NewzIntel.com

Category: Science

  • MIL-OSI Russia: From neural networks to stock markets: how computer science is being developed at the Nizhny Novgorod HSE

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    Established in 2011 International Laboratory of Algorithms and Technologies for Network Structure Analysis (LATASS) HSE University in Nizhny Novgorod conducts a wide range of fundamental and applied research, including joint projects with large companies: Sber, Yandex and other leaders of the IT industry. The methods developed by HSE scientists not only enrich science, but also improve the work of companies’ transport, and conduct medical and genetic research more successfully. HSE.Glavnoe talked about the work of the laboratory with its head, Professor Valery Kalyagin.

    — Tell us how the laboratory was created.

    — It was organized in 2011 under the Russian government mega-grant program. At that time, the work of a foreign scientist was a mandatory condition for participation in the competition. We were lucky that Professor Panagiotis Pardalos of the University of Florida responded to our proposal for cooperation. He continues to actively collaborate with the HSE and remains the scientific director of the laboratory. Oleg Kozyrev, Eduard Babkin and Boris Goldengorin actively participated in the preparation of the application. Boris Goldengorin played an important role in the development of the laboratory.

    At that time, the study of algorithms for analyzing network structures and what is now called computer science was a new direction for HSE in Nizhny Novgorod.

    Three years later, the grant work was highly appreciated by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, and it was extended for two years. When it was ending, we applied to create an international laboratory at the HSE, we were supported, and now we continue our work as a laboratory of the National Research University Higher School of Economics.

    In the first years of our work, we attracted many young researchers who later became renowned scientists and practitioners.

    — What interested them in the new laboratory?

    — They had a unique opportunity to develop, to work with famous scientists in a creative atmosphere. Almost all of them took advantage of it and over the past years have grown as scientists, researchers and teachers. The development strategy from the very beginning was built on the obligatory combination of scientific research and teaching. And now all our research staff teach, this component of the work, the transfer of experience and competencies, is very important for a scientist.

    — What have you managed to accomplish during this time?

    — Over the past years, the laboratory has become a well-known scientific center in Russia and in the world, largely due to the efforts of Professor Pardalos, who pays much attention to recognition. We have many contacts with colleagues from different universities and scientific centers. Our laboratory is a co-organizer of a large international conference on optimization and applications, we participate in its program committee, and our scientific director is a multiple honorary chairman of the program committee.

    We actively cooperate with our leading universities – MIPT, MSU, the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, with Siberian and Ural scientific centers in Novosibirsk, Irkutsk and Yekaterinburg.

    — What are the key areas of your work?

    — These are mainly computer sciences: network models, technologies for analyzing network structures, various aspects of optimization, including problems of combinatorial or discrete optimization on graphs, applications to data mining.

    — How can this be explained to a person who is not knowledgeable in higher mathematics?

    — I will try to explain it in an accessible way. A network is a set of nodes and connections between them. The most understandable examples are social and telecommunication networks, where nodes are people or clients of a mobile operator, and connections are communications between them, measured in a certain way. This can be a graph with special attributes or a hypergraph.

    The optimization task is also clear: you have, for example, a social network, and you want to understand which nodes to place information in so that it passes through the network faster, or, on the contrary, which nodes to block so that a fake message stops circulating in the network.

    Another class of tasks that interests employees are large databases, queries for information in them. This is called the “nearest neighbor search problem” in a data array, when you give some query to a large data set and want to find the object in this database that is most similar to your query.

    If the database consists of 10-20 objects, there are no difficulties, but when there are many of them, you need to organize the search correctly and quickly. For this search, a special graph structure is created on this data, and it speeds up the search by an order of magnitude using special algorithms.

    — Is it possible to use your results in biology or medicine?

    — We are investigating a class of network models that includes some biological networks, such as the network of neurons in the brain or the co-expression network of genes.

    There are billions of neurons, and we can’t measure anything in these networks. But with the help of an electroencephalogram, it is possible to track the activity of individual areas of the brain and analyze the connections between them. Interesting network structures are being created that can be used to study brain activity, including in diseases — for example, analyzing neuron networks in Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy, which helps in their research.

    A gene co-expression network (GCN) is constructed based on gene expression profiles for multiple samples or experimental conditions. Researchers look for pairs of genes that show a similar expression pattern across all samples. The result is a network model that can be analyzed for practical purposes, such as identifying the most important nodes in the model. The identified gene cluster means that the gene and its neighbors have similar expression profiles. This can then be used to simplify drug testing.

    — How widely is your work applied in economics?

    — Another well-known network is stock markets. We analyze assets, identify connections between them. Taking them into account, a stock market network is formed. Analysis of stock market networks allows us to form investment portfolios. A classic example is the Markowitz model of the optimal investment portfolio. However, using such models does not mean that you will avoid a risk that can cancel out all potential income.

    Large trading companies, banks, and firms that advise investors want to have a clear model for how to form investment portfolios. They do not strive for super-profits, but want to invest reliably. And then network models turn out to be useful. Additional information about connections helps to identify portfolios with the necessary characteristics.

    – You and your colleagues are probably rich people.

    — We do not trade on the markets and do not give recommendations. Students write final theses on these and other topics and analyze how and which portfolios work on different markets.

    This does not replace analysis, but it is useful for it and opens up additional opportunities for activity in the stock market.

    For example, there is a possibility of choosing a portfolio by constructing a market network graph and identifying independent sets in it. It has been experimentally proven that such sets provide diversified and interesting portfolios in terms of profitability.

    — Do the models you have developed suggest different development scenarios?

    — The laboratory actively studies the uncertainty of algorithms for constructing various graph structures in network models such as gene co-expression networks, brain networks, and stock market networks.

    If uncertainty is high, then conclusions may be false: we hope to get rich, but our expectations do not come true.

    — How does solving fundamental scientific problems combine with applied work?

    — We have a strong group headed by Dmitry Malyshev. In its direction (algorithmic graph theory), the research of this group is closer to theoretical computer science and discrete mathematics. A significant number of postgraduate students and young employees of the laboratory have defended dissertations on these topics. Despite the fundamental theoretical nature of the research, it also has applied significance. Estimates of the computational complexity of problems on graphs help to identify computationally difficult problems and find classes of problems that can be solved quickly.

    In the first years of the laboratory’s work, we developed a direction of intelligent data analysis and AI. It is headed by Andrey Savchenko. He develops the direction of intelligent data analysis in conditions of limited resources, for example, on mobile devices that are less powerful than desktop computers or laptops. For example, we want to classify photos, texts, something else on our smartphone, but we do not have access to a powerful resource. On a smartphone, you cannot deploy a full-fledged neural network. He and his colleagues developed an approach that allows you to effectively solve such problems, and patented it as a result of intellectual activity (RIA). There are already applications that you can download and use.

    — Is this necessary now, when we are promised quantum computers with unlimited capabilities?

    — The head of a research center at a large foreign company recently said that we have returned to the situation of the 1970s, when scientists and practitioners, given the limited capabilities of processors and computer memory, paid special attention to the efficiency of algorithms. Then the speed of processors and the capacity of memory, including RAM, increased sharply, and this lost some of its relevance. Now the problem has returned, since we do not expect a significant improvement in hardware. When you train large language models or search large databases, you return to the need for fast calculations under conditions of limited resources. Now many large manufacturers of computing resources and IT companies are conducting research into the efficient use of existing capabilities. If we reduce calculations on at least one node by 1%, we will get a significant effect. We had a successful project with an IT company on the use of patterns (templates) of the computation graph to speed up the training of neural networks. Such tasks are becoming increasingly popular.

    The emergence of a quantum computer with unlimited capabilities is still not a matter for the very near future.

    — Which companies have used your developments?

    — We developed an algorithm for organizing the delivery of products to stores for a large retail chain. This is called the transport routing problem, it is also network-based and calculates traffic along a road network. The problem has high computational complexity. If you have 100 cars and 1000 stores and you want to optimize traffic, then solving such a problem manually is difficult. It is also not easy for a computer to solve it, but clever algorithms help. This enables AI to manage the logistics of transport use.

    — Is there a problem with the transition of scientists to industrial partners?

    — There is a problem of personnel outflow in IT companies. We start interacting with companies, companies see the qualifications of our personnel, offer them to engage in science and solve interesting problems and attract specialists with better conditions.

    — With which HSE departments does the laboratory collaborate?

    — The closest cooperation has been established with International Center for Analysis and Decision Making and with Laboratory of Applied Network Analysis.

    — How do you see the prospects for research?

    — We focus on a combination of fundamental and applied research so that we have both good theoretical results and publications, as well as joint projects with industry.

    The campus strategy is to expand applied research, and this is a nationwide trend. We must learn to meaningfully answer the question of how our theoretical developments can make a real contribution to the development of the country’s economy and social sphere. We see our prospects in the development of algorithms and technologies for artificial intelligence systems.

    In addition to the purely scientific component, popularization of science is important in order to make theoretical and applied results accessible to schoolchildren, our future students and laboratory staff.

    The laboratory, as one of the leading scientific centers in the field of computer science and applications, is open to new partnership projects of both fundamental and applied nature.

    — What educational programs do you participate in?

    “We are involved in two key programs on campus: “Applied Mathematics and Computer Science» (bachelor’s degree training) and «Intelligent data analysis» (training of masters). The laboratory’s subject matter is actively present in these programs. This is reflected both in teaching and in the students’ scientific work.

    All international laboratories develop research expertise and pass it on to young people. If we do not have contact with students, where will we recruit new young employees?

    I would like to add that our graduates are in demand in many companies and countries.

    — Why is it important to preserve fundamental research?

    — We are now seeing the second birth of mathematics, the development of intelligent data analysis and artificial intelligence technologies has generated tasks that require specialists with developed abstract thinking and a broad outlook, which fundamental mathematics provides. At the same time, many sections of mathematics are in demand. This is a sign of the 21st century.

    For example, we have a huge data set and are trying to understand how it is structured. Often, the high dimensionality of the data is an obstacle to its analysis. To reduce the dimensionality without losing information, we need to have a good understanding of many sections of fundamental mathematics – from classical methods of linear algebra and mathematical analysis to advanced probabilistic models and topology.

    Mathematicians have perked up, people see that they need to expand their field of activity to applied research, this is a characteristic feature of HSE.

    — How do you manage to maintain international connections?

    — We continue contacts with foreign scientists. Since 2012, we have regularly held an annual international conference on network analysis, international schools for young scientists. Almost everyone who came to Nizhny Novgorod continues to communicate, respond to proposals, despite the past pandemic and the current situation. For young scientists, this is an additional opportunity to assess the level of their research, it becomes clearer when in contact with colleagues from abroad. We strive for young people to actively communicate with guests. Students are also interested in this.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada-Italy Joint Statement

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Today in Kananaskis, Alberta, Prime Ministers Mark Carney and Giorgia Meloni met on the margins of the G7 Summit and reaffirmed the vitality and strategic value of the Canada-Italy partnership and their fruitful cooperation within the UN, NATO and the G7 to foster global peace, the rule of law, economic growth and prosperity and strong international institutions.

    The Prime Ministers took stock of the implementation of the Italy-Canada Roadmap for Enhanced Collaboration, including the launch of a Joint Advisory Group on Artificial Intelligence, a Joint Statement on Critical Minerals and Critical Raw Materials Cooperation, actions to enhance cooperation in defence, outer space, science, technology and innovation, and mutual economic prosperity. As agreed during Prime Minister Carney’s recent visit to Rome, a Canada-Italy Energy Dialogue will be launched in the coming months to enhance cooperation on critical minerals, conventional and clean energies, and hydrogen.

    Acknowledging the unprecedented challenges facing the world since the Roadmap was launched last year, and the need to seize on new opportunities, Prime Ministers Carney and Meloni announced additional cooperation between Canada and Italy the following areas:

    Prosperity and Innovation

    Building on the strong foundation enabled by the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, the Leaders committed to deepening commercial ties and diversifying trade between Canada and Italy. This would include organizing high level business and investment trade missions, aimed at foster greater engagement between respective industry and private capital stakeholders, in priority sectors such as energy, life sciences, defence and infrastructure.

    Noting also the recent high tempo of interaction between Canadian and Italian researchers and industrial stakeholders on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, clean technologies, nuclear and photonics, the Prime Ministers encouraged the pursuit of further opportunities for cooperation between Italian and Canadian organizations in areas such as nuclear energy and medical isotopes, hydrogen, AI and supercomputing and quantum. They likewise looked forward to proposals for future work by the Joint Advisory Group on Artificial Intelligence on AI for Health and AI for Science.

    Security and Defence

    The two Leaders signaled the importance of closer collaboration as NATO Allies, including through information exchange and high-level dialogue to address current and future security challenges. They also recognized the opportunities for increased engagement and expanded commercial ties in the defence sector, as both countries seek to enhance their respective industrial defence bases.

    Finally, the two leaders expressed appreciation for the continuity of priorities and results between their respective G7 Presidencies and signaled the importance of close coordination on key global challenges, including in the lead up to the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague.

    Associated Link

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Picture This: Reflections of a Hospital Curator

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    I never imagined that art curation and hospitals could be such a dynamic pair. The idea of intentionally organizing the placement of artwork around such a facility was so foreign to me that I almost missed having one of the most enlightening roles of my career. I eventually realized how wrong I was and how right this job is for me, but I did not come to this conclusion easily. After a friend nudged me multiple times to apply for this position at UConn Health, it was not long before a mutual friend urged me to read the description again thoroughly, then apply. This was in fact a job for me. My experience up to that point in my career had all but placed a billboard in front of me with a giant red arrow pointing in this direction.

    The Frank Stella piece hanging behind curator Andre Rochester outside the Health Sciences Library is among the highest-profile pieces in UConn Health’s art collection. (2023 photo by Tina Encarnacion)

    After a few friendly nudges and divine signs, I went for it. On the day of the interview, I hit a massive traffic jam caused by a statewide police procession. I called ahead from the highway, mortified, but they could see it happening outside the window. The moment felt doomed, but it led to one of the most meaningful jobs of my life. Arriving 15 minutes late, prepared with a lengthy CV, anecdotes about my art career and a decade of curatorial experience, I entered the lobby where I met my future manager. She led me to a conference room where two others patiently awaited my grand entrance. Although I arrived flustered and felt like I somehow blew this opportunity by coming in so late, the interview went well. They invited me back a couple of weeks later and presented an offer.

    “The Family” is a bronze sculpture by Wolfgang Behl. (Photo provided by Andre Rochester)

    Becoming the art curator at UConn Health has broadened my perspective of art placement and its function in the healing environment. People may not even notice art as they walk past it in our public spaces every day. Yet, how do you think patients, staff, or visitors might feel without it there? How drab and boring would it be if there was nothing to break up the empty space in our corridors? A part of healing from any ailment is mental. The atmosphere in which you endure or help someone through that process is important. Art must engage, inspire, invoke, and uplift. Art has the power to change the environment in which we place it. We decorate our homes because it makes us feel something. The same can be said about our workspace. Art is a subtle, but important part of feeling better. I have made it my personal mission to ensure people notice the art at UConn Health, but more importantly, they connect with it. Being an art curator in a hospital means wearing a few hats: interior decorator, creative consultant, and sometimes you become somewhat of a community organizer.

    UConn Health art curator Andre Rochester (left) leads an art committee of volunteers who are current and former employees, including (as of August 2024, from left) Edith Lamonica, Ann Taridona, Christine McNally, Jillian Silverberg, Felicia Vezina, Emily Ziemba, Jo Cohen, and Rachael Norris. (Tina Encarnacion/ UConn Health photo)

    The Connecticut Collection (as it was named by its founder, Celeste LeWitt) is a gem hidden in plain sight. A full spectrum of visual art can be found throughout all UConn Health locations. It started with museum-level artwork thanks to Celeste’s appeal to some of the most notable artists in the state. Through her own network and that of her cousin, world renowned conceptual artist and Hartford native Sol LeWitt, the collection quickly developed into something truly special. Since 1979, The Connecticut Collection has grown to over 2,500 works of art, including items from a wall tapestry by Frank Stella, original prints by Anni Albers, an array of sculptures by Wolfgang Behl, and a drawing by Sol LeWitt. Throughout the year, we receive donations from artists of all backgrounds- professionals and hobbyists alike- with styles ranging from landscapes to portraits, folk art, and photography. Donors also include art collectors, current and former employees, patients, and their families. What makes the Connecticut Collection so unique is we have a little bit of everybody and a little bit of everything visual arts. In 2024, an artist from Oakland, California, donated a beautiful terra cotta sculpture- a testament to the breadth of our reach as a health institution and an alignment between Celeste LeWitt’s vision and the community at large.

    “Four Seasons in New England” by Tracy Kane is 10-ft-tall, 16-ft-wide acrylic mural on wood panels. (Provided by Andre Rochester)

    This role includes processing art donations, leading an art committee, curating exhibits, and bringing awareness to the art collection. I help select art for offices, conference rooms, waiting rooms, and some patient treatment areas. In addition to the Connecticut Collection, we have two galleries. Celeste LeWitt Gallery is on the north side of our main dining facility. It was established by our previous curator, Linda Webber, in honor of the late Celeste LeWitt. During her 22-year tenure as art curator, Linda started as a volunteer, advocating for this to become a paid position, and nearly doubled the size of the collection. This position would not exist without her efforts. I start every art tour at an original painting by Linda to pay homage to her legacy by acknowledging the big shoes I had to fill upon my arrival at UConn Health. Even in her retirement, Linda’s passion for art at UConn Health is still felt. She often attends our receptions. Our newly established Connector Gallery is in the main floor corridor connecting our main building to John Dempsey Hospital.

    “Visitor in My Garden” is a painting by Stanwyck Cromwell. (Provided by Andre Rochester)

    Celeste LeWitt Gallery is dedicated to exhibiting artists from across the state of Connecticut and parts of New England. We host four exhibits per year featuring two artists at a time. This recently included a debut for Maggie Prado from our carpentry and paint team and Martha G. Trask, who works for our library. The Connector Gallery started with an exhibit for Art Connection Studio (ACS), a program of Vinfen, an organization that provides support for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. This experience inspired me to connect UConn Health with organizations and people that use art as a tool for healing and cultivate opportunities for collaboration. Later that year, this mission expanded to include ongoing employee art shows in between these collaborative exhibits.

    I met the ACS team in 2023 at one of their receptions. They partner with local artists to teach participants how to make several types of art and schedule shows for them throughout the state. I was so inspired by their art that I offered an opportunity to exhibit at UConn Health. By spring 2024, with full support from our executive leadership team, we displayed a temporary installation of their 15-foot collaborative mural which says the words “THIS ABILITY” along with paintings from three of their artists. We also called attention to our Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service. As a result of this first collaboration, our Office of Diversity and Inclusion led a campaign to recruit members of the UConn Health community to volunteer at ACS.

    From left: UConn Health employees Jameson MacInnis, Irina Bezsonova, Rachael Norris, and Jo Cohen observe some of the submissions to the fall 2024 employee art show along the hallway connecting UConn Health’s Connecticut Tower and University Tower. Norris and Cohen are members of UConn Health’s art committee, and Bezsonova’s work has been accepted for an exhibit. (Photo provided by Andre Rochester)

    We have hosted four employee exhibits in the Connector Gallery so far. This includes a solo exhibition for Irina Bezsonova, associate professor, Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics. I am proud to say that we get at least three submissions from someone new with each call for employee artwork. We have displayed art by employees from across the entire organization. It serves as proof that there are many talented people who work at UConn Health. I am especially proud that employee artwork has had a presence in our collection from the beginning. The Connector Gallery is only one year in its journey, and the impact of these exhibits is felt by all.

    I led an effort to source artwork for the New England Sickle Cell Institute and Connecticut Blood Disorder Center, an opportunity for which I am profoundly grateful. Their leadership team trusted my vision to engage artists from across the state directly. Some of whom shared that they have a personal connection to the population we serve in NESCI/CBDC. I have also collaborated with our Office of Professional Wellbeing and Engagement to facilitate lunchtime art workshops for employees that focus on forward thinking, goal setting, and mindfulness using a lesson in color theory. I also host tours for students, employees, and occasional visitors upon request.

    It has only been a two-and-a-half-year journey for me, but so much has happened in the time I have been the art curator at UConn Health. I am digging deeper into my purpose: a personal mission to use my own progress as an artist and creative professional to help others thrive. I continue to grow in this position, and with the help of our art committee, I will find more ways to raise awareness and increase engagement with art at UConn Health.

    We must acknowledge that the scope of art at UConn Health goes beyond visual media. Creativity is the foundation for writing, music, and theater. We have an Orchestra of UConn Health (O.U.C.H.), a student acapella group, and J.J. Odom. director of buildings and grounds, is a talented drummer. Furthermore, there are authors like Lucius Downing and Shawn Brown, who work in IT. UConn Health is a premier location for medical treatment, but there is an arts community that exists among the people who work here. I have only scratched the surface but there is a deep connection between health and creativity here and I am honored to be a part of it. I hope to continue cultivating a space where art, wellness, and community thrive together at UConn Health.

    Andre Rochester is UConn Health’s art curator. (Photo by Keith Claytor, Time Frozen Photography)

    About the author: Andre Rochester is an artist, curator, and arts administrator based in Hartford. He currently serves as the art curator at UConn Health, where he oversees the Connecticut Collection and curates exhibitions that elevate healing through creativity. A passionate advocate for the intersection of art and wellness, Andre uses his platform to support emerging artists, cultivate community, and foster a culture of belonging through visual storytelling.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nuclear Techniques Make Waves at UN Ocean Conference

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi during the high-level event on combatting marine pollution at the United Nations Conference in Nice, France  (Photo: E. McDonald/IAEA)

    The IAEA highlighted the role of nuclear science in protecting our oceans at the 2025 United Nations Oceans Conference held last week in Nice, France.

    Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the conference convened over 10,000 participants, including scientists, diplomats and politicians, to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It aimed to accelerate progress towards SDG14, Life Below Water, through innovative technologies and action. The IAEA took center stage at the event to share how nuclear technology is boosting ocean health and tackling critical threats such as marine plastic pollution.

    The IAEA organized and participated in more than a dozen events at the conference, and on research vessels in the Port of Nice. Experts from the IAEA’s Marine Environment Laboratories in Monaco highlighted how isotopic tools can help monitor and reduce plastic pollution in the ocean.

    Plastic waste is not only infiltrating our oceans, but also the human body in the form of microplastics. Without urgent action, the amount of plastic entering the ocean each year could reach 37 million metric tons by 2040, according to UN estimates, becoming a threat to marine and human life.

    Plastic pollution featured prominently throughout the conference, with a focus on the ongoing negotiations for the development of an internationally legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. The negotiations for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-led treaty are expected to conclude later this year in Geneva, following five previous sessions.

    At the conference, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi spoke about the IAEA’s work to combat plastic pollution and emphasized the need to share data data between scientists, policymakers and environmental agencies.

    “Four years ago, at the last UN Ocean Conference, I announced NUTEC Plastics, an initiative that gives countries the tools they need to address the issue of marine microplastic pollution. Today, I am delighted to report that we have made significant progress with 99 countries involved, and we have been equipping more than 100 Member State laboratories all over the world. We are building the capacity that countries need to translate data into policies and action.”

    NUTEC Plastics is an IAEA flagship initiative that supports countries in researching microplastics and using nuclear techniques to improve recycling techniques.

    Director of the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories Florence Descroix-Comanducci (left), highlighted the work of the IAEA’s Marine environment laboratories at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in France (Photo: E.McDonald/IAEA)

    “Nuclear and isotopic techniques add incredible value to boost ocean health,” said Florence Descroix-Comanducci, Director of the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories. “Our laboratories in Monaco support Member States in the implementation and use of these techniques, and to develop harmonized methods to generate globally comparable data, especially in light of the forthcoming plastics treaty.”

    At events organized by the IAEA, panelists highlighted the need to address the top of the plastic life cycle to prevent further pollution, employing a “source to sea approach” to reduce marine litter and, by extension, marine plastic pollution. “Our metrics on marine litter are moving in the right direction,” said Martin Adams, Head of the Environment Department at the European Environment Agency. “Timely and relevant data are increasingly important, but we don’t need to know everything. We just need to know enough to act.” Other events organized by the IAEA focused on ocean-based carbon dioxide removal, ocean acidification, IAEA support for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and nuclear energy and ocean health.

    The IAEA’s unique expertise in nuclear applications is contributing to both mitigations, by using radiation technology for waste recycling, and monitoring, by using isotopic techniques to monitor and assess impacts of microplastic pollution. Through the NUTEC Plastics initiative, 99 countries are participating in marine monitoring of microplastics, and 52 around the world are developing innovative recycling technology.

    The International High-Level Forum on NUTEC Plastics, organized by the IAEA on 25–26 November 2025, in Manila, Philippines, will highlight the progress achieved to date, address current challenges, and chart course to strengthen regional and international cooperation in the sustainable management of plastic waste through innovative nuclear technologies.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    17 June 2025

    Northern Venture Trust PLC
    Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

    Northern Venture Trust PLC is a Venture Capital Trust (VCT) advised by Mercia Fund Management Limited. The trust was one of the first VCTs launched on the London Stock Exchange in 1995. It invests mainly in unquoted venture capital holdings and aims to provide long-term tax-free returns to shareholders through a combination of dividend yield and capital growth.

    Financial highlights (comparative figures as at 31 March 2024):

      Year ended
    31 March
    2025    		 Year ended
    31 March
    2024
    Net assets £121.3m £114.8m
    Net asset value per share 61.5p 60.3p
    Return per share    
    Revenue 0.4p 0.6p
    Capital 3.8p 1.2p
    Total 4.2p 1.8p
    Dividend per share declared in respect of the period    
    Interim dividend 1.6p 1.6p
    Proposed final dividend 1.5p 1.6p
    Total 3.1p 3.2p
    Return to shareholders since launch    
    Net asset value per share 61.5p 60.3p
    Cumulative dividends paid per share  ^* 195.3p 192.1p
    Cumulative return per share^ 256.8p 252.4p
    Mid-market share price at end of period 57.0p 57.5p
    Share price discount to net asset value 7.3% 4.6%
    Annualised tax-free dividend yield  ^** 5.1% 5.2%

    *        Excluding proposed final dividend payable on 5 September 2025.

    **        Based on net asset value per share at the start of the period.
    ^ Definitions of the terms and alternative performance measures used in this report can be found in the glossary of terms in the annual report.

    Chair’s statement

    Overview
    Over the past 12 months, the UK economy has displayed resilience, with inflation easing and interest rates falling, albeit at slower rates than initially forecasted. Uncertainties posed by geopolitical events and conflicts continue to cause volatility in the financial markets, and notably increased following the end of the financial reporting period.

    It is pleasing to note that the valuation of our unquoted portfolio has increased during the past year. Investment activity remained consistent with the two previous financial years, with £14.3 million invested in six new and 11 existing portfolio companies.

    Despite the macroeconomic environment, our share offer of £15 million was oversubscribed and I would like to thank existing shareholders for their continued support and warmly welcome new investors. Proceeds from the share offer, together with sales proceeds from investments, mean that the Company is well positioned both to pursue new opportunities to support small and medium businesses and to work with existing portfolio companies to realise their growth plans.

    Results and dividend
    In the year ended 31 March 2025 the Company delivered a return on ordinary activities of 4.2 pence per share (year ended 31 March 2024: 1.8 pence), representing a total return of 7.0% on the opening net asset value (NAV) per share. The NAV per share as at 31 March 2025, after deducting dividends paid during the year of 3.2 pence, was 61.5 pence, compared with 60.3 pence at 31 March 2024. The strong result for the year generated a performance fee to our Adviser of £399,000 (year ended 31 March 2024: £nil).

    There were six exits in the year, the most notable being Gentronix, sold for net proceeds of £6.1 million compared to an original cost of £1.4 million, a 4.5 times lifetime return.

    Investment income was higher than the prior period at £2.6 million (year ended 31 March 2024: £2.2 million), which included £0.8 million interest income on realised investments.

    In 2018 we revised our dividend policy in the light of the new VCT rules for investment introduced in 2015 and 2017, which we expected to result in more volatile returns. We introduced an annualised target dividend yield of 5% of opening NAV, which has been exceeded in every period since. Having already declared an interim dividend of 1.6 pence per share which was paid in January 2025, your Directors now propose a final dividend of 1.5 pence per share. The total of 3.1 pence per share is equivalent to 5.1% of the opening net asset value per share of 60.3 pence. The final dividend, if approved, will be paid on 5 September 2025 to shareholders on the register on 8 August 2025.

    Our dividend investment scheme, under which dividends can be re-invested in new ordinary shares free of dealing costs and with the benefit of the tax reliefs available on new VCT share subscriptions, continues to operate with around 16% participation during the year. Instructions on how to join the scheme are included within the dividend section of our website, which can be found here: mercia.co.uk/vcts/nvt/.

    Investment portfolio
    Investment activity has remained strong, with £8.9 million of capital provided to six new venture capital investments and £5.4 million of follow-on capital invested into the existing portfolio. We also made progress in realising the Company’s mature portfolio acquired under the previous VCT rules with the remaining such investments now totalling £9.4 million (31 March 2024: £16.0 million).

    The value of the portfolio increased by £5.6 million (2.8 pence per share) in the year, with several portfolio companies enjoying significant growth: Pure Pet Food and Project Glow Topco (t/a The Beauty Tech Group) both increased in value by over £3 million. Against this there were some significant write-downs in the investments in Adludio and Newcells Biotech.

    Share offers and liquidity
    In April 2024 shares related to the second allotment of the 2023/24 share offer, totalling £20 million, were issued. This allotment saw the issuance of 12,234,307 new ordinary shares, yielding gross subscriptions of £7.8 million.

    As a result of the public share offer launched in January 2025, 24,216,029 new ordinary shares were issued in April 2025, yielding gross proceeds of £15 million.

    The Board continues to monitor liquidity carefully and plans to raise up to £20 million of new capital in the 2025/26 tax year. Further details will be provided in due course.

    Share buy-backs
    We have maintained our policy of being willing to buy back the Company’s shares in the market when necessary, in order to maintain liquidity, at a 5% discount to NAV. During the year ended 31 March 2025 a total of 7,272,999 (year ended 31 March 2024: 5,263,205) shares were repurchased by the Company for cancellation at an average price of 56.6 pence (year ended 31 March 2024: 58.0 pence), representing 3.8% (year ended 31 March 2024: 3.2%) of the opening issued share capital.

    Responsible investment
    The Company is mindful of its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) responsibilities and we have outlined our evolving approach in the annual report.

    VCT legislation and qualifying status
    We have continued to meet the stringent and complex qualifying conditions laid down by HM Revenue & Customs for maintaining our approval as a VCT. The Investment Adviser monitors the position closely and reports regularly to the Board. Philip Hare & Associates LLP has continued to act as independent adviser to the Company on VCT taxation matters.

    In September 2024 we were pleased that the extension of the VCT Sunset Clause until 2035 was confirmed. The ‘Sunset Clause’ is a European state aid requirement which, without extension, would have removed the VCT tax reliefs that investors receive on newly issued VCT shares.

    Whilst no further amendments to VCT legislation have been announced, it is possible that further changes will be made in the future. We will continue to work closely with the Investment Adviser to maintain compliance with the scheme rules at all times.

    Investor communications
    The Board is conscious of its responsibility to communicate transparently and regularly with shareholders. Aside from the recent newsletter, we look forward to welcoming shareholders to our AGM and to our forthcoming investor seminar to be held on 7 October 2025 in London. A copy of the recent newsletter and details of how to register for the October seminar can be found on the Company’s website at www.mercia.co.uk/vcts/nvt/.

    Audit tender process
    Following a formal and rigorous audit tender process, the Board has resolved that it intends to recommend Johnston Carmichael LLP for appointment as the Company’s auditor for the financial year ending 31 March 2026 onwards, subject to shareholder approval at the AGM in 2025. Forvis Mazars will remain the Company’s auditor until the AGM in 2025. The Board would like to thank Forvis Mazars LLP for their diligent service over the past five years.

    Annual General Meeting
    The Company’s AGM will be held at 12:30pm on 5 August 2025. The AGM provides an excellent opportunity for shareholders, the Directors and the Investment Adviser to meet in person, exchange views and comment. We will hold the AGM in person at Fora, 210 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DA. We also intend to offer remote access for shareholders through an online webinar facility for those who would prefer not to travel. Full details and formal notice of the AGM are set out in a separate document. Please note that shareholders attending remotely must register their votes ahead of time, as it will not be possible to count votes from online participants at the AGM.

    Board succession
    John E Milad joined the Board on 21 August 2024. John brings over 25 years’ experience as an executive leader, board member, venture capital investor and investment banker focused on the life sciences and medical technology sectors. He is currently the CEO of ERS Genomics, a licenser of the Nobel Prize-winning CRISPR / Cas9 gene editing technology.

    Further biographical details for all the Directors can be found in the annual report.

    We will mark the retirement from the Board of David Mayes at the AGM. David was appointed in November 2014. Over the past decade, he has served the Company and its shareholders with dedication and commitment. On behalf of the Board and our shareholders, I would like to thank David for his valuable contributions and steadfast support to the Company during his tenure.

    Performance Fee
    I am pleased to report that the Company’s performance over the past financial year has met the threshold required to trigger the payment of a performance fee of £399,000 to the Investment Adviser. This outcome reflects a year of strong execution and value creation within the portfolio, and I would like to extend the Board’s thanks to the Adviser’s team for delivering results that warrant this reward.

    The performance fee has been calculated in line with the revised fee structure agreed with shareholders in 2023. Under this framework, which was designed to provide stronger alignment with long-term shareholder value creation, the performance fee payable is broadly comparable to the level that would have been paid under the legacy arrangement. The performance fee is intended to reward the Adviser for delivering sustained solid performance over time. In addition to the performance fee, the Company’s co-investment scheme continues to play a vital role in aligning the interests of the Adviser’s team with those of our shareholders. Together, these mechanisms provide a well-structured incentive framework that encourages long-term thinking and disciplined capital deployment in the interests of all shareholders.

    Outlook
    We are cautiously optimistic of the UK’s growth prospects, while remaining aware of and vigilant to the volatility generated from both domestic and global sources. We remain positive about the resilience, diversity and growth potential of the portfolio and its ability to generate long term shareholder value.

    Deborah Hudson
    Chair
    17 June 2025

    Income statement
    for the year ended 31 March 2025

        Year ended 31 March 2025   Year ended 31 March 2024
    Revenue
    £000    		 Capital
    £000    		 Total
    £000    		   Revenue
    £000    		 Capital
    £000    		 Total
    £000
    Gain / (loss) on disposal of investments       – 3,555 3,575   – 1,203 1,203
    Unrealised fair value gains / (losses) on investments       – 5,603 5,603   – 2,499 2,499
            – 9,158 9,158   – 3,702 3,702
                         
    Dividend and interest income       2,594 – 2,594   2,220 – 2,220
    Investment management fee       (568) (2,103) (2,671)   (516) (1,549) (2,065)
    Other expenses       (600) – (600)   (641) – (641)
                         
    Return before tax       1,426 7,055 8,481   1,063 2,153 3,216
    Tax on return       (592) 592 –   79 (79) –
                         
    Return after tax       834 7,647 8,481   1,142 2,074 3,216
                         
    Return per share       0.4p 3.8p 4.2p   0.6p 1.2p 1.8p

    Balance sheet
    as at 31 March 2025

        31 March
    2025
    £000    		   31 March
    2024
    £000
    Fixed assets            
    Investments       93,537   82,574
                 
    Current assets            
    Debtors       2,895   951
    Cash and cash equivalents       25,439   31,497
            28,334   32,448
                 
    Creditors (amounts falling due within one year)       (620)   (191)
    Net current assets       27,714   32,257
    Net assets       121,251   114,831
                 
    Capital and reserves            
    Called-up equity share capital       49,302   47,615
    Share premium       35,348   30,418
    Capital redemption reserve       8,476   6,658
    Capital reserve       20,451   28,099
    Revaluation reserve       6,779   882
    Revenue reserve       895   1,159
    Total equity shareholders’ funds       121,251   114,831
    Net asset value per share       61.5p   60.3p

    Statement of changes in equity
    for the year ended 31 March 2025

        Non-distributable reserves   Distributable reserves    
    Called-up share capital
    £000    		 Share premium
    £000    		 Capital redemption
    reserve
    £000    		 Revaluation reserve*
    £000    		   Capital
    reserve
    £000    		 Revenue
    reserve
    £000    		   Total
    £000
    At 31 March 2024       47,615 30,418 6,658 882   28,099 1,159   114,831
    Return after tax       – – – 5,897   1,750 834   8,481
    Dividends paid       – – – –   (5,282) (1,098)   (6,380)
    Net proceeds of share issues       3,505 4,930 – –   – –   8,435
    Shares purchased for cancellation       (1,818) – 1,818 –   (4,116) –   (4,116)
    At 31 March 2025       49,302 35,348 8,476 6,779   20,451 895   121,251

    for the year ended 31 March 2024

        Non-distributable reserves   Distributable reserves    
    Called-up share capital
    £000    		 Share premium
    £000    		 Capital redemption
    reserve
    £000    		 Revaluation reserve*
    £000    		   Capital
    reserve
    £000    		 Revenue
    reserve
    £000    		   Total
    £000
    At 31 March 2023       41,230 19,394 5,342 1,698   34,433 400   102,497
    Return after tax       – – – (816)   2,890 1,142   3,216
    Dividends paid       – – – –   (6,156) (383)   (6,539)
    Net proceeds of share issues       7,701 11,024 – –   – –   18,725
    Shares purchased for cancellation       (1,316) – 1,316 –   (3,068) –   (3,068)
    At 31 March 2024       47,615 30,418 6,658 882   28,099 1,159   114,831

    Statement of cash flows
    for the year ended 31 March 2025

          Year ended
    31 March
    2025
    £000    		   Year ended
    31 March
    2024
    £000
    Cash flows from operating activities              
    Return before tax         8,481   3,216
    Adjustments for:              
    (Gain) / loss on disposal of investments         (3,555)   (1,203)
    Movements in fair value of investments         (5,603)   (2,499)
    (Increase) / decrease in debtors         58   (103)
    Increase / (decrease) in creditors         429   8
    Net cash inflow / (outflow) from operating activities         (190)   (581)
                   
    Cash flows from investing activities              
    Purchase of investments         (14,258)   (15,351)
    Proceeds on disposal of investments         10,451   24,310
    Net cash inflow / (outflow) from investing activities         (3,807)   8,959
    Cash flows from financing activities              
    Issue of ordinary shares         8,801   19,353
    Share issue expenses         (366)   (628)
    Purchase of ordinary shares for cancellation         (4,116)   (3,068)
    Equity dividends paid         (6,380)   (6,539)
    Net cash inflow / (outflow) from financing activities         (2,061)   9,118
    Increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents         (6,058)   17,496
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year         31,497   14,001
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of year         25,439   31,497

    Investment portfolio
    31 March 2025

    Fifteen largest venture capital investments

    		 Cost
    £000    		 Valuation
    £000    		 Like for like valuation
    increase / (decrease)
    over year**
    £000    		 % of net assets
    by value    		  
    1 Project Glow Topco (t/a The Beauty Tech Group) 1,686 7,323 3,766 6.0%  
    2 Pure Pet Food 1,675 6,205 3,301 5.1%  
    3 Rockar 1,877 3,559 393 2.9%  
    4 Pimberly 2,060 3,520 41 2.9%  
    5 Tutora (t/a Tutorful) 3,305 3,305 – 2.7%  
    6 Forensic Analytics 2,717 2,717 – 2.2%  
    7 Netacea 2,631 2,631 – 2.2%  
    8 Biological Preparations Group 2,366 2,620 445 2.2%  
    9 Ridge Pharma 1,497 2,527 359 2.1%  
    10 Enate 1,516 2,176 659 1.8%  
    11 LMC Software 1,950 2,156 207 1.8%  
    12 Broker Insights 2,076 2,152 68 1.8%  
    13 Turbine Simulated Cell Technologies 1,863 2,074 22 1.7%  
    14 Clarilis 1,972 1,972 – 1.6%  
    15 Semble 1,951 1,951 – 1.6%  
    Other venture capital investments          
    16 Naitive Technologies 1,836 1,938 104 1.6%  
    17 Napo 1,933 1,933 – 1.6%  
    18 Risk Ledger 1,412 1,911 500 1.6%  
    19 Social Value Portal 1,888 1,888 – 1.5%  
    20 Administrate 2,906 1,842 (184) 1.5%  
    21 Send Technology Solutions 1,770 1,838 69 1.5%  
    22 Moonshot 1,329 1,805 478 1.5%  
    23 IDOX* 238 1,799 (139) 1.5%  
    24 Newcells Biotech 3,225 1,777 (1,693) 1.5%
    25 Volumatic Holdings 216 1,773 (148) 1.5%
    26 Locate Bio 1,753 1,753 – 1.4%
    27 VoxPopMe 1,660 1,660 – 1.4%
    28 Camena Bioscience 1,594 1,594 – 1.3%
    29 Wonderush Ltd (t/a Hownow) 1,421 1,421 – 1.2%
    30 Ski Zoom (t/a Heidi Ski) 1,404 1,404 – 1.2%
    31 Axis Spine Technologies 1,353 1,357 4 1.1%
    32 Buoyant Upholstery 672 1,349 (719) 1.1%
    33 Culture AI 1,324 1,324 – 1.1%
    34 Duke & Dexter 1,237 1,281 637 1.1%
    35 Promethean 1,281 1,281 – 1.1%
    36 Optellum 1,276 1,276 – 1.1%
    37 Rego Technologies (t/a Upp)(formerly Volo) 2,504 1,104 401 0.9%
    38 Centuro Global 1,038 1,038 – 0.9%
    39 iOpt 941 1,025 84 0.8%
    40 Tozaro (formerly MIP Discovery) 1,025 1,025 – 0.8%
    41 Scalpel 976 976 – 0.8%
    42 Seahawk Bidco 513 971 (21) 0.8%
    43 Wobble Genomics 968 968 – 0.8%
    44 Warwick Acoustics 964 964 – 0.8%
    45 Oddbox 1,093 869 71 0.7%
    46 Synthesized 510 751 240 0.6%
    47 Quotevine 1,311 495 495 0.4%
    48 Thanksbox (t/a Mo) 1,685 402 (13) 0.3%
    49 Atlas Cloud 704 387 (1) 0.3%
    50 RTC Group* 436 345 – 0.3%
    51 Fresh Approach (UK) Holdings 885 313 (127) 0.3%
    52 Sorted 182 241 58 0.2%
    53 Arnlea Holdings 1,305 227 (11) 0.2%
    54 Sen Corporation 681 141 (156) 0.1%
    55 Northrow 1,494 76 (615) 0.1%
    56 Angle* 131 36 (9) 0.0%
    57 Adludio 2,927 33 (2,904) 0.0%
    58 Customs Connect Group 1,525 33 (80) 0.0%
    59 Velocity Composites* 90 25 (6) 0.0%
      Total venture capital investments 86,758 93,537   77.1%
      Net current assets   27,714   22.9%
      Net assets   121,251   100.0%

    *        Listed on AIM.

    **        This change in ‘like for like’ valuations is a comparison of the 31 March 2025 valuations with the 31 March 2024 valuations (or where a new investment has been made in the year, the investment amount), having adjusted for any partial disposals, loan stock repayments or new and follow-on investments in the year.

    Risk management
    The Board carries out a regular and robust assessment of the risk environment in which the Company operates and seeks to identify new risks as they emerge. The principal and emerging risks and uncertainties identified by the Board which might affect the Company’s business model and future performance, and the steps taken with a view to their mitigation, are as follows:

    Risk Mitigation
    Availability of qualifying investments: there can be no guarantee that suitable investment opportunities will be identified in order to meet the Company’s objectives, which could have an adverse effect on Investor returns. Additionally, the Company’s ability to obtain maximum value from its investments may be limited by the requirements of the relevant VCT Rules in order to maintain the VCT status of the Company. The Investment Adviser has a dedicated investment team that identifies and transacts in qualifying investments. The Directors regularly meet with the Investment Adviser to maintain awareness of the pipeline, and factors this into the Company’s fund raising plans.
    Credit risk: the Company holds a number of financial instruments and cash deposits and is dependent on the counterparties discharging their commitment. Such balances my be held with banks or in money market funds as part of the Company’s liquidity management. The Directors review the creditworthiness of the counterparties to these instruments including the rating of money market funds to seek to manage and mitigate exposure to credit risk.
    Economic and geopolitical risk: events such as economic recession or general fluctuation in stock markets, exchange rates and interest rates, notwithstanding recent lower inflation and falling interest rates, may affect the valuation of investee companies and their ability to access adequate financial resources, as well as affecting the Company’s own share price and discount to net asset value. In addition, US trade policy and hostilities in the Middle East and Ukraine (including sanctions on the Russian Federation) may have further economic consequences as a result of market volatility and the restricted access to certain commodities and energy supplies. Such conditions may adversely affect the performance of companies in which the Company has invested (or may invest), which in turn may adversely affect the performance of the Company, and may have an impact on the number or quality of investment opportunities available to the Company and the ability of the Investment Adviser to realise the Company’s investments. Any of these factors could have an adverse effect on Investor returns. The Company invests in a diversified portfolio of investments spanning various industry sectors and which are at different stages of growth. The Company maintains sufficient cash reserves to be able to provide additional funding to investee companies where it is appropriate and in the interests of the Company to do so. The Investment Adviser’s team is structured such that appropriate monitoring and oversight is undertaken by an experienced investment executive. As part of this oversight, the investment executive will guide and support the board of each unquoted investee company. At all times, and particularly during periods of heightened economic uncertainty, the investment team of the Investment Adviser share best practice from across the portfolio with the investee management teams in order to help with addressing economic challenges.
    Financial risk: most of the Company’s investments involve a medium to long-term commitment and many are illiquid. The Directors consider that it is inappropriate to finance the Company’s activities through borrowing except on an occasional short-term basis. Accordingly they seek to maintain a proportion of the Company’s assets in cash or cash equivalents in order to be in a position to pursue new unquoted investment opportunities and to make follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies. The Company has very little direct exposure to foreign currency risk and does not enter into derivative transactions.
    Investment and liquidity risk: the Company invests in early stage companies which may be pre-revenue at the point of investment. Portfolio companies may also require significant funds, through multiple funding rounds to develop their technology or the products being developed may be subject to regulatory approvals before they can be launched into the market. This involves a higher degree of risk and company failure compared to investment in larger companies with established business models. Early stage companies generally have limited product lines, markets and financial resources and may be more dependent on key individuals. The securities of companies in which the Company invests are typically unlisted, making them particularly illiquid and may represent minority stakes, which may cause difficulties in valuing and disposing of the securities. The Company may invest in businesses whose shares are quoted on AIM however this may not mean that they can be readily traded and the spread between the buying and selling prices of such shares may be wide. The Directors aim to limit the investment and liquidity risk through regular monitoring of the investment portfolio and oversight of the Investment Adviser, who is responsible for advising the Board in accordance with the Company’s investment objective. The investment and liquidity risks are mitigated through the careful selection, close monitoring and timely realisation of investments, by carrying out rigorous due diligence procedures and maintaining a wide spread of holdings in terms of financing stage and industry sector within the rules of the VCT scheme. The Board reviews the investment portfolio and liquidity with the Investment Adviser on a regular basis.
    Legislative and regulatory risk: in order to maintain its approval as a VCT, the Company is required to comply with current VCT legislation in the UK. Changes to UK legislation in the future could have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to achieve satisfactory investment returns whilst retaining its VCT approval. The Company is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as a small internally managed AIF and is required to comply with a number of reporting and other regulatory requirements. Failure to comply correctly or changes in the regulatory regime could affect the status of the VCT. The Board and the Investment Adviser monitor political developments and where appropriate seek to make representations either directly or through relevant trade bodies. The Board also works closely with the Adviser to ensure that the Company remains compliant with the relevant regulatory requirements.
    Operational risk: the Company does not have any employees and the Board relies on a number of third party providers, including the Investment Adviser, registrar and custodian, sponsor, receiving agent, lawyers and tax advisers, to provide it with the necessary services to operate. Such operations delegated to the Company’s key service providers may not be performed in a timely or accurate manner, resulting in reputational, regulatory, or financial damage. The risk of cyber-attack or failure of the systems and controls at any of the Company’s third party providers may lead to an inability to service shareholder needs adequately, to provide accurate reporting and accounting and to ensure adherence to all VCT legislation rules. The Board has appointed an Audit and Risk Committee, who monitor the effectiveness of the system of internal controls, both financial and non-financial, operated by the Company and the Investment Adviser. These controls are designed to ensure that the Company’s assets are safeguarded and that proper accounting records are maintained. Third party suppliers are required to have in place their own risk and controls framework, business continuity plans and the necessary expertise and resources in place to ensure that a high quality service can be maintained even under stressed scenarios.
    Performance of the Investment Adviser: the successful implementation of the Company’s investment policy is dependent on the expertise of the Investment Adviser and its ability to attract and retain suitable staff. The Company’s ability to achieve its investment objectives is largely dependent on the performance of the Investment Adviser in the acquisition and disposal of assets and the management of such assets. The Board has broad discretion to monitor the performance of the Investment Adviser and the power to appoint a replacement, but the Investment Adviser’s performance or that of any replacement cannot be guaranteed. The Board have both formal reviews by way of the Management Engagement Committee and Board meetings, and informal reviews over the course of the year outside of the formal Board timetable. Performance is closely monitored, including receiving detailed league table information and other market intelligence. Any concerns or suggestions are passed to the Investment Adviser, which are robustly challenged.
    Stock market risk: a small proportion of the Company’s investments are quoted on AIM and will be subject to market fluctuations upwards and downwards. External factors such as terrorist activity, political activity or global health crises, can negatively impact stock markets worldwide. In times of adverse sentiment there may be very little, if any, market demand for shares in smaller companies quoted on AIM. The Company’s small number of holdings of quoted investments are actively managed by the Investment Adviser, and the Board keeps the portfolio and the actions taken under ongoing review.
    VCT qualifying status risk: while it is the intention of the Directors that the Company will be managed so as to continue to qualify as a VCT, there can be no guarantee that this status will be maintained. A failure to continue meeting the qualifying requirements could result in the loss of VCT tax relief, the Company losing its exemption from corporation tax on capital gains, to shareholders being liable to pay income tax on dividends received from the Company and, in certain circumstances, to shareholders being required to repay the initial income tax relief on their investment. The Investment Adviser keeps the Company’s VCT qualifying status under continual review and its reports are reviewed by the Board on a quarterly basis. The Board has also retained Philip Hare & Associates LLP to undertake an independent VCT status monitoring role.

    Other matters

    The above summary of results for the year ended 31 March 2025 does not constitute statutory financial statements within the meaning of Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. Statutory financial statements will be filed with the Registrar of Companies in due course; the independent auditor’s report on those financial statements under Section 495 of the Companies Act 2006 is unqualified, does not include any reference to matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying the report and does not contain a statement under Section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

    The calculation of the return per share is based on the return after tax for the year of £8,481,000 (2024: £3,216,000) and on 200,018,249 (2024: 179,260,563) shares, being the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period.

    If approved by shareholders, the proposed final dividend of 1.5 pence per share for the year ended 31 March 2025 will be paid on 5 September 2025 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 8 August 2025.

    The full annual report including financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 is expected to be made available to shareholders on or around 27 June 2025 and will be available to the public at the registered office of the company at Forward House, 17 High Street, Henley-in-Arden B95 5AA and on the Company’s website.

    The contents of the Mercia Asset Management PLC website and the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Mercia Asset Management PLC website (or any other website) are not incorporated into, nor form part of, this announcement.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Cyber A.I. Group Appoints Irving Bruckstein as Director of Global Technology Integration

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, NEW YORK and LONDON, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cyber A.I. Group, Inc. (“CyberAI” or the “Company”), an emerging growth Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and IT services company engaged in the development of next-generation AI-driven Cybersecurity technology, announced today the appointment of Irving Bruckstein as Director of Global Technology Integration. Mr. Bruckstein brings over three decades of transformational IT leadership across higher education, enterprise and international markets.

    Irving Bruckstein will work in coordination with Dr. Peter J. Morales, CyberAI’s Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Bruckstein will advise and support CyberAI’s global integration initiatives focusing on harmonizing advanced technologies across enterprise environments, scaling secure infrastructure and aligning systems integration with the Company’s expanding global footprint. His appointment underscores CyberAI’s commitment to innovation, security and operational excellence as it prepares for the imminent launch of the Company’s next-generation AI-driven cybersecurity IP through its patent pending CyberAI Sentinel 2.0™ initiatives.

    CyberAI Sentinel 2.0™ represents a paradigm shift in Cybersecurity, committed to monetizing proprietary technology and providing clients with a holistic solution to cybersecurity threats by safeguarding digital assets. CyberAI Sentinel 2.0™ is delivering a cost-effective solution providing comprehensive Cybersecurity services for middle market companies on a global basis as part of CyberAI’s objective of achieving $100 million in revenues with an anticipated listing on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

    “Irving is an extraordinary technologist and strategist with a rare ability to commercialize complex architectures into scalable, resilient global systems,” said A.J. Cervantes, Jr., Executive Chairman at CyberAI. “His deep experience leading enterprise-scale IT and Cybersecurity initiatives—particularly across advanced technology, cloud and infrastructure domains—makes him an ideal person to support our highly proactive global launch of our proprietary CyberAI Sentinel 2.0™ AI-driven Cybersecurity advanced technology.”

    Mr. Bruckstein currently serves as the Chief Information Officer and CISO at Washington College where he spearheads the Cybersecurity modernization and compliance with GLBA, FERPA, HIPAA, as well as a member of the Board of Directors at MDREN and the Cybersecurity Intelligence Authority. In past experience, Mr. Bruckstein served as CIO at Salve Regina University and held senior leadership roles at NYU, Columbia University and in private sector ventures. He has led billion-dollar campus buildouts, cloud and data center migrations and Cybersecurity modernization efforts across diverse environments in the US, UAE and beyond.

    “Cyber A.I. Group stands at the intersection of global Cybersecurity, AI innovation and digital infrastructure transformation—and I’m thrilled to join the team during such a pivotal time,” said Mr. Bruckstein. “There’s enormous opportunity to unify systems, scale intelligent architectures and build resilient global frameworks that enable secure and sustainable digital ecosystems. I look forward to working with this proactive technology team driving these initiatives forward.”

    During his time at NYU from 2010 to 2016, Mr. Bruckstein was the Senior Director of Global Technology Services where he oversaw and directed the full-stack technology implementation for a new multi-billion U.S. dollar campus build-out for NYU’s campus in Abu Dhabi. At Columbia University beginning in 2007, Mr. Bruckstein led IT infrastructure modernization across the university, including managing a $45 million technology portfolio and implemented virtualization, VoIP and SAN infrastructure at the university.

    Mr. Bruckstein holds an M.S. and B.S. in Computer Science from Hofstra University and has served on several national and regional technology advisory councils. He will report directly to the CTO and work closely with cross-functional teams as CyberAI builds out its CyberAI Sentinel 2.0 technology. Through AI innovation, CyberAI Sentinel 2.0™ is designed to empower enterprises with intelligent, adaptive and proactive protection while also leveraging CyberAI’s expanding customer base.

    About Cyber A.I. Group

    Cyber A.I. Group, Inc. (“CyberAI”) is a next-generation technology company pioneering the development of advanced, proprietary platforms at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. With a mission to redefine how organizations protect, predict, and respond to digital threats, CyberAI is positioning patent pending technologies that enable autonomous threat detection, adaptive risk mitigation, and intelligent system resilience across enterprise and cloud environments. At the core of CyberAI’s innovation is a team of world-class technologists, data scientists, and cybersecurity experts dedicated to creating breakthrough solutions that are scalable, secure, and globally deployable. The company’s technologies are designed to address the most urgent and complex challenges facing today’s digital infrastructure—from AI-driven security orchestration to autonomous anomaly detection and predictive analytics for critical systems. CyberAI’s commitment to continuous innovation and deep IP development is positioning it at the critical merger between AI and the global cybersecurity landscape. By fusing artificial intelligence with real-world cyber defense expertise, the company aims to set new standards for intelligent infrastructure protection and digital trust. For more information, please visit: cyberaigroup.io

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/abff6299-661a-455a-9f71-4229e4969a39

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scotland in 2050

    Source: Scottish Government

    Opportunities and challenges for the future.

    First Minister John Swinney has launched new analysis on the trends that could shape the future of Scotland in the next 10 to 20 years, saying that Scotland must “take charge of our own destiny” as an independent country to shape our own future.

    ‘Future Trends for Scotland’ sets out the plausible opportunities and challenges facing Scotland, and could inform Scottish Government policy and the work of our partners in Scotland.

    The reports show Scotland can make the most of opportunities including new energy potential, growing success in space and life sciences and widespread adoption of AI alongside the emergence of quantum technology.

    Challenges facing Scotland resonate with those seen across the world including growing risks to democracy because of mis- and disinformation, more frequent conflicts, increasing inequalities and climate change. 

    Addressing the Scotland 2050 conference in Edinburgh, First Minister John Swinney said:

    “The Scotland of 2050 will be shaped by a series of unpredictable forces, by new technologies we have only half-imagined in the pages of science fiction, by conflicts now only simmering, by people who are only just born but it will also be shaped by us. By the decisions we take, the policy choices we implement, the vision and path forward that we set out.

    “That is a great responsibility, but for me it is also exciting, inspiring, and a privilege to shape it as First Minister. 

    “With the Future Trends horizon scan, we have the best available Scotland specific analysis to inform our decisions, both now and for the future. 

    “It shows both hurdles and new horizons for our society and economy. Warnings where we need to change, or up the pace, but also doors opening, if we have the courage to walk through them with confidence, with boldness and self-belief.

    “And it is by shaping strategy and policy towards achieving long-term outcomes that we will be ready for this new world as it evolves.

    “It is only by taking charge of our own destiny, with our own hand on the tiller, that we are better able to ride the waves of change, that we are better able to shape our own future.

    “That does not mean a Scotland standing alone, but rather a nation that has worked out its place in the world, and the contribution it wants to make to the world.

    “An ongoing deep and rich partnership with the other nations of these isles, absolutely, but ultimately as a nation state in our own right, as a Member State of the world’s largest trading block, the world’s biggest social and economic community, the European Union.”

    Background

    Future Trends for Scotland – Findings from the 2024-25 Horizon Scanning Project – gov.scot

    Young People and the Future of Scotland – A Participatory Horizon Scanning Engagement – gov.scot

    Scotland 2050 Conference: First Minister’s Speech – gov.scot

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Invest $3.4 Million to Support Usask’s Integrated Genomics for Sustainable Animal Agriculture and Environmental Stewardship Project

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 17, 2025

    Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison today announced $3.4 million over four years to support the development of two new facilities at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) which includes the Omics Resource Centre at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) and Beef Reprotech facilities at the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE).

    The investment will be delivered through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) as part of the governments’ commitment to support partnerships with strategic agricultural research organizations.

    The new initiative, called IntegrOmes (Integrated Genomics for Sustainable Animal Agriculture and Environmental Stewardship), will advance beef genetics by matching genomic markers with desirable traits and evaluate reproductive efficiencies. This integrated approach will enable producers to make more precise and data-driven breeding decisions that improve livestock productivity in Saskatchewan.

    “Innovation – like what we are seeing through genomics research – is vital to the continued success of Canada’s agriculture sector,” MacDonald said. “This shared investment with Saskatchewan will support the expanded efforts of these facilities and ensure a vibrant future for Saskatchewan’s livestock sector.” 

    “Saskatchewan producers already bring generations of expertise and innovation to our livestock sector, and this investment builds on that legacy – helping ensure Saskatchewan’s ranchers remain global leaders at what they do best,” Harrison said. “The work of USask is recognized globally, and we are proud to support this initiative and the livestock sector it serves.”

    The IntegrOmes project will address issues of beef cattle production and reproductive efficiency, animal health and the environment through the adoption of genomic tools. Saskatchewan producers will benefit from having access to these tools to stay competitive in the domestic and international market.

    “Genomic research is advancing rapidly, and USask is leading the way in this evolving field,” University of Saskatchewan Research Vice-President Baljit Singh said. “Our researchers are applying cutting-edge methods to advance our understanding of beef genetics, which couldn’t be possible without the support of this joint funding from the provincial and federal governments. We thank them for their continued support as we aspire to be the university the world needs.”

    USask, the WCVM and the LFCE are world-class research, teaching and knowledge-transfer facilities that connect innovation across the livestock production chain. USask’s work in feedlot and cow-calf management, veterinary science and forage systems plays a vital role in driving improvements in productivity and sustainability in the sector.

    This investment builds on the long-standing support for agricultural research by the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan. Through shared priorities under Sustainable CAP, over the past five years nearly $170 million has been committed in Saskatchewan toward research to improve productivity, expand markets and ensure our agri-food products remain globally competitive.

    With today’s announcement, USask’s LFCE and the WCVM continue to strengthen Saskatchewan’s reputation as a global leader in high-quality, safe and sustainable food production.

    Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments.

    To strengthen competitiveness, innovation and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi says China-Kyrgyzstan cooperation holds great potential 2025-06-17 22:05:10 Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said that cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan holds great potential, urging the two countries to scale up trade and investment and expand cooperation in emerging sectors.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

    Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. (Xinhua)

    ASTANA, June 17 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said that cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan holds great potential, urging the two countries to scale up trade and investment and expand cooperation in emerging sectors.

    Xi made the remarks in a meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in the Kazakh capital of Astana.

    Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 33 years ago, China-Kyrgyzstan relations have achieved leapfrog development and are now at their best in history, Xi noted.

    The Chinese president recalled that he held a fruitful meeting with Japarov in Beijing in February, where they reached a series of important consensuses that have injected new and strong impetus into bilateral cooperation.

    China is ready to work with Kyrgyzstan to continuously deepen the alignment of development strategies, continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, and safeguard common and long-term interests of both sides, he said.

    Xi urged the two sides to deepen financial cooperation, improve connectivity networks and advance the high-quality construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.

    He also called on the two sides to foster new drivers of growth in clean energy, green minerals and artificial intelligence, enhance communication in fields such as culture, tourism, education and health, and implement more projects that benefit the people.

    Noting that China and Kyrgyzstan are both beneficiaries of economic globalization, he called on the two sides to jointly oppose unilateralism, firmly safeguard the international economic and trade order, and promote a more just and equitable global governance system.

    Noting that the two sides will successively assume the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and host summits, Xi said that China is willing to work with Kyrgyzstan to support each other and jointly promote the greater development of the SCO.

    For his part, Japarov said that under the outstanding leadership of President Xi, China has strived forward on the path of prosperity and strength, achieving great accomplishments and playing a crucial guiding role on the international stage.

    The Kyrgyz side attaches great importance to the development of relations with China and cherishes the strategic partnership built on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and good-neighborly friendship, Japarov said.

    On issues concerning China’s core interests, the Kyrgyz side, he said, firmly supports China’s stance, adheres to the one-China principle, opposes all forms of “Taiwan independence,” and opposes any interference by external forces in China’s internal affairs.

    Noting that China is Kyrgyzstan’s largest trading and investment partner, Japarov said the Kyrgyz side welcomes more Chinese enterprises to do business in Kyrgyzstan, stands ready to work with China to jointly advance such projects as the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, strengthen cooperation in energy, green minerals and other fields, and better benefit the peoples of both countries.

    Japarov said the Kyrgyz side actively supports the three major global initiatives proposed by President Xi and is ready to work with China to jointly implement them.

    Kyrgyzstan will closely coordinate and cooperate with China within the United Nations, the SCO and the China-Central Asia mechanism to promote regional and global security, stability, development and prosperity, he added.

    Following the meeting, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents covering agriculture, customs, science and technology, media and other fields. 

    Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: STATEMENT: UK Government must withdraw support for Israel as conflict grows

    Source: Scottish Greens

    17 Jun 2025 External Affairs

    We stand for lasting peace and an end to the UK’s active participation in war

    More in External Affairs

    As the conflict in the Middle East grows threatening a wider war, the Scottish Greens are calling on the UK Government to withdraw their support for the state of Israel. 

    Party co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP has issued this statement:

    The world is an increasingly dangerous place, and the actions of far too many Governments, including the UK, are making that worse.

    Just a few years ago, the vast majority of the world stood solidly against Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and opposed the illegal occupation. Now we’ve seen that unity fractured by a US President who threatens democratic countries and flatters dictators.

    Worse, we have seen a breath-taking failure of the global community to take the same united position against the grotesque violence being inflicted on Palestinians. The US, the UK and others are actively abetting genocide while allowing Israel to block media access to Gaza to prevent the world from seeing the atrocities they are committing. 

    Even a former Israeli Prime Minister has called Netanyahu’s government a gang of thugs, and every day they find new ways to prove him right. 

    Now Israel has expanded its attacks to Iran, in a clear attempt to escalate the conflict and provoke a much wider war. Threats have been made against the whole of Tehran, a city of over 9 million people. 

    The Scottish Greens have long called for a lasting ceasefire and an end to the UK’s active participation in the ongoing genocide of Gaza. The case for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel has grown ever stronger the longer its illegal occupation of Palestine has gone on, and is now urgent.

    Yet Keir Starmer’s Government is still refusing to end the UK’s involvement, actively resourcing and training Israeli forces, and treating the country as an ally instead of the profound threat to global security that it is. 

    The UK must immediately withdraw all support for this violent rogue state, and work with other countries to have its Government held accountable for their war crimes. 

    Any Government, in any country, which fails to act has lives on its conscience, and international law will ultimately hold them complicit for their actions.
     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: New laboratory of the State University of Management: reverse engineering, mechanical engineering and unmanned systems

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    A new reverse engineering laboratory has opened at the State University of Management.

    On June 17, the rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev, vice-rectors Dmitry Bryukhanov, Vitaly Lapshenkov, Maria Karelina and Artem Terpugov, accompanied by the director of the Center for Management of Engineering Projects of the State University of Management Vladimir Filatov, visited the new premises and discussed the projects that are closest to implementation.

    The purpose of its creation is to carry out R&D and develop the material and technical base of the State University of Management so that students can implement projects to create new products within the framework of the activities of the student design bureau “Innovative Solutions”.

    “The new premises provide direct access to the machines and equipment that will be used, all the possibilities for optimal organization of space. Now it is important to arrange everything so that it is convenient, solid and accessible for different areas of activity. We have engineers, industrial partners too, all that remains is to implement the plans in practice,” Vladimir Stroyev noted.

    The main activity of the laboratory is conducting R&D in the interests of enterprises of the real sector of the economy. in such areas of activity as automotive industry, road construction machinery, agricultural machinery, special equipment, including unmanned aircraft systems.

    In particular, there are already agreements with a number of large agricultural enterprises on import substitution of a number of components for their fleet of equipment. As part of the laboratory’s work, digital twins of these parts will be developed, their structure will be studied, and similar materials will be selected for the manufacture of a prototype, which will be transferred to an industrial partner for further field testing.

    In addition, a workshop for a student design bureau is planned to be created on the basis of the laboratory, which will be equipped within the framework of a grant from the Ministry of Education and Science, which GUU scientists won at the beginning of this year. Student projects in the direction of creating unmanned systems, both ground and aviation, will be implemented here.

    As an example, young scientists from the State University of Management showed how work is underway to create an unmanned front-line transporter based on the Soviet LuAZ-967 vehicle. To date, most of the work on restoring the vehicle body has been completed, all the components have been removed and will be replaced with modern electric motors and unmanned control systems. Some of the new parts may be printed on a 3D printer to reduce the weight and dimensions of the vehicle for use in the field.

    Vladimir Filatov also noted that the laboratory and its material and technical base are planned for use in the educational programs of the State University of Management in the field of training, which are implemented on the basis of the Institute of Industry Management and the Institute of Information Systems.

    “It will be useful for students to visit the laboratory to see with their own eyes how the mechanisms are constructed, to study the technical features and to try their hand at modeling and programming,” the rector agreed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Med school plans further discussed

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Task Group on New Medical School today met for the second time with the universities, Baptist University, Polytechnic University and the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, that have submitted proposals for the establishment of Hong Kong’s third medical school.

    While having a focused exchange on the specific plans of their proposals, each of the three universities further presented its overall plan for implementing the new medical school proposal, including the curriculum content, clinical training for medical students, construction of teaching facilities and funding arrangements.

    The task group will enhance speed and efficiency in expediting the assessment of the proposals, with a view to completing the assessments and providing a recommendation to the Government within this year.

    Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said that the three universities have demonstrated a strong commitment to nurturing medical talent and developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub, as well as responded positively to the concerns raised by the task group on the quality of medical education and clinical training.

    “As President Xi Jinping said, ‘Health is the most important indicator of people’s happiness.’ The Government strives to comprehensively deepen the healthcare system reform, and the new medical school will not only shoulder the mission of coping with the rapidly ageing population and the worsening shortage of healthcare manpower, but also pursue complementary development with the two existing medical schools to contribute to the enhancement of city’s healthcare system.”

    Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin highlighted that the 2024-2035 master plan on building China into a leading country in education newly released by the nation strives to accelerate the development of world-class universities and advanced disciplines.

    “We expect the selected university to take on the important task of actively promoting curriculum innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and establishing closer ties with regional partners.”

    She added that the new medical school will also be able to nurture more healthcare talent, raise academic standards and broaden the scope of medical education and research in Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Researchers discover microplastics at all ocean depths

    Source: US Government research organizations

    New NSF-supported study helps inform efforts to safeguard fisheries and protect human health

    Researchers with support from the U.S. National Science Foundation published a global benchmark of microplastic distribution in the ocean, revealing thousands of plastic specks even at the extreme depths of the Mariana Trench.

    The study’s findings show that not only could fisheries take an economic hit, but humans could be at risk for exposure to contaminated seafood.

    The team synthesized data from nearly 2,000 ocean sampling stations, mostly in northern ocean waters near larger populations between 2014 and 2024. “The discovery that microplastics are not just floating on the sea surface but also form a plastic smog, throughout the depths of the ocean, was surprising and concerning,” said Aron Stubbins, an author on the paper and professor at Northeastern University.

    Abundant microplastic materials smaller than 5 micrometers — or about 100 times less than the width of a human hair — may be eaten by zooplankton, which in turn feed larger marine animals. Microplastics can disrupt marine food chains, causing health declines and potential drops in populations for fish and other marine creatures.

    “Even when we are studying what we think of as completely natural processes in the ocean, we have to be aware of humankind’s influence,” said Henrietta Edmonds, an NSF program director.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sparking curiosity in the future semiconductor workforce

    Source: US Government research organizations

    AI-powered virtual reality education expands access and supports engagement of high school and community college students, giving them practical skills in semiconductor manufacturing

    The United States semiconductor industry is projected to have between 60,000 and 100,000 unfilled jobs by 2030. As the need for semiconductor technicians, engineers and scientists continues to increase, there is also a growing demand for innovative ways to train this anticipated workforce. But such training typically requires expensive clean rooms and advanced equipment, resources that many schools don’t have access to.

    A team of researchers, which included high school and community college students, found a solution to this challenge by using artificial intelligence-powered virtual reality (VR) to create simulations as a cost-effective alternative for people to learn about the process of semiconductor fabrication. The results of their research, which is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Micro Nano Technology Education Center at Pasadena City College (PCC), in collaboration with the University of California, Irvine (UCI), are available in the Journal of Advanced Technological Education.

    “Many students, especially those at underfunded schools, never get to see or touch the real semiconductor fabrication tools,” said Kristal Hong, a member of the research team and a computer science major at UCI. “I, myself, was a community college student without access to a cleanroom, so I know how that gap can dampen student enthusiasm.”

    By using AI-powered VR to create cleanroom simulations, the team is offering a learning channel outside of traditional classrooms and labs for students who don’t have in-person access to semiconductor fabrications and for others who might never have considered the semiconductor field. This flexibility is crucial to growing the much-needed semiconductor workforce, Hong said. “If a student learns best by doing, VR can bridge the gap to help them grow and succeed, even when physical resources are scarce.”

    Credit: Kristal Hong

    Researchers from Pasadena City College wearing cleanroom gear while learning about semiconductor fabrication processes at UCI.

    To create the virtual simulations, the researchers regularly toured the UCI Integrated Nanosystems Research Facility, taking pictures and videos, interacting with equipment, and learning from educators, including Guann Pyng “G.P.” Li, electrical engineering and computer science professor at UCI.

    From this experience, the team manually generated a digital twin of the UCI cleanroom — a virtual representation of the real-world environment — by translating the semiconductor manufacturing process from the in-person lab into a simulation using VR, which has a similar feel to a video game. They then guided users step-by-step through the virtual semiconductor fabrication process. From there, the 29 study participants evaluated the simulation’s effectiveness.

    Credit: Ishan Jha

    Side-by-side image of the virtual spinner (left) and real spinner (right) used in the University of California, Irvine, Integrated Nanosystems Research Facility.

    “This was a peer-to-peer learning experience, where the researchers created and consumed the content with the goal of making engaging simulations for their peers,” Li said. “With these virtual experiences, more learners will have a chance to understand how the semiconductor process takes place.”

    Importantly, the researchers used the off-the-shelf GPT 4 application from OpenAI – a large language model used for natural language processing – to personalize the VR learning experience and increase the effectiveness of the virtual semiconductor training.

    “If someone has a question, they can ask the AI and get an instant answer, just as if an instructor were standing beside them,” Hong said. “We plan to continue studying AI use in the lab and in VR to refine and improve the training experience over time.”

    By using AI-powered VR, the team not only removed the physical and financial barriers to accessing semiconductor equipment, but they also found that this method provided an engaging format that kept students motivated and interested in the semiconductor field.

    “Their excitement was palpable,” said Hong. “Study participants cheered when a process worked, and they would collaborate to troubleshoot virtual errors. It was eye‐opening to watch how quickly VR could transform a student’s perception of an otherwise abstract topic into something tangible and engaging.”

    Credit: Ishan Jha

    Study participants at Pasadena City College using VR headsets to virtually interact with UCI’s cleanroom.

    By taking a fabrication environment and transporting it into a virtual environment, “it becomes much more accessible to younger students who have already been exposed to videogame-like scenarios,” said Ishan Jha, a high school student and member of the research team. “Participating in this research gives us [high schoolers] a taste of what’s happening in these industries [AI/VR and semiconductors], because a lot of us plan to attend college, and we want that prior exposure that will prepare us for success later on.”

    The team sees the potential for scaling this cost-effective experience to more learners across the country. Mercer County Community College (MCCC) approached the PCC/UCI team with interest in creating similar AI-powered VR simulations. MCCC is now working with Princeton University to facilitate this effort.

    Looking ahead, the team plans to replicate the project at additional institutions, expand partnerships to other universities and gather data from new participants with the goal to better understand if early VR exposure makes learners more likely to pursue semiconductor‐related internships or jobs, and how prepared they feel compared to peers without VR experience. And as AI capabilities continue to evolve, the team is considering additional ways to use generative AI to assist with their VR training simulations.

    While observing the researchers in his lab, Li said it gave him great hope for the future of the AI and semiconductor workforce. “These students are the future of our nation,” Li said. “When they see something that inspires them, they want to really explore it. And even if they have no prior knowledge or experience in a semiconductor manufacturing room or if they have minimal knowledge of AI or VR, when they are engaged, they are motivated, and they can make a difference.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Training AI to see more like humans

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Supported in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation, Brown University researchers are teaching AI to see more like humans, opening doors to more accurate AI solutions.

    At Brown University, an innovative new project is revealing that teaching artificial intelligence to perceive things more like people may begin with something as simple as a game. The project invites participants to play an online game called Click Me, which helps AI models learn how people see and interpret images. While the game is fun and accessible, its purpose is more ambitious: to understand the root causes of AI errors and to systematically improve how AI systems represent the visual world.

    Over the past decade, AI systems have become more powerful and widely used, particularly in tasks like recognizing images. For example, these systems can identify animals, objects or diagnose medical conditions from images. However, they sometimes make mistakes that humans rarely do. For instance, an AI algorithm might confidently label a photo of a dog wearing sunglasses as a completely different animal or fail to recognize a stop sign if it’s partially covered by graffiti. As these models become larger and more complex, these kinds of errors become more frequent, revealing a growing gap between how AI and humans perceive the world.

    Recognizing this challenge, researchers funded in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation propose to combine insights from psychology and neuroscience with machine learning to create the next generation of human-aligned AI. Their goal is to understand how people process visual information and translate those patterns into algorithms that guide AI systems to act in similar ways.

    The Click Me game plays a central role in this vision. In the game, participants click on parts of an image they believe will be most informative for the AI to recognize. The AI only sees the parts of the image that have been clicked. Therefore, players are encouraged to think strategically about the most informative parts of the image rather than clicking at random to maximize the AI’s learning.

    The AI-human alignment occurs at a later stage, during which the AI is trained to categorize images. In this “neural harmonization” procedure, the researchers force the AI to focus on the same image features that humans had identified — those clicked during the game — to make sure its visual recognition strategy aligns with that of humans.

    What makes this project especially remarkable is how successfully it has engaged the public. NSF funding has allowed the team to attract thousands of people to participate in Click Me, helping it gain attention across platforms like Reddit and Instagram, and generating tens of millions of interactions with the website to help train the AI model. This type of large-scale public participation allows the research team to rapidly collect data on how people perceive and evaluate visual information.

    At the same time, the team has also developed a new computational framework to train AI models using this kind of behavioral data. By aligning AI response times and choices with those of humans, the researchers can build systems that not only match what humans decide, but also how long they take to decide. This leads to a more natural and interpretable decision-making process.

    The practical applications of this work are wide-ranging. In medicine, for instance, doctors need to understand and trust the AI tools that assist with diagnoses. If AI systems can explain their conclusions in ways that match human reasoning, they become more reliable and easier to integrate into care. Similarly, in self-driving cars, AI that better understands how humans make visual decisions can help predict driver behavior and prevent accidents. Beyond these examples, human-aligned AI could improve accessibility tools, educational software and decision support across many industries. Importantly, this work also sheds light on how the human brain works. By emulating human vision in AI systems, the researchers have been able to develop more accurate models of human visual perception than were previously available.

    This initiative underscores why federal support for foundational research matters. Through NSF’s investment, researchers are advancing the science of AI and its relevance to society. The research not only pushes the boundaries of knowledge but also delivers practical tools that can improve the safety and reliability of the technologies we use daily.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Northstrive Biosciences Announces Initiation of Phase II of Collaboration to Develop AI Powered Therapies for Obesity and Cardiometabolic Diseases

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Northstrive Biosciences and Yuva Biosciences previously announced a collaboration leveraging MitoNova™, YuvaBio’s proprietary mitochondrial science-focused artificial intelligence platform, to discover and develop novel pharmaceutical treatments for obesity, type 2 diabetes and other cardiometabolic conditions.
    • Phase II of this collaboration involves compiling a selection of small molecule candidates that promote mitochondrial health in obesity and cardiac diseases.

    NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northstrive Biosciences Inc. (“Northstrive”), a subsidiary of PMGC Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ELAB) (the “Company,” “PMGC,” “we,” or “our”), today announced the initiation of Phase II of the AI Development Program with strategic partner Yuva Biosciences, Inc. (“YuvaBio”). As part of the Phase II objective, both companies will collaborate to leverage MitoNova™, YuvaBio’s AI mitochondrial science-focused artificial intelligence platform, to compile a selection of small molecule candidates that promote mitochondrial health in obesity and cardiac diseases.

    YuvaBio will use MitoNova™ to virtually screen a large-scale library of diverse, drug-like small molecules and predict which candidates are most likely to promote mitochondrial health. YuvaBio will then analyze results of this screen, including chemical and bioactivity properties, to highlight opportunities for biological validation. Then, YuvaBio will compile an initial list of synthetic compounds for muscle preservation and metabolic health.

    About Northstrive Biosciences Inc.

    Northstrive Biosciences Inc., a PMGC Holdings Inc. company, is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development and acquisition of cutting-edge aesthetic medicines. Northstrive Biosciences’ lead asset, EL-22, leverages an engineered probiotic approach to address obesity’s pressing issue of preserving muscle while on weight loss treatments, including GLP-1 receptor agonists. For more information, please visit www.northstrivebio.com.

    About PMGC Holdings Inc.

    PMGC Holdings Inc. is a diversified holding company that manages and grows its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, investments, and development across various industries. Currently, our portfolio consists of three wholly owned subsidiaries: Northstrive Biosciences Inc., PMGC Research Inc., and PMGC Capital LLC. We are committed to exploring opportunities in multiple sectors to maximize growth and value. For more information, please visit https://www.pmgcholdings.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Words such as “believes,” “expects,” “plans,” “potential,” “would” and “future” or similar expressions such as “look forward” are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, activities of regulators and future regulations and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. These and other risks are described more fully in PMGC Holdings’ filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2025, and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

    IR Contact:
    IR@pmgcholdings.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Lower revenues, pricier loans: how flooding in Europe affects firms and the financial system they depend on

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Serena Fatica, Principal Economist — Team Leader, Joint Research Centre (JRC)

    In Europe, the fastest-warming continent, the intensification of extreme weather events and changes in precipitation patterns have led to widespread and catastrophic flooding. Last year, storms and flooding affected an estimated 413,000 people, resulting in the loss of at least 335 lives. Material damage is estimated to amount to at least €18 billion, according to the 2024 European State of the Climate report from the Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization.


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    The flooding in October that hit southeastern Spain and the Valencia province in particular took the heaviest toll. Intense and prolonged rainfall and river flooding led to 232 fatalities, and infrastructure damage and economic losses totalled around €16.5 billion. More than seven months later, the local economy has rebounded, thanks in part to public aid packages worth 0.5% of the country’s GDP. However, in early May, the same part of Spain found itself exposed again to the disruptive consequences of climate change when extreme weather hit.

    The costs of flooding

    The direct costs from the damage to public infrastructure and private assets are only part of the economic losses originating from flooding. The indirect costs might not be immediately visible, but they are certainly not less significant. Business interruptions reduce firms’ revenue and cash flows, straining liquidity and, in the worst cases, threatening their survival. In addition, the increasing likelihood of future flooding may be priced into the valuation of assets and real estate in areas exposed to these types of climate risks. Firms impacted by climate-related hazards might find it difficult to pay back loans or bonds, or to raise finance as physical assets that can be pledged as collateral for bank credit lose value. Ultimately, this can affect the stability of the financial system.

    For these reasons, climate change is not just a long-term environmental issue, but a threat to our economy and financial systems now. Economists at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) have been conducting research to better understand how the links between the business sector and the financial system amplify its impact.

    A JRC study of flood events between 2007 and 2018 finds that flooding significantly worsened the performance of European firms. Manufacturers exposed to flooding experienced reductions in sales, number of employees and the value of their assets. These impacts occurred in the year following the flooding and tended to be persistent, with no clear signs of recovery seven years after the disaster. Some firms even went out of business. The study also finds that companies in flood-prone areas were better able to weather the shock than businesses exposed to less frequent flooding. This is consistent with the fact that adaptation and protection measures reduce the impacts of flooding.

    Threats to smaller firms

    Water damage is particularly disruptive for companies that are highly indebted. A second JRC study zooms in on the mechanisms whereby financing choices, and reliance on bank loans in particular, amplify the impact of climate change. This study focuses on loans extended to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Italy, Spain and Belgium between 2008 and 2019. It was motivated by the idea that smaller firms, which are more financially fragile than larger ones, might also be more vulnerable to the localised impact of climate-related hazards, not least because of their limited capacity to geographically diversify their operations and access market-based finance. The study shows that flood episodes under analysis strained SMEs’ ability to meet their debt obligations. Flooded firms were more likely to incur delays in servicing their loans and eventually fail to repay them, even two years after the disaster.

    In turn, this entails losses for the banks that finance these firms. In general, if banks anticipate the impact of flooding on business operations, they could be expected to divert lending toward safer borrowers or charge a higher interest rate on credit extended to at-risk firms. Indeed, the study finds evidence that prospective flood risk is priced into new loans. In the period under analysis, the “flood risk premium” was especially high for loans to smaller firms and for those granted by local, specialised banks, both of which tend to have geographically concentrated activities that are more exposed to disaster impacts. Loans to borrowers exposed to high flood risk were 12 percent more expensive, all things being equal.

    Thus, flooding causes worse financial conditions for businesses and exposes the banking sector to losses on their loan portfolios. The numbers can be staggering: days after the October 2024 flooding, the Spanish Central Bank said that banks’ exposure in the affected areas would total €20 billion, with €13 billion in household loans and €7 billion in business loans (60% to SMEs), impacting 23,000 companies and 472,000 individuals.

    With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe, the direct and indirect costs of climate change are projected to increase, unevenly affecting households, firms and territories across Europe. Increasing investments in adaptation, eg in flood defence, and closing the climate insurance protection gap – the uninsured portion of economic losses caused by natural hazards – are crucial to increase the resilience of our economies and financial systems and preserve the wellbeing of our societies. The complex structure of investment incentives calls for a multilayered approach, with a mix of private and public funding and risk-sharing mechanisms.

    Serena Fatica ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possède pas de parts, ne reçoit pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’a déclaré aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche.

    – ref. Lower revenues, pricier loans: how flooding in Europe affects firms and the financial system they depend on – https://theconversation.com/lower-revenues-pricier-loans-how-flooding-in-europe-affects-firms-and-the-financial-system-they-depend-on-258755

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Israeli aggression and Iranian nuclear brinkmanship made this confrontation all but inevitable

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Matthew Moran, Professor of International Security, King’s College London

    In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched its largest-ever attack on Iran. Airstrikes involving more than 200 aircraft targeted nuclear and missile facilities, as well as key figures in the Iranian military and nuclear programme leadership. The attack, codenamed “Operation Rising Lion”, appears to have been supported on the ground by Israeli agents operating drones positioned deep within Iranian territory.

    In one sense, this attack has been a long time coming. Over the past 15 years, Israel has repeatedly threatened to attack Iran, arguing that Tehran harbours nuclear weapons aspirations that pose an existential threat to the Israeli state. Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said as much in a televised address announcing the same-day military operation in which he placed the nuclear issue front and centre: “We struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear weaponisation program.” But why has Israel chosen to act now?

    Clearly, we are looking at a dynamic situation from the outside in, but there are some important points worth considering. First, events over the past 12 months or so have undermined Iran’s ability to deter adversaries, which has left the regime exposed. Israel’s response to an Iranian missile attack in October, for example, seriously degraded Iran’s air defences as well as missile production capabilities. This created weaknesses that Israel has since exploited in its renewed military campaign.

    Looking more broadly, the fallout from the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel has decimated the proxies that Iran spent decades cultivating in the Middle East. The brutal war in Gaza has decimated Hamas, while to the north, Hezbollah is severely degraded after its own 14-month war with Israel.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Add to this the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, and it is clear that Iran’s so called “axis of resistance”, a key pillar of the country’s deterrence posture, is now a dramatically reduced force. Israel has been emboldened by these events. It now clearly sees a unique opportunity to further degrade a major adversary – and potentially bring about regime change.

    What’s more, Iran’s nuclear programme has continued to advance since Donald Trump withdrew the US in 2018 from the joint comprehensive plan of action (JCPOA). This was the 2015 deal negotiated during Barack Obama’s presidency that rolled back the country’s nuclear capabilities in return for a relaxation of harsh sanctions against Iran.

    In March, the Washington-based – but non-partisan – Institute for Science and International Security reported that Iran could convert its current stock of 60% enriched uranium into enough weapons-grade uranium for seven nuclear weapons at the Fordow fuel enrichment plant. This could be done in as little as three weeks.

    At the same time, the US director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, told the Senate intelligence committee on March 27 that the intelligence community “continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon”.

    So this raises the question of whether the Israeli government had intelligence that the Iranians were moving forward with weaponisation. It is possible that Iran was preparing to make a dash for the bomb, crossing an Israeli red line and triggering action – although there is currently no evidence to support this theory. What is clear, however, is that Iran’s brinkmanship around its effort to hedge its bets on a nuclear option meant it was always operating in a dangerous space.

    Was the Israeli attack inevitable?

    At first sight, the answer to this seems obvious. For years now, Israel has been very clear that it will not accept a nuclear armed Iran. Yet Tehran has insisted on a nuclear programme that appears to go well beyond what is required for civil nuclear purposes. On June 12, the International Atomic Energy Agency declared that Iran was not complying with its nuclear safeguards obligations.

    By most estimates, Iran is not far from the bomb and Israel has finally taken action – ostensibly on this basis.

    Had Iran curbed its nuclear advancement and continued to comply with its IAEA obligations, Israel would have found it more challenging to justify any military action politically. In the same vein, if Iran had made quicker and greater progress in its nuclear talks with the Trump administration on reaching some form of new deal, this would also have made it more difficult for Israel to act.

    The combination of the IAEA declaration and the lack of acceptable progress in talks with the US clearly influenced Israeli decision making. So why did the Iranian regime not take more concrete steps in this direction?

    Iran’s nuclear ‘hedging’

    The answer goes to the heart of Iran’s deterrence posture. Alongside its conventional forces and its infamous axis of resistance, Iran has sought to leverage its nuclear programme for influence.

    Nearly ten years ago, we argued that Iran was engaged in a strategy of “nuclear hedging”. The value of this approach lies in the potential for a state to position itself relatively close to the bomb without incurring all the negative – including potentially military – consequences of a fully-fledged nuclear weapons programme, where the goal is to cross the threshold as quickly as possible.

    Yet hedging is a delicate balancing act that requires plausible deniability of weapons intent. A step too far can undermine any idea that the nuclear development is for civilian use, instead inviting military intervention.

    Conversely, too few steps towards a credible breakout capability and hedging has little value. For any coercive or deterrent benefit to be obtained, a state must be perceived by others as relatively close to having the bomb.

    With the deterioration of Iran’s regional power over the past year, the value to Tehran of its nuclear programme has become much greater. This may help to explain why Iran did not take firm steps to reduce external concerns about its nuclear intentions.

    Tehran is likely to have factored the cost of being seen to give in to external pressure on its nuclear programme. At home there is the risk that the regime’s hold on power could be weakened by capitulation to external pressure from the US, and Israel in particular. Regionally, the power costs would include losing valuable influence over other states across the Middle East.

    At the same time, the US government has changed its stance since the JCPOA deal was struck during Obama’s presidency in 2015, allowing Iran some small degree of enrichment capacity. The first Trump administration pulled the US out of the JCPOA in 2018 depicting it as a flawed agreement.

    In Donald Trump’s second term, his administration has continued to take a hard line, pushing for Iran to give up enrichment. From an Iranian perspective, the benefits of rolling back its capabilities failed to materialise.

    This is a rapidly evolving situation. But even at this early stage, this case demonstrates clearly the risks associated with Iran’s strategy of nuclear hedging.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Israeli aggression and Iranian nuclear brinkmanship made this confrontation all but inevitable – https://theconversation.com/israeli-aggression-and-iranian-nuclear-brinkmanship-made-this-confrontation-all-but-inevitable-259024

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Israel’s air strength is giving it a free hand over Iran

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Matthew Powell, Teaching Fellow in Strategic and Air Power Studies, University of Portsmouth

    Israel says it quickly gained air superiority over the Iranian capital, Tehran. Luciano Santandreu / Shutterstock

    Israel’s initial attack on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, alongside its assassination of top military officials and nuclear scientists, on June 13 has been followed by days of escalating strikes. Iran threatened “severe punishment” and quickly launched what were, in relative terms, smaller-scale missile attacks against Israeli territory.

    Israel’s military then expanded its assault on Iran, with the Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, saying “Tehran will burn” if Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, “continues to fire missiles at the Israeli home front”. Israel hit dozens of targets in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on June 15, and has since issued evacuation orders for significant areas of the city.

    The exchange of attacks has put the varying military and defensive capabilities of Israel and Iran on stark display. In particular, it appears that Israel has been able to exercise a high degree of air superiority over Iran.

    Israel was able to use more than 200 manned aircraft in its initial attack, with its air force reportedly suffering zero casualties. Within 48 hours of starting the conflict, Israel said it had gained control of the skies above Tehran.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    This superiority has largely been gained through concerted efforts over the past year to destroy or degrade Iran’s air defence systems. In October 2024, for example, Israeli strikes targeted air defences protecting Iranian oil and gas facilities as well as those defending sites linked to Tehran’s nuclear programme and ballistic missile production.

    With a weakened air defence system, the Iranian military has been less able to prevent missile attacks and Israeli aircraft from entering its air space. This has given the Israeli military greater freedom of action in terms of the targets it chooses to attack – and greater freedom of choice when planning operations.

    Israeli aircraft have been dropping bombs from within Iran, instead of relying on long-range missiles. Iran, on the other hand, has been restricted to using its arsenal of missiles to strike Israel from distance.

    Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, made reference to the strategic importance of this aerial superiority on June 16. While confirming evacuation orders for the Iranian capital, he said: “The Israeli air force controls the skies over Tehran. This changes the entire campaign.”

    Netanyahu later did not rule out killing Khamenei, saying it would “end the conflict”. Katz repeated the threat the following day, warning Khamenei of a “fate similar to Saddam Hussein”.

    Iran has been far less effective than Israel in its response – which is no great surprise. Israel says it has destroyed “one-third” of the surface-to-surface missile launchers possessed by Iran. And the majority of the missiles and drones that have been fired by Iran into Israeli territory have been intercepted before striking their targets.

    But the strength of Israel’s so-called iron dome air defence system has, somewhat counter-intuitively, also offered Iran some advantages. In order to maintain the Iranian regime’s own internal security and stability, as well as its wider political aims of being a regional power, Tehran had to respond with a certain level of force.

    However, Iran is also fully aware of the protection the iron dome provides to the Israeli population. The Iranian government will still be able to point to the few missiles and drones that have reached their target, and the destruction they have caused, as evidence that it is able to project its power beyond its own borders and respond in the face of aggressive Israeli action.

    It is able to do so in the knowledge that the level of destruction and deaths of Israeli civilians, which so far stands at around 24 people, will be limited to such a degree that any further escalation by Israel will be seen as unjustified by the wider international community.

    However, as the destruction and death toll rises, it will become harder for either government to follow this path of logic. Iran has already criticised the Israeli military’s claim that it has conducted strikes in a precise manner and only against military targets, reporting that over 200 civilians have been killed in the strikes.

    It is here where mistakes and missteps could see events spiral out of control. This may lead to a wider and larger-scale conflict that neither side wants but is unable to prevent occurring. Iran, for its part, is reportedly signalling that it is seeking an end to hostilities and the resumption of talks over its nuclear programme.

    Wider consequences

    If the conflict does escalate, Israel will probably target Iranian military production facilities. The Israeli military has already issued a warning on social media, telling the Iranian people to stay away from all weapons manufacturing facilities.

    Other targets may include nuclear installations – though at least one, the heavily fortified Fordow nuclear site in central Iran, will not be targeted. Fordow is hidden in a mountain, with centrifuges located possibly as deep as 80 metres underground.

    Only the US military has the hardware capable of reaching this facility, so attacking the site would require US intervention. This is something the current Washington administration has proved reluctant to do, so far.

    But any escalation could have ramifications beyond the Middle East. Iran has supplied Shahed-type drones to Russia for use in its war in Ukraine, with them becoming a key part of Russia’s military strategy. However, Russia is now largely producing its own supplies of Shahed drones internally.

    A much more likely effect is the prolonging of the war in Ukraine as international attention shifts to de-escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The international community has focused on trying to prevent further attacks, with the US president, Donald Trump, advocating for talks rather than more strikes.

    On June 15, Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social: “Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make.” Whether Israel and Iran take heed of his request will become clear over the coming days and weeks.

    Matthew Powell does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Israel’s air strength is giving it a free hand over Iran – https://theconversation.com/israels-air-strength-is-giving-it-a-free-hand-over-iran-259073

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Could faecal transplants cause long-term health problems?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Georgios Efthimiou, Lecturer in Microbiology, University of Hull

    Getting ready to make some poo pills. microgen/Shutterstock.com

    Keeping a healthy mix of friendly microbes in the gut – known as eubiosis – is crucial for good health. When that delicate balance is thrown off – often by antibiotics, diet or illness – the result can be a range of issues, from digestive problems to more serious conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and even neurological and metabolic disorders.

    One increasingly popular way to try to restore gut health is through faecal microbiota transplantation. This involves taking stool from a healthy person, isolating the beneficial microbes and putting them in a capsule (jokingly referred to as “crapsules” or “poo pills”). The hope is that the beneficial microbes in the pill will establish themselves in the patient’s gut, thereby improving microbial diversity and function.

    Faecal transplants have been used to treat a wide array of conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

    Although generally viewed as safe and effective, a new international study published in the journal Cell has raised some concerns. The scientists found that when the donor’s microbes do not properly match the recipient’s gut environment – a situation they describe as a “mismatch” – the treatment can disrupt the body’s metabolic and immune systems, possibly with long-lasting consequences.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    The term “mismatch” comes from the world of organ transplants, where the recipient’s body rejects the donor organ. In this case, the problem is that microbes from the donor’s large intestine may not be suitable for other parts of the recipient’s gut, especially the small intestine, where the microbial makeup is very different.

    To test this, researchers gave antibiotics to mice to disturb their natural gut microbes, then treated them with faecal transplants. They also tried transplanting microbes specifically from different parts of the small intestine. The mice were monitored for one to three months to track changes.

    A diverse microbiome is critical for wellbeing.
    Helena Nechaeva/Shutterstock.com

    Wrong microbes in the wrong place

    They found that faecal transplants often led to regional mismatches – the wrong microbes ending up in the wrong place. This altered the mix and behaviour of the gut microbes in unexpected ways, disrupting energy balance and other functions.

    Biopsies from the gut and liver showed significant, lasting changes in how certain genes – particularly those linked to metabolism and immunity – were being expressed.

    The study did not specify exactly what kind of health issues might result from these genetic shifts. But the researchers are urging doctors to take greater care when using faecal transplants, particularly when it comes to dose, timing and possible side-effects.

    There may, however, be a better way forward. A newer method known as the “omni microbial approach” involves transferring microbes from all parts of the intestine, not just the colon. This could help recreate a more balanced and natural gut environment, avoiding the local mismatches seen in standard faecal transplants.

    There is also growing interest in techniques that aim to “terraform” the gut: deliberately reshaping specific regions with carefully selected microbes to restore normal function.

    This new research has certainly sparked debate around the safety of faecal transplants. But with alternative approaches already being developed, there is real hope that the benefits of gut-based treatments can still be delivered, without the risks.

    Georgios Efthimiou does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Could faecal transplants cause long-term health problems? – https://theconversation.com/could-faecal-transplants-cause-long-term-health-problems-258643

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Declining soil health is a global concern – here’s how AI could help

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Nima Shokri, Professor, Applied Engineering, United Nations University

    The arid Loess plateau landscape of northern China. yang1498/Shutterstock

    One-third of the Earth’s land surface is already degraded. The UN estimates that more than 2.6 billion people are harmed by land degradation, with countries losing up to US$10.6 trillion (£7.8 trillion) a year because of damage to “ecosystem services”, including the benefits people get from nature such as water and food.

    Unhealthy soil is a major contributor to land degradation. This can lead to loss of biodiversity, harm plants and animals, cause sand and dust storms and affect crop yields.

    These consequences affect the regulation of the planet’s climate and water cycle, socioeconomic activities, food security and forced migration of people.

    Emerging smart technologies such as artificial intelligence, satellite remote sensing and big data analysis offer a chance to protect our soils. These tools can help track soil health in real time. This will support farmers, landowners, government agencies and local communities in making better decisions to care for the soil.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    As a professor of geo-hydroinformatics – a field that combines geoscience, hydrology and information technology – my research focuses on using AI, algorithms and advanced modelling tools to better analyse and predict soil health.

    My team and I have developed the first global map of soil salinisation (accumulation of salt in soil) under various climate scenarios using AI-powered techniques. Soil salinisation is one of the leading contributors to soil degradation and can happen naturally or because of human activities, such as using salty irrigation water or poor drainage systems.

    With increasing climate uncertainty, our models help identify regions most vulnerable to salinisation. Our AI-driven analysis predicts that by the year 2100, dryland regions in South America, southern and western Australia, Mexico, the southwestern US and South Africa will be key hotspots of soil salinisation.

    In another key study, we used satellite data, AI and big data tools to investigate the interaction between soil salinity and soil organic carbon – an important part of healthy soil that stores nutrients, holds water and supports plants.

    Part of this analysis revealed a general negative correlation between salinity levels and soil organic carbon content. As salinity increased, we found that the soil organic carbon content tended to decrease.

    Our two studies underscore the transformative potential of AI technologies and big data analytics in understanding soil degradation. With a deeper understanding, land can be better managed through more effective mitigation policies and sustainable land use planning.

    Restoration at scale

    Large-scale land restoration can transform degraded soils. In the Loess plateau in China, centuries of deforestation and unsustainable farming have led to significant ecological challenges. Loess soils (a type not limited to this location in China, formed essentially by the accumulation of wind-blown dust) are easily eroded because they are made up of fine and loose particles.

    Degradation here has led to more frequent floods, droughts and dust storms because soil degradation is often associated with compaction. This reduces the ability of soil to absorb and hold water.

    In the 1990s, this prompted the Chinese government to invest in reforestation and sustainable agriculture. This led to the landmark Loess plateau watershed rehabilitation project, with the main goal of boosting farming and incomes on 15,600km² of land in the Yellow River’s tributary area. The total project cost of US$150 million, partly funded by the World Bank, was approved in 1994.

    Elsewhere, in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, the EthioTrees project was launched in 2016 to tackle land degradation through community-based reforestation, enclosures to limit grazing, and reinvestment of funds generated through climate finance mechanisms.

    Tree planting and other efforts have transformed the Tigray region of Ethiopia into a more fertile landscape.
    Jon Duncan/Shutterstock

    Despite challenges including drought and limited financial resources, these large-scale restoration projects have transformed the landscape and lives of people living there.

    But the Loess plateau and Tigray projects have been complex and expensive. A lot of coordination between people across huge regions and in different sectors is required to ensure a successful, integrated approach. AI can take these successful but resource-intensive restoration efforts and help scale them up.

    I’m also involved with a European Commission-funded project called AI4SoilHealth, which aims to advance the use of AI to monitor and quantify soil health across Europe. This project shows how data-driven initiatives can support more sustainable land management policies by providing timely, actionable information to governments, farmers and other stakeholders such as landowners, agribusiness companies and local communities.

    By integrating satellite imagery with accurate data about soil properties in different locations, AI can help develop robust, scalable models that cross local boundaries. Knowing where best to invest money, resources and effort in scaling up soil health solutions will help protect people, businesses and ecosystems from extreme events in the future.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Nima Shokri receives funding from European Commission for the AI4SoilHealth project.

    – ref. Declining soil health is a global concern – here’s how AI could help – https://theconversation.com/declining-soil-health-is-a-global-concern-heres-how-ai-could-help-258847

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI: MKS Named in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Companies to Work For

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANDOVER, Mass., June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) (“MKS”), a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, was again recognized by U.S. News & World Report (“U.S. News”) as one of the 2025-2026 Best Companies to Work For. MKS was rated as a top company in the Manufacturing and Agriculture Industries category based on factors contributing to job seekers’ decision-making when choosing a workplace that best meets their needs.

    “Receiving this prestigious recognition for the third consecutive year is a testament to the innovative work we do and the supportive organizational climate we have cultivated,” said John T.C. Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer at MKS. “Our success rests on our ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals who are committed to advancing technology and serving as invaluable partners to our customers. We are grateful for this acknowledgement of our efforts to provide engaging and meaningful careers for our employees.”

    U.S. News’ ratings reflect the evolving sentiments that factor into employee decision-making when choosing the “best” company to work for. The ratings then analyze that sentiment against other factors, including quality of pay and benefits, work-life balance and flexibility, job and company stability, physical and psychological comfort, belongingness and esteem, and career opportunities and professional development.

    “Choosing a company to establish yourself or advance your career is a crucial decision for anyone,” said Carly Chase, Vice President of Careers at U.S. News & World Report. “The 2025-2026 list features companies that excelled across various metrics, contributing to a positive work environment and the daily employee experience.”

    To calculate the annual U.S. News Best Companies to Work For list, U.S. News only considered the largest 5,000 publicly traded companies as of January 2025 that had more than 75 Glassdoor reviews written between 2021-2025. Relevant data, including employee sentiment and regulatory enforcement data, was gathered from partners Revelio Labs, Good Jobs First’s Violation Tracker and QUODD to calculate the six metrics used in the list. For further details on how the metric scores were calculated, see the methodology.

    For more information on the Best Companies to Work For, review the FAQs and explore Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) using #BCTWF.

    About MKS Inc.
    MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) enables technologies that transform our world. We deliver foundational technology solutions to leading edge semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications. We apply our broad science and engineering capabilities to create instruments, subsystems, systems, process control solutions and specialty chemicals technology that improve process performance, optimize productivity and enable unique innovations for many of the world’s leading technology and industrial companies. Our solutions are critical to addressing the challenges of miniaturization and complexity in advanced device manufacturing by enabling increased power, speed, feature enhancement, and optimized connectivity. Our solutions are also critical to addressing ever-increasing performance requirements across a wide array of specialty industrial applications. Additional information can be found at www.mks.com.

    About U.S. News & World Report
    U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.

    Contacts:

    Bill Casey
    Vice President, Marketing
    Telephone: +1 (630) 995-6384
    Email: press@mksinst.com

    Kelly Kerry, Partner
    Kekst CNC
    Email: kerry.kelly@kekstcnc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MKS Named in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Companies to Work For

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANDOVER, Mass., June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) (“MKS”), a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, was again recognized by U.S. News & World Report (“U.S. News”) as one of the 2025-2026 Best Companies to Work For. MKS was rated as a top company in the Manufacturing and Agriculture Industries category based on factors contributing to job seekers’ decision-making when choosing a workplace that best meets their needs.

    “Receiving this prestigious recognition for the third consecutive year is a testament to the innovative work we do and the supportive organizational climate we have cultivated,” said John T.C. Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer at MKS. “Our success rests on our ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals who are committed to advancing technology and serving as invaluable partners to our customers. We are grateful for this acknowledgement of our efforts to provide engaging and meaningful careers for our employees.”

    U.S. News’ ratings reflect the evolving sentiments that factor into employee decision-making when choosing the “best” company to work for. The ratings then analyze that sentiment against other factors, including quality of pay and benefits, work-life balance and flexibility, job and company stability, physical and psychological comfort, belongingness and esteem, and career opportunities and professional development.

    “Choosing a company to establish yourself or advance your career is a crucial decision for anyone,” said Carly Chase, Vice President of Careers at U.S. News & World Report. “The 2025-2026 list features companies that excelled across various metrics, contributing to a positive work environment and the daily employee experience.”

    To calculate the annual U.S. News Best Companies to Work For list, U.S. News only considered the largest 5,000 publicly traded companies as of January 2025 that had more than 75 Glassdoor reviews written between 2021-2025. Relevant data, including employee sentiment and regulatory enforcement data, was gathered from partners Revelio Labs, Good Jobs First’s Violation Tracker and QUODD to calculate the six metrics used in the list. For further details on how the metric scores were calculated, see the methodology.

    For more information on the Best Companies to Work For, review the FAQs and explore Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) using #BCTWF.

    About MKS Inc.
    MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) enables technologies that transform our world. We deliver foundational technology solutions to leading edge semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications. We apply our broad science and engineering capabilities to create instruments, subsystems, systems, process control solutions and specialty chemicals technology that improve process performance, optimize productivity and enable unique innovations for many of the world’s leading technology and industrial companies. Our solutions are critical to addressing the challenges of miniaturization and complexity in advanced device manufacturing by enabling increased power, speed, feature enhancement, and optimized connectivity. Our solutions are also critical to addressing ever-increasing performance requirements across a wide array of specialty industrial applications. Additional information can be found at www.mks.com.

    About U.S. News & World Report
    U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.

    Contacts:

    Bill Casey
    Vice President, Marketing
    Telephone: +1 (630) 995-6384
    Email: press@mksinst.com

    Kelly Kerry, Partner
    Kekst CNC
    Email: kerry.kelly@kekstcnc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Guaranteed Rate Affinity Appoints Linda Vo as Regional Manager in North Texas

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Guaranteed Rate Affinity, a leading mortgage provider offering unparalleled lending services through its partnership with Coldwell Banker, has appointed Linda Vo as Regional Manager in North Texas, highlighting the company’s commitment to expanding its reach in a key growth market.

    Vo brings more than 20 years of experience across nearly every corner of the mortgage industry, including wholesale, loan origination, sales management, REO loan servicing, corporate strategy, and business development. Her wide-ranging expertise, coupled with her passion for team building and relationship management, makes her a natural fit to lead Guaranteed Rate Affinity’s growth and recruiting efforts across North Texas.

    “After being in this industry for over two decades, I have learned that you can find work anywhere, but very few places offer a place where you feel welcomed, supported, and like-minded—a workplace that feels like a home,” said Vo. “I feel like I have come home to Guaranteed Rate Affinity. I am among my people with growth mindset individuals.”

    In her new role, Vo will focus on empowering loan officers to own their markets while scaling the company’s presence and recruiting efforts throughout the region. She joins Guaranteed Rate Affinity during a time of strategic expansion and culture-focused leadership development.

    “Linda’s extensive professional background, combined with her industry expertise and passion, makes her the ideal leader to attract the best-of-the-best talent that aligns with our culture,” said Dave Dickey, President and Chief Production Officer at Guaranteed Rate Affinity. “I’ve had the good fortune of being teammates with Linda and have known her for over 20 years. I’ve seen her remarkable work ethic, positive mindset, and genuine enthusiasm for the mortgage industry firsthand, all of which make her a natural fit at Guaranteed Rate Affinity. I can’t wait to see Linda fuel our continued growth and empower our loan officers to own their markets.”

    Vo holds an MBA from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business and a bachelor of science in international business from Oklahoma City University. She earned her Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation from the Mortgage Bankers Association in 2022 and received her John Maxwell Team Certificate in 2018. A longtime leader in the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), Vo has been an active member of the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter since 2014 and served as its president in 2024.

    About Guaranteed Rate Affinity

    Guaranteed Rate Affinity is a joint venture between Guaranteed Rate, Inc. and Anywhere Integrated Services (NYSE: HOUS), which owns some of the industry’s most recognized and respected real estate brands. The innovative JV has funded over $100 billion in loans since its inception. Guaranteed Rate Affinity originates and markets its mortgage lending services to Anywhere’s real estate, brokerage, and relocation subsidiaries.

    Guaranteed Rate Affinity provides unmatched support to Anywhere brokers coast-to-coast, ensuring their customers receive fast pre-approvals, appraisals, and loan closings, creating the ability for buyers to move quickly and confidently when purchasing homes in today’s competitive market. The company also provides the same services to the public and other real estate brokerage and relocation companies across the country—helping employers improve their employees’ relocation experience by prioritizing customer service, digital mortgage ease, and competitive rates.

    Disclosures: Guaranteed Rate owns a controlling 50.1% stake in Guaranteed Rate Affinity, and Anywhere owns 49.9%. Availability of reverse mortgage products varies by state and may not be offered in all areas. Contact a Guaranteed Rate Affinity loan officer for details on current state availability.

    Visit grarate.com for more information.

    Media Contact:
    press@rate.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: When developing countries band together, lifesaving drugs become cheaper and easier to buy − with trade-offs

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Lucy Xiaolu Wang, Assistant Professor, Department of Resource Economics, UMass Amherst

    Pooling procurement of drugs could increase the availability of essential treatments around the globe. narvo vexar/iStock via Getty Images Plus

    Procuring lifesaving drugs is a daunting challenge in many low- and middle-income countries. Essential treatments are often neither available nor affordable in these nations, even decades after the drugs entered the market.

    Prospective buyers from these countries face a patent thicket, where a single drug may be covered by hundreds of patents. This makes it costly and legally difficult to secure licensing rights for manufacturing.

    These buyers also face a complex and often fragile supply chain. Many major pharmaceutical firms have little incentive to sell their products in unprofitable markets. Quality assurance adds another layer of complexity, with substandard and counterfeit drugs widespread in many of these countries.

    Organizations such as the United Nations-backed Medicines Patent Pool have effectively increased the supply of generic versions of patented drugs. But the problems go beyond patents or manufacturing – how medicines are bought are also crucially important. Buyers for low- and middle-income countries are often health ministries and community organizations on tight budgets that have to negotiate with sellers that may have substantial market power and far more experience.

    We are economists who study how to increase access to drugs across the globe. Our research found that while pooling orders for essential medicines can help drive down costs and ensure a steady supply to low- and middle-income countries, there are trade-offs that require flexibility and early planning to address.

    Understanding these trade-offs can help countries better prepare for future health emergencies and treat chronic conditions.

    Pooled procurement reduces drug costs

    One strategy low-income countries are increasingly adopting to improve treatment access is “pooled procurement.” That’s when multiple buyers coordinate purchases to strengthen their collective bargaining power and reduce prices for essential medicines. For example, pooling can help buyers meet the minimum batch size requirements some suppliers impose that countries purchasing individually may not satisfy.

    Compared with decentralized procurement, pooled procurement eases transactions by connecting buyers and sellers in groups.
    Lucy Xiaolu Wang and Nahim Bin Zahur, CC BY-NC-ND

    Countries typically rely on four models for pooled drug procurement:

    • One method, called decentralized procurement, involves buyers purchasing directly from manufacturers.

    • Another method, called international pooled procurement, involves going through international institutions such as the Global Fund’s Pooled Procurement Mechanism or the United Nations.

    • Countries may also purchase prescription drugs through their own central medical stores, which are government-run or semi-autonomous agencies that procure, store and distribute medicines on behalf of national health systems. This method is called centralized domestic procurement.

    • Finally, countries can also go through independent nonprofits, foundations, nongovernmental organizations and private wholesalers.

    We wanted to understand how different procurement methods affect the cost of and time it takes to deliver drugs for HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, because those three infectious diseases account for a large share of deaths and cases worldwide. So we analyzed over 39,000 drug procurement transactions across 106 countries between 2007 and 2017 that were funded by the Global Fund, the largest multilateral funder of HIV/AIDS programs worldwide.

    We found that pooled procurement through international institutions reduced prices by 13% to 20% compared with directly buying from drug manufacturers. Smaller buyers and those purchasing drugs produced by only a small number of manufacturers saw the greatest savings. In comparison, purchasing through domestic pooling offered less consistent savings, with larger buyers seeing greater price advantages.

    The Global Fund and the United Nations were especially effective at lowering the prices of older, off-patent drugs.

    Trade-offs with pooled procurements

    Cost savings from pooled drug procurement may come with trade-offs.

    While the Global Fund reduced unexpected delivery delays by 28%, it required buyers to place orders much earlier. This results in longer anticipated procurement lead time between ordering and delivery – an average of 114 days more than that of direct purchases. In contrast, domestic pooled procurement shortened lead times by over a month.

    Our results suggest a core tension: Pooled procurement improves prices and reliability but can reduce flexibility. Organizations that facilitate pooled procurement tend to prioritize medicines that can be bought at high volume, limiting the availability of other types of drugs. Additionally, the longer lead times may not be suitable for emergency situations.

    With the spread of COVID-19, several large armed conflicts and tariff wars, governments have become increasingly aware of the fragility of the global supply chain. Some countries, such as Kenya, have sought to reduce their dependence on international pooling since 2005 by investing in domestic procurement.

    But a shift toward domestic self-sufficiency is a slow and difficult process due to challenges with quality assurance and large-scale manufacturing. It may also weaken international pooled systems, which rely on broad participation to negotiate better terms with suppliers.

    Scaling up drug production in low-income countries can be difficult.
    Rafiq Maqbool/AP Photo

    Interestingly, we found little evidence that international pooled procurement influences pricing for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, a major purchaser of HIV treatments for developing countries. PEPFAR-eligible products do not appear to benefit more from international pooled procurement than noneligible ones.

    However, domestic procurement institutions were able to secure lower prices for PEPFAR-eligible products. This suggests that the presence of a large donor such as PEPFAR can cut costs, particularly when countries manage procurement internally.

    USAID cuts and global drug access

    While international organizations such as the Medicines Patent Pool and the Global Fund can address upstream barriers such as patents and procurement in the global drug supply chain, other institutions are essential for ensuring that medicines actually reach patients.

    The U.S. Agency for International Development had played a significant role in delivering HIV treatment abroad through PEPFAR. The Trump administration’s decision in February 2025 to cut over 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts amounted to a US$60 billion reduction in overall U.S. assistance globally. An estimated hundreds of thousands of deaths are already happening, and millions more will likely die.

    The World Health Organization warned that eight countries, including Haiti, Kenya, Nigeria and Ukraine, could soon run out of HIV treatments due to these aid cuts. In South Africa, HIV services have already been scaled back, with reports of mass layoffs of health workers and HIV clinic closures. These downstream cracks can undercut the gains from efforts to make procuring drugs more accessible if the drugs can’t reach patients.

    Because HIV, tuberculosis and malaria often share the same treatment infrastructure – including drug procurement and distribution networks, laboratory systems, data collection, health workers and community-based services – disruption in the management of one disease can ripple across the others. Researchers have warned of a broader unraveling of progress across these infectious diseases, describing the fallout as a potential “bloodbath” in the global HIV response.

    Research shows that supporting access to treatments around the world doesn’t just save lives abroad. It also helps prevent the next global health crisis from reaching America’s doorstep.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. When developing countries band together, lifesaving drugs become cheaper and easier to buy − with trade-offs – https://theconversation.com/when-developing-countries-band-together-lifesaving-drugs-become-cheaper-and-easier-to-buy-with-trade-offs-255383

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Companies haven’t stopped hiring, but they’re more cautious, according to the 2025 College Hiring Outlook Report

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Murugan Anandarajan, Professor of Decision Sciences and Management Information Systems, Drexel University

    Recent college grads face a tough job market in 2025, but employers are still hiring. sturti/E+ via Getty Images

    Every year, I tell my students in my business analytics class the same thing: “Don’t just apply for a job. Audition for it.”

    This advice seems particularly relevant this year. In today’s turbulent economy, companies are still hiring, but they’re doing it a bit more carefully. More places are offering candidates short-term work experiences like internships and co-op programs in order to evaluate them before making them full-time offers.

    This is just one of the findings of the 2025 College Hiring Outlook Report. This annual report tracks trends in the job market and offers valuable insights for both job seekers and employers. It is based on a national survey conducted in September 2024, with responses from 1,322 employers spanning all major industries and company sizes, from small firms to large enterprises. The survey looks at employer perspectives on entry-level hiring trends, skills demand and talent development strategies.

    I am a professor of information systems at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business in Philadelphia, and I co-authored this report along with a team of colleagues at the Center for Career Readiness.

    Here’s what we found:

    Employers are rethinking talent pipelines

    Only 21% of the 1,322 employers we surveyed rated the current college hiring market as “excellent” or “very good,” which is a dramatic drop from 61% in 2023. This indicates that companies are becoming increasingly cautious about how they recruit and select new talent.

    While confidence in full-time hiring has declined, employers are not stepping away from hiring altogether. Instead, they’re shifting to paid and unpaid internships, co-ops and contract-to-hire roles as a less risky route to identify talent and “de-risk” full-time hiring.

    Employers we surveyed described internships as a cost-effective talent pipeline, and 70% told us they plan to maintain or increase their co-op and intern hiring in 2025. At a time when many companies are tightening their belts, hiring someone who’s already proved themselves saves on onboarding reduces turnover and minimizes potentially costly mishires.

    For job seekers, this makes every internship or short-term role more than a foot in the door. It’s an extended audition. Even with the general market looking unstable, interest in co-op and internship programs appears steady, especially among recent graduates facing fewer full-time opportunities.

    These programs aren’t just about trying out a job. They let employers see if a candidate shows initiative, good judgment and the ability to work well on a team, which we found are traits employers value even more than technical skills.

    What employers want

    We found that employers increasingly prioritize self-management skills like adaptability, ethical reasoning and communication over technical skills such as digital literacy and cybersecurity. Employers are paying attention to how candidates behave during internships, how they take feedback, and whether they bring the mindset needed to grow with the company.

    This reflects what I have observed in classrooms and in conversations with hiring managers: Credentials matter, but what truly sets candidates apart is how they present themselves and what they contribute to a company.

    Based on co-op and internship data we’ve collected at Drexel, however, many students continue to believe that technical proficiency is the key to getting a job.

    In my opinion, this disconnect reveals a critical gap in expectations: While students focus on hard skills to differentiate themselves, employers are looking for the human skills that indicate long-term potential, resilience and professionalism. This is especially true in the face of economic uncertainty and the ambiguous, fast-changing nature of today’s workplace.

    Technology is changing how hiring happens

    Employers also told us that artificial intelligence is now central to how both applicants and employers navigate the hiring process.

    Some companies are increasingly using AI-powered platforms to transform their hiring processes. For example, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia uses platforms like HireVue to conduct asynchronous video interviews. HR-focused firms like Phenom and JJ Staffing Services also leverage technologies such as AI-based resume ranking, automated interview scheduling and one-way video assessments.

    Not only do these tools speed up the hiring process, but they also reshape how employers and candidates interact. In our survey, large employers said they are increasingly relying on AI tools like resume screeners and one-way video interviews to manage large numbers of job applicants. As a result, the candidate’s presence, clarity in communication and authenticity are being evaluated even before a human recruiter becomes involved.

    At the same time, job seekers are using generative AI tools to write cover letters, practice interviews or reformat resumes. These tools can help with preparation, but overreliance on them can backfire. Employers want authenticity, and many employers we surveyed mentioned they notice when applications seem overly robotic.

    In my experience as a professor, the key is teaching students to use AI to enhance their effort and not replace it. I encourage them to leverage AI tools but always emphasize that the final output and the impression it makes should reflect their own thinking and professionalism. The bottom line is that hiring is still a human decision, and the personal impression you make matters.

    This isn’t just about new grads

    While our research focuses on early-career hiring, these findings apply to other audiences as well, such as career changers, returning professionals and even mid-career workers. These workers are increasingly being evaluated on their adaptability, behavior and collaborative ability – not just their experience.

    Many companies now offer project-based assignments and trial roles that let them evaluate performance before making a permanent hire.

    At the same time, employers are investing in internal reskilling and upskilling programs. Reskilling refers to training workers for entirely new roles, often in response to job changes or automation, while upskilling means helping employees deepen their current skills to stay effective and advance in their existing roles. Our report indicates that approximately 88% of large companies now offer structured upskilling and reskilling programs. For job seekers and workers alike, staying competitive means taking the initiative and demonstrating a commitment to learning and growth.

    Show up early, and show up well

    So what can students, or anyone entering or reentering the workforce, do to prepare?

    • Start early. Don’t wait until senior year. First- and second-year internships are growing in importance.

    • Sharpen your soft skills. Communication, time management, problem-solving and ethical behavior are top priorities for employers.

    • Understand where work is happening. Over 50% of entry-level jobs are fully in-person. Only 4% are fully remote. Show up ready to engage.

    • Use AI strategically. It’s a useful tool for research and practice, not a shortcut to connection or clarity.

    • Stay curious. Most large employers now offer reskilling or upskilling opportunities – and they expect employees to take initiative.

    One of the clearest takeaways from this year’s report is that hiring is no longer a one-time decision. It’s a performance process that often begins before an interview is even scheduled.

    Whether you’re still in school, transitioning in your career or returning to the workforce after a break, the same principle applies: Every opportunity is an audition. Treat it like one.

    Murugan Anandarajan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Companies haven’t stopped hiring, but they’re more cautious, according to the 2025 College Hiring Outlook Report – https://theconversation.com/companies-havent-stopped-hiring-but-theyre-more-cautious-according-to-the-2025-college-hiring-outlook-report-257870

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: The hidden bias in college admissions tests: How standardized exams can favor privilege over potential

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Zarrina Talan Azizova, Associate Professor of Education, Health and Behavior, University of North Dakota

    At first glance, calls from members of Congress to restore academic merit in college admissions might sound like a neutral policy.

    In our view, these campaigns often cherry-pick evidence and mask a coordinated effort that targets access and diversity in American colleges.

    As scholars who study access to higher education, we have found that when these efforts are paired with pressure to reinstate standardized tests, they amount to a rollback of inclusive practices.

    A Department of Education letter sent to congressional offices from Feb. 14, 2025, stated that is “unlawful for an educational institution to eliminate standardized testing to achieve a desired racial balance or to increase racial diversity.” The letter also claimed that the most widely used admissions tests, the SAT and ACT, are objective measures of merit.

    In our recent peer-reviewed article, we analyzed more than 70 empirical studies about the SAT’s and ACT’s roles in college admissions. Our work found several flaws in how these exams function, especially for historically underserved students.

    Measuring college readiness

    Supporters of admissions tests contend that they are objective tools for measuring whether students are ready for college-level coursework.
    The Good Brigade/Digital Vision via Getty Images

    Several elite universities – including Yale, Dartmouth and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology – have reinstated SAT or ACT requirements, reversing test-optional policies that institutions expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    These changes have reignited debates about how well these tests measure students’ academic preparedness and how colleges should weigh them in admissions decisions.

    During a May 21, 2025, hearing of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development, some witnesses argued that using test scores allows colleges to admit students based on merit. Others maintained that test scores can function as barriers to higher education.

    Our research shows that while these tests are statistically reliable – that is, they produce consistent results for students across subjects and during multiple attempts under similar conditions – they are not as valid as some argue.

    High school grade-point averages are typically better predictors of students’ success in college than either test.

    In addition, the tests are not equitable or similarly predictive for all students, especially given gender, race and socioeconomic demographics.

    That is because they systematically favor those with more access to high-quality schooling, stable socioeconomic conditions and opportunities to engage with test prep coaches and courses. That test prep can cost thousands of dollars.

    In short, both tests tend to reflect privilege more than potential.

    For example, students from higher-income households routinely outperform their peers on the ACT and SAT.

    This isn’t surprising, considering wealthier families can afford test prep services, private tutoring and test retakes. These advantages translate into higher scores and open doors to selective colleges and scholarship opportunities.

    Meanwhile, students from low-income families often face challenges – such as less experienced instructors and less access to high-level science, math and advanced placement courses – that test scores do not factor in.

    Reflecting deep inequities

    In the U.S., high school GPA can be a better predictor than standardized tests of college success.
    Clerkenwell/Vetta via Getty Images

    In our published review, we found that these disparities aren’t incidental – they’re systemic.

    Our review revealed long-standing evidence of bias in test design and differences in average scores along lines of race, gender and language background.

    These outcomes don’t just reflect academic differences; they reflect inequities that shape how students prepare for and perform on these tests.

    We also found that high school GPA outperforms standardized tests in predicting college success. GPA captures years of classroom performance, effort and teacher feedback. It reflects how students navigate real-world challenges, not just how they perform on a single timed exam.

    For many students, particularly those from historically marginalized backgrounds, grades can offer a better indication of how prepared they are for college-level work.

    This issue matters because admissions decisions aren’t just technical evaluations – they are value statements. Choosing to center test scores in admissions rewards certain kinds of knowledge, experiences and preparation.

    The American Council on Education defines equity as opportunities for success. It means building educational environments that recognize diverse forms of potential and equip all learners to thrive.

    It’s worth noting that research on testing often focuses on elite institutions, where standardized test scores are more likely to be used as high-stakes screening tools. Our systematic review found that, even in elite schools, the tests’ ability to accurately predict college academic performance is often limited (moderate in statistical terms).

    But most college students attend state universities, public regional universities, minority-serving institutions, or colleges that accept most applicants. Our study found that at these institutions, standardized test scores are even less likely to predict how students will do.

    This may be because state universities and public regional universities are more likely to serve highly diverse student populations, including older, part-time and first-generation students and those who are balancing work and family responsibilities.

    Where does higher ed go from here?

    Prioritizing standardized tests in college admissions could close the doors of opportunity for some capable students.
    David Schaffer/istock via Getty Images Plus

    With the debate over the role of standardized tests in the admissions process, higher education stands at a crossroads: Will colleges yield to political pressure and narrow definitions of merit and ignore equity? Or will institutions reaffirm their mission by embracing broader, fairer tools for recognizing talent and supporting student success?

    The answer depends on what values are prioritized.

    Our research and that of others make it clear that standardized tests should not be the gatekeepers of opportunity.

    If universities define merit on test scores alone, they risk closing the doors of opportunity to capable students.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The hidden bias in college admissions tests: How standardized exams can favor privilege over potential – https://theconversation.com/the-hidden-bias-in-college-admissions-tests-how-standardized-exams-can-favor-privilege-over-potential-256967

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Nostalgic foods and scents like fresh-cut grass and hamburgers grilling bring comfort, connection and well-being

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Chelsea Reid, Associate Professor of Psychology, College of Charleston

    The foods and scents we associate with our childhoods can provide a meaningful source of comfort and connection. zeljkosantrac/E+ via Getty Images

    Walking around my neighborhood in the evening, I am hit by the smells of summer: fresh-cut grass, hamburgers grilling and a hint of swimming pool chlorine. These are also the smells of summers from my adolescence, and they remind me of Friday evenings at the community pool with my friends and our families gathered around picnic tables between swims. The memories always brings a smile to my face.

    As a social psychologist, I shouldn’t feel surprised to experience this warm glow. My research focuses on nostalgia – a sentimental longing for treasured moments in our personal pasts – and how nostalgia is linked to our well-being and feelings of connection with others.

    Triggered by sensory stimuli such as music, scents and foods, nostalgia has the power to mentally transport us back in time. This might be to important occasions, to moments of triumph and – importantly – moments revolving around close family and friends and other important people in our lives.

    As it turns out, this experience is good for us.

    How the concept of nostalgia evolved

    For centuries, nostalgia was considered unhealthy.

    In the 1600s, a Swiss medical student named Johannes Hofer studied mercenaries in the Italian and French lowlands who longed desperately for their mountain homelands. Witnessing their weeping and despondency, he coined the term nostalgia and attributed it to a brain disease. Other thinkers of the time echoed this view, which persisted through the 18th and 19th centuries.

    However, early thinkers made an error: They assumed that nostalgia was causing unpleasant symptoms. It may have been the reverse. Unpleasant experiences, such as loneliness and grief, can arouse nostalgia, which can then help people cope more effectively with these hardships.

    Today, researchers view nostalgia as a predominantly positive, albeit bittersweet, emotional experience that serves as a source of psychological well-being. Importantly, this view has been supported by scientific research.

    Part of what makes nostalgia so intense is the bittersweet blend of feelings that it brings up.

    How nostalgia inspires connection and belonging

    Nostalgia provides many benefits. It enhances feelings of optimism and inspiration and makes people view themselves more positively. When people feel nostalgic, they feel a greater sense that their lives are meaningful.

    The social benefits of nostalgia are particularly well supported. Nostalgia increases empathy and the willingness of people to give to those around them, such as volunteering for community events and donating to charities.

    Nostalgia also makes people feel more socially connected to their loved ones by enhancing feelings that they are loved by, connected to, protected by and trusting of others. Nostalgia helps people feel more secure in their close relationships and enhances relationship satisfaction.

    While nostalgia is a universal experience, it is also deeply personal. The moments for which we are each nostalgic and the stimuli that might trigger our nostalgic memories can vary from one person to the next depending on the experiences that each of us have. But people within the same culture may find similar stimuli to be nostalgic for them. In a 2013 study, for instance, my team found that American participants rated pumpkin pie spice as the most nostalgia-evoking scent out of a variety of options.

    Many nostalgia-inducing scents vary from person to person, but pumpkin pie spice may be one of the most evocative scents in the U.S.
    Redjina Ph/Moment via Getty Images

    The nostalgic power of scents and foods

    In 1922, the French novelist Marcel Proust wrote about the strength of scents and foods to elicit nostalgia. He vividly described how the experience of smelling and eating a tea-soaked cake mentally transported him back to childhood experiences with his aunt in her home and village. This sort of experience is now often referred to as the Proust effect.

    Science has confirmed what Proust described. Our olfactory system, the sensory system responsible for our sense of smell, is closely linked to brain structures associated with emotions and autobiographical memory. Smells combine with tastes to create our perception of flavor.

    Foods also tend to be central to social gatherings, making them easily associated with these memories. For instance, a summer barbecue might feel incomplete to some without slices of juicy watermelon. And homemade pumpkin pie may be an essential dessert at many Thanksgiving tables. The watermelon or pie may then serve as what are known in social psychology as social surrogates, foods that serve as stand-ins for valued relationships due to their inclusion at past occasions with loved ones.

    My research team and I wanted to know how people benefited from feeling nostalgic when they encountered the scents and foods of their pasts. We began in 2011 by exposing study participants to 33 scents and chose 12 of them for our study. Participants rated some scents, such as pumpkin pie spice and baby powder, as highly evocative of nostalgia, while rating others – such as money and cappuccino –as less evocative.

    Those who experienced more nostalgia when smelling the scents experienced greater positive emotions, greater self-esteem, greater feelings of connection to their past selves, greater optimism, greater feelings of social connectedness and a greater sense that life is meaningful.

    We came to similar conclusions when we studied nostalgia for foods. Foods seemed to be more strongly linked to nostalgia than either scents or music when comparing the amount of nostalgia our participants experienced for foods to what previous research participants experienced for scents and songs. More recently, we found that nostalgic foods are comforting and that people find nostalgic foods comforting because those nostalgic foods remind them of important or meaningful moments with their loved ones.

    For some, a summer barbecue wouldn’t be complete without the smell and taste of juicy watermelon.
    GMVozd/E+ via Getty Images

    Balancing benefits and trade-offs

    Although nostalgia can be associated with foods that should be eaten only in moderation – such as burgers and cookies – there are other ways to channel our nostalgia through foods.

    We can have nostalgia with healthy foods. For instance, orange slices remind me of halftime at childhood soccer matches. And many people, including our research participants, feel intense nostalgia around watermelon. Other researchers have found that tofu is a nostalgic food for Chinese participants.

    But when nostalgia does involve consumption of unhealthy foods, there are still other ways to experience it without the health trade-offs. We found that participants experienced the benefits of food-evoked nostalgia just from imagining and writing about the foods – no consumption necessary. Other researchers have found that drawing comforting foods can enhance well-being. Even consuming less healthy foods more mindfully helps people enjoy their food while reducing their caloric consumption.

    Once seen as detrimental to our health, nostalgia provides us with an opportunity to reap numerous rewards. With nostalgic foods, we might be able to nourish both our bodies and our psychological health.

    Chelsea Reid does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Nostalgic foods and scents like fresh-cut grass and hamburgers grilling bring comfort, connection and well-being – https://theconversation.com/nostalgic-foods-and-scents-like-fresh-cut-grass-and-hamburgers-grilling-bring-comfort-connection-and-well-being-256192

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  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Precise measurement standards have revolutionized museum science, helping nail down where artifacts are from

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Edward Vicenzi, Research Scientist, Museum Conservation Institute, Smithsonian Institution

    Museums and their bountiful collections are research bastions. Douglas Rissing/iStock via Getty Images

    On a cool February morning in 1904, a spark ignited a fire in the heart of downtown Baltimore. Within hours, a raging inferno swept eastward across the harbor district, consuming everything in its path. By evening, the local firefighters were overwhelmed, and the city sent telegrams to the fire chiefs of major Northeastern cities pleading for help in battling the blaze.

    Washington, Philadelphia and New York, along with other cities, responded quickly with dozens of engine companies. Yet when they arrived at the scene, many responders could not hook up to Baltimore’s hydrants since each city had its own threading standards to connect fire hoses.

    The fire resulted in damages of over US$3.5 billion in today’s dollars. It created a call for a national standard of threads for hoses and fire hydrant outlets. These standards now improve emergency responses across the country – and the same concept of standardization allows for consistency and replicability in scientific research.

    An illustration of the aftermath of the Great Baltimore Fire in February 1904.
    Fred Pridham/Wikimedia Commons

    In science, the ideal way to evaluate data is related to the concept driving the calls for uniform fire hose equipment. When scientists compare their results to those obtained in other laboratories, or with previously published data, the comparisons are most meaningful if all datasets were made with standardized practices and reference materials.

    Museum scientists like us provide compelling insights into the natural world, prehistory and historical culture heritage. Like that of many other scientists, our work, and the measurements we take day to day, depends upon standard references.

    Here we offer two fascinating stories from the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum Conservation Institute that highlight how scientific measurement standards allow for exciting new discoveries:

    You are what you drink

    In 2007, the New Mexico Bureau of Reclamation exhumed the remains of dozens of Civil War-era soldiers from the ruins of Fort Craig. They had been left behind when the fort was abandoned in 1885.

    A historical view of Fort Craig, N.M.
    Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico, CC BY-NC-SA

    Anthropologists from the Smithsonian and the Bureau of Reclamation in New Mexico identified the remains as belonging to a diverse range of people – including a few dozen African American Buffalo Soldiers, a group that made up a relatively small percentage of the U.S. military at that time.

    Historical records tell researchers that most of the military units at Fort Craig mobilized out of Kentucky and Virginia, but official records don’t always tell the full story. The group of project scientists, which included one of us, Christine France, needed a way to confirm the origin of these individuals and restore some identity to these forgotten soldiers.

    The researchers decided to use stable isotope analysis on the bones. This technique counts the number of atoms of a particular element in the sample that have one or more extra neutrons – this is the “heavy” isotope – and compares it with the number of atoms that have a normal number of neutrons – this is the “light” isotope.

    Drinking water in southern latitudes has more naturally occurring heavy oxygen atoms compared with northern latitudes. If a soldier’s bones had a relatively high ratio of the heavy to the light oxygen atoms, that soldier likely spent more time drinking water from the South.

    Researchers have measured oxygen isotopes in other archaeological remains and in water all over North America, giving us a water “isotope map.” But matching the bone isotope values to the water map is like comparing apples to oranges, and every lab has subtle variations in its instruments. The scientists needed to normalize and calibrate the isotope ratios they had measured to a reference standard.

    In this case, the standard was the average oxygen isotope value of ocean water, a convention that stable isotope researchers agreed upon as a consistent and readily available value. The researchers now had a uniform way to say how many more – or fewer – heavy oxygen isotopes the bones contained compared to the ocean water standard.

    Other archaeology labs and the North American water isotope map use that same standard comparison, allowing them to directly compare all the bone isotope values to one another, and to the North American water isotope map.

    Ultimately, the method helped the team identify several soldiers who came from quite far away to join the company, including individuals who likely grew up in the mid-Atlantic, New England and Southeast.

    The exact circumstances that brought these soldiers together is lost to history. But the researchers’ ability to assign them geographic provenance with the help of reference standards gave them further insight into this pivotal time in U.S. history.

    Volcanic glass mirrors

    Humans have always been fascinated by looking at themselves in the mirror. In Mesoamerica – modern-day central and southern Mexico together with northern Central America – archaeologists have found convex round objects so finely polished that they have been termed mirrors.

    But instead of using them for vanity, shamans from ancient times likely used them as a tool to access portals to other dimensions.

    The oldest Preclassic mirrors (2000 BCE to 250 CE) were fashioned from polished iron ores, but later Postclassic period mirrors (900 CE to 1450 CE) were made from obsidian, a typically black silica-rich volcanic glass.

    The collections at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian contain six large, rectangular obsidian mirrors, purchased in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their labels state they come from the “Valley of Mexico.”

    Obsidian tablets, a view of both their front and back sides, found in the National Museum of the American Indian collections.
    NMAI, Martinez et al (2022)

    Archeologists rarely find rectangular obsidian mirrors like these at pre-Columbian dig sites. So, local artisans skilled in stone polishing likely made these unusually shaped objects upon request by Spanish invaders around the time of European contact. But which Mesoamerican culture did they come from?

    Scientists from the Museum Conservation Institute, including two of us, Thomas Lam and Edward Vicenzi, and a member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, worked with staff at the National Museum of the American Indian on an effort to pinpoint which volcano created the obsidian in the mirrors.

    The location of the obsidian source would indicate whether the Aztecs who controlled eastern central Mexico, or the Purépecha who controlled an area west of the Aztecs, produced the objects, as both had ample sources of obsidian in their territories.

    To conduct such a study, the researchers required two types of reference materials: obsidian that had erupted from known volcanic locations, and a reference obsidian that scientists already knew the composition of to confirm the quality of the analysis.

    The first reference obsidians, from known locations, told the researchers about the differences in geochemistry of the volcanoes in central Mexico. That information allowed them to match the mirror analyses to the known volcanic location analyses and their map coordinates. The second reference obsidian served as a quality control specimen for the analysis.

    Museum Conservation Institute scientists used a nondestructive technique called X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to analyze ratios of elements in the obsidians. The process works by “exciting” atoms in the obsidian, and a spectrum of X-ray energies is given off as the atoms “relax.”

    Scientists analyzed the obsidian shards to see which elements were present in them in which ratios, and where in Mexico obsidian contained similar elements at similar ratios.
    Sharps et al. (2021)

    The results showed that all the specimens came from a region controlled by the Purépecha, not the Aztecs. The museum curators updated their records describing the mirrors to include this new information about their origin.

    Creating standards

    Standardized measurement procedures and reference materials play a central role in museum science. Organizations dedicated to rigorous measurement science, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology, a federal government agency, help create some of these standards and research new measurement procedures.

    Without their leadership, it would be far more difficult for researchers like us to produce high-quality data and discern the relationships between specimens in the natural and cultural heritage sciences. With quality measurement standards in our toolbox, we are finding new insights into human history and the natural world.

    Edward Vicenzi is a guest researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the Material Measurement Laboratory.

    Christine France and Thomas Lam do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Precise measurement standards have revolutionized museum science, helping nail down where artifacts are from – https://theconversation.com/precise-measurement-standards-have-revolutionized-museum-science-helping-nail-down-where-artifacts-are-from-254025

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  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 17 June 2025 News release The WHO Hub in Berlin: driving innovation to make the world safer from health threats

    Source: World Health Organisation

    WHO is developing new tools and innovative partnerships to boost countries’ defenses against future pandemics, including real-time threat detection and genomic analysis of viruses.

    In today’s interconnected world, health threats spread faster than ever. A new virus can cross continents in hours. An outbreak in one country can escalate into a global crisis in days. This reality requires constant innovation to protect lives and prevent the next pandemic.

    Building on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin leverages innovative tools and collaborations for more effective disease surveillance worldwide. Just over three years after its inauguration, the Hub now supports over 150 countries in detecting health threats more effectively and rapidly.

    The Hub’s latest annual report highlights the growing impact of this work and provides key insights into progress made in 2024.

    As no country can tackle the next pandemic alone, WHO is supporting countries to implement Collaborative Surveillance, a new collaborative approach to disease surveillance that promotes data and information sharing so that outbreaks can be detected and controlled faster.

    The early warning system hosted at the Hub, called Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS), scans online sources in real time and uses AI technology to identify public health threats more efficiently.

    “The Hub is ensuring that the most robust tools and analytics are available to enhance early threat detection and rapid response and support decision-makers around the world,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “I have urged all WHO Member States to work closely with the Hub, not only to strengthen their own national and regional health security, but also to contribute to global preparedness and response.”

    Pathogen genomics, which analyses the genetic material of viruses and other pathogens, has become a powerful tool to track and predict outbreaks. The Hub’s International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) connects over 235 organizations and countries to expand genomic surveillance more equitably around the world, including through a US$ 4 million fund for low- and middle-income countries.

    “As part of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence builds on proven surveillance approaches while continuously developing and integrating new, innovative methods for detecting and responding to health threats,” said Dr Mike Ryan, Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme.

    To help decision-makers better understand an emerging health emergency and plan an effective response, the Hub is developing a cutting-edge platform that will visualize disease transmission and simulate the impact of different countermeasures. Once launched, the pandemic simulator will provide actionable insights to policy-makers and support them in responding to a health crisis.

    “Our commitment to fostering trust, building partnerships and driving innovation has never been stronger. Together, we are building a safer, healthier world for all,” said Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Deputy Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme.

    The collaborative spirit is also evident in the Hub’s physical space in Berlin, a dynamic campus for global collaboration that welcomes thousands of experts and collaborators each year at more than 60 onsite workshops and events.

    “Germany has been a strong supporter of scientific innovation for global health security, including the vision to establish the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence,” said Dr Oliver Morgan, Director of the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence. “Germany recognized the urgent need for a space where science, technology and partnerships can come together to protect the world from future health threats. This vision is now a reality and we are proud to call Berlin the home for the Hub.”

    “The WHO Hub in Berlin is a vibrant place for collaboration and co-creation. By leveraging WHO’s convening power, we bring partners together, facilitate data sharing and joint analysis, and support the collective adoption of innovative approaches,” said Sara Hersey, Director of Collaborative Intelligence at the WHO Hub in Berlin.

    With the ongoing threat of future pandemics, WHO remains at the forefront of developing tools, building partnerships and strengthening public health intelligence and surveillance capacities worldwide.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –