PTAB Update | March 2026
The PTAB announced a sua sponte rehearing of Ex parte Baurin, revisiting the interplay between obviousness‑type double‑patenting and patent term adjustment in light of the Cellect and Allergan decisions. Simultaneously, the USPTO Director issued a new policy requiring parties in inter‑partes review (IPR) and post‑grant review (PGR) to disclose U.S. manufacturing and, for challengers, small‑business status when seeking discretionary denial. The manufacturing factor applies to both challengers’ accused products and owners’ patented products, while firms with under 500 employees must self‑identify as small businesses. These changes aim to align patent enforcement with domestic production goals and to clarify procedural standards for double‑patenting rejections.
One Small Step, 4KB of RAM
NASA has released the original Apollo 11 guidance software for the Command and Lunar Modules into the public domain, making the historic code accessible to anyone. The software, known as Comanche and Luminary, runs on the Apollo Guidance Computer, which...
Cinema United Chief: Meeting with Ted Sarandos Was ‘Constructive,’ but Don’t Expect Netflix in Theaters Just Yet
Cinema United President Michael O’Leary confirmed a constructive meeting with Netflix co‑CEO Ted Sarandos at CinemaCon, but emphasized no immediate plans for Netflix to present on a CinemaCon stage. The dialogue explored potential collaboration models, yet both sides admit they...
California Initiative May Accelerate Adoption of Bidirectional EV Charging
The California Energy Commission unveiled a roadmap to accelerate bidirectional EV charging, targeting vehicle‑to‑grid (V2G) and vehicle‑to‑home (V2H) deployments across residential, commercial and industrial sites. It highlights the state’s 2.1 million‑vehicle fleet, which holds an estimated 18.5 GW of latent storage—exceeding existing...
Elahere Combination Achieves 62.7% ORR in Phase 2 Trial for Platinum-Sensitive Ovarian Cancer at SGO 2026
AbbVie’s Elahere (mirvetuximab soravtansine) combined with carboplatin produced a confirmed objective response rate of 62.7% in patients with FRα‑positive, platinum‑sensitive ovarian cancer, meeting the primary endpoint of the Phase 2 IMGN853‑0420 trial presented at SGO 2026. The study enrolled 125 participants,...
Caregiving Is Now so Crazy Expensive that It’s Financially Devastating to Most Families, New Research Shows
The Roosevelt Institute reports that long‑term‑care costs are crushing middle‑class families, with 56% of Americans who turned 65 between 2022‑2025 needing care and expenses reaching $129,000 a year for a private nursing‑home room. Median retirement savings sit at just $955,...
In the Blogs: HIPAA HIPAA Hooray
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued a December 2024 proposal that represents the most significant update to the HIPAA Security Rule since 2013, aiming to close long‑standing cybersecurity gaps in healthcare. The IRS released IR‑2026‑46, expanding Business...
Income Tax Dept Tightens Disclosure Norms Under Presumptive Taxation Scheme
The Income‑Tax Department will tighten disclosure norms for taxpayers using the presumptive taxation scheme starting assessment year 2026‑27. The revised ITR‑4 form, effective March 31, 2026, will mandate reporting of bank balances, investments, sundry debtors, sundry creditors and cash. The move aims...
HBO Max Doesn’t Offer a Free Trial—But We Found a Hack That Lets You Watch at No Cost
HBO Max does not provide its own free trial, leaving potential subscribers without a low‑risk entry point. However, DirecTV’s five‑day free trial includes HBO Max, available through its MyEntertainment and Premier packages. The MyEntertainment pack normally costs $34.99 per month, while the...
Virginia Enacts Law to Streamline Wireless Infrastructure Upgrades
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed House Bill 277 into law, streamlining upgrades to existing wireless infrastructure by restricting local governments from denying modification requests that do not substantially change a facility’s dimensions. The bill defines “substantial change” to include work...
Nicole Kidman Inspired to Become Death Doula by Mother’s Passing
Actress Nicole Kidman announced she is training to become a death doula after watching her mother’s final days in 2024. She described the role as non‑medical support that offers solace to the dying and their families. Kidman shared the motivation...
Electric Vehicles Could See Rebound Amid Rising Gas and New Federal Consumer Rebates
Canadian consumer interest in electric vehicles rebounded as gas prices jumped and the federal government launched the Electric Vehicle Affordability Program, offering up to $5,000 CAD (≈$3,700 USD) off new EVs. AutoTrader.ca’s survey of 1,700 Canadians shows purchase intent rose to 49%...
Put Science Back in the Driver’s Seat
NASA’s science program is increasingly dependent on ride‑along payloads, a stark shift from decades of dedicated missions that delivered breakthroughs like alien oceans and the accelerating universe. A proposed 46% budget cut for 2026‑27 would eliminate half of the agency’s...
Caps on Graduate Student Lending: How Did We Get Here?
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) enacted in summer 2025 imposes the first federal caps on graduate student loans, ending the near‑unlimited Grad PLUS program created in 2006. The caps respond to mounting fiscal losses, political pressure over loan‑forgiveness, and concerns...
Infra Spend up Six-Fold Since 2014, Crosses Rs 12 Lakh Crore: PM Modi
India’s annual infrastructure outlay has surged to roughly ₹12 lakh crore (about $145 billion), a six‑fold increase since 2014. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the 210‑km, six‑lane Delhi‑Dehradun Expressway, built at an estimated ₹12,000 crore ($1.5 billion). The project features a 12‑km elevated wildlife corridor and is part of...
Delta Air Lines Contracts Airbus to Install Hughes Co-Developed IFC on Upcoming A350-1000 Aircraft
Airbus will outfit 20 of Delta's upcoming A350‑1000 jets with a multi‑orbit in‑flight connectivity system co‑developed with Hughes, making Delta the first North American customer for Airbus' HBCplus line‑fit offering. The HBCplus modular solution supports up to two antennas and...
Enhancement of Intestinal Barrier Function and Alleviation of Mycophenolic Acid Toxicity by a Probiotic-Conditioned Medium in Vitro
The study demonstrates that an acellular probiotic‑conditioned medium (postbiotic) strengthens intestinal barrier function and mitigates toxicity of the immunosuppressants mycophenolic acid (MPA) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in a CaCo‑2 cell model. The conditioned medium increased transepithelial electrical resistance, up‑regulated tight‑junction...
Relationship Between Iodine Nutritional Status and Low Handgrip Strength in a Northwestern Chinese Cohort: Construction of a Predictive Nomogram Model
A cross‑sectional study of 810 adults in Lanzhou, China identified key predictors of low handgrip strength (LGS), a core marker of sarcopenia. Multivariate analysis showed that female sex, greater height, and excess urinary iodine concentration (UIC) were protective, while advanced...
Editorial: Innovative Approaches to Nutrition Counseling in Pediatric Dietetics - Guidelines, Practices, and Future Directions
Recent research compiled in Frontiers' 2026 editorial highlights that pediatric nutrition counseling is evolving toward standardized, family‑centered, and technology‑enabled models. Studies show that rigorous documentation, frequent dietitian contact, and telehealth improve diagnostic accuracy and continuity of care, especially for infants...
Editorial: Nutrition for Sustainable Weight Management Post-Bariatric Surgery
The editorial introduces a Frontiers Nutrition research collection examining how nutrition, metabolic monitoring, and personalized care can sustain weight loss after metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS). It highlights four studies: a review advocating multimodal strategies—including diet, GLP‑1 agonists, and revisional procedures—to...
Regulation of Bile Acids Homeostasis: A Feasible and Versatile Way to Treat or Diagnose Liver Disorders
The review underscores bile‑acid (BA) homeostasis as a central driver of liver disease, linking imbalances to cholestasis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and MASLD/MASH. It details how hydrophobic BAs provoke mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress, activate hepatic stellate cells, and interact...
Argentina to Start 8 New Lithium Projects by 2030
Argentina plans to commission eight new greenfield lithium projects by 2030, more than doubling its installed production capacity to 409,000 metric tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). The projects, ranging from Rio Tinto's 60,000‑t/yr Rincón to smaller 8,000‑t/yr developments, will...
KRYTAR Announces a New Compact, 4-Way MLDD Power Divider Covering 7.125 to 15.35 GHz
KRYTAR, Inc. introduced a new 4‑way ultra‑broadband power divider (Model 707125‑1535) that operates from 7.125 GHz to 15.35 GHz, covering C‑ through Ku‑bands. The device delivers >18 dB isolation, ±0.5 dB amplitude tracking, ±10° phase tracking, 1.9 dB insertion loss, and a 10 W input rating in...
Tax Court OKs Disallowance of Accrued Expenses
Tax Court affirmed the IRS’s disallowance of over $450,000 in deductions for a California hospice‑care C corporation that used the accrual method but failed to record income and expenses accurately. The IRS also found the corporation under‑reported more than $200,000...
RAVE Aerospace, Safran Seats Unveil ‘Origin’ Concept for Next-Gen Premium Cabins
RAVE Aerospace and Safran Seats unveiled the "Origin" premium‑cabin concept at the Aircraft Interiors Expo on April 14, 2026. The suite pairs a U‑shaped micro‑LED Immersive Display with adaptive comfort systems that regulate cushion pressure and micro‑climate. Integrated lighting, smart storage...
EBAD’s Lisa Brown Talks Supporting Customer Missions at Space Symposium
Ensign‑Bickford Aerospace & Defense (EBAD) leveraged its 190‑year legacy to supply critical ordnance for NASA’s Artemis II mission. Lisa Brown, EBAD’s Space Market Segment Director, discussed with Via Satellite how the company’s solid‑rocket motors powered the launch and its separation systems...
PC Gaming Tinkerer Throws Down The Gauntlet With $950 DIY Steam Machine
YouTuber Zac Builds unveiled a DIY Steam Machine priced at $950, featuring a Ryzen 5 5600X, Radeon RX 9060 XT, 16 GB RAM and a 2 TB SSD. The system can deliver 4K gaming at 60 fps in titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Spider‑Man 2 using FSR upscaling, positioning it...
How War in Gulf Reveals the ‘Cut Corners’ on British Defence
The Gulf conflict has laid bare chronic shortfalls in Britain’s armed forces, from a halved army to delayed procurement of land‑system upgrades. Government officials point to decades of under‑investment and have pledged to lift defence spending to 3.5% of GDP...
Airport Customs Could Be Suspended In ‘Sanctuary Cities’ Under DHS — What To Know
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin signaled that the agency could suspend customs processing at airports located in sanctuary cities, citing concerns that local authorities do not enforce immigration laws. He highlighted roughly 20 such cities, including Boston, Chicago,...
Aptera CEO Shows His Solar Car Producing More Energy than His Home Solar
Aptera co‑CEO Steve Fambro posted that his solar‑electric vehicle was producing about 363 watts of power at 8 a.m., more than double the 136 watts generated by his home rooftop. The 700‑watt solar array wrapped around the car’s body is engineered...
Zepto IPO: How It Stacks up Against Listed Rivals Blinkit & Instamart
Indian quick‑commerce platform Zepto is preparing an IPO in June‑July 2026, filing a draft for a ₹11,000‑12,000 crore ($1.3‑$1.45 bn) issue. The company runs about 1,100 dark stores and processes 2.4‑2.5 million orders daily, trailing Blinkit’s 2.6 million but ahead of Instamart. Zepto posted...
Report: Saudi Arabia Pushes U.S. to Lift Blockade on Iranian Traffic
Saudi officials are urging the White House to lift its newly imposed blockade on Iranian shipping, warning that the restriction could spark a fresh escalation and further curtail oil exports from the Arabian Gulf. Iran’s recent missile and drone strikes...
One of America’s Biggest Whiskey Makers Is Pausing Production at Two of Its Kentucky Distilleries
MGP Ingredients, the Indiana‑based giant that both brands and contracts for other whiskey makers, announced it will idle production at its Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown and Limestone Branch in Lebanon starting May 1 for at least a year. The...
Netflix’s ‘Lord of the Flies’ Enters 12 Emmy Categories, Positioning Young Cast for Potential Nominations (EXCLUSIVE)
Netflix and the BBC have entered their limited‑series adaptation of Lord of the Flies in 12 Emmy categories, ranging from Outstanding Limited Series to direction, writing, and casting. The campaign positions newcomer Winston Sawyer as the sole Lead Actor nominee,...
Trump Mobile's 'T1 Phone' Might Actually Be Released Soon
Trump Mobile, the venture of Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, has refreshed its website and publicly displayed the gold‑trimmed T1 smartphone for the first time. The T1 features a 6.78‑inch AMOLED panel, 120 Hz refresh rate, four 50‑megapixel cameras, a...
Colorado Marijuana Regulators Pledge Crackdown on Intoxicating Hemp
Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division announced a crackdown on firms that use intoxicating hemp to create cheaper vape and edible products marketed as marijuana. Investigators found hemp‑derived vapes contaminated with the carcinogen methylene chloride and uncovered widespread underreporting of bulk marijuana...
US Luxury Sales Are Down, Except For This Brand
U.S. luxury vehicle sales fell in Q1 2026, with the top three brands—BMW, Lexus and Mercedes—recording double‑digit declines. Acura was the sole exception, posting a 5.2% increase to 32,352 units and climbing to the fourth‑largest luxury seller, overtaking Cadillac. Growth...
SMBC Nearing A Deal To Sublease 200K SF In Charlotte
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC) is finalizing a sublease of 200,000 sq ft at 301 South College, its new Charlotte headquarters, with a deal slated to close in early May 2026. The Japanese bank is committing more than $50 million to the hub...
Concord Forms Strategic Venture with Steven Victor’s Victor Victor Worldwide, Expands Hip-Hop Footprint
Concord announced a multi‑year strategic venture with Steven Victor’s Victor Victor Worldwide, aiming to expand its hip‑hop footprint and tap new audiences for VVW’s culturally defining catalog, which includes Pop Smoke and Ski Mask the Slump God. The partnership combines Concord’s global distribution...
'We Should Not Let Them Into Our Country': Ford CEO On Chinese EVs
Ford CEO Jim Farley warned that allowing Chinese electric vehicles into the United States would devastate domestic manufacturing and erode U.S. auto jobs. He highlighted that more than 100 Chinese EV makers can produce cheaper, feature‑rich cars at a scale...
Why Theater Owners Are Balking at Hollywood's Latest Mega Deal
At CinemaCon, Cinema United announced it will actively oppose the proposed Paramount‑Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery merger, warning that the consolidation could harm exhibitors and consumers. The combined entity would inherit roughly $79 billion in debt and pledge to produce 30...
Wave Central, EVS Announce SMPTE ST 2110 Interop Collaboration
Wave Central and EVS have launched a joint interoperability program to certify the Sapphire RXD5 wireless receiver for SMPTE ST 2110 IP workflows. The effort includes testing the receiver with EVS’s Cerebrum Broadcast Control and Neuron processing platform, focusing on timing, routing, and...
Chase, Wells Mortgage Slump: What It Means for Non-Banks
Quarter‑to‑quarter mortgage production at JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo plunged, falling roughly 2.5 times faster than the Mortgage Bankers Association’s industry forecast. Chase’s first‑quarter volume slipped to $13.7 billion, while Wells Fargo’s fell to $6.3 billion, both reflecting weaker retail origination and higher rates. Despite...
Phoenix Hotel Developers Building To Make Up For Lost Time
Phoenix’s hotel market is entering a rapid expansion phase, with developers slated to open 3,650 rooms across 22 new properties in 2026—an increase of 117% from the prior year and second only to New York in volume. The surge is driven...
Caleb Wins AUSTRALIAN SURVIVOR 2026, Malaysia Locked as Next Location
Caleb Beeby, a Victorian truck driver, was crowned Sole Survivor of Australian Survivor: Redemption, claiming the $500,000 AUD prize (approximately $330,000 USD). After 45 days in Samoa, he won a grueling four‑hour final Immunity Challenge and voted out his closest...
Copper Rises to 6-Week High as Iran Talks Raise Hopes
Copper surged 1.8% to $13,284.50 a ton on the London Metal Exchange, reaching its highest level in six weeks. The rally follows renewed optimism that the United States and Iran will resume peace talks and that Tehran may pause shipments...
GLP-1 Drug Improves Liver Health Independent of Weight Loss, Mouse Study Finds
Researchers at Toronto’s Sinai Health discovered that semaglutide, a GLP‑1 agonist, improves liver function by acting directly on liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, independent of weight loss. The study, published in Cell Metabolism, used mouse models of metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatohepatitis (MASH)...
Bosch May Launch AC Brand in India; Hitachi Label to Stay
Bosch Home Comfort India is assessing the launch of Bosch‑branded air conditioners, marking a potential first AC entry for the brand in Asia. The company will retain sales of Hitachi‑branded units under a long‑term licence after acquiring a controlling stake...
Hyundai Returns to Raise $1.2 Billion From Prime Auto Leases
Hyundai Capital America is launching the Hyundai Auto Lease Securitization Trust 2026‑B, a $1.2 billion transaction backed by 45,321 prime auto leases. The deal issues five tranches of A‑ and B‑class notes, with AAA‑rated A2 and A3 tranches holding a base...
Hilton CEO Argues the Bull Case Despite Iran War and Weak World Cup Signals
Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta delivered a bullish outlook at the Semafor World Economy Summit, forecasting that 2026 will outpace 2025 for the hotel sector. He cited a rebound in U.S. mid‑market demand, supportive government policies, AI‑driven pricing, and infrastructure spending...