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NASA has lost contact with its Maven spacecraft, which has been circling Mars for more than 10 years. The agency said Maven suddenly stopped sending signals to ground stations over the weekend. The orbiter was functioning normally before passing behind Mars, but when it emerged, controllers received no communication. Maven was launched in 2013 and arrived at Mars the following year to study the planet’s upper atmosphere and how it interacts with the solar wind. Its findings helped scientists conclude that the sun gradually stripped away much of Mars’ atmosphere, transforming it from a warm, watery planet into the cold, arid world it is today. Billionaire spacewalker again seeks Senate approval to lead NASA The spacecraft has also played a key role as a communications relay for NASA’s Curiosity and Perseverance rovers on the Martian surface. NASA said engineering teams are investigating the cause of the outage. Two other NASA orbiters remain operational around Mars: the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, in service since 2006, and Mars Odyssey, which has been operating since 2001. Source: AP 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has launched a safety review of two long-acting injectable drugs designed to protect infants and young children from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which hospitalizes thousands of American children annually. The drugs, developed by Merck and Sanofi, are not vaccines but laboratory-made antibodies that help the immune system fight RSV. The review, described by a Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spokesman as routine, comes amid broader shifts in federal childhood vaccination recommendations. The FDA said it may update product labeling if warranted by available evidence. U.S. vaccine panel recommends not giving all newborns hepatitis B shot at birth Merck and Sanofi emphasized they have not detected any new safety concerns. Merck’s injection, Enflonsia, is approved for babies before or during their first RSV season, while Sanofi’s Beyfortus has been studied in over 50 trials and administered to more than six million children worldwide. RSV typically causes mild cold-like symptoms in healthy people but can be severe for infants and older adults. The CDC previously recommended these antibody treatments for newborns during RSV season and some 8- to 19-month-olds at higher risk. Since taking office, Kennedy has replaced the CDC advisory panel and recently moved to end routine newborn hepatitis B vaccinations, sparking professional backlash. Meanwhile, the FDA continues to review vaccine safety, including COVID-19 shots, and considers updates to its longstanding approval processes. Source: AP 

A federal advisory committee voted Friday to end the longstanding recommendation that all U.S. newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine on their first day of life. The move sparked strong criticism from public health and medical experts. All current members of the committee were appointed by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was previously a prominent anti-vaccine activist. Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University vaccine expert, called the panel “a group that can’t shoot straight.” Despite the committee’s vote, several medical societies and state health departments said they would continue recommending the birth dose. Health insurers represented by AHIP also stated they will continue covering it. For decades, newborn vaccination against hepatitis B — a liver infection that can become chronic and lead to liver failure or cancer — has been a cornerstone of U.S. public health efforts. The virus can be transmitted from infected mothers to babies, as well as through sex or shared needles in adults. Japan turns to new technology as dementia cases surge The newly appointed committee recommended the birth dose only for babies whose mothers test positive for hepatitis B, or in cases where the mother’s status is unknown. For other infants, the decision would be left to parents and their doctors, with the series starting at two months if vaccination is delayed. The vote on this recommendation was 8-3. President Donald Trump called the decision “very good,” while the acting CDC director, Jim O’Neill, will decide whether to adopt it. Critics say this represents a return to a strategy abandoned more than 30 years ago. Committee member Vicky Pebsworth cited “pressure from stakeholder groups” for the review. Some committee members questioned past safety studies on newborns and expressed concerns about insufficient discussions with parents regarding the pros and cons of early vaccination. Others, including Drs. Joseph Hibbeln and Cody Meissner, argued there is no scientific basis for delaying the first dose to two months or for checking antibody levels to determine if fewer shots suffice. Health experts warned the approach could weaken herd immunity and increase disease risk. Dr. Robert Malone said the panel is focusing on individual risk rather than protecting public health. Critics also noted that CDC scientists no longer present safety and effectiveness data, with slots instead going to voices from anti-vaccine circles. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy called the recommendation “a mistake” that “makes America sicker.” Advocacy groups described the panel as no longer a legitimate scientific body, and some prominent vaccine researchers declined to participate, citing the committee’s shift away from evidence-based medicine. Source: AP

Japan is grappling with a fast-growing dementia crisis as thousands of older people wander from their homes each year. Police data shows that more than 18,000 dementia patients went missing in 2023, and almost 500 were later found dead. The number of such cases has doubled since 2012, highlighting the strain on a rapidly ageing society. The challenge is deepened by a shrinking workforce and strict limits on foreign caregivers. The government now considers dementia one of its most urgent policy priorities. The Health Ministry projects that dementia-related healthcare and social support costs will reach 14 trillion yen by 2030, up from nine trillion yen in 2025. In its latest strategy, Japan is leaning more heavily on technology to reduce pressure on families and care facilities. GPS-based systems are being used nationwide to track people who wander, and some areas provide wearable tags that alert authorities when someone leaves a safe zone. In certain towns, convenience-store workers receive real-time alerts to help locate missing people quickly, creating a community-wide safety network. Robots and AI for earlier detection and support New tools are also being developed to detect dementia earlier. Fujitsu’s aiGait uses artificial intelligence to study posture and walking patterns to identify early warning signs, such as slow turns or difficulty standing. The system generates skeletal outlines that doctors can check during routine exams. “Early detection of age-related diseases is key,” says Hidenori Fujiwara, a Fujitsu spokesperson. “If doctors can use motion-capture data, they can intervene earlier and help people remain active for longer.” Researchers at Waseda University are working on AIREC, a 150kg humanoid robot designed as a future caregiver. It can help with simple daily tasks such as putting on socks, scrambling eggs or folding laundry. Developers hope that, eventually, AIREC will assist with changing diapers and preventing bedsores. Care homes in Japan are already using simpler robots to play music, lead stretching exercises and monitor patients at night by tracking sleep and physical condition. However, humanoid robots will take more time to reach full reliability. Assistant Professor Tamon Miyake says more precision and intelligence are needed before they can interact safely with humans. “It requires full-body sensing and adaptive understanding - how to adjust for each person and situation,” he says. Emotional support tools are also part of the innovation push. Poketomo, a 12cm robot carried in a pocket or bag, reminds users to take medicine, gives real-time weather advice and offers conversation to help ease loneliness. “We're focusing on social issues... and to use new technology to help solve those problems,” Miho Kagei, a development manager at Sharp, told the BBC. Human care remains central Despite rapid advances, researchers stress that technology cannot replace human interaction. “Robots should supplement, not substitute, human caregivers,” Mr Miyake says. “While they may take over some tasks, their main role is to assist both caregivers and patients.” At the Restaurant of Mistaken Orders in Sengawa, Tokyo, customers are served by people living with dementia. Founder Akiko Kanna created the café to give patients a place to stay active and feel valued, inspired by her father's experience with the condition. One of the servers, Toshio Morita, uses flowers to remember customer orders. Although his memory has declined, he enjoys connecting with visitors, and the café offers his wife much-needed respite. The restaurant shows why social interaction remains vital. Technology can ease workloads, but meaningful engagement continues to be essential for people with dementia. “Honestly? I wanted a little pocket money. I like meeting all sorts of people,” Mr Morita says. “Everyone's different - that's what makes it fun.”

Billionaire entrepreneur and private astronaut Jared Isaacman returned to the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, urging lawmakers to quickly move forward on his nomination to serve as NASA administrator — a nomination President Donald Trump withdrew earlier this year and then reinstated. Speaking before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Isaacman emphasized the urgency of having stable leadership at NASA as the agency prepares for its upcoming lunar mission. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been serving as acting NASA chief since summer. Isaacman, who has flown to orbit twice with SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk, told senators that sending astronauts around the moon early next year — the first crewed lunar voyage in more than 50 years — will be a major undertaking. He warned that losing ground to China in space could have serious strategic consequences. Sen. Ted Cruz, who chairs the committee, echoed those concerns and said the U.S. must stay ahead in the new space race. Isaacman was close to Senate confirmation in May before Trump abruptly pulled the nomination amid tensions with SpaceX founder Elon Musk. His renomination has revived the process, and Cruz hopes to finalize the appointment by year’s end. Isaacman said the U.S. should pursue missions to both the moon and Mars simultaneously, and he supported reopening the lunar lander contract under NASA’s Artemis program. He stressed that NASA will rely on whichever company — SpaceX or Blue Origin — proves ready first, adding that competition is essential to American success in space.  

With data centers rapidly multiplying across Georgia, state utility regulators must decide whether to allow Georgia Power Co. to spend more than $15 billion to boost its power capacity by 50% over six years. Supporters argue the growth is necessary to meet surging electricity needs from artificial intelligence infrastructure, while critics fear the utility may overbuild and leave regular customers footing the bill. Georgia Power — Southern Co.’s largest subsidiary — said in regulatory filings that the investment would strengthen the state’s economy and position Georgia as a key player in the digital and AI-driven future. The company says demand from data center developers is so strong that the expansion must move forward. But rising energy bills have become a major political flashpoint in Georgia and nationwide. Community pushback against data centers is growing amid concerns that everyday ratepayers could end up subsidizing huge tech companies. “What’s happening in Georgia reflects what’s happening across the country,” said Charles Hua, head of Powerlines, a nonprofit promoting public involvement in utility regulation. “Electricity demand and electricity prices are rising at the fastest pace in decades.” A growing political flashpointElectricity costs played a major role in recent gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. In North Carolina, Gov. Josh Stein cited worries about energy-hungry data centers when rejecting Duke Energy’s proposed 15% rate increase. Georgia’s Public Service Commission — made up of five Republican members — will vote on Georgia Power’s request just weeks after voters ousted two GOP commissioners over frustrations with repeated rate hikes. The two new Democrats won’t take office until January, and commissioners denied calls to delay the decision until after they are sworn in. Environmental advocate Brionte McCorkle said she fears the current commission will approve the plan before leaving office. “It would be a slap in the face,” she said, arguing that voters clearly demanded more scrutiny of Georgia Power’s spending. Most new electricity would serve data centersGeorgia Power, which serves 2.8 million customers, projects one of the nation’s steepest increases in electricity demand — second only to Texas. The utility says it needs 10,000 megawatts of new power generation, 80% of which would go to data centers. This comes on top of the 3,000 megawatts approved earlier in 2024 during an unusual mid-cycle request. A core issue is who pays if the expected data center customers fail to materialize. Commissioners already adopted rules requiring data centers to cover the cost of new plants and transmission lines. But if there’s overbuilding, regular customers may end up paying. “If you build all this infrastructure and the customers don’t come, bills could skyrocket,” Hua warned. The full price remains unclear because portions of Georgia Power’s forecasts are confidential. The $15 billion figure covers only part of the expansion, excluding borrowing costs and the cost of previously approved capacity increases. Real impacts won’t be fully known until 2028, when rates are next reset. Will customers bear the cost?State staff estimate Georgia Power will need an additional $3.4 billion annually by 2031, which could translate into roughly $20 more per month for a typical household. The company insists that projection is wrong, saying large customers must pay the full cost upfront under long-term contracts and financial guarantees. To minimize risk, staff recommend allowing construction only after large customers sign contracts, covering 3,100 megawatts initially and up to 7,400 megawatts by March 2025. This approach would also limit approval of expensive new natural gas plants, which have seen rising construction costs. Georgia Power strongly opposed the staff recommendations, saying they would make it harder to attract data centers, hurt economic development and reduce opportunities to lower customer rates over time. A negotiated compromise may still be reached before the Dec. 19 vote. McCorkle urged regulators to prioritize consumers: “We don’t want corporate welfare where everyday people subsidize massive companies like Meta and Amazon.”   

A new study warns that rapid urban growth could leave millions of people without access to clean water and sanitation by 2050. Experts say how cities expand and where new buildings are constructed will directly affect the health and daily lives of hundreds of millions of residents. Researchers from the Complexity Science Hub in Vienna and the World Bank studied more than 100 cities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. They analyzed data from 183 million buildings and 125,000 households to understand how urban expansion could impact water and sanitation services. The study outlined three models for city growth by 2050: compact development, maintaining current patterns, and horizontal expansion into new areas. The report found that horizontal growth could cut clean piped water access for 220 million people and sewage services for 190 million. Compact growth would reduce these risks and improve efficiency, while sprawling cities have water bills roughly 75 percent higher than compact cities. People living on city outskirts also have 40 percent less access to basic services compared to those near city centers. Lead researcher Rafael Prieto-Curiel said proper urban planning can reduce water scarcity. Compact, walkable neighborhoods with the right density can provide essential services to all residents without new infrastructure, while also being environmentally sustainable. The study also highlights that by 2050, urban populations in Africa could triple, and in Asia could rise by nearly half. African cities are already more spread out, with only 12 percent of residents living near the center, compared to 23 percent in Asia.   With inputs from NDTV

A new type of eyeglass lens, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in September, offers children a way to slow the progression of nearsightedness, potentially preventing serious vision problems later in life. Myopia, or nearsightedness, affects up to 40% of U.S. children by the end of high school, with rates rising due to increased near work, such as screen time and reading. Traditional treatment has focused on correcting vision with standard glasses, but the condition typically worsens as children grow. Astronomers urge Chile to protect Atacama Night Skies from industrial project threat The FDA-approved Essilor Stellest lenses are designed for 6- to 12-year-olds and use 11 concentric rings with raised dots to redirect light onto the retina, slowing eye elongation. Clinical data show a 70% reduction in myopia progression and a 50% decrease in eye lengthening over two years. Experts say the glasses could reduce long-term risks of severe myopia, including retinal detachment, cataracts, and glaucoma. Unlike contact lenses or medicated drops, these glasses offer a non-invasive option for young children. The suggested retail price is $450, and many U.S. vision insurance plans are expected to cover the lenses. Ongoing U.S. studies aim to confirm the effectiveness of the lenses in American children. Source: AP 

The Atacama Desert, one of the darkest and clearest night skies on Earth, has become a vital hub for astronomers studying the universe. Its dry climate, high altitude, and isolation from urban light pollution make it ideal for major ground-based telescopes. But that pristine darkness faces a new threat, according to a group of leading scientists who issued an open letter to the Chilean government on Tuesday. A private company plans to build a massive renewable energy complex within sight of the Paranal Observatory, operated by the European Southern Observatory (ESO). Thirty prominent astronomers, including 2020 Nobel laureate Reinhard Genzel, warned the project poses “an imminent threat” to humanity’s ability to study the cosmos. The scientists emphasized that damage to Paranal’s observations would affect researchers worldwide, from studying planet formation to exploring the early universe. They urged the government to balance economic development with the protection of one of Earth’s most irreplaceable scientific resources. AES Andes, a subsidiary of U.S.-based AES Corp., said its studies show the project would comply with Chilean regulations and be compatible with astronomy. The proposed plan includes 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) of wind and solar farms, a desalination plant, and a new port — all just 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) from Paranal. Experts warn this would increase light pollution by 35% and introduce dust, vibrations, and atmospheric turbulence, which could severely disrupt telescope observations. Sanda Lizard: A fascinating reptile of the desert “At the best sites in the world for astronomy, stars don’t twinkle. Even the smallest artificial turbulence would destroy these characteristics,” said Andreas Kaufer, ESO’s operations director. “If the sky brightens due to artificial light, observations are lost — and since we have the most sensitive telescopes at the best location, they’re lost for everyone.” Chile hosts around 40% of global astronomical infrastructure, and the situation in the Atacama reflects a wider global tension between industrial development and preserving dark skies. Light pollution is increasing about 10% per year, putting other prime observatory locations — including Hawaii and Arizona — at risk. “Major observatories have been forced to remote locations, and now even these last dark-sky sites are threatened by development and mining,” said Ruskin Hartley, executive director of DarkSky International, a nonprofit focused on preserving night skies. Source: AP 

UK officials announced Monday that Britain has secured a three-year commitment from the United States to apply a 0% tariff on all U.K. pharmaceutical exports, in exchange for the U.K. increasing its investment in new medications. Under the arrangement, the U.S. will waive import duties on U.K.-made medicines, pharmaceutical components, and medical technologies. According to the Trump administration, British drug companies have pledged to expand their investments in the U.S. and generate additional American jobs as part of the deal. British authorities said the zero-tariff access for all U.K. pharmaceutical exports is the most favorable rate the U.S. has granted any trading partner. In return, the National Health Service will raise its spending on new and effective treatments by roughly 25%—its first major increase in over twenty years. Officials noted that this boost in NHS investment should allow health regulators to approve medications that offer substantial clinical benefits but may have previously been rejected because of cost concerns, such as advanced cancer therapies or treatments for rare conditions. “This crucial agreement will help ensure U.K. patients receive cutting-edge treatments sooner, while enabling our world-class companies to continue developing life-changing innovations,” said Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall. The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry welcomed the pact, calling it “a significant step toward improving patient access to innovative medicines and raising broader NHS health outcomes.”ABPI chief executive Richard Torbett added that the deal should further strengthen the U.K.’s ability to attract global life-sciences investment and advanced medical research. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the agreement “enhances the global landscape for innovative medicines and brings long-needed balance to pharmaceutical trade between the U.S. and the U.K.” The announcement follows recent decisions by companies such as AstraZeneca to scale back or delay investments in Britain. U.S. Ambassador Warren Stephens has cautioned that American companies may reduce future investment unless rapid reforms are made. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer reached a preliminary framework for a broader trade deal that would cut U.S. tariffs on British autos, steel, and aluminum, while expanding U.S. access to the U.K. market for products such as beef and ethanol.