Latest news with #BAS
ABC News
2 days ago
- Science
- ABC News
Scientists recover ice dating back over a million years
Some of the world's oldest ice ever recovered from Antarctica has arrived in the United Kingdom for climate analysis. The ice core — drilled from a depth of 2,800 metres in the East Antarctic Peninsula — is expected to hold a climate record stretching back over 1.5 million years. The recovery nearly doubles the current 800,000-year ice core record. "So this is a really exciting project to work on because we really are exploring a completely unknown time in our history, and what we're hoping is we're going to unlock all these amazing secrets," Liz Thomas, head of the Ice Cores team at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) in Cambridge, said. The ice core will undergo analysis over the coming years at BAS and other European laboratories. Scientists aim to unlock insights into Earth's climate evolution, focusing on greenhouse gas concentrations, atmospheric temperatures, wind patterns, and sea ice extent. A key objective is to understand why Earth's glacial-interglacial cycles shifted from 41,000 to 100,000 years about 1 million years ago. This gives scientists context for predicting future climate responses to rising greenhouse gas levels. Ice cores capture direct evidence of past atmospheric conditions through trapped air bubbles, which will be analysed as they are released from the ice as it is slowly melted in a process called Continuous Flow Analysis. The findings will shed light on the link between atmospheric CO2 and climate during a previously uncharted period. Funded by the European Commission, Beyond EPICA involves 12 institutions across 10 European countries. Reuters
Gizmodo
2 days ago
- Science
- Gizmodo
Scientists Will Melt Some of Earth's Oldest Ice to Solve Climate Mystery
A team of U.K. researchers are planning to melt some of the oldest ice on Earth in an ambitious bid to reconstruct up to 1.5 million years of our planet's climate history. In doing so, they could also help solve a mystery that has puzzled scientists for over two decades. Over the course of seven weeks, scientists at the British Antarctic Survey plan to gradually melt 1.5-million-year-old Antarctic ice cores at their lab in Cambridge, England, unlocking whatever dust, volcanic ash, and even single-celled algae that might be preserved inside. These materials hold clues about Earth's ancient climate and atmospheric composition, and could provide new insights into how greenhouse gases influenced global temperatures more than a million years ago. They could also help scientists understand how human-generated emissions will shape Earth's future. 'Our climate system has been through so many different changes that we really need to be able to go back in time to understand these different processes and different tipping points,' Liz Thomas, head of ice core research at the BAS, told the BBC. One crucial mystery the scientists hope to solve is why Earth's glacial cycles appeared to suddenly switch at a point between 800,000 and 1.2 million years ago, a shift known as the Mid-Pleistocene Transition. Antarctic ice core analysis done in 2004 found a close link between Earth's climate and atmospheric gases over the past 800,000 years, suggesting that the planet experienced ice ages interspersed with warmer periods on a 100,000-year cycle. But marine sediment records dating back at least 1 million years have indicated that, before then, glacial periods occurred more frequently, about once every 41,000 years. Thomas and her colleagues hope the new cores will reveal the composition of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere during this mysterious transition, and that could explain why it happened at all. 'The project is driven by a central scientific question: why did the planet's climate cycle shift roughly one million years ago from a 41,000-year to a 100,000-year phasing of glacial-interglacial cycles?' Thomas said in a statement. 'By extending the ice core record beyond this turning point, researchers hope to improve predictions of how Earth's climate may respond to future greenhouse gas increases.' Her team will use a technique called continuous flow analysis, which involves slowly melting ice core sections and simultaneously measuring any chemical elements, particles, and isotopic data to extrapolate Earth's past climate conditions. Air bubbles trapped inside the cores can reveal our planet's ancient atmospheric conditions, changes in greenhouse gas concentrations, and Earth's temperature at the time. 'This unprecedented ice core dataset will provide vital insights into the link between atmospheric [carbon dioxide] levels and climate during a previously uncharted period in Earth's history, offering valuable context for predicting future climate change,' Thomas said.
Business Wire
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
NationsBenefits® Integrates with Dollar General to Enable Greater Access to Healthy Food and Wellness Essentials for Millions of Healthcare Consumers Nationwide
PLANTATION, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NationsBenefits®, the leading supplemental benefits and healthcare fintech solutions provider, is proud to announce a new partnership with Dollar General, the largest discount retailer in the United States by store count. By integrating with Dollar General at more than 20,000 locations across the nation, the NationsBenefits' proprietary Basket Analyzer Service (BAS) will provide millions of health plan members with increased access to affordable and nutritious foods, over-the-counter (OTC) products, medications, and other eligible essential wellness items. 'Our partnership with NationsBenefits will provide increased and affordable access to numerous health and wellness products for our customers and their families.' The Basket Analyzer Service (BAS) technology is a cutting-edge platform designed to provide seamless, real-time adjudication of eligible items at the point of sale for millions of health plan members using their NationsBenefits Benefits Mastercard® Prepaid Card*. This innovative solution not only enhances the shopping experience by simplifying transactions for members but also ensures strict compliance with health plan guidelines, creating a streamlined and reliable system. 'According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), more than 19 million people in the U.S. live in USDA-defined food deserts, and for many of our members, Dollar General is the closest or most convenient store,' said Michael Parker, co-CEO of NationsBenefits. 'This integration significantly enhances our ability to support more customers across the country and geographically dispersed populations. By welcoming Dollar General into our retail network, we are enabling members to use their benefits in a way that fits their lifestyle and needs while empowering them to make healthier choices.' Dollar General's unique real estate footprint helps meet the needs of underserved communities as approximately 75 percent of Americans are within five miles of a DG, and approximately 80 percent of their locations serve communities with fewer than 20,000 residents. This partnership seeks to overcome barriers to access and affordability, advancing NationsBenefits' mission to address social determinants of health (SDoH), enhance population health, and achieve better outcomes for members. 'At Dollar General, we care about and are invested in the health of our communities,' said Emily Taylor, Dollar General's chief merchandising officer. 'Our partnership with NationsBenefits will provide increased and affordable access to numerous health and wellness products for our customers and their families.' By combining Dollar General's extensive retail footprint with NationsBenefits' innovative technology, this collaboration is poised to make a significant impact on social determinants of health, ensuring underserved populations have greater and affordable access to the resources to live healthier lives. About NationsBenefits NationsBenefits® is a leading provider of supplemental benefits and fintech solutions and outcomes to the healthcare industry. NationsBenefits partners with managed care organizations to provide innovative healthcare, data analytics, gap closure, and fintech solutions aimed at driving growth, reducing costs, and delighting members. Combining its cutting-edge technology with targeted retailer partnerships, NationsBenefits empowers health plans to deliver impactful supplemental benefits to optimize member experiences and drive better health outcomes. By simplifying processes to make smarter choices and expanding access to benefits solutions, NationsBenefits aims to improve each of its members' quality of life through its revolutionary and comprehensive suite of offerings. To learn more, visit *The Benefits Mastercard® Prepaid Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. Card can be used for eligible expenses wherever Mastercard is accepted. Valid only in the U.S. No cash access.
Economic Times
25-06-2025
- Science
- Economic Times
Axiom-4 Mission: Creating our own space
ANI Representational Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is all set to dock at ISS today. The international crew, including India's Shubhanshu Shukla, will conduct over 60 experiments in microgravity biology, health sciences, AI and materials research. Shukla's experience will bolster India's Gaganyaan mission, slated for 2026-27, and enhance its preparedness for future human spaceflightAs Shukla begins his mission, India's scientific contributions are also making their presence felt in space. Research: Ax-4 carries with it 7 cutting-edge research experiments, focusing on space biology and bioengineering: 1. Microalgae growth under space radiation by International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB) and National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR). 2. Seed sprouting in microgravity by University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, and IIT Dharwad.3. Gene expression studies on survival and adaptation of tardigrades in space by IISc Bangalore.4. Research on muscle regeneration under microgravity, led by inStem, on the effects of metabolic supplements.5. Another IISc-led project examines human interaction with electronic displays in orbital environments.6. ICGEB also contributes a study comparing nutrient utilisation in cyanobacteria using urea and nitrate in microgravity. 7. Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) project investigates the impact of microgravity on crop growth and yield. These diverse yet complementary studies are vital steps toward developing bioregenerative life support systems, essential for sustaining human life during long-duration space missions and future space settlements. Strategic implications: Ax-4 supports the Gaganyaan roadmap and future missions by providing real-time exposure and hands-on experience in space medicine, orbital operations, crew management, mission planning and bioastronautics. While Shukla is in orbit, several other Indians involved in on-ground mission support will be gaining invaluable insight into managing complex space missions. Future ready: This mission also aligns with India's BioE3 policy, which focuses on developing national leadership in biotech and space-based life sciences. In the long term, such experiences will feed into India's goal of establishing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035 and sending a crewed mission to the moon by 2040. The future includes a series of uncrewed test flights under the Gaganyaan programme, which will validate critical technologies and strengthen mission readiness. By the end of the decade, development of BAS is expected to begin, with its initial modules likely to launch around 2028. Together, Gaganyaan and BAS will become twin pillars of India's human spaceflight efforts, both as platforms for advanced research and hubs for international global space landscape is evolving rapidly. Several commercial and national space stations are either planned or under construction. These include Axiom Space's private station, Blue Origin's Orbital Reef, StarLab (a US-Japan collaboration), Russia's proposed ROS, Nasa's Lunar Gateway, and China's Tiangong Station. These ventures reflect a shift from purely government-led missions to multi-stakeholder platforms supporting research, industry and space remain an active and influential participant in this new era, India must deepen its international engagements, forging partnerships with national agencies and private space firms. This will not only expand opportunities for vyomanauts to fly aboard missions beyond Gaganyaan, but also reinforce India's position as avital contributor to humanity's shared journey into highlights the increasing importance of science diplomacy and technological exchange in a rapidly evolving, multipolar space ecosystem. For India, it rekindles the spacefaring legacy first ignited in 1984 with cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma, and now propels the nation toward a more active, independent and globally integrated role in human is not merely a journey to ISS but also a bold leap into the future, unlocking new pathways for scientific discovery, international cooperation and the vast potential of human presence beyond Earth. It stands as a powerful symbol of how India is poised to leapfrog into the next era of space exploration, not as a follower but as a frontrunner in shaping the future of humanity in space. Adefining trait of India's space journey has been Isro's philosophy of learning before leading. It has strategically partnered global agencies to absorb knowledge, develop expertise and build indigenous capability. From early collaborations with the Soviet Union and Nasa to mastering satellite tech, launch vehicles, interplanetary missions and now human spaceflight, Isro has consistently transformed each international engagement into a foundation for selfreliant progress. Ax-4 is another such milestone, an opportunity to learn from the best, and then translate those insights into India's own systems, missions and ambitions. It reinforces a model that has long defined Isro's brand: quiet resilience, scientific excellence and pursuit of sovereign strength in space. The writer is former chairman, Isro (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Crash. Silence. Confusion. How India's air accident watchdog is failing its biggest test yet HDB Financial may be cheaper than Bajaj Fin, but what about returns? 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Medscape
25-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Stillbirth Is a Preventable Tragedy
In US prenatal care today, the entirety of patient education about one of the most critical signs of fetal wellbeing — movement — is often encapsulated by a single, vague question: "Is the baby moving?" And this ambiguity is contributing to a persistent and preventable public health crisis: stillbirth. Samantha Durante Banerjee, BS-Economics, BAS Without standardized guidance, expectant parents are left uncertain about what fetal movement patterns mean, how to monitor them, and when to seek help. Worse still, many healthcare providers lack consistent protocols for evaluating or responding to reported changes. I learned this the hard way in 2013, when my own daughter was stillborn just 2 days before her due date — despite an otherwise healthy pregnancy. Since then, more than 200,000 American families have experienced the same devastating loss. That's the equivalent of a full school bus of babies, every single day. Stillbirth affects approximately 21,000 families in the US each year: a rate that has barely improved in two decades, branding us as one of the worst in the world. By contrast, countries like the UK and Australia have reduced stillbirth by 25% and 21%, respectively, through standardized national protocols and public health campaigns. Some nations now report fewer than two stillbirths per 1000 births, which is half the US rate. At least one in four US stillbirths is preventable, including nearly half of all stillbirths at term. Yet despite this, our prenatal care guidelines lack a national standard for educating patients about or helping clinicians to assess one of the simplest, most commonsense indicators of pregnancy health: fetal movement. Why Fetal Movement Matters to Clinicians Fetal movement changes can be a late-stage warning sign of underlying complications, particularly those involving the placenta or umbilical cord — two of the most common contributors to stillbirth. Despite this, standard prenatal care and even high-risk care settings do not routinely screen for cord or placental abnormalities in a way that allows for proactive identification, monitoring, and if needed, intervention to prevent a tragic outcome. As a result, fetal movement monitoring is one of the key tools at our disposal to help indicate a baby's and mother's well-being. The CDC includes 'baby's movement stopping or slowing' among its 15 urgent maternal warning signs. Scientific literature consistently supports altered fetal movement — whether a decrease in frequency or strength, sudden rapid increase in intensity, or overall altered pattern — as a red flag for fetal compromise. Clinicians must be equipped not only to communicate this importance to patients, but also to respond with appropriate diagnostic and clinical action when changes are reported. Monitoring fetal movement is simple, but currently, no universal protocol exists in the US for educating pregnant patients about fetal movement tracking or for responding to reports of decreased or altered movement. This is a critical gap in care and one that is disproportionately harming Black and Indigenous families, who experience more than twice the rate of both stillbirth and maternal mortality compared to their White peers. A Path Forward for Clinical Leadership Recognizing the urgent need for alignment with global best practices, PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy (PUSH) has partnered with Kicks Count UK and other worldwide organizations to help facilitate a fetal movement consensus statement offering clear recommendations for clinicians and patients alike. This international statement reinforces the critical role of fetal movement awareness, education, and timely clinical response as essential components of stillbirth prevention. While parent-led advocacy organizations like PUSH continue public awareness efforts, it is ultimately clinical institutions that hold the power to drive the systemic change our country needs. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and other professional bodies are uniquely positioned to: Develop and implement national guidelines for fetal movement monitoring and response, following proven models from countries with lower stillbirth rates Ensure the integration of patient education on fetal movement into standard prenatal care practices Improve training and protocols to ensure immediate, evidence-based clinical response to reported changes in movement Enhance early detection of stillbirth risk factors through targeted screening (eg, fetal growth restriction, placental insufficiencies, cord abnormalities) and better risk assessment tools Resources for Clinicians Despite lagging US efforts to prioritize stillbirth prevention, resources are available today for clinicians seeking to integrate global best practices. Evidence-based tools, accredited interdisciplinary training, and clinical communication resources are available through PUSH, as a well as free downloadable patient education materials. These resources are intended to supplement clinical care, not replace it; and they can support your efforts to provide more informed, proactive, and equitable prenatal care. Stillbirth is not inevitable. Other countries have reduced their rates dramatically by adopting straightforward, cost-effective interventions to save thousands of lives. We can do it, too.
