Daily Business Report: July 18, 2023
Scientists contest longstanding hypothesis about
mysterious illness affecting Gulf War veterans
By Nicole Mlynaryk | UC San Diego
Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a chronic multisymptom health condition affecting one-third of all veterans who served in the 1991 Gulf War, most of whom remain afflicted more than 30 years later. Common symptoms include fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, joint pain, diarrhea, insomnia and cognitive impairment.
The condition is believed to have been triggered by veterans’ exposure to environmental toxins. However, its exact mechanism in the body continues to be debated, making it difficult to diagnose and treat. The prevailing notion is that inflammation is the driving force of the symptoms, as inflammatory markers are modestly higher in affected veterans than in healthy controls. However, a rival hypothesis suggests mitochondria — the energy-producing organelle found in most cells — may be the true source of the symptoms.
In a new study, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine put both ideas head-to-head, directly assessing mitochondrial impairment and inflammation in 36 individuals, 19 of whom were veterans with GWI. The findings, published July 12, 2023 in Scientific Reports, suggest that impaired mitochondrial function, and not inflammation, is the main driver of GWI symptoms and should be the primary target of future clinical interventions.
Photo: Veterans with Gulf War Illness have long struggled to get a proper diagnosis and treatment, despite experiencing symptoms for several decades. (Photo by Jakob Owens/Unsplash)
Uncertainty hangs over Comic-Con
By Luis Monteagudo Jr.
San Diego’s homegrown pop culture extravaganza Comic-Con International arrives this week with questions, speculation and a touch of mystery that might even outdo the comic books and movies it celebrates.
The event will run July 20-23 from its usual home at the San Diego Convention Center.
.Once again, it is expected to attract a huge crowd of fans, entertainment industry representatives and global media.
But the cloud of uncertainty hovering over Comic-Con this year stems from a collision of circumstances that include a Hollywood writers’ strike that is expected to keep away creators of popular television shows and movies. In addition, an actor’s strike announced just before the opening of the Con is expected to keep away many of the big celebrity actors who attend the show.
Airport Authority approves restaurants
and retail shops for airport’s new Terminal 1
The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Board ensured today that San Diego International Airport’s new Terminal 1 will feature restaurants and shops that look, feel, and taste like San Diego.
The concessions operators selected to fill the 32,000 square feet for food and beverage space, and 14,000 square feet for convenience retail space are: High Flying Foods, Areas San JV LLC, Paradies Lagardere@SAN LLC, Marshall Retail Group LLC, Emerging Domestic Market Ventures Inc., and McDonald’s USA, which represent the following brands and concepts, many of which are well-known to San Diegans:
• Food and Beverage: Kettner Exchange, Puesto, Mostra Coffee, Parakeet Café, Better Buzz, Cutwater Restaurant & Bar, Lofty Coffee, Understory Bar & Restaurant, NOVO Brewing, El Pez, Taco Stand, Ambrosio 15, Herb & Air, SIP Wine & Beer, 900A Tony Hawk Public House, Luna Grill, Mr. Moto Pizza, Carnitas Snack Shack, Grab & Go Subs, Café Moto, Chick-fil-A, and McDonald’s.
• Retail, Convenience, and Gifts: Gaslamp Marketplace, Hip & Humble, SAN Supply Co. and Goods Express @ SAN, Goods Univision Travel Store, No Boundaries, The Commissary, InMotion, WHS Smith, Liberty Station, and The Arts District Market.
Governor’s mental health plan could strip
more than $700 million from services
By Kristen Hwang | CalMatters
A major proposal from Gov. Gavin Newsom to overhaul the state’s behavioral and mental health system is likely to take nearly $720 million away from services provided by county governments annually, according to a new analysis from the Legislative Analyst’s Office.
Although that money would be reallocated within the system, in part to house homeless individuals with severe mental illness and addiction disorders, the report authors note that Newsom and key legislators supporting the proposal have neither provided a complete justification for the changes nor have they published an analysis on how the changes may “negatively impact current services.”
“Consequently, as the Legislature considers the proposal, we recommend asking the administration certain questions to assess whether the proposal is warranted,” the report states.
Newsom wants the Legislature to put his proposal before voters next year in tandem with a $4.68 billion bond measure to add psychiatric treatment beds. It would change how the state allocates money under the Mental Health Services Act, which levies a 1 percent tax on income above $1 million to fund behavioral health services.
Rady Children’s Hospital seeing an alarming
number of children with cannabis poisoning
San Diego County’s only children’s hospital reports that it continues to see elevated numbers of young patients arriving in its emergency department with cannabis poisoning, echoing findings from a new analysis released last week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Natalie Laub, a pediatrician and cannabis researcher at Rady Children’s Hospital, said the situation has been most dramatic for children age 5 and younger.
“We were seeing about 20 kids per year, with the average age being 3 years old,” Laub said. “Then COVID happened, and now we’re seeing upwards of 80 to 100 children a year in 2020, 2021, 2022.”
MiraCosta College launches
program for people on autism spectrum
CARLSBAD — MiraCosta College’s Technology Career Institute has launched a new CNC operator program for individuals on the autism spectrum.
The Uniquely Abled: CNC Operator Program aims to unlock the potential of individuals with autism and empower them to succeed in meaningful, well-paying careers like computer numerical control (CNC) machine operators.
According to the institute, individuals on the spectrum possess high potential and abilities but often face barriers in finding suitable employment opportunities that cater to their unique strengths. The program equips participants with relevant skills while fulfilling a significant need within the job market.
The program will run from Sept. 5 to Dec. 14, Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will focus on providing extensive training and hands-on experience in CNC operations. Participants will develop essential skills such as organization, reading, basic math and computer comprehension while preparing for full-time employment in the manufacturing industry.
Southwestern College Governing
Board opens applications for board seat
The Southwestern College Governing Board voted to create an appointment process to fill the at-large vacancy left by former Trustee Griselda Delgado who resigned on July 6, 2023.
The provisional appointment process allows any registered voter in the college’s attendance area to apply. The application period is open from July 13 through July 31. Successful candidates will serve in an At-Large Seat until the next regularly scheduled election in November 2024.
“We are seeking an individual to join us in building a welcoming, equity-focused, inclusive college community that honors our history and empowers our students, employees and district partners,” said Governing Board President Roberto Alcantar.
Interested applicants are encouraged to attend an information session on Tuesday, July 18, at 5:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required.
NASSCO delivers the future
USNS Harvey Milk to the Navy
SAN DIEGO — NASSCO delivered the future USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206), the second ship for the U.S. Navy’s John Lewis-class fleet oiler program, to the U.S. Navy during a signing ceremony at NASSCO-San Diego. The 742-foot-long oilers are designed to transfer fuel to U.S. Navy carrier strike group ships operating at sea and have the capacity to carry 157,000 barrels of oil, a significant dry cargo capacity, aviation capability and up to a speed of 20 knots.
Qualcomm announces multi-year
collaboration with Sony on smartphones
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. announced that it has extended its collaboration with Snapdragon platforms powering Sony’s future smartphones. The companies agreed to work together on the next generations of premium, high-, and mid-tier smartphones. Through this collaboration, both companies aim to push the boundaries of what’s possible in mobile technology, delivering unparalleled user experiences and driving progress in the smartphone industry.
DTx Pharma acquired by Novartis
SAN DIEGO — DTx Pharma, a San Diego-based preclinical stage biotechnology company, has been acquired by Novartis, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. DTx Pharma is focused on leveraging its proprietary FALCON platform to develop therapies for patients with neuromuscular diseases and other disorders of the nervous system. Novartis has acquired full rights to the FALCON platform and two other early-stage programs in neuromuscular and central nervous system (CNS) indications.
Mirum Pharmaceuticals to acquire bile acid
product portfolio from Travere Therapeutics
SAN D IEGO — Mirum Pharmaceuticals Inc. and San Diego-based Travere Therapeutics Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of Travere’s bile acid product portfolio that includes Cholbam (cholic acid) and Chenodal (chenodiol), two medications addressing rare diseases in high-need settings. Under the terms of the agreement, Mirum will purchase Travere’s bile acid product portfolio for $445 million, consisting of $210 million upfront and $235 million in potential sales-based milestone payments.
Del Mar races opening day July 21
DEL MAR — The famous Del Mar seaside racetrack is thrilled to welcome fans back for an exciting summer season. The racing begins on Friday, July 21, with opening day and the hat contest celebrations, and the season will run through Sept. 10.b With opening day sold out, no need for racing fans to fret – the excitement continues with racing throughout the weekend and the season’s first trackside event – Del Mar Beer Festival on Saturday, July 22. For the opening day hat contest, there will be more than $4,000 in prizes.
Illumina launches latest
version of DRAGAN software
SAN DIEGO — Illumina Inc., a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, announced the launch of the latest version of DRAGEN software for analysis of next-generation sequencing data. DRAGEN 4.2 expands award-winning accuracy combined with its renowned flexibility and scalability to enable efficient workflows and extract meaningful insights from genomic data. Prior to this version release, DRAGEN 4.1 introduced DRAGEN integration to the NovaSeq X Series, Illumina’s newest and most powerful sequencer.
Northrop Grumman to design autonomous
vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
REDONDO BEACH — Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a contract by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency’s (DARPA) Tactical Technology Office to design an autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aircraft system capable of operating from a moving Navy ship at sea. The aircraft will be capable of performing intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting missions, and supporting expeditionary missions for special operations forces and logistical missions with significant affordability impacts for ship-to-shore transition of parts and supplies.
Sharp Hospitals nationally recognized
for high-quality cardiovascular care
Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, Sharp Coronado Hospital, Sharp Grossmont Hospital and Sharp Memorial Hospital, each earned the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines achievement awards for demonstrating commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of stroke, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital.
Symphony at Salk fundraiser to feature
GRAMMY Award winner Jennifer Hudson
LA JOLLA — On Saturday, Aug. 19, the Salk Institute will celebrate 27 years of Symphony at Salk, its premier annual fundraiser and concert under the stars, with the sounds of the San Diego Symphony and guest performer Jennifer Hudson, a two-time GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist, Academy Award-winning actress, and Tony and Emmy Award-winning producer. The unique experience includes a champagne reception and gourmet dinner along with immersive entertainment set in the ambiance of the Louis Kahn-designed architectural landmark overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Open soon: California Competes tax credit
Applications will open July 24 through Aug. 14 for companies looking to expand or retain jobs in California. If your business is looking to grow over the next five years or is considering leaving California, you may be eligible for up to $164 million in tax credits from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Awards are based on factors that include: number of jobs created or retained; amount of new capital investments; overall economic benefit to the state; opportunities for future growth.
