Technology

Fourth Annual Noetic Sciences Research Prize to Explore UAP and Consciousness

Published

2 months ago

July 9, 2026

The $100,000 Linda G. O’Bryant Prize will recognize bold new research frameworks investigating Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) at the intersection of consciousness and physics.

NOVATO, Calif., July 8, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) proudly announces the fourth annual Linda G. O’Bryant Noetic Sciences Research Prize. This year’s prize will be awarded to a groundbreaking proposal that offers a bold, scientifically rigorous inquiry into Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP; formerly “UFOs”) as an emerging phenomenon that encompasses both consciousness research and fundamental physical sciences. With a grant of $100,000, the 2026 award challenges researchers to move beyond traditional aerospace or national security framing and investigate how UAP relate to our understanding of reality, perception, and the foundations of scientific knowledge.

“The phenomenon deserves the attention of free and collaborative science to benefit the whole of our human family,” said IONS president Thomas Brophy.

“After years of careful deliberation, IONS has now committed to taking its place as a thought leader on this evolutionary scientific frontier — one that has always been part of the legacy of our founder, Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell,” said Executive Chair Claudia Welss.

According to IONS leadership, the Linda G. O’Bryant Prize was created to catalyze revolutionary discoveries and bring rigorous scientific methods to topics previously left on the cultural fringe. As UAP move into serious governmental and scientific attention, attending to the consciousness and noetic dimensions of the phenomenon is critical to navigating the frontier of science and humanity’s understanding of the nature of reality.

By focusing on this theme for the current prize, IONS builds directly on decades of advancing frameworks that challenge conventional, materialist assumptions about the relationship between mind and the physical world. While mainstream discourse on UAP has focused largely on engineering anomalies, a substantial and growing body of encounter narratives, case documentation, and official congressional and executive branch records points toward a connection between these phenomena and human consciousness. Reported elements including apparent telepathic communication, the responsiveness of physical phenomena to human attention or intention, and profound alterations in awareness, suggest that UAP may not be explainable within a strictly materialist framework. Understanding the UAP phenomenon may require a new, consciousness-inclusive model of reality.

“With this year’s framing of the Linda G. O’Bryant prize, we aim to bring the potentially civilization-altering UAP disclosure process into the open domain of public science. The phenomenon deserves the attention of free and collaborative science to benefit the whole of our human family,” said IONS president Thomas Brophy.

The 2026 prize aims to advance research that can bridge the gaps between subjective encounter narratives, physical evidence, and testable models of reality. IONS invites multidisciplinary proposals that look at the phenomenon with a high degree of intellectual humility, applying sophisticated frameworks from fields such as physics, psychology, cognitive science, data science, anthropology, or the philosophy of science.

Proposals submitted for the 2026 prize should seek to:

Propose testable hypotheses or models that integrate the physical and consciousness aspects of UAP encounters.Outline rigorous research designs to evaluate encounter narratives, case documentation, or physical data using advanced scientific methods.Address the broader scientific, philosophical, and cultural implications of UAP research on our understanding of consciousness and reality.

Phase 1 applications—letters of intent—are due by July 22, 2026. Finalists will be invited to submit full proposals, due by September 7, 2026, and the winner will be announced between October 23–25, 2026. The prize is open to individual researchers and multidisciplinary teams, with principal investigators required to have relevant scientific or academic qualifications.

Noetic sciences is a multidisciplinary field that combines objective science with subjective experience to explore the nature of consciousness, reality, and human potential. Since its founding over 50 years ago, IONS has been a pioneering force at the frontier of science, dedicated to understanding how consciousness interacts with the physical world.

To learn more about the prize and how to apply, visit noetic.org/prize.

About the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS)

The Institute of Noetic Sciences is a nonprofit scientific research center and direct experience lab specializing in the intersection of science and profound human experience. Founded in 1973 by Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell, IONS investigates consciousness, interconnectedness, and extended human capacities to help foster a more compassionate and thriving world. Learn more at www.noetic.org.

Media Contact

Leslie Girone Lovejoy, Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS), 1 707-779-8234, communications@noetic.org, www.noetic.org

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SOURCE Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS)

Technology

AT&T to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences

Published

5 minutes ago

August 24, 2026

Company leadership to speak at September conferences held by Goldman Sachs, Citi, and Bank of America. Webcasts available live and for replay.

Key Takeaways:

AT&T to webcast fireside chat with John Stankey at the 2026 Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference on Sept. 9.AT&T to webcast fireside chats with Pascal Desroches at Citi‘s 2026 Global TMT Conference and at the 2026 Bank of America Media, Communications and Entertainment Conference on Sept. 10.

DALLAS, Aug. 24, 2026 /CNW/ — AT&T (NYSE:T) leadership will participate in three upcoming investor relations conferences in September.

Upcoming investor conference schedule

John Stankey, Chairman and CEO, AT&T, will speak at the 2026 Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. The conversation is scheduled to begin at 4:05 p.m. ET.Pascal Desroches, chief financial officer, AT&T, will speak at Citi‘s 2026 Global TMT Conference on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, and will be joined by Melissa Arnoldi, executive vice president & GM, AT&T Business. The conversation is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. ET.Pascal Desroches will also speak at the 2026 Bank of America Media, Communications and Entertainment Conference on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, and will be joined by Jenifer Robertson, executive vice president & GM, AT&T Consumer. The conversation is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Full conference details will be posted on the AT&T Investor Relations website once available. You will be able to tune into the webcasts live or via replay at investors.att.com. If joining live, it is recommended that you start the webcast a few minutes early in case of conference schedule changes.

To automatically receive AT&T financial news by email, please subscribe to email alerts.

About AT&T
We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 150 years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com.

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SOURCE AT&T

Technology

Plumbing Expert Joe Prestia Explains Why a Heating System May Stop Working During Cold Weather in HelloNation

Published

5 minutes ago

August 24, 2026

The article outlines how boiler, furnace, and thermostat issues can disrupt hot water and heat circulation in the home.

YORKTOWN, N.Y., Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Why is the heating system not working when the house feels freezing? HelloNation has published the answer in an article featuring insights from Joe Prestia of Pipe Wizard in Yorktown, New York.

The HelloNation article explains that when a heating system fails, the cause is not always obvious. While many homeowners assume the thermostat is the problem, issues with a boiler, furnace, or circulating pipes may be preventing heat from reaching the home. Identifying the source early helps restore comfort and prevent more costly repairs.

The first step highlighted in the article is checking the thermostat. Ensuring it is set to heat, adjusted to the correct temperature, and receiving power can sometimes resolve the issue quickly. Homeowners are also encouraged to confirm that the heating system has not lost power at the breaker or emergency switch.

For homes with a boiler, low water pressure or trapped air can interrupt circulation. A boiler depends on proper pressure to move hot water through radiators or baseboard piping. Air pockets in pipes may block flow, causing uneven heating or cold rooms. Monitoring pressure levels and bleeding radiators are practical maintenance steps that support reliable performance.

Furnace-related issues are also discussed in the article. Dirty filters, faulty ignition components, or malfunctioning burners can prevent warm air from circulating effectively. Clogged filters restrict airflow, strain the furnace, and reduce efficiency. Routine maintenance and filter replacement help maintain steady heat and extend system life.

The article also notes that frozen pipes and blocked vents can reduce heating efficiency. In colder climates, water inside pipes may freeze, preventing proper circulation. Furniture or debris blocking vents can restrict airflow, making rooms feel colder than they should. Checking vents and ensuring clear airflow supports overall heating system performance.

Unusual noises such as banging, clanking, or whistling may signal deeper problems. These sounds can indicate mechanical failure, trapped air, or circulation pump issues within the boiler or furnace system. Ignoring these warning signs may lead to more serious breakdowns.

Professional inspection is presented as the most reliable way to diagnose heating system concerns. Technicians evaluate boilers, furnaces, thermostats, and pipes while measuring pressure and airflow. Early diagnosis prevents minor problems from escalating into emergency situations during extreme cold.

Preventive maintenance is emphasized throughout the HelloNation article. Replacing filters regularly, monitoring boiler pressure, checking the thermostat, and scheduling annual inspections all help maintain a dependable supply of hot water and warm air. Consistent maintenance improves efficiency and reduces the risk of unexpected failure.

The article concludes that heating issues can stem from multiple causes, including thermostat settings, low boiler pressure, clogged furnace components, frozen pipes, or circulation problems. By recognizing early warning signs and scheduling timely maintenance, homeowners can keep their heating system operating safely and efficiently throughout the coldest months.

Why Is My Heat Not Working? Help, My House is Freezing! Features insights from Joe Prestia, Plumbing Expert of Yorktown, New York, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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SOURCE HelloNation

Technology

Richard Preece Appointed to Jack Henry Board of Directors

Published

5 minutes ago

August 24, 2026

MONETT, Mo., Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Jack Henry & Associates Inc.® (Nasdaq: JKHY) announced the appointment of Richard N. Preece to its Board of Directors, effective August 20, 2026. Preece joins the Board’s Human Capital & Compensation and Risk & Compliance committees.

Preece, 51, currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Liminex, Inc., doing business as GoGuardian, the leader in education technology supporting more than 25 million students and 10,000 schools nationwide. Prior to joining GoGuardian in 2024, Preece was Chief Operating Officer at LegalZoom.com, Inc. from 2019 to 2024. He also held various management and leadership positions at Intuit Inc. from 2002 to 2019, including serving as U.S. General Manager for QuickBooks.

“We are very excited to welcome Rich to our Board of Directors,” said Board Chair Matt Flanigan. “Rich is an outstanding leader who brings extensive, practical experience driving business innovation and product development in financial services, along with a deep understanding of operations, risk management, and strategic priorities for technology companies.”

Jack Henry also announced that director Wes Brown will not stand for reelection at the Company’s November annual meeting in keeping with the Company’s retirement age policy. Brown, President of Bent St. Vrain & Company, LLC, a Denver-based bank consulting firm, has served on the Board since 2015 in addition to a prior term from 2005 to 2014.

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Wes for his tremendous service over these past many years,” Flanigan said. “Jack Henry has benefited immensely from Wes’ extensive expertise in many areas including finance, compliance, and banking, as well as his specialized insights into mergers and acquisitions. His legacy of Board service for Jack Henry will be a long and lasting one.”

About Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.®
Jack Henry® (Nasdaq: JKHY) is a well-rounded financial technology company that strengthens connections between financial institutions and the people and businesses they serve. We are an S&P 500 company that prioritizes openness, collaboration, and user centricity – offering banks and credit unions a vibrant ecosystem of internally developed modern capabilities as well as the ability to integrate with leading fintechs. For 50 years, Jack Henry has provided technology solutions to enable clients to innovate faster, strategically differentiate, and successfully compete while serving the evolving needs of their accountholders. We empower more than 7,200 clients with people-inspired innovation, personal service, and insight-driven solutions that help reduce the barriers to financial health. Additional information is available at www.jackhenry.com.

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SOURCE Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.