Gladiator 2 will collect a massive $50 million rebate from Malta
Originally published at https://www.joblo.com/gladiator-2-rebate-malta/
Barbie is set to overtake the Super Mario Bros Movie as the highest-grossing movie of the year at the domestic box office.
Sorry, Mario. It’s Barbie’s world now. Per Deadline, Barbie will overtake the Super Mario Bros Movie to become the year’s highest-grossing movie at the domestic box office this Wednesday with a haul of over $574.2 million.
The Super Mario Bros Movie took 138 days to reach $574.2 million, which Barbie did in just 34 days. As it stands now, Mario remains #1 at the worldwide box office with $1.3 billion, but Barbie is just behind at $1.2 billion. As the film is still going strong, Mario might just have to give up that spot as well.
Barbie has also become the highest-grossing movie in Warner Bros. history at the domestic box office, speeding past the previous record holder, Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. Barbie also has the chance to surpass Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two to become the studio’s highest-grossing movie worldwide.
Speaking of the success of Barbie, Margot Robbie actually predicted that the film would gross $1 billion when she pitched it to the studio. “I think my pitch in the green-light meeting was the studios have prospered so much when they’re brave enough to pair a big idea with a visionary director,” Robbie said. “And then I gave a series of examples like, ‘dinosaurs and [Steven] Spielberg,’ that and that, that and that – pretty much naming anything that’s been incredible and made a ton of money for the studios over the years. And I was like, ‘And now you’ve got Barbie and Greta Gerwig.’ And I think I told them that it’d make a billion dollars, which maybe I was overselling, but we had a movie to make, okay?!“
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie features a star-studded cast which includes Margot Robbie as the title character and Ryan Gosling as Ken. When Barbie suddenly begins to worry about her own mortality, she goes on a journey of self-discovery to the real world, accompanied by a love-lorn Ken. Considering how well the film is doing, you can almost certainly expect a sequel to be announced once the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes have concluded, but it was revealed that neither Robbie, Gosling, or Gerwig have deals in place to return for a sequel. Barbie will be released on Digital on September 5th.
Originally published at https://www.joblo.com/barbie-box-office-super-mario-bros-movie/
NEW YORK, August 30, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Three in 10 (31 percent) American consumers will boycott brands that are not committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) and this number increases to nearly four in 10 (37 percent) among under-represented U.S. consumers, according to a new, eye-opening, investigation into intersectionality in brand marketing by leading global market research agency Savanta.
The report also discovered that Gen-Z, along with LGBTQIA+ and under-represented U.S. communities, are championing for ethical consumerism with 37 percent of these consumers prepared to shop elsewhere to ensure they are not contributing to behaviors or causes that they disagree with.
Savanta's "Understanding Bias, Discrimination, and Its Impact on Society," researches the lived experiences of nearly 5,000 participants across the U.S. and Europe, to understand the discrimination felt by consumers, in an effort to raise awareness and fuel inclusivity from brands when marketing to their audiences.
According to Sadia Corey, vice president of Savanta's client development, the goal of the study was to "recognize the diverse ways groups are marginalized, so that brands can enhance authenticity and foster genuine connections with consumers."
Brand DE&I Efforts Impact on Consumer Behavior
In today's tight economy, price still reigns supreme when making purchasing decisions, particularly among women and Baby Boomers in all countries, with 73 percent reporting that value is the biggest buying factor. This is, naturally, followed by quality and convenience. However, Savanta's report shows that Americans' pursuit of ethical consumerism is gaining momentum. In fact, 31 percent of U.S. shoppers said that they will not buy from a brand that is not committed to DE&I and this number increases to 37 percent among under-represented communities and Gen-Z consumers.
Time to Take a Stand?
There is a perception that brands need to voice an opinion when it comes to important social issues. Remaining silent at important social moments has both pros and cons, but for the majority of consumers, it appears that it will have no effect on how they view the company. In fact, more than half (53 percent) of all consumers surveyed said that they would think neither positively nor negatively about a brand if it did not speak out.
However, "Understanding Bias, Discrimination, and Its Impact on Society" found that brands that take a stand do matter to many groups in America. With 28 percent of the LGBTQIA+ community, 31 percent of gender non-conformists, and 27 percent of those from the under-represented community reporting that their perception of a silent brand would be negatively affected, it can be determined that the old adage of "treat others as you would want to be treated" resonates with those who may have experienced discrimination, and it means that they want to support people like them.
How are U.S. Shoppers Showing Support?
Consumers are demonstrating their allegiance to the brands and stores that they align with in meaningful ways. In addition to shopping local, which 45 percent of the LGBTQIA+ community prefers to do, those from the under-represented U.S. community are significantly more likely to shop at minority-owned businesses than White or Caucasian people (35 percent versus 20 percent), as are those from within the LGBTQIA+ community (33 percent).
"As consumers increasingly demand authentic and inclusive brand experiences, those brands that fail to recognize the importance of intersectionality risk losing relevance, market share, and the opportunity to create a lasting impact," said Corey.
Methodology
Savanta conducted research for the report between May and June 2023. In total, 4,973 adults were surveyed across six countries, 29 percent of whom were based in the U.S. 53 percent identified as female, 45 percent identified as male, and 2 percent identified as gender non-conforming. Four generations were surveyed, including 17 percent Gen Z (age 18-25), 30 percent Millennial (age 26-40), 31 percent Generation X (age 41-59), and 22 percent Boomer II (age 60+). 85 percent surveyed identified as heterosexual, 11 percent as LGBTQIA+, and 4 percent preferred not to say. Race was reported as 74 percent White/Caucasian and 28 percent BIPOC in the U.S. and U.K. In addition to the quantitative survey conducted across markets, the conversational insights platform Voxpopme was used to collect qualitative data through 155 video responses to a variety of questions. This mix of both qualitative and quantitative research helped inform an array of rich findings on the topics Savanta focused on. Note: Ethnicity was only identified in the U.K. and U.S. due to Europe's ban on data collection by race.
To learn more about "Understanding Bias, Discrimination, and Its Impact on Society," or to view the report, visit Savanta Report.
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COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho, August 30, 2023 (Newswire.com) - For a third consecutive term, Reono Bertagnolli, A Medical Group, DBA Rely Radiology, has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval® for Ambulatory Care Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. Rely has emerged as an industry leader in teleradiology and telecardiology, and proudly displays the Gold Seal as evidence of its ongoing commitment to providing the highest-quality patient care.
"I am proud of the entire Rely Radiology team and the company's accreditation," says Dr. Reono Bertagnolli, Medical Director. "This achievement and seal reflect Rely's unwavering dedication to provide the highest quality services and to meet or exceed the rigorous standards and expectations set by The Joint Commission on a regular basis."
To earn re-accreditation, Rely Radiology underwent an arduous, comprehensive review by The Joint Commission. The inspection confirmed the company's ongoing compliance with Ambulatory Health standards spanning several areas including emergency management, environment of care, quality assurance, credentialing, and leadership.
The Joint Commission's standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help health care organizations measure, assess, and improve performance.
"Rely has been an excellent partner over the years, and their re-accreditation by The Joint Commission validates what TridentCare has come to expect from Rely - cost-effective, timely and high-quality interpretations by some of the finest radiologists and cardiologists in the country," said Jeff Hooper, COO for TridentCare, a leading national provider of portable diagnostic imaging.
"As a healthcare accreditor, The Joint Commission works with healthcare organizations across care settings to inspire safer and higher quality of care that is more equitable and compassionate," says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. "Through collaborating on innovative solutions and evidence-based resources and tools, The Joint Commission helps drive improvement while maintaining accountability through our leading survey methods and standards. We commend Rely Radiology for its commitment to advance safety, quality, equity, and compassion for all patients."
For more information about The Joint Commission Accreditation, please visit The Joint Commission website.
About Rely Radiology
Rely Radiology is a leading national provider of teleradiology and telecardiology services, specializing in the interpretation of x-rays, ultrasounds, echocardiograms, MRIs, CT scans, nuclear med scans, and more. Using our proprietary electronic-based software and methods, our images can be shared with medical providers anytime, anywhere - quickly, accurately, and effectively.
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CONCORD, Mass., August 30, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Beta Bionics, Inc., a pioneering leader in the development of advanced diabetes management solutions, is thrilled to announce the successful closure of its Series D funding round securing $100 million in new equity capital.
The Series D funding was co-led by new investors Sands Capital and Omega Funds with an additional new investor, Marshall Wace, also participating. Previous investors Soleus Capital, Eventide Asset Management LLC, Farallon Capital, Perceptive Advisors, certain funds managed by RTW Investments, LP, ArrowMark Partners, and Pura Vida Investments also participated.
Sean Saint, CEO of Beta Bionics, said: "This significant investment represents a powerful vote of confidence in Beta Bionics' mission to redefine diabetes management with user-centric technologies. We are deeply grateful to our investors for recognizing the immense potential of our products. We are eager to push the boundaries of what's possible by expanding access to the iLet Bionic Pancreas nationwide and further develop and test the bi-hormonal bionic pancreas."
"We're excited to support the Beta Bionics team as they work to launch and develop breakthrough technologies that help reduce the burden of diabetes," said Parker Cassidy, Partner, Sands Capital Ventures.
"Our ability to secure this capital is a testament to iLet's competitive differentiation and our financial discipline," said Stephen Feider, CFO of Beta Bionics. "Thank you to the investors for believing in our team and the mission."
Beta Bionics' flagship product, the iLet Bionic Pancreas, is an autonomous insulin delivery system that streamlines diabetes management and reduces the burden on patients and physicians. The only input required to get started is the user's weight — the iLet does the rest. Healthcare providers no longer need to determine complex settings including correction factors, insulin-to-carb ratios or pre-set basal rates. When iLet users "GO BIONIC" with their diabetes management, there's no carb counting* or calculating insulin corrections throughout the day - the iLet determines 100% of the insulin doses.
*User must be carb aware
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MORGANTOWN, W.Va., August 30, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Profile Plan of Morgantown, a prominent weight management solutions provider, has announced they are moving to a new, virtual business model to support its members. While the current, physical Morgantown Profile location will close, members will continue to receive a high-quality experience and have access to the same tools, resources, and delicious Profile foods while enjoying the convenience of virtual sessions with their Profile coach.
Current Store Manager and Morgantown resident, Tiffany Burrow, has taken over management of the business and will lead virtual coaching efforts. Burrow has been a certified health coach with Profile Plan for the past five years and has managed the Morgantown location for three years. Burrow became passionate about health and wellness after her own personal weight loss of 115 pounds and is highly motivated to help bring increased nutrition and weight loss education and resources to the residents of West Virginia.
"I'm thrilled to be moving Profile Plan to a virtual business as it will offer more flexibility to our current members while allowing others in West Virginia access to our weight loss services. Schedules are busy, traffic can be bad, or life changes and this new model will offer members a convenient way to stay on track with their coaching sessions and ultimately, their weight loss goals," shared Burrow.
Profile Plan, which touts an average of 15% body weight loss for its members[1], is uniquely positioned to support individuals virtually through their personalized one-on-one weight loss coaching sessions, proprietary Profile smart tracking and technology, DNA testing, and subscription-based online food store.
As an established provider of best-in-class weight loss solutions, Profile Plan members are experiencing an average weight loss of 34.5 pounds when following the plan for 12 months, along with an average savings of $1,500 in medical costs within that year. Over 200,000 Profile members across the country have lost a combined total of more than 3 million pounds since opening in 2012.
One of the cornerstones to successfully losing weight and keeping it off is accountability and guidance. Profile's certified, professional coaches work with Profile members weekly to track progress, provide education and modify meal plans for maximum success. It's proven that working with a coach leads to 3X more weight loss.
For more information about Profile Plan or to schedule a free weight loss consultation to kick-start your own journey, please visit profileplan.com.
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CHICAGO, August 30, 2023 (Newswire.com) - The state-of-the-art isn't enough when it comes to treating Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the two major types of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs).
Medication can reduce the inflammation brought on by these conditions, along with the painful symptoms they cause. Surgery, meanwhile, can remove areas of the digestive tract that have been scarred or don't respond to the medical therapies. Current immunotherapies have revolutionized the treatment of these conditions, which are the result of abnormal immune system response. But there are a large number of ongoing unmet needs and gaps in care. For example, the current medical therapies do not address the root cause of the diseases.
Work by the University of Chicago's Dr. Cambrian Liu and funded by the GI Research Foundation might someday offer a new approach to treatment based on regenerative medicine. Dr. Liu and his team recently identified a unique type of skin-like stem cells that induce the healing of wounds in the colons of mice.
These cells travel from what is known as the anal transition zone, adjacent to the colon, to nearby areas that are ulcerated. They then take on new functions and form a thin, healthy layer of tissue over the wounds.
"These skin-type stem cells can make a hybrid structure that's resistant to the disease and partially restores some of the intestine's functions," Dr. Liu said. By better understanding these stem cells, researchers could ultimately develop a new class of treatments for people with IBD.
"You could use these cells as a Band-Aid. You could cover up areas of bleeding in these patients so that you can tilt the balance back toward healing. In patients that have really severe disease, [it may even be possible to] rebuild a good portion of the lining of the intestine with these stem cells."
Leveraging seed funding from the GI Research Foundation, the team recently received more than $2.5 million from the National Institutes of Health to further study these cells. Through this study, they are imaging and determining the characteristics of the stem cells in humans and determining how they change in order to heal wounds caused by IBD.
"Ultimately, the advantage of this approach would be that we can pull these stem cells from the patients themselves. The ideal workflow would be to pull some from the patient, regenerate them in the lab, and then transplant them back into the patient. You're getting the benefit of rebuilding the organ without running the huge risk of immunological rejection that comes from using foreign tissue, as can happen with organ transplants," Liu said.
This summer, the team received an additional $100,000 from the GI Research Foundation to study other stem cells in the bowel and explore how the function of those cells might generate an improper autoimmune response in people with IBD. Those insights will help doctors determine who is most likely to respond well to current immunotherapies used to treat IBD and how those immunotherapies might interact with stem cell-based wound healing treatments.
"There's a very important push in understanding GI disease, and especially IBD, as a personalized disease. Everyone is a little different…So we ask questions like: In patients that achieve wound healing naturally, what's different about their stem cells? Does their body create an environment that is more conducive to healing? Is the inflammation that drives inflammatory bowel disease a stem cell-driven process?" Liu said.
A new imaging technique is central to answering these questions. Dr. Liu and his team are the first researchers in the world to use this technique in studying regeneration of the bowel and gastrointestinal tract.
They call it ALCHEMIST, short for Analysis of Cleared Human Intestine. It's based on a technique that is used by brain researchers, and it allows the Liu team to get three-dimensional pictures of samples of intestine that have been removed from a mouse or human at the cellular level.
"The field has struggled with this - linking changes in these organs down to the very level of the cells that make them up when they're impacted by disease," Liu said.
"Certainly, we have medical imaging technologies like MRI or CAT scans that can generate three-dimensional views of organs. But those are limited in terms of how small they can see in the body. And, often, the processes that drive disease are going to be found in those very small-scale details."
Previously, the state-of-the-art was to cut samples into extremely thin slices and examine those with a microscope. But, using that method, researchers lose the three-dimensional context that is crucial to understanding how cells are behaving. They also introduce unwanted artifacts into the sample when they cut it with a scalpel.
With ALCHEMIST, however, the Liu team uses carefully selected chemical reagents to wash out the cell membranes - effectively turning the tissue transparent. These membranes scatter the light that is used by a microscope, and they're partially responsible for leaving observers with a fuzzy picture.
Having washed away much of what confounds the image when looking at a large, thick sample, the team uses a confocal microscope to capture a series of two-dimensional images. The microscope captures those images at different depths and blocks any out-of-focus light before it reaches the camera. They then computationally reconstruct those images into a three-dimensional image of the sample.
This technique allows the team to look at the entire mouse colon at once. It also allows them to look at human samples that are about as large as a person's hand. These are exceptionally large samples that are not typically examined at the cellular level.
"This makes a huge difference. In health, what happens is, normally tissue is very orderly at a microscopic scale. But when disease happens, that order breaks up, and you can't rely on these traditional slices to tell you much about what's happening in the neighborhoods of that disease. You have to have a Google Earth sort of view of that whole process. ALCHEMIST gives us that, and it's been incredibly helpful and informative for our lab," Liu said.
In the case of the stem cell research, "it allowed us to see the entirety of the mouse distal colon during the healing process. And that showed us the skin-like anal stem cells were contributing to wound healing."
About the GI Research Foundation
The GI Research Foundation was founded in 1961 by grateful patients and friends of the late Dr. Joseph B. Kirsner, a pioneer in gastroenterology who devoted his life to medicine, teaching, and patient care. Today, the University of Chicago Medicine's Digestive Diseases Center, which is supported by the foundation, is internationally recognized for research-driven medicine and its team of highly specialized physicians. For more information, see: https://giresearchfoundation.org
About the University of Chicago Digestive Diseases Center
The Digestive Diseases Center at the University of Chicago Medicine is a collaborative, multidisciplinary network of physicians, researchers and allied health professionals who share a legacy of innovation and a common purpose: to improve the lives of patients who suffer from digestive diseases. For more information, see: https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/conditions-services/digestive-diseases
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Melissa Joan Hart was nearly fired from Sabrina the Teenage Witch over Maxim photo shoot
Originally published at https://www.joblo.com/melissa-joan-hart-maxim-sabrina/
SAN DIEGO, August 30, 2023 (Newswire.com) - This year's Annual Meeting of the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society (OTS) will be held in Barcelona, Spain, from October 22-25. At the annual meeting, leaders and students from around the world present and discuss their discoveries over four days, and attendees engage in a cross-disciplinary exchange, fostering the development of ground-breaking new ideas.
OTS is an open, nonprofit forum to foster academic and industry-based research and development of oligonucleotide therapeutics, bringing together expertise from different angles to create synergies and bring the field to its full therapeutic potential.
The 2023 Oligo Meeting will provide in-depth information, covering a broad range of current topics in the field, and the keynote speaker, David Liu, Ph.D., of The Broad Institute, will speak about base editing and prime editing.
Engaging session topics include chemistry and delivery, DNA/RNA editing, information on current early and late-stage pre-clinical work, and the highly anticipated Clinical Session. A short talk session, which is new this year, consists of talks selected from submitted abstracts.
Two dynamic pre-conference sessions are being hosted this year. The Next Gen early career scientist session features up-and-comers who submitted abstracts for consideration for short talks. An educational session that includes a panel discussion will explore innovating and commercializing the next generation of oligonucleotide therapeutics.
The highly anticipated Clinical Session includes presentations by Jane Larkindale, PhD, of PepGen, on a Phase 1 healthy volunteer study of an enhanced delivery oligonucleotide to treat Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and Mike Flanagan, PhD, of Avidity Biosciences on developing antibody oligonucleotide conjugates for muscle disease. Mark O'Carroll of Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals will discuss clinical trial experience of inhaled administration of siRNA therapeutics, and Kenneth Newman, MD, of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, will speak about long-term safety and efficacy of ASO therapy to prekallikrein in patients with Hereditary Angioedema. Experts from Moderna Therapeutics and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals will also be speaking.
The final session features talks on late-breaking information. Abstracts can still be submitted for consideration by individuals or organizations by sending an email with the subject line: Late Breaking Talk - 2023 Barcelona. The committee is looking for talks showing exciting new clinical data in the field of oligo therapeutics, new pre-clinical data using oligo-based therapeutics, and new advances in delivery technologies or in CRISPR/mRNA/RNA editing.
The Society is honored to present society awards, including Lifetime Achievement Awards, to deserving individuals during the Annual Meeting. This year, attendees will hear from the 2022 and 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award winners: Sudhir Agrawal, MSc, Phil, and Cy Stein, MD, PhD.
OTS would also like to thank the sponsors and exhibitors for their support and participation. Over 30 companies, a record-breaking number, are scheduled to exhibit at this year's annual meeting.
Anyone interested or involved in oligonucleotide therapeutics is welcome to attend the OTS Annual Meeting, virtually or in person. Learn more and register at 2023oligomeeting.com.
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah, August 30, 2023 (Newswire.com) - PoziBands, a dynamic and vibrant wristband company dedicated to spreading positivity and color expression, announced its grand launch today as a new minority-owned business in the heart of Utah.
PoziBands aims to empower individuals to embrace positivity and celebrate their uniqueness through its U.S.-manufactured wristbands. Each band is meticulously designed to embrace positive messaging, making the wearer feel uplifted and inspired every day. The company's commitment to quality and comfort ensures that every wristband is made with utmost care, keeping wearer satisfaction at the forefront.
"We are thrilled to launch PoziBands in Utah, where diversity and inclusion thrive. Our goal is to inject optimism into people's lives and uplift spirits through our colorful and meaningful wristbands," said Aaron L. Moore, founder and CEO of PoziBands.
PoziBands understands the power of positivity, and the company's wristbands serve as a reminder to stay motivated and optimistic, even during challenging times. With trendy designs and inspiring messages, PoziBands intends to make a positive impact on every person who wears its wristbands.
"We firmly believe that positive messaging can change lives and create a ripple effect in society. Our wristbands are not just fashionable accessories, but subtle reminders to stay hopeful and spread positivity wherever you go," said Laura, an Affiliate for PoziBands.
PoziBands' collection ranges from bold and vibrant designs to more subtle and elegant options, ensuring there's something for every individual's style and preference. The comfortable fit makes the bands perfect for everyday wear, reminding wearers to stay positive throughout their day.
As a minority-owned business, PoziBands takes pride in its commitment to diversity and inclusivity. By providing a platform for greater representation, the company aims to inspire and support minority entrepreneurs in the state of Utah and beyond.
For more information on PoziBands and our collections, please visit www.pozibands.com. To request an interview or media inquiry, please contact Aaron Moore at [email protected].
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