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Clarkson University Researchers Discover Harmful Algal Bloom Mitigation Alternative That Causes Less Pollution

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POTSDAM, N.Y., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A research team at Clarkson University recently published a study about a plant based alternative to traditional chemical methods of combating Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).

The study, published by Clarkson University chemical engineering graduate students Temitope Orimolade and Ngoc-Tram Le, along with undergraduate student Lyle Trimble, has been featured on the cover of the peer-reviewed journal, Soft Matter.

The team’s research focuses on using Moringa oleifera to combat the cyanobacterium that causes HABs—known as Microcystis aeruginosa—and comparing it to the traditional chemical method of using aluminum salts.

HABs caused by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) exhibit enormous threats to human health, animals, and aquatic ecosystems.

Microcystis aeruginosa cells—the cyanobacterium that causes HABs—contain a family of potent toxins known as microcystins, which can cause negative health effects in humans, from mild skin rashes to serious illnesses. They can also cause severe liver damage and even death in dogs and livestock. Any method used to treat harmful algal blooms must ensure that the cells remain intact to prevent the release of these toxins into the aquatic environment. 

According to Clarkson University Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Sitaraman Krishnan, who oversees the research team, the seeds of Moringa oleifera contain proteins that act as natural flocculants. Flocculant is the substance that causes particles in liquid to clump together, and the clumped particles are called flocs.

Aluminum salts, such as alum (potassium aluminum sulfate) and polyaluminum chloride, are commonly used as flocculants in water treatment processes. They effectively aggregate particles, facilitating their removal from water. However, their use raises environmental concerns, particularly regarding the formation of toxic sludge. This sludge can contain soluble aluminum compounds, which may leach into water bodies, posing risks to aquatic life and potentially entering the food chain.

In contrast, Moringa oleifera offers a biodegradable, plant-based alternative that is less polluting. Its use as a flocculant reduces the risk of toxic sludge formation and minimizes environmental impact.

“While we have not yet evaluated the toxicity of Moringa extracts to aquatic organisms, we expect them to be safe for the environment, especially considering that the plant is widely consumed as food in various parts of Asia and Africa,” Krishnan said.

A few studies, which are reviewed in the article written by Clarkson’s researchers, have previously highlighted the potential of Moringa seed extracts in flocculating Microcystis aeruginosa. However, knowledge gaps remained regarding the required flocculant dosing in comparison to alum, as well as the structure and strength of the flocs formed.

“In our study, we identified some intriguing differences between alum and Moringa oleifera in terms of how the floc structure evolves with increasing floc size,” Krishnan said. “The behaviors observed were notably distinct, providing new insights into the comparative effectiveness of these flocculants.”

The research was supported by the New York State Center of Excellence in Healthy Water Solutions at Clarkson University and SUNY ESF.

To read the full article in Soft Matter, click here.

To learn more about Clarkson’s Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Department, click here.

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SOURCE Clarkson University

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Plug and Play GOAL Program Highlights 2024 Milestones and Plans for Advancing Global Innovation in 2025

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SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Plug and Play GOAL achieved significant milestones in 2024, driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and enhancing its global presence. In the past year, the US Soft Landing program supported 90 startups from over 12 countries, delivering 13 programs in in-person and hybrid formats. Looking ahead to 2025, the focus remains on advancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem and empowering startups worldwide. From its establishment in 2009, the GOAL program has accelerated over 1000 startups from across the globe to connect them to Silicon Valley resources.

Last year, Plug and Play worked closely with 16 esteemed collaborators and program sponsors, including the Armenian Ministry of High Tech Industry, City of Hamburg, City of Laval, Daegu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Daegu CCI), Enterprise Singapore, Hamdi Ulukaya Initiative, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), Innovation Denmark, Korea Environmental Industry Association (KEIA), K Innovation Center (KIC) in Silicon Valley, Korean Ministry of Environment, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Startup Lithuania, Team of Wakers, The State of Schleswig-Holstein, and Zagreb Innovation Centre (ZICER). These partnerships played a key role in supporting startup growth and fostering innovation.

“We bring our startups into the Plug and Play ecosystem, which provides immense benefits, such as meeting real American people, experiencing the culture, and understanding how to expand their business in the U.S.,” said Alexandre Corriveau, Director of Terro X from Laval. “As a partner, it’s an opportunity to witness a wide range of innovations and stay updated on global trends. This is my third time coming to the summit, and I’m super happy to be part of this journey—I absolutely love what we’re doing with Plug and Play right now.”

Jon Steffen Therkildsen, Senior Advisor at Innovation Centre Denmark adds, “True value lies in networking, identifying emerging trends, and paths to action. Our partnership with Plug and Play Tech Center perfectly cements this commitment. When we bring our initiatives to the United States, connecting with the innovative ecosystems that Plug and Play so vividly helps define in Silicon Valley is paramount. This immersive exposure to American business culture and investor networks is indispensable for navigating not only the U.S. but also the global stage.”

Jaehong Min, VP of Korea Environmental Industry Association, emphasizes Plug and Play’s global presence, stating that, “Plug and Play plays a key role not only in Silicon Valley but also as a global hub for industries worldwide, helping multinational companies form strong networks while efficiently managing costs and time. In particular, the Korean team had the opportunity to participate in a well-structured program, from mentoring to demo day, over the course of several months, which significantly enhanced the global capabilities of Korean SMEs, leading to high satisfaction across the board.”

Additionally, Stephane Ouaki, Head of Department at European Innovation Council, shares, “Plug and Play is ideally positioned to deliver the value that we’re looking for our companies. Plug and Play provided them with training, exposure and understanding of what it takes to be successful in the US as well as gave us the platform to provide access to our companies to meet with corporates and investors.”

Last year, the GOAL program delivered comprehensive support to startups through over 100 workshops focused on Silicon Valley best practices, including market entry strategies, scaling operations, fundraising, and corporate partnerships. The program facilitated more than 350 mentor introductions, provided tailored one-on-one guidance from industry experts and connected startups to a global network of over 550 corporate partners.

Participants also showcased their innovative solutions at Plug and Play’s Global Startup Showcases during the June and November Summits, attended by over 3,500 representatives from corporations, governments, investors, and startups. In addition, startups gained valuable insights from over 20 founders, including unicorn leaders such as Alfonso de la Nuez from UserZoom, Martin Basiri from ApplyBoard, and Safwan Shah from Payactiv.

The following alumni shared how the GOAL program impacted their growth journey:

Eddie Yu, Founder & CEO of Okosix from Hong Kong, shared, “Plug and Play has very rich connections with investors and corporate partners. One of the highlights for me was attending Silicon Valley Summit. I met more than 15 potential investors there.”

Catherine Kurt, CEO of AQ22 from Lithuania, said, “Participating in the GOAL program was a transformative journey for AQ22. The program’s immersive workshops and personalized mentorship helped us refine our strategy, build meaningful partnerships, and sharpen our value proposition in ways we never anticipated.”

Siyoung Na, Founder & CEO of Carbon Energy from South Korea, added, “The GOAL program was an incredible experience that exceeded all our expectations. We highly recommend GOAL to anyone looking to elevate their skills, gain fresh perspectives, and build lasting relationships within a supportive community.”

Echoing this sentiment, Berkan Mifleh, Co-Founder of Malty from Turkey, highlighted the program’s value in driving global ambitions: “It was a productive program for showcasing our startup and expanding our global network. (It was) an important milestone in taking steps toward our global market expansion.”

Tomas Byčkovas, CEO of Biohifas from Lithuania, also emphasized the unique opportunities provided by their time in Silicon Valley, noting, “Engaging with fellow startups, industry mentors, and entrepreneurs has provided us with practical insights into scaling a business and improving our operations.”

The success is demonstrated by the numerous partnerships and pilot projects that emerged from the participation in the GOAL program. The founders’  journey highlights the program’s mission to bridge global markets and foster economic growth.

“We are proud to have hosted in 2024 more than 90 technology startups in Silicon Valley from so many countries with the help of JETRO and NEDO in Japan, State of Schleswig-Holstein in Germany, EIC from the European Union,  KIC and KEIA in South Korea and more. These startups will learn the best practices from the culture here and build global companies like BusinessObjects, Skype and Waze that would keep their organization in the home country but raise money in Silicon Valley and execute globally. This is why the top companies are either born in Silicon Valley or have satellite offices here,” said Saeed Amidi, CEO of Plug and Play.

As the Plug and Play GOAL program looks ahead to 2025, it will build on the progress of 2024 to expand its reach, foster collaboration, and create new opportunities for startups and partners.

For inquiries and GOAL Soft Landing Program partnerships, please contact:
Elina Gorji, Senior Program Manager – GOAL Silicon Valley (elina@pnptc.com)
Yui Koda, Program Manager – GOAL Silicon Valley (y.koda@pnptc.com)

About Plug and Play:
Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we’re present in 60+ locations across 5 continents. We offer corporate innovation programs and help our corporate partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. We also organize startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house VC to drive innovation across multiple industries where we’ve invested in hundreds of successful companies including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi. To get in contact with Plug and Play, visit https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/contact.

For media inquiries, please contact:
press@pnptc.com 

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SOURCE Plug and Play

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DNA Health & Wellness Brings Advanced Preventative Health and Longevity Solutions to the Capital

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**Abu Dhabi becomes home to one of the region’s largest health optimisation and preventative health clinics**

ABU DHABI, UAE, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — DNA Health & Wellness, the UAE’s leading health optimisation and longevity clinic group, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its state-of-the-art facility in Abu Dhabi, Al Manhal area.

Spanning over 11,000 square feet, the new clinic is poised to be one of the largest and most advanced health optimisation and longevity centres in the region, offering a comprehensive range of personalised treatments that focus on prevention, optimisation, rejuvenation, and longevity. The facility integrates cutting-edge technologies, including advanced diagnostic imaging, advanced blood testing, AI-based reporting software, and precision medicine therapies.

“We are excited to bring our innovative approach to health and wellness to Abu Dhabi,” said Sho Choudhury, Co-Founder, Chairman & Group CEO of DNA Health & Wellness. “Our success to date has highlighted a growing demand for personalised and preventative healthcare. Our expansion underscores our dedication to making advanced health solutions more accessible to a broader community.”

Launching the Abu Dhabi clinic marks a significant milestone in the evolution of healthcare in the UAE. Abu Dhabi has established itself as a global hub for innovation, and the introduction of DNA Health & Wellness aligns perfectly with the emirate’s vision for fostering a healthier, more proactive society. By combining world class expertise with cutting edge technology and personalised treatment programmes, the clinic will empower residents and tourists to take charge of their health, improve their quality of life, and set a new benchmark for preventative health and longevity in the region.

The Abu Dhabi clinic will feature specialised treatments including everything from preventative health screenings that analyse over 15,000 parameters and provides 100Gb data, focusing on biomarkers, oxidation levels and lipids, to peptides, stem cells and IV therapy.

“We focus on the early detection and management of diseases, said Dr. Nasr Al Jafari, Co-Founder & Group Medical Director of DNA Health & Wellness. “By preventing and catching these conditions at their earliest stages, we provide effective healthcare plans to treat illnesses before they can cause harm.”

With five thriving clinics in Dubai, the expansion to Abu Dhabi marks a significant milestone in DNA Health’s mission to revolutionize preventative healthcare in the UAE. Building on this success, DNA Health is further extending its regional footprint with planned clinic openings in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain, bringing advanced health and longevity solutions to communities across the region.

About DNA Health & Wellness:

dnahealthcorp.com

Founded in 2018, DNA Health is the Middle East’s premier and largest group of health optimisation and longevity clinics. At the core of DNA Health’s success is its dedicated team of expert doctors, who leverage a proprietary methodology, advanced detection technologies, and cutting-edge treatments to enhance health and mitigate potential risks. The clinic’s personalized, data-driven application of precision medicine consistently delivers highly effective healthcare outcomes.

DNA Health’s innovative approach is built on four foundational pillars:

Prevention – A proactive strategy aimed at detecting and preventing health issues before they arise, utilizing comprehensive blood tests, advanced diagnostic imaging, and AI-driven reporting technologies.

Optimisation – Precision medicine to optimize health using the latest therapies, including peptides, hormonal treatments, exosomes, NAD+, stem cells, and disease reversal programs.

Rejuvenation – State-of-the-art aesthetic treatments that incorporate regenerative medicine techniques such as pure exosomes and stem cells.

Longevity – Comprehensive longevity screenings and biological aging analyses combined with stem cell therapies and DNA repair to extend health span and lifespan.

Since its establishment, DNA Health has experienced rapid growth, solidifying its position as a leader in health optimisation and longevity science. The group now operates six successful clinics across the UAE, including five state-of-the-art physical locations and a comprehensive home service clinic. Further expanding its reach, DNA Health is set to open a new clinic in Abu Dhabi in December 2024.

Media Contact:  
Sultan Khalid
press@dnahealthcorp.com

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SOURCE DNA Health & Wellness

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Intelligent Video Solutions Announces Seed Grant to Support Innovation in Communication Sciences and Disorders

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Funding opportunity empowers researchers and educators to advance clinical practices.

SUSSEX, Wis., Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Intelligent Video Solutions (IVS), a leader in video observation and recording solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its Clinical Education Seed Grant to support innovation and research in the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD). This grant, offered in collaboration with the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD), provides funding to professionals at CAPCSD member institutions, helping them explore new ideas and enhance clinical practices.

“Investing in new research and pilot projects helps shape the future of clinical training and service delivery,” said Justin Sherman, CMO, Intelligent Video Solutions. “We encourage professionals to take advantage of this opportunity to explore fresh perspectives and drive meaningful change.”

The IVS Seed Grant will empower educators, researchers, and clinicians by funding projects that drive advancements in CSD education, training, and service delivery. The grant reinforces IVS’s longstanding commitment to foster innovation and improve patient outcomes.

“Investing in new research and pilot projects helps shape the future of clinical training and service delivery,” said Justin Sherman, CMO, Intelligent Video Solutions. “We encourage professionals to take advantage of this opportunity to explore fresh perspectives and drive meaningful change.”

Key Grant Details

Eligibility: Open to professionals affiliated with CAPCSD member institutions, including those with academic or clinical roles.Funding Purpose: To support new research, pilot projects, or innovative clinical applications in Communication Sciences and Disorders.Application Deadline: February 17, 2025, at 11:59 pm EST.Award Amount: $5,000, to be disbursed to the designated principal investigator through their institution.

By offering this seed grant, IVS aims to provide CSD professionals with the financial support necessary to bring their ideas to life through groundbreaking research, new teaching methodologies, or enhanced clinical practices.

“CAPCSD is incredibly grateful for the support that the inaugural IVS seed grant provides our members,” said Shubha Kashinath, CAPCSD, VP of Research and Academic Affairs. “Through this grant mechanism, CAPCSD can support innovations in clinical pedagogy in speech pathology and audiology. This award aligns perfectly with our mission to support academic programs in implementing best practices in the education of future speech language pathologists and audiologists.”

How to Apply

Applicants must complete all sections of the online application form. In addition to submitting a project title, abstract, letters of support, and references, they must upload these additional materials as a single PDF file in the following order:

Description of the Research ProjectBackground Specific Aims/Objectives Methods and Outcome Measures Analysis Plan TimelineBudget and Budget Justification

Prospective applicants can find the full grant details and application instructions at capcsd.org/scholarships/ivs-seed-grant.

About Intelligent Video Solutions

Intelligent Video Solutions (IVS) specializes in video observation and recording systems designed for education, healthcare, and research environments. IVS’s innovative solutions enable institutions to enhance training, improve assessment capabilities, and support evidence-based practices in various professional fields. Headquartered in Sussex, WI, IVS partners with leading academic and healthcare institutions to drive progress through video technology.

Media Contact

Andrea Meyers, Stream Creative, 1 414-530-0704, andrea@streamcreative.com, www.streamcreative.com

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