Daily Business Report: May 14, 2024
‘Forever chemicals’ : Water supplies throughout
California will exceed new national limits
By Rachel Becker and John Osborn D’Agostino | CalMatters
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last month unveiled the first nationwide limits on dangerous “forever chemicals” in drinking water, setting standards that will have sweeping, costly effects throughout California.
Several thousand water systems around the country are expected to exceed the new limits for the chemicals, which have been linked to an array of diseases — including cancer and heart disease — and have contaminated people and animals worldwide, including newborns.
In California alone, traces of the compounds have been detected in water systems serving more than 25 million people, nearly a third in disadvantaged communities, according to an analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances have contaminated everything from Arctic ice to household dust to food. Previously used to make Teflon and found in some firefighting foam, stain-resistant coatings and other products, the chemicals leach into soil and water from industrial facilities, military bases, airports and landfills. Nearly everyone in the United States has been exposed.
Top Photo: The nationwide cost to treat or replace contaminated drinking water could reach billions of dollars a year. The ubiquitous chemicals, linked to cancer and other diseases, build up in people and the environment. (Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters)
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Plant virus treatment shows promise
in fighting metastatic cancers in mice
By Liezrl Labios | UC San Diego
An experimental treatment made from a plant virus is effective at protecting against a broad range of metastatic cancers in mice, shows a new study from the University of California San Diego.
The treatment, composed of nanoparticles fashioned from the cowpea mosaic virus—a virus that infects black-eyed pea plants—showed remarkable success in improving survival rates and suppressing the growth of metastatic tumors across various cancer models, including colon, ovarian, melanoma and breast cancer. Similar outcomes were also observed when the treatment was administered to mice whose tumors were surgically removed.
The findings were published recently in Advanced Science.
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NIH director highlights Sanford Burnham Prebys and National
Cancer Institute project to improve precision oncology
Monica M. Bertagnolli, M.D., director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), highlighted a collaboration between scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) on the NIH director’s blog. Bertagnoli noted advances that have been made in precision oncology approaches using a growing array of tests to uncover molecular or genetic profiles of tumors that can help guide treatments. She also recognizes that much more research is needed to realize the full potential of precision oncology.
The spotlighted Nature Cancer study demonstrates the potential to better predict how patients will respond to cancer drugs by using a new AI tool to analyze the sequences of the RNA within each cell of a tumor sample.
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General Atomics announces partnership with Shift5
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) announced its partnership with Shift5 to integrate the company’s onboard cyber anomaly detection and predictive maintenance capabilities into the MQ-9A Reaper for the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and Air Force Special Operations Command.
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McCullough Landscape Architecture welcomes Polina Karake as an associate
McCullough Landscape Architecture, an award-winning urban design and landscape architecture firm, has hired Polina Karake as an associate to its growing team. Karake brings over 15 years of professional experience and a wealth of demonstrated passion for innovative and sustainable design.
Earning her bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture and a master’s degree in industrial design from the Technion Institute of Technology in Israel, Karake graduated Cum Laude. Working as a licensed landscape architect in Israel, she managed a diverse portfolio of projects, from small-scale designs to major urban developments. Her professional journey includes significant contributions as a visiting faculty member at the Technion Institute of Technology’s studio of Urban Design, where she has nurtured future design professionals, and serving as a freelance landscape advisor, integrating outdoor and indoor environments.
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Brixton Capital hires Megan Gill as VP of asset management
Brixton Capital, a leading private real estate investment firm, has hired Megan Gil as vice president of asset management. Gil provides financial and operational management of the company’s multifamily properties throughout the Western United States.
Gil has over 15 years of experience in the multifamily industry in both market rate and affordable housing.
Immediately prior to joining Brixton, Gil oversaw asset management for more than 5,000 units throughout the Western U.S.
She also provided comprehensive financial reporting to institutional JV equity partners.
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National University awards $250,000 in military spouse scholarships
National University announced that 25 recipients have been awarded one of the Whisper Military Spouse Scholarships. The scholarship recipients will receive $10,000 annually that can be used toward tuition fees and other financial support to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree at NU. To be eligible for the scholarship, recipients need to be a spouse or widow of active duty, reservist, veteran, or National Guard service member. The scholarship is named after NU graduate Whisper Snyder.
Mike Fowler named superintendent of Grossmont Union High School District
The Grossmont Union High School District governing board voted to name Mike Fowler as the district’s next superintendent, effective July 1. Fowler has dedicated 28 years of service to the students, families, and staff of GUHSD. He currently serves as assistant superintendent of educational services and oversees all aspects of GUHSD’s educational program including curriculum, assessment, career technical education, instructional practices and technology, student support and discipline, special education, adult education, athletics, and extracurricular programs.
Salk Institute awarded $5 million to develop pancreatic cancer diagnostics
The Salk Institute will receive a four-year, $5 million gift from the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation to support pancreatic cancer research. The project’s leaders, Salk Assistant Professor Dannielle Engle, Professor Ronald Evans, and Professor Reuben Shaw, will establish a novel pipeline from patients to the laboratory and back to the clinic. The approach will provide a unique opportunity to uncover new diagnostics and therapies for pancreatic cancer.
Scripps Research professor emeritus elected to National Academy of Sciences
Scripps Research professor emeritus John Johnson has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences—one of the highest honors given to scientists. According to the Academy, members are selected “in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.” Johnson earned his doctorate in physical and inorganic chemistry from Iowa State University in 1972 and spent 23 years at Purdue University before moving to The Scripps Research Institute (now known as Scripps Research) in 1995.
General Atomics develops new ABAD pod for battlefield awareness and defense
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) is working with the U.S. Special Operations Command to develop a new Airborne Battlespace Awareness and Defense (ABAD) capability. The new ABAD pod is being developed for the General Atomics-supplied MQ-9A Block 5 Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance Tactical Extended Range Remotely Piloted Aircraft being operated by the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command.
Condor Software names Brice Wu as chief product and operations officer
Condor Software, a leading provider of clinical trial financial management software nationwide, announced that Brice Wu has joined their leadership team as chief product and pperations officer. Brice has more than 20 years of experience in leading technical and services teams across health care and life sciences. In his role, Brice is responsible for leading all product and technology efforts across the Condor software portfolio. Previously, he served as chief product officer for Iterative Health.
Dynamic Communities introduces AI Copilot Summit NA
Dynamic Communities, the largest independent innovation, education, and training platform for Microsoft business applications, has introduced AI Copilot Summit NA, to run the first week of May 2025 in San Diego to expand its year-round community engagement program for business, finance and technology professionals, and the partners that serve them, in the Microsoft ecosystem. AI Copilot Summit NA will be a two-day in-person community event featuring keynotes and panels.
Afinida promotes Rachel Henton to VP of human resources
Afinida, a leading firm in the integration and management of business services announced the promotion of Rachel Henton to vice president of human resources, effective immediately. With nearly two decades of comprehensive experience in HR, Henton has been instrumental in shaping Afinida’s human resources strategy, aligning it with our overall business goals and values. Prior to joining Afinida, Henton successfully ran her own HR consulting firm, servicing a wide array of clients throughout the greater San Diego and Los Angeles areas.
TriLink BioTechnologies collaborates with Johns Hopkins University
TriLink BioTechnologies, a Maravai LifeSciences company and global provider of life science reagents and services, is collaborating with the Johns Hopkins University to accelerate transformational research in RNA therapeutics and discovery. A new center within the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering will accelerate research and therapeutic development, leveraging TriLink’s leading RNA synthesis technology. TriLink’s investment includes direct funding for the center and access to TriLink’s proprietary in vitro transcription technology, CleanScript, which will enable Hopkins researchers to advance mRNA development.
Mitek announces $50 million share repurchase program
Mitek Systems, a global leader in digital identity and digital fraud prevention, announced that its board of directors has authorized a two-year share repurchase program for up to $50 million of its common stock. “The share repurchase program reflects our confidence in our strategy for long-term profitable growth and our belief that we can capitalize on the substantial market opportunities ahead for our new product offerings,” said David Lyle, CFO of Mitek.