logo
NCInnovation grant funding awarded to two ECU research teams

NCInnovation grant funding awarded to two ECU research teams

Yahoo20-05-2025
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — Two researchers from ECU have been approved for grant funding from NCInnovation for inventions with real-world applications.
The funding is part of NCInnovation's mission to unlock the innovative potential of North Carolina's world class universities.
'At ECU, our mission is rooted in serving the public good through innovation that solves real-world problems,' said Chancellor Philip Rogers. 'We're proud of our researchers for advancing work that has the potential to improve public health and quality of life. This support from NCInnovation reinforces the vital role universities play in transforming ideas into solutions that benefit communities across our state and beyond.'
Professor of Health Education and Promotion Dr. Stephanie Richards and her team have developed a compact, cost-effective wind tunnel designed to test the effectiveness of pesticides. Another project led by Clinical Researcher in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Dr. Patrick Briley and his team developed technology to help speech language pathologists treat stuttering.
'It is exciting to see research in the ag tech and medical device sectors advance at ECU, led by Dr. Richards and Dr. Briley,' NCInnovation's Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer Michelle Bolas said. 'NCInnovation helps universities advance discoveries with real-world applications, strengthening the university-to-industry pipeline that's central to American competitiveness.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US pediatric group breaks with CDC advice, recommends COVID vaccines for young children
US pediatric group breaks with CDC advice, recommends COVID vaccines for young children

Yahoo

time21 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

US pediatric group breaks with CDC advice, recommends COVID vaccines for young children

The American Academy of Pediatrics released its vaccine recommendations on Aug. 19 in a break from federal guidance shaped by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The AAP, in tandem with multiple other professional medical associations, previously decried a May announcement made by Kennedy Jr. that the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be included in the Centers for Disease Control's recommended immunizations for healthy children and pregnant women, a move that went against previous expert guidance and bypassed the normal scientific review process. The AAP, a professional organization of over 65,000 board-certified pediatricians dedicated to advancing children's medicine, said in a June 26 statement that it would "continue to publish its own evidence-based recommendations and schedules," as the creation of federal immunization policy is 'no longer a credible process." Kennedy Jr. drew further ire from medical communities when he fired all 17 original members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the committee of health experts that provides guidance on vaccine use to the CDC, replacing them with members that critics have called unqualified. Some of the members, like Kennedy Jr., have a history of anti-vaccine advocacy and involvement in anti-vaccine groups. Here's what to know about the new AAP guidance and how it differs from federal guidelines. What is the AAP guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for children? The AAP schedule lists which vaccines children should get at certain ages and provides updated guidance on influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 immunizations for children and adolescents from birth to age 18. The schedule recommends that all children between six months and 23 months receive the latest COVID-19 vaccine to reduce the chance of serious illness. Children and adolescents aged 2 to 18, without other high-risk factors like immunosuppression, can receive and should be offered the vaccine if they were not previously immunized, according to the guidance. Children, teens, and adults alike who are at increased risk of serious infection should receive the vaccine if they have not already, AAP said, adding that its recommendation differed from the CDC, which it said is now staffed with people who have a history of spreading vaccine misinformation. "The AAP will continue to provide recommendations for immunizations that are rooted in science and are in the best interest of the health of infants, children, and adolescents," AAP President Dr. Susan J. Kressly, MD, said in a statement. "Pediatricians know how important routine childhood immunizations are in keeping children, families and their communities healthy and thriving." What is the federal guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for children? The CDC did not go as far as completely removing COVID-19 vaccination from its immunization schedule despite Kennedy Jr.'s insistence. Instead, the agency changed its language from recommending the vaccine annually to suggesting parents consult with their child's physician on whether to vaccinate. Kennedy Jr. previously said that the CDC planned only to recommend the COVID vaccine for people over the age of 65 and those at high personal risk of infection, though the agency's website still contains information recommending it for everyone over the age of six months. A notice on the top webpages on the topic reads, "COVID-19 vaccine recommendations have recently been updated for some populations. This page will be updated to align with the updated immunization schedule," as of Aug. 19. This change to whom the vaccine is recommended could make it harder for others who want the COVID-19 vaccine to get it, experts warned. Since insurance coverage typically follows federal recommendations, anyone who wants the shot but isn't on the CDC's recommendation list may have to pay the price out of pocket HHS Communications Director Andrew Nixon defended the decision in a statement to USA TODAY, accusing the AAP, which receives funding from pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, of failing to have proper conflict-of-interest safeguards in place. "By bypassing the CDC's advisory process and freelancing its own recommendations, while smearing those who demand accountability, the AAP is putting commercial interests ahead of public health and politics above America's children," Nixon said. Kennedy Jr. shared a separate response on social media on Aug. 19, pointing out that the agency's top donors are four companies that "make virtually every vaccine on the CDC recommended childhood vaccine schedule" and saying that the AAP recommendations are "corporate-friendly" and may "promote commercial ambitions of AAP's Big Pharma benefactors" instead of public health. "AAP should also be candid with doctors and hospitals that recommendations that diverge from the CDC's official list are not shielded from liability under the 1986 Vaccine Injury Act," his post concluded. USA TODAY reached out to AAP for comment on Aug. 19 but has not received a response. The new Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices didn't vote on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations when they met in June and are expected to reconvene in "September/October," according to the CDC. The FDA has signaled intentions to revoke the Pfizer COVID-19 shot for young, healthy children. In early August, HHS announced that it would pull $500M in funding from mRNA vaccine research and development. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Young kids should receive COVID vaccine despite CDC advice: AAP Solve the daily Crossword

Innovative food company debuts new kind of milk that could redefine the dairy aisle: 'First of its kind'
Innovative food company debuts new kind of milk that could redefine the dairy aisle: 'First of its kind'

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Innovative food company debuts new kind of milk that could redefine the dairy aisle: 'First of its kind'

Innovative food company debuts new kind of milk that could redefine the dairy aisle: 'First of its kind' We've seen soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, and the like — now, chia milk is taking the stage, setting a more eco-conscious precedent for milk alternatives to come. Benexia recently launched Seeds of Wellness Chia Milk, a sustainably produced plant-based milk made from ground-up whole chia seeds, according to Vegconomist Global. Chia is a strong source of healthy fats as well as dietary fiber: a "super-nutrient" lacking in most American diets, according to the American Society for Nutrition. Benexia's micro-milling process preserves the plant's original nutritive value while churning out a creamy milk-like texture. "We harness the nutritional power of chia to deliver wholesome products … with human and planet health in mind," said Benexia CEO Sandra Gilliot. The company follows regenerative agriculture techniques — using farming as a jumping-off point to promote soil health and ecosystem resilience — and relies exclusively on rainwater for irrigation, per its 2024 Sustainability Report. Chia, moreover, is a relatively drought-friendly plant, as indicated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plants Database. While chia plants require some moisture, they do not require regular watering, making them an agricultural staple as crop insecurity and extreme weather continue to rise in our overheating planet. Even after the chia growth and harvest, Benexia limits water usage in the ingredient processing phase of milk production, "using a nearly zero-waste, zero-water process from seed to packaging," PR Newswire reported. "Water is only introduced as the main ingredient in the final product." The mainstream introduction of Benexia's product could make chia milk a household staple. In 2022, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) valued the revenue from alternative milk sales in North America at 20% of the revenue from traditional milk, noting that 12% of U.S. households prefer alternative milk. "The [alternative milk] sector continues to expand," MFAT added, labeling taste, health, and sustainability as the primary causes of alternative milk's rising popularity. In 2023, the University of North Carolina's PIT Journal forecast a 127% increase in per capita alternative milk revenue between 2014 and 2027, based on the "impressive growth trajectory of the industry in the past and the future." What motivates you to wash your clothes in cold water? Saves money Saves energy Gentler on clothes I wash my clothes in hot water Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Dairy milk production relies on heavy water consumption to sustain cows and also releases copious amounts of the planet-warming gas methane from cows' belches. Currently, almond milk is the most popular plant-based milk alternative, but even almond farming requires considerable water usage — more than 23 gallons of water for a single glass of almond milk, wrote Business Insider. If more and more households consume chia milk instead, the environmental repercussions could be huge. Conserving water puts less strain on estuaries and other bodies of water, allowing aquatic ecosystems to flourish while maintaining water security in our warming climate. Benexia's "first of its kind" product recently debuted on Costco shelves across the country. Its emergence will likely encourage other manufacturers to join in on chia milk production as well, popularizing chia as a sustainable and healthy milk alternative. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword

Innovative food company debuts new kind of milk that could redefine the dairy aisle: 'First of its kind'
Innovative food company debuts new kind of milk that could redefine the dairy aisle: 'First of its kind'

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Innovative food company debuts new kind of milk that could redefine the dairy aisle: 'First of its kind'

Innovative food company debuts new kind of milk that could redefine the dairy aisle: 'First of its kind' We've seen soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, and the like — now, chia milk is taking the stage, setting a more eco-conscious precedent for milk alternatives to come. Benexia recently launched Seeds of Wellness Chia Milk, a sustainably produced plant-based milk made from ground-up whole chia seeds, according to Vegconomist Global. Chia is a strong source of healthy fats as well as dietary fiber: a "super-nutrient" lacking in most American diets, according to the American Society for Nutrition. Benexia's micro-milling process preserves the plant's original nutritive value while churning out a creamy milk-like texture. "We harness the nutritional power of chia to deliver wholesome products … with human and planet health in mind," said Benexia CEO Sandra Gilliot. The company follows regenerative agriculture techniques — using farming as a jumping-off point to promote soil health and ecosystem resilience — and relies exclusively on rainwater for irrigation, per its 2024 Sustainability Report. Chia, moreover, is a relatively drought-friendly plant, as indicated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plants Database. While chia plants require some moisture, they do not require regular watering, making them an agricultural staple as crop insecurity and extreme weather continue to rise in our overheating planet. Even after the chia growth and harvest, Benexia limits water usage in the ingredient processing phase of milk production, "using a nearly zero-waste, zero-water process from seed to packaging," PR Newswire reported. "Water is only introduced as the main ingredient in the final product." The mainstream introduction of Benexia's product could make chia milk a household staple. In 2022, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) valued the revenue from alternative milk sales in North America at 20% of the revenue from traditional milk, noting that 12% of U.S. households prefer alternative milk. "The [alternative milk] sector continues to expand," MFAT added, labeling taste, health, and sustainability as the primary causes of alternative milk's rising popularity. In 2023, the University of North Carolina's PIT Journal forecast a 127% increase in per capita alternative milk revenue between 2014 and 2027, based on the "impressive growth trajectory of the industry in the past and the future." What motivates you to wash your clothes in cold water? Saves money Saves energy Gentler on clothes I wash my clothes in hot water Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Dairy milk production relies on heavy water consumption to sustain cows and also releases copious amounts of the planet-warming gas methane from cows' belches. Currently, almond milk is the most popular plant-based milk alternative, but even almond farming requires considerable water usage — more than 23 gallons of water for a single glass of almond milk, wrote Business Insider. If more and more households consume chia milk instead, the environmental repercussions could be huge. Conserving water puts less strain on estuaries and other bodies of water, allowing aquatic ecosystems to flourish while maintaining water security in our warming climate. Benexia's "first of its kind" product recently debuted on Costco shelves across the country. Its emergence will likely encourage other manufacturers to join in on chia milk production as well, popularizing chia as a sustainable and healthy milk alternative. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store