Category: Science

MIL-OSI USA: High-Altitude ER-2 Flights Get Down-to-Earth Data

Source: NASA

Operating at altitudes above 99% of the Earth’s atmosphere, NASA’s ER-2 aircraft is the agency’s highest-flying airborne science platform. With its unique ability to observe from as high as 65,000 feet, the ER-2 aircraft is often a platform for Earth science that facilitates new and crucial information about our planet, especially when the plane is part of collaborative and multidisciplinary projects.
“We’re deploying instruments and people everywhere from dry lakebeds in the desert to coastal oceans and from the stratosphere to marine layer clouds just above the surface,” said Kirk Knobelspiesse, an atmospheric scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “We live on a changing planet, and it is through collaborative projects that we can observe and understand those changes.”
One mission that recently benefitted from the ER-2’s unique capabilities is the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem Postlaunch Airborne eXperiment (PACE-PAX) project. The PACE-PAX mission uses the ER-2’s capabilities to confirm data collected from the PACE satellite, which launched in February 2024.
The PACE observatory is making novel measurements of the ocean, atmosphere, and land surfaces, noted Knobelspiesse, the mission scientist for PACE-PAX. This mission is all about checking the accuracy of those new satellite measurements.

“The ER-2 is the ideal platform for PACE-PAX because it’s about the closest we can get to putting instruments in orbit without actually doing so,” Knobelspiesse said.
The collaborative project includes a diverse team of researchers from across NASA, plus the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Netherlands Institute for Space Research (SRON), the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, the Naval Postgraduate School, and other institutions.
Similarly, the Geological Earth Mapping eXperiment (GEMx) science mission is using the ER-2 over multiple years to collect observations of critical mineral resources across the Western United States.
“Flying at this altitude means the GEMx mission can acquire wide swaths of data with every overflight,” said Kevin Reath, NASA’s associate project manager for the GEMx mission, a collaboration between the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and NASA.

The GEMx team collects visible, shortwave infrared, and thermal infrared data using instruments installed onboard the ER-2. Combining these instruments with the aircraft’s capability to fly at high altitudes bears promising results.
“The dataset being produced is the largest airborne surface mineralogy dataset captured in a single NASA campaign,” Reath said. “These data could help inform federal, tribal, state, and community leaders to make decisions that protect or develop our environment.”
Learn more about the ER-2 aircraft.
Learn more about the PACE-PAX mission.
Learn more about the GEMx mission.
Learn more about NASA’s Airborne Science Program.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Powell Center Seminar: City-Scale Geothermal Energy Everywhere to Support Renewable Resilience – a Transcontinental Cooperation
Source: US Geological Survey
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Powell Center Seminar: City-Scale Geothermal Energy Everywhere to Support Renewable Resilience – a Transcontinental Cooperation
Join us for a Powell Center seminar on Tuesday, November 5th, from 10-11am MT/12-1pm ET.

City-Scale Geothermal Energy Everywhere to Support Renewable Resilience – a Transcontinental Cooperation – Erick Burns, USGS

Despite the proven efficacy of geothermal energy as a city-scale heating and cooling resource, the relative newness of most city-scale applications has resulted in limited widespread adoption. Geothermal heating and cooling resources are ubiquitous and diverse, with technologies available both for harvesting ambient heat or for storing thermal energy. These local low-carbon, baseload energy sources provide resilience, security, and local jobs. As part of a U.S. Geological Survey hosted Powell Center project, a range of European and US partners (geological surveys, geoscience organizations, industry representatives and universities) seek an acceleration of understanding that could lead to adoption of geothermal technologies that offset shortcomings of other renewable technologies (e.g., episodic sources, and critical mineral demands). Because better availability of geothermal energy will contribute to diversification of energy sources and improve global energy security, Powell Center team goals include the development of authoritative information suitable for city-managers and other decision-makers.

Speaker:

Erick Burns is a Research Hydrologist and the Project Co-chief for the U.S. Geological Survey Geothermal Resources Investigations Project (GRIP). He coordinates the research of ~30 scientists who are supported wholly, or in part, by the GRIP and a range of externally funded projects. He is the primary task-leader for: (1) development of updated new resource assessments for conventional hydrothermal and EGS electricity production in the western U.S., (2) development of local- and national-scale assessment tools for low-temperature and underground thermal energy storage (UTES) resources, and (3) joint-energy and water-resources studies in the northwest U.S. volcanic terranes. He leads multi-center/institution teams on machine learning for geothermal energy assessment, and on novel methods of characterizing and evaluating UTES resources (with the eventual goal of developing national maps of these resources). He is a team-member of the USGS geologic energy storage project (as the thermal storage subject matter expert), and on projects developing temperature models for petroleum reservoirs. He has active collaborations in Europe and South America on these topics.

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MIL OSI USA News –
January 25, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Why do kids cheat? Is it normal, or should I be worried?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Penny Van Bergen, Head of School of Education and Professor of Educational Psychology, University of Wollongong

Basilco Stock Studio/ Shutterstock

Everyone knows a kid who cheats at Monopoly or backyard cricket. Perhaps they have even cheated on a test at school.

If your notice your own child is doing this, you may worry they are headed for a life of crime.

But in developmental terms, cheating is not usually a cause for concern for kids.

What is cheating?

Cheating occurs when a child behaves dishonestly to gain an unfair advantage. They might pretend to roll a six, peek at others’ cards, score a sports game incorrectly, or use video game modifications to skip levels.

Despite parents’ and teachers’ best efforts, cheating is remarkably common. In one experiment, five-year-olds were asked not to peek inside a box while the experimenter left the room. Almost all peeked and most then denied having done so.

A sign of development

The capacity to deceive can signal the emergence of new skills, including an understanding of others peoples’ minds.

To cheat effectively, we have to think about what someone else is thinking. We then need to trick them into believing a different reality. These cognitive skills only emerge in preschool, and it is not until the primary years that children can successfully maintain a false story over time.

Research shows it is very common for children to cheat.
spass/Shutterstock

Cheating at school

As children get older, they can get more cautious about cheating in general, but also start cheating at school.

In a US study, more than three in four high school students reported cheating at school at least once over the past year.

Common techniques included sharing their work with others, getting test answers ahead of time, plagiarising from the internet, and collaborating when they weren’t supposed to.

Students were more likely to see cheating as acceptable when helping a peer, or when they could rationalise the behaviour in a pro-social way (for example, they ran out of time and needed to cheat because they were caring for a family member).

Temptation matters

Like adults, children are more likely to cheat when the temptation is greater. In one study, children aged seven to ten were more likely to cheat at a die-rolling game if they could win a bigger prize.

Children and adolescents also report being more likely to cheat to avoid negative consequences. As far back as 1932, US school principal M.A. Steiner wrote how too much work encourages students to cheat. In a 2008 study, students themselves reported cheating at school because they were uninterested in the material or under pressure to perform.

While temptation encourages cheating, the risk of being caught can encourage honesty. Children must weigh up the benefits of cheating against the risks of being caught.

As they get older, children may also consider how cheating impacts their sense of self. For example, “being a good person is important to me – so I won’t cheat”.

Do boys cheat more than girls?

Some children are more likely to cheat than others. For example, in a 2019 study in which children’s rolls of six dice could win them prizes, boys cheated more than girls. Boys and girls also approached cheating differently: girls were more likely to cheat to avoid losses, while boys were equally motivated by losses and gains.

Social skills also make a difference. A 2003 US study showed second grade children who have been rejected by their peers are more likely to cheat at board games – even when playing with new children they have never met before. It is possible such children are not as good at regulating their emotions and behaviours.

Adolescents with lower self-restraint and greater tolerance for breaking rules are more likely to accept academic cheating, as are those who misbehave in class.

On study suggested boys are more likely to cheat than girls.
Jacob Lund/Shutterstock

How can adults discourage cheating?

Although cheating is common, it can pose increasing problems for children and teens as the stakes become higher. Research with Chinese students in the eighth grade showed those who cheated when scoring their own test were less likely to have learned the correct answer later on.

Here are four things parents and teachers can do to help discourage cheating.

1. Have open conversations: talk openly and compassionately about why cheating is not a good idea (for example, “it ruins the fun for your friends”). Research shows children and adolescents who made a promise to experimenters not to cheat at a game were less likely to do so. But children who fear getting in trouble are less likely to tell the truth.

2. Don’t put too much pressure on results: when talking about school, use language related to learning rather than performance (“just try your best, that’s all you can do”). Studies show highly competitive academic environments make cheating more likely, because the benefits of success and risks of failure are heightened.

3. Be positive about your child’s character: in one study, preschoolers were allocated to one of two groups. In the “good reputation” group, children were told “I know kids in your class and they told me you were a good kid”. In another group, children were not told anything. All children were then asked not to peek at a tempting toy while the experimenter left the room. Those in the good reputation group were less likely to cheat (60%) than those in other group (90%).

4. Show kids how it’s done: if adults are being honest and open, children are more likely to do the same. In one study, children were told there was a big bowl of candy in the next room. When this turned out to be a lie, children themselves were more likely to cheat in a game and to lie about it.

Penny Van Bergen receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the NSW Department of Education.

– ref. Why do kids cheat? Is it normal, or should I be worried? – https://theconversation.com/why-do-kids-cheat-is-it-normal-or-should-i-be-worried-242022

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 25, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Want genuine progress towards restoring nature? Follow these 4 steps

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yi Fei Chung, PhD candidate in Environmental Policy, The University of Queensland

Black Dingo/Shutterstock

“Nature positive” is seemingly everywhere. Two weeks ago, Australia hosted the first Global Nature Positive Summit. This week, nations are meeting in Colombia for a global biodiversity summit to discuss progress on nature positive commitments.

Nature positive has a simple meaning: ensuring more nature in future than there is now. Making it a reality is the hard part.

It’s necessary because nature is in trouble. Once common species are becoming threatened and threatened species are going extinct. Humans, too, will be severely impacted. When ecosystems are healthy, they provide vital benefits. Insects pollinate crops, trees slow floodwaters, earthworms, fungi and soil critters make healthy soil and natural vistas improve our mental wellbeing.

While Australia’s government is working to embed nature positive ideas in environmental reform efforts, we may see lip service rather than real change. The government’s Nature Positive Plan faces opposition from businesses and politicians ahead of a looming election. And the plan itself doesn’t fully align with true nature positive outcomes.

In our article published today in Science, we lay out four vital steps to ensure nature positive policies are actually positive for nature.

Step 1: Ensure biodiversity increases are absolute

At present, Australia’s planned nature positive reforms would only require developers removing habitat to achieve a relative net gain for nature compared to business as usual.

We have argued this approach won’t work – it should be an absolute net gain.

It might sound abstract – but it makes all the difference. For instance, consider a population of endangered koalas living on the site of a new mine. Any negative impact to koalas would have to be offset with a benefit to the species elsewhere, usually on a separate site.

If Australia had absolute net gain in effect, the company would have to ensure there are more koalas overall. If the mine site and an offset site had a combined population of 100 koalas before the development, this combined population would need to be more than 100 koalas after the development – even though some will be lost.

But let’s say these 100 koalas over two sites were expected to fall to 80, even if the mine didn’t happen. In this case, a relative net gain could be achieved if the mine and offset site had 90 koalas. The population fell, but less than it would have otherwise.

Most state and national conservation laws use relative net gain in their biodiversity offsets. It slows the biodiversity decline – but it’s still a decline.

By contrast, England brought in a net gain approach in February of this year, with developers now required to provide a 10% net gain in biodiversity.

Importantly, the vast majority of developments affecting threatened species habitat never require any offset at all. Plugging this major gap is also key.

Read more:
Developers in England will be forced to create habitats for wildlife – here’s how it works

For nature positive to work properly, any damage done to a species by a development has to be offset by net gain. Pictured: Peak Hill gold mine in NSW.
Phillip Wittke/Shutterstock

Step 2: Avoid conservation payments in risky situations

The Australian government plans to introduce conservation payments, where developers can pay into a government-managed fund rather than providing direct offsets.

If developers were to cut down trees used by the critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum, for example, they could choose either to improve habitat elsewhere to offset the damage – or they could pay into the fund instead.

This is a risky plan. For one, it’s often almost impossible or extremely expensive to find suitable habitat for critically endangered species because they have very little habitat remaining.

It’s far better to avoid all further habitat removal. For developers, this would mean avoiding damage to rare habitat in the first place.

Even where offsetting is possible, payments are often inadequate to cover the cost of purchasing and managing an offset site.

Read more:
Developers aren’t paying enough to offset impacts on koalas and other endangered species

Then there’s the time lag. The fund might take years to buy or restore habitat sites, adding to already-long delays between damage and any benefit. And worse, under the government’s proposal, the money could be used for different, potentially less threatened species.

Under Queensland’s scheme, most developers choose to pay into a fund rather than create their own offset sites. Very little of these offset funds have been spent.

Meanwhile, the latest independent assessment of the New South Wales biodiversity offset payment scheme recommended the fund be completely phased out.

Step 3: Go beyond compensation

Compensating for new damage is important. But it’s not nearly enough. Over the last century, we have done huge damage to the natural world. Australia’s southern seas were once ringed with oyster reefs, for instance, but these were nearly all fished out.

We need to begin to recover what was lost by restoring ecosystems, managing weeds and reducing risk of diseases.

Nature-positive laws should include funding and actions designed to produce absolute gains in biodiversity over and above any required compensation.

The world has long seriously underfunded conservation, including threatened species recovery, ecosystem restoration and protected area management. Australia alone needs a roughly 20-fold increase in funding to actually bring back threatened species.

While this sounds large, it’s off an extraordinarily low base – just A$122 million in 2019. By contrast, we spend over $100 billion on human health each year.

Two years ago, the government passed the first of its nature-positive reforms to create a nature repair market aimed at drawing more funds into nature restoration. But as the market will rely on voluntary private sector investment, we don’t know how much funding will flow or whether it will focus on threatened species recovery.

Step 4: Effectively implement nature positive laws

Ensuring compliance with new nature-positive laws requires transparent and effective enforcement, such as through the independent national environment protection authority with extra powers proposed in Australia.

Its independence and powers may be less than required, due to proposed call-in powers allowing the minister to overrule decisions. True independence and adequate resources are crucial.

If governments do pass environmental reforms, we need to collect adequate and robust data on species to know if they are actually working to boost nature recovery. At present, many Australian threatened species remain unmonitored.

Is nature positive within reach?

It’s not easy to create a future with more nature than we have now. Australia’s current government took office vowing to embrace nature positive. To date, their reforms are not yet likely to make that a reality.

Read more:
Australia desperately needs a strong federal environmental protection agency. Our chances aren’t looking good

But the task will only get more urgent. Meaningful nature-positive policy means ensuring targets of absolute net gain for threatened species, ensuring strict compensation for any nature loss, independently resourcing and financing other recovery efforts and implementing these laws effectively.

With a course correction, Australia can still act as a leading example for other nations as they reform their own policies to meet nature-positive ambitions. Now is the time for real and decisive action.

We acknowledge our research coauthors, Brooke Williams (Queensland University of Technology), Martine Maron (University of Queensland), Jonathan Rhodes (Queensland University of Technology), Jeremy Simmonds (2rog), and Michelle Ward (Griffith University).

Yi Fei Chung has received funding from UQ Research Training Scholarship. He is also involving in a Australian Research Council Linkage Project with financial and in-kind support from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, the Biodiversity Conservation Trust, Tweed Shire Council, and the NSW Koala Strategy.

Hannah Thomas has received funding from WWF-Australia and an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship. She is an early-career leader with the Biodiversity Council.

– ref. Want genuine progress towards restoring nature? Follow these 4 steps – https://theconversation.com/want-genuine-progress-towards-restoring-nature-follow-these-4-steps-240569

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 25, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: For type 2 diabetes, focusing on when you eat – not what – can help control blood sugar

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evelyn Parr, Research Fellow in Exercise Metabolism and Nutrition, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University

Lizardflms/Shutterstock

Type 2 diabetes affects 1.2 million Australians and accounts for 85-90% of all diabetes cases. This chronic condition is characterised by high blood glucose (sugar) levels, which carry serious health risks. Complications include heart disease, kidney failure and vision problems.

Diet is an important way people living with type 2 diabetes manage blood glucose, alongside exercise and medication. But while we know individualised, professional dietary advice improves blood glucose, it can be complex and is not always accessible.

Our new study looked at the impact of time-restricted eating – focusing on when you eat, rather than what or how much – on blood glucose levels.

We found it had similar results to individualised advice from an accredited practising dietitian. But there were added benefits, because it was simple, achievable, easy to stick to – and motivated people to make other positive changes.

What is time-restricted eating?

Time-restricted eating, also known as the 16:8 diet, became popular for weight loss around 2015. Studies have since shown it is also an effective way for people with type 2 diabetes to manage blood glucose.

Time-restricted eating involves limiting when you eat each day, rather than focusing on what you eat. You restrict eating to a window during daylight hours, for example between 11am and 7pm, and then fast for the remaining hours. This can sometimes naturally lead to also eating less.

Participants in our study could still share meals with family, as long as it was within a nine-hour window finishing at 7pm.
Kitreel/Shutterstock

Giving your body a break from constantly digesting food in this way helps align eating with natural circadian rhythms. This can help regulate metabolism and improve overall health.

For people with type 2 diabetes, there may be specific benefits. They often have their highest blood glucose reading in the morning. Delaying breakfast to mid-morning means there is time for physical activity to occur to help reduce glucose levels and prepare the body for the first meal.

How we got here

We ran an initial study in 2018 to see whether following time-restricted eating was achievable for people with type 2 diabetes. We found participants could easily stick to this eating pattern over four weeks, for an average of five days a week.

Importantly, they also had improvements in blood glucose, spending less time with high levels. Our previous research suggests the reduced time between meals may play a role in how the hormone insulin is able to reduce glucose concentrations.

Other studies have confirmed these findings, which have also shown notable improvements in HbA1c. This is a marker in the blood that represents concentrations of blood glucose over an average of three months. It is the primary clinical tool used for diabetes.

However, these studies provided intensive support to participants through weekly or fortnightly meetings with researchers.

While we know this level of support increases how likely people are to stick to the plan and improves outcomes, it is not readily available to everyday Australians living with type 2 diabetes.

What we did

In our new study, we compared time-restricted eating directly with advice from an accredited practising dietitian, to test whether results were similar across six months.

We recruited 52 people with type 2 diabetes who were currently managing their diabetes with up to two oral medications. There were 22 women and 30 men, aged between 35 and 65.

Participants were randomly divided into two groups: diet and time-restricted eating. In both groups, participants received four consultations across the first four months. During the next two months they managed diet alone, without consultation, and we continued to measure the impact on blood glucose.

In the diet group, consultations focused on changing their diet to control blood glucose, including improving diet quality (for example, eating more vegetables and limiting alcohol).

In the time-restricted eating group, advice focused on how to limit eating to a nine-hour window between 10am and 7pm.

Over six months, we measured each participant’s blood glucose levels every two months using the HbA1c test. Each fortnight, we also asked participants about their experience of making dietary changes (to what or when they ate).

Continuous glucose monitoring measures the levels of glucose in the blood.
Halfpoint/Shutterstock

What we found

We found time-restricted eating was as effective as the diet intervention.

Both groups had reduced blood glucose levels, with the greatest improvements occurring after the first two months. Although it wasn’t an objective of the study, some participants in each group also lost weight (5-10kg).

When surveyed, participants in the time-restricted eating group said they had adjusted well and were able to follow the restricted eating window. Many told us they had family support and enjoyed earlier mealtimes together. Some also found they slept better.

After two months, people in the time-restricted group were looking for more dietary advice to further improve their health.

Those in the diet group were less likely to stick to their plan. Despite similar health outcomes, time-restricted eating seems to be a simpler initial approach than making complex dietary changes.

Is time-restricted eating achievable?

The main barriers to following time-restricted eating are social occasions, caring for others and work schedules. These factors may prevent people eating within the window.

However, there are many benefits. The message is simple, focusing on when to eat as the main diet change. This may make time-restricted eating more translatable to people from a wider variety of socio-cultural backgrounds, as the types of foods they eat don’t need to change, just the timing.

Many people don’t have access to more individualised support from a dietitian, and receive nutrition advice from their GP. This makes time-restricted eating an alternative – and equally effective – strategy for people with type 2 diabetes.

People should still try to stick to dietary guidelines and prioritise vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, lean meat and healthy fats.

But our study showed time-restricted eating may also serve as stepping stone for people with type 2 diabetes to take control of their health, as people became more interested in making diet and other positive changes.

Time-restricted eating might not be appropriate for everyone, especially people on medications which don’t recommend fasting. Before trying this dietary change, it’s best speak to the healthcare professional who helps you manage diabetes.

Evelyn Parr receives funding from Diabetes Australia and Australian Catholic University.

Brooke Devlin received funding from Diabetes Australia.

– ref. For type 2 diabetes, focusing on when you eat – not what – can help control blood sugar – https://theconversation.com/for-type-2-diabetes-focusing-on-when-you-eat-not-what-can-help-control-blood-sugar-241472

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 25, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: What is stereotactic radiation therapy for prostate cancer? How does it compare to other treatments?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sathana Dushyanthen, Academic Specialist & Senior Lecturer in Cancer Sciences & Digital Health| Superstar of STEM| Science Communicator, The University of Melbourne

Nenad Cavoski/Shutterstock

Prostate cancer is Australia’s most commonly diagnosed cancer. One in six men will be diagnosed by the time they turn 85.

Cancers are abnormal groups of cells that grow uncontrollably and start invading neighbouring sites. They can also spread to other organs in the body. This is known as metastases.

Treatment of early disease, when cancer is confined to the original site, is focused on that single area, most often with surgery or radiation therapy. Treatment of advanced disease, when it has spread, often relies on treatments that can travel all around the body such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

A more advanced form of radiation therapy, called stereotactic ablative radiotherapy, may be able to treat both early and advanced cancers. So how does it work? And how does it compare to existing therapies?

It delivers a higher dose to a smaller target

Stereotactic radiotherapy uses high doses of radiation to target and kill cancer cells. It uses newer machines that can deliver very focused radiation beams. Combined with advances in imaging and radiation planning software this allows clinicians to “track” and target cancers.

This results in such high precision – with a targeting accuracy less than 1mm – that cancers can be safely treated with minimal risk of damaging surrounding healthy organs.

Having a higher dose means radiotherapy can be delivered in fewer treatments (one to five sessions over one to two weeks) where it previously would have been divided into many small doses (20 to 40), delivered over weeks or even months.

Stereotactic radiotherapy has increasingly been used to treat cancer in the brain and lungs. But new data has shown it can also effectively treat prostate cancer.

What did the new study find?

A study published this month in the New England Journal of Medicine compared two groups of patients with early prostate cancer with a median age of 69.8 years. Half (433 participants) received five sessions of stereotactic radiation therapy, the other half (431 participants) received standard radiation therapy consisting of at least 20 sessions.

The researchers found no long-term difference in outcomes between the groups, with 95% of patients showing no evidence of disease five years after treatment. These cure rates are equivalent to patients who had their prostates surgically removed.

Early evidence suggests that stereotactic radiation therapy appears to be as effective, less onerous and less invasive than currently available treatment options.

The new therapy appears as effective as standard therapy but with fewer side effects.
PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

Prostate cancer that has spread beyond its original site is, unfortunately, incurable in most circumstances. Treatments for this stage of disease are aimed at suppressing or controlling the cancer for as long as possible.

However, studies have shown stereotactic radiation therapy can be used to target disease that has spread to distant sites in patients who have advanced prostate cancer.
Researchers found stereotactic radiation therapy could render patients free of clinically evident disease for eight to 13 months, delaying the need for hormone therapy or chemotherapy.

How do the side effects compare to other cancer treatments?

Stereotactic radiation therapy is delivered daily, with painless radiation beams. In the weeks following delivery it is common to notice soreness and/or inflammation at the treated site. This reaches a level requiring medication in one-third of cases.

Erectile function is frequently impacted during prostate cancer treatment, as the nerves and blood vessels responsible for erections are often damaged.

Another recent study comparing stereotactic radiation therapy to surgery found 48% of patients treated with stereotactic radiation therapy had difficulties with their sexual function two years after treatment compared to 75% of patients who had surgery.

Comparison of differences between traditional radiotherapy and stereotactic radiotherapy.
Precision Radiation Oncology

What are the costs? And who can access it?

Newer and more advanced radiation treatment machines can deliver more precise treatments, but these are much more expensive than standard machines. They also have more complex maintenance and operational requirements.

However, traditional radiotherapy machines can also be upgraded to provide stereotactic precision.

While the initial investment costs can be high, cost-benefit analyses show stereotactic radiation therapy for lung cancer costs the health system less than other cancer treatments and conventional radiotherapy. This is in part because treatment is completed far more quickly. Formal cost-benefit analyses have not been completed for prostate cancer but are likely to be similar.

Stereotactic radiation therapy is now widely available at most major Australian public hospitals for many cancer types, including selected lung cancers, kidney cancers, advanced brain cancers and bone cancers. This has no out-of-pocket costs for patients. It is also provided in many private centres.

However, even when a centre can deliver stereotactic radiation therapy, there is still significant variation in the devices used to deliver the therapy.

In addition, the actual planning and delivery of radiation therapy is a complex skill. Studies have shown that patients treated by clinicians with higher caseloads have better outcomes, due to their greater familiarity with these specialised techniques.

Radiotherapy departments throughout the world have rapidly upgraded their capability over the past few years to provide stereotactic radiotherapy. After the recent clinical trial findings, it’s likely prostate cancer will be added to the list of cancers treated this way.

David Kok has a clinical appointment at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre which provides prostate cancer treatments including stereotactic radiotherapy, conventional radiotherapy and surgery.

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

– ref. What is stereotactic radiation therapy for prostate cancer? How does it compare to other treatments? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-stereotactic-radiation-therapy-for-prostate-cancer-how-does-it-compare-to-other-treatments-241467

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 25, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Astronomers just found complex carbon molecules in space – a step closer to deciphering the origins of life

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maria Cunningham, Honorary Senior Lecturer, School of Physics, UNSW Sydney

Part of the Taurus molecular cloud. ESA, CC BY-SA

A team led by researchers at MIT in the United States has discovered large molecules containing carbon in a distant interstellar cloud of gas and dust.

This is exciting for those of us who keep lists of known interstellar molecules in the hope that we might work out how life arose in the universe.

But it’s more than just another molecule for the collection. The result, reported today in the journal Science, shows that complex organic molecules (with carbon and hydrogen) likely existed in the cold, dark gas cloud that gave rise to our Solar System.

Furthermore, the molecules held together until after the formation of Earth. This is important for our understanding of the early origins of life on our planet.

Difficult to destroy, hard to detect

The molecule in question is called pyrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon or PAH for short. The complicated-sounding name tells us these molecules are made of rings of carbon atoms.

Carbon chemistry is the backbone of life on Earth. PAHs have long been known to be abundant in the interstellar medium, so they feature prominently in theories of how carbon-based life on Earth came to be.

A pyrene molecule, consisting of carbon atoms (black) and hydrogen atoms (white).
Jynto/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

We know there are many large PAHs in space because astrophysicists have detected signs of them in visible and infrared light. But we didn’t know which PAHs they might be in particular.

Pyrene is now the largest PAH detected in space, although it’s what is known as a “small” or simple PAH, with 26 atoms. It was long thought such molecules could not survive the harsh environment of star formation when everything is bathed in radiation from the newborn suns, destroying complex molecules.

In fact, it was once thought molecules of more than two atoms could not exist in space for this reason, until they were actually found.
Also, chemical models show pyrene is very difficult to destroy once formed.

Last year, scientists reported they found large amounts of pyrene in samples from the asteroid Ryugu in our own Solar System. They argued at least some of it must have come from the cold interstellar cloud that predated our Solar System.

So why not look at another cold interstellar cloud to find some? The problem for astrophysicists is that we don’t have the tools to detect pyrene directly – it’s invisible to radio telescopes.

Using a tracer

The molecule the team has detected is called 1-cyanopyrene, what we call a “tracer” for pyrene. It is formed from pyrene interacting with cyanide, which is common in interstellar space.

The researchers used the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia to look at the Taurus molecular cloud or TMC-1, in the Taurus constellation. Unlike pyrene itself, 1-cyanopyrene can be detected by radio telescopes. This is because 1-cyanopyrene molecules act as small radio-wave emitters – tiny versions of earthly radio stations.

As scientists know the proportions of 1-cyanopyrene compared to pyrene, they can then estimate the amount of pyrene in the interstellar cloud.

The amount of pyrene they found was significant. Importantly, this discovery in the Taurus molecular cloud suggests a lot of pyrene exists in the cold, dark molecular clouds that go on to form stars and solar systems.

A wide-field view of part of the Taurus molecular cloud ~450 light-years from Earth. Its relative closeness makes it an ideal place to study the formation of stars. Many dark clouds of obscuring dust are clearly visible against the background stars.
ESO/Digitized Sky Survey 2. Acknowledgement: Davide De Martin.

The complex birth of life

We are gradually building a picture of how life on Earth evolved. This picture tells us that life came from space – well, at least the complex organic, pre-biological molecules needed to form life did.

That pyrene survives the harsh conditions associated with the birth of stars, as shown by the findings from Ryugu, is an important part of this story.

Simple life – consisting of a single cell – appeared in Earth’s fossil record almost immediately (in geological and astronomical terms) after the planet’s surface had cooled enough to not vaporise complex molecules. This happened more than 3.7 billion years ago in Earth’s approximately 4.5 billion history.

For simple organisms to then appear so quickly in the fossil record, there’s just not enough time for chemistry to start with mere simple molecules of two or three atoms.

The new discovery of 1-cyanopyrene in the Taurus molecular cloud shows complex molecules could indeed survive the harsh conditions of our Solar System’s formation. As a result, pyrene was available to form the backbone of carbon-based life when it emerged on the early Earth some 3.7 billion years ago.

This discovery also links to another important finding of the last decade – the first chiral molecule in the interstellar medium, propylene oxide. We need chiral molecules to make the evolution of simple lifeforms work on the surface of the early Earth.

So far, our theories that molecules for early life on Earth came from space are looking good.

Maria Cunningham has received funding from The Australian Research Council. In the past she has collaborated with Anthony Remijan, one of the co-authors on the Science paper discussed in this publication. Their last co-authored paper was in 2015.

– ref. Astronomers just found complex carbon molecules in space – a step closer to deciphering the origins of life – https://theconversation.com/astronomers-just-found-complex-carbon-molecules-in-space-a-step-closer-to-deciphering-the-origins-of-life-241889

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI: Ingersoll Rand Declares Regular Quarterly Cash Dividend

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

DAVIDSON, N.C., Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Board of Directors of Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE: IR), a global provider of mission-critical flow creation and life science and industrial solutions, declared today a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 (two cents) per share of common stock payable on December 5, 2024 to stockholders of record on November 14, 2024.

About Ingersoll Rand Inc.
Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR), driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and ownership mindset, is dedicated to Making Life Better for our employees, customers, shareholders, and planet. Customers lean on us for exceptional performance and durability in mission-critical flow creation and life science and industrial solutions. Supported by over 80+ respected brands, our products and services excel in the most complex and harsh conditions. Our employees develop customers for life through their daily commitment to expertise, productivity, and efficiency. For more information, visit our Investor Relations website here.

Investors:
Matthew Fort
Matthew.Fort@irco.com

Media:
Sara Hassell
Sara.Hassell@irco.com

The MIL Network –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: 10.23.2024 Sen. Cruz Honored for Major South Texas Victory, Awarded Key to the City of Laredo

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz
Laredo, TEXAS – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, was honored today by the city of Laredo and awarded the Key to the City for his leadership in streamlining the presidential permitting process and securing presidential permits to build and expand four major international bridges in South Texas, including two in Laredo.
Upon receiving the Key to the City, Sen. Cruz said, “I am honored and humbled to receive the Key to the City—an incredible distinction from an amazing place in Texas. I have to say I love South Texas, I love the city of Laredo, it is an incredible hub of commerce and port to the entire world. My passion, my number one priority is jobs, jobs, jobs, and that means fighting for the people of Laredo, fighting for the people of South Texas, to have more jobs, and better jobs, and higher wages.
“I will say, over the past several years, I’ve been proud to work very closely with Mayor Treviño, and very closely with my friend Congressman Henry Cuellar, and County and business leaders, fighting for jobs here in Laredo and throughout South Texas. We worked together on expediting the permitting of four bridges here in South Texas: two in Laredo, one in Eagle Pass, and one in Brownsville. All four of those bridges were delayed by bureaucratic roadblocks coming from the Biden-Harris White House. A delegation from the city of Laredo asked me to help, asked me to lead the effort to get this done. I told them I’d be proud to do so, and we were able to draft legislation, bipartisan legislation, and pass it through the Senate with bipartisan support. I worked hand in hand with Congressman Cuellar, we passed it through the House with bipartisan support. It was signed into law in December of last year, and just a few months ago those permits were granted.”
BACKGROUND
Last year, Sen. Cruz authored and secured into law a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 to streamline the presidential permitting process for new and expanded bridges across the Rio Grande in Webb, Cameron, and Maverick Counties. The language required the State Department to submit for approval and the White House to approve or deny the permits for these projects in 60 days respectively. Sen. Cruz was joined by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), Monica de la Cruz (R-Texas), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), and Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) in working to secure this provision.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Establishes & Funds Scientific Consortium in Washington State, Expanding NASA Footprint in PNW
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

Murray wrote and passed the funding bill that provided the resources for this award and directly authored the provision to establish the BioS-ENDURES Consortium

Seattle, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced a $2.5 million NASA award to establish a scientific consortium based at the University of Washington in partnership with Washington State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The award was funded through a provision in the Fiscal Year 2024 government spending bill authored by Senator Murray to establish a consortium within the Biological and Physical Sciences—and resulted in the establishment of the Biology in Space: Establishing Networks for DUrable & REsilient Systems (BioS-ENDURES) Consortium. The BioS-ENDURESConsortium will focus on innovation, acceleration, and implementation of space biology specific knowledge and technology centered on human-plant-microbiome relationships to enable a durable human presence in low Earth orbit and beyond.

“As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I am writing our funding bills to invest in Washington state’s growing innovation economy,” said Senator Murray. “By establishing this scientific consortium here in Washington state, we are laying the groundwork to bring even more private and federal investment to our state’s growing aerospace industry. If we want to maintain our competitive edge, we have to stay at the forefront of scientific discovery—and this federal research partnership will help us do that. Investing in scientific discovery is an investment that pays off—this is a next chapter in a story of inquiry, invention, innovation, exploration, and discovery of new frontiers.”

“The University of Washington is excited to have this opportunity to contribute to the development of new capabilities that will enable a sustainable human presence in space,” said Mari Ostendorf, Vice Provost of Research, University of Washington. “This consortium enables new partnerships and brings together investigators who have a long history with NASA and space applications with researchers who have deep expertise in human/animal, plant, and microbial biology. This research will push the boundaries of our scientific understanding to reveal new biological mechanisms that will address both sustainability and risk mitigation needs in space. We look forward working with WSU, PNNL, and NASA, as well as with other industry and science partners to accelerate space technology.”

“This represents an exciting opportunity for the state of Washington to continue building our capacity for critical research to understand and improve human-plant-microbial systems for space habitation,” said Dr. Michael Wolcott, Interim Vice President of Research at Washington State University. “This work will have a direct contribution to humankind’s ability to travel—and live—in space. WSU is thrilled to be part of this collaborative effort with our colleagues at the University of Washington and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and looks forward to continuing this work with NASA.”

“Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is thrilled to join forces with the University of Washington and Washington State University in the BioS-ENDURES consortium,” said Malin Young, Associate Laboratory Director, Earth and Biological Sciences. “Together, we’re harnessing our cutting-edge life science capabilities to help NASA achieve its mission of establishing a sustainable and lasting human presence in low Earth orbit, on the Moon, on Mars, and beyond.”

A more thorough understanding is needed of mechanisms underlying responses to space-relevant stressors (ionizing radiation, microgravity, circadian disruption, abiotics, and biotics) to both humans and plant food sources and what role microbiomes may play in shaping those responses. Human/animal, plant, and microbial biologists will work together to ensure an integrated view of the space flight biosphere by enhancing data acquisition, modeling, and testing.

Human/animal, plant, and microbial biologists will work together to ensure an integrated view of the space flight biosphere by enhancing data acquisition, modeling, and testing. BioS-ENDURES has three thrust areas focusing on the effects of spaceflight stressors:
- Develop monitoring capabilities to measure underlying molecular status (biomarkers) of humans, animal models, plants and their associated microbial communities.
- Build models to predict human-plant-microbe robustness and interactions among organisms in space.
- Validate and apply understanding of human and plant health, including promoting beneficial human-plant-microbe interactions, to enhance health in space.
The BioS-ENDURES Consortium is built upon a collaboration between the University of Washington, Washington State University, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and science and industry advisory boards. Consortium members will partner closely with NASA to align work with current and projected needs. Funding from NASA will support proof-of-principle demonstration projects each year to advance the science of the three thrusts, annual symposia tracks (some full consortium, some with tighter focus), and costs of physical testing.
MIL OSI USA News –
January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Secretary of State for Northern Ireland speech at the British-Irish Chamber of Commerce

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Speech by Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Location:

Dublin, Republic of Ireland

Delivered on:

24 October 2024 (Speaker’s notes, may differ from delivered version)

Good afternoon. It’s a great pleasure to be with you all today.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh.

I would like to extend my thanks to John McGrane and Paul Lynam for your very kind invitation and sharing my congratulations to Marie Doyle on her recent appointment as President of this wonderful organisation.

Now, many people in Britain might assume that the British-Irish Chamber of Commerce has a long and distinguished history. It is certainly distinguished but it’s not very long, having been founded only in 2011. But it feels to me and I’m sure to you much older, such is the strength of the ties that bind our two countries together.

Two countries that share so much… in terms of history, culture, ideas, politics and friendships.

And it is a story that runs like a thread through these islands and through the lives of so many of our families, including my own: on my side, it was an Ulster Scot from Fermanagh who took that journey that millions made across the Atlantic to Ohio from where my mother came and, on my wife’s side, Irish Catholics from Mayo and Kilkenny and Cork, her grandfather was born in Monkstown.

And talking of families, you may be aware that I come from a family best known for politics. What you may be less aware of is that two of my great grandfathers were Victorian entrepreneurs.

One – Peter Eadie – designed and made ring travellers for the textile industry working out of the upstairs of a terraced house in Galashiels, in Scotland.

The other – John Benn – was very good at drawing and decided to found a furniture trade magazine which, with great prescience – given the posts that his son, grandson and great grandson – that’s me – all went on to hold, he decided to call it “ The Cabinet Maker.“ You couldn’t make it up.

Both of those grandfathers entered politics as elected councillors as they put their business minds, industriousness and civic virtues at the service of the public.

So, if I may say so, it is in that spirit of innovation and constructive endeavour that I address you today.

Now the history of these islands has not always been benign. Over the centuries there have been terrible wrongs, great violence, revolution, bitterness but in recent years – reconciliation and progress in ways that would have seemed impossible in the past.

It was a great pleasure last night to see the play Agreement at the Gate Theatre, which so powerfully depicts the events leading up to that miraculous Good Friday in 1998. That agreement eventually resulted in something – I must be frank – I never thought I would see in my lifetime. I grew up watching reporting of the Troubles on the television, reading about it in the papers, and to witness a unionist and a nationalist sitting side by side in government together – that truly was the impossible made possible. And today Northern Ireland is a very different place.

Why?

Because of the courageous political leadership shown in the play last night and many others showed.

We must never lose sight of how far we have come across these shared islands since then. I want to say very clearly and directly: The Government’s commitment to the Good Friday Agreement – in letter and in spirit – is absolute. And that our support for the European Convention on Human Rights, which underpins the Agreement, and to the rule of law is unwavering.

My priority as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland – above all else – is to support political stability and economic growth.

And critical to that stability and critical to that growth in Northern Ireland is a healthy and constructive relationship between the Irish and UK governments.

And from day one, this new Government has been absolutely determined to seize the opportunity to restore trust, friendship and collaboration between our two countries. And as Paul just set out, the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach have made their joint commitment to this reset, which will be underpinned by annual summits, in addition to the existing Strand 3 institutions.

You’ve heard about the visits the British ministers have made and colleagues from here over to Westminster, and all of those are practical expressions of that commitment to a new and better relationship.

And talking of new relationships, the restoration of the Executive and Assembly in February was a hugely important moment for Northern Ireland – after too many years in which devolved government was not functioning. And it is vital that we now do all we can to ensure that this stability endures.

Stable and devolved government and political representation at Stormont matters above all for the people of Northern Ireland – they need a government and an Assembly that work for them.

But it also matters enormously for businesses right across Ireland, the United Kingdom and beyond. What do businesses and potential investors say they want? Stability. Political stability.

I am really impressed by the partnership that Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly have forged and the Executive now has a Programme for Government and a Fiscal Sustainability Plan.

And Northern Ireland has a great opportunity to make the most of its unique access to both the British and the European markets to help the economy to grow and to create jobs.

And that is what you do as the British Irish Chamber in promoting trade, prosperity and progress across these islands.

Now we are still having to manage the consequences of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, in a way that does not unnecessarily inhibit trade and commerce across the Irish Sea. That is why this Government is absolutely committed to fully implementing the Windsor Framework, pragmatically and in good faith.

It is not without its challenges – I think that is probably the understatement of the year – but it is necessary. And there is a much bigger prize in sight.

The Government is committed to improving the UK’s trading relationship with the EU, including through the negotiation of a sanitary and phyto-sanitary agreement which would have the potential to dramatically smooth the movement of food, animals and plants across the Irish Sea.

One of the joys of my job is that everywhere I go in Northern Ireland I see talent, ingenuity and enterprise.

I see world class businesses operating in the life sciences, high-tech engineering, making composite aircraft wings and building the buses of the future – electric and hydrogen – services and film and television, education.

I am really struck that all these firms have seen something in Northern Ireland and its people.

And my message to investors is simply this.

Come, look, see, believe, invest in Northern Ireland.

Just look at the opportunities for the UK and Irish Governments to work collaboratively on areas and projects to help improve growth in Northern Ireland, in the Republic of Ireland including in its border regions.

Areas which are summed up by the four pillars which will form the basis of the annual leaders’ summits.

We need this collaboration not only because it is in our mutual economic interest, but because in these very uncertain times, we face shared challenges which our shared values and our shared commitment to democracy and the rule of law, will help us to face up to.

What do we need to do?

We need to ensure stability in an unstable world.

We need to build economic growth.

We need to make sure we have the infrastructure to enable that growth and attract that investment.

We have got to invest in skills.

We’ve got to make the transition to net zero – what a fantastic opportunity for businesses if you just think about changing the way we heat our homes. There are a lot of heat pumps that will have to be built and installed, and we together on these islands should be making them.

Building new energy infrastructure which will be required to power those heat pumps and the electric buses, cooperating on energy resilience – not least given the huge potential across these islands for more wind power – and the investment in Northern Ireland from GB Energy, the UK’s new publicly owned, clean energy company, which in turn will support the Shared Electricity Market.

At the same time, we only have to look around us to see the risks from conflict, climate change and the loss of biodiversity. Biodiversity is not a like-to-have, it is the very stuff on which human existence is based.

If you pause for a moment and look around you, every single thing we see is a gift from what is on the surface of the earth and beneath it. The genius of the human mind is that we have taken those gifts and look at what we have built. Look at what we have created, look at what we have fashioned.

And given the increasingly uncertain geopolitics of the world, it also makes sense for the UK and Ireland to collaborate on confronting the threats we face, whether in relation to cyber security, terrorism, organised crime or the threat from Russia and other states.

And in doing all of this, the sense I get from the vast majority of people is they would like us to move forward and to try and build a better future that we can jointly embrace.

So let us be bold, let us get on with it and let us take inspiration from those who 26 years ago truly made the impossible possible.

Finally, why do the relationships that I have spoken about matter so much?

They are clearly important economically, but they are also about something else – it’s about building alliances so we can deal with the risks and take advantage of the opportunities.

All of these are powerful reasons why we should work together closely.

Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Two proud nations with everything to gain from a close partnership, for as the great W B Yeats reminded us:

“There are no strangers here. Only friends you haven’t yet met.”

Thank you.

Updates to this page

Published 24 October 2024

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Sorensen Returns Over $3.2 Million to Illinois Neighbors

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)

ROCK ISLAND, IL – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is announcing that his office has returned more than $3.2 million to his neighbors through federal casework services since he was sworn into Congress.

“My number one job as the representative for Central and Northwestern Illinois in Congress is to make sure the federal government is working on behalf of my neighbors,” said Sorensen. “I know how stressful it can be when you need help from the government and all you get is the runaround. That is where I can step in to get you the help you need. I am proud of the work we have done to put more than $3.2 million of my neighbor’s hard-earned cash back in their pockets. If you need any help dealing with a federal agency, know that I have your back.”

The more than $3,263,230 secured for his neighbors across Central and Northwestern Illinois comes as a result of Sorensen and his staff’s work to help constituents get the refunds and benefits they are owed from federal agencies, which include overdue tax returns and delayed Social Security, veterans, and worker’s compensation benefits.

Residents of Illinois’ 17^th Congressional District who need help with a federal agency are encouraged to contact Sorensen’s office at (309) 786-3406 or fill out a casework request form on Sorensen’s official website. All submissions are reviewed by a member of Sorensen’s staff.

The following stories are from constituents that Sorensen’s office has helped:

Daniel from Peoria Heights reached out to get help with VA benefits: “I was having trouble having my VA benefits reinstated after they were mistakenly revoked after contacting Representative Sorensen’s office Hillary handle my case and my benefits were reinstated, and I had a check within 30 days.”

Holly from Morrison needed help getting issues resolved between her and the IRS: “I reached out in hopes to get help with repeated problems I have been having with the IRS. They were able to reach out on my behalf and figure the issue out. Within a very short timeframe my issues were all resolved.”

Deb from Freeport needed to get her families passports renewed quickly and called Sorensen’s office for help: “Staff helped us with the issue we were having trying to renew our passports. If she would not have kept pushing for a resolution, we would not have received them, as the only response we could get was the passport processing center lost them. We are so thankful for their continued excellent fast assistance to our needs.”

Katie from Monmouth lost her job and needed help getting her past wages: “Ever since I lost my job at WCCS Head Start, I have had help with gaining information on how to get my past wages that are due. Eric Sorensen’s office has helped me gain information about my situation and ways to improve the outcome.”

Bob from Peoria needed help getting Medicare Part B coverage: “I was having difficulty trying to get my Medicare Part B to begin on September 1^st, 2023, with our local office of the Social Security Administration. After many failed attempts to get a certain individual to return my calls, as well as several conversations with the Chicago and Maryland offices with no results, I contacted your office. I spoke with staff in your office about my difficulties with this matter on August 31^st, 2023, and within three days, our local office received a letter or document from your office, and they got me signed up for Part B on September 15^th, 2023, to be effective on September 1^st, 2023. Staff were caring and showed extraordinary expedience in helping me get this issue resolved.”

Melissa from Rock Island reached out to get help with a refugee family: “Staff assisted me in the process of rescheduling USCIS appointments for a refugee family in Moline. Her assistance has allowed a constituent and her family the opportunity to continue the immigration process more easily. Staff has been friendly, supportive, and knowledgeable every step of the process. We are so grateful for her help.”

Congressman Eric Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Stoneflies change colour in response to deforestation, suggesting humans can alter evolution – new research

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan Waters, Professor of Zoology, University of Otago

Author provided, CC BY-SA

As we continue to change the planet, scientists are worried we might also be altering the evolutionary trajectories of the species that live alongside us, perhaps even including some irreversible shifts.

Certainly, the evidence for change is everywhere. As the planet warms, species’ ranges are shifting and their life cycles are changing. As we harvest the largest fish in the ocean, the species affected are now maturing at smaller sizes.

But are these shifts we observe in wild populations underpinned by genetic changes (mutations in the DNA) or are they simply flexible responses to environmental change? If the changes are genetic, how are they happening?

So far, researchers have observed fewer clear-cut examples of human-induced evolution in the wild than one might imagine. But our new study may provide a new “textbook” case of human-driven evolution in wild insects.

Our findings are centred on an intriguing case of “mimicry” from New Zealand, in which a harmless insect has evolved to mimic the warning colours of a highly toxic species.

Forest removal drives colour shift

Convincingly demonstrating “evolution in action” involves finding the agents of natural selection (environmental factors driving the change) and discovering the genetic mechanism.

Until now, the peppered moth was the “classic” example of human-driven evolution. Dark-coloured specimens of the moth suddenly appeared during the 19th century. It was a likely response to industrial pollution which meant light-coloured individuals were no longer blending in to the increasingly sooty British environment. Despite its broad appeal, some aspects of even this famous case have been criticised as unclear and anecdotal.

We worked on stoneflies and the impact of deforestation.

The black stonefly Austroperla lives in forests. It produces cyanide to deter potential predators, and to advertise its toxicity this species has high-contrast black, white and yellow markings, reminiscent of wasp colouration.

The non-toxic Zelandoperla stonefly has evolved astonishingly similar warning colouration, apparently to trick predators (forest birds) into assuming that it, too, is toxic. The intricate and unique ecological interactions between these insects and their predators have apparently evolved together over millions of years.

Dark coloured Zelandoperla stoneflies (middle) mimic the poisonous Austroperla (top), which are abundant in forests. Recent forest clearance has eliminated Austroperla from many regions of New Zealand. In response, Zelandoperla populations have quickly evolved lighter colouration (bottom).
Graham McCulloch, Jon Waters, CC BY-SA

Where do humans come into this story? Aotearoa New Zealand was the last major landmass to be colonised by people. In many places the human impacts on its ecosystems have been devastating.

In addition to species extinctions, New Zealand has lost much of its original native forest cover in just a few centuries. This deforestation has wiped out countless populations of forest birds, along with the poisonous, forest-dependent Austroperla.

Our study reveals this widespread deforestation has also proven a game changer for the stonefly “mimic”. As its predators and the poisonous species it mimics have vanished from many regions, there is no longer much point in displaying warning colouration.

In an astonishing about-turn, Zelandoperla populations from deforested habitats have quickly lost their spectacular “mimic” colouration. It turns out that the production of this intricate colouration was costly, and when no longer essential, evolution rapidly removed it – in a case of “use it or lose it”.

Human-driven deforestation in New Zealand has altered species interactions in a mimicry system, leading to rapid evolution of insect colour.
Graham McCulloch, Jon Waters, CC BY-SA

Genetic change

In our study, we compared insect populations across several parts of the South Island. We found a remarkably consistent picture. The removal of forest has driven similar colour shifts across different deforested regions.

The finding that evolutionary change can be “predictable” offers hope that scientists can use evolutionary theory to predict future biodiversity shifts.

Stonefly models helped to reveal the role of birds.
Author provided, CC BY-SA

How do we know birds have played a key role in this rapid colour change? By placing stonefly models of different colours in a variety of habitats, we were able to demonstrate that birds only avoid attacking stoneflies with the “warning” colouration when they are in forests.

Another challenge was to show that this colour change represents evolution at the DNA level rather than a flexible response to environmental change. We looked at genetic variation across the Zelandoperla genome and found that just a single gene – ebony – is almost completely responsible for this colour evolution.

Our study also reveals the pace of evolutionary change. By comparing regions deforested soon after human arrival (for example Central Otago, which was deforested around 600 to 700 years ago) with those cleared much more recently (Otago Peninsula, 150 years ago), we show that evolution has proceeded steadily yet inexorably over this human timeframe.

On the positive side, the finding that at least some of our native species can adapt in the face of rapid environmental change suggests ongoing resilience of our native biodiversity. However, our results also highlight how quickly the intricate interactions that have evolved among native species over millennia can be lost from disturbed ecosystems.

These new findings raise tantalising questions about the potential to reverse the negative impacts of deforestation on our native biodiversity. In particular, our increasing focus on reforestation and ecological restoration provides hope for restoring the complex ecosystems we have inherited.

Jonathan Waters receives funding from the RSNZ Marsden Fund.

Graham McCulloch receives funding from the RSNZ Marsden Fund

– ref. Stoneflies change colour in response to deforestation, suggesting humans can alter evolution – new research – https://theconversation.com/stoneflies-change-colour-in-response-to-deforestation-suggesting-humans-can-alter-evolution-new-research-242008

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: S. 4667, Risky Research Review Act

Source: US Congressional Budget Office

S. 4667 would establish the Life Sciences Research Security Board as an independent executive branch agency to review and approve federal funding requests for what is termed high-risk life sciences research, which involves pathogens that are particularly dangerous to humans. The board’s members would be appointed by the President and subject to Senate confirmation.

S. 4667 would require the board to receive funding proposals from federal agencies for projects or grant programs at least 30 days before a project or program is funded. Within 120 days, board members would be required to determine whether a proposal involves high‑risk life sciences research and, if so, whether the project requires biosafety controls to proceed. The board also could review and audit research projects using federal funds awarded before the bill’s enactment and could direct such funding to be suspended.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Pennsylvania Gets it Done: Governor Shapiro, GSK Leadership Announce the GlobalBiopharma Company’s Investment of up to $800 Million in Pennsylvania, Expanding itsOperations and Creating Jobs in the Commonwealth

Source: US State of Pennsylvania

October 24, 2024 – Marietta, PA

Pennsylvania Gets it Done: Governor Shapiro, GSK Leadership Announce the Global
Biopharma Company’s Investment of up to $800 Million in Pennsylvania, Expanding its
Operations and Creating Jobs in the Commonwealth

Governor Josh Shapiro and GSK leadership announced the global biopharma company’s major investment of up to $800 million in Pennsylvania that will increase its research and development (R&D) and manufacturing footprint at its existing facility in Lancaster County. The Commonwealth is supporting this expansion with a $21 million investment, which will create at least 200 new, high-paying jobs. This is the largest Commonwealth-supported economic development project in Lancaster County history.

GSK will expand its existing facility at 325 North Bridge Street in Marietta with new facilities to manufacture vaccines and medicines. Currently, one in four Americans are administered a vaccine supplied from the company’s Marietta location. This expansion will double the size and capacity of the site.

“Pennsylvania is a leader in life sciences – and GSK’s decision to make its largest single investment ever in manufacturing in the United States right here in the Commonwealth is further proof that we are the best state in the nation for business growth and economic development,” said Governor Shapiro. “Our Commonwealth offers the skilled workforce, market access, and innovation infrastructure that biotech and life sciences companies need to thrive. Pennsylvania is getting things done, and my Administration will continue to work with companies like GSK to drive innovation forward and create jobs – and economic opportunity – for people across the Commonwealth.”

List of Speakers:
Matteo Leardini
Governor Shapiro
Maya Martinez-Davis, President, U.S. GSK
Secretary Rick Siger

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Robotics revolution: UniSA sparks STEM passion for future teachers

Source: University of South Australia

25 October 2024

[embedded content]Cheers of excitement, high-fives all around, and wide, beaming smiles – they’re all the signs of a team success. But this is not a sporting field – this is the camaraderie found among the next generation of teachers learning the very latest, world-class robotics programs so they can excite and inspire students about STEM.

And on World Teachers Day today, there’s no better time to highlight passionate, job-ready teachers who have the expertise needed to tackle STEM skills shortages across Australia.

Robotics and automation are in huge demand across multiple industries. Yet, despite the need, very few education initiatives are preparing students with these future skills.

As the only university in Australia and Southeast Asia to incorporate VEX Robotics as part of its digital electronics undergraduate course, UniSA’s pre-service teachers are ensuring the future workforce is not only skilled, but passionate about robotics and STEM.

UniSA Education Futures course developer and robotics expert, Emil Zankov, says it’s vital for universities and schools to embrace robotics as part of their students’ learning experience.

“Robotics is a fantastic way to introduce and get students excited about STEM and computer science. Yet many teachers struggle to embrace new technologies because they’re not familiar with them and didn’t learn about them at uni,” Zankov says.

“That’s where UniSA comes in. Through the VEX educational robotics program, our pre-service teachers graduate with the skills to teach robotics confidently and creatively in schools.

“It’s so important for universities to educate teachers with these sorts of technical skills; not only because we have a responsibility to deliver professional, job-ready graduates, but also because these teachers will be the ones to inspire students to consider STEM pathways as an exciting area to pursue.”

UniSA’s undergraduate Secondary Education students in their robotics class.

Globally there is a STEM talent shortage, with nearly half of businesses struggling to recruit people with the STEM skills they need. In Australia, school students’ interest and performance in STEM subjects is stagnating or declining, with the Australian government calling for a collective effort to initiate change.

Zankov says VEX is the program of choice because it can deliver robotics education across the school continuum, from Reception through to Year 12.

“This is a platform that we can use all the way from five-year-olds through to our high school and tertiary students. That’s what makes it so exciting – we have this resource rich environment, and very robust program that allows lots of different aspects of robotics any pre-service teacher to engage in,” Zankov says.

“Through the VEX program teachers support their students to plan, design, code and construct a working robot, with the option of entering it into a competition at the end of the module.

“But it’s not just about technical or engineering skills; the program also embraces strategy, teamwork, resilience, automation, documentation and report writing, problem solving and more. So, there are a lot of transferable skills that come into play.

“Ultimately, being involved in this program inspires students to want to go into STEM through an authentic, hands-on approach they’ve had at school.

“When you hear students audibly excited about what they’re doing in class, there’s no better satisfaction. Seeing students learning because they want to learn; seeing them passionate, high fiving each other, and saying, ‘Yes, it’s working!’ and their robot is doing what they wanted it to do after they’ve programmed it… that’s what really puts such a buzz in a teacher. That’s pure magic.”

Notes to editors:

The SA VEX State Championships will be held at UniSA’s Mawson Lakes campus on Monday 28 October. Run by DATTA (Design and Technology Teachers Association of SA) in collaboration with the University of South Australia, this competition will see more than 300 school students showcase and compete their robots in a series of graded competitions. To find out more, visit: https://datta.sa.edu.au/datta-sa-vex-tournament/

Photos available upon request

Video available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWiPLcJLGp0

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Contact for interview: Emil Zankov E: Emil.Zankov@unisa.edu.au
Media contact: Annabel Mansfield M: +61 479 182 489 E: Annabel.Mansfield@unisa.edu.au

Other articles you may be interested in

MIL OSI News –

January 25, 2025

MIL-Evening Report: Queensland election signals both major parties accept pumped hydro and the renewable energy transition as inevitable

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jamie Pittock, Professor, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University

Sirbatch/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Solar and wind have won the global energy race. They accounted for 80% of new global power capacity installed in 2023. In Australia, 99% of new capacity is wind or solar.

The Queensland election campaign suggests both sides of politics have embraced the renewable energy transition. But solar and wind are variable and need energy storage. That is where pumped hydro energy storage and batteries come in.

Both are off-the-shelf technologies. And both are already being used on a vast scale.

Having promised 80% renewable energy by 2035, the incumbent Labor government is committed to large pumped hydro systems at Borumba, on the Sunshine Coast, and Pioneer-Burdekin, near Mackay. The A$14.2 billion Borumba project appears to have support from both major parties. However, the Liberal National Party (LNP) says it will scrap the $12 billion Pioneer Burdekin project and the renewables target if elected.

While Pioneer-Burdekin is a very good site, there are good alternatives. The LNP says it “will investigate opportunities for smaller, more manageable pumped hydro projects”. Regardless, in supporting more pumped hydro storage and rejecting the federal Coalition’s nuclear power plans, the state LNP is accepting the renewable energy transformation as inevitable.

What is pumped hydro energy storage?

Pumped hydro systems store surplus electricity from solar and wind on sunny and windy days. The electricity is used to pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir. This water can later be released downhill though turbines to generate power when it’s needed.

ARENA, CC BY

This proven technology has been used for over a century. It accounts for about 90% of global energy storage. Australia has three pumped hydro systems (Tumut 3, Kangaroo Valley, Wivenhoe) and two under construction (Snowy 2.0 and Kidston).

Snowy 2.0 will last for at least 100 years. Its capacity (350 gigawatt-hours, GWh) is equivalent to 6 million electric vehicle batteries. It’s enough to power 3 million homes for a week.

Due to start operating in 2028, Snowy 2.0 will cost about $12 billion. That’s roughly equivalent to $2,000 for a 100-year-lifetime EV battery. Pumped hydro energy storage is cheap!

ANU’s RE100 Group has published global atlases of about 800,000 potential pumped hydro sites. None require new dams on rivers. Some are new sites (greenfield). Others would use existing reservoirs (bluefield) or old mines (brownfield).

What about batteries?

Batteries are best for short-term storage (a few hours). Pumped hydro is better for overnight or several days – Snowy 2.0 will provide 150 hours of storage.

A combination of these storage systems is better than either alone.

As with any major infrastructure, pumped hydro development has costs and risks. It has high upfront capital costs but very low operating costs.

What are Queensland’s options?

In Queensland, solar and wind electricity rose from 2% to 26% of total generation over the past decade. It’s heading for about 75% in 2030 as part of Australia’s 82% renewables target.

Queensland needs roughly 150 GWh of extra storage for full decarbonisation. After accounting for Borumba (50 GWh), batteries and other storage, Pioneer-Burdekin (120 GWh) would meet that need.

A similarly sized system or several smaller systems would also suffice. The latter approach has advantages of decentralisation but would cost more and have environmental impacts in more places.

The state has thousands of potential sites that are “off-river” (do not require new dams on rivers). The table below shows 15 premium sites, most with capacities of 50–150 GWh. Some larger sizes are included for interest – 5,000 GWh would store enough energy for 100 million people.

The key technical parameters are:

head: the altitude difference between the two reservoirs – bigger is better
slope: the ratio of the head to the distance between the reservoirs – larger slope means shorter tunnel
W/R: the volume of stored water (W) divided by the volume of rock (R) needed for the reservoir walls. Large W/R means low-cost reservoirs.

Clicking on each name takes you to a view of the site with more details.

Site	Size (GWh)	Type	Head (m)	Slope (%)	W/R
Mackay	50	Green	800	13	8
Townsville	50	Green	490	8	19
Pentland	50	Green	340	6	10
Boyne	50	Green	390	8	14
Beechmont	50	Blue	427	6	8
Tully	50	Blue	726	10	9
Tully	150	Blue	726	11	5
Townsville	150	Green	440	8	14
Mackay	150	Green	412	6	17
Mackay	150	Green	680	9	7
Yeppoon	150	Green	390	8	17
Proserpine	500	Green	600	12	7
Townsville	500	Green	490	18	6
Ingham	1,500	Green	650	6	8
Ingham	5,000	Green	650	7	3

Pumped storage in far north Queensland is valuable because it can absorb solar and wind energy from the Copperstring transmission extension to Mt Isa. It can then send it down the transmission line to Brisbane at off-peak times. This will ensure the line mostly operates close to full capacity.

Two potential premium 150 GWh bluefield pumped hydro energy storage systems near Tully.
Author provided/RE100

What about the rest of Australia?

Pumped storage and batteries keep the lights on during solar and wind energy droughts that occasionally occur in winter in southern Australia. They also meet evening peak demand.

The fossil fuel lobby argues gas is needed in the energy transition. But pumped hydro and battery storage eliminate the need for gas generators and their greenhouse gas emissions.

In the past decade, solar and wind generation in Australia’s National Electricity Market increased from 6% to 35%. Gas fell from 12% to 5%.

Most pumped hydro projects can be built off rivers. The same water is repeatedly transferred between the reservoirs. This means the system keeps running during droughts and avoids the impacts of new dams blocking rivers and flooding valleys.

The environmental and social impacts of off-river pumped hydro projects are much lower than for conventional hydropower or fossil fuel projects.

The system uses very common materials, primarily water, rock, concrete and steel. Very little land is flooded for off-river pumped hydro to support a 100% renewable energy system: about 3 square metres per person. Only about 3 litres of water per person per day is needed for the initial fill and to replace evaporation.

Sometimes, safely disposing of tunnel spoil is a challenge – as with mining (including for coal and battery metals). Any major new generation facility and its transmission lines may involve clearing and disturbing bushland. Local communities sometimes oppose pumped hydro developments.

In Australia, ANU identified 5,500 potential sites. Only one to two dozen are needed to enable the nation to be fully powered by renewables.

About a dozen pumped hydro projects are in detailed planning. Hydro Tasmania’s Battery of the Nation is proposed for Cethana. Other prominent projects include Oven Mountain, Central West, Upper Hunter Hydro and Burragorang in New South Wales.

You can expect to see more pumped hydro systems in a state near you.

Jamie Pittock receives funding from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide technical assistance for the development of pumped storage hydropower to aid the transition to renewable energy for governments and others in Asia. He holds governance and advisory roles with a number of non-government environmental organisations.

Andrew Blakers receives funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

– ref. Queensland election signals both major parties accept pumped hydro and the renewable energy transition as inevitable – https://theconversation.com/queensland-election-signals-both-major-parties-accept-pumped-hydro-and-the-renewable-energy-transition-as-inevitable-229611

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 25, 2025

MIL-Evening Report: Why do I get so anxious after drinking? Here’s the science behind ‘hangxiety’
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Blair Aitken, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology

You had a great night out, but the next morning, anxiety hits: your heart races, and you replay every conversation from the night before in your head. This feeling, known as hangover anxiety or “hangxiety”, affects around 22% of social drinkers.

While for some people, it’s mild nerves, for others, it’s a wave of anxiety that feels impossible to ride out. The “Sunday scaries” may make you feel panicked, filled with dread and unable to relax.

Hangover anxiety can make even simple tasks feel overwhelming. Here’s why it happens, and what you can do about it.

What does alcohol do to our brains?

A hangover is the body’s way of recovering after drinking alcohol, bringing with it a range of symptoms.

Dehydration and disrupted sleep play a large part in the pounding headaches and nausea many of us know too well after a big night out. But hangovers aren’t just physical – there’s a strong mental side too.

Alcohol is a nervous system depressant, meaning it alters how certain chemical messengers (or neurotransmitters) behave in the brain. Alcohol relaxes you by increasing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the neurotransmitter that makes you feel calm and lowers inhibitions. It decreases glutamate and this also slows down your thoughts and helps ease you into a more relaxed state.

Together, this interaction affects your mood, emotions and alertness. This is why when we drink, we often feel more sociable, carefree and willing to let our guard down.

As the effects of the alcohol wear off, your brain works to rebalance these chemicals by reducing GABA and increasing glutamate. This shift has the opposite effect of the night before, causing your brain to become more excitable and overstimulated, which can lead to feelings of anxiety.

So why do some people get hangxiety, while others don’t? There isn’t one clear answer to this question, as several factors can play a role in whether someone experiences hangover-related anxiety.

Genes play a role

For some, a hangover is simply a matter of how much they drank or how hydrated they are. But genetics may also play a significant role. Research shows your genes can explain almost half the reason why you wake up feeling hungover, while your friend might not.

Because genes influence how your body processes alcohol, some people may experience more intense hangover symptoms, such as headaches or dehydration. These stronger physical effects can, in turn, trigger anxiety during a hangover, making you more susceptible to “hangxiety.”

Do you remember what you said last night?

But one of the most common culprits for feeling anxious the next day is often what you do while drinking.

Let’s say you’ve had a big night out and you can’t quite recall a conversation you had or something you did. Maybe you acted in ways that you now regret or feel embarrassed about. You might fixate on these thoughts and get trapped in a cycle of worrying and rumination. This cycle can be hard to break and can make you feel more anxious.

Research suggests people who already struggle with feelings of anxiety in their day-to-day lives are especially vulnerable to hangxiety.

Some people drink alcohol to unwind after a stressful day or to make themselves feel more comfortable at social events. This often leads to heavier consumption, which can make hangover symptoms more severe. It can also begin a cycle of drinking to feel better, making hangxiety even harder to escape.

Preventing hangover anxiety

The best way to prevent hangxiety is to limit your alcohol consumption. The Australian guidelines recommend having no more than ten standard drinks per week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day.

Generally, the more you drink, the more intense your hangover symptoms might be, and the worse you are likely to feel.

Some people may drink more alcohol to feel more comfortable in social situations.
LADO/Shutterstock

Mixing other drugs with alcohol can also increase the risk of hangxiety. This is especially true for party drugs, such as ecstasy or MDMA, that give you a temporary high but can lead to anxiety as they wear off and you are coming down.

If you do wake up feeling anxious:
- focus on the physical recovery to help ease the mental strain
- drink plenty of water, eat a light meal and allow yourself time to rest
- try mindfulness meditation or deep breathing exercises, especially if anxiety keeps you awake or your mind races
- consider journalling. This can help re-frame anxious thoughts, put your feelings into perspective and encourage self-compassion
- talk to a close friend. This can provide a safe space to express concerns and feel less isolated.
Hangxiety is an unwelcome guest after a night out. Understanding why hangxiety happens – and how you can manage it – can make the morning after a little less daunting, and help keep those anxious thoughts at bay.

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. Why do I get so anxious after drinking? Here’s the science behind ‘hangxiety’ – https://theconversation.com/why-do-i-get-so-anxious-after-drinking-heres-the-science-behind-hangxiety-240991
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Washington Rail Systems to Receive $115M in Infrastructure Upgrades

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

10.24.24

Washington Rail Systems to Receive $115M in Infrastructure Upgrades

Nine projects awarded include $37.7M for RR that moves Eastern WA wheat, $26.3M for Port of Kalama rail expansion to load grain exports faster; Awards also go to projects in Tacoma, Moses Lake, Chewelah, Rainier, Ferry County, and Puget Sound Rail Corridor

SPOKANE, WA – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced nine major investments in Washington state’s rail system infrastructure, totaling $115,577,598.

The improvements will boost railroad capacity all across the state, helping move freight and agricultural products quickly and more safely between our communities and on to international markets.

The grants come from the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, which funds projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) received $37,700,000 million for final design and construction of rehabilitation of the Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad (PCC). This is in addition to a $72.8 million CRISI grant for the railroad project that WSDOT received last year.

“Wheat farmers in the state rely heavily on the Washington State Grain Train to help export 90 percent of the product they grow. This funding will replace lightweight, 100-year-old, worn rail with 34 miles of upgraded heavyweight track to accommodate heavy railcars, allowing train speeds to double, helping farmers get their goods to market more efficiently,” Sen. Cantwell said.

“Washington state growers need fast and reliable transportation systems to get their products to market, especially if they want to compete in tough international markets—this is critical for our wheat growers and this major federal investment will help ensure Washington state farmers have the kind of infrastructure they need to succeed,” said Sen. Murray. “This is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work—strengthening supply chains and upgrading our infrastructure so that America can compete and win the 21^st century.”

This PCC project is part of a multi-phase effort to improve the railroad system so it can handle heavier, faster rail cars and better withstand extreme weather conditions. Grant funding will help replace light-weight worn rail and rotten railroad ties, as well as rebuild dilapidated roadway crossings and surface tracks. Federal funds will cover 65% of the total project cost.

The PCC serves a critical part of the wheat supply chain in Eastern Washington. This project will help ensure rural Eastern Washington agricultural products remain competitive in the global marketplace, by helping products reach customers faster. Rehabilitation of this freight corridor is important to maintain the region’s economic viability. By keeping rail shipments available and competitive, this project will reduce road maintenance, enhance economic development, improve the environment, and bring long-term jobs to rural communities.

The Port of Kalama received $26,323,386 for a rail expansion project.

“The Port of Kalama is already one of the largest grain export terminals on the West Coast. This funding will increase the port’s grain terminal efficiency by 25-30 percent meaning that farmers not just from Washington, but as far east as Wisconsin, can get their products to market faster,” Sen. Cantwell said.

“These new replacement tracks are going to help the Port of Kalama transport even more goods, including grain, from rail to ship, faster than ever by allowing it to store empty trains at the port,” said Sen. Murray. “This is going to be a real boost for trade in the region, and it is exactly what the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law looks like at work—strengthening supply chains and upgrading our infrastructure so that America can compete and win the 21st century.”

The proposed project will replace rail tracks at the Port of Kalama in Washington. The replacement tracks will support storage of two loaded and two empty trains simultaneously at the port. The project is expected to increase loading efficiency in the direct loading of grain from rail to ship by up to 30 percent. The Port of Kalama will contribute a 20 percent match. Sen. Cantwell wrote a letter in support of the project to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, that letter is available HERE. Sen. Murray wrote a letter of support for the project to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

The St. Paul & Pacific Northwest Railroad Company received $23,469,151 to improve track along the railroad’s main line in northeast Washington.

“The St. Paul & Pacific Northwest railroad transports two million tons of lumber and other goods annually across Eastern Washington. With this funding, the railroad will upgrade and rehabilitate over 80 miles of mainline track, speeding products to market more safely and reliably,” Sen. Cantwell said.

“This funding is going to help update outdated rail infrastructure that Washington state businesses and consumers rely on—this means safer, more efficient rails while creating good paying jobs,” said Sen. Murray. “This is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work—strengthening supply chains and upgrading our infrastructure so that America can compete and win the 21st century.”

The proposed project on this line between Chewelah, WA and Columbia Gardens, British Columbia, will replace approximately 18 miles (in two sections) of older jointed rail with 136 lb. continuous welded rail and install approximately 85,000 new concrete and steel rail ties along the entire line. This will upgrade the line to meet FRA Class 3 classification requirements, which improves safety and reliability. St. Paul & Pacific Northwest will contribute a 21 percent match. Sen. Cantwell wrote a letter in support of the project to Sec. Buttigieg, that letter is available HERE. Sen. Murray wrote a letter of support for the project to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

The Columbia Basin Railroad Company, which operates between Moses Lake and Connell in central Washington, received $11,552,000 to rehabilitate approximately 10 miles of their railroad line.

“The Columbia Basin Railroad serves over 50 businesses and is a lifeline for Washington farmers and exporters across Grant, Lincoln, Spokane, Adams, and Whitman counties. This funding will facilitate critically needed track repairs which will enable increased freight capacity and operating speeds,” Sen. Cantwell said.

“When it comes to the rails our trains travel every day—and which connect companies and communities across Washington state with crucial goods, services, and opportunities—it is important we have safe, reliable tracks,” said Sen. Murray. “By helping to replace some 8,000 cross ties, and 10 miles of rail, this funding will help us make sure the tracks serving the Columbia Basin are in tip top shape and will safely increase operating speeds and capacity. This is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work—strengthening supply chains and upgrading our infrastructure so that America can compete and win the 21st century.”

The proposed project will replace approximately ten miles of rail and approximately 8,000 cross ties on the Columbia Basin Railroad. This will enhance safety and improve system performance as the project will return the line to a state of good repair, increase operating speeds, and allow for increased capacity to move freight, benefitting over 50 customers served by the Columbia Basin Railroad. Columbia Basin Railroad will contribute a 20 percent match.

Tacoma Rail received $8,316,000 to replace the engines of four old locomotive with new Tier 4 diesel electric engines that will reduce harmful NOx emissions by about 90 percent. This is in addition to $4.095 million the railroad received last year to replace two high-polluting diesel electric switcher locomotives with two zero-emission battery-electric switcher locomotives. Sen. Murray wrote a letter of support for the project to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

“With this grant funding, Tacoma Rail will replace the engines of four old locomotives with new clear diesel electric engines. This will reduce emissions by 200 tons per year and reduce fuel consumption by more than 18,000 gallons of diesel fuel annually. A significant step in contributing to the region’s climate action goals and reducing shipping costs for farmers,” Sen. Cantwell said.

“This investment will help ensure we reduce carbon emissions while still moving freights as quickly and efficiently as possible—and creating good-paying jobs in the process,” said Sen. Murray. “This is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work—helping us build a stronger clean energy economy while upgrading our national infrastructure.”

Tier 0 project locomotives are equipped with diesel engines that were built between 1973 and 1992 – before the first federal EPA emission standards for locomotives were developed in 1997. The new engines will eliminate the consumption of more than 18,000 gallons of diesel fuel a year, which is expected to reduce up to 200 short tons of greenhouse gas emissions. These new locomotives will help the City of Tacoma and Port of Tacoma achieve local, county, regional, and state air quality and climate goals.

WSDOT’s Puget Sound Rail Corridor Improvement Project received $6,451,894.25 to improve safety and help prevent winter weather delays.

“The Puget Sound Rail Corridor Improvement Project will upgrade rail switches between Everett and Vancouver, lowering maintenance costs and reducing weather delays for the two million passengers that ride Amtrak and Sound Transit each year,” Sen. Cantwell said.

“I’m pleased to see this funding come back to Washington state to help keep trains running through our Puget Sound Corridor quickly, smoothly, and safely. Steps to tackle issues like eliminating gaps and preventing ice and snow build up are crucial to keep our tracks open and trains running full steam ahead—which is why this funding is so important. This is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work—strengthening supply chains and upgrading our infrastructure so that America can compete and win the 21st century,” said Sen. Murray.

The proposed project will eliminate potentially dangerous gaps between rails and install electrically powered heaters on turnouts to prevent ice and snow buildup. This will enhance resilience, safety, and performance. The Washington State Department of Transportation and BNSF will contribute a 50 percent match.

Rainier Rail received $1,765,167 to improve four bridges in Western Washington, including the Minnesota St. Bridge in Rainier, WA.

“Rainier Rail provides important transportation connections for goods including aircraft materials and animal feed moving through western Washington. This project will improve their track capacity and replace aging rail ties to ensure they can continue serving customers in our state,” Sen. Cantwell said.

“This investment will help modernize existing infrastructure so that Rainier Rail can accommodate more freight, getting more goods to where they need to go more quickly,” said Sen. Murray. “This is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work—strengthening supply chains and upgrading our infrastructure so that America can compete and win the 21^st century.”

The bridge improvements include replacement of structural components, increasing clearance on the Minnesota St. Bridge, installing larger rail to accommodate 286,000 lb. railcars, and replacing aging rail ties. The project will create a safer, more resilient, and environmentally sustainable rail network in the region as it will address safety concerns, environmental preservation, capacity limitations, climate resilience, and supply chain efficiency. Rainier Rail will contribute a 21 percent match.

A portion of two other grants announced today will fund rail upgrades in Washington state.

OmniTRAX received $50,570,400 to replace of railroad ties on four OmniTRAX-owned short lines across four states – including a line in Ferry County.

“Kettle Falls Railroad is a strategic rail asset in Ferry County, supporting millions of dollars in economic activity in Washington state. This funding will install new ties along nearly 30 miles of rail enabling freight to move more reliably and efficiently in Northeast Washington,” Sen. Cantwell said.

“This funding will help deliver timely infrastructure updates in Washington state—meaning safer, more efficient, and more resilient railways,” said Sen. Murray. “This is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work—strengthening supply chains and upgrading our infrastructure so that America can compete and win the 21^st century.”

OmniTRAX will install 24,513 ties on approximately 29.9 miles of the KFR San Poil Subdivision near Danville, Washington. The line connects Kettle Falls to Grand Forks, Canada. The project will harden rail assets and update infrastructure, which will benefit rail users served by the short lines. OmniTRAX will contribute a 20 percent match. Sen. Cantwell wrote a letter in support of the project to Sec. Buttigieg, that letter is available HERE. Sen. Murray wrote a letter of support for the project to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

Watco Companies received $19,843,062 to replace diesel locomotives with battery electric, zero emission locomotives at their facilities, including the Packaging Corporation of America in Washington.

“With this funding we are replacing old diesel locomotives with clean battery electric, zero emission locomotives—that helps us cut down on harmful emissions and unhealthy pollution from diesel,” said Sen. Murray. “This is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work—helping us build a stronger clean energy economy while upgrading our national infrastructure.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation is providing $2.477 billion in CRISI grants to 122 projects across the nation this year.

Sen. Cantwell secured $5 billion over 5 years for the CRISI program in her Surface Transportation Investment Act which was included in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, tripling annual funding for the program.

The funding for the CRISI program comes from a mixture of annual appropriations and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—as Senate Appropriations Chair, Sen. Murray authors the annual appropriations bills and, as then Assistant Majority Leader, she played a critical role in passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Sen. Murray secured a total of $2.97 billion for the Federal Railroad Administration in the fiscal year 2024 government funding bill she negotiated and passed into law and set aside $100,000,000 specifically for the competitive CRISI grants.

Sen. Murray also passed into law major reforms and oversight provisions to address the rail safety deficiencies identified in the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment, providing a $27.3 million increase for FRA’s safety and operations budget for rail safety inspectors in the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding bills. Murray also included language directing specific research requirements for: (1) wayside detection technology, operational alert thresholds, and rail carrier response protocols to inform and verify the technologies capabilities and establish industry-wide standards; and (2) long-train operational safety to evaluate equipment safety standards for brake systems and wheel performance to inform the development of continuous component monitoring. Sen. Murray also increased funding for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) emergency preparedness grants to $46.825 million and required the agency to conduct research to improve the survivability of placards identifying hazardous materials on trains. Sen. Murray is currently negotiating and working to pass into law Fiscal Year 2025 funding bills and the Senate funding bill Sen. Murray passed out of committee builds on these efforts to improve rail safety and strengthen rail safety funding.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Sols 4341-4342: A Bumpy Road

Source: NASA

4 min read

Earth planning date: Monday, Oct. 21, 2024

After Curiosity’s busy weekend, the team is ready for another day of planning. We are able to take advantage of the Earth-Mars time offset to full plan on both sols of our plan today. For this plan, I served as Mobility Rover Planner, and planned Curiosity’s drive.

The first sol begins with some remote science. In this block, there is a ChemCam LIBS and Mastcam joint observation of “Ewe Lake,” to look for variation across the different layers in the rock. There is also a ChemCam RMI and a Mastcam of the “Olmstead Point” target, to see if there are chemical differences that make it darker than the surrounding rocks. Mastcam also is taking a stereo image of “Depressed Lake” (in order to see if this loose block belongs to the Stimson or the Sulfate units) and an image of the ChemCam AEGIS target the rover automatically found after the last drive.

After a nap, Curiosity wakes up to do some contact science on the “Chuck Pass” target, which is a piece of bedrock with laminations and nodules. We perform DRT brushing, MAHLI, and APXS observations of this rock before stowing the arm so we can be ready to drive on the second sol. In the late afternoon, to take advantage of the lighting conditions, we have another short set of Mastcam imaging — an atmospheric sky column observation and a stereo mosaic of “Fascination Turret” from this new angle.

The second sol also kicks off with some remote sensing. We follow up the contact science with ChemCam LIBS and Mastcam of Chuck Pass. ChemCam also takes an RMI looking east back to the area of the white sulfur stones below “Whitebark Pass” to get yet another viewing angle. There is also some atmospheric imaging, Navcam deck monitoring (to see how the dust is moving around on the rover’s deck) and a large dust devil survey.

After the imaging, we are ready to drive. This terrain has been very tricky. While the slopes are not steep, this is a very rocky area, as you can see in the image, making finding a safe path difficult. We don’t only need to worry about driving over things that are too big or too sharp, but we also have to make sure not to scrape the wheels along the side of a rock or steer them into a rock, making them wedge and stall. It also means that we do not have good stereo data out very far because the rocks block our view. The last complication is that we have to drive backwards — otherwise, the rover hardware will block Curiosity’s view of Earth during the time we want to send her the new plan. When we drive backwards, the rover hardware will block Curiosity’s view, so we need to turn to get a clear view in our images. We also take additional frames to be sure we can find the best path for the next drive. With all this, we ended up being able to drive about 32 meters today (about 105 feet). After a short diversion to get around a steering hazard, we were able to drive a fairly straight route along the path to our next major imaging stop. After the drive, we have our normal post-drive imaging, including a twilight MARDI image.

We have been lucky so far on this terrain and been able to successfully complete our recent drives. Hopefully this drive will also be successful!

Written by Ashley Stroupe, Mission Operations Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: South Africa amended its research guidelines to allow for heritable human genome editing

Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Françoise Baylis, Distinguished Research Professor, Emerita, Dalhousie University

New genome editing technologies mean that the genetic modification of embryos is a scientific possibility, and laws governing its practice require extensive public consultation. (Shutterstock)

A little-noticed change to South Africa’s national health research guidelines, published in May of this year, has put the country on an ethical precipice. The newly added language appears to position the country as the first to explicitly permit the use of genome editing to create genetically modified children.

Heritable human genome editing has long been hotly contested, in large part because of its societal and eugenic implications. As experts on the global policy landscape who have observed the high stakes and ongoing controversies over this technology — one from an academic standpoint (Françoise Baylis) and one from public interest advocacy (Katie Hasson) — we find it surprising that South Africa plans to facilitate this type of research.

In November 2018, the media reported on a Chinese scientist who had created the world’s first gene-edited babies using CRISPR technology. He said his goal was to provide children with resistance to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. When his experiment became public knowledge, twin girls had already been born and a third child was born the following year.

The fate of these three children, and whether they have experienced any negative long-term consequences from the embryonic genome editing, remains a closely guarded secret.

Controversial research

Considerable criticism followed the original birth announcement. Some argued that genetically modifying embryos to alter the traits of future children and generations should never be done.

Genetically modifying embryos to alter the traits of future children and generations has immense societal impacts.
(Shutterstock)

Many pointed out that the rationale in this case was medically unconvincing – and indeed that safe reproductive procedures to avoid transmitting genetic diseases are already in widespread use, belying the justification typically given for heritable human genome editing. Others condemned his secretive approach, as well as the absence of any robust public consultation, considered a prerequisite for embarking on such a socially consequential path.

In the immediate aftermath of the 2018 revelation, the organizing committee of the Second International Summit on Human Genome Editing joined the global uproar with a statement condemning this research.

At the same time, however, the committee called for a “responsible translational pathway” toward clinical research. Safety thresholds and “additional criteria” would have to be met, including: “independent oversight, a compelling medical need, an absence of reasonable alternatives, a plan for long-term follow-up, and attention to societal effects.”

Notably, the additional criteria no longer included the earlier standard of “broad societal consensus.”

Nobel laureate David Baltimore, chair of the organizing committee for the Second International Summit on Human Genome Editing, talks about the importance of public global dialogue on gene editing.

New criteria

Now, it appears that South Africa has amended its Ethics in Health Research Guidelines to explicitly envisage research that would result in the birth of gene-edited babies.

Section 4.3.2 of the guidelines on “Heritable Human Genome Editing” includes a few brief and rather vague paragraphs enumerating the following criteria: (a) scientific and medical justification; (b) transparency and informed consent; (c) stringent ethical oversight; (d) ongoing ethical evaluation and adaptation; (e) safety and efficacy; (f) long-term monitoring; and (g) legal compliance.

While these criteria seem to be in line with those laid out in the 2018 summit statement, they are far less stringent than the frameworks put forth in subsequent reports. This includes, for example, the World Health Organization’s report Human Genome Editing: Framework for Governance (co-authored by Françoise Baylis).

Alignment with the law

Further, there is a significant problem with the seemingly permissive stance on heritable human genome editing entrenched in these research guidelines. The guidelines clearly require the research to comply with all laws governing heritable human genome research. Yet, the law and the research guidelines in South Africa are not aligned, which entails a significant inhibition on any possible research.

This is because of a stipulation in section 57(1) of the South African National Health Act 2004 on the “Prohibition of reproductive cloning of human beings.” This stipulates that a “person may not manipulate any genetic material, including genetic material of human gametes, zygotes, or embryos… for the purpose of the reproductive cloning of a human being.”

When this act came into force in 2004, it was not yet possible to genetically modify human embryos and so it’s not surprising there’s no specific reference to this technology. Yet the statutory language is clearly wide enough to encompass it. The objection to the manipulation of human genetic material is therefore clear, and imports a prohibition on heritable human genome editing.

Ethical concerns

The question that concerns us is: why are South Africa’s ethical guidelines on research apparently pushing the envelope with heritable human genome editing?

In 2020, we published alongside our colleagues a global review of policies on research involving heritable human genome editing. At the time, we identified policy documents — legislation, regulations, guidelines, codes and international treaties — prohibiting heritable genome editing in more than 70 countries. We found no policy documents that explicitly permitted heritable human genome editing.

It’s easy to understand why some of South Africa’s ethicists might be disposed to clear the way for somatic human genome editing research. Recently, an effective treatment for sickle cell disease has been developed using genome editing technology. Many children die of this disease before the age of five and somatic genome editing — which does not involve the genetic modification of embryos — promises a cure.

Somatic genome editing may provide a cure for sickle cell disease.
(Shutterstock)

Implications on future research

But that’s not what this is about. So, what is the interest in forging a path for research on heritable human genome editing, which involves the genetic modification of embryos and has implications for subsequent generations? And why the seemingly quiet modification of the guidelines?

How many people in South Africa are aware that they’ve just become the only country in the world with research guidelines that envisage accommodating a highly contested technology? Has careful attention been given to the myriad potential harms associated with this use of CRISPR technology, including harms to women, prospective parents, children, society and the gene pool?

Is it plausible that scientists from other countries, who are interested in this area of research, are patiently waiting in the wings to see whether the law in South Africa prohibiting the manipulation of human genetic material will be an insufficient impediment to creating genetically modified children? Should the research guidelines be amended to accord with the 2004 statutory prohibition?

Or if, instead, the law is brought into line with the guidelines, would the result be a wave of scientific tourism with labs moving to South Africa to take advantage of permissive research guidelines and laws?

We hope the questions we ask are alarmist, as now is the time to ask and answer these questions.

Katie Hasson, Associate Director at the Center for Genetics and Society, co-authored this article.

Françoise Baylis is affiliated with the International Science Council, the UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) and the Royal Society of Canada.

– ref. South Africa amended its research guidelines to allow for heritable human genome editing – https://theconversation.com/south-africa-amended-its-research-guidelines-to-allow-for-heritable-human-genome-editing-241136

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: 2022 and 2023 National Medal of Arts and National Humanities Medal Citations

US Senate News:

Source: The White House
On Monday, October 21st, President Biden held an East Room ceremony at the White House to present the 2022 and 2023 National Medals of Arts and the 2022 and 2023 National Humanities Medals.
The National Medal of Arts is the highest award given to artists, arts patrons, and groups by the United States Government and honors exemplary individuals and organizations that have advanced the arts in America and offered inspiration to others through their distinguished achievement, support, or patronage. The National Humanities Medal honors individuals or groups whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the humanities and broadened our citizens’ engagement with history, literature, languages, philosophy, and other humanities subjects.
Below are the citations presented to the 2022 and 2023 medal recipients:
National Medal of Arts – Class of 2022
Ruth Asawa (Posthumously)
For groundbreaking modernism and championing art for everyone. From a family of Japanese immigrants separated in incarceration camps, Ruth Asawa emerged to become a renowned educator and artist, bringing her distinctive wire sculptures to the Nation’s museums, homes, and classrooms, and leaving a legacy as powerful and profound as her portfolio.
Randy A. Batista
For focusing the lens on human nature. Born in Tampa, Florida, to Italian and Cuban immigrants and raised on both sides of the Straits of Florida, Randy Batista is known as the people’s photographer. With the camera as his sixth sense of deep empathy, he captures people’s pain and challenges us to respect their inherent dignity.
Clyde Butcher
For focusing the lens on Mother Nature. From humble beginnings as a self-taught photographer, Clyde Butcher is considered America’s most acclaimed landscape photographer today. From the Rocky Mountains to the Everglades, and countless pristine places in between, his images inspire and challenge us to respect and defend our natural wonders.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
For cataloging one of the Nation’s great homegrown art forms. As the world’s largest repository of country music history, in the country music capital of Nashville, Tennessee, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum preserves history, honors giants of the genre, and inspires future generations to write their own songs about the American story.
Melissa “Missy” Elliott
For shattering glass ceilings with timeless beats. From a child singing in the church choir to becoming a best-selling female rapper and pioneering hip-hop icon, Missy Elliott’s genre-defying music and rhymes have elevated an industry into a global powerhouse and inspired generations to push the sound and movement of America.
Leonardo “Flaco” Jiménez
For harnessing heritage to enrich American music. The son of a musical family in Texas, Flaco Jiménez mastered the accordion and Spanglish lyrics as a trailblazer of Conjunto. Blending Norteño, Tex Mex, and Tejano music with the Blues, Rock n’ Roll, and Pop Music, he sings the soul of America’s Southwest.
Eva Longoria
For recognizing the strength of our diversity and the full talents of our Nation. Actor, producer, director, and proud Mexican American, Eva Longoria has broken barriers on screen and uses her power to lift up Latino voices all across American life — challenging stereotypes and instilling Latino pride in our Nation.
Idina Menzel
For magical songs that lift our spirits and stir our souls. From Broadway stages to movie screens, Idina Menzel’s powerful voice has sold out shows, topped Billboard charts, and above all, empowered millions of Americans of all ages and backgrounds to be strong, use their voice, and lead with their hearts.
Herbert I. Ohta
For redefining ukulele music as a deeply moving American sound. The Hawaiian son of Japanese immigrants, Herb Ohta learned his first chords as a child and played through his service as a United States Marine. A musical innovator and mentor, he has bridged cultures and genres, spreading the peace and hope of aloha spirit.
Bruce Sagan
For seeking the truth as a true public citizen. A Chicago, Illinois, journalism legend and lifelong supporter of the performing arts, Bruce Sagan’s seven decades of leadership and stewardship in building, protecting, and uplifting local newspapers, voices, artists, and dancers have inspired his beloved city and enriched the tapestry of American life and culture.
Carrie Mae Weems
For capturing the resilience and dignity of Black America and our deeper humanity.
Over three decades at the forefront of American expression, Carrie Mae Weems has honed her craft as a renowned artist whose photography, film, video, and art confront hard truths about power and prejudice, while celebrating the indomitable human spirit.
National Medal of Arts – Class of 2023
Mark Bradford
For revealing the full history of the Nation through groundbreaking art. Inspired by the diverse cultures of Southern California, Mark Bradford’s paper-on-canvas storytelling reveals the interwoven hopes, sorrows, and joys of communities of color, with each layer challenging convention, shining light, and reminding us all of the full potential of America.
Ken Burns
For documenting the hope and history of our Nation. From his home in rural New Hampshire and deep from his imagination, Ken Burns´ pioneering documentaries of diverse people, places, and histories have shaped our understanding of the American experience, and defined him as one of the most respected filmmakers of our time.
Bruce Cohen
For championing the arts to express our highest ideals of freedom, justice, and equality.
An entertainment industry icon ahead of his time, Bruce Cohen has produced our biggest moments on screen and stage by lifting up people and stories that need to be seen and heard, making real the promise of America for all Americans.
Alex Katz
For conjuring an enduring portrait of America. Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Russian immigrants, Alex Katz is among the most prolific and distinctive artists in our history. With a ferocious work ethic and visionary style, he continues to condense the complexities of everyday life into iconic faces and landscapes that reveal the essence of who we are as Americans.
Jo Carole Lauder
For devoted support of the arts, culture, and civic causes in America. A renowned philanthropist leading an array of causes — from supporting the White House Historical Association to refurbishing and preserving United States embassies abroad to inspiring participation in Jewish life worldwide —Jo Carole Lauder channels her creative talents to beautify the spirit of our Nation.
Spike Lee
For revolutionizing American cinema and culture. One of the most thought-provoking filmmakers of our time, Spike Lee honors his Brooklyn, New York, roots by daring to capture the depth of the Black experience and lifting up Black culture on the world stage through vibrant films and courtside pride that shapes our Nation’s collective conscience.
Queen Latifah
For leading the Nation as a champion of women’s empowerment. A natural storyteller and one of the first ladies of hip-hop, Queen Latifah breaks the mold for women in entertainment — rapping about overcoming loss and abuse of power to exuding cool and confidence as a critically-acclaimed actor and activist, showing how infinite love is the only hope for unity.
Selena Quintanilla (Posthumously)
For cementing Tejano music into the heart of the Nation. The youngest of the Quintanilla music family, Selena brought Latin music to the masses as the Queen of Tejano music and one of the most celebrated entertainers in our history. Her young life was tragically cut short, but her voice and spirit endure for the ages.
Steven Spielberg
For filmmaking that entertains, educates, and inspires. Growing up moved by the power of films, Steven Spielberg is considered one of the greatest filmmakers ever, using his gift of storytelling to stretch our imaginations, confront the horrors of history, and inspire us to be the characters of our Nation and the world’s future — full of courage, honor, and dignity.
National Humanities Medal – Class of 2022
Wallis Annenberg
For transforming philanthropy in our Nation. The daughter of a groundbreaking media family in Los Angeles, California, Wallis Annenberg is a visionary giver and innovator who has donated to thousands of organizations in the arts, education, environment, medical research, social justice, and more — transforming countless lives by advancing, healing, and inspiring communities across America.
Appalshop
For amplifying the voices of Appalachia. Located in Kentucky’s Appalachian Mountains for 50 years, Appalshop is home to the world’s largest collection of creative work on Appalachia — a hub for new generations of artists, filmmakers, musicians, and playwrights to share their stories of pride and promise of their American roots.
Joy Harjo
For shining the light on the sacred traditions of Native American storytelling. A member of the Muscogee Nation in Oklahoma, and the first Native American Poet Laureate of the United States, Joy Harjo’s distinguished poetry and award-winning music about art, justice, and healing honors ancestral generations and empowers those that follow.
Robin Harris
For educating our youngest students to be dreamers and doers of our Nation. As an elementary school teacher and trailblazing principal in Massachusetts, Robin Harris is redefining K-12 education to empower students, embrace parents, and extend learning and leadership beyond the walls of the classroom and into the free spirit of the mind.
Juan Felipe Herrera
For poeticism that captures America’s imagination. The son of California farm workers, Juan Felipe Herrera takes readers across countries and cultures, genres, and disciplines as a towering figure in Chicano poetry and the first Latino Poet Laureate of the United States, using the power of his pen to give life to our identities and common bonds.
Robert Martin
For dedicating his career to the academic achievement of Native American students. A member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Dr. Robert Martin has led Tribal colleges and launched Indian Studies programs at institutions of higher learning across the country to strengthen Tribal self-determination and empower future Native American leaders.
Jon Meacham
For drawing wisdom from history to shape the future of America. A proud son of Tennessee and celebrated historian and biographer, Jon Meacham chronicles the journey of America with an unmatched mix of historical context, parables from Scripture, and unyielding faith in the goodness of the American people that makes us a truly great Nation.
Ruth J. Simmons
For pioneering equity in our Nation’s higher education system. One of twelve children born into a sharecropper family in Texas, Dr. Ruth Simmons blazed trails in academia as a distinguished professor of literature and the first African American woman president of an Ivy League institution—showing how an education makes one free and fearless.
Pauline Yu
For a lifetime of advocacy for the humanities in America. The daughter of Chinese immigrants raised in Rochester, New York, Dr. Pauline Yu is a respected scholar of Chinese poetry and renowned advocate for the humanities, who has deepened cross-cultural understanding through language and literature, and advanced core democratic values of truth, reason, and free inquiry.
National Humanities Medal – Class of 2023
Anthony Bourdain (Posthumously)
For making food a gateway to understanding the world and one another. A beloved chef, writer, and social commentator, Anthony Bourdain is remembered across the globe for his empathy, openness, and humor—approaching every table with equal reverence for the people it convened, and embodying the best of American curiosity and exploration.
LeVar Burton
For imagining a more optimistic and enlightened America for everyone. A celebrated actor, advocate, and storyteller, LeVar Burton confronted the trauma of history, took us to the depths of space, and transformed literacy in America by sharing the gift of reading with generations of children, unlocking our imaginations and spirit of discovery.
Roz Chast
For healing a Nation with humor and observation. One of the most prolific cartoonists of our time, Roz Chast has wielded pen and watercolor for over 45 years to make ordinary things extraordinary, blaze a trail for women in her field, and define an era of American wit and wisdom.
Nicolás Kanellos
For amplifying Hispanic voices in America’s past, present, and future. Raised between Puerto Rico and Jersey City, New Jersey, Nicolás Kanellos channeled a childhood love for Spanish literature into a distinguished literary career in Houston, Texas, leading the Nation’s oldest and largest Hispanic publishing house and elevating the diversity of American literature.
Robin Wall Kimmerer
For sharing Indigenous wisdom in America’s natural sciences. A citizen of Potawatomi Nation and a renowned scientist and writer, Robin Wall Kimmerer has transformed our understanding of environmental science by incorporating Indigenous knowledge into college curriculum and critical efforts to heal a climate in crisis, offering new hope for generations to come.
Mellon Foundation
For charting an unparalleled course for the arts and humanities in America. For over 50 years, the Mellon Foundation has been the trusted benefactor for thousands of people and organizations harnessing the power of ideas and imagination to advance social justice and freedom, and defend the arts as essential to American democracy.
Dawn Porter
For documenting the good, the bad, and the truth of our Nation. Beginning her career as a lawyer, Dawn Porter pursued filmmaking to showcase the vibrancy of Black culture and history. By chronicling the lives of America’s everyday heroes and legendary leaders, her award-winning documentaries remind us that the work of perfecting our Union is essential and never-ending.
Aaron Sorkin
For trademark storytelling in America. Drawn to theatre at a young age, Aaron Sorkin found his calling as a groundbreaking writer and creator, scripting and show-running iconic films and television shows that inspired an entire generation to believe in the possibilities of our Nation and walk, talk, and answer “what’s next?”
Darren Walker
For showing us hope is the oxygen of democracy. With boundless passion and enduring purpose, Darren Walker harnesses empathy from his modest upbringing in the South to advance the most ambitious philanthropic goals of our Nation, as a visionary leader whose commitment to improving the human condition has fortified justice and good governance in America and around the world.
Rosita Worl
For embodying the resilient community spirit of Native American culture. As a child in Alaska, Dr. Rosita Worl survived the brutalities of Federal Indian boarding school that took her from her family and Nation. As an anthropologist and advocate, she has since spent her life pushing to right wrongs and build a new era of understanding and healing.
Additional information
National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), established by Congress in 1965, is an independent Federal agency that is the largest public funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. The NEA’s mission is based on an abiding conviction that the arts play an integral role in our national life and public discourse. The arts strengthen and promote the well-being and resilience of people and communities. By advancing equitable opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts belong to and benefit everyone in the United States.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Created in 1965 as an independent Federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) supports learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other humanities subjects by funding selected, peer-reviewed proposals from around the Nation that support research in the humanities, foster education, nurture humanities infrastructure, and expand the reach of the humanities. Since 1965, NEH has awarded over six billion dollars to cultural institutions, individual scholars, and communities throughout the United States. The Endowment serves and strengthens the country by bringing high-quality historical and cultural experiences to large and diverse audiences in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and five territories; providing opportunities for lifelong learning, expanding access to cultural and educational resources, and preserving the human stories that connect all Americans.
The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH) was founded in 1982 by Executive Order to advise the President on cultural policy. The First Lady has historically served as Honorary Chair of the Committee, which is composed of members appointed by the President. Private committee members include prominent artists, scholars, and philanthropists who have demonstrated a serious commitment to the arts and humanities. Public members represent the heads of key Federal agencies with a role in culture, including the Chairs of the National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities, the Librarian of Congress, the Secretary of the Smithsonian, and the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services among others. The PCAH facilitates public-private partnerships, promotes interagency cooperation, and proposes programs that enhance arts, humanities, museums, and library services across the country. Over the past 40 years, PCAH has catalyzed Federal programs and played a vital role in the advancement of arts and humanities education, cultural diplomacy, and the creative economy.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER DELIVERS NEARLY $16 MILLION TO STEUBEN COUNTY, ALSTOM, & BINGHAMTON BATTERY HUB TO DEVELOP CUTTING EDGE BATTERY TECH AT ALSTOM’S HORNELL FACILITY FOR NEXT GEN ENERGY-EFFICIENT TRAINS

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

Funding Will Help Alstom & Partners Produce And Test Hybrid, Battery-Powered Trains At Southern Tier Facility

Schumer Urged U.S. Transportation Secretary – Which Brings Together Two Emerging Areas Of Manufacturing In The Southern Tier – To Fund Project Boosted By The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law

Schumer: Fed $$ For Battery-Powered Rail Development Puts Southern Tier On Track To Lead In Developing Future Of This Industry!

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced $15,982,500 for Steuben County IDA, in partnership with Norfolk Southern Railway, Binghamton University’s New Energy New York (NENY) consortium, and Alstom to develop new battery technology for more energy-efficient trains.

“This nearly $16 million in federal funding puts Steuben County IDA and its partners – including Alstom, a national leader in cutting-edge rail development – on track to develop new state-of-the-art hybrid locomotives that will enhance rail safety and improve climate resilience,” said Senator Schumer. “I’ve led the charge to establish the Southern Tier as a hub for battery manufacturing and research & development, and today’s investment will boost efforts to make sure the next generation of rail technology is stamped ‘Made in Upstate NY.’ I also fought to boost funding for the Department of Transportation’s rail infrastructure improvement program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law and am thrilled that the program is continuing to deliver for NY.”

This project will help produce and test two hybrid, battery-powered trains at Alstom’s Southern Tier facility and aims to enhance safety and improve climate resilience. The federal funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program, which Schumer fought to increase funding for in his Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law.

“Alstom is grateful to Senator Schumer for his support and leadership that has made New York’s Southern Tier the nation’s center of rail manufacturing excellence,” said Michael Keroullé, Alstom Americas President. “Together with our partners, Steuben County Industrial Development Agency, Binghamton University and Norfolk Southern, we will use this project to develop and test new battery and rail technologies to help advance efforts to decarbonize the freight sector.”

Steuben County Industrial Development Agency’s Federal Railroad Administration’s Hybrid Locomotive Project aims to develop new battery technology to produce and test two hybrid, battery-diesel locomotives at Alstom’s Kanona facility in Bath. The rebuilt locomotives will use batteries as the primary power source, enhancing safety and improving climate resilience.

“The Steuben County Industrial Development Agency is pleased to be partnering with Alstom and Norfolk Southern Railway on the development of the locomotive of the future at Alstom’s facility in Kanona, New York. The CRISI award will help advance a new clean diesel battery hybrid technology that builds off the region’s deep history in transportation manufacturing and innovation in battery and clean energy technology. The project aligns the region’s strengths to establish the County as a leader in clean tech manufacturing. We appreciate the strong support that Senator Schumer has shown towards the Steuben County IDA and his commitment to new battery technology in the Southern Tier, ” said James C. Johnson, Executive Director of Steuben County Industrial Development Agency.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, which Schumer crafted and led to passage in the Senate, included $5 billion over five years for the CRISI program. The program invests in various projects within the United States to improve railroad safety, efficiency, and reliability; mitigate congestion at both intercity passenger and freight rail chokepoints to support more efficient travel and goods movement; enhance multi-modal connections; and lead to new or substantially improved Intercity Passenger Rail Transportation corridors.

Schumer has long fought to secure federal investment to boost Binghamton and Upstate NY’s battery manufacturing and R&D. Most recently, Schumer announced the Binghamton University-led Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine won the esteemed U.S. National Science Foundation’s Regional “Innovation Engines” Competition (NSF Engines), which was created by his CHIPS & Science Law. Schumer said the Binghamton-led project was one of only ten projects across the country selected for this award which brings $15 million in federal funding, with up to $160 million total over the life of the program from the NSF to supercharge growth and cutting-edge research in battery development and manufacturing in Upstate NY.

“Our engineers have met with Alstom representatives and discussed future collaborations on this exciting project. Through our Watson College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and through all of our resources available through our New Energy New York and Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine programs, we stand ready to assist Alstom in any way we are able. Electrification of all forms of transportation– vehicles, planes and trains– is simply what has to happen in the US and we are pleased to play a role in this important transformation,” said Dean Atul Kelkar, Watson College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Binghamton University.

Schumer secured the prestigious tech hubs designation for Binghamton University’s New Energy New York (NENY) project, which he also created in the CHIPS & Science Act, accelerating the Southern Tier’s emergence as America’s next battery tech hub. Receiving that designation made $500,000 in funding through the CHIPS & Science Law, along with the potential for philanthropic and private sector investment, possible. Schumer designed the Tech Hubs program to strengthen a region’s capacity to commercialize, manufacture, and grow technology in key focus areas like batteries, and now, thanks to his efforts, Binghamton is spurring innovation and bringing the manufacturing of batteries back to America, all while supporting the economic resurgence of the Southern Tier.

In addition to the NSF Engine award and national recognition through the Tech Hubs program, Schumer’s American Rescue Plan created programs like the $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) that also supported Binghamton’s efforts. Schumer personally advocated for the selection of Binghamton University’s battery hub proposal for the BBBRC federal investment and in December 2021, Binghamton’s project was selected as a Phase 1 awardee out of over 500 applications from around the country to compete for a final award. In April 2022, Schumer personally visited the Southern Tier to double down on his advocacy, standing with Dr. Whittingham, to reiterate his support and urge federal leaders to select Binghamton as a final Regional Challenge awardee.

Finally, in September 2022, Schumer secured Binghamton’s spot as a final awardee, with a $63.7 million federal investment, one of the largest grants made in the competition, which was matched by $50 million in funding from New York State, to help make the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes a national hub for battery research and manufacturing. Additionally, Schumer brought Dr. Whittingham as his guest to last year’s State of the Union to highlight Binghamton’s national leadership in battery technology.

A copy of Schumer’s letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg can be found below:

Dear Secretary Buttigieg:

I am pleased to write on behalf of the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency’s application to the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Program. This collaborative effort between the Steuben County IDA, Alstom, Norfolk Southern Railway, and Binghamton University’s New Energy New York (NENY) consortium will result in the production and testing of two hybrid, battery-diesel locomotives. The project will demonstrate the efficiency, reliability, and commercial viability of technology that can be implemented to help accelerate the reduction of carbon emissions in the freight rail industry.

In particular, the project will convert two GP 38/40 locomotives into a battery-diesel hybrid design. These locomotives will be remanufactured at Alstom’s Kanona facility in Bath, NY, and will reuse existing steel frames to significantly reduce carbon emissions. The rebuilt locomotives will use batteries as the primary power source, increasing pulling capacity by approximately 50% and maximizing engine efficiency. In addition, the locomotive will be designed to allow for the diesel engine to be replaced with zero emission technology as it becomes commercially and technology viable. This is a first step toward developing important prototype technology that has the potential to greatly benefit both industry and the environment.

The Southern Tier is well positioned to help advance energy storage solutions for the freight rail industry given Binghamton University’s NENY. Following years of personal advocacy, NENY was designated a U.S. Economic Development Administration (U.S. EDA) Regional Technology and Innovation Hub, National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engine, and secured significant investment through the Build Back Better Regional Challenge. These federal awards recognize the region’s ability to lead the nation in battery innovation. Hence, the collaboration with experts at Binghamton University on battery-related subjects such as power density, modeling, and

optimization underscores the potential of this project.

I applaud the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency and the other partners for their foresight and sincerely hope the application is met with your approval. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or my grants coordinator at (202) 224-6542.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China hosts summit to boost homegrown BeiDou navigation system applications

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

An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 24, 2024 shows the outdoor exhibition area of the 3rd International Summit on BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System) applications in Zhuzhou, central China’s Hunan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

CHANGSHA, Oct. 24 — The 3rd International Summit on BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System) applications kicked off Thursday in Zhuzhou, central China’s Hunan Province, as authorities aim to boost the industry by expanding applications and strengthening international cooperation.

The two-day summit has attracted more than 1,800 Chinese and international researchers, entrepreneurs and officials. Exhibitors have also set up booths to showcase BDS applications across various sectors, including smart logistics and intelligent transportation.

“BDS applications are rapidly expanding across key sectors of China’s national economy, with coverage rates surpassing 90 percent in areas such as transportation, energy, natural resources and emergency response,” said Xiang Libin, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission and an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

A bluebook on the development of the BeiDou industry was also released during the opening ceremony. “BDS services and related products have been exported to more than 130 countries, providing users with diversified choices and better application experience and promoting industrial development,” the bluebook stated.

The Chinese-made BDS was initiated in 1994. The construction of BDS-1 and BDS-2 was completed in 2000 and 2012, respectively. When BDS-3 was completed and put into service on July 31, 2020, China became the third country to have an independent global navigation satellite system.

According to the White Paper on the Development of China’s Satellite Navigation and Location Services Industry (2024), the total output value of China’s satellite navigation and location services industry reached 536.2 billion yuan (about 75.2 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, an increase of 7.09 percent over the previous year.

Visitors experience driving devices of agricultural machinery at the 3rd International Summit on BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System) applications in Zhuzhou, central China’s Hunan Province, Oct. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

A visitor learns about a risk detection device at the 3rd International Summit on BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System) applications in Zhuzhou, central China’s Hunan Province, Oct. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

An exhibitor introduces a smart risk detection device to visitors at the 3rd International Summit on BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System) applications in Zhuzhou, central China’s Hunan Province, Oct. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: New technology to detect floods and bushfires
Source: New South Wales Government 2

Headline: New technology to detect floods and bushfires

Published: 25 October 2024

Released by: Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology

Testing will soon begin on cutting-edge technology to improve early warnings about floods and bushfires in NSW.
The NSW Government this week launched a proof-of-concept phase as part of a $3.3 million election commitment to build a natural hazards detection system.

The testing will explore a range of scenarios to enhance the state’s response to natural hazards including innovative technology to detect floods and bushfires that can:
- support early identification of flood water across roads
- monitor rainfall and soil moisture data to predict floods
- identify fire ignitions in remote locations
- monitor soil moisture and fuel loads to support improved fire hazard reduction.
Individual grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded to successful applicants through the program to support the testing of technologies over a six-month period to demonstrate their feasibility and benefits.

The program delivers on an election commitment by the Minns Labor Government and is being led by the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE) in collaboration with the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA).

The initiative directly responds to key recommendations from the 2020 Bushfire Inquiry and the 2022 Flood Inquiry, which called for the use of advanced detection systems to provide earlier warnings and give communities more time to respond to natural hazards.

Businesses are encouraged to submit proposals addressing these challenges, with the potential to progress to the next stage of the program which includes scaling up and piloting technologies in real-world settings.

Applications for Phase 1 are open until early December. Grant recipients from Phase 1 will be eligible to apply for Phase 2 through a competitive process.

The outcomes of the pilot will help shape the design of a final product, ready for deployment in hazard-prone areas of NSW. For more information and to apply, visit: www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/nhds.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its election commitment to better protect communities living in high-risk areas that are prone to floods and fires through better detection systems.”

“We are helping to develop new detection technologies and testing them in unique Australian conditions.”

We are working to identify solutions that allow people to better anticipate natural disasters and prepare for evacuations.”

“This program is not only important to help reduce the impact of disasters, but ultimately can help save lives.”

Minister for Innovation, Science & Technology, Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“This funding demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to innovation and technology to help improve our response to and preparedness for natural hazards.”

“Supporting businesses to field-test their technologies with NSW Government agencies allows them to bring their innovations one step closer to commercialisation.”

Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte, Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer said:

“NSW is looking to the future and investigating how cutting-edge technology can transform our response to natural hazards.”

“By undertaking trials of groundbreaking technology solutions in real world conditions we will ensure that NSW residents are better prepared for natural hazards now and into the future”.
MIL OSI News –
January 25, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Chaotic scenes at Travis Scott’s Melbourne concert: what is the role of artists in crowd behaviour?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milad Haghani, Senior Lecturer of Urban Analytics & Resilience, UNSW Sydney

Travis Scott’s Melbourne concert on October 22 lived up to his reputation for chaotic performances. Fans, eager for a high-energy show, were met with unruly scenes both inside and outside the venue.

Reports described concertgoers clashing, throwing plastic bottles and dismantling barricades.

As some fans attempted to breach security barriers to enter the mosh pit, physical altercations with security guards erupted. One fan reportedly suffered a seizure after trying to bypass barricades.

These occurrences, at times, were reminiscent of the dangerous atmosphere at Scott’s past concerts, including the fatal 2021 crowd crush at Astroworld Festival in Houston.

Modern crowd psychology shows us collective behaviour is shaped by perceived group norms, and these norms can either foster safety or encourage chaos. This performance – contrasted with other recent big concerts in Australia – highlights the urgent need to rethink the roles of performers in crowd management.

Defiance is normalised

While performing, Scott often urges fans to lose control and embrace the chaos. This induces behaviours such as mosh pits, crowd surfing, and even at times, ignoring fans in distress.

Scott’s performances are characterised by his desire to have his energy reciprocated by the audience, which creates an environment where defiance is normalised.

Statements such as “forget security, this is for y’all” push fans toward risky behaviours, making these concerts highly charged and, at times, uncontrollable.

While this may foster excitement and adrenaline, it also sets the stage for unsafe crowd dynamics.

The 2021 Astroworld tragedy, in which ten people died and thousands were injured in a crowd surge, should have served as a wake-up call about the elevated risks at Scott’s performances.

Despite signs of crowd distress, Scott continued performing for nearly 40 minutes after Houston officials started responding to the mass casualty event. Despite visible signs of crowd distress, the show continued.

More than 300 injury lawsuits were settled between festivalgoers and Scott and concert promoter Live Nation. Plaintiffs argued the concert’s organisers failed to act swiftly to prevent the disaster once the crowd surge became life-threatening.

Though the Melbourne concert didn’t reach the same tragic levels, the chaotic scenes were reminders of the ongoing risks at Scott’s performances.

Incidents like the one in Melbourne – with security struggles, fan injuries and disorder – should serve as near-miss warnings. The same volatile energy persists in Travis’ concerts and could amount to risky behaviour, luckily not of catastrophic consequences in this case.

Different artists set different safety cultures

While Scott’s concerts are known for their chaotic energy, artists such as Taylor Swift present a stark contrast in terms of crowd dynamics and audience behaviour.

Swift’s recent Australian shows, which hosted record-breaking attendance numbers, ran smoothly.

The difference in audience behaviour isn’t just about the genre of music and the energy and culture that comes with it. It’s also about how the artist interacts with the crowd. Swift creates an atmosphere of excitement while maintaining a sense of order, often engaging the audience in a way that fosters respect for boundaries and safety.

Swift has a strong track record of prioritising audience safety and wellbeing during her concerts.

In many shows, she stopped to address issues such as heat exhaustion or crowd distress, by encouraging fans to stay hydrated and to look out for each other.

At her Edinburgh show in June 2024, she paused the concert three separate times to assist fans who were struggling in the crowd.

‘Perceived contextual norms’ are at play

Crowd psychology emphasises how individuals in large gatherings adjust behaviour based on the perceived norms of the group.

The Social Identity Theory of crowds explains that people align their behaviour with the crowd’s collective identity.

A shared social identity within a crowd increases the likelihood of people adopting collective norms – even if those norms encourage risk-taking. Perceived group norms can override personal caution in favour of behaviour that is seen as accepted or approved by the group.

Based on these theories, leaders influence group behaviour by reinforcing collective identity and norms.

In the case of music performers, artists can guide actions that align with the group’s sense of “us”. This can ultimately lead to shifts in behaviour towards safety or risk-taking.

What now?

The contrasting experiences between Scott’s and Swift’s concerts offers a crucial lesson in crowd management: the role of leadership and the norms set by performers.

We need to rethink the roles of performers in crowd management. Artists such as Scott wield immense influence over crowd dynamics, and this power should be harnessed more consciously.

The chaotic, high-energy nature of Scott’s performances is part of his identity. Fans attend his shows expecting that intensity.

The key difference lies in how the artist can create a high-energy environment without compromising fan safety. Encouraging fans to disregard security is an example of where defiance can stretch too far. The line between excitement and chaos becomes blurred. The messaging needs to shift to maintaining intensity but within boundaries that safeguard the audience.

Awareness around how crowd behaviour is influenced by artists and the group norms that they set can help walk the line between excitement and chaos.

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

– ref. Chaotic scenes at Travis Scott’s Melbourne concert: what is the role of artists in crowd behaviour? – https://theconversation.com/chaotic-scenes-at-travis-scotts-melbourne-concert-what-is-the-role-of-artists-in-crowd-behaviour-242115

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Successfully Pushes Biden Administration to Make Extraction, Material Costs of Critical Minerals Eligible for Tax Credits

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

LAS VEGAS, NV – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced that she successfully pushed the Biden Administration to update tax credit guidance to include extraction and material costs of critical minerals. Earlier this year, Rosen urged Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to allow critical mineral mining and processing activities to qualify for the 45X tax credit they passed in the Inflation Reduction Act.
“Nevada is a national leader in mining and critical minerals production, and supporting this industry means growing Nevada’s economy and creating good-paying jobs. That’s why I pushed the Administration to allow mining and processing activities to qualify for the 45X tax credit we created in the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Senator Rosen. “I will stand up to anyone, even my own party, to support industries that are critical for Nevada and our economy.”
Senator Rosen has been a leader in securing the domestic critical minerals supply chain and advocating for clean energy technologies. Last year, she sent a letter to U.S. National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan requesting an update on the implementation of the provision she secured in the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 to support the critical mineral mining industry and bolster the mining workforce. She also pushed back on the Biden Administration’s report on mining on federal lands, highlighting its lack of support for domestic mining and critical mineral supply chains. Senator Rosen also helped introduce bipartisan legislation to protect critical mineral production in response to the misguided Rosemont decision, which is threatening mining projects in Nevada and across the West.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: 10.24.2024 ICYMI: Sen. Cruz Receives Recognition for Pivotal Bipartisan Victory, Championing South Texas Economy

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In Case You Missed It: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, was honored yesterday by the city of Laredo and awarded the Key to the City for his leadership in streamlining the presidential permitting process and securing presidential permits to build and expand four major international bridges in South Texas, including two in Laredo. Read the articles below:

From Texas Border Business: Sen. Ted Cruz’s Leadership Secured Approval for Four International Bridges
“In a remarkable display of bipartisan cooperation and a commitment to advancing the interests of South Texas, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, has achieved a significant legislative victory, securing the approval for four international bridges. This achievement was celebrated in Laredo, Texas, where Cruz was honored with the Keys to the City by Mayor Dr. Victor D. Treviño. The event was momentous for the Laredo community and the region’s future prosperity.
“Mayor Treviño, in his heartfelt presentation, said, ‘The City of Laredo hereby presents the key of the City of Laredo to the United States Senator Ted Cruz, Senator from Texas, for supporting the Laredo community with historic legislation that advances international trade and ensures future prosperity.’ These words underscored the city’s recognition of Cruz’s pivotal role in championing Laredo’s economic and infrastructural future.
“Taking to the podium, Senator Ted Cruz expressed his deep gratitude: ‘Mayor, thank you very much. I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive the key to the city—an incredible distinction from an amazing place in Texas. I have to say I love South Texas. I love the city of Laredo. It is an incredible hub of commerce, an incredible port to the entire world.’ Cruz’s admiration for the region is evident, but his dedication to improving its infrastructure is even more profound.”

From KGNS News: Laredo hosts trade talks with Sen. Cruz, federal, and international leaders

From Laredo Morning Times: Laredo presents ‘long overdue’ Key to the City to Sen. Ted Cruz
“Cruz gave a brief speech after receiving the honor and spoke about working together on four new bridges in South Texas: two in Laredo, one in Eagle Pass and one in Brownsville.
“‘They were delaying those bridges for three, four, five years,’ Cruz said. ‘A delegation from the city of Laredo asked me to help, asked me to lead the effort, and I told them I was proud to do so.’ …
“Cruz said the legislation could help Texas farmers, ranchers, small businesses and consumers. He briefly mentioned another bipartisan effort involving Interstate Highway 27, which would start in Laredo and extend to Montana.”

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI China: 1st reusable satellite payloads returned

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

Bian Zhigang, deputy head of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), speaks at the payloads handover ceremony held by CNSA in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 24, 2024. [CNSA/Handout via Xinhua]
The scientific payloads for space breeding and other sci-tech experiments carried by China’s first reusable and returnable satellite, Shijian-19, were delivered to Chinese and foreign users on Thursday.
At the payloads handover ceremony held by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) in Beijing on Thursday, the CNSA and the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation signed payload delivery certificates with domestic and international users, including those from Thailand and Pakistan.
Bian Zhigang, deputy head of CNSA, said the Shijian-19 mission fully leverages the advantages of the new generation retrievable space experiment platform, conducting space breeding experiments of about 1,000 species of germplasm resources, providing crucial support for the innovation of germplasm resources in China. The mission has also offered a valuable in-orbit validation opportunity for domestically produced components and raw materials.
According to Meng Lingjie, director of the Earth Observation System and Data Center under the CNSA, the Shijian-19 mission has made a breakthrough in its recovery module. The satellite platform can be reused more than 10 times, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and improving operational efficiency.
The satellite serves as a space testing platform that enables convenient transportation of payloads between Earth and space, offering high-quality experimental services, said Meng, adding that it has wide-ranging applications in space sci-tech experiments such as space breeding as well as space pharmaceutical and material manufacturing.

China successfully retrieved its first reusable and returnable test satellite, Shijian-19, at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at 10:39 a.m. (Beijing Time), Oct. 11, 2024, said the China National Space Administration (CNSA). [Photo/Xinhua]
The satellite carried 500 kg of experiment payloads back to Earth, greatly enhancing the capability for payload recovery, according to Meng. It can also provide a high-quality microgravity environment for experiments.
When the satellite was in orbit, seven new technology experiments were carried out, including microgravity hydrogen production, low-frequency magnetic communications, inflatable sealed cabin and wireless power transmission.
The satellite also carried nine space science payloads to conduct research in fields such as carbon nanomaterials and devices, solid catalyst materials, and oral and dental science materials.
According to Liu Luxiang, executive director general of the Institute of Crop Sciences under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Shijian-19 mission carried seeds of about 1,800 plant materials and more than 1,000 species of microorganisms, encompassing nearly all major kinds of agricultural products.
The mission not only provides solid support to China’s space breeding, but also creates a collaboration platform for international counterparts, said Liu, who is also the chief scientist of China’s space breeding project. The satellite carried rice seeds from Thailand, seeds of wheat, rice, corn and beans from Pakistan, as well as crop seeds from other countries.
“In face of the challenge of global food security, it is necessary to continuously enhance food production, develop new genetic resources that promote nutrition and health, and cultivate new grain varieties that are more resilient to climate change with improved stress tolerance,” Liu said.
Over the past 30 years, China has developed over 300 crop varieties through its space breeding technologies. These varieties cover an annual cultivation area of about 2 million hectares, with remarkable social and economic benefits, according to Liu.
The Shijian-19 satellite was sent into orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Sept. 27. It returned to Earth on Oct. 11.

MIL OSI China News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI: Beam Global Announces Appointment of Sales Veteran to Lead and Expand Internal and External Sales Teams

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beam Global, (Nasdaq: BEEM), a leading provider of innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions for the electrification of transportation and energy security, is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Lovsted as Vice President of Sales. In this role Mr. Lovsted will spearhead Beam Global’s sales strategy to expand the company’s footprint in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and energy security markets.

Mr. Lovsted is a proven leader in managing sales for large enterprises and in emerging markets with over 20 years of executive leadership experience in the technology sector. He is recognized for his ability to transform sales organizations and deliver exceptional results, most recently, as Vice President of Sales at Nice North America LLC, previously known as Nortek Security & Control, LLC, one of the largest smart commercial and industrial solutions manufacturing companies in the world. Mr. Lovsted managed a portfolio of products including partnerships with ADT, Brinks Home, Samsung and TELUS, responsible for approximately $500M in annual revenue. His expertise spans various industries including transportation, storage and security technologies where he has been instrumental in launching innovative products and driving significant revenue.

“We are thrilled to welcome Andy to our team at a pivotal moment for Beam Global, to drive growth in commercial and government sectors through optimizing our internal team’s capabilities and, importantly, through the force multiplication effect of engaging agents, resellers and distributors,” said Desmond Wheatley, CEO of Beam Global. “Andy’s proven track record in driving high-performance teams and his extensive experience in growing distribution networks in the technology and automation sectors make him uniquely qualified to scale our sales programs and capture new opportunities in the rapidly expanding markets we target.”

“I’m excited to join Beam Global as the company continues its leadership in providing rapidly deployed, scalable and sustainable EV charging, smart city and energy storage solutions,” said Mr. Lovsted. “The rapid adoption of electric vehicles, increased electrical capacity requirements and evermore challenging environmental conditions make me confident that Beam Global’s innovative products are well-positioned to meet the growing demand while creating a fantastic growth engine. Building a sales team that gets to sell industry leading, unique and patented products that are highly relevant, is exciting, fun and rewarding. I look forward to being at the sharp end of the company’s mission of providing sustainable energy solutions.”

Throughout his career Mr. Lovsted has demonstrated an ability to build and execute effective go-to-market strategies, foster key industry relationships and implement transformative sales initiatives. He focuses on maximizing efficiency, driving accountability and implementing strategic change management to optimize team performance. His background includes driving significant sales and marketing and business development for Hewlett Packard, Seagate, Siemens, Nice and others where he has built and led teams of 100+. Mr. Lovsted holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing from San Diego State University.

About Beam Global

Beam Global is a clean technology innovator which develops and manufactures sustainable infrastructure products and technologies. We operate at the nexus of clean energy and transportation with a focus on sustainable energy infrastructure, rapidly deployed and scalable EV charging solutions, safe energy storage and vital energy security. With operations in the U.S. and Europe, Beam Global develops, patents, designs, engineers and manufactures unique and advanced clean technology solutions that power transportation, provide secure sources of electricity, save time and money and protect the environment. Headquartered in San Diego with facilities in Chicago, Belgrade and Kraljevo, Beam Global has a deep patent portfolio and is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol BEEM. For more information visit BeamForAll.com, LinkedIn, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter).

Media Contact:
Skyya PR
+1 651-335-0585
Press@BeamForAll.com

Investor Relations:
Core IR
+1 516-222-2560
IR@BeamForAll.com

The MIL Network –

January 25, 2025

Category: Science

Powell Center Seminar: City-Scale Geothermal Energy Everywhere to Support Renewable Resilience – a Transcontinental Cooperation

City-Scale Geothermal Energy Everywhere to Support Renewable Resilience – a Transcontinental Cooperation – Erick Burns, USGS

Speaker:

What is cheating?

A sign of development

Cheating at school

Temptation matters

Do boys cheat more than girls?

How can adults discourage cheating?

Step 1: Ensure biodiversity increases are absolute

Step 2: Avoid conservation payments in risky situations

Step 3: Go beyond compensation

Step 4: Effectively implement nature positive laws

Is nature positive within reach?

What is time-restricted eating?

How we got here

What we did

What we found

Is time-restricted eating achievable?

It delivers a higher dose to a smaller target

What did the new study find?

How do the side effects compare to other cancer treatments?

What are the costs? And who can access it?

Difficult to destroy, hard to detect

Using a tracer

The complex birth of life

Updates to this page

Forest removal drives colour shift

Genetic change

Other articles you may be interested in

What is pumped hydro energy storage?

What about batteries?

What are Queensland’s options?

What about the rest of Australia?

What does alcohol do to our brains?

Genes play a role

Do you remember what you said last night?

Preventing hangover anxiety

Washington Rail Systems to Receive $115M in Infrastructure Upgrades

Nine projects awarded include $37.7M for RR that moves Eastern WA wheat, $26.3M for Port of Kalama rail expansion to load grain exports faster; Awards also go to projects in Tacoma, Moses Lake, Chewelah, Rainier, Ferry County, and Puget Sound Rail Corridor

Controversial research

New criteria

Alignment with the law

Ethical concerns

Implications on future research

Defiance is normalised

Different artists set different safety cultures

‘Perceived contextual norms’ are at play

What now?