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Category: Science

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressley Reintroduces Vital Legislation to Address Growing Childhood Trauma Crisis

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    As White House Slashes Essential Federal Programs, Pressley Reintroduces the STRONG Support for Children Act to Invest in Children’s Mental Health and Trauma Recovery

    Bill Text

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) reintroduced the STRONG Support for Children Act. This bill would support communities in addressing childhood trauma through healing-centered, neighborhood-based, gender-responsive, culturally specific, and trauma-informed approaches that acknowledge the impact of systemic racism and inequities over generations.

    “Every child deserves to thrive,” said Rep. Pressley. “The STRONG Support for Children Act would provide critical resources and approach childhood trauma through a reparative, healing-centered, and trauma-informed lens. Children too often carry the weight of trauma throughout their entire lives because these wounds don’t just heal on their own. With this legislation, we will invest in breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and ensure children are supported.”

    With over two-thirds of children experiencing at least one traumatic event by age 16, the urgency to address childhood trauma demands a comprehensive approach. Instead, the Trump Administration has slashed $1 billion from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through canceled grants and reduced staff by 50%, leaving critical trauma-focused programs—including suicide prevention hotlines, opioid addiction treatment, and crisis stabilization services— to face imminent shutdowns.

    Unaddressed childhood trauma is linked to several leading causes of death in America, including heart disease, lung disease, substance use, and suicide.  Studies show that exposure to poverty, homelessness, food insecurity and malnutrition, discrimination, family separation, and deportation increase the likelihood of negative health outcomes and can lead to complex trauma and toxic stress.

    The Services and Trauma-Informed Research of Outcomes in Neighborhood Grants (STRONG) for Support for Children Act would establish two new grant programs under the Department of Health and Human Services to support local public health departments in addressing trauma and ensure that programming is conveniently located and accessible to all children and families regardless of immigration status, ability to pay, and prior involvement in the criminal legal system. The legislation would prohibit grant recipients from using funds to increase surveillance and policing of vulnerable communities.  

    Joining Rep. Pressley in introducing the STRONG Support for Children Act are Representatives Shri Thanedar, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Rashida Tlaib.

    This legislation is endorsed by the following organizations: Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP); The National Prevention Science Coalition to Improve Lives; Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice; American Academy of Pediatrics; Regina Triplett, MD, MS; and Ujima Inc.

    A copy of the bill text can be found here.

    Throughout her career, Congresswoman Pressley has been a tireless advocate for trauma-conscious policymaking.

    Last week, she reintroduced the Ending PUSHOUT Act and Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act to collectively end the discriminatory treatment of Black and brown students, LGBTQIA+ students, and students with disabilities in schools, and invest in safe, nurturing learning environments for all students.

    In February 2024, Rep. Pressley sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services to address the growing crisis of childhood trauma that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    In March 2023, Rep. Pressley celebrated $250,000 in Community Project Funding she secured for Big Sister Association of Greater Boston (Big Sister) to support its one-to-one mentoring and enrichment programs for girls.

    In March 2021, Rep. Pressley sent a letter to President Biden calling on him to address the nation’s growing trauma crisis and laying out a series of steps the administration should take to confront the far-reaching hurt plaguing our communities and our nation.  In April 2021, she published an op-ed where she reflected on the collective pain experienced by communities in her district over the past year.

    In July 2019, she worked with Chairman Cummings to convene the first-ever Congressional hearings on childhood trauma.  Watch Congresswoman Pressley’s full question line and follow-up questions here and here.

    As a Boston City Councilor, she convened the Council’s first-ever listening-only session to hear directly from those impacted by the trauma of community gun violence.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: $HAREHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Continues To Investigate The Merger – BRDG, AKYA, CKPT, QTRX

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm in the 2024 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating:

    • Bridge Investment Group Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BRDG), relating to the proposed merger with Apollo. Under the terms of the agreement, Bridge stockholders and Bridge OpCo unitholders will receive 0.07081 shares of Apollo stock for each share of Bridge Class A common stock and each Bridge OpCo Class A common unit, respectively.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/bridge-investment-group-holdings-inc-brdg/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Akoya Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKYA), relating to the proposed merger with Quanterix. Under the terms of the agreement, Akoya shareholders will receive 0.318 shares of Quanterix common stock for each share of Akoya common stock owned. Akoya shareholders will own approximately 30% of the combined company.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for May 13, 2025.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/akoya-biosciences-inc-akya/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CKPT), relating to the proposed merger with Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited. Under the terms of the agreement, Checkpoint stockholders will receive, for each share of common stock they hold, a cash payment of $4.10, and a non-transferable contingent value right entitling the stockholder to receive up to $0.70 in cash.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/checkpoint-therapeutics-inc-ckpt/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Quanterix Corporation (NASDAQ: QTRX), relating to the proposed merger with Akoya Biosciences. Under the terms of the agreement, Akoya shareholders will be given 0.318 shares of Quanterix common stock for each share of Akoya common stock owned.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for May 13, 2025.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/quanterix-corporation-qtrx/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE THE SAME. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:

    1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
    2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
    3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?

    About Monteverde & Associates PC

    Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

    Contact:
    Juan Monteverde, Esq.
    MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
    The Empire State Building
    350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
    New York, NY 10118
    United States of America
    jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
    Tel: (212) 971-1341

    Attorney Advertising. (C) 2025 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (www.monteverdelaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    class=”has-text-align-left”>By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
    Section 1.  Background.  The United States controls one of the largest and most abundant ocean resources in the world, with over 4 million square miles of prime fishing grounds.  With this vast resource and centuries of hard work from American fishermen, our Nation has the greatest seafood in the world.
    Most American fish stocks are healthy and have viable markets.  Despite these opportunities, seafood is one of the most heavily regulated sectors in the United States.  Federal overregulation has restricted fishermen from productively harvesting American seafood including through restrictive catch limits, selling our fishing grounds to foreign offshore wind companies, inaccurate and outdated fisheries data, and delayed adoption of modern technology.
    The United States should be the world’s dominant seafood leader.  But in addition to overregulation, unfair trade practices have put our seafood markets at a competitive disadvantage.  Nearly 90 percent of seafood on our shelves is now imported, and the seafood trade deficit stands at over $20 billion.  The erosion of American seafood competitiveness at the hands of unfair foreign trade practices must end.
    Sec. 2.  Purpose.  The United States must address unfair trade practices, eliminate unsafe imports, level the unfair playing field that has benefited foreign fishing companies, promote ethical sourcing, reduce regulatory burdens, and ensure the integrity of the seafood supply chain.  Previously, I signed Executive Order 13921 of May 7, 2020 (Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth).  That successful order — which remains in effect — enhanced the competitiveness of United States seafood, streamlined regulations, supported maritime jobs and coastal economies, and improved data collection.  During the past 4 years, our fishermen were once again crushed under the pressure of unnecessary regulations and unfavorable policies.  It is vital that we now build upon our previous hard work with new, additional measures to promote domestic fishing.
    Sec. 3.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States to promote the productive harvest of our seafood resources; unburden our commercial fishermen from costly and inefficient regulation; combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; and protect our seafood markets from the unfair trade practices of foreign nations.
    Sec. 4.  A New Era of Seafood Policy.  (a)  The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and with input from the United States fishing industry, shall immediately consider suspending, revising, or rescinding regulations that overly burden America’s commercial fishing, aquaculture, and fish processing industries at the fishery-specific level.  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce shall identify the most heavily overregulated fisheries requiring action and take appropriate action to reduce the regulatory burden on them, in cooperation with the Regional Fishery Management Councils, interagency partners, and through public-private partnerships, as appropriate.  This process shall include the following actions:
    (i)    The Secretary of Commerce shall request that each Regional Fishery Management Council, within 180 days of the date of this order, provide the Secretary of Commerce with updates to their recommendations submitted pursuant to Executive Order 13921, to reduce burdens on domestic fishing and to increase production.  Building upon the earlier goals, identified actions should stabilize markets, improve access, enhance economic profitability, and prevent closures.  The Regional Fishery Management Councils will commit to a work plan and a schedule for implementation to ensure these actions are prioritized.
    (ii)   The Secretary of Commerce shall solicit direct public comments, including from fishing industry members, technology experts, marine scientists, and other relevant parties, for innovative ideas to improve fisheries management and science within the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.); the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); the Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.); and other applicable laws.
    (iii)  The Secretary of Commerce shall pursue additional direct public engagement to ensure executive departments and agencies (agencies) are focusing core fisheries management and science functions to directly support priority needs that strengthen our Nation’s seafood supply chain.
    (b)  Upon completion of the process described in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of Commerce shall consider updating the Department of Commerce’s contribution to the Unified Regulatory Agenda.  The Secretary of Commerce shall resume submission of annual reports to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, and the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality pursuant to these activities as described in Executive Order 13921.
    (c)  The Secretary of Commerce shall direct the National Marine Fisheries Service to incorporate less expensive and more reliable technologies and cooperative research programs into fishery assessments conducted pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 1867.  As soon as practicable, the Secretary of Commerce shall expand exempted fishing permit programs to promote fishing opportunities nationwide.  Further, the Secretary of Commerce shall take all appropriate action to modernize data collection and analytical practices that will improve the responsiveness of fisheries management to real-time ocean conditions.
    (d)  The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall develop and implement an America First Seafood Strategy to promote production, marketing, sale, and export of United States fishery and aquaculture products and strengthen domestic processing capacity.  This program shall accelerate the Department of Agriculture’s efforts to educate American consumers about the health benefits of seafood and increase seafood purchases in nutrition programs.
    (e)  Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative, in consultation with members of the Interagency Seafood Trade Task Force, shall assess seafood competitiveness issues and jointly develop a comprehensive seafood trade strategy.  The strategy shall be based upon the Seafood Trade Strategy of November 3, 2020, that improves access to foreign markets and addresses unfair trade practices — including IUU fishing and unjustified non-tariff barriers — while ensuring a fair and competitive domestic market for United States seafood producers.
    (f)  The United States Trade Representative shall examine the relevant trade practices of major seafood-producing nations, including with regard to IUU fishing and the use of forced labor in the seafood supply chain, and consider appropriate responses, including pursuing solutions through negotiations or trade enforcement authorities, such as under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2411).
    (g)  The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and other relevant agencies, shall immediately consider revising or rescinding recent expansions of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program to unnecessary species and further improve the program to more effectively target high-risk shipments from nations that routinely violate international fishery regulations.  The Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall use cost savings to improve thorough checks at United States ports to prevent IUU seafood from entering the market.  The Secretary of Commerce shall further consider options to use improved technology to identify foreign fishery-related violations.
    (h)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall review all existing marine national monuments and provide recommendations to the President of any that should be opened to commercial fishing.  In making these recommendations, the Secretary of Commerce will consider whether the opening of the monuments to commercial fishing would be consistent with the preservation of the historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest originally identified in the proclamations establishing the marine national monuments.
    Sec. 5.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
    DONALD J. TRUMP
    THE WHITE HOUSE,
    April 17, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: This year, more than 40.5 thousand holiday camps should host about 6 million schoolchildren

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting dedicated to the organization of summer children’s recreation in 2025

    April 17, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting dedicated to the organization of summer children’s recreation in 2025

    April 17, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting dedicated to the organization of summer children’s recreation in 2025

    April 17, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting dedicated to the organization of summer children’s recreation in 2025. Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov

    April 17, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting dedicated to the organization of summer children’s recreation in 2025

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting dedicated to the organization of summer children’s recreation in 2025. The meeting was attended by Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov, Deputy Chairperson of the State Duma Anna Kuznetsova, First Deputy Chairperson of the Federation Council Committee on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Government and Northern Affairs Galina Karelova, representatives of relevant federal departments and organizations, as well as heads of regions.

     

    Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized that the organization of summer children’s recreation is one of the priority areas of the national project “Youth and Children” and requires special attention to issues of quality and safety.

     

    “President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin said that special attention should be paid to the quality and safety of children’s recreation. To do this, we must implement comprehensive measures in these areas. The task is very large-scale. This year, more than 40.5 thousand camps should accept about 6 million schoolchildren. In the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland, we must take care of the recreation of all children, and especially the children of our heroes – participants in the special military operation. I ask you to keep this issue under constant control. Patriotic shifts dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory must be held in all federal children’s centers. It is extremely important that our current heroes – participants of the SVO – tell the story of glorious victories,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

     

    The Deputy Prime Minister added that last year, approximately 165 thousand children of SVO participants spent their holidays in children’s camps.

     

    During the meeting, it was also noted that a federal law had come into force, obliging regions to establish quotas for disabled children and children with limited health capabilities in state and municipal camps. Rospotrebnadzor updated its guidelines for children’s nutrition.

     

    Dmitry Chernyshenko noted that, on the instructions of the President, this year information and analytical panels will be introduced that will help monitor the progress of the health campaign.

     

    “This is a single digital platform where key data will be concentrated: camp occupancy, fulfillment of quotas for children with disabilities, compliance with safety standards, financial accounting, and others. I ask the Ministry of Education to launch this tool across the country as early as June 1,” he added.

     

    Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized that the upcoming summer season is rich in anniversary events – the 100th anniversary of Artek, the 40th anniversary of the All-Russian Children’s Center Smena and the 65th anniversary of the All-Russian Children’s Center Orlyonok, and noted the special role of these centers in forming the correct attitude to history and spiritual and moral values among young people.

     

    The Deputy Prime Minister expressed gratitude to all participants in the preparation for the summer season, including the State Duma deputies and personally its Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin, as well as the Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko.

     

    As a result, instructions were given aimed at further improving the quality, safety and accessibility of children’s summer recreation, including the launch of a camp monitoring system and collecting feedback.

     

    “In general, the education system is ready for the summer health campaign. It is important to make every effort to ensure that children’s recreation this year is organized efficiently and safely. The federal law “On the Basic Guarantees of Children’s Rights in the Russian Federation” has been amended to require websites and educational programs in children’s camps. They came into force on April 1. By summer, each camp must have its own website, developed taking into account our approximate structure and containing all the necessary information. All subjects have been sent methodological recommendations on the development of educational programs, containing event scenarios,” the Minister of Education said.

     

    Sergei Kravtsov noted that the ministry is holding district seminars for directors of children’s camps and representatives of regional resource centers, where current issues of preparation for the summer are explained.

     

    The Minister of Education reported that the federal infrastructure modernization program is being implemented. He drew the attention of regional representatives to the importance of concluding contracts and starting work within the program, and also instructed them to take measures to return previously repurposed organizations to ownership.

     

    Sergei Kravtsov pointed out that in the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland, special attention should be paid to events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, and corresponding thematic days should be held in each camp.

     

    Deputy Minister of Transport Alexey Shilo noted that, in accordance with the Government Resolution, since March the cost of travel on long-distance trains for all children aged 10 to 18 has been half the cost of an adult ticket. Since March 5, more than 1.1 million tickets have been issued. In addition to federal benefits, carriers and the Russian Railways holding company offer bonus programs and promotions. This is the year-round tariff plan “Big Family”, which provides a 15% discount on travel in compartment cars for families with three or more children.

     

    Chairman of the Board of the Movement of the First, Hero of Russia Artur Orlov emphasized that for the specialized shifts, the Movement of the First, together with the scientific and pedagogical community and federal children’s centers, has developed 19 programs in various areas of activity. The content of the shift programs includes events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland, events that allow you to get acquainted with the mission, values, and flagship projects of the Movement of the First.

     

    Representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Prosecutor General’s Office, Rospotrebnadzor, Rosmolodezh, the International Children’s Center “Artek” and the “Movement of the First”, the heads of the Republic of Mari El, the Republic of Crimea, Krasnodar Krai and others also spoke during the meeting.

    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 Security: MJH Healthcare Holdings, LLC Agrees to Pay $2 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Postage Rates

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    WASHINGTON – MJH Healthcare Holdings, LLC, its subsidiary, MJH Life Sciences, LLC, and several affiliates of MJH Life Sciences, LLC (collectively MJH), have agreed to pay $2,006,424 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly certifying their eligibility to use the periodicals postage rate offered by the United States Postal Service when they were ineligible for that rate.  MJH, based in Cranbury, New Jersey, publishes educational and promotional materials aimed at healthcare providers and patients.

    The United States alleged that for 40 mailings of MJH publications between October 2021 and June 2024, MJH calculated the required postage based on the periodicals postage rate.  The periodicals rate is only available for publications where more than half of the mailed issues have been requested by recipients.  However, in calculating the percentage of these issues that were requested by the addressee, MJH certified figures to the Postal Service that were inaccurate in two ways.  First, it allegedly included among the “requesters” addressees appearing on lists received from third-party sources that had not qualified the listed individuals to be requesters, as required.  Second, MJH counted requests that had aged out.  Under Postal Service rules, requests must be less than three years old to qualify for the periodicals rate.  Had MJH excluded these categories from its calculations, as required, the percentage of requesters would have been less than 50 percent of recipients.  MJH should not have certified that its requester figures were accurate and that it was eligible for the lower periodicals rate for these mailings.

    “The United States relies on individuals and companies doing business with it to accurately report what they owe the government.  When they do not, we will not hesitate to take appropriate steps to protect the public fisc.”

    – U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

    “The USPS OIG will continue to aggressively investigate companies that defraud the Postal Service,” said Tammy Hull, Inspector General U.S. Postal Service. “This settlement demonstrates that our special agents will work with the United States Department of Justice and the United States Attorney’s Office to identify companies that misrepresent their eligibility for lower postage rates.”

    The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by John Burke, a former employe of one of the MJH affiliates.  Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. Mr. Burke will receive $341,092 under this resolution. The qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. Burke v. MJH Healthcare Holdings, LLC, et al., No. 3:22-cv-07367 (D. N.J.).

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey with assistance from the United States Postal Service’s Office of the Inspector General.

    The matter was investigated by Assistant United States Attorney Paul Kaufman and Trial Attorney Wesley Heath.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

                                                                           ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Kaptur Call on Energy Department to Reverse New Indirect Cost Cap That Will Gut Funding for Cutting-Edge Research

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, sent a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright expressing deep concern about how the Department’s recently announced cap on indirect costs for DOE research will jeopardize critical research and innovation—and calling on him to immediately reverse the policy.

    “We write to express our deep concern regarding the Department of Energy’s (DOE) recent decision to impose a cap on indirect cost rates for DOE-funded research. This change threatens to destabilize America’s scientific research infrastructure, delay critical energy innovation, and result in widespread economic harm,” write Murray and Kaptur. “At a time when China is investing billions to catch up to the scientific advancements driven by decades of DOE investments, the U.S. should be accelerating its technological leadership, but this policy does the opposite.”

    The lawmakers note the cap will cut funding essential to conducing cutting-edge DOE research: “This cap represents a sweeping, indiscriminate funding cut that will jeopardize not just projects at universities but also university partners at the national laboratories and in industry. Scientists could be forced to scale back or shutter vital studies; collaboration across sectors may be frozen; and the next generation of clean energy technologies could be delayed or lost entirely.”

    Murray and Kaptur also underscore the implications of DOE’s new policy for the economy, stating: “Beyond its scientific implications, this policy change has serious economic consequences. DOE-funded research supports tens of thousands of jobs—from researchers and engineers to technical staff and support personnel—across all 50 states. In fiscal year 2024 alone, federal energy research investments generated billions in economic activity and helped anchor American competitiveness in global innovation markets. Weakening that support will reverberate through entire regions and industries, putting livelihoods at risk.”

    The lawmakers press Secretary Wright to explain the abrupt new policy change and call on him to reverse it, concluding: “[W]e also ask that you to immediately reverse this shortsighted and harmful new cap, which amounts to nothing short of a disastrous funding cut. DOE’s mission is too important to allow political interference to undercut America’s progress in energy research, climate resilience, and economic development. Let our scientists, engineers, and institutions continue their lifesaving, world-shaping work—uninterrupted.”

    The full letter is available HERE and below:

    April 16, 2025

    The Honorable Christopher Wright
    U.S. Department of Energy
    1000 Independence Ave SW
    Washington, DC 20585

    Dear Secretary Wright:

    We write to express our deep concern regarding the Department of Energy’s (DOE) recent decision to impose a cap on indirect cost rates for DOE-funded research. This change threatens to destabilize America’s scientific research infrastructure, delay critical energy innovation, and result in widespread economic harm. At a time when China is investing billions to catch up to the scientific advancements driven by decades of DOE investments, the U.S. should be accelerating its technological leadership, but this policy does the opposite.

    DOE has long played a crucial role in supporting cutting-edge research in energy, climate science, advanced manufacturing, and national security. By capping indirect cost rates at 15 percent, this new policy undermines the essential support systems that make this research possible—such as the operation and maintenance of research facilities, labs, and technical infrastructure. Research institutions depend on these funds to conduct safe, innovative, and effective science.

    This cap represents a sweeping, indiscriminate funding cut that will jeopardize not just projects at universities but also university partners at the national laboratories and in industry. Scientists could be forced to scale back or shutter vital studies; collaboration across sectors may be frozen; and the next generation of clean energy technologies could be delayed or lost entirely. Even more worrying is the impact on our future science workforce, particularly in energy and critical and emerging technologies, where our nation has long struggled to recruit and train the best talent into roles at the intersection of technology and national security. 

    Beyond its scientific implications, this policy change has serious economic consequences. DOE-funded research supports tens of thousands of jobs—from researchers and engineers to technical staff and support personnel—across all 50 states. In fiscal year 2024 alone, federal energy research investments generated billions in economic activity and helped anchor American competitiveness in global innovation markets. Weakening that support will reverberate through entire regions and industries, putting livelihoods at risk.

    The policy’s abrupt implementation—absent consultation with the research community or Congress—has also introduced confusion and uncertainty into the energy research ecosystem. Programs will be paused, partnerships disrupted, and project leaders left with no clarity about how to proceed. In a moment that demands bold, collaborative leadership to meet America’s energy needs, these actions cause paralysis instead.  In regards to this new policy cap, please provide answers to the following questions:

    1. What will happen to existing awards at universities if they do not meet the new terms and conditions in this policy?
    2. What specific data or analysis did DOE use to determine that a 15% cap on indirect costs is appropriate and sustainable for research institutions?
    3. How does DOE justify this cap given that many universities currently operate with indirect cost rates significantly higher than 15% to cover essential research infrastructure and compliance?
    4. Was there any consultation with academic stakeholders, such as university administrators or research organizations, prior to implementing this policy change?
    5. What impact assessments has DOE conducted to understand how this cap will affect the financial viability of ongoing and future research projects at universities?
    6. Has DOE evaluated how this cap could influence the United States’ position in global research and innovation competitiveness?
    7. What are the long-term implications of this policy on the pipeline of future scientists and researchers trained through university programs?

    Particularly in light of the lack of information justifying this policy we also ask that you to immediately reverse this shortsighted and harmful new cap, which amounts to nothing short of a disastrous funding cut. DOE’s mission is too important to allow political interference to undercut America’s progress in energy research, climate resilience, and economic development. Let our scientists, engineers, and institutions continue their lifesaving, world-shaping work—uninterrupted.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Haven Gang Member Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    DONELL ALLICK, JR., also known as “D-Nice,” 26, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 240 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his participation in a violent New Haven street gang and a murder in September 2022.

    Today’s announcement was made by Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; John P. Doyle, Jr., State’s Attorney for the New Haven Judicial District; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; Anish Shukla, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England; and New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address violence in New Haven, the ATF, FBI, DEA and New Haven Police Department, working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, investigated a gang war between members and associates of the Exit 8 street gang and rival gangs in the Hill section and other areas of the city.  The Exit 8 gang is named after the geographic area accessed by exiting Interstate 91 at Exit 8 in New Haven.  Recently, younger members of Exit 8 are identifying themselves with the word “Honcho,” which is derived from the street name of an Exit 8 member who was murdered on Quinnipiac Avenue in February 2020.

    The investigation revealed that Allick and other members of the Exit 8 gang engaged in drug trafficking, used and shared firearms, and, since June 2018, have committed at least three murders and 16 attempted murders.  Exit 8 members and associates also stole vehicles, at times from outside of the state, and used those stolen vehicles when committing acts of violence.  Gang members also promoted, coordinated, facilitated, and celebrated their narcotics distribution and acts of violence through text messaging and the use of social media applications and websites including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube.

    On August 1, 2024, Allick pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, including acts of violence, narcotics trafficking, and gun sales, and specifically admitted that, on September 16, 2022, he and others shot Kenneth Cloud, 46, who was sitting on the porch of an Atwater Street residence in New Haven.  The victim was paralyzed as a result of the shooting and died approximately three months later.  Forty-three shell casings were found at the scene of the shooting.  Ballistics analysis revealed that 19 had been fired from a handgun later found in Allick’s vehicle, and 24 had been fired from a handgun later found inside Allick’s residence.

    Allick has been detained since his arrest on November 10, 2022.  On July 15, 2024, Judge Bolden sentenced him to 115 months of imprisonment in a separate federal case.  Allick’s 240-month sentence will run concurrently with his 115-month sentence.

    This investigation was conducted by the ATF, the FBI, the DEA, the New Haven Police Department, the Hamden Police Department, and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis and Rahul Kale.

    This prosecution was part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.

    PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.  For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn.

    Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities.  Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it.

    OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CENTRE COUNTY – Shapiro Administration to Visit Atlas Biotech in State College, Highlight the Need for Funding to Spur Innovation Across Pennsylvania

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    April 18, 2025 – State College, PA

    ADVISORY – CENTRE COUNTY – Shapiro Administration to Visit Atlas Biotech in State College, Highlight the Need for Funding to Spur Innovation Across Pennsylvania

    Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger will join local leaders at Atlas Biotech to highlight the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to investing in Pennsylvania’s innovation economy.

    Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025-2026 proposed budget invests $50 million to create the PA Innovation program, which includes a one-time $30 million initiative to spur life sciences job growth and $20 million to provide annual funding to support large-scale innovation.

    WHO:
    Rick Siger, Secretary, DCED
    Josh Reynolds, CEO, Atlas Biotech
    Todd Erdley, Central Region Director, Ben Franklin Technology Partners
    State Representative Paul Takac

    WHEN:
    Friday, April 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM

    WHERE:
    Atlas Biotech, 200 Innovation Boulevard, Suite 260A, State College, PA 16803

    VISUALS:
    Brief formal remarks, followed by a tour of Atlas Biotech’s lab

    MEDIA RSVP:
    Press who are interested in attending should RSVP to dcedpress@pa.gov

    Contact: Justin Backover, dcedpress@pa.gov or 717-418-4014

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: “It feels like a part of you is being ripped out. You can’t even describe the pain…” – Patty Morin

    Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

    “It feels like a part of you is being ripped out. You can’t even describe the pain… Why should we allow people like this—violent criminals—that have no conscience at all to murder our mothers, our sisters, our daughters. I don’t understand.” –Patty Morin

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdYRXgZCYvk

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI: Joveo Wins 2025 HR Tech Award for Best Talent Intelligence Solution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MENLO PARK, Calif., April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Joveo, the global leader in AI-led, high-performance recruitment marketing and candidate engagement, announced today that its Unified Analytics dashboard has been named Best Talent Intelligence Solution by Lighthouse Research & Advisory in the 2025 HR Tech Awards. The annual awards program recognizes the most innovative and impactful HR technology solutions across the globe.

    The Best Talent Intelligence Solution category highlights technology that empowers employers to leverage data and insights for more strategic and informed talent decisions. Joveo’s Unified Analytics dashboard stands out for delivering real-time visibility into recruitment marketing performance and costs across all sources, hiring funnel effectiveness, labor market analytics, and competitive insights, in a single pane of glass. This makes it possible for talent acquisition (TA) teams to act fast and spend smarter.

    “Joveo’s Unified Analytics platform brings clarity and control to recruitment marketing with unmatched visibility across spend, source, and strategy,” stated Ben Eubanks, Chief Research Officer, Lighthouse Research & Advisory. “Employers reduce cost per application by more than 20% and slash manual reporting time by 90% after switching to Joveo, gaining the ability to optimize campaigns in real time. This is a standout example of analytics that truly enable smarter hiring decisions.”

    Joveo’s award-winning solution centralizes data from job boards, social media channels, ATS, talent CRM, career sites, and landing pages into a single source of truth — helping TA leaders uncover inefficiencies, predict outcomes, and drive better results.

    “This recognition validates our vision of enabling data-led recruiting with real-time, AI-driven insights,” said Kshitij Jain, Founder and CEO of Joveo. “Unified Analytics is more than a dashboard — it’s a decision engine. It gives our customers a clear view into performance, pinpoints issues, explains why they occurred, and offers actionable recommendations. We’re thrilled to see our customers achieve measurable improvements in cost, speed, and quality of hire, and to be recognized by Lighthouse Research & Advisory for the impact we’re having on talent teams around the world.”

    The 2025 HR Tech Awards, now in its sixth year, are judged by an independent panel of industry practitioners, educators, and consultants. Less than 2% of HR technology vendors are recognized each year, making this win a testament to Joveo’s innovation and proven impact.

    For more information about Joveo’s award-winning platform and Unified Analytics, visit www.joveo.com.

    About Joveo

    As the global leader in AI-led, high-performance recruitment marketing, Joveo is transforming talent attraction and recruitment media buying for the world’s largest employers, staffing firms, RPOs, and media agencies. The Joveo platform enables businesses to attract, source, engage, and hire the best candidates on time and within budget.

    Powering millions of jobs every day, Joveo’s AI-driven recruitment marketing platform uses advanced data science and machine learning to dynamically manage and optimize talent sourcing and applications across all online channels, while providing real-time insights at every step of the job seeker journey, from click to hire.

    For more information about Joveo, visit www.joveo.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

    Media Contact

    Heather van Werkhooven
    Sr. Director, Content and Thought Leadership, Joveo
    pr@joveo.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bridgeport Gang Member Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    JAHAZ LANGSTON, also known as “Haz,” 25, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 188 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his participation in a violent Bridgeport street gang.

    Today’s announcement was made by Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Joseph T. Corradino, State’s Attorney for the Fairfield Judicial District; Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter; Anish Shukla, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Acting U.S. Marshal Lawrence Bobnick.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut State Police and Bridgeport Police have been investigating multiple Bridgeport-based gangs whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder, and other acts of violence.  Langston was a member of the Original North End (“O.N.E.”), a gang based in the Trumbull Gardens area of Bridgeport that committed acts of violence against rival gangs, including the East End gang, the East Side gang, and the PT Barnum gang.  O.N.E. members also robbed drug dealers, customers, and others, sold narcotics, and stole cars from inside and outside Connecticut, often using the cars to commit crimes.  They frequently used social media to promote and coordinate their criminal activities.

    Text messages and social media posts reviewed during the investigation confirmed that Langston possessed and sold narcotics and firearms, stole vehicles, and was involved in related violent criminal activity alongside other O.N.E. members and associates.

    The investigation also determined that Langston and fellow O.N.E. member Amire Newsome conspired to murder rival gang members and, on March 7, 2021, shot and severely injured the mother of two rival gang members as she drove her vehicle on I-95.

    O.N.E. members committed other violent crimes, including murder.

    Langston has been detained since his arrest on July 20, 2021.  On September 13, 2023, he pleaded guilty to conspiring to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity.

    Approximately 47 members and associates of multiple Bridgeport-based gangs have been convicted of federal offenses stemming from this investigation, which has solved eight murders and approximately 20 attempted murders.

    Newsome pleaded guilty on August 16, 2023, and awaits sentencing.

    This investigation has been conducted by the FBI’s Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory, Waterbury Police Department, and Naugatuck Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck, Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, Stephanie T. Levick, and Rahul Kale.

    This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.

    PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. 

    Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities.  Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it.  If a group member elects to engage in gun violence, the focused attention of federal, state and local law enforcement will be directed at that entire group.

    OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How does your brain create new memories? Neuroscientists discover ‘rules’ for how neurons encode new information

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By William Wright, Postdoctoral Scholar in Neurobiology, University of California, San Diego

    Neurons that fire together sometimes wire together. PASIEKA/Science Photo Library via Getty Images

    Every day, people are constantly learning and forming new memories. When you pick up a new hobby, try a recipe a friend recommended or read the latest world news, your brain stores many of these memories for years or decades.

    But how does your brain achieve this incredible feat?

    In our newly published research in the journal Science, we have identified some of the “rules” the brain uses to learn.

    Learning in the brain

    The human brain is made up of billions of nerve cells. These neurons conduct electrical pulses that carry information, much like how computers use binary code to carry data.

    These electrical pulses are communicated with other neurons through connections between them called synapses. Individual neurons have branching extensions known as dendrites that can receive thousands of electrical inputs from other cells. Dendrites transmit these inputs to the main body of the neuron, where it then integrates all these signals to generate its own electrical pulses.

    It is the collective activity of these electrical pulses across specific groups of neurons that form the representations of different information and experiences within the brain.

    Neurons are the basic units of the brain.
    OpenStax, CC BY-SA

    For decades, neuroscientists have thought that the brain learns by changing how neurons are connected to one another. As new information and experiences alter how neurons communicate with each other and change their collective activity patterns, some synaptic connections are made stronger while others are made weaker. This process of synaptic plasticity is what produces representations of new information and experiences within your brain.

    In order for your brain to produce the correct representations during learning, however, the right synaptic connections must undergo the right changes at the right time. The “rules” that your brain uses to select which synapses to change during learning – what neuroscientists call the credit assignment problem – have remained largely unclear.

    Defining the rules

    We decided to monitor the activity of individual synaptic connections within the brain during learning to see whether we could identify activity patterns that determine which connections would get stronger or weaker.

    To do this, we genetically encoded biosensors in the neurons of mice that would light up in response to synaptic and neural activity. We monitored this activity in real time as the mice learned a task that involved pressing a lever to a certain position after a sound cue in order to receive water.

    We were surprised to find that the synapses on a neuron don’t all follow the same rule. For example, scientists have often thought that neurons follow what are called Hebbian rules, where neurons that consistently fire together, wire together. Instead, we saw that synapses on different locations of dendrites of the same neuron followed different rules to determine whether connections got stronger or weaker. Some synapses adhered to the traditional Hebbian rule where neurons that consistently fire together strengthen their connections. Other synapses did something different and completely independent of the neuron’s activity.

    Our findings suggest that neurons, by simultaneously using two different sets of rules for learning across different groups of synapses, rather than a single uniform rule, can more precisely tune the different types of inputs they receive to appropriately represent new information in the brain.

    In other words, by following different rules in the process of learning, neurons can multitask and perform multiple functions in parallel.

    Future applications

    This discovery provides a clearer understanding of how the connections between neurons change during learning. Given that most brain disorders, including degenerative and psychiatric conditions, involve some form of malfunctioning synapses, this has potentially important implications for human health and society.

    For example, depression may develop from an excessive weakening of the synaptic connections within certain areas of the brain that make it harder to experience pleasure. By understanding how synaptic plasticity normally operates, scientists may be able to better understand what goes wrong in depression and then develop therapies to more effectively treat it.

    Changes to connections in the amygdala – colored green – are implicated in depression.
    William J. Giardino/Luis de Lecea Lab/Stanford University via NIH/Flickr, CC BY-NC

    These findings may also have implications for artificial intelligence. The artificial neural networks underlying AI have largely been inspired by how the brain works. However, the learning rules researchers use to update the connections within the networks and train the models are usually uniform and also not biologically plausible. Our research may provide insights into how to develop more biologically realistic AI models that are more efficient, have better performance, or both.

    There is still a long way to go before we can use this information to develop new therapies for human brain disorders. While we found that synaptic connections on different groups of dendrites use different learning rules, we don’t know exactly why or how. In addition, while the ability of neurons to simultaneously use multiple learning methods increases their capacity to encode information, what other properties this may give them isn’t yet clear.

    Future research will hopefully answer these questions and further our understanding of how the brain learns.

    William Wright receives funding from National Institutes of Health (NINDS) and the Schmidt Sciences Foundation.

    Takaki Komiyama receives funding from NIH, NSF, Simons Foundation, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind.

    – ref. How does your brain create new memories? Neuroscientists discover ‘rules’ for how neurons encode new information – https://theconversation.com/how-does-your-brain-create-new-memories-neuroscientists-discover-rules-for-how-neurons-encode-new-information-254558

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: NASA Astronaut Don Pettit Turns the Camera on Science

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    NASA astronaut Don Pettit is scheduled to return home in mid-April 2025 after a seven-month mission aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 72. Throughout his stay, Pettit contributed to research that benefits humanity and future space missions, and delighted photography enthusiasts around the world with his unique point of view.

    Pettit also shared what he calls his “science of opportunity” to demonstrate how experimenting with our surroundings can help gain a better understanding of how things work. This understanding is enhanced when art, science, and microgravity come together.

    More: https://go.nasa.gov/3RmKPB9
    Download: https://images.nasa.gov/details/Don_Pettit_Science

    Credit: NASA
    Producer: Nicole Rose
    Music: Universal Production Music

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc02JNRyG6g

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Democrats Seek Immediate Termination of DOGE’s Unauthorized Use of AI Systems, Call Out Security Risks and Potential Criminal Liability

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

    U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Mike Levin (D-CA), and Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) were joined by 45 additional Members of Congress including Ranking Member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Ranking Member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee Gerry Connolly (D-VA) to call for the immediate termination of the “Department of Government Efficiency’s” (DOGE) use of unauthorized AI systems, emphasizing the significant security risks posed and potential criminal liability involved. The lawmakers also expressed deep concerns with lack of oversight over AI usage, sharing of non-public or sensitive data, and with Elon Musk’s conflicts of interest as a federal contractor and founder and owner of xAI. 

    The lawmakers wrote:

    “We write to express concern about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems within this Administration’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), without standards or regard for sensitive data. We understand AI’s potential for modernization and efficiency improvements within the federal government, and support implementation of AI technologies in a manner that complies with existing data security and software development, acquisition, and usage laws, and that provides proper transparency, vetting, and oversight over the use of such AI technologies. We are specifically concerned about reports of Elon Musk and DOGE’s monitoring and sharing of federal employee and non-public federal data using AI tools, and reports of intentions to use sensitive data to train private AI models. These present serious security risks, self-dealing, and potential criminal liability if not handled correctly, and have the potential to undermine successful and appropriate AI adoption.

    “In addition, DOGE’s reported use of AI technologies on sensitive information raises significant concerns about data security. Musk’s DOGE team at the Office of Personnel Management reportedly used AI systems to analyze emails from a large portion of the two million person Federal workforce describing their previous week’s accomplishments—without model transparency and without addressing major concerns about security or conflicts of interest. Alarmingly, sensitive data from across the Department of Education was also reportedly fed into an AI system, including data with personally identifiable information for people who manage grants, as well as sensitive internal financial data. Without proper protections, feeding sensitive data into an AI system puts it into the possession of a system’s operator—a massive breach of public and employee trust and an increase in cybersecurity risks surrounding that data. Generative AI models also frequently make errors and show significant biases—the technology simply is not ready for use in high-risk decision-making without proper vetting, transparency, oversight, and guardrails in place.

    “Sharing of such data would constitute a major data privacy and data security risk. Specifically, we are concerned that sharing such data outside of federal systems or lawfully vetted contracts may run in violation of laws such as the Privacy Act of 1974, the E-Government Act of 2002, and the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014. These laws set requirements for the federal government’s collection and use of personal information and sensitive data— including through establishing limits on agency information sharing, and requirements for data minimization, disclosure limitations, cybersecurity, transparency, and privacy impact assessments for developing or procuring information technology. In addition, the federal government is legally obligated to comply with codified requirements for vetting software and cloud products and services across the federal government, through programs such as the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP). 

    “It is clear that DOGE’s use of AI clearly does not meet the standards the previous memoranda set. Worse, existing AI systems like CamoGPT have been used in the misguided purging of federal materials from references to achievements of Americans of color and women, including the Navajo Code Talkers and the Tuskegee Airmen. It is not clear how the use of CamoGPT meets the Congressional authorization for AI usage provided in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, but it is alarming that the result of such usage by this Administration was referred to as an error—raising questions about the appropriateness of and lack of sufficient oversight of its use.

    “While we support the federal government integrating new, approved AI technologies that can improve efficiency or efficacy, we cannot sacrifice security, privacy, and appropriate use standards when interacting with federal data. We also cannot condone use of AI systems, often known for hallucinations and bias, in decisions regarding termination of federal employment or federal funding without sufficient transparency and oversight of those models—the risk of losing talent and critical research because of flawed technology or flawed uses of such technology is simply too high. We ask that you immediately terminate any use of AI systems that have not been approved by FedRAMP or equivalent formal approval procedures or that do not comply with existing laws. In addition, we ask that you do not use any AI system to make employment termination decisions relating to civil servants.”

    Full text of the letter follows below, and a signed copy is available here.

    –

    Dear Director Vought:

    We write to express concern about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems within this Administration’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), without standards or regard for sensitive data. We understand AI’s potential for modernization and efficiency improvements within the federal government, and support implementation of AI technologies in a manner that complies with existing data security and software development, acquisition, and usage laws, and that provides proper transparency, vetting, and oversight over the use of such AI technologies. We are specifically concerned about reports of Elon Musk and DOGE’s monitoring and sharing of federal employee and non-public federal data using AI tools, and reports of intentions to use sensitive data to train private AI models. These present serious security risks, self-dealing, and potential criminal liability if not handled correctly, and have the potential to undermine successful and appropriate AI adoption.

    A DOGE staffer who is also currently employed at SpaceX reportedly created an “AI assistant” for DOGE staff, powered by Musk’s xAI Grok-2 model—this model was hosted on a subdomain of the staffer’s external website, raising both security concerns and conflict of interest issues. In addition to privacy and security concerns, Musk stands to profit from access to government data or contracting opportunities that are not available to competitors or the public. Increased access to sensitive government data would set his AI models at an unfair competitive advantage over other AI service providers—the conflicts of interest become exponentially worse if Musk pursues further contracts to become a major provider of government AI services.

    Further, DOGE reportedly used a chatbot named “GSAi” based on Anthropic and Meta models with the stated intent of analyzing contract and procurement data via a centralized system consolidated under GSA, which would pose similar security and conflict of interest problems. Giving Musk’s teams access to sensitive government data on other contracts across the federal government is especially problematic when considering Musk’s business interests with SpaceX —already a major government contractor—as well as with SpaceX subsidiary Starlink, Tesla, and elsewhere.

    In addition, DOGE’s reported use of AI technologies on sensitive information raises significant concerns about data security. Musk’s DOGE team at the Office of Personnel Management reportedly used AI systems to analyze emails from a large portion of the two million person Federal workforce describing their previous week’s accomplishments—without model transparency and without addressing major concerns about security or conflicts of interest. Alarmingly, sensitive data from across the Department of Education was also reportedly fed into an AI system, including data with personally identifiable information for people who manage grants, as well as sensitive internal financial data. Without proper protections, feeding sensitive data into an AI system puts it into the possession of a system’s operator—a massive breach of public and employee trust and an increase in cybersecurity risks surrounding that data. Generative AI models also frequently make errors and show significant biases—the technology simply is not ready for use in high-risk decision-making without proper vetting, transparency, oversight, and guardrails in place.

    Sharing of such data would constitute a major data privacy and data security risk. Specifically, we are concerned that sharing such data outside of federal systems or lawfully vetted contracts may run in violation of laws such as the Privacy Act of 1974, the E-Government Act of 2002, and the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014. These laws set requirements for the federal government’s collection and use of personal information and sensitive data— including through establishing limits on agency information sharing, and requirements for data minimization, disclosure limitations, cybersecurity, transparency, and privacy impact assessments for developing or procuring information technology. In addition, the federal government is legally obligated to comply with codified requirements for vetting software and cloud products and services across the federal government, through programs such as the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP). 

    In 2023, OMB established memoranda to help implement requirements to vet and approve AI technologies for federal use, such as OMB memoranda M-24-10 and M-24-18, which directed federal agencies to use AI only after developing tests and guidelines to ensure that its use would not compromise privacy and cybersecurity. These memoranda recognized the sensitive nature of the information the federal government handles every day and the significant privacy risks of using unvetted AI technologies on such information—including the risk of sharing personally identifiable or otherwise sensitive information with the AI model deployers. While these memoranda were recently revised through OMB’s M-25-21 and M-25-22, the new memoranda retain some provisions on data security and data privacy, including calls against using non-public data for training commercial AI models. These memoranda also define employment decisions for federal employees as a high-impact AI use application. 

    It is clear that DOGE’s use of AI clearly does not meet the standards the previous memoranda set. Worse, existing AI systems like CamoGPT have been used in the misguided purging of federal materials from references to achievements of Americans of color and women, including the Navajo Code Talkers and the Tuskegee Airmen. It is not clear how the use of CamoGPT meets the Congressional authorization for AI usage provided in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, but it is alarming that the result of such usage by this Administration was referred to as an error—raising questions about the appropriateness of and lack of sufficient oversight of its use.

    While we support the federal government integrating new, approved AI technologies that can improve efficiency or efficacy, we cannot sacrifice security, privacy, and appropriate use standards when interacting with federal data. We also cannot condone use of AI systems, often known for hallucinations and bias, in decisions regarding termination of federal employment or federal funding without sufficient transparency and oversight of those models—the risk of losing talent and critical research because of flawed technology or flawed uses of such technology is simply too high. We ask that you immediately terminate any use of AI systems that have not been approved by FedRAMP or equivalent formal approval procedures or that do not comply with existing laws. In addition, we ask that you do not use any AI system to make employment termination decisions relating to civil servants. 

    It is important to understand the extent to which this administration’s reckless disregard for legal authorities and necessary security protocols has extended into use of AI systems. Thoughtful adoption of AI is of strategic national importance. Please provide responses to the following questions by no later than April 25, 2025:

    1. Has DOGE or the Trump Administration used AI technologies powered by xAI’s models?
    2. What new AI software has been deployed and used by this Administration that was not used by a previous administration? Provide a list.
      1. Include whether each is on the CISA or DISA authorized technologies list or FedRAMP approved services list, and the date such technology or service was added.
      2. Include how this Administration’s use of each of such technologies is in compliance with laws such as the Privacy Act of 1974, the E-Government Act of 2002, and the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014. 
    3. Of the models used in the past two months, who has access to the information submitted to such models and how is oversight being conducted?
      1. Please provide the level of clearance, authorization, and training they have received.
      2. Please provide whether they are a special government employee or what category of employee they are.
    4. Have the “Grok” models used or the AI technologies used in “GSAi” gone through a federal procurement process prior to use?
      1. Describe the process such technologies were subject to, and provide documentation.
    5. As many AI deployers collect information on the prompts input into their AI models, and use those prompts and their inferences to train their models, how are you ensuring that no deployers of any AI technologies that DOGE or the Trump Administration may use engage in this practice?
    6. Has DOGE or the Trump Administration to date used any AI technology to make or recommend an employment decision about a federal employee?
      1. If so, which technologies has the Department or Administration used?
      2. If so, how many federal employees did the Department or Administration use AI technology to make or recommend an employment decision about?
    7. Has DOGE or the Trump Administration to date used any AI technology to make or recommend a decision regarding a contract or federal funding?
      1.  If so, which contracts and/or which funding? Please provide the search query and rationale for the decision.
    8. Have Musk or DOGE employees used government datasets that are not publicly accessible in the training of any non-Federal AI technologies, including for any “Grok” models?
    9.  Has DOGE or the Trump Administration to date shared any government datasets that are not publicly accessible with any services, sites, or actors that are not approved by FedRAMP or in a way that is not in compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the E-Government Act of 2002, the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014, or any other relevant laws governing data security?

    The name, agency or department of origin, and a timespan of the information covered in the dataset;

    A description of the static or dynamic data sources and scope of the data accessed for the analyses performed; and

    A description of the content of the data accessed, including data types and known features. This should include identification of any metadata collected (such as associated users, IP addresses, locations, or timestamps).
         
        10. Do any DOGE servers or websites incorporate AI technologies not previously approved under the requirements set by M-24-10 or M-24-18, or agency guidance in compliance with those memoranda, or not on the CISA or DISA authorized technologies list or FedRAMP approved services list? If so, provide a list.
        11.What steps has the Trump Administration taken to ensure that Musk and all DOGE employees are not using their federal government role to enrich themselves personally or the companies in which they hold ownership or maintain affiliation, including through sharing of data?

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s Curiosity Rover May Have Solved Mars’ Missing Carbonate Mystery

    Source: NASA

    New findings from NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover could provide an answer to the mystery of what happened to the planet’s ancient atmosphere and how Mars has evolved over time.
    Researchers have long believed that Mars once had a thick, carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere and liquid water on the planet’s surface. That carbon dioxide and water should have reacted with Martian rocks to create carbonate minerals. Until now, though, rover missions and near-infrared spectroscopy analysis from Mars-orbiting satellites haven’t found the amounts of carbonate on the planet’s surface predicted by this theory.
    Reported in an April paper in Science, data from three of Curiosity’s drill sites revealed the presence of siderite, an iron carbonate mineral, within the sulfate-rich rocky layers of Mount Sharp in Mars’ Gale Crater.
    “The discovery of abundant siderite in Gale Crater represents both a surprising and important breakthrough in our understanding of the geologic and atmospheric evolution of Mars,” said Benjamin Tutolo, associate professor at the University of Calgary, Canada, and lead author of the paper.
    To study the Red Planet’s chemical and mineral makeup, Curiosity drills three to four centimeters down into the subsurface, then drops the powdered rock samples into its CheMin instrument. The instrument, led by NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley, uses X-ray diffraction to analyze rocks and soil. CheMin’s data was processed and analyzed by scientists at the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) Division at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
    “Drilling through the layered Martian surface is like going through a history book,” said Thomas Bristow, research scientist at NASA Ames and coauthor of the paper. “Just a few centimeters down gives us a good idea of the minerals that formed at or close to the surface around 3.5 billion years ago.”
    The discovery of this carbonate mineral in rocks beneath the surface suggests that carbonate may be masked by other minerals in near-infrared satellite analysis. If other sulfate-rich layers across Mars also contain carbonates, the amount of stored carbon dioxide would be a fraction of that needed in the ancient atmosphere to create conditions warm enough to support liquid water. The rest could be hidden in other deposits or have been lost to space over time.
    In the future, missions or analyses of other sulfate-rich areas on Mars could confirm these findings and help us better understand the planet’s early history and how it transformed as its atmosphere was lost.
    Curiosity, part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program (MEP) portfolio, was built by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is managed by Caltech in Pasadena, California. JPL leads the mission on behalf of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington.

    For more information on Curiosity, visit: 

    Mars Science Laboratory: Curiosity Rover

    News Media Contacts 
    Karen Fox / Molly Wasser NASA Headquarters, Washington202-358-1600karen.c.fox@nasa.gov / molly.l.wasser@nasa.gov 
    Andrew Good Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.818-393-2433andrew.c.good@jpl.nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fact Sheet: How DHS is Combating Child Exploitation and Abuse

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Fact Sheet: How DHS is Combating Child Exploitation and Abuse

    very day, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leads the fight against online child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA)

    As part of the Department’s critical mission to combat crimes of exploitation and protect victims, we investigate these abhorrent crimes, spread awareness, collaborate with interagency and international partners, and expand our reach to ensure children are safe and protected

    “At the Department of Homeland Security, our mission is to protect the American people, and that includes protecting our children

    The internet has completely changed how we connect, but it has also opened new doors for predators who want to harm our kids,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem

    “It’s a topic that should unite all of us, and I appreciate the opportunity to highlight the work of Homeland Security Investigations and all that they do to combat online child exploitation

    ”
    DHS battles online CSEA using all available tools and resources department-wide, emphasizing its commitment to the Department’s homeland security mission to “Combat Crimes of Exploitation and Protect Victims

    ” In recognition of President Trump’s proclamation designating April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, DHS is committed to raising awareness of these heinous crimes, preventing child exploitation and abuse, and bringing perpetrators to justice

    As part of the Department’s ongoing work in this area, today DHS is celebrating the one-year anniversary of Know2Protect, the U

    S

    government’s first prevention and awareness campaign to combat online CSEA

     
    Between April 2024 and February 2025:

    DHS launched Know2Protect®, a first of its kind national public awareness campaign to combat online CSEA

    The campaign enhances the Department’s capabilities to combat online CSEA by partnering with the private sector to deliver its awareness messaging and coordinating federal efforts to confront and prevent this growing epidemic

    The Department has successfully entered into over 20 Know2Protect® Memoranda of Understanding with leading technology companies, national and international sports leagues, youth-serving organizations and nonprofits, and other private sector partners to raise awareness of this crime and help children stay safer online

    DHS increased the footprint of law enforcement partners at the DHS Cyber Crimes Center (C3) to enhance coordination across all DHS agencies and offices to combat cyber-related crimes and further the Department’s mission to combat online CSEA

    Several partners are collocated and work together every day at the DHS C3, including the United States Secret Service (USSS), U

    S

    Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the United States Marshals Service (USMS),      U

    S

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), and the Department of Justice (DOJ) Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS)

     
    The Blue Campaign, part of the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking, hosted 170 national trainings on the indicators of forced labor and sex trafficking and how to report these crimes with more than 24,000 participants from the federal government, non-governmental organizations, law enforcement, and other external stakeholders

    DHS identified and rescued 1,567 child victims of online CSEA through the work of HSI and made 4,460 arrests for crimes involving online CSEA

    Learn more in the U

    S

     Immigration and Customs Enforcement Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report
    HSI and ERO have instituted a collaborative operational initiative to locate unaccompanied alien children (UAC) released from the care and custody of the U

    S

    Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement (HHS-ORR)

    The UAC initiative   identifies and locates UACs to ensure immigration obligations are met, and investigate any potential indicators of forced labor, sex trafficking, or other exploitation

    To accomplish this work, DHS coordinates with law enforcement at home and abroad to enforce and uphold our laws, protects victims with a victim-centered approach that prioritizes dignity and respect, and works to stop this heinous crime through public education and outreach

    Enforcing Our Laws
    DHS works with domestic and international partners to enforce and uphold the laws that protect children from abuse

    The Department works collaboratively with  Department of Justice prosecutors, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U

    S Marshals, INTERPOL, Europol, and other international law enforcement partners to arrest and prosecute perpetrators

    DHS increased U

    S

    government and law enforcement efforts to combat financial sextortion, a crime targeting children and teens by coercing them into sending explicit images online and extorting them for money

    From FY22 to FY24, HSI received more than 4,900 CyberTipline reports related to sextortion predators from Côte dʼIvoire

    From these reports, 652 children have been identified and supported by HSI

    In an effort to combat this crime, HSI sent special agents to Côte d’Ivoire to provide online CSEA training to local law enforcement and supported local law enforcement efforts in locating and apprehending offenders residing there

    The CCHT works alongside the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to identify and pursue the recovery of underage victims of sex trafficking

    The CCHT emphasizes victim identification operations which allows HSI field offices to rescue these children while implementing a victim centered approach

    The CCHT supports HSI field operations throughout the investigation and prosecution of these traffickers and their networks

    DHS partnered with 61 regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces to investigate people involved in the online victimization of children, including those who produce, receive, distribute and/or possess child sexual abuse material, or who engage in online sexual enticement of children

    DHS researched and developed modern tools and technologies that equip domestic and international law enforcement partners with advanced forensic capabilities to accomplish their mission to identify victims and apprehend child sexual abusers

    The Science and Technology Directorate developed StreamView, a digital forensics and data analytics tool designed to assist law enforcement in effectively addressing child exploitation cases

    By aggregating, organizing, and analyzing investigative leads, StreamView enables investigators to determine crime locations, identify victims, and bring perpetrators to justice more efficiently

    Since May 2023, StreamView has identified and rescued over 133 child and adult victims, dismantled more than 29 criminal networks, generated over 600 leads and referrals, and arrested of over 120 criminal actors

    The platform has also contributed to 10 convictions and 8 life sentences, significantly improving Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) investigations

    The U

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    Secret Service provides forensic, technical, and investigative assistance to NCMEC and state/local/tribal law enforcement in cases involving missing and exploited children

     Support includes polygraph examinations, age progression/regression, composite sketches, audio/image/video enhancement, speaker identification/recognition, questioned document analysis, fingerprint development and examination, geospatial information mapping system, digital forensics

    U

    S

    Customs and Border Protection screens all undocumented unaccompanied children and other arriving minors for indicators of abuse or exploitation, human trafficking, extraterritorial sexual exploitation of children, sexual predators involved in crimes of exploitation, and all suspected criminal cases are referred to HSI

    Transportation Security Administration (INV) Special Agent Polygraph Examiners provide their expertise to advance investigative and prosecutorial efforts in support of child sexual exploitation investigations

    INV developed evidence of child sexual exploitation and/or abuse in 15 criminal specific and pre-employment examinations

    INV Special Agent Polygraph Examiners, assigned to its Special Operations Division, conduct examinations on behalf of INV, HSI, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, federal and local law enforcement agencies

    In a case involving a child victim, an INV Special Agent Polygraph Examiner administered a specific issue polygraph examination, which resulted in the arrest of an individual attempting to solicit a child and identified six other victims ranging in age from 5-16 years of age

    Protecting and Supporting Victims

    The Angel Watch Center (AWC) within DHS C3 proactively identifies U

    S

    persons traveling abroad who have been convicted of sexual crimes against children

    By using travel related information and publicly available state sex offender registries, the AWC notifies destination countries of these individuals’ pending arrivals to help prevent potential child sex tourism and other forms of exploitation

    The HSI AWC sent over 4,800 travel notifications to foreign governments on convicted, registered U

    S

    child sex offenders, leading to over 900 denials of entry

    These efforts build international cooperation to ensure all countries are safe from sexual predators

    In July 2023, HSI launched the first U

    S

    -based international victim identification surge, “Operation Renewed Hope (ORH)

    ” To date, there have been three yearly operations: ORHI, ORHII, and ORHIII, to identify and rescue child victims of online exploitation

    In these operations, HSI and its domestic and international partners work on child sexual abuse material contained in HSI holdings, teams expertly comb through and analyze unidentified series of child sexual abuse material to identify children and offenders and create lead packages for appropriate investigative partners in furtherance of associated law enforcement actions

    In the Spring of 2025, HSI conducted ORHIII, which resulted in 386 probable identifications and 56 victims who have been identified and rescued

    Once victims of child exploitation are identified and/or rescued, the HSI Victim Assistance Program (VAP) supports them and their non-offending caretaker(s) by using highly trained forensic interview specialists to conduct victim-centered and trauma-informed forensic interviews

    In addition, VAP’s victim assistance specialists provide resources to victims such as crisis intervention, referrals for short and long term medical and/or mental health care and contact information for local social service programs and agencies to assist in the healing process

    HSI provides short-term immigration protections to human trafficking victims, including victims of child sex trafficking

    U

    S

    Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) grants immigration benefits to eligible child victims of human trafficking, abuse, and other crimes, including T nonimmigrant status, U nonimmigrant status, and immigrant classification under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

    Educating and Increasing Public Awareness

    The Know2Protect® campaign has garnered over 518 million impressions across various media platforms, in large part due to donated advertising from signed partners and other partner activations

    The top visited pages on Know2Protect

    gov are Take Action, How2Report, and Know the Threats

    Project iGuardian is the official in-person educational program of the Know2Protect campaign

    Led by HSI, Project iGuardian offers in-person presentations designed to inform children, teens, parents, and trusted adults on the threat of online CSEA, how to implement preventive strategies, and report suspected abuse to law enforcement

    Since the start of FY24, more than 400 special agents have been trained to give Project iGuardian presentations

    In FY24, HSI gave more than 1,100 presentations to more than 122,000 children, teens, parents, and teachers domestically and internationally

    These presentations yielded more than 75 victim disclosures and 77 investigative leads for online CSEA

    So far in FY 25, HSI has given more than 760 iGuardian presentations to over 69,000 children and adults, which have yielded more than 41 victim disclosures and 13 investigative leads

    In April 2024, the Blue Campaign announced a partnership with rideshare company Lyft to train their drivers, who interact with millions of riders per year, on how to recognize indicators of human trafficking among their passengers, and how to report it

      From July to September 2024, Blue Campaign collaborated with NCMEC to promote human trafficking awareness across various social media platforms, targeting both minors and those who work with minors

    The campaign garnered more than 2 million impressions on Twitch, 14 million on Facebook, 3million on Snapchat, and 4 million through display ads

    The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) covers child sexual exploitation and abuse awareness in its Human Trafficking lesson plan

    In FY2024, FLETC trained nearly 4,400 individuals in human trafficking awareness

    USSS Childhood Smart Program Ambassadors educated more than 112,000 children, parents, and teachers across 31 states and the District of Columbia about how to prevent online child sexual exploitation and child abduction

    The Childhood Smart Program provides age-appropriate presentations to children as young as five as well as to adults

    Presentations focus on internet and personal safety as well as other topics such as social media etiquette and cyber bullying

    The HSI Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center trained more than 800 individuals across the interagency on female genital mutilation or cutting, a severe form of child abuse and a crime under federal law when done to individuals under the age of 18

    The Blue Campaign Blue Lightning Initiative, part of the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking, trained more than 260,000 aviation personnel to identify potential traffickers and victims of forced labor and sex trafficking, to include child sex trafficking, and report their suspicions to law enforcement in FY 2023

    The Initiative added 31 new partners this past year, raising its total partners to 136 aviation industry organizations, including its first two official international partners

    The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency administers SchoolSafety

    gov, an interagency website that includes information, guidance and resources on a range of school safety topics

    SchoolSafety

    gov includes a child exploitation section that houses more than 60 resources to help school communities identify, prevent and respond to child exploitation

    Since its launch in January 2023, child exploitation section has been viewed more than 35,600 times

    What You Can Do and Resources Available

    Visit  www

    Know2Protect

    gov to access free resources to understand the threats of online CSEA and learn preventative strategies to stop future victimization

    Request an educational presentation tailored for school children and trusted adults:

    Visit SchoolSafety

    gov for resources to help educators, school leaders, parents, and school personnel identify, prevent, and respond to child exploitation

    Learn more from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

    Visit https://www

    dhs

    gov/blue-campaign for resources about how to prevent, identify and report human trafficking

     
    How to report suspected online child sexual exploitation and abuse in the United States:
    Contact your local, state, campus, or tribal law enforcement officials directly

    Call 911 in an emergency

    If you suspect a child has been abducted or faces imminent danger, contact your local police and the NCMEC tip line at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)

    If you suspect a child might be a victim of online child sexual exploitation, call the HSI Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423 and report it to NCMEC’s CyberTipline

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Meet the Space Ops Team: Becky Brocato

    Source: NASA

    As an adventurous individual, Becky Brocato, Ph.D.,  has a deep curiosity for understanding the conditions of the human body, especially as it pertains to spaceflight. This passion directly translates to her role at NASA, where Brocato serves as the Element Scientist in the Human Health Countermeasures division and oversees research that seeks to reduce medical risks that astronauts face from spaceflight, ensuring the continual health and safety of current and future NASA astronauts.
    As part of the Human Research Program, the group strives to understand the physiological effects of spaceflight and develop strategies to mitigate any detrimental effects on human health and performance. For Brocato, her role presents the exciting opportunity to tangibly improve the lives of astronauts and actively contribute to the success of their missions.

    “The thrill of my job comes from the sheer audacity of what we are undertaking—enabling humans to conquer the challenges of deep space,” said Brocato. “I’m invested in ensuring our astronauts are not just prepared—but confident—as they tackle immense physical and mental demands.”
    Brocato attributes her early interest in flight and space research to her father and grandfather, who built a plane together when Brocato was younger. She recalls sitting in the plane’s fuselage, pretending she was traveling the world.
    “My dad was my childhood hero for opening my eyes to the skies,” said Brocato. Fueled by this passion, she began her career as an aerospace engineer at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, where she tested parachutes for aerial delivery, including the parachute designed for NASA’s X-38 crew return vehicle.
    Now, having worked at NASA for four years, Brocato is excited to pass down her insight to younger generations, teaching them how her work ensures the sustainability of future space missions. Recently, after delivering a seminar on the methods to counter the risks humans face from spaceflight, Brocato spoke with college students eager to learn more about the complexities of the human body.

    “I felt like I wasn’t just sharing knowledge; I was helping to inspire a new generation of potential researchers to tackle the challenges of space exploration that was a real bright spot,” said Brocato. “Seeing their enthusiasm reaffirmed exactly why I came to NASA.”
    This enthusiasm manifests in Brocato’s personal life: as a mother, she loves witnessing her child’s reaction to launches. “It was awesome to see the pure, unadulterated awe in my 7-year-old’s eyes when NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 lifted off,” said Brocato. “Moments like that are a reminder that spaceflight can touch all generations, which fuels my passion both at work and at home.”
    For Brocato, prioritizing her personal time is crucial, and she enjoys spending it pursuing physical activities. She is an avid runner, whether she is jogging to work at NASA’s Johnson Space Center or competing in local adventure races. She has even been skydiving, which is where she met her husband.
    Brocato is excited to witness NASA continue to push boundaries in human exploration, returning to the Moon and onto Mars. As a dedicated worker known for her curiosity and enthusiasm, Brocato’s work is crucial to advancing NASA’s mission.
    NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate maintains a continuous human presence in space for the benefit of people on Earth. The programs within the directorate are the hub of NASA’s space exploration efforts, enabling Artemis, commercial space, science, and other agency missions through communication, launch services, research capabilities, and crew support.
    To learn more about NASA’s Space Operation Mission Directorate, visit:  
    https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/space-operations

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Science Meets Art: NASA Astronaut Don Pettit Turns the Camera on Science

    Source: NASA

    [embedded content]

    NASA astronaut Don Pettit is scheduled to return home in mid-April after a seven-month mission aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 72. Throughout his stay, Pettit contributed to research that benefits humanity and future space missions.
    Pettit also shared what he calls “science of opportunity” to demonstrate how experimenting with our surroundings can help gain a better understanding of how things work. This understanding is perhaps enhanced when art, science, and microgravity come together.

    NASA astronaut Don Pettit demonstrates electrostatic forces using charged water droplets and a knitting needle made of Teflon. This series of overlapping frames displays the unique attraction-repulsion properties of Teflon and charged droplets, similar to how charged particles from the Sun behave when they come in contact with Earth’s magnetic field. Highly energetic particles from space that collide with atoms and molecules in the atmosphere create the aurora borealis.

    [embedded content]

    NASA astronaut Don Pettit snaps an image of the hands of NASA astronauts Nick Hague, left, and Suni Williams inside the Life Science Glovebox, a facility at the International Space Station that separates the science from the scientists, thus protecting both from contamination.

    The freezers on the International Space Station are as crucial as its experiment modules, preserving samples for further analysis on Earth. The Minus Eighty-Degree Laboratory Freezer for International Space Station stores samples at ultra-cold temperatures. NASA astronaut Don Pettit used it to freeze thin ice wafers, which he photographed with a polarizing filter to reveal unique crystal structures.

    [embedded content]

    NASA astronaut Don Pettit films a time-lapse sequence of Canadarm2 retrieving Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE-20-Commercial) samples at the International Space Station. This investigation exposed various experiments to the harsh space environment, such as vacuum, radiation, and extreme temperatures. Findings could help in many areas, from designing more durable materials to advancing quantum communications.

    A surge in International Space Station research supports NASA’s exploration efforts at the Moon and beyond, requiring more energy to operate the orbiting laboratory. NASA astronaut Don Pettit photographs new and old solar arrays side by side. The technology used by the International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (IROSA) on the right was first tested aboard the station in 2017. By 2023, six IROSAs were deployed aboard station, providing a 20-30% increase in power for research and operations. Roll-Out Solar Arrays were also used on NASA’s DART asteroid mission and now are slated for the Gateway lunar outpost, a vital component of Artemis.

    Don Pettit
    “Space Squire” posted to X

    NASA astronaut Don Pettit helped his colleagues suit up for two spacewalks in January. The first spacewalk involved patching the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), a telescope that measures X-rays from neutron stars and other cosmic objects. Sunlight interference affected data collection, and the patches reduced this issue. On the second spacewalk, astronauts collected samples from the exterior of the International Space Station for ISS External Microorganisms. This investigation examines whether the orbiting laboratory releases microbes, how many, and how far these may travel. Findings could inform the design of future spacecraft, including spacesuits, to limit biocontamination during future space missions.

    NASA astronaut Don Pettit photographs “cosmic colors at sunrise.” From 250 miles above, the International Space Station’s orbital path covers most of Earth’s population, offering valuable data and a great opportunity for shooting breathtaking photography.

    NASA astronaut Don Pettit leveraged his stay aboard the International Space Station to photograph our planet with an artistic twist.

    NASA astronaut Don Pettit wrote on social media about his snapshot of the Mediterranean Sea from the International Space Station, “Sun glint off the Mediterranean Sea (infrared and converted to black and white). When the Sun reflects off the ocean, watery details unseen with normal lighting appear. Small centimeter differences in ocean height become visible, revealing hidden currents.”

    NASA astronaut Don Pettit’s photography could contribute to the study of transient luminous events, colorful electrical discharges that occur above thunderstorms. His imagery can be paired with data from the Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) and Thor-Davis, a high-speed thunderstorm camera. The combined efforts of crew photography and instruments aboard the International Space Station help scientists better understand thunderstorms and their impacts on Earth’s upper atmosphere.
    More of Pettit’s photography can be found on his X profile, @astro_Pettit.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “Anusandhan” National Research Foundation (ANRF) to anchor upscaled collaborations involving private players, says Dr Jitendra Singh;

    Source: Government of India

    “Anusandhan” National Research Foundation (ANRF) to anchor upscaled collaborations involving private players, says Dr Jitendra Singh;

    ANRF to Anchor India’s Scientific Future: Dr. Jitendra Singh Charts Roadmap for Cross-Ministry Collaboration

    ‘No More Silos’: Dr. Jitendra Singh Pitches Unified Scientific Vision

    From Lab to Market: Govt Taps ANRF to Turn Research into Scalable Public Goods with commercial viability

    Dr. Jitendra Singh Chairs Joint Review Meet of All Science Ministries, Charts Unified Innovation Roadmap

    Posted On: 17 APR 2025 10:19PM by PIB Delhi

    In a significant move aimed at transforming India’s scientific research and innovation ecosystem into a collaborative and commercially viable enterprise, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh today called for positioning the newly constituted “Anusandhan” National Research Foundation (ANRF) as a critical organisation for all science ministries and departments across the government and declared that ANRF has been envisaged to anchor upscaled collaborations involving private players.

     Chairing a high-level joint  meeting of all the science Ministries and departments in Govt of India  at the National Science Centre here today, the Minister laid out a vision for aligning research outcomes across departments with national priorities, private sector participation, and market readiness.

    At the core of this shift, said Dr Jitendra Singh,  is the aspiration to build a unified research strategy that breaks silos, avoids duplication and delivers tangible, scalable benefits to society. “All the science ministries must work with the intent to deliver market-relevant, public-good products,” he  emphasised, adding that ANRF will not only act as a coordinating body but also serve as a catalyst to bring in private sector investment and innovation.

    The ANRF’s newly appointed CEO, Dr.Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, outlined a bold roadmap that envisions catalytic funding models, deep private sector integration, and AI-led scientific acceleration. The agency is set to model its functioning on globally successful institutions like the NSF and DARPA, launching cross-ministerial missions focused on economic growth and societal impact.

    Notably, ANRF is set to launch a “Small Business Deep Tech Innovation” programme inspired by global best practices, aimed at supporting startups and MSMEs in scaling technologies for real-world application. In a bid to maximise national research infrastructure, ANRF will also roll out a “Cloud of Research and Innovation Infrastructure” to allow deep-tech startups and institutions to access underused equipment across the country.

    The foundation’s AI-for-Science initiative is another key highlight, focusing on using AI to model scientific equations in physics, chemistry, and biology — a leap expected to drastically shorten the time from theory to practice in core scientific domains.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored the importance of projects with visible public utility, citing CSIR’s HANSA-NG aircraft, the Department of Atomic Energy’s Bharat Small Modular Reactors, and space-based applications as models to emulate.

    The HANSA-NG, a two-seater trainer aircraft developed indigenously by CSIR-NAL, is already witnessing strong market interest with 110 orders and production lined up in collaboration with Pioneer Clean Arms Pvt Ltd. Dr. Jitendra Singh noted the project’s potential to reduce India’s dependency on expensive foreign pilot training, and suggested roping in private airlines and aerospace component manufacturers to scale up production beyond Bengaluru.

    Similarly, the Department of Atomic Energy is developing the Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR), a 200 MW pressurised water reactor intended for industrial applications and grid-independent power generation. These initiatives demonstrate the type of innovation the Minister wants the ANRF to incubate and scale.

    India’s space programme also featured prominently in the review. From the recent success of the SPADEX satellite docking to the development of reusable engine technology and advanced space exploration missions, the Department of Space reported rapid strides, including preparations for India’s human spaceflight mission by 2040.

    Across the spectrum — whether it’s ocean mining technology from the Ministry of Earth Sciences, bio-manufacturing hubs by DBT, or cutting-edge chips and AI solutions in partnership with semiconductor labs — the government is pushing for synergy, scalability, and sustainability.

    Concluding the meeting, Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated that the future of Indian science lies in integration and innovation. “The time for working in silos is over. We must institutionalise collaboration and deliver solutions that matter,” he said, signalling a new era for India’s science ecosystem — one where policy, private investment, and research institutions converge under the stewardship of ANRF.

    The meeting was attended by Tarun Kapoor, Advisor to the Prime Minister; Hari Ranjan Rao, Additional Secretary in the PMO; Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology; Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology; Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR; Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space, along with other senior officials.

    ******

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2122587) Visitor Counter : 63

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “HK SciFest 2025” opens with over 100 science programmes to spark public’s curiosity about scientific world (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         “HK SciFest 2025”, organised by the Science Promotion Unit of the Hong Kong Science Museum (HKScM), will be held from tomorrow (April 18) to April 27. The HKScM is collaborating with over 50 partners, including government departments, universities and science organisations, launching over 100 science programmes, including science workshops, lectures, seminars, film screenings, and site visits. Most activities are free, and members of the public are welcome to join.
     
         “HK SciFest” is one of the largest popular science events in Hong Kong. Addressing the opening ceremony today (April 17), the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan, said although Hong Kong is geographically small, the city has generated numerous scientific research initiatives and innovations that benefit the global community. Notable examples include optical fibre networks which are capable of receiving and transmitting vast amount of information in a wink, and non-invasive prenatal diagnosis that provides safer and more accurate assessments to detect the risk of genetic disease in fetuses. With the theme of “Local Contributions in Science”, this year’s “HK SciFest” aims to showcase the vibrant ecosystem of scientific research in Hong Kong, and the collective efforts of local science institutions and organisations in popularising scientific knowledge and driving the development of science and technology through a wide range of programmes.
          
    Other officiating guests today included the Chairperson of the Science Sub-committee of the Museum Advisory Committee, Professor Alexander Wai Ping-kong, and the Museum Director of the HKScM, Mr Lawrence Lee.
     
    Part of the Ground Floor Exhibition Hall of the HKScM will be converted into a “Science Bazaar” with more than 10 activity booths, where members of the public can enjoy a fun and educational science experience. Activities include a virtual autonomous vehicle driving game, a drone display, a virtual reality game to tour Geoparks in Hong Kong, local animal specimens, and learning how to identify the authenticity of gems using scientific methods. There will also be hands-on science demonstrations, mini-exhibitions and mini-workshops.
     
    Other highlighted activities of the festival include Croucher Science Week, which will invite science communicators from around the world to host onsite science performances and workshops to explore techniques for coral propagation and reef rehabilitation and to assemble a model electric tricycle. In addition, lectures about saving sea turtles in Hong Kong and the application of artificial intelligence in daily life, film screenings of sci-fi films “Interstellar” (2014) and “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” (2001), guided tours at the Volcano Discovery Centre, and much more. For details of the activities and registration, please visit www.hk.science.museum/scifest2025/?lang=en. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) at National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) at National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), New Delhi

    APMU can become a beacon of support for Global South – Dr. Mandaviya

    Posted On: 17 APR 2025 4:46PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, inaugurated the Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) at the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in New Delhi today. This initiative reaffirms India’s commitment to promoting clean and transparent sports practices on both national and international platforms.

    Speaking during the occasion, Dr. Mandaviya said, “APMU is a key milestone in India’s fight against doping, enabling the longitudinal tracking of Athletes Biological profiles through the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) system. This innovative mechanism will help in detecting doping patterns and protect the fairness of sports by identifying unethical practices”.

    Calling the APMU as a beacon of support for Global South, Union Minister said it will help our neighbouring countries that don’t have enough resources to set up similar systems. “By sharing knowledge and tools, India can support these nations in keeping their sports free from unfair practices. Such initiatives underline the spirit of solidarity and contribute to strengthening sports integrity across Global South”, he added.

    Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the potential of regional collaboration, highlighting India’s readiness to extend support to neighbouring countries by sharing expertise and resources through the APMU. He said that there is a need for greater involvement of Sports Federations, Organizations, Universities and Institutes of early education on Doping and the launch of awareness companion in Rural Areas. Further, he mentioned that scientists working in the laboratories may give education to the students of various schools / universities about Anti – Doping Science to sensitize the students about doping.

    The NDTL’s APMU is designed to align with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines, strengthening anti-doping programme globally. By tracking parameters like blood and steroidal profiles over time, this unit will safeguard the credibility of clean athletes while ensuring a level playing field in sports.

    Notably, this is the 17th Athlete Passport Management Unit in the world which is established in India. It will serve as a specialized body responsible for monitoring and managing biological passports of athletes.

    As India continues to excel on the international sports stage, the Athlete Passport Management Unit highlights the nation’s strong dedication to maintaining fair play, integrity in sports and also sets a benchmark for ethical sports practices worldwide.

    The event was attended by Smt. Sujata Chaturvedi, Secretary (Sports), Shri Kunal, Joint Secretary (Sports), other officers of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports including Eminent–Scientists and Prof. (Dr.) P. L. Sahu, Director & CEO(I/c), NDTL.  

    Background:

    The concept of the “athlete biological passport” emerged when scientists identified monitoring blood markers as a way to detect doping. With input from stakeholders and medical experts, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) refined and standardized this idea, leading to the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP).

    A biological passport is an electronic document that compiles data on an athlete’s biological markers over time. By tracking variables such as blood parameters, hormonal levels, and other physiological markers, the APMU can detect any anomalies or trends indicative of doping without directly identifying banned substances.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda chairs “Manthan Shivir” organised by the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals in New Delhi today

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda chairs “Manthan Shivir” organised by the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals in New Delhi today
    ​​​​​​​
    Government committed to achieving long-term, sustainable growth in the chemical sector: Shri JP Nadda

    Union Minister encourages the participants to devote time regularly on thinking innovative, out of the box ideas and solutions

    Posted On: 17 APR 2025 8:27PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals organised a one day “Manthan Shivir” in New Delhi today, chaired by Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India, with discussions focussing on fostering long-term development of the Indian chemical and petrochemical sector.

    The recommendations emerging from discussions on all the thematic areas were presented before the Union Minister, under whose strategic insight this initiative was implemented. The Union Minister of Chemicals &Fertilizers acknowledged that the Manthan conference is a constructive platform for engaging in thoughtful and comprehensive discussions about the sector’s future.

    Shri JP Nadda congratulated the Department for organizing the Manthan Shivir and choosing topics which are of contemporary relevance to the sector. He encouraged the participants to think beyond routine administrative tasks and motivated them to devote time regularly on thinking innovative, out of the box ideas and solutions.

    Thanking the representatives of the other Ministries/ Departments for their enthusiastic participation in the deliberations, he suggested that such deliberative processes following a holistic and whole-of-Government approach should be held at regular intervals to avoid policymaking in silos and to help realise the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. He also added that this thought process and dialogue should be institutionalised to make it a continuous process.

    While acknowledging the challenges that remain, Shri J.P. Nadda  emphasized the collective commitment to achieving long-term, sustainable growth in the chemical sector and expressed confidence in the fact that with the right approach, India can build a more resilient and self-reliant industrial ecosystem.

    Addressing the meeting Ms. Nivedita Shukla Verma, Secretary, Department of Chemicals & Petrochemical, alluded to the critical importance of India’s chemical sector, pointing out that the industry contributes about 1.4% to GDP and accounts for almost 9% of gross value addition in manufacturing. She noted that while considerable progress has been made in terms of infrastructure development, there is need for more concerted efforts to support the development of the sector in view of ever changing geopolitical realities as well as the vision of the Government for an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

    During the day discussions were held which were centred on 6 thematic areas, viz. “Infrastructure Development; Sustainability, Recycling & Circular Economy; Trade Remedial Measures; Boosting Manufacturing Towards Viksit Bharat; Skilled Workforce & Training; and Road Map for Future Ready Plastic Industry”. Each of these topics were deliberated upon in a comprehensive manner by dedicated groups including representatives from other Ministries and Departments such as Revenue, Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade, Pharmaceuticals, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Science & Technology, Textiles, MSME, MoEFCC, NITI Aayog as well as organisations such as the Bureau of Indian Standards, Central Pollution Control Board, Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology etc.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Indian telescope sheds light on the elusive ‘middleweight’ black holes

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 17 APR 2025 4:36PM by PIB Delhi

    Tracing an intermedia black hole (IMBH) located in a faint galaxy about 4.3 million light-years away using India’s largest optical telescope, astronomers have found that gas clouds orbit the black hole at a distance of 125 light-minutes (around 2.25 billion kilometre) with a velocity dispersion of 545 km per second.

    The discovery refines our understanding about how black holes, specially those that weight between 100 and 100,000 Suns, grow and interact with their surroundings.

    For decades, astronomers have searched for a missing link in the cosmic black hole family: the elusive Intermediate-Mass Black Holes (IMBHs). Bridging the gap between smaller stellar black holes (having a few dozen times the Sun’s mass) and massive supermassive black holes (having millions to billions of solar masses), IMBHs have remained elusive.

    IMBHs, are thought to be the seeds that grow into supermassive black holes. However, their faint nature and location in small galaxies make them extremely difficult to observe. Unlike their larger counterparts, they don’t generate bright emissions unless they’re actively pulling in matter, making advanced observational techniques essential.

    Using the 3.6m Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT) a team led by scientists from Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have successfully detected and measured the properties of an IMBH in a faint galaxy called NGC 4395.

    The team of astrophysicists, led by Shivangi Pandey studied NGC 4395—a low-luminosity active galaxy hosting one of the faintest actively feeding black holes ever observed.

    They used the largest optical telescope in India, the 3.6m DOT, and its indigenously developed spectrograph and camera ADFOSC, along with the smaller 1.3m Devasthal Fast Optical Telescope (DFOT) located at the Devasthal Observatory of ARIES.

    Since the size of the region surrounding the black hole is very difficult to resolve even with a sophisticated telescope, the team monitored the object continuously for two nights using both the telescopes and applied a special technique called spectrophotometric reverberation mapping.

    This technique measures the delay between light emitted by the black hole’s accretion disk and the surrounding gas clouds (broad-line region). This delay, or time lag, revealed the region’s size and helped calculate the black hole’s mass.

    Figure 1: Illustration of Reverberation mapping technique. The central region of an active galaxy sends out light in all directions. Some light reaches us directly, while some bounces off nearby gas clouds before reaching us, creating a slight delay. This delay helps us map the region around the centre. Credits: https://jhoormann.github.io/blog/blog-1/

    Apart from racing the gas clouds, they also found that theIMBH weighs about 22,000 times the Sun’s mass, making it one of the most precisely measured intermediate-mass black holes. The black hole consumes matter at just 6% of its maximum theoretical rate.

    Figure 2: A V-band image of NGC 4395 taken on March 10, 2022, using the 1.3m DFOT, shows the active galactic nucleus (AGN) marked with a red circle, with three comparison stars highlighted in white. The field of view measures 18′ × 18′ arcmin.

    The study published in the Astrophysical Journal validates the size-luminosity relationship for black holes in low-luminosity active galaxies, provides a more accurate black hole mass estimate than previous studies and offers a more precise benchmark for future research.

    Dr Suvendu Rakshit, a scientist at ARIES involved in this study, notes: “The hunt for more IMBHs is far from over. Larger telescopes and advanced instruments will be key to uncovering these cosmic middleweights.”

    As technology advances, future observations with larger telescopes and higher-resolution instruments will deepen our understanding of IMBHs and their role in shaping the universe.

    Figure 3: The size of the Hα BLR, compared to the monochromatic continuum luminosity at 5100 Å, aligns with the relationship across previous studies. The current lag of 125 minutes contrasts with earlier estimates, underscoring the precision of this study.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Bose Institute scientists receive Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics as part of ALICE collaboration at CERN

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 17 APR 2025 4:38PM by PIB Delhi

    The Experimental High Energy Physics (HEP) group of Bose Institute (BI), currently consisting of Faculty members- Prof. Supriya Das, Dr. Sidharth Kumar Prasad and Dr. Saikat Biswas, Post Doctoral Fellow- Dr. Sanchari Thakur and Senior Research Fellow- Mr. Mintu Haldar, has been awarded the Breakthrough Prize 2025 in Fundamental Physics as a part of ALICE at CERN.

    The $3 million Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics for 2025 is awarded to thousands of researchers from more than 70 countries representing four experimental collaborations at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) – ATLAS, CMS, ALICE and LHCb.

    Fig 1: 2025 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony

    Bose Institute, Kolkata is the only Autonomous Institute under Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, working in A Large Ion Collider Experiment (ALICE) at CERN along with many other collaborators in India. ALICE studies the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP), a state of extremely hot and dense matter that existed in the first microseconds after the Big Bang.

    The institute joined ALICE Collaboration under the leadership of Prof. Sibaji Raha, former Director of Bose Institute as Principal Investigator.

    Prof. Kaustuv Sanyal, Director, Bose Institute conveyed his warm congratulations to the team members of Experimental High Energy Physics group and said, “This is a great achievement not only for the Bose Institute team but also for the entire community of Indian high energy physicists working in mega science projects such as ALICE at CERN. Such awards will encourage young minds to join this kind of complex and large experimental programs for exploration of new physics.”

    The HEP Group of Bose Institute has made significant contributions in several areas of the ALICE experimental program such as detector hardware development, simulation, physics analysis, data-taking and operations of the experiment.

    Fig 2: Bose Institute Faculties at CERN

    An indigenously built proportional counter based highly granular Photon Multiplicity Detector (PMD) was deployed in the ALICE experiment for detection of inclusive photons at forward rapidity. The PMD was commissioned in ALICE in the year 2008 and participated in the data taking program till 2018. Bose Institute played a leading role in the operations of PMD at CERN since 2014 till its decommissioning. Post data collection, the efforts of data clean up, calibration and quality assurance of the entire PMD data set to optimize it for physics analysis was also led by the faculty from Bose Institute in collaboration with students from various Indian institutes/universities participating in ALICE.

    A new type of Time Projection Chamber (TPC) is being used after the upgrade of the ALICE so as to cater to the high luminosity environment expected at the LHC facility. This device relies on the intrinsic ion back flow (IBF) suppression of Micro-Pattern Gas Detectors (MPGD) based technology in particular the Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM).

    The new read-out chambers in TPC consist of stacks of 4 GEM foils combining different hole pitches. In addition to the low ion back flow, other advantages of GEM technology are good energy resolution and long-term stability in operation. Researchers from Bose Institute were involved in ALICE-TPC upgradation project.

    Faculties and trainees from Bose Institute have made significant contributions to the Physics program of the ALICE by leading about six publications in addition to contributing to several other ALICE papers. Bose Institute members have contributed to several areas of Physics studies.

    Fig 3: Faculty members and students of Bose Institute working in ALICE experiments

    Congratulating all the collaborators, the ALICE Spokesperson Prof. Marco Van Leeuwen wrote “I would like to congratulate the entire collaboration and the LHC community for this well-deserved recognition of the scientific advancements achieved through our collective efforts. All authors of publications based on Run 2 data up to 15 July 2024 will be listed as laureates.”

    Prof. Sanjay Kumar Ghosh, Dr. Rathijit Biswas, Dr. Abhi Modak, Dr. Debjani Banerjee, Dr. Prottoy Das and Dr. Md. Asif Bhatt were also part of this group.

    The Break Through prize money is allocated to ATLAS ($1 million); CMS ($1 million), ALICE ($500,000) and LHCb ($500,000), in recognition of 13,508 co-authors of publications based on LHC Run-2 data released between 2015 and July 15, 2024. [ATLAS – 5,345 researchers; CMS – 4,550; ALICE – 1,869; LHCb – 1,744].

    The prize money will be used to fund a Breakthrough prize studentship to allow selected PhD students to spend up to two years at CERN while working on their PhD research.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: USGS Wildlife Health Awareness Day

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Animal health directly impacts our health. Our food, our water, our environment, and our economy are reliant on healthy fish and wildlife. The USGS is the lead federal agency for wildlife disease research and surveillance. Our wildlife health work focuses largely on the prevention and detection of disease in wild game species, fishes, and other wildlife.  We also play an important role in disease outbreak responses for humans. 

    Friday, April 25, 2025 marks the inaugural USGS Wildlife Health Awareness Day.  In celebration, we’re hosting a special one-hour Friday’s Findings focused on USGS wildlife health science. 

    Presentations include:

    Behavioral Responses and Keystone Interdependence: How the Loss of Sea Stars Reveals Complex Relationships Between Predators and Prey in Adjacent Nearshore Marine Ecosystems

    Joseph Tomoleoni
    Biologist, USGS Western Ecological Research Center, Santa Cruz, CA

    In 2013, numerous species of sea stars experienced a rapid and dramatic decline in abundance along the west coast of North America due to Sea Star Wasting Disease (SSWD). Two of the hardest hit species, the sunflower star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) and the ochre star (Pisaster ochraceus), are major predators of sea urchins and mussels, respectively, in kelp forests and intertidal habitats. The near extirpation of these two sea stars led to large increases in abundance and habitat use by purple sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) and California mussels (Mytilus californianus). Urchins, in particular, are known to cause dramatic shifts in ecosystem state when overabundant, whereby kelp forests are overgrazed and replaced by urchin barrens. Our research shows that in central California, southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) were able to respond to the sudden abundance of their urchin and mussel prey by increasing their consumption of these species. In doing so, local populations of the threatened southern sea otter also increased, demonstrating that the loss of a keystone predator in one ecosystem may impart population-level changes in another. By altering their diet to consume greater amounts of urchin and mussel prey, sea otters helped mitigate the negative impacts to kelp forest and intertidal ecosystems brought on by the unchecked population growth of urchins and mussels. While sea otters may not be able to single-handedly make up for the loss of sea star predators in these ecosystems, their presence and behavioral responses to large-scale perturbations highlight their importance in ecosystem resilience.

    Plague: Invasive Ecosystem Transformer in the Western USA

    David A. Eads
    Research Ecologist, USGS Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO

    The plague bacterium Yersinia pestis was introduced to the western United States in the year 1900. One striking aspect of Y. pestis – a primarily flea-borne pathogen – is its ability to spread explosively during epizootics, killing >90% of individuals in some mammal populations, sometimes within weeks to months. These generative events allow Y. pestis to proliferate and spread in mammal communities. Just as striking is the fact that these intervals of intense transmission are followed by longer periods of enzootic plague, in which Y. pestis kills hosts at lower but ecologically significant levels, thereby causing chronic reductions in mammal populations. This presentation will summarize current knowledge on the enduring threat posed by plague in western USA. Case examples will illustrate how plague impacts populations of mammals and transforms ecological relationships in ways to further degrade biological systems. Eradication of plague is difficult to impossible, but effective mitigation can be achieved via flea vector control. New methods of flea control – designed for affordable and rapid field application – will be discussed.

    Wildlife Health Awareness Day: USGS Science to Support Free-Ranging Wildlife Health

    Camille Hopkins DVM, MS, PhD, DACVPM
    Fish and Wildlife Disease Research Coordinator
    Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, USGS Ecosystems Mission Area

    Wildlife conservation efforts often include health assessments.   While wildlife populations can successfully coexist with many parasites and pathogens, there are significant diseases that impact population health and potentially ecosystems.  As Aldo Leopold wrote in Game Management, the “role of disease in wildlife conservation has probably been radically underestimated.”  This presentation will highlight examples of USGS science to understand and identify interventions for diseases that have significant ramifications for free-ranging wildlife health.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Heavy metals’ contaminate 17% of the world’s croplands, say scientists

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jagannath Biswakarma, Senior Research Associate, School of Earth Sciences and Cabot Institute for the Environment, University of Bristol

    Nearly 17% of the world’s croplands are contaminated with “heavy metals”, according to a new study in Science. These contaminants – arsenic, cadmium, lead, and others – may be invisible to the eye, but they threaten food safety and human health.

    Heavy metals and metalloids are elements that originate from either natural or human-made sources. They’re called “heavy” because they’re physically dense and their weight is high at an atomic scale.

    Heavy metals do not break down. They remain in soils for decades, where crops can absorb them and enter the food chain. Over time, they accumulate in the body, causing chronic diseases that may take years to appear. This is not a problem for the distant future; it’s already affecting food grown today.

    Some heavy metals, such as zinc and copper, are essential micronutrients in trace amounts. Others – including arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead – are toxic even at low concentrations.

    Some are left behind by natural geology, others by decades of industrial and agricultural activities. They settle into soils through mining, factory emissions, fertilisers or contaminated water.

    When crops grow, they draw nutrients from the soil and water – and sometimes, these contaminants too. Rice, for instance, is known for taking up arsenic from flooded paddies. Leafy greens can accumulate cadmium. These metals do not change the taste or colour of food. But they change what it does inside the body.

    The quiet health crisis beneath our crops

    Long-term exposure to arsenic, cadmium, or lead has been linked to cancer, kidney damage, osteoporosis, and developmental disorders in children. In regions where local diets rely heavily on a single staple crop like rice or wheat, the risks multiply.

    The Science study, led by Chinese scientist Deyi Hou and his colleagues, is one of the most comprehensive mapping efforts. By combining recent advances in machine learning with an expansive dataset of 796,084 soil concentrations from 1,493 studies, the authors systematically assessed global soil pollution for seven toxic metals: arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, nickel, and lead.

    The study found that cadmium in agricultural soil frequently exceeded the threshold, particularly in the areas shaded in red in this map:

    A map of the aggregate distribution of seven heavy metals reveals lots of hotspots around the world.
    Hou et al / Science

    The authors also describe a “metal-enriched corridor” stretching from southern Europe through the Middle East and into south Asia. These are areas where agricultural productivity overlaps with a history of mining, industrial activity and limited regulation.

    How science is reading the soil’s story

    Heavy metal contamination in cropland varies by region, often shaped by geology, land use history, and water management. Across central and south-east Asia, rice fields are irrigated with groundwater that naturally contains arsenic. That water deposits arsenic into the soil, where it is taken up by the rice.

    Fortunately, nature often provides defence. Recent research showed that certain types of iron minerals in the soil can convert arsenite – a toxic, mobile form of arsenic – into arsenate, a less harmful species that binds more tightly to iron minerals. This invisible soil chemistry represents a safety net.

    In parts of west Africa, such as Burkina Faso, arsenic contamination in drinking and irrigation water has also affected croplands. To address this, colleagues and I developed a simple filtration system using zerovalent iron – essentially, iron nails. These low-cost, locally sourced filters have shown promising results in removing arsenic from groundwater.

    In parts of South America, croplands near small-scale mines face additional risks. In the Amazon basin, deforestation and informal gold mining contribute to mercury releases. Forests act as natural mercury sinks, storing atmospheric mercury in biomass and soil. When cleared, this stored mercury is released into the environment, raising atmospheric levels and potentially affecting nearby water bodies and croplands.

    Cropland near legacy mining sites often suffers long-term contamination but with the appropriate technologies, these sites can be remediated and even transformed into circular economy opportunities.

    Evidence-based solutions

    Soil contamination is not just a scientific issue. It’s a question of environmental justice. The communities most affected are often the least responsible for the pollution. They may farm on marginal lands near industry, irrigate with unsafe water, or lack access to testing and treatment. They face a double burden: food and water insecurity, and toxic exposure.

    There is no single fix. We’ll need reliable assessment of contaminated soils and groundwater, especially in vulnerable and smallholder farming systems. Reducing exposure requires cleaner agricultural inputs, improved irrigation, and better regulation of legacy industrial sites. Equally critical is empowering communities with access to information and tools that enable them to farm safely.

    Soils carry memory. They record every pollutant, every neglected regulation, every decision to cut corners. But soils also hold the potential to heal – if given the proper support.

    This is not about panic. It’s about responsibility. The Science study provides a stark but timely reminder that food safety begins not in the kitchen or market but in the ground beneath our feet. No country should unknowingly export toxicity in its grain, nor should any farmer be left without the tools to grow food safely.

    Jagannath Biswakarma 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. ‘Heavy metals’ contaminate 17% of the world’s croplands, say scientists – https://theconversation.com/heavy-metals-contaminate-17-of-the-worlds-croplands-say-scientists-254783

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Rising Canadian patriotism is a chance to rethink who gets to belong here

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Alpha Abebe, Associate Professor, Faculty of Humanities, McMaster University

    Some Canadians are pushing back against recent threats from the United States government to Canada’s s sovereignty and economic stability with the rallying cry “Elbows up!”

    Borrowed from hockey, the phrase charges Canadians to raise one’s elbows in preparation to fight back.



    Read more:
    Elbows up, Canada: Musical responses to Trump’s Canada threats

    In another gesture towards Canadian national solidarity, the iconic 2000 “I am Canadian” beer ad was recently revived by the ad’s original actor, Jeff Douglas.

    The video, We Are Canadian,, includes familiar Canadian symbols from hockey games to peacekeeping missions and Canadian flags. As others have observed, these trends are emblematic of a dramatic spike in Canadian patriotism.

    The desire to rally behind symbols of unity is understandable in precarious times. However, it is also a good time to consider who and what is being obscured behind this version of Canadian patriotism.

    As the U.S. institutes increasingly racist, xenophobic and authoritarian policies, this moment may be just the warning Canadians need to imagine a more just, grounded country. Which direction we walk will depend on some important considerations.

    ‘We Are Canadian’ by Canadian actor Jeff Douglas.

    Canada is constantly changing

    As a scholar of migration and diasporas, I take note of changes to the Canadian population.

    It’s grown significantly more diverse in recent years. But dominant discourse about Canadian nationalism often flattens these realities, invoking multiculturalism while failing to engage with deeper histories and contemporary realities.

    For example, Black diasporas are one of the fastest-growing segments in Canada. And almost 25 per cent of people in Canada are immigrants.

    The racialized population in Canada accounts for about 26 per cent of residents, about double the number recorded in 2001. According to most projections, half the Canadian population will be made up of immigrants and their Canadian-born children by 2041.

    These shifts reflect long-term immigration reforms, especially those beginning in the 1960s, when the federal government moved away from “White Canada” policies that explicitly excluded non-European immigrants.

    Today, many people in Canada — Indigenous, immigrant, Canadian-born — maintain complex relationships to settler colonialism, as well as multiple homelands, cultures and histories.

    Yet popular narratives of “Canadianness” can be narrow and out of step with the experiences of diverse segments of the population. Scholars Lloyd L. Wong and Martine Dennie point out that the idea of Canada as a “hockey nation” is sometimes contested by communities marginalized by the sport’s ties to anglo male dominance.

    In their book Unsettling the Great White North: Black Canadian History, historians Michelle A. Johnson and Funké Aladejebi argue that the Canadian narrative reflects a historical and ongoing systematic erasure of Blackness.

    Youth discomfort with nationalism

    In my teaching and academic leadership roles, I engage with young people and aim to centre their voices in reimagining our institutions and communities. Through this work, I have the privilege of listening as young people reflect on their perceptions of Canada and desires for its future.

    Many of my students express discomfort with unabashed nationalism, identifying instead with their local and regional cultures, and gravitating towards abolitionist ideals such as demilitarized borders and migrant solidarity.

    The ongoing work of truth and reconciliation

    There is also a growing desire among the young people I teach to reconcile their profound lack of formal education in Indigenous histories, ideas and issues.

    Even in our resistance to external threats, we must remain committed to addressing the internal legacies of colonial violence, as outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and its framework for healing.

    The TRC provides a road map for the critical work of bridging gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, as led by Indigenous leaders and organizations.

    The recently published book Deyohahá:ge: Sharing the River of Life features chapters written by members of Six Nations as well as non-Indigenous neighbours, indicating a need for dialogue. The book reflects on the Two Row Wampum Agreement and how these agreements might restore good relations today.

    In another example, Black Canadian artist Jully Black altered the Canadian national anthem to acknowledge our colonial history, singing “our home on native land,” instead of our home and native land during the 2023 NBA All-Star Game. Her performance generated critical conversations about Canada’s national narrative.

    Scapegoating

    Part of the Canadian identity story is about being a welcoming nation. But Canadians have long scapegoated newcomers as being to blame for a host of issues.

    We see this play out in immigration policy and political discourse. For example, the Liberal government’s recent cuts to immigration levels was framed as a response to housing and economic pressures.

    The Conservative Party has also portrayed immigrants as burdens on housing and infrastructure while stoking fears about “criminal” and “bogus” migrants.

    Similarly, in the final stretch of his 2015 campaign, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government leaned into xenophobic rhetoric, most notably with the promise to establish a “barbaric cultural practices” hot line which was being positioned as a defence of “Canadian values.”

    Fresh perspectives on Canadian identity

    Canada is often criticized for having a weak or reactive national narrative defined more by what it is not (the United States) that by what it is.

    But distancing ourselves from American crises doesn’t excuse us from confronting our own contradictions. This moment of heightened patriotism demands more than just symbolic unity.

    My students increasingly challenge shallow notions of multiculturalism, pushing instead for structural change that is material, not just rhetorical.

    Their critiques reflect wider public conversations: youth-led panels, academic research and lived experiences that question the limits of inclusion without equity. They are asking: Who benefits from these patriotic myths? Who gets erased?

    To move forward, Canada must build a collective story rooted in truth — not just selective nostalgia. One that honours Indigenous sovereignty, confronts contemporary inequities and reflects the rich diversity of its people. Only then can we begin to imagine a future Canada worth rallying behind.

    Alpha Abebe 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. Rising Canadian patriotism is a chance to rethink who gets to belong here – https://theconversation.com/rising-canadian-patriotism-is-a-chance-to-rethink-who-gets-to-belong-here-252482

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CLARKE LEADS BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO ADVANCE LIFE-SAVING BRAIN ANEURYSM RESEARCH

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke (9th District of New York)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    April 7, 2025

    MEDIA CONTACT: 

    e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

    c: 202.913.0126

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), alongside Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), John Rutherford (FL-05), and Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), introduced Ellie’s Law—bipartisan legislation that delivers urgently needed federal investment to combat the deadly and often overlooked crisis of brain aneurysms.

    Each year, approximately 30,000 Americans suffer a ruptured brain aneurysm—half of those individuals do not survive. Among survivors, nearly two-thirds are left with permanent neurological damage. Aneurysms strike most often between the ages of 35 and 60, but can occur at any age, including in children. Women are disproportionately affected, and African American and Hispanic individuals are at significantly greater risk of rupture.

    Yet despite the scale and severity of this crisis, the federal government invests just $2.94 per year for every person affected by a brain aneurysm.

    A Direct Response to a Neglected Crisis:

    Ellie’s Law authorizes $20 million annually from 2026 through 2030 for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), with funding available through 2033. This investment will:

    1. Support comprehensive research into unruptured intracranial aneurysms, with a focus on prevention and early detection.
    2. Expand study populations to reflect real-world diversity, specifically addressing disparities across age, sex, and race.
    3. Supplement, not supplant, existing research funding to ensure meaningful progress without disruption.

    Ellie’s Law is a focused, bipartisan commitment to disrupt that cycle—by equipping researchers with the tools they need to save lives and prevent heartbreak before it happens.

    “I am proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues. Now more than ever, it is critical that we secure funding for the NINDS to conduct and support essential research on brain aneurysms, which stands as one of the most underfunded public health crises in our Nation. With agencies such as the Department of Human and Health Services (HHS) experiencing budget cuts to its workforce and grants, preventing potentially fatal brain aneurysms and combatting long-term medical consequences for brain aneurysm survivors will require significant innovations only meaningful funding can deliver,” said Rep. Clarke. “Ellie’s Law will make huge strides in cementing our long-term commitment for new treatment discoveries to save the lives of patients, who are disproportionately women and African Americans. It’s a privilege to lead this necessary legislation and look forward to it being signed into law.”

    “Brain aneurysms are a silent threat—often striking without warning and leaving families shattered in an instant. Despite the devastating toll, federal investment remains shockingly low,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “Ellie’s Law is about changing that. It directs the resources necessary to advance early detection, drive breakthroughs in treatment, and confront the racial and gender disparities that persist in outcomes. We have the science. What’s been missing is the commitment. This legislation is how we fix that.”

    “I’m proud to join my bipartisan colleagues in reintroducing Ellie’s Law this Congress,” said Rep. Rutherford. “This legislation will support critical research to detect and treat unruptured brain aneurysms. We must continue to raise awareness to better catch the signs of brain aneurysms and save lives.”

    “Despite the tragically far-reaching physical, mental, emotional, and financial toll brain aneurysm ruptures have on our communities, they are one of the most underfunded disease research projects in the U.S.,” said Rep. Scanlon. “I’m proud to join Reps. Clarke, Fitzpatrick, and Rutherford in introducing Ellie’s Law to address the deficiency in federal funding for brain aneurysm research, increase the quality of life of survivors and their families, and save lives.”

    “More than 1 in 50 Americans have an unruptured and often undetected brain aneurysm. Each year 30,000 people will suffer a rupture, of which half will not survive — and those who do likely to suffer significant long-term disabilities. Ellie’s Law is essential to funding research for better detecting and treating aneurysms and, in turn, preventing their devastating impact on individuals and families and financial impact on health systems and society,” said Christine Buckley, Executive Director of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation

    “Ellie’s Law is being reintroduced on a bipartisan basis, reminding us that when we come together—across party lines, communities, and sectors—we can bring real change to the brain aneurysm community. Raising awareness and funding research are vital steps in tackling this devastatingly underfunded disease, and the combined efforts of both private and public funding are critical to progress. Every dollar invested and every voice raised brings us closer to a future where brain aneurysm ruptures are prevented,” said Erin Kreszl, Executive Director of The Bee Foundation for Brain Aneurysm Prevention.

    Ellie’s Law is endorsed by: The Brain Aneurysm Foundation (BAF), The Bee Foundation for Brain Aneurysm Prevention (TBF), American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS).

    Read the full text here. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study looking at the global distribution of cropland contaminated by heavy metal pollution

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A study published in Science looks at global soil contamination by toxic metals. 

    Dr Lucie Buchi, Senior Lecturer in Crop Ecology at the NRI, University of Greenwich, said:

    “While the results of the study seem alarming, the 10×10 scale of the grid cells that the study was based on does not allow any practical application at a local scale. The authors make note of this in the paper: ‘The present study is based on average metal concentrations on a 10-km grid, which is more reflective of diffusive and regional pollution rather than site-specific conditions. The data may be sufficient for risk screening purposes but are inadequate to support risk mitigation. Soil remediation needs to rely upon site-specific delineation of lateral and vertical extent of soil pollution, as well as a better understanding of metal sources, fate and transport dynamics, and bioavailability’.

    “Their map also seems to show low risks in the UK, except for a hotspot in the south and Ireland, but the scale of the figure doesn’t allow to understand where it is actually. And again, with a resolution of 10 x 10 km, nothing can be concluded for any particular fields. But farmland in the hotspot would probably need to be careful, but these regions are probably already known for heavy metal presence.

    “The authors conclude ‘We hope that the global soil pollution data presented in this report will serve as a scientific alert for policy-makers and farmers to take immediate and necessary measures to better protect the world’s precious soil resources.’, and I think this is what it is, more of an alert about a global problem, but which requires further investigation at smaller spatial scales.”

     

    Prof Oliver Jones, Professor of Chemistry, RMIT University, said:

    “I am in two minds about this paper. On the one hand, it takes a clever scholarly approach, and soil pollution is a serious issue in many parts of the world; on the other hand, I feel some of the conclusions are perhaps a little preliminary.

    “The authors have not generated new data but combined data from existing studies together and then used some very complex data processing methods to predict concentrations of selected metals across a wider area. This method has generated some interesting insights – such as the potential “metal-enriched corridor” across low-latitude Eurasia (although I think blaming this corridor on multiple ancient cultures might be overspeculative). However, there are also issues here. For example, the authors refer to “toxic metals” throughout the paper, even in the title. This is a little misleading because detection is not the same as relevance. Everything is toxic at the right dose, even water. It would be better to just say ‘metals’ and then discuss concentrations if/where appropriate rather than suggesting everything is toxic right from the title.

    “The authors also refer to metal concentrations in soil. The fact that some places on Earth have high levels of metal contamination in their soils and that this could have effects on humans is not new. However, the amount of a compound in the soil does not automatically correlate with the amount that ends up in plants grown in the soil or the amount that people or animals that might eat those plants might eventually be exposed to. According to the supplementary data of the paper, the probability of many of the metals exceeding human health thresholds is low in most cases (including the UK). Context and nuance are important in toxicology and environmental health, as are local conditions. Thus, while certainly worth discussion, the question of whether metal pollution actually threatens agriculture and human health at a global scale is, I think, far from proven”.

     

    Dr Wakene Negassa, Soil Chemist, The James Hutton Institute, said:

    Does the press release accurately reflect the science?

    “The press release accurately captured the important ideas presented in the published paper. 

    Is this good quality research? Are the conclusions backed up by solid data?

    “The authors did not present original research but reviewed previously published studies. Nevertheless, reviewing existing literature is a conventional and valuable approach for identifying research and technology gaps. What sets this review apart is the authors’ use of artificial intelligence to identify global hotspots of soil pollution, distinguishing it from traditional mapping and review papers. Such global analyses are essential for technological and policy interventions of addressing global soil pollution by heavy metals. Although soil pollution from anthropogenic activities has not been widely addressed, databases like Web of Science (WOS) and the National Library of Medicine (PubMed) have indexed over 2,000 related publications since 1960. As the authors conclude, “We hope that the global soil pollution data presented in this report will serve as a scientific alert for policy-makers and farmers to take immediate and necessary measures to better protect the world’s precious soil resources.”

    How does this work fit with the existing evidence?

    “This work aligns with existing evidence, as soil pollution has become a global concern. Although the authors did not include a detailed account of polluted areas, a recent review by Khan et al. (2021) reported over five million soil pollution sites worldwide (Khan et al., 2021; DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126039)

    Have the authors accounted for confounders? Are there important limitations to be aware of?

    “One major limitation of this review is that the authors did not present the chemical forms (speciation) of heavy metals. It is not the total concentration of heavy metals that determines their potential as pollutants, but rather their bioavailable forms—those that can be taken up by plants and transferred through the food chain to animals and humans. Additionally, the magnitude of global soil pollution may be greater than what is reported in the review, as the authors themselves acknowledge, due to a lack of comprehensive data from many countries.

    What are the implications in the real world? Is there any overspeculation?

    “As mentioned in previous responses, the actual extent of global soil pollution may far exceed what is presented by the authors, due to limited data availability and likely underestimation.

    What is the significance of heavy metal contamination in croplands – how does it affect food and/or biodiversity?

    “Soil pollution by heavy metals disrupts plant cellular functions and enzyme activities, resulting in reduced growth and yield, as well as shifts in soil microbial populations. Consuming food or feed grown on contaminated soils, or direct exposure to such soils, poses significant health risks, including kidney damage, neurotoxic effects, and increased carcinogenic potential.

    What is the relevance of this study for UK agriculture and/or public health?

    “It is also worthwhile to investigate UK agricultural soils, as over half a century of intensive farming practices, including continuous use of agrochemicals and the application of various agricultural and urban waste materials, may have led to the accumulation of heavy metals. This could pose potential risks to plant, animal, and human health and ecosystem services.”

     

    Prof Mark Tibbett, Chair of Soil Ecology, University of Reading, said:

    “After many years working post-mining landscapes and in industries that supply metals to soil in organic wastes, it has been intuitively obvious to me that our food production and natural ecosystems are commonly replete with toxic metal, often of human origin. This comprehensive analysis, which seems long overdue, provides clear and worrying empirical evidence of the extent and expanse of this global issue. It is clear that anthropogenic toxic metals are a global and growing pollution issue in our soils, with human activities at the core of the patterns seen.”  

     

    Prof Chris Collins, Professor of Environmental Chemistry, University of Reading

    “This is a very useful study and highlights the issue of global soil pollution. Congratulations to the authors for compiling such a large data set. Although as the authors state the real issues only potentially exist in Eurasia rather than worldwide. It should be noted that presence in soil does not mean the crop grown in that soil will absorb and be contaminated by an element as this depends on the chemical form. The authors do acknowledge this along with other exposure factors e.g. if crops are for human consumption. The study will be of use in identifying those areas where edible crops should be avoided and alternatives, e.g. biomass crops, should be grown. The UK is relatively unaffected (Fig 2B). There are some areas e.g. the SW but this is known and is probably arsenic which is in a form not freely transferred into crops.”

     

    Dr Liz Rylott, Senior Lecturer, Department of Biology, University of York, said:

    “Deyi Hou and colleagues used cutting edge technologies to globally map the distribution of toxic metals. Their findings reveal the deeply worrying extent these natural poisons are polluting our soils, entering our food and water, and affecting our health and our environment.

    “Of concern are cadmium, copper, nickel and lead, and the metalloid arsenic. Often collectively called heavy metals, these elements cause a range of devastating health problems, including skin lesions, reduced nerve and organ functions, and cancers. While some of the contamination is due to naturally occurring geological outcrops of these metals, much of the pollution is from mining and associated industrial activities. As our drive for technology-critical metals to build the green infrastructure required to tackle climate change (wind turbines, electric vehicle batteries and photovoltaic panels) will exacerbate this pollution.

    “Other scientists (Fuller et al The Lancet 2022) calculated that 16% (9 million) of all deaths globally each year are caused by  environmental pollution, of which, heavy metals comprise a significant proportion. This new research links the presence of these heavy metals in the agricultural soils and water, with the food that we eat.

    “To track these elements, extensive regional studies and AI technology were used to build a map detailing soil metal concentrations at a 10 km grid resolution across the world. The analysis reveals previously unrecognised hotspots of metal-enriched areas, including a zone across southern Europe.

    Much of the pollution is in low- and middle-income countries, where communities are directly affected, exacerbating poverty. The effect of these contaminated crops entering global food networks is not as clear. The authors call for soil pollution surveys in data-sparse areas such as sub-Saharan Africa to understand more about its effects on local, and global, human and environmental health.

    “There are ongoing global initiatives (the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and FAO) to remediate contaminated soils. This map will be a powerful tool to help us to identify high-risk areas, understand how natural and human activities have contributed to the pollution, and design mitigation and remediation strategies.

    “This map also illustrates how metal pollution is independent of human borders; to tackle this problem, countries will have to work together.”

    ‘Global soil pollution by toxic metals threatens agriculture and human health’ by Hou  et al. was published in Science at 19:00 UK time on Thursday 17th April.

    DOI: 10.1126/science.adq6807

    Declared interests

    Dr Lucie Buchi “I don’t have any conflict of interests to declare”

    Prof Oliver Jones “I have no conflicts of interest to declare in this case.”

    Dr Wakene Negassa “None”

    Prof Chris Collins “None”

    Dr Liz Rylott “no conflict of interest”

    For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Patriots’ Day: How far-right groups hijack history and patriotic symbols to advance their cause, according to an expert on extremism

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Art Jipson, Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Dayton

    Anti-government protestors use the American flag to draw attention to their cause at a protest on Aug. 8, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. Paul Becker/Becker 1999 via Flickr, CC BY

    Patriots’ Day, a commemoration of the battles of Lexington and Concord – the first confrontations of the American Revolution – holds historical value as a symbol of American resistance to British colonial rule. Over time, however, the holiday has been co-opted by extremist groups.

    Capitalizing on ambiguities in the understanding of patriotic symbols, extremist groups have attempted to change the meaning of freedom and liberty embedded in the symbol of the American flag.

    Not all states celebrate Patriots’ Day. Massachusetts and Maine observe it as a public holiday on the third Monday in April. Wisconsin observes Patriots’ Day as a state observance – not a public holiday – on April 19, with schools and businesses remaining open. Other states may also mark it informally or through educational activities.

    As a scholar of extremism, I have become increasingly concerned by the appropriation of patriotic symbols such as the American flag and Patriots’ Day into narratives for far-right rhetoric, recruitment and radicalization. Patriotic events such as the Fourth of July can be marked by demonstrations, armed protests and calls for militant action by far-right extremist groups.

    A Three-Percenter flag at an anti-government rally on July 21, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
    Paul Becker/Becker 1999 via Flickr, CC BY

    Just before the Fourth of July in 2019, the Southern Poverty Law Center demonstrated how extremist groups have long adopted symbols of U.S. history to promote white supremacy. A 2010 SPLC report documented extremist calls for “freedom,” including a call from such far-right groups for repeal of all social service spending.

    The hijacking of patriotic symbols is part of an effort to create an atmosphere where participants believe they are engaging in a modern-day fight for freedom.

    In interviews I conducted with extremists in March 2025, several members of the Patriot Front said they are planning to protest on April 19 in an effort to use the holiday to attract media and public attention to their efforts to create a white homeland.

    Extremists are not the only Americans who are planning on using Patriots’ Day as a platform to attract attention to their causes. Mobilization of opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies and deportation efforts are also planned for April 19. Protesters raise concerns about the incorporation of American patriotic symbols by the right wing to support policies that they view as distinctively anti-American and unconstitutional.

    The 250th anniversary on April 19 of the first battles of the American Revolution is a fitting time to reflect on the meaning and use of historical symbols.

    White supremacy and Patriots’ Day

    From a sociological perspective, national symbols and events such as the American flag and Patriots’ Day do not have fixed meanings. Rather, any symbol is defined by how people actually use it. Whether one raises an American flag or burns one, the use of the flag is a powerful symbol that is understood to mean different things to different people, depending on the context.

    Extremists often take other symbols of American patriotism, such as the bald eagle, the Second Amendment and the phrase “America the beautiful” and try to use them to promote their message. For example, white supremacists believe that America can be beautiful only if white Americans are in positions of authority. The interpretations of these symbols become tools for extremist mobilization.

    In the lead-up to Patriots’ Day in 2023, members of the Patriot Front, a white supremacist group, rallied near the Massachusetts State House in Boston. They displayed a banner reading “Reclaim America,” a slogan associated with their ideology.

    Several white supremacist groups such as the Patriot Front, National Socialist Club-131 and other neo-Nazis groups position themselves as authentic modern-day “patriots” fighting to preserve society. They claim they are “undermined by a government that represses citizens” and creates an unsafe space for what they call a “white homeland.”

    The Patriot Front manifesto, written by group founder Thomas Rousseau, states: “A nation within a nation is our goal. Our people face complete annihilation as our culture and heritage are attacked from all sides.”

    The role of extremist narratives

    The extremist groups see Patriots’ Day not only as a commemoration of resistance against British colonialism but as a rallying point for a radical vision of American identity that attracts more attention from the public and the media because of the use of the recognized symbol.

    Extremists frame their actions as a continuation of the American Revolution and draw upon the myth of an oppressed, virtuous “true American” standing against tyranny. In this view, traditional symbols of American patriotism represent resistance not against an overarching foreign power but against internal threats to their vision of America.

    These include perceived threats posed by progressive movements, racial minorities, immigrants and the federal government. In the minds of those on the far right, what’s at stake are their traditional values, gun ownership and individual rights.

    The Southern Poverty Law Center has highlighted the significance of April 19 in the anti-government “patriot” movement’s calendar, noting that it has been associated with increased activity from militias and other extremist groups.

    A man belonging to the Boogaloo Boi far-right group at an anti-government rally on Aug. 29, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio.
    Paul Becker/Becker 1999 via Flickr, CC BY

    Some of those groups include the sovereign citizens movement, Boogaloo Bois and the Patriot Front. The sovereign citizen movement is a loosely organized group of individuals who believe that they are not subject to government laws, especially federal laws in the United States. The Boogaloo movement is an anti-government extremist group known for advocating for a second American civil war, which they often call the “boogaloo.”

    The myth of the ‘true American’

    The construction of the “true American” is central to the ideology. For many far-right groups, the “true” or “real” American is defined as someone who believes in the preservation of a specific, often exclusionary version of American values in which white Americans are seen as both moral paragons and under siege.

    Some American militia groups, such as the Oath Keepers and Three Percenters, claim that only those willing to resist their idea of “tyranny” are true American patriots and that they should resist the government.

    In 2014, the Oath Keepers participated in an armed standoff in Nevada to support rancher Cliven Bundy, who was in a dispute with the Bureau of Land Management over unpaid grazing fees. The group positioned themselves as defenders against federal authority. Two men with ties to the Three Percenters, Barry Croft and Adam Fox, were involved in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020. The plot was foiled by law enforcement, and the individuals were arrested and charged with terrorism-related offenses. Both received lengthy prison sentences.

    As Stewart Rhodes, who founded The Oath Keepers in 2009 in Lexington, Massachusetts, has said: “We are the last line of defense against tyranny. Real patriots will stand up.”

    Anyone not aligned with their ideology is seen as a traitor or unwilling to confront systemic problems and are derisively labeled “sheep.”

    The mobilization of violence

    One of the most concerning ways in which American patriotic symbols are co-opted by extremists is the potential to justify violent action.

    An example of how extremist flags incorporate the American flag into their design, as seen at a protest on July 21, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
    Paul Becker/Becker 1999 via Flickr, CC BY

    The connection between historical acts of violence, such as the battles of Lexington and Concord, and contemporary calls for preparation for violent actions is deliberately emphasized. According to historian Darren Mulloy, extremists use well-known and accepted American symbols to create a sense that violence is a justified and necessary means of defense. Militia groups, in Mulloy’s research, exploit the need for violence in the American Revolution and the settling of the American West to legitimize their contemporary calls.

    The Oath Keepers romanticize the role of armed militias in the founding of America as seen at Lexington and Concord. They use this day to promote the idea that their cause is just and that armed resistance is a legitimate form of political expression.

    Groups such as The Base and the Oath Keepers have called for training in preparation for armed defense against the government. They recruit current and former military, police and first responders, urging them to uphold an oath to defend the Constitution – as the group interprets it – often against what they see as a tyrannical federal government.

    This creates a dangerous feedback loop in which extremism and violence are normalized through the glorification of historical events that celebrate acts of rebellion while strengthening identities that radicalize individuals.

    Understanding how patriotic symbols can be exploited offers important insights into how historical narratives may be manipulated, potentially leading to harmful consequences in American society.

    Art Jipson 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. Patriots’ Day: How far-right groups hijack history and patriotic symbols to advance their cause, according to an expert on extremism – https://theconversation.com/patriots-day-how-far-right-groups-hijack-history-and-patriotic-symbols-to-advance-their-cause-according-to-an-expert-on-extremism-251687

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –