MSA Safety lanza A1X: El anclaje de vacío WinGrip de última generación para el mantenimiento de aeronaves

PITTSBURGH, 9 de septiembre de 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MSA Safety ha anunciado el lanzamiento del A1X™, su último anclaje de vacío WinGrip® diseñado para que el mantenimiento de aeronaves sea más seguro, rápido y versátil. El anclaje de vacío WinGrip® A1X™ representa la última evolución del probado sistema AIO (todo en uno) WinGrip® de MSA, ofreciendo una solución más ligera y compacta que satisface las exigencias de las operaciones de mantenimiento aeronáutico modernas.

Diseñado para la forma de trabajar de los equipos de mantenimiento

El anclaje de vacío A1X crea un punto de anclaje seguro y no invasivo en las superficies de las alas de las aeronaves mediante tecnología de succión por vacío. Está diseñado para que los técnicos de mantenimiento puedan trabajar de forma segura en alas y fuselajes sin dañar la aeronave. El anclaje de vacío A1X funciona con cilindros recargables de aire o gas que generan la succión necesaria para los puntos de anclaje.

Desarrollado en estrecha colaboración con los clientes y perfeccionado a partir de las opiniones reales de los equipos de mantenimiento, el anclaje de vacío A1X está diseñado específicamente para eliminar las barreras prácticas que impiden a los equipos desplegar equipos de protección contra caídas en el campo.

Con tan solo 7 kg (un 35 % más ligero que su predecesor) y un diámetro reducido de 350 mm (en lugar de 480 mm), el anclaje de vacío A1X es más portátil y fácil de manejar que las generaciones anteriores. El sistema neumático rediseñado duplica el número de reposicionamientos del anclaje que se pueden lograr con un solo cilindro, lo que reduce la necesidad de llevar cilindros de repuesto y optimiza el flujo de trabajo de los técnicos que operan en condiciones de tiempo limitado.

Mayor compatibilidad con aeronaves

Uno de los avances más importantes del anclaje de vacío A1X es su mayor compatibilidad. El diámetro reducido de la almohadilla permite utilizar el anclaje de vacío A1X en aeronaves más pequeñas que antes quedaban fuera del alcance de la tecnología WinGrip, incluyendo jets ejecutivos, aviones privados y comerciales. El anclaje de vacío A1X está homologado por los principales fabricantes de aeronaves, como Airbus y Boeing, lo que brinda a los equipos de mantenimiento la confianza necesaria para implementarlo como parte de sus procedimientos estándar.

Diseñado para cualquier entorno

El anclaje de vacío A1X está diseñado para funcionar sin componentes electrónicos, lo que permite su uso seguro en entornos donde pueden estar presentes vapores de combustible, como durante las operaciones de repostaje. Al no tener componentes eléctricos, el anclaje de vacío A1X no genera riesgo de ignición. Un sistema de alarma sonora integrado proporciona información de estado en tiempo real, y la unidad mantiene su sellado incluso en caso de interrupción del flujo.

Completamente autónomo dentro de su cilindro neumático dedicado, el anclaje de vacío A1X no requiere suministro de aire externo ni infraestructura fija, lo que lo hace igualmente eficaz en un hangar de mantenimiento, en la plataforma o en una ubicación remota. Está diseñado para funcionar de manera confiable en una amplia gama de condiciones ambientales, desde instalaciones a gran altitud hasta climas cálidos y fríos.

Diseñado específicamente para las revisiones A y B

El anclaje de vacío WinGrip A1X está optimizado para el mantenimiento en línea y las operaciones estandarizadas de las revisiones A y B de la industria aeronáutica. Durante las revisiones A y B, donde la velocidad y la flexibilidad son primordiales, la portabilidad del anclaje de vacío A1X permite que un solo técnico despliegue y reposicione uno de los dos puntos de anclaje de forma independiente, sin necesidad de infraestructura de línea de vida superior ni personal adicional. Para operaciones de revisión C y D de mayor envergadura que requieren varios trabajadores en el ala simultáneamente, los sistemas WinGrip de línea de vida completa de MSA siguen estando disponibles.

Innovación impulsada por el cliente para el mantenimiento de aeronaves

"El anclaje de vacío A1X se desarrolló a partir de las opiniones de quienes usan WinGrip a diario", afirmó José Sánchez, vicepresidente sénior de MSA Safety y presidente de EMEA Business. "Sabemos que si una herramienta no se utiliza, no protege a nadie, por lo que nos centramos en eliminar cualquier obstáculo entre el técnico y su equipo de seguridad. El resultado es el anclaje WinGrip más capaz y portátil que jamás hayamos fabricado, compatible con una gama más amplia de aeronaves que cualquier generación anterior. En una industria donde cada minuto cuenta, creemos que el anclaje de vacío A1X establece un nuevo estándar para el trabajo en altura en aeronaves".

El anclaje de vacío A1X incluye dos puntos de anclaje: uno como unidad principal dentro del kit WinGrip, y un anclaje secundario para configuraciones trianguladas; un cilindro neumático; una línea de presión; y un equipo de protección personal. Cada kit se puede diseñar para satisfacer las necesidades específicas del cliente.

Disponible y en exhibición en MRO Europe

El anclaje de vacío A1X se exhibirá en MRO Europe en octubre de 2026, donde el equipo de MSA Safety estará disponible para demostraciones de producto y sesiones informativas personalizadas.

Para obtener más información sobre el anclaje de vacío A1X, haga clic aquí.

Acerca de MSA Safety

MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA) es líder mundial en productos, tecnologías y soluciones de seguridad avanzadas. Impulsada por su singular misión de seguridad, la compañía ha estado a la vanguardia de la innovación en seguridad desde 1914, protegiendo a los trabajadores y la infraestructura de las instalaciones en todo el mundo en una amplia gama de mercados finales diversos, al tiempo que crea valor sostenible para los accionistas. Con ingresos de 1.900 millones de dólares en 2025, MSA Safety tiene su sede en Cranberry Township, Pensilvania, y emplea a un equipo de más de 5.300 asociados en sus más de 40 ubicaciones internacionales. Para obtener más información, visite www.MSASafety.com .

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MSA Safety launches A1X: The next generation WinGrip Vacuum Anchor for aircraft maintenance

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MSA Safety has announced the launch of the A1X™, its latest WinGrip® vacuum anchor designed to help make aircraft maintenance safer, faster and more versatile. The WinGrip® A1X™ vacuum anchor represents the latest evolution of MSA's proven AIO (All-In-One) WinGrip® system, delivering a lighter, more compact solution that meets the demands of modern aviation maintenance operations.

Engineered for the way maintenance teams work

The A1X vacuum anchor creates a secure, non-invasive anchor point on aircraft wing surfaces using vacuum suction technology, designed to enable maintenance technicians to work safely on wings and fuselages without causing damage to the aircraft. The A1X vacuum anchor is powered by refillable air or gas supplied cylinders that create the suction for the anchor points to use.

Developed in close collaboration with customers and shaped by real-world feedback from maintenance crews, the A1X vacuum anchor is purpose-built to remove the practical barriers that can prevent teams from deploying fall protection equipment in the field.

At just 7kg – 35% lighter than its predecessor – and with a reduced diameter of 350 mm (down from 480 mm), the A1X vacuum anchor is more portable and easier to handle than previous generations. The redesigned pneumatic system doubles the number of anchor repositions achievable from a single cylinder, reducing the need to carry spare cylinders and streamlining the workflow for technicians operating under time-sensitive conditions.

Broader aircraft compatibility

One of the most important advances of the A1X vacuum anchor is its expanded compatibility. The reduced pad diameter means the A1X vacuum anchor can now be used on smaller aircraft that were previously outside the scope of WinGrip technology, including business jets, private aviation and commercial airliners. The A1X vacuum anchor is approved for use by all major aircraft manufacturers, including Airbus and Boeing, giving maintenance teams the confidence to deploy it as part of their standard procedures.

Designed for every environment

The A1X vacuum anchor is deliberately designed to operate without electronics, allowing it to be used safely in environments where fuel vapours may be present, such as during refuelling operations, and with no electrical components, the A1X vacuum anchor creates no ignition risk. An integrated audio alarm system provides real-time status feedback, and the unit can maintain its seal even in the event of flow interruption.

Fully self-contained within its dedicated air cylinder, the A1X vacuum anchor requires no external air supply or fixed infrastructure, making it equally effective in a maintenance hangar, on the apron, or at a remote location. It is designed to perform reliably across a wide range of environmental conditions, from high-altitude facilities to hot and cold climates.

Purpose-built for A & B checks

The WinGrip A1X vacuum anchor is optimised for line maintenance and airline-industry standardized A & B check operations. During A & B check operations, where speed and flexibility are paramount, the A1X vacuum anchor portability means a single technician can deploy and reposition one of the two anchor points independently, without the need for overhead lifeline infrastructure or additional crew. For larger C & D check operations requiring multiple workers on the wing simultaneously, MSA's full lifeline WinGrip systems remain available.

Customer-led innovation for aircraft maintenance

"The A1X vacuum anchor was developed from listening to the people who use WinGrip every day," said Jose Sanchez, MSA Safety Senior Vice President and President of EMEA Business. "We know that if a tool isn't deployed, it isn't protecting anyone, so we focus on removing every barrier between a technician and their safety equipment. The result is the most capable, most portable WinGrip anchor we've ever built, featuring compatibility with a broader range of aircraft than any previous generation. In an industry where every minute counts, we believe the A1X vacuum anchor sets a new standard for working at height on aircraft."

The A1X vacuum anchor comes with two anchor points, with one serving as the primary vacuum anchor unit within the WinGrip vacuum anchor kit, accompanied by a secondary "flying" anchor for triangulated anchor configurations; a dedicated air cylinder; a pressure line; and a set of personal protective equipment. Each kit can be designed to meet the customer's specific requirements.

Available and on display at MRO Europe

The A1X vacuum anchor will be on display at MRO Europe in October 2026, where MSA Safety's team will be available for product demonstrations and one-to-one briefings.

For more information about the A1X vacuum anchor, click here.

About MSA Safety

MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA) is the global leader in advanced safety products, technologies and solutions. Driven by its singular mission of safety, the company has been at the forefront of safety innovation since 1914, protecting workers and facility infrastructure around the world across a broad range of diverse end markets while creating sustainable value for shareholders. With 2025 revenues of $1.9 billion, MSA Safety is headquartered in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania and employs a team of more than 5,300 associates across its more than 40 international locations. For more information, please visit www.MSASafety.com.

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RTI International Receives Two New DOE Awards for Minerals Processing and Paper Recycling Technology Development

Highlights

- Two new DOE awards provide RTI with $5.5 million in federal funding.

- Projects will explore new uses for common minerals and used cardboard to strengthen America's industrial sector.

- Technology development will take place at the expanded RTI Pilot Xcelerator.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Common minerals and used cardboard could become new sources of high-value materials through two projects led by RTI International, an independent scientific research institute, with $5.5 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

The new projects will be conducted at the RTI Pilot Xcelerator, a research and development platform that helps move technologies from laboratory testing toward real-world use. RTI is scheduled to celebrate the opening of a $14 million facility expansion on Sept. 10, doubling RTI's infrastructure for pilot-scale testing of energy and industrial process innovations.

"These DOE awards reflect our shared interest in advancing practical solutions to complex industrial challenges," said David Dausch, Ph.D., Vice President, Engineering and Advanced Technology at RTI. "By conducting this work at the RTI Pilot Xcelerator, our team and partners can test approaches for recovering valuable products while collecting the performance data needed to assess the technologies at a larger scale."

One of the projects is focused on converting abundant natural minerals into critical materials for advanced manufacturing and energy. Sameer Parvathikar, Ph.D., Program Director for the RTI Pilot Xcelerator, will lead the work for RTI in partnership with Gunnadoo Consulting LLC and Thar Energy LLC.

The team will explore a new way to turn olivine into several valuable products including materials needed for modern steelmaking, hydrogen fuel, soil improvement products and ingredients used in construction. The technology could help strengthen U.S. manufacturing supply chains, support industrial processes and make more efficient use of natural resources.

The second project will explore a new way to recycle cardboard boxes. RTI Senior Fellow and Biofuels Director David Dayton, Ph.D., will lead the work for RTI in partnership with the Forest Biorefineries Department at North Carolina State University. The team will use innovative anaerobic digestion technology to make cardboard recycling more efficient. The goal is to operate the next-generation process for 100 continuous days, converting at least 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs.) of old cardboard into reusable fiber and biogas. The recycled cardboard yields and process energy efficiency will be compared to existing cardboard recycling methods.

These awards are part of a broader DOE initiative to strengthen the U.S. industrial sector. Projects were selected to advance innovative solutions that lower the cost of producing key commodities and strengthen domestic supply chains.

These new projects illustrate the breadth of technology development activities the expanded RTI Pilot Xcelerator is designed to support. Located on RTI's campus in Research Triangle Park, the platform provides pilot-scale equipment, engineering expertise, scientific evaluation and commercialization support for companies, startups and government partners.

Learn more about the RTI Pilot Xcelerator

About RTI International

RTI International is an independent scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world's most challenging problems. For more information, visit www.rti.org.

Media Contact:

RTI International Media Relations

919-541-7300

SOURCE RTI International

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Campus is designed to generate its own power on site, to cool high-density compute with warm-water liquid cooling and dry heat rejection, and to supply its waste heat to industrial users; up to 154 MW of sellable IT load planned in Phase 1, targeting commercial operation in 2034

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Island Roadhouse Data Centers today detailed its design approach for an integrated, low-water, atomic-powered data center campus planned in Missouri. The campus is designed to operate behind the meter, generating on site the power its compute load requires; to cool high-density AI data halls with closed-loop warm-water liquid cooling and dry heat rejection; and to make its waste heat available to third-party industrial users through a campus thermal network.

The design responds to the constraint now shaping AI infrastructure: power, and the time it takes to get it. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's "Queued Up: 2026 Edition" (June 2026) reports that at the end of 2025 about 8,200 projects representing 1,312 GW of generation were waiting in United States interconnection queues, and that the median time from interconnection request to commercial operation exceeded five years for projects completed in 2025. The International Energy Agency's "Key Questions on Energy and AI" (April 2026) projects global data center electricity consumption roughly doubling from 485 TWh in 2025 to 950 TWh in 2030, and notes that data center developers in the United States, constrained by slow grid connections, are turning to on-site generation. Water is a further constraint: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's "2024 United States Data Center Energy Usage Report" (December 2024) estimates that United States data centers directly consumed about 66 billion liters of water in 2023.

Generation behind the meter. The Island Roadhouse campus is designed so that on-site generation carries the compute load and the atomic-served campus core, behind the meter. The planning basis is advanced atomic reactors in an N+1 configuration for reactor-level redundancy. Heat from the reactors is planned to be converted to electricity through an indirect closed supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle. The campus is not planned as a power exporter, and no export to the grid is planned.

"Power and cooling are not two problems. They are one system," said David Kinsman, Chief Technology Officer of Island Roadhouse Data Centers. "We are engineering the reactors, the power conversion, the liquid cooling and the heat network as a single campus. The constraint on AI infrastructure is no longer the chip. It is power, and the years it can take to get power delivered. We designed this campus so that the power is generated where the compute sits, behind the meter."

"Every data center produces heat, and most of them pay to throw it away," Kinsman said. "Our thermal design treats heat as a product. The campus is designed to sell data center waste heat through a metered thermal network so users can take the heat we would otherwise reject. This is what the next generation of sustainable data centers will look like."

Heat as a product, not a by-product. The high-density data halls are designed around closed-loop warm-water direct-to-chip liquid cooling, with dry heat rejection as the primary and ultimate campus heat sink. The campus is a low-water design with an annual water-use-effectiveness planning target. Thermal energy storage is planned as an optimization asset; the campus has no grid-scale battery, and its only planned energy store is thermal. Waste heat is planned to be made available to third-party industrial process and other non-industrial users through a campus thermal network, with thermal capacity reservation, metered thermal energy and thermal interconnection as the planned service model. Those users would finance, build, own and operate their own facilities. The campus is designed to reject all of its required heat on its own, so heat reuse is an optimization and a sustainability benefit rather than a dependency.

Long-term, power-backed capacity. Island Roadhouse sells long-term, power-backed, liquid-cooling-ready data center capacity and facility services. Customers bring and operate their own compute; Island Roadhouse does not sell electricity, cloud compute or GPU-as-a-service as its base business. Phase 1 is planned to offer up to 154 MW of sellable IT load and is targeting commercial operation in 2034. A Phase 2 expansion is planned under the campus master plan.

About Island Roadhouse Data Centers

Island Roadhouse Data Centers is developing an integrated, low-water, atomic-powered data center campus in Missouri, combining on-site advanced atomic generation, high-density liquid-cooled data halls, dry heat rejection and heat reuse for third-party industrial and agricultural users. The company sells long-term, power-backed, liquid-cooling-ready data center capacity and facility services to customers who bring and operate their own compute. Learn more at www.islandroadhouse.com.

Media contact

David Kinsman

Chief Technology Officer, Island Roadhouse Data Centers

[email protected]

+1-314-495-0066

SOURCE Island Roadhouse Data Centers

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New engagement builds on a successful collaboration encompassing The Connected World LIVE! 2026 and an exclusive InterGlobix Magazine cover story

BOSTON and CHICAGO, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Connectbase and IG Group, InterGlobix's affiliate company specializing in strategic advisory, today announced a strategic advisory agreement designed to support Connectbase's continued growth and influence across the global connectivity ecosystem.

Under the agreement, IG Group will provide Connectbase with strategic advisory services focused on identifying and engaging high-value prospects across the data center, cloud services, AI neocloud, hyperscaler, and subsea sectors; facilitating executive introductions and meetings; and supporting strategic opportunities from initial engagement through contract finalization and project execution.

The new engagement brings together Connectbase's technology, data, and connectivity-commerce capabilities with IG Group's global industry relationships and expertise spanning connectivity, data centers, digital infrastructure, and economic development. It represents a significant expansion of the relationship between the two organizations and establishes a foundation for deeper, long-term collaboration.

The agreement builds on the companies' successful work surrounding The Connected World LIVE! 2026 (TCWLIVE!), taking place September 8–11 at the Marriott Marquis Chicago. InterGlobix is supporting Connectbase as an Event Collaboration Partner, while InterGlobix Magazine is serving as a Media Partner.

"IG Group brings a valuable combination of strategic insight, industry expertise, and trusted relationships across the digital infrastructure community," said Ben Edmond, Founder and CEO of Connectbase. "Our successful collaboration around TCWLIVE! demonstrated the alignment between our organizations. This advisory agreement is an important next step that will help Connectbase expand its reach, strengthen its ecosystem, and advance our vision for the future of connectivity commerce."

"Connectbase is transforming how buyers and sellers of connectivity discover opportunities, build relationships, and conduct business," said Vinay Nagpal, CEO of InterGlobix. "We are honored to enter into this strategic advisory relationship and support the company during an important phase of its growth. By combining Connectbase's innovative platform and market intelligence with IG Group's strategic perspective and global industry reach, we see a compelling opportunity to accelerate partnerships, expand market engagement, and create long-term value across the connectivity ecosystem."

As Event Collaboration Partner for TCWLIVE! 2026, InterGlobix has worked alongside Connectbase to foster executive engagement, thought leadership, and meaningful connections across the connectivity and digital infrastructure industries. The event brings together global buyers and sellers, network operators, service providers, managed service providers, data centers, cloud providers, technology partners, investors, and industry leaders.

"TCWLIVE! is designed to strengthen the Connectbase ecosystem through direct engagement, practical learning, and collaboration," said Gabe Venturi, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Product Operations at Connectbase. "InterGlobix has helped us extend that mission by connecting people, ideas, and opportunities across the broader digital infrastructure community. The success of our work together has created a strong platform for this expanded strategic relationship."

InterGlobix Magazine's role as Media Partner further extends the reach of the ideas, innovations, and industry perspectives emerging from TCWLIVE! On September 9, the magazine unveiled its latest cover and an in-depth story featuring Connectbase. The story, "The Bridge between AI Compute and Connectivity," features executives of Connectbase and partners within The Connected World platform discussing how Connectbase is building the bridge between AI compute and connectivity by transforming how network paths and compute capacity are bought and sold.

"The cover story captures the vision, innovation, and people behind Connectbase's evolution and growing impact on the connectivity ecosystem," said Jasmine Bedi, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of InterGlobix Magazine. "Unveiling this special cover at TCWLIVE! gives our global readers an inside look at how Connectbase is helping reshape connectivity commerce. It is a story about technology, leadership, and the power of an industry ecosystem working together."

Together, the strategic advisory agreement, event collaboration, and media partnership reflect a shared commitment to advancing innovation, strengthening industry relationships, and creating new opportunities across the global connectivity landscape.

The Connectbase cover story is available at https://www.interglobixmagazine.com/the-bridge-between-ai-compute-and-connectivity/

About Connectbase

Connectbase is the Operating System for Connected Commerce, transforming how the connected world transacts. Built on trusted, location-based intelligence and automated workflows, the Connected World Platform enables buyers, sellers, and channel partners to digitize the entire connectivity lifecycle—from discovery to order—across billions of serviceable locations. Connectbase powers automation, intelligence, and monetization across the global connectivity and AI infrastructure ecosystem. For more information, visit Connectbase at connectbase.com.

About IG Group

IG Group is a strategic advisory firm focused exclusively on the global digital infrastructure industry. The firm works at the intersection of infrastructure, connectivity, investment, and economic development, helping data center providers, investors, hyperscalers, neocloud providers, connectivity providers, technology companies, and public-sector stakeholders identify opportunities, build partnerships, and make informed decisions. With deep industry expertise and a global perspective, IG Group helps clients create lasting value across the digital infrastructure ecosystem for organizations and communities alike. For more information, visit IG Group at iggroupllc.com.

About InterGlobix

InterGlobix is the global platform for digital infrastructure, connectivity, and AI — uniting the leaders, organizations, and innovators defining the industry's future through media, events, and strategic communications. Purpose-built for data centers, connectivity providers, hyperscalers, neocloud providers, and the broader digital infrastructure ecosystem, InterGlobix delivers a focused suite of media and engagement services — including InterGlobix Magazine, Event Collaboration Services, News Embargo & Digital Marketing, and Thought Leadership Voices — designed to amplify visibility, establish authority, and cultivate the industry relationships that drive real impact. For more information, visit InterGlobix at interglobix.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Gabe Venturi

SVP, Marketing & Product Operations, Connectbase

(508) 202-1807

[email protected]

InterGlobix

Praniti Banga

Senior Manager, Marketing

[email protected]

SOURCE Connectbase

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Tiny Desk Photos Launches New Wildlife Website Where Photography, Humor, Art and Discovery Collide

Holland photographer Rick Zwetsch expands Tiny Desk Photos into a broader wildlife experience.

HOLLAND, Mich., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Tiny Desk Photos wants visitors to do more than look at wildlife photographs: meet the characters, imagine what they might be thinking, and discover something new about the species along the way.

Created by Holland-area photographer and artist Rick Zwetsch, Tiny Desk Photos began with wildlife photographed outside his Park Township home office. It has since grown into a collection captured throughout Michigan and during his travels, with his camera and long lenses rarely far behind.

The new site offers four distinctly different ways to experience the photography.

Wildlife with Attitude pairs original wildlife photographs with captions imagining what the subjects might actually be thinking.

The Wildlife Photography Gallery puts the images front and center while introducing visitors to the growing cast of Tiny Desk Photos characters. Each has a name, personality, and brief story inspired by the individual captured in the photograph.

The Unfiltered Gallery takes the humor further with sharper, darker, and occasionally profane captions for visitors who prefer their wildlife without an edit button.

Artist Editions reimagine selected original photographs into distinctive works of art, using a variety of artistic approaches, with AI incorporated into Zwetsch's creative process.

Beyond the galleries, the Wildlife Journal blog explores wildlife stories, behaviors and discoveries inspired by the photography. It also features Tiny Desk Facts™, a recurring series of surprising and unusual facts about featured species. Tiny Desk Facts™, new photographs, characters, and other additions are also shared through the newly launched Tiny Desk Photos Facebook page.

"I want people to stop because of a photograph, laugh because of what that wildlife character is supposedly thinking, and then discover something about the species they didn't know five minutes earlier," Zwetsch said. "If that happens, Tiny Desk Photos is doing exactly what I want it to do."

The site also makes Tiny Desk Photos photography and Artist Editions available as professionally produced wall art in multiple sizes, materials, and presentation options.

Come for the wildlife. Stay for the attitude. Leave knowing something you didn't know before and maybe share it with someone else.

About Tiny Desk Photos

Tiny Desk Photos is the wildlife photography and art project of Holland, Michigan photographer and artist Rick Zwetsch, combining original wildlife photography with humor, art, and wildlife discovery.

Website: TinyDeskPhotos.com

Facebook: Tiny Desk Photos on Facebook

Media Contact

Rick Zwetsch

Artist & Photographer, Tiny Desk Photos

616.613.6162

[email protected]

TinyDeskPhotos.com

SOURCE Tiny Desk Photos

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MIB Agents Now Accepting Letters of Intent for 2027 OutSmarting Osteosarcoma Research Grants

Nonprofit Invites Applications for Innovative Research Focused on Improving Outcomes for Osteosarcoma Patients

BARNARD, Vt., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MIB Agents, a leading pediatric osteosarcoma nonprofit dedicated to Making It Better for its community of patients, families, medical professionals, researchers and industry partners, is accepting letters of intent (LOI) starting on Wednesday, September 9, for its annual OutSmarting Osteosarcoma research grant program.

Established in 2017, the OutSmarting Osteosarcoma program funds innovative, translational research designed to accelerate progress for patients with osteosarcoma, an aggressive primary bone cancer diagnosed in approximately 1,000 people in the United States each year, nearly half of whom are children, adolescents, and young adults.

Over the past decade, MIB Agents has awarded more than $2.9 million to support 37 investigators conducting promising osteosarcoma research. The 2027 funding cycle includes a $100,000 Hero Grant and a $50,000 Hope Young Investigator Grant, supporting both established and emerging researchers committed to advancing the field.

OutSmarting Osteosarcoma grants are made possible through the extraordinary efforts of MIB Agents Family Funds, osteosarcoma patients, families, and supporters who raise funds in honor of an OsteoWarrior, someone currently battling osteosarcoma, or an OsteoAngel, a loved one lost to the disease.

"OutSmarting Osteosarcoma is more than a research grant program; it is a partnership between families and scientists united by a shared commitment to changing the future for osteosarcoma patients. Through our Family Funds, osteosarcoma families make these grants possible while helping shape the research we invest in. By combining the lived experience of patients and families with scientific expertise, we're accelerating discoveries that have the potential to improve treatment options and outcomes for everyone affected by osteosarcoma," said Kat Azima, Director of Scientific Programs at MIB Agents.

OutSmarting Osteosarcoma Grants may also be supported in collaboration with other nonprofit organizations committed to advancing pediatric cancer research and investing in projects that have undergone rigorous scientific review.

A defining feature of the OutSmarting Osteosarcoma program is its collaborative review process, which brings together scientific experts and the patient community. Applications undergo rigorous evaluation by the MIB Agents Scientific Review Committee, while participating Family Funds serve as Stakeholder Reviewers, assessing proposals based on their potential impact for patients and families. This unique partnership ensures that funding decisions reflect both scientific excellence and patient priorities.

Researchers interested in applying can find eligibility requirements and submission instructions at https://www.mibagents.org/research/outsmarting-osteosarcoma.

Letters of Intent must be submitted through the ProposalCentral online system by October 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Following scientific review, the highest-scoring applicants will be invited in early December to submit full proposals, which will be due in late January 2027. Funding decisions will be announced in early May 2027.

About MIB Agents

Founded in 2012 and established as an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2016, MIB Agents is a leading pediatric osteosarcoma organization dedicated to making it better for our community of patients, families, medical professionals, researchers, and industry partners through programs, education, and research.

Media Contact:

MIB Agents

[email protected] 

281.770.9084

SOURCE MIB Agents

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NOHOLD Launches Front Desk AMI™ to Answer Every Dental Patient Call

MILPITAS, Calif., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Every unanswered phone call is a missed opportunity for dental practices. Missed calls are prospective patients scheduling a first appointment, a current patient confirming, or perhaps a simple question before choosing a provider. For many practices, answering every call while caring for in-person patients has become increasingly difficult.

The demands on front office teams continue to grow as practices manage increased patient expectations, staff turnover along with a high volume of administrative work. Improving the patient experience is just as important as delivering quality clinical care.

To help practices, NOHOLD launched Front Desk AMI™, an AI backup assistant developed specifically for dental practices. AMI answers patient calls, provides practice-specific information, captures appointment requests while supporting routine patient inquiries. By extending the reach of the front office, AMI helps practices always answer and empowers staff to focus on patients in front of them. Front Desk AMI is available immediately. To sign up or schedule a demonstration, visit NOHOLD's website.

Every practice is unique. AMI is configured around each business, so patients receive accurate information. The platform empowers non-developers to create AI Assistants in minutes for both web and phone applications. Quick setup tools for branding, customizing content and integration are available via secure login.

The launch of Front Desk AMI marks NOHOLD's healthcare expansion into the dental space. NOHOLD brings more than two decades of secure and compliant enterprise-grade conversational AI expertise to practices looking to improve the patient journey.

"Empathy is a defining characteristic of top dental practices. I believe that everybody in this space is naturally predisposed to offer it unconditionally. Unfortunately, time constraints and overloaded schedules don't always allow patients to be priority number one. Our goal with Front Desk AMI is to give your office staff some time back so that they can invest in empathy and get back the 5-star rating you deserve," said Diego Ventura, CEO of NOHOLD.

Dental practices can start answering every call now. To sign up for a free 30-day trial, or to schedule a demonstration, visit NOHOLD's website.

About NOHOLD

NOHOLD, Inc. is a Silicon Valley–based pioneer of enterprise-grade AI, delivering interactive and diagnostic AI Assistants via its award-winning SICURA® platform. Since its founding in 1999, the company has partnered with Fortune 500 organizations worldwide, spanning financial services, healthcare, HR, education, and more, to streamline customer and employee experiences, reduce reliance on traditional call centers, and drive measurable ROI through intelligent automation. Backed by four granted patents and annual SOC 2 Type II / HIPAA compliance audits, NOHOLD has built over 1,400 AI Assistants that deliver secure, scalable self-service, handling sensitive data with enterprise-grade trust. With two decades of expertise and a global footprint, the NOHOLD AI Alliance™ continues empowering enterprises to elevate digital service experiences through responsible, next-generation AI. More information can be found at www.nohold.com.

Press Contact

Jessica Powers

Sales & Marketing

+1 (279)-279-5330

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zReports Launches zReports Health to Bring Decision Intelligence to Healthcare Facility Choices

New platform gives families access to public records, facility performance data and AI-powered decision assistance across more than 130,000 U.S. healthcare facilities.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- zReports today launched zReports Health, bringing Decision Intelligence to the layer of healthcare where existing tools stop: the facility itself. Where an entire industry now helps patients and employees choose doctors, zReports Health scores the places care actually happens: IVF centers, ambulatory surgery centers, nursing homes, hospice, dialysis, home health, rehabilitation, and behavioral health.

Every consequential facility in America carries a public record: federal and state inspection results, deficiency citations, staffing data, enforcement actions, and ownership filings. Yet healthcare facility decisions are still made with surprisingly little consolidated information at the moment of choice. Families research a restaurant with more care than the surgery center where a parent will be sedated.

zReports Health compiles that record into one scored report per facility under a published, DOI registered methodology: the zScore. Every report names every source consulted, including the categories where nothing was found. We show you what we found, and what we did not. Each report cross-checks the official record against public reviews through a review integrity analysis and carries a verification date. AI Agents for Decisions turn the record into a conversation: a family can ask, "What should we know about these three centers?" and receive the records, outcomes, and expert questions to ask on the tour. Never a verdict. The record is presented; the family decides.

zReports is not merely another rating. It is a structured record assembled across fragmented official sources, scored under a published methodology, verified by date, and converted into an AI decision interface, a combination built specifically for consequential healthcare facility decisions, rather than general search or reviews.

"Financial decisions eat into mental and physical well-being, and the biggest healthcare decisions are made almost blind," said Shawn Redd, founder of zReports. "The record exists for every one of these facilities. It was collected precisely so the public could know. zReports Health puts it in a family's hands before the decision, with an agent to help them use it. People deserve to know before they decide."

zReports Health is available to consumers today across more than 130,000 US facilities, with a free records grade for any facility so families can see what exists before deciding how deep to look. zReports Health will also be available to employers as a workforce benefit for the 2027 plan year, distributed through benefits brokers and consultants.

The company accepts no money from the facilities it covers; no facility can edit a report, manage one, or pay for one.

About zReports: zReports is a Decision Intelligence Network. Know Before You Decide.

Media and partnership contact: zReports, +1 (408) 763-5219, [email protected]

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New research finds 43% report a Roku device as their most-used streaming media player; 17% report that their primary smart TV runs on Roku OS

PLANO, Texas, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Fox Corporation's planned acquisition of Roku for $22 billion highlights the strategic value of owning the platform that connects consumers to content, advertising, and streaming services. Parks Associates' Tech Ecosystem Dashboard, which includes data and analysis from surveys of 8,000+ US internet households, shows 43% of US internet households report a Roku device as their most-used streaming media player. Among smart TV owners, 17% report that their primary smart TV runs on Roku OS.

The Fox-Roku acquisition would bring strategic value to both companies. Fox brings premium live content, including sports and news, as well as Tubi, while Roku brings its operating system, The Roku Channel, Frndly TV, Howdy, advertising capabilities, and first-party data. Fox reports that Roku reaches more than 100 million streaming households globally.

"Roku's strength is its reach across the connected TV experience," said Michael Goodman, Research Director, Parks Associates. "Its position across smart TVs and streaming media players gives the platform influence that extends beyond any single hardware brand."

The combination also strengthens Fox's position in the growing free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) market. Tubi and The Roku Channel give the combined company two major ad-supported streaming properties, while Roku's platform provides additional opportunities to connect content discovery, audience data, and advertising across the TV experience.

Parks Associates released its Top Ten US FAST Services list in May:

- Tubi

- The Roku Channel

- Pluto TV

- Samsung TV+

- Xumo Play

- LG Channels

- VIX

- Local Now

- WatchFree+ (Vizio)

- Sling Freestream

"Competition in video is now about who owns the relationship with the viewer," Goodman said. "Content remains critical, especially live sports and news, but the platform determines how consumers discover that content and how providers engage and monetize audiences. The Fox and Roku combination brings greater control over how consumers access and discover content while expanding opportunities for viewer data, advertising, and distribution."

Parks Associates will host the industry webinar Streaming Video: Churn, Loyalty, and Competition on September 24 sharing research from this study and the "Streaming Video Tracker" service, which tracks the subscribers, content, revenues, strategies, and growth of streaming video services in North America.

Parks Associates will host Future of Video: Business of Streaming on November 17-18 at Marina del Rey, California. The event provides insight into successful OTT strategy deployments, challenges for pay-TV providers, the role of connected CE in the growth of video viewing, new content formats, and the overall impact to the video market.

For more information, contact Mindi Sue Sternlitz-Rubenstein or visit www.parksassociates.com.

About Parks Associates

Parks Associates helps companies identify new opportunities, refine strategy, and accelerate growth in connected technology markets through data-driven insights and industry expertise. With more than 40 years of experience, the firm delivers proprietary consumer and industry research, market forecasts, and strategic analysis that guide business decisions across personal, connected home, small business, and commercial technology ecosystems. Parks Associates supports clients in navigating evolving markets including AI, security, smart home, broadband, entertainment, energy, multifamily, smart buildings, and connected health.

The firm also fosters industry growth and collaboration by convening thousands of leaders each year through its flagship executive conferences, including CONNECTIONS™, Connected Health Summit, Smart Energy Summit, Smart Spaces, and Future of Video. Learn more at https://www.parksassociates.com.

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Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein

Parks Associates

972.490.1113

[email protected] 

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