Featured Stories
SEMI Forecasts 11.8% Growth in Silicon Wafer Shipments in 2026, With Record Highs Expected Through 2029
MILPITAS, California, Oct. 22 -- SEMI, an association serving the manufacturing supply chain for the electronics industry, issued the following news release:
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SEMI Forecasts 11.8% Growth in Silicon Wafer Shipments in 2026, With Record Highs Expected through 2029
MILPITAS, Calif. - October 21, 2026 - Global silicon wafer shipments are projected to increase 11.8% in 2026 to 14,420 million square inches (MSI), SEMI reported today in its annual silicon shipment forecast. Shipments are expected to reach successive record highs from 2027 through 2029, rising to 17,034 MSI by the end of the forecast
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MILPITAS, California, Oct. 22 -- SEMI, an association serving the manufacturing supply chain for the electronics industry, issued the following news release:
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SEMI Forecasts 11.8% Growth in Silicon Wafer Shipments in 2026, With Record Highs Expected through 2029
MILPITAS, Calif. - October 21, 2026 - Global silicon wafer shipments are projected to increase 11.8% in 2026 to 14,420 million square inches (MSI), SEMI reported today in its annual silicon shipment forecast. Shipments are expected to reach successive record highs from 2027 through 2029, rising to 17,034 MSI by the end of the forecastperiod.
Silicon wafers are the fundamental building material for the majority of semiconductors, which are vital components of all electronic devices. The highly engineered thin disks, produced in diameters of up to 300 mm, serve as the substrate material on which most semiconductor devices, or chips, are fabricated.
All data cited in this release include polished silicon wafers and epitaxial silicon wafers shipped by wafer manufacturers to end users. The figures exclude non-polished or reclaimed wafers.
The annual silicon shipment forecast is developed by SEMI using input from members of the Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG). The SMG is a sub-committee of the SEMI Electronic Materials Group (EMG). This forecast reflects industry input gathered by SEMI and does not represent an official forecast of the SMG or any individual member company.
For more information, please visit SEMI Worldwide Silicon Wafer Shipment Statistics, SEMI Market Data or contact mktstats@semi.org.
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About SEMI
SEMI(R) is the global industry association connecting over 4,000 companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON(R) expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members' business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org or contact a regional office to learn more.
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Original text here: https://www.semi.org/en/semi-press-release/semi-forecasts-11.8-percent-growth-in-silicon-wafer-shipments-in-2026-with-record-highs-expected-through-2029
[Category: Electronic Products]
NSBA Advocate of the Year Christine Hopkins Gets Out the Vote for Smart Small Business Candidates and Policy
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- The National Small Business Association issued the following news:
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NSBA Advocate of the year Christine Hopkins Gets Out the Vote for Smart Small Business Candidates and Policy
October 21, 2026
"Advocacy takes many forms, but your vote is the one piece nobody else can do for you."
NSBA and its members bring small-business advocacy to life in Washington by submitting regulatory comments, testifying before congressional committees, and meeting with Representatives and Senators on Capitol Hill.
At our upcoming Small Business Congress, Feb. 9-10, 2027, NSBA members
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- The National Small Business Association issued the following news:
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NSBA Advocate of the year Christine Hopkins Gets Out the Vote for Smart Small Business Candidates and Policy
October 21, 2026
"Advocacy takes many forms, but your vote is the one piece nobody else can do for you."
NSBA and its members bring small-business advocacy to life in Washington by submitting regulatory comments, testifying before congressional committees, and meeting with Representatives and Senators on Capitol Hill.
At our upcoming Small Business Congress, Feb. 9-10, 2027, NSBA memberswill choose the issues that shape our advocacy agenda. But on Election Day, Nov. 3, you exercise the most fundamental form of advocacy: choosing the decision-makers themselves.
NSBA's 2026 Advocate of the Year Christine Hopkins shared why every vote matters for the nation's small-business community:
"I can spend all year advocating on the issues that matter to my company, but the ballot is where we choose who's listening. Most of the rules we operate under, from our freight costs to our workforce programs to how federal work gets set aside for small businesses, were decided by people someone voted for. Advocacy takes many forms, but your vote is the one piece nobody else can do for you."
This midterm election will help shape every key issue on NSBA's agenda, from SBA size standards and the Corporate Transparency Act to the future of small-business tax policy.
Visit nsbaadvocate.org/vote to check your registration status, explore NSBA's nonpartisan voter guide, and access employer resources to help your employees participate in the election and understand the issues affecting small business.
After the polls close, join us for an election analysis webinar Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 2:00 p.m. EST, featuring NSBA President and CEO Todd McCracken and Director of Government Affairs Jack Furth. Register today.
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Original text here: https://nsbaadvocate.org/post/nsba-advocate-of-the-year-christine-hopkins-gets-out-the-vote-for-smart-small-business-candidates-and-policy
[Category: Business]
Military Officers Association: For-Profit Claims Agent Targets VA Safeguards in New Lawsuit
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- The Military Officers Association of America issued the following news:
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For-Profit Claims Agent Targets VA Safeguards in New Lawsuit
By: Jen Goodale
October 21, 2026
A company that charges veterans to prepare disability claims is asking a federal court to declare VA's safeguards don't apply to them.
PatriotClaims LLC, doing business as VetClaims.ai, and Marine Corps veteran Joseph Johnson sued VA Secretary Doug Collins in the Northern District of Texas on Oct. 14, seeking to prevent the VA from applying accreditation requirements and restrictions on initial-claim
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- The Military Officers Association of America issued the following news:
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For-Profit Claims Agent Targets VA Safeguards in New Lawsuit
By: Jen Goodale
October 21, 2026
A company that charges veterans to prepare disability claims is asking a federal court to declare VA's safeguards don't apply to them.
PatriotClaims LLC, doing business as VetClaims.ai, and Marine Corps veteran Joseph Johnson sued VA Secretary Doug Collins in the Northern District of Texas on Oct. 14, seeking to prevent the VA from applying accreditation requirements and restrictions on initial-claimfees to the company's services. Several companies operating under a similar business model stand to gain legitimacy if the court sides with VetClaims in the suit.
VetClaims charges a flat $1,250 fee, with a refund and an additional $500 payment if the claim does not increase the veteran's benefits. Per the lawsuit, the company argues its services fall outside federal laws governing claims agents and attorneys because veterans retain responsibility for signing and submitting their own claims, describing its work as providing "records organization, condition-identification education, analytic assistance, and veteran-controlled document-preparation technology."
The existing restrictions violate First and Fifth Amendment rights, the suit claims. The company also challenges VA's interpretation and administration of its accreditation rules under the Administrative Procedure Act.
Here's why the lawsuit matters to veterans and why MOAA supports legislation that would restore criminal penalties to those charging unauthorized fees for claims assistance.
What the Regulations Say
Accreditation requirements extend to preparing a claim, not simply communicating with the department or submitting paperwork, according to published VA guidance. General information about benefits differs from individualized assistance with a particular veteran's claim.
That distinction matters. A veteran's signature on an application does not resolve whether someone else performed services requiring accreditation.
The VA also states that only accredited attorneys and claims agents may charge for claims assistance, and only after an initial decision and compliance with applicable requirements.
Company's Own Description Raises Key Question
The VetClaims complaint draws a sharp distinction between preparing a veteran's claim and acting as the veteran's representative. But the company's description of its services raises questions about whether that distinction holds.
In the complaint, the company acknowledges that, for a flat $1,250 fee, its unaccredited specialists discuss veterans' health conditions and potential service-related events, and help "prepare claim documentation." It also describes advising veterans on identifying disabilities and compensable conditions, understanding evidentiary requirements, and compiling materials for submission.
VetClaims goes on to argue that these activities fall outside challenged statues because the company does not act as the veteran's agent or attorney before the VA because the veteran retains responsibility for signing and submitting their claim following VetClaim's work. But VA's published guidance directly addresses this distinction: Preparing a claim includes consulting with a claimant about a contemplated claim, gathering supporting evidence on the claimant's behalf, and completing forms for submission. This individualized assistance can require accreditation even when the advisor does not submit the application.
Litigation involving another company assisting veterans with VA claims offers a relevant comparison. In a May ruling, a North Carolina judge rejected arguments by Veterans Guardian that the company's lack of a power of attorney and veterans' responsibility for submitting their own applications exempted its claims preparation activities from federal accreditation requirements.
VetClaims acknowledged providing services that fall within VA's stated interpretation of regulated claims assistance while asking the court to reject that interpretation or find the restrictions unconstitutional. That position raises a fundamental accountability question: Why should a company performing these services be exempt from the safeguards established to protect the veterans receiving them?
Access, Accountability Must Advance Together
The VetClaims complaint also argues that without access to compensated advisors, veterans risk forfeiting their rights to benefits. That assertion overlooks the distinction between access to assistance and permission to charge for it.
Veterans can receive free claims assistance from accredited representatives, and accredited attorneys and claims agents may charge for qualifying services after an initial VA decision, subject to applicable requirements. Barriers to timely, effective assistance deserve attention, but they do not establish that veterans must pay an unaccredited company to preserve their rights or that removing oversight would better protect those rights.
The VetClaims complaint notes that federal law provides no criminal penalty for an unaccredited person charging fees for claims assistance -- an enforcement gap Congress created by repealing those penalties in 2006 and has allowed to persist, enabling the industry to expand. It's time for Congress to close the gap.
The Path Forward
Veterans frustrated by complicated claims procedures deserve timely, effective assistance. Improving that assistance should include clearer VA communications, stronger support for accredited representatives, and meaningful oversight of those handling veterans' claims.
MOAA supports the GUARD VA Benefits Act, which would restore criminal penalties for charging unauthorized fees for claims assistance.
Private lawsuits can provide an avenue for accountability, but veterans should not have to shoulder the burden of enforcing protections Congress established for their benefit.
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Goodale, a Marine Corps veteran, is MOAA's Director of Government Relations for Veteran and Retired Affairs.
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Original text here: https://www.moaa.org/content/publications-and-media/news-articles/2026-news-articles/advocacy/for-profit-claims-agent-targets-va-safeguards-in-new-lawsuit/
[Category: National Defense]
Indiana NWTF Invests in Prescribed Fire Education
EDGEFIELD, South Carolina, Oct. 22 -- The National Wild Turkey Federation issued the following news release:
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Indiana NWTF Invests in Prescribed Fire Education
October 21, 2026
A new trailer is hitting the road in Indiana, carrying more than just equipment. It's bringing new opportunities for landowners to improve wildlife habitat through the use of prescribed fire.
The Indiana State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation recently invested $18,000 in Purdue University's Forestry and Natural Resources Extension program to support the purchase of a new Learn-N-Burn trailer. The
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EDGEFIELD, South Carolina, Oct. 22 -- The National Wild Turkey Federation issued the following news release:
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Indiana NWTF Invests in Prescribed Fire Education
October 21, 2026
A new trailer is hitting the road in Indiana, carrying more than just equipment. It's bringing new opportunities for landowners to improve wildlife habitat through the use of prescribed fire.
The Indiana State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation recently invested $18,000 in Purdue University's Forestry and Natural Resources Extension program to support the purchase of a new Learn-N-Burn trailer. Themobile resource will travel throughout Indiana, helping landowners and conservation professionals gain the knowledge, confidence and hands-on experience needed to safely conduct prescribed burns.
Prescribed fire is one of the most effective tools available for improving wildlife habitat. When properly planned and conducted, controlled burns help reduce unwanted vegetation, encourage native plant growth and create the open, diverse landscapes wild turkeys need to thrive.
For wild turkeys, those benefits are especially important during nesting and brood-rearing seasons, when hens and young poults depend on a healthy mix of grasses, wildflowers and protective cover.
But knowing fire is beneficial and feeling comfortable putting it on the ground are two different things.
For many private landowners, the thought of intentionally setting fire to their property can be intimidating. Concerns about controlling the flames, changing weather conditions, equipment needs and potential liability can prevent landowners from using a tool that could significantly improve their habitat.
That's where education makes a difference.
Led by Danielle Howard, Purdue Extension prescribed fire specialist, the Learn-N-Burn program helps bridge that gap through hands-on training and practical experience. Participants learn how to develop burn plans, coordinate personnel and resources, understand fire behavior and properly conduct prescribed burns.
"The Learn-N-Burn trailer will be used across the state to increase the amount of controlled burns on private lands," said Pat Navarre, Indiana NWTF State Chapter education and outreach chair.
The trailer will make those opportunities more accessible by transporting essential equipment, including drip torches, hand tools, water pumps, weather-monitoring equipment and protective gear, to training locations throughout the Hoosier State.
Purdue aims to conduct at least three training events annually, reaching approximately 25 participants at each event.
Education is just one piece of responsible prescribed fire management. Landowners should also familiarize themselves with their state's prescribed fire laws, negligence standards, permitting requirements and potential liability before conducting a burn. Regulations and legal protections vary by state, making it important to understand local requirements and seek appropriate training before getting started.
Beyond individual workshops, the trailer will support the development of prescribed burn associations, or PBAs, throughout Indiana. These locally organized groups bring neighboring landowners together to share equipment, resources and experience, making prescribed fire more accessible and less intimidating for those new to the practice.
The investment also supports the NWTF's Roots to Roost initiative, which focuses on improving wild turkey habitat throughout the Midwest. With much of the region's landscape privately owned, working directly with landowners and providing them with educational resources is essential to making meaningful conservation progress.
The trailer builds on similar NWTF-supported efforts in neighboring states, including Missouri, where mobile burn equipment has helped expand training opportunities and support local prescribed burn associations.
Additional project partners include the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, The Nature Conservancy, the Sam Shine Foundation and the Indiana Prescribed Fire Council.
While the trailer itself is a one-time investment, its impact could stretch across Indiana for years to come. Each workshop has the potential to turn uncertainty into confidence, giving more landowners the tools and knowledge to responsibly return fire to the landscape.
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Original text here: https://www.nwtf.org/content-hub/indiana-nwtf-invests-in-prescribed-fire-education
[Category: Animals]
Entrepreneurs' Organization: Why Trust Is the Real Currency of a Successful Acquisition
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 22 -- Entrepreneurs' Organization issued the following news:
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Why Trust Is the Real Currency of a Successful Acquisition
October 21, 2026
After four acquisitions in three years, EO Chicago member Karl Hughes shares why the secret to a successful acquisition starts long before the deal. Learn how trust, shared values, and relationships built through EO helped make the acquisition of Rise25 his smoothest to date.
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After completing four business acquisitions over the past three years, I have gained first-hand knowledge of how building trust with the other owners
... Show Full Article
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 22 -- Entrepreneurs' Organization issued the following news:
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Why Trust Is the Real Currency of a Successful Acquisition
October 21, 2026
After four acquisitions in three years, EO Chicago member Karl Hughes shares why the secret to a successful acquisition starts long before the deal. Learn how trust, shared values, and relationships built through EO helped make the acquisition of Rise25 his smoothest to date.
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After completing four business acquisitions over the past three years, I have gained first-hand knowledge of how building trust with the other ownersis the No.1 factor that determines whether a merger or acquisition deal will work or not.
My company, The Podcast Consultant, recently acquired Rise25Off-site link., a done-for-you B2B podcasting company founded in 2015 by Dr. Jeremy Weisz (EO Chicago) and John Corcoran (EO San Francisco).
I joined EO in 2022 to grow as an entrepreneur, never expecting it to lead to an acquisition opportunity. However, this experience showed me how the trust, shared values, and relationships we build in EO create opportunities that extend far beyond just networking.
Here's the story behind the acquisition of Rise25Off-site link., and how the connections we built through EO helped lay the groundwork for a deal that worked for everyone involved.
Building Trust
Laying the groundwork for a successful acquisition starts long before the letter of intent. The more you understand the other owners' values, communication style, and goals before entering negotiations, the easier it will be to work through the inevitable complications of bringing two businesses together.
Because Jeremy, John, and I were all EO members, we had a strong basis for building trustOff-site link.. The three of us were able to quickly get to a place where we could share our most significant 5% experiences, and we had a shared business language thanks to EO.
It was also helpful that both sides knew so many mutual connections, because we could ask EO peers for insights on whether we might work well together before we even signed a letter of intent. Knowing how a potential partner treats people, handles disagreements, and follows through on commitments tells you a lot that you won't learn from a financial statement or due diligence report.
Trust isn't just whether you like someone. It's having enough information about how they operate to feel comfortable making high-stakes decisions together. Trust doesn't guarantee that you will agree on every decision, but it helps you feel confident enough in each other's intentions to talk candidly when things get complicated.
The result? This deal was one of the smoothest and quickest we've ever done.
The Relationship Came Before the Deal
I met Jeremy in 2025 through a friend in EO Chicago. At that point, Rise25 was considering acquisitions of its own. As we talked owner-to-owner, we discovered that we had similar visions for what our companies could become.
Over time, those conversations turned towards a possible merger.
While there was a clear fit between the two businesses, there was no urgency to force a transaction. We kept talking and learned more about the way each company served its clients and discussed the roles we might each take in a blended company.
In early 2026, John became interested in starting a new AI consulting firm, which changed the nature of our ongoing discussions. Jeremy wanted to keep working on the combined business, but John was ready to pursue his next project.
It occurred to me that an acquisition might be a better structure for everyone involved.
The key to networking is keeping in touch. This acquisition is a good example of networking in action. We stayed in touch, learned about each other's goals, and looked for opportunities to help one another well before a transaction was on the table. When timing started to line up, we had enough shared context to move relatively quickly on the opportunity.
That didn't eliminate the work required to buy a business; there were still plenty of terms to discuss, clients to consider, teams to support, and a transition plan to create. But, having an established relationship built on trust made those discussions easier.
Why Rise25 and The Podcast Consultant Were a Good Fit
Trust opens the door, but it doesn't make two companies compatible. The businesses still have to make sense together. We needed to delineate how our services complemented each other, where clients' needs differed, and how combining the two operations would create a better experience.
Rise25 spent more than a decade helping B2B businesses use podcasts to build relationships with prospective clients, referral partners, and strategic partners. The company handles strategy, production, and distribution so hosts can spend their time in the conversations.
Jeremy has hosted Inspired InsiderOff-site link. since 2011, so he has a long record of interviewing founders and operators. He clearly understands what it takes to build a successful business podcast.
Meanwhile, The Podcast Consultant serves a slightly different niche. Our strength is helping finance and investing podcasts grow an audience and build a strong brand. Our clients tend to need higher-touch production support, compliance input, and a clear "story" for how their show fits into a broader audience and brand marketing effort.
Both models use the same medium, podcasting, but fulfill different client needs. Honoring that, we decided to maintain both brands, while combining key teams, software, and processes to improve efficiency and client experience.
Our goal was to capture efficiencies without losing the strengths and relationships that made each business valuable in the first place.
Re-Working Our Roles
Jeremy joined our newly combined company as Director of Client Success. The title fits the work he has done for years: building partnerships, maintaining customer relationships, and using thoughtful conversations to create business opportunities.
In our kind of business, relationship-driven sales and client success are closely connected. The people who trust you enough to come on a show, introduce you to a partner, or renew a contract are responding to the quality of the relationship as much as the mechanics of the service.
Jeremy leads sales and strategic partnerships while staying close to the relationships that helped Rise25 become what it is.
That allows me to take a step back from the sales work I'd been doing as CEO and evolve my role. I'll devote more of my time to the long-term vision, keeping teams aligned across the brands, and building relationships for future mergers or acquisitions that fit our operating model.
Clear responsibilities matter after an acquisition. We have to give clients and team members clarity around who is accountable for what. Delineating these specializations let each of us on the leadership team spend more time working in our "zone of genius".
What's Next?
The three-year goal is to build a consolidated group of B2B media production brands with shared teams and services supporting them. Rise25 was our second acquisition in 2026, and we have more in the pipeline for the year ahead.
Production, operations, client support, technology, and administrative work can often be handled more efficiently across multiple businesses, but having specialized brands and the Ideal Customer Profiles they focus on allows us to stand out in an admittedly crowded landscape.
Our first priority is to successfully integrate the Rise25 clients, bring the teams closer together where it's useful, and preserve the parts of each business that clients value. I'm incredibly grateful to have a strong leadership team working with me to do it.
Acquisitions require financial analysis, negotiation, and careful planning. But the relationships you build before a deal make all that work easier. You never know which connection will eventually lead to an opportunity, so invest in building relationships before you need them. When the right opportunity comes along, trust makes all the difference between a difficult transaction and a successful partnership.
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Contributed by Karl Hughes, an EO Chicago member who is the founder and CEO of The Podcast ConsultantOff-site link., which launches, produces, and helps grow business podcasts.
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Original text here: https://eonetwork.org/blog/why-trust-is-the-real-currency-of-a-successful-acquisition/
[Category: Business]
Consumer Technology Association: Despite Rising Cost of Living, 87% of Americans Plan to Shop for Tech Gifts This Holiday Season
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Oct. 22 -- The Consumer Technology Association issued the following news release:
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Despite Rising Cost of Living, 87% of Americans Plan to Shop for Tech Gifts this Holiday Season
Smartphones, mobile accessories, wireless audio, wearables and content subscriptions top shopping lists
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ARLINGTON, VA - October 21, 2026 - The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)(R) released its 2026 Consumer Technology Holiday Purchase Patterns study, revealing that nearly nine in 10 U.S. adults plan to shop for technology as a gift this holiday season. Enthusiasm for technology persists
... Show Full Article
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Oct. 22 -- The Consumer Technology Association issued the following news release:
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Despite Rising Cost of Living, 87% of Americans Plan to Shop for Tech Gifts this Holiday Season
Smartphones, mobile accessories, wireless audio, wearables and content subscriptions top shopping lists
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ARLINGTON, VA - October 21, 2026 - The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)(R) released its 2026 Consumer Technology Holiday Purchase Patterns study, revealing that nearly nine in 10 U.S. adults plan to shop for technology as a gift this holiday season. Enthusiasm for technology persistsdespite growing financial pressure: 58 percent of respondents describe their finances as stable, down significantly from 66 percent in 2025. This shows the enduring value and utility of technology despite economic headwinds like increased cost of living and tariffs.
"Technology is central to the fabric of our daily lives, helping us stay connected, enjoy the entertainment we love and improve our health," said Steve Koenig, Vice President, Market Research, CTA. "From mobile phones and accessories, wireless audio devices, wearables and content, tech remains a gift that delivers long after the holidays are over--even as shoppers tighten their budgets."
The report also shows shoppers plan to lean on Thanksgiving-week deals, buy gifts both in-person and online, and gravitate toward phones, mobile accessories and wireless audio. Those who plan to spend more on technology this year cite widespread use of technology, growing interest in technology among gift recipients and describe tech as 'a gift that keeps giving.'
Top Tech Gifts for 2026
* Smartphones top the wish list and rank fourth on the gift list, with 53 percent considering one as a gift; 63 percent of those buyers are eyeing a foldable or flip model.
* Wireless audio is the number one tech gift: 67 percent are considering wireless headphones or earbuds, more than any other product, with earbuds (58 percent) holding a slight edge over headphones (55 percent).
* Phone accessories round out the top five planned gifts: cases (58 percent), portable power banks (55 percent) and wireless charging docks or pads (50 percent).
* Wearables remain popular while smartwatches cool slightly: wearables rank second on the wish list, yet smartwatch gift consideration fell to 46 percent from 53 percent.
* The gift of content endures: 67 percent may gift a subscription service -- led by video (47 percent), music (39 percent) and gaming (35 percent) -- and 27 percent of tech gift budgets are expected to go to services or subscriptions.
Where and When Americans Will Shop
* Omnichannel holds: 81 percent expect to buy tech gifts in-store and 79 percent online, with purchases split evenly between the two.
* Thanksgiving week drives timing: 43 percent will do most of their gift buying from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, 62 percent say it offers the best deals, and 46 percent are very likely to shop Cyber Monday.
* Prices top-of-mind: 86 percent of respondents say pricing is extremely or very important when deciding where to purchase technology gifts this year.
To read the full study and browse CTA's full catalogue of market research insights, visit CTA.tech/research.
Research Methodology
CTA's 2026 Consumer Technology Holiday Purchase Patterns study surveyed 1210 U.S. adults (aged 18-plus) from September 8 to 22, 2026. The margin of sampling error at 95% confidence for aggregate results is +/-2.8%.
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About Consumer Technology Association (CTA)(R):
As North America's largest technology trade association, CTA is the tech sector. Our members are the world's leading innovators - from startups to global brands - helping support more than 17 million American jobs. CTA owns and produces CES(R) - the most powerful tech event in the world. Find us at CTA.tech. Follow us @CTAtech.
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Original text here: https://www.cta.tech/press-releases/americans-plan-to-shop-for-tech-gifts-this-holiday-season
[Category: Electronic Products]
American Academy of Neurology: After Stroke and AFib, Restoring Heart Rhythm Linked to Lower Risk of Another Stroke
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Oct. 22 -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release:
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After stroke and AFib, restoring heart rhythm linked to lower risk of another stroke
OCTOBER 21, 2026
Highlights:
* A new study looked at people hospitalized with both ischemic stroke and AFib, an irregular heartbeat that can raise stroke risk.
* People who received treatment to restore a normal heart rhythm within eight weeks had a lower risk of another stroke or blood clot.
* Over five years, the risk of another stroke or blood clot was 8% for those who received early rhythm control,
... Show Full Article
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Oct. 22 -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release:
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After stroke and AFib, restoring heart rhythm linked to lower risk of another stroke
OCTOBER 21, 2026
Highlights:
* A new study looked at people hospitalized with both ischemic stroke and AFib, an irregular heartbeat that can raise stroke risk.
* People who received treatment to restore a normal heart rhythm within eight weeks had a lower risk of another stroke or blood clot.
* Over five years, the risk of another stroke or blood clot was 8% for those who received early rhythm control,compared with 14% for those who did not.
* Researchers found early rhythm control was associated with a 44% lower risk of another stroke or blood clot.
* The study does not prove that early rhythm control prevents second stroke, it only shows an association.
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MINNEAPOLIS -- For people hospitalized with ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation (AFib), restoring the heart's normal rhythm within eight weeks after stroke is associated with a lower risk of having another stroke, according to a new study published October 21, 2026, in Neurology(R), the official medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke, is when blood flow is blocked to part of the brain. The study does not prove that early rhythm control prevents a second stroke, it only shows an association.
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and often very rapid heartbeat. Early rhythm control restores the heart's normal rhythm, either with medication; electrical cardioversion, which is a quick electrical shock; or catheter ablation, which uses heat, cold or electricity to create a scar to block abnormal electrical impulses.
"With just atrial fibrillation, restoring the heart's normal rhythm early reduces the risk of cardiovascular events later," said study author Yuichi Imanaka, MD, MPH, PhD, of Kyoto University in Japan. "But less is known about the combination of ischemic stroke and AFib. Our study shows when a person has both stroke and AFib, early rhythm control is associated with a reduced risk of a second stroke."
For the study, researchers identified 14,355 people with an average age of 83 who were admitted to a hospital with both ischemic stroke and AFib. Of participants, 2%, or 268 people, received early rhythm control: 206 received medication; 68 had catheter ablation; and 32 had electrical cardioversion. Some people had more than one of these treatments.
Researchers then looked at how many people were hospitalized again for a second ischemic stroke or a systemic embolism, a blood clot that occurs in another part of the body.
Over 23,583 person-years, 1,257 people had another stroke or blood clot. Of this group, 13 had received early rhythm control and 1,244 had not. Person-years represent both the number of people in the study and the amount of time each person spent in the study.
Researchers used a method to adjust for differences between the groups based on factors such as other medical conditions, frailty and stroke severity.
Over five years, researchers determined that people who received early rhythm control had an 8% risk of a second stroke or blood clot compared to a 14% risk for people who did not receive such treatment.
Researchers found early rhythm control was associated with a 44% lower risk of stroke and blood clot.
They also found that early rhythm control was associated with a 28% lower risk of death from all possible causes.
"People who have an ischemic stroke are prescribed anticoagulants, medications that stop the blood from clotting easily, to prevent a second stroke," said Imanaka. "Our study suggests that early rhythm control may serve as another prevention strategy, with flexible timing of initiation, within eight weeks of stroke."
A limitation of the study was the small number of participants who received early rhythm control. Imanaka says future studies are needed in larger groups of people to confirm the findings.
The study was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
Discover more about stroke at BrainHealth.com, a free public resource from the American Academy of Neurology. It offers a website, podcast, and books, connecting you with trusted information from the world's leading experts in brain health. Follow BrainHealth.com on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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The American Academy of Neurology is the leading voice in brain health. As the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals with more than 44,000 members, the AAN provides access to the latest news, science and research affecting neurology for patients, caregivers, physicians and professionals alike. The AAN's mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, care and treatment of brain, spinal cord and nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, concussion, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, headache and migraine.
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Original text here: https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5373
[Category: Medical]
