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Neuroscience

ProMIS Neurosciences to present at Sachs 3rd Annual Neuroscience Innovation Forum – GlobeNewswire

TORONTO and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 09, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. (TSX: PMN) (OTCQB: ARFXF), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of antibody therapeutics targeting toxic oligomers implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, today announced its participation in the Sachs 3rd Annual Neuroscience Innovation Forum being held on January 12, 2020 at the Marines Memorial Club, San Francisco, CA.

ProMIS President and CEO, Elliot Goldstein, MD will provide overviews of its novel drug discovery and development programs for Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease and ALS(amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). The audio webcast and slides of Dr. Goldsteins presentation will be available approximately one week following the conference presentation on ProMIS web site https://promisneurosciences.com.

About ProMIS NeurosciencesProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. is a development stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing antibody therapeutics selectively targeting toxic oligomers implicated in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimers disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinsons disease (PD). The Companys proprietary target discovery platform is based on the use of two complementary thermodynamic, computational discovery engines ProMIS and Collective Coordinates to predict novel targets known as Disease Specific Epitopes on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. Using this unique precision approach, the Company is developing novel antibody therapeutics for AD, ALS and PD. ProMIS is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ProMIS is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol PMN, and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol ARFXF.

To learn more, visit us at http://www.promisneurosciences.com, follow us onTwitter and LinkedIn and listen to the podcast, Saving Minds, at iTunes or Spotify.

For media inquiries, please contact:Shanti Skiffingtonshanti.skiffington@gmail.comTel. 617 921-0808

For Investor Relations please contact:Alpine Equity AdvisorsNicholas Rigopulos, Presidentnick@alpineequityadv.comTel. 617 901-0785

The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This information release contains certain forward-looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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ProMIS Neurosciences to present at Sachs 3rd Annual Neuroscience Innovation Forum - GlobeNewswire

Neuroscience

Aspen Neuroscience Announces Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Board – PRNewswire

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Aspen Neuroscience, Inc.,a private biotechnology company developing the first autologous neuron replacement therapy to treat Parkinson disease, has announced the members of its Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Board. These boards bring together many of the world's most distinguished industry and academic minds to deliver Aspen's personalized cell therapy to persons suffering with Parkinson disease.

"We are proud of the talented groups we have assembled," said Aspen CEO Howard Federoff, MD, PhD. "They bring a wealth of insights and experience in biomedical research and therapeutic development that will be essential for our success. Together, we are motivated to bring best-in-class treatments to Parkinson patients as rapidly as possible. They have waited long enough."

Last month, Aspen announced it has raised $6.5 million in seed fundingand unveiled its plans to use neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to combat the debilitating motor symptoms of Parkinson disease. These iPSCs will be created from each patient's own cells and then differentiated into dopamine-producing neurons, replacing the critical cells lost in Parkinson disease. Because the therapy is created from each patient's own tissue, no immunosuppression will be necessary.

"The creation of our esteemed Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Board is an important step for Aspen's future development as it will help guide the company's progress toward regulatory approval," said Kim P. Kamdar, PhD, Aspen Board Chair and Partner at Domain Associates. "The members of each board bring significant expertise, complementary skills and an external perspective, which will be very valuable in informing Aspen's strategy."

Aspen's Board of Directors includes well-known industry veterans and financial minds from leading venture capital firms that are poised todirect the growth of Aspen through clinical trials and regulatory approval.

Aspen Neuroscience Board of Directors

The Scientific Advisory Board consists of leaders in the fields of bioethics, regenerative medicine clinical trials, autologous iPSC-based therapy, and Parkinson disease neuron replacement and neuroimaging.

Aspen Neuroscience Scientific Advisory Board

The newly established boards will join Aspen's impressive leadership team: Howard J. Federoff, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer; Jeanne Loring, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer; Edward Wirth, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer; Jay Sial, Chief Financial Officer; Andres Bratt-Leal, PhD, Vice President of Research and Development; Thorsten Gorba, PhD, Senior Director of Manufacturing; and Naveen M. Krishnan, MD, MPhil, Senior Director of Corporate Development.

About Aspen NeuroscienceAspen Neuroscience, Inc., is a development stage, private biotechnology company that uses innovative genomic approaches combined with stem cell biology to deliver patient-specific, restorative cell therapies that modify the course of Parkinson disease. Aspen's therapies are based upon the scientific work of world-renowned stem cell scientist, Dr. Jeanne Loring, who has developed a novel method for autologous neuron replacement. For more information and important updates, please visithttp://www.aspenneuroscience.com.

SOURCE Aspen Neuroscience

https://www.aspenneuroscience.com

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Aspen Neuroscience Announces Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Board - PRNewswire

Neuroscience

Neuroscience had a ‘transformative’ decade, giving us brain-computer interfaces, new research tools – Genetic Literacy Project

I rarely use the words transformative or breakthrough for neuroscience findings. The brain is complex, noisy, chaotic, and often unpredictable.

But I can unabashedly say that the 2010s saw a boom in neuroscience breakthroughs that transformed the field and will resonate long into the upcoming decade.

In 2010, the idea that wed be able to read minds, help paralyzed people walk again, incept memories, or have multi-layered brain atlases was near incomprehensible. Few predicted that deep learning, an AI model loosely inspired by neural processing in the brain, would gain prominence and feed back into decoding the brain. Around 2011, I asked a now-prominent AI researcher if we could automatically detect dying neurons in a microscope image using deep neural nets; we couldnt get it to work. Today, AI is readily helping read, write, and map the brain.

The next decade may see non-invasive ways to manipulate brain activity, such as focused ultrasound, transcranial magnetic or direct current stimulation (TMS/tDCS), and variants of optogenetics. Along with increased understanding of brain networks and dynamics, we may be able to play select neural networks like a piano and realize the dream of treating psychiatric disorders at their root.

Read full, original post: These Breakthroughs Made the 2010s the Decade of the Brain

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Neuroscience had a 'transformative' decade, giving us brain-computer interfaces, new research tools - Genetic Literacy Project

Neuroscience

Melissa Franch ’12: ‘Skills I Developed During Teaching Have Transferred Naturally to the Research Environment and Continue to Help Me Become a…

Melissa Franch 12 has an older brother with severe, nonverbal autism. From a young age, she wondered what caused him to exhibit various behaviors and how her family could best help him. The more she learned in biology classes, the more curious she became about the causes of autism and ways to improve the lives of individuals with the disorder.

That interest and curiosity led Franch first to the NC State College of Education to complete a bachelors in science education and eventually to the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, where she is a doctoral student in neuroscience and conducting research on the neural correlates of social behavior such as cooperation.

Role: Neuroscience Ph.D. student at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Education: Bachelor of Science in Science Education, NC State College of Education; Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, NC State University

What She Enjoys Most About Science: The scientific inquiry and investigation process is truly cathartic for me. There is something wonderful and satisfying about identifying a problem, asking questions and trying to solve it.

Why She Chose the NC State College of Education: I wanted to be a part of the Students Advocating for Youth (SAY) Village because of the youth mentoring responsibilities and because I knew I was joining a community of other individuals who are passionate about service through education. I also really enjoyed the campus atmosphere surrounding the College of Education.

Why She Chose Education: I chose education as my career because one of my core values is service. I think growing up with a brother who has a disability inspired me to empower others, and I decided to do that through education and science. While teaching is very rewarding in the moment as you can see students learn within a lesson, your positive influence as a teacher can lead to future changes in students lives that you will never know about.

Specifically, she records neural activity from animals as they cooperate for a reward. Through this research, she seeks to understand how the brain processes socially relevant visual cues from the environment, like the body language or actions of the partner, to use in social decision-making, such as forming the choice to cooperate.

This project will improve our understanding of social cognition, promoting the development of better therapeutics that can improve the lives of individuals suffering from social dysfunction, Franch said.

Her research was showcased last fall at the Society of Neuroscience annual meeting in Chicago. Having her research featured confirmed to Franch that the problems she wants to solve and the questions she sees as important are also acknowledged by the rest of the neuroscience community.

It really motivates me to continue on this career path and confirms that my ideas and research can make a positive impact, she said.

Franch developed an interest in science at a young age. Her father, an environmental chemist, encouraged her to participate in science events when she was a child and teen. While in high school, for example, she attended a Sally Ride Science event for women in science where they made their own DNA models and lip balm. Through such experiences, Franchs love for science grew.

I am so grateful to my dad for encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone and pursue my talents and interests, she says.

Her high school biology teacher, Mr. Lewis, and his exemplary teaching inspired her to initially pursue a career in science education. She chose to attend the NC State College of Education North Carolinas largest producer of STEM educators because she wanted to be surrounded by other individuals passionate about service through education.

She was also drawn to the mentoring opportunities available through the Students Advocating for Youth (SAY) Village and the field experiences she would receive.

I really enjoyed that we visited and worked in real high school classrooms very often and from the beginning of our college career, said Franch, who was a Burroughs Wellcome Foundation Scholarship recipient while an NC State student.

During her sophomore year, she observed and assisted a proficient biology teacher at Wake Early College High School, which was an invaluable experience for me.

A former high school teacher, a current neuroscientist researcher and a future biology professor, Melissa Franch 12 chose education because of the impact she could have on the lives of others. Help us prepare more extraordinary educators like her.

That same year, she also completed an internship with the U.S. Department of Energy Pre-Service Teachers program. Through that experience, she discovered a desire to contribute her skills and serve others through both education and research on a daily basis, which led her to add a second major in biological sciences and decide to teach high school biology for a few years before pursuing a Ph.D. in neuroscience.

And this is exactly what I have done, Franch said.

She taught biology for three years at Millbrook Magnet High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, before enrolling in her Ph.D. program.

I hope everyone can teach at some point in their life, as I think the act of teaching instills a skillset and values in you that improve every aspect of yourself, she said. Teaching has helped me become the best person I can be, and the skills of leadership, communication, collaboration and persistent work ethic that I developed during teaching have transferred naturally to the research environment and continue to help me become a successful scientist.

When Franch finishes her Ph.D., she plans to complete a post-doc and remain in academia. She aspires to become a professor so she can teach science and conduct research on a daily basis.

I enjoy knowing that the work I will complete during my career will be used to help people someday, she said. I really enjoy both research and education because the impact is greater than one can imagine.

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Melissa Franch '12: 'Skills I Developed During Teaching Have Transferred Naturally to the Research Environment and Continue to Help Me Become a...

Neuroscience

Medical wearables: What they’re wearing at CES this year – Plastics Today

There are countless bright, shiny objects vying for the attention of attendees at CES, the vast consumer electronics event in Las Vegas this week. Amid the barrage of brand new things that you didnt know you needed until just now, its easy to lose sight of innovations in slightly more-established technologies. The healthcare-related wearables space is a case in point.

Before presenting some of the wearables making waves at CES this year, heres some context. The size of the healthcare wearables market is substantial, and its growing, noted Mark Brinkerhoff, President of Fusion Design Inc., a turnkey product and equipment development consultancy based in Campbell, CA. Brinkerhoff will present an engineers perspective on advances in wearable technology during a conference at next months co-located Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) West and PLASTEC West event in Anaheim, CA. In advance of his session, he shared some telling statistics with PlasticsToday.

Fusion Design claims expertise in industrial design, mechanical engineering and prototyping. Focused on the transition from concept to manufacturing, the company seeks to balance aesthetics, ruggedness, ergonomics, communications and cost in developing wearable products, explained Brinkerhoff. It is all about engineering the trade offs for market success, he said, adding that plastics and elastomers are the most common enclosure materials used because they help to achieve that balance of properties.

Its too soon to say whether the following wearable devices featured at CES will achieve success in the marketplace, but they did catch our eye because they advance and, indeed, democratize medical technology. And yes, in one way or another, plastics made them possible.

A wrist- or ankle-worn device developed by Apollo Neuroscience reportedly is the first wearable to help the body relieve stress by rapidly restoring its natural equilibrium via gentle vibration waves. Originally developed by physicians and neuroscientists at the University of Pittsburgh, the vibrations signal safety to the body and improve heart rate variability.It works in tandem with an app that, according to the company, helps users increase energy, improve focus, accelerate recovery, deepen relaxation and promote sleep. Because it needs to withstand exposure to everyday products such as cosmetics and detergents and be sufficiently durable to survive bumps and drops, Apollo selected the Makroblend M525 polycarbonate/polyester blend from Covestro to fabricate the device. The material meets two important requirementstoughness and chemical resistanceto help Apollo users find balance with a strong and lightweight device that remains unchanged when exposed to a variety of personal care products, said Covestro.

Graphene heals all wounds

Grapheal has developed a wound-care device that continuously monitors wound healing, measuring biological parameters and sending updates to the cloud via a smartphone app. The non-invasive graphene-based dressing also stimulates wound healing. Fully flexible and extremely sensitive electrodes integrated in the graphene through a proprietary process capture any changes in wound healing and transmit the data.

What if you could train your brain to sleep better? That question is posed by Urgotech, which, of course, has an answer. Its non-invasive system uses neuro-feedback to measure brain activity, which an app uses to create a custom regimen on a smartphone that trains the user to tap into sleep-inducing brainwaves. The headgear is not worn in bed, a much appreciated feature by some beta testers. Users wear the headband for 20 minutes during the day while playing a game that rewards them when they generate the desired brain waves. They progressively learn to produce those brain waves when they go to bed. Thats the theory, anyway.

The Atmos wearable air filter covers your nose and mouth, purifying the air that you breathe, without hiding your winsome facial features thanks to what I presume to be a polycarbonate shield. Developed by Ao Air, the device uses built-in fans to create a positive-pressure clean air environment with one-way outflow that repels polluted air. It is reportedly 50 times more effective than other personal filtering devices; plus, it looks kind of cool. A great conversation starter, if youre looking to start one.

From smartwatches to a device that prevents premature ejaculation

And there are the watches at CES, at least they look like watches and are worn around the wrist, but most of them literally wont give you the time of day.

IEVA unveiled the Time.C smartwatch, which monitors personal health statistics as well as environmental factors that impact health, well-being and beauty, according to the company. As it captures personalized data, the smartwatch will suggest techniques to improve the wearers health and incentivize him or her to share environmental data with scientists to further climate change research. A feel-good win win.

Reliefband is at CES touting its FDA-cleared wristband that applies neuro-modulation technology to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness, chemotherapy, migraines, anxiety and even hangovers.

Finally, theres the guy at CES who just wants to talk about premature ejaculation, as media outlet Engadget puts it. Jeff Bennett has invented a device about the size of a large band aid that contains a small battery, electrodes and a Bluetooth connection. Worn on the perineum, it delivers mild electrical pulses that confuse the nerves and delay a male orgasm. Bennetts company Morari Medical has developed a prototype but is still wrestling with some design and manufacturing issues, notes Engadget in its slightly snarky reportage.

Premature ejaculation is a recognized medical condition, stresses Morari, that affects 30% of men. The product has the potential to capture an unserved $1 billion market, according to the company. Its worth noting that prior to founding Morari, Bennett worked with a number of medtech companies, including Medtronic and Boston Scientific, in the marketing space.

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Medical wearables: What they're wearing at CES this year - Plastics Today

Neuroscience

MIND Research Institute Unveils All-New Version of ST Math – GlobeNewswire

ST Math games and JiJi have a fresh new look!

JiJi holds a laptop with the all-new version of MIND's flagship program, ST Math.

Irvine, Calif., Jan. 09, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MIND Research Institute, an award-winning neuroscience and education social impact organization dedicated to ensuring that all students are mathematically equipped to solve the worlds most challenging problems, today announced the launch of an all-new version of its flagship solution,ST Math.

Based on 20 years of neuroscientific research and thebelief that every student has the potential to deeply understand and love math,ST Math uses spatial-temporal games to present math concepts visually for students in grades preK8. This patented approach leverages the brains innate spatial-temporal reasoning abilities to solve math problems.

The mastery-based and standards-aligned ST Math offers equitable access to learning through challenging puzzles, non-routine problem solving, and informative feedback. Proving that a game can change how students feel about math, the unique approach delivers robust results on a national scale. Independent education research firm WestEd recently published the largest ever cross-state study evaluating a math edtech program on multiple state assessments. The results were especially significant at the 239 schools that used ST Math consistently. These high-fidelity schools outgrew similar schools in statewide rank by an average of 14 percentile points.

The newest version is built on the latest website technology, featuring responsive design to work seamlessly on any device. Designed to deepen and extend engagement to maximize learning time, the update gives ST Maths beloved mascot, JiJi, and all the puzzles and environments a fresh new look. The update also allows students to track their logins, minutes played, and puzzles solved each week to improve accountability and intrinsic motivation.

For administrators, ST Math now has more streamlined implementation focused on single sign-on and account provisioning, as well as new reporting tools that offer comprehensive student data to uncover insights and track student learning results.

Improvements for teachers will help them implement the program with greater fidelity, integrate it with core curriculum more easily, and better support student learning. Key features for teachers in the new version include:

Our whole team at MIND Research Institute have been hard at work on the new ST Math, and we are so excited for students, teachers, and administrators to experience it, said Brett Woudenberg, CEO of MIND. Our partners asked for increased flexibility and even more reporting and student details. The new ST Math delivers all of that and more, helping students and teachers alike to deeply understand and truly love math.

ST Math meets What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) quasi-experiment and ESSA Tier 2 requirementsand has won numerous awards, most recently including two CODiE Awards in 2019 for Best Mathematics Instructional Solution for Grades PreK-8 and Best Overall Education Technology Solution.

To learn more about the new version of ST Math, which is available for the 2020-2021 academic year, go tostmath.com/whats-new. For those attending FETC, Vice President of Engagement Elizabeth Neiman will be available for meetings and can be reached ateneiman(at)mindresearch(dot)org.

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About MIND Research InstituteMIND Research Institute is a neuroscience and education social impact organization dedicated to ensuring that all students are mathematically equipped to solve the worlds most challenging problems. MIND is the creator of ST Math, a PreK-8 visual instructional program that builds a deep conceptual understanding of math through rigorous learning and creative problem solving. MIND has also developed programs under MathMINDs to provide students, teachers, and families dynamic ways to actively engage with math and to close the experience gap for all learners. MathMINDs includes Family Game Nights, the national K-12 Game-a-thon, and MathMINDs Games. For more information, visitmindresearch.org.

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MIND Research Institute Unveils All-New Version of ST Math - GlobeNewswire

Neuroscience

A New Year Resolution That May Help You Keep Your Other Resolutions – Thrive Global

And, it is so simple, that it may be THE resolution you can keep.

Drink more water every day.

Youhave heard the fact that our bodies are mostly water. About 70% of body weight.But did you know that many medical experts say that water is the most criticalsubstance we can consume?

Over80% of people report that they dont drink enough water. And 75% of peopleare reportedly dehydrated.

Thebenefits of water and hydration have been around for years. (Remember theslogan You should drink 8, 8-ounce glasses of water a day. For me, that neverworked. Estimating eight ounces was tough, and then the pressures of the daywould make me lose count.) It is clear our bodies need water. Water isessential for kidney function, blood glucose levels, and joint lubrication. Italso regulates our body temperature and promotes proper digestion.

Toname a few reasons.

Butnow, neuroscience tells us that our brains need water too for peak performance.Being creative. Thinking clearly. Remembering where you put your keys.

Our brains are 73% water. Without proper hydration, our cognitive abilities decline, and our thinking can become cloudy. We are subject to mood swings, and we are more prone to anger. None of the behaviors that match up to New Years goals.

Thequestion then becomes, How much water should I drink?

Youcould go by the old 8 X 8-ounce glasses, or..

Drink MORE than you are drinking now.

Nowyou may ask, If I dont know how much I am drinking now, how will I know if Iam drinking more?

Greatquestion!

If you are like me, you only drink (water) when thirsty. For 2020, commit to having some water BEFORE you get thirsty. Thirst is a message your brain sends you to say, feed me. When you get this message, it is past the time you should have refueled.

Makea resolution to drink more water. Your brain will thank you for it.

AlRoehl

Leadership Excellence thru Neuroscience

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A New Year Resolution That May Help You Keep Your Other Resolutions - Thrive Global

Neuroscience

The Six Workplace Wellness Trends you need to know about in 2020 – Thrive Global

Do you already have a successful workplace well-being strategy in place?

If so, how did you measure it 2019? What annual impacts on behaviour, HR measures and business outcomes, did it achieve? How will you adjust it according to the changing needs of your workforce composition and structure in 2020?

This article outlines what you need to know about changes coming to workplace well-being in 2020. As technology fragments tools, behaviours and processes and rewrites internal communications structures, organisations need to understand, embrace and integrate their business with their employees at the center.

If the employees well-being is not considered as a key stakeholder business need, an organisation will now lose its competitive advantage. As millennials flock to organisations who promise to deliver employee-centric wellbeing, leadership and connection-based programs.

To assess whether we have an employee-centric well-being culture, we need to ask:

1. Whom makes up the majority of our workforce?

2. How do we create a culture of well-being that motivates engagement, presenteeism and retention in our workforce?

3. How do we break down current cultural roadblocks to proceeding with optimal workplace well-being; a sense of success, purpose, leadership, opportunity and appreciation?

What are the current organisational costs of not providing optimal workplace well-being?

4. What are the current organisational costs of not providing optimal workplace well-being? These costs are significant and represent missed opportunities for employees and employers. They can be measured by turnover, absenteeism, presenteeism, levels of stress, workplace burnout and workers compensation. Ultimately, it will cost the business more in employer brand value as it struggles to attract the best talent.

So lets review six global workplace wellness trends to embed in your organisation for 2020.

To keep pace with change, organisations should regularly review HR based goals and organisational goals for productivity, turnover, customer complaint levels, error levels, workplace health and safety standards .

These metrics should be aligned with workplace Well-being Programs including retention, turnover, stress levels and mental health issues. This audit should help to keep you abreast of changing technology, societal conditions, and worker satisfaction/engagement levels. The results may include the following:

Millennials as the largest growing body of employees from 2020 on are different leaders than the Baby Boomers and Gen Xers of the past. Millennials will leave if an organisation has not dealt with structural issues causing workplace burnout. This includes excessive work hours, poor communication, or change management issues. Three of every 4 employees in this 2019 study say they experienced workplace burnout.

Recent research by Class pass , Oct 2019 , revealed 75% of professionals believe its the employers responsibility to provide health and well-being benefits. With more than half stating they would stay with a company longer if they provided fitness and wellness benefits.

Generational conflict exists as we now have 5 different generations in the workforce. Millennials have different attitudes toward authority, flexibility and work ethic. There are also differences in customs i.e.: values of respect and standards of courtesy and behaviours like eye contact. Whilst Millennials and Gen Zeds maybe flying along with technology, their emotional intelligence and organisational communication tends to be poorer due to their screen based upbringing.

Millennials expect more from their employers than did their parents, they are now becoming leaders who expect change:

SOURCE: OCTANNER Global Culture Report, 2018

Simple participation in learning lunches or wellness activities does not lead to behaviour change. Buy in by key stakeholders such as the CEO, executive team and HR/People and Culture are necessary to produce a real return on investment for well-being programs.

This can be benefits such as the lowering of insurance costs and reductions on workerscompensation claims

This can be benefits such as the lowering of insurance costs and reductions on workers compensation claims as well as traditional metrics such as reduced turnover, absenteeism, stress levels and retention. Investing in both people and benefits will ignite productivity, improve workforce attraction and company culture long-term, says Workforce.com.

Habit change takes at least 60 days according to neuroscience research. So, programs that support employees at work and at home, that are engaging, novel, social and measurable provide greater chance of success. Providing employees opportunities for in-person connection and resources to incorporate healthy living both at work and at home are essential for embedding change.

For example:

Whilst, stress relief tools such as tracking steps or company fitness challenges have been popular and useful for the last decade or so, there has been absence of mental self-care and psychological well-being programs.

With greater awareness of the issues of mental health in our community and at work (1 in 5 have a mental health issue at any one time) and the complex issues of bullying, harassment and negligence due to suicide. Employers must see this as partly their responsibility to bear.

Well-being Initiatives need to relate to an employees total health and wellbeing not just one aspect of it. Tools to deal with workplace stress as well as personal stress may include:

Emotional Intelligence tools, education and coaching

Encouragement to connect with team members in non-work related activities such as walk and talk program, meditation together physically or via an app.

Sleep or rest pods, deep breathing practice, mindfulness and compassion practice

Include financial wellness programs for all employees:

As financial hardship is one of the major stressors facing individuals, offering in-house financial counseling and programs targeted to individual employees needs are a huge benefit. They can relieve stress, improve productivity and appreciation, engagement with the organisation.

Financial wellness programs can include salary sacrifice options, tuition reimbursement for training and study, credit counsellors and financial concierge services. Also providing resources to help employees with challenges at home (caregiving, counselling, budgeting, etc.).

There has been much work done in organisations over recent years in de-emphasising autocratic, egoistic, topdown, leadership and management style thinking and practice. In order to practice this concept, individuals and leaders who have embraced an egoistic non-inclusive style will need awareness and insight training and an understanding of the concepts of emotional intelligence in a team and organisational context.

Organisations who emphasise inclusion and compassion not just diversity have higher Culture Scores

Whilst Diversity Policy is a necessary and perhaps legal requirement for many organisations, diversity emphasises difference which can be tribalising and entrench separateness and feelings of otherness between groups at work rather than collaboration and compassion. Organisations who emphasise inclusion and compassion not just diversity have higher culture scores.

Compassionate, inclusive organisations create employees who focus on working together for the common good of the organisation and community. To do this people need to feel valued and understood by others for their individual and authentic self. Cultures who achieve this foster value, pride and commitment to their organisation and filled with purpose.

There is a big difference in culture scores when people feel they work in an inclusive environment:

Most employees spend more time at work than they do at home with their families on a given day. Work and home life has become integrated, no longer work/life balance. Connections and relationships at work create a more positive work experience. Thats important when you work work 8-12 hours a day, 5 days a week.

People want to connect with their second family.

Loneliness isnt the physical absence of other people. Its the sense that youre not sharing anything that matters with anyone else. You have to be in it togetherand it can be anything that you both think has meaning and value.

JOHN CACIOPPO, NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCHER

Connections promote a sense of belonging. Humans are social creatures, we want to be needed, connected and belong. We are wired to be social want to interact with other people. A lone monkey is a dead monkey. We want to fit in and belong to our organisation. We want to feel part of a team. A lack of connection leads to loneliness, stress and uncertainty of whether or not the employee belongs in the organisation.

Connections create a feeling of establishing purpose and making a difference.

Employees arent there just for the paycheck, particularly millenials. They want to feel a part of something bigger, contribute toward a meaningful purpose, make a difference in the world. They want to strive for a common goal together.

Let me know how your organisation has built a culture of belonging, purpose, and mental flourishing. And join us in Melbourne FEB 20 or Sydney FEB 28 for breakfast to discuss building your culture of Well-being.

Originally published on Linkedin January 1, 2020 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/six-workplace-wellness-trends-you-need-know-2020-jennifer-bishop/

Contact [emailprotected]

#workplacehealth #wellbeing #mentalhealth #2020

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The Six Workplace Wellness Trends you need to know about in 2020 - Thrive Global

Neuroscience

Scientists Probe the Mysteries of a Well-Preserved 2,500-Year-Old Human Brain – VICE

Some time between the years of 673 and 482 BCE, a man was killed in northern England near the modern town of Heslington. His head was severed from his body and tossed into a pit, and any trace of his existence was lost for thousands of years.

Then, in 2008, archeologists unearthed the mans skull and were stunned to find that his brain had been preserved in incredible detail. The unusually intact condition of the so-called Heslington Brain has puzzled researchers for more than a decade, because neural tissue normally disintegrates rapidly after death. The Heslington Brain turned this pattern on its head because it was the only tissue matter in the skull that did not decompose.

To probe the mystery of the brains survival, researchers led by Axel Petzold, a neurologist at University College London, spent a year examining tissue samples using a variety of molecular techniques.

The results, published on Wednesday in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface, suggest that special proteins in the brain were spared from the putrefying effects of enzymes, enabling them to form strong aggregates that withstood decay. The research not only sheds light on the properties of this ancient organ, but also has applications for modern neuroscience and archeology.

The preservation of human brain proteins at ambient temperature should not be possible for millennia in free nature, said Petzolds team in the study. Therefore, the yellowish-brown mass of the Heslington Brain offers a unique opportunity to use molecular tools to investigate the preservation of human brain proteins, they added.

Images of the Heslington Brain. Image: Axel Petzold et al.

While the Heslington specimen is not the only example of exceptional brain preservation in the archeological record, it is notable because there was no sign of hair, skin, or any other soft tissue other than the neural tissue, the team said.

To pinpoint what may have been different about this brains afterlife, Petzold and his colleagues watched tissues sourced from both the ancient specimen and a modern brain as they decomposed over an entire year. The team also analyzed samples with precision techniques such as mass spectrometry and observed the behavior of antibodies generated from the ancient brain cells.

The experiments isolated intermediate filaments, a type of neural connective structure, as a key source of stability in the Heslington Brain. While brain tissues are normally broken down by enzymes called proteases after death, these filaments in the ancient brain remained resistant to their effects. Instead, the filaments formed strong protein aggregates that contributed to the organs overall structural integrity and preservation.

Its still not clear why the filaments toughed it out, but the researchers speculated that some type of preservative compound might have leaked into the skull from the sediment at the burial site.

Combined, the data suggest that the proteases of the ancient brain might have been inhibited by an unknown compound which had diffused from the outside of the brain to the deeper structures, the team said in the study.

The results have implications for unraveling the mechanisms behind neurodegenerative conditions related to aggregate formation, such as Alzheimers disease or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

So while this mans last thoughts were probably bleak, given that experts suspect he was the victim of an execution or a ritual murder, his brain may help people live healthier lives some 2,500 years after his own death.

Original post:
Scientists Probe the Mysteries of a Well-Preserved 2,500-Year-Old Human Brain - VICE

Neuroscience

Rehab Therapy Works Opens New Clinic in Trinity – PR Web

Joe Lavore, Founder of Rehab Therapy Works

TRINITY, Fla. (PRWEB) January 09, 2020

Rehab Therapy Works (RTW) is pleased to announce their newest physical therapy clinic opened January 2nd, in Trinity, FL. Located at 1839 Health Care Drive, the clinic is RTWs 10th location.

RTW specializes in providing exceptional physical therapy through a combination of evidence-based practice, care excellence, and clinical excellence. Services offered from the Trinity clinic will include manual and orthopaedic physical therapy and Pain Neuroscience Education.

Our patients and physicians have trusted the Rehab Therapy Works name and services for over 20 years. We are pleased to be extending these services to the Trinity and New Port Richey areas, said Joe Lavore, PT and founder of the Rehab Therapy Works clinics in Spring Hill and Hudson.

Randy Wiemer, PT, DPT, serves as the Trinity Clinic Director alongside Kim Eneberg, PT, a full-time primary treating physical therapist.

"I am so excited to have rung in the new year by opening the newest Rehab Therapy Works location in Trinity, says Wiemer. This clinic is a great opportunity for us to meet the needs of our patients and offer excellent customer service/care to the Trinity community. I look forward to helping the community work to achieve their optimal level of function.

For more information about the new Trinity clinic and a full list of RTWs services and offerings, please visit https://www.myrtw.com/.

To book an appointment, please call 727-339-1180.

About Rehab Therapy WorksSince 1998, Rehab Therapy Works (RTW) has served Florida residents with outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy services across three locations in Hudson, Trinity, and Spring Hill, Florida. RTW remains physical therapist owned and committed to developing strong, independent physical therapists serving the residents of in their local communities. As a proud Medicare-certified rehab agency, we accept Medicare, workers compensation, private pay and most insurances. For more information on Rehab Therapy Works, please visit http://www.myrtw.com.

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Rehab Therapy Works Opens New Clinic in Trinity - PR Web