90jili tw Nigerian agency 'failed completely' to clean up oil damage despite funding, leaked files sayAt least 37 members of Congress and their families traded defense stocks in 2024, using a list of the top 100 Pentagon contractors compiled annually by Defense Security Monitor. A Responsible Statecraft analysis of data from investment research platform Quiver Quantitative shows that these lawmakers traded between $24 million and $113 million worth of Pentagon contractor stocks this year (lawmakers merely have to provide a range for stock trading disclosures). Eight of these members even simultaneously held positions on the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees, the committees overseeing defense policy and foreign relations. Members of Congress that oversee the annual defense bill and are privy to intelligence briefings have an upper hand in predicting future stock prices. But who traded the most defense stock this year? That distinction goes to Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.). Gottheimer may have faked his Spotify Wrapped — fabricating an image to make him look like a Bruce Springsteen superfan — but he can’t fake his way out of being crowned the most avid trader in Congress. Gottheimer traded at least $22 million worth of stock of the top 100 Pentagon contractors, including Microsoft, Northrop Grumman, and IBM. Microsoft — which received $414 million from the Department of Defense in 2023 for software and cloud computing services — accounted for the vast majority of his trades. Gottheimer simultaneously holds positions on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the National Security subcommittee in the Committee on Financial Services. Gottheimer says his trades are made by a third-party financial firm; “I literally have no idea what they do,” he stated in a 2022 CNBC interview. Given Springsteen’s lifelong skepticism of the military-industrial complex, I’m not sure the Boss himself would approve. The second most active defense stock trader was Speaker Emerita Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who sold over $1 million worth of Microsoft stock in late July. The FTC opened a wide-ranging anti-trust investigation into Microsoft in November. The timing of Pelosi’s Microsoft trades in the past have garnered attention, too; in March 2021, she bought Microsoft call options less than two weeks before the Army announced a $22 billion contract with the software company to supply augmented reality headsets. Pelosi had the most profitable 2024 of any lawmaker, netting an estimated $38.6 million from all stock trading activity, according to Quiver Quantitative. Rep. Tom Kean Jr., who comes in at number five for defense stock trading, traded between $106,000 and $365,000 worth of defense stock while sitting on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Kean Jr. exchanged Jacobs stocks after a merger with Ammentum in September. At number six, Rep. Jonathon Jackson (D-Ill) traded between $80,003 and $200,000 worth of Pentagon contractor stock, including snapping up as much as $50,000 worth of General Dynamics stock while sitting on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala) was the seventh-most active defense stock trader. Despite his perch on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Tuberville disclosed between $63,007 and $245,000 worth of trading in defense stocks this year, selling stakes in IBM, Honeywell, and Accenture, among others. Last September, Tuberville — who owns up to 50,000 in Lockheed Martin stock — participated in an committee hearing on defense innovation headlined by Lockheed CEO James Taiclet. Tuberville has said that limiting lawmakers’ ability to trade stocks would be “ridiculous” and that “it would really cut back on the amount of people that would want to come up here and serve.” What about lawmakers who embrace the buy-and-hold strategy, rather than actively trading? In September, Sludge ’s David Moore published an investigation that found that lawmakers may own as much as $10.9 million in defense company stock. Moore also found that Honeywell — which provides sensors and guiding devices to assist the Israeli military in airstrikes in Gaza — is the most commonly-held defense company stock, followed by RTX (formerly known as Raytheon). During a hearing in June of this year, Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas) held up to $250,000 worth of Boeing stock while questioning Navy officials during a hearing about repeated crashes of the V-22 Osprey, a tilt-rotor helicopter made by Bell and Boeing. Rep. Fallon left in the middle of the hearing, shaking hands with family members of Osprey crash victims on the way out. If Congress wants to wash itself of conflicts of interest it can start by passing a stock trading ban. The Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks Act, or ETHICS Act, would prohibit Members of Congress from trading individual stocks. “Lawmakers like me, we’re kind of like umpires in a baseball game, we call balls and strikes. And you definitely don’t let umpires bet on the outcome of the game,” said Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA), who introduced the bill alongside three other Senators. The ETHICS Act passed the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs in July but has not yet had a full Senate vote.President Joe Biden announced his support of a stock trading ban this week. “I don’t know how you look your constituents in the eye and know, because the job they gave you, gave you an inside track to make more money,” said Biden.Close encounters between distant DNA regions cause bursts of gene activity December 6, 2024 Kyushu University Researchers have revealed a new mechanism underlying how spatial distance between specific regions of DNA is linked to bursts of gene activity. Using advanced cell imaging techniques and computer modeling, the researchers showed that the folding and movement of DNA, as well as the accumulation of certain proteins, changes depending on whether a gene is active or inactive. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email Researchers at Kyushu University have revealed how spatial distance between specific regions of DNA is linked to bursts of gene activity. Using advanced cell imaging techniques and computer modeling, the researchers showed that the folding and movement of DNA, as well as the accumulation of certain proteins, changes depending on whether a gene is active or inactive. The study, published on December 6 in Science Advances , sheds insight into the complicated world of gene expression and could lead to new therapeutic techniques for diseases caused by improper regulation of gene expression. Gene expression is a fundamental process that occurs within cells, with two main phases: transcription, where DNA is copied into RNA, and translation, where the RNA is used to make proteins. For each cell to carry out its specific functions in the body, or to respond to changing conditions, the right amount of a protein must be produced at the right time, meaning genes must be carefully switched on and off. Previously, gene transcription was thought to occur in a continuous, smooth process. But with better technology to observe individual cells, scientists now know that transcription occurs in short, unpredictable bursts. "A gene will randomly switch on for a few minutes and large amounts of RNA will be produced. Then, the gene will suddenly switch off again," says Professor Hiroshi Ochiai, from Kyushu University's Medical Institute of Bioregulation and the study's senior author. "It happens in nearly all genes, and in all living things, from plants, to animals, to bacteria." This erratic and dynamic nature of transcription, known as transcriptional bursting, is a key mechanism for controlling gene activity in individual cells. It's one reason why cells within the same tissue or culture environment show variability in their gene expression levels, which is crucial for processes like early embryonic development and cancer evolution. However, the exact mechanisms behind bursting remains unknown. In this study, the researchers decided to look into the role of DNA sequences known as enhancers and promoters, and how their spatial distance impacts transcriptional bursting. The promoter is usually located right next to the gene, and is where the protein that carries out transcription attaches to the DNA. Enhancers, on the other hand, are often many hundreds of thousands of bases away from the gene, but as DNA strands move and fold, enhancers can still end up close to genes in 3D space, amplifying gene activity. "We believe that enhancers play a crucial role in why transcription occurs in bursts of activity, but so far, the research is unclear," says Ochiai. To test this idea, Ochiai and his team used an advanced imaging technique called seq-DNA/RNA-IF-FISH, which labels DNA, RNA and specific proteins with fluorescent probes. This triple-layered technique allowed the researchers to simultaneously capture the location of DNA, RNA and specific proteins in 3D space within individual mouse embryonic stem cells. With that information, the team could determine whether certain genes were on or off, see how the promoters and enhancers were interacting during bursts of activity, and where the proteins were accumulating, at an unprecedented level of detail. As an example, the researchers focused on a gene called Nanog, a 770,000-base length of DNA on chromosome 6, which has a promoter and three enhancer regions and is known to undergo transcriptional bursting in cultured mouse embryonic stem cells. The researchers found that in imaged cells where Nanog RNA was present (meaning the gene was active), the most distant enhancer was located in close spatial proximity to the Nanog gene. In contrast, when Nanog was inactive, the imaging showed that the same enhancer region was physically further away. Additionally, the scientists also found that proteins involved in regulating transcription also accumulated in the area around the enhancers and promoters when Nanog was active. To better understand the mechanism, Ochiai and his team used computer modeling to simulate how the different parts of DNA interact and move inside the cell, both when the Nanog gene is active and inactive. They developed their model by using data from their imaging experiments to make a "map" of how frequently different regions of DNA interacted with each other and how the DNA was folded in space. Using this map, the model then simulated how the DNA chain might randomly move. The model predicted that when in the active state, each enhancer region interacted for more than twice as long with the promoters, compared to when the gene was inactive. The model showed that these longer periods of interaction occurred due to "friction" around the DNA. Due to the accumulation of proteins and RNA when Nanog was active, the fluid became more viscous, and caused the modelled DNA strand to move slowly. Therefore, the gene was able to stay active for longer bursts of time. In contrast, the simulated DNA moved quicker when Nanog was inactive, meaning that the promoter and enhancers didn't have time to interact. "The modeling suggests that bursting is stabilized due to these reinforcing loops," concluded Ochiai. "Of course, this is just a simulation. The next step is to prove this mechanism also occurs in cells." Story Source: Materials provided by Kyushu University . Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference : Cite This Page :

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In the latest Steam weekly sales chart, "Path of Exile 2" has claimed the number one position, showing its strong popularity among gamers. Developed by Grinding Gear Games, the highly anticipated sequel to the hit action RPG has garnered much attention since its release, and its success on the sales chart further solidifies its position as a top title in the gaming industry.

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ARIZONA, Texas — One person is dead after a crash on SR-85 near Baseline Road in the West Valley, according to Arizona DPS officials. The crash happened just after 3 p.m. and involved two vehicles, officials said. The southbound lanes of SR-85 are closed for an investigation. The driver of one of the vehicles was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Details on how the crash happened were not immediately available. 12News is working to get more information. >> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone. Watch 12News for free You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12+ app! The free 12+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV . 12+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives. Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX." Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12+ app to add to your account , or have the 12+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.

Ultimately, the true essence of medical aesthetics lies in striking a balance between beauty and health. It is not just about achieving external perfection but also about promoting overall well-being and self-care. By prioritizing the "medical" aspect in medical aesthetics, individuals can undergo cosmetic procedures with confidence, knowing that their safety, health, and satisfaction are paramount.President Zelensky's decision to disclose the death toll of Ukrainian soldiers has been met with both praise and criticism. Some see it as a courageous move that sheds light on the reality of war, while others argue that it may have negative implications for ongoing negotiations and peace efforts. However, Zelensky remains steadfast in his commitment to transparency and accountability in addressing the conflict in Ukraine.KASHIMA (AP) – The signs at Nippon Steel read: “The world through steel”, underlining why Japan’s top steelmaker is pursuing its USD15 billion bid to acquire United States (US) Steel. “We can’t expect demand in Japan to grow as the population is declining. We need to invest in production that leads to growth,” a company official Masato Suzuki said on Friday while giving reporters a look at a Nippon Steel plant in Ibaraki prefecture, north of Tokyo. Nippon Steel Corp has its eyes on India, Southeast Asia and the US, Suzuki said. About 70 per cent of the plant’s output is exported. The Tokyo-based company remains optimistic, although the deal is opposed by President elect Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and American steelworkers. During the tour, slabs of steel, glowing hot-orange at more than 1,000 degrees Celsius, rolled through the cavernous plant to become giant spools of super-thin steel. Nippon Steel officials didn’t disclose details of the fine technology they said the planned acquisition would offer US Steel. A hot rolling mill at Nippon Steel’s Kashima Plant in Kashima, Japan. PHOTO: AP The United States Steel Mon Valley Works Clairton Plant in Clairton, Pennsylvania. PHOTO: AP Under the proposed deal, first announced in 2023, US Steel would keep its name and its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, becoming a subsidiary of Nippon Steel. Nippon Steel already has manufacturing operations in the US and Mexico, China and Southeast Asia. It supplies the world’s top automakers, including Toyota Motor Corp, and makes steel for railways, pipes, appliances and skyscrapers. The American steel industry has waned as Chinese steelmakers have grown to dominate the market. Japan wants to leverage the decades-old US-Japan security and political alliance to seal the acquisition, but the outlook is uncertain. In September, an arbitration board jointly chosen by US Steel and United Steelworkers decided the proposed acquisition could proceed. But United Steelworkers union, which has 1.2 million members, have objected, citing worries about job losses and contract terms. The union has questioned Nippon Steel’s plans to transfer production locations and concerns about national security and domestic supply chains. When asked for comment, it referred to a recent letter to its members. “As a union, our primary concern is the future of our jobs and the communities we live and work in – not just this year, but also for the foreseeable future. We’ve seen job losses in the past, and we must do everything we can to avoid it in the future,” said the letter, co-signed by Mike Millsap, chairman of the negotiating committee, and its international president, David McCall. “While Japan is a political ally, it is also an economic competitor, one that has proven time and again that it is willing to promote its steel industry at our expense,” the union said. Nippon Steel is promising to “preserve the legacy” of US Steel and protect jobs, pensions and benefits, pledging that there will be no layoffs or plant closures. The deal is expected to produce an economic boost for the region equivalent to nearly USD1 billion in the first two years, create up to 5,000 construction jobs and generate almost USD40 million in state and local taxes, according to Nippon Steel. Professor of international relations and political science at Boston University William W Grimes said Nippon Steel’s commitment to keeping the US Steel factories running would help preserve US-based production of specialty steels. Nippon Steel also has also promised investments to make the factories more competitive. There is no militarily sensitive technology Nippon Steel would be able to take from the US, and the US relies on steel produced in allied countries, including Japan, Grimes said. “If Japanese companies do draw a lesson, it should be to engage unions and local politicians early in the process,” he said.Title: Clash of Champions: Bayer Leverkusen vs Inter Milan

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In the frontal impact tests, the Ideal L6 demonstrated exceptional structural integrity, effectively absorbing and dissipating impact forces to protect the vehicle's occupants. The advanced restraint systems and airbag technology further enhanced passenger safety, minimizing the risk of injury in the event of a collision.

However, despite the existence of such mechanisms, they have largely been underutilized in the context of US-Russia relations. Instead of proactively engaging in dialogue and utilizing established channels of communication, both countries have often resorted to public denunciations, sanctions, and saber-rattling, further exacerbating tensions and creating a hostile environment.