Daily Business Report: Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Viasat’s next-generation Internet
satellite blasts into space from Florida
Carlsbad-based Viasat’s next-generation Internet satellite blasted into orbit Sunday night from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
The launch of ViaSat-3 Americas marks a milestone for the company, which supplies Internet for rural homes and businesses, as well as in-flight connectivity for commercial airlines, Air Force One and other government VIP aircraft.
It is the first terabit-class communications satellite in space and is expected to add massive capacity to Viasat’s network — doubling the capabilities of Viasat’s current fleet of four satellites.
ViaSat-3 Americas on the launchpad in Florida. (Courtesy of Viasat)
Lawmakers want more social media regulation.
Here are the legal hurdles they could face
By Grace Gedye | CalMatters
In Summary:
A California bill would hold social media companies legally responsible for addicting kids to their platforms. Tech lobbyists, digital rights advocates, and others say the proposal would run afoul of federal law and the U.S. Constitution.
When Sophie Szew first downloaded Instagram at her 10th birthday party, she was exposed to a flurry of information that “promoted eating disorders,” she told California lawmakers. By 15, she said, she was following “every starvation regimen recommended” by Instagram’s “explore” page.
Szew, now 20, spoke in Sacramento at a Senate hearing in April in support of an expansive bill making its way through the Legislature. It would hold companies legally responsible for using algorithms and design features that addict young people.
“Standing with me today is a generation that knows all too well what it is like to be harmed by flawed systems,” she said.
The past few years have seen a steady drip of research and reporting about the effects of social media on teens. That has translated into a stream of legislative activity across the country, with several states passing or considering laws that regulate how social media companies do business.
SDSU’s West Commons to be
renamed Ellen Ochoa Pavilion
San Diego State University’s West Commons will be renamed the Ellen Ochoa Pavilion in honor of Ochoa and her long-standing achievements and contributions to space exploration, and her commitment to the scientific education of young people across the country. The dedication event will be held Friday at 11:30 a.m.
In 1993, five years after joining NASA, Ochoa flew on her first mission, becoming the first Latina in space. Ochoa capped her 30-year career with NASA by serving as director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Ochoa was the first Hispanic director of the Johnson Space Center and only its second female leader.
The Ellen Ochoa Pavilion renaming is the second of two building dedications to take place this spring semester. Last month, SDSU held a separate building dedication event and renamed East Commons, the Charles B. Bell Jr. Pavilion. Bell, one of SDSU’s first African American professors, taught at SDSU for nearly 20 years. Bell passed away in 2010. The building dedication recognizes his significant contributions and distinction within his field.
New prostate biopsy procedure
reduces risk, improves accuracy
By Annie Pierce
UC San Diego Health is the first health system in San Diego County to offer a new minimally invasive prostate biopsy procedure that reduces the risk of infection, improves imaging for accuracy and may increase cancer detection in a clinic setting.
Called a transperineal biopsy, the procedure is combined with 3D MRI fusion guided technology to highlight prostate cancer. It is the latest urological cancer diagnostic tool to be added to an extensive list of innovative resources used for diagnosing cancer at UC San Diego Health.
“Prostate cancer is one of the most diagnosed cancers in men worldwide,” said Juan Javier-DesLoges, M.D., assistant professor of urology at University of California School of Medicine and urologic oncologist at UC San Diego Health. “The main driver for moving to transperineal biopsies is to reduce infection complications to almost zero. Also, we can now do the transperineal biopsy in the clinic under local anesthesia versus the operating room.”
Scripps Research study finds
insomnia drug blocks oxycodone relapse
The insomnia drug suvorexant (Belsomra) might be an effective treatment for opioid use disorder, according to a preclinical study from Scripps Research. In the study, published April 27, 2023, in Frontiers in Pharmacology, the Scripps Research scientists found that suvorexant reduced prescription opioid intake and helped protect against relapse in rats modeling opioid use disorder (OUD).
If the results translate to humans in clinical trials, the insomnia drug could offer a promising approach for the millions of people who have OUD.
“Our results suggest that repurposing suvorexant could be a good strategy for reducing drug intake and blocking relapse in cases of prescription opioid abuse,” says study senior author
Remi Martin-Fardon, associate professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine at Scripps Research. The study’s first author was Jessica Illenberger, a postdoctoral research associate in the Martin-Fardon lab.
ViaLase to present clinical data at annual
meeting at San Diego Convention Center
SAN DIEGO — ViaLase Inc., a clinical stage medical technology company, announced that it will present first-in-human clinical data and a technology overview during the 2023 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting to be held May 5-8 at the San Diego Convention Center. Presentations will provide insight into ViaLase’s new technology and laser image-guided treatment in patients with glaucoma.
Seeq Corporation holding its global
industry conference at Omni San Diego
SAN DIEGO — Seeq Corporation, a leader in manufacturing and industrial internet of things advanced analytics software, kicked off Conneqt 2023, the company’s global industry conference at Omni San Diego on Monday. Themed “Catalyze,” Conneqt 2023 will bring together Seeq customers, partners, and experts for interactive sessions examining how process organizations can accelerate their digital transformation initiatives and achieve faster business outcomes with advanced analytics.
NeurOK ThermoCon, SDSU leverage space tech
to improve energy efficiency of data centers
SAN DIEGO — NeurOK ThermoCon Inc., a leading provider of passive liquid cooling products for data centers, and San Diego State University’s College of Engineering, are partnering to research and develop advanced technologies that reduce energy used by data centers and general electronics and help to keep cooling costs down. “We believe that our Loop Heat Pipes-based passive liquid cooling technology can transform the current data center paradigm to become a green source of heat, wasting less energy and water,” said Vadim Asadov, CEO of Neurok Thermocon Inc. “We are trying to help data centers work in harmony with the environment today and in the near future.”
Enlyte honored with two 2023
American Business Awards
SAN DIEGO — Enlyte has been recognized by the American Business Association with two prestigious awards for its achievements in merging three leading companies into one brand as well as its efforts in developing an industry trends report. Its leadership team was honored in he management category for its achievement in bringing three industry-leading organizations – Mitchell, Genex, and Coventry – together to unite and launch Enlyte, a brand committed to simplifying and optimizing property, casualty and disability claims processes and services.
Jumpcode Genomics announced
results of a new pandemic study
SAN DIEGO — Jumpcode Genomics, together with the Translational Genomics Research Institute, part of the City of Hope, announced the results of a new study demonstrating the potential of Jumpcode Genomics depletion technology for improving future large-scale infectious disease testing and pandemic response. The results were published in the journal Cell Reports Methods in an article titled “A CRISPR-enhanced metagenomic NGS test to improve pandemic preparedness.”
Jet Blue becomes first major U.S. airline
to sell non-alcoholic beer in the sky
SAN DIEGO — Athletic Brewing Company, which has a custom brewery in San Diego,announced that JetBlue will become the first major U.S. airline to sell non-alcoholic beer at 35,000 feet. Beginning in May 2023, JetBlue customers will be able to enjoy Athletic Brewing’s award-winning Upside Dawn Golden on all domestic flights. According to a recent survey, one-third of Americans are trying to consume less alcohol in 2023. At the same time, year-to-date dollar sales of non-alcoholic beer are up 34 percent.
Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. supports
Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week
SAN DIEGO — Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. announced its continued support of increasing awareness regarding the prevalence, impact and importance of screening for tardive dyskinesia (TD), during Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week, May 1-7. TD is an involuntary movement disorder associated with prolonged use of certain mental health medicines (antipsychotics) that can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. This awareness week recognizes the approximately 600,000 Americans living with this involuntary movement disorder.
WD-40 Brand launches Repair it,
Don’t Replace It Challenge
WD-40 Brand is offering the chance to win up to $3,000 by entering the Repair It, Don’t Replace It Challenge. Through July 17, participants can enter the contest by submitting a photo or a video of their repair of any item in need of repair for the chance to win cash, gift cards and WD-40 Brand Yeti coolers and ramblers. The contest is open to U.S. residents from May 1 – July 17. Entries can be submitted at repair.wd40.com. No purchase necessary. See complete rules for details.
RMS North America partners with Wild
Energy, MarineSync and UtilloT
SAN DIEGO — RMS North America, a leading provider of cloud-based reservation management systems to the outdoor hospitality industry, announced smart meter partnerships with Wild Energy, MarineSyc and it sister brand UtilloT. These collaborations will enable RMS to streamline processes and create greater efficiencies for its RV park, campground, and marina customers. Additionally, Wild Energy, UtilIoT, and MarineSync will gain access to hundreds of RMS outdoor properties and marinas.
Cubic demonstrates multi-domain
solutions at SOF Week
SAN DIEGO — San Diego’s Cubic Mission and Performance Solutions will showcase decision-making at the edge solutions at the Special Operations Forces Week event May 9-11 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla. Expanding beyond Cubic’s SOF Week exhibition booth, the company will be supporting the Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation by presenting the annual SOF online auction and rally on May 9.
TrueCare raises over $325,000
from ‘Havana Nights’ Gala
SAN MARCOS —TrueCare’s “Havana Nights” Gala raised over $325,000 to expand critical health care services for older adults and those with complex health needs in North San Diego and South Riverside Counties. TrueCare received resounding support and contributions from more than 360 attendees to provide enhanced programs and services for the aging population in San Diego. Proceeds will be used to enhance services at TrueCare’s new Older Adult Health Center in West San Marcos that is designed to provide a unique health care experience for adults aged 50-plus with complex and chronic health conditions.
