Latest news with #Ruotolo
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A 4-foot, 2-inch giant fights against NIH cuts that affect her
NEW YORK (PIX11) – In the past three months, the Trump administration has cut the National Institutes of Health's 60,000 research grants by about 800, and counting. While that represents just over one percent of all NIH research grants, the financial value of those grants far outweighs their number. Community CloseUp: We're in your neighborhood So far, more than $2.3 billion in research has been discontinued, or nearly 5% of the NIH's yearly research budget of $47 billion. The Trump administration this month also proposed slashing the NIH budget for next year by nearly half. This year, meanwhile, it's worth noting that nearly one-third of discontinued grants were for research being carried out in New York. One New Yorker who's taking an active stance to prevent further cuts points out that the value of the research goes far beyond each project's price tag. Lauren Ruotolo, 48, has been a direct recipient of NIH research, as well as a participant. 'I never thought that I was that different,' Ruotolo said in a recent interview at her apartment, with her Maltipoo, Dutchie, sitting beside her on the sofa. In many ways, Ruotolo isn't particularly different from any other author, content creator, public speaker or influencer. She did, however, talk about one way in which she stands out. 'I have McCune-Albright syndrome,' she said. 'It's a very rare disease.' The disease strongly affects bones as they grow, beginning at birth. It creates cysts on bones, which fill with blood. 'At the age of eight, I actually stopped growing,' said Ruotolo about the effect of her condition. That has not kept her from going anywhere or doing anything. Still, she said that she's fully aware of the challenges that she, and other people with disabilities, face. It's transformed her from being only a bone disease patient to also becoming an advocate for people with disabilities. She said that one issue in particular is front and center in her advocacy. 'America's crown jewel is biomedical research,' she said, as she pointed out that most of that research is funded by the NIH, which is the largest funder of biomedical research in the world. 'The amount of cuts that have been made is a significant issue,' said Ruotolo. 'At the end of the day, it affects patient care.' She speaks from personal experience. 'I go and I get poked and prodded in every single test that you can imagine,' she said, describing a process in which she's been involved for more than 15 years. Ruotolo has been one of a variety of patients in studies and treatment of her rare bone disease at NIH headquarters, in Maryland. She said that while it's extremely thorough and time-consuming, it's time well spent – all of the time. 'I got to meet children with [McCune-Albright Syndrome],' she said, 'and they got to see me, and I got to tell them that it's going to be okay,' among the many benefits she said that participating in NIH research on her condition has given her and others. However, during a recent visit to Capitol Hill to advocate for fellow differently-abled Americans, she said, one major development occurred which showed her how under attack many programs are. '[At] the agency at the NIH that my study is in,' Ruotolo said, '17% of the staff was cut that day.' It was part of an effort to cut up to 20,000 jobs ordered by Kennedy, whose department, HHS, oversees the NIH. In explaining the cuts recently, Kennedy said that the point of them is simple. 'We're eliminating redundancies,' he said. 'We're streamlining the agency.' Most of the grants HHS has cut are related to HIV / AIDS; transgender health; diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare; and COVID. Also, while more than two-thirds of the cuts are in states that voted blue in the 2024 election, red states are by no means immune, with the remaining one-third of the reductions. 'It seems like this is just the start,' said Noam Ross, executive director of rOpenSci, a data-science non-profit that has collected and analyzed details from scientists directly affected by the grants' cuts. 'This is going to have huge impacts in the long term,' Ross said about the reductions in research funding. 'These grants are planned out for years, and then can take five years, six years, seven years, to complete this research because it's difficult, complex scientific work.' 'And they can only do that [work],' he continued, 'if the government is going to make a commitment, and keep its promises.' When the Trump administration does not keep the promises that the federal government made to back research, Ross said, the result is something that affects patients like Ruotolo, as well as the rest of Americans who'll need high-quality healthcare at various points in their lives. Ruotolo, who describes herself as being no different than anyone else, is able to be no different – despite her rare disease – because of treatments and innovations made through the NIH. That point is not at all lost on Ruotolo. She said that it's motivated her to increase the number and frequency of her trips to Washington, D.C. to lobby legislators and policymakers, and to try to prevent more cuts. She said that she's also been speaking out on social media, and on other platforms, as well as writing letters and other content, about preserving and restoring NIH research. She's also encouraging as many people as possible to do the same. 'Because I don't want to just sit at home and be upset and be angry and scream at the TV or just scroll on Instagram,' Ruotolo said. 'I can't just sit down, and not do anything.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Winnipeg Free Press
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canadian Dante Leon goes after submission grappling world title in Bangkok
Seventeen years after being introduced to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Canadian Dante Leon goes after a world title Friday. The 29-year-old from Harrow, Ont., who now calls Toledo, Ohio, home, faces American champion Tye Ruotolo for the One Championship welterweight submission grappling title in the co-main event of One Fight Night 31 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. 'This is the most important match of my career … Achieving that title, achieving that status would definitely be a life-changing thing,' Leon said in an interview. The Muay Thai main event is an all-Thailand affair pitting Kongthoranee Sor Sommai against former One bantamweight champion Nong-O Hama. Leon and Ruotolo have met twice before, with Leon winning a decision in 2020 and Ruotolo winning by submission in the 2021 rematch. 'I think any insight from those matches should be kind of taken with a grain of salt,' said Leon. 'There's been quite a bit of time between the matches.' Both men have distinguished grappling records. The 22-year-old Ruotolo took up BJJ at the age of three with twin brother Kade, who holds One's lightweight (170-pound) submission grappling title. In 2019, 16-year-old Tye became the youngest athlete to make it to the semifinals of the prestigious ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) World Championship. In 2022, he became the youngest-ever IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) world champion. Leon is a two-time IBJJF no-gi world champion and was named Grappling Insider's Male Grappler of the Year in 2023. Last year at the ADCC World Championships, he defeated ADCC world champions Mica Galvao and Giancarlo Bodoni en route to bronze in the absolute (open) division. Leon won his One Championship debut on Dec. 6, making short work of Brazilian Bruno (Puccibull) Pucci on the undercard of One Fight Night 26: Lee vs. Rasulov. He earned a US$50,000 bonus for his performance. He then defeated Norway's Tommy Langaker via decision on Jan. 10, also in Bangkok. Leon has not competed since, focusing instead on preparing for Ruotolo. Ruotolo, who is coming off a knee injury that has sidelined him since July, has won all seven previous One Championship bouts. His bouts last an average of two minutes and one second. He claimed the 185-pound title in November 2023, winning a unanimous decision over Russia's Magomed Abdulkadirov. Ruotolo has defended the championship twice, submitting Australian Izaak Michell in April 2024 and earning a decision over South Africa's Jozef Chen in July. Ruotolo calls Leon a threat 'in every department.' One Championship submission grappling bouts consist of a single 10-minute round with victory achieved by a submission, verbal tapout, stoppage initiated by either the referee (due to imminent danger) or an athlete's cornerman stoppage. The judges decide the outcome if it goes the distance. In order to make prime time in North America, the card starts at 8 a.m. local time in Thailand with Leon expecting to compete around 11 a.m. He says that is not an issue given he normally trains around that time. Born in Harrow in southwestern Ontario, Leon grew up playing hockey but switched to BJJ at 12 years old at the behest of his mother after learning he wanted to spend less time on the ice. Leon turned down golf and piano lessons before his father suggested jiu-jitsu. His BJJ training eventually took him to Toledo where he now has his two gyms. 'Each day that I get to do it, each day that I get to wake up and train, prepare for competition, teach my students is a blessing,' he said of jiu-jitsu. 'I really do enjoy it.' During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. But he acknowledges it's a sport that takes its toll. 'Jiu-jitsu is not something that's great for your body health-wise,' he said. 'Especially at a high level when you train a lot, I think it's something that can really break your body down … My training has a lot of layers. There's a lot to do with the jiu-jitsu side and the wrestling, and the preparation for my skill development. 'And then there's also a lot of strength and conditioning and plyometric work that can kind of fill the gaps and strengthen me so that I can do jiu-jitsu more frequently and do it for a longer time.' — This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 30, 2025
Saudi Gazette
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
232 arrested as Europol dismantles four major drug smuggling networks
BRUSSELS — Authorities have dismantled four major criminal networks responsible for fuelling the flow of drugs into the European Union and Turkey, the EU's law enforcement agency Europol said in a statement. It follows a series of "coordinated raids" supported by the agency, which led to the arrest of 232 suspects, including several "high-value targets". Europol said the investigation, codenamed Operation Bulut, took place across multiple jurisdictions and involved authorities in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. The law enforcement agency said that the groups were arrested in connection with the seizure of at least 21 tonnes of drugs in Europe and Turkey, including 3.3 million MDMA tablets. Europol said the groups had used both traditional smuggling routes and sophisticated logistics. Investigators also reportedly exposed the groups' involvement in money laundering, violent crime and a wider network of organized criminal activity. Europol said that the use of "encrypted communication platforms" such as Sky ECC and ANOM had been a crucial tool in the operation. Over the past two years, Europol has played a key role in coordinating efforts across Europe to support investigations into these criminal networks, the agency said. By hosting high-level coordination meetings, Europol brought together all involved countries to develop a joint strategy, while intelligence shared through its channels helped map the networks' structure and identify links to other cases, it added. However, fighting drug trafficking networks in Europe is "a game of cat and mouse," according to Socialist Member of the European Parliament, Sandro Ruotolo. He was part of a parliamentary delegation that visited the ports of Antwerp in Belgium and Rotterdam in the Netherlands to assess measures to clamp down on the flow of drugs at two of the European Union's major entry points. The MEPs toured container terminals and met with local port authorities to receive briefings on how organized crime gangs conduct their drug smuggling operations. "We know the amount of drugs being seized, but how much is actually getting through?" Ruotolo asked, explaining that while scanners at the port of Rotterdam can detect cocaine hidden inside fruit, they are unable to spot it when it is concealed in fabrics. — Euronews
USA Today
18-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ahead of ONE 171, Kade Ruotolo says love of MMA has 'fully surpassed' jiu-jitsu
Just how much does decorated jiu-jitsu ace Kade Ruotolo love mixed martial arts? Well, for starters, he makes more money from competing on the mats than he does in the cage – but that hasn't stopped him from embracing getting punched in the face. 'Technically I still get paid more to do jiu-jitsu than I do to fight MMA, so for me, it's not even about as much the financials as it is I just love to fight,' Ruotolo told MMA Junkie Radio. '… When I get hit in the face, it wakes me up and makes me want it more.' Ruotolo, 22, is gearing up for his third ONE Championship MMA appearance this Thursday when he meets undefeated Argentinian veteran Nicolas Vigna (7-0) in a lightweight bout at ONE 171 from Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar. The bout will mark Ruotolo's third MMA fight since making his professional debut last June, with his first two ending in first-round submission wins. Ruotolo said he felt the nerves entering his debut at ONE 167, where he defeated Blake Cooper with a face crank. Ruotolo said he didn't feel those same nerves and was 'just confident and ready' before making Ahmed Mutjaba tap out to a brabo choke in his second MMA appearance at ONE 169. While it's easy for Ruotolo (2-0) to lean on his jiu-jitsu in the cage, he said he's enjoying the process of learning the intricacies of MMA – such as using strikes to set up his grappling. At this point so early in his MMA, Ruotolo said his love of MMA has 'fully surpassed' jiu-jitsu. 'Without a doubt,' Ruotolo said. 'I love jiu-jitsu, it's been my entire life pretty much, but this is something new, and it's just refreshing for me. … I'm learning so much, it's just refreshing to be a student of the game again. I'm still a student of the game in jiu-jitsu, of course, but even more so in MMA. It's just been super refreshing and motivating to keep learning everything. As far as my passion goes, it couldn't be too much higher. I'm extremely motivated, and I love this sport with my whole heart.'
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grappling ace Kade Ruotolo books third MMA fight at ONE 171
The MMA evolution of Kade Ruotolo will continue next month as ONE Championship has booked the grappling ace for his third fight. On Wednesday, a promotion official informed MMA Junkie that Ruotolo will compete in a lightweight bout against undefeated Nicolas Vigna on Feb. 20 at ONE 171 from Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar. Ruotolo, who just turned 22 earlier this month, has made his name on the mats as a ONE submission grappling champion. So far, his top-notch Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills have translated well to fighting with a 2-0 start as a professional. The Hawaiian made his debut last June at ONE 167 and submitted Blake Cooper in the first round for a Performance of the Night bonus. Ruotolo followed up five months later with a display of power and an even quicker first-round submission of Ahmed Mutjaba last November at ONE 169 for another Performance bonus. In Vigna, Ruotolo will face an undefeated 34-year-old Argentine fighter with a 7-0 record. All seven of his fights, which have taken place in Argentina, have ended with finishes, including four submissions. Vigna will be making his ONE debut against Ruotolo. Grappling star Kade Ruotolo finally figured out reason behind MMA pursuit Kade Ruotolo def. Blake Cooper at ONE Championship 167: Best photos This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Grappling ace Kade Ruotolo books third MMA fight at ONE 171
