Latest news with #TFA
Business Journals
4 days ago
- Health
- Business Journals
HCA Midwest Health unveils new non-invasive treatment for uterine fibroids
expand At some point in their lives, most women develop uterine fibroids, a common type of noncancerous tumor that can grow in and on the uterus. While small fibroids often don't need treatment, larger fibroids are treated with medications or surgery – up to significant procedures like hysterectomy. That is, until now. Women in the Kansas City region have a new, non-invasive breakthrough treatment for these non-cancerous tumors. HCA Midwest Health's Overland Park Regional Medical Center is the first hospital in the area to offer transcervical fibroid ablation (TFA), a surgical alternative with a shorter recovery time that leaves the uterus intact, unlike a hysterectomy. TFA, also known as the Sonata treatment, is an outpatient procedure performed without general anesthesia, using radiofrequency energy to locate fibroids and treat them from inside the uterus. 'Patients have been thrilled to hear there is an additional option for the treatment of their fibroids,' said Dr. Kimberly Swan, a board-certified OB-GYN with Kansas City Women's Clinic. 'They specifically appreciate Sonata, as it can address multiple fibroid symptoms with a short procedure and only a day or two of downtime.' The benefits of the incisionless procedure include less pain, less bleeding and faster recovery for patients, Swan said. The procedure itself can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the number and type of fibroids being treated, and recovery time is usually just one to two days. This new procedure is important, Swan said, because uterine fibroids are an incredibly common condition. 'Seventy to 80 percent of women will develop fibroids in their reproductive years, which can require the decision between long-term medical management or major surgery,' she said. 'Now, we can offer a permanent solution with a minor procedure.' Not all fibroids cause symptoms, but when they do, symptoms can include heavy menstrual bleeding, back pain, frequent urination and constipation. Any woman experiencing such symptoms should see a doctor, Swan said. Contact Kansas City Women's Clinic to learn more or make an appointment. Investing in health care advancements The new technology required to provide these ground-breaking TFA treatments is just the latest in several recent investments Overland Park Regional Medical Center has made in new technologies, equipment and facilities. Other recent renovations and expansions on its campus include: A $17 million Women's Services renovation that provided new, state-of-the-art antepartum, labor and delivery and postpartum suites. A new $5.9 million hybrid operating room to enhance surgeons' capabilities in treating complex neurological and vascular cases that allow for additional minimally invasive techniques. A new, 32-bed Orthopedic and Spine Specialty Unit focusing on post-op care for patients who undergo complex orthopedic and spine procedures. The unit also has comprehensive services, like the state-of-the-art therapy gym that will help improve patient outcomes. A $3.5 million renovation of the Cardiac Specialty Unit and the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, where highly specialized teams of cardiac experts provide care to post-operative and critically ill patients with cardiac, thoracic and vascular issues. An investment of $2.5 million in its fourth DaVinci robotic surgery system, increasing its capacity to provide the latest in minimally invasive surgery options. The hospital is breaking ground soon on a significant expansion and renovation of its surgery department, encompassing 400,000 square feet of new space and upgrades to all its existing perioperative spaces, including pre-op, the post-anesthesia care unit, its operating rooms, sterile processing and endoscopy. expand BDPruitt 'The greater Overland Park community continues to grow, and we need to grow our hospital to ensure we're continuing to meet the community's needs,' said Matt Sogard, Overland Park Regional CEO. 'That means not only investing in the latest equipment, providing cutting-edge treatments and expanding and upgrading our facility – it also means continuing to recruit the best physicians, nurses and support staff to provide that needed care.' expand One of Kansas City's premier healthcare providers, HCA Midwest Health is comprised of seven hospitals and dozens of physician practices, surgery centers and more, including Research Medical Center, Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center, Lee's Summit Medical Center and Belton Regional Medical Center. Visit for more.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers make shocking discovery about hidden health threat lurking inside wine bottles: 'Very difficult to assess'
Forever chemicals are lurking all around, whether it's in drinking water or common household items such as children's toys. Now, European scientists have discovered them in wine. Levels of trifluoroacetic acid, a degradation product of PFAS, have risen "alarmingly" in European wines in recent decades, according to researchers with the Pesticide Action Network Europe. According to The Guardian's summary of the results, the group tested 49 bottles of commercial wine, finding that those produced before 1988 had no traces of TFA but those from after 2010 showed a steep rise in contamination. Levels tended to be lower in organic wines and higher in varieties with the highest amounts of pesticide residue. Scientists believe the main sources of TFA to be fluorinated refrigerants known as F-gases and PFAS pesticides concentrated in agricultural soil, but there is scant data on formation rates for TFA precursor pesticides. "This makes it very difficult to assess how much TFA formation and emission potential agricultural soils currently have, as accumulated pesticides can degrade and release TFA over time," study co-author Gabriel Sigmund told the publication. "So even if we completely stopped the use of these pesticides now, we have to expect a further increase in TFA concentrations in our water resources and elsewhere over the next years." Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a group of 15,000 compounds used in products including water-repellent clothing and nonstick cookware. They are also prevalent in drinking water supplies across the globe and popular foods such as rice, coffee, eggs, and seafood. One global study even found that about 31% of groundwater samples and about 16% of surface water samples contained high levels of PFAS despite not being located near any known contamination source. While researchers are still investigating the health impacts of these chemicals, they have been linked with decreased fertility, increased risk of cancer, and reduced ability of the body's immune system to fight infections, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Experts have not historically been worried by the potential health effects of TFA, but recent studies suggest that it could interfere with reproductive health, according to The Guardian, which added that the German chemical regulator recently proposed classifying the substance as toxic to reproduction. A number of governments across the globe have taken action to help reduce their citizens' PFAS exposure. For instance, PFOA was banned globally in 2020, and both the European Union and United States have made commitments to take action on PFAS contamination. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. In the U.S., New Hampshire has banned ski, board, and boat waxes containing these chemicals, and at least 29 states were likely to consider legislation to reduce PFAS exposure in 2025. It's impossible to avoid PFAS, but there are a few things you can do to limit your exposure. They include ditching nonstick cookware and limiting your purchases of stain- and water-resistant clothing. You can also look for PFAS-free brands. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Some farmers can apply for SFI funding, Defra confirms
SOME farmers locked out of SFI mid-application can now access funding, Defra confirms. Farmers who were locked out of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme despite being midway through an application will now be allowed to access support. Defra says those who saved their application but didn't submit within two months of the scheme's closure will be allowed to apply up to a maximum of £9,300 per application. It comes after the scheme was shut without any warning in March, sending shockwaves through the farming sector. Defra had said that 'SFI has reached its completion' so stopped accepting new applications with immediate effect, with a revised scheme to follow. With talk of a potential legal challenge to the lack of notice, the government now says the thousands of affected farmers will be supported. Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said he is 'addressing the situation and have remade the decision to close the SFI 2024 scheme to new applications, without notice, on March 11'. TFA Chief Executive, George Dunn, while welcoming the relaxation said it was not perfect and would not help everyone. Country Land and Business Association (CLA) President Victoria Vyvyan said it was a 'limited' amount of money, but it did take a 'bit of the sting out of the suddenness of the closure'. NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: 'The government's abrupt and wholly unacceptable decision to close the scheme was always wrong. While it's good to see an acknowledgement that the decision to close the scheme was flawed, we are disappointed by the constraints imposed which will still leave many farmers unfairly disadvantaged. 'This is a really critical time for the farming industry, and while today's announcement falls short of what our members deserve, this issue highlights the NFU at its very best, working with its members to stand up for what we believe is right.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion: Teach For America Should Embrace Apprenticeship Model Amid AmeriCorps Cuts
Teach For America (TFA) has long worked to bring talented individuals into classrooms across the country, particularly in schools facing persistent staffing shortages. But with recent cuts to AmeriCorps funding — a key funding source which supports TFA corps members —TFA must consider new, sustainable approaches to preparing future teachers. As the saying goes: never let a crisis go to waste. These cuts present a chance for TFA not only to address its funding structure, but also to rethink how it prepares the young people it recruits. Now is the right time to evolve the model in ways that improve both financial sustainability and teacher readiness. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter I say this not as an outsider, but as someone who went through the program. I'm a Teach for America alum, and like many of my peers, I entered the classroom deeply committed — but not fully prepared. I cared about my students, I believed in the mission, but I didn't have enough time, training, or support to meet the demands of the job on day one. That experience has stayed with me and shaped my thinking about what future corps members need. One powerful way forward for TFA? Become a registered apprenticeship program. Registered apprenticeships are gaining traction as a practical solution to the national teacher shortage. These programs allow individuals to earn while they learn, combining paid, on-the-job experience with structured training and support. For TFA, integrating into this model could strengthen the quality of corps member preparation while opening up access to federal and state workforce funding. Related Rather than placing corps members into classrooms after only a few weeks of training, TFA could design a first-year experience as a paraprofessional apprenticeship. During this year, participants would work under the guidance of a certified teacher while gaining real-time experience and completing relevant coursework. The result: corps members who are more confident, capable, and better prepared to take on full teaching responsibilities in their second year and beyond. This would be a meaningful shift from the current model, which places new corps members in lead teaching roles almost immediately. But the whole point of an apprenticeship is that someone learns to do the job — they're not expected to fully do the job on day one. That's what separates this model from TFA and why it has become so attractive to states seeking to address both quality and pipeline issues. TFA could also offer an early admittance track. College seniors accepted into the corps could spend their final year of college working part-time as paraprofessionals in local schools. This would give them an earlier entry point into the profession while helping districts meet staffing needs and reducing the ramp-up time before full-time teaching begins. TFA has already laid the groundwork for the registered apprenticeship approach. In Memphis and Nashville, the organization operates as its own educator preparation provider (EPP), training corps members directly in alignment with its expectations and priorities. Expanding this model to additional states — particularly those supportive of registered apprenticeships — would give TFA greater control over training while accessing workforce dollars to support instruction, coaching, and operational costs. In states like Arkansas, TFA could consider a different kind of partnership. The Arkansas Department of Education has created its own EPP and is launching a K-12 special education teacher registered apprenticeship program. TFA could partner with such states to enroll corps members in high-quality, state-run programs at no cost. These arrangements would allow TFA to focus on recruitment, placement, and ongoing support while relying on the state's infrastructure for licensure and training. These strategies offer clear financial benefits. Apprenticeship funding can cover tuition, licensure costs, and other expenses currently borne by TFA or corps members. In a time of tightening budgets and rising preparation costs, these savings could help TFA maintain or expand its footprint without compromising on quality. It would also allow the organization to better support the people it recruits, many of whom want to become effective teachers but find themselves underprepared and overwhelmed. By investing in a more gradual and structured on-ramp into the profession, TFA can reduce burnout, improve retention, and ultimately deliver better results for students. TFA has always been known for innovation and responsiveness to the needs of schools. By embracing the registered apprenticeship model, it can meet this moment with a new strategy: one that addresses the funding crisis head-on while finally tackling long-standing concerns about corps member readiness. This is not about walking away from the core of what made TFA successful. It's about strengthening it. Apprenticeship offers a chance to double down on the mission by building a better bridge into teaching, honoring the complexity of the role and giving new educators the time, training, and support they deserve.
Associated Press
13-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
ATMOsphere Approves Natural Refrigerants Label for OLAB
The ATMO Approved label is a global gold standard highlighting best-in-class manufacturers and contractors of natural refrigerant systems and components. 'Being recognized as ATMO Approved is not just a milestone but a confirmation of our deep alignment with the values and goals promoted by ATMOsphere.'— Alberto Bottura, General Manager at OLAB. BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, May 13, 2025 / / -- ATMOsphere, a global market accelerator of clean cooling and heating solutions and publisher of has approved the ATMO Approved Natural Refrigerants Label for OLAB, an Italian manufacturer of components for CO2 (R744) refrigeration systems. 'What ATMOsphere advocates for globally, OLAB has already brought to life through a complete range of 100% PFAS [per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances]-free components specifically designed for CO2-based systems,' said Alberto Bottura, General Manager at OLAB. The ATMO Approved label, launched in June 2022, was created to offer a global benchmark for identifying leading manufacturers of natural refrigerant systems and components. In 2024, the label's scope expanded to include contractors and installers. In 2025, the model for the label was updated to quantify avoided TFA (trifluoroacetic acid) emissions thanks to an approved company's use of natural refrigerants. 'A satisfying partnership' Some of the most well-known manufacturers of transcritical CO2 refrigeration systems use OLAB's valves, including TEKO. Andreas Schmitt, Head of R&D at TEKO, said his company uses OLAB's series revolution flanged ball valve in its CO2 systems and that 'the specially designed valve saved more than two-thirds of the connections of the previous assembly.' 'All valves are tested 100% to meet the best reliability,' said Schmitt. 'We are looking forward to a satisfying partnership.' Pouya Yazdchi, Supply Chain Manager at Canadian CO2 heat pump and chiller manufacturer Vitalis, said the company's valves have 'consistently delivered the expected performance and efficiency.' Vitalis was acquired by the KKVB Group, the parent company of TEKO, in May 2024. 'They supported us with customized solutions that helped us meet our deadlines,' said Yazdchi. 'We are very happy with the level of support and commitment they provided.' Quantifying PFAS/TFA A notable addition to the 2025 label criteria is the focus on eliminating PFAS, which includes TFA, a byproduct of the atmospheric degradation of many HFO and HFC refrigerants. Recent research has deemed TFA a ' planetary boundary threat ' due to its potential risks to human and environmental health. 'The label criteria around PFAS acknowledges what companies are doing to ensure they are PFAS-free,' said Marc Chasserot, CEO and Founder of ATMOsphere. 'ATMO Approved companies have the vision and leadership required to navigate the market today and help [organizations] move away from PFAS and global-warming synthetic alternatives.' While the majority of PFAS in heating and cooling equipment comes from the refrigerant, the gaskets, seals and O-rings used in components also contain PFAS. OLAB is taking steps to eliminate PFAS from its products, announcing in October 2024 at Chillventa that the 'majority' of its CO2 components would use EPDM (ethylene propylene) O-rings to provide leak-proof sealings rather than gaskets made with fluorocarbons PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). 'At OLAB, sustainability and innovation go hand in hand, and our journey is fully aligned with the movement toward a sustainable transition in the HVAC&R industry,' said Bottura. Best-in-class certification The ATMOsphere label is designed to help qualified manufacturers and contractors market products and services to new customers and regions in the natural refrigerants marketplace. Certified organizations can display the label on products, marketing materials, email signatures and trade show booths, boosting their visibility and helping end users identify best-in-class suppliers. To qualify, companies must demonstrate excellence across four pillars: ● Company vision – a commitment to natural refrigerants as a core business. ● Customer satisfaction – positive end-user testimonials confirming reliability and performance. ● Measurable impact – mitigation of CO2 and TFA emissions. ● Proactive training – investment in employee and stakeholder education. Additional information on the 2025 label and the registration form can be found on the ATMO Approved website. OLAB is the ninth company to be approved for the ATMO Approved label in 2025, following Nihon Netsugen Systems, Equans Kältetechnik, Refra, GTS, Fenagy, ENNS Industrial Refrigeration, Zudek and SURE Solutions. About OLAB OLAB S.r.l., situated in the heart of Italy at Torbole Casaglia, stands out prominently in the industrial landscape. Established in 1988 by entrepreneur Cesare Bottura, the company has always been a family business, led with passion and dedication by Cesare and his sons Olindo and Alberto. Today, OLAB symbolizes innovation and the ability to make significant strides in the essential sector of sustainable CO₂ industrial, commercial, transport, and civil refrigeration. Every component is designed and produced entirely in-house with a sustainable process certified DEKRA 14001. About ATMOsphere For the past 20 years, market accelerator ATMOsphere (formerly shecco) has been active in helping bring climate-friendly technologies faster to market. ATMOsphere supports over 100 partners worldwide in the HVAC&R sector, where the focus is on sustainable refrigeration, heating and cooling technologies using natural refrigerants. Marc Chasserot ATMOsphere [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn YouTube X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
