Latest news with #UniversityofPittsburgh
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Rookie WR Konata Mumpfield might be the Rams' next draft gem
Mumpfield is impressing people in camp, including Davante Adams and Mike LaFleur It was getting late in the draft when the Los Angeles Rams went on the clock for the last time at No. 242 overall. They hadn't yet grabbed a wide receiver and all of the top names were already off the board. But just before they went on the clock, they began looking at some of the available wideouts and Konata Mumpfield's name was there. Sean McVay and Les Snead flipped on Mumpfield's college tape from the University of Pittsburgh and didn't hesitate to put his name on the card. In that episode of 'Behind the Grind', we got to see McVay's reaction to watching Mumpfield, whom he may not have studied closely. He was genuinely impressed, saying unequivocally that he was the best receiver available. 'He's the best receiver. That's not close,' McVay said. 'He makes some impressive adjustments too, now. Can change his route tempo. This is impressive. I like the way he's wired, for sure. Mumpfield seems like a good pick in the seventh.' That was back in April and ever since the Rams drafted him, Mumpfield has steadily improved. He's been flashing in training camp, even getting opportunities with the first-team offense. That's no small feat, especially on a team with Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington. Mumpfield's play has been so impressive that Adams raved about him in a recent press conference. It makes Adams feel like a 'proud dad' watching him make plays and 'kill some of (the Rams') better corners' in practice. "I've seen stuff from even Konata since he's been out here that's opened my eyes, not necessarily like, 'Oh my God, I've never seen that', but it's him changing up his pace and working through some things, seeing some of the errors and the trial and error I guess I could say," Adams said. "Even over the course of three practice days, how he can transform and go and kill some of our better corners on some amazing routes. It's fun for me just watching the growth of him, talking through it, seeing somebody fail, doing something a certain way and then going out there and knocking it out of the park. I feel like a proud dad watching him out there.' That was on Saturday before the pads even came on in practice. Following Wednesday's walk-through, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur had similarly glowing things to say about the rookie receiver. Mumpfield's maturity, knowledge and attention to detail have caught the attention of LaFleur. 'He just understands football,' LaFleur said Wednesday. 'He understands stems. He understands angles. He has a great feel for space and a knack for space. His route tempo changes. He's catching the ball great. He's fearless in terms of going over the middle and stuff like that. Obviously, that'll have to come to fruition when we get into real games when safeties and linebackers can actually light you up and stuff like that. I think from his college film and what I've seen from his demeanor, I don't think that's going to be a problem. Most importantly, he's just fitting in with guys. He's a very mature rookie. I am really excited about Mump.' It sounds similar to when Nacua came into the league and had an immediate impact as the Rams' top receiver in 2023. He was a smart and physical rookie who played without fear – and still does in Year 3. And like Nacua, Mumpfield didn't wow anyone with his pre-draft testing. At 5-foot-11 and 186 pounds, Mumpfield only ran a 4.59 in the 40-yard dash, which was the fourth-slowest time of any wide receiver in attendance. Like Nacua and Cooper Kupp before him, Mumpfield doesn't win with speed. He's a crafty route-runner and smart player who pays attention to the little things, similar to the way Adams does with his routes. Those traits made Kupp and Nacua draft gems for the Rams, and Mumpfield might just be next in line as the Rams' latest find.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
More than 22million Americans suffering from ADHD have higher risk of developing deadly brain disease
The 22million Americans with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder could be more likely to develop early-onset dementia, a preliminary study suggests. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh analyzed health records from people diagnosed with ADHD as children in the 1980s and 90s. These patients were then followed into adulthood and are now in their 40s. They found adults living with ADHD scored worse on cognitive tests looking at executive function, complex tasks, word recall and working memory. These patients also had higher levels of toxic proteins directly shown to cause Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia that affects 7million Americans. The researchers said the findings of the study, which is still recruiting for larger experiments, are particularly noteworthy because participants were all under 50, suggesting early-onset disease. While they are unsure what exactly causes the elevated risks, the team suggests it could be due to individuals with ADHD having less brain capacity for age-related degeneration. They also pointed toward issues like diabetes and obesity, dementia risk factors, being more prevalent in ADHD populations. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects focus, impulse control, and energy levels. The CDC estimates one in 10 children in the US have been diagnosed with the condition, totaling about 7million, according to the latest data available. About 15.5million adults have the disorder. The researchers recruited 25 people who were originally part of the Pittsburgh ADHD Longitudinal Study (PALS) at the University of Pittsburgh between 1987 and 1996. Children were observed during an eight-week summer camp and diagnosed with ADHD. All of them were then followed into adulthood. The average participant age is 44 and eight in 10 are men. Participants were given blood tests to detect amyloid and tau, toxic proteins that accumulate in the brain and form plaques, destroying brain cells and causing dementia. The blood tests also measured inflammation and signs of cardiovascular disease, which can damage blood vessels and block blood flow. The researchers found participants with ADHD scored lower on tests measuring executive function and processing speed, which are how the brain handles problem solving and how quickly it takes in information. They also scored worse on working memory tests and recalled fewer words than people without ADHD. Most surprising to the researchers was higher levels of dementia-causing proteins in blood samples from ADHD patients, suggesting early signs of Alzheimer's disease. Dr Brooke Molina, study author and director of the Youth and Family Research Program at the University of Pittsburgh, said during a conference presentation: 'We found bigger differences than we expected to see at this age. Remember, the mean age is 44 and it's a fairly tight age range. These are all individuals in their early to mid 40s. 'We are seeing elevate Alzheimer's disease risk. What's going to happen with that as they age?' While it's unclear exactly why people with ADHD are at a greater risk of dementia, researchers suggest it could be because these individuals have a diminished 'brain reserve.' This means their brain's capacity to compensate for age-related changes or neurodegenerative processes is diminished, making them more vulnerable to dementia. Dr Molina also noted people with ADHD are at a higher risk of vascular conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity due to stimulant medications and a greater chance of unhealthy lifestyle factors. The experts are still recruiting for larger scale research, as the small sample size was the study's main limitation. Dr Molina said: 'There is lots more that we can do once we finish collecting the data.'
Observer
3 days ago
- Health
- Observer
A pill for sleep apnea could be on the horizon
Tens of millions of people in the United States struggle with obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that occurs when the throat muscles narrow during sleep, leading to temporary pauses in breathing that can cause people to snore and jolt awake, gasping for air. Poor sleep can leave people feeling exhausted, irritable and unfocused during the day. And if left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk for serious conditions such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, heart attack and stroke. For decades, the primary treatment for sleep apnea has been continuous positive airway pressure (or CPAP). Before bed, those with the condition put on a face mask that is connected to a CPAP machine, which keeps the airway open by forcing air into it. The machines are effective, but many find them so noisy, cumbersome or uncomfortable that they end up abandoning them. Now, a more appealing option may be on the way, according to a news release from Apnimed, a pharmaceutical company focused on treating sleep apnea. Last week, the company announced a second round of positive Phase 3 clinical trial results for a first-of-its-kind pill that can be taken just before bedtime to help keep a person's airway open. The full results have not yet been released or published in a peer-reviewed journal. But the findings build on past, similarly positive conclusions from trials and studies. Sleep experts say that what they're seeing in reports so far makes them think the pill could be a game changer. Dr. Phyllis Zee, a sleep doctor and researcher at Northwestern Medicine who was not involved with the trial, said that if approved, the drug could transform the lives of many. That includes not only those who can't tolerate CPAP machines, but also those who can't — or prefer not to — use other interventions, such as other types of oral devices or weight loss medications. (Excess weight is a risk factor for sleep apnea.) How does the new drug work? Dr. Sanjay R. Patel, a sleep researcher at the University of Pittsburgh who led the new trial, described trying to breathe through a constricted airway like slurping soda through a soggy paper straw. 'If that straw is really floppy, then when you suck, you suck the walls shut, and you can't get any of the soda,' he said. The new pill, called AD109, is a combination of atomoxetine and aroxybutynin, two drugs that tell your brain to keep the airway muscles activated throughout the night, leaving the breathing path clear. The drugs 'essentially trick those muscles into thinking they're awake,' said Dr. Daniel Combs, an associate professor of pediatrics and medicine at the University of Arizona, who was not involved with the trial but is studying a drug similar to AD109. The new trial included 660 adults with sleep apnea who either couldn't tolerate CPAP machines or refused to use them. According to Apnimed's news release, AD109 significantly reduced the average number of hourly breathing interruptions in participants who took the pill, compared with those given a placebo. Some participants who took the pill did report side effects, including dry mouth and insomnia, said Dr. Larry Miller, chief executive of Apnimed. But the company has not published detailed data about those side effects. According to Miller, just 3% of the patients who took AD109 found the insomnia significant enough to stop taking the drug. (BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.) Dr. Sairam Parthasarathy, a sleep researcher at the University of Arizona who was not involved with the trial, said it would be helpful to review the full data on the side effects, as well as other evidence on how well the drug works in people with chronic conditions such as heart disease or severe obesity. (People with sleep apnea often have these conditions at the same time.) It's unclear how much the drug will cost and whether insurers will cover it. Some researchers also wondered whether the drug would improve daytime fatigue and mood. Even so, it could be 'a big deal for patients,' Parthasarathy said. Many people with sleep apnea are so averse to using CPAP machines that they don't seek treatment. He said he would prescribe the drug based on the results of this trial and others. (END OPTIONAL TRIM.) Apnimed plans to share the complete data, including how well the pill reduced snoring, in October, Miller said. He added that the company intended to seek approval from the Food and Drug Administration in early 2026. Miller said he was optimistic that the clinical trial results would support an FDA approval, but if or when that might happen is unclear, especially given recent changes at the agency. Could the pill replace other sleep apnea treatments? When used properly, CPAP machines are currently the most effective option for treating sleep apnea. And many people become acclimated to them, especially after the devices start improving their sleep quality. But for those resistant to using the devices, the pill could be an effective alternative. Ultimately, the more treatment options, the better, said Zee. Whether you use a CPAP machine, a pill or something else, treating sleep apnea can improve 'just about everything,' Combs said. One of his favorite studies, he said, was a small one from 2013 that found that golfers who treated their sleep apnea with a CPAP machine tended to perform better at the game — the implication being that they were more rested. 'It makes a huge difference,' Combs said. This article originally appeared in
CBS News
24-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Pitt's dining hall recognized as best in country
The University of Pittsburgh's dining hall was recently recognized as the best in the nation. Pitt's The Eatery won the National Association of College & University Food Service's Loyal E. Horton Dining Award for best residential dining facility of the year. The association says the awards recognize "operational excellence and innovation in dining." According to The Eatery's submission, the dining hall has 10 distinct concepts, from Latin American to Asian to comfort food. The menus change for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Eatery was up against several other candidates. The University of Alabama came in second and Carleton University came in third. "These awards celebrate the people and programs shaping the future of collegiate dining," NACUFS president and CEO Robert Nelson said in a press release. "From sustainability to nutrition to innovation, our members are building stronger, more responsive foodservice communities that reflect the evolving needs of today's students." Cal Poly, Boston College, Brigham Young University - Hawaii, Duke University, University of Florida, University of Texas and Washington and Lee University also won Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards. The University of Maryland and University of North Carolina - Charlotte won awards for nutrition and the University of Vermont and Georgia State University won awards for sustainability.
Business Insider
23-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Millions of Americans could pay up to $1,247 more for Affordable Care Act health insurance next year
Middle-class Americans have a new cost to worry about next year: Pricier health insurance premiums. A Biden-era policy expanding eligibility for Affordable Care Act subsidies is set to expire at the end of this year, and there doesn't seem to be much legislative appetite to extend it. Without those subsidies, out-of-pocket premium costs are set to go up by an average of 75% — imposing another financial burden on Americans and potentially leading to some opting out of coverage altogether. For some Americans, that could mean a $1,000 or more a year increase in health insurance. An analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that the enhanced ACA subsidies reduced net premium costs by 44% in 2024, with 93% of those enrolled in the marketplace receiving some form of premium tax credits. In 2024, around 19.3 million Americans enrolled in the marketplace received premium tax credits — the subsidy beefed up by both the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act. How much enrollees received depended on their income and the initial costs of their local plans. Miranda Yaver, an assistant professor of health policy and management at the University of Pittsburgh and a healthcare fellow at the left-leaning Roosevelt Institute, said that the enhanced subsidies were a "game changer" for Americans who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but still may struggle to make ends meet. Business Insider has reported on these workers, known as ALICE or asset-limited, income-constrained, employed. They make too much to qualify for robust assistance, but still struggle to pay their bills. "If you're piecing together some better-than-minimum-wage jobs, but still hourly jobs, this means that health insurance becomes much more accessible, and that means that you can get the care you need and not have to fear as much about getting sick," Yaver said. Subsidies expanded who was eligible for ACA health insurance Some GOP legislators have argued that the policy expanded ACA eligibility too much and offered relief to higher earners while remaining costly to the country. A CBO projection found that making the policy permanent would increase the deficit by $335 billion over the next decade and reduce revenues by $60 billion. "It is particularly concerning that, by removing the income eligibility limit, some of our nation's highest earners are now eligible for government assistance," Reps. Jason Smith and Jodey Arrington, who respectively chair the House Ways and Means Committee and House Budget Committee, wrote in a 2024 letter. "In certain areas of the country, a family making as much as $599,000 in 2023 could qualify for taxpayer-funded subsidies." Before the subsidies, only Americans earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty line qualified, or between $15,650 and $62,600 based on the current cutoff for a single American. That 400% limit was expanded under the new structure, meaning that some Americans with ACA coverage were newly eligible to have some premium relief, especially older beneficiaries. Those who made above the 400% line, but were spending over 8.5% of their household income on premiums, became eligible for subsidies. Christen Young, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution's Center on Health Policy, said that those newly eligible Americans saw savings of around $10,000 to $15,000 a year on their premiums. "Those are the people who are facing particularly large increases in premiums when these enhancements expire," Young said. A 2024 KFF analysis found, for instance, that Americans making $40,000, or 266% of the federal poverty line, could see their annual premiums increase by $1,247 annually. "If you take a single parent of one child earning $50,000 a year, that family is saving about $1,700 because of the enhanced premiums. They're going to see their premium increase by about 80% next year when the subsidy enhancements go away," Young said. "A family of four with a household income of $130,000, they're saving $8,000 a year with these enhancements, and they'll see their yearly premium increase by about 60 to 70% next year." When health insurance costs go up, healthy young people tend to drop coverage With the expiration looming at the end of the year and premiums expected to rise, many younger and healthier Americans may decide to opt out of coverage. This could, in turn, raise costs even more for those who remain on ACA plans. Without that younger and healthier group, it becomes more expensive to insure the remaining Americans, and costs go up across the board. "It's insurance companies correcting for the fact that the people who are going to be enrolled in their plans will probably not be as healthy," Yaver said. A projection from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that should the measures lapse, 4.2 million more Americans would be uninsured by 2034. "One of the things that is really critical to health insurance is being able to essentially spread the risk of insuring people so that we can essentially bring younger and healthier people into the insured population," Yaver said. There is a possibility that Congress could step in and extend the subsidies, although that looks unlikely, as it would have to have bipartisan approval. The potential end of the subsidies also comes as Americans face a mixed economy: The labor market is seeing shifts, but still chugging along. Inflation is creeping higher, and consumer sentiment is looking dreary — albeit not as low as it has been. "The average American would have a very difficult time accommodating an unexpected $1,000 expense. That could be a medical, dental expense, home repair, car repair, you name it," Yaver said. "It's very easy to end up spending a thousand dollars in the American healthcare system."
