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New research shows how combining anxiety medications and opioids can be risky for elderly patients

Patient Safety Authority

A new analysis from the Patient Safety Authority (PSA) demonstrates that despite the documented risks, benzodiazepines are used together with opioid pain medications among patients aged 65 and older in the hospital setting. The combination can cause changes in mental status, breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. In two-thirds of cases studied, a reversal agent was required to treat the reaction. The report is published in the December 2021 issue of PATIENT SAFETY. Researchers at the Patient Safety Authority reviewed 80 patient safety reports from January through December 2020 from 39 facilities throughout Pennsylvania. The most common adverse drug reactions (ADRs) related to this combination of medications occurred in the surgical, imaging/ diagnostic and medical-surgical care areas. The cases studied are from the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System, the largest database of its kind in the United States. “The problem may be much larger than it appears,” says executive director, Regina Hoffman, MBA, RN. “Many ADRs go unreported, so we believe our analysis likely only includes a fraction of those related to the combination of benzodiazepines and opioids with elderly patients. Our goal is to make providers more aware of the risks. We hope they may re-evaluate their prescribing habits and facility practices and move toward safer patient care for this vulnerable population.” Other topics in this issue of PATIENT SAFETY include: Emergence delirium and patient risk: what can we do? – Patient Safety Authority researchers offer a data analysis of safety events related to perioperative delirium and offer a four-phase intervention package to reduce risk to patients and providers. COVID nurses and PTSD - Just when we need them most, many nurses caring for patients on the front lines feel abandoned and expendable. Cassandra Alexander relates the toll the daily struggle has taken on her mental health—a sobering glimpse at the experiences of nurses like her around the country. Atrial fibrillation and cancellations - New-onset atrial fibrillation can pose a significant patient safety risk during the perioperative period. The Patient Safety Authority examines the impact and opportunities for improvement in ambulatory surgical facilities. Fixing healthcare: how activated patients can guide us forward – One critical way to make healthcare safer is to involve the patients themselves. What does it mean to be activated and how may it save your life? Patient engagement expert Dr. Judith Hibbard explains the importance and how to do it. A study and a toolkit to reduce urinary tract infections (UTIs) in long-term care facilities - UTIs are common in long-term care facilities, but they’re notoriously difficult to diagnose. The Patient Safety Authority analyzed trends in rates, infection types and treatments. Researchers offer a toolkit they developed to help reduce the occurrence of UTIs and promote antibiotic stewardship. PATIENT SAFETY is the peer-reviewed journal of the Patient Safety Authority. A scientific publication, PATIENT SAFETY humanizes patient harm with stories, opinion pieces, and magazine-quality design. It has a readership of more than 45,000 people in 164 countries. About PSA Established under the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (MCARE) Act of 2002, the PSA, an independent state agency, collects and analyzes patient safety data to improve safety outcomes and help prevent patient harm. http://patientsafety.pa.gov/ Contact Details Bev Volpe +1 609-230-4696 bev@madisongall.com Company Website http://patientsafety.pa.gov/

December 21, 2021 11:43 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Revolutionizing the Way We Pay for Healthcare: Can Tech Give You Freedom from Health Insurance?

YourUpdateTV

Every year, a quarter million Americans declare bankruptcy due to medical bills despite having health insurance. Recently, Andy Schoonover, Founder and CEO of CrowdHealth, teamed with YourUpdateTV on a satellite media to discuss how leveraging technology can help you get your healthcare freedom back without breaking the bank. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/7HLiYcpGqFU For 30 years, the middle class has experienced no real income growth due to the increasing costs of health insurance. Research shows inadequate health insurance accounts for nearly 67 percent of all bankruptcies. This statistic is staggering and illustrates a difficult reality for the many American families navigating today’s insurance market. Technology is being used to build a new, community-powered solution for all. CrowdHealth is an app and technology platform that allows you to make a monthly contribution to the Community and those funds are used to fund the community’s health care bills. Crowdfunding models of paying for health care maximize the probability that all members’ eligible bills will be paid in full each month. These models come without the burdens of skyrocketing premiums and deductibles. Unlike traditional models, members aren’t chained to yearly contracts and have more flexibility and autonomy with crowdfunded models. CrowdHealth provides app-based tools such as: The latest innovation in fintech, allowing their members to aggregate crowdsourced funds to pay doctors quickly and directly. A nationwide doctor quality and cost database that empowers their members to make informed decisions about their care without the limitation of restrictive networks. Highly engaged, personalized Care Advocacy to help their members navigate their health journeys. Negotiation and legal services that fight for patients when dealing with outrageous bills. Access to deeply discounted prescription drugs. By eliminating insurance plan middlemen, reimagining the healthcare payment system and empowering doctors to direct care choices, CrowdHealth will help their members significantly reduce their out-of-pocket expenses when compared to healthcare.gov plans. To learn more about CrowdHealth go to joincrowdhealth.com. About Andy Schoonover Andy Schoonover is founder and CEO of CrowdHealth, a community-powered alternative to health insurance that provides a revolutionary way of paying for healthcare bills through crowdfunding. Schoonover was previously CEO of VRI, a healthcare technology company focused on monitoring patients with chronic conditions out of their homes. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

December 20, 2021 05:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Inaugural VinFuture Prize Award Ceremony – Celebrating 4 Scientific Innovations for Humanity

Vingroup

HANOI, VIETNAM - Media OutReach - 20 December 2021 - One year after its launch, the VinFuture Prize Council has completed the evaluation process and selected 4 groundbreaking scientific innovations that have made and will continue to make positive impacts in the everyday lives of millions of people around the world. Prize winners will be announced at the inaugural VinFuture Prize Award Ceremony to be held on January 20, 2022 at the Hanoi Opera House and the VinFuture Sci-tech Week during January 18-21, 2022 in Hanoi. This is an international event to honor outstanding scientific achievements and promote innovations for humanity in 2021 with the participation of world-leading scientists, policy makers, leaders of technology corporations, and the Prize winners. The award ceremony will be held on January 20, 2022 evening to honor the winners of the inaugural VinFuture Prize, including the VinFuture Grand Prize and 03 Special Prizes for female innovators, innovators from the developing countries, and innovators with outstanding achievements in emerging fields. As part of the Award Ceremony event series, VinFuture will organize a sci-tech week for the scientific community, business and start-up leaders in industry and technology. The Foundation will also hold dialogues and interactive sessions with the Prize Council members and the VinFuture Laureates which will catalyze the intellectual connection between Vietnam's scientific and technological community and the world as well as bridge academia and industry, thus contributing to the transformation of science and technology innovations into real life applications. Commenting on the upcoming events, Professor Sir Richard Henry Friend – Chair of the VinFuture Prize Council and a 2010 Laureate of the Millennium Prize, said: " Science and technology need to deliver benefits to all peoples and all nations. The VinFuture Prize will recognize those whose brilliant science or engineering achievements can have positive impact on the lives of millions of people across the planet." The VinFuture Foundation is founded by Mr. Pham Nhat Vuong - Chairman of Vingroup, and his wife - Mrs. Pham Thu Huong, with the vision of creating meaningful change in the everyday lives of millions of people. In its inaugural year, VinFuture received 599 quality nominations from more than 60 countries around the world. Among these, nearly 100 nominations came from the world's top 2% most-cited scientists, many of whom are laureates of distinguished awards, such as the Nobel Prize, Breakthrough Prize, Tang Prize, Japan Prize, among others. All the nominations were assessed in multiple evaluation and selection rounds by a 12 member- Pre-screening Committee, and then by 11 members of the Prize Council. With a large number of quality nominations going through a rigorous assessment process conducted by the Prize Council of globally influential scientists and leaders in academia, research, and innovation, the 2021 VinFuture Prize is expected to identify breakthrough inventions and innovations that will bring about practical applications and meaningful impacts on the everyday lives of people. Remarkably, the in-person presence of great minds of the global science and technology community at the inaugural VinFuture Prize Award Ceremony and the VinFuture Sci-tech Week will contribute to positioning Vietnam as a new destination full of potentials and open up opportunities to build direct and multi-dimensional cooperative relationships between scientists and entrepreneurs, promoting the commercialization and application of scientific innovations into the real world. Besides the Laureate Announcement and the Award Ceremony on January 20th, 2022, there will be academic activities taking place from January 18-21, 2022, which include: - Conversation with the VinFuture Prize Council members - Symposium: Science for Life - Scientific Dialogue with the inaugural VinFuture Prize Laureates. The VinFuture Prize Foundation, introduced on International Solidarity Day, December 20 th, 2020, is an independent and non-profit organization in Vietnam. The Foundation was established with the vision of catalyzing meaningful change in the everyday lives of millions of people by honoring transformational technological innovations at a global scale. The Foundation's core activity is awarding the annual VinFuture Prize for breakthrough scientific and technological innovations that have made or have the potential to create meaningful changes in people's lives. In addition, the Foundation will conduct many activities to accomplish its mission, such as funding research projects, collaborating in academic development, and promoting STEMM education. A total of four prizes are awarded by the VinFuture Prize Foundation every year, consisting of the VinFuture Grand Prize valued at US$3 million - one of the largest ever annual prizes globally. VinFuture also awards 03 Special Prizes, each valued at US$500,000, dedicated to female innovators, developing country innovators, and innovators with outstanding achievements in emerging fields. Contact Details Vingroup Media Contact v.nammh@vingroup.net

December 20, 2021 08:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Record 40,000 Transplants Honors Legacy of Donors

United Network for Organ Sharing

Today, Dec. 17, 2021, the United States has officially surpassed 40,000 transplants in one year, a historic first for the nation. This is according to United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the engine that powers the national organ donation and transplantation system under contract with the federal government. 2020 marked the 10th consecutive record-breaking year for organ donations from deceased donors and the 8th in a row for deceased donor transplants. “Reaching 40,000 organs transplants in a single year is a testament to the lifesaving work being done day in and day out that makes our donation and transplantation system the highest performing in the world,” said Matthew Cooper, M.D., president of the UNOS Board of Directors. "It is also a testament to the generosity of so many inspiring donors and their courageous families who gave the gift of life. “This news serves as a reminder that no matter what challenges we face as a nation, our community of doctors, patients, donor families, hospitals, organ procurement professionals, and advocates are dedicated to building on past successes to save even more lives. But there is always more work to do.” As of today, 106,962 men, women and children are on the waiting list for a transplant, which is at the lowest it has been since 2009. The list topped 124,000 at its height in 2014. "Every one of us has the potential to save multiple lives by registering to be an organ, tissue and eye donor," Cooper said. Learn more about organ donation and transplantation and how to register to be a donor at www.unos.org. Matthew Cooper, M.D., FACS, is president of the UNOS Board of Directors, Director of Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation at MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, and a professor in the department of surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine. ### About United Network for Organ Sharing United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is a non-profit, charitable organization that serves as the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) under contract with the federal government. The OPTN helps create and define organ allocation and distribution policies that make the best use of donated organs. This process involves continuously evaluating new advances and discoveries so policies can be adapted to best serve patients waiting for transplants. All transplant programs and organ procurement organizations throughout the country are OPTN members and are obligated to follow the policies the OPTN creates for allocating organs. Contact Details United Network for Organ Sharing Eric Steigleder +1 804-782-4730 eric.steigleder@unos.org Company Website https://unos.org

December 17, 2021 06:43 PM Eastern Standard Time

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METER Group Unveils Major Update to AQUALAB Vapor Sorption Analyzer Software

METER Group, Inc.

Moisture Analysis Toolkit enables food and pharma manufacturers to address ingredient source changes, accelerate product formulation, extend shelf life, and employ the most cost-effective packaging using research-tested predictive models that present complex isotherm and water activity data as clear, actionable insights METER Group, Inc. USA (METER) today unveiled a major update to the AQUALAB Vapor Sorption Analyzer (VSA) Moisture Analysis Toolkit, enabling food and pharma companies to harness analytics and predictive modeling that accelerates product formulation, maximizes cost-efficiency of packaging, and extends shelf life. The AQUALAB VSA Moisture Analysis Toolkit (MAT) is a first-of-its-kind, intuitive, full-featured modeling solution that transforms moisture data into solutions using research-tested predictive models. This software helps overcome key water-related research and development challenges. It is particularly relevant as food manufacturers turn to high-tech solutions to increase profitability in the face of supply chain issues and consumer concern over safety and sustainability. Like most manufacturers, food producers are increasingly impacted by supply chain shortages. The pandemic has exacerbated existing ingredient sourcing problems caused by climate change. With the Moisture Analysis Toolkit, manufacturers can use high-resolution moisture data to predict the effect of new ingredient candidates on moisture in the final product. “In a new supplier situation, our clients rely on the toolkit to make faster decisions and react quickly to new ingredient sourcing,” says METER Executive Vice President Takuya Ohki. “That’s what the toolkit is all about—faster, data-driven decisions that allow our clients to stay competitive in a fast-changing marketplace.” Ohki says that data-driven decision making is at the heart of the MAT, which includes tools for selecting the correct packaging and determining shelf life. “Historically, companies have tended to over-package and set a conservative best-by date. Now consumers are pushing companies to address issues of 30-40 percent waste in the food supply—while still demanding a mold-free product. Tackling safety and sustainability in tandem requires our best use of science. Too much of this research is still not implemented in industry. The Moisture Analysis Toolkit is something designed to make this science immediately accessible, to allow food manufacturers to solve these problems today.” The MAT takes advantage of a unique moisture map created by METER Group’s AQUALAB VSA. The VSA generates a high-resolution isotherm called a Dynamic Dewpoint Isotherm (DDI) curve. DDI curves can save companies months spent identifying a critical water activity in low and intermediate moisture food and pharmaceutical products, because they clearly illustrate the change in sorption properties. While competitor instruments use just the DVS method, METER Group’s MAT not only delivers DVS isotherms, but it also provides truly dynamic high-resolution DDI isotherm curves, uncovering granular details which have never been seen before. Unlocking access to these critical insights allows for more precise formulation, more accurate predictions, and more complete product knowledge. The business benefits and value are significant. For example, a dry ingredients company struggling with excessive labor, time, and space spent on shelf-life studies reduced the amount of physical shelf-life tests by 75 percent, cutting expenditures on testing from $300,000 to less than $50,000 per year. METER’s Moisture Analysis Toolkit also lets manufacturers work backward, picking a final water activity that maximizes shelf life and then getting guidance on specific formulation decisions around ingredient selection. This not only makes the formulation process more precise, but also speeds it up. A cold press bar company used the MAT with VSA-generated DDI isotherms to assess moisture migration during the R&D process, allowing them to release new products 5x faster and bring new flavors to market before competitors. “We see our clients succeeding from a profitability standpoint, but to me, that’s only part of the equation,” says Ohki. “The Moisture Analysis Toolkit empowers food and pharma companies to eliminate waste and inefficiencies across their respective supply chains on an unprecedented scale. That’s about more than profitability—it’s about putting existing science to work on the big problems we have to tackle as a society.” About METER Group METER Group, a Decagon and UMS combined company, delivers real-time, high-resolution data that fuels production and processes for the food quality, environmental research, urban and agriculture sectors. Through the power of its employees, METER combines science, engineering, and design expertise to turn physical measurements into useful information. Learn more at www.metergroup.com. Contact Details JMRConnect Mostafa Razzak +1 202-904-2048 m.razzak@jmrconnect.net

December 16, 2021 08:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

Lind to Provide $5M to Boost Prizma Sales to the Growth in Demand for Covid-19 Testing Across California

G Medical Innovations Holdings

TEL AVIV and NEW YORK, Dec. [16], 2021 G Medical Innovations Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ: GMVD) (the "Company") today announced the pricing of a private placement in the form of a convertible note in the principal amount of $5,000,000 that has a two-year maturity and a fixed conversion price. Proceeds to be used to launch 25 Covid-19 testing centers in California in Q1, 2022. The first six locations are currently in operation as of Wednesday, December 15, 2021. G Medical Innovations Holdings Ltd., a telehealth, medical device, and remote patient monitoring company providing clinical-grade solutions for consumers, medical professionals, and healthcare institutions, Known for its groundbreaking technology, remote patient monitoring devices and services utilized by hospitals and cardiologists across the country, GMedical’s innovative Prizma monitoring device will be offered direct-to consumer for the first time at these testing locations, as part of an aggressive company direct-to-consumer strategy. Prizma is a user-friendly cell phone-sized device that can help monitor user’s vital signs, providing to-the-minute readings for ECG, temperature, oxygen saturation, heart rate, stress levels and blood pressure, help track body weight and glucose levels. Data is presented directly to the user and the designated care provider. Prizma can also be prescribed by physicians to patients with cardiac or respiratory disease, diabetes and other health issues. With the explosive growth in demand for Covid testing across the country, G Medical expects its new California locations to boost Prizma sales. “By offering Prizma at our Covid19 testing sites we are empowering consumers to measure and monitor their vital signs post testing, in the comfort of their own home,” said G Medical CEO Dr. Yacov Geva. “This unique opportunity to introduce our Prizma device to customers face-to-face at the point of sale is an important step forward in our company’s direct-to-consumer initiative EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, acted as exclusive placement agent for the offering. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. Forward-looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on G Medical’s current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties, and actual results, performance or achievements of G Medical could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. For example, G Medical is using forward-looking statements when it discusses the use of proceeds from the private placement, plans to open as many as 25 Covid-19 testing centers in California in Q1, 2022, its direct-to-consumer strategy and the benefits and advantages of its Prizma medical device. The forward-looking statements contained or implied in this press release are subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in G Medical’s prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on June 28, 2021, and in any subsequent filings with the SEC. Except as otherwise required by law, G Medical undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. G Medical is not responsible for the contents of third-party websites. Contact: G Medical Service +972 8-958-4777 service@gmedinnovations.com Contact Details G-Medical Innovations Holdings Ltd, Oren Cohen +972 8-958-4786 orenc@gmedinnovations.com Company Website https://gmedinnovations.com/

December 16, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Completed Redwood Genome Sequence Reveals Genes for Climate Adaptation and Offers Insights into Genetic Basis for Survival

Save the Redwoods League

Save the Redwoods League, University of California, Davis, Johns Hopkins University, University of Connecticut and Northern Arizona University today announced new research that identifies the makeup of the coast redwood and giant sequoia genomes. The information helps scientists and conservationists better understand the genetic basis for these species’ ability to adapt to their changing environments. Through comparative analysis, the research also indicates that the coast redwood genome evolved from a single ancestral species. Today’s announcement follows the official publication of the coast redwood genome research this week in G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics. The researchers previously made available the completed giant sequoia genome sequence, published in G3 in November 2020. The coast redwood and giant sequoia genome sequence data is available to the scientific community on Neale Lab’s UC Davis website. “It’s remarkable how far genomics research has come since we undertook this challenge in 2017,” said David Neale, Ph.D., plant sciences professor emeritus at UC Davis and lead author on the new coast redwood genome research. “Our work on the coast redwood and giant sequoia genomes will enable us to develop modern genetic tools that can be used in the restoration and conservation of these ecologically important tree species.” The League and its research partners launched the Redwood Genome Project in 2017. Project partners outlined an ambitious plan to fully sequence the coast redwood and giant sequoia genomes for the first time, using new conifer genetic sequencing techniques. The genomic resources and screening tools that can now be developed will allow researchers to quickly assess evolutionary adaptive potential in these forests and ultimately inform forest restoration and management plans. The Coast Redwood Genome The coast redwood is the world’s tallest tree, and its genome is among the most complex sequenced. Nearly nine times larger than the human genome, it is also the second-largest genome sequenced. The redwood genome has 26.5 billion base pairs of DNA, and it is hexaploid, meaning redwoods have six sets of chromosomes. Humans have 3 billion base pairs of DNA and are diploid, with two sets of chromosomes. When comparing the coast redwood genome sequence to that of other conifer species, researchers found hundreds of gene families that are unique to the coast redwood. Many of these are genes that help the trees respond to stress and play a role in resistance to fungal disease, detoxification, repair after injury and the synthesis of flavonoids, which help fight stress on the cellular level. The new research also sheds additional light on the origin of the rare and large hexaploid genome of the coast redwood. Multiple genes exist in triplicate, and those copies share more similarities to each other than to the sequences of other species. This analysis supports the hypothesis that the redwood genome originated from a single ancestral species (autopolyploidy), rather than through hybridization with other conifer species. The Giant Sequoia Genome The giant sequoia is the world’s largest tree species and among the oldest on the planet. As reported by the research team in November 2020, its genome contains 8.125 billion base pairs of DNA. Similar to the human genome, the giant sequoia genome is diploid. The reference genome produced for this study represents the first genome sequenced in the Cupressaceae family, and it lays a foundation for using genomic tools to aid in giant sequoia conservation and management. The genomes of conifers are three to 10 times larger than the human genome. They are highly repetitive and complex. The first conifer genomes ever sequenced were the Norway spruce in 2013 and loblolly pine in 2014, 10 years after the human genome was completed. Sequencing conifer genomes was not previously feasible due to economic and technological limitations. With technological advancements that also reduced the cost, 10 conifer genomes have now been sequenced, including the coast redwood and giant sequoia. The reference genome sequences of coast redwood and giant sequoia enabled the preliminary identification of genes that determine drought-related traits and those that determine adaptation to the environment. These discoveries are reported in papers published in The Plant Journal and Genes. About the Redwood Genome Project Save the Redwoods League has provided strategic guidance and funding for the Redwood Genome Project specifically to inform forest restoration and stewardship activities that will maintain the adaptive genetic diversity of the coast redwood and giant sequoia forests. In the last 160 years, commercial logging and clearcutting claimed 95% of the coast redwood range and about one-third of the giant sequoia range. In 2020, an estimated 10% to 14% of giant sequoia died from high-intensity wildfires, and in some areas, the seedbank also died. Two wildfires also burned through large sections of the giant sequoia range in 2021, and mortality from those is currently estimated to impact another 5% of the mature trees. As a result, both forests have experienced significant losses in total acreage and potentially a loss of genetic diversity as well. With these significant impacts to both populations, the League is leading restoration projects in both forest ranges. It aims to use this and future genetic research to inform efforts to restore and maintain genetic diversity and bolster the resilience of these species in the face of rapid, unprecedented environmental change. “This ambitious scientific research provides a critical foundation for the League and the entire redwoods community. It will ultimately help us understand the incredible range of responses that coast redwood and giant sequoia species have exhibited in the face of climate change and how native genetic diversity has informed these responses,” says Joanna Nelson, Ph.D., director of science and conservation planning for Save the Redwoods League. “The Redwood Genome Project helps us see, for the first time, the full genetic diversity that has allowed these forests to adapt and survive for millennia — and could protect them against a suite of conditions they have never experienced.” The Redwood Genome Project is made possible by Save the Redwoods League, University of California, Davis, Johns Hopkins University, University of Connecticut and Northern Arizona University. Generous donors of Save the Redwoods League have contributed more than $1 million to the project through Forever Forest: The Campaign for the Redwoods, including a significant lead gift from Ralph Eschenbach and Carol Joy Provan. In addition, genomic services companies Illumina, Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Dovetail Genomics contributed in-kind. To learn more about and support this groundbreaking initiative, visit the League’s website at SaveTheRedwoods.org/Genome. *** To schedule an interview, contact Robin Carr at (415) 971-3991 or redwoods@landispr.com. Save the Redwoods League One of the nation’s longest-running conservation organizations, Save the Redwoods League has been protecting and restoring redwood forests since 1918. The League has connected generations of visitors with the beauty and serenity of the redwood forest. The nonprofit’s 29,000 members have enabled the organization to protect more than 216,000 acres of irreplaceable forest in 66 local, state and national parks and reserves. For information, please visit SaveTheRedwoods.org. University of California, Davis UC Davis is a public institution, land-grant university and pioneer in interdisciplinary problem-solving. Its four colleges, five professional schools, more than 100 academic majors and 90 graduate programs make it the most comprehensive of all the University of California campuses. Johns Hopkins University Johns Hopkins is America’s first research university. For more than 140 years Johns Hopkins has been a world leader in both teaching and research, with nine academic divisions — the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, the Whiting School of Engineering, the Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Carey Business School, the Peabody Institute, the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, and the schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Education — plus the Applied Physics Laboratory, a nonacademic division that supports national security and pursues space science. The University of Connecticut The University of Connecticut is a national leader among public research universities, with more than 32,000 students seeking answers to critical questions in classrooms, labs, and the community. A culture of innovation drives this pursuit of knowledge throughout the University’s network of campuses. Connecticut’s commitment to higher education helps UConn attract students who thrive in the most competitive environments, as well as globally renowned faculty members. Our school pride is fueled by a history of success that has made us a standout in Division I athletics. UConn fosters a diverse and vibrant culture that meets the needs and seizes the opportunities of a dynamic global society. Northern Arizona University Northern Arizona University is a high-research institution providing exceptional educational opportunities in Arizona and beyond. NAU delivers a student-centered experience to its nearly 30,000 students in Flagstaff, statewide and online through rigorous academic programs in a supportive, inclusive and diverse environment. Dedicated, world-renowned faculty help ensure students achieve academic excellence, experience personal growth, have meaningful research opportunities and are positioned for personal and professional success. ### Contact Details Landis Communications Inc. Robin Carr +1 415-971-3991 redwoods@landispr.com Company Website https://www.savetheredwoods.org/

December 16, 2021 12:15 AM Pacific Standard Time

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American Kidney Fund Activates Disaster Relief Program to Support Dialysis and Post-Transplant Patients Affected by Tornadoes in Six States

American Kidney Fund

, The American Kidney Fund (AKF) has activated its Disaster Relief Program to provide emergency grants to dialysis and post-transplant patients who were impacted by the devastating tornadoes on December 10 and 11. AKF’s Disaster Relief Program is the nation’s only rapid-response system that provides emergency financial assistance to dialysis and recent transplant patients. “We were devastated by the news of the tornadoes and our hearts go out to the communities impacted. Through our Disaster Relief Program, we will aid dialysis and post-transplant patients who were affected,” said LaVarne A. Burton, AKF President and CEO. “Our grants provide assistance when it is needed the most and help alleviate some of the financial and health concerns of patients who find themselves navigating the aftermath of a natural disaster.” Emergency grants of $250 are being made available for dialysis and post-transplant patients impacted by the tornadoes in Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Disaster relief grants from AKF help patients replace lost medications and special renal diet foods, pay for temporary housing and transportation to treatment, and replace clothing and personal essentials lost due to the natural disaster or the need to evacuate without notice. AKF has been providing emergency disaster financial assistance to kidney patients throughout all the major disasters that have struck the United States and its territories for the past two decades. Earlier this year, AKF allocated $325,000 to more than 1,600 dialysis and post-transplant patients during the Texas winter storm crisis and $150,000 in emergency grants to more than 750 dialysis and kidney transplant patients affected by Hurricane Ida. AKF also activated its Coronavirus Emergency Fund in March 2020, providing over $3.1 million in assistance to nearly 13,000 dialysis and transplant patients during the pandemic. Dialysis and recent kidney transplant patients who need emergency financial help should contact a social worker at their dialysis clinic for information on applying for aid or apply directly at gms.KidneyFund.org. Applications will be accepted until Dec. 31. Charity Navigator has recognized AKF as one of the four-star charities providing emergency assistance in the aftermath of the tornadoes. AKF is covering the cost of processing and distributing grants, so that 100% of donations to the AKF Disaster Relief Program will be used to assist kidney patients affected by the tornadoes. ### About the American Kidney Fund The American Kidney Fund (AKF) fights kidney disease on all fronts as the nation’s leading kidney nonprofit. AKF works on behalf of the 37 million Americans living with kidney disease, and the millions more at risk, with an unmatched scope of programs that support people wherever they are in their fight against kidney disease—from prevention through transplant. With programs that address early detection, disease management, financial assistance, clinical research, innovation and advocacy, no kidney organization impacts more lives than AKF. AKF is one of the nation’s top-rated nonprofits, investing 97 cents of every donated dollar in programs, and holds the highest 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator and the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. For more information, please visit KidneyFund.org, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Contact Details American Kidney Fund Stefanie Tuck +1 202-470-1797 AKF@jpa.com Company Website https://www.kidneyfund.org/

December 15, 2021 10:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

Variational AI Partners with the University of British Columbia and adMare BioInnovations to Develop COVID-19 Therapeutic

Variational AI

Variational AI, developer of state-of-the-art generative AI technology to redefine the economics of drug development by accelerating the discovery of novel and optimized small molecule therapeutics, today announced the company has generated and ordered compounds for validation in partnership with the University of British Columbia (UBC) and adMare BioInnovations to develop a novel SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (3CLpro) inhibitor. The therapeutic is intended to be efficacious against the wild type and current variants of concern, including Delta and potentially Omicron, in the form of an antiviral pill. The COVID-19 drug discovery program is funded by Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster, which is supported by the Canadian Ministry of Innovation, Science and Industry. “The Variational AI team is honored to partner with the University of British Columbia and adMare BioInnovations to work to address this most urgent medical need,” said Handol Kim, co-founder and CEO, Variational AI. “As society continues to grapple with COVID-19 variants, it is more important than ever to leverage the power of machine learning to accelerate our drug discovery efforts.” Variational AI has trained its generative AI algorithm on a large amount of COVID-19 data to generate new molecules and has ordered a number of compounds to be synthesized that are predicted to be potent and safe with fewer side effects. Variational AI uses a generative model known as Variational Autoencoder (VAE), which is able to optimize molecular properties more quickly and uses data far more efficiently. The company intends to license the antiviral compound to a partner to accelerate progress and get the therapeutics into clinics sooner. “We are proud to support Variational AI’s innovative approach to discovering an effective therapeutic for COVID-19,” said Sue Paish, CEO of the Digital Technology Supercluster. “While vaccines offer the first and best line of defense against COVID-19, the global community needs as many therapeutic options as possible to prevent fatalities and improve patient outcomes.” Generally, pills can be manufactured, distributed and stored more easily and cost-effectively than vaccines and are particularly well-suited to treat people in developing countries. In addition to COVID-19 and its variants, the resulting therapeutic may also be efficacious against other coronaviruses. “Our lab is committed to remaining at the forefront of applying computational methods to discover COVID-19 therapeutics, and our collaboration with Variational AI to leverage the company’s powerful AI adds a promising pipeline of novel and potent SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease inhibitors to the arsenal of antiviral options,” said Artem Cherkasov, Ph.D., professor of medicine, University of British Columbia. About Variational AI Variational AI uses state-of-the-art machine learning in a data-efficient method to rapidly generate novel and diverse compounds that are optimized for multiple properties to avoid the most common causes of drug attrition and increase clinical probability of success. Variational AI works with leading biopharmaceutical partners and is developing its own internal pipeline. To learn more, visit https://variational.ai. Contact Details Sage Morander +1 401-490-9700 variationalai@svmpr.com Company Website https://variational.ai/

December 15, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time