(NewsUSA) - From classic shapes to modern technologies, the progression of eyewear continues to see advancements, driven by the desire for improved comfort, durability, and style. Frames were often heavy and uncomfortable, but over the decades, eyewear has transformed significantly, influenced by technological advancements, and changing consumer demands.

As the eyewear journey continues to evolve, more attention is put on versatility in eyewear – innovative designs, improved materials, comfort, and style. Initially, frames were constructed from materials like bone and wood. While functional, frames were heavy and often lacked comfort. Today more brands, like Flexon Eyewear are developing innovative ways to utilize materials like memory metal to create comfortable eyewear.

Flexon Eyewear, a Marchon Eyewear proprietary brand known for its memory metal and durability, launched in 1988. With over 30 years of experience utilizing its durable technology and innovation, Flexon frames provide premium comfort designed for everyday wear. Each frame is constructed from a titanium-based alloy that allows them to be flexed, bent, and twisted without breaking, and they return to their original shape. Displayed in the latest Evolution and Heritage collections, flexibility and versatility make these frames exceptionally durable and able to seamlessly fit into daily tasks outside of work and new hobbies.

Flexon eyewear’s timeless design, durability, and sleek look allows these masculine optical styles to adjust seamlessly to various occasions. Whether enjoying a new adventure with the kids, taking on a new DIY project, or exploring the world outdoors, the brand showcases its continued commitment to durability and versatility with the creation of each frame. Flexon frames are crafted with technologically advanced memory metal in the bridge and/or temples allowing them to be flexed, bent, or twisted to ensure they can return to their original condition.

The journey of eyewear innovation doesn’t stop here. Brands like Flexon are at the front of eyewear innovation, continuously pushing the envelope of what functional eyewear can be. As technology advances, the future of eyewear promises even more exciting developments, blending fashion with function and durability in increasingly sophisticated ways. To learn more about Flexon Eyewear and stay up to date with recent collections, visit flexon.com. 

(NewsUSA) - Cutting back on single-use plastic is trending across America. A recent Ipsos survey indicates that 81 percent of American consumers support the increase of reusable packaging and that trend is increasingly more prevalent among grocery shoppers.

DS Smith, a leading provider of sustainable fiber-based packaging worldwide, has introduced a new line of boxes for everyday grocery shopping that can replace plastic bags still used in many stores.

Data from the U.S. International Trade Commission show that Americans use 102 billion plastic bags per year, and few are recycled. DS Smith, in partnership with its customers, works to support the transition to a circular economy that helps eliminate waste and pollution by design. Creating 100% recyclable or reusable packaging and encouraging consumers to phase out plastics, the company keeps materials in use for longer periods.

The Shop.able Carriers from DS Smith are 100% recyclable and reusable, and feature patented food-safe and water-resistant Greencoat coating technology. The durable, stackable boxes are made from renewable resources as well. Consumer surveys suggest that shoppers who purchase groceries online are interested in deliveries with less packaging and more sustainable material.

“The Shop.able Carrier product line gives consumers the ability to potentially remove the billions plastic bags used across the United States each year while at the same time delivering convenience and sustainability to consumers’ day-to-day shopping experience,” according to DS Smith Managing Director, Packaging, Steven Rose. “This kind of innovative, sustainable packing solution will help communities move away from single-use plastic bags.”

Supermarkets can use Shop.able to create custom branded boxes and incorporate sponsored logos and messaging from other partner brands. Individual Shop.able Carrier boxes sell for prices similar to reusable totes, and each box can replace between 5 and 7 plastic bags. Supermarkets can sell the boxes at checkout and use them as a loyalty program benefit in online curbside pick-up orders. Other key features include a modular design for smooth stacking and ergonomic handles for easy carrying.

Visit dssmith.com/us to learn more.

(NewsUSA) - This year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. So far, this has held true with storms Beryl and Debby already making landfall. Hurricanes can be catastrophic for any business, but particularly for rural small businesses. While there are many things that need to be done to be prepared for hurricanes, one important item is ensuring connectivity. In the aftermath of these storms, infrastructure is frequently damaged, and internet access is unavailable. One connectivity option is satellite internet service. Its reliability can provide backup communications, ensuring optimal operations and connectivity after even the most severe storms.

All businesses can benefit from satellite internet, however, rurally located small businesses have the most to gain in terms of connectivity and communication during hurricane season. Fortunately, a proper satellite internet connection can equip them with disaster and emergency communication capabilities, as well as reliable business continuity.

Disaster and Emergency Communication

In the aftermath of severe weather, businesses can provide necessary products and services if they are able to open their doors and complete transactions. Reliable satellite internet allows businesses to get connected, open their doors, and mitigate the trauma associated with severe weather events. In addition to processing transactions, the business can also become an information hub for the local community, providing updated information and other communication services.

Emergency response teams depend on communication to know where they need to deploy their resources. A business that has reliable connectivity can be of great help to these dedicated professionals who are coming to the aid of the community.

Back Up and Running

For most businesses, when internet service goes down, so do operations. Which is why relying on a single form of connectivity can create challenges in communication. When severe weather events occur, traditional communication networks can be unreliable, isolating impacted areas. In these situations, satellite internet is an ideal backup connectivity option and can restore operations in even the most hard-to-reach areas.

Despite internet outages that may exist from damaged wirelines, businesses utilizing satellite internet preserve the ability to process online transactions, accept payment via credit cards, respond to customers, monitor security, and many other critical operations.

To prepare for any weather event, including hurricane season, small businesses should consider a reliable and flexible backup solution. Hughesnet Internet Continuity seamlessly delivers broadband internet when primary service fails, preventing costly, frustrating, and even dangerous outages. Ensuring small businesses are well-prepared for hurricane season will minimize disruptions, safeguard customers and employees, and keep business on track.

(NewsUSA) - The U.S. economy remains dynamic and robust, but continued focus on advanced manufacturing is needed to cement U.S. leadership in industries of the future, according to experts at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in artificial intelligence (AI).

As China seeks to position advanced industries as the main growth engine of its economy, U.S. leadership in AI, and increased investment in cloud infrastructure and enterprise-scale AI could help accelerate innovation in technology, SCSP experts wrote in a recent online article.

Currently, the U.S. is falling behind China in production capacity for advanced industries including semiconductors and clean energy. These areas are crucial to America’s economic competitiveness and national security, and the U.S. production of the world’s high-tech goods has fallen from more than 40% to 18% since 1980.

To maximize U.S. advantages and remain competitive in advanced industries on a global scale, the SCSP experts propose a three-pronged strategy with focus on production, markets, and people.

Begin with production. Invest in manufacturing-innovation programs and promote the adoption of advanced technologies by small and medium-size manufacturers. The U.S. should also create incentives for investment in “smart factories” that capitalize on ways to accelerate innovation with increased flexibility and lower cost.

Secure the markets. Develop a trade policy that secures supply chains for products such as Internet of Things modules, networking components and industrial robots, and reduces reliance on China for production.

Promote and support the workforce. A comprehensive techno-industrial strategy requires investments in human capital. Advanced industries in the U.S. continue to face crippling workforce shortages. Strategies to overcome these shortages include ensuring AI capability in all school classrooms by 2030, lowering immigration barriers for highly-skilled workers, and creating national workforce frameworks for advanced manufacturing.

Although the U.S. economy is on a strong footing, China’s shift toward advanced industries sets the stage for a potential economic and strategy advantage. However, the U.S. can leverage its own existing advantages by proactively driving investments in advanced manufacturing, pursuing a strategic trade policy, and strengthening its workforce, according to SCSP.

Read SCSP's Vision for Competitiveness: Mid-Decade Opportunities for Strategic Victory and visit scsp.ai to learn more.

(NewsUSA) - Los niños están regresando a la escuela y el otoño se acerca rápidamente, lo que significa que la temporada de enfermedades respiratorias está a la vuelta de la esquina. Los expertos en salud instan a que ahora es el momento de pensar en cómo reducirás tu riesgo de enfermedades graves por COVID-19 y gripe en los próximos meses, incluyendo mantenerte al día con las últimas vacunas. Los funcionarios de salud también subrayan que el COVID-19 y la gripe son enfermedades graves que se encuentran entre las principales causas de muertes por enfermedades infecciosas en los Estados Unidos.

Los expertos de Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity, and Progress (CVEEP), una coalición dedicada a promover la educación y el acceso a las vacunas, respaldan esta orientación, subrayando que la vacunación oportuna es la defensa más efectiva contra enfermedades graves y hospitalizaciones. “Recibir las últimas vacunas contra el COVID-19 y la gripe cuando estén disponibles este otoño es crucial”, señala Beth Battaglino, CEO de HealthyWomen y coordinadora de CVEEP. “Los virus como los que causan el COVID-19 y la gripe mutan con el tiempo y las vacunas se actualizan específicamente de manera regular para contrarrestar estas nuevas variantes en circulación”.

Este verano, la nación ha experimentado un aumento significativo en los casos de COVID-19, atribuido a un virus en evolución. Para sobrevivir, el virus del COVID-19 está cambiando constantemente, lo que lleva a la aparición de nuevas variantes. Estas nuevas variantes pueden escapar de nuestra respuesta inmune natural y de la protección proporcionada por las vacunas anteriores.

A medida que surgen nuevas variantes, la protección proporcionada por las vacunas puede disminuir. Por eso es crucial mantenerse al día con tus vacunas contra el COVID-19 y la gripe. Al igual que las vacunas contra la gripe, las vacunas contra el COVID-19 se actualizan regularmente para proteger contra las variantes que se prevé que circulen durante la próxima temporada de enfermedades respiratorias, que generalmente abarca de septiembre a marzo.

Mantenerse al día con las vacunas contra el COVID-19 y la gripe reduce significativamente el riesgo de enfermedades graves, hospitalizaciones y muertes. De hecho, estudios recientes han demostrado que las vacunas contra la gripe reducen el riesgo de enfermedad hasta en un 60% y las vacunas contra el COVID-19 reducen el riesgo de hospitalización en un 80% y de muerte en un 90%.

Se espera que las vacunas actualizadas contra el COVID-19 y la gripe estén disponibles en las próximas semanas. Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) recomiendan que todas las personas de 6 meses en adelante reciban estas vacunas. Consulta a tu proveedor de atención médica o farmacia local para obtener más información sobre la disponibilidad.

Visita CVEEP.org/stayupdated para obtener información adicional y recursos sobre vacunación.

(NewsUSA) - Children are returning to school and fall is fast approaching, which means respiratory illness season is right around the corner. Health experts urge that now is the time to think about how you will reduce your risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and flu in the months ahead, including staying up to date with the latest vaccines. Health officials also underscore that COVID-19 and flu are both serious illnesses that rank among the leading causes of infectious disease deaths in the United States.

Experts with Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity, and Progress (CVEEP), a coalition dedicated to promoting vaccine education and access, echo this guidance, underscoring that timely vaccination is the most effective defense against severe illness and hospitalization. "Receiving the latest COVID-19 and flu vaccines when they become available this fall is crucial," notes HealthyWomen CEO and CVEEP convener Beth Battaglino. "Viruses like those that cause COVID-19 and flu mutate over time and vaccines are specifically updated on a regular basis to counter these newly circulating variants.”  

This summer, the nation has experienced a significant surge in COVID-19 cases, attributed to an evolving virus. To survive, the COVID-19 virus is constantly changing, leading to the emergence of new variants. These new variants can escape our natural immune response, and the protection provided by previous vaccines.

As new variants arise, the protection provided by vaccines can wane.  That’s why staying up to date on your COVID-19 and flu vaccines is critical. Like flu vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines are regularly updated to protect against the variants predicted to circulate during the upcoming respiratory illness season, typically spanning from September to March.

Staying current with COVID-19 and flu vaccines significantly reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. In fact, recent studies have shown that flu shots reduce the risk of illness by up to 60% and COVID-19 vaccines lower the risk of hospitalization by 80% and death by 90%.

The updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines are expected to be available in the coming weeks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all individuals aged 6 months and older receive these vaccines. Consult your healthcare provider or local pharmacy to learn more about availability.

Visit CVEEP.org/stayupdated for additional information and vaccination resources.