Archive for the ‘Media Control’ Category

‘Setting the framework’: Rep. Jeff Jackson uses social media to … – The Daily Tar Heel

Jeff Jackson (D-N.C. 14th) is a member of Congress, a member of the National Guard and a father of three. He's also a TikTok star.

Jackson has about 1.4 million followers on the platform, where he posts informational videos about Congress and its function and current issues including information about emergency Zoom calls and the traditional freshman Congress office lottery.

In an email statement, Jackson said trust in political leadership has never been lower, and that transparency is key to earning that trust.

To me, it feels like part of the job of being a representative," he said in the email. "If we believe in transparency, then social media is a tool for accomplishing that. I just see it as an extension of my job."

Jackson had a strong media presence prior to his recent election, garnering over 500,000 views on his second-ever TikTok, a video that shows him addressing corruption as a state representative.

He used the platform, along with Instagram, YouTube and Twitter, as a tool in the race for North Carolina's U.S. Senate seat and later the 14th District seat. Jackson promoted campaign initiatives such as 100 Counties in 100 Days where he held 100 different town halls in 100 days as well as his policies, such as expanding reproductive health care access and legalizing marijuana.

One of his recent videos, covering the Silicon Valley Bank failure, has over 26 million views on TikTok, as well as 6 million on Instagram and 6,500 on YouTube.

Jackson is also continuing to expand his online presence by sending out blog updates to subscribers emails.

He's a very adept user of a medium that just not a lot of other people in politics are using regularly, Daniel Kreiss, a professor in the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, said.

But Kreiss also said Jacksons success can be attributed to his authentic presence online.

People who have used social media really well in the political space tend to be people who are unscripted, who can appear as being authentic who can communicate in a way that doesn't read like a press release, Kreiss said.

Jackson is authentic both on- and off-camera, according to Tyler Smith, who served as the co-captain of the UNC for Jeff Jackson campaign.

It's a testament to how effective he is as a speaker and as a good person, Smith said.

Jackson went to high school in Chapel Hill and attended Emory University. He returned to North Carolina to attend UNCs School of Law, and served as Gaston County Assistant District Attorney before becoming the second-youngest North Carolina state senator in 2014.

In 2022, after an unsuccessful run in the Democratic primary for the North Carolina U.S. Senate seat, Jackson announced his candidacy for North Carolinas new 14th Congressional district.

Sally Curme, a former communications and finance intern on Jacksons Senate campaign, said Jackson has a strong commitment to informing his constituents.

He was willing to be there. He wanted to talk about everything from education to voters rights to gun control to LGBTQ+ rights and everything in between, Curme said.

She said other politicians will start "taking a page out of his book," and that his social media presence helps to connect with voters of all demographics.

"I think he is setting the framework for the future of politics," Curme said.

@DTHCityState | city@dailytarheel.com

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'Setting the framework': Rep. Jeff Jackson uses social media to ... - The Daily Tar Heel

Drug Development Experts and Information for Media – St. Jude … – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

St. Jude deliberately designed its campus and culture to spark connections between clinicians and scientists, giving drug discovery projects the greatest chance of real-world success. Scientists and clinicians translate laboratory breakthroughs into novel treatment options for patients at St. Judeand around the world.

Small molecule discovery: From high-throughput screening to tailored molecular design, investigators in the Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics pursue the full spectrum of approaches to identify small molecules with excellent therapeutic potential.

Vaccines, gene therapy and other biologics: Many effective therapies involve biological products. To serve our patients and investigators, St. Jude was the first pediatric cancer research center in the United States to open an on-site Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility. This facility plays a critical role in moving promising discoveries fromSt. Judelaboratories into the hospital's clinics, ensuring that biopharmaceuticals and other biological products for patient use are manufactured in accordance with strict federal regulations.

Pharmacogenomics: Scientists and clinicians at St. Jude have pioneered pharmacogenomics discovery research and clinical implementation since the early 1990s. Research has uncovered pharmacogenetic variants influencing common anti-cancer drugs. These efforts have enabled the clinical implementation of pharmacogenomics, shifting the precision medicine paradigm in pediatric oncology.

The following drug discovery experts are available to offer hands-on expertise in developing therapeutics and biopharmaceuticals.

To schedule an interview, emailmedia@stjude.org.

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Drug Development Experts and Information for Media - St. Jude ... - St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

James Chappell wins NSF CAREER Award | Rice News | News and … – Rice News

Rice University bioscientist and synthetic biologist James Chappell has won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to develop RNA programming methods to improve human health and the environment.

Synthetic biology has progressed a lot in the past decade, and weve gotten really good at genetically programming microbes in confined laboratory environments where conditions are ideal, said Chappell, an assistant professor both of biosciences and of bioengineering. But, of course, most microbes on the planet don't live in pure cultures where the temperature is always 37 degrees (Celsius).

With the CAREER, were trying to think about programming in more complex environments, he said. The question is, Can we use the engineered RNA systems weve developed to start programming communities of microbes in more messy environments?

CAREER awards, the NSFs most prestigious early-career honors, recognize young scientists who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education. Only about 500 CAREER Awards are given across all academic disciplines each year, and Chappell is one of nine Rice faculty to garner one in 2023.

Chappell, who joined Rice in 2017, researches RNA systems and biotechnologies. RNA, like DNA, are molecules made of long chains of nucleotides. Both DNA and RNA encode information based upon the sequence of nucleotides in their chains, but DNA is the medium cells use to store genetic information, and RNA is the medium for accessing and acting on that stored information. Cells also use RNA to turn genes on and off, catalyze chemical reactions, and sense molecular and environmental cues.

As a discipline, synthetic biology has frameworks to genetically program model microbes in the laboratory, he said. We need analogous frameworks to program the native microbial communities that are all around us in soils, rivers, our built environment and even our own bodies.

Microbial communities are groups of microbes, like bacteria, that share a common living space and either coexist peacefully or and work together in symbiotic partnership.

Microbial communities are found almost everywhere, and they underlie processes that are critical for humans, Chappell said.

For example, microbial communities in our intestines help digest food. Microbial communities called biofilms can damage surfaces like the enamel on our teeth or the finishes on our buildings. And on a larger scale, Chappell said microbial communities play critical roles in agriculture, sewage treatment and ecosystem health.

Having the ability to genetically manipulate such communities will allow us to study and better understand them, he said. We could also program them with new or improved functions that improve human health, crop yields and global sustainability.

For example, Chappell and Rice Biosciences colleague Joff Silberg recently won a three-year grant from the Kleberg Foundation to create RNA programs that will act as genetically encoded antibiotics. The idea is for individual bacteria to readily copy and share the antibiotic programs, which will selectively kill disease-causing bacteria thanks to a triggering mechanism that recognizes virulence genes or other pathogen-specific biomarkers.

In the CAREER research, Chappells lab will focus on creating a new method for genetically programming microbial communities that live in soil, wastewater and other messy environments.

Engineered RNA systems will be used in the laboratory to study how various genetic programs propagate through undomesticated microbial communities in such complex media. Chappells team will work to implement spatiotemporal control in these environments, creating genetic programs that can be selectively activated at specific times or in specific places.

After we develop these methods, we plan to combine and apply them in a proof-of-concept demonstration where well use RNA programming to enhance the ability of a microbial community to harvest clean energy directly from human or animal waste, Chappell said.

The project research will be integrated with an educational plan that will bring community college students into the lab to take an active role in the research so they can decide if they are interested in pursuing an advanced degree or career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

Chappell said there are advantages to developing an RNA-based technology for programming microbial communities.

RNA is a very versatile molecule in terms of functionality, he said. If we invest time and figure out how to program with it, its likely well be able to write programs that do a lot of different things. We also expect RNA programming to be functionally portable, meaning it can work in a lot of diverse contexts. Thats big for us, because were thinking about how to program complex communities of microbes, and functional portability means an RNA program that works in one messy environment has a good chance of working in another.

Chappell said theres also a good chance the team could eventually use artificial intelligence or other computational techniques to automate the design of microbial programming.

The design rules for RNA are pretty simple, he said. A lot of the systems we work with depend on two RNA molecules coming together. How they interact when they come together is based on the simple rules of Watson-Crick base-pairing, where A (adenine) pairs with T (thymine) and G (guanine) pairs with C (cytosine). Its super simple, which means theres a good chance we can learn it well enough to create computational algorithms that predict and design RNA function directly from sequence.

CAREER: Selective activation of catalytic RNA to control energy flow in microbial consortia | NSF Division of Molecular and Cellular Bioscience

https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2237512

https://news-network.rice.edu/news/files/2023/03/0327_CHAPPELL-Fit3-lg.jpg CAPTION: James Chappell (Photo by Jeff Fitlow/Rice University)

https://news-network.rice.edu/news/files/2023/03/0327_CHAPPELL-Fit5-lg.jpg CAPTION: James Chappell (Photo by Jeff Fitlow/Rice University)

https://news-network.rice.edu/news/files/2023/03/0327_CHAPPELL-Fig-lg.jpg CAPTION: James Chappells research group at Rice University uses RNA technologies to transfer genetic programs between individual microbes in order to control and program communities of microbes that coexist or work together in a common living space. Chappell won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award that includes a five-year research grant for his lab to investigate renewable energy applications of RNA programs that selectively control the flow of energy in microbial consortia.

Rice team eyes cells for sophisticated data storage Aug. 18, 2022https://news.rice.edu/news/2022/rice-team-eyes-cells-sophisticated-data-storage

Rice bioscientist Chappell awarded Sloan Research Fellowship Feb. 15, 2018https://news2.rice.edu/2018/02/15/rice-bioscientist-chappell-awarded-sloan-research-fellowship/

Chappell Lab: https://www.chappell-lab.org

Rice Department of BioSciences: https://biosciences.rice.edu

Wiess School of Natural Sciences: https://naturalsciences.rice.edu/

George R. Brown School of Engineering: https://engineering.rice.edu/

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nations top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 4,240 undergraduates and 3,972 graduate students, Rices undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 1 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplingers Personal Finance.

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James Chappell wins NSF CAREER Award | Rice News | News and ... - Rice News

GlobalChem Returns In-Person Next Week – American Chemistry Council

WASHINGTON (March 27, 2023) The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is excited to announce final speakers, presenters and panels for next weeks in-person Global Chemical Regulations Conference and Exhibition (GlobalChem) beginning on Monday, April 3, 2023.

GlobalChem will host a preconference webinar on Tuesday, March 28 with members of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics technical team providing GlobalChem attendees with tips and tricks for navigating EPAs Central Data Exchange (CDX). OPPT experts will offer in-person demonstrations and answer questions on Tuesday, April 4 in the GlobalChem Exhibition Hall.

The GlobalChem Conference begins Monday, April 3 with TSCA 101 Workshops. This full day of educational workshops is ideal for those new to chemical regulations or want a refresher on the basics of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Hear directly from regulators and industry experts as the workshop aims to guide GlobalChem attendees through the major sections of TSCA and the PMN submission process.

ACC President & CEO Chris Jahn will deliver a keynote speech Tuesday morning to kick off GlobalChem 2023, highlighting the importance of consistent, objective and transparent domestic and global chemical management regulations. Among Tuesdays speakers and panels, there will be a session exploring the evolving landscape for setting occupational exposure limits (OELs) and their application in assessing and managing occupational risk.

On the final day of GlobalChem 2023, Jacqueline Alvarez with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will deliver Wednesday mornings keynote address, highlighting the importance of engagement by the chemical industry and other stakeholders in UNEP and the UNs global programs. GlobalChem 2023 will conclude with sessions on trade and the supply chain, global chemicals management strategy, air quality monitoring and environmental justice.

GlobalChem is the industry's premier conference on chemicals management and regulatory policy. Coupled with the GlobalChem Exhibition and pre-conference workshops, this annual gathering of industry professionals offers a valuable opportunity to examine recent developments in domestic and global chemicals management policy and EPAs continued implementation of the 2016 TSCA amendments. With GlobalChem returning to an in-person format, attendees will have the opportunity to meet and reconnect with leaders and experts in chemical regulation.

We are pleased to welcome everyone back to an in-person GlobalChem Conference and Exhibition, said Dr. Kimberly Wise White, ACCs Vice President for Regulatory and Scientific Affairs. From the preconference CDX webinar and in-person demonstrations to the keynote speeches, panel discussions and breakout sessions, GlobalChem attendees will have the opportunity to hear from industry and government experts on the challenges and opportunities present in the ever-changing landscape of domestic and international chemical management policies.

The 2023 agenda includes presentations and breakout sessions on risk management under TSCA; tiered data collection; risk communication; the New Chemicals Collaborative Research Program (NCCRP); confidential business information, and much more. The theme for this years GlobalChem Conference is The Changing Landscape of Chemicals Management: Exploring Risks & Opportunities.

Beveridge & Diamond PC is the principal sponsor of 2023 GlobalChem Conference and Chemical Watch is the media sponsor.

To learn more about the conference agenda and to register, please visit the GlobalChem website. All members of the media are invited to request credentials by registering here.

For a deeper dive into TSCA and chemicals management policies, please visit ACCs TSCA webpage.

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in themultibillion-dollarbusiness of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products, technologies and services that make people's lives better, healthierandsafer.ACC is committed to improved environmental, health, safety and security performance through Responsible Care; common sense advocacy addressing major public policy issues; and health and environmental research and product testing. ACC members and chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development, and areadvancing products, processes and technologies to address climate change, enhance air and water quality, and progress toward a more sustainable, circular economy.

Stay up-to-date and engaged with the latest industry-related news.

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GlobalChem Returns In-Person Next Week - American Chemistry Council

High Blood Pressure Disorders in Pregnancy Rising – Cleveland Clinic Newsroom

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CLEVELAND Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure.

Even more concerning, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are on the rise.

When it comes to high blood pressure disorders during pregnancy, there are three that are most common.

First is chronic hypertension, which is when a woman is diagnosed with hypertension before pregnancy or early in pregnancy before 20 weeks, said Oluwatosin Goje, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist for Cleveland Clinic. Then there is gestational hypertension, which is hypertension after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Those with gestational hypertension can eventually develop what we call preeclampsia.

According to the CDC, high blood pressure is seen in one in every 12 to 17 pregnancies among women ages 20 to 44 in the United States. Preeclampsia occurs in around one in 25 pregnancies.

Dr. Goje said preeclampsia is the more severe type of hypertension in pregnancy and can potentially impact organ function and the placenta.

To avoid complications, she stresses women must be screened for high blood pressure before, during and after pregnancy.

Dr. Goje explained those over the age of 40 have an increased risk of developing hypertensive disorders during pregnancy as well as those with diabetes, immune system disorders like lupus or women who went through in vitro fertilization.

She noted Black women are also at an increased risk.

So how can a woman lower her risk for high blood pressure?

You can control your blood pressure by staying active, exercising and eating a healthy diet. When it comes to diet, I tell patients youre not fasting or starving but youre eating more fruits and vegetables and drinking more water, Dr. Goje said. Its also crucial to reduce stress. Stress has been known to complicate a lot of maternal morbidity conditions, especially in Black women.

Dr. Goje said its important to take measures before pregnancy to control blood pressure levels and decrease the risk of complications.

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High Blood Pressure Disorders in Pregnancy Rising - Cleveland Clinic Newsroom