What's the best way to remove soot stains from painted white brick?
Q: We painted our brick fireplace white. But after some use, smoke has stained the brick. What's the best way to clean it?
A: Soot is mostly carbon particles, but it often has a greasy nature that makes it difficult to remove. If you search online, you'll find numerous solutions, including vinegar, dish soap, TSP (trisodium phosphate), Scrubbing Bubbles, and the Smoke Soot Eraser Sponge and similar products.
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33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
A longer ‘winter': Public funding slowdown heightens pressure on biotech startups
This story was originally published on BioPharma Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily BioPharma Dive newsletter. Biotechnology industry watchers were hopeful at the start of 2025. Venture funding appeared to be rebounding after a lengthy slump, and a smattering of new stock offerings and company acquisitions brewed optimism that the public markets might be similarly warming up to young drugmakers. But the positivity quickly dissipated. Trump administration policies gutted scientific research funding and raised questions about U.S. drug prices. Large layoffs and upheaval at public health agencies created regulatory turmoil that added risk to what's already, by its nature, a risky sector to invest in. The results were laid out in a June report from David Windley and Tucker Remmers, two analysts at the investment bank Jefferies. According to that report, funding in public biotech companies — be it from initial public offerings, follow-on stock offerings, or 'PIPE' deals — plummeted in May. The 'political and economic uncertainties' have "cast a cloud over biotech investment,' they wrote. 'Since product development cycles can range 12-15 years in this industry, biotechs (and their boards and investors) want clarity on FDA regulation, drug pricing, and funding before committing to large, [long-term] investments,' Windley and Remmers wrote. Investors and industry insiders interviewed by BioPharma Dive say that the public slowdown is trickling down to startups that have already been under intense pressure during a prolonged pullback. Companies and investors are struggling to align on valuations, making funding rounds more difficult to close than in prior years. The uphill battle in the public markets is further delaying IPO plans, too. "People are waiting to see what happens, and it's extended that winter," said Tim Scott, the president of Biocom California, an industry trade group. To date, only seven biotech companies have priced IPOs in 2025, and no large offerings have occurred since mid-February. No biotechs have publicly disclosed IPO ambitions in several months either, and one of the last to do so, Odyssey Therapeutics, pulled its offering in May. In a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission, CEO Gary Glick wrote that it was 'not in the best interests of the company' to go public at that time. One reason IPOs have ground to a halt, experts say, is that the public markets aren't rewarding drug startups as predictably as they once were. Typically, drug companies can expect their value to climb after delivering positive clinical results. But 'even companies with good data aren't seeing a lot of movement in the public markets,' said Jonathan Norris, a managing director at HSBC Innovation Banking. As a result, Norris said, companies are looking at the time and expense it takes in the monthslong process to go public and wondering: 'What's the benefit?' 'If you have any readouts that are even eye squinting, you're going to get crushed,' he said. 'It's a tough, tough endeavor.' The shuttered IPO window is exacerbating problems for young biotechs. "If you don't have a public market opportunity, then the companies that are private have to think about ways to raise capital and stay private for longer," said Maina Bhaman, a partner at Sofinnova Partners. Feeling that burden, venture investors are becoming more conservative. While private funding hasn't plummeted as much as its public counterpart, investors are more selective and slower-moving. Funding has become increasingly consolidated into fewer and larger 'megarounds,' to the extent that more firms are compiling similar portfolios. And they're hard to finalize, even when most of a funding syndicate is already onboard, according to Norris. "People are struggling to figure out where the bottom of the market is and what's the appropriate valuation and expectation for that investment,' he said. "A lot of VCs are pencils down right now on deals they would otherwise be moving forward on,' Scott added. Pullbacks are nothing new in biotech. But what has been unusual, some say, is how long the sector has spent in the doldrums after peaking in early 2021. One reason is the most recent boom flooded the market with more companies than it could support. But another is that the ensuing correction has intensified amid regulatory and political upheaval. A report last week from Roel van den Akker, PwC's U.S. pharma and life science deals leader, predicted that companies will be 'preparing contingency plans' to account for delays in 'trial oversight' and drug applications. Drug companies are used to dealing with a high level of risk, as most experimental medicines never make it to market. But 'now you've got a lot more macro uncertainty that is being layered on top," Bhaman said. On the public side, that uncertainty has resulted in less patient investors, some of whom are pressing company boards to shut down after setbacks rather than change course. But some startups are taking drastic steps, too, such as cutting programs and staff to, some experts believe, depress their value so they can still attract investment. The "lack of surety" is pressuring biotechs to be as efficient as possible with their cash, Scott said, perhaps working on one program instead of a few. There have been multiple high-profile examples of late. Eikon Therapeutics and Insitro, two well-funded startups, both cited a need for 'prudence' in laying off staff. Norris expects more companies to proactively cut staff, or even close, as the longer-than-expected winter drags on. 'Most of those companies are not going to find the investors that they're hoping for,' he said. 'And I think that's just the unfortunate truth.' Recommended Reading Radiopharmaceutical drugmaker RayzeBio signals plans to go public
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Should You Forget Medical Properties Trust and Buy These Unstoppable Dividend Stocks Instead?
Medical Properties Trust has a 7.2% yield and a history of dividend cuts behind it. Other healthcare REITs have high yields and dividends that have withstood adversity much better. Omega Healthcare has a 7.4% yield, and LTC Properties has a 6.5% yield. 10 stocks we like better than Medical Properties Trust › Medical Properties Trust (NYSE: MPW) has a lofty 7.2% yield. That compares to the S&P 500 index's skinny little 1.2% yield, and the average real estate investment trust's (REIT's) yield of around 4.1%. On the surface, it appears to be an obvious choice. But don't jump at the chance to buy Medical Properties Trust just yet. You can get similarly large yields from healthcare REIT peers Omega Healthcare (NYSE: OHI) and LTC Properties (NYSE: LTC), and both offer a more compelling dividend story than Medical Properties. Here's what you need to know. Take a look at the chart below for Medical Properties Trust. The orange line is the quarterly dividend, and the purple line is the stock price. Notice the massive drop in both that has occurred since 2022. That was when some of the REIT's large tenants started to experience financial troubles. It was the start of a tense and complicated period when a small number of Medical Properties Trust's tenants failed, and it had no choice but to cut its dividend. For long-term dividend investors, the lofty 7.2% yield on offer from Medical Properties Trust comes with some lofty risks. It's possible that the bad news is all out, and the REIT can start to turn its business around. However, that's far from a certainty. Unless you're willing to bet that the future will look much brighter from here, most dividend investors will probably want to tread with caution. In fact, even if a turnaround is underway, it's likely to be a years-long process. There's a contrast to be made here with healthcare REITs Omega Healthcare and LTC Properties. Both of these REITs focus on senior housing, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities. During the coronavirus pandemic's height, both of these property types were hard hit. The reason was pretty simple: COVID-19 is particularly deadly for unvaccinated older adults and spreads easily in group settings. Occupancy fell for both REITs, and there was a drought of new customers. Both Omega and LTC also had to deal with tenant problems, as some of their lessees had trouble paying rent. That would seem like a perfect storm that would lead to a dividend cut. Yet neither Omega nor LTC cut their dividends. To be fair, neither of these REITs has increased their dividends in years. But a static dividend is much better than a dividend cut. Right now, Omega's yield is 7.4%, while more diversified LTC Properties has a 6.5% yield. The future is starting to look brighter for each of these healthcare REITs. Omega's adjusted funds from operations (FFO) rose year over year in the first quarter of 2025, and it increased its full-year guidance. LTC Properties, meanwhile, expects 2025's adjusted FFO per share to be flat to slightly higher. However, it's diversifying its business approach to include senior housing operating properties (SHOP). (SHOP assets are owned and operated by the REIT, though it actually hires a third party to handle day-to-day management of the asset.) As it grows, this business should increasingly benefit from the growth in demand for senior housing as the U.S. population ages. The key takeaway here, however, is that, when faced with adversity, Omega and LTC Properties held firm in their commitment to shareholders. They adjusted as needed to keep paying. Medical Properties Trust, on the other hand, couldn't manage that feat. The past doesn't predict the future, of course, but the past is all we have to go on as investors. And since all three of these healthcare REITs have faced material adversity just recently, their strengths and weaknesses have been laid bare. While the worst might be over for Medical Properties Trust, most dividend investors should probably err on the side of caution with either Omega, which has a higher yield, or LTC Properties, which has a lower yield but a far more diversified business model. Before you buy stock in Medical Properties Trust, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Medical Properties Trust wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $659,171!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $891,722!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 995% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 172% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 9, 2025 Reuben Gregg Brewer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Should You Forget Medical Properties Trust and Buy These Unstoppable Dividend Stocks Instead? was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Women Are Sharing The Burdens They Face In Relationships That Men Don't Even Think Twice About
Relationships require understanding and empathy from both partners, but sometimes there are experiences that one person simply can't fully grasp without living them. When u/Nescient_Noob asked women about the main burdens they face in relationships that men don't know or understand, the responses revealed a complex web of emotional labor, physical vulnerabilities, and societal expectations that many women navigate daily. Here are 22 of their answers: 1."My sister once said about her husband, 'When we host a party, he acts like he's one of the guests.' I feel like that sums it up." —u/Snowconetypebanana 2."A pregnancy scare is something very different to a man than what it is to a woman." —u/Top_Manufacturer8946 "Abortion also takes a huge emotional and physical toll. If it's even legal at all." —u/minty_dinosaur 3."It seems like a lot of men want to have kids, but most of those men don't want to actually parent. Even some of the best dudes I know never considered what it means to be a parent. They just thought of it as playing catch with their boys and/or accompanying their girls to a daddy-daughter dance once a year. And yes, even the most 'feminist,' kind men had these gender roles in their heads before actually raising kids who may or may not be into things that align with typical gender roles." —u/cometmom 4."I think for couples who want kids, there is an extremely different layer of fear for women than there is for men. You worry about your body and whether the man you chose is actually going to follow through on any promises he made. You also worry about things like work and losing your identity. It's just a lot sometimes." —u/FriendlyBranch3035 5."I kept track of all my, my boyfriend's and our dog's doctor appointments. I kept track of our dog's medical records, filed the pet license, and found a daycare, training classes, and medical specialists. I remembered birthdays and events for our friends, my family, and his family; purchased gifts, wrapped them, and bought cards that he would just sign; planned vacations and weekends; budgeted; made restaurant reservations (even for my own birthday); paid the majority of bills; bought all necessary household items, from furniture to toilet paper. The list goes on. The only time we ever ran out was when he convinced me we already had toilet paper and toothpaste at home. When he cheated and broke up with me, he complained he had to buy everything from towels to hangers, meanwhile, I had to replace a router. Everything else I paid for. Being single is hard at times, but it's more peaceful than being responsible for an adult who did nothing to lighten the burden." "The one time he was in charge of us going to his friend's wedding, we left late and had to stop on the way to get a card. He then suddenly remembered he needed a gift and realized there was no time to get one. He also couldn't find the address of the venue, and we arrived after the ceremony ended. The bride and groom stopped speaking to him for a while because they were pissed he was so late. When it came to my friend's weddings, we were there on time, gift wrapped and card signed, with reservations for a nearby hotel made months earlier, as well as breakfast plans the day after." —u/itsbeenanhour 6."Having to be the manager of the household. Grown men should not need to be told when to empty the dishwasher, or do laundry, or cook dinner. They shouldn't need a list, reminders, or management. The women in their lives should not have to 'ask for help.' If she's able to work out that the dishwasher is finished, so it should be emptied, he can work it out, too. Women aren't better at this stuff naturally — they just get on with it." —u/strawbebbymilkshake 7."Men put a lot of effort into making us think they're just bumbling fools who don't know any better to trick or force us into doing it. They can take care of things themselves just fine when they're single. Their dishes still get done, and they suddenly remember how to cook and do laundry, too. It's only once they're living with a woman that they suddenly 'can't' do these things and become helpless babies who need women to swoop in and do everything. They're literally children, but worse, because children have an excuse. Men's excuse is they're sexist assholes who exploit women for their own lazy gain to maintain their homes and provide them children in exchange for what? Mediocre dicking downs that last 10 minutes if we're lucky? To be 'protected,' or some shit? Protected from whom? Other shitty men? Start holding shitty men accountable then!" "Oh, but they won't, because deep down a lot of them know they're the shitty low-value man, and they know that upholding the gross bro code is all they've got going for their mediocre asses. So they do it." —u/LilyHex 8."Women are not looking to replace your mother. We don't want to take care of you, mother you, and nag you. Take care of things as if you're responsible for everything. Come up with the grocery list. Initiate cleaning. You shouldn't have to be told. We are tired of thinking for you. This is also known as emotional labor." —u/squatchmo123 9."Even if you've got a great partner, it's still such an incredibly vulnerable position to be in. My man is the best, and I have zero doubts about him — but that only heightens my fear because, holy fuck, I genuinely need him and if anything were to happen...I can't do this without him. Throughout the whole pregnancy, I've been fighting this sense of dread about complications. If my daughter is in trouble, will I realize it? Will I be able to do anything? If anything does happen, was it my fault? What if something goes wrong with the delivery? After all that, she might die — shit, I might die? Argh! It's so much pressure to be so directly responsible for an entire life. I've never felt more vulnerable, out of control, and helpless in my whole life!" "Of course, there's plenty of good things about this whole journey, but IT'S A LOT." —u/T1nyJazzHands 10."I've only been in one relationship, but it was literally impossible to explain to my significant other the ways in which he was being controlling, manipulative, coercive, creepy, etc. No explanation made sense to him. It was like I was saying, 'Cats go meow,' and he'd reply, 'No! Croissants are buttery.' It was exasperating, and I don't know if he was genuinely unable to understand me or if he was just unwilling to acknowledge what he was doing to me — because doing so would have him facing some really uncomfortable truths." —u/sewerbeauty 11."Dealing with partners who expect you to be a buffer for their emotional or physical outbursts because they have zero regulation skills is a minefield. Walking on eggshells 24/7 and trying not to poke the bear drains you." —u/sewerbeauty 12."Helping with daily life and decision making. Prior to the end of my long-term relationship, my guy was diagnosed with a mental illness. He stopped working and went on leave to work on himself, but he didn't. I'm not a stranger to mental illness and have my share of problems, but it became excessive over time, to the point that he would blame everything on me. He regressed into a teenager and stopped stepping up to daily responsibilities. He stopped making any large or small decisions. He would always say, 'I don't know, whatever you think is fine with me,' even when explicitly asked for his input. He'd complain about how cluttered or messy our home was, but most of the clutter was his. He refused to cook but would complain about being hungry. When I'd cook, he'd complain that I didn't rinse one dirty pan. Meanwhile, he was capable of helping his friend with projects, playing video games, going to the mall, fishing, playing music, etc." "I don't know — turns out he didn't even like me, so that might be it. But it also took an enormous toll on our once-stable relationship." —u/No_Cricket_2458 13."I think feeling like we have to hold back on emotions to avoid coming across as too emotional or even naggy. At least that's something I personally go through, anyway." —u/MeMissBunny 14."How easy it is for men to fall into sexist patterns. How thoughtless it can be, without the guy even realizing he's doing it. How the burden of either getting him to acknowledge or unlearn the pattern, or giving up on the relationship, always falls to us." —u/sunsetgal24 15."Body image and the pressures to look a certain way. Their 'side' comments stick around in our heads — and they don't even realize." —u/Vyseria 16."That we're supposed to have it all and do it all! Be the chill, cool girl, support his hobbies, never get emotional, be great in bed but be a virgin before him, look put-together but don't take too long to get ready, stay in shape, be loving mothers, have a fulfilling career and social life, keep the house clean, bounce back after pregnancy, breastfeed the kids while doing all of the above. And don't complain about any of it, and don't nag him for help." —u/raliph 17."A lot of my male friends have come up to me at some point and asked for my help in convincing their wives/girlfriends to have kids. As far as I knew, their wives/girlfriends were all open to having kids; they just told them not right now. I always ask them four questions. 1) Do you expect your wife to still work? 2) Describe to me in the greatest detail that you can what a typical day would look like for you as a dad. 3) Describe in great detail what your wife's day would look like. 4) Where does your wife's work/career fit into the day? Every single one of them came to the conclusion that they were not ready." "Here are there answers: 1) All of them said yes, as they needed two incomes. 2) Every single one described getting up early, going to work, coming home and playing a game with the kid. Maybe changing at least one diaper. Maybe reading the kid a story and putting them to bed. Sleep. Maybe wake up once to soothe a restless kid. Repeat. 3) They described her getting up early, getting the kid cleaned, clothed, and fed for the day. Preparing meals. Cleaning up after them. (This is about the point where I see realization and horror dawning.) Cleaning the house. Doing laundry. Playing with the kid/going to the park. Grocery shopping. Doctor's appointments. Bath. Putting the kid to bed. Going to soothe the kid if there are nightmares. Repeat. 4) Usually silence. Sometimes they mention dropping to part-time. Every single one of them, some years later, is now happily married with children." —u/Sad-Performance9015 18."Wanting to maintain financial independence. How much of a power imbalance it can cause. That it's not a reflection of distrust in your relationship or believing being a stay-at-home mom is not good enough or boring." —u/ImGojosMoonAndStars 19."Some men don't seem to grasp that many women don't get turned on by visuals to the same extent men do. Imagination and appropriately timed direct stimulation get them turned on. JUST BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MATTER TO YOU, DOESN'T MEAN IT DOESN'T MATTER TO HER. Some men need to understand that being in a relationship means there will be times they will be temporarily inconvenienced. He does not need to make a spectacle out of it either. The woman shouldn't have to bear all of the inconvenience almost 100% of the time. I have examples if needed." "1) Photographers for years have said that taking family photos is very difficult due to the father. It is incredibly common. 2) Along those lines, it is expected that for family activities or trips, he just has to show up. Anything beyond that becomes an issue, and often ends with him not going or sulking/angry the whole trip. 3) Female cancer patients are given info about what to do when her husband won't help/divorces. 4) Decompression after work is only allowed for men. If his decompression time (even hours later) is disrupted in any way, the entire house knows. There will be yelling, swearing, slamming of doors/cabinets/drawers, etc. I can't think of any more at the moment. To note, generalizations and do not represent every lived experience." —u/272027 20."Always having to look good and be presentable for them — all while knowing that no matter how hard you try, there's no guarantee they won't cheat on you (or, at least, think about it). I have this inferiority complex where I've always been made to feel like I'm never good enough for anyone or anything. I've been in this position more than once, and it just eats away at me and destroys me. That's why I'll never be able to be in a relationship again. I just can't deal with that." —u/luridweb 21."A lot of men think that they're the only ones who are ridiculed for showing emotion. It's thrown back in our faces constantly, too. We have to stay strong for the kids, work, housework, bills, cooking, overwhelmed isn't really an option." —u/Planet_Ziltoidia From managing household logistics to carrying the mental load of family life, these honest answers shed light on the often invisible work that can create imbalance in partnerships, as well as how important communication and awareness are in building stronger, more equitable relationships. What resonates most with you from these responses? Have you experienced similar situations, or did any of these insights surprise you? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Note: Responses have been edited for length/clarity. The National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline is 1-800-950-6264 (NAMI) and provides information and referral services; is an association of mental health professionals from more than 25 countries who support efforts to reduce harm in therapy.
