Latest news with #SPARK
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Enactus Morocco's SIF 2025: Youth-Driven Innovation Lights the Way to a Greener Future
Casablanca – A spark in Casablanca this week, and it's not just from the July sun. It's the spark of a new generation of young Moroccans turning sustainable ideas into powerful realities. At the Grand Mogador Hotel on Wednesday, the semi-finals of the 6th edition of the Sustainable Innovation Fest (SIF) unfolded with sharp ambition, entrepreneurial fire, and a promise: Morocco's future is not waiting, it's building. The event , organized by Enactus Morocco in partnership with SPARK as part of the EU-funded Green Forward initiative, gathered students from across the kingdom, 12 finalist teams out of 145 clubs, to compete for a chance to represent Morocco at the Enactus World Cup in Thailand. A marriage of vision and action to inspire change From the hotel lobby to the conference hall, the air was alive. Young entrepreneurs networked, practiced pitches, and swapped ideas, while inside, juries were briefed on their mission. The MC laid it out plainly: 'Innovation is not invention, it's action. Judge not just what was said, but what was done and what will surely be done.' He reminded jurors that Enactus doesn't interfere in projects but fosters growth through guidance. 'Be direct. Be fair. Push them to become great leaders.' And greatness followed. In League 1, FST Mohammedia opened with a vision to tackle student housing challenges through a three-pronged innovation: 'Aji Nkriw,' an affordable housing solution, 'CoTalib,' a student-centered consulting service, and 'NutriVital,' a line of sustainable snacks and eco-bags for youth. FP Larache followed with a powerful initiative: 'Tijwal,' a tourism platform reconnecting rural Morocco with visibility and economic opportunity. Their second project increased the market value of Moroccan salt production, raising prices from 1,000 MAD/ton ($100/ton) to 2,500 MAD/ton ($250/ton), and from 2.5 MAD/kg ($0.25/kg) to 92 MAD/kg ($9/kg), to benefit local craftsmen. But the spotlight belonged to ENSA Tangier, whose seamless presentation highlighted four distinct projects. From transforming textile waste into new crafts and upcycling fig leaves and flowers into teas, to a mental health platform rooted in social inclusion, the team embodied cross-sectoral sustainability, from circular economy to psychology. From the audience, students expressed admiration. 'Each team had a unique energy,' Yasmin, a Moroccan high schooler, told Morocco World News. 'The passion, the synergy, the presentations… unforgettable.' Her friend Marwa agreed: 'The way they pushed each other, the public speaking, it was beautiful to watch.' A Saudi college student in attendance echoed the sentiment: 'The organization was amazing. I was particularly inspired by the team tackling water pollution and the other pushing for economic growth in rural areas by supporting small companies there.' After a lunch break, the festival's tone shifted to reflection and collaboration with the Agora de l'Innovation, a cozy space designed for connection. Couches, stands of former Enactus projects, game stations, and a DJ playing in the background made it feel more like a campus than a competition. But in the heart of the room, critical conversations were taking place. Three roundtables focused on green tech, carbon footprint reduction, and seizing sustainability opportunities. 'Don't wait to be told what to do' The Agora's keynote came from Saad Abid, founder of Bahri Association, who delivered an emotional and action-driven speech. He began with the story of Mouad, a young boy who died after stepping on a tuna can at the beach, 'A victim of our pollution, our carelessness,' Saad expressed. He then challenged the youth in the room: 'Don't wait to be told what to do. Push for teaching kids to vote and take initiative in any way. Build Morocco. Build Moroccans.' 'Over 27 million people will die by 2050 due to climate change, and nearly a billion will be displaced,' warned Saad Abid. 'We must fight climate injustice, and stand for humanitarian causes like the Palestinian struggle. Build Morocco. Build Moroccans.' With those words, he ignited a room full of young changemakers. In a Q&A, Saad told MWN: 'Choose a field you love. Do it for free. For a cause. Keep doing it. Let your added value grow into purpose.' He closed with: 'Even if you fail, try. Even if they punch you in the face. Just start. Do it with intention. Be so great, others around you become great.' Gen Z's quest: clean and impactful Later, Jihane Maklouki, Marketing and Communications Head at Flormar, brought a corporate lens to sustainability in her speech. 'Gen Z is a clean generation,' she said. 'They look for clean products, clean lives, and clean impact. When we launched our limited edition green collection, it resonated so much we had to make it permanent.' Her advice? 'Be a change ambassador. Represent the change. Inspire the change.' As the event wrapped up with a live podcast and final roundtables, one thing was certain, this event wasn't only about the competition, it was rather a greater movement. As one participant from Enactus FSJES Ain Chok told MWN: 'I truly don't see this as a normal competition , it's one that pushes me to grow and develop my entrepreneurial spirit. Enactus taught me to believe in my ideas, my self-worth, and what I can do for society.' SIF 2025 is a stage for solutions. A classroom for collaboration. And a mirror reflecting a new Morocco led by the very people shaping it.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Major study on autism uncovers four distinct subtypes, 'transforming' diagnosis and treatment
Researchers have uncovered four distinct types of autism, each with its own genetic fingerprint, which could unlock the mystery of what causes the condition and how it can be treated. A team at Princeton University and the Simons Foundation analyzed 5,000 children in SPARK, the most extensive autism research study in the country. They recorded their traits and separated the children into groups based on their behaviors. They examined more than 230 behavioral and developmental traits—from social interactions to repetitive behaviors—and created four subtypes of autism: Social and Behavioral Challenges; Mixed Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with Developmental Delay; Moderate Challenges; and Broadly Affected. Then, they compared the subtypes with each child's genetic profile, comparing patterns between the categories. Researchers looked for mutations that were inherited from parents, damaged mutations that were not inherited, and gene activity patterns. Scientists once believed autism's genetic roots were prenatal, but the study found DNA glitches can determine subtypes before or after a child is born, and autism subtypes differ in the timing of genetic switches, which guide distinct stages of development. Aviya Litman, a PhD student at Princeton University and co-lead author, said: 'These findings are powerful because the classes represent different clinical presentations and outcomes, and critically, we were able to connect them to distinct underlying biology.' Researchers have determined that common gene variants account for only around 20 percent of ASD diagnoses, leaving the remaining 80 percent to a complex interplay of environmental factors, modifications to DNA that regulate gene expression, and gene-environment interactions that scientists still don't fully understand. Their findings unlock opportunities for parents to better understand their children and guide them through milestones with the proper treatment, such as occupational therapy. They could also usher in new targeted gene therapies for people severely disabled by autism. To analyze data from the 5,000 children, researchers used a computational model to group children together based on a combination of over 230 different traits an individual could have, such as repetitive behaviors, sound sensitivity, gross motor delays, and aversion to certain textures. This resulted in the creation of four subtypes, which the researchers linked to unique genetic profiles and developmental trajectories. Natalie Sauerwald, associate research scientist at the Flatiron Institute and co-lead author, said: 'What we're seeing is not just one biological story of autism, but multiple distinct narratives. 'This helps explain why past genetic studies often fell short — it was like trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle without realizing we were actually looking at multiple different puzzles mixed together.' Children in the Social and Behavioral Challenges group (37 percent of the children in the study) display classic autism traits, including social difficulties and repetitive behaviors, yet still meet developmental milestones on time. Their high rate of co-occurring mental health conditions sets this subtype apart. ADHD, anxiety, depression, or OCD frequently appear alongside their ASD diagnosis. These unseen challenges often dominate children's needs. The fact that they're still able to hit developmental milestones on schedule may explain why so many children with this subtype are not diagnosed until they begin to have more social demands in school age. Those in the Mixed ASD with Developmental Delay group (19 percent) tend to lag behind their neurotypical peers in hitting key milestones, including first words and walking. Still, they do not show signs of anxiety, depression, or disruptive behavior that are more common in other subtypes. The 'mixed' label reflects their variability in core autism traits—some have severe social challenges but mild repetitive behaviors, while others show the opposite pattern. Only the Mixed ASD with Developmental Delay group was more likely to carry rare inherited genetic variants. Children with the Moderate Challenges subtype (34 percent) represent those with the mildest form of the disorder and exhibit more subdued core traits of autism while hitting milestones generally on time. Importantly, these children lack the psychological difficulties that children in the first subtype exhibit, which suggests that they may need less long-term care, such as medication and therapy. The Broadly Affected group is the most severely impacted by the disorder and represents 10 percent of the children in the study. They face a myriad of challenges, including developmental delays, social and communication difficulties, repetitive behaviors, and co-occurring psychiatric conditions like anxiety, depression, and mood dysregulation. They're also more likely to carry damaging gene mutations that they did not inherit from their parents. Other types had different genetic underpinnings. 'These findings point to specific hypotheses linking various pathways to different presentations of autism,' Dr Litman said, referring to differences in biology between children with different autism subtypes. An estimated 2.3 million children and 7million adults in the US have ASD. Diagnoses are becoming more common by the year. According to the CDC, around one in 150 children were diagnosed with ASD in 2000. By 2020, that figure ballooned to one in 36. A 2024 analysis of electronic health records for more than 12.2 million Americans found that diagnoses increased by approximately 175 percent over 11 years. Public health experts, pediatricians, and child psychologists posit that the spike in diagnoses is due to broader acceptance of autistic and neurodivergent people and better screening in children. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has made identifying the cause of autism and reasons for its increased prevalence a hallmark initiative. He cites chemicals, diet and environmental toxins as possible causes of the increase. Senior study author Olga Troyanskaya, director of the Princeton Precision Health and Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, said: 'Understanding the genetics of autism is essential for revealing the biological mechanisms that contribute to the condition, enabling earlier and more accurate diagnosis, and guiding personalized care.'
Axios
5 days ago
- Health
- Axios
Researchers identify four distinct types of autism
There are four distinct varieties of autism, each linked to unique genetic profiles — a discovery that could offer new insights into the neurodevelopmental condition, according to a new study in Nature Genetics. Why it matters: The findings come as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy is pushing federal efforts to identify an " environmental" cause for increased autism incidence by September. Driving the news: A Princeton-led research team examined data from more than 5,000 children in SPARK, an autism cohort study funded by the Simons Foundation. After analyzing more than 230 traits including social interactions and repetitive behaviors, they identified four subtypes: "social and behavioral challenges," "mixed ASD with developmental delay," "moderate challenges" and "broadly affected." They then linked the subtypes to distinct genetic mutations, identifying divergent biological processes in each. For example, children in the "broadly affected" group showed the highest proportion of mutations not inherited from either parent, while the "mixed ASD with developmental delay" group was more likely to carry rare inherited genetic variants. Autism is known to be highly heritable, with many implicated genes. But the researchers said standard genetic testing only explains about 20% of cases. What they're saying:"What we're seeing is not just one biological story of autism, but multiple distinct narratives," said Natalie Sauerwald, associate research scientist at the Flatiron Institute and co-lead author, in a statement.
Zawya
30-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Grade A warehousing demand surging as Saudi Arabia's economy expands
Saudi Arabia's logistics and warehousing sector is expanding at a rapid pace, propelled by a growing e-commerce market and rising need for Grade A warehousing, according to global real estate consultancy JLL. Among the key growth enablers are the Kingdom's industrial and logistics sectors located in special economic zones (SEZs) and industrial hubs in prime locations. Currently, 36 industrial cities offer ready-to-use facilities, including factories and storage units. Meanwhile, incentives and tax breaks at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), King Salman Energy Park (SPARK), and Jazan Economic City (JEC) are driving investment and innovation. The logistics and industrial real estate market is gaining ground due to the Kingdom's position as the largest e-commerce market in the GCC, supported by high internet access (97 percent), a young and tech-savvy population, and a growing preference for online shopping. Modern commerce and e-commerce are expected to contribute around 80 percent to the retail sector by 2030, fueling strong demand for advanced storage solutions, fulfilment centres near consumers, and efficient last-mile distribution networks, JLL said. The construction boom in Saudi Arabia, aligned with Vision 2030, has injected $850 billion into the construction industry, creating challenges for global supply chains. In response, businesses and investors are adopting proactive strategies such as supply chain diversification, investing in local manufacturing to enhance self-sufficiency, implementing best practices to optimise inventory and minimise lead times. The National Industrial Development and Logistics Programme (NIDLP), one of Vision 2030's core pillars, aims to increase the logistics sector's GDP share from 6 percent to 10 percent by 2030, and localise 70 percent of the supply chain. (Writing by P Deol; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Campus Talk: Mumbai University launches 3 innovative masterclasses to boost start-up talent of students
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the University of Mumbai has launched three pioneering masterclasses under its innovation and incubation arm — MU IDEAS Foundation Incubation Centre — aimed at nurturing entrepreneurial talent among students. The flagship programmes — SHABARI 1.0, VASUNDHARA 1.0, and SPARK 1.0 — to be held between June and September, will institutionalise start-up education in the university with support through dedicated cohorts and capacity-building series. These masterclasses will entail hands-on exposure, expert mentorship, and structured entrepreneurial training to students. According to the university, these programmes reflect MU IDEAS' mission to 'turn student potential into structured innovation.' Sachin Laddha, former director of Innovation, Incubation and Linkages at Mumbai University, said, 'The idea behind launching these programmes stemmed from our deep interaction with students across the University of Mumbai. We realised that while there was a growing interest in entrepreneurship, there was an urgent need for structured handholding, inclusive outreach, and foundational capacity-building. Each of these programmes is conceptualized to address a specific gap — from early-stage startup grooming (SHABARI), to nurturing socially inclusive ventures (VASUNDHARA), to enabling basic startup literacy (SPARK). This will democratize innovation.' Launched as a 12-week cohort for early-stage student startups, SHABARI 1.0, which refers to 'Structured Handholding & Acceleration Bootcamp for Atmanirbhar & Resilient Innovators', is designed to transform raw ideas into viable ventures. Open to all students across Mumbai University, the programme includes expert-led masterclasses, founder toolkits, and one-on-one mentoring across four thematic areas: startup design, business planning, regulatory awareness, and pitch readiness. On successful completion, selected teams may enter formal pre-incubation at MU IDEAS. Targeted at student innovators from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Vanvasi (tribal) communities, VASUNDHARA 1.0, which stands for 'Vanvasi and SC Udyami Nurturing Development Hub for Acceleration, Resilience, and Aspiration', is a dedicated cohort promoting social entrepreneurship. The 12-week hybrid programme focuses on building startups in sectors like education, health, sustainability, and livelihood. It provides tailored mentorship, access to government schemes, and direct linkages to incubation and CSR programs, encouraging equitable innovation at the grassroots level. SPARK 1.0 or 'Startup Preparation, Acceleration, Readiness & Knowledge' is a masterclass series aimed at building entrepreneurial capacity among students new to the startup ecosystem. Covering 16 expert-led sessions between June and August 2025, it offers practical insights into startup law, funding, team-building, intellectual property, and ethics. Open to all students regardless of prior experience, SPARK also provides toolkits, mentoring windows, and digital certification upon completion. Interested students can apply through the MU IDEAS portal or contact their college's innovation cell for further details.
