It’s been a long road back to the highest levels of motorsport for Canadian driver Robert Wickens. Six years after he was paralyzed in a violent wreck, Wickens will again be behind the wheel against some of the best drivers in North America. Wickens, from Guelph, Ont., was named the newest driver for DXDT Racing earlier this week, moving the 35-year-old up to IMSA GTD competition for 2025, the highest class on the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series. His promotion was made possible by a new hand control braking system created by Bosch Electronics, with help from GM Motorsports and Corvette Racing/Pratt Miller. “It’s not going to be easy but I wanted to get to the highest levels of motorsport again because, frankly, that’s where I was when I was injured,” said Wickens, who crashed at Pocono Raceway in 2018 during IndyCar’s ABC Supply 500. “But not only that, I want to prove to myself and other generations of people with disabilities that you can really do anything. “Maybe you’re having a hard time getting back to your place of work after a life-altering accident and — whatever your discipline, it doesn’t even have to be athletics — but I know it’s possible as long as you align yourself with a strong support system.” For Wickens, that’s been his wife Karli Wickens, his family and, in his professional life, organizations like Bosch and GM. Wickens’s crash left him with a thoracic spinal fracture, a neck fracture, tibia and fibula fractures to both legs, fractures in both hands, a fractured right forearm, a fractured elbow, four fractured ribs, a pulmonary contusion, and an indeterminate spinal injury that combined to make him a paraplegic. As he has slowly recovered some movement in his legs, Wickens has eased back into motor racing. He drove the parade lap of the 2019 Honda Indy Toronto, competed in the IndyCar iRacing Challenge during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and then in January 2022 it was announced he would drive in the Michelin Pilot Challenge for Bryan Herta Autosport. He and co-driver Mark Wilkins won twice in the Michelin Pilot Challenge’s TCR category with three podiums in 2022. In 2023 the pairing didn’t win, but they reached the podium seven times to earn the TCR championship. All of Wickens’s post-accident cars have been fitted with hand controls. Those conventional systems rely on paddles around the steering wheel that activate pneumatics that then press the foot pedals. Hand controls like that are acceptable for regular road vehicles and even lower levels of motorsports but in the highest classes, like IMSA GTD where cars top out at more than 280 kilometres, the lag between the driver toggling the paddle and the car responding is unacceptably slow. That’s where the Bosch electronic system comes in, with the controls linked directly to the car’s braking system, removing the pneumatics as an intermediary. “When you hit the brakes to slow the car down for each corner that was always a big challenge for me where (with) the Bosch electronic system, the latency is milliseconds not tenths of a second,” said Wickens. “It’s basically as accurate as I would be if I was an able-bodied driver wanting to apply the brake. “Honestly, it’s just better in every facet imaginable. It’s just been a true blessing.” Advances in physical rehabilitation from spinal cord injuries as well as the ongoing development of vehicle technology has made Wickens’s return to competitive motorsport possible. “I’m very fortunate in the timing of my paralysis and my career,” Wickens said Wednesday from Tampa, Fla. “If this was even a decade ago we’d be having a very different conversation today.” The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship has four classes of vehicles: two sports prototype categories and two grand tourer classes. GTD is considered the highest of the four classes because each team must have at least a silver or bronze driver and more than one platinum-rated driver on a team is prohibited. “I want to win,” said Wickens. “I think the big thing for me on this journey back was I wanted to race again because I truly felt like I could still win. “I want to raise awareness for spinal cord injury and disability, not by just being a participant, but by being the guy. I want to win races, fight for podiums, win championships, every time I’m sitting in the car.” Wickens said he won’t just be a role model for people living with paralysis or other mobility disabilities, but the technology his car will employ in 2025 will likely become commercially available for use in road vehicles. “Motorsports and the automotive racing industry were founded to be a proving ground for everyday automotive vehicles,” he said. “From there you make road cars and road safety better. “Hopefully we can provide the technology and have regularly available components that can make any race car accessible for anyone that needs hand controls or any other form of disability.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2024. Follow jchidleyhill.bsky.social on Bluesky.Photo: © Getty Images Amber Heard has voiced her support for Blake Lively following her sexual harassment complaint against Justin Baldoni. The 37-year-old actress recently launched a lawsuit against her 'It Ends With Us' director and co-star, accusing him of harassing her while making the romantic drama film - and Amber has now thrown her support behind Blake, revealing that it reminds her of her defamation trial with ex-husband Johnny Depp. Speaking to NBC News, Amber said: "Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on.' I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.” In 2022, Amber was found to have defamed her ex-husband with an article in which she claimed she was a victim of domestic abuse. The 61-year-old actor - who always denied abusing his ex-wife - was awarded $15 million in compensatory and punitive damages, while Amber won one of three counter-claims, and was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages. The former couple - who divorced in 2017 - both presented different versions of their romance during the high-profile trial. Meanwhile, Blake recently accused her former director of causing her "severe emotional distress" during the movie shoot. The actress - who played Justin's on-screen love interest - subsequently told the New York Times newspaper: "I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted." Justin has denied the allegations, with his lawyer describing the claims as "categorically false". Bryan Freedman, who is acting as a lawyer for the actor and his Wayfarer Studios production company, told Variety: "These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media."
Damen Shipyards Group and Herman Sr. have signed a letter of intent (LOI) for the construction of a new Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) 4916. The LOI was signed during the Offshore Energy exhibition in Amsterdam on 26 November by Jeroen van Woerkum on behalf of Damen and Chris and Erwin van Dodewaard of behalf of Herman Sr. The MPV 4916 will be the first in a series of vessels combining the qualities of the Damen Shoalbuster and Multi Cat series to offer next level versatility in the workboat sector. The vessel’s versatility results from numerous factors. These include its multiple means of positioning such as spud poles, four-point mooring, DP2, and even beaching. With this, the vessel is able to maintain position in all circumstances, in waters shallow and deep. The 16-metre beam ensures the stability to accommodate an array of equipment, hosted by the vessel’s ample deck space. This includes a moveable, hydraulic A-frame, and two knuckle boom cranes, the aft crane featuring an active heave compensated winch. The MPV 4916 provides accommodation for up to 34 persons. The safety and comfort of those on board is assured with the vessel’s SPS code accreditation, and full MLC2006 compliance. The MPV 4916 also boasts COMF-3 notation thanks to its extreme low levels of noise and vibration. As a result of its flexible nature, the MPV 4916 is able to undertake a broad scope of work. Amongst the operations it can perform are transportation of cargo, and maintenance duties for the offshore energy sectors, diving support operations, pipeline work, and cable maintenance and repair. Plus, with the capability to carry its own 14-metre carousel containing approximately 350 tonnes of cable, the vessel can undertake cable laying operations in areas larger vessels cannot operate. This includes, with its beaching capability, connecting cables to shore. The design is also future proofed with an eye on advancing maritime sustainability. Initially, the MPV 4916 will be powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system. A Damen Marine NOX Reduction System ensures its compliance with IMO Tier III requirements. The vessel is also prepared for conversion to full electric propulsion in the future. Additionally, the design provides the necessary space to convert to use of dual-fuel methanol engines when the associated technology reaches maturity in the coming years. John Krielaart, the Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld Design & Proposal Engineer responsible for the MPV 4916, said, “This is a boat that ticks all the boxes. The MPV 4916 allows for the use of a single platform and crew to perform the widest possible range of workboat operations. The standard vessel can be reconfigured for change of use, or for project specific tasks, offering added value. “This is not the first time that Herman Sr. have worked with us on the development of a first in series vessel. The company is to be praised for its willingness to embrace new solutions. We, as Damen, are very fortunate to have such a pioneering client to join us on our journey of maritime innovation.” Leon Fijnekam, Commercial Manager at Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld, said, “It is a pleasure to be cooperating once again with Herman Sr. Our two companies have a long history of fruitful collaboration and we’re excited to be embarking on this latest adventure together. I have every confidence that the end result will be a vessel that meets the requirements of Herman Sr. and the needs of a maritime industry in transition.” Erwin van Dodewaard, Commercial Manager at Herman Sr. said, “Our long history of cooperation with Damen is the result of our companies’ shared values and way of working. As family businesses, we hold a long-term view, taking care that what we do today will be of benefit to the future generations. A vessel such as this MPV 4916 aligns well with this goal, with its adaptable, versatile profile and its environmentally progressive performance. We’re very much looking forward to the development of this vessel in the coming months.” The Van Dodewaard family, owners of Herman Sr. have been clients of Damen for over 75 years. Over the years, their company has taken delivery of numerous Damen Shoalbusters and Multi Cats and has often been the launching customer for a new vessel type. Construction of the MPV 4916 is expected to commence early next year at Albwardy Damen’s Sharjah shipyard in the Middle East, with delivery anticipated in 2027. Source: Damen Shipyards GroupAston Villa’s disallowed goal would have counted in England – Unai EmeryKarn Kalptinan, a candidate from the ruling Pheu Thai Party , secured a decisive victory in the Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Administrative Organisation ( PAO ) chairman election on Sunday. Unofficial election results indicate Mr Karn, also a former PAO chief, received 387,456 votes, significantly outrunning his competitors. Independent candidate Jittawan Wangsuphakijkosol came second with 322,986 votes, followed by Sitthiphon Laohawanich of the main opposition People's Party (PP) with 138,837 votes. Athipatai Kuisrimongkol trailed behind with 3,620 votes. Mr Karn's supporters gathered late on Sunday at the Kriang Kalptinan Law Office in Ubon Ratchathani's Muang district to celebrate the win. Kriang Kalptinan, Mr Karn's elder brother, congratulated him with a garland of lowers and thanked the campaign staff and voters. He emphasised the importance of completing unfinished projects to develop the province and praised former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's influence in rallying support for him. Mr Kriang credited his brother's victory to the grassroots efforts and his dedication to community development over the past four years. He said Mr Karn once in office will push policies aligned with Pheu Thai's national agenda, including the 10,000-baht cash handout scheme and promote welfare for the elderly. "I feel proud that the people of Ubon Ratchathani have consistently valued our work," he said. "I firmly believe in the continued support of the public to allow us to carry on with our work," he added. Mr Sitthiphon and PP key party figures, including party executive Phicharn Chaowapatanawong, yesterday released a statement conceding defeat in the election. However, the party said the poll outcome shows its support base in Ubon Ratchathani has grown since last year's general election. Mr Sitthiphon urged the PAO leader-elect to consider adopting some of the PP's proposed campaign policies. The party reiterated its commitment to grassroots politics, highlighting its plans to field candidates in 17 provinces in the PAO elections early next year.
Two MIT professors, an alumnus, and a former postdoc are among the winners of 2024’s Nobel Prizes. Professors Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson, PhD ’89, shared the prize in economics with political scientist James Robinson of the University of Chicago, with whom they have long collaborated. Using evidence from the last 500 years, their work has empirically demonstrated that “inclusive” governments such as democracies, which extend individual rights and political liberties while upholding the rule of law, have generated greater economic activity than “extractive” political systems, where power is wielded by a small elite. Partly because economic growth depends on technological innovation, it is best sustained when countries protect property rights, giving more people the incentive to invent things. Acemoglu, an Institute Professor, has been a member of the MIT faculty since 1993. Johnson, the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan, was chief economist of the International Monetary Fund from 2007 to 2008. Meanwhile, Victor Ambros ’75, PhD ’79, a professor at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, and Gary Ruvkun, a professor at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, shared the prize in medicine for their discovery of microRNA, a class of tiny RNA molecules that help govern gene regulation. This crucial mechanism allows cells with the same chromosomes to develop into cell types with different characteristics and functions. The foundation for their discoveries was laid by their work on mutant forms of the roundworm as MIT postdocs in the of Professor H. Robert Horvitz (who would win a Nobel in 2002). Later, working independently, they showed that a certain roundworm gene produces a very short RNA molecule that binds to messenger RNA encoding a different gene and blocks it from being translated into protein. Since then, more than 1,000 microRNA genes have been found in humans. In an , Ambros also credited the contributions of collaborators including his wife, , and postdoc Rhonda Feinbaum.Kilgore: Disaster relief, housing, energy on SWVA legislative agenda
Salt Lake City, Utah, Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Recursion”) (NASDAQ: RXRX), a leading clinical stage TechBio company decoding biology to industrialize drug discovery, today announced that on December 19, 2024, the Compensation Committee of Recursion's Board of Directors approved the grant of inducement restricted stock unit (RSU) awards covering 7,952,836 shares of its class A common stock in the aggregate to 230 new employees under Recursion's 2024 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan (the “2024 Plan”). Each award was granted as an inducement material to the employee's commencement of employment with a subsidiary of Recursion in connection with Recursion's acquisition of Exscientia plc and pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). Each inducement RSU award will vest as to 1/16th of the shares subject to the award quarterly on each of February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15, beginning with February 15, 2025 until the inducement RSU award is fully vested, subject to the inducement RSU award recipient’s continued employment through the Company Vesting Dates. Each inducement RSU award is subject to the terms and conditions of the 2024 Plan and the grant agreements covering the awards. About Recursion Pharmaceuticals Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: RXRX) is a leading clinical stage TechBio company decoding biology to industrialize drug discovery. Enabling its mission is the Recursion OS, a platform built across diverse technologies that continuously generate one of the world’s largest proprietary biological and chemical datasets. Recursion leverages sophisticated machine-learning algorithms to distill from its dataset a collection of trillions of searchable relationships across biology and chemistry unconstrained by human bias. By commanding massive experimental scale — up to millions of wet lab experiments weekly — and massive computational scale — owning and operating one of the most powerful supercomputers in the world, Recursion is uniting technology, biology and chemistry to advance the future of medicine. Recursion is headquartered in Salt Lake City, where it is a founding member of BioHive, the Utah life sciences industry collective. Recursion also has offices in Toronto, Montréal, New York, London, Oxford area, and the San Francisco Bay area. Learn more at www.Recursion.com , or connect on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. Media Contact Media@Recursion.com Investor Contact Investor@Recursion.com Ryan Kelly Recursion Pharmaceuticals media@recursion.com