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Accelerated Model of Age-Related Muscle Loss in Microgravity Could Lead to New Sarcopenia Treatments

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ISS National Lab Enables Valuable Muscle Tissue Chip Studies in Microgravity

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., Oct. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — According to the World Health Organization, more than 50 million people around the world have sarcopenia. This age-related condition causes loss of muscle mass, strength, and function and increases the risk of falls and bone fractures. Currently, the only treatment for sarcopenia is exercise. Through ISS National Lab-sponsored research, University of Florida researchers successfully modeled age-related muscle loss using tissue chips in microgravity. The model can be used to test new treatments and study sarcopenia in ways not possible on Earth.

The team’s research is detailed in an article in the latest issue of Upward, official magazine of the ISS National Lab. Principal investigator Siobhan Malany, associate professor in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Florida, commented on the value of space-based research in Upward, saying, “Through insight we gather from microgravity, we can understand not just the end result of [sarcopenia], but really look at the progressive change in young and old cells to see what happens as cells age.”

Age-related muscle changes are hard to study because they happen slowly over decades. In microgravity, muscle deterioration is accelerated, allowing researchers to analyze muscle loss on a much quicker timescale. In a series of investigations funded by the National Institutes of Health, the team developed a muscle tissue chip system and tested whether microgravity-induced muscle loss in space mimics age-related muscle loss on Earth. The tissue chips contained muscle bundles engineered using skeletal muscle cells from young, active adults and older, sedentary individuals. Some tissue chips also contained electrodes that delivered electrical stimulation to induce contraction in the muscle bundles. 

Results showed that in microgravity, several genes associated with human muscle aging on Earth were upregulated (had increased expression) in the tissue chips containing cells from young active adults. These findings validate that the space-based muscle tissue chip system provides an accurate model of age-related muscle loss. The system provides a valuable new tool for researchers to improve their understanding of sarcopenia and test new potential therapeutics. 

Initial findings were published in npj Microgravity, and the team is currently working on several additional publications. Malany recently received an award for these compelling results at the 2024 ISS Research and Development Conference.

See how Malany and her team are using muscle tissue chips in space to help people with sarcopenia on Earth in the Upward feature, “The Beauty of Accelerated Aging.”

Download a high-resolution photo for this release: preparing hardware for flight

About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory:
The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory® allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space™ (CASIS™) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CASIS accepts corporate and individual donations to help advance science in space for the benefit of humanity. For more information, visit our donations page.

Media Contact:         

Patrick O’Neill 

904-806-0035 

PONeill@ISSNationalLab.org

 

International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory
Managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. (CASIS)

6905 N. Wickham Rd., Suite 500, Melbourne, FL 32940 • 321.253.5101 • www.ISSNationalLab.org

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/accelerated-model-of-age-related-muscle-loss-in-microgravity-could-lead-to-new-sarcopenia-treatments-302278260.html

SOURCE International Space Station National Lab

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Redactable awarded $1.9 million dollar U.S. Air Force contract for its AI-powered redaction software

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A year after its $1.25 million award, Redactable is awarded a $1.9 million contract increase with additional customers.

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Redactable announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) of $1.9 million for its AI-driven redaction software to protect sensitive documents. This contract increase has been awarded only a year after its initial Phase II contract. Redactable has gained Headquarters Air Force (HAF/JAI) and 18th Air Force Judge Advocate as new customers. This latest contract will allow Redactable to expand its capabilities and further the defense mission need of automating business processes using AI.

About Redactable

Redactable is a web-based application built to redact confidential documents from any browser. The proprietary software leverages Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning technology to auto-detect sensitive information in documents. By delivering secure redaction, document scrubbing, and AI-driven workflows, Redactable is the gold standard in redaction software. For more information, visit: www.redactable.com

About Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)

Sole organization leading the planning and execution of U.S. Air Force & U.S. Space Force science & technology programs. Orchestrates a world-wide government, industry & academia coalition in the discovery, development & delivery of a wide range of revolutionary technology. Provides leading-edge warfighting capabilities keeping air, space and cyberspace forces the world’s best. Employs 10,800 military, civilian and contractor personnel at 17 research sites executing an annual $4B budget. For more information, visit: www.afresearchlab.com.

About AFWERX

The innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory brings cutting edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. Employs approximately 325 military, civilian and contractor personnel at six hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4B budget. Since 2019, has executed 4,671 contracts worth more than $2B to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: www.afwerx.com.

Media Contact

Amanda Levay, Redactable Inc., 1 917-938-7399, hello@redactable.com, https://www.redactable.com 

Twitter, LinkedIn

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/redactable-awarded-1-9-million-dollar-us-air-force-contract-for-its-ai-powered-redaction-software-302278925.html

SOURCE Redactable Inc.

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The Government of Canada Announces Funding for Emissions Reduction Alberta Through the Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program

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CALGARY, AB, Oct. 17, 2024 /CNW/ – The Government of Canada is committed to maximizing energy performance and reducing greenhouse gas emissions while helping industry gain a competitive edge.  

Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson announced a federal investment of $40 million from the Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program (GIFMP) to Emissions Reduction Alberta. This funding will help to develop and manage a province-wide program for industry to become more cost- and energy-efficient.

Funding will support Emissions Reduction Alberta’s $50-Million Strategic Energy Management for Industry (SEMI) program, which will provide industrial and manufacturing facilities with expertise and training in energy management.  Industrial participants will be given the opportunity to increase profitability by reducing energy costs and to take advantage of funding to help cover the cost of capital retrofits for industrial process equipment. An additional $10 million was invested by the Government of Alberta for Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Strategic Energy Management for Industry program.   

As Canada advances toward a net-zero future, investments like these are key to minimizing emissions while maximizing industry competitiveness. Today’s investment supports workers and industry in Alberta on the road toward a prosperous and clean future.

Quotes

“Energy efficiency means cost savings for Canadian business. Supporting Canadian industrial facilities with their efficiency targets is a necessary step toward improving competitiveness in the global economy. We are pleased to play a part in launching Emissions Reduction Alberta’s innovative Strategic Energy Management for Industry (SEMI) program, which helps strengthen the knowledge and expertise that Alberta industries need to keep energy-efficient and competitive. Through investments like the $40 million we are providing for SEMI, the federal government is helping provinces, territories and industry in their goal to seize the financial opportunities of a clean economy.”

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“Improving the efficiency of industrial and manufacturing processes and facilities is the quickest, most cost-effective way to lower energy bills and stay competitive. But it takes knowledge, expertise, training and capital. With SEMI, Alberta companies now have even more opportunity to invest in energy- and cost-saving technologies, right here in the province.” 

Justin Riemer
CEO, Emissions Reduction Alberta  

“ERA’s SEMI program represents a pivotal opportunity for industry to further our collective mission of enhancing environmental performance and operational efficiency. By providing the necessary financial support, this program will enable companies to invest in advanced technologies and practices that significantly reduce emissions and improve efficiency and energy management solutions to contribute to a more sustainable future.” 

Grant Wilde
Board Chair, Spartan Controls and BlueMarvelValidator  

“Reducing greenhouse emissions through energy efficiency is a powerful way industries can make a mark on reducing their carbon footprint while reducing energy costs. The SEMI program is an ideal opportunity for industries seeking to decarbonize through energy management and retrofits. At Lafarge, we have benefited from long standing support from ERA, and we are excited to see new opportunities put forward in energy management and conservation.” 

Stephanie Voysey
Head of Sustainability and Environment, Lafarge, Western Canada 

Quick Facts

Canada’s industrial sectors represented about 3,650 petajoules (PJ), or more than 40 percent, of Canada’s total energy use in 2021.

Related Information

Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing ProgramEmissions Reduction Alberta – SEMI program

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

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Discover OPNsense Business Edition 24.10: Advanced Firewall Solutions for Businesses

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Deciso B.V., the company behind the acclaimed OPNsense firewall and routing platform, is excited to announce the release of OPNsense Business Edition 24.10. This latest version brings significant enhancements and new features designed to empower businesses with advanced network security and management solutions.

MIDDELHARNIS, Netherlands, Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Introducing OPNsense Business Edition OPNsense is an open-source firewall and routing platform renowned for its reliability, rich feature set, and user-friendly interface. Trusted by organizations worldwide, OPNsense combines cutting-edge technology with a focus on security and performance. The Business Edition elevates this with enhanced stability, exclusive features, and rigorous testing tailored to meet professional needs.

“The release of OPNsense Business Edition 24.10 represents our commitment to providing businesses with powerful and easy-to-use network security solutions,” said Jos Schellevis, CTO of Deciso B.V.

Why Choose OPNsense Business Edition

Businesses opt for OPNsense Business Edition due to its:

Enhanced Stability and Reliability: Rigorous testing ensures a robust networking platform.Exclusive Enterprise Features: Advanced tools offer greater control.Security Compliance: Adherence to stringent standards, including LINCE compliance, suitable for high-security environments.

Highlights of OPNsense Business Edition 24.10

The 24.10 release introduces key improvements and new features enhancing performance, security, and user experience:

• Revamped User Interface and Dashboard – A modernized dashboard with streaming widgets provides real-time insights and intuitive navigation, streamlining system monitoring and management.

• Integrated ZFS Snapshot Support via GUI/API – Simplifies data backup and recovery, enhancing data integrity and system resilience.

• Advanced Networking Features – Improved configuration and management of GRE and GIF tunnels facilitate better network segmentation and flexibility.

• Enhanced VPN Capabilities

+ WireGuard QR Code Generator: Simplifies VPN setup across multiple devices.

+ Dynamic IPsec VTI Tunnel Support: Enables flexible and scalable VPN Configurations.

+ Experimental OpenVPN DCO Support: Offers improved VPN performance by offloading encryption tasks to the kernel.

• Improved Trust and Security Management – Enhanced certificate handling and streamlined trust operations through System Trust MVC/API support bolster network security.

• Performance Optimizations and Bug Fixes – System optimizations and fixes improve overall stability and performance.

Empowering Businesses with Advanced Networking Solutions

“The release of OPNsense Business Edition 24.10 represents our commitment to providing businesses with powerful and easy-to-use network security solutions,” said Jos Schellevis, CTO of Deciso B.V. “We are dedicated to empowering organizations to manage their network infrastructure with greater control, enhanced security, and operational efficiency.”

About OPNsense

OPNsense is a versatile, open-source firewall and routing platform based on FreeBSD. It combines a wealth of features with a modern, easy-to-use interface, making it the preferred choice for businesses seeking a powerful and cost-effective networking solution.

About LINCE Compliance

OPNsense Business Edition’s LINCE compliance verifies that it meets rigorous security criteria, making it ideal for use in government, defense, and other high-security environments.

About Deciso B.V.

Founded in 2000, Deciso B.V. is a leading manufacturer of networking hardware and a contributor to open-source software projects. The company is dedicated to delivering innovative products that empower organizations to build secure and efficient network infrastructures.

Get Started Today

Discover how OPNsense Business Edition 24.10 can transform your network infrastructure.

Visit shop.opnsense.com/product/opnsense-business-edition/ to obtain your subscription and begin benefiting from a superior level of security and compliance.

Media Contact

Jos Schellevis, Deciso B.V., 31 187744020, sales@deciso.com, https://www.deciso.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/discover-opnsense-business-edition-24-10-advanced-firewall-solutions-for-businesses-302279616.html

SOURCE Deciso B.V.

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