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  • Visionary Design Revealed for New PAOK FC Stadium in Thessaloniki

    Visionary Design Revealed for New PAOK FC Stadium in Thessaloniki

    Stadium Concept – The Eagle’s Embrace 

    The concept for the new PAOK Stadium is rooted in the powerful symbolism of the club’s emblem and its deep connection to the memory and identity of the city. It aims to create an emotional and physical expression of the club’s legacy, offering a bold, unifying presence that resonates with supporters.  

    The stadium is envisioned as a strong yet open gesture—welcoming fans, connecting to the city, and reflecting the duality of hope and sorrow embedded in PAOK’s history. The overall form aspires to capture movement, energy, and meaning, shaping an architectural experience that goes beyond function to embody the spirit of the team and its community. 

    An Iconic Bowl that Amplifies Passion 

    Inside, the stadium bowl is designed to intensify the legendary atmosphere of Toumba, with a configuration that balances tradition with innovation. The seating arrangement is engineered to create a continuous “fan wall”, bringing spectators closer to the action with minimal tiers, enhancing both intimacy and acoustic resonance. 

    The West Stand hosts the premium hospitality offerings, concentrating activity and operational efficiency in a single, high-value zone. Pitch-facing boxes are positioned above the lower tier, allowing VIP guests to enjoy proximity to the field while maintaining uninterrupted seating rows below. This approach honours the unity of the PAOK fanbase while maximising revenue potential through targeted experiences. 

    Meanwhile, PAOK’s most dedicated fans are positioned in a Kop stand at the North, reimagining the iconic Gate 4 and honouring the powerful presence of the club’s most passionate supporters. This placement aligns with historical traditions and operational requirements.  

    Together, these elements reinforce a design that amplifies emotion, strengthens fan identity, and delivers lasting value on both matchdays and throughout the year.

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  • Global copper market weighs impact of Donald Trump tariff threat – Financial Times

    Global copper market weighs impact of Donald Trump tariff threat – Financial Times

    1. Global copper market weighs impact of Donald Trump tariff threat  Financial Times
    2. Five Things to Know About Record Copper Prices  WSJ
    3. Trump says steep copper tariffs in store as he broadens his trade war  Reuters
    4. Trump says 50% tariff on copper imports is coming and threatens 200% on pharmaceuticals  CNN
    5. Trump copper tariffs set to spark final scramble to get metal across the border  Business Recorder

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  • Gut Microbes Key to Understanding How Exercise Boosts Cancer Immunity

    7/9/2025

    PITTSBURGH — A new study from the University of Pittsburgh shows for the first time how exercise improves cancer outcomes and enhances response to immunotherapy in mice by reshaping the gut microbiome.

    The research, published today in the journal Cell, found that these benefits are driven by a specific compound called formate, which is produced by gut bacteria in exercised mice and was also associated with better outcomes in patients with melanoma. 

    “We already knew that exercise increases the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies, and we separately knew that exercise changes the microbiome in mice and humans,” said senior author Marlies Meisel, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Immunology at the Pitt School of Medicine and affiliated with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. “This study connects those dots by showing how exercise-induced changes in the gut microbiome MarliesMeiselboost the immune system and enhance immunotherapy efficiency via formate. These findings open the door to new therapeutic strategies targeting the microbiome.”

    Lead author Catherine Phelps, a Graduate Program in Microbiology and Immunology student in Meisel’s lab, and the research team started by comparing mice that had completed four weeks of regular exercise to those that remained sedentary. The exercised animals had smaller tumors and better survival when challenged with an aggressive form of melanoma. But these benefits disappeared when they used germ-free rodents or treated the mice with antibiotics that killed off their gut microbiome.

    “When we removed microbes from the equation, exercise no longer had any effect on cancer outcomes in mice,” said Phelps. “We were surprised to see such a clear signal that the beneficial effects of exercise were due to the microbiome.”CatherinePhelps

    Next, the researchers showed that it was compounds, or metabolites, produced by bacteria rather than the bacteria themselves driving these effects. They then used a machine learning tool called SLIDE that analyzes metabolic pathways to identify microbiota-derived formate as the key player.

    Additional experiments showed that formate acts by enhancing the potency of CD8 T cells, the chief cancer-killing battalion of the immune system. In mouse models of melanoma, adenocarcinoma and lymphoma, daily oral formate greatly inhibited tumor growth and improved survival. Formate also enhanced the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy in mice with melanoma. 

    “It’s really exciting to identify a specific bacterial metabolite that mimicked the effects of exercise in mice,” said Meisel. “In the future, formate could potentially be investigated as an adjuvant therapy to improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-responders.”

    To investigate the relevance of formate in humans, Meisel and her team looked at advanced melanoma patients who received immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Those with high levels of formate in their blood had better progression-free survival than patients with low levels of the metabolite.

    And when they performed fecal microbial transplants (FMT) from people with either high or low levels of formate into mice with aggressive melanoma, strikingly, the animals that received the high formate fecal transplant had enhanced T cell activity and better tumor control. 

    FMT is already being explored as a therapy to improve immunotherapy outcomes in non-responders. But why some “super donor” stool leads to better outcomes is not entirely clear. 

    “We want to describe metabolic biomarkers to identify FMT super donors because that’s really a black box,” said Meisel. “Currently everyone focuses on bacterial species, but our research suggests that it’s not just about which microbes are present, but what they are doing and which metabolites they are producing.”

    Now, Meisel and her team are investigating whether exercise-induced changes to the gut microbiome could play a role in other diseases such as autoimmune disorders. They are also interested in understanding the mechanisms by which exercise influences the microbiome in the first place. 

    Other authors of the study are listed in the manuscript.

    This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (R01 DK130897, R01 CA293654, R21 CA259636, P50 CA254865, T32 CA082084, F32 CA284780, F31 CA290756, R01 HL160747, 1R01HL162658, T32 DK007665, AI118807, DK138912, AI188307, R01AI168478, R21AI163721, P30 CA047904, DP2 AI164325, S10OD023402, S10OD032141, R01CA253329 and U01CA272541), the Melanoma Research Alliance (820677), the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (1017880), the United States–Israel Binational Science Foundation (2021025), the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Department of Immunology, the University of Vienna Research Platform Active Ageing and the Interreg Slovakia–Austria program, the Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (P20 GM103418), and the Kansas State University Johnson Cancer Research Center Expansion and Innovation Award.

    PHOTO DETAILS: click images for high-res versions

    Left photo

    CAPTION: Marlies Meisel, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Immunology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and affiliated with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

    CREDIT: Marlies Meisel

     

    Right photo

    CAPTION: Student in the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate Program in Microbiology and Immunology student in Meisel’s lab

    CREDIT: Catherine Phelps

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  • ‘Cagney & Lacey’ Cinematographer Was 78

    ‘Cagney & Lacey’ Cinematographer Was 78

    Tom Neuwirth, the cinematographer who worked alongside his wife, history-making TV director Karen Arthur, on episodes of Cagney & Lacey and many other projects, has died. He was 78.

    Neuwirth died June 29 at his home in Manhattan, friend and producer Craig Anderson announced (they worked on six films together). No cause of death was revealed.

    Over four decades, “Neuwirth’s career was defined by his extraordinary eye for capturing emotion, character and place — whether through the lens of his camera or from the cockpit of his own plane,” Anderson noted. “He earned his pilot’s license in high school and found joy and freedom in flying throughout his life. That same spirit guided his work behind the camera: bold, precise and always seeking a new perspective.”

    Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Arthur, who became the first woman to receive a Primetime Emmy for outstanding directing for a drama series when she won in 1985 for helming the Cagney & Lacey fourth-season episode “Heat,” which featured a guest-starring turn by a young Michael Madsen.

    Her husband was the cinematographer on that installment and five others directed by Arthur during that 1984-85 season.

    “We fell madly in love on the first show that we did together, which was ‘Heat,’” Arthur said on a 2023 episode of the 80s TV Ladies podcast. “And we made all my movies, his movies, our movies, from Cagney & Lacey on together.”

    Born in the Bronx, Neuwirth served as a photography apprentice in New York City before opening his own studio and moving to Hollywood after a photo assignment in Puerto Rico ignited his passion for filmmaking.

    Starting as a camera assistant on such films as Russ Meyer’s Supervixens (1975), he advanced to helicopter camera operator on Ted Kotcheff’s First Blood (1982) and second-unit director of photography on J. Lee Thompson’s Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987).

    Neuwirth shot 18 of 22 episodes of Cagney & Lacey during its fourth season, which culminated with the show winning six Emmys, including its first for outstanding drama series and the trophy presented to Arthur. (In the “Heat” episode, Tyne Daly’s Mary Beth is taken hostage in a railroad yard by a psychopathic teenager portrayed by Madsen.)

    Over the years, Neuwirth also brought his visual storytelling to such acclaimed productions as the five-hour 1992 ABC miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream; the 1997 CBS miniseries True Women, starring Dana Delany and Angelina Jolie; the 1998 CBS telefilm The Staircase, starring Barbara Hershey; and the 2001 PBS telefilm The Song of the Lark, starring Maximilian Schell. (All were directed by Arthur.)

    “When we started out together, most people, like agents and producers, said [their business relationship] would never work. We might get into an argument, but it was never an issue. It’s always been professional,” Neuwirth said in 2012.

    “When we watch a rehearsal, we look at each other and communicate with subtle movements and statements, and it allows Karen to focus more on the bigger picture.”

    Neuwirth and his wife also lived in the Bahamas, where they co-founded Island Films; their 2008-12 documentary series Artists of the Bahamas, which premiered at the Bahamas International Film Festival, spotlighted some of the nation’s leading visual artists.

    “Make a lot of films,” he often told young filmmakers. “With every one, you realize mistakes and keep getting better.”

    In addition to Arthur, survivors include his son, Adam, and his twin sister, Hilary. A private memorial will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Make-a-Wish Foundation of America.

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  • How has Nigeria dominated the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations?

    How has Nigeria dominated the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations?

    To say Nigeria has dominated the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON) football tournament is to put it mildly. The Super Falcons have not just led the pack—they have defined the standard. With a record nine titles from 12 editions since the competition’s rebranding in 1998, no other nation has come close to matching their success.

    Only three times, 2008, 2012, and most recently in 2022, has the trophy eluded them. Nigeria did not feature in any of those finals, meaning that every time the Super Falcons have reached the WAFCON final, they have lifted the trophy. Equatorial Guinea (twice) and defending champions South Africa (once) are the only other nations to have tasted glory.

    Some Nigerians insist the Falcons have won 11 continental titles, including the pre-1998 qualifiers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which CAF did not officially count as WAFCON tournaments.

    Their dominance isn’t limited to Africa. Since the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991, Nigeria is one of just eight countries worldwide to have qualified for every edition, an emphatic endorsement of their consistency on the global stage.

    Individually, Nigerian stars have also swept the honours. Thirteen of the 20 African Women’s Player of the Year (POTY) awards handed out since 2001 have gone to Nigerian players. That’s not just continental dominance, it’s a near-total eclipse.

    Asisat Oshoala has six of those crowns, the most CAF POTY Awards wins by any player, male or female.

    So how has Africa’s most populous nation managed to create such a resounding dynasty in women’s football? The answers lie in a history of early investment, generational talent, and a culture of winning that continues to evolve.

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  • Google says discord over search results is unresolved; risks EU antitrust fine – Reuters

    1. Google says discord over search results is unresolved; risks EU antitrust fine  Reuters
    2. Landmark EU tech rules holding back innovation, Google says  Reuters
    3. Google’s Dual-Box Plan Seeks to Avert DMA Fines  Yahoo Finance
    4. The European Antitrust Agenda: Google’s Search Redesigns Spark Criticism; Ireland’s Regulator Hires More Staff Amid Surge in Tech Complaints  The Capitol Forum
    5. Google’s search solution for EU gatekeeper law favors Booking over hotels  MLex

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  • Large-scale DNA study maps 37,000 years of human disease history

    Large-scale DNA study maps 37,000 years of human disease history

    A new study suggests that our ancestors’ close cohabitation with domesticated animals and large-scale migrations played a key role in the spread of infectious diseases.

    The team, led by Professor Eske Willerslev at the Universities of Cambridge and Copenhagen, recovered ancient DNA from 214 known human pathogens in prehistoric humans from Eurasia.

    They found that the earliest evidence of zoonotic diseases – illnesses transmitted from animals to humans, like COVID in recent times – dates back to around 6,500 years ago, with these diseases becoming more widespread approximately 5,000 years ago.

    The study detected the world’s oldest genetic trace of the plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis, in a 5,500-year-old sample. The plague is estimated to have killed between one-quarter and one-half of Europe’s population during the Middle Ages.

    In addition, the researchers found traces of many other diseases including:

    Malaria (Plasmodium vivax) – 4,200 years ago

    Leprosy (Mycobacterium leprae) – 1,400 years ago

    Hepatitis B virus – 9,800 years ago

    Diphtheria (Corynebacterium diphtheriae) – 11,100 years ago

    This is the largest study to date on the history of infectious diseases and is published today in the journal Nature.

    The researchers analysed DNA from over 1,300 prehistoric humans, some up to 37,000 years old. The ancient bones and teeth have provided a unique insight into the development of diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

    “We’ve long suspected that the transition to farming and animal husbandry opened the door to a new era of disease – now DNA shows us that it happened at least 6,500 years ago,” said Willerslev.

    He added: “These infections didn’t just cause illness – they may have contributed to population collapse, migration, and genetic adaptation.”

    The significant increase in the incidence of zoonoses around 5,000 years ago coincides with a migration to north-western Europe from the Pontic Steppe – that is from parts of present-day Ukraine, south-western Russia and western Kazakhstan. The people embarking on this migration – and who to a large extent passed on the genetic profile found among people in north-western Europe today – belonged to the Yamnaya herders.

    The findings could be significant for the development of vaccines and for understanding how diseases arise and mutate over time.

    “If we understand what happened in the past, it can help us prepare for the future. Many of the newly emerging infectious diseases are predicted to originate from animals,” said Associate Professor Martin Sikora at the University of Copenhagen, and first author of the report.

    Willerslev added: “Mutations that were successful in the past are likely to reappear. This knowledge is important for future vaccines, as it allows us to test whether current vaccines provide sufficient coverage or whether new ones need to be developed due to mutations.”

    The sample material was primarily provided by museums in Europe and Asia. The samples were partly extracted from teeth, where the enamel acts as a lid that can protect the DNA against degradation as a result of the ravages of time. The rest of the DNA was primarily extracted from petrosa bones – the hardest bone in humans – located on the inside of the skull.

    The research was funded by the Lundbeck Foundation.

    Reference

    Sikora, M. et al: ‘The spatiotemporal distribution of human pathogens in ancient Eurasia.’ Nature, July 2025. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09192-8

    Adapted from a press release by the University of Copenhagen.

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  • Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board announced the sale of Sahyadri Hospitals; Alvarez & Marsal and Jefferies acted as co-bankers on the transaction | Alvarez & Marsal | Management Consulting

    Mumbai, India: Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers’) today announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its majority stake in Sahyadri Hospitals Group (Sahyadri) to Manipal Hospitals. Manipal Hospitals is one of the top healthcare providers in India serving over 7 million patients annually, with a focus on providing affordable, high-quality healthcare services. Manipal Hospitals is backed by Temasek, a global investment company headquartered in Singapore with net portfolio value of US$324b as on Mar 31, 2025.

    Ontario Teachers’ acquired a majority stake in Sahyadri in 2022 and, since then, has supported its growth into one of India’s leading regional healthcare platforms. Today, Sahyadri is one of Maharashtra’s largest hospital chains, with 11 hospitals and over 1,400 beds, delivering best-in-class healthcare to millions across the region.

    The investment was made by Ontario Teachers’ Private Capital team, in partnership with management and led by Abrarali Dalal. Sahyadri has undergone a significant transformation over the past three years, growing both organically and through strategic mergers and acquisitions. Ontario Teachers’ has supported the business in building clinical leadership and attracting medical talent in key specialties, while making sustained capital investments into infrastructure, medical equipment, specialty programs and institutional governance. The platform has also expanded its reach in smaller cities of Maharashtra, enabling the delivery of high-quality quaternary care across Maharashtra and neighboring areas.

    Deepak Dara, Senior Managing Director and Head of India, Ontario Teachers’, said, “Healthcare is a key investment theme for us globally and in India. Drawing on our global experience and playbook of investing in healthcare services, we saw the potential to build on Sahyadri’s strong brand to create a regional healthcare leader. Our partnership with Sahyadri over the past 3 years underscores our belief in India’s growing healthcare needs and our commitment to empowering local champions in delivering high-quality, accessible care. We wish the Sahyadri team continued success as they transition into their next phase.”

    Abrarali Dalal, Managing Director and CEO of Sahyadri Hospitals said, “When Ontario Teachers’ invested, our intention was to create a formidable regional player with the infrastructure, medical equipment and clinical excellence to enable high-quality medical care in cities across the region. Backed by strong shareholder support, we’ve been able to invest over INR  900 crores since 2022, leveraging our combined expertise to drive the transformation of Sahyadri. We’ve enjoyed a great partnership with the Ontario Teachers’ team and are optimistic about the platform’s continued positive impact on healthcare delivery.”

    Mohit Khullar, Managing Director and Leader – Corporate Finance, Alvarez and Marsal India, said, “The acquisition of Sahyadri Hospitals by Manipal Hospitals marks a landmark deal in the Indian healthcare sector and is the largest healthcare deal of the year so far. The combination of Sahyadri’s deep-rooted leadership in the Maharashtra market and Manipal’s legacy as a trusted national institution brings together two credible platforms, well-positioned to drive clinical excellence across Western India.”

    The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.

    Ontario Teachers’ was supported by a team of advisors including Jefferies and Alvarez & Marsal (financial), Latham & Watkins and Trilegal (legal), and EY (accounting, tax and commercial).

    About Ontario Teachers’

    Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers’) is a global investor with net assets of $266.3 billion as at December 31, 2024. Ontario Teachers’ is a fully funded defined benefit pension plan, and it invests in a broad array of asset classes to deliver retirement security for 343,000 working members and pensioners. For more information, visit otpp.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

    About Sahyadri Hospitals

    Sahyadri Hospitals is one of the largest chain of hospitals in Maharashtra, with 11 hospitals across four cities of Pune, Nashik, Ahilyanagar and Karad. The hospital chain has over 1,400 Beds, ~2,500 Clinicians and 3,500 Supporting Staff providing round the clock healthcare. With a strong commitment to accessible and quality healthcare, Sahyadri Hospitals has positively impacted the lives of over 7.5 million patients, both in Maharashtra and internationally. To know more: http://sahyadrihospital.com/ 

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  • New Scientific Statement outlines future research directions for type 1 diabetes

    New Scientific Statement outlines future research directions for type 1 diabetes

    A new Scientific Statement released today by the Endocrine Society highlights potential research directions related to the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) that should help with the development of new and improved treatment options.

    Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreatic islet. Type 1 diabetes requires lifelong insulin administration and may result in complications such as eye, kidney, nerve, and heart disease. Type 1 diabetes is usually thought to be a disease of children and adolescents, but it is now recognized that T1D often has its onset in adults and can occur at any age.

    The Endocrine Society develops Scientific Statements to explore the scientific basis of hormone-related conditions and diseases, discuss how this knowledge can be applied in practice, and identify areas that require additional research. Topics are selected on the basis of their emerging scientific impact. Scientific Statements are developed by a Task Force of experts appointed by the Endocrine Society, with internal review by the relevant Society committees and expert external reviewers prior to a comment period open to all members of the Society.

    The Endocrine Society chose type 1 diabetes for a Scientific Statement because research related to T1D is rapidly expanding, and the field is poised for new advances. The hope is that the Scientific Statement will provide scientists, physicians, and funding agencies with a guide for areas of research that seem particularly promising.”


    Alvin C. Powers, M.D., of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., member of the writing group

    According to the International Diabetes Federation, 9 million people had type 1 diabetes in 2024 with considerable variation in the rates across countries.

    The causes and factors that lead to type 1 diabetes are unknown. The Scientific Statement summarized research and suggested directions for new research in these areas related to T1D: genetics, heterogeneity, pathology of the pancreas, assessment of β cell function and mass, immunologic biomarkers in peripheral blood, changes in the exocrine pancreas, and screening to identify individuals at-risk for T1D.

    “The data highlights the need for population-based screening for type 1 diabetes and more research into the causes of the disease,” Powers said. “We hope addressing these research gaps and incorporating more widespread screening efforts will help identify those at risk sooner and improve treatment and long-term health outcomes for people living with type 1 diabetes.”

    The statement is based on the authors’ updated version of the widely cited and often modified Eisenbarth model, which outlines the different stages of progression to type 1 diabetes. The Scientific Statement proposes that Stage 0 be added to this model which already included Stages 1, 2, and 3, to highlight that there are likely events occurring earlier in the disease that currently are not understood or being studied.

    “We hope that research in these areas infused with information from the application of emerging technological and analytical tools will lead to a new understanding of the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes,” Powers concluded.

    Other statement authors are Aaron Michels of University of the Colorado School of Medicine in Denver, Colo.; Todd Brusko of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla.; Carmella Evans-Molina of Indiana University School of Medicine and the Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, Ind.; Dirk Homann of the University of Miami, Miami, Fla.; and Sarah Richardson of the University of Exeter Medical School in Exeter, U.K.

    The statement, “Challenges and Opportunities for Understanding the Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement,” was published online in the Society’s journal, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

    Source:

    Journal reference:

    Michels, A. W., et al. (2025) Challenges and Opportunities for Understanding the Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgaf267.

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  • AIX Racing confirm Emerson Fittipaldi Jr for 2026 campaign

    AIX Racing confirm Emerson Fittipaldi Jr for 2026 campaign

    AIX Racing have become the first team to confirm part of their plans for 2026 with the signing of Emerson Fittipaldi Jr for next season.

    The Brazilian, son of two-time Formula 1 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi, will make his F2 debut next season.

    Fittipaldi Jr has been racing in the Eurocup-3 Championship in 2025 and is currently 13th in the standings.

    Speaking about his confirmation for 2026, Fittipaldi Jr said that it was a huge opportunity, and that he was looking forward to working with the AIX outfit.

    “I am very much looking forward to this opportunity. Racing in the FIA Formula 2 is going to be a big learning curve for me. I will be competing against the best drivers in the world, so it will be an honour to be racing against all of them on the race track. My expectations are that I will be learning a lot, every single day and every single week.”

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