WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said U.S. government officials, including President Joe Biden , know where the mysterious drone sightings along the East Coast are coming and going from, accusing the leaders of intentionally keeping those details from the public. Trump said the U.S. military also knows where the drones took off and where they went afterward. "And for some reason, they don't want to comment," he said Monday at a news conference at his private club Mar-a-Lago. "And I think they'd be better off saying what it is. Our military knows. And our president knows. And for some reason, they want to keep people in suspense." "I can't imagine it's the enemy, because if it was the enemy, they'd blast it out. Even if they were late, they'd blast it," he added. "Something strange is going on. For some reason they don't want to tell the people, and they should." The president-elect also said he was reconsidering visiting his Bedminster, New Jersey, club as a result of the nearby sightings. "I think maybe I won't spend the weekend in Bedminster," Trump said from his Florida club with a smile. "I've decided to cancel my trip." Trump declined to say whether he'd received an intelligence briefing on the sightings, and it was not clear from his remarks if he had direct knowledge of the origins of the strange lights in the sky, which have been spotted in New Jersey and New York. Federal authorities have tried to reassure residents that the objects don’t appear to be operating nefariously. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have said such sightings mostly appear to be not drones at all. Trump previously said in a social media post that he did not think drones could be flying over the U.S. without the federal government's knowledge. He said the Biden administration should tell the public more information or "shoot them down." White House national security spokesman John Kirby said last week that despite using "sophisticated electronic detection technologies provided by federal authorities," that neither federal nor local officials had not been able to "corroborate any of the reported visual sightings." The Department of Defense told reporters on a Saturday call that the U.S. does not have intelligence or observations that would suggest any drones that have flown over military bases recently are associated with a foreign power. However, the department said it can not be certain, partly because personnel have to coordinate with local and federal officials to track them down. The lights in the sky were first spotted in New Jersey in November. The sightings have continued for nearly a month, prompting concern from elected officials. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called on Congress on Saturday to enact stricter drone oversight. The Biden administration had previously asked Congress to take action. U.S. officials have repeatedly said they do not have any evidence to suggest the drones are being operated by a foreign government or present a danger to Americans. "It is our job to be vigilant," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Sunday on ABC News. "If there is any reason for concern, if we identify any foreign involvement or criminal activity we will communicate with the American public accordingly. Right now we are not aware of any." Contributing: Jeanine SantucciMany of the problems that plague the digital world come down to the need for strangers to trust each other. Why do you buy products from Amazon but not from an online merchant you've never heard of? Because you trust that Amazon will deliver the goods you pay for, and you don't trust an unknown seller. You don't want to take a risk with your money. This fear is rational, and it reflects a foundational problem with today's internet. It's a problem that I've been working for years to solve using decentralized blockchain technology. The journey that led me to take up this challenge has been an unusual one. It is a path that has informed my view of the world and technology and shaped the way I think about progress and innovation. I grew up in a small city of about 2 million. My parents were medical doctors, and they had big dreams for me—dreams of a stable, prestigious career in the region where I grew up. But from a young age, I had a curiosity that I knew would lead elsewhere. As a kid, I devoured books on philosophy, literature and science. Nietzsche, Kant and Haruki Murakami were among my early influences. They opened my eyes to the power of narratives and big ideas. The thirst for knowledge became my compass. I learned English through Western books and TV shows. I remember being so eager to read Harry Potter that I picked up the English version when there was no Chinese translation available. Shows like Friends and The Big Bang Theory were more than just entertainment; they became a way for me to understand American humor and culture. As a kid in China, I felt I knew New York. And while I didn't realize it then, these early experiences would be cornerstones in my personal development. Breaking the Mold After high school, I studied computer science at Wuhan University, which had a joint program with Carnegie Mellon, and experienced rigorous academics and cutting-edge research for the first time. Next, I went to Singapore to pursue a master's degree in computer science. It was my first time living outside China, further broadening my horizons and deepening my desire to learn and explore. From there, I finally made the move to the United States, where I was accepted into the University of Washington's Ph.D. program, one of the top computer science programs in the country. Seattle, with its interminable cloudy days, was a cultural adjustment, to say the least, but I made the most of it. I learned to ski in the winter and sail in the summer. This too broadened my horizons. The Bitcoin Revelation Then one day in 2018, Coinbase, the cryptocurrency exchange, sent me $20 worth of bitcoin as part of a campaign aimed at promising computer science students across the U.S. I didn't think much of it at first, but as the value of that BTC grew, so did my curiosity. Bitcoin was a big narrative—exactly the kind of thing that had always appealed to me, the kind of thing too many computer scientists dismiss as vague or unserious. It wasn't just about money; it was about trust, consensus and rethinking our fundamental systems. A truly shared economy. After earning my Ph.D., I joined Algorand, a blockchain startup founded by MIT professor and Turing Award winner Silvio Micali. At Algorand, I worked on coding the platform's first smart contract. And I learned that success, in blockchain and life, depends on more than technical innovation. It's about community, culture and, crucially, usage. That realization led me to launch my first startup, Manta Network, which focused on privacy-preserving decentralized finance. Building Manta was a crash course in entrepreneurship. I learned how to build a team, develop a product and navigate the volatile crypto market. The lessons were hard-earned, and they prepared me for what came next. Zero Knowledge Is a Beautiful Thing While attending a blockchain summit in Montenegro in 2022, I had a moment of clarity. Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) were emerging as a major vector of blockchain development. And I realized that these proofs, which verify information without revealing it, held the key to making blockchains work for many more users and use cases. People who say blockchains are a problem in search of a solution are making a category error. Blockchains solve problems that are long-standing and well known. Since its development, the internet has never developed a satisfactory way to ensure that a counterparty will act honestly. Its systems require the establishment of trust through ever more invasive and cumbersome security measures, and it stores information and records in centralized databases that are vulnerable to attack or manipulation. A blockchain is, ultimately, a much more efficient coordination system, one that can prove the validity of a transaction or identity and that can ensure an agreement is carried out as intended. Blockchains' problem isn't that they don't solve a problem; it's that they are slow and expensive and therefore impractical for many everyday uses. This is because they simply lack—by orders of magnitude—the computing power of the centralized internet. With this in mind, I made it my mission to upgrade blockchain's computational power from something like that of a calculator to that of a supercomputer. To do this, I am working to reduce the cost and complexity of ZKPs, which greatly speeds up the processing of transactions on a blockchain. It turns out I've spent my entire life preparing for this, even if I didn't realize it at the time. My academic background gave me a broad understanding of computer science, from theory to systems. My time at Algorand and Manta taught me how to navigate the startup world and solve real-world problems. And my natural curiosity keeps me asking the big, and sometimes inconvenient, questions. My goal now is to upgrade blockchains by making ZKPs fast and cost-effective. If I succeed, I hope to help make the internet, and the entire economy, more efficient, transparent and fair. Shumo Chu is one of the co-founders of NEBRA Labs. A former assistant professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, he received his Ph.D. from the University of Washington and was a research scientist at Algorand. His current research interest is privacy-preserving systems.
How to protect your communications through encryption
Following the highly-anticipated release of "Beast Games," a consumer advocate is expressing concern about the show's partnership with a financial tech company. The first two episodes of "Beast Games," hosted by YouTube creator James "Jimmy" Donaldson, more popularly known as MrBeast, premiered on Prime Video on Thursday. Per the show's description , 1,000 contestants fight through 10 episodes in physical and mental challenges for prizes that include $5 million, a private island and Lamborghinis. But following the premiere, a consumer advocate said the show's partnership with financial tech company MoneyLion could be worrisome, especially when it comes to MrBeast's younger demographic. Additionally, ahead of its release, "Beast Games" made headlines after five contestants sued Donaldson and Amazon for workplace abuse. Concerns grow about fintech partnership In the second episode of "Beast Games," viewers are encouraged to scan a QR code to learn more about a $4.2 million sweepstakes through MoneyLion . To enter, viewers must create a free MoneyLion account, but no purchase, payment or deposit is required to participate or win, according to the sweepstakes' rules. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Though sweepstakes participants aren't required to take any financial actions through MoneyLion, the financial technology company does promote its services, which include personal loans, instant cash, financial tracking and credit builders. Lauren Saunders, associate director of the National Consumer Law Center, said companies like MoneyLion are a "new breed" of fintech payday loan companies. A payday loan is a short-term, high-interest loan that is typically due on the borrower's next payday. "We see a lot of these predatory lenders that offer loans that can be the equivalent of 300% APR, but they wrap themselves in all sort of sugarcoating," Saunders said of MoneyLion. "Offering the sweepstakes and something like that to get the excitement of young people is just a way of drawing people into debt-trap loans that increase overdraft fees and put them behind in their financial goals." According to Parrot Analytics , 46% of MrBeast's audience is made up of viewers between 13-22 years old. Saunders said she finds it "really destressing" that fintech companies like MoneyLion are using "attractive" apps to lure in young people. "They can make a lot of money from vulnerable people," she said. In a statement shared with USA TODAY, a MoneyLion spokesperson clarified that the sweepstakes is only for adults 18 and up. "MoneyLion’s mission is to give everyone the power to make their best financial decisions and achieve better outcomes," the spokesperson said. "We remain focused on ensuring that our products and services terms are accessible, fair, and designed to create the best outcomes for our customers." What is the 'Beast Games' lawsuit about? In September, five "Beast Games" contestants filed a class action lawsuit against MrBeast and Amazon for workplace abuse, citing denial of pay, unsafe conditions and "a culture of misogyny and sexism." More: YouTuber MrBeast, Amazon sued by reality show contestants alleging abuse, harassment The lawsuit addresses the workplace created during "episode zero" of "Beast Games" earlier this year. The episode, featured on MrBeast's YouTube channel and not a part of the official Amazon series, features 2,000 contestants fighting for the $5 million prize inside Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was from this video that the final 1,000 contestants were selected for the Amazon series, which was filmed in Toronto, Canada. According to the lawsuit, contestants were deprived of food, sleep and proper medical care. The lawsuit claims that multiple contestants suffered physical injuries or were hospitalized during production. The lawsuit also alleges that women were subject to "severe embarrassment" on set and the production did not complete thorough background checks. The lawsuit also claims "Beast Games" contestants were required to enter "illegal contracts" that misclassified them as volunteers in order for the show to qualify for tax breaks while filming in Las Vegas. Amazon denied comment and MrBeast's team did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the lawsuit when contacted Thursday and Friday by USA TODAY. How to watch 'Beast Games' "Beast Games" is only available for streaming on Prime Video. The first two episodes were released Thursday and a new episode will be released every Thursday at noon EST through Feb. 13. The series features 10 total episodes, each about 40 minutes long. Who is MrBeast? Donaldson, 26, is a YouTube content creator with more than 337 million YouTube subscribers, making his channel the most-subscribed on the platform. He is known for videos that feature larger-than-life competitions and pricy giveaways. Donaldson's most viewed video , as of Friday, was a take on the Netflix series "Squid Games." In the video, Donaldson pits 456 contestants against each other for a $456,000 prize. Unlike the Netflix series though, no one actually dies. As of Friday, the video had more than 678 million views. Contributing: Max Hauptman Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com .
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Guest Opinion: Smarter taxes and higher revenues are vital in 2025By CLAIRE RUSH President-elect Donald Trump has once again suggested he wants to revert the name of North America’s tallest mountain — Alaska’s Denali — to Mount McKinley, wading into a sensitive and decades-old conflict about what the peak should be called. Related Articles National Politics | Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use National Politics | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump National Politics | Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal National Politics | House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of ‘regularly’ paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl National Politics | Trump wants mass deportations. For the agents removing immigrants, it’s a painstaking process Former President Barack Obama changed the official name to Denali in 2015 to reflect the traditions of Alaska Natives as well as the preference of many Alaska residents. The federal government in recent years has endeavored to change place-names considered disrespectful to Native people. “Denali” is an Athabascan word meaning “the high one” or “the great one.” A prospector in 1896 dubbed the peak “Mount McKinley” after President William McKinley, who had never been to Alaska. That name was formally recognized by the U.S. government until Obama changed it over opposition from lawmakers in McKinley’s home state of Ohio. Trump suggested in 2016 that he might undo Obama’s action, but he dropped that notion after Alaska’s senators objected. He raised it again during a rally in Phoenix on Sunday. “McKinley was a very good, maybe a great president,” Trump said Sunday. “They took his name off Mount McKinley, right? That’s what they do to people.” Once again, Trump’s suggestion drew quick opposition within Alaska. “Uh. Nope. It’s Denali,” Democratic state Sen. Scott Kawasaki posted on the social platform X Sunday night. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski , who for years pushed for legislation to change the name to Denali, conveyed a similar sentiment in a post of her own. “There is only one name worthy of North America’s tallest mountain: Denali — the Great One,” Murkowski wrote on X. Various tribes of Athabascan people have lived in the shadow of the 20,310-foot (6,190-meter) mountain for thousands of years. McKinley, a Republican native of Ohio who served as the 25th president, was assassinated early in his second term in 1901 in Buffalo, New York. Alaska and Ohio have been at odds over the name since at least the 1970s. Alaska had a standing request to change the name since 1975, when the legislature passed a resolution and then-Gov. Jay Hammond appealed to the federal government. Known for its majestic views, the mountain is dotted with glaciers and covered at the top with snow year-round, with powerful winds that make it difficult for the adventurous few who seek to climb it. Rush reported from Portland, Oregon.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Forge Institute is proud to announce the launch of the Phoenix Xcelerator, a pioneering program designed to empower & grow startups across the defense and aerospace sectors. Through structured programming—including a rigorous high-quality curriculum, personalized mentorship, and coaching—the Phoenix Xcelerator advances industry-informed and mission-led innovation. The program is funded in-part through a grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC). Why Arkansas ? Arkansas is home to over 178 aerospace and defense companies employing more than 10,900 people. Reports from federal sources highlight a decline in defense contractors, with the Department of Defense (DoD) vendors shrinking by 27.6% in the past decade. The Phoenix Xcelerator aims to reverse this trend, empowering startups to address defense challenges and reinforcing Arkansas's leadership in the sector. Arkansas's aerospace and defense exports, valued at over $850 million in 2023, represent 13% of the state's total exports, making them the top export category. Furthermore, the Little Rock Air Force Base reported a $1.38 billion economic impact in 2023. Major players like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Dassault Falcon Jet have positioned the state as a hub for defense innovation, with the Phoenix Xcelerator serving as a launchpad for the next wave of industry leaders. Program Details The Phoenix Xcelerator offers a 12-week intensive program, guiding participants through business validation, go-to-market strategies, and development of minimum viable products (MVPs) or prototypes. Participants gain expertise in non-dilutive funding opportunities such as SBIR/STTR and other grant programs, as well as access to capital networks for sustained growth. Established companies receive support in maximizing intellectual property and evaluating dual-use markets. Key features include: The program emphasizes emerging technologies like directed energy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, drones, ISR and other technologies, ensuring readiness for critical defense challenges. Apply Now The Phoenix Xcelerator team brings decades of expertise to guide startups toward impactful, scalable growth. Entrepreneurs and companies working on dual-use technologies are encouraged to apply, gaining unparalleled resources and opportunities to innovate within the defense sector. To apply now, visit www.forge.institute/phoenix-xcelerator View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/forge-institute-launches-phoenix-xcelerator-to-scale-growth-of-defense-tech-startups-302336707.html SOURCE Forge Institute
Republican senators demand an end to science and tech cooperation with ChinaBy LISA MASCARO and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee’s long-awaited report on Matt Gaetz documents a trove of salacious allegations , including sex with an underage girl, that tanked the Florida Republican’s bid to lead the Justice Department . Related Articles National Politics | President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak National Politics | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump National Politics | Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal National Politics | House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of ‘regularly’ paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl National Politics | Trump wants mass deportations. For the agents removing immigrants, it’s a painstaking process Citing text messages, travel receipts, online payments and testimony, the bipartisan committee paints a picture of a lifestyle in which Gaetz and others connected with younger women for drug-fueled parties, events or trips, with the expectation the women would be paid for their participation. The former congressman, who filed a last-minute lawsuit to try to block the report’s release on Monday, slammed the committee’s findings. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and has insisted he never had sex with a minor. And a Justice Department investigation into the allegations ended without any criminal charges filed against him. “Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn’t ask for — and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?” Gaetz wrote in one post on Monday. “There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses.” Here’s a look at some of the committee’s key findings: The committee found that between 2017 and 2020, Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars to women “likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use.” He paid the women using through online services such as PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp and with cash or check, the committee said. The committee said it found evidence that Gaetz understood the “transactional nature” of his relationships with the women. The report points to one text exchange in which Gaetz balked at a woman’s request that he send her money, “claiming she only gave him a ‘drive by.’” Women interviewed by the committee said there was a “general expectation of sex,” the report said. One woman who received more than $5,000 from Gaetz between 2018 and 2019 said that “99 percent of the time” that when she hung out with Gaetz “there was sex involved.” However, Gaetz was in a long-term relationship with one of the women he paid, so “some of the payments may have been of a legitimate nature,” the committee said. Text messages obtained by the committee also show that Gaetz would ask the women to bring drugs to their “rendezvous,” the report said. While most of his encounters with the women were in Florida, the committee said Gaetz also traveled “on several occasions” with women whom he paid for sex. The report includes text message exchanges in which Gaetz appears to be inviting various women to events, getaways or parties, and arranging airplane travel and lodging. Gaetz associate Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges in 2021, initially connected with women through an online service. In one text with a 20-year-old woman, Greenberg suggested if she has a friend, the four of them could meet up. The woman responded that she usually does “$400 per meet.” Greenberg replied: “He understands the deal,” along with a smiley face emoji. Greenberg asks if they are old enough to drink alcohol, and sent the woman a picture of Gaetz. The woman responded that her friend found him “really cute.” “Well, he’s down here for only for the day, we work hard and play hard,” Greenberg replied. The report details a party in July 2017 in which Gaetz is accused of having sex with “multiple women, including the 17-year-old, for which they were paid.” The committee pointed to “credible testimony” from the now-woman herself as well as “multiple individuals” who corroborated the allegation. The then-17-year-old — who had just completed her junior year in high school — told the committee that Gaetz paid her $400 in cash that night, “which she understood to be payment for sex,” according to the report. The woman acknowledged that she had taken ecstasy the night of the party, but told the committee that she was “certain” of her sexual encounters with the then-congressman. There’s no evidence that Gaetz knew she was a minor when he had sex with her, the committee said. The woman told the committee she didn’t tell Gaetz she was under 18 at the time and that he didn’t how old she was. Rather, the committee said Gaetz learned she was a minor more than a month after the party. But he stayed in touch with her after that and met up with her for “commercial sex” again less than six months after she turned 18, according to the committee. In sum, the committee said it authorized 29 subpoenas for documents and testimony, reviewed nearly 14,000 documents and contacted more than two dozen witnesses. But when the committee subpoenaed Gaetz for his testimony, he failed to comply. “Gaetz pointed to evidence that would ‘exonerate’ him yet failed to produce any such materials,” the committee said. Gaetz “continuously sought to deflect, deter, or mislead the Committee in order to prevent his actions from being exposed.” The report details a months-long process that dragged into a year as it sought information from Gaetz that he decried as “nosey” and a “weaponization” of government against him. In one notable exchange, investigators were seeking information about the expenses for a 2018 get-away with multiple women to the Bahamas. Gaetz ultimately offered up his plane ticket receipt “to” the destination, but declined to share his return “from” the Bahamas. The report said his return on a private plane and other expenses paid by an associate were in violation of House gift rules. In another Gaetz told the committee he would “welcome” the opportunity to respond to written questions. Yet, after it sent a list of 16 questions, Gaetz said publicly he would “no longer” voluntarily cooperate. He called the investigation “frivolous,” adding: “Every investigation into me ends the same way: my exoneration.” The report said that while Gaetz’s obstruction of the investigation does not rise to a criminal violation it is inconsistent with the requirement that all members of Congress “act in a manner that reflects creditably upon the House.” The committee began its review of Gaetz in April 2021 and deferred its work in response to a Justice Department request. It renewed its work shortly after Gaetz announced that the Justice Department had ended a sex trafficking investigation without filing any charges against him. The committee sought records from the Justice Department about the probe, but the agency refused, saying it doesn’t disclose information about investigations that don’t result in charges. The committee then subpoenaed the Justice Department, but after a back-and-forth between officials and the committee, the department handed over “publicly reported information about the testimony of a deceased individual,” according to the report. “To date, DOJ has provided no meaningful evidence or information to the Committee or cited any lawful basis for its responses,” the committee said. Many of the women who the committee spoke to had already given statements to the Justice Department and didn’t want to “relive their experience,” the committee said. “They were particularly concerned with providing additional testimony about a sitting congressman in light of DOJ’s lack of action on their prior testimony,” the report said. The Justice Department, however, never handed over the women’s statements. The agency’s lack of cooperation — along with its request that the committee pause its investigation — significantly delayed the committee’s probe, lawmakers said.December 16, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread by Leiden University Using biomethane to produce ammonia, a crucial chemical in agriculture, could drastically reduce the climate impact of the process. In a study published in One Earth , researcher Robert Istrate shows it's even possible to make ammonia production net-zero or carbon negative. Ammonia is a chemical more essential than many realize. It forms the basis of synthetic fertilizers used in agriculture worldwide, meaning billions of people depend on it. Unfortunately, ammonia production comes with a significant drawback: its substantial carbon footprint that contributes to the climate crisis. Ammonia is made from nitrogen and hydrogen, with the hydrogen typically derived from natural gas. "Natural gas contains both carbon and hydrogen, but you only need the hydrogen for ammonia. As a result, a lot of carbon is released during the production process ," Istrate explains. One potential solution to reduce ammonia's climate impact is to produce hydrogen through electrolysis, using renewable energy. "But that's an expensive option," Istrate says, "and it's not very well established yet." As a result, only a small fraction of ammonia is currently produced this way. Biomethane has the same chemical structure as natural gas Istrate, an environmental engineer, proposed an alternative idea. While exploring ways to decarbonize chemical processes , he noticed the advantages of biomethane for producing ammonia. Biomethane has the same chemical structure as natural gas (CH4), "which means existing ammonia production facilities can be used." However, the two have a crucial difference: natural gas is a fossil fuel, while biomethane is derived from biomass, such as food waste or agricultural residues. When biomethane is used, the carbon released into the atmosphere was recently captured during biomass growth via photosynthesis: in plants as they grew. "That achieves a balance," Istrate explains. In contrast, using natural gas releases extra CO 2 into the atmosphere, CO 2 that has been stored underground for millions of years. Capturing the carbon and storing it permanently "This already represents an advantage over natural gas," Istrate says. But there's more. "If, instead of emitting this carbon, you capture and store it permanently, then you can start thinking about net-zero emissions or even carbon negativity." In other words, ammonia production could actively remove CO 2 from the atmosphere. Capturing the carbon doesn't require much extra effort because separating CO 2 is inherent to the biomethane and ammonia production processes. "That's a key advantage of ammonia. It already requires separating the CO 2 ", Istrate notes. "So no new technologies need to be developed for that." In his research, Istrate compared the full lifecycle of conventional ammonia production methods, electrolysis, and biomethane-based production. He found that when ammonia is produced entirely from biomethane combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS), the process can indeed become carbon negative. What about a 'more realistic' scenario? The researcher also examined a more realistic scenario where natural gas is blended with biomethane. He concluded that to achieve carbon neutrality, on average, 44% biomethane must be blended with 56% natural gas , while capturing the released carbon. According to the study, biomethane can be economically competitive—at least when the cost of achieving carbon neutrality via CO 2 removal is factored into all scenarios. A significant reason is the high gas prices, partly driven by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. And Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS), an alternative to removing CO 2 directly from the air, is expensive and inefficient. "You don't need complex technology like DACCS. There are often simpler solutions that can have an immediate impact," Istrate says. Introducing biomethane into ammonia production could be one of these "simple solutions." More information: Robert Istrate et al, One-tenth of the EU's sustainable biomethane coupled with carbon capture and storage can enable net-zero ammonia production, One Earth (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2024.11.005 Journal information: One Earth Provided by Leiden University
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Forge Institute Launches Phoenix Xcelerator to Scale Growth of Defense Tech StartupsThe national adoption of remote work spurred by the pandemic has been touted for opening accessibility opportunities to the larger labor force. And yet, workers with disabilities have varied access to it throughout the country. Nationally, 13.1% of workers with disabilities were remote, compared to 13.9% of American workers overall. While these may seem on par, there is great variation when comparing geographic locations. In several states, workers with disabilities outpace the general population in remote work, for example. Using Census Bureau data, accessiBe identified where Americans with disabilities are working remote jobs at higher rates than workers overall and shows where disparities remain for people with disabilities. While it’s important to note that regardless of location, a person with a disability can face digital accessibility barriers, the rise of remote work has made traditional office jobs more accessible to employees with disabilities in many ways. As remote work has become a cultural norm in many industries, workers with disabilities are less burdened to make case-by-case onsite accommodation requests to employers. Remote jobs remove other potential barriers some may face, such as commutes that may be taxing or challenging for people with mobility differences and workplaces with inaccessible walkways, desks, and parking lots. Meanwhile, they allow individuals to use the assistive technologies and equipment already incorporated in their homes or to take necessary breaks with greater ease. Under the Rehabilitation Act, federal agencies are mandated to ensure that their electronic and information technology can be accessed by everyone, including people with disabilities. In the private sector, many accessibility resources and services can help employers with a remote workforce ensure company intranet, website portals, video conferencing, communication policies, and productivity tools meet digital accessibility guidelines so all employees have necessary working tools no matter where they may be located. In 2023, a record 22.5% of Americans with disabilities were employed, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That was up 1.2 percentage points from 2022—three times the increase measured among Americans with no disability. Factors such as labor shortages and an aging workforce have likely contributed to this trend. Still, the share of workers with disabilities in typically higher-paying management, business, science, and arts occupations increased by 4 percentage points to 34.8% between 2019 and 2023, outpacing growth that workers without disabilities saw in these roles and decreasing their disparity. The remote work wave has not reached workers with disabilities equally across the nation. In most states, a smaller share of workers with disabilities have remote jobs compared to the rate for workers overall. In Colorado, North Carolina, and the District of Columbia, which have some of the widest gaps, remote work rates for all workers and those with disabilities surpass national averages—quite substantially in the latter two. Workers with disabilities also have higher workforce participation rates in Colorado and Washington D.C., potentially meaning more workers in nonremote-capable roles. However, in 13 states, workers with disabilities have remote jobs at higher rates than workers overall. The difference is small in most cases but stands out in a few. In Nevada, workers with disabilities lead the overall working population in remote jobs by 2.6 percentage points. Workers who report having disabilities in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arkansas also work remotely at notably higher rates. Interestingly, these states’ overall work-from-home rates are lower than the national average. In these cases, remote access at work may be limited and potentially reserved for those with accessibility needs. For instance, in Nevada, the state government issued new guidance in December 2023 specifying that for agency employees, “ remote work is the exception, not the rule .” The rule provided that remote work agreements would be approved individually and not applied across entire departments, divisions, or other broad categories—limiting remote opportunities for workers overall. While this particular guidance only applies to state government workers, it reflects a broader working culture that is less remote-friendly. Meanwhile, allowing individuals with disabilities to work at home is one type of reasonable accommodation, which the Americans with Disabilities Act requires employers with 15 or more employees to make. In turn, remote work remains a viable option for employees with disabilities as an exception to otherwise tightening restrictions. Importantly, not all workers with disabilities want remote jobs or work in roles suitable to be done beyond the workplace. Working remotely can cause isolation and loneliness, impacts that could be particularly detrimental to those with disabilities, who already face disproportionate stigma and exclusion in social settings. Still, remote work offers myriad benefits for workers with and without disabilities alike. It can potentially promote equity and inclusion—especially when executed with the proper tools, practices, and normalization, rather than treated as a one-off accommodation. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. This story originally appeared on accessiBe and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Founded in 2017, Stacker combines data analysis with rich editorial context, drawing on authoritative sources and subject matter experts to drive storytelling., /PRNewswire/ -- , a pioneering clinical-stage medical device company dedicated to revolutionizing kidney health, proudly announces that its research and development arm, 3ive Labs, has secured approval for an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) from the FDA. This approval paves the way for a pivotal trial of the JuxtaFlow Renal Assist Device (RAD), marking a transformative step forward in enhancing outcomes for cardiac surgery patients with renal insufficiency. The GRADIENT ( roundbreaking enal ssist evice ntervening to hance cardio horacic surgery outcomes) trial is designed to address the critical need for renal support among cardiac surgery patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). These patients often face increased risks of postoperative complications, such as worsening renal dysfunction, which can lead to extended ICU stays and increased mortality. "The GRADIENT Trial offers an invaluable opportunity to further explore renal support during cardiac surgery," said , a renowned heart surgeon at Ascension Saint Thomas in , and the National Principal Investigator of the GRADIENT trial. "The JuxtaFlow device offers new hope for some of our most vulnerable patients." JuxtaFlow RAD is an innovative device designed to potentially improve kidney function during times of acute stress. By applying a gentle suction to the kidney's outlet, it aims to enhance blood filtration more efficiently. This groundbreaking approach was recognized with an FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in April. The GRADIENT study will be a prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label trial that plans to enroll patients with renal insufficiency (eGFR 15-60 ml/min) undergoing elective or urgent cardiac surgery requiring CPB. The study seeks to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the JuxtaFlow RAD to sustain or enhance renal function during and following CPB surgery. "Achieving Breakthrough Device Designation was instrumental in securing IDE approval," noted , Chief Executive Officer at Roivios. "This initiative is the culmination of a decade of technological and clinical advancements in addressing kidney disease management challenges. Our ongoing dialogue with the FDA is paving the way for more effective management, empowering patients to thrive. We are eager to commence IDE enrollment and explore the JuxtaFlow RAD's potential to improve surgical outcomes and enhance patient quality of life." For more information about Roivios and the JuxtaFlow Renal Assist Device, please visit . The JuxtaFlow RAD is a pioneering investigational device set to transform kidney support therapy. Acknowledging the harmful effects of fluid accumulation and pressure on the kidneys, Roivios has advanced beyond traditional blood filtration methods that can further stress the kidneys. By applying mild, controlled negative pressure within the kidney's collecting system, the device has the potential to maintain and improve filtration and support recovery. This novel approach holds promise for a compelling value proposition by preserving kidney function and expediting patient recovery, ultimately reducing hospital stays and associated costs. Equipped with a proprietary specialized catheters and pump, the device optimizes kidney function during critical recovery periods, such as post-surgery. Currently, the JuxtaFlow RAD is under investigation and is not available for sale in any geography. Roivios is a clinical-stage medical device company committed to pioneering solutions for kidney health. Our lead product, the JuxtaFlow Renal Assist Device (RAD), is designed to preserve kidney function and offer a proactive approach to managing kidney disease. We aim to demonstrate improved renal outcomes, potentially reducing the need for dialysis, and lowering healthcare costs. Holding proprietary patents in key kidney technologies, we aim to revolutionize kidney disease management. With plans to extend its application beyond kidney disease to various medical settings, Roivios is preparing for a transformative U.S. launch, aiming to redefine kidney disease management and improve patient quality of life. Discover more at . : , Krueger PR, View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Roivios, ltd
Black plastic kitchen utensil risks were overstated. But you should still toss them, group says
