August 11, 2025 — Waterloo, ON – A Perimeter Institute researcher is part of a collaboration named in a funding announcement made by the Simons Foundation today. The Simons Collaboration on Black Holes and Strong Gravity represents an $8 million investment in a network of multidisciplinary gravity and black hole experts at 12 institutions around the world. The network will develop a robust theoretical framework for deciphering the secrets encoded in gravitational wave (GW) data, including possible extensions to Einstein’s theory of general relativity.
Perimeter Faculty Member Luis Lehner, Carlo Fidani Rainer Weiss Chair in Theoretical Physics, is a specialist in general relativity who uses advanced mathematics and numerics to push the theory to its limits and hopefully find the cracks that lead to new physics. He is one of 12 principal investigators named in the funding announcement made by the Simons Foundation today, and the only Canadian representative.
Gravitational waves, as predicted by general relativity, are ripples in spacetime that propagate at the speed of light. They were first detected in 2015 by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), in Livingston, Louisiana, and Hanford, Washington. Today, GW science represents the best means to probe the physics of strong gravity.
Planned upgrades to the Advanced LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA gravitational wave detectors will double the sensitivity of these instruments in the coming years. Earth based detectors will also be joined by powerful new GW observatories in space, like ESA’s upcoming Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA).
Nicolás Yunes, University of Illinois physics professor, will serve as the collaboration’s director for the full four-year term. “We’re moving toward the era of precision gravitational wave physics,” says Yunes. “This new era must be accompanied by a multidisciplinary effort to deepen our understanding of non-linear gravity. Otherwise, we will miss secrets encoded in the gravitational wave data, or worse, misinterpret our observations and be led in the wrong direction.”
Lehner joins physicists and mathematicians who specialize in strong gravity from theoretical, computational, and observational perspectives. Lehner says he is particularly inspired by fluid dynamics, a field that embraces non-linear approaches to problems.
“In physics, it’s common to begin with well-understood systems and then examine the departure from those systems when gently nudged,” he says. “I’m also interested in seeing what happens when we strongly kick it; we might encounter surprises.”
The $8 million grant will provide postdoctoral and graduate student support, fund travel between member institutions, and enable team meetings each year. The collaboration will enlist the expertise of associates – physicists, mathematicians, and data scientists – whose research programs are already immersed in these astrophysical mysteries. Researchers from this large, combined network will come together to tackle the deepest mysteries about our strong gravity universe.
“Gravitational waves enable the strongest stress test we can use on the theory of general relativity,” says Lehner. “The theory may fail, and if it does, that would be wonderful, because it will point us in new directions and spark novel ideas. It’s all about trying to understand gravity from all angles.”
Drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro (known as semaglutide and tirzepatide) have changed the way clinicians manage diabetes and obesity around the world.
Collectively known as GLP-1 agonists, these drugs mimic the hormone GLP-1. This limits both hunger and interest in food, helping users lose weight, and helps control blood sugar levels.
But two new studies published today show that people taking these drugs may have a small increased risk of serious eye conditions and vision loss.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re taking or considering these medications.
What damage can occur?
Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, or NAION, is a rare but devastating eye condition that occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve is suddenly reduced or blocked. It’s also called an “eye stroke”.
The exact cause of NAION remains unclear and there are no current treatments available. People with diabetes are at increased risk of developing NAION.
Unlike other eye conditions that develop gradually, NAION causes a sudden, painless loss of vision. Patients typically notice the condition when they wake up and discover they’ve lost vision in one eye.
Vision tends to worsen over a couple of weeks and slowly stabilises. Recovery of vision is variable, but around 70% of people do not experience improvement in their vision.
What has previous research shown?
A previous study from 2024 found participants prescribed semaglutide for diabetes were four times more likely to develop NAION. For those taking it for weight loss, the risk was almost eight times higher.
In June, the European Medicines Agency concluded NAION represented a “very rare” side effect of semaglutide medications: a one in 10,000 chance. In a first for medicines regulators, the agency now requires product labels to include NAION as a documented risk.
However the recent studies suggest the risks may be lower than we first thought.
In addition to NAION, there is also evidence to suggest GLP-1 drugs can worsen diabetic eye disease, also known as diabetic retinopathy. This occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the small blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to vision loss.
It may sound counter-intuitive, but rapid blood sugar reductions can also destabilise the fragile blood vessels in the retina and lead to bleeding.
What do the new studies say?
Two newly published studies investigated people with type 2 diabetes living in the United States over two years. The studies looked at the medical records of 159,000 to 185,000 people.
One study found semaglutide or tirzepatide was associated with a more modest risk of developing NAION than previously thought. Of 159,000 people with type 2 diabetes who were taking these drugs, 35 people (0.04%) developed NAION, compared with 19 patients (0.02%) in the comparison group.
The researchers also found an increased risk of developing “other optic nerve disorders”. However, it’s unclear what kind of optic nerve disorders this includes, as the medical record codes used didn’t specify.
Counter to this, the second study did not find an increased risk of NAION among those taking GLP-1 drugs.
However, the researchers found a small increase in the number of people developing diabetic retinopathy in those prescribed GLP-1 drugs.
But overall, participants on GLP-1 drugs experienced fewer sight-threatening complications related to their diabetic retinopathy and required less invasive eye treatments compared to the group taking other diabetes medications.
Further studies are still needed to understand how GLP-1 drugs can lead to eye complications. A current, five-year clinical trial is studying the long-term effects of semaglutides and diabetic eye disease in 1,500 people, which should tell us more about the ocular risks in the future.
What does this mean for people taking GLP-1 drugs?
NAION is a serious condition. But we need to strike a balance between these (and other) risks and the benefits of GLP-1 medications in diabetes care, obesity treatment, reducing heart attack risks and extending lives.
The key lies in informed decision-making and identifying different levels of risk.
People with multiple NAION risk factors – such as sleep apnoea, high blood pressure and diabetes – should undergo careful consideration with their treating doctor before starting these medications.
“Crowded” optic nerve heads are also a risk factor for NAION. This is an anatomical feature where blood vessels at the optic nerve head are tightly packed together. People with crowded optic nerve heads should also undergo careful consideration before starting GLP-1 medications.
Although NAION can strike without warning, regular comprehensive eye examinations with your optometrist or ophthalmologist still serve important purposes. They can detect other drug-related eye problems, including worsening diabetic retinopathy, and can identify patients with crowded optic nerve heads. It’s also important to tell them if you are taking GLP-1 medications so they can keep a close watch on your eye health.
Emerging research also suggests that improving your heart health might help reduce risks of developing NAION. This includes proper management of high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol – all conditions that compromise the small blood vessels feeding the optic nerve.
Studies also show patients with heart conditions who better adhere to their medication prescriptions have lower risks of NAION than those who don’t.
Doctors should discuss NAION risks during prescribing decisions and work with eye care providers to monitor regularly for diabetic eye disease. Patients need clear instructions to seek immediate medical attention for sudden vision loss and the need for regular eye examinations.
Aggressive treatment of sleep apnoea and other heart conditions may also help reduce NAION risks. But for now, there remains an ongoing need for more research to understand how GLP-1 medications can affect the eye.
Agencies across the government, including in the White House, are planning for, procuring, building, or attempting to scale impact and improve performance through integrating data and using data analytics. I am an advocate for the proposition that government reform starts with data and evidence. However, large investments that underpin even larger transformation ambitions are at risk of failure without primary focus on the human, organizational, and cultural barriers to success.
Primacy of federated data governance
The Foundations of Evidence-based Policymaking Act established a network of chief data officers across agencies. These individuals are responsible for much of the successful deployment of agency operational decision support and policy analysis systems across the federal government, work done under the Federal Data Strategy. As the inaugural CDO at the Department of Veterans Affairs I led deployment of a common operating picture into initial operations spanning over a thousand datasets, approximately 18,000 transformations, and about 5,000 data pipelines. After my departure, the VA COP was used to expand veteran access to services through personalized outreach and save $90million in six months through better acquisition.
This success was enabled by many with the twin pillars of advancing enterprise data management and literacy via data governance aligned under the department’s data strategy, and use of an integrated software as a service technical solution. The two were symbiotic. The critical path for enterprise impact was through maturing mostly federated data governance. I also heard this dynamic from my peers across government as the chair of the Large Agency Committee of the Federal CDO Council.
Planning for integrated data systems must include requirements for interoperable data management, analytic model management and automation of federated governance and data management workflows. These requirements would come from establishing, iterating and maturing federated data governance. Further, the scope of data governance must cause synchronization between information resource management policies and processes anchored with agency CDOs, and those anchored with chief information officers, chief technology officers and chief artificial intelligence officers.
Federated governance and semantic interoperability
A useful federated governance model that has stood the test of time is that used by the NIEMOpen, the leading public sector semantic interoperability framework. NIEMOpen usefully sets common minimum standards for public sector domains that align with federal diversity, and has existing federal sponsorship over many of its domains.
NIEM also offers alignment on open standards to improve data readiness for AI-based transformation. NIEMOpen 6.0, combined with entity resolution technology, supports faster cross boundary data integration for creating open standards-based ontologies and knowledge graphs that are ready for techniques such as GraphRAG.
Trusted policy enforcement and data stewardship
Modern technical solutions offer strong capability for “come as you are” data integration and curation. But technical capabilities don’t eliminate the need for integration of data stewards into business processes that enable required data integration. Indeed, overseeing data management activities that identify and address data quality and metadata management is a key data governance function. Improving data quality is always and everywhere a central consideration with data analytics efforts because of the focus on secondary use beyond transactional workflows. Data stewards are key to ensuring use — and reuse — of data is policy compliant, aligned with use and reuse ready.
The best way to integrate data stewards into required federated data management is to lead with data governance as a first rank consideration to enabling solution delivery. The tone from the top and accompanying guidance must be set in a way that encourages the chain of command to task key individuals to participate, and for them to see and buy into the purpose. This only works if the chain of command and data stewards believe that their legitimate concerns will be authentically considered, and they have some ownership over or appreciation of targeted analytic requirements.
Shaping and strengthening key analytic questions to be addressed
Many data analytics practitioners have evolved the concept of learning agendas and key analytic questions to be central in addressing enterprise policy analysis and operational decision support requirements. KAQs articulate the targeted insight and how it might be used to improve agency operations, and what agency datasets and analytical models — including AI techniques — are targeted to be used to produce this result. Refining KAQs is an iterative process innovating based on the art of the possible.
A critical aspect with vetting KAQs is data governance that includes agency information policy and analytic leaders. These individuals, engaged up front, have the expertise to ensure appropriate use of data while managing privacy, security, and other risks. Proper vetting allows for better consideration of reuse and a “data as a product” sensibility. With an articulated and prioritized mission requirement there is in most cases a way to address issues that arise. And if not, there are valid, clear and compelling reasons.
Using appropriate transparency to align stakeholder incentives
Many integrated data systems aim to support policy analysis and operational decisions based on understanding performance gaps and risk assessments. In Moving federal enterprise risk management beyond compliance theatre, I highlighted that federal agencies mostly don’t manage risk in a repeatable way. Critical to the success of targeted use cases tackling cultural barriers based on use of a single source of truth. Appropriate transparency, ensuring decision support is responsibly synchronized across all levels of the agency, creating an immutable log of past decisions and enforcing accountability for learning and improvement over time can shift incentives.
Moving away from data calls
Too much data is maintained in spreadsheets, presentations or other documents and correlated via point in time data calls — for example, risk, program and agency performance data. In many cases, programs and agencies use such data to “grade their own homework” with limited immediate and even less temporal data integrity. Key to success is to normalize agencies towards use of authoritative data, including potential use of agency integrated data systems for this data.
Integrate and curate once, reuse many times
If the data governance function is robust and trusted, then integrated and curated data can be reused many times with straightforward data governance decisions. This dramatically lowers the cost of reuse, drives compounding value and strengthens trust in and effectiveness of data governance, setting a virtuous cycle.
Interoperability, vendor lock, and a model for depreciating legacy technology
With the VA COP, avoiding vendor lock, maintaining the ability to integrate with existing data stores and managing total cost of ownership were concerns. VA addressed these issues by demonstrating technology-agnostic, full-stack interoperability across data, metadata and data pipeline transformations. VA demonstrated export of those elements from the technology used for its COP: Palantir Foundry on Amazon Web Services. VA then imported and precisely recreated the curated data objects and meta-data in a second technology stack: Databricks and other technologies on Microsoft Azure. VA demonstrated this on person-centric data objects with about 100 datasets and 900 transformation points, using two distinct technology teams.
Key is establishing a data lake independent of a specific data integration or data analytics solution, and having the chosen solution read and write data, metadata and transformations to it. For example, once a pipeline is established and vetted, it might be substantially cheaper to run and maintain it on a commodity, open technology stack. This approach to data architecture requires close collaboration and alignment among agency data and information technology leaders. It also establishes technology- agnostic control over federal data and its quality and use, including with AI, enabling strategic deprecation of legacy and introduction of new technology. Demonstrating this capability will generate substantial leverage with the vendor community, lowering cost and risk for the government.
Kshemendra Paul is a seasoned leader, recognized for his pioneering results and solutions using data, architecture, and information sharing and safeguarding to improve government on behalf of the American people. He started his career in the private sector as technology leader and entrepreneur. In the second half of his career, he served in a variety of federal agencies and the White House in roles such as assistant inspector general, governmentwide lead for information sharing, federal chief architect, program manager, and chief data officer. His focus now is policy advocacy, including advising leaders and organizations, in his personal capacity.
This document is authored by Kshemendra Paul in his personal capacity. The views expressed are his and not those of the U.S. Government or any of its agencies. The mentions of specific products and vendors are not endorsements and provided for context.
TAMPA, Fla. — Belgian startup Edgx has raised seed funding to develop Sterna, an artificial intelligence computer designed to run complex algorithms onboard satellites to speed decisions and use limited bandwidth more efficiently.
To continue reading this article:
Register now and get 3 free articles every month.
You’ll also receive our weekly SpaceNews This Week newsletter every Friday. Opt-out at any time.
Sign in to an existing account
Get unlimited access to SpaceNews.com now.
As low as $5 per week*
Cancel anytime. Sales tax may apply. No refunds.(*Billed quarterly)
See all subscription options
Jason Rainbow writes about satellite telecom, finance and commercial markets for SpaceNews. He has spent more than a decade covering the global space industry as a business journalist. Previously, he was Group Editor-in-Chief for Finance Information Group,…
More by Jason Rainbow
LOS ANGELES — Researchers at City of Hope®, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States with its National Medical Center ranked among the nation’s top cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report, today published a new study which found that some survivors of childhood cancer are more at risk for serious health issues as they grow older, including new cancers and chronic conditions like heart disease.
While a cause for concern, the findings published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology also point to a silver lining: The ailments are potentially manageable if caught early and treated.
“Our study underscores the importance of partnership among patients, their primary care providers and cancer survivorship programs to ensure survivors receive necessary screening for the early detection, prevention and treatment of conditions, including secondary cancers, resulting from lifesaving treatment,” said Rusha Bhandari , M.D., a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at City of Hope and corresponding author of the new study. “We at City of Hope are continuing to learn more about what health conditions survivors of childhood cancer are at risk for at different times in their life to inform the updating of evidence-based guidelines for cancer survivors.”
The City of Hope-led study is the first to look at childhood cancer survivors who reached the age of 50, a population that is expected to grow as cancer treatments continue to improve and become more targeted and personalized.
Nearly 15,000 children and adolescents in the United States are diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or other types of cancer each year. The rate of young patients surviving cancer for at least five years is now 85%, up from 58% a few decades ago.
To determine long-term risks, Dr. Bhandari, Saro Armenian , D.O., M.P.H., a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at City of Hope Children’s Cancer Center, and their colleagues reviewed a national database that tracks about 40,000 people who were diagnosed with cancer before they turned 21. The researchers identified individuals who were still alive at age 50 and then compared any new incidence of cancer with the rate of cancer found in the general population. The risks for chronic health conditions were compared to the patients’ siblings.
Having overcome cancer at an early age, survivors face new risks when they turn older, the study found. Young patients have a higher risk of secondary cancers and are five times more likely to die from the disease compared to other individuals over the age of 50.
Cancer survivors face increased risks for heart disease as well. In fact, pediatric cancer survivors had a higher incidence of heart problems at age 55 compared to their 70-year-old siblings. They were also more frail, had trouble with physical exertion and suffered poorer health in general.
Looking at the type of cancer treatment survivors had received, the team found that radiation therapy was the main culprit for future risks, rather than chemotherapy.
“Radiation causes cellular DNA damage that can lead to mutations and the development of new cancers,” said Dr. Armenian, senior author of the study.
The study was based on treatment regimens used in the 1970s and 80s. There have been vast improvements since then, including delaying or avoiding radiation in favor of targeted cancer drugs and emerging treatments such as immunotherapy and precision oncology. Still, Dr. Bhandari urges greater vigilance to protect against future health problems.
“Some survivors should screen for conditions like breast or colon cancer at an earlier age than is recommended for the general population,” Dr. Armenian said. “Teamwork is needed to ensure survivors receive necessary screening and preventative care for conditions, including secondary cancers.”
While young cancer patients faced more health problems as they got older, the study did find a bright spot when it came to mental health. Cancer survivors were no more likely to report mental health issues than their siblings at age 50.
“This mental health finding may reflect the resilience and positive mindset of our long-term survivors who have battled cancer,” Dr. Bhandari said. “This is a wonderful example of how our patients continue to inspire us as they navigate their cancer and survivorship journeys.”
/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.
Popular streamer Asmongold has said he is considering taking a break from streaming for up to six months, citing his father’s declining health and the demands of maintaining a consistent broadcast schedule.
Speaking during an August 2025 livestream, the creator responded to a video from fellow influencer Tectone, which featured an earlier clip where Asmongold described himself as “fried” from streaming obligations and managing his father’s medical care.
“It’s not something I’ve entirely decided on, but I’m being pulled in a lot of different directions,” he explained. “I have no idea what’s gonna happen. For me, there’s a lot of fatigue that sets in.”
The 35-year-old streamer said he had previously been a caretaker for his mother for eight years, and is now supporting his father, whose recovery will still require long-term assistance.
Asmongold confirmed that no decision has been finalised regarding the length or timing of any potential hiatus. However, many viewers encouraged him to prioritise family.
Some suggested he hire an in-home caretaker, but he noted that his father preferred his direct involvement.
Messages from fans urged him to spend quality time with his father, with some recommending activities such as camping or fishing.
Although Asmongold has taken short breaks from streaming before, a six-month absence would be unusual given his current status as the most-watched streamer in the world, achieved through multi-streaming on both Kick and Twitch.
The streamer has built a following since his early days as a World of Warcraft-focused content creator, later expanding into broader commentary.
Whether he steps away temporarily or continues his schedule, his audience has expressed support for his decision-making during this period.
Prince Harry is exploring new ways to support young people in southern Africa, following his resignation from Sentebale, the charity he co-founded in 2006.
Prince Harry Plans New Charity Work in Africa After Stepping Down from Sentebale
The Duke of Sussex, 40, stepped down from his role in March this year, alongside Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, after disagreements within the organisation’s leadership.
The move followed tensions between Sentebale’s chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka and the board of trustees.
Although a recent investigation by the Charity Commission for England and Wales found no signs of widespread bullying or misconduct, the Commission criticised how the conflict was handled, saying it harmed Sentebale’s reputation and trust in charities more broadly.
Despite the challenges, Prince Harry remains committed to the cause. A spokesperson said, “The Duke remains absolutely committed to continuing the work he started, supporting the children and young people of Lesotho and Botswana, nearly 20 years ago.”
There is no confirmed plan yet, but “all options remain on the table”, according to Harry’s team.
These could include starting a new charity or supporting existing ones that focus on similar work in the region.
How Does The Sentebale Charity Help The Youth?
Sentebale, which means “forget-me-not” in the Sesotho language, was set up in memory of Prince Harry’s and Prince Seeiso’s mothers. The charity has helped children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana, especially those affected by HIV/AIDS, through healthcare, education, job training, and life skills support.
Although he has stepped away from Sentebale, Prince Harry’s dedication to southern Africa appears unchanged.
A new study supports the first-line role of cervical spine x-ray as a screening exam in blunt pediatric trauma patients.
The finding is from a 10-year review in which cervical spine (c-spine) x-ray screening had a sensitivity of 100% for clinically significant injuries, noted lead author William Starr, MD, of the University of Utah Health in Salt Lake City, and colleagues.
“Our study provides a large contemporary cohort where national c-spine protocols are followed showing a normal c-spine [x-ray] and a normal physical examination resulted in zero missed clinically significant injuries,” the group wrote. The study was published August 3 in Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open.
Detection of pediatric c-spine injuries and the process by which cervical collars are removed is of the utmost importance, as missed injuries can be devastating, the authors explained. C-spine x-ray has been shown to be a valid screening tool for c-spine injury when coupled with a normal physical examination, and it is recommended by the Pediatric Trauma Society, they added.
“Despite these recommendations, [x-rays] have been abandoned as a screening tool at some institutions,” the group wrote.
Furthermore, the sensitivity and negative predictive value of c-spine x-rays have not been evaluated in a large, contemporary cohort of pediatric trauma patients, they noted.
Thus, the group conducted a retrospective review of cases at their level 1 pediatric trauma center from 2012 to 2021. The hospital’s protocol is to start with x-ray in patients with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores between 14 and 15 and then go to multidetector CT in patients with a depressed GCS score. The researchers compared a group with negative c-spine x-ray and no additional imaging to a group with negative c-spine x-ray followed by additional c-spine CT and/or MRI.
According to the results, out of 2,081 patients with negative x-rays, 1,974 (95%) had their c-spines cleared without additional imaging. The remaining 108 patients had additional c-spine imaging after negative c-spine x-ray for c-spine clearance (24 CT, 76 MRI, and 8 both CT and MRI). Indications for additional c-spine imaging were pain (48.1%), a GCS score ≤ 14 (43.5%), and paresthesia (8.3%), the researchers reported.
“In this cohort, screening [x-ray] had a sensitivity of 100% for clinically significant c-spine injuries,” they wrote.
Ultimately, although x-ray has been supported as a safe initial c-spine imaging modality for blunt, evaluable pediatric trauma patients, its use remains a complex and debated topic, the authors noted. X-ray has been shown to be more cost-efficient, associated with increased quality of life, and to have a decreased radiation burden when used as the initial screening modality.
Meanwhile, in adult trauma, the utilization of x-ray has been almost completely replaced by CT, making c-spine x-ray a foreign test in many locations other than pediatric-specific centers, they wrote.
“As pediatric specialists, it is important that we continue to promote [x-ray] as an important tool in pediatric trauma,” the group concluded.
