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Category: Science

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Novel technique unearthed to enhance next-generation lighting

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 21 FEB 2025 5:32PM by PIB Delhi

    An innovative method to minimize anion migration in perovskite nanocrystals, thereby reducing their sensitivity to heat and moisture, as well as colour instability, paving the way for efficient, durable optoelectronic devices.

    Lighting consumes nearly 20% of global electricity, and advancements in lighting technology have significantly improved energy efficiency. From the incandescent and fluorescent lamps of the past to the invention of LEDs in the 1960s, lighting has come a long way.

    A pivotal breakthrough occurred in 1993 when Shuji Nakamura and his team members developed high-brightness blue LEDs, enabling energy-efficient white LEDs (WLEDs), a feat recognized with the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics. Today, LEDs lead the market in efficiency and lifespan.

    Currently, emerging light related technologies like OLEDs that offer vibrant colors, QLEDs that provide precise colour control and durability and micro/mini-LEDs that deliver high brightness and stability, are shaping the future of lighting.

    While thin and flexible OLEDs (Organic LEDs) are costly and have shorter lifespans, QLEDs (Quantum Dot LEDs) are toxic and their production is challenged by resource scarcity and Micro/Mini-LEDs are limited in their application due to high production costs.

    Perovskite (class of compounds which have the same type of crystal structure as CaTiO3 – Calcium Titanate) LEDs (PeLEDs) combine the advantages of OLEDs and QLEDs, positioning them as an excellent choice for next-generation lighting. However, their widespread application is limited by challenges such as sensitivity to heat and moisture, as well as colour instability caused by anion migration (which occurs when halide ions — chloride, bromide, or iodide move between quantum dots in mixed layers).

    To tackle this issue, researchers at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS) in Bengaluru, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have developed an innovative method to minimize anion migration in CsPbX₃ perovskite nanocrystals.

    The team, led by Dr. Pralay K. Santra, synthesized green light emitting cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr₃) perovskite nanocrystals using a hot injection method, where oleylamine serves as the passivating ligand. To enhance stability, they applied argon-oxygen (Ar-O₂) plasma treatment, which immobilizes the surface ligands by creating a cross-linked, hydrophobic layer. This approach effectively stabilizes the ligands and slows anion exchange, significantly improving colour stability by several orders.

    This breakthrough published in the journal Nanoscale, provides valuable insights into stabilizing perovskite nanocrystals, paving the way for efficient, durable optoelectronic devices.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India Expands Collaboration with UK in Key Areas of Telecom, AI, and Emerging Technologies

    Source: Government of India (2)

    India Expands Collaboration with UK in Key Areas of Telecom, AI, and Emerging Technologies

    C-DOT and SONIC Labs Join Hands to Drive Open RAN Innovation

    Roundtable on Telecoms & AI: Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary T highlights India’s leadership in the telecommunications sector and its rapid advancements in next-generation network technologies

    Posted On: 21 FEB 2025 1:45PM by PIB Delhi

    The Secretary (Telecom) of India visited the United Kingdom to engage with the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), UK and explore opportunities for collaboration in next-generation telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and space technology, further strengthening Indo-UK ties in these critical areas.

    The Secretary (Telecom) met with Mr. Chris Johnson, National Scientific Adviser, and Mr. Dave Smith, National Technology Adviser of DSIT. The discussions centred on emerging technologies and their applications in 5G, 6G, digital infrastructure security.

    The Secretary also met with Mr. Geoff Huggins, Director, Digital Directorate, Govt of Scotland, to discuss collaborative efforts in digital transformation through telecom, telecom security, and emerging telecom technologies.

    Secretary (Telecom) held a field visit at one of the six Federated Telecom Hubs (FTH) in the UK, specializing in Cloud and Distributed Computing (CHEDDAR). This hub leads cutting-edge research in 6G distributed cloud, AI for 6G, green 6G, and advanced sensing technologies.
    Furthermore, the Secretary met with Ms. Jean Innes, CEO of the Alan Turing Institute, for discussions on potential collaboration in digital twins, AI for telecom security, ethical AI, and fostering an AI innovation and startup ecosystem.

    Additionally, the Secretary visited Scotland’s 5G Centre at the University of Strathclyde and the 6G Research Centre at the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering. These visits facilitated discussions on collaboration in 6G innovation, future sensing technologies, the exchange of technology such as the 5G stack, and student exchange programs to foster academic and industrial partnerships.

    Scotland  5G Center                                                                    Demonstration of remote dental surgery at 6G research Center

    UK-India Telecom Roundtable & MoU Signing

    Building on the strong foundation of the UK-India Technology Security Initiative (TSI), where telecom remains a key priority, a roundtable discussion was convened with key UK stakeholders from DSIT, leading business entities such as BT and Ericsson, and innovation hubs and centres, including SONIC Labs, UK Telecom Labs, TITAN, JOINER. Representatives from the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency, Innovate UK, and the UK Technology Innovation Network (UKTIN) also participated, exploring avenues for mutual cooperation. The roundtable was organized by the High Commission of India (HCI) in partnership with UKTIN. Dr. Neeraj Mittal highlighted India’s leadership in the telecom sector and its rapid advancements in next-generation network technologies.

    Following the roundtable, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between SONIC Labs and the Centre for Development of Telematics (CDOT). The agreement focuses on Open RAN-related policy and technical matters, including 5G Open RAN and Artificial Intelligence in 4G/5G

    Other key areas of collaboration which have been identified during the deliberations with various stakeholders on the telecom ecosystem of UK :

    • Establishment of a Joint Centres of Excellence focusing on telecom cybersecurity, AI in telecom, and digital twins.
    • Collaborative initiatives with British telcos to leverage mobile phone data for infrastructure planning, building upon India’s success in using such data for metro route planning.
    • Joint contributions to ITU for the development of 6G standards (IMT 2030).
    • Mutual recognition of testing labs and the establishment of new testing facilities.
    • Collaboration on Digital Twins, including standardization frameworks, privacy-enhancing technologies, and cross-sectoral data applications.
    • Advancing quantum communication solutions and submarine sea cable security.
    • Promoting the Indigenous 4G/5G telecom stack developed by CDOT.
    • Collaboration on space technology communication (TN-NTN) between the UK and India’s Bharat 6G Alliance.

    This visit underscored the shared commitment of India and the UK to drive innovation in telecom and digital infrastructure, paving the way for enhanced collaboration in next-generation connectivity solutions. It also reflects India’s proactive approach to shaping global telecom policies, fostering AI-driven innovations, and strengthening international partnerships for a digitally inclusive future.

    About C-DOT

    C-DOT is the premier research and development centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India. It is dedicated to developing indigenous telecom technologies, including 4G/5G solutions, AI-driven network management, and cybersecurity frameworks, to enhance India’s telecom ecosystem and contribute to global standardization efforts.

    About SONIC Labs

    SONIC Labs (SmartRAN Open Network Interoperability Centre) is a world-leading innovation programme and R&D facility based in London, funded by the UK Government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Co-delivered by Digital Catapult and Ofcom, SONIC Labs drives global technology development in Open RAN, aiming to create a diverse and competitive telecom supply chain.

    About The Alan Turing Institute, UK

    The Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for data science and AI, drives world-class research, fosters AI innovation, and collaborates with academia, industry, and policymakers to address global challenges. With a network of 13 partner universities and an open collaboration model, it plays a pivotal role in advancing AI-driven solutions, shaping public policy, and developing future skills. The Institute supports global AI initiatives, where AI is a key driver of economic growth and societal transformation.

    About CHEDDAR

    The Communications Hub for Empowering Distributed Cloud Computing Applications and Research (CHEDDAR) is a pioneering research hub advancing next-generation computing, Edge Computing, and AI-driven systems. Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) – UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) via the Technology Missions Fund (TMF), CHEDDAR serves as a critical platform for collaboration across academia, industry, and the global community. Led by Imperial College London, with core partners including Cranfield, Durham, Glasgow, Leeds, and York universities, CHEDDAR focuses on integrating future communication systems with cloud and AI technologies. With 6G standards on the horizon, CHEDDAR aims to drive research in secure, sustainable, and intelligent communication infrastructures, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Day 2 #CTDDR2025: The 9th MahaKumbh for Drug Research

    Source: Government of India

    Day 2 #CTDDR2025: The 9th MahaKumbh for Drug Research

    Drug Resistance, Car T Cell Therapy, Parasitic, Viral disease and Natural Product Chemistry was the main theme of the Day

    Experts from different area shared their recent findings with the participants

    Posted On: 21 FEB 2025 11:35AM by PIB Delhi

    Today, on the second day of the 9th “International Symposium on Current Trends in Drug Discovery Research” at CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, observed important scientific deliberations by eminent scientists. Researchers and scholars presented their work through visually compelling posters, fostering discussions and knowledge exchange

    Pan-drug-resistant Gram-negative isolates are major risk for life,

    novel beta-lactam enhancerwould be helpful to manage the Pan-drug resistant: Sachin S. Bhagwat

    In scientific session II on “Concept to point of care: Drugs pending submission/approval or recently approved,” Dr. Sachin S. Bhagwat from the Wockhardt Research Center, Aurangabad, India, delivered his talk on the discovery of a novel mechanism of action-based β-lactam + β-lactam enhancer combination, WCK 5222, with comprehensive coverage of pan-drug resistant Gram negatives. He highlighted AMR has rendered many existing antibiotics ineffective, posing a major global health crisis.The widespread prevalence of MDR, XDR, and PDR Gram-negative pathogens, including carbapenem-resistant strains, has rendered many last-line antibiotics ineffective. The ICMR data shows concerning carbapenem resistance rates: over 90% in Acinetobacter, 45% in P. aeruginosa, and 69% in Klebsiella. As a result, clinicians frequently use medications with diminished safety or unproven combinations. These infections are responsible for up to 8.85 lakh deaths annually, with an additional 9.6 lakh linked to sepsis. Further, he shared his research on the development of a novel β-lactam enhancer, Zidebactam, which, in combination with cefepime (WCK 5222), demonstrated potent activity against 35,000 global pan-drug-resistant Gram-negative isolates. He mentioned that WCK 5222 has saved over 45 lives under compassionate use and completed successful trials in severe documented meropenem-resistant infections and is expected to change the treatment paradigm for life-threatening Gram-negative infections.

    Dr. Sachin S. Bhagwat speaking at the 9th “International Symposium on Current Trends in Drug Discovery Research” #CTDDR2025 at CSIR-CDIR, Lucknow.

    CAR-T cell therapy is an emerging approach for cancer care: Prof. Rahul Purwar

    Prof. Rahul Purwar from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, shared the journey on First “Make in India” CAR-T cell therapy: from R&D to clinic to market. Cancer is a worldwide issue and India has the second-highest cancer mortality rate. The CAR-T cell therapy is an emerging approach for cancer care. However, this technology is extremely expensive (500,000 USD/patient) and not available in India. To ensure its accessibility to all, they developed a robust, safe and affordable technology platform and validated through Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. He further noted that, CD19 CAR-T is approved by CDSCO for commercial use in October 2023, and now over 300 patients are treated across the country.

    Prof. Rahul Purwar from IIT, Bombay speaking at the 9th “International Symposium on Current Trends in Drug Discovery Research” #CTDDR2025 at CSIR-CDIR, Lucknow.

    Mitochondrial translation can be targeted for new possibilities of new therapeutic development for Apicomplexan parasites borne diseases: Prof. Dominique Soldati-Favre

    In her Plenary Lecture on Toxoplasma gondii Mitoribosome from highly fragmented rRNAs to a functional Machine, Prof. Dominique Soldati-Favre from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, shared her research on Toxoplasma gondii Mitoribosome. Apicomplexan parasites are responsible for severe human diseases such as malaria, toxoplasmosis, and babesiosis. She said, these parasites, in addition to small mitochondrial genome, contain fragmented mitoribosomal rRNAs, which complicates our understanding of mitoribosome assembly. Using apicoplast-less T. gondii parasites, they have identified drugs that specifically target mitochondrial translation. This approach offers exciting new possibilities for therapeutic development.

    Prof. Dominique Soldati-Favre speaking at the 9th “International Symposium on Current Trends in Drug Discovery Research” #CTDDR2025 at CSIR-CDIR, Lucknow.

    HACK-indices provides a rational basis for selecting next-generation probiotics and live biotherapeutic products: Dr. Tarini Shankar Ghosh

    Dr. Tarini Shankar Ghosh from The Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi, presented the efforts to identify the Health-Associated Core-Keystones (HACK) across population groups. The availability of HACK-indices provides a rational basis for selecting next-generation probiotics and live biotherapeutic products to promote general health. Through global meta-analysis of gut microbiomes from 127 studies, his group investigated 196 taxa for their association with three hallmark properties, i.e., prevalence/community-influence in non-diseased subjects, longitudinal stability and host health and integrated them into a single measure, the HACK-index. Using this HACK-index, they presented a ranking order of microbiome taxa based on their estimated contribution to both microbiome stability and host-health.

    Host-directed therapy for infectious diseases may be new hope for targeting antimicrobials: Prof. Christian Doerig

    Prof. Christian Doerig from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, Australia, explained about the host-directed therapy that offers untapped targets limiting cross-resistance to existing antimicrobials and reduced susceptibility to de novo resistance. Using an antibody microarray directed against human signalling proteins, they identified potential antiviral targets as well as lead compounds. He further reported the identification of some erythrocytic kinases that are activated by infection with Plasmodium falciparum. Inhibitors targeting these kinases display high potency against parasite proliferation.

    Prof. Christian Doerig speaking at the 9th “International Symposium on Current Trends in Drug Discovery Research” #CTDDR2025 at CSIR-CDIR, Lucknow.

    Single-dose liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) as a game changer in the management of visceral leishmaniasis: Prof. Shyam Sundar

    Prof. Shyam Sundar from the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, shared the journey of the epidemic of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), starting from its origin to elimination, in India. He emphasized single-dose liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) as a game changer in the management of VL in India. He noted that the elimination target for VL needs to hold in 2025 to obtain the WHO certification.

    The open science discovery of DNDi-6510 led to an orally bioavailable SARS-CoV2 antiviral: Dr. Peter Sjö

     

    In Session IV today, Dr. Peter Sjö from the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Switzerland, shared about the need for broad-spectrum oral antivirals. He reported the results of the COVID Moonshot, a fully open-science, crowd sourced, structure-enabled drug discovery campaign targeting the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. He further discussed the lead series discovery and approaches to overcome ADMET issues which lead to the front runner preclinical candidate DNDI-6510 against SARS-CoV2.

    Novel antivirals to provide immediate therapeutic options against serious viral infections is need of the day: Prof. Sudhanshu Vrati

    Prof. Sudhanshu Vrati from the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad, also mentioned the need for the novel antivirals to provide immediate therapeutic options against serious viral infections. As the new viral pathogens are constantly emerging and posing a serious threat of imminent epidemics. He presented the background to the science of antiviral development with an example of a novel antiviral against Chikungunya virus, developed in his lab.

    New rapid antigen tests are being developed for dengue, zika and chikungunya: Prof. Gaurav Batra

    Prof. Gaurav Batra fromthe Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad delivered their novel findings on the diagnostics of Arboviral infections, which include, dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. He presented the data on the development of ELISA and rapid NS1 tests with high sensitivity, serotype-independent performance, and significantly improved detection of secondary infections of dengue virus. They are also developing rapid antigen tests for Zika and chikungunya, with the goal of integrating them into a multiplex diagnostic platform. These advanced diagnostics could enhance clinical trial design, patient selection, and treatment evaluation, ultimately contributing to more effective therapeutic strategies and public health responses.

    The V Parallel Session of #CTDDR2025 was dedicated on Natural product chemistry for novel drugs.

    Prof. Inder Pal Singh from NIPER, SAS Nagar, shared his research on development of wound healing and anti-inflammatory formulations from Seabuckthorn plant Hippophae rhamnoides L. They developed a cost effective method for plant extraction leading to isolation of Seabuckthorn fruit oil (IPHRFH) which showed good wound healing activity and was developed into Cream and Gel formulation.

    Dr. Chandra Kant Katiyar from Emami Ltd, Gurgaon, shared his thoughts on new drug discovery from medicinal plants: Issues, challenges and way forward. His talk shared insights into the multifaceted approaches to developing plant-based drugs, covering forward pharmacology, where compounds are screened for biological activity, and reverse pharmacology, which builds on traditional knowledge to validate therapeutic claims. He emphasized that, by integrating traditional knowledge with technology guided by regulations, medicinal plants can continue to be a cornerstone in addressing unmet medical needs globally.

    Dr. Ashutosh Pandey from the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi, delivered a talk on “Engineering crops for value addition of health-beneficial natural products: From fundamentals to applications”. He presented insights into how plant metabolites regulate, interact with cellular signalling pathways, and modulate gene expression. Additionally, he discussed the regulatory roles of transcriptional factors and their interplay in fine-tuning flavonoid biosynthesis in agriculturally important crops like chickpea and banana. This knowledge can be leveraged for genetic manipulation to enhance the nutritional value of crops.

    In the Flash Talks & Poster Session Young Investigators presented their novel findings

    In the flash talk session, selected students and young faculty from different scientific fields, related to drug development, delivered their novel findings. In the Poster session today more than 180 posters were presented by the young investigators.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Sols 4458-4460: Winter Schminter

    Source: NASA

    Earth planning date: Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025
    During today’s unusual-for-MSL Tuesday planning day (because of the U.S. holiday on Monday), we planned activities under new winter heating constraints. Operating Curiosity on Mars requires attention to a number of factors — power, data volume, terrain roughness, temperature — that affect rover operability and safety. Winter means more heating to warm up the gears and mechanisms within the rover and the instruments, but energy that goes to heating means less energy for science observations. Nevertheless, we (and Curiosity) were up to the task of balancing heating and science, and planned enough observations to warm the science team’s hearts. 
    We fit in DRT, APXS, and MAHLI on two different bedrock targets, “Chumash Trail” and “Wheeler Gorge,” which have different fracturing and layering features. In the workspace, ChemCam targeted a clean vertical exposure of layered bedrock at “Sierra Madre” and a lumpy-looking patch of resistant nodules at “Chiquito Basin.” 
    The topography of the local terrain and our end-of-drive position after the weekend fortuitously lined up to give us a view of an exposure of the Marker Band, which we first explored on the other side of Gediz Vallis Ridge. Having a view of another exposure of this distinctive horizon helps give us further insight into its origin, so we included both RMI and Mastcam mosaics of the exposure. 
    Documenting a feature that, unlike the Marker Band, has been and will be in our sights for a long time — “Texoli” butte (pictured above) — was the goal of additional Mastcam and ChemCam imaging. Observations of potential sedimentary structures on the flank of Texoli motivated acquisition of an RMI mosaic, and a chance to capture structures along its southeast face inspired a Mastcam mosaic. Good exposures of additional nearby bedrock structures at “Mount Lukens” and “Chantry Flat” drew the eye of Mastcam, while another small mosaic focused on the kind of linear troughs in the sand we often see bordering bedrock slabs. Environmental observations included Navcam cloud and dust-devil movies, Mastcam observations of dust in the atmosphere, and REMS and RAD measurements spread across the three sols of the plan.
    Written by Michelle Minitti, Planetary Geologist at Framework

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Guiding Orion: Jorge Chong’s Mission to Advance Deep Space Exploration 

    Source: NASA

    Jorge Chong is helping shape the future of human spaceflight, one calculation at a time. As a project manager for TRON (Tracking and Ranging via Optical Navigation) and a guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) test engineer in the Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics Division, he is leading efforts to ensure the Orion spacecraft can navigate deep space autonomously. 

    “GNC is like the brain of a spacecraft. It involves a suite of sensors that keep track of where the vehicle is in orbit so it can return home safely,” he said. “Getting to test the components of a GNC system makes you very familiar with how it all works together, and then to see it fly and help it operate successfully is immensely rewarding.” 
    His work is critical to the Artemis campaign, which aims to return humans to the Moon and pave the way for Mars. From developing optical navigation technology that allows Orion to determine its position using images of Earth and the Moon to testing docking cameras and Light Detection and Ranging systems that enable autonomous spacecraft rendezvous, Chong is pushing the limits of exploration. He also runs high-fidelity flight simulations at Lockheed Martin’s Orion Test Hardware facility in Houston, ensuring Orion’s software is ready for the demands of spaceflight. 
    Chong’s NASA career spans seven years as a full-time engineer, plus three years as a co-op student at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. In 2024, he began leading Project TRON, an optical navigation initiative funded by a $2 million Early Career Initiative award. The project aims to advance autonomous space navigation—an essential capability for missions beyond Earth’s orbit. 

    Thanks to Chong’s work, the Artemis Generation is one step closer to exploring the Moon, Mars, and beyond. He supported optical navigation operations during Artemis I, is writing software that will fly on Artemis II, and leads optical testing for Orion’s docking cameras. But his path to NASA wasn’t always written in the stars. 
    “I found math difficult as a kid,” Chong admits. “I didn’t enjoy it at first, but my parents encouraged me patiently, and eventually it started to click and then became a strength and something I enjoyed. Now, it’s a core part of my career.” He emphasizes that perseverance is key, especially for students who may feel discouraged by challenging subjects. 
    Most of what Chong has learned, he says, came from working collaboratively on the job. “No matter how difficult something may seem, anything can be learned,” he said. “I could not have envisioned being involved in projects like these or working alongside such great teams before coming to Johnson.” 

    His career has also reinforced the importance of teamwork, especially when working with contractors, vendors, universities, and other NASA centers. “Coordinating across these dynamic teams and keeping the deliverables on track can be challenging, but it has helped to be able to lean on teammates for assistance and keep communication flowing,” said Chong.
    And soon, those systems will help Artemis astronauts explore places no human has gone before. Whether guiding Orion to the Moon or beyond, Chong’s work is helping NASA write the next chapter of space exploration. 
    “I thank God for the doors He has opened for me and the incredible mentors and coworkers who have helped me along the way,” he said. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 2.20.25

    Source: US State of California 2

    Feb 20, 2025

    Sacramento, California –Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    Mayumi Kimura, of Temecula, has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Woman Veterans at the California Department of Veterans Affairs. Kimura has been the Founder and Director of Warriors Insight Therapy since 2022. She was a Readjustment Counselor at Lowell Vet Center from 2019 to 2022. Kimura was a Program Director at Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, Housing Unit for Military Veterans from 2018 to 2019.  She was an Emergency Services Clinician at Riverside Community Care from 2017 to 2018. Kimura was a Social Services Clinician at Butler Psychiatric Hospital from 2016 to 2017. She was a Psychosocial Manager/Hospice Social Worker at Bayada Hospice from 2013 to 2017. Kimura served in multiple roles for the United States Navy from 2001 to 2010, including Active-Duty Operations Specialist, Petty Officer First Class, and Active Reserves. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $154,860. Kimura is a Democrat.

    Justin Turner, of Sacramento, has been appointed Chief Counsel at the California Department of Conservation. He has been Assistant Chief Counsel at the Department of Conservation since 2015 and Attorney III from 2008 to 2015. Turner was a Contract Attorney at the California Department of Public Health from 2005 to 2008. He was a Contract Attorney at Update Legal in 2004. Turner earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco, and a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Spanish from the University of Oregon. This position does not require Senate confirmation and compensation is $208,440. Turner is a Democrat.

    Anthony “Tony” Marino, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director of Energy at the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety. Marino has been the Deputy Director of the Underground Infrastructure Directorate at the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety since 2022. Marino was the Executive Officer of the Underground Safety Board at the Department of Foresty and Fire Protection from 2017 to 2021. He served as Consultant on the Subcommittee on Gas, Electric, and Transportation Safety in the Office of Senator Jerry Hill from 2012 to 2017. Marino held multiple positions in the Office of Assemblymember Jerry Hill from 2010 to 2012, including Legislative Aide and Science Fellow. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Chemistry from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of the Arts degree in English and Chemistry from Davidson College. This position does not require Senate confirmation and compensation is $175,512. Marino is registered without party preference.  

    Travis Nichols, of Sacramento, has been appointed Cyber Incident Response Manager at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Nichols has been an Operations Officer/Defensive Cyberspace Weapons Officer with the United States Marine Corps Reserve since 2010. He was a Consultant at Level9 Group in 2023. Nichols was a Cyber Security Operations Architect at Smith & Nephew from 2022 to 2023. He was an Information System Security Officer/Engineer at Defense Microelectronics Activity from 2021 to 2022. Nichols was a Systems Administrator – Server/Network Team Lead at Blackwatch International from 2019 to 2021. He was a Systems Administrator – Tier III – Team Lead at Cincinnati Bell Technical Solutions from 2018 to 2019. Nichols was a Service Support Engineer at Pathforward IT from 2016 to 2018. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $137,616. Nichols is a Democrat.

    Lynda Hopkins, of Sebastopol, has been appointed to the California Air Resources Board. Hopkins has been the Fifth District Supervisor on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors since 2016. She was a Co-Owner at Foggy River Farm from 2008 to 2020. Hopkins was a Reporter at the Sonoma West Times & News from 2009 to 2013. She was the Executive Director at Sonoma County Farm Trails from 2008 to 2010. Hopkins was a Head Teaching Assistant at the Stanford University Earth Systems Program from 2005 to 2007. She is a member of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Hopkins earned a Master of Science degree in Earth Systems, a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Systems, and a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Creative Writing and Poetry from Stanford University. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Hopkins is a Democrat.

    Dawn Ortiz-Legg, of San Luis Obispo, has been appointed to the California Air Resources Board. Ortiz-Legg has been the Third District Supervisor on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors since 2020. She was a Right of Way Agent at Pacific Gas and Electric Company from 2018 to 2020. Ortiz-Legg was a Project Manager & Public Affairs Liaison at First Solar from 2010 to 2018. She was North American Sales and Marketing Manager at PTEC Corporation from 1999 to 2010. Ortiz-Legg is a member of the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District. She earned her Master of Public Policy degree in Climate Change and Technology Policy from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Organizational Communication from Pepperdine University. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Ortiz-Legg is a Democrat.

    Tina Thomas, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the Wildlife Conservation Board. Thomas has been Of Counsel at Downey Brand LLP since 2023. She was Founding Partner at Thomas Law Group Sacramento from 2012 to 2023. Thomas has held multiple positions at Remy, Thomas, Moose, and Manley, LLP from 1982 to 2011, including Counsel and Managing Partner. She was an Associate Attorney at Remy and Associates from 1979 to 1982. Thomas is a Board Member at the Steinberg Institute, Sacramento Federal Judiciary Library, and Meristem, and Member Emeritus at the Sacramento Food Bank. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego, and a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Sociology and Political Science from Stephens College. This position does not require Senate Confirmation, and there is no compensation. Thomas is a Democrat.

    Frances “Fran” Pavley, of Agoura Hills, has been reappointed to the Wildlife Conservation Board, where she has served since 2018. Pavley has been the Environmental Policy Director at the University of Southern California Schwarzenegger Institute since 2018. She served as a Senator in the California State Senate from 2008 to 2016. Pavley served as an Assemblymember in the California State Assembly from 2000 to 2006. She served as Mayor/City Councilmember for the City of Agoura Hills from 1982 to 1998. Pavley earned her Master of the Arts degree in Environmental Planning from California State University, Northridge, and her Bachelor of the Arts degree in Social Science from California State University, Fresno. This position does not require Senate Confirmation, and there is no compensation.  Pavley is a Democrat.

    Travis Clausen, of Garden Grove, has been appointed to the Underground Safe Excavation Board. Clausen has been Regional Construction Manager – Aviation and Defense at Sully-Miller Contracting Company since 2025, where he was Senior Operations Manager from 2015 to 2025. Clausen was a Project Manager at OHL USA from 2014 to 2015 and at Sully Miller Contracting Company from 2006 to 2014. Clausen served in the United States Army from 1995 to 1998. He earned a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Business Administration – Finance from California State University, Fullerton. This position does not require Senate Confirmation and there is no compensation. Clausen is a Republican.

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    Feb 19, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:Andrew “Andy” Nakahata, of San Francisco, has been appointed Chief Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank….

    Feb 19, 2025

    News What you need to know: A court has denied the city of Norwalk’s request to dismiss the state’s lawsuit against the city for its unlawful ban on homeless shelters.  NORWALK — Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement in response to a court decision…

    Feb 19, 2025

    News What you need to know: Steve Jobs, a visionary of global scale, has been nominated to represent California on the American Innovation Coin. The coin, which will be minted by the U.S. Mint, highlights U.S. innovations and innovators, including California’s legacy…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Analysis: Bolsonaro’s political persecution narrative will be Lula’s biggest problem

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Guilherme Casarões, Professor of Political Science, Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo da Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV/EAESP)

    The indictment filed by the attorney general’s office on Tuesday February 18 against Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro and 33 other people is the country’s most eagerly awaited – and most important – political event of recent months. The document doesn’t really contain any new elements: almost all of the facts presented were already included in the indictment filed by the federal police in November last year.

    There are two major developments. The first is Bolsonaro’s accountability for a process of democratic subversion, which lasted until the events of January 8, 2023. It all began in 2021, as soon as the supreme court overturned convictions against former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and paved the way for his return to the electoral game.

    The decision in favour of Lula led Bolsonaro to adopt, according to the complaint, “a growing tone of rupture with institutional normality”. Since then, the president, his allies and supporters have begun to question the legitimacy of the Supreme Court (based on the slogan “Supreme is the people”), as well as the suitability of the electronic ballot boxes.

    Anti-democratic narratives were inspired by Trump slogans

    In both cases, the anti-democratic narratives were inspired by Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign slogans, such as “stop the steal” and “big lie”. Emulating Trumpism has been an inseparable part of Bolsonaro’s political strategy since his 2018 presidential campaign.

    The second new development concerns the characterisation, as a coup attempt, of a set of decisions and plans that don’t fit the classic model of institutional rupture. Since Brazil’s republican political history has been marked by coups d’état, a common strategy in Jair Bolsonaro’s defence is based on the idea that if there was no attempt to put tanks on the streets or close down congress, there was no intention to break up democracy.

    In his 272-page report, Paulo Gonet argues that a contemporary coup can happen by other means. In the Brazilian case, the attempt was marked by the overt use of disinformation mechanisms, often by the president himself and members of the government, to promote distrust in institutions and the electoral process, produce social instability and ensure that Bolsonaro remained in power, even after being defeated at the polls.

    But the complaint goes further. It wasn’t just an attempt to undermine democracy with widely disseminated narratives and attacks on supporters on social media. In the words of the attorney general, among the objectives of the criminal organisation set up for the coup were to carry out “kidnappings, arrests and killings” in order to guarantee control of the three branches of government and the re-establishment of law and order.



    Leia mais:
    Bolsonaro’s indictment over alleged coup plot signals shift in Brazil’s approach to political accountability

    High-ranking officers were part of anti-democratic plan

    The report says according to the coup plan, called “Green and Yellow Dagger”, members of the army special forces would assassinate the supreme court justice, Alexandre de Moraes, as well as the winners of the 2022 election, Lula da Silva and his vice-president, Geraldo Alckmin. The plan had already been known for a few months, but Gonet brings elements to support the case that Jair Bolsonaro was not only aware of these steps, but that he agreed to them.

    The accusations against the former president also shed light on the role of the military in the coup plot. Officers of all ranks, starting with members of the president’s inner circle, such as Admiral Almir Garnier and Generals Augusto Heleno, Paulo Sérgio Nogueira and Walter Braga Netto, were integral parts of the anti-democratic planning.

    Not surprisingly, of the 34 people indicted, 24 are military. The coup attempt was the conclusion of an accelerated process of militarisation of Brazilian politics, which began under the presidency of Michel Temer in April 2016. In four years, the number of active military personnel serving in the executive branch rose from 1834 to 2558. At the height of this process, in 2020, eight of the Bolsonaro government’s 22 ministries were occupied by military personnel.

    Bolsonaro continues to deny all the accusations and is trying to stay alive politically. And the complaint puts Bolsonaro in the position of being politically persecuted. Victimisation is one of the far right’s most popular strategies, as it allows them to project themselves, in the name of the people, against an empty and frightening enemy (the “system”).

    Although Gonet was very careful in drafting his complaint as an exclusively legal piece, Bolsonaro – in congress and on the networks – was quick to denounce an alleged persecution against “the greatest political leader Brazil has ever seen”. In other words, the tension against political institutions is in full swing.

    Bolsonarismo remains the main opposition force

    The accusation also has the potential to inflame Bolsonaro’s supporters, with possible electoral consequences. The next national election in Brazil is a year and a half away and Bolsonaro remains the main opposition force. Figures such as former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro, congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro and the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, are projected as candidates for the 2026 presidential race.

    Faced with a weak government, whose popularity has fallen from 35 per cent to 24 per cent since December, a Bolsonarism unified by the narrative of persecution will be a major problem for Lula. This narrative will be tested in mid-March, when national demonstrations have been called against the current government – and in favour of Bolsonaro.

    Finally, we must monitor how the White House responds to political events in Brazil. We know that pressure from the Biden administration was crucial in preventing the coup d’état from materialising in 2022. Trump and his allies, such as Elon Musk and Marco Rubio, are open critics of Lula and the decisions of the supreme court.

    It’s unlikely that the Trump administration, a month after taking office, will treat the Brazilian political situation as a priority. But the road to 2026 will be long and tortuous, and challenges to democracy can come from both inside and outside the country.

    Guilherme Casarões não presta consultoria, trabalha, possui ações ou recebe financiamento de qualquer empresa ou organização que poderia se beneficiar com a publicação deste artigo e não revelou nenhum vínculo relevante além de seu cargo acadêmico.

    – ref. Analysis: Bolsonaro’s political persecution narrative will be Lula’s biggest problem – https://theconversation.com/analysis-bolsonaros-political-persecution-narrative-will-be-lulas-biggest-problem-250378

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Our Hearts Are With Them”: HSE Hosts Festival in Honor of Defenders of the Fatherland

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    © Higher School of Economics

    February 19th HSE Center of CulturesThe HSE hosted a student festival dedicated to the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland and the 80th anniversary of the Victory. During the day, films from the III International Traveling Festival “Cinema in the Service of the Fatherland” were shown, the halls hosted thematic exhibitions dedicated to the Great Patriotic War and the heroes of the SVO, as well as platforms of patriotic student organizations. In the evening, a concert by the Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Army named after A.V. Alexandrov was held.

    “War has become sacred”

    The festival was opened by representatives Military training centerNational Research University Higher School of Economics.

    The head of the Military Training Center, Hero of Russia Colonel Vladimir Korgutov congratulated students, lyceum students, and university staff on the upcoming Defender of the Fatherland Day and invited them to the festive events that will take place in the Military Training Center in the coming days.

    Ordinary Professor, Major General Adam Nizhalovsky spoke with festival participants about the victory in the Great Patriotic War. “This war became sacred because the enemy wanted not only to occupy our territory and use its resources. The efforts of the aggressor were aimed at the destruction of our people, their spiritual and moral values,” he emphasized.

    “It was an interesting conversation, and we learned a lot of new things,” the student shared his impressions. Lyceum of the National Research University Higher School of EconomicsFedor Koshlyak. – For example, that Hitler, having captured Paris, was unable to climb the Eiffel Tower because the French broke the elevator, and the Germans were unable to fix it. It is clear that the general is well informed, that he evaluates the events of those years impartially.”

    Among the participants in the conversation were those who demonstrated remarkable knowledge. When asked about the origin of the name of Hitler’s plan to attack the USSR, lyceum student Savely Zayev answered that the nickname Barbarossa was borne by the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, who died while crossing a river. “He was in heavy armor, fell from his horse and drowned. I don’t think that Hitler, when he approved his plan, knew the fate of this statesman to the end,” Adam Nizhalovsky clarified.

    “A university that serves the Fatherland”

    The Small Hall of the Culture Center hosted pre-premiere screenings of films from the III International Traveling Festival “Cinema in the Service of the Fatherland.” Among them was the documentary “River of Heroes,” dedicated to the origins of Russian courage using examples from different eras. After the screening, director Konstantin Aleksandrov answered questions from the audience — he was not released for an hour.

    “I had an idea of the Higher School of Economics as a liberal university, but after I showed the film and received feedback, it changed to the opposite,” Konstantin said in an interview with Vyshka.Glavnoe. “This is a university that serves the Fatherland. Both students and lyceum students watched the film consciously, thoughtfully analyzed it, asked tricky questions, and these were exactly the questions I needed!”

    One of the questions, dedicated to the parallels drawn in the film between the Patriotic War of 1812 and the Great Patriotic War, was asked by lyceum student Sergei Fedorkin. He studies in the Natural Sciences direction and is interested in history, especially the era of the Napoleonic wars. “A great film, it conveys feelings and emotions very well. The director managed to achieve all the goals he set for himself,” Sergei commented.

    “Beautiful, powerful works”

    An exhibition of portraits of the heroes of the SVO was organized in the hall of the second floor as part of the project “Coal of the Russian Land” – an addition to the festival “Cinema in the Service of the Fatherland”. Russian frontline artists presented their works painted in coal.

    And in the hall of the third floor there was an exhibition of photographs dedicated to the Great Patriotic War. It was held by the Creative Union of Artists of Russia as part of the All-Russian exhibition project “MEMORY”. After the festival, the exhibition will move to the atrium and will be regularly updated.

    3rd year studentJoint Bachelor’s degree program of the National Research University Higher School of Economics and the Center for Pedagogical Excellence Sidharth Mehta, who visited both exhibitions, noted their inseparable connection in an interview with Vyshka.Glavnoe. “The faces of people depicted in the paintings and captured in the photographs carry similar emotions – those that were experienced then, on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War, and now – in the SVO zone. They are connected by a common cause that they are carrying out, fighting the fascist threat,” the student believes.

    “The Higher School of Economics is one of the best universities in the country, and we were warmly welcomed here, we managed to gather a full hall. Young people are our main audience, and among our viewers there were also teachers, officers, including a Hero of Russia. There are plans for further cooperation with the university – we have many interesting things ahead of us,” said Virineya Shigina, head of the Coal of the Russian Land project.

    “Many portraits were painted based on photographs and stories from fellow soldiers – the guys were no longer alive, and we wanted to convey everything they experienced for us, for our future,” added her colleague Evgenia Laskina.

    “Thank you very much for this amazing exhibition. You have very beautiful, powerful works that leave a mark on the soul. The paintings depict heroes, servicemen, and you managed to convey their best human, officer qualities, to capture the foundation on which our state stands. This is invaluable support, your contribution to the victory,” said Vice-Rector Sergei Rozhkov, communicating with the artists.

    He also thanked the organizers of the photo exhibition, emphasizing that each work simultaneously conveys grief for those killed during the Great Patriotic War and the joy of Victory.

    Letter to the hero

    The halls of the Cultural Center housed stands of the Military Training Center, Department of Physical Educationand student organizations with a patriotic focus. Among them is the All-Russian student patriotic movement “White Raven”, created at the National Research University Higher School of Economics. Its stand featured weapons – both modern and from the Great Patriotic War. Anyone could take part in weaving a camouflage net that would save the lives of our soldiers in the SVO zone.

    As the leader of the movement, a 5th-year student of the educational program “Story” and a graduate of the Military Training Center Anton Yukhnevsky, its participants themselves deliver humanitarian aid to the SVO zone, and in the building on Staraya Basmannaya, anyone can take part in weaving camouflage nets on certain days, including those not from the Higher School of Economics.

    At the stand of the women’s student club “Big Dipper” (it unites girls who see their mission in supporting the morale of servicemen and students of military universities), participants and guests of the festival could write letters to the SVO fighters. Among those who took advantage of this opportunity was a third-year student MIEFEgor Stryukov.

    “I come from the city of Kurchatov in the Kursk region – my grandparents are still there, and of course I worry about them. In the letter, I tried to express gratitude to our soldiers who are taking back Russian land from the enemy. Let them know that the people are with them, that they are supported,” Yegor said.

    A letter to the fighters was also written by Nina Kulieva, a Muscovite who attended the student festival at the HSE as part of the Moscow Longevity program.

    “I am a child of war – I was born in 1944. I wrote a letter to our soldiers, congratulated them on Defender of the Fatherland Day. I pray for them every day, so that they return home safe and sound. And so that they win. Victory will always be ours,” said Nina Danilovna.

    “Very important words”

    The culmination of the festival was a concert by the Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Army named after A.V. Alexandrov in the Great Hall of the Center of Cultures. Before its beginning, the rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics Nikita Anisimov delivered welcoming remarks.

    He congratulated all those present on the upcoming holiday, thanked the festival organizers, drawing attention to the special role of the Military Training Center in its implementation, and emphasized that it is being held in the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland. “These days, we honor the memory of those who defended our Motherland. Our hearts are with them. Communicating with each other, we say very important words about our country, about its future, about the most important thing in our lives,” the rector noted.

    He also recalled that on February 14 we celebrated another anniversary of the liberation of Lugansk from the Nazi invaders and that this year we will celebrate the anniversary of Mikhail Matusovsky, a native of this city, the author of many famous songs. “By studying history, we shape the future,” concluded Nikita Anisimov.

    In turn, Hero of Russia Vladimir Korgutov wished “everyone a peaceful sky above their heads, and our troops victory.”

    The A.V. Alexandrov ensemble performed the songs “Where does the Motherland begin”, “The Holy War”, “Nightingales”, “Cranes”, “Infantry is infantry”, “Victory Day” and others. The hall was attended by guests of the university, students and employees, including vice-rectors Sergey Rozhkov, Dmitry Zemtsov, Vyacheslav Bashev, Irina Martusevich, Elena Odoevskaya and other leaders.

    “It was amazing! It is difficult to convey the full range of positive emotions from such a concert. I am very glad that I was able to listen to my favorite songs within the walls of the HSE on the eve of an important day. A very correct event. A big human thank you to those who organized it,” shared his impressions Deputy Vice-Rector, Director for Strategic Work with Applicants Alexander Chepovsky.

    “We were treated to real masters. Firstly, a very rich musical palette. Secondly, the impeccable teamwork of the musicians and soloists. Thirdly, as a result, a very powerful impact on the audience. To be honest, this is the first time I’ve heard the Alexandrov ensemble live and I’m very impressed,” said the dean. Faculty of HumanitiesFelix Azhimov.

    According to the senior lecturer Faculty of Creative IndustriesRimma Pogodina, in the songs that sounded from the stage – the strength, spirit, power of the Russian people who survived a terrible war. “The hall was attended by both young people and representatives of the middle and older generations, and the connection between generations is a valuable resource that helps unite a huge group of teachers and students,” Rimma Pogodina emphasized. “I would like to wish that such events become traditional at our beloved university.”

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace – Pacific civil society groups send clear message to ban deep sea mining

    Source: Greenpeace

    The Pacific Blue Line Collective and partners, representing Pacific civil society organisations, faith-based groups, youth, women’s organisations, and movements, remain steadfast
    in their position for an outright ban on deep-sea mining in the Pacific.
    In a statement, they said: “We remind Pacific Leaders of their responsibility to the protection of the Pacific Ocean. As the Pacific Island Leaders meet for the High-level Talanoa on Deep Sea Minerals at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat this week, it is vital that the duty of care to safeguard our oceans is at the forefront of discussions.”
    Greenpeace seabed mining campaigner Juressa Lee says: “Pacific leaders have received a strong and clear message from civil society groups across the Pacific, urging them to reject wannabe deep sea miners with selfish agendas and their propaganda that they can destroy the deep sea to save us from the climate crisis.
    “The undersigned groups represent a growing broad and strong resistance from across Te Moananui a Kiwa against this emerging form of extractivism and colonisation.
    “This long-standing opposition of civil society asserts their mana and birth-righted guardianship of their homes, and the authority and necessity of Indigenous voices and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in any decisions that pertain to their homes, which includes the ocean.
    “Civil society groups argue that Indigenous Rights, the rights of Pacific Peoples, their knowledge systems, and a healthy environment should be at the centre of all conversations and decision-making, alongside the best available, robust and independent science.
    “Pacific Leaders and global leaders must hear this call from civil society to centre Pacific communities and the environments of which they are guardians.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – University of Auckland unveils its world-class Recreation Centre Hiwa – UoA

    Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

    The University of Auckland’s new recreation centre was formally opened on 21 February by Hon Chris Bishop, Minister for Infrastructure and Associate Minister for Sport and Recreation, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Auckland, Professor Dawn Freshwater.

    The eight-storey building, complete with rooftop turf, pool, and state-of-the-art sports halls, is being used by staff, students and the public as part of the University’s concerted focus on balancing well-being with academia.

    The centre’s name Hiwa, gifted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, means ‘vigorous, active, robust and sound’, reflecting the University’s aspirations for growth and well-being. The 26,000 sq m facility covers a space equivalent to roughly 3.7 rugby pitches or 100 standard tennis courts and is located on Symonds Street in the heart of Auckland.

    With an innovative vertically ‘stacked’ design, it centralises the University’s sport and recreation services into a single premises, overcoming the spatial constraints of its central city location.

    Features include a premier rooftop multi-sport turf and two sports halls with the southern hemisphere’s first glass sports floor with integrated LED markings to accommodate six different sports. It also holds capacity for 1,500 spectators, a running track, an eight-lane 33-metre lap pool, a dive tank, spa and sauna, climbing wall, group exercise studios, combat sports studio and expansive cardio and weights areas that make it one of the largest gym fit-outs in the southern hemisphere.

    Hiwa serves as a vibrant community hub, offering a café, social spaces and versatile indoor and outdoor areas for various activities. The University’s physical education programmes and exercise science students will also use the facility.

    Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater says the opening of Hiwa is a huge milestone for the University following comprehensive planning for a new recreation centre, spanning a decade. She says the investment in Hiwa further enhances the University of Auckland’s position as New Zealand’s pre-eminent, research-led higher education institution.

    “We are delighted to open the doors to this wonderful facility to bolster the world-class education our students receive and enhance the well-being of the wider community.

    “It’s an important hub for our growing University population and an asset for Auckland. Our community has long desired sport and recreation facilities that befit the world-class campus environment expected of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading university.”

    She said campus experiences, especially in sport and recreation, are known to enhance student success.

    “Staff will also have more opportunity to pursue their health and well-being goals, and through public memberships and collaboration with the sport and recreation sector, we hope to positively impact the wider Auckland community.”

    As a focal point on campus, Hiwa Recreation Centre is designed to enrich campus life by connecting learning, sporting and social facilities.

    The building was designed by Warren and Mahoney in partnership with MJMA Architecture and Design, and constructed by Hawkins, in consultation with Rider Levett Bucknall, Beca and Colliers.

    It is the most multi-faceted building on campus, requiring 500 workers on site at the peak of construction. The University’s Chief Property Officer Simon Neale says Hiwa Recreation Centre is the most complex build the University has ever undertaken.

    “The project was not without its challenges, being delivered through one of the most challenging periods for the construction industry in New Zealand. The consultant and construction team masterfully navigated the Covid pandemic, supply-chain issues, moving 40-tonne trusses and vast pre-cast concrete beams for the pool hall roof overnight and at weekends.

    “But thousands of people and many businesses helped us deliver this significant project for the University, with a strong ethos of partnership between all those involved enabling us to overcome the challenges and to deliver an outstanding facility which will support the health and well-being of our student and staff communities, and high-performance sport, for many years to come.”

    Memberships are available to students, staff and members of the public. Casual visitors are also welcome.

    As well as the minister, guests at the official launch included Mayor Wayne Brown, Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, Sports NZ CEO Raelene Castle and Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner.

    Bishop said as the former sports minister he had been to a number of sports facilities around the world, and Hiwa was “genuinely quite something. This is a remarkable facility for the university, but also for the city, and the whole country.”

    Simpson said she was blown away by the new recreation centre. “We know Auckland needs assets like this, but this is truly international class.”

    The event began with an elite diving demonstration for the Minister by engineering student and Commonwealth Games diver Frazer Tavener, and concluded with a shortened seven-aside netball match between the Vice-Chancellor’s Invitational Seven, which included Minister Bishop, and a Sport and Recreation Seven, which featured alumna and former Silver Fern Sulu Fitzpatrick.

    Fitzpatrick also spoke during the formalities, ahead of the plaque unveiling. She said: “The magnitude and the quality of this facility will make not only top athletes better for the world stage, but allow students and staff members to be happier and healthier, which will contribute to a better New Zealand. It’s exciting.”

    About Hiwa, Recreation Centre
    Hiwa, Recreation Centre is a showpiece for the University of Auckland and reflects the importance the University places on student and staff health and well-being. It significantly enhances the campus experience for students and staff, offering a state-of-the-art gym, sports centre and social hub, balancing health and relaxation with academia. It also offers gym memberships to Auckland residents and provides an additional recreational space for community outreach.

    Hiwa opened on 25 November 2024 (following a dawn blessing on 20 November) and is now operational.

    The official opening by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater and Hon Chris Bishop, Minister for Infrastructure and Associate Minister for Sport and Recreation, took place on Friday 21 February.

    Hiwa facts and figures

    Hiwa is a world-class facility for students, staff and the wider community to play sport, keep fit, have fun and socialise and get the most out of their time at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.
    Sport and recreation play a vital role in health and well-being. Hiwa befits a global university, meeting the national and international expectations of students.
    Hiwa is a 26,000 sqm facility, covering a space equivalent to 100 standard tennis courts or 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Spread across eight levels, its innovative design overcomes the spatial challenges of a central city location.
    It has a unique inner-city rooftop multi-sport turf and track, and two sports halls with the southern hemisphere’s first glass floor, accommodating six different sports.
    Hiwa includes an eight-lane pool, dive tank, spa and sauna, bouldering wall, and is one of the largest gym fit-outs in the southern hemisphere.  
    As well as the fitness facilities, it serves as a community hub, with a café, and indoor and outdoor multi-purpose spaces.
    While Hiwa is primarily for students and staff, Hiwa has reinvigorated the city centre. The University recognises Auckland’s need for quality sports facilities and will be working to support the wider sports sector and contribute to making Auckland a world-class city.
    The University’s physical education programmes and exercise science students will also use the facility.  

     
    FAQs
    What does Hiwa mean?
    The Hiwa name, gifted to the University by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, means ‘vigorous (of growth), active, robust, sound’. It has multiple synergies with the recreation centre and its place at the heart of our University community.
     
    How much did the new building cost?  
    The sum approved in the University Estate Strategy for the full programme was $320m, which covered demolition and clearance of the site, ground works, temporary facilities for use during construction and the design and construction costs themselves. Final costs will not be known until later this year at which time the overall position will be compiled.
     
    How can the University afford this?
    Hiwa is the culmination of decades of planning and more than half of the funding for its construction comes from past and present student levies. The former student facilities levy and the current Compulsory Student Services Fee is paid by all students to contribute to student support services and can only be spent on student initiatives.
     
    Why is Hiwa needed?  
    Health and well-being are vital to the success of our students. Research shows that participation in sport, leisure, clubs, societies and fitness activities increases retention and translates into better academic performance among students, as well as a greater sense of community, social connection and belonging. World-class facilities attract high-quality students and academic talent and enhance the University’s relationship with the Auckland community.
     
    The University of Auckland believes this is an investment in the well-being not only of our 46,000 students but of our wider community. Providing world-leading sports and recreation facilities will further enhance the reputation, visibility and attractiveness of Auckland as a premier city in which to study and live.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: The latest domestic developments are presented at the Future Technologies Forum

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Dmitry Chernyshenko visited the exhibition of the Future Technologies Forum

    February 21, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko visited the exhibition of the Future Technologies Forum

    February 21, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko visited the exhibition of the Future Technologies Forum

    February 21, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko visited the exhibition of the Future Technologies Forum

    February 21, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Chernyshenko visited the exhibition of the Future Technologies Forum

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko inspected the exhibition of the Future Technologies Forum, which is taking place in Moscow on February 20–21.

    The forum’s exposition brought together developments from high-tech enterprises and startups from all over the country – achievements are presented at the stands of the largest corporations that develop science-intensive production.

    “The joint work of representatives of science, business and the state is of key importance in achieving Russia’s technological leadership – a national goal set by President Vladimir Putin. The Future Technologies Forum exhibition shows striking examples of such interaction. It presents dozens of the latest domestic developments that are being introduced into industrial production and have high export potential,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

    The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade presented the national project “New Materials and Chemistry” at the forum. The ministry’s stand featured developments and samples in four areas of the national project: chemistry, biotechnology, composites and rare earth metals. The exhibits included an absorbent carbon dressing for healing open wounds and burns; synthetic blood vessel prostheses that allow replacing critically damaged areas of blood vessels in atherosclerosis, aneurysm, and thrombosis; polymeric materials for the manufacture of bone substitutes that are similar in properties to human bone tissue; samples of raw biomass obtained from medicinal plants without harming the environment; innovative fertilizers; composite materials based on carbon fiber and thermoplastics, which are used in aviation, UAV design, and automotive engineering, as well as products made of rare and rare earth metals, which are used in high-tech products, and other developments.

    “It is extremely important that Russia ensures its sovereignty, including in the extraction of minerals for the needs of our industry. It is also important to form directions and invest in science: the processing of these materials and the creation of technologies based on them,” noted Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The Kurchatov Institute National Research Center, one of the leaders in modern Russian materials science, demonstrated aircraft parts manufactured using additive technologies, polymeric materials for medical use, heat-resistant materials for engine building, special cold-resistant steels and coatings for Arctic use, and other developments.

    The stand presents a model of the synchrotron-laser complex “SILA” – a fundamentally new research mega-installation, which is being built at the site of the National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute” in Protvino (Moscow Region) and will allow obtaining unique data on the structure and properties of any substances at the level of individual atoms.

    Rosatom demonstrated developments of nuclear industry organizations, they were presented by the CEO of the state corporation Alexey Likhachev. Composite material with boron carbide is capable of effectively blocking different types of radiation. The material is indispensable in nuclear power plants, where it reduces the impact of radiation on personnel and equipment, in medicine (in radiotherapy) and in industry, where they work with radioactive substances.

    The drug synthesis platform is designed to create radiopharmaceuticals – drugs with radioactive elements. The essence of the development is that radioactive substances are added to microspheres that can decompose in the body, which help directly destroy diseased cells. The drugs attack only the affected cells without harming healthy ones – this is their main advantage.

    The Rosatom stand also features beryllium-based materials, which have high strength, withstand high temperatures and can be used in spacecraft, in the production of spark-proof alloys and in the radio-electronic industry.

    Another exhibit is carbon fiber, a unique component for the production of composite materials. The fiber consists almost entirely of carbon atoms, which means high strength with a significantly lower weight than metals and their alloys, and is used to create structural elements of aircraft, to strengthen wind turbine blades and in gas centrifuges, to create prostheses and orthoses, in automobile and shipbuilding, sports and construction.

    Gazprombank presented several high-tech developments of Russian startups at once. The companies Prokeramika and M-Shape demonstrated titanium and steel intervertebral disc prostheses printed using 3D technologies, ceramic scaffolds – biological tissue implants grown on a 3D printer.

    “Such work needs to be supported and accelerated. Especially now, in the conditions of the SVO, when a lot is required for operations and for the creation of implants,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

    Gazprombank’s subsidiary N2Tech demonstrated the innovative CryoSafe-42 tank container, which allows for safe and lossless transportation of liquid hydrogen, one of the most promising sources of clean energy, over a distance of up to 15,000 km. All developments are designed to ensure high efficiency of their implementation and use in practice with a focus on saving resources and technological leadership in Russian industry, medicine, and the aerospace industry. The stand also demonstrated the interface and workflow of products from KuBoard, a developer of quantum software.

    At the Moscow government stand, Dmitry Chernyshenko was presented with samples of the latest materials and products manufactured at Moscow enterprises. Among them are lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, composite panels, carbon fibers, innovative building materials, and much more. For example, prototypes of implants for bone tissue restoration, forearm and hip prostheses with biocoating, and knee modules with microprocessor control, which are used in restorative medicine and surgery, are on display.

    “In the context of rapid changes in the global economy and technological progress, events such as the Future Technologies Forum are becoming a platform for exchanging knowledge, experience and innovation. Moscow actively promotes research and development in the field of new materials. The prospects for using achievements in this area are enormous. This concerns not only industry, but also the daily life of the capital’s residents. We are talking about improving the quality of life through the creation of safer, more durable and efficient products, such as building materials, medical products and much more. This approach not only meets modern requirements for sustainable development, but also emphasizes our commitment to creating a comfortable environment for every resident,” said Anatoly Garbuzov, Minister of the Moscow Government and Head of the Department of Investment and Industrial Policy.

    During the Future Technologies Forum, Sber demonstrated the concept of the AI for Science platform with artificial intelligence (AI) tools, which is designed to improve the quality of scientific research in Russia. The main goal of the platform is to help scientists speed up research, improve its quality and facilitate the writing of scientific articles.

    At the stand, Dmitry Chernyshenko made a number of proposals on the possible use of digital technologies in the work of scientists.

    Detailed information about the events of the Future Technologies Forum is available on the website Futura-forum.The.

     

    The Future Technologies Forum is a flagship event where leading researchers and industry leaders present high-tech technologies, innovative scientific developments and implemented projects that determine the vector of development of economic sectors in the coming years.

    The forum has been held in Moscow annually since 2023 with the participation of the President of Russia. The event is supported by the Government of Russia, and the operator is the Roscongress Foundation.

    In 2023, the FBT was dedicated to quantum technologies, in 2024 it focused on the future of medicine. In 2025, the forum is dedicated to new materials and chemistry.

    In 2025, the forum is held with the support of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Russian Science Foundation, and the Russian Quantum Center. The co-organizers of the forum are Gazprombank, the Moscow government, and the Rosatom state corporation. The general partner is Sber, the strategic partner is PJSC Rosseti, and the strategic scientific partner is the Kurchatov Institute National Research Center.

     

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Workshop on Standards for Robot Absolute Accuracy and Performance Assessment

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Keynote Speaker:

    Phil Freeman, The Boeing Company

    Workshop Speakers:

    Douglas Bristow, Missouri University of Science and Technology

    Roger Christian, Yaskawa Motoman

    Russ DeVlieg, Devson Engineering

    John Dye, Spirit Aerosystems

    Alex Klinger, Titan Robotics

    James Moore and Daniela Sawyer, Advanced Manufacturing Research Center, UK

    Jeremy Marvel, National Institute of Standards and Technology

    Shreyes Melkote, Georgia Institute of Technology

    Michael Ripperger, Southwest Research Institute

    Houssaine Waled, Kuka AG

    Miguel Saez, General Motors

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 85 Metric System Estimation

    Source: US Government research organizations

    The International System of Units (SI), commonly known as the metric system, is easy to use and learn when taught using metric tools. The ability to interpret measurement scales, magnitude, and approximate a quantity are essential Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) competencies.

    This 1.5-hour session presents The Metric Estimation Game, a fun, hands-on activity that helps middle students become familiar with SI measurements by practicing estimation skills. This session is designed to reinforce using common measurement tools, developing reference points, and building proficiency and confidence in working with metric measurements. Because many educators report that students have limited opportunities to gain experience in metric system use, this activity can increase the occasions where SI abilities can be practiced.

    Learning Objectives

    The Metric Estimation Game is presented as a model learning activity. At the end of this session, using your notes, you will be able to:

    • DEMONSTRATE metric system measurement estimation skills.
    • APPLY the metric system of measurement to quantify the length, mass, and volume of everyday household objects at multiple magnitudes.
    • SELECT and EMPLOY appropriate length measurement tools.
    • DEVELOP quantity benchmarks that facilitate the sensemaking of 1 kilogram, 1 liter, and 1 meter.
    • APPROXIMATE measurement scale using at least three metric system prefixes.

    Game participants collaborate in small groups to earn points as they become familiar with metric (SI) mass, length, and volume measurement units. Students determine a quantity estimate for each game item, which is compared to a verified value. Multiple measurement methods may be used to verify results. Some estimations are determined using basic math formulas. The SI prefixes milli, centi, and kilo are used. Measurement writing style requirements for unit symbols are applied during the game.

    Although this activity is designed for a middle school audience, it can be modified to accommodate elementary or high school learners. Extensions include updating the game board to focus on only one measurement parameter during a game session (e.g., mass, length, or volume). Products identified in this session do not imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) nor imply that they are necessarily best for the purpose.

    Materials & Supplies

    Participants should bring these materials to the online session: Two 500 mL water bottles (full, remove label), one 2 L bottle (empty, from recycling), one plastic produce bag (from recycling), one U.S. nickel coin, one unused colored wax crayon, and a timer (clock or phone displaying seconds).

    Pre-Work/Post-Work

    None.

    Minimum Requirements

    Successful completion includes participation in all activities and discussions. Session participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance (which does not include participant names or CEUs) by email after the session. Attendance is recorded in the unofficial transcript, which is available in the OWM Contacts System.

    Audience

    This session is ideal for K-12 educators and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) professionals and other outreach ambassadors responsible for instructing middle school students on measurement techniques and STEAM careers.

    Registration Fee

    There is currently no registration fee for this webinar. 

    Instructor

    Elizabeth Benham
    Phone: (301) 975-3690
    Email: elizabeth.benham [at] nist.gov (elizabeth[dot]benham[at]nist[dot]gov)

    Technology Requirements

    The webinar will be a live stream, so participants must have a constant connection during the webinar (hard-wired is preferred).  Review these system requirements to verify that MS Teams may be used on your computer, mobile device, or web browser. The performance of MS Teams may be influenced by other factors, such as network connectivity or other device applications. 

    Operating System (browsing) configurations:

    • Windows
      • Windows 8.1 and later, 64-bit;
        • Google Chrome;
        • Mozilla Firefox; and
        • Microsoft Edge.
    • macOS
      • One of the three latest MacOS versions;
        • Mozilla Firefox;
        • Apple Safari (no calls via Teams possible); and
        • Google Chrome.
    • Linux
      • Operating system: DEB or RPM;
      • Desktop environment: GNOME, KDE;
        • Mozilla Firefox; and
        • Opera.

    Web Browsers:

    • On computers running Windows, Mac, or Linux, ensure you have the latest release of one of these browsers:
      • Google Chrome;
      • Mozilla Firefox;
      • Apple Safari; and
      • Microsoft Edge.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic summed up the results of RAFU activities in 2024

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    In mid-February, a general meeting of the participants of the Russian-African Network University consortium was held online. They summed up the results of their activities for 2024 and agreed on a work plan for 2025. The event was attended by Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia Stepan Sokolov, Vice-Rector for International Affairs of SPbPU Dmitry Arsenyev, Head of the RAFU Project Office Maxim Zalyvsky, Secretary of the RAFU Presidium, Deputy Director of International Cooperation Alla Mazina, Honorary Consul of Mali in St. Petersburg, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Hydraulic Engineering and Power Engineering Issa Togo and more than 70 representatives of 40 Russian universities participating in RAFU.

    Stepan Sokolov noted that Russian-African relations have a long history, where cooperation in science and higher education has always occupied a significant place and often became an important link between our countries and peoples. Hundreds of thousands of African students have received high-quality higher education in Russia.

    Today, many African countries show a noticeable interest in strengthening and developing cooperation with the Russian Federation. This is evident at various levels: from the willingness to improve the regulatory framework to active participation in international forums and bilateral meetings. However, we cannot stop there. It is necessary to constantly expand the horizons of opportunities and develop cooperation. First of all, with focus countries such as Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Niger and Nigeria, Stepan Aleksandrovich emphasized.

    A promising direction also seems to be the development of cooperation between the RAFU consortium and the African Union and African universities, primarily in terms of training African teachers.

    The activities of SPbPU within the RAFU consortium have become an important vector of development, corresponding to the geopolitical interests of Russia. In a year and a half, we have given new dynamics to cooperation with African countries, expanded the geography of the consortium and made the RAFU brand recognizable in the international arena. We have not only restored the domain and updated the content of the site, but also turned it into an educational portal, posting more than 120 online courses for African colleagues, – noted Dmitry Arsenyev.

    This work has already yielded results. The number of participants has doubled, and the geography of cooperation has covered 15 African countries. RAFU participates in major international forums. This year alone, its members took part in such events as the World Festival of Youth and the Congress of Young Scientists in Sochi, the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, the BRICS Education Ministers’ Meeting in Moscow, the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, and many others.

    The participants of the general meeting highly appreciated the work of the consortium and Polytechnic University as its coordinator. In 2025, RAFU will continue to work on developing cooperation and expanding the geography of the consortium’s activities on the African continent.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Comrade Sergeant, you have a letter… An exhibition for February 23 has opened at NSU

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The main idea of the exhibition is to introduce students and teachers of NSU to unique and warm stories that were born during the years of student conscription into the army on the eve of Defender of the Fatherland Day.

    Preparations for organizing the memorial exhibition began last summer. The staff Museum of the History of NSU together with interested students Humanitarian Institute of NSUletters, photographs and telegrams were selected, and data on where exactly the students served in those years was systematized. One of the schoolgirls from Lyceum No. 130 of Akademgorodok also took part in this work.

    — This exhibition tells about the 1980s, when our students began to be called up en masse for military service. If you look at the statistics, before the 1980s, individual students were sent to the army, mainly from the Humanities Faculty, where there was no military department, and after receiving their diplomas. Since 1984, they began to recruit students from all faculties where the guys studied full-time, — says Lidiya Vorobtsova, director of the NSU History Museum.

    NSU was fundamentally different from other universities in its attitude towards those guys who were called up. If we take the statistics of the call-up, then almost 96% of all servicemen returned to study at NSU: in the 1980s, 2110 students were called up, and 2013 of them returned after service to complete their studies at NSU, that is, almost all. If we take the statistics of other universities in the country, then on average about 70% of guys returned.

    — Credit should be given to those who were in charge of communication with our students. Evgeniya Vasilyevna Ulyanova headed this headquarters, which gathered active girls and the remaining guys from the groups from which students were called up, so that the connection with those who left would not be broken. They wrote letters, sent photos, talked about their lives and even sent textbooks and manuals. In addition, there were propaganda teams, which included guys from NSU humor clubs, they went to military units. In response, good news and gratitude came from their places of service that the called up guys were not forgotten, not crossed out from the ranks of NSU students, — adds Lidiya Vorobtsova.

    The exhibition presents letters, postcards, telegrams from places of service, clippings from photo albums, among them are the faces of young boys, in whom one can recognize current professors and teachers of NSU. As well as military uniforms of that time from the collection of the Integral Museum-Apartment of the History of Akademgorodok.

    Many of those who served in the army in the 80s as students now work at the university and in the research institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. They shared their memories of that time with us, and told us how their military service influenced their future lives and professional activities.

    — I joined the army in 1984, when NSU drafted about 70-80% of all the guys studying in different faculties after the second year. We spent a long time, 2-3 days for sure, at the distribution point, then traveled for a long time to our place of service by train. We didn’t know where we were being taken. When we crossed the entire country, got to Murmansk and didn’t stop there, our mood began to fall, and we had only one thought: “Where should we go, the border is coming soon.” When the railway ended, we finally stopped. Our place of service was the village of Pechenga on the Kola Peninsula. We go to the bathhouse — the sun is standing, we leave the bathhouse — everything is the same, over our heads, it goes in circles all day and doesn’t set. That’s how we ended up behind the Arctic Circle in the conditions of the polar day and night, — recalls his years of service in the army Evgeny Sagaydak, head of the education export department at NSU and a graduate. Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of NSU.

    Evgeny Ivanovich ended up in a specialized mountain motorized rifle battalion, where the guys were taught literally everything, including how to shoot any small arms that existed at the time. I remember the moments of the evening roll call, when they went on duty. As a rule, this happened at eight o’clock in the evening. The soldiers had a sign: when they saw the Northern Lights on a polar night, it meant that the night would be cold and the next day too.

    — Some of the warmest memories from the years of service in the army were communication with the university. We wrote, and they wrote to us. The management sent the newspaper “University Life”, for various holidays — postcards and appliques, and New Year’s greetings were especially significant – each postcard had the real signature of the NSU rector. That is, at one point, stacks of these postcards were brought to his reception room, and he signed each one by hand, — Evgeny Sagaydak shares his memories.

    The period of military service became a good school of life for the guys.

    — The ability to communicate, the ability to stand up for yourself and rely on your own strength, on your closest friends and colleagues. Over two years of service, you matured, understood what life is, what you really want to do next. That is why 96% of all conscript students returned to study, because they wanted to study further, wanted to learn new things and did it successfully, — emphasizes Evgeniy Sagaydak.

    Naimjon Ibragimov, graduate Faculty of Economics, NSU 1990 and deputy dean of the Faculty of Economics of NSU, served in the Chita region, in the village of Olovyanny-3, in the strategic missile forces.

    — Far from home, we, Novosibirsk students, were united by something greater. Even when we served in different units and met by chance only at training camps, smiles never left our faces, we encouraged each other, shared news. I remember that every month in the unit we were given 13 rubles. We always wanted something sweet, so we went to the soldiers’ buffet, or “chipok” in other words, bought waffles and accidentally met our own, which made it even more pleasant.

    I remember the physical and volitional loads that were much easier for the students from the dormitory than for those who lived at home during their studies. We were already adapted to strict timings, when, for example, we had to have breakfast or lunch very quickly in order to then complete strategic tasks or run to another unit.

    The university skills that we managed to acquire helped us quickly expand our circle of acquaintances and find a common language with the unit’s leadership, so first the Physics and Mathematics School, and then the first and second years allowed us to cope with the difficulties of army life quite quickly and successfully, and quickly find solutions in difficult situations, says Naimdzhon Ibragimov.

    Naimdzhon Mulaboevich also notes that the university was distinguished by its attitude towards students who ended up in the army. None of the guys from other universities who served in his unit received letters of support.

    — It was the uniqueness of NSU that gave rise to a feeling of pride for our university. I express my gratitude to the university and the teachers who supported us with regular letters so that we felt that the university was waiting for us.

    Pavel Logachev, graduate Physics Department of NSU 1989, Director of the INP SB RAS, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, graduated from the Physics and Mathematics School with almost excellent marks, he solved all the problems of the entrance exams to the universities where a deferment from military service was provided (at Moscow State University and Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology), so he could choose any of them. However, he deliberately did not go to Moscow.

    — When I entered Novosibirsk University in 1982, I understood perfectly well that I would be drafted into the army in 1984. I planned to work at the Institute of Nuclear Physics — and nowhere else. To do this, I needed to study at the Physics Department of NSU.

    After the first two courses, I was drafted into the army. I served for a short time – only two days and two nights – polar. Time flew by, the army experience I gained was also important and interesting. I do not regret that I honestly gave these two years to the country. We served in the north of the Murmansk region, not far from the border with Norway, in a regular motorized rifle regiment. However, the regiment was fully staffed and had a large number. We regularly had combat exercises, so we learned to shoot from the weapons assigned to us and honed our skills in various training sessions.

    As for learning, of course, any experience requires constant practice. If you don’t do something, skills are lost, but they can be restored later.

    I would like to thank the university separately for the informal, but very important and effective work it did with the students who had gone into the army, and they were the majority. The remaining boys and girls regularly wrote us letters, told us about life at the university and sent us fresh issues of the newspaper “University Life”. This was extremely important for us. Moreover, during the two years of service, delegations from NSU came to us three times. The visiting students told us what was happening at the university and reminded us that we were expected there. I do not know anyone from those with whom I served who did not return to the university after the army. Everyone continued their studies and completed them, – Pavel Logachev shares his memories.

    The staff of the NSU History Museum would like to thank Svetlana Dovgal, Director of the NSU Career Development Center, Elena Krasilova, Head of the Department of Youth Policy and Educational Work, and Anastasia Bliznyuk, Director of the Integral Museum-Apartment of the History of Akademgorodok, for their assistance in organizing the exhibition.

    You can immerse yourself in archival data, read warm letters and view the exhibition until February 28 in the light window near auditorium 2322 (3rd block, Pirogova St., 1).

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Registration mandatory for social organizations

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    China will continue efforts to clamp down on illegal social organizations that harm individuals and the public interest, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said in a recently released guideline.
    The guideline clarifies that unregistered societies or groups, as well as those that have had their licenses revoked, are prohibited from organizing activities under the name of a social organization, foundation or private non-enterprise institution. Any such activity will result in the group being labeled an illegal social organization.
    Organizations operating without official permission while in their preparatory periods are also classified as illegal, according to the guideline.
    County-level authorities will be responsible for cracking down on illegal social organizations whenever their activities are detected. If an illegal group operates across multiple provinces, the civil affairs ministry or designated authorities will oversee enforcement.
    Authorities will have the power to hold regulatory talks with suspected organizations or individuals, conduct on-site investigations and review materials such as contracts, receipts, meeting records, financial ledgers and promotional materials.
    Local authorities must publicly announce and issue written decisions once an organization is confirmed to be illegal. The decision must include the organization’s name and details of its illegal activities and bear an official stamp.
    Individuals suspected of violating national laws — including fabricating, concealing or destroying evidence, providing false information, or obstructing investigations — will be referred to public security organs for further investigation.
    The guideline also states that any organization, company or individual has the right to report illegal social organizations. Supervisory authorities must publish phone numbers, email addresses and postal addresses for public reporting.
    The new guideline will take effect on May 1, replacing an interim version introduced in 2000.
    The ministry has intensified its oversight of social organizations in recent years, launching several crackdowns that have curbed illegal activity and protected public interests.
    Last year, civil affairs authorities at all levels handled 1,066 cases involving illegal social organizations.
    In December, the ministry published 10 cases highlighting illegal activities.
    In one case, an unauthorized group illegally organized a fraudulent arts competition using the name of the Belt and Road Initiative. It collected individuals’ personal information through illegal means and defrauded them by sending fabricated award lists. The Beijing Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau shut down the organization in January last year.
    By the end of 2023, China had about 881,600 registered social organizations, a decrease of 9,700 from the previous year, according to a recent report by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Education-related organizations accounted for about 31 percent, while 16 percent focused on social services.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The promise of green iron, steel and ammonia is keeping the green hydrogen dream alive

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Changlong Wang, Research fellow in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Monash University

    D.Alimkin, Shutterstock

    Hydrogen was once sold as a universal climate fix — a clean, green wonder fuel for cars, homes, power grids and even global export. But reality has cooled that buzz.

    This week, the South Australian government shelved plans for a A$593 million hydrogen power plant, in favour of injecting that money into the $2.4 billion Whyalla steelworks rescue package. Premier Peter Malinauskas said there was “no point in producing hydrogen” without a customer: the steelworks.

    It’s the latest in a series of setbacks for hydrogen. Last year, Australian mining and energy giant Fortescue pared back its green hydrogen projects as a result of increasing costs and changing financial circumstances in the United States.

    Then, gas and oil heavyweight Woodside withdrew plans for two large-scale green hydrogen projects and Origin Energy dropped out of the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub.

    Meanwhile, the Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain project in Victoria, meant to ship hydrogen to Japan, has met with delays and overruns. Earlier this month, the new Queensland government chose to halt further investment in the Central Queensland Hydrogen Project, putting plans to export hydrogen in doubt.

    These setbacks show hydrogen isn’t the ultimate solution to all our energy needs, especially if we want to export it. But they don’t spell doom. Instead, they nudge us toward where hydrogen really shines: in heavy industry, right where it’s made.

    Heavy industry: where hydrogen makes sense

    Heavy industries such as steel manufacturing and ammonia production are where hydrogen proves its worth. These sectors are significant contributors to climate change — steel accounts for about 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, ammonia a further 2%.

    Most emissions from steelmaking come from burning coal in blast furnaces to convert ore into iron and carbon dioxide.

    In a cleaner alternative, hydrogen (when produced using renewable energy) can be used to strip oxygen from the ore and make iron, with water as a byproduct. The result is green iron, ready to be turned into steel in an electric arc furnace – with a fraction of the emissions.

    Ammonia is used to make fertiliser and industrial chemicals, and hydrogen is one of the main ingredients in its production. Hydrogen bonds with nitrogen from the air to form ammonia. No hydrogen, no ammonia — it’s that simple. Conventional ammonia plants get hydrogen from methane, producing CO₂ in the process. Green ammonia uses renewable energy to produce hydrogen by splitting water via electrolysis.

    Our recent research crunched the numbers on producing these new green commodities. We found making green iron in Australia with hydrogen and shipping it to Europe for steel production could be 21% cheaper than exporting raw iron ore and hydrogen separately. Plus, it could cut emissions by up to 95% compared to traditional methods.

    There are huge economic opportunities for Australia too. Instead of shipping low-value raw materials, Australia could export ready-to-use green iron or green steel, reshaping global supply chains while cutting costs and carbon. That’s the kind of rethink hydrogen enables.

    Industry hubs: a practical fix

    Transporting hydrogen long distances is costly and inefficient. The fix? Industry hubs that produce hydrogen right where it’s needed — next to steel mills, ammonia plants, desalination plants, water treatment plants or even aluminium smelters. Putting producers and consumers together slashes transport costs and unlocks efficiencies.

    We’ve built tools to pinpoint places with the greatest potential to produce these new green commodities.

    The Hydrogen Economic Fairways Tool maps where renewable energy, infrastructure and industrial sites align for cost-effective hydrogen production.

    The Green Steel Economic Fairways Mapper zooms in on prime locations for green steel, spotlighting places such as Eyre Peninsula in SA and the Pilbara in Western Australia, among others (see below). These locations have abundant wind and solar resources alongside an existing industrial base.

    The Green Steel Economic Fairways Mapper compares the levelised cost of steel, including production and transport to the port. a) Regional changes across Australia b) Example of how to optimise the system to minimise the levelised cost of producing 1 million tonnes per annum c) Breakdown of costs d) Hourly system performance, in terms of energy flows.
    Green Steel Economic Fairways Mapper, Geoscience Australia

    Challenges remain

    Green hydrogen promises to revolutionise heavy industries, but significant hurdles stand in the way of widespread domestic adoption. The biggest challenge comes from the unpredictable nature of renewable energy, which makes it hard to maintain the steady hydrogen supply industries need.

    The costs remain steep, too. Splitting water into hydrogen using renewable electricity isn’t cheap, particularly when you need backup storage systems to keep production going during cloudy or windless periods.

    Getting hydrogen where it needs to go poses another major challenge. As hydrogen is both bulky to transport and highly flammable, it requires special handling and infrastructure, driving up costs, especially for facilities far from production sites.

    Many companies also hesitate to invest in hydrogen-compatible equipment, as retrofitting existing plants or building new ones requires substantial upfront costs without guaranteed returns.

    The $2.4 billion rescue package for the Whyalla Steelworks (ABC News)

    Government backing: a push in the right direction

    Thursday’s announcement of A$2.4 billion investment in the Whyalla steelworks along with plans for a $1 billion green iron investment fund are a bold bet on green steel. Furthermore, the landmark Future Made in Australia legislation introduces a $6.7 billion Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive, offering $2 per kilogram of renewable hydrogen produced between 2027–28 and 2039–40, alongside a 10% tax credit for critical minerals processing.

    Meanwhile tax credits for green aluminium and alumina should help another heavy industry to navigate the energy transition using clean hydrogen.

    These measures aim to unlock tens of billions in private investment, boost regional economies, and position Australia as a leader in clean energy manufacturing. This isn’t just about one-off projects. It’s laying the groundwork for hubs that link renewable energy and hydrogen production to industrial demand.

    There’s more in the pipeline. The Hydrogen Headstart program pumps funds into hydrogen innovation, and the Future Made in Australia initiative backs clean industry with billions more. Add in policies like carbon pricing or low-interest loans, and the economics tilt even further toward green steel and ammonia. Government buying power — in the form of procurement targets for low-carbon materials — could seal the deal by guaranteeing demand.

    These policies aren’t just wishful thinking — they’re practical steps that are already working elsewhere. Sweden’s HYBRIT project, which paired green steel with government-backed demand, has already led to construction starting on new industrial-scale green steel facilities. At the same time, the European Union’s hydrogen strategy leans on carbon pricing and subsidies to guide industries and suppliers through the energy transition, while Japan offers incentives for the use of green steel in their automotive industry.

    Australia has the renewable energy and the industrial base to take advantage of these opportunities. With the right leadership, we can turn hydrogen’s stumbles into a global triumph for heavy industry.

    Changlong receives funding from the South Australian Department for Energy and Mining to conduct the SA Green Iron Study, and from Geoscience Australia under the Exploring for the Future program to develop the Hydrogen and Green Steel Economic Fairways tool. Changlong is affiliated with Melbourne Climate Futures, University of Melbourne, and is a visiting fellow at Engineering Science, Oxford University, UK.

    Stuart Walsh receives funding from Geoscience Australia supporting the development of the Bluecap software suite, which highlights opportunities for new renewable energy and critical mineral projects in Australia. Stuart received funding from the South Australian Department for Energy and Mining to conduct the SA Green Iron Study and from Geoscience Australia under the Exploring for the Future program to develop the Hydrogen and Green Steel Economic Fairways tool.

    – ref. The promise of green iron, steel and ammonia is keeping the green hydrogen dream alive – https://theconversation.com/the-promise-of-green-iron-steel-and-ammonia-is-keeping-the-green-hydrogen-dream-alive-250410

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: I lost weight and my period stopped. How are weight and menstruation linked?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mia Schaumberg, Associate Professor in Physiology, School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast

    You may have noticed that changes in weight are sometimes accompanied by changes in your period.

    But what does one really have to do with the other?

    Maintaining a healthy weight is key to regular menstruation. Here’s why – and when to talk to your doctor.

    The role of hormones

    The menstrual cycle – including when you bleed and ovulate – is regulated by a balance of hormones, particularly oestrogen.

    The ovaries are connected to the brain through a hormonal signalling system. This acts as a kind of “chain of command” of hormones controlling the menstrual cycle.

    The brain produces a key hormone, called the gonadotropin-releasing hormone, in the hypothalamus. It stimulates the release of other hormones which tell the ovaries to produce oestrogen and release a mature egg (ovulation).

    But the release of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone depends on oestrogen levels and how much energy is available to the body. Both of these are closely related to body weight.

    Oestrogen is primarily produced in the ovaries, but fat cells also produce oestrogen. This is why weight – and more specifically body fat – can affect menstruation.

    Fat cells produce oestrogen, a hormone with a key role in the menstrual cycle.
    Halfpoint/Shutterstock

    Can being underweight affect my period?

    The body prioritises conserving energy. When reserves are low it stops anything non-essential, such as reproduction.

    This can happen when you are underweight, or suddenly lose weight. It can also happen to people who undertake intense exercise or have inadequate nutrition.

    The stress sends the hypothalamus into survival mode. As a result, the body lowers its production of the hormones important to ovulation, including oestrogen, and stops menstruation.

    Being chronically underweight means not having enough energy available to support reproduction, which can lead to menstrual irregularities including amenorrhea (no periods at all).

    This results in very low oestrogen levels and can cause potentially serious health risks, including infertility and bone loss.

    Missing periods is not always a cause for concern. But a chronic lack of energy availability can be, if not addressed. The two are linked, meaning understanding your period and being aware of any prolonged changes is important.

    How about being overweight?

    Higher body fat can elevate oestrogen levels.

    When you’re overweight your body stores extra energy in fat cells, which produce oestrogen and other hormones and can cause inflammation in the body. So, if you have a lot of fat cells, your body produces an excess of these hormones. This can affect normal functioning of the uterus lining (endometrium).

    Excess oestrogen and inflammation can interfere in the feedback system to the brain and stop ovulation. As a result, you may have irregular or missed periods.

    It can also lead to pain (dysmenorrhea) and heavier bleeding (menorrhagia).

    Being overweight can sometimes worsen premenstrual syndrome as well. One study found for every 1 kg increase in height (m²) in body mass index (BMI), the risk of premenstrual syndrome went up by 3%. Women with a BMI over 27.5 kg/m² had a much higher risk than those with a BMI under 20 kg/m².



    Read more:
    What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder? And how is it different to PMS?

    What else might be going on?

    Sometimes weight changes are linked to hormonal balances that indicate an underlying condition.

    For example, people with polycystic ovary syndrome may gain weight or find it hard to lose weight because they have a hormonal imbalance, including higher levels of testosterone.

    The syndrome is also associated with irregular periods and heavy bleeding. So, if you notice these symptoms, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor.

    Similarly, weight changes and irregular periods in midlife might signal the start of perimenopause, the period before menopause (when your periods stop altogether).

    Changes in weight and your period could be a sign of menopause approaching.
    Sabrina Bracher/Shutterstock

    When should I worry?

    Small changes in when your period comes or how long it lasts are usually harmless.

    Similarly, slight fluctuations in weight won’t usually have a significant impact on your period – or the changes may be so subtle you don’t notice them.

    But regular menstruation is an important marker of female health. Sometimes changes in flow, regularity or the pain you experience can indicate there’s something else going on.

    If you notice changes and they don’t feel right to you, speak to a health care provider.

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

    – ref. I lost weight and my period stopped. How are weight and menstruation linked? – https://theconversation.com/i-lost-weight-and-my-period-stopped-how-are-weight-and-menstruation-linked-244401

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘Active recovery’ after exercise is supposed to improve performance – but does it really work?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hunter Bennett, Lecturer in Exercise Science, University of South Australia

    gpointstudio/Shutterstock

    Imagine you have just finished a workout. Your legs are like jelly, your lungs are burning and you just want to collapse on the couch.

    But instead, you pick yourself up and go for a brisk walk.

    While this might seem counterintuitive, doing some light activity after an intense workout – known as “active recovery” – has been suggested to reduce soreness and speed up recovery after exercise.

    But does it work or is it just another fitness myth?

    What is active recovery?

    Active recovery simply describes doing some low-intensity physical activity after a strenuous bout of exercise.

    This is commonly achieved through low-intensity cardio, such as walking or cycling, but can also consist of low-intensity stretching, or even bodyweight exercises such as squats and lunges.

    The key thing is making sure the intensity is light or moderate, without moving into the “vigorous” range.

    As a general rule, if you can maintain a conversation while you’re exercising, you are working at a light-to-moderate intensity.

    Some people consider doing an easy training session on their “rest days” as a form of active recovery. However, this has not really been researched. So we will be focusing on the more traditional form of active recovery in this article, where it is performed straight after exercise.

    What does active recovery do?

    Active recovery helps speed up the removal of waste products, such as lactate and hydrogen, after exercise. These waste products are moved from the muscles into the blood, before being broken down and used for energy, or simply excreted.

    This is thought to be one of the ways it promotes recovery.

    In some instances active recovery has been shown to reduce muscle soreness in the days following exercise. This may lead to a faster return to peak performance in some physical capabilities such as jump height.

    Active recovery can involve stretching.
    fatir29/Shutterstock

    But, active recovery does not appear to reduce post-exercise inflammation. While this may sound like a bad thing, it’s not.

    Post-exercise inflammation can promote increases in strength and fitness after exercise. And so when it’s reduced (say, by using ice baths after exercise) this can lead to smaller training improvements than would be seen otherwise.

    This means active recovery can be used regularly after exercise without the risk of affecting the benefits of the main exercise session.

    There’s evidence to the contrary too

    Not all research on active recovery is positive.

    Several studies indicate it’s no better than simply lying on the couch when it comes to reducing muscle soreness and improving performance after exercise.

    In fact, there’s more research suggesting active recovery doesn’t have an effect than research showing it does have an effect.

    While there could be several reasons for this, two stand out.

    First, the way in which active recovery is applied in the research varies as lot. It’s likely there is a sweet spot in terms of how long active recovery should last to maximise its benefits (more on this later).

    Second, it’s likely the benefits of active recovery are trivial to small. As such, they won’t always be considered “significant” in the scientific literature, despite offering potentially meaningful benefits at an individual level. In sport science, studies often have small sample sizes, which can make it hard to see small effects.

    But there doesn’t seem to be any research suggesting active recovery is less effective than doing nothing, so at worst it certainly won’t cause any harm.

    When is active recovery useful?

    Active recovery appears useful if you need to perform multiple bouts of exercise within a short time frame. For example, if you were in a tournament and had 10–20 minutes between games, then a quick active recovery would be better than doing nothing.

    Active recovery might also be a useful strategy if you have to perform exercise again within 24 hours after intense activity.

    For example, if you are someone who plays sport and you need to play games on back-to-back days, doing some low-intensity active recovery after each game might help reduce soreness and improve performance on subsequent days.

    Similarly, if you are training for an event like a marathon and you have a training session the day after a particularly long or intense run, then active recovery might get you better prepared for your next training session.

    Conversely, if you have just completed a low-to-moderate intensity bout of exercise, it’s unlikely active recovery will offer the same benefits. And if you will get more than 24 hours of rest between exercise sessions, active recovery is unlikely to do much because this will probably be long enough for your body to recover naturally anyway.

    Active recovery may be useful for people with back-to-back sporting commitments.
    Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

    How to get the most out of active recovery

    The good news is you don’t have to do a lot of active recovery to see a benefit.

    A systematic review looking at the effectiveness of active recovery across 26 studies found 6–10 minutes of exercise was the sweet spot when it came to enhancing recovery.

    Interestingly, the intensity of exercise didn’t seem to matter. If it was within this time frame, it had a positive effect.

    So it makes sense to make your active recovery easy (because why would you make it hard if you don’t have to?) by keeping it in the light-to-moderate intensity range.

    However, don’t expect active recovery to be a complete game changer. The research would suggest the benefits are likely to be small at best.

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

    – ref. ‘Active recovery’ after exercise is supposed to improve performance – but does it really work? – https://theconversation.com/active-recovery-after-exercise-is-supposed-to-improve-performance-but-does-it-really-work-250068

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: I lost weight and my period stopped. How are weight and menstruation linked?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Mia Schaumberg, Associate Professor in Physiology, School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast

    You may have noticed that changes in weight are sometimes accompanied by changes in your period.

    But what does one really have to do with the other?

    Maintaining a healthy weight is key to regular menstruation. Here’s why – and when to talk to your doctor.

    The role of hormones

    The menstrual cycle – including when you bleed and ovulate – is regulated by a balance of hormones, particularly oestrogen.

    The ovaries are connected to the brain through a hormonal signalling system. This acts as a kind of “chain of command” of hormones controlling the menstrual cycle.

    The brain produces a key hormone, called the gonadotropin-releasing hormone, in the hypothalamus. It stimulates the release of other hormones which tell the ovaries to produce oestrogen and release a mature egg (ovulation).

    But the release of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone depends on oestrogen levels and how much energy is available to the body. Both of these are closely related to body weight.

    Oestrogen is primarily produced in the ovaries, but fat cells also produce oestrogen. This is why weight – and more specifically body fat – can affect menstruation.

    Fat cells produce oestrogen, a hormone with a key role in the menstrual cycle.
    Halfpoint/Shutterstock

    Can being underweight affect my period?

    The body prioritises conserving energy. When reserves are low it stops anything non-essential, such as reproduction.

    This can happen when you are underweight, or suddenly lose weight. It can also happen to people who undertake intense exercise or have inadequate nutrition.

    The stress sends the hypothalamus into survival mode. As a result, the body lowers its production of the hormones important to ovulation, including oestrogen, and stops menstruation.

    Being chronically underweight means not having enough energy available to support reproduction, which can lead to menstrual irregularities including amenorrhea (no periods at all).

    This results in very low oestrogen levels and can cause potentially serious health risks, including infertility and bone loss.

    Missing periods is not always a cause for concern. But a chronic lack of energy availability can be, if not addressed. The two are linked, meaning understanding your period and being aware of any prolonged changes is important.

    How about being overweight?

    Higher body fat can elevate oestrogen levels.

    When you’re overweight your body stores extra energy in fat cells, which produce oestrogen and other hormones and can cause inflammation in the body. So, if you have a lot of fat cells, your body produces an excess of these hormones. This can affect normal functioning of the uterus lining (endometrium).

    Excess oestrogen and inflammation can interfere in the feedback system to the brain and stop ovulation. As a result, you may have irregular or missed periods.

    It can also lead to pain (dysmenorrhea) and heavier bleeding (menorrhagia).

    Being overweight can sometimes worsen premenstrual syndrome as well. One study found for every 1 kg increase in height (m²) in body mass index (BMI), the risk of premenstrual syndrome went up by 3%. Women with a BMI over 27.5 kg/m² had a much higher risk than those with a BMI under 20 kg/m².



    Read more:
    What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder? And how is it different to PMS?

    What else might be going on?

    Sometimes weight changes are linked to hormonal balances that indicate an underlying condition.

    For example, people with polycystic ovary syndrome may gain weight or find it hard to lose weight because they have a hormonal imbalance, including higher levels of testosterone.

    The syndrome is also associated with irregular periods and heavy bleeding. So, if you notice these symptoms, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor.

    Similarly, weight changes and irregular periods in midlife might signal the start of perimenopause, the period before menopause (when your periods stop altogether).

    Changes in weight and your period could be a sign of menopause approaching.
    Sabrina Bracher/Shutterstock

    When should I worry?

    Small changes in when your period comes or how long it lasts are usually harmless.

    Similarly, slight fluctuations in weight won’t usually have a significant impact on your period – or the changes may be so subtle you don’t notice them.

    But regular menstruation is an important marker of female health. Sometimes changes in flow, regularity or the pain you experience can indicate there’s something else going on.

    If you notice changes and they don’t feel right to you, speak to a health care provider.

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

    – ref. I lost weight and my period stopped. How are weight and menstruation linked? – https://theconversation.com/i-lost-weight-and-my-period-stopped-how-are-weight-and-menstruation-linked-244401

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Active recovery’ after exercise is supposed to improve performance – but does it really work?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Hunter Bennett, Lecturer in Exercise Science, University of South Australia

    gpointstudio/Shutterstock

    Imagine you have just finished a workout. Your legs are like jelly, your lungs are burning and you just want to collapse on the couch.

    But instead, you pick yourself up and go for a brisk walk.

    While this might seem counterintuitive, doing some light activity after an intense workout – known as “active recovery” – has been suggested to reduce soreness and speed up recovery after exercise.

    But does it work or is it just another fitness myth?

    What is active recovery?

    Active recovery simply describes doing some low-intensity physical activity after a strenuous bout of exercise.

    This is commonly achieved through low-intensity cardio, such as walking or cycling, but can also consist of low-intensity stretching, or even bodyweight exercises such as squats and lunges.

    The key thing is making sure the intensity is light or moderate, without moving into the “vigorous” range.

    As a general rule, if you can maintain a conversation while you’re exercising, you are working at a light-to-moderate intensity.

    Some people consider doing an easy training session on their “rest days” as a form of active recovery. However, this has not really been researched. So we will be focusing on the more traditional form of active recovery in this article, where it is performed straight after exercise.

    What does active recovery do?

    Active recovery helps speed up the removal of waste products, such as lactate and hydrogen, after exercise. These waste products are moved from the muscles into the blood, before being broken down and used for energy, or simply excreted.

    This is thought to be one of the ways it promotes recovery.

    In some instances active recovery has been shown to reduce muscle soreness in the days following exercise. This may lead to a faster return to peak performance in some physical capabilities such as jump height.

    Active recovery can involve stretching.
    fatir29/Shutterstock

    But, active recovery does not appear to reduce post-exercise inflammation. While this may sound like a bad thing, it’s not.

    Post-exercise inflammation can promote increases in strength and fitness after exercise. And so when it’s reduced (say, by using ice baths after exercise) this can lead to smaller training improvements than would be seen otherwise.

    This means active recovery can be used regularly after exercise without the risk of affecting the benefits of the main exercise session.

    There’s evidence to the contrary too

    Not all research on active recovery is positive.

    Several studies indicate it’s no better than simply lying on the couch when it comes to reducing muscle soreness and improving performance after exercise.

    In fact, there’s more research suggesting active recovery doesn’t have an effect than research showing it does have an effect.

    While there could be several reasons for this, two stand out.

    First, the way in which active recovery is applied in the research varies as lot. It’s likely there is a sweet spot in terms of how long active recovery should last to maximise its benefits (more on this later).

    Second, it’s likely the benefits of active recovery are trivial to small. As such, they won’t always be considered “significant” in the scientific literature, despite offering potentially meaningful benefits at an individual level. In sport science, studies often have small sample sizes, which can make it hard to see small effects.

    But there doesn’t seem to be any research suggesting active recovery is less effective than doing nothing, so at worst it certainly won’t cause any harm.

    When is active recovery useful?

    Active recovery appears useful if you need to perform multiple bouts of exercise within a short time frame. For example, if you were in a tournament and had 10–20 minutes between games, then a quick active recovery would be better than doing nothing.

    Active recovery might also be a useful strategy if you have to perform exercise again within 24 hours after intense activity.

    For example, if you are someone who plays sport and you need to play games on back-to-back days, doing some low-intensity active recovery after each game might help reduce soreness and improve performance on subsequent days.

    Similarly, if you are training for an event like a marathon and you have a training session the day after a particularly long or intense run, then active recovery might get you better prepared for your next training session.

    Conversely, if you have just completed a low-to-moderate intensity bout of exercise, it’s unlikely active recovery will offer the same benefits. And if you will get more than 24 hours of rest between exercise sessions, active recovery is unlikely to do much because this will probably be long enough for your body to recover naturally anyway.

    Active recovery may be useful for people with back-to-back sporting commitments.
    Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

    How to get the most out of active recovery

    The good news is you don’t have to do a lot of active recovery to see a benefit.

    A systematic review looking at the effectiveness of active recovery across 26 studies found 6–10 minutes of exercise was the sweet spot when it came to enhancing recovery.

    Interestingly, the intensity of exercise didn’t seem to matter. If it was within this time frame, it had a positive effect.

    So it makes sense to make your active recovery easy (because why would you make it hard if you don’t have to?) by keeping it in the light-to-moderate intensity range.

    However, don’t expect active recovery to be a complete game changer. The research would suggest the benefits are likely to be small at best.

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

    – ref. ‘Active recovery’ after exercise is supposed to improve performance – but does it really work? – https://theconversation.com/active-recovery-after-exercise-is-supposed-to-improve-performance-but-does-it-really-work-250068

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: It’s the biggest Egyptian tomb discovery in a century. Who was Thutmose II?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Anna M. Kotarba-Morley, Senior Lecturer in Museum and Curatorial Studies / Research Fellow, University of Adelaide

    Wikimedia/The Conversation

    Archaeologists in Egypt have made an exciting discovery: the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II, a ruler who has long been overshadowed by his famous wife and half-sister, Queen Hatshepsut.

    The remarkable find is located in the Western Valley (a burial ground for queens rather than kings), near the complex of Deir el-Bahari, which houses the funerary temple of Hatshepsut. Both of us worked together as archaeologists at this spectacular site some 15 years ago.

    Thutmose II’s tomb has been labelled the first, and biggest, discovery of a royal tomb since Tutankhamun’s tomb was found just over 100 years ago.

    Despite being totally empty, it’s a crucial element in further understanding a transformative period in ancient Egyptian history.

    Hatshepsut’s forgotten brother and husband

    Thutmose II (also called Akheperenre) reigned in the first half of the 15th century BCE. This made him the fourth ruler of the 18th Egyptian Dynasty, which marked the beginning of the New Kingdom period.

    Thutmose II likely ruled for a little over ten years, although some scholars believe his reign may have lasted only three years.

    He was the son of a great pharaoh Thutmose I and his lesser wife, Mutnofret. He married his half-sister Queen Hatshepsut according to the royal custom, to solidify the rule and bloodline. Together they had a daughter named Nefrure.

    Thutmose II’s mummy was discovered in 1881 but his original tomb was unknown until now.
    Wikimedia

    Upon his death, his wife Hatshepsut became the sixth pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty – and arguably one of the most famous and successful female rulers of all time.

    Military activities

    As the successor of Thutmose I, Thutmose II continued his father’s military policy in the southern regions of Egypt.

    According to preserved inscriptions, he ordered the brutal suppression of a rebellion against Egyptian rule in the land of Kush (in present-day north Sudan). As a result, a significant number of prisoners were brought to Egypt – possibly as part of a campaign.

    But Thutmose II’s military campaigns were minor in comparison to the grand conquests of his predecessors and successors. Most historians believe he was a weak ruler and that Hatshepsut had a major role in governing the country, even long before his death. However, others contest this.

    Thutmose II’s short reign left modest traces of building activity in Karnak, one of the largest religious centres in ancient Egypt, located in present-day Luxor.

    The structure, of which only fragments survive, features a unique decoration depicting Thutmose II, Hatshepsut as his royal wife before she became a ruler, and their daughter Nefrure. The origins of the monument are uncertain. It’s possible Thutmose II started it and Hatshepsut finished it.

    The monument was reconstructed by French researchers and can now be admired at the Open Air Museum in Karnak.

    Karnak is one of the most important religious centres in Ancient Egypt.
    Katarzyna Kapiec

    Other monuments of Thutmose II were found in the southern regions of Egypt, such as in Elephantine, in the city of Aswan, and in northern Sudan (likely connected to his military campaigns).

    The condemnation of Hatshepsut’s memory

    Interestingly, the name of Thutmose II became strongly associated with many of Hatshepsut’s constructions due to the actions of Thutmose III.

    Regarded as one of the greatest warriors, military commanders and military strategists of all time, Thutmose III was the nephew and stepson of Hatshepsut, and co-ruled with her as a regent.

    At the end of Thutmose III’s reign, some 20 years after Hatshepsut’s death, he carried out a large-scale campaign to remove or alter Hatshepsut’s names and images. Scholars call this “damnatio memoriae”, or condemnation of the memory.

    An example of Hatshepsut’s ‘damnatio memoriae’ at Deir el-Bahari. Hatshepsut’s cartouches (left) were defaced, while Thutmose III’s (right) remained untouched.
    Wikimedia

    This was likely due to concerns about securing the throne for his successor, Amenhotep II, by linking him to his male ancestors.

    In many cases, Hatshepsut’s name was replaced with that of Thutmose II, making him the principal celebrant in temples built by Hatshepsut, such as in Deir el-Bahari.

    View at the temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari at the dawn.
    Katarzyna Kapiec

    What does Thutmose II’s empty tomb tell us?

    The newly discovered tomb reveals fresh details about the status of Thutmose II and his role in the sociopolitical structure of 15th century BCE Egypt – a period of territorial expansion, wealth and political intrigue. It also sheds light on the perception of his rule at the time.

    Thutmose II has been painted as an ineffectual ruler. And the latest findings don’t contradict this.

    Unlike his father Thutmose I, who expanded Egypt’s reign through military strength, or his stepson Thutmose III, who became one of the most famous Egyptian warrior-kings, his modest tomb suggests his legacy may not have been as widely celebrated as others in his dynasty.

    The tomb’s location is also intriguing, as it is near the tombs of royal wives, including the cliff tomb of Hatshepsut, which was prepared for her when she was still a royal wife.

    Thutmose II’s mummy was discovered in the so-called Royal Cache in Deir el-Bahari in 1881, alongside other royal mummies. Many royal mummies were relocated here for protection from flooding and during the uncertain times of the 21st Dynasty (circa 1077–950 BCE), some 400–500 years after Thutmose II’s original burial.

    However, experts suspect Thutmose II’s tomb might have been emptied even earlier due to flooding from a waterfall above it.

    The two of us speculate another tomb may have been built for him, and is still awaiting discovery.

    An 1881 photograph of some of the coffins and mummies found in DB320, taken before the mummies were unwrapped.
    Wikimedia

    Ultimately, Thutmose II’s reign remains shrouded in mystery due to the lack of available records. The search for his tomb – from Western Valley, through the Valley of the Kings, all the way to Deir el-Bahari – spanned centuries.

    Despite its poorly preserved state, and its scarcity compared with Tutankhamun’s splendorous tomb, this discovery will expand our understanding of the overlooked figure of Thutmose II, and the role he played in setting up the reign of Hatshepsut – arguably the most successful of the four female pharaohs.

    In fact, paving the way for the ascent of Hatshepsut may have been his greatest contribution.

    Anna M. Kotarba-Morley receives funding from Australian Research Council and previously received funding from National Centre of Science in Poland.

    Katarzyna Kapiec receives funding from National Science Centre in Poland

    – ref. It’s the biggest Egyptian tomb discovery in a century. Who was Thutmose II? – https://theconversation.com/its-the-biggest-egyptian-tomb-discovery-in-a-century-who-was-thutmose-ii-250432

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-Evening Report: It’s the biggest Egyptian tomb discovery in a century. Who was Thutmose II?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna M. Kotarba-Morley, Senior Lecturer in Museum and Curatorial Studies / Research Fellow, University of Adelaide

    Wikimedia/The Conversation

    Archaeologists in Egypt have made an exciting discovery: the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II, a ruler who has long been overshadowed by his famous wife and half-sister, Queen Hatshepsut.

    The remarkable find is located in the Western Valley (a burial ground for queens rather than kings), near the complex of Deir el-Bahari, which houses the funerary temple of Hatshepsut. Both of us worked together as archaeologists at this spectacular site some 15 years ago.

    Thutmose II’s tomb has been labelled the first, and biggest, discovery of a royal tomb since Tutankhamun’s tomb was found just over 100 years ago.

    Despite being totally empty, it’s a crucial element in further understanding a transformative period in ancient Egyptian history.

    Hatshepsut’s forgotten brother and husband

    Thutmose II (also called Akheperenre) reigned in the first half of the 15th century BCE. This made him the fourth ruler of the 18th Egyptian Dynasty, which marked the beginning of the New Kingdom period.

    Thutmose II likely ruled for a little over ten years, although some scholars believe his reign may have lasted only three years.

    He was the son of a great pharaoh Thutmose I and his lesser wife, Mutnofret. He married his half-sister Queen Hatshepsut according to the royal custom, to solidify the rule and bloodline. Together they had a daughter named Nefrure.

    Thutmose II’s mummy was discovered in 1881 but his original tomb was unknown until now.
    Wikimedia

    Upon his death, his wife Hatshepsut became the sixth pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty – and arguably one of the most famous and successful female rulers of all time.

    Military activities

    As the successor of Thutmose I, Thutmose II continued his father’s military policy in the southern regions of Egypt.

    According to preserved inscriptions, he ordered the brutal suppression of a rebellion against Egyptian rule in the land of Kush (in present-day north Sudan). As a result, a significant number of prisoners were brought to Egypt – possibly as part of a campaign.

    But Thutmose II’s military campaigns were minor in comparison to the grand conquests of his predecessors and successors. Most historians believe he was a weak ruler and that Hatshepsut had a major role in governing the country, even long before his death. However, others contest this.

    Thutmose II’s short reign left modest traces of building activity in Karnak, one of the largest religious centres in ancient Egypt, located in present-day Luxor.

    The structure, of which only fragments survive, features a unique decoration depicting Thutmose II, Hatshepsut as his royal wife before she became a ruler, and their daughter Nefrure. The origins of the monument are uncertain. It’s possible Thutmose II started it and Hatshepsut finished it.

    The monument was reconstructed by French researchers and can now be admired at the Open Air Museum in Karnak.

    Karnak is one of the most important religious centres in Ancient Egypt.
    Katarzyna Kapiec

    Other monuments of Thutmose II were found in the southern regions of Egypt, such as in Elephantine, in the city of Aswan, and in northern Sudan (likely connected to his military campaigns).

    The condemnation of Hatshepsut’s memory

    Interestingly, the name of Thutmose II became strongly associated with many of Hatshepsut’s constructions due to the actions of Thutmose III.

    Regarded as one of the greatest warriors, military commanders and military strategists of all time, Thutmose III was the nephew and stepson of Hatshepsut, and co-ruled with her as a regent.

    At the end of Thutmose III’s reign, some 20 years after Hatshepsut’s death, he carried out a large-scale campaign to remove or alter Hatshepsut’s names and images. Scholars call this “damnatio memoriae”, or condemnation of the memory.

    An example of Hatshepsut’s ‘damnatio memoriae’ at Deir el-Bahari. Hatshepsut’s cartouches (left) were defaced, while Thutmose III’s (right) remained untouched.
    Wikimedia

    This was likely due to concerns about securing the throne for his successor, Amenhotep II, by linking him to his male ancestors.

    In many cases, Hatshepsut’s name was replaced with that of Thutmose II, making him the principal celebrant in temples built by Hatshepsut, such as in Deir el-Bahari.

    View at the temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari at the dawn.
    Katarzyna Kapiec

    What does Thutmose II’s empty tomb tell us?

    The newly discovered tomb reveals fresh details about the status of Thutmose II and his role in the sociopolitical structure of 15th century BCE Egypt – a period of territorial expansion, wealth and political intrigue. It also sheds light on the perception of his rule at the time.

    Thutmose II has been painted as an ineffectual ruler. And the latest findings don’t contradict this.

    Unlike his father Thutmose I, who expanded Egypt’s reign through military strength, or his stepson Thutmose III, who became one of the most famous Egyptian warrior-kings, his modest tomb suggests his legacy may not have been as widely celebrated as others in his dynasty.

    The tomb’s location is also intriguing, as it is near the tombs of royal wives, including the cliff tomb of Hatshepsut, which was prepared for her when she was still a royal wife.

    Thutmose II’s mummy was discovered in the so-called Royal Cache in Deir el-Bahari in 1881, alongside other royal mummies. Many royal mummies were relocated here for protection from flooding and during the uncertain times of the 21st Dynasty (circa 1077–950 BCE), some 400–500 years after Thutmose II’s original burial.

    However, experts suspect Thutmose II’s tomb might have been emptied even earlier due to flooding from a waterfall above it.

    The two of us speculate another tomb may have been built for him, and is still awaiting discovery.

    An 1881 photograph of some of the coffins and mummies found in DB320, taken before the mummies were unwrapped.
    Wikimedia

    Ultimately, Thutmose II’s reign remains shrouded in mystery due to the lack of available records. The search for his tomb – from Western Valley, through the Valley of the Kings, all the way to Deir el-Bahari – spanned centuries.

    Despite its poorly preserved state, and its scarcity compared with Tutankhamun’s splendorous tomb, this discovery will expand our understanding of the overlooked figure of Thutmose II, and the role he played in setting up the reign of Hatshepsut – arguably the most successful of the four female pharaohs.

    In fact, paving the way for the ascent of Hatshepsut may have been his greatest contribution.

    Anna M. Kotarba-Morley receives funding from Australian Research Council and previously received funding from National Centre of Science in Poland.

    Katarzyna Kapiec receives funding from National Science Centre in Poland

    – ref. It’s the biggest Egyptian tomb discovery in a century. Who was Thutmose II? – https://theconversation.com/its-the-biggest-egyptian-tomb-discovery-in-a-century-who-was-thutmose-ii-250432

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Scientist: No need to panic about asteroid that might hit Earth in 2032

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Since early January, Chinese scientists have been continuously observing an asteroid that has a small chance of colliding with Earth in 2032.
    By combining global data, astronomers have updated the probability of impact to around 1.5 percent.
    “As observational data accumulates, the calculations of its orbit will become more accurate, and the probability of it hitting Earth will also change. So the public need not panic and should await further results from astronomers,” said Zhao Haibin, director of and researcher at the Department of Planetary Sciences and Deep Space Exploration at the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
    The asteroid, named 2024 YR4, has an estimated diameter of between 40 and 90 meters, roughly the size of a large building. It was discovered on Dec 27 by an Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System telescope in Chile, according to scientists.
    On Wednesday, the near-Earth object monitoring system of the United States space agency NASA revised the probability of 2024 YR4 hitting Earth to 1.5 percent, down from its Tuesday estimation of 3.1 percent.
    On Tuesday, the European Space Agency’s Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre revised its estimation of the probability to 2.8 percent from the previous 2.4 percent.
    “The orbit of an asteroid is primarily calculated through optical observations,” Zhao said. “Asteroids shine by reflecting sunlight, and observing them with telescopes, along with the surrounding stars in their field of view, helps us determine their coordinates in the celestial sphere. This, in turn, allows us to calculate their orbits.”
    The orbit of this asteroid has a relatively high eccentricity, meaning that its path is elliptical. It passes near Earth’s orbit approximately every four years. The period from the end of last year to the beginning of this year was a good observation window, and there will be another favorable observation window in 2028, he said.
    Experts studying asteroids at the CAS indicated that although current technology makes it difficult to directly intercept an asteroid, its trajectory can be altered by a few millimeters per second.
    There are several ways to prevent a near-Earth asteroid from colliding with the planet, such as launching rockets to push it off its original path or evacuating people when it is about to collide with the planet, minimizing the effect of impact.
    “An asteroid with a diameter of a few dozen meters could devastate an area of several thousand square kilometers, equivalent to a large city, if it hits Earth without any preventive measures,” said a scientist who asked to remain anonymous.
    Zhao, the researcher, said, “Given that we have already discovered the asteroid, with a diameter of around 50 meters, we will undoubtedly develop a response plan, meaning that the public need not worry excessively.”
    The International Asteroid Warning Network and the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group have been operating since 2013, monitoring and issuing warnings for asteroids that pose a potential risk of impact.
    For an asteroid with a diameter greater than 10 meters and an impact probability of more than 1 percent, the IAWN will issue a warning, calling on astronomers worldwide to monitor it, Zhao said.
    “If the asteroid has a diameter greater than 20 meters and a 10 percent probability of impact within the next 20 years, the SMPAG will activate a response mechanism. This involves accurately assessing the impact risk corridor for Earth and preparing civil defense measures,” he said.
    “If the asteroid’s diameter exceeds 50 meters and there is a 1 percent probability of impact within 50 years, active defense plans, such as launching spacecraft to alter its orbit, may be initiated,” he added.
    At a conference in Beijing in 2018, Chinese scientists discussed the key technologies related to asteroid monitoring and early warning, safety defense and resource utilization.
    “If we need to defend against an asteroid with a diameter of around 50 meters, we might need to start deploying measures three to four years in advance,” said the scientist who requested anonymity.
    Chinese scientists have achieved notable progress in the detection and monitoring of near-Earth asteroids. In particular, the Near-Earth Object Telescope at the Purple Mountain Observatory and the Wide Field Survey Telescope, a collaboration between the University of Science and Technology of China and the Purple Mountain Observatory, have delivered significant results in recent years. To date, China has discovered more than 60 near-Earth asteroids.
    “This also reflects China’s active commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities as a major nation in the field of asteroid monitoring, early warning and defense,” said Zhao.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Dumbleton crocodile sighting – Mackay

    Source: Government of Queensland

    Issued: 20 Feb 2025

    Open larger image

    A trap has been set for the animal after a slide mark was seen

    Open larger image

    Large slide mark on the bank of the Pioneer River on 18 February 2025

    A crocodile that has moved into freshwater above the Dumbleton Weir in the Mackay region will be targeted for removal from the Pioneer River.

    On 15 February 2025, a member of the pubic reported what they believed to be a crocodile to the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.

    Wildlife officers investigating the sighting report photographed a large slide mark on the bank of the Pioneer River on 18 February 2025.

    Senior Wildlife officer Jane Burns said recent crocodile sighting signs have been installed in the area, and a spotlight search was conducted on 19 February 2025.

    “I would like to thank the person who reported the crocodile to the department, and I can assure the community that the animal will be targeted for removal from the wild,” Ms Burns said.

    “During our spotlight search last night, we did not confirm the presence of a large crocodile above the weir, but a baited trap will be set today.

    “The Mackay region is known Croc Country, and people should expect crocodiles in all water bodies even if there are no signs.

    “Crocodiles are highly mobile, and they can get around built structures like the Dumbleton Weir. We believe this animal moved into the area above the weir during the recent weather event.

    “I urge people to be Crocwise while this animal is targeted for removal from the wild, and I’m asking everyone to avoid swimming above the Dumbleton Weir while the trap is in the water.

    “The animal might make its way downstream of its own accord, but if we successfully remove this animal from the wild, people still need to be Crocwise in the Mackay region.

    “People are responsible for their own safety in Croc Country and should make sensible choices around the water.

    “I’d like to encourage everyone in the community to make a sighting report if they see what they believe to be a crocodile.”

    Crocodile sightings can be reported by using the QWildlife app, completing a crocodile sighting report on the DETSI website, or by calling 1300 130 372. The department investigates every crocodile sighting report received.

    Crocwise tips for people in Croc Country:

    • Expect crocodiles in ALL northern and far northern Queensland waterways even if there is no warning sign
    • Obey all warning signs – they are there to keep you safe
    • Be aware crocs also swim in the ocean and be extra cautious around water at night
    • Stay well away from croc traps – that includes fishing and boating
    • The smaller the vessel the greater the risk, so avoid using canoes and kayaks
    • Stand back from the water’s edge when fishing and don’t wade in to retrieve a lure
    • Camp as far back from the water’s edge as possible
    • Never leave food, fish scraps or bait near the water, camp sites or boat ramps
    • Never provoke, harass or feed crocs
    • Always supervise children near the water and keep pets on a lead.

    View further information on being Crocwise.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Statement on Meeting with CDC Nominee Dave Weldon, RFK Plotting to Overthrow Vaccine Advisory Committees

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP), released the following statement in response to her meeting with Dr. David “Dave” Weldon, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and news reports that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is preparing to remove members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which plays a key role in setting vaccine policy.

    “In our meeting today, I pressed Dr. Weldon on his longstanding vaccine skepticism and whether he would make changes to the membership of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel. He said he had no intention of getting rid of anyone. Yet just hours later, there is new reporting that RFK Jr. may upend the advisory committees that make important recommendations on vaccine approvals and coverage—and replace experts with dangerous anti-vaxxers. I have very little confidence that Dr. Weldon will stand up to RFK Jr.—not only has Dr. Weldon spent years promoting the false conspiracy that vaccines cause autism, but he has also criticized the CDC’s essential role in vaccine safety research.

    “Additionally, I remain deeply concerned by Dr. Weldon’s history of peddling inflammatory and medically debunked anti-abortion rhetoric and past legislative efforts, which have put the lives and health of countless women in danger.”

    Senator Murray further called on Republicans who said they were voting for RFK Jr. despite concerns over his anti-vaccine record to join her in speaking out and demanding RFK Jr. abandon any plans that would undermine vaccine access, like overthrowing the experts on CDC’s advisory committee.

    “Let’s not mince words here: the state of public health infrastructure in America is in a deeply precarious state. Thousands of researchers and public health experts have already been culled from the government by Elon Musk and RFK Jr. Now, we are hearing that while communities across the country are in desperate need of steady, science-based leadership to help protect families from measles outbreaks, tuberculosis, and the threat of bird flu—RFK Jr. is plotting to overthrow CDC’s vaccine advisory board. That is as alarming as it gets.

    “To every Republican who voted for this man because they believed, in spite of his record, RFK Jr. would not undermine vaccines: now—right now—is the time to speak up and hold RFK Jr. accountable. It is irresponsible to stay silent until after RFK Jr. follows through on this dangerous idea, and vaccines are already undermined. We all know perfectly well what is at stake here—so I desperately hope they will join me in finding the biggest microphone they can and demand RFK Jr. completely abandon any plans that will undermine access to vaccines.”

    As a longtime appropriator and former Chair of the Senate HELP Committee, Murray has long fought to boost biomedical research, strengthen public health infrastructure, and make health care more affordable and accessible. Over her years as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, she has secured billions of dollars in increases for biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health, and during her time as Chair of the HELP Committee she established the new ARPA-H research agency as part of her PREVENT Pandemics Act to advance some of the most cutting-edge research in the field. As Chair of the HELP Committee, Murray was also instrumental in crafting the American Rescue Plan Act, including its landmark investments in public health and health care. Senator Murray was also the lead Democratic negotiator of the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act, which delivered a major federal investment to boost NIH research, among many other investments. Murray is also the lead sponsor of the Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act (PHISLA), legislation to establish $4.5 billion in dedicated, annual funding for a grant program to build up and maintain the nation’s public health system across the board. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China releases first standards for mangrove restoration

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    China’s first technical group standards for the precise ecological restoration of mangroves have been released and implemented, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ South China Sea Institute of Oceanology.
    The standards, led by the institute, are the country’s first technical guidelines in the field, addressing the lack of standardized procedures for precise mangrove restoration and evaluation. They are expected to promote the protection and sustainable development of mangroves further in China.
    Mangrove ecosystems, located at the dynamic interface between land and sea in intertidal zones periodically submerged by seawater, are unique coastal ecosystems with high ecological, social and economic value. They play a critical role in supporting offshore fisheries, purifying the environment, and enhancing carbon sequestration.
    However, challenges resulting from global climate change and human activities, such as rising sea levels, abnormal temperatures and increasing pollution, have led to significant environmental changes that threaten these vital ecosystems.
    According to the State of the World’s Mangroves 2024 report released by the Global Mangrove Alliance, the world’s total mangrove area currently stands at approximately 14.7 million hectares, a decrease of 2.3 million hectares compared to the 17 million reported by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 2005. Alarmingly, 50 percent of the world’s mangroves are at risk of collapse.
    As a result, accelerating the restoration of damaged mangrove ecosystems has become an urgent priority for international marine science, making mangrove ecological restoration and protection a key focus in global marine research.
    China has 27,100 hectares of mangroves. To better protect these ecosystems, the Chinese government launched the Mangrove Protection and Restoration Action Plan (2020-2025) in 2020, aiming to expand the country’s mangrove area to 36,000 hectares by 2025, thereby supporting the national “dual carbon” strategy.
    At that time, there was no standardized technical protocol for the precise ecological restoration of mangroves, either domestically or internationally.
    The development of such guidelines is crucial to standardizing restoration and evaluation techniques across different habitats, to guiding practical applications, and to promoting the sustainable development of mangrove ecosystems and biological resources in China, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
    The new standards establish principles and technical processes for the precise ecological restoration of mangroves in various habitats, including species selection, screening and configuration, and microbial community configuration. They also provide methods for evaluating the efficacy of mangrove restoration.
    The technical specifications proposed in the standards are designed to be practical, easy to implement, and compliant with relevant national laws and regulations.
    By filling the gap in this field, the standards ensure that mangrove restoration and assessment efforts are guided by clear criteria, enhancing the ecological health and functions of mangroves, and promoting the development of precise restoration and evaluation practices. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Urges Lutnick to Protect Critical Work at National Weather Service & NOAA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    02.20.25
    Cantwell Urges Lutnick to Protect Critical Work at National Weather Service & NOAA
    “American lives depend on it,” writes Cantwell
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 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 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (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.”
    Sen. Cantwell has spoken out forcefully against the firings of federal workers.
    “The Trump Administration is trying to illegally cut the federal workforce in an attempt to come up with a budget and tax increases on middle class Americans, all while giving $4 trillion in tax breaks to corporations and the wealthiest individuals,” Sen. Cantwell said in a statement released Saturday. “Our deficit and essential programs like Medicaid can’t take the Trump hack job.”
    On Sunday, Sen. Cantwell sounded the alarm about reports that safety-critical Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) workers had been fired. “Now is not the time to fire technicians who fix and operate more than 74,000 safety-critical pieces of equipment like radars, navigational aids, and communications technology,” Sen. Cantwell said in a statement. “The FAA is already short 800 technicians and these firings inject unnecessary risk into the airspace — in the aftermath of four deadly crashes in the last month. The FAA’s safety workforce needs to be a priority for this Administration.”
    On Tuesday, 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.
    The full text of last night’s letter is HERE and below.
    Dear Secretary Lutnick,
    I urge the Administration to protect the critical workforce of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”). NOAA’s National Weather Service (“NWS”) should be exempt from the January 20th executive order titled “Hiring Freeze”, which instituted a hiring freeze for all federal civilian employees, due to the critical role the agency plays in public safety and supporting our economy. In light of highly publicized firings at other agencies, all NOAA employees, including probationary or temporary employees, should be protected from firing or reduction in force initiatives that would jeopardize the safety of the American public.
    NOAA is the nation’s leading scientific agency charged with forecasting weather, monitoring our oceans and atmosphere, managing our fisheries, restoring our coasts, and supporting maritime commerce. NOAA products and services, such as forecasts, are crucial to the U.S. economy and affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product.
    Within NOAA, the NWS is responsible for protecting public safety and property and supporting the economy by providing timely and accurate weather forecasts and warnings. Our communities are extremely reliant on the data and research that NOAA and NWS scientists make available for decision-makers, emergency responders, and the public. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, last year there were 27 weather disaster events that cost over $1 billion each and resulted in 568 deaths. NWS meteorologists, using a network of satellites, buoys, balloon launches, ships, aircraft, and weather stations, collect data and develop forecasts and warnings on which communities rely for preparedness for hurricanes, heat waves, wildfires, tornadoes, blizzards, drought, and other extreme weather events.
    The NWS also supports real-time forecasts and services needed to protect the safety of the traveling public. The NWS Center Weather Service Units embed meteorologists at 21 Air Route Traffic Control Centers to provide tailored forecasts that ensure it is safe for aircraft to fly. The meteorologists identify, forecast, and communicate weather hazards, such as thunderstorms, turbulence, and icing, to help pilots and air traffic controllers make informed decisions that minimize risks to flights and delays.
    When a hurricane approaches our coasts, the National Hurricane Center sends Hurricane Hunters into the eye of the storm to give forecasters a better idea of the storm’s intensity and when it’s likely to make landfall. The Storm Prediction Center warns communities when a tornado or severe storm is developing to give them time to protect property and get to safety. The NWS also creates forecasts for emergency responders to plan for wildfire season, issues warnings to help communities prepare when fire conditions are severe, deploys specially trained forecasters to provide real-time lifesaving forecasts on the frontlines to keep firefighters safe, and models how smoke will move and impact air quality across the country.
    And far beyond our atmosphere, the NWS monitors space weather, such as solar flares and geomagnetic storms, to protect satellite systems, communication networks, and power grids. The Space Weather Prediction Center forecasts and helps mitigate the worst impacts of space weather including the potential for widespread and long-lasting blackouts, significant disruption of satellite and radio communication networks that are essential for safe air travel and military operations, and unreliable GPS signals that hamper navigation for ships, planes, and farm equipment.
    In addition to the NWS, NOAA provides a host of other life-saving data and services. The NOAA Office of Coast Survey ensures safe shipping routes in our waters by charting 95,000 miles of shoreline and 3.4 million square nautical miles of waters, providing more than $2.4 billion in annual benefits to the U.S. economy. NOAA manages the nation’s fisheries, which support 1.7 million jobs across the United States. The two Tsunami Warning Centers monitor seismic activity and ocean conditions to detect potential tsunamis, issuing timely warnings and advisories to protect coastal communities from disaster. And finally, NOAA plays a vital role in monitoring, forecasting, and researching harmful algal blooms (“HABs”) that produce toxins that can be deadly. NOAA scientists track HAB events using satellite imagery, water samples, and oceanographic data to provide early warnings to coastal communities, fisheries, and public health officials, helping to ensure commercially harvested fish and shellfish are safe to eat.
    Without NOAA’s workforce, communities will not be prepared for the next big Nor’easter, hurricane, wildfire, or drought. 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.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell on Deputy DOT Nominee: Aviation Sector Can’t Afford “Someone Who Thinks That We Can Bend The Law To An Outcome”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    02.20.25
    Cantwell on Deputy DOT Nominee: Aviation Sector Can’t Afford “Someone Who Thinks That We Can Bend The Law To An Outcome”
    As DOT General Counsel from 2017-2021, Bradbury helped sideline crucial safety regulations for plane manufacturers in immediate aftermath of fatal crashes; Cantwell grills Bradbury on decision to remove Safety Management System requirements: “There was a recommendation to move forward on it, and your office stopped it.”
    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, pressed Steven Bradbury – President Donald Trump’s pick to serve as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation – on his role under the first Trump administration.
    From 2017 to 2021, Bradbury served as the General Counsel of DOT. Nine days after the fatal Lion Air flight 610 crash in 2018 on a Boeing 737 MAX, his policies halted the introduction of a critical aviation safety rule subsequently advocated for by crash victim family members. He sidelined a proposed requirement that plane manufactures must adopt a mandatory Safety Management System (SMS), which an expert panel determined would decrease the likelihood of another fatal accident.
    “Mr. Bradbury, I do have concerns about your record,” Sen. Cantwell said in her opening remarks. “We cannot afford in the aviation sector, someone who thinks that we can bend the law to an outcome.”
    “In this role, you orchestrated the rollback of multiple safety requirements under the guise of advancing a reform agenda. For example, just nine days, nine days after the first of the two fatal Boeing 737 MAX crashes in 2018, your office sidelined a proposed Safety Management System rule making for aviation manufacturers like Boeing,” she continued.
    “These findings give me serious concerns about your commitment to the transparency that Congress and the American people deserve […] We need a leader on safety. We need someone who is going to make it the number one priority, not modify the rule to suit the industry.”
    During the Q&A portion, Sen. Cantwell pressed Bradbury further on the decision to halt the rule requiring plane manufactures to adhere to a mandatory SMS.
    Sen. Cantwell: “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.”
    Last month, during the committee’s hearing before DOT Secretary Sean Duffy’s confirmation, Sen. Cantwell also pressed Duffy on whether he agreed with the previous administration’s decision to kill the requirement.
    “Safety Management Systems are a redundant circle of continued safety improvements that the expert panel has suggested that we do. The expert aviation panel has suggested that’s really what is missing. And I think in the prior administrations, people didn’t really push for a strong safety management culture,” Sen. Cantwell told Duffy.
    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 opening statement today is HERE; video of her first round of questioning is HERE; video of her second round of questioning is HERE; and a transcript is HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hartford, Stamford Campuses Open ‘Innovate Labs’ Where Technology, Fun, and New Skills Connect

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Freshman Barbara Hawke Lopez was the captain of her high school robotics team and enjoys coding and emerging technology.

    When she discovered that Innovate Labs was opening a facility on the UConn Stamford campus, with hands-on learning opportunities in emerging technology, she was intrigued.

    Today, Hawke Lopez is employed as a lab assistant there, teaching her peers how to experiment with new technology, and helping them develop their confidence in the automation of the future.

    “When you come into the lab, there is almost always someone playing a game using virtual reality,’’ said Hawke Lopez, who is studying journalism and cognitive science. “Other students come in to 3D print everything from pop culture-inspired objects to fidget-spinner toys. There’s a good mix of activities.’’

    “The lab is very new-user friendly and there are always two or three people there to help you if you get stuck,’’ she said. The lab, which opened in September 2024, is located in Room 310.
    “People are excited when they discover it, and I think it is a good addition to our campus and the overall business environment. It is helping student develop confidence and career skills,’’ she said.

    Hartford Campus Debuted Lab Last Week

    But Stamford students aren’t the only ones with new experiences. Innovate Labs opened another facility in Hartford last week. This newest Lab can be found on the first floor of the Graduate Business Learning Center in Hartford, at 100 Constitution Plaza. All students, regardless of major, as well as faculty and staff are welcome to explore the Lab.

    On the opening day, Feb. 10, student workers demonstrated 3D pens, VR headsets and circuitry that can track a user’s heart rate. The event drew students and staff from the GBLC, Storrs, and the nearby Hartford Times Building.

    A festive balloon arch welcomed students and faculty to the first-floor center that includes stations featuring the Internet of Things (IoT) devices, virtual and augmented reality, 3D printing and modeling, voice and smart technology, drones, robotic, and circuitry and sensors. Both the Stamford and Hartford Innovate Labs are modeled after the original lab located in the School of Business in Storrs.

    Lucy Ledesma, a junior majoring in the dual-degree MEM program and a Lab Outreach Specialist in Storrs, traveled to Hartford to demonstrate the technology. “I think it’s great that students on other campuses are getting to have the experiences we have,’’ she said.

    Innovate Labs Tech Manager, Sophia Hatzis, a sophomore majoring in sociology and mechanical engineering, said initially some students are reluctant to experiment.

    “At first they might not know how to get started, but there is always someone there to walk them through it and build their confidence to try more advanced things,’’ she said.

    Bringing Energy and Excitement to Campus

    Innovate Labs is part of the Digital Frontiers Initiative (DFI) at the School of Business. The program bridges academia and industry through cutting-edge research, innovation, and partnerships. DFI operates under the umbrella of the Connecticut Information Technology Institute at UConn.

    “Our goal is to create an opportunity for students to develop new skills that will foster the next generation of learners, leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators,’’ said OPIM professor Jon Moore, who is also the Executive Director of DFI. He created and oversees all three labs.

    The original Innovate Lab opened in Storrs eight years ago, after some recent graduates said they would have liked more emerging technology skills as they entered the workforce.

    “People can start where they are comfortable,’’ Moore said. “We encourage people to push themselves out of their comfort zone but also to acquire skills that match their career interests. Not only is it valuable but keeps students on campus and engaged but it brings energy and excitement to campus.’’

    OPIM professor Wei Chen, the Academic Director of the DFI, agreed.

    “The Innovate Labs are a vibrant space where students can explore emerging technologies and bring their ideas to life,’’ he said. “It’s an incredible opportunity for them to experiment, collaborate, and gain hands-on experience with the latest tools shaping the future.’’

    Students Can Advance to Local Makerspaces

    Another advantage of the regional Innovate Labs is that once students get comfortable with the technology there, they can expand their ideas at nearby makerspaces.

    Stamford students have access to GE’s CoCreate, a 65,000-square-foot maker space, that welcomes everyone from chefs to designers to contractors or homeowners to use their equipment and explore the “community playground.’’

    The Digital Frontiers Initiative is in conversation with GE CoCreate about joint workshops, events, and projects.

    In Hartford, DFI is building a dynamic relationship with MakerSpace CT, which is just a short walk from both Hartford campuses. Students have an opportunity to earn three months of free membership to this space by participating in a one of Innovate Labs’ non-credit programs, Innovate2Create. This program is designed to help students turn their idea into a marketable prototype. The nine-week program includes guest speakers from MakerspaceCT, and will conclude with a pitch presentation there in the spring.

    For UConn students who are interested, Innovate Labs offer employment opportunities, with students having the choice of working on the tech team (which oversees inventory and learning), the outreach team (which leads workshops, clubs, and classes), or the marketing team. Lab workers from all three campuses collaborate, and live-feed cameras allow them to share ideas, solve problems, or just say hello from across the state.

    Moore is now working towards offering workshops for non-UConn students, particularly elementary, middle and high school students in the area.

    If you would like to learn more about DFI, or take a guided tour of one of the Innovate Labs, please contact Katherine Lorange at Katherine.Lorange@uconn.edu.

    MIL OSI USA News –