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News24 Business | Medical schemes: What you need to know about pre-authorisation

Pre-authorisation does not guarantee payment of your claim but it does help prevent claims that are denied or short-paid.




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News24 Business | Your money and your brain: How to make decisions from your prefrontal cortex

Roddy Carter, a US-based doctor who is now a personal coach, says using neuroscience to understand the brain can help you to gain personal mastery. Carter spoke at the recent Humans Under Management conference, writes Laura du Preez.




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News24 Business | Business brief | Mondi shutters fire-hit Bulgarian mill; Mercedes' profits plunge

An overview of the biggest business developments in SA and beyond.




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News24 Business | GEPF two-pot frustrations: After two months, some withdrawals still not processed

Delays in the payment of withdrawals from the two-pot retirement system have led members of the Government Employees Pension Fund to voice their concerns on social media.




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Prayer Hub

Prayer Hub is a newer ministry that exists to help develop and nurture a culture of prayer in OM. The founders, Boyd and Ribka Williams, have made prayer their ministry.




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Teacher-Performance Scores Primed for Release in Virginia

A state court ruled that Virginia must turn over growth data by school and classroom teacher, without redacting the teachers' names.




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N.Y. Chief, SUNY Chancellor Team Up to Overhaul Teacher Preparation

Two high-powered N.Y. officials have put out a blueprint for overhauling teaching in the state, aiming for more-coherent policies for the profession.




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Accreditation for Teacher Prep Needs a Makeover, Say Former Ed. Officials

The current system for accrediting schools of education isn't working, argue two former senior U.S. Department of Education officials. They think school districts and philanthropists can help.




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Learning From the Nursing Profession in the New Teacher Strike Era

As teacher strikes sweep the nation, Marc Tucker compares the trajectory of teaching to that of the nursing profession, one of high standards of entry and rigorous preparation.




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Multimedia Journalism Programs Emphasize Real-World Skills

Students are learning how to research and write scripts, hone interviewing techniques, and edit video footage, and some teenagers are even earning certifications in media technology.




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$27 Million to Aid Early-Learning Multimedia Projects

U.S. Department of Education money will help public television develop projects promoting math and literacy for children ages 2 to 8.




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Multimedia Programs Reduce Summer Learning Loss

Summer programs that use multimedia may improve student literacy, numeracy, phonics skills, and math vocabulary, according to a study released by WestEd, a nonprofit education research organization. The report examines the Electric Company's Summer Learning Program, which is sponsored by the Sesame




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Multimedia Tool: Teaching the Presidential Campaign

The Newseum in Washington has just launched Decision 2012: Exploring Elections and the Media, an online resource for teaching about the presidential campaign and election.




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Penn College IT professor presents at national conference

Sandra Gorka, professor of computer information technology at Pennsylvania College of Technology, recently addressed a national conference for IT educators.




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Penn College polymer training attracts diverse professionals

The Plastics Innovation & Resource Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology conducted a flurry of workshops in October, delivering training to 25 professionals, representing 14 companies, four states and Canada.




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Bus mechanic apprenticeship being developed at Penn College

Pennsylvania College of Technology has been awarded a $600,000 grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry to develop a new sector apprenticeship in transportation. The apprenticeship will train bus mechanics, addressing the shortage of skilled bus service technicians and ensuring the consistent operation of public transit in urban and rural areas across the commonwealth.




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Penn State mathematician Paul Baum named Atherton Professor

Paul Frank Baum, Evan Pugh University Professor of Mathematics at Penn State, has been honored by Penn State with the title of Atherton Professor. The University created the Atherton Professorship to recognize the continuing high level of scholarly or creative activity Evan Pugh Professors may pursue after their retirement.




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Bacterial protein discovered, engineered to better separate rare earth metals

A newly discovered protein naturally houses an unusual binding site that can differentiate between rare earth elements, and researchers at Penn State have made it even better. Rare earth elements are key components used in everything from modern tech to gasoline production. The protein, called LanD, enriches neodymium and praseodymium over other similar rare earth elements and has the potential to revolutionize industrial mining, researchers said.




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NASA grant to support free tool to improve astrophysical simulations

David Radice, associate professor of physics and of astronomy and astrophysics, has been selected to receive a Sustainment Award from NASA to advance an open-source code called AthenaK for computational astrophysicists. The grant will provide nearly $920,000 over three years.




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Stem cell-like approach in plants sheds light on specialized cell wall formation

Using a new method to turn stripped-down plant cells into other types of cells, Penn State biologists explored how structural banding patterns increase the stability of cell walls. They also explored how their assembly goes astray in mutant plant cells, which could inform methods to break down plant cells for biofuels.




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Lu Bai named Verne M. Willaman Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Lu "Lucy" Bai, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and of physics has been selected as the Verne M. Willaman Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.




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Toxic protein may contribute to ALS development

A team of researchers from Penn State College of Medicine found that misfolded versions of a protein exhibit tissue-specific toxicity linked to cell degeneration that may be linked to the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study is a step forward in understanding the physiological processes that may contribute to ALS development and progression and identifies a potential therapeutic target, the researchers said.




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Climate Consortium awards projects to drive climate solutions across key sectors

The Penn State Climate Consortium has awarded funding to four research projects that look to put promising climate solutions into action through interdisciplinary partnerships. 




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Hazleton engineering professor's solar solution cuts costs for energy provider

Penn State Hazleton Associate Professor Joseph Ranalli developed a method to identify mislabeled equipment in solar plants by analyzing cloud motion, significantly reducing labor and costs for a large energy provider and enriching the educational experience for his engineering students by demonstrating real-world applications of data analysis. His collaboration with Principal Research Engineer Will Hobbs from Southern Co. has resulted in the publication of two articles and open-source software. 




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'Seed to Supper' program transforms lives at the Altoona VA Medical Center

At the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona, a garden yields fresh produce such as corn, tomatoes, strawberries, zucchini and peppers. It is part of the Seed to Supper program, a Penn State Extension Master Gardener initiative that teaches adults on a limited budget how to grow their own food. For one veteran in hospice care, the garden became a lifeline.




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Research team gets grant to study precision chemical thinning of apple blossoms

One of the most traditionally time-consuming, labor-intensive processes of apple production is blossom thinning, which involves manually pruning flowers so that remaining blooms can reclaim the plant’s resources to grow better fruit. More recently, the process has shifted to broad chemical spraying, which can have harmful environmental impacts. To assist producers and mitigate environmental harm, the USDA has awarded a three-year, $601,125 grant to a team of Penn State researchers for the development of a robotic precision spraying system.




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Distinguished professor in plant nutrition retires after long, impactful career

Jonathan Lynch, distinguished professor of plant nutrition, retired this fall after an innovative and impactful 33-year career in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, focused on conducting research to alleviate world hunger and enhance crop production by subsistence farmers in developing countries.




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Public pressure influences whether companies reduce their environmental impact

The effectiveness of national voluntary programs asking companies to pledge to lower their pollution and greenhouse gas emissions depends on pressure from the public, according to a new study led by a Penn State researcher.




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Penn State Centre Stage presents 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'

Penn State Centre Stage will produce Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” with book and lyrics by Hugh Wheeler, music directed by Anne Van Steenwinkel, Nov. 12–22, at the Playhouse Theatre on the University Park campus.




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2025 TLT Symposium request for proposals open for faculty through Nov. 4

Penn State Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT), part of Penn State University Libraries, is accepting proposals for the 2025 TLT Symposium, scheduled for March 22, 2025. Open to Penn State faculty and staff, the event showcases ways technology can enhance teaching and learning in higher education. Attendees will share unique ways they use technology, network with colleagues, and generate new project ideas.




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Grad earns full-time position through Pennsylvania state department program

Lindsay Mitchell, a Penn State World Campus graduate who earned a bachelor's degree in accounting in May, is one of Pennsylvania’s newest auditors after securing a position through an intern-to-hire program. World Campus offers the undergraduate accounting program in partnership with the Penn State Harrisburg School of Business Administration.




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Course focuses on best practices for assisting online learners’ supporters

A new professional development course explores how Penn State faculty members and staff can help the parents, guardians and spouses of online learners while following federal and University privacy policies.




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Gustafson to discuss biodiversity protection, land values on Oct. 30

Matthew Gustafson, Robert and Judith Klein Professor of Finance in the Smeal College of Business at Penn State, will give the talk, “The Biodiversity Protection Discount,” at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 30, in 157 Hosler Building on the University Park campus. Lecture is free and open to the public.




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News24 Business | Global food prices rise at fastest rate since 2022

Global food prices rose in September at their fastest rate since March 2022, with sugar prices surging as dry weather and fires damaged Brazilian sugarcane crops, the Food and Agriculture Organization said Friday.




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News24 Business | Nobel economics prize goes to researchers of prosperity

US-based academics Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James Robinson won the 2024 Nobel economics prize "for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity", the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said on Monday.




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News24 Business | Kenya reintroduces tax reforms with new deputy president

Kenya plans to re-introduce some of the tax hikes that sparked deadly protests earlier this year, the government announced Friday, while a new deputy president was sworn in after weeks of drama.




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News24 Business | India's festive gold buying spree continues, defying record price

Indian buyers of gold brushed off record high prices and made purchases for the Dhanteras and Diwali festivals starting on Tuesday, hoping bullion would continue to rally and deliver promising returns amid a cooling stock market, industry officials told Reuters.




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News24 Business | 'Not many people know about African cigars': Maputo's premium hand-rolled tobacco

In a small neon-lit factory in Maputo, a dozen workers are hand-rolling premium cigars intended for the global market, seemingly undisturbed by the pungent tobacco smell.




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PSU-LV criminal justice adjunct named Pennsylvania Probation Officer of the Year

Penn State Lehigh Valley criminal justice program adjunct instructor Corallys Fernandez's work in the juvenile probation field was recently recognized on a state level.




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PSU-LV faculty and staff present at Commonwealth Connections Instructor Days

Faculty and staff from Penn State Lehigh Valley were among the slate of presenters and panelists at the annual Commonwealth Connections Instructor Days, a virtual event whose goal is to share strategies and tools for success in teaching.




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News24 Business | EXPLAINER | What's at stake for global markets in a Trump presidency

As Donald Trump appears poised to head back to the White House, the US dollar and stock market are seen as winners, but a Republican presidency could weigh on bonds, emerging markets, clean energy and sustainable investing.




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News24 Business | Rand recovers to pre-election levels as Trumpmania is replaced by interest rate focus

The dollar edged lower on Thursday, while investors awaited policy decisions from the Federal Reserve and other central banks.




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News24 Business | Investment update | Why SA maize prices face an uncertain future

The latest investment insights and market developments.




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Greater Allegheny student research presented at biannual conference

Penn State Greater Allegheny hosted its Spring 2024 Undergraduate Student Research and Creativity Conference, highlighting students’ findings in topics they explored with faculty mentors.




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Greater Allegheny students bring home regional press awards

Penn State Greater Allegheny student journalists earned Golden Quill Awards from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania for their exceptional writing and multimedia work in the campus newspaper, the GA-Zette.




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Project aims to build strong manufacturing workforce with immersive technology 

The Richard King Mellon Foundation recently awarded $392,000 to Penn State to build a strong science- and technology-focused workforce in the state’s Mon Valley region through collaboration and virtual, augmented and mixed reality trainings and tools.




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Faculty-produced videos on the value of the humanities earn honors

Unique video work done by Penn State Greater Allegheny faculty member Rosemary Martinelli, assistant teaching professor of marketing and communications, has garnered gold, silver and bronze awards on the local and international stages.




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The Lost Senior Year: Credits, Proms, Sports All in Jeopardy

The coronavirus closures are shaping a disruptive end to a tumultuous academic career for the Class of 2020.




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Which High School Sports Pose the Greatest Risk for Coronavirus Spread?

Football, wrestling and competitive cheer pose a high risk for COVID-19 spread, while swimming and golf are at the low end of the risk scale developed by a national panel.




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How a Summer Learning and Sports Program Adapted to the Pandemic

Leaders at DREAM's REAL Kid's New York summer academic and baseball program decided early on to move the program online. To do that, they relied on their core principle: the value of being on a team.