Foundations
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from U.S. foundations.
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Newark-Area Nurses Request Vote to Oust SEIU Union Officials as Federal Labor Board Seeks to Disenfranchise Workers
SPRINGFIELD, Virginia, Oct. 29 -- The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation issued the following news release:
Newark, NJ Registered Nurses at the Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville Township have filed a petition demanding a vote to remove United Healthcare Workers East (1199SEIU, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union) officials from their workplace. Registered Nurse Nancy Bombaro filed the union decertification petition with Region 22 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) with free legal aid from National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation staff
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SPRINGFIELD, Virginia, Oct. 29 -- The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation issued the following news release:
Newark, NJ Registered Nurses at the Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville Township have filed a petition demanding a vote to remove United Healthcare Workers East (1199SEIU, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union) officials from their workplace. Registered Nurse Nancy Bombaro filed the union decertification petition with Region 22 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) with free legal aid from National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation staffattorneys.
The NLRB is the federal agency responsible for enforcing federal labor law, which includes administering elections to install (or "certify") and remove (or "decertify") unions. Bombaro's decertification petition contains well over the required threshold of employee signatures needed to trigger a decertification vote under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
The requested vote would occur among Bombaro's work unit of "[a]ll full-time, regular part-time, and per-diem Registered Nurses" employed by Clara Maass, but it appears the NLRB is taking action to block the vote at SEIU union officials' behest.
Because New Jersey lacks Right to Work protections for its private sector workers, SEIU union officials have the legal power to enforce contracts that require Bombaro and her colleagues to pay union dues or fees as a condition of getting or keeping a job. In Right to Work states, in contrast, union membership and financial support are strictly voluntary. A successful decertification vote in a non-Right to Work state like New Jersey strips union officials of both their forced-dues privileges and the ability to impose one-size-fits-all contracts across an entire work unit of employees.
Biden-Harris NLRB Rule Change Lets SEIU Union Officials Trap Workers in Unwanted Union
Despite Bombaro's petition containing more than enough signatures to prompt a union decertification vote, a recent shift in NLRB policy sparked by the union boss-allied Biden-Harris Administration could indefinitely block the nurses from exercising their right to vote out the SEIU. At the end of last month, the NLRB enacted a new policy reinstating so-called "blocking charges," which are, in many cases, unproven allegations of employer misconduct used by union officials to stop workers from voting to decertify a union. SEIU union bosses are manipulating such charges to stymie the nurses' effort.
"My fellow nurses and I are not pleased with the performance of 1199SEIU union officials and simply want to exercise our right to vote out this union," commented Bombaro. "It was enough work to gather signatures and submit the petition asking for the vote. It's outrageous that NLRB policy now lets union officials stop us from voting as if they know better than us."
The Biden-Harris NLRB's new rule overturns the Election Protection Rule, a set of Foundation-backed reforms the NLRB adopted in 2020 that prevented union boss allegations from stopping a worker-requested decertification election. The reforms also gave workers an opportunity to petition for secret ballot elections after union officials rose to power in a workplace by "card check," an abuse-prone process which relies on union-solicited "cards" as votes and forbids workers from voting privately.
With the Election Protection Rule gone, union officials again have the power to block worker-requested union decertification votes for months or longer.
"Just weeks after the Biden-Harris NLRB enacted its cynical rule change, union officials are already manipulating it to maintain their own power while crushing the free choice rights of the workers they claim to 'represent,'" commented National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix. "Ms. Bombaro and her fellow nurses are just a few of a growing number of workers around the country who want to declare their independence from unwanted union officials. Rather than side with these workers, the Biden-Harris Administration chose to arrange a blatant power giveaway for its Big Labor political cronies."
The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization providing free legal aid to employees whose human or civil rights have been violated by compulsory unionism abuses. The Foundation, which can be contacted toll-free at 1-800-336-3600, assists thousands of employees in about 200 cases nationwide per year.
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Original text here: https://www.nrtw.org/news/clara-maass-nlrb-10292024/
Hydra-Lock Employees Win Decertification Vote, Oust UAW Union
SPRINGFIELD, Virginia, Oct. 29 -- The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation issued the following news release:
Detroit, MI Production and maintenance employees at Hydra-Lock Corp. a hydraulic tooling company based in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, have voted to remove United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 155 union officials from their workplace. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) conducted the vote following Hydra-Lock employee Keith Woody's submission of a petition in which his colleagues requested an election to "decertify," or remove, the union. Woody received free legal aid from National
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SPRINGFIELD, Virginia, Oct. 29 -- The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation issued the following news release:
Detroit, MI Production and maintenance employees at Hydra-Lock Corp. a hydraulic tooling company based in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, have voted to remove United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 155 union officials from their workplace. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) conducted the vote following Hydra-Lock employee Keith Woody's submission of a petition in which his colleagues requested an election to "decertify," or remove, the union. Woody received free legal aid from NationalRight to Work Foundation staff attorneys.
The NLRB is the federal agency responsible for enforcing federal labor law, which includes administering elections to install and remove unions. Woody's petition contained signatures from the majority of his colleagues in support of having a decertification election, well over the threshold of employee signatures needed to trigger such a vote under NLRB rules.
Michigan legislators' 2023 repeal of the state's Right to Work protections went into effect this February, meaning UAW union officials had the legal power to enforce job conditions that required Woody and his coworkers to pay dues or fees just to keep their jobs. In Right to Work states, in contrast, union membership and financial support are strictly voluntary.
The decertification win means Woody and his coworkers are no longer obligated to pay union dues as a condition of employment, and are officially free from UAW union officials' one-size-fits-all monopoly "representation."
Michigan Legislators Repealed Right to Work Despite Massive UAW Scandal
In March 2023, a bare majority of Michigan legislators voted along partisan lines to repeal Right to Work at the behest of union special interests, ending workers' ability to decide for themselves whether or not union officials deserve their dues money. The imposition of union bosses' power to force employees to "pay up or be fired" came despite polling showing Michiganders, including those in union households, overwhelmingly opposed the elimination of workers' Right to Work protections.
After the repeal became effective this February, workers from across the Great Lakes State sought help from National Right to Work Foundation staff attorneys in escaping union bosses' forced-dues demands. The total cases that Foundation attorneys have filed for Michigan workers in 2024 is already well more than double the number for all of 2023. Foundation-backed workers from across the state have recounted a wide variety of union boss misdeeds since the repeal, including forcing workers with religious objections to join and pay dues, taking dues money directly from workers' paychecks without their permission, coercing workers into contributing to union Political Action Committees (PACs), and more.
The Michigan Right to Work repeal also came after a years-long federal probe revealed massive corruption within the UAW hierarchy. Over a dozen UAW officials received jail sentences for embezzling and spending millions in workers' dues money on luxury goods, vacations, and other personal items. A federal monitor is still overseeing the Detroit-based union, and reportedly are investigating current UAW President Shawn Fain for misappropriating union funds and abusing his power.
"Michigan's repeal of Right to Work left many workers forced to fund union bosses that were ineffective, divisive, or outright corrupt, which is outrageous considering Michigan legislators had just witnessed the implosion of the Detroit-based UAW over corruption and embezzlement," commented National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix. "Hydra-Lock employees, like many others across the state, are nonetheless fighting to regain control of their workplaces from unwanted union hierarchies. We are proud to support their efforts to stand up against union coercion
"Michigan workers should not hesitate to contact National Right to Work Foundation attorneys for free assistance in standing up for what rights they still have in this new legal environment," Mix added.
The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization providing free legal aid to employees whose human or civil rights have been violated by compulsory unionism abuses. The Foundation, which can be contacted toll-free at 1-800-336-3600, assists thousands of employees in about 200 cases nationwide per year.
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Original text here: https://www.nrtw.org/news/hydra-lock-uaw-10292024/
Eledon Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Initial Data from Subjects with Type 1 Diabetes Treated with Tegoprubart as Part of an Immunosuppression Regimen Following Islet Transplantation in Investigator-Initiated Trial at UChicago Medicine
NEW YORK, Oct. 29 -- Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) a non-profit dedicated to funding type 1 diabetes research, issued the following news release:
First two out of three subjects treated with tegoprubart as part of immunosuppression regimen to prevent transplant rejection achieved insulin independence and remain insulin free, with glucose control in the normal range; Third subject was recently transplanted and on trajectory for insulin independence
Islet engraftment in the first two subjects with tegoprubart estimated three to five times higher than engraftment in three subjects receiving standard
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NEW YORK, Oct. 29 -- Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) a non-profit dedicated to funding type 1 diabetes research, issued the following news release:
First two out of three subjects treated with tegoprubart as part of immunosuppression regimen to prevent transplant rejection achieved insulin independence and remain insulin free, with glucose control in the normal range; Third subject was recently transplanted and on trajectory for insulin independence
Islet engraftment in the first two subjects with tegoprubart estimated three to five times higher than engraftment in three subjects receiving standardof care tacrolimus-based immunosuppression
Treatment with tegoprubart was well tolerated
Study data to be presented by UChicago Medicine's team in oral presentation at the 5thIPITA/HSCI/Breakthrough T1D Stem Cells Summit
IRVINE, Calif., October 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Eledon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Eledon") (NASDAQ: ELDN) today announced positive data for the first three islet transplant recipients treated with an immunosuppression regimen that includes tegoprubart, the Company's investigational anti-CD40L antibody, for prevention of islet transplant rejection in subjects with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The investigator-initiated trial, conducted by the research team at the University of Chicago Medicine's Transplantation Institute, demonstrated potentially the first human cases of insulin independence achieved using an anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody therapy without the use of tacrolimus, the current standard of care for prevention of transplant rejection. The first two subjects achieved insulin independence and normal hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) levels, a measure of average blood glucose, post-transplant. The third subject, who recently received an islet transplant, decreased insulin use by more than 60% three days following the procedure and continues on insulin independence trajectory typically observed one-to-two months post-transplant.
Subjects on study received islet transplants combined with induction therapy, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) plus tegoprubart, given every third week by intravenous (IV) infusion. The first two subjects achieved insulin independence and presented stable islet graft function at approximately three months and six months post-transplant, respectively. Islet engraftment, measured by graft function standardized to the number of islets infused, was three to five times higher than three comparable subjects who received tacrolimus-based immunosuppression, suggesting treatment with tegoprubart is less toxic to transplanted islets resulting in improved graft survival and function. Treatment was generally well tolerated in all subjects with no unexpected adverse events or hypoglycemic episodes. After initial islet transplant the first participant reduced insulin requirements by over 60% and, normalized blood glucose control. The first patient then achieved insulin independence immediately after the second islet transplantation procedure.
The data are being featured in an oral presentation at the International Pancreas and Islet Transplantation Association (IPITA), Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI), and Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) 5th Annual Summit on Stem Cell Derived Islets on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
"We are very pleased that tegoprubart played a pivotal role in yet another landmark advance in transplantation research through the work of Dr. Witkowski, Dr. Fung and their team at UChicago Medicine," said David-Alexandre C. Gros, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Eledon. "Following promising results in kidney allotransplant procedures as well as heart and kidney xenograft procedures, these data from subjects following islet transplantation further demonstrate tegoprubart's potential to protect transplanted organs and cells. Dr. Witkowski's study also further reinforces prior study results showing that tegoprubart may offer a favorable safety and efficacy profile compared to tacrolimus-based immunosuppression regimens."
"These data are another step in our quest to achieve a path for functional cures in type 1 diabetes," said Piotr Witkowski, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Pancreas and Islet Transplant Program, UChicago Medicine and one of the study's lead investigators. "For more than 30 years, we have been looking for options that can deliver target levels of immunosuppression without the side effects associated with standard of care, including toxicity to the kidneys, central nervous system and islet cells, and increased risk of diabetes and hypertension. These data further support tegoprubart as a novel immunosuppression option that can play a central role in advancing islets transplantation as a potentially transformational alternative for subjects with type 1 diabetes."
"Breakthrough T1D is proud to fund and support this research and is encouraged by the tegoprubart study showing that subjects who received islet transplants with a tacrolimus-free immunosuppressive regimen are making insulin again," said Breakthrough T1D Chief Scientific Officer Sanjoy Dutta, Ph.D. "Islet replacement therapies are a key priority for Breakthrough T1D, and we're committed to driving research that moves us toward a world where these therapies are available to the broader T1D community. Achieving this goal requires novel approaches to keep transplanted cells functional with a tolerable immunosuppression regimen. These results are an important step toward that goal, and we look forward to seeing additional data."
Efficacy and Safety Results
The first participant was a 42-year-old female with a baseline weight of 88 kg/194 lbs (BMI of 30). At 90 days post-transplant, the participant's HbA1c level improved to 6.0% (from 8.4% at baseline) and daily insulin dose decreased to 16 units per day (from 80 units per day at baseline). After 16 weeks, the participant received a second islet transplant, and two weeks later achieved insulin independence, maintaining improved HbA1c levels of 5.4% afterwards.
The second participant was a 30-year-old female with a baseline weight of 50 kg/110 lbs (BMI of 21). This patient stopped insulin support (from 60 units per day at baseline) four weeks after the islet transplant and HbA1c levels improved to 5.8% and below (from 8.5% at baseline) starting at 7 weeks after the transplant.
The third participant was a 37-year-old male with a baseline weight of 92 kg/203 lbs (BMI of 30) with a baseline HbA1C of 9.3%. This patient was discharged home on day three post-transplant, requiring 29 units of insulin (from 90 units per day at baseline) and 100% time in range blood glucose control, a measure of time spent within a predetermined blood glucose range.
The treatment was generally well tolerated in all subjects with no unexpected adverse events, severe hypoglycemic episodes, or graft rejection.
In January 2024, Eledon announced that it would be supplying tegoprubart for this investigator-led clinical trial with the UChicago Medicine Transplantation Institute for pancreatic islet transplantation in subjects with type 1 diabetes (NCT06305286). Tegoprubart is the cornerstone component of the chronic immunosuppressive regimen for trial participants and is being evaluated for the prevention of transplant rejection in the trial. Funding for the study includes grants from Breakthrough T1D (formerly known as JDRF) and The Cure Alliance.
About Islet Transplantation for Type 1 Diabetes
Pancreatic islet transplantation is a minimally invasive procedure developed to provide blood glucose control for subjects with type 1 diabetes and minimize or eliminate dependence on insulin. During the procedure, pancreatic islets containing insulin-producing beta cells are isolated from the pancreas of a deceased organ donor and infused through a small catheter into the patient's liver. The islet cells lodge in small blood vessels in the liver and release insulin. Post-procedure, subjects remain on immunosuppression therapy to prevent transplant rejection.
About Eledon Pharmaceuticals and tegoprubart
Eledon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical stage biotechnology company that is developing immune-modulating therapies for the management and treatment of life-threatening conditions. The Company's lead investigational product is tegoprubart, an anti-CD40L antibody with high affinity for the CD40 Ligand, a well-validated biological target that has broad therapeutic potential. The central role of CD40L signaling in both adaptive and innate immune cell activation and function positions it as an attractive target for non-lymphocyte depleting, immunomodulatory therapeutic intervention. The Company is building upon a deep historical knowledge of anti-CD40 Ligand biology to conduct preclinical and clinical studies in kidney allograft transplantation, xenotransplantation, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Eledon is headquartered in Irvine, California. For more information, please visit the Company's website at http://www.eledon.com.
Follow Eledon Pharmaceuticals on social media: LinkedIn; Twitter
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Any statements about the company's future expectations, plans and prospects, including statements about planned clinical trials, the development of product candidates, expected timing for initiation of future clinical trials, expected timing for receipt of data from clinical trials, expected or future results of tegoprubart trials and its ability to prevent rejection in connection with islet cell transplantation or kidney transplantation, as well as other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "estimates," "intends," "predicts," "projects," "targets," "looks forward," "could," "may," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including: risks relating to the safety and efficacy of our drug candidates; risks relating to clinical development timelines, including interactions with regulators and clinical sites, as well as patient enrollment; and risks relating to costs of clinical trials and the sufficiency of the company's capital resources to fund planned clinical trials. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These risks and uncertainties, as well as other risks and uncertainties that could cause the company's actual results to differ significantly from the forward-looking statements contained herein, are discussed in our quarterly 10-Q, annual 10-K, and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be found at http://www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and not of any future date, and the company expressly disclaims any intent to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Source: Eledon Pharmaceuticals
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Original text here: https://www.breakthrought1d.org/for-the-media/press-releases/eledon-pharmaceuticals-announces-positive-initial-data-from-subjects-with-type-1-diabetes-treated-with-tegoprubart-as-part-of-an-immunosuppression-regimen-following/
COPD Foundation and 1st Class Medical Continue Collaboration to Promote Respiratory Health Awareness
MIAMI, Florida, Oct. 29 -- The COPD Foundation issued the following news release:
Miami & Parker, Colo. (October 28, 2024) - The COPD Foundation has announced the continuation of its collaboration with 1st Class Medical, a leading provider of respiratory equipment dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with respiratory conditions. This ongoing collaboration aims to further raise awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other chronic lung conditions.
COPD affects an estimated 30 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death worldwide. COPD comprises several
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MIAMI, Florida, Oct. 29 -- The COPD Foundation issued the following news release:
Miami & Parker, Colo. (October 28, 2024) - The COPD Foundation has announced the continuation of its collaboration with 1st Class Medical, a leading provider of respiratory equipment dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with respiratory conditions. This ongoing collaboration aims to further raise awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other chronic lung conditions.
COPD affects an estimated 30 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death worldwide. COPD comprises severalconditions, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. Symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue and chronic cough.
As part of the collaboration, 1st Class Medical will donate $5 to the COPD Foundation for every oxygen concentrator sold in November, which is COPD Awareness Month. These funds will help support COPD research, education and advocacy efforts aimed at improving the lives of individuals living with COPD and chronic lung disease.
1st Class Medical, a leader in the distribution of oxygen concentrators, is committed to providing patients with access to reliable and innovative respiratory equipment, including portable and stationary options. They offer a wide selection of FAA- and FDA-approved concentrators, while prioritizing customer service and support.
"We are proud to partner with the COPD Foundation this November for COPD Awareness Month. Together, we are committed to raising awareness, providing critical resources and supporting those affected by COPD," said Cory Luckner, Chief Executive Officer of 1st Class Medical. "By joining forces, we can amplify the message of early detection, prevention and the importance of research to improve the lives of millions living with this chronic condition."
Through the collaboration, the COPD Foundation and 1st Class Medical continue to support patients, caregivers and health care professionals through innovative solutions and educational resources promoting respiratory health.
For more information about the COPD Foundation, visit copdfoundation.org. For more information about 1st Class Medical, visit 1stclassmed.com. Visit Supporting Lung Health with Oxygen Therapy (https://www.copdfoundation.org/Supporting-Lung-Health-with-Oxygen-Therapy.aspx) to learn more about a special discount.
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About the COPD Foundation
The COPD Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help millions of people live longer and healthier lives by advancing research, advocacy, and awareness to stop COPD, bronchiectasis, and NTM lung disease. The Foundation does this through scientific research, education, advocacy, and awareness to prevent disease, slow progression, and find a cure. For more information, visit copdfoundation.org, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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About 1st Class Medical
1st Class Medical is a leading provider of respiratory equipment and solutions dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with respiratory conditions. Committed to delivering exceptional service and innovative products, 1st Class Medical strives to offer comprehensive support to patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. To date they have helped more than 115,000 respiratory patients maintain their freedom and dignity.
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Original text here: https://www.copdfoundation.org/About-Us/Press-Room/Press-Releases/Article/2057/COPD-Foundation-and-1st-Class-Medical-continue-collaboration-to-promote-respira.aspx
Virginia Regulators Vote Against Extension of Blue Crab Harvest
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, Oct. 28 -- The Chesapeake Bay Foundation issued the following news release:
Virginia state regulators decided against lengthening the blue crab harvest season on Oct. 28, maintaining previously adopted regulations for a struggling population that supports one of the Commonwealth's most valuable and iconic fisheries.
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) voted 6-1 on October 28 against extending the commercial crab pot harvest in December 2024 and against opening the season earlier in March 2025.
If they had been approved, the changes would have come on top of
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ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, Oct. 28 -- The Chesapeake Bay Foundation issued the following news release:
Virginia state regulators decided against lengthening the blue crab harvest season on Oct. 28, maintaining previously adopted regulations for a struggling population that supports one of the Commonwealth's most valuable and iconic fisheries.
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) voted 6-1 on October 28 against extending the commercial crab pot harvest in December 2024 and against opening the season earlier in March 2025.
If they had been approved, the changes would have come on top ofan already-approved, early December season extension and an increase in the number of hours watermen can work each day. The VMRC received 513 letters mostly opposing the extension, according to VMRC staff.
The most recent annual assessment of the blue crab population in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries show continued low numbers of adult females and males. Highlights from the survey include:
Estimated total crab abundance at 317 million blue crabs, a slight reduction from last year's 323 million blue crabs but above the 2022 record low estimate of 227 million crabs.
Adult female crab population decreased to 133 million compared with 152 million last year. This figure falls far below the target of 215 million adult female crabs needed for a healthy population and sustainable harvest in the Chesapeake Bay.
Juvenile crab numbers remained below average for the fifth year in a row.
Male crab numbers decreased from 55 million in 2023 to 46 million in 2024 despite male harvest limits instituted last year.
Chris Moore, Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Virginia Executive Director, issued the following statement:
"Virginia regulators made wise decisions to keep the winter blue crab harvest closed and not extend the crab pot season any further. The scientific study known as a stock assessment is underway and will shed additional light on the variety of factors affecting the blue crab populations. In the meantime, the VMRC's votes bolster a holistic precautionary approach for Virginia's blue crab management. "
"Extending the crab pot season would have put additional pressure on an iconic species that supports a historic and valuable fishery in Virginia. By maintaining the current harvest regulations, we can help ensure a sustainable future for this valuable resource."
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Original text here: http://www.cbf.org/news-media/newsroom/2024/virginia/virginia-regulators-vote-against-extension-of-blue-crab-harvest.html
OMRF part of $7.7 million trial to study how exercise combats aging
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Oct. 28 -- The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation issued the following news:
Experts who study the aging process have long known exercise is fundamental in maintaining our overall health as long as possible. What's not clear, however, is why some older people benefit from a workout more than others.
Two Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientists hope to better understand this mystery. To do so, they'll conduct a novel clinical trial as part of a new $7.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Benjamin Miller, Ph.D., and Sue Bodine, Ph.D., will collaborate
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Oct. 28 -- The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation issued the following news:
Experts who study the aging process have long known exercise is fundamental in maintaining our overall health as long as possible. What's not clear, however, is why some older people benefit from a workout more than others.
Two Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientists hope to better understand this mystery. To do so, they'll conduct a novel clinical trial as part of a new $7.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Benjamin Miller, Ph.D., and Sue Bodine, Ph.D., will collaboratewith researchers from the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition and the University of Florida over the grant's five-year period.
Previous studies have examined the benefits of either cardiovascular exercise or strength training, Miller said. This one involves both types for all participants.
"By the end, we hope to create a predictive model around the factors that determine at a cellular level whether a person responds or doesn't respond to exercise," said Miller, who holds the G.T. Blankenship Chair in Aging Research at OMRF. "From there, we can modify exercise to the different types of people, so that, hopefully, everyone has a positive response."
Their study will involve two phases and roughly 200 people. Participants will all be volunteers aged 60 and older who don't currently exercise regularly. Following tests of each person's muscle mass and cardiovascular fitness, subjects will undergo an initial 12 weeks of supervised strength and endurance training at OMRF. Then each person will be tested again.
"It's a well-known phenomenon that if you give a group of people the same exercise regimen, many of them will make considerable, measurable improvements, but some don't change much, if at all," Miller said. "What separates this study from previous research is the second phase."
During Phase 2, the study team will increase the intensity of training for subjects who showed little or no improvement during the first phase. For those who made gains in Phase I, some will continue at the same pace for another 10 weeks, while others will be released from the supervised exercise program.
Another round of tests will be conducted on all participants following Phase 2.
"We hope to better understand how each person particularly an older person -responds to a specific type and the intensity of training," said Bodine, who leads a national consortium of scientists studying how exercise improves health at a molecular level. "If we can determine why someone isn't responding to a particular exercise protocol, can it be tailored to meet their specific needs?"
Recruitment for the trial will begin early next year. Miller will not be surprised if the results confirm that regular workouts can protect against age-related diseases.
"It's well established that diseases accumulate in aging adults, but what if we could slow the aging process to reduce or prevent the onset of those diseases?" he said. "No pill has more potential to do that than exercise."
This grant, No. 1R01AG089192-01, was awarded by the National Institute on Aging, part of the NIH.
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Original text here: https://omrf.org/2024/10/28/omrf-part-of-7-7-million-trial-to-study-how-exercise-combats-aging/
Equipment Finance Industry Expands to More Than $1.3 Trillion as Sector Supports U.S. Economic Growth and Innovation, Foundation Horizon Report Finds
WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 -- The Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation issued the following news release:
End-users expect to increase their equipment and software acquisitions in 2025 with 77% using financing
The equipment finance industry expanded to an estimated $1.34 trillion in 2023--a new all-time high--with 82% of end-users using some form of financing to fund their equipment and software (E&S) acquisitions, according to an end-user survey from the Equipment Finance Industry Horizon Report 2024. The report, which was released today by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation and prepared
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 -- The Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation issued the following news release:
End-users expect to increase their equipment and software acquisitions in 2025 with 77% using financing
The equipment finance industry expanded to an estimated $1.34 trillion in 2023--a new all-time high--with 82% of end-users using some form of financing to fund their equipment and software (E&S) acquisitions, according to an end-user survey from the Equipment Finance Industry Horizon Report 2024. The report, which was released today by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation and preparedby Keybridge, also reveals that approximately 57.7% of the $2.3 trillion (nominal) in E&S investment in 2023 was financed.
The Horizon Report focuses on the Foundation's biennial survey of equipment end-users, which was conducted this summer. Using data collected through the survey, the Foundation estimates the current size of the equipment finance industry, assesses the propensity to finance private sector equipment investment for key equipment verticals, and forecasts end-user plans to acquire and finance equipment in 2025.
Leigh Lytle, President of the Foundation, and President & CEO of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, said, "The trillion-dollar equipment finance industry has always been the backbone of capital investment, which is a critical component of the U.S. economy. This Horizon Report clearly shows the extent to which businesses and other organizations rely on commercial financing with the majority of public and private sector capital expenditures acquired through loans, leases, or lines of credit. Our industry financed supply chains and supported business growth that helped stave off recessionary pressures amid elevated inflation and high interest rates, enabling equipment and software investment to expand in 2023. The report also indicates the industry is well positioned to support forecasted increases in equipment and software, including innovative, high-growth areas like generative AI, equipment-as-a-service (EaaS) subscription-based models, and climate financing. This report delivers must-have insights that will help business leaders and decision makers stay ahead of the game."
Highlights from the Horizon Report include:
Equipment finance industry growth. According to official government figures, E&S investment (both financed and not financed) expanded by a solid 5.3% in 2023 to $2.3 trillion (nominal). The Foundation's estimate that approximately 57.7% of this investment (and 64.2% of private sector investment, per the end-user survey) was financed yields an estimated industry size of $1.34 trillion. This figure represents 7.1% nominal growth for the equipment finance industry compared to 2022.End-user reliance on financing. The end-user survey revealed that 82% of respondents who acquired equipment or software in 2023 used at least one form of financing to do so. This represents a slight uptick from the 79% of respondents indicated in the 2022 survey.Increase in equipment and software acquisitions in 2025. End-users were roughly three times more likely to believe their E&S acquisitions will increase in 2025 (42%) versus decrease (15%). The most commonly selected verticals among end-users who plan to boost acquisitions were software, computers, office equipment, and communications equipment, reflecting the importance of these verticals to business operations in which hybrid/remote working arrangements, online sales channels, and incorporating AI and other new technology tools are critical. Importantly, more than three-fourths of end-users expect to use a financing method to cover at least a portion of the cost to acquire this equipment.Emerging industry growth drivers. Tracking emerging trends in the equipment finance industry, the Foundation's 2024 survey finds that currently, 42% of E&S end-users use generative AI in their businesses, and an additional 42% indicated that they intend to do so over the next two years. Regarding EaaS, half of end-users already use a subscription-based model for equipment and an additional 23% indicated that they intend to pursue this option in 2025. Meanwhile, nearly one-third of E&S was acquired to support energy-related, climate-related, or other environmental goals and pledges in 2023. With global climate finance expected to grow to $9 trillion by 2030, this is likely to be a key area of growth for the industry in the years ahead.Top methods of payment to acquire equipment and software. According to the end-user survey, the most important payment method used by businesses to acquire equipment and software in 2023 was leasing (26% of total acquisitions), followed by secured loans (16%), lines of credit (14%), and unsecured loans (8%). Among non-financed acquisitions, paid-in-full credit card purchases were the most prevalent payment method (20%) followed by cash (16%).Top reasons for financing. The top reasons end-users chose to finance their E&S acquisitions were "optimization of cash flow" (62%), "protection from equipment obsolescence" (55%), and "tax advantages" (51%).
Zack Marsh, Chair of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation and SVP, Accounting and Analysis, AP Equipment Financing, said, "The Horizon report offers a detailed look at equipment acquisition and financing decisions for specific equipment verticals and industries, the key factors influencing the decision to use financing, and how financing decisions are likely to evolve over the next year. Looking ahead, both the report end-user survey and the overall economy provide reason to be optimistic about the industry's prospects in 2025. Equipment finance industry executives can use the report information to better position their businesses for faster growth."
Equipment Finance Industry Size, 2016-2027, Billions of Dollars (Nominal)
About the study The Industry Horizon Report can be used in combination with other Foundation reports, including the quarterly Equipment Leasing & Finance U.S. Economic Outlook, the monthly Foundation-Keybridge U.S. Equipment & Software Investment Momentum Monitor, and the annual Industry Future Council report, to better understand the current and near-term economic conditions and other relevant trends facing the equipment finance industry.
How to access the study The 2024 Equipment Leasing & Finance Industry Horizon Report is available for free download at https://www.leasefoundation.org/industry-resources/horizon-report/.
All Foundation studies are available for free download from the Foundation's online library at http://store.leasefoundation.org/.
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ABOUT THE FOUNDATION The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization that propels the equipment finance sector--and its people--forward through industry-specific knowledge, intelligence, and student talent development programs that contribute to industry innovation, individual careers, and the advancement of the equipment leasing and finance industry. The Foundation is funded through charitable individual and corporate donations. Learn more at http://www.leasefoundation.org.
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Media Contact: Kelli Nienaber, knienaber@leasefoundation.org
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Original text here: https://www.leasefoundation.org/news_item/equipment-finance-industry-expands-to-more-than-1-3-trillion-as-sector-supports-u-s-economic-growth-and-innovation-foundation-horizon-report-finds/
