/C O R R E C T I O N -- The Grapevine Red Blotch Virus Research Initiative/

In the news release, Napa Valley Wine Community Pledges $2.5 Million to Red Blotch Research, issued Oct. 6, 2026 by The Grapevine Red Blotch Virus Research Initiative over PR Newswire, we are advised by a representative of the company that the second paragraph has been updated. The complete, corrected release follows:

Napa Valley Wine Community Pledges $2.5 Million to Red Blotch Research

Independent initiative will fund research focused on practical vineyard solutions

NAPA VALLEY, Calif. , Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Winegrowers and wineries have pledged $2.5 million to launch Phase One of the Grapevine Red Blotch Virus Research Initiative, a public-private collaboration created to accelerate practical research into Grapevine Red Blotch Virus (GRBV).

The initiative has gained momentum through the commitment and leadership of Christian Mouiex/Dominus Estate, Darioush Winery, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Joe Wender and Ann Colgin, Louis P. Ciminelli/Laelius Winegrowing, Opus One Winery, Phillips Family Farming/Vine Hill Ranch, Tom Gamble/Gamble Estates, Pete Richmond/Silverado Farming Company, The Araujo Family, and other wine industry leaders.

GRBV is one of the most serious unresolved threats facing wine production. The virus can impair vine performance, delay fruit ripening, alter grape composition, and diminish wine quality with associated increases in management costs and replanting. These issues are worsened by the fact that winegrowers lack early detection methods and proven field strategies to limit spread and manage affected vines.

The GRBV Initiative brings winegrowers, wineries, researchers and public institutions together to jointly advance a coordinated research program. Phase One is designed as a three-year effort that will support multiple projects at leading research institutions, with defined milestones and a clear path from scientific discovery to vineyard use.

The effort started in 2025 as discussions among wine industry and research leaders, initiated by the Moët Hennessy Robert-Jean de Vogüé Research Center, regarding the principal knowledge gaps in Red Blotch and the need for a coordinated, multi-institutional response. In July 2026, these discussions culminated in a meeting of industry and research participants to refine research priorities and consider a shared funding effort. A smaller working group was formed to evaluate governance and administrative options.

Research priorities

The first competitive calls for proposals will focus on:

- Earlier, more reliable detection and diagnostic methods

- Virus and vector biology, including transmission and patterns of spread

- Practical mitigation and vineyard-management strategies

- Nursery testing, clean plant material and validation of diagnostic tools

The program may also support work on vine physiology and longer-term resistance while advancing practical outcomes for growers.

"Researchers and industry leaders have come together to identify the most urgent Red Blotch research needs and coordinate the work ahead. The wine community deserves tremendous credit for stepping up with the resources to put that plan into motion. We are excited to join this effort to help deliver practical tools that growers can use."

– Dr. Ben Monpetit, Chair, Department of Viticulture and Enology, CD Davis

Independent review and accountability

Research awards will be made through open, competitive calls available to qualified institutions. A proposed 10-member Governance Committee with equal representation from both wine and research communities, will establish priorities and budgets, approve calls for proposals and make final funding decisions.

An independent Technical Review Panel of qualified reviewers will evaluate proposals for scientific merit, feasibility, team capability, measurable milestones and practical vineyard impact.

The GRBV Initiative is working with the American Vineyard Foundation to serve as fiscal agent and program administrator for Phase One, with administrative agreements to soon be completed. The Governance Committee will retain responsibility for program performance, accountability and continuation decisions.

Next steps

The GRBV Initiative expects to issue its first calls for proposals in January 2027 and make initial funding decisions in spring 2027. Additional fundraising will continue to expand the research program and support future phases. Anyone interested in supporting the initiative should contact Bart Araujo.

About the Grapevine Red Blotch Virus Research Initiative

The Grapevine Red Blotch Virus Research Initiative is an industry-led, scientifically independent public-private collaboration dedicated to accelerating high-quality research on GRBV. Through competitive awards, independent scientific review and accountability, the Initiative seeks to deliver practical tools and durable solutions for grapegrowers.

SOURCE The Grapevine Red Blotch Virus Research Initiative

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25 teams unite with Special Operations warriors to support Green Berets and their families, including mental health care through Beyond the Battlefield

DALLAS, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The 13th Annual The Great Americans Shoot raised $2.4 million for Special Forces Trust, bringing together 25 teams and members of the nation's Special Operations Forces community to help ensure Green Berets and their families have support when they need it most.

Held October 2–4 in the Dallas area, TGAS 2026 paired civilian supporters with Special Operations warriors for a weekend of competition, camaraderie and shared purpose, including a Saturday clay-target competition at Dallas Gun Club in Lewisville and a Sunday multi-gun competition held at Extreme Tactical Gun Club in Waxahachie. Representatives of Army Special Forces, Navy SEALs, Marine Raiders and Air Force Combat Controllers all attended the event.

The funds raised will help the Trust continue to say "yes" to the Special Forces community through programs and resources that provide access to mental health care, assistance in times of crisis and opportunities for families to reconnect after the demands of military service.

"Our Green Berets have carried the weight of service for decades, and their families have carried it alongside them," said Jodi Burns, CEO of Special Forces Trust. "The $2.4 million raised through The Great Americans Shoot will help us respond when they need us, providing access to mental health care, support in times of crisis, and opportunities for families to reconnect. To every participant, donor, and sponsor who made this possible: thank you for standing beside this community with the same commitment they have shown our nation."

A central part of that mission is Beyond the Battlefield, the Trust's mental health, operational stress management and suicide prevention platform. Through peer experiences, one-on-one therapy with an anonymous participation option, and sponsored support, the platform offers Green Berets and their families a confidential path to help as they navigate the emotional challenges that can accompany service.

Green Berets can request therapy using an anonymous identification number. The Trust also helps connect those with more intensive needs to treatment and offers hunting, fishing and other shared experiences that build camaraderie. These resources give service members ways to seek support and connect with peers who understand the demands of their service.

The Trust's support extends to the entire family. Its THRIVE programs provide spouses with gatherings, workshops and resources that address the demands of deployment and military life. STRIVE programs offer activities and workshops for children. Mettle and Moxie family weekends give service members, couples and families opportunities to reconnect while learning practical approaches to the physical, emotional and mental challenges they face.

Together, these programs recognize that the sacrifices of military service are shared by spouses and children, and that strengthening families is essential to supporting the nation's warriors.

Founded by Mike Reynolds, an Austin native and descendant of the Kleberg family associated with King Ranch, TGAS has raised approximately $20 million over the years, Reynolds told The Dallas Morning News. The event is the Trust's largest annual fundraiser, drawing supporters this year from Texas, Arizona, Florida, California, New Jersey, Connecticut and beyond.

Reynolds' inspiration grew from meeting military participants in the online series Maximum Warrior in 2011. He wanted to give civilians a meaningful way to express their gratitude through action and personal connection. That spirit carried through this year's gathering, where service members and military spouses shared accounts of deployment and the lasting effects of combat on individuals and families.

Another Opportunity to Stand Beside Those Who Serve

Supporters can continue making a difference at the Hope & Purpose Masquerade Ball on October 22, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas. The event specifically benefits Beyond the Battlefield and offers another way for the community to support the Trust's mission.

Sponsorships remain available. Individual tickets range from $125 to $250, with tables available for $1,800. For tickets and sponsorship information, visit Hope & Purpose.

About Special Forces Trust

Special Forces Trust supports U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers, known as Green Berets, and their families through programs and resources that address the challenges of service and life beyond the battlefield. Its work includes mental health support, spouse and children's programs, and family experiences that strengthen connection and resilience. The Special Forces Charitable Trust now does business as Special Forces Trust.  The Trust has a four-star navigator rating with more than 90-percent of all funds raised going to its mission. Learn more at www.sftrust.org.

Media Contact:

Cameron Davis, Special Forces Trust

Cell: 757-636-4547 | Office: 910-725-7034

Thomas Graham, Crosswind Media

Cell: 512-294-7111 | Office: 512-537-1414

SOURCE Special Forces Trust

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- NTAP effective October 1, 2026, expanding access to icotec's radiolucent spinal stabilization technology for eligible Medicare procedures

- The CMORE® Cervicothoracic (CT) spine implant system is a new key member of icotec's growing and innovative family of Spine Therapy products

ALTSTÄTTEN, Switzerland and BOSTON, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- icotec, the global leader in radiolucent implants for spine tumors and other complex spinal surgery patients, today announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved a New Technology Add-On Payment (NTAP) for icotec's spine implant system, CMORE® CT, effective October 1, 2026.

This approval represents an important milestone for icotec and its CMORE® CT System. The NTAP program can help eligible hospitals receive reimbursement for treating Medicare patients with the innovative CMORE® product. The CMS designation provides an additional payment to eligible hospitals for qualifying technologies used for traditional Medicare patients. The CMORE® NTAP applies to specified spinal conditions and procedures.

"We are thrilled that CMS has recognized our new CMORE® CT System through the NTAP program, after previously receiving the Break-Through Device Designation (BDD) in April, 2025," said Christoph Eigenmann, CEO of icotec, USA. "Through this new acknowledgement, clinicians have an approved solution to provide their patients the CMORE® CT System. This empowers the ability to SEE MORE during surgery in XRAY, CT and MRI imaging and enables advanced therapies postoperatively thanks to the radiolucent properties of BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK."

With its BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK implants, icotec combines its proprietary process technologies with advanced material science to deliver innovative and reliable solutions for spine surgeons and their patients around the world. icotec works with clinicians in a multi-disciplinary therapy approach to advance the field of spinal implants and shape the future of spinal surgery.

For additional inquiries, please contact [email protected].

About icotec's CMORE® CT System

The CMORE® CT System is designed for posterior stabilization of the cervicothoracic spine and is engineered and manufactured with icotec's proprietary BlackArmor® technology. The nonmetallic, radiolucent system is made entirely of Carbon/PEEK and includes polyaxial screws (pedicle and lateral mass) as well as straight and precontoured rods to accommodate patient anatomy. The CMORE® CT system is indicated to treat most of today's posterior cervicothoracic spinal pathologies and is the only posterior cervicothoracic system approved by the FDA for the treatment of spinal infection.

The above information is provided by icotec regarding the NTAP program, is for communication purposes only and does not constitute billing or coding advice. Eligibility and reimbursement are determined by CMS and applicable payer requirements. icotec does not guarantee any specific reimbursement.

For additional information about icotec and the CMORE® product, please visit www.icotec-medical.com. Healthcare professionals and hospital representatives seeking more information about the CMORE® CT System NTAP program, please contact [email protected].

SOURCE Icotec Medical

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Investment will expand the USI CDFI small business loan fund and bring capital, technical assistance, and pathways to ownership to entrepreneurs in five additional cities.

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Urban Strategies, Inc. (USI) announced they received a $1.5 million grant from Truist Foundation. USI is a national institution advancing people-centered, place-based strategies that strengthen families, build community wealth, and transform neighborhoods nationwide.

The grant will support the expansion of the USI Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), creating stronger bridges to capital, business growth, and wealth creation for emerging entrepreneurs in Memphis, TN; Fort Worth, TX; Houston, TX; Jacksonville, FL; and Philadelphia, PA.

The new grant builds on a $1.5 million grant Truist Foundation awarded to USI in 2023 to advance similar work in Norfolk, VA; Baltimore, MD; and Fort Myers, FL.

Together, USI and Truist Foundation are working to change more than who has access to capital; they are helping change the systems that determine who have the opportunity to build, own, grow, and create wealth.

The grant funding will allow the USI CDFI to expand its loan fund, business support infrastructure, and application system to reach entrepreneurs who have faced barriers to traditional sources of capital. Business owners will have access not only to financing, but also to credit-building tools, technical assistance, knowledge, networks, and resources necessary to start, sustain, and grow thriving enterprises.

"Economic growth begins with opportunity. When entrepreneurs have access to the capital, support, and resources needed to bring their vision to life, the impact extends far beyond a single business," said Don Terrell, Truist market president. "Through this work, Truist Foundation is supporting the people and communities that drive local economies forward. We are honored to be a part of this initiative that expands opportunity, encourages business growth, and helps create lasting prosperity in Memphis and communities across the country."

Terrell joined USI Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Donovan Duncan to formally announce the grant during a community celebration and launch event at Epicenter in Memphis.

"We are deeply grateful to Truist Foundation for continuing this journey with us. This work is about more than access to capital; it is about ownership, economic power, and creating the conditions for people and communities to build wealth on their own terms," said Duncan. "Entrepreneurs are not simply beneficiaries of neighborhood revitalization; they are builders, employers, innovators, and essential drivers of it. This investment allows us to put capital and infrastructure behind their ideas and aspirations. What we are launching in Memphis and these additional communities is part of a much larger movement toward community ownership and shared prosperity. And we believe this is only the beginning."

For nearly five decades, USI has worked alongside families and communities to confront the systems and conditions that perpetuate poverty. Its work recognizes that neighborhood transformation cannot be measured solely by new buildings or physical investment. Lasting transformation requires families to be stable, residents to have economic power, entrepreneurs to have access to capital, and communities to participate in and benefit from the wealth being created around them.

Through this work, USI is investing in that broader vision: communities where residents are not displaced from opportunity but positioned to own, lead, build, and prosper.

USI CDFI

Since 2018, USI's CDFI has raised and deployed nearly $12 million in financing to support affordable housing development and economic growth. These investments have contributed to the creation of 3,820 jobs and the preservation of nearly 2,315 units of housing nationwide.

USI has also supported more than 250 entrepreneurs through technical assistance.

The USI CDFI is an extension of the institution's broader commitment to economic mobility and community wealth building. By combining flexible capital, technical assistance, business infrastructure, and USI's deep presence in communities, the CDFI is helping build an ecosystem in which entrepreneurs can move from ideas to enterprises, enterprises to employers, and economic participation to ownership and wealth. Learn more at www.usi-cdfi.org.

Urban Strategies, Inc.

Urban Strategies, Inc. (USI) is a national nonprofit institution with nearly five decades of experience working alongside communities to build the conditions in which children, families, and neighborhoods can thrive.

Founded in 1978, USI has grown from a community-based organization into a national platform for people-centered, place-based transformation. Working at the intersection of housing, education, health, economic mobility, community leadership, and systems change, USI brings residents, public agencies, philanthropy, business, and community institutions together around a shared commitment to expanding opportunity and building stronger communities.

USI's work is grounded in a simple belief: people should not merely survive neighborhood change; they should have the power, resources, and opportunity to shape it and prosper.

Today, USI is active in 63 communities across 19 states and two territories, partnering with more than 100,000 individuals, 30,000 families, and a network of more than 1,000 organizations.

Across its work, USI is helping move communities from programs to systems change, from access to ownership, and from managing poverty to building pathways toward prosperity and generational wealth. Learn more at www.usi-inc.org.

Truist Foundation

Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation's (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. The Foundation, an endowed private foundation established in 2020 whose operating budget is independent of Truist Financial Corporation, makes strategic investments in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations centered around two focus areas: building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses to ensure all communities have an opportunity to thrive. Embodying these focus areas are the Foundation's leading initiatives – the Inspire Awards and Where It Starts. Learn more at www.TruistFoundation.org.

SOURCE Urban Strategies, Inc

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Karen Hanlon Named Chief Executive Officer and President; David Holmberg to Serve as Executive Chairman

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Highmark Health announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Karen Hanlon as chief executive officer and president of Highmark Health, effective Jan. 1, 2027. David Holmberg, who has served as chief executive officer (CEO) since 2014, will transition to the role of executive chairman.

Hanlon, who currently serves as president, becomes the first female CEO in the organization's history. She will assume responsibility for leading all aspects of Highmark Health's strategy, operations, growth, and performance across its health plans, Allegheny Health Network (AHN), and diversified businesses. During her nearly three decades with the organization, Hanlon helped oversee significant growth and transformation, including the expansion of the enterprise from approximately $17 billion in revenue in 2014 to nearly $35 billion projected at year end.

"The Board has tremendous confidence in Karen's ability to lead the organization into its next chapter while continuing to advance our Living Health strategy and deliver value for the people and communities we serve," said Greg Jordan, Highmark Health board chair. "We are grateful to David Holmberg for his consistent and courageous leadership over the past 12 years and are pleased he will continue supporting the organization as executive chairman to help ensure a seamless transition and sustained momentum."

As executive chairman, Holmberg will continue to serve the organization and work closely with Hanlon and the Board of Directors to support a smooth leadership transition and advance Highmark Health's long-term strategic priorities.

"As healthcare continues to evolve, our focus remains clear: making healthcare more affordable, simpler, and more effective for the people and communities we serve," said Hanlon. "I am honored by the Board's confidence and grateful for the opportunity to lead this remarkable organization. Together, we will continue advancing our Living Health strategy, delivering remarkable health experiences, and transforming healthcare for future generations."

Hanlon joined Highmark in 1997 after beginning her career in public accounting at KPMG. She held a series of leadership roles in finance before being named chief financial officer in 2014, where she strengthened financial performance and helped drive record revenues.

Karen has been instrumental in Highmark Health's significant growth. She grew the organization through affiliations with health plans in five additional states, including recent integrations with New York-based Health Now and Kansas City-based Blue KC. She also led the acquisition and transition of Gateway Health to become Highmark Wholecare, which added Medicaid products to Highmark health plan's portfolio. Karen was also deeply involved in the formation and success of AHN, including leading AHN's first $1 billion tax-exempt bond financing to stabilize its long-term capital structure and support system growth.

Hanlon was named chief operating officer in 2018 and president in 2025. Her career achievements have earned numerous honors, including recognition on the Pittsburgh Business Time's Power 100 in 2026 and 2024, Modern Healthcare's Top Women Leaders in 2024, the Pittsburgh Business Times' C-Suite Awards in 2023 and CFO of the Year in 2018.

"Karen is an exceptional leader whose vision, operational expertise, and unwavering commitment to the people we serve have helped shape Highmark Health into the organization it is today," said Holmberg. "She understands our business deeply, has earned the trust of our employees and stakeholders, and is the right leader to guide Highmark Health into its next chapter of growth and transformation."

About Highmark Health

Highmark Health is a Pittsburgh, PA-based organization dedicated to improving community health and grounded in its mission to deliver a remarkable health experience, freeing people to be their best. Employing more than 47,000 people who serve millions of Americans across the country, Highmark Health is the parent company of Highmark, Allegheny Health Network, and enGen. Through its Living Health strategy, Highmark Health is setting a new standard for health care by providing better, more accessible experiences that lead to improved health outcomes and lower costs of care. To learn more about how Highmark Health is reinventing health, visit highmarkhealth.org.

SOURCE Highmark Health

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CAMDEN, N.J., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE: AWK) announced today that it intends to release its 2026 third quarter financial results and 2027 earnings guidance on a standalone basis, as well as its long-term financial targets, after the market closes on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

John Griffith, President and Chief Executive Officer; David Bowler, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and Cheryl Norton, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will host a conference call and webcast with investors, analysts and other interested parties on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. There will be a question-and-answer session as part of the call.

Interested parties may listen to an audio webcast of the conference call through a link on the Investor Relations website at ir.amwater.com. Presentation slides that will be used in conjunction with the earnings conference call will also be made available online in advance at ir.amwater.com. A replay of the audio webcast will be available for one year on American Water's investor relations website at ir.amwater.com/events. The company recognizes its websites as key channels of distribution to reach public investors and as a means of disclosing material non-public information to comply with the company's obligations under SEC Regulation FD.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 19 military installations. American Water's approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

AWK-IR

SOURCE American Water

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TROY, Mich., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- DCA Manufacturing today announced that its Troy, Michigan and Cumberland, Wisconsin facilities have achieved AS9100D certification, the internationally recognized quality management standard for organizations serving the aviation, space and defense industries.

The certifications cover the manufacturing, servicing and testing of electronic Printed Circuit Boards Assemblies (PCBAs) and complex System Integrations at both of DCA's manufacturing facilities.

"Achieving AS9100D certification is a significant milestone that reflects our team's unwavering commitment to quality, disciplined execution and continuous improvement," said Upinder Singh, CEO of DCA Manufacturing. "For our aerospace and defense customers, this certification provides added confidence that DCA has the robust processes, controls and accountability necessary to support complex, high-reliability electronic programs and meet the demanding standards of these critical industries."

AS9100D incorporates aerospace-specific requirements focused on operational risk, configuration management, product safety, supplier quality, traceability and counterfeit parts prevention. The certification further strengthens DCA's established quality and compliance framework, which includes ISO 9001, ISO 13485 and IATF 16949 certifications. DCA is also ITAR and SAM.gov registered, supports IPC workmanship requirements and maintains compliance programs addressing NIST SP 800-171, RoHS, REACH and ESD control.

DCA provides printed circuit board assembly, system integration and box build, engineering support, supply chain management, and turnkey electronics manufacturing solutions. With more than 40 years of experience, DCA supports customers across the defense and aerospace, medical, industrial, automotive, energy and emerging technologies markets.

About DCA Manufacturing

DCA Manufacturing is a premier electronics manufacturing services provider specializing in printed circuit board assembly, system integration and box build, engineering support, supply chain management and turnkey electronics manufacturing solutions. With operations in Michigan and Wisconsin, DCA combines advanced manufacturing capabilities, responsive customer support and disciplined execution to help OEM customers bring complex electronic products to market.

Where Excellence Meets Execution!

For more information, visit www.dcamfg.com.

SOURCE DCA Manufacturing

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ASPCA Poison Control is seeing severe cases weekly following exposure to consumer migraine caps, eye masks, wraps and dog beds that contain hydrogel

NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- New research from the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), reveals severe cases – and even death – related to ingestion of consumer polyacrylamide-based hydrogel products, including migraine caps, eye masks, wraps and dog beds. The research was conducted in collaboration with Ashley Haugen from The Product Injury Coalition, polymer scientists at Cambridge Polymer Group, and an attending veterinarian at VEG ER for Pets, to summarize case data and analyze gel from associated products. The study examined outcomes for 45 dogs with suspected acrylamide toxicosis, with some exhibiting signs such as vomiting, muscle tremors, unsteadiness on the feet, sensitivity to sound or touch, an increased heart rate, seizures, and death.

Polyacrylamide is a common ingredient in hydrogel products and has traditionally been considered low risk from a toxicological standpoint because polymers such as polyacrylamide have wide safety margins. While packaging may describe these products as nontoxic or medical grade, they may contain extremely high levels of residual acrylamide from the manufacturing process. Acrylamide can be absorbed through the skin, orally, and through inhalation, and is a potent neurotoxin for both pets and humans.

"At ASPCA Poison Control, we are receiving reports of suspected acrylamide toxicosis -leading to severe signs- on a weekly basis. These signs follow ingestion of consumer migraine caps, eye masks, wraps and dog beds with similar hydrogel contents, and the concern has been observed across a wide number of brands," says Dr. Colette Wegenast, senior director of quality assurance at ASPCA Poison Control. "We understand how frightening these situations can be, and we want pet owners to be aware of these products in their home to ensure they know what steps to take to keep their pets safe. If you suspect your pet has ingested any amount of a hydrogel product, please contact your veterinarian or our experts at ASPCA Poison Control."

The ASPCA's research found clinically significant levels of acrylamide in cooling gel products, some of which were between 12,900-51,800 ppm, which are 21-86 times the upper end of 'expected' levels (1 to 600 ppm) and 8,600 to 34,500-fold higher than specifications for medical-device grade products such as Bulkamid (

Experts at ASPCA Poison Control are continuing to investigate these cases and the most effective treatment options. While there is no antidote to acrylamide toxicosis, current treatment is aimed at controlling signs and providing supportive care. If you currently let your pet use a cooling pet pad, it's critical to monitor their use of the product, especially if they tend to chew on things they should not. Additionally, keeping items not intended for pet use, such as migraine caps, eye masks and wraps, out of reach of pets can prevent potential harm.

ASPCA Poison Control is the No. 1 expert in animal toxicology, with a long history of groundbreaking research. As part of the organization's mission to improve the lives of vulnerable animals, the ASPCA offers this lifesaving support line for poison-related emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to both pet owners and veterinarians. ASPCA Poison Control's staff of highly trained veterinary professionals delivers the most accurate, up-to-date advice, uniquely tailored to meet the needs of pets, their owners and the veterinary community that supports them.

For more information about ASPCA Poison Control, visit aspca.org/poison. If you suspect your pet has ingested the contents of a migraine cap, eye mask, wrap, dog bed or a cooling pet pad, please contact your local veterinarian or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. If your pet is showing neurologic signs, please take them to your closest veterinarian immediately.

About the ASPCA®

The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) believes every animal deserves to live free from suffering. For 160 years, we've been on the frontlines to save, transform and protect millions of lives in the fight against animal cruelty. As the nation's first and leading animal welfare organization, we assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal relocation and placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary communities through research, training and resources. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than 2 million supporters nationwide, our commitment to eliminating animal cruelty is unwavering. For more information visit aspca.org, and follow the ASPCA on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

SOURCE ASPCA

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PITTSBURGH, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- "I thought there could be a way to keep both hands free while walking a dog on a leash," said an inventor, from Passaic, N.J., "so I invented the LEASH 360. My design eliminates the need to struggle and juggle multiple things while walking the dog."

The invention provides a hands-free way to walk a dog on a leash. In doing so, it eliminates the need to hold the leash in the hand. As a result, it increases comfort, safety, and convenience. It also enables the user to multi-task. The invention features a simple and adjustable design that is easy to use so it is ideal for dog owners. Additionally, a prototype model and technical drawings are available upon request.

The original design was submitted to the Manhattan sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 25-MBQ-988, InventHelp, 100 Beecham Drive, Suite 110, Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9801, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

SOURCE InventHelp

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Live virtual event "The Door Back to Real" reveals a first-of-its-kind, individually-centric architecture with no hub, no master key and no honey pots of data for AI to take.

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, Oct. 15, Individual Centricity Corporation (IC-Corp) will reveal a first-of-its-kind solution to the concern that AI is going rogue, at a live virtual event on Zoom called "The Door Back to Real," from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. PT. The question at its center: When AI can fake anyone, how do you know who's really there?

They say AI will end us. IC-Corp says AI can only take over what it can pretend to be, and IC-Corp makes pretending the fastest way to get caught.

For more than a hundred years, the movies have rehearsed the same nightmare. A dinosaur tramples London. Creatures attack explorers on the moon. A robot steals a woman's face. Frankenstein's creature turns on the man who made him. Even the friendly kitchen robot picks up a knife. Now the headlines say the monster is real, and its name is AI.

The trouble isn't only AI. It's how the internet was built: enterprise-centric. All things are connected to the enterprise hub, you and you, it and it, you and it, into a large honey pot. When everything is connected this way, all AI has to do is take the master key.

Today's systems answer with better locks on a broken door. A stolen password works perfectly for a thief. Deepfakes make the key from pieces and parts, Frankenstein versions of real people.

"We are individually-centric. This is a new architecture. We are essentially reweaving the fabric of the internet, where you and you, and it and it, are all autonomous and sovereign," said Kelley Moreno, VP of Marketing at IC-Corp. "There is no hub, no master key and no honey pots of data to take."

"Here's the difference. An enterprise-centric system validates everyone against one central database the enterprise controls, so every record sits in the same place, waiting to be stolen. An individually-centric system validates each person, device or thing on its own, against its own pattern, without storing personal data, leaving no honey pot to steal."

IC-Corp's 1TrueU asks a different question. Not "Did something match at one moment?" but "Is the entity here right now the one you expect, and is that still true a minute from now?" It never claims "this is Joe Smith." No name, no address, no Social Security number, no personal file. Your name is not necessary, as the person you're interfacing with already has an expectation of who you are. They just need to know that you are likely to be the person or thing they expect. IC-Corp's Confidence Index (CI) tells them just how likely this is. The decision happens on the device, and the same question works for a person, a laptop, a server, a router, an AI agent or a sensor.

"No master key. Nothing to take over," said Thomas W. Loker, founder and chief science officer of IC-Corp. "Faking one channel is easy; faking them all is the hard part."

IC-Corp's work is endorsed by neuroscientist Karl Friston.

IC-Corp invites investors, engineers, and the public to join the reveal.

- Event: "The Door Back to Real: When AI can fake anyone, how do you know who's really there?"

- When: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, 2:00–3:30 p.m. PT (5:00–6:30 p.m. ET)

- Where: Live and virtual, on Zoom

- Format: A one-hour presentation with demonstrations, then 30 minutes of open Q&A

- Who it's for: Angel and venture investors, family offices, inference engineers, and anyone who has wondered whether AI is going rogue.

- For builders: Engineers can raise a hand through a "Want to build this?" form on the registration page.

- Register:https://www.bethe1trueu.com/registration-icc-presentation-2026

"This is the beginning of the story, a paradigm shift," said Moreno. "Join us October 15th. Let us show you the door back to real."

About Individual Centricity Corporation (IC-Corp)

Individual Centricity Corporation (IC-Corp) builds individually-centric validation: the only way to secure any identity, human or otherwise. Its 1TrueU platform runs the check on the device itself, for a person, a laptop, a server or an AI agent, with no database of people behind it. IC-Corp stores the recipe, not the meal. It validates; it doesn't surveil, store, police, authorize or gatekeep. IC-Corp is building a federated attestation marketplace, with 1TrueU as the on-ramp. Learn more at individualcentricity.com.

Media contact: Kelley Moreno, VP of Marketing, Individual Centricity Corporation • [email protected]

SOURCE Individual Centricity

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