Baylor University

ARLINGTON, Texas, Sept. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioNTX is pleased to announce the finalists for the 3rd Annual Tech Transfer Showcase, set for Friday, October 4th, at the 2024 iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit. The Tech Transfer Showcase shines the spotlight on life science innovation that may be sitting on the shelf and strengthens the development of future leaders and entrepreneurs. This program is designed to assist academic institutions in presenting technologies available for licensing, collaboration and acquisition. The goal of the Tech Transfer Showcase is to connect Texas based academic institutions with Texas-based investors and industry executives that can help provide valuable insight into commercial readiness, market fit, business models, strategic partnerships, and commercial viability of all technologies. The 2024 competition was open to all Texas Universities. After submission, a panel of experienced judges reviews each university’s featured technology and selects the top six finalists to advance to the pitch showcase at the BioNTX annual Summit. In 2024, BioNTX has seen a 50% increase in applicants for this opportunity. A panel of knowledgeable judges have selected the top six finalists to advance to the pitch event at the iC³ Summit. The 2024 Tech Transfer Showcase finalists are: Baylor UniversityRice UniversityTexas Tech UniversityThe University of Texas at AustinThe University of Texas at DallasThe University of Texas Medical Branch “BioNTX is proud to provide a platform for university faculty and inventors to test their technology and receive expert guidance for the commercialization of their innovation,” reports Kathleen Otto, CEO, BioNTX. Each finalist will collaborate with a Tech Transfer judge to refine their pitch and will present their technology at the iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit for a chance to win a cash prize. “The BioNTX Tech Transfer Showcase is a perfect opportunity to get a glimpse into early-stage technologies coming out of the top universities in Texas. As a mentor and judge, it is very rewarding to see the progression and growth of the presenter and their pitches throughout the process,” said Chad Ronholdt, Co-founder, CEO of ASC Biosciences and Managing Director of NVB Ventures. Paul J. Corson, Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer for the University of Texas at Arlington, is the moderator of the Tech Transfer Office Showcase and Pitch Competition at the iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit on Friday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Corson states, “North Texas is a great place for life science startups, as evidenced by the amazing work I see at UT Arlington every day.” The Tech Transfer winner will be announced after the showcase and pitch competition at the Summit. To register for the 2024 iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit, please click here. About the 2024 iC3 Life Science SummitThe 10th Annual BioNTX iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit brings together the community and North Texas bioscience and healthcare innovation leaders for a two-day event from Thursday, October 3rd – Friday, October 4th. The iC³ Summit fosters collaboration between thought leaders, knowledge exchange, and explores the latest innovation, products, and services in the life sciences. We invite you to register for the 2024 iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit, please click here. About BioNTXBioNTX is the bioscience and healthcare innovation trade organization serving North Texas. The organization fosters innovation and community through collaborative networking events, high-level educational programming, professional development, market visibility, a purchasing consortium, and by being the voice for the North Texas biosciences and healthcare innovation community. Media Contact: Allison ChaneyCulver Public Relationsallison@culverpr.com

Adults who continuously played organized sports through their youth have fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression than those who never played or those who dropped out, a new study finds. And those who dropped out of sports had poorer mental health than those who never played at all. Adults who continuously played organized sports through their youth have fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression than those who never played or those who dropped out, a new study finds. And those who dropped out of sports had poorer mental health than those who never played at all. But many more people drop out of youth sports than play continuously until they are 18, said Chris Knoester, senior author of the study and professor of sociology at The Ohio State University. "If you play and stick with sports, it's a positive for your mental health, but if you play and drop out it seems to be negative -- and most kids drop out," Knoester said. The study, published in the Sociology of Sport Journal, showed that most people dropped out of sports because they weren't having fun or felt they weren't good enough. That suggests ways youth sports can be improved to help kids, said study lead author Laura Upenieks, assistant professor of sociology at Baylor University. "Our findings about why kids drop out of organized sports suggests that the current environment is less than ideal for everyone, and that the barriers to participation need to be given greater attention," Upenieks said. The study used data from the National Sports and Society Survey, conducted in 2018 and 2019 by Ohio State. It included a sample of 3,931 adults from across the country who answered questions about their sports participation as children and their current anxiety and depression symptoms. Results showed 35% of the participants did not play organized sports at all, 41% participated and dropped out and 24% participated continuously until age 18. Those who participated in organized sports continuously while growing up reported lower depressive symptoms and symptoms of anxiety than others. Those who dropped out had the worst mental health profile, with those who never played in the middle. Knoester emphasized that most participants didn't have clinical levels of depression or anxiety, and the differences between the three groups were relatively modest. But the differences still mattered. By far the most common reason cited for dropping out was "not having fun," which nearly half of respondents (45%) identified. The next most common reason was feeling like they were not a good player (31%). Other reasons for dropping out were wanting to focus on grades (16%), having a health problem or injury (16%), not being able to afford sports (16%), having an issue with team members (15%) and having an interest in other clubs and activities (14%). Notably, 8% said they dropped out because they had been abused by a coach. While dropping out of sports was associated with poorer mental health, "not all reasons for dropping out had the same effects," Upenieks said. Interpersonal reasons for dropping out -- including not having fun, not getting along with team members and being abused by a coach -- were associated with adult depressive and anxiety symptoms. Those who couldn't afford sports and sporting equipment also showed poorer mental health. But those who dropped out in order to focus on grades actually showed lower depressive symptoms, the study found. "Prioritizing education predicts better mental health as an adult," Knoester said. Many previous studies have focused on the impact of playing sports -- or not playing -- on adult outcomes. But this study is one of the first to look at what happens when youth quit sports, Knoester said, and it shows that persistence in playing is an important issue. "Unfortunately, it is not a simple story of playing sports is good for kids," he said. "It is complicated by whether kids stick to playing sports and the reasons why they do stick to it or quit." It is easy to see why sports can be good for those who are able to continue with it to adulthood, Upenieks said. "The longer that youth are exposed to a positive and encouraging sporting environment, the more likely they are to develop habits that are conducive to long-term mental well-being, such as a commitment to regular exercise and collaborating with others as part of a team," she said. The fact that so many kids quit shows that organized sports often don't provide a positive environment. But there are steps adults can take to improve that environment. For one, sports should be safe for kids. The fact that 8% said they were abused by coaches is particularly alarming, the researchers said. And the finding that nearly half of kids quit because they weren't having fun and about a third dropped out because they felt they weren't good enough should also be a wake-up call, Knoester said. "We need to improve youth sports so that it supports positive experiences for everyone and makes it more enjoyable," he said. While winning is part of sports, it may be that adults overemphasize that aspect and ruin the experience for many young people. "Most kids are looking to have fun with their friends and support and encourage each other," Upenieks said. "It doesn't have to be all serious." Knoester added: "Our results suggest that by taking away the fun and making kids feel they aren't good enough, there could be cascading effects in terms of hurting self-esteem and confidence that could reverberate through to adulthood."

TOWANDA, Pa., June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Phillip A. Helmbright, MD is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member for his contributions in Medical Practice and Addiction Recovery. Dr. Phillip A. Helmbright is a dedicated medical professional committed to providing compassionate care in medical practice and addiction recovery. With a wealth of experience and expertise, he specializes in geriatric care and addiction medicine, offering essential support to individuals on their journey to recovery. Dr. Helmbright's academic journey began with a Bachelor's degree from Baylor University, followed by earning his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. He further honed his skills through a residency in Family Medicine at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital, solidifying his foundation in medical practice and patient care. Throughout his career, Dr. Helmbright has remained deeply involved in professional affiliations, including the Pennsylvania Medical Society and serving as a Physicians Health Program Advisory Board Member. He also actively contributes to local and community initiatives through his participation in the NSLS. Driven by his passion for helping individuals overcome addiction, Dr. Helmbright has dedicated himself to this noble cause. As a general practice physician associated with the Spartan LTC group, he provides invaluable care and support to patients in North-Central Pennsylvania, specializing in geriatric care and addiction medicine. Outside of his professional endeavors, Dr. Helmbright prioritizes wellness, recognizing the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to support both personal and professional well-being. His dedication to self-care aligns with his philosophical belief that "Physician, heal thyself," emphasizing the importance of inner balance and self-reflection in providing optimal care to others. Looking ahead, Dr. Helmbright envisions furthering his contributions to addiction recovery by obtaining board certification and innovating practices in addiction treatment. With his unwavering commitment to patient welfare and his compassionate approach to care, Dr. Helmbright continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those he serves. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle