Featured Stories
Optica: Spectroscopy system detects aerosols using everyday surfaces
WASHINGTON, July 30 [Category: Medical] -- Optica, formerly the Optical Society, posted the following news release:
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Spectroscopy system detects aerosols using everyday surfaces
Researchers replaced field-deployed mirrors with reflections from common surfaces, thus enabling fast, long-distance detection of hazardous aerosols in real-world environments
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Researchers have developed and tested an infrared spectroscopy system that can rapidly detect chemical aerosols from a distance by using the light reflected from common surfaces such as traffic signs, tree trunks or painted surfaces. The
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WASHINGTON, July 30 [Category: Medical] -- Optica, formerly the Optical Society, posted the following news release:
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Spectroscopy system detects aerosols using everyday surfaces
Researchers replaced field-deployed mirrors with reflections from common surfaces, thus enabling fast, long-distance detection of hazardous aerosols in real-world environments
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Researchers have developed and tested an infrared spectroscopy system that can rapidly detect chemical aerosols from a distance by using the light reflected from common surfaces such as traffic signs, tree trunks or painted surfaces. Thenew method could make it possible to detect hazards without complicated instruments, helping improve safety and easing operations at industrial sites, public venues and other high-risk locations.
"Previously, many remote chemical detection systems have relied on placing a mirror or other highly reflective target in the field to bounce the laser signal back to the detector, which isn't practical in many real-world situations," said research team leader Tim Johnson from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. "Our approach eliminates that requirement by using reflections from ordinary surfaces, allowing us to detect aerosolized chemicals from a distance without installing specialized equipment at the target location."
In the Optica Publishing Group Applied Optics, the researchers report results from laboratory tests using reflected infrared laser light from different surfaces. They showed that many non-metallic surfaces could be used for aerosol and vapor detection at standoff distances of up to 11 meters.
"The ability to detect aerosols or vapors from tens of meters away without complex equipment could improve safety in a wide range of settings, from protecting workers and military personnel to detecting chemical spills and monitoring facility perimeters," said Johnson. "For example, it could be used at large sporting events or concerts to help identify an accidental or intentional chemical release before it reaches the crowd."
Caption: Researchers developed a new infrared spectroscopy system that can rapidly detect dangerous chemical aerosols from a distance by using the reflectance from common surfaces such as painted surfaces.
Creating a practical spectral system
When hazardous chemicals are released into the environment, they often exist as aerosols -tiny liquid droplets or solid particles suspended in the air. Although infrared spectroscopy can be used to identify the chemical composition of aerosols, this analytical technique is difficult to implement outside the laboratory.
One of the biggest obstacles to using infrared spectroscopy in the field is the reliance on mirrors to reflect the light back to the instrument, thus enabling detection. Even when there is access to position a mirror, maintaining stable optical alignment is challenging, and mirror surfaces can quickly become scratched or dirty, degrading performance.
The researchers developed a method that eliminates the need for such mirrors by allowing the laser to be pointed at everyday surfaces. The reduced reflectivity is partially compensated for by using high-power lasers and software that parses noise in the data to ultimately detect the reflected light at the detection system. Another key innovation was an infrared laser/telescope system that automatically adjusts the outgoing laser beam for different standoff distances while efficiently collecting the returning light, maximizing the amount of signal that reaches the detector.
"Even if they aren't 100% reflective like a new mirror, many surfaces offer substantial reflectivity," said Johnson. "Our approach makes it possible to use these surfaces to generate enough optical signal for the spectrometer to detect an aerosol chemical plume in the path of the laser beam."
As part of the work, the researchers characterized the reflectivity of almost 50 common materials such as siding, wallboard, traffic signs, tree bark and car panels. They found that certain sidings and traffic signs offered higher reflectivity, compared to other materials tested.
Aerosol chamber testing
To evaluate the new method, the researchers constructed an aerosol chamber where they could generate aerosols with well-characterized particle sizes and chemical compositions, including chemical mixtures.
They used the chamber to test their new method with a subset of the reflective surfaces they previously characterized. They analyzed several different aerosols, including diethyl sebacate, a stand-in for hazardous chemicals, and calcium carbonate, which is found in rocks like chalk and mineral limestone. In each case, the system successfully detected and identified the aerosols despite differences in chemical composition and surface reflectivity.
Next, the researchers plan to evaluate the method using aerosols with broader distributions of particle sizes and increasingly complex chemical mixtures. These more realistic scenarios produce more complicated infrared spectra, making chemical identification more challenging. The team expects that artificial intelligence and machine learning may help analyze these complex spectral signatures and improve detection performance.
This work is part of the Pursuing Intelligent Complex Aerosols for Rapid Detection (PICARD) program, an initiative by the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) to develop advanced sensing platforms that rapidly detect dangerous chemical aerosols in challenging, real-world environments.
Paper: T. Johnson, D. Cancino, J.D. Erickson, Z.M. Comstock, T.L. Myers, C. A. Kendziora, R. Furstenberg, S. B. Pilkington, R. M. Levine, S. H. Pullins, M. D. Melendez, A. R. Luxon, J. M. Mueller, D. E. Hunka, D. S. Alburty, D. J. Radke, "Aerosol and Vapor Detection via Infrared Laser Reflectance from Common Surfaces: All That Shimmers is Not Gold," Applied Optics, 65, XXXX (2026).
DOI: 10.1364/AO.604722
About Applied Optics
Applied Optics publishes in-depth peer-reviewed content about applications-centered research in optics. These articles cover research in optical technology, photonics, lasers, information processing, sensing and environmental optics. Applied Optics is published three times per month by Optica Publishing Group and overseen by Editor-in-Chief Peter Andersen, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark. For more information, visit Applied Optics.
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Original text here: https://www.optica.org/about/newsroom/news_releases/2026/spectroscopy_system_detects_aerosols_using_everyday_surfaces/
Second Century Ventures Announces 8 Companies for 2026 REACH Commercial Scale-Up Program
WASHINGTON, July 29 -- The National Association of Realtors issued the following news release:
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Second Century Ventures Announces 8 Companies for 2026 REACH Commercial Scale-Up Program
Second Century Ventures, the strategic investment arm of the National Association of REALTORS(R) and the most active global real estate technology fund, announced today the acceptance of eight companies to the 2026 REACH Commercial program. Launched in 2019, this marks the eighth cohort dedicated to scaling solutions for commercial real estate.
The companies selected for the 2026 REACH Commercial program
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WASHINGTON, July 29 -- The National Association of Realtors issued the following news release:
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Second Century Ventures Announces 8 Companies for 2026 REACH Commercial Scale-Up Program
Second Century Ventures, the strategic investment arm of the National Association of REALTORS(R) and the most active global real estate technology fund, announced today the acceptance of eight companies to the 2026 REACH Commercial program. Launched in 2019, this marks the eighth cohort dedicated to scaling solutions for commercial real estate.
The companies selected for the 2026 REACH Commercial programrepresent a diverse range of solutions, including innovations in:
* Store-level sales data and shopper analytics,
* Energy management and utility cost reduction,
* Package logistics and delivery management,
* Parking operations and revenue optimization,
* mercial tenant cash flow and financial intelligence,
* Retail leasing and space activation,
* Biometric security and access control, and
* Payment automation and fintech infrastructure.
"Great technology doesn't wait for an easy market. It shows up when money is tight and everyone's looking for a way through," said Dave Garland, managing partner of Second Century Ventures. "That's exactly what these eight companies do: get owners paid faster, run buildings leaner, and turn dead space into revenue."
Companies accepted to the 2026 REACH Commercial program include:
* CenterCheck: store-level sales monitoring that gives retailers and shopping centers accurate sales reporting, shopper demographics, and transaction journey insights for their physical locations.
* Embue: AI-powered control and sensing that cuts apartment buildings' utility costs by 25% within the first hour of use, giving owners immediate, measurable savings without any hardware overhaul.
* HelloPackage: AI-powered package management system for multifamily and student-housing communities --computer vision, driver coordination, and hands-on service--so leasing teams stay focused on leasing, not packages.
* Parkquility: a license plate registration based parking management platform that maximizes net operating income for property owners while delivering a seamless, frictionless experience for drivers and visitors.
* RentFlow: the first platform to align commercial rent with business tenant cash flow, keeping property owners paid on time while turning rent-payment and cash flow data into real-time asset intelligence.
* Shortlyst: the sourcing engine for short-term retail activations, connecting property owners with vetted, activation-ready brands to fill vacant space, generate revenue, and drive foot traffic.
* SKLUT: a mobile-first facial recognition access platform networking commercial, residential, and event venues across New York City into one system, enabling seamless entry and exit from a single mobile device.
* SnapRefund: gives insurers and insurance agents payment automation that streamlines refunds and improves operational efficiency across their claims and billing workflows.
"Our 2026 REACH Commercial cohort emerged from the most competitive applicant pool we've seen to date," said Bob Gillespie, managing partner of REACH Commercial. "What stood out was the breadth of challenges being solved--from payments, parking, security, and energy to retail leasing and data driven decision making. This cohort of companies aren't just promising ideas; they have real customers, real revenue, and the traction to scale. We're excited to help accelerate that growth across our network."
REACH offers a robust curriculum including education, mentorship, exclusive networking opportunities and significant exposure to the global real estate marketplace. To learn more about REACH and how you can get involved, visit https://nar-reach.com.
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About REACH
REACH is a unique technology scale-up program created by Second Century Ventures, the most active global fund in real estate technology. Backed by the National Association of REALTORS(R), REACH leverages the association's membership and an unparalleled network of executives within real estate and adjacent industries. The REACH program helps technology companies scale across the real estate vertical and its adjacent markets through education, mentorship, and market exposure.
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About the National Association of REALTORS(R)
The National Association of REALTORS(R) is involved in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate. The term REALTOR(R) is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS(R) and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. For free consumer guides about navigating the homebuying and selling transaction processes--from written buyer agreements to negotiating compensation--visit facts.realtor.
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Original text here: https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/second-century-ventures-announces-8-companies-for-2026-reach-commercial-scale-up-program
[Category: Real Estate]
National MS Society: Scientists Find New Evidence Linking Epstein-Barr Virus to MS
NEW YORK, July 29 -- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society issued the following news:
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Scientists Find New Evidence Linking Epstein-Barr Virus to MS
In 2022, a team at Harvard University provided the strongest evidence to date that the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is a trigger for MS. Now, an international team reports that CD4+ T cells (an important immune cell involved in MS) from people with MS respond about twice as strongly to specific EBV proteins produced during active viral infection compared with people without MS. These heightened responses were not seen for other common viruses,
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, July 29 -- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society issued the following news:
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Scientists Find New Evidence Linking Epstein-Barr Virus to MS
In 2022, a team at Harvard University provided the strongest evidence to date that the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is a trigger for MS. Now, an international team reports that CD4+ T cells (an important immune cell involved in MS) from people with MS respond about twice as strongly to specific EBV proteins produced during active viral infection compared with people without MS. These heightened responses were not seen for other common viruses,suggesting a unique relationship between EBV and MS.
The researchers also looked at blood samples obtained from people with MS who had been treated with B cell-depleting therapies. The results show that depleting B cells also resulted in reducing EVB-specific CD4+ T cells, and reduced the amount of EBV released into saliva, further strengthening the connections between EBV and MS.
Together, these results provide important clues to how EBV may spur on MS. They also give insight into how treatment strategies might be designed to prevent EBV from triggering MS.
This study was partly funded by a National Multiple Sclerosis Society postdoctoral fellowship to author Dr. Natalia Drosu. Drosu is now funded by a Career Transition Fellowship from the Society to study whether unique immune responses to EBV infection can predict future MS disease activity.
Read more about this study (https://www.technologynetworks.com/tn/news/the-epstein-barr-virus-provokes-t-cells-to-drive-multiple-sclerosis-414733) in an article from Technology Networks.
EBV is a critical target in the global plan to prevent MS. Hear more about this global strategy in a RealTalk MS podcast (https://realtalkms.com/episode-439-preventing-ms-with-dr-bruce-bebo/).
CD4+ T cells reactive to Epstein-Barr virus late lytic antigens are enriched in individuals with multiple sclerosis (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13374717/) by Kjetil Bjornevik, Joao Vitor Mahler, Philippe A Bilodeau, Brit Ellen Rod, Gabriela Romanow, Takahisa Mikami, Monique Anderson, Natasha Bobrowski-Khoury, Huimin Zhu, James Nguyen, Ying Sun, Marcelo Matiello, David Housman, Bardia Nourbakhsh, Kjell-Morten Myhr, 0ivind Torkildsen, Ludvig M Sollid, Michael Levy, and Natalia Drosu is published in Science Translational Medicine 2026 Jul 15;18(858):eadz6566.
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About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. Currently there is no cure. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include disabling fatigue, mobility challenges, cognitive changes, and vision issues. An estimated 1 million people live with MS in the United States. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to minimize disability. Significant progress is being made to achieve a world free of MS.
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About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National MS Society, founded in 1946, is the global leader of a growing movement dedicated to creating a world free of MS. The Society funds cutting-edge research for a cure, drives change through advocacy and provides programs and services to help people affected by MS live their best lives. Connect to learn more and get involved: nationalmssociety.org, Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, YouTube or 1-800-344-4867.
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Original text here: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/news-and-magazine/news/link-ebv-ms
[Category: Health Care]
INCOMPAS Urges FCC to Issue NPRM on State Pole Attachment Certifications
WASHINGTON, July 29 -- INCOMPAS issued the following news release:
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INCOMPAS Urges FCC to Issue NPRM on State Pole Attachment Certifications
INCOMPAS, the competitive communications and AI infrastructure association, filed reply comments yesterday with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging the agency to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to establish a clear process for determining whether states that have certified jurisdiction over pole attachments continue to meet the regulatory requirements Congress set out in Section 224 of the Communications Act.
The following
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WASHINGTON, July 29 -- INCOMPAS issued the following news release:
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INCOMPAS Urges FCC to Issue NPRM on State Pole Attachment Certifications
INCOMPAS, the competitive communications and AI infrastructure association, filed reply comments yesterday with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging the agency to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to establish a clear process for determining whether states that have certified jurisdiction over pole attachments continue to meet the regulatory requirements Congress set out in Section 224 of the Communications Act.
The followingstatement can be attributed to Staci L. Pies, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Policy at INCOMPAS:
"INCOMPAS commends the Commission for examining this issue as part of its Build America Agenda. Pole attachment access is a critical bottleneck for broadband deployment, and it deserves the same scrutiny as permitting delays and unreasonable fees. Unclear state regulation and complaint processes can mean years-long delays, abandoned projects, and rising costs for consumers.
We applaud the Commission for recognizing the importance of this issue to easing deployment nationwide, and we urge the agency to move forward with a fair, limited process that preserves effective state regulation while ensuring that reverse preemption remains tied to the conditions Congress enacted."
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Original text here: https://incompas.org/news-post/incompas-urges-fcc-to-issue-nprm-on-state-pole-attachment-certifications/
[Category: Telecommunications]
GCSAA Announces 2026 Par Aide Garske Grant Winners
LAWRENCE, Kansas, July 29 -- The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America issued the following news release:
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GCSAA announces 2026 Par Aide Garske Grant winners
Eleven students have been selected as the 2026 winners from GCSAA based on community service, leadership, academic performance and a written essay
Par Aide sponsors scholarship program for children of superintendents
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The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has awarded its 2026 Par Aide Garske Grants to Kathryn Honaker, Elizabeth Hopkins, Ethan Keilen, Cadell Moulton, Emilee Puhl, Danielle Robertson,
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LAWRENCE, Kansas, July 29 -- The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America issued the following news release:
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GCSAA announces 2026 Par Aide Garske Grant winners
Eleven students have been selected as the 2026 winners from GCSAA based on community service, leadership, academic performance and a written essay
Par Aide sponsors scholarship program for children of superintendents
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The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has awarded its 2026 Par Aide Garske Grants to Kathryn Honaker, Elizabeth Hopkins, Ethan Keilen, Cadell Moulton, Emilee Puhl, Danielle Robertson,Ashlyn Sexton, Kaitlyn Skirkanich, Alayna Stawovy, Reese Wenker and Ines Yanez.
"GCSAA is grateful for Par Aide's ongoing commitment to supporting the children of GCSAA members in their pursuit for academic success," said GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. "Thank you to Par Aide for your steadfast generosity and support of the GCSAA Foundation that allows GCSAA to aid our members and their families seeking higher education. It truly makes a difference."
Established in honor of Par Aide company founder Joseph S. Garske, the Par Aide Garske Grant competition is funded by the golf course accessory company and administered by the GCSAA Foundation, the philanthropic organization of GCSAA. For more than 20 years, the program has helped children and stepchildren of GCSAA members fund their education at an accredited college or trade school with one-time, one-year grants. There are eleven grants awarded for a total of $14,000. Grants are based on community service, leadership, academic performance, and a written essay.
"At Par Aide, we have always believed in investing in the future of our industry, and that starts with supporting the families who make golf possible every day," said Dan Brown, Par Aide director of sales and marketing. "We are proud to continue honoring our founder, Joe Garske, through these grants, and we congratulate this year's recipients as they take the next step in their educational journey. We wish them continued success in the years ahead."
* Wenker has earned a $2,500 scholarship and is planning to attend United States Naval Academy Preparatory School to major in oceanography and become a United States Navy Pilot. Her father, Nolan Wenker, CGCS, is the superintendent at Oswego Lake Country Club in Lake Oswego, Ore.
* Yanez has earned a $2,500 scholarship and is planning to attend Stanford University to major in environmental engineering. Her father, David Yanez, is superintendent at The Country Club of Rancho Bernardo in San Diego, Calif.
* Honaker has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend West Virginia University to major in criminology/pre-law. Her father, Brian Honaker, is the director of agronomy at Stonehaven Course at The Resort at Glade Springs in Daniels, W.Va.
* Hopkins has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend the University of Georgia to major in marketing. Her father, Tad Hopkins, is the superintendent at Fenmoor Golf Club At Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Ga.
* Keilen has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend Oakland Community College to major in industrial design. His father, Andrew Keilen, is the superintendent at Knollwood Country Club in West Bloomfield, Mich.
* Moulton has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend Menlo College to major in sports management and business. His father, Jonathan Moulton, is the superintendent at Martis Camp Club in Truckee, Calif.
* Puhl has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend Southern Oregon University and major in educational studies. Her stepfather, Craig Hilty, is the superintendent at Rogue Valley Country Club in Medford, Ore.
* Robertson has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend Samford University to major in nursing. Her father, David Robertson, is the superintendent at River Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas
* Sexton has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend Murray State University to major in speech language pathology. Her father, Jeff Sexton, CGCS, is the superintendent at Evansville (Ind.) Country Club in Evansville.
* Skirkanich has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend Saint Anselm College to major in nursing. Her father, Mike Skirkanich, is the assistant superintendent at Granite Links Golf Club at Quarry Hills in Quincy, Mass.
* Stawovy has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend Pennsylvania Western University - Edinboro to major in exercise science and minor in psychology. Her father, John Stawovy, is the superintendent at Cedarbrook Golf Club in Belle Vernon, Va.
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Original text here: https://www.gcsaa.org/who-we-are/media/news-release/2026/07/28/gcsaa-announces-2026-par-aide-garske-grant-winners
[Category: Facilities Management]
American Society of Addiction Medicine Posts Guest Editorial - When Craving Predicts the Use of Methamphetamine: Lessons From the ADAPT-2 Trial
ROCKVILLE, Maryland, July 29 [Category: Health Care] -- The American Society of Addiction Medicine posted the following commentary by Manish K. Jha, Udi Ghitza and Madhukar H. Trivedi:
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Guest Editorial - When Craving Predicts the Use of Methamphetamine: Lessons From the ADAPT-2 Trial
When Craving Predicts the Use of Methamphetamine: Lessons From the ADAPT-2 Trial
By Manish K. Jha, MBBS; Udi Ghitza, PhD; and Madhukar H. Trivedi, MD
Methamphetamine use disorder remains a significant public health issue with high rates of morbidity and mortality and the absence of any United States Food
... Show Full Article
ROCKVILLE, Maryland, July 29 [Category: Health Care] -- The American Society of Addiction Medicine posted the following commentary by Manish K. Jha, Udi Ghitza and Madhukar H. Trivedi:
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Guest Editorial - When Craving Predicts the Use of Methamphetamine: Lessons From the ADAPT-2 Trial
When Craving Predicts the Use of Methamphetamine: Lessons From the ADAPT-2 Trial
By Manish K. Jha, MBBS; Udi Ghitza, PhD; and Madhukar H. Trivedi, MD
Methamphetamine use disorder remains a significant public health issue with high rates of morbidity and mortality and the absence of any United States Foodand Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatments. Therefore, the original report from the NIDA Clinical Trials Network (CTN) ADAPT-2 trial was an important milestone, demonstrating that extended-release naltrexone plus bupropion outperformed placebo in adults with moderate to severe methamphetamine use disorder. Yet, overall improvement remained modest, with only 16.5% of participants meeting the initial treatment response threshold. In a recent secondary analysis of data from the ADAPT-2 trial, we evaluated the factors associated with improvement (ie, attainment of negative urine drug screen [UDS] test) or return to use (ie, testing positive for methamphetamine after a negative UDS). We focused on two constructs that clinicians already recognize as central to maintaining the cycle of addiction, namely craving and impulsivity. Specifically, we examined these constructs dynamically, linking craving and impulsivity at one visit to UDS status at the next. We found that higher craving predicted a lower likelihood of transitioning from a positive UDS to a negative one, and a higher likelihood of transitioning from a negative UDS back to a positive one at the next visit.
Using a relatively simple craving measure of a visual analog scale, we found meaningful prognostic information over a short time period. However, the association between craving and likelihood of improvement with treatment varied based on the treatment and time. For transitions from positive to negative UDS, the association among craving, time, and treatment group was significant. In the naltrexone-bupropion group, lower craving consistently tracked a greater likelihood of improvement, and the separation between lower and higher craving appeared to widen over time. In the placebo group, by contrast, this effect was largely diminished by weeks 5 and 6.
We also found that measuring impulsivity provided additional clinically relevant information. Specifically, in this study, higher impulsivity independently predicted a lower probability of transitioning from positive to negative UDS, even after accounting for craving. The effect was additive, not interactive: individuals with lower craving but higher impulsivity still fared worse than those with lower craving and lower impulsivity. Impulsivity was not significantly associated with transition from negative to positive UDS. Craving, not impulsivity, appeared to be the more consistent signal of return to use once abstinence had been achieved. This difference in association may potentially indicate stage-specific mechanisms. Impulsivity may be especially relevant during the shift from ongoing use toward early abstinence, while craving may be more salient in destabilizing abstinence once achieved. This may suggest that relapse vulnerability is not governed by a single, uniform process and different mechanisms may be relevant during different phases of treatment.
From a clinical perspective, this study suggests the potential clinical utility of repeatedly assessing craving and impulsivity, where persistently elevated craving levels may signal lack of initial improvement with naltrexone-bupropion combination for methamphetamine use disorder. Furthermore, impulsivity may be an important symptom domain in the treatment planning process for individuals with methamphetamine use disorder. While a brief visual analog scale may not capture the full multidimensional nature of craving, and the two-item domain of impulsivity may not capture the broader trait-level features of irritability, this study shows that even simple measures can be clinically informative. That is especially relevant in real-world settings, where overly elaborate assessments may be difficult to implement in routine clinical practice. These findings should be useful in implementing a measurement-based care approach for the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder.
At the same time, the paper's limitations should guide the field's next steps. This was an unplanned secondary analysis, not a prospectively designed mechanistic study. The craving measure was retrospective and unidimensional. Missing urine drug screens were not imputed as positive, unlike the primary ADAPT-2 outcome approach. The subgroup contributing to negative-to-positive transitions was relatively small, given that all participants entered with documented recent methamphetamine-positive urine tests. And the use of urine drug screens, while clinically meaningful, does not capture finer-grained variation in amount or frequency of use.
Our findings further support the advancement of measures for craving based on the 2023 draft guidance from the FDA on development of medications for the treatment of stimulant (including methamphetamine) use disorder. Such development is particularly relevant for development of craving as an outcome measure in future FDA-regulated trials.
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#About the Authors
Manish K. Jha, MBBS, is an associate professor of psychiatry and O'Donnell Clinical Neuroscience Scholar at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX. He received his medical degree from Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi, India, and completed his psychiatry residency training at UT Southwestern. In his clinical practice, he provides care to individuals with treatment-refractory mood disorders and substance use disorders. His program of research is focused on developing novel interventions for psychiatric disorders, personalizing the use of currently available treatments, and bringing these scientific discoveries to clinical practice. He has an NIMH-funded career development award to elucidate the neurocircuit mechanisms of irritability in adults with MDD that uses ketamine as a pharmacological probe. He serves as the site PI at UT Southwestern of NIDA-funded studies of (1) ketamine for methamphetamine use disorder and (2) combination of extended-release naltrexone and bupropion for methamphetamine use disorder. He has authored/co-authored over 195 manuscripts.
Udi Ghitza, PhD, is a health scientist administrator at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Center for the Clinical Trials Network (CCTN). He plans and oversees the implementation of clinical trials testing the efficacy of pharmacological and behavioral treatments for substance use disorders in multi-site studies. Dr. Ghitza is CCTN's leader in its stimulant use disorder treatment research program, to identify and test the efficacy of medications and their combinations as repurposed candidate pharmacotherapies to treat stimulant use disorders. He has also conducted research on neurobiological and behavioral mechanisms of drug use and addiction. Prior to this role, Dr. Ghitza was a researcher at the NIDA Intramural Research Program, where he studied treatments for stimulant and opioid use disorders and conducted behavioral neuroscience research. His published research covers substance use treatment and prevention. Dr. Ghitza has a doctoral degree in biological psychology and behavioral neuroscience from Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
Madhukar H. Trivedi, MD, is professor of psychiatry, founding director of the Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care, Betty Jo Hay Distinguished Chair in Mental Health, and Julie K. Hersh Chair for Depression Research and Clinical Care at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He earned his MD in Baroda, India, completing residencies in psychiatry at University General Hospital, Baroda, India, and Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan. Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Dr. Trivedi is an established clinical and translational researcher with extensive experience serving as PI on numerous single- and multi-site clinical trials funded by NIH, foundations, and industry sponsors. Dr. Trivedi's research has focused on understanding the neurobiology and psychology of mood disorders and improving treatment of depression.
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Original text here: https://www.asam.org/news/detail/2026/07/28/guest-editorial---when-craving-predicts-the-use-of-methamphetamine--lessons-from-the-adapt-2-trial
ASTM International Soil and Rock Committee Honors Paul Bullock
WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pennsylvania, July 29 -- ASTM International, formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials, which develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for materials, products, systems and services, posted the following news release:
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ASTM International Soil and Rock Committee Honors Paul Bullock
Bullock boasts over 45 years of experience in his field, and is a registered professional engineer in 38 states
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ASTM International presented its A. Ivan Johnson Award to Paul Bullock for his contributions to ASTM's soil and rock committee (D18).
Bullock
... Show Full Article
WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pennsylvania, July 29 -- ASTM International, formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials, which develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for materials, products, systems and services, posted the following news release:
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ASTM International Soil and Rock Committee Honors Paul Bullock
Bullock boasts over 45 years of experience in his field, and is a registered professional engineer in 38 states
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ASTM International presented its A. Ivan Johnson Award to Paul Bullock for his contributions to ASTM's soil and rock committee (D18).
Bullockwas recognized for outstanding and significant contributions to committee D18. A continuous ASTM International member since 1999, Bullock had been previously honored by the committee with three Standards Development Awards (2003, 2009, 2026) and two Special Service Awards (2011, 2020).
"My work in ASTM D18 has been rewarding and helped develop numerous professional friendships," says Bullock. "I am deeply honored to receive an award named after someone I consider both a friend and mentor."
Bullock's career concentrations include geotechnical site investigation, training, and foundation design and testing, and he boasts over 45 years of experience in his field. A registered professional engineer in 38 states, he currently serves as senior principal engineer at Fugro USA Land, Inc., a position he has held since 2018.
In addition to ASTM, Bullock is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI), and the Pile Driving Contractors Association (PDCA). He has also been an editorial board member of ASTM's Geotechnical Testing Journal since 2013, and was an organizer and lead editor for an ASTM symposium/STP in 2018: Stress Wave Theory and Testing Methods for Deep Foundations.
Bullock has earned a BSCE (1980), MSCE (1984), and doctoral degree (1999) in civil engineering, all of them from the University of Florida.
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Original text here: https://www.astm.org/news/press-releases/paul-bullock-johnson-award
[Category: Materials Management]
