SCIENCE AND TECH
Eva Semel 11, Jul 9 mins
9 mins
The Ritz Herald
© Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Experts in newest treatment option for cancer, neurological disorders unite to speed progress, expand access

To expand on early progress in the emerging field of cell and gene therapy, five research centers across New York State are collaborating to develop new cell therapies for cancer and other diseases. Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, the University of Rochester Wilmot Cancer Institute in Rochester and three academic research centers in New York City — The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NYU Langone Health and Weill Cornell Medicine — have partnered to launch the Empire State Cellular Therapy Consortium.

Member centers will have expanded access to resources across the network, including Roswell Park’s 20-clean-room GMP Engineering & Cell Manufacturing Facility, and the ability to participate in clinical trials originating out of any of the five member sites — paving the way for faster progress and earlier, more convenient access to innovative therapies for patients.

“A partnership like this opens the doors to accelerating research, bringing innovative treatments from bench to bedside much faster. By combining our resources, we can learn from one another, strengthening our efforts to bring new and better options to patients,” says Consortium co-founder Marco Davila, MD, PhD, Roswell Park Senior Vice President, Associate Director of Translational Research and Rustum Family Endowed Chair in Translational Research.

Part of the broad class of biologic treatments known as immunotherapy, cell and gene therapies harness the body’s own immune system to fight disease. Over the past two years, 15 new cell and gene therapies have been approved by the U.S. FDA, bringing the total number of approvals of this type of biologic therapy using patients’ own cells to 45.

Cell and gene therapies have demonstrated marked success as treatment for blood cancers, generating long-term…

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Targeting Fusion Protein’s Role in Childhood Leukemia Produces Striking Results
The Ritz Herald

Scientists at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute today report the identification of a novel combination therapy approach to treat pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Standard treatment is often ineffective against AML, a cancer that commonly relapses with poor prognosis, particularly when the disease is fueled by…

What We’re Seeing in Schools as Pandemic-Era Funding Ends
The Ritz Herald

As pandemic-era federal aid for K–12 schools phases out, districts are entering a critical juncture that demands sharper prioritization, quicker decision-making, and a renewed focus on student impact.

Over $1.1 billion in temporary education funding has ended nationwide, funding that helped support tutoring, student wellness, and learning recovery initiatives during…

Big Outsource Offers Critical Data Entry Outsourcing Solutions for SMEs Seeking Efficiency
The Ritz Herald

Small business owners often find themselves buried under a mountain of data: orders to process, inventory spreadsheets to update, and financial records to keep in check. Data entry outsourcing solutions have emerged as the game-changer these businesses desperately need. Rather than investing in a shiny new product or…

Why Many Seniors Choose Life Alert for Emergency Protection
The Ritz Herald

As the U.S. population ages, more seniors are looking for reliable ways to remain independent while having access to emergency assistance. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans aged 65 and older is expected to reach 82 million by 2050, nearly doubling from 2018. The demand…

Portable HIV Monitoring Device Shows Promise for Remote Settings
The Ritz Herald

Accurate monitoring of CD4+ T cell counts is vital for evaluating immune health and guiding treatment in people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Yet conventional tools like flow cytometry, while highly effective, are expensive, complex, and ill-suited for widespread use in remote or resource-limited areas. Many portable alternatives remain…

2 mins
U.S. Department of Energy. © Timothy Epple
The Ritz Herald
Secretary Wright and Secretary Burgum signed a Memorandum of Understanding to advance collaboration on energy and artificial intelligence with Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel Ambassador Leiter

In a significant step towards bolstering energy security and innovation, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, who serve as vice chair and chair of the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel (Michael) Leiter. This collaborative effort aims to explore the intersection of energy advancements and artificial intelligence (AI).

During the signing, Energy Secretary Chris Wright expressed excitement over the alliance, stating, “President Trump and the National Energy Dominance Council are excited to announce this partnership on AI and energy security with Israel and the United States, advancing our shared vision of global energy addition and AI innovation.” He emphasized that the MOU will allow both nations to harness their research institutions and technology sectors, ensuring they remain at the forefront of AI advancements while maintaining energy dominance.

Secretary Doug Burgum emphasized the crucial role of AI in achieving the U.S.’s energy goals. “U.S. Energy Dominance demands the advancement of artificial intelligence,” he stated. Burgum underscored the collaborative effort between the U.S. and Israel, emphasizing the potential for innovation in the energy sector powered by AI. He…

4 mins
© W.A. Rasic Construction
The Ritz Herald

As cities continue to grow taller and smarter, the systems that make them work are being built further underground. We often marvel at new high-rises or tech-powered transit hubs, but it’s the hidden infrastructure that companies like W.A. Rasic Construction establish—the power lines, data conduits, and utility pipelines—that quietly supports modern urban life.

And amidst rapid urbanization and climate change, those underground systems are becoming more critical than ever.

Beneath the Surface, Above the Trend 

Urban growth goes beyond just constructing buildings and roads; it involves assessing a city’s capacity to support the needs of a growing population for water, energy, and connectivity. Much of this essential work takes place underground, where utility networks must be expanded, upgraded, and often entirely reimagined to meet the demands of smart cities and environmental goals.

Power grids must now handle rising demands from electric vehicles and cooling systems. Fiber-optic lines must support growing data traffic, and sewer and storm drain systems must be designed for resilience in the face of extreme weather. The cities of tomorrow are being engineered from the ground down.

W.A. Rasic at work in Los…

Sonic Booms From Falcon 9 Rocket Launches Prompt Research Initiative
The Ritz Herald

Residents of Ventura County are encountering an increasing phenomenon linked to the frequent launches of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Space Force Base: sonic booms. Even though the launch site is located 60-100 miles away, the sound waves produced by these rocket launches can resonate through the…

Mysterious Underground Structures Beneath the Pyramids of Giza: Sensational Discovery or Another Hoax?
The Ritz Herald

A new wave of interest in Egypt’s ancient civilization surged in the spring of 2025, following claims by a group of Italian researchers. They alleged that, using radar technology, they had discovered a vast underground complex as deep as 1,200 meters beneath the pyramids of Giza.

News outlets ran with…

Researchers Find CRISPR Is Capable of Even More Than We Thought
The Ritz Herald

Every living creature on Earth needs to protect itself from things that would do it harm. Bacteria are no different. And despite their relative simplicity, they deploy remarkably savvy defensive strategies against viral invaders. The most well-known is CRISPR-Cas9, adapted for human use as the first FDA-approved genetic editing…

Building Tomorrow’s Networks Today: The Strategic Case for Structured Cabling in London’s Enterprises
The Ritz Herald

In boardrooms across the capital, digital transformation tops every agenda, yet few executives realise that its success hinges on the first few metres of physical infrastructure inside their premises. The move from on-prem servers to multi-cloud, from legacy telephony to unified communications, from static offices to smart, sensor-rich workplaces—all…

The Evolution of General Surgery: Advances in Techniques and Patient Outcomes
The Ritz Herald

Surgery has come a long way from its early days of rudimentary tools and limited knowledge. What once relied heavily on trial and error has transformed into a precise, science-driven field. Advances in techniques, technology, and understanding of the human body have revolutionized general surgery. These innovations have improved…

6 mins
The Ritz Herald
© Brooklyn Friends School

Nestled in Downtown Brooklyn amid the metropolitan rush, Brooklyn Friends School (BFS) stands as both a historical landmark and an educational innovator, serving students from ages two through high school. Founded in 1867 by the Religious Society of Friends, the school ranks among New York City’s oldest continuously operating independent educational institutions, maintaining its commitment to Quaker principles while adapting to contemporary educational needs.

Historical Foundation Meets Modern Practice

The 157-year-old institution occupies a distinctive place within New York City’s educational landscape. Brooklyn Friends School began as a grade school, later adding kindergarten (1902), high school (1907), and preschool programs (1985 and 1992). Throughout these expansions, the school maintained its Quaker identity while evolving its approach to education.

“Guided by the Quaker belief that there is a Divine Light in everyone, Brooklyn Friends School cultivates an intellectually ambitious and diverse community that celebrates each individual’s gifts,” reads the school’s mission statement.

The school serves approximately a 725-student community with diverse backgrounds, reflective of its Brooklyn surroundings. Though the Brooklyn Monthly Meeting of Quakers ended its ownership affiliation with the school in 2010, Quaker values remain embedded in the educational approach, with half the board of trustees required to be Quaker by charter.

International Baccalaureate: Global Learning Framework

Brooklyn Friends School distinguishes itself academically through its International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme for 11th and 12th grade students. The program emphasizes critical thinking over rote memorization, encouraging students to develop as “inquirers, thinkers, communicators, and risk-takers.”

The IB curriculum consists of six subject categories alongside three core components: Theory of…

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Breakthrough Solar Technology: NUS Scientists Achieve World-Record Efficiency in Perovskite-Organic Tandem Solar Cells
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NYC’s Top Prosthodontist is Transforming Dental Care With OFFDENTAL
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In the heart of Midtown Manhattan, OFFDENTAL is redefining what full mouth reconstruction truly means. This isn’t just another dental practice—it’s a place where dental innovation meets genuine compassion. OFFDENTAL specializes in treating some of the most complex dental cases with advanced solutions like full mouth implants, All-on-4® systems,…

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Colorectal to Pancreatic: Mainz Biomed Expands Reach in Early Cancer Detection
The Ritz Herald

Mainz Biomed N.V. (NASDAQ: MYNZ), a molecular diagnostics company specializing in early cancer detection, continues to gain recognition as a pioneering force in the field. With a strong performance in 2024 and expanding global partnerships, the company is making bold strides in transforming how cancer is diagnosed—starting with colorectal…

9 mins
The Ritz Herald

When Mark’s father was admitted to the hospital after a stroke, the family didn’t think much about the mattress he was lying on. It looked ordinary enough—until they noticed it was quietly moving him from side to side every few minutes, adjusting pressure points, and somehow keeping him comfortable during weeks of immobility.

What they were seeing was the result of 30 years of engineering focused on solving one specific medical problem: how to prevent pressure injuries in patients who can’t move themselves. The automated lateral turning mattress had become so refined that it did its job almost invisibly.

The Problem That Drove Innovation

Pressure injuries develop when blood flow gets cut off to skin and tissue, usually because someone can’t shift their weight naturally. For patients recovering from strokes, spinal injuries, or major surgeries, this becomes a serious medical issue that can complicate recovery and extend hospital stays.

Traditional prevention relied on nurses manually turning patients every couple of hours. But hospitals are unpredictable places—emergencies happen, staff get pulled away, and sometimes those crucial repositioning schedules get missed.

ABeWER started working on this challenge in the early 1990s, when automated solutions were clunky, loud, and often created more problems than they solved….

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Breakthrough Solar Technology: NUS Scientists Achieve World-Record Efficiency in Perovskite-Organic Tandem Solar Cells

Geiger / RH
Scientists at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have demonstrated a perovskite–organic tandem solar cell with a certified world-record power conversion efficiency of 26.4 per cent over a 1 cm2 active area —
Shane Schaffer: Setting Clinical Operations Excellence Standards?
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By leveraging technology and refining…

Automated Health Systems Transforms the Future of Healthcare Management With Advanced Technology Services and Solutions
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Aerotoxic Association Highlights Latest Developments on Cabin Air Exposure Affecting Jet Flyers
The Ritz Herald

London, UK — Aerotoxic Association Ltd., a global advocate for safer air travel, announces new findings reinforcing the health risks associated with toxic cabin air. With over two decades of research, CEO John Hoyte calls for urgent industry action to address the long-overlooked issue of Aerotoxic Syndrome, which…