Collegiate Inventors Competition Accepting New Entries

Collegiate Inventors Competition Accepting New Entries

WHAT: For more than three decades, the Collegiate Inventors Competition® (CIC) has offered student innovators from across the country the opportunity to showcase their work and compete for top prizes. CIC has now opened the entry period for the 2022 competition.

The National Inventors Hall of Fame® (NIHF), in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), invites Undergraduate and Graduate students to submit their applications for this immersive, one-of-a-kind invention competition. Submissions will be evaluated based on originality, completeness, adequacy as a solution, impact and coherence.

Selected Finalists will travel (all expenses paid) to the Washington, D.C. area to compete. Throughout the two-day event, Finalists will interact with their fellow student innovators, have their presentations judged by NIHF Inductees and USPTO officials, and network with the Judges during an Awards Dinner. Winning teams will be awarded cash prizes and a USPTO Patent Acceleration Certificate.

CIC is an excellent opportunity for students to take their inventions to the next level. Students can visit https://www.invent.org/collegiate-inventors to learn more and apply for the competition.

WHEN: The deadline to apply is June 7. The competition takes place the week of Oct. 10.

WHERE: The USPTO Madison Building, 600 Dulany St. in Alexandria, Virginia.

ETC.: Because most university design and capstone projects qualify for CIC, entries are a great way for students to make the most of their hard work. Professors and mentors are encouraged to share this opportunity with their students.

About the Collegiate Inventors Competition

The Collegiate Inventors Competition encourages and drives innovation and entrepreneurship at the collegiate level. A program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, this competition recognizes and rewards the research, innovations and discoveries by college students and their advisers for projects leading to inventions that have the potential of receiving patent protection. Introduced in 1990, the competition has awarded cash prizes to students for their innovative work and scientific achievement through the help of its sponsors. For more information, visit invent.org/events/cic-event.

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Multi-Country Heart Health Surveys Find Fewer People Exercise Regularly Now Than Before the COVID-19 Pandemic 

Multi-Country Heart Health Surveys Find Fewer People Exercise Regularly Now
Than Before the COVID-19 Pandemic 

Significant national differences in perceptions of heart disease risk factors also emerge in polls of adults across Canada, India, Mexico and in London 


March 11, 2022, CLEVELAND: Surveys of adults living in the UK, Canada, India and Mexico commissioned by global health system Cleveland Clinic this year have found a decline in the number of people who exercise regularly. In addition, many adults in these countries do not recognize the major role played by modifiable risk factors such as exercise and diet in preventing heart disease, which is increasing on a global scale.  

According to a World Health Organization review of the years 2000 to 2019 inclusive, heart disease remained the leading cause of death at the global level for both decades. Moreover, the number of deaths from heart disease increased by more than 2 million from 2000, to nearly 9 million in 2019, which means heart disease represented 16% of total deaths from all causes. 

“We regularly commission surveys to assess knowledge of heart disease risk factors as well as to investigate relevant lifestyle trends in various countries. This year, with COVID fatigue being an issue, we were keen to determine if the pandemic had made an impact on people’s lifestyles in terms of diet and exercise. According to the results, there has been a concerning overall increase of adults who rarely or never perform moderate to vigorous exercise as opposed to before March 2020, but some countries have been far more affected than others,” said Samir Kapadia, MD, Chairman of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic. 

Dr. Kapadia says that Mexico saw the biggest change post-pandemic, with people rarely or never doing moderate to rigorous exercise rising 12 percentage points from 28% to 40% of the population, while India saw the least change with an increase of only 3 percentage points from 30% to 33%. Canada’s increase was 8 percentage points from 40% to 48%, while in London –the site of Cleveland Clinic’s newest hospital opening next month – the increase was 7 percentage points, from 35% to 42%. 

It also appears that recognizing lack of exercise as a risk factor for heart disease did not have an impact on whether respondents chose to exercise, with some countries having high recognition but low exercise rates and vice versa. For example, the number of Canadians and Mexicans who currently rarely or never do moderate to vigorous exercise stands at 48% for Canadians and 40% for Mexicans, but 66% of Canadians and only 51% of Mexicans recognize not exercising enough as a heart disease risk factor (in that they selected it as something which can increase one’s risk of developing heart disease). Similarly, in London, 42% never or rarely exercise, but 72% recognize lack of exercise as an increased risk factor, and in India, which has the lowest number of people who rarely or never exercise at 33%, only 38% recognize this as a risk factor.

The surveys also found that few adults followed the diet that they had identified as most heart healthy, with India demonstrating the highest correlation. 

The Mediterranean diet, which is recommended by the American Heart Foundation and similar organizations, was recognized as being among the top three most heart-healthy diets by 49% of Londoners and 32% of Canadians, but was followed by only 7% of respondents in both cases. Notably, the Mediterranean diet is recognized as among the most heart-healthy diets by only 15% of Mexicans and 11% of Indians. 

In Mexico, a low-carbohydrate diet was most identified as among the most heart healthy, with 45% picking this option but only 24% following this way of eating. Indians were most likely to follow the diet they viewed as heart healthy, with 37% identifying a vegetarian diet including eggs and dairy to be heart-healthy and 35% following this way of eating. 

Indians were also most likely to follow a specific eating plan, with only 29% not following one, compared to the 68% of Londoners, 65% of Canadians and 52% of Mexicans who do not follow any particular diet.

There were also major differences in the four countries in regard to recognizing two key heart risk factors; obesity and smoking. Obesity was recognized as a risk factor by 84% of Londoners, 77% of Canadians, 73% of Mexicans and 43% of Indians. Smoking or vaping was recognized by 78% of Londoners, 74% of Canadians, 54% of Mexicans and 51% of Indians.  

“These results indicate that we don’t only need to make people aware of the best lifestyle options for heart health – we also need to emphasize how much of an impact these changes can make in order to encourage them to implement the healthier habits. It is possible to reverse the current trend of rising heart disease deaths as we believe around 90% of heart disease could be prevented through regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and diet, and not smoking,” Dr. Kapadia commented.

NOTE:  Survey methodology: All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The surveys were carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all adults (aged 18+) in the specific country – or in the case of London, the city - surveyed.  The total sample size for London was 1,024 adults and fieldwork was undertaken between 18-20 January 2022. The total sample size for Canada was 1,017 adults and fieldwork was undertaken from 17- 21 January 2022. The total sample size for India was 1,034 adults with fieldwork was undertaken from 19-28 January 2022. The total sample size for Mexico was 1,041 adults and fieldwork was undertaken from 17-21 January 2022.  

About Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 72,500 employees worldwide are more than 5,050 salaried physicians and researchers, and 17,800 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,500-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 21 hospitals, more than 220 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2021, there were 10.2 million total outpatient visits, 304,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 259,000 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/ClevelandClinic. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.


Editor’s Note: Cleveland Clinic News Service is available to provide broadcast-quality interviews and B-roll upon request. 

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Multi-Country Heart Health Surveys Find Fewer People Exercise Regularly Now Than Before the COVID-19 Pandemic 

Multi-Country Heart Health Surveys Find Fewer People Exercise Regularly Now
Than Before the COVID-19 Pandemic 


Significant national differences in perceptions of heart disease risk factors also emerge in polls of adults across Canada, India, Mexico and in London 


March 11, 2022, CLEVELAND: Surveys of adults living in the UK, Canada, India and Mexico commissioned by global health system Cleveland Clinic this year have found a decline in the number of people who exercise regularly. In addition, many adults in these countries do not recognize the major role played by modifiable risk factors such as exercise and diet in preventing heart disease, which is increasing on a global scale.  

According to a World Health Organization review of the years 2000 to 2019 inclusive, heart disease remained the leading cause of death at the global level for both decades. Moreover, the number of deaths from heart disease increased by more than 2 million from 2000, to nearly 9 million in 2019, which means heart disease represented 16% of total deaths from all causes. 

“We regularly commission surveys to assess knowledge of heart disease risk factors as well as to investigate relevant lifestyle trends in various countries. This year, with COVID fatigue being an issue, we were keen to determine if the pandemic had made an impact on people’s lifestyles in terms of diet and exercise. According to the results, there has been a concerning overall increase of adults who rarely or never perform moderate to vigorous exercise as opposed to before March 2020, but some countries have been far more affected than others,” said Samir Kapadia, MD, Chairman of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic. 

Dr. Kapadia says that Mexico saw the biggest change post-pandemic, with people rarely or never doing moderate to rigorous exercise rising 12 percentage points from 28% to 40% of the population, while India saw the least change with an increase of only 3 percentage points from 30% to 33%. Canada’s increase was 8 percentage points from 40% to 48%, while in London –the site of Cleveland Clinic’s newest hospital opening next month – the increase was 7 percentage points, from 35% to 42%. 

It also appears that recognizing lack of exercise as a risk factor for heart disease did not have an impact on whether respondents chose to exercise, with some countries having high recognition but low exercise rates and vice versa. For example, the number of Canadians and Mexicans who currently rarely or never do moderate to vigorous exercise stands at 48% for Canadians and 40% for Mexicans, but 66% of Canadians and only 51% of Mexicans recognize not exercising enough as a heart disease risk factor (in that they selected it as something which can increase one’s risk of developing heart disease). Similarly, in London, 42% never or rarely exercise, but 72% recognize lack of exercise as an increased risk factor, and in India, which has the lowest number of people who rarely or never exercise at 33%, only 38% recognize this as a risk factor.

The surveys also found that few adults followed the diet that they had identified as most heart healthy, with India demonstrating the highest correlation. 

The Mediterranean diet, which is recommended by the American Heart Foundation and similar organizations, was recognized as being among the top three most heart-healthy diets by 49% of Londoners and 32% of Canadians, but was followed by only 7% of respondents in both cases. Notably, the Mediterranean diet is recognized as among the most heart-healthy diets by only 15% of Mexicans and 11% of Indians. 

In Mexico, a low-carbohydrate diet was most identified as among the most heart healthy, with 45% picking this option but only 24% following this way of eating. Indians were most likely to follow the diet they viewed as heart healthy, with 37% identifying a vegetarian diet including eggs and dairy to be heart-healthy and 35% following this way of eating. 

Indians were also most likely to follow a specific eating plan, with only 29% not following one, compared to the 68% of Londoners, 65% of Canadians and 52% of Mexicans who do not follow any particular diet.

There were also major differences in the four countries in regard to recognizing two key heart risk factors; obesity and smoking. Obesity was recognized as a risk factor by 84% of Londoners, 77% of Canadians, 73% of Mexicans and 43% of Indians. Smoking or vaping was recognized by 78% of Londoners, 74% of Canadians, 54% of Mexicans and 51% of Indians.  

“These results indicate that we don’t only need to make people aware of the best lifestyle options for heart health – we also need to emphasize how much of an impact these changes can make in order to encourage them to implement the healthier habits. It is possible to reverse the current trend of rising heart disease deaths as we believe around 90% of heart disease could be prevented through regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and diet, and not smoking,” Dr. Kapadia commented.

NOTE:  Survey methodology: All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The surveys were carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all adults (aged 18+) in the specific country – or in the case of London, the city - surveyed.  The total sample size for London was 1,024 adults and fieldwork was undertaken between 18-20 January 2022. The total sample size for Canada was 1,017 adults and fieldwork was undertaken from 17- 21 January 2022. The total sample size for India was 1,034 adults with fieldwork was undertaken from 19-28 January 2022. The total sample size for Mexico was 1,041 adults and fieldwork was undertaken from 17-21 January 2022.  


- ENDS -

About Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 72,500 employees worldwide are more than 5,050 salaried physicians and researchers, and 17,800 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,500-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 21 hospitals, more than 220 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2021, there were 10.2 million total outpatient visits, 304,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 259,000 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/ClevelandClinic. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.


Editor’s Note: Cleveland Clinic News Service is available to provide broadcast-quality interviews and B-roll upon request. 


###

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Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

(Press Release)

Winnipeg, MB, Wednesday, January 5 – Being diagnosed with dementia raises uncertainty, fears and unknowns. This January, during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the Alzheimer Society wants to remind families that there is a place to turn after diagnosis. The Society is your First Link® to a community of support, knowledge and people who care.

 

“Making a connection to the Alzheimer Society can make a world of difference for families. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, or caring for a family member late in the progression of the disease, we are here for you, every step of the way,” says Erin Crawford, Program Director, Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. “Reach out to us, you’ll find yourself linked up with caring friends and professionals in a place where you belong.”

 

The Society is your first link to support, whether you have dementia yourself, or if a family member or friend is affected. The goal of the First Link® program is to make sure that families have the right support and information, from the time of an initial diagnosis and throughout the progression of the disease.

During Awareness Month, people living with dementia will share how support from the Society has helped them cope. For example, when Luc Lemoine was diagnosed with Pick's disease (one of the many types of dementia), he was shocked and afraid; he had no idea what the future would bring. His outlook changed when he started going to a support group for people with dementia at the Alzheimer Society. He was surprised to find happy group members joking around with each other as they talked about how life can still be fulfilling and enjoyable after a diagnosis.

 

With more than 23,000 Manitobans and half a million Canadians living with dementia today, the Alzheimer Society is continuing to enhance its support for people living with dementia to meet their needs early on, and throughout, their journey. “Connect with us to build your community of support. It feels more important now than ever before,” says Crawford.

Follow the Alzheimer Society throughout the month of January to see Luc’s video and to learn why he considers his support group to be a “magic” community of support and knowledge. For this and other stories, visit alzheimer.mb.ca/communitychangeseverything. 

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Canada Task Force Investigating COVID-19

Canada Task Force Investigating COVID-19

NEWS RELEASE

MONTREAL, Sept. 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada’s COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF), in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), is supporting 22 studies that focus on improving our understanding of COVID-19 immunity in Canada. An investment of $12.4 million in these studies supports both translational research into SARS-CoV-2 immunity and studies to determine the number of people infected with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in various populations.

The CITF was established by the Government of Canada in late April 2020 to mobilize studies to understand SARS-CoV-2 infection and immunity in Canada. "When CIHR issued a COVID-19 Rapid Research Competition in May 2020, it made perfect sense for us to collaborate," states CITF Co-Chair Professor David Naylor. “CIHR received an impressive number of applications and CITF was pleased to be able to step in to ensure that even more high-quality proposals were funded. The CITF review identified 22 of these strong studies as particularly in line with the Task Force's key priorities,” Naylor continues. "Nine were co-funded with CIHR and thirteen will be launched primarily with CITF funding."

“The studies being supported will shed light on the levels of infection and immunity amongst groups such as health care workers, children, the homeless, and the LGBTQ community, among others,” says Professor Catherine Hankins, CITF Co-Chair. “Projects are also focused on innovative ways of advancing immune testing, including the establishment of more rapid and accurate home blood collection kits,” she continues.

“One of the goals for CITF-CIHR collaboration is to inform national outcomes and move beyond individual research efforts,” explains Dr. Charu Kaushic, Scientific Director for the CIHR Institute of Immunity and Infection and member of the CITF Leadership Group. "For this reason, seven of the research teams, focusing on people affected by COVID-19, have been invited to collaborate and form a network in order to provide more integrated insights into the duration and degree of immune protection arising from COVID-19.” 

“As we continue to respond to the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, it is clear why investments in research are important," says the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. "The funding being allocated through the CITF-CIHR collaboration is a prime example of the research efforts we can achieve through strong partnerships. Canadians are benefiting from the impressive and innovative power of Canadian researchers in our coordinated, national approach to fight this pandemic.”

“Acquiring immunity at the individual and community level is key to ending this pandemic. While we await a vaccine, improving our understanding of immunity among different populations in Canada who have acquired COVID-19 will help us limit the spread of the virus,” says Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada.

“CIHR is pleased to have been able to collaborate with CITF to ensure that we continue to provide the best evidence possible to manage the COVID-19 pandemic," says Dr. Michael Strong, President of CIHR. "By providing a more precise picture of immunity in the country and by collaborating within networks, Canadian researchers will contribute to make important contributions to understanding and responding to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.”

Thanks to this investment from CITF, CIHR and partners are now supporting 153 applications submitted to the May 2020 COVID-19 Rapid Research Funding Opportunity for a total of $123.5M. CITF is supporting 22 projects that align with the Task Force's key priorities. Those projects are led by researchers from many different academic and health institutions spanning from Eastern to Western Canada, including Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of Manitoba, University of Victoria, as well as the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) and the Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine (CHUSJ).

ABOUT THE COVID-19 IMMUNITY TASK FORCE 

The Government of Canada launched the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF) in late April 2020 to track the spread of the virus in both the general population and priority populations in Canada. The Task Force also aims to shed light on immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in a diversity of communities, age brackets, populations, and occupational groups across the nation. To generate this information, the Task Force is drawing on experts from universities and hospitals across Canada and working closely with provincial and territorial public health officials. For more information visit: www.covid19immunitytaskforce.ca

ABOUT CANADIAN INSTITUTES OF HEALTH RESEARCH

At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada's health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system

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