University College London

Driven by responsibility and innovation, China’s Zhejiang University leverages academic prowess to promote SDGs

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2024

HANGZHOU, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 January 2024 - Every winter, Davos, a small Swiss town clad in snow and ice, awaits elite representatives from all walks of life worldwide. They gather in the well-known resort for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, where the latest economic trends and solutions to global challenges would be discussed. Zhejiang University released its first-ever SDG report during the annual meeting of the WEF As the center of knowledge production, the cradle of talent training and the source of innovation, the academia is an important force in the WEF. From Jan. 15 to 17, leaders from top universities and research institutions around the world met for the Global University Leaders Forum (GULF), a community to address educational, scientific and research agendas to support WEF's mission of improving the state of the world. How universities and the private sector can work together to address major global challenges in sustainable development is the theme at the GULF 2024, and for Prof. Jiangfeng DU, President of Zhejiang University and Chair of the Association of University Presidents of China (AUPC), this is an effort that the university he is leading has relentlessly committed to. According to The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 released last July by the United Nations, half of the SDGs were moderately or severely off target, and more than 30 percent of the goals have made no progress or even retreated. There is much to be done to further upgrade research and action to drive sustainable development policies and practices, and Zhejiang University in east China is one of the pioneers. During the annual meeting of the WEF, Zhejiang University released the Zhejiang University Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023, which is the first time for this renowned Chinese university with more than 120 years of history to introduce its sustainable development policies and practices in an open report. The report shows the efforts and contributions made by faculty members and students of Zhejiang University in 17 SDGs in 2023. In 2023, the University held an advanced seminar on anti-poverty issues in developing countries, sharing innovative and effective practices in absolute poverty eradication, rural revitalization and new-type urbanization with officials from 13 countries including Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan. Last year, Prof. Baojing GU from Zhejiang University won the inaugural Frontiers Planet Prize for his research contribution to mitigating PM2.5 air pollution. Gu is one of the prize's four recipients and the only Chinese scientist. Meanwhile, Xuehong ZHAO, deputy director of the Nursing Department at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University's School of Medicine, won the Florence Nightingale Medal for the year. This is the honor that nursing staff in Zhejiang Province have received again after a gap of 14 years, and she is also the first nursing staff at Zhejiang University to claim this honor. Zhejiang University, together with Cambridge University, National University of Singapore, Kyoto University and other universities at home and abroad, has established a number of international alliances focusing on sustainable development, such as the International Digital Equality Alliance and the Sustainable Smart Livable Cities Alliance. On November 14, 2023, Zhejiang University played host to the third Sino-German Sustainable Development Forum in Berlin, Germany. Featuring in-depth discussions encompassing critical themes such as climate change and governance, technology and sustainability, global health and well-being, the forum sought to explore effective pathways for Sino-German cooperation in promoting sustainable development. Besides 2023, Zhejiang University have been making contributions to global sustainable development for a long time, with remarkable achievements made in fields like scientific research, talent training and open development. Sustainable development is a key field of scientific research in Zhejiang University. Over the past five years, Zhejiang University faculty published over 82,500 academic papers covering 17 SDG project areas, with specifically abundant output in SDG3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). In order to cultivate more talents in the field of sustainable development for China and the world, Zhejiang University has strengthened its education in related disciplines, and also held the SDG Global Summer School for two consecutive years. Focusing on key modules such as carbon neutrality, inclusive development, smart city, data visualization and networked autonomous systems, the summer school attracted the participation of more than 2,000 outstanding young students from over 420 universities in 80-plus countries and regions. Zhejiang University has also become an active advocate for the sustainable development of university services. In 2021, Zhejiang University rolled out its sustainability action plan--A Global ZJU for Social Good, and launched the Joint Statement of Global University Leaders on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. So far, the initiative has received positive responses from over 60 universities from 31 countries and regions, including Harvard University, Yale University, University College London, University of Sydney, University of Toronto, Peking University and other universities from six continents, and many of them have also participated in the GULF. Among the plethora of sustainable development issues facing the world, global warming is one of the prominent challenges, which directly relates to whether Davos will still be such a snowy fairy-tale place in winter in the near future. In the past decade, Zhejiang University has generated more than 10,000 research papers related with net-zero emissions, ranking among the best in terms of global academic output. It has established the Institute for Carbon Neutrality, which seeks to build a high-level carbon neutrality sci-tech talent center and a high-tech innovation highland via interdisciplinary integration and collaborative innovation. "Higher education institutions, as the bank of talent and hub of scientific research, play an essential role in addressing the pressing challenges brought by climate change. Zhejiang University has actively answered the call of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Global Development Initiative, and will continue working with its global partners to address the urgent challenges facing the world," Du said. Hashtag: #ZhejiangUniversity

Key Points: 
  • The report shows the efforts and contributions made by faculty members and students of Zhejiang University in 17 SDGs in 2023.
  • Last year, Prof. Baojing GU from Zhejiang University won the inaugural Frontiers Planet Prize for his research contribution to mitigating PM2.5 air pollution.
  • On November 14, 2023, Zhejiang University played host to the third Sino-German Sustainable Development Forum in Berlin, Germany.
  • Zhejiang University has also become an active advocate for the sustainable development of university services.

Driven by Responsibility and Innovation, China's Zhejiang University Leverages Academic Prowess to Promote SDGs

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 23, 2024

The report shows the efforts and contributions made by faculty members and students of Zhejiang University in 17 SDGs in 2023.

Key Points: 
  • The report shows the efforts and contributions made by faculty members and students of Zhejiang University in 17 SDGs in 2023.
  • Last year, Prof. Baojing GU from Zhejiang University won the inaugural Frontiers Planet Prize for his research contribution to mitigating PM2.5 air pollution.
  • On November 14, 2023, Zhejiang University played host to the third Sino-German Sustainable Development Forum in Berlin, Germany.
  • Zhejiang University has also become an active advocate for the sustainable development of university services.

Reality+ chooses Hedera to Mint, Sell, And Trade digital collectibles for global brands and IP

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Hedera offers low, fixed fees and immutable royalties enforced on-chain at the protocol level, scalable transactions, and a carbon-negative footprint, making it the premier network for offering the latest decentralized technologies.

Key Points: 
  • Hedera offers low, fixed fees and immutable royalties enforced on-chain at the protocol level, scalable transactions, and a carbon-negative footprint, making it the premier network for offering the latest decentralized technologies.
  • The network can process 10,000+ transactions in a single shard and on-ledger, without compromising on network security, sustainability, or stability.
  • Reality+ will use Hedera to mint a staggering 1.4 million digital collectibles, which have already been purchased by gamers across its portfolio of games.
  • We are excited for Reality+ ongoing partnership with THF, supporting the world’s best brands on their journey into cutting-edge technology.”

SPEEDO WELCOMES AMERICAN PARALYMPIAN SILVER MEDALIST SWIMMER AHALYA LETTENBERGER TO THE TEAM

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 16, 2024

CYPRESS, Calif., Jan. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Speedo, the world-renowned swimwear and accessories brand, and developer of pioneering Fastskin® LZR® Intent and LZR Valor swimsuits, announces an inspiring new partnership with American Paralympic Swimmer Ahalya Lettenberger.

Key Points: 
  • CYPRESS, Calif., Jan. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Speedo, the world-renowned swimwear and accessories brand, and developer of pioneering Fastskin® LZR® Intent and LZR Valor swimsuits, announces an inspiring new partnership with American Paralympic Swimmer Ahalya Lettenberger.
  • She also recently broke an American record in the 200 Breast at her mid-season meet for Rice University.
  • Simon Brecken, Global Senior Vice President, Speedo, expressed his excitement about the collaboration: "We are thrilled to welcome Ahalya Lettenberger to the Speedo family.
  • Ahalya Lettenberger also shared her enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "Joining Speedo is a dream come true.

NEW PROSTATE CANCER FOUNDATION-FUNDED RESEARCH TO SPEED UP PROSTATE CANCER CLINICAL TRIALS WORLDWIDE

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 11, 2024

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- New analysis of data published by Susan Halabi, PhD, of Duke University could facilitate approval of new prostate cancer treatments almost two years earlier than the current standard.

Key Points: 
  • The study published online January 5, 2024, in the Journal of Clinical Oncology , reviewed data from over 8,500 men in nine different clinical trials.
  • Dr. Halabi said, "Prostate cancer readout in men with metastatic prostate cancer can take a decade if survival is used as the main outcome.
  • This result highlights the importance of performing this analysis and maximizing the use of data from globally collected clinical trials.
  • Radiographic Progression-Free Survival and Clinical Progression-Free Survival as Potential Surrogates for Overall Survival in Men With Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer.

Capstan Therapeutics Appoints Ramin Farzaneh-Far, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer and Announces Key Business Leadership Promotion

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 8, 2024

Capstan Therapeutics, Inc. (“Capstan”), a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing in vivo reprogramming of cells through mRNA delivery using targeted lipid nanoparticles (tLNP), today announced the appointment of Ramin Farzaneh-Far, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer and the promotion of Miguel Arcinas to Senior Vice President, Corporate Development.

Key Points: 
  • Capstan Therapeutics, Inc. (“Capstan”), a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing in vivo reprogramming of cells through mRNA delivery using targeted lipid nanoparticles (tLNP), today announced the appointment of Ramin Farzaneh-Far, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer and the promotion of Miguel Arcinas to Senior Vice President, Corporate Development.
  • He previously led global clinical development programs at Akebia Therapeutics and Gilead Sciences.
  • “I am pleased to announce Miguel’s promotion in recognition of his contributions to the organization.”
    Mr. Arcinas joined Capstan in 2021 as the company’s Vice President of Corporate Development.
  • He has over 15 years of multi-disciplinary experience in biotech corporate strategy, business development, investor relations, and clinical operations.

Zura Bio Continues to Strengthen Leadership with Appointment of Robert Lisicki as President and Kiran Nistala as CMO

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 8, 2024

Mr. Lisicki will be responsible for developing and driving the business plan and strategic initiatives as Zura Bio builds a leading immunology company.

Key Points: 
  • Mr. Lisicki will be responsible for developing and driving the business plan and strategic initiatives as Zura Bio builds a leading immunology company.
  • Mr. Lisicki and Dr. Nistala have successfully worked on or led in the development of multiple drugs within the auto-immune therapeutic area.
  • These executives position Zura Bio to deliver on the promise of their innovative medicines for patients in need of better clinical outcomes.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240108851979/en/
    “I am very pleased to welcome Rob and Kiran to Zura Bio as members of the Executive Team.

The care home sector got £2.1 billion in government COVID aid -- our research shows care workers themselves got little support

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, December 30, 2023

In England, the vacancy rate in the adult social care workforce for 2022-2023 was 9.9%.

Key Points: 
  • In England, the vacancy rate in the adult social care workforce for 2022-2023 was 9.9%.
  • Experts underline that staffing and financing were problems in the care sector well before COVID arrived in March 2020.
  • The pandemic exacerbated this crisis, despite the extra £2.1 billion in emergency government support, provided during the first year.
  • Of the care workers we spoke to, 42% are in financial distress related to having worked in care homes during the pandemic.

Care workers in dire straits

  • We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 43 care home staff, including workers and managers.
  • We found that most of the £2.1 billion in government aid went to covering care homes’ loss of revenue resulting from decreasing occupancy.
  • In the first two years of the pandemic, 1,290 care workers (including those working in domiciliary settings) died as a result of COVID-19.
  • Of the care workers we surveyed, 80% reported working more hours during the pandemic, typically doing 12-hour shifts, as opposed to the seven to eight-hour norm.
  • Taking on extra hours actually put some workers at a financial disadvantage because it reduced their eligibility for in-work benefits.

A defective funding model

  • It highlighted the demise, since 2011, of two major providers, Southern Cross and Four Seasons, which housed 45,000 elderly people between them.
  • Our findings confirm that the complex funding model on which the care home sector is based is unsustainable.
  • For the most part, however, two things kept care homes afloat in the first year of the pandemic.
  • Our [staff] turnover rate has gone up to about 33%, and we had it down at about 18% before the pandemic.
  • Our [staff] turnover rate has gone up to about 33%, and we had it down at about 18% before the pandemic.


Marianna Fotaki receives funding from UK Research and Innovation COVID Scheme Derya Ozdemir Kaya does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

uniQure Announces Update on Phase I/II Clinical Trials of AMT-130 Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Huntington’s Disease

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 19, 2023

The U.S. study consists of a blinded 12-month core study period followed by unblinded long-term follow-up of five years for treated patients.

Key Points: 
  • The U.S. study consists of a blinded 12-month core study period followed by unblinded long-term follow-up of five years for treated patients.
  • Six patients were treated with AMT-130 in the initial low-dose cohort and seven patients were treated in the subsequent high-dose cohort.
  • The cohort includes 31 patients that met the uniQure clinical trial inclusion criteria of Total Functional Capacity, Diagnostic Classification Level and minimum striatal volumes.
  • In mid-2024, uniQure expects to present another clinical update from the ongoing Phase I/II studies of AMT-130, including additional follow-up data from the treated patients in the U.S. and European trials.

Autolus Therapeutics Presents Clinical Data Updates at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting 2023

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, December 10, 2023

Finally, in an oral presentation pre-clinical and Phase I clinical data from AUTO8, a BCMA/CD19 co-targeting CAR T cell candidate, evaluated in patients with refractory multiple myeloma.

Key Points: 
  • Finally, in an oral presentation pre-clinical and Phase I clinical data from AUTO8, a BCMA/CD19 co-targeting CAR T cell candidate, evaluated in patients with refractory multiple myeloma.
  • “The FELIX study, with 127 patients, is one of the largest CAR T cell studies in adults with r/r B-ALL.
  • A high proportion of patients responded, with many responses sustained, particularly in patients with low or intermediate disease-burden at lymphodepletion.
  • Cellular kinetic data shows high expansion and long-term persistence of CAR T cells in most responders.