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Cancer Research in Space for Life on Earth: Five Projects Selected Through ISS National Lab Solicitation in Partnership With NASA

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Inaugural Igniting Innovation research announcement is providing more than $7 million in funding to advance cancer research through space-based R&D

BOSTON, July 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory, in partnership with NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences (BPS) division, jointly announced the selection of five projects through the inaugural Igniting Innovation solicitation for cancer and other disease-related research and technology development on the ISS. The projects, which were announced at the annual ISS Research and Development Conference (ISSRDC) in Boston, will harness the unique microgravity environment to advance cancer research to benefit patients on Earth. 

The National Cancer Institute estimates that more than 2 million cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2024, and more than 600,000 people will die from the disease. Cancer and other disease-related research on the space station is critical not only to the ISS National Lab and NASA but also to the Biden-Harris administration and its Cancer Moonshot initiative. Through the inaugural Igniting Innovating solicitation, more than $7 million in total funding is being awarded to the selected research teams. Each team intends to fly multiple projects to the orbiting laboratory through this research announcement.

“Over the years, the space station has been a catalyst for biomedical research that has profound impacts on patient care on Earth,” said Ray Lugo, chief executive officer for the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space™, manager of the ISS National Lab. “Through this inaugural Igniting Innovation research announcement, the ISS National Lab and NASA focused funding efforts to specifically target cancer through space-based research, and we look forward to working with the selected projects as they push the boundaries of research and innovation to develop more effective therapeutics for those impacted by this devastating disease.”

The selected projects are listed below:

Mari Anne Snow, Eascra Biotech: This project seeks to produce cancer therapeutics in space using Janus base nanomaterials (JBNs) designed to target drug delivery to solid tumors, improving cancer treatment and reducing side effects. JBNs are formed by DNA-inspired building blocks that self-assemble. Producing JBNs in microgravity could make them more uniform, increasing both safety and efficacy. This would allow JBNs to carry larger amounts of drugs for more effective treatment. This project builds on prior space station research that Eascra and the University of Connecticut conducted with support from Axiom Space to examine the use of JBNs to treat arthritis.Arun Sharma, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: This project aims to grow cardiac spheroids with blood vessels from induced pluripotent stem cells in space for cardiovascular disease modeling and to test how cancer drugs affect the heart. In space, cells grow into 3D structures that are more like cell growth in the body. Blood vessels may also grow better within the spheroids in microgravity. Space-grown cardiac spheroids could provide a better disease model to study cardiovascular disease and test cancer drug toxicity. Additionally, on Northrop Grumman’s 21st Commercial Resupply Services mission (NG-21) to the ISS, slated for early August, the Cedars-Sinai team intends to launch a regenerative medicine investigation supporting the in-space manufacturing of stem cells, building on prior space studiesCatriona Jamieson, University of California, San Diego: This project seeks to use patient-derived tumor organoids to study accelerated cancer development in microgravity and identify new cancer therapeutic targets. After cancer treatment, cancer stem cells can remain in the body. These cancer cells self-renew, evade the immune system, and develop resistance, resulting in their ability to spread throughout the body. The research team will observe the rate of cancer stem cell growth in space, where cancer cells can grow more quickly, to test whether blocking a specific enzyme prevents cancer stem cell growth. Results could lead to new treatments that target evasive cancer stem cells to prevent cancer recurrence. The UCSD team has launched multiple investigations to the ISS through private astronaut missions and NASA-sponsored missions.Cassian Yee, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center: This project aims to use microgravity to better understand how T cells work in order to develop new immunotherapy treatments for patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases. T cells are a type of white blood cell that play a key role in the immune system. Previous research has shown that microgravity induces changes in the structure and function of these cells. The team will study T cells in space to better understand what controls them, and results could lead to improved immunotherapy drugs that use the immune system to fight cancer.Shay Soker, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM): This project seeks to use organoids created from cells recovered from colorectal cancer patients to see if chemotherapy works better in space, offering insight into improved chemotherapies. Microgravity causes changes in cancer cells that may make them more sensitive to chemotherapy. The team will study how spaceflight changes gene expression in the organoids to identify targets for new, more effective chemotherapy drugs. Results from this project could also lead to personalized cancer treatment. WFIRM is actively involved in research on the space station and will launch an investigation on NG-21 analyzing the behavior of engineered liver constructs, which could lead to in-space production of tissues for organ transplants on Earth.

All five research teams intend to work with ISS National Lab Commercial Service Provider Axiom Space, together with BioServe Space Technologies, who will provide engineering and logistical support to prepare the projects for spaceflight and successful operations on station.

“We are thrilled to support this critical in-space cancer research,” said Lisa Carnell, director of NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences (BPS) division. “The unique microgravity environment of space offers incredible opportunities for researchers to study the effects of spaceflight stressors on human tissue. This research could be used not only to help protect crew health on long-duration missions but also to contribute to initiatives like the Cancer Moonshot and improved treatment options for patients here on Earth.”

The final award of funding is contingent upon acceptance of legal terms and conditions between the recipients, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space™, which manages the ISS National Lab, and NASA’s BPS division.

The ISS National Lab and NASA plan to announce the 2024 Igniting Innovation solicitation in August. This research announcement is focused on leveraging the space environment to address challenges that hinder progress in preventing, diagnosing, and treating the most challenging diseases of our time, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disease.

To download a high-resolution image for this release, click here.

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

 

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SOURCE International Space Station National Lab

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Typeform Delivers New Solutions to Empower B2C Businesses to Better Engage Customers

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Brands can now use video, data enrichment, and AI-powered capabilities to create interactive, hyper-personalized experiences and uncover deeper insights

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Typeform, the intuitive form builder and conversational data collection platform, today announced new features that provide business-to-consumer (B2C) businesses with the context, clarity, and convenience needed to better engage and understand their customers. Now businesses can further enhance the respondent experience, all while gathering richer, actionable data. 

Today, 70% of consumer decisions are based on emotion, including brand preference.¹ Buyers expect brands to tailor experiences to their personal preferences more than ever, but at the same time, they’re also becoming more cautious about sharing personal information. Typeform’s latest features help brands collect data directly from customers through interactive, personalized experiences they trust, then automatically enhance it with third-party insights to deepen their understanding. This empowers companies to deliver more targeted, data-driven marketing.

“Businesses can’t thrive on surface-level insights,” said Aleks Bass, Chief Product Officer, Typeform. “Our latest innovations give you the ability to dig deeper into truly knowing your customers by providing dynamic data collection experiences that encourage quality responses. Whether boosting conversions with a personalized product recommendation quiz or gathering feedback through video surveys, the common denominator is that your customers enjoy the experience.”

The offerings were unveiled at Typeforum 2024, Typeform’s first-ever virtual product spotlight event, designed to showcase the latest innovations from the company. Newly released features include: 

Enhanced Video Capabilities: Typeform now allows customers to respond with video, providing businesses deeper insights through voice and expressions, not just text. This builds on Typeform’s existing feature that enables creators to record, edit, and embed personalized videos into forms, boosting engagement and conversions. Typeform research found that 65% of marketers believe video is an effective tool for engaging and interacting with customers in ways that feel more human and create connection and loyalty.²Clarify with AI: Typeform’s Clarify with AI acts as a virtual interviewer, prompting follow-up questions based on customer responses. When a customer is asked about their experience and answers vaguely, like “good,” the AI encourages more detailed feedback, asking, “Good, how? What stood out?” For customers, it feels like a personalized conversation. For brands, it delivers more insights. Automated B2C Data Enrichment: Earlier this year, Typeform introduced automated B2B data enrichment, making it easier than ever to understand customers at a deeper level without needing to ask additional questions. Now, consumer-level enrichment is available in the Typeform platform. With just a personal email address, companies can pull in key data points from trusted third-party sources, providing a more complete picture of who’s on the other side of the screen.AI-powered Qualitative Analysis: With this feature, businesses can instantly analyze large volumes of text and video responses to surface key themes and insights, saving hours of manual work. Data Quality Tools: Invisible reCAPTCHA ensures data integrity by blocking bots and automated submissions, allowing only genuine responses to be collected. This safeguard enhances data reliability, helping teams make accurate, data-driven decisions.Klaviyo Integration: Typeform will soon be launching a new integration with Klaviyo, designed for B2C and direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketers. It will ensure that every insight gathered flows seamlessly into Klaviyo. Manual data transfers are eliminated as segments automatically update with Typeform data, enabling hyper-targeted campaigns customized to each customer’s unique profile. This integration combines Typeform’s interactive data collection with Klaviyo’s automation, facilitating more natural, personalized customer connections while driving business growth.

“We built a powerful product recommendation quiz not just to help our customers, but to generate invaluable data that allows us to better segment and engage them with relevant marketing,” said Addison Wennar, Digital Communications Manager, OGEE. “With the holiday shopping season approaching, these insights will be key. Typeform already delivers the highest response rates for us, and I’m excited to see how the new features will amplify that impact.”

The features are available today in Typeform for Growth plans. Watch the Typeforum 2024 recordings and learn how to use Typeform to better understand and engage customers here

About Typeform
Typeform is a distinctly intuitive form builder that helps over 150,000 customers collect and validate the data they need to grow their businesses. Designed with striking visuals, a conversational flow, and powerful data capabilities, Typeform empowers brands to give and get more with each form. Typeform drives more than 500 million responses each year and integrates with essential tools including Zapier, HubSpot, and Slack. For more information, visit www.typeform.com.

1         Pendell, R. (2024, October 15). Customer brand preference and decisions: Gallup’s 70/30 principle. Gallup.com. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/398954/customer-brand-preference-decisions-gallup-principle.aspx#:~:text=70%25%20of%20decisions%20are%20based,Making%20Process:%20Rational%20or%20Emotional?

2          Data from a survey of 105 Typeform customers conducted on September 30, 2024.

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SOURCE Typeform S.L.

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Electronic Drives and Controls Celebrates Impressive Growth and Strong Demand for Industrial Automation Solutions

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EDC has announced 39% revenue growth over the past year and a strengthened presence in the metals converting and composites industries. The company has also maintained key certifications, including CSIA, UL508A, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, and Ignition.

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Electronic Drives and Controls, Inc. (EDC), a leading control system integrator and field service company for industrial automation and drive technology, today announced that the company has experienced a year of growth and success, achieving a 39% increase in revenue year-over-year. To meet the growing demand for automation and drive solutions, EDC has expanded its team, hiring Ricky Arcky as human resources manager and Tyler Schaberick as systems engineer. EDC attributes this growth to maintaining industry certifications, digital marketing efforts, a dedicated team, and strong, long-term partnerships.

“We are proud of the growth we’ve achieved this year, which is a testament to the hard work of our team and our commitment to delivering exceptional service to our clients.”

“We are proud of the growth we’ve achieved this year, which is a testament to the hard work of our team and our commitment to delivering exceptional service to our clients,” said Chuck Dillard, Vice President of EDC. “Our recent hires and increased project load reflect our strategy to grow both wider and deeper with our existing clients, as well as entering new industries.”

“We’ve put in years of preparation and invested heavily in digital marketing to get the word out about our services, knowing that growth was inevitable,” Dillard added. “Our team has worked tirelessly and the results speak for themselves: clients continue to return to us because of our technical expertise and the strong results we deliver.”

EDC’s expertise in coating & laminating, wire and cable, PLC programming and upgrades, as well as drive service, has allowed the company to strengthen its presence in the metals converting industry, securing new and expanded projects across multiple client plants. EDC has also successfully completed upgrades for a new client in the composites industry, widening the portfolio of industries it caters to.

In addition to recent growth, EDC remains committed to maintaining the highest industry standards through its CSIA certification, which ensures adherence to best practices in control system integration. Several certifications, including UL508A recertification and certifications from Rockwell Automation, Siemens, and Ignition, further emphasize EDC’s dedication to safety, technical proficiency, and continuous improvement.

About Electronic Drives and Controls, Inc.
Founded in 1968, Electronic Drives and Controls, Inc. (EDC) is a CSIA Certified control system integrator with deep domain expertise in the coating and laminating, and converting industries. The company’s large field service team specializes in AC and DC drives, PLCs and factory automation. Family owned and operated for more than 50 years, EDC’s team of engineers and technicians has a vast experience integrating new control systems and breathing life into older equipment. EDC has the engineering capability to design, build, start-up and service projects from the sophisticated to the simple and the service support team on call 24/7/365 to keep it all running at peak efficiency from day one and for years to come. In addition to the company’s certification as a Siemens Solution Partner and a Rockwell Automation Recognized System Integrator, EDC is a factory authorized/factory trained service center for over 40 drive brands. For more information, visit the company’s website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Media Contact

Georgia Whalen, Rivergate Marketing, (978) 697-2664, Gwhalen@rivergatemarketing.com, www.electronicdrives.com/home/

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SOURCE Electronic Drives and Controls, Inc. (EDC)

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Allstate Financial Services Selects Covr to Provide Life Insurance, Long-Term Care, and Disability Insurance Solutions

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Covr’s Digitally Enabled Insurance Platform Will Simplify the Buying Process

HARTFORD, Conn., Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Covr, a leading digital insurance provider, has partnered with Allstate Financial Services, LLC to offer a streamlined suite of life, long-term care (LTC), and disability income insurance solutions through Covr’s digital platform. This partnership provides Allstate Financial Services customers with a simple, connected experience, featuring an intuitive, paperless process that makes it easier than ever to purchase insurance tailored to their diverse needs.

Covr’s platform offers an easy-to-use, self-guided experience to efficiently compare and recommend insurance products. Additionally, Allstate Financial Services will offer a range of products through Covr’s platform, including guaranteed issue life insurance through Gerber Life and disability insurance through Assurity, Ameritas, MassMutual, Mutual of Omaha and Principal. Traditional long-term care will also be available through Mutual of Omaha.

“We are extremely pleased to add Allstate’s network of 7,000+ representatives to our insurance platform,” said Michael Kalen, CEO of Covr. “Their business owners and individual customer base fits perfectly with our portfolio of simplified life, LTC, and disability income solutions for agents and their customers.”

“We’re committed to expanding solutions that better meet our customers’ protection needs,” said Scott Delaney, President and CEO, Allstate Financial Services. “With Covr’s digital platform, our representatives can deliver a more connected experience and offer a broader range of insurance options tailored to each customer’s unique needs.”

Allstate representatives will collaborate closely with Covr’s sales team to ensure ongoing support. Allstate Financial Services will also benefit from Covr’s top-tier case management services, providing end-to-end support throughout the entire insurance process.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/allstate-financial-services-selects-covr-to-provide-life-insurance-long-term-care-and-disability-insurance-solutions-302306004.html

SOURCE Covr Financial Technologies

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