ert More Athletes Are Getting Their Nutrition Through an IV. This Should Stop, Experts Say By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Thu, 18 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: More Athletes Are Getting Their Nutrition Through an IV. This Should Stop, Experts SayCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/17/2022 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/18/2022 12:00:00 AM Full Article
ert Summer Bug Bite? Expert Gives Answers on Care By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 1 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Summer Bug Bite? Expert Gives Answers on CareCategory: Health NewsCreated: 7/30/2022 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/1/2022 12:00:00 AM Full Article
ert High Blood Pressure Drugs (Hypertension) By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Fri, 1 Jul 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: High Blood Pressure Drugs (Hypertension)Category: MedicationsCreated: 8/16/2006 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 7/1/2022 12:00:00 AM Full Article
ert Noninvasive diagnostic modalities and prediction models for detecting pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease: a narrative review By err.ersjournals.com Published On :: 2024-10-09T00:15:15-07:00 Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is highly prevalent in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Widely available noninvasive screening tools are warranted to identify patients at risk for PH, especially severe PH, that could be managed at expert centres. This review summarises current evidence on noninvasive diagnostic modalities and prediction models for the timely detection of PH in patients with ILD. It critically evaluates these approaches and discusses future perspectives in the field. A comprehensive literature search was carried out in PubMed and Scopus, identifying 39 articles that fulfilled inclusion criteria. There is currently no single noninvasive test capable of accurately detecting and diagnosing PH in ILD patients. Estimated right ventricular pressure (RVSP) on Doppler echocardiography remains the single most predictive factor of PH, with other indirect echocardiographic markers increasing its diagnostic accuracy. However, RVSP can be difficult to estimate in patients due to suboptimal views from extensive lung disease. The majority of existing composite scores, including variables obtained from chest computed tomography, pulmonary function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise tests, were derived from retrospective studies, whilst lacking validation in external cohorts. Only two available scores, one based on a stepwise echocardiographic approach and the other on functional parameters, predicted the presence of PH with sufficient accuracy and used a validation cohort. Although several methodological limitations prohibit their generalisability, their use may help physicians to detect PH earlier. Further research on the potential of artificial intelligence may guide a more tailored approach, for timely PH diagnosis. Full Article
ert Mutational scanning of CRX classifies clinical variants and reveals biochemical properties of the transcriptional effector domain [RESEARCH] By genome.cshlp.org Published On :: 2024-10-29T06:46:07-07:00 The transcription factor (TF) cone-rod homeobox (CRX) is essential for the differentiation and maintenance of photoreceptor cell identity. Several human CRX variants cause degenerative retinopathies, but most are variants of uncertain significance. We performed a deep mutational scan (DMS) of nearly all possible single amino acid substitutions in CRX using a cell-based transcriptional reporter assay, curating a high-confidence list of nearly 2000 variants with altered transcriptional activity. In the structured homeodomain, activity scores closely aligned to a predicted structure and demonstrated position-specific constraints on amino acid substitution. In contrast, the intrinsically disordered transcriptional effector domain displayed a qualitatively different pattern of substitution effects, following compositional constraints without specific residue position requirements in the peptide chain. These compositional constraints were consistent with the acidic exposure model of transcriptional activation. We evaluated the performance of the DMS assay as a clinical variant classification tool using gold-standard classified human variants from ClinVar, identifying pathogenic variants with high specificity and moderate sensitivity. That this performance could be achieved using a synthetic reporter assay in a foreign cell type, even for a highly cell type-specific TF like CRX, suggests that this approach shows promise for DMS of other TFs that function in cell types that are not easily accessible. Together, the results of the CRX DMS identify molecular features of the CRX effector domain and demonstrate utility for integration into the clinical variant classification pipeline. Full Article
ert Sexual Misconduct by Board Certified Family Physicians By www.jabfm.org Published On :: 2024-10-25T09:26:14-07:00 Purpose: Sexual misconduct by physicians is a consequential violation of patient trust. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and patterns of sexual misconduct by physicians certified by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). Methods: We described a cohort of current or formerly ABFM certified physicians ("Diplomates") disciplined for sexual misconduct in 2016 to 2022. Results: Ninety-four physicians, representing only 0.1% of ABFM Diplomates, were identified as having received disciplinary action(s) for reported sexual misconduct. These constituted 8.9% of the 1122 cases that resulted in a physician losing board certification or eligibility for any cause in 2016 to 2022. Ninety-three of the 94 physicians identified as male, with an average age of 56 (range 22 to 88 years). Eighty-nine percent of victims were female, and 90% were patients of the physician. Unwanted sexual behavior/assault occurred in more than half of the cases, whereas one third described an ongoing sexual relationship between patient and physician. Nearly 1 in 5 cases also included controlled substance prescribing. Seven cases involved minors. Noncontact ("grooming") behaviors were described in 34 cases, 28 of which included subsequent physical sexual behavior. A clinical setting was the site of misconduct in 84% of cases. Conclusions: Reports of sexual misconduct among board-certified family physicians are infrequent. However, any sexual misconduct by physicians is harmful to patients and the profession. The specialty should work to enhance education and change professional culture to mitigate this important problem. Full Article
ert Factors Influencing the Central Nervous System (CNS) Distribution of the Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated and Rad3-Related Inhibitor Elimusertib (BAY1895344): Implications for the Treatment of CNS Tumors [Metabolism, Transport, and Pharmacogenetics] By jpet.aspetjournals.org Published On :: 2024-10-18T07:04:15-07:00 Glioblastoma (GBM) is a disease of the whole brain, with infiltrative tumor cells protected by an intact blood-brain barrier (BBB). GBM has a poor prognosis despite aggressive treatment, in part due to the lack of adequate drug permeability at the BBB. Standard of care GBM therapies include radiation and cytotoxic chemotherapy that lead to DNA damage. Subsequent activation of DNA damage response (DDR) pathways can induce resistance. Various DDR inhibitors, targeting the key regulators of these pathways such as ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related (ATR), are being explored as radio- and chemosensitizers. Elimusertib, a novel ATR kinase inhibitor, can prevent repair of damaged DNA, increasing efficacy of DNA-damaging cytotoxic therapies. Robust synergy was observed in vitro when elimusertib was combined with the DNA-damaging agent temozolomide; however, we did not observe improvement with this combination in in vivo efficacy studies in GBM orthotopic tumor-bearing mice. This in vitro–in vivo disconnect was explored to understand factors influencing central nervous system (CNS) distribution of elimusertib and reasons for lack of efficacy. We observed that elimusertib is rapidly cleared from systemic circulation in mice and would not maintain adequate exposure in the CNS for efficacious combination therapy with temozolomide. CNS distribution of elimusertib is partially limited by P-glycoprotein efflux at the BBB, and high binding to CNS tissues leads to low levels of pharmacologically active (unbound) drug in the brain. Acknowledging the potential for interspecies differences in pharmacokinetics, these data suggest that clinical translation of elimusertib in combination with temozolomide for treatment of GBM may be limited. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study examined the disconnect between the in vitro synergy and in vivo efficacy of elimusertib/temozolomide combination therapy by exploring systemic and central nervous system (CNS) distributional pharmacokinetics. Results indicate that the lack of improvement in in vivo efficacy in glioblastoma (GBM) patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models could be attributed to inadequate exposure of pharmacologically active drug concentrations in the CNS. These observations can guide further exploration of elimusertib for the treatment of GBM or other CNS tumors. Full Article
ert Analgesic Properties of Next-Generation Modulators of Endocannabinoid Signaling: Leveraging Modern Tools for the Development of Novel Therapeutics [Special Section: Cannabinoid Signaling in Human Health and Disease-Minireview] By jpet.aspetjournals.org Published On :: 2024-10-18T07:04:15-07:00 Targeting the endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling system for pain relief is an important treatment option that is only now beginning to be mechanistically explored. In this review, we focus on two recently appreciated cannabinoid-based targeting strategies, treatments with cannabidiol (CBD) and α/β-hydrolase domain containing 6 (ABHD6) inhibitors, which have the exciting potential to produce pain relief through distinct mechanisms of action and without intoxication. We review evidence on plant-derived cannabinoids for pain, with an emphasis on CBD and its multiple molecular targets expressed in pain pathways. We also discuss the function of eCB signaling in regulating pain responses and the therapeutic promises of inhibitors targeting ABHD6, a 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG)-hydrolyzing enzyme. Finally, we discuss how the novel cannabinoid biosensor GRABeCB2.0 may be leveraged to enable the discovery of targets modulated by cannabinoids at a circuit-specific level. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Cannabis has been used by humans as an effective medicine for millennia, including for pain management. Recent evidence emphasizes the therapeutic potential of compounds that modulate endocannabinoid signaling. Specifically, cannabidiol and inhibitors of the enzyme ABHD6 represent promising strategies to achieve pain relief by modulating endocannabinoid signaling in pain pathways via distinct, nonintoxicating mechanisms of action. Full Article
ert Evaluation of Fibroblast Activation Protein Expression Using 68Ga-FAPI46 PET in Hypertension-Induced Tissue Changes By jnm.snmjournals.org Published On :: 2024-11-01T04:25:31-07:00 Chronic hypertension leads to injury and fibrosis in major organs. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is one of key molecules in tissue fibrosis, and 68Ga-labeled FAP inhibitor-46 (FAPI46) PET is a recently developed method for evaluating FAP. The aim of this study was to evaluate FAP expression and fibrosis in a hypertension model and to test the feasibility of 68Ga-FAPI46 PET in hypertension. Methods: Hypertension was induced in mice by angiotensin II infusion for 4 wk. 68Ga-FAPI46 biodistribution studies and PET scanning were conducted at 1, 2, and 4 wk after hypertension modeling, and uptake in the major organs was measured. The FAP expression and fibrosis formation of the heart and kidney tissues were analyzed and compared with 68Ga-FAPI46 uptake. Subgroups of the hypertension model underwent angiotensin receptor blocker administration and high-dose FAPI46 blocking, for comparison. As a preliminary human study, 68Ga-FAPI46 PET images of lung cancer patients were analyzed and compared between hypertension and control groups. Results: Uptake of 68Ga-FAPI46 in the heart and kidneys was significantly higher in the hypertension group than in the sham group as early as week 1 and decreased after week 2. The uptake was specifically blocked in the high-dose blocking study. Immunohistochemistry also revealed FAP expression in both heart and kidney tissues. However, overt fibrosis was observed in the heart, whereas it was absent from the kidneys. The angiotensin receptor blocker–treated group showed lower uptake in the heart and kidneys than did the hypertension group. In the pilot human study, renal uptake of 68Ga-FAPI46 significantly differed between the hypertension and control groups. Conclusion: In hypertension, FAP expression is increased in the heart and kidneys from the early phases and decreases over time. FAP expression appears to represent fibrosis activity preceding or underlying fibrotic tissue formation. 68Ga-FAPI46 PET has potential as an effective imaging method for evaluating FAP expression in progressive fibrosis by hypertension. Full Article
ert Prognosis of Proximal and Distal Vertebrobasilar Artery Stent Placement [CLINICAL PRACTICE] By www.ajnr.org Published On :: 2024-11-07T15:14:12-08:00 BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Vertebrobasilar artery stent placement (VBS) is potentially effective in preventing recurrent posterior circulation strokes; however, the incidences of in-stent restenosis and stented-territory ischemic events based on the location of stent placement have rarely been investigated. We aimed to investigate the characteristics and prognosis of VBS between intracranial and extracranial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was single-center retrospective cohort study, and we obtained medical records of patients who underwent VBS. We compared clinical and periprocedural factors between extracranial and intracranial VBS. The primary outcomes included the incidence of in-stent restenosis (>50% reduction in lumen diameter) and stented-territory ischemic events. We compared the incidence of in-stent restenosis and stented-territory ischemic events by using Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: Of the 105 patients, 41 (39.0%) underwent extracranial VBS, and 64 (61.0%) underwent intracranial VBS. During the follow-up, the incidences of in-stent restenosis and stented-territory ischemic events were 15.2% and 22.9%, respectively. The procedure time was longer (47.7 ± 19.5 minutes versus 74.5 ± 35.2 minutes, P < .001), and the rate of residual stenosis (≥30%) just after VBS was higher (2 [4.9%] versus 24 [37.5%], P < .001) in intracranial VBS than in extracranial VBS. Also, the incidences of in-stent restenosis were significantly higher in intracranial VBS than in extracranial VBS (4.9% versus 21.9%, P = .037). On the other hand, the incidences of stented-territory ischemic events (7.3% versus 32.8%, P < .001) were significantly higher in intracranial VBS than in extracranial VBS. The main mechanisms of stroke were artery-to-artery embolism (2 [66.7%]) in extracranial VBS, and artery-to-artery embolism (9 [42.9%]) and branch atheromatous disease (8 [38.1%]) in intracranial VBS. The Kaplan-Meier curve demonstrated a higher incidence of in-stent restenosis and stented-territory ischemic events in intracranial VBS than in extracranial VBS (P = .008 and P = .002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: During the follow-up, the incidence of in-stent restenosis and stented-territory ischemic events was higher in patients with intracranial VBS than in those with extracranial VBS. The higher rates of postprocedural residual stenosis might have contributed to the increased risk of in-stent restenosis. Furthermore, prolonged procedure time and additional stroke mechanism, including branch atheromatous disease, might be associated with a higher risk of stented-territory ischemic events in intracranial VBS. Full Article
ert Reclassification of the HPGD p.Ala13Glu variant causing primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy [VARIANT DISCREPANCY RESOLUTION] By molecularcasestudies.cshlp.org Published On :: 2024-01-10T08:13:38-08:00 Here, we highlight the case of a 31-yr-old man who had clinical features of primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHOAR) and harbored a homozygous variant (c.38C > A, p.Ala13Glu) in the HPGD gene, as indicated by whole-exome sequencing (WES). This variant has been previously classified by our laboratory as a variant of uncertain significance (VUS). However, another patient with the same phenotype and the same homozygous variant in HPGD was subsequently reported. In reassessing the variant, the absence of this variant in the gnomAD population database, supporting computational predictions, observation in homozygosity in two probands, and specificity of the phenotype for HPGD, all provide sufficient evidence to reclassify the HPGD c.38C > A, p.Ala13Glu variant as likely pathogenic. Full Article
ert Weight trends among adults with diabetes or hypertension during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational study using OpenSAFELY By bjgp.org Published On :: 2024-10-31T16:05:26-07:00 BackgroundCOVID-19 pandemic restrictions may have influenced behaviours related to weight.AimTo describe patterns of weight change among adults living in England with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and/or hypertension during the pandemic.Design and settingAn observational cohort study using the routinely collected health data of approximately 40% of adults living in England, accessed through the OpenSAFELY service inside TPP.MethodClinical and sociodemographic characteristics associated with rapid weight gain (>0.5 kg/m2/year) were investigated using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsData were extracted on adults with T2D (n = 1 231 455, 43.9% female, and 76.0% White British) or hypertension (n = 3 558 405, 49.7% female, and 84.3% White British). Adults with T2D lost weight overall (median δ = −0.1 kg/m2/year [interquartile range {IQR} −0.7–0.4]). However, rapid weight gain was common (20.7%) and associated with the following: sex (male versus female: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.78 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 0.77 to 0.79]); age (older age reduced odds, for example, aged 60–69 years versus 18–29 years: aOR 0.66 [95% CI = 0.61 to 0.71]); deprivation (least deprived Index of Multiple Deprivation [IMD] quintile versus most deprived IMD quintile: aOR 0.87 [95% CI = 0.85 to 0.89]); White ethnicity (Black versus White: aOR 0.95 [95% CI = 0.92 to 0.98]); mental health conditions (for example, depression: aOR 1.13 [95% CI = 1.12 to 1.15]); and diabetes treatment (non-insulin treatment versus no pharmacological treatment: aOR 0.68 [95% CI = 0.67 to 0.69]). Adults with hypertension maintained stable weight overall (median δ = 0.0 kg/m2/year [IQR −0.6–0.5]); however, rapid weight gain was common (24.7%) and associated with similar characteristics as in T2D.ConclusionAmong adults living in England with T2D and/or hypertension, rapid pandemic weight gain was more common among females, younger adults, those living in more deprived areas, and those with mental health conditions. Full Article
ert Challenging the status quo: deprescribing antihypertensive medication in older adults in primary care By bjgp.org Published On :: 2024-10-31T16:05:26-07:00 Full Article
ert Digital Innovation to Grow Quality Care Through an Interprofessional Care Team (DIG IT) Among Underserved Patients With Hypertension [Original Research] By www.annfammed.org Published On :: 2024-09-23T14:00:14-07:00 PURPOSE The impact of digital health on medically underserved patients is unclear. This study aimed to determine the early impact of a digital innovation to grow quality care through an interprofessional care team (DIG IT) on the blood pressure (BP) and 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score of medically underserved patients. METHODS This was a 3-month, prospective intervention study that included patients aged 40 years or more with BP of 140/90 mmHg or higher who received care from DIG IT from August through December 2021. Sociodemographic and clinical outcomes of DIG IT were compared with historical controls (controls) whose data were randomly extracted by the University of California Data Warehouse and matched 1:1 based on age, ethnicity, and baseline BP of the DIG IT arm. Multiple linear regression was performed to adjust for potential confounding factors. RESULTS A total of 140 patients (70 DIG IT, 70 controls) were included. Both arms were similar with an average age (SD) of 62.8 (9.7) years. The population was dominated by Latinx (79.3%) persons, with baseline mean BP of 163/81 mmHg, and mean ASCVD risk score of 23.9%. The mean (SD) reduction in systolic BP at 3 months in the DIG IT arm was twice that of the controls (30.8 [17.3] mmHg vs 15.2 [21.2] mmHg; P <.001). The mean (SD) ASCVD risk score reduction in the DIG IT arm was also twice that of the controls (6.4% [7.4%] vs 3.1% [5.1%]; P = .003). CONCLUSIONS The DIG IT was more effective than controls (receiving usual care). Twofold improvement in the BP readings and ASCVD scores in medically underserved patients were achieved with DIG IT. Full Article
ert Take Back Alberta completes take over of UCP board By rabble.ca Published On :: Mon, 06 Nov 2023 14:54:36 +0000 David Parker, TBA’s founder, chief ideologist and chief executive, tweeted “Veni, vedi, vici” last night. Just remember, Caesar said it first, and it sounded like “Weenie, Weedy, Weakie.” The post Take Back Alberta completes take over of UCP board appeared first on rabble.ca. Full Article Canadian Politics Alberta politics
ert Fiddle played by Robert Burns to be used in US performance for first time By www.heraldscotland.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:46:55 +0000 A baroque fiddle believed to have been played by Robert Burns will be performed live on stage in the United States for the first time. Full Article
ert Puerto Ricans still don’t have reliable drinking water, and fears of contamination are rising By www.pbs.org Published On :: Tue, 17 Oct 2017 22:35:56 +0000 Watch Video | Listen to the AudioJUDY WOODRUFF: It’s been almost a month since Hurricane Maria destroyed much of Puerto Rico and killed at least 48 people. The island and its residents are still coming to grips with the scale of the devastation. William Brangham brings us the latest. WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Many Puerto Ricans are still in the dark, without electrical power. Hundreds of thousands still have no access to running water, and the rebuilding of the countless damaged homes, roads and facilities is just beginning. The Associated Press reported yesterday that almost half the sewage treatment plants on the island are still out of service, increasing the risk of contamination and disease. I’m joined now by David Begnaud. He’s a correspondent from CBS News who’s been doing some very strong reporting there from since when the storm hit, and is just back from his latest trip to the island. David, welcome to the NewsHour. I wonder. We saw many of your reports and others of people still three weeks out from the storm who are still drinking from streams and creeks. You heard — I mentioned this AP report about fears of contamination. Can you just tell us what is going on there? How are people getting water now? DAVID BEGNAUD, CBS News: Well, let me tell you this. The governor of Puerto Rico said this morning that he’s aware of those reports and that they’re looking into it. What’s concerning, William, is that three weeks after the storm and at least a week after the allegations first surfaced that people might be trying to drink from toxic wells at what’s known as Superfund sites, the governor of Puerto Rico is still saying, we’re looking into it and telling people to stay out of rivers where sewage may be spilling into the river. And, he said, we want them to stay away from the coastal areas. How are people doing? They’re still desperate to get water. No one seems to be able to figure out how to get enough water to every single person on that island who needs it. And as long as people need water, it’s still an emergency phase. Nearly four weeks later, no one seems to be able to move from the emergency to the recovery. WILLIAM BRANGHAM: So, people who are — we see them drinking out of these PVC pipes that they have kind of rigged and sort of poked into the side of a creek. People are just drinking that water straight, without purification, without boiling it; is that right? DAVID BEGNAUD: Absolutely. Look, they have got the PVC pipes tapped into the mountains so that it’s coming out of the stream that way. And they literally are — I saw a woman walk up to a potable water tank that the military had brought in, and she had a Clorox bottle. And I said, “Ma’am, you’re putting drinkable water in a Clorox bottle?” And she said, “It’s all I have got.” Now, that was a good scenario. The other scenarios are people right now who are drinking from streams and creeks and rivers who have no water filters, who have nothing, right? They’re just taking this water. Now, listen, the government got a million water-purifying tablets within the last week. It took almost three weeks to get those. Now there’s a large push to bring in water filters. I have got to tell you, most of the water filters I’m seeing brought in are coming from the private sector, and civilian samaritans who are getting 1,000 or more from the mainland and flying them over to Puerto Rico and personally hand-delivering them. WILLIAM BRANGHAM: That’s really incredible. Medical facilities were another big — just a huge devastation on the island. I know you have been doing a lot of reporting on the USS Comfort. DAVID BEGNAUD: Yes. WILLIAM BRANGHAM: This is the huge Naval hospital that is now just offshore Puerto Rico. But I understand it hasn’t been fully utilized. Can you tell us what your reporting has found there? DAVID BEGNAUD: The two men running the ship told us that nearly 87 percent of the ship is empty. Sounds alarming, right? They have 200 beds, and 87 percent are empty. Now, here’s what they said: We stand ready for whatever the government wants to do. We are waiting to be told by the government. So, I went to the governor, and said exactly what’s happening. And he said: “Look, I’m not satisfied with what the protocol was from the beginning.” He said, initially, they were prioritizing only the most critically ill patients go to the Comfort. And he said there was a layered process that was complicating things. So, the governor, Ricardo Rossello, said: “I started to take out some of those layers, and I, said, listen, take people on the ship who may not be critically ill, but need good medical care and can’t get it at the hospital, where the lights are flickering and the A.C. is not running.” That’s what the governor said. Within a matter of hours, I got a tweet from a third-year medical student who said: “Let me tell you what a nightmare it has been to reach the Comfort.” He said: “We have got a pediatric patient who desperately needs to get off this island, either to a hospital on the mainland or to the Comfort.” And he said: “I went through Google and the local newspaper to find the number. I couldn’t find it.” Now, here is how things work. Within about 30 minutes of that tweet going out and that medical student’s story being posted, the governor’s spokesperson responded with numbers that should be able to help. The bottom line here, William, is that asking relentless questions and the good work of journalism is what’s making a difference there. It’s no one person. There’s no heroic work that’s being done by any journalist, other than people who are going back to the same officials and asking some of the same questions, relentlessly seeking the right answer that will make a difference. WILLIAM BRANGHAM: One of the other pieces of reporting that you did that was very early in the story was this backlog of supplies trapped in container ships on the ports in Puerto Rico. I understand some of that — some of those supplies are now moving. Can you tell us, are they getting to where they need to be throughout the island? DAVID BEGNAUD: So, the shipping containers you’re talking about, about 3,000 sitting in the Port of San Juan, have been moved out, not all of them, but a majority of them. And they were intended for grocery stores around the island. Right? So, those were private companies that had brought in these shipping containers, paid for the supplies, but couldn’t move them because their truck drivers were either at home, because the home had been destroyed, or the road was impassable. More and more supplies are getting out. But let me tell you, the grocery stores around the island, they have a lot of nonperishables, Pringles, candy, cookies, all on the shelf. But when you go to the meat section, it’s nearly 75 percent empty at the stores we have been to, the produce section 90 percent empty. And finding bottled water there is almost like playing a game. WILLIAM BRANGHAM: David Begnaud, CBS News, thank you so much for your reporting. Thanks for your time. DAVID BEGNAUD: You bet. The post Puerto Ricans still don’t have reliable drinking water, and fears of contamination are rising appeared first on PBS NewsHour. Full Article David Begnaud Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico
ert BBC Morning Live expert gives 'double tax' warning on new Labour pensions raid By www.express.co.uk Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 12:20:00 +0000 Finance guru Laura Pomfret explained how changes to inheritance tax in the budget may hit people in a way they hadn't realised Full Article Personal Finance
ert If an asteroid were heading towards Earth, could you avert disaster? By www.newscientist.com Published On :: Wed, 06 Nov 2024 16:55:00 +0000 From nuclear strikes to giant spikes, discover the systems in place to prevent a collision and test your decision-making to see if you could avoid a catastrophic impact Full Article
ert The AI expert who says artificial general intelligence is nonsense By www.newscientist.com Published On :: Mon, 16 Sep 2024 17:00:00 +0100 Artificial intelligence has more in common with ants than humans, says Neil Lawrence. Only by taking a more nuanced view of intelligence can we see how machines will truly transform society Full Article
ert Google says its AI designs chips better than humans – experts disagree By www.newscientist.com Published On :: Wed, 02 Oct 2024 22:30:18 +0100 Google DeepMind claims its AlphaChip AI method can deliver “superhuman” chip designs that are already used in its data centres – but independent experts say public proof is lacking Full Article
ert Mountaineering astronauts and bad spelling? It's advertising's future By www.newscientist.com Published On :: Wed, 30 Oct 2024 18:00:00 +0000 Feedback digs into a baffling ad for a mobile game and identifies a new and devilish way to advertise a product online: make it as confusing as possible to encourage people to click (it worked on Feedback) Full Article
ert John Krasinski Gets Colbert to Drink the Substance to Become Hot By www.vulture.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 05:38:08 GMT Krasinski scores the title of People’s Sexiest Man Alive 2024. Full Article people's sexiest man alive celebrity people magazine stephen colbert john krasinski jim from the office stare
ert Why Simone Giertz, the Queen of Useless Robots, Got Serious By spectrum.ieee.org Published On :: Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:00:03 +0000 Simone Giertz came to fame in the 2010s by becoming the self-proclaimed “queen of shitty robots.” On YouTube she demonstrated a hilarious series of self-built mechanized devices that worked perfectly for ridiculous applications, such as a headboard-mounted alarm clock with a rubber hand to slap the user awake. This article is part of our special report, “Reinventing Invention: Stories from Innovation’s Edge.” But Giertz has parlayed her Internet renown into Yetch, a design company that makes commercial consumer products. (The company name comes from how Giertz’s Swedish name is properly pronounced.) Her first release, a daily habit-tracking calendar, was picked up by prestigious outlets such as the Museum of Modern Art design store in New York City. She has continued to make commercial products since, as well as one-off strange inventions for her online audience. Where did the motivation for your useless robots come from? Simone Giertz: I just thought that robots that failed were really funny. It was also a way for me to get out of creating from a place of performance anxiety and perfection. Because if you set out to do something that fails, that gives you a lot of creative freedom. You built up a big online following. A lot of people would be happy with that level of success. But you moved into inventing commercial products. Why? Giertz: I like torturing myself, I guess! I’d been creating things for YouTube and for social media for a long time. I wanted to try something new and also find longevity in my career. I’m not super motivated to constantly try to get people to give me attention. That doesn’t feel like a very good value to strive for. So I was like, “Okay, what do I want to do for the rest of my career?” And developing products is something that I’ve always been really, really interested in. And yeah, it is tough, but I’m so happy to be doing it. I’m enjoying it thoroughly, as much as there’s a lot of face-palm moments. Giertz’s every day goal calendar was picked up by the Museum of Modern Art’s design store. Yetch What role does failure play in your invention process? Giertz: I think it’s inevitable. Before, obviously, I wanted something that failed in the most unexpected or fun way possible. And now when I’m developing products, it’s still a part of it. You make so many different versions of something and each one fails because of something. But then, hopefully, what happens is that you get smaller and smaller failures. Product development feels like you’re going in circles, but you’re actually going in a spiral because the circles are taking you somewhere. What advice do you have for aspiring inventors? Giertz: Make things that you want. A lot of people make things that they think that other people want, but the main target audience, at least for myself, is me. I trust that if I find something interesting, there are probably other people who do too. And then just find good people to work with and collaborate with. There is no such thing as the lonely genius, I think. I’ve worked with a lot of different people and some people made me really nervous and anxious. And some people, it just went easy and we had a great time. You’re just like, “Oh, what if we do this? What if we do this?” Find those people. This article appears in the November 2024 print issue as “The Queen of Useless Robots.” Full Article Failure Invention Robots Simone giertz Youtube
ert 'Free, fair and fast': Officials quietly begin certifying presidential election results By www.washingtontimes.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:38:44 -0500 Local officials are beginning to certify the results of this year's presidential election in a process that, so far, has been playing out quietly, in stark contrast to the tumultuous certification period four years ago that followed then-President Donald Trump's loss. Full Article
ert Do certain foods suppress inflammation and help you live longer? By www.newscientist.com Published On :: Tue, 29 Oct 2024 15:00:00 +0000 Recent research shows that anti-inflammatory diets are not as faddish as they might sound, with the power to reduce the risk of heart attacks and some cancers Full Article
ert Can we really balance our hormones by eating certain foods? By www.newscientist.com Published On :: Wed, 30 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000 Diets that claim to control excess oestrogen or stress hormones are all the rage on Instagram and TikTok. They could be good for us, just not for the reasons claimed Full Article
ert Experts explain approach to estimating foodborne diseases By www.foodsafetynews.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 05:03:00 +0000 Scientists have shared details of how they are going about updating foodborne infection figures that will be published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2025. As part of the process to update estimates on the burden of foodborne diseases published in 2015, WHO is conducting a global source attribution... Continue Reading Full Article For Public Health Professionals World Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group (FERG) foodborne illness estimates source attribution World Health Organization (WHO)
ert AIMCo expansion, Alberta's investment focus were sources of tension before purge, sources say By financialpost.com Published On :: Fri, 08 Nov 2024 22:55:04 +0000 Pension veterans say there was more going on behind the scenes than scrutiny of costs Full Article Investor News
ert Advertising adds up to $40bn By www.theaustralian.com.au Published On :: Tue, 14 Jun 2016 14:00:00 GMT Advertising spending contributes about $40 billion a year to the Australian economy, or 2 per cent of GDP. Full Article
ert Comment on Keep Your Heart Safe This Chhath Puja: Expert Fasting Tips For A Healthy Celebration by Blue Techker By www.thehealthsite.com Published On :: Thu, 07 Nov 2024 23:49:34 +0000 <a href="https://bluetechker.com/" rel="nofollow ugc">Blue Techker</a> naturally like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I will surely come again again. Full Article
ert Photos: Hail blankets Saudi Arabian desert creating winter-like landscape By www.yahoo.com Published On :: 2024-11-13T01:15:14Z Full Article
ert NEVER Apologize to the Woke Mob! Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe Won't Say Sorry for Puerto Rico Joke By twitchy.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 19:30:29 -0500 Full Article <![CDATA[comedy]]> <![CDATA[comedy central]]> <![CDATA[Donald Trump]]> <![CDATA[jokes]]> <![CDATA[Puerto Rico]]>
ert Anthropic’s Haiku 3.5 surprises experts with an “intelligence” price increase By arstechnica.com Published On :: Tue, 05 Nov 2024 22:50:48 +0000 Anthropic’s smallest AI model now beats its older largest LLM, Opus, at some tasks. Full Article AI Biz & IT AI pricing Anthropic Anthropic Claude API chatbots ChatGPT chatgtp Claude Claude 3.5 Claude 3.5 Haiku Claude Haiku large language models machine learning
ert Men convicted in Coutts border blockade want convictions overturned, Crown wants new trials By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:35:03 EST The two men found guilty of mischief and firearms offences for their roles in the 2022 Coutts border blockade want the Alberta Court of Appeal to overturn their convictions, while prosecutors are seeking new trials on the more serious charge of conspiring to murder RCMP officers, for which they were acquitted. Full Article News/Canada/Calgary
ert Elwood Edwards, the voice of AOL's 'You've got mail' alert, dies at 74 By www.npr.org Published On :: Fri, 08 Nov 2024 12:04:54 -0500 Edwards recorded the iconic AOL lines at home with a cassette recorder for $200. Little did he know, he would become the voice that welcomed millions of people to the world of email. Full Article
ert Bulldozer justice: SC lays down pan-India guidelines for demolition of properties, says Executive can’t become judge and accused, convicts have certain rights - The Hindu By news.google.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 05:31:00 GMT Bulldozer justice: SC lays down pan-India guidelines for demolition of properties, says Executive can’t become judge and accused, convicts have certain rights The Hindu"House Embodies Hope": Supreme Court Demolishes 'Bulldozer Justice' Idea NDTVUnconstitutional to demolish house without following due process merely because they are involved in a crime: SC The Indian ExpressSupreme Court on bulldozer action: ‘No demolition without following guidelines, 15-day notice’ Hindustan TimesBulldozer justice: Executive can't become judge, demolish house of accused, SC says The Times of India Full Article
ert Georgia counties certify the election, as fraud claims dissipate after Trump win By www.npr.org Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 18:01:36 -0500 Every county in Georgia has certified its general election results. There had been concerns about election certification, but with Donald Trump's victory, those worries have largely gone away. Full Article
ert Dutch appeals court overturns landmark climate ruling against Shell By www.npr.org Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 09:14:15 -0500 The original 2021 ruling ordered Shell to cut its carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. The appeals court said there is "insufficient consensus" on a specific reduction percentage. Full Article
ert 2024 ‘virtually certain’ to be warmest year on record By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Thu, 07 Nov 2024 22:12:13 EST Scientists warn that this year could end 1.5 C hotter than pre-industrial times, surpassing the current record of 1.48 C set just last year. Some experts now fear Donald Trump’s less-than-friendly stance on climate change could make the crisis even worse. Full Article
ert Moss Agate: Meaning, Metaphysical Properties, and Healing Uses By science.howstuffworks.com Published On :: Fri, 18 Oct 2024 05:00:05 -0400 Moss Agate meaning revolves around growth, emotional healing, and nature's balance. Discover its grounding energy and how it fosters abundance and inner peace. Full Article
ert Apophyllite Crystal: Meaning, Healing Properties, and Benefits By science.howstuffworks.com Published On :: Sat, 02 Nov 2024 00:27:03 -0400 Apophyllite: Discover the healing powers of apophyllite crystals, known for enhancing clarity, intuition, and spiritual growth. Perfect for meditation and relaxation. Full Article
ert Des chercheurs ont découvert comment diminuer les chances d'être attaqué par un requin en surf By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 09:06:36 EST Le grand requin blanc attaque souvent ses proies par en dessous, confondant parfois la silhouette d’un surfeur avec celle d’un phoque. Full Article
ert Safety experts outline what Toronto Taylor Swift fans should know By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 11:44:32 EST As Toronto readies for Taylor Swift's arrival this week, some crowd management and planning experts say additional safety precautions should be taken when tens of thousands of fans fill the city's downtown core on show nights. Full Article News/Canada/Toronto
ert «C’était absolument nécessaire»: Laurence Jalbert a tout arrêté pendant deux mois pour guérir de la COVID By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:30:00 EST Laurence Jalbert a dû tout arrêter pendant deux mois Full Article
ert Lock-out dans les ports: Ottawa n’aurait pas été assez «proactif», selon un expert By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:15:42 EST Ottawa aurait laissé trop de liberté aux syndicats, en leur donnant «carte blanche» pour déclencher des grèves dans les ports du pays. Full Article
ert Sueurs froides pour deux Swifties québécoises: leurs billets volés... puis retrouvés à temps pour le concert de Taylor Swift vendredi à Toronto By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:50:00 EST Florence et Marianne seront finalement au concert de leur idole, vendredi, à Toronto, mais elles ont eu toute une frousse. Full Article
ert Une ancienne boîte St-Hubert des années 70 retrouvée dans l’entretoit d’un chalet près de Stoneham et remise à la famille Martin en échange d'un don de 1000$ By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 16:17:41 EST Une ancienne boîte de poulet St-Hubert, retrouvée par hasard dans l’entretoit d’un chalet, a été remise à la famille Martin en échange d'un don. Full Article
ert Alberta government fires AIMCo board, four top executives, in 'reset' for pension fund manager By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Thu, 07 Nov 2024 16:13:46 EST The province says the move comes "after years of AIMCo consistently failing to meet its mandated benchmark returns." For now, Finance Minister Nate Horner has been appointed the AIMCo board's sole director and chair. Senior public servant Ray Gilmour has been appointed interim CEO. Full Article News/Canada/Edmonton
ert Zach Bryan aurait offert 12 millions $ à son ex pour acheter son silence après leur rupture By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Fri, 08 Nov 2024 16:21:15 EST Le chanteur Zach Bryan aurait demandé à son ex-copine Brianna LaPaglia de ne pas parler de leur relation en lui offrant 12 millions de dollars. Full Article