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Draper to Design Microbe-based Sensors to Perform Environmental Monitoring

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Draper is looking to test the boundaries of microbe-based sensing technologies.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Over the past decade, scientists have proved that engineered microbes are capable of exhibiting a range of sense-and-response functions. They can be programmed to convert input signals into detectible outputs, such as a change in color when they encounter specific toxins. They can sense and respond to physical stimuli such as light or magnetic fields. They can even produce an electric current to actuate a tiny gear.

“Our goal is to support DARPA in mapping the modular design of microbe-based sensors, develop a standardized design-build-test process analogous to the hardware development processes and determine the environmental conditions in which these sensors operate.” Chris Vaiana in Biotechnology at Draper.

Now, Draper is looking to test the boundaries of microbe-based sensing technologies. In partnership with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Draper is leading a diverse team of experts to explore the development of an interactive, platform methodology for the rapid design of microbe-based sense-and-respond devices for monitoring Department of Defense-relevant environments.

Specifically, DARPA seeks to establish the range of chemical and physical signals that microbial devices can detect, environmental conditions they can tolerate and types of output signals that can be generated. To this end, Tellus will focus on developing the methodology to enable the rapid design of agile, robust, reliable and durable microbial sensors for environmental monitoring, the agency said.

“Microbes have the potential to be developed as biological sensors that can collect vital information about the environments they naturally inhabit,” said Chris Vaiana in Draper’s Biotechnology business. “Our goal is to support DARPA in mapping the modular design of microbe-based sensors, develop a standardized design-build-test process analogous to the hardware development processes and determine the environmental conditions in which these sensors operate.”

Current approaches to environmental monitoring rely on distributed sensor networks on the ground, in the water, and on satellites and autonomous systems, such as drones. The goal of DARPA’s Tellus program is to develop a complementary monitoring system composed of microbial devices that can translate detected signals into a variety of physical or chemical output signals that can then be measured by conventional receiver systems, such as photonic, photoelectronic or imaging systems.

One way this solution might look, according to DARPA, is a dashboard or interface where a user will dial in features of their environment, along with the inputs they want to detect, and the output signals that are useful to them, and the system would design a safe, effective microbial device to meet those needs.

Applications vary depending on the configuration. A microbe-based sensing system could be used to detect pesticides, toxins and contaminants in the soil and water. It could also be used to detect harmful agents like heavy metals, organic pollutants, explosives, chemical warfare agents and poison gases.

Draper scientists will develop six unique microbial sense-and-respond devices that will function in a range of environments, according to Kevin Remillard, Draper’s Director for the DARPA Tellus program team. “Monitoring emerging conditions in the environment using microbe-based sensing requires a flexible, multidisciplinary engineering approach. Draper will draw on expertise in areas including synthetic biology and bioinformatics to do just that,” Remillard said.

Draper is fortunate to be partnering with a team of experts from Boston University, MIT, North Carolina State, University of Colorado at Boulder and RTX BBN. Draper’s work on the Tellus program is part of a growing portfolio of capabilities directly supporting national security needs. Some of these capabilities include biothreat detection technologies developed for IARPA’s Finding Engineering-Linked Indicators (FELIX) and DARPA’s Detect It with Gene Editing Technologies (D [IGET) programs.

This contract was a competitive acquisition under broad agency announcement Tellus, HR001123S0027.

Draper

As a nonprofit engineering innovation company, Draper serves the nation’s interests and security needs; advances technologies at the intersection of government, academia and industry; cultivates the next generation of innovators; and solves the most complex challenges. Multidisciplinary teams drawn from a broad and deep talent pool of 1,300 engineers and scientists collaborate to develop first-of-a-kind solutions. Draper’s unbiased approach enables the company to focus on their customers’ needs and to deliver new capabilities to them. Learn more at draper.com.

Media Contact

Dan Dent, Draper, 6172582462, ddent@draper.com, https://www.draper.com/

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Learnologyworld Unveils New Domain and Partnerships for Enhanced IT Training

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Discover Learnologyworld’s new domain, learnologyworld.net, and exciting partnerships with Phoenix Computer Academy and WiFi Training Voucher. Expand your IT skills today!

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Learnologyworld, the premier resource for online IT training and certification, is proud to announce two exciting new developments. This includes a brand new website domain, learnologyworld.net, and partnerships with key players in the IT training space.

Learnologyworld’s new website is available now at learnologyworld.net. The old domain, learnologyworld.com, will remain live until October 18, 2024, but visitors are encouraged to update their bookmarks to the new official home of Learnologyworld. The new domain’s launch represents Learnologyworld’s ongoing growth and innovation and its dedication to providing enhanced online experiences.

Manuel End, Co-Founder and CEO of Learnologyworld, said of the new domain, “This transition marks a significant milestone in Learnologyworld’s development, and I couldn’t be more excited.”

Learnologyworld has also teamed up with Phoenix Computer Academy (phxcomputeracademyshop.com) and WiFi Training Voucher (wifitrainingvouchers.com), two established names in online IT training and certification. This strategic expansion of Learnologyworld’s certification offerings will enhance the educational journey for both IT newcomers and experienced pros looking to add new skills.

“These exciting collaborations allow us to offer an expanded product selection, adding industry-recognized training and certification programs that our customers have long asked for,” End said. Phoenix Computer Academy offers a broad range of IT certifications, and WiFi Training Voucher specializes in real-world network training.

Learnologyworld is a leading provider of online IT training and certification programs. The company’s international presence provides learners with a global perspective on the latest trends in information technology.

IT professionals who want to add new certifications to their resumes and beginners in the field can find out more about Learnologyworld’s training programs online at https://learnologyworld.net.

About Learnologyworld

Learnology World is an online platform that provides IT professionals with the necessary expertise to succeed in the digital age. With years of experience, the platform offers a variety of certification materials, including exam vouchers for DevOps, Autodesk, and Linux users.

For media inquiries or to learn more about Learnology World’s latest discounted materials and certifications for advancing your IT career, visit learnologyworld.com.

Press Contact

Bella Rose
7402177670
https://www.learnologyworld.net/

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CGTN: Why has China’s nature reserve network proved invaluable?

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BEIJING, Sept. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Summer is the busiest season at Qinghai Lake, the largest saline lake in China.

Birds feed and nurture their young, herders drive yaks to the alpine pastures. Meanwhile, an army of naked carp, a species unique to the lake, gather to start their annual migration.

The fish swim in the lake, which lies in northwest China’s Qinghai Province, at an average depth of 18 meters. But the high saline and alkaline content of the lake water inhibits their gonad development, so every year from May to August the mature naked carp head to the fresh waters of the Buha River and Shaliu River, that flow into the lake, to spawn. This forms one of the great wonders of Qinghai Lake – the migration of the naked carp.

The ‘lost and found’ naked carp

The naked carp has a special place in the hearts of people in Qinghai, because it once helped save countless lives. In the 1950s and 1960s, food shortages led locals to rely on the fish for survival. The large-scale development of Qinghai Lake’s naked carp population began.

But in just a few decades, the “gift of the divine lake,” as the fish was known, was in danger of extinction due to overfishing and habitat loss. By the early 21st century, the number of naked carp in Qinghai Lake had fallen to less than 1 percent of the historical peak.

The local government implemented fishing bans and cracked down hard on illegal fishing and trading. Combined with artificial breeding and the improvement of the ecology of the lake, the carp population bounced back despite a low fertility rate.

Over time, the efforts have paid off. As of 2023, the total tonnage of naked carp in the lake had reached about 120,300 – about 44 times that of 2002. The fish’s protection status has since been downgraded from “endangered” to “vulnerable.”

The protection of the naked carp is just one example of the success of China’s conservation efforts. From giant pandas and crested ibises to golden snub-nosed monkeys, the populations of rare species have gradually grown as the country’s system of nature reserves has developed.

China is home to some of the richest biodiversity on Earth and is the only country with nearly all ecosystem types. Its natural protected areas have boosted biodiversity conservation and play a primary role in safeguarding national ecological security.

Nature reserves of various types have been established in the People’s Republic of China since its founding in 1949. Protection of endangered species has been continuously strengthened, international cooperation has grown, and the network of natural protected areas is bearing fruit.

Ecological civilization was incorporated into China’s integrated development plan in 2012, when Xi Jinping became China’s top leader. Since then, greater changes have been seen across the country as Xi emphasized the importance of seeking harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

“The Book of Changes (l Ching) says, ‘We should learn about the changes of the season by studying natural phenomena and foster social development by studying human phenomena. Wealth arises from following the way of heaven and earth and assisting the natural order’,” Xi said at the National Conference on Ecological and Environmental Protection on May 18, 2018.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources, by June 2024, the country had restored over 100 million mu (about 6.7 million hectares) of ecosystems that include mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts.

China’s protected areas cover 18 percent of its land area and 4.1 percent of its maritime area, corresponding to 90 percent of its terrestrial ecosystem types, 85 percent of wild animal populations, 65 percent of higher plant communities and nearly 30 percent of important geological relics.

The country’s nature reserves are a solid foundation for ecological environmental protection, and the “China Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2023-2030)” has clarified priority areas and actions for biodiversity conservation.

China has also shouldered its international responsibilities, participated in global environmental governance and biodiversity conservation cooperation, and been the driving force for the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, emphasizing the interdependence and common challenges faced by all countries.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-09-27/Why-has-China-s-nature-reserve-network-proved-invaluable–1xezv2eED4c/p.html

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cgtn-why-has-chinas-nature-reserve-network-proved-invaluable-302261659.html

SOURCE CGTN

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ChoiceCash publishes two new data studies highlighting title loan application trends

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VAN NUYS, Calif., Sept. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ChoiceCash, a leading title loan brand offering auto equity loans to subprime borrowers in more than 20 states, has published two new data studies highlighting title loan application trends.

Published on September 10th 2024, the first data study covering average credit scores for title loan applicants reveals that the ChoiceCash product offers consumer credit to applicants with a credit profile that is well below the national average. The product-wide credit score average of 557.6 for year-to-date applications through end of August is largely consistent for applicants from all regions within the United States, ranging from 545.3 in the Northeast to 559.6 in the West.

Published on September 18th 2024, the second data study highlights title loan customer payment trends by payment method, region and loan disbursement method. This study reveals that ChoiceCash title loan customers have a clear preference for making payments using electronic payment channels, accounting for more than 90% of payments. Looking at payment channel preferences based on how the loan proceeds were disbursed at the inception of the loan, the study finds that customers’ preferences for receiving loan funds also reflect in the channels they choose for making loan payments. The study concludes that ChoiceCash’s online title loan product offer, which includes multiple ways to both receive loan proceeds and make loan payments, allows title loan customers to transact consistent with their financial preferences.

About ChoiceCash:

ChoiceCash is a vehicle-secured loan option for borrowers from all walks of life. Serving customers in more than 20 states, ChoiceCash has grown to be a premier funding option, with more than a million loan inquiries processed.

The ChoiceCash loan is made by Capital Community Bank, a Utah Charted bank, located in Provo, Utah, Member FDIC. All loans will be serviced by LoanMart. Loan proceeds are intended primarily for personal, family and household purposes. All loan applications are subject to meeting Capital Community Bank’s credit criteria, which include providing acceptable property as collateral. Customers need to demonstrate ability to repay the loan.

Contact information: media@choicecash.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/choicecash-publishes-two-new-data-studies-highlighting-title-loan-application-trends-302261650.html

SOURCE ChoiceCash Title Loans

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