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☆ U.S. Lags Behind Other Countries in Hepatitis-C Treatment
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Ted Alcorn | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

In the 10 years since the drugmaker Gilead debuted a revolutionary treatment for hepatitis C, a wave of new therapies have been used to cure millions of people around the world of the blood-borne virus. Today, 15 countries, including Egypt, Canada and Australia, are on track to eliminate hepatitis C during this decade, according to the Center for Disease Analysis Foundation, a nonprofit. Each has pursued a dogged national screening and treatment campaign. Spread through the blood including IV drug use, hepatitis C causes liver inflammation, though people may not display symptoms for years. Only a fraction of Americans with the virus are aware of the infection, even as many develop the fatal disease.

Organizations: Center, Disease Analysis Locations: Egypt, Canada, Australia, United States

☆ The Technique Reshaping Organ Transplantation
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Ted Alcorn | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

On some level, the human liver in the operating room at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago was alive. Blood circulating through its tissues delivered oxygen and removed waste products, and the organ produced bile and proteins that are essential to the body. The organ owed its vitality to this machine, which was preserving it for transplantation into a needy patient. Surgeons are experimenting with organs from genetically modified animals, hinting at a future when they could be a source for transplants. But the field is already undergoing a paradigm shift, driven by technologies in widespread use that allow clinicians to temporarily store organs outside the body.

Persons: “, ”, Daniel Borja Organizations: Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Surgeons Locations: Chicago

☆ Paid Family Caregivers in Indiana Face Steep Cutbacks
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Ted Alcorn | Kaiti Sullivan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

She’s a paid caregiver and simply rolls out of bed to tend to her charge: her 2-year-old son, who sleeps in a portable playpen right beside her. Sonny was born with a congenital malformation that impaired his brain development and needs near continuous care simply to breathe and eat. Ms. Poynter left her job at a call center when she brought him home from the hospital and has nursed him ever since rather than relying on aides or institutions. Indiana’s Medicaid program has paid her for this labor of love. During the coronavirus pandemic, states received a huge infusion of federal money — money that’s now drying up, leaving Indiana, and many other states, facing tough choices about how to plug the gaping holes in their budgets.

Persons: Kacey Poynter doesn’t, She’s, Sonny, Poynter, “ It’s, ” Locations: Indiana

☆ Wind turbines are annoyingly loud. The secrets of owl flight could provide a solution.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Emily Swaim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

To help solve this issue, Biome Renewables has crafted a quieter wind turbine modeled after owl wings. How owls can help make quieter wind turbinesOwls are master hunters in part because of how quietly they spring up on prey. The researchers found that the fringed wing was up to 6.5 dB quieter than the bare wing, depending on the angle of flight. At these frequencies, Church said the FeatherEdge is 3.9 dB quieter than a standard serrated edge blade, and over 5 dB quieter than a completely bare blade. Due to regulations around wind farm noise in the US, wind turbines often run in a noise-reduction mode, which costs a lot of energy.

Persons: —, Ryan Church, Spikes, Anton Frunze, Church, Jonathan Alcorn, It's Organizations: Service, Business, Reinhardt, Getty, Reuters Locations: North America, Europe

☆ Your Inhalers and EpiPens Aren’t Very Healthy for the Environment
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Ted Alcorn | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

An example of a plastic single-use injector at Battelle, a research nonprofit working on refining and reducing plastic use and waste, in Columbus, Ohio. Credit... Andrew Spear for The New York Times

Persons: Andrew Spear Organizations: Battelle, Credit, The New York Locations: Columbus , Ohio

☆ Can Your Personal Medical Devices Be Recycled?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Ted Alcorn | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Most of the plastic in your medicine cabinet is high-quality, medical grade — and devilishly difficult to safely dispose of, let alone recycle. Some at-home medical products, like needles that have come into contact with bodily fluids, should not even be relegated to household trash. They also sell special containers for shipping used, discarded needles and medical waste to sites for safe disposal. But when it comes to recycling plastic devices, from asthma inhalers to insulin and allergy pens, people may find themselves ping-ponging around without a solution. Some states recommend inquiring with local pharmacies, which in turn recommend checking with municipal recycling facilities.

Organizations: New York state’s Department of Environmental Conservation, Walgreens, CVS Health Locations: New

☆ Uncle Sam just overhauled the H-1B visa lottery, and that's good news for startups
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Melia Russell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewA new reform to the US H-1B visa program aims to ring out some of the uncertainty for migrant workers and employers. Each year, tens of thousands of foreign nationals wind up at venture-backed companies through the employment-based visa program. However, obtaining an H-1B visa remains challenging due to high demand. Data shows much of the increase was due to a record-breaking number of employers submitting multiple H-1B registrations for the same person. "This led to many individuals being entered into the lottery multiple times, through different companies, and ultimately decreasing the odds of being selected in the lottery," Finkelman said.

Persons: —, Jason Finkelman, Finkelman, USCIS, Sophie Alcorn, Alcorn Organizations: Service, Immigration Services, Business, Tech Locations: Austin, Hyderabad, Beijing, Silicon Valley

☆ Coast Guard searching for cruise ship crew member believed to have gone overboard near Puerto Rico, the second such incident within 48 hours
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

An MSC Cruise crew member is missing and believed to have gone overboard a ship on Tuesday. The Coast Guard is searching the waters near Puerto Rico for the 30-year-old man. AdvertisementThe Coast Guard is searching for a missing crew member believed to have gone overboard an MSC cruise ship on Tuesday evening. Officials are looking for a 30-year-old man of Indian nationality in waters north of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, the Coast Guard said in a Wednesday press release. The time between someone going overboard and the cruise ship launching a search-and-rescue mission can often be the difference between life and death.

Persons: —, Cody Alcorn, KndanB6xeO — Cody Alcorn, Tyler Barnett, Elisha Reid, Barnett didn't Organizations: MSC Cruise, Coast Guard, Service, Guard, MSC, MSC Seascape, MSC Cruises, Cayman, Security, Safety, Business Locations: Puerto Rico, New Orleans, Aguadilla , Puerto Rico, San Juan , Puerto Rico, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Atlanta, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Mexico

☆ Inside Goldman Sachs' exclusive training program for HBCU students that can result in $1 million in prize money and a prestigious job
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Emmalyse Brownstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Goldman Sachs has done this program each year since. How does the program work? All finalist teams on stage at the 2023 competition at Goldman Sachs' headquarters. "Something that we look for in all candidates at Goldman Sachs: What is your innovative and creative spirit?" Megan Hogan of Goldman Sachs courtesy of Goldman SachsWhat's the formula for success once accepted?

Persons: Taylor Weekes, That's, Weekes, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, —, who's, Zachariah Smith, Megan Hogan, David Solomon, Proctor, Hogan, you've, Smith, hadn't, " Smith, they've, it's Organizations: Howard University, Morehouse College, Alcorn State University Delaware State University Fisk University Florida A, M University Hampton University Howard University Morehouse College Morgan State University North Carolina, T, Prairie View, M University Spelman College Texas Southern University, Goldman, Gamble, L'Oreal, Pepsi, Wall Street, Wall, Black Locations: York, we're

☆ US companies unveil hiring plans ahead of holiday shopping season
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/3] Shoppers wait in line at Target on the Thanksgiving Day holiday in Burbank, California, November 22, 2012. REUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 18 (Reuters) - U.S. companies plan to hire thousands to boost staffing in their warehouses and distribution centers as they prepare for the crucial holiday shopping season. Hiring of seasonal workers by U.S. retailers is set to drop to levels last seen in 2008, according to a report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, while holiday sales are estimated to grow at their slowest pace in five years. Here is a list of companies that have announced hiring plans for this holiday season:Reporting by Savyata Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj KalluvilaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jonathan Alcorn, Savyata Mishra, Sriraj Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Challenger, Thomson Locations: Target, Burbank , California, Bengaluru

☆ Target to hire 100,000 workers, start holiday promotions in October
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Shoppers wait in line at Target on the Thanksgiving Day holiday in Burbank, California, November 22, 2012. REUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 19 (Reuters) - Target (TGT.N) said on Tuesday it would hire nearly 100,000 employees for the holiday season, a number that has been consistent over the last two years, and offer discounts as early as October to attract inflation-weary shoppers. In 2022, Amazon.com (AMZN.O) had announced plans to hire 150,000 employees across its operations for the holiday season, while retail bellwether Walmart (WMT.N) had said it would add 40,000 workers in seasonal and full-time roles. Macy's said on Monday it would hire more than 38,000 full and part-time seasonal workers, fewer than the 41,000 workers it had announced to hire in 2022. In a bid to draw shoppers, Target said it would start offering items under $25 across categories including apparel, home goods, and essentials and was hosting a "Deal of the Day" program starting October.

Persons: Jonathan Alcorn, Macy's, Steve Sadove, Ananya Mariam Rajesh, Deborah Sophia, Rashmi Aich, Anil D'Silva Organizations: REUTERS, Mastercard, Challenger, Walmart, Thomson Locations: Target, Burbank , California, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ U.S. retailers unveil hiring plans ahead of holiday shopping season
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/3] Shoppers wait in line at Target on the Thanksgiving Day holiday in Burbank, California, November 22, 2012. REUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 19 (Reuters) - U.S. retailers plan to hire thousands to boost staffing in their warehouses and distribution centers as they prepare for the crucial holiday shopping season. Hiring of seasonal workers by U.S. retailers is set to drop to levels last seen in 2008, according to a report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, while holiday sales are estimated to grow at their slowest pace in five years. Here is a list of companies that have announced hiring plans for this holiday season:Reporting by Savyata Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj KalluvilaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jonathan Alcorn, Savyata Mishra, Sriraj Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Challenger, Thomson Locations: Target, Burbank , California, Bengaluru

Shoppers wait in line at Target on the Thanksgiving Day holiday in Burbank, California, November 22, 2012. REUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 19 (Reuters) - Target (TGT.N) said on Tuesday it would hire nearly 100,000 employees for the holiday season, like in the past two years, and start offering discounts for the festive period as early as October. However, Amazon.com (AMZN.O) on Tuesday announced plans to hire 250,000 workers for the holiday season, higher than the 150,000 it planned to bring in last year. Macy's said on Monday it would hire more than 38,000 full and part-time seasonal workers, fewer than the 41,000 workers it had announced to hire in 2022. Major retailers, including Target, have warned of a hit to profit resulting from inventory theft.

Persons: Jonathan Alcorn, Macy's, Jessica Ramirez, Jane Hali, Sarah Henry, Henry, Ananya Mariam Rajesh, Deborah Sophia, Arun Koyyur, Anil D'Silva Organizations: REUTERS, Mastercard, Challenger, Tuesday, Retail bellwether Walmart, Associates, Target, Logan Capital Management, Thomson Locations: Target, Burbank , California, United States, Bengaluru

[1/2] Cars are shown lined up at the valet parking area outside the Creative Artists Agency building in Los Angeles, California, September 24, 2012. REUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Sept 7 (Reuters) - French luxury goods billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault has reached an agreement for a majority stake in Creative Artists Agency (CAA), adding Hollywood's premiere talent agency to his family empire which spans fashion, wine and contemporary art, parties involved said on Tuesday. The presence of stars like Beyonce, Zendaya and Rihanna have become key to drawing the spotlight to fashion shows, and Kering's larger rival LVMH(LVMH.PA) recruited Pharrell Williams to head menswear designs for Louis Vuitton. TPG first invested in CAA in 2010 and, in 2014, increased its stake to 53% in a deal valuing the agency at $1.1 billion. Global investment firm Temasek will remain a minority investor in the agency while CMC Capital will remain a "strategic partner", according to a statement.

Persons: Jonathan Alcorn, Francois, Henri Pinault, Pinault, Gucci, Beyonce, Zendaya, Rihanna, Pharrell Williams, Louis Vuitton, Pinault's, Salma Hayek, Valentino, perfumer, Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane, Richard Lovett, Lourd, Sudip Kar, Mimosa Spencer, Dawn Chmielewski, Jonathan Oatis, Tomasz Janowski, Timothy Gardner Organizations: Creative Artists Agency, REUTERS, Rights, CAA, Artemis, TPG, Global, CMC Capital, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Temasek, Paris

[1/2] Cars are shown lined up at the valet parking area outside the Creative Artists Agency building in Los Angeles, California, September 24, 2012. REUTERS/Jonathan AlcornJuly 14 (Reuters) - Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is in advanced talks to sell a majority stake to French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault in a deal that could value the Hollywood talent agency at over $7 billion, according to a person familiar with the matter. CAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and spokespeople for Pinault and for TPG declined to comment. In 2021, CAA announced a deal to buy major Hollywood rival ICM Partners. Bloomberg first reported the talks between Pinault and CAA.

Persons: Jonathan Alcorn, Francois, Henri Pinault, Pinault, Kering, Salma Hayek, Tom Hanks, Zendaya, Steven Spielberg, Ariana Grande, Beyonce, Gursimran Kaur, Jyoti Narayan, Rishabh, Muralikumar Anantharaman, John Stonestreet Organizations: Creative Artists Agency, REUTERS, Hollywood, Gucci, TPG, CAA, ICM Partners, Bloomberg, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, Los Angeles, Pinault, Bengaluru

☆ 6 key Disney executives working with Bob Iger to remake former CEO Bob Chapek's business structure
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Lucia Moses | Alison Brower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Disney CEO Bob Iger has returned to a company facing significant pressures on its linear and streaming businesses. He'll also need to unwind the business structure implemented in 2020 by his short-lived predecessor, Bob Chapek — which separated budgeting and distribution decisions from creative content development. Alan Bergman, chairman, Disney Studios ContentAlan Bergman. Disney Interactive/Reuters/Jonathan AlcornPitaro is close to Iger, has a long tenure at Disney, and has a foot in both creative and business sides. Dana Walden, chairman, Disney General Entertainment ContentDana Walden.

☆ Shell, Exxon face delays in exiting California oilfield
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO: Petroleum pump jacks are pictured in the Kern River oil field in Bakersfield, California November 9, 2014. The closing is expected by the end of the first quarter next year, said Patrick Evans, a spokesperson for IKAV. Shell owns a 51.8% stake and Exxon the remainder of the 25-year-old Bakersfield, California, venture that pumped about 95,000 barrels of oil and gas per day last year. A Shell spokesperson confirmed the delay. Shell has said it faces a $300 million to $400 million impairment charge on the deal.

☆ Tech layoffs send visa holders on frantic search for employment to avoid deportation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Annie Palmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Workers on temporary visas often have 60 to 90 days to find a new gig so they can avoid being deported. More than 50,000 tech workers were let go from their jobs in November, according to data collected by the website Layoffs.fyi. A search for "layoffs H1B" on LinkedIn surfaces a stream of posts from workers who recently lost their jobs and are expressing concern about the 60-day unemployment window. An engineer who was recently laid off by gene-sequencing technology company Illumina said he hoped his employer would sponsor his transfer to an H-1B visa. WATCH: Tech layoffs double from October to November

☆ Today's Google Doodle features a Silicon Valley trailblazer who knew Steve Jobs and Wozniak—and 'was not impressed with them'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Tom Huddleston Jr. | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Today's Google Doodle highlights a little-known piece of Silicon Valley history. The animation recognizes tech and gaming pioneer Jerry Lawson, one of the few Black engineers working in the tech industry in the 1970s. The console was a flop with consumers, but it changed the gaming industry forever by featuring the first-ever removable video game cartridges. A different figure from those early tech days made a much larger impression on Lawson: Allan Alcorn, creator of the iconic video game "Pong." The conversation prompted Lawson to start building his own coin-operated video game in his garage, called "Demolition Derby."

☆ Tornadoes reported as storms cause flooding, damage across the South
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

The National Weather Service confirmed that tornadoes hit the ground in Mississippi on Tuesday evening and Alabama was in the forecast path of the storms during the overnight hours. The national Storm Prediction Center said in its storm outlook that affected cities could include New Orleans; Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee; and Birmingham, Alabama. Additional reports of property damage near Columbus were received by the Weather Service, according to Lance Perrilloux, a forecaster with the agency. Craig Ceecee, a meteorologist at Mississippi State University, peered out at “incredibly black” skies through the door of a tornado shelter in Starkville. The National Weather Service reported nearly 4 inches of snow on the ground at the airport by noon.

☆ 6 Disney executives Bob Iger will trust to drive his new strategy as he radically remakes the business structure implemented by former CEO Bob Chapek
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Lucia Moses | Alison Brower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The returning CEO will have to unwind the business structure implemented by Bob Chapek while finding a successor. Disney CEO Bob Iger returns to a company facing significant pressures on its linear and streaming businesses. He'll also need to unwind the business structure implemented in 2020 by his short-lived predecessor, Bob Chapek — which separated budgeting and distribution decisions from creative content development. Alan Bergman, chairman, Disney Studios ContentAlan Bergman. Dana Walden, chairman, Disney General Entertainment ContentDana Walden.

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