A box of Ozempic and its contents sit on a table in Dudley, North Tyneside, Britain, October 31, 2023.
Lee Smith | Reuters
The blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic could even be made for less than $5 a month Novo Nordisk The company charges nearly $1,000 a month for the shot in the U.S. before insurance, according to a study published Wednesday.
The study by researchers at Yale University, King's College Hospital in London and the nonprofit Doctors Without Borders raises more questions about the high price of the best-selling diabetes treatment and similar weight-loss drugs, all part of a new class of treatments called GLP-1.
Demand for these drugs has skyrocketed in the last year, even as more insurers are removing them from their plans because of cost, leaving some patients unable to afford the drugs.
The study also comes after years of political pressure on Novo Nordisk and other drugmakers to reduce the high costs of diabetes treatment, particularly insulin.
According to the study published in JAMA Network Open, Ozempic can generally be made for less than various forms of insulin.
More CNBC Health coverage
Researchers found that a month's supply ofThe treatment could be manufactured for an estimated 89 cents to $4.73. They evaluated the cost of manufacturing the weekly shot, along with a profit margin and tax deduction, to create these estimates, which they call “cost-based pricing.”
Novo Nordisk's list price for a monthly Ozempic package is $935.77 before insurance and other discounts. The results suggest that GLP-1 “can likely be produced at prices well below current prices, allowing for broader access,” the researchers concluded.
In a statement Wednesday, Novo Nordisk declined to cover production costs for Ozempic and its weight-loss drug Wegovy. However, the Danish drugmaker said it spent nearly $5 billion on research and development last year and will spend more than $6 billion on a recent deal to boost production to meet demand for GLP -1 to cover.
The company also said 75% of its gross revenue goes to discounts and rebates to ensure patients have access to its products.
The company also said that out-of-pocket costs for Ozempic depend on the patient's insurance coverage. Patients with private or commercial insurance coverage for Ozempic can access a savings card and pay as little as $25 for a one-month, two-month or three-month supply of treatment for up to 24 months.
Separate research by the University of Liverpool and other researchers found that Wegovy could be manufactured for $40 a month.
A survey released this month by Evercore ISI found that more than half of people currently taking GLP-1 reported paying a monthly cost of $50 or less out of pocket. Nearly 75% of respondents who had previously taken one of the medications said they had spent the same amount.
António Félix da Costa is an extremely fast worker. The motorsport star has barely caught his breath since racing to sixth place at 250 km/h in a race in Sao Paulo, but he's already back behind the wheel on a different continent.
The setting for his latest ride is the Stuttgart Automobile Center, home of Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. But you'll never experience these wheels spinning – because they're permanently parked.
The device is a stationary cockpit surrounded by screens that recreates the driving of da Costa's Porsche race car. This is a crucial test of reality.
“When we arrived at the Sao Paulo circuit, the starting setup and settings were already defined here in the simulator,” da Costa tells TNW. “We believe the simulator is as close to the real car as possible.”
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It is one of many technologies transforming Formula E – the electric cousin of petrol-powered Formula 1 TNW conference On June 14th, da Costa will reveal the secrets of the digital transformation of sport. Before the lecture, he gave us an insight into the progress.
Da Casta has steered this progress from the beginning. In 2013, the young Portuguese was on his way to making his Formula 1 debut until his team made it a controversial decision Hire another driver. But as that car door closed, another one opened.
Formula E was about to launch the first-ever sport with net zero certification. And one of the teams wanted to make da Costa their star driver.
The rise of Formula E
Back then the cars were dubious attractions. Two of these were needed to complete a single race. In addition, they only offered a fraction of the performance of Formula 1.
“I thought I would drive with 1,000 horsepower,” remembers da Costa. “Then I drive a race with less than 200 hp – and we have to swap cars in the middle of the race to finish the race because the batteries don’t have enough range.”
Despite the initial difficulties, da Costa recognized the potential. Electric vehicles (EVs) were entering the mainstream and Formula E had the chance to accelerate their progress.
“I have to keep thinking about the brain of the car.
Da Costa rolled the dice and soon cashed in money. The 32-year-old won a world championship in 2020 and has competed in every season of the sport. This has given him unique experience with the technology-changing electric vehicles.
Under the hood
Today's Formula E teams only use a car that has four times the power of the original racing cars. In a time of slowed development in Formula 1, the progress of electric racing has only accelerated.
The constant search for more speed often leads to software. Drivers regularly receive digital upgrades for every aspect of their car, from the gearshift and radio to power and torque.
With potential wins at every turn, the team welcomes experimentation. When new ideas emerge, they are quickly tested in the simulator.
“Even the crazier ideas can end up in the racing car the next day,” says da Costa.
Da Costa is the vanguard of the EV revolution. Photo credit: Porsche
A great opportunity to speed up lies in slowing down. On each route, the software can define each curve individually and coordinate the front and rear brakes accordingly.
But none of the settings are set in stone. As the track warms up, the tires wear out or rain falls on the asphalt, the software adjusts the vehicle's balance to the changing conditions.
“Even when I'm racing in the car with other drivers at 300 kilometers per hour, I constantly have to think about the software and how I can use the brain of the car to be faster on the lap in the race,” as Costa says.
From Formula E to the road
Formula E is not just about winning races. Car manufacturers also use the tracks to develop technologies for the road. French brand DS Automobiles likened the sport to an “open-air laboratory.”
This unique testing facility has also attracted companies such as BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and Nissan.
“Brands from all parts of the world raced in Formula E,” says da Costa. “And when you compete, you’re forced to evolve with a much steeper learning curve.”
These developments often occur in commercial electric vehicles. Jaguar, for example, adapted its racing car efficiency software to increase the range of its I-Pace SUV by 10%. Nissan, in turn, used on-track analysis to triple the battery capacity of the all-electric Leaf.
“It is the most efficient car in the world.
The latest Formula E cars promise new levels of efficiency. Over 40% of the energy they use during a race comes from regenerative braking.
“Every time we brake, we give energy back to the car,” says da Costa.
The new models also offer 600kW of fast charging capacity – almost twice as much as the world's most advanced commercial chargers. It is also the fastest Formula E car to date with the most sustainable batteries. All of these upgrades could also impact private electric vehicles.
Accelerating the electric transition
Electric vehicles provide real excitement on the racetrack. With four winners in the first four races of this season, the series is proving to be more competitive than Formula 1. It also offers more action: there were 116 overtaking maneuvers at last year's Monaco e-Prix, compared to just 22 at the Monaco GP.
However, they cannot catch up with the Formula 1 cars because of their speed. But they are miles ahead by one measure.
“Our racing car is the most efficient car in the world,” says da Costa. He adds that his passion for Formula 1 remains intact, but he is optimistic about the electric dynamics.
“I think anyone born today will never know what it's like to drive a gasoline engine,” he says. “So this transition will happen in a very natural way.”
One of the topics of this year's TNW conference is Sustainable Futures. If you want to dive into the ethics, diversity, sustainability and social impact of technology – or just want to experience the event (and say hello to our editorial team) – we have something special for our loyal readers. Enter code TNWXMEDIA at checkout to receive 30% off your product Business passport, Investor pass or starter packages (Bootstrap & Enlarge).
The elephant in the room that politicians don't want to talk about is the fact that renewable energy can only generate electricity, not produce products for today's materialistic society.
Published on March 25, 2024 at America Out Loud NEWS
Ronald Stone is an engineer, senior policy advisor for energy literacy at the Heartland Institute and CFACT, and co-author of the Pulitzer Prize-nominated book “Clean Energy Exploitations.”
The power grid is expected to provide continuous, uninterrupted power regardless of the changing weather to support computers for hospitals, airports, offices, manufacturing, military sites and telemetry, all of which require continuous, uninterrupted power.
Yet policymakers continue to subsidize wind turbines and solar panels (with tax dollars) for electricity generation don't work most of the time.
I find it amusing that 23 states have set a goal of switching to 100 percent clean electricity by 2050.
Of the six power generation methods, wind and solar energy cannot compete with hydroelectric power, nuclear power, coal or natural gas:
Wind and solar occasionally generate electricity.
Hydropower, nuclear power, coal and natural gas produce continuous, uninterrupted electricity.
The elephant in the room that no policymaker wants to discuss is this:
Neither wind turbines nor solar panels can replace the supply chain for crude oil products that form the basis of our materialistic society, demanded by the 8 billion people on this planet.
Occasional electricity generated from wind and solar energy CANNOT support computers for hospitals, airports, offices, manufacturing, military sites and telemetry, all of which require continuous, uninterrupted power.
Interestingly, all components of wind turbines and solar modules are based on products made from fossil fuels. In a fossil-free society we will revert to the 19th century because there will be NO electricity. Just a few hundred years ago, life was short and hard for the common man!
Sarcastically or more realistically, these are some boomerang effects of a society without crude oil:
Without oil, there would be a significant loss of billions of 8 billion people on this planet through hunger, disease and weather-related deaths due to food, medicine and product shortages, as well as a reduction in transportation infrastructure, all of which rely on the fossil fuel components!
Without oil we would drastically reduce the number of homeless people because all of the homeless people's tents and sleeping bags are made from fossil fuels! The homeless have to live like the cavemen in a non-materialistic society like the one before 1800.
Without oil, we would dramatically reduce the unfunded pension liabilities of those who retire early from the economy or start collecting Social Security in their mid-60s, and continue to collect pensions well into their 80s, as few people would live past 40!
Without oil, fewer colleges would be required because there would be no need for doctors to run hospitals or engineers to develop infrastructure, all of which rely on components made from fossil fuels!
As a reminder to those aiming for net zero emissions, wind and solar power do different things than crude oil:
Wind turbines and solar panels don't work most of the time because they only generate electricity occasionally AND produce NOTHING for society because renewable energy cannot produce tires, insulation or fuel for commercial and military aircraft, commercial ships and the space program.
Wind and solar cannot produce any of the more than 6,000 products that exist in our materialistic world today.
Crude oil is almost never used to generate electricity, but when processed into petrochemicals, it is the basis for virtually every product in our materialistic society that did not exist before the 19th century.
We have become a very materialistic society over the last 200 years and the world population has grown from 1 to 8 billion because of all the products and different fuels for jets, ships, trucks, cars, military and the space program that does not did exist before the 19th century.
If world governments want to rid the Earth of crude oil consumption, what substitute source is there to make refrigerators, tires, asphalt, X-ray machines, iPhones, air conditioners and the other 6,000 products that CANNOT be made by wind and solar energy? ?
The use of crude oil is vital to the well-being of humanity for the foreseeable future. Striving for “net zero” by 2050 without first finding replacements for crude oil to support the supply chain of products now demanded by developed countries would be one of the most destructive developments in human history.
Without oil there would be nothing that needs electricity!! Everything that requires electricity to function is made with petrochemicals made from crude oil, from computers, iPhones, telemetry and HVAC equipment!!
Until a replacement for crude oil is found to produce products for society, the world cannot do without crude oil, which forms the basis of our materialistic “product” society.
We should be careful what we wish for. From the saying “You can't have your cake and eat it at the same time” tells us this:
You cannot rid the world of crude oil and continue to enjoy the products and transportation fuels currently made with petrochemicals made from crude oil.
The few wealthy countries of the United States of America, Germany, Britain and Australia represent about 6 percent of the world's population (515 million versus 8 billion) and are calling for societal changes to achieve net-zero emissions.
Germany, the first country to go “green” by switching electricity generation to renewable energy, now has electricity tariffs that are among the highest in the world and risks becoming an unaffordable, unrealizable disaster, according to the government's independent auditors.
Aside from the few wealthy countries that set environmental policies for the other 94 percent of the world's population, billions still struggle to meet their basic needs. The poorer people on the planet may never be able to enjoy the materialistic lifestyles of people in wealthier countries.
The few in the developed world have come a long way over the last few hundred years from the zero-emissions society that existed before the 19th century, when:
Before the 19th century, there were no heating, cooling, or irrigation products to prevent weather-related deaths and injuries.
Before the 19th century, life expectancy was around 40 years.
When people were born before the 19th century, they rarely traveled more than 100 miles from their place of birth.
Before the 19th century, there was no medical industry.
Before the 19th century, there were no electronics, computers or iPhones.
Before the 19th century, there was no transportation infrastructure.
There were no tires or asphalt to support transportation infrastructure.
Before the 19th century there were no airplanes and therefore no airports.
Before the 19th century, there were no cruise ships or merchant ships other than sailing ships.
Before the 19th century there were no military ships or aircraft.
There were no coal-fired power plants before the 19th century.
Before the 19th century, there were no natural gas-fired power plants.
Before the 19th century there were neither hydroelectric nor nuclear power plants.
At the recent climate summit in Dubai, which was attended by more than 70,000 people from around the world enjoying their materialistic lifestyles, as well as more than 600 emissions-producing private jets, the President of the United Nations Climate Change Conference saidCOP28Sultan Al Jaber stated that phasing out fossil fuels would not enable sustainable development “unless you want to take the world back to caves”, i.e. back to the time before 1800!
Ronald Stein PE
Ambassador for Energy and Infrastructure, co-author of the Pulitzer Prize-nominated book “Clean Energy Exploitations,” policy advisor on energy literacy for the Heartland Institute and the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow, and national TV commentator on energy and infrastructure with Rick Amato .
Ronald Stein, PE is an engineer, energy consultant, speaker, author of books and articles on energy literacy, environmental policy and human rights, and founder of PTS Advance, a California-based company.
Ron advocates that energy literacy begins with the knowledge that since wind turbines and solar panels cannot produce anything for the 8 billion people on this planet, renewable energy is just intermittent electricity generated from unreliable breezes and sunshine.
Andrea Adelson, senior writer at ESPNMarch 30, 2024, 11:16 a.m. ET
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ACC Reporter.
Joined ESPN.com in 2010.
Graduated from the University of Florida.
ALBANY, N.Y. – Oregon State plays No. 1 South Carolina on Sunday for a chance to reach the women's Final Four. But as the season comes to a close, coach Scott Rueck says he knows he will have to deal with questions about the future and the very real possibility that teams could start poaching his players.
Rueck remains focused on the task at hand, but also acknowledged that reality during a press conference Saturday where he previewed the game against the Gamecocks. For Rueck, it was incredibly gratifying to make it to the Elite Eight in his final Pac-12 season with a young team that had no seniors.
But what comes next and the fear that players could leave via the transfer portal doesn't necessarily worry him today. However, it will be something that needs to be addressed.
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“That’s the reality,” said Rueck. “I can’t control this other than just keep doing what I’m doing. I think the opportunity therein for a leader provides a discipline where you're better off doing your best all the time. You’d better use that.” Take care of people and provide a great experience. This is the approach for the future and what happens, happens. We will find a way.”
Raegan Beers admitted that in the middle of the season she couldn't help but think about what a realignment would mean for her future and the future of her team. Following the dissolution of the Pac-12, Oregon State will move to the West Coast Conference to play basketball and will no longer compete in a Power 5 conference.
Beers said she had a conversation with Rueck before her NCAA tournament began to clear her head.
“When this was first announced, I thought about it a lot,” Beers said. “Especially in January I was thinking a lot about what will next year look like? We're going to be in the WCC, so it won't matter at all whether we just play teams there or play in the Pac-12.” Different. What will our conference look like?
“That wasn’t a healthy mindset in February and March when you think about what’s going to happen next year. With this team, it's super important to stay in the present with all the people who might be telling you what to do or I expect you to do this or that when the season is over. I just stay present.”
Guard Talia von Oelhoffen said she felt the team did a good job of staying in the moment, especially during this tournament, but said she knew there would still be a lot of work to do at the end of the season.
“The future is uncertain in this regard,” said von Oelhoffen. “But we can only control what we can control and our focus is on this season and this year. I'm sure there will be questions after the season and it will definitely be something that needs to be addressed and discussed because we don't know what next year will look like.
“But this group has been so good at just staying present and taking games one possession at a time, one game at a time, and when you do that, conference realignment, the portal and all that doesn't matter .” .”
In light of their surprise run to the Elite Eight, von Oelhoffen put together a TikTok of them making their case for being America's team.
“We're selfless, we play together, we're a family, and that's a story, that's a headline that I can get behind and I think a lot of people should too,” she said.
Erykah Badu sends a message to Beyonce After fans previously speculated, she may have thrown shade at the singer.
RELATED: Social Media Users Come Tusslin' After Erykah Badu Covers GQ Germany's Men of the Year Issue
Here's what Erykah Badu wrote to Beyoncé
On Friday, March 29, Badu took to her Instagram Story to share an Amazon Music flyer about Bey's recently released album, Cowboy Carter. The flyer said:
“COWBOY CARTER MAKES BEYONCÉ'S BIGGEST DEBUT ON AMAZON MUSIC WITH THE MOST WORLDWIDE FIRST-DAY STREAMS OF ANY OF HER ALBUMS AND THE MOST FIRST-DAY STREAMS FOR A COUNTRY ALBUM BY ANY ARTIST.”
Additionally, Badu shared a supportive message for Beyoncé.
“Get EM” She wrote.
Check out her post below.
Social media reactions
Social media users reacted to Badu's words for Bey in the comments section of The Shade Room.
Instagram user @jaazzmary wrote: “'Monday I'm overrated, TUESDAY ON MY D***!'”
While Instagram user @grniempress added: “Always remain merciful, the best revenge is your paper – Beyoncé”
Instagram user @jazzytheconnect wrote: “I love that she is breaking records and making history 💪🏽”
While Instagram user @yo.quue added, “She gave shade to the braids with pearls, now she praises the queen 🤔”
Instagram user @stashallure wrote: “The science of Beyoncé never responding and just continuing to win while ignoring all the haters really needs to be examined.”
Some users apparently believed that Badu never overshadowed Beyoncé.
Instagram user @flossthemack wrote: “It must be the younger generation who really believe that Erykah Badu was pressured 😂”
While Instagram user @iamdre708 added, “They really love each other ❤”
Instagram user @shae3000 wrote: “She showed love all the time while people on social media made it weird.”
While Instagram user @jw_954 added, “People just don’t understand her sense of humor… 🤦🏾♂️”
Here's what led social media to believe that Erykah Badu had previously eclipsed Bey
On March 20, Beyoncé shared a photo promoting “Cowboy Carter” on Instagram.
Later that day, Badu republished the strip with a brief word: “Hmmm.”
Social media users immediately responded to The Shade Room's comments, believing Badu was shading Bey. Users seemed to think that Badu was outshining Bey because of the pearl hairstyle she wore in the photo, which Badu also famously graced.
At the time, Instagram user @kellyglassthejournalist wrote: “We love you, Badu, but this look is reserved for all black people, not just you!”
While Instagram user @lilromanxd_ added, “@erykahbadu jealous of Queen Bey 😍😮? If she has paid homage to you several times”
Badu's alleged shade also appeared to prompt comment from Bey's publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure.
Roommates, do you think Erykah Badu ever overshadowed Bey? Or was it all just a misunderstanding?
RELATED: Beyoncé's New Album Released! Check out all the artists featured on “Cowboy Carter.”
Modern has more to offer beyond its Covid vaccine.
The biotech company announced positive clinical trial data on three experimental vaccines against other viruses on Wednesday. The company is postponing these shots to the final stages of studies, it said.
The update brings Moderna one step closer to having several products on the market that it desperately needs amid falling global demand for Covid vaccinations. The company's Covid vaccination is the only commercially available product.
Moderna shares have long been tied to this vaccine, with shares falling nearly 45% over the past year. But the company's shares closed 3% higher on Wednesday following the announcements.
Moderna will plan its post-Covid future on Wednesday during its fifth annual “Vaccines Day,” an investor event in Boston focused on the company's vaccine portfolio.
This company has an estimated total addressable market of $52 billion for infectious disease vaccinations, including $27 billion for respiratory vaccines and more than $25 billion for latent and other vaccinations.
A category of viruses called latent viruses remain in the patient for an extended period of time without causing any symptoms, but can “reactivate” and cause serious health complications later in life. They represent a huge unmet need that Moderna can fill, Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said in an interview with CNBC on Wednesday.
“Once these viruses are in your body, they stay in your body forever,” he said, adding that there are no approved vaccines for several of the latent viruses, including some targeted by Moderna.
The company will present new clinical trial data on the three vaccines, including some against latent viruses, at Wednesday's event.
These vaccines include vaccination against norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea; a vaccine against Epstein-Barr virus, a common herpes virus that can cause contagious infections and is linked to some types of cancer; and a shot aimed at a virus that causes shingles and chickenpox.
More CNBC Health coverage
Moderna will also discuss other updates to its vaccine business. The company has five additional shots in late-stage clinical trials and expects to release data on two of those shots this year. These include the combination vaccine against Covid and the flu, as well as a vaccination against another common herpes virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Other vaccines in late-stage development include a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, which is expected to receive regulatory approval in the US in May.
It also includes a new and improved version of Moderna's Covid vaccination. The company said on Tuesday that its “next-generation” Covid shot produced a stronger immune response against the virus in a late-stage clinical trial than its currently marketed vaccine.
Another opportunity in Phase III trials is the company's flu vaccine.
Also on Wednesday, Moderna announced that it recently entered into a development and commercialization financing agreement with Blackstone Life Sciences, a private equity arm of Blackstone Group. Blackstone will fund up to $750 million to advance Moderna's flu protection program, with “a return based on commercial milestones” and royalties in the low single digits.
Bancel told CNBC that the company's messenger RNA platform used in its Covid vaccine works “very well” against other diseases. This mRNA technology works by teaching the body to produce a harmless piece of a virus that triggers an immune response against certain diseases.
“Think about it [total addressable market] Moderna is looking for – we will be one of the most important vaccine companies in the world,” he said.
Still, it will take time for Moderna's pipeline to pay off.
The company said in its third-quarter earnings release in November that it expects revenue to decline to $4 billion in 2024 before rebounding in 2025. It expects to break even in 2026, executives said during an earnings call in November.
New data from clinical trials for three vaccines
Moderna's recent attempts to move into late-stage testing represent significant opportunities for the company.
There is currently no approved vaccination to prevent norovirus, the most common cause of stomach flu. According to Moderna, the virus results in about 200,000 deaths per year and significant health care costs.
The company tested two different norovirus shot candidates in a Phase 1 study in more than 600 patients ages 18 to 49 and 60 to 80 in the United States
An interim analysis found that a single dose of a trivalent vaccine called mRNA-1403, which targets three strains of norovirus, elicited a strong immune response across all dose sizes. The shot also had a “clinically acceptable” safety profile.
Moderna said it will move this shot into a Phase 3 trial. According to the company, the norovirus vaccine market represents an annual market of $3 billion to $6 billion.
Grace Cary | moment | Getty Images
There are currently no approved vaccinations to prevent Epstein-Barr virus. It is responsible for more than 90% of cases of infectious mononucleosis, a contagious infection called mononucleosis that can cause fever, sore throat and chronic fatigue.
Both the virus and mono are linked to a higher risk of certain types of cancer. According to Moderna, the virus also increases a patient's risk of developing multiple sclerosis by 32 times. This disease is characterized by the immune system attacking the protective covering of the nerves.
“This is a big problem for teenagers. There are sometimes children who have to repeat a year of high school or college, which is a huge waste of life,” Bancel said. “But it has also been linked to multiple sclerosis, a terrible disease that primarily affects women… so we think we could prevent that.”
Moderna has developed two vaccinations that are intended to combat several diseases associated with the Epstein-Barr virus. This includes a vaccination called mRNA-1189 to prevent mono, which will move into a phase III trial after positive early-stage trial data.
A Phase 1 study evaluated this vaccine in patients ages 12 to 30 in the United States. The study found that the vaccination induced an immune response against Mono and was well tolerated overall at all dose sizes.
Moderna is developing another vaccine called mRNA-1195 that targets multiple sclerosis and a subcategory of lymphoma in organ transplant patients. According to the company, a phase 1 study of this vaccine has been fully completed.
Bancel said the company expects the Epstein-Barr virus to be “a multibillion-dollar market.”
The varicella-zoster virus causes both chickenpox and shingles. In older adults, immunity to this virus wanes, making them more susceptible to developing painful, itchy, and blistering rashes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in three adults in the U.S. will develop shingles at some point in their life.
Moderna studied its vaccine against the virus, mRNA-1468, in an early-to-mid-stage study in healthy adults aged 50 and older in the United States
According to the company, the vaccination produced a strong immune response a month after the second dose and was generally well tolerated by patients. Additional data from this ongoing study will be available later this year.
Moderna estimates the market for varicella-zoster virus could be $5 billion to $6 billion annually.
Eine aktuelle Studie, die auf der 55. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) vorgestellt wurde, erörtert das Missionskonzept der Mars Astrobiology, Resource, and Science Explorers (MARSE) und ihr Simplified High Impact Energy Landing Device (SHIELD), das eine breitere und kostengünstigere Methode bietet die Suche nach – vergangenem oder gegenwärtigem – Leben auf dem Roten Planeten, insbesondere durch den Einsatz von vier Rovern an vier verschiedenen Landeplätzen auf der Marsoberfläche, anstatt nur einzeln. Dieses Konzept entsteht, während die NASA-Rover Curiosity und Perseverance weiterhin unermüdlich die Marsoberfläche am Gale-Krater bzw. am Jezero-Krater erkunden.
Hier bespricht Universe Today das MARSE-Missionskonzept mit dem alleinigen Autor der Studie, Alex Longo, einem MS-Studenten am Department of Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences der University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, über die Motivation hinter MARSE und wie Die Landeplätze wurden ausgewählt, wesentliche Auswirkungen, aktuelle Arbeiten und die nächsten Schritte, damit MARSE zu einer tatsächlichen Mission wird. Longo greift auf seine mehr als zehnjährige Erfahrung bei der Suche nach Landeplätzen auf dem Mars zurück und verfügt über mehrere Veröffentlichungen, darunter eine Reihe wissenschaftlicher Abstracts, Aufsätze und ein Kindle-Buch. Was war also die Motivation hinter dem MARSE-Missionskonzept?
„Das übergeordnete Ziel der MARSE-Konzeptstudie bestand darin, die Kosten für den Zugang zur Marsoberfläche zu senken“, sagt Longo gegenüber Universe Today. „Rover der Flaggschiffklasse wie Curiosity und Perseverance sind äußerst leistungsfähige Fahrzeuge. Der Vorbehalt besteht darin, dass wir, da sie über eine Milliarde Dollar pro Stück kosten, nur alle zehn Jahre einen oder zwei Standorte auf dem Mars besuchen können. Wie die Erde ist auch der Mars ein erstaunlich vielfältiger Planet. Mithilfe von Satelliten im Orbit haben wir verschiedene antike Umgebungen kartiert, die in der fernen Vergangenheit möglicherweise bewohnbar waren. Allerdings ist die Auflösung von Orbitalbildern und -spektren begrenzt, und sie können manchmal nicht vorhersagen, was ein Feldgeologe (oder, im Fall des Mars, ein von Geologen gesteuerter Rover) am Boden entdecken wird. Selbst auf der Erde ist es schwierig, frühe Biosignaturen zu finden, und selbst bei vergleichsweise geringer Verwitterung und Erosion wäre ich nicht überrascht, wenn das Gleiche auch auf dem Mars der Fall wäre. Mit MARSE sollte eine mögliche Lösung vorgestellt werden, die es Planetenforschern ermöglichen würde, mit einem realistischen Budget mehr Standorte auf dem Mars zu erkunden.“
Der autogroße Rover Curiosity landete am 6. August 2012 im Gale-Krater. Auf der Missionswebsite ist zu lesen, dass Curiosity bis zum 27. Januar 2024 insgesamt 31,27 Kilometer (19,43 Meilen) zurückgelegt hat und damit seinen ursprünglichen Missionszeitplan von einem Kilometer weit übertroffen hat Marsjahr oder 687 Erdentage. Der Gale-Krater wurde als Landeplatz ausgewählt, da zahlreiche Hinweise darauf vorliegen, dass er sich zu einem bestimmten Zeitpunkt in der Urzeit des Mars einst mit flüssigem Wasser befand. Wissenschaftler schätzen, dass der Gale-Krater durch einen Einschlag vor etwa 3,5 bis 3,8 Milliarden Jahren entstanden ist. Während seiner Zeit im Gale-Krater hat Curiosity seine Reihe wissenschaftlicher Instrumente genutzt, um Beweise für früheres flüssiges Wasser im Gale-Krater zu finden und Beweise dafür zu finden, dass der Mars einst die Bausteine für Leben enthielt, darunter Kohlenstoff, Sauerstoff, Stickstoff, Phosphor und Schwefel.
Ein Selfie des NASA-Rover Curiosity, aufgenommen am 11. Oktober 2019, dem 2.553. Marstag oder Sol seiner langen und erfolgreichen Mission. (Quelle: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems)
Der autogroße Perseverance-Rover landete am 18. Februar 2021 im Jezero-Krater. Auf der Missionswebsite ist zu lesen, dass Perseverance bis zum 28. März 2024 insgesamt 25,113 Kilometer (15,604 Meilen) zurückgelegt hat. Während Perseverance und Curiosity ein ähnliches Design haben, haben die Die wichtigste Modernisierung war die Lieferung des Ingenuity-Hubschraubers zum Mars, der als erster Roboterforscher einen Motorflug auf einer anderen Welt durchführte und Dutzende Flüge absolvierte, bevor er endgültig am Boden blieb, nachdem eines seiner Rotorblätter bei seiner endgültigen Landung beschädigt wurde im Januar 2024. Wie der Gale-Krater für Curiosity wurde auch der Jezero-Krater als Landeplatz für Perseverance ausgewählt, da starke Beweise dafür vorliegen, dass er einst eine riesige Menge flüssigen Wassers beherbergte, was durch die wahrscheinliche riesige Fächerdelta-Ablagerung deutlich wird Eintrittspunkt für das flüssige Wasser vor Milliarden von Jahren. Während seiner Zeit im Jezero-Krater hat Perseverance seine Reihe wissenschaftlicher Instrumente eingesetzt, um altes Vulkangestein und Sedimente aus einem alten Seegrund zu identifizieren, Kohlendioxid (den Hauptbestandteil der Atmosphäre des Mars) in Sauerstoff umzuwandeln und sogar seine leistungsstarken Mikrofone zur Aufzeichnung verwendet Geräusche des Mars. Was sind angesichts der unglaublichen wissenschaftlichen Arbeit von Curiosity and Perseverance die bedeutendsten Implikationen für die MARSE-Mission?
Ein Selfie des Perseverance-Rover der NASA, aufgenommen im Januar 2023, das den Rover mit mehreren Probenröhrchen zeigt, die er gesammelt und auf die Marsoberfläche fallen gelassen hat, um von der für die 2030er Jahre geplanten Mars Sample Return-Mission aufgenommen und zur Erde zurückgebracht zu werden. (Quelle: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems)
„Die bedeutendste Auswirkung dieser Handelsstudie besteht darin, dass es möglich sein sollte, einen kleinen Rover zu bauen, der in der Lage ist, einen unerforschten Ort auf dem Mars zu charakterisieren“, sagt Longo gegenüber Universe Today. „Es gab mehrere Vorschläge für günstige Marslander, wie zum Beispiel SHIELD. MARSE zeigt, dass es möglich sein könnte, mit diesen Landern nützliche wissenschaftliche Nutzlasten zu transportieren. Jeder MARSE-Rover wiegt nur 15 Kilogramm und ist etwa so groß wie ein Mikrowellenherd. Wenn wir herausfinden können, wie wir ähnliche Rover auf dem Mars landen können, würde das dazu beitragen, die Erforschung des Mars zu verbreiten und zu demokratisieren. Dank des Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS)-Programms erleben wir bereits einen ähnlichen Paradigmenwechsel in der Monderkundung.“
Künstlerische Darstellung eines der vier MARSE-Missionsrover, die jeweils zur Erkundung unterschiedlicher Landeplätze auf dem Mars eingesetzt werden. (Quelle: Longo (2024))
Während Curiosity und Perseverance ihre jeweiligen Landeplätze erfolgreich und detailliert erkundet haben, beliefen sich die Kosten jeder Mission auf Milliarden von Dollar (Curiosity: ~2,5 Milliarden Dollar, Perseverance: ~2,7 Milliarden Dollar). Allein die Kosten erlauben daher nur einen Rover pro Mission, und ihre Landungen erfolgten im Abstand von fast sieben Jahren. Wie bereits erwähnt, besteht eines der Ziele des MARSE-Missionskonzepts darin, vier Rover an vier separaten Landeplätzen zu landen: Columbia Hills, Milankovi? Krater, Mawrth Vallis und Terra Sirenium, wobei Coumbia Hills während seiner Mission von 2004 bis 2010 der Landeplatz des Rovers Spirit war und die anderen noch nie von Landern oder Rovern erkundet wurden. Doch wie wurden die Landeplätze ausgewählt und werden weitere Landeplätze in Betracht gezogen?
Longo erklärt gegenüber Universe Today: „Die vier Landeplätze sind keine exklusive Liste. Wir wollten lediglich die Bandbreite der Untersuchungen veranschaulichen, die mit diesem Ansatz durchgeführt werden können. Alle vier aufgeführten Standorte wurden in von Experten begutachteten Arbeiten und früheren Landeplatzstudien hervorgehoben, sodass wir wissen, dass sie über ein hohes wissenschaftliches Potenzial verfügen.“
Bild von Columbia Hills auf dem Mars, einem der potenziellen Landeplätze für einen MARSE-Rover. Der weiße Kreis markiert die ungefähr 80 Kilometer (50 Meilen) lange Landeellipse, die SHIELD zur Landung nutzen wird. (Quelle: Longo (2024))
Longo fährt fort, indem er Universe Today erzählt, dass SHIELD so konzipiert sein wird, dass es „an jedem flachen Ort auf dem Mars unterhalb des Bezugspunkts (0 km Höhe auf dem Mars; das Äquivalent des Meeresspiegels auf der Erde) landet, sodass man problemlos einen oder mehrere davon austauschen kann.“ Suchen Sie nach Orten Ihrer Wahl“, wobei Longo anmerkt, dass einer seiner persönlichen Lieblingslandeplätze im Valles Marineris liegt, dem größten und tiefsten Canyon im Sonnensystem. Longo erörtert die jahrelange Forschung von Dr. Steven Ruff an der Arizona State University, der analoge Studien durchführte, in denen die Ablagerungen heißer Quellen in Columbia Hills auf dem Mars mit ähnlichen Merkmalen an der heißen Quelle El Tatio in Chile verglichen wurden, und kam zu dem Schluss, dass dort mikrobielle Gemeinschaften gedeihen könnten Standorte.
Eine Aufschlüsselung des Missionsprofils Mars Astrobiology, Resource, and Science Explorers (MARSE) und seines Simplified High Impact Energy Landing Device (SHIELD)-Systems, das die Art und Weise, wie wir nach Leben auf dem Mars suchen, durch den Einsatz von vier Rovern an vier verschiedenen Landeplätzen revolutionieren könnte. (Quelle: Longo (2024))
Wie bereits erwähnt, landeten Curiosity und Perseverance im Abstand von fast neun Jahren, 2012 bzw. 2021, auf dem Mars, ihre jeweiligen Missionen waren jedoch fast ein ganzes Jahrzehnt zuvor in Arbeit gewesen. Beide Rover sind Teil des Mars-Erkundungsprogramms der NASA. Die Rover-Mission Curiosity wurde 2003 genehmigt und die Rover-Mission Perseverance 2012 angekündigt. Nach der Genehmigung benötigt die NASA Jahre, um jeden Rover zu entwerfen und zu bauen und dabei jeden Aspekt sicherzustellen Das System entfaltet sein volles Potenzial, bevor es ausgeliefert und auf die Trägerrakete geladen wird. Dazu gehören unter anderem Tests zur Analyse der Ausdauer, der Belastung durch raue Umgebungen und der Langlebigkeit der Rover. Wenn also eine MARSE-Mission grünes Licht erhält, könnte es noch fast ein Jahrzehnt an Entwürfen, Bauarbeiten und Tests dauern, bis ihre mikrowellengroßen Rover die Marsoberfläche berühren. Was sind also die nächsten Schritte, damit MARSE für eine tatsächliche Mission zugelassen wird?
„Bedauerlicherweise ist die Zukunft von MARSE und SHIELD ungewiss“, sagt Longo gegenüber Universe Today. „Dieses Konzept wurde mit Unterstützung des SHIELD-Teams am JPL unter der Leitung von Lou Giersch und Nathan Barba entwickelt. Sie leisteten phänomenale, innovative Arbeit und ich war dankbar für die Gelegenheit, mit ihnen zusammenzuarbeiten. Leider war das JPL letzten Monat gezwungen, massive Budgetkürzungen und Entlassungen vorzunehmen, da die Zukunft der Mars Sample Return-Mission, die den Großteil des Budgets des Zentrums ausmacht, ungewiss ist. Da die zukünftigen Prioritäten von JPL im Fluss sind, haben wir die Entwicklung des MARSE-Konzepts auf Eis gelegt.“
Auch wenn hinsichtlich der MARSE-Mission Ungewissheit herrscht, ist es wichtig zu beachten, dass es bei Weltraumforschungsmissionen oft Jahrzehnte dauert, bis von einem einfachen Konzept zu echter Hardware wird, und dann noch mehrere Jahre, bis sie gestartet wird. Dies ist bei den Rover-Missionen Curiosity und Perseverance zu beobachten, da es von der jeweiligen Genehmigung bis zur Landung auf dem Mars fast ein Jahrzehnt dauerte. Darüber hinaus ist es nicht ungewöhnlich, dass Missionsvorschläge mehrere Versuche erfordern, bevor sie genehmigt werden, da die NASA sehr strenge Kriterien für die Genehmigung von Missionen hat, darunter Kosten, Zeitpläne, wissenschaftliche Ziele und langfristige Auswirkungen auf die Wissenschaft. Trotz dieser Aussichten hat dies Longo nicht davon abgehalten, seine Arbeit für das MARSE-Missionskonzept fortzusetzen.
„Die Entwicklung eines Missionskonzepts ist eine lohnende Erfahrung und es war ein Privileg, mit dem SHIELD-Team an diesem Konzept zu arbeiten“, sagt Longo gegenüber Universe Today. „Selbst wenn es in einem Jahrzehnt passiert, hoffe ich, dass irgendwann jemand eine kostengünstige Mars-Geologie- und Astrobiologie-Mission mit mehreren Rovern umsetzt. Nach Abschluss der Mars-Probenrückgabe bestehen die nächsten logischen Schritte bei der Erforschung des Mars darin, mehr vom Planeten zu erkunden, ein besseres Verständnis seiner Geschichte zu entwickeln und zu erfahren, was der Mars uns über die Vergangenheit unseres eigenen Planeten lehren kann. Wenn wir ein erfolgreiches Raumfahrtprogramm haben wollen, müssen wir kreativ sein und mutige Ideen annehmen, und ich liebe es, mit den Wissenschaftlern und Ingenieuren zusammenzuarbeiten, die genau das tun.“
Wird die MARSE-Mission in den kommenden Jahren und Jahrzehnten den Roten Planeten erkunden können? Nur die Zeit wird es zeigen, und das ist der Grund, warum wir wissenschaftlich arbeiten!
Machen Sie wie immer weiter mit der Wissenschaft und schauen Sie weiter nach oben!
Technology-related stress, overwork, and anxiety are common problems in today's workplace and can potentially lead to more burnout and poorer health. Many of these issues are likely to have increased since remote work became widespread following the pandemic.
In 2022, together with colleagues at the University of Nottingham, I conducted a review of the scientific literature on the disadvantages of working digitally. We looked at nearly 200 studies from the last decade that provided extensive evidence of the negative health effects of technostress and the associated “dark side of the digital workplace.”
Building on this research, our next study, published in 2024, examined whether mindfulness and digital confidence – the ability to apply existing digital skills to new devices, apps and platforms – could help reduce these negative impacts.
We've found that using technology more confidently and mindfully can help protect the health of digital workers.
Mindfulness is a technique for developing non-judgmental awareness of one's feelings, thoughts and surroundings in the present moment.
For some people, learning to observe their thoughts and feelings and tuning into the breath and body as anchors can help them avoid negative habits and reactions. When we become aware of habitual reactions in this way, we can respond more calmly and effectively.
Our latest study adds to findings from decades of workplace mindfulness research that has shown its potential to reduce stress and anxiety in employees and promote better mental health and work engagement.
While our research didn't examine specific mindfulness techniques, our interview participants talked about how mindfulness helped them reduce stress in the digital workplace.
This can be as simple as taking a few deep breaths or stepping away from technology for a short period of time. Participants said it was also really helpful to check in on their mental, emotional and physical state while working digitally.
Those with higher levels of mindfulness tended to be less overwhelmed by technology. They talked about avoiding multitasking online – such as reading emails while on a video call – and setting clear limits on usage, such as only using technology at certain times of the day.
It's worth noting that some workers felt uncomfortable taking the time to unwind and feared being perceived as slacking or falling behind.
Overall, workers who felt more confident using technology had lower levels of anxiety. And those who were more mindful seemed to be better protected from the negative aspects of digital work.
Our results suggest that while digital mindfulness and confidence are both important for employee well-being, mindfulness is ultimately more effective than trust in technology in protecting against technostress.
Change your perception to improve your well-being
In our analysis, based on previous studies, we explore the idea that mindfulness can help reduce anxiety by changing employees' perceptions of digital stressors.
For example, researchers at the University of Turin found in 2019 that higher levels of mindfulness in teachers were associated with more positive stress assessments of workload and lower rates of subsequent burnout.
In our study, we found that digital workers who are more mindful and confident with digital media appear to have a greater sense of agency in their digital work. They were also better equipped to change their digital habits for the better.
These changes included setting boundaries by establishing rules for how and when to engage in the digital workplace. For example, turning off notifications, batching emails, or shutting down devices at the end of the workday.
Some participants also used short mindfulness exercises to regulate their use of technology and pay attention to physical and mental health while working digitally. Beneficial activities included taking a short break from technology, going for a walk, or making a cup of tea.
Reflection is key to healthy digital habits
To help employees thrive during ongoing digital transformation in the workplace, companies should consider ways to support their employees with digital skills and mindful practices. Otherwise, they risk workers suffering further negative impacts.
Conducting this research led our team to reflect on our own digital practices and identify areas for change. For example, set clearer boundaries for reading and responding to emails outside of working hours and take more breaks when working digitally.
We all have the opportunity to expand our own skills in these areas, for example by taking training or educating ourselves to improve our digital skills for work and learn some basic mindfulness practices.
Thinking about what works and what doesn't in your digital workday can be a good starting point for promoting healthy digital work habits.
Elizabeth Marsh, PhD Candidate, Employee Technostress and the Potential of Mindfulness, School of Psychology, University of Nottingham
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Gerry McNamara has signed a contract to take over as men's basketball coach at Siena, choosing to leave Syracuse after two decades as a standout player and assistant before eventually becoming assistant head coach of the Orange.
McNamara's commitment was announced by Siena on Friday, making him a college head coach for the first time. He replaces Siena graduate Carmen Maciariello, who was fired after going 68-72 in five seasons at the school, including a 4-28 mark this season.
McNamara has been part of the Syracuse staff since 2009, first as a graduate assistant and then as an assistant under Jim Boeheim for more than a decade. He became the Orange's assistant head coach last season when Adrian Autry took over as head coach.
The 40-year-old McNamara remains the fourth-leading scorer in Syracuse history, behind only Laurence Moten, Derrick Coleman and John Wallace. He started on Syracuse's 2003 national championship team, led by Carmelo Anthony. McNamara scored 18 points, all on 3-pointers, in the Orange's 81-78 win over Kansas in the NCAA title game.
“I am extremely honored and excited to lead Siena College as the new head men’s basketball coach,” McNamara said in a statement. “My family and I can’t wait to get started and get to know Siena and the capital region.”
McNamara started all 135 games of his playing career at Syracuse and remains the school's all-time leader in 3-point shots by a wide margin. His total score of 400 is well ahead of Buddy Boeheim (309) and Joseph Girard III (297). McNamara also leads Syracuse's all-time list in free throw percentage (.888) and minutes played (4,799).
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He played in what is now the NBA G League and in Europe before returning to Syracuse as a coach.
Siena, a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, plays its home games in Albany, about 150 miles east of Syracuse.
The small school has served as a springboard for coaches many times over the years: Fran McCaffery made three straight NCAA tournament runs at the school and has been at Iowa for 14 seasons since leaving Siena; Paul Hewitt got his first Division I job at Siena and left the team after three seasons to lead Georgia Tech to the national championship game. Mike Deane was an institution at Siena before heading to Marquette; New Rice coach Rob Lanier is also a former Siena coach.
The school has even used the route from Syracuse to Siena before. Former Orange player and assistant Louis Orr spent one season as Siena coach in 2000-01, winning a share of the MAAC regular-season title before moving to Seton Hall.
“Gerry’s illustrious career and championship pedigree at Syracuse University, coupled with his exceptional skills in mentoring young talent, are a perfect fit with the high expectations and storied tradition of Siena basketball,” Siena President Chuck Siefert said in a statement. “His appointment is not only about restoring championship success – a standard our fans rightly expect – but also symbolizes Siena’s rise in the broader collegiate landscape.”
One of McNamara's strengths is recruiting, and that will be necessary to turn things around in Siena. Among the 351 teams with full Division I membership this season, only DePaul (3-29), Coppin State (2-27), Mississippi Valley State (1-30) and Detroit Mercy (1-31) had records worse than the Holy.
Lindsay Lohan Talks Becoming a Mom and Bringing Her Baby to Set! (Exclusive)
This golden friendship is a hit.
Finally, Ayesha Curry I couldn't help but gush about my long-time buddy Lindsay Lohan as she reflected on their strong bond. And as the Mean Girls alum tackles motherhood for the first time, she welcomes her son Luai with the husband Bader Shammas over the summer — the Food Network star watched in awe.
“She's an amazing mother,” Ayesha told E! News in an exclusive interview on March 28 at the Voices of Beauty Summit, hosted by Landing International. “It was such a joy to see it. She just kills it.”
“She's kind of in her infancy, but she knows how to balance work-life,” the Sweet July Skin founder continued. “I know it doesn’t exist, but it does exist in their world. She does a great job at that.”
Ayesha – who shares children Riley12, Ryan8, and canon5, with husband Stephen Curry and is pregnant with her fourth baby – she first became friends with Lindsay years ago and have grown closer ever since. In fact, she and the Golden State Warriors player were even named baby Luai's godparents.
