Tag: 3BL

SWORDS, Ireland, December 11, 2024 /3BL/ – Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator providing energy-efficient solutions and services for heating and cooling across the built environment and transport sectors, proudly announces its one of the first companies in Ireland to commit to the UN Global Compact’s Forward Faster initiative.

The UN Global Compact, the world’s largest voluntary, corporate sustainability initiative officially launched its Country Network for Ireland on November 28. The event, which gathered some 150 senior leaders from Ireland’s business community, also served as the local launch of the Forward Faster initiative. The initiative provides businesses with guidance to make a significant impact towards the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With only 17% of SDGs on track, the initiative calls for urgent action from both public and private sectors.

A signatory of the UN Global Compact since December 2023, Trane Technologies has made a Forward Faster-aligned commitment with the company’s May 2022 milestone of being among the first 11 companies globally, and first in its industry, to receive external validation of its near and long-term emissions reduction targets by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Trane Technologies aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2050. As an early participant in the Forward Faster initiative in Ireland, Trane Technologies is poised to play a pivotal role in driving significant change and setting new standards for corporate sustainability.

Jose La Loggia, Group President EMEA at Trane Technologies, emphasized the importance of the Forward Faster initiative during the launch event in a distinguished panel entitled: “Unlocking the Value of Sustainability: Business Leadership Across Sectors.” Discussions brought together spokespeople from Irish enterprises to explore how companies are embedding sustainability into their operations, addressing challenges, and maximizing the benefits of sustainable practices aligned with the SDGs.

Jose La Loggia shared: “We are proud to join the Forward Faster initiative, which aligns perfectly with our mission to decarbonize our cities through sustainable heating and cooling solutions for buildings.

We started our sustainability journey long before green was a trend, setting our 2020 Climate Commitments with our first science-based targets back in 2014, and met them early by accelerating innovation. Recognizing there was no time to waste for climate action, we put a stake in the ground and set even bolder goals in 2019 – our 2030 Sustainability Commitments – including our Gigaton Challenge. Our progress on our near-term 2030 goals puts us on a glidepath toward net-zero by 2050.

The Forward Faster Initiative brings long-term value to our business and the communities we serve. We invite more companies to join us in collaborating and innovating to drive meaningful progress and to continue boldly challenging what’s possible for a sustainable world.

Nessa Whelan, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Ireland , emphasized the importance of the launch and Trane Technologies’ participation: “We are delighted to have Trane Technologies join us as a speaker at the launch of the UN Global Compact Network Ireland to share insights on the business case for sustainability. Their commitment to ambitious targets aligned with the Forward Faster initiative serves as a strong example of the kind of action we hope to see more companies take, driving meaningful progress and inspiring lasting impact.”

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About Trane Technologies: 
Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane® and Thermo King®, and our portfolio of environmentally responsible products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes and transportation. For more on Trane Technologies, visit www.tranetechnologies.com.

About the UN Global Compact Network Ireland: The UN Global Compact Network Ireland is a local network of the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. It aims to mobilize a global movement of sustainable companies and stakeholders to create the world we want. For more information, visit UN Global Compact Network Ireland See also: Forward Faster initiative

Direct Relief has been ranked as the fifth largest charity in the United States and one of the most effective stewards of private donations, according to Forbes’ 2024 annual list of the 100 Top U.S. Charities, which ranks organizations by private donations.

“Direct Relief, No. 5 on this 26th edition of our list, is one of the most respected and older organizations in the disaster relief business,” Forbes stated.

Forbes awarded Direct Relief a perfect score of 100% for charitable commitment, reflecting the proportion of expenses allocated directly to its charitable mission, and 100% for fundraising efficiency, highlighting the organization’s minimal fundraising costs relative to private donations.

In fiscal year 2024, which ended on June 30, Direct Relief delivered more than $2.4 billion in humanitarian aid, including $770 million in medical aid for victims of natural disasters, war, and civil conflicts in locations such as North Carolina, Maui, Ukraine, the Middle East, Haiti, and Sudan.

Direct Relief’s impact also included providing targeted financial support for projects such as funding mobile medical clinics, prosthetics clinics in Ukraine, and search and rescue teams in California.

Forbes highlighted Direct Relief’s leader role in disaster response, noting that it “may pump more aid into disaster relief in the U.S. and abroad than any other charity on the new Forbes list.”

Top Ten Charities in the US – 2024

RankOrganization NameIndustryPrivate Donations ($)Total Revenue ($)Fundraising Efficiency (%)Charitable Commitment (%)1Feeding AmericaDomestic Needs$4.91 B$5.16 B99982Good 360International Needs$3.04 B$3.06 B1001003St. Jude Children’s Research HospitalMedical$2.57 B$3.79 B84704United Way WorldwideDomestic Needs$2.49 B$3.56 B87855Direct ReliefInternational Needs$2.37 B$2.38 B1001006Salvation ArmyDomestic Needs$2.3 B$4.78 B89837Habitat for Humanity InternationalInternational Needs$2.02 B$3.08 B91848AmericaresInternational Needs$1.54 B$1.56 B99989Goodwill Industries InternationalDomestic Needs$1.48 B$8.24 B997710Boys & Girls Clubs of AmericaYouth$1.36 B$2.83 B8979

Forbes. “The 100 Largest U.S. Charities.” Forbes, 2024, www.forbes.com/top-charities/list/.

Leading Position Among California and International Charities

Among the 100 largest U.S. charities recognized by Forbes in 2024, Direct Relief stands out as the largest among the six headquartered in California, emphasizing its leadership in a state renowned for philanthropy.

Top California Charities by Size – 2024

RankOrganization NameIndustryPrivate Donations ($)Total Revenue ($)Fundraising Efficiency (%)Charitable Commitment (%)Based in California1Direct ReliefInternational Needs$2.37 B$2.38 B100100x2Shriners Hospitals for ChildrenInternational Needs$547 M$1.98 B7175x3Cedars-Sinai Health SystemDomestic Needs$426 M$8.78 B9589x4Entertainment Industry FoundationHealth$321 M$325 M9190x5City of HopeMedical$280 M$4.73 B8582x6Second Harvest of Silicon ValleyDomestic Needs$262 M$294 M9795x

Forbes. “The 100 Largest U.S. Charities.” Forbes, 2024, www.forbes.com/top-charities/list/

Globally, Direct Relief is ranked as the second-largest charity in the “International Needs” category, underscoring its ability to address complex global challenges and deliver impactful humanitarian aid across diverse regions.

Top International Charities by Size – 2024

RankOrganization NameIndustryPrivate Donations ($)Total Revenue ($)Fundraising Efficiency (%)Charitable Commitment (%)1Good 360International Needs$3.04 B$3.06 B1001002Direct ReliefInternational Needs$2.37 B$2.38 B1001003Habitat for Humanity InternationalInternational Needs$2.02 B$3.08 B91844AmericaresInternational Needs$1.54 B$1.56 B99985Compassion InternationalInternational Needs$1.28 B$1.34 B87806MAP InternationalInternational Needs$1.01 B$1.02 B99997United States Fund for UNICEFInternational Needs$0.84 B$0.85 B90898World VisionInternational Needs$0.84 B$1.51 B86899Doctors Without Borders USAInternational Needs$0.75 B$0.78 B868710Convoy of HopeInternational Needs$0.63 B$0.64 B9693

Forbes. “The 100 Largest U.S. Charities.” Forbes, 2024, www.forbes.com/top-charities/list/

2024 Charity Ratings

Beyond its Forbes ranking, Charity Navigator, the nation’s leading nonprofit evaluator, awarded Direct Relief an overall 100% charity rating for 2024, marking its 14th consecutive Four-Star rating. This distinction underscores the organization’s commitment to excellence, accountability, and measurable impact.

Charity Navigator also recognized Direct Relief as one of the Best Humanitarian Relief Charities of 2024, highlighting its responses to Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton, and humanitarian crises in Sudan and Ukraine. These lists identify organizations that are “extraordinarily effective at what they do, giving you the chance to support a cause where you’ll have an impact.”

Direct Relief has also earned an A+ rating from CharityWatch, the highest grade awarded by the independent watchdog.

Humanitarian Impact in 2024

In 2024, Direct Relief advanced its global humanitarian mission with the following accomplishments:

Delivering Lifesaving Medicines: Distributed over 380 million defined daily doses of medicine to more than 2,300 healthcare facilities across 90 countries and all 50 U.S. states.Hurricane Responses: Responded to Hurricanes Beryl, Helene, and Milton, providing financial support and essential medicines to over 90 healthcare providers across impacted states, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.Middle East Humanitarian Aid: Provided $299 million in medical aid to regions including Gaza, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. This included nearly 150 tons of medical supplies, valued at more than $32 million, addressing critical health needs such as cancer treatment, diabetes care, cardiac conditions, and water purification.Support for Ukraine: Delivered $322 million in medical aid to Ukraine in 2024, bringing the total since 2022 to 2,600 tons, valued at $1.4 billion. Current initiatives focus on rehabilitation, mental health, mobile care, and energy resilience for healthcare facilities.

Policies on Donor Funds and Valuation of In-Kind Donations

Direct Relief ensures that no donor funds are used for fundraising expenses. Such costs—averaging just 2% of cash revenue—are covered entirely by earnings from a generous bequest, ensuring that 100% of donor contributions directly support humanitarian programs.

As an organization funded exclusively by private charitable contributions, Direct Relief does not accept government support. Its operational efficiency is bolstered through strategic partnerships with businesses and nonprofit organizations.

The majority of donations received and distributed by Direct Relief are in-kind contributions of medicine and medical supplies, valued at wholesale cost. These contributions form the largest share of the organization’s annual revenue.

Direct Relief’s long-standing support for locally run facilities providing essential health services to underserved communities has enabled it to expand its reach and strengthen fragile health systems globally, marking an unparalleled level of impact in its 76-year history.

Direct Relief has been ranked as the fifth largest charity in the United States and one of the most effective stewards of private donations, according to Forbes’ 2024 annual list of the 100 Top U.S. Charities, which ranks organizations by private donations.

“Direct Relief, No. 5 on this 26th edition of our list, is one of the most respected and older organizations in the disaster relief business,” Forbes stated.

Forbes awarded Direct Relief a perfect score of 100% for charitable commitment, reflecting the proportion of expenses allocated directly to its charitable mission, and 100% for fundraising efficiency, highlighting the organization’s minimal fundraising costs relative to private donations.

In fiscal year 2024, which ended on June 30, Direct Relief delivered more than $2.4 billion in humanitarian aid, including $770 million in medical aid for victims of natural disasters, war, and civil conflicts in locations such as North Carolina, Maui, Ukraine, the Middle East, Haiti, and Sudan.

Direct Relief’s impact also included providing targeted financial support for projects such as funding mobile medical clinics, prosthetics clinics in Ukraine, and search and rescue teams in California.

Forbes highlighted Direct Relief’s leader role in disaster response, noting that it “may pump more aid into disaster relief in the U.S. and abroad than any other charity on the new Forbes list.”

Top Ten Charities in the US – 2024

RankOrganization NameIndustryPrivate Donations ($)Total Revenue ($)Fundraising Efficiency (%)Charitable Commitment (%)1Feeding AmericaDomestic Needs$4.91 B$5.16 B99982Good 360International Needs$3.04 B$3.06 B1001003St. Jude Children’s Research HospitalMedical$2.57 B$3.79 B84704United Way WorldwideDomestic Needs$2.49 B$3.56 B87855Direct ReliefInternational Needs$2.37 B$2.38 B1001006Salvation ArmyDomestic Needs$2.3 B$4.78 B89837Habitat for Humanity InternationalInternational Needs$2.02 B$3.08 B91848AmericaresInternational Needs$1.54 B$1.56 B99989Goodwill Industries InternationalDomestic Needs$1.48 B$8.24 B997710Boys & Girls Clubs of AmericaYouth$1.36 B$2.83 B8979

Forbes. “The 100 Largest U.S. Charities.” Forbes, 2024, www.forbes.com/top-charities/list/.

Leading Position Among California and International Charities

Among the 100 largest U.S. charities recognized by Forbes in 2024, Direct Relief stands out as the largest among the six headquartered in California, emphasizing its leadership in a state renowned for philanthropy.

Top California Charities by Size – 2024

RankOrganization NameIndustryPrivate Donations ($)Total Revenue ($)Fundraising Efficiency (%)Charitable Commitment (%)Based in California1Direct ReliefInternational Needs$2.37 B$2.38 B100100x2Shriners Hospitals for ChildrenInternational Needs$547 M$1.98 B7175x3Cedars-Sinai Health SystemDomestic Needs$426 M$8.78 B9589x4Entertainment Industry FoundationHealth$321 M$325 M9190x5City of HopeMedical$280 M$4.73 B8582x6Second Harvest of Silicon ValleyDomestic Needs$262 M$294 M9795x

Forbes. “The 100 Largest U.S. Charities.” Forbes, 2024, www.forbes.com/top-charities/list/

Globally, Direct Relief is ranked as the second-largest charity in the “International Needs” category, underscoring its ability to address complex global challenges and deliver impactful humanitarian aid across diverse regions.

Top International Charities by Size – 2024

RankOrganization NameIndustryPrivate Donations ($)Total Revenue ($)Fundraising Efficiency (%)Charitable Commitment (%)1Good 360International Needs$3.04 B$3.06 B1001002Direct ReliefInternational Needs$2.37 B$2.38 B1001003Habitat for Humanity InternationalInternational Needs$2.02 B$3.08 B91844AmericaresInternational Needs$1.54 B$1.56 B99985Compassion InternationalInternational Needs$1.28 B$1.34 B87806MAP InternationalInternational Needs$1.01 B$1.02 B99997United States Fund for UNICEFInternational Needs$0.84 B$0.85 B90898World VisionInternational Needs$0.84 B$1.51 B86899Doctors Without Borders USAInternational Needs$0.75 B$0.78 B868710Convoy of HopeInternational Needs$0.63 B$0.64 B9693

Forbes. “The 100 Largest U.S. Charities.” Forbes, 2024, www.forbes.com/top-charities/list/

2024 Charity Ratings

Beyond its Forbes ranking, Charity Navigator, the nation’s leading nonprofit evaluator, awarded Direct Relief an overall 100% charity rating for 2024, marking its 14th consecutive Four-Star rating. This distinction underscores the organization’s commitment to excellence, accountability, and measurable impact.

Charity Navigator also recognized Direct Relief as one of the Best Humanitarian Relief Charities of 2024, highlighting its responses to Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton, and humanitarian crises in Sudan and Ukraine. These lists identify organizations that are “extraordinarily effective at what they do, giving you the chance to support a cause where you’ll have an impact.”

Direct Relief has also earned an A+ rating from CharityWatch, the highest grade awarded by the independent watchdog.

Humanitarian Impact in 2024

In 2024, Direct Relief advanced its global humanitarian mission with the following accomplishments:

Delivering Lifesaving Medicines: Distributed over 380 million defined daily doses of medicine to more than 2,300 healthcare facilities across 90 countries and all 50 U.S. states.Hurricane Responses: Responded to Hurricanes Beryl, Helene, and Milton, providing financial support and essential medicines to over 90 healthcare providers across impacted states, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.Middle East Humanitarian Aid: Provided $299 million in medical aid to regions including Gaza, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. This included nearly 150 tons of medical supplies, valued at more than $32 million, addressing critical health needs such as cancer treatment, diabetes care, cardiac conditions, and water purification.Support for Ukraine: Delivered $322 million in medical aid to Ukraine in 2024, bringing the total since 2022 to 2,600 tons, valued at $1.4 billion. Current initiatives focus on rehabilitation, mental health, mobile care, and energy resilience for healthcare facilities.

Policies on Donor Funds and Valuation of In-Kind Donations

Direct Relief ensures that no donor funds are used for fundraising expenses. Such costs—averaging just 2% of cash revenue—are covered entirely by earnings from a generous bequest, ensuring that 100% of donor contributions directly support humanitarian programs.

As an organization funded exclusively by private charitable contributions, Direct Relief does not accept government support. Its operational efficiency is bolstered through strategic partnerships with businesses and nonprofit organizations.

The majority of donations received and distributed by Direct Relief are in-kind contributions of medicine and medical supplies, valued at wholesale cost. These contributions form the largest share of the organization’s annual revenue.

Direct Relief’s long-standing support for locally run facilities providing essential health services to underserved communities has enabled it to expand its reach and strengthen fragile health systems globally, marking an unparalleled level of impact in its 76-year history.

Machinery from Case IH, a brand of CNH, is being used to develop new methods of water storage, management and application. With water being a precious resource for Australian agriculture, greater efficiency is being sought by farmers across the sector.

Just outside St George, in south-west Queensland, on the mixed farming property, ‘Wagaby’, Ian Todd is investing in a different water application system, which will lead to savings in terms of labour and machinery outputs, and even in the amount of water required for his 1200ha of irrigated paddocks.

Ian is in the process of converting these paddocks from a syphon to bankless, or surface, irrigation system, a practice being used by more farmers across Queensland and NSW properties.

‘Wagaby’ staff member Chris Strickfuss is the man charged with converting the paddocks, laser-levelling these areas, and creating banks that divide the paddocks into bays of about 20ha each.

Chris gets the job done with a Case IH Steiger® tractor and a Horwood Bagshaw Grader Scraper, and in the past month, a new Case IH Steiger 555 and 14ft Horwood Bagshaw Grader Scraper have joined the ‘Wagaby’ machinery fleet.

Ian has always relied on Case IH tractors and sprayers, and Horwood Bagshaw implements, which he also used to sell when he had the Horwood Bagshaw (previously Alfarm) and Case IH machinery dealership in St George for 32 years.

“Irrigation labour is reduced significantly, and the new layouts are much more friendly for large farming equipment. It’s probably 20 to 30 per cent more efficient on the number of hectares you get through each day. Depending on the design, there’s also water savings of up to 15 per cent, and no yield penalty,” said Glenn Lyons, who runs GL Water Services in St George.

The team at ‘Wagaby’ has planted cotton into their irrigated paddocks in the past month, and the harvesting of the wheat has begun, using the property’s own Case IH Axial-Flow 7240 and another 7240 belonging to a local contractor.

Originally published on HARMAN Newsroom

STAMFORD, Conn., December 10, 2024 /3BL/ – HARMAN Automotive is celebrating success having been named “Best Supplier” at the 2024 CDN People Awards, a prestigious annual award ceremony hosted by Car Design News that recognizes excellence in automotive design globally.

The CDN People Awards’ expert judging panel selected the HARMAN Automotive Design Team for its collaborative approach with its OEM customers and suppliers to deliver industry-first solutions and award-winning product experiences.

“We’re thrilled to have received the ‘Best Supplier’ honors at the CDN People Awards,” said Philipp Siebourg, Senior Director, HARMAN Automotive Design. “The entire HARMAN Automotive Design Team has made such incredible strides in recent years, enabling us to become a globally recognized team supporting the industry to deliver next-generation experiences. It’s a huge collaborative effort by all our creative talent from CMF team to the UX designers and everyone in-between; I’m honored to accept this award on the entire team’s behalf and thank every single person for all their incredible hard work.”

HARMAN’s in-house design team comprises over 200 multi-disciplinary creatives across the globe with expertise in UX/UI, motion and industrial design that enables it to craft beautiful experiences, leading-edge solutions and award-winning products. Collaboration is at the heart of HARMAN’s creativity—between its own internal teams and with its OEM partners and suppliers. Its worldwide reputation has resulted in long-standing customer relationships, with its exceptional work including bespoke digital experiences and crafting holistic interior acoustic landscapes for leading global automakers. Recognized for innovation and agility, the HARMAN team enhances automotive in-cabin experiences, prioritizing safety, precision, quality, wellbeing, and communication.

The CDN People Award celebrations took place on December 5, 2024, at The Londoner Hotel in Leicester Square, London. Organized by Car Design News—the leading resource for car design professionals globally—and now in its third year, the annual awards celebrate the automotive design teams and individuals of all levels behind today’s mobility, spanning UX, exteriors, interiors, lighting, along with color, material and finish design (CMF). A panel of esteemed car designers and experts from leading automotive companies reviewed a record-breaking roster of more than 200 entries to determine the worthy winners.

HARMAN Automotive also played an important role as VIP Host for this year’s awards, helping facilitate connections amongst the expert judging panel and VIPs, allowing them to meet, network and share insights, and ensure a transparent and engaging judging process.

To learn more about HARMAN Automotive visit: https://car.harman.com/

To learn more about Huemen, HARMAN’s in-house design team, visit: https://www.huemendesign.com/

Originally published on Illumina News Center

Illumina Vice President of Bioinformatics James Han has been in the industry for decades—so he’s witnessed every stride the company has made in that time. “Illumina has worked tirelessly for the last 20 years to improve sequencing,” he says. “We brought the cost of a genome from hundreds of thousands—maybe even millions—down to $200. Now, as labs move toward whole-genome sequencing, the bottleneck is no longer the lab workflow; it’s really in the informatics, in getting the insights from the data. This is why this work is so important.”

For over six years, DRAGEN Secondary Analysis software from Illumina has stood out among its competitors for its speed and accuracy. But one comment its developers have heard from members of the scientific community has been that, because it’s a commercial product that uses proprietary code, the inner workings of its algorithms—the secrets to its success—are invisible to the user.

Senior Director of Bioinformatics Severine Catreux has even encountered the assumption that the DRAGEN team relies on open-source components to achieve such high performance and rapid algorithmic evolution. “However, our approach is fully independent,” she says. “We develop all methods in house, from initial concept through to complete implementation.”

This perception needed to change. “Illumina believes in objective review of our methods,” Han says. “So, we’re being open with the scientific community about how the algorithms work.”

A new peer-reviewed study in the October 2024 issue of Nature Biotechnology publishes the results of an unprecedented third-party validation by the Human Genome Sequencing Center at Baylor College of Medicine of every single one of DRAGEN’s germline sequencing algorithms, rigorously comparing the software against other tools on the market and measuring it against industry-standard benchmarks.

The most challenging genes require a custom solution

One of the study’s lead authors, and head of the validation effort at Baylor, is associate professor of molecular and human genetics Fritz Sedlazeck. His research focuses on complex parts of the genome that are linked to rare diseases and cancer, and his group has never balked at the prospect of delving into even the largest and most challenging of these regions. He says, “I’m very curious and driven by the fact that we should study all types of variants that occur in our genomes, not just the small ones.”

Back in the mid-2010s, he found that the secondary analysis software available at the time often misreported these regions, and he concluded that better accuracy would require specialized algorithms and targeted variant callers. Eventually he got in touch with the DRAGEN team at Illumina to provide feedback, though he stresses that he’s not partial to any one company, saying, “I just want to get the science right.”

The DRAGEN team prioritized a shortlist of genes of greatest interest to the scientific community because of their potential relevance to medical research, and in the past few years, they’ve rapidly developed tailored solutions for characterizing these genes—for instance, GBA, which is linked to Gaucher’s disease and Parkinson disease; or LPA, the copy numbers of which are directly correlated with cardiovascular disease risk.

These high-priority genes are often present in multiple copies and/or located in highly homogenous regions of the genome. This repetitive genetic code can vary widely from person to person, and it constitutes a booby trap that confuses genomic sequencers during the demultiplexing step, which stitches the complete genome back together from the smaller fragments created during library preparation.

DRAGEN now includes over a dozen specialized variant callers, tailor-made to accurately read these most challenging sections of the genome. (For more detail on DRAGEN targeted callers, follow this link.) Sedlazeck explains that researchers from various institutions have done well developing individual variant callers, but few to none of them are designed to work together. This paper shows that with DRAGEN, “you have a really comprehensive genomics workflow built together, where each component efficiently communicates with the others. DRAGEN is one of the few cases—or the only case—where these components are connected, and benefit from the innovations across them.”

Accurately reflecting the world’s genetic diversity—and showing our work

Another recently developed feature—and major strength—of DRAGEN is its pangenome reference, sometimes called a multigenome reference or graph genome. This breakthrough aims to counter the Eurocentric bias present in most of the available reference data to date.

The reference genome most often used by researchers today, GRCh38, has its roots in the Human Genome Project of the 1990s. It has served researchers well for a long time, “but honestly, in my opinion it’s nothing more than a kind of ruler,” Sedlazeck says. Unique genetic sequences that appear in non-European ethnic groups are poorly represented or even absent in this data. “We compared every human genome to that ruler, and it doesn’t cope well with different variants across different ancestries.”

The pangenome reference in DRAGEN compares newly read genetic sequences against other known variations in that position, drawing from sample data that better captures the spectrum of people groups across the world. Sedlazeck says this feature, combined with the power of machine learning and Illumina’s proprietary algorithms, is a significant milestone that improves variant calling at any scale—from single-nucleotide variants all the way up to large copy number variations. “With this paper, we hope to show that DRAGEN has matured a lot in identifying more complex variants. This is a significant jump forward to get the whole picture of what a genome looks like in a certain individual; hopefully this catches on, and more and more studies will make use of it.”

In the spirit of scientific transparency, the paper in Nature Biotechnology references all the data and truth sets used, and all the command line parameters necessary for other computational biologists and geneticists to reproduce the same results. DRAGEN is built to handle everything from individual samples to population-size studies (such as the UK Biobank and the National Institutes of Health All of Us Research Program), encompassing hundreds of thousands of them.

The numbers don’t lie: DRAGEN’s speed and accuracy is in a class of its own

DRAGEN demonstrated higher accuracy and faster reads compared to eight other variant callers in this study—when tested on the same fully characterized benchmark data from the US National Institute of Standards, one third-party caller had 144% more false-positive and false-negative errors than DRAGEN; another showed 470% more errors.

And it enables this laser-sharp analysis in just 30 minutes of computation time. “DRAGEN can go from raw reads to VCF files to variant reports in 30 minutes for the whole human genome,” Sedlazeck says. “For many people, this takes, like, half a week.” These comprehensive, scalable methods are necessary to detect medically relevant variants of all types, and to discover novel genetic markers and drug targets.

Catreux has been with Illumina ever since 2018, when the company acquired Edico Genome, the original developers of DRAGEN. She says that acquisition completely changed Illumina’s software landscape: “I’ve seen the whole evolution of DRAGEN, starting from its infancy when nobody knew about it, to the point where we talk about it worldwide. We completely take ownership of how we help our customers with data processing, and we’re having a real impact in improving human health.”

She and Han are proud to share the latest fruits of their labor with the world—and they’re excited to tackle the challenges that lie ahead, all the while listening to customers and using feedback from leading labs like Baylor. Sedlazeck says, “I think the genomics you can now accomplish with this framework is astonishing. And I’m really looking forward to seeing how scientists will use it.”

Originally published on Habitat for Humanity 2024 Annual Report

Giving back to our communities is an essential part of who we are. That commitment is the inspiration behind Wesco Cares. This corporate philanthropic program allows Wesco to make a positive and lasting impact within the communities where our employees work and reside.

Habitat for Humanity and Wesco International are partnering to build sustainable homes in Monte Sión, a mountain community in the municipality of San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas, Mexico.

Monte Sión was founded by Indigenous families displaced by conflict. The residents have been heavily involved with Habitat and have named the building project Lekil Na’, which means “sustainable housing” in their native Tzotzil.

When Wesco International learned about the Lekil Na’ development, they were eager to support the project, donating more than US$111,000. The global supply chain solutions provider has five branches in Mexico and has previously supported Habitat Mexico’s housing affordability efforts.

“We’re committed to making a difference environmentally and socially in the global communities we serve. We are proud to partner with Habitat and families in Monte Sión to build sustainable and healthy homes.”

Christine Wolf, Wesco International’s executive vice president and chief human resources officer

Lekil Na’ homes will have biodigesters for wastewater treatment, solar water heaters, and energy-saving wood stoves designed to maximize heat while minimizing the use of firewood. The houses will be built with cement blocks enhanced with RESIN8TM, a material made from plastic waste that will reduce the homes’ environmental impact and improve thermal efficiency.

Habitat Mexico worked collaboratively with families and community leaders to design energy-efficient homes for the Lekil Na’ project that incorporated local needs and customs. Through the process, community members shared that kitchen and bathroom areas were most often constructed separately from the main house.

The resultant responsive design of the homes features a bathroom that is only accessible from the back patio in accordance with local practices. The patio acts as flexible space, and the homes also include a front porch for welcoming guests. The kitchen area is designed to easily close off from all other living spaces, including two bedrooms and a dining and living area, to avoid smoke inhalation.

Together, Habitat and Wesco International are focused on working with communities like Monte Sión around the globe to build sustainable homes that help families, and our planet, thrive.

To learn more, view the 2024 Habitat for Humanity Annual Report on habitat.org. 

Originally published by the State of Washington Department of Ecology 

Ecology’s Food Center Lead Jade Monroe was at a Seattle Safeway store this week where she gave tips to reduce holiday food waste. As a Use Food Well campaign partner, Safeway helps Ecology promote food waste prevention through simple steps like smart shopping, meal planning, and proper food storage.

See original post at the State of Washington Department of Ecology and learn more about Use Food Well here. Read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.

In celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week, the Vital Voices Global Fellowship’s VV Venture Program and FedEx are proud to spotlight a few exceptional fellows.

We’ll meet the first fellow in our three-part series this week and two more fellows over the coming weeks. Their inspiring stories, notable achievements, and active engagement throughout the Fellowship truly embody the spirit of innovation and leadership

Durga Das is an extraordinary entrepreneur and former professional sportswoman. From representing India in cricket to captaining the US cricket team and later pursuing a career in professional golf, Durga’s early sporting experiences laid the foundation for her resilience and leadership. Her entrepreneurial spirit emerged at the age of 14, compelled by family circumstances that led her to venture into business. Despite facing several challenges, Durga’s determination led her to a long career marked by continuous growth. Her commitment to learning brought her to the 10,000 Women program, a transformative experience that not only validated her instincts but also provided crucial insights for her as the founder of Aeronero.

In her role at Aeronero, Durga is at the forefront of revolutionizing the water industry through innovative air water generation (AWG) solutions. Aeronero’s ground-breaking technology harnesses the humidity in the air, converting it into clean water. Durga’s dedication to addressing the global water crisis is evident not only in Aeronero’s commercial success but also in her philanthropic initiatives. Beyond serving commercial clients, Aeronero actively engages in charitable efforts. Durga established the charity WODER in the United Kingdom, collaborating with influential figures like Amir Alkayed and Mansee Bal Bhargava to address water scarcity in refugee camps and promote water independence for women. Durga’s strategic vision spans the globe, with operations from India to the Americas, underscoring the urgency of tackling water challenges on an international scale. As she navigates the challenges of scaling Aeronero, Durga remains a trailblazer, embodying the spirit of entrepreneurship and social responsibility.

Through the work that Aeronero does, it also enables United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure,10: Reduced Inequalities, 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, 13: Climate Action, 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Durga is an advisor on the Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI) platform under Water – Industry, a Joint Secretary of Asian African Chamber of Commerce, and advisor to the World Talent Economic Forum which is a team of International Experts for Research Enrichment and Knowledge Exchange. Durga has more than thirty years of experience in the critical early stages of start-ups – with skilled emphasis on creation, management, business development, marketing, and sales. She has mentored and invested in several start-ups and shares her insights and experiences on several platforms to guide new age entrepreneurs in their vision and growth.

Aeronero’s Impact to Date:

270+ Solutions Delivered: Aeronero has successfully deployed over 200 innovative water solutions, transforming access to clean water in diverse communities and environments.4 Million Lives Impacted: Their solutions have directly improved the lives of 4 million people, providing safe and reliable access to water and enhancing health and wellbeing across communities.12 Million Liters of Water Generated: Through their technology, they have produced 12 million liters of fresh, potable water, offering a sustainable water source in areas with limited access to traditional supplies.50 Million Liters of Water Saved: Their initiatives have helped conserve 50 million liters of water, contributing to global water preservation efforts and promoting more efficient water usage.

Recently Durga won the “Best Innovator” award at the HIEx platform at the World Health Assembly held in Geneva on May 29th, 2024, in addition to winning a woman leadership award in Delhi in 2024 from Ms Kiran Bedi. Aeronero’s inclusion in the 2024 MB100 global awards list by Meaningful Business highlights their vision for water security and their dedication to reducing inequality. This prestigious recognition provides access to a valuable network, investment prospects, capacity-building resources, and pro-bono services from partners like EY Global, Hogan Lovells, Babson College, Green Frontier Capital, Kenya Climate Ventures, and Innovision. Being acknowledged by the Meaningful Business community validates Aeronero’s mission to change the world, one clean sip at a time. Durga has also partnered with Mauro Pantaleo of BioVitae, their exclusive technology partner for LED-based sterilization. This advanced technology, integrated into Aeronero’s latest machines, ensures superior hygiene standards. BioVitae’s innovative LED lighting technology targets and neutralizes harmful microorganisms, creating safer, healthier environments by leveraging specific light frequencies to eliminate viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Overall, Durga and Aeronero’s commitment remains steadfast to their vision of “Water for all, always.”

Durga is honored to be part of the Vital Voices Global Fellowship program as a VV Venture Fellow, a transformative platform dedicated to empowering and supporting women social entrepreneurs. Durga believes that the VV Venture program is not just a mentor; it’s a lifelong partner, supporting participants not only during the program but throughout their journey of making meaningful, sustainable impact. Her aspiration is to harness Vital Voices’ support to enhance the outreach and effectiveness of her for-profit social enterprise, reaching communities in need and deepening their social impact. She views Vital Voices’ extensive reach and expertise as having the potential to amplify solutions worldwide, including in regions like Africa and areas affected by disasters where water security is critical. Through her participation in VV Venture, she aims to advance not only her enterprise’s mission but also contribute to global efforts in livelihoods and women’s empowerment.

Translating her learnings from VV Venture into actionable impact, she has designed a program called Windependence. This initiative empowers women—historically the stewards of water across all social and economic backgrounds—by enabling them to produce and distribute alkaline, healthful water. By creating a source of income and fostering independence, Windependence supports water security, enabling women to nourish both their families and their communities. Through this initiative, they aim to build a resilient, self-sustaining network that transforms water into a tool for both economic and social empowerment.

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

At Covia facilities, the Community Action Plans (CAPs) exemplify our commitment to proactive community engagement, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development. In recent years, we have steadily increased the number and sophistication of these plans across our operations. Some of these CAP milestones have included:

Narrowing the focus of priorities to address critical local needs as determined in partnership with community leaders and facility neighbors;Introducing end-of-year implementation summaries to capture key learnings, achievements, and areas for continuous improvement; andFor our U.S. locations, incorporating environmental justice into our plans; Mexico, Canada, and Denmark identify their vulnerable populations.

For example, Covia’s Ahuazotepec, Mexico, facility operates with a high level of environmental, social, and community responsibility, which is reflected in its CAP. The facility’s exceptional programs include the following ongoing partnerships and initiatives:

The facility participates in the prestigious Clean Energy Certificate program, a voluntary environmental assessment that is aimed at conserving Mexico’s ecological balance.Focused on reforestation as part of a multi-year partnership with the Zacatlán Municipal Government, the State Government of Puebla, the National Forestry Commission, and the Drinking Water Operating System, the plant donated 30,000 trees to local communities and participated in 60 reforestation events.Wildlife Habitat Council Certification demonstrates the site’s commitment to biodiversity and conservation initiatives.A comprehensive environmental audit is conducted annually, evaluating the site’s environmental management systems, environmental compliance alignment, and measuring against best practices for water usage, waste reduction, energy efficiency, soil conservation, and air quality.The implementation of Covia’s Operations Management System allows the facilitation and monitoring of improvements regarding operational efficiency, safety, and environmental stewardship.As one of the first sites to implement Covia’s formal Environmental Management System, the Ahuazotepec facility regularly monitors key environmental indicators, evaluates opportunities, and actively manages risks.The site holds an annual community meeting, inviting neighbors, local businesses, political leaders, and regulatory officials to discuss environmental and biodiversity initiatives as part of a shared vision for a vibrant community.

Learn more about Covia’s Goals That Inspire: Environmental Stewardship today.