Take Two: Bitcoin Miner BTCS Announces New Merger Deal – CoinDesk

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The publicly traded bitcoin miner BTCS is moving toward a new merger, public records reveal.

New filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) show that BTCS has signed a non-binding letter of intent with Blockchain Global Limited. Blockchain Global, according to the filings, operates a bitcoin mine out of China and also runs an Australian bitcoin exchange called AXC.io.

The firm also invests in other companies in the bitcoin and blockchain space, perhaps most notably the publicly-traded DigitalX. Earlier this year, Blockchain Global notably invested in DigitalX through a convertible loan denominated in bitcoin.

The merger effort is the second for BTCS, which moved to merge with bitcoin miner Spondoolies-Tech back in 2015. Yet despite being cleared by a key regulator in Israel, where Spondoolies was based, the deal ultimately fell apart after an Israeli court dissolved the firm amid financial problems.

It also comes as BTCS looks to shore up its financial position, having raised $1 million earlier this year in a bid to stem the tide of losses. Issues aside, representatives for both BTCS and Blockchain Global struck positive notes in statements announcing the deal.

"The blockchain space continues to suffer from a talent void. Together with BCG, and their track record of success, were positioning ourselves to fill this talent void, ultimately capitalizing on the immense opportunity in blockchain technologies and leveraging our early-mover advantage," Charles Allen, CEO of BTCS, said of the planned merger.

Puzzle piece image via Shutterstock

The leader in blockchain news, CoinDesk is an independent media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. Have breaking news or a story tip to send to our journalists? Contact us at [emailprotected].

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Take Two: Bitcoin Miner BTCS Announces New Merger Deal - CoinDesk

Bitcoin: To The Moon, Again – Seeking Alpha

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The Bitcoin fork that we saw has actually improved the speed of transactions, however, its the speed of adoption thats a big driver for Bitcoin prices. However, theres still the unfamiliar world of unregulated exchanges and cryptocurrency wallets. If, and when, Bitcoin financial products start trading on regulated exchanges, which opens the door for many new investors - including institutional investors. Id also expect to see the first Bitcoin ETF sometime in 2018.

The CFTC has already granted authorization for clearing services for digital currency swaps. Options on Bitcoin will hit the market this fall. The CBOE is also launching cash-settled bitcoin futures. Both of which will bring billions of dollars to the Bitcoin market via institutional investors.

Thats a huge underrated catalyst for Bitcoin moving higher.

Then theres the potential for a Bitcoin ETF - finally. With Bitcoin derivatives hitting the market on regulated exchanges the SEC wont have a choice but to reconsider a Bitcoin ETF. The SECs biggest issue is a lack of regulation in the Bitcoin market, but thats changing. The SEC wants to see a functional derivative ecosystem thats regulated in order to approve an Bitcoin ETF - and were getting that. VanEck has filed for a new ETF, called the VanEck Vectors Bitcoin Strategy ETF. And we could see the Winklevoss Bitcoin ETF make a comeback. After all, the Winklevoss twins run the digital asset exchange Gemini which is collaborating with the CBOE to launch Bitcoin futures.

A new ETF likely pushes Bitcoin closer to $10,000, and it looks like it could happen before 2019. Granted, it doesnt have any intrinsic value, but nothing does, with fiat currency having plenty of distrust, backed by the good faith of governments. Gold is in a similar boat, as its value is based only on supply and demand. The only value is in the trust that buyers have for gold. The journey of adoption from gold paper money was long and hard as well. For much of the rest of the world, beyond the U.S., the benefit for Bitcoin users is you dont need a bank account and the trust of government. Bitcoin offers alternatives that banks cant.

And after the Bitcoin fork, its much easier to build services on top of the Bitcoin network. Scaling is a potential catalyst as well, which makes the fork much easier. Its now a viable base layer that other services can be built atop.

The couple big issues could lead to a minor reset in the Bitcoin price. First is another software update planned for November and could double the network capacity. That could lead to another Bitcoin fork. Then theres the wave of Initial Coin Offerings, where investors are buying Bitcoin to invest in these ICOs, and eventually theyll need to cash in. But, again just near-term headwinds that dont play into the long-term viability.

The cryptocurrency guidance remains much like Wences Casares - put 1% or less of your net worth in Bitcoin and dont do anything with it for five years.

Disclosure: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.

I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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Bitcoin: To The Moon, Again - Seeking Alpha

Bitcoin About To Burst – Seeking Alpha

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Bitcoin (Pending:COIN) (OTCQX:GBTC) was in a bubble in late 2013. And again in 2017. Actually this year, there have been bubbles within bubbles, with the March to June parabolic rally followed by another +100% rise from July to August.

Where does it end?

Well, I read today it was going to the moon, which is interesting as I am coming to the exact opposite conclusion.

I think Bitcoin has either topped or will top on the next high in the $4,400s.

Here's why.

There's been no shortage of top callers this year and they have added fuel to the fire. However, I imagine most have given up after the move above $4,000.

Worse still, from what I see, a few are trying to buy this 10% dip for another high. When bears get greedy and try to speculate on one more high, it is a massive red flag for the rally.

I would like to point I have not been a bear or tried to call a top. Far from it; my June article, Bitcoin - We've Seen This Bubble Before (And It's Bullish), contained a target of >$4,000 and this chart:

The exact target was $4,347, but the main takeaway was to expect a blow-off move higher, which I think we can all agree we just had. $4,480 was the all-time high made last week, and the weekly candle from this point shows indecision and a lack of demand.

One of the reasons for the call higher was the observation Bitcoin has been in a bubble before - in 2012 to 2014 - and the 2017 rally was taking a comparable trajectory. Here is an updated chart:

The rallies aren't a perfect copy, but the stages of the trend and the accompanying sentiment are comparable.

Sentiment and how price moves are the most important factors of my analysis. I'm not analyzing the fundamentals as I don't believe fundamentals are responsible for the huge gains in 2017.

Here is what I said last time out:

The way price moves is a reflection of changing fundamentals, sentiment and positioning. We know what participants have done in the past under certain conditions and we know what they are doing now. We can't know for certain what people will do in the future, but participants and the decisions they make are fairly consistent; they respond in similar ways under similar conditions. It allows us to make an educated guess.

So my educated guess now is that Bitcoin is topping. The bubble callers in June were right about many things, but painfully early. Cryptocurrencies have proliferated and drawn in many inexperienced traders at inflated traders. I see brokers promoting cryptos all over the web.

Source: eToro

I think the only thing missing from the equation was the blow-off move to really spark the mania phase and flush out the bears. But now we've had it.

When bubbles pop, the usual reaction is for price to give up 80-90% of the gains and never fully recover. But Bitcoin is not "usual".

For a start, the way it recovered from the 2012-2014 bubble to form yet another one brings into doubt if these were indeed bubbles in the first place.

And the price movements echo a related instrument, gold (GLD), which rallied in comparable moves (or bubbles) over a much longer time period.

OK, so Bitcoin made the same moves in a tenth of the time, but the timing doesn't really bother me too much. It is actually pretty logical that cryptocurrencies move a lot faster than gold did back in the 1980s. And anyway, I'm more interested in the reaction in gold from the 2011 highs and if it can act as a guide.

Zooming into the way gold topped, there are again some similarities.

I distinctly remember traders (and even gold bears) buying gold for one more high as the pattern near the 2011 highs looked like a bullish triangle consolidation. That didn't turn out too well, and Bitcoin has a very similar pattern and associated sentiment.

Whether or not the comparison continues on the lower time frames remains to be seen, but I still think the general path of the gold decline from 2011 to 2015 could act as a decent guide. There could be a sharp drop, but importantly gold tells us not to expect a crash; cryptocurrencies are here to stay.

Over its four-year decline, gold worked its way to the last major consolidation area at $1,030 (March 2008-October 2009). A proportional move in Bitcoin targets the $2,800-2,900 consolidation range highs in a lot less time (more like 5 months than 50). The 38.2% Fibonacci retrace of the entire 2015 to 2017 rally comes in at $2,800, and this is a standard retrace for a powerful rally and therefore my target.

Based on evidence of trading patterns in gold and Bitcoin itself, plus all the usual telltale signs of a bubble, I think Bitcoin is in the process of topping and will soon fall back to $2,800-2,900.

Disclosure: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.

I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Additional disclosure: I would short a move to $4300 using a spreadbet on prices with my UK broker.

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Bitcoin About To Burst - Seeking Alpha

Ethereum jumps 10% amid worries about bitcoin in a wild day for digital currencies – CNBC

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Digital currency ethereum climbed Monday to a near two-month high amid renewed uncertainty about the future of bitcoin.

Ethereum traded about 10 percent higher near $330 Monday afternoon, after earlier rising 15 percent to $347.05, its highest since June 23, according to CoinMarketCap. At its session high, the site's data showed ethereum had gained 70 percent for the month and more than 4,000 percent for the year.

"I think the gains in ethereum are part of the market's reaction to the increasingly fractured bitcoin community," said Benjamin Roberts, co-founder and CEO of Citizen Hex, an ethereum-focused start-up backed by three Canadian venture funds.

Ethereum 7-day performance

Source: CoinMarketCap

Bitcoin traded more than 1 percent lower near $4,055.88, according to CoinDesk, well off a record high of $4,522.13 hit last Thursday. Even with the last few days' decline of about $500, bitcoin remained about 40 percent higher for August and more than quadruple in value for the year.

The decline in price came as digital currency enthusiasts have increasingly focused on the potential of an upgrade proposal called SegWit2x to split bitcoin again in November, just months after its Aug. 1 split into bitcoin and bitcoin cash.

Bitcoin cash traded 15 percent lower near $603, down more than $450 from Saturday's record high of $1,091.97, according to CoinMarketCap. The bitcoin offshoot still held gains of nearly 200 percent from a low of $210 hit on the day of the split Aug. 1.

Meanwhile, investors gained more confidence in a smooth upgrade for ethereum's network, a proposal called "Metropolis" expected in the next several weeks that should improve transaction privacy and efficiency.

Other factors contributing to ethereum's gains Monday included steady demand from South Korean investors and news that London-based online trading company IG also launched support for trading ethereum on Monday.

Trade in South Korean won accounted for about 30 percent of trading in ethereum, according to CryptoCompare. Bitcoin accounted for nearly 29 percent and the U.S. dollar about 25 percent, the site showed.

Traders were also using bitcoin to buy digital currencies such as Monero, a cryptocurrency focused on making transactions confidential and untraceable.

According to CoinMarketCap, Monero surged more than 70 percent Monday to a record high of $95.08, marking gains of nearly 140 percent for the month.

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Ethereum jumps 10% amid worries about bitcoin in a wild day for digital currencies - CNBC

Bitcoin Analysts Compete for the Highest Price Forecast – Bloomberg

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Even the skeptics cant avoid weighing in onbitcoin.

It seems like everyone is coming up with a price forecast these days, with some of the biggest banks including Goldman Sachs Group Inc. jumping into the action, while speculators to long-time investors are also making their bets.

The consensus is that the biggest cryptocurrency will face some resistance around $4,500 to $4,800 and correct, to then continue rallying. How high? Pantera Capital Managements Paul Veradittakit, Tom Lee at Fundstrat Global Advisors and John Spallanzani at GFI Group Inc. see it going to $6,000 by year-end, while Ronnie Moas at Standpoint Research says it will keep rising to $7,500 in 2018.

Bitcoin has been on a tear this year, more than tripling in value as it crossed the $4,000 mark and touched a record $4,477 last week. Its since retreated about 7 percent from the high as investors took profit and assessed whether the rally had gone too far. Growing adoption and institutional investor interest, agreement on a mechanism to speed up transactions and regulatory steps that will help the asset broaden its reach are some of the reasons that explain the gains.

Were in a very healthy position right now, saidVeradittakit, vice president of Pantera Capital, which has invested in bitcoin since 2014. Theres a lot of interest from traders and mainstream finance on the rise of all these new crytpo currencies, but when they first get exposure into the space, theyll go into bitcoin. It has the most liquidity and biggest brand name.

Veradittakit said bitcoin will hover around current levels and rally further once the underlying technology is upgraded in November, when the block size in the bitcoin blockchain is set to double to two megabytes, increasing transaction speed. Hes also encouraged by reports from the local exchanges Pantera invests in that cross-border transactions are increasing.

Read more about the bitcoin development dispute

But the road ahead might get rocky. Goldman Sachs technical analyst Sheba Jafari wrote in a note to clients Aug. 13 that bitcoin coulderase around 40 percent of its value after reaching $4,827. On a separate note, Goldman Sachs analysts said the space is getting big enough at over $100 billion in market capitalization that it warrants watching.

Spallanzani, chief macro strategist at GFI Group, also predicts a sizeable fall to as low as $3,000 unless it manages to break the $4,500 level it tested last week. But then it should rebound and climb to as high as $10,000 in 2018, he said.

It will have to retrace a bit more before we have enough power to break through, Spallanzani said. He recommends buying bitcoin when its above $3,800 and selling when its below that level.

Not everyone is so bullish. Roy Sebag, who said he first invested in bitcoin in 2011, said he sold most of his 17,000 bitcoin between May and June because he believes the long-term value will be zero.

Its completely devolved from the original promise, said Sebag, founder and chief executive officer of Goldmoney Inc., which oversees about $2 billion of assets. Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in general are exhibiting a mania, fueled by speculative fervor.

Amid the frenzy, some analysts have steered clear of making price predictions, while still dipping their toes in bitcoin waters.

Read more on how to get exposure to bitcoin without owning it

Tom Price, a Morgan Stanley equity strategist, said bitcoin compares to gold in that both offer similar benefits as a store of value, such as being fungible, durable, portable, divisible and scarce. Still, a lot of time and trust-building will be needed before it becomes clear whether bitcoin will also undermine demand for the metal, he said.

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Cryptocurrencies including bitcoin are still very volatile and thus not particularly safe, but that could change as their value rises and liquidity increases, wroteBank of America Merrill Lynch strategists Martin Mauro, Cheryl Rowan and Matthew Trapp earlier this month. They score well when it comes to diversification, as their correlation to equities, bonds, commodities, currencies or selected measures of risk is near zero, the strategists said.

More longer term, bitcoin will climb to$25,000 by 2022, Fundstrats Lee said, as recent regulatory approval for options trading and settlement implies a significant rise in institutional holdings of bitcoin, while he estimates user accounts are likely to rise 50 percent and usage per account to climb 30 percent.

Moas of Standpoint Research said in an Aug. 14 report that bitcoin could rise to $50,000 by 2027 as he expects cryptocurrency users will grow to as high as 100 million users from 10 million today in the next couple of years.

It looks to me as though we are at the same point in the adoption curve as we were in 1995 with the Internet, Moas wrote. Cryptocurrency is becoming more widely accepted by the day.

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Bitcoin Analysts Compete for the Highest Price Forecast - Bloomberg

GAMEFACE 2017: Abington Heights Comets – Sports – The Times … – Scranton Times-Tribune

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Abington Heights Kaleb Sherman during a practice on Monday, August 14, 2017. Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer

In Joe Repshis tenure as head coach, Abington Heights is among the top programs in the Lackawanna Football Conference.

A year after winning the District 2 Class 5A championship, the Comets aim to maintain that glowing reputation while it rebuilds after losing the majority of the starting team to graduation.

Abington Heights returns only three starters two on offense and one on defense. But that doesnt change the outlook or the approach to the season.

Our goal every day has been to come out and get better, Repshis said. Our focus is to be better every practice. It is a process, but that is always our approach.

Leading the offense is running back Kaleb Sherman, who as a sophomore ran for 536 yards and scored five touchdowns. Fullback Austin Kohut contributed 26 yards rushing last season.

Nate Gronsky, a 6-foot, 245-pound guard, is the only returning lineman for the Comets.

Players expected to contribute along the line of scrimmage include, Chris Callahan at center, Shea Parry and Sage Santarsiero at guard, Joe Makowski, Chris Kane and Tre Kerrigan at tackle.

George Tinsley, who saw action at quarterback and is an All-Region and all-state basketball player, takes over as signal caller. At 6-foot-5, he has size and a strong arm to be an impact player. He passed for 222 yards last season and a touchdown.

Tinsleys receiving group includes John Rama, Chase Overholser, Trey Koehler, another basketball standout, and Corey Perkins.

Defensively, where the Comets were among the best in the LFC, is where the most work must be done. There is only one starter returning, sophomore Mike Malone.

Last season, as a freshman, Malone played like a veteran late and during the playoff run. He finished with 26 tackles with five tackles for loss and a sack.

Matthan Sherman saw a lot of time last year, especially in passing situations. He finished with 26 total tackles with a season-high of six against Valley View.

He also had three interceptions, returning one for a score, in a win over Hazleton Area.

I think we can surprise people, Sherman said. Yes, we did lose a lot of starters, but we have a lot of good athletes and players in this group coming up that maybe nobody really knows about. We have the same goals here and everybody works hard.

Drake, Callahan, Gronsky, Makowski, Santarsiero and Kane will anchor the up front. The linebackers will be Matt Lastauskas, Noah Braid, Kaleb Sherman and Michael Pusateri, and the secondary will feature Matthan Sherman, Rama, Perkins, Overholser, Robby Horvath and Koehler.

Abington Heights must also overcome the loss of starting linebacker Owen Hivner, an All-Region player who had 144 tackles last season. He decided not to play football in his senior year.

We have guys who are returning who experienced a championship season, Repshis said. You cant put a price tag on that. That is something that is always important. You cant simulate in practice those playoff-type plays or playoff situations, so we are encouraging them to speak to the young guys and tell them what it takes and what the expectations are.

Contact the writer: jbfawcett@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9125; @JobyFawcett26 on Twitter

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GAMEFACE 2017: Abington Heights Comets - Sports - The Times ... - Scranton Times-Tribune

Play-off hopes all but over for Workington Comets after Witches strike – Times & Star

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Workington Comets were humbled at home by Ipswich as their hopes of a serious play-offs push were dealt a devastating blow by the high-flying Witches.

Danny King fired a warning shot with a win ahead of guest Josh Grajczonek and Mason Campton in the opening heat.

Comets failed to heed that warning as ex-Comet Nathan Greaves won comfortably and only a James Sarjeant pass on Connor Mountain prevented an away 5-1.

Greaves was in the thick of it again in heat three, following Ty Proctor over the line with Cameron Heeps third to share the points and keep the Witches two points up.

They doubled that lead with a 4-2 through Rory Schlein and Mountain in heat four, before King and Kyle Newman eased to a 5-1 from the gate in heat five to put Comets in real trouble.

Grajczonek and Campton managed to chip away at the gap with a 4-2 in heat six as Schlein split the pair, but Thomas Jorgensens win in heat seven couldnt do the same as Sarjeant fell while last for a draw.

Another shared in heat eight came courtesy of a fine Campton win, with Sarjeant last again, then Proctor and Williamson chased Schlein for another 3-3 in heat nine.

A 5-1 in heat 10 gave hope of a Comets revival as Grajczonek and Campton put in a brilliant four laps, but it was immediately wiped out by an Ipswich 5-1 from Newman and King.

Proctor controlled heat 12 but Sarjeant was last again as Comets continued to be comprehensively outscored at reserve, before Ipswich devastated the hosts with back-to-back 5-1s in heats 13 and 14 to end the meeting as a contest and leave Workington with much food for thought.

Grajczonek did his best to restore some pride with victory in the final heat, while Proctor followed Schlein in third, but the performance and another home defeat all but ended Workingtons hopes of reaching the top four.

Workington Comets 39

1. Josh Grajczonek 2, 3, 3, 0, 3 = 11

2. Mason Campton 1*, 1, 3, 2* = 7+2

3. Ty Proctor 3, 1, 2, 3, 1 = 10

4. Matt Williamson 0, 0, 1*, 1 = 2+1

5. Thomas Jorgensen 2, 3, 1, 1 = 7

6. James Sarjeant 2, F, 0, 0, 0 = 2

7. Paul Bowen 0, 0, 0 = 0

Ipswich Witches 51

1. Danny King 3, 3, 2*, 3 = 11+1

2. Kyle Newman 0, 2*, 1*, 2, 3, R = 8+2

3. Cameron Heeps 1*, 2, 1, 2, 2* = 8+2

4. Justin Sedgmen R/R

5. Rory Schlein 3, 2, 3, 2*, 2 = 12+1

6. Nathan Greaves 3, 2, 1*, 0, 1* = 7+2

7. Connor Mountain 1, 1, 0, 0, 3 = 5

HEAT BY HEAT

HEAT 1 King, Grajczonek, Campton, Newman 62.4, 3-3

HEAT 2 Greaves, Sarjeant, Mountain, Bowen 64, 2-4, 5-7

HEAT 3 Proctor, Greaves, Heeps, Williamson 63.2, 3-3, 8-10

HEAT 4 Schlein, Jorgensen, Mountain, Bowen 62.9, 2-4, 10-14

HEAT 5 King, Newman, Proctor, Williamson 63.3, 1-5, 11-19

HEAT 6 Grajczonek, Schlein, Campton, Mountain 63.2, 4-2, 15-21

HEAT 7 Jorgensen, Heeps, Newman, Sarjeant (fell) 63.6, 3-3, 18-24

HEAT 8 Campton, Newman, Greaves, Sarjeant 64.2, 3-3, 21-27

HEAT 9 Schlein, Proctor, Williamson, Greaves 63.7, 3-3, 24-30

HEAT 10 Grajczonek, Campton, Heeps, Mountain 64.9, 5-1, 29-31

HEAT 11 Newman, King, Jorgensen, Bowen 64.3, 1-5, 30-36

HEAT 12 Proctor, Heeps, Greaves, Sarjeant 64.5, 3-3, 33-39

HEAT 13 King, Schlein, Jorgensen, Grajczonek 64.4, 1-5, 34-44

HEAT 14 Mountain, Heeps, Williamson, Sarjeant 66.2, 1-5, 35-49

HEAT 15 Grajczonek, Schlein, Proctor, Newman (retired) 64.9, 4-2, 39-51

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Play-off hopes all but over for Workington Comets after Witches strike - Times & Star

Here Are The Signs That You May Have Psoriasis – Allure Magazine

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If youve noticed inflamed, scaly skin on your body and wondered what it is (and what the hell you should do about it) we have good news and bad news. The bad news is that it sounds like you have psoriasis. The good news is that youre most likely not turning reptilian. OK, the actual good news is that there are tons of treatments available! This is really really good news because probably the worst thing you can do when you have psoriasis is to do nothing and hope it goes away on its own. Actually, thats not completely true; well get into what the absolute worst thing you can do for psoriasis is in a little bit.

Dr. Joshua Zeichner , MD, explains it in the simplest terms: Psoriasis is a condition in which the immune system gets angry at the skin, leading to red, scaly plaques. Usually youll see it on elbows and knees but psoriasis can appear anywhere, including the scalp, lower back, nails, and even the genitals.

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Want to get even more specific? This is a genetic, autoimmune, inflammatory condition in which your skin cells divide too quickly and do not shed quickly enough, says Dr. Tsippora Shainhouse MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills and a clinical instructor at the University of Southern California. Thats what creates the inflamed, scaly plaques. According to Dr. Shainhouse, psoriasis is often associated with psoriatic arthritis, metabolic syndrome, elevated triglycerides, increased risk for heart disease, and obesity. Yikes. You can see why its not something you want to sleep on.

Getty Images

You can generally tell that its psoriasis thanks to the main symptom of the aforementioned scaly plaques that can be pink, white, or even silvery. Sometimes these plaques will itch, crack, and possibly even bleed. There are also different subtypes of psoriasis, according to Dr. Shainhouse: Inverse psoriasis appears in the underarms and groin; palmo-plantar psoriasis causes itchy or painful peeling and pustules on the palms and soles; and guttate psoriasis is named after 'raindrops', because you get a sudden eruption of small pink, scaly spots all over the trunk, usually after exposure to Strep throat, Dr. Shainhouse says. A dermatologist will have to examine your skin for a concrete diagnosis.

Getty Images

Once youve been diagnosed, you can discuss treatment plans with you dermatologist. Luckily, there are now quite a few different options available now for those suffering from psoriasis. According to Dr. Zeichner, your treatment will depend on how mild or severe your case is, as well as what kind of psoriasis you have. Mild cases of psoriasis may be treated with topicals anti-inflammatories including cortisones and Vitamin D creams, Dr. Zeichner says. More severe cases may require systemic medications like pills or shots to keep the inflammation calm. If you have scalp psoriasis, Dr. Zeichner suggests using over-the-counter tar shampoos, such as Neutrogena T-Gel , to relieve dandruff and itching.

Dr. Shainhouse seconds asking your doctor for topical or oral/injectable medications, depending on the severity of your psoriasis. You could also try an over-the-counter exfoliating product, but Dr. Shainhouse recommends getting advice from your dermatologist first. Exfoliating moisturizers can help to remove some of the thick scale, but this condition requires management by your dermatologist, she says.

Phototherapy could also be a viable option. UV light is generally a no-no in dermatology, since we know that too much can be associated with the development of skin cancer and melanoma, Dr. Shainhouse explains. However, it has an anti-inflammatory effect in psoriatic skin, and is a very useful option for reducing skin disease/symptoms.

Finally, Dr. Shainhouse also warns against doing certain things that could worsen your psoriasis. Picking at the scales is the last thing you should do. Rubbing and picking at the skin will actually worsen the spots, Dr. Shainhouse says. Psoriasis tends to develop in sites of skin trauma, including cuts and scratches. This is called the Koebner phenomenon. She also recommends maintaining a healthy body weight and avoiding drugs and alcohol, as obesity and substance abuse can also exacerbate psoriasis.

If you suspect you might have psoriasis, make an appointment with your dermatologist and check out the National Psoriasis Foundation at http://www.psoriasis.org .

In case that wasn't quite comprehensive enough:

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Here Are The Signs That You May Have Psoriasis - Allure Magazine

Arteric Develops Website Centerpiece of Award-Winning Psoriasis Patient Activation Campaign – Benzinga

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Summit, NJ, August 21, 2017 --(PR.com)-- Arteric (http://arteric.com), a digital healthcare marketing agency that fuses exceptional software development skill with healthcare marketing expertise to help brands connect patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals with the health information and tools that patients need to live longer, healthier lives proudly announces that the patient activation campaign Rise Up Against Psoriasis won a coveted Golden Scalpel award. In collaboration with McCann Health London and McCann Wien, Arteric developed and implemented the campaign's website centerpiece (riseagainstpsoriasis.com/de) for Celgene sterreich (Celgene Austria). The strategic process behind this award-winning collaboration is described in detail at arteric.com.

Presented by Pharma Marketing Club Austria, the Golden Scalpel awards represent best-in-class pharmaceutical advertising in Austria. Two juries of industry experts - one with general marketing expertise and the other with digital marketing expertise - selected award recipients. Rise Up Against Psoriasis received a Golden Scalpel in the category Digital Media non-RX/non-OTC.

Psoriasis poses risks that go far beyond skin lesions. Research findings point to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and risk of suicide in people with psoriasis. [1] The Rise Up Against Psoriasis campaign was developed to activate patients who had disengaged from the healthcare system.

The website accomplishes this through 4 tactics:

1. A short movie follows 3 people through their daily struggles to help psoriasis sufferers recognize that they are not alone. 2. A quiz helps psoriasis sufferers quantify the impact of the disease on their daily lives. 3. A physician finder connects psoriasis sufferers to local dermatologists. 4. A discussion guide creates the foundation for a successful conversation with the physician.

These tactics are delivered through a beautifully designed responsive website that is instrumented to track engagement and provide insights about visitors, to guide future campaign development.

Arteric's president, Hans Kaspersetz, explains, "Rise Up Against Psoriasis has been successful because it authentically speaks to the psoriasis sufferer's daily struggles with the disease - it calls out to all those directly and indirectly affected by psoriasis, sending the essential message that help is available. The website invites site visitors to complete the Dermatology Life Quality Index survey to assess the impact of psoriasis on their quality of life, helping to build context for a conversation with their doctor."[2]

Mr. Kaspersetz continues, "Arteric has a robust global digital marketing practice with clients in North America, the EU, Asia, and Australia. For more than a decade, we've created websites and digital campaigns for audiences all over the world. Our team has delivered digital assets in 28 languages in 35 markets. We're especially pleased to create locally recognized best-in-class work with international partners like McCann Health London."

Jonathan Kukathasan, General Manager of McCann Health London, concurs. "While developing the Rise Up Against Psoriasis campaign, we worked alongside key partners to ensure it was a success. As the creative agency, we enjoyed working with Arteric, which played a critical role. It was great working alongside them to create this campaign and we look forward to working with them in the future."

Mr. Kaspersetz summarizes the effort this way. "The award validates the years of effort we've invested in understanding global needs and local markets. Whether in the US or in Austria, our goal is to connect people with the health information and resources they need to live longer, healthier lives."

For two decades, Arteric has worked directly with healthcare clients and partnered seamlessly with their service providers to develop award-winning websites, mobile apps, and Web applications that work everywhere and every time to help brands win. Contact Hans Kaspersetz at 201.558.9910 to put Arteric's digital marketing expertise to work for your brand.

Learn more about Rise Up Against Psoriasis at http://www.riseagainstpsoriasis.com/de.

About Arteric Arteric is a digital healthcare marketing agency built on a foundation of technology expertise - digital strategy, software engineering, search engine optimization, and search engine marketing. Arteric develops the strategy and the software -websites, mobile apps, and Web applications - that drive pharmaceutical and biotechnology digital marketing campaigns and connect the public and healthcare professionals with information about life-changing therapies, technologies, and devices.

References 1. Kurd SK, Troxel AB, Crits-Christoph P, Gelfand JM. The risk of depression, anxiety and suicidality in patients with psoriasis: a population-based cohort study. Arch Dermatol. 2010;146(8):891-895. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2928071/. Accessed August 18, 2017. 2. Findlay A, Khan G. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). 1992. Available at http://www.bad.org.uk/shared/get-file.ashx?id=1653&itemtype=document. Accessed August 21, 2017.

Contact Information: Arteric Ross O'Shea 201.546.9910 Contact via Email http://arteric.com

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Arteric Develops Website Centerpiece of Award-Winning Psoriasis Patient Activation Campaign - Benzinga

Cardiovascular Events Rise With Increased Duration of Psoriasis – MedicalResearch.com (blog)

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MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Egeberg

Alexander Egeberg, MD PhD Gentofte Hospital Department of Dermatology and Allergy Kildegrdsvej 28 2900 Hellerup Denmark

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: The majority cardiovascular events in psoriasis occur in patients at low risk by traditional cardiovascular risk calculators. It has been speculated that long-term exposure to systemic inflammation may increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Therefore, clinically available historical features such as disease duration may identify those at higher risk for cardiovascular disease.

Using a translational epidemiological approach, combining 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography computed tomography scanningwith nationwide epidemiological data of more than four million individuals, we provide the first convincing evidence to suggest a detrimental effect of psoriasis duration on cardiovascular disease beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors, even in patients deemed low-risk by conventional risk scores. We found a 1% increase in future major adverse cardiovascular event risk per additional year of disease duration. This finding has an effect size similar to smoking, a well-established cardiovascular risk factor.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Response: Disease duration may represent a potentially easily obtainable measure of risk forcardiovascular disease in psoriasis and other inflammatory-based diseases.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: The burning question is whether, and to what extent, systemic treatment of psoriasis may affect (and reduce) the cardiovascular risk in psoriasis. While observational studies suggest a protective effect of TNF inhibitors, experimental data are less clear cut. This is an area of great interest now and in the coming years.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

The relationship between duration of psoriasis, vascular inflammation, and cardiovascular events Alexander Egeberg, Lone Skov, Aditya A. Joshi, Lotus Mallbris, Gunnar H. Gislason, Jashin J. Wu, Justin Rodante, Joseph B. Lerman, Mark A. Ahlman, Joel M. Gelfand, Nehal N. Mehta DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2017.06.028 Publication stage: In Press Corrected Proof Published online: August 18, 2017

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Police: Spain Attacks Could Have Been Much Bigger – Travel Agent

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Last weeks terrorist attacks in Spain could have been much worse, according to new reports.

NY Magazine reports that authorities believe the terror cell responsible for the attacks was planning a much larger and deadlier event. Authorities came to this conclusion after discovering a bomb factory operated by the group that included more than 120 gas canisters and other bomb-making materials. That cache exploded prematurely on Wednesday, destroying a house in the beach town of Alcanar.

Last week saw two terrorist attacks in Spain, one in Barcelonas Las Ramblas and one in Cambrils. 13 were killed and dozens more injured in the Las Ramblas attack, while the Cambrils attack killed another pedestrian and resulted in the deaths of five terrorists, who were shot by police. In both attacks, instead of using bombs, vehicles rammed into a crowd of pedestrians. ISIS has claimed responsibility for both incidents, although this has not yet been confirmed.

The incidents prompted the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) to reach out to its 24 member companies in Spain to offer assistance.

ASTA is sickened by yesterdays terrorist attacks in Barcelona, ASTA President and CEO Zane Kerby said in a written release. Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones in the attacks and the people of Spain as a whole.

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) also issued a statement condemning the attacks.

I am extremely saddened to hear about these callous attacks in Spain, said WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara. My heart goes out to the victims, their friends and families. Barcelona and Cambrils are two beautiful and strong tourist spots. The Travel & Tourism sector offers its full support to all those impacted both destinations, Spain, and its people as it is going through these difficult times.

NBC News reports that police are still searching for the driver of the van in the Barcelona attack after he eluded capture in the citys university neighborhood, killing a man and stealing his vehicle to escape. Four more suspects were arrested Sunday.

According to The Guardian, the hunt for the suspect has been extended across Europe. Police have set up 800 vehicle checkpoints and tripled the number of anti-terrorism officers.

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Is it Safe to Travel to Turkey? One Travel Agent Shares Her Take

Five Steps to Take When Talking About a Travel Disaster

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NASA is about to find out if a supercomputer can survive a year in space – Popular Science

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On Monday, at 12:31 p.m. Eastern time, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off on a resupply flight for the International Space Station, and among its cargo, in addition to ice cream, was something else very cool: a supercomputer.

The machine, made by Hewlett Packard Enterprise and called the Spaceborne Computer, is capable of a teraflop worth of computing power, which puts it roughly in line with a late-1990s supercomputer. Made up of two pizza box-shaped machines in a single enclosure, the HPE supercomputer is a part of a year-long experiment to see how an off-the-shelf computer system can fare in space if protected in the right way by software.

Long space missions like a trip to Mars come with considerable communications delays, so equipping astronauts with a powerful supercomputer would allow them to solve complex problems without having to wait for the issue and the solution to be transmitted to and from Earth. But radiation on a trip like that can damage computers, so NASA and HPE are conducting this research to see if software can provide the necessary protection to keep things functioning correctly.

Just like NASAs famous identical twin experimentin which Scott Kelly spent a year in space and his brother, Mark Kelly, stayed down on Earththe supercomputer in space has a brother on this planet, a doppleganger machine located in Wisconsin acting as a control in this experiment.

HPEs approach with the Spaceborne Computer, a two-node, water-cooled machine, is different from the way a mission-critical computer in space is physically protected (or hardened, in space gear speak) from radiation. For example, the chief computer for the Juno spacecraft inhabits a protective titanium vault with walls about one centimeter thick, according to BAE systems, which made that processor. Instead of physical protection for the HPE computer, the company is hoping to learn if software can do something similar.

Eng Lim Goh, the HPE projects principal investigator, says that the dramatic vision for the future of this line of research is one in which before an astronaut travels to space, he or she would be able to take a top-of-the-line, off-the-shelf machine with them, and software could make it space-worthy. Then the astronaut could put whatever programs she wanted on the machine, a process that Goh, a computer scientist, compares to having an iPhone in space onto which youve preloaded your apps.

So how might this computer's software help protect it?

In general, Goh says that smart machines on Earth that exercise self-care may turn themselves off in the face of dangerous conditions. Another idea is that a machine can intentionally run slowly so that it can handle errors as it goes, as opposed to running at maximum capacity and not having the bandwidth to also cope with problems.

We will find out what works, what doesnt, Goh says. We have a whole list.

HPE said in a statement describing the project that the system software will manage real time throttling of the computer systems based on current conditions and can mitigate environmentally induced errors. (If youre wondering what Hewlett Packard Enterprise is, its one-half of the old HP, which divided in 2015; the other half is now HP, Inc., which makes personal computers and printers.)

This system is not planned to replace the [physically] hardened systems, Goh says. The intention is that something like this could function as a decision support tool on a long mission to a place like Mars, and not a primary mission computer.

Its due to arrive at the space station in the Dragon Spacecraft on Wednesday.

This article has been updated to correct errors with the spelling of Eng Lim Goh's name.

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NASA is about to find out if a supercomputer can survive a year in space - Popular Science

MareNostrum 4 supercomputer now runs at 11 petaflops but there’s more to come – ZDNet

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Upcoming additions to MareNostrum 4 will bring its total speed up to 13.7 petaflops.

Barcelona's Supercomputing Center is aiming to lead the move in Europe from petascale to exascale computing -- one exaflops is 1,000 petaflops -- and the newly launched MareNostrum 4 is just part of that shift.

The 34m ($40m) MareNostrum 4, which recently began operations, is the third fastest supercomputer in Europe and occupies 13th place in the Top500 list of the world's high-performance computing systems.

It provides 11.1 petaflops for scientific research, 10 times more than MareNostrum 3, which was installed between 2012 and 2013. One petaflops is one thousand million million floating-point operations per second.

That performance means the new supercomputer will be able to deal more quickly with tasks relating to climate change, gravitational waves, fusion energy, AIDS vaccines, and new radiotherapy treatments to fight cancer.

On top of that power, the capacity of the general-purpose cluster is also due to be upgraded in the next few months with the addition of three new smaller-scale clusters. The general-purpose cluster is the largest and most powerful part of the supercomputer, consisting of 48 racks with 3,456 nodes and 155,000 processors.

The new clusters will be equipped with emerging technologies developed in the US and Japan, such as IBM Power9 and NVIDIA Volta Plus GPUs, Intel Knights Hill processors or 64-bit ARMv8 processors, used in powerful supercomputers such as American Summit, Sierra, Theta and Aurora, and Japanese Post-K.

Those additions will bring MareNostrum 4's total speed up to 13.7 petaflops. For comparison, the system occupying seventh place in the Top500, Japan's Joint Center for Advanced High Performance Computing Oakforest-PACS, offers 13.5 petaflops.

MareNostrum 4's storage capacity will also increase to 14 petabytes. However, despite those processing and storage additions, its energy consumption will only increase by 30 percent to 1.3MW per year.

"For our researchers in computer architecture, and in the programming and creation of tools for the analysis and efficiency of computers, this a treat," BSC director professor Mateo Valero tells ZDNet.

"It will allow us to experiment with cutting-edge technologies, analyze how the same applications behave in different hardware, and tackle the challenge of making them efficient in different architectures.

Valero said the upcoming changes will also enable BSC to test the suitability of these technological developments for future iterations of MareNostrum.

"It will also allow us to address one of our most ambitious projects: our participation in the creation of hardware and software technology with a European DNA," he says.

For the first time, the European Commission is supporting that goal. Last March, seven European countries including Spain signed a formal declaration to support Europe's leadership in high-performance computing, a project of the size of Airbus in the 1990s and of Galileo in the 2000s.

At the time of the declaration, Andrus Ansip, European Commission vice-president for the digital single market, said that if Europe stays dependent on others for this critical resource, then it risks getting technologically "locked, delayed, or deprived of strategic know-how".

'Technological sovereignty' is about being technologically independent, so that you have control of your research and development, which can be particularly important for national security.

BSC plans to capitalize on the achievements and knowledge of its researchers to create European processors for supercomputing, the automotive industry, and the Internet of Things.

Of course, the transition to exascale computing requires an implementation roadmap. According to Valero., BSC doesn't expect to have an exaflops machine in 2020, but Europe could and should have one in 2022 or 2023.

How supercomputing power is helping with anti-pollution plans like city-wide car bans

A modeling tool developed at Barcelona's Supercomputing Center is busy predicting levels of atmospheric pollutants in Spain, Europe, and now Mexico.

Using ARM chips and Linux, Barcelona center dreams of being 'Airbus of supercomputing'

A chapel in the heart of Barcelona University is home to one of Europe's most powerful supercomputers - and a mobile chip-based successor is under development.

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MareNostrum 4 supercomputer now runs at 11 petaflops but there's more to come - ZDNet

Stem Cell Therapy – Neuropathy & Pain Centers of Texas

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At Neuropathy & Pain Centers of Texas, non-invasive medical procedures are the mainstay of our practice. Using the most up to date techniques, our staff treats patients as whole people, providing a comprehensive diagnostic assessment in order to design a customized strategy for relief from medical concerns in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The technology has advanced to a point that, at Neuropathy & Pain Centers of Texas, we apply stem cell treatments designed to help our patients attain their wellness goals and achieve a higher quality of life.

For instance, until recently, treatment options for people with osteoarthritis of the knee were limited. Steroid injections, joint replacement surgery, and physical therapy were often the only treatment options. Now, regenerative injections for knee osteoarthritis are available at Neuropathy & Pain Centers of Texas. Regenerative cellular therapy also has applications for treating Achilles tendonitis, rotator cuff tendonitis, and degenerative arthritis.

These injections work with the bodys natural ability to heal itself. Unlike treatments that simply address the symptoms, stem cell therapy actually promotes repair of the body, restoring degenerated tissue. Stem cell injections also contain hyaluronan, which eases pain and restores mobility by lubricating joints and tendons. This therapy fits well with Neuropathy & Pain Centers of Texass integrated approach to wellness, addressing the source of issues, rather than just treating the symptoms.

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STONE: Certain medical practices can prey on false hopes – Odessa American

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Its human nature to want a quick fix in resolving issues or problems. Getting maximum results with minimal effort certainly has its appeal. From Thigh Masters and Bowflexes to The Clapper and Ginsu knives, the promise for rapid results and convenience can draw consumers in like the late-night glow of the TV infomercials selling these items.

But, lets be honest, these examples may have yield their desired results, but most products end up being a total disappointment and waste of money. This is also the case with certain medical procedures or therapies claiming to fix certain ailments or chronic conditions. As a patient-consumer, its important to do your research and not let emotions or false hopes guide you into making a potentially expensive or even risky decision involving your health.

One item in general, stem cell therapy, has been getting quite a bit of attention of late. Many may ask, what are stem cells? Stem cells are cells that have the potential to develop into many different types of cells. Think of them as a blank canvas which can divide and become specialized cells within the body such as blood, liver, or muscle cells. Stem cell therapy acts by introducing these cells into some areas of the body, to which the stem cells can divide regularly to regenerate and/or repair existing tissue. Stem cell therapy has long been used by physicians to treat certain types of cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma as well as treating some bone, skin, and corneal eye injuries. But, while stem cells continue to be studied as potential treatments for other ailments and conditions, there are very few of these treatments currently that have been proven to be effectivelet alone safe.

With catchy, even gimmicky, tag lines like make me walk again, feel young again, or no surgery, no side effects, clinics (both in the United States and outside of it) are offering stem cell therapy to treat a laundry list of conditions. The problem with it is patient testimonials and gimmicky marketing techniques can be misleading. One resource beneficial in better understanding stem cell therapies is the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR). It represents academia and industry on a broad range of issues that affect the well-being of patients and their families, and strives to educate the public and government regulators on the basic principles of stem cell science and the realistic potential for new medical treatments and cures.

According to the ISSCR, when there is no existing or effective treatment for a disease or condition it is easy to understand why you may feel there is nothing to lose from trying something new, even if it isnt proven. Unfortunately, most of the unproven stem cell treatments for sale throughout the world carry very little promise of actual benefit and very real risks.

Many stem cell therapy clinics may offer the use of a patients own cells, also known an autologous transplant. In theory, your immune system would not attack your own cells if they were used in a transplant. However, the processes by which the cells were acquired, grown and then reintroduced into the body would carry risks. Here are just a few known risks of autologous stem cell treatments:

If you have thought about or are considering stem cell therapy, first get the guidance of your primary healthcare provider. They can help guide you in obtaining the right literature and evidence in help making the right decision for the safest and most effective treatments available. Snake oil salesmen exist in every industryincluding those wearing white lab coats. Choose your care wisely.

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STONE: Certain medical practices can prey on false hopes - Odessa American

Stem cell therapy work could solve hairy problem, banish baldness for good – Digital Trends

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Stem cell therapy could be used to promote hair growth in people with either baldness or alopecia.

Stem cells may have a part to play in regrowing everything from teeth to eyeballs, and now researchers at UCLA are working on something that would be welcomed by people suffering from a very common problem regrowing hair in bald people. In new research, they describe a new way to activate the stem cells in the hair follicle to make new hair sprout. Such a breakthrough could potentially be used to develop drugs for promoting hair growth in people with either baldness or alopecia.

We found that hair follicle stem cells practice a distinct type of metabolism, and that if you fiddle with it genetically or pharmacologically, you can control the rate at which these cells wake up to make new hair shafts, Bill Lowry, a professor of molecular, cell, and developmental biology at UCLA, told Digital Trends.

Hair follicle stem cells generate hair over an individuals lifetime. These remain dormant much of the time, but activate quickly when a new hair cycle prompts growth. When they dont activate, baldness occurs.In small animal studies, the team was able to identify two drugs that influence hair follicle growth when applied to the skin. One drug is named RCGD423, and works by activating a cellular-signaling pathway that transmits information from outside the cell to the cells nucleus. The other drug, called UK5099, works by forcing the production of lactate in hair follicle stem cells, thereby accelerating hair growth.

We showed that drugs that promote production of a particular metabolite can accelerate hair follicle stem cell activation in mice, Lowry said. We are pushing forward toward the clinic to determine if this same approach is viable for human hair in patients with thinning due to stress, age, chemotherapy, [and] hormone imbalance.

There is still more work to be done before that point can be reached. As of now, the experimental drugs have not been tested in humans, nor approved as safe by the Food and Drug Administration. Researchers are optimistic that it will reach that point.We are considering starting a new company to support the ongoing development of new compounds that could be drugs for testing in a clinical trial, Lowry said.

A paper describing the research was recently published in the journal Nature Cell Biology.

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Stem cell therapy work could solve hairy problem, banish baldness for good - Digital Trends

Forever Labs preserves young stem cells to prevent your older self from aging – TechCrunch

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Forever Labs, a startup in Y Combinators latest batch, is preserving adult stem cells with the aim to help you live longer and healthier.

Stem cells have the potential to become any type of cell needed in the body. Its very helpful to have younger stem cells from your own body on hand should you ever need some type of medical intervention, like a bone marrow transplant as the risk of rejection is greatly reduced when the cells are yours.

Mark Katakowski spent the last 15 years studying stem cells. What he found is that not only do we have less of them the older we get, but they also lose their function as we age.So, he and his co-founders Edward Cibor and Steve Clausnitzer started looking at how to bank them while they were young.

Clausnitzer banked his cells two years ago at the age of 38. So, while he is biologically now age 40, his cells remain the age in which they were harvested or as he calls it, stem cell time travel.

Steven Clausnitzer with his 38-year-old banked stem cells.

Stem cell banking isnt new. In fact, a lot of parents are now opting to store their babys stem cells through cord blood banking. But thats for newborns. For adults, its not so common, and theres a lot of snake oil out there, Clausnitzer cautions.

There are places offering stem cell therapy and Botox, he said.

Forever Labs is backed by a team of Ivy League-trained scientists with decades of experience between them. Jason Camm, chief medical officer for Thiel Capital, is also one of the companys medical advisors however, the startup is quick to point out it is not associated with Thiel Capital.

The process involves using a patented device to collect the cells. Forever Labs can then grow and bank your cells for $2,500, plus another $250 for storage per year (or a flat fee of $7,000 for life).

The startup is FDA-approved to bank these cells and is offering the service in seven states. What it does not have FDA approval for is the modification of those cells for rejuvenation therapy.

Katakowski refers to what the company is doing as longevity as a service, with the goal being to eventually take your banked cells and modify them to reverse the biological clock.

But that may take a few years. There are hundreds of clinical trials looking at stem cell uses right now. Forever Labs has also proposed its own clinical trial to take your stem cells and give them to your older cells.

Youll essentially young-blood effect yourself, Katakowski joked of course, in this case, youd be using your own blood made from your own stem cells, not the blood of random teens.

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Forever Labs preserves young stem cells to prevent your older self from aging - TechCrunch

Surfing My Religion – Silicon Valley’s Metro

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THERE IS SOMETHING about immersing oneself in saltwater for extended periods of time and dodging walls of waves that lends to some deep thinking about life and our place in the world.

Surfing has recently produced some excellent works of nonfiction that have little to do with stoned-out surfer stereotypes. Last year's Pulitzer Prize for autobiography went to William Finnegan for Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life. Steve Kotler's West of Jesus: Surfing, Science and the Origins of Belief is a fine book on the intersection of surfing and spirituality. And I'll add Jaimal Yogis' new memoir, All Our Waves Are Water: Stumbling Toward Enlightenment and the Perfect Ride, to the mix.

Yogis, a San Francisco-based author, wrote the book as a follow-up to Saltwater Buddha, a coming-of-age story that blends surfing and spiritual seeking. All Our Waves picks up where he left off in his previous work and chronicles Yogis' multidisciplinary spiritual quests and more earthbound struggles of career, friendship and starting a family. Yogis' spiritual and physical journeys take him to the Himalayas, Jerusalem, a Washington Heights friary, Puerto Escondido, Mexico, and the cold water of San Francisco's Ocean Beach.

Yogis sprinkles the book with quotes that connect with the here and now, such as, "You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop" (Rumi). Buddhism is the guiding light, and the book and Yogis offers a practical tour of Buddhist philosophy.

The subtext of All Our Waves is not surfing, but the search for the universal and the divine in whatever form. "The word 'spiritual' can be a bit confusing," Yogis says. "In Zen and other non-dual schools of spirituality like Vedanta yoga, everything is considered spiritual, even the most mundane tasks like washing dishes. So surfing is just one of the things I do because I love to do it.

"And because I practice meditation and am interested in what you might call spiritual or philosophical questionswhy are we here, how do we realize our potential, how do we reduce sufferingthe sea becomes another place to practice."

Yogis does a great job making these heady themes accessible and entertaining through personal experiences. In the toxic fumes that characterize American political and cultural discourse of late, All Our Waves Are Water is a lungful of fresh air and a poignant reminder of the wider world beyond the glow of our handsets.

Jaimal Yogis

Aug 21, 7pm, Books Inc., Palo Alto

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Surfing My Religion - Silicon Valley's Metro

Spirituality and Religion in my Teens – Southern Times Africa

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As a teenager, searching for a sense of meaning and purpose in life is not easy. Exploration of your spirituality plays an important role in lifes most important virtues. Spirituality can be defined in a variety of ways.

Most definitions agree that spirituality is a connection to something that is greater than the self and inspires respect and

admiration. This can be a connection to a religious being such as a deity (God) or a spirit. It can also be a

connection to individuals, objects, or a set of beliefs that inspire both wonder and humility. In either case,

spirituality refers to the activity of fostering a connection to what is sacred and meaningful in life.

During the teen years questions such as Is there really a God? or Am I just doing what my parents have taught me becomes important. Teens struggle with finding a balance between doing what is right according to their religion, and satisfying their own personal wants and needs.

More often than not, it must have a positive contribution to your health. Harming yourself or others, or taking the risk of suicide in the name of religion is counteractive towards spiritual growth. The essence of spirituality in teen years is embedded in the countless advantages it nurtures. These advantages include:

The possibility of finding meaning and purpose. Discovering your identity as a teen is strongly related to your spiritual identity. In some religions, people are often encouraged to serve the underprivileged or encourage the youth.

It provides a sense of belonging. Teens become united with groups who share similar beliefs. Thus, one may feel as part of a whole.

It teaches values of discipline and perseverance. In most religions we trust in what we cannot see, yet we hope for positive outcomes based on what we believe.

Becoming mindful and aware of your emotions and choosing healthy ways to deal with them. This may involve meditation and prayer.

Provides the soul with a sense of peace, positivity, righteous living and love for yourself and others. It gives hope and breeds healthy emotions.

Oftentimes, we trust that our higher power will guide and protect us against lifes problems. It serves as an anchor to moral living and coping during difficult times.Spiritual identity during teen years guides an individual to live by safe, humane qualities and often according to protective societal norms. Align yourself with your spiritual being as it can lead to healing from within. Compiled by: Samantha Feris

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Spirituality and Religion in my Teens - Southern Times Africa