Washington — A coalition of safety advocacy groups, in conjunction with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, is petitioning the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to reconsider a controversial final rule the agency claims will add flexibility to hours-of-service regulations for commercial truck drivers.

In the security systems integration business, fewer than 20 firms operate globally or nationally. The majority of integrators are regional and local businesses, which depend on construction and spending

Washington — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service has denied a National Chicken Council petition seeking unrestricted line speeds in poultry-processing plants.

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has denied a petition calling on the agency to recognize hair samples as an alternative drug-testing method for truckers, reasserting a long-standing position that it lacks the statutory authority to do so.

Grain Valley, MO — The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety and 12 other organizations have sent a letter to lawmakers urging them to oppose two House bills that would allow drivers younger than 21 to operate interstate commercial motor vehicles.

Washington — More than 130 organizations and 90 individuals are petitioning OSHA to issue regulations aimed at protecting workers against heat stress.

Washington — The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance is evaluating its next course of action after the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Sept. 18 denied a CVSA petition requesting that the agency update its definition of “personal conveyance” and clarify a mileage limit.

Washington — The U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has ruled it doesn’t have the authority to order OSHA to issue a permanent standard on COVID-19 for the health care industry, denying an emergency petition filed by National Nurses United and other labor groups.

The Almond Board of California (ABC) announced the kickoff of its national Tastemaker Trials student competition, which invites U.S. college and university students to create delicious almond-based snack products that excite the tastebuds of younger generations and set a new standard for "intentional indulgence" in snacks.

“Cultivating the next generation of culinary innovators is both a privilege and a passion. Working on the competition with the students at IIT, sponsored by the Washington Red Raspberry Commission, has been a rewarding journey,” said Zal Taleyarkhan, Corporate Research Chef, Charlie Baggs Culinary Innovations.

Soupergirl—the plant-based soup and gazpacho company based in Washington, DC—was one of five winning contestants of Kroger’s new "Go Fresh & Local Supplier Accelerator," a national competition that ended with a Sharktank-like business presentation in front of a panel of judges in Cincinnati.

The competition invited university students across the United States to develop unique snack products highlighting the nutritional and functional benefits of eggs, aligning with today’s consumer preferences for new and exciting snack options. 

The US Food and Drug Administration announced that it intends to propose that “Acacia (Gum Arabic)” also known as gum acacia, be included as part of the FDA's definition of dietary fiber. The action is being taken in response to a citizen petition from Nexira, Alland & Robert and Importers Service Corporation.

Students Anandu Chandra Khanashyam, Abrielle Schnurr, Nghi Huynh and Suchismita Roy are studying food science and earned the first-place prize of $10,000. 

This year’s contest theme aligns with checkoff-led insights that show consumers are seeking dairy products that deliver health-related benefits.

In today’s digital age, the Yellow Pages have long since yellowed, permanently replaced by the Internet as the primary source to find a contractor.

The International Surface Event (TISE) named the winners of the third 2025 regional installation competition held in Dalton, Georgia on October 26, 2024 at the Certified Flooring Installers (CFI) headquarters and training facility. 

Big D Floor Covering Supplies in Phoenix, Arizona hosted the fourth and final 2025 TISE Regional Installation Competition. Cesar Haro-Pena with Mike's Custom Flooring won the luxury vinyl plank category, and Hugo Gutierrez with Golden State Contract Flooring won the carpet category.

The annual trade show offered attendees a window into the latest design and color trends in ceramics as well as the newest advancements in sustainable production and cutting-edge technologies.

The Department of Music holds an annual concerto audition in the fall semester, open to current members of the UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra and to music majors performing on non-orchestral instruments (i.e. piano, voice, instruments from other cultures). Free and open to the publicInformation for Applicants: The deadline to submit application forms is Wednesday, November 6, 4pm in the Music Department office, 104 Morrison Hall. The application form can be found here(PDF file). Copies of the form are also available in 104 Morrison Hall. The audition jury is made up of Music Department faculty and outside professionals. Winner/s will be chosen to perform their concerto with the symphony, usually by the end of the next calendar school year.General audition rules:Applicants performing on standard orchestral instruments must be current members of the UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra. The auditions are also open to Music majors who perform on non-orchestral instruments including piano, voice, guitar, instruments from other cultures, etc. Applicants must currently be studying privately with department faculty. Concerti for single and multiple soloists, arias, concert songs, song cycles are all permitted. Repertoire must be suitable for the normal symphony orchestra, otherwise there is no restriction on style, length or period. The normal audition duration is 10-12 minutes at the jury panel’s discretion. Applicants are required to arrange for their own piano accompanist to play the orchestral reductions at the audition; the accompanist’s name must be included in the application. In cases of difficulty finding or affording an accompanist, the music department will provide one – this service includes ONE rehearsal the week of the audition and possible additional time for warm-up on the day of the audition. Applicants may present excerpts of their choice (which should be representative of the whole work), but must be prepared to play any part of the entire work if asked to do so by the panel. Memorization is preferred but not mandatory. Lengthy extended orchestral tuttis should be omitted during the audition. The jury panel reserves the right to choose several winners or none. Winner(s) must be prepared to attend all rehearsals and performances as arranged with the conductor. Safety The UC Berkeley Department of Music is committed to the health and safety of our students, staff, and patrons. Measures to protect concertgoers and musicians will be informed by state, local, and UC Berkeley Public Health policies and are subject to change.Accessibility If you require an accommodation for effective communication (ASL interpreting/CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.) or information about campus mobility access features in order to fully participate in this event, please contact the Hertz Hall Manager at 510-642-4864 or HertzHallMgr@berkeley.edu. with as much advance notice as possible and at least 7-10 days in advance of the event. Facebook: @ucbmusicdept Instagram: @ucberkeleymusic  Twitter/X: @ucbmusicdept Youtube: Berkeley Music YouTube channel

[Science] :
South Korea has finished runner-up at a global vocational skills competition held in France.  The employment and labor ministry said on Monday that South Korea won ten gold, 13 silver, nine bronze and eleven Medallions for Excellence at the WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, which closed on ...

[more...]

Full Text:

The molecular mechanism used by many bacteria to kill neighboring cells has redundancy built into its genetic makeup, which could allow for the mechanism to be expressed in different environments, say researchers at Penn State and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Their new study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of competition among bacteria. "Many organisms, including humans, acquire bacteria from their environment," said Tim Miyashiro, a biochemist and molecular biologist at Penn State and the leader of the research team. "These bacteria can contribute to functions within the host organism, like how our gut bacteria help us digest food. We're interested in the interactions among bacteria cells, and between bacteria and their hosts, to better understand these mutually beneficial symbiotic relationships." Cells of the bioluminescent bacteria Vibrio fisheri take up residence in the light organ of newly hatched bobtail squid. At night, the bacteria produce a blue glow that researchers believe obscures a squid's silhouette and helps protect it from predators. The light organ has pockets, or crypts, in the squid's skin that provide nutrients and a safe environment for the bacteria. "When the squid hatches, it doesn't yet have any bacteria in its light organ," said Miyashiro. "But bacteria in the environment quickly colonize the squid's light organ." Some of these different bacteria strains can coexist, but others can't. "Microbial symbioses are essentially universal in animals, and are crucial to the health and development of both partners," says Irwin Forseth, a program director in the National Science Foundation's Division of Integrative Organismal Systems, which funded the research. "The results from this study highlight the role small genetic changes can play in microbe interactions. Increased understanding will allow us to better predict organisms' performance in changing environments."

Image credit: Andrew Cecere

The Council of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is concerned about the confusion caused by a petition being circulated via a letter from a former president of this Academy.

The Transportation Research Board’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) recently selected winners for its University Design Competition for Addressing Airport Needs.

The Transportation Research Board’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) has selected winners for its annual University Design Competition for Addressing Airport Needs.

The Transportation Research Board’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) has selected winners for its annual University Design Competition for Addressing Airport Needs.

The Transportation Research Board’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) has selected winners for its annual University Design Competition for Addressing Airport Needs. Now in its 16th year, the prestigious competition encourages students to design innovative and practical solutions to challenges at airports.

Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) had submitted its views to the CDCL opposing the prescription of ex-ante regulations for digital companies, saying that ex-ante measures “may limit growth not only of the market in question but the digital economy altogether”.

Student teams from Kansas, Massachusetts and New York are finalists in the American Society of Baking’s 2016 Product Development Competition.

Five U.S.-based food, beverage, and CPG women entrepreneurs will compete for $60K in cash and in-kind prizes on Nov. 14 at The Town Hall by Skylight in NYC.

Puratos Corp.’s Muesli Cookie concept wins first place in the American Society of Baking’s 2015 Product Development Competition.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it intends to propose that “Acacia (Gum Arabic),” also known as gum acacia, be included as part of the FDA's definition of dietary fiber.

Students utilized frozen Washington red raspberry puree to develop new product concepts for the grocery/CPG market.

Low in calories, high in fiber—popcorn may just be the perfect natural snack. Of course, that doesn’t stop manufacturers from trying to up the ante by enhancing all the whole grain has to offer. Now, popcorn can be found competing with chips, pretzels and even candy in the snacking Olympics.

It only takes a little effort to out-recruit the competition. Here are nine ways to become a better recruiter.

Fans Rally Behind Kevin Costner's Holiday Movie Campaign as "Horizon" Release Nears

Athlete Tracking Solution Action Apps Releases a New Look Equip with Upgraded and Newly Released Features

Students representing New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) Programs came top in a billiard tournament organized recently by Yarmouk Universities, in cooperation with the Jordan Billiard Federation.

Naver added, "Various contents such as ESG management efforts, financial information, messages from the CEO, and design were faithfully reflected in the ESG report and the annual report, and we were able to win both awards this year."

This year's Showdown course combined creative terrain park design and elements of bank slalom with huge fire features, hot tub gap jumps, and the world's first ever snowmobile backflip over a live skijoring race.

• Top Farmer-distiller whiskey award added to fourth biennial competition • State Corn Associations sponsor competition that will include multiple whiskey categories along with Best-of-State.

Inaugural "Top Farmer-Distiller Award" recognizes best farm-to-bottle product

DRTV Agency and Per Inquiry TV Agency InfoWorx Direct rocked the 10th Annual SIAA Awards this year winning six key awards. InfoWorx is a pioneer in new opportunities for Direct Response TV, Per Inquiry TV, DR Radio, and Pay Per Call Mobile.

Win the title of The Big Biscuit's Biggest Eater 2024 and free breakfast for a year

'Master Distiller of the Year' and 'Whisky of the Year' honors awarded to Stephanie Macleod, Director of Blending, Scotch Whisky for Bacardi and AULTMORE® Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The Big Sky Skijoring Association (BSSJ) will host their 6th Annual Best In The West Showdown Presented By Delzer Diversified, Lone Mountain Land Company, Lone Mountain Ranch, & RentBiz in Big Sky, Montana on February 3-4, 2024.

An Unprecedented Global Movement That Is Raising International Movement And Solidarity Against Religious And Political Corruption

"Road to Elysium" is a literary gem.

Poet and photographer Hodge and his service dog Mae will join 51 veteran gold medalists in May to showcase their creative talent.

Proposed Rule to Ban Noncompete Clauses: A Game-Changer for Workers and Competition