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cover of episode Ukraine's Drone Use, H-1B Visa Uncertainty, New Species In 2024

Ukraine's Drone Use, H-1B Visa Uncertainty, New Species In 2024

2024/12/24
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Brian Mann
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John Hamilton
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Jonathan Lambert
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Brian Mann: 乌克兰军队越来越依赖无人机打击俄罗斯军队，无人机在战场上发挥着重要作用，有效打击了俄罗斯士兵，但无法阻止俄罗斯的全面推进，乌克兰军队仍在缓慢撤退。尽管如此，关键城市波克罗夫斯克在激烈的战斗八个月后仍未沦陷，这在很大程度上要归功于无人机部队。无人机技术在战争中被双方使用，但乌克兰似乎在运用这项技术方面更具创造性和有效性。 John Hamilton: 美国科学研究严重依赖持有临时签证的外国科学家，其中超过50万人持有临时签证。H-1B签证是其中最常见的签证类型，它允许大学和科技公司雇佣来自世界各地的顶尖人才。然而，特朗普政府上台可能再次对H-1B签证进行审查，这令科学家们感到担忧。许多科学家担心他们可能会失去在美国工作的机会，并被迫前往其他国家。 Jonathan Lambert: 科学家们每年都会发现许多新物种，这表明生物多样性仍然存在。然而，气候变化和森林砍伐等因素也对这些物种构成威胁。报告中提到了三种新发现的物种：云豹、马达加斯加树蛙和一种具有超长花蜜管的兰花。这些发现突显了生物多样性的丰富性和脆弱性，也提醒人们需要保护这些物种及其栖息地。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why is Ukraine increasingly relying on unmanned attack drones in its fight against Russia?

Ukraine faces a manpower shortage and uses drones to disrupt Russian assaults and reduce casualties. These drones are effective in night operations, using infrared cameras to target enemy soldiers.

How are unmanned attack drones used in the Ukrainian military?

Drones are deployed at night, equipped with infrared cameras to detect and target Russian soldiers. They are coordinated from secret command posts and are used to disrupt enemy assaults.

What is the impact of drone use on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine?

Drones have been effective in killing and wounding large numbers of Russian soldiers, contributing to Ukraine's ability to slow Russia's advance despite ongoing retreats.

What challenges do foreign-born scientists face with H-1B visas under a potential Trump administration?

Scientists are concerned about renewed scrutiny and potential restrictions on H-1B visas, which could limit their ability to work in the U.S. and push them to seek opportunities in other countries like Canada.

How does the H-1B visa program impact U.S. scientific research and tech companies?

The H-1B visa allows universities and tech companies to hire top international talent, contributing significantly to scientific research and innovation in the U.S. Its potential restriction could lead to a loss of expertise and economic impact.

What are some notable new species discovered in 2024?

Among the new species are clouded tiger cats, a new type of frog in Madagascar, and an orchid with a remarkably long nectar spur, highlighting the ongoing biodiversity discoveries despite environmental threats.

How does the discovery of new species contrast with the current state of global biodiversity?

While new species are being discovered, biodiversity is threatened by climate change and deforestation, raising concerns about the survival of these newly identified species.

Shownotes Transcript

Facing a manpower shortage, Ukraine is relying more and more on unmanned flying attack drones. The visas used by foreign-born scientists is an immigration category expected to come under renewed scrutiny under the incoming presidential administration. And, a look at three new species added to the scientific record this year. Join the new NPR Plus Bundle) to support our work and get perks like sponsor-free listening and bonus episodes across more than 25 NPR podcasts. *Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter).Today's episode of Up First was edited by Miguel Macias, Gisele Grayson, Lisa Thomson and Alice Woefle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas, Claire Murashima and Ana Perez. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange. *Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)