Latest news with #fiber
Associated Press
11 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Nokia selected by City of Elberton to modernize broadband network and move from cable to 25G future
Press Release Nokia selected by City of Elberton to modernize broadband network and move from cable to 25G future 3 June 2025 Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced that the City of Elberton, located in Northeastern Georgia, selected its fiber and IP solutions to power its advanced broadband network serving more than 10,000 households. Working with ZCorum, the city will deploy Nokia's next-generation fiber solutions and core IP routing technology as part of a broader modernization initiative that will replace its aging hybrid fiber-coaxial network. Capable of delivering multi-gigabit internet speeds, the new, future-proof, all-fiber network reflects the city's bold commitment to deliver faster, scalable, more reliable broadband services to its residents and local businesses. Nokia's fiber and IP technology will power Elberton's new broadband network which will bring carrier-grade performance to the community. Leveraging Nokia's fiber solution, Elberton can quickly establish a future-ready network that's capable of addressing the growing demand for more capacity and enhanced broadband services. Designed to support a full range of PON technologies from XGS and 25G to 50G PON and beyond, Nokia's solution gives Elberton the choice and flexibility to optimize its network to its specific business case and needs. Nokia's MoCA Access solution will also be used to help ensure high-speed access is available in buildings that can't be fiberized while its IP/MPLS routing solution establishes a scalable, reliable backbone infrastructure that's capable of supporting the city's growing broadband demands. ZCorum, a long-standing Nokia partner with deep operational and integration expertise, will supply, install and configure the technology on-site. ZCorum will also provide ongoing technical and operational support, ensuring a smooth rollout and sustained network performance. ZCorum has been providing managed broadband services and support to the City of Elberton since the municipality first launched cable modem service in 2001 and was instrumental in the city's decision to upgrade to fiber and their choice of technology. 'The City of Elberton is taking the right step by investing in a reliable, future-proof fiber network that has virtually no limits in terms of the bandwidth it can deliver to meet current or future demands,' said Mark Klimek, Vice President of Fixed Networks, Nokia. 'We're proud to work alongside Nokia in supporting Elberton's broadband evolution. Our mission is to make sure cities like Elberton aren't left behind in the digital economy, and this network will be a game-changer for the region,' said Julie Compann, President and CEO, ZCorum. 'The transformation of our city-wide network will provide enhanced connectivity that will open new doors to education, healthcare, remote work, and local innovation—marking a new digital chapter for Elberton,' said R. Daniel Graves, Mayor for the City of Elberton. Multimedia, technical information and related news Web Page: Accelerate into Gigabit with fiber Web Page: Gigabit Connect Web Page: IP Networks Product Page: Altiplano Access Controller Product Page: Lightspan MF fiber access nodes Product Page: Fiber ONTs About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation. With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future. About ZCorum ZCorum provides a suite of broadband diagnostics and managed services to cable companies, telephone companies, utilities, and municipalities. As broadband providers face greater complexity and competition, ZCorum continues to help operators increase operational efficiency and reduce costs, while improving subscriber experience. This is achieved through ZCorum's diagnostics solutions for DOCSIS, DSL and Fiber networks, plus managed services that include data and VoIP provisioning, residential and commercial VoIP service, branded email and Web hosting, along with 24x7 support for end-users. ZCorum is headquartered in Alpharetta, GA. For more information, please visit Media inquiries Nokia Press Office Email: [email protected] ZCorum Rick Yuzzi Phone: 678-507-5000 Email: [email protected] Follow us on social media LinkedInXInstagramFacebookYouTube
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Common food 95% of Americans don't get enough of lowers cancer risk
Nearly 100 percent of Americans don't eat enough fiber - but it turns out the humble carbohydrate might protect against cancer. Results from a new clinical trial showed that a high fiber plant-based diet improved people's risk factors for the blood cancer multiple myeloma, including body mass index (BMI), inflammation levels, gut microbiome, and insulin regulation. At the start of the study, high-fiber foods comprised just 20 percent of people's diets, but after 12 weeks of following the plant-based diet, that number jumped to 91 percent. 'With everything that patients cannot control during and before cancer treatment, studying diet provides an opportunity for patients to make a difference in their disease risk and the potential success of their treatment,' Dr Urvi A Shah, a multiple myeloma specialist at New York City 's Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, said. 'Our study shows the power of nutrition in the preventative setting and showcases the potential to give patients a sense of agency in their diagnosis.' Fiber is a key nutrient that supports digestion, helps regulate appetite, encourages weight loss, and reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. Yet a staggering 95 percent of Americans, both children and adults don't get enough of it. The average American gets just 16 grams of fiber per day, less than half of what the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend. The pilot study included 20 people with conditions like obesity and insulin resistance that make a multiple myeloma diagnosis more likely. They followed a high-fiber diet full of fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, whole grains, and beans for three months. They also had six months of nutrition counseling, and researchers followed their progress for a year. After three months on the diet, the median participants' BMI had decreased by seven percent, and this weight loss was sustained at one year. Disease progression slowed in two patients and remained stable in the others. Dr Shah said: 'Our study had diverse racial enrollment as well as a comprehensive dietary and biomarker evaluation. 'Our comprehensive analysis of improved immune and metabolic response suggests that a high-fiber plant-based diet can also reduce risk for cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and other metabolic conditions.' Soluble fibers, including oats, beans, and fruits, help lower 'bad' LDL cholesterol, while insoluble fibers aid in the movement of food through the digestive system, preventing constipation. This overlooked nutrient, often overshadowed by protein, is crucial for preventing a host of chronic diseases from obesity and diabetes to heart disease and high blood pressure. Francesca Castro, a clinical research dietitian at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, said: 'Eating more fiber can lower risk for many other conditions and can improve overall health, beyond just reducing cancer risk.' A 2015 study reported that people who ate the most fiber had a 16 percent lower risk of death from any cause compared to those who ate the least. For every extra 10 grams of fiber consumed daily, the risk dropped by another 10 percent. Eating fiber-rich foods helps balance blood sugar levels, slowing down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream to prevent blood sugar spikes. And a 2013 investigation into fiber's affects on heart disease, scientists found that eating more fiber was linked to a lower risk of heart disease and stroke, with each seven-gram daily increase reducing risk by about nine percent. Both insoluble fiber (found in whole grains and vegetables) and fiber from cereals and vegetables were tied to better heart health, while fruit fiber also helped lower cardiovascular risk. To boost fiber in the diet, the researchers suggest setting realistic daily goals and focusing on one meal at a time. Dietitians recommend starting with small steps, starting with lentils, black beans, other legumes. And adding whole grains (quinoa, oats), fiber-packed vegetables like spinach and broccoli, and fruits like berries and apples to hit your daily target. 'Think about what foods you can add or swap to increase fiber intake,' Castro said. 'It can be very simple like adding a piece of fruit at the end of a meal or swapping out a refined grain for a whole grain.' The team from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center will present their findings at the flagship meeting of the American Society for Nutrition on Monday.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Fusion Of 5G And Fiber Broadband: Building The Nervous System Of A New Digital Era
Abhishek Singh, Technology and Customer Business Executive at Amdocs, with 20+ years in IT, telecom, and network leadership. For years, 5G wireless and fiber broadband were treated as separate revolutions—each promising to transform industries in its own right. As I've watched the industry evolve, one thing has become clear: These two forces are converging into a single, dynamic foundation for the next digital era. We are not simply improving connectivity. We're laying down the nervous system of a new economy—one where speed, responsiveness and ubiquity become the baseline expectation. From what I've observed across multiple deployments and initiatives, the convergence of fiber and 5G is catalytic. Together, they're setting the stage for innovations we can barely imagine today. It's easy to think of 5G as a wireless marvel—fast, seamless, everywhere. Beneath the surface, however, every wireless experience relies on fiber. Fiber provides the high-capacity, low-latency backbone that 5G demands. Without dense fiber networks connecting small cells and towers, 5G would struggle to deliver the speed and reliability it's known for. This is true whether you're talking about high-band 5G lighting up city streets or low- and mid-band 5G covering rural areas. Wherever there's 5G, there's fiber doing the heavy lifting. Historically, fiber broadband and wireless networks grew up on separate paths. Broadband served homes and businesses. Wireless met the growing hunger for mobile data. As technology blurs the line between "fixed" and "mobile," building two separate infrastructures no longer makes sense. Today, forward-looking cities, carriers and enterprises are investing in integrated builds—laying fiber with future 5G expansion in mind. They're rethinking rights-of-way, small cell placement and access points to create networks that are not only faster but fundamentally more resilient. In my experience, the players who recognize this shift early—and design infrastructure with convergence at the core—will be the ones who lead. One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that this convergence only matters in major metros. In reality, rural and underserved areas stand to gain the most. Fiber alone can be expensive in low-density areas. Wireless alone can fall short without fiber-grade backhaul. Smart hybrid deployments of fiber-fed 5G can bridge the digital divide faster and more sustainably than ever before. This isn't just about faster internet. It's about enabling remote healthcare, precision agriculture, decentralized energy grids and new kinds of digital businesses in places that were previously left behind. When we think about converged infrastructure, it's easy to focus on today's benefits—better streaming, faster apps, smoother video calls. However, history shows us that the real breakthroughs come later. Just like 4G and broadband enabled the app economy, the fusion of fiber and 5G will be the launchpad for industries we can't fully predict yet—immersive AI-driven worlds, smart autonomous systems and real-time decentralized marketplaces, to name just a few. The most important lesson I've learned over 20 years in this industry is that infrastructure drives innovation. Build the right foundation, and extraordinary things follow. While the fusion of fiber broadband and 5G holds immense promise, several barriers could hinder its widespread adoption—especially across diverse geographies and economic landscapes. Deploying dense fiber networks to support small-cell 5G is capital-intensive and logistically complex, particularly in suburban and rural areas. The costs of trenching, permitting and last-mile connections can stall progress where it's needed most. Without broader public-private partnerships or policy support, equitable access remains a challenge. Many organizations still operate fiber and 5G infrastructures independently. This siloed approach increases complexity and limits agility. For the full benefits of convergence to be realized, service providers will need to modernize operations, unify platforms and adopt open, interoperable network architectures. As networks become more software-defined and distributed, the surface area for cyberthreats expands. A converged fiber-5G backbone must be built with embedded security—leveraging AI-based monitoring, zero-trust architectures and real-time anomaly detection. Energy usage from both high-capacity fiber and dense 5G deployments is a growing concern. Operators must balance performance with sustainability by optimizing power consumption and integrating greener infrastructure practices. To fully realize the value of fiber-fed 5G, the industry must take coordinated action by driving standardization, fostering cross-sector collaboration, advocating for supportive policy and designing networks with future connectivity demands in mind. These steps are crucial to ensure the benefits of this convergence are inclusive, resilient and scalable for years to come. Ultimately, the societies and companies that invest in converged fiber and 5G networks are betting on their future competitiveness. They're setting themselves up to lead whatever comes next. In a world where connectivity defines opportunity, infrastructure truly is destiny—and convergence is essential. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists discover food that flushes out cancer-causing forever chemicals
Eating more fiber might help flush out cancer-causing 'forever chemicals,' a study suggests. Researchers in Boston compared men who took a fiber supplement three times a day to those who had a rice-based supplement for four weeks. Blood tests revealed those who took beta-glucan fiber, found in mushrooms and oats, before every meal for four weeks had an eight percent reduction in 'forever chemicals.' Also known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), these toxic chemicals don't naturally break down in the environment. Instead, they leech from plastic containers and nonstick cookware into food and build up in vital organs, increasing the risk of organ failure, infertility and some forms of cancer. The researchers believe fiber helps filter out excess bile from the digestive tract, which PFAS latches on to to get absorbed by the bloodstream. While mountains of research has demonstrated the deadly effects of forever chemicals on the body, the new study is one of the first to offer a scientifically proven way to get rid of the toxins, which were thought to live in the body forever. But it comes as nine in 10 Americans don't consume enough fiber, raising their risk of other rising conditions like colon cancer. The researchers, from Boston University, wrote: 'Despite the growing concerns about the toxicity of PFAS, specific interventions to reduce PFAS levels in the body are limited.' The study, published in the journal Environmental Health in March, looked at 72 adult men ages 18 to 65 with detectable levels of PFAS in their blood. Of these, 42 consumed a one-gram supplement of oat beta-glucan, a type of fiber naturally found in oats, mushrooms and seeds, three times a day, about 10 minutes before a meal. The other 30 participants consumed a rice-based control supplement instead. Researchers collected blood samples from each participant before and after the four-week experiment. Each test looked for 17 forms of PFAS. At baseline, 70 percent of participants had 11 of 17 forms of PFAS in their blood, and five forms were in every participant's blood. The study found men who took the fiber supplement saw an eight percent decrease in perfluorooctanoate acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), which are considered two of the most dangerous forms of PFAS. PFOA and PFOS are synthetic chemicals used in firefighting foam, non-stick cookware and stain repellents to make them water and stain resistant. PFOA is considered a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), meaning it causes cancer in animals. PFOS, meanwhile, is a Group 2 carcinogen, suggesting it may cause cancer in animals. Both chemicals are also thought to to be endocrine-disrupting chemicals, meaning they imitate the body's hormones and interfere with the production of - and response to - natural hormones like estrogen and testosterone. This increases the risk of developing hormone-sensitive cancers like breast and ovarian cancer. The researchers believe dietary fiber forms a gel that stips cells lining the gut from absorbing PFAS. This is because that gel stops bile acids, which help break down fats, from being reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Instead, that excess bile gets excreted through feces. PFAS is thought to latch on to bile and travel through the gut, so fiber may help flush forever chemicals out of the body before they can linger and cause lasting damage. The researchers cautioned not all fiber gets rid of PFAS, and more research is needed to determine if other types have a similar effect. In addition to ridding the body of PFAS, fiber is also well known for adding weight to stools and making them easier to pass, reducing the risk of constipation and promoting regular bowel movements. Smoother stools spend less time lingering in the colon, reducing the risk of harmful contaminants causing inflammation and triggering cells to grow uncontrollably. This lowers the likelihood of developing colon cancer. However, 90 percent of Americans don't get the recommended 22 to 34 grams of fiber every day. There were several limitations to the new study, with the main one being that PFAS can live in the body for two to seven years, so a four-week experiment was not enough time to properly assess the relationship. The team also noted consuming higher levels of fiber may be necessary to reduce PFAS levels in the long term.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Why people on protein-heavy diets need to eat more of this nutrient
Americans can't seem to get enough protein. Typically the go-to fuel of bodybuilders and athletes, protein has become the wellness world's ultimate nutrient for weight loss, energy and muscle maintenance. Nutritionists and gastroenterologists warn that the more we load up on protein, another vital nutrient is being left behind: fiber. 'A lot of times when people are on a high-protein diet they're eliminating other sources of food,' said Christina Fasulo, a nutritionist in the department of digestive diseases at UCLA Health. 'Most people need to have a set amount of fiber in their diet, and a lot of that is getting displaced by a high-protein diet.' Dietary guidelines recommend 25 grams of fiber per day for women and 38 grams for men. Yet the average American consumes just 15 grams daily. Only 5% of men and 9% of women meet the recommended intake, according to recent estimates. And for protein diets that consist mostly of meat, it's even more important to balance with fiber to keep things moving. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body can't digest. It's commonly broken down into two categories, soluble and insoluble fiber. It's considered necessary for maintaining healthy bowel habits. It also helps control blood sugar by slowing the rate at which sugar gets absorbed from our food into the bloodstream. 'It prevents some of those spikes in our blood sugars that you see from our more simple sugars, which are digested much more quickly,' Fasulo said. Fiber is crucial for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and may lower rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes. A diet high in fiber has been linked to lower rates of colon cancer which might be because of an ability to bind to potential carcinogens, or cancer-causing agents, in our intestines and eliminate them, Fasulo said. Fiber's real power is connected to the gut microbiome, which needs the carbohydrate to flourish. The gut microbiome is the diverse community of trillions of microorganisms such as bacteria that live in the digestive tract, playing a vital role in digestion and immune function. When the microbiome is out of balance, called dysbiosis, it can include a lack of diversity of bacteria, too little beneficial bacteria or an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. Changes to the microbiome have been linked to a variety of chronic diseases including obesity and diabetes. In fact, recent research suggests that a toxin produced by certain harmful gut bacteria may be behind the rising incidence of colon cancer. Gut bacteria can ferment fiber, producing a molecule known as butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that is believed to have anti-cancer properties, including inhibiting tumorous cell growth and promoting death in cancerous cells, Fasulo said. 'If you don't have enough fiber in your diet, it's as if you're starving your microbiome,' said Dr. Rabia de Latour, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health. 'When you get a really nice, fiber-healthy meal, it's like you're giving them their Thanksgiving dinner,' she said. In other words, if gut bacteria doesn't have enough fiber to eat, it can create chronic problems in the microbiome. Fiber is also linked to lower rates of heart disease, possibly reducing the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed from our diets into our bloodstream. Experts say more research is needed, however. There are two types of fiber. Soluble fiber is found in foods such as seeds, beans and lentils. It attracts water and forms a gel in the digestive system. 'Soluble fiber is kind of like a sponge, where it's really slowing things down that are passing in our digestive tract,' said Fasulo. Insoluble fiber, found in vegetables and whole grains, doesn't dissolve in water and helps food move through the digestive system. Fasulo compares it to a street sweeper passing through our intestinal tract to help aid with constipation. 'Insoluble fibers in particular kind of mechanically stimulate the gut,' said Dr. Olufemi Kassim, a gastroenterologist at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. It's important to get a mixture of both types of fiber, she added, as they each provide their own set of benefits to digestion. However, some may want to consume more insoluble fiber depending on their symptoms. 'If you're someone who's more prone to having loose stools, you probably want to avoid the insoluble fibers,' which can aggravate symptoms, she said. 'Soluble fibers will be easier to tolerate.' Legumes, seeds and nuts are excellent sources of both fiber and protein. Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber. 'If you can hit 20 to 30 grams of fiber from food, that's ideal,' said Kassim. 'You're not just getting the benefit from fiber from eating an apple a day, but you're also getting all of the great micronutrients like vitamins.' Kassim includes at least one fiber-rich food in every meal. Some of her favorite sources of fiber are apples and spinach, both of which have 4 grams of fiber per serving, as well as popcorn, which has about 6 grams of fiber. In her own diet, de Latour places a strong emphasis on lentils. Lentils contain about 15 grams of protein and fiber each. Experts prefer getting the daily recommended fiber through food alone. But if that's a struggle, over-the-counter fiber supplements that include psyllium husk, inulin and methylcellulose can help. Methylcellulose is a soluble fiber that's not fermented so it doesn't cause as much gas and bloating as some other fiber supplements. Inulin is a type of soluble fiber that is naturally found in various plants like chicory root. Kassim, who treats patients with irritable bowel syndrome, often recommends methylcellulose as a supplement over the popular psyllium husk because people will be more likely to stick with it. Going beyond the recommended daily amount isn't seriously harmful but can lead to discomfort. Kassim said it's about listening to how your body reacts to more fiber. Don't increase fiber intake too quickly or you may get some unwanted side effects like bloating or excess gas. 'If you start to notice that you're feeling a little bit more gassy or you're going to the bathroom a little bit too much, then you can back off a little bit,' she said. Fasulo recommends a gradual increase of 3 to 5 grams per day until reaching the recommended daily amount. 'Slow, steady and hydrate,' she said. This article was originally published on
