Latest news with #AmySimon
Forbes
06-08-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Uranus Is Warmer Then We Thought, NASA Says
Uranus, an ice giant planet and the seventh planet from the sun, may be warmer than previously thought. The third largest planet in the solar system — previously thought to be the coldest despite Neptune being farther from the sun — now appears to emit much more heat than it receives from the sun. Most planets generate their own heat, so they emit more energy than they receive from the sun. That's the case with Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune. It's thought that the heat is leftover from the planet's formation. However, data from Uranus — which is restricted to the one time NASA visited the planet 39 years ago — suggested that Uranus had no internal heat. That confused planetary scientists because it suggested Uranus was much older than the other planets. 'Since Voyager 2's flyby, everybody has said Uranus has no internal heat,' said Amy Simon, a planetary scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. 'But it's been really hard to explain why that is, especially when compared with the other giant planets.' Uranus: New Observations New observations of reflected light from Uranus by Lowell Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society journal by scientists at NASA and Oxford University, suggest otherwise. Creating a computer model of the planet's atmosphere from decades of observations from ground- and space-based telescopes — from hazes and clouds to seasonal changes — the scientists figured out that Uranus actually reflects back 15% more energy than it receives from the sun. That's much less than most planets, but warmer than long believed and indicating that it does have an internal heat source. Mission To Uranus Humanity's only glimpse of Uranus was in 1986 when NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft photographed it during its Grand Tour of the planets. A lot of its moons were imaged, too, but only some of their surface were in its view. The Uranus Orbiter and Probe (UOP) is a concept for a mission to tour the Uranus system — including the ice giant itself and its moons — though the chances of it launching in time now seem slim. The need for a slingshot from Jupiter means that launch opportunities exist in the early 2030s for a journey to take 12-13 years. That window opens every 12 years or so when Jupiter returns to roughly the same position in the solar system. What Color Is Uranus? The news about the temperature of Uranus comes in the wake of another basic characteristic of the planet being reassessed. A study last year concluded that the belief that Uranus is pale cyan and Neptune is a deep azure blue is wrong. The study stated that the planets are actually a similar shade of greenish blue, and that the error was down to inaccurate color in NASA's Voyager 2's camera, which captured Uranus and Neptune in 1986 and 1989, respectively. Moons Of Uranus There are 27 moons around Uranus, four of which — Umbriel, Titania, Oberon and Ariel — are geologically active, and possibly ocean worlds. It's one reason NASA needs to send a mission. Observations last year by the James Webb Space Telescope indicate that Ariel may have an underground liquid ocean. Its surface was found to contain carbon dioxide ice, mostly on the side of the moon that faces away from the direction it orbits, which may be coming from a liquid ocean beneath the surface. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LexisNexis Risk Solutions Appoints Noted Workforce Policy Executive Amy Simon as Head of Labor and Workforce Solutions
Workforce Policy Leader to Direct Anti-Fraud Innovation Across State Agencies WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LexisNexis® Risk Solutions today announced the appointment of Amy Simon as Head of Labor and Workforce Solutions reinforcing its strategic focus on supporting state agencies in delivering critical services, achieving their missions, and protecting public trust. Simon, a nationally recognized leader in workforce innovation and public policy, joins the company after executive roles at the U.S. Department of Labor and Simon Advisory, the firm she founded in 2021. In this newly created role, Simon will lead a cross-functional team to bring cutting-edge data, identity, and fraud prevention solutions to the frontlines of public service and benefit delivery. "With her rare combination of policy depth, executive leadership, and a relentless focus on impact, Amy is exactly the right leader to help state agencies meet the moment," said Haywood Talcove, CEO of LexisNexis Risk Solutions – Government. "Her firsthand experience modernizing national workforce programs and guiding leaders through transformational change makes her an invaluable asset to our customers and our mission." Simon's appointment comes at a pivotal time for state workforce agencies navigating heightened public demand, complex regulatory pressures, and the imperative to modernize aging systems. As founder of Simon Advisory, she counseled state agencies, policy leaders, technology firms, and other workforce ecosystem partners on strategy, operations, and policy. In addition to testifying before the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee on pandemic unemployment fraud, she wrote and spoke extensively on pandemic fraud solutions, unemployment insurance modernization, and workforce policy innovation. She previously served as Acting Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, where she oversaw policy direction and operations for a $10 billion portfolio of workforce investment, unemployment insurance, and discretionary grant programs. "This work is deeply personal for me as both a policy leader and victim of pandemic fraud," said Simon. I have seen firsthand how service delivery technology can either empower or fail people at their most vulnerable point of need. State agencies are on the front lines, both defending against fraudsters and ensuring seamless experiences for benefit recipients. I look forward to supporting them on both fronts. I am thrilled to join the unmatched team, tools, and vision at LexisNexis Risk Solutions and support these agencies to serve with speed, integrity, and trust." Simon will begin her new role on August 11, 2025, and will be based in Washington, D.C. With this appointment, LexisNexis Risk Solutions continues to strengthen its leadership team and deliver next-generation support to the government agencies shaping the future of work in America. About LexisNexis Risk SolutionsLexisNexis Risk Solutions harnesses the power of data and advanced analytics to provide insights that help businesses and governmental entities reduce risk and improve decisions to benefit people around the globe. We provide data and technology solutions for a wide range of industries including insurance, financial services, healthcare, and government. Headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia, we have offices throughout the world and are part of RELX (LSE: REL/NYSE: RELX), a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers. For more information, please visit and Media Contact: Paul EckloffLexisNexis Risk SolutionsMobile: + View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE LexisNexis Risk Solutions
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Beam Therapeutics Presents Additional Data for BEAM-302 in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD) at 2025 Alpha-1 Foundation 7th Global Research Conference and 10th Patient Congress
New Data Demonstrate Proportion of Corrected M-AAT Reached a Mean of 91% of Total AAT in Circulation at Day 28 Following BEAM-302 Treatment in 60 mg Cohort (n=3) Mean Decrease of 79% in Mutant Z-AAT Observed at Day 28 in 60 mg Cohort (n=3) Fourth Cohort Evaluating 75 mg of BEAM-302 Initiated, with Updated Data from Part A of the Phase 1/2 Trial Expected to be Presented at a Medical Conference in Second Half of 2025 CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beam Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: BEAM), a biotechnology company developing precision genetic medicines through base editing, today presented additional data from the Phase 1/2 clinical trial of BEAM-302 in patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) at the 2025 Alpha-1 Foundation 7th Global Research Conference and 10th Patient Congress, taking place April 4-5, 2025, in Lisbon, Portugal. Positive initial safety and efficacy data from the Phase 1/2 trial of BEAM-302 were previously reported in March 2025, establishing clinical proof of concept as a potential treatment for AATD and in vivo base editing. Preliminary results from the first three single-ascending dose cohorts demonstrated that BEAM-302 was well tolerated, with single doses of BEAM-302 leading to durable dose-dependent correction of the disease-causing mutation and total AAT protein levels above the therapeutic threshold in the 60 mg dose cohort. These previously reported data were included in today's presentation, alongside updated biomarker data from the 60 mg cohort showing levels of corrected protein (M-AAT) and the mutant form of alpha-1 antitrypsin protein (Z-AAT) out to Day 28 for all three patients. At Day 28, the proportion of corrected M-AAT reached a mean of 91% of total AAT in circulation, surpassing levels observed in patients with the MZ genotype where circulating M-AAT is typically ~80%. In addition, treatment with BEAM-302 led to a mean decrease of 79% of circulating mutant Z-AAT from baseline as of Day 28. 'Patients living with AATD can face serious complications, including early onset emphysema and liver disease, and there is a significant unmet need for more effective therapies that can treat the entire spectrum of disease manifestations,' said Amy Simon, M.D., chief medical officer of Beam. 'The totality of the data shared to date highlight the promising impact of our approach across multiple drivers of disease pathology, including dose-dependent correction of the disease-causing mutation, rapid elevation in the circulation of total AAT and corrected M-AAT that is functional, and significant reduction in circulating mutant Z-AAT. We are honored to share these findings with the AATD community and look forward to continuing to advance our Phase 1/2 study to bring this potentially transformative treatment to patients as quickly as possible.' Beam plans to continue the dose-escalation portion of Part A of the ongoing Phase 1/2 trial, including enrolling and dosing a fourth dose cohort of 75 mg, and expects to report further data at a medical conference in the second half of 2025. In addition, the company plans to dose the first patient in Part B, which will include AATD patients with mild to moderate liver disease, in the second half of 2025. Beam recently announced the clearance of its investigational drug application (IND) for BEAM-302 by the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA), enabling the company to activate sites in the U.S. for its ongoing Phase 1/2 trial. About BEAM-302BEAM-302 is a liver-targeting lipid-nanoparticle (LNP) formulation of base editing reagents designed to correct the PiZ mutation. Patients homozygous for this mutation (PiZZ) represent the majority of patients living with severe AATD disease. A one-time A-to-G correction of the PiZ mutation with Beam's adenine base editor has the potential to simultaneously reduce the aggregation of mutant, misfolded AAT protein that causes toxicity to the liver (Z-AAT), generate therapeutic levels of corrected protein (M-AAT), and increase total and functional AAT in circulation, thereby addressing the underlying pathophysiology of both the liver and lung disease. In addition, the reduction in circulating PiZ aggregates (i.e., polymers) has the potential to further minimize lung inflammation and dysfunction. Importantly, because the native AAT gene would be corrected in its normal genetic location, AAT levels are anticipated to increase physiologically in response to inflammation or infection. This is a critical aspect of AAT's normal function to regulate the body's inflammatory response, which does not occur with currently approved protein replacement therapies. Correction of the PiZ mutation is expected to be durable based on preclinical and clinical evidence. About Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD)AATD is an inherited genetic disorder that can cause early onset emphysema and liver disease. The most severe form of AATD arises when a patient has a point mutation in both copies of the SERPINA1 gene at amino acid 342 position (E342K, also known as the PiZ mutation or the 'Z' allele). This point mutation causes alpha-1 antitrypsin, or AAT, to misfold, accumulating inside liver cells rather than being secreted, resulting in very low levels (10%-15%) of circulating AAT. In addition to resulting in lower levels, the PiZ AAT protein variant is also less enzymatically effective compared to wildtype AAT protein. As a consequence, the lung is left unprotected from neutrophil elastase, resulting in progressive, destructive changes in the lung, such as emphysema, which can result in the need for lung transplants. The mutant AAT protein also accumulates in the liver, causing liver inflammation and cirrhosis, which can ultimately cause liver failure or cancer requiring patients to undergo a liver transplant. It is estimated that approximately 100,000 individuals in the U.S. have two copies of the Z allele, known as the PiZZ genotype, although only about 10% of all patients are thought to have been diagnosed. There are currently no curative treatments approved for patients with AATD, and the only approved therapy in the U.S., intravenous AAT protein replacement, has not been shown to prevent ongoing lung function decline and destruction in patients. About Beam TherapeuticsBeam Therapeutics (Nasdaq: BEAM) is a biotechnology company committed to establishing the leading, fully integrated platform for precision genetic medicines. To achieve this vision, Beam has assembled a platform with integrated gene editing, delivery and internal manufacturing capabilities. Beam's suite of gene editing technologies is anchored by base editing, a proprietary technology that is designed to enable precise, predictable and efficient single base changes, at targeted genomic sequences, without making double-stranded breaks in the DNA. This has the potential to enable a wide range of therapeutic editing strategies that Beam is using to advance a diversified portfolio of base editing programs. Beam is a values-driven organization committed to its people, cutting-edge science, and a vision of providing life-long cures to patients suffering from serious diseases. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements related to: the therapeutic applications and potential of our technology, including our potential to develop life-long, curative, precision genetic medicines for patients through base editing; our plans, and anticipated timing, to advance our BEAM-302 program; and the clinical trial designs and expectations for BEAM-302. Each forward-looking statement is subject to important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statement, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties related to: our ability to develop, obtain regulatory approval for, and commercialize our product candidates, which may take longer or cost more than planned; our ability to raise additional funding, which may not be available; our ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patent and other intellectual property protection for our product candidates; the uncertainty that our product candidates will receive regulatory approval necessary to advance human clinical trials; that preclinical testing of our product candidates and preliminary or interim data from preclinical studies and clinical trials may not be predictive of the results or success of ongoing or later clinical trials; that initiation and enrollment of, and anticipated timing to advance, our clinical trials may take longer than expected; that our product candidates or the delivery modalities we rely on to administer them may cause serious adverse events; that our product candidates may experience manufacturing or supply interruptions or failures; risks related to competitive products; and the other risks and uncertainties identified under the headings 'Risk Factors Summary' and 'Risk Factors' in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in any subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law. Contacts: Investors:Holly ManningBeam Therapeuticshmanning@ Media:Josie Butler1ABjosie@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
‘Planetary sleight of hand': Kentucky set to see Saturn's rings disappear
KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — On the heels of the worm moon turning to blood, stargazers in Kentucky are set to see the heaven's next magic trick. At 12:04 p.m. on Sunday, Earth officially passed through the sixth planet's 'ring plane.' Pedestrian in critical condition after crash on Alexandria Drive Missing person search operation underway in London 'Planetary sleight of hand': Kentucky set to see Saturn's rings disappear Due to a transition in Saturn's planetary axis, Earth's ability to perceive Saturn's vibrant rings will be in 'perfect alignment' with Earth, causing them to be nearly invisible, according to At 12:04 p.m. on Sunday, Earth officially passed through the sixth planet's 'ring plane.' 'The rings engage in sort of a planetary 'sleight of hand,' where, when viewed from the edge, the rings seem to disappear (think of a sheet of paper—it looks large when viewed from above, but as you tilt it, it gets thinner and thinner),' explained Dr. Amy Simon, Senior Scientist for Planetary Atmospheres Research in the Solar System Exploration Division at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Read more of the latest Kentucky news In the 1600s, Galileo Galilei described the faraway world as having 'ears.' Once the rings vanish from sight, the planet with ears will look like 'a pale yellow sphere' through telescopes. claims that only the most powerful of telescopes might be able to see the subtle line of Saturn's rings. The rings stretch around 170,000 miles long but are only about 30 feet thick, according to The rings will come back into full view in November as Earth and Saturn will shift positions, and lucky skywatchers may even be able to catch a glimpse of its many moons. The Weather Authority is calling for a mix of clouds across the central Kentucky sky when Saturn is at its brightest Monday evening. Celestial enthusiasts will want to jump at the chance to witness the solar system's next magic trick. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Time-Lapse: Saturn's Rings Tilt In Amazing Hubble Space Telescope
Hubble Space Telescope imagery of Saturn, captured from 2018-2024, has been time-lapsed. Footage courtesy: NASA, ESA, Amy Simon (NASA-GSFC), Michael H. Wong (University of California) | edited by Steve Spaleta
