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Ig Nobel Prize Awarded to Takanori Takebe for “Butt-Breathing” Study

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4 months ago

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Go ahead, crack a joke. Butt seriously, this research from an expert at Cincinnati Children’s and the Tokyo Medical and Dental University might save lives someday by helping people when they cannot get enough oxygen via their lungs

CINCINNATI, Sept. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On one hand, Takanori Takebe, MD, PhD, would prefer to be remembered for his multiple breakthrough contributions to organoid medicine. However, he may never be forgotten for his work to demonstrate that people can “breathe” through their butts.

Takebe’s unusual insight about an alternative way to deliver oxygen to the bloodstream inspired headlines when a successful animal-model study was featured in June 2021 on the cover of the journal Med. His team’s findings have since attracted attention from media outlets including the New York Times, New York Post, Science NOW, and the Canada-based science television show  “The Nature of Things.”

Now, Takebe has received the ultimate snarky scientific honor: an Ig Nobel Prize.

This satiric prize has been awarded to 10 researchers each year since 1991 by the scientific humor magazine Annals of Improbable Research to “honor achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think.” This year’s prizes were presented Sept. 12, 2024, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology by actual Nobel Prize laureates.

Takebe is a native of Japan who holds academic posts in Tokyo and the United States. At Cincinnati Children’s, Takebe is Director for Commercial Innovation at the Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Research and Medicine (CuSTOM). In Japan, he is a professor with the Tokyo Medical and Dental University’s Institute of Research.

On the side, he began thinking several years ago about an odd, eel-like fish called a loach. Sometimes this freshwater bottom-dweller can wind up in water that’s running low on oxygen. When this occurs, the fish augments water-breathing via its gills by gulping surface air directly to its intestines.

What if people could do something similar?  Well, it appears quite possible.

“There are multiple health conditions including respiratory distress in newborn patients that can threaten lives by disrupting our lungs’ ability to transfer oxygen to the bloodstream. These include injuries or inflammation affecting the airway, pneumonia filling the lungs with fluid, and so on. During the COVID pandemic, many patients suffered in part because there was a global shortage of ventilators and limited accessibility to ECMO,” says Takebe. “Enteric ventilation could serve as an important alternative oxygen delivery route. Further confirmation is needed by our initial studies indicate that our ventilation system is capable of supporting patients experiencing severe respiratory failure.”

The butt-breathing concept involves delivering a liquid (called a perfluorocarbon) that can be loaded with much more oxygen than water normally carries.  When delivered through a rectal tube, the lower intestine can absorb oxygen from the liquid and send it directly into the bloodstream—much like receiving an enema.  

Takebe and colleagues have shown that this method has helped rodents and porcine models survive low-oxygen conditions that would otherwise be fatal.  

Since the initial studies, Takebe and colleagues have co-founded a start-up company called EVA Therapeutics, Inc., to further pursue human clinical trials in Japan. In June 2024, the company announced providing its first dose to a healthy human participant.

More research is needed to evaluate and fine-tune the delivery system, particularly for sick people in multiple settings. Goals include learning how much oxygen can be reliably delivered, for how long, and whether receiving the liquid poses any unforeseen risks.

The good news: Takebe’s Ig Nobel honor comes with a monetary prize to carry on the work–a single banknote worth 100 trillion Zimbabwean dollars. Ig Nobel officials say that adds up to about 40 cents in U.S. currency.

Learn more about Takebe’s work

Learn How Enteral Ventilation Concept Got Started

Read More About Organoid Research at Cincinnati Children’s

Watch an Employee Video About Dr. Takebe

Media Contact:
Tim Bonfield 
Cincinnati Children’s
Timothy.bonfield@cchmc.org 

 

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SOURCE Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

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KNEX Technology CTO Gustavo Gonzalez Elected 2025 President-Elect of OATUG

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January 11, 2025

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Gustavo Gonzalez, KNEX Technology’s CTO, has been elected 2025 President-Elect of OATUG, emphasizing his dedication to Oracle innovation, collaboration, and leadership, including Ascend 2025’s strategic initiatives.

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — KNEX Technology, a leading Oracle Cloud solutions provider, is proud to announce that its Chief Technology Officer, Gustavo Gonzalez, has been elected as the 2025 President-Elect of the Oracle Applications & Technology Users Group (OATUG). This esteemed appointment highlights Gonzalez’s longstanding commitment to advancing innovation and collaboration within the Oracle community.

OATUG has played a pivotal role in my professional growth, and it is a privilege to contribute to this community which has enriched my career. As President-Elect, I look forward to collaborating with my peers to strengthen the Oracle user community and further its impact on businesses worldwide.

In his new role, Gonzalez will work closely with the OATUG leadership team throughout 2025, preparing to serve as OATUG President in 2026. He will focus on empowering Oracle professionals worldwide by fostering knowledge-sharing, community engagement, and professional development. OATUG, a globally recognized organization, supports its members in overcoming challenges, enhancing the value of Oracle solutions, and driving organizational success.

“OATUG has played a pivotal role in my professional growth, and it is a privilege to contribute to this community which has enriched my career,” said Gustavo Gonzalez. “As President-Elect, I look forward to collaborating with my peers to strengthen the Oracle user community and further its impact on businesses worldwide.”

Gonzalez’s election underscores his dedication to giving back to the Oracle ecosystem. A key focus of his role will include shaping OATUG’s strategic initiatives, such as the annual Ascend Conference, which unites Oracle users, thought leaders, and technology innovators for unparalleled learning and networking opportunities.

The upcoming Ascend 2025 Conference, scheduled for June 8–11 in Orlando, Florida, promises to build on the success of the 2024 event, which attracted more than 1,800 attendees. With early bird registration now open, Gonzalez aims to ensure the conference continues to deliver transformative insights and experiences for the Oracle community.

About OATUG

The Oracle Applications & Technology Users Group (OATUG) is the premier global organization for Oracle users, providing year-round education, networking, and advocacy. OATUG empowers its members to unlock the full potential of Oracle solutions, fostering innovation and collaboration across industries.

About KNEX Technology

KNEX Technology is a trusted leader in Oracle Cloud solutions, delivering cutting-edge products and services to help businesses achieve their objectives. Through its innovative approach and customer-focused strategies, KNEX enables organizations to navigate the complexities of today’s technology landscape. For more information, visit www.knextech.com.

Media Contact

Husna Gyasi, KNEX Technology, 1 (949) 232-0786, husna.ghayaisi@knextech.com, https://knextech.com/

Twitter, LinkedIn

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/knex-technology-cto-gustavo-gonzalez-elected-2025-president-elect-of-oatug-302347693.html

SOURCE KNEX Technology

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Dr. Gerard van Belle Appointed Director of Science at Lowell Observatory, Charting a Bold Future for Research

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2 hours ago

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January 11, 2025

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Dr. van Belle to guide scientific exploration and foster innovation in the next era of astronomical research

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lowell Observatory is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Gerard van Belle as the new Director of Science. Van Belle, who has been an astronomer at the observatory since 2011, has been serving as the interim Director of Science.

In his new role, van Belle will lead a diverse team of astronomers and planetary scientists. He will spearhead the observatory’s new Science Vision, which focuses on advancing research capabilities and implementing cutting-edge technological improvements supporting Lowell’s leadership in astronomical research.

Under his leadership, the science department will continue to advance Lowell Observatory’s mission to pursue the study of astronomy, including the study of our solar system and its evolution, and to conduct pure research in astrophysical phenomena.

Van Belle’s own research focuses on fundamental stellar parameters, including the sizes, shapes, masses, distances, and temperatures of various types of stars. He is also renowned for his expertise in optical and near-infrared astronomical interferometry.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from Whitman College in 1990, followed by a master’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University in 1993, and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Wyoming in 1996.

Throughout his career, van Belle has been instrumental in the development and commissioning of major optical interferometers worldwide, including the Palomar Testbed Interferometer, the Keck Interferometer, and the Very Large Telescope Interferometer. His pioneering work in stellar surface imaging earned him the inaugural Edward Stone Award for Outstanding Research Publication at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 2002.

In 2011, van Belle joined Lowell Observatory’s science staff, where he applied high-resolution astronomical techniques to detect nearby exoplanets and map stellar surfaces. He served as the Director of the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer (NPOI) in Flagstaff, Arizona, from 2017 to 2018, and subsequently as its Chief Scientist until 2022.

Notably, van Belle was among the astronomers who voted against the definition of ‘planet’ advanced during the 2006 International Astronomical Union (IAU) conference in Prague, which relegated Pluto to being a ‘dwarf planet’ (which according to the IAU resolution is not a planet).

His extensive experience and dedication to advancing astronomical research make him a valuable leader for Lowell Observatory’s scientific endeavors.

“I am honored to take on this role at such a pivotal time for Lowell Observatory,” said van Belle. “Our Science Vision will guide us in exploring new frontiers in astronomy while strengthening our commitment to public engagement and education.”

Executive Director Dr. Amanda Bosh expressed her confidence in van Belle’s leadership: “Gerard’s extensive experience and dedication to our mission make him the ideal person to lead our scientific endeavors. I look forward to working closely with him as we embark on this exciting new chapter for Lowell Observatory.”

For more information about Lowell Observatory’s research and public programs, visit lowell.edu.

About Lowell Observatory
Founded in 1894, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, is a renowned nonprofit research institution. It is the site of historic and groundbreaking discoveries, including the first evidence of the expanding universe and the discovery of Pluto. Today, Lowell’s astronomers utilize global ground-based and space telescopes, along with NASA spacecraft, for diverse astronomical and planetary science research. The observatory hosts more than 100,000 visitors annually for educational tours, presentations, and telescope viewing through a suite of world-class public telescopes.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dr-gerard-van-belle-appointed-director-of-science-at-lowell-observatory-charting-a-bold-future-for-research-302348440.html

SOURCE Lowell Observatory

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ALTICE USA IS ABANDONING LOCAL SPORTS FANS AND IS KEEPING MSG NETWORKS AND ITS KNICKS, RANGERS, ISLANDERS AND DEVILS COVERAGE OFF THE AIR

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3 hours ago

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January 10, 2025

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NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MSG Networks released the following statement about their dispute with Altice USA:

“Altice USA has pulled their last proposal and walked away from negotiations to bring MSG Networks back to its Optimum subscribers. They also just dropped WPIX Channel 11 in New York and other local stations around the country. If you have been waiting, like we have, for them to do right by their customers – don’t wait any longer. Now is the time to switch to Verizon Fios who has a special offer for Optimum subscribers. Meanwhile, Optimum has been charging their over 1 million customers for local sports programming they have not been receiving and EVERY subscriber should be credited at least $10 a month.

Verizon Fios is ready to take your business. If you are not in Verizon Fios area, you can get games through these other providers DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo and The Gotham Sports App. For more options on how to switch providers, visit www.keepMSG.com.”

About MSG Networks

MSG Networks, a pioneer in sports media, owns and operates two award-winning regional sports and entertainment networks (MSG and MSG Sportsnet) and MSG+, a direct-to-consumer and authenticated streaming offering (included in the Gotham Sports App), that serve the nation’s number one media market, the New York DMA, as well as other portions of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The networks feature a wide range of compelling sports content, including exclusive live local games and other programming of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres, as well as significant coverage of the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. This content, in addition to a diverse array of other sporting events and critically acclaimed original programming, has established MSG Networks as the gold standard in regional sports. MSG Networks is part of the Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR).

Contact:

Dan Schoenberg (dan.schoenberg@msg.com)

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/altice-usa-is-abandoning-local-sports-fans-and-is-keeping-msg-networks-and-its-knicks-rangers-islanders-and-devils-coverage-off-the-air-302348428.html

SOURCE Sphere Entertainment Co.

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