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Irish Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Social media algorithms are encouraging anti-migrant violence, says campaign group
Social media algorithms have boosted videos of attacks on asylum seekers and encouraged far-right agitators to engage in increasingly violent behaviour, a report from an antiracism group said. The Hope and Courage Collective (HCC) said that in recent years the focus has been on homeless asylum seekers, who regularly faced threats and attacks on their tents. The trend has coincided with the increasing number of male asylum seekers being forced to sleep rough due to a lack of state accommodation since 2023. There have been many instances of anti-immigration figures filming homeless men in recent years, including physical attacks and the slashing of asylum seekers' tents, READ MORE 'Each post increases in reach, and the more the creator leans into hateful, dehumanising narratives the more attention the content receives. The pattern is unmistakable: hate fuels growth,' the report said. In a 'snapshot' study, the group documented one far-right agitator uploading multiple videos of homeless asylum seekers to TikTok over a 10-day period, which gained increasing numbers of views. This culminated in the asylum seekers being threatened with arson and the destruction of their tents. The three Somali asylum seekers were targeted as they stayed in tents in Herbert Park in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, last month . 'Between July 3rd and 13th we analysed and documented a campaign of harassment whose online presence and reach grew rapidly from a few thousand views to over 124,000. The user posted footage of men in tents, encouraging followers to identify locations. He eventually filmed himself slashing tents,' Niamh McDonald from the Hope and Courage Collective said. One incident was caught on video where a man can be heard saying: 'Get the f**k out now. I'll be back in 15 minutes and I am going to f**king burn them. I am going to ring fellas now and they are coming with dogs, dogs. You have 15 minutes to get the f**k out of here.' The antiracism campaign group said these tactics started in May 2023 after a group of homeless asylum seekers set up a camp in a laneway on Sandwith Street, Dublin city centre. Over five days the camp was repeatedly attacked, culminating in the tents being set on fire . Copycats soon began mirroring these tactics, particularly two new 'hate organisers' who began posting videos of homeless asylum seekers and racking up hundreds of thousands of views, the group said. 'Their tactics escalated over time as their videos featured explicit intimidation, verbal abuse and threats of violence towards men living in homeless encampments. They shared footage across TikTok, YouTube and X . The emotive content, shares, comments and likes grow their online audience,' it said. The same men have been involved in masked protests outside the homes of politicians, including the house of Simon Harris when he was taoiseach, and have been intimidating workers at sites they claimed were intended for international protection. Hope and Courage Collective said social media algorithms were 'one of the main causes in this escalation of violence' and it called for EU measures to combat systems which amplify violence and hatred. 'European Commissioner Michael McGrath has the opportunity to show brave political leadership and tackle online hate by turning off the harmful recommender system, a river of hate that promotes outrage and results in real world violence, as part of Europe's new Democracy Shield being developed right now,' Ms McDonald said.
Medscape
31-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
New Biomarker May Predict Advancement to HCC in HIV/HCV
Individuals living with both HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) who ultimately developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) showed greater suppression of plasma extracellular vesicles (pEVs) after HCV clearance than those who did not develop cancer, based on new data presented at the International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science. The study is important because of the persistent risk for HCC among individuals with advanced fibrosis who clear HCV with direct-acting antivirals, said Ariel Osegueda, MSc, a PhD candidate and biologist at the University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina, in an interview. pEVs are essential in immune modulation. Natural killer (NK) cells are essential for immune surveillance, particularly in targeting tumor cells, and CD107a (also known as lysosomal-associated membrane protein-1) is an indicator of cytotoxic activity. 'Understanding how natural killer cell function is modulated in this context may reveal mechanisms linked to that increased risk,' said Osegueda, who presented the findings at the meeting. The researchers collected plasma samples from 11 adults with advanced liver disease at baseline and after treatment with direct-acting antivirals. A total of five patients developed HCC after a median of 5.75 years after clearance. The researchers also assessed samples from six healthy control individuals. NK cell degranulation was assessed using flow cytometry. The pEV from individuals with advanced LF at baseline were significantly more suppressive than control individuals (0.71 vs 0.88; P = .023). By at least 1 year after direct-acting antiviral therapy, pEV in patients who developed HCC was significantly more suppressive than in those who did not develop HCC (0.75 vs 0.86; P = .008). In addition, the pEV among individuals who did not develop HCC was similar to control individuals, whereas pEV from those who ultimately developed HCC was more suppressive than control individuals ( P = .03). Overall, the presence of pEV from all study participants, including control individuals, reduced expression of NK CD107a expression compared to NK cells without pEV. NK suppression persisted over time in patients who developed HCC but decreased in those who did not. The researchers were particularly surprised by the persistent NK suppression seen in patients who developed HCC, Osegueda told Medscape Medical News . 'This suggests an early and lasting immune alteration not reversed by viral clearance,' she said. This study was limited by the small sample size, but there are implications for clinical practice, Osegueda said. 'Persistent NK dysfunction mediated by plasma extracellular vesicles could become a biomarker to identify patients at higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma after HCV cure,' she said. However, larger studies are needed to confirm these findings, characterize the pEV content, and explore whether modulating NK function can reduce HCC risk, Osegueda added. Foundation for Future Studies 'The risk of HCC remains elevated for patients living with HIV who have liver fibrosis despite HCV cure,' said David J. Cennimo, MD, associate professor of medicine and pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Disease at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, in an interview. In the current study, the researchers present early data that could help identify a risk factor for liver cancer, said Cennimo, who was not involved in the study. The study also sheds light on the impact of the immune system's surveillance in preventing cancer by closer examination of pEVs, he said. This study was funded by a grant from the National Agency for Research, Technological Development and Innovation (Argentina). The authors had no financial disclosures.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Espervita's EVT0185 Shows Dramatic Tumor Reduction and Immune Activation in Preclinical MASH-Driven Hepatocellular Carcinoma
ANN ARBOR, Mich., July 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Espervita Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing targeted metabolic reprogramming therapies, announced the publication in Nature featuring groundbreaking preclinical data for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with its lead drug candidate, EVT0185, a first-in-class liver and kidney targeted inhibitor of acetyl-CoA metabolic enzymes (ACLY, ACSS2, ACC). Over 80% of people with advanced HCC do not respond to immunotherapies due to a "cold" immune deficient tumor microenvironment. EVT0185 reverses this effect, making tumors "hot" and harnessing the body's immune system to attack and kill tumors more effectively than current standards of care. Unmet Need Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death globally. HCC, the most common form of liver cancer, is increasingly caused by the global rise in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). With current treatment options, five-year survival for advanced HCC is < 5% and the five-year recurrence rate for earlier-stage HCC following surgical resection or ablation is > 75%, with HCC being the only common cancer in the world with no approved adjuvant therapy. HCC is thus one of the highest priority unmet needs in oncology. Preclinical Efficacy in HCC Espervita Therapeutics evaluated the therapeutic potential of acetyl-CoA metabolic enzyme inhibition in MASH-HCC using EVT0185 across three preclinical models. Key findings from the studies: EVT0185 significantly reduced tumor burden in multiple preclinical models of MASH-HCC prevention and treatment, both as a monotherapy and in enhancing the effects of existing treatments, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immunotherapies. EVT0185 enhanced immune recognition of tumors by reprogramming the tumor microenvironment, increasing CXCL13 expression and B cell infiltration, and triggering strong anti-tumor responses. Through tissue-selective activation, EVT0185 minimized off-target effects and avoided immune cell suppression. "These findings illustrate how targeted metabolic reprogramming can counter the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and significantly reduce tumor burden in MASH-HCC," said Spencer Heaton M.D., CEO at Espervita Therapeutics. "They also highlight the potential of EVT0185 to redefine how we approach oncology immunotherapies." About Espervita Therapeutics Espervita Therapeutics is a privately held biotechnology company focused on the discovery of liver and kidney targeted metabolic reprogramming therapies in areas with significant unmet medical need. The company's lead compound, EVT0185, is a first-in-class triple inhibitor of acetyl-CoA metabolic enzymes (ACLY, ACSS2, ACC) that are responsible for the production and utilization of cytosolic acetyl-CoA. Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Espervita Therapeutics, Inc. Sign in to access your portfolio
Business News Wales
30-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
New HCC Scholar Seeks Practical Sustainability Solutions for Farmers in Wales
Ben Lloyd James, HCC Scholar 2025 A new entrant into the farming sector and agricultural consultant from Ceredigion has been announced as Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) Scholar for 2025. Ben Lloyd James from Abermeurig, Lampeter has been awarded the Scholarship to investigate practical solutions for reducing GHG emissions in pasture-based livestock systems in Wales. He said: 'The Welsh red meat sector is under increasing pressure to prove its environmental credentials. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly methane, are central to the conversation — and how we respond will define the future of our industry. It's a topic that matters now more than ever and if we get it right, we don't just protect our sector — we position it as part of the climate solution. That starts with learning from those who are already a few steps ahead — and bringing those lessons home in ways that make sense on the ground. That's why I've chosen this topic and why now is exactly the right time to explore it.' As someone actively working within the Welsh livestock industry, Ben sees both a challenge and opportunity for the red meat sector. He said: 'Through my work, I experience first-hand the pride and pressure felt by red meat producers when it comes to environmental performance. This has led me to develop a strong interest in helping farmers strike the right balance between productivity and sustainability.' He intends to focus his study on farming systems in Ireland, the Netherlands and Switzerland, and plans to attend the European Grassland Federation Symposium in Reading for further insight into sustainable grassland management practices. 'The scholarship will allow me to learn from countries that are ahead in integrating low-emission strategies into real farming systems, which is why I chose to focus on Europe. Countries in Europe offer diverse but relatable farming systems, strong policy frameworks and practical examples of how red meat production can align with climate and sustainability goals, whilst wrestling with challenges that are similar to the ones we face here in Wales. 'I want to contribute to a sustainable future that nurtures both the land and the next generation and help shape an industry that's proud of its past, ambitious for its future, and equipped to make sustainability real and practical at farm level.' James Powell, HCC Scholarship Association Vice Chair with Ben Lloyd James at the Royal Welsh Show HCC's Industry Development Executive James Ruggeri said: 'We are delighted to announce Ben as the recipient of the HCC Scholarship this year. He has practical on-farm experience, and his consultancy work means that he is already actively supporting farmers with the very challenges that he hopes to delve deeper into with his scholarship study. He is keen to bring back proven, practical tools that producers in Wales can use, and will share them with the farmers and businesses that he works with every day. 'His background, long-term industry commitment and passion makes him a perfect candidate for our Scholarship, and we are excited to hear about his experiences and findings during the course of the year.' HCC has been offering the annual scholarship for more than 20 years to applicants who are employed on a full-time basis within the Welsh red meat industry. The Scholarship allows them to study an aspect of production or processing in a country of their choice with recent examples looking at topics such as breeding sheep for better resistance to worms, the reputation of the suckler cow, techno grazing and conservation management.
The Independent
29-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Health expert on the risk factors for liver cancer
Liver cancer cases are projected to increase significantly, from 0.87 million in 2022 to 1.52 million by 2050, according to a Lancet Commission on Liver Cancer report. Rising obesity rates are a major contributing factor, with the proportion of liver cancer cases linked to obesity expected to double from 5 per cent to 11 per cent. Around three out of four cancers that start in the liver are hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which frequently develops in livers scarred by conditions such as excessive alcohol consumption or Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). Early stages of liver cancer often show no symptoms, but advanced signs include jaundice, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue, with diagnosis typically involving ultrasound, CT, and MRI scans. Treatment options are diverse, ranging from curative surgeries like liver resection, transplant, or ablation for early detection, to other methods such as chemoembolisation for more advanced cases.
