Thursday - March 28, 2024
State Tipoffs Involving Texas Newsletter for Sunday April 05, 2020 ( 85 items )  

* FROM COLLEGE RESEARCH - Baylor University: Drinking Spirits to Lift Spirits May Hold Appeal Amid COVID-19 Stress, But Don't Overdo, Cautions Expert on Substance Abuse
WACO, Texas, April 1 -- Baylor University issued the following news: * * * - Physical distancing and less access to liquor could be a 'great jumping-off point' for individuals seeking recovery from addictions, researcher says * * * Drinking alcoholic beverages may be more appealing amid unease about the coronavirus, as people deal with shelter-at-home orders, fears about the economy and boredom, says a Baylor University researcher who studies alcohol use and misuse. But with regulations pro  more

Baylor College of Medicine: How to Social Distance While Being Outdoors
HOUSTON, Texas, April 1 -- The Baylor College of Medicine issued the following news release: Staying home is essential for slowing down the transmission of COVID-19, but mental and physical health still need to be maintained. One way to do this is through outdoor activities, but an infectious diseases expert at Baylor College of Medicine said it's still important to follow social distancing practices during outdoor time. "The most likely way COVID-19 transmits from person to person is through   more

Baylor University Expert Shares Tips for Entrepreneurs, Small Business Owners Navigating "Shock' of COVID-19 Crisis
WACO, Texas, April 1 -- Baylor University issued the following news: * * * - Research guides entrepreneurs toward a deliberate, communal response, Baylor entrepreneurship expert says * * * The impact of the COVID-19 public health crisis is acutely felt by entrepreneurs and the nearly 60 million people employed by small businesses across the U.S. As communities have sheltered in place and closed all but the most essential businesses, many entrepreneurs find themselves in survival mode amidst   more

Baylor University: 'Grocery Stores Are Perhaps Most Resilient Supply Chains in the U.S.,' Expert Says
WACO, Texas, March 31 -- Baylor University issued the following news on March 30: * * * - In this Q&A, Baylor professor of operations and supply chain management shares how future of U.S. supply chains could be impacted by COVID-19 * * * The initial spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has created unprecedented situations for many Americans, causing significant disruptions to ordinarily consistent daily routines. These disruptions have led to widespread fear of a dynamic future and can  more

Bob Honeycutt Named CEO of Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center
RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas, April 1 -- LifePoint Health, a healthcare company, issued the following news: Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center announced that Robert "Bob" Honeycutt will join its team as chief executive officer (CEO), effective April 27. Honeycutt joins Saint Mary's from Ennis Regional Medical Center (ERMC) in Ennis, Texas, and Parkview Regional Hospital (PRH) in Mexia, Texas, where he has served as CEO since 2017. He will replace Scott Bailey, chief operating officer (COO) of Saint  more

Calif. A.G. Becerra Joins Multistate Amicus Brief Challenging Texas' Restrictions on Abortion During Coronavirus
SACRAMENTO, California, April 4 -- California Attorney General Xavier Becerra issued the following news release: California Attorney General Xavier Becerra joined a multistate coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the Fifth Circuit Court supporting Planned Parenthood health centers (Planned Parenthood for Choice, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, Planned Parenthood of South Texas), Whole Woman's Health, and other providers in their case challenging a Texas executive   more

Expert Advice on How to Help Children With Autism Maintain Routines During COVID-19
HOUSTON, Texas, April 3 -- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston issued the following news release: COVID-19 has disrupted routines for families across the country. Social distancing and self-quarantine are the "new normal" and children will need to be home-schooled for many more weeks without a target end date. For parents with children who are autistic, these disruptions to the routine may induce added stressors. "Parents need to give themselves some grace. Do your best bu  more

Honors Student Tapped to Present on Capitol Hill
BEAUMONT, Texas, April 4 [TNSenergyresearch] -- Lamar University issued the following news: Lamar University Reaud Honors College student, Daniel Quispe, has been selected to participate in this year's prestigious Council of Undergraduate Research's event, "Posters on the Hill," held annually in Washington, D.C. Quispe, a mechanical engineering major from La Porte, graduating in 2021, has represented Lamar University at numerous conferences to present his research on the physics of solar cells  more

Hunton Advises Underwriters in Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.'s $1.6 Billion Inaugural Issuance of Green Bonds
DALLAS, Texas, April 1 -- Hunton Andrews Kurth, a law firm, issued the following news: Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP advised the underwriters on an SEC-registered offering by Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. ("CECONY") of $600 million aggregate principal amount of debentures due 2030 and $1 billion aggregate principal amount of debentures due 2050. An amount equal to the net proceeds of the offering will be used by CECONY to pay or reimburse the payment of, in whole or in part, existing  more

Immunotherapy Effective in Metastatic Prostate Cancers With Specific Markers of Immune Activation
HOUSTON, Texas, April 3 [TNSmedicalresearch] -- The University of Texas's MD Anderson Cancer Center issued the following news release on April 1: Although metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) typically has limited response to immunotherapy, a subset of patients with pretreatment evidence of active T-cell responses in their tumors experienced prolonged survival following treatment with ipilimumab in a Phase II trial at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The re  more

Kentucky A.G. Cameron Joins Amicus Briefs Supporting Four States in Banning Elective Abortions During COVID-19 Pandemic
FRANKFORT, Kentucky, April 3 -- Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron issued the following news release: Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced Kentucky joined amicus briefs supporting Texas, Ohio, Alabama, and Oklahoma in their efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and conserve personal protective equipment (PPE) by halting elective medical procedures, including abortions. The amicus briefs support each of the state's executive orders, which require abortion providers  more

Managing IP Selects Haynes and Boone as Patent Prosecution Firm of the Year - U.S. South - in 2020
DALLAS, Texas, March 31 -- Haynes and Boone, a law firm, issued the following news release: Managing Intellectual Property has named Haynes and Boone, LLP as the leading patent prosecution firm in the southern U.S. in 2020. "We have an accomplished patent prosecution practice that has filed more than 19,000 applications in the U.S. and abroad in the past five years. We appreciate the industry recognition for our team's great work," said Haynes and Boone Partner Alan Herda, who serves as chair   more

MD Anderson Implements Proactive Measures Due to 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease
HOUSTON, Texas, April 3 -- The University of Texas's MD Anderson Cancer Center issued the following news release: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is committed to keeping our patients, our workforce members and our community safe throughout the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. As part of our commitment, the institution is taking additional proactive measures to prevent the introduction or spread of COVID-19 at any of our campuses. MD Anderson is: * Requirin  more

N.Y. A.G. James Applauds Courts for Standing Up for Women's Reproductive Rights During Coronavirus Pandemic
ALBANY, New York, March 31 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release on March 30: * * * - AG James Previously Announced She Will Lead Multistate Coalition Fighting to Ensure Abortion Remains an "Essential" Service * * * New York Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement after a federal judge ensured that women in the State of Texas and those all over the country can continue to access the reproductive care they so choose, after he stop  more

N.Y. A.G. James Leads Fight to Stop Texas From Blocking Abortions During Coronavirus Pandemic
ALBANY, New York, April 4 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release: * * * - AG James Leads Filing of Multistate Amicus Brief Against Texas' Unconstitutional Ban on Essential Reproductive Health Care * * * New York Attorney General Letitia James continued her leadership of the nation's fight to ensure women's reproductive health care is not stifled or infringed upon in any way during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) public health crisis. Attorney G  more

Nexstar Broadcasting Promotes Mike Spruill to Vice President, General Manager of Its Springfield, Missouri Broadcast, Digital Operations
IRVING, Texas, March 31 -- Nexstar Media Group, a television broadcasting company, issued the following news release on March 30: Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXST), announced that it has promoted Mike Spruill to Vice President and General Manager of its broadcast and digital operations in Springfield, Mo., (DMA #73), overseeing KRBK-TV (FOX), KOZL-TV (MyNet), Ozarksfirst.com, and their related social media channels. In his new role  more

Nexstar Media Group and Charter Communications Launch WWLP-TV Local News to Communities in Berkshire County, MA
IRVING, Texas, April 1 -- Nexstar Media Group, a television broadcasting company, issued the following news release on March 31: Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXST) and Charter Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHTR) launched a special feed of local news provided by WWLP-TV (NBC), the Nexstar-owned television station in Springfield, MA to Charter subscribers in the communities of Berkshire County in Western Massachusetts. The special feed can be found on Channel 14/1204 (Pittsfield, North Adam  more

Northern Arizona University: As Ice Recedes in Antarctica, New Microbial Research Frontier Opens for Ecoss, Texas Tech University Team
FLAGSTAFF, Arizona, March 31 -- Northern Arizona University issued the following news: Warming global temperatures are changing life on every continent on Earth, including Antarctica, where more microbes are moving into territory previously covered by ice. How these microbes respond to warming will offer clues about what future Antarctica will look like and who will thrive there. Microbial ecologist and Ph.D. candidate Alicia Purcell from the Center for Ecosystem Science and Society (Ecoss) at   more

Rice University Emergency Ventilator Plans Now Online
HOUSTON, Texas, April 4 -- Rice University issued the following news release: The plans for Rice University's ApolloBVM, an open-source emergency ventilator design that could help patients in treatment for COVID-19, are now online and freely available to everyone in the world. The project first developed by students as a senior design project in 2019 has been brought up to medical grade by Rice engineers and one student, with the help of Texas Medical Center doctors. The device costs less than  more

Rice University Researchers Create Interactive Map of COVID Cases in Texas
HOUSTON, Texas, April 1 -- Rice University issued the following news release: A team of researchers in the Center for Research Computing's Spatial Studies Lab at Rice University has created an interactive map showing all cases of COVID-19 across Texas utilizing public health data. The map is now online at coronavirusintexas.org. The dashboard includes cases by county as well as the number of people tested across the state, current hospital bed utilization rate and the numbers of staffed beds a  more

Rice University: Ensure Migrant, Refugees' Rights During Coronavirus Outbreak, Says Baker Institute Expert
HOUSTON, Texas, April 3 -- Rice University issued the following news release: As borders close around the world in response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, and as increased nativism and fear provide fodder for anti-migrant and refugee agendas, there is a heightened imperative to ensure the rights of those who are unable to return to their home countries, according to an expert at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy. In a new issue brief, Kelsey Norman, fellow for the Middle   more

Rice University: Financial Losses From Treating COVID-19 Patients Could Devastate Health Care Sector, Experts Say
HOUSTON, Texas, April 3 -- Rice University issued the following news release: The federal government's Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) includes hundreds of billions of dollars of funding for the health care sector, but with health care facilities facing unprecedented expenditures, that might not be enough, according to an economics expert at Rice University and a physician at Texas Children's Hospital. The cost of caring for COVID-19 patients is predicted to exceed th  more

Rice University: Fiscal Interventions Must Stay Targeted and Apolitical, Say Baker Institute Experts
HOUSTON, Texas, April 3 -- Rice University issued the following news release: All emergency financial actions the federal government takes during the pandemic crisis should be temporary and targeted, said two Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy experts. "Temporary policies reduce the incentive for politicians to try to implement policies unrelated to the battle against the pandemic," wrote Jorge Barro and John Diamond in a Baker Institute blog post. "This is not the time to move   more

Rice University: Machine Learning Can Help Increase Liver Cancer Screening Rates, Says Expert
HOUSTON, Texas, April 1 [TNSmedicalresearch] -- Rice University issued the following news release: Targeting patients with machine learning can increase the number of people getting liver cancer screenings, according to a National Institutes of Health-sponsored study by a research team from Rice University, Texas A&M University, Iowa State University and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Regular and timely health screenings save lives through early detection, which can reduc  more

Rice University: Pandemic Expected to Affect Natural Gas Only in Short Term, Says Baker Institute Expert
HOUSTON, Texas, April 3 [TNSenergyresearch] -- Rice University issued the following news release: Like oil, global natural gas prices have fallen. The coronavirus pandemic has contributed to an already low demand, but this might be only for the short term, according to an expert in the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy. Anna Mikulska, a nonresident fellow in energy studies at the Baker Institute, is available to talk with journalists about the nat  more

Rice University: Psychologists to Public: Here's How to Stop Touching Your Faces and #Flattenthecurve
HOUSTON, Texas, April 4 -- Rice University issued the following news release on April 3: The average person touches their face 23 times an hour. It's an activity so common most people don't realize when or how much they're doing it. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, health organizations are urging people to stop touching their faces to stop the spread of the virus and flatten the curve. Jim Pomerantz, a professor of psychological sciences at Rice University and chair of the Psychonomic SocietyGovern  more

Rice University: Republicans More Likely to Invest in Stocks During Coronavirus Market Crash, Says Expert
HOUSTON, Texas, April 1 -- Rice University issued the following news release: The downturn in the stock market has rattled most investors but also created unprecedented long-term investment opportunities, according to expert at Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business. So how are ordinary, everyday investors likely to approach the stock market? Republicans are more likely than Democrats to invest in stocks, especially when confident about their investing ability, according to resear  more

St. John Fisher College: Students Present at African American Studies National Conference
ROCHESTER, New York, March 29 [TNSsociologyresearch] -- St. John Fisher College issued the following news: Seniors Oskarys Fermin and Luisa Rodriguez and sophomore Tamaron McKnight co-presented a paper with Dr. Lisa J. Cunningham, visiting assistant professor of English and director of Women and Gender Studies, in Dallas, Texas, at the 28th annual National Association of African American Studies National Conference in late February. Their paper, "Building Visible Intersections: Queer & Racial   more

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi Campus Conrad Blucher Institute Maps COVID-19 Spread
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, March 31 -- Texas A&M University Corpus Christi campus issued the following news: The Conrad Blucher Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is mapping the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas and around the Coastal Bend. The maps represent information confirmed by the Texas Department of State Health Services. "My colleagues Bryan Gillis and Dr. Lucy Huang have created sophisticated yet relatively simple and informative maps and dashboards to follow the COV  more

Texas A&M University Engineers Create Step-by-Step Method to Make Protective Medical Masks
COLLEGE STATION, Texas, April 1 -- The Texas A&M University's Engineering Experiment Station issued the following news: With a touch of inspiration from MacGyver, Texas A&M University researchers have developed a way to make medical protective gear from readily available materials to construct desperately needed personal protection masks for medical personnel who have seen a depletion of resources as the number of COVID-19 cases increases. Dr. John Criscione, a Texas A&M professor in the Depar  more

Texas A&M University's College of Engineering Researchers Design 3D-Printed Diffuser to Treat COVID-19 Patients
COLLEGE STATION, Texas, April 3 [TNSmedicalresearch] -- Texas A&M University's College of Engineering issued the following news: Texas A&M University, through its unique Engineering Medicine (EnMed) partnership with Houston Methodist Hospital, is stepping up to help the health care system keep up with the demand for medical supplies brought on by the increasing number of confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases. A team led by Dr. Michael R. Moreno has already delivered 200 3D-printed diffusers f  more

Texas A&M University's College of Engineering: Engineering Faculty, Students Adapt to Online Learning Environment
COLLEGE STATION, Texas, April 3 -- Texas A&M University's College of Engineering issued the following news: As more than 20,000 students transition into an online learning environment, the quality of the education students receive in the Texas A&M University College of Engineering continues to be of utmost importance. Engineering personnel have stepped up in many ways to make the transition as easy as possible. The Engineering Studio for Advance Instruction & Learning (eSAIL) has been conducti  more

Texas A&M University: Aggie Engineers Create Step-by-Step Method of Making Protective Medical Masks
COLLEGE STATION, Texas, March 31 -- Texas A&M University's College of Engineering issued the following news: With a touch of inspiration from MacGyver, Aggies have developed a way to make medical protective gear from readily available materials. A group of professors and graduate students from the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University are researching methods to construct desperately needed personal protection masks for medical personnel who have seen a depletion of resources as the nu  more

Texas A&M University: CVM Faculty Members to Promote Canine Health With New Research Grants
COLLEGE STATION, Texas, March 24 [TNSgrants] -- Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences issued the following news release: Drs. Nick and Unity Jeffery, a husband-and-wife duo at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM), have received canine health research grants from the American Kennel Club's (AKC) Canine Health Foundation (CHF). In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the AKC CHF awarded more than $2.1 million in 36 new c  more

Texas A&M University: In Response to Coronavirus, Garcia Center Launches Virtual Literacy Program
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, March 28 -- Texas A&M University Corpus Christi campus issued the following news: As the Coronavirus pandemic forces tens of thousands of local school-aged children to be home from school and their parents and guardians, some for the very first time, are challenged to provide continuity of education, the Antonio E. Garcia Center for Arts and Education has launched a Facebook literacy program designed to improving reading and comprehension skills. The reading program, tar  more

Texas A&M, N.C. State Researchers Develop Online Tool For COVID-19 Risk Assessment
COLLEGE STATION, Texas, April 3 -- Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences issued the following news release: The COVID-19 pandemic is a global crisis, and government and health care organizations around the world are generating vast amounts of data and models to help inform decisions. However, the majority of impactful decisions on how to handle the crisis are made at the local level, where consistent access and analysis of the data and models can be chall  more

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to Donate COVID-19 Sampling Kits to Corpus Christi - Nueces County Public Health District
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, April 3 -- Texas A&M University Corpus Christi campus issued the following news: Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will donate approximately 100 COVID-19 testing kits to the Corpus Christi - Nueces County Public Health District. The City-County Health District is currently the only entity in Nueces County conducting a drive-through, appointment-only clinic for individuals who demonstrate symptoms linked to COVID-19, or the Coronavirus. "We, at Texas A&M University-Corp  more

Texas Gov. Abbott Announces $14.1 Million in Grants to Texas Military Communities
AUSTIN, Texas, April 2 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Governor Greg Abbott announced a new round of grants totaling $14.1 million from the Texas Military Preparedness Commission's (TMPC) Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) program awarded to various military communities across the state. This program assists defense communities that may be positively or negatively impacted by a future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round. The grant money w  more

Texas Gov. Abbott Announces Approval of 1135 Medicaid Waiver
AUSTIN, Texas, March 31 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release on March 30: Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) has approved the Section 1135 Medicaid Waiver submitted by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) on March 26, 2020. This approval grants Texas flexibility in administering Medicaid while the state continues to respond to COVID-19. "I thank CMS for quickly granting this waiver so that the Lon  more

Texas Gov. Abbott Announces Comfort Food Care Packages for Texas Youth and Families
AUSTIN, Texas, April 1 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Governor Greg Abbott announced the Comfort Food Care Package (CFCP) program to provide meals for at-risk youth and families in communities across Texas as the state responds to COVID-19. As part of the program, participating restaurants offer CFCPs for patrons to purchase on behalf of families and youth in need. Each care package contains enough food to feed a family of 5 to 6 and will be delivered to recipi  more

Texas Gov. Abbott Announces Expanded Health Care Capacities in Texas, Issues Executive Orders to Expand Quarantines, Protect Public Safety
AUSTIN, Texas, March 30 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release on March 29: Governor Greg Abbott held a press conference at the State Capitol where he provided new information on the state's health care capacity and issued additional Executive Orders. The Governor announced that hospital beds available for COVID-19 patients have doubled over the past week. He also detailed the joint effort between the state, the Texas Military Department (TMD), and the U.S. Army Corps o  more

Texas Gov. Abbott Announces Federal Stimulus Package to Help Texans Affected By COVID-19
AUSTIN, Texas, April 2 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement regarding the recently passed $2 trillion federal stimulus package intended to relieve the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a special focus on unemployed workers and the state's hardest-hit businesses. "We appreciate the speedy passage of this stimulus package designed to provide much-needed relief for hardworking Texas families who have been economicall  more

Texas Gov. Abbott Announces HHSC Request of Section 1135 Waiver to Support Health Care Workforce in Medicaid Program
AUSTIN, Texas, March 30 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has submitted a Section 1135 waiver to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requesting flexibility in administering Medicaid to mitigate potential health care workforce shortages during the COVID-19 outbreak. "We are committed to supporting our front-line medical workers and reducing regulatory burdens that   more

Texas Gov. Abbott Appoints Cassels As District Attorney Of 159th Judicial District
AUSTIN, Texas, April 2 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Janet Reynolds Cassels as the District Attorney of the 159th Judicial District in Angelina County, effective April 1, 2019, for a term set to expire on December 31, 2020, or until her successor shall be duly elected and qualified. Janet Reynolds Cassels of Lufkin is an attorney in private practice and previously served as an assistant district attorney for the Nacogdoches  more

Texas Gov. Abbott Issues Executive Order, Implements Statewide Essential Services and Activities Protocols
AUSTIN, Texas, April 1 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release on March 31: Governor Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order implementing Essential Services and Activities Protocols for the entire state of Texas. The protocols direct all Texans to minimize non-essential gatherings and in-person contact with people who are not in the same household. The Governor's Executive Order renews and amends his previous order enforcing federal social distancing guidelines for COVID-1  more

Texas Gov. Abbott Names Hays Chair of Commission on State Emergency Communications
AUSTIN, Texas, April 2 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Governor Greg Abbott has named Debi Hays as the presiding officer of the Commission on State Emergency Communications. The commission is charged with administering the state 9-1-1 service program and the statewide poison control program. Debi Hays of Odessa is the County Judge of Ector County. She also serves as chair the Texas Department of Transportation Freight Advisory Coalition. Currently, she serves  more

Texas Gov. Abbott Provides Update on State's Robust Hospital Capacity
AUSTIN, Texas, April 4 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Governor Greg Abbott held a press conference to provide an update on Texas hospital capacity. The Governor was joined by Texas Department of Health Services Commissioner John Hellerstedt, MD, Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs of the University of Texas System John Zerwas, MD, and Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd. During the press conference, the Governor and Dr. Zerwas present  more

Texas Gov. Abbott Removes Licensing Barriers for Advance Practice Registered Nurses
AUSTIN, Texas, March 30 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Governor Greg Abbott has waived certain regulations allowing for an expedited licensing reactivation process for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) in Texas. Under these waivers, an APRN with a license that has been inactive for more than two years, but less than four years, will not have to pay a reactivation fee, complete continuing education credits, or complete the current practice requirements.  more

Texas Gov. Abbott Suspends Regulations to Increase EMS, First Responder Workforce
AUSTIN, Texas, April 3 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Governor Greg Abbott suspended regulations to increase the amount of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers and first responders in Texas during the state's response to COVID-19. Under the Governor's direction, local medical directors for licensed EMS providers can permit individuals who are qualified, though not formally certified, to provide critical emergency response services for patients treated and  more

Texas Gov. Abbott Waives Certain Licensing Regulations For Pharmacists, Technicians
AUSTIN, Texas, March 30 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Governor Greg Abbott has waived certain licensing renewal regulations for Texas pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy technician trainees. With these waivers, the Governor is temporarily extending expiration dates for licenses and temporarily suspending continuing education requirements for pharmacists. "As our state responds to COVID-19, it is important that Texans continue to have access to   more

Texas Gov. Abbott Waives COVID-19 Medical Cost-Sharing for Public Safety Employees
AUSTIN, Texas, March 31 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Governor Greg Abbott has waived certain statutory provisions to ensure public safety employees who contract COVID-19 during the course of their employment will be reimbursed for reasonable medical expenses related to their treatment of COVID-19. Because the nature of their duties has caused them to increase their risk of contracting COVID-19, the Governor has waived these statutory provisions so that publ  more

Texas Gov. Abbott, TDHCA Take Initial Action to Secure Financial Housing Assistance
AUSTIN, Texas, April 2 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) have taken initial action to provide tenant-based rental assistance for Texans experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. The Governor has waived statutes relating to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) HOME Investments Partnership program which would allow Texas greater flexibility to use   more

Texas PUC Welcomes New IMM Director
AUSTIN, Texas, April 4 -- The Public Utility Commission of Texas issued the following news release: * * * - Potomac Economics places Carrie Bivens inessential market oversight role * * * The Public Utility Commission of Texas is pleased to welcome Carrie Bivens to her new role as Independent Market Monitor (IMM) Director for the ERCOT marketplace. In her role, she will collaborate with the commission to detect and prevent market manipulation strategies, as well as to identify potential desig  more

Texas Tech University's Health Sciences Center: Working, Schooling at Home Creates New Family Dynamics
LUBBOCK, Texas, April 3 -- Texas Tech University's Health Sciences Center issued the following news release: * * * - TTUHSC Expert Believes Parents Can Help Their Children by First Helping Themselves * * * Just months ago, families were gathered together to enjoy the holidays and all the trimmings of the season. Now, as spring blooms, many of those same families find themselves again sharing the same space, though for a much different reason. The spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus th  more

University of Houston Experts Warn Against COVID-19 Cyber Scams
HOUSTON, Texas, March 31 -- The University of Houston issued the following news release: * * * - How to Spot Threats and Protect Yourself * * * As we all take steps to protect ourselves against the spread of COVID-19, cybersecurity experts at the University of Houston are warning against the spread of another threat - hackers trying to capitalize on confusion and fear. Cyber scams targeting your personal information and bank accounts are on the rise, according to federal officials. "We've e  more

University of Houston Researchers Donate Protective Equipment to Health Care Workers on Front Lines
HOUSTON, Texas, March 31 -- The University of Houston issued the following news release: Health care facilities across the country are preparing for a surge of COVID-19 patients in the coming weeks with a growing concern over the safety of the workers on the front lines of the fight. A national shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) - gloves, masks and protective coveralls - has prompted hospital systems to solicit donations from the oil and gas, chemical and industrial painting indust  more

University of Houston Victoria Professor Writes Book About the Theory of Vinyl Records
VICTORIA, Texas, April 3 -- The University of Houston Victoria campus issued the following news release: Jeffrey Di Leo, a University of Houston-Victoria professor of English and philosophy, grew up around juke boxes and vinyl records, and of course, searching for the perfect vinyl record to add to his collection. His longtime interest in the history and cultural phenomenon of the record helped him to write a book about the intersection of vinyl records, philosophy and critical theory called "  more

University of Houston-Victoria to Offer Criminal Justice Graduate Program
VICTORIA, Texas, April 3 -- The University of Houston Victoria campus issued the following news release: Community members and undergraduate students majoring in criminal justice at the University of Houston-Victoria have requested that the university add a graduate degree in the field, and soon they will have that option. The university will begin offering a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice this fall after recent approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on C  more

University of Houston-Victoria, Texas State Technical College Partner to Offer Transfer Plan
VICTORIA, Texas, April 3 -- The University of Houston Victoria campus issued the following news release: Students at Texas State Technical College who want to add a bachelor's degree to their credentials soon will benefit from a new transfer agreement with the University of Houston-Victoria. The plan allows students who receive an Associate of Applied Arts & Sciences at TSTC to transfer to UHV to continue their studies toward a Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences at the Victoria campus, UHV Ka  more

University of Houston: Remote Learning Requires New Lessons for Parents and Teachers
HOUSTON, Texas, April 1 -- The University of Houston issued the following news release on March 31: * * * - UH College of Education Experts Weigh in on Best Practices * * * As the COVID-19 virus continues to change the world, the education system has had to shift dramatically. Suddenly parents and teachers are mobilizing remotely to provide the structure needed to educate children of all ages. In many cases parents, working from home, also are trying to teach their children. At the same time  more

University of Houston: Researchers Report New Understanding of Energy Fluctuations in Fluids
HOUSTON, Texas, April 4 [TNSsociologyresearch] -- The University of Houston issued the following news release: The Casimir Force is a well-known effect originating from the quantum fluctuation of electromagnetic fields in a vacuum. Now an international group of researchers have reported a counterpoint to that theory, adding to the understanding of energy fluctuations within fluids. Ultimately, said Rodolfo Ostilla-Monico, the goal is to apply the findings to better understand the collective be  more

University of Houston: Telehealth Expansion - Chance to Redefine Health Care
HOUSTON, Texas, March 28 -- The University of Houston issued the following news release: * * * - UH College of Medicine Researcher Discusses Rise in Telehealth Services Amid COVID-19 Crisis * * * In the midst of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 public health crisis, we might be seeing the future of health care delivery in action with the expansion of telehealth, or virtual doctor visits. To help contain the spread of the disease, and in preparation for a potential onslaught of patients to hospi  more

University of Texas Arlington Study: In Crisis, People Trust Feelings Over Facts
ARLINGTON, Texas, April 2 [TNSsociologyresearch] -- The University of Texas Arlington campus issued the following news release: * * * - New UTA study finds people tune out facts and trust their guts in medical emergencies * * * A study conducted by two associate professors of marketing at The University of Texas at Arlington shows that people are more likely to base decisions on anecdotal information instead of facts when they feel anxious and vulnerable. Traci Freling and Ritesh Saini, bot  more

University of Texas Arlington: 'Social Distancing Does Not Mean Social Isolation'
ARLINGTON, Texas, March 31 -- The University of Texas Arlington campus issued the following news release: * * * - UTA faculty offer strategies to help older adults during social distancing * * * Noelle Fields and Ling Xu, assistant professors in the School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Arlington, believe that social distancing requirements during the coronavirus pandemic place older adults at higher risks of physical and mental ailments. The pair specializes in research and e  more

University of Texas Arlington: Making College More Affordable
ARLINGTON, Texas, April 3 [TNSgrants] -- The University of Texas Arlington campus issued the following news release: * * * - UTA Libraries award grants to faculty members adopting open educational resources * * * Four faculty members will receive grants from The University of Texas at Arlington Libraries to support the adoption and creation of open educational resources (OER) that make college more affordable for students. The funds, totaling nearly $31,000, come from a grant program known   more

University of Texas Dallas Donates Protective Medical Gear to Parkland in COVID-19 Response
RICHARDSON, Texas, March 31 -- The University of Texas Dallas campus issued the following news release: As the number of COVID-19 cases increases in communities around the U.S., many of the health care heroes charged with stemming the tide and saving lives find themselves at risk due to shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE). The University of Texas at Dallas has responded to the call for more supplies by donating masks, gowns, gloves and more to Parkland Health & Hospital System, Da  more

University of Texas Health San Antonio Researchers Study Antibodies Against Coronavirus
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, April 3 [TNSmedicalresearch] -- The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio issued the following news release: As laboratories across the country rush to find answers for the novel coronavirus, UT Health San Antonio is bringing a unique combination of expertise to bear on the crisis. The goal is a precise and effective vaccine to prevent infection, said Robert Hromas, M.D., professor and dean of the university's Long School of Medicine. UT Health San Antoni  more

University of Texas MD Anderson: Therapeutic Strategies Proposed for Some Lung and Kidney Cancers
HOUSTON, Texas, March 31 [TNSmedicalresearch] -- The University of Texas's MD Anderson Cancer Center issued the following news release: * * * - Study shows cancers with high levels of the SLC7A11 gene may respond to glucose transporter inhibitor treatment * * * New findings from researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center about how some cancer cells become "addicted" to glucose could open up fresh approaches to therapy strategies for cancers with high levels of an amino   more

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine Establishes COVID-19 Testing Site
BROWNSVILLE, Texas, March 28 -- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley issued the following news release: The UTRGV School of Medicine's practice plan, UT Health RGV, the Office of Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), Hidalgo and Cameron county leaders, and the City of Brownsville, are working in collaboration to combat the spread of COVID-19 by establishing drive-thru testing sites. The sites will open starting Monday, March 30, offering COVID-19 testing in Edinburg and Brownsville. The   more

University of Texas Tyler Examines Teenage Vaping Crisis in East Texas
TYLER, Texas, March 31 -- The University of Texas's Tyler Campus issued the following news release: The University of Texas at Tyler announced that the Fisch College of Pharmacy is leading a multi-faceted community outreach program that investigates vaping among East Texas teenagers. The college, in partnership with UT Health Science Center at Tyler, is connecting with regional independent school districts to provide educational in-services on the health ramifications of nicotine use and vapin  more

University of Texas's MD Anderson Cancer Center: Majority of Patients Responded in CAR T-Cell Trial for Mantle Cell Lymphoma
HOUSTON, Texas, April 3 [TNSmedicalresearch] -- The University of Texas's MD Anderson Cancer Center issued the following news release: A one-year follow-up study led by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center revealed a majority of patients with mantle cell lymphoma resistant to prior therapies may benefit from treatment with CD19-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Findings were published in the April 1online issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The mu  more

University of Texas: More COVID-19 Cases and College Participants Confirmed From Spring Break Trip to Cabo San Lucas
AUSTIN, Texas, April 4 -- The University of Texas issued the following news release: The University of Texas at Austin has collected additional information on a cluster of COVID-19 positive cases stemming from a large group primarily composed of students returning from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in March. Most of the UT students were on a trip organized by independent travel vendor JusCollege that included a number of additional students from other colleges and universities. "This incident is an   more

University of Texas: Pandemic Model Shows Importance of Social Distancing in 22 Texas Cities
AUSTIN, Texas, April 1 -- The University of Texas issued the following news release: A new pandemic model of COVID-19 shows the positive role social distancing can play in preventing the spread of the illness in areas across the state. The report by researchers in The University of Texas at Austin's College of Natural Sciences projects significantly higher numbers of cases of infection, hospitalizations, intensive care unit admissions and deaths in 22 Texas communities under scenarios in which   more

University of Texas: Solving the Ventilator Shortage With Windshield Wiper Parts
AUSTIN, Texas, April 3 [TNSmedicalresearch] -- The University of Texas issued the following news release: Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin are building a new type of ventilator made of cheap, widely available materials to help fill the demand created by the spread of COVID-19 for these critical devices that help patients breathe. Ventilators become necessary when patients can't breathe on their own, physically pumping oxygen into their lungs. They are in short supply. That's wh  more

UT Health San Antonio to Lead Local COVID-19 Treatment Study at University Hospital
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March 31 -- The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio issued the following news release: Infectious disease physicians at UT Health San Antonio are among the first in the nation to test an investigational drug developed to treat the novel coronavirus. Thomas Patterson, M.D., professor in the Long School of Medicine and chief of the Division of Infectious Disease at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio), is le  more

UTHealth: COVID-19 and Chronic Lung Disease - How to Stay Safe
HOUSTON, Texas, April 1 -- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston issued the following news release: Because COVID-19 attacks the lungs, limiting social contact is extremely important for people who have underlying health conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, and any additional chronic lung illness. Chronic lung disease is a term used to described a wide variety of persistent lung disorders. Rahat Hussain, MD, says it is   more

UTHealth: COVID-19 Linked to Cardiac Injury, Worse Outcomes for Patients With Underlying Heart Conditions
HOUSTON, Texas, March 28 [TNSmedicalresearch] -- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston issued the following news release: COVID-19 can have fatal consequences for people with underlying cardiovascular disease and cause cardiac injury even in patients without underlying heart conditions, according to a review published in JAMA Cardiology by experts at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). Experts have known that viral illnesses such as COVID-19   more

UTHealth: Here's How to Stay Safe From COVID-19 While Running Essential Errands
HOUSTON, Texas, March 31 -- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston issued the following news release: With the ongoing spread of COVID-19 and Harris County under "Stay Home, Work Safe" restrictions, many people may wonder how to run essential errands like buying groceries, taking a pet to the vet's office, or getting home appliances repaired while minimizing their risk of contracting the virus. Two infectious disease experts at McGovern Medical School at The University of Tex  more

UTHealth: Immunocompromised Patients at Higher Risk for COVID-19
HOUSTON, Texas, April 1 -- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston issued the following news release: People across the U.S. are taking precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19. While still at risk for contracting COVID-19, healthy individuals typically present with fever and mild respiratory symptoms. However, some are at a higher risk for developing serious complications, like those with an already compromised immune system. Being immunocompromise  more

UTHealth: Medications in Time of Coronavirus
HOUSTON, Texas, March 31 -- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston issued the following news release: As cases of COVID-19 mount, the search is on to identify existing medications that can quell the symptoms or even prevent them. Scientists around the world are working in earnest to diminish, prevent, or eradicate COVID-19, and early medication trials are already underway. The rapid discoveries produced by the studies are no doubt progress toward curbing the effects of the pa  more

UTHealth: People With Diabetes Need to Be Especially Proactive With Self-Care
HOUSTON, Texas, March 28 -- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston issued the following news release on March 27: Endocrinologists and diabetes educators with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) are encouraging people with diabetes who are staying at home due to COVID-19 to redouble their efforts to eat properly, exercise, and monitor their blood sugar levels. Diabetes is one of the underlying medical conditions that can increase a person's ris  more

Va. A.G. Herring Continues Fight to Protect Women's Reproductive Rights
RICHMOND, Virginia, April 4 -- Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring issued the following news release: * * * - Herring joins coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief against Texas' unconstitutional ban on essential reproductive healthcare * * * Attorney General Mark R. Herring continued his fight for women's reproductive rights by joining a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief opposing Texas' directive banning nearly all abortion services in the  more

Waste Management Encourages Continued Recycling
HOUSTON, Texas, April 1 -- Waste Management, a provider of comprehensive waste management services, issued the following news release: Facial tissues, toilet paper, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes have been flying off store shelves, while families are spending more hours at home to stay healthy and safe during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Waste Management (WM) is calling on everyone to Recycle Right during this time when recyclables are needed more than ever. Recycling is vitally im  more

West Texas A&M Develops Antiviral Protection for Doors
CANYON, Texas, March 28 -- West Texas A&M University issued the following news on March 27: * * * - Copper-based foil adhesive will be tested for effectiveness against COVID-19 * * * Biological warfare technology born at West Texas A&M University to protect soldiers from anthrax has been readapted and deployed across campus to protect door handles from viruses and bacteria. Doors across West Texas A&M University soon will receive Copper Clean stickers over handles and push plates. The stick  more

WT Counseling Services Reaches Students at Home
CANYON, Texas, April 3 -- West Texas A&M University issued the following news: "Ongoing support, even at a distance": That's what counseling services at West Texas A&M University is reminding students in light of the University's recent digital transition. Online counseling is quickly becoming a necessity for the well-being of many in times of uncertainty, particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread. Organizations and higher education institutions like WT have been challenged to   more