survive

Hurricane Helene Battered the 'Salamander Capital of the World' With Floods and Landslides. Will the Beloved Amphibians Survive the Aftermath?

The storm decimated a region rich with dozens of species already struggling with habitat loss and disease




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Canadian trade survived the first Trump presidency. Here's how it can survive the second

Donald Trump is returning to the White House with big plans to remake the global trade landscape. That could be a disaster for Canada's economy. But key players of the last trade war believe they can mitigate the damage.




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Can FDA's New Transparency Survive Avandia?

PDUFA V commitments signal a strong commitment to tolerance of open debate in the face of uncertainty.

I can admit to a rather powerful lack of enthusiasm when reading about interpersonal squabbles. It’s even worse in the scientific world: when I read about debates getting mired in personal attacks I tend to simply stop reading and move on to something else.

However, the really interesting part of this week’s meeting of an FDA joint Advisory Committee to discuss the controversial diabetes drug Avandia – at least in the sense of likely long-term impact – is not the scientific question under discussion, but the surfacing and handling of the raging interpersonal battle going on right now inside the Division of Cardiovascular and Renal Products. So I'll have to swallow my distaste and follow along with the drama.

Two words that make us mistrust Duke:
 Anil Potti Christian Laettner

Not that the scientific question at hand – does Avandia pose significant heart risks? – isn't interesting. It is. But if there’s one thing that everyone seems to agree on, it’s that we don’t have good data on the topic. Despite the re-adjudication of RECORD, no one trusts its design (and, ironically, the one trial with a design to rigorously answer the question was halted after intense pressure, despite an AdComm recommendation that it continue).  And no one seems particularly enthused about changing the current status of Avandia: in all likelihood it will continue to be permitted to be marketed under heavy restrictions. Rather than changing the future of diabetes, I suspect the committee will be content to let us slog along the same mucky trail.

The really interesting question, that will potentially impact CDER for years to come, is how it can function with frothing, open dissent among its staffers. As has been widely reported, FDA reviewer Tom Marciniak has written a rather wild and vitriolic assessment of the RECORD trial, excoriating most everyone involved. In a particularly stunning passage, Marciniak appears to claim that the entire output of anyone working at Duke University cannot be trusted because of the fraud committed by Duke cancer researcher Anil Potti:
I would have thought that the two words “Anil Potti” are sufficient for convincing anyone that Duke University is a poor choice for a contractor whose task it is to confirm the integrity of scientific research. 
(One wonders how far Marciniak is willing to take his guilt-by-association theme. Are the words “Cheng Yi Liang” sufficient to convince us that all FDA employees, including Marciniak, are poor choices for deciding matter relating to publicly-traded companies? Should I not comment on government activities because I’m a resident of Illinois (my two words: “Rod Blagojevich”)?)

Rather than censoring or reprimanding Marciniak, his supervisors have taken the extraordinary step of letting him publicly air his criticisms, and then they have in turn publicly criticized his methods and approach.

I have been unable to think of a similar situation at any regulatory agency. The tolerance for dissent being displayed by FDA is, I believe, completely unprecedented.

And that’s the cliffhanger for me: can the FDA’s commitment to transparency extend so far as to accommodate public disagreements about its own approval decisions? Can it do so even when the disagreements take an extremely nasty and inappropriate tone?

  • Rather than considering that open debate is a good thing, will journalists jump on the drama and portray agency leadership as weak and indecisive?
  • Will the usual suspects in Congress be able to exploit this disagreement for their own political gain? How many House subcommittees will be summoning Janet Woodcock in the coming weeks?

I think what Bob Temple and Norman Stockbridge are doing is a tremendous experiment in open government. If they can pull it off, it could force other agencies to radically rethink how they go about crafting and implementing regulations. However, I also worry that it is politically simply not a viable approach, and that the agency will ultimately be seriously hurt by attacks from the media and legislators.

Where is this coming from?

As part of its recent PDUFA V commitment, the FDA put out a fascinating draft document, Structured Approach to Benefit-Risk Assessment in Drug Regulatory Decision-Making. It didn't get a lot of attention when first published back in February (few FDA documents do). However, it lays out a rather bold vision for how the FDA can acknowledge the existence of uncertainty in its evaluation of new drugs. Its proposed structure even envisions an open and honest accounting of divergent interpretations of data:
When they're frothing at the mouth, even Atticus
doesn't let them publish a review
A framework for benefit-risk decision-making that summarizes the relevant facts, uncertainties, and key areas of judgment, and clearly explains how these factors influence a regulatory decision, can greatly inform and clarify the regulatory discussion. Such a framework can provide transparency regarding the basis of conflicting recommendations made by different parties using the same information.
(Emphasis mine.)

Of course, the structured framework here is designed to reflect rational disagreement. Marciniak’s scattershot insults are in many ways a terrible first case for trying out a new level of transparency.

The draft framework notes that safety issues, like Avandia, are some of the major areas of uncertainty in the regulatory process. Contrast this vision of coolly and systematically addressing uncertainties with the sad reality of Marciniak’s attack:
In contrast to the prospective and highly planned studies of effectiveness, safety findings emerge from a wide range of sources, including spontaneous adverse event reports, epidemiology studies, meta-analyses of controlled trials, or in some cases from randomized, controlled trials. However, even controlled trials, where the evidence of an effect is generally most persuasive, can sometimes provide contradictory and inconsistent findings on safety as the analyses are in many cases not planned and often reflect multiple testing. A systematic approach that specifies the sources of evidence, the strength of each piece of evidence, and draws conclusions that explain how the uncertainty weighed on the decision, can lead to more explicit communication of regulatory decisions. We anticipate that this work will continue beyond FY 2013.
I hope that work will continue beyond 2013. Thoughtful, open discussions of real uncertainties are one of the most worthwhile goals FDA can aspire to, even if it means having to learn how to do so without letting the Marciniaks of the world scuttle the whole endeavor.

[Update June 6: Further bolstering the idea that the AdCom is just as much about FDA's ability to transparently manage differences of expert opinion in the face of uncertain data, CDER Director Janet Woodcock posted this note on the FDA's blog. She's pretty explicit about the bigger picture:
There have been, and continue to be, differences of opinion and scientific disputes, which is not uncommon within the agency, stemming from varied conclusions about the existing data, not only with Avandia, but with other FDA-regulated products. 
At FDA, we actively encourage and welcome robust scientific debate on the complex matters we deal with — as such a transparent approach ensures the scientific input we need, enriches the discussions, and enhances our decision-making.
I agree, and hope she can pull it off.]




survive

Quantum 'Schrödinger's cat' survives for a stunning 23 minutes

A typically fragile quantum superposition has been made to last exceptionally long, and could eventually be used as a probe for discovering new physics




survive

Scorching Summer: How to Survive Extreme Heat While in a Heat Dome

Extreme heat alerts were sent to more than 100 million U.S. residents in 27 states this week due to the heat dome. h2What is a Heat Dome?/h2 A heat




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'I knew I could survive in the Bigg Boss house'

'No class will prepare you for Bigg Boss. Each day and situation is new in Bigg Boss and you have to go with the flow.'




survive

'It was very hard to survive in Bigg Boss 12'

'I was called fake because of my onscreen character Simar.' 'But I have one thing to say: One cannot act in such stressful conditions for 106 days.'




survive

Bigg Boss: 'Nobody knows how we survived'

'I have learnt to say no.''I would never say no to anybody before, even when my friends asked for money.' 'Learning to say no is priceless.'




survive

How to Survive a Client Meeting When They Say ‘Make It Pop’!!!!

As a graphic designer, you've probably heard the three little words that can strike terror into the hearts of even the most seasoned creatives: “Make it pop.” These words are so vague, so void of meaning, yet so charged with expectation that they deserve their own horror film.




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Indian F2 driver Kush Maini survives scary crash in Baku, penalised post race

The rear of Maini's car was totally destroyed by the impact of the crash and fortunately, he came out of it unscathed




survive

To Survive, Social Media Needs Better Governance

As social media companies increasingly take on the role of free speech arbiters, they need to ensure their policies offer transparency and the types of checks and balances government relies on.

Social media companies do not want to moderate speech. They want to show you ads. Mark Zuckerberg famously told Senator Orrin Hatch as much in 2018 when asked about how Facebook makes money. But as advertisers and the people populating these ad-based platforms began to demand an online experience that was more heavily regulated to mitigate abusive behavior, platforms like Facebook were thrust into a quasi-governmental role. That’s a huge expansion in responsibilities for a company that just wants to show users ads. Predictably, it has not been a smooth transition.  




survive

Moneylenders push family to end life, man his daughter die, wife survives

Head of the family was being harassed and intimidated by two Nizamabad-based moneylenders





survive

ISL: Mohun Bagan survive Odisha scare

Odisha FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant played out a 1-1 draw in an exciting Indian Super League match at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.







survive

French Surfer Punches Shark, Survives Attack In Australia

A French surfer has survived a shark attack in Australia with only minor leg injuries by punching it twice, local media reported.




survive

Rescuing real estate: Developers must take bold and agile action to survive Corona shock

For ‘Act Now’, company leadership should create a “war room” with a senior cross-functional team, focused on scenario planning, prioritising crisis response, and managing initiatives in with dynamism and agility.




survive

6 Tips to Help Your Startup Survive the Coronavirus Pandemic

Don’t panic, be compassionate, and help others




survive

Vettel survives stewards' enquiry

Sebastian Vettel came out of a post-race stewards' enquiry unpunished after winning Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix




survive

How TikTok could help you survive the Covid-19 lockdown

Psychologist Dr Julie Smith, pictured, has attracted 700,000 followers who follow her TikTok tips about practical methods of coping with mental illness. Even the World Health Organization uses TikTok.




survive

How Aussie father with COVID-19 survived being stranded in West African hospital

Perth father and FIFO worker Gareth Jones feared for his live when he caught COVID-19 after flying into Western Africa.




survive

Why India survives


Contrary to many predictions a unified and democratic India still survives. Why? Ramachandra Guha continues his rememberance of the great patriots.





survive

Varied diet has allowed gray whales to survive millions of years, study reveals

Gray whales survived many cycles of global cooling and warming over the past few million years, likely by exploiting a more varied diet than they do today, according to a new study by University of California, Berkeley, and Smithsonian Institution paleontologists.

The post Varied diet has allowed gray whales to survive millions of years, study reveals appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.




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Golden Frogs with Unique Skin Microbes Survive Frog-Killing Fungus

A new study published this week in the Proceedings of the Royal Society by scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) found unique communities […]

The post Golden Frogs with Unique Skin Microbes Survive Frog-Killing Fungus appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.




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How will you survive on this?




survive

Commercial Fishermen Struggle To Survive In The Face Of Coronavirus

Opah fish are hauled onto a dock for sale last week in San Diego. Fishermen coming home to California after weeks at sea are finding strict anti-coronavirus measures, and nowhere to sell their catch.; Credit: Gregory Bull/AP

Hannah Hagemann | NPR

Commercial fishermen in the U.S. who have already faced challenges in recent years to make it in an increasingly globalized and regulated industry, are now struggling to find customers during the coronavirus crisis.

"This is totally unprecedented. This is the biggest crisis to hit the fishing industry ever, no question about that," Noah Oppenheim, executive director of The Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations told NPR in a phone interview. The federation is a trade association representing commercial fishermen along the West Coast.

On Tuesday, seafood industry leaders, processors and fishermen sent a letter to House and Senate leaders requesting $4 billion in aid for the industry.

The closings of restaurants due to the coronavirus pandemic has hit commercial fishermen particularly hard.

An estimated 50% to 60% of wild seafood caught in the U.S. is exported, says Oppenheim. Those international markets have dried up. He says, of the seafood that's not exported, around 80% of that is sold to restaurants.

"Both of those sectors of the seafood economy are largely nonfunctional at the moment, so we're going to have to make up for approximately 90% of our markets ... through either new supply pipelines or new sets of customers."

Jerid Rold, a fishermen in Moss Landing, Calif., tells NPR, he's been out of work for a month, since South Korea stopped taking imports of hagfish. Further damaging profits, Dungeness crab prices on the West Coast have fallen from up to $7 dollars a pound to $2, says Oppenheim.

In Eureka, Calif., "there are no buyers purchasing products at the harbor there. You can't move the Dungeness crab out of the Humboldt bay," Oppenheim said. "It's actually extraordinary how similar these impacts are playing out across the country. They are palpable, they are profound and they are severe."

On the North Atlantic coast, Sam Rosen, a 30-year-old lobsterman based in Vinalhaven, Maine, said he and others are "selling lobster for amounts they shouldn't be sold for."

That's been close to $2.50 a pound, compared to a usual $10 a pound this time of year, Rosen said.

"It's definitely a shock to the system," Rosen said. "This is uncharted territory right now. I don't think anyone thought it was going to be as bad as it's getting."

If aid isn't provided to fishermen soon, "I think we could see hundreds to thousands of fishermen leave the industry nationwide," Oppenheim said.

Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.




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Similarities found between how ancient and modern fish survived youth

An international team of scientists has described a rare fossil site that is believed to be among the earliest evidence of different fish species using a common nursery -- much like ones utilized by some fish today.

read more



  • Paleontology & Archaeology

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To survive, CIOs need to act as a conduit between business and IT

It is crucial for CIOs to break free from set behaviors and relationships in order to establish IT as a full business partner. If CIOs complain that they feel ignored by the business, they are themselves to blame.




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Will any wetlands survive future sea level rise?

Only wetland environments with high sediment input from rivers can keep pace with rising sea levels, according to a new study. However, human activity is destroying wetlands’ natural defences, making their survival increasingly unlikely. The researchers call for sustainable management approaches to protect wetlands under future climate change projections.




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John Elliott vows Oxhey Jets will survive coronavirus pandemic and has plan to complete seasons at Step Four and below

The founder and general manager of Oxhey Jets has vowed to the club will survive the coronavirus pandemic and has contacted the Football Association with a proposal on how the lower league football season can be completed.




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How a 116-year-old ship that survived 2 world wars ended up in a Kentucky creek

Once a luxurious yacht and a racing steamer, this rusty ship is now mired in a creek off the Ohio River.



  • Arts & Culture

survive

Can you survive a Weekend Without Oil?

Environmentalists are pledging to go oil free August 21 and 22. Are you up to the challenge?




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How to survive pollen season (without locking yourself inside the house)

How to pollen-proof your life with these 20 tips for seasonal allergy sufferers.




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New Zealand surfer survives tsunami by riding giant wave

A student and his fellow surfers used their skills to ride the giant waves to safety after a deadly tsunami struck Samoa.




survive

When business unplugs from the grid, can utilities survive?

From Ikea to Walmart, corporations are increasingly interested in generating their own power. Where does that leave utilities?




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How worms survived NASA's Columbia shuttle disaster

The Columbia space shuttle disaster in 2003 killed all 7 of its crew members, but a box of roundworms managed to survive the shuttle's disintegration.




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These animals survived the bushfires, and they need human help more than ever

Humane Society International is building temporary wildlife shelters for animals affected by the Australian bushfires on Kangaroo Island.




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Ancient life on Mars would've needed more than just water to survive

Ancient Mars featured flowing rivers and sizable lakes — but that doesn't mean the Red Planet definitely could have supported life.




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How to survive in the woods with only a smartphone

Lost in the woods? Stuck in the wild? These 8 handy smartphone apps will help you survive in the wilderness.



  • Protection & Safety

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How to help succulents survive winter indoors

10 tips from a horticulture specialist for keeping your warm-growing, sun-loving cacti and succulents happy and healthy this winter.



  • Organic Farming & Gardening

survive

Why the recycling market must adapt to survive

Author Adam Minter explains the growing pressures on recycling that ultimately go back to the consumer.




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New remedy helps bats survive white-nose syndrome

Researchers just released dozens of bats they successfully treated for white-nose syndrome, marking a milestone in the wildlife epidemic.




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How to survive being stuck at the airport

Whether it's a delay or a layover, here's a guide on surviving being at the airport for a while.




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Notre Dame rooftop bees appear to have survived the fire

Drone footage shows the Notre Dame beehives appear to be intact, and at least some bees are still alive.



  • Organic Farming & Gardening

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How to survive a long airplane flight

No one looks forward to spending hours and hours in a cramped airplane seat, but there are ways to make those lengthy flights more comfortable.




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How to Survive the Car Line at Your Child’s School

Navigating the unpleasant process of picking up and dropping off your kid requires a little creativity – and a lot of patience.




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Could your child survive alone in the woods?

There's a hierarchy of survival skills that are appropriate for children.



  • Protection & Safety