Author: admin

  • American Eagle needs more than Sydney Sweeney to turn itself around, analysts say

    American Eagle needs more than Sydney Sweeney to turn itself around, analysts say

    By Bill Peters

    ‘We do not assign a high likelihood that momentum from this campaign can fully inflect the business over the long run,’ BofA analysts say

    A window display of actress Sydney Sweeney is seen on a window of an American Eagle store on Aug. 1 in New York City.

    Early data has shown that despite the eruption in online discourse, American Eagle Outfitters Inc.’s “great jeans” ad campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney has yet to help in-store traffic or sales. Now, BofA analysts are casting further doubt on the denim retailer.

    Analysts there said Monday that American Eagle and Aerie – American Eagle’s intimates, activewear and swimwear brand – had little leeway to work around U.S. tariffs on imports and that it was a “tough time for a turnaround.”

    “AE and Aerie are in tough positions to navigate tariffs,” they said, adding: “we do not think that either brand has much pricing power.”

    The BofA analysts downgraded American Eagle’s shares (AEO) to underperform from neutral, sending them 2.7% lower during the day. The analysts also cut their per-share profit estimates by 8% for this year and 30% for next year.

    As for the Sweeney campaign – which angered some progressives who said it amounted to an endorsement of eugenics, which angered conservatives who said that reaction was overblown – the analysts said “we do not assign a high likelihood that momentum from this campaign can fully inflect the business over the long run.”

    “On AE, the jury is out on whether product outside of denim can gain momentum,” they said.

    For Aerie, they said there were “secular challenges” in intimates and swimwear. “Pulling back on promos could curtail traffic, and we see risk that Aerie could pull back on store-opening plans next year if the retail environment remains tough,” they said.

    Clothing retailers have been dealing with more muted demand over the past three years, as inflation forces some shoppers to cover expenses for more important things. As tariffs start to kick in, American Eagle, in its most recent annual report, said that a “substantial portion of our products are manufactured abroad, including in China,” which is the biggest target in President Donald Trump’s trade war.

    The BofA analysts noted that the back-to-school season could bring potential upside. And they said that American Eagle had been cutting costs over the past few years.

    However, they added, “we worry that the low-hanging fruit has been accomplished and marketing spend remains below peers.”

    -Bill Peters

    This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal. 

    
  (END) Dow Jones Newswires
    

    
  08-25-25 1817ET
    

    Copyright (c) 2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

    Continue Reading

  • Interactive Brokers to join S&P 500, replacing Walgreens

    Interactive Brokers to join S&P 500, replacing Walgreens

    In this photo illustration, the Interactive Brokers LLC logo seen displayed on a smartphone.

    Igor Golovniov | LightRocket | Getty Images

    S&P Dow Jones Indices said Monday that it will add Interactive Brokers to the S&P 500 Index at the opening of trading on Thursday.

    The brokerage service is replacing Walgreens Boots Alliance, which is being taken private in a deal with Sycamore Partners that is expected to close soon.

    Interactive Brokers shares jumped nearly 5% in after-hours trading on the news. The stock has doubled over the past year, and is up 42% year to date.

    Meanwhile, Robinhood Markets shares were slightly lower in extended trading. Some investors have had high hopes that the digital brokerage would be added to the index. Robinhood shares are up nearly 190% since the start of the year, putting its market cap at nearly $96 billion.

    Talen Energy will take Interactive Brokers’ spot in the S&P MidCap 400, also Thursday, S&P Dow Jones Indices said. The independent power producer’s stock gained more than 3% in extended trading after the announcement. Talen has been seen as a beneficiary of increased power demand stemming from increased electrification and the rise of artificial intelligence data centers. Its stock has climbed 76% year to date.

    On Sept. 2, Kinetik Holdings will replace Pacific Premier Bancorp in the S&P SmallCap 600, the index provider said. Pacific Premier Bancorp is set to be acquired by Columbia Banking System.

    Don’t miss these insights from CNBC PRO

    Continue Reading

  • Bea and Her Business to Showcase Three Rising Artists on Australian Tour

    MELBOURNE (TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2025) – Secret Sounds is thrilled to announce the incredible line-up of supports joining rising UK popstar, Bea and her Business, for her debut headline shows in Australia this September/October.

    In Sydney, Bea will be joined by the soaring pop stylings of Carla Wehbe alongside New Zealand singer-songwriter MACEY, while the Melbourne show will feature Carla Wehbe again, this time with New Zealand’s own Harper Finn. Each act brings a unique flair to the stage, making these headline shows an unmissable celebration of fresh pop talent across both sides of the Tasman.

    Bea and her Business arrives in Australia this September as support on The Wombats OH! The Ocean Australian Tour, as well as appearing at SummerSalt Festival alongside The Wombats, DMA’s, Ball Park Music and more. Her headline shows will take place on Tuesday 23 September at Howler, Melbourne and Thursday 2 October at Oxford Art Factory, Sydney.

    Tickets on sale now at secretsounds.com

    Bea 30-04-25 AUS-Healine-Shows 1x1 (8)

    BEA AND HER BUSINESS
    AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES 2025

    TORQUAY COMMON, TORQUAY^
    SATURDAY 20 SEPTEMBER

     AEC THEATRE, ADELAIDE*
    SUNDAY 21 SEPTEMBER

     HOWLER, MELBOURNE – with Carla Wehbe and Harper Finn
    TUESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER

     FESTIVAL HALL, MELBOURNE*
    WEDNESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER

     RIVERSTAGE, BRISBANE*
    FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER

     THE STATION SC, BIRTINYA^
    SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER

    UOW UNIBAR, WOLLONGONG^
    SUNDAY 28 SEPTEMBER

    HORDERN PAVILION, SYDNEY*
    WEDNESDAY 01 OCTOBER

     OXFORD ART FACTORY, SYDNEY – with Carla Wehbe and MACEY
    THURSDAY 02 OCTOBER

     FREMANTLE PRISON, FREMANTLE^
    SATURDAY 04 OCTOBER

     TICKETS ON SALE NOW

    *Supporting The Wombats
    ^SummerSalt Festival 

    For complete tour & ticket information, visit: secretsounds.com

     

    ABOUT BEA AND HER BUSINESS
    Drawing upon personal experiences which resonate across her generation, Bea and her Business specialises in instantly captivating pop songs which exude charisma, girl-next-door charm, and the conversational wisdom of a best friend.

    Influenced by the likes of Lily Allen, Lana Del Rey, Marina and the Diamonds and Hayley Williams, it’s a skill which has set the self-taught London musician on the road to becoming the UK’s next international breakthrough star. Having released just two EPs – ‘Introverted Extrovert’ and ’Me Vs Me’ – songs such as ‘Born To Be Alive’ (a hit in Norway which saw her make her live debut in front of 100,000 people), ‘Never Love A Liar’ and ‘Safety Net’ are connecting with a huge global audience, leading to over 350 million views at TikTok and more than 100 million streams worldwide.

    That fandom is reflected IRL too. Bea recently sold-out her biggest headline London show to date at KOKO in front of an audience approximately five times the size of her debut Omeara show almost exactly a year before. The headline tour also saw similar scenes at shows across the UK and Europe plus her first live performances in New York and Los Angeles. A wealth of tastemakers are also backing Bea’s ascent. Accolades so far have included Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Artist, Instagram’s Next Generation Artist and being named as a Spotify UK EQUAL ambassador, whilst radio support continues with Bea playing a special performance at Radio 1’s ‘New Music’ live show with English Teacher and playlisting across Europe.

    ABOUT CARLA WEHBE
    You’ve never met an artist quite as exhilaratingly odd as Carla Wehbe. An elusive trait often misunderstood but highly prized in the music world; Wehbe’s is an unconventional uniqueness of vision that has become the hallmark of the likes of Bowie and Mercury. Oddness is a quest for a singular vision, even if that vision seems to have beamed in from another universe entirely. And few pursue it quite like Carla.

    ABOUT HARPER FINN
    Harper Finn arrives with his highly anticipated debut album Silo Park; a kaleidoscopic soundscape born from his time in New York City and a period of personal transformation. Produced by acclaimed musician Sam Evian (Big Thief, Cass McCombs) in upstate New York, the record blends raw introspection with expansive, organic instrumentation.

    From the haunting opener Man or Machine to the liberating single Doves and the psychedelic closer Silo Park, the album charts Harper’s journey of identity, solitude, and self-discovery against the backdrop of one of the world’s loudest cities. Following his Breakthrough Artist of the Year recognition in 2021 and the Gold-certified single Dance Away These Days, Harper has toured globally, including supporting Twenty One Pilots across South America. Silo Park marks his true arrival as a songwriter; introspective, unflinching, and ready to be heard.

    ABOUT MACEY
    Raised in a musical family, MACEY draws inspiration from a wide range of sounds; from classical to The Beatles to Green Day and My Chemical Romance. His music blends these influences into raw, heartfelt storytelling that captures the essence of the human experience. After making his mark in New Zealand and abroad, MACEY broke through in 2023 with his debut album THE LOVERS, debuting at #3 on the NZ Album Chart and #13 on the Official Top 40. His latest EP ‘how to say goodbye’ explores love, loss, and vulnerability, with honest songwriting and captivating vocals that invite listeners into his world.

     

    CONNECT WITH BEA AND HER BUSINESS

    WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | X | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK | SPOTIFY 


    Continue Reading

  • Kevin Jonas’ solo debut brings Danielle Jonas to tears at Fenway

    Kevin Jonas’ solo debut brings Danielle Jonas to tears at Fenway

    Kevin Jonas created a historic moment during the Jonas Brothers’ Greetings From Your Hometown tour stop in Boston, as he delivered his first-ever solo performance to a roaring crowd at Fenway Park.

    The 37-year-old Jonas Brother stepped into the spotlight on August 23 to debut an original song titled Changing. Introduced by his younger brother Nick Jonas, Kevin walked onto the stage with his guitar and admitted to fans, “I’m super nervous,” before strumming through the heartfelt track.

    The moment was made even more emotional with Danielle Jonas, Kevin’s wife of 14 years, watching from the audience. Danielle shared a video of herself crying on Instagram, writing, “Last night was a moment I will never forget. Hearing you sing your own song and watching your voice fill the stadium brought me to tears. I am beyond proud of you @kevinjonas and so grateful that everyone else finally got to hear the voice I’ve loved for so long.”

    Their daughters, Alena (10) and Valentina (7), also witnessed the milestone performance via FaceTime, as Danielle captured their reactions in her post.

    Following Kevin’s debut, Nick and Joe Jonas rejoined him on stage for an emotional embrace, while the crowd erupted in chants of “Kevin! Kevin!”

    Kevin later reflected on Instagram, writing, “Thank you Fenway! Will never forget this night.” Nick Jonas also praised the Boston show, calling it one of his “favorite Jonas Brothers concerts ever.”

    As the Jonas Brothers continue to celebrate 20 years of music, Kevin’s powerful solo moment highlighted not only the band’s lasting legacy but also his personal artistry, proving that even after two decades, the Jonas Brothers are still finding new ways to surprise their fans.

    Continue Reading

  • Rusfertide Earns FDA BTD for Erythrocytosis in Polycythemia Vera

    Rusfertide Earns FDA BTD for Erythrocytosis in Polycythemia Vera

    Results from the phase 3 VERIFY trial of rusfertide for erythrocytosis in patients with polycythemia vera led to the FDA decision.

    The FDA has granted breakthrough therapy designation to rusfertide for the treatment of erythrocytosis in patients with polycythemia vera (PV), according to a press release from Protagonist Therapeutics.1

    Results from the phase 3 VERIFY study (NCT05210790) led to the decision, with data being presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. Rusfertide is a potential first-in-class hepcidin-mimetic peptide.2

    “We are very pleased with the FDA’s decision to grant breakthrough therapy designation to rusfertide, which underscores its potential to demonstrate substantial improvement over available PV therapies,” Dinesh V. Patel, PhD, president and chief executive officer at Protagonist, said in the press release.1 “We remain on track for [new drug application] submission of rusfertide in polycythemia vera by the end of this year.”

    A total of 283 patients were randomly assigned to receive either rusfertide plus the current standard of care (CSC) or placebo plus CSC. The trial included 3 different parts:

    • Part 1a, where patients were assessed weeks 0 to 32 and treated with subcutaneous rusfertide or placebo at 20 mg every week, with dosing levels ranging from 10 mg to 90 mg;
    • Part 1b occurred from weeks 32 to 52, and rusfertide was given at the same dose as part 1a;
    • Part 2 occurred from weeks 52 to 156 and allowed dose levels of 10 mg to 120 mg.

    The primary end point was clinical response from weeks 20 to 32.

    Baseline patient characteristics for part 1a showed a median age of 57 years, 73.0% were male, 46.4% were in the high-risk category of being 60 years or older and/or having a prior thromboembolic event, the median PV duration was 2.9 years, and 23 patients required 7 or more therapeutic phlebotomies.

    A total of 56.0% of patients in part 1a had concurrent cytoreductive medication, 39.2% had hydroxyurea, 13.3% had interferon therapy, and 2.7% received ruxolitinib (Jakafi). A total of 76.9% were responders in the rusfertide arm vs 32.9% in the placebo arm (P <.0001).

    Across subgroups, rusfertide plus CSC maintained a response benefit compared with placebo plus CSC. The mean number of phlebotomies reduced from weeks 0 to 32 in the rusfertide plus CSC arm was 0.5 compared with 1.8 in the placebo arm (P <.0001). Additionally, 62.6% of patients in the rusfertide arm were able to maintain their hematocrit of less than 45% through week 32 compared with 14.4% in the placebo arm (P <.0001).

    Those in the rusfertide arm had an improvement in their PROMIS Fatigue SF-8a total T-score at week 32 of –1.78 compared with 0.17 in the placebo arm; the least square mean difference was –1.95 (P = .0268). There was also an improvement in the MFSAF TSS7 score of –2.40 vs –0.54; the least square mean difference was –1.87 (P = .0239).

    The most frequent treatment-emergent adverse effects between the rusfertide and placebo arms were injection site reactions (55.9% vs 32.9%), anemia (15.9% vs 4.1%), fatigue (15.2% vs 15.8%), headache (10.3% vs 11.6%), and COVID-19 (9.7% vs 11.0%). Discontinuation due to TEAEs occurred in 5.5% of patients in the rusfertide arm and 2.7% in the placebo arm.

    Prior to randomization, 10 skin malignancies were detected, and during part 1a, 8 patients had non-PV cancer events. In 3.4% of patients in the rusfertide arm and 4.8% in the placebo arm, serious AEs occurred.

    References

    1. Rusfertide receives breakthrough therapy designation for treatment of erythrocytosis in patients with polycythemia vera. News release. Protagonist Therapeutics. August 25, 2025. Accessed August 25, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/4uekd7ce
    2. Kuykendall AT, Pemmaraju N, Pettit K, et al. Results from VERIFY, a phase 3, double-blind, placebo (PBO)-controlled study of rusfertide for treatment of polycythemia vera (PV). J Clin Oncol. 2025;43(suppl 17):LBA3. doi:10.1200/JCO.2025.43.17_suppl.LBA3

    Continue Reading

  • New Study Rocks Jupiter’s Giant Impact Theory

    New Study Rocks Jupiter’s Giant Impact Theory

    Jupiter holds secrets at its heart that continue to puzzle scientists. The largest planet in our Solar System has what researchers call a “dilute core,” a central region that doesn’t have sharp boundaries like once expected. Instead of a distinct rocky centre surrounded by layers of gas, Jupiter’s core gradually blends into the hydrogen-rich layers above it, creating a smooth transition zone.

    This unusual structure was first discovered by NASA’s Juno spacecraft, which has been orbiting Jupiter since 2016. The finding surprised astronomers, who had assumed giant planets would have more clearly defined cores. The mystery deepened when observations revealed that Saturn appears to have a similar dilute core structure.

    Juno awaiting its launch in 2011 (Credit : Bill Ingalls)

    One popular explanation for Jupiter’s fuzzy core involved a catastrophic collision early in the planet’s history. Scientists theorised that a massive object, perhaps containing half of Jupiter’s core material, crashed into the young planet with such force that it thoroughly mixed the central region. This collision would have been so violent that it scrambled the dense rock and ice at Jupiter’s centre with the lighter hydrogen and helium surrounding it.

    A team of researchers at Durham University decided to put this giant impact theory to the test using powerful computer simulations. Working with scientists from NASA, SETI, and the University of Oslo, they used the DiRAC COSMA supercomputer to model what would happen when massive objects collide with Jupiter sized planets. The team ran multiple simulations using cutting edge software, testing various impact scenarios including extremely violent collisions. They employed new methods to better simulate how materials would mix during such catastrophic events.

    A picture of The Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics Building, at Durham University (Credit : Padgriffin) A picture of The Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics Building, at Durham University (Credit : Padgriffin)

    The results were clear and unexpected; none of the simulations produced a stable dilute core like the one Jupiter actually has. Instead, the computer models showed that after a giant impact, the dense rocky material would quickly settle back down, creating a sharp boundary between the core and the outer hydrogen layers, exactly the opposite of what Juno observed.

    “We see in our simulations that this kind of impact literally shakes the planet to its core, just not in the right way to explain the interior of Jupiter that we see today.” – Dr. Thomas Sandnes from Durham University.

    The study, published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, suggests that Jupiter’s dilute core formed through a much more gradual process. Rather than being created by a single dramatic collision, the unusual structure likely developed as the growing planet slowly absorbed both heavy and light materials during its formation billions of years ago. This gradual formation theory gains support from the fact that Saturn also has a dilute core. Dr. Luis Teodoro from the University of Oslo pointed out that Saturn’s similar structure strengthens the idea that dilute cores are not the result of rare, extremely high energy impacts but instead form gradually during the long process of planetary growth and evolution.

    These findings have implications beyond our Solar System. Astronomers have discovered many Jupiter and Saturn sized planets orbiting other stars. If dilute cores form gradually rather than through rare catastrophic events, it suggests that most of these distant worlds might have similarly complex internal structures. The research demonstrates that while giant impacts certainly played important roles in planetary formation, they cannot explain every feature we observe. As scientists continue to study our stellar neighbourhood and the thousands of planets beyond, mysteries like Jupiter’s core remind us that the universe still holds many surprises.

    Source : New study counters idea that Jupiter’s mysterious core was formed by a giant impact

    Continue Reading

  • Fat location, not BMI, drives heart ageing risk in men and women

    Fat location, not BMI, drives heart ageing risk in men and women

    New research shows fat distribution predicts premature cardiovascular ageing more than BMI, revealing why visceral and liver fat harm the heart while lower-body fat protects women before menopause.

    Structured Graphical Abstract: The association of body fat phenotypes and cardiovascular ageing was assessed in 21,241 participants. This showed how shared and sex-specific patterns of body fat are associated with protective and harmful changes in cardiovascular ageing. *Protective effects of oestradiol in pre-menopausal women.

    In a recent article in the European Heart Journal, researchers investigated how different patterns of body fat distribution influence cardiovascular aging by gathering data from more than 20,000 individuals.

    Their findings indicate that liver fat, muscle fat infiltration, and visceral fat predicted accelerated cardiovascular aging in men and women. Abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue and android fat predicted higher cardiovascular age-delta in men only, while total abdominal adipose tissue was associated with adverse outcomes in both sexes. Gynoid fat was protective in pre-menopausal women, but in men, it was associated with a higher age-delta.

    Background

    Obesity is a complex condition marked by excess fat accumulation that harms health. It is increasing worldwide, affecting nearly half of adults. While obesity is commonly measured by body mass index (BMI), people with similar BMI can have very different risks for cardiovascular disease. This occurs largely because fat distribution matters.

    Visceral fat, stored deep in the abdomen, is particularly harmful. It promotes vascular problems, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. Obesity also accelerates cardiovascular ageing. This process signals declining physiological resilience. It is linked to inflammation, genetic and metabolic factors, and tissue dysfunction.

    Sex differences further complicate this picture. Women generally store more fat in the lower body, while men accumulate more visceral fat, which increases cardiovascular risk. Female sex hormones, especially before menopause, may offer protection by influencing metabolism and fat distribution. However, it remains unclear how these sex-specific fat patterns affect cardiovascular ageing.

    About the study

    This study analyzed data from over 21,000 UK Biobank participants aged 40–69, including those with existing cardiovascular disease, to capture the lifetime impact of fat distribution on cardiovascular ageing.

    Cardiovascular age was predicted using a pre-trained machine learning model based on 126 imaging traits of cardiac structure, function, vascular dynamics, and myocardial tissue composition. The difference between predicted and actual age was calculated as the ‘cardiovascular age-delta.’

    Whole-body and regional fat distribution were measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). This included assessments of gynoid, android, liver, muscle-infiltrated, visceral, and subcutaneous fat.

    Cardiac MRI provided detailed measures such as ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, aortic distensibility, myocardial strain, and fibrosis. All imaging data underwent automated segmentation and quality control.

    Associations between fat phenotypes and cardiovascular age-delta were tested with multivariable linear regression, stratified by sex. Additional analyses examined BMI, physical activity (via questionnaire-based metabolic equivalent scores), and blood biomarkers (lipids, sex hormones, and metabolites).

    To explore causality, Mendelian randomization was conducted using genetic instruments from genome-wide association studies of fat depots and cardiovascular ageing. Finally, cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure were identified from health records, and their relationship with cardiovascular age-delta was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models.

    Key findings

    Researchers noted clear sex-related differences in fat distribution. Women generally had more abdominal subcutaneous, muscle-infiltrated, and gynoid fat, while men carried higher levels of visceral, android, and total body fat.

    Age-related patterns also diverged; visceral fat increased more steeply in men, while subcutaneous fat declined slightly in both sexes.

    Across the cohort, visceral fat, liver fat, muscle fat infiltration, and total abdominal fat were consistently associated with accelerated cardiovascular ageing in both sexes. However, sex-specific effects emerged.

    In men, android and abdominal subcutaneous fat were linked to higher cardiovascular age-delta, while in women, gynoid, trunk, and whole-body fat were protective, especially before menopause. BMI was a weaker predictor than direct measures of fat distribution.

    Physical activity partially reduced but did not eliminate visceral fat’s adverse impact on cardiovascular ageing.

    Diabetes amplified the harmful impact of visceral and other fat depots, though metformin users showed a somewhat reduced effect.

    Genetic analyses supported a protective role of gluteofemoral (gynoid-type) fat, while visceral and abdominal subcutaneous fat showed non-significant but harmful directions of effect.

    Biomarker analyses revealed that higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B were associated with faster cardiovascular ageing, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and favorable lipid metabolites were protective.

    Sex hormones also played a role: oestradiol was protective in pre-menopausal women but adverse in men, while free testosterone was linked to slower ageing in both sexes.

    Cardiovascular events were ascertained from health records and modeled with Cox methods; atrial fibrillation and type 2 diabetes were associated with higher cardiovascular age-delta, whereas MACE and all-cause mortality were not significant in this cohort.

    Conclusions

    This study demonstrates that obesity contributes to premature cardiovascular ageing, but fat distribution, rather than overall body mass, is the critical determinant. Visceral and liver fat, along with muscle fat infiltration, accelerated cardiovascular ageing in both sexes, while gynoid fat was protective in women, likely influenced by oestradiol before menopause.

    These findings suggest that hormonal regulation and fat depot biology jointly shape sex differences in aging and emphasize the limitations of BMI as a risk measure, highlighting imaging-based fat assessment as a more precise tool.

    Potential interventions include pharmacological strategies that reduce visceral and liver fat while mitigating inflammation and cellular senescence, for example, GLP-1 receptor agonists, with emerging roles suggested for SGLT2 inhibitors and other pathways, alongside lifestyle measures like diet and exercise.

    Limitations include under-representation of older adults, limited ancestral diversity, and a cross-sectional design, which prevents tracking changes over time. Additional limitations include a lack of external validation at an equivalent scale, potential MR biases from sample overlap and pleiotropy, and unmeasured factors such as VO₂max and detailed diet. Overall, the study identifies adipose tissue distribution as a key modifiable factor in cardiovascular ageing and a promising target for extending healthspan.

    Journal reference:

    • Sex-specific body fat distribution predicts cardiovascular ageing. Losev, V., Lu, C., Tahasildar, S., Senevirathne, D.S., Inglese, P., Bai, W., King, A.P., Shah, M., de Marvao, A., O’Regan, D.P. European Heart Journal (2025). DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf553, https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf553/8237967

    Continue Reading

  • Details About the First iPhone Foldable Are Coming Into Focus

    Details About the First iPhone Foldable Are Coming Into Focus

    We keep collecting more details about what Apple’s first foldable iPhone will look like when it launches in 2026. The latest information is pretty intriguing.

    As reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the foldable is code-named “V68.” It will have four cameras and be available only in black-and-white variations. The device will also rely on Touch ID (not Face ID) and will not have a SIM card slot. The four cameras will consist of one on the front, two on the back, and one on the inside.

    Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source on Chrome.

    The report collects the latest news about the Fold, Flip or whatever Apple calls its first foldable. We’ve already reported that the phone will cost nearly $2,000 and will be released as part of the iPhone 18 bonanza in September 2026. We have words of warning for Apple as it prepares to become the final major mobile player to jump into the foldable phone pool, with rivals Samsung and Huawei already having taken a big lead in the race.

    Watch this: Apple’s Foldable iPhone Said to Use Samsung Parts

    Moving beyond the iPhone ‘rectangle’

    Jon Rettinger, a tech influencer with over 1.65 million YouTube subscribers, is enthused about Apple finally adding a new-look item to its product line.

    “The beauty of Android has always been a variance of form factors,” Rettinger told CNET. “You have flips, folds, even rolls now. On the Apple side of the fence, it’s just been, ‘What size rectangle do you want?’ I, for one, am beyond excited about the prospect of Apple diving into the foldable space.”

    Rettinger admires the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, calling it “about as close to the perfect foldable as possible.” But he thinks that Apple can help disrupt the segment with its own version.

    “Apple is entering a mature market with its first product. The tolerance for first-time issues, especially at an anticipated high price, will be extremely low,” he says. “However, if they ship a competitive product, I think they’ll have an absolute home run on their hands.”

    Let’s bite into the details of the latest Apple iPhone foldable rumors. Bloomberg says Apple has changed course on the screen tech. The company is no longer going with on-cell touch sensors, which “can create air gaps between the screen and its cover” and thereby increase the visibility of a crease — one of the biggest pitfalls of foldable phones so far with all brands.

    Instead, Apple will use an in-cell touchscreen, similar to what current iPhones use. The company believes this will enhance touch accuracy and reduce the visibility of the crease.

    The report also says the iPhone foldable will utilize a C2 modem, Apple’s first cellular chip with “capabilities approaching the latest from Qualcomm.”

    Like Rettinger, fellow influencer Austin Evans, who has 5.68 million YouTube subscribers, is also “really excited” about the iPhone foldable and is “curious about how Apple will differentiate,” Evans told CNET.

    “The biggest thing I’d like to see is for it to turn into an iPad mode when open,” Evans said. “Especially if they include Pencil support.”


    Continue Reading

  • New York Outbreak Highlights Need for Comprehensive Solutions that begin at the Source

    New York Outbreak Highlights Need for Comprehensive Solutions that begin at the Source

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — With the number of confirmed Legionnaires’ Disease cases rising in New York as well as the death toll, it is time for policy makers to address the problem at its source, according to the Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires Disease.

    Since July 25, 2025, more than 108 individuals have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease in Central Harlem. Tragically, six individuals have died. Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia, is caused by the waterborne bacteria legionella found naturally in source water and soil. If not properly treated and filtered, legionella can escape water treatment plants, entering water distribution systems, and ultimately infecting building, facility, and home water systems where humans can become exposed. Proactive and comprehensive measures must be taken to address legionella from source-to-tap if we are going to succeed in preventing the serious disease it causes.

    “The current policies are not working,” said Bob Bowcock, Alliance Board Member and water expert who founded Integrated Resource Management. “What is needed is a comprehensive approach that recognizes the waterborne pathogens infiltrate homes and buildings through the water supply. Focusing only on end use is only going to lead to more outbreaks and more deaths.”

    Local Law 77 passed a decade ago, mandates registration, inspection, cleaning, disinfection, and testing of certain water-using equipment in buildings. However, despite these measures, the city continues to face elevated cases and outbreaks that remain unabated, impacting economically disadvantaged areas the most. The singular emphasis on end-user equipment is reactionary once the bacteria has already entered premise plumbing systems rather than a comprehensive or preventative water-quality strategy.

    In a recent op-ed in the New York Daily News (https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/08/24/erin-brockovich-harlem-legionnaires-disease-demands-real-action/), environmental activist Erin Brockovich wrote: “We need to move from reaction to prevention, and that means covering the whole water system from source to tap. New Jersey recently passed a law to require water management programs for both water utilities and buildings, stronger investigations, public education, and case tracking. Illinois has similar rules to mitigate risks upstream…Even the NYS Department of Health has issued a guide to reduce risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria at home and I couldn’t agree more that the public deserves far greater education, awareness and transparency related to this disease and the waterborne bacteria that causes it.”

    Further, numerous studies[i] have found a clear link between periods of heavy rainfall and an increased risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease. Intense rain creates environmental conditions that support the growth and spread of legionella bacteria. On July 14, New York City experienced heavy rain and flash flooding, with Mayor Eric Adams reporting that Harlem experienced some of the heaviest rainfall during the event. The City’s Department of Environmental Protection called it one of the most intense rainstorms since Hurricane Ida. Given the well-documented connection between rainfall and Legionnaires’ cases, New York City should carefully examine the likelihood that this storm disrupted the water distribution system by dislodging and dispersing legionella bacteria, contributing to the current outbreak with cases first diagnosed 11 days after (incubation period for Legionnaires’ disease is 10-14 days).

    “This disease is preventable,” Bowcock said. “But prevention begins at the water source and distribution system through proactive monitoring, management, and treatment to prevent the spread of the bacteria as water moves through the system to the end user. It is time to stop pretending that legionella bacteria magically fly through the air. It is spread through water and so logically the way to stop it is in the source of our water. The Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires’ Disease calls on New York to look to the recent actions taken by its neighbors in New Jersey who passed a comprehensive, source-to-tap law for Legionnaires’ disease prevention which takes effect in May 2026, and craft a workable policy that will stop these outbreaks and protect New York residents.”

    The CDC reports that there are more than 8,000 cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported annually, with individual cases comprising 96% and outbreaks accounting for only 4%. One in ten individuals who contract Legionnaires’ disease will die from it and the fatality rate is higher among more susceptible populations. 

    The Alliance to Prevent Legionnaire’ Disease is a national nonprofit focused on preventing Legionnaires’ disease through education, advocacy, and awareness. For more information, visit the Alliance’s website: https://preventlegionnaires.org/.

    [i] Hicks LA, Rose CE Jr, Fields BS, Drees ML, Engel JP, Jenkins PR, Rouse BS, Blythe D, Khalifah AP, Feikin DR, Whitney CG. Increased rainfall is associated with increased risk for legionellosis. Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2007.
    Chen N-T, Chen M-J, Guo C-Y, Chen K-T, Su H-J. Precipitation increases the occurrence of sporadic Legionnaires’ disease in Taiwan. Scientific Reports. 2020.
    Garcia-Vidal C, Labori M, Viasus D, Simonetti A, Garcia-Somoza D, Dorca J, Gudiol F, Carratalà J. Rainfall is a risk factor for sporadic cases of Legionella pneumophila pneumonia. PLoS ONE. 2013.
    For more information, visit the Alliance’s website: https://preventlegionnaires.org/

    SOURCE Prevent Legionnaires’

    Continue Reading

  • Snoop Dogg Criticizes LGBTQ Representation in Disney’s ‘Lightyear’

    Snoop Dogg Criticizes LGBTQ Representation in Disney’s ‘Lightyear’

    Snoop Dogg doesn’t seem too happy with the LGBTQ representation in Disney‘s 2022 movie Lightyear.

    The rapper and hip-hop icon shared on a recent episode of the It’s Giving Podcast that he was taken by surprise when he took his grandchildren to see Pixar’s Toy Story spinoff, as it featured a montage of two women sharing a kiss and raising a child together. He said this led to a whole bunch of questions from his grandchildren about same-sex couples that he said, “I don’t have an answer for.”

    “They’re like, ‘She had a baby — with another woman,’” Snoop recalled on the podcast, which appears to have since deleted his comments on the matter from the YouTube episode. “Well, my grandson, in the middle of the movie is like, ‘Papa Snoop? How she have a baby with a woman? She’s a woman!’”

    The “Gin and Juice” rapper just remembered thinking at the time, “Oh shit, I didn’t come in for this shit. I just came to watch the goddamn movie.” Snoop said he tried telling his grandson, “Hey man, just watch the movie,” but that he just kept firing off questions: “‘They just said, she and she had a baby — they’re both women. How does she have a baby?’”

    “It fucked me up,” the “Drop It Like It’s Hot” artist added. “I’m like, scared to go to the movies now. Y’all throwing me in the middle of shit that I don’t have an answer for. It threw me for a loop. I’m like, ‘What part of the movie was this?’ These are kids. We have to show that at this age? They’re going to ask questions. I don’t have the answer.”

    Lightyear, the origin story of the human Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear, featured Chris Evans’ voice as the beloved character. The animated pic also included an LGBTQ relationship between Buzz’s best friend and commander, Alisha Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba), and her wife, Kiko, with glimpses of their life as a couple and an onscreen kiss.

    The Hollywood Reporter previously reported that the same-sex kiss was nearly cut from the film during the creative process, but after internal backlash from employees around Disney’s previous public silence on Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, the kiss was reinstated in the final cut.

    Continue Reading