Businesses
Here's a look at documents from U.S. and international businesses
Featured Stories
UCLA to Lead $9M Study on Pesticides', Air Pollutants' Link to Parkinson's Disease Risk
LOS ANGELES, California, May 15 (TNSrep) -- The UCLA Health issued the following news release:
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UCLA to lead $9M study on pesticides', air pollutants' link to Parkinson's disease risk
Three-year project seeks to identify genetic and environmental factors that determine how fast an individual's Parkinson's disease progresses
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UCLA Health will lead a $9 million, multi-institution research project to further elucidate the link between exposure to pollutants including certain pesticides, air pollution and the increased risk of Parkinson's disease.
The three-year research project is being
... Show Full Article
LOS ANGELES, California, May 15 (TNSrep) -- The UCLA Health issued the following news release:
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UCLA to lead $9M study on pesticides', air pollutants' link to Parkinson's disease risk
Three-year project seeks to identify genetic and environmental factors that determine how fast an individual's Parkinson's disease progresses
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UCLA Health will lead a $9 million, multi-institution research project to further elucidate the link between exposure to pollutants including certain pesticides, air pollution and the increased risk of Parkinson's disease.
The three-year research project is beingfunded by Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP), in partnership with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF), as part of an expansion of ASAP's Collaborative Research Network (CRN). Helmed by UCLA with collaboration from researchers at Cedars-Sinai and the University of Munster in Germany, the project will analyze populations exposed to pesticides and air pollution, stem cells as well as animal models to identify the molecular pathways linking exposure to environmental toxins to the development and progression of the neurodegenerative disease.
"We have known for some time about the risks of chronic exposure to these commonly used pesticides and air pollution, but the mechanisms underlying these risks still remain unclear," said project lead Dr. Jeff Bronstein, a movement disorder neurologist at UCLA Health and director of the Levine Family Center for Movement Disorders at UCLA. "We seek to deepen our understanding of the specific pathways impacted by exposure to these toxicants, which we hope can lead to treatments to prevent more cases of Parkinson's disease or slow disease progression."
Previous studies in the Central Valley led by Dr. Beate Ritz from UCLA found that people exposed to certain pesticides, such as chlorpyrifos and paraquat, and air pollutants, such as small particulate matter, had higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease, with the risk increasing the longer they were exposed.
The current hypothesis is that the increased risk is caused by both environmental exposure and a person's genetics, which may explain why some develop Parkinson's disease at a faster rate. Parkinson's disease has been linked to several genetic mutations, with researchers believing exposure to pollutants working to trigger the progression of the disease.
The new study will use advanced genetic and protein analyses of human brain cells derived from the stem cells of people in the Central Valley who have experienced varying exposure to pesticides or air pollutants. Dr Clive Svendsen, executive director of the Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute at Cedars-Sinai, and his team of leaders in the field of stem cell biology, will derive stem cells from subjects from the Central Valley, induce them to become dopamine neurons and then expose these cells to the three toxicants and analyze how they alter their DNA, RNA and proteins.
Additionally, the research will also use animal models, including zebrafish and mice, in parallel with human cells to attempt to identify the molecular pathways that impact the rate of disease progression. The team will then work to alter the genetics of the human cells and animal models to determine whether the disease onset can be halted or slowed.
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the damage and death of nerve cells in the brain. This degeneration significantly reduces the brain's production of dopamine, which is crucial for coordinating muscle movement. As a result, people living with Parkinson's disease experience symptoms such as tremors, slow movement, freezing of gait and stiff muscles.
About 1 million people in the U.S. and 10 million people worldwide live with the disease, with diagnoses having nearly doubled in the U.S. in the past decade. There is no known cure.
The study is expected to begin in June and end in 2029.
"Understanding a disease this complex requires bringing together expertise across disciplines and institutions," Bronstein said. "This collaboration and grant funding give us the tools and the scale to ask questions we haven't been able to answer before."
Co-principle investigators of the study also include Drs. Beate Ritz, Chao Peng, William Zeiger, Jesus Araujo, and Kimberly Paul of UCLA, and Dr. Christina Lill of the University of Munster.
As part of a separate study (https://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/news/mrc-ppu-researchers-receive-major-funding-explore-new-frontiers-parkinsons-disease) supported by the ASAP and The Michael J. Fox Foundation grants, UCLA researchers will collaborate with the University of Dundee. The study will investigate how cellular stress pathways intersect with mitochondrial function to influence Parkinson's risk.
"We seek to understand how these pathways crosstalk and compensate in the context of Parkinson's disease progression by studying mitochondrial clearance in situ in cultured dopaminergic neurons and human brain samples, paving the way for the development of new therapeutic strategies that restore mitochondrial function," said study collaborator Rosalie Lawrence, assistant professor of biological chemistry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
More information about the grant funding can be found at https://parkinsonsroadmap.org/news/261m-investment-toward-personalized-treatments/
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Original text here: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/release/ucla-lead-9m-study-pesticides-air-pollutants-link-parkinsons
[Category: Medical]
Powering the Businesses That Power America: Coffeehouses Coast to Coast
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, May 15 -- Comcast, a cable television company, issued the following statement on May 14, 2026:
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Powering the Businesses that Power America: Coffeehouses Coast to Coast
A good coffee shop does more than serve caffeine. It keeps mornings moving and creates space for community connections --sometimes for five minutes in a drive thru line or sometimes for hours at a shared table. As coffee shops evolve into bustling community hubs, behind-the-scenes solutions from Comcast Business ensure they stay always on, powering everything from high speed WiFi and cyber security
... Show Full Article
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, May 15 -- Comcast, a cable television company, issued the following statement on May 14, 2026:
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Powering the Businesses that Power America: Coffeehouses Coast to Coast
A good coffee shop does more than serve caffeine. It keeps mornings moving and creates space for community connections --sometimes for five minutes in a drive thru line or sometimes for hours at a shared table. As coffee shops evolve into bustling community hubs, behind-the-scenes solutions from Comcast Business ensure they stay always on, powering everything from high speed WiFi and cyber securityto mobile ordering and fast payments processing.
During Small Business Month, we're spotlighting a handful of the millions of small businesses that rely on Comcast Business to keep things running - from Virginia drive-thrus to Pittsburgh's Strip District - each one building something lasting in its own way.
The Roaming Bean: From the Road to a Permanent Home
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Roaming Bean started on wheels in late 2022 - trailers, popups, and a growing fleet bringing creative espresso drinks directly to customers across Pittsburgh. Mobility was their identity. But in early 2026, the brand planted roots with its first brick and mortar cafe in Strip District, one of the city's most energetic neighborhoods.
The new space offers something the fleet never could: a place to linger. To work, to people watch, to soak in the neighborhood. A steady anchor for a brand built on motion.
But running both mobile and fixed operations simultaneously means juggling a lot. Comcast Business supports the whole ecosystem - POS systems, guest WiFi, music, and the real-time social media presence that keeps the brand connected to its audience during peak hours when it counts most. As The Roaming Bean grows, that foundation gives the team the confidence to keep moving forward without worrying about whether their infrastructure can keep up.
Joe Beans: Built for the Morning Rush and the Long Haul
Lynchburg, Virginia
Joe Beans was born from a simple idea spotted on a flyfishing trip: a tiny drive thru coffee stand that moved fast and did one thing exceptionally well. Twenty plus years later, that idea has grown into a local institution across Central Virginia - and the pace hasn't slowed.
At peak hours, cars roll through at a clip of roughly one every 15 seconds. That rhythm is the business model. Quick ordering, seamless payment, and a familiar rhythm customers can count on before work or school. For Linda Brown, who runs Joe Beans alongside a career in chiropractic care, any friction in that flow - a slow connection, a payment that won't process, a POS system that hiccups - ripples through the entire line.
Comcast Business keeps that momentum intact. Credit cards, gift cards, and mobile payments process without interruption across all locations. Security cameras and guest WiFi run on the same dependable connection. Since making the switch, the team no longer worries about outages - which means Linda can stay focused on what she's spent two decades perfecting: great coffee, fast service, and regulars who keep coming back.
Nirvana Soul Coffee: Where Coffee Meets Culture
San Jose, California
At Nirvana Soul Coffee, the goal has always been bigger than the cup. The music, the artwork, the menu - everything is chosen deliberately to make people feel welcome and inspired to stay awhile. This isn't a grab-and-go spot. It's a place with a vibe.
In a city built around technology, that intention has made Nirvana Soul a natural gathering place for remote workers, students, and friends meeting between commitments. The space earns repeat visits not just for the coffee, but because it reliably works for the community it serves, and that reliability extends to the WiFi.
Fast, consistent connectivity from Comcast Business means customers can take meetings, answer emails, and get things done without hunting for a signal or watching a spinner. Behind the scenes, SecurityEdge provides an added layer of network-level protection helping block malware, phishing attempts, and other online threats before they reach devices, without requiring hands-on management from the team.
During peak hours, the connection holds. That kind of dependability is what turns a good coffee shop into a daily habit, giving the team confidence that their business systems and their guests are supported throughout the day.
Ground Ops Roastery + Bakehouse: Service in a Different Form
Tallahassee, Florida
Ground Ops Roastery + Bakehouse grew out of a lifetime of service. Founded by Navy veteran and former law enforcement officer Chris Smith, the shop brings that same ethos - precision, reliability, accountability - into every part of its operation.
Everything is done in-house, from roasting the beans to baking pastries. And beyond its own cafe, Ground Ops supplies coffee and baked goods to other local businesses around Tallahassee, strengthening the community rather than just competing within it. It's stewardship as much as entrepreneurship.
Running an operation that complex requires back-end infrastructure that keeps up. Comcast Business powers the POS system so orders - whether at the counter or online - are processed quickly and accurately, even during the busiest rushes. With most customers paying by card or mobile, reliable connectivity keeps transactions moving and the workflow from falling behind. When the technology works the way it's supposed to, Chris's team can stay focused on what they're known for: quality, craft, and genuine hospitality.
Wirlybird Coffee: Where the Day Shifts with You
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Wirlybird Coffee is designed to meet people wherever they are in the day. Located inside Wissahickon Brewing Company in East Falls, it naturally shifts from a morning coffee stop to an evening destination for craft beer and food, all within the same space. The concept grew out of Wissahickon's openness to new ideas and smarter use of the space throughout the day. Built by a father and his children with deep roots in the Northwest Philadelphia community, the brewery proved to be a natural home for a coffee concept that could evolve while keeping its neighborhood feel.
A guest might come in for a cortado at 8 a.m., stay through a lunch meeting, and return that evening to catch a game with friends. The space supports all of it without forcing anyone to choose a mode. Fast, reliable guest internet from Comcast Business keeps customers connected whether they're working or unwinding, and Comcast Business TV adds live TV and entertainment - giving people another reason to stick around long after the coffee is gone.
That adaptability is what makes Wirlybird feel like a true neighborhood anchor. It's not trying to be only a cafe or a brewery. It's a place that earns a spot in the daily routine by adapting to whatever the day calls for - and making sure the experience holds up every time.
The Daily Grind, Done Right
These coffee shops don't look the same, operate the same way, or serve the same communities. But they share something essential: each has become a fixture in the daily rhythm of the people around them.
When the technology behind the scenes works the way it should, owners aren't thinking about systems or slowdowns. They're thinking about the regular who takes their drink the same way every morning. The student who needs a reliable place to focus. The neighbor who stops in just to feel connected.
That's what turns a coffee shop into a community institution. And coast to coast, Comcast Business is proud to help small businesses like these keep running - one cup at a time.
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Original text here: https://corporate.comcast.com/stories/powering-the-businesses-that-power-america-coffeehouses-coast-to-coast
[Category: BizTelecommunications]
Littler Issues Commentary: Connecticut Passes Law Significantly Regulating Use of AI in Employment
SAN FRANCISCO, California, May 15 -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following commentary on May 14, 2026, by senior counsel Allan G. King and shareholder Niloy Ray:
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Connecticut Passes Law Significantly Regulating Use of AI in Employment
On May 11, 2026, the Connecticut General Assembly passed Senate Bill 5, and Governor Lamont is expected to sign it into law. The law is a comprehensive online safety law with significant requirements relating to Automated Employment-related Decision Technology (AEDT). These AEDT requirements combine concepts from the current AI regulations in California
... Show Full Article
SAN FRANCISCO, California, May 15 -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following commentary on May 14, 2026, by senior counsel Allan G. King and shareholder Niloy Ray:
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Connecticut Passes Law Significantly Regulating Use of AI in Employment
On May 11, 2026, the Connecticut General Assembly passed Senate Bill 5, and Governor Lamont is expected to sign it into law. The law is a comprehensive online safety law with significant requirements relating to Automated Employment-related Decision Technology (AEDT). These AEDT requirements combine concepts from the current AI regulations in Californiaand the European Union, taking a disclosure-focused approach that encourages, but does not impose, substantive pre-use design or audit mandates. It also innovates by creating a program for third-party risk assessments as a means to vet and certify AI models, but falls short of making such evidence broadly admissible to defend against AI model-specific claims.
Broad Definition of Covered Technologies: The law defines the covered technology broadly. An AEDT is any system that processes personal data and produces outputs (e.g., predictions, scores, rankings, classifications, or recommendations) that are a "substantial factor" in making or materially influencing employment decisions (e.g., hiring, promotion, discipline, termination, and similar decisions tied to terms of employment). It expressly excludes generic software tools (e.g., spreadsheets, word processors) and tools used only incidentally or for descriptive/statistical purposes. This definition focuses on predictive AI technologies and the resulting potential of algorithmic bias (rather than generative AI large language models and their attendant primary risks of hallucination/inaccuracy). It will likely be read broadly to include GenAI if it is applied in a manner that might cause cognizable discriminatory harm or other covered injury.
Evidence of Bias Testing: The law amends Connecticut's existing anti-discrimination framework effective October 1, 2026. This amendment explicitly provides that use of an automated system is not a defense to a discrimination claim under state law. That said, evidence of bias-testing and similar efforts, including the quality, efficacy, recency and scope of these efforts, the results of these efforts, and the response to the findings, "may be consider[ed]" by courts or agencies in deciding liability. This aligns Connecticut with similar aspects of California's Fair Employment and Housing rules, effectively endorsing the heightened value of (and need for) this sort of pre-use and potentially in-use testing of AI tools.
Developer-Deployer Division of Labor: The law allocates obligations between developers and deployers, with the primary compliance burden falling on deployers (i.e., employers or entities using the technology). Starting on October 1, 2026, developers must provide deployers with sufficient information to enable compliance with the law's requirements (but only where the technology is marketed or intended to materially influence employment decisions). There isn't any listing or categorization, however, of the types of information that the developers are required to create in the first place, thus leaving open whether the information needed or requested by deployers will, in practice, be available (and if not, whether there is any imperative for developers to create that information upon request).
Notice and Disclosure: The law imposes a real-time interaction disclosure requirement. A deployer must inform any employee or applicant, in plain language, when they are interacting with AEDT. This disclosure is not required if it would be obvious to a reasonable person that the interaction involves an AEDT.
The law also requires a pre-decision notice when AEDT is used to generate outputs for, or as a substantial factor in, an employment decision. Before the decision is made, the deployer must provide a written notice to the affected individual that discloses:
* the fact that the technology is being used,
* the purpose of the technology and the type of employment decision involved,
* the trade name of the system,
* the categories of personal data processed and how those data are assessed,
* the sources of the personal data, and
* contact information for the deployer.
Notably, the law allows developers to contractually assume these deployer notice and disclosure obligations.
Trade Secrets Safe Harbor: The law includes a trade secret safe harbor: neither developers nor deployers are required to disclose trade secrets or other legally protected information, and merely need affirmatively notify the recipient that information is being withheld on that basis.
Independent Verification Organizations: The law establishes a pilot program beginning July 1, 2027, for "independent verification organizations", i.e., third-party entities approved by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection to assess whether AI systems meet defined risk mitigation and safety standards (e.g., preventing personal injury, property damage, or data privacy harms). Approved organizations (capped at five) must apply and enter into a state-supervised memorandum of understanding that defines the scope of their verification activities, required methodologies, reporting obligations, and governance standards. These organizations do not receive formal certification or confer regulatory approval; rather, they issue verification assessments whose legal effect is limited. They may be used as evidence in certain private civil cases but do not create a safe harbor, presumption of compliance, or defense in enforcement actions. The program is temporary (sunsets in 2030) and designed as a testbed for potential future AI auditing or certification regimes, with required state evaluation and recommendations for expansion or modification.
Enforcement: Violations of this law are deemed unfair or deceptive trade practices pursuant to the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA), enforceable exclusively by the Connecticut attorney general. There's no private right of action, and a temporary cure period through December 31, 2027, may be available at the AG's discretion.
The impact of this law is not to be underestimated. Employers should recognize that, although the statute stops short of mandating formal audits or certification, its structure signals a regulatory trajectory toward more formalized, third-party validation of AI systems. While we await implementing regulations, the law by itself reinforces that transparency of use and risk assessments are commonsense expectations when employers implement AI tools, and that independent, third-party audits may be the gold standard for defensibility. As a practical matter, employers deploying AEDT should begin building internal governance frameworks now, including documentation of system purpose and data inputs, comprehensive AI/AEDT use-case vetting guidelines and processes, regular bias testing, and vendor diligence protocols, to ensure they can satisfy both current disclosure requirements and likely future expectations around independent review and risk mitigation.
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Authors
Allan G. King
Senior Counsel
Austin
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Niloy Ray
Shareholder
Minneapolis
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Original text here: https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/asap/connecticut-passes-law-significantly-regulating-use-ai-employment
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Life Flight Network to Expand Bell Fleet With Three New Bell 407GXis
FORT WORTH, Texas, May 15 -- Bell Textron, a subsidiary of Textron, issued the following news release:
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Life Flight Network to Expand Bell Fleet with Three New Bell 407GXis
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced the order of three additional Bell 407GXis by Life Flight Network, the largest not-for-profit air medical program in the country with the largest Bell HEMS fleet, operating 35 Bell aircraft. These new mission-ready Bell 407GXis will join their fleet to continue offering rapid response and exceptional emergency medical care across their extensive service
... Show Full Article
FORT WORTH, Texas, May 15 -- Bell Textron, a subsidiary of Textron, issued the following news release:
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Life Flight Network to Expand Bell Fleet with Three New Bell 407GXis
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced the order of three additional Bell 407GXis by Life Flight Network, the largest not-for-profit air medical program in the country with the largest Bell HEMS fleet, operating 35 Bell aircraft. These new mission-ready Bell 407GXis will join their fleet to continue offering rapid response and exceptional emergency medical care across their extensive servicearea.
"For nearly five decades, Life Flight Network has provided air medical care and transport throughout the western states, and Bell is honored to take part in supporting their lifesaving operations," said Lane Evans, managing director, Bell. "These new Bell 407GXis highlight the reliability and capability our products provide to supporting lifesaving operations when minutes matter the most."
Operating a combined helicopter and fixed-wing fleet of roughly 60 aircraft throughout the Pacific Northwest, Intermountain West, and Hawaii, Life Flight Network provides 24/7 ICU-level care and support to hospitals, emergency responders, police, EMS and fire departments.
"At Life Flight Network, every aircraft decision comes down to one thing: our ability to reach patients faster and deliver the best possible care", said Ben Clayton, CEO of Life Flight Network. "These three Bell 407GXis bring proven reliability and exceptional performance to our fleet, and we're proud to expand our longstanding relationship with Bell in support of that mission."
The Bell 407GXi is engineered to meet the demanding requirements of HEMS operations, offering speed, reliability and advanced avionics that enhance safety in critical missions. The Garmin G1000H NXi flight deck improves situational awareness and reduces pilot workload. The aircraft's powerful engine performance and smooth handling support rapid response times, while the spacious, configurable cabin provides medical teams room and access needed to deliver patient care in flight.
Backed by over 290,000 flight hours and Bell's proven sustainment network, the Bell 407GXi gives air medical providers like Life Flight Network a platform capable of completing lifesaving transports in challenging environments in a safe, reliable and effective way. Life Flight Network also utilizes other Bell platforms like the Bell 429, totaling over 17,000 flight hours across their Bell fleet.
For an inside look into how Bell products support Life Flight Network's operations, check out these episodes of "Life Flight Network | The Call".
ABOUT BELL
Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 90 years, we've been reimagining the experience of flight - and where it can take us.
We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were a part of NASA's first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we're defining the future of advanced air mobility.
Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas - as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., - we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours.
Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.
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ABOUT TEXTRON INC.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.
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Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders.
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ABOUT LIFE FLIGHT NETWORK
Life Flight Network exists to fulfill its mission of saving lives through industry leading care and transport. It is the largest not-for-profit air medical service in the United States and is accredited by national and international accrediting bodies for safety, operations, and clinical excellence. Life Flight Network maintains its own FAA Part 135 Operating Certificate, offering ICU-level care during air and ground transport across the Pacific Northwest, Intermountain West, and Hawaii. Headquartered in Aurora, Oregon, Life Flight Network is owned by a consortium of Legacy Health, Oregon Health and Science University, Providence Health and Services, and Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. It was named the 2021 Program of the Year by the Association for Air Medical Services. For more information or to become a member visit www.lifeflight.org.
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Original text here: https://news.bellflight.com/en-US/265671-life-flight-network-to-expand-bell-fleet-with-three-new-bell-407gxis/
[Category: BizNational Defense]
Groundbreaking Global Survey Captures the Significant Patient Burden Experienced With Current Standard-Of-Care Bladder Cancer Treatments, Underscoring Urgency for Continued Innovation
RARITAN, New Jersey, May 15 (TNSrep) -- Johnson and Johnson Innovative Medicine issued the following news release:
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Groundbreaking global survey captures the significant patient burden experienced with current standard-of-care bladder cancer treatments, underscoring urgency for continued innovation
- More than 90% of patients surveyed who underwent bladder removal or received BCG report negative impact on most aspects of their lives
- Among patients treated with BCG, three-quarters describe managing the treatment-related physical symptoms as humiliating
- Patients and urologists point
... Show Full Article
RARITAN, New Jersey, May 15 (TNSrep) -- Johnson and Johnson Innovative Medicine issued the following news release:
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Groundbreaking global survey captures the significant patient burden experienced with current standard-of-care bladder cancer treatments, underscoring urgency for continued innovation
- More than 90% of patients surveyed who underwent bladder removal or received BCG report negative impact on most aspects of their lives
- Among patients treated with BCG, three-quarters describe managing the treatment-related physical symptoms as humiliating
- Patients and urologists pointto the importance of advancing treatments that may better reflect patient preferences and quality of life considerations
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Washington, D.C. -- A new global survey of patient and urologist perception and experience--conducted in collaboration with leading bladder cancer professional and patient organizations--reveals the physical, mental, and emotional toll associated with standard-of care therapies for bladder cancer, including surgery to remove the bladder and Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) treatment. Released ahead of the American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting, the findings highlight patient experiences that may not always be fully surfaced and discussed during care, pointing to opportunities to strengthen support and continue advancing innovative treatment approaches.
The survey was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) in collaboration with the International Bladder Cancer Group (IBCG), the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition (WBCPC), and the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN), and examined the experiences of 817 patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and 802 urologists across six countries: the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Germany, and France.
Key Findings
- Nearly all patients who underwent radical cystectomy or BCG treatment report negative impacts on their physical, emotional, and mental health, with more than half describing those impacts as moderate or significant.
- Patients commonly report missing important life moments due to treatment, including more than one in three who say they avoided leaving their home, going out in public, or socializing with friends and family.
- About three in four patients say they hide the emotional impact of their disease, including one in three who always or often conceal how they feel.
- A strong majority of patients and urologists express interest in new treatments and a desire for more innovative options beyond those commonly used today.
Expert Quotes
- Alex Filicevas,/* Executive Director of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition: "Too often, the true impact of bladder cancer is carried quietly by patients. This survey makes clear that the burden of current treatments for patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer extends far beyond the clinic. We must accelerate progress toward treatment options that could reduce disruption, address emotional well-being, and give patients care that aligns with their lives--not just their diagnosis."
- Ashish M. Kamat, M.D., MBBS, FACS,/** Founding President of the International Bladder Cancer Group and Professor of Urologic Oncology at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center: "For those living with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, the decision to remove the bladder is a difficult crossroad. When nearly 40 percent of urologists surveyed who have recommended this surgery say they regret doing so, it reflects the limits of what current care can offer--not a failure of clinical judgment. These findings reinforce the importance of shared decision making, realistic expectation setting, and continued innovation to give patients more options that align with their goals and quality of life."
- Meri-Margaret Deoudes,/*** CEO, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network: "Patients need more than treatment--they need care that recognizes the full impact of bladder cancer on their lives. We must continue advancing more innovative treatment options and stronger support systems so that people facing this disease have real choices, better todays, and more tomorrows."
Additional Survey Findings
- Patient-reported impacts of standard-of-care treatment
= More than nine in ten patients who underwent radical cystectomy report at least some negative physical, mental, and emotional health impacts, followed by reports of negative impacts on participation in daily activities (94 percent), body image (93 percent), and self-esteem (90 percent).
= Among patients treated with BCG, many report loss of control over their body (80 percent) and loss of dignity or sense of self (69 percent), with three quarters (76 percent) describing managing the treatment related physical symptoms as humiliating.
- Treatment effects on everyday life
= 94 percent of patients report missing one or more listed life moments due to treatment, including more than one in three who avoided socializing with friends and family, leaving their home, or going out in public.
= Nearly half of patients (45 percent) report depression and anxiety as a primary driver of missed or avoided moments.
= When making treatment decisions, more than one in three patients cite limiting disruption to their life as a top priority--a sentiment echoed by nearly half of urologists (47 percent).
- Unspoken emotional burden and ongoing uncertainty
= 86 percent of patients say they are/were constantly worrying about their cancer coming back or getting worse, potentially reflecting the ongoing burden of current treatments and surveillance.
= About three in four patients (74 percent) say they hide the emotional impact of their disease, including one in three who always or often conceal how they feel.
= 78 percent of urologists say they wish they could dedicate more time to discuss the mental and emotional impact of bladder cancer during appointments.
- Shared interest in continued progress and innovation
= Patients and urologists are aligned in their interest in progress, with a strong majority expressing a desire for more innovative treatment approaches beyond those commonly used today.
= 90 percent of urologists say they wish there were better ways to address the emotional and mental impacts of bladder cancer treatment.
Learn more about what the survey reveals about the lived experience of bladder cancer at jnj.com/BladderBurdenSurvey (https://www.jnj.com/oncology/bladderburdensurvey).
Methodology
The research was conducted online within the United States, Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, and Mexico by The Harris Poll on behalf of Johnson & Johnson among 817 NMIBC patients (i.e., adults aged 18 or older who have been diagnosed by an HCP with bladder cancer, have specifically been diagnosed with NMIBC, and have a urologist who is primarily responsible for treating their bladder cancer) and 802 urologists who see/treat NMIBC patients (i.e., adults aged 18 or older who are a physician specializing in urology, who see/treat at least 1 bladder cancer patient in a typical month, and who have seen/treated at least 1 NMIBC patient in the last 3 months). The survey was conducted November 25 to December 29, 2025. Individual countries are combined with a post weight to give each country an equal proportion of the total. Patients and physicians who qualified for and successfully completed the survey were compensated for their participation.
For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact oncology_media_relations@its.jnj.com.
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About Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is a global publc opinion, analytics, and market research consultancy that strives to reveal society's authentic values to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. With a global research reach of more than 90 countries, Harris offers advisory services across sectors to world leaders, CEOs, and business decision-makers with state-of-the-art analytics, real-time software services, and practitioners in marketing, reputation, customer experience, trends, futures, and thought leadership/research-for-public release. The Harris Poll translates shifting social sentiment into a competitive marketplace advantage. Harris is a Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) company. www.theharrispoll.com.
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About Johnson & Johnson
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.
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Footnotes
*/ Alex Filicevas has provided consulting, advisory, and media support to Johnson & Johnson.
**/ Ashish M. Kamat, M.D., MBBS, FACS, has provided consulting, advisory, and media support to Johnson & Johnson.
***/ Meri-Margaret Deoudes has provided consulting, advisory, and media support to Johnson & Johnson.
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Original text here: https://www.jnj.com/media-center/press-releases/groundbreaking-global-survey-captures-the-significant-patient-burden-experienced-with-current-standard-of-care-bladder-cancer-treatments-underscoring-urgency-for-continued-innovation
[Category: BizPharmaceuticals]
Duke Energy Breaks Ground on Cayuga Energy Complex Project in Vermillion County
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, May 15 -- Duke Energy issued the following news release on May 14, 2026:
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Duke Energy breaks ground on Cayuga Energy Complex project in Vermillion County
* Ceremony marks start of project that provides an additional major source of power generation in Indiana
* Nonprofits receive grants for local initiatives
*
Duke Energy today ceremonially broke ground on its new project that will modernize and expand power generation at the existing Cayuga power plant in Vermillion County.
About the project
Duke Energy is building two highly efficient, combined cycle natural
... Show Full Article
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, May 15 -- Duke Energy issued the following news release on May 14, 2026:
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Duke Energy breaks ground on Cayuga Energy Complex project in Vermillion County
* Ceremony marks start of project that provides an additional major source of power generation in Indiana
* Nonprofits receive grants for local initiatives
*
Duke Energy today ceremonially broke ground on its new project that will modernize and expand power generation at the existing Cayuga power plant in Vermillion County.
About the project
Duke Energy is building two highly efficient, combined cycle naturalgas turbines at the site of the Cayuga Generating Station.
* The new natural gas facilities, which will be called the Cayuga Energy Complex, will increase generating capacity at Cayuga by 470 megawatts to a total of 1,476 megawatts - that's enough to power 1.1 million homes in the company's Indiana service area.
* The plant will use combined cycle technology, which will capture waste heat normally lost from a natural gas turbine and use it to power a steam turbine so it can extract more energy from the same fuel source.
Why it matters
* The Cayuga Generating Station is the oldest coal-fired power plant on Duke Energy's Indiana system, with nearly six decades of service.
* Since Duke Energy placed its last major Indiana power plant in service in 2013, the company has added more than 135,000 new customers. This includes residential customers, as well as large power users such as manufacturers and industrial companies.
* Indiana has been growing, too; in 2025, the state's population growth outpaced all neighboring states and the national average, and its GDP grew faster than the national average, as well.
* More than 3,700 total jobs will be supported by this project, which includes construction, suppliers, and other industries.
What's next for the site?
* Construction crews have already begun grading the site and installing underground piping.
* The first new unit is expected to come online in 2029, and the other in 2030.
* Through a settlement with Reliable Energy, Inc., Duke Energy is studying the feasibility of selling the existing Cayuga coal units to a third party.
Investing in the community
Duke Energy has a long history of supporting nonprofits and other organizations in Vermillion County. Today, a total of $75,000 in shareholder-funded Duke Energy Foundation and corporate grants were announced for the community. The Vermillion County Community Foundation will distribute shareholder-funded grants for following local projects:
* Tools for the Black Diamond Fire Department
* Medical evacuation equipment for the Helt Fire Department
* An extrication saw and a heavy-duty coat for the Cayuga Fire Department
* Renovating the historic steps in Hillsdale
* A reading boot camp in Clinton
* Installation of pickleball/basketball courts in the Eugene community park
* Support for the Parke-Vermillion County Humane Society
* New temperature-controlling curtains in the Community Recreation Center in Clinton
* A wheelchair accessible ramp for the St. Bernice American Legion Post 108
* A new radio for the Vermillion County Sheriff's Reserve Deputies.
* Support for the daycare at the Valley Child Development Center
* A historical marker under development by the Vermillion County Heritage Alliance, which will be placed outside the Cayuga Energy Complex
In addition, seven fire departments are receiving shareholder-funded grants directly from the Duke Energy Foundation. And the Vermillion County 4-H program is the beneficiary of corporate funding.
What they're saying
"The Cayuga Energy Complex will add needed new power generation to the Indiana grid through energy-efficient natural gas facilities, but there's also a careful evaluation underway of a sale of the existing coal units. As a state, we are growing, and so is our energy demand. We need to look at all options for a reliable, affordable energy future."
- Indiana Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources Suzie Jaworowski
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"From the day we began generating power at Cayuga nearly 60 years ago, Vermillion County has welcomed our growing facilities and our employees. Today, as we begin to add new generation nearby, we're taking a major step forward to help ensure reliable, efficient power for years to come. Construction of these plants would not be possible without the cooperative partnership we have with Vermillion County."
- Duke Energy Indiana President Stan Pinegar
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"This project reinforces Vermillion County's strategic importance in our state's energy future. From an economic perspective, it means hundreds of construction jobs and long-term benefits for our schools and our local economy. In addition to the new natural gas plant, the company also announced today support for a number of local initiatives ranging from our fire departments to our local Humane Society. This is what it truly means to be a community partner."
- Vermillion County Board of Commissioners President RJ Dunavan
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"I have lived in this community for more than 60 years and have worked at the Cayuga plant. I know its importance not only to this community but also as a major power source for the state. Duke Energy is ensuring the plant's future by expanding and modernizing the site."
- Indiana State Rep. Tim Yocum
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"If our state is going to have the reliable and affordable power we need to prosper, Indiana will need more power generation. The Cayuga Energy Complex will ensure that Vermillion County continues to play an important role in meeting our state's energy needs into the future. That's good news for Hoosiers, but it's also good news for Vermillion County and the surrounding rural communities, which stand to benefit from the jobs, community partnerships, and economic activity these communities need."
- Indiana State Sen. Spencer Deery
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Duke Energy Indiana
Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides about 6,300 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 930,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana's largest electric supplier.
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Original text here: https://news.duke-energy.com/releases/duke-energy-breaks-ground-on-cayuga-energy-complex-project-in-vermillion-county
[Category: BizEnergy]
Bloomberg Vault Integrates BSpeech, Unlocking Multi-Language Voice Transcription Capabilities Across 50+ Languages for Compliance Professionals
NEW YORK, May 15 -- Bloomberg issued the following news on May 14, 2026:
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Bloomberg Vault Integrates BSpeech, Unlocking Multi-Language Voice Transcription Capabilities Across 50+ Languages for Compliance Professionals
Integration of voice-to-text engine for the financial industry converts recorded calls into searchable transcripts at scale and speed.
*
Bloomberg today announced the integration of Bloomberg's BSpeech ('BSpeech'), a multi-language voice transcription service, into Bloomberg Vault, enabling systematic surveillance, search and analysis of voice communications at scale.
The
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, May 15 -- Bloomberg issued the following news on May 14, 2026:
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Bloomberg Vault Integrates BSpeech, Unlocking Multi-Language Voice Transcription Capabilities Across 50+ Languages for Compliance Professionals
Integration of voice-to-text engine for the financial industry converts recorded calls into searchable transcripts at scale and speed.
*
Bloomberg today announced the integration of Bloomberg's BSpeech ('BSpeech'), a multi-language voice transcription service, into Bloomberg Vault, enabling systematic surveillance, search and analysis of voice communications at scale.
Theintegration of BSpeech into Bloomberg Vault, Bloomberg's multi-channel communications governance solution, enables firms to enhance voice surveillance by converting conversations into structured, searchable data. This helps to transform voice data from just a record-keeping asset into a fully surveilled channel.
Transcripts can be automatically generated and integrated into Bloomberg's compliance workflows, enabling firms to search, supervise, analyze, and audit voice communications at scale, beyond what is possible with only audio recordings. This reduces manual review time, improves keyword detection accuracy, accelerates investigations, and enhances policy enforcement across a wide range of communication channels.
"As regulatory expectations around voice surveillance continue to rise, firms are under increasing pressure to apply the same level of oversight to voice as they do to written channels," said Perry Goetz, Global Head of Compliance Solutions (Vault) at Bloomberg. "By enabling compliance teams to monitor voice communications with the same rigor as written channels, this enhances surveillance efficiency, reduces manual review burdens, and strengthens firms' ability to detect risk across their communications landscape."
Trained on Bloomberg's financial data corpus and domain-specific machine learning models, BSpeech can convert voice calls into searchable transcripts. Periodic refinement improves the way BSpeech transcriptions are able to reflect the nuances and terminology of real-world financial conversations.
Key features include:
* Multi-language transcription: Converts voice communications into accurate text across more than 50 languages, supporting global compliance requirements.
* Trained on the language of finance: Uses Bloomberg's vast repository of financial data and domain-specific machine learning models to enable high voice to text accuracy for industry-specific terminology and workflows.
* Seamless integration: Transcripts will automatically be generated during the archiving process and surfaced within Vault's search and surveillance environment, unifying workflows for voice, chat, and email.
* Enterprise-grade performance: Operates within Bloomberg's secure, scalable infrastructure, delivering consistent and automated transcription as part of existing voice archiving processes.
BSpeech is available as a premium add-on for Bloomberg Vault's Corporate Voice Capture & Archive services, enabling clients who already archive voice communications to seamlessly activate transcription capabilities as part of their existing workflows.
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About Bloomberg Vault
Bloomberg Vault is a communications governance solution that enables firms to capture, archive, and monitor communications across a wide range of channels. Vault provides configurable controls to support compliance efforts and help organizations proactively manage their risk. Using artificial intelligence, Vault enhances surveillance and delivers greater visibility into key areas of concern, helping firms identify patterns, surface potential issues and respond with speed and precision. With Bloomberg Vault, organizations can strengthen oversight, streamline compliance workflows, and maintain a more complete view of their communications landscape. For more information, visit Bloomberg Vault.
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About Bloomberg Compliance Solutions
Bloomberg delivers a set of end-to-end Compliance Solutions with controls, surveillance and reporting capabilities embedded across the trading and investment lifecycle. Powered by Bloomberg's trusted data, technology and regulatory expertise, our solutions help firms proactively manage regulatory risk and reduce operational complexity. For more information, visit Bloomberg Compliance.
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Original text here: https://www.bloomberg.com/company/press/bloomberg-vault-integrates-bspeech-unlocking-multi-language-voice-transcription-capabilities-across-50-languages-for-compliance-professionals/
[Category: BizMedia]
