Northrop Grumman invests $50 million in space startup Firefly Aerospace
May 29 (Reuters) - U.S. defense contractor Northrop Grumman (NOC.N), opens new tab has invested $50 million into space startup Firefly Aerospace to aid the production of their jointly developed rocket, the companies said on Thursday.
The medium launch vehicle, dubbed "Eclipse", is built upon Northrop Grumman's Antares and Firefly's Alpha rocket, and is set to first launch from Wallops Island, Virginia, as early as 2026.
Eclipse is designed to support space station resupply, commercial spacecraft, critical national security missions and scientific payloads for domestic and international markets.
Northrop's investment comes as interest in space startups heats up under U.S. President Donald Trump's efficiency drive, encouraging more joint projects between big defense contractors and smaller tech firms.
Firefly gained prominence in the space race after becoming the second private firm to score a moon landing in a successful first attempt with its uncrewed Blue Ghost spacecraft earlier this year.
The Texas-based company was valued at more than $2 billion in November, when it raised $175 million in a late-stage funding round. It makes small- and medium-lift launch vehicles for commercial launches to the earth's orbit.
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Medical News Today
35 minutes ago
- Medical News Today
Psilocybin for IBS: Could altering the mind help alter the gut?
Could magic mushrooms help relieve symptoms and treat IBS? A new study aims to find out. Irina Efremova/Stocksy Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common conditions affecting the gut. Despite its prevalence and decades of research, treatments are limited, and the underlying causes remain shrouded in mystery. An ongoing study, conducted by Erin Mauney, MD, is taking a fascinating new approach to this mysterious condition: psychedelics, and more specifically psilocybin. In this article, we will investigate why researcher Erin Mauney believes psilocybin — the active compound in magic mushrooms — might help treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and how her ongoing research is breaking new ground. To help us understand how altering the mind might alter the gut, we will first explore the links between body and brain. Historically — and, to a certain extent, still today — the mind and body have been considered separate. As science has progressed, it has become increasingly clear that, of course, the mind is part of the body. There is no separation. The brain is in tight communication with the body at all times via nerves and chemicals, like hormones and neurotransmitters, and the body talks back in the same language. This two-way interaction is perhaps most pronounced between the brain and the gut. The enteric nervous system (the nervous system of the gut) is the second-largest nervous system in the body after the brain. Some experts even refer to the gut as our 'second brain.' Although the enteric nervous system evolved first, so we could consider it the ' first brain .' Aside from their shared ancient pedigree, why would the gut and brain share such a tight link? In our modern world, where we are never more than 20 meters from a bagel, it is easy to forget that life on the Savannah millennia ago was much less convenient. The gut needed to tell the brain when it required refilling with enough time to hunt, scavenge, or forage for its next meal. As the food is ingested, the brain needs to ask the gut to ramp up its operations and prepare to digest. This relationship helps explain why we can feel longing in the pit of our stomach, and butterflies dance in our intestines when we feel excited: The gut and brain are in cahoots. Speaking in a recent interview, published in the journal Psychedelics , Mauney explains how, during her gastroenterology training, she 'became aware of how common trauma, especially early life trauma, is in the human experience.' 'Although there is more discussion in pediatrics about the cumulative effects of toxic stress over the lifespan,' she continues, 'I think overall this is an area that medicine, particularly gastroenterology and obesity medicine, really fails to understand and address meaningfully.' This piqued her interest in psychological approaches to gut issues. These links have led researchers to believe that IBS has a strong gut-brain component. Mauney and colleagues are currently embarking on the first-ever study to investigate whether talking therapy in conjunction with psilocybin might help relieve symptoms of IBS. Speaking in an interview with the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology ( JC G), Mauney explained that around 60% of people with IBS do not respond to first-line therapies, such as dietary interventions or medications. So, the scientists recruited people with IBS who had already tried a wide range of approaches without experiencing significant benefits. This, she explains, included talking therapies, mind-body therapies, dietary changes, and drugs. In her JC G interview, Mauney explains how psilocybin acts 'transdiagnostically.' In other words, it can alter a range of psychological domains that are common across multiple mental health conditions. For instance, she explains how the drug can influence psychological characteristics such as: Rigidity: An inability to adapt or change. An inability to adapt or change. Rumination: Dwelling on negative thoughts and feelings. Dwelling on negative thoughts and feelings. Anxious over-focus on the self: A preoccupation with personal matters, while almost forgetting the outside world. She also says that psychedelics like psilocybin can help some people shift ingrained thought patterns, which is another facet of many mental health conditions, and some people with IBS. Beyond the psychological aspects of psilocybin treatment, Mauney also has some gut-focused theories. As the gut digests food, it squeezes, swells, deflates, and so on. For most people, these movements cause no distress or go unnoticed. For people with IBS, however, these routine movements may cause discomfort or pain. This is called visceral hypersensitivity. Research in animals suggests that a subtype of serotonin receptors in the gut, called 5HT2a receptors, might play a role in visceral hypersensitivity. Why does this matter? Psilocybin primarily works by activating 5HT2a receptors — so, perhaps it might reduce these uncomfortable sensations. Aside from this link, as Mauney explains in her JCG interview, scientists have also explored whether psilocybin might reduce pain in general. For instance, researchers have examined, with differing results, whether psilocybin could help in the treatment of migraine headaches, chronic neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and more. Because IBS causes visceral pain, this is yet another potential mechanism by which it may impart benefits. With its potential to influence psychology, visceral hypersensitivity, pain, and inflammation, psilocybin is a hopeful candidate for the treatment of IBS. Now, we just need to see the data. Mauney and colleagues' ongoing study was halfway through enrollment as of her April 24th JC G interview. Although she was cautious not to preempt the findings, Mauney was excited to share that at least some of the participants had experienced benefits. In the study, participants are paired with two medical professionals with backgrounds in psychotherapy or psychiatry. Each of the two therapy sessions (two weeks apart) involves the 'dosing' part of the study, where the participant takes psilocybin and relaxes while listening to a carefully curated playlist. Then, the three of them discuss the participants' symptoms, previous life experiences, and whatever comes up during the session. In total, these sessions last 6–8 hours. Mauney explains how the psilocybin 'acts as an amplifier of therapeutic processes,' perhaps enhancing standard talking therapy. Although this approach has not worked for everyone in the trial, for some, Mauney says, it has. She explains that it has encouraged some individuals to engage deeply with difficult parts of their lives, make meaningful changes that they could not manage before, or influence close relationships in ways that have led to reduced symptoms. For others, their symptoms have remained unchanged, but they report that the symptoms are no longer so bothersome. Medical News Today reached out to Ruvini Wijetilaka, MD, a board certified Internal Medicine Physician at Mecca Health, who was not involved in the study. 'As a physician, I find this early research into psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant IBS intriguing and encouraging,' she explained. 'IBS is a complex condition rooted in the brain-gut connection,' she continued, 'and traditional treatments don't always work for everyone.' 'In cases where symptoms persist despite initial interventions, psilocybin may offer a promising alternative for targeting the neurological pathways involved. It's an exciting area of exploration for patients who experience chronic, unrelenting symptoms and have few remaining options.' — Ruvini Wijetilaka, MD Mauney's study is the first to look at this relationship, and the preliminary results are encouraging. However, as she explains, the study is not yet complete, and it might not work. With that said, because the mechanistic theory is promising, and it seems that at least some people have already benefited, we might be forgiven for being optimistic. 'It might sound a little bit out there to the average gastroenterologist,' says Mauney. 'But I think this is really what's needed, and what our patients are calling out for. […] A holistic approach to their suffering.' 'People with IBS that are not responding to available treatments need more options. Under the right conditions, psychedelics are worth a try for this group,' he said. However, he also suggested comparing its efficacy with Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), which he told us has had some success in the treatment of 'people with chronic musculoskeletal pain, back pain (when combined with mindfulness), and long COVID.' Psilocybin is unlikely to work for everyone, but Mauney hopes that, at least for some, this intervention could improve thought processes and relieve the negative impact of a chronic condition that remains poorly understood. 'While more concrete research is needed on this, the study could mark a meaningful shift in how we approach IBS care and gut health as a whole,' concluded Wijetilaka.
Reuters
36 minutes ago
- Reuters
Exclusive: China issues rare earth licenses to suppliers of top 3 US automakers, sources say
BEIJING/WASHINGTON, June 6 (Reuters) - China has granted temporary export licenses to rare-earth suppliers of the top three U.S. automakers, two sources familiar with the matter said, as supply chain disruptions begin to surface from Beijing's export curbs on those materials. At least some of the licenses are valid for six months, the two sources said, declining to be named because the information is not public. It was not immediately clear what quantity or items are covered by the approval or whether the move signals China is preparing to ease the rare-earths licensing process, which industry groups say is cumbersome and has created a supply bottleneck. China's decision in April to restrict exports of a wide range of rare earths and related magnets has tripped up the supply chains central to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors around the world. China's dominance of the critical mineral industry, key to the green energy transition, is increasingly viewed as a key point of leverage for Beijing in its trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump. China produces around 90% of the world's rare earths, and auto industry representatives have warned of increasing threats to production due to their dependency on it for those parts. Suppliers of three big U.S. automakers, General Motors, (GM.N), opens new tab, Ford (F.N), opens new tab and Jeep-maker Stellantis ( opens new tab got clearance for some rare earth export licenses on Monday, one of the two sources said. GM and Ford each declined to comment. Stellantis said it is working with suppliers "to ensure an efficient licensing process" and that so far the company has been able to "address immediate production concerns without major disruptions." China's Ministry of Commerce did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment. China's critical-mineral export controls have become a focus on Trump's criticism of Beijing, which he says has violated the truce reached last month to roll back tariffs and trade restrictions. On Thursday, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a lengthy phone call to iron out trade differences. Trump said in social-media post that "there should no longer be any questions respecting the complexity of Rare Earth products." Both sides said teams will meet again soon. U.S. auto companies are already feeling the impact of the restrictions. Ford (F.N), opens new tab shut down production of its Explorer SUV at its Chicago plant for a week in May because of a rare-earth shortage, the company said. The approval for the auto suppliers follows a green light granted to a U.S. electronics firm's suppliers last week and another one issued earlier this week to suppliers of a U.S. non-auto company, the first person said, declining to name the companies. "We have to give the Chinese the benefit of the doubt that they're working through this. It's up to them to show that they are not weaponizing it," said the person. Reuters reported on Wednesday that China has introduced a tracking system for its rare earth magnet sector in a move to improve its control over the sector and crackdown on smuggling.
BBC News
36 minutes ago
- BBC News
Trump and Musk: The 10 days that unravelled their relationship
The pairing of Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the leader of the richest country in the world with the richest person in the world, seemed a perfect the last 10 days have seen the pair move from gentle disagreement to bitter acrimony. These are the public moments which brought their relationship crashing down. Wednesday 28 May Speaking to CBS News, Musk criticises Trump's plans for a new bill on tax and spending - saying the planned legislation left him "disappointed".Trump later admits to reporters that he is "not happy about certain aspects" of the bill while at the same time being "thrilled" about some aspects, such as tax doesn't comment directly on Musk's remarks, however. Thursday 29 May Musk announces he will be leaving the Trump administration after his scheduled time as a special government employee reaches its end. He had led a cost-cutting mission known as the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). Friday 30 May Trump praises Musk as the latter appears with a black eye in a press conference on his last day at the White is "not really leaving", the president says, and will continue to be "back and forth" to the White House. Monday 2 June Trump defends his "big, beautiful bill" in a post on Truth Social, claiming "many false statements" are being made about his landmark economic policy. Tuesday 3 June Musk again attacks Trump's planned bill, calling it "massive, outrageous, pork-filled" and "a disgusting abomination" in a post on US politics, "pork" refers to spending on projects in lawmakers' marks the start of an escalation in comments from Musk on social media. Wednesday 4 June, 13:57 local time (18:57 BST) Musk calls for a new spending bill "that doesn't massively grow the [US government budget] deficit and increase the debt ceiling". Wednesday 4 June, 14:50 Musk urges his followers to call their representatives to oppose Trump's bill. Thursday 5 June, 11:20 Musk quotes a series of old post on X by Trump, from 2012 and 2013, in which Trump criticises government spending. Thursday 5 June, 12:00 Speaking in the Oval Office alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump says he and Musk "had" a great relationship but "I don't know if we will anymore".He also says Musk is "upset" that subsidies for electric vehicles would be cut in his planned bill, affecting the billionaire's Tesla and SpaceX businesses. Thursday 5 June, 12:19 Musk responds in real-time to the broadcast from the Oval Office, dismissing Trump's assertions. Thursday 5 June 12:24 Back at the White House, Trump tells reporters Musk knew "every aspect of the bill" and says he is "very disappointed in Elon". Thursday 5 June, 12:25 "False," replies Musk on X. "This bill was never shown to me even once and was passed in the dead of night so fast that almost no-one in Congress would even read it!" Thursday 5 June, 12:44 Musk resurfaces old Trump posts on X, highlighting moments when the president criticised America's budget deficits. "Where is this guy today??" he asks. Thursday 5 June, 12:46 Replying to another user on X, Musk says: "Without me, Trump would have lost the election." He goes on to say: "Such ingratitude". Thursday 5 June, 13:44 Still going, Musk claims on X that "the Big Ugly Bill will INCREASE the deficit to $2.5 trillion". Thursday 5 June, 13:49 Musk continues to quote old Trump posts on X about government spending. He asks: "Where is the man who wrote these words? Was he replaced by a body double!?" Thursday 5 June, 13:57 "Is it time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle?" Musk asks in a poll on X. Thursday 5 June, 14:37 Trump starts posting on his Truth Social platform, saying Musk had been "wearing thin" so he asked him to leave the White House, and alleging that Musk "went CRAZY".Musk calls this "an obvious lie"."The easiest way to save money in our Budget," Trump continues in another post, "is to terminate Elon's Governmental Subsidies and Contracts". Thursday 5 June, 15:10 Musk alleges, without providing evidence, that Trump appears in the "Epstein files", referring to court documents and evidence collected by investigators into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Thursday 5 June, 16:06 Posting on Truth Social, Trump says he doesn't mind "Elon turning against me" and continues to defend his bill. Thursday 5 June, 16:09 Responding to Trump's suggestion that he could terminate government contracts with Musk's companies, Musk says he will "immediately" decommission the Dragon spacecraft - a craft that is capable of travelling to the International Space Station. Thursday 5 June, 16:11 Musk appears to endorse impeaching Trump while quoting a conspiracy theorist who shared his Epstein files claim about the president. Thursday 5 June, 16:26 Musk attacks another of Trump's signature policies - his trade tariffs - by posting on X to say these "will cause a recession in the second half of this year". Thursday 5 June, 21:27 Musk appears to soften, replying on X "you're not wrong" to another billionaire Trump backer, Bill Ackman, who had called for the pair to "make peace for the benefit of our great country". Friday 6 June, 08:05 Trump describes Musk as "the man who has lost his mind" in an interview with ABC News and says he is "not particularly" interested in speaking to White House tells the BBC Trump does not intend to talk to the tech billionaire today, after reports they would speak on the phone is also reported by CBS, the BBC's US partner, that Trump is considering selling his Tesla car - which he had purchased when he was trying to help Musk promote his company.
