Science minister opens National Quantum Computing Centre

Science and Health

The NQCC is a new national laboratory dedicated to accelerating the development of quantum computing for the UK.
It will ensure that the UK remains internationally competitive in a critical and transformative technology set to underpin future economic prosperity and national resilience.
There are 12 quantum computers in development at the NQCC’s premises at Harwell, Oxfordshire including the new 4,000 square metre purpose-built site.
Eight are led by private companies and four by NQCC scientists.
Delivering strategic ambition
These will play a pivotal role in delivering the UK’s strategic ambition for quantum technologies.
Lord Vallance said:
The National Quantum Computing Centre marks a vital step forward in the UK’s efforts to advance quantum technologies. By making its facilities available to users from across industry and academia, and with its focus on making quantum computers practically useable at scale, this Centre will help them solve some of the biggest challenges we face, whether it’s delivering advances in healthcare, enhancing energy efficiency, tackling climate change, or inventing new materials.
The innovations that will emerge from the work the NQCC will do will ultimately improve lives across the country and ensure the UK seizes the economic benefits of its leadership in quantum technologies.
Harnessing quantum effects
Quantum computers operate in a fundamentally different way to conventional digital computers.
Quantum computing is based on harnessing effects that exist at the level of atoms, electrons and photons.
Its calculations involve encoding and processing information by controlling quantum states, relying on the uniquely quantum phenomena of superposition and entanglement.
Exponentially increased power
Quantum computers have the potential to meet challenges with an exponentially increased computational power beyond the reach of even the most advanced current supercomputers.
Potential applications include:

optimising energy distribution in power grids by improving efficiency and reliability
accelerating drug discovery
predicting climate patterns more accurately through advanced data analysis
improving use of artificial intelligence in fields such as medical diagnostics and fraud detection

Transformative new technology
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Chief Executive, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, said:
With our rich national heritage in quantum computing research the UK is well-placed to lead the development of this transformative new technology, which has such huge potential across society and the economy.
The UK National Quantum Computing Centre is central to this critical work, bringing together internationally-leading researchers and technologists from across academia and industry to ensure that the UK’s quantum computing ecosystem thrives, delivering benefits to people across the UK and beyond.
The NQCC is supported through an initial £93 million UKRI investment, delivered through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and Science and Technology Facilities Council.
UKRI has also invested a further £50 million to enhance the delivery of its mission, including investment through the UKRI Technology Missions Fund.
Leading vital research and development
Playing an integral role within the UK National Quantum Technology Strategy, the new facility will ensure that the UK continues to lead vital research and development on hardware, software and applications. These will be delivered through partnerships across government, industry and the research community.
The NQCC is designed to provide the necessary infrastructure and environment in which to design, build, operate and host a wide range of quantum computers.
The NQCC is aiming to showcase, demonstrate and evaluate the capabilities of the prototype quantum computers (‘testbeds’) currently being deployed at the new facility.
A key focus will be to identify and overcome critical challenges that stand in the way of developing scalable quantum processors that can run complex computational tasks.

Video credit: UK Research and InnovationVideo transcript and on-screen captions are available by watching on YouTube.
Important milestone
NQCC Director, Dr Michael Cuthbert, said:
The inauguration of the National Quantum Computing Centre is an important milestone for the UK that reinforces our commitment to advancing quantum technology and fostering collaboration.
This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together researchers, businesses, and stakeholders to unlock the transformative potential of quantum computing for the future.
I am incredibly proud of our team and our construction partners who have worked tirelessly to create such an outstanding facility enabling this amazing technology.
Innovation hub
The NQCC will also act as a hub for innovation, training and technical support that can be made accessible to businesses across the UK.
It aims to foster a vibrant environment to promote collaboration between researchers and technologists, attracting visitors and industry interest from across the UK and internationally.
The NQCC’s user engagement programme, SparQ, is working across the UK economy to create a user community that can unlock the potential of quantum computing for practical applications in key priority sectors such as energy, climate, healthcare and financial services. It is also seeking new sectors.

Further information
The 12 quantum computers currently in development at the NQCC are:

seven testbeds (funded through NQCC)
one IDRA project with Nu Quantum
one Orca PT1 for Ministry of Defence and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
three NQCC-owned ion-trap, superconducting and cold atom quantum computing

Top image:  Credit: National Quantum Computing Centre

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International travelers visit Shusha as part of their visit to Azerbaijan’s Karabakh and East Zangazur-

Travel

A group of international travelers representing 33 countries, led by the Head of Piki Reels club, Belgian citizen Yves Bouvier, visited Saturday Aghdam as part of their tour of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur regions, APA’s Karabakh bureau reports.

During the trip, the foreign travelers familiarized themselves with the traces of Armenian vandalism, as well as the restoration and reconstruction works carried out by Azerbaijan in the city after its liberation from occupation.

During their visit to the Alley of Martyrs in the city of Aghdam, the travelers were informed about the heroic Azerbaijani children who lost their lives in the First Karabakh War, as well as civilians who were victims of the Khojaly genocide. They were also told about the destruction of Aghdam by Armenian vandals and the desecration of graves in the Alley of Martyrs.

The visitors observed the remains of structures demolished by Armenians on Aghdam’s central street and learned that, before the occupation, Aghdam was one of the largest and most developed cities in Azerbaijan. Once known for its vibrancy, the city now lies in ruins.

The delegation’s first stop was the Imarat Complex, which houses the palace of Panakhali Khan, the founder of the Karabakh Khanate. They also visited the nearby Imarat cemetery, the final resting place of many members of the Karabakh khan dynasty, including Ibrahimkhalil Khan, Mehdigulu Khan, and Khurshidbanu Natavan, an esteemed Azerbaijani poetess and Mehdigulu Khan’s daughter. Unfortunately, like other historical and cultural sites in the liberated territories, the Imarat Complex and cemetery suffered vandalism at the hands of Armenian occupants.

They were informed that following the liberation of Aghdam, restoration and archaeological works were launched at the Imarat Complex with the involvement of local and international experts.

The travelers also received information about the ongoing restoration and reconstruction efforts in Aghdam.

***

13:59

A group of international travelers consisting of 33 members from the British club Piki Reels visited Saturday the city of Shusha as part of their trip to Azerbaijan’s Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur regions, APA’s Garabagh bureau reports.

During the trip, the foreign travelers led by the Head of the Piki Reels club, Belgian citizen Yves Bouvier familiarized themselves with the traces of Armenian vandalism, as well as the restoration and reconstruction works carried out by Azerbaijan in the city after its liberation from occupation. They also visited several historical sites of Shusha, including the bullet-riddled monuments of the prominent Azerbaijani personalities, such as Uzeyir Hajibayli, Bulbul, and Khurshidbanu Natavan, located in the central square of the city.

The travelers then viewed the House-Museum of Khurshidbanu Natavan, the “Khan gizi” spring, and the walls of the Shusha Fortress. They also enjoyed the spectacular view from the Jidir Duzu Plain.

***

11:23

A group of international travelers consisting of 33 members from the British club Piki Reels visited Saturday the city of Shusha as part of their trip to Azerbaijan’s Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur regions, APA’s Karabakh bureau reports.

During the trip, the foreign travelers led by Head of Piki Reels club, Belgian citizen Yves Bouvier are familiarizing themselves with the traces of Armenian vandalism, as well as the restoration and reconstruction works carried out by Azerbaijan in the city after its liberation from occupation. The will also visit several historical sites of Shusha.

***

10:17

A group of international travelers consisting of 33 members from the British club Piki Reels kicked off on Saturday their visit to Azerbaijan’s Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur regions, APA reports.

The delegation led by the Head of the Piki Reels club, Belgian citizen Yves Bouvier first arrived at the Fuzuli International Airport, known as the air gateway to Karabakh.

During the three-day trip, the delegation will visit Fuzuli, Khojavand, Shusha, Khojali, Aghdam, Kalbajar, Lachin, Gubadli, Zangilan and Jabrayil districts of Azerbaijan.

Over the past four years, the large delegations of the major international travel networks have visited Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur eleven times. In total, over 400 international travelers from more than 50 countries participated in these trips.

The trip is of great importance in terms of promoting Azerbaijani liberated territories within the framework of “black tourism.”

Business First workers to get EU funding training as part of deal with SEM

Business News

Business First employees are to be trained in how to tap EU funding, under the terms of a cooperation agreement signed between the entity and fellow public agency Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta (SEM).  
The agreement will see Business First workers receive training from SEM experts, while Business First will work with SEM to better inform it about business needs and the types of funding they require.
The deal was signed by SEM CEO Rodrick Zerafa and Business First CEO Marika Tonna. Principal Permanent Secretary Tony Sultana, Economy Ministry Permanent Secretary Nancy Caruana and EU Funds Permanent Secretary Jonathan Vassallo were all present for the signing. So too was Malta Enterprise CEO George Gregory and Darren Grasso, who leads the SEM project support department. SEM is a state agency tasked with promoting the uptake of EU funding and helping individuals, organisations and companies develop projects that can benefit from EU co-financing.
Business First is a state-run entity that serves as the government’s main contact point for businesses. Among other things, it offers businesses support when applying for state-run schemes.

The Comic Book Creators Thanked In Venom: The Last Dance Credits

Arts & Culture, Books

Posted in: Comics, Comics Publishers, Current News, Marvel Comics, Movies, Sony, Venom, Venom | Tagged: Donny Cates, todd mcfarlaneThese comic book creators get special thanks in the credits of Venom 3: The Last Dance, beginning with Todd McFarlane & David MichelinieArticle Summary
Explore comic creators honored in Venom 3’s credits, including McFarlane and Michelinie, Venom’s original creators.
Discover how Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman expanded Venom’s universe with Knull and the King In Black storylines.
Uncover Larry Hama’s significant contributions with Xenophage and Sinner Takes All’s storyline and character development.
Dive into notable series like Venom Vs Carnage and Lethal Protector, featuring iconic work from Milligan and Lim.
These are the comic book creators who get special thanks in the credits of Venom 3: The Last Dance… Venom Created by Todd McFarlane & David Michelinie. Donny Cates, Clayton Crain, Ron Garney, Larry Hama, Len Kaminski, Brian Level, Ron Lim, Greg Luzniak, Clay McLeod Chapman, Peter Milligan, Duncan Rouleau, Evan Skolnick, Ryan Stegman, Guiu Vilanova, Patch Zircher.Photo provided to Bleeding Cool
David Michelenie and Todd McFarlane created Venom in Amazing Spider-Man #300, and Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman created the Knull, The King In Black, Klyntar and the Codex. The Xenophage appeared in the Along Came A Spider series by Larry Hama, Len Kaminski and Evan Skolnicks and first appeared in Venom The Hunted, written by Hama and drawn by Duncan Rouleau. David Michelinie also creates the other symbiote characters with Ron Lim in the Lethal Protector series, redesigned by Brian Level. Larry Hama also wrote Venom Sinner Takes All with other symbiotes drawn by Greg Luzniak. More recently, Clay McLeod Chapman wrote Web Of Venom: Empyre’s End, which was drawn by Guiu Villanova. Peter Milligan wrote Venom Vs Carnage, which was drawn by Clayton Crain.  Ron Garney drew the classic Back In Black image. Patch Zircher redesigned the character as Agent Venom. Also, yes, there’s a mid-credit and a post-credit scene. In case you needed another reason to stay to the very end. Ron Garney posted “Venom: The Last Dance in theaters now— end credit scene and thank you back for the shout out”
Venom: The Last Dance was written and directed by Kelly Marcel, stars Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock and Venom, alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, Stephen Graham, Peggy Lu, Clark Backo, Alanna Ubach and Andy Serkis. It premiered at the Regal Times Square cinema in New York City on the 21st of October 21, 2024, and went on general release yesterday.

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Does alien life need a planet to survive? Scientists propose intriguing possibility

Science and Health

What if we dropped the “terrestrial” from “extraterrestrial”? Scientists recently explored the intriguing possibility that alien life may not need a planet to support itself.At first glance, planets seem like the ideal locations to find life. After all, the only known place life is known to exist is Earth’s surface. And Earth is pretty nice. Our planet has a deep gravitational well that keeps everything in place and a thick atmosphere that keeps surface temperatures in the right ranges to maintain liquid water. We have an abundance of elements like carbon and oxygen to form the building blocks of biological organisms. And we have plenty of sunlight beaming at us, providing an essentially limitless source of free energy.It’s from this basic setup that we organize our searches for life elsewhere in the universe. Sure, there might be exotic environments or crazy chemistries involved, but we still assume that life exists on planets because planets are so naturally suited to life as we know it.In a recent pre-paper accepted for publication in the journal Astrobiology, researchers challenge this basic assumption by asking if it’s possible to construct an environment that allows life to thrive without a planet.

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Related: Alien life may not be carbon-based, study suggestsThis idea isn’t as crazy as it sounds. In fact, we already have an example of creatures living in space without a planet: the astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Those astronauts require tremendous amounts of Earth-based resources to be constantly shuttled to them, but humans are incredibly complex creatures.Perhaps simpler organisms could manage it on their own. At least one known organism, the tiny water-dwelling tardigrades, are able to survive in the vacuum of space.Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!Any community of organisms in space needs to tackle several challenges. First, it needs to maintain an interior pressure against the vacuum of space. So a space-based colony would need to form a membrane or shell. Thankfully, this isn’t that big of a deal; it’s the same pressure difference as that between the surface of water and a depth of about 30 feet (10 meters). Many organisms, both microscopic and macroscopic, can handle these differences with ease.The next challenge is to maintain a warm enough temperature for liquid water. Earth achieves this through the atmosphere’s greenhouse effect, which won’t be an option for a smaller biological space colony. The authors point to existing organisms, like the Saharan silver ant (Cataglyphis bombycina), that can regulate their internal temperatures by varying which wavelengths of light they absorb and which they reflect — in essence, creating a greenhouse effect without an atmosphere. So the outer membrane of a free-floating colony of organisms would have to achieve the same selective abilities.Next, they would have to overcome the loss of lightweight elements. Planets maintain their elements through the sheer force of gravity, but an organic colony would struggle with this. Even optimistically, a colony would lose lightweight elements over the course of tens of thousands of years, so it would have to find ways to replenish itself.Lastly, the biological colony would have to be positioned within the habitable zone of its star, to access as much sunlight as possible. As for other resources, like carbon or oxygen, the colony would have to start with a steady supply, like an asteroid, and then transition to a closed-loop recycling system among its various components to sustain itself over the long term.Related Stories:Putting this all together, the researchers paint the portrait of an organism, or colony of organisms, floating freely in space. This structure could be up to 330 feet (100m) across, and it would be contained by a thin, hard, transparent shell. This shell would stabilize its interior water to the right pressure and temperature and allow it to maintain a greenhouse effect.While such organisms may or may not exist in the universe, the research has important implications for future human endeavors in space. Whereas we currently construct habitats with metal and supply our stations with air, food and water transported from Earth, future habitats may use bioengineered materials to create self-sustaining ecosystems.

Former Post and Courier reporter wins national science award for lithium, sea rise stories

Science and Health

Post and Courier stories about forever chemicals, rising seas and the Southeast’s emerging lithium belt earned former reporter Clare Fieseler a major national science writing award.The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine honored Fieseler in its Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications. The awards recognize journalists, scientists and science communicators. 

Clare Fieseler.

File/Henry Taylor/Staff

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Fieseler’s work explored how chemicals known as PFAS have been found in the ovaries of women struggling to get pregnant.

Another focused on how rising seas are swallowing Confederate monuments, generating new questions about preservation.A third explored the South’s “lithium belt,” areas in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina that will play key roles in the clean car revolution.

Judges said Fieseler’s reporting “links past to present and environmental to personal, while calling for accountability in the community.”

Fieseler, now with Politico, wrote all three last year and won in the local/regional category. She was among 24 honorees out of more than 600 entrees. Top winners in various categories received $40,000, with two finalists receiving $20,000 each.

Schmidt Sciences is a philanthropy dedicated to fostering the advancements of science and technology. Its co-founders include Eric Schmidt, former Google CEO, and his wife, Wendy, a philanthropist and investor. 

What are some accidental science discoveries besides Teflon? – Ask Your Science Teacher

Science and Health

Yes, I mentioned; X rays, the Rosetta Stone, vulcanized rubber, nylon, quinine, the electric battery, dynamite, vaccination, the Big Bang, radioactivity, saccharin, the microwave, Play-doh, Corn Flakes, Super Glue, and Velcro. Let’s look at two from the medical field: penicillin and insulin. Both have saved, or prolonged, the lives of millions of people.PenicillinIn 1928, a Scottish professor of bacteriology, Authur Fleming, noticed that mold had started to grow in his petri dish of Staphylococcus bacteria colonies. Fleming had smeared Staphylococcus bacteria on a culture plate before going on holiday. While he was away, a mold spore had flown into the laboratory through an open window from another nearby laboratory where molds were being studied. When he returned, Fleming discovered the bacteria had grown and covered the entire plate except for one area, which was covered in mold.

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After investigating further, Fleming found a substance in the mold that prevented the bacteria from growing, even if it was diluted 800 times. Fleming found that the mold was a type called Penicillium notatum. This mold is similar to the green fuzzy mold that grows on bread. From the mold, Fleming developed the antibiotic now known as penicillin.By the late 1930s penicillin was being used to treat infections in hospitals. During World War II, military doctors used penicillin to treat infected wounds. Veterinarians also made good use of penicillin. Penicillin is now widely used in the treatment of throat infections, meningitis, pneumonia, and other infections. Fleming shared the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1945 with Howard Florey and Ernst Chain, who had also worked on developing penicillin as a drug.In 1889, two doctors at the University of Strasbourg, Oscar Minkowski and Josef von Mering, were attempting to understand how the pancreas affected digestion. They removed the pancreas from a living dog. Days later, they noticed that flies were congregating around the dog’s urine. That is not normal or expected. They tested the urine and found sugar in it. It dawned on the doctors; they had given the dog diabetes. Minkowski and von Mering never determined what the pancreas produced that regulated blood sugar.In 1921, a young Canadian pharmacologist, orthopedist, and field surgeon, Frederick Banting and his assistant, Charles Best, figured out how to remove insulin from a dog’s pancreas. Before insulin was discovered by Banting and Best, people with diabetes didn’t live for long. There wasn’t much doctors could do for them. The most effective treatment was to put patients with diabetes on very strict diets with minimal carbohydrate intake. This could buy patients a few extra years but couldn’t save them. Harsh diets, some prescribed as little as 450 calories a day, sometimes even caused patients to die of starvation.Banting and Best kept a dog with severe diabetes alive for 70 days. The dog died only when there was no more extract. Later, a more refined and pure form of insulin was developed, this time from the pancreases of cattle.In January 1922, Leonard Thompson, a 14-year-old boy dying from diabetes in a Toronto hospital, became the first person to receive an injection of insulin. Within 24 hours, Leonard’s dangerously high blood glucose levels dropped to near-normal levels.The news about insulin spread around the world like wildfire. In 1923, Banting and Best received the Nobel Prize in Medicine, shared by two other researchers. Soon after, Eli Lilly started large-scale production of insulin. It wasn’t long before there was enough insulin to supply the entire North American continent.Sources: howstuffworks, the diabetes council, nih.com
Larry Scheckel taught science at Tomah High School for 38 years and was named Tomah Teacher of the Year three times. Send comments and questions to [email protected].

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What are some accidental science discoveries besides Teflon? – Ask Your Science Teacher

Science and Health

Yes, I mentioned; X rays, the Rosetta Stone, vulcanized rubber, nylon, quinine, the electric battery, dynamite, vaccination, the Big Bang, radioactivity, saccharin, the microwave, Play-doh, Corn Flakes, Super Glue, and Velcro. Let’s look at two from the medical field: penicillin and insulin. Both have saved, or prolonged, the lives of millions of people.PenicillinIn 1928, a Scottish professor of bacteriology, Authur Fleming, noticed that mold had started to grow in his petri dish of Staphylococcus bacteria colonies. Fleming had smeared Staphylococcus bacteria on a culture plate before going on holiday. While he was away, a mold spore had flown into the laboratory through an open window from another nearby laboratory where molds were being studied. When he returned, Fleming discovered the bacteria had grown and covered the entire plate except for one area, which was covered in mold.

People are also reading…

After investigating further, Fleming found a substance in the mold that prevented the bacteria from growing, even if it was diluted 800 times. Fleming found that the mold was a type called Penicillium notatum. This mold is similar to the green fuzzy mold that grows on bread. From the mold, Fleming developed the antibiotic now known as penicillin.By the late 1930s penicillin was being used to treat infections in hospitals. During World War II, military doctors used penicillin to treat infected wounds. Veterinarians also made good use of penicillin. Penicillin is now widely used in the treatment of throat infections, meningitis, pneumonia, and other infections. Fleming shared the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1945 with Howard Florey and Ernst Chain, who had also worked on developing penicillin as a drug.In 1889, two doctors at the University of Strasbourg, Oscar Minkowski and Josef von Mering, were attempting to understand how the pancreas affected digestion. They removed the pancreas from a living dog. Days later, they noticed that flies were congregating around the dog’s urine. That is not normal or expected. They tested the urine and found sugar in it. It dawned on the doctors; they had given the dog diabetes. Minkowski and von Mering never determined what the pancreas produced that regulated blood sugar.In 1921, a young Canadian pharmacologist, orthopedist, and field surgeon, Frederick Banting and his assistant, Charles Best, figured out how to remove insulin from a dog’s pancreas. Before insulin was discovered by Banting and Best, people with diabetes didn’t live for long. There wasn’t much doctors could do for them. The most effective treatment was to put patients with diabetes on very strict diets with minimal carbohydrate intake. This could buy patients a few extra years but couldn’t save them. Harsh diets, some prescribed as little as 450 calories a day, sometimes even caused patients to die of starvation.Banting and Best kept a dog with severe diabetes alive for 70 days. The dog died only when there was no more extract. Later, a more refined and pure form of insulin was developed, this time from the pancreases of cattle.In January 1922, Leonard Thompson, a 14-year-old boy dying from diabetes in a Toronto hospital, became the first person to receive an injection of insulin. Within 24 hours, Leonard’s dangerously high blood glucose levels dropped to near-normal levels.The news about insulin spread around the world like wildfire. In 1923, Banting and Best received the Nobel Prize in Medicine, shared by two other researchers. Soon after, Eli Lilly started large-scale production of insulin. It wasn’t long before there was enough insulin to supply the entire North American continent.Sources: howstuffworks, the diabetes council, nih.com
Larry Scheckel taught science at Tomah High School for 38 years and was named Tomah Teacher of the Year three times. Send comments and questions to [email protected].

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Upcoming Book Discussion Highlights the Life of Early Lyon County Settler

Arts & Culture, Books

Middle Ground Books will host author SC Fowler for a discussion and signing of his new historical novel “Bound and Determined: The White Slave of Oryza Hope Plantation.”The book unveils the early life of John Fowler, one of Lyon County’s pioneering settlers. The event is scheduled for 5:30 – 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at the bookstore located at 606 Commercial St.The novel, published by Palmetto Publishing, tells the story of young Johnny Fowler in 1815 Charleston, South Carolina. After being coerced into working on the Oryza Hope Plantation alongside enslaved people, Johnny faces numerous hardships including daily abuse and dangerous conditions while separated from his family. The story chronicles his struggle for survival and his quest to reunite with his mother and siblings who had relocated to North Carolina.This previously untold chapter of local history takes on special significance as John Fowler later became a prominent Lyon County settler, arriving from Indiana in 1855 at age 56 with twelve of his children. His journey from an orphaned apprentice in South Carolina to a Kansas pioneer reflects themes of resilience and determination that shaped the region’s early development.The author, SC Fowler, who developed his passion for literature at an early age, now resides in Iowa following a career in the transportation industry. Local history enthusiasts and descendants of Lyon County settlers are particularly encouraged to attend the event.

NM State’s Kale Edwards look to build off 4-sack game vs Louisiana Tech

Technology

Kale Edwards has had a peculiar 2024.In January, he played in the FCS National Championship game with Montana. After falling to South Dakota State and going through spring practices with the Grizzlies, Edwards entered the NCAA Transfer Portal in April. One month later, he committed to New Mexico State.Most of Edwards’ summer was hampered by injuries and he struggled to make an impact with zero sacks in the Aggies’ first six games. But the senior defensive end had his coming-out party against Louisiana Tech on Oct. 15, earning four sacks and winning Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week honors in a 33-30 double overtime win.A breakout game could be exactly what Edwards needs to rebound. He wants to be one of the Aggies’ best pass rushers and hopes to reach that standard heading into the NM State’s (2-5, 1-3 CUSA) road contest against Florida International (2-6, 1-3 CUSA) at 5 p.m. Tuesday.”It does snowball a little bit,” Edwards said. “When you start moving in the right direction, it’s hard to get it stopped. Hopefully, it just keeps rolling in` the right direction.”Edwards has only played defensive end for a short time. He played quarterback and safety at Coeur d’Alene High School in Idaho, and committed to Montana as a linebacker in 2018. Edwards switched to defensive end as a redshirt freshman in 2020 and began a second transition in as many years.Edwards started eating more to increase his weight, specifically adding more potatoes to his diet. He also learned how to use his hands more aggressively, unlike the finesse manner he had before.”It’s like playing dirty down on the block compared to a three-point shooter,” Edwards said. “There’s a lot of fighting down in the trenches. It’s not finesse. It sometimes is, but most of the time, you have to strike with power.”Edwards grew in his new position and saw more playing time for Montana from 2022-23 seasons, recording 6.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles over both years. But then, Edwards wanted to leave. Many of his friends had graduated from Montana and he also believed he “accomplished everything” he wanted to with the Grizzlies.He also wanted a new challenge.”I loved every minute of Montana,” Edwards said. “But, I just wanted to see somewhere new. I’ve never been down to a place like this before, and I love it.”NM State needed transfers after losing dozens to the portal after 2023. Edwards took a visit and met new head coach Tony Sanchez, defensive coordinator Joe Morris and defensive line coach Eti Ena. He bought into their vision and felt they provided a “welcoming” atmosphere. Just a few weeks after entering the portal, Edwards was on his way to Las Cruces.Edwards hurt his ankle during Montana’s spring practices and spent most of the offseason recovering after graduating with a master’s degree in business. He couldn’t practice like he wanted to, so he “started mentoring NM State’s younger defensive linemen with junior defensive end Buddha Peleti.He also started bonding with the Aggies’ tight ends like Jerry Lydiatt and Trevor Stephens and some of NM State’s quarterbacks. But he mostly keeps to himself, saying he’s a “private person.””Kale is a super quiet dude off the field,” said junior linebacker Tyler Martinez. “He’s obviously very nice and respectful. But when he gets on the field, I would not want to be in that dude’s way. I love having him on my side.”Edwards worked on the “basics” and simple pass-rush moves once he got healthy and hoped it would translate to a fast start. However, he and others struggled. Edwards tallied eight pressures in the Aggies’ first six games but couldn’t obtain a sack or a quarterback hit, while NM State recorded a CUSA-worst five sacks.It took a toll on Edwards, who felt he wasn’t affecting games. Edwards believes focusing on his mistakes, or his “1/11th”, would help the rest of the defense improve for LA Tech.”It was super frustrating,” Edwards said. “But as soon as you start trying to do more than (your job), it affects the team in a negative way.”I come out to practice every day with the same attitude. That never changed through any of the weeks, and I always go into the game expecting to do well.”Edwards got his moment, becoming the first NM State player to record more than 3.5 sacks in a game since Cedric Wilcots II in 2017. His efforts helped the Aggies pull off an emphatic victory to snap their five-game losing streak.”Kale is a steady guy… He’s purposeful when he gets out there,” Sanchez said. “It’s not shocking that he had a big game like that. I’m happy for him.”Heading into his final five regular season games of his career, Edwards hopes he can finish it on a high note.”I hope we reach our potential as a team,” Edwards said. “And I also just want to win. That’s what it’s all about.”