Latest news with #Droege
IOL News
5 days ago
- Science
- IOL News
The future of the bee lab: a critical moment for native bee research
Sam Droege, 66, holds a native dead bee specimen under a microscope at the USGS Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab in Laurel, Maryland, on May 27 Image: Salwan Georges/The Washington Post In a lush field of tall grass and poison ivy, Sam Droege, a dedicated wildlife biologist, embarks on his daily commute to the government lab he has managed for over 23 years. However, the future of this vital institution hangs in the balance as the Trump administration's 2026 budget proposal threatens to defund the lab, jeopardising crucial research on native bees and their role in maintaining biodiversity. As Droege reflects on his decades of work, he faces an uncertain future, one that could have dire consequences for the environment and food production. Droege, a slender 66-year-old with long white hair styled in neat French braids, is one of the world's leading experts on native bees. These pollinators, which thrive in the wild, differ significantly from honeybees, which are farmed for profit. While both bee types face similar threats, including pesticides and habitat loss, Droege's work focuses on understanding the behaviour and ecology of native bees, which are essential for pollinating an estimated 80 percent of flowering plants worldwide. The lab, which houses one of the largest bee collections in the country, has amassed over one million specimens, many of which are stored within its modest walls. However, with active fieldwork on hold and no new research projects underway, the potential closure of the lab comes at a critical juncture for bees, which have already experienced significant population declines in recent years. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Each dead native bee specimen at the USGS Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab is labeled with its species name, when and where it was collected, and a corresponding QR code Image: Salwan Georges/The Washington Post Experts warn that the loss of the bee lab would be devastating for conservation efforts. Hollis Woodard, an associate professor at the University of California at Riverside, describes the lab as "essentially irreplaceable." She relies on its data for her research nearly every day and emphasises that losing this facility would severely hinder efforts to track and conserve native bee populations. The lab's budget is modest, consisting primarily of Droege's salary and that of his sole employee, a lab manager hired four years ago. The funding they receive from the government ranges from a mere $3,000 to $12,000 annually. This financial instability is compounded by the Trump administration's proposal to eliminate grants and research programs that "duplicate other Federal research programs," which could lead to the lab's closure as soon as October 1. Droege expresses his frustration, stating, "I'm sad that people have let it happen." Despite being warned not to speak publicly about the proposed closure, he feels compelled to raise awareness about the implications of losing a publicly funded lab on bee research and science. "Nothing radical," he insists, but the stakes are undeniably high. As he prepares for the worst, Droege has opened up a garden once filled with native plants to attract specific bee species to the public. "If we have to leave, who will take care of this?" he asks, highlighting the urgency of the situation. A native bee specimen, speared by a thin needle and pinned into foam, under the microscope. Image: Salwan Georges/The Washington Post The bee lab is not easy to find. Located just 20 miles from Washington, it has no official address and can only be accessed by entering precise longitude and latitude coordinates into a GPS. Once through the hidden metal gate and down a dirt road, visitors encounter two unassuming buildings. The first, an old garage, was once the main lab but is now cluttered with dusty books, mosaic-decorated file cabinets, and a long wooden table that was once a bowling alley. Droege's work is not only about identifying bee species but also about understanding their ecological roles. He notes that native bees are crucial for maintaining the unique biodiversity of forests, prairies, grasslands, deserts, and wetlands. The more researchers track these bees, the better they can comprehend the role different species play in pollinating crops such as pumpkins, apples, tomatoes, and blueberries. The urgency of this research is underscored by alarming statistics. Honeybee keepers reported losing over 60 percent of their colonies in the past year, a trend linked to viruses carried by Varroa mites, common parasites of honeybees. The decline of honeybees serves as a warning for all pollinators, including native bees, which are disappearing at an alarming rate due to habitat loss and climate change. Droege's dedication to his work is evident as he examines bee specimens under a microscope, revealing the intricate details that distinguish each species. "Identifying a bee is no small feat," he explains, noting that most species are smaller than a grain of rice. Yet, the wonders of their diversity are crucial for understanding the health of ecosystems.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Meta invests in Scale AI and appoints founder to lead AI unit
Meta Platforms has announced a substantial investment in Scale AI, which has resulted in a valuation of the data-labelling startup exceeding $29bn. This investment will see Scale AI's founder, Alexandr Wang, take on a leadership role at Meta, where he will oversee the company's AI initiatives while retaining his position on Scale AI's board of directors. Recently, Meta Platforms reportedly agreed to acquire a 49% stake in the US-based AI startup for $14.8bn. Sources familiar with the negotiations, as reported by Reuters, suggest that the primary aim of this investment is to secure Wang's expertise to lead Meta's new superintelligence unit. The partnership aims to enhance the existing commercial relationship between Meta and Scale AI, facilitating the rapid deployment of Scale's data solutions. Following the investment, Scale AI has appointed Jason Droege, its chief strategy officer, as interim CEO. Droege, who joined Scale in September 2024, brings over two decades of experience from companies such as Uber Eats and Axon. Droege said: 'Meta's new investment and our broadened commercial agreement is a testament to the incredible work and dedication of the entire Scale team, and the tremendous upside that lies ahead for Scale.' According to Scale AI, the funds from the investment will be used to drive 'innovation' and strengthen strategic partnerships with clients. The company plans to distribute a portion of the proceeds to its shareholders and vested equity holders, providing liquidity while allowing them to maintain their stakes in Scale. Following the investment, Meta will hold a minority interest in Scale AI's outstanding equity. The company will continue to collaborate with AI laboratories, multinational corporations, and government entities to provide data and technology solutions as the field of AI evolves. In a statement, Wang said: 'AI is one of the most revolutionary technologies of our time, with unlimited possibility and far-reaching influence on how people, businesses and governments succeed. 'Scale bridges the gap between human values and technology to help our customers realise AI's full potential. Meta's investment recognises Scale's accomplishments to date and reaffirms that our path forward – like that of AI – is limitless.' "Meta invests in Scale AI and appoints founder to lead AI unit" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
CNBC
12-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Scale AI plans to promote strategy chief Droege to CEO as founder Wang heads for Meta
Scale AI plans to promote Chief Strategy Officer Jason Droege to serve as its new CEO, with founder Alexandr Wang heading to Meta as part of a multibillion-dollar deal with the company, CNBC has confirmed. Meta is finalizing a $14 billion investment into artificial intelligence startup Scale AI, CNBC reported earlier this week. Wang will help lead a new AI research lab at Meta and will be joined by some of his colleagues. The New York Times was first to report about the new AI lab. Bloomberg first reported that Droege was picked to be the new CEO. CNBC confirmed Scale AI's plans with a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be named because of confidentiality. Scale AI and Droege didn't respond to CNBC's requests for comment. Droege joined Scale AI in August of 2024, according to his LinkedIn profile. Prior to his role at the startup, he served as a venture partner at Benchmark and a vice president at Uber. Founded in 2016, Scale AI has achieved a high profile in the industry by helping major tech companies like OpenAI, Google and Microsoft prepare data they use to train cutting-edge AI models. Meta has been pouring billions of dollars into AI, but CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been frustrated with its progress. Zuckerberg will be counting on Wang to better execute Meta's AI ambitions following the tepid reception of the company's latest Llama AI models. Meta will take a 49% stake in Scale AI with its investment, The Information reported.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Germany's Greens withhold backing for debt brake reforms for now
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's Greens will negotiate hard before potentially giving their much-needed backing to debt reforms proposed by the conservatives and Social Democrats, parliamentary co-leader Katharina Droege said on Wednesday. The conservatives and SPD, who are in talks to form a government after an election last month, need the Greens to reach the two-thirds majority needed in parliament to pass their plans to reform the debt brake and create a 500 billion euro fund for infrastructure. "Whether we will ultimately approve these constitutional amendments remains open," Droege told reporters. "We have a number of questions, and you know that we also have our own stance on what is necessary now."
Reuters
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Germany's Greens withhold backing for debt brake reforms for now
BERLIN, March 5 (Reuters) - Germany's Greens will negotiate hard before potentially giving their much-needed backing to debt reforms proposed by the conservatives and Social Democrats, parliamentary co-leader Katharina Droege said on Wednesday. The conservatives and SPD, who are in talks to form a government after an election last month, need the Greens to reach the two-thirds majority needed in parliament to pass their plans to reform the debt brake and create a 500 billion euro fund for infrastructure. "Whether we will ultimately approve these constitutional amendments remains open," Droege told reporters. "We have a number of questions, and you know that we also have our own stance on what is necessary now."
