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Category: Science

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve Fentanyl Overdose Tracking

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    03.26.25

    Cantwell Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve Fentanyl Overdose Tracking

    The Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act would expand use of tools that record fatal and nonfatal overdoses in near-real-time; WA first responders say better data collection could help identify overdose hotspots so they can deploy resources faster & save lives

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, reintroduced the bipartisan Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act. The bill would direct the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to states, units of local government, law enforcement task forces, and tribes to adopt and implement an overdose data collection program, including the Overdose Data Mapping Application Program (ODMAP).

    The bill was drafted by and reintroduced alongside Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and John Cornyn (R-TX). Originally introduced in September, it unanimously passed the Senate in December but was not brought up by the House of Representatives before the end of last session.

    “When responding to fentanyl overdoses, an extra minute can save a life,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Tracking fatal and non-fatal opioid overdoses will help our first responders, law enforcement, and public health professionals better target and prevent OD spikes and surge resources to communities that need them the most.”

    “The fight to end addiction and drug abuse in our communities requires a robust understanding of the problem at hand. By investing in local partners, we empower communities to more effectively track drug abuse trends and prevent future overdoses,” Sen. Grassley said. “I’m glad to support this cost-effective plan to expand vital data collection programs.”

    During Sen. Cantwell’s 10-city fentanyl roundtable tour across Washington state, she heard from multiple officials on the front lines of the epidemic that expanding ODMAP could help prevent overdoses and save lives. Expanding ODMAP would provide near real-time awareness of known or suspected overdose incidents across the United States, supporting public safety and public health efforts to coordinate immediate responses to sudden spikes in overdoses.

    The bill has supporters across the State of Washington:

    PUGET SOUND:

    “Effective and timely overdose prevention and response activities rely upon high-quality data. Within the ecosystem of Seattle, King County, and community teams working to address opioid overdose, timely and targeted data are always the starting point for interventions. We endorse legislation that will expand similar shared platforms of overdose data collection, mapping, and analysis,” said Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins.

    “This bill would help Everett and communities across the country address the fentanyl and opioid crisis by implementing proven cutting-edge data tools to track overdoses,” said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin. “The City of Everett supports all efforts to implement data-driven methods to address this critical issue and is proud to support the Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act.”

    “The opioid epidemic affects all corners of our community,” said King County Sheriff Patricia Cole-Tindall. “I welcome Senator Cantwell’s efforts to help address this by building on the programs we have in place. Bringing more resources to fight this crisis is an essential step in saving lives.”

    “The importance of a robust data collection tool, such as the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program, that facilitates the near real-time tracking of fatal and nonfatal overdoses, and the administration of opioid reversal medications, cannot be overstated. By Senator Cantwell introducing this important bill, the Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act, participating agencies and entities will be better able to identify overdose spikes and trends, allowing for rapid responses and deliberate strategies to save lives,” said NW HIDTA Executive Director Jonathan Weiner.

    EASTERN WA:

    “In critical emergencies, first responders need accurate information to act fast. This legislation would improve data collection, giving police officers and firefighters the reliable tools they need to protect and serve their communities,” said Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown.

    “As first responders on the frontlines of the opioid crisis, we see the devastating impact of overdoses every day. Expanding access to real-time overdose data through ODMAP is critical for improving emergency response, identifying emerging trends, and ultimately saving lives. The Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act will provide vital support to local communities and agencies like ours, ensuring we have the tools needed to respond effectively to this crisis. I strongly support this bill and urge its swift passage,” said Spokane Fire Chief Julie O’Berg.

    “Fentanyl and other illicit drugs pose a significant risk to the health and well-being of Spokane citizens. The overwhelming majority of these substances make their way to our county from neighboring foreign countries such as Mexico. Investment in real-time overdose mapping technology will help law enforcement disrupt the flow of Fentanyl in the United States. Having accurate data on where overdose spikes occur will go a long way towards securing safer communities and saving lives threatened by the fentanyl crisis,” said Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels.

    “With over thirty-three years in law enforcement and currently serving as police chief in Spokane, Washington, I witness firsthand the devastating impact of the opioid crisis on individuals, families, and entire communities. The Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act is a crucial step forward in equipping law enforcement, first responders, and public health professionals with the necessary tools to track, respond to, and prevent overdoses more effectively. This bill expands access to real-time overdose data collection tools, such as the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP). These tools enable us to identify trends, coordinate responses, and allocate resources where they are most needed. By utilizing existing DOJ funding, this legislation enhances our ability to combat the opioid epidemic without imposing additional financial burdens on taxpayers. I wholeheartedly support this initiative because timely, accurate data saves lives. The ability to monitor overdose spikes and share critical information across agencies allows us to act more swiftly, prevent more deaths, and ultimately foster safer, healthier communities,” said Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall.

    CENTRAL WA:

    “The collection of data on overdoses is critical to the effectively addressing the serious opioid problem in this country.  Knowing when and where overdoses occur can enable agencies to focus on the areas needing more attention.  Funding for programs designed to collect overdose data is essential in the fight against the opioid epidemic,” said Yakima County Sheriff Robert Udell.

    “Having a single platform to share overdose data is essential to saving lives, guiding decisions, and preventing overdoses. ODMAP (Overdose Mapping) is the platform.  ODMAP allows for the collaboration and real-time data sharing between law enforcement, fire departments, EMS, hospitals, and health departments,” said Kennewick Police Chief Chris Guerrero.

    “Using ODMAP locally throughout our county has already proven invaluable in identifying overdose hotspots and enabling rapid, targeted responses. Expanding its use statewide has the potential to transform how we address the fentanyl crisis in Washington. By standardizing overdose tracking across the state, we can pinpoint trends, respond more effectively, and deploy life-saving resources faster than ever. This tool is more than just data—it empowers us to act decisively and collaboratively to save lives and combat this devastating epidemic,” said Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control at the Yakima Health District.

    “In order to make the most appropriate moves to facilitate change, we must have good, accurate data. Otherwise we are blindly throwing darts at a board. ODMAP will allow for the most appropriate distribution of resources to help combat the nation-wide opioid epidemic. Without it, we will continue to potentially ignore high impacted areas that may desperately need the assistance,” said Cameron Haubrich, Chief of the Sunnyside Fire Department.

    “ODMAP creates a unified, real-time system to track and respond to overdoses, enabling first responders, health departments, and law enforcement to allocate resources more effectively. By identifying overdose hotspots and trends as they happen, we can deploy targeted interventions and engage communities in prevention efforts,” said Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete when the bill passed the Senate in December.

    “ODMAP is a game-changer in fighting the overdose epidemic! With the real-time data from ODMAP, responders and communities can monitor overdose events, identify patterns, deploy resources where needed, and ultimately save lives! In the State of Washington, we currently only track overdose deaths which grossly underestimates the true magnitude of the overdose epidemic (by 6200%),” said Alicia Stromme Tobin, Executive Director of Safe Yakima Valley, when the bill passed the Senate in December. “ODMAP provides agencies with a tool to track fatal and nonfatal overdoses. By providing a comprehensive view of overdose trends, ODMAP fosters collaboration across public health, law enforcement and EMS, allowing for more targeted interventions and prevention efforts. I applaud Senator Cantwell for recognizing the tremendous positive impact ODMAP will have on saving lives! Congratulations and well done!”

    “Solutions start with a hope, hope is the gateway for innovation and collaboration, and efforts like ODMAP are the tools that communities need to impact the fentanyl crisis and save lives,” said Yakima Police Department Lt. Chad Janis when the bill passed the Senate in December.

    SOUTHWEST WA:

    “Vancouver strongly supports the Opioid Overdose Enhancement Act and urges the Department of Justice to award grants for the adoption and implementation of the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP). As Vancouver Fire responded to over 400 overdose calls in 2024, it has become increasingly clear that gathering and analyzing overdose data is a significant challenge. Our current process of manually searching medical records for specific call information is labor-intensive and costly. A centralized database would be invaluable in identifying overdose hotspots, tracking trends, and saving lives. This federal legislation is a crucial step toward streamlining these efforts and addressing the opioid crisis effectively,” said Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle.

    “Vancouver Fire responded to more than 400 overdose calls in 2024. It has been a consistent challenge for us to gather data because it requires us to dig deep into our medical records system and search for keywords that will identify the specific call information. This process is labor intensive and time consuming. A centralized database would be very helpful to allow us to not only track location hotspots, but also trends. We fully support federal legislation that streamlines this process,” said Vancouver Fire Chief Brennan Blue.

    “Senator Cantwell’s bill to implement the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program is a critical step in combating the opioid crisis. By providing timely data on overdoses and opioid reversal medication applications, this program will allow local departments of health and law enforcement to respond quickly and effectively, saving lives, holding opioid dealers accountable, and targeting resources where they’re needed most.  I strongly endorse this vital legislation,” said Vancouver Police Chief Troy Price.

    “Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue (CCFR) supports the Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act and Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant Program. With the rise of opioid related incidents in our district as well as in the counties we serve, CCFR has worked with community partners to address opioid use, overdose, and treatment. Through our CARES Program and in partnership with neighboring fire districts and the Clark County’s Medical Program Director’s Office, CCFR has implemented administration of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) during the time of an opioid related incident or overdose. CCFR crews are able to introduce buprenorphine as well as provide leave-behind Narcan for individuals following administration of opioid overdose reversal medication. In partnership with treatment centers in the county, CARES is able to provide immediate referrals to these facilities in order to assist community members seeking treatment,” said John Nohr, Fire Chief of Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue.

    “The Washington Fire Chiefs Association fully endorses Senator Cantwell’s Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act.  We believe that a crucial component of the Act, which supports adoption and implementation of the Overdose Detection Mapping Application (ODMAP), will place critical, data-driven, information into the hands of first responders, saving lives,” said Kristan Maurer, President of Washington Fire Chiefs Association, Fire Chief of Clark County Fire District 6.

    OLYMPIC PENINSULA:

    “Having access to real-time data is critical to getting ahead of the overdose crisis. With the rapidly changing drug supply, these kinds of data allow us to identify overdose clusters and communicate with individuals at risk as well as community partners so that we can help prevent overdoses in the future,” said Allison Berry, Health Officer for Clallam County & Jefferson County.

    The bill is also endorsed by several coveted national law enforcement organizations including: National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC), National HIDTA Directors Association (NHDA), National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agencies (NASDEA), Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), Major County Sheriffs Association (MCSA).

    ODMAP was developed in 2017 by the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) as a free, web-based, mobile-friendly platform for near real-time reporting and monitoring of suspected fatal and non-fatal overdose events, as well as instances where opioid overdose reversal medications such as Naloxone were administered. It displays overdose data within and across jurisdictions, helping agencies identify spikes and clusters of suspected overdose events in their community, neighboring communities, and across the country.

    As of February 2025, approximately 5,330 agencies across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are using the platform. Over 2.9 million overdose events have been entered into ODMAP and more than 36,000 users registered.

    Washington state has not adopted ODMAP statewide, however, localities in the state utilize the program. In 2025, 77 agencies across 17 counties in Washington state use ODMAP, and have logged 2,248 entries into ODMAP. In 2024, 7,857 entries were logged. Yakima County, Spokane County, and the City of Seattle have recently implemented programming that allows their data to instantaneously populate the ODMAP dashboard with all overdose responses. Elsewhere in the state, ODMAP coverage is limited and therefore only captures a portion of the overdose instances occurring.

    Currently, overdose data in Washington state is only available to government health partners and only contains fatal overdose cases (which are released months or years after the fact). Overdose counts are released publicly via Washington State’s Department of Health website. However, they only provide instances of fatal overdoses (a small fraction of all overdose incidents) and are hampered by significant delays. Currently, the most recent data populating the DOH overdose death rate data dashboard is from the fourth quarter of 2023.

    In 2023 and 2024, Sen. Cantwell traveled across the State of Washington to 10 communities — Tacoma, Everett, Tri-Cities, Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver, Port Angeles, Walla Walla, Yakima, and Longview – hearing from people on the front lines of the fentanyl crisis, including first responders, law enforcement, health care providers, and people with firsthand experience of fentanyl addiction.  She also participated in the National Tribal Opioid Summit, a gathering of approximately 900 tribal leaders, health care workers, and first responders from across the country hosted by the Tulalip Tribes following the first-ever statewide summit hosted by the Lummi Nation.  Sen. Cantwell has since used what she heard in those roundtables and related events to craft and champion specific legislative solutions, including:

    • The Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act, which would permanently classify illicit fentanyl knockoffs as Schedule I drugs;
    • The Stop Smuggling Illicit Synthetic Drugs on U.S. Transportation Networks Act, which would crack down on the trafficking of illicit synthetic drugs, like fentanyl, using the U.S. transportation network;
    • The FEND Off Fentanyl Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden, which will help U.S. government agencies disrupt opioid supply chains by imposing sanctions on traffickers and fighting money laundering;
    • The Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act, which would require that all pill presses be engraved with a serial number and impose penalties for the removal or alteration of the number;
    • The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, which would list xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance while protecting the drug’s legal use by veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers, enable the Drug Enforcement Administration to track xylazine’s manufacturing to ensure it is not diverted to the illicit market;
    • The TRANQ Research Act of 2023, signed into law by President Biden, which will spur more research into xylazine (also called “tranq”) and other novel synthetic drugs by directing the National Institute of Standards and Technology to tackle these issues; and
    • The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act, which would bolster Tribal law enforcement agencies by helping them hire and retain tribal law enforcement officers by raising their retirement, pension, death, and injury benefits to be on part with those of federal law enforcement officers.

    In addition, Sen. Cantwell voted for a series of federal funding bills allocating $1.69 billion to combat fentanyl and other illicit drugs coming into the United States, including an additional $385.2 million to increase security at U.S. ports of entry, with the goal of catching more illegal drugs like fentanyl before they make it across the border.  Critical funding will go toward Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology at land and sea ports of entries. NII technologies—like large-scale X-ray and Gamma ray imaging systems, as well as a variety of portable and handheld technologies—allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection to help detect and prevent contraband from being smuggled into the country without disrupting flow at the border.

    A full timeline of Sen. Cantwell’s actions to combat the fentanyl crisis is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Hickenlooper Hears from Coloradans Harmed by Trump Administration Cuts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
    Hickenlooper toured CU Anschutz, hosted roundtables in Denver and Aurora on proposed VA and Medicaid cuts, and joined postal workers at a rally
    In case you missed it, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper recently held multiple events throughout the Denver metro area to talk with Coloradans affected by the Trump administration’s chaotic actions.
    Hickenlooper held a roundtable at Inner City Health on the impacts of potential Medicaid cuts and the significant consequences they’d have on Coloradans. Hickenlooper voted against the Republican budget resolution, which would strip critical services that Coloradans rely on like Medicaid.
    He then visited CU Anschutz to tour the facility and hear from researchers concerned about how the funding cuts impact their research and scientific progress.
    Hickenlooper also heard from veterans and laid off VA employees at the Aurora Mental Health Center. Veterans make up 30% of the federal workforce, and the Trump administration has fired an estimated 6,000 veterans so far. The Trump administration also has plans to cut 80,000 VA employees.
    Hickenlooper also joined postal service workers and supporters on the steps of the Colorado Capitol to show support for USPS employees in the face of attempts by the Trump administration to privatize and reduce service.
    Check out the headlines below:
    Colorado Public Radio: Sen. Hickenlooper Tours CU Anschutz and Hears from Young Researcher Hurt by NIH Cuts
    A young researcher wearing a lab coat, transfers fluids using a pipette. The lab where the postdoctoral student is working was on a stop on Senator John Hickenlooper’s visit at CU Anschutz medical center on Tuesday. Cancer researcher Heidi Ford told him about how the student is studying how the immune system responds to breast cancer cells.
    …Hickenlooper told the group he thought his Republican colleagues see the damage that’s being done, and most Americans, “may be suspicious about certain aspects of science, but they believe in the progress that it creates. They believe that long term, this is the right thing to invest in.”
    9 News (Denver): Sen. Hickenlooper Comments on Harms of NIH Funding Cuts to Colorado Research
    Today Senator John Hickenlooper took a walk through the CU Anschutz Cancer Lab, one of many medical research centers across the country in danger of losing millions in federal funding.
    “They’re doing research back there that I saw where they’re actually being able to differentiate between which cells the chemo will attack and letting the normal cells go on about their business keeping you healthy. That’s so exciting, and now we’re suddenly going to give them a gut punch and pull their funding?”
    Colorado Sun: Funding cuts to CU-Anschutz could erase years of medical research contributed by patients, advocates fear
    As the ALS disease that will one day claim her life progressed, Barbara Johnson enrolled in a clinical trial at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus funded by the federal National Institutes of Health.
    …Then, in the statement recorded by her daughter and played through her voice assistant, she directed a message to the man sitting on the other end of a long conference table from her, U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, a Colorado Democrat.
    “Does NIH really want to cut loose these years of research, one study building on the results of another, and all those lifesaving waves?”
    Hickenlooper toured a lab and participated in a panel discussion Tuesday at the Anschutz Campus as part of an effort to understand how proposed cuts to NIH funding would impact research on the campus — and, in fact, already are.
    …Researchers who participated in the panel discussion with Hickenlooper talked of the worry coursing through their labs and weighing on the long-term planning of their graduate students.
    “There’s a lot of stress in academia right now,” Heide Ford told Hickenlooper during a tour of her lab, which studies cancer cells.
    …Hickenlooper vowed to take these stories back to Washington, D.C., with him in the hopes of persuading Senate colleagues to oppose the funding cuts.
    He rejected a more confrontational approach, saying that he believes many Republicans in Congress support science and believes a number are “getable” by finding common ground.
    “Telling someone why they’re wrong and why you think you’re right never works,” he said. “Our country needs to figure out how we’re going to get unified around science again.”
    The most powerful way to do that, he said, is by sharing the stories of researchers and the work they do — and the risk that funding cuts could derail it.
    “I think as more people in Colorado or across the country hear about these setbacks in terms of consistent funding for real medical research that changes the world, I think people are going to be pissed off,” Hickenlooper said. “I think we’re going to hear from them, and we should. This is irresponsible.”
    Denver Gazette: Amid Trump cuts, Colorado medical leaders worry about losing ‘generation of researchers’
    A group of Colorado medical leaders on Tuesday expressed fears that proposed cuts to the National Institutes of Health medical research grants would not only hurt current research but risk losing “a generation of researchers.”
    Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper sat at a roundtable with 16 local medical CEOs, presidents and researchers to discuss NIH’s decision to cut “indirect cost” rates for medical research grants.
    …Prior to the discussion, Hickenlooper toured the campus’ cancer lab, which focuses on cancer research treatments. The entire lab is funded by NIH grants.
    Sentinel Colorado: Hickenlooper collects stories at Aurora round-table to persuade Republicans to halt cuts to VA, veterans
    Colorado veterans, Veteran Affairs employees and a Colorado senator say they are angry and fearful over the way the Trump Administration is handling massive federal government cuts and layoffs.
    …Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper held the group discussion along with Aurora Mental Health and Recovery to talk with veterans and VA employees about the administration’s cuts and firings and how they affect veterans and military-connected families in Colorado.
    Hickenlooper said it made him angry, which he says is rare for him, adding that he can count on one hand the times congress has made him angry.
    “The talk about waste, fraud and abuse in the Veterans Administration drives me nuts,” Hickenlooper said. “Any time I hear people discrediting and tearing down the Veterans Administration in any way, it gets me in a place that I don’t usually go to.”
    …“This is egregious,” Hickenlooper said.
    Hickenlooper said he knows “for a fact” from the years he was Colorado governor that the VA never had enough funding, so the Trump cuts will hurt veterans significantly.
    Hickenlooper said he enjoys “good” relationships with 20 to 25 Republican senators right now. He said he hopes to take the veterans’ stories from Aurora to share with those GOP senators and persuade them to make changes.
    “The more stories I can give to them about what’s really happening, the better,” Hickenlooper said. “The sooner we’re going to turn this around and begin to recognize and deliver on some of that funding that you guys are all deserving of.”
    Colorado Newsline: Colorado veterans cut under Trump feel ‘like trash,’ Hickenlooper told
    Ryan Bevard worked at a hospital within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for eight years before he got a position he had been vying for as a social work associate.
    …U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, a Colorado Democrat, listened to Bevard and about two dozen other veterans talk about how the Trump administration’s funding cuts and layoffs have affected their ability to access health care and other benefits at the Aurora Mental Health Center Tuesday.
    “These veterans put their life on the line,” Hickenlooper said. “In many cases they suffered debilitating consequences to their physical health, to their mental health, things that are never going to be back 100% the way they were.”
    …Hickenlooper said the notion that the VA is riddled with “waste, fraud and abuse” — which is what Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency is tasked with targeting — angers him. He called the “draconian cuts” to the VA “egregious,” and said he doesn’t think his Republican colleagues in the congressional majority have heard how cuts and layoffs have affected veterans. He said he has good relationships with about 20 to 25 Republican senators, and the sooner they hear stories like those shared with him in Aurora, the sooner VA funding will be restored.
    “I don’t think they’ll be happy with what they’re going to hear,” Hickenlooper said. “They believe in the military, they believe that people that have served our country in defense deserve to be cared for. I think almost all of them do.”
    Veterans losing their jobs without cause will further worsen the increasing suicide rates among veterans, Hickenlooper said. He said he supports shrinking the government, but “random firings without cause” is “not how to do it.”
    “Everyone who’s still working is filled with doubt and anxiety, so they’re not doing a good job,” Hickenlooper said. “You’re not making government more efficient, you’re making them less efficient.”
    CBS (Colorado Springs): Sen. Hickenlooper speaks at postal workers rally
    “Liberal or conservative or in between, wherever you fall on the political spectrum: you deserve your mail and the services that the post office provides and that’s very important”
    Colorado Springs isn’t the only place where the rallies popped up; workers up in Denver were also protesting. Senator John Hickenlooper spoke at that rally: “What President Trump is doing here (and he’s doing it elsewhere) is not only illegal, it’s unconstitutional, and I think when you look at what the postal service does, it delivers mail to every person regardless of your zip code, and I recognize how hard that is, right? I’ve traveled to every corner of this state, you know, there’s some pretty remote towns, but everybody in this state gets the mail.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Speech to open new building at Lincoln University

    Source: New Zealand Government

    I am very pleased to open the redeveloped George Forbes Building at Lincoln University.
    The original building was opened by Governor-General Viscount Cobham on 11th August 1960. He inherited Viscount Cobham from his father but his birth name was actually Charles Lyttelton, Lyttelton being named after his great grandfather. 
    The building has undergone significant changes since then that have made it a notable landmark in the area. 
    This latest development creates a vibrant new student hub, which will contribute to a world-class campus. 
    I know Lincoln has a strong focus on its students, both in terms of their campus experience but also a commitment to supporting their success in study and moving into employment.
    This space demonstrates your focus on your learners and their future, by providing a mix of areas for relaxation and recreation, as well as places to work and collaborate with others.
    And collaboration is one of the hallmarks of the university. 
    We can see it today in your strong domestic and international partnerships in research and teaching. 
    An excellent example is Bioprotection Aotearoa, a Centre of Research Excellence that features a collaborative partnership of 11 universities and CRIs to train the next generation of bioprotection researchers. It also delivers pioneering, multi-disciplinary research to protect our productive and natural landscapes from pathogens, pests and weeds in a warming climate.
    Scientists from Lincoln along with Plant & Food Research have contributed to the discovery of a new gene – the PAR gene – that will make it possible to produce seeds from crops that are genetically identical to the mother plant, without pollination. This was done with scientists in the Netherlands and Japan, and it is expected to lead to major innovations in plant breeding.
    You also have a strong history in commercial collaboration. The New Zealand Agricultural Engineering Institute (NZAEI) established in 1965, now Lincoln Agritech, has a history of finding practical engineering solutions to agricultural issues, supporting sustainable production. That contributes social, environmental and economic benefits to the community but also to your researchers and helps maintain the university’s reputation as a partner in innovation.
    It’s not an exaggeration to say that Lincoln has been making vital contributions to our country and to the wider world, in agriculture, horticulture and viticulture, for nearly 150 years. That’s quite an achievement and something to be proud of.
    Your focus on the agricultural sector has positioned you well in our nation’s economy and helped build our reputation as an agricultural innovator, as well as a successful and reliable supplier of high-quality food and associated technologies.
    These are some of the things that place this small university in the top 150 for agriculture and forestry, according to the QS World University Rankings.
    It is also in the top 150 for hospitality and leisure, another significant industry for economic growth, and one that relies for much of its appeal on the quality of our rural environments and the products that are so important to this country’s economy. 
    I know that you have a long-term plan which is driving the shape of the campus, with both new and redeveloped facilities. 
    With Plant & Food Research and Landcare Research across the road, we have a hub of research excellence that is important to New Zealand’s agricultural future.
    These combine to make Lincoln an attractive place to study. You have rapidly rebuilt your domestic and international student population, and achieved a position of financial sustainability while continuing to be recognised as a leader in research for the land-based sectors.
    Keeping all of your achievements in mind, it gives me great pleasure to turn to the opening of this new development and the opportunities still to come. 
    I want to thank a great-grandson and namesake of George Forbes, who provided very helpful information on his history. I know he was invited today and I hope he is here.
    The Right Honourable George William Forbes was MP for Hurunui from 1908 to 1943 and Prime Minister from 1930 to 1935. He was also the first leader of the National Party. 
    Before that he was farmer in Cheviot – on his farm called Crystal Brook – which he farmed until his death. He had a keen and enduring interest in the industry throughout his political career, and he regularly attended agricultural events here at Lincoln. 
    The George Forbes Memorial Library was developed in recognition of his advancement of the interests of Canterbury Agricultural College, as it was then, in the mid-1920s, when plans for Massey Agricultural College were underway.
    The library has moved but the building retains his name. It is now the new entry point to the university. 
    For learners just starting their tertiary education journey, this will be a place of welcome and connection with each other and the studies that will support their success in years to come.
    Many Lincoln alumni have gone on to play, and continue to play, prominent roles in New Zealand life.  There is an impressive list of scientists, All Blacks and business leaders, as well as politicians and media personalities, who have passed through these halls. There are a few international leaders in there as well.
    Lincoln was a key part of their leadership journey. 
    That’s as it should be. We expect our tertiary institutions to produce leaders in all areas – science, arts, public service, sports, community and commerce.
    I believe George William Forbes would be proud and pleased with this place and the contribution Lincoln is continuing to make to New Zealand, as well as the continuing association of his name with the university. 
    Thank you Chancellor and Vice Chancellor for your continuing efforts, and congratulations to you and the university community on this occasion. 
    I now take great pride in officially declaring the George Forbes Building open. 
    Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New tool to give landholders more stake in the clean energy transition

    Source: Ministers for the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

    Overview

    • Category

      News

    • Date

      27 March 2025

    • Classification

      General

    Australian landholders will have more insight and ownership of the renewable energy potential of their land thanks to a project set to receive $500,000 in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

    The project, being delivered by RELA Australia Pty Ltd (RELA), will build on their existing product, creating an improved software tool that provides clear, independent information to assess the potential of wind and solar energy generation on regional land. With the inclusion of additional data points, such as the ability to include farm plans while using the tool, this will allow landholders to determine the potential income of renewable energy generation assets on their land and be better equipped to negotiate agreements with renewable developers.

    ARENA Chief Operating Officer, Chris Faris, said that collaboration and partnership is key to realising Australia’s net zero goals, especially in rural and regional Australia.

    “This software will empower Australian landholders to make informed decisions about participating in the clean energy transition. By understanding the renewable energy potential of their land, they will be better equipped to engage and negotiate with renewable energy developers to get a better deal and a fair share of the income benefits from the clean energy projects that are critical to Australia’s net zero future,” said Mr Faris.

    “This project can help further assist landholders understand the potential for new income streams from their land, giving them a greater stake in the clean energy transition on their own terms.”

    ARENA recognises that the clean energy transition relies on cooperation between industry, government and local communities. Projects such as RELA’s software ensure the transition is about more than just consultation; it’s about giving Australians real agency over their involvement in the transition. Through the upgrades to this tool, Australian farmers and landholders can take more control, ensuring renewable energy projects and developments occur in a way that benefits both communities and investors.

    Chief Product Officer at RELA, Stuart Gourley said that RELA Assess gives landowners independent insights into the renewable energy potential of their land, helping them understand their options and empowering them to proceed with confidence.

    “With support from ARENA, we are strengthening RELA Assess to provide additional data, automated assessments to more landowners and farm planning tools that support the coexistence of farming and renewable energy. These enhancements will be guided by a Stakeholder Reference Group established by the Project representing the various stakeholders, including agricultural peak bodies, government and First Nations organisations, and will help landowners gain clearer insights to more fully understand the potential and opportunity costs of a renewable energy project on their land. By improving transparency and decision-making, RELA Assess continues to support landowners in the clean energy transition”.

    It is expected that the tool will be available later this year. For more information visit ARENA’s project page https://arena.gov.au/projects/ 

    ARENA media contact:

    media@arena.gov.au

    Download this media release (PDF 151KB)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Velázquez Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Support Music Education for More Students

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representative Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-7) introduced a resolution that aims to support and provide students with more access to music and arts in our schools. The Music In Our Schools Month Resolution would support music in schools by affirming the importance of music education, highlighting the benefits students receive from its instruction, and recognizing the hard work of music educators across the country. 
    “Music has been in America’s schools since before our nation’s inception, and research shows that access to a music education promotes development and teaches valuable skills that kids carry with them into adulthood,” said Senator Booker. “However, many kids today lack access to music education in their schools. This resolution recognizes the impact music has made on the culture of the United States, and the importance of ensuring every public school has the resources and support they need to include music in their curriculum.” 
    “Music education opens doors for students in so many ways, whether creatively, emotionally, or academically,” said Congresswoman Velázquez. “With arts federal arts funding under threat, we must recognize the importance of music education to students across the country and honor the teachers who make it possible.”
    The resolution is endorsed by a broad coalition of organizations and institutions, including ArtPride New Jersey Foundation, New Jersey Council for the Humanities, New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA), Newark School of the Arts, Wharton Arts, Art Educators of New Jersey, Arts Ed NJ, NJ Symphony, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Music Will, El Sistema USA, Conn Selmer, Inc., Music Travel Consultants, Musicians Abroad, Heart of America Choir, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, Bennett Travel, Education Through Music, A. Cuthbertson Consulting, the Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society, JazzSLAM, the Tullman Family Office, Hawaii Youth Symphony, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Percussive Arts Society (PAS), Rock and Soul Forever Foundation / TeachRock, George Mason University, League of American Orchestras, New Harmony Line, Feierabend Association for Music Education (FAME), the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, and the Music Teachers National Association, National Association for Music Education.
    “Music is a powerful force that brings people together, fosters creativity, and strengthens communities. By supporting Music in Our Schools Month, we affirm the vital role that music education plays in shaping an innovative and empathetic society,” said Adam Perle, President & CEO of ArtPride New Jersey Foundation.
    “Music, like the humanities, helps us explore and share the stories that embody the human experience. It connects us across time and culture, fostering understanding, creativity, and community. The New Jersey Council for the Humanities is proud to support Music in Our Schools Month because every student deserves the opportunity to engage with this essential part of our shared heritage,” said Carin Berkowitz, Ph.D., Executive Director, New Jersey Council for the Humanities.
    “On behalf of the members of the New Jersey Music Educators Association, I’d like to thank Senator Booker for sponsoring this important resolution in recognition of the 40th anniversary of Music in Our Schools Month. This year’s theme, United Through Music, reminds us that despite our differences, music has the power to challenge perspectives, inspire action, and bridge divides. For four decades, this initiative has highlighted the critical role of high-quality music education in shaping well-rounded, career-ready students. As a core academic subject, music education fosters essential skills such as collaboration, teamwork, and critical thinking. Beyond performances, it nurtures creativity, self-discipline, and resilience while supporting students’ social-emotional well-being. We urge communities to recognize and celebrate music education as a vital part of every student’s learning experience,” said David Westawski, President, New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA).
    “At Newark School of the Arts, we believe music education fosters creativity, discipline, and emotional expression. Our inclusive program develops technical proficiency while instilling an appreciation for the cultural and historical significance of music, encouraging collaboration and innovation. We support Senator Booker’s Resolution for March 2025 as Music in Our Schools Month and urge others to join us,” said Sharon Salvador, Interim Executive Director, Newark School of the Arts.
    “As a proud product of a public school music program, I know firsthand the transformative power of music education. At Wharton Arts, we see every day how music fosters creativity, confidence, and community. Senator Booker’s ‘Music in Our Schools’ bill ensures that all students, regardless of background, have access to these life-changing opportunities. We strongly support this initiative and applaud his commitment to music education,” said Helen H. Cha-Pyo, Artistic Director, Wharton Arts.
    “Art Educators of NJ (AENJ), proudly stands in support of our colleagues across all artistic disciplines, including the resolution of Music in Our Schools Month. We recognize the invaluable role that music plays in the development of our youth and we are thrilled to celebrate the creative journey of New Jersey’s young artists. Together, we champion the importance of the arts in education and the endless possibilities it brings to our future creators,” said Tamika Diaz, President, Art Educators of New Jersey.
    “Arts Ed NJ proudly supports the Senate resolution designating March 2025 as Music in Our Schools Month. As a national leader in arts education access, New Jersey understands that music and the arts are essential to student wellbeing, engagement, and academic success. Every day, we see how the arts provide a vital space for students to express themselves, build resilience, and develop the critical skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex world. A comprehensive arts education is not a luxury—it is a cornerstone of creativity, critical thinking, and innovation, ensuring a vibrant and thriving future for our communities and our nation,” said Wendy Liscow, Executive Director, Arts Ed NJ.
    “As President & CEO of New Jersey Symphony, I express my support for the designation of March 2025 as Music in Our Schools Month. As both a patron of the arts and President & CEO of an arts organization, I believe that this resolution is vital to the Garden State and is in line with our mission of bringing the arts and music education to all residents in New Jersey. I am proud to be a part of such a dynamic organization that has been a key contributor to the arts in the state. I am especially proud of our Youth Orchestra, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary season, as well as our other education and community programs in Newark, N.J., and throughout the state. We will continue this expansion of music education into Jersey City, N.J., and serve even more youth with the opening of a new Symphony Center arts venue and education complex. New Jersey is the place to be for music, and this Music in Our Schools Month resolution is a vital step to ensuring future generations receive an opportunity to develop musical talent and a love for the artform,” Terry D. Loftis, President & CEO, NJ Symphony.
    “Since 1997, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center has offered music education programs in Greater Newark schools, from assemblies on jazz history to programs that teach middle-schoolers to write musicals,” says John Schreiber, NJPAC’s President and CEO. “Our arts education programs touch more than 50,000 students every season through performances, masterclasses, in-classroom residencies and instruction in jazz, hip hop, acting and musical theater. We know the latest science shows us that the arts are profoundly beneficial to our physical and mental well-being, at every age. And we see every day how engagement with the arts is life-enhancing for our students — and how sometimes it can transform a young person’s future,” said John Schreiber, President and CEO, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC).
    “On behalf of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, I am honored to support this Resolution for Music in Our Schools Month. Music is a means to speak across cultures and generations – a communication tool that often transcends spoken language, uniting us where other means fail. Students in schools with strong music programs often see improved academic performance, enhanced social interaction, and higher motivation,” said Karen Bingert, Executive Director of NJPSA. “As every principal in New Jersey can attest, music education and programming can provide students with a powerful outlet for self-expression, allow them to explore emotions and creativity in ways that words sometimes cannot, develop essential life skills, improve communication, and collaborate with others toward a common goal. We thank Senator Booker for his leadership in introducing this  important Resolution, and we urge all Senators to demonstrate their commitment to the value of arts in education by supporting this pertinent measure.”
    The Music In Our Schools Month Resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA).
    To read the full text of the resolution, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Senator Mullin Welcomes Lawton-Fort Sill Community Leaders to Washington, Holds Q&A

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    RELEASE: Senator Mullin Welcomes Lawton-Fort Sill Community Leaders to Washington, Holds Q&A

    Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, spoke with Lawton-Fort Sill community leaders about issues facing our national defense, addressed DOGE cuts concerns, answered questions about advancing the community, and bolstered his support for Lawton’s lasting impact on the state and our national defense industrial base.

    As the Senator noted in his remarks, a crucial piece to Lawton-Fort Sill’s standing as a premiere national defense hub is the Fires Innovation Science and Technology Accelerator (FISTA). It is a model private-public partnership for communities to replicate across the country to support America’s warfighters. As our nation transitions to modern warfare, our defense needs have changed, and it’s more important than ever that we adapt to the needs of today’s warfighter. Partnerships like FISTA put Lawton at the center of advanced weaponry and engineering, which attracts high-paying jobs and business from across the nation to Oklahoma’s growing defense industrial base. 

    “What you guys are doing with FISTA is remarkable. It shows partnership, a private-public partnership,” said Sen. Mullin “It is something that while other communities may have tried it, I would say Lawton has led it in understanding what it is actually capable of doing.” 

    “The Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce is grateful for the work our Oklahoma delegation is doing in Washington, D.C. and appreciates each of them taking the time to meet with the Lawton community leaders to update us on the future of our country under the current administration,” Austin Rabon, Chairman of the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce.

    Additional highlights from Sen. Mullin’s remarks are below:

    “The President came in very strong on this, saying that he wants to make reforms. He doesn’t want to weaken our military, he wants to strengthen it. But we feel like there’s a lot of opportunities to strengthen it by being more efficient, being more efficient on how we spend the money, being more efficient on the programs that we do, looking at what programs we’re paying for that shouldn’t be there.”  

    “There’s some technology that we’re paying for that we started developing 12 years ago. I’m sorry, that technology’s out of date. There’s technology that we’re still working on, platforms we’re still working toward, that was designed to fight the war on terror, not the conventional fight that’s facing us down the road. We’re still paying those… That’s part of the cuts. We’re saying there’s no point in us still using that platform of technology that is not useful today.”

    “General Brown… was very proud of what we’re doing in Oklahoma. I will tell you, that’s continued throughout the Department of Defense and you guys, by setting that standard so high for other communities to look at, is a huge bragging point for me. So, thank you for giving me something to hang on.”

    “I think we have a true, once in a generation, opportunity to make real changes for the generations that come behind us.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Barrasso Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Boost American Mining Workforce

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado

    U.S. has only 600 students enrolled in mining programs, compared to China’s 12,000 students

    Legislation would support more mining schools like the Colorado School of Mines

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and John Barrasso introduced the bipartisan Mining Schools Act of 2025 to bolster America’s declining mining workforce and help secure our clean energy future. Specifically, the bill will support U.S. higher education institutions to grow their mining programs and prepare more students for mining and geological engineering jobs.

    “We need to harness critical minerals to reach our clean energy future and the jobs that come with it. We can’t compete with China without investing in a skilled workforce. That starts at schools like Colorado School of Mines,” said Hickenlooper.

    “America’s mining workforce fuels our energy independence from China, Russia, and other adversaries,” said Barrasso. “Support for our mining schools will help us maintain our energy dominance worldwide and secure access to the critical minerals and resources necessary for our economy and national security. This bipartisan legislation will ensure America’s mining workforce is strengthened for generations to come.”

    Currently, there are only about 600 students in mining programs in the U.S. compared to China’s more than 12,000 students. Securing U.S. critical mineral supply chains and countering China’s dominance in the industry will require the U.S. to reinvest in our mining workforce.

    “When it comes to the critical materials vital to advanced technologies and national security, perhaps our most valuable resource is the next generation of mining professionals,” said Dr. Copan, Vice President for Research & Technology Transfer at Colorado School of Mines. “Thank you to Senator Hickenlooper and Senator Barrasso for their bipartisan leadership on the Mining Schools Act and commitment to supporting the mining and minerals workforce equipped to responsibly manage Earth’s resources and solve complex engineering challenges.”

    “Ramping up American mining is a national imperative to meet the skyrocketing demand and secure our minerals future. This requires a modern mining workforce, and this bill supports efforts to educate, train, attract and retain the talent the mining sector needs for the future. Mining requires everything from engineering to advanced data and analytical sciences—fields that require diverse and specialized training. We applaud reintroduction of the bipartisan Mining Schools Act by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and urge swift action to pass this important legislation into law,” Rich Nolan, president and CEO, National Mining Association

    The Mining Schools Act of 2025 would:

    • Establish a Department of Energy grant program for mining schools to receive funding to recruit students and carry out studies, research projects, or demonstration projects related to the production of minerals
    • Authorize $10 million for the grants for each fiscal year 2026 through 2033
    • Establish the Mining Professional Development Advisory Board to evaluate applications and recommend recipients to the Secretary of Energy

    Full text of the legislation available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Biological weapons ‘must not only be unthinkable but also impossible’

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Peace and Security

    The world came together 50 years ago to ban biological weapons and in today’s volatile geopolitical climate we can ill-afford to let this moral safeguard “erode”, the UN’s High Representative for Disarmament Affairs said on Wednesday.

    26 March marks the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) – the first multilateral disarmament treaty to ban an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.

    Secretary-General António Guterres hailed the Convention as a cornerstone of international peace and security, having contributed over five decades to “collective efforts to reject the use of disease as a weapon.”

    Today, 188 countries are party to the convention, which effectively prohibits the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of biological and toxin weapons.

    The BWC stands as a safeguard, ensuring that advances in biology and biotechnology are used solely for “peaceful purposes” – and not to trigger artificial epidemics that threaten us all.

    Disarmament chief Izumi Nakamitsu told Member States in Geneva that the BWC “remains a testament to the conscience of humankind”. Yet as technology evolves, so too do potential risks.

    Strengthening the convention

    “We must ensure the instruments of the 20th century can respond to today’s global 21st century challenges,” stressed Ms. Nakamitsu.

    In his message, the Secretary-General urged all States parties to actively participate in the Working Group on Strengthening the BWC – which verifies compliance, capacity-building and assistance – and called on the Group to accelerate its efforts in this milestone year.

    “These efforts reinforce the commitment in the Pact for the Future, adopted at the United Nations last year, for all countries to pursue a world free of biological weapons,” he said.

    Call for universal adherence

    While the vast majority of UN Member States have joined the convention, nine countries remain outside. 

    The Secretary-General called on those governments to ratify the treaty without delay.

    UN disarmament affairs office, UNODA, is working to support the convention’s implementation – especially in Africa where it has engaged 100 young scientists through the Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship in the last five years.

    “Together, let us stand united against biological weapons,” said the Secretary-General.

    Barrier to misuse

    As the world grapples with new global health challenges and geopolitical uncertainty, the BWC remains a vital barrier against the misuse of science.

    Reinforcing it, said the UN chief, is essential to prevent biological weapons from ever being used again – whether in conflict, acts of terror, or by accident.

    “Let’s use this occasion to…recognise that the use of biological weapons must not only be unthinkable but also impossible”, concluded Ms. Nakamitsu.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Testing new ways to monitor biodiversity in seawater on RSV Nuyina

    Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission

    Scientists on an Australian Antarctic Program voyage to the Denman Glacier region in East Antarctica are trialling new ways to understand biodiversity, without the need to disturb marine creatures.
    On board Australia’s icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, Australian Antarctic Division geneticist Dr Leonie Suter is collecting environmental DNA (eDNA) from seawater samples during the Denman Marine Voyage, to build a picture of the biodiversity in the region.

    eDNA is DNA shed by all organisms into the environment, allowing scientists to identify what organisms were in the water around the time a sample was taken.
    “If we take a small seawater sample, we can filter that and then sequence the DNA to tell us what’s living there,” Dr Suter said.
    “It’s a way to do a biodiversity survey from just a small water sample, without ever having seen any of the animals. We can infer what’s living there from the genetic traces that are left behind, and we can do that from surface water, but also throughout the water column all the way down to the seafloor.”
    During the two-month voyage Dr Suter is collecting five-litre surface water samples, three times a day, through the ship’s seawater line. She is also collecting water samples from different depths using RSV Nuyina’s Conductivity, Temperature and Depth (CTD) instrument.
    “The surface and CTD samples will give us a three dimensional picture of biodiversity,” Dr Suter said.
    “And if we do this sampling repeatedly, as part of a long-term monitoring program, we can look at whether biodiversity is changing over time, and which ocean variables are influencing community compositions.”
    Key to this long-term monitoring program could be some new technology Dr Suter is trialling during the voyage, in collaboration with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) in California.
    “We have two automated eDNA samplers that will plug in to the seawater line and automatically filter the water at pre-determined times throughout the voyage,” Dr Suter said.
    “Later we’ll compare the results from the manual and automated systems to see if we can use the automated system on future voyages.”
    Dr Jim Birch, Director of the SURF Center at MBARI, said the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) and the Filtering Instrument for DNA Observations (FIDO) could collect 60 and 144 water samples, respectively.
    “Both instruments filter water and preserve whatever is on the filter in a way that allows the sample to sit unrefrigerated for two to four months,” Dr Birch said.
    “You can schedule the instrument sampling times on a phone or computer and they’re very simple to operate.”
    The ESP has been used on ships, “autonomous surface craft”, and elsewhere in the northern hemisphere. However, this is the first time FIDO has been deployed in the field, and the first time for both instruments in the southern hemisphere.
    “This is an engineering test for us – will these devices work autonomously over 10 weeks with very little human interaction?” Dr Birch said.
    “We’re really excited to see how they perform.”
    Dr Suter said she is ready to “expect the unexpected”.
    “There are a lot of unknowns on this voyage,” she said.
    “But these tools will help us learn more about the baseline diversity and describe the environments that we’re encountering in the different regions of the Southern Ocean.”
    Dr Suter is one of 60 scientists on board RSV Nuyina, spending two months using the ship’s marine science capabilities to investigate critical climate questions about the glacier’s accelerated melt rate, factors influencing it, and the regional and global impacts.
    Learn more in our digital feature Nudging a sleeping giant.
    The Denman Marine Voyage is a collaboration between the Australian Antarctic Division, the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science (ACEAS), the Australian Antarctic Program Partnership (AAPP) and Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF).
    This content was last updated 3 minutes ago on 27 March 2025.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: “Far Out” Episode 2: Now Streaming on NASA+

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

    What does it take to live on the Moon?

    Join host Megan Cruz as she explores how NASA is preparing our lunar pioneers in the newest episode of “Far Out:” https://plus.nasa.gov/video/far-out-science-you-can-eat/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCNKXOmsU90

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: How Can I See the Northern Lights? We Asked a NASA Expert

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

    Want to catch a glimpse of the northern lights? You’ll need dark skies, the right location, good space weather and a little patience!

    Auroras happen when charged particles from the Sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field, creating dazzling light shows in the sky. A NASA scientist shares tips on where, when and how to see these stunning displays.

    Learn more & track auroras: https://www.aurorasaurus.org
    How to find and photograph auroras: https://science.nasa.gov/feature/nasas-guide-to-finding-and-photographing-auroras/

    Producers: Scott Bednar, Pedro Cota, Jessie Wilde
    Editor: Pedro Cota

    Credit: NASA

    Download video: https://images.nasa.gov/details/How%20Can%20I%20See%20the%20Northern%20Lights

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DEx3bnr6gQ

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Kenya’s decision to make maths optional in high school is a bad idea – what should happen instead

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Moses Ngware, Senior Research Scientist, African Population and Health Research Center

    Kenya’s education ministry announced in March 2025 that mathematics would be an optional subject in senior secondary school, which begins in grade 10. Most students in this grade are aged 15 years. The education minister said the mathematics taught from grade 4 to grade 9 was sufficient for foundational “numeracy literacy”.

    The change, in January 2026, is part of a shift to a new education system styled as the competence based curriculum. The decision is not to scrap maths altogether but rather to make it optional. However, given the poor performance in this subject, it is expected there will be few takers.

    Maths is a compulsory subject in the first 12 years of basic education in many African countries. This is the case in Mauritius, Nigeria and South Africa, which opted for a choice between maths and mathematical literacy for grades 10-12.

    The older education system, known as 8-4-4, featured eight years of primary school and four each at high school and university. Under this, core maths, dubbed Alternative A, is compulsory for all schoolgoing children until the second year of high school (form 2). Most students in this grade are aged 16 years. In the final two years of high school, one has the option of switching to Alternative B, a simplified version of Alternative A introduced in 2009. Alternative B is similar to South Africa’s mathematical literacy subject.

    @222222The decision has triggered heated debates in the country, in favour and against.

    As a researcher who has taught high school maths and researched maths teaching for over 20 years, I have the view that making maths optional is not a good idea. This is because both individuals and society need maths, regardless of the career path they might choose.

    It’s been argued that the change applies to the last two senior years of high school, which was the case in the old system too. For the new curriculum, however, this should not have been a problem as it is competence-based. This implies that what matters is the specific skills and knowledge mastered by a student, and not the examination scores.

    The Kenyan education department should establish the root causes of the low performance in maths, and fix them. Research shows that chief among these are resource allocation; weak teacher preparation and support for foundational numeracy instruction; a learning disability known as dyscalculia; and the behavioural performance of maths teachers.

    Kenya’s maths problem

    In the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams, graded between A (highest) and E (lowest), over half of the 881,416 candidates’ maths scores fell in the lowest two grades, D and E. This improved only marginally in 2023. To put the performance in context, the pass rate in high school certificate maths examinations in Mauritius improved from 81.4% to 91.8% between 2019 and 2022.

    There are a number of reasons for this dismal performance in Kenya:

    Resource allocation: The better-resourced national schools can only admit a small number of students, leaving out over 70% who join low-resourced day schools. Resources for learning maths range from teachers to interactive teaching and learning materials inside the classroom. With the support of partners such as the Global Partnership for Education, the government aims to achieve a 1:1 textbook-per-student ratio goal. However, the flow of capitation grants to secondary schools has been wanting, jeopardising access to resources at the school level.

    Teacher preparation: Teachers aren’t well prepared to support learners in foundational numeracy (maths in early grades). Foundational numeracy skills are critical in creating strong building blocks for future learning and success in later grades.

    Teacher behaviour: Classroom observation studies reveal that maths teachers favour boys. Furthermore, above average learners sit in the front closer to the chalkboard, and learners are denied positive reinforcement that would motivate them to learn maths. There are also negative attitudes about maths as a difficult subject, reinforcing the stereotype that it is only suitable for boys and “bright” children.

    Dyscalculia: Worldwide, 3%-7% of the general population are affected by a disability known as dyscalculia. In Kenya, 6.4% among primary and secondary school children have the disability. It is a condition that affects a person’s ability to understand numerical concepts. By implication, the number of the 962,512 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education candidates of 2024 with this disability works out to between 28,000 and 68,000 candidates. But Kenya’s education system doesn’t support teachers in diagnosing learners with dyscalculia, or managing their disability.

    Policy options

    There are alternatives to making maths an optional subject in senior secondary school.

    The system needs to focus on the root causes of low performance, and then on how to fix them.

    I suggest the following solutions.

    • Avoid unnecessarily using achievement in maths to determine access to academic and training programmes. This way, one’s career will not solely be determined by performance in maths.

    • Keep a simpler maths alternative, or maths literacy, for senior secondary instead of making maths optional.

    • Teachers should continue to develop their competence in maths, focusing on content knowledge as well as knowledge of how to teach numeracy.

    • The general public should communicate effectively to eliminate negative stereotypes and unhelpful attitudes in society. The aim is to shift mindsets so that maths is perceived as part of life – making it necessary to support all children to succeed in maths.

    • Help learners to overcome dyscalculia, using multisensory teaching approaches – a way of teaching that engages more than one sense at a time: sight, hearing, movement and touch.

    – Kenya’s decision to make maths optional in high school is a bad idea – what should happen instead
    – https://theconversation.com/kenyas-decision-to-make-maths-optional-in-high-school-is-a-bad-idea-what-should-happen-instead-252965

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s Webb Sees Galaxy Mysteriously Clearing Fog of Early Universe

    Source: NASA

    Using the unique infrared sensitivity of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, researchers can examine ancient galaxies to probe secrets of the early universe. Now, an international team of astronomers has identified bright hydrogen emission from a galaxy in an unexpectedly early time in the universe’s history. The surprise finding is challenging researchers to explain how this light could have pierced the thick fog of neutral hydrogen that filled space at that time.
    The Webb telescope discovered the incredibly distant galaxy JADES-GS-z13-1, observed to exist just 330 million years after the big bang, in images taken by Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) as part of the James Webb Space Telescope Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES). Researchers used the galaxy’s brightness in different infrared filters to estimate its redshift, which measures a galaxy’s distance from Earth based on how its light has been stretched out during its journey through expanding space.

    The NIRCam imaging yielded an initial redshift estimate of 12.9. Seeking to confirm its extreme redshift, an international team lead by Joris Witstok of the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, as well as the Cosmic Dawn Center and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, then observed the galaxy using Webb’s Near-Infrared Spectrograph instrument.
    In the resulting spectrum, the redshift was confirmed to be 13.0. This equates to a galaxy seen just 330 million years after the big bang, a small fraction of the universe’s present age of 13.8 billion years old. But an unexpected feature stood out as well: one specific, distinctly bright wavelength of light, known as Lyman-alpha emission, radiated by hydrogen atoms. This emission was far stronger than astronomers thought possible at this early stage in the universe’s development.
    “The early universe was bathed in a thick fog of neutral hydrogen,” explained Roberto Maiolino, a team member from the University of Cambridge and University College London. “Most of this haze was lifted in a process called reionization, which was completed about one billion years after the big bang. GS-z13-1 is seen when the universe was only 330 million years old, yet it shows a surprisingly clear, telltale signature of Lyman-alpha emission that can only be seen once the surrounding fog has fully lifted. This result was totally unexpected by theories of early galaxy formation and has caught astronomers by surprise.”

    Before and during the era of reionization, the immense amounts of neutral hydrogen fog surrounding galaxies blocked any energetic ultraviolet light they emitted, much like the filtering effect of colored glass. Until enough stars had formed and were able to ionize the hydrogen gas, no such light — including Lyman-alpha emission — could escape from these fledgling galaxies to reach Earth. The confirmation of Lyman-alpha radiation from this galaxy, therefore, has great implications for our understanding of the early universe.
    “We really shouldn’t have found a galaxy like this, given our understanding of the way the universe has evolved,” said Kevin Hainline, a team member from the University of Arizona. “We could think of the early universe as shrouded with a thick fog that would make it exceedingly difficult to find even powerful lighthouses peeking through, yet here we see the beam of light from this galaxy piercing the veil. This fascinating emission line has huge ramifications for how and when the universe reionized.”
    The source of the Lyman-alpha radiation from this galaxy is not yet known, but it may include the first light from the earliest generation of stars to form in the universe.
    “The large bubble of ionized hydrogen surrounding this galaxy might have been created by a peculiar population of stars — much more massive, hotter, and more luminous than stars formed at later epochs, and possibly representative of the first generation of stars,” said Witstok. A powerful active galactic nucleus, driven by one of the first supermassive black holes, is another possibility identified by the team.
    This research was published Wednesday in the journal Nature.
    The James Webb Space Telescope is the world’s premier space science observatory. Webb is solving mysteries in our solar system, looking beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probing the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, ESA (European Space Agency) and CSA (Canadian Space Agency).
    Downloads
    Click any image to open a larger version.
    View/Download all image products at all resolutions for this article from the Space Telescope Science Institute.
    View/Download the research results from the journal Nature.

    Laura Betz – laura.e.betz@nasa.govNASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
    Bethany Downer – Bethany.Downer@esawebb.orgESA/Webb, Baltimore, Md.
    Christine Pulliam – cpulliam@stsci.eduSpace Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Md.

    Read more about cosmic history, the early universe, and cosmic reionization.
    Article: Learn about what Webb has revealed about galaxies through time.
    Video: How Webb reveals the first galaxies
    More Webb News
    More Webb Images
    Webb Science Themes
    Webb Mission Page

    What Is a Galaxy?
    What is the Webb Telescope?
    SpacePlace for Kids
    En Español
    ¿Qué es una galaxia?
    Ciencia de la NASA
    NASA en español 
    Space Place para niños

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NSTA Hyperwall Schedule

    Source: NASA

    NASA Science at Commodity Classic Hyperwall Schedule, March 26-29, 2025
    Join NASA in the Exhibit Hall (Booth #779) for Hyperwall Storytelling by NASA experts. Full Hyperwall Agenda below.

    THURSDAY, MARCH 27

    11:00 – 11:15 AM —— Do NASA Science in Your Classroom —— Marc Kuchner
    11:15 – 11:30 AM —— My NASA Data Satellite Data for All —— Angie Rizzi
    11:30 – 11:45 AM —— Lunar and Meteorite Sample Disk Program —— Suzanne Foxworth
    11:45 – 12:00 PM —— DIY Digital Tools: Creating Smart Assets —— Jessica Swann
    1:00 – 1:15 PM —— DIY: Immersive Virtual Field Trips —— Jessica Swann
    1:15 – 1:30 PM —— Kahoot- Weather Terms —— Erin McKinley
    1:30 – 1:45 PM —— Digital Plug and Play Lessons for Your Middle or High School Classroom —— Jessica Swann
    1:45 – 2:00 PM —— Soar to New Heights with the NASA TechRise Student Challenge —— Marisa Cleghorn
    2:00 – 2:15 PM —— GLOBE Clouds: Connecting Satellite Data to Your Classroom —— Jessica Taylor
    2:15 – 2:30 PM —— Step Up to Remote Sensing with STELLA (Science and Technology Education for Land/Life Assessment) —— Mike Taylor
    2:30 – 2:45 PM —— My NASA Data’s New Earth System Data Explorer —— Angie Rizzi
    2:45 – 3:00 PM —— Apollo to Artemis: Sample Collection and Curation —— Kim Willis
    3:30 – 3:45 PM —— Interactive Ways for Learners to Explore NASA Content & Assets —— Astro Materials Docent
    4:00 – 4:15 PM —— Soar to New Heights with the NASA TechRise Student Challenge —— Marisa Cleghorn
    4:15 – 4:30 PM —— Lunar and Meteorite Sample Disk Program —— Suzanne Foxworth
    4:30 – 4:45 PM —— Step Up to Remote Sensing with STELLA (Science and Technology Education for Land/Life Assessment) —— Mike Taylor

    FRIDAY, MARCH 28

    9:15 – 9:30 AM —— Soar to New Heights with the NASA TechRise Student Challenge —— Marisa Cleghorn
    9:45 – 10:00 AM —— Interactive Ways for Learners to Explore NASA Content & Assets —— Astro Materials Docent
    10:00 – 10:15 AM —— Digital Plug and Play Lessons for Your Middle or High School Classroom —— Jessica Swann
    10:15 – 10:30 AM —— GLOBE Clouds: Connecting Satellite Data to Your Classroom —— Jessica Taylor
    10:30 – 10:45 AM —— Do NASA Science in Your Classroom —— Marc Kuchner
    10:45 – 11:00 AM —— DIY: Immersive Virtual Field Trips —— Jessica Swann
    11:00 – 11:15 AM —— Apollo to Artemis: Sample Collection and Curation —— Kim Willis
    11:15 – 11:30 AM —— My NASA Data’s New Earth System Data Explorer —— Angie Rizzi
    11:30 – 11:45 AM —— Step Up to Remote Sensing with STELLA —— Mike Taylor
    11:45 – 12:00 PM —— DIY Digital Tools: Creating Smart Assets —— Jessica Swann
    1:00 – 1:15 PM —— Lunar and Meteorite Sample Disk Program —— Suzanne Foxworth
    1:15 – 1:30 PM —— Soar to New Heights with the NASA TechRise Student Challenge —— Marisa Cleghorn
    1:30 – 1:45 PM —— Kahoot
    1:45 – 2:00 PM —— Apollo to Artemis: Sample Collection and Curation —— Kim Willis
    2:00 – 2:15 PM —— Step Up to Remote Sensing with STELLA —— Mike Taylor
    2:15 – 2:30 PM —— SpacePhys Lab: A Heliophysics VR Experience for Education and Outreach —— Stephen Zaffke
    2:30 – 2:45 PM —— Do NASA Science in Your Classroom —— Marc Kuchner
    2:45 – 3:00 PM —— GLOBE Clouds: Connecting Satellite Data to Your Classroom —— Jessica Talyor
    3:30 – 3:45 PM —— Interactive Ways for Learners to Explore NASA Content & Assets —— Astro Materials Docent
    3:45 – 4:00 PM —— Lunar and Meteorite Sample Disk Program —— Suzanne Foxworth
    4:00 – 4:15 PM —— My NASA Data Satellite Data for All —— Angie Rizzi
    4:15 – 4:30 PM —— Kahoot

    SATURDAY, MARCH 29

    9:15 – 9:30 AM —— Apollo to Artemis: Sample Collection and Curation —— Kim Willis
    9:45 – 10:00 AM —— DIY: Immersive Virtual Field Trips —— Jessica Swann
    10:00 – 10:15 AM —— Lunar and Meteorite Sample Disk Program —— Suzanne Foxworth
    10:15 – 10:30 AM —— Do NASA Science in Your Classroom —— Marc Kuchner
    10:30 – 10:45 AM —— Digital Plug and Play Lessons for Your Middle or High School Classroom —— Jessica Swann
    10:45 – 11:00 AM —— Step Up to Remote Sensing with STELLA (Science and Technology Education for Land/Life Assessment) —— Mike Taylor
    11:15 – 11:30 AM —— DIY Digital Tools: Creating Smart Assets —— Jessica Swann
    11:30 – 11:45 AM —— Kahoot
    11:45 – 12:00 PM —— My NASA Data’s New Earth System Data Explorer —— Angie Rizzi

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: How NASA’s Perseverance Is Helping Prepare Astronauts for Mars

    Source: NASA

    The rover carries several swatches of spacesuit materials, and scientists are assessing how they’ve held up after four years on the Red Planet.
    NASA’s Perseverance rover landed on Mars in 2021 to search for signs of ancient microbial life and to help scientists understand the planet’s climate and geography. But another key objective is to pave the way for human exploration of Mars, and as part of that effort, the rover carries a set of five spacesuit material samples. Now, after those samples have endured four years of exposure on Mars’ dusty, radiation-soaked surface, scientists are beginning the next phase of studying them.
    The end goal is to predict accurately the usable lifetime of a Mars spacesuit. What the agency learns about how the materials perform on Mars will inform the design of future spacesuits for the first astronauts on the Red Planet.

    “This is one of the forward-looking aspects of the rover’s mission — not just thinking about its current science, but also about what comes next,” said planetary scientist Marc Fries of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, who helped provide the spacesuit materials. “We’re preparing for people to eventually go and explore Mars.”
    The swatches, each three-quarters of an inch square (20 millimeters square), are part of a calibration target used to test the settings of SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals), an instrument on the end of Perseverance’s arm.
    The samples include a piece of polycarbonate helmet visor; Vectran, a cut-resistant material used for the palms of astronaut gloves; two kinds of Teflon, which has dust-repelling nonstick properties; and a commonly used spacesuit material called Ortho-Fabric. This last fabric features multiple layers, including Nomex, a flame-resistant material found in firefighter outfits; Gore-Tex, which is waterproof but breathable; and Kevlar, a strong material used in bulletproof vests that makes spacesuits more rip-resistant.
    Martian Wear and Tear
    Mars is far from hospitable. It has freezing temperatures, fine dust that can stick to solar panels and spacesuits (causing wear and tear on the latter), and a surface rife with perchlorates, a kind of corrosive salt that can be toxic to humans.
    There’s also lots of solar radiation. Unlike Earth, which has a magnetic field that deflects much of the Sun’s radiation, Mars lost its magnetic field billions of years ago, followed by much of its atmosphere. Its surface has little protection from the Sun’s ultraviolet light (which is why researchers have looked into how rock formations and caves could provide astronauts some shielding).
    “Mars is a really harsh, tough place,” said SHERLOC science team member Joby Razzell Hollis of the Natural History Museum in London. “Don’t underestimate that — the radiation in particular is pretty nasty.”
    Razzell Hollis was a postdoctoral fellow at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California from 2018 to 2021, where he helped prepare SHERLOC for arrival on Mars and took part in science operations once the rover landed. A materials scientist, Razzell Hollis has previously studied the chemical effects of sunlight on a new kind of solar panel made from plastic, as well as on plastic pollution floating in the Earth’s oceans.
    He likened those effects to how white plastic lawn chairs become yellow and brittle after years in sunlight. Roughly the same thing happens on Mars, but the weathering likely happens faster because of the high exposure to ultraviolet light there.
    The key to developing safer spacesuit materials will be understanding how quickly they would wear down on the Martian surface. About 50% of the changes SHERLOC witnessed in the samples happened within Perseverance’s first 200 days on Mars, with the Vectran appearing to change first.
    Another nuance will be figuring out how much solar radiation different parts of a spacesuit will have to withstand. For example, an astronaut’s shoulders will be more exposed — and likely encounter more radiation — than his or her palms.
    Next Steps
    The SHERLOC team is working on a science paper detailing initial data on how the samples have fared on Mars. Meanwhile, scientists at NASA Johnson are eager to simulate that weathering in special chambers that mimic the carbon dioxide atmosphere, air pressure, and ultraviolet light on the Martian surface. They could then compare the results generated on Earth while putting the materials to the test with those seen in the SHERLOC data. For example, the researchers could stretch the materials until they break to check if they become more brittle over time.
    “The fabric materials are designed to be tough but flexible, so they protect astronauts but can bend freely,” Fries said. “We want to know the extent to which the fabrics lose their strength and flexibility over time. As the fabrics weaken, they can fray and tear, allowing a spacesuit to leak both heat and air.”
    More About Perseverance
    A key objective for Perseverance’s mission on Mars is astrobiology, including the search for signs of ancient microbial life. The rover is characterizing the planet’s geology and past climate, to help pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet, and is the first mission to collect and cache Martian rock and regolith.
    NASA’s Mars Sample Return Program, in cooperation with ESA (European Space Agency), is designed to send spacecraft to Mars to collect these sealed samples from the surface and return them to Earth for in-depth analysis.
    The Mars 2020 Perseverance mission is part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program (MEP) portfolio and the agency’s Moon to Mars exploration approach, which includes Artemis missions to the Moon that will help prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet.
    NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is managed for the agency by Caltech in Pasadena, California, built and manages operations of the Perseverance rover.
    For more about Perseverance:
    News Media Contacts
    Andrew GoodJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.818-393-2433andrew.c.good@jpl.nasa.gov
    Karen Fox / Molly WasserNASA Headquarters, Washington202-358-1600karen.c.fox@nasa.gov / molly.l.wasser@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Early exposure to air pollution could affect brain development and mental health later in life: new research

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Hobbs, Associate Professor and Transforming Lives Fellow in Spatial Data Science and Planetary Health, Sheffield Hallam University

    Getty Images

    Exposure to air pollution in early life could have lasting effects on child development and mental health in adolescence, according to our recent study.

    We integrated air pollution data with existing longitudinal data from the Christchurch Health and Development Study (CHDS). The CHDS has followed more than 1,200 children born in the city in 1977, with a strong focus on developmental and mental health outcomes.

    Our aim was to examine how exposure to air pollution shapes development and mental health in later childhood and adolescence. We found an increased risk of attention problems, conduct issues, lower educational attainment and substance abuse in adolescence associated with higher exposure.

    Existing evidence often focuses on adulthood. However, by tracking air pollution exposure from the prenatal period to the age of ten, and linking this data to subsequent cognitive and mental health outcomes, we were able to highlight the long-term consequences of growing up in polluted environments.

    Air pollution is one of the leading environmental contributors to disease, especially respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Children are especially vulnerable to air pollution because their brains and bodies are developing.

    A growing body of evidence suggests air pollution could affect brain development, educational attainment and mental health, contributing to depression, anxiety and conduct or attention problems. Despite this, few studies have tracked long-term exposure to air pollution from early childhood.

    Patterns of exposure

    We chose to conduct this research in Christchurch because the city is a historical air-pollution hotspot, with a documented history of measurements, and because of its long-running birth cohort study.

    The CHDS collects detailed information on participants’ health, development, education and family backgrounds from prenatal into adulthood.

    The city of Christchurch now enjoys much better air quality, but it was an air-pollution hotspot in the past.
    Flickr/Larry Koester, CC BY-SA

    For this study, we linked historical air-pollution data, measured as the concentration of black smoke from 1977 to 1987, to residential locations of birth cohort members. This allowed researchers to estimate each child’s annual exposure to air pollution during key developmental periods.

    We found four distinct patterns of air-pollution exposure across childhood (see graph below):

    • consistently low (these children had the lowest levels of air pollution throughout childhood)

    • consistently high (this groups had the highest levels of air pollution from birth to the age of ten)

    • elevated preschool (exposure peaked between ages three to six and then declined)

    • high prenatal and postnatal (high exposure before and immediately after birth, but declining later).

    We then examined whether children in the higher exposure groups were more likely to experience adverse impacts on cognition, educational achievement and mental health in later childhood and adolescence.

    We adjusted for a range potential confounders such as socioeconomic status, neighbourhood disadvantage and parental characteristics.

    We found children with elevated pre-school exposure had poorer educational attainment and a higher likelihood of conduct disorders and substance abuse problems. High prenatal and postnatal exposure was linked to a greater risk of attention problems as well as substance abuse in adolescence.

    Children with persistently high air-pollution exposure were more likely to develop attention problems and had higher odds of substance abuse issues in adolescence.

    Researchers identified four different trajectory patterns of exposure to air pollution from the prenatal period through to the age of ten.
    Author provided, CC BY-SA

    What these findings mean

    The effects of air pollution on several outcomes were small at an individual level, but they could be highly important at a population level.

    This is because even small shifts in cognitive and mental health outcomes, when applied to entire populations of children exposed to poor air quality, could have major consequences affecting future educational achievement, workforce productivity and public health burdens.

    These findings support previous research suggesting air pollution could affect brain function by causing inflammation, oxidative stress and affecting neurodevelopmental pathways. Importantly, they reinforce the idea that certain developmental periods, such as the prenatal period and early childhood, may be especially sensitive to pollution exposure.

    We need further research to confirm our findings but potential considerations include reducing children’s exposure to air pollution and improving urban air quality by cutting emissions from vehicles, industry and residential heating.

    We should also promote cleaner energy sources to decrease exposure to harmful pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter. Providing better access to green spaces may mitigate the impact of air pollution.

    To strengthen public health and policy measures, we need stricter air quality regulations, particularly around schools and childcare centres. We should also implement air-quality monitoring in urban areas to identify high-risk zones for children.

    Better public information is crucial to minimise indoor and outdoor pollution exposure. This could include the use of air purifiers for indoor activies or limiting outdoor exposure during peak pollution periods.

    Further research and action

    Our study highlights the need for more research on air pollution’s effects on children’s mental health and cognition, particularly in different environmental and socioeconomic contexts.

    Policymakers, educators and healthcare professionals must consider air pollution as a potential risk factor for developmental challenges, not just a physical health concern.

    Air pollution may not be visible in the same way as poor housing or inaccessible healthcare, but its impact on child development could be important at a population level.

    Given the rising prevalence of mental ill health in young people and adults, tackling air pollution could be an overlooked but essential public health strategy for protecting future generations.

    Associate Professor Matthew Hobbs receives funding from Health Research Council of New Zealand and the Clare Foundation, New Zealand.

    Joseph Boden receives funding from the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Enterprise, and the Health Research Council of New Zealand.

    Lianne Jane Woodward and Susie (Bingyu) Deng do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Early exposure to air pollution could affect brain development and mental health later in life: new research – https://theconversation.com/early-exposure-to-air-pollution-could-affect-brain-development-and-mental-health-later-in-life-new-research-252644

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Tiny robot tools powered by magnets could one day do brain surgery without cutting open the skull

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Changyan He, Lecturer, School of Engineering, University of Newcastle

    Photo supplied.

    Most brain surgery requires doctors to remove part of the skull to access hard-to-reach areas or tumours. It’s invasive, risky, and it takes a long time for the patient to recover.

    We have developed new, tiny robotic surgical tools that may let surgeons perform “keyhole surgery” on the brain. Despite their small size, our tools can mimic the full range of motion of a surgeon’s wrist, creating new possibilities for less-invasive brain surgery.

    Tiny tools for brain surgery

    Robotic surgical tools (around 8 millimetres in diameter) have been used for decades in keyhole surgery for other parts of the body. The challenge has been making a tool small enough (3mm in diameter) for neurosurgery.

    In a project led by the University of Toronto, where I was a postdoctoral fellow, we collaborated with The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Canada to develop a set of very small neurosurgery tools.

    The tools are only about 3mm in diameter. In a paper published in Science Robotics, we demonstrated these tools could grip, pull and cut tissue.

    Their extremely small size is possible as they are powered not by motors but by external magnetic fields.

    Three magnetic tools: a cutter, a gripper and forceps.
    Changyan He

    Current robotic surgical tools are typically driven by cables connected to electric motors. They work in much the same way as human fingers, which are manipulated by tendons in the hand connected to muscles in the wrist.

    However, pulleys smaller than several millimetres wide to control the instruments are weak and prone to friction, stretch and fracture. This creates challenges in scaling down the instruments, because of difficulties in making the parts of the system, assembling the mechanisms and managing friction in the cables.

    Magnetic controls

    The new robotic system consists of two parts. The first is the tiny tools themselves: a gripper, a scalpel and a set of forceps. The second part is what we call a “coil table”, which is a surgical table with several electromagnetic coils embedded inside.

    In this design, the patient would be positioned with their head on top of the embedded coils, and the robotic tools would be inserted into the brain via a small incision.

    Patients would lie on a ‘coil table’ containing magnets which are used to control the surgical tools.
    Changyan He

    By altering the amount of electricity flowing into the coils, we can manipulate the magnetic fields, causing the tools to grip, pull or cut tissue as desired.

    In open brain surgery, the surgeon relies on their own dexterous wrist to pivot the tools and tilt their tips to access hard-to-reach areas, such as removing a tumour inside the central cavity of the brain. Unlike other tools, our robotic neurosurgical tools can mimic this with “wristed” movements.

    Surprising precision

    We tested the tools in pre-clinical trials where we simulated the mechanical properties of the brain tissue they would need to work with. In some tests, we used pieces of tofu and raspberry placed inside a model of the brain.

    We compared the performance of these magnetically operated tools with that of standard tools handled by trained surgeons.

    We found the cuts made with the magnetic scalpel were consistent and narrow, with an average width of 0.3–0.4mm. That was even more precise than those from traditional hand tools, which ranged from 0.6 to 2.1mm.

    The magnetic scalpel, shown slicing some tofu inside a model of the brain, can make cuts more precise than those done with traditional tools.
    Changyan He

    As for the grippers, they could pick up the target 76% of the time.

    The magnetic grippers (shown here picking up some raspberry) were successful 76% of the time.
    Changyan He

    From the lab to the operating room

    We were surprised by how well the robotic tools performed. However, there is still a long way to go until this technology could help patients. It can take years, even decades, to develop medical devices, especially surgical robots.

    This study is part of a broader project based on years of work led by Eric Diller from the University of Toronto, an expert on magnet-driven micro-robots.

    Now, the team wants to make sure the robotic arm and magnetic system can fit comfortably in a hospital operating room. The team also wants to make it compatible with imaging systems such as fluoroscopy, which uses x-rays.
    After that, the tools may be ready for clinical trials.

    We’re excited about the potential for a new era of minimally invasive neurosurgical tools.

    Changyan He 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. Tiny robot tools powered by magnets could one day do brain surgery without cutting open the skull – https://theconversation.com/tiny-robot-tools-powered-by-magnets-could-one-day-do-brain-surgery-without-cutting-open-the-skull-253042

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Trump vs. Plastic Pollution

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Underwater image of a turtle with plastic on his head. © Troy Mayne / Oceanic Imagery Publications

    In his first month back in the Oval Office, Trump made moves that sent shockwaves in the world of plastic pollution. First, there was the announcement of a 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum, to which top global plastic polluter The Coca-Cola Company responded by announcing that they would produce even more plastic bottles to counter the increased price of aluminum cans. Then, there was the executive order to “bring America back” to plastic straws by ending federal procurement of paper straws. But perhaps the biggest blow came as unelected billionaire Elon Musk began efforts to dismantle the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the government agency in charge of managing coastal and marine ecosystems, which are heavily threatened by plastic pollution.

    While the paper straws announcement may have received far more media attention than it deserves, we cannot let such ridiculous symbolic distractions take our collective focus away from the most important issue here: the larger systemic crisis of dismantling key government institutions, such as NOAA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Park Service (NPS) among others, which protect the public good. Make no mistake, our efforts to end plastic pollution will continue no matter what obstacles lie ahead. In the absence of strong government leadership to enact effective policies that can address this crisis at the source, however, the battle to end plastic pollution has certainly gotten longer. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

    US Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD) at press conference to defend NOAA

    Take the Coca-Cola announcement. Instead of responding to the rising cost of aluminum by scaling up plastic bottles, Coke could seize this moment as an opportunity to shift a greater portion of its packaging away from single-use altogether and invest in expanding its existing refillable and returnable packaging portfolio. In 2023, the company reported selling 14% of its total beverage volume in reusable packaging already! Coca-Cola is uniquely positioned to scale up its existing reuse systems that already operate successfully around the world. Refillable Coke bottles are used widely in large country markets such as India, Brazil, Chile, the Philippines, and Mexico, among others.

    Similarly, Trump’s executive order about straws (unsurprisingly) misses the point. The debate between paper or plastic – whether it be straws, cups, or takeout containers – bypasses a much more important opportunity to move away from single-use disposable packaging altogether and expand reuse systems. Particularly in the case of packaging that comes into direct contact with food and beverages, both disposable plastic and paper alike have been found to contain harmful chemicals such as PFAS, phthalates, and bisphenols which are linked to a wide range of health issues. Arguing between paper or plastic is wasting precious time while we could be building large scale reuse systems that are better for the environment, human health, and the economy.

    Coca-Cola pioneered the reusable glass bottle system in the 1940s with great success. It knows full well how to operate large-scale reuse and refill systems using glass, which, unlike plastic, poses no health risks to consumers. PET plastic bottles shed microplastics and contain harmful chemicals linked to cancer, hormone disruption, obesity, early puberty in children, reproductive health problems, and declining fertility. Chemicals in plastics cost Americans over $250 billion in annual healthcare. Coca-Cola is contributing to this public health crisis through its use of unsafe levels of antimony – a known carcinogen – and other chemicals in its PET plastic bottles.

    From household brand names like Coca-Cola to bulk packaging manufacturers, businesses are failing to seize the significant economic advantages that come with shifting to reusables (which has just been made easier than ever thanks to recent FDA changes to the federal food code). Unlike what the plastic industry would like us to believe, reuse systems can, in fact, be much better for business than single-use. Converting just 20% of global plastic packaging into reuse models could represent a $10 billion business opportunity, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Reuse: Rethinking Packaging report. The cost savings can be tremendous for even small businesses, which can save an average of $3,000 to $22,000 annually by transitioning from disposables to reusables. Even after accounting for upfront capital and labor costs, data from hundreds of case studies show that businesses that switch from single-use to reuse save money 100% of the time.

    The majority of American voters – Democrats and Republicans – want action to cut plastic pollution and protect our health. And literally zero Americans voted for Elon Musk’s takeover of the federal government. Musk’s DOGE agency has been wreaking havoc for weeks, slashing programs and firing workers who oversee essential services. NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is the latest victim as hundreds of employees were fired late February. The consequences of this may be dire for plastic pollution as well as broader oceans issues alike.

    Many Americans interact with NOAA every day, maybe without even realizing it. NOAA provides vital services including weather and tide forecasts, extreme weather alerts, as well as fisheries and water quality data that keep people safe and allow businesses to thrive. One of NOAA’s most essential services include weather forecasts, which keep Americans informed about increasingly frequent and severe extreme weather events. In 2024, the USA’s hottest year on record, the cost for the U.S. of these disasters was at least $182.7 billion. NOAA’s timely forecasting saves lives and livelihoods. Losing NOAA’s essential services could result in even greater costs and higher loss of life following the ever increasing extreme weather events. Tourism, transportation, food, retail, and other businesses depend on NOAA to keep their doors open.

    NOAA Fisheries uses the best available science to ensure safe, healthy food and to protect endangered species. When US consumers go to the supermarket to buy seafood, at least 80% of which is imported, NOAA Fisheries’s Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) is the filter that aims to prevent seafood fraud or seafood tainted with forced labor from ending up in people’s shopping baskets. Americans want to know what they are buying and feeding their families, and they support more transparency and traceability in seafood. At this time, the US government should be expanding this program and strengthening the enforcement of import controls to prevent market access of goods produced by illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing or forced labor. This would also better protect American seafood producers from unfair competition that relies on labor abuses and environmental destruction to keep costs low.

    Thankfully, people are rising up in defense of NOAA, and Greenpeace USA is too. At a recent press conference organized by US Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD), climate and environmental advocates, scientists, and members of Congress, Greenpeace USA was there in solidarity – along with our life-sized sea turtle sculpture! Here she is front and center, despite the plastic straw in her nose and oil spill covering her shell, with a few new friends a sign that says it all: “Trump is polluting our democracy.” To take a stand in support of sea turtles and other endangered marine animals, add your name here to contact your Member of Congress to save NOAA’s programs that are critical to our oceans, coastal communities, and economies. If you represent an organization, you can also consider signing onto this letter to protect NOAA, joining the close to 500 other organizations from around the country. Together, our voices are stronger.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Every 3 years, we play the election date waiting game. Are fixed terms the solution?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jill Sheppard, Senior Lecturer, School of Politics and International Relations, Australian National University

    With another election campaign unofficially underway, voters may feel it hasn’t been long since they were last at the voting booth.

    Australia’s Constitution dictates:

    every House of Representatives shall continue for three years from the first meeting of the House, and no longer, but may be sooner dissolved by the Governor-General.

    This allows the sitting government to call an election sooner than three years after taking office, but recent norms are for governments to use the full term length available to them.

    But how do politicians and the public feel about this format, and could this change anytime soon?

    Early elections

    In 1998, the John Howard Liberal government called an early election seeking voters’ support for its ambitious plans to introduce a goods and service tax. It came very close to defeat, but clawed its way to victory and nine more years of power.

    In 2016, the Malcolm Turnbull Liberal government took a similar punt, calling an early double dissolution election ostensibly on the issue of union corruption. Again, it came very close to defeat but clawed its way to victory (and six more years of power).

    Despite their reasons for calling early elections, both Howard and Turnbull faced declining global economic conditions and arguably moved tactically to avoid campaigning in the worst of the headwinds.

    Most governments have less appetite for capitalising on external events – like interest rate cuts – when calling an election. Voters already largely distrust politicians, and cynical early elections will only confirm their beliefs.

    Fixed versus non-fixed parliamentary terms

    The ability of a government to unilaterally decide the election date is unusual.

    The political systems most similar to Australia – New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States – all have fixed election dates. Australian states and territories have also increasingly moved to fixed dates, where the government of the day has no discretion over election timing.

    As prime minister, Julia Gillard effectively relinquished her right to manipulate the 2013 election date in her favour. She announced it more than seven months ahead of time. Her government lost the subsequent election.

    Unsurprisingly, there is little political will to move to fixed dates for federal elections. Only current Special Minister of State Don Farrell has expressed even passing support for the idea (and then, only if voters were clearly in favour).

    Fixed terms would undoubtedly benefit voters, who could plan their calendars well in advance. They would also benefit non-government parties and independent candidates, who could budget and plan campaigns around a known election date.

    Who wants longer terms?

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese supports four-year terms, reflecting long-term Labor Party policy.

    The Liberal Party has generally been more ambivalent. Howard was supportive but “not mad keen” in 2005 and supportive, but resigned to failure in 2024.

    Current leader Peter Dutton also backs longer terms, but observes that, among voters, “generally, there is a reluctance to do anything that makes the life of a politician easier”.

    Beyond voters’ reluctance to grant a one-year extension to politicians’ tenure, the issue of senate term lengths is an obstacle to reform.

    Current tradition sets senate terms twice the length of House of Representatives terms, however, Penny Wong has argued that eight-year terms are too long.

    Both New South Wales and South Australia have experience with eight-year terms in their upper houses, but no other states have yet followed.

    How could (and will) terms be changed?

    Any change to federal parliamentary terms would require a successful referendum. The question has been put to Australians once before, in 1988. Only 33% of voters supported the proposal, and no state achieved majority support.

    Polling from April 2024 finds only 38% support, with 18% unsure. Independent and minor party voters – the fastest growing group in Australian politics – were also the most strongly opposed to longer terms.

    As Dutton noted, voters have been reluctant to support “politician-friendly” referendums in the past. There seems almost no chance the 48th parliament would consider a referendum on the issue.

    Would 4-year terms make politics better?

    David Coleman, recently promoted to the Liberal Party’s frontbench, has confidently declared “businesses and consumers tend to hold off on investment during election periods and the phoney war that precedes them”, and so longer terms would improve the domestic economy.

    The business sector seems to agree.

    Are they right? And what about non-economic outcomes?

    Academic research backs up the assumption governments are less likely to announce major tax reforms in the months leading into an election. Shorter terms might also make governments less likely to introduce austerity (strict cost-cutting) measures.

    The weight of academic evidence suggests that whichever party is in power matters far more than the length of the electoral cycle.

    Researchers have struggled to find differences in how politicians with longer terms (usually four years) behave from those with shorter terms (usually two years). Activity levels for the shorter-term politicians appear slightly more frenetic – more fundraising and expenditure, more campaigning – but the outcomes are similar.

    Longer terms do not seem destined to fix Australia’s political malaise.

    Jill Sheppard receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Every 3 years, we play the election date waiting game. Are fixed terms the solution? – https://theconversation.com/every-3-years-we-play-the-election-date-waiting-game-are-fixed-terms-the-solution-250273

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News Briefs: February-March 2025

    Source: US Geological Survey

    News Briefs: February-March 2025

    News Briefs – featuring coastal and ocean science from across the USGS.

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  • MIL-OSI: PIMCO Names Janet Yellen and Raghuram Rajan to its Global Advisory Board (GAB); Gordon Brown Becomes Chair

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Janet Yellen served as Treasury Secretary in the Biden Administration and Chair of the Federal Reserve from 2014 to 2018
    • Raghuram Rajan served as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and as Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund
    • Gordon Brown, former UK Prime Minister, becomes Chair of the GAB
    • Ben Bernanke, former Chair of the Federal Reserve, retiring from role as Chair of PIMCO’s GAB after 10 years service
    • Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister, also recently stepped down from GAB

    NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PIMCO, one of the world’s premier fixed income investment managers, announces the addition of Janet Yellen, former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and Chair of the Federal Reserve, and Raghuram Rajan, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund, to its Global Advisory Board. The Board provides PIMCO with insights on global economic, political, and strategic developments and their relevance for financial markets.

    In addition, Gordon Brown, former UK Prime Minister (2007-2010) and Chancellor of the Exchequer (1997-2007), becomes Chair of the Board. Mr. Brown, who has been a member of PIMCO’s GAB since its founding in 2015, replaces Ben Bernanke, who is retiring after serving 10 years as Chair of the GAB. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, previously announced his resignation from PIMCO’s GAB in January, when he announced his candidacy for political office. He had served on the Board since 2020.

    Before serving as the 78th U.S. Secretary of the Treasury from 2021-2025, Secretary Yellen was Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve from 2014 to 2018 and Vice Chair 2010 to 2014. Secretary Yellen has also held positions at Harvard University, the London School of Economics, and the University of California, Berkeley, where she is now professor emeritus. Her extensive contributions to economic policy and research have established her as a leading figure in the field.

    Dr. Raghuram Rajan’s career is distinguished by his influential roles in global economic institutions. He was the 23rd Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 2013 to 2016 – where he implemented key reforms to stabilize the Indian economy – and was Chief Economist and Director of Research at the International Monetary Fund from 2003 to 2006. He is also a Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

    “Secretary Yellen and Dr. Rajan’s deep expertise in economic policy make them remarkable additions to our Global Advisory Board,” said Emmanuel Roman, PIMCO’s Chief Executive Officer. “Their insights will be crucial for us as we continue to navigate the complexities of the global economy and assess their potential impact on markets for our clients.”

    “Understanding the complexities and impact of central bank policymaking, international governance and economic conditions on fast-moving markets are critical components of our investment strategy. Secretary Yellen and Dr. Rajan’s invaluable insights and experience, and Prime Minister Brown’s leadership as chair, will provide PIMCO clients with deep expertise and knowledge in assessing investment risk and opportunity,” said Dan Ivascyn, PIMCO’s Group Chief Investment Officer.

    “We also want to thank Chair Ben Bernanke and Prime Minister Carney for their leadership and valued perspectives over many years on the Global Advisory Board during their constant presence at our investment forums and in guidance to our Investment Committee. We will miss their thoughtful insights and wish them well,” said Mr. Roman.

    The Global Advisory Board consists of a diverse group of experts who provide strategic insights into global economic, political, and strategic developments. Secretary Yellen and Dr. Rajan will join Gordon Brown, Joshua Bolten, former White House Chief of Staff, and Michele Flournoy, U.S. defense policy advisor in two U.S. presidential administrations.

    Janet Yellen
    Janet L. Yellen served as 78th Secretary of the Treasury from 2021 through 2025. Previously, she was a Distinguished Fellow in Residence at the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at the Brookings Institution. She also served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from 2014 through February 2018, Vice Chair of the Board of Governors from 2010 to 2014 and president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco from 2004 to 2010. Dr. Yellen previously served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from August 1994 through February 1997, whereupon she was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve as chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, a post she held until August 1999. Dr. Yellen has written on a wide variety of macroeconomic issues, specializing in the causes, mechanisms, and implications of unemployment. She began her career as an assistant professor at Harvard University and then served as an economist with the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors before joining the faculty of the London School of Economics in 1978. In 1980 she joined the faculty of the University of California at Berkeley, where she was named the Eugene E. and Catherine M. Trefethen Professor of Business and Professor of Economics, and where she is currently a professor emeritus. Dr. Yellen graduated from Brown University in 1967 and received her PhD in economics from Yale University in 1971. She received the Wilbur Cross Medal from Yale in 1997, honorary degrees from Brown, Bard College, NYU, the London School of Economics and Political Science, the University of Warwick, Yale, the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has served as President of the American Economic Association and the Western Economic Association and a fellow of the Yale Corporation. She is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Economic Association.

    Raghuram Rajan

    Raghuram Rajan is the Katherine Dusak Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance at Chicago Booth. He was the 23rd Governor of the Reserve Bank of India between September 2013 and September 2016. Between 2003 and 2006, Dr. Rajan was the Chief Economist and Director of Research at the International Monetary Fund. Dr. Rajan’s research interests are in banking, corporate finance, and economic development. The books he has written include Breaking the Mold: Reimagining India’s Economic Future with Rohit Lamba, The Third Pillar: How the State and Markets hold the Community Behind 2019 which was a finalist for the Financial Times Business Book of the Year prize and Fault Lines: How Hidden Fractures Still Threaten the World Economy, for which he was awarded the Financial Times prize for Business Book of the Year in 2010. Dr. Rajan is a member of the Group of Thirty. He was the President of the American Finance Association in 2011 and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In January 2003, the American Finance Association awarded Dr. Rajan the inaugural Fischer Black Prize for the best finance researcher under the age of 40. The other awards he has received include the Infosys prize for the Economic Sciences in 2012, the Deutsche Bank Prize for Financial Economics in 2013, Euromoney Central Banker Governor of the Year 2014, and Banker Magazine (FT Group) Central Bank Governor of the Year 2016. Dr. Rajan is the Chairman of the Per Jacobsson Foundation, the senior economic advisor to BDT Capital, and a managing director at Andersen Tax.

    About PIMCO
    PIMCO is a global leader in active fixed income with deep expertise across public and private markets. We invest our clients’ capital across a range of fixed income and credit opportunities, drawing upon our decades of experience navigating complex debt markets. Our flexible capital base and deep relationships with issuers have helped us become one of the world’s largest providers of traditional and nontraditional solutions for companies that need financing and investors who seek strong risk-adjusted returns.

    Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the performance of financial markets, the investment performance of PIMCO’s sponsored investment products and separately managed accounts, general economic conditions, future acquisitions, competitive conditions and government regulations, including changes in tax laws. Readers should carefully consider such factors. Further, such forward-looking statements speak only on the date at which such statements are made. PIMCO undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

    Contact:
    Michael Reid
    PIMCO – Media Relations
    Ph. 212-597-1301
    Email: Michael.Reid@pimco.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Global population data is in crisis – here’s why that matters

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Andrew J Tatem, WorldPop Director, Professor of Spatial Demography and Epidemiology, University of Southampton

    Arthimedes/Shutterstock

    Every day, decisions that affect our lives depend on knowing how many people live where. For example, how many vaccines are needed in a community, where polling stations should be placed for elections or who might be in danger as a hurricane approaches. The answers rely on population data.

    But counting people is getting harder.

    For centuries, census and household surveys have been the backbone of population knowledge. But we’ve just returned from the UN’s statistical commission meetings in New York, where experts reported that something alarming is happening to population data systems globally.

    Census response rates are declining in many countries, resulting in large margins of error. The 2020 US census undercounted America’s Latino population by more than three times the rate of the 2010 census. In Paraguay, the latest census revealed a population one-fifth smaller than previously thought.

    South Africa’s 2022 census post-enumeration survey revealed a likely undercount of more than 30%. According to the UN Economic Commission for Africa, undercounts and census delays due to COVID-19, conflict or financial limitations have resulted in an estimated one in three Africans not being counted in the 2020 census round.

    When people vanish from data, they vanish from policy. When certain groups are systematically undercounted – often minorities, rural communities or poorer people – they become invisible to policymakers. This translates directly into political underrepresentation and inadequate resource allocation.

    As the Brookings Institution, a US research organisation, has highlighted, undercounts have “cost communities of colour political representation over the next decade”.

    This is happening because several factors have converged. Trust in government institutions is eroding worldwide, with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reporting that by late 2023, 44% of people across member countries had low or no trust in their national governments. Research shows a clear trend of declining trust specifically in representative institutions like parliaments and governments. This makes people less likely to respond to government-issued census requests.

    The COVID-19 pandemic created logistical nightmares for census takers. Many countries had to postpone their censuses. Budget cuts to statistical offices reduced capacity, while countries struggled with recruiting field staff.

    International funding for population data is also disappearing. The US-funded Demographic and Health Surveys program, which provided vital survey data across 90 countries for four decades, was terminated in February 2025. Unicef’s Multi-Indicator Cluster program, which carries out household surveys, faces an uncertain future amid shrinking global aid budgets. US government cuts to support for UN agencies and development banks undertaking census support will likely have further impacts.

    This is incredibly worrying to us as geography academics, because gathering accurate population data is fundamentally about making everyone visible. As population scientists Sabrina Juran and Arona Pistiner wrote, this information allows governments to plan for the future of a country and its people.

    The US census directly impacts the allocation of more than US$1.5 trillion (£1.2 trillion) in public resources each year. How can governments distribute healthcare funding without knowing who lives where? How can disaster response be effective if vulnerable populations are invisible in official population counts?

    Solutions that count

    Countries are adapting. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the transition to alternative census methodologies. Many countries turned to online questionnaires, telephone interviews and administrative data sources to reduce face-to-face interactions.

    The UN Economic Commission for Africa recommends that countries move from using paper forms for census data collection and embrace new digital technologies that can be cheaper and more reliable. Turkey’s switch in 2011 reduced census costs from US$48.3 million to US$13.9 million while improving data quality and timeliness, and nearly 80% of countries used tablets or smartphones for data collection in the 2020 round of censuses.

    Collecting census data digitally in Pakistan in 2023.
    Abdul Rauf Khan/Shutterstock

    At WorldPop, our research group at the University of Southampton, we’re also helping governments to develop solutions using new technologies. Buildings mapped from satellite imagery using AI, together with counts of populations from small areas, can help create detailed population estimates to support census implementation or provide estimates for undersurveyed areas.

    As we face growing challenges, from climate change to economic inequality, having accurate, reliable and robust population data isn’t a luxury. It’s essential for a functioning society. National statistical offices, UN agencies, academics, the private sector and donors must urgently focus on how to build cost-effective solutions to provide reliable and robust population data, especially in resource-poor settings where recent cuts will be felt hardest.

    When people disappear from the data, they risk disappearing from public policy too. Making everyone count starts with counting everyone.

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

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Andrew J Tatem works for the University of Southampton, and is Director of WorldPop. His research on mapping populations has been funded by donors such as the Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, GAVI.

    Jessica Espey works for the University of Southampton. Her research on data, statistics and evidence use has previously been funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Gates Foundation and others.

    – ref. Global population data is in crisis – here’s why that matters – https://theconversation.com/global-population-data-is-in-crisis-heres-why-that-matters-251751

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Humans are bad at reading dogs’ emotions – but we can do learn to do better

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Juliane Kaminski, Associate professor of comparative Psychology, University of Portsmouth

    Seregraff/Shutterstock

    A lot of dog owners believe that they can tell what their dogs are feeling. They believe that they can assess their dog’s emotions no matter the context.

    Yet newspapers frequently publish stories about dogs who attack “out of nowhere”, where owners claim there were “no signs” prior to the attack. A recent US study has found the answer may lie with humans – as it turns out, we’re not very good at interpreting dogs’ emotions.

    Previous research has shown that experience with dogs affects how successful people are in assessing a dog’s emotional state. As a psychologist, the more I know about dogs and the more I study and observe them, the better I become in assessing their behaviour. However, even experts can struggle to get it right.

    In the recent US study, researchers looked at how successful people are at assessing dogs’ emotions from looking at pictures. The images showed the dogs in different postures such as submissive or anxious. Sometimes the context around the dog was positive (for example, the owner approaching the dog with a lead) and sometimes the context around was negative (a person about to scold the dog).

    The study found that the context influenced whether people assessed the dog’s behavioural response as positive or negative even though the posture and other signals didn’t change.

    Research also suggests we have the tendency to misinterpret some facial expressions of dogs. A 2018 University of Lincoln study examined how children aged three to five years old and their parents interpret dogs’ facial expressions.

    Participants were shown pictures of dogs, for example showing bare teeth, which signals high levels of distress. The children especially misinterpreted that as a smiling and happy dog. The study also showed that interventions, which educated participants on how to interpret dogs’ behavioural signals, increased their understanding of dogs’ stress signals (though this was mostly true in the adults).

    We tend to anthropomorphise and attribute human emotions to our dogs. A good example of this is the so-called guilty look. You often see videos on social media in which a dog avoids eye contact with humans, for example turning its head slightly to the side.

    If this happens after the dog has done something they shouldn’t have, the owner may classify this as indicative of shame or guilt. In reality, dogs avoid eye contact as a kind of deescalation behaviour.
    It indicates that they do not want a confrontation. Perhaps the owner has already reacted to the mishap. Or the dog has learned to expect a reaction from the owner in certain situations. Insecure or fearful dogs also often avoid eye contact because they feel threatened or intimidated. However, this behaviour has little to do with shame.

    Another classic misconception is that a dog that wags its tail is a happy and friendly dog. In reality, a wagging tail only means that the dog is aroused. To assess the dog’s emotional state, you also have to consider the position of the tail. If it is standing upright, then this is more a sign of a tense dog. If it is positioned lower and the movement of the tail is relaxed and wide from left to right, then it is probably a friendly signal.

    We anthropomorphise dogs because we have evolved a human-specific way to interpret others’ emotions. If we see a person who pulls up the corners of their mouth and smiles, then we understand them to be happy or at least cheerful. That leads to problems if we apply that system to interpret other species’ emotional expressions.

    Could do with adding subhead here

    So how can we analyse dogs’ emotional expression in an objective way? One approach that scientists use is a technical method called DogFACS. In this method, each facial muscle is assigned a movement on the surface of the face. Facial movements are documented by numbers and analysed separately from each other.

    In 2013 University of Portsmouth researchers went to dog shelters across the UK and filmed dogs for two minutes each. They then analysed the dogs’ behaviour, including their facial expressions.

    The animal shelter told the researchers how long it took for the filmed dogs to be adopted by new owners. Neither barking nor wagging tails influenced the adoption rate, but only a specific eyebrow movement: the so-called puppy dog eyes look. The more often the dogs raised their eyebrows and produced the puppy dog eyes, the quicker they were rehomed. Nothing else had an effect. This could be because the puppy dog eyes resemble a facial movement that we produce when we are sad and makes us want to care for the dog.

    Could you resist those puppy dog eyes?
    SakSa/Shutterstock

    In fact my 2019 study showed that the facial muscle anatomy of dogs has evolved for facial communication with humans. My team compared the facial muscle anatomy of dogs and wolves and demonstrated that the facial muscles of dogs and wolves are identical – except for one muscle, the levator anguli oculi medialis. This muscle is responsible for the lifting of the inner eyebrow in dogs.

    We may not be much good at reading dogs’ emotions but as the University of Lincoln study shows, we can learn to be.

    Juliane Kaminski receives funding from ASAB.

    – ref. Humans are bad at reading dogs’ emotions – but we can do learn to do better – https://theconversation.com/humans-are-bad-at-reading-dogs-emotions-but-we-can-do-learn-to-do-better-252773

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Britons increasingly trust each other – but trust in politicians has slumped since the pandemic

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ben Seyd, Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Kent

    ITS/Shutterstock

    One surprise in the early days of the pandemic was people’s increased willingness to trust political authorities. According to the British Social Attitudes survey (BSA), the proportion of people trusting government ministers rose from 15% in 2019 to 23% in 2020. Data from Ipsos MORI showed a similar bounce for trust in government ministers and politicians in 2021. Trust in government was also a significant factor in whether people complied with lockdown rules and other restrictions.

    Since then, however, people’s trust in government has plummeted. The latest BSA survey finds that, in 2023, just 14% of the population said they trust government “always” or “most of the time”. Fully 45% of the population trust government “almost never”. These are the most negative set of figures since the BSA began asking questions on trust almost four decades ago.

    This collapse in trust is perhaps unsurprising given the various government shenanigans over the past few years, notably Boris Johnson’s Downing Street lockdown parties and Liz Truss’s disastrous prime ministerial tenure. However, there is also evidence that Britons have become less trusting as a result of dashed expectations over the benefits of Brexit, negative views of government performance in areas like health, and cost of living pressures.

    Yet while Britons are less trusting of those with political authority, they appear to be more trusting in each other. Back in 1999, 29% of the population believed that “most people [in Britain] can be trusted”. Four decades on, that proportion has increased to 46%, topping the previous high of 43% in 1981. This might partly reflect the sense of collective endeavour and neighbourliness that was instilled during the pandemic, when we were encouraged to look out for, and help, other people. There is also evidence that, while people see the country as a whole as becoming more divided, at the local level perceptions of unity outweigh perceptions of division.

    This is a welcome shift, particularly since trust in other people is associated with a range of positive outcomes, including support for international cooperation and international organisations. In an uncertain and dangerous world, social trust may be an important factor shaping the willingness of states to work together.

    Wellbeing of politicians

    The decline of popular trust in government and politicians is concerning. Low trust is associated with support for populist politicians such as Donald Trump and upheavals like Brexit. Low trust could also significantly compromise public acceptance of, and compliance with, official messages and rules in a future pandemic.

    Distrust can also cause direct harm to public figures. As one of us (James) has shown, politicians are generally poor estimators of public trust in themselves. But where they do perceive widespread distrust, often because of repeated experiences of physical or online abuse and intimidation, this has a significant negative effect on their mental health and wellbeing.

    Messages of kindness and community around London during lockdown.
    Alex Yeung/Shutterstock

    Increased security around MPs – the cost of which jumped from £77,234.67 to £4,381,733.40 between 2014 and 2022 – is likely to protect them from the worst excesses of public distrust where it trickles over into extreme behaviour. Yet given the importance of contact for people’s trust, it could also inadvertently fuel more cynicism by increasing the physical distance between politicians and the public.

    The public’s declining regard for politicians and government should be a source of concern. We are hardly likely to recruit the calibre of politician we expect (and need), or indeed encourage a more diverse population of aspiring representatives, if the personal costs of holding elected office are so high.

    At the same time, a look at the bigger picture offers some reassurance. As one of us (Ben) has recently shown, there is little evidence that low trust induces popular scepticism towards democracy itself, or that it weakens public support for state spending or government programmes in key areas like healthcare.

    Trust on the frontline

    The nature and strength of Britain’s civic ties are revealed not only in our trust of politicians and institutions, but also in how we treat the people who provide public services, such as police officers and health workers.

    On the face of it, the picture is not pretty. Over the past few years, rates of public abuse towards frontline service providers have increased. In 2021, 18% of teachers reported having experienced verbal abuse from a parent or carer in the past year. In 2023, that figure had risen to 30%.

    A survey of police officers in 2022 found that 37% had experienced verbal insults at least once a week over the past year. This was an increase from the 29% of officers who reported a similar level of insults in 2020, although the figure dropped slightly in 2023 to 34%.

    Rates of physical abuse of London ambulance staff have more than doubled in four years, with 346 incidents recorded in 2019, increasing to 728 incidents in 2023. A similar picture of public abuse is found for frontline workers in the health service. Polling in 2023 found that 85% of GPs across the UK had received verbal abuse from members of the public during the past year. A 2021 survey by the British Medical Association found more than half of GPs, and one in five hospital doctors, had experienced verbal abuse in the past month.

    While majorities of the British public express trust in many frontline workers such as nurses and doctors (who currently attract 94% and 88% trust ratings), others appear to take a more negative view, extending even to abusive behaviour.

    Given the range of service providers facing such rising antipathy, it seems unlikely that the trigger for this was the pandemic. A better clue is provided by longer-term data on public treatment of doctors.

    Responses are to a survey question reading ‘In the last 12 months, have you personally experienced harassment, bullying or abuse at work from patients, their relatives or members of the public?’.
    Author provided, data from NHS Staff Survey

    NHS survey figures show that rates of abuse towards doctors declined between 2003 and 2011. (The wording of the relevant survey question changed in 2012, which restricts our ability to compare the more recent data). This was precisely the period when resources were pumped into the health service and public satisfaction with the NHS increased. This suggests that public interactions with frontline service workers like doctors are strongly shaped by the quality of the service they face.

    Indeed, GPs themselves ascribe the verbal abuse they and their staff experience to people’s dissatisfaction with the service, including discontent with access to health services. One underappreciated effect of austerity might thus be an increased public frustration with healthcare workers, which on occasion appears to extend to outright abuse.

    More accessible (read: better funded) public services might reduce some negativity towards frontline service workers. However, the important task of rebuilding people’s trust in politicians is – particularly given the negative coverage by much of Britain’s media – likely to be a trickier task.

    James Weinberg receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council.

    Ben Seyd 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. Britons increasingly trust each other – but trust in politicians has slumped since the pandemic – https://theconversation.com/britons-increasingly-trust-each-other-but-trust-in-politicians-has-slumped-since-the-pandemic-252762

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why eating yoghurt regularly could lower your risk of bowel cancer

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University

    Josep Suria/Shutterstock

    Hard on the heels of impressive research findings that a glass of milk is good for reducing cancer risk, another recent study has highlighted the potential benefits of yoghurt consumption in lowering the risk of certain types of cancer – particularly colorectal cancer.

    The number of new colorectal cancer cases among people under 55 has doubled globally in recent years, with diagnoses increasing by nearly 20%. As a consultant oncologist, many people have asked me how their risk can be reduced.

    The emerging evidence suggests that regular yoghurt consumption may have a protective effect against certain aggressive forms of colorectal cancer by modifying the gut microbiome, the natural bacteria that live in the gut.

    The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in overall health, influencing digestion, immune function and even cancer risk. The gut bacteria can live inside cancer itself, and in general a healthy balance of these bacteria is thought to be essential for maintaining a strong immune system and preventing inflammation, which can contribute to cancer development.



    Read more:
    Gut bacteria nurture the immune system – for cancer patients, a diverse microbiome can protect against dangerous treatment complications

    Yoghurt contains live cultures of beneficial bacteria, such as lactobacillus bulgaricus and streptococcus thermophilus, which can help maintain this balance.

    The study found that consuming two or more servings of yoghurt per week was associated with a lower risk of a specific type of aggressive colorectal cancer, which occurs on the right side of the colon and is associated with poorer survival outcomes compared with cancers on the left side.

    The study analysed data from over 150,000 participants followed for several decades, indicating that long-term yoghurt consumption may alter the gut microbiome in ways that protect against certain cancers. Researchers surveyed the participants every two years about their yoghurt intake, and measured the amount of Bifidobacterium (a type of bacteria found in yoghurt) in the tumour tissue of 3,079 people within the sample who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

    While yoghurt did not directly lower the risk for all types of colorectal cancer, those who ate two or more servings of yoghurt per week had a lower risk of developing “Bifidobacterium-positive proximal colon cancer”, a type of colorectal cancer that occurs in the right side of the colon and has one of the lowest survival rates. This new work also validates and builds on previous studies showing similar findings.

    Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain how yoghurt might reduce cancer risk. One key mechanism is the modulation of the gut microbiome. Yoghurt’s probiotics can enhance the diversity and balance of gut bacteria, potentially reducing inflammation and levels of cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens).

    Additionally, yoghurt may exert anti-inflammatory effects on the colon lining cells, called the mucosa, which could help prevent cancer development. Improving gut barrier function is another potential mechanism, as yoghurt may reduce gut permeability, which is linked to increased cancer risk.

    Choose wisely

    Beyond its potential anti-cancer effects, yoghurt offers several other health benefits. Like milk, it is rich in calcium, which supports bone density and may reduce the risk of brittle bones, known as osteoporosis.

    Regular yoghurt consumption has also been associated with lower blood pressure and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Some studies suggest that yoghurt intake may help prevent type 2 diabetes and other diseases too.

    But when incorporating yoghurt into your diet, it’s important to choose wisely. Opt for plain, unflavoured yoghurt to avoid added sugars, which can negate health benefits – for example by causing weight gain, which is a risk factor for obesity and cancer.

    Different fermentation processes can result in varying levels of beneficial bacteria, so look for yoghurts with live cultures. Plain, unsweetened Greek yoghurt is generally higher in protein and lower in sugar, while full-fat yoghurt often has fewer processed ingredients than reduced-fat or non-fat variations.

    Yoghurt contains all nine essential amino acids, and aside from improving gut health, a serving of plain Greek yoghurt contains 15 to 20 grams of protein.

    There are nearly 45,000 cases of bowel cancer every year in the UK, making it the nation’s fourth most common cancer, and third worldwide – but many of these are preventable.

    According to Cancer Research UK data, 54% of all bowel cancers could be prevented by having a healthier lifestyle. Smoking, lack of exercise, alcohol, eating processed meat, and poor diet are all significant factors in the development of bowel cancer.

    The emerging evidence suggests that yoghurt, particularly when consumed regularly, may play a role in reducing the risk of certain aggressive forms of colorectal cancer. While more research is needed to fully understand these effects, incorporating yoghurt into a balanced diet could be a beneficial choice for overall health.

    But as with any dietary recommendation, it’s crucial to consider the broader context of a healthy lifestyle, including a diverse diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, along with regular physical activity. While yoghurt is not a magic bullet against cancer, it is a nutritious food that can contribute to a healthy diet and potentially offer protective effects against certain cancers.

    As research continues to uncover the complex relationships between diet, gut health and cancer risk, incorporating yoghurt into your daily routine may be a simple yet beneficial step towards a healthier life.

    Justin Stebbing 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. Why eating yoghurt regularly could lower your risk of bowel cancer – https://theconversation.com/why-eating-yoghurt-regularly-could-lower-your-risk-of-bowel-cancer-251942

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Andy’s career change journey earns a place in national final A University of Aberdeen geology student has reached the final of the UK Career Change Awards after embarking on a degree following service as a Royal Marine Commando and rope access technician on offshore installations.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    A University of Aberdeen geology student has reached the final of the UK Career Change Awards after embarking on a degree following service as a Royal Marine Commando and rope access technician on offshore installations.
    Andy Rycroft, who lives in Turriff, had written off his chances of succeeding in education with a succession of school reports citing that he was ‘easily distracted, doesn’t listen to instructions, presentation is poor’.
    With no qualifications he enlisted in the Royal Marines and after 32 weeks of the most arduous basic military training in the world, became a Royal Marines Commando serving in Afghanistan and on operations in Canada and the UK.
    The military gave him his first taste of formal training and he gained and NVQ and apprenticeship in engineering.
    But when he left in 2012 he again turned to his practical skills training as a Rope Access Inspection Technician and later worked in the Oil and Gas industry as a project planner.
    It was not until Covid slowed down the pace of the world that he asked what really inspired him and decided to follow his passion for earth and planetary science, signing up to a part-time distance learning course with the University of London Birkbeck.
    During the enrolment process he took a learning differences screening and was diagnosed with dyslexia, making sense of the negative school reports.
    Andy said: “With correct allowances in place and modern technology like recording lectures, Grammarly, reading back aloud and extra reading time in exams, I unlocked the cheat code in my mind.
    “After achieving a distinction in the planetary science certificate, I was eager to complete the degree but decided to come closer to home and accelerate it to full-time learning.
    “So, after 11 years in the Oil industry, I left and the University of Aberdeen accepted me to year two of BSc Geology, where I achieved my proudest grade to date. A 3500 report on the history of earth life with an A1 grade, has given me a huge confidence boost going into my honours years.
    “I am currently in year 3 and getting ready to undertake my mapping project dissertation in the summer of 2025. After I complete my degree in 2026, I will become the first in my family to have a university degree.”
    This remarkable career change has secured him a place as one of only 10 finalists the targetjobs UK Career Change Award Grand Final to be held in London April 25.
    And Andy has plans to put his academic passion for earth sciences to practical use once he has completed his degree.
    “I want to be part of something that makes a tangible impact on people’s lives,” he added. “The current energy crisis in the UK, where some people have to choose between heating and eating, is not something we can sit by and do nothing about. This can only be achieved by investing in wind, battery storage, and electric car charging infrastructure using clean energy sources. I am keen to transition into an industry where I can apply these passions.
    “I’m honoured to be selected for the final out of hundreds of nationwide applications. I had the privilege of meeting representatives from Clifford Chance, the award sponsor and seeing first-hand how seriously they value career changers.
    “Being invited to their stunning HQ in Canary Wharf along with 20 other shortlisted candidates was an incredible and humbling experience. I had the opportunity to pitch my career change journey and present an innovation that breaks down barriers for career changers, showcasing its benefits for both individuals and organisations.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Pact for the Future: Countries urged to translate pledges into action

    Source: United Nations 2

    UN Affairs

    UN Member States met on Wednesday for the first of three key meetings to advance a global agreement that pledges concrete actions to achieve a safer, more peaceful, sustainable and inclusive world for generations to come. 

    General Assembly President Philémon Yang convened the informal interactive dialogue on the implementation of the Pact for the Future, which covers five areas: sustainable development, international peace and security, science and technology, youth, and transforming global governance.

    It was adopted at a UN summit in September 2024 together with two annexes – a  Global Digital Compact and a Declaration for Future Generations – marking a significant step towards a renewed multilateral system.

    For a look back at our full live coverage on the day, go here.

    ‘A shared commitment’

    “The Pact for the Future is a shared commitment to a more just, sustainable and secure world. But a promise is only meaningful when it has been translated into action,” Mr. Yang told delegates gathered in the Trusteeship Council at UN Headquarters in New York.

    He recognized the complexity and unique challenges that each country will face in implementation, including least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, and small island developing states. 

    Mr. Yang emphasized that implementation must reflect what works best for each nation, which requires tailored approaches that consider resource restraints and capacity gaps. 

    “To succeed, we must build an enabling environment through smart investments and right reforms,” he said, calling for closing the resource gap, flexible trade policies, and stronger international cooperation in technical assistance, capacity-building and knowledge-sharing.

    Divisions and mistrust 

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted action that has occurred since the Pact’s adoption but also the work that still lies ahead amid “a long list of challenges” that include intensifying conflicts and climate disasters.

    “Geopolitical divisions and mistrust are blocking effective action, with some actively questioning the value of international cooperation and the multilateral system itself,” he said. 

    “Meanwhile, critical funding is being drastically cut for people in desperate need – with more reductions to come,” he warned.

    Progress on peace efforts

    Mr. Guterres updated on progress in four key areas, starting with peace and security. He said the Pact represents a commitment to strengthen tools to prevent and address conflict and ensure that UN peace efforts respond to new and emerging threats.

    In this regard, he noted progress on a review of all Peace Operations, as requested in the agreement.

    “The review will be an opportunity to help adapt peace operations to today’s realities, and ensure they’re guided by clear and sequenced mandates that are realistic and achievable – with viable exit strategies and transition plans,” he said. 

    “It will also recognize the limitations of our operations where there is little or no peace to keep,” he added. 

    Fairer financial system

    Turning next to finance for development, Mr. Guterres said the UN has been working closely with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to follow-up on action points in the Pact regarding improvements to the international financial system.

    “Developing countries must be represented fairly in the governance of the very institutions they depend on,” he said.  

    The Secretary-General also has established an expert group to identify practical steps for action on debt.

    “At the same time, we will continue advocating to increase the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks, making them bigger and bolder,” he said.

    “This includes both stretching their balance sheets and recapitalization. And we must ensure that concessional finance is deployed where it is most needed.”

    Meanwhile, the UN will also continue pushing forward on other priorities outlined in the Pact, including disarmament commitments around nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, lethal autonomous weapons and the growing weaponization of outer space.

    Focus on youth

    Mr. Guterres was adamant the international community must deliver for young people and generations to come. 

    He said progress is being made towards establishing a Youth Investment Platform to ensure that national funding mechanisms and investment platforms are focused on the needs of young people.

    The UN is also developing core principles to strengthen youth engagement across its work, while the Declaration on Future Generations looks to those yet to be born.

    The Secretary-General said that later this year he will appoint a Special Envoy for Future Generations to scale up these efforts.

    Closing digital divides

    His final point concerned technology, and Mr. Guterres reported that the UN is implementing the Global Digital Compact’s calls to close all digital divides and ensure everyone, everywhere, benefits from a safe and secure digital space.

    Particular focus is on Artificial Intelligence (AI), he said, and a report is being developed on voluntary financing options to help countries in the Global South to harness AI for the greater good.

    Furthermore, the zero draft of a resolution to establish the International Independent Scientific Panel on AI and convene a Global Dialogue on AI Governance was circulated last week.

    The UN chief urged the General Assembly to act swiftly to establish the Panel, ensure AI expertise and knowledge are available to all countries, and support the Global Dialogue. 

    UN taking action

    Mr. Guterres added that as the UN pushes for these priorities, the global body is also improving the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations, in line with the Pact.

    “We’re already seeing results: from speeding-up disaster assessments in the Asia-Pacific, to strengthening social security programmes in Malawi, to consolidating Information Technology functions across the UN System,” he said.

    The Secretary-General stressed that this work must continue “especially in light of the funding challenges we face,” underlining the need for support. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: When Canadian snowbirds don’t flock south, the costs are more than financial

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Valorie A. Crooks, Professor, Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University

    Every winter, hundreds of thousands of older Canadians spend the winter in the United States. But in recent weeks, we’ve seen many Canadian snowbirds shifting their attention to other matters.

    First, stories started to emerge from those who said they would no longer participate in this seasonal migration because of political events in the U.S. Another related concern was the weakened Canadian dollar. This trend has prompted some to consider selling their winter properties in the U.S.

    More recently, attention has shifted to the potential for changed border rules to lessen snowbirds’ access to the U.S. for long stays. Snowbirds are concerned about administrative and procedural requirements that may ultimately make cross-border travel less convenient.

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, some Canadian snowbirds experienced challenges crossing into the U.S. for the winter or returning to Canada. Closures of borders to non-essential travel did not dissuade some from planning to winter in the U.S.

    Drawing on research in snowbird communities, we found out that affordability and ease of movement are two important enablers of long-stay seasonal travel.

    Because of this, it’s not surprising that we’re hearing from snowbirds again in light of recent developments.

    CBC News reports on Québec snowbirds reaction to the Donald Trump administration’s new measures for travellers to the U.S.

    Economic and political disruptions

    While COVID-era travel disruptions didn’t stop some snowbirds from going south for the winter, the current economic and political disruptions are another story. Florida is a popular destination for Canadian snowbirds. In fact, a 2023 survey named eight of the 10 best American destination communities as being in Florida.

    If Canadian snowbirds are talking about cancelling travel plans and selling properties, people in Florida should be paying attention.

    Instead, in early March, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis downplayed what it would mean for Canadians to avoid travel to the state. Citing a recent tourism industry report, he noted that only 3.3 million of the 142.9 million visitors to Florida in 2024 were from Canada.

    DeSantis went on to say “that’s not much of a boycott, in my book.” But 91.5 per cent of Florida’s annual visitors were from the U.S. This means that the 2.3 per cent of visitors who were Canadian were actually a substantial portion of the states’s international visitors.

    DeSantis’s recent comments were also not in line with concerns raised during the COVID-19 pandemic that signalled substantial negative economic impacts for the state if Canadian snowbirds did not arrive for the winter.

    Community members

    Aside from these economic impacts, something we’ve learned through our years of research with Canadians who winter in the U.S. is that many become vital members of destination communities. From participating in public health outreach programs to volunteering at local hospitals, our research has shown that many embrace opportunities to be active in the places they reside for the winter.

    Any drop in the numbers of seasonal travellers going to U.S. destinations will have social costs for communities beyond the quantifiable economic losses.

    Many popular U.S. destination communities for snowbirds have health systems that are designed to expand and retract with dramatically different seasonal populations. Our research has observed this most closely in Yuma, Ariz., where entire areas of the main local hospital are closed in the summer and staffed seasonally in the winter.

    Additionally, some of the seasonal nursing staff who arrive for the winter are from Canada. Any retreat from these destinations by Canadian snowbirds may have significant implications for health systems and allied sectors. This can ultimately impact the quality of care they can provide to a more limited local patient base.

    Intangible impacts

    While the economic impacts of the seeming loss of long-stay older Canadians in these communities are important to consider, there will be other — less measurable but no less important — impacts. Just as the long friendship between the U.S. and Canada is now being tested, blended snowbird communities of older North Americans are at risk of diminishing.

    Business owners in U.S. destinations spoke up about losses when fewer Canadian snowbirds went south during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some Canadian business sectors and communities discovered opportunities emerging from these shifts in consumer’ movements.

    As snowbirds debate whether to navigate new border complexities and return to the U.S. next winter, we must be attentive to the stories behind the numbers to understand the true impacts of their decisions. And as comments made by DeSantis and other politicians have made clear, Canadian snowbirds are now faced with new economic and emotional considerations.

    Valorie A. receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada, BC Women’s Health Research Institute and MITACS.

    Jeremy Snyder receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

    – ref. When Canadian snowbirds don’t flock south, the costs are more than financial – https://theconversation.com/when-canadian-snowbirds-dont-flock-south-the-costs-are-more-than-financial-252125

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: More than just an animal: Losing a pet deserves more attention and compassion

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Renata Roma, Postdoctoral fellow, Center of Behavioural Sciences and Justice Studies/Pawsitive Connections Lab, University of Saskatchewan

    Losing a pet can be an isolating experience and perceptions of judgment may exacerbate the pain of loss. (Shutterstock)

    When my dog passed away four years ago, coping with the loss was challenging. I know I am not alone. People turn to their pets when they need comfort and a non-judgmental presence. However, pets have a short life span, and losing a companion animal is a common experience.

    Research shows that losing a pet can be as devastating as losing a family member, yet the grief over a companion animal is often overlooked in society. As a result, losing a pet can be an isolating experience.

    Perceptions of judgment may exacerbate the pain of loss, affect mental health and lead to social isolation. Some may think: “It’s just an animal.” However, words like these dismiss the pain and make an already difficult experience even lonelier.

    As a researcher who has studied the human-animal bond for more than a decade, and as someone who has shared her life with pets, I understand that while having a pet is deeply fulfilling, the grieving process can be profoundly difficult.

    Having support makes a huge difference in these moments. Rituals, comforting words, the space to talk about what happened, and primarily, validation — these things help us process loss. But the reality is that when someone loses a pet, finding that support is harder.

    Offering non-judgmental support and developing inclusive strategies, such as pet bereavement leave, can be valuable initiatives to help. Raising awareness of ways to provide effective and compassionate support to those grieving a pet can help us challenge the idea that the loss of a companion animal is less significant than losing a beloved human.

    People turn to their pets when they need comfort and a non-judgmental presence. However, pets have a short life span, and losing a companion animal is a common experience.
    (Shutterstock)

    Navigating pet loss

    Several studies show that living with a pet can have a positive impact on people’s physical, psychological and social health. These bonds run deep, and 95 per cent of Canadians consider their companion animals family.

    The journey through pet loss is unique for each individual, but it usually involves complex feelings like relief and guilt, besides physical and intellectual symptoms like aches, headache and rumination.

    One of the most important barriers to finding support is the lack of social recognition and validation regarding pet grief. People often feel judged when they express their feelings of grief over a pet. These perceptions of judgment exacerbate the pain and increase social isolation. This, in turn, can increase the risk of mental health issues, particularly among those with a history of childhood trauma.

    Factors shaping pet grief

    Several factors can shape how people grieve, including the way people lose their pets. Even when a pet dies by natural causes or old age, people may experience intense feelings of loss. Situations involving euthanasia can lead to uncertainty regarding the best moment to do it and self-blame. When a pet dies, people may feel guilty and left with a feeling that they failed to care for the pet.

    Attachment styles also play a role. This refers to the type of bond between people and their pets and the feelings involved in this relationship. For instance, perceiving pets as good friends leads to less intense grief than seeing them as children. If the person lived alone and the pet was their only company, it may be more challenging, too.

    At the same time, having social support provides a sense of belonging. Those who have room to voice their feelings and share their pain tend to navigate the stages of grief better. A more compassionate and pet-inclusive approach can be valuable in the pet grief journey. This type of support can help to prevent depression, stress and social isolation.

    One of the most important barriers to finding support is the lack of social recognition and validation regarding pet grief.
    (Shutterstock)

    Support in workplaces

    Regardless of differences in pet attachment and how a person lost their pet, initiatives to increase social support during these difficult experiences can have a significant impact on people’s ability to cope.

    Take workplaces, for instance. People are often expected to show up and function as if nothing happened, carrying their grief in silence. However, some companies have adjusted their policies to a more pet-inclusive approach, and the result is promising.

    Companies that offer more pet-inclusive policies, including pet bereavement leave, can help reduce employee stress while also increasing job satisfaction, building a sense of connectedness and leading to higher retention rates.

    Considering that among younger people, there is a preference for pets over kids, this type of policy can not only offers a concrete demonstration of empathy but could also attract some employees and increase productivity. By providing the necessary time to heal, the company can have more loyal and productive employees.

    As pets increasingly become integral to our emotional lives, acknowledging the relevance of this relationship is fundamental. This includes providing support for people facing the difficult experience of losing a pet after a life of sharing daily moments with them.

    Each person’s grief is personal and should be respected, without comparison or judgment. We cannot take away each other’s grief but we can stand beside one another in it. That, in itself, makes all the difference.

    Validation and emotional support from family and friends and pet-inclusive policies such as pet bereavement leave can also make a real difference. They send a powerful message: We care about your pain. You are not alone.

    Renata Roma 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. More than just an animal: Losing a pet deserves more attention and compassion – https://theconversation.com/more-than-just-an-animal-losing-a-pet-deserves-more-attention-and-compassion-251889

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: JMU announces Dr. James C. Schmidt as seventh president

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HARRISONBURG, Va., March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — James Madison University has announced that Dr. James C. Schmidt will serve as the university’s next president. Earlier today the JMU Board of Visitors voted to affirm his appointment.  

    Schmidt has over 30 years of experience working in higher education and currently serves as the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; he has been in this role since 2013. 

    During his tenure, UW-Eau Claire has been ranked among the top 10 regional public universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. It was named the top masters-level university for excellence in undergraduate research by the Council for Undergraduate Research in 2016 and is currently the only master’s-level university in Wisconsin among the top 20 nationally for student participation in study abroad. UW-Eau Claire has produced two Rhodes scholars since 2005 and leads master’s level institutions in Wisconsin and Minnesota in the number of Fulbright students.  

    In addition to UW-Eau Claire’s national recognition, Schmidt has been a stellar fundraiser and visionary for elevating academic excellence. He recently brought in one of the largest gifts in Wisconsin history at $70 million to help construct an indoor athletics facility and event center. Even more relatable to JMU, they are set to complete a 330,000-square-foot science and health sciences building through an innovative public-private funding partnership. 
     
    Previous tenures included service as vice president for university advancement at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, and vice president for student affairs at Riverland Community College in Austin, Minnesota. He holds a doctorate in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Winona State University. 

    Schmidt’s appointment will begin July 1, 2025.  

    “I am honored to serve as the next president of James Madison University,” said Schmidt. “Over three decades in public higher education has prepared me to lead this great institution into the future, and I am committed to leading JMU’s vision and strategic direction, enhancing academic excellence and research, and ensuring an exceptional student experience,” added Schmidt. 

    Former JMU President Jonathan Alger announced in March 2024 that he would be stepping down as president and accepted the presidency at American University in Washington, D.C. Charlie King became JMU’s interim president on July 1, 2024. 

    “It is an honor to welcome Jim into the JMU community,” said King, the current interim president of JMU. “I look forward to our partnership in the coming months as we will collectively work to ensure this transition continues to be seamless. I take great pride in this institution and will do everything I can to support the board and our new president during this transition.”  

    Kay Coles James, chair of the search committee, said Schmidt’s strategic vision, leadership and passion for higher education were among the factors that led to his selection as the next JMU president.  

    “Jim Schmidt’s commitment to JMU’s values, bold vision-casting, student-centered outlook, and his community-building experience will be invaluable assets to lead JMU boldly into the future,” said James. 

    Rector of JMU’s Board of Visitors Suzanne Obenshain said, “We are incredibly grateful for Charlie King’s leadership during this transitional moment – particularly his never-ending commitment to JMU. Charlie has been a steady leader, and his legacy is firmly rooted throughout our campus.”  
      
    “It is an exciting time in the university’s history to welcome  Jim into the JMU community. I am confident his leadership and skillset will continue JMU’s positive momentum into the future with an entrepreneurial mindset that will encourage innovation, creativity, collaboration and big thinking,” added Obenshain. 

    Schmidt has been active in academic and athletics circles at the national level. 

    Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, a major coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities, said, “Higher education shapes the world for the better and helps to build America. James Madison University’s story is one of insistent progress, and this great institution will continue to prepare enlightened and productive citizens who will be well-equipped to make lasting, positive impacts on our country and beyond under Jim Schmidt’s steadfast watch.” 

    American Association of State Colleges and Universities President and CEO Charles L. Welch said, “James Madison University has long been a leader in driving transformative civic engagement and preparing its student body to be active and responsible participants in a representative democracy. Jim Schmidt is the perfect person to take that ethos one step further and ensure future Dukes are actively engaged on the local level and ready to impact our world for the common good.” 
     
    The search committee thoroughly reviewed and rated candidates for consideration and was assisted by the search firm Russell Reynolds Associates, ensuring a comprehensive and fair assessment of each candidate’s qualifications and alignment with JMU’s needs and aspirations. 

    Additional information is available here. 

    The MIL Network –