omi

Incoming Administration Names Academy Members to Key Posts

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris announced their nomination of several members of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and National Academy of Medicine to serve in key science positions.




omi

New Report Charts Path to Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050, Recommends Near-Term Policies to Ensure Fair and Equitable Economic Transition and Revitalization of Manufacturing Industry

Achieving net-zero carbon emissions in the U.S. by 2050 is feasible and would not only help address climate change but also build a more competitive economy, increase high-quality jobs, and help address social injustice in the energy system, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.




omi

A Looming Crisis for Local U.S. Water Systems?

In many cities, shrinking populations and aging infrastructure mean increasingly unaffordable water




omi

New Research Models Offer Promise for Understanding the Human Brain and Finding Pathways to Therapies, But Also Raise Profound Ethical Questions

New models for studying the human brain — human neural organoids, transplants, and chimeras — show promise for advancing understanding of the brain and laying the groundwork for new therapeutic approaches to brain diseases that have so far proved hard to treat, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.




omi

Direct Financial Support, Access to Male-Dominated Jobs, and Investing in Child Care Can Increase Women’s Participation in Post-COVID Workforce, Says New Expert Consultation

Since the start of the pandemic, 2.5 million women have departed from the job market. A new rapid expert consultation says direct financial support, greater access to male-dominated jobs, and investing in child care can encourage women to return to the post-COVID workforce.




omi

New Report Reviews VA Monograph on Economic Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Service and Emotional Support Dogs for Veterans with PTSD

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a final report today reviewing the second draft of a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) monograph, The Economic Impact and Cost Effectiveness of Service Dogs for Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which assesses the economic impact and cost-effectiveness of programs involving trained service dogs or emotional support dogs and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).




omi

A Decade of Success - ‘Creative Mind’ Traveling Exhibit Spotlights Prominent Black Scientists and Researchers

“The Creative Mind” has spent the last decade bringing heightened visibility to the contributions and stories of trailblazing African Americans in science, engineering, and medicine — such as mathematical engineer Christine Darden, astronaut Mae Jemison, zoologist Shirley Malcom, and many others.




omi

Realizing the Promise of Biological Physics Requires a Multipronged Approach to Education, Funding, and Workforce, Says New Report

The emergence of biological physics as a field has had an impact on artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, the global response to COVID-19, and more. A new report outlines research directions and recommends ways federal agencies and universities can help strengthen the field’s future.




omi

Exploring the Progress and Promise of Particle Physics

Maria Spiropulu and Michael Turner — co-chairs of a National Academies study underway to assess key science questions that will drive research in the field of elementary particle physics for the next decade and beyond — discuss the study, community engagement, and the field’s relevance to everyday life.




omi

National Academies’ Roundtable on Macroeconomics and Climate-Related Risks and Opportunities to Hold First Public Meeting on Jan. 23

A new roundtable will hold its first public meeting on Jan. 23 to discuss challenges associated with incorporating climate change into the macroeconomic analyses used for federal policymaking. The roundtable’s activities will inform a new White House interagency working group.




omi

Deficient Facilities Adversely Affect National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Mission, With Economic, National Security, and Safety Impacts, Says New Report

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s facilities should be modernized to ensure that the agency can continue to deliver measurement science and standards that advance U.S. innovation and competitiveness on national technology priorities. Substandard facilities brought about through lack of investment have created ongoing problems that affect research.




omi

Researchers Need to Rethink and Justify How and Why Race, Ethnicity, and Ancestry Labels Are Used in Genetics and Genomics Research, Says New Report

Race, ethnicity, and ancestry labels are often used in genomics and genetics research to describe human genetic differences, which is misleading and inaccurate. Researchers and scientists who utilize genetic and genomic data should rethink and justify how and why they use these descriptors in their work.




omi

Policy Impact and Future Directions for Behavioral Economics — New Report

A new National Academies report highlights how behavioral economics has built invaluable evidence about why people may act in seemingly irrational ways, how they respond to interventions, and how public policy can be designed to help people make better decisions.




omi

Protecting children from grooming | Unlocked 403 cybersecurity podcast (ep. 7)

“Hey, wanna chat?” This innocent phrase can take on a sinister meaning when it comes from an adult to a child online – and even be the start of a predatory relationship




omi

3-D graphene has promise for bio applications

Flakes of graphene welded together into solid materials may be suitable for bone implants, according to a study led by Rice University scientists.

read more



  • Physics & Chemistry

omi

US utilities signal booming demand from data centers as AI takes root

Ameren signed a supply deal with a data center with a power capacity of 250 megawatt (MW). It has also received expansion commitments and executed new contracts for more 85 MW of additional load for smaller data centers and other industries across Missouri and Illinois.




omi

NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP finds powerful storms in Tropical Storm Malakas

NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite measured cloud top temperatures as it passed over Tropical Storm Malakas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean and found strong storms.

read more



  • Earth & Climate

omi

Upcoming aviation, tech ventures giving Noida new identity: UP Minister Nand Gopal

"With the development of Asia's largest airport at Jewar, the freight corridor, data centres, food park, toy park, medical device park, an Integrated Industrial Township in Greater Noida, multi-modal transportation hub, the region managed by the Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway authorities has got a new identity," Nand Gopal Gupta said.




omi

OpenAI to enable more customizations for enterprise and individual users

Speaking to investors at a Morgan Stanley conference, Altman said the AI company will focus on building a platform that sells APIs to others and creates killer apps like ChatGPT.




omi

Is AI dominance inevitable? A technology ethicist says no, actually

In the business world, AI advocates tell companies and workers that they will fall behind if they fail to integrate generative AI into their operations. In the sciences, AI advocates promise that AI will aid in curing hitherto intractable diseases.




omi

Meta plans to challenge Apple and Google's dominance over apps

Social media giant Meta is looking to challenge Apple and Google's dominance in the app marketplace by considering the creation of its own app store. The move is motivated by the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which calls for tech giants to open their platforms and allow alternative methods of app downloading. Meta aims to allow users to download apps directly from Facebook ads, resulting in higher conversion rates for developers. Failure to comply with the DMA can result in fines and possible acquisition bans.




omi

Domino Sugar predicts 2024 baking trends

Domino Sugar is sharing an inside look into the hottest 2024 baking trends.




omi

Report: Pistachios dominate California tree nut industry

Pistachios have emerged not only as a profitable option for growers in the U.S., but also as a favorite snack among consumers.




omi

A Clean Label That Won’t Compromise Bread Quality

More and more, customers expect to find cleaner-label options in every aisle of the grocery store, including the bread aisle. Sixty percent of bread consumers say the type of ingredients used in bread formulation is a primary consideration when purchasing.




omi

Healthy nuts, seeds and inclusions don’t compromise on taste

Nuts, seeds and other inclusions add new dimensions of color, appearance, texture, nutrition, flavor and more to an increasing range of snack and bakery products. Nut and seed consumption has continued to increase over the past several years. One of the contributing factors to the growth is consumer awareness and interest in plant-based foods.




omi

Cargill's Red Seaweed Promise designed to improve producers’ prosperity and conserve the environment

To help ensure a long-term sustainable red seaweed supply chain, Cargill has launched the Red Seaweed Promise.




omi

Better dough mixing through customization

Industrial commercial bakeries look to dough customization machines like water chillers, water meters, ice makers, and automated dough scoring units to improve and automate the dough process, primarily during mixing.




omi

State of the Industry 2024: Desserts category shows promise

With more consumers attending gatherings, the dessert category is having a renaissance. 




omi

Tate & Lyle expands PROMITOR Soluble Fiber range

Tate & Lyle is pleased to announce the expansion of its PROMITOR Soluble Fiber range.




omi

BoMill debuts grain sorting equipment

The Swedish agritech company BoMill AB unveils BoMill InSight, the next generation of industrial grain sorting equipment able to sort grain lots, kernel by kernel, at industrial speed, up to 15mt/h, based on each single kernel’s internal properties.




omi

ABA prepares for upcoming regulatory issues, Fall Policy Conference

Many of us are asking ourselves where the summer went, and it is difficult to find a good answer. I hope you had some deserved downtime with family at some point.




omi

Matt Michel: Opportunities in the coming recession

If the country is not already in recession, it appears likely one will arrive in 2023. Here are six ways to turn the downturn into an opportunity.




omi

Global and U.S. economic 2024 predictions

As 2023 comes to a close it is now time to review my predictions from last year as well as predict ten more trends I see as we enter 2024.




omi

PM Profile: ICC's Dominic Sims

Plumbing & Mechanical recently had the chance to interview International Code Council CEO Dominic Sims about the current landscape for codes and standards and the plumbing industry overall. 




omi

Codes Corner: Encouraging economic recovery

Amid one of the most impactful pandemics this nation has ever faced, one lesson that continues to be compounded is public buildings need to be updated to provide citizens with a sense of security in order to encourage an economic recovery. 




omi

Hydronic contractors becoming control consultants

For decades, changing out a thermostat for a retrofit hydronic heating system was a simple task for a service technician. From Bangor, Maine, to Breckenridge, Colorado, the mere two, 18-gauge thermostat wires running through a home was not a concern (short of the random nail or mouse taking one of the two out).




omi

Kenny Chapman: Overcoming roadblocks to find new ways of doing things

It's easy to fall prey to mediocrity. But, when you’re willing to put in the hard work and do what many people will not do, you'll find that the payoff is well worth it.




omi

PM seeking nominees for Next Gen All Stars Top 20 Under 40 contest

Who can be nominated? Any professional working in any aspect of the plumbing industry, including plumbers and pipefitters, contracting business owners, professional engineers and plumbing designers, wholesalers, manufacturers and manufacturers reps.




omi

The 2018 US economic outlook

Housing market, inflation rates and the upcoming midterm election will influence the economy in 2018.




omi

Marketing Magic: Secure market dominance during a home improvement boom

There’s no question that the demand for home improvement projects is red hot. 




omi

The impact of ergonomics on musculoskeletal disorders and productivity

Ergonomics principles can guide employers towards systems that adapt to workers’ needs and decrease the potential for discomfort and harm.




omi

Looming Dockworker Strike's Impact on the Roofing Industry

A dockworker strike that could affect up to 36 ports along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts would significantly impact the economy; the roofing industry would not be spared.




omi

Exoskeletons: Tomorrow’s ergonomic tools

According to estimates published by market research institute Frost & Sullivan in 2021, the market for industrial exoskeletons will reach an average annual growth rate in excess of 40% over the coming years and reach a market volume of over $400M by 2025.




omi

PODCAST | Workplace safety at Los Alamos: Home of the atomic bomb

What is it like to be a senior EHS officer at the remote Los Alamos National Laboratory — home of the atomic bomb — in the New Mexico desert? 




omi

Is your high-density storage compromising worker safety?

This strategy increases the value of each square foot with customizable racks, but do the pros outweigh the cons?




omi

Ground-level changes drive ergonomic, employee-wellbeing improvements

Whether moving parts to the dock or product down an assembly line, lower push forces mean that employees can move materials quickly with less wear on their bodies and greater productivity. 




omi

Morgan Stanley predicts 2018 will be tricky for global economies

Investors will have to be careful next year as potential stalling economies in the U.S. and China, along with rising global inflation and tighter monetary policy, could make for a “tricky” 2018, according to Morgan Stanley.




omi

Heads up: Here are upcoming QSSP classes

QSSP increases the knowledge and competency of safety sales professionals, which in turn, builds trust and credibility in the customer relationship. The resulting partnership can be instrumental in reducing injury and illness in the workplace.




omi

So why is the economy booming?

No doubt the U.S. economy is in a boom, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The Conference Board reports the highest levels of job satisfaction in more than a decade. The ratio between the unemployment level and the number of job vacancies is at its lowest level in a half-century




omi

The next recession is coming — by 2021

Two-thirds of business economists in the U.S. expect a recession to begin by the end of 2020, with trade policy presenting the greatest risk to the expansion, according to a new survey reported by Bloomberg. So you can keep the panic button under lock and key.