Category: Science

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City leaders reaffirm that innovation and growth remains priority

Source: City of Leeds

In response to the Government’s announcement of delays to the development of the new hospital at Leeds General Infirmary, leaders from Leeds City Council, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust have reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to innovation and growth across the city.

The partnership has confirmed it would continue to deliver on its long-term vision for driving innovation and growth in the city to create a healthier, greener and more inclusive future for all.

This follows the confirmation of funding and a start date of between 2033 and 2035 for the development of the new hospital at Leeds General Infirmary.

Despite the Government’s announcement of delays to the development of the new hospital at Leeds General Infirmary, City leaders are pleased to announce that plans for the Leeds Innovation Village, a key neighbourhood within the city’s £2 billion Leeds innovation Arc, and one of the flagship projects of the £160 million West Yorkshire Investment Zone – will still go ahead, with ambitions to start construction later this year.

The Village, which is set to bring about £13 billion in economic growth for the city and around 4,000 jobs will continue and is already into its first phase. This includes the redevelopment of the Old Medical School on the Leeds General Infirmary site into a cutting-edge healthtech innovation hub by one of the UK’s most active, privately-owned, mixed-use developers, Scarborough Group International.

Dame Linda Pollard DBE DL Hon. LLD, Chair of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said:

“Our plans for a new hospital are more than healthcare and play a pivotal role in harnessing innovation and stimulating growth across Leeds and beyond. Despite the announcement of disappointing delays to our new hospital at Leeds General Infirmary, plans for the Leeds Innovation Village will still go ahead, with early phases already underway.”

The development of a new hospital at Leeds General Infirmary, alongside wider plans to boost growth and innovation across the city, are a central part of the West Yorkshire Mayor’s local growth plan, which aims to boost the region’s fastest growing business sectors with a special focus on health and life sciences, in line with the Government’s emerging national industrial strategy.

This latest commitment builds on a wide range of successful innovation assets across the Innovation Arc including:

· The successful and vibrant community of innovators and entrepreneurs at Nexus, a state-of-the-art innovation hub on the University of Leeds campus. Nexus has raised £134m in private investment since launching in 2019, with a return on investment of £1.92 for every £1. To date, it has worked with 191 companies and brings together the brightest minds in business, technology and academia and cites over half of its member businesses as healthtech innovators.

· Leeds Teaching Hospital’s fast-growing Innovation Pop Up, located in the Innovation Village on the Leeds General Infirmary site, has grown its membership to over 50 industry members

during its first three years and is currently collaborating on around 40 projects with industry partners. The Pop Up brings work nationally and internationally to bring together world-leading clinicians and healthtech industry partners to grow innovation, research and technology for the benefit of patients.

· Leeds Becket University’s £80m Leeds School of Art building which provides industry standard facilities for over 2500 students and 100 staff studying and researching in film, TV, technology, sound, music, drama, dance and fashion. The centre provides wider cultural and industry partnerships across Leeds.

· An envisaged route of the West Yorkshire Mayor’s Mass Transit system would see trams run along the spine of the Innovation Arc, linking Leeds station and the South Bank to Harehills. This would bring modern, sustainable transport modes to the heart of the Innovation Arc, reducing north-south travel times, creating potential hubs around stops, and providing connections to the wider area.

The renewed commitment will see Leeds continue its journey as one of the UK’s most stable, forward-thinking and attractive locations for health and care research and innovation. With the backing of strong collaborative leadership, Leeds ranks as the third most attractive location for healthtech firms which are ready to launch or looking to move, having the highest number of biomedical scientist undergraduates in the country and being home to nine of the top 10 investors in research and development.*”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

“As the home of NHS England and Europe’s largest teaching hospital, Leeds is an international magnet for health innovation, and there is no setback that can stop us from realising our potential.

“With our multimillion-pound Investment Zone driving the development of the Old Medical School into a world-leading centre of medical and technological innovation, we will deliver jobs and growth here in West Yorkshire while transforming the lives of patients worldwide.

“We will also continue to make the case for the all-important new hospital at Leeds General Infirmary to be built as soon as possible, as part of our wider plans to build a well-connected Innovation Arc across the city of Leeds through our new Mass Transit system, driving growth.

Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council said:

“We remain absolutely committed to our long-term vision for the city of stimulating innovation and economic growth that drives and delivers measurable impact towards a healthier, greener and inclusive future for all.

“The Leeds Innovation Village, a key neighbourhood within the city’s £2 billion Innovation Arc, will progress as planned, and we’re excited about the potential it holds to drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve healthcare. The transformation of the Old Medical School into a new cutting-edge health innovation hub will further solidify Leeds’ position as a global healthtech hub.”

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact Jessica Hardman, Head of Communications (BtLW), Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Jessica.hardman3@nhs.net

Notes

This recommitment has been made by:

Professor Phil Wood, Chief Executive, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Cllr James Lewis, Leader, Leeds City Council; Tracy Brabin, Mayor, West Yorkshire Combined Authority; Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Leeds; Professor Peter Slee, Vice Chancellor, Leeds Beckett University.

*Pursing excellence report, an independent analysis of Leeds’ research and innovation in health and care, March 2024 (commissioned by Leeds Academic Health Partnership)

The Leeds Innovation Arc, the city’s £2billion city centre science park, is a global destination for people, investment and innovation in one of the UK’s fastest growing and greenest cities with an ecosystem addressing the biggest societal challenges of our time through collaborative, diverse and innovative solutions. The Arc is home to some of the most significant innovation assets in the north of England, both public and private sector, including our two biggest universities, the hospital and Nexus at the University of Leeds, a hub for an increasing number of innovative businesses including SeeAI, Itecho Health and Atlas Endoscopy.

Leeds City Council’s work as a city on innovation builds on our participation in the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology Regional Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program (MIT REAP) which fueled Leeds’ drive to grow the regional innovation ecosystem and bench mark ourselves and our progress.

The Government review into the New Hospital Programme, which the new hospital at Leeds General Infirmary was part, has now concluded. The Secretary of State for Health announced on Monday 20 January that the new hospital at Leeds General Infirmary has been included in Wave 2 of the programme and will not now start construction until some time between 2033-2035.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

March 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: A year in RIM: at SPbGASU, estimators discussed the results of work on the resource-index method

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Victoria Vinogradova, Alexander Grimitlin, Valery Uskov, Evgeny Enokaev, Maxim Shibnev, Alexey Belousov, Oleg Razgulyaev, Pavel Goryachkin

For the second time, SPbGASU held a conference on the application of the resource-index method (RIM) for pricing the estimated cost of construction for government procurement projects.

RIM is a new method for determining the estimated cost of construction. It involves the use of estimate standards – a list of resources required to carry out the work and their quantity, but without base prices. The cost of each resource is determined in current prices directly at the time of drawing up the estimate. Since the first quarter of 2024, 85 regions of the country have switched to RIM. Let us recall that a year ago, the Consortium of the Construction Industry of the Northwestern Federal District (includes the construction committees of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, the SRO Association “Association of Builders of St. Petersburg”, SPbGASU, NP “Association of Manufacturers of Building Materials”), the IOO “Union of Estimating Engineers” and the National Association of Surveyors and Designers (NOPRIZ) held the first conference on the use of RIM. Then the professional community discussed the expected effectiveness of the innovation and the problems in construction processes associated with it. This year, the organizers of the conference summed up some of the work.

“A year ago, the obligation to switch to RIM was an event that took many by surprise. Today, we intend to discuss ways to facilitate and increase the reliability of the work of estimators,” emphasized Oleg Razgulyaev, Vice President of the Association of Construction Materials Manufacturers, moderator of the conference.

Alexey Belousov, General Director of the Saint Petersburg Builders Association and Coordinator of the Northwestern Federal District Construction Industry Consortium, noted that today prices for construction materials are quite volatile, which requires better work with them, so the conference is of great importance. “RIM allows for more efficient work in the current conditions. In addition, the government has legislatively allowed for price adjustments during construction in the range of up to 30 percent. This is serious support for the industry,” he said.

Digital aspects

Alexander Grimitlin

Vice President of NOPRIZ Alexander Grimitlin recalled that in light of geopolitical events, unprecedented pressure caused certain concerns, since many foreign software products were supplied from unfriendly countries. Risks arose that could have led to tragic consequences, but became less unpleasant and certainly not catastrophic.

“Until 2022, about 600 software products were used in 49 areas of the domestic construction industry, after the well-known events, almost half left the Russian market. But our activities have not undergone significant transformation. Since the beginning of this year, NOPRIZ has launched a program to stimulate software developers, to increase their own product, including with the help of government measures, because this task is not easy due to the financial situation of the developers themselves. If large companies are able to provide for themselves, then it is more difficult for small ones – they cannot organize the development of the new product they need.

In addition, I consider the assistance in training personnel within the framework of the TIM championships of SPbGASU to be significant. They also include costing, which is very useful for participants, since at the very beginning of their professional activity it gives them skills in working in the automated calculation system.

The digital modeling method is very important in science. It allows achieving greater efficiency and solving problems in an unconventional way. The introduction of calculation programs and price instability create serious difficulties for the industry, but you can’t choose your time. Therefore, it is necessary to continue to engage in qualified cost estimates,” says Alexander Grimitlin.

In the process of implementation

Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Construction of St. Petersburg Evgeny Uskov noted that his department began analyzing the necessary data and issuing the relevant documentation practically from the moment the decree on the transition to RIM was signed.

“In 2024, 118 social facilities were built, 37 of which were financed from the city budget and 81 from investors. We managed to obtain permission using the new calculation method for two facilities. For 2025-2027, design survey work is planned for 124 facilities, of which two projects using RIM are undergoing examination and technical specifications have been developed for 19. In 2025, it is planned to commission 112 social facilities, 42 of which are financed from the city budget. A large amount of funding is planned for the development of design documentation. Since December 1, 2024, documentation has been submitted electronically in the information system of the Ministry of Construction of Russia. Digital technologies allow for more efficient and effective management of construction processes. RIM is considered a tool with a number of advantages, including increasing the accuracy and reliability of cost determination. The transition to it is gradual, but accompanied by difficulties,” recalled Evgeny Uskov.

Among the difficulties, he named the low filling of the Federal State Information System of Pricing in Construction (FSISPC), the decrease in the final cost of construction projects, the lack of standard pilot projects in RIM and the experience of specialists. Many questions also arise regarding the procedure for developing estimates, in particular, the procedure for drawing up estimate documentation and the procedure for determining the cost of resources, the increase in the volume of the estimate itself, the form of which is cumbersome and inconvenient for analyzing interim results. A market analysis of transportation prices and the calculation of the time and cost of delivery is necessary.

Strategy of the Leningrad Region

First Deputy Chairman of the Leningrad Region Construction Committee Evgeny Enokaev recalled that, in accordance with the strategy for the development of the regional construction industry, the task of improving the pricing system has been implemented since 2016.

“The Leningrad Region switched to RIM a little earlier than St. Petersburg – in 2023, due to which we have more facilities built and under construction using the new calculation method. In 2024, 125 positive conclusions were issued using RIM. One facility – the Prosthetics Center in Vsevolozhsk – has already been built, another one – a clinic in Kirovsk – is at the implementation stage.

We expected an increase in the reliability of cost estimates. Were they more reliable? It is difficult to say yet. But, in any case, the introduction of such innovations is associated with the need to improve them at the implementation stages, so RIM continues to develop: the Ministry of Construction of Russia is working to improve regulatory documents, involving the regions. Issues on improving software are being discussed.

Our committee interacts with construction organizations and understands the problems of the industry well. For example, there is a discrepancy in the cost of resources in remote areas of the region. We cannot make decisions at the local level based on situations that are contrary to the regulatory documents of the federal government, but we actively participate in the discussion of the pricing system. Thus, in early February, a round table was held in the Federal Assembly with the participation of the Ministry of Construction and representatives of the regions. We made proposals that were included in the recommendations for development and implementation for the relevant ministries,” said Evgeny Enokaev.

He noted that one of the key elements influencing the formation of a single price and index database in the FGISTSS is the monitoring center, a subordinate body of the executive power of the subjects. In the Leningrad Region, the tasks of monitoring the filling of the FGISTSS, quarterly monitoring of resource prices, and annual calculation of the wages of a first-category worker are assigned to the pricing department in construction. According to him, over the past five years, the growth of industry wages has amounted to about 100 percent. However, today the standard wage is significantly underestimated relative to the actual one. It is expected that this year it will amount to 63,500 rubles and will exceed the figures for the previous year by 38 percent. The next area is providing data for calculating indices based on the current cost of resources in accordance with the nomenclature. Over the past five years, the volume of the nomenclature has increased by 85 percent, and indices are already being issued based on the results of this data.

“The FGISTS database remains low in volume; it has not been possible to increase its volume to 50 percent in five years. In the first quarter of this year, only 34 percent of 800 legal entities engaged in construction activities in the Leningrad Region submitted data. In our opinion, business entities do not have a strong motivation to provide prices for their products. We also made a proposal to strengthen this motivation in the Federation Council. The Ministry of Construction is considering various proposals to increase the database, including a possible expansion of the list of legal entities in the construction community that provide information for the formation of estimated prices. Self-regulatory organizations may be involved in this. The creation of an aggregated resource based on the Unified Information System for collecting prices in automatic mode is also being considered, on the basis of which data on price offers formed based on the results of procurement procedures, that is, from electronic trading platforms, will be collected,” said Evgeny Enokaev.

In his opinion, in the conditions of price volatility, the discussed tasks for improving the pricing system may go beyond the RIM. For example, the introduction of a correct calculation of average industry salaries in the construction sector. In early February, the state announced that the methodology for calculating them would be revised, which is now quite strictly regulated so that the region cannot increase salaries, even if it considers it necessary. In addition, the development of a comprehensive forecast index-deflator by types of objects is being discussed, since the current procedure for determining the initial maximum contract price is based on the conditions of a fixed contract price taking into account the forecast inflation of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, and there is no mechanism for recalculating prices in the conditions of outstripping inflation. It turns out that the current procedure for determining prices in the terms of the contract does not allow contractors to compensate for the resulting difference. The development of a mechanism for automatic indexation of contract prices is also being discussed, that is, the introduction of a mechanism that provides for the possibility of adjusting the contract price in the event of a deviation of actual inflation from the forecast. Optimization of the processes of compensation of expenses not taken into account in the consolidated estimate calculation, which reasonably arose during the implementation of the contract, is also being discussed. For specific decisions, a long way needs to be made, summarized Evgeny Enokaev.

Using RIM is cheaper and more reliable

Pavel Goryachkin

It is too early to draw conclusions, but there are some observations, and the main one shows that most government procurement projects using RIM are cheaper, and the calculations are more reliable, emphasized Pavel Goryachkin, President of the International Public Organization “Union of Estimating Engineers”, Director of the Department of Pricing and Expert-Analytical Work of the Association of Builders of Russia. He emphasized that it is most correct to tie salary calculation not to the first category, but to the actual statistics of accrual of the minimum wage in the region and industry, taking into account the indexation coefficient. For example, in the Leningrad Region, the average minimum accrued salary for October 2024 was 93 thousand rubles, in St. Petersburg – 90 thousand rubles.

“The filling of the FGISTSS is not the main task. Over the year, the live price indicator in it for the Leningrad Region and St. Petersburg has doubled. A year ago, at this conference, we talked about about 647 resources with live prices, today there are 1,200–1,300 of them. The situation is the same in other regions. Considering that there are 64–67 thousand resources in the industry, we will be doubling their number with live prices for more than a decade. Therefore, when drawing up estimates in the absence of a live price, we take the 2022 price and multiply it by the index. But an estimate that is too voluminous and requires a lot of analytical work is a problem,” says Pavel Goryachkin.

He also spoke in detail about the problems of settlements for work performed under the RIM estimate and the changes introduced this year.

With the right approach, the job will become easier

Maxim Shibnev, Director of Development at Inter Group of Companies, expressed confidence that with a skillful approach and the ability to use digital tools, it is possible to significantly facilitate the work of estimators, including estimators.

“There is no shortage of software developers now, but there is a crisis in understanding the subject area, that is, in what a specific specialist who will use the software really needs. For example, it is needed by a designer who must correctly allocate resources. Correctly allocated resources are the basis for correctly allocated production, construction management, material quality assessment, and logistics. During construction, there is a lot of different documentation, and the information system operates with this metadata. Currently, titanic efforts are being made at the state level to collect a large amount of metadata. They are accumulating, but it is not yet clear how they will be used. If automation tools are installed on the basis of this metadata, including estimated cost, then it is possible to significantly facilitate work with routine tasks, while leaving creative expert work to specialists,” said Maxim Shibnev.

He recalled that currently departments of one enterprise cannot exchange information in the information system due to the lack of uniform requirements and classification, a uniform approach. If the same object in the system is called differently, then nothing can be done automatically, especially if you work separately from designers and testing laboratories. Estimators are now starting to enter the digital circuit, but there are still subcontractors without the appropriate competencies.

“As long as there are gaps in the overall information system, bureaucracy, expenses, and dissatisfaction with technology will multiply. Now, together with the Digitalization and Robotization of the Construction Industry consortium, we are developing an approach for a single bus of interaction between participants in the construction process, which will be based on the regulatory requirements of SMART standards, developed by the Codex consortium. In addition, colleagues from JSC IndigoSoft CT have their own developments in the Project Technical Committee (PTC) 711 “Smart (SMART) Standards”, which can become a link in this interaction bus. It is necessary to ensure universal circulation, exchange and processing of data, manage knowledge, simplify and reduce the cost of access to automation systems. Without comprehensive solutions, it is difficult for individual companies to solve this problem,” said Maxim Shibnev.

Successful automation requires quality data

Vitaly Shchukin, General Director for Development of JSC IndigoSoft CT, believes that RIM is a great idea, it combines the need for material and supplier prices. If this is combined, automation will occur.

“Our company has invested a lot of resources to automate various processes, including interaction with suppliers. But this does not work, because high-quality data is needed. How can a neural network help an estimator? To quickly select a product with an up-to-date price. Correctly built automation is the basis for training a neural network. The task of automation is to organize data. But there is no single standardization methodology yet, and this is a problem that companies are trying to cope with as best they can: they create working catalogs, describing materials at their own discretion. In this regard, they cannot interact with the market, where these products are described differently,” explained Vitaly Shchukin.

Problems in product descriptions include incomplete names, missing characteristics, spelling and punctuation errors, noted Vitaly Teplov, product manager at IndigoSoft CT.

“We offer a standard – a unique record according to a template with a set of pricing characteristics. This allows you to get a specific product at current prices in automatic mode by pressing one button, save time on checks and form a high-quality library of materials. It turns out to be an ideal life cycle: the designer adds this standard at the beginning of the design, the estimator selects what is needed, and the buyer knows exactly what he needs to purchase. The catalog is constantly updated,” Vitaly Teplov said.

Nikolay Samopal, Deputy General Director for Development at ZAO WizardSOFT, used specific examples to talk about options for automating the receipt of a statement and an estimate based on it, and passing a state examination.

SPbGASU is ready to provide the necessary personnel

Victoria Vinogradova

Vice-Rector of SPbGASU for Continuing Education Victoria Vinogradova noted that the mass transition to RIM is complicated by changes in the regulatory framework, the need to use information modeling and obtain additional professional competencies.

“Our university trains personnel capable of solving issues related to pricing in the construction industry. The university development program for 2023-2032 meets the specified vectors. It includes, among other things, an ecosystem approach to the implementation of educational activities, digital transformation of curricula, the formation of digital and professional competencies of graduates, an individual educational trajectory, and a flexible learning system. 108 basic educational programs are being implemented in 14 large groups of specialties and areas of training. They have state accreditation, most of them also have professional and public accreditation. Most curricula include the discipline “Estimating in Construction,” the vice-rector said.

According to Victoria Vinogradova, more than 70 percent of graduates find employment in the industry, and the university aims to eliminate the gap between the requirements of educational programs and the needs of the labor market. The expert council at the educational and methodological council of SPbGASU, which includes both graduates and representatives of the real sector of the economy, helps with this. The vice-rector named the practice of targeted training, project-based training, and the implementation of corporate and network programs, within the framework of which the educational organization combines its resources with the employer, as a good way to interact with employers.

“We work within the framework of the concept of continuous education, where the industrial partner is considered as the customer, and the educational organization is considered as the performer. Moreover, this is possible already at the initial stages – in career guidance work in schools and colleges. As part of continuous education and taking into account the digital transformation, we are implementing a number of projects related to information modeling technologies. In 13 schools in St. Petersburg and one school in Yekaterinburg, we are implementing TIM classes, holding a TIM elective for colleges. We attract industrial partners to work with students as part of the TIM championship.

A unique story – complex TIM diploma projects. Students of different specialties, including estimators, jointly complete a diploma project. In addition, the university is conducting scientific research on the formation of a methodology for determining the estimated cost, taking into account the use of digital information models.

Today, any specialist understands that in the course of their professional activity they need to acquire additional competencies. Therefore, we implement additional education. In the field of economics and management, we currently have six additional retraining programs and several advanced training programs. Among the latter is a program that examines RIM issues.

I would like to thank all the conference participants. I am sure that our discussion will significantly help in resolving issues related to the transition to this method,” concluded Victoria Vinogradova.

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: 28 February 2025 Joint News Release New WHO and ITU standard aims to prevent hearing loss among gamers
Source: World Health Organisation

“Everyone can take steps today to ensure good hearing health throughout their life,” said Dr Jérôme Salomon, WHO Assistant Director-General, Universal Health Coverage, Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases. “The WHO/ITU safe listening standard supports governments, manufacturers, civil society, and other stakeholders to foster safe listening environments, so that people of all ages can protect their ears and hearing, and even when playing video games, do not risk hearing loss.”

Video gameplay and esports are rapidly becoming one of the largest entertainment industries worldwide. About 3 billion people play video games on devices such as personal computers, video game consoles, and mobile phones, yet most devices and games lack safe listening features to protect users from harmful noise. However, gamers risk permanent hearing loss from prolonged exposure to loud sounds while gaming or listening to music. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their lower sound tolerance and growing interest in gaming.

Through the provision of information, warnings and safe listening features, the new standard aims to inform video game players of the risk to hearing loss from loud video gameplay activities and raise awareness about how they can practice safe listening.

“As video gaming and esports continue to grow and gamers use a wider array of devices to access their content, safe listening standards are vital to help protect the hearing of users, especially children, from sounds which could damage their hearing,” said Seizo Onoe, Director, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, International Telecommunication Union. “Creating effective technical standards requires collaboration which leverages each other’s strengths. We are grateful to our partners at WHO for their insight and experience advancing safe listening, and are pleased to launch this update on World Hearing Day.”

Standards protect hearing for all types of video game players

The WHO-ITU Global standard on safe listening for video gameplay and esports is designed to protect hearing for all types of video game players, across a wide range of gameplay scenarios and equipment. The standard provides separate guidelines for video gameplay devices (video game consoles, handheld or mobile devices and personal computers, headphones and headsets), and video game software.

For video gameplay devices, the standard recommends:
- Sound allowance tracking to measure the player’s sound exposure.
- Safe listening messages that provide players with information on sound usage, including predictions on when their sound limit will be reached.
- A user-friendly volume control system that can be easily adjusted.
- A “headphone safety mode” that automatically adjusts the volume when a player changes between headphones and loudspeakers.
For video gameplay software titles, the standard recommends:
- Safe listening warnings and messages for players about the risk of hearing loss from loud sounds and prolonged exposure during gameplay activities.
- Independent volume controls for different sound categories, allowing players to adjust levels and mute various sounds within the game.
- Adapting the soundtrack, genre and sound design of each game with safe listening features
- A “headphone safety mode” within the software that is capable of detecting a switch of audio output between headphones and speakers and automatically reduces the volume.
The new standard was developed under WHO’s Make Listening Safe initiative which seeks to improve listening practices especially among young people, drawing on the latest evidence and consultations with a range of stakeholders including experts from WHO, government, industry, consumers, and civil society. 

Notes to editors

About the World Health Organization

Dedicated to the health and well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere, an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. We are the UN agency for health that connects nations, partners and people on the front lines in 150+ locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health issues and expanding access to medicines and health care. Our mission is to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable.

About the International Telecommunication Union

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), driving innovation in ICTs together with 194 Member States and a membership of over 1,000 companies, universities, and international and regional organizations. Established in 1865, it is the intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. From broadband networks to cutting-edge wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, oceanographic and satellite-based earth monitoring as well as converging fixed-mobile phone, Internet and broadcasting technologies, ITU is committed to connecting the world. Learn more: www.itu.int

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MIL OSI United Nations News –
February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China’s State Council completes handling of proposals, suggestions from national lawmakers, political advisors in 2024

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

China’s State Council completes handling of proposals, suggestions from national lawmakers, political advisors in 2024

BEIJING, Feb. 28 — Government departments under China’s State Council have completed the handling of 13,596 suggestions and proposals submitted by national lawmakers and political advisors during the 2024 annual sessions of the country’s national legislature and national political advisory body.

At a press briefing on Friday, Xing Huina, a spokesperson for the State Council Information Office, said that the government departments processed 8,783 suggestions from deputies to the National People’s Congress and 4,813 proposals from members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, all of which have been completed.

Xing said that over 2,000 new policy measures have been introduced based on more than 5,000 suggestions and proposals. Notably, these initiatives have contributed to high-quality economic development, the deepening of reforms across all fronts, the advancement of science and education, rural revitalization and the improvement of public well-being.

MIL OSI China News –

February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Amgen strategic hiring push in India: GlobalData insights on R&D growth and tech integration

Source: GlobalData

Amgen strategic hiring push in India: GlobalData insights on R&D growth and tech integration

Posted in Business Fundamentals

Amgen is expanding its presence in India by ramping up hiring for its new technology and innovation center in Hyderabad. The company aims to strengthen its operations and R&D capabilities by recruiting tech professionals skilled in data analytics, AI, and digital health technologies. This investment highlights Amgen’s commitment to innovation and further solidifies Hyderabad as a key hub for life sciences and technology integration, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Sherla Sriprada, Business Fundamentals Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Amgen’s tech and innovation center in Hyderabad signals a strategic move to enhance its global R&D capabilities. By tapping into India’s thriving tech industry and emphasising on digital transformation, the US biotech major is looking to recruit tech professionals for integrating cutting-edge data analytics, AI, and digital health technologies into its operations.”

An analysis of GlobalData’s Job Analytics Database reveals that Amgen’s hiring strategy in India reflects a strong emphasis on leadership in procurement, technology integration, and data-driven decision-making. The company is focused on developing and implementing innovative strategies for indirect materials procurement, overseeing data analytics governance, and spearheading efforts to improve procurement processes through technology.

Additionally, Amgen is looking for professionals to drive end-to-end technology implementation and integrating new solutions to optimize procurement functions, while also focusing on supplier risk, cost analysis, and demand forecasting.

Moreover, Amgen is prioritizing roles for the Hyderabad office for leading pharmacovigilance activities. The company is actively seeking individuals with expertise in cloud technology and generative AI to drive innovation.

A deep dive into GlobalData’s Company Filings Analytics Database and News Database also reveals that the company announced a $200 million investment in the newly opened technology and innovation center in Hyderabad. The company is focusing on driving efficiencies and prioritizing resources. This includes leveraging both automation and newly established innovation and technology hub in India to enhance digital capabilities, such as artificial intelligence, data science, life science, and medical advancements.

Sriprada concludes: “The recent job postings, along with media reports on potential investment, not only suggest the company’s commitment to expanding its global footprint and enhancing its capabilities in India.”

MIL OSI Economics –

February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Director of the Ministry of Education and Science Department Andrey Tolmachev visited the Polytechnic and gave an interview to students

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

Andrey Tolmachev, Director of the Department of Information Policy and Comprehensive Security of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, paid a working visit to the Polytechnic University.

At a meeting with SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy, the head of the Ministry of Education and Science Department discussed the details of the All-Russian conference on university security planned for the near future, one of the tracks of which will be held at the Polytechnic University. The negotiations were attended by Vice-Rector for Information Technology Andrey Lyamin, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Communication Technologies Maxim Pasholikov, Vice-Rector for Security Alexander Airapetyan and Head of the Public Relations Department Marianna Dyakova.

In the research building of Technopolis Polytech, the rector of SPbPU, using a model of the university campus as an example, told Andrey Tolmachev about the university’s development prospects. Andrey Anatolyevich also visited the Polytech TV studio and gave an interview to the student media center “Polymer”.

The guys were interested in the details of the media forum, which was held as part of the media relay race “17 Values of Russia”, for the opening of which Andrey Tolmachev came to St. Petersburg. The participants of the event were students from ten St. Petersburg universities, including the Polytechnic University. The theme of the St. Petersburg forum is the value of “Life”. Over the course of two days, representatives of student media attend lectures and master classes by experts in media, healthcare, ethics, philosophy, charity, participate in panel discussions and themselves come up with and create social videos and posters about the value of life. The authors of the best works will be determined by representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia and the Institute of Internet Development. The winner will go to the student media rally.

Answering the question from Polimer, “Do you think that student media can become a key platform for discussing traditional values among young people?”, Andrei Tolmachev emphasized that it is the young people themselves who should promote traditional values among young people.

“The goal of the media relay is for the kids to experience the values of Russia, understand what they are, translate them into the language of their generation and broadcast their views to the masses through visual content,” Andrey Anatolyevich explained. “And our experts help them with this: some of them show how to shoot videos and write scripts, while others teach them to think about what life is and how to live it.”

Andrey Tolmachev believes that the media relay has already achieved its goal from the day it started — hundreds of universities and thousands of students have united across the country. The first forum was held on Russian Student Day at the V. Dahl Luhansk State University. It was dedicated to the value of “Service to the Fatherland and Responsibility for Its Fate.” After St. Petersburg, Ufa will take up the baton, where the forum’s theme will be the value of “High Moral Ideals.”

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK’s global science and tech ambitions refreshed under new banner
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

UK’s global science and tech ambitions refreshed under new banner

Worldwide team championing UK science and tech partnership as a force for good, to be re-launched as the Science and Technology Network.
Science and Technology Network launched.

Worldwide team championing UK science and tech partnership as a force for good, to be re-launched as the Science and Technology Network

Network already has over 130 staff in 65 locations globally, building partnerships around the science and tech innovations set to make us collectively healthier, wealthier, more resilient and secure in support of the Plan for Change

Science Minister welcomes Network’s re-launch alongside leaders from across research, academia and business

The UK’s global team for forging the international collaboration and championing the power of British science and tech expertise to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems– from clean energy to health – will be refreshed under a new banner, as officially unveiled by the Science Minister in Whitehall on Thursday 27 February.

The Science and Technology Network (STN) will be the new name for the former Science and Innovation Network: a 130-strong team based in 65 locations worldwide, with a mission to forge deeper international partnerships on science and technology, and seek new opportunities for British sci-tech pioneers in support of the Plan for Change.

The network’s new name reflects the circumstances we now live in, where breakthrough technologies like AI, quantum, and engineering biology hold enormous potential for tackling environmental and social challenges and unlocking economic growth. In a fast-changing global landscape, now more than ever we need to pool the bright talent and big ideas that are needed to harness these emerging technologies for good, at home and abroad.

Recent announcements like the AI Opportunities Action Plan clearly show the government’s domestic ambitions for harnessing the power of technology to improve people’s lives, but these aspirations are not solely inward-facing. The UK wants to work with international partners to share expertise, unlock investment, and deliver transformational benefits for communities in the UK and around the world.

UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said:

Britain is stronger when it works together with others and nowhere is that more true than when it comes to science and technology. Genius is not bound by geography, and by building international ties, we stand the best chance of developing new ideas and breakthroughs to solve the toughest challenges that all societies face.

The UK has a long track record as a global leader, when it comes to research and innovation. We are uniquely placed to convene international work that brings scientific expertise to bear on improving health, adoption clean sources of energy, and more. It is only right that we put the critically important role of technology, at the centre of those efforts.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister Catherine West said:

The UK harnesses cutting-edge technology to tackle the world’s toughest challenges, from the climate crisis to the threat of pandemics.

With staff based in 65 locations, the newly-named Science and Technology Network will help us forge global partnerships and galvanise scientific expertise, to enhance security and growth around the world.

Lord Vallance will speak to an audience of researchers, academics and business leaders at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, this evening – which also marks the Network’s 25th anniversary. He will be joined by FCDO’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Charlotte Watts, as they welcome the Network’s new name and to emphasise the importance of its ongoing work.

Some examples of STN wins include UK-Danish work in the Arctic that could be crucial to our understanding of climate change, the establishment of the UK-Japan Semiconductors Partnership, and a UK-USA partnership that is bringing the massive potential of quantum technologies to bear in health and life sciences.

The Network has also supported the delivery of potentially lifesaving research as overseas aid, ranging from work tackling the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil, to a project trying to better forecast devastating typhoons in South-East Asia.

The Science and Technology Network has 3 objectives:

promoting UK science, technology and innovation excellence and leadership globally

actively building and facilitating science, technology and innovation collaborations

providing insight on science and technology trends and opportunities

Through its work, the Network aims to build international partnerships that can help seize the opportunities and mitigate the risks arising from critical and emerging technologies, as well as tackling the climate crisis and improving health.

Sir Mark Walport, Vice President and Foreign Secretary of the Royal Society, said:

Maintaining the position of the UK as a global leader in science, engineering and technology is essential for the UK’s long-term prosperity and international standing. Furthermore, diplomacy in support of science is at the heart of the development of international policies and collaboration to address issues such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, pandemics and food security. The Science and Technology Network’s team of diplomats and civil servants will play an extremely important role in support of these aims.

Professor Christopher Smith, UK Research and Innovation’s International Champion, said:

The rebrand of The Science and Technology Network is a reflection of its evolving role in fostering global research and innovation partnerships.

The network has been instrumental in strengthening the UK’s position as a world leader in science, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to drive international research excellence, support innovation-led growth, and tackle global challenges together across all disciplines and sectors.

Maddalaine Ansell, Director Education, British Council, said:

International collaboration in science and technology is critical if we are to overcome global challenges. The UK, which is ranked 3rd in the world for producing highly cited research outputs, must be part of the global effort. Playing our full part will also reinforce and further expand the UK’s reputation both for excellence in science and as a force for good in the global community. The Science & Technology Network is an important enabler of UK activity on the global stage, supporting the UK’s scientific community to develop stable and lasting partnerships with peers around the world.

Jamie Arrowsmith, Director of Universities UK International, said:

UK universities have a long-standing relationship with the Network, and our members get immense value from their in-country expertise, insight, and intelligence. This rebranding reflects the dynamic and evolving landscape of science and technology, and we believe it will further enhance the network’s ability to drive international collaboration and deliver on global and technological challenges.

Universities UK International is committed to fostering a globally collaborative higher education environment where research, science, and technology can thrive. We look forward to continuing to work with the Science and Technology Network to advance these shared goals.

Beth Thompson, Executive Director Policy and Partnerships, Wellcome, said:

Science and technology are pillars of the UK’s diplomatic work. We welcome the government’s recognition of the Science and Technology Network’s (STN) newly invigorated and invaluable role, fostering global partnerships that tackle shared challenges, and unlock new opportunities for collaboration.

The UK has a world-class research sector, but progress is not achieved in isolation – it thrives on international cooperation. We have seen first-hand the value of the Network in helping us build relationships across the globe that are critical to advancing research. The refreshed STN will be instrumental in strengthening these international partnerships, ensuring science and technology continue to deliver a healthier, more prosperous future for the UK and the world.

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Published 28 February 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
February 28, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace are under attack. Here’s why they matter more than ever

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gemma Hamilton, Senior Lecturer, RMIT University

Jacob Lund/Shutterstock

As International Women’s Day approaches, we must redouble our efforts to champion social justice and the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). These are under unprecedented attack by some political leaders.

In the United States, President Donald Trump has recently dismantled DEI measures, claiming they are wasteful and discriminatory. Without evidence, he even blamed diversity hirings for a deadly collision between a military helicopter and a passenger plane that killed 67 people.

In Australia, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is echoing a similar agenda with his criticism of “culture, diversity and inclusion” positions in the public service.

We must resist attempts to tear down all the progress that has been made and remind ourselves of the many good reasons why we pursue DEI in the workplace.

Women, racial minorities, people with disability and others continue to face barriers to equal opportunities at work. Too often, they remain excluded from leadership and decision-making roles.

Defending diversity

Given the assault on DEI measures, it is worth restating why they are so important to a truly inclusive modern workplace.

DEI initiatives work to address obstacles and correct disadvantages so everyone has a fair chance of being hired, promoted and paid, regardless of their personal characteristics.

They ensure every person has a genuinely equal chance of access to social goods. They can be seen as “catch up” mechanisms, recognising that we don’t all start our working lives on an equal footing.

Gender equality initiatives address discrimination, stereotypes and structural barriers that disadvantage people on the basis of their gender.

These initiatives call into question the idea of “merit-based” hiring, which often disguises the invisible biases which are held by many people in power – for example, against someone of a particular gender.

Australia’s story

In Australia, we have a mixed story to tell when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion.

The federal workplace gender laws require companies with more than 100 employees to report annually on gender equality indicators, including pay gaps and workforce composition.

DEI initiatives are already being dismantled in the United States.
Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

In Victoria, the Gender Equality Act 2020
promotes “positive action” to improve gender equality in higher education, local government and the public sector, which covers around 11% of the total state workforce.

Despite these laws, Australia is behind on gender equality indicators compared to other countries such as Iceland, Norway and New Zealand. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap report, Australia is ranked 26th out of 146 countries, albeit a step up from 54th in 2021.

The report shows continuing and significant gender gaps, particularly regarding women’s representation in various industries such as science and political leadership.

Increased recognition

But in a cross section of fields, including politics, sports, medicine, media and academia there have been positive changes. Gender equality is being promoted through a wide range of initiatives that seek to push back against centuries of patriarchal dominance.

Workplace policies around paid parental leave, flexible working arrangements, part-time work, breastfeeding and anti-discrimination are part of the broader agenda to make workplaces more inclusive for women, gender-diverse people and working parents.

Many workplaces accommodate the needs of working mothers.
Jacob Lund/Shutterstock

While many would not consider these improvements specific diversity initiatives, they are clear examples of the ways in which workplaces now recognise the different needs of women and working mothers.

Today, we see more women in the workplace and in positions of leadership across sectors.

But as feminist Sara Ahmed has noted, it is often the marginalised employees who carry the burden of doing all the “diversity work” in the workplace.

Diversity becomes work for those who are not accommodated by an existing system.

Redoubling efforts

Despite the welcome advances made, inequalities persist in the workplace.

We recognise many in positions of power are not willing (or able) to acknowledge their own privileged positions. Therefore they do not see the barriers that exist for others.

Social justice will not simply be gifted by those in power.

Given the challenging political climate, it is more important than ever that we continue to strive for gender equality – rather than simply uphold the status quo.

Gemma Hamilton receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC).

Nicola Henry receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) and Google. She is also a member of the Australian eSafety Commissioner’s Expert Advisory Group.

Bess Schnioffsky 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. Diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace are under attack. Here’s why they matter more than ever – https://theconversation.com/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-workplace-are-under-attack-heres-why-they-matter-more-than-ever-250651

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Productivity Commission appointment

Source: Australian Treasurer

The Government has agreed to recommend to the Governor‑General, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, the appointment of Dr Angela Jackson as a full‑time Social Policy Commissioner to the Productivity Commission (PC), for a five‑year period.

This is a key appointment for one of Australia’s key economic institutions.

Driving productivity and higher living standards is a Government priority, and to do that we need the highest calibre of Commissioners at the PC.

Dr Jackson is the Lead Economist at Impact Economics and Policy. She has been a part‑time Commissioner of the Commonwealth Grants Commission, a Member of the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee and Chair of the Women in Economics Network that works to build the pipeline of female Australian economists.

Dr Jackson was part of the independent panel that reviewed the Commonwealth Government’s response to the COVID‑19 pandemic and was also a Board Member and Chair of the Finance Committee at Royal Melbourne Hospital.

She has also held senior economic advisory roles for the Commonwealth Government.

Dr Jackson holds a PhD in Health Economics from Monash University and a Masters in International Health Policy (Health Economics) from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

This proposed appointment would continue the high level of skills and experience within the PC, to help ensure its continued high‑quality research and advice on the key sectors of our economy.

If appointed, Dr Jackson’s work at the PC will make a key contribution to the five pillars of the Government’s productivity agenda to build a more productive Australia.

MIL OSI News –

February 28, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Nangs are popular with young people. But are they aware of the serious harms of nitrous oxide?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julaine Allan, Professor, Mental Health and Addiction, Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University

Lenscap Photography/Shutterstock

Nitrous oxide – also known as laughing gas or nangs – is cheap, widely available and popular among young people.

Yet it often flies under the radar in public health programs and education settings. For example, it’s not included in the drug education curriculum in Australian schools.

In our new study, we spoke to young people (aged 18 to 25) who have used nitrous oxide. We found they were are unaware of its risks – even when they reported symptoms such as “brain fog” and seizures.

What is nitrous oxide?

Nitrous oxide is regularly used for sedation and pain relief in dentistry and childbirth.

The gas, which has no colour or flavour, is also used recreationally and is known as nangs, nos, whippits and balloons.

In fact, nitrous oxide has been used to get intoxicated since its creation in 1722, and wasn’t used in surgery until 1842. It can create a feeling of dissociation from the body, changes in perception and euphoria. This lasts about one minute.

In Australia, nitrous oxide is cheap and accessible. This is because the gas is also used in baking, for example to whip cream.

So, while it’s not legal to sell nitrous oxide for recreational use, the canisters or “bulbs” are widely available online via 24-hour delivery services.

People usually discharge the gas into a balloon or a whipped cream dispenser and then inhale. Nitrous oxide is intensely cold – minus 40 degrees Celsius.

People inhale the gas using a balloon.
Ink Drop/Shutterstock

How common is it?

We still don’t have much data about who uses nitrous oxide and how often. Compared to other drugs, there is minimal research on its recreational use.

However researchers believe it is becoming more common globally, especially among young people.

For example, in 2022, nitrous oxide was the second-most used controlled substance among 16–24 year olds in the United Kingdom after cannabis.

In January 2023, the Netherlands banned the sale and possession of nitrous oxide after 1,800 road accidents, including 63 fatal crashes, were linked to the drug in a three-year period.

The Global Drug Survey reported a doubling in nitrous oxide use between 2015 and 2021, from 10% of respondents to 20%. But this voluntary survey is not representative of all people who use drugs. While it is an indication of people’s nitrous oxide use, the picture remains patchy.

What are the health risks?

Nitrous oxide is not the most harmful drug people can use but that doesn’t make it safe.

Inhaling nitrous oxide has short-term health risks, including:
- cold burns from the gas
- injuries from falling over
- nausea and dizziness.
Using a lot of nitrous oxide at one time can result in passing out (from lack of oxygen) and seizures. Calling an ambulance is necessary if this happens.

Longer-term health problems may include:
- vitamin B12 loss (causing numbness of hands and feet and eventually paralysis)
- urinary incontinence
- strokes
- memory loss
- mental health conditions, including depression and psychosis.
The availability of much larger canisters (including flavoured varieties) is also linked to an increase in significant harms. These can deliver roughly 70 times the amount of nitrous oxide as traditional small canisters.

Larger bulbs allow people to consume more of the gas at one time and they often experience health problems more quickly as a result.

However, there is still limited knowledge about nitrous oxide in the health system. This means its health risks are often compounded because it is overlooked by those assessing medical conditions and because people deny using it.

Large gas canisters mean people consume a lot more nitrous oxide in one go.
joshua snow/Shutterstock

Our research

During the first stage of our 2025 Australian study, we interviewed seven young people (aged 18 to 25) who had used nitrous oxide at least ten times.

While the number of interviewees was small, the stories they told were very similar.

They were either unaware of, or unconcerned about, the drug’s potential risks. This is despite their own experiences of psychological and physical problems.

They reported becoming unconscious, getting burns from the gas on their hands and faces, sores around the mouth and even having seizures.

Of particular concern to us was use before driving because people did not recognise the lingering effects of the gas on concentration.

Our study participants also spoke about “memory zaps” or “brain fog”. Regular use of nitrous oxide affected people’s ability to participate in work and study, with some saying it was also bad for their mental health.

These thinking problems are a concerning side effect. Yet it’s one that has not been adequately investigated.

The role of social media

Videos of young people using nitrous oxide can easily be found on social media. This not only points to its popularity but suggests social media could be a good place to reach young people with information about the drug and harm reduction.

In the second stage of our research we worked with 30 young people who used nitrous oxide to co-create harm reduction resources.

As a group, we developed videos, photos and text for
our nitrous oxide specific social media accounts on Tik Tok and Instagram and for posts on various sub-reddits.

These describe ways to use the drug more safely. For example the “take a breath” messaging suggests breathing the nitrous oxide in for only ten seconds at a time to ensure enough oxygen. “Take a seat” advises sitting down while using nangs, to avoid injuries from falling.

Julaine Allan receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aging to conduct research on substance use and mental health programs. She has received funding in the past from other state and commonwealth departments and entities for research.

Helen Simpson, Jacqui Cameron, and Kenny Kor 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. Nangs are popular with young people. But are they aware of the serious harms of nitrous oxide? – https://theconversation.com/nangs-are-popular-with-young-people-but-are-they-aware-of-the-serious-harms-of-nitrous-oxide-250654
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: NSU Master’s students took part in the “Forum of Future Technologies”

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

The forum has been held at the initiative of the President of Russia since 2023. This year, it was attended by about 1,800 people from the fields of science, technology, politics and business from all over Russia. Among them are master’s degree students Physics Department of NSU, employees of the Institute of Hydrodynamics named after. M.A. Lavrentyeva Alexander Paraskun and Artur Asylkaev.

The forum’s business program included 37 sessions. The key event of the forum was the plenary session with the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

— The level of development of materials science is a kind of marker of the level of technology of the country as a whole. Thus, for the synthesis of superheavy elements with numbers 119 and 120, accelerator targets based on intermetallic compounds of berkelium-249 and californium and curium, respectively, are needed. The discovery of new elements expands our knowledge of matter, and it is important to note that it was in our country that the element with atomic number 118, related to inert gases, was synthesized, but its properties are very different from other representatives of the group, — said Alexander Paraskun, a master’s student at the Physics Department of NSU.

NSU representatives took part in several panel discussions in their fields.

— Several panel discussions were taking place in parallel, so we visited the most interesting and closest to our specialty. Important topics were discussed at the session “Nature-like technologies: restoring the balance between the biosphere and the technosphere”. Biologization of the technosphere is one of the tasks of the century. However, without understanding how nature works at the molecular level, we will not be able to create nature-like technologies, which is exactly what megascience research facilities are needed for, — noted Alexander Paraskun.

For two days, the forum featured an exhibition where high-tech companies from all over the country presented their innovative developments. These included titanium products, including those used in the medical field, plant growth stimulants, and 3D-printed intervertebral disc prostheses. Projects created using artificial intelligence were also presented.

— Visiting the Future Technologies Forum is like looking into tomorrow. Here, ideas turn into projects, and an ordinary conversation can become the beginning of something grand. One of the key topics of discussion was innovative materials. For example, materials with extreme characteristics open up wide opportunities for increasing the efficiency of devices in such areas as energy, transport, aircraft engine building and space technologies. Their unique ability to withstand extreme conditions — high temperatures, pressure, mechanical loads and aggressive chemical environments — makes them indispensable for creating more reliable and efficient solutions, — shared his impressions Artur Asylaev, a master’s student at the NSU Physics Department.

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 28, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Yes, paper straws suck. Rather than bring back plastic ones, let’s avoid single-use items

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bhavna Middha, ARC DECRA Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University

Dragon Images/Shutterstock

When US President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to return to plastic straws, claiming the paper version is ineffective and “disgustingly dissolves in your mouth”, he was widely criticised for setting back efforts to reduce plastic pollution. But many alternatives designed to help phase out single-use plastics don’t really solve the problem at all.

It’s not unusual to see plastic bans challenged or overturned. However, a government ban on the substitute is altogether new.

It’s true paper straws can disintegrate and become soggy before we finish a drink. Problems with finding viable substitutes to single-use plastics is one of the many challenges involved in phasing them out.

Sometimes, swapping one single-use item for another really is more trouble than it’s worth. A better approach would be to change our society’s single-use and disposal mindset.

The problem with plastic

Plastic pollution is an urgent problem for the environment and human health. Microplastics are everywhere, from Antarctica to our brains.

Plastic is made from fossil fuels, and so contributes to global warming. What’s more, plastic production is forecast to triple by 2050.

But recycling is difficult. Less than 10% of the world’s plastic has been recycled.

So we need to reduce our use of plastic in the first place, rather than trying to clean it up afterwards.

Substituting plastic straws for paper still involves using virgin materials.
JeniFoto/Shutterstock

Poor substitutes and other traps

Trump rejected paper straws, saying they “don’t work” as well as plastic straws. The poor consumer experience of drinking through a soggy straw is one thing, but there are other problems too.

Swapping one problematic or hazardous material for another is sometimes called “regrettable substitution”, because the replacement has its own issues. For example, one harmful chemical used to make plastics is often replaced with others that are as bad or worse.

Paper straws, like paper cups, are often coated with plastics such as polyethylene or acrylic resin. This makes them difficult to recycle but also raises the risk of pollution. Some paper straws have been shown to contain more “forever chemicals” (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS) than plastic.

Along with paper, other plant-based materials such as corn starch and bamboo are increasingly replacing single-use plastics – especially in food packaging. These substitutes carry a cost that is passed down to consumers, and many are more expensive to produce than plastic.

Some are labelled “compostable” or “biodegradable”. The term compostable suggests they will break down in home compost heaps or green waste bins, but that has been called into question.

Unfortunately, the term “biodegradable” does not necessarily mean a material will break down in home compost, or even landfill. It may require heat or pressure – in an industrial setting – for it to disintegrate enough to be harmless or safely used on your garden.

When it comes to straws, paper, bamboo, metal and glass have all been adopted as substitutes. Metal and glass straws could be dangerous for kids and less able-bodied people. They can also be hard to clean. Again, “biodegradable plastic” products have been accused of greenwashing and have been banned from organic composting bins in New South Wales and potentially Victoria because they don’t disintegrate well or are contaminated.

Meanwhile, thicker plastic bags labelled “reusable” have been introduced following bans on lightweight “single-use” plastic bags. While these durable bags may be reused for months at a time, they will eventually wear out and then they are even harder to break down in landfill.

Plastic bans can be problematic

Governments all over the world have attempted to ban single-use plastic. Often these bans are introduced without considering how the products are used in daily life and how those services will be replaced. The changes may disadvantage certain groups and new supply chains need to be created.

Often, governments wanting to be seen as protecting the environment target the low-hanging fruit such as plastic straws and plastic bags, rather than packaging as a whole.

So it’s no surprise these bans have faced opposition. Many have already been repealed or diluted.

In India, for example, the plastic ban was criticised for shifting the burden of waste management away from larger, more polluting industries on to smaller businesses. Larger establishments were also accused of passing the costs of substitute packaging, such as more expensive paper and cloth, to consumers.

Better to avoid single-use items

It’s time to stop searching for the perfect substitute. Let’s instead focus on getting rid of single-use items altogether.

Remember, straws were originally used for very specific cases and places: very young children and others unable to drink straight from a cup. They might still need straws.

Single-use bottles are unnecessary. We should learn from Germany’s glass bottle reuse system and set up circular loops of production and distribution.

Get serious about reducing plastic packaging

While some packaging – even some plastics – is needed for food safety and freshness, an overhaul of unnecessary packaging would go a long way.

In the United Kingdom, anti-waste charity WRAP examined fresh produce in supermarkets and called for the government to ban packaging on 21 fruits and vegetables sold in supermarkets by 2030. These included cucumbers, bananas and potatoes.

Removing unnecessary packaging and plastics involves reconfiguring social rules, knowledge, standards and expectations such as making items without packaging affordable and widely available. We must challenge our disposable society by creating spaces and practices that allow reuse.

Better policies and regulations

Policies that prevent plastics from reaching consumers in the first place would be better than bans on single-use items.

Governments should put the onus on the corporations that have profited from plastic and their role in plastic pollution.

Supermarkets and the food industry as a whole must also take responsibility for their part in the plastic waste problem.

Voluntary codes have not worked. Government regulation levels the playing field, but industry expertise and technical and social knowledge is needed to ensure systems work. While not without its challenges, Australia’s tyre recycling system has addressed many similar issues. The scheme’s approach to developing a national market for used tyres could be replicated for plastics, packaging and glass.

Meaningful change for our environment and health requires government regulations done well and fairly. It also requires coordinated waste infrastructure and industry practices that build on technical expertise and consumers’ lived experience.

Bhavna Middha receives funding from the Australian Research Council through the Discovery Early Career Research Award.

Ralph Horne receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) and a range of industry and government partners from time to time, to support research activities relevant to this article. In particular, he is a Chief Investigator on the ARC Research Hub Transformation of Reclaimed Waste Resources to Engineered Materials and Solutions for a Circular Economy (TREMS).

Kajsa Lundberg 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. Yes, paper straws suck. Rather than bring back plastic ones, let’s avoid single-use items – https://theconversation.com/yes-paper-straws-suck-rather-than-bring-back-plastic-ones-lets-avoid-single-use-items-250266

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Scientific readings “Worlds of the Russian intelligentsia in the 20th century: profession, society, power” took place

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

The scientific readings “Worlds of the Russian intelligentsia in the 20th century: profession, society, power”, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of the honorary professor of the Novosibirsk State University Varlen Lvovich Soskin (1925-2021), took place at Novosibirsk State University on February 26. The readings were attended by scientists from Novosibirsk, Omsk and Tomsk state universities, Novosibirsk State University of Economics and Law, several institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Institute of History and Archaeology of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Among those present were numerous students and former colleagues of the scientist. Also present at the event were V.L. Soskin’s relatives – daughter Marina Guseva, as well as granddaughter Maria and great-granddaughter Anna.

Moderator of the readings, candidate of historical sciences, associate professor Vladimir Mindolin noted that Varlen Soskin was always characterized by attention to detail and the ability to make strong logical generalizations, for which his colleagues highly valued him. As a humanities scholar, he organically fit into the life of Akademgorodok: at a time when disputes raged between “physicists” and “lyricists”, strong friendly relations connected him with mathematicians, physicists and representatives of natural sciences. Varlen Soskin did a lot to ensure that humanities scholars integrated into the complex scientific environment of the newly created Akademgorodok. He also actively participated in educational activities and was distinguished by outstanding organizational skills.

Rector of NSU, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Mikhail Fedoruk said that Varlen Soskin’s students carefully preserve his memory. NSU initiated a great deal of significant research in the field of humanities, which received all-Union, and then all-Russian and world recognition.

— Varlen Lvovich was the first full-time employee of the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences working in the field of history — he was hired on February 1, 1959, when NSU had not yet opened — the first lecture at our university took place only on September 28 of the same year. From the very beginning, Varlen Soskin linked his life with teaching at NSU, where he had a large number of students. Under his scientific supervision, 37 young scientists defended their candidate dissertations. His influence on the development of the humanitarian direction at the university and in Akademgorodok was enormous. In addition, he was strong in spirit, lived a long life, a significant part of which was associated with the war period, which was reflected in his memoirs and recollections of the times when he was a cadet at the Rostov Military School, and right up to the Great Patriotic War. The scientific readings we are opening today are further evidence that this man was loved, respected and will always be remembered at our university. His memory will live on in his many students, noted Mikhail Fedoruk.

Participants in the readings recalled that Varlen Soskin, along with historian, academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences, professor Alexey Okladnikov, was one of the founders of humanitarian research at the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences (now the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). The professor’s students call the subject of his research “explosive” for the Soviet era. He viewed the intelligentsia not as a social stratum, but as the most important social force. Varlen Soskin discussed the fate of the intelligentsia and the cultural policy of the state with the maximum amount of freethinking allowed at that time. Each of his articles and especially his books caused a furor. The entire university attended his lectures, the students loved him, and his colleagues recognized that it was precisely such teachers who determined the university’s noosphere.

Chairman of the Committee on Traditions of the Union of the NSU Graduates Association “NSU Union”, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Sergei Netesov emphasized that the traditions that Varlen Soskin brought to NSU are still alive and well.

– Varlen Leonidovich made a significant contribution to the development of our university and became its legend. The traces he left in the history of Siberia, in the history of NSU, in the history of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences will never be overgrown, they remained in many historical testimonies, – said Sergei Netesov.

Director of the Humanities Institute of NSU, Professor Andrey Zuyev noted that Varlen Soskin was one of the organizers of humanitarian education at the university, under his scientific supervision 131 students of the Humanities Faculty and then the Humanities Institute wrote and defended their final qualification works. Many of them later became doctors of science, now make a significant contribution to the development of science and occupy quite serious positions in various fields of science and education.

Director of the Institute of History of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Historical Sciences Vadim Rynkov shared his memories of Varlen Soskin’s lectures and admitted that during his student years he underestimated them, citing the differences between the generations of teachers and students.

— Varlen Lvovich probably felt the age difference between him and the students, and each year he gave us a little less of the main material, and told us a little more about himself and his life experience. Only many years later I began to understand how important it was. Nowadays, studying not only the history of science, but also scientific everyday life is very widespread. And he passed on the history of this everyday life of science to us. Varlen Lvovich was a unique person, a bright representative of Siberian, Akademgorodok science, — said Vadim Rynkin and showed the audience Varlen Soskin’s personnel file, which is kept at the Institute of History of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. At the same time, he noted that this is the bureaucratic side of the biography of the honorary professor, but, in addition, it is also a unique source of information from the history of scientific everyday life.

In the memorial part of the readings, the chief researcher of the sector of history of social and economic development of the Institute of History of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Sergei Krasilnikov presented a substantive presentation “Varlen Lvovich Soskin: the life of a scientist, organizer of science, mentor”. There was also a presentation of the book “From the personal perspective of the fate of a historian: on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Professor Varlen Lvovich Soskin”. A specialized issue of the electronic scientific journal of the Institute of History of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences “Historical Courier” was presented, dedicated to this significant date. The opening of the exhibition “Life as a Vocation” prepared by the staff of the Museum of History of NSU took place.

The scientific readings were held within the framework of two sections: “After the Empire: Intellectual Labor in Early Soviet Society: People, Ideas, Fates” and “Scientists and Power: Role in the Development and Implementation of Large Scientific and Technical Projects”. The reports were heard from scientists from NSU, the Institute of Economics and Industrial Organization of the SB RAS, the A.P. Ershov Institute of Informatics Systems of the SB RAS, the Institute of History of the SB RAS, Tomsk State University, the Historical Archive of the Omsk Region, the Institute of History and Archaeology of the Ural Branch of the RAS, and the Novosibirsk State University of Economics and Law. Various topics were considered: continuity and gaps in intellectual activity, Tomsk University in the era of transformations of the early Soviet period, the struggle to preserve university autonomy, the role of scientists in the field of theory and practice of domestic planning, and the adaptation of the intelligentsia to the conditions of Siberian exile in the 1920s.

Reference:

Varlen Lvovich Soskin is a participant in the Great Patriotic War: a cadet of the artillery school (1943-1944), fought in the active army (1944-1945), was wounded. He graduated from the history department of Leningrad State University (1952) and completed his postgraduate studies at the Novosibirsk State Pedagogical Institute (1956) under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. P. D. Chaplik. Candidate of Historical Sciences (1957); dissertation topic: “The role of the city’s patronage over the village in the CPSU’s struggle to strengthen the alliance of the working class and the peasantry during the recovery period (1921-1925)”. Doctor of Historical Sciences (1969); dissertation topic: “Cultural construction in Siberia (1917-1923)”. Senior Researcher (1962). Associate Professor (1966). Professor (1970). Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation (1997). Honored Worker of Higher Education of the Russian Federation (2012). Honorary Professor of NSU (2012).

He worked in general education institutions and universities in Kemerovo and Novosibirsk (1952–1959). Since 1959, he has been an employee of the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences / Russian Academy of Sciences: senior research fellow of the Standing Commission on Social Sciences of the Presidium of the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences (since 1959); senior research fellow of the Department of Humanities Research at the Institute of Economics and Industrial Organization (since 1961); senior research fellow (since 1967), head of the sector for the history of cultural construction (1970–1995), chief research fellow (1995–2012) of the Institute of History, Philology and Philosophy / Institute of History.

He worked at NSU part-time since 1964. One of the founders of historical training at the Faculty of Humanities. Associate Professor (1964–1969), Professor (1969–2017) of the Department of History of the USSR/Russian History.

State awards: Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd class, medals “For Courage”, “For Victory over Germany”, “For the Capture of Königsberg”, “For Valiant Labor”, etc.

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: A STEM strategy for Sweden – from preschool to postgraduate study

Source: Government of Sweden

Minister for Education Johan Pehrson has now presented the Government’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) strategy. The strategy contains objectives to strengthen STEM education in Sweden. A new STEM delegation will also work to get more people studying in those fields.

MIL OSI Europe News –

February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: University Research – SMART Researchers Pioneer First-of-its-Kind Nanosensor for Real-Time Iron Detection in Plants
Source: Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)

This is the first nanosensor capable of simultaneously detecting and differentiating between two different forms of iron, Fe(II) and Fe(III), in living plants with high spatial and temporal resolution

This innovation enables real-time, non-destructive iron tracking within plant tissues across different plant species, optimising plant nutrient management, reducing fertiliser waste, and improving crop health

The new nanosensor also has potential applications beyond agriculture, in environmental monitoring, food safety, and health sciences, particularly in studying iron metabolism, iron deficiency, iron-related diseases in humans and animals.

Singapore, 28 February 2025 – Researchers from the Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (DiSTAP) interdisciplinary research group (IRG) of Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore, in collaboration with Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), have developed a groundbreaking near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent nanosensor capable of simultaneously detecting and differentiating between iron forms – Fe(II) and Fe(III) – in living plants.

Iron is crucial for plant health, supporting photosynthesis, respiration, and enzyme function. It primarily exists in two forms: Fe(II), which is readily available for plants to absorb and use, and Fe(III), which must first be converted into Fe(II) before plants can utilise it effectively. Traditional methods only measure total iron, missing the distinction between these forms – a key factor in plant nutrition. Distinguishing between Fe(II) and Fe(III) provides insights into iron uptake efficiency, helps diagnose deficiencies or toxicities, and enables precise fertilisation strategies in agriculture, reducing waste and environmental impact while improving crop productivity.

This first-of-its-kind nanosensor by SMART researchers enables real-time, non-destructive monitoring of iron uptake, transport, and changes between its different forms, such as Fe(II) and Fe(III) – providing precise and detailed observations of iron dynamics. Its high spatial resolution allows precise localisation of iron in plant tissues or subcellular compartments, enabling the measuring of even minute changes in iron levels within plants – these minute changes can inform how a plant handles stress and uses nutrients.

DiSTAP researchers develop sensors for rapid iron detection and monitoring in plants, enabling precision agriculture and sustainable crop management. Credit: SMART DiSTAP

Traditional detection methods are destructive or limited to a single form of iron. This new technology enables the diagnosis of deficiencies and optimisation of fertilisation strategies. By identifying insufficient or excessive iron intake, adjustments can be made to enhance plant health, reduce waste, and support more sustainable agriculture. While the nanosensor was tested on spinach and bok choy, it is species-agnostic, allowing it to be applied across a diverse range of plant species without genetic modification. This capability enhances our understanding of iron dynamics in various ecological settings, providing comprehensive insights into plant health and nutrient management. As a result, it serves as a valuable tool for both fundamental plant research and agricultural applications, supporting precision nutrient management, reducing fertiliser waste, and improving crop health.

“Iron is essential for plant growth and development, but monitoring its levels in plants has been a challenge. This breakthrough sensor is the first of its kind to detect both Fe(II) and Fe(III) in living plants with real-time, high-resolution imaging. With this technology, we can ensure plants receive the right amount of iron, improving crop health and agricultural sustainability,” said Dr Duc Thinh Khong, DiSTAP research scientist and co-lead author of the paper.

“In enabling non-destructive real-time tracking of iron speciation in plants, this sensor opens new avenues for understanding plant iron metabolism and the implications of different iron variations for plants. Such knowledge will help guide the development of tailored management approaches to improve crop yield and more cost-effective soil fertilisation strategies,” said Dr Grace Tan, TLL Research Scientist and co-lead author of the paper.

The research, recently published in Nano Letters and titled, “Nanosensor for Fe(II) and Fe(III) Allowing Spatiotemporal Sensing in Planta”, builds upon SMART DiSTAP’s established expertise in plant nanobionics, leveraging the Corona Phase Molecular Recognition (CoPhMoRe) platform pioneered by the Strano Lab at SMART DiSTAP and MIT. The new nanosensor features single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) wrapped in a negatively charged fluorescent polymer, forming a helical corona phase structure that interacts differently with Fe(II) and Fe(III).

Upon introduction into plant tissues and interaction with iron, the sensor emits distinct NIR fluorescence signals based on the iron type, enabling real-time tracking of iron movement and chemical changes.

The CoPhMoRe technique was used to develop highly selective fluorescent responses, allowing precise detection of iron oxidation states. The NIR fluorescence of SWNTs offers superior sensitivity, selectivity, and tissue transparency while minimising interference, making it more effective than conventional fluorescent sensors. This capability allows researchers to track iron movement and chemical changes in real-time using NIR imaging.

“This sensor provides a powerful tool to study plant metabolism, nutrient transport, and stress responses. It supports optimised fertiliser use, reduces costs and environmental impact, and contributes to more nutritious crops, better food security, and sustainable farming practices,” said Professor Daisuke Urano, TLL Senior Principal Investigator, DiSTAP Principal Investigator, NUS Adjunct Assistant Professor, and co-corresponding author of the paper.

“This set of sensors gives us access to an important type of signalling in plants, and a critical nutrient necessary for plants to make chlorophyll. This new tool will not just help farmers to detect nutrient deficiency but also give access to certain messages within the plant. It expands our ability to understand the plant response to its growth environment,” said Professor Michael Strano, DiSTAP Co-Lead Principal Investigator, Carbon P. Dubbs Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT, and co-corresponding author of the paper.

Beyond agriculture, this nanosensor holds promise for environmental monitoring, food safety, and health sciences, particularly in studying iron metabolism, iron deficiency, and iron-related diseases in humans and animals. Future research will focus on leveraging this nanosensor to advance fundamental plant studies on iron homeostasis, nutrient signaling, and redox dynamics. Efforts are also underway to integrate the nanosensor into automated nutrient management systems for hydroponic and soil-based farming and expand its functionality to detect other essential micronutrients. These advancements aim to enhance sustainability, precision, and efficiency in agriculture.

The research is carried out by SMART, and supported by the National Research Foundation under its Campus for Research Excellence And Technological Enterprise (CREATE) programme.
MIL OSI – Submitted News –
February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Lummis, Crapo, Risch Release Statements Praising New USFS Chief

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), along with Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Jim Risch (R-ID) released the following statements today regarding the announcement that Tom Schultz will serve as the 21st chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

“President Trump and Secretary Rollins have made a great choice in naming Tom Schultz to lead the U.S. Forest Service,” said Lummis. “Tom is a University of Wyoming graduate and I’m confident that he is the leader who will bring balance back to the Forest Service and return the agency to responsible logging and management. I look forward to working with Tom to restore and protect our country’s great national forests.”

“Congratulations to Idaho’s own Tom Schultz for being named the 21st Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. Tom is a forester’s forester. With over 27 years of natural resource management experience, he is the no-nonsense leader our Western states urgently need to rein in the wildfire crisis and reinforce forest health,” said Risch. “Tom’s selection to lead the U.S. Forest Service underscores President Trump and Secretary Rollins’ recognition of the immense value that Idahoans bring to restoring American greatness. I look forward to the good work Tom will accomplish for our nation and the West.”

“Tom Schultz’s deep on-the-ground experience and skills, including his long-time service in Idaho, will be critically useful as he manages our federal forests,” said Crapo. “He intimately understands how federal decision-making impacts our great state, and I look forward to working with him in this capacity.”

Background:

Schultz previously served as vice president of resources and government affairs at Idaho Forest Group, where he led timber procurement operations and managed relationships with government officials at all levels. A former U.S. Air Force officer, Schultz also served as director of the Idaho Department of Lands, overseeing the management of several million surface acres of endowment lands and minerals. He held leadership roles in Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, managing the Trust Lands and Water Resources Divisions.

Schultz holds a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Virginia, a master’s degree in political science from the University of Wyoming, and a master’s degree in forestry from the University of Montana.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Chang’e-6 samples provide evidence suggesting global ‘magma ocean’ on early moon

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

A researcher with the Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, prepares the lunar samples collected by the Chang’e-6 mission at the institute in Beijing, capital of China, on Feb. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
A new study of the lunar samples collected by China’s Chang’e-6 mission has verified the hypothesis that the moon was entirely covered by a molten “magma ocean” in the early stages after its birth, providing critical evidence for understanding the moon’s origin and evolution.
This study, led by a joint research team organized by the China National Space Administration (CNSA), has been published in the latest issue of the journal Science.
The Chang’e-6 mission in 2024 accomplished humanity’s first-ever sampling from the far side of the moon, successfully retrieving 1,935.3 grams of lunar materials from the Apollo Basin within the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin.
The research team from the Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, was granted two grams of these Chang’e-6 samples to conduct their research.
The study revealed that the composition of basalt, a type of volcanic rock, from both the far and near sides of the moon proved similar. The basalt present in the Chang’e-6 samples is primarily 2.823 billion years old, and its characteristics support the lunar magma ocean model. The research also suggests that the impact event that created the SPA Basin may have altered the moon’s early mantle, according to Liu Dunyi, a senior researcher at the institute.
The lunar magma ocean model was previously established based on samples from the moon’s near side. The model proposes that the newborn moon went through a global melting event, creating a vast magma ocean. As this ocean cooled and crystallized, less dense minerals floated to the surface to form the lunar crust, while denser minerals sank to form the mantle. The remaining melt, enriched with incompatible elements, formed the KREEP layer, with the name derived from the initials of the key components, namely potassium (K), rare earth elements (REE) and phosphorus (P), Liu explained.
However, for decades, all lunar samples came from the moon’s near side, leaving the model incomplete. “Without samples from the far side, it was like solving a puzzle with half the pieces missing,” said Liu, while adding that the far-side samples collected by Chang’e-6 had changed this scenario.
“Our analysis showed that the KREEP layer exists on the moon’s far side as well. The similarity in basalt composition between the far and near sides indicates that a global magma ocean may have spanned the entire moon,” said Che Xiaochao, an associate researcher at the institute.
The SPA Basin, where Chang’e-6 landed, is no ordinary crater. Stretching 2,500 km, which is comparable to the distance from Beijing to south China’s Hainan, and plunging to a depth of 13 km, this colossal scar, formed by a cataclysmic asteroid impact 4.3 billion years ago, is the oldest and largest impact basin in the inner solar system, according to scientists.
Notably, the new study also reveals that the lead isotope evolution paths in basalt from the far and near sides are different. This suggests that different regions of the moon evolved differently after the magma ocean crystallized. Giant impact events, especially the one that created the SPA Basin, likely changed the physical and chemical properties of the moon’s mantle, according to Long Tao, another senior researcher in the team.
“In other words, the moon was once covered by a global magma ocean, but later bombardments of asteroids caused different evolution processes on the near and far sides,” Long explained.
The research team plans to delve deeper into the moon’s early impact history. “The Chang’e-6 sampling site is in the largest and oldest impact basin in the inner solar system, so it may contain records useful for the study of early solar system impacts,” Che said. “We also hope to find materials from the moon’s mantle.”
“Studying the moon’s impact history helps us understand Earth’s own past, which has been obscured by tectonic activities,” Long added.
The CNSA emphasized its commitment to advancing lunar research and sharing scientific findings with the international community.

MIL OSI China News –

February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Leads Effort With Senators Schumer, Blumenthal, Murphy To Reintroduce $65 Million Annual Authorization For Long Island Sound Restoration

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) reintroduced the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act. The Long Island Sound borders New York and Connecticut, with more than 20 million people living within 50 miles of the Sound’s beaches. Decades of high levels of pollution, dumping of dredged materials, and releases of untreated sewage have put the Sound’s wildlife population, fisheries, water quality, and surrounding communities at risk. The economic viability of the Sound, which contributes around $9.4 billion annually to the regional economy, is dependent on activities like sport and commercial fishing, boating, recreation, and tourism. This bill would reauthorize a total of $65 million annually for water quality and shore restoration programs.

“Passage of the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act is necessary to protect one of New York’s most important natural and economic treasures,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I’m leading the charge to reauthorize $65 million annually for restoration efforts that will preserve the Sound’s long-term health for generations to come.”

“The Long Island Sound is a natural treasure and economic engine for New York that draws families, boaters, tourists, and anglers to our shores,” said Senator Schumer. “I’ve worked hard to deliver the federal funding to protect, clean up, and improve the Sound, its habitats, and beaches, but there is more work to be done. The Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act will authorize $65 million annually for projects that will boost the Sound’s water quality, restore its shorelines and coastal wetlands, and ensure a cleaner environment for New Yorkers for generations to come.”

“Urgent action is needed to protect and preserve Long Island Sound – an ecological treasure home to precious wildlife,” said Senator Blumenthal. “The reauthorization of $65 million annually will support efforts to restore shore programs and improve water quality, after sewage, runoffs and other contaminants have polluted the Sound for years. I’ll continue to fight to protect Long Island Sound for nearby communities, wildlife populations, and future generations to thrive.”

“Shoreline communities in Connecticut rely on a clean, healthy Long Island Sound. We made historic investments in its restoration over the past few years, and we can’t afford to roll back that progress. I’m glad to team up with Leader Schumer and Senators Gillibrand and Blumenthal on this bill to protect the future of the Sound,” said Senator Murphy.

Representatives Nick LaLota (R-NY) and Joe Courtney (D-CT) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The bill is also supported by stakeholder groups in New York and Connecticut.

“The Long Island Sound is more than just a body of water—it’s a vital part of life for communities across Suffolk County. Protecting the Sound means supporting the local economies that depend on tourism, fishing, recreation and maritime industries. That’s why I proudly introduced companion legislation to Senator Gillibrand’s bill in the House, in partnership with my colleague across the aisle and across the Sound, Congressman Courtney. This bipartisan, bicameral effort underscores our shared commitment to investing in the future of our communities, environment, and the countless people who rely on the Sound. These legislative measures will safeguard the Sound and its watershed for generations to come, reinforcing my commitment to improving the quality of life for all Long Islanders,” said Rep. Nick LaLota.

“We are hitting the ground running in the new Congress to get the Long Island Sound Caucus’s top bipartisan priority across the finish line,” said Rep. Joe Courtney. “The Sound is a unique body of water and a powerful engine to our region’s fishing, shipbuilding, and ecotourism economies. Our bill ensures the Sound remains a valuable resource for our communities for years to come. I am confident that after the bill’s passage in the House last Congress and growing momentum in the Senate, we will once and for all send our bill to the President’s desk.”

“In the last decade there is much progress to report in restoring Long Island Sound. Water quality has improved, the dead zone has shrunk, wetlands have been restoration, fish passages have been created, and stormwater runoff is being filtered. We cannot stop now, we still have more to accomplish. The Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act is critically needed to continue progress and ensure a healthy Sound for future generations. The Sound is an extension of our backyards, a gem that is beloved by millions of people. Thank you to Senator Gillibrand for her continued support championing protection for the Sound,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

“With its 1,194 square miles and over 23 million people living within fifty miles of its shorelines, Long Island Sound has served as a major economic driver for our local economies, estimated to exceed $10 Billion per year. The health of the Sound is critical to our economy, to the wildlife that inhabit it, and to the people who enjoy it. Over the past 20 years, the improved health of the Sound was made possible through projects funded by the bi-state and bipartisan Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act. Since this Act expired at the end of 2024, it is critical that Congress reauthorize this bill and fund it at the authorized level of $65 million per year,” said Eric Swenson, Executive Director, Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee.

“Communities in Connecticut and New York depend on Long Island Sound for a vibrant economy as people near and far spend time here swimming, boating, fishing, and enjoying great seafood. Sustaining the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act enables everyone to work together for clean, healthy water and natural resources, which supports jobs around the region. A clean, resilient Long Island Sound is also essential to preserving populations of local plants and wildlife in the water and along the coastline,” saidHolly Drinkuth, Director of River and Estuary Conservation, The Nature Conservancy in CT.

“The continuation of efforts to preserve and restore the Long Island Sound depends on our youth. At Project Oceanology we raise students’ collective understanding of the vulnerability of the marine environment and what they can do to protect it. Our hands-on experiential educational programs are delivered on the waters and shorelines of the Sound. We integrate ocean literacy principles and Next Generation Science Standards into K-12 education. Since our founding in 1972 we have provided over one million participants including students, summer campers, teachers, and the public first hand opportunities to explore, learn, and take action,” said Andrew Ely, Executive Director of Project Oceanology.

“We are grateful to Senator Gillibrand and co-sponsors Senate Democratic Leader Schumer from New York and Senators Blumenthal and Murphy from Connecticut—for prioritizing the reauthorization of critical funding for clean water and restoration programs that protect and restore the health of Long Island Sound,” said Denise Stranko, executive vice president of programs for Save the Sound. “To reintroduce this bill this early in the new session demonstrates the leadership and commitment of our legislators from the Long Island Sound region, who have continued to champion this essential legislation and the important work it supports.”

“Investment in Long Island Sound is critical to the health of our communities,” said the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk Director of Conservation and Policy Dr. Sarah Crosby. “At The Maritime Aquarium, this investment is directly funding research that will inform restoration strategy and increase resilience of our salt marshes–ecosystems that protect coastlines from the devastating effects of hurricanes. We are grateful to Senators Gillibrand, Schumer, Blumenthal and Murphy, as well as Representatives LaLota and Courtney, for their unwavering support of Long Island Sound’s habitats and wildlife.”

“The Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act is absolutely critical to the health and sustainability of the Sound as well as the prosperity of our coastal communities. On Long Island, the environment is the economy, and we commend and thank Senator Gillibrand and her fellow lawmakers for leading this charge and looking out for New Yorkers,” said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters.

In 1985, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in agreement with New York and Connecticut, created the Long Island Sound Study (LISS), a partnership charged with advancing efforts to restore the Sound and address low oxygen levels and excess nitrogen levels that have depleted fish and shellfish populations as well as hurt shoreline wetlands. In 1990, the Long Island Sound Improvement Act was passed, providing federal dollars to advance Sound cleanup projects, including wastewater treatment improvements.

In 2006, Congress passed the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act, which provided federal dollars for projects to restore the coastal habitat to help revitalize the wildlife population, coastal wetlands, and plant life. In 2018, Senator Gillibrand’s Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act, which combined and reauthorized the two complementary water quality and habitat restoration programs, was enacted as a part of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. As of 2022, federal funding for the Long Island Sound had enabled programs to significantly reduce the amount of nitrogen entering the Long Island Sound from sewage treatment plants by 70.3% compared to the 1990s, reduce hypoxic conditions by 58% compared to the 1990s, restore at least 2,239 acres of coastal habitat, and fund 570 conservation projects.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 28, 2025

MIL-OSI: Infinera Corporation Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2024 Financial Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

FY’24 Highlights:

Year-over-year growth in bookings and backlog; book-to-bill ratio of approximately 1.1x for FY’24 and 1.3x for Q4’24
Record revenue with webscalers – total revenue exposure (direct and indirect) greater than 50% of FY’24 revenue
Significant design wins across the GX systems portfolio with webscalers and Tier 1 Communications Service Providers (CSPs)
Substantial awards for ICE-X 400G and 800G pluggables from webscalers and Tier 1 CSPs
Launched ICE-D to address the projected multi-billion dollar intra-data center opportunity driven by AI workloads
Secured CHIPS & Science Act funding with the potential for greater than $200 million in total federal incentives, in addition to potential state and local incentives
Announced a definitive agreement to be acquired by Nokia (acquisition anticipated to be completed on or about February 28, 2025)

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Infinera Corporation (NASDAQ: INFN) has released financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 28, 2024. This press release is also published on Infinera’s Investor Relations website.

GAAP revenue for the quarter was $414.4 million compared to $354.4 million in the third quarter of 2024 and $453.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

GAAP gross margin for the quarter was 38.0% compared to 39.8% in the third quarter of 2024 and 38.6% in the fourth quarter of 2023. GAAP operating margin for the quarter was 0.0% compared to (3.1)% in the third quarter of 2024 and 2.5% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

GAAP net loss for the quarter was $(26.3) million, or $(0.11) per diluted share, compared to net loss of $(14.3) million, or $(0.06) per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2024, and net income of $12.9 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Non-GAAP gross margin for the quarter was 38.4% compared to 40.4% in the third quarter of 2024 and 39.6% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP operating margin for the quarter was 5.4% compared to 3.5% in the third quarter of 2024 and 7.2% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Non-GAAP net income for the quarter was $8.2 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to $0.3 million, or $0.00 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2024, and $28.6 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2023.

GAAP revenue for the year was $1,418.4 million compared to $1,614.1 million in 2023. GAAP gross margin for the year was 38.4% compared to 38.6% in 2023. GAAP operating margin for the year was (5.9)% compared to (0.3)% in 2023. GAAP net loss for the year was $(150.3) million, or $(0.64) per diluted share, compared to $(25.2) million, or $(0.11) per diluted share, in 2023.

Non-GAAP gross margin for the year was 39.0% compared to 39.9% in 2023. Non-GAAP operating margin for the year was 0.3% compared to 5.4% in 2023. Non-GAAP net loss for the year was $(43.8) million, or $(0.19) per diluted share, compared to net income of $53.4 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, in 2023.

A further explanation of the use of non-GAAP financial information and a reconciliation of each of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure can be found at the end of this press release.

Infinera CEO, David Heard, said “We exited 2024 with significant momentum in our business, growing Q4’24 bookings sequentially by more than 50% and by approximately 20% compared to Q4’23. The growth in bookings and substantial increase in backlog in 2024, when combined with our strategic wins, position us well in 2025 and beyond for the next wave of optical spend fueled by relentless bandwidth growth, increased fiber deployments, and AI-driven data-center builds.”

“Looking ahead, I remain excited about our pending merger with Nokia, as we prepare to join forces with a recognized industry leader. With greater scale and deeper resources together, we intend to set the pace of innovation as optics take on an increasingly critical role in the era of AI,” continued Mr. Heard.

Pending Merger with Nokia

On June 27, 2024, Infinera, Nokia Corporation, a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Finland (“Nokia”) (NYSE: NOK) and Neptune of America Corporation, a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Nokia (“Merger Sub”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as it may be amended, modified or waived from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”) that provides for Merger Sub to merge with and into Infinera (the “Merger”), with Infinera surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Nokia. On February 18, 2025, Infinera issued a press release announcing that the Merger is anticipated to be completed on or about February 28, 2025, which date remains subject to the satisfaction of remaining closing conditions.

In light of the proposed transaction with Nokia, and as is customary during the pendency of an acquisition, Infinera will not be providing financial guidance during the pendency of the acquisition.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Investor Slides to be Made Available Online

Investor slides reviewing Infinera’s fourth quarter of 2024 financial results will be furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on a Current Report on Form 8-K and published on Infinera’s Investor Relations website at investors.infinera.com.

Contacts:

Media:
Anna Vue
Tel. +1 (916) 595-8157
avue@infinera.com

Investors:
Amitabh Passi, Head of Investor Relations
Tel. +1 (669) 295-1489
apassi@infinera.com

About Infinera

Infinera is a global supplier of innovative open optical networking solutions and advanced optical semiconductors that enable carriers, cloud operators, governments, and enterprises to scale network bandwidth, accelerate service innovation, and automate network operations. Infinera solutions deliver industry-leading economics and performance in long-haul, submarine, data center interconnect, and metro transport applications. To learn more about Infinera, visit www.infinera.com, follow us on X and LinkedIn, and subscribe for updates.

Infinera and the Infinera logo are registered trademarks of Infinera Corporation.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or Infinera’s future financial or operating performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “will,” and “would” or the negative of these words or similar terms or expressions that concern Infinera’s expectations, strategy, priorities, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the amount Infinera could receive in direct government funding and tax incentives; statements about Infinera’s strategic positioning in 2025 and beyond; and statements related to the Merger, including the timing of completion of the Merger and the future performance and benefits of the combined business.

These forward-looking statements are based on estimates and information available to Infinera as of the date hereof and are not guarantees of actual or future performance; actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied due to risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties that could cause Infinera’s results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include statements related to the Merger, including whether the Merger may not be completed or completion may be delayed, and if the Merger Agreement is terminated, there may be a required payment of a significant termination fee by either party; the receipt of necessary approvals to complete the Merger; the possibility that due to the Merger, and uncertainty regarding the Merger, Infinera’s customers, suppliers or strategic partners may delay or defer entering into contracts or making other decisions concerning Infinera; the significance and timing of costs related to the Merger; the impact on us of litigation or other stockholder action related to the Merger; the effects on us and our stockholders if the Merger is not completed; demand growth for additional network capacity and the level and timing of customer capital spending and excess inventory held by customers beyond normalized levels; delays in the development, introduction or acceptance of new products or in releasing enhancements to existing products; aggressive business tactics by Infinera’s competitors and new entrants and Infinera’s ability to compete in a highly competitive market; supply chain and logistics issues and their impact on our business, and Infinera’s dependency on sole source, limited source or high-cost suppliers; dependence on a small number of key customers; product performance problems; the complexity of Infinera’s manufacturing process; Infinera’s ability to identify, attract, upskill and retain qualified personnel; challenges with our contract manufacturers and other third-party partners; the effects of customer and supplier consolidation; dependence on third-party service partners; Infinera’s ability to respond to rapid technological changes; failure to accurately forecast Infinera’s manufacturing requirements or customer demand; failure to secure the funding contemplated by grants Infinera has or may receive from governments, agencies or research organizations, or failure to comply with the terms of those grants; Infinera’s future capital needs and its ability to generate the cash flow or otherwise secure the capital necessary to meet such capital needs; the effect of global and regional economic conditions on Infinera’s business, including effects on purchasing decisions by customers; the adverse impact inflation and higher interest rates may have on Infinera by increasing costs beyond what it can recover through price increases; the effects of tariffs; restrictions to our operations resulting from loan or other credit agreements; the impacts of any restructuring plans or other strategic efforts on our business; Infinera’s international sales and operations; the impacts of foreign currency fluctuations; the effective tax rate of Infinera, which may increase or fluctuate; potential dilution from the issuance of additional shares of common stock in connection with the conversion of Infinera’s convertible senior notes; Infinera’s ability to protect its intellectual property; claims by others that Infinera infringes on their intellectual property rights; security incidents, such as data breaches or cyber-attacks; Infinera’s ability to comply with various rules and regulations, including with respect to export control and trade compliance, environmental, social, governance, privacy and data protection matters; events that are outside of Infinera’s control, such as natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, or other catastrophic events that could harm Infinera’s operations; Infinera’s ability to remediate its disclosed material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting in a timely and effective manner, and other risks and uncertainties detailed in Infinera’s SEC filings from time to time; and statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. More information on potential factors that may impact Infinera’s business are set forth in Infinera’s periodic reports filed with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2024, as well as subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the SEC from time to time. These SEC filings are available on Infinera’s website at www.infinera.com and the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Infinera assumes no obligation to, and does not currently intend to, update any such forward-looking statements.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

In addition to disclosing financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), this press release and the accompanying tables contain certain non-GAAP financial measures that exclude in certain cases stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquired intangible assets, restructuring and other related costs, warehouse fire recovery, merger-related charges, foreign exchange (gains) losses, net, and income tax effects. Infinera believes these adjustments are appropriate to enhance an overall understanding of its underlying financial performance and also its prospects for the future and are considered by management for the purpose of making operational decisions. In addition, the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this press release are the primary indicators management uses as a basis for its planning and forecasting of future periods. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for gross margin, operating expenses, operating margin, net income (loss) and net income (loss) per common share prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures are not based on a comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and are subject to limitations.

For a description of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, please see the table titled “GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations” and related footnotes.

Infinera Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

	Three months ended						Twelve months ended
	December 28, 2024			December 30, 2023			December 28, 2024			December 30, 2023
Revenue:
Product	$	325,123		$	373,172		$	1,103,131		$	1,304,229
Services		89,264			80,284			315,315			309,899
Total revenue		414,387			453,456			1,418,446			1,614,128
Cost of revenue:
Cost of product		212,250			233,693			706,498			810,845
Cost of services		44,882			42,643			166,792			167,532
Amortization of intangible assets		—			—			—			10,621
Restructuring and other related costs		(56	)		2,218			596			2,218
Total cost of revenue		257,076			278,554			873,886			991,216
Gross profit		157,311			174,902			544,560			622,912
Operating expenses:
Research and development		75,214			79,645			300,437			316,879
Sales and marketing		40,504			42,532			158,861			166,938
General and administrative		31,566			35,112			132,680			124,874
Amortization of intangible assets		2,256			2,256			9,025			12,344
Merger-related charges		7,550			—			23,021			—
Restructuring and other related costs		81			4,096			4,186			6,717
Total operating expenses		157,171			163,641			628,210			627,752
Income (loss) from operations		140			11,261			(83,650	)		(4,840	)
Other income (expense), net:
Interest income		594			982			3,383			2,716
Interest expense		(6,746	)		(8,814	)		(32,302	)		(30,609	)
Other gain (loss), net		(11,547	)		4,739			(20,457	)		15,325
Total other income (expense), net		(17,699	)		(3,093	)		(49,376	)		(12,568	)
Income (loss) before income taxes		(17,559	)		8,168			(133,026	)		(17,408	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		8,784			(4,705	)		17,312			7,805
Net income (loss)	$	(26,343	)	$	12,873		$	(150,338	)	$	(25,213	)
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	(0.11	)	$	0.06		$	(0.64	)	$	(0.11	)
Diluted	$	(0.11	)	$	0.06		$	(0.64	)	$	(0.11	)
Weighted average shares used in computing net income (loss) per common share:
Basic		236,974			230,509			234,672			226,726
Diluted		236,974			233,090			234,672			226,726

Infinera Corporation
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations
(In thousands, except percentages)
(Unaudited)

	Three months ended														Twelve months ended
	December 28, 2024					September 28, 2024					December 30, 2023				December 28, 2024					December 30, 2023
Reconciliation of Gross Profit and Gross Margin:
GAAP as reported	$	157,311		38.0	%	$	141,214		39.8	%	$	174,902	38.6	%	$	544,560		38.4	%	$	622,912		38.6	%
Stock-based compensation expense⁽¹⁾		1,867		0.4	%		2,084		0.6	%		2,328	0.5	%		7,621		0.6	%		10,000		0.6	%
Amortization of acquired intangible assets⁽²⁾		—		—	%		—		—	%		—	—	%		—		—	%		10,621		0.7	%
Restructuring and other related costs⁽³⁾		(56	)	(0.0)	%		(24	)	—	%		2,218	0.5	%		596		0.0	%		2,218		0.1	%
Warehouse fire recovery⁽⁴⁾		—		—	%		—		—	%		—	—	%		—		—	%		(1,985	)	(0.1)	%
Non-GAAP as adjusted	$	159,122		38.4	%	$	143,274		40.4	%	$	179,448	39.6	%	$	552,777		39.0	%	$	643,766		39.9	%

Reconciliation of Operating Expenses:
GAAP as reported	$	157,171				$	152,212				$	163,641			$	628,210				$	627,752
Stock-based compensation expense⁽¹⁾		10,333					12,305					10,429				43,300					52,150
Amortization of acquired intangible assets⁽²⁾		2,256					2,257					2,256				9,025					12,344
Restructuring and other related costs⁽³⁾		81					(157	)				4,096				4,186					6,717
Merger-related charges⁽⁵⁾		7,550					6,954					—				23,021					—
Non-GAAP as adjusted	$	136,951				$	130,853				$	146,860			$	548,678				$	556,541

Reconciliation of Income (Loss) from Operations and Operating Margin:
GAAP as reported	$	140		0.0	%	$	(10,998	)	(3.1)	%	$	11,261	2.5	%	$	(83,650	)	(5.9)	%	$	(4,840	)	(0.3)	%
Stock-based compensation expense⁽¹⁾		12,200		3.0	%		14,389		4.1	%		12,757	2.8	%		50,921		3.7	%		62,150		3.8	%
Amortization of acquired intangible assets⁽²⁾		2,256		0.5	%		2,257		0.6	%		2,256	0.5	%		9,025		0.6	%		22,965		1.4	%
Restructuring and other related costs⁽³⁾		25		0.0	%		(181	)	(0.1)	%		6,314	1.4	%		4,782		0.3	%		8,935		0.6	%
Warehouse fire recovery⁽⁴⁾		—		—	%		—		—	%		—	—	%		—		—	%		(1,985	)	(0.1)	%
Merger-related charges⁽⁵⁾		7,550		1.9	%		6,954		2.0	%		—	—	%		23,021		1.6	%		—		—	%
Non-GAAP as adjusted	$	22,171		5.4	%	$	12,421		3.5	%	$	32,588	7.2	%	$	4,099		0.3	%	$	87,225		5.4	%

	Three months ended									Twelve months ended
	December 28, 2024			September 28, 2024			December 30, 2023			December 28, 2024			December 30, 2023
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss):
GAAP as reported	$	(26,343	)	$	(14,313	)	$	12,873		$	(150,338	)	$	(25,213	)
Stock-based compensation expense⁽¹⁾		12,200			14,389			12,757			50,921			62,150
Amortization of acquired intangible assets⁽²⁾		2,256			2,257			2,256			9,025			22,965
Restructuring and other related costs⁽³⁾		25			(181	)		6,314			4,782			8,935
Warehouse fire recovery⁽⁴⁾		—			—			—			—			(1,985	)
Merger-related charges⁽⁵⁾		7,550			6,954			—			23,021			—
Foreign exchange (gains) losses, net⁽⁶⁾		11,855			(8,039	)		(4,852	)		21,954			(14,755	)
Income tax effects⁽⁷⁾		655			(788	)		(780	)		(3,120	)		1,292
Non-GAAP as adjusted		8,198		$	279		$	28,568		$	(43,755	)	$	53,389

Weighted Average Shares Used in Computing GAAP Net Income (Loss) per Common Share:
Basic		236,974			235,832			230,509			234,672			226,726
Diluted⁽⁸⁾		236,974			235,832			233,090			234,672			226,726

Weighted Average Shares Used in Computing Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) per Common Share:
Basic		236,974			235,832			230,509			234,672			226,726
Diluted⁽⁹⁾		269,422			240,502			259,210			234,672			255,468

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA ⁽¹⁰⁾:
Non-GAAP net income (loss)	$	8,198		$	279		$	28,568		$	(43,755	)	$	53,389
Add: Interest expense, net		6,152			7,890			7,832			28,919			27,893
Less: Other gain (loss), net		308			446			(113	)		1,497			570
Add: Income tax effects		8,129			4,698			(3,925	)		20,432			6,513
Add: Depreciation		13,333			13,501			17,125			53,308			55,819
Non-GAAP as adjusted	$	35,504		$	25,922		$	49,713		$	57,407		$	143,044

Net Income (Loss) per Common Share: GAAP
Basic	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.06	)	$	0.06		$	(0.64	)	$	(0.11	)
Diluted⁽⁸⁾	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.06	)	$	0.06		$	(0.64	)	$	(0.11	)

Net Income (Loss) per Common Share: Non-GAAP
Basic	$	0.03		$	0.00		$	0.12		$	(0.19	)	$	0.24
Diluted⁽⁹⁾	$	0.03		$	0.00		$	0.12		$	(0.19	)	$	0.23

⁽¹⁾Stock-based compensation expense is calculated in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation effective January 1, 2006. The following table summarizes the effects of stock-based compensation related to employees and non-employees (in thousands):


	Three months ended						Twelve months ended
	December 28, 2024		September 28, 2024		December 30, 2023		December 28, 2024		December 30, 2023
Cost of revenue	$	1,867	$	2,084	$	2,328	$	7,621	$	10,000
Research and development		4,547		4,623		4,917		18,779		22,474
Sales and marketing		3,036		3,241		2,328		12,175		13,699
General and administration		2,750		4,441		3,184		12,346		15,977
Total operating expenses		10,333		12,305		10,429		43,300		52,150
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	12,200	$	14,389	$	12,757	$	50,921	$	62,150

⁽²⁾Amortization of acquired intangible assets consists of developed technology and customer relationships acquired in connection with the acquisitions of Coriant and Transmode AB. GAAP accounting requires that acquired intangible assets are recorded at fair value and amortized over their useful lives. As this amortization is non-cash, Infinera has excluded it from its non-GAAP gross profit, operating expenses and net income measures. Management believes the amortization of acquired intangible assets is not indicative of ongoing operating performance and its exclusion provides a better indication of Infinera’s underlying business performance.

⁽³⁾Restructuring and other related costs are primarily associated with the reduction of headcount and the reduction of operating costs. In addition, this includes accelerated amortization on operating lease right-of-use assets due to the cessation of use of certain facilities. Management has excluded the impact of these charges in arriving at Infinera’s non-GAAP results as they are non-recurring in nature and its exclusion provides a better indication of Infinera’s underlying business performance.

⁽⁴⁾Warehouse fire losses were incurred due to inventory destroyed in a warehouse fire in the third quarter of fiscal year 2022. Recoveries are recorded when they are probable of receipt. Management has excluded the impact of this loss and subsequent recoveries in arriving at Infinera’s non-GAAP results as it is non-recurring in nature and its exclusion provides a better indication of Infinera’s underlying business performance.

⁽⁵⁾Merger-related charges represent costs incurred directly in connection with the pending merger with Nokia. Management has excluded the impact of these charges in arriving at Infinera’s non-GAAP results as they are non-recurring in nature and the exclusion of these charges provides a better indication of Infinera’s underlying business performance.

⁽⁶⁾Foreign exchange (gains) losses, net, have been excluded from Infinera’s non-GAAP results because management believes that this expense is not indicative of ongoing operating performance and its exclusion provides a better indication of Infinera’s underlying business performance.

⁽⁷⁾The difference between the GAAP and non-GAAP tax provision is due to the net tax effects of above non-GAAP adjustments. Management believes the exclusion of these tax effects provides a better indication of Infinera’s underlying business performance.

⁽⁸⁾The GAAP diluted shares include potentially dilutive securities from Infinera’s stock-based benefit plans and convertible senior notes. These potentially dilutive securities are added for the computation of diluted net income per share on a GAAP basis in periods when Infinera has net income on a GAAP basis, as its inclusion provides a better indication of Infinera’s underlying business performance.

For purposes of calculating GAAP diluted earnings per share, we used the following net income (loss) and weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands, except per share data):


	Three months ended								Twelve months ended
	December 28, 2024			September 28, 2024			December 30, 2023		December 28, 2024			December 30, 2023
GAAP net income (loss) for basic earnings per share	$	(26,343	)	$	(14,313	)	$	12,873	$	(150,338	)	$	(25,213	)
Interest expense related to the convertible senior notes, net of tax		—			—			104		—			—
GAAP net income (loss) for diluted earnings per share	$	(26,343	)	$	(14,313	)	$	12,977	$	(150,338	)	$	(25,213	)

Weighted average basic common shares outstanding		236,974			235,832			230,509		234,672			226,726
Dilutive effect of restricted and performance share units		—			—			682		—			—
Dilutive effect of 2024 convertible senior notes^(a)		—			—			1,899		—			—
Dilutive effect of 2027 convertible senior notes^(b)		—			—			—		—			—
Dilutive effect of 2028 convertible senior notes^(c)		—			—			—		—			—
Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding		236,974			235,832			233,090		234,672			226,726

GAAP net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.06	)	$	0.06	$	(0.64	)	$	(0.11	)
Diluted	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.06	)	$	0.06	$	(0.64	)	$	(0.11	)

^(a)For the three- months ended December 28, 2024 and September 28, 2024, there were zero and 1.4 million shares, respectively, excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share, due to their anti-dilutive effect. For the twelve- months ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, there were 1.3 million and 5.8 million shares, respectively, excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share, due to their anti-dilutive effect.

^(b)For each of the three- months ended December 28, 2024, September 28, 2024, and December 30, 2023, there were 26.1 million shares excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share, due to their anti-dilutive effect. For both the twelve- months ended December 28, 2024, and December 30, 2023, there were 26.1 million shares, excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share, due to their anti-dilutive effect.

^(c)For the three- months ended December 28, 2024, September 28, 2024, and December 30, 2023, there were no shares excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share. For the twelve- months ended December 28, 2024, and December 30, 2023, there were zero and 0.9 million shares, respectively, excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share, due to their anti-dilutive effect.

⁽⁹⁾The non-GAAP diluted shares include the potentially dilutive securities from Infinera’s stock-based benefit plans and convertible senior notes. These potentially dilutive securities are added for the computation of diluted net income per share on a non-GAAP basis in periods when Infinera has net income on a non-GAAP basis as its inclusion provides a better indication of Infinera’s underlying business performance. Refer to the diluted earnings per share reconciliation presented below.

For purposes of calculating non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, we used the following net income (loss) and weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands, except per share data):


	Three months ended						Twelve months ended
	December 28, 2024		September 28, 2024		December 30, 2023		December 28, 2024			December 30, 2023
Non-GAAP net income (loss) for basic earnings per share	$	8,198	$	279	$	28,568	$	(43,755	)	$	53,389
Interest expense related to the convertible senior notes, net of tax		752		—		1,652		—			5,370
Non-GAAP net income (loss) for diluted earnings per share	$	8,950	$	279	$	30,220	$	(43,755	)	$	58,759

Weighted average basic common shares outstanding		236,974		235,832		230,509		234,672			226,726
Dilutive effect of restricted and performance share units		6,328		4,670		682		—			1,674
Dilutive effect of employee stock purchase plan		—		—		—		—			53
Dilutive effect of 2024 convertible senior notes^(a)		—		—		1,899		—			—
Dilutive effect of 2027 convertible senior notes^(b)		26,120		—		26,120		—			26,210
Dilutive effect of 2028 convertible senior notes^(c)		—		—		—		—			895
Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding		269,422		240,502		259,210		234,672			255,558

Non-GAAP net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	0.03	$	0.00	$	0.12	$	(0.19	)	$	0.24
Diluted	$	0.03	$	0.00	$	0.12	$	(0.19	)	$	0.23

^(a)For the three- months ended December 28, 2024, September 28, 2024, there were zero and 1.4 million shares, respectively, excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share, due to their anti-dilutive effect. For the twelve- months ended December 28, 2024, and December 30, 2023, there were 1.3 million and 5.8 million shares, respectively, excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share, due to their anti-dilutive effect.

^(b)For the three- months ended September 28, 2024, there were 26.1 million shares excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share, due to their anti-dilutive effect. For the twelve- months ended December 28, 2024, there were 26.1 million shares excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share, due to their anti-dilutive effect.

^(c)For the three- months ended December 28, 2024, September 28, 2024, and December 30, 2023, there were no shares excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share. For the twelve- months ended December 28, 2024, there were no shares excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share.

⁽¹⁰⁾Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP supplemental measure of operating performance that does not represent and should not be considered an alternative to operating loss or cash flow from operations, as determined by GAAP. Infinera’s adjusted EBITDA is calculated by excluding the above non-GAAP adjustments, interest expense, net, other gain (loss), net, income tax effects and depreciation expenses. Management believes that adjusted EBITDA is an important financial measure for use in evaluating Infinera’s financial performance, as it measures the ability of our business operations to generate cash.

Infinera Corporation
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

Free Cash Flow

We define free cash flow as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities in the period minus the purchase of property and equipment made in the period.

Free cash flow is considered a non-GAAP financial measure under the SEC’s rules. Management believes that free cash flow is an important financial measure for use in evaluating Infinera’s financial performance, as it measures our ability to generate additional cash from our business operations. Free cash flow should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, net loss as a measure of our performance or net cash provided by (used in) operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. Additionally, our definition of free cash flow is limited and does not represent residual cash flows available for discretionary expenditures due to the fact that the measure does not deduct the payments required for debt service and other obligations. Therefore, we believe it is important to view free cash flow as supplemental to our entire statement of cash flows.


	Three months ended									Twelve months ended
	December 28, 2024			September 28, 2024			December 30, 2023			December 28, 2024			December 30, 2023
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	72,045		$	44,563		$	79,652		$	80,680		$	49,510
Purchase of property and equipment		(28,265	)		(24,090	)		(21,414	)		(75,013	)		(62,314	)
Free cash flow	$	43,780		$	20,473		$	58,238		$	5,667		$	(12,804	)

Infinera Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except par values)

	December 28, 2024			December 30, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	145,808		$	172,505
Short-term restricted cash		—			517
Accounts receivable, net		336,552			381,981
Inventory		308,213			431,163
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		155,249			129,218
Total current assets		945,822			1,115,384
Property, plant and equipment, net		249,496			206,997
Operating lease right-of-use assets		36,348			39,973
Intangible assets, net		15,794			24,819
Goodwill		224,233			240,566
Long-term restricted cash		420			837
Other long-term assets		61,645			50,662
Total assets	$	1,533,758		$	1,679,238
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	284,992		$	299,005
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		143,385			110,758
Accrued compensation and related benefits		49,942			85,203
Short-term debt, net		482			25,512
Accrued warranty		13,243			17,266
Deferred revenue		134,727			136,248
Total current liabilities		626,771			673,992
Long-term debt, net		667,930			658,756
Long-term accrued warranty		12,264			15,934
Long-term deferred revenue		29,290			21,332
Long-term deferred tax liability		3,035			1,805
Long-term operating lease liabilities		41,601			47,464
Other long-term liabilities		36,352			43,364
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value Authorized shares – 25,000 and no shares issued and outstanding		—			—
Common stock, $0.001 par value Authorized shares – 500,000 in 2024 and 500,000 in 2023 Issued and outstanding shares – 237,396 in 2024 and 230,994 in 2023		237			231
Additional paid-in capital		2,024,810			1,976,014
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(33,388	)		(34,848	)
Accumulated deficit		(1,875,144	)		(1,724,806	)
Total stockholders’ equity		116,515			216,591
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,533,758		$	1,679,238

Infinera Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)

	Twelve months ended
	December 28, 2024			December 30, 2023
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss	$	(150,338	)	$	(25,213	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		62,333			78,784
Non-cash restructuring charges and other related costs		40			1,200
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount		3,680			3,862
Operating lease expense		9,252			7,464
Stock-based compensation expense		50,921			62,150
Other, net		(76	)		(823	)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		40,218			38,511
Inventory		121,772			(57,864	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(49,159	)		9,683
Accounts payable		(28,258	)		(2,921	)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		11,568			(40,063	)
Deferred revenue		8,727			(25,260	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		80,680			49,510
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchase of property and equipment		(75,013	)		(62,314	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(75,013	)		(62,314	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of 2028 Notes		—			98,751
Repayment of 2024 Notes		(18,747	)		(83,446	)
Payment of debt issuance cost		—			(2,108	)
Proceeds from asset-based revolving credit facility		50,000			50,000
Repayment of asset-based revolving credit facility		(50,000	)		(50,000	)
Repayment of mortgage payable		(470	)		(510	)
Principal payments on finance lease obligations		(562	)		(1,023	)
Payment of term license obligation		(10,318	)		(10,417	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		6			14,931
Tax withholding paid on behalf of employees for net share settlement		(2,129	)		(2,465	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(32,220	)		13,713
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(1,078	)		(16,253	)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(27,631	)		(15,344	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		173,859			189,203
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period⁽¹⁾	$	146,228		$	173,859

Infinera Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)

	Twelve months ended
	December 28, 2024		December 30, 2023
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net	$	21,790	$	14,109
Cash paid for interest, net	$	27,359	$	22,394
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Transfer of inventory to fixed assets	$	—	$	1,847
Property and equipment included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	34,385	$	10,104
Unpaid term licenses (included in accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities)	$	14,196	$	23,326

⁽¹⁾ Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to the condensed consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):


	December 28, 2024		December 30, 2023

Cash and cash equivalents	$	145,808	$	172,505
Short-term restricted cash		—		517
Long-term restricted cash		420		837
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	146,228	$	173,859

Infinera Corporation
Supplemental Financial Information
(Unaudited)

	Q1’23			Q2’23			Q3’23			Q4’23			Q1’24			Q2’24			Q3’24			Q4’24
GAAP Revenue $(Mil)	$	392.1		$	376.2		$	392.4		$	453.5		$	306.9		$	342.7		$	354.4		$	414.4
GAAP Gross Margin %		37.5	%		38.0	%		40.3	%		38.6	%		36.0	%		39.6	%		39.8	%		38.0	%
Non-GAAP Gross Margin %⁽¹⁾		38.8	%		39.3	%		41.9	%		39.6	%		36.6	%		40.3	%		40.4	%		38.4	%
GAAP Revenue Composition:
Domestic %		60	%		58	%		59	%		67	%		54	%		58	%		60	%		62	%
International %		40	%		42	%		41	%		33	%		46	%		42	%		40	%		38	%
Customers >10% of Revenue		—			1			1			1			—			—			2			2
Cash Related Information:
Cash from Operations $(Mil)	$	(1.8	)	$	1.4		$	(29.7	)	$	79.6		$	24.0		$	(59.9	)	$	44.5		$	72.1
Capital Expenditures $(Mil)	$	16.8		$	10.8		$	13.3		$	21.4		$	8.1		$	14.6		$	24.0		$	28.3
Depreciation & Amortization $(Mil)	$	19.6		$	19.8		$	20.0		$	19.4		$	15.4		$	15.6		$	15.7		$	15.6
DSOs⁽²⁾		78			79			76			77			79			76			74			74
Inventory Metrics:
Raw Materials $(Mil)	$	67.6		$	85.4		$	110.4		$	133.6		$	132.5		$	119.4		$	105.2		$	69.7
Work in Process $(Mil)	$	71.8		$	71.9		$	69.9		$	68.4		$	68.6		$	68.7		$	67.6		$	67.9
Finished Goods $(Mil)	$	273.6		$	270.1		$	276.6		$	229.2		$	219.6		$	196.1		$	183.3		$	170.6
Total Inventory $(Mil)	$	413.0		$	427.4		$	456.9		$	431.2		$	420.7		$	384.2		$	356.1		$	308.2
Inventory Turns⁽³⁾		2.4			2.2			2.1			2.5			1.8			2.0			2.3			3.1
Worldwide Headcount		3,351			3,365			3,369			3,389			3,323			3,334			3,340			3,418
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (in thousands):
Basic		222,393			225,922			228,077			230,509			231,533			234,349			235,832			236,974
Diluted		265,921			262,712			257,219			259,210			260,980			265,591			267,999			269,422

⁽¹⁾Non-GAAP adjustments include stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquired intangible assets, restructuring and other related costs and warehouse fire recovery. For a description of this non-GAAP financial measure, please see the section titled, “GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations” of this press release for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. For reconciliations of prior periods that are not otherwise provided herein, see the prior period earnings releases available on our Investor Relations webpage.

⁽²⁾Infinera calculates DSO based on 91 days.

⁽³⁾Infinera calculates non-GAAP inventory turns as annualized non-GAAP cost of revenue, which is calculated as GAAP cost of revenue less stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquired intangible assets, restructuring and other related costs and warehouse fire recovery, as illustrated in the reconciliation of gross profit above, divided by the average inventory for the quarter.

The MIL Network –

February 28, 2025

MIL-Evening Report: ‘Brain vitrification’: new research shows how the Vesuvius eruption turned a man’s brain to glass

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Louise Zarmati, Senior Lecturer in Humanities and Social Sciences Education, Faculty of Education, University of Tasmania

A fragment of vitrified brain found at Herculaneum. Guido Giordano et al. / Scientific Reports

A young man killed in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE was likely overcome by a fast-moving cloud of gas at a temperature of more than 500°C in a process that transformed fragments of his brain into glass, according to new research.

The man’s remains were discovered in 1961, and in 2020 researchers confirmed that parts of his brain had been turned into glass. This is only example of vitrified brain matter found to date at any archaeological site.

The new study, led by Guido Giordano of Roma Tre University and published in Scientific Reports, explains how the unusual sequence of rapid heating and cooling required to turn organic matter into glass may have occurred.

Pompeii’s less famous neighbour

The city of Pompeii is one of the most famous archaeological sites in Italy and the world. Fewer people know about its smaller neighbour, Herculaneum, which was also destroyed by the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE.

Herculaneum was settled during the sixth century BCE by Greek traders who named it after the Greek hero Herakles (whom the Romans called Hercules). By the first century CE, it had developed into a typical Roman town.

The excavated ruins of Herculaneum today. Mount Vesuvius can be seen in the background.
WitR / Shutterstock

Built on a grid plan, Herculaneum boasted a forum, theatre, elaborate bath complexes, multi-storey buildings and luxurious private seafront villas with spectacular views over the Bay of Naples.

The town’s population is estimated to have been around 5,000 people at the time of the eruption. They consisted of wealthy Roman citizens, merchants, artisans, and current and freed slaves. About 7 kilometres to the east, Mount Vesuvius loomed.

A tale of two destructions

Although Pompeii and Herculaneum were both destroyed, their experiences of the eruption were different.

Located about 8km southeast of Vesuvius, Pompeii was violently pelted by falling pumice and ash for about 12 hours before its final destruction by what are called “pyroclastic surges”: fast-moving, turbulent clouds filled with hot gases, ash and steam. Pompeii’s end arrived some 18–20 hours after the eruption began.

Herculaneum’s destruction came much sooner. During the first hours it experienced light ash and pumice fall. Most of the population is believed to have left during this time.

Then, about 12 hours after the eruption began, in the early hours of the morning, Herculaneum was engulfed by a swift-moving, deadly pyroclastic surge. The deadly cloud of gas, ash and rock swept over the town at speeds greater than 150km per hour. Anyone who had not already escaped died rapidly and violently as the town was buried.

A rain of ash, a sudden heat

Casts of the bodies of victims found at Pompeii.
Lancevortex / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA

Because of the differences in how the eruption hit the two towns, those who died in each were preserved in different ways.

At Pompeii, victims were buried under ash that hardened around their bodies. This allowed archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli to develop a technique in the 1860s for creating the now-famous plaster casts that dramatically preserved the victims’ final positions at the moment of death.

At Herculaneum, extreme heat (400–500°C) from pyroclastic surges caused instant death. As a result, we see skeletal remains with signs of thermal shock: skulls fractured from boiling brain tissue and rapidly carbonised flesh.

Victims found in boat houses and along the shore at Herculaneum in the 1980s appear to have died quickly while waiting to escape by sea.

‘The custodian’

In 1961, Italian archaeologist Amedeo Maiuri discovered a skeleton in a small room of the College of the Augustales, a public building dedicated to worship of the emperor. The victim was lying face-down on the charred remains of a wooden bed.

Maiuri identified the person as male and about 20 years old, and dubbed him “the custodian” of the Augustales. What was unusual about this skeleton was the appearance of glassy, black material scattered within the cranial cavity, something archaeologists had not seen before at either Herculaneum or Pompeii.

The carbonised remains of ‘the custodian’ found at Herculaneum.
Guido Giordano et al. / Scientific Reports

In 2020, a scientific team led by anthropologist PierPaolo Petrone and volcanologist Guido Giordano conducted the first study of the glassy material using a scanning electron microscope and a neural network image-processing tool. They identified traces of the victim’s brain cells, axons and myelin in the well-preserved sample.

Petrone and Giordano concluded that the conversion of the man’s brain tissue into glass was the result of its sudden exposure to scorching volcanic ash followed by a rapid drop in temperature.

Brain of glass

The follow-up study, released today in Scientific Reports, provides a more detailed analysis of the vitrification process. The scientists estimate the temperature at which the brain transformed into glass had to be above 510°C, followed by rapid cooling.

The researchers propose the following scenario to describe the victim’s death and explain how his brain was vitrified.

The victim died when he was engulfed by the fast-moving, extremely hot ash cloud of the pyroclastic surge. His brain rapidly heated to a temperature exceeding 510°C. The thick bones of the skull may have protected the brain tissue from turning to gas and vaporising.

Fragments of the man’s brain were turned into glass by a very particular process of rapid heating and cooling.
Guido Giordano et al. / Scientific Reports

Within minutes, the ash cloud dissipated and the temperature quickly dropped to around 510°C, a temperature suitable for vitrification. The researchers also believe the fact the brain was broken into small pieces allowed it to cool quickly and therefore vitrify.

In the final phase of the eruption, Herculaneum was buried by thick, lower-temperature deposits that preserved what remained of the man’s body in cement-like material. The vitrification resulted in the preservation of complex neural structures such as neurons and axons.

This research makes a significant contribution to scientific knowledge. After centuries of archaeological research, this is still the only known example of human brain matter preserved by vitrification.

Louise Zarmati 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. ‘Brain vitrification’: new research shows how the Vesuvius eruption turned a man’s brain to glass – https://theconversation.com/brain-vitrification-new-research-shows-how-the-vesuvius-eruption-turned-a-mans-brain-to-glass-250918

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI — On “Morning Joe,” Senator King Warns of Unconstitutional Overstep by White House

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today joined Morning Joe to stress the urgency of the unprecedented, unconstitutional overstep from President Trump’s Administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). During the interview — which comes in the midst of another round of reckless federal layoffs — King made clear the dangers of Congress further ceding it’s power to the President, noting that doing so is a “fundamental misunderstanding” of what is outlined in the Constitution.

You can watch the full clip on YouTube here

Senator King has been consistently sounding the alarm on President Donald Trump’s existential threat to the Constitution. At the end of January, he gave a speech on the Senate floor sharing that this administration is doing ‘exactly what the Framers [of the Constitution] most feared.” A couple weeks later, he took to the floor again to respond to the hiring freezes and firings, calling them “thoughtless and dangerous.” Senator King also previously declared that the proposal to halt all federal grant and loan disbursement was illegal and a direct assault on the Constitution. Recently, he joined 36 Senators in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sharing the detrimental effects of the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). He also joined fellow Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) colleagues in writing a letter to the White House about the risks to national security by allowing unvetted Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staff and representatives to access classified and sensitive government materials.

+++

Mika Brzezinski: “It’s been five weeks since President Trump took office for the second time, and his administration has reshaped government on everything from law and order, to the role of the free press. With that as our backdrop, our next guest took to the Senate floor last week with a message to his colleagues, ‘it’s time to wake up.’”

Sen. King: “This isn’t just a battle between the Senate and the House and the President, and they’re fighting about powers. No, the reason the framers designed our Constitution the way they did was that they were afraid of concentrated power. The responsibility of the president is to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, not write the laws, not deny the laws, not ignore the laws, not pick which laws he or she likes, but to take care that the laws are faithfully executed. That’s the responsibility of the president. And right now, those laws are being ignored. Power was divided for a reason. There’s some criticism now in the press saying people are talking about a constitutional crisis. They’re crying wolf. No, this is a constitutional crisis. It’s the most serious assault on our Constitution in the history of this country. It is the most serious assault on the very structure of our Constitution—which is designed to protect our freedoms and our liberty — in the history of this country. It is a constitutional crisis. And I’ll tell you what makes it worse. The President and the Vice President are already hinting that they’re not going to obey decisions of the courts. What’s it going to take for us to wake up? When I say us, I mean this entire body to wake up to what’s going on here? Is it going to be too late? Is it going to be when the President has accreted all this power and the congress is an afterthought? What’s it going to take? I mean, the offenses keep piling up. The President over the weekend famously quoted Napoleon, ‘when you’re saving your country, you don’t have to obey any law’. Wow. A president of the United States, quoting Napoleon about not having to obey the law.”

Mika Brzezinski: “Independent Senator Angus King of Maine, joins us now. It’s great to have you back on the show, Senator. Katty Kay has the first question for you, sir. Katty.”

Katty Kay: “Senator, I’ve known you for a long time, and you are not given to making speeches lightly like that on the floor. You choose your words carefully. Who were you talking to? Who was your audience? What were you trying to achieve when you stood up there on the Senate Floor and spoke to your colleagues?”

Sen. King: “I was trying to capture the conscience of the Republican Senators because that’s where the power is. They have a 53 vote majority in the Senate, and they can go to the White House and tell the President, ‘slow down.’ This is not the way our system is designed. They have some influence. That’s what I’m really talking about. What’s shocking to me is that we’re not standing up for the Constitution. And when the Executive, when the President cancels a whole agency created by Congress, whether it’s AID or the Consumer Finance Board or the independent agencies that were set up almost 100 years ago to protect the public as independent agencies, the Congress is not only giving its power, but as I said in the speech, we’re violating the fundamental structure of the Constitution, which was there in order to protect us. The framers were students of human nature, and they understood a very important principle. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Therefore, they divided power. That’s what the constitution is all about. It divides power between the president, the congress, the courts, the states, and the federal government so that nobody would have all the power, because that inevitably leads to abuse.”

Katty Kay: “You’re an independent. You vote with Democrats, by and large, but I know you have good relationships with your Republican colleagues as well. Do you think they’re open to your message? When you have your private conversations with them? And I don’t want you to disclose names, are you hearing murmurs of disquiet?”

Sen. King: “I think, yes, I think disquiet is a good word. I think they’re uneasy. I think many of them understand what’s going on, although their public posture is, ‘well the courts will protect us, the courts will take care of us.’ Well, there are two problems with that. Number one, it’s a cop out. We’re not holding up our end of the constitutional bargain. We all take an oath when we come in to defend the Constitution, not a president or a party, but to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I think it’s fascinating that the framers had an idea there might be domestic enemies to the Constitution. So it’s our responsibility. And the other the other part about the courts is, as I mentioned in the speech, the Vice President and the President have already made noises about not obeying court orders. What happens then? That’s where I think it is our responsibility in the Congress. And again, I want to repeat this is not institutional jealousy. Although Madison in the Federalist thought institutional jealousy would protect this division of power, but he didn’t contemplate parties, that’s one of the problems. But it is not institutional jealousy. It’s the fundamental structure that keeps us free from an autocrat, from a dictator, from a monarch. These guys in 1787 had just fought a brutal seven year war against a king. They didn’t want concentrated power. They wanted it to be divided. And if Donald Trump doesn’t like AID, come to Congress and pass a bill. He’s got a majority in both houses to abolish it, but don’t do it in the middle of the night with this guy, Musk, and nobody knows who he’s working for or what his authority is. You know, we’ve got a bunch of 25 year-olds deciding to cut programs. Here’s another example from the other day. And this tells you where we are. Someone pointed out that the Ebola Prevention Program was cut in the AID cuts. Musk said, ‘oh, that was a mistake. We’re going to fix it.’ Think of the implications of that. What he’s really saying is, ‘I get to decide which programs we fund and which we don’t.’ That’s not the way our system is set up. That’s not the way this thing is supposed to work again, to protect our freedoms. People who are cheering all of this going on, boy, they’re going to have some second thoughts when the eye of Sauron turns to them.”

Katty Kay: “As it will.”

Willie Geist: “Senator, good morning. It’s great to have you on. In fact, Elon Musk just yesterday stood up in that cabinet meeting and sort of laughed off what happened with Ebola, saying, ‘we made a mistake and we fixed it.’ We reported this morning the Washington Post saying that actually hasn’t been fixed yet, and that money has not been put back where it needs to be to fight Ebola. Just one example. I’m just curious as to follow up on what Katty said about your fellow senators, Republicans and members of the House as well. Thinking of Speaker Mike Johnson, who is a constitutional lawyer, when they say — ”

Sen. King: “I wonder what constitution he’s a lawyer of”

Willie Geist: “Well, that’s a fair question. In many cases, going back to the 2020 election, forward where he helped Donald Trump with all that. But when they say, ‘look, we’re doing this because the country elected Donald Trump with a mandate. We just have to carry out what he says to do,’ that strikes a lot of people as a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of Congress and the checks and balance of our government. So what do you make of that argument that these, these men and women view their role as a rubber stamp of what Donald Trump wants, whatever it may be, and even if it violates the Constitution?”

Sen. King: “Well, I think the best answer to that is to go back to the oath that we all take. The oath isn’t to a president, it isn’t to a party, but to the Constitution itself. And the Constitution is very clear about the division of power. In fact, the Constitution, as I mentioned in the speech, doesn’t give the president all that much power. He is Commander in Chief, yes, but the fundamental responsibility of the president in the Constitution is to, quote, ‘take care that the laws be faithfully executed.’ I emphasize the word executed. That means carry forward. It doesn’t mean write the laws, create the laws, ignore which laws you like. And for a member of Congress to say, well, we’ve got to do whatever the president says is a fundamental misunderstanding and in my view, a violation of our of our oath and our obligation to the people of this country to keep intact the division of power, which is what keeps us safe.”

Mika Brzezinski: “Independent Senator Angus King of Maine. Thank you very much for coming on the show this morning.”

MIL OSI USA News –

February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: ‘The key question is what’s driving the changes we’re seeing in the satellite record?’: Research voyage heads to Denman Glacier

Source: Australian Government – Antarctic Division

Data crucial to understanding diversity, distribution, connectivity
The Denman Marine Voyage has a large number of early career researchers and Professor Delphine Lannuzel from the University of Tasmania, working with ACEAS, said she was particularly excited by the “breadth of expertise and career stages brought together on this voyage”.
“The Denman Glacier is one of the most dynamic and vulnerable parts of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet,” she said.
“This is a unique opportunity for ACEAS scientists and collaborators to study this remote area and contribute our piece of the puzzle to understand the drivers and consequences of changes.”
Scientists from SAEF will investigate the region’s biodiversity. One major project will seek to reveal life on the seafloor, including octopus, sea spiders, starfish and urchins.
“The ocean off the Denman Glacier terminus is a freezing, remote and almost unexplored habitat, yet if it is anything like other parts of the Southern Ocean, it could be home to a surprising diversity of life, potentially rivalling that found in tropical seas,” SAEF science coordinator Professor Jan Strugnell, from James Cook University, said.
“The data gathered on this trip will be crucial to understanding the diversity, distribution and connectivity of life in this habitat, which is key to its conservation.
“In addition, harnessing some of the information encoded in their DNA will enable us to look into the future and improve projections of the behaviour of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet and its contributions to sea level rise.”
It is scheduled to leave Hobart on March 1 and return in early May.
The DMV is a collaboration between the Australian Antarctic Division, Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science (ACEAS) and the Australian Antarctic Program Partnership (AAPP).

The Denman Glacier Photo: Dr David Souter

MIL OSI News –

February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Statement on Mass NOAA Layoffs

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
02.27.25
Cantwell Statement on Mass NOAA Layoffs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Trump Administration laid off at least 880 workers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 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, issued the following statement:
“The firings jeopardize our ability to forecast and respond to extreme weather events like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods—putting communities in harm’s way. They also threaten our maritime commerce and endanger 1.7 million jobs that depend on commercial, recreational and tribal fisheries, including thousands in the State of Washington. This action is a direct hit to our economy, because NOAA’s specialized workforce provides products and services that support more than a third of the nation’s GDP.”
Last week, Sen. Cantwell sent a letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, calling on him to exempt the National Weather Service (NWS) from the federal hiring freeze, and protect all NOAA workers from firings “that would jeopardize the safety of the American public.”
“Without NOAA’s workforce, communities will not be prepared for the next big Nor’easter, hurricane, wildfire, or drought,” wrote Sen. Cantwell. “Ships will not be able to safely navigate through our waterways. Farmers will not have the data they need to manage their crops. NOAA’s workforce keeps people alive and provides communities with the scientific support tools to protect their families and grow their businesses. I urge you to appreciate these critical government functions and reverse the hiring freeze and refrain from mass firings of these invaluable public servants—American lives depend on it.”
Also last week, speaking in opposition to the nomination of now-Secretary Lutnick on the Senate floor, Sen. Cantwell cited his “tepid support” for NOAA as a key reason for her decision to vote against his confirmation.
“When asked for the record, ‘Should NOAA be dismantled, as called for in Project 2025?’, Mr. Lutnick would only say he’ll figure it out once he’s confirmed,” Sen. Cantwell said. “We needed a bigger commitment to NOAA. NOAA already supplies a big, important aspect of what we deal with, with weather forecasting, tracking extreme weather, hurricanes, wildfires, managing our fisheries, operating ships that conduct important charting for national security. Mr. Lutnick gave very tepid support for NOAA.”
Project 2025 calls for NOAA to be “dismantled and many of its functions eliminated,” calling it part of the “climate change alarm industry.” NOAA provides critical services to the nation including weather forecasts, extreme storm tracking and monitoring, tools to enable communities to adapt to sea level rise and climate change, supporting fisheries management, and conserving marine mammals and other protected species including salmon and orcas.
Sen. Cantwell is a champion of NOAA and helped secure $3.3 billion in NOAA investments in the Inflation Reduction Act to help communities prepare for and adapt to climate change, boost science needed to understand changing weather and climate patterns, and invest in advanced computer technologies that are critical for extreme weather prediction and emergency response. Her Fire Ready Nation Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen NOAA’s ability to help forecast, prevent, and fight wildfires, passed the Commerce committee unanimously earlier this month and now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Making Innovation Happen: New IN² Cohort Focuses on Advanced Energy Implementation
Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Teens sit outside of Ponderosa High School in Coconino County, Arizona, in the garden that students created and maintained. Photo from Ponderosa High School

At Ponderosa High School in Coconino County, Arizona, students are determined to overcome obstacles on their path to graduation. Some arrive behind on credits, while others are returning to the classroom after time away. The alternative school offers more than a second chance—it is an opportunity for transformation.

That is just one reason why Coconino County Schools selected Ponderosa as the focus of an advanced energy initiative through the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN²), managed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

“Our goal at Ponderosa is to create opportunities that shift perspectives—helping students see a hopeful future and discover industries they may not have considered,” Ponderosa High Principal Les Hauer said. “The energy future is full of possibility, and this initiative helps us show students what’s possible while preparing them to succeed.”

Coconino County is one of 10 members of IN²’s latest cohort, which marked a significant milestone for the program. For the first time in its 10-year history, IN² shifted its focus from supporting startups to implementing energy technologies within established organizations.

Before pitching their projects in December 2024, participants engaged in months of preparation and education, including technology selection and impact analyses. The pitch session culminated in the cohort presenting their plans to install and use a tool or system within six months, with winners receiving a share of $750,000 in Wells Fargo funding to bring their projects to life.

“This is a monumental new direction for IN²,” said IN² Program Manager Sarah Derdowski. “IN² continues to help startups move forward over the ‘valleys of death,’ but now we also get to support the implementation of innovative technologies and make real progress in building a resilient, adaptable future.”

Pumpkins grow in the student garden outside of Ponderosa High School. Photo from Ponderosa High School

The participants in the cohort are:
- Avangrid
- Coconino County
- CBRE
- Digital Realty
- Galvanize Real Estate (GRE)
- Intermountain Health
- Prime Data Centers
- Schneider Electric
- Southern Company
- University of Colorado Boulder.
Although some cohort members are large companies, they face unique barriers where IN²’s support is invaluable. During pitch day, one of the presenters made the problem plain: Even large, well-funded organizations may find resistance to innovative technologies if they might compromise profitability.

“Pursuing new technologies is often seen as a cost and business risk for any size organization,” said Howard Branz, director of science and impact for Galvanize Climate Solutions. “At GRE, our scientists and investors work together to mitigate these risks by piloting technologies in real-world settings where we can test and prove their performance, ensuring that increasing profitability and meeting our metrics go hand-in-hand. The IN² award allows us to further accelerate the deployment of cutting-edge building technology solutions, advancing our goals.”

Coconino County’s Teaching Moment

Coconino County’s ambitious vision stood out among the pitches in early December with its goal of reducing the district’s energy consumption by 40% while creating a replicable school model for the region.

“We hope to transform our local schools by serving as a demonstration site for retrofitting and energy practices,” Superintendent Cheryl Mango-Paget said.

Ponderosa High School, located near the Grand Canyon, has about 70 students. The district identified heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) as the best opportunity because it could have the greatest impact. The district’s aging air conditioning units are due for replacement, and the hope is that Ponderosa can serve as a blueprint for surrounding schools.

To achieve that, Coconino County would integrate three technologies in one building. Blue Frontier, a company that graduated from IN² several years ago, will install a new AC unit that uses liquid desiccant technology developed by NREL. Rensair will improve air quality. And Komfort will address energy through lighting. The single Blue Frontier unit could replace up to 18 AC units already on the building. Estimates done during IN² show the new systems, at minimum, could cut utility costs by 50%.

Participants from Coconino County pitch their proposal during the pitch day in early December 2024. Photo by Agata Bogucka, NREL

“This partnership with NREL and IN² is a powerful teaching tool,” Hauer said. “We’re giving students a hands-on experience beyond the classroom by letting them observe the installation process.”

While the students will not install the systems themselves, they will learn from the process and gain insight into future job opportunities in the HVAC and advanced energy industries.

CBRE’s AC Pivot

When Jeff Dunbar, senior sustainability director for CBRE, first got involved with IN², he thought their project would focus on advanced cement. Then he realized they only had six months to implement, so he pivoted to a faster solution: rooftop HVAC units.

“We replace thousands of rooftop units every year in the U.S.,” Dunbar said. “This became an easy lever for us to pull.”

CBRE manages more than 7 billion square feet of property around the world and spent more than $33 billion with suppliers last year globally. Once CBRE identified the HVAC direction, NREL helped pinpoint where to go next.

Jeff Dunbar, senior sustainability director for CBRE, pitches the company’s proposal during the IN2 pitch day. Photo by Agata Bogucka, NREL

“I stood in a room at NREL and stared at Blue Frontier’s mockup of this technology while an NREL engineer explained how it works,” Dunbar said. “Together, we found our ‘Goldilocks’ site that matches the necessary specs on a building in Delaware.”

The pilot project will install and test Blue Frontier’s unit on this building in Delaware, with the potential of replicating it at other sites nationwide. The system is designed as a drop-in replacement—it integrates seamlessly with existing infrastructure and eliminates the need for costly modifications.

“Our hope is that by the end of the first summer season, the results will give us the confidence to move forward with other sites,” Dunbar said during the pitch.

Additionally, CBRE is not giving up on the idea of an advanced cement project.

“As an offshoot, NREL pulled us into conversations with several advanced concrete partners about a potential project in 2025,” Dunbar said. “We can continue to pursue the concrete challenge outside of the IN² program.”

Intermountain Health’s Strive for Change

Glen Garrick, system sustainability director for Intermountain Health, is also working with NREL on a project separate from the IN² pitch he presented. The company has 16 traditional shuttles, and it wants to change that and incorporate advanced technologies.

Initially, the employee responsible for managing the fleet resisted the idea, uncertain about its feasibility. But the project gained momentum after a visit to NREL.

“We flew out to NREL and sat in a room talking with 10 experts,” Garrick said. “Some on our team had a healthy skepticism about the shuttles. But after candid discussions with subject matter experts and experienced professionals from NREL, those individuals on our team completely changed their mindset.”

With approximately 400 clinics and 34 hospitals across the Intermountain West, Intermountain Health plans to order the first set of shuttles in 2025 and begin using them in 2026.

In addition to the shuttles, Garrick presented a pilot project at one location that would include a solar canopy with panels that move with the sun and battery storage for advanced energy.

“We tried to find projects that have a long payback because those wouldn’t get approved without IN²,” Garrick said. “It’s not meant to be a huge sexy project—it’s a demonstration project that helps us start to shift toward more on-campus renewables.”

The driving force is to avoid taking money away from patient care.

“Every dollar that goes to energy or waste is one less for patient funding,” he said. “Whenever I can bring in external funding, that’s money saved for patient care.”

During the IN² pitch day, the attendees networked with each other in between the pitches from the different participants. Photo by Agata Bogucka, NREL

NREL’s Assistance

This IN² cohort did not have to figure out the solutions to their challenges on their own. With guidance from NREL experts and support from consulting firm Overlay Build, participants overcame technical and strategic hurdles unique to their companies to move their projects forward.

For Coconino County, narrowing down a daunting list of 168 potential HVAC technologies was a critical first step.

“When I saw the list, first I cried,” Mango-Paget said. “But IN² and NREL helped us discover the best bang for our buck, and that led us to three companies that could make the biggest impact.”

NREL’s support did not stop at the planning phase. For CBRE, NREL’s direct involvement in monitoring the Delaware pilot will ensure a smooth transition from concept to implementation.

“The scientists who helped birth this liquid desiccant technology are going to come help monitor the site in Delaware,” Dunbar said. “That helps de-risk it for us. We’re trying to do this at scale; it’s exciting to be at the front end of that curve.”

The value of NREL’s expertise also extends beyond IN²’s formal structure. Garrick believes Intermountain’s partnership with NREL will continue independently of the IN² project.

“I could see a new project evolving in the next six months,” he said. “We have all the contacts, and I think it’s entirely possible we’ll reach out directly for support.”

By providing both education now and actionable solutions down the road, NREL and IN² have empowered these organizations to overcome barriers, adopt innovative technologies, and make measurable progress.

Winners

Five of the 10 participants in this first-of-its-kind cohort earned monetary awards.
- CBRE received $150,000 for its project, which will cover the engineering, design, and construction costs for the pilot and a scalability study.
- Coconino County received $55,000 for the Rensair and Komfort parts of its project.
- Digital Realty received $125,000 to partner with Hayzel and improve chilling in its data centers in Santa Clara, California.
- Galvanize Real Estate received $200,000 to work with EnKoat, an IN² portfolio company, and Alpen for a pilot on a building in Pedricktown, New Jersey.
- The University of Colorado Boulder received $220,000 to work with INOVUES to retrofit existing windows in aging buildings with hermetically sealed high-performance glass.
All the pilot projects must be completed within six months. NREL will keep track of their progress and post updates in the future.

And the participants—including the five teams that did not earn funding—are walking away with tailored technology adoption playbooks and access to expertise in digitization and change management.

“Alongside the new relationships formed with NREL, the program itself is an award,” Derdowski said. “We’re already seeing renewed efforts to change the culture at all of these organizations.”

“I’m really glad we went through the process because we saved one project because of it,” Garrick said. “If it wasn’t for that contact with NREL, that project would have died.”

Updates on how the installations proceed will be found on www.in2ecosystem.com later this year.

MIL OSI USA News –
February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: NSW’s State Fish, the Eastern Blue Groper, will continue being protected

Source: New South Wales Premiere

Published: 28 February 2025

Released by: Minister for Agriculture

The NSW Government today announced that the State’s Fish, the Eastern Blue groper, will continue to be protected following scientific advice and community feedback.

Consequently, the no-line fishing prohibition, implemented 12 months ago, will continue for a further three years from 1 March 2025 to enable further research and monitoring on the species.

This decision combines with the long-term existing prohibition on spearfishing and commercial fishing of the Eastern Blue Groper to continue the temporary prohibition of line fishing.

This decision has been taken after the Government considered a range of important factors including recently published scientific information that raised concerns about the potential impacts of climate change and that caution should be taken in managing the species due to their unique biological traits.

The State’s Fish holds a special place for many people and communities, and this has also contributed to the decision to continue the fishing prohibition of the iconic Eastern Blue Groper.

This decision aligns with the situation in Victoria where for a long period of time there has been a prohibition of line fishing, spear fishing and commercial fishing for the Blue Groper.

The Government is committed to the sound management of our fisheries resources while also enabling the important activity of recreational fishing to be undertaken along the coast and inland waters of NSW.

Steps were taken early last year by the Government to ensure the protection of the State’s Fish, by placing a 12 month prohibition on line fishing for the fish, so research could be done to ascertain the best way to manage the Blue Groper and to enable community consultation.

The protection afforded by a prohibition on fishing was required following a community outcry on the behaviour of persons found illegally spearing the fish along the NSW coast and a concern for the sustainability of the species.

During the 12-month period of the ban, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development undertook both community engagement, comprehensive research and stock assessment of the Blue Groper.

The stock assessment concluded that the Eastern Blue Groper is in a sustainable position, however there is a risk the species is being impacted by climate change and warming waters.

The decision to continue a ban of line fishing will afford protection for the State Fish while the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development continue scientific monitoring and research of this important species, including looking at how the community can get involved through citizen science programs.

NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“NSW’s State Fish, the Eastern Blue Groper, will continue being protected after the Government considered a range of advice, community feedback and scientific research.

“There is a strong community interest in the State’s iconic Eastern Blue Groper, and there is a community expectation that we take every step possible to understand any potential impacts that climate change may be having on the species.

“Three further years of scientific monitoring will deliver a deeper level of understanding of how this wonderful fish is coping with warming conditions and what impact those conditions are having on the population, particularly in our inshore waters where people interact with the Eastern Blue Groper.

“I know some fishers will be disappointed, but I also know there are many in the NSW community, including fishers, who want this State Fish protected and that is what the Government is doing.”

MIL OSI News –

February 28, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Farming cooperatives can get a bad environmental rap, but they can also be a force for good

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stefan Korber, Senior Lecturer in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Shutterstock

It might have surprised some people when the United Nations made 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives and praised the “significant role cooperatives play in advancing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals”.

Because cooperatives certainly have their critics. Economically, cooperative principles such as democratic ownership and governance are sometimes linked to inefficiency, low competitiveness and conservative decision-making.

Environmentally, agricultural cooperatives can be portrayed as ecologically suspect and immune to effective regulation. New Zealand’s cooperative dairy giant Fonterra, for example, has been labelled “New Zealand’s worst climate polluter” by Greenpeace due to the methane emissions and effluent its cows produce.

Obviously there is a major political dimension to that argument. But our recent research suggests agricultural cooperatives can also play a positive role when it comes to sustainable development – precisely because of their inherently diverse and democratic structure.

Cooperatives are basically associations of individuals or businesses who voluntarily join to meet common economic, social or cultural needs. Jointly owned and democratically controlled, their profits are distributed among members rather than external shareholders.

We interviewed individuals – from farmers to top-level managers and directors – in three New Zealand agricultural cooperatives. We wanted to shed more light on how their model can work to address one of the most pressing challenges New Zealand faces: sustainable land and water use.

Spreading innovative ideas

The three horticultural and dairy co-ops in our study collectively employ around 800 staff and are part of important value chains that connect New Zealand farmers to foreign markets. Industry experts described them as especially innovative in tackling sustainability challenges.

For decades, industrialised agriculture has exacerbated land degradation by draining natural aquifers for farming, polluting land and water with effluent runoff, and creating food safety concerns about chemical residues.

However, the co-ops in our study have developed methods and approaches to respond to these problems by enabling collaboration between members and external stakeholders. They also leverage some good old “number 8 wire” thinking from their farmers.

First, organised workshops enable members to learn about the latest policy requirements and how customer expectations are changing. Instead of presenting ready-made solutions, the cooperatives support their farmers to experiment with novel ideas in response to identified problems.

Motivated by increased awareness of ecological issues, some farmers came up with pioneering solutions, such as novel effluent systems, that made a positive environmental impact and saved money.

Because of their networked structure, cooperatives can help innovative ideas spread rapidly across the broader membership. Farmers take pivotal roles, acting as champions and “thought leaders” to promote new ideas on roadshows and at field days.

Networked learning: farmers become ‘thought leaders’ within cooperatives, spreading knowledge and innovative ideas.
Shutterstock

Building collaboration and trust

Secondly, our co-ops ensured solutions developed on the farm held up to scientific scrutiny. They established working groups where researchers from public research institutes collaborated with farmers to develop solutions that worked for everyone.

The most promising ideas even receive funding to conduct on-farm trials to test their real-world application, and that they meet the practical requirements of farmers.

Explaining why getting farmers and scientists in the same room was vital, one cooperative manager told us:

A lot of farmers often see science as purely academic and not practical. So, giving the farmers a say in that whole process is vital. You’ve got to instil that trust […] that’s when you are getting results.

Third, the cooperatives codify novel agricultural methods into best-practice guidelines and audit them regularly. By combining these efforts, cooperatives can achieve widespread acceptance of new farming practices that are scientifically validated but also practical.

Power in the collective

Ultimately, our findings show large-scale sustainable transformation rests on finding ways to orchestrate the efforts of many individuals and organisations towards a common goal.

To be sure, we are not saying some cooperatives and their members don’t also contribute to climate change. But we are suggesting they can play a more positive and proactive role than typically assumed.

A lot of attention these days is paid to investor-owned, multinational corporations that seek to tackle complex challenges with technical solutions. Similarly, small-scale “ecopreneurial” initiatives that make a difference locally often find media and public favour.

But it’s questionable whether single organisations, small or large, can galvanise the large-scale changes contemporary challenges demand.

Cooperatives, on the other hand, are inherently diverse. They can represent the interests of local communities better than organisations controlled by often distant shareholders.

As such, they are ideally placed to coordinate and facilitate the collaborative solutions needed to develop and implement sustainable transformation.

The author acknowledges his colleagues in this research project: Lisa Callagher (University of Auckland), Frank Siedlok (University of St Andrews) and Ziad Elsahn (Lancaster University).

Stefan Korber 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. Farming cooperatives can get a bad environmental rap, but they can also be a force for good – https://theconversation.com/farming-cooperatives-can-get-a-bad-environmental-rap-but-they-can-also-be-a-force-for-good-250905

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell, Democrats Vote NO on Advancing Deputy DOT Nominee Bradbury: “It Simply Does Not Matter If You’re Saving Dollars, If You’re Not Saving Lives”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

02.27.25

Cantwell, Democrats Vote NO on Advancing Deputy DOT Nominee Bradbury: “It Simply Does Not Matter If You’re Saving Dollars, If You’re Not Saving Lives”

As DOT General Counsel from 2017-2021, Bradbury helped sideline a crucial safety regulation for plane manufacturers in immediate aftermath of fatal crashes

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, led committee Democrats in voting against advancing Steven Bradbury – President Donald Trump’s pick to serve as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation – to the full Senate for a confirmation vote.

From 2017 to 2021, Bradbury served as the General Counsel of DOT. Under his leadership, Sen. Cantwell said, the DOT rolled back multiple “common sense requirements.”

“It simply does not matter if you’re saving dollars, if you’re not saving lives. The last thing we need is someone who won’t stand up to the industry or [for] aviation safety needs,” Sen. Cantwell said. “Fatigue prevention requirements for truck drivers were loosened. A record number of rail safety requirements were waived. And most troubling, a proposed rule on Safety Management System for aviation manufacturers such as Boeing was sidelined.”

The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation ultimately voted 15-13 to advance Bradbury’s nomination to the full Senate. In spite of Bradbury’s record of rolling back and blocking safety regulations during the first Trump administration, all Republicans voted to advance his nomination.

Last week, during a committee hearing, Sen. Cantwell pressed Bradbury on his decision to sideline a proposed requirement that plane manufacturers must adopt a mandatory Safety Management System (SMS), which an expert panel determined would decrease the likelihood of another fatal accident. His decision came just nine days after the fatal Lion Air flight 610 crash in 2018 on a Boeing 737 MAX, which killed 189 people, and halted the introduction of a critical aviation safety rule advocated for by crash victim family members.

Sen. Cantwell asked him at the hearing: “We know that the rule was halted nine days after the MAX crash. Why did you stop the rulemaking from happening?”

Bradbury: “Well, I don’t know that I stopped it.”

Sen. Cantwell: “That’s what’s reported in the paper, and I mentioned the FAA person, who was in charge of the process, who said the industry and everybody wanted to move forward, and it was submitted, and then next thing you know, it’s pulled, so…”

Bradbury: “Well, certainly we go through a review of every regulation, and as I recall, in that regulation, there were questions on the merits about which entities it should apply to and how it might apply to small businesses or small entities. Those are the kinds of questions that need to be addressed whenever you’re –“

Sen. Cantwell: “So you’re saying you might have killed the SMS rule because you didn’t want it to apply to all manufacturers.”

Bradbury: “I wouldn’t say I killed the SMS rule. And let me say –”

Sen Cantwell: “We still don’t have one. Our committee has worked hard to get one, and now it’s going to be in law. But I have more questions about this. But yes, you did stop it from happening. There was a recommendation to move forward on it, and your office stopped it.”

Earlier this month, Sen. Cantwell also sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy calling on him to ensure that Elon Musk stays out of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), citing Musk’s clear conflicts of interest.

In August, Sen. Cantwell introduced the FAA SMS Compliance Review Act. The bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to:
- Convene an independent review panel that will make recommendations to help the FAA implement a robust, comprehensive Safety Management System across all lines of business at the agency, which includes Aviation Safety, Air Traffic Organization, Airports, Security & Hazardous Materials Safety, and the Office of Commercial Space Transportation.
- Develop and implement effective processes for performing root cause analyses to identify opportunities for improvement in the FAA’s execution of its regulatory oversight responsibilities.
- Revise its procedures to shorten the time that manufacturers have to prepare for audits from 50 days to one week.
Following the Alaska Airlines flight 1282 incident in January 2024, Sen. Cantwell has held a series of aviation safety hearings, along with leading legislation and letters calling for stronger safety oversight at the FAA.

In January 2023 and January 2024, Sen. Cantwell requested that FAA perform a special technical audit of Boeing’s production line. The FAA later said the audit found multiple instances where Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements.

Sen. Cantwell held an April hearing to review the independent Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) Expert Review Panel’s final report, a March 2024 hearing with National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy on its investigation of the January incident and a June hearing with FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker on the agency’s oversight.

In May, Sen. Cantwell and Sen. Duckworth led the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which includes new measures to improve aviation safety, such as putting more safety inspectors on factory floors, addressing the nation’s shortage of air traffic controllers, deploying new runway technology to prevent close calls, mandating new 25-hour cockpit recording systems to assist in investigations, and enhancing aircraft certification reforms.

The FAA Reauthorization Act builds upon the Aircraft Certification, Safety and Accountability Act of 2020, spearheaded by Sen. Cantwell in the aftermath of the Boeing 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019.

Video of Sen. Cantwell’s remarks today is HERE; a transcript is HERE.
MIL OSI USA News –
February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Kaptur Follow-Up, Demand Answers from Trump DOE as it Continues to Block Investments to Lower Americans’ Energy Costs

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

Washington, D.C. — Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Ranking Member, and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D, OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, sent a new letter to Energy Secretary Chris Wright, demanding answers about the Department of Energy’s freeze of key energy investments. Murray and Kaptur pressed Secretary Wright to provide answers to questions they posed in a January 31 letter—responses that DOE has failed to provide—and to expeditiously release illegally blocked funding.

“The Department’s actions continue to cause widespread chaos and confusion, affect a broad array of investments in American communities, and threaten to raise energy costs for American families. We have yet to hear back on any of the questions raised and many of these critical programs remain illegally frozen,” write Murray and Kaptur.

“As Secretary, you have a responsibility and duty to execute the laws faithfully,” added Murray and Kaptur. “Congress has enacted laws to invest in America’s security and prosperity and lower American households’ energy costs by addressing our nation’s energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions. This administration’s funding freeze continues to create mass uncertainty, will cause energy prices to rise, risks good-paying jobs in communities across the country, and undermines the pursuit of energy dominance.”

“We respectfully ask that you respond to the questions raised in our prior letter and release all of the illegally frozen funds expeditiously,” Murray and Kaptur conclude.

In their January letter, Murray and Kaptur noted that the illegal freeze of Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding is creating unacceptable chaos, confusion, and harm for American families and businesses:

“Stopping these programs is taking money from the pockets of Americans. For example, the Home Energy Rebates programs, funded by the IRA, has been putting money directly back in the hands of American households. The rebates help consumers save money on select home improvement projects that can lower energy bills by providing up to $14,000 per household in rebates. It is estimated that these programs will save households up to $1 billion per year on energy bills and support over 50,000 U.S. jobs. The President’s attempt to freeze the Home Energy Rebates Program means these costs will fall back on American consumers.”

Full text of the letter is available HERE and below:

The Honorable Christopher Wright

Secretary

U.S. Department of Energy

1000 Independence Ave., SW

Washington, DC 20585

Dear Secretary Wright:

We write to follow up on the attached letter sent on January 31, 2025. This letter raised grave concerns about the Department of Energy’s (DOE) unlawful actions to freeze program funding. The Department’s actions continue to cause widespread chaos and confusion, affect a broad array of investments in American communities, and threaten to raise energy costs for American families. We have yet to hear back on any of the questions raised and many of these critical programs remain illegally frozen.

As Secretary, you have a responsibility and duty to execute the laws faithfully. We reiterate our call for the Department to responsibly carry out duly enacted spending laws, execute its programs, and follow the law as intended for all of its appropriated funding. Congress has enacted laws to invest in America’s security and prosperity and lower American households’ energy costs by addressing our nation’s energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions. This administration’s funding freeze continues to create mass uncertainty, will cause energy prices to rise, risks good-paying jobs in communities across the country, and undermines the pursuit of energy dominance.

We respectfully ask that you respond to the questions raised in our prior letter and release all of the illegally frozen funds expeditiously.

Sincerely,

Marcy Kaptur, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, House Committee on Appropriations

Patty Murray, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, Senate Committee on Appropriations

MIL OSI USA News –

February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI: Chris Kendall Appointed to Range Resources Board of Directors

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION (NYSE: RRC) today announced the appointment of Christian S. (Chris) Kendall to its Board of Directors. Mr. Kendall’s appointment is effective February 27 and he will serve on Range’s Governance and Nominating and ESG and Safety Committees.

Mr. Kendall has more than 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, most recently as director, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Denbury Inc. prior to its acquisition by Exxon Mobil Corporation in November 2023.

Range Chairman, Greg Maxwell, stated, “Chris brings a wealth of technical expertise and a proven record of success as an executive in the energy sector. We are confident Chris’s extensive background in the industry will benefit the Company as we continue strategically developing our extensive Marcellus Shale position and translating that into shareholder value.”

Prior to joining Denbury, Mr. Kendall was with Noble Energy, serving as the Senior Vice President, Global Operations Services. During his 14-year tenure at Noble Energy, Mr. Kendall held several international and domestic leadership roles. Mr. Kendall began his energy career at Mobil Corporation in 1989.

Mr. Kendall earned Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Civil Specialty from the Colorado School of Mines and graduated from Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.

Mr. Kendall currently serves as a director of NOV Inc. and California Resources Corporation, including its subsidiary, Carbon TerraVault.

RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION (NYSE: RRC) is a leading U.S. independent natural gas and NGL producer with operations focused in the Appalachian Basin. The Company is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. More information about Range can be found at www.rangeresources.com.

Range Investor Contact:
Laith Sando, SVP – Corporate Strategy & Investor Relations
817-869-4267
lsando@rangeresources.com

Range Media Contact:
Mark Windle, Director of Corporate Communications
724-873-3223
mwindle@rangeresources.com

The MIL Network –

February 28, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Museum of the Albemarle to Host Final Moonshine and Motorsports Concert March 29

Source: US State of North Carolina

Headline: Museum of the Albemarle to Host Final Moonshine and Motorsports Concert March 29

Museum of the Albemarle to Host Final Moonshine and Motorsports Concert March 29
jejohnson6
Thu, 02/27/2025 – 15:40

The finale in a special series of concerts celebrating North Carolina’s unique story of moonshine and motorsports will take place March 29 at the Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City, N.C.

The concert will feature Tar Heel legend of Americana, Jim Lauderdale, the iconic bluegrass combo, the Kruger Brothers with special guest Jonah Horton, along with the Nest of Singing Birds.

Inspired by the Moonshine and Motorsports Trail developed by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR), this North Carolina Museum of History-sponsored series has blended music with storytelling as it moved from Raleigh to Charlotte to Elizabeth City, highlighting the historic places on that very trail.

Tickets can be purchased through this link (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/moonshine-and-motorsports-music-museum-of-the-albemarle-tickets-964317308027?aff=oddtdtcreator).

For accessibility accommodations, please contact the Museum of the Albemarle at (252) 353-1453.

About Jim Lauderdale
At any given time, you’re likely to find Jim Lauderdale making music, whether he’s laying down a new track in the studio or working through a spontaneous melody at his home in Nashville. And if he’s not actively crafting new music, he’s certainly thinking about it. “It’s a constant challenge to try to keep making better and better records, write better and better songs. I still always feel like I’m a developing artist,” he says. This may be a surprising sentiment from a man who’s won two Grammys, released 37 full-length albums, and taken home the Americana Music Association’s coveted Wagonmaster Lifetime Achievement Award among other awards. But his latest album, My Favorite Place, is convincing evidence that the North Carolina native is only continuing to hone his craft.

About the Kruger Brothers
Born and raised in Europe, brothers Jens and Uwe Kruger started singing and playing instruments at a very young age. Growing up in a family where music was an important part of life, they were exposed to a wide diversity of musical influences. The brothers were performing regularly by the time they were eleven and twelve years old, and they began their professional career in 1979. Several years later the brothers teamed up with bass player Joel Landsberg, forming a trio that has been playing professionally together since 1995. Together, they established the incomparable sound that the Kruger Brothers are known for today. The trio moved to the United States in 2002 and is based in Wilkesboro, N.C.

About the Nest of Singing Birds
Sheila Kay Adams is a 7th generation ballad singer, storyteller, and banjo player. She is a recipient of the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts and the North Carolina Heritage Award. Her daughter, Melanie Rice, along with Donna Ray Norton are 8th generation ballad singers. They will be performing with old-time traditional fiddle player, William Ritter.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.

Feb 25, 2025

MIL OSI USA News –

February 28, 2025

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