Latest news with #MikeStone
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Harvard's US-funded defense projects totaled $180 million in recent years, study shows
By Mike Stone WASHINGTON (Reuters) -When the Trump administration cut federal funding to Harvard University, it abruptly ended an estimated $180 million that the federal government had poured into U.S. military projects at Harvard in recent years, according to an analysis from a defense software company. The Trump administration announced in April that it was moving to freeze $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard University. President Donald Trump said he was trying to force change at Harvard - and other top-level universities across the U.S. - because in his view they have been captured by leftist "woke" thought and become bastions of antisemitism. Some of the grants paid for military-specific medical research, studies on countering weapons of mass destruction and research on lasers, among numerous other topics, Reuters found. The abrupt halt stopped years-long projects and upended programs spread across several universities, not just Harvard. In 2025 alone, an estimated 103 grants totaling about $14 million will grind to a halt, according to an analysis by Govini, a defense software company. For example, U.S. officials ended Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Professor Katia Bertoldi's $6 million Pentagon-funded project developing shape-changing structures with military applications two weeks ago, despite being at a critical juncture in its research cycle. "We've been in year three, so we set up all the tools, and now we're really gaining momentum, and now it stops," Bertoldi said. Funded through the Department of Defense's Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative, she was developing technology based on origami that would lead to reconfigurable antennas, and deployable shelters like field hospitals. Since 2020 the Pentagon, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and every branch of the U.S. military have given Harvard 418 grants valued at $180 million, according to the analysis by Govini. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth "directed the termination of several programs, contracts and grants that were not aligned with the Department's priorities to cut wasteful spending, implement the President's orders, and reallocate savings to mission-critical priorities," a Pentagon spokesperson told Reuters. The bulk of those grants went to military medical research, basic scientific research and applied scientific research, Govini found, with the Army providing the most funding. The administration has frozen approximately $3 billion in federal grants to Harvard, with Trump complaining on Truth Social that Harvard has hired "Democrats, Radical Left idiots and 'bird brains'" as professors. On Monday, Trump said he is considering redirecting billions of dollars of previously awarded scientific and engineering research grants from Harvard to trade schools. Harvard has sued to restore the funding, calling the cuts an unconstitutional attack on its free-speech rights. The research cancellations affect extensive collaborative networks. Bertoldi's project included researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Georgia Tech. Scientists warn these cuts may have strategic implications as China has heavily invested in research. Bertoldi said, "In China, as far as I know, colleagues that moved back to China, there's a lot of support for this type of research."
CBC
26-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Is Trump's 'Golden Dome' more fantasy than reality?
Donald Trump's 'Golden Dome' is a proposed defense program that will feature the use of space lasers, satellites and interceptors designed to provide 24/7 space based defence. It's advertised as a bulwark against missiles and nuclear attacks from the likes of China, North Korea and Russia. Mike Stone is a Reuters reporter covering the U.S. arms trade and defense industry and joins the show to discuss Donald Trump's trillion dollar sci-fi inspired project, Canada's potential involvement, and its implications for the global arms race.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump selects $175 billion Golden Dome defense shield design, appoints leader
By Mike Stone and Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he had selected a design for the $175-billion Golden Dome missile defense shield and named a Space Force general to head the ambitious program aimed at blocking threats from China and Russia. The program, first ordered by Trump in January, aims to create a network of satellites, perhaps numbering in the hundreds, to detect, track and potentially intercept incoming missiles. Trump told a White House press conference that U.S. Space Force General Michael Guetlein would be the lead program manager for an effort widely viewed as the keystone to Trump's military planning. Golden Dome will "protect our homeland," Trump said, adding that Canada had said it wanted to be part of it. In a statement, the office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he and his ministers were discussing a new security and economic relationship with their American counterparts. "These discussions naturally include strengthening NORAD and related initiatives such as the Golden Dome," it added. Trump said the defense shield, which would cost some $175 billion, should be operational by the end of his term in January 2029, but industry experts were less certain of that timeframe and the cost. "Ronald Reagan wanted it many years ago, but they didn't have the technology," Trump said, referring to the space-based missile defense system, popularly called "Star Wars", that Reagan proposed. The Golden Dome program faces both political scrutiny and funding uncertainty. "The new datapoint is the $175 billion, but the question remains, over what period of time. It's probably 10 years," said Tom Karako of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Silicon Valley and U.S. software expertise can be leveraged to bring advances, while also using existing missile defense systems, he added. This month, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that Golden Dome could cost as much as $831 billion over two decades. Democratic lawmakers have voiced concern about the procurement process and involvement of Trump ally Elon Musk's SpaceX, which has emerged as a frontrunner alongside Palantir and Anduril to build key components of the system. "The new autonomous space-age defense ecosystem is more about Silicon Valley than it is about 'big metal,'" Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota said at the White House event. "So what's exciting about this is it makes it available to everybody to participate, to compete." "Big metal" refers to legacy defense contractors. The Golden Dome idea was inspired by Israel's land-based Iron Dome defense shield that protects it from missiles and rockets. Trump's Golden Dome is much more extensive, including a massive array of surveillance satellites and a separate fleet of attacking satellites that would shoot down offensive missiles soon after lift-off. Tuesday's announcement kicks off the Pentagon's effort to test and ultimately buy the missiles, systems, sensors and satellites that will constitute Golden Dome. Trump said Alaska would be a big part of the program, while Florida, Georgia and Indiana would also benefit. Many of the early systems are expected to come from existing production lines. Attendees at the press conference named L3Harris Technologies, Lockheed Martin and RTX Corp as potential contractors for the massive project. L3 has invested $150 million in building out its new facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where it makes the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor satellites that are part of a Pentagon effort to better detect and track hypersonic weapons with space-based sensors and could be adapted for Golden Dome. Golden Dome's funding remains uncertain. Republican lawmakers have proposed a $25-billion initial investment for Golden Dome as part of a broader $150-billion defense package, but this funding is tied to a contentious reconciliation bill that faces significant hurdles in Congress. "Unless reconciliation passes, the funds for Golden Dome may not materialize," said an industry executive following the program, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "This puts the entire project timeline in jeopardy." Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump to make Golden Dome announcement on Tuesday, US official says
By Mike Stone WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump is expected to announce he has selected the path forward for his ambitious Golden Dome missile defense shield, a U.S. official said on Tuesday. Trump plans to make a 3 p.m. (1900 GMT) announcement in the Oval Office with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the White House said in an update to the president's schedule. The Vice Chief of Space Operations, United States Space Force General Michael Guetlein is expected to be at the event where the official, who declined to be named, said that it is likely he will be named as the lead on the project. Golden Dome is estimated to cost tens of billions of dollars and take years to implement, as the controversial program faces both political scrutiny and funding uncertainty.
Los Angeles Times
15-05-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
What Is Wearable Resistance? The Fitness Trend That Makes Every Move a Workout
LA Times Studios may earn commission from purchases made through our links. If the words 'wearable resistance' conjure images of ankle weights from early '90s home workouts, you're not wrong, but you're not quite right either. Today's version is smarter, sleeker, and backed by science. Think of it as resistance training that goes incognito: strategically placed micro-loads that you can wear as you walk, train, or even stand at your desk. 'Wearable resistance is essentially the practice of adding load to the body during movement to increase mechanical and metabolic demand,' explains Dr. Mike Stone, MD, a performance-focused physician who integrates resistance strategies into patient protocols. Stone says wearable resistance covers a spectrum from traditional methods like rucking to newer, lighter approaches like OMORPHO, 'which distribute small amounts of weight across the torso and limbs,' Dr. Stone explains. OMORPHO is a line of gravity sportswear that incorporates evenly distributed resistance into form-fitting athletic wear— think minimalist vests and compression gear with micro-weights embedded throughout. It's designed to elevate your training without restricting movement or requiring additional equipment. The concept isn't new. Soldiers have used trucking (carrying weighted packs) to build stamina and resilience for decades. What's new is the precision with which we can now apply resistance in daily life, turning even a stroll with your dog into a muscle- and metabolism-boosting activity. Another example? Bala Bangles, an influencer-favorite, these one- to two-pound bangles add subtle resistance without disrupting flow. Lightweight and design-forward, they're ideal for anyone wanting to ease into wearable resistance without feeling like they're suiting up for boot camp. Wearable resistance spans everything from vests and ankle weights to cutting-edge gear like OMORPHO's gravity sportswear. What sets it apart from traditional dumbbells or resistance bands is that it moves with your body. You don't have to carve out time for it, your daily activities become your workout. Traditional trucking (carrying 20–40% of your body weight in a backpack) is a proven way to build cardiovascular endurance, leg strength, and even improve bone density. But it's not for everyone. 'Not everyone wants to look like they're heading to basic training,' Stone points out. 'Lightweight wearable resistance allows people to add 1–5% of their body weight in a way that's sleek, safe, and compatible with modern movement like warming up for a tennis match or doing agility drills.' If precision medicine is about delivering the right treatment at the right time to the right person, wearable resistance is its fitness counterpart. 'We're able to personalize load, duration, and movement type based on each individual's goals, risk factors, and biomarker profile,' says Stone. That means someone with early-stage bone loss might wear a 20-lb vest during walks to stimulate bone growth, while someone optimizing metabolic flexibility might wear lighter resistance during a run. In a world of generic workout plans, this is the hyper-personalization your body's been waiting for. You don't need to change your life to change your fitness. 'One of the biggest advantages is that it requires zero additional time,' Stone explains. 'With lighter wearables, clients can integrate load into sports training, grocery runs, or even standing desk time.' The result? More 'mechanical minutes' — subtle, accumulative strength and endurance gains that don't require a separate workout. Studies back it up. According to a 2022 study, mechanical loading helps stimulate pathways that improve metabolism and muscle function. Another study notes that wearable weights can improve VO2 max, cardiovascular health, and muscular endurance. 'For longevity, metabolic health, and mobility, wearable resistance hits multiple pathways,' says Stone. 'We've seen improvements in grip strength, muscle mass, resting metabolic rate, and HRV, often without adding a formal 'workout.'' According to Stone, the results are measurable: One study even found that wearable resistance during aerobic training enhanced endurance and strength without compromising joint health. The key is matching the load to your body and goals. 'A 40-lb ruck on someone with chronic back pain is a perfect recipe for injury,' Stone warns. 'Even with lighter resistance, alignment matters. I usually recommend starting with 1–2% of body weight, especially during dynamic movements.' Wearable resistance isn't one-size-fits-all. Begin conservatively and build gradually. Improper use can affect breathing, posture, or joint function, especially with heavier vests. Stone doesn't just recommend wearable resistance, he uses it. 'I rotate between both ends of the spectrum,' he says. 'I'll use a 45-lb ruck on hikes when I want a strength-aerobic blend, and I'll throw on lighter resistance during running drills or warmups.' It's not just about gains. For Stone, it's about efficiency: 'As someone balancing a full clinical load, family, and travel, that's super important to me.' 'I have a 62-year-old client with insulin resistance and osteopenia who began walking daily with a 20-lb vest,' Stone shares. 'Over six months, we saw improved fasting glucose, reversal of osteopenia, and lean mass gains.' Another client in their 40s added OMORPHO to tennis drills and runs. 'We saw improved VO2 max, better HRV, and stronger performance in interval sessions.' The common thread? Measurable results from simple, sustainable adjustments. Start with context, not gear. 'Movement is one of the best medicines,' says Stone, 'but it's important to get the dose right. Start light, stay consistent, and adjust based on data.' Wearable resistance is more than a trend. It's a recalibration of how we train, walk, and live. And with options that range from heavy-duty hikes to subtle gear you can wear under your clothes, it's never been easier to make your movement work harder for you. As Stone puts it, 'We're always looking for ways to increase the return on effort. Wearable resistance helps us do just that, without needing more hours in the day.' Click here to learn more about OMORPHO
