Author: admin

2026-10-19T07:01:00

(BPT) – Do you often experience itchy, red and painful skin on your hands? Or experience dryness, cracking and flaking so bad it interferes with your daily life? You may be one of the 1 in 10 people worldwide living with a chronic condition called Chronic Hand Eczema (CHE).¹

CHE is an inflammatory condition that can be unpredictable and look different for everyone.¹ If you think you or a loved one may have CHE, here are five important things to know:

1. CHE is not just eczema on your hands

While the condition may coexist with atopic dermatitis, or eczema, CHE is a distinct, chronic, recurring inflammatory skin disease affecting the hands and wrists.^1,2 Clinically, hand eczema is considered chronic when it lasts for more than 3 months or relapses at least twice within a single year.³ It is not uncommon, with 1 in 10 people worldwide living with CHE.¹

2. CHE may appear differently from person to person

Common symptoms of CHE include itching, pain, redness, scaling and fissures.² However, CHE can be challenging to recognize and diagnose because symptoms may present differently from person to person based on the subtype of disease, severity and areas affected.¹ In some people, symptoms may occur on their palms or fingers, while in others, symptoms may be present on the backs of the hands, fingertips or wrists.³

3. Certain triggers may cause symptoms to worsen at times

CHE is associated with skin barrier dysfunction and skin inflammation, leaving skin vulnerable to dryness and irritation.¹ Environmental and occupational factors such as prolonged exposure to water from frequent handwashing, soaps, cleaning agents, detergents, cold/dry climates or latex gloves can trigger flare-ups.³ Other triggers include biological and lifestyle factors like a history of atopic dermatitis, contact allergies, genetic factors, stress or tobacco use.³

4. The impact of CHE goes beyond the skin

Our hands are essential to how we navigate the world — from typing an email or preparing meals to holding a loved one’s hand or expressing ourselves creatively.

Because of the highly visible role our hands play in our lives, CHE is often associated with anxiety, low self-esteem, social phobia, embarrassment and self-isolation.¹ In fact, 79% of people living with CHE state it has a negative effect on their mood and 76% report it affects social or leisure activities.⁴ About 50% of people with CHE experience painful symptoms in their hands, like cracks and scaling, which can make it physically difficult to hold or touch everyday objects.²

5. It‘s important to see a dermatologist if you think you have CHE

CHE may be difficult to manage, but there are ways to help reduce symptoms, support skin health and improve quality of life.

If you think you have CHE, talk to a dermatologist, who can help develop a personalized plan for you. Managing CHE typically depends on the severity and stage of the disease, possible causes or triggers, the area affected and its impact on everyday life. General measures, such as avoiding irritants and allergens where possible, protecting the hands, and using emollients and moisturizers regularly to support the skin barrier can play an important part in this plan.³ Your doctor may also consider medical treatment.

For more information, visit the Chronic World Hand Eczema Day landing page, a resource about CHE created to recognize October 5 as the first World Chronic Hand Eczema Day, an awareness initiative designed to shed light on this persistent condition. While the dedicated day brings crucial global focus to the disease, having a better understanding of CHE, its symptoms, triggers, impact and how to manage it, is important year-round.

References:

1. Dubin C, Del Duca E, Guttman-Yassky E. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2020;16:1319-1332. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S292504
2. Grant L, et al. Adv Ther. 2020;37(2):692-706. doi:10.1007/s12325-019-01164-5
3. Thyssen JP, et al. Contact Dermatitis. 2022;86(5):357-378. doi:10.1111/cod.14035
4. Ahmed A, et al. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2015;40(5):495-501. doi:10.1111/ced.12619

MAT-99811

2026-10-19T08:01:00

(BPT) – As the weather gets colder, it’s important to remember that cold and flu season swiftly follows. Respiratory illnesses typically rise in October and peak into winter, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), making this a crucial time to start preventive steps to keep your household healthier, all season long.

To help your family enjoy the season with fewer sneezes and sniffles, there are several steps you can take now.

Encourage handwashing

This time of year, you’re likely to spend a lot more time indoors, as well as get together with friends and family for holidays and celebrations. Remind everyone in your household that this is the most important time of year to be extra vigilant about washing hands regularly to help keep germs from spreading, especially after returning home from work, school and social gatherings, and always before eating.

Use a germ-killing household disinfectant

Another effective tactic is making sure to disinfect high-touch surfaces throughout your home, including doorknobs, handles, light switches, railings, countertops and more. This is especially important before and after indoor gatherings, and even more crucial when someone in your family is or has been sick.

A trusted household disinfectant like Microban 24, which has just returned to market via Amazon, makes it easier than ever for consumers to incorporate 24-hour bacteria protection into household disinfecting routines.

Microban 24 initially kills 99.9% of cold and flu viruses,* and has the added benefit of killing 99.9% of bacteria that can live on hard, non-porous, non-food contact surfaces up to 24 hours** after treatment, when used as directed.

“Cold and flu season is the prime time when families should become most intentional about cleaning and disinfecting surfaces they touch often,” said Jesse Turmenne, senior microbiologist for Microban.

Unlike many products that only kill bacteria with the initial application, both Microban 24 Sanitizing Spray and Microban 24 Multi-Purpose Cleaner offer continuous 24-hour bacteria protection on treated surfaces for up to 24 hours.**

“Ongoing protection for 24 hours after use is a real benefit when disinfecting high-touch and repeated use areas like door handles, light switches, bathroom counters and desks,” said Turmenne.

He added that Microban 24 Sanitizing Spray also kills bacteria when used as directed on soft surfaces such as couches, backpacks and coats.

Follow healthy habits

In addition to frequent handwashing and keeping high-touch household surfaces disinfected, following a healthy lifestyle can also help safeguard against the worst that cold and flu season can dish out. For example, making sure to get plenty of sleep, eating nutritious foods, staying hydrated and getting regular exercise are additional ways to support your family’s overall health and well-being during the fall and year round.

Visit Microban24.com to learn more about disinfecting your home during cold and flu season.

*Human Coronavirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza A H1N1.

**When used as directed, effective for 24 hours against Staphylococcus aureus & Klebsiella aerogenes bacteria. Microban 24 Hour Sanitizing Spray does not provide 24-hour residual virus protection.

2026-10-16T13:01:00

(BPT) – If the power were to go out right now, how long could you keep your refrigerator cold? According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, you’ve got just four hours without power before refrigerated perishable foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers spoil and must be thrown out. If you store insulin or temperature-sensitive medication, you might have to throw those out as well, posing a possible medical risk.

Power outages vary by region and cause. That said, given the average U.S. electricity customer experienced 5.5 hours of power interruption in 2022, it can be a gamble whether the lights will turn back on before your food spoils.

The good news is that you can keep your fridge running even when the lights go out with a backup battery system. However, that raises the question: what size battery do you need to power your fridge?

“The goal isn’t to buy the biggest battery,” said Beau, Jackery’s in-house former licensed electrician. “When choosing a home backup solution, it’s best to choose one that fits the way your household will use it. A household that plans to power just the fridge during a short power outage won’t need the same battery capacity as a household that plans to power a fridge and other essentials for several days.”

Matching the backup to your household needs

To determine what size battery backup you’ll need during an outage, you’ll need to understand the difference between a few important terms:

• Essential loads are the devices you want running continuously. In addition to your refrigerator, you’ll likely want to power your internet equipment, a lamp or two, and your phone.
• Daytime loads are items you use during waking hours (from 9 a.m.-10 p.m.), like a television, laptop or fan.
• Short-use loads are appliances that run briefly, like a microwave, coffee maker or other device you can use one at a time rather than continuously.

If you only want to run essential loads like powering your refrigerator, a smaller home backup battery will do, but if you’re looking to power daytime and short-use loads, you’ll need a backup solution that packs a bigger punch. Below, check out Beau’s top backup power solution recommendations that complement different households’ power needs.

Just the refrigerator: If your only priority is keeping your food cold, Beau recommends a purpose-built option like Jackery’s FridgeGuard. Its 1024Wh base battery is designed to keep a standard refrigerator running for about 15 hours, but you can expand its capacity to 2048Wh, increasing runtime to about 30 hours. Plus, you can choose Delay AC mode to relieve the refrigerator compressor or a sub-10ms UPS to seamlessly restart your refrigerator so that the compressor won’t stop at all.

For essentials with room to grow: Keep your home office running with the HomePower 1000 Plus V2. It’s a smarter alternative to a traditional UPS, keeping laptops, Wi-Fi and monitors online when the grid goes down. Starting at 1024Wh, it’s portable enough to take outdoors, and scaling up is simple: just add battery packs as your needs grow, up to 11kWh. And with 6,000 charge cycles delivering up to 16 years of reliable performance, it’s peace of mind long-term.

Another great option for this scenario is the HomePower 2000 Plus V2. The power station has a base capacity of 2048 Wh and an output of 2400W. Jackery estimates that base capacity will run a standard 200W refrigerator by itself for about seven to eight hours, and the system can expand to 12kWh. It suits shoppers who want more power for mixed essentials and the option to build out a fuller system later.

For longer coverage and household flexibility: To back up your home’s essential circuits, step up to the HomePower 3600 Plus or the Explorer 5000 Plus.

The HomePower 3600 Plus pairs portability with whole-circuit backup. It’s compatible with a Manual Transfer Switch, so it can power the circuits you choose. Its 3584Wh base battery runs a refrigerator for roughly 14 to 18 hours, and when expanded to 21kWh, you get up to 14 days of fridge backup with room for daytime loads.

The Explorer 5000 Plus is Beau’s preferred solution for households wanting a more comprehensive system. Paired with the Smart Transfer Switch, it switches over automatically in 0ms, so your essentials never miss a beat. Starting at 5040Wh with 7200W of output, it expands to 60kWh for up to two weeks of multi-room power.

There’s no time like the present to protect your fridge. To learn more about home backup battery options and find the right solution for your household, visit Jackery.com.

2026-10-15T11:01:00

(BPT) – Key takeaways:

• A growing number of companies are turning to an AI-powered platform to help customer-facing teams create training that will build skills around productive innovation and process changes.
• Articulate, the market-leading platform for proprietary workplace training, is backed by 20+ years of learning science.
• New enterprise integrations connect Articulate to the tools teams already use, from source material through publishing.

Since AI entered the workplace, organizations are changing fast, and their teams can’t keep up. Nearly three-quarters of frontline workers surveyed report experiencing skill gaps, according to a recent McKinsey survey, and those gaps are bound to widen as AI accelerates the pace and volume of product innovation and process changes. The pressure to close that gap often falls on the teams who build training for customer-facing roles — sales enablement, customer success, and support — and the L&D teams whose resources are being stretched to their limits.

It’s why a growing number of companies are turning to Articulate, whose AI-powered platform is built to help customer-facing teams create training to help build their skills in the era of constant, rapid change.

“You can’t buy the training that matters most to your business off a shelf. It’s specific to your products, your customers, your way of working,” said Monika Saha, Chief Commercial Officer at Articulate. “For most businesses, that kind of proprietary training has always been the hardest to get right and the fastest to go stale, and AI has only shortened its shelf life. That’s what we’re making easier to build and maintain.”

A market-leading platform built for every team

Articulate is the market-leading platform for building proprietary workplace training. Its newest release extends that capability in two directions. Nova, an AI agent built into Articulate 360 and backed by 20+ years of learning science, gives L&D teams more range. Frontline brings the same learning science and quality standards to teams across the business.

Frontline is built for the teams closest to the customer. It empowers sales enablement leaders, support managers and more to build training directly. Those teams can build their own training while still operating within the standards L&D already set, including brand guidelines and governance.

Nova is an AI agent that handles complex workflows that used to span multiple applications, including multi-format translation, AI-avatar video and training kit generation. Each is grounded in instructional design principles, turning information across the business into training that people can learn, retain and apply. Nova is built into every eligible Articulate 360 subscription.

New enterprise integrations connect Articulate to the tools teams already use, from source material through publishing: pulling content from Google Drive and OneDrive, and launching training creation directly from Claude, ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot. On the publishing end, teams can publish training directly to Thinkific in one click, or use Connected Packages.

As organizations rethink how they prepare employees for a rapidly changing workplace, the focus is shifting from simply adopting AI to helping people grow with it. By combining their deep expertise in learning science and what’s possible with AI, Articulate is helping build a workforce ready for whatever comes next.

2026-10-15T13:01:00

(BPT) – Key takeaways:

• Proper ventilation is integral to the comfort and well-being of residents in multifamily constructions.
• Builders and contractors should carefully consider methods to improve airflow and indoor air quality while simplifying construction and installation.
• The Panasonic WhisperFresh line meets the ventilation needs of builders and residents.

When it comes to single-family and multifamily construction, ventilation shouldn’t be an afterthought. Without proper ventilation, individual units, common areas and other spaces in the building can become stale, hot and humid — in short, uncomfortable. Considering that Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, proper ventilation is essential to the success of a high-density residential building project.

For builders and contractors, strategies that optimize airflow and indoor air quality (IAQ) can make a huge difference in residents’ comfort and health as well as a building’s long-term performance. Here are five key ways developers can improve airflow across every unit of a multifamily project.

Ensure consistent fresh-air delivery

Achieving balanced airflow in every unit of a multifamily building is critical for the comfort of all residents. When ventilation is uneven, you’ll end up with some units starved of fresh air and others overventilated, leading to discomfort and inconsistent air quality across the property.

To ensure building residents receive consistent fresh air in their units, builders and contractors should consider sourcing continuous-supply fans with precise cubic feet per minute (CFM) control. This feature ensures that fresh, outside air is delivered directly to each unit, maintaining consistent IAQ from the ground floor to the penthouse.

Choose mechanical ventilation designed with tighter building envelopes in mind

Modern buildings are being built tighter than ever, improving energy efficiency and reducing air leakage. However, that tight envelope also means that fresh air cannot enter the building through cracks and gaps in walls and windows, leaving residents breathing stale air.

Without a well-designed mechanical air supply, you risk not only residents’ comfort but also code compliance. To complement the tightness of modern buildings and deliver the comfort and IAQ residents expect, look for supply fans designed with ASHRAE 62.2 code compliance in mind from the start.

Another detail to consider is humidity. Left unchecked, moisture accumulation encourages mold growth, compromising residents’ IAQ and building integrity. This is of particular concern in hot, humid climates like Texas, the Gulf Coast and California, where climate control drives code compliance and comfort. Prioritize ventilation solutions that deliver enhanced climate-control performance with humidity and temperature sensing.

Don’t forget about noise control

One of the primary reasons occupants tamper with or turn off mechanical ventilation systems is operational noise. It’s not enough for a fan to perform well. Fans that operate quietly are essential in residential environments where bedrooms and living spaces sit in close proximity to mechanical equipment.

Contractors should prioritize supply fan models rated for ultralow sone levels, less than 1 sone. That’s quieter than even a running fridge. Installing quiet equipment protects indoor comfort, ensures residents leave systems running as designed and minimizes noise complaints post-turnover.

Plan for flexibility and scalability

Multifamily developments and single-family homes vary widely in layout and size, not just building by building. A single project might feature a mix of studio apartments, three-bedroom townhomes, in-law suites and sprawling corner units. Instead of sourcing different fan models to accommodate multiple layouts and unit sizes, choose flexible, scalable ventilation systems.

When sourcing supply ventilation systems, make sure the models you’re considering offer versatile mounting options so that you can place the fan unit horizontally or vertically on a wall or ceiling. Also, look for models with simplified electrical integration so you can install them without worrying about proprietary wiring requirements. Combined, these features will enable easier installation in high-volume multifamily construction, regardless of size or layout.

Choose solutions built for long-term performance

After a building is finished and the residents have moved in, performing frequent maintenance in individual units can be challenging, disruptive and ultimately costly. That’s why choosing durable, easy-to-maintain ventilation is crucial to the long-term performance of any multifamily building.

Look for options with features that can reduce downtime and operating costs over the life of the building. For example, supply fans that feature access doors provide residents with easy filter access without requiring a service call. Choosing a model that uses a standard filter also simplifies the process for residents and building owners today and down the line.

Sourcing for success

Finding fresh-air mechanical ventilation systems for multifamily projects doesn’t have to be difficult. When searching for solutions that meet the above criteria, consider models from the Panasonic WhisperFresh^® line.

The line includes three ventilation solutions — the original WhisperFresh^® Select, as well as two new additions to the family: WhisperFresh^® and WhisperFresh^® Plus. All three models offer simplified compliance thanks to built-in FID displays, ASHRAE 62.2 Support, ENERGY STAR^® certification and HVI certification. The line is also designed for easy installation, featuring flexible mounting options, a simplified hardwired design, a paintable access door and standard filters. And as the name suggests, these ventilation solutions are whisper-quiet, operating at less than 0.3 sones.

For builders seeking climate performance, the Plus and Select models include humidity and temperature sensing. The captured real-time environmental data gives builders performance visibility and control to meet evolving codes and residents’ expectations.

“Our expansion of the WhisperFresh line was done with builders, contractors and multifamily developers in mind,” said Leon van Oostende, Group Sales Manager at Panasonic Eco Systems. “And it couldn’t have come at a better time. Across the country, energy codes are tightening, and ventilation requirements are becoming more complex than ever. With our three-tiered platform, builders can find the code-compliant model that best fits their project needs, from entry-level to climate-adaptive options.”

For more information about Panasonic indoor air quality solutions, including energy recovery ventilation (ERV) and heat recovery ventilation (HRV) systems, visit: https://iaq.na.panasonic.com/.

2026-10-14T16:09:00

(BPT) – After years of neutral, one-size-fits-all rooms, homeowners are looking for spaces that feel like their own, with finishes that get better with age and layouts that fit how they really live. In 2027, expect kitchen and bath design to move toward warm finishes, expressive shapes, personalized function and outdoor areas that match the rest of the house.

1. Warmth, Patina and Jewel Tones

Stark whites and cool grays are giving way to color and character. Emerald, sapphire and garnet are popping up in tile and cabinetry, along with warm metals on faucets and hardware.

Living finishes are a natural extension of this shift, changing over time to reflect the home and the people who live in it. Brizo Kitchen & Bath introduced its first living finish, Unlacquered Brass, in the Faircroft^™ Kitchen Collection. With use over time, the finish develops a one-of-a-kind patina shaped by touch and daily life.

“People are thinking more intentionally about every detail in the home, including the pieces they interact with every day,” says Celine Kwok Garland, Lead Industrial Designer at Brizo. “A faucet can have as much personality as a light fixture or a piece of art. We carefully consider how a finish will age, how a handle feels in your hand and how each piece contributes to the character of the room.”

2. Tactile, Sculptural and Architectural Forms

Materiality and form will take center stage in 2027 as sculptural silhouettes, expressive handles, architectural glass and tactile materials bring greater dimension to everyday fixtures. Reeded glass, in particular, is moving beyond the shower door across cabinetry and lighting, where its textured surface softens the light and adds visual depth.

The Roccesco™ Bath Collection by Brizo^® brings this approach to the bath through geometric forms, reeded-glass lever handles and a sculptural halo showerhead, drawing inspiration from contemporary Italian design.

3. Personalized, Seamless Functionality

Rather than following standard layouts, homes are increasingly being designed around the routines of the people who live in them. In the bath, shower and thermostatic systems allow homeowners to personalize temperature and flow, creating an experience that can shift from a quick morning rinse to a more restorative evening ritual.

That same emphasis on intuitive functionality is shaping the kitchen, where technology is making everyday tasks easier without competing with the design. Touch-activated and hands-free features help streamline work at the sink while remaining discreet within the space. Brizo^®SmartTouch^® Technology, available on select faucets, allows users to start and stop the flow with a simple tap on the spout, body or handle.

4. Indoor-Outdoor Continuity

As the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living continue to blur, homeowners are approaching these spaces with a more unified design perspective. In 2027, outdoor kitchens will increasingly reflect the same attention to materials, finishes and design found inside the home, creating a natural extension of the interior rather than a separate entertaining space.

Reflecting this shift, Brizo recently expanded its outdoor offerings, bringing Litze^® and Odin^® collections outside in 316L marine-grade stainless steel. Engineered to withstand exposure to sun, salt and freezing temperatures, the collections extend the same design language found indoors to exterior spaces.

Taken together, these trends point to homes that feel incredibly personal and considered, where materials, forms and technology work together to create spaces that are as individual as the people who live in them.

2026-10-14T12:41:00

(BPT) – By Eric Dell, President and CEO, American Bakers Association

Every trip to the grocery store is a balancing act. You’re watching the budget and doing quick math on how far each dollar will stretch. You’re scanning nutrition labels, planning the week’s meals, and hoping what lands in your cart will get eaten. And if you’re like me, you’re looking for convenient options to pack a nutritious lunch before the school bus arrives.

For generations, bread has helped families manage all that juggling. Friday, October 16, is World Bread Day, and it’s a good time to appreciate why.

Nutrition You Can Count On

Bread is more than a convenience. A single slice can deliver fiber, iron, magnesium and B vitamins, which are nutrients many Americans don’t get enough of. Grain foods like bread contribute nearly 40% of the dietary fiber in the American diet.

Bread also has a remarkable public health record. Enriched grains, a practice built into bread production for more than 80 years, has played an important role in improving nutritional health. Notably, fortification of enriched grains with folic acid is credited with reducing neural tube birth defects by nearly one-third in the United States. Few foods can claim that kind of a public health achievement.

Affordable, Accessible and Dependable

Bread has connected people across tables and cultures for thousands of years. It is a nutritious staple that makes sense for households at every income level. When grocery bills are stretched, bread is a dependable food that delivers real nutrition for your dollar. In fact, 99% of U.S. households purchased a baked good last year. Baking is clearly woven into everyday American life.

From Farm to Family

That dependable loaf doesn’t happen by accident. It is the result of the hard work and dedication of American farmers, millers, bakers and the workers who ensure fresh, affordable bread reaches families every day.

The baking industry employs 800,000 people nationwide. In 2024, commercial bakers invested $15 billion in American-grown ingredients like wheat, corn, sugar and eggs. More than 85% of core baking ingredients come from U.S. farmers and processors, and one-third of all flour milled in this country goes to commercial bakeries.

That partnership supports jobs and strengthens local economies. It also keeps shelves stocked, so families can find affordable, nutritious bread wherever they shop.

The Foundation for Everything Else on the Plate

Bread’s greatest strength is its versatility. As the foundation for countless meals, bread brings together protein, vegetables and other nutritious foods. Just consider a single day’s menu. Avocado toast with your coffee. A pita stuffed with hummus and veggies for lunch. Tuesday taco night with the family.

Bread helps bring together grains, protein and produce to create nutritious, convenient and portable meals that feed both children and adults. Today’s bread aisle also offers more choices than ever, including varieties with added fiber, protein or whole grains to fit different appetites and lifestyles.

A Day to Rediscover Bread

A resolution introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2025 celebrates bread as a “nutritious, affordable, and culturally significant staple food.” It encourages Americans to explore new varieties and pair them with nutritious foods. We agree.

On World Bread Day, explore the versatility of bread by trying something new, whether a hearty whole grain, a soft flatbread or a sourdough loaf. Pair it with your family’s favorite protein and vegetable to create a nutritious, satisfying meal everyone can enjoy.

Bread is nutritious, affordable and familiar, and American bakers, farmers and millers have kept it at the center of our tables for generations.

For more information about bread’s role in a nutritious diet, visit www.bakingfeedsamerica.org.