SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " OPM " 3,215 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Scientists discover how a single cell builds a brain with 170 billion cells
How does a single cell build a brain with billions of precisely organized neurons? Researchers suggest that brain cells use their lineage—their cellular family tree—as a kind of positional map. Cells that come from the same ancestor stay near one another, helping the brain organize itself without relying solely on chemical signals.
How should European scientists respond to the US AI kill switch?
Earlier in June, Europe’s worst fears of technological dependence were confirmed when the White House ordered the AI firm Anthropic to stop non-US citizens using its leading models. This kill-switch moment crystalised anxieties in Brussels that the continent, lagging the US on the creation of leading-edge AI models, is now a technological of vassal of Washington. The shock has specific implications for European scientists and universities. Some governments are now worried that with AI being integrated into labs, Donald Trump now has his finger hovering over an off switch for European science. “Having restrictions on this tool, it can have an impact on our own research,” said France’s research minister, Philippe Baptiste, at the VivaTech conference in Paris on June 18.Baptiste, himself a former academic, said that colleagues in mathematics had recently warned him they were now cut off from leading-edge US models, risking their work. “This model is not available anymore now because of the US restriction, and for the first time this had an impact on mathematics,” a field where large language models (LLMs) are making a significant contribution, said Baptiste. So, should European scientists avoid relying on US models in the future? Or would this be a self-harming overreaction? And how is AI being used in science, anyway? What happened?On June 12, it emerged that Washington, citing cybersecurity concerns, had ordered Anthropic to stop non-US citizens using two models: Claude Mythos 5, and Claude Fable 5, a version of Mythos but with guardrails to prevent abuse. Anthropic said Washington’s concerns were overblown. But forced to follow the order, yet with no way to check who was using the models, the company suddenly shut down access for everyone, US citizens included. There’s still no agreement on how to restore broad access. But last week, Bloomberg reported that select US companies, and the US government, still had access to Mythos despite the ban, but the EU’s cybersecurity agency Enisa had been shut out. Class division of researchersIn the longer term, access outside the US should be restored, said Marcel Salathé, co-director of the AI centre at the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne (EPFL), because a permanent restriction would be financially ruinous to US AI firms. “Even Trump will eventually budge to economic pressure,” he said.However, US AI firms might end up operating rather like banks, doing due diligence on users of their leading-edge AI models, he went on.European scientists are unlikely to fall foul of such checks, he said. But having a Chinese postgraduate in their lab, or doing a type of research the US disapproved of, could potentially result in access being denied. “It will create a sort of class division of researchers,” he said. More than frontier modelsHowever, successfully deploying AI in science is about far more than just having access to leading LLMs such as Mythos.Instead, many science-specific tools, most famously Alphafold, which predicts protein folding structures, require “far less” computing power to train than frontier models, well within the capabilities of European supercomputers, according to a recent analysis by the Arq Foundation, a Brussel-based AI think tank. Instead, tools such as Alphafold are possible because certain fields, like protein folding, weather prediction or astronomy, have large, clean, standardised datasets that can be used to train predictive models. Rather than compute, “data is the central constraint for AI for science,” the report says. For example, a less powerful physics model trained on CERN’s data “will be more valuable than the best model without certain data,” said Bengüsu Özcan, author of the report. European advantage?Europe could therefore steal a march by using its scientific data and infrastructure to create models US digital giants cannot. “They might actually match or go even beyond what these big [US] companies are doing,” said Özcan.Indeed, some European start-ups hope to create automated testing labs to create the kind of standardised data that could speed up the discovery of new materials. Materials scientists say there’s currently too little data to train models. AI scientistsHowever, even if the bottleneck for AI in science is often data, rather than compute, being at the mercy of the US for LLM access could still become a problem for European scientists. A new class of “AI scientists” based on leading LLMs is also emerging, Özcan’s report says.Unlike domain-specific tools like Alphafold, these try to automate day-to-day scientific work, by providing an overarching tool that coordinates specific models to synthesise existing literature, generate hypotheses or run analysis of data. The problem for Europe, however, is that these tools are sometimes based on US leading models. Google Deepmind’s AI Co-Scientist, for example, is built on Google’s Gemini LLM. Systematic failureThese scientific automation tools are still in their early stages, and still exhibit “systematic failures on scientific tasks,” Özcan’s report says. One of the problems is that the messy, day-to-day process of scientific discovery is largely not documented, meaning LLMs don’t have a good source of data to learn how scientists actually work. Meanwhile, some tasks, such as literature synthesis, don’t typically require access to leading edge models.However, the performance of AI scientific assistants could improve as companies such as Google pour resources into developing them. Rely on US“Unfortunately, for scientific assistants, there is not much we can do right now except rely on US frontier AI,” said Antoine Bosselut, a natural language processing expert based at EPFL. Chinese-built open models, which can run on local computers, lessening the risk of a shutdown, are touted as one alternative to US dependence. There’s also Mistral, once seen as Europe’s main AI hope, but the Paris-based company has seen its recent models fall behind in performance. But the Chinese alternatives are generally not as capable as US frontier AI models, said Bosselut, unless paired with fiddly, custom tools that allows them to act as independent agents. “Most scientists do not have the time,” he said. Don’t jump ship yetAlthough the kill switch moment is seen a warning shot for European scientists, it doesn’t mean labs should abandon US AI tools immediately. “I do not think the right response is simply to abandon US-based models and systems under the banner of sovereignty or independence,” said Mattias Björnmalm, secretary general of the Cesaer university association. “That would be an overreaction.”Related articlesEuropean sovereignty in AI requires ‘ugly trade-offs,’ say experts Robotic lab start-up makes case for €500M EU-funded materials testing facilityAI in science: is it useful? Instead, European researchers need to ask themselves whether they’re becoming dependent on technology that could be turned off in Washington, said Özcan. “They might not see this today, but they should really start asking this question,” she said. European researchers need a plan B, said Salathé. “I would recommend to every researcher, very proactively explore alternatives.”Own toolsIn addition, Björnmalm and others want European research institutions to develop their own scientific AI tools.Instead of signing AI deals with US digital giants, European universities should be using this money to create their own models, which may end up being superior for research, said Sabine Leonelli, an expert on the use of AI in science at the Technical University of Munich. “Universities in Europe seem to be happy to sign commercial contracts with US companies on the assumption [their AI tools] are better,” she said. But US frontier LLMs are typically opaque, and have been developed without independent scientific input, she said. “This is not good enough for science.”Last year, Swiss researchers released Apertus, an LLM designed to be completely transparent, from its development methods to its training data. The idea is that this makes scientific tools built on top of the model far more reproducible than with closed, commercial alternatives.“Europe needs more of this: serious capacity-building that gives researchers, universities and companies credible options,” said Björnmalm.
Could the history of Mars be set in stone? Meteorite discovery may offer clues to Red Planet's past
Garnet found in a 4.4-billion-year-old meteorite gives potential insight into the history, development and geological processes of Mars.
LMC: Blue Star Shopping Center sees 40 percent surge in visits as redevelopment draws new restaurants, entertainment
Patrons are flocking to the new-look Blue Star Shopping Center in Watchung, fueling a surge in foot traffic that’s poised to continue with a growing slate of dining and experiential tenants.
Moderna Science Day Highlights Expanding Potential of mRNA Platform
Provides broad overview of Company's research and early development programs expected to continue to fuel future growth Highlights validation of T-cell engager modality with mRNA-2808 in multiple myeloma, supporting rapid advancement of second T-cell ...
iPhone Ultra 2 Gets Green Light for Development, Says Leaker
Apple's second-generation foldable iPhone has officially been given the go-ahead for development, a prominent Chinese leaker claimed today. In a post on Weibo, the account known as Digital Chat Station said that the "iPhone Ultra 2 project" has been formally approved, and that the second book-style device will likely use the same display as the first-generation model expected later this year.
What to know about the entertainment district lawsuit from ORED, Norman residents
Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development filed a lawsuit seeking a preliminary and permanent injunction to prevent the project from progressing Tuesday.
Governments are still underestimating the power of sports
Governments should harness the power of sports for their economic development strategies.
Partnership to Launch $280 Million Mixed-Use Entertainment District Surrounding Neyland Stadium in Knoxville
Knoxville, Tenn. — A public-private partnership between the University of Tennessee and a newly formed development platform comprising Arctos, RVX - Development, Entertainment, Mixed-use, News, Tennessee
Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association Presents the 3rd "Future Animation - AI-Assisted Animation Production Support Scheme"
/PRNewswire/ -- Organised by the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association (HKDEA) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency...
Financing the Future: Leaders Make the Investment Case for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health
With development assistance declining and health systems under growing strain, leaders at Africa Health ExCon called for a shift from fragmented financing to integrated, sustainable investment in women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health. Discussions highlighted domestic financing, private sector engagement, service integration and climate-resilient health systems as pathways to greater impact.
The week in politics (June 24, 2026)
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. And we ponder the art of crafting a compelling story from the public radio program, "The Moth."
Mom's Good Heart Health Lowers Risk Of Baby's Developmental Delays
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterWEDNESDAY, June 24, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Want to give your baby the best start in life? Then tend to your heart health, both prior to and during pregnancy, a new study says. Expectant mothers in worse heart health are more likely to have children who suffer ...
New Orleans hospital destroyed by Katrina to be reborn as a science hub
While other universities scale back research amid federal funding uncertainty, Tulane University will lead a sweeping redevelopment of the vacant Charity Hospital.
ORED sues city, county, and more for entertainment district injunction
Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development and several individual plaintiffs filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking declaratory, injunctive and mandamus relief against the city of Norman, the Norman Tax Increment Finance Authority,
Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development files lawsuit against city, county authorities
Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development filed a lawsuit against multiple authorities, including the city of Norman, in regard to the Rock Creek Entertainment District Tuesday.
Lawmakers call for answers from Wyoming Business Council leader
After slashing the agency's budget, legislators examine the state's role in economic development.
Urban League targets business growth with new Ascension-St. James training cohort
The Urban League of Louisiana is expanding its entrepreneurial development efforts in Ascension and St. James parishes through a new cohort of its Scale Up! Louisiana program, designed to help established small businesses grow and become more profitable. Wednesday is the last day to sign up for the summer 2026 cohort, which will run from […]
Developer breaks ground on new project near Summerlin
A new medical-office development is planned for Las Vegas
Oklahoma City builds momentum as sports and entertainment destination
Oklahoma City is emerging as a top sports and entertainment destination with events at Paycom Center and new stadium developments boosting local impact.
Oklahoma City builds momentum as sports and entertainment destination
Oklahoma City is emerging as a top sports and entertainment destination with events at Paycom Center and new stadium developments boosting local impact.
Heritage Days celebrates America’s 250th
The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group and Heritage Days Committee invite residents and visitors to celebrate Heritage Days 2026 with two days of family fun, live entertainment and community traditions honoring America's 250th anniversary on July 10-11.
Leeds enhance data approach
Leeds United look will enhance their use of data intelligence in a bid to manage player welfare. The field of sporting analytics continues to grow and Leeds have deepened their links with Kitman Labs, who offer intelligence in bringing together data points to look after players from an injuries and developmental perspective. Kitman Labs have been working with Leeds for years at academy level but will now have a more joined up link with the club through to the first team.
Records: Rural Michigan ‘overlooked’ in Michigan’s $6B subsidy spending spree
A Bridge analysis finds that the northeast Lower Peninsula got $71 per person in economic development spending since 2022, compared to $854 in west Michigan. Some question the disparities.
The Top Development of the Vikings’ Offseason
By leaps and bounds, the top development of the Vikings’ offseason is that J.J. McCarthy is legitimately battling for the […]
"The 'AI Stigma' is real and severely punishes developers": A new study shows how much using AI in games hurts sales, and the numbers are hard to believe
Amateur developers might be able to make a quick buck, but established studios are seeing serious declines when using AI during development.
Majority of business leaders fear a disorderly climate transition: survey
With climate-related costs already rising, global CEOs say they prefer early or gradual policy changes rather than delays, according to a new survey by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
Exclusive: Ladder Health raises $7M for developmental care
Ladder is aiming to combat the long waitlists often associated with pediatric services.
The future of a new sports entertainment development in Chula Vista
The Pangea Sports Entertainment District complex is the latest in developments coming to Chula Vista’s bayfront. NBC 7’s Joe Little explains why its future depends on a big decision being made Tuesday.
Biz Buzz: Health and wellness business opens event space in Dubuque
Biz Buzz shares business tidbits from across the tri-states. In addition to this update from Dubuque, other developments will appear in Wednesday’s edition.
Small Business Resource Fair in Covington connects entrepreneurs with free support and training
By Abigail Wright NKyTribune staff writer Local entrepreneurs, aspiring business owners and students gathered on Monday at the Kenton County Public Library’s Covington branch for the 2026 Small Business Resource Fair, an event designed to connect the region’s business community with free resources, training and networking opportunities. Hosted by the Economic & Community Development Institute...
Health officials launch clinical trial reforms to counter China threat
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday launched a new initiative to speed up early-stage clinical trials as part of an effort to reduce development timelines and reverse a growing trend o…
NSF Cuts Hundreds of Science Program Budgets by Up To 30%
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has slashed budgets for hundreds of its basic science programs for the remainder of this fiscal year, according to an 18 June memo obtained by Science.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on new fast track business development and company investments
Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-Pa.) joins 'The Exchange' to discuss business development in the state, taxes in the state and more.
New Orleans Summer Entertainment & The Omni Hotel Controversy
This week on The Get Down, John Stanton breaks down the week ahead in New Orleans, including the City Council's final vote on the controversial Omni Hotel redevelopment plan. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1492300'); }); Jake Clapp shares some upcoming entertainment picks, including Ilana Glazer's tour stop at the Joy Theater, and we take a look at summer bucket list ideas in The Pearl for making the most of the season in New Orleans.Be sure to grab a copy of our latest issue of Gambit and stay tuned for the latest on all things New Orleans at bestofneworleans.com. .donate-gambit-article-module-container { text-align: center; padding: 10px; /* background-color: #24da6d; */ background-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); margin-bottom: 20px; } .donate-gambit-article-module-title { font-weight: bold; color: #fff; } .donate-gambit-article-module-copy { color: #fff !important; font-size: 16px; } .donate-gambit-article-module-button { background-color: black; width: 50%; border-color: black; font-size: 16px; } .donate-gambit-article-module-button:hover { background-color: black; } @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) { .donate-gambit-article-module-button { font-size: 14px; width: 100%; } .donate-gambit-article-module-copy { font-size: 14px; } } BECOME A GAMBIT MEMBER AND JOIN OUR KREWE TODAY For more than 40 years, Gambit has covered New Orleans, for New Orleans. We’ve stood up to city hall with you, cheered the Saints with you, danced in the streets with you and cried over our collective loss with you. And we’re plannin’ on being here for 40 more. To do that, we need your help. Become a Gambit member today and help us continue our mission SUPPORT GAMBIT
Federal health agencies unveil plan to speed up phase 1 clinical trials by 6 to 12 months
As the biotech world flocks to San Diego today for the BIO International Convention, the Department of Health and Human Services has provided plenty of conversation fodder with the announcement of | As the biotech world flocks to San Diego today for the BIO International Convention, the Department of Health and Human Services has provided plenty of conversation fodder with the announcement of a series of efforts to regain ground on China’s surging early-stage clinical development capabilities.
FDA to launch pilot program to speed up early-stage clinical trials
Federal health officials aim to speed up drug development and better compete with China.
Breaking Business News: AbbVie To Acquire Apogee Therapeutics
AbbVie is set to acquire Apogee Therapeutics and its pipeline of multiple clinical-stage candidates in development across inflammatory and immunological diseases, including its lead asset, zumilokibart (APG777), a subcutaneous half-life extended monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin (IL)-13 in atopic dermatitis (AD). Under the terms of the transaction, AbbVie will acquire all outstanding shares of Apogee for $135.11 per share in cash. […]
Katy Growth Tracker: New Restaurants, Entertainment Expansion and 348-Unit Apartment Project
Several commercial and residential development projects are moving forward across the Katy area, including new restaurants, an entertainment venue expansion and a large apartment community planned in Jordan Ranch.
OSS Names Paul Averna VP of Business Development
Averna most recently served as vice president of VX Marine and earlier in leadership roles at Cubic Defense.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time PC Fan Remake Officially Stopped
CryZENx officially announced that development on the Unreal Engine 5 fan remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has come to an end.
“Our goal is simple”: Xbox unveils major push to simplify Unreal Engine development
How Xbox is making it simpler than ever for creators to build and ship games on PC.
Registration open for 2026 HousingIowa Conference in Des Moines
Registration is now open for the 2026 HousingIowa Conference, hosted by the Iowa Finance Authority and scheduled for Sept. 9-10 in Des Moines. The conference expects to bring together nearly 1,000 professionals from housing, development, lending, government and community sectors. The event will feature national speakers, policy experts, and industry leaders addressing key issues in…
Oborny ‘19, to Serve as Midland University Director of Career Studio and Business Development
Midland University is proud to announce Emma Oborny ’19 as its new Director of the Career Studio and Business Development.
“Clunky” Epic Games Launcher is getting a “Ground-up rebuild” that promises to be at least 5x faster
The company has confirmed that a major overhaul of the Epic Games Store with several improvements and changes is currently in development.
Pragmata's development team included a group of women known as the "Diana Police" to convincingly capture her child-like innocence
Hugh's "Scribble Suit" is coming to Pragamata as part of a free update.
Britain Politics
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, gestures as he speaks with local residents as he visits a housing development in north London, Friday, June 19, 2026. (Peter Macdiarmid/Pool Photo via
Balancing benefit and risk: Nisha Vora on the science of pharmacovigilance
As Safety Science Director, she works across both early development and post-marketing, ensuring that risks are anticipated, analyzed, and managed so treatments can reach patients responsibly.
CPT Group Appoints Sondra Monroe as Vice President of Business Development
/PRNewswire/ -- CPT Group, Inc. announces the appointment of Sondra Monroe as Vice President of Business Development, a strategic leadership addition...
Türkiye’s Democratic Breakdown: Authoritarian Consolidation and the Sources of Resilience
Lessons from Global Democratic Resistance is a public panel series that brings together frontline activists, civic leaders, institutional actors, and field‑informed scholars to examine how democratic actors have resisted, responded to, and learned from democratic backsliding across countries. The series aims to identify practical lessons and comparative insights for those defending democracy today and is organized by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in collaboration with the Ash Center for Democratic Governance at the Harvard Kennedy School; the Cornell Center on Global Democracy; Perry World House at the University of Pennsylvania; the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at the University of Notre Dame; the Democratic Futures Project at the University of Virginia; Stanford’s Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law.
Grinch Movie Sequel in the Works with Jim Carrey in Talks to Return
Universal and Imagine Entertainment's Brian Grazer are in development on the sequel to the 2000 film.
Arsenal Capital Partners Adds Max Schechter as Head of Industrial Growth Business Development
/PRNewswire/ -- Arsenal Capital Partners ("Arsenal"), a middle-market private equity firm specializing in building industrial growth and healthcare companies,...
Jeffrey Stokes Named Head of Allied Health Sciences
Throughout his career, Stokes has emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship, as well as faculty development, student success, and preparing ...
UT San Antonio names Corey Pashea vice president for development, health affairs and health system
Beginning Aug. 17, Pashea will lead development efforts supporting the university’s academic health center.
Vice president for development, health affairs and health system named
Corey Pashea, MHS, was named vice president for development, health affairs and health system of UT San Antonio, following a national search. She will begin Aug. 17.
Indonesia's MD Entertainment Bets on IP and Microdramas
MD Entertainment CEO Manoj Punjabi outlines plans for cross-border IP development, microdrama expansion and global partnerships at APOS.
May moving on as Hibs reshape backroom staff
Eddie May is to leave his coaching position at Hibernian at the end of June, ending 12 years of service at Easter Road. The 58-year-old made over 100 appearances for the club between 1985-89 and returned in 2014, working across different roles in the academy, player development and with the first team. In June 2024, May he was chosen as an assistant coach, along with Liam Craig, as David Gray took on the position of head coach.
Health leaders urged to curb aggressive AI spending
This HIMSS26 APAC speaker advises leaders to pace their AI investments despite the technology's rapid development.
Dr. James Robbins appointed Senior Vice President for Research and Business Development - The Institute of World Politics
Dr. James Robbins, who has been serving as Dean of Academics, will take on a new leadership role as Senior Vice President of Research and Business
Susan Solomon named 2026 Tang Prize laureate
MIT Professor Susan Solomon was awarded the 2026 Tang Prize in Sustainable Development for her work on the recovery of the ozone layer and the lasting impacts of carbon dioxide emissions on the Earth’s climate.
Mamdani launches media and entertainment workforce development initiative at CUNY colleges, including Queensborough Community College
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYC Small Business Services (SBS) have announced a new workforce development initiative at CUNY colleges across the city that aims to
SGMC Health Welcomes Ashley Cooper as Director of Organizational Learning and Development
SGMC Health welcomes Ashley Cooper as Director of Organizational Learning and Development.
Amazon Hires Matt Schwimmer to Lead Creator Business Development
The exec joins after working at sports podcast company Better Collective as the chief executive of Playmaker, a sports media platform.
The week in politics (June 17, 2026)
On Wednesday's show: We get an update on the forecast for rainy weather across the region. And we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
WHO Step-by-Step programme recognized as a promising innovation for mental health in humanitarian settings
WHO, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Lebanon’s National Mental Health Programme, showcased Step-by-Step at the World Bank Group’s biennial Fragility Forum in Washington, DC. The forum convened more than 1500 representatives from governments, international organizations and civil society to advance the development agenda in the world’s most fragile and crisis-affected communities. WHO was invited to demonstrate Step-by-Step – a digital self-help intervention for depression, alongside innovations presented by Stanford University and Google. The World Bank Group selected Step-by-Step from among more than 50 innovations that they reviewed in the lead up to the Forum.About Step-by-StepStep-by-Step is a free digital tool developed by WHO in collaboration with Lebanon’s National Mental Health Programme and other partners, that helps people manage depression and anxiety on their own, with light guidance from a trained supporter. It uses a picture-based story to walk users through evidence-based techniques for managing common mental health conditions. Users complete five modules, with weekly contacts – of around 15 minutes each – from a trained non-specialist helper, such as a community health worker.Evidence-basedClinical trials in Lebanon involving nearly 1250 participants – including 680 Lebanese participants and 569 Syrian participants – showed that Step-by-Step significantly reduced depression, anxiety and stress, and improved daily functioning. By the end of the programme, a reduction in depressive symptoms of more than 50% was reported by almost half (46%) of Lebanese participants and more than one third (37%) of Syrian participants compared to approximately 14% of those who did not use the programme. Cost-effectiveness analyses further suggest that Step-by-Step may offer a cost-saving response to depression in humanitarian emergencies in low- and middle-income countries.Used globallyStep-by-Step is already in use nationwide in Lebanon and Thailand, as part of each country’s mental health system. In India, the NGO – Kaya Guides – has adapted Step-by-Step for delivery through a widely used messaging app. Together, these programmes have provided thousands of people with evidence-based support for depression. The content is freely available from the WHO website for any organization or country to adapt for their own context.A new implementation guideThe Fragility Forum coincided with the recent launch of WHO’s new practical guide: Psychological self-help interventions: delivering self-help for individuals, featuring Step-by-Step and Doing What Matters in Times of Stress (WHO, 2026). The guide is designed to help governments, health workers, organizations and planners bring evidence-based mental health support to more people, particularly in low-resource and crisis-affected settings.
Latvia pilots citizen engagement in research grant evaluations
Latvia has introduced an element of citizen engagement to the evaluation of nationally funded research grants. The aim is to both create more connections between science and society, and to improve the quality of its evaluations. The move comes as research funders across Europe are experimenting with ways to improve evaluation processes in the face of a sharpened focus on science’s impact on society. Evaluators of grant applications submitted to Latvia’s Fundamental and Applied Research Programme (FLPP), the country’s main research funder, will this year have the option of consulting citizen feedback on challenges the public thinks science should focus on to inform their decisions. “In recent years, both public discussions and policy-level debates in Latvia have highlighted the importance of demonstrating how publicly funded research contributes to society, the economy and the resolution of real-world challenges,” said a source at the Latvian Council of Science (LCS), which manages the FLPP. “At the same time, research institutions themselves expressed interest in improving the project evaluation framework while continuing to ensure that funding is awarded to the highest-quality projects,” the source added. The citizen input comes from a survey that was conducted between 25 February and 16 March 2025, to which 1,737 people responded. It gathered information on what the public views as problem areas for Latvia, and the role of science and technology in providing solutions to these problems. A summary of these responses has been included as an annex to the FLPP 2026 call for proposals that evaluators can refer to, purely in an advisory manner, when judging proposals. Results from the survey show that the main problem areas identified by the public were in healthcare and public health, followed by the development of new treatment methods and medicines, and then digital technology, data security and cyber security. At the bottom of the list was research aimed at acquiring new knowledge about the universe, matter and the laws of nature. Further analysis looked at the public view of the possible role of science in solving these problems. The survey charted 4,167 individual responses based on open-ended questions that were derived from the participants’ answers. The analysis again found that medical and health sciences topped the scoring, with 788 responses referring to the field. Humanities and the arts were bottom of the list, with 625. Digging further into the details, the survey suggests citizens are aware of and concerned about a number of research areas. This includes technologies and innovation to improve the environment or reduce pollution, the development of modern military technologies and cybersecurity tools, and the development and application of artificial intelligence, among others. “We hope this initiative will help strengthen public trust in science and create a more meaningful dialogue between researchers and society,” the LCS source said, adding that it offers benefits to researchers, evaluators and to the general public. More space for citizen engagement in evaluationsThere is a gradual but increasing use of citizen engagement in research evaluation processes around Europe, especially in healthcare, but it remains relatively rare, said Henry Sauermann, a professor at the European School of Management and Technology in Berlin and an expert in citizen science.“Given that we are at a point where citizen involvement is extremely limited, there is presumably space for more, but it's not that we should do it just because we want to do it,” he told Science|Business. He said some research lends itself better to having citizen input, and this usually tends to be on the applied end of the science spectrum where the public can offer useful feedback based on their experiences. He added that advising scientists on certain topics to study is also a useful approach, in the way that Latvia is doing. “The public does fund a lot of science, there's a lot of tax money going into this. We of course do want to preserve academic freedom, but it's also not unreasonable to incorporate more feedback or input from citizens where possible,” he said. Related articlesCitizen science: where, when, and how to let the public contribute to researchHow can Europe cope with a flood of AI-assisted research grant proposals?Data Corner: Horizon Europe’s AI, digital and data call success rate is 5.2%There are several ways of involving citizens in science funding. The most minimal way is having a few representatives on a panel, such as members of a patient group or union. The most direct way is crowdsourcing funding for specific projects. There is an increasing number of online platforms that allow the public to chip in to support scientific proposals.Sauermann studied this in a recent paper and found that it can have its uses, but it still is not clear if there are benefits to it. There are various assumptions linked to citizen engagement, for example that it increases public trust in science, or that it provides a representative view of what the public thinks about science. These are not necessarily true, Sauermann found. People who participate in engagement activities tend to already be very trusting of science, and, on the whole, it is generally the well-off and well educated who contribute, giving a narrow view of public opinion. On whether citizen input can help manage the increasing number of proposals that are being submitted due to assistance from AI, Sauermann is more sceptical. “The obvious answer to the flood of AI-written proposals is AI-driven evaluation,” he said, adding that it doesn’t mean citizen engagement shouldn’t be a part of evaluations in a well thought-out manner. Southern Denmark’s successful approachOne successful example of citizen engagement in science evaluations was implemented in southern Denmark. Between 2019 and 2025, citizens in the region were invited to vote to fund one of five pre-selected projects in the field of healthcare. The project, called A Healthier Southern Denmark, was a collaboration between regional authorities, the University of Southern Denmark, and two media partners. Over the seven years, there were 75,000 votes and significant public engagement online and on social media. “It was a bit of a wild project, we’d never done something like that before and we were a bit nervous about what would be said in the media about it. But actually, people were very positive,” said Anne Kathrine Overgaard, one of the main organisers of the project from the University of Southern Denmark. The university and its researchers have learned a lot from the experience, particularly about engaging with society and shaping their research to match real-world needs. This is important with Europe’s increasing focus on competitiveness and bringing innovations to market faster, Overgaard said. She hopes to see more citizen engagement in evaluation processes and in science more broadly. “For many years, citizen engagement has been a bit of an add-on to proposals, just to check a box. But I think things are changing,” she said. It’s less about citizens just gathering data and more “about the dialogue between the public and the scientists,” she said. The initiative ended last year as the team wanted to regroup to find fresh momentum. The development of AI and AI-written proposals has made Overgaard reflect on how the project could be reworked to help evaluators. She hopes to bring it back in the future. “It could be a good idea to try this initiative again in a slightly re-worked format,” she said.
Plans announced for sports complex, mixed-use development near Huntsville-Decatur interchange
Synergy Sports, Limestone County, the City of Decatur, and Crossroads LLC, announced a cooperative effort to bring a mixed-use development, anchored by a southeast regional sports complex, to the Tennessee Valley.
MSU announces naming of Greene College of Science & Engineering, cementing eastern Kentucky family legacy
Morehead State University is honored to announce the naming of the Greene College of Science & Engineering in recognition of a significant and generous gift from Drs. Randy (Class of 1967) and Judy Greene. Approved by the MSU Board of Regents at the meeting on June 12, the college naming will take effect on July 1. A formal recognition and transition will occur later in the year. To learn more about the College of Science & Engineering and its programs, email dsci@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2626. For more information on the Greene Family Scholarship Endowment, or to establish your own, contact MSU’s Office of Alumni Relations & Development at 606-783-2033 or email giving@moreheadstate.edu.
Great Canadian Entertainment Completes Sale of River Rock Casino Resort
Musqueam Traditional Territory (Richmond, B.C.), June 16, 2026--Great Canadian Entertainment ("Great Canadian") announced today the successful closing of the sale of River Rock Casino Resort ("River Rock"), located in Richmond, B.C. on Musqueam lands, to a partnership formed by Petroglyph Development Group ("PDG"), a wholly owned corporation of Snuneymuxw First Nation, and Musqueam Capital Corp ("MCC"), the economic development arm of Musqueam Indian Band. The closing completes the previously an
'House of the Dragon' season 3 reviews: What critics are saying
The first reviews are in for 'House of the Dragon' season 3, with many critics applauding the HBO series' epic battles and dramatic character developments.
Financing, regulatory concerns stall SunGas’ Louisiana biofuels ambitions
SunGas Renewables has halted development of its Beaver Lake Biofuels Project near Alexandria, ending plans for a major renewable fuels facility that would have converted sustainably sourced wood fiber into low-carbon methanol, 10/12 Industry Report reports. The project was expected to produce more than half a million metric tons of methanol annually while capturing and […]
Family Finances Shape Children’s Brain Development, Study Finds
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterTUESDAY, June 16, 2026 (HealthDay News) — A family’s financial situation has more impact on their children’s brain development than parenting style, a new study says. Family finances and opportunities in a child’s neighborhood account for about 16% of the ...
Pitt Athletics And JMI Sports Launch H2PNIL To Elevate Student-Athlete NIL Support
PITTSBURGH – Pitt Athletics and JMI Sports, a leading multimedia rights and venue development company, announced today the launch of H2PNIL, a comprehensive ...
United States Announces U.S. Government Members of the U.S.-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council
United States Announces U.S. Government Members of the U.S.-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council Press Release June 16, 2026 Today, at the fifth annual Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF 2026), the United States announced the following inaugural members of the U.S.-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Vice President Bethany Aquilina Brez Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Senior Vice President Sarah Witten Assistant Secretary of Commerce, David Fogel Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs, Caleb Orr U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Jonathan Henick Launched in Washington, D.C., in April 2026, the U.S.-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council serves as the premier bilateral platform to accelerate trade and catalyze private sector investment between the United States and Uzbekistan. The Council is Co-Chaired by Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Ambassador Sergio Gor and Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Council gives American businesses direct access to U.S. government financing, trade promotion, and market development tools to execute large-scale projects in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan holds significant reserves of critical minerals essential to U.S. technology, defense, and energy sectors. The Council provides a direct mechanism to advance U.S. access to these resources through transparent, mutually beneficial partnerships. Through their participation, the American members of the Council will deepen the institutional framework for American commercial engagement in Uzbekistan.
Doctor on how social media can affect children's health, development
Dr. Scott Hadland, the Chief of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Mass General for Children, said research shows real risks that social media can affect young people's sleep as well as their attention and focus in school.
New sports complex adds to Suncoast’s growing athletics scene
Development near State Road 64 expected to offer pickleball, volleyball, baseball and softball facilities
Trump’s Iran accord offers exit from war
The Trump administration and Iran's leadership agreed on Sunday to terms to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a development that has delivered significant relief to global markets.
Regional Economic Development Inc. announces 2026 Small Business Grants
Regional Economic Development Inc. announced the recipients of the 2026 Small Business Grants on Monday.
Major Shedeur Sanders development emerges amid Browns QB competition
Shedeur Sanders has reportedly closed the gap between himself and Deshaun Watson during the Cleveland Browns offseason program.
Wichita Falls board to tackle business prospects behind closed doors
The Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation meets Thursday to discuss property deals and business incentives in private.
STLL Studios Launches Narrative Division, STLL ENTERTAINMENT
Little Black Book, Production company expands into feature film and long-form storytelling with two projects in post-production, four titles in active development and signing of Nick Barr
Love And Deepspace Is A Game Development Primer In Disguise
If journalism doesn't work out for me, there's always 3D rigging
WVU health care AI researcher wins prestigious NSF CAREER award
West Virginia University researcher Avishek Choudhury, who studies health care providers’ trust in artificial intelligence, has been named a Faculty Early Career Development award winner by the National Science Foundation.
HMNC Brain Health announces $50 million first closing of Series B financing and a strategic partnership with MEDICE
Financing will accelerate the development of HMNC’s neurosciences portfolio, including Phase 3-readiness activities for Ketabon (KET01) and Nelivabon (BH-200)Agreement grants MEDICE exclusive European commercialization rights for KET01, with tiered double-digit royalties and significant milestone payments MUNICH, Germany, June 15, 2026 – HMNC Brain Health ("HMNC" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage neuroscience company, today announced the successful $50 million first closing of its Series B fin
Report: Microsoft weighing up spinning off Xbox
Company management has reportedly approved a plan by new CEO Asha Sharma to increase spending on Halo, Fallout and The Elder Scrolls to speed up development, to
U.S. and Iran reach agreement to end war, Trump says
The deal commits Tehran to forgo the development or acquisition of nuclear weapons in exchange for helping reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Sunday Patriots Notes: Pats seek to ‘weaponize’ Drake Maye’s mind
Notes and thoughts on Drake Maye’s development, Rhamondre Stevenson’s leadership, and more.
Huge development as Richard Hughes secures deal for forward
Liverpool has become renowned as one of the finest finishing schools for young talent around. The progress made by Rio Ngumoha - and to a lesser extent Trey Nyoni - pays testament to that. Both are we...
Aurora business owners concerned revitalization plans may push them out
SBA moves to revise 8(a) rules while preserving tribal, ANC eligibility
Details By Brian Edwards Native Contracting June 13, 2026 The U.S. Small Business Administration has proposed changes to its 8(a) Business Development Program that would eliminate race-based presumptions of social disadvantage for individually owned businesses while leaving eligibility standards unchanged for tribally owned enterprises, Alaska Native corporations and other Native entity-owned participants. In both the title and summary of the proposed rule published in the Federal Register, SBA emphasized that the changes only apply to individually owned firms and “do not impact entity-owned firms,” including tribes, Alaska Native corporation, Native Hawaiian organizations and community development corporations. The proposed rule, announced June 11, would require all individual applicants seeking admission to the 8(a) program to submit evidence demonstrating social disadvantage. Membership in a racial or ethnic group alone would no longer establish eligibility, according to the SBA. For Indian Country, the agency said eligibility standards for businesses owned by federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native corporations, Native Hawaiian organizations and community development corporations would remain unchanged. The proposal comes after the Department of Defense reaffirmed that participation by tribes and Alaska Native corporations in the 8(a) program is based on their political status under federal law rather than diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. In a May 28 letter to Alaska's Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael P. Duffey wrote that participation by federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native corporations in federal programs is “grounded in their political status as Native Americans, not DEI initiatives.” The SBA proposal follows a 2023 federal court ruling that found unconstitutional the program's rebuttable presumption that members of certain racial and ethnic groups were socially disadvantaged. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said the proposed rule would establish a single standard for individually owned applicants by requiring evidence of social disadvantage. The 8(a) Business Development Program provides participating firms with business development assistance and access to federal set-aside and sole-source contracting opportunities. The program remains a major source of federal contracting revenue for tribal enterprises and Alaska Native corporations. Native-owned firms received $16.1 billion of the program's approximately $26 billion in federal contract awards during fiscal 2024, according to data previously reported by Tribal Business News. The proposal also arrives amid ongoing concerns from Native contractors about SBA administration of the program. In May, the Native American Contractors Association and 53 Native-owned businesses urged SBA to address delays in processing 8(a) applications, saying some reviews had stretched beyond regulatory deadlines and appeared to have stalled since August 2025. The proposed rule is open for public comment through July 13. The Federal Register notice does not reference tribal consultation or indicate whether SBA determined consultation was unnecessary because tribal eligibility standards are unchanged. The SBA has not announced when the proposed rule would take effect. The agency is expected to accept public comments before issuing a final rule.About The AuthorAuthor: Brian EdwardsBrian Edwards is associate publisher and associate editor of Tribal Business News and Native News Online. He is a longtime publisher, editor, business reporter and serial entrepreneur. Subscribe Today!Other Articles by this authorDefense Department reaffirms tribal, ANC eligibility in SBA 8(a) programTribal heritage projects eligible for up to $100K in federal funding through NPS programIHS launches tribal long-term care construction initiative with three projectsIḷisaġvik College acquires site for long-planned Utqiaġvik campus This article is available to paid digital subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
'Monopoly' Movie: Lionsgate Developing Two New Takes (EXCLUSIVE)
Monopoly movie development is pressing ahead at Lionsgate, with two scripts in development from star writing teams Widener & James and Angelo & Blum.
NMSU Global Campus, FracStrat launch professional skills course featuring New Mexico business leaders
WRITER/SOURCE: Karen Cooper, 575-646-4040, cooperka@nmsu.eduNMSU Global Campus has partnered with FracStrat LLC, a New Mexico-based leadership and organizational development consulting firm, to...
Bean Named General Counsel of the Year by St. Louis Business Journal
Eight Corporate Counsel Award honorees chosen by publication for 2026 Howl Bean II, general counsel for St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (STL Partnership), has been named the 2026 General Counsel…
University of Minnesota expands student, workforce development through health and healthcare, enrollment and learning initiatives
The University of Minnesota Board of Regents today agreements with University of Minnesota Physicians and Fairview Health Services, approved a University-wide enrollment plan, and continued its focus on financial stewardship.
Overview of WHO Member State Interventions at WHA79 on Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (WCAH)
WHA79 highlighted a critical turning point for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health (WCAH) amid record declines in development assistance, growing humanitarian crises and ongoing reforms of the global health architecture. PMNCH advocated for WCAH to remain central to health system reform, emergency response and financing discussions, emphasizing that sustainable investments, country-led governance and protection of essential services are vital to prevent reversals in hard-won health gains and accelerate progress toward the SDGs.
CMS creates office dedicated to health technology
The Office of Health Technology and Products is the latest technology development from the CMS as it doubles down on digital tools.
Dehko Enterprises Announces Expansion of Business Development and Strategic Investment Operations
Michigan-Based Company Expands Growth Initiatives Across Business Development, Strategic Investments, Brand Building, and Emerging OpportunitiesWest Bloomfield, Michigan--(Newsfile Corp. - June 12, 2026) - Dehko Enterprises today announced the expansion of its business development and strategic investment operations as part of a long-term initiative designed to strengthen the company's position across multiple industries while pursuing new opportunities in business growth, strategic...
UFC announces global sports diplomacy partnership with U.S. State Department
In a development that has forever merged the worlds of combat sports and international affairs, UFC CEO Dana White and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding at the State Department headquarters. Dana White doesn't approve of steady growth and instead ...
George Floyd Square redevelopment rejected: Minneapolis business owners left in limbo
The future of George Floyd Square remains uncertain after city leaders voted down a redevelopment proposal, leaving business owners frustrated by years of delays.
Nintendo and The Pokemon Company update Palworld lawsuit, limited to older versions only
There’s been another development involving Nintendo and The Pokemon Company’s lawsuit against Palworld. When all is said and done, the legal battle will only involve the current version of the game. It’s now been discovered that Nintendo and The Pokemon Company amended the scope of their claims. Originally, they were going after all versions of Palworld. However, things have changed...