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Keeping Your Heart Healthy with Kori Krill Oil: American Heart Month

YourUpdateTV

Heart disease is the leading health-related cause of death in the United States, taking the lives of 2,200 people each day. Nearly half of American adults have at least one of the top three risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. February is American Heart Month, a time to learn about simple steps you can take now to help your heart. For many years, experts have recommended that people eat fatty fish rich in essential Omega-3 nutrients at least twice a week. But did you that most Americans—up to 70%— are deficient in Omega-3s because they do not eat enough fish? That’s a concern because scientific studies have shown that Omega-3s can support our heart and overall health. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/j-djtjZjb9M So, if you want to get on track to a maintaining a healthy heart but don’t know where to start, what to eat or what supplements to use, what should you do? Kori Krill Oil partnered with Dr. Taz Bhatia, D S Simon Media, and YourUpdate TV on a nationwide media tour to discuss the steps you can take to help your heart, including the heart-healthy benefits of Omega-3s. Where you get your Omega-3s from matters. Research has found that there are two critical types of Omega-3s for our health, called EPA and DHA. These are what you find in real fish and in ocean-sourced supplements like Kori Pure Antarctic Krill Oil. According to the FDA, supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. One serving of Kori Krill Oil provides 250 grams of EPA and DHA Omega-3 fatty acids. [See nutrition information for total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol content.] In addition, Omega-3s support normal triglycerides, may increase good cholesterol (HDL), and support normal circulation and heart rhythm. The important thing to realize about Omega-3 fatty acids is that our bodies can’t make them on their own. We have to consume them. Krill oil has been clinically proven to raise Omega-3 levels and is a doctor recommended Omega-3 source. Kori Krill Oil has superior Omega-3 absorption vs fish oil because it delivers Omega-3s in their most natural form, just as you would find in real fish. Plus, it has no fishy aftertaste. In addition to Omega-3s, Kori Krill Oil is also naturally a good source of choline, another essential nutrient that supports brain and nervous system health, and has an antioxidant. You won’t find either of these in fish oil. It even comes in small and mini sizes for people who have trouble swallowing large pills. Kori Krill Oil has a commitment to purity and quality. It’s certified sustainably sourced from pristine Antarctic waters and does not add artificial ingredients. For more information about supporting your heart health visit korikrilloil.com You can get Kori Krill Oil at Walmart, CVS and other retailers. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 24, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS & PATIENT ADVOCATES APPLAUD U.S. SENATE BILL TO STUDY ROLE OF PBM INDUSTRY

Alliance for Transparent & Affordable Prescriptions

A new Bill introduced in the United States Senate on February 8, 2021 to study the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) industry is moving forward with a referral to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for consideration. The proposal, S. 298 is being met with optimism by medical professionals and patient advocates from the Alliance for Transparent and Affordable Prescriptions (ATAP) with direct experience with these “middlemen” that place upward pressure on prescription drug pricing. The Senate Bill introduced by Senator Marsha Blackburn (TN) and cosponsored by Senator Mike Braun (IN) will “…require the Government Accountability Office to study the role pharmaceutical benefit managers play in the pharmaceutical supply chain and provide Congress with appropriate policy recommendations, and for other purposes…” “Anything that shines a light on the PBM industry is a wonderful first step,” stated ATAP’s President Dr. Robert Levin. “For far too long, PBMs generated significant profits while patients struggle to afford the cost of prescription drugs. It is time that elected officials and policy makers see what it really happening in our exam rooms, and our patient’s wallets, due to PBM interference. ATAP has been an active advocate for patients in a variety of federal and state battles to amplify the voices of patients and physicians. “Surely if this Bill passes, the study will show what we see every day. Patients are suffering under the current system that allows PBMs to put obstacles between patients and the medicine they need,” stated Dr. Michael Schweitz of the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations, and ATAP member organization. “Now that light is shining on the previously hidden profit motives of the PBM industry, patients, physicians, and policy makers will have the power to effect meaningful change.” In addition to legislative efforts, ATAP filed an Amicus Brief with the United States Supreme Court that argued in part that PBMs are engaged in abusive practices with serious practical and policy consequences – including upward pressure on prescription drug pricing. The case, Rutledge vs Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) resulted in a unanimous 8-0 decision where Justices agreed that states have the rights to impose regulations on PBMs. Dr. Angus Worthing of the American College of Rheumatology, an ATAP member organization stated, “The United States Senate, the Supreme Court, and state legislators across the country are realizing on a bipartisan basis how the hidden profit motives of the PBM industry are harming patients. More transparency is desperately needed, and the latest Senate proposal will provide it.” ATAP continues to support efforts to force the PBM industry to disclose rebate data and encourage transparency and reporting requirements for all entities involved in the prescription drug supply chain – PBMs, insurers, and manufacturers. ### To schedule an interview with Dr. Levin or another ATAP spokesperson, please contact Dan Rene of kglobal at 202-329-8357. Please visit http://www.atapadvocates.com ATAP's mission is to address prescription drugs costs and patient access to affordable treatment by regulating PBM practices and reforming the drug industry through educational outreach and grassroots advocacy initiatives at both the state and federal level. Contact Details Alliance for Transparent and Affordable Prescriptions Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 daniel.rene@kglobal.com Company Website http://www.atapadvocates.com

February 23, 2021 05:10 PM Eastern Standard Time

Elevate Your Health and Wellness Routine in 2021

YourUpdateTV

With healthy routines top of mind now more than ever, it’s important to discuss some simple ways to stay on track in the New Year. From immune health and stress support to supplements for sleep – there are many ways to help people live a healthier version of themselves and make the most of each and every day.* Health and Wellness Experts from The Bountiful Company, Meghan Sowa and Nicole Hayes, recently teamed with YourUpdateTV to discuss tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, in addition to providing vitamin, supplement and other product recommendations such as healthy snacking options to consider. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/ngcrVBhhy6o Immune Health: Immune health is at the forefront of many minds right now and the experts have a few key items to incorporate into your routine for 2021. First, Nature's Bounty® Immune 24 Hour+ with Ester-C®, the only Vitamin C with 24-hour immune support†, that provides advanced, long-lasting immune support to help keep you healthy.* Plus, these rapid release soft gels contain ingredients like Vitamin D, Zinc, Vitamin A for extra immune and antioxidant support, and herbal superstars Elderberry and Echinacea.* Taking a multivitamin is another great way to maintain overall health. Sundown® Adult Multivitamin Gummies are a fun and delicious way for adults to take vitamins. These gluten free, dairy free and Non-GMO gummies are all clean‡, all the time and have 10 essential vitamins to provide support for bone, immune and heart health. Parents and kids both love Sundown® Kids Complete◊ Multivitamin Gummies because they’re packed with 13 essential nutrients, are Non-GMO, Gluten, Dairy and Peanut Free and come in delicious, fun character shapes. For immune support and to keep your bones and joints healthy, turn to Osteo Bi-Flex® Triple Strength + Vitamin D.* The Triple Strength formula features Vitamin D to support strong, healthy bones and a healthy immune system, plus Joint Shield™ to soothe joints and help with occasional joint stiffness.* Easing Stress and Promoting Restful Sleep: More than half of Americans (55%) say they experience stress most of the day, so it’s no surprise stress and sleep are trends in the supplement industry1. Nature’s Bounty® Sleep3+Stress Support is an extension of the innovative Nature’s Bounty ® Sleep3, the first maximum strength tri-layer sleep aid launched in 2019.* For occasional sleeplessness, the innovative time-release melatonin technology helps you fall asleep fast and stay asleep longer, while Ashwagandha helps support a healthy response to occasional stress and anxiety.* To specifically address stress, Nature’s Bounty® Stress Comfort Mood Booster Gummies easily fit into your stress-management routine with delicious gummies to calm feelings of stress and promote a positive mood.* Beauty Tips: We all want to look and feel our best all year-round, and let’s face it – beauty starts from within. One way to pamper yourself is with Nature’s Bounty® Advanced Hair, Skin & Nails gummies. From Nature’s Bounty®, the #1 brand for hair, skin and nails product∆, this item supports beautiful hair, glowing skin and healthy nails, and focuses on beauty from the inside out.* But that’s not all! Beauty fans can give their routines an extra boost with Nature’s Bounty® Collagen Beauty Blends. This line of powders dissolve in cold or hot liquid and helps improve skin elasticity and hydration, while helping to decrease skin roughness.* New Year, New Fitness Resolutions: The New Year is a great time to up your fitness game and Sports & Active brand, Pure Protein ®, has you covered with multiple new innovations. Fitness fans will love the NEW Pure Protein® S'mores and Chocolate Peanut Butter 30g Shakes. Packed with 30 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of sugar, these are the perfect option for protein on-the-go. And for all of the snack lovers out there, who want to indulge without the guilt we have new sweet and savory snacking options. The NEW Pure Protein® Double Chocolate and Snickerdoodle Sandwich Cookies are delicious, soft and chewy cookie sandwiches are a perfect treat any time of the day. Also check out the poppable, savory NEW Pure Protein® Nacho Cheese Puffs and Brick Oven Pizza Puffs, which have 18g of protein, just 1g of sugar and are irresistibly tasty and crunchy. Stay in the know by following The Bountiful Company on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. About Meghan Sowa: As a busy working mom, Meghan maintains a healthy lifestyle by getting her steps through trailing behind her active second grader and new puppy. And for those mid-afternoon calls, she always has a protein bar handy for that extra boost. Meghan stays close to the health and wellness space personally and professionally, and wants nothing more than to help folks (of all ages) do the same. About Nicole Hayes: As full-time working mom of 3 under 4, including a set of twins, Nicole knows it can be tough to keep up a wellness routine. That’s why she fits it into her entire day, whether it’s running errands, taking trips to the park with her little ones, or going on a lunchtime walk. Being an insider at The Bountiful Company, Nicole is sure to know the best tips and tricks to incorporate wellness into your everyday routine. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 22, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video

CMMC Center of Excellence Announces Engagement Agreement with SteelCloud

Interoperability Clearinghouse

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Center of Excellence ( CMMC COE ), hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public-private partnership serving the public and private sectors for more than 15 years, is excited to announce a partnership with SteelCloud, a leading provider of capabilities to automate policy compliance, configuration control, and Cloud security. This unique partnership will extend efforts to identify and include proven capabilities within the CMMC COE Marketplace to improve cybersecurity protection and resilience for the global defense industrial base network of contractors, vendors, and suppliers. ConfigOS is SteelCloud’s patented software compliance suite that allows anyone to quickly establish a STIG ( Security Technical Implementation Guide ) and or CIS ( Center for Information Security ) - cyber security compliant environment. The patented software is a complete solution offering scanning, automated remediation, compliance reporting, and external interfaces to other tools. ConfigOS is the only COTS solution on the market that fully automates remediation out of the box, saving countless hours of information assurance labor while establishing enterprise compliance consistency. It addresses policy remediation automation for Windows and Linux operating systems and applications. Learn more at https://www.steelcloud.com/cmmc/ The executed Engagement Agreement establishes a collaborative engagement between SteelCloud and the CMMC COE to partner in the furthering of their respective and complementary missions and objectives regarding the adoption, use, and expansion of CMMC based cybersecurity practices, risk management, and compliance for the DIB contractor, vendor, and supplier community of providers creating a broader CMMC ecosystem globally to improve security and resilience. Specific actions will include: The co-development of CMMC advisory services, cyber training and education programs to accelerate CMMC certification, increase cyber adoption and improve cyber protection & resilience. Co-sponsor symposiums, training programs and podcasts leveraging their combined cyber and IT expertise. Host regular working groups, with other partners, to enable collaboration and communications. Source qualified CMMC/ cyber professionals to serve as advocates. Establish an independent Industry Cyber Security Advisory Council with peer organisations to advise and educate leaders across government and industry on the continued evolution and effectiveness of CMMC. The CMMC-COE ( http://cmmc-coe.org ) and SteelCloud partnership will focus on bringing together the many disparate cyber and national security communities of interest to reduce complexity, improve awareness, and accelerate industry effort to become more cyber resilient against the growing threats from nation states and criminal enterprises. “This is exciting opportunity for us”, said Mr. John Weiler, Chairman of the Board at CMMC Center of Excellence, “This new partnership will further help advance the goals and objectives for improving the supply chain security and resilience of the US Department of Defense (DoD)”. “SteelCloud is excited to forge this partnership with the CMMC-COE,” said Mr. Brian Hajost, SteelCloud President & CEO. “CMMC is a vital program to secure the DoD’s contractor supply chain in order to protect critical U.S information. By working with the CMMC-COE, we can deliver our compliance automation technology and reduce the cost and complexity of CMMC compliance for the broadest range of DIB customers.” The CMMC-COE establishes both a Market Place and Knowledge Clearinghouse that will include resources that support the overall effort, including white papers; tutorials; recorded webcasts; presentations; and more that will help reduce the cost and burden on small and medium size contractors already struggling from the impact of COVID. For more information on the CMMC COE, please visit http://cmmc-coe.org email info@cmmc-coe.org or call 703-863-3766 For more information on SteelCloud, please visit https://www.steelcloud.com/ About Us ---------- CMMC-COE.ORG is a unique non-profit public-private partnership, with a vision to accelerate Cybersecurity Maturity Model (CMM) adoption, and reduce time & cost for security compliance for our partners by leveraging commercial best practices, CMMC standards, and innovative solutions for a measurable success. Our mission, focused on DOD mission objectives, cost containment and expeditious CMMC compliance, is to help the DIB improve cyber posture and resilience, and simplify its acquisition. The CMMC-COE is hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public/private partnership (P3) chartered in 2007 as an honest broker to reach outside the confines of the Federal IT advisories that lack dynamic reach into the Global IT Market, and dedicated to the adoption of commercial IT management standards of practice and innovations emanating from the Global IT market. Team IT-AAC has already demonstrated the value of its decade long investment, and provides a unique value to agencies seeking to achieve accelerate the transformation of legacy processes and systems. Our Just-in-Time SMEs apply an innovative suite of Technology Business Management and Agile Acquisition Processes needed to assure the business value of commercial IT. The Interoperability Clearinghouse (ICH), is the managing partner that make up the 24 NGO/SDO organizations that make up the IT-AAC. ICH provides the contract vehicles, clearances, and critical resources proven to guide sustainable, measurable and repeatable processes needed to drive better investment decisions as the speed of mission need, while aligning existing processes, methods and workforce with IT reform mandates contained in Clinger Cohen Act, FITARA, IT MGT Act, EO13838. Contact Details Bob Dix +1 703-975-6633 bob.dix@it-aac.org Company Website https://cmmc-coe.org

February 22, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

National Survey Says 98% of Responding Brain Injury Rehabilitation Providers Plan Continued Use of Telehealth Services Post-Pandemic

Centre for Neuro Skills

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, telehealth service sessions have more than doubled after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent Brain Injury Association of America national survey of more than 400 providers of brain injury rehabilitation services regarding telehealth services found that: 81% of respondents reported reliable collection of objective clinical data through telehealth sessions. 76% reported patient progress using the telehealth platform was equal to, or in some cases superior to, progress in the clinic. 98% of respondents plan to continue use of telehealth in the future, assuming it is reimbursable by insurance plans. Centre for Neuro Skills (CNS), a premier provider of treatment for traumatic and acquired brain injury, recently surpassed providing more than 100,000 hours of rehabilitation therapy via telehealth sessions during the pandemic. According to CNS’ internal survey data, telehealth has been well-received and effective for both patients and staff: “Centre for Neuro Skills expanded our innovative telehealth services to complement our in-person rehabilitation therapy programs during the pandemic,” said David Harrington, president and COO of CNS. “For 40 years, Centre for Neuro Skills has emphasized patient safety in tandem with patient progress. The success of telehealth supports this ongoing need to protect patients during treatment, as they relearn skills and embrace independence.” The full spectrum of CNS’ therapeutic treatments are offered through telehealth, including: counseling, speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, education therapy, case management, family communication, business partner communication and physician or specialist consultation. With the onset of COVID-19, CNS deftly pivoted to telehealth and discovered a host of benefits, including observation of the patient’s home environment. This aided in developing an individualized reintegration strategy post-injury. About Centre for Neuro Skills Centre for Neuro Skills is an experienced and respected world leader in providing intensive rehabilitation and medical programs for those recovering from all types of brain injury. CNS covers a full spectrum of advanced care from residential and assisted living to outpatient/day treatment. Founded by Dr. Mark Ashley in 1980, CNS has seven locations in California and Texas. For more information about Center for Neuro Skills, visit: https://www.neuroskills.com/, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube. For a video overview of CNS, visit: https://youtu.be/Jwqve9gWtEw Contact Details Landis Communications Inc. Robin Carr +1 415-971-3991 cns@landispr.com Company Website https://landispr.com/

February 18, 2021 06:32 PM Eastern Standard Time

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cc-TDI Aims to Deliver Five Childhood Cancer Therapy Drugs to Clinical Trial Each Year

Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute

The Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute (cc-TDI), a non-profit organization focused on the ‘preclinical gap’ in childhood cancer research, announced its goal to deliver five drugs to clinical trial each year. Founded in 2015, the nonprofit continues to address a pressing need that receives little attention—a lack of advancement in treatment options for children living with cancer. The lab’s aim is to make childhood cancer universally survivable, regardless of diagnosis. “For many forms of childhood cancer, we’ve seen little to no advancement in treatment options in the past few decades,” said Charles Keller, Scientific Director at cc-TDI. “We have embarked upon a mission to send more targeted drugs into clinical trials for those childhood cancers that need our help the most.” Since its inception, cc-TDI has delivered two drugs from publications into three clinical trials for childhood brain tumors and sarcomas and are in the midst of four promising research projects addressing rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma, and other brain tumors and sarcomas – on a two-million-dollar budget. Only 4% of the billions of dollars spent on cancer research annually is allocated for childhood cancer research. Since 1978, only 11 drugs have been FDA approved to be used in childhood cancer treatment, compared to an average of 12 adult drugs approved annually. Alarmingly, 80% of kids who survive their cancer diagnosis live with lifelong side effects from the toxic drugs used in their treatment, made for adults. “Grassroots labs like cc-TDI are important because we are researching less toxic drugs that will produce fewer side effects on kids and increase their quality of life through survivorship,” said Keller. “Simply put, children and families deserve a research approach that is just as aggressive as the cancers they are fighting.” By focusing its time, energy, and talents on filling the pre-clinical trial gap, cc-TDI can control which childhood cancer treatments advance to clinical trials. For more information on cc-TDI and how you can help, please visit www.cc-tdi.org. About Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute (cc-TDI) is a unique non-profit organization focused on the ‘preclinical gap’ in childhood cancer research. Our mission is to bridge scientific discovery and the initiation of clinical trials. The cc-TDI research team is led by Scientific Director Dr. Charles Keller who follows in the footsteps of his mentor, 2007 Nobel laureate Mario Capecchi. The cc-TDI laboratory is based on the premise of a non-profit multidisciplinary biotech and is thus located in between the Silicon Forest in Beaverton, OR (Intel Headquarters) and the Portland-area medical center. Learn more about cc-TDI by visiting www.cc-tdi.org. Contact Details cc-TDI Bree Thompson +1 503-985-6016 bree@cc-tdi.org Company Website https://www.cc-tdi.org

February 16, 2021 09:10 AM Eastern Standard Time

OZETTE RAISES $6M SEED ROUND FOR AI-POWERED IMMUNE MONITORING PLATFORM

Ozette

Ozette, creators of a cutting edge artificial intelligence-powered Immune Monitoring Platform, today announced $6 million in seed financing led by Madrona Venture Group, with participation from Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI2) and Vulcan Capital. Ozette, a collaboration between the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and AI2, will use the seed funding to accelerate breakthroughs in treating disease. The co-founders of Ozette include Scientific Founder Raphael Gottardo and Chief Technology Officer Greg Finak, who are recognized leaders in single-cell analysis and who have taken a crucial step in biomarker and drug discovery research, driving new therapies. “We’ve spent a decade working at Fred Hutch to catalyze high-dimensional computational single-cell analysis in academia and industry. Today we can see the composition of the immune system at a much higher resolution,” said Greg Finak, Co-Founder and CTO at Ozette. “This deeper level of insight is critical to developing effective disease treatments with fewer side effects and that is something everyone can feel good about.” WHY OZETTE MATTERS Ozette’s Immune Monitoring Platform enables scientists to quickly extract reliable insights from single-cell data across instruments, experiments and disease states. Having this fully annotated data allows interpretable results for critical decision-making that will improve patient care and patient outcomes. Ultimately, Ozette will revolutionize the next phase of medicine by: Providing the platform to empower scientists who are working with single-cell data. Automating the manual, labor-intensive process of cell analysis from months of work to just hours. Unlocking personalized medicine through targeted therapies based on the profiles of individuals’ immune systems. “What Ozette is delivering to science and medicine is game-changing because it sheds light on the entire cell profile of the immune system, not just only a small percentage of it,” said Matt McIlwain, Managing Director at Madrona. “Ozette brings together the power of computational biology and data science to the life sciences by building a platform that researchers, academics, and biopharmaceutical companies are able to leverage to find treatments faster than ever before.” “Think of the Ozette Immune Monitoring Platform like an MRI for the immune system,” said Dr. Ali Ansary, Co-Founder and CEO of Ozette. “Where an MRI shows detailed images around the anatomical structures, our technology delivers a high-resolution view of the immune system at the single-cell level, providing details that haven’t been visible before. This makes treatments safer, faster to develop and personalized for patients.” “At AI2 we are constantly looking for scientific potential in artificial intelligence that has the power to improve daily lives, and Ozette does just that,” said Professor Oren Etzioni, CEO of AI2. “Ozette’s Immune Monitoring Platform is exactly what scientists and researchers have been looking for. By allowing organizations to make discoveries faster, and with less risk, it will transform how we interact with medicine.” For more information about Ozette, please visit www.ozette.ai or follow Ozette on Twitter and LinkedIn. About Ozette Ozette is a Seattle-based life-sciences data spin-out founded in 2020 and incubated at AI2. Ozette is building a groundbreaking high-resolution immune monitoring platform powered by innovative technologies developed at the Fred Hutch. Ozette’s founders include Fred Hutch scientists Raphael Gottardo, Greg Finak and Evan Greene, who have helped pioneer single-cell computational analysis over the past decade, along with physician and entrepreneur Ali Ansary. About the Allen Institute for AI (AI2) AI2 was founded in 2014 with the singular focus of conducting high-impact research and engineering in the field of artificial intelligence, all for the common good. AI2 is the creation of Paul Allen, Microsoft co-founder, and is led by Dr. Oren Etzioni, a leading researcher in the field of AI. AI2 employs more than 100 top-notch researchers and engineers from across the globe. AI2 prides itself on the diversity and collaboration of our team and takes a results-oriented approach to complex challenges in AI. Learn more at allenai.org. About Madrona Madrona ( www.madrona.com ) is a venture capital firm based in Seattle, WA. With more than 25 years of investing in early-stage technology companies, the firm has worked with founders from Day One to help build their company for the long run. Madrona invests predominantly in seed and Series A rounds across the information technology spectrum, and in 2018 raised the first fund dedicated to initial investments in acceleration stage (Series B and C stages) companies. Madrona manages over $2 billion and was an early investor in companies such as Amazon, Smartsheet, Isilon, Redfin, and Snowflake. About Vulcan Capital Vulcan Capital is the multi-billion-dollar investment arm of Vulcan Inc., the company founded by Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Paul G. Allen. Vulcan Capital is focused on generating long-term value appreciation across a portfolio which spans diverse industry sectors and investment asset classes, ranging from early-stage venture investments to public equity value investing, leveraged buyouts, acquisitions, special situations and fixed income. Vulcan Capital was formed in 2003 and is headquartered in Seattle with additional offices in Palo Alto and Singapore. Contact Details Owen Media Faith Brewitt +1 603-686-0913 faith@owenmedia.com Company Website https://www.ozette.ai

February 16, 2021 08:03 AM Eastern Standard Time

Breakthrough Rapid-Action Coronavirus and Bacteria Disinfection Technology for Passenger Luggage at Airports Stops Local Outbreaks from Becoming Global Pandemics

WarpUV

We are all familiar with the x-ray machines that provide traveler security at every airport in the world. Now, imagine comparable machines that provide 99.99% disinfection from current and future viruses on carry-on and checked bags, including the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus, COVID-19, and unpredictable mutations, as well as bacteria and spores. In 2021, biohazard disinfection startup WarpUV® will deliver just such a machine, known as AirFort ®, to airports, putting the company at the forefront of preventing present and future global pandemics and serving as a “disinfection firewall” that will contain the spread of contagions from the common cold and seasonal influenzas to deadly viruses, including the newly identified B.1.1.7 COVID-19 mutation recently discovered in the United Kingdom and the 501.V2 strain, which is spreading like wildfire across the world. In less than 30 seconds the multi patent-pending WarpUV AirFort machines rapidly disinfect all surface contamination from carry-on and checked bags, personal items and oversized bags and parcels before they enter an airport concourse or the plane’s cargo hold – both for incoming and outgoing flights -- ensuring passenger safety from a broad spectrum of pathogens. AirFort utilizes a proprietary 3-D array of ultraviolet lights designed to achieve all-angle “360° x 360°” disinfection of all baggage surfaces. The machines were designed with airports and airlines in mind and integrate seamlessly into airport operations, even during periods of high footfall traffic. Such biosecurity is urgently needed to contain the spread of rapidly emerging Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus variants that are more contagious or can prolong the pandemic. With research indicating that fighting COVID-19 could cost 500 times as much as pandemic prevention measures, World Health Organization (WHO) senior advisor Bruce Aylward warned earlier this year that “We need to get ready for something that may even be more severe in the future.” Background, Resources & Stats: The COVID-19 pandemic has been and will remain costly, with experts predicting it may be with us for at least 10 years. During that timeframe, other virus and flu strains likely will emerge, exacerbating the need for travel solutions that help stop their spread. According to the University of Cambridge (England), the global economy could take a hit of some $82 trillion over the next five years in a worst-case scenario from the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that if the recovery is faster, an "optimistic loss" of $3.3 trillion is likely. The COVID-19 vaccine is not a panacea. Ugar Sahin, BioNTech CEO, reported the deadly virus is going to stay with us for the next decade at least. According to AirportWatch, global air traffic dropped by 60% in 2020 amid travel restrictions due to COVID-19. With more than 17,500 commercial airports globally serving more than 925 million passengers on nearly 39 million flights in 2019, and with each passenger carrying one or two pieces of luggage onto planes annually, air travel remains one of the most vulnerable means for spreading airborne infectious diseases. “Airport biosecurity has become an urgent and critical staple of airport security since the COVID-19 containment shut down the vast majority of air traffic, introducing global economic fragility and disrupting mobility,” said WarpUV CEO Amir Fischer, a serial entrepreneur who spent four years in airline and airport security at London Heathrow airport. “With AirFort, airports and airlines can restore passenger safety and help prevent future local outbreaks before they become global pandemics.” WarpUV sees enormous market potential for AirFort, and the company will scale up quickly. A WarpUV proof-of-concept device is already deployed for efficacy testing at Tel Aviv University’s Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, at the Microbial Pathogenesis Laboratory headed by world-renowned microbiologist Prof. Anat Herskovits. “We are already seeing conclusive confirmation that the WarpUV device achieves rapid and comprehensive disinfection of Corona viruses, as well as other viruses and bacteria,” Prof. Herskovits said. She also serves as WarpUV’s head of microbiology. WarpUV’s business model uses a modest ticket surcharge in lieu of burdening airport authorities with capital expenditures. Airports briefed on the devices have expressed a great deal of interest in WarpUV. With access to nearly one hundred airports via two leading industry distributors, WarpUV already has deals underway representing more than $100 million in revenue. About WarpUV Warp Technologies and it’s AirFort® devices are the frontline of prevention of the spread of pandemic by luggage and baggage in airports worldwide and serve as a “disinfection firewall” for continents, countries, and regions. The company was formed in 2020 by veteran Israeli entrepreneurs Amir Fischer, Eitan Haimovich, and Gil Luxenbourg. For more information, visit www.warpUV.com. Contact Details Rainier Communications Alan Ryan +1 508-577-6635 alanryan@rainierco.com Rainier Communications Joanne Stanway +1 978-273-1473 jstanway@rainierco.com Company Website https://www.warpuv.com

February 16, 2021 07:57 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Knowledgehook to boost maths attainment across Australia

Stockwood Strategy

Knowledgehook, the world’s most comprehensive mathematics learning platform, has launched in Australia as the nation’s teachers turn a corner in addressing low maths attainment levels for young people. It is now available to schools across the country for children in Year 3 to Year 10 classes, through The Learner First, a consultancy working with schools across Australia. The latest TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) found that Australia’s achievement in mathematics has improved since 2015. However, Year 4 mathematics achievement has not changed since 2007. One of the biggest challenges facing educators is to find better ways to meet the learning needs of the many students who fall behind in schools, failing to meet year-level expectations (often year after year) and, as a consequence, become increasingly disengaged. Knowledgehook’s proprietary technology harnesses the power of data to track where students are on their math journey. Their programmes connect a child’s at-home learning with in-school education, providing real-time insights to teachers on learning gaps. This empowers teachers to develop an understanding of the maths concepts related to their students’ challenges, enabling them to adjust instruction and monitor student progress. As Knowledgehook launches across Australia, former Australian Mathematics Curriculum leader, Margaret Bigelow, commented: " Australia's results in international testing are improving. The impact of a national approach to teaching and learning Mathematics has impacted on this improved outcome. Teachers need to be supported to maintain this trajectory of improvement by having the ideas and tools to enhance the engagement of their students to develop critical and creative thinking and further mathematical skills. This will enable students to adjust to the ever-changing demands and challenges of life in the future." “Knowledgehook was inspired by my own struggle with maths as a child,'' explained Co-Founder and CEO of Knowledgehook, Travis Ratnam. “Having the right, personalised guidance makes all the difference and every student deserves to have a teacher who has access to the best pedagogical tools, and parents who have insights into their learning. Our platform is not a game, it pulls together a 360 view on a child’s learning journey enabling people around them to improve the child’s math experience and outcomes. In launching Knowledgehook across Australia, Joanne McEachen, Founder and CEO of The Learner First commented: “I love the fact maths support is available 24/7 so when a learner struggles with a math’s concept, the teacher can access professional learning and development to help support both the learner and the teacher on the spot. Moreover, it helps teachers retrace their approach and identifies what may have been missed allowing them to recover and embed essential skills and concepts. Quite simply, it is what we have been missing for years and it will certainly complement the current trajectory of further improving math’s performance and disposition in Australian students.” Knowledgehook’s AI-enabled platform has grown to support schools across the US, Mexico, and the UK. It is designed to scale across multiple countries and languages developing teacher capacity while engaging students and providing actionable insights for parents. Over the years, Knowledgehook’s research-based solution has garnered industry-leading partnerships and investments from the most recognised global education bodies, notably from the University College of London (UCL), the global leader in education research. Knowledgehook actively collaborates with governments around the world while also working directly with schools and their suppliers, to offer curriculum-aligned solutions. The company currently empowers teachers in more than 100,000 schools. In 2021, it is anticipated the solution will reach 50,000,000 students globally. “We have received growing interest for our technology and expertise to be applied to other subjects and we look forward to expanding our solution to empower more educators and support the learning of students to become the problem-solvers of tomorrow,” Qamar Qureshi, President and Chief Business Officer added. Ends About Knowledgehook Knowledgehook, a leading educational technology company, empowers hundreds of thousands of teachers and parents to collaboratively support the mathematics learning journey of millions of students worldwide. Winner of Google’s Game Changer Award and named Top Disruptor by BNN, its platform analyses student understanding through engaging assessments, providing real-time personalised solutions to close learning gaps between classroom teaching and at-home learning. Designed by leading numeracy and research experts, Knowledgehook’s Instructional Guidance System is known for reinventing how online technology supports education and educators, while inspiring the problem solvers of tomorrow. Contact Details Knowledgehook Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.knowledgehook.com/

February 15, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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