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Yahoo
17 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
The Power of Prayer: Finding Words in Life's Toughest Moments Through Biblical Stories
New guidebook aims to help Christians seek God's presence, peace, and power in life's challenging circumstances DALLAS, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Many people face devastating or difficult news and struggle to find a way forward. They pray, yet their problems persist or even grow. Recognizing that finding the right words in prayer may be challenging, author Ginger Hertenstein Conley offers guidance in her new book, "What to Say When You Pray: Step into Bible stories; step out with bold prayers and courageous faith!" From the reflections of scripture and real-life testimonies, including a life-changing moment of healing from a family friend battling stage four cancer, Conley explores how people throughout the Bible leaned into faith in times of crisis through prayer, whether facing natural disasters, political upheaval, illness, or personal loss. As they turned to God in prayer, they experienced healing in all areas, mentally, physically, and spiritually. "This book is more than a Bible study," Conley said. "It's an invitation to engage deeper with God. I share a true story of a woman with cancer whose loved ones prayed together weekly, demonstrating the power of united faith in a time of crisis." Conley's insights aim to remind readers that prayer is not about having the perfect words, but about coming before a God who hears, cares, and answers. No matter the situation, her book encourages believers to trust in God's love and seek his wisdom. "If you or someone you love is walking through a difficult season, hold their hand," Conley said. "Help guide them in finding comfort and the assurance that God delights in answering prayers. Readers may trust God's timing and feel peace from surrendering their burdens to him because anything is possible through the power of prayer." "What to Say When You Pray: Step into Bible stories; step out with bold prayers and courageous faith!" By Ginger Hertenstein Conley ISBN: 9798385038954 (softcover); 9798385039524 (hardcover); 9798385038947 (electronic) Available at WestBow Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the author Ginger Hertenstein Conley pastored First Presbyterian Church, Duncanville, Tex. a church known for being actively involved in their city. She and the church organized citywide Bible storytelling festivals; developed community conversations on revitalizing the city; and established a community chorus, with the result of being discovered online and invited to sing at New York's Carnegie Hall. She holds a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Seminary. To learn more, please visit General Inquiries: LAVIDGE – Phoenix Taylor Moralez tmoralez@ Media Contact Taylor Moralez, LAVIDGE, 4803066597, tmoralez@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Author Ginger Hertenstein
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
AI Boom Exposes Power Crisis in Data Centers: ScaleFlux Offers a Smarter Way to Scale
AI's explosive growth is putting pressure on data centers to deliver higher performance without exceeding power and space limits. ScaleFlux addresses this with its FX5016 SSD controller and CSD5000 drives—designed to boost efficiency, capacity, and endurance for modern workloads. MILPITAS, Calif., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Data infrastructure is under siege. With AI workloads exploding, data center energy consumption in the U.S. has surged past 176 terawatt-hours—accounting for 4.4% of total national consumption. (1) While companies race to meet demanding performance Service Level Agreements (SLAs)—especially in generative AI and edge deployments— they're hitting hard limits in power, space, and costs. The challenge isn't just to scale—it's to scale smarter. ScaleFlux, a leading innovator in the storage and memory industry, is answering these challenges with a new generation of solutions built around its flagship FX5016 NVMe SSD controller—the "brains" behind the company's CSD5000 series and a foundational platform for custom SSDs from ecosystem partners. "Modern infrastructure can't rely on brute force alone," said JB Baker, VP of Product at ScaleFlux. "AI workloads are exposing serious inefficiencies across storage and compute. Our job is to eliminate those friction points—through smarter chips, scalable platforms, and sustainable design." The Challenge Behind the Boom The AI-as-a-service and ML boom is fueling hyperscale deployments. GenAI workloads demand exponentially more compute and storage, often generating up to 33x more energy than traditional applications. (2) As these systems move toward edge deployments and distributed compute, legacy SSDs are becoming a bottleneck: unable to deliver the performance, density, or endurance needed to keep up. GPUs sit idle. Precious energy gets wasted. Sustainability targets fall further out of reach. ScaleFlux's answer is the FX5016—a powerful, next-generation controller that makes SSDs faster, smarter, and more efficient. Built for PCIe Gen 5.0, the FX5016 is designed to handle the demands of today's AI and data-heavy workloads without overloading systems or driving up costs. By automatically compressing and managing data inside the chip, the FX5016 significantly increases storage capacity and drive lifespan—all while reducing power usage and eliminating unnecessary delays. (3) Best of all, it works seamlessly out of the box—no custom software or complex setup required. "It's about smarter utilization," Baker explained. "We designed FX5016 to give SSD and system designers a platform that simplifies integration, cuts total cost of ownership, and unlocks real performance gains—without adding complexity." CSD5000: Ready for What's Next The FX5016 powers the ScaleFlux CSD5000, a series of high-performance and high-capacity NVMe SSDs designed for AI, cloud-native, and data-intensive workloads. With storage options up to 256TB per drive and blazing-fast speeds, the CSD5000 goes beyond traditional SSDs—offering up to 4x better performance per watt and 6x the endurance. (4) What makes the CSD5000 stand out? Massive Storage: Up to 256TB of data storage, available in a wide range of industry-standard form factors. High-Speed Performance: Delivers over 3 million read operations per second, and over 1 million writes with compression. Energy Efficient: Uses far less power to deliver top-tier performance—great for meeting ESG goals. Longer Lifespan: Built-in compression reduces wear and boosts usable capacity. Easy to Deploy: Works right out of the box with standard NVMe drivers—no extra software or integration needed. "Our goal is to redefine what's possible in SSD functionality," said Baker. "It's not just about speed—it's about giving infrastructure teams the tools they need to scale operations responsibly and effectively." More Than Drives: A Scalable Platform for the Industry ScaleFlux isn't just making high-performance SSDs—it's providing technology partners with the tools to build their own. With the FX5016 chip at the core, drive vendors, OEMs and hyperscalers can create custom SSDs that meet their specific needs—faster, more reliably, and without being tied to a single NAND vendor. (5) This flexibility helps partners bring new products to market quickly while reducing supply chain headaches. "With FX5016, we've made it possible for anyone to build smarter SSDs," said Baker. "Whether you're focused on storage capacity, durability, or energy savings, this chip helps you get more out of every drive." As infrastructure teams grapple with the realities of power limits, data sprawl, and AI acceleration, ScaleFlux is offering a new blueprint: smarter chips, simpler integration, and scalable performance across the stack. To learn how ScaleFlux is powering the next generation of AI and cloud infrastructure, visit About ScaleFlux In an era where data reigns supreme, ScaleFlux emerges as the vanguard of enterprise storage and memory technology, poised to redefine the landscape of the data infrastructure - from cloud to AI, enterprise, and edge computing. With a commitment to innovation, ScaleFlux introduces a revolutionary approach to storage and memory that seamlessly combines hardware and software, designed to unlock unprecedented performance, efficiency, security and scalability for data-intensive applications. As the world stands on the brink of a data explosion, ScaleFlux's cutting-edge technology offers a beacon of hope, promising not just to manage the deluge but to transform it into actionable insights and value, heralding a new dawn for businesses and data centers worldwide. For more details, visit References: Mytton, David. "Data Center Energy and AI in 2025." /dev/sustainability, 9 Feb. 2025, Kemene, Eleni, et al. "AI and Energy: Will AI Reduce Emissions or Increase Demand?" World Economic Forum, World Economic Forum, 22 July 2024, ScaleFlux. "FX5016 NVMe SSD Controller with Computational Storage Engines." 2025, ScaleFlux. "CSD5000: The Drive to Get Better Utilization, Efficiency and TCO out of Your Data Infrastructure." 2025, ScaleFlux. "FX5016." 2025, Media Inquiries: Karla Jo Helms JOTO PR™ 727-777-4619 Media Contact Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR™, 727-777-4629, khelms@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE ScaleFlux Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
UT Health San Antonio researchers discover new links between heart disease and dementia
Research led by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) has discovered new associations between various lipid, or fat, levels in the blood and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. SAN ANTONIO, May 30, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- People who are at higher risk for heart disease also seem more likely to develop dementia. And research led by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) has discovered new associations between various lipid, or fat, levels in the blood and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia worldwide. The findings mean that using blood lipid profiles could help better understand, predict and possibly even prevent the disease in the future. In more than 800 older adults who were part of the long-running Framingham Heart Study, the researchers found that higher levels of small dense cholesterol particles – which are known to increase the risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease – were associated with higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. However, higher levels of a marker for small fat-carrying particles, which are involved in the transport of dietary fats from the gut to other body tissues through the blood after eating, were associated with lower risk of developing the disease. Perhaps ironically, the researchers also discovered that individuals who had the lowest levels of highly dense cholesterol particles – often referred to as "good cholesterol" as it is considered protective against cardiovascular disease – had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to the rest of the included individuals. "These findings highlight the complex relationships of blood lipids with both heart and brain health, suggesting the possibility of certain blood lipids playing different roles in cardiovascular disease and dementia-related biological processes," said Sokratis Charisis, MD, a researcher with the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT Health San Antonio. Charisis is first author of the study published May 30 in the journal Neurology, titled, "Association of Blood Lipoprotein Levels With Incident Alzheimer's Disease in Community-Dwelling Individuals: The Framingham Heart Study." Other authors include corresponding author Sudha Seshadri, MD, director of the Biggs Institute, and researchers from Boston University School of Public Health, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the Framingham Heart Study. A community-based analysis The new study notes that dementia is a leading source of morbidity and mortality in the aging population. Worldwide, there were 57.4 million people living with dementia in 2019, a number that is expected to reach 152.8 million by 2050. However, there is a general trend over time of decreasing incidence of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias in the U.S. and other higher-income countries that is at least partially attributed to better management of cardiovascular risk factors. The Framingham Heart Study is an ongoing, community-based cohort study that was launched in 1948 in Framingham, Massachusetts. Residents there ages 30 to 59 were randomly selected from census data to participate. Those with definite signs of cardiovascular disease at baseline were excluded. Participants of the original cohort have undergone up to 32 examinations performed every two years, which have included detailed history-taking by a physician, a physical examination and lab testing. The latest analysis by researchers led by UT Health San Antonio included participants from the original cohort who were 60 years or older and free of dementia during an examination period of 1985-1988, and had available cognitive follow-up and lipoprotein marker data. Lipoproteins act as a transport system for lipids in the bloodstream. Blood lipid levels and dementia Levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), or good cholesterol; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or "bad cholesterol"; small dense LDL-C (sdLDL-C); and other lipoprotein types associated with heart disease were measured in blood samples obtained from the mid- to late-'80s examination period. The Framingham participants were watched for incident Alzheimer's disease, meaning a first diagnosis of the disease, until 2020. Of a total of 822 participants, 128 developed incident Alzheimer's disease. The researchers discovered that an increase of 1 standard deviation unit (SDU) of a concentration of small dense LDL-C (sdLDL-C), a value representing how far a specific data point deviates from the mean, was associated with a 21% increase in the risk for incident Alzheimer's disease. As the name implies, small dense LDL-C (sdLDL-C) is a type of the so-called bad cholesterol with smaller and denser particles than other low-density lipoproteins, and that is considered more likely to form plaque in arteries, strongly associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. A 1 SDU increase in a concentration of ApoB48, a lipoprotein that transports dietary fat from the intestines and into the bloodstream that also is tied to heart disease and cardiovascular problems, was found to be associated with a 22% decrease in the risk for incident Alzheimer's disease. Participants in the first quartile of HDL-C, or good cholesterol – in order of lesser amounts – were 44% less likely to develop Alzheimer's compared with those in the second, third and fourth quartiles. And those with small dense LDL-C concentrations below the median were 38% less likely to develop Alzheimer's compared with those with concentrations above the median. In summary, then, lower small-density bad cholesterol (sdLDL-C) concentrations and higher ApoB48 concentrations were associated with a lower Alzheimer's risk. And individuals with the lowest good cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations were less likely to develop Alzheimer's compared with the remaining sample. "These findings underscore links between lipoprotein metabolism pathways and Alzheimer's risk, emphasizing the potential role of blood lipoprotein markers in Alzheimer's risk stratification and of lipid modification strategies in dementia prevention," the researchers concluded. Association of Blood Lipoprotein Levels With Incident Alzheimer's Disease in Community-Dwelling Individuals: The Framingham Heart Study Sokratis Charisis, Sophia Lu, Jesus David Melgarejo, Claudia L. Satizabal, Ramachandran S. Vasan, Alexa S. Beiser, Sudha Seshadri First published: May 30, 2025, in the journal Neurology Link to full study: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio), a primary driver of San Antonio's $44.1 billion health care and biosciences sector, is the largest academic research institution in South Texas with an annual research portfolio of more than $436 million. Driving substantial economic impact with its six professional schools, a diverse workforce of more than 9,400, an annual expense budget of $1.67 billion and clinical practices that provide 2.5 million patient visits each year, UT Health San Antonio plans continued growth over the next five years and anticipates adding more than 1,500 higher-wage jobs to serve San Antonio, Bexar County and the South Texas region. To learn about the many ways "We make lives better®," visit The Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases is dedicated to providing comprehensive dementia care while advancing treatment through clinical trials and research. The Biggs Institute is a National Institute on Aging (NIA)-designated Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC). In addition to patient care and research, the Biggs Institute partners with the School of Nursing at UT Health Science Center San Antonio to offer the Caring for the Caregiver program. Stay connected with The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Media Contact Steven Lee, 2104503823, lees22@ View original content: SOURCE
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
California's Insurance Gap: Mercury Insurance Details What Homeowners Need to Know
Thousands of California Homeowners Are Underinsured LOS ANGELES, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The devastation caused by January's Pacific Palisades and Altadena wildfires served as powerful reminders of how crucial it is for homeowners to have adequate insurance coverage. In addition to the emotional toll of losing a home, the financial burden can be overwhelming — particularly for those who discover their coverage falls short. According to a recent report in the San Francisco Chronicle, a significant number of California policyholders are underinsured, meaning that they may not receive sufficient funds to rebuild a home comparable to the one they lost. Equally concerning is data from LendingTree, which reveals that of the nearly eight million residences in California, 806,600 are completely uninsured — that's 10.5% of all homeowners in the Golden State. And in some counties, such as Lake, Kings and Humboldt, for instance, the rate is even higher. "Being underinsured can turn a crisis into a financial disaster. Waiting until after a catastrophic event such as a wildfire to review your coverage is far too late," said Kelly Butler, VP and Chief Underwriting Officer at Mercury Insurance. "That's why it is essential to meet with your insurance agent at least once a year to ensure your policy reflects current replacement costs and risks." The issue of underinsurance in California is shaped by a combination of evolving market dynamics and environmental challenges. Rising construction costs, the growing threat of wildfires, and shifts in the insurance market all contribute to a complex landscape for homeowners and insurers alike. Here's a closer look at some of the key factors: Rising Insurance Costs: In wildfire prone areas, premiums have increased in response to heightened risk and construction/materials costs. This can place financial strain on homeowners, and these insureds are most likely to allow their coverage to lapse or to underinsure their properties to lower their premiums. Market Adjustments: Some insurance companies have scaled back their offerings in high-risk regions due to increased losses. As a result, some homeowners need to turn to alternatives such as the California FAIR Plan, which provides basic fire insurance coverage, when private options are unavailable. So, what was originally intended as a provider of last resort is now used by 4% of the state's homeowners, up 300% from 2018. Homeowners may need to supplement FAIR Plan policies with additional "wrap-around" policies for broader protection. Increased Wildfire Risk: The growing frequency and severity of wildfires in California have made it more difficult — and costlier — to insure homes in certain areas. This has impacted both insurance availability and affordability. Regulatory Constraints: Proposition 103, passed in 1988, requires insurers to base rates on historical losses. While designed to protect consumers by regulating how insurers set rates, it has also created challenges for insurers that need to adjust rates to account for evolving risks and rising rebuilding costs, which adds complexity to the current insurance landscape. Policy Type Matters: Understanding the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost policies is crucial. The former may not cover the full cost to rebuild, while the latter aims to replace what was lost in today's dollars, up to the policy's limits. What Can Homeowners Do? Reducing wildfire risk on your property remains one of the most effective strategies. Creating defensible space, hardening your home, and taking other fire-mitigation measures can help lower your insurance costs — and may even qualify you for discounts. But homeowners can't solve this issue alone. Broader efforts are also underway to improve the availability and affordability of insurance coverage in high-risk areas. "Fortunately, it's not all doom and gloom," added Butler. "The state is beginning to make meaningful changes. Last year, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara introduced California's Sustainable Insurance Strategy, which supports more accurate pricing in wildfire-prone areas and aims to expand coverage options for homeowners who need it most." By staying informed, proactive, and working closely with their insurance providers, California homeowners can better protect their properties and financial futures — even in the face of growing environmental risks. About Mercury Insurance Headquartered in Los Angeles, Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier offering personal auto, homeowners, and renters insurance directly to consumers and through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury also writes business owners, business auto, landlord, commercial multi-peril and mechanical protection insurance in various states. Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through nearly 4,100 employees and a network of more than 6,500 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has earned an "A" rating from A.M. Best, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company" designations from Forbes and For more information visit or follow the company on Twitter or Facebook. Contact: PCG – Shane Smith (424) 903-3665 (ssmith@ Media Contact Shane Smith, Mercury Insurance, (424) 903-3665, ssmith@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Mercury Insurance Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Madelyn S. Palmer marks her literary comeback with 'Nephi's Wife'
In her latest novel, author takes readers on a journey of love, identity, and survival through the eyes of a young woman in 600 B.C. Jerusalem LITTLETON, Colo. , May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In a historical fiction novel that shifts the narrative lens, author Madelyn S. Palmer invites readers to explore the nuanced experiences of women in scripture with her latest release, "Nephi's Wife" (published by Trafford Publishing). This compelling story life the journey of Didi, a spirited teenage girl caught in a whirlwind of love, faith, and self-discovery during a time of unprecedented change. Lehi and Ishmael's families flee 600 B.C. Jerusalem to escape political turmoil. While trying to survive living in the wilderness, their families experience romance and feud. At the heart of the story is Didi, the youngest of Ishmael's five daughters, with all the dreams and fears of adolescence. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she marries Nephi, the youngest son of Lehi. As the family struggles to survive and forge a new path, Didi must reconcile her love for Nephi with her desire to find deeper meaning in her life. Will her faith hold strong as she faces the hardships of nomadic life? Can young Didi help her husband keep the family together? "Nephi's Wife" weaves romance and adventure into a compelling tale that addresses real life issues through a perspective that is seldom explored in scripture stories. It touches on subjects of identity, the search for meaning and purpose, infertility, birth and death, family dynamics, and more. By sharing Didi's story, it is the author's hope for readers to develop a greater appreciation of historical figures and scriptural events. "Nephi's Wife" is available now in major retailers and may be purchased directly through Trafford Publishinig at "Nephi's Wife" By Madelyn S. Palmer Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 290 pages | ISBN 9781698717838 Softcover | 6 x 9in | 290 pages | ISBN 9781698717814 E-Book | 290 pages | ISBN 9781698717821 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Madelyn S. Palmer published a teen fiction series, "The Land of Sterling." She contributed two biographical sketches for "The Women of Faith in the Latter-days," volumes I and II. She is writing several historical fiction novels about individuals in the scriptures. A common theme in her writing focuses on journeys of self-discovery. Her books, "Elinore's Choice" and "Matthew's Redemption" received the Gold Seal of Literary Excellence. Meanwhile, "Amber's Dilemma" won the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award. Palmer is a family physician practicing in Littleton, Colorado. She is married, has four sons, and a beagle dog. Her other interests include gardening, sewing, karate, teaching Sunday school, and working with the women and youth in her church. For more information, please visit Trafford Publishing, an Author Solutions, LLC, author services imprint, was the first publisher in the world to offer an "on-demand publishing service," and has led the independent publishing revolution since its establishment in 1995. Trafford was also one of the earliest publishers to utilize the Internet for selling books. More than 10,000 authors from over 120 countries have utilized Trafford's experience for self publishing their books. For more information about Trafford Publishing, or to publish your book today, call 844-688-6899 or visit Media Contact Marketing Services, Trafford, 844-688-6899, authormarketingservices@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Trafford Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data