Latest news with #Dean
Irish Independent
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Sligo's Clancy brothers win gold and silver at nationals
The competition was a qualification for the upcoming Elite World Championships this September in Liverpool. First up was Jason who was boxing in the 85kg weight category where he faced Galway's Celtic Eagles BC Robbie Olusola with a solid performance scoring a 5/0 on all judges' score cards. That saw Jason advance to the semi final against hometown boxer Anthony Taggart Ormeau Round BC Belfast in what was a fantastic bout. The Sean McDermott boxer showed his strength against a younger opponent to get the victory 5/0 now setting himself up in the final against the current number one ranked Irish champion Brian Kennedy of Edenderry BC . Jason started the first round slow and it cost him the first round , but after a grilling from his dad and coach the Sligo boxer came out to the second round a different man winning the round 3/2. It all boiled down to the last round, after a high tempo last round the judges favoured the rangy Offaly boxer on a close split decision awarding Jason a silver medal. Next up was Sligo Paris Olympian Dean Clancy in his first competition since the summer games . This weight division 65kg was stacked with talented established and up and coming boxers. Dean first faced Anthony Malanaphy of Erne BC Enniskillen securing a unanimous victory. Next up for the Sligo boxer was talented Portlaoise boxer Johnny Harty. ADVERTISEMENT Dean's strength and experience proved too much for the Munster boxer securing another 5/0 victory setting up a final against the current elite champion Jason Nevin of Mullingar BC. a lot was riding on this fight for Dean to secure himself as the best light welterweight in the country. The Sean McDermott boxer put on a masterclass display of boxing to get the unanimous 5/0 victory. The win puts Dean in pole position for the upcoming world championships in Liverpool this September. The World Championships are the first step in qualification for the 2028 LA Olympics, and to top the week of boxing, Dean got best boxer of the tournament - a great achievement with such established world, European and Olympians entered.
Newsweek
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Ohio Bill Seeks to Ban and Criminalize Abortion: What We Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Republican lawmakers in Ohio have introduced a bill that seeks to ban almost all abortions in the state and criminalize the procedure. State Representatives Levi Dean and Johnathan Newman introduced the Ohio Prenatal Equal Protection Act on Wednesday. The bill would grant legal protections from the moment of fertilization, meaning abortion would be treated as homicide, in a challenge to an abortion rights amendment to the State Constitution that voters approved in 2023. Newsweek reached out to Dean and Newman for comment via email. Why It Matters Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, anti-abortion activists have been pushing measures to enshrine the rights of fetuses in a bid to end abortion nationwide. Ohio voters enshrined abortion protections in 2023, prompting judges to strike down abortion bans in the state. Abortion is legal up to 20 weeks from fertilization in Ohio. While Republicans in Ohio have historically passed abortion restrictions and bans, legislation in the past has been aimed at penalizing abortion providers rather than the people who have them. But the new bill, if enacted, would change that. It could also affect in vitro fertilization (IVF) and some forms of contraception. Demonstrators gather in front of the U.S. Supreme Court as the justices hear arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health on December 1, 2021. Demonstrators gather in front of the U.S. Supreme Court as the justices hear arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health on December 1, To Know End Abortion Ohio, which collaborated with Dean and Newman to draft the bill, says the constitutional amendment approved in 2023 violates the U.S. Constitution's Equal Protection Clause. Austin Beigel, the president of End Abortion Ohio, told Newsweek the bill is "a very, very simple piece of legislation" that "grants personhood to all human beings." The bill would ensure that "from the moment of fertilization, when you have a new, distinct living organism, you have personhood rights, and you have the equal protection of the law," he said. "So the same laws that protect a born infant will protect that same person inside their mother's womb." Beigel added that while the bill does not explicitly mention IVF, the "natural consequence of personhood rights for all human beings includes those currently living in petri dishes and cryochambers across our country and our state." Abortion rights advocates say the bill goes against the will of Ohio voters. "Ohioans spoke loud and clear that we want our access to reproductive healthcare protected, not attacked when we passed the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment in 2023," Kellie Copeland, the executive director of Abortion Forward, which worked to pass the amendment, said in a statement to Newsweek. Beigel said that his organization is not concerned about going against what voters want because "the will of the majority of voters was for something evil." "They were asking for the right to murder another so we are proud to stand against evil, even when evil is the majority," he added. Other groups that support abortion bans—Ohio Right to Life and Citizens for Christian—do not support the legislation, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer. What People Are Saying Abortion Forward executive director Kellie Copeland, in a statement to Newsweek: "Voters in Ohio sent a clear message in 2023 we must be free to make our own decisions, define our own path in life, and safely care for our families and communities. Deciding if, when, or how to become a parent is one of the most important decisions we make. These decisions should be up to each individual Ohioan, not government. "These out-of-touch anti-abortion extremists want to give legal rights to fertilized eggs, embryos and fetuses. This would strip Ohioans' ability to make decisions for our lives, health, and well-being, including banning all abortion care, banning some types of birth control, and denying IVF treatment that helps people build their families. "Bills like this embolden law enforcement to surveil and investigate people for their actions during pregnancy – families and loved ones could be targeted by law enforcement for helping someone access an abortion, miscarriage care, or even IVF. Black people, other people of color and immigrants are most likely to be targeted, questioned, and harmed by policies like this." End Abortion Ohio, in a statement: "Ohio's pro-abortion constitutional amendment should be treated as null and void because it flagrantly violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by denying preborn persons the right to life. In appealing to the 14th Amendment, the Ohio Prenatal Equal Protection Act appeals to a higher law; the U.S. Constitution. "But even so, we appeal to the highest law; the law of God. In the Holy Scriptures, All men are created equal, being made in the image of God." Ohio Right to Life President Mike Gonidakis told The Cincinnati Enquirer: "We have never supported criminalizing a woman for having an abortion, and we never will. It's completely out of bounds and inappropriate." Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin, in a statement: "Mere days after an anti-abortion fanatic targeted and killed reproductive rights advocates, Republicans in the Ohio legislature have decided that women who receive abortions are the actual threat. Ohio Republicans intend to charge women who receive abortions with homicide, ban IVF, and even some forms of contraception, as they proudly go against the people of Ohio. Nearly three years ago, Donald Trump opened the door to these extreme anti-choice policies through the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Now, with Trump's blessing, the far-right has declared war on women's rights." What Happens Next Beigel said the legislation has garnered seven co-sponsors so far. But while Republicans control both chambers of the Ohio Legislature, it remains to be seen whether the bill will have enough support to pass. Republican House Speaker Matt Huffman told the Enquirer it's too early to know where House Republicans stand on the bill.
Medscape
3 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
A Drug for Hunger Offers Clues to Obesity's Complexity
Ali Foley Shenk still remembers the panic when her 10-year-old son, Dean, finished a 20-ounce box of raisins in the seconds the cupboard was left unlocked. They rushed to the emergency room, fearing a dangerous bowel impaction. The irony stung: When Dean was born, he was so weak and floppy he survived only with feeding tubes because he couldn't suck or swallow. He was diagnosed as a baby with Prader-Willi syndrome — a rare disorder sparked by a genetic abnormality. He continued to be disinterested in food for years. But doctors warned that as Dean grew, his hunger would eventually become so uncontrollable he could gain dangerous amounts of weight and even eat until his stomach ruptured. 'It's crazy,' said Foley Shenk, who lives in Richmond, Virginia. 'All of a sudden, they flip.' Prader-Willi syndrome affects up to 20,000 people in the US. The most striking symptom is its most life-threatening: An insatiable hunger known as hyperphagia that prompts caregivers to padlock cupboards and fridges, chain garbage cans, and install cameras. Until recently, the only treatment was growth hormone therapy to help patients stay leaner and grow taller, but it didn't address appetite. In March, the Food and Drug Administration approved Vykat XR, an extended-release version of the existing drug diazoxide choline, which eases the relentless hunger and may offer insights into the biology of extreme appetite and binge eating. This breakthrough for these patients comes as other drugs are revolutionizing how doctors treat obesity, which affects more than 40% of American adults. GLP-1 agonist medications Ozempic, Wegovy, and others also are delivering dramatic results for millions. But what's becoming clear is that obesity isn't one disease — it's many, said Jack Yanovski, a senior obesity researcher at the National Institutes of Health, who co-authored some of the Vykat XR studies. Researchers are learning that obesity's drivers can be environmental, familial, or genetic. 'It only makes sense that it's complex to treat,' Yanovski said. Obesity medicine is likely heading the way of treatments for high blood pressure or diabetes, with three to five effective options for different types of patients. For example, up to 15% of patients in the GLP-1 trials didn't respond to those drugs, and at least one study found the medications didn't significantly help Prader-Willi patients. Yet, researchers say, efforts to understand how to treat obesity's many causes and pathways are now in question as the Trump administration is dismantling the nation's infrastructure for medical discovery. While Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, promotes a 'Make America Healthy Again' agenda centered on diet and lifestyle, federal funding for health research is being slashed, including some grants that support the study of obesity. University labs face cuts, FDA staffers are being laid off en masse, and rare disease researchers fear the ripple effects across all medical advances. Even with biotech partnerships — such as the work that led to Vykat XR — progress depends on NIH-funded labs and university researchers. 'That whole thing is likely to get disrupted now,' said Theresa Strong, research director for the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research. HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in a statement that no NIH awards for Prader-Willi syndrome research have been cut. 'We remain committed to supporting critical research into rare diseases and genetic conditions,' he said. But Strong said that already some of the contacts at the FDA she'd spent nearly 15 years educating about the disorder have left the agency. She's heard that some research groups are considering moving their labs to Europe. Early progress in hunger and obesity research is transforming the life of Dean Shenk. During the trial for Vykat XR, his anxiety about food eased so much that his parents began leaving cupboards unlocked. Jennifer Miller, a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of Florida who co-led the Vykat XR trials, treats around 600 Prader-Willi patients, including Dean. She said the impact she's seen is life-changing. Since the drug trial started in 2018, some of her adult patients have begun living independently, getting into college, and starting jobs — milestones that once felt impossible. 'It opens up their world in so many ways.' Over 26 years in practice, she's also seen just how severely the disease hurts patients. One patient ate a 4-lb bag of dehydrated potato flakes; another ingested all 10 frozen pizzas from a Costco pack; some ate pet food. Others have climbed out of windows, dived into dumpsters, even died after being hit by a car while running away from home in search of food. Low muscle tone, developmental delays, cognitive disabilities, and behavioral challenges are also common features of the disorder. Dean attends a special education program, his mother said. He also has narcolepsy and cataplexy — a sudden loss of muscle control triggered by strong emotions. His once-regular meltdowns and skin-picking, which led to deep, infected lesions, were tied to anxiety over his obsessive, almost painful urge to eat. In the trial, though, his hyperphagia was under control, according to Miller and Dean's mother. His lean muscle mass quadrupled, his body fat went down, and his bone mineral density increased. Even the skin-picking stopped, Foley Shenk said. Vykat XR is not a cure for the disease. Instead, it calms overactive neurons in the hypothalamus that release neuropeptide Y — one of the body's strongest hunger signals. 'In most people, if you stop secreting NPY, hunger goes away,' said Anish Bhatnagar, CEO of Soleno Therapeutics, which makes the medication, the company's first drug. 'In Prader-Willi, that off switch doesn't exist. It's literally your brain telling you, 'You're starving,' as you eat.' GLP-1 drugs, by contrast, mimic a gut hormone that helps people feel full by slowing digestion and signaling satiety to the brain. Vykat XR's possible side effects include high blood sugar, increased hair growth, and fluid retention or swelling, but those are trade-offs that many patients are willing to make to get some relief from the most devastating symptom of the condition. Still, the drug's average price of $466,200 a year is staggering even for rare-disease treatments. Soleno said in a statement it expects broad coverage from both private and public insurers and that the copayments will be 'minimal.' Until more insurers start reimbursing the cost, the company is providing the drug free of charge to trial participants. Soleno's stock soared 40% after the FDA nod and has held fairly steady since, with the company valued at nearly $4 billion as of early June. While Vykat XR may be limited in whom it can help with appetite control, obesity researchers are hoping the research behind it may help them decode the complexity of hunger and identify other treatment options. 'Understanding how more targeted therapies work in rare genetic obesity helps us better understand the brain pathways behind appetite,' said Jesse Richards, an internal medicine physician and the director of obesity medicine at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa's School of Community Medicine. That future may already be taking shape. For Prader-Willi, two other notable phase 3 clinical trials are underway, led by Acadia Pharmaceuticals and Aardvark Therapeutics, each targeting different pathways. Meanwhile, hundreds of trials for general obesity are currently recruiting despite the uncertainties in US medical research funding. That brings more hope to patients like Dean. Nearly 6 years after starting treatment, the now-16-year-old is a calmer, happier kid, his mom said. He's more social, has friends, and can focus better in school. With the impulse to overeat no longer dominating his every thought, he has space for other interests — Star Wars, American Ninja Warrior, and a healthy appreciation for avocados among them. 'Before the drug, it just felt like a dead end. My child was miserable,' Foley Shenk said. 'Now, we have our son back.'
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘Just in time for Father's Day' – Dublin GAA stars Dean Rock and Niamh McEvoy welcome second child
Taking to social media, mum Niamh shared photos as she gushed about the arrival of their newborn. 'Our newest arrival, Rose Anna Rock, is here just in time for Father's Day. Happy Father's Day, @deanorock!' she captioned the post. Adding: 'All your girls love you beyond measure.' Family and loved ones shared their congratulations with the couple in the comments. Even some famous faces sent their well wishes. 'Congratulations Niamh and Dean. Beautiful Rose,' author Cecilia Ahern wrote. 'Congrats guys! She's gorgeous!,' GAA player Hannah Tyrell added. While Dean's teammate Philly McMahon said: 'Congrats to you both.' The couple welcomed their first born Sadie in August 2022. They tied the knot at the luxurious K Club in Kildare one year later, following their engagement in 2021. Dean and Niamh first met in 2014 when they were coaching at a GAA summer camp together. They have both retired from GAA, but run a coffee shop in Garristown together.
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Dublin GAA stars Dean Rock and Niamh McEvoy welcome second child
She was born just in time for Father's Day. Dublin GAA stars Dean Rock and Niamh McEvoy have welcomed their second child together. Taking to social media, mum Niamh shared photos as she gushed about the arrival of their newborn. 'Our newest arrival, Rose Anna Rock , is here just in time for Father's Day. Happy Father's Day, @deanorock!' she captioned the post. Adding: 'All your girls love you beyond measure,' Family and loved ones shared their congratulations with the couple in the comments. Even some famous faces sent their well wishes. 'Congratulations Niamh and Dean. Beautiful Rose,' author Cecilia Ahern wrote. 'Congrats guys! She's gorgeous!,' GAA player Hannah Tyrell added. Niamh, Dean and Baby Rose (Instagram) While Dean's teammate Philly McMahon said: 'Congrats to you both.' The couple welcomed their first born Sadie in August 2022. They tied the knot at the luxurious K Club in Kildare one year later, following their engagement in 2021. Dean and Niamh first met in 2014 when they were coaching at a GAA summer camp together. They have both retired from GAA, but run a coffee shop in Garristown together.
