Advanced systems help seek and destroy enemy vessels
With the help of advanced systems, the submarines can seek and destroy enemy vessels and carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, support battle group operations; and engage in mine warfare.
With the help of advanced systems, the submarines can seek and destroy enemy vessels and carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, support battle group operations; and engage in mine warfare.
The Virginia class has several innovations that significantly enhance its warfighting capabilities, including in littoral — or coastal — operations. The class has special features to support Special Operation Forces (SOF), including a reconfigurable torpedo room which can accommodate a large number of SOF personnel and all their equipment for prolonged deployments, as well as future off-board payloads.
Reports revealed that through the extensive use of modular construction, open architecture, and commercial off-the-shelf components, the Virginia class is designed to remain state-of-the-practice for its entire operational life through the rapid introduction of new systems and payloads.
The U.S. Navy also highlighted that most of the changes are found in the bow where the traditional, air-backed sonar sphere has been replaced with a water-backed Large Aperture Bow array, which reduces acquisition and life-cycle costs while providing enhanced passive detection capabilities.
A hidden battle between X and Y chromosome-bearing sperm can sway the sex ratio of mouse litters. In a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, University of Michigan researchers uncovered the mechanism behind this microscopic arms race—where sperm compete for fertilization in a contest not unlike the race to the moon.
Mouse sperm rivalry may sway the sex of offspring
According to Martin Arlt, associate research scientist at the University’s Department of Human Genetics, whichever sperm, X- or Y-bearing, reaches the egg first is the one that successfully fertilizes it.
The team found that the proteins encoded by Slxl1/Slx and Sly, which affect sperm fitness, compete for Spindlins—proteins that regulate gene expression. The proteins vie for binding, with more X-linked gene family proteins leading to the production of more X-carrying sperm, and vice versa.
Sperm fitness determined by competition between X and Y
One of the researchers, Jacob Mueller, associate professor of human genetics and senior author of the paper, explained that these proteins are relatively recent developments in evolutionary terms, appearing only a few million years ago, well after humans diverged from chimps.
Additionally, while spermatogenesis can occur without Slxl1/Slx and Sly, these genes have persisted in mice by becoming integrated into a crucial system for the species. The researchers also found evidence that similar arms races are occurring repeatedly across different species and time periods.
A team of international researchers recently conducted a study to check how sensitive the human cochlea is by analyzing its response to sounds of different loudness and pitch. The scientists, led by Dr Patricia Balaresque from the Centre for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (CRBE) in France, worked with the hypothesis that age would be the primary factor in influencing cochlear sensitivity.
However, the results of their study proved the scientists wrong. Our “findings show that hearing amplitude is more influenced by sex than age, with women showing an average of two decibels more sensitive hearing than men across all the populations studied,” the researchers note.
Why do women have superior hearing?
Across all the groups involved in the study, women consistently outperformed men in hearing tests. In fact, in some populations, women’s ears were found to be six kilohertz sharper than men’s.
These results suggest that gender (or sex) plays a key role in influencing cochlear sensitivity, but why is this the case? The exact reason is still unknown, but “this could be due to different exposure to hormones during development in the womb or due to men and women having slight structural differences in cochlear anatomy,” the study authors suggest.
The researchers also argue that better cochlear sensitivity isn’t always advantageous as this makes female ears more sensitive to noise and related problems.
“We don’t really know why this might be, but given the detrimental effect of noise on overall health such as sleep quality and increased cardiovascular disease, having more sensitive hearing in noisy environments may not always be a good thing,” noted professor Turi King from the University of Bath, one of the authors of the study.
The next steps now involve securing substantial capital required to bring the project to life and ensure it is viable financially. David Tomb, Earba’s project director, highlighted that it has been over 50 years since the last UK pumped hydro storage project began, making it vital to collaborate with suppliers to develop the necessary supply chain capacity for a project of this scale.
Project to support 500 jobs in six-year build phase
The UK-based company expects the project to create 500 on-site jobs during the six-to-seven-year construction period, spanning various roles in construction, engineering, and project management.
Crompton also emphasized that energy storage plays a crucial role in integrating more renewables into the UK energy system, advancing the country’s progress toward Net Zero while strengthening energy security.
The company highlighted that Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) provides significant benefits, including reducing wind curtailment costs—costs that are typically passed on to consumers—and decreasing reliance on costly gas generation.
Following the approval of Earba, Gilkes Energy has submitted a planning application for another major LDES project in collaboration with Perth-based SSE Renewables. The two companies are seeking consent to build a 1.8 GW/36 GWh pumped hydro energy storage project in Scotland.
“We are also working closely with the UK Government and Ofgem to implement the Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) ‘Cap & Floor’ mechanism in 2025. This investment framework acknowledges the importance of pumped storage hydro while addressing the challenges of financing such capital-intensive, long-lead-time projects.” Crompton added.
World’s largest sea cable network
Once complete, the site will become the largest manufacturing facility for offshore high-voltage power cables globally.
The EU’s formal recognition underscores the project’s alignment with continental decarbonization objectives and reflects the strategic criticality of subsea power transmission infrastructure in reinforcing European energy security.
“This designation marks a significant milestone, not only for NKT but for Sweden’s industrial and energy sectors at large,” said Claes Westerlind, CEO of NKT.
“It validates our sustained investments and innovations in power cable technologies, while affirming the strength of the regional ecosystem in Blekinge. We welcome continued collaboration with the Swedish government in delivering this strategic net-zero project.”
Europe’s first net-zero project
Sweden’s national leadership has framed the recognition as a testament to its long-standing role in energy innovation.
“This is clear evidence of Sweden’s continued leadership in net-zero industrial development,” said Ebba Busch, Sweden’s Minister for Energy, Business and Industry, and Deputy Prime Minister.
“From pioneering the world’s first HVDC cable deployment to Gotland, to today’s advancements in power grid research and manufacturing, Sweden remains at the forefront of HVDC technology. The EU’s approval of the Karlskrona project confirms our central role in advancing the green transition, while reinforcing Europe’s energy security and competitiveness.”
NKT’s expansion in Karlskrona has been approved for faster national regulatory and permitting processes because it has received a net-zero project designation.
This procedural acceleration will allow crucial net-zero infrastructure projects to scale quickly throughout the continent by eliminating bottlenecks.
Additionally, the project has operational and symbolic value since it establishes a standard for future net-zero designations under the Act.
It creates a guide for business players looking to strategically align with the EU’s energy sovereignty and climate-neutrality goals.
Supporting transnational power grid integration, reducing risk to energy supply chains, and bolstering the industrial posture of the EU’s net-zero ecosystem, the Karlskrona facility will be a key asset as the EU steps up its efforts to localize clean technology manufacturing and lessen reliance on outside sources.
PESA replaces hydraulic-based gun drive mechanisms
“The work on PESA is another example of providing best-of-breed technology and capability to deliver on a wide range of customer needs from electrical power, network computing, and advanced sensing,” said Leonardo DRS in a statement.
The company is a leading designer, developer, and integrator of sophisticated electrical, electromechanical, and electronic systems, subsystems, and assemblies across the U.S. military.
The electrically powered control system PESA is unique to the M109A7, designed to replace the previous hydraulic-based gun drive mechanisms as part of the broader Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) modernization effort.
Not present in the companion M992A3 Carrier Ammunition Tracked (CAT) vehicle, the PESA performs two essential tasks: distributing power to the howitzer’s electric gun drives and ramming mechanisms, and providing the control interface between the howitzer’s fire control systems and its electric motion hardware to support automated and manual operation of turret and cannon positioning. Therefore, the M109A7 uses the PESA to enable precise, electrically-driven gun movement and shell loading, reported Army Recognition.
Weapon has been in service for over 55 years
The M109A7 uses the existing main armament and cab structure of a Paladin M109A6, and replaces the vehicle’s chassis components with modem components common to the Bradley vehicle. The improved chassis structure provides greater survivability and commonality with the existing systems in the ABCT, reducing operational sustainability costs by replacing obsolete components.
The M109A7 Paladin is a modernized version of the M109 self-propelled howitzer, which has been in the Army’s inventory for over 55 years, and there have been multiple modifications in this system. As expected with the integration of new systems, there is a steep learning curve. This is especially true when it comes to the Army’s most complex combat systems.
The M109A7 is the first ABCT vehicle built with a 70kW high voltage system, which replaces the hydraulic cab drive system and enhances electronic ammunition handling and air-conditioning.
Polypropylene and polyethylene are currently produced mainly from fossil sources. “We investigated through pilot activities and modelling, how the biogenic carbon dioxide recovery chain can be adapted to existing petrochemical plants and the production of key basic plastics. For rapid and significant replacement of fossil feedstocks with renewable ones, technologies need to be adapted to the currently existing production facilities,” said Juha Lehtonen, research professor at VTT.
He further noted that producing the necessary hydrocarbons through alternative routes—such as methanol synthesis or the high-temperature Fischer-Tropsch process—would demand significant investment in new production facilities.
Nordic countries hold unique potential for renewable carbon feedstocks
The Nordic countries, Finland included, hold substantial reserves of biogenic carbon dioxide that could replace fossil-based carbon feedstocks. This potential stems from large, relatively accessible sources of bio-based CO₂, particularly from forest industry facilities. Such concentrated and renewable CO₂ sources are uncommon elsewhere in Europe, making Finland and the Nordic region uniquely positioned.
What they found was surprising: instead of having one energy level, the excitons split into two distinct energy levels—a phenomenon known as fine structure. It was also observed that excitons behaved differently depending on which direction they moved in the material.
For instance, at very cold temperatures (below -222°F or 132 Kelvin), CrSBr becomes magnetic. So, inside each of its layers, the tiny magnetic fields of the electrons line up, but in opposite directions from one layer to the next. This is called an antiferromagnetic state. Here, excitons are found to be trapped inside a single layer, moving only in one direction.
However, at warmer temperatures (above 132 Kelvin), CrSBr loses its magnetism, and the heat makes the electron spins point in random directions. In this case, excitons are no longer confined. They spread out over multiple layers and move freely in all directions, showing three-dimensional behavior.
This ability to trap or release excitons based on temperature (or magnetic fields) is like flipping a magnetic switch. It reveals a powerful way to control the flow of information in quantum devices.
“Since the electronic, photonic, and spin degrees of freedom are strongly intertwined, switching between a magnetized and a non-magnetized state could serve as an extremely fast way to convert photon and spin-based quantum information,” noted Matthias Florian, a member of the research team.
The next step is information conversion
The study authors now aim to explore whether excitons can serve as a bridge for transferring quantum information between different physical systems. For example, can a message carried by an exciton be passed on to the spin of an electron?
Promising results
Now working intensively on cross-linking methods to stabilize the 3D-printed skin, Austrian researchers aim to follow a natural approach, ensuring the process occurs under very mild conditions and without the use of cytotoxic chemicals. Once they achieve successful stabilization, the team in India begins testing the durability and potential toxicity of the 3D-printed skin models in cell cultures.
A structure can only be considered a true skin imitation once the skin cells embedded in the hydrogel survive in cell culture for two to three weeks and begin forming actual skin tissue. Only then can it be used for further cellular testing of cosmetic products
Advanced systems help seek and destroy enemy vessels
With the help of advanced systems, the submarines can seek and destroy enemy vessels and carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, support battle group operations; and engage in mine warfare.
With the help of advanced systems, the submarines can seek and destroy enemy vessels and carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, support battle group operations; and engage in mine warfare.
The Virginia class has several innovations that significantly enhance its warfighting capabilities, including in littoral — or coastal — operations. The class has special features to support Special Operation Forces (SOF), including a reconfigurable torpedo room which can accommodate a large number of SOF personnel and all their equipment for prolonged deployments, as well as future off-board payloads.
!summarize #gratefuldead #music #industry
Reports revealed that through the extensive use of modular construction, open architecture, and commercial off-the-shelf components, the Virginia class is designed to remain state-of-the-practice for its entire operational life through the rapid introduction of new systems and payloads.
The U.S. Navy also highlighted that most of the changes are found in the bow where the traditional, air-backed sonar sphere has been replaced with a water-backed Large Aperture Bow array, which reduces acquisition and life-cycle costs while providing enhanced passive detection capabilities.
!summarize #uk #tesla #byd #automotive #europe
!summarize #nymets #mlb #toronto #bluejays #lindor
A hidden battle between X and Y chromosome-bearing sperm can sway the sex ratio of mouse litters. In a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, University of Michigan researchers uncovered the mechanism behind this microscopic arms race—where sperm compete for fertilization in a contest not unlike the race to the moon.
Mouse sperm rivalry may sway the sex of offspring
According to Martin Arlt, associate research scientist at the University’s Department of Human Genetics, whichever sperm, X- or Y-bearing, reaches the egg first is the one that successfully fertilizes it.
!summarize #april #mlb #schedule #baseball
The team found that the proteins encoded by Slxl1/Slx and Sly, which affect sperm fitness, compete for Spindlins—proteins that regulate gene expression. The proteins vie for binding, with more X-linked gene family proteins leading to the production of more X-carrying sperm, and vice versa.
Sperm fitness determined by competition between X and Y
One of the researchers, Jacob Mueller, associate professor of human genetics and senior author of the paper, explained that these proteins are relatively recent developments in evolutionary terms, appearing only a few million years ago, well after humans diverged from chimps.
Additionally, while spermatogenesis can occur without Slxl1/Slx and Sly, these genes have persisted in mice by becoming integrated into a crucial system for the species. The researchers also found evidence that similar arms races are occurring repeatedly across different species and time periods.
!summarize #genome #editting #dna #technology #biotech
!summarize #mayans #history #conspiracy
A team of international researchers recently conducted a study to check how sensitive the human cochlea is by analyzing its response to sounds of different loudness and pitch. The scientists, led by Dr Patricia Balaresque from the Centre for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (CRBE) in France, worked with the hypothesis that age would be the primary factor in influencing cochlear sensitivity.
However, the results of their study proved the scientists wrong. Our “findings show that hearing amplitude is more influenced by sex than age, with women showing an average of two decibels more sensitive hearing than men across all the populations studied,” the researchers note.
!summarize #snowwhite #hollywood #movie #rachelzegler #disney
Why do women have superior hearing?
Across all the groups involved in the study, women consistently outperformed men in hearing tests. In fact, in some populations, women’s ears were found to be six kilohertz sharper than men’s.
These results suggest that gender (or sex) plays a key role in influencing cochlear sensitivity, but why is this the case? The exact reason is still unknown, but “this could be due to different exposure to hormones during development in the womb or due to men and women having slight structural differences in cochlear anatomy,” the study authors suggest.
The researchers also argue that better cochlear sensitivity isn’t always advantageous as this makes female ears more sensitive to noise and related problems.
“We don’t really know why this might be, but given the detrimental effect of noise on overall health such as sleep quality and increased cardiovascular disease, having more sensitive hearing in noisy environments may not always be a good thing,” noted professor Turi King from the University of Bath, one of the authors of the study.
!summarize #economy #tariffs
!summarize #automotive #tariffs #brands
The next steps now involve securing substantial capital required to bring the project to life and ensure it is viable financially. David Tomb, Earba’s project director, highlighted that it has been over 50 years since the last UK pumped hydro storage project began, making it vital to collaborate with suppliers to develop the necessary supply chain capacity for a project of this scale.
Project to support 500 jobs in six-year build phase
The UK-based company expects the project to create 500 on-site jobs during the six-to-seven-year construction period, spanning various roles in construction, engineering, and project management.
Crompton also emphasized that energy storage plays a crucial role in integrating more renewables into the UK energy system, advancing the country’s progress toward Net Zero while strengthening energy security.
!summarize #dams #electricity #education #engineering #energy
The company highlighted that Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) provides significant benefits, including reducing wind curtailment costs—costs that are typically passed on to consumers—and decreasing reliance on costly gas generation.
Following the approval of Earba, Gilkes Energy has submitted a planning application for another major LDES project in collaboration with Perth-based SSE Renewables. The two companies are seeking consent to build a 1.8 GW/36 GWh pumped hydro energy storage project in Scotland.
“We are also working closely with the UK Government and Ofgem to implement the Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) ‘Cap & Floor’ mechanism in 2025. This investment framework acknowledges the importance of pumped storage hydro while addressing the challenges of financing such capital-intensive, long-lead-time projects.” Crompton added.
!summarize #market #investing
World’s largest sea cable network
Once complete, the site will become the largest manufacturing facility for offshore high-voltage power cables globally.
The EU’s formal recognition underscores the project’s alignment with continental decarbonization objectives and reflects the strategic criticality of subsea power transmission infrastructure in reinforcing European energy security.
“This designation marks a significant milestone, not only for NKT but for Sweden’s industrial and energy sectors at large,” said Claes Westerlind, CEO of NKT.
“It validates our sustained investments and innovations in power cable technologies, while affirming the strength of the regional ecosystem in Blekinge. We welcome continued collaboration with the Swedish government in delivering this strategic net-zero project.”
!summarize #lebronjames #nba #shaq #charlesbarkley
Europe’s first net-zero project
Sweden’s national leadership has framed the recognition as a testament to its long-standing role in energy innovation.
“This is clear evidence of Sweden’s continued leadership in net-zero industrial development,” said Ebba Busch, Sweden’s Minister for Energy, Business and Industry, and Deputy Prime Minister.
“From pioneering the world’s first HVDC cable deployment to Gotland, to today’s advancements in power grid research and manufacturing, Sweden remains at the forefront of HVDC technology. The EU’s approval of the Karlskrona project confirms our central role in advancing the green transition, while reinforcing Europe’s energy security and competitiveness.”
NKT’s expansion in Karlskrona has been approved for faster national regulatory and permitting processes because it has received a net-zero project designation.
This procedural acceleration will allow crucial net-zero infrastructure projects to scale quickly throughout the continent by eliminating bottlenecks.
Additionally, the project has operational and symbolic value since it establishes a standard for future net-zero designations under the Act.
It creates a guide for business players looking to strategically align with the EU’s energy sovereignty and climate-neutrality goals.
Supporting transnational power grid integration, reducing risk to energy supply chains, and bolstering the industrial posture of the EU’s net-zero ecosystem, the Karlskrona facility will be a key asset as the EU steps up its efforts to localize clean technology manufacturing and lessen reliance on outside sources.
!summarize #honkytonkman #wrestling #wwf #kevinnash
!summarize #humans #history #civilization
PESA replaces hydraulic-based gun drive mechanisms
“The work on PESA is another example of providing best-of-breed technology and capability to deliver on a wide range of customer needs from electrical power, network computing, and advanced sensing,” said Leonardo DRS in a statement.
The company is a leading designer, developer, and integrator of sophisticated electrical, electromechanical, and electronic systems, subsystems, and assemblies across the U.S. military.
The electrically powered control system PESA is unique to the M109A7, designed to replace the previous hydraulic-based gun drive mechanisms as part of the broader Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) modernization effort.
Not present in the companion M992A3 Carrier Ammunition Tracked (CAT) vehicle, the PESA performs two essential tasks: distributing power to the howitzer’s electric gun drives and ramming mechanisms, and providing the control interface between the howitzer’s fire control systems and its electric motion hardware to support automated and manual operation of turret and cannon positioning. Therefore, the M109A7 uses the PESA to enable precise, electrically-driven gun movement and shell loading, reported Army Recognition.
!summarize #travel #amazon #shanaytimpishka #nature
Weapon has been in service for over 55 years
The M109A7 uses the existing main armament and cab structure of a Paladin M109A6, and replaces the vehicle’s chassis components with modem components common to the Bradley vehicle. The improved chassis structure provides greater survivability and commonality with the existing systems in the ABCT, reducing operational sustainability costs by replacing obsolete components.
The M109A7 Paladin is a modernized version of the M109 self-propelled howitzer, which has been in the Army’s inventory for over 55 years, and there have been multiple modifications in this system. As expected with the integration of new systems, there is a steep learning curve. This is especially true when it comes to the Army’s most complex combat systems.
The M109A7 is the first ABCT vehicle built with a 70kW high voltage system, which replaces the hydraulic cab drive system and enhances electronic ammunition handling and air-conditioning.
!summarize #honkytonkman #wrestling #machoman #intercontinential #champion
Polypropylene and polyethylene are currently produced mainly from fossil sources. “We investigated through pilot activities and modelling, how the biogenic carbon dioxide recovery chain can be adapted to existing petrochemical plants and the production of key basic plastics. For rapid and significant replacement of fossil feedstocks with renewable ones, technologies need to be adapted to the currently existing production facilities,” said Juha Lehtonen, research professor at VTT.
!summarize #china #investors #foreign #economy
He further noted that producing the necessary hydrocarbons through alternative routes—such as methanol synthesis or the high-temperature Fischer-Tropsch process—would demand significant investment in new production facilities.
Nordic countries hold unique potential for renewable carbon feedstocks
The Nordic countries, Finland included, hold substantial reserves of biogenic carbon dioxide that could replace fossil-based carbon feedstocks. This potential stems from large, relatively accessible sources of bio-based CO₂, particularly from forest industry facilities. Such concentrated and renewable CO₂ sources are uncommon elsewhere in Europe, making Finland and the Nordic region uniquely positioned.
!summarize #entrepreneurs #success #business #career
!summarize #carbon #capture #energy
What they found was surprising: instead of having one energy level, the excitons split into two distinct energy levels—a phenomenon known as fine structure. It was also observed that excitons behaved differently depending on which direction they moved in the material.
For instance, at very cold temperatures (below -222°F or 132 Kelvin), CrSBr becomes magnetic. So, inside each of its layers, the tiny magnetic fields of the electrons line up, but in opposite directions from one layer to the next. This is called an antiferromagnetic state. Here, excitons are found to be trapped inside a single layer, moving only in one direction.
However, at warmer temperatures (above 132 Kelvin), CrSBr loses its magnetism, and the heat makes the electron spins point in random directions. In this case, excitons are no longer confined. They spread out over multiple layers and move freely in all directions, showing three-dimensional behavior.
This ability to trap or release excitons based on temperature (or magnetic fields) is like flipping a magnetic switch. It reveals a powerful way to control the flow of information in quantum devices.
“Since the electronic, photonic, and spin degrees of freedom are strongly intertwined, switching between a magnetized and a non-magnetized state could serve as an extremely fast way to convert photon and spin-based quantum information,” noted Matthias Florian, a member of the research team.
The next step is information conversion
The study authors now aim to explore whether excitons can serve as a bridge for transferring quantum information between different physical systems. For example, can a message carried by an exciton be passed on to the spin of an electron?
!summarize #goldcard #trumpcard #debt
!summarize #ai #tesla #rivian #robotaxi #fsd
!summarize #karencarpenter #music #brother
!summarize #washington #police #foreign #citizens
Promising results
Now working intensively on cross-linking methods to stabilize the 3D-printed skin, Austrian researchers aim to follow a natural approach, ensuring the process occurs under very mild conditions and without the use of cytotoxic chemicals. Once they achieve successful stabilization, the team in India begins testing the durability and potential toxicity of the 3D-printed skin models in cell cultures.
A structure can only be considered a true skin imitation once the skin cells embedded in the hydrogel survive in cell culture for two to three weeks and begin forming actual skin tissue. Only then can it be used for further cellular testing of cosmetic products
!summarize #apartments #veritas #realestate #sanfrancisco #macys
!summarize #trump #tariffs #benshapiro