MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Rosneft has opened a scientific and educational center based on the Mining and Oil Faculty of the Ufa State Petroleum Technological University. The Rosneft-USPTU center is equipped with the latest equipment, some of which has no analogues. More than 800 students and postgraduates will be trained here annually.
A large educational project is being implemented with the participation of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia – the founder of USPTU.
With the support of the Company, a comprehensive modernization was carried out in the five-story building of the Mining and Petroleum Faculty with an area of 6 thousand m2. The building is equipped with advanced scientific and educational equipment, intended, among other things, for core research and the study of hard-to-recover hydrocarbon reserves.
The scientific and educational center has 15 educational clusters, which consist of 26 specialized laboratories (exploration and drilling; development and exploitation of deposits), 8 digital modeling classes and 2 technosphere safety laboratories.
The educational center has a modern drilling simulator, which students can use in virtual reality to conduct, among other things, major well repairs.
Rosneft – USPTU opens up broad opportunities for masters and postgraduate students who carry out scientific research in areas relevant to the Company, including in the field of hard-to-recover hydrocarbon reserves and new materials used in drilling to improve the efficiency of well construction.
The scientific and educational equipment of the faculty allows students to master modern technology, laboratory equipment and software to develop competencies relevant to the Company.
USPTU is a “forge of personnel” for the oil and gas industry of our country and one of the main suppliers of highly qualified specialists for Rosneft enterprises conducting production activities in various regions of Russia.
Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft December 19, 2022
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
The latest cutting-edge research has confirmed that there are nine different species of the critically endangered Chinese giant salamander.
Published recently in the Evolutionary Journal of the Linnean Society, the research led by the conservation charity that runs London Zoo has shone a new light on the ancient animal.
A team from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), an international conservation charity driven by science, working with partners in China, used genetic data to study the world’s largest amphibian, once thought to be a single species found across central and southern China.
Chinese giant salamanders can grow up to 1.8 meters long. Their loose, baggy skin helps them absorb oxygen from the water, while tiny sensors across their bodies detect vibrations from worms, crustaceans, small fish, and frogs, compensating for their poor eyesight.
“There is a high likelihood that Chinese giant salamanders face extinction in the wild, and it is extremely important to work collaboratively to prevent extinction being the fate of these ancient animals,” Ben Tapley, curator of reptiles and amphibians at London Zoo and one of the paper’s co-authors, told Xinhua.
“Our research shows that there are up to nine different species of Chinese giant salamander, but only four have been named by scientists, and only two have had their conservation status assessed, with both being categorized as critically endangered,” Tapley added.
“Chinese giant salamanders are recognized as critically endangered. All of the species we’ve now identified are at high risk of disappearing forever,” said Samuel Turvey, a researcher at ZSL and an author of the paper. “If we are to avoid losing the world’s largest amphibians, we need to act urgently to ensure that these newly-recognized species are formally recognized and legally protected.”
“The possibility that Chinese giant salamanders may not be a single species has been suggested by researchers for 20 years, but by comparing levels of genetic difference seen across giant salamander populations with differences shown by other known salamander species, we can now confirm this for sure,” said Turvey.
A Chinese hospital specializing in cardiovascular care has widely applied a radiation-free percutaneous intervention method in its treatment of heart disease. The treatment, introduced by Fuwai Hospital under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), is guided by ultrasound images and involves sending the treatment instruments from the peripheral blood into the heart in a minimally invasive manner. This method avoids the use of surgery and radiation, and even allows patients to remain awake during the treatment process. Pregnant women, allergy sufferers and cancer patients can also receive this treatment, and the technical difficulty has been reduced as expensive imported large devices are not required, according to the hospital. This procedure is expected to enhance the capacity of primary medical services and make effective heart disease treatment available to outpatients. Therefore, access to heart disease treatment in countries and regions with limited medical resources will be improved. This form of heart treatment has received funding from the United Nations. Thus far, Fuwai Hospital has invented more than 17 new treatments to deal with different types of cardiovascular diseases such as congenital heart disease, valvular disease and arrhythmia — achieving 65 patents. In addition, the hospital has also developed a series of therapeutic instruments and equipment, including an ultrasonic catheter and a surgical robot. Of these items, 23 are available both in China and abroad. Medical teams from the hospital have been invited to conduct surgeries and introduce Chinese treatment solutions in more than 30 countries, including France, Germany, Canada, Russia and Kenya.
Efforts to redress global inequality are facing an unexpected adversary: the white saviour. It’s the idea that people of colour, whether in the Global South or North, need “saving” by a white Western person or aid worker.
An eclectic mix of white activists have been publicly accused of being white saviours for trying to help different causes in the Global South. They include celebrities who adopted orphaned children, organised benefit concerts such as Live Aid, or called out rights abuses.
We conducted a series of studies with 1,991 representative Australians to find out what people thought made a white saviour, how charity appeal photographs create this impression, and how it affected donations.
White saviourism and charities
The concern is that white people’s overseas charity, even when well-meaning, can inadvertently hurt rather than help the cause. It could perpetuate harmful stereotypes of white superiority, disempower local people, or misdirect resources to make helpers feel good rather than alleviating genuine need.
The fear of being labelled a white saviour could make people think twice about giving time or money to worthy causes. It might stop aid organisations using proven appeals to raise donations they need.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), for instance, released a video apologising for using photos depicting white people in aid settings and which aren’t representative of the majority local staff they employ.
Therein lies the dilemma: white donors can relate to photos of white helpers, but this is easily interpreted as white savourism.
What makes someone a white saviour?
Very little research exists into exactly what white saviourism means. Broadly, it seems to describe people in the Global North who support international causes for selfish reasons, to satisfy their own sentimentality and need for a positive image. We wanted to go deeper.
In the first of our studies, we showed our participants 26 photographs depicting different Global South aid settings with a white helper.
The helpers that participants thought of as highly “white saviour” typically had these characteristics:
they appeared to be privileged and superior
they gave help sentimentally and tokenistically
they conformed to the colonial stereotype of the helpless local and powerful foreigner.
Further analysis showed these characteristics boil down to two essential features: ineffectiveness of the help and entitlement of the helpers.
These two perceptions of the white saviour explain the problem for charity. Behavioural economics research has identified two main reasons for donating, and these perceptions undermine both.
Why do people donate at all?
So to see how much white saviourism affects charities, we need to know why people donate in the first place.
One reason for giving is pure altruism, the desire to help others with no direct benefit to oneself. The effective altruism movement encourages people to make every donated dollar count – getting the maximum bang for the buck in terms of measurable outcomes for those in need.
The difficulty for effective altruists is in assessing the impact of different charities vying for their donations. There are now websites that list charities by lives saved per dollar donated.
Alternatively, donors might look at a charity’s appeal images for clues of how effectively it will use their dollars.
Depicting white people as saviours can create the impression of tokenistic aid that only serves the helper’s sentimental needs. Evidence shows people resent impure motives in others (including organisations) and might try to penalise them.
Behavioural economics research also shows, as you might expect, that some people are more concerned about themselves than others when giving. This is known as “warm glow” giving.
Warm glow givers have several self-serving motivations. They include giving to gain self-respect or social status.
People also have a desire to meet their social obligations. For richer folks this could include charitable giving. And giving can reduce guilt they might feel about their privilege.
Just like the effective altruist, the warm glow giver could be put off by any sign of white saviourism. They don’t want to be seen to be endorsing it.
Do people still donate?
All this suggests that seeing a white saviour depiction in a charitable appeal will make people donate less.
We examined this in another study, in which participants were shown each of the previous photos. This time they were asked, for every photo, if they were willing to donate to a charity that uses it.
And as we thought, the photos previously rated as high in white saviourism had low intentions to donate.
Participants were shown photos of white aid workers in the Global South. Shutterstock
But intentions do not always equal actions, as psychologist have demonstrated for many years.
To overcome this, we measured real donations in another study. Again participants saw the same photos, but this time they had the chance to donate part of their participation fee to a real charity when seeing them.
What we found surprised us: the white saviour effect disappeared. How high a photo was on the white saviour scale had no impact on how much participants donated when seeing it.
Does the end justify the motivation?
Our results summarise the dilemma. Donors might object to white saviourism by charities, but in the end feel that it’s the help that counts, not the motivation behind it.
We found some evidence for this when we asked participants about their general views of white saviourism.
Almost 70% agreed that white saviour motives are common in Western help and that this was problematic for recipients. But interestingly, only 42% thought helpers with these motives deserved criticism.
Together, this might suggest that people feel white saviour help is better than no help. There are voices in the charity community who echo this sentiment: imposing conditions on charitable giving will serve to reduce it.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Elise Westhoff, president of the Philanthropy Roundtable in the United States, said “by imposing those ‘musts’ and ‘shoulds’, you really limit human generosity”.
But this doesn’t mean there are no legitimate concerns. There are, but it’s not hard for charities to address them.
Our results show that white saviour perceptions do not affect actual donations, so read another way, suggests charities can safely replace highly white saviour images without losing donations for their causes.
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.
This photo taken on Aug. 23, 2023 shows the Big Air Shougang in the Shougang Park in Shijingshan District of Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Ren Chao) Riding along Beijing’s iconic Chang’an Street to the city’s west, cycling enthusiasts have the chance to sip a cup of iced coffee and enjoy the grand view of steel furnaces at Shougang Park, a recreation destination that has been transformed from an area known for steel mills. Echoing China’s high-quality development drive, Shougang Park, where the Beijing Winter Olympic venue Big Air Shougang is located, is striving to act as a model of industrial zone revival, through the integration of industrial upgrading and green development. RELOCATION, INNOVATION & TRANSFORMATION Shougang Group, a leading heavyweight steelmaker in China founded in 1919, once posted an annual output record of 10 million tonnes. As part of Beijing’s economic restructuring and pollution control initiatives, Shougang Group started relocating its production base to the neighboring Hebei Province in 2005, where the steel conglomerate has managed to build high-end and eco-friendly iron and steel production lines. Its steel-making operations in Beijing were halted in 2010, which left a large stretch of industrial heritage in the area. Deserted repair workshops, coking plants and shaft furnaces were renovated into a high-end industrial comprehensive service area integrating business, science and technology, sports, culture and tourism. All completed buildings in this park satisfy the green building standard, and many sports events were held here. Zheng Kai, a veteran who has been serving at Shougang Group since 2005, was deeply impressed by the stunning transformation of Shougang Park. “When I go back to the park where I used to sweat to work, I realize that the rapid changes there are beyond my imagination,” he said. It is not only the original site of the steel giant that has undergone a transformation, but also its new factories in Hebei Province. These new factories feature production methods achieving both energy conservation and carbon reduction, setting up another model of green and low-carbon development. The group has achieved 10 million tonnes of low-carbon steel production via a process of high-ratio pellet smelting, which transforms powdered iron ore into pellets in blast furnaces, thereby reducing carbon emissions. “Energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions during the iron and steel making process are major carbon contributors throughout the whole steel industry,” said Teng Zhaojie, a senior researcher of the Shougang Group. “It is a difficult mission for such a long process of steel and iron production to achieve carbon reduction,” Huang Wenbin, an official with the Shougang Group, said. From 2016 to 2018, they carried out eight industrial experiments before finally achieving their goal of mastering high-ratio pellet smelting technology. The proportion of pelletizing in super-large blast furnaces has reached more than 55 percent in the Shougang Group — cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 10 percent per tonne of iron and lowering pollutant emissions by 53 percent. In addition, Shougang uses efficient dust removal, desulfurization and denitrification technologies to reduce the emission of air pollutants. It will also complete a heat test in its zero-carbon furnace in Hebei this month. “The green transformation of the group in terms of carbon trading, digital intelligence, ultra-low emission, energy saving and clean production was remarkable,” Zheng said. CARBON CAPTURE Like those of the Shougang Group, many other traditional coal-fired factories in China are undergoing a green transition by upgrading carbon reduction technologies. During the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing last month, Longyuan Environmental Protection Co., Ltd. under CHN Energy shared details of efficient recycling and carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) technology used in its power plants. A CCUS project went operational at a power plant in Taizhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, in 2023. It was designed to capture approximately 500,000 tonnes of carbon each year. China has nearly 100 CCUS projects in operation or under construction, with over half already operational, according to incomplete statistics. These projects have a combined annual carbon capture capacity of 4 million tonnes. Efficient use of carbon capture technology can produce high value-added chemical products, reduce regional carbon emissions, increase social and economic benefits, and encourage a more harmonious relationship between power plants and cities, according to CHN Energy. China has made historic breakthroughs in green and low-carbon development over the past decade, amid its quest for a sustainable future, a white paper issued in August stated. The country had reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 3 billion tonnes during the period from 2013 to 2023. China has also worked to enhance the clean energy percentage of its total energy use, while the share of coal in its energy consumption dropped by 12.1 percentage points during the past decade. Such progress comes as China continues its efforts to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. During the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in July, China pledged to “prioritize ecological protection, conserve resources and use them efficiently, and pursue green and low-carbon development.”
This aerial photo taken on Nov. 24, 2022 shows a freight train to enter the China-Laos Railway’s Friendship Tunnel connecting Mohan in southwest China’s Yunnan Province and Boten in northern Laos. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) Mohan, a small town in the southernmost part of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, reached a trade milestone last month, with over 10 million tonnes of freight, including fresh fruits, coffee, air conditioners and new-energy vehicles, transported on the China-Laos Railway over the previous three years. Since the launch of the 1,035 km rail line in December 2021, Mohan has become an important transport hub with significant highway and railway ports. Also, it’s the only national-level land port linking China and Laos, with new development opportunities mushrooming. The story of Mohan is a telling example of China’s unwavering high-level opening-up. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China 75 years ago, China has achieved leapfrog development in opening wider to the world. Confident that opening-up is the right path, China has been implementing proactive strategies, including spurring trade growth, attracting foreign investment and expanding institutional opening-up, to accelerate cultivating new international competitive advantages and achieving mutual benefits with other countries. BOLSTERING FOREIGN TRADE, INVESTMENT In 1950, China’s foreign trade in goods was only 1.1 billion U.S. dollars, accounting for 0.9 percent of the world’s total. By 2023, China’s total goods trade had reached 5.9 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for 12.4 percent of the global share, and has consistently ranked first in the world for seven consecutive years. Service trade has also undergone tremendous expansion. When the People’s Republic of China was founded, the country’s service trade was almost zero. While in 2023, China’s total service trade import and export volume reached 933.1 billion U.S. dollars, ranking fourth in the world. The country is actively expanding imports to share market opportunities with the rest of the world. In 2023, China’s import sources have covered over 200 countries and regions. The China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world’s first national-level import-themed expo, has been held for six consecutive years. “China should continue to offer new opportunities nurtured from its vast market to other countries by holding international fairs such as the CIIE, the China International Consumer Products Expo and the Global Digital Trade Expo,” said Ma Xiangdong, a professor at the Party School of the Communist Party of China of Beijing Municipal Committee. Continuous efforts have been made on lowering tariffs. China’s overall tariff level has been reduced to 7.3 percent, approaching the average level of developed countries. The country recently announced a move to give all the least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines starting from Dec. 1 of this year. China has built 22 pilot free-trade zones, covering coastal, inland and border areas, contributing about 20 percent of the total foreign investment and import-export volume of the country. The country also keeps expanding its “friend circle” globally. By the end of 2023, China had signed 22 free-trade agreements with 29 countries and regions, and it had signed over 200 Belt and Road cooperation documents with over 150 countries and over 30 international organizations. At the same time, foreign investment has been encouraged. The country’s negative list for foreign investment had been shortened for five consecutive years from 2017 to 2021, and laws and regulations, including the Foreign Investment Law, were put into force to step up protection for foreign investors. In 2023, China’s foreign direct investment, in actual use, reached 163.3 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 176 times compared to 920 million U.S. dollars in 1983, maintaining its world-leading position in terms of scale for multiple consecutive years. China’s investment is playing an increasingly prominent role in promoting economic development worldwide. In 2023, China’s non-financial outbound direct investment reached 130.1 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 61 times on that of 2003, and ranking third worldwide for 11 consecutive years. PROPELLING INSTITUTIONAL OPENING-UP China has been unswervingly expanding institutional opening-up in recent decades to realize high-quality development and offer the world new growth momentum and opportunities, rolling out various policies. In the latest move of this kind, China announced in September that it would allow the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in certain cities and regions, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and throughout the island of Hainan. In the same month, the country issued the 2024 version of the negative list for foreign investment access, reducing the number of restrictions from 31 to 29 and achieving zero restrictions on the manufacturing sector. This fully demonstrates China’s active willingness to expand mutual benefits and a clear attitude to supporting economic globalization, said Jin Xiandong, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission, adding that further efforts will be made to improve the level of foreign investment liberalization and facilitation, and to optimize service for foreign-invested enterprises. At its third plenum, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China renewed the country’s commitment to the basic state policy of opening to the outside world and continuing to promote reform through opening up. “Leveraging the strengths of China’s enormous market, we will enhance our capacity for opening up while expanding international cooperation and develop new institutions for a higher-standard open economy,” reads a resolution adopted at the plenum. Opening up to the outside world is not just a matter of “opening the door”, but more importantly, is actively aligning with international economic and trade regulations as well as other high-standard rules, said Zhang Bin, deputy director of the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Zhang underlined the need to enhance synergy between the domestic and international markets as well as resources to constantly cultivate and consolidate new advantages in international economic cooperation and competition.
Source: The White House
American workers and the unions who fight for them represent the best of our country. They help power our economy and strengthen our middle class. On National Manufacturing Day, we celebrate the ingenuity, grit, drive, and determination of the American worker. We thank them for their contributions, and we recommit to investing in their productivity and success.
There have always been competing visions for the future of America. Some envision a future in which the failed trickle-down policies that hurt working families for more than 40 years are continued. When I think about our future, I see an America where we grow the economy from the middle out and the bottom up — not the top down. I see an America where working people finally have a fair shot. Above all, I see a future that is made right here in America.
That is why my Administration has invested in American manufacturing to restore the backbone of our Nation: the middle class. Together, we are doing what has always worked best in this country — investing in all of America and in all Americans. My Investing in America agenda — including my Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act — is revitalizing American manufacturing. So far, we have attracted over $910 billion in private sector investment in manufacturing and clean energy nationwide and seen spending on factory construction soar to new records, roughly triple the pre-pandemic average. These investments are helping create hundreds of thousands of jobs — including over 700,000 manufacturing jobs — building new semiconductor fabs, electric vehicle and battery factories, and so much more, here in America. And we are working with employers, unions, community colleges, high schools, and other partners to ensure American workers are trained for the good manufacturing jobs we are generating.
We have also made sure that Federal funds support American manufacturing. “Buy American” has been the law of the land since the 1930s. Past administrations said a lot but did not do a lot. On my watch, Federal projects have been made with American products and built by American workers. I fought for the passage of the “Build America, Buy America Act,” which established domestic content preferences in Federal infrastructure spending, as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. I signed the “Federal Research and Development in Support of Domestic Manufacturing and United States Jobs” Executive Order, directing Federal agencies to prioritize domestic manufacturing when it comes to research, development, innovation, and bringing inventions to market. My Administration also made the strongest changes to Buy American rules in nearly seven decades by increasing the domestic content threshold for Federal procurement from 55 percent to 65 percent in 2024. I also announced new requirements for lumber, glass, fiber optic cables, and other construction materials used in Federal infrastructure projects to be made in America. And we will keep working to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are invested in American workers.
Growing up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, I learned a basic value set — money does not determine your worth, and all anyone wants is a fair shot. When I look at the economy, I see it through the eyes of Scranton. That is why I came into office determined to write a new chapter in our American comeback story — one where we can take pride in knowing that we can still get big things done in this great Nation.
During National Manufacturing Day, may we rededicate ourselves to writing that story by making the phrase “Made in America” not just a slogan but a reality.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 4, 2024, as National Manufacturing Day. I thank our manufacturing workers for all that they do to strengthen our Nation, encourage all Americans to look for ways to get involved in their communities, and call on everyone to join me in participating in National Manufacturing Day and, most importantly, buying American.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katherine Horsfall, PhD Candidate, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne
A city street may seem an unusual place to save species found in critically endangered grasslands. My new research, though, shows we can use plants from these ecosystems to create beautiful and biodiverse urban wildflower meadows. This means cities, too, can support nature repair.
Species-rich grassy ecosystems are some of the most threatened plant communities on the planet. Occupying easily developed flat land, grassy ecosystems are routinely sacrificed as our cities expand.
In south-east Australia, the volcanic plains that support Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs were once grasslands strewn with wildflowers, “resembling a nobleman’s park on a gigantic scale”, according to early explorer Thomas Mitchell. But these exceptionally diverse, critically endangered ecosystems have been reduced to less than 1% of their original area. The few remnants continue to be lost to urban development and weed invasion.
A mix of the seeds used to create the meadow. Hui-Anne Tan, CC BY-NC
Unfortunately, efforts to restore the grasslands around Melbourne have had mixed results. In 2020 the City of Melbourne took matters into its own hands. Recognising it is possible to enrich the diversity of birds, bats and insects by providing low-growing native plants, the council set a goal to increase understorey plants by 20% on the land it manages.
Creating a large native grassland in inner-city Royal Park would help achieve this goal. Adopting a technique used by wildflower meadow designers, we sowed a million seeds of more than two dozen species from endangered grasslands around Melbourne. All but one of these species established in the resulting native wildflower meadow.
The recreated native wildflower meadow is close to an inner-city road. Matthew Stanton, CC BY-NC
What were the challenges at this site?
Existing restoration techniques remove nutrient-enriched topsoils full of weed seeds before sowing native seeds. The target plant community can then establish with less competition from nutrient-hungry weeds.
However, this approach could not be used at the Royal Park site. Topsoil removal cannot be used on many urban sites where soils are contaminated or there are underground services. Alternative approaches are needed to reduce weed competition while minimising soil disturbance.
I saw a possible answer in the horticultural approaches used to create designed wildflower meadows.
Preparing the selected site in Royal Park by raking away mulch. Hui-Anne Tan, CC BY-NC
While still rare in Australia, designed wildflower meadows can increase the amenity and biodiversity of urban environments. They also reduce the costs of managing and mowing turf grass. These meadows are designed to be infrequently mown or burnt.
Wildflower meadow designers typically use an international suite of species that can be established from seed and persist without fertiliser or regular irrigation. An abundance of flowers makes people more accepting of “messy” vegetation. Recognising this, designers select a mix of species that will flower for as much of the year as possible.
Seed being spread by hand across the prepared area in April 2020. Hui-Anne Tan, CC BY-NC
To reduce competition from weeds, these meadows are often created on a layer of sand that covers the original site soils. The low-nutrient sand buries weed seeds and creates a sowing surface that resists weed invasion from the surrounding landscape.
However, the grasslands around Melbourne grow on clay soils, not sand. Would these techniques work for plants from these ecosystems?
A deep sand layer controls weeds and slugs
To find out we sowed more than a million seeds on sites with two depths of sand (10mm and 80mm) and one without a sand layer in Royal Park. Within one year, 26 of the 27 species sown had established to form a dense, flowering meadow across all sand depths. These plants included three threatened species.
Crucially, the deepest sand layer reduced weed numbers and therefore time spent weeding.
Interestingly, slugs played a role in determining the diversity of the native meadow. South-east Australia’s grasslands have largely evolved without slugs. As a result, seedlings lack chemical or physical defences against grazing by slugs, which can greatly reduce species diversity in native meadows.
Again, sand provided a real benefit. Fewer slugs occurred on the deepest sand layer compared to bare soil. The suggestion that sand can deter slugs is consistent with meadow research in Europe.
By September 2020, seedlings are growing on the prepared plots. The roof tile in the foreground is for monitoring slug numbers. Hui-Anne Tan, CC BY-NC
Working in urban contexts also unlocks other advantages. There’s ready access to irrigation while the meadow gets established and to communities keen to care for natural landscapes. Creating native wildflower meadows in cities also helps native animals survive, including threatened species that call our cities home.
The meadow’s plant community was established by November 2020, six months after sowing. David Hannah, CC BY-NC
My colleagues and I trialled these approaches with the support of the City of Melbourne. We are continuing our research to improve the scale and sustainability of native wildflower meadows in other municipalities.
Once seed supply is more certain, we will be able to bring back native biodiversity and beauty to streets, parks and reserves across the country.
I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the project took place, the Wurundjeri and Bunurong people of the Kulin Nations, and we pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. I also acknowledge my colleagues listed as co-authors on the research paper that formed the basis of this article: urban ecologists Nicholas S.G. Williams and Stephen Livesley, and seed ecologists Megan Hirst and John Delpratt.
Katherine Horsfall received funding from the City of Melbourne to undertake this research and receives funding from the Australian Research Training Program.
Since ChatGPT was released at the end of 2022, there has been a lot of speculation about the actual and potential impact of generative AI on universities.
But there has been no large-scale research on how university staff in Australia are using AI in their work.
Our new study surveyed more than 3,000 academic and professional staff at Australian universities about how they are using generative AI.
Our study
Our survey was made up of 3,421 university staff, mostly from 17 universities around Australia.
It included academics, sessional academics (who are employed on a session-by-session basis) and professional staff. It also included adjunct staff (honorary academic positions) and senior staff in executive roles.
Academic staff represented a wide range of disciplines including health, education, natural and physical sciences, and society and culture. Professional staff worked in roles such as research support, student services and marketing.
The average age of respondents was 44.8 years and more than half the sample was female (60.5%).
The survey was open online for around eight weeks in 2024.
We surveyed academic and professional staff at universities around Australia. Panitan/Shutterstock
Most university staff are using AI
Overall, 71% of respondents said they had used generative AI for their university work.
Academic staff were more likely to use AI (75%) than professional staff (69%) or sessional staff (62%). Senior staff were the most likely to use AI (81%).
Among academic staff, those from information technology, engineering, and management and commerce were most likely to use AI. Those from agriculture and environmental studies, and natural and physical sciences, were least likely to use it.
Professional staff in business development, and learning and teaching support, were the most likely to report using AI. Those working in finance and procurement, and legal and compliance areas, were least likely to use AI.
Given how much publicity and debate there has been about AI in the past two years, the fact that nearly 30% of university staff had not used AI suggests adoption is still at an early stage.
What tools are staff using?
Survey respondents were asked which AI tools they had used in the previous year. They reported using 216 different AI tools, which was many more than we anticipated.
Around one-third of those using AI had only used one tool, and a further quarter had used two. A small number of staff (around 4%) had used ten tools or more.
General AI tools were by far the most frequently reported. For example, ChatGPT was used by 88% of AI users and Microsoft Copilot by 37%.
University staff are also commonly using AI tools with specific purposes such as image creation, coding and software development, and literature searching.
We also asked respondents how frequently they used AI for a range of university tasks. Literature searching, writing and summarising information were the most common, followed by course development, teaching methods and assessment.
We asked staff who had not yet used AI for work to explain their thinking. The most common reason they gave was AI was not useful or relevant to their work. For example, one professional staff member stated:
While I have explored a couple of chat tools (Chat GPT and CoPilot) with work-related questions, I’ve not needed to really apply these tools to my work yet […].
Others said they weren’t familiar with the technology, were uncertain about its use or didn’t have time to engage. As one academic told us plainly, “I don’t feel confident enough yet”.
Ethical objections to AI
Others raised ethical objections or viewed the technology as untrustworthy and unreliable. As one academic told us:
I consider generative AI to be a tool of plagiarism. The uses to date, especially in the creative industries […] have involved machine learning that uses the creative works of others without permission.
They also also raised about AI undermining human activities such as writing, critical thinking and creativity – which they saw as central to their professional identities. As one sessional academic said:
I want to think things through myself rather than trying to have a computer think for me […].
Another academic echoed:
I believe that writing and thinking is fundamental to the work we do. If we’re not doing that, then […] why do we need to exist as academics?
How should universities respond?
Universities are at a crucial juncture with generative AI. They face an uneven uptake of the technology by staff in different roles and divided opinions on how universities should respond.
These different views suggest universities need to have a balanced response to AI that addresses both the benefits and concerns around this technology.
Despite differing opinions in our survey, there was still agreement among respondents that universities need to develop clear, consistent policies and guidelines to help staff use AI. Staff also said it was crucial for universities to prioritise staff training and invest in secure AI tools.
Alicia Feldman receives an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship and Fee Offset.
Paula McDonald receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
Abby Cathcart and Stephen Hay 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.
This evolved strategic partnership framework builds on and celebrates the respective strengths of the two organisations at the forefront of efforts to save native species and advocate for conservation and will identify new areas for collaboration.
For more than three decades, Auckland Zoo and DOC have collaborated on recovery programmes and fieldwork for some of our country’s most threatened bird, lizard, amphibian, and invertebrate species – from kākāpō, takahē, and tara iti, to pepeketua/Archey’s frog, kapitia and cobble skinks, and our largest giant wētā, the wētāpunga.
Wētāpunga were once holding on by a thread on a lone Hauraki Gulf island. But with DOC and iwi support, a phenomenally successful breeding programme led by the Zoo has seen the release of more than 7,000 of these unique taonga onto eight pest-free islands across the upper North Island – including islands managed by DOC and mana whenua. Now self-sustaining on four Hauraki Gulf islands, these efforts have led to a positive revision of the species’ threat status.
Auckland Zoo director Kevin Buley says so many of our native species remain dependent on human care to prevent their extinction.
“Ongoing interventions such as pest control, fenced reserves, breeding programmes, animal translocations and veterinary support are the reason for their survival.
“These kinds of intensive management skills are skills that Auckland Zoo, as a modern zoo and wildlife conservation science organisation, has been perfecting for decades. So, we’re hugely proud to be able to deploy them to compliment DOC’s knowledge and experience in recovery programmes for some of our most threatened invertebrate, reptile and bird species.
“With DOC we also share wider ambitious longer-term aspirations and goals for wildlife and people. Our focus together is on creating a more sustainable future – where we all feel more part of nature than apart from nature, and where species are no longer reliant on intensive care to prevent their extinction,” says Kevin.
“In order for us all to achieve this together, we need to reexamine our relationship with te taiao – the natural environment and all the species that we share it with. An experience at the Zoo helps provide an opportunity for people to connect with nature, to take time to connect with each other, and is a small but significant first step that we can all take to help tune back in to the world around us.”
DOC Director-General Penny Nelson sees this milestone strategic partnership as a huge opportunity for conservation.
“Today’s a chance to streamline how we work together and take advantage of our respective strengths, as we look at exciting new conservation projects to take on.
“When we combine the Zoo’s expertise in breeding, rearing and specialist animal care with DOC’s knowledge and active management of wild conservation sites, we can recover species from the brink of extinction.
“We are currently working together to do that for the tara iti/New Zealand fairy tern: the most endangered bird in Aotearoa with fewer than 35 adult birds surviving today. Intensive management is needed for these birds to have a chance of long-term survival.
“For four years, Auckland Zoo has worked alongside DOC to collect, hatch and hand-rear chicks to boost the wild population. Fifteen tara iti have been safely raised and released to the wild by the Zoo so far, and last summer four incubated and Zoo-raised juveniles contributed to a record-breaking summer breeding season.
“What’s more, a large part of conservation work is advocacy – connecting people and nature. Auckland Zoo, based in the heart of our most populated city, plays a fundamental role in connecting hundreds of thousands of people annually to the unique wildlife and habitats of Aotearoa. That connection can open the door for kiwis and overseas visitors alike to valuing nature and taking action to support our taonga species,” adds Penny.
Fast facts about the Auckland Zoo and DOC partnership
Auckland Zoo has worked with DOC on 14 national recovery programmes for threatened species – ranging from tara iti, kākāriki karaka, tuatara and wētāpunga to mokomoko (including grand skinks, Otago skinks, kapitia skinks and cobble skinks).
More than 5000 hours a year spent by Auckland Zoo staff to breed and release endangered New Zealand animals.
427 kiwi hatched at the Zoo and released to the wild as part of ONE (Operation Nest Egg).
80 kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeets hatched at the Zoo and released to the wild.
43 whio/blue duck and 170 pāteke/brown teal hatched at the Zoo and released to the wild.
7,000+ wētāpunga bred at Zoo and released onto pest-free islands in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf and Northland’s Ipipiri islands (Bay of Islands).
148 cobble skinks (rescued and Zoo-bred animals) destined for release back to safe areas on South Island’s West Coast in early 2025.
Since Sept 2011 (the Zoo’s Aotearoa NZ Track Te Wao Nui opening); Zoo staff have worked on 55 DOC field conservation projects across Aotearoa, contributing 28,500 hours.
Around 100 native wildlife patients each year are admitted to the Zoo’s vet hospital for specialist veterinary treatment and care.
Up to 10 kākāpō are treated each year as part of DOC’s Kākāpō Recovery programme.
Around 9 sea turtles are treated each year, primarily green sea turtles, two-thirds of which are successfully treated, rehabilitated at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s and released back to the wild.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On October 4, Mikhail Mishustin will present Government awards in the field of education. The event will be attended by the Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov.
* * *
By the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of August 28, 2013 No. 744 10 annual prizes in the field of education have been established. They are awarded to individual laureates or a group of authors (up to five people) by decision of the Government based on proposals from the Interdepartmental Council for Awarding Government Prizes in the Field of Education.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
The U.S. Federal Government recently posted a presolicitation to gauge interest in establishing a new Landsat Science Team.
The USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has a mission requirement to support a Landsat Science Team to provide research and technical services that address scientific and engineering topics that pertain to the operation and development of all USGS Landsat missions — past, present, and future.
The presolicitation, posted on October 2, 2024, contains more details and documentation for viewing at https://sam.gov/opp/ee386724d62c49fba5938751073b9e89/view.
On or around October 18, 2024, a Request for Proposals (RFP) will become available. All responsible sources who intend to respond to the solicitation (RFP) are requested to email the Contracting Officer, Christopher Kuhn, at ckuhn@usgs.gov with their notice of intent to propose by 10/17/2024.
News will be posted here when the RFP becomes available.
Source: The White House
The President’s Commission on White House Fellows is pleased to announce the appointment of the 2024-2025 class of White House Fellows. Founded in 1964, the White House Fellows program offers exceptional young leaders first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the Federal government. Fellows spend a year working with senior White House Staff, Cabinet Secretaries, and other top-ranking Administration officials, and leave the Administration equipped to serve as better leaders in their communities. Fellowships are awarded on a non-partisan basis.
This year’s Fellows advanced through a highly competitive selection process, and they are a remarkably gifted, passionate, and accomplished group. These Fellows bring experience from across the country and from a broad cross-section of professions, including from the private sector, state government, academia, non-profits, medicine, and the armed forces.
Applications for the 2025-2026 Fellowship year will be accepted starting November 1, 2024. The application link and additional information is available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/get-involved/fellows/.
Class of 2024-2025 White House Fellows
Patrick Branco is from Kailua, Hawai‘i, and is placed at the Department of the Navy. He has been the Director of External Affairs with Hawai‘i Green Growth, a United Nations (UN) hub catalyzing action on the UN Sustainable Development Goals for the Asia-Pacific region. Branco is the first from Hawai‘i to receive the Congressman Rangel International Affairs Fellowship, funding his master’s degree at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He served at the State Department in Colombia, Pakistan, Venezuela and the Secretary of State’s Operations Center. In 2020, he was elected to the Hawai‘i State House of Representatives. Branco currently serves as a U.S. Navy officer reservist and is proficient in Spanish, Korean, and Hawaiian.
Nicholas Dockery is from Indianapolis, Indiana, and is placed at the Office of the First Lady: Joining Forces Initiative. With a distinguished career in the Infantry and Special Operations Community, Nick has deployed to numerous combat zones and operational areas worldwide. For bravery and wounds in combat, Nick was awarded two Silver Stars and two Purple Hearts. His military experience is complemented by his academic and advisory roles; he served as a research fellow at the Modern War Institute and as an advisor to the Military Times Charitable Foundation. Nick has received the West Point Nininger Award for Valor at Arms, the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award, and the title of 2022 Soldier of the Year. An advocate for equine therapy, Nick passionately supports its use in helping veterans cope with PTSD. Nick holds a Master of Public Policy from Yale University and a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Tawny Holmes Hlibok, Esq. is from West Palm Beach, Florida, and is placed at the Domestic Policy Council. As a third-generation Deaf person and attorney, she is a dedicated advocate for deaf children’s education rights and language equity including access to sign languages. Tawny is a tenured associate professor in Deaf Studies at the world’s only university for the Deaf, Gallaudet University, where she recently won $3.75 million funding to lead a national implementation and change center for early intervention with deaf babies and their families in partnership with HRSA and NICHQ. She also serves as the executive director of the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf.
DeAnna Hoskins is from Cincinnati, Ohio, and is placed at the Department of the Army. She has served as President/CEO of JustLeadershipUSA (JLUSA), a national nonprofit that empowers people directly impacted by the criminal justice system. DeAnna is a nationally- recognized advocate and policy expert who has shifted the national narrative on the disparities and limitations of having a criminal background. She has served as Senior Policy Advisor and as Deputy Director of the Federal Interagency Reentry Council at the U.S. Department of Justice. DeAnna was also the founding Director of Reentry for Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners in Ohio.
Michael Kennedy is from Morehead City, North Carolina, and is placed at the United States Coast Guard. As a nurse practitioner, her career involves direct patient care while leading process improvement in rural and underserved settings. Michael attended Lenoir Community College to become a Registered Nurse and later earned a B.S. Nursing from Barton College. Witnessing disparities in practice led Michael to East Carolina University for an M.S. Adult Nurse Practitioner, Post-M.S. Nursing Leadership, Doctorate of Nursing Practice, and Post-DNP Nursing Education. To better serve her community, Michael completed a Post-M.S. Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP and Post-DNP Psychiatric-Mental Health NP at Duke University. Michael is a Great 100 Nurse and Bonnie Jones Friedman Humanitarian Award recipient.
Hoa Nguyen is from Silver Spring, Maryland, and is placed at the National Economic Council and the United States Coast Guard. At Montgomery College, she is an associate professor and chair of the business department, where she helped implement a zero-textbook-cost Business degree, saving students thousands of dollars in education costs. Under her leadership, faculty and students have won multiple local, state and national awards and recognitions. Hoa also co-led numerous initiatives that led to the launch of the Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Taskforce at the college. Hoa received a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Arizona.
Amnahir Peña-Alcántara is from Bronx, New York, and is placed at the Department of Commerce: National Institute of Standards and Technology. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University funded by the NSF’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship. Her research focuses on polymer blends for stretchable electronics. She graduated from MIT with a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering, and was a researcher at Northwestern University, Oxford University, and MIT. She has interned in wearable technology and textile fabrication companies in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and India.
Padmini Pillai is from Newton, Massachusetts, and is placed at the Social Security Administration. Padmini is an immunoengineer bridging the gap between discoveries in immunology and advances in biomaterial design to treat human disease. She has led a team at MIT developing a tumor-selective nanotherapy to eliminate hard-to-treat cancers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Padmini was featured in several media outlets including CNBC, The Atlantic, and The New York Times to discuss vaccination, immunity, and the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on vulnerable communities. Padmini received her Ph.D. in immunobiology from Yale University and a B.A. in biochemistry from Regis College.
Maddy Sharp is from San Diego, California, and is placed at the Office of the Second Gentleman. She is a physician leader committed to securing a healthier and more equitable future for all Americans. She has served as a health policy fellow for Senator Amy Klobuchar and a policy research fellow for Secretary John Kerry. Madison has performed clinical work and research in Nicaragua, Jordan, and the Navajo Nation to reduce health disparities and championed policies to enhance healthcare delivery. She completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Madison holds an M.D. from the Yale School of Medicine and B.A. from Yale University, where she captained the NCAA Division I field hockey team.
Jason Spencer is from Medford, New York, and is placed at the Department of Commerce. Jason is a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy serving as an Information Warfare and Intelligence Officer. At sea, he was assigned to aircraft carriers and destroyers deployed to the Middle East and Europe. Ashore, Jason served as Targeting Officer and Aide-de-Camp to the Commander of U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and later as Aide-de-Camp to the Commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet in Hawaii. At the Pentagon, he served as Senior Intelligence Briefer for the Chief of Naval Operations – Intelligence Plot and as an Executive Officer to the Joint Staff’s Director for Intelligence. Jason earned a B.A. in international studies and political science from Virginia Military Institute, an M.A. from the Department of War Studies at King’s College London, and an M.P.A. from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Nalini Tata is from New York City, New York, and is placed at the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs. She is a neurosurgery resident at New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center/Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where she helps treat the spectrum of emergency and elective neurosurgical conditions between a level I trauma center and a world-renowned cancer institute. Her published work spans clinical and non-scientific journals with a focus on advancing equity in access to care. Her career in neurosurgery and long-standing interest in public policy are closely bound by a deep-rooted dedication to public service. She received her BSc in neurobiology from Brown University, MPhil from the University of Cambridge, M.D. from Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, and MPP in Democracy, Politics, and Institutions from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
Alexander Tenorio is from Los Angeles, California, and is placed at the Department of Veterans Affairs. He is a neurological surgery resident at the University of California, San Diego. He is the proud son of Mexican immigrants and dedicated to improving health disparities. He has led a research team investigating neurological traumatic injuries at the U.S.-Mexico border with his published work featured in the Los Angeles Times and New York Times. In his commitment for health equity, he partnered with Hospital General de Tijuana in Mexico to improve their neurosurgical care. He earned an M.D. from the University of California, San Francisco and B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.
Zachary White II is from Birmingham, Alabama, and is placed at the Department of Veterans Affairs. He is a Radiation Oncology resident physician and cancer researcher at Stanford University. Passionate about health equity, Zach co-chairs Stanford Medicine’s GME Diversity Committee, promoting diverse medical trainees’ recruitment and development, and provides health education to communities to improve health literacy. Zach graduated summa cum laude from Tuskegee University with a B.S. in biology and earned an M.S. in biomedical and health sciences from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He received his M.D. from the University of South Alabama, where he served as class president.
Ryan Wisz is from Aiken, South Carolina, and is placed at the Central Intelligence Agency. He is a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy serving as a Submarine Warfare officer. At sea, he has served aboard Attack and Ballistic Missile submarines and has deployed seven times, including missions vital to national security. Ashore, he has served as aide-de-camp to the Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and as the Submarine Squadron Engineer in San Diego, California. Prior to military service, he was a Page in the South Carolina House of Representatives and Senate. He received his B.S. in economics from the University of South Carolina and is a Distinguished Graduate from the Naval Postgraduate School with his MBA and published master’s thesis. He has received numerous personal and unit awards during his Navy service, is active in local tutoring, and passionate about financial education and physical fitness.
Mark York is a seventh-generation farmer from Lake Wilson, Minnesota, and is placed at the Department of Defense Office of Strategic Capital. He is a Ph.D. candidate in computer science at Harvard, where he researches crowdsourcing and reinforcement learning algorithms in collaboration with MIT. He is the co-founder and President of Farm Yield Africa, a non-profit providing tractor services and microcredit to 1,500 farmers in Ghana since 2016. Mark has worked as a consultant, and before that he led a data science team at a startup building agricultural risk models. He began his career at Cargill as a commodity trader and data scientist. Mark studied agronomy and mathematics at South Dakota State University, where as Student Body President he introduced legislation at the state and local level.
Canada’s science and research sector pushes the boundaries of innovation thanks to cutting-edge facilities, laboratories and equipment. Working alongside universities, research institutions and businesses, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) provides essential funding for modern, high-quality research facilities and infrastructure. By equipping Canadian researchers with the tools they need, the CFI fosters solutions to today’s global challenges, drives innovation and advances knowledge that enhances the well-being of Canadians.
Nancy Déziel will further strengthen Canada’s leadership in science and research
October 3, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario
Canada’s science and research sector pushes the boundaries of innovation thanks to cutting-edge facilities, laboratories and equipment. Working alongside universities, research institutions and businesses, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) provides essential funding for modern, high-quality research facilities and infrastructure. By equipping Canadian researchers with the tools they need, the CFI fosters solutions to today’s global challenges, drives innovation and advances knowledge that enhances the well-being of Canadians.
Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the appointment Nancy Déziel as Chair of the CFI Board of Directors for a three-year term, effective September 20, 2024.
Ms. Déziel has a wealth of experience in the science and research sectors, having held various senior leadership positions throughout her career. She has been working actively with the College Centres for the Transfer of Technologies for 30 years and was previously a member of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s Council.
Ms. Déziel began her career as a laboratory technician and advanced to roles such as quality lead, project lead, business development officer and ultimately, Director General at the National Center in Environmental technology and Electrochemistry. She helped establish laboratories at the Industrial Waste Technology Centre, and she served as a technology advisor with Réseau Trans-Tech, enhancing her expertise in agriculture, food, and biotechnology. She also chaired the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Shawinigan from 2011 to 2013 and served as the Vice-President of the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies board of directors from 2011 to 2019. Ms. Déziel is actively involved in numerous organizations, including serving as Administrator of the Réseau des CCTT Synchronex and President of the ADRIQ board of directors.
In addition to welcoming Ms. Déziel to her new role, Minister Champagne thanks former board chair Dr. Ingrid Pickering, who served in the position for six years.
The CFI is an independent organization created through federal legislation in 1997 to support advanced research infrastructure in Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions. The CFI provides funding for state-of-the-art facilities and equipment that increase Canada’s capability to carry out high-quality research.
Quotes
“I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Nancy Déziel on her new leadership role. Her guidance will be pivotal as CFI continues to enhance Canada’s research ecosystem, not only in supporting groundbreaking projects but also in fostering collaboration among institutions.” – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“The Canada Foundation for Innovation contributes to the advancement of research and development and the pursuit of excellence, which are the drivers of Canada’s innovation. I am proud to be undertaking this major role in supporting the ecosystem dedicated to an increasingly efficient innovation continuum: universities, colleges and industries for a better future for the citizens of Canada. I want to thank Minister François-Philippe Champagne for his trust, along with all those who contribute to this wonderful ecosystem through their work.” – Nancy Déziel, Chair, Canada Foundation for Innovation Board of Directors
Quick facts
The CFI Board of Directors is made up of 13 people, six of whom—including the Chair—are appointed by the Governor-in-Council on the recommendation of the Minister. The Board makes final decisions on projects to be funded and approves the CFI’s annual plans and objectives, reviewing the outcomes of these objectives every year. By providing strategic direction and oversight, the Board of Directors supports the CFI in its mandate to increase Canada’s capability to carry out important world-class scientific research and technology development, leading to economic growth and job creation through innovation.
This appointment follows an open, transparent and merit-based selection process.
Since 2016, the federal government has invested over $22 billion in science and research initiatives, including infrastructure, emerging talent and other science and technology support measures.
Budget 2024 provided investments of $734 million in modern, high-quality research facilities and infrastructure to help solve real-world problems, create economic opportunities, and attract and train the next generation of scientific talent.
Associated links
Contacts
Audrey Milette Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry audrey.milette@ised-isde.gc.ca
Media Relations Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada media@ised-isde.gc.ca
MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –
With the death of Victor Perahia, President of the Union of Auschwitz Deportees, France has lost a transmitter of memory, one of the faces of the remembrance of the Shoah for the Nation.
Born on April 4, 1933, Victor Perahia was born into a family of street vendors. From his childhood, and then during the Occupation, the child of a father of Turkish origin and a French mother was confronted with the anti-Semitism of his classmates. On July 15, 1942, in Saint-Nazaire, Victor and his parents were arrested by the SS, then taken to Angers. From there, his father was deported to Auschwitz; Victor Perahia and his mother to Drancy. In the camp, overcrowded by the simultaneous arrival of prisoners from the Vél’ d’Hiv roundup of July 16, they survived hunger, violence and cold, and avoided deportation thanks to his mother’s cunning. The latter in fact claimed to be a prisoner of war’s wife and demonstrated this by tirelessly reciting the story of a life that was not hers. On May 20, 1944, they were deported to the Bergen-Belsen concentration and labor camp where, for a year, Victor Perahia accompanied his mother in the tragedy, with a life force that made him certain he would survive. On April 22, 1945, this time, bloodless, suffering from typhus, Victor Perahia felt his strength leave him: “Victor, if you love me, don’t die,” his mother told him. The next day, the camp was liberated by the Russian army. Orphaned by his father Robert and in mourning for his maternal grandfather, who died at Auschwitz, still ill, the young survivor spent two years in a sanatorium.
Victor Perahia rebuilt his life after the war by resuming his studies, starting a family with his wife Rosette, leaving this “stolen childhood” to silence and oblivion for decades, according to the book he would finally publish in 2015. This book, the fruit of six years of writing, was the first milestone in a work of memory and transmission that Victor Perahia continued, by testifying for the younger generations in the schools of Paris or at the Shoah memorial. With his humanity, his uncompromising words, his lively knowledge of the Drancy camp, he transmitted his experience of deportation. In Drancy, he recounted, at the sight of the buildings, cars, buses seen through the barbed wire, he asked himself “but why am I behind barbed wire, guarded by police, while these people far away can go home”. This childish question, this universal cry of conscience, this intransigence in the face of racism and anti-Semitism still haunted him and guided his strength to awaken minds. As a lesson or testament for future generations, he considered “human cruelty” to be limitless, and the duty to fight against “all forms of intolerance and all attacks on basic human rights” to be imprescriptible.
The President of the Republic and his wife bow before a life guided by the will to never cease believing in humanity, in the hope of justice and freedom. They address to his family, to his loved ones, to the women and men who, like him, bear the memory of the Shoah, their heartfelt condolences.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced funding of $13.6 million from National Resources Canada’s Enabling Small Modular Reactors (SMR) Program for nine research projects to promote the safe, commercial development of SMRs to contribute to our low-carbon economy and help fight climate change.
October 3, 2024 Ottawa, Ontario Natural Resources Canada
As Canada continues to move toward a low-carbon economy, many forms of clean energy are needed to power the growing demand for affordable and reliable electricity. These include nuclear energy, which is non-emitting, consistent and safe.
Today, Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced funding of $13.6 million from National Resources Canada’s Enabling Small Modular Reactors (SMR) Program for nine research projects to promote the safe, commercial development of SMRs to contribute to our low-carbon economy and help fight climate change. The projects are:
$935,542 to Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, to study fuel dry storage and to conduct a techno-gap / life-cycle assessment to enable the effective deployment of SMRs.
$2,131,000 to Chemetics in Pickering, Ontario, to support the research and development of SMR fabrication. This project will enable Chemetics to develop, test and qualify new fabrication technologies for SMR components.
$2,750,000 to Prodigy Clean Energy Ltd in Montreal, Quebec, to support research and development to enable transportable nuclear power plants as part of the SMR supply chain.
$3,750,000 to the Nuclear Waste Management Organization in Toronto, Ontario, to enhance the compatibility of the NWMO’s current Adaptive Phased Management program with the upcoming deployment of SMRs.
$261,535 to Calian Ltd. in Ottawa, Ontario, to provide a guidance document to SMR vendors and planned owners or operators in Canada that outlines the characterization of radiological elements in building materials for the construction of new SMR facilities.
$543,000 to the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries in Pickering, Ontario, to develop a National Ready4SMR program to identify procurement risks due to technological gaps in Canada’s SMR projects and subsequently develop supply strategies for at-risk parts and components.
$126,475 to Kinectrics in Etobicoke, Ontario, to investigate the feasibility of disposing the isotope carbon-14 by recovering it from radioactive wastes and to engage with stakeholders to identify a route to divert waste streams from disposal.
$2,070,336 to North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council in Eel Ground, New Brunswick, to study and develop robust supply chains in Canada for SMR manufacturing while anchoring elements in New Brunswick with First Nations ownership.
$1,094,850 to Opportunities New Brunswick in Fredericton, New Brunswick, to provide a research and development life-cycle framework and roadmap for the manufacturing of cost-effective modularized SMR technology to enhance the development and deployment of SMRs within Canada.
As Canada advances toward a net-zero future, investments like these are key to reducing emissions, maximizing energy performance and industry competitiveness. These investments support workers and industry in building a more prosperous and sustainable future. With over 70,000 hard-working Canadians employed across its supply chain, Canada’s nuclear industry is well positioned to leverage its science and technology innovation to become a leader in the development and deployment of small modular reactor technology.
Quotes
“Developing next-generation nuclear technologies, like small modular reactors, will be essential as Canada faces growing energy demands and is called upon to export our clean technologies to partners around the world. Our nuclear sector is poised to be a leader in an emerging global SMR market that some estimate to be worth up to $150 billion a year by 2040.”
Julie Dabrusin Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Quick facts
Budget 2022 allocated $29.6 million to NRCan over four years for research and development to support the conditions and frameworks necessary for SMRs to displace fossil fuels and contribute to climate change mitigation.
NRCan introduced the Enabling Small Modular Reactors Program in 2023 to support the development of supply chains for SMR manufacturing and fuel and to fund research on SMR waste management solutions to ensure that SMRs and the waste they generate can be safely managed, now and into the future.
The Enabling SMR Program has announced $3.5 million to date for projects being led by the Canadian Standards Association, the University of Alberta and the University of Regina.
Lee esta nota de prensa en español aquí. NASA will provide live coverage of prelaunch and launch activities for Europa Clipper, the agency’s mission to explore Jupiter’s icy moon Europa. NASA is targeting launch at 12:31 p.m. EDT Thursday, Oct. 10, on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Beyond Earth, Jupiter’s moon Europa is considered one of the solar system’s most promising potentially habitable environments. After an approximately 1.8-billion-mile journey, Europa Clipper will enter orbit around Jupiter in April 2030, where the spacecraft will conduct a detailed survey of Europa to determine whether the icy world could have conditions suitable for life. Europa Clipper is the largest spacecraft NASA has ever developed for a planetary mission. It carries a suite of nine instruments along with a gravity experiment that will investigate an ocean beneath Europa’s surface, which scientists believe contains twice as much liquid water as Earth’s oceans. For a schedule of live events and the platforms they’ll stream on, visit: https://go.nasa.gov/europaclipperlive The deadline for media accreditation for in-person coverage of this launch has passed. NASA’s media credentialing policy is available online. For questions about media accreditation, please email: ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov. NASA’s mission coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations): Tuesday, Oct. 8 1 p.m. – In-person, one-on-one interviews, open to media credentialed for this launch. 3:30 p.m. – NASA’s Europa Clipper science briefing with the following participants:
Gina DiBraccio, acting director, Planetary Science Division, NASA Headquarters Robert Pappalardo, project scientist, Europa Clipper, NASA JPL Haje Korth, deputy project scientist, Europa Clipper, Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) Cynthia Phillips, project staff scientist, Europa Clipper, NASA JPL
Coverage of the science news conference will stream live on NASA+ and the agency’s website, Learn how to stream NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media. Media may ask questions in person and via phone. Limited auditorium space will be available for in-person participation. For the dial-in number and passcode, media should contact the NASA Kennedy newsroom no later than one hour before the start of the event at: ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov. Wednesday, Oct. 9 2 p.m. – NASA Social panel at NASA Kennedy with the following participants:
Kate Calvin, chief scientist and senior climate advisor, NASA Headquarters Caley Burke, Flight Design Analyst, NASA’s Launch Services Program Erin Leonard, project staff scientist, Europa Clipper, NASA JPL Juan Pablo León, systems testbed engineer, Europa Clipper, NASA JPL Elizabeth Turtle, principal investigator, Europa Imaging System instrument, Europa Clipper, APL
The panel will stream live on NASA Kennedy’s YouTube, X, and Facebook accounts. Members of the public may ask questions online by posting to the YouTube, X, and Facebook live streams or using #AskNASA. 3:30 p.m. – NASA’s Europa Clipper prelaunch news conference (following completion of the Launch Readiness Review), with the following participants:
NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free Sandra Connelly, deputy associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters Tim Dunn, launch director, NASA’s Launch Services Program Julianna Scheiman, director, NASA Science Missions, SpaceX Jordan Evans, project manager, Europa Clipper, NASA JPL Mike McAleenan, launch weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron, U.S. Space Force
Coverage of the prelaunch news conference will stream live on NASA+, the agency’s website, the NASA app, and YouTube. Media may ask questions in person and via phone. Limited auditorium space will be available for in-person participation. For the dial-in number and passcode, media should contact the NASA Kennedy newsroom no later than one hour before the start of the event at ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov. 5:30 p.m. – NASA’s Europa Clipper rollout show. Coverage will stream live on NASA+, the agency’s website, the NASA app, and YouTube. Thursday, Oct. 10 11:30 a.m. – NASA launch coverage in English begins on NASA+ and the agency’s website. 11:30 a.m. – NASA launch coverage in Spanish begins on NASA+, the agency’s website and NASA’s Spanish YouTube channel. 12:31 p.m. – Launch Audio Only Coverage Audio only of the news conferences and launch coverage will be carried on the NASA “V” circuits, which may be accessed by dialing 321-867-1220, -1240 or -7135. On launch day, “mission audio,” countdown activities without NASA+ media launch commentary, is carried on 321-867-7135. Live Video Coverage Prior to Launch NASA will provide a live video feed of Launch Complex 39A approximately 18 hours prior to the planned liftoff of the mission on the NASA Kennedy newsroom YouTube channel. The feed will be uninterrupted until the launch broadcast begins on NASA+. NASA Website Launch Coverage Launch day coverage of the mission will be available on the agency’s website. Coverage will include links to live streaming and blog updates beginning no earlier than 10 a.m., Oct. 10, as the countdown milestones occur. On-demand streaming video and photos of the launch will be available shortly after liftoff. Follow countdown coverage on the Europa Clipper blog. For questions about countdown coverage, contact the Kennedy newsroom at 321-867-2468. Para obtener información sobre cobertura en español en el Centro Espacial Kennedy o si desea solicitar entrevistas en español, comuníquese con Antonia Jaramillo: antonia.jaramillobotero@nasa.gov o Messod Bendayan: messod.c.bendayan@nasa.gov Attend the Launch Virtually Members of the public can register to attend this launch virtually. NASA’s virtual guest program for this mission also includes curated launch resources, notifications about related opportunities or changes, and a stamp for the NASA virtual guest passport following launch. Watch, Engage on Social Media Let people know you’re following the mission on X, Facebook, and Instagram by using the hashtags #EuropaClipper and #NASASocial. You can also stay connected by following and tagging these accounts: X: @NASA, @EuropaClipper, @NASASolarSystem, @NASAJPL, @NASAKennedy, @NASA_LSP Facebook: NASA, NASA’s Europa Clipper, NASA’s JPL, NASA’s Launch Services Program Instagram: @NASA, @nasasolarsystem, @NASAKennedy, @NASAJPL For more information about the mission, visit: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/europa-clipper -end- Karen Fox / Molly WasserHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1600karen.c.fox@nasa.gov / molly.l.wasser.nasa.gov Leejay LockhartKennedy Space Center, Florida321-747-8310leejay.lockhart@nasa.gov
For almost a decade, researchers have been gathering evidence that the social media platform Facebook disproportionately amplifies low-quality content and misinformation.
So it was something of a surprise when in 2023 the journal Science published a study that found Facebook’s algorithms were not major drivers of misinformation during the 2020 United States election.
This study was funded by Facebook’s parent company, Meta. Several Meta employees were also part of the authorship team. It attracted extensive media coverage. It was also celebrated by Meta’s president of global affairs, Nick Clegg, who said it showed the company’s algorithms have “no detectable impact on polarisation, political attitudes or beliefs”.
But the findings have recently been thrown into doubt by a team of researchers led by Chhandak Bagch from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In an eLetter also published in Science, they argue the results were likely due to Facebook tinkering with the algorithm while the study was being conducted.
In a response eLetter, the authors of the original study acknowledge their results “might have been different” if Facebook had changed its algorithm in a different way. But they insist their results still hold true.
The whole debacle highlights the problems caused by big tech funding and facilitating research into their own products. It also highlights the crucial need for greater independent oversight of social media platforms.
Merchants of doubt
Big tech has started investing heavily in academic research into its products. It has also been investing heavily in universities more generally. For example, Meta and its chief Mark Zuckerberg have collectively donated hundreds of millions of dollars to more than 100 colleges and universities across the United States.
This is similar to what big tobacco once did.
In the mid-1950s, cigarette companies launched a coordinated campaign to manufacture doubt about the growing body of evidence which linked smoking with a number of serious health issues, such as cancer. It was not about falsifying or manipulating research explicitly, but selectively funding studies and bringing to attention inconclusive results.
This helped foster a narrative that there was no definitive proof smoking causes cancer. In turn, this enabled tobacco companies to keep up a public image of responsibility and “goodwill” well into the 1990s.
Big tobacco ran a campaign to manufacture doubt about the health effects of smoking. Ralf Liebhold/Shutterstock
A positive spin
The Meta-funded study published in Science in 2023 claimed Facebook’s news feed algorithm reduced user exposure to untrustworthy news content. The authors said “Meta did not have the right to prepublication approval”, but acknowledged that The Facebook Open Research and Transparency team “provided substantial support in executing the overall project”.
The study used an experimental design where participants – Facebook users – were randomly allocated into a control group or treatment group.
The control group continued to use Facebook’s algorithmic news feed, while the treatment group was given a news feed with content presented in reverse chronological order. The study sought to compare the effects of these two types of news feeds on users’ exposure to potentially false and misleading information from untrustworthy news sources.
The experiment was robust and well designed. But during the short time it was conducted, Meta changed its news feed algorithm to boost more reliable news content. In doing so, it changed the control condition of the experiment.
The reduction in exposure to misinformation reported in the original study was likely due to the algorithmic changes. But these changes were temporary: a few months later in March 2021, Meta reverted the news feed algorithm back to the original.
In a statement to Science about the controversy, Meta said it made the changes clear to researchers at the time, and that it stands by Clegg’s statements about the findings in the paper.
Unprecedented power
In downplaying the role of algorithmic content curation for issues such as misinformation and political polarisation, the study became a beacon for sowing doubt and uncertainty about the harmful influence of social media algorithms.
To be clear, I am not suggesting the researchers who conducted the original 2023 study misled the public. The real problem is that social media companies not only control researchers’ access to data, but can also manipulate their systems in a way that affects the findings of the studies they fund.
What’s more, social media companies have the power to promote certain studies on the very platform the studies are about. In turn, this helps shape public opinion. It can create a scenario where scepticism and doubt about the impacts of algorithms can become normalised – or where people simply start to tune out.
This kind of power is unprecedented. Even big tobacco could not control the public’s perception of itself so directly.
All of this underscores why platforms should be mandated to provide both large-scale data access and real-time updates about changes to their algorithmic systems.
When platforms control access to the “product”, they also control the science around its impacts. Ultimately, these self-research funding models allow platforms to put profit before people – and divert attention away from the need for more transparency and independent oversight.
Timothy Graham receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) for his Discovery Early Career Researcher Award, ‘Combatting Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour on Social Media’. He also receives ARC funding for the Discovery Project, ‘Understanding and combatting “Dark Political Communication”‘ (2024–2027).
Minister Dr Jitendra Singh advocates ‘Rule to Roll’ shift for result oriented governance PM Modi drives innovative governance reforms to modernise administration from optics to delivery: Dr Jitendra Singh
Highlights the need for result-oriented Governance
Mission Prarambh to equip new recruits for seamless transition into government roles, says Minister
Posted On: 03 OCT 2024 5:05PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, MoS (I/C) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh has strongly advocated ‘Rule to Role’ shift for result oriented governance.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh addressing the ‘Mission Karmayogi’ Workshop at New Delhi on Thursday.
Addressing the ‘Mission Karmayogi’ workshop here today, Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted a significant transformation in India’s governance approach, moving from a traditional rule-based system to a dynamic, role-based framework. He explained that this shift ensures civil servants are better equipped to align their skills with the specific responsibilities of their roles, making the government more adaptable and efficient. “India 2047 requires us to transcend rigid rules and adopt a flexible, role-based approach that enhances our global competitiveness,” Dr Singh stated.
The Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Shri Narendra Modi for spearheading innovative governance reforms that have modernised the country’s administrative processes. Reforms such as the abolition of interviews for Group B and C positions and streamlining recruitment timelines have significantly improved the transparency and efficiency of the government’s functioning.
“These reforms are reflective of the Prime Minister’s vision for a modern, merit-based system that prioritises performance and delivery,” he said. Emphasising the need for results-driven governance, Dr Jitendra Singh noted, “The journey from optics to delivery is critical.” He stressed that the success of governance should not be measured by appearances but by tangible outcomes that serve the public. “Moving from process-driven to performance-driven governance is the way forward for India to meet its global aspirations,” he remarked.
Dr Jitendra Singh also referred to the introduction of ‘Mission Karmayogi Prarambh’, a key extension of ‘Mission Karmayogi’, designed to prepare new recruits for their roles from the moment they join the service. ‘Mission Prarambh’ ensures that new officers receive the necessary tools and training to transition smoothly into their positions, contributing to a more capable and motivated workforce across the government.
During the workshop, Dr Jitendra Singh launched four new features of the iGOT-Karmayogi platform, aimed at enhancing the learning experience for government officials. He also released 20 new domain-specific courses under the Annual Capacity Building Plan (ACBP) of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to further strengthen skill development across ministries. Additionally, the Minister unveiled the “Know Your Ministry” initiative for the DoPT and released new learning modules under Mission Karmayogi, all designed to bolster capacity-building efforts across the government.
The workshop saw the participation of several high-ranking officials, including Secretary, DoPT, Dr Vivek Joshi; Chairman, Capacity Building Commission, Shri Adi Zainulbhai; and CEO, Karmayogi Bharat, Smt V Lalitha Lakshmi, along with other senior officials from various ministries and departments.
In closing remark, Dr Jitendra Singh reaffirmed that these reforms and initiatives are vital steps in India’s journey towards achieving its vision for 2047. The emphasis on capacity building, technology-driven governance, and performance-oriented processes will shape the future of Indian governance, aligning it with the evolving needs of a modern, competitive world.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurates and lays foundation stone of projects worth ₹919 cr including various development works of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in Gujarat After Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is the only national leader who transformed the cleanliness campaign into a mass movement
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has worked to spread the cleanliness campaign and its ethos throughout the country
Efforts should be made to bring Ahmedabad to the top in the upcoming cleanliness survey
The construction of modern schools in the area by the Nagar Prathmik Shiksha Samiti is a commendable initiative
These initiatives being taken by Nagar Prathmik Shiksha Samiti will become an important medium for the overall development of children by making the education system easier
Posted On: 03 OCT 2024 6:28PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah today inaugurated and laid foundation of projects worth Rs. 919 crore in Gujarat including various development works of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). On this occasion Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel and many other dignitaries were also present.
Beginning his address with Navratri greetings, Shri Amit Shah said that today, development projects worth ₹919 crore have been inaugurated and laid the foundation for, which include works related to health, education, libraries, parks, and small street vendors. He stated that the most significant of these is the construction of modern schools by the Municipal Nagar Prathmik Siksha Samiti. Shri Shah expressed his gratitude towards AMC, stating that due to the corporation’s efforts, all municipal primary schools in his parliamentary constituency have successfully been transformed into model schools.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that if children properly benefit from the initiatives of the Primary Education Committee, there will be no doubt that India’s future is bright. He added that when we see children from poor families taking an interest in subjects like science, art, music, and many others, all the despair in life disappears, and we feel confident that India’s future is bright.
Shri Amit Shah said that today, development projects worth approximately ₹472 crore have been inaugurated and laid the foundation for in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency. Additionally, development projects worth around ₹446 crore have been inaugurated and launched in Ahmedabad East Lok Sabha constituency of MP Shri Hasmukhbhai Patel and in Ahmedabad West Lok Sabha constituency of MP Shri Dineshbhai Makwana. He mentioned that all these development projects will enhance facilities for the residents of Ahmedabad city.
Shri Shah further said that Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, over the past few years, has approved projects worth ₹23,951 crore in Ahmedabad city, Kalol and Sanand taluka, some areas of Ahmedabad city, and the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency. Moreover, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has also inaugurated development projects worth around ₹14,000 crore. He added that in the past five years, a total of ₹37,000 crore worth of development projects have been carried out in just one Lok Sabha constituency.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that numerous development initiatives have been undertaken in seven assembly constituencies of Ahmedabad. These include efforts related to child nutrition, exercise facilities, libraries to enhance knowledge for adolescents, water collection ponds, the planting of 4 million saplings in a year, the construction of roads, overbridges, street lights, hospitals, primary health centers, and primary schools.
Shri Amit Shah said that AMC has decided to bring Ahmedabad to the forefront in the cleanliness campaign competition. He emphasized that efforts should be made to bring Ahmedabad to the top in the upcoming cleanliness survey. Shri Shah acknowledged that it might not be possible to achieve the first position this time, but we should set a goal to make a fresh start and work towards creating an Ahmedabad that reaches the top position in cleanliness among all municipal corporations in India by next year.
Union Home Minister stated that after Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is the only national leader who has turned the cleanliness campaign into a people’s movement. Prime Minister Modi envisioned that every home in the country should have toilet facilities. After 70 years of independence, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi initiated this campaign. His aim was to ensure that clean drinking water is available in every household, and that our homes, societies, streets, cities, and villages are clean, fostering a culture of cleanliness among citizens. Union Home Minister mentioned that Shri Narendra Modi is the only Prime Minister who has spoken about the construction of toilets from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has worked to promote the cleanliness campaign and its values across the entire country, from Nagaland to Kerala and from Uttar Pradesh to Assam.
Ministry of Culture is undertaking the Special Swachhata Campaign 4.0 within the Ministry and its Attached, Subordinate and Autonomous Organizations across the country. The Campaign started with a Preparatory Phase from 16thto 30thSeptember, 2024 during which the targets for disposing and cleaning during the Campaign period have been earmarked. The implementation Phase of the campaign has started from 2ndOctober, 2024 and will continue up to 31stOctober, 2024. During the Campaign, special focus is being given on reducing pendency, improving Swachhata and space management in Govt. Offices.
During the Preparatory Phase of the Special Campaign, Ministry along with its organizations have identified 529 sites across the country for cleanliness. Besides, Ministry has identified pending 101 MP references, 45 Parliamentary Assurances, 22 PMO references, 13 States Govt. references and 220 Public Grievances, 436 PG Appeals for disposal and redressal. Besides, 12,668 physical files and 3,261 e-files have also been identified for review. Scrap Disposal has been scheduled on 14.10.2024 across the Ministry and its Organizations.
Every year the fortnight of ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ (SHS) activities is observed to strengthen voluntarism and collective action from officials and public to bring a positive impact in offices and society through Swachhata. This year also, the Ministry of Culture & its various organizations organized activities like Walkathon, Waste to Art Workshops, Lectures, massive cleanliness drives, health camps, Nukkad Nataks, competitions, distribution of sanitation kits etc.
Waste to Art Workshop conducted at National Council of Science Museums, New Delhi
Nukkad Natak staged at Shastri Bhavan premises, New Delhi
At the conclusion of SHS 2024 & on the occasion of Swachh Bharat Diwas celebration on 2nd October 2024, the Ministry of Culture & Archaeological Survey of India organized a Shramdan & Ek Ped Maa ke Naam Campaign at Purana Quila, Delhi.
During this campaign, hundreds of Officials participated for Shramdan and thoroughly cleaned the backside area of Purana Quila. After that, a plantation drive was also carried out under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” Campaign. Further, the Arts items made from waste by Ministry Officials & Students during the workshop have been put on display for public awareness at the site. The cleanliness workers were distributed sanitation kits comprising of Sanitizers, Soap, First Aid Kit, Gloves & Mask etc. for maintaining hygiene.
Anthropological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Sub-Regional Centre, Jagdalpur has conducted Special Campaign 4.0 on Swachh Bharat in Udukda village of Udkuda gram panchayat of Kanker district, Chhattisgarh on 2nd October, 2024. This year the Special Campaign 4.0 was organized at the rock art site of the Udkuda village in Chhattisgarh state where the focus of the Campaign was preserving the ancient rock art heritage sites of Chhattisgarh through imparting the awareness among the village youth, elders, leaders, college students and tourists.
Daily progress will be monitored and uploaded on the SCDPM portal hosted by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances. All Attached, Subordinate and Autonomous Organizations are enthusiastically participating in the campaign in full swing to achieve the targets set by the Ministry for the period.
Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
WATCH: Padilla Keynotes California Natural Resources Agency 30×30 Partnership Summit
WATCH: Padilla highlights work to conserve California public lands in conversation with Secretary Wade CrowfootSACRAMENTO, CA — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) delivered a keynote address at the California Natural Resources Agency’s (CNRA) 30×30 Partnership 2024 Summit. The summit brought together conservation leaders, policymakers, and advocates at CNRA’s Sacramento headquarters to highlight California’s progress conserving 30 percent of the state’s lands and coastal waters by 2030 as part of the global 30×30 initiative.
Padilla highlighted several efforts to create new, and expand existing, national monuments to protect California’s public lands, advance tribally-led conservation efforts, and meet California’s conservation goals, including successfully securing the expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monuments.
The summit built on the momentum outlined in California’s recently released Pathways to 30×30 Annual Report, which highlights the state’s progress toward its conservation goals and outlines key steps for the coming years. California is only six million acres of land and half a million acres of coastal waters away reaching its 30×30 goals.
Video of Senator Padilla’s full remarks is available here.
Key Excerpts:
It was not that long ago when Governor Newsom signed the executive order in the fall of 2020, calling for 30×30, preserving our lands and waters for not just the next generation, but for future generations. And we did it because we knew of the importance and the urgency of tackling climate and its impacts. We knew it was important because we believe in science.
It wasn’t just bold and audacious but so well thought out that it inspired the Biden-Harris Administration soon thereafter, in January 2021, to call on the nation to achieve a 30×30 objective as well. So as the adage goes, so goes California, so goes the nation.
When you grow up in a community like Pacoima, a proud working-class community, you had these visions of the mountains, and if you’re really, really lucky as a kid, you get taken on a field trip, maybe to go camping, maybe on a hike. And when you’re able to experience that, in the mountains that you see each and every day, and yet you feel like it’s a whole world away, we know what the impact means of these designations, these protections, improving access to the outdoors for the millions of people who didn’t have it before.
Chuckwalla… and Sáttítla in northern California. Together, they represent another 800,000 acres of public lands that we can and will protect in the state of California. And we know that it’s not just because of the quantity, again, the metrics, but the quality, the thoughtful biodiversity assessments that have been done.
All the projects that we take on, we’re going to continue to need to work together, and judging by the energy and the spirit in this room, I know we will continue to work together because every proposal that has come my way has begun with a local vision and a local effort of organizing, mobilizing, educating, building that coalition that creates the momentum for us to be able to do our part.
Senator Padilla has consistently advocated for protecting California’s public lands and coastal waters. Most recently, Padilla, Senator Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), and Representative Adam Schiff (D-Calif.-30) called on President Biden to use his authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906 to designate the Sáttítla National Monument in northern California. Additionally, Padilla, Butler, and Representative Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.-25) introduced bicameral legislation earlier this year to create the Chuckwalla National Monument and expand Joshua Tree National Park while urging President Biden to designate the monument. Padilla’s Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California (PUBLIC) Lands Act, legislation that would restore and expand protections for over one million acres of California’s public lands, advanced out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Last month, Senator Padilla and Representative Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24), along with Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.-19) and Julia Brownley (D-Calif.-26), welcomed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) announcement of their final environmental impact statement for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, marking an important step toward the designation of the Sanctuary. Previously, Padilla and Carbajal wrote to NOAA and the U.S. Department of Commerce to express their strong support for swiftly designating the Sanctuary while facilitating the development of offshore wind energy.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Daniel Rosenbloom, Assistant Professor and Rosamond Ivey Research Chair in Sustainability Transitions, Carleton University
Canadian federal climate policies and investments look increasingly fragile. Could ‘carbon contracts for difference’ help ensure the survival of long-term climate action in Canada?(Shutterstock)
CCfDs are contractual agreements designed to provide price stability for projects that reduce emissions. Under CCfDs, a government entity guarantees a fixed price for the emissions reductions achieved by an industrial project based on established climate policy (for example, the existing or future carbon price).
If the market price for those reductions falls below this fixed price, the government pays the difference to the project proponents. If the market price exceeds the fixed price, the excess is paid back to the government.
The elegance and deceptive simplicity of this instrument has made it a policy winner in the eyes of many.
The Canada Growth Fund has allocated up to $7 billion for the issuance of CCfDs to unlock decarbonization projects. In theory, using a CCfD agreement gives an industry partner price stability on investment while the government gets to advance its goals of large emissions reducing projects. Seemingly, a win-win.
However, growing interdisciplinary research suggests that CCfDs may not always be the obvious win many assume they are.
Translating these insights to the broad-based use of CCfDs reveals that this instrument risks undermining positive feedbacks or encouraging industrial decarbonization projects with limited ability to contribute to a long-term transition to net-zero.
Not a perfect solution
There are three main issues with a CCfD-based approach.
Second, providing CCfDs for certain emissions reduction projects (such as carbon capture and storage) may inadvertently support industries that have an interest in reversing the direction of climate policy. This focus on opportunities that extend current systems or deliver least-cost emissions reductions reflects a common tendency in policymaking to misunderstand the climate crisis as simply a market failure, and not an issue requiring whole systems change.
Third, the time required to issue CCfDs on a case-by-case basis may actually encourage industrial actors to hold off on making final investment decisions until they receive a guarantee, delaying action further.
What this shows is that while CCfDs may have a targeted role to play in advancing critical emission reduction projects (such as those that unlock systems change in key sectors), policymakers should be wary of relying too heavily on this instrument.
A more strategic approach is needed that involves charting pathways between where sectors are now and long-term desirable net-zero outcomes — an approach that is being actively advanced by Canada’s Transition Accelerator. A strategic approach would focus support on industries willing to hitch their carts to the future of the climate policy mix and defend climate action no matter who is in office.
As the Ivey Research Chair in Sustainability Transitions, Daniel Rosenbloom would like to acknowledge the generous support of the Ivey Foundation. Rosenbloom is also a Steering Group member of the Sustainability Transitions Research Network, which is a scholarly network working toward the advancement of transition scholarship.
Over the years, it has been the subject of controversy about potential misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis. There has also been variation in levels of diagnosis and drug prescription, depending on where you live and your socioeconomic status.
To address these concerns and improve consistency in ADHD diagnosis and prescribing, the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association has released a new prescribing guide. This will help the health-care workforce to consistently get the right treatment to the right people, with the right mix of medical and non-medical supports.
Here’s how ADHD prescribing has changed over time and what the new guidelines mean.
What is ADHD and how is it treated?
Up to one in ten young Australians experience ADHD. It is diagnosed due to inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that has negative effects at home, school or work.
Psychostimulant medication is a central pillar of ADHD treatment.
However, the internationally recognised approach is to combine medicines with non-medical interventions in a multimodal approach. These non-medical interventions include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), occupational therapy, educational strategies and other supports.
Medication use has changed over time
In Australia, Ritalin (methylphenidate) was originally the most prescribed ADHD medication. This changed in the 1990s after the introduction of dexamphetamine, along with the subsequent availability of Vyvance (lisdexamfetamine).
Perhaps the most significant change has come with “slow release” versions of the above medications that can last more than eight hours (longer than a school day).
When following clinical guidelines, prescribing medication for ADHD is safe practice. Yet the use of amphetamines to treat young people with ADHD has caused public concern. This highlights the importance of consistent guidelines for prescribing professionals.
Medication for ADHD can be combined with other non-drug approaches. Caleb Woods/Unsplash
Growth in diagnosis and prescribing
Starting from low levels, there was a dramatic rise in diagnosis and drug treatment in the 1990s. Much of this was overseen by a small number of psychiatrists and paediatricians in each state or territory. While this promised the potential of consistency in the early days, it also raised concerns about best practice.
This led to the development of the first ADHD clinical guidelines by the National Medical Health and Research Council in 1997.
It was followed by several refinements as prescription expanded due to changing diagnostic criteria (expanding to include a dual diagnosis with autism) and the need for best practice with the growing prescription by GPs. These guidelines enhanced the consistency of approaches nationally and reduced the likelihood of misdiagnosis or overdiagnosis.
However, a recent Senate inquiry found diagnosis and drug treatment continued to grow substantially in the five years to 2022. It emphasised the need for a more consistent approach to diagnosis and prescribing.
First the ingredients, then the recipe
The most recent clinical guidelines, released by the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association in 2022, outlined a roadmap for ADHD clinical practice, research and policy. They did so by drawing on the lived experience of those with ADHD. They also emphasised broader health questions, such as how to respond to ADHD as a holistic condition.
It remains difficult to predict individual responses to different medication. So the new prescribing guide offers practical advice about safe and responsible prescribing. This aims to reduce the potential for incorrect prescribing, dosing and adjusting of ADHD medication, across different age groups, settings and individuals.
To put this visually, the clinical guidelines describe what the ingredients of the cake should be, while the prescribing guidelines provide step-by-step recipes.
So what do they recommend?
An important principle in both these documents is that medication should not be the first and only treatment. Not every drug works the same way for every child. In some cases they do not work at all.
The possible side effects of medication vary and include poor appetite, sleep problems, headaches, stomach aches, moodiness and irritability. These guidelines assist in adapting medication to reduce these side effects.
Medication provides an important window of opportunity for many young people to gain maximum value from psychosocial and psychoeducational supports. These supports can, among others, include:
Support for ADHD can also include parent training. This is not to suggest parents cause ADHD. Rather, they can support more effective treatment, especially since the rigours of ADHD can be a challenge to even the “perfect” parent.
However, the message from these new guidelines is that ADHD diagnosis is a complex process that takes a specialist at least three hours. Online sources might be useful to prompt people to seek help, but diagnosis should come from a qualified health-care professional.
Finally, while we have moved beyond unhelpful past debate about whether ADHD is real to consolidate best diagnostic and prescribing practice, there is some way to go in reducing stigma and changing negative community attitudes to ADHD.
Hopefully in future we’ll be better able to cherish diversity and difference, and not just see it as a deficit.
Brenton Prosser is a Board Member of the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia and affiliated with the School of Population Health at UNSW.
What a great question! In fact, this is one of those questions humans will continue to ask until the end of time. That’s because we don’t actually know for sure.
But we can try and imagine what the edge of the universe might be, if there is one.
Looking back in time
Before we begin, we do need to go back in time. Our night sky has looked the same for all of human history. It’s been so reliable, humans from all around the world came up with patterns they saw in the stars as a way to navigate and explore.
To our eyes, the sky looks endless. With the invention of telescopes about 400 years ago, humans were able to see farther – more than just our eyes ever could. They continued to discover new things in the sky. They found more stars, and then eventually started to notice that there were a lot of strange-looking cosmic clouds.
Astronomers gave them the name “nebula” from the Latin word for “mist” or “cloud”.
It was less than 100 years ago that we first confirmed these cosmic clouds or nebulas were actually galaxies. They are just like Milky Way, the galaxy our own planet is in, but very far away.
What is amazing is that in every direction we look in the universe, we see more and more galaxies. In this James Webb Space Telescope image, which is looking at a part of the sky no bigger than a grain of sand, you can see thousands of galaxies.
It’s hard to imagine there is an edge where all of this stops.
The edge of the universe
However, there is technically an edge to our universe. We call it our “observable” universe.
This is because we don’t actually know if our universe is infinite – meaning it continues forever and ever.
Unfortunately, we might never know because of one pesky thing: the speed of light.
We can only ever see light that’s had enough time to travel to us. Light travels at exactly 299,792,458 metres per second. Even at those speeds, it still takes a long time to cross our universe. Scientists estimate the size of the universe is at least 96 billion light years across, and likely even bigger.
You can learn a little more about that and our universe as a whole in this video below.
What would we see if there was an edge?
If we were to travel to the very, very edge of the universe we think exists, what would there actually be?
Many other scientists and I theorise that there would just be … more universe!
As I said, there is a theory that our universe doesn’t actually have an edge, and might continue on indefinitely.
But there are other theories, too. If our universe does have an edge, and you cross it, you might just end up in a completely different universe altogether. (That is best saved for science fiction for now.)
Even though there isn’t a straightforward answer to your question, it is precisely questions like these that help us continue to explore and discover the universe, and allow us to understand our place within it. You’re thinking like a true scientist.
Sara Webb 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.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Westaway, Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Archaeology, School of Social Science, The University of Queensland
The NSW Education Standards Authority has announced that teaching of the Aboriginal past prior to European arrival will be excluded from the Year 7–10 syllabus as of 2027.
Since 2012, the topic “Ancient Australia” has been taught nationally in Year 7 as part of the Australian Curriculum. In 2022, a new topic called the “deep time history of Australia” was introduced to provide a more detailed study of 65,000 years of First Nations’ occupation of the continent.
However, New South Wales has surprisingly dropped this topic from its new syllabus, which will be rolled out in 2027. Instead, students will only learn First Nations’ history following European colonisation in 1788.
This directly undermines the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration of 2020. This is a national agreement, signed by education ministers from all jurisdictions, which states:
We recognise the more than 60,000 years [sic] of continual connection by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as a key part of the nation’s history, present and future.
If the planned change to the syllabus goes through, the only Aboriginal history taught to NSW students would be that which reflects the destruction of traditional Aboriginal society. It also means Aboriginal students in NSW will be denied a chance to learn about their deep ancestral past.
The significance of Australia’s deep time past
Bruce Pascoe’s groundbreaking 2014 book Dark Emu (which sold more than 500,000 copies), and the associated documentary, have highlighted an enormous appetite for learning about Australia’s deep time past.
Hundreds of thousands of Australians engaged with Dark Emu. As anthropologist Paul Memmott notes, the book prompted a debate that encouraged a better understanding of Aboriginal society and its complexity.
It also generated research that investigated whether terms such as “hunter-gatherers” are appropriate for defining past Aboriginal society and economic systems.
In schools, teachers have used Pascoe’s book Young Dark Emu to introduce students to sophisticated land and aquaculture systems used by First Peoples prior to colonisation.
The book raises an important question. If you lived in a country that invented bread and the edge-ground axe – a culture that independently developed early trade and social living – and did all of this without resorting to land war – wouldn’t you want your children to know about it?
For many students, the history they learn at school is knowledge they carry into their adult lives – and knowledge is the strongest antidote to ignorance. Rather than abandoning the Aboriginal deep time story, schools should be encouraging students to engage with it.
Learning on Country
One of the strengths of the current NSW history syllabus is the requirement for students to undertake a “site study” in Years 8 and 9. Currently, NSW is the only jurisdiction that has made this mandatory.
Site studies are an excellent opportunity for students to learn on Country. Many teachers organise excursions to Aboriginal cultural sites where students can directly engage with local Traditional Owners and Elders.
New South Wales is brimming with sites of cultural significance to Aboriginal people. The map below highlightssome of these, ranging from megafauna sites, to extensive fish traps, to the enigmatic rock art galleries and ceremonial engravings (petroglyphs).
How students will miss out
The Ngambaa people and archaeologists from the University of Queensland are currently investigating one of the largest midden complexes in Australia. This complex, located at Clybucca and Stuart’s Point on the north coast, spans some 14 kilometres and dates back to around 9,000 years ago.
Middens, or “living sites”, are accumulations of shell that were built over time through thousands of discarded seafood meals. Since the shells help reduce the acidic chemistry of the soil, animal bones and plant remains are more likely to be preserved in middens.
For instance, the Clybucca-Stuarts Point midden complex contains remains from seals and dugongs. Both of these animals were once part of the local ecosystem, but no longer are.
The middens also extend back to before the arrival of dingoes, so studying them could help us understand how biodiversity changed once dingoes replaced thylacines and Tasmanian devils on the mainland.
Local school students, especially Aboriginal students, will be actively participating in this cutting-edge research alongside the Ngambaa people, archaeologists and teachers. Among other things, the students will learn how the Ngambaa people sustainably managed land and sea Country over thousand of years during periods of dramatic environmental change.
But innovative programs like this will no longer be as relevant if Australia’s deep time history is removed from the NSW syllabus.
An opportunity for leadership
The study of First Nations archaeological sites, history and cultures tells us a broader human story of continuity and adaptability over deep time. Indigenising the curriculum – wherein Aboriginal knowledge is braided with historical and archaeological inquiry – is a powerful way to reconcile different approaches to understanding the past.
The NSW Education Standards Authority’s proposed changes risk sending young people the message that Australia’s “history” before colonisation is not an important part of the country’s historic narrative.
But there is still time to show leadership – by reversing the decisions and by connecting teachers and students to powerful stories from Australia’s deep time past.
Michael Westaway receives funding from the Australian Research Council and Humanities and Social Science at the University of Queensland .
Bruce Pascoe is the author of the texts mentioned in this article, Dark Emu and Young Dark Emu: A Truer History. He also has positions on the boards of Black Duck Foods, the Twofold Aboriginal Corporation and First Languages Australia.
Louise Zarmati receives research funding from the ARC Centre of Excellence of Australian Biodiversity and Heritage.
Long-spined sea urchins have emerged as an environmental issue off Australia’s far south coast. Native to temperate waters around New South Wales, the urchins have expanded their range south as oceans warm. There, they devour kelp and invertebrates, leaving barren habitats in their wake.
Lobsters are widely accepted as sea urchins’ key predator. In efforts to control urchin numbers, scientists have been researching this predator-prey relationship. And the latest research by my colleagues and I, released today, delivered an unexpected result.
We set up several cameras outside a lobster den and placed sea urchins in it. We filmed at night for almost a month. When we checked the footage, most sea urchins had been eaten – not by lobsters, but by sharks.
This suggests sharks have been overlooked as predators of sea urchins in NSW. Importantly, sharks seem to very easily consume these large, spiky creatures – sometimes in just a few gulps! Our findings suggest the diversity of predators eating large sea urchins is broader than we thought – and that could prove to be good news for protecting our kelp forests.
A puzzling picture
The waters off Australia’s south-east are warming at almost four times the global average. This has allowed long-spined sea urchins (Centrostephanus rodgersii) to extend their range from NSW into waters off Victoria and Tasmania.
Sea urchins feed on kelp and in their march south, have reduced kelp cover. This has added to pressure on kelp forests, which face many threats.
Scientists have been looking for ways to combat the spread of sea urchins. Ensuring healthy populations of predators is one suggested solution.
Overseas research on different urchin species has focused on predators such as lobsters and large fish. It found kelp cover can be improved by protecting or reinstating these predators.
But despite this, no meaningful reduction in urchin populations, or increase in kelp growth, has been observed in NSW.
Why not? Could it be that lobsters are not eating urchins in great numbers after all? Certainly, there is little empirical evidence on how often predators eat urchins in the wild.
What’s more, recent research in NSW suggested the influence of lobsters on urchin populations was low, while fish could be more important.
Our project aimed to investigate the situation further.
We tied 100 urchins to blocks outside a lobster den off in Wollongong for 25 nights. This tethering meant the urchins were easily available to predators and stayed within view of our cameras.
Then we set multiple cameras to remotely turn on at sunset and turn after sunrise each day, to capture nocturnal feeding. We used a red-filtered light to film the experiments because invertebrates don’t like the white light spectrum.
We expected our cameras would capture lobsters eating the urchins. But in fact, the lobsters showed little interest in the urchins and ate just 4% of them. They were often filmed walking straight past urchins in search of other food.
Sharks, however, were very interested in the urchins. Both crested horn sharks (Heterodontus galeatus) and Port Jackson sharks (H. portusjacksonii) entered the den and ate 45% of the urchins.
As the footage below shows, sharks readily handled very large urchins (wider then 12 centimetres) with no hesitation.
Until now, it was thought few or no predators could handle urchins of this size. Larger urchins have longer spines, thicker shells and attach more strongly to the seafloor, making them harder to eat.
But the sharks attacked urchins from their spiny side, showing little regard for their sharp defences. This approach differs from other predators, such as lobsters and wrasses, which often turn urchins over and attack them methodically from their more vulnerable underside.
In fact, some sharks were so eager to eat urchins, they started feeding before the cameras turned on at sunset. This meant we had to film by hand.
Footage captured by the researchers showing crested horn sharks eating sea urchins. Horn sharks generally do not pose a threat to humans.
A complex food web
Our experiment showed the effect of lobsters on urchins in the wild is less than previously thought.
This may explain why efforts to encourage lobster numbers have not helped control urchin numbers.
We also revealed a little-considered urchin predator: sharks.
When interpreting these findings, however, a few caveats must be noted.
First, sharks (and lobsters) are not the only animals to prey on urchins. Other predators include bony fishes, and more are likely to be identified in future.
Second, other factors can control urchin numbers, such as storm damage and the influx of fresh water.
And finally, it is unsurprising that we found a key predator when we intentionally searched for it by laying out food. Tethering urchins creates an artificial environment. We don’t know if the results would be replicated in the wild.
And even though we now know some shark species eat sea urchins, we don’t yet know if they can control urchins numbers.
But our research does confirm predators capable of handling large urchins may be more widespread than previously thought.
Jeremy Day received funding from University of Newcastle, Ecological Society of Australia, Royal Zoological Soceity of New South Wales and Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Science Museum’s “2024 The Future Science Prize Exhibition” introduces contributions of laureates (with photos) Hong Kong Science Museum’s “2024 The Future Science Prize Exhibition” introduces contributions of laureates (with photos) ******************************************************************************************
The Hong Kong Science Museum (HKScM) is staging “2024 The Future Science Prize Exhibition” from today (October 4) to November 4 at the G/F Exhibition Hall, introducing the Future Science Prize, the Hong Kong scientists who had won the Prize over the years and the laureates of this year. It also showcases exhibits related to their research, allowing visitors to know more about their research journey and achievements while learning about the scientific concepts involved. The Future Science Prize, also regarded as China’s “Nobel Prize”, was established by the Future Science Awards Foundation in 2016. Initiated by a group of scientists and entrepreneurs, the prize aims to give recognition to scientists who have achieved outstanding scientific results on the Mainland and in Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan, with the goal of inspiring China, the world and the next generation with the spirit of science. Three awards are presented, including the Life Science Prize, the Physical Science Prize, and the Mathematics and Computer Science Prize. Through panels, comics, videos and an interactive programme, the first zone of the exhibition shows the background, awards, selection process and laureates of the Future Science Prize over the past years. The second zone introduces five Hong Kong scientists who had been awarded the Future Science Prize in the past years, including 2016 the Life Science Prize Laureate Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, 2019 the Physical Science Prize Laureate Luk Kam-biu, 2021 the Life Science Prize Laureates Yuen Kwok-yung and Joseph Sriyal Malik Peiris, and 2022 the Mathematics and Computer Science Prize Laureate Mok Ngai-ming. Interactive exhibits related to their research are on display. Among them, visitors can take on the role of a doctor in the touchless interactive game “Decoding Plasma Cell-free DNA” to tell the foetal gender or potential chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus by arranging the DNA acquired from the plasma of pregnant women, so that they can know more about the principles behind the Non-invasive Prenatal Test developed by Professor Dennis Lo. The concept of the other interactive exhibit “Catch an Antineutrino” originates from highly stable liquid scintillators created by Professor Luk Kam-biu and collaborators for detecting antineutrinos. Through this interactive exhibit, visitors can simulate the emission of blue light by the liquid scintillator as it is excited by antineutrinos. The third zone introduces the four scientists who were awarded the Future Science Prize this year, including the Life Science Prize Laureate Deng Hongkui, the Physical Science Prize Laureates Zhang Tao and Li Yadong, and the Mathematics and Computer Science Prize Laureate Sun Binyong, as well as their research achievements and contributions. The one-month exhibition will take place alongside the 2024 Future Science Prize Week, which will be held from October 30 to November 3. Two of the activities will be held at the HKScM. In Science Symposiums, world-renowned scientists will share scientific discoveries on cutting-edge topics and explore interdisciplinary and innovative academic insights. In 2024 Future Science Prize Laureates’ Dialogue with the Youth, teenagers can exchange ideas with the scientists in person and gain inspiration in science. Other activities include Science and Technology Forum, 2024 Asian Young Scientist Fellowship Annual Conference, and 2024 Future Science Prize Award Ceremony. The exhibition is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Future Science Awards Foundation and the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences; organised by the HKScM, the Future Science Awards Foundation and the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences; and funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission. For details of the exhibition and activities, please visit hk.science.museum/en/web/scm/exhibition/fsp.html or call 2732 3232 for enquiries.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The Polytechnic University held a staff training exercise entitled “Conducting civil defense on the territory of the Russian Federation in conditions of a radiation situation.”
The exercises were attended by the Vice-Rector for Security of SPbPU – Chairman of the Evacuation Commission Alexey Sokolov, employees of the Civil Security Department, heads of non-staff formations to ensure the implementation of civil defense measures and other responsible employees.
The event was opened by Vladimir Glukhov, Chairman of the Commission for the Prevention and Elimination of Emergencies and Fire Safety of SPbPU. He noted that the exercises are being held in accordance with the letter of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation “On conducting a staff training exercise on civil defense.” Vladimir Viktorovich named the objectives of the exercise: to ensure decision-making on the protection of workers, their family members, material and cultural values, archival documents in the conditions of a radiation situation; to check the readiness of civil defense forces and means; to clarify civil defense plans in the conditions of a radiation situation.
In conclusion of his speech, Vladimir Glukhov congratulated the meeting participants on Russian Civil Defense Day, which is celebrated on October 4.
The head of the SPbPU civil defense department, Aleksandr Palagin, explained that the training includes practicing the implementation of the university civil defense plan approved by the Ministry of Education and Science and the head of the SPbPU civil defense department, Andrey Rudskoy, as well as implementing measures to protect the population, material and cultural values, and archival documents in a radiation environment. The training is being held with the participation of the deputy head of the Kalininsky District Department of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for the city of St. Petersburg, Colonel of the Internal Service Konstantin Groshev and the head of the department of supervision and preventive work of the Kalininsky District Department of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for the city of St. Petersburg, Major of the Internal Service Anastasia Oblizina.
Leading engineer of the civil protection department of SPbPU Nikolay Peganov said that the causes of the radiation situation could be a nuclear strike or an accident at the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant, which would lead to possible irradiation of people and contamination of the area with radioactive substances. In the event of an accident at the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant, the zone of possible radioactive contamination would be 100 km, and the whole of St. Petersburg would be included in it. During the first 24 hours, unprotected people could receive a dose higher than the permissible norm. The work of organizations does not stop during this time, but measures are taken to protect the population.
The main danger is internal radiation from radioactive iodine, which can enter the body simply by inhaling air. You can protect yourself by taking cover in the nearest shelter, fallout shelter, or in the subway. If there are none, then in the room where the person is, you need to seal all the windows and doors, if possible, turn on all sources of information and monitor the development of the situation. It is also necessary to carry out iodine prophylaxis. Currently, the university has purchased 1,300 individual anti-radiation civil protection systems for this purpose. There are also 3,000 respirators and 1,000 gas masks.
Alexander Palagin provided information about the types of civil defense protective structures (ZSGO) and how they differ. There are three types: a simple shelter, an anti-radiation shelter, and a shelter that protects against nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. There are 12 shelters at the Polytechnic University: eight in the Kalininsky District (one in the GZ, four in the second professorial building, three in the 9th), and four in the Vyborgsky District (in the Lesnaya Student City). In order to maintain their working condition, four ZSGO maintenance units have been formed.
Basements can also be used to accommodate staff and students.
Leading engineer of the civil defense department Andrey Kruglov spoke about what the heads of non-staff civil defense formations should do in the conditions of a radiation situation.
Vice-Rector for Security Alexey Sokolov summed up the results of the staff training and gave orders to prepare a report for the Ministry of Education and Science.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
On September 26, the Polytechnic University hosted the second summit of Slavic universities “Slavic Horizon – 2024”, where SPbPU and KRSU signed agreements on nine network educational programs in the following areas: infocommunication technologies and communication systems, electronics and nanoelectronics, instrumentation, electric power engineering, mechanics, architectural environment design, software engineering, construction, technosphere safety.
This year, 30 KRSU students have already started a long-term internship under this agreement. The guys shared their impressions of studying at the Polytechnic.
Daniel Kutmanov, a student at the Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity majoring in software engineering, is a volunteer and organizer of a youth initiative dedicated to helping children with disabilities.
We had events where children played basketball and volleyball, which helped them escape from everyday life through sports. When selecting students for the Polytechnic, the average score and social achievements were taken into account. When I arrived in St. Petersburg, I was pleasantly surprised. It is a very beautiful city, I like it here. I was also impressed by the reputation of the Polytechnic, I am glad to be in one of the best international universities in Russia, – said Daniel Kutmanov.
Daniel’s classmate Anatoly Toropov has visited St. Petersburg several times as a tourist, and is now doing an internship at a leading engineering university in Russia.
All teachers have a unique style. Some use interactive methods, involving students in discussions and group projects, which helps to deepen the understanding of the topic. Others prefer a traditional approach, focusing on lectures and theoretical aspects. Their passion for the subject and desire to inspire students create an atmosphere of trust and openness, where we can freely share our thoughts and ask questions, – Anatoly noted.
Baigeldi Musaev studies at the Institute of Civil Engineering of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.
At first, studying was intense because our knowledge differs from the level of training of polytechnics. The study programs in St. Petersburg begin with what we study only by the end of the second year. But over time, we began to adapt and build a schedule so as to catch up with our classmates. St. Petersburg is an amazing city, and our new friends give us excursions. Now I feel part of this community and am glad to have the opportunity to study here, – shared Baigeldi.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
