Latest news with #CSIC
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
China will merge CSSC and CSIC to create shipbuilding giant
China has merged two of its giant state-owned shipbuilding firms to create an RMB 700 billion ($97.4b) company. China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) had previously been one state-owned enterprise (SOE), but were split in 1999. After months of discussions and rumours, the firms were again made one in a ceremony in Shanghai. The new CSSC will control as much as 21% of the global shipbuilding industry, and Beijing hopes the new megacompany will be a more efficient challenger across the civil, military, and offshore energy sectors. As competition is likely as fierce as it has ever been in the Asian shipbuilding market, the aim of this merger is to cement China's place above South Korea as the dominant force in the region. Over the 25 years the shipbuilders have been split into the northern Dalian-based CISC and the southern Shanghai-based CSSC, a domestic rivalry developed, according to China Decoded. Reducing this internal competition and focusing on growth compared to international rivals is increasingly vital for the Chinese industry as the US has become more assertive in anti-China policies during the second Trump administration. 'This merger marks the largest strategic restructuring in China's shipbuilding history, aimed at optimising resource allocation and enhancing competitiveness in the global market,' said Xu Yi, an analyst at Haitong Futures told South China Morning Post. It is understood that Tuesday 12 August will be the final day CSIC shares will be available for market trading on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, before the company is folded into China CSSC Holdings. The move has several potential downsides for the Beijing government and the new larger company. Firstly, it will almost certainly attract the ire of international anti-monopoly bodies. While these regulators do not have the power to break up the Chinese megafirms, they could recommend countermeasures to other governments which could restrict the business CSSC can do. The move could also consolidate military and civilian shipyards, which could lead to further international restrictions or tariffs aimed at the industry, such as increased port fees for Chinese vessels, or even higher tariffs. "China will merge CSSC and CSIC to create shipbuilding giant" was originally created and published by Ship Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Japan Forward
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Japan Shifts Space Policy from Science to Security
As space becomes a contested, congested, and competitive domain, Japan is rapidly transforming its approach to space development. A recent lecture by Mitsuru Nodomi, former Director of the Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center (CSIC) and retired Ground Self-Defense Force official, highlighted the urgency of integrating space into Japan's broader national security strategy. From GPS dependency to satellite warfare, his insights reveal why Japan can no longer afford to treat space as a purely scientific endeavor. Japan's early space development efforts were largely civilian and academic, led by the Ministry of Education and focused on scientific research. This orientation was further codified by Japan's adherence to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and the 1969 Diet resolution restricting space use to "non-military purposes." However, this stance began to shift in 1998 after North Korea launched a ballistic missile over Japanese territory. Within months, the Japanese government made an unprecedented Cabinet decision to launch its own information-gathering satellites. "That decision, made in just four months, marked a fundamental turning point," Nodomi explained. "Under normal circumstances, such a process would have taken years." Nodomi, who helped oversee Japan's information-gathering satellite programs, noted that this shift laid the groundwork for the current national space policy. The 2008 Basic Space Act formalized the integration of space into national defense, replacing "non-military" principles with a commitment to "non-aggressive" use. Mitsuru Nodomi Space is now integral to modern life, from GPS navigation and internet timing to financial markets and air traffic control. A loss of satellite function, Nodomi explained, could bring daily life to a halt. "A GPS outage wouldn't just affect your phone," he warned. "It would disrupt financial systems, power grids, and even air traffic. It's an invisible infrastructure we depend on every day." This dependency makes satellite infrastructure a tempting target. China, Russia, and others have already demonstrated anti-satellite capabilities. Japan, Nodomi emphasized, must be prepared to protect its own systems while remaining vigilant against adversarial threats. Nodomi identified three emerging trends: competition, congestion, and contestation. Space is no longer the exclusive domain of superpowers. Over 80 nations now possess satellites, and private companies like SpaceX have revolutionized launch frequency and cost. Japan's participation in the global space economy will depend on its ability to reduce launch costs and scale up production. "We're in a world where the number of actors in space has exploded," Nodomi said. "That means more debris, more potential collisions, and more risks, including military ones." The rise of commercial constellations such as Starlink introduces both opportunities and vulnerabilities. These networks offer high redundancy and low latency, but their proliferation has drastically increased the risk of orbital collisions and debris. China's 2007 anti-satellite missile test and Russia's 2021 satellite destruction created thousands of hazardous fragments. Nodomi also highlighted the growing use of small satellites for real-time imaging, surveillance, and communication. While cheaper and more agile, they require resilient architectures to ensure functionality amid potential attacks. The war in Ukraine has shown how space assets can alter battlefield dynamics. Ukraine, lacking its own satellite infrastructure, has leveraged commercial satellites for intelligence and communications. "Ukraine has no military satellites of its own," Nodomi noted. "But thanks to commercial constellations, it's been able to fight a 21st-century war. That's a game changer." The counteroffensive of the Ukraine forces near Bakhmut in May 2023 (©Serhii Nuzhnenko, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/the Meanwhile, Russia's hesitancy to destroy United States commercial satellites used by Ukraine underscores the geopolitical risks of targeting space assets. Nodomi emphasized that modern combat depends on real-time intelligence, positioning data, and resilient communication links. All of these are satellite-dependent. In future conflicts, attacks on satellites or ground-based control centers, through missiles, cyberattacks, or jamming, are highly plausible. Japan has already taken steps to adapt. The CSIC is expanding its satellite constellation, aiming for 10 satellites by FY2031. The Japanese version of GPS, the MICHIBIKI system, is being expanded from 4 to 10 satellites. The Ministry of Defense is also expanding the Space Operations Group, originally established in 2022, with plans to significantly enhance its capabilities and mission scope by 2026. In 2022, Japan's National Security Strategy explicitly named "space security" for the first time. A year later, the government released a dedicated Space Security Initiative identifying anti-satellite weapons and space debris as key threats. The strategy also emphasized international cooperation, particularly with the US. "We've come a long way from the days of leaving space policy to science ministries," Nodomi said. "Now, it's about national survival." Despite these developments, Japan still faces major hurdles. Its domestic space industry lags behind competitors in launch frequency, satellite manufacturing, and solutions-based services. Rocket costs remain high, and the failure to scale small satellite launch platforms like Epsilon remains a concern. Nodomi noted that for Japan to become a true space power, it must foster a virtuous cycle between security and industry. "National security needs should drive technological innovation," he said. "That innovation, in turn, can fuel commercial growth, but only if we get the legal and policy environment right." Author: Daniel Manning
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Darwin Loved Worms. They May Have Just Proved Him Wrong About Evolution.
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: Is evolution a gradual process or a punctuated one, with rapid evolution taking hold in fits and starts? A new study suggests the latter, as researchers analyzed the genomes of annelids, like earthworms, and found that these creatures experienced rapid evolution when they transitioned to land hundreds of millions of years ago. This supports the idea—first proposed in the early 1970s—of 'punctuated equilibrium,' where evolution kicks in rapidly after a period of relative genetic stability. The famed naturalist and geologist Charles Darwin is, of course, best known for his works on evolution—specifically On the Origin of Species and the Descent of Man. However, one year before his death, he wrote a little-known work excellently titled The Formation of Vegetable Mould, Through the Action of Worms, which detailed the important contributions of the world's 'lowly' creatures. 'It may be doubted,' Darwin wrote, 'if there are any other animals which have played such an important part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.' Now, worms are poised to change the world again—this time in a way that even Darwin couldn't foresee. In a new study published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, scientists from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) in Barcelona, Spain, sequenced the genomes of various earthworms. Upon doing so, they found that these species (in the phylum Annelida) didn't quite follow Darwin's ideas of evolution, in which change was a gradual process that played out relatively consistently over time. Instead, they followed an evolutionary path first explored in the 1970s called 'punctuated equilibrium.' The idea is simple. According to Darwin's theory, the fossil record should be filled with 'missing link' species that display minute differences over time. But instead, what we see in our geology appears to be whole missing chapters of a genetic mutation. In an attempt to explain this, punctuated equilibrium posits that rapid evolution can occur periodically after millions of years of relative genetic stability. This would explain why we don't see as many 'missing links' as we might expect. By synthesizing the complete genomes of these earthworms and comparing them to other annelid species (such as bristle worms and leeches), the researchers were able to travel back some 200 million years and find one such episode of rapid genetic evolution—when these ancient animals transitioned to living on land. 'This is an essential episode in the evolution of life on our planet, given that many species, such as worms and vertebrates, which had been living in the ocean, now ventured onto land for the first time," Rosa Fernández, lead researcher at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (part of the CSIC) and senior author of the study, said in a press statement. 'The enormous reorganization of the genomes we observed in the worms as they moved from the ocean to land cannot be explained with the parsimonious mechanism Darwin proposed.' By analyzing the genetic changes happening in this species during this period of rapid evolution, the scientists confirmed that these marine annelids experienced a top-down reorganization of their genetic structure, leaving them unrecognizable. Turns out the humble worm has more to teach us than we thought—though, that likely wouldn't surprise Darwin in the least bit. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Globe and Mail
02-04-2025
- Health
- Globe and Mail
180 the concept Introduces H6 2.0 – Redefining Facial Contour Anti-Aging
Founded by Gema Cabañero (Forbes Women 2024), a renowned expert in aesthetics and anti-aging, 180 the concept is a Spanish brand at the forefront of advanced nutricosmetic solutions. With over 30 years of dedicated research into the biological and cellular processes of aging, Cabañero has developed the High Precision Aesthetic Method in 6D®, a comprehensive approach that addresses the internal biological factors contributing to external aesthetic concerns. This method integrates insights from nutrition, aesthetics, pharmacy, biology, and chemistry, creating personalized anti-aging regimens tailored to individual needs. A Visionary Recognized for Scientific Excellence Gema Cabañero's pioneering work in the beauty and wellness industry has earned her prestigious accolades, including the Collaborative Innovation Excellence Award from Spain's National Research Council (CSIC). This recognition highlights her authority in developing scientifically-backed beauty solutions. Through extensive clinical research involving thousands of cases, Gema identified that visible aging signs, such as skin laxity and bone loss, are driven by a cascade of dysfunctions in cellular organelles and macromolecular metabolism imbalances. Rather than focusing on isolated aging markers, she pioneered a systemic intervention model, integrating insights from 12 key aging hallmarks into the development of the 6-Dimensional Nutritional System. To further strengthen the scientific foundation of her work,Gema collaborated with Nobel Prize-winning scientists George F. Smoot and Randy W. Schekman, aswell as scientists associated with CSIC research groups. These collaborations cement 180 the concept as a leader in scientific anti-aging innovation. H6 2.0 's New Efficacy: The Three-Dimensional Anti-Aging Network At the core of H6 Capsules 2.0 is the Three-Dimensional Anti-Aging Network, designed to support facial bone structure longevity through three fundamental pillars: 1. Stabilization The upgraded HGH Activation Complex 2.0 works to stimulate endogenous growth hormone production. This addresses age-related bone density loss, reinforcing facial structure and providing a stable foundation for youthful contours. 2. Lifting The proprietary Isometric-Lifting Group restores dermal-fascial anchoring, enhancing the skin-fiber elasticity and mechanical stability necessary for a firmer, sculpted facial contour. 3. Cellular Noutriment The Cell Plant System 2.0 targets mitochondria, optimizing cellular metabolism and reversing mitochondrial dysfunction. This process improves skin vitality and helps maintain a youthful appearance by addressing the root causes of aging at the cellular level. Evidence: Clinically Proven Results The effectiveness of H6 Capsules 2.0 has been validated by SGS, a global leader in scientific testing and certification. In a 28-day clinical study with 56 female participants, aged 30 to 60, visible contour lifting was achieved, with significant improvements in skin firmness and elasticity. The results confirm: - Visible contour lifting in just 28 days, with measurable improvements in skin firmness and elasticity. This clinical validation provides real-world evidence that further solidifies 180 the concept's position as a leader in nutricosmetic innovation and underscores the integration of scientific expertise in developing anti-aging solutions. Shaping the Future of Nutricosmetic Solutions The launch of H6 Capsules 2.0 marks a significant shift in 180 the concept's approach, from general oral beauty to a highly specialized strategy focusing on bone structure anti-aging. By introducing its Six-Dimensional Nutritional Positioning System, the brand leads the next evolution in the nutricosmetic industry, setting a new standard for precision anti-aging. This approach moves beyond superficial skincare and aims for a more holistic rejuvenation, with a focus on scientific rigor, Nobel Prize collaborations, and real-world clinical validation. For more details, visit 180 the concept Official Website: Media Contact Company Name: Globalnewsonline Contact Person: Hysan Jiang Email: Send Email Country: United States Website:
Jordan Times
08-03-2025
- Science
- Jordan Times
Human ancestors making 'bone tech' 1.5 million years ago, say scientists
Bone tools found in Olduvai, photographed in the Pleistocene Archaeology Lab of CSIC (Photo of CSIC) PARIS — Our ancestors were making tools out of bones 1.5 million years ago, winding back the clock for this important moment in human evolution by more than a million years, a study said on Wednesday. Ancient humans -- also called hominins -- such as the robust Australopithecus are known to have used fragments of bones to dig up tubers from termite mounds. Even today our closest living relative, chimpanzees, use sticks in a similar way to dig out termites for a tasty treat. And more than 2 million years ago, hominins were using crude stone tools in Tanzania's Olduvai Gorge, one of the world's most important prehistoric sites. But there were no known examples of anyone systematically making bone tools more than 500,000 years ago -- until now. At Olduvai, a Spanish-led team of researchers found 27 tools made out of the leg and arm bones of big mammals, mainly elephants and hippos. The discovery "sheds new light on the almost unknown world of early hominin bone technology," they wrote in a study in the journal Nature. To the untrained eye, the tools might seem like random bits of bone. But for the researchers, they are proof of the remarkable cognitive abilities of our distant ancestors, showing they were capable of choosing the appropriate material and fashioning it for their needs. "There is a clear desire to change the shape of the bone to turn them into very heavy, long tools," Francesco d'Errico, an archaeologist at France's Bordeaux University and study co-author, told AFP. The unknown hominins used rocks as hammers to shape the bones. The resulting tools ranged from 20 to 40 centimetres long, some weighing up to a kilograme. "In some cases there are even notches in the middle of the bone, possibly so they could hold it better in their hands," d'Errico said. The big, pointy tools are thought to have been used to butcher the carcasses of large animals. From axes to needles At the time, stone tools were being made in a far more rudimentary manner. Very few large stone tools have been found at Olduvai, d'Errico said, possibly because the quartz available at the site was not well-suited to the difficult job of cutting up big animals. It was the Acheulean culture, which was emerging in Africa at around the same time, that first cut stones into hand axes, also called bifaces. This invention represented a major advance, making it possible for ancient humans to properly slice or skin their prey. "The hypothesis of the study is that the bone-cutting at Olduvai is an original invention, during a moment of transition to bifaces," d'Errico said. According to this theory, the bone techniques developed at Olduvai disappeared from the planet for a million years. It would eventually reappear in places such as the area of modern-day Rome, where a lack of good big rocks spurred hominins to carve elephant bones into hand axes. It is also possible that the techniques continued throughout the years "but these bones have not been properly identified in other archaeological sites", d'Errico said. As the human line evolved, so did the sophistication of the tools we carved out of bone. For example, the first needles with eyes were made from bone in China and Siberia, only arriving in Europe around 26,000 years ago, d'Errico said. But that is another "very long story", he added.
