Category Archives: Life Extension

By the year 2030, around 600 million people will not have access to adequate food, whereas every year approximately 1.3 billion tons of food is lost or wasted globally which is one-third of the total food produced. According to Global Network Against Food Crises (GNFAC) report, around 193 million people in 53 countries experienced an acute food crisis in 2021. Despite some global efforts led by the United Nations, there has not been much progress in curbing food wastage which is very rampant in lower- and middle-income countries like Brazil, China, India, etc. To prevent a looming food crisis on a global scale, innovative actions are warranted and nuclear technology can be the panacea.

Given Indias ambitious economic growth plan and growing population, food wastage is undoubtedly a drag on government food security plans and a national burden that India needs to address on a war footing. The problem has reached an alarming stage today where an average person in India wastes around 137 grams of food per day, i.e., 0.96 kg per week, or 50 kg per year. As a result, 40% of the food is wasted in India which is equivalent to Rs 92,000 crores per year.

Most of the wastage occurs at two stages: first, at the production stage which is called food loss, which largely happens during production, handling, storage, and processing; second, at the consumption stage which is called food wastage where consumption ready food is discarded because of expiration. In addition, crop failures, low yield, and crop loss due to pest infestation are other major causes of food loss. Therefore, any remedial measure to address food loss or wastage must take into account, the security of production and distribution, in other words, advanced agricultural practice with technological intervention besides nurturing food-best-use-culture in every household.

The application of nuclear technologies in Indias agricultural practice can be the panacea in solving the food loss problem to a great extent. These can be achieved through large scale application of scientific agricultural practice, especially making available mutation breeding seeds and radiation processing technologies. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has developed 42 high-yielding seed varieties by inducing mutations and cross-breeding through Gamma irradiation for commercial exploitation. In addition, cost-effective food irradiation technology can be used for shelf-life extension of food crops (pulses, serials, and oil seeds), delay ripening and disinfestations of fruits, and sprouting inhibition of potato and onion, reduce of number microorganisms in spices, etc. However, a handful of high-yielding seeds are in use, and only 15 Food Irradiation Plants are in operation in the country of 1.2 billion population.

Evidence suggests that employing irradiation technology can improve yield by 10-40 per cent for potatoes, 10-12 per cent for rice, 10-15 per cent for corn and wheat and 7-15 per cent for Barley. Another problem where radiation technology can make a big difference is pest control. As per the UNs Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), approximately 40 percent of global agricultural crops are lost every year due to pests. The Sterile Insect Technique provides a safe, environment-friendly option for pest control that can significantly minimize crop losses. The technique involves mass sterilization of insects through radiation. The sterilized pests are then released in the area and mate with the wild insects resulting in a decline in the population of pests. The technique not only helps in controlling the pest population, but it also eliminates the environmental harm caused by excessive use of pesticides by farmers.

Furthermore, nuclear technology is also being used to determine soil quality to enable more efficient soil management. Soil moisture neutron probe, a technique to measure the moisture, has proven to be much more effective than conventional sensors, enabling farmers to optimize irrigation as per the soils needs.

This suggests that there is enormous scope for aggressive public outreach to popularize the availability of required technology, methods, and benefits, which is the need of the hour. India has already embarked on such applications in the agricultural sector but the progress has been very slow. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has set up two radiation technology demonstration units, operated by the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology. In order to leverage nuclear technology in agriculture at scale for marked improvement, much more concerted efforts are required, both by the government and private sector. In 2020, the government announced much-needed reforms for opening up the nuclear sector for private players in the fields of medicine, agriculture and research. As such, there is an opportunity for Indias start-up ecosystem to undertake initiatives in the use of nuclear/radiation technology in the agricultural sector.

Though the Indian nuclear establishment has already made its best efforts in preparing the irradiation technology and modalities of its application, roping in the private sector and start-ups to promote their application in the agricultural sector would immensely help to allay the fears persisting at the societal level and expedite their acceptance on the ground. Leveraging global innovations and expertise in the field of radiation technology is not only crucial in ensuring Indias food security but also, in turn, will increase farmers income. In addition, wide adoption of radiation technology in agriculture will help eliminate unsustainable conventional agricultural practices that are detrimental to the environment, such as over-irrigation and heavy use of pesticides. For making agriculture more sustainable and reduce wastages, and in turn to ensure national food security, nuclear technologys transformational role India must master smartly.

Views expressed above are the author's own.

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The Nuclear Panacea for Indias Food Security - Times of India

Eric Wright| Contributor

Five tips to keep children safe in cars during hot summer months

As the middle of the summer approaches, hot cars can become deadly for both children and pets trapped inside in as little as an hour.

Claire Hardwick, Cody Goodwin and Ariana Triggs, USA TODAY

With soaring temperatures in our area and across the world, its important to take precautions this summer to avoid the dangerous results of heat on vulnerable populations. Its important to plan for the heat, understand the terms officials used to describe conditions and learn the warning signs of someone who is in danger from the hot conditions.

First, you can plan for the heat. Its Alabama and its July, if it wasnt hot, it would be front-page news. So, if you can, plan to do any outdoor activities early in the morning or in the evening. Avoid being out in the sun during midday and in the afternoon when it is hottest. Also, make sure to plan ahead and make sure you have access to cool water and shade. Wear loose-fitting lightweight, light-colored clothing.

Make sure you understand the terms used by officials to describe hot weather. Excessive Heat Watch means that conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event to meet or exceed local excessive heat warning criteria in the next 24 to 72 hours.

Excessive Heat Warning means that the heat index is forecast to meet or exceed locally defined warning criteria for at least 2 days (daytime highs equal 105 to 110 degrees).

From USA TODAY: 'Dominating the entire country': Unrelenting, coast-to-coast heat wave scorches US

'Dangerous levels': 100 million Americans are under heat warnings this week. Here's what we know

Heat Advisory means that heat Index values are forecasted to meet locally defined advisory criteria for 1 to 2 days (daytime highs equal 100 to 105 degrees).

If we do have some of these conditions, make sure to check on friends, families and neighbors that may not have air conditioning or might be susceptible to the heat.

Every year. more people die from heat-related weather events than tornadoes, floods and hurricanes. If someone is struggling because of the heat, they could have heat cramps in their legs or abdomen. They could have heat exhaustion where they have moist, ashen skin; a headache; nausea; dizziness; weakness and exhaustion.

Heat stroke is the most serious condition and can be life-threatening. It can have serious symptoms like extremely high body temperature; red skin, which may be dry or moist; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; rapid, shallow breathing; confusion; vomiting and seizures. Someone who is experiencing heat stroke needs emergency medical attention.

So this summer, be aware of the heat, check on folks and plan ahead to avoid the worst of what can be unavoidable here in Alabama.

If you have questions about extension programs, please reach out or stop by our office at 3200A W. Meighan Blvd., call us at 256-547-7936 or visit us on Facebook athttps://bit.ly/3otwUdlor online athttps://bit.ly/3yniPCx.

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Alabama heat: How to be aware and prepared for hot weather - Gadsden Times

Light rail has appeared on the ballot three times in Clark County, although voters have never been directly asked if they want to extend TriMets light rail system into Vancouver.

Aspects of light rail were on the ballot in 1995, 2012 and 2013. Each time, voters did not favor the proposal.

In all three cases, however, voters were not given a simple yes-or-no choice. Twice light rail was attached to a sales tax increase and a third vote came after the Columbia River Crossing was effectively on life support.

The three votes are cited by some officials, including U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, and Clark County Councilor Gary Medvigy as the root of their opposition to light rail.

The Columbian revisited its archives to retell what happened with the three votes.

The proposal included a 0.3 percent sales tax increase and a motor vehicle excise tax to pay for Clark Countys roughly $237.5 million share.

The sales tax would have increased from 7.6 to 7.9 percent in most of the county and the motor vehicle excise tax would have raised the cost of licensing a $20,000, year-old car by about $60 a year, from roughly $470 to $530. At that time, most of a vehicles license fee was an excise tax, which was reduced as the vehicle aged.

The MAX Green Line ended up running from Clackamas Town Center to Portland State University.

Groups including Identity Clark County did not support the measure, in spite of favoring the Columbia River Crossing and extending light rail to Vancouver. They argued that a sales tax increase was not the proper way to pay for light rail.

The question was indirectly worded because a proposed measure prohibiting the city of Vancouver from using any resources to promote light rail was struck down by a Clark County Superior Court judge because it exceeded the scope of local initiative power.

In the same election, however, pro-Columbia River Crossing candidates including Tim Leavitt, Jack Burkman, Alishia Topper and Anne McEnerny-Ogle were elected or reelected in Vancouver, illustrating the tension between the city and Clark County governments.

The impact of the advisory vote was marginal as the Washington State Legislature had balked at funding the Columbia River Crossing four months prior, effectively killing the project.

Light rail is included in the Interstate Bridge Replacement Programs modified locally preferred alternative. Under it, MAXs Yellow Line would be extended from the Portland Expo Center to Evergreen Boulevard in downtown Vancouver.

It is unclear how the extension would be funded. In its endorsement of the bridge project, C-Trans board said the agency will not be responsible for any of the costs of light rail operations and maintenance.

We definitely want to see that connection with TriMet but we also feel very strongly that Clark County should not be asked to cover the cost of the operations and maintenance of that facility because we dont operate that mode, just like they dont pay for the mode that we operate in downtown Portland, C-Tran CEO Shawn Donaghy said.

Were certainly not asking TriMet not to do that, he continued. I think what weve said is, its the programs responsibility to find the additional money to do that.

Some opponents have asked how the extension of light rail to Clark County will affect crime. A 2017 study revealed that the majority of crime in the TriMet transit system occurred on light rail.

TriMet has a Transit Police Division, which is under the command of the Multnomah County, Ore., Sheriffs Office, and it contracts with security officers.

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Light rail's history on the ballot in Clark County a complicated affair - The Columbian

New Jersey, United States TheAppetite Control & SuppressantsMarket research guides new entrants to obtain precise market data and communicates with customers to know their requirements and preferences. It spots outright business opportunities and helps to bring new products into the market. It identifies opportunities in the marketplace. It aims at doing modifications in the business to make business procedures smooth and make business forward. It helps business players to make sound decision making. Appetite Control & Suppressants market report helps to reduce business risks and provides ways to deal with upcoming challenges. Market information provided here helps new entrants to take informed decisions making. It emphasizes on major regions of the globe such as Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America along with their market size.

Such unique Appetite Control & Suppressants Market research report offers some extensive strategic plans that help the players to deal with the current market situation and make your position. It helps in strengthening your business position. It offers better understanding of the market and keep perspective to aid one remain ahead in this competitive market. Organizations can gauze and compare their presentation with others in the market on the basis of this prompt market report. This market report offers a clarified picture of the varying market tactics and thereby helps the business organizations gain bigger profits. You get a clear idea about the product launches, trade regulations and expansion of the market place through this market report.

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Key Players Mentioned in the Appetite Control & Suppressants Market Research Report:

Natural Factors, NOW Foods, Bio Sense, Hydroxycut, Life Extension, Lipozene, ASquared Nutrition, Baetea, BeLive, Better Mornings, BioGanix, BioSchwartz, BRL Sports Nutrition, Dr. Joeys, EBYSU, Health Plus Prime, Healthy Delights, iPro Organic Supplements

Appetite Control & SuppressantsMarket report consists of important data about the entire market environment of products or services offered by different industry players. It enables industries to know the market scenario of a particular product or service including demand, supply, market structure, pricing structure, and trend analysis. It is of great assistance in the product market development. It further depicts essential data regarding customers, products, competition, and market growth factors. Appetite Control & Suppressants market research benefits greatly to make the proper decision. Future trends are also revealed for particular products or services to help business players in making the right investment and launching products into the market.

Appetite Control & SuppressantsMarket Segmentation:

Appetite Control & Suppressants Market, By Product

Capsules Tablets Powders Caplets Drops

Appetite Control & Suppressants Market, By Application

Natural Vegetarian Gluten-Free Organic Vegan

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For Prepare TOC Our Analyst deep Researched the Following Things:

Report Overview:It includes major players of the Appetite Control & Suppressants market covered in the research study, research scope, market segments by type, market segments by application, years considered for the research study, and objectives of the report.

Global Growth Trends:This section focuses on industry trends where market drivers and top market trends are shed light upon. It also provides growth rates of key producers operating in the Appetite Control & Suppressants market. Furthermore, it offers production and capacity analysis where marketing pricing trends, capacity, production, and production value of the Appetite Control & Suppressants market are discussed.

Market Share by Manufacturers:Here, the report provides details about revenue by manufacturers, production and capacity by manufacturers, price by manufacturers, expansion plans, mergers and acquisitions, and products, market entry dates, distribution, and market areas of key manufacturers.

Market Size by Type:This section concentrates on product type segments where production value market share, price, and production market share by product type are discussed.

Market Size by Application:Besides an overview of the Appetite Control & Suppressants market by application, it gives a study on the consumption in the Appetite Control & Suppressants market by application.

Production by Region:Here, the production value growth rate, production growth rate, import and export, and key players of each regional market are provided.

Consumption by Region:This section provides information on the consumption in each regional market studied in the report. The consumption is discussed on the basis of country, application, and product type.

Company Profiles:Almost all leading players of the Appetite Control & Suppressants market are profiled in this section. The analysts have provided information about their recent developments in the Appetite Control & Suppressants market, products, revenue, production, business, and company.

Market Forecast by Production:The production and production value forecasts included in this section are for the Appetite Control & Suppressants market as well as for key regional markets.

Market Forecast by Consumption:The consumption and consumption value forecasts included in this section are for the Appetite Control & Suppressants market as well as for key regional markets.

Value Chain and Sales Analysis:It deeply analyzes customers, distributors, sales channels, and value chain of the Appetite Control & Suppressants market.

Key Findings:This section gives a quick look at the important findings of the research study.

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Appetite Control & Suppressants Market Size, Scope, Growth Opportunities, Trends by Manufacturers And Forecast to 2029 This Is Ardee - This Is...

(The Center Square) Washington state was ranked No. 4 in the nation for wellness, according to a new study by Life Extension.

The Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based health and fitness organization looked at 11 metrics across three main categories in all 50 states and the District of Columbia: physical and mental health, access to national parks and nature, and interest in integrative health practices.

Life Extensions study noted the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a renewed interest in wellness, both physical and mental.

Coming off the heels of the pandemic which permeated 2020 and 2021, this increased interest in wellness couldn't come at a better time: we are still in the throes of a difficult time in history, after all, and the stress is real, the study says. The World Health Organization reported a 25% increase in anxiety and depression globally which certainly coincides with the economic, political and health uncertainties that have marked the past few years.

The study goes on to note how the pandemic has made people more mindful of overall wellness, including as a factor in where they choose to live.

As we persevere during these times and look to emerge stronger, wellness will only play a larger role in people's lives, the study notes. With more people working remotely and having the option to live anywhere on the map they choose, access to wellness services and activities may influence where people decide to hang their hats.

While the states scenic beauty, including access to parks and nature, is no doubt a draw to wellness devotees, resources for mental and emotional well-being related to the pandemic offered via the Washington State Coronavirus Response (COVID-19) website could also be a draw.

According to the most recent figures from the state Department of Healths COVID-19 Data Dashboard, there are 246 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in Washington, and 12% of hospital beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients.

The Evergreen States fourth-place overall finish in Life Extensions study means it did well in several categories. The report specifically noted a few.

Analyzing data from the Center for Disease Control and Preventions Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Life Extension found that 82.2% of Washingtonians reported doing some form of physical exercise in the past month. That was good enough for a third-place finish behind only Utah and Colorado.

In terms of wellness topics by online user searches, Washington scored 95 points out of 100 on the subject of supplements. That earned Washington a fourth-place finish behind only Arizona, Colorado, and Oregon.

It wasnt all good news, however.

Washington came in dead last in two categories: percentage of adults who reported no poor physical health days in the past two weeks (57%) and percentage of adults who reported no poor mental health days in the past two weeks (57%).

The 10 best states and state designates in terms of wellness:

1. California

2. Arizona

3. Florida

4. Washington

5. Hawaii

6. Utah

7. Alaska

8. Wyoming

9. District of Columbia

10. New Jersey

The 10 worst states in terms of wellness:

51. Alabama

50. Oklahoma

49. Louisiana

48. Arkansas

47. Iowa

46. Delaware

45. North Dakota

44. Nebraska

43. Kentucky

42. Mississippi

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Washington ranked 4th-best state in the nation in terms of wellness - The Center Square

Experts have been searching for the proverbial fountain of youth for generations, and at one point, looking young meant resigning yourself to expensive cosmetics, botox, or plastic surgery. As science continues to progress, dietitians have found that the amount of sleep you get each night, the exercise you do during the day, and the amount of water you drink all play into how many wrinkles and age lines you keep at bay.

Slowing down the aging process also extends to your diet, and eating the right things plays an integral role in helping you look and feel young. There may not be one superfood out there that can work miracles but one particular fruit gets pretty close: blueberries.

"Blueberries are a nutrition powerhouse and high in the antioxidants vitamins A and C, and anthocyanin," Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim, and advisory member for Eat This, Not That! says.

The antioxidants locked inside this particular berry hold the secret to looking and feeling younger and can go a long way towards doing a ton of good for your body.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

"These antioxidants help to prevent inflammation and protect the body from oxidation which can lead to aging and disease," Dr. Young continues. "They also help to protect the skin from damage due to oxidation, stress, and everyday living."

Science continues to uncover more and more secrets locked away in this fruit as time goes on. According to a study published in Mutagenesis, the root of aging stems back to damage that your DNA takes on over the course of one's life. A study in the European Journal of Nutrition found that blueberries not only prevent DNA damage, but they might also help prevent cancer and other forms of illness that relate to DNA mutation and destruction. You don't even have to eat fresh blueberriesscientists discovered in the same study that the freeze-dried version of the fruit holds the same benefits.

Another study found in Life Extension Magazine backed up these findings and discovered that the fruit may also have the ability to extend lifespans and keep your brain healthier thanks to its massive antioxidant load per serving.

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While these berries rank as the best food to stave off the aging process, you still have to find a few ways to incorporate more of them into your diet. Luckily, with the right recipes, you shouldn't have too much trouble.

"Blueberries are easy to add to the dietyou can add them to a smoothie, yogurt, or oatmeal or enjoy a handful or two as a snack," Dr. Young says.

If you need some inspiration, you can't go wrong with 20 Healthy Blueberry Muffin Recipes to start your morning with. If that can't get you excited, the Secret Effects of Eating Blueberries can easily get you pumped to include more of this fruit in your daily meal plan.

Erich Barganier

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The #1 Best Food To Eat Daily To Slow Aging, Says Dietitian Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

"The funding is part of acontentious billthat aims to address a couple of Gov. Gavin Newsoms most pressing concerns maintaining the reliability of the states increasingly strained power grid, and avoiding the politically damaging prospect of brown-outs or blackouts," writesNadia Lopez, an environmental reporter for CalMatters,in the source articleupdated on June 30.

Theenergy trailer billnegotiated by Gov. Gavin Newsoms administration and approved by lawmakers late Wednesday allocates a reserve fund of up to $75 million to the state Department of Water Resources to prolong the operation of aging power plants scheduled to close.

More on extending the lives of those aging natural gas power plants wasreported earlier by CalMatters environmental correspondentsRachel Becker and Julie Cart:

As part of the budgets energy package, legislators also are negotiating provisions that would prolong use of four natural-gas power plants that are now scheduled to begingoing offline next year[pdf]. The closures already were delayed by state officials by three years.

Lopez notes that if "the Newsom administration choose to extend the life of the nuclear plant, the funding would allow that although the actual cost to keep the 37-year-old facility owned by Pacific Gas and Electric is not known."

While its true that the energy bill doesnt itself authorize the extension of the plants life, it does provide the money should state leaders decide to do so. Such a move would require subsequent legislation and review and approval by state, local and federal regulatory entities, said Lindsay Buckley, a spokesperson for the California Energy Commission.

Budget signed!

The record-breaking $308 billion budge was adopted after "Gov. Gavin Newsomsigned the bill, and more than two dozen others that guide how the money will be spent, on Thursday, calling it an investment in 'our core values at a pivotal moment,'wroteCalMatters' Capitol reporter,AlexeiKoseffon June 30.

PG&E's decision

As noted in a related post, "Extending the Life of California's Largest Power Plant" (May 31, 2022), the decision to apply for federal funding in a new energy program in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act(aka Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden last November)to prolong the life of the 2,256MWpower plant, the state'slargest, would have to come from the owner, thePacific Gas and Electric Company(PG&E), the nation's largest utility(by revenue).

Rob Nikolewski, the energy reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune, wrote on July 6 that the utility plans on doing so now that the U.S. Department of Energy has made a technical revision allowing for the application.

Suzanne Hosn, spokeswoman for PG&E, said that given the revision and Newsoms request that we take steps to preserve Diablo as an option to promote grid reliability, we expect to submit an application for the (Department of Energy) funding.

Opposition and support

Many in the environmental community remain steadfastly opposed to extending the life of Diablo Canyon.

Sierra Club California is deeply concerned with Governor Newsoms obsession with continuously funding dangerous and polluting energy resources," stated Sierra Club California director Brandon Dawson in a press release on July 7.

Instead of propping up outmoded nuclear plants, Newsom should instead be providing more resources and funding to deploy renewable energy infrastructure across California.

Nikolewskinoted that a group of 37 scientists, academics and entrepreneurssent a letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholmon June 27 in support of revising the Civil Nuclear Credit Programs eligibility to include Diablo Canyon.

While California boasts a very high portion of electricity from renewable sources, California will have to boost its total renewable energy production by an enormous 20 percent in just two years to replace the clean energy being produced at Diablo Canyon, the letter said.

Related: 4 posts tagged Diablo Canyon

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Funding Allocated to Extend Life of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant - Planetizen

-- Proceeds will enable Xilis to build its capabilities in supporting biopharma collaborations for drug discovery --

-- Extension led by new investor FPV Ventures

DURHAM, N.C., July 13, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Xilis, Inc., a pioneering biotechnology company developing its MicroOrganoSphere (MOS) technology to guide precision therapy for cancer patients and accelerate drug discovery and development, has closed an extension of over US$19 million to its Series A financing round, bringing the total amount raised to over US$89 million. New investor FPV Ventures led the extension, with participation from fellow new investor Alexandria Venture Investments and existing investors EQT Life Sciences, Mubadala Capital Management, Pear Ventures, GV (formerly Google Ventures), the Duke Angel Network, Catalio Capital Management, Two Sigma Ventures, Felicis Ventures, Alix Ventures and other strategic partners.

"Despite unprecedented market conditions in the biotech sector, we raised this extension at a step-up valuation and from several of the most reputable global investors. Our investors are strongly encouraged by the progress we have made in building diagnostic programs that predict patient response and achieving significant traction in partnered drug discovery and development," said Xiling Shen, PhD, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Xilis. "Our MOS technology is the first end-to-end, high-throughput patient-derived model drug discovery platform to identify drug candidates with a high probability of clinical success."

The company will use the Series A funding to advance its proprietary MOS platform. This innovative MOS technology is the first truly scalable patient-derived model that recapitulates the tumor microenvironment and immune interactions necessary for next-generation immuno-oncology and cell therapy drug discovery. In addition, the MOS platform can be applied in a clinical setting to aid clinicians to make precision oncology treatment decisions, identifying treatments that lead to the best response for each patient.

Story continues

"Xilis has pushed forward and achieved meaningful scientific breakthroughs that will change the way cancer drugs are being discovered and how patients are being selected to achieve the most optimal response realizing the goal of personalized precision oncology," said Wesley Chan, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of FPV Ventures. "With support from a world-class investor consortium, Xilis is set to continue its efforts in clinical diagnostics and accelerate the companys growth by expanding its MOS technology into biopharma R&D and drug development."

Recently, the company announced its participation in the Netherlands-based Oncode-PACT Consortium to accelerate the development of cancer drugs and was selected as the cover article/story in the June issue of the journal Cell Stem Cell highlighting its MOS technology and application in precision oncology.

"Over the last year, Xilis has made tremendous progress in advancing their MOS platform, demonstrating its value both for physicians and biopharma partners, while addressing the significant challenges faced with precision and predictability in cancer treatments," said Ayman AlAbdallah, Partner, Mubadala Capital. "As Mubadala continues to support companies across their entire life cycle, we are excited to back Xilis once again in their work toward impacting the future of healthcare."

About Xilis

Based in Durham, North Carolina, Xilis, Inc. is a biotechnology company developing a precision oncology platform that guides treatment decisions for oncologists to improve cancer care outcomes for patients and enables drug discovery and development with pharmaceutical companies. Xilis proprietary MicroOrganoSphere (MOS) technology consists of miniature patient tumors that capture the full microenvironment and heterogeneity and provides an automated and scalable solution. Using MOS and AI-driven algorithms, Xilis is developing a Xilis Response Score for the clinic, enabling oncologists to make informed and timely treatment decisions. Additionally, the MOS technology is speeding up the discovery and clinical development of new drug candidates.

To learn more about Xilis, visit our website at Xilis.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

About FPV

FPV is a new $450m fund focused on backing and serving mission-driven founders throughout their entire journey. Founded by Wesley Chan (Founder of Google Analytics and Google Voice) and Pegah Ebrahimi (former COO of Morgan Stanley Tech Banking and COO of Cisco Collaboration), the firm has backed well-known, high-impact startups including Canva, Flexport, Guild Education, Xilis, and Manifold Bio.

About Mubadala Capital

Mubadala Capital is the wholly owned asset management arm of Mubadala Investment Company. Since its inception a decade ago, Mubadala Capital has grown to become a global asset manager of significant scale, with over US $16 billion of assets under management and a presence in London, New York, San Francisco, Rio de Janeiro, and headquarters in Abu Dhabi. Through its four businesses, Mubadala Capital manages over US $10 billion in third-party capital vehicles on behalf of its institutional investors, including three private equity funds, two early stage venture funds, a public equities fund, and two funds in Brazil focused on special situations.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220713005114/en/

Contacts

Michelle LinnBioscribe, Inc.774-696-3803michelle@bioscribe.com

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Xilis Announces Series A Extension, Bringing Total Round to Over US$89 Million - Yahoo Finance

At 11:30 am on May 14, 2005, the aircraft carrier USS America slipped beneath the waves and sank, for nearly three miles, before coming to rest upright, in one piece, upon the Atlantic floor. For the veterans who served on the America viewed the sinking as a solemn moment. But the previous crews could take pride in the Americas exit: she had been intentionally scuttled, in an experiment to gauge how carriers respond to enemy attacks, gleaning invaluable defensive data in her sacrifice.

The USS America (CV-66) was one of three Kitty Hawk-class carriers built in the 1960s. The Kitty Hawk-class of carriers was seen as an incremental improvement from the preceding Forrestal-class; the Kitty Hawks were a transitional batch of carriers. The America, nicknamed The Big A, was commissioned in 1965 and served until 1996.

Building the USS America of the Kitty Hawk-Class

When first ordered, America was planned to house a nuclear power plant. Yet, rising costs resulted in an alteration, mid-construction; the America would be conventionally powered, with four steam turbines producing 280,000 horsepower. The finished America measured 1,048 feet long with a 248-foot beam. The massive ship could reach 34 knots. Over 4,600 men were required to operate the carrier and her roughly 80 airplanes.

The Career of the USS America

America spent the majority of her career sailing the Atlantic and Mediterranean, although she was deployed to the Pacific on three occasions all in support of the Vietnam War. The three decades for which the America served were relatively action-packed; the America loitered nearby, or participated directly, in several conflicts, including the Six-Day War, the Vietnam War, Operation El Dorado Canyon, and Operation Desert Storm. By the 1990s, more advanced, nuclear-powered carriers had long since become the norm; America was growing obsolete. Still, the U.S. Navy felt America had some more to contribute and she was scheduled to undergo a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), which would push her service life out until 2010. However, budget cuts forced the America into retirement. America was decommissioned in a ceremony at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in 1996 before being transferred to the Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. And thats when things got really interesting.

Life-Fire Tests Give America a Noble End

Initially, the America was scheduled to be scrapped for parts. That didnt happen. Instead, America was selected for a live-fire test a test that would result in her sinking. Navy veterans who had served on the America protested: you cant sink a ship named after the U.S.A.! The Navy disagreed. Make the ship in a museum, the veterans pleaded. The Navy stood firm. The then-Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral John B. Nathman, wrote a letter to Americas veterans, explaining the decision.

America will make one final and vital contribution to our national defense, this time as a live-fire test and evaluation platform. Americas legacy will serve as a footprint in the design of future carriers ships that will protect the sons, daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of America veterans. We will conduct a variety of comprehensive tests above and below the waterline collecting data for use by naval architects and engineers in creating the nations future carrier fleet. It is essential we make those ships as highly survivable as possible. When that mission is complete, the America will slip quietly beneath the sea. I know America has a very special place in your hearts, not only for the name, but also for your service aboard her. I ask that you understand why we selected this ship for this one last crucial mission and make note of the critical nature of her final service, Adm. Nathman wrote. The decision was final.

On February 25, 2005, a funeral-like ceremony was held in Philadelphia to salute America and her crew. With the goodbyes concluded, America sailed for the open ocean. On April 19, the live-fire tests commenced. The America proved to be a rather tough ship. For four weeks, the Navy punished America. Still, she wouldnt sink. To scuttle America, she actually had to be boarded.

It took four weeks and they ended up having to scuttle her from on board due to her not sinking, mechanical engineer Blake Horner is quoted in theaviationgeekclub.com. She is not only far larger than WWII battleships, but she is also a lot tougher. While she does not have the heavy armor battleships of yore had, she does have a double layered hull, meaning weapons have to push through alternative layers of steel and empty pockets to reach her internals. On top of that, her internal compartmentalization was far better than that of battleships. She is so large, there are so many more rooms that must be filled in order to make her sink than that of a battleship.

When the America finally did slip beneath the waves, at approximately 11:30am EST, the Navy held a solemn moment of silence. America drifted downward for miles, finally coming to rest in one piece 16,860 feet below the surface, somewhere southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

Harrison Kass is the Senior Defense Editor at 19FortyFive. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, he joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison has degrees from Lake Forest College, the University of Oregon, and New York University. He lives in Oregon and listens to Dokken. Follow him on Twitter @harrison_kass.

Link:

USS America: The U.S. Navy Had a Plan to Sink Its Own Aircraft Carrier - 19FortyFive

Utility company Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) announced on Tuesday that they will be submitting an application to receive funds from a federal government program to remain open well past the current 2025 shut down date.

Ever since Diablo Canyon became the last active nuclear power station in California following the shut down of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in the early 2010s, the plant has been targeted for closure by activists. In 2016 PG&E seemingly acquiesced to the environmental and labor groups, announcing that they would be closing the final plant in 2025. However, a major need for electricity has cropped up in California caused by, among other things, shutdowns of oil, gas, and coal plants, unreliable and intermittent renewable energy, as well as the rise of electric car usage and higher temperatures causing more usage.

As Diablo Canyon provides 9% of Californias total energy production, and is a clean source of energy, many have been fighting to keep the plant open. As a strain on the system has already been seen more and more, the loss of Diablo Canyon has been seen by many as a devastating blow to the state. A Stanford/MIT study released last year found that not only would an extension of Diablo Canyons life help California meet state climate goals, but it would serve as a bridge as renewable energy programs catch up to Californias needed energy amount. If operated to 2045, they also estimated that California would save $21 billion in systems costs.

While cost and environmental concerns have dogged extension efforts, especially with many opposed, saying that keeping it open would undercut Californias renewable energy commitments, support for the extension has grown exponentially in recent years. Lawmakers from both parties have agreed that the extension is either needed or warranted, including Governor Gavin Newsom and U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

While California boasts a very high portion of electricity from renewable sources, California will have to boost its total renewable energy production by an enormous 20 percent in just two years to replace the clean energy being produced at Diablo Canyon, said a letter by scientists and academics in favor of keeping Diablo Canyon to Secretary Granholm last month.

With so much support for the extending the life of the plant, and a quickly dwarfing opposition, PG&E took advantage of a Department of Energy extension for submissions to receive federal funds from a Biden administration program aimed at keeping energy facilities slated for closure to remain open. If Diablo Canyon gets Civil Nuclear Credit (CNC) funds, it would be highly likely that an extension would happen.

PG&E spokeswoman Suzanne Hosn said in a statement on Wednesday that Given the revision and Newsoms request that we take steps to preserve Diablo as an option to promote grid reliability, we expect to submit an application for the Department of Energy funding.

Many in favor of the 20-year extension are concerned about possible legal action from those groups that fought to end Diablo Canyon in 2016, but with federal support and lawmaker support from all levels of government, it could prove to be difficult to challenge.

If PG&E and Diablo Canyon gets those funds, it might very well be game over for anyone hoping for a 2025 end date, explained Sal Braith, a nuclear engineer who worked at several nuclear plants in the Northeast, in a Globe interview on Wednesday. They cant claim costs much anymore, not with the federal government chipping it. They cant claim the environment in many regards due to its role in helping California meet the new state drives to get rid of fossil fuel energy production. Lawmakers, both Democrat and Republican, like it now, especially with it helping the state not face a huge energy shortfall. And more and more Californians like the idea of it too.

Honestly, Id say maybe its time for a new plant built with lessons from previous plants, but that would have so many hurdles to it and might not even get off the ground. If were smart, well get a twenty year extension, but at the same time, double down on clean energy investments to keep the environmentalists happy, as well as promote job growth in renewable energy programs, as that will keep the unions happy. Its not that easy in practice, but it is something to shoot for. For California to get out of the hole it is in with energy, Diablo Canyon is a ladder. We say no to the extension, might as well continue to try to dig our way out going straight down.

An extension application from PG&E for funds is due to the Department of Energy by September 6th.

Excerpt from:

PG&E To Submit Application For Federal Funds to Keep the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant Operating Past 2025 - California Globe