop artist Lizzo was getting wall-to-wall favorable coverage. On top of the success of her newest album, she was applauded for proudly displaying her body something that a few years earlier, might have been unthinkable. In her 2019 Time Entertainer of the Year profile, she credited her fame to a culture change.

There were a lot of things that werent popular but existed, she said, like body positivity, which at first was a form of protest for fat bodies and black women and has now become a trendy, commercialized thing Suddenly, Im mainstream.

Traditionally, fat women have been scorned in American pop culture. Maybe the embrace of her appearance would signify a new era of body positivity.

It didnt last for very long. Though she was able to stave them off for a little bit, Lizzos detractors soon went beyond critiquing her music to dissecting her physical appearance, often in ways that were demeaning and cruel. Posting a picture of herself in a bikini sparked accusations of being a public health hazard apparently, having the audacity to go to the pool means that youre encouraging people to eat themselves into prediabetes.

Fat-shaming is clearly detrimental: It seriously impacts the mental health of those who are overweight. A lot of fat-shamers claim that theyre actually being helpful; by humiliating people in their telling theyre encouraging them to lead healthier lives. Predictably, none of them seem to be actual nutritionists.

A fixation on other peoples weight isnt just damaging to fat people; it's bad for all of us. An obsession with the aesthetics of health, rather than habits that actually support a healthy lifestyle, encourages harmful behaviors to mold our bodies into socially acceptable forms. Eating disorders, unhealthy diets, and overexercising are all ignored, as long as youre slim enough. The priority is appearance, not health.

In previous columns, Ive written about my own body image issues. Apparently, my self-hatred was surprising to a lot of my friends and family; this is probably because Im not overweight and never have been. For me, a dislike of my body wasnt triggered by off-hand comments by people I knew; it was primarily driven by a fear that if I were fat, it would mean that I was worthless.

I dont know exactly where this fear came from, but I suspect that it was instilled in me by the culture at large through some toxic osmotic process. At some point, it's hard to ignore the bombardment of messages, both subtle and overt, about what our bodies should look like. The upshot of fat-shaming is paranoia, even in those who arent overweight. It feeds anxiety that one will become fat and therefore deemed less-than.

Through conversations with older people, Ive come to realize that this toxic sentiment might be a relatively new phenomenon, at least in how widespread it is. While I dont know a single girl in my high school who didnt have at least some insecurities about her body, my parents had an entirely different experience: Eating disorders, at least in their perception, were rare and infrequently discussed.

However, there is a long history of disordered eating among the wealthy and famous. I wonder, given the influence of social media, if such pressure to make ones body ready for public consumption has now been pressed onto all of us. Social media accounts are meant to be looked at, which is why people often feel pressured to present the best version of themselves. Unfortunately, they are constantly told that that best version is skinny.

For reasons that are perhaps obvious, I recently deleted my Instagram account. When I was in middle school, Id spend hours scrolling through my feed, comparing my completely normal 13-year-old body to 20-year-old models or girls in my school who were skinnier than me. Id often see posts from body-positive influencers, who were inevitably pilloried by faceless accounts with negative comments about their bodies, their diets, and their life choices. Today, when I see how women with similar body types, like Lizzo, are ridiculed across the internet, I think about my younger self, and girls who are that age right now are they learning the same things that I did?

The need for kindness to ourselves and others is ever more pressing. We should focus, more than anything else, on how we can care for each other. Disparaging comments, whether verbal or virtual, about other peoples bodies can only hurt us.

Rebecca E.J. Cadenhead 23 lives in Canaday Hall. Her column appears on alternate Tuesdays.

Here is the original post:
The Cost of Fat-Shaming | Opinion - Harvard Crimson

5 ways to curb coronavirus-related stress and anxiety – NBC News

As the U.S. ramps up its fight against coronavirus, its fair to say that our lives have changed dramatically in a very short amount of time. Change, especially when it involves social distancing, is hard for everyone, and its often very stressful. A certain amount of panic is normal, but how do you avoid spinning completely out of control?

Here are five ways to help manage the unique stress of the coronavirus outbreak.

While its very normal to feel anxious and stressed about the uncertainty of this pandemic, recognize that this is a universal worry, and we are all in this together. Life now has changed, temporarily, and everyone must adjust the new rules of daily living.

Accepting that social distancing is necessary to protect us is an impactful way to reduce stress. Tell yourself, even aloud, that this is not forever. Our normal way of life will return, and we need to feel empowered by what we are able to do.

Get the knowyourvalue newsletter.

RELATED: Coronavirus: What public health workers are telling their children

Make a list of the things that are under your control, like taking recommended health precautions (frequent hand-washing, sneezing/coughing into our elbow or tissue, respecting the six-foot distance rule, etc.) and work on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A focus on healthy eating, daily activity and a good nights sleep are all double-duty positives that both support a healthy immune system and reduce stress.

Staying connected with family and friends is key to stress reduction. Isolation and loneliness are big stress promoters that have solutions. Virtual contact think FaceTime for one-on-one chats, or other group activities with a dial-in connection is the solution in this digital age. And reach out to others you might have been thinking about, to say hello and reconnect.

RELATED: The working mom's playbook for coronavirus prep

While you cant change a stressor like this one because its out of your control, you can change your response to stress. Your bodys response to stress is physical (stress hormones are released), and can create a negative health response, including an elevation of blood pressure, poor concentration, interrupted sleep habits and more.

When you sense your stress creeping up (and its normal to come and go), pick a go-to activity that helps distract and relax you. It might be exercise, a walk, calling a friend, cleaning out a closet, or deep breathing. Pick one or two activities that work for you.

Maintaining a daily schedule will go a long way to reducing stress. And if you have children at home, its doubly important. Set a daily wake-up time, and specific times for work/school, meals, exercise, household chores and leisure. And establish a regular bed-time. A consistent routine will go a long way to keeping your stress at bay.

Madelyn Fernstrom, Ph.D. is the NBC News health editor. Follow her on twitter @drfernstrom.

Visit link:
5 ways to curb coronavirus-related stress and anxiety - NBC News

Shelter in Shape with Jake: UFO – KVUE.com

AUSTIN, Texas COVID-19 has taken a major toll on the sports world.

Nearly every professional and amateur sporting event has either been canceled or postponed. In-person workout classes have ceased and gyms have closed their doors temporarily.

Yet, the need to exercise is stronger than ever.

With many Americans working from home and practicing social distancing, it's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle both in body and in mind.

Enter "Shelter in Shape with Jake" a nightly segment where KVUE sports reporter Jake Garcia will take you through his at-home or socially-distant workout of the day and shares his favorite viewer submissions.

The rules are simple: any athletic activity is accepted.

Submissions are open to the Austin-area and beyond.

Email your workout videos to jgarcia@kvue.com or send them to @Jake_M_Garcia on Twitter or @jakegarciakvue on Instagram.

The workout in episode one is straight forward.

It's dubbed "UFO," see how quickly you can do 100 burpees.

Garcia finished the workout in six minutes and 33 seconds. See if you can beat him and your workout could be included in the next episode.

WATCH:Shelter in Shape with KVUE's Jake Garcia: UFO

PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING:

Sports announcer Joe Buck wants to narrate your home quarantine life for charity

Canada says no athletes at Tokyo Olympics if no postponement; Australia says prepare for 2021

Tom Brady announces he is joining the Buccaneers

USA Track and Field joins call to postpone Tokyo Olympics

March Madness 2020: Who is the best NCAA champion of all-time? Vote in this bracket.

Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks Doncic and Powell donate $500K to give childcare for healthcare workers

Texas Fur-ever: Friday Night Lights' 'Coach Taylor' adopts dog from Austin shelter

Excerpt from:
Shelter in Shape with Jake: UFO - KVUE.com

Rates of Cancer, Diabetes and Heart Disease Are Higher in Transgender Men Than in Cisgender Men – Curetoday.com

The first study to look at cancer prevalence in transgender people and examine the health of transgender cancer survivors also found concerning health trends among transgender women and gender nonconforming people.

In addition, transgender men and transgender women cancer survivors have higher rates of diabetes and heart disease than cisgender survivors. Researchers also found that nonbinary, or gender nonconforming, survivors of cancer have unusually high rates of depression and unhealthy lifestyle factors.

The survivors included in the study had reported diagnoses of any kind of cancer except skin cancer.

The study was the first to look at cancer prevalence in transgender people and examine the health of transgender survivors of cancer. Its authors, who embarked on the study because the needs of these populations have received scarce attention, concluded that doctors must recognize these health disparities and step in to help.

We hope these findings are a wake-up call for health care providers that transgender cancer survivors have complex medical needs, study lead author Dr. Ulrike Boehmer, associate professor of community health sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health, said in a press release. Furthermore, in light of recent efforts to legalize discrimination against this population, any health care agency that is not publicly, visibly welcoming transgender individuals is worsening transgender survivors health care experiences, and possibly augmenting their poor cancer survivorship.

Of nearly 17 million survivors of cancer in the United States, 62,530 are transgender, according to the researchers. They pulled data from the 2014-2018 federal Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), focusing on the 37 U.S. states and one territory (Guam) that ask gender identity questions in their surveys.

In all, they found 954,908 people in those states who, in a BRFSS survey, answered questions about whether they had ever received a cancer diagnosis besides melanoma, and also stated whether they considered themselves to be transgender. In all, the study included 1,877 transgender women, 1,344 transgender men, 876 nonbinary people, 410,422 cisgender men and 540,389 cisgender women. All in the study were, on average, in their 40s, and the majority were white. Across the whole study population, transgender men had the highest cancer rate; of them, 9.7% had received a diagnosis. Cisgender men had the lowest cancer rate at 5.6%.

In looking at cancer survivors included in the study, the researchers found additional health disparities: Compared with cisgender survivors, transgender and nonbinary survivors lagged in levels of education, health insurance and income and were more likely to have unmet medical needs because they couldnt afford care, all factors that can contribute to the development of cancer. Transgender and nonbinary survivors were less likely to have a personal physician than cisgender women, but no less likely than cisgender men.

After they adjusted for differences in education, health care access, income, race/ethnicity and marital status, the researchers found that transgender men were the only group with a significantly elevated cancer incidence. While they were nearly twice as likely to receive a cancer diagnosis as cisgender men, transgender men had about the same likelihood of receiving a diagnosis as cisgender women. In general, the researchers found that rates of cancer among transgender people roughly aligned with the rates associated with their birth genders.

In addition, the researchers found that, among survivors of the disease, transgender men had worse overall health than either cisgender men or cisgender women, although they were less likely to smoke. Transgender men were nine times more likely to have diabetes and heart disease than cisgender women, seven times more likely to have diabetes than cisgender men and five times more likely to have cardiovascular disease than cisgender men. Transgender women were twice as likely to get diabetes as cisgender men or cisgender women, and three times as likely to get cardiovascular disease as cisgender women.

Nonbinary cancer survivors were significantly less likely to be physically active than cisgender men and cisgender women and much more likely to drink heavily. The authors suggested that both of these trends may be related to the fact that this group of survivors is significantly more likely to experience depression.All of these factors matter because a healthy lifestyle increases cancer survivorship while comorbidities such as diabetes and heart disease can have a negative effect on long-term survival, the authors wrote. Taken together, the health behaviors and comorbidities of transgender survivors provide evidence that these individuals are an at-risk group for poor survival, they stated.

The researchers wrote that they lacked information on two other important factors, the use of hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery status, which may change cancer risks among transgender individuals as well as overall physical health risks, such as cardiovascular risk.

They concluded that clinicians and health services can target gender nonconforming survivors' depression and health behaviors to improve survival and should address the complex comorbidities of transgender men and transgender women.

The health care system is absolutely failing transgender cancer survivors, primarily because, in the face of such overwhelming evidence of discrimination against this population, there is still no routine data collection about trans status on surveillance or electronic medical records, study co-author Dr. Scout, an adjunct clinical assistant professor of community health sciences at the School of Public Health, deputy director of the National LGBT Cancer Network, and a transgender man, said in the press release.

Until these data are collected, we will always be trying to look at this population with our hands tied behind our backs.

Here is the original post:
Rates of Cancer, Diabetes and Heart Disease Are Higher in Transgender Men Than in Cisgender Men - Curetoday.com

30 Healthy Non-Perishable Snacks – Healthy Snacks On The Go – GoodHousekeeping.com

A big part of sticking with your healthy lifestyle habits is creating convenience when it comes to snacking. While many non-perishable snacks are filled with excessive sodium and poor ingredients, food manufacturers have seriously been stepping up their game and now offer tasty and healthy options. (Note: Non-perishable doesn't mean the item will last forever, it does mean it has a longer shelf life and doesn't require refrigeration to be fresh). The list below features chips, popcorn, and other beloved treats that will leave you feeling totally satisfied.

1Baked Crunchy Apples

Bareamazon.com

Bare boasts a variety ofsnacks that are made with simple ingredients, are baked (never fried),and contain no preservatives.Our favorite is the cinnamon variety which is simplyreal apples and cinnamon baked intodeliciously crunchy chips.

2Strawberry Freeze-Dried Fruit Crisps

Gold Emblem Aboundcvs.com

CVS is stocked withtons ofpantry-stocking essentials for under $3. We love their Gold Emblem Abound Line that is free from artificial preservatives, flavors, sweeteners, and colors. These free-dried fruit crisps are solely made from strawberries.

3Seasoned Crunchy Chickpeas

Saffron Roadamazon.com

Saffron Road makes incredible crunchy chickpeas, but this falafel flavor takes it up a notch. Made with organic ingredients, this variety incorporates exotic spices and is the perfect healthy snack to munch on.

4Spicy Crunchy Chickpeas

Saffron Roadamazon.com

If you're looking for a bit more heat, try the bombay spice crunchy chickpeas. They have an awesome flavor that makes these good on their own, or mixed in a salad.

5Sweet Sriracha Roasted Chickpeas

Gold Emblem Aboundcvs.com

With the perfect kick of Sriracha, these roasted chickpeas are a delicious and filling snack option.

6Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn Popcorn

BOOMCHICKAPOPamazon.com

Boom Chicka Pop is a favorite of ours, and this particular kettle corn variety has the perfect balance of sweet and salty. Made with simple and real ingredients, popcorn in general is a great staple to stock up on in your pantry to help you get your whole grains.

7Breakfast Probiotic Bars

KINDamazon.com

These new breakfast probiotics bars from KIND are gluten-free and made with five super grains. We love the orange cranberry flavor and find them to be a great mini-snack option.

8Bite-Sized Quinoa Rice Cakes

Gold Emblem Aboundcvs.com

These quinoa and rice cakes have 12 grams of whole grains per serving. The white cheddar flavor is delicious and these bites are naturally gluten-free.

9Superfood Oats Single Serve Cup

purely elizabethamazon.com

Oatmeal cups can come in handy as a snack or meal option, and these superfood oats from Purely Elizabeth are low in added sugar, and contain quite a bit of fiber and protein.

10Chickpea Puffs

Hippeas Organicamazon.com

Theselight and crunchy puffs are thego-to snack right now. Made from chickpeas, these puffs are a good source of fiber and are a great vegan option.

11Cocoa Roast Almonds

Emeraldamazon.com

Portion-controlled snacks are key when it comes to pantry items. These Emerald cocoa roasted almond packsfeature a sweet chocolate taste with only 1g of added sugar.

12Sriracha Cashews

Emeraldamazon.com

These cashews feature a hot chili, garlic, and vinegar flavor thatmake for a fiery kick.

13Sea Salt Dry Roasted Edamame

Seapoint Farmsamazon.com

This high-protein vegan food is certified non-GMO and heart-healthy. Have them on their own or add them to a salad for a plant-based protein boost.

14Organic Thin Stackers

Lundbergamazon.com

Theselight, crunchy, and flavorful stackers aremade with fresh milled organic brown rice. They make the perfect base for hummus, guacamole, or even peanut butter.

15RightRice Medley

RightRiceamazon.com

This rice is made from lentils, chickpeas, and ancient grains.Each serving of RightRice has 2x the protein, 5x the fiber, and almost 25% less net carbs than white rice. The perfect shelf-stable option for a snack or side dish.

16Gluten-Free Multi-Seed Crackers

livegfreealdi.us

If you're gluten-free, snacks can be limiting. ALDI's line of liveGfree offers incredible gluten-free items at an affordable price-point. Their rosemary and olive-oil multiseed snack crackers are delicious and pair well with just about anything.

17Sweet Potato Chips

Terraamazon.com

Terra chips are made from real vegetables, making them a major upgrade from the other types of chips we're used to. Sweet potato is a popular option, but Terra also has plantain and blue potato chips.

18Peanut Butter Squeeze Packs

$5.70

We love these classic peanut butter packets from Justin's that are portable, shelf-stable, and perfect for on-the-go. Have them by themselves, pair 'em with a piece of fruit, or add to a rice cake for a filling snack option.

19Mini Stroopwafels

Rip van Wafelsamazon.com

These sweet snack wafers only contain1g of sugar and make a great low-calorie cookie option. They haveno artificial colors or flavors, and don't have anypreservatives, trans fat, soy, or high fructose corn syrup.

20Dark Chocolate Cocoa Covered Almonds

SKINNYDIPPED ALMONDSamazon.com

We all need to make room for a few sweet-treats in the pantry, and Skinnydipped offers cocoa and chocolate covered almonds that are lower in added sugar than other options on the market. These almonds make theperfect grab and go snack for a boost of energy during the day.

21Organic Snack Bars

JONESBARamazon.com

We love that Jonesbars are 100% organic and made with real, wholesome ingredients. The peanut butter and coconut varieties are our favorite flavors that they offer.

22Gluten-Free Cherry Pie Bars

LRABARamazon.com

Larabars are one of the few bars on the market that are made withwholesome ingredients and don't contain any additives or fillers.

23Reduced Sodium Chunk Light Tuna

StarKistamazon.com

This reduced-sodium version of chunk light tuna is canned in water and requires no draining due to its pouch container. Simply eat right out of the bag oradd to salads. Starkist also offers a variety of flavored tuna that comes in a pouch, such as their lemon pepper and BBQ flavors.

24Organic Nutritional Shake

Orgainamazon.com

Orgain offers a delicious and completely organic all-in-one nutritional shake. This is a great option to have on hand if you aren't feeling well. They also make a nutritional shake for kids.

25Vegan Protein Shake

OWYNamazon.com

Another awesome shake option, these vegan plant-based drinks contain 20g of protein and have an 18 month shelf life. They are free from artificial flavors, colors, and have no preservatives. Unlike most vegan shakes, they aren't gritty at all.

26Organic Dried Fruit

Peeled Snacksamazon.com

Basically like a fruit roll-up for adults, these snacks contain only organic fruit, and are 100% USDA organic. They have quite a bit of vitamin A content and contain no added sugar.

27100% Natural Real Fruit Bar

That's Itamazon.com

Since fruit is highly perishable, something like a That's It bar is a great way to meet your 5-a-day fruit and veggie quota. These bars are 100% fruit and are perfect for the entire family.

28Steel Cut Oatmeal Cups

McCann'samazon.com

McCann's offers authentic steel cut oats that can be ready in minutes thanks to their microwaveable cup. Add berries and sliced almonds for a delicious breakfast or snack option.

29Organic Flax Chia Paks

Carrington Farmsamazon.com

No refrigeration is necessary for these organic flax chia packs. They are 100% USDA organic, gluten-free, and the perfect addition to any yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothie for extra fiber and healthy fats.

30Lemon and Pepper Seasoned Tuna Pouch

Bum
ble Beeamazon.com

This snack kit from Bumble Bee has under 300mg of sodium per serving and packs all the omega-3s you need for the day in just one 70-calorie pouch. The spoon included is super handy as well.

Original post:
30 Healthy Non-Perishable Snacks - Healthy Snacks On The Go - GoodHousekeeping.com

Saudi Sports Federation Promotes Healthy Homebound Living – Al Bawaba

Around the world, the coronavirus crisis has brought everyday life to a standstill. Social distancing is no longer an option but a necessity.

And just as the home has also become the office for thousands of Saudis in recent weeks, so it is set to become their gym as well.

Staying in, according to the Saudi Sports for All Federation, does not have to mean the end of exercising, or ignoring your health.

Under the banner of the campaign and hashtag Baytak Nadeek (Your Home, Your Gym), the federation is hoping to promote an activity and health campaign in the coming months.

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, president of the federation, has acted quickly to tackle an issue that could have led to physical and mental problems down the line.

Given the new regulations that Saudi is facing in terms of staying indoors, we decided to pivot to a more campaign-driven approach that was focused on our secondary messaging: Overall health, wellness and community well-being, he said.

We moved very quickly from outside active living to indoor active living. This is showcased in our videos all across social media and on the website.

Prince Khaled praised the role that Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah is playing in the campaign, and the backing received from the Saudi government.

Im really proud of having a government that knows whats good for the people, Prince Khaled said, adding that Al-Rabiah has been super transparent and a high-level communicator, keeping everyone informed, and thats whats bringing Saudi together as one to keep health and wellness the first nationwide priority.

The federation is going to keep pushing on every front to support the governments aims to keep us healthy and strong, Prince Khaled said. This is what our new Healthy Living information portal is about.

The Healthy Living section of the federations website has over the last week been populated with articles and programs that cover a range of topics that seek to maintain physical and mental well-being in the current crisis.

Weve pivoted, literally in less than 48 hours, from an entity thats event-focused to being both events- and campaign-focused, Prince Khaled said.

Were driving public awareness initiatives and frontline campaigns. We have diversity there too. Theres everything from home workouts to the best in-class nutrition advice, he added.

Everything is scientifically derived. Weve got workouts, fun ideas, we even curated playlists for people in Saudi to use and get motivated.

Nutrition is seen as especially important, with more and more content expected on the Healthy Living portal, which the federation sees as essential going forward in line with the Quality of Life program.

Nor is this campaign designed to be solely a quick fix. The idea is that taking up homebound activities will remain a blueprint for a healthy lifestyle even after the coronavirus crisis has passed.

I definitely think this is sustainable. This is one of our main objectives, Prince Khaled said, adding that the federations drive toward making health and wellness information readily available and accessible to all is perfectly timed in line with the governments goals to secure the safety and welfare of Saudi.

He said: As for the sustainability aspect, if theres any silver lining to whats happening now, we consider that the federation is responsible for getting people increasingly educated about nutrition, health, and how advisable it really is to stay active.

He is aware that the enforced change of lifestyle due to the spread of coronavirus could have certain long-term effects in the coming months, and sees the Baytak Nadeek campaign and similar ones as necessary consequences.

Its no secret that one of the federations top priorities is peoples health. We have a duty to Saudi and were up to that challenge, he said.

Were getting creative with online coaching. Were recruiting freelance health professionals too, he added.

Weve done a number of private sector partnerships to help us get the right content out at the right time, Prince Khaled said.

The positive side of all this is that I think this is something with a long-term health impact. People are now thinking about how nutrition and physical activity impact immunity. This is exactly how we want people to think: Be healthy, eat well, live well, and youre fortified to some degree.

See original here:
Saudi Sports Federation Promotes Healthy Homebound Living - Al Bawaba

Health and Wellness – Corrections.com

Investing in People: Improving Corrections Staff Health (Oregon).

Hello, our topic for March is Corrections Staff Health & Wellness. A question I have to ask: How many made a New Years resolution to get in shape? The next question is how many are still keeping this resolution. If not, resolve to start back. If you are still maintaining a healthy lifestyle, congratulations.

I have been working out steadily with walking and other exercise. Prior to this, I had many excuses and was only fooling myself. At the same time, I realized I came from a stressful environment and now had grandchildren. I would like to be part of their early years and lives. I got my yearly physical and had a bout with cancer, this was life changing for me.

Since I have become more active and committed to an exercise routine, I feel much better and do not have to take certain medications. Unfortunately, my side of the family has very little of the good genes. So this was another unwritten message and warning sign. Take control now. My initial blood work years ago reflected hypertension, cholesterol & triglycerides concerns. As I mentioned earlier, through exercise and medications I was able to control for this. Years ago I was a jogger, wear and tear on my knees let me toward bicycling, and ultimately trying to walk 5-6 miles Monday thru Friday. This is supplemented with exercise and weightlifting with low weights and increased reps. I am knocking on the door to age 67.

I provided a resource below for the Oregon Department of Corrections. This agency is conducting some research and results have led to health changes. Fortunately, this agency as well as other states, took a proactive approach. We know that corrections is a very stressful environment and one that corrections personnel do not like to talk about. These personnel (uniform and non-uniform) perform a job daily that many people would not and cannot do.

One would think, due to the safety and security concerns, all staff would make their physical well-being a priority. The resource from the National Institute of Justice titled: Investing in People: Improving Corrections Staff Health. The following is a very informative article and should open your eyes further. Investing in People: Improving Corrections Staff Health (Oregon).

There is one particular observation from the article I want to share: The average life span of an individual that has spent their career in corrections is 58 years, which is 16 years shorter than the lifespan of 74 years for an adult male. A powerful comment.

Unfortunately over the years corrections experienced staff suicides; stress; abuse of sick time; PTSD; weight issues; hypertension; and these combined contributed to some additional health concerns. Namely, abuse of alcohol and drugs. This had a negative impact on many families. Many agencies were proactive in providing various programs and counseling to staff and their families. We witness the implementation of critical incident debriefings and how this helped identify staff in need of assistance. This reinforces why it is even more important for staff and supervisors to recognize early signs of stress. Most staff are not going to seek assistance without being confronted with these concerns.

The prison environment alone is stressful and brings about many safety and security issues and concerns. All one has to do is look at the many media sites and see what is occurring throughout the country with our jails and prisons.

The sooner corrections staff recognize they need counseling and/or other services they will soon begin positive lifestyle changes. This can create positive ways they perform their workplace duties. The inmates are observant and will recognize the changes and may not be as likely to push your button. Recognition and assistance will lead to a more positive relationship in your marriage and with your family. Besides this, you are setting an example for your family, friends, and co-workers. Feel good about yourself and start with change today.

Stay safe out there.Terry

Terry Campbell is a criminal justice professor at Purdue University Global and has more than 20 years of experience in corrections and policing. He has served in various roles, including prison warden and parole administrator, for the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Terry may be reached at tcampbell@purdueglobal.edu.

Other articles by Campbell

Link:
Health and Wellness - Corrections.com

Coronavirus outbreak: Staying happy and healthy during trying times – The New Indian Express

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: How fast scenarios change is evident from the fact that when barely three months ago I wrote in an article that the biggest threat to humans in the next decade is the human mind, little did I know that we still have to deal with the risk to our physical body first.

With the arrival of a new villain on the scene, the deadly COVID-19, the whole world is going nuts trying to ward off, contain or treat this endemic disease.

Though of course, our mind still remains to be trained to make our body strong enough to face this latest global challenge of the coronavirus.

Forget Artificial Intelligence (AI), it is now your own inherent intelligence that is going to give you the toughest competition.

Till sometime back, depression was the main baddie in a humans life and the World Health Organisation, too, had reported depression to be the single biggest cause of ill health by 2030.

But with the sudden arrival of the coronavirus on the scene, the situation may get worse with us having two major villains to deal with. One mental, the other physical! But on a higher level it is still our mind that we need to tame to emerge a winner over self.

It is all about countering negatives. You invariably have a propensity to feel depressed whenever a negative event happens in your life. Quite normal! No one ever can or will feel good about some terrible occurrence.

But the catch lies is in encashing these unfavourable incidents in life. Just as friction is an opposing force but still a requisite for us to be able to carry out most essential acts, a vital being walking/running, so are other negative forces. The endemic coronavirus is the latest.

You will surely agree that pleasant or positive happenings in your life make you happy and contented and therefore, in some ways, complacent.

So I wouldnt be too off the mark if I state that adverse circumstances are as necessary in life as friction is in walking. You cannot walk or run on a zero friction, smooth surface.

Therefore the greater the opposing forces or disadvantageous situations, the more it propels you forward. Take the case of the COVID-19 global outbreak.

We were all just not prepared for such an occurrence. Nor had we any idea of how we would deal with such a phenomenon, if it ever happened. But once it happened, be it any region, country, government, ministry, hospital, organisation, society, health system or people, we are all up on our feet, striving tirelessly to fight this epidemic.

We are realising the lacuna in our health systems, the dearth of medical facilities and staff, if and where they exist, the lack of sufficient expertise or preventive medication or vaccination for the novel coronavirus and several other things required to contain its spread.

Suddenly with this pandemic, we have become alert to our health and that of others. Before this disease hit the planet, we seldom strove to do the little things necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Whether it is hygiene standards, healthy living, cleanliness at home, office, public places, transport vehicles, cinema halls, restaurants, malls/shopping-centres we were a bit callous.

Now, we are consciously making every effort to step up the standards and incorporate a healthy and hygienic lifestyle into our daily routine.

We suddenly realise the importance of simple little habits to lead a healthy life. Regular exercise, soaking in the sunshine each morning, eating natural fruits, vegetables and dried fruits that have a positive effect on our immunity, turning to herbal remedies such as turmeric, ginger, tulsi, black pepper, amla and gilloy is suddenly becoming a conscious choice for all of us. There lies the catch. All these are excellent not only for our physical health but also for our mental health. Therefore we are inadvertently moving towards a Happiness regime, thanks to villain virus.

In adverse and tough circumstances such as the current times, you unknowingly try much harder, put in much more effort and bring out all the hidden strength of the body, mind and inner self. You need to go to back your very basics.

Be it natural modes of exercise such as walking, jogging, running or cycling, what with all gymnasiums and sports facilities shut down, or herbal preventions, what with there being absolutely no cure for COVID-19 in the world.

Naturally raise your immunity by increasing your vital vitamins such as C, D, E, eating citrus fruits or dry fruits or sitting in the morning sun. Mind you, this drastic change in lifestyle is for the better because to cure major depression too, all these habits and diets are the surest means.

All it requires is to convince your mind and tame it to follow this Happiness Exercise and you will then be able to boost your physical immunity as well as mental strength. Following such beneficial regimens will actually propel your brain to secrete more of serotonin, the hormone responsible for your happiness.

So, in these distressing times of the fast-spreading COVID-19 disease, dont sit back and become lax and lazy, working from home but go for that long-postponed jog or run, sit in the sun while the sun shines and eat healthy and increase the production of your Happy Hormone!

Manisha GuptaInternational Award Winning Screenwriter & Filmmaker and Founder-MwD of LOGIHQ, a HAPPINESS start-up

Originally posted here:
Coronavirus outbreak: Staying happy and healthy during trying times - The New Indian Express

M’sians adjust to simple life – The Star Online

PETALING JAYA: As Malaysians are required to be indoors due to the movement control order (MCO), many have been keeping themselves busy by taking the time to just chill at home, exercise and improve their baking skills.

Wellness coach Gwen Lim has been exercising at her garden to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

I have been doing simple exercises to stay healthy while also spending more time doing devotion to God, said the 39-year-old.

Jess Tan, too, has been using her free time at home practising yoga with her mother and aunt.

My family does yoga by following them online via a video-based fitness training app, the property consultant said.

Tan, 41, said she also spent her time doing sketching.

I also have a video live sketching lesson with my studio instructor, she said, adding that her mother and aunt read up on recipe books to make healthy soups.

For others, the two-week MCO is a time to just relax at home.

I havent been doing much really, just chilling at home watching television. I also help out with house chores, 25-year-old Jake Lee said.The bank employee said the extra time was a much-needed break from his busy routine.

Nur Syakira Abdullah has been spending time trying out new recipes.

I have been baking and cooking dishes like murtabak maggi and oreo chocolate cake for the past five days. It was really fun and I enjoyed it, the 23-year-old administrative officer said.

On Facebook, Lissie McLaren said she also took time to bake cookies and cakes, as well as read manga and watch anime.

For Ravendran Supramaniam, 45, he was busy working from home.

I am on standby for meetings with the Health Ministry.

I have been preparing for two meetings with the ministry for dialysis and intensive care unit equipment, the haemodialysis and critical care business associate director said.

Ravendran also used his spare time to read up on healthcare news and stay in touch with family members and friends via video calls.

More:
M'sians adjust to simple life - The Star Online

Avoid these 5 food habits to stay fit and healthy – Onmanorama

Unhealthy eating habits are one of the major reasons why people have become vulnerable to the lifestyle diseases and many other severe illnesses as well. Not just the usual diseases but human beings are now fighting dangerous viruses like the COVID-19 that has been declared a global pandemic. Noted yoga instructor Dr Hansaji Yogendra talks about the importance of saying 'no' to these five food habits to lead a healthy life.

Avoid stale food

Most people prefer cooking and storing food for a few days. However, they do not realize that eating old foods can distress the digestive process. This lowers the immunity power of the body and may lead to vomiting, dysentery, and fever. The nutrients in cooked food are lost after 24 hours. So, the food that has been cooked and stored for days should be strictly avoided.

Instant cooking

Amid hectic schedules and busy lifestyles, most people do not have the time to cook fresh food. So, they often rely on gadgets like the microwave oven to cook or reheat food.

However, the healthy fibres in the food are lost when they are cooked or reheated in microwave. Usually, milk or other liquid foods could be heated in microwave oven as the nutrients in them aren't lost. But it is better to avoid microwave ovens to reheat food items.

Packaged food

Junk food or bakery snacks have now become common items in the daily menu of many people. These packaged foods are loaded with harmful preservatives and other additives. Many people prefer buying such processed or frozen food and reheat them as they do not have the time to cook or are too lazy for it. These packaged or processed foods could cause many serious illnesses.

Processed sugar, salt and all purpose flour

Bread with jam or butter is one of the most popular breakfast items that require just seconds to put together on a plate. However, the all-purpose flour and sugar in these items do not provide the energy that is required for the body to function properly.

These days, wheat bread is becoming popular as the healthy variant of the loaf. However, not many know that these breads contain just 20% wheat in them. The rest is the same old all-purpose flour. The breakfast is the main meal of the day as most of it gets absorbed into the body. The body doesn't receive its essential nutrients if such unhealthy foods are eaten for breakfast. You could replace processed sugar with rock candies if you are someone who loves sweets. Black salt and Himalayan rock salt could be used instead of your regular iodized salt. You could develop a safe and healthy lifestyle by turning to such harmless and healthy ingredients.

Say 'no' to beverages

Alcohol consumption has become a social menace which leads to physical and mental diseases. Addiction to alcohol may lead to depression and poor social relations. Similarly, there are many who gulp down too many teas and coffees in a day. Such beverages need to be consumed in limited amount to maintain general well being.

Just like eating the right foods, it is vital to avoid certain foods to remain healthy and fit. Try to eat only when you are hungry. Some people eat uncontrollably when they are tensed or are under distress. However, in such situations the hormones may not function properly and this may lead to loss of energy. Moreover, this could make you sick as well. So, it is better to have a refreshing glass of lemon juice and relax when you are really upset or disturbed.

Link:
Avoid these 5 food habits to stay fit and healthy - Onmanorama

Immunity and diet: what you need to know – Gulf News

Image Credit: iStock

In recent weeks, much attention has focused on the role of the immune system and its role in defending against disease-causing microorganisms. While the body has an impressive array of weapons to battle any invaders, there are moments when pathogens bypass these warriors, virus and bacteria sometimes do get through.

In such cases, your first port of call should be a medical professional who can advise on treatment routes.

That said, there are a number of ways to reduce your vulnerability, including enhanced hygiene and other everyday preventive measures. Of course, researchers still dont know a lot about the intricacies of the immune response and there really are few scientifically proven direct links between lifestyle and enhanced immune function but evidence intimates that nutritional deficiencies can weaken our immunity and leave us more susceptible to infections.

- Marlene Cornes Marsh, Senior Clinical Dietitian, DHA

Diet and lifestyle are two of the most critical factors that influence immunity, explains Mitun De Sarkar, a Dubai-based MD who is Clinical Dietitian at Simply Healthy Foods. While environmental factors are often not in our control, so our best defence to give our bodies a fighting chance against various virus or bacterial infections is to ensure that we follow good hygiene practices and ensure our diets support our immune systems health.

A good thumb rule, she adds, is to get in plenty of fruits and vegetables, ensure proper hydration and stay moving. Exercise has a beneficial impact on the immune system and mobilises white blood cells.

But this is a nutrition column, so well confine ourselves to foods role in immune health. In particular, people underestimate the importance of good nutritional habits. Marlene Cornes Marsh, Senior Clinical Dietitian at Dubai Health Authority, says a balanced diet, coupled with a healthy lifestyle strengthens your bodys defences against infection. The strength of the bodys immune system relates to its overall nutritional status, she says, adding that stress, poor diet and inadequate sleep can also play their part.

There is scientific evidence to support the adage we are what we eat, and this process begins in early life. It is well established that nutritional inadequacy greatly impairs the functioning of immune system. Good nutrition plays an important role in the bodys immune system. It stimulates the formation of antibodies, and with healing and recovery.

Avoiding undernutrition

On the other hand, undernutrition can have several harmful benefits. As an example, Marsh explains how the thymus, a small organ just beneath the breastbone, is impacted by malnutrition even the kind caused by obesity.

People who are on extreme calorie- and protein-restriction diets or who have an eating disorder may see changes in the activity of the thymus gland, which is responsible for the maturation of immune cells, Marsh says. The thymus helps propagate and differentiate mature T-lymphocytes, cells that attack and kill viruses and bacteria.

Similarly, paying attention to the symbiotic relationship we share with the beneficial microbes that make up the human microbiome, can help fortify our bodies. This collection of microscopic organisms serve several functions. When theyre out of whack, as in older people, the result is stomach inflammation and increased intestinal permeability, which allows more bugs to overcome our defences. But when theyre singing in harmony, so to speak, these microbes function as barrier shields and help encode our immune systems.

Fermented foods and vegetables

The role of fermented foods such have been recognised for more than a century, thanks to the number of beneficial bacteria they contain, De Sarkar says. Thats why items such as yoghurt, sauerkraut, kombucha, kefir and khimchi should be high on your list, she explains.

Similarly, fibre-heavy carbohydrates such as whole grains improve digestion and fuel the body with energy. When it comes to overall health including immune system function. Carbs are not your enemy, she says.

Finally, vegetables really are all theyre cracked up to be. Following a study on mice, Babraham Institute researchers proved how green vegetables such as bok choy and broccoli generate a chemical signal that is important to a fully functioning immune system. They do this by ensuring that immune cells in the gut and the skin known as intra-epithelial lymphocytes (IELs) function properly. When otherwise healthy mice were fed a vegetable-poor diet for two to three weeks, up to 80 per cent of these protective cells disappeared.

Separately, innumerable studies have demonstrated the benefit of antioxidants in vegetables, fruit and other plant-based foods. Nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E not only boost immune health but also help reduce oxidative stress.

While much more research is needed to pinpoint specific interactions, eating healthy has a tremendous number of benefits for the immune system.

As Marsh says, Almost all nutrients in the diet play a fundamental role in sustaining an optimal immune response, such that deficient and excessive intakes can have negative consequences on immune status and susceptibility to a variety of pathogens.

Dietary components can regulate physiological functions of the body; interacting with the immune response is one of the most important functions of nutrition.

More:
Immunity and diet: what you need to know - Gulf News

A healthy lifestyle is Urvashi Rautela’s fitness regime in quarantine – Times of India

Mostly all of our celebrities in Bollywood, are playing too safe, trying not to venture out unless absolutely necessary. So what do they do to keep fit and healthy, while heeding the new advice about staying at home when the pandemic cancels all of their shoots? Well first off, they obey all the precautions and secondly, they try to improve the immune system of their body. As gyms have closed temporarily to avoid the spread of this disease, actresses like Katrina Kaif, Malaika Arora, Jacqueline Fernandez, Urvashi Rautela and many others, have started working out at home and teaching their fans how to do it too. The gorgeous Urvashi posted a video about how to exercise and stretch your muscles without exerting too much pressure on your body, on her social media handle and sending messages to her followers. In the video, besides pulling off a handstand, she can be seen forming a bridge with her body and taking the support of the wall to continue with the cartwheel. She can be seen effortlessly pulling off the yoga routine which requires high flexibility. She has mentioned in the caption that the pose is called back walkover. What Urvashi showed us was an easy yoga stretch that can be done at home using all smooth vertical surfaces possible."Yoga and other such physical activities can be done from your chair or sofa - squats, tricep dips, crunches, bodywork exercises and so on. When it comes to food, sticking to proteins and fruits and vegetables is the best way to keep your metabolism going, your gut healthy, and your digestive system on track amidst the stress and chaos of the virus fears. Adding in health and fitness into your daily routine, or keeping it up if you currently have one, is huge right now," said Urvashi.

Link:
A healthy lifestyle is Urvashi Rautela's fitness regime in quarantine - Times of India

Technology and Human Creativity in Theological Perspective – Patheos

by Victoria Lorrimar

In engaging with transhumanist visions of the future, and the more general notion of human technological enhancement, from a theological perspective, a helpful starting point is the place of technology within a doctrine of creation.

Within a Christian understanding, an examination of the biblical language for creation (i.e. a word study of the Hebrew brand ytsar the first of which is reserved only for the action of God while the second is an activity that both God and humans carry out) suggests that it is appropriate to speak of humans as being genuinely creative from a theological perspective. Drawing on a metaphor of God as divine artist, we might situate human making within a theology of creation, rather than relegating it to the more distant doctrines of preservation, providence or redemption. Trevor Hart sums up this approach, arguing that viewing creation as a project divinely begun and established, yet one that is handed over to us with more to be made of it yet and inviting our responsible participation in the making, affords a fruitful perspective on the matter (Making Good, 2014: 8).

For a long time, the semantic scope of creation rejected the possibility of such parallels and served to underscore the radical otherness of God. We can chart the historical shift which saw the notion of creation extended from its previous preserve of God alone to human artistry. Creation proper may still apply solely to the work of God in certain instances, but the idea of creation more generally has expanded in scope.

In fact, we can track the understanding of human creativity as it diverges from its humble scriptural origins. The language of creativity is first ascribed to humans during the Renaissance, as the idea of art being a faithful imitation of divine creativity gave way to the idea of the artist or poet as a creator in their own right. This extends through the Romantic era and the Enlightenment period, with the result that the modern understanding of the arts is, on the one hand, more limited than its classical and mediaeval counterparts, in that earlier understandings of art encompassed human productivity more generally, but also more audacious in the claims it makes on behalf of human capacities and originality.

From the time of Francis Bacon, the father of modern science, we see this understanding of human capacities bound up in the promise of empirical science, the immense confidence in the expansion of human knowledge, the drive to master nature and the flourishing of utopian thought. This emphasis on dominion came to be enmeshed within theological understandings of creation, as creation found its way into the vocabulary used for human activities.

This does not mean, however, that it is inappropriate to speak of humans as genuinely creative. Hart, after an extensive historical analysis of the language of creation, reaches the conclusion that: at various key points in the story of Gods creative fashioning of a world fit for his own indwelling with us, divine artistry actively solicits a corresponding creaturely creativity, apart from which the project cannot and will not come to fruition (Making Good, 2014: 37).

We find similar ideas in the work of Jacques Maritain and Dorothy Sayers, who reinforce the theological significance of human making and its proper place within a doctrine of creation. Maritain describes the creativity of the artist as a development of divine creation, a work proceeding from the whole soul which bears the image of God. Though he distinguishes the creation of God (who is able to truly generate another substance through divine utterance) and human works of creating (which can only ever be signs), Maritain nevertheless grounds the dignity of art in his assertion that it realizes in act one of the fundamental aspects of the ontological likeness of our soul with God. Sayers, too, locates human creativity in our being made in the image of a triune Creator, introduced in her play The Zeal of Thy House(1937) and unpacked further in The Mind of the Maker (1941).

The challenges posed by transhumanist visions of the human future require us to develop a sufficiently robust account of theological anthropology in return. Of course, theological anthropology is a very broad category, and Ive focused on the understanding of human creativity within that. If we reflect on enhancement technologies, this prompts the question as to whether these kinds of technology are a legitimate exercise of our creativity, set within the framework of a broader doctrine of creation.

Most of the detailed theological treatments of human creativity we might turn to focus almost exclusively on the arts. If they do treat technology, they tend to have developed within the science and religion field and often are accompanied by an over-privileging of rationality and an epistemological confidence in human capability that neglects an account of fallenness and the need for discernment (here Im thinking mainly of Philip Hefners created co-creator proposal outlined most comprehensively in his 1993 work The Human Factor). In these latter discourses, even if they are moving beyond a foundationalist epistemology, the role of the imagination for understanding and discernment is often neglected.

Yet, transhumanism as a philosophy is veryimaginative. There are all kinds of synergies with science fiction that other scholars have drawn out, but (whatever we say about some of the ideologies involved) we have to admit that transhumanist visions of transcendence are captivating for many (even if not always taken seriously). If we are to engage these movements from a theological perspective then we need to meet them with equally compelling theological accounts of the future, and the good news is that Christian theology has a deep well of resources to draw on in this area.

James McClendon argued for the need to enter the tournament of narratives competing for attention within a postmodern milieu. Presented in ways that recruit the imagination (as James K. A. Smith describes the imperative for good stories in the moral arena), the visions of transcendence and glorification proclaimed so confidently in transhumanist literature are ripe for reclamation by Christian theologians, philosophers, writers and artists. We might respond with a fuller vision of the human future, a greater hope to set alongside the imaginings of transhumanists and techno-utopians. Of course, this is already a move to eschatology, but then we dont want to separate out creation and redemption as entirely independent doctrinal loci.

Whereas technology itself tends to occupy many of the classic roles of a deity in the present technological paradigm, theologians are able to expose the pretensions to self-love inherent in certain technological mindsets (as theologian Brian Brock puts it). A Christian account of hope declares that in conceiving, assessing and implementing technologies, we bear neither the burden of correctly envisioning or accomplishing redemption for ourselves nor the risk and dread of complete failure. Technology occupies its proper place within the work of a gracious God who allows creation to participate in bringing the creation toward glorious fulfilment.

By reflecting on our technological activity in the context of theological accounts of co-creation (recognising and challenging the ways in which understanding has diverged from a biblical account of creativity), and by setting imaginative portrayals of Christian hope alongside transhumanist projections, we might think of theology as entering the tournament of narratives competing for victory over the human (and non-human, an aspect often neglected by transhumanists!) future.

Here is the original post:
Technology and Human Creativity in Theological Perspective - Patheos

Scots tech firm joins battle to find Covid-19 vaccine – The National

A SCOTS tech firm has joined the quest to help find a vaccine for coronavirus by giving US researchers access to thousands of pounds worth of its own computer equipment.

Glasgow-based Ground Level Up specialises in the creation of visual content, data gathering, and 3D mapping using drones and as such uses high-end hardware for its work.

However, its staff are working from home during the virus lockdown, and the firm has donated the use of its two 96 terabyte servers, which are currently sitting idle, to researchers at Stanford Medical School in California.

Company boss Carrick McLelland, who is amongst those working from home, said he and his business partner, Alistair Snowie, started researching how they could put the powerful servers to good use during what could be a potentially lengthy period of self-isolation.

READ MORE:Scots scientist says a million coronavirus vaccines will be ready by end of 2020

He discovered Folding@home, a project that allows researchers to remotely use systems that have downloaded their software to carry out studies requiring huge amounts of computer power including protein folding and other molecular dynamics. By simulating what are called protein dynamics, it is hoped more rapid progress will be made in combatting the coronavirus.

McLelland said he believed not many firms know about projects such as Folding@home, and has urged other digital and professional editing companies throughout Glasgow and the rest of Scotland to follow suit.

Two 96 terabyte servers provide the same memory as around 400 laptops

He said many would be able to donate the use of their storage servers, especially if they are lying unused while their staff work on their own computers at home.

McLelland said: These servers have huge processing power multiple people are able to use them to download, edit, and render digital material at the same time.

I think its not only vital to keep massively powerful pieces of equipment like this in use, but also to use them in the fight against coronavirus. At the moment, I cant think of a more important purpose for them than that.

READ MORE:Expect a directive from the EU requiring coherent planning

Ground Level Up has four permanent staff involved in work that sees them create visual content for businesses on social media as well as using drones for filming, data gathering and 3D mapping in some of the worlds most inaccessible areas.

Their work has been hit by the pandemic as countries close their borders and businesses cut costs. But McLelland said his firm has the resources to keep everyone employed and he added that he and his staff are ready to help any organisations, be it the NHS, the Scottish Government, or universities and colleges, make information videos should they be urgently needed.

He added: Naturally, we are still a business, and need to make ends meet, but we can offer highly-accessible opportunities to anyone who needs information videos produced with same-day turnaround.

See original here:
Scots tech firm joins battle to find Covid-19 vaccine - The National

IBM collaborates with the US government to help fight coronavirus using supercomputers – www.computing.co.uk

IBM collaborates with the US government to help fight coronavirus using supercomputers

IBM has teamed up with the White House Office of Science and Technology and the US Department of Energy to form a new public/private consortium that will use supercomputers to help fight coronavirus pandemic.

The initiative, named COVID-19 High Performance Computing Consortium, aims to deliver an unprecedented amount of computing power to help researchers better understand COVID-19 and its potential cures.

It will pool supercomputing capacity of various organisations, including IBM, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Lab, Sandia National Laboratory, Argonne National Lab, the National Science Foundation, Los Alamos National Laboratory, NASA, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

In total, 16 supercomputers will be used, offering 775,000 CPU cores, 34,000 GPUs, and more than 330 petaflops of computing power to researchers.

Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are among the members of the consortium.

"These high-performance computing systems allow researchers to run very large numbers of calculations in epidemiology, bioinformatics, and molecular modelling," said Dario Gil, director of IBM Research.

"These experiments would take years to complete if worked by hand, or months if handled on slower, traditional computing platforms."

In addition to offering assistance to American researchers, the consortium will also invite proposals from researchers around the world. The projects that are likely to have an immediate impact will be provided access to supercomputing resources.

According to IBM, the medical researchers at the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory are already using its IBM Summit supercomputer to identify compounds that can impact the infection process by binding the main spike protein of coronavirus.

So far, the researchers have screened nearly 8,000 compounds in past few days and have identified 77 promising compounds which could potentially impair COVID-19's ability to infect human cells.

At the time of writing, there have been more than 294,110 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide, as per the WHO data, with nearly 12,900 fatalities due to the infection.

Last week, distributed computing project Folding@home (FAH) urged researchers and PC gamers worldwide to donate some of their CPU and GPU computing power to help in the fight against coronavirus.

FAH, which is based in the Stanford University, utilises the idle computing power of hundreds of thousands of PCs owned by volunteers across the world to simulate the molecular dynamics of protein folding and misfolding in various diseases.

Last month, the FAH team announced that it was taking up the fight again coronavirus, with the aim to help develop a therapeutic antibody, similar to that previously developed for SARS-Cov in 2003.

The FAH team is currently aiming to investigate how specific proteins in COVID-19 operate and how those proteins can be destroyed to prevent the virus from multiplying within the human body.

Read more:
IBM collaborates with the US government to help fight coronavirus using supercomputers - http://www.computing.co.uk

The Best 40th Birthday Gifts, According to People Whove Reached (or Are About to Reach) 40 – New York Magazine

26 items in this article 6 items on sale!

Photo: Courtesy Universal Pictures

If you have a friend or a loved one about to turn 40, its likely that theyre currently taking stock of all theyve accomplished so far, while in the back of their mind gearing up for a whole new batch of anxieties. Its a birthday that can feel like a whirlwind, according to Christopher Choa, the director of cities and urban development at engineering firm AECOM. Youve mastered what you need to do for family and work, he told us, but youre anxious about having to deal with so many responsibilities on your own.

It would make sense, then, that such a transitional moment might call for a gift that seems a step up from the types of things you might give on any other birthday. According to Choa and the seven other cool people we spoke to all of whom have either marched over the hill or are about to turn 40 the best 40th-birthday gifts can be things to help one stay calm and relaxed or allow for a bit of self-pampering, items that let the recipient further indulge in a favorite pastime (like a nice cutting board for the home chef), or special pieces that the recipient could have for the next 40 years. (After all, by 40, youve learned to take care of your favorite things, says Scott Schuman, the founder of the Sartorialist.) Below, our eight cool people share 26 ideas from a sleek hairbrush to an anti-aging moisturizer to a statement pair of socks to the aforementioned cutting board that they say will help anyone entering their fifth decade do so in style.

Marie du Petit Thouars, the founder of cult-y candle and fragrance brand Maison Louie Marie, says that at 40, a person might find themselves with the time and space in their home to develop new skills. Thats precisely why she recommends gifting this pasta-making machine (that a professional pasta-maker has also recommended to us). Its something youd never buy yourself, du Petit Thouars says, but thats what makes it a wonderful addition to any foodie friends kitchen.

By the time youre 40, you might want even the most functional objects in your home to reflect your aesthetic and taste, according to du Petit Thouars, who says that this French press which weve also written about before manages to be both functional, unique, and calming. Its simple, the ceramic is unusual, and its elegant, she says all things that make it sound like a pretty great gift.

Fashion blogger and flight attendant Tenille Murphy told us that this Stagg kettle (that weve called the most stylish electric kettle there is) was a spot on gift from her husband. She adds: My first thought was how pretty, dare I say, sexy, it was, before noting that its as functional as it is stylish. As Murphy explains, the Stagg kettle has a digital readout enabling you to heat water to a precise temperature, which is one reason why she says it would make a great gift for any full-time tea drinker. And the kettles sleek, matte-black finish begs to be on prominent display in any kitchen, she says.

Another 40th-worthy kitchen tool, according to Murphy, is a high-end knife, like this Japanese chefs knife that she owns and loves. Japanese knives are lighter, typically hand honed, and, in my opinion, prettier, she told us. Murphy says if you really want to impress your recipient, you could gift the knife with one of Sur La Tables knife-skills classes. She took one and called it a game-changer that taught her how to best use her new knife for chopping, paring, slicing, and cutting like a professional chef. If youre interested in giving a knife but want to shop around, check out our everything guide to knives.

Should your recipient be all set with knives, Murphy says that an equally thoughtful gift would be a high-quality cutting board they can use with them. You cant just cut on any old surface once you have good knives, Murphy explains. According to her, these Epicurean cutting boards dont damage blades, stack nicely in drawers, come in a variety of sizes, and best of all, are very affordable.

And should your recipient be all set with knives and cutting boards, Murphy recommends giving them this tray that she calls a safe place to store their beauties without damaging their sharp edges. Because it can fit inside a drawer, the tray helps to keep countertops clutter free, and unlike wood blocks that sit on counters, it doesnt matter which slot I lay my knives in.

Fancy olive oil is another thing someone rarely buys for themselves, but that most home cooks really appreciate. While weve written about many chef-approved olive oils, this high-quality bottle du Petit Thouars recommends is new to us. She found it at a small store near her home in L.A. that she says only sells the most amazing Italian goods. For more olive oils to choose from, check out our list of the best olive oils, according to chefs.

Du Petit Thouars adds that shed love anyone who gave her this healthy dark chocolate. Its from Belgium, where I grew up, and I always come back to it. If you choose to go the dark-chocolate route, consider gifting this with writer and cook Skye McAlpines treasured dark-chocolate tip that she shared with our friends at Strategist UK: My secret obsession is four chunks of chocolate on hot toast with a sprinkling of salt and a drizzle of olive oil. I cant tell you how unbelievably good it is.

Im turning 40 in April, and with every passing year, my interest in motivating myself to go out at night has dwindled, Brett Heyman, the founder of accessories brands Edie Parker and Flower by Edie Parker, told us. However, my interest in having friends over for a cocktail and a truffle goat cheese or soft ewes milk on a cracker has skyrocketed. Thats why she recommends sending your new 40-year-old a cheese-of-the-monthmembership, like this one from Murrays Cheese, which will ensure them a delivery of the latest and greatest fromages for as many months or years as you choose. In Heymans words, its the most thoughtful way to say I see you, and I love you.

For the big 4-0, I dont want to give a practical gift that will be swept up in the tide of daily life and forgotten, says writer Amanda Fortini, but rather a beautiful, not-so-useful object that you will treasure and would probably never buy for yourself. Thats why she chose to give her husband this set of tarot cards from Taschen, which is based on Salvador Dals cards commissioned for the James Bond film Live and Let Die. In addition to being a full deck you can use for a reading, the cards, which Fortini says are equal parts trippy and spooky and come in a purple felt box, would make for an eye-catching coffee-table accessory.

Perhaps your recipient is a sucker for the latest Scandinavian dramas or lives for MSNBCs nightly lineup? If so, you might want to get them something theyll really, really use. Yes, $1,500 can seem like an insane amount of money to spend on a TV, says Strategist senior editor Peter Martin, but OLED, the LED alternative thats been top of the television market in recent years, really does feel like 3-D. Martin says that this LG television specifically is worthy of the big spend you might be planning if this birthday gift is going to a significant other or an old friend, noting that they can enjoy it for decades to come. If youre looking to spend less than $1,000 on a good TV, check out these expert-recommended models.

Entering any new decade brings the stress of change, but your fifth decade can prove to be a particularly unsettling one, according to the folks we spoke to. Du Petit Thouars told us her go-to gift for someone anxious about their birthday is this solid brass incense burner that she calls an elevated way to burn incense (and looks good whether in use or not). The vessel burns the incense horizontally and has a curved catch-all brass tray underneath, minimizing mess and making it easy to clean, too.

According to Athena Hewett, the founder of skin-care studio Monastery, stylish candles that dont look millennial are increasingly hard to find. Thats why, for a 40th birthday, she recommends going for something more unexpected and sophisticated, like one of these sculptural candles from Carl Durkow. The unscented beeswax designs come in fun shapes that Hewett says are perfect for any mantel or shelf, and will draw attention whether lit or not.

If youd rather give a sophisticated candle that also smells nice, Fortini told us these candles from the cult perfumer Regime des Fleurs that she loves to give her friends would make for a great 40th-birthday gift. They come in a lovely porcelain vessel that looks like an antiquity unearthed, she explains, adding that recipients can use the vessel to hold pens or makeup or change after the wax burns down. And they smell divine, she promises.

At 40, life is complicated enough as it is, Choa told us. To simplify it somewhat, he recommends giving several pairs of these Albert Kreuz socks in the striking red color. With matching socks, he says, your recipient will never need to sort after laundering ever again, and their socks also wont look like anyone elses. And once they start wearing them, Choa says from experience that others will notice and, soon enough, the recipient will be set up in perpetuity for recurring supply.

For the well-coiffed woman or man who might want to start their new decade with a quality hairbrush, Hewett says this Yves Durif comb-and-brush set that she keeps spotting feels like the Mason Pearson for our generation. A well-made brush like this one, she says, offers a more luxurious massage for your scalp, is better at detangling, and stimulates the oil in the follicles to smooth and shine your hair. (Hewett notes that this one is the perfect size for throwing in your bag, too.)And like any good quality tool, its excellent craftsmanship is just obvious to an adult, she adds.

Heyman told us that jewelry is one of two gifts (along with that cheese) that would assuage her slight dread, because its personal, meaningful, and, if chosen well, cool as hell. If youre looking for inspiration, she says one of the best pieces of jewelry she ever received is an ID bracelet with I Love You in her daughters handwriting engraved onto it. While Heymans style from the ultra-high-end jeweler Sidney Garber is no longer available, this 14-karat Mejuri bracelet, while still expensive, costs a fraction of Garbers pieces and comes with the option to engrave for no extra cost. Mejuri, we should note, is fast becoming a Strategist favorite for special jewelry, with some of its hoops making an appearance in our list of 130 gifts you can buy for less than $104 (all of which were recommended by people with exacting taste). The brand is also one of nine that our own staffers recently tested jewelry from, with our tester concluding that Merjuri uses quality materials for less [money] than what youd typically pay at a traditional retailer.

According to Hewett, just because youre turning 40 doesnt mean youre unable to keep up with fashion trends you might just want a more elevated way to do so. One such trend she is keeping up with are scrunchies, noting that the 90s hair accessory is having an extended moment and not just among VSCO girls and other teens. For an age-appropriate twist on the scrunchie, she pointed us to this nice and classic satin-silk option from Sophie Buhai a designer whose scrunchies weve written about before with a name that kind of says it all.

If the trend catching your recipients eye is tie-dye, a 40th-birthday-appropriate option that will help them to fit in at Grateful Dead shows and the school playground alike, according to Hewett, is this refined spin on the tie-dye tee from designer John Elliot.

A person approaching 40 will be interested in preserving their best stuff for the next 40 years, says Schuman, who recommends giving both men and women a fashion essential that many overlook: A pair (or two or three) of shoe trees. Shoe trees are super important to maintain good shape and order for both dress shoes and expensive sneakers, he told us, adding that theyre a great way to maintain what we already own. Schuman doesnt have a favorite style: Buy the best you can afford, he told us. While there are less expensive plastic options, these shoe trees made of 100 percent cedar have a handcrafted look that makes them a bit more giftable, and are also quite functional (in addition to helping shoes keep their shape, the cedars moisture-absorbing ability will help dry them out between wears).

In kind of the same vein, du Petit Thouars says these made-in-Italy scented tablets from Santa Maria Novella are a great gift for the clotheshorse about to turn 40. My husband first gifted me these, and I now cannot live without them in my closet, she says. Rest them on any free space in your closet, and the rose-infused wax will have your clothes smelling like a summer garden (just note that the brand says not to let them touch any fabric directly).

For a practical but still luxurious gift, Murphy recommends giving this anti-aging cleanser and moisturizing face oil from True Botanicals, a brand that she describes as a beautiful, all-natural skin-care company with products that are good for the body and for the planet. According to Murphy, the moisturizing face oil fights the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (True Botanicals calls it our best-selling moisturizer), and the cleanser purifies while gently cleansing, without stripping skin. She adds that they come in amber glass bottles that would look very nice on the shelves of a medicine cabinet.

For the new 40-year-old who is also a passionate gardener (indoors or out), du Petit Thouars recommends this book on foraging and arranging. I like their approach to flower arranging with wild plants, she told us, adding that it reminds her of her summers spent flower-picking and arranging at her childhood home outside Paris.

Fortini also says the right book can make for a great 40th-birthday gift, noting that the best book to give would be one that has meant something to you personally, with a note explaining why. Didion, the collected 1960s and 1970s work of author Joan Didion, is the one shed give to anyone she knows turning 40, she says.

If the 40-year-old in your life is always jotting things down, du Petit Thouars says they might appreciate a more elevated notebook in which to do so. Everyone needs a classy notebook at 40, she says, recommending this illustrated option from Herms. It may not be cheap for a notebook, but it is cheap for Herms, and would allow you to surprise someone with something from the luxury brand without breaking the bank.

Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts.

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

Visit link:
The Best 40th Birthday Gifts, According to People Whove Reached (or Are About to Reach) 40 - New York Magazine

How NVIDIA Is Using Its GPU Technolgy To Fight Against COVID-19 Virus – Forbes

As Silicon Valley is gearing up to fight against the novel coronavirus, NVIDIA is putting its GPU technology to use by enabling researchers and gamers to join the on-going efforts.

Covid-19

GPUs are not only meant to enhance the gaming experience through fast graphics or accelerating the training and inference of machine learning models. They also play a crucial role in assisting the scientific community involved in researching genome analysis and sequencing.

To fight the growing threat of novel coronavirus, NVIDIA is making its platform, Parabricks, free for 90 days to any researcher working on sequencing the novel coronavirus and the genomes of people afflicted with COVID-19.

Genome analysis is a computationally intensive effort that needs a high performance computing environment powered by CPUs and GPUs. Sequencing platforms such as DNBSEQ-T7 from MGI generate as much as 6 TerraBytes of data every day, which is analyzed by scientists performing whole genome sequencing. According to NVIDIA, these systems will generate about 20 ExaBytes of data by 2025 more than Twitter, YouTube and astronomy combined. Interestingly, it would take all the CPUs in every cloud and more than 200 days to run genome analysis.

Parabricks, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based startup, built a platform based on GPU to speed up the process of analyzing whole genomes all 3 billion base pairs in human chromosomes from days to under an hour.

As platforms like DNBSEQ-T7 generate more data, analysis has becomes a major bottleneck in both time and cost perspectives. Parabricks solution addresses both of these barriers to accelerate the genomic analysis.

Parabricks platform is powered by NVIDIA CUDA-X and benefits from CUDA, cuDNN and TensorRT inference software and runs on NVIDIA entire computing platform from NVIDIA T4 to DGX to cloud GPU instances.

Earlier this year, NVIDIA acquired Parabricks with a goal to release the companion technology that accelerates single-cell and RNA analysis.

The Parabricks acquisition helped NVIDIA to officially offer genome sequencing and analysis on its HPC platform.

By making Parabricks accessible to the research community, NVIDIA aims to dramatically reduce the time for variant calling on a whole human genome from days to less than an hour on a single server.

Since Parabricks is available as a part of NVIDIA GPU Cloud (NGC), it is expected to run on major cloud platforms and NVIDIAs own appliances including DGX-1. Researchers with access to NVIDIA GPUs can fill out a form to request access to Parabricks.

Apart from offering Parabricks free for 90 days, NVIDIA is also encouraging gamers to participate in the Folding@Home project, a distributed computing project for disease research that simulates protein folding, computational drug design and other types of molecular dynamics.

Folding@home is a collaborative project focused on disease research. The problems they deal with rely on many calculations that can be effectively offloaded to idle PCs running in homes and offices for globally distributed processing. The project is managed by Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine.

NVIDIA is joining Intel and AMD in an effort to utilize unused GPU computing power on PCs and gaming machines to fight against COVID-19.

NVIDIA is putting its best technology to use in fighting COVID-19 through the 90 day free trial of Parabricks and by participating in the Folding@Home project.

Read the original:
How NVIDIA Is Using Its GPU Technolgy To Fight Against COVID-19 Virus - Forbes