Latest news with #Kern
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'Breakthrough' new drug could stop ageing and halt cell self-destruction
An 'extraordinary' new class of drugs are set to undergo human trials after researchers believe they could become the first medication to reverse the effects of ageing Scientists believe they've developed a drug that could halt human ageing and reverse the impacts of 'cell death', with trials due to kick off later this year. Cell death is a natural, and essential, process that takes various forms. One such form is necrosis, an unregulated type of cell death that can lead to premature cellular destruction. During necrosis, affected cells swell until they burst, spilling their contents into the surrounding area, potentially causing chronic inflammation, genetic instability, and in some instances, tumours. This process has been associated with numerous diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, various cancers, and kidney disease. The world-renowned cancer journal, Oncogene, highlighted in May that a study into kidney disease could help researchers gain a better understanding of how necrosis operates and how to fight it, reports the Express. Dr Carina Kern, formerly a geneticist at University College London and now CEO of biotech firm LinkGevity, led the study. She believes a new category of drugs, dubbed 'anti-nectrotics', could be the first medication used to reverse the effects of ageing. Part of Dr Kern's motivation for her involvement in the project stems from her childhood experience of witnessing her grandmother's health rapidly decline due to an age-related illness. "At the time, I could not comprehend how I was so easily cured of nearly any injury, and I would be back to normal. But with her, the doctors just said 'you can't intervene-it's just ageing,'" she explained. Years later, after observing such deterioration, Dr Kern formulated the "Blueprint Theory" of ageing, which delves into the roots of ageing and identifies points for potential intervention to stave off illness. A key element identified in her research is necrosis, which Kern asserts is fundamentally a "loss of calcium-ion gradients." She elaborates: "Levels of calcium inside the cell are typically 10,000 to 100,000 times lower than outside. Calcium is a key signalling molecule, meaning it controls lots of different processes within your cell. "And so upon stress, you lose this regulation and then you're initiating multiple pathways in a heightened and really destructive manner within the cell." Although necrosis has been known for over a century and was further examined under microscopes in the 1970s, there hasn't been significant advancement in preventing its role in severe diseases. However, Dr Kern, alongside a team of renal experts, might be on the verge of a discovery targeting kidney disease that could also have implications for anti-ageing treatments. Dr Kern said: "It was thought it was just too complex a process to intervene in. What we've managed to identify for the first time is that you can block necrosis, but you have to block more than one molecular target... When we did that, we saw up to 90 per cent of suppression of necrosis." His colleague and co-author of the study, Dr Keith Siew, commented: "The by far the most in-demand organ, and the one you're most likely to die on a waiting list for. "Some people think dialysis just fixes the problem, but the mortality rate of dialysis is that every year you're on dialysis, you lose 10 per cent of survival." Having collaborated with NASA to explore how space travel impacts renal function, particularly when astronauts are exposed to cosmic radiation beyond Earth's magnetosphere, Dr Siew noted:. "Only 24 people have left the protection of Earth's magnetic field. You might feel fine on the way, but will you need dialysis on the way back?". He suggested that "Anti-necrotics could be a way to make those tissues and organs resilient enough to withstand that damage and pause cell death." Despite their groundbreaking work, both Kern and Siew maintain a cautious stance, describing themselves as "professional sceptics" regarding the potential success of the anti-necrotic drug, with clinical trials set to commence in 2025. Dr Siew emphasised the need for robust evidence: "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence," he said. "Until that data is rock solid...a lot of people will view this skeptically and rightfully so."
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Commission recommends Kern supes OK oil review, permitting plan
A high-stakes effort to resume local oil permitting advanced this week as Kern's Planning Commission voted Thursday night to recommend approval of the county's third attempt at a massive environmental review. The board voted 4-0 with Commissioner Joe Ashley, a local oil executive, absent. Next the controversial measure will head to the county Board of Supervisors, which is scheduled to consider certifying the review and adopting a related ordinance during a special meeting June 26. Because the board is seen as likely to approve the proposal over the objections of climate and environmental justice activists, the bigger challenge for the county may be getting the approval of state appellate court judges. They have ruled, as recently as two years ago, that the county's efforts violate the California Environmental Quality Act. Kern's latest attempt includes new concessions that would raise the costs oil companies face when applying for permission to drill in the county. If the legal bid falls short, permitting will remain in the hands of Sacramento, where producers complain that the process is slow and hobbled by politics. People attending Thursday's commission meeting spoke up in opposition and support for revisions that would allow the county to permit up to 26,970 new wells by 2035. The county estimates that, based on past experience and depending on barrel prices, it will give out no more than about 19,000 drilling permits during that time, and that many of those will merely replace other wells set to be idled. Relatively few people criticized the county effort on Thursday; if history is a guide, a much greater number of opponents will weigh in when the Board of Supervisors takes up the issue. Many groups see the permitting process as overly broad "fast-tracking" at a time when oil production should be curtailed for climate and health reasons. Policy Director Ema De La Rosa at the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability urged the commission Thursday night to reject the proposal. She said oil and gas has historically impacted poor people and communities of color she said suffer disproportionately from illnesses including asthma, cancer and high-risk pregnancies. "Residents in Kern County already endure the worst air quality in the nation … and expanding these operations will only worsen the public health crisis and further burden already impacted communities," she said. Later she added, "Doubling down on fossil fuel reliance is a step in the wrong direction as the state is working toward a clean energy future." Director Lori Pesante of Sierra Club's Kern-Kaweah Chapter said in a statement ahead of Thursday's meeting it's time for the county to move past oil production. 'Kern's Planning Commission should prioritize clean air, new job opportunities in the renewable energy sector, and protecting the public from dangerous leaks and spills," she stated, "not double down on a failed approach that would give the oil industry a free pass to pollute our neighborhoods.' The architect of the county's effort, Director Lorelei Oviatt of Kern's Planning and Natural Resources Department, made the point oil production is still legal in the state, and that permitting done in Sacramento does not incorporate the 89 mitigation measures and standards Kern's system would impose for the protection of local air, water and biological and cultural resources. Oviatt said by email Friday the benefits of oil and gas production in Kern extend beyond the county, including to Southern California refineries that rely on local petroleum. "Returning Kern County to full environmentally protective permitting is critical for providing gasoline to consumers at prices we can all afford, stabilizing our local business community and providing investor confidence," she wrote. Since before it was initially adopted in 2015, the measure has been a top concern for local oil producers, which more recently are also dealing with a new state law forbidding oil work within 3,200 feet of a home, school or other sensitive site. Kern's proposed ordinance does not attempt to change that regulation. CEO Rock Zierman of the California Independent Petroleum Association trade group expressed support for the county's actions in an email Friday. "If we want any hope of saving the local oil industry and reducing gas prices, Kern must be empowered to take over permitting from the state, which is refusing to process permits in a timely manner' he stated. One of the county's newly proposed mitigation measures, included to address the appellate court's concerns, would prohibit new wells on farmland until old oil-field equipment is removed. Oil producers would also have to secure an ag easement within the county measuring the same size as any lost farmland. Additionally, oil companies applying for permits would have to pay into a fund that would match state investments in water systems serving local disadvantaged communities. Fees for each new oil well would amount to $9,732. It is projected to raise between $17.3 million and $25.9 million per year.
Fashion United
13-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
La Perla facing the abyss: Insight into the lingerie brand's takeover and ongoing administration
La Perla, the iconic Italian luxury lingerie brand, was facing a critical period. Years of economic difficulties had undermined its foundations and although a recent business move offered a potential turning point, recovery was not guaranteed. In summary US businessman Peter Kern acquired La Perla's key assets, including its production plant in Bologna, with an investment of 30 million euros until 2027. Kern's acquisition sought to reactivate production in Bologna, protect jobs and expand into priority markets such as China and the United Arab Emirates. La Perla's Spanish subsidiaries are in administration with debts of 51 million euros, reflecting the collapse of its British parent company. On June 10, 2025, US businessman Peter Kern, known for his role as chief executive officer of Expedia and his involvement in the Italian wine sector, acquired the brand's key assets, including its production plant in Bologna. This transaction was announced by the Italian Minister of Industry, Adolfo Urso, who stressed that Kern's offer, which competed with other interested parties such as Oniverse (formerly Calzedonia), was "the most favourable for relaunching the historic luxury lingerie firm". According to Reuters, Kern committed to investing approximately 30 million euros until 2027, with the aim of maintaining 210 existing jobs and creating around 40 new jobs. However, despite this boost, the accumulated financial difficulties have continued to affect La Perla in other markets, especially in Spain. Ongoing administration process The company's Spanish subsidiaries, La Perla Fashion España and La Perla Store España, were declared to be in administration by the Mercantile Court Number 10 of Barcelona, accumulating debts totalling 51 million euros. This situation was directly related to the collapse of its British parent company, La Perla Global Management, which filed for administration the previous year. Today, La Perla's footprint in Spain is barely traceable. The firm maintains only two points of sale — a boutique on Paseo de Gràcia in Barcelona and a space in El Corte Inglés de Castellana, in Madrid — in addition to the 42 points of sale in the rest of the world. A map that is far from the one drawn in its prime, at which time it operated up to 10 stores spread across the country. Anatomy of a downfall Founded in 1956 by Ada Masotti, La Perla was for decades synonymous with Italian refinement. However, the firm had experienced a prolonged decline in recent years, accentuated by successive changes of ownership. The most recent, under the management of Tennor Holding — the investment vehicle of German businessman Lars Windhorst — aggravated the crisis due to the lack of funding, paralysing much of the business globally. The consequences were particularly serious for operations in the UK, Italy and Spain. La Perla's complex business structure — which included entities such as La Perla Global Management UK, owner of the brand, and La Perla Fashion Holding, based in the Netherlands — began to crumble as the crisis progressed. At the end of 2023, the British subsidiary went into liquidation and, at the same time, the Bologna plant was placed under judicial intervention in Italy under the extraordinary administration regime. Kern takes over The arrival of Peter Kern represented a kind of respite from a possible final dissolution. Through his private investment firm, he acquired the Bologna production plant and the rights to the brand for around 25 million euros, also committing to an investment of 30 million until 2027 to reactivate industrial activity and preserve jobs. The plan envisaged restoring production in Bologna, protecting more than 200 jobs and analysing the possible integration of other international subsidiaries under a new structure. Markets such as China and the United Arab Emirates were identified as priorities for this stage, but there was still no confirmation on the inclusion of Spain in this strategy. This article was translated to English using an AI tool. FashionUnited uses AI language tools to speed up translating (news) articles and proofread the translations to improve the end result. This saves our human journalists time they can spend doing research and writing original articles. Articles translated with the help of AI are checked and edited by a human desk editor prior to going online. If you have questions or comments about this process email us at info@
Fibre2Fashion
12-06-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
US billionaire Peter Kern acquires Italian lingerie label La Perla
Peter Kern, former chief executive of US travel technology company Expedia will be the new owner of troubled Italian luxury lingerie label La Perla, the Italian government announced recently. Kern submitted the best offer for the firm through his luxury holding, both in economic and employment terms, Italian Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso announced at the La Perla roundtable held at Palazzo Piacentini. Peter Kern, former CEO of US travel tech firm Expedia will be the new owner of troubled Italian luxury lingerie label La Perla. Kern submitted the best offer, both in economic and employment terms, Italian Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso announced recently. Kern committed to investing around $34.31 million by 2027, avoiding redundancies and reviving production, he said. Kern committed to investing around €30 million (~$34.31 million) by 2027, avoiding redundancies and reviving production at the brand's factory in Bologna, the minister said. Kern already owns Brunello di Montalcino vineyards in Tuscany. La Perla began operations in 1954 as a corset company in Bologna, and later expanded into lingerie, swimwear and nightwear. It was run by the family of its founder, Ada Masotti, until 2008 when it was sold to San Francisco-based buyout firm JH Partners, which already held a controlling stake. The company continued to struggle after it was snapped up by German entrepreneur Lars Windhorst in 2018 at another judicial auction. The turnaround plan presented by Kern, to be finalised over the coming weeks after talks with unions, should increase employment levels to around 250 from the 210 now, Urso said. The Italian government will this week approve furlough schemes to offer financial cover for La Perla's idled workers until the transaction is completed, the minister added. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
New details in fatal Union Avenue wreck: alleged drunk driver was underage
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — 17 News has long examined a signature issue we call Kern's Sober Reality. The reality is that too many people still drink and drive — often with deadly consequences. The latest case in point, a fiery crash Tuesday night in central Bakersfield that left one person dead and two others seriously injured. The collision was caught on camera just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night, at the intersection of Union and East California avenues. A white BMW headed northbound on Union Avenue ran a red light and crashed into a Dodge Charger that was headed westbound on East California on a green light. The crash left the 27-year-old driver of the Charger dead. BPD confirmed with 17 News all three involved were men — the driver of the BMW — who was moderately injured — is 19; the passenger — in unstable condition — is 20. Detectives said both remain in the hospital. 'The driver of the Dodge was pinned inside the vehicle, so officers would've had to wait for fire department personnel to arrive,' said Sgt. Joshua Deutinger, with the BPD traffic division. The BMW crashed into the fence next to San Joaquin Tractor Company, narrowly missing the business, and caught fire. First responders and passerbys rushed to distance them from the car. 'With how north they came from the intersection and the separation of those cars, it definitely speaks to the speed that was involved in the collision,' Sgt. Deutinger noted. In addition to speeding, underage drinking and driving under the influence is suspected by the 19-year-old in the BMW. 1 arrested on Chester Lane after barricaded subject forces SWAT callout: police The sergeant said toxicology results aren't yet available. He also said the deceased driver of the Charger likely was not speeding, nor driving impaired. The speed limit out is 40 miles-per-hour in the area of the wreck. An employee told 17 News speeding and running red lights in this area is not uncommon. 'Usually in that intersection, if there is a major injury crash, a lot of times, speed does have to do with that,' the sergeant said. Chris Hagan with the local law firm, Chain Cohn Clark agreed. 'Union [Avenue] is heavily travelled by pedestrians…and so, we do see a lot of automobiles versus pedestrian fatals on Union,' said Hagan. Hagan detailed that in 2024, there were 37 DUI-related deaths and 731 DUI-related injuries in Kern County. 'In Kern County, we have the highest arrest record in the nation for drivers who are under the influence,' Hagan said of the local severity of driving impaired. 'You are more likely to be involved in a DUI collision in Kern County as compared to virtually any other city or any other county in the nation.' The local advocacy organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) offers resources for victims and their families. You can reach them at 661-203-3996. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
