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  • Lipid metabolism disturbance and immune dysfunction in HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure: a retrospective cohort study | BMC Gastroenterology

    Lipid metabolism disturbance and immune dysfunction in HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure: a retrospective cohort study | BMC Gastroenterology

  • Liver Failure and Artificial Liver Group IDB, Chinese Medical Association. Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Liver Failure (2018 Edition) [J] Chinese Journal of Hepatology. 2019;27(1):18–26. https://doi.org/10.3760/cma.j.issn.1007-3418.2019.01.006.

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  • Gwadar Port: govt announces new shipping lines, ferry service to GCC – Business & Finance

    Gwadar Port: govt announces new shipping lines, ferry service to GCC – Business & Finance

    The Ministry of Maritime Affairs on Tuesday unveiled a strategic plan to expand Gwadar Port’s operational capacity by introducing new shipping lines and launching a ferry service connecting Pakistan with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

    The announcement was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, in Islamabad, read a statement.

    “The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance regional connectivity, boost maritime trade, and position Gwadar as a major hub in the Arabian Sea,” said Chaudhry.

    “We aim to transform Gwadar into a strategic transhipment and logistics centre, benefiting Pakistan and the wider region.”

    Numerous issues uncovered: Gwadar Port struggles to achieve desired success

    Located in Balochistan, Gwadar Port is a strategically important deep-sea port and a key component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a massive infrastructure project aimed at boosting regional trade and connectivity

    During the meeting, the maritime minister on Tuesday emphasised that with Gwadar Port now fully operational, it is time to accelerate its integration into international maritime networks. He directed relevant departments to pursue all necessary steps to increase the port’s commercial activity and unlock its full potential.

    Chaudhry said additional shipping lines will be connected to Gwadar to facilitate greater movement of goods, promote transit trade with Central Asia and the Middle East, and support Pakistan’s growing role in the regional logistics landscape.

    “The new routes will reduce pressure on existing ports and ensure faster, more efficient cargo handling”, he said.

    In addition to enhancing cargo operations, the government has also planned to launch a ferry service from Gwadar to GCC countries.

    The move is expected to provide an affordable, direct maritime link for passengers and cargo, and will particularly benefit expatriate communities and cross-border traders.

    “The ferry service will strengthen people-to-people ties, boost tourism, and provide a new economic lifeline for Balochistan,” Chaudhry said.

    “It will create local employment, improve supporting infrastructure, and attract private sector participation, especially in the areas of ship services, hospitality, and transportation.”

    PM seeks Turkish participation in running Gwadar Port

    Moreover, the maritime ministry has initiated consultations with shipping companies, maritime authorities, and port operators to finalise technical, legal, and logistical frameworks for both the new shipping lines and the ferry service.

    The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fully harness the strategic importance of Gwadar.

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  • Evaluation of real-world vehicle emissions in Kampala, Uganda

    Evaluation of real-world vehicle emissions in Kampala, Uganda

    The TRUE Initiative, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme, conducted a groundbreaking remote sensing campaign, the first of its kind in Africa, to offer real-world insight into the levels of pollution from vehicles operating in Kampala, Uganda.

    Using plume chase technology, where a vehicle equipped with emission analyzers follows a target vehicle while sampling its exhaust plume, this project captured real-world snapshots from Kampala’s fleet in 2024. Researchers analyzed the results and observed that:

    • Over 50% of gasoline passenger cars exhibited average nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions consistent with pre-Euro certifications, suggesting potential malfunctions or removal of catalytic converters. Although newer gasoline passenger cars under 8 years old showed lower NOx emissions than older cars, their levels were still 5.5 times higher on average than Euro 4 limits.
    • Diesel heavy commercial vehicles under 8 years of age showed 14% higher average NOx emissions than older counterparts. Similarly little differences in average real-world NOx emissions were observed among older and newer diesel vehicles across other groups— passenger cars, minibuses, and light commercial vehicles.
    • Diesel minibuses, which had an average age of 25 years, showed NOx emissions more than 9 times higher than Euro 4 limits and elevated black carbon (BC) emissions. At least 16% of diesel minibuses over 15 years old exhibited visible black smoke from their exhaust during measurement and exhibited 6 times higher average BC emissions than vehicles aged between 8 and 15 years.

    Uganda is already working to improve air quality, including by outlining new programs under its National Environment (Air Quality Standards) Regulations and e-mobility strategy. Based on these results, the TRUE Initiative recommends a strengthening of import requirements on all vehicle imports and developing a roadmap to meet Euro 6 standards. For maximum benefits, this should be complemented by routine vehicle inspection programs and mandatory follow-up maintenance that would quickly identify and repair high emitters. Finally, prioritizing public transport and modernizing the aging taxi minibus fleet would significantly reduce vehicle-related air pollution.

    Cover Photo: Attendees participated in a live demonstration of plume chasing technology during a kick-off event for TRUE’s remote-sensing campaign in Kampala, Uganda. The workshop was organized by UNEP and local partners in July 2024.

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  • Chief Rabbi says ‘vile Jew-hatred at Glastonbury’ a ‘national shame’

    Chief Rabbi says ‘vile Jew-hatred at Glastonbury’ a ‘national shame’

    The UK’s Chief Rabbi has strongly criticised “the airing of vile Jew-hate at Glastonbury” after a live broadcast of Bob Vylan’s performance at the festival went out on the BBC, during which the band’s singer led the crowd in chants of “death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]”.

    Writing on X, Sir Ephraim Mirvis wrote: “This is a time of national shame. The airing of vile Jew-hatred at Glastonbury and the BBC’s belated and mishandled response, brings confidence in our national broadcaster’s ability to treat antisemitism seriously to a new low.

    “It should trouble all decent people that now, one need only couch their outright incitement to violence and hatred as edgy political commentary, for ordinary people to not only fail to see it for what it is, but also to cheer it, chant it and celebrate it. Toxic Jew-hatred is a threat to our entire society.

    In a statement issued on Monday, the BBC said: “The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen.”

    A criminal investigation has now been launched over performances by both Bob Vylan and Irish band Kneecap at Glastonbury on Saturday, Avon and Somerset Police has said.

    The force said it had appointed a senior detective to investigate whether comments made by either act amounted to a criminal offence after reviewing footage.

    A statement added: “This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our enquiries are at an early stage.”

    Speaking in Parliament on Monday after the announcement, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy called the scenes broadcast “appalling and unacceptable”.

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  • This compact Windows PC outperforms the M4 Mac Mini in key areas – and it’s on sale

    This compact Windows PC outperforms the M4 Mac Mini in key areas – and it’s on sale

    ZDNET’s key takeaways

    • Minisforum’s AI X1 Pro retails for $1,129.
    • It’s a powerful mini armed with top-tier hardware for creators, programmers, and coders looking to interface with AI at lightning-fast speeds.
    • Don’t count on relying on the device’s built-in speakers or mic, and it’s one of the chunkier minis.

    more buying choices

    All three configurations of the Minisforum A1 XI Pro are on sale, with the 2TB SSD model receiving a $280 discount.

    When Apple upgraded its Mac Mini with the M4 processor last year, we saw some renewed interest in the mini PC category overall. All the power of a desktop, but packed into a tiny frame? Yes, please. Apple isn’t the only one making impressively bite-sized computers, however.

    Purveyor of minis, Minisforum released its AI370 EliteMini, a device we reviewed and praised for its 8K monitor support, 4TB of storage, and powerful hardware for under $1,000. Similarly, the G7 Ti Mini had impressive raw power, but I noted its noisy fans.

    Also: 400 million Windows PCs vanished in 3 years. Where did they all go?

    Now, the brand’s latest Mini PC — the Minisforum AI X1 Pro — ups the ante with some serious hardware: AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, an AMD Radeon 890M GPU, up to 96GB of RAM, and 4TB of storage, all in the same size as a Mac Mini and at a competitive starting price of $1,129 (on sale right now starting at $899).

    As a designated Copilot+ PC (yes, that is a Copilot button on the action front of the device), the aptly named AI X1 Pro is specifically designed to compete with the Mac Mini M4, particularly when it comes to AI features, high-resolution external monitors, and gaming.

    Also: I finally found a Windows mini PC with enough power to attract my attention – and it’s $230 off

    The AI X1 Pro does all of these things well, with impressive performance, multitasking across multiple monitors, and solid gaming performance, all while running cool and virtually silent. Let’s take a look at what this powerhouse is capable of.

    The processor here is top-of-the-line for AMD — it boasts 12 cores and 24 threads with a max clock speed of 5.1GHZ and 80 TOPS for AI-powered tasks. In my benchmarking of the device, it performed very well, on par with the Mac Mini M4 regarding raw output, but like any benchmarking numbers, that’s only part of the picture.

    Cinebench 24 MC

    Geekbench 6.2.2 SC

    Geekbench 6.2.2 MC

    Minisforum AI X1 Pro 

    1,243

    2,960

    15,375

    Asus ProArt P16

    1,096

    2,804

    12,787

    Mac Mini M4

    972

    3,798

    14,594 

    The AI X1 Pro supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 and has a built-in power supply, making it ready to go out of the box. However, you’ll want to hook up at least one high-quality monitor to get the most out of it. In my testing, I connected two monitors — one of which was 4K — and their performance was silky-smooth and gorgeous.

    Minisforum AI X1 Pro

    Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET

    The device does feature its own audio, but this is one area it doesn’t excel at. The built-in speaker on the device is sufficient for basic content — although I would say my laptop has better audio quality. Similarly, the onboard mic is good enough for quick calls, but I wouldn’t count on it over a dedicated webcam or microphone.

    These things are hardly dealbreakers, however, as AI X1 Pro users will want to connect their own speakers with every other peripheral.

    Also: 4 PC parts I’m buying to upgrade my computer (and the 7 I’m keeping)

    It’s easy, too, with this many ports. It comes with three USB Type-A ports, two USB4s, a 3.5mm combo jack, HDMI, a Kensington Lock, and more — basically, everything you need to fire up and customize your workstation.

    Minisforum AI X1 Pro

    Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET

    It also features an Oculink (PCIe 4.0) slot for high-performance storage and docking stations with a bandwidth of up to 64 GB/s. The Oculink can also connect to an external GPU, allowing users to harness a more powerful graphics system for higher frame rates and 4K gaming.  

    This allows the AI X1 Pro to level up as a gaming machine or a dedicated creator’s device, improving the integrated GPU’s performance. It also supports Rebar, or Resizable Base Address Register, which improves communication between the two. 

    Gaming performance on the AI X1 Pro is quite good, but the system does require some optimization to fully take advantage of all the powerful hardware here. I fired up a handful of titles on Steam and had no issues, but I will say some of the more memory-demanding games required some settings tinkering to feel like a true gaming rig. 

    Also: I replaced my monitor with a 34-inch ultrawide OLED for two weeks – here’s my verdict now

    I was much more impressed with Minisforum’s cooling technology here, as AMD’s Ryzen 9 already runs cool, but the device’s slightly larger size allows for a bit more in the way of cooling components. The fan kicked on during heavy gaming, but it was quiet enough to go largely unnoticed. 

    The AI X1 Pro also excels at on-device AI tasks. During testing, I ran offline versions of DeepSeek and OpenAI’s ChatGPT through LM Studio, and both performed exceedingly fast. Even longer, more complex queries, like requests for code, were fast and responsive. 

    ZDNET’s buying advice

    Minisforum AI X1 Pro is essentially a Mac Mini M4 powered by AMD’s powerful Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 chip. It has some of the fastest AI-powered capabilities I’ve seen on any device, laptop, desktop, or mini.

    Like the Mac Mini, it’s certainly capable of gaming, but I wouldn’t peg this as a gaming-first device. Instead, I’d recommend this device for developers and creatives looking to run powerful AI tasks in applications like Deepseek or OpenAI, or users who like to utilize external GPUs to tinker with performance optimization.

    Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.

    This article was originally published on March 7, 2025, and was updated on June 30, 2025.


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  • Ancient Cells Sealed Toxins to Survive Enviro Shifts

    Ancient Cells Sealed Toxins to Survive Enviro Shifts

    Earth’s earliest life forms developed ways to survive the harmful effects of arsenic to cope with dramatic changes in their environment, a new study suggests.

    The researchers found the complex life forms, called eukaryotes, stored arsenic inside special compartments within their cells, a strategy that helped neutralise the toxic poison.

    Using advanced X-ray technology, the international team was able to detect and map arsenic within 2.1-billion-year-old fossils from the Francevillian Basin in Gabon.

    The arsenic found in the fossils was not due to later contamination but part of a biological response to environmental stress, according to the team.

    This is revealed by distinct patterns formed from the arsenic preservation process in the fossils when compared to structures left by non-living mineral structures; it is further evidence the fossils were once complex living organisms with more advanced cells, they argue.

    Their study, published in Nature Communications, reshapes current understandings of how early life faced environmental challenges, highlighting the critical role adaptation played in the evolution of life.

    “The ability to cope with arsenic was not something eukaryotes developed randomly,” said Dr Ernest Chi Fru, one of the paper’s co-authors and Reader at Cardiff University’s School of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

    “It coincided with a period of significant environmental change, when oxygen levels in the Earth’s atmosphere first rose. This increase in oxygen also led to a rise in arsenate, a particularly toxic form of arsenic which competes with phosphate, a vital nutrient for all life, making Earth’s oceans a dangerous place.”

    So, it was really vital for organisms such as eukaryotes to have strategies to cope with this most toxic of elements, once known in Europe as ‘inheritance powder’ because of its deadly use in poisonings.

    Dr Ernest Chi Fru Reader in Earth Sciences

    The study builds on the team’s previous work on the 2.1-billion-year-old Francevillian biota, which they argue appeared after a local underwater volcanic event brought a sudden surge of nutrients into a small, enclosed sea.

    This nutrient boost helped these early life forms thrive locally, according to the team led by Université de Poitiers and Cardiff University.

    Dr Chi Fru added: “We looked at the evolution of arsenic in the Francevillian basin’s seawater before and after the fossils. It was actually quite low in arsenic concentration at the time when these primitive eukaryotes evolved, leading us to think they should have lived there quite happily.

    “However, the surprisingly high levels of arsenic stored in their bodies, revealed in our analysis, suggest that they were extremely sensitive to even low levels of arsenic in seawater.”

    We think this is evidence of a detoxification strategy, employed by the eukaryotes, which allowed arsenic to accumulate in special compartments in their cells, building an immunity of sorts that prevented them from succumbing to its poisonous effects.

    Dr Ernest Chi Fru

    These organisms later became extinct when volcanic activity returned to the area, and oxygen levels in the seawater dropped, according to the team.

    They say their disappearance suggests the ability of complex life to protect itself from toxic substances like arsenic, by safely storing it inside cells, may have evolved more than once in Earth’s history.

    “All living things have ways to protect themselves from arsenic, which is toxic to life,” Dr Chi Fru said.

    “In the ocean, tiny plankton near the surface – the same ones that make about half the oxygen in the air we breathe – are always working to get rid of arsenic from their bodies. They can’t avoid it because arsenic is naturally in the water, and their cells can’t easily tell the difference between arsenate and phosphate, a nutrient they actually need. This was true even in ancient times, just like it is today.

    “We know these ancient organisms went extinct, so the way modern life handles arsenic didn’t come directly from them.”

    If this method of detox evolved more than once, it shows just how important it was for life to find a way to deal with arsenic in order to become more complex.

    Dr Ernest Chi Fru

    /Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.

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  • ISS Photobombs Solar Flare As It Transits The Sun In Stunning Picture; ‘Definitely My All Time Favourites’

    ISS Photobombs Solar Flare As It Transits The Sun In Stunning Picture; ‘Definitely My All Time Favourites’

    Andrew McCarthy, an Arizona-based photographer, has captured a breathtaking image of the International Space Station (ISS) passing in front of the Sun, with vibrant solar flares erupting in the background. Taken from the Sonoran Desert, he named this photograph Kardashev Dreams to represent “our first steps to being a much greater civilisation.”

    McCarthy described the photograph as one of his most cherished works. “While waiting for the ISS to transit the Sun, a sunspot group started flaring, leading to this once-in-a-lifetime shot,” he wrote on Instagram.

    The image, which he named after Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev – known for proposing the Kardashev Scale to measure a civilisation’s technological advancement – captures the ISS in sharp silhouette against the Sun’s fiery surface, with solar flares adding a dramatic flair.

    ALSO SEE: Photographer Snaps Milky Way’s Dusty Galactic Heart And It Has An Eerie Glow

    “I call the piece ‘Kardashev Dreams’, representing our first steps to being a much greater civilisation,” McCarthy added. The photographer revealed he faced extreme conditions in the Sonoran Desert, where temperatures soared to nearly 50°C, as indicated by his car’s thermometer.

    To protect his equipment from overheating, he used ice packs and thermoelectric coolers to help keep the telescopes and computers from overheating.

    In addition to the primary image, McCarthy shared a ‘bonus shot’, depicting the ISS positioned at the Sun’s edge, partially obscuring solar prominences – massive loops of plasma extending from the Sun’s surface. He also said he was surprised to see how much attention his pictures got and called them “one of my all time favorites!”

    ALSO SEE: Photographer Captures Jaw-Dropping Video Of Rare ‘Jets’ Of Upside-Down Lightning

    (Image: AndrewMcCarthy)


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  • Paris on red alert as Europe faces extreme heat with weather warnings in place across continent – Europe live | Climate crisis

    Paris on red alert as Europe faces extreme heat with weather warnings in place across continent – Europe live | Climate crisis

    Key events

    Many areas of southern, eastern England to see temperatures in 30s

    More sweltering temperatures are also expected in southern and eastern parts of England on Tuesday, with many areas again passing above 30 Celsius with up to 36 Celsius expected locally, PA reported.

    A tourist using a cold water can to try keep cool in the queue for the London Eye on the south bank in London. Photograph: Jill Mead/The Guardian

    It comes after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) extended amber heat health alerts for much of the country into Wednesday morning.

    Monday saw the hottest start to Wimbledon on record, with 32.9C recorded at nearby Kew Gardens, while 33.1C was recorded at Heathrow.

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  • Thai court suspends PM from duty pending case seeking her dismissal – Reuters

    1. Thai court suspends PM from duty pending case seeking her dismissal  Reuters
    2. Thailand: PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra suspended over leaked phone call  BBC
    3. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Suspended Amid Cambodia Dispute  The New York Times
    4. Protesters rally in Bangkok to demand Thai prime minister’s resignation over leaked Cambodia call  AP News
    5. Why Did Hun Sen Call For Regime Change in Thailand?  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine

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  • Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Wide-Angle Zoom Full-Frame Lens Announced

    Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Wide-Angle Zoom Full-Frame Lens Announced

    Tamron has unveiled the 16-30mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2, completing its trinity of f/2.8 zoom lenses for mirrorless cameras. The wide-angle zoom joins the existing 28-75mm and 70-180mm f/2.8 lenses in what Tamron calls its “Daisangen” collection.

    According to the company, the lens features an updated optical design aimed at delivering high resolution across the frame while maintaining consistent f/2.8 performance throughout the zoom range. At just under one pound (453 g), the 16-30mm maintains the compact profile that has characterized Tamron’s G2 series.

    Key Specifications

    The 16-30mm covers ultra-wide to moderate wide-angle focal lengths on full-frame sensors, with an aperture range from f/2.8 to f/16. Tamron’s Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive (VXD) linear motor handles autofocus duties, providing quiet operation for video work.

    Close focusing reaches 7.5 inches (19.05cm) at the wide end, enabling near-macro capabilities for environmental portraits and creative compositions. The lens accepts 67mm filters and features moisture-resistant construction with fluorine coating on the front element.

    Tamron 16-30mm
    Tamron 16-30mm. Credit: Tamron

    Mount Availability

    The lens will be available in Sony E-mount at the end of July 2025, with the Nikon Z version following in August. Both versions support full autofocus functionality and communication with their respective camera systems.

    Users can customize lens functions through Tamron’s Lens Utility software, which allows adjustment of focus ring behavior, focus limiter settings, and other operational parameters for both photo and video applications.

    Tamron 16-30mm design
    Tamron 16-30mm design. Credit: Tamron

    Versatile Design

    The lens measures 2.9 x 4.1 inches in diameter and length, making it well-suited for travel and content creation scenarios. The lightweight construction under one pound allows for extended handheld shooting without fatigue. Zoom and focus rings feature improved texture and smoother operation compared to previous generations.

    Moisture-resistant construction protects internal components, while fluorine coating on the front element repels water and oil for easier cleaning in adverse conditions. The native Sony E-mount design ensures full compatibility with camera functions, and the 67mm front filter thread accommodates standard circular polarizing and neutral density filters.

    Tamron 16-30mm
    Tamron 16-30mm. Credit: Tamron

    Applications

    The 16-30mm lens targets landscape, architecture, street photography, and astrophotography applications where the wide field of view and fast aperture prove beneficial. The constant f/2.8 aperture enables consistent exposure settings across the zoom range, while the wide aperture aids low-light shooting and shallow depth of field effects.

    The lens completes Tamron’s three-lens f/2.8 zoom system, providing focal length coverage from 16mm to 180mm for photographers seeking a compact alternative to larger first-party options.

    Pricing and availability

    The new lens is now available for pre-ordering at B&H for $929.

    Are you a Tamron user? If so, how do you like their lenses? Do you see yourself purchasing this new wide-angle lens? Please share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.


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