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Universities Space Research Association Appoints New Director of the Lunar and Planetary Institute

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WASHINGTON, June 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Universities Space Research Association (USRA) today named Dr. Walter S. Kiefer, Director, Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), effective June 24, 2024, following a national search. He has served as LPI’s Associate Director, and most recently, as Interim Director of LPI since February 1, 2024.

Dr. Kiefer is a distinguished planetary geologist whose research focuses on the internal structure and evolution of terrestrial planets and large icy satellites, including Venus, Mars, the Moon, and Io. Since joining the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) in 1993, he has made significant contributions to planetary geophysics. His work includes computer simulations of mantle convection and heat transport, measurements of planetary gravity and topography, and laboratory studies of the physical properties of rocks.

Dr. Kiefer’s research has advanced understanding of the current-day internal structure of Venus, Mars, the Moon, Io, and differentiated meteorite parent bodies. His studies have also shed light on volcanic structures on the Moon and Mars and the processes that led to the divergent evolution of Venus and Earth.

He served as an Apollo Lunar Sample Principal Investigator for five years, analyzing the density and porosity of 46 Apollo rock samples at the Johnson Space Center. This work contributed to the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission and involved using gravity observations to study the subsurface magmatic plumbing of volcanic structures on the Moon and Mars.

Dr. Keifer also serves as Co-Investigator on three upcoming planetary science missions: DAVINCI, Europa Clipper, and EnVision— a joint mission by the European Space Agency and NASA to Venus. Additionally, he is a member of NASA’s Planetary Science Advisory Committee, providing strategic guidance to NASA’s Planetary Science Division.

He has authored 380 publications and has 5,000 citations. Dr. Kiefer chairs the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference—the premier planetary conference in the world–and has served as a guest associate editor for Meteorites and Planetary Science. He holds a B.S. in Physics and Astronomy, summa cum laude, from Texas Christian University and a Ph.D. in Planetary Science and Geophysics from the California Institute of Technology.

“We are delighted to have Walter lead LPI,” said Bernie Seery, Vice President of Science and Technology at USRA. “His experience and expertise are highly valued by USRA and I am confident that LPI will achieve much success under his stewardship.”

About USRA

Founded in 1969, under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences at the request of the U.S. Government, the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is a nonprofit corporation chartered to advance space-related science, technology, and engineering. USRA operates scientific institutes and facilities and conducts other major research and educational programs. It is an association with 121 university members. It engages the broader university community, employs in-house scientific talent, and offers innovative research, development, and project management expertise. More information about USRA is available at www.usra.edu.

About LPI

The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), operated by Universities Space Research Association, was established during the Apollo program in 1968 to foster international collaboration and to serve as a repository for information gathered during the early years of the space program. Today, the LPI is an intellectual leader in lunar and planetary science. The Institute serves as a scientific forum attracting world-class visiting scientists, postdoctoral fellows, students, and resident experts; supports and serves the research community through newsletters, meetings, and other activities; collects and disseminates planetary data while facilitating the community’s access to NASA astromaterials samples and facilities; engages and excites the public about space science; and invests in the development of future generations of scientists. The research carried out at the LPI supports NASA’s efforts to explore the solar system. More information about LPI is available at www.lpi.usra.edu.

Media Contact:
Suraiya Farukhi
sfarukhi@usra.edu
443-812-6945 

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Cold chain automation breakthrough as Geekplus deploys multi-zone pallet system

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SHANGHAI, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Geekplus, the global leader in warehouse robotics, has launched the world’s first pallet-to-person system designed to automate warehouse operations across frozen and chilled zones, setting a new benchmark for temperature-controlled logistics.

Now live at a 2,700 sqm flagship facility operated by leading cold chain logistics provider JJCL (Jinjiang Cold Logistics), the system enables seamless pallet movement between environments ranging from -18°C to +5°C. This marks the first production-grade deployment of fully automated multi-temperature pallet handling in the industry.

While automation has transformed much of logistics, cold storage facilities have lagged behind due to extreme conditions and technical barriers. Geekplus’ SkyCube system changes that with frost-resistant engineering and a coordinated fleet of high-density pallet storage robots operating at -18°C, P800 robots in chilled zones (0–5°C), high-speed lifts, and a unified software platform built for continuous operation in sub-zero environments.

“Cold chain logistics is no longer the exception to automation. It’s the next frontier,” said Liu Kai, Head of System at Geekplus. “Our systems are built to perform where other systems fail. With our multi-temp-compatible robotics, we’re redefining how food, pharma, and grocery warehouses scale reliably and efficiently.”

JJCL, with seven subsidiary branches and 11 cold storage facilities totaling over 560,000 m³ (approximately 20 million cubic feet), partnered with Geekplus to modernize operations and meet growing demand. Since deployment, the system has increased storage capacity by 70 percent, improved picking efficiency by 90 percent, and achieved 99.99 percent accuracy. It has also enhanced safety by minimizing human exposure to extreme sub-zero temperatures through full automation of cold zone handling.

 “As global demand for cold chain services accelerates, the launch provides a scalable blueprint for 3PLs, food distributors, and pharma companies navigating compliance, labor challenges, and operational risk,” Liu added. “This isn’t just an upgrade, it’s a category shift.”

 

About Geekplus
Geekplus is the global leader in autonomous mobile robotics (AMRs), powering warehouse automation for more than 770 customers across 40+ countries. Its Goods-to-Person solutions serve retail, logistics, food, and healthcare operations worldwide.

Media Contact
Manas Medisetty
Global Head of Digital
Geekplus
manas.medisetty@geekplus.com

www.geekplus.com

 

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Toho Leo Begins Joint Experiments with the University of the Philippines to Address Urban Environmental Challenges

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— Verifying the environmental value of urban parks and flood mitigation effects of water-retentive infrastructure in Metro Manila

TOKYO, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — TOHO LEO CO. (Head Office: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture; President: Minoru Yoshikawa) has commenced joint experiments with the School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of the Philippines, to improve the urban environment in Metro Manila through green infrastructure initiatives.

This initiative focuses on:

Verifying the flood mitigation effects of permeable pavement and water-retentive foundations on public roads, and developing flood simulation modelsVisualizing and quantifying the environmental value of green spaces in urban parks, including CO2 absorption and air pollution control, along with surveying public awareness on environmental issues

Through these studies, we aim to develop scientific and practical solutions to enhance urban resilience. In selecting the research sites, we are collaborating with local government units (LGUs) to establish a multi-sectoral partnership among academia, government, and industry.

Significance and Future Outlook

In recent years, Metro Manila has been facing serious environmental challenges, including the rapid decline of green spaces due to accelerated urbanization and increased urban flooding caused by extreme weather events.

This initiative aims to leverage Toho Leo’s expertise in green infrastructure to demonstrate regionally tailored solutions and propose a vision for urban development that harmonizes with nature.

By incorporating nature-based solutions that also encompass traditional grey infrastructure functions into urban policy, we aim to contribute to the realization of sustainable city development.

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Waystar Announces Pricing of Public Offering of Common Stock

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LEHI, Utah and LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Waystar Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: WAY) (“Waystar”), a provider of leading healthcare payments software, today announced the pricing of its underwritten public offering of 12,500,000 shares of its common stock by certain investment funds of EQT AB and Bain Capital, LP, and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), and their respective affiliates (collectively, the “Selling Stockholders”) at a price to the public of $38.75 per share.  Additionally, the Selling Stockholders have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 1,875,000 additional shares of common stock. Waystar is not selling any shares and will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares in the offering by the Selling Stockholders. The offering is expected to close on or about May 16, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

The offering is being made through an underwriting group led by J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, and Barclays, who are acting as joint lead book-running managers and as representatives of the underwriters for the offering. William Blair, Evercore ISI, BofA Securities, RBC Capital Markets, Jefferies and Deutsche Bank Securities are acting as joint bookrunners for the offering. Canaccord Genuity and Raymond James are acting as co-managers for the offering.

A registration statement on Form S-1, including a prospectus, relating to these securities has been filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. Any offers, solicitations or offers to buy, or any sales of securities will be made in accordance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The offering may be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectus may be obtained by contacting: J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by email at prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com; Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, by telephone at (866) 471-2526, or by email at prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com; or Barclays Capital Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, by telephone at (888) 603-5847, or by email at barclaysprospectus@broadridge.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts. The words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “future,” “will,” “seek,” “foreseeable,” the negative version of these words, or similar terms and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on management’s current expectations and are inherently subject to various risks, uncertainties, assumptions, or changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict or quantify. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with the consummation of the offering and other risks described in Waystar’s registration statement on Form S-1, as it may be amended from time to time, and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and any subsequent filings with the SEC. Except as required by law, Waystar has no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results or revised expectations.

About Waystar

Waystar’s mission-critical software is purpose-built to simplify healthcare payments so providers can prioritize patient care and optimize their financial performance. Waystar serves approximately 30,000 clients, representing over 1 million distinct providers, including 16 of 20 institutions on the U.S. News Best Hospitals list. Waystar’s enterprise-grade platform annually processes over 6 billion healthcare payment transactions, including over $1.8 trillion in annual gross claims and spanning approximately 50% of U.S. patients. Waystar strives to transform healthcare payments so providers can focus on what matters most: their patients and communities.

Media Contact
Kristin Lee
kristin.lee@waystar.com

Investor Contact
Sandy Draper
investors@waystar.com 
502-238-9511

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