The research includes ethics issues related to artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous vehicles, privacy, and bias and seeks to improve AI ethics education from the perspective of industry professionals.

The presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in all the world’s oceans but one has been in steady decline since 2001, when 152 countries agreed on a comprehensive global ban. The exception has been the Arctic Ocean, which has seen a sharp rise in POPs in its frigid waters over the past several decades. A new study in Science Advances says ocean and air currents are transporting POPs northwards, where cold waters extend their half-lives. This could impact the overall health of the fragile Arctic ecosystem as it permeates the food web.

CCRM Nordic, Sahlgrenska Academy, and Sahlgrenska University Hospital are forming a strategic partnership relating to advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). The parties have recently signed a memorandum of understanding.

New research has shown that bio-based fibres caused higher mortality, and reduced growth and reproductivity, among earthworms - a species critical to the health of soils globally - than conventional plastics. It has led scientists to suggest that materials being advocated as alternatives to plastic should be tested thoroughly before they are used extensively in a range of products. The study was carried out as part of the BIO-PLASTIC-RISK project, led by researchers at the University of Plymouth and the University of Bath, and supported with £2.6million funding by the Natural Environmental Research Council.

Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and leading global venture capital (VC) firm Walden International are launching a new VC fund to support deep tech spin-offs from the University. Known as the Nanyang Frontier Fund, it has an initial target sum of S$50 million. The Nanyang Frontier Fund is Singapore’s first venture capital fund dedicated to a university. Mr Tan Lip-Bu, Chairman of Walden International, and his associates are committing an investment of S$5 million to kickstart the fund, with NTU co-investing another S$5 million. The Nanyang Frontier Fund was launched today by Guest-of-Honour, Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Research Foundation. Mr Tan Lip-Bu is a globally renowned venture capitalist with almost four decades of experience in the tech industry. Dubbed the “pioneer of Asian VC” by Forbes for pioneering the US venture capital concept in Asia, he has been instrumental in the success of numerous global tech startups.

Renowned astronomer, Dr. Jill Tarter, SETI Institute co-founder and pioneering SETI researcher, will be honored with the inaugural Tarter Award for Innovation in the Search for Life Beyond Earth at the SETI Institute’s 40^th Anniversary celebration on November 20, 2024, in Menlo Park, CA. This new award recognizes individuals whose projects or ideas significantly advance humanity’s search for extraterrestrial life and intelligence. The Tarter Award honors contributions across science, technology, education, art, philosophy, law and ethics that support SETI’s mission to search for life and intelligence beyond Earth.

“Anyone who has had the privilege of knowing Jill, knows one thing about her—she never, never gives up the fight for what she believes in,” said Jim Bildner who serves on the Tarter Award Selection Committee.  “And the quest to search for life beyond our planet exists in no small part due to her tireless efforts over decades. And yes, as the inspiration to Carl Sagan for his character Ellie Arroway played by Jody Foster in Contact, she has inspired thousands of women to pursue their dreams in science and astronomy. In a world full of challenges, Jill shows us the power of one human life to make a difference in the lives of others."