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Gene therapy eyedrops restore boy's sight. Similar treatments could help millions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:49 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Dr. Alfonso Sabater pulled up two photos of Antonio Vento Carvajal’s eyes. One showed cloudy scars covering both eyeballs. The other, taken after months of gene therapy given through eyedrops, revealed no scarring on either eye.Antonio, who's been legally blind for much of his 14 years, can see again.The teen was born with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, a rare genetic condition that causes blisters all over his body and in his eyes. But his skin improved when he joined a clinical trial to test the world’s first topical gene therapy. That gave Sabater an idea: What if it could be adapted for Antonio's eyes?Dr. Alfonso Sabater, left, examines Antonio Vento Carvajal's eyes accompanied by his mother, Yunielkys Carvajal, right, Thursday, July 6, 2023, at University of Miami Health System's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Antonio, who spent much of his life legally blind, can see again after months of gene therapy delivered with eyedrops. (AP Photo/Wilfredo...

Key drug-pricing bill capping insulin costs faces hurdles in Congress

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:49 GMT

(The Hill) - Major drug-pricing legislation to cap the cost of insulin is in danger of slipping to the fall, where it risks getting lost amid fights over appropriations bills, abortion and a potential government shutdown. The legislation is a priority for Democrats, and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said earlier this month that he was hoping to combine the insulin bill and legislation reforming the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) industry into a package that could get bipartisan support and a vote before the end of summer. In a press conference earlier this month, he said passing an insulin bill was a “very, very high priority.”But with just a week left before lawmakers leave town for August, there’s a lot on the agenda, and time is a precious resource.Senate lawmakers last week began taking up their version of the annual defense policy bill. The House pushed through a highly controversial and partisan version just more than a week ago, and senators intend to start nego...

'Barbie' takes box office crown while 'Oppenheimer' soars in historic weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:49 GMT

“Barbenheimer ” didn’t just work – it spun box office gold. The social media-fueled fusion of Greta Gerwig’s “ Barbie ” and Christopher Nolan’s “ Oppenheimer ” brought moviegoers back to the theaters in record numbers this weekend, vastly outperforming projections and giving a glimmer of hope to the lagging exhibition business, amid the sobering backdrop of strikes.Warner Bros.’ “Barbie” claimed the top spot with a massive $155 million in ticket sales from North American theaters from 4,243 locations, surpassing “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (as well as every Marvel movie this year) as the biggest opening of the year and breaking the first weekend record for a film directed by a woman. Universal’s “Oppenheimer" also soared past expectations, taking in $80.5 million from 3,610 theaters in the U.S. and Canada, marking Nolan’s biggest non-Batman debut and one of the best-ever starts for an R-rated biographical drama.This combination of images shows Margot Robbie in a scene from "Barbie...

Splash pad malfunctioning at Pease Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An unknown issue has kept the splash pad at Pease Park turned off for the majority of the summer season, according to the interim CEO of the Pease Park Conservancy. A controller that monitors the water quality at the splash pad is falsely reading the water pH and the ORP (oxidation reduction potential), which is then automatically shutting off the splash pad. The park has tried replacing the controller, probes that monitor the water, and the problem is still happening. "As much fun as splash pads are, we have to ensure that the water quality is safe at all times. Until we can diagnose and figure out what the issue is with the controller, the reality is we can't ensure the water is safe," Chuck Smith, the interim CEO of the Pease Park Conservancy, said. State regulations for splash pads Splash pads must follow rules in order to ensure the water is safe for children. A splash pad system must have a controller that constantly monitors the water quality, automatically ...

Kyle to break ground on playground and splash pads

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:49 GMT

KYLE, Texas (KXAN) – The City of Kyle will hold groundbreaking ceremonies on a playground and two splash pads this week. The city's Parks and Recreation Department will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the Lake Kyle Park Inclusive Playground at 9 a.m. Monday at 700 Lehman Rd. The city said visitors will be able to see renderings of what the new playground will look like and the features it will have. City staff will be present so residents can ask any questions they may have. 20 new restaurants and retail storms coming to Kyle According to the announcement, the playground is estimated to be completed by September 2023. On Thursday, the city will hold groundbreaking ceremonies for the Steeplechase Park Splash Pad at 9 a.m. at 295 Hallie Dr. and the Gregg-Clarke Park Splash Pad at 10 a.m. at 1231 W. Center St. The city said the Steeplechase Park Splash Pad will be 2,300-square-feet and will have a giant dumping bucket, a two-headed sunflower, t...

98.3 TRY Social Dilemma: Do you think this is cheating?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:49 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Today's 98.3 TRY Social Dilemma came from Barry, and it's about cheating. Here's his email: Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Hi Jaime. Let me start by saying I love my wife, and I believe she loves me. That being said, we have been having the same argument for a year now. My wife has a good friend who is a man. I know him, he's a nice guy. I don't believe he has any desire to be with my wife. He's been with other people on and off for the past few years. That being said, they always make plans to go out together. Sometimes, she thinks of him first before asking me if it's something I want to do. Most of the time it isn't, and she probably knows that, but still, don't you think I should always be her first ask for anything that involves something she specifically wants to do, whether it's a hike, or a concert or a dinner? Or am I being too controlling? My feelings get hurt, and sometimes I think she enjoy...

5 things to know this Monday, July 24

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:49 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Monday! Per Meteorologist Jill Szwed, humidity levels will be back up today, as well as chances for storms. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Albany Police are investigating a homicide that took place on Morton Avenue Saturday evening. Meanwhile, a graduate from Mohonasen High School is going viral for the inspirational speech he gave at his graduation ceremony. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Monday morning. 1. Albany police investigating Morton Avenue homicideThe Albany Police Department announced they are investigating a homicide. The incident occurred on Saturday evening on Morton Avenue.2. U.S. Attorney opposes NXIVM leader’s 3rd motion for new trialThe U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York is asking the court to shut down former NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere’s third motion for a new trial, calling it “untimely and meritless.”3. Firefighter h...

Ask Amy: This lack of gratitude has a disturbing past

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:49 GMT

Dear Amy: I have three children, ages 38, 41, and 52.The two youngest have children under the age of 10.Every year I give the children thousands of dollars. I give my oldest three times as much because she has been ill for several years, even though she refuses to see a traditional doctor.None of my children acknowledge my gifts. The middle child will thank me if I ask if the money has shown up in the children’s accounts.This is complicated by a car accident when my eldest, while she was high on drugs, killed a woman and her baby.She went to jail for four years. I visited her on weekends, taking away time from the other two. We had to move to another city to avoid death threats to our family, mostly to the children.The youngest two still don’t speak to her.Now my oldest isn’t speaking to me because I “favor her siblings.”I don’t expect gratitude, but an acknowledgment would be nice.I have had years of therapy, but my children refuse to get any.Do I have any options, aside from stopp...

Alexei Navalny: What new charges does the Russian opposition politician face?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:49 GMT

Russian state prosecutors on Thursday (20 July) asked a court to sentence jailed opposition politician Alexei Navalny to a further 20 years in a penal colony on various criminal charges, including extremism.Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's fiercest and most vocal domestic opponent, is already serving sentences totalling 11-1/2 years on fraud and other charges which he says were trumped up to silence him.The verdict in his trial is expected on 4 August. Here are some facts about the charges he is facing.WHAT ARE THE NEW CHARGES?- Creation of an extremist community;- Rehabilitation of Nazism;- Two counts of public calls for extremism, one at a rally and another online;- Creation of an NGO (Navalny's Anti-Corruption Fund), whose activities are accused of being associated with incitement to commit crimes;- Involvement of a minor in committing illegal acts (stemming from the fact that people under 18 attended Navalny's rallies);- Raising funds to finance extremism.HOW DOES NAVALNY PLE...

Horoscopes July 24, 2023: Jennifer Lopez, make this a year to remember

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:49 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Elisabeth Moss, 41; Anna Paquin, 41; Jennifer Lopez, 54; Kristin Chenoweth, 55.Happy Birthday: It’s up to you to set the standard by which you live. Refuse to let others dictate your destiny. Savor what’s important to you and protect it from change. Embrace opportunities that ingenuity and hard work can turn into the masterpiece you envision. Actions speak louder than words, and modest progress will result in reaching your goal without disruptions. Make this a year to remember. Your numbers are 8, 12, 20, 27, 32, 34, 41.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Initiate what you want to happen. Sign up for whatever will get you closer to your goal. Reflect on relationships and surround yourself with people who contribute. Use your intelligence and skills to block negativity and interference; recognition will follow. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Uncertainty will kick in if someone keeps changing their mind or sending mixed messages. Be honest and direct...