Prolific Toronto publisher Michael de Pencier dominated newsstands

Arts & Culture, Books

Open this photo in gallery:Publisher Michael de Pencier, right, talks with Canadian Art magazine Editor Susan Walker. Mr. de Pencier built his company Key Publishing into a Canadian magazine publishing powerhouse through the 1980s and 90s.James Lewcun/The Globe and MailMichael de Pencier was a small-time publisher in the summer of 1971 when his next-door neighbour on Toronto’s Ward’s Island, CBC radio host Peter Gzowski, suggested he buy a struggling magazine called Toronto Life.A year later, at age 37, he had bought the periodical for $1, staffed it with a can-do-anything team and proceeded slowly to build a magazine empire that dominated Canadian newsstands throughout the 1980s and 90s. Some titles, like Canadian Business and Canadian Geographic, were editorial ugly ducklings in need of transformation. Others, like Fashion and Canadian Art, were custom-made to serve a Canadian readership that had depended too long on periodicals from the United States.Mr. de Pencier, a lifelong conservationist who sold his Key Publishing holdings in 2002 when the magazine business still held value, died on Oct. 6, two days after suffering a stroke on his tree farm in southwestern Ontario. He was 89.After the sale of his 49.3-per-cent stake in Key Media (worth up to $18-million according to speculative news reports at the time), Mr. de Pencier launched InvestEco Capital, an investment house focused on green technology and sustainability. Later, he dedicated himself to rehabilitating Ontario’s tree canopy and was personally involved in the planting of millions of saplings. In addition to passion, he brought business acumen and a lifetime of personal contacts to his environmentalism.Michael Christian de Pencier was born Jan. 19, 1935. His parents, Joseph, a Toronto stockbroker, and Evelyn (née Richardson), a granddaughter of the head of Bank of Nova Scotia, raised their family in “Rosedale Cottage,” a small house in one of the city’s most prosperous enclaves.While Mr. de Pencier wore his membership in the Toronto establishment lightly, he was proud of his deep Canadian roots, especially the fact that his grandfather, Archbishop Adam Urias De Pencier, had served as the second Metropolitan of British Columbia. (The family debuted in Canadian records with the 1784-arrival of a German Hessian mercenary named Christian Theodor von Pincier who changed his name to de Pencier after a stint fighting for the British during the American Revolution.)Following a master’s degree in philosophy, Mr. de Pencier turned down a job in insurance and joined forces in 1962 with his boyhood friend Philip Greey to publish magazines. Mr. Greey managed a sprawling converted warehouse for his family’s property business but was always ready for a distraction. Their grandly named Greey de Pencier Publications bought Apartment Owner magazine for $2,000 and later added the struggling Quill and Quire book trade journal and a curling magazine to their stable. They also provided business management services to The Canadian Forum, Canada’s left-leaning literary/public affairs journal – work that brought them in contact with poets Margaret Atwood, Al Purdy and Earle Birney.The young publishers’ headquarters was located downtown on The Esplanade in the bowels of Mr. Greey’s warehouse near the old St. Lawrence Market, the stylish new O’Keefe Centre and the city’s iconic Flatiron Building. The largesse of the Greey family enterprise kept rents low even as the district became trendy and Mr. de Pencier’s future enterprises expanded deeper into the building whenever additional space was needed. Staff members toiled in the steamy aromas wafting up from the city’s famous Old Spaghetti Factory located next door. Mr. de Pencier, the president, worked in a windowless office with walls so thin he could converse with his next-door neighbour, art director Ken Rodmell.The same year he launched his publishing business, Mr. de Pencier married Honor Bonnycastle, a Winnipegger whose parents were the publisher and editor of Harlequin romance novels. The young couple had met aboard the RMS Empress of England during a 1957 trans-Atlantic voyage enroute to short-term teaching jobs in England.Mr. de Pencier’s office on The Esplanade was a short walk and ferry ride from the Toronto Islands, where the young couple summered in a modest cottage so that their three children, born between 1966 and 1969, could properly experience Ontario summers. Their neighbours included a cross-section of Toronto’s creative class: poets, writers, artists, editors and Mr. Gzowski.After a decade learning the business of magazine publishing, Mr. de Pencier relaunched Toronto Life magazine, financed in part by friends and a timely $250,000 inheritance from an uncle. He hired a gifted crew to run it from his shabby offices. (Mr. Greey opted to focus on real estate although he held onto his share of publishing house Greey de Pencier Books.)Open this photo in gallery:After selling his Key Publishing holdings in 2002, Mr. de Pencier founded InvestEco Capital Corp., an investment firm that put clients’ money into private green tech, renewable energy and sustainable food companies.Kevin Van Paassen/The Globe and MailJohn Macfarlane, a young editor at Maclean’s magazine took the editorial lead and hired managing editor Bernadette Sulgit from the Toronto Star and gifted freelance art director Mr. Rodmell from The Canadian magazine. Terry O’Malley, creative director of ad agency Vickers and Benson, ran the marketing department. The staff that followed were generally less experienced but built solid careers on their Toronto Life foundation.Forty-four years later, Mr. de Pencier told Toronto Life journalist Gary Ross, “I wanted people who were energetic, motivated and intelligent. After a year, unmotivated people with plenty of experience are still unmotivated. Smart, energetic people soon become smart, energetic and experienced.”One of those hires was Al Zikovitz who signed on as an advertising salesman in the 1970s and later built his own successful magazine company with Cottage Life. He is one of a handful of old colleagues, including Mr. Macfarlane and Mr. Rodmell, who annually met up with their old boss for a boozy pre-Christmas reunion.“He was one guy I worked with who I truly admired,” Mr. Zikovitz, now 84, says of Mr. de Pencier. “His honesty. His integrity. His quality. I couldn’t come up with anything I didn’t like about him. … Everything he did was for the betterment of the world.”An instinctive entrepreneur, Mr. de Pencier eventually found a sustainable way to finance the journalism featured in his flagship periodical. In 1978, he bought Key to Toronto, a modest giveaway tourist guide that he polished up and filled with ads; it became an essential promotional publication for every restaurant, hotel and attraction in the city. Four years later, he began building his chain of Where magazines that eventually spread to tourist kiosks and hotels in dozens of North American cities. While only Toronto Life required expensive editorial content, all three enterprises brought in a flood of ad revenue, as did Wedding Bells, a lush quarterly filled with blushing brides, lavish dresses and Cinderella dreams.Under his rebranded Key Publishers Inc., Mr. de Pencier went on an expansion campaign that included new joint ventures such as Key Porter Books, in partnership with editor Anna Porter, and Canadian Business magazine, an ancient Chamber of Commerce publication ripe for an overhaul, co-owned with future Liberal finance minister Roy MacLaren and Toronto Life editor Sandy Ross. He converted the Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s drab journal into the glossy Canadian Geographic; and Fashion and Gardening Life served special interests within Toronto Life’s subscriber base. He published the children’s magazine Owl because he thought it was the right thing to do, even though there was no advertising revenue. Canadian Art magazine was another labour of love. Eventually Key and its affiliated companies had more than 200 employees.A hands-off executive in most day-to-day affairs, Mr. de Pencier took time to pursue related interests, helping set up the Canadian Magazine Publishers Association and Canadian Magazine Awards Foundation, and lobby for government protection from American magazines establishing “Canadian editions” to siphon off advertisers with little editorial investment. He also served as a director with numerous arts organizations including the Canadian Opera Company and the Shaw Festival.“His feet never touched the ground,” one friend observed.For 30 years, Key’s magazines revealed the inner workings of Canadian business and cast a spotlight on the people and institutions changing Toronto. Right from the start, Mr. de Pencier staked his success on the city’s future.John Tory, former mayor and one-time publishing rival, says, “He loved the city. He chronicled its growth and reflected it in his magazines. … He was a man ahead of his time.”In 2002, Key Media was sold to St. Joseph Corporation, one of four bidders, and Mr. de Pencier set up shop in a new office – with a window. (“Same building, different door,” jokes his son Nicholas de Pencier, a filmmaker.)Just as he had bet earlier on the future of Toronto, he now turned his focus on environmentalism and green technology, explaining in an interview that he “didn’t want to get flagged with social responsibility too much because we were [offering] solid money-making opportunities.”Teaming up with new media entrepreneur Andrew Heintzman, a like-minded conservationist almost half his age, Mr. de Pencier founded InvestEco Capital Corp., an environmentally aware investment firm that put clients’ money into private green tech, renewable energy and sustainable food companies.His interest in the environment extended beyond finance. He served as chair of the Canadian board of the World Wildlife Fund and later took on a personal mission to plant millions of trees across Ontario. He joined forces with gardening entrepreneur Mark Cullen to convince thousands of ordinary citizens with little interest in conservation projects to fund tree planting.“He recognized the value of stories,” Mr. Cullen recalls. The pair initiated campaigns that raised $10-million to plant trees in memory of 117,000 Canadian veterans who died in wars with another two million trees to honour all Canadian veterans.Mr. de Pencier and his wife, a former art curator at the Royal Ontario Museum, spent much of their retirement at their sprawling 69-hectare farm northeast of Orangeville where friends and family members were regularly pressed into service rewilding the property.According to his son Nicholas, Mr. de Pencier was “incorrigible,” continually visiting his rural neighbours to convince them to plant more trees. “He was still getting doors slammed in his face at 89,” he says. “But he was a salesman who was hard to say no to.”Mr. de Pencier had just finished a tour of his property aboard his electric golf cart, when he suffered the stroke that led to his death.He leaves his wife, Honor; his children, Nicholas, Miranda and Mark; and four grandchildren.You can find more obituaries from The Globe and Mail here.To submit a memory about someone we have recently profiled on the Obituaries page, e-mail us at [email protected].

“These Scientists Tested Dolphin Breath. They Found Plastic.”

Science and Health

“Researchers studying bottlenose dolphins found polyester and other plastics in every animal they tested.””Scientists have found plastic pollution almost everywhere they have looked. In clouds. On Mount Everest. In Arctic snow.

Now, for the first time, tiny plastic particles have been detected in the breath of dolphins.

The findings, published on Wednesday in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One, point to the ubiquitousness of plastic waste in the environment. Each year, nearly 2 million tons of plastic end up in world’s oceans.

Plastic also floats in the air, and the new study suggests that inhalation may be a significant way dolphins and other marine mammals are exposed to tiny plastic particles, called microplastics. Those particles, which are formed when plastic breaks down, have been linked to inflammation and cell damage, and can contain harmful chemicals.”

Hiroko Tabuchi reports for the New York Times October 16, 2024.

How Hiring the Wrong Virtual Assistant Hurt My Business

Business News

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Over the past few days, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at an increase in productivity and “good work” by my newly hired COO. I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am. See, in the past, I’ve hired cheap labor to do “tasks,” like video editing, blog writing, graphic design and more.Many of us small business owners hire freelancers to help fill in the gaps in our day-to-day business needs, and that’s good. However, there’s a tragic mistake many of us are making.Freelance talent, or “virtual assistants,” can only take us so far. At some point, you get tired of answering all the questions, correcting the mistakes and thinking of all the ideas. You get tired of being the traffic cop in the center of everything. You need to work ON your business and not just IN your business.

Through my mastermind group, I realized I needed to uplevel my game and invest more in higher-skilled talent.Hiring someone in the Philippines for $7-$10 an hour is a pretty good hourly rate for them. However, at that rate, the virtual assistant is often just task-focused.

I tripled the rate and started to look for a COO, someone who came with a higher level of not only skills but THINKING as well. They’re still from the Philippines, but their business experience and skillset are much more advanced.I needed someone who could help me grow my business, not just do tasks. So, I started to look for a “thought partner,” an “integrator.” This term comes from Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman, a popular book that many entrepreneurs read.Overnight, I noticed a difference. The tasks I assigned were not only getting done but were getting done with a different, higher level of thoroughness.So, what are some key tips you can use to hire the right freelancer or virtual assistant to help your business?Related: 6 Mistakes Smart People Make When Hiring a Virtual Assistant1. Craft a detailed job descriptionBefore you start your search, create a comprehensive job description. Outline specific responsibilities, required skills and expected outcomes. This clarity will attract more suitable candidates and set the foundation for a successful working relationship.2. Define clear success metricsHow will you know if your new hire is performing well? Establish concrete, measurable goals from the outset. Whether it’s meeting deadlines, achieving quality standards or hitting specific KPIs, having clear success metrics will help both you and your freelancer stay aligned.3. Understand your work style, and find a matchEvery business owner has a unique way of working. Do you prefer frequent check-ins or a more hands-off approach? Are you detail-oriented or focused on the big picture? Be honest about your work style, and look for freelancers whose approach complements yours.

4. Think long-termWhile you may have immediate needs, consider your business’s future growth when hiring. Look for freelancers who can potentially grow with your company and take on expanded responsibilities as your business evolves.5. Avoid the “jack of all trades” trapIt’s tempting to search for a unicorn who can do everything, but this approach often leads to disappointment. Instead, focus on finding specialists who excel in specific areas crucial to your business needs.Related: 4 Ways to Hire and Keep the Best Freelancers6. Assess skill requirementsEvaluate whether the role requires high-level expertise or if it involves tasks that can be learned on the job. This will help you determine the experience level to look for and the training you might need to provide.

7. Prioritize attitude and characterWhile technical skills are important, don’t underestimate the value of a great attitude and strong character. Look for freelancers who are reliable, communicative and aligned with your company’s values. These traits often matter more than technical prowess in the long run.8. Test the watersConsider hiring two to three freelancers for a small project or trial period. This approach allows you to evaluate their performance in real-world scenarios before committing to a longer-term arrangement.9. Be open to inputRemember that freelancers and virtual assistants often bring valuable experience from working with various clients. Be open to their suggestions and insights — they might introduce innovative solutions or efficiencies you haven’t considered.Related: Hiring a Virtual Assistant? Watch Out for These Red Flags

10. Maintain regular communicationDon’t rely solely on email for communication. Schedule regular video calls or meetings to discuss progress, address challenges and maintain a strong working relationship. This face-to-face time, even if virtual, can significantly improve collaboration and results.Remember, the goal is not just to fill a position, but to find partners who can contribute to your company’s growth and success.

What to Expect at the Twin Cities Book Festival

Arts & Culture, Books

The Twin Cities Book Festival is coming back for its 24th year on October 19. Organized by Rain Taxi, a nonprofit literary organization based in Minneapolis that produces the quarterly Rain Taxi Review of Books, the free festival is the largest and longest-running annual book festival in Minnesota (and one of the few left in the state, since the Loft Literary Center canceled the Wordplay book festival this year). 

Readers, writers, and publishers alike can come together at the Progress Center at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, where it’s been held over the last decade. Attendance has grown from around 1,000 people in its first year to nearly 7,000 in 2023. 

“It’s a reunion of the community,” says Rain Taxi editor and executive director Eric Lorberer. “Ultimately, what we do is about connection and empathy, and I think this is why it’s one of the most important things we do here.”

The festival is known to feature visiting authors, children’s programming, and a massive used book and record sale. This year, the festival is partnering with community organizations to present “bookend events” in the weeks before and after the event at different venues around the Twin Cities. These include YA author Kate DiCamillo at the U of M’s McNamara Alumni Center on Oct. 17, Kerlan Award winner and children’s lit author Lisa Yee at the Elmer L. Andersen Library on Oct. 22, and cartoonist Jeffrey Brown at Lake Monster Brewing on Nov. 2.

“Everyone’s contributing to this world by putting something into it,” Lorberer says, “whether that’s the writing of literature, or the creation of books, or the selling of books, everyone’s putting something into it to keep this ecosystem growing and thriving. We really feel like we’re more than building something that gets bigger, we’re holding a mirror up to something that has astonishing potential, to be big, and to be as big as it can be in spirit.”

The big event kicks off on Oct. 18 with a ticketed opening reception, featuring Minnesota author Charles Baxter in conversation with Chicago author Miles Harvey. Authors speaking at the festival on Oct. 19 include Kao Kalia Yang, who is releasing four books this year, as well as Andrea Swensson, who is talking about documenting the local music scene. There will be several panels on everything from Midwest crime to YA fiction.

There are also a variety of activities on the schedule—including the chance to get interviewed by writer and filmmaker David Shields, typewritten poems by Minnesota poet Bill Meissner, and sticky note reflections by children’s book author Matt Eicheldinger. 

“The festival is a great reminder that books are written and read by real people,” Lorberer said. 

Check out the full list of events and the more than 100 exhibitors planning to be there. 

‘Black Cab’ Exclusive Trailer – Nick Frost Gets Haunted in Shudder Original Horror Movie

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

From Shudder, Sony Pictures Television and Stolen Pictures comes Black Cab, a supernatural horror movie starring Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead) that’s headed to Shudder.
Black Cab debuts on Shudder beginning Friday, November 8.
Exclusively watch the official trailer below.
Nick Frost will play “an erratic cab driver” in the upcoming horror movie from director Bruce Goodison (Murdered By My Father, Leave To Remain, Then Barbara Met Alan).
In Black Cab, “When Anne (Synnøve Karlsen) and Patrick (Luke Norris) hail a black cab after a night out their driver (Nick Frost) is chatty, jovial even, but they are in no mood to talk. In fact, the couple is barely on speaking terms. That is, until they realize the driver has no intention of taking them home.
“Locked in the cab with no means of escape, the driver transports the couple to a stretch of deserted and supposedly haunted road. But what is his purpose? Is he mad or just plain evil? And why has he selected Anne and Patrick as his victims?”
David Michael Emerson and Virginia Gilbert wrote the screenplay.

Bruce Goodison has established himself as one of the country’s leading drama directors, behind series as diverse as RTS and BAFTA nominee “Our World War”, ITV’s hit series “Home Fires,” BBC1’s “Doctor Foster” and Murdered by My Father. “Born to Kill” for World Productions/C4, “Anne” for World / ITV, and Then Barbara Met Alan for Netflix/BBC.
Following directing Nick Frost in Black Cab, he is slated to write and direct his third feature Girl Next Door to feature Bella Ramsay. Bruce has won two RTS awards, a BAFTA, a Broadcast Award, a Grierson and has been nominated three times for a BAFTA and once for an Emmy.
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Chinese sci-fi, books of culture shine at Frankfurt Book Fair

Arts & Culture, Books

A promotion session for the English version of historical Chinese book From the Mediterranean to the Yellow River at Frankfurt Book Fair Photo: Zhonghua Book Company The 2018 Frankfurt Book Fair may never forget the scene of foreign readers flocking to Chinese author Liu Cixin’s signing booth for the iconic The Three-Body Problem. The readers may not have foreseen that six years later, when the book had become a global bestseller in multiple languages, the German-language edition of a new Chinese-style graphic novel version would make a comeback and set off a Chinese sci-fi trend again at the book fair.The Frankfurt Book Fair 2024 that set the “Asian Stage” for the first time officially opened on Wednesday local time in Germany. Chinese publishers are exhibiting more than 3,500 books, including 1,500 in foreign language. In addition to new book releases, Chinese publishers are holding numerous premieres and signing ceremonies for copyright agreements, with up to 1,000 books available for copyright trade.The evolving role of Chinese publishers has drawn attention of Juergen Boos, Director of the Frankfurt Book Fair, who noted the growing presence of Chinese publishers at the event, indicating that they have transformed from being primarily copyright importers to becoming major copyright sellers.Several Chinese publishers who have garnered attention at the book fair by virtue of high-quality publications, including some rooted in profound Chinese civilization while others in sci-fi literature, had conversations with the Global Times. They indicated how Chinese publications are resonating with readers worldwide and growing into a significant platform for narrating Chinese stories to the world.Echoes of global concernsIt was confirmed that the Chinese-language graphic novel version of The Three-Body Problem will be released by the end of this year or early next year. So far, Yilin Press has reached translation and copyright agreements with several publishers, including German ones, with the Spanish rights already signed. “This is a mutual pursuit between science fiction literature and graphic novels,” Zhang Yu, the editor-in-chief of Yilin Press, told the Global Times on Wednesday.The graphic novel, illustrated by Chinese artist Wu Qingsong, combines traditional Chinese painting with modern sensibilities, using images to supplement the narrative details and visualize the virtual spaces. “This time, the graphic novel adaptation is not only a tribute to Liu’s work but also a gift for every reader who loves science fiction, literature, and art,” the renowned Spanish Sinologist and translator of Liu Cixin’s works, Javier Altayó, said at the signing ceremony of the graphic version.But it’s not just The Three-Body Problem. “Chinese science fiction as a whole is resonating with readers worldwide through its profound reflections on the concept of a shared future for humanity,” Zhang said.In fact, Chinese science fiction is having more than a moment in global market. German publisher Heyne Verlag, for example, has shown a keen interest in Chinese sci-fi. Starting with 400,000 copies of The Three-Body Problem sold in Germany, they’ve developed confidence in Chinese sci-fi works and have continued to explore emerging Chinese sci-fi authors, such as Wang Jinkang.At the book fair this year, a series of seminars and dialogues regarding development and unique taste of Chinese sci-fi literature and publications.”Because of its grand narratives and its ability to construct expansive worldviews, the publication of science fiction works naturally has more opportunities to interact with other forms of art, including movies, animation, amplifying its impact across multiple cultural mediums,” Zhang said.
One of the booths at the 76th Frankfurt Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany, on October 16, 2024 Photo: ICEnvoy of cultural essenceThe flying of imagination needs a solid foundation to support it. Chinese writers not only concentrate on pondering the path forward for the future in the sci-fi literature, but also keep reviewing the past and tracking the origin of Chinese civilization to find the inspiration and nutrition for creation, which were repeatedly mentioned by Chinese publishers of domestic head publishing houses and foreign academies present at the book fair.The English version of Origins of Ancient Chinese Civilization jointly published by the SDX Joint Publishing Company, which is commonly known as Sanlian Press in China, and global publisher Springer Nature met with international readers at the book fair.He Kui, deputy editor in chief of the Chinese publishing company, told the Global Times that the book is an important academic monograph by Li Xueqin, Chinese renowned historian. It provides a detailed analysis of the main features of the origin and evolution of Chinese civilization, mainly from the perspectives of the use of bronzes, the emergence of writing, and the birth of rituals, in order to respond positively to the strong international concern about when, where, and how Chinese civilization originated.”The publication with help of translated version will be beneficial in enhancing mutual understanding between Chinese academic research and the world academic community. It will also contribute to building a more inclusive, open, and dynamic global academic community,” He said.Aiming at showcasing the magnificent landscape of cultural dialogues among different civilizations, Zhonghua Book Company and Springer Nature promoted the English version of historical Chinese book From the Mediterranean to the Yellow River to global readers.Yang Juping, general editor of the book, said at the signing ceremony that the main academic contribution of this six-volume book lies in its interdisciplinary research, which is the first comprehensive study of the relationship between the Hellenistic civilization and the Silk Road in China and abroad.Detailed works of Chinese publishers and editors impressed international academies. Peter Stewart, director of the Classical Art Cert Center at the University of Oxford, commented that “The six volumes are almost encyclopedic in scope, covering everything you can imagine within this field. They extend from archaic Greece to medieval China, offering a vivid testimony to the connected histories of so many peoples and places from the Mediterranean to the East China Sea over the span of a millennium.”Other books such as Zhejiang University’s book series, The Rudiment and Practice of New Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in Zhejiang, were also prominently featured at the event, offering a window for international readers eager to understand China’s reform and development successes.

‘Another step forward’ – Israeli defense industry launches local competition to advance anti-drone tech

Technology

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at a Ministry of Defense competition for anti-drone technology, Oct. 14, 2024. (Photo: Ariel Hermoni/Israel Ministry of Defense

Israel is currently confronting a multi-front drone threat from regional terrorist groups backed by the Iranian regime. In response, the Israeli defense sector has been tasked with enhancing the nation’s ability to defend against the escalating drone threat.The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced that eight local defense companies competed on Monday to develop advanced anti-drone technologies.“After analyzing the trial results, the Defense Ministry will select several technologies to enter an accelerated development and production process. This aims to deploy new operational capabilities within months,” the ministry stated. “The UAV threat is a multi-arena threat originating from Iran, which supplies UAVs to Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq, and even launches them itself,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said. The “competition, in which small and large defense industries presented various solutions, from the most sophisticated to simple ones, advances us another step forward.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Companies that participated in the competition include Israel’s leading defense firms: Elbit Systems, Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries.The Defense Ministry has invested hundreds of millions of shekels in developing cutting-edge technologies to counter the drone threat, according to its director general Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir.”Countering the UAV threat is a critical national priority,” Zamir said.”Our objective is to expedite the development and deployment of new interception systems. These will constitute a more comprehensive defensive strategy with the laser system and other technologies we’re advancing,” he continued.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at a Ministry of Defense competition for anti-drone technology, Oct. 14, 2024. (Photo: Ariel Hermoni/Israel Ministry of Defense

Israel’s advanced aerial defense systems have been largely successful in intercepting rockets and missiles. However, intercepting enemy drones has proven more challenging. UAVs are harder to detect due to their lower altitudes, slower speeds, and weaker thermal signatures. Additionally, their flight paths are more difficult to track than those of missiles, and drones are often mistaken for birds, which fly at similar altitudes.Drone attacks have resulted in the deaths of Israeli soldiers and civilians since the war began.On Sunday, four Israeli soldiers were killed, and dozens wounded, when a Hezbollah drone with explosives breached Israeli aerial defenses and attacked an IDF military base in northern Israel.Two Israeli soldiers were recently killed when a drone launched by terrorists from Iraq targeted an IDF based in the Golan Heights. On Yom Kippur, a hostile drone struck a retirement home in central Israel, causing damage.The Iranian Air Force has become a notable producer of relatively inexpensive drones, which play a key role in Iran’s approach to warfare against countries like the United States and Israel. The Iranian drones have also played an important role in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Israel and the United States are both global leaders in drone technologies and are well-positioned to counter the growing drone threat.

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SupplySide West 2024: What’s happening on the show floor from NutraIngredients-USA.com

Technology

ADM​Booth 4664​ADM will detail the latest consumer drivers in health and wellness, from the rise in GLP-1 agonists to demand for tailored wellness support and calls for a ‘return to nature’. Presenting in on-trend formats (gummies, yogurt bites, stick packs and sparkling waters), ADM will showcase science-backed biotics, botanical extracts and plant-based and wholesome ingredients, alongside naturally derived flavors and colors. ​AlaskOmega​Booth 3723​AlaskOmega will feature its line of fish oils, introduced with no fishy burps or aftertaste and a low total oxidation (TOTOX) score. Sourced from Alaska Pollock, the oils are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for both sustainability and traceability. Alkemist Labs​Booth 3973                        ​ISO 17025 ​accredited contract testing laboratory Alkemist Labs will emphasize its contaminant testing for heavy metals, residual solvents and pesticides in both ingredients and finished products. Staff will also be available to discuss the Alkemist Assured transparency program for botanical and fungal products.Aker BioMarine​Booth 5073​ ​Aker BioMarine is hosting a “Celebrating Innovation: Women’s Health & Beauty” reception at its booth on Oct. 30 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. to highlight the company’s newly published research on skin health and how its ingredients can support mood, stress and discomfort caused by PMS, smoother radiant skin and youthful aging by improving heart, brain and eye health. Starting at 4:30 p.m., an expert panel will discuss trends, innovations and what’s next in women’s health and beauty.Arla Foods Ingredients​Booth 1565​ Arla will showcase a new concept for high-protein bars with a whole foods positioning. The Essentials Bar contains protein ingredient Lacprodan SoftBar, as well as dairy calcium, dates and nuts. Meanwhile, the ‘Whey better in seconds’ concept will pack 21 g of protein into a 100 ml shot.Artemis International​Booth 2531​Artemis International will feature the “Five Bs”: Berries, Botanicals, Blends, Brands and BEYOND, a tip to its expanded vision going into its 30th​ year. The company will showcase a wide variety of hallmark berry-based ingredients under its “The Craft Difference” tagline, including ElderCraft and BERRYActiv5, as well as expanded concept like its Fenuflakes ingredient for plant-based F&B formulations. Ayana Bio​Booth 7071​Ayana Bio will feature prototype samples of its NeuroAdvantage and ImmunAdvantage product concepts that include Plant Cell Advantage health and wellness ingredients like Echinacea-p PCA, Dog Rose PCA, Lemon Balm PCA, and Sage PCA. It will highlight how these PCA ingredients address top trends driving growth in the food ingredients sector such as clean-functional ingredients, sustainability and proactive health and preview some of the new ingredients in its pipeline.Balchem​Booth 5165​Balchem is debuting t its choline-enriched folate Optifolin+, which joins ingredients VitaCholine, K2VITAL, Albion Minerals and OptiMSM in the portfolio. Visitors will also be able to experience a taste of Balchem’s food and beverage innovations in booth. ​Berkem​Booth 5517​Groupe Berkem is unveiling a new range of active ingredients—some holistically focused and others targeting specific health benefits. These include Pineol Premium (maritime pine bark extract) and Biombalance (grape seed polyphenols), alongside many other “farm-to-finish” plant and marine extracts. The Berkem team will also be in booth to discuss the company’s Global Plant Exploration initiative. BGG​Booth 4051​The China-based company, which recently established new international HQ in Basel, Switzerland, will feature ingredients including AstaZine Himalayan natural astaxanthin for beauty-from-within, ApplePhenon apple polyphenols for claims including prevention of seasonal allergies, sports endurance and inhibiting dental plaque, and ThinOGen fucoxanthin as a thermogenic weight-loss ingredient.Bioiberica​Booth 6959​ Bioiberica is set to spotlight clinical research demonstrating the ‘glow effect’ of Dermial, a hyaluronic acid (HA) matrix ingredient for skin health, and Collavant n2 native (undenatured) type II collagen for mobility support in healthy individuals. Also on show: Mobilee for muscle and joint health, Tendaxion for tendon health, CSbioactive (chondroitin sulfate) and DAOgest for digestive health. Visitors are invited to try prototype gummies formulated with Dermial and Mobilee at the exhibition’s Tasting Bar.Blue Helix​Booth 6704​Blue Helix Health will present its NAD+ research, which identifies methods to produce both NAD+ precursors and natural boosters, with a focus on supporting human health and longevity. Its most recent study showed that BlueNAD demonstrated statistically significant efficacy on its own in boosting NAD and had a synergistic effect when combined with NAD precursors. Brightseed​Booth 2165 ​In a “AI Illuminates a Gentler Source of Dietary Fiber” talk from the Supplier Presentation Theater, Dr. Swati Kalgaonkar, senior director of medical & scientific affairs at Brightseed, will preview new clinical evidence (pending publication) on how the company’s prebiotic Bio Gut Fiber supports both physical and mental gastrointestinal wellness (Oct. 31 at 11 a.m.). In booth, Brightseed will be available to discuss its new rapid profiling and expanded microbiome discovery programs for partners and provide samples of new Bio Gut Fiber product integrations.Cargill​Booth 4455​Cargill is highlighting its 40 years of experience in specialized nutrition, including early nutrition, active nutrition and medical nutrition, available in prototypes for sampling in booth. The multinational is also introducing a new DHA algal oil sourced from microalgae using a controlled fermentation process as a sustainable alternative to fish oil.Cepham​Booth 3051​Cepham is prioritizing women’s health to bridge the gender gap in research and innovation to propel policy interventions and adequate funding driven by insights from successful case studies and a commitment to inclusive research. It will feature branded ingredients including its clinically studied Furocyst fenugreek seed extract to support insulin sensitivity and reduce ovarian cysts and SheVari4, an Ayurvedic formulation that addresses menopausal symptoms, including focus and mood, by supporting hormonal balance. The company will also participate in the Women’s Wellness Walk on Oct. 30 from 2 to 3 p.m. and Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to noon, which kicks off both days at the Bayside Foyer information desk.Chenland​Booth 4072​Chenland Nutritionals will highlight its latest product line-up including JointAlive to support mobility and flexibility, highly-bioavailable curcumin ingredient CurminUP60 and Ilexpower, a caffeine-free kuding tea for a daily boost.dsm-firmenich​Booth 4465​ Gut health will take center stage at the dsm-firmenich booth with its new Humiome B2 ‘biotic’ vitamin, which uses a patented Microbiome Targeted Technology to deliver 90% of its vitamin B2 and prebiotic-like benefits to the colon, along with the company’s postbiotic Humiome Post LB solution. It will also spotlight its expanded ​life’s OMEGA and life’s DHA plant-based omega-3 portfolio, GlyCare HMOs and Premix Solutions Ethical Naturals​Booth 7004​ ​Ethical Naturals Inc. (ENI) will showcase ingredients in significant growth categories including its GreenGrown Glucosamine for joint health, produced through a non-GMO, corn-based fermentation process as alternative to traditional shellfish-sourced glucosamine. Other featured products include Cranberex for urinary tract health, Alphawave L-theanine for stress relief and Polyphenol-C, a non-GMO vitamin C with wide spectrum berry polyphenols from grape, blueberry, cranberry, blackberry, raspberry and strawberry. ​FrieslandCampina Ingredients (FCI)​Booth 2123​ Visitors can learn about FCI’s comprehensive Biotis portfolio for gut, brain and immune health, featuring the recently launched Biotis DHA Flex Powders, in addition to Biotis Fermentis, Biotis GOS and Biotis Lactoferrin. The company will also spotlight its Excellion caseinates and plant-based Plantaris pea and faba proteins.FutureCeuticals ​Booth 4354​FutureCeuticals is celebrating its 25th ​anniversary, along with the launch of a new solution for joint, bone and hormone health. Also featured: new clinical research results for brain, gut and immune health and a Cellular Refresher tropical beverage featuring cellular health solutions. GC Rieber VivoMega​Booth 3552 ​GC Rieber VivoMega will feature the launch of its Algal EPA & DHA omega-3 concentrate, a high-concentration, non-GMO, vegan omega-3 from microalgae. The company will focus on its recent Environmental, Social, and Governance Report, reviewing its progress and commitment to creating a joint and sustainable future. Gelita​Booth 4165​ Gelita, the official SSW collagen sponsor, will showcase PeptEndure, a collagen peptide to improve endurance, and Easyseal, a pharmaceutical-grade gelatin that improves soft gel seams and significantly reduces leaking capsules. The company is also launching the Gelita Pharma Institute and featuring its pharmaceutical-grade solutions including Confixx, a fast-setting gelatin designed for gummies; Soluform, a new solution for reduced-sugar and high-protein gummies; and Verisol HST, harnessing beauty-from-within trends by creating beauty gummies.Gencor​Booth 4129 ​Gencor is featuring its latest partnered ingredient by Gnosis, LANDKIND Pure Salidroside, produced through a fermentation process rather than harvesting of the endangered rhodiola species. It will also unveil newly published clinical data on Levagen+ for women’s health. Inquire about its sports nutrition package and leave with a giveaway.GNT USA​Booth 2065​ GNT USA will demonstrate how its Exberry colors—created from non-GMO fruit, vegetables and plants—can be used to fuel new product innovation with next-generation protein powder concepts. Visitors to the booth will have the option to choose from three powders, which deliver 3 g to 5 g of protein per serving: a vivid yellow aji amarillo yuzu collagen peptide powder; a berbere whey protein powder inspired by Ethiopian spices in a bold red shade; and a purple balsamic vinegar and sea salt soy protein powder.Helaina​Booth 1631​ Helaina is making an inaugural visit to SSW to introduce its effera ingredient, a human equivalent lactoferrin that sequesters and delivers iron where it is needed most to support iron metabolism. Supported by pre-clinical and clinical studies, effera is made from a precision fermentation process which replicates lactoferrin and ensures high bioavailability to support gut and immune health, women’s health and active nutrition.HealthTech BioActives (HTBA)​Booth 4087​Citrus flavonoids and vitamin B12 manufacturer HTBA will showcase its latest functional health and taste modulation innovations and present its new Cardiose gummy concept at the show’s Tasting Bar on Oct. 30. In a presentation titled “Boost physical performance with citrus flavonoids,” Dr. Juan I Cacho, scientific and regulatory affairs specialist, will discuss the science supporting the potential of Cardiose in sports nutrition. IFF​Booth 2765​ ​IFF will feature its range of metabolic and women’s health solutions. The company is also sponsoring an education session on women’s health, and Dr. Johanna Maukonen, global director of clinical innovation & translation, IFF, will speak on Akkermansia massiliensis​, a new potential probiotic in metabolic health on Oct. 30 at 1:30 p.m from the Supplier Presentation Theater stage.  Ingredients by Nature​Booth 5851 ​ Ingredients by Nature (IBN) will feature its line of pre-, pro- and postbiotics including newly launched probiotic strain Akkermansia muciniphila​ in partnership with Wecare Probiotics Co., in addition to its high-potency, citrus-derived ingredients—Eriomin for GLP-1 and blood glucose support, Sytrinol for heart health and SynChoice for healthy weight management.  Innophos​Booth 3880​ Innophos will highlight its 3-step verification process confirming full mineral chelation. The team will be on hand to discuss why chelated and organically bound minerals offer superior bio accessibility and bioavailability compared to inorganic oxides. Innophos will also preview the results of its latest in vitro study on the absorption rates of its Chilamax chelated magnesium both at the booth at a breakfast brief session on Oct. 30 from 9 to 10 a.m. in South Pacific Ballroom A.Kaneka Probiotics​Booth 2865​ ​Kaneka Probiotics will present its propriety precision probiotic blends and latest innovations for targeted health areas including KABP Menopause to support hormone balance and a new L. gasseri​ KABP 064 strain, selected for its ability to support and restore the natural balance of healthy vaginal microbiota, supporting urinary tract health. Visitors can also learn about KABP Baby Colic, which supports the reduction of infant colic symptoms and Lactobacillus plantarum​ KABP 51 (L.plantarum​DR7) weight management solution.Kemin​Booth 5345​ ​Kemin’s FloraGLO Lutein and OPTISHARP Natural Zeaxanthin will be featured in booth, a combination recently studied in the Lutein and Zeaxanthin in Pregnancy (L-ZIP) ​clinical trial,​ showing significant improvement in carotenoid levels for both mothers and their newborn infants, with implications for long-term visual health and cognitive development. Categories in focus for the company’s functional ingredients like ButiShield, BetaVia and Daily Zz range from women’s and children’s health to what the Kemin has trademarked as digestive aging and digestive stress.Kerry Group​Booth 3965​ ​Kerry is focusing on consumer demand for products targeting digestive, immune, cognitive and women’s and infant health. Its line-up of products includes the Plenibiotic rice-derived postbiotic for digestive/skin health, Wellmune baker’s yeast beta glucan postbiotic for immune health, Sensoril ashwagandha for cognitive health, Luprenol for menopause support, Caronositol Fertility for reproductive health and GLP-1 Support citrus beverages featuring BC30 probiotics, fiber and protein. Kerry will also be presenting on the future of ashwagandha at the Supplier Presentation Theater (Booth 3077) on Oct. 30 from 12 to 12:20 p.m. Ketone Labs​Booth 6733​ ​Ketone Labs is unveiling its L-BHB Acid in the limited-energy and collaborative RTD project known as XPO NRG, designed to boost energy and mental focus for SSW attendees. The company will also feature its D-BHB ketones—for “unlocking and sustaining the flow state”—in powder, gummy and liquid shot samples in booth. KSM-66 Ashwagandha​Booth 4852​ ​This year, KSM-66 Ashwagandha is creating a unique sensory experience to immerse visitors in the company’s story through smell, touch, taste and sound, highlighting the sourcing, supply chain integration, science, safety, sustainability and social impact of its ashwagandha ingredient.Kyowa Hakko USA​Booth 3765​ ​Kyowa Hakko will showcase new research further validating its recently patented Cognizin, demonstrating the neuroprotective effects of the citicoline ingredient. Cognizin is also featured in XPO NRG, a limited-edition energy drink made exclusively for SSW. Other ingredients featured: Immuse postbiotic for immune health, Setria glutathione and Eyemuse postbiotic for eye health. Layn Natural Ingredients​Booth 4443​ ​Layn will feature several new botanical ingredients including Leafanine, a standardized 98% L-theanine extract to support a healthy stress response and better sleep and ingredients in the company’s Bio+ line, including Bio+Resveratrol, Bio+Quercitrin and lipid-soluble tea polyphenols, among others. Attendees can attend a breakfast brief titled “Oxidative Stress Reduction Using Novel Polyphenolic Compounds to Improve Health and Well-Being” led by Layn’s chief science officer, James Roza, on in South Pacific Ballroom B on Oct. 30 from 9 to 10 a.m.  and are invited to an in-booth happy hour on Oct. 31 at 2:30 p.m.Lonza​Booth 5065​ ​Lonza Capsules & Health Ingredients will showcase its range of health ingredients and capsule innovations, including a unique capsule coating technology, plant-based vegetarian alternatives and UC-II undenatured type II collagen for pet health.  MicroPhyt​Booth 4472​ Microphyt will present its new ingredient ​ZenGut, a microalgae extract that has been clinically shown to support overall gut health by improving gut microbiota balance, intestinal and digestive comfort, as well as regulating neurotransmitters essential for mood enhancement and stress management via the gut-brain axis. The company will also be sampling prototypes such as capsules, powder sticks, protein bars and gums containing its BrainPhyt, PhaeOptim and GamePhyt microalgae extracts.M2 Ingredients ​Booth 5905​ ​M2 Ingredients will exhibit its full range of certified organic, science-based mushroom ingredients including a proprietary strain of lion’s mane and the accompanying soon-to-be-published metabolomic and cell-based research on its nootropic and antioxidant properties. Dr. Julie Daoust, the company’s chief science officer, will also participate in an education session titled “Functional Mushrooms: Sources, Standards, Species & Science” on Oct. 29 from 1 to 3:45 pm in Islander Ballroom C.Monteloeder ​Booth 3331​Spanish company Monteloeder, a subsidiary of SuanNutra, is debuting MindRevive, a botanical blend designed to improve short-term memory and cognitive performance in adults. The blend combines sage extract (Salvia officinalis​) standardized to rosmarinic acid and Japanese pagoda tree (Sophora japonica) ​extract standardized rutin. The company will also highlight its Metabolaid botanical blend for weight management supported by 10 preclinical and clinical studies.Nammex​Booth 6119​ ​Nammex will be on hand to discuss planning for brands to ensure adequate supplies as the mushroom category experiences persistent rapid growth. In addition to the company’s extensive line of organic mushroom extracts, it will highlight mushroom ingredients grown to enhance the amounts of selected constituents including ErgoGold and MycoD2 Mushroom-derived vitamin D. Bill Chioffi, COO at Nammex, will be a speaker at an educational session titled “Functional mushrooms: Sources, standards, species, and science” on Oct. 29 from 1 to 3:45 p.m. in Islander Ballroom C.Nexira​Booth 3851​ ​Nexira will feature two new ingredient ranges targeting women’s health and the microbiome. These include Carolean, a combination of carob and nopal for appetite control and Oli-Ola, an organic olive extract for beauty from within applications. New additions to the inavea range of organic, carbon-neutral prebiotics include inavea cinnamon & acacia for modulation of blood glucose and insulin levels and inavea carob & acacia for microbiota diversity.NiHTEK​Booth 1601​ ​Nature’s Innovative Health Technologies (NiHTEK) will present its new Hydrolyzed NiHPRO Protein Isolate (HNPi) as a non-dairy, high-performance protein with a taste and mixability akin to dairy proteins but free from allergens, lactose and sugars. Visitors to the booth can also participate in the NiHPRO Protein Challenge, where they can taste and compare HNPi against a selection of dairy-based proteins.Novonesis​Booth 4673​ Novonesis—the show’s official women’s health category sponsor and the IPA Probiotic Resource Center headline sponsor—will feature its probiotic innovations focusing on mental wellness, women’s health and synbiotics. Also on show: its ‘Strain to Solution’ integrated manufacturing capabilities, presented in a selection of product samples in different formats and flavors, including a new probiotic gummy sample.NutriLeads​Booth 3341​ NutriLeads will discuss findings from its three peer-reviewed studies published in 2024 demonstrating the ability of precision probiotic Benicaros ​to strengthen gut health regardless of individual differences in gut microbiota composition at a daily serving size of 300 mg. In addition to the scientific insights, visitors can sample Benicaros-infused gummies at the event. Nutriventia​Booth 2645​ ​Nutriventia is exhibiting ingredients addressing key health areas such as joint health, stress, energy, sleep and immune support. Highlights include a Tasting Bar, three distinct health zones and one-on-ones with industry experts. Nutrition21​Booth 3565​ ​Visitors will be able to sample a range of functional concepts at the Nutrition21 booth, which Volkan Eren, VP of sales and business development, said has been designed to inspire innovation at the show with the theme ‘Pioneering the Possible’. Concepts feature functional beverages and chews formulated with Nutrition21 ingredients Nitrosigine to boost nitric oxide production, nooLVL ​and Zinmax ​for improved focus and concentration, Chromax for weight management and Lustriva for hair and skin health. NuHerbs​Booth 6801​ ​Celebrating its 45th​ anniversary, Nuherbs will highlight the range of format options available for its line of sustainably sourced Chinese organic herbs. The company also advises client on the forms best fit for various formats relevant to color, flavor or function, guidance on product development from concept to formulating to spec, claims substantiation and contract manufacturer selection. Lisa Thomas, chief commercialization officer at NuHerbs, will participate in the education session “Supplements 101: An exploration of dietary supplement foundations” on Oct. 29 from 9 to 11 a.m. in Islander Ballroom H.NXT USA​Booth 6704​NXT USA will be discussing its latest clinical studies on Digexin and TamaFlex. The most recent research on Digexin further supports its benefits for both digestive health and mood support, while TamaFlex shows that it improves joint comfort, function, aerobic capacity and lower body strength in as little as five days. Pharmactive​Booth 4129​​Pharmactive will present Plasys300, a botanical combination of rye pollen and phytosterols targeting prostate and bladder health, along with the latest scientific applications of its standardize saffron extract Affron for mental health and overall well-being.PLT Health Solutions​Booth 4655​ ​PLT is set to debut several new ingredients targeting the men’s health, sports/active nutrition and energy categories and highlight new clinical science. A PLT Experience Zone will focus on delivery systems, featuring finished samples of gummies, beverages and functional foods formulated with PLT ingredients. Also on show: ingredients launched within the last year including Strengthera Muscle Maintenance+Vitality, water soluble Zynamite ​S, Vanizem to support mood, sleep and stress and Serezin Restorative Sleep + Pain Relief.RFI​Booth 3275​RFI has launched two new delivery technologies: a new liposomal technology called Infusome and the ProMulsion line of emulsions intended for a variety of formulations. Both were designed to ensure optimal nutrient delivery to cells by maximizing absorption and stability. Rousselot​Booth 5641​ Rousselot will unveil the first clinical trial supporting Nextida GC for glucose control, stemming from the new Nextida platform of specific collagen peptide compositions. As the official SSW glucose management sponsor, Rousselot will also present two expert sessions: the first on the consumer-led ‘metabolic revolution’ on Oct. 30 in South Pacific Ballroom D and the second on Nextida GC’s first clinical trial on Oct. 31 at the at the Supplier Presentation Theater.Sabinsa​Booth 4647​ ​Sabinsa will showcase its portfolio of science-backed ingredients in high demand categories including Shagandha for stress management, Sabroxy for memory and cognitive function, CurCousin and Nigellin for metabolic health, LivLonga for liver health, LactoSpore probiotic for overall health and LactoWise and LactoCran synbiotics. Shaheen Majeed, global CEO and managing director at Sabinsa, will speak during the SupplySide Stage presentation “Failing Forward: Lessons learned in the lab” on Oct. 31 from 2:30 to 3 p.m. Solutex​Booth 3245​ Celebrating its 20th​ anniversary, Spanish omega-3 technologies company Solutex will showcase its Lipinova ingredient, designed to support the body’s natural ability to resolve inflammation, and MaGOmega, a recently launched plant-based omega-3 derived from microalgae with enhanced bioavailability through its monoglyceride (MAG) form.Specnova​Booth 5173​ Specnova is introducing NovaQSpheres, a highly targeted delivery technology which consists of four layers of key actives wrapped in a sphere-shaped membrane for precision-timed, controlled release of specific ingredients which otherwise absorb too quickly and have a short half-life in the body. The company will also feature its new, branded liposomal Vitamin C called VitaSomal C, with gummy samples available at the booth.TopGum​Booth 5647​TopGum Industries is introducing HoneyGum, a line of all-natural, honey-based functional gummies. The new product joins the company’s portfolio of dietary supplement gummies, which includes Caffeine Gummicino and IronGum, among others.TriNutra​Booth 3544​ TriNutra will highlight its USP-grade, clinically backed black seed oil and its applications in oral care for improved halitosis and sensitive teeth. It will review its recently approved Health Canada structure-function claims for ThymoQuin, ranging from helping to moderate general feelings of stress to supporting healthy liver function, glucose levels and gut microbiota. Attendees will also be able to sample OmegaQuin, a high-potency, clinically validated omega-3 concentrate and black seed oil.  TSI Group​Booth 5831​ ​TSI Group is hosting an interactive booth with hands-on experiences including sampling the limited edition official SupplySide Energy Drink, XPO NRG, live demos of FZZR effervescent granule products targeting GLP-1 users and OptiCreatine, which becomes water soluble and clear after it dissolves. Other TSI ingredients on show: PEAK ATP, Hobamine and GlucosaGreen.Unibar Corporation ​Booth 4676​ ​Unibar will feature eye health ingredient CapsiClear—studied for the alleviation of dry eye symptoms, tear regeneration and reduction of corneal inflammation—and its Farm to Finish sustainability efforts for lutein extract UniGold for eye health. Samples of a skin anti-aging serum with its clinically studied capsanthin extract, Bellaneo, will be available in booth.Valensa​Booth 3837​ ​Over the last year, Valensa shared that it has been focused on developing breakthrough and superior performance of its ingredients through proprietary technology that enables delivery of potent saw palmetto solutions. This includes rigorous pre-clinical testing of its USPlus(R)DERM to pinpoint the precise mechanism of action that drives hair loss and hair growth. The ingredient will enter the market this fall with Valensa partners in soft gel, capsule, gummy, powder blend, liquid emulsion and topical serum formats. Waleria Health​Booth 6859​ ​The company is featuring aspurūs, a clinically researched Shatavari ingredient focused on reducing the main symptoms associated with menopause. It will share data from both pre-clinical and clinical trials on how Shatavarins, a group of steroidal saponins, interact with female hormonal receptors, as well as a recent study supporting the efficacy and safety of aspurūs for menopause symptoms.

2024 Election: Voter Guide

2024 Election

Everything you need to know about early voting and voting on Election Day in 2024. BUFFALO, N.Y. — The general election will be on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Voters across the country will head to the polls to select the next President of the United States. Former President Donald Trump (R) and Vice President Kamala Harris (D)…

Boudicca’s final resting place and why scientists will likely never dig up her grave

Science and Health

For someone so important in Britain’s ancient history and its battle against invaders, there is still much archaeologists yearn to know about Queen Boudicca.She was the queen of the Iceni people inhabiting East Anglia, what is now largely referred to as the East of England and was married to Prasutagus, the king and ruler of the Icenis.After the Romans conquered southern England in AD 43, they allowed Prasutagus to continue to rule. But, upon his death in AD 60, the Romans took over and plundered the property of the leading tribes people. It is also said that stripped and flogged Queen Boudicca and raped her daughters, fuelling further resentment at the Roman rule.In the year of his death or 61 AD, under Boudicca, the Iceni people rebelled, while the Roman governor Gaius Suetonius Paulinus was focussed on activities in North Wales.Other tribes from across the UK strengthened their numbers.Their army defeated the Roman Ninth Legion, destroying the capital of Roman Britain, at Colchester before retaking London and Verulamium (St Albans).Thousands of people were killed on both sides, and despite the early wins, Boudicca was ultimately defeated by a Roman army led by Paulinus.According to the legends that have followed, Boudicca and her daughters drank from a poisoned chalice and killed themselves to avoid capture.Greek historian Cassius Dio believed that she actually died from illness.However, historians do not agree on where the final battle took place, where she was killed, or buried.One site that has the backing of many for the battle and death, is Ambresbury Banks, an ancient earthwork in Epping Forest, in Essex.According to legend, it is here that the battle ended and Boudicca took poison.Some historians prefer a site along a former Roman road known as Watling Street, possibly near High Cross, Leicestershire, on the junction of Watling Street and the Fosse Way.Manduessedum, near Atherstone, Warwickshire, has been suggested, as has Arbury Banks in Hertfordshire, and Church Stowe, Northamptonshire.Theories about her burial site range from Stonehenge to beneath a McDonald’s or platform nine or ten of King’s Cross train station.The King’s Cross theory is based on a book written in 1937 by Lewis Spence that argued she fought her last battle against the Romans at what is now the site of the station.He never suggested she was buried at the site, but it became a popular suggestion in post-war Britain. No archaeological evidence have been found to suggest she was buried there.In 2006, a team of archaeologists were digging next to a McDonald’s in Birmingham and found Roman remains, leading to a historian to suggest it could be the famous battle site and her resting place, although this theory did not get much backing.In 1624, historian Edmund Bolton suggested Stonehenge was built as an ornate tomb for Boudicca.But, Radiocarbon dating shows it is far too old for this to be the case.There is a theory she is buried in London in Hampstead Heath in a 36-metre diameter and three-metre high circular mound called “Boudicca’s Grave”.Archaeological digs there found no evidence to support the naming.Another possible is the Birdlip graves in Gloucestershire, found in 1879 by a team of workers.Inside was some of the finest Celtic artwork ever found in Britain, including bronze bowls, and ornate jewelry and a handmade mirror.Archaeologists also unearthed the skeletal remains of an individual dated to the middle part of the first century, with the artefacts indicating she was a woman of high status.But, there is nothing further to show it was her.Despite the difficulties in ever conclusively proving Boudicca had been found, scientists and archaeologists are unlikely to ever give up their quest for answers until more is known.