Latest news with #KCE
Medscape
4 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
PFAS Blood Results: Hype or Hope?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic chemicals used in numerous industrial and consumer products. Known as 'forever pollutants,' PFAS break down very slowly in water and soil. Consequently, they can enter the food chain and end up in what we eat and drink, making exposure unavoidable. PFAS have drawn increased attention, with public concern pushing policymakers and health experts to respond. However, without clear, science-based recommendations, efforts to act may cause more harm than good. To guide healthcare professionals caring for individuals with potential PFAS exposure, the Inter-Ministerial Conference on Public Health asked the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE) to issue national recommendations for individual blood screening. Based on the current evidence, KCE experts have advised that routine PFAS screening is not justified and should be limited to scientific studies. They emphasised the need for stronger evidence before broader measures are introduced. PFAS and Health Concerns regarding the potential health risks for PFAS exposure have steadily increased. Studies have linked certain types of PFAS to immune disruption, higher cholesterol levels, and an increased risk for certain cancers. While much remains unknown, such as the influence of exposure duration, dose, specific PFAS compounds, and individual susceptibility, the available evidence supports precautionary steps. In recent years, several countries have imposed limits on PFAS in drinking water or banned the production and use of specific PFAS. Against this backdrop, offering blood tests to individuals suspected of PFAS exposure may seem like a logical measure, particularly if the goal is to provide targeted medical care and reduce potential health risks to the population. However, experts have stated that such an approach raises more questions than answers. Four Key Questions To evaluate whether individual blood testing for PFAS levels in blood at the individual level makes sense, experts at the KCE considered four key questions: Is there solid evidence that PFAS exposure is associated with one or more serious health conditions? Do we know the blood concentration thresholds at which PFAS become a health risk? Are there reliable, accurate, and validated tests, and do we know which specific PFAS compounds should be measured, given the thousands that exist? If high PFAS levels are found, are there proven medical treatments that can reduce health risks? So far, there is no robust evidence to answer the four key questions with a confident 'yes.' Scientists still lack reliable data to show how an individual's risk of developing serious illnesses changes based on PFAS blood levels. There is no standard method for measuring PFAS in the blood, and no clear agreement on which PFAS should be assessed. Currently, there is no solid evidence on how to manage individuals with elevated PFAS levels in the blood. Therefore, the KCE does not recommend blood tests for measuring PFAS levels in individuals. The chances of such a test offering real medical benefits are low, while the risks, including financial costs, anxiety, and a series of potentially unnecessary follow-up tests, are significant. Focus on Research This does not imply that no action should be taken. Conversely, it is crucial to expand our understanding of PFAS, especially when it comes to identifying the health risks and determining the blood levels at which those risks become serious on a population scale. Although the human body gradually eliminates PFAS, this process can take several years. Notably, individual screening differs from biomonitoring. Biomonitoring focuses on tracking exposure and potential health effects across populations to guide effective prevention, medical monitoring, and intervention strategies. The KCE recommends that authorities invest in a well-funded, structured, and coordinated inter-federal scientific research program — ideally in collaboration with other European countries because this is a global problem. In this research context, blood tests can be genuinely valuable, not only for assessing individual health risks but also for building the evidence needed to protect public health.
The Citizen
21-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Mopani masters' champs crowned
LIMPOPO – KCE Masters and United Masters FC have emerged as champions of the Mopani Masters League in Streams A and B, respectively. KCE secured their Stream A title with a 2-0 victory over Julesburg Masters at the Mafarana Sports Ground over the weekend. Meanwhile, United Masters clinched the Stream B title with a narrow 1-0 win over Matlule Masters on their home turf. The top nine teams from each stream will now advance to the league playoffs, scheduled to take place on June 22 and 29 at Nkowankowa Stadium. The overall league champion for both streams will be crowned on June 29. KCE Masters captain Lloyd Mtebule expressed pride in his team's achievement, especially considering the team was only established in May last year. 'We're excited to win Stream A. Our goal now is to claim the overall league title. The boys are working hard to bring the trophy home,' said Mtebule. On the other side, United Masters team manager Cooper Rikhotso confidently predicted victory in the final stage. 'We're taking the trophy, no doubt about it. There's no real competition in the league for us. We've beaten KCE in all four of our previous encounters, so they know what's coming,' said Rikhotso. The overall champions will walk away with a R30 000 cash prize, along with medals and a trophy. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
CNBC
04-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Financial stocks seem to be losing momentum and show signs of weakness
One sector that was seen as a potential winner of the Trump administration is starting to cool, even as some of the projected benefits seem to be materializing. Wolfe Research analyst Rob Ginsberg wrote in a note to clients that financials are showing signs of weakness. The group is still outperforming the S & P 500 year to date, but the gap has been closing in recent weeks. "The sector peaked on a relative basis in April and has been leaking lower since. The most concerning group in our view? Capital Market names," Ginsberg wrote, referring especially to financial exchanges and data companies. The analyst highlighted the SPDR S & P Capital Markets ETF (KCE) , which has fallen in five of the past six sessions and has triggered a sell signal in one of the technical analysis tools Wolfe tracks. KCE 1M mountain This ETF focused on capital markets stocks dipped since the middle of May. Curiously, the struggles for financial stocks come just as the IPO market is showing signs of life and merger activity has started to regain its footing despite tariff uncertainty. And, in addition to Wall Street power players, the KCE also includes brokerage stocks like Robinhood and Coinbase that should, in theory, see a boost from the deregulation of crypto. All those areas were seen as reasons to be bullish on the group after November's election. The recent struggles could be a sign that the upside has been priced in, with some investors now looking to sell in the event of positive news. Wells Fargo is a potential example of this. On Tuesday, the Federal Reserve made the long-awaited move to lift the asset cap on the bank, allowing Wells Fargo to push for growth. However, the stock gave back all of its morning gains to close lower on Wednesday and is well off its highs of the year, reached in February. WFC YTD mountain Wells Fargo is trading below its highs of the year even after the Federal Reserve lifted the bank's asset cap. "With the steady underperformance of Banks in mind as well, Financials just does not look like one of the more appealing sectors currently," Ginsberg wrote.
Associated Press
31-03-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
The Battery Show South Announces Keynote Speakers Covering the Battery Belt, Energy Storage and Market Disruptions
ATLANTA, GA / ACCESS Newswire The Battery Show South and Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo South, the region's leading event for battery manufacturing and electric vehicle technology, today announces its keynote speakers for the inaugural event taking place April 16-17, 2025, at the Georgia World Congress Center. Attendees will hear from industry experts including Cristina Paredes, Executive Director of SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy, and Christian Hofer, Vice President of Market Operations at Key Capture Energy (KCE) on the developments and trends shaping the economics and energy sector in the Battery Belt and beyond. Paredes will deliver 'Economic Opportunities in the South,' examining South Carolina's role in advancing technological innovations, scientific breakthroughs and business efficiency. The keynote will explore how the state's collaborative efforts and investment in emerging technologies are driving economic expansion and strengthening its position in the evolving energy landscape. The following day, Hofer will take the stage to present 'Lessons Learned from Operating in US Markets,' providing perspective and expertise from one of the country's leading owner-operators of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), with over 600MW operating across 14 projects. The keynote will address how markets and utilities can be best prepared to embrace BESS in the years ahead, operating challenges in the Elective Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) market, major hurdles operators face today and key pitfalls to avoid. 'The Battery Show South 2025 is set to bring together engineers, business leaders and top industry professionals to explore the latest trends and advancements in energy storage, EV batteries and regional supply chain expansion,' says John Lewinski, Vice President, Informa Markets Engineering. " With the Southeast emerging as a leading hub for EV and battery manufacturing, the event will serve as a crucial platform for knowledge sharing, business development and strategic partnerships.' 'The commitment to build, or to host, a major battery production or energy storage facility in an optimal location is never done lightly. These keynotes promise a deep dive into both sides of the challenge,' says Michael Anderson, Editor-in-Chief, Battery Technology. 'Executive Director Paredes can offer insight into navigating the Battery Belt's particular advantages and requirements while KCE's Hofer can share the perspective of a major energy storage company's requirements. Both keynotes will underline the value of bringing electrification forward in this region.' To learn more about the firsthand insights from leading experts and be part of the conversations driving the next generation of energy innovation, register here: About The Battery Show The Battery Show is the largest and most comprehensive advanced battery technology event, co-located with Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo, the only trade show and conference exclusively dedicated to advanced battery and the electric and hybrid vehicle drivetrain. Visitors to our shows can discover and demo the latest products, technology, and solutions from nearly a thousand suppliers, network with tens of thousands of attendees and access a breadth of education across multiple tracks and technical sessions. The Battery Show is organized by Informa Markets Engineering and includes The Battery Show Europe, The Battery Show North America and the recently launched The Battery Show India, The Battery Show South and The Battery Show Asia. Official listed media partners include Informa Markets' Battery Technology and DesignNews. For more information, please visit About Informa Markets Engineering Informa Markets Engineering is the leading B2B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the world's $3-trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry. Our print and electronic products deliver trusted information to the engineering market and leverage our proprietary 1.3-million-name database to connect suppliers with buyers and purchase influencers. We produce more than 50 events and conferences in a dozen countries, connecting manufacturing professionals from around the globe. The Engineering portfolio is organized by Informa Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), the world's leading exhibitions organizer that brings a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit .
