Latest news with #NeilHenderson
NZ Herald
06-07-2025
- Science
- NZ Herald
Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland's night sky
They don't screech or suck blood. But they do sing. Tiny and elusive, New Zealand's long-tailed bat is the country's only native land mammal, and it's critically endangered. 'Bats get a bad rap,' said Neil Henderson, a conservationist with Kaipātiki Project. 'People lump them in with pests like rats, but they're actually one of our most extraordinary native species.' He should know. Henderson used to frequently drive more than 100km just to check a battery in a bat recorder. That's changed thanks to solar power and support from Meridian's Community Decarbonisation Fund, an initiative helping local organisations cut emissions. 'We'd go all that way just to check a card or swap out batteries,' he said. 'Now with solar, I've had monitors out for four months straight. I just pop by, switch the card and leave them running.' The fund has helped Kaipātiki Project set up 10 solar-powered audio bat recorders across northwest Auckland, including sites in Riverhead, Paremoremo and the Upper Harbour area. The result is less travel, no single use batteries, and richer, longer-term data with a much smaller carbon footprint. 'We're a lean, resourceful NGO fueled by passion and purpose,' Henderson said. 'Saving time, petrol and batteries is huge for us.' Since 2022, Meridian's fund has invested nearly $3 million in community projects like this – from solar panels to EVs to creative, low-emission tech that supports biodiversity. But the Kaipātiki Project was an unusual one, Henderson said. 'They're used to putting solar on sheds. But I think they liked the novelty of it.' Despite rapid urban development, long-tailed bats or pekapeka are still gliding through pine forests, farm gullies and stream corridors. Some fly at speeds of 60km/h, covering several kilometres each night. Most people never notice them. 'They're incredible,' he said. 'Tiny things, not much bigger than a monarch butterfly. They live 28 years, eat everything from mosquitoes to mayflies, and they even sing.' He's recorded them gathering under a single tree, mid-hunt, 'like it's a bar,' all chattering away. They're also turning up in unexpected places. 'A 92-year-old farmer laughed when I asked to put a recorder on his land. He said, 'I've lived here my whole life. Never seen a bat.' Turned out he had plenty.' The project's long-term goal is to locate maternity roosts – old trees where pregnant female bats cluster together in summer to raise their young. 'These bats might only have one pup a year,' Henderson said. 'If we can find and protect those trees from rats, possums and feral cats, we're giving them a real chance.' And because the solar monitors require almost no maintenance, they make long-term tracking possible – not just for scientists, but for citizen volunteers too. Many start with no experience, just curiosity and a willingness to learn. But it's that steady commitment over time that helps build a clearer picture of where bats live, feed and breed. 'We've got so many older volunteers with time and energy. If I can say, 'Hang this up, check it now and then, no batteries needed,' it becomes something they can do. That's the buzz.' Kaipātiki Project is more than a bush group. Based at the edge of Eskdale Reserve in Auckland North, it's a thriving EcoHub where ecology meets mātauranga Māori. The group runs programmes in native plant propagation, food resilience, glowworm monitoring and zero-waste education. 'We want people to really see what's around them,' he said. 'COVID forced people into their local parks. For some, it was the first time they noticed the trees.' That reconnection is what Kaipātiki Project hopes to nurture. 'Our job is bringing nature back to people, and people back to nature.' For Henderson, the true win is when curiosity turns into care. 'When someone takes a recorder home and starts asking the right questions? That's when I know something's clicked.' To him, climate action isn't just about cutting emissions. It's about paying attention to what we're protecting. 'Don't just go out and kill a bunch of rats and call it conservation,' he said. 'Ask: are the birds coming back? Are the bats staying? If we measure it, we can protect it.' Solar-powered bat monitors might not sound revolutionary. But for Kaipātiki Project, and for the bats flying quietly through Auckland's twilight, they're helping light the way. To explore Kaipātiki Project's community work and environmental programmes, visit
Scotsman
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Double backing boost for 125th Dispatch Trophy
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Milestone edition of popular team tournament at Braids takes place next month Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The 125th Edinburgh Evening News Dispatch Trophy has been handed a double boost ahead of next month's event at the Braids. It has come in the shape of welcome sponsorship from the Braid Hills Golf Centre and North Berwick-based Golf Finance. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The popular team tournament was first held in 1890 and has taken place every year apart from during the First and Second World Wars and then for two years during the Covid pandemic. Braid Hills Golf Centre and Golf Finance are both backing the 125th Edinburgh Evening News Dispatch Trophy | National World 'The Dispatch Trophy is one of the most historic events in Scottish golf and its double foursome format on the Braids always makes for an exciting week,' said Ian Young, part of the Braid Hills Golf Centre team. 'The Braid Hills Golf Centre has supported the event in the past and some of the players who compete in the Dispatch Trophy use our Trackman technology, which has been a game-changer for our range.' Golf Finance is owned by two keen golfers in Neil Henderson, the current Edinburgh & East of Scotland Alliance champion, and Malcolm Pennycott. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Malcolm has played in the Dispatch Trophy himself while I have always kept a close eye on it when the tournament is taking place,' said Henderson. 'It is a terrific event and we are delighted to be playing a part in helping to make the 125th edition a special occasion at the Braids.' Every player participating in this year's event will receive a commemorative bag tag while Scottish Golf vouchers will be awarded to the winners, runners-up and beaten semi-finalists. In addition to the trophy, which is widely regarded as one of the best in golf, a special flag will also be presented to the winning team along with the customary medals. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Taking place on 17, 20, 22 and 24 May, Duddingston will be aiming to make it three wins in a row after picking up the trophy at the first time of asking in 2023 then making a successful defence in 2024. The entry fee is £85 and the closing date is Wednesday, May 7. Fill in the entry form here
Forbes
02-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Why AI-Powered Navigation Offers A New Future For Web Browsing
Neil Henderson is CEO of Shift, a power browser that integrates everything you do on the internet into one seamless experience. getty For years, the web browser has been the gateway to the internet, a tool primarily used for searching and exploring an endless digital landscape. But consumer behavior is rapidly evolving, and the way we interact with browsers is undergoing a fundamental shift. Today, people aren't just opening their browsers to search—they're using them as centers for work, communication and entertainment. Instead of relying solely on search engines, consumers are increasingly engaging with the internet through dedicated apps that provide direct access to their favorite services, whether it's streaming on Spotify, collaborating on Slack or watching content on Netflix. My company provides a browser for everything done on the internet, and I've seen firsthand how browsers themselves have become more than just portals. They now serve as highly personalized workspaces, juggling email accounts, bookmarks, extensions, and saved preferences and passwords that bridge personal and professional lives. Here's how AI is impacting web browsing and what developers need to know to offer innovative solutions designed for the future. The transition of browsers from search to apps to agents is accelerating alongside the rise of AI-driven technology. It's clear now that the future of browsing won't just be about where users go—it will be about how seamlessly they get there. While the integration of AI into browsing experiences has started to emerge through features like context-aware search and navigation, as well as predictive loading, I believe it will soon drive personalized content curation, enhanced accessibility and multimedia analysis. AI-powered assistants are beginning to take on tasks that once required direct human input from end to end. OpenAI's Operator tool, for instance, showcases the potential of AI agents that can interact with a browser on a user's behalf, automating complex workflows and boosting efficiency. Operator can autonomously book restaurant reservations, order groceries, and research and book flights, freeing up time for users to do something else. As an AI assistant's capabilities increase, it signals a future where AI will likely become integrated into the way users browse the internet, manage tabs, complete transactions and even navigate content based on learned preferences. We're also starting to see changes in the search experience itself. Whether users are searching on mobile or web, typical search results are being replaced by AI summaries or overviews at the top, while sponsored ads and search results appear below these summaries. While traditional search has typically provided results to queries and questions, searching the web today yields direct answers to the specific questions users pose. However, as with any new technology, we must be cognizant of AI's accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness when it comes to accepting and sharing the information provided. While consumers are navigating new and different ways of using browsers, the competition between browser developers is driving constant innovation. In order for your company to differentiate itself, you need to create a product that vastly improves the way people use the internet, and that means understanding the biggest priorities and pain points that people face. Some of the top features that developers are working on now include enhanced security, improved privacy controls and faster performance, which are all shaping the future of browsing experiences. Users demand efficiency and convenience, so your offering has to be far more dynamic, intelligent and collaborative than traditional browsing. Companies need to prioritize creating a seamless digital experience that meets users' needs. One of the most important aspects for browser developers to consider when designing and updating products is that not all browsing is created equal. Gather user research by talking to power users who are online all day for work, likely multitasking across different tasks, and also users who are usually online for personal use, including watching streaming services, listening to music, shopping and checking email. I'd also recommend testing ways to allow for more personalized browsing experiences, including the product's adaptability and accessibility levels. The most innovative solutions will result from having a diverse team with different perspectives, backgrounds and experiences working together to enhance security and performance. Integrating intelligent AI could shape the next generation of browsing experiences. Looking ahead, one thing is certain: The future of web browsing will be about technology streamlining users' digital lives, and making the internet feel more intuitive than ever before. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Forth Tx Launches With Backing From Sofinnova Partners to Revolutionize Fibrosis Treatments
Cutting-edge research from Professor Neil Henderson at the University of Edinburgh Led by CEO Alex Leech, Partner at Sofinnova Partners Created through Sofinnova's €165M Biovelocita II, biotech fund EDINBURGH, Scotland & CAMBRIDGE, England, March 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Forth Therapeutics (Forth Tx), a biotechnology company advancing next-generation precision therapeutics for fibrosis, launches today with backing from Sofinnova Partners, a leading European life sciences venture capital firm, alongside Old College Capital (OCC), the University of Edinburgh's in-house venture investment fund. Headquartered in Edinburgh and Cambridge, Forth Tx builds on pioneering research from Professor Neil Henderson, a world-renowned fibrosis and tissue regeneration expert. The company spun out of the University of Edinburgh and is led by CEO Alex Leech, a serial entrepreneur and Partner at Sofinnova Partners, who brings decades of company-building expertise. The company's precision therapeutics platform focuses on tackling fibrosis across multiple organ systems. Its portfolio includes three assets targeting key fibrosis pathways, underpinned by state-of-the-art omics technology. The company also holds access to one of the largest single-cell human liver disease datasets in the world, accelerating precision drug discovery and development. With Sofinnova's €165M Biovelocita II fund, Forth Tx is poised for rapid growth, leveraging world-class expertise in translational medicine and biotechnology, from the vibrant research hubs of Edinburgh and Cambridge. Professor Henderson, Chair of Tissue Repair and Regeneration at the University of Edinburgh, said: "Launching Forth Tx through Sofinnova's biotech accelerator has allowed us to translate years of our multiomics-driven research into precision therapies that we hope will transform patients' lives. Fibrosis is an area of huge unmet medical need, and I'm delighted to be working with Alex and the Sofinnova team, as well as OCC, to deliver potent, new treatments for patients with fibrosis." Alex Leech, CEO of Forth Tx and Partner at Sofinnova Partners, added: "Forth Tx is breaking new ground in fibrosis therapeutics, combining world-class science with a capital-efficient, precision driven approach. I'm excited to be working with Neil and the University of Edinburgh team on this mission." Forth Tx is set to lead the way in fibrosis research and anti-fibrotic therapeutic design, harnessing next-generation, precision-driven approaches that promise to change the treatment landscape. About Forth Therapeutics Forth Therapeutics (Forth Tx) is a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing precision treatments for fibrosis. The company combines multi-omic insights, unrivalled access to data, and targeted therapies to address major unmet medical needs in fibrosis. Spun out of the University of Edinburgh and backed by Sofinnova Partners, Forth Tx is on a mission to bring transformative therapies to patients worldwide. For more information, please visit: About Sofinnova Partners Sofinnova Partners is a leading European venture capital firm in life sciences, specializing in healthcare and sustainability. Based in Paris, London and Milan, the firm brings together a team of professionals from all over the world with strong scientific, medical and business expertise. Sofinnova Partners is a hands-on company builder across the entire value chain of life sciences investments, from seed to later-stage. Founded in 1972, Sofinnova Partners is a deeply established venture capital firm in Europe, with 50 years of experience backing over 500 companies and creating market leaders around the globe. Today, Sofinnova Partners manages over €4 billion in assets. For more information, please visit: About Old College Capital Old College Capital (OCC) is the University of Edinburgh's venture investment fund. OCC manages Edinburgh's early-stage investment activities and shareholdings; supporting exciting ideas and technologies emerging from the University. OCC is part of Edinburgh Innovations, the University of Edinburgh's commercialisation service. View source version on Contacts Forth Tx Alex Leech Chief Executive Officeraleech@ Sofinnova Partners Bommy Lee Head of Communicationsblee@ +33 (0) 6 47 71 38 11 Sign in to access your portfolio
