SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " LDS " 2,809 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Inside Nutrien’s Business Mandate: Commit To the Customer, Deliver Efficiency
Eight years after the merger of Agrium and Potash Corp. to form Nutrien, the company deploys an updated strategy unifying wholesale and retail operations.
NATO troops can't let guns get too warm to work on frozen battlefields
Finnish military personnel told Business Insider that temperature variation is a huge threat to their weapons in the Arctic.
American high school student stuns scientists by mapping 1.5 million previously unknown space objects - Futura-Sciences
A young mind builds an AI breakthrough Matteo Paz, a student at Pasadena High School, joined the Planet Finder Academy in the summer of 2022. The program immerses students in real world astronomy challenges. Under the mentorship of Caltech scientist Davy Kirkpatrick at the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC),...
2-month-olds see the world in a more complex way than scientists thought, study suggests
The findings may help doctors and researchers better understand cognitive development in infancy.
Donaldson makes $820M deal to buy another filtration business
Bloomington-based Donaldson agrees to acquire Filtration Group’s Facet Filtration business.
Interview: Civilization VII’s devs on the big update meant to win critics back
Firaxis' Ed Beach and Dennis Shirk talk major overhauls in "Test of Time" update.
2-month-olds see the world in a more complex way than scientists thought, study suggests
A new study suggests that babies are able to distinguish between the different objects they see around them at 2 months old, which earlier than scientists previously thought.
County staff seek clarity on how often sports leagues use the fields they reserve
Arlington County parks officials plan to renew efforts to determine how often sports leagues actually end up using the fields that they reserve in advance. The initiative has been ongoing for nearly two years but remains "a work in progress," said Ignacio Rodriguez, manager of sports leagues and athletic-field management for the Department of Parks
The Science of Memory Goes to School
The distinction between what is true and what we remember complicates the work of education
Are western New Yorkers spending more on digital entertainment as winter sets in?
As winter settles across Genesee County, colder evenings and shorter days are reshaping how households in Batavia and nearby communities spend their discretionary dollars. With outdoor options limited and heating
Cody Rhodes Explains Why He 'Misses' WWE Live Events
With WWE reducing the number of untelevised live events it holds each year, Cody Rhodes explained why he misses the heavier schedule.
Dodgers will play baseball this month
It’s February now, which means the Dodgers will play baseball games this very month. Sure, those games won’t count, but they will be televised nonetheless, and we will get to watch as the team gradually builds up toward the season. This will be more of a normal spring training for the Dodgers, at least in […]
'Hollywood welcome' - Inside a Wrexham transfer window
With the potential for deadline day deals, BBC Sport looks at how Wrexham's recruitment works under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac
Cavaliers reportedly acquire Keon Ellis, Dennis Schroder from Kings in exchange for De'Andre Hunter
Ellis was reportedly the Cavs' main target and now they have him.
Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt rumors get new update from The Athletic
Goldy remains a free agent.
Electric fields flip the rules of water chemistry
nside electrochemical devices, strong electric fields dramatically alter how water molecules behave. New research shows that these fields speed up water dissociation not by lowering energy costs, but by increasing molecular disorder once ions form. The reaction becomes entropy-driven—exactly the opposite of what happens in ordinary water. The findings also reveal that intense fields can push water from neutral to highly acidic, with major implications for hydrogen production.
Google’s Project Genie Experiment Causes Video Game Stocks to Suddenly Crash as Investors Believe Games Will Be Made Solely with AI
The public release of Google's Project Genie experiment, capable of creating virtual worlds from a prompt, caused video game stocks to crash.
No. 3 Michigan holds off Michigan State's second-half comeback for 83-71 win in East Lansing
Epstein files released, but DOJ withholds some 200,000 documents
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the DOJ will withhold or redact about 200,000 pages that it has deemed protected by "various privileges."
Videogame stocks slide on Google's AI model that turns prompts into playable worlds
Shares of videogame companies fell sharply in afternoon trading on Friday after Alphabet's Google rolled out its artificial intelligence model capable of creating interactive digital worlds with simple prompts.
150-acre sports complex delayed after outcry from Wisconsin residents
After listening for hours of residents' opposition to the plan, the Big Bend Plan Commission tabled action on The Breck. It could still return.
Google releases Project Genie AI tool for creating "playable worlds" that can feature copyrighted IP
But legal expert Pete Lewin from Wiggin argues that the companies behind this kind of tech can expect to face "greater scrutiny and pushback from IP owners"
Science Fields and Methodology Came from a Christian Worldview
Is Christianity incompatible with real science? The development and history of science answer a resounding “no.”
Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom out of Nebraska’s 2nd District GOP race
Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding is now the likely GOP nominee to defend the seat Bacon holds in the 2nd District.
Portland businesses closing Friday for 'National Shutdown' strike amid federal immigration concerns
Multiple businesses and restaurants across Portland are expected to close Friday, Jan. 30, in solidarity with a “National Shutdown” strike responding to growing concerns over federal immigration enforcement nationwide. The […]
Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt free agent update is exciting news
New York is still trying to line something up.
Google Project Genie lets you create interactive worlds from a photo or prompt
Project Genie lets you generate new worlds 60 seconds at a time, but only if you pay for AI Ultra.
A Business Owner Is Getting Divorced, Asks Dave Ramsey If He'll Lose The Business. 'She's Actually 98% Owner Of The Business And I'm 2% Owner'
A Texas business owner is facing a painful split, not just from his wife, but potentially from the company he helped build. He says he’s done almost all the work since 2021, but legally owns just 2% of the business. His wife holds the other 98%, a structure their accountant recommended for tax reasons. Divorce And Ownership Don't Match Up Manny, who shared his story on the “EntreLeadership” podcast recently with personal finance expert Dave Ramsey, said, “She’s actually 98% owner of the business
$10 million gift to fuel transdisciplinary data science
Tom and Cathie Woteki, an alumni couple who made profound contributions to the fields of public health and applications of enterprise computing in their careers, have made a $10 million estate gift commitment to endow multiple faculty positions or fellowships, as well as create graduate fellowships, in the College of Science and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
US Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady despite political pressure
The central bank will maintain rates at 3.5 to 3.75 percent and warned of 'elevated' economic uncertainty.
Fed holds interest rates steady, pausing rate cuts amid economic uncertainty
Federal Reserve policymakers left interest rates unchanged at its January meeting after cutting rates at its three prior meetings amid uncertainty over the labor market and inflation.
Florida Sheriffs swing behind Byron Donalds in Governor’s race
Law enforcement support builds as Donalds consolidates Republican primary momentum statewide
AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D Review - The Best Just Got Better
The AMD Ryzen 9850X3D builds on the already excellent 9800X3D without trying to shake up the market. Instead, it focuses on refining what already works. AMD delivers modest improvements with smarter tuning, and the same cache magic that gamers love. Thanks to a reasonable price increase, this processor will be a no-brainer pick for future high-end gaming rigs.
Investment and Statecraft: The International Politics of Sovereign Wealth Funds - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
In 1953, Kuwait established the world’s first sovereign wealth fund to invest the country’s oil revenues and generate returns that would reduce its reliance on a single resource. Since then, over 100 separate funds have been created to preserve national wealth and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. Today, they manage over $10 trillion in global assets. In this discussion with GJIA, political economist Kathryn Lavelle explains the increasingly novel dynamics that surround fund behavior and what the world can come to expect from their growing presence in international financial markets. GJIA: When it comes to the roles sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) play in global markets and politics, what would you say makes them unique? Kathryn Lavelle: Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) operate on behalf of governments as investors. That in itself is a strange relationship. Within them, a core contest takes place between the state’s interests (or sovereign) part of the dynamic, and the money interests (or wealth) part of it, and these two aspects are frequently in contradiction, serving fundamentally different goals. SWFs are also quite fascinating because when you talk to the people who manage these funds, they have an interest in convincing you that the decisions are made almost exclusively on a financial basis—they really will go to great lengths to differentiate their government owners and those who make the management decisions. At the same time, these people ultimately answer to someone in power. Therefore, for most SWFs, it remains deeply unclear who is actually making the investment decisions and for what purposes. Of course, it is not always clear how other vehicles, such as hedge funds and private equity make the decisions they do, but I think what a lot of people find particularly disconcerting about SWFs is that they seem to act on behalf of people who have a different identity from their own. People who could be trying to manipulate politics and markets in a way that would have a long-term effect on their own populations. Regular investors come and go at will, and they only share an interest in profit as far as most of us understand. However, SWFs have that extra “sovereign” part right behind them that obscures their true interest. GJIA: These funds can be found in countries all across the globe, in both authoritarian states and democracies. Would you say SWFs differ in their goals and structures between regime-type? KL: It is not necessarily regime type that makes the goals and structures of SWFs different. It has to do with their economies. Let’s look at a country like China. There’s going to be a debate about exactly how to characterize the regime, but it is a country with many different kinds of sovereign wealth funds, and a particularly opaque state connection to each. At one time, some of the state-owned Chinese oil companies created specialized investment vehicles listed outside Chinese markets that excluded parts of the firms that were more associated with human rights violations. At the same time, the China Investment Corporation (CIC)—China’s largest SWF—draws a lot of concern, not necessarily because of its investment activities, but because of the dynamics of global politics. So, I wouldn’t really tie differences to regime types themselves in a wholesale way, but rather to how such funds are perceived and how they are structured. Saudi Arabia’s SWF is getting all kinds of attention for its involvement in Hollywood, and this takes me right back to when I was a student in the 1980s, when people were concerned about Japanese investment entities buying assets in Hollywood. They aren’t quite the same in financial terms, but it’s the same kind of concern about foreign investment that drives people to be suspicious, and the whole idea that “foreigners are influencing Hollywood.” This holds true across industries, and it reflects where politics are in places like the United States right now. One metric we can try to look at is transparency, where all the funds will tell you, “we are transparent.” The problem you’ll keep running into with this approach is how you value things. When trying to do comparative studies of equity markets, you’ll find that every country doesn’t use Generally Accepted Accounting Principles like we do in the United States. A fund may appear opaque politically and not want people to show what they’re invested in or what their intent with that investment is, but they could also just not be able to report it because of the way it was purchased, or the kinds of shares they purchased. There are some assets out there that really are difficult to put a monetary value on. GJIA: To what extent do domestic politics shape SWF behavior in both the investing “home” country and the recipient “host” country? KL: This depends on the type of fund present and also on the extent to which voters’ political views are able to influence the fund. For example, in a democratic home state like Norway, the SWF doesn’t invest in nuclear weapons or tobacco because of social concerns, but there is a continuing debate over whether it should invest in oil, even though that’s where most of the money comes from. The degree to which Norway will continue to make those investments, and whether they contradict the government’s overall climate goals, is an open question in Norwegian politics. Because of the way the fund’s governance is structured, it may not be easy to resolve. On the other hand, some people consider pension funds, like the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) in Ohio, to be quasi-SWF. They have a very strict separation between the people who make up the management division and the fund owners. No teacher or professor would want to invest in things that may harm the future of their students. At the same time, a fund manager might see an opportunity in a diversified multinational corporation that offers a good return, despite it deriving part of its revenue from e-cigarettes. These contests are very apparent. Domestic politics can work in host countries too. A good example is Singapore’s SWF, Temasek, investing in Thailand’s telecommunications sector. If you study political economy, you already know that countries everywhere are uncomfortable with foreign ownership of their telecom sectors because a foreign entity could monitor or manipulate our communications with each other. In the case of Temasek, there was significant pushback from Thai citizens surrounding the deal, which went on to influence national political sentiment toward Singapore as a whole, underscoring the risks some SWFs may face with their investment choices. In this case, fund behavior led to the dissolution of the entire Thai government in 2006 and a subsequent coup d’état. GJIA: To address some of this unease, the Santiago Principles were established in 2009 to ostensibly promote trust and transparency. From your perspective, have these mechanisms actually changed fund behavior? KL: In international relations theory, we always like to have a clear set of norms and best practices—the orientation we want the proverbial ship to be going in. In that regard, the Santiago Principles at least got the discussion going about which direction SWFs should take at a time when people were very skittish about the growing size of these funds. Nobody wanted them to be out there and potentially destabilizing economies, so talks about disclosure, conditions for withdrawal, and the independence of managers were helpful when initiated. The biggest stumbling block was that there wasn’t exactly a good way to measure compliance with the Principles, let alone how to hold funds to them. If you read the Principles, they’re overall quite vague. In general, a fund doesn’t want to reveal how and why they make certain investment decisions because that information is proprietary—a fund makes money off of how and why it makes decisions—so how do you reconcile that with loosely-defined ideas of openness? Some decisions might have a political purpose. The bottom line is that trying to figure out and assign a score to compliance is not easy, and it is therefore the reason why the Santiago Principles never really got off the ground to the point where they could truly direct fund behavior. GJIA: Many emerging markets are looking to build their own SWFs from mineral and oil revenues. Historically, have funds shaped development trajectories in these countries? KL: I think the big story in international emerging markets investment is that the investment is increasingly no longer unidirectional. In the past multinational corporations of primarily Western background were the main form of foreign direct investment in a country. That has changed dramatically, to the point where you have companies from so-called “developing countries” taking over companies in the United States. Therefore, the landscape of international investment has changed, and I think SWFs are certainly a possibility to be the next step in the game. Historically, you didn’t need an entire financial vehicle to reinvest commodity revenues in your country, but as emerging markets get more financially sophisticated, their capacity to operate such funds has increased. SWFs would allow treasuries to move from relying on holding foreign exchange assets like cash or government bonds to having broader financial markets and targeted growth areas, while easing pressure on welfare expenditures. GJIA: With their increasing financial weight, do you see the presence of SWFs being a factor in the political choices leaders will have to make with regard to domestic and foreign policy? KL: It will depend on just how big the funds get. One of the reasons people are already apprehensive is because of their scale, and if certain SWFs in certain countries achieve a large-enough size, the presence will absolutely be cause for concern. The other factor political leaders will have to consider are their objectives. It’s not always clear how to define a SWF, or even where its activity is concentrated, but it is certainly a worry from the perspective of national security of opaque external investment. More than that, I think one of the most interesting questions going forward is whether the United States, the home to the world’s largest financial markets, will develop its own fund, for which the Trump administration announced a plan. There have also been several proposals in Congress. Were it to come into being, it would have tremendous weight. At the same time, one of the hallmarks of U.S. capitalism is a lack of government ownership of shares, so it would not be clear how such a fund would be received in domestic politics, or which direction it would take. Given how politically fragmented the country is, a Democratic administration would likely be concerned about different sectors of the economy, such as healthcare, and want investment there, rather than a Republican administration, which might prefer defense industries. No investment vehicle could thrive under conditions of such instability. Moreover, it remains unclear where the money to fund a theoretical U.S. SWF would come from. It would be a fundamentally different entity depending on whether it is financed with debt, economic surplus, commodities, or the sale of state companies, as in the case of Singapore. If it is debt, or government borrowing of some form, then the fund would have to outperform whatever the cost of that debt is, which is not an easy thing to do. I think our political leaders have enough on their plate. Our system has worked well keeping political and investment functions generally separate. We have seen different forms of business rise and fall, and even the perception of different countries, all of which funds are tied to. Unless a major SWF either starts—like in the case of the United States—or collapses—an issue that concerns the Saudis, I don’t see any political tsunamis on the horizon. . . . Kathryn Lavelle is the Ellen and Dixon Long Professor of World Affairs at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Her research explores the exchange between domestic and international and political institutions with a particular emphasis on political economy and multilateralism. Dr. Lavelle’s first book, The Politics of Equity Finance in Emerging Markets, explored the political circumstances that surround large issues of stock in the developing world. After being granted tenure at Case Western, she was awarded an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship and named the William A. Steiger fellow, a designation given to the most promising political scientist in her class of fellows. While in Washington during 2006-2007, she worked on the staff of the House Committee on Financial Services on issues related to domestic and international monetary policy. Dr. Lavelle holds a PhD in political science from Northwestern University; an M.A. in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia; and a bachelor’s degree in international economics from Georgetown University. She is a permanent member of the New York Council on Foreign Relations. This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length. Interview conducted by Sid Mehrotra. Image Credit: Jason Leung, Unsplash Content Licenses, via Unsplash
Rebuilding Colorado’s talent pipeline system
By Randy Johnson The rule of thumb in designing and building anything is form follows function — you always build for a clear and specific purpose. This principle holds true for structures, vehicles, applications, seemingly anything, other than many educational systems and government functions. During the next few months, Colorado has a powerful opportunity to […]
Oklahoma education department seeks $23M budget increase to address rising health benefit costs
Oklahoma's new state superintendent, Lindel Fields, has requested an additional $23 million from lawmakers to address rising health benefit costs in the education budget.
McDonald's brings back an iconic item from the 1980s
McDonald's brings back beloved Changeables Happy Meal toys after decades, featuring 16 transforming robots and dinosaurs for nostalgic fans everywhere.
Health Insurers in Shock After Medicare Holds Line on 2027 Payments
Big companies lose nearly $90 billion in market capitalization after Medicare proposed a relatively flat rate increase for next year.
49ers OC Klay Kubiak plans to stay with Kyle Shanahan
The 49ers won’t have a new offensive coordinator
UTampa to build new Science Center along Hillsborough River
The University of Tampa will build a new riverfront Science Center to expand research teaching and workforce readiness in health care and science fields.
The magnetic secret inside steel finally explained
For years, scientists noticed that magnetic fields could improve steel, but no one knew exactly why. New simulations reveal that magnetism changes how iron atoms behave, making it harder for carbon atoms to slip through the metal. This slows diffusion at the atomic level and alters steel’s internal structure. The insight could lead to more efficient, lower-energy ways to make stronger steel.
Distant entangled atoms acting as one sensor deliver stunning precision
Researchers have demonstrated that quantum entanglement can link atoms across space to improve measurement accuracy. By splitting an entangled group of atoms into separate clouds, they were able to measure electromagnetic fields more precisely than before. The technique takes advantage of quantum connections acting at a distance. It could enhance tools such as atomic clocks and gravity sensors.
Oil holds onto gains as Iran keeps investors on edge
Oil prices extended gains on Monday after climbing more than 2% in the previous session, as tensions between the U.S. and Iran kept investors on edge even after Kazakhstan's main export pipeline resumed full operations.
Minneapolis fatal shooting of activist sparks war of words among Florida politicians
Byron Donalds says he's defending the rule of law as Shevrin Jones calls latest ICE shooting 'murder.'
New York Startup Builds Fridge-Sized Machine That Can Turn Air Into Gasoline
While it's not quite the free energy it sounds like at first, Aircela's technology in its current state has some practical, small-scale applications.
Samsung drops Galaxy S26 Ultra bombshell
On the surface, it’s business as usual. Behind the curtain, it’s not.
Inside Iowa Politics: What Gov. Reynolds said she will do about cancer crisis
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said her $50 million state commitment to cancer will have a "hub and spoke" model.
Minnesota holds economic strike to protest ICE presence
Organisers called on businesses to close for the day in protest at immigration enforcement activity.
CVS Health (CVS) Valuation Check As Regulatory Scrutiny And Legal Outcomes Draw Investor Focus
Regulatory and legal scrutiny is back in focus for CVS Health (CVS), as a U.S. House Judiciary Committee probe into its pharmacy benefit manager practices unfolds, while a separate class action over prescription drug pricing has been dismissed. See our latest analysis for CVS Health. For context, CVS Health shares now trade at US$82.68, with a 30 day share price return of 5.95% and a year to date share price return of 3.18%, while the 1 year total shareholder return of 59.48% reflects how...
Women in Business: Riverstone Wellness
Founders Kristina Schafer and Christina Holliday take a personal approach to wellness that builds a partnership between provider and patient.
How YouTuber MrBeast's burger venture imploded, sparked lawsuits
MrBeast Burger is at the center of a bitter legal battle between Jimmy Donaldson and his business partner, Virtual Dining Concepts.
Evaluating Clemson Football's Newest Recruits: QB Tait Reynolds
Clemson's new commit Tait Reynolds has the chance to become Clemson's next best thing at quarterback. In this article, we will analyze his game.
XG leans into radical self-love with debut album 'The Core'
XG’s first full-length release, 'The Core,' builds on the group's signature sound with a couple of twists.
Inside Blake Lively's messages to Ben Affleck, Matt Damon about 'It Ends With Us'
Messages from 2024 that were unsealed in court show Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds seeking "It Ends With Us" feedback from Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.
Oregon's Prosperity Council holds first meeting to boost local business, grow state GDP
Oregon’s new Prosperity Council met for the first time Thursday as Governor Tina Kotek reviewed their goals of growing local businesses, increasing the state’s
Health Insurance CEOs Testify on Health Care Affordability
The House Ways and Means Committee holds a hearing on health care affordability with testimony from health insurance CEO's.
Paul Renner wonders if Byron Donalds is 'really a Republican or a conservative'
The Palm Coast Republican presses his case that the Donald Trump-backed front-runner lacks authenticity and will let the Right down.
Gilt Yields Rise, Sterling Falls as Political Uncertainty Resurfaces in U.K.
A local district election could usher in the return of Andy Burnham, reports suggested, providing a route back to parliament for the current mayor of Greater Manchester, seen as a figurehead for those on the left of the ruling Labour Party.
Alarm as US mulls prioritising citizens in research funding
A senior White House official said the Trump administration is considering ways to prioritise research funding to American citizens, triggering alarm in the research community that the country could destroy its century-long status as a magnet for overseas talent.Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), said last week that it is “important for us to continue to emphasise the use of federal R&D dollars towards American scientists and technologists that are staffed by Americans in their labs.” Asked about support for Chinese students during a Congressional hearing, Kratsios went on to say that in future funding announcements, the OSTP would “emphasise” that “we're funding American students.”The precise meaning of his impromptu comments, and what they could mean in policy terms, isn’t yet clear. The OSTP did not respond to multiple requests for clarification from Science|Business.But given that US science and technology has relied on overseas talent for the past century, Kratsios’s words have alarmed former US science officials.Immigrants have made up around 30-40% of US Nobel Prize winners since the 1940s, for example. Except for some sensitive projects, countries typically grant research funding on a nationality-blind basis, lest they deter foreign scientists from immigrating. “If director Kratsios’s statements are taken literally and become official policy of the White House, [research-intensive] universities will likely have to close labs if not entire research divisions,” said David Biggs, a former science and technology official in the US State Department. In their most extreme interpretation, Kratsios’s comments would imply that foreign scientists established in the US would see access to funding curtailed. This would “result in many world-leading professors who work in the United States in fields that this administration considers a priority (like fusion energy, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing) leaving the country,” said Cole Donovan, a former US science diplomat, and now associate director at the Federation of American Scientists.CripplingHowever, given the context of the conversation, Kratsios may have been referring more narrowly to funding for doctoral or postdoctoral students. At the hearing, he said he wanted to see labs staffed by US citizens. But even this would have devastating consequences for the US science system, say former officials, because the country is so dependent on early-career foreign researchers. Recent statistics show that nearly half of those in the US with a PhD in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) are considered short-term visitors, or non-residents in the official terminology. If this included residents who are not yet citizens, the proportion would likely be even higher. “Foreign PhD students are really a significant and core part of the university STEM workforce, and postdocs is similarly large,” said Donovan. Preventing US-based academics from hiring them from overseas would be a serious blow, he said. “If it's the case that this administration intends to limit funding to labs staffed only with US citizens, the effect will be to cripple the American scientific enterprise,” said Chris Marcum, a former OSTP official. “To think that these researchers can simply be replaced is a pipe dream. The labs will close,” said Marcum. Go elsewhereAround half of US-trained postdocs are foreign-born, said Biggs. “If these top international students cannot get funding to do their research, or even if they hear that funding for foreign students has been greatly restricted and will be super competitive, they will no longer choose to study in the US and will go elsewhere.” It’s unclear for now if Kratsios’s comments will translate into a real policy shift. But they could add to turmoil in the US science system since Donald Trump took over as president one year ago. Related articlesNIH turmoil risks reciprocal EU-US access to health research fundingUS set to close office responsible for global science and technology dealsTrump halts new NIH grants to international health-research partnersSince then, nearly 8,000 grants at the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation have been frozen or terminated, Naturereports. Courts have overturned most of these cancellations, but the disruption caused remains significant. Both those agencies have also dished out around a quarter fewer grants this year than normal, the journal reported. International student enrolment is also down by 17%. The Trump administration also proposes to cut research budgets by around a third, although Congress may mollify the cuts.
Alarm over US plan to prioritise citizens in research funding
The US’s leading science official has said the country will focus its research spending on scientists with US citizenship, triggering alarm that the country could destroy its century-long status as a magnet for overseas talent.Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), said last week that it is “important for us to continue to emphasise the use of federal R&D dollars towards American scientists and technologists that are staffed by Americans in their labs.” Asked about support for Chinese students during a Congressional hearing, Kratsios went on to say that in future funding announcements, the OSTP would “emphasise” that “we're funding American students.”Kratsios’s precise meaning, and what it could mean in policy terms, isn’t yet clear. The OSTP did not respond to multiple requests for clarification from Science|Business.But given that US science and technology has relied on overseas talent for the past century, Kratsios’s words have stunned former US science officials.Immigrants have made up around 30-40% of US Nobel Prize winners since the 1940s, for example. Except for some sensitive projects, countries typically grant research funding on a nationality-blind basis, lest they deter foreign scientists from immigrating. “If director Kratsios’s statements are taken literally and become official policy of the White House, [research-intensive] universities will likely have to close labs if not entire research divisions,” said David Biggs, a former science and technology official in the US State Department. In their most extreme interpretation, Kratsios’s comments would imply that foreign scientists established in the US would see access to funding curtailed. This would “result in many world-leading professors who work in the United States in fields that this administration considers a priority (like fusion energy, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing) leaving the country,” said Cole Donovan, a former US science diplomat, and now associate director at the Federation of American Scientists.CripplingHowever, given the context of the conversation, Kratsios may have been referring more narrowly to funding for doctoral or postdoctoral students. At the hearing, he said he wanted to see labs staffed by US citizens. But even this would have devastating consequences for the US science system, say former officials, because the country is so dependent on early-career foreign researchers. Recent statistics show that nearly half of those in the US with a PhD in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) are considered short-term visitors, or non-residents in the official terminology. If this included residents who are not yet citizens, the proportion would likely be even higher. “Foreign PhD students are really a significant and core part of the university STEM workforce, and postdocs is similarly large,” said Donovan. Preventing US-based academics from hiring them from overseas would be a serious blow, he said. “If it's the case that this administration intends to limit funding to labs staffed only with US citizens, the effect will be to cripple the American scientific enterprise,” said Chris Marcum, a former OSTP official. “To think that these researchers can simply be replaced is a pipe dream. The labs will close,” said Marcum. Go elsewhereAround half of US-trained postdocs are foreign-born, said Biggs. “If these top international students cannot get funding to do their research, or even if they hear that funding for foreign students has been greatly restricted and will be super competitive, they will no longer choose to study in the US and will go elsewhere.” It’s unclear for now if Kratsios’s comments will translate into a real policy shift. But they could add to turmoil in the US science system since Donald Trump took over as president one year ago. Since then, nearly 8,000 grants at the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation have been frozen or terminated, Naturereports. Courts have overturned most of these cancellations, but the disruption caused remains significant. Both those agencies have also dished out around a quarter fewer grants this year than normal, the journal reported. International student enrolment is also down by 17%. The Trump administration also proposes to cut research budgets by around a third, although Congress may mollify the cuts.
Business builds community through decade-long support of Kennesaw State athletics
For Jay Cunningham, owner of Superior Plumbing in Kennesaw, providing sponsorship of school athletics programs is a fundamental part of building the community. The way he sees it, the gifts he and Superior Plumbing have given to Kennesaw State University for more than a decade are a key part of his business.
Apple bets on Gemini AI for Siri, signaling shift in AI strategy
Apple, Siri, and Google Gemini AI are at the forefront as Apple rebuilds its assistant, betting on AI model commoditization and flexibility.
Health Insurance CEOs Testify on Health Care Affordability
The House Ways and Means Committee holds a hearing on health care affordability with testimony from health insurance CEO's.
Declining Science and Engineering R&D in Higher Education Threatens US Competitiveness
U.S. higher education plays a central role in science and engineering R&D, yet investment in these fields has declined over the past decade. This erosion threatens the future of U.S. technological leadership and its ability to compete with China.
New Leadership Louisiana program targets statewide health challenges
Leaders for a Better Louisiana’s Leadership Louisiana initiative is expanding with the launch of a new program focused on the state’s health care sector. The program, Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows, is designed to give leaders from business, policy, education and health-related fields a deeper understanding of the systems shaping health outcomes across Louisiana. The program […]
Quantum spin resonance in engineered proteins for multimodal sensing
Nature - A recently developed class of magneto-sensitive fluorescent proteins are engineered to alter the properties of their response to magnetic fields and radio frequencies, enabling multimodal...
This new building material pulls carbon out of the air
A new building material developed by engineers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute could change how the world builds. Made using an enzyme that turns carbon dioxide into solid minerals, the material cures in hours and locks away carbon instead of releasing it. It’s strong, repairable, recyclable, and far cleaner than concrete. If adopted widely, it could slash emissions across the construction industry.
WATCH LIVE: White House holds briefing after Trump's latest Greenland and tariff threats
BOJ to signal more rate hikes as yen, politics fuel inflation risks
TOKYO, Jan 20 (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan is expected to raise its growth forecast on Friday and signal its readiness to hike interest rates further, as recent yen falls and prospects of solid wage gains keep policymakers alert to containing inflationary pressure. But BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda is likely to offer few clues on how soon the central bank could resume rate hikes, a decision complicated by rising bond yields and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's announcement on Monday to call a snap
Mock draft Monday: Steelers updated mock draft rebuilds the offense
We've updated our Steelers mock draft with a new head coach on the way and it rebuilds the offense and replaces several free agents.
McDonald's plans massive overhaul with major changes to restaurants, pricing and menus
McDonald’s plans a 2026 overhaul with 8,000 new locations, revamped drive-thrus, tighter pricing rules, new menu items and expanded digital, AI, and loyalty tools.
AI Has A Brand Problem And Entertainment Is The Fix
AI is reshaping brand strategy. As agentic AI scales content marketing, brands must build entertainment fields, creating loyalty and gravity beyond transactions.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launching study on cellphone radiation
Study builds on Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s claims linking them to both cancer and neurological damage
S.C. 10-year-olds turn lemonade stand into business venture
Two 10-year-olds have turned a traditional childhood lemonade stand into a business venture to fund their future goals.
Ten-year-olds turn lemonade stand into business venture
Two 10-year-olds have turned a traditional childhood lemonade stand into a business venture to fund their future goals.
Economic Policy and Political Science: Examining Armenian Students’ Understanding of the Intersection Between Two Fields -
Economic Policy and Political Science: Examining Armenian Students’ Understanding of the Intersection Between Two Fields By Vardan Atoyan, Aghavni Hakobyan, Nane Movsisyan and Argam Artashyan, Armenian State University of Economics This study investigates how economics [...]
El Paso content creators interview movie, entertainment stars in Hollywood
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Without much forethought but driven by relentless motivation, three young content creators from El Paso took a five-day trip to Los Angeles and West Hollywood, capturing interviews with successful people in the movie and entertainment business as part of a motivational filming project. “You throw a bunch of young 20-year-olds […]
Scientists trace fertilizer microplastics from fields to beaches
Plastic-coated fertilizers used on farms are emerging as a major but hidden source of ocean microplastics. A new study found that only a tiny fraction reaches beaches through rivers, while direct drainage from fields to the sea sends far more plastic back onto shore. Once there, waves and tides briefly trap the particles on beaches before many vanish again. This helps explain why so much plastic pollution seems to disappear after reaching the ocean.
Hear from a survivor: Protect against brain injury while participating in winter sports
The Brain Injury Association of Maryland talks with Jenyne Donaldson about protecting against injury when participating in winter sports.
Chinese modders end console wars with a PS5, Xbox Series S, and Switch 2 combo console
Ningtendo PXBOX 5: Modder builds a 3-in-1 console that switches between PS5, Xbox Series S, and Switch 2 with one button A Chinese hardware modding
China's Shenzhou-21 crew continues with science experiments, life in orbit
China's Shenzhou-21 astronauts have steadily advanced scientific experiments in several fields aboard China's space station over the past week.The crew consists of mission commander Zhang Lu and astronauts Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang. They have been in
India shows health and digital health is the best investment
Examples from India present a growing body of evidence that investing in interoperable systems, preventive care and digital health yields rising returns.
High schoolers compete at regional Business Professionals of America conference
The hope is to develop skills in potential future career fields, and to advance to the State Conference in Grand Rapids
Hub: Consumer Acceptance of AI in Entertainment Depends on Usage
A new study from Hub Entertainment Research has found that, while consumers increasingly expect AI to reshape everyday life, their acceptance of its use in entertainment depends on how it is used and how transparently.
Netflix, Sony Pictures Entertainment Sign New Pay-1 Deal
Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) have inked a new global pay-1 deal that will see SPE’s feature films stream on the platform following their full theatrical and home entertainment windows.
The View | Kim Fields reflects on 5 decades in entertainment, final season of 'The Upshaws'
Scientists found hidden synapse hotspots in the teen brain
Scientists have discovered that the adolescent brain does more than prune old connections. During the teen years, it actively builds dense new clusters of synapses in specific parts of neurons. These clusters emerge only in adolescence and may help shape higher-level thinking. When the process is disrupted, it could play a role in conditions like schizophrenia.
Top two executives at City & Guilds placed on leave
Pair will be absent ‘for short period’ from vocational trainer, whose charity is under investigation by Charity Commission
A deadly chemical frozen in ice may have sparked life on Earth
Hydrogen cyanide, a toxic chemical, may have helped spark the chemistry that led to life. When frozen, it forms crystals with highly reactive surfaces that can drive unusual chemical reactions, even in extreme cold. These reactions could produce more reactive molecules that pave the way for life’s basic ingredients. The findings suggest frozen worlds may be more chemically active than once thought.
Hankook Tire builds its own health clinic, Premier cancels plans for clinic at Industrial Park site
A recent move by Hankook Tire to open its own health care clinic has led Premier Medical Group to cancel its plans to build a clinic nearby at the Industrial Park.
Trump pitches direct payments to consumers for health care. What policy experts say about the plan
President Donald Trump wants to send payments directly to households for health costs. Experts think the plan may raise costs and the number of uninsured.
David Jolly holds narrow edge over Jerry Demings in latest poll of Democratic Governor Primary
A Mason-Dixon poll shows him with an edge, but it falls within the margin of error.
Harold's Chicken CEO Kristen Pierce-Sherrod, founder's daughter, dies at 55, family says
Harold's Chicken CEO Kristen Pierce-Sherrod, the daughter of the iconic Chicago restaurant chain's founder, has died at age 55.
Fuelling the Future: How Business, Finance and Policy can Accelerate the Clean Fuels Market
Amid rising global energy demand and evolving market dynamics, clean fuels are a key pillar for a more secure, affordable and sustainable energy system. Examples ranging from biofuels, e-fuels and hydrogen derivatives to lower-carbon fossil fuels offer multiple sources of economic and societal value. This report, produced in collaboration with Bain & Company, highlights the important role of expanding clean fuels in our future energy system. Clean fuels have been shown to reduce import dependence on fossil fuels by 5-15%, while providing two to three times the job intensity of conventional fuels. They can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions and support productive land use – provided well-designed policies protect land, biodiversity and water resources. The report’s analysis builds on consultations with expert stakeholders to present success stories and key insights to help business leaders and policy-makers overcome barriers to greater investment in the sector. The paper is complemented by a digital playbook of solutions drawing from real-world case studies and success stories from across the clean fuels industry. For more information or to inquire about joining the initiative, please visit the Future of Clean Fuels initiative page.
Federal appeals court upholds California's Prop 50 redistricting maps
A panel of three judges in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to dismiss claims by Republicans that the maps favored Latino voters.
Senate GOP shields Trump from limits to his war powers in Venezuela after president’s pressure campaign
Senate Republicans blocked an effort to curb the Trump administration’s military action in Venezuela, a victory for the president who was incensed that some Republicans tried to tie his hands on a key foreign policy.
AI surges among top business risk concerns, while cybersecurity holds firm
A report from Allianz Commercial shows the rapid embrace of AI is posing new challenges for enterprise leaders.
Transforming Health Care in Iowa
Governor Reynolds' health care investments have made Iowa the top state for health care affordability and one of the top 5 states for best health care system.