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‘Crimson Desert’ Reviews Go From 51% To 80% Positive In Four Days
Crimson Desert reviews have flipped on their heads once players experienced more of the game and the developer dropped a huge patch.
2026 ‘Dirty Dozen’ produce: Nearly 100% tested positive for pesticides, including ‘forever chemicals’
The 2026 “Dirty Dozen” list of most contaminated produce has a worrisome finding. Many of the most common pesticides are also potentially toxic “forever chemicals.”
MDMA Therapy in Australia Shows Results for PTSD Patients, but the Cost Is Limiting Access
The country’s experiment with psychedelic medicine has led to positive outcomes, psychiatrists say, but also highlights the limitations of the nascent field.
Crimson Desert Steam Reviews Jump to 'Mostly Positive' as Latest Patch Makes Significant Improvements
Crimson Desert Steam reviews are improving, moving up from ‘mixed’ to ‘mostly positive’ on Valve’s platform as developer Pearl Abyss releases game-changing updates.
Your Thymus and Your Healthspan
Our thymus gland plays a central role in the development or our immune system, specifically for supporting T cell development (how these cells got their name, maturation and differentiation in the thymus) and discriminating between self and foreign, non-self antigen proteins with production of dendritic cells. As we age, our thymus gland shrinks—the process known as involution—with progressive change from spongy to fatty tissue, with loss of functionality. But this process, with respect to timeline and extent, markedly varies from one person to the next. And to make things even more complicated, our thymus gland anatomy and precise location in the chest also is highly variable. So the famous Frank Netter diagrams from the 1960s (such as at left below) don’t capture the remarkable heterogeneity that a random set of 12 chest CT scans (below at right). What I consider as 2 landmark papers in Nature this week (here and here) used AI to quantify health of the thymus in 2 large cohorts, and then correlate the metric to a broad array of health outcomes. In this edition of Ground Truths, I’m going to cover three questions: (1) How was thymus health determined by AI?; (2) How is thymus health linked to key clinical outcomes? and (3) Are there ways we can promote a healthy (aka rejuvenate) thymus gland in our later years? Subscribe 1. How was thymus health determined by AI? This was accomplished by extensive work developing and validating an AI pipeline for 2 stages, the first for localization and segmentation of the thymus bed, and the second to quantify a digital marker, termed the thymic health score. There’s a lot to this algorithmic development, so I won’t go into all the details, but just provide a rudimentary outline of what was done. The 1st stage used supervised learning with 2 radiologists reviewing 2,461 chest CT scans. That work trained a 3D U-Net model to automatically identify the thymic bed’s 3D cropped region using center of mass coordinates, which reached 99.8% accuracy. The 2nd stage used a foundation model that was pre-trained with SwAV (which stands for Swapping Assignment between multiple Views), a self-supervised model, that generated a high-dimensional thymus representation of 4,096 features. That compares to the radiology reductionist and subjective scoring of 0 to 3 where 0 means the thymus is fully degenerated and fatty, and 3 is considered dense, intact glandular soft tissue. Notably, the self-supervised learning (SSL) performance was superior to supervised (AUC ~0.75 vs 0.55, respectively) reflecting the shallowness of the 0-3 classifier vs SSL’s holistic, self-taught AI. The thymic health score ranged from 0 to 100, with the highest number indexed to fully preserved thymic health. The algorithmic work extended to explainability with both Shapely value distribution, meaning the model was holistic not relying on any “magic” pixel, and occlusion sensitivity, demonstrating the model’s performance was not affected by ribs, sternum, lung tissue, but rather focused on the thymic bed directly. Below are a few saliency maps from the occlusion sensitivity that indicate the thymic bed focus, not affected by neighboring structures, using the jet color scale. Now the AI was ready for processing ~25,000 CT scans, each over 30 MB files, from the 2 large participant cohorts to provide a thymic health score, it did so in less than 14 hours, which is less than 2 seconds per scan! Share 2. How is thymus health linked to key clinical outcomes? The two cohorts were the National Lung Screening Trial, NLST (N=25,031) and the Framingham Heart Study, FHS (N=2,581) each with baseline demographics and long term follow up of >12 years for health outcomes. From the NSLT, you can see below that increased age and body-mass index were correlated to reduced thymic health. And, overall, men had reduced thymic health scores compared with women. There are a lot of graphs in the paper for outcomes, for both the NLST and FHS cohorts. To simplify the major outcomes, below is a composite Figure with striking reduction of all-cause mortality and for the different causes of death. The results were consistent between the 2 cohorts. For example, the cardiovascular mortality hazard ratio average was 0.57 in NLST and 0.38 in FHS (weighted to be 0.53 for the aggregate). The reduction of mortality also extended to digestive diseases and pulmonary disease (data not shown below). Lung cancer incidence was reduced by 36% for high vs low thymic health (Figure below, with a panel -incidence and b panel-mortality, adjusted for age, sex, BMI, smoking status). Notably, there was a smoker’s paradox: lower incidence and improved survival for lung cancer in smokers who had a high thymus health score. Smoking was associated with lower thymic scores whereas alcohol was not. Higher thymic health was linked to higher HDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides, lower fasting blood glucose, and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Inflammation biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, were elevated in the people with lower thymic health scores. In their second paper, the same team looked at the relationship between thymic score and outcomes for 3,476 patients receiving cancer immunotherapy. The non-small cell lung cancer progression-free survival was reduced in patients with low thymic health score. A parallel relationship for survival was seen for other types of cancer including melanoma, breast, and kidney with a 44% lower risk among high thymic scores (Figure). A similar pattern was seen with different immune checkpoint inhibitors. The thymus health score outperformed programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1)and tumor mutation burden (TMB) assay of the tumor and was an independent prognostic marker of progression-free survival. In this dataset, a direct connect with thymus score and adaptive immune function was noted with a correlation before cancer treatment for both T-cell diversity and thymus T-cell production (a metric known as T cell receptor excision circles). Thymus Removal Study There is a highly relevant citation about thymus function before moving onto ways to rejuvenate it. In 2023, a very important study of thymus removal during cardiothoracic surgery was published, with 1146 patients undergoing thymus removal vs 1146 matched controls (mean age 55 years). The adverse outcomes for thymus removal were striking, with a 2.9 higher risk of all-cause mortality and doubling of cancer incidence, 1.5 fold increase in cancer mortality, and 1.5-fold increase in autoimmune diseases. The immune function showed marked compromise after thymus removal, as reflected by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (Figure below) Share Ground Truths 3. Are there ways we can promote a healthy (aka rejuvenate) thymus gland in our later years? In recent months we’ve learned a lot about the process of thymus involution and the pathways by which this may be modulated. Thymus involution is primarily due to loss to thymus epithelial cells (TECs) and there are 2 subtypes with different functions: the cortical, responsible for positive selection of T cells, and the medullary, for negative selection. When adipose tissue infiltrates the thymus, thymic adipocytes are pro-inflammatory, knocking out T-cell output. Likewise, systemic inflammation, or “inflammaging,” from smoking, obesity, and chronic stress promote thymic adipocytes. Now, from preclinical studies, we know about key pathways that account for these processes. Historically, back in 2014, FOXN1 was recognized as a single master transcription factor essential for TEC function, with studies in mice with forced FOXN1 upregulation leading to thymus regeneration. That laid the foundation for potential regrowth of quiescent thymus cells. It took awhile to find pathways to accomplish this goal and to even refute its role as the master regulator. The Liver-Thymus Axis Feng Zhang and his team recently showed that injection of an mRNA vaccine to the liver encoding DLL1, IL-7 and FLT3-L in combination, factors known to support thymopoiesis (Figure), successfully enhanced immune function in aged mice. However, the effect was transient. The FGF21 Story Two reports in 2025 addressed the thymus gland’s production of FGF21, a growth factor (fibroblast growth factor 21) and its control of thymus involution. This growth factor is also produced by the liver, but it doesn’t have impact on the thymus in aged rodent models. In contrast, The liver’s hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been shown to reverse senescent TEC structural changes. Growth hormone stimulates production of insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the liver and the thymus. Two small studies in human participants (TRIIM, for Thymus Regeneration, Immunorestoration, and Insulin Mitigation) of 6 and 50 people, respectively, treated with combined human growth hormone, metformin and DHEA, suggested the potential of slowing epigenetic aging and improving thymus mass and function. But the combination of drugs, small sample, and lack of controls make conclusions murky. Increased thymus FGF21 led to increased CD8 T cells in old mice and extended healthspan and improved physical performance. Building on the previous FOXN1 data, ablation of β-klotho, the obligatory co-receptor for FOXN1, accelerated thymic aging. The benefit to FGF21 was confirmed in a companion paper using an FGF21 knock-in mouse model showing thymus enlargement and increased TECs throughout the lifespan. (schematic Figure below). The accompanying editorial for these 2 papers speculated: “The proposed link between age-associated thymus involution and organismal aging is intriguing, and suggests we might seek to achieve systemic rejuvenation by counteracting thymic involution.” Other Factors Lessons from the Axolotl (Mexican Salamander) In an elegant set of experiments of the axolotl (Figure), known for its complete thymus regeneration after total surgical removal, mediators were identified. Surprisingly FOXN1 was dispensable. But midkine, a growth factor, appeared to be the driver, the initiator of thymus cell growth, survival, and repair. Other components that contributed were Postn+ (periostin-expressing mesenchymal niches) and Ccl19, a chemokine protein from the bloodstream. RANK and RANKL RANK (receptor activator of nuclear factor κB its ligand (RANKL) have been considered key regulators of medullary TECs. In a study of both aged mice and human thymus cell cultures, their key role was confirmed, with multiple benefits of resorting TEC function, recruitment of progenitor cells, and T cell development. Subscribe Summing Up This body of work strongly supports the health of the thymus gland as a critical regulator of human healthspan, not just a correlate or link. The new landmark studies are reinforced by the regenerative biology experimental models that have shown, via an array of mediators, that healthspan of aged mice is at least in part dependent on thymus gland function and its critical role for maintaining adaptive immunity. It sure seems that we’d be better off having an immune reservoir of naive T cells instead of a profile in older adults of exhausted, low quality, memory T cells, with a senescent phenotype. It is striking that we ignored the importance of the thymus gland for many decades. A wake-up call was the results of the thymectomy matched control study reviewed here, with the opposite of high thymic health score improved health outcomes. The convergence of AI and healthspan here is notable. The exceptional and laborious work for developing and validating (no less explaining) the AI to quantify thymus health set the foundation for probing the connect the major health outcomes in two cohorts with extensive follow-up. We’ve never had a way to meaningfully quantify the thymus gland before, so this represents important leverage of supervised, self-supervised, and transformer models. The study wouldn’t have been possible without AI. And it begs the question as to whether there are ways we can maintain our thymus at a high health score. But it’s not so simple to rejuvenate our thymus. There are multiple risks including the induction of autoimmunity, increasing the risk of cancer, and inducing a pro-inflammatory state. For example, factors that increase TEC proliferation could compromise the medulllary negative selection process and leak out auto-reactive (self-attacking) T cells. Thymic cells could be induced to proliferate, but we know, for example, that growth hormone and IGF-1 are associated with an increase risk of cancer. If thymus rejuvenation doesn’t clear out the accumulated senescent cells in older adults, then inflammation within the gland could block the production of TECs. Keeping these risks in mind, we now have identified many ways to keep our thymus healthy as we age that undoubtedly will be tested in clinical trials going forward. Ultimately, the benefit-to-risk tradeoffs will be defined. In the meantime, we have desperately needed an immunome. As I’ve stressed in multiple prior Ground Truths, we have no test in the clinic to assess a patient’s immune status! It was very encouraging for me to get an email from Hugo Aerts, the senior author of the landmark papers in the days after they were published: “I also wanted to say that your Substack on “Why We Need an Immunome” was inspiring for this work. We found it a very compelling perspective and greatly enjoyed reading it.” Just having an assessment of a person’s immune status via a chest CT scan, with millions of these performed per year, might help in guiding the right immunotherapy for cancer (e.g. more intensive, combinations for those with low thymic health scores) and help define people who are increased risk for age-related diseases of cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative. The main theme of Super Agers is that we now have many layers of data (genetics, proteins, biomarkers, organ clocks that can be integrated via multimodal AI) for us to define a person’s specific risk decades before one of these age-related diseases leads to symptoms, enabling prevention. From the new studies this week, we can add thymus health score as yet another way to understand a person’s risk, a window into their adaptive immune system and healthspan. And perhaps someday we will be able to safely rejuvenate the thymus, or maintain its health through one’s life, and use the thymus health score to monitor. NB: I wrote this post (No A.I.) A Quick Poll Loading... ********************************************************************* Thanks to Ground Truths subscribers (now > 200,000) from every US state and 212 countries. Your subscription to these free essays and podcasts makes my work in putting them together worthwhile. Please join! If you found this interesting PLEASE share it! Share Ground Truths Paid subscriptions are voluntary and all proceeds from them go to support Scripps Research. They do allow for posting comments and questions, which I do my best to respond to. Please don’t hesitate to post comments and give me feedback. Let me know topics that you would like to see covered. Leave a comment Many thanks to those who have contributed—they have greatly helped fund our summer internship programs for the past two years. It enabled us to accept and support 47 summer interns in 2025! We aim to accept even more of the several thousand who will apply for summer 2026.
'Saturday Night Live UK' aims to take a comedy hit across the pond. The first verdicts are in
A British version of “Saturday Night Live” has debuted to largely positive reviews. The first episode of “SNL UK” was hosted by Tina Fey, a veteran of the American show, and stuck closely in...
\'Saturday Night Live UK\' aims to take a comedy hit across the pond. The first verdicts are in
A British version of “Saturday Night Live” has debuted to largely positive reviews. The first episode of “SNL UK” was hosted by Tina Fey, a veteran of the American show,
'Saturday Night Live UK' aims to take a comedy hit across the pond. The first verdicts are in
A British version of “Saturday Night Live” has debuted to largely positive reviews.
'Saturday Night Live UK' aims to take a comedy hit across the pond. The first verdicts are in
A British version of “Saturday Night Live” has debuted to largely positive reviews.
More school-based health clinics fill growing needs
An increase in school-based health clinics is sweeping the states of Ohio and Michigan, following research that grounds positive health outcomes for ...
Aditya Kaddu
My goal is that my career path always enables me to create real, positive impact on others.
What doctors wish patients knew about social media’s health impact
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CNBC Sport: This year's March Madness will test the health of Cinderella
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Kemi Badenoch channels her fantasies as she launches the Tories’ local election campaign
This wasn’t just a mean-spirited version of Britain, it was also positively deranged
First-ever 517 Business Awards celebrates capital region economic drivers
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Good vibes only? The science behind optimism and manifestation
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Iran’s attacks have collapsed, and the trend is ‘overwhelmingly positive,’ analysts say. But the military side is separate from politics and markets
Iranian drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates collapsed from 332 on the second day of the war to just six on Sunday, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
Poll: Israel's standing plummets among Democrats, fueling primaries on the left
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Browns FA: Grading the signing of Quincy Williams
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Netflix’s science fiction triumph earns 100% positive reviews in 57 countries
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Potential measles exposure linked to eastern Iowa hotel
The Illinois Department of Public Health notified Iowa HHS about an Illinois resident that tested positive for measles and traveled to Iowa while infectious.
Drake University’s Zimpleman College of Business Announces 2026 Social Impact Award Winners
Drake University’s Zimpleman College of Business today announced the recipients of the 2026 Social Impact Awards for Research and Outreach. These annual awards, valued at $5,000, recognize faculty and staff who model positive societal impact through work that aligns with the College’s “North Star” mission: ensuring business education serves as a force for good. To...
Oscars walks political tightrope as poll shows Californians wary of Hollywood’s influence
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Vaxart Provides Business Update and Reports Full Year 2025 Financial Results
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Newberry business owners react to city’s growth
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Mass. business confidence turns positive for the first time in a year
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Apple’s 'game changer' MacBook Neo gets rave reviews on pricing and design
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A Look At Global Business Travel Group’s Valuation As Earnings Turn Positive For 2025
Global Business Travel Group (GBTG) has caught investor attention after reporting full year 2025 earnings, with sales of US$2.718b, net income of US$109m, and earnings per share of US$0.22 from continuing operations. See our latest analysis for Global Business Travel Group. Despite the earnings turnaround, Global Business Travel Group’s recent share price performance has been weak, with a 90-day share price return of a 24.37% decline and a 1-year total shareholder return of a 26.50% decline...
Business for Good 2026
Maine companies are increasingly recognizing that success is measured by more than profit alone. Research shows that people value businesses that operate responsibly by protecting the environment, supporting their communities, and fostering workplaces built on shared purpose. Business for Good spotlights the Maine organizations, large and small, that are driving positive change through community involvement, responsible growth, and purpose-driven leadership.
Democrats sink to new voter low, Republicans also underwater: poll
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NextDecade Corporation (NEXT) Provides Fiscal Q4 2025 Business Update
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Guest column | The surprising health benefits of natural light exposure
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Chido Obi: Man United starlet’s sensational form awarded with nomination
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How friendships can have positive impacts on mental health
Can ‘Suggestion-Box Science’ Make Public Health More Useful?
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Adial Pharmaceuticals Reports 2025 Fiscal Year Financial Results and Provides Business Update
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Scientists say most of what you do each day happens on autopilot
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Netflix acquires Ben Affleck's AI film-tech firm
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Policy Brief: Outdoor Recreation and Public Health
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Braves' Jurickson Profar hit with 162-game suspension after second positive PED test in last year
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California measles outbreaks linked to pockets of unvaccinated residents
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Doctors and advocates work to improve maternal mental health across Virginia
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Boykoff: Dear National Science Foundation
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Oversharing Can Be A Positive Form Of Communication To Reach People
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New Jersey resident tests positive for tuberculosis, health officials say
argenx Reports Full Year 2025 Financial Results and Provides Fourth Quarter Business Update
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Trump’s State of the Union left some viewers unconvinced that he’ll lower cost of living, CNN poll finds
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Rabid raccoon confirmed in Churchville, Harford Co. Health Department says
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2026 Small Business Summer
Small Business Summer is a program developed in partnership with Lendistry to recognize, support and celebrate small business owners in the LA area. Check out these Los Angeles-based small business owners who take pride in providing valuable products or services to their customers while also making a positive impact on their community. Nominate your business HERE
Revolution Academy and Positive Coaching Alliance partner to foster positive youth sports culture in New England
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Scientists are pushing back on warnings that microplastics damage your health, saying people are just obese and calling some studies ‘a joke’
Some scientists are saying previous studies warning of the damage microplastics may cause are exaggerated and are false positives triggered by human fat.
Scientists are pushing back on warnings that microplastics damage your health, saying people are just obese and calling some studies ‘a joke’
Some scientists are saying previous studies warning of the damage microplastics may cause are exaggerated and are false positives triggered by human fat.
The Crossword, Feb. 23: It's An Art, Not A Science (Themeless)
It’s time to wrap up the month with a challenging themeless. Keep an eye out for tricky clues and fun wordplay. This week’s puzzle was constructed by Kelsey Dixon and Alex Boisvert, and edited by Hoang-Kim Vu. Alex is a crossword constructor from California who is so uncomfortable writing anything positive about himself that he wanted to do…
In health care’s defining moment, AMA helps drive positive change
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Padres drop Cactus League opener, but there were positives
Romeo Sanabria and Jose Miranda homer for San Diego.
Culture Council: Cultivating Integrity for Long-Term Business Success
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Cambridge mental health charity says £205K grant is 'pivotal'
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Raccoon tests positive for rabies in Annapolis, health officials say
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DNC Chair Ken Martin boasts ‘win after win,’ shrugs off massive Trump, Republican money lead
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Catalyst-Cascadia project divides downtown Greeley businesses
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Miami Beach Adopts Major Deregulatory Policy to Attract Restaurants and Live Entertainment
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China mulls US manufacturing fund ahead of Xi-Trump summit, business leader says
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2025 US ACT on Health Equity Community Investments Recipients
Author: Kennesha VanBurch, Director, Health Equity and Community Investment Partnerships 2025 marks the fifth year of the US Accelerate Change Together (ACT) on Health Equity: Community Solutions Challenge (CSC) and National Strategic Collaborations (NSC). This year, we received more than 250 applications from organizations across the country dedicated to prioritizing the social, cultural and linguistic needs of communities that have experienced barriers to care and opportunity. The overwhelming response underscores the vital role these organizations play in advancing health equity at the local level and across the nation. Since the launch of ACT on Health Equity in 2021, the initiative has invested more than $18 million in nonprofit organizations and their health equity programming through CSC and NSC. This year, $3.4 million in funding has been provided to 47 nonprofit organizations that focus on healthcare access, nutrition and lung health. Together, we are making meaningful progress toward health equity across the US. Supporting Organizations Advancing Community Well-being and Health Equity The awarded organizations address critical needs across health, education, and social support through initiatives aligned with AstraZeneca’s areas of expertise, including lung disease, lung and breast cancer, and cardiology. Their work spans across culturally competent senior care, equitable healthcare access, cancer and chronic disease support, and preventive health education, as well as hunger relief, community gardening, dental and transportation services, and resources for underserved families. Together, they are working to remove barriers to care, reduce preventable conditions, and empower individuals and communities of all ages and backgrounds to achieve better health outcomes. Photo courtesy of Medical Motor Service of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc. Description: MMS driver speaking to a Wegmans shopper. GGWNY staff; Lincoln Memorial Church Community Garden and lead gardener Diane Learn more about our recipients and the impact they make within their communities below. Community Solutions Challenge Advocates for Women’s Health, Inc. Advocates for Women's Health exists to provide access to high quality prenatal care and gynecology care to lower-income communities in and around Fresno, CA. They operate a nonprofit OB/GYN clinic located in Fresno. American Rescue Workers (ARW) ARW is a faith-based, non-profit organization providing homelessness and hunger prevention services in Central PA since 1934. ARW cares holistically for men, women, and children who find themselves facing food insecurity, and emergency situations that may lead to homelessness, or an actual homeless crisis, by providing shelter and social services. ARW serves people no matter their faith, regardless of faith. Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) AJSOCAL is a social justice organization that protects and strengthens the rights and dignity of AAPI communities, especially those that are most disadvantaged. Byrd Cancer Education and Advocacy (BCEA) BCEA’s mission is to effectively assist individuals battling cancer by connecting them to vital support and resources. BCEA ensures that all relevant information reaches those in need, guiding them towards the resources necessary to fight their battle against cancer. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa creates access to opportunities for self-sufficiency by providing innovative and compassionate services to people of all backgrounds, beliefs and cultures. Chosen Hearts Chosen Hearts’ mission is to rebuild lives and restore hope by fostering a sense of community and creating lasting, positive change. Columbia Student Medical Outreach The Columbia Student Medical Outreach Program (CoSMO) Clinic is the oldest and largest student-run free clinic at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University. At its core, CoSMO is guided by the belief that all people—regardless of immigration or insurance status—deserve access to high-quality, equitable medical care. Eagle’s Nest Community Kitchen and Resource Center and Mobile Pantry Eagle’s Nest Community Kitchen, Resource Center and Mobile Pantry’s mission is to empower underserved and rural communities through hands-on STEM education grounded in sustainable agriculture. By combining mobile workshops, community gardens, and mentorship, they deliver accessible training in science, technology, engineering, and math that builds practical skills, advances food security, and fosters environmental stewardship. Through collaborative partnerships and by honoring local knowledge, they cultivate resilient communities and inspire the next generation of agricultural innovators. eClose Institute eClose Institute’s mission is to make medically relevant scientific discoveries using an education platform that embraces equality and empowers participants to contribute ideas, life experience and experimental data to improve disease treatment. Equal Hope Equal Hope is an organization dedicated to saving lives and improving quality of life by eliminating health inequities. This organization challenges the status quo in striving to understand the context of people’s lives and the barriers they experience to help them achieve better health outcomes for their lives. Through research, quality assessment and improvements, advocacy, education, and patient navigation, they approach health holistically to achieve sustainable outcomes and true health equity. Food For Free Committee Food For Free improves access to healthy food through establishing innovative programming and partnerships to overcome barriers and strengthen the community food system. They believe that access to healthy food is a fundamental right. Grassroots Gardens of Western New York (GGRWNY) The missions of GGRWNY is to share knowledge, powers, and resources to grow health food, heal systemic harm, and strengthen neighborhood connections through community gardens. Greater Providence YMCA (GPYMCA) GPYMCA builds healthy spirit, mind, and body for all, through inclusive programs and relationships grounded in core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Programs are intentionally designed to close equity gaps in health, education, and wellness. GPYMCA serves individuals and families across all life stages and income levels, including medically vulnerable and underserved populations. Hearts of Valor INC Hearts of Valor’s missions it to keep the heart pumping through advocacy, collaboration, education, and support. Ibn Sina Foundation Ibn Sina Foundation ensures the health of the community by providing integrated, preventive, and primary care in a clinical setting through the dissemination and application of health-related knowledge, thereby enhancing the quality of life for future generations. India Home India Home is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the needs of and empowering the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean senior immigrant community in New York City through culturally competent services. At India Home’s centers, seniors find community and resources through a diverse range of programs and activities. Programs include congregate meals, creative aging programs, case management programs, and educational talks on health, nutrition, financial safeguards and elder law. La Colaborativa La Colaborativa empowers the Latinx community, enhancing social and economic health, and holding institutional decision-makers accountable. Lancaster County Food Hub At the heart of the Lancaster County Food Hub’s (LCFH) work is a strong commitment to meeting basic human needs, fostering respectful relationships, and connecting neighbors with supportive services in a nurturing and welcoming environment. Guided by their vision of a Lancaster County where every individual is supported and empowered to live with dignity and stability, they strive to not only provide immediate relief but also to create pathways to lasting self-sufficiency. Maryland Foundation of Dentistry (MFD) MFD is dedicated to improving oral health outcomes and preserving dental function for one of the state’s most vulnerable populations: adults with intellectual, physical, and/or developmental disabilities who are unable to afford the cost of dental care. Maternity Care Coalition (MCC) The missions of MCC is to improve the health and well-being of pregnant women and parenting families and enhance school readiness for children 0-3. MCC achieves this through direct service, advocacy, and research, in collaboration with individuals, families, providers, and communities. Medical Motor Service of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc. Medical Motor Service of Rochester and Monroe County’s mission is to provide specialized transportation for community organizations, as well as individuals with disabilities and special needs to improve their independence and quality of life. Milwaukee Consortium for Hmong Health (MCHH) MCHH’s mission is to create a thriving and healthy Southeast Asian and Hispanic community by empowering families through education and screenings. MCHH utilizes established community health workers and focuses on addressing health disparities related to cancer and chronic disease among the Hmong, Bumese, Karen, Karenni, Lao, and Hispanic populations living in Milwaukee, WI and other areas if needed. Mission Hospice and Home Care Mission Hospice and Home Care is delivering compassionate support and exceptional care in the home for individuals and communities, guiding them with choice and dignity to navigate significant care decisions. North Alabama AHEC (NAAHEC) The mission of the NAAHEC is to improve healthcare access, quality, and equity in rural and underserved communities across North Alabama. They strengthen the health workforce - particularly through the development of community health workers by providing comprehensive training, resources, and advocacy. By fostering strong community partnerships and promoting healthcare literacy, NAAHEC aims to address disparities, improve outcomes, and cultivate a healthier future for North Alabama. Our Neighbors’ Table Hunger comes in many forms. Our Neighbors’ Table is committed to establishing a community that provides for the whole person with nourishing food, kindness and dignity. Panhandle Breast Health Panhandle Breast Health works to decrease breast cancer deaths by providing education and reducing financial barriers to increase screening rates. Pitney Meadows Community Farm Founded in 2026, Pitney Meadows Community Farm’s mission is to celebrate and explore agricultural education, healthy food production, and recreation. Located on 166 acres in the heart of the city of Saratoga Springs and preserved in perpetuity as a working farm, Pitney Meadows is a unique resource. Prince William County Community Foundation (PWCCF) PWCCF’s mission is to create a stronger, healthier, and more connected community by addressing critical needs in food insecurity, health & wellness, scholarship, and philanthropy. PWCCF is committed to empowering individuals and families through equitable access to nutritious food, comprehensive healthcare, educational opportunities, and community-driven support. By fostering partnerships and promoting sustainable solutions, PWCCF aims to enhance the quality of life for all, ensuring a brighter future for every member of their community. Raytown Christian Church (Raytown Summer Lunch Ministry) Raytown Summer Lunch Ministry’s mission is to provide nutritious and kid-friendly meals to children during the summer months when they are not in school and receiving school meals. Regents of the University of California, Davis UC Davis Health is improving lives and transforming health care by providing excellent patient care, conducting groundbreaking research, fostering innovative, interprofessional education, and creating dynamic, productive partnerships with the community. RSVP Volunteers RSVP Volunteers creates and runs unique community programs powered by skilled volunteers to advance education and wellness for all ages and strengthen nonprofits through capacity-building and volunteer services. Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, in collaboration with partners, provides dignified, equitable and consistent access to nutritious food, creating a foundation for community health. The Icla da Silva Foundation The mission of the Icla da Silva Foundation is to save the lives of patients whose only cure is a bone marrow transplant by providing financial, emotional, and logistical support to remove barriers to treatment. There With Care of the Bay Area Founded in 2012, the mission of There With Care of the Bay Area is to provide a wide range of meaningful and fundamental services to children and families during the critical phase of a medical crisis. Universal Community Health Center Universal Community Health Center’s mission is to provide quality and accessible healthcare to under-served communities and to provide a patient centered model of care to empower communities towards wellness. West Cancer Foundation West Cancer Foundation breaks through barriers to cancer care and improves patient outcomes by providing accessible patient resources, early detection and education, and community-based research. Westside Family Healthcare Westside Family Healthcare’s mission is to improve the health of communities by providing equal access to quality healthcare, regardless of ability to pay. National Strategic Collaborations Foundation of Asthma and Allergy Impact Rescue (AAIR) The mission of The Foundation for Asthma and Allergy Impact and Rescue (AAIR) is to make sure that every child is rescued at school, healthy at home, and connected to care. Family Reach Foundation Family Reach is a nonprofit that provides non-medical financial support to families facing cancer. Cancer treatment requires more than medicine — families need a roof over their heads and food on their tables to survive. If a family can’t meet these basic needs, cancer treatment takes a back seat. They work with patients, providers, and community organizations to challenge the systems that force families to choose between their health and their home. LUNGevity Foundation LUNGevity Foundation is transforming what it means to be diagnosed and live with lung cancer through research, advocacy, and community. This mission brings them closer to their vision: a world where no one dies of lung cancer. Association of Black Cardiologists The Association of Black Cardiologists is dedicated to preventing and treating cardiovascular disease, including stroke, through education, research, advocacy, and community engagement, striving for optimal health for all by eliminating disparities. Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF) The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation’s (CCF) mission is to find a cure and improve the quality of life for those affected by cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). Founded in 2006, in Salt Lake City, UT, by a family who lost a loved one to cholangiocarcinoma, CCF has grown to become the leading global resource in research, education, and public awareness. ZERO Prostate Cancer Zero Prostate Cancer’s mission is to improve and save lives from prostate cancer through advocacy, awareness, education, and support. GO2 for Lung Cancer GO2 for Lung Cancer relentlessly confronts lung cancer on every front, every day, for everyone. As the nation’s leading lung cancer advocacy organization that was founded by patients and survivors, they are dedicated to increasing survival and quality of life for those at risk, diagnosed, and living with lung cancer. National Minority Quality Forum The National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) is a national 501(c)(3) with a mission to reduce patient risk for all. Young Survival Coalition (Breast) Young Survival Coalition supports the young breast cancer community and ignites global collaboration to improve quality of life worldwide. Black Women’s Health Imperative Black Women’s Health Imperative’s mission is to solve the most critical health issues that Black women and girls face through innovative programs, transformative research, and lifesaving policies.
Royal Society calls for public’s help to build Women in STEM history map of the UK
The Royal Society has launched an online map to celebrate historical women in the UK who have made a positive contribution to science and is asking for the public’s help to map science history.
Is the PPPLF Still Encouraging Small Business Lending?
The Federal Reserve designed its Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility to ease liquidity issues and support small business lending during the pandemic. The liquidity facility allowed banks to pledge Paycheck Protection Program loans as risk-free collateral during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis shows that, although the program has essentially ended, the positive effects on small business lending have persisted, particularly among small banks with lower liquidity, in keeping with the intent of the program.
Health officials confirm rabies-positive bat in Eaton County
The Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) has confirmed that a bat found in Eaton County tested positive for rabies.
Haveli To Acquire Budge Studios, Leading Mobile Developer of Digital Interactive Entertainment for Children
AUSTIN, Texas, February 09, 2026--Haveli Investments, L.P. ("Haveli" or "Haveli Investments"), a technology and gaming-focused private equity firm, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Budge Studios, a leader in digital interactive entertainment for children, from General Atlantic, a leading global investor. Creating positive and meaningful experiences to inspire kids’ imaginations, Budge Studios is entrusted by, and collaborates with, the world’s most recognized bran
Why this rust-like mineral is one of Earth’s best carbon vaults
A common iron mineral hiding in soil turns out to be far better at trapping carbon than scientists realized. Its surface isn’t uniform — it’s a nanoscale patchwork of positive and negative charges that can grab many different organic molecules. Instead of relying on a single weak attraction, the mineral uses several bonding strategies to hold carbon tightly in place. This helps explain how soils store enormous amounts of carbon for the long term.
Centene swings to 2025 loss on $6.7 billion goodwill hit
Company exits a "challenging year" but insists it is entering 2026 with "positive momentum"
4 Reasons Why Founders Should Be Optimistic About AI
In addition to health and wellness improvements, here are four reasons to be excited about positive AI outcomes for your business.
‘That's home, man' — A.J. Brown gives off positive vibes about Eagles on podcast
Appearing on Micah Parsons’ podcast, A.J. Brown spoke positively about returning to the Eagles for the 2026 season.
TAVR valve for AR , a recent Edwards acquisition, delivers long-term value
The J-Valve System is associated with positive 10-year outcomes for patients with severe AR, according to new research out of China. It also performs well in patients with severe AS.
Taylor Swift takes it back to the ‘90s with her new video for ‘Opalite’
Taylor Swift is back in the headlines and this time it’s for something more positive than what she’s been used to lately.
KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust: Trust in the CDC and Views of Federal Childhood Vaccine Schedule Changes
Weeks after the Trump administration reduced the number of childhood vaccine recommended for routine use, public trust in the CDC is at its lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic, and less than half are confident in federal agencies' ability to make such recommendations. Among those who have heard about the revised recommendations, more say they expect the changes to have a negative impact than a positive one on children’s health.
Trump to launch TrumpRx.gov, branding his push to lower prescription prices
The president has argued his drug-pricing initiative ‘should win us the midterms.’ Experts say its impact could be positive but limited.
Pitt Celebrates NGWSD '26
National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) celebrates the advancement, growth, and positive impact women bring to athletics. Since 1987, this day has rec...
Underwhelming 49ers offensive weapon named their worst signing of 2025
The San Francisco 49ers added plenty of players last offseason who helped out, but one of them struggled to make much of a positive impact in 2025.
Amazon's Ring Wants to Wash Away Your Surveillance Concerns With Lost Puppies
Every technology has positives and negatives.
RWJBarnabas Health Announces Standardized Visiting Hours Across Its Hospitals
To further support its commitment to delivering a consistent and positive patient experience, RWJBarnabas Health has implemented standardized visiting hours across its acute-care hospitals effective February 2, 2026. Under the updated guidelines, general visiting hours for all RWJBarnabas Health adult acute-care hospitals will be held 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
A Cure For Sour Feelings About Politics? Get People To Love Their Hometowns
The positive feelings people have toward their community translate directly into civic engagement.
49ers fans react to Raheem Morris hire as defensive coordinator
The San Francisco 49ers have hired Raheem Morris as their defensive coordinator, and fans were pretty positive about the move on social media.
Business leaders gear up for Washington Street project
A website is planned to focus on positive, customer-friendly messaging during the project, letting consumers know about detours, promotions and anything else that will help get to businesses.
Seven foods you should be eating more of right now
Some common ingredients can have powerfully positive effects on our health. Here are seven worth adding more of to your diet.
All of the Feelings: Emotional Diversity Linked to Health
A growing body of research demonstrates that feeling a wide range of positive emotions in a single day is linked to health and well-being.
Possible measles exposure at UNC Nash County Health Department after child tests positive
Nash County health leaders are sending out a warning about a potential measles exposure after a child who visited the UNC Health Nash Emergency Department on Tuesday tested positive for the disease. Anyone who was at the health department between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. Tuesday may have been exposed.
Nash County leaders warn of potential measles exposure at UNC Health Nash
The Nash County Health Department is alerting the public after an unvaccinated child who recently traveled internationally tested positive for measles following a visit to the UNC Health Nash Emergency Department.
Pet exposed to rabid raccoon in Charleston County, health officials say
The South Carolina Department of Public Health confirmed that a raccoon found in Johns Island tested positive for rabies Monday.
Trump strikes a positive tone on Tim Walz after phone call with the Minnesota governor
Trump's post marks a noticeable shift in the way he’s referred to Walz, whom he's repeatedly criticized for not cooperating with his administration.
Man City keep tabs on Alexander-Arnold
Manchester City are keeping tabs on Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool get positive response after approaching Xabi Alonso, Chelsea recall Aaron Anselmino from Borussia Dortmund loan, plus more.
What Elevance Health (ELV)'s Scale-Driven Efficiency Amid Membership Declines Means For Shareholders
In recent weeks, analysts including RBC Capital and Wolfe Research have reiterated positive views on Elevance Health, citing its scale advantages and strong capital efficiency ahead of its late-January 2026 earnings release. At the same time, Elevance’s shrinking customer base over the past two years raises important questions about how competition and product positioning are affecting long-term demand. We’ll now examine how analyst optimism around Elevance’s scale-driven efficiency shapes...
'Ageing is not a destructive force': How defying ageism can help you live longer
Research shows a positive attitude towards ageing can make people feel younger and live longer. Here's how to fight ageism in your own life.
Nintendo Switch 2 led December sales in the U.S., now at 4.4 million, doubled Switch 1's performance
Much has been made of Nintendo Switch 2’s sales during the holiday period, but with the December 2025 Circana U.S. sales report having just been released, it paints a more positive picture. Last month, Nintendo Switch 2 led the hardware market in both unit and dollar sales. The same also goes for 2025 as a whole. Thanks to that, the...
Animals experience joy. Scientists want to measure it
Scientists have long focused on quantifying fear and other negative emotions in animals. Now they’re trying to measure positive feelings — and it’s a challenge.
The business of saving nature
Global financing is heavily skewed to industries that harm rather than preserve nature, according to a new report that calls for an urgent scale-up of nature-positive spending.
Exclusive data: Austin consumer sentiment shifts positive to close out 2025
Data collected by Morning Consult for ABJ sheds light on how local consumers are feeling. There's a mixed view on how businesses will fare in 2026.
3rd child with measles in Virginia visited health care facilities in Woodbridge, Falls Church
A young child who lives in Northern Virginia has tested positive for measles, marking the third case in the state this month, according to health officials.
Daniil Medvedev's new outlook fuels Australian Open comeback
After the season he's coming off, 2021 U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev is celebrating his run to the third round at the Australian Open as positive progress. The difference, he said, comes down to mentality.