Hamoud

[Massimo @Rainmaker1973]

Scientists have developed a promising regenerative option for people suffering from chronic neck and back pain caused by degenerative disc disease (DDD): an injectable hydrogel that could serve as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery.

This advanced biocompatible gel is engineered to closely replicate the nucleus pulposus—the soft, gel-like core of intervertebral discs—delivering immediate structural support while restoring lost disc height and hydration. Administered via a simple needle injection, the hydrogel fills in degraded areas, recreates a supportive microenvironment, and helps stabilize the spine without the need for open procedures.

Unlike conventional treatments that primarily manage symptoms through pain relief or fusion surgery, this approach targets the underlying structural breakdown of the disc itself. Many hydrogel formulations also function as sophisticated delivery platforms, carrying stem cells, growth factors, or other bioactive agents directly to the damaged site. These components work to suppress inflammation, inhibit destructive enzymes, and promote the body's natural repair processes, potentially encouraging tissue regeneration over time.

Early clinical and preclinical studies, including trials with products like HYDRAFIL (from ReGelTec) for lumbar discs, have shown encouraging results: significant reductions in pain and disability, maintained disc height, and improved function in patients followed for up to a year or more. While much of the current focus remains on lower back (lumbar) applications, similar principles are being explored for cervical (neck) degeneration in regenerative medicine research, with hydrogels showing potential to alleviate nerve compression, restore cushioning, and enhance mobility.

This hydrogel-based therapy represents a meaningful step toward long-term recovery by addressing disc degeneration at its source, offering hope for reduced reliance on invasive spinal fusions and a path to preserving natural spinal movement. Ongoing trials and refinements will determine its full efficacy and applicability across different spinal regions.

[Tang et al. (2026): "Cell and Hydrogel‐Integrated Therapies for Intervertebral Disc Regeneration." Discusses hydrogel scaffolds for cell delivery in IDD, with potential for cervical/lumbar applications. Published in Advanced Healthcare Materials. DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202502354]

[Financial Times @FT]

Brokers have told the FT that war risk insurers have submitted cancellation notices for policies covering ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil chokepoint, with prices set to rise as much as 50% in the coming days https://t.co/GPTUFWCZhC

[Hamoud @hamoudalbader]

@DailyMail There were no passengers. Only staff. The airport was shut down hours before.

[International Energy Agency @IEA]

New LNG project approvals surged in 2025, adding to the coming wave of natural gas supply

About 300 billion cubic metres of new annual LNG export capacity is scheduled to start operation by 2030

But questions remain about where all the new LNG will go 👉 https://t.co/RdUApl5R7P

[Hamoud @hamoudalbader]

@leandroOnX Hard earned tax dollars paying for foreign raves 👌🏻

[Hamoud @hamoudalbader]

@historyinmemes G

[unusual_whales @unusual_whales]

Apple, $AAPL, has gotten so big it’s almost overtaken France’s entire stock market.

The combined market value of companies listed in Paris was about $3.2 trillion versus the technology giant’s $3.1 trillion.

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

Oh the Irany …

[UNRWA @UNRWA]

We are in shock and mourning.

It is now confirmed that 29 of our colleagues in📍#Gaza have been killed since October 7.

Half of these colleagues were @unrwa teachers.

As an Agency, we are devastated. We are grieving with each other and with the families.

[United Nations @UN]

Schools are #NotATarget.

Hospitals are #NotATarget.

Children are #NotATarget.

Civilians are #NotATarget.

Humanitarians are #NotATarget.

[عمر حمد العيسى @omar_h_alessa]

الله ينصرهم و يكون في عونهم ويصبرهم أهلنا في فلسطين 🇵🇸

[Hamoud @hamoudalbader]

@Stocktwits In denial

[عمر العثمان @OmarAlothman]

حق اللي ما يعرف القصّة ✨

[Hamoud @hamoudalbader]

@jimcramer Who's selling them and should we invest? 😏

[Jim Bianco @biancoresearch]

The Russell Micro Cap is the bottom 1,000 stocks in the Russell 2000.

They are still down on the year. These are the most sensitive to higher rates.

[Jon Erlichman @JonErlichman]

A penny doubled each day for a month:

day 1: $0.01
day 2: $0.02
day 3: $0.04
day 4: $0.08
day 5: $0.16
day 6: $0.32
day 7: $0.64
day 8: $1.28
day 9: $2.56
day 10: $5.12
day 11: $10.24
day 12: $20.48
day 13: $40.96
day 14: $81.92
day 15: $163.84
day 16: $327.68
day 17: $655.36
day 18: $1,310.72
day 19: $2,621.44
day 20: $5,242.88
day 21: $10,485.76
day 22: $20,971.52
day 23: $41,943.04
day 24: $83,886.08
day 25: $167,772.16
day 26: $335,544.32
day 27: $671,088.64
day 28: $1,342,177.28
day 29: $2,684,354.56
day 30: $5,368,709.12
day 31: $10,737,418.23

[Bob Pisani @BobPisani]

Why better-than-expected earnings this reporting season may have trouble boosting market further. The good news: Q2 is likely the trough for earnings. Bad news: earnings are not the problem, it’s valuations. They are very high. https://t.co/TPusbunJiX @CNBC

[Bob Pisani @BobPisani]

Strong market, but a warning sign for earnings season: $DAL reported great numbers and guided higher. It opened up strong but closed down 0.5%. Traders sold right into the initial rally. My point: it may be tough to push stocks forward even with strong earnings. @CNBC

[Bob Pisani @BobPisani]

Happy Birthday, @NYSE! On May 17, 1792, 24 traders gathered near Wall and Williams Street, according to legend, under a buttonwood tree (a sycamore), so called because the wood was hard and used to make buttons. 231 years later, the NYSE is still here.
@NYSE

[Hamoud @hamoudalbader]

@financialjuice Source?