upi--2020-06-08--Research is mixed on using medical marijuana in Parkinson's disease care

At a conference hosted two years ago by the Parkinson 's Foundation , many neurologists had a pressing issue on their minds : pot .
`` Doctors were saying that the number one question from their patients was , 'Can I use medical cannabis for my Parkinson 's disease ? '
'' recalled James Beck , the foundation 's senior vice president and chief scientific officer .
The answer is n't a simple one , according to a summary of pot use recommendations that was prompted by that question and published recently by the Parkinson 's Foundation .
Researchers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Parkinson 's disease for more than 20 years , but there are precious few randomized , controlled clinical trials , partly because the drug is still illegal under federal law , explained Susan Fox , director of neurology at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City .
But the growing legalization of marijuana has spurred interest .
`` When people hear that something is legalized , they think it 's safe to use , '' Fox said .
She added that her patients ask her if they should try using marijuana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of interest prompted Parkinson 's Foundation experts to analyze all of the existing research related to marijuana and Parkinson 's disease .
The foundation 's experts found that many of the typical side effects of marijuana can exacerbate symptoms of Parkinson 's disease .
Marijuana can cause diminished balance and sudden drops in blood pressure , which can be especially dangerous for people with Parkinson 's disease , who are already prone to low blood pressure and impaired movement .
`` The combination of cannabis and Parkinson 's disease can lead to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one of the leading causes of mortality for people with Parkinson 's disease , '' said Beck .
Since the disease affects people in their 60s or older , a fall can be devastating , especially for people with a chronic condition like Parkinson 's .
Marijuana may also amplify muddy thinking and hallucinations , two other common Parkinson 's symptoms .
`` If people are already having trouble with hallucinations or paranoia , it 's probably best not to consider taking a drug like cannabis that could make those symptoms worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks and limited research , experts believe that marijuana might ease symptoms like muscle and joint pain , anxiety and insomnia .
`` If someone is looking to experiment , [ pain , anxiety and insomnia ] are reasonable things to think cannabis might be helpful for , '' Beck said .
`` But it 's not going to help them with their tremors or the progression of their Parkinson 's disease . ''
Beck did note that marijuana use could also help some patients who have a hard time maintaining their weight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an appetite .
The foundation 's statement covers not only the side effects , but also the lack of effects .
`` This is an issue where there may be some symptomatic benefits , but it 's not likely to help with the motor symptoms , the symptoms like tremors or slowness of movements , '' Beck said .
Parkinson 's patients who choose to use marijuana are advised to start with small doses and work their way up , depending on how the drug affects them , the foundation advised .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ method of consuming marijuana products , Beck said that patients should be especially careful with edible forms , which can take a while to reach peak dosage in the bloodstream , potentially causing people to overdose .
People with Parkinson 's disease also tend to have a slowed digestive system , which can further delay the drug from reaching peak dosage .
`` The key is really to go low , in terms of dosage , and go slow as you increase , '' said Beck .
`` That way , the side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The foundation 's guidance for doctors is to be both accepting and honest with their patients .
`` Doctors need to be open to this so that their patients will tell them what 's going on , and they can use that information to ensure that their patients are as safe as possible , '' said Beck .
`` It 's best to be supportive of what they 're doing , but also to be frank about the lack of strong evidence to demonstrate that cannabis is effective for anything with Parkinson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Foundation for more on pot and Parkinson 's .

At a conference hosted two years ago by the Parkinson's Foundation, many neurologists had a pressing issue on their minds: pot.
"Doctors were saying that the number one question from their patients was, 'Can I use medical cannabis for my Parkinson's disease?'" recalled James Beck, the foundation's senior vice president and chief scientific officer.
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The answer isn't a simple one, according to a summary of pot use recommendations that was prompted by that question and published recently by the Parkinson's Foundation.
Researchers have studied the use of cannabis in patients with Parkinson's disease for more than 20 years, but there are precious few randomized, controlled clinical trials, partly because the drug is still illegal under federal law, explained Susan Fox, director of neurology at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City.
But the growing legalization of marijuana has spurred interest. "When people hear that something is legalized, they think it's safe to use," Fox said. She added that her patients ask her if they should try using marijuana "a lot."
Advertisement
That high level of interest prompted Parkinson's Foundation experts to analyze all of the existing research related to marijuana and Parkinson's disease.
The end result was a mixed bag.
The foundation's experts found that many of the typical side effects of marijuana can exacerbate symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Marijuana can cause diminished balance and sudden drops in blood pressure, which can be especially dangerous for people with Parkinson's disease, who are already prone to low blood pressure and impaired movement.
"The combination of cannabis and Parkinson's disease can lead to falls, which is a big concern and one of the leading causes of mortality for people with Parkinson's disease," said Beck. Since the disease affects people in their 60s or older, a fall can be devastating, especially for people with a chronic condition like Parkinson's.
Marijuana may also amplify muddy thinking and hallucinations, two other common Parkinson's symptoms. "If people are already having trouble with hallucinations or paranoia, it's probably best not to consider taking a drug like cannabis that could make those symptoms worse," Beck noted.
Despite the risks and limited research, experts believe that marijuana might ease symptoms like muscle and joint pain, anxiety and insomnia.
Advertisement
"If someone is looking to experiment, [pain, anxiety and insomnia] are reasonable things to think cannabis might be helpful for," Beck said. "But it's not going to help them with their tremors or the progression of their Parkinson's disease."
Beck did note that marijuana use could also help some patients who have a hard time maintaining their weight, as it is known to generate an appetite.
The foundation's statement covers not only the side effects, but also the lack of effects.
"This is an issue where there may be some symptomatic benefits, but it's not likely to help with the motor symptoms, the symptoms like tremors or slowness of movements," Beck said.
Parkinson's patients who choose to use marijuana are advised to start with small doses and work their way up, depending on how the drug affects them, the foundation advised.
While the statement does not recommend any particular method of consuming marijuana products, Beck said that patients should be especially careful with edible forms, which can take a while to reach peak dosage in the bloodstream, potentially causing people to overdose. People with Parkinson's disease also tend to have a slowed digestive system, which can further delay the drug from reaching peak dosage.
Advertisement
"The key is really to go low, in terms of dosage, and go slow as you increase," said Beck. "That way, the side effects can be understood and mitigated."
The foundation's guidance for doctors is to be both accepting and honest with their patients.
"Doctors need to be open to this so that their patients will tell them what's going on, and they can use that information to ensure that their patients are as safe as possible," said Beck. "It's best to be supportive of what they're doing, but also to be frank about the lack of strong evidence to demonstrate that cannabis is effective for anything with Parkinson's disease."
More information
Visit the Parkinson's Foundation for more on pot and Parkinson's.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-06-08--Letter detailing Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gaugion's brothel visits to be auctioned

June 8 ( UPI ) -- A letter jointly written by painters Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin , which features details of their visits to French brothels , could sell for up to $ 282,000 at an auction in Paris .
The November 1888 letter was primarily authored by Van Gogh , but features comments added by Gauguin before it was mailed to painter Emile Bernard .
`` We 've made some excursions in the brothels , and it 's likely that we 'll eventually go there often to work , '' Van Gogh wrote in the letter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` At the moment Gauguin has a canvas in progress of the same night cafe that I also painted , but with figures seen in the brothels .
It promises to become a beautiful thing . ''
French auction house Drouot Estimations said the letter is `` exceptional for the extraordinary meeting of two immense painters , but also for the lucidity and the certainty that their painting will revolutionize the art of future generations . ''
The letter is expected to fetch between $ 203,000 and $ 282,000 when it is @ @ @ @

A letter authored by painters Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin is expected to fetch more than $200,000 when it is auctioned next week in Paris. Photo courtesy of Drouot Estimations
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe June 8 (UPI) -- A letter jointly written by painters Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin, which features details of their visits to French brothels, could sell for up to $282,000 at an auction in Paris. The November 1888 letter was primarily authored by van Gogh, but features comments added by Gauguin before it was mailed to painter Emile Bernard. Advertisement
"We've made some excursions in the brothels, and it's likely that we'll eventually go there often to work," van Gogh wrote in the letter, which was mailed from Arles, France. "At the moment Gauguin has a canvas in progress of the same night cafe that I also painted, but with figures seen in the brothels. It promises to become a beautiful thing."
French auction house Drouot Estimations said the letter is "exceptional for the extraordinary meeting of two immense painters, but also for the lucidity and the certainty that their painting will revolutionize the art of future generations."
The letter is expected to fetch between $203,000 and $282,000 when it is auctioned next week.


upi--2020-06-08--At least 7 coronavirus strains circulating in Northern California, study finds

Volunteers distribute food during a Virtual Drive-Thru and Walk-Up Giveaway sponsored by United Hands Multi-Purpose Center to help feed thousands @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 pandemic in Compton , California on Saturday , May 2 , 2020 .
@ @ @ @ @ has announced a plan to purchase more food from struggling farmers and distribute it to @ @ @ @ @ 470 million this time .
The purchases , announced this week , will come in @ @ @ @ @ billion the USDA pledged to buy farm products as part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance @ @ @ @ @ 17 .
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | Hundreds of passengers form a line to @ @ @ @ @ China Southern Airlines flight to China on April 19 in Los Angeles .
Passengers at @ @ @ @ @ arrived at 5:30 a.m. , with many others standing in line since 8 a.m. to @ @ @ @ @ seat before the plane was full .
Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI |

The cruise ship Grand Princess eases into a berth in the Port of Oakland, Calif., in March. The ship was held in quarantine with 21 diagnosed cases of Covid-19 virus aboard at the time. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
June 8 (UPI) -- At least seven strains of the new coronavirus have been circulating in California since the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States started, an analysis published Monday by the journal Science has revealed. The findings suggest that the cases of the disease, caused by SARS-CoV-2, likely originated from several sources, including not only overseas travelers but also from visitors from other states -- like Washington -- as well, the authors said. Advertisement
"While the sample size is small, this study suggests that there may have been multiple introductions of the virus into the United States," Brandon Brown, an associate professor of social medicine population and public health at the University of California-Riverside, told UPI.
"The findings may actually leave us with more questions than answers regarding the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 in the U.S.," said Brown, who was not part of the Science analysis.
Through Monday afternoon, 1.95 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 have occurred in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University. To date, California has had roughly 129,000 of them, based on data from county public health departments.
For the Science study, conducted by a team of California public health officials and international researchers, researchers analyzed viral samples from 36 patients spanning nine counties and the Grand Princess cruise ship. The ship docked in San Francisco Bay in March after an outbreak occurred on board.
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The analysis revealed the introduction of at least seven different SARS-CoV-2 lineages into California, including epidemic WA1 strains associated with Washington State, the authors said.
There was no "predominant lineage" and limited transmission between communities within the state, they added.
In general, the findings "support contact tracing, social distancing and travel restrictions to contain SARS-CoV-2 spread in California and other states," the authors said.
"Initially, we were focused on preventing the introduction of the virus via travel, but we soon began to understand the prevalence of the virus in the community among those who had not traveled," Brown said.
"This study does illustrate the potential multiple introductions of the virus into Northern California, which makes it more difficult to control the spread," Brown said.
California life in the COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-06-08--U.S. economy officially in 'recession' due to COVID-19: Economists

June 8 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. economy is officially in a recession caused by the coronavirus pandemic , the National Bureau of Economic Research said Monday .
The bureau 's Business Cycle Dating Committee announced that the COVID-19-related drop in jobs and consumer demand ended the longest economic expansion in recorded U.S. economic history that lasted 128 months from June 2009 .
`` The unprecedented magnitude of the decline in employment and production , and its broad reach across the entire economy , warrants the designation of this episode as a recession , even if it turns out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the committee said in a statement .
A recession is usually declared after two consecutive quarters of negative growth in U.S. production , but the committee said a `` significant decline '' started in February .
`` In deciding whether to identify a recession , the committee weighs the depth of the contraction , its duration , and whether economic activity declined broadly across the economy , '' the committee said .
The private non-profit research organization , based in Cambridge , Mass.
, is made up of economists from major universities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and end dates of economic recessions .
The pandemic caused a sudden drop in economic activity spread across the economy , `` normally visible in production , employment , and other indicators , '' the bureau said .
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics confirmed that the labor market peaked in February , the committee said .
The amount of consumer spending , called real personal consumption rates , also peaked in February and then dropped .
More than 42 million United States workers have filed for unemployment benefits since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many businesses for weeks to keep the virus from spreading .
But the report did not address the official U.S. Labor Report , released Friday , which surprised economists by showing that job losses were lower than expected in May and 2.5 million jobs were added while the national unemployment rate declined .
Economists are mixed about whether the economic effects of the pandemic will be far-reaching .
Last week , the U.S. Congressional Budget Office predicted in a report that the pandemic 's economic toll could last more than a decade and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or three percent of total gross domestic product .
But the federal agency said that the economic situation was unprecedented and that more research would have to be done to adjust predictions of the economic toll in the future .

The U.S. economy has officially tipped into a recession ending the longest expansion in recorded history, the National Bureau of Economic Research said Monday. File photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. economy is officially in a recession caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the National Bureau of Economic Research said Monday. The bureau's Business Cycle Dating Committee announced that the COVID-19-related drop in jobs and consumer demand ended the longest economic expansion in recorded U.S. economic history that lasted 128 months from June 2009. Advertisement
"The unprecedented magnitude of the decline in employment and production, and its broad reach across the entire economy, warrants the designation of this episode as a recession, even if it turns out to be briefer than earlier contractions," the committee said in a statement.
A recession is usually declared after two consecutive quarters of negative growth in U.S. production, but the committee said a "significant decline" started in February.
"In deciding whether to identify a recession, the committee weighs the depth of the contraction, its duration, and whether economic activity declined broadly across the economy," the committee said.
The private non-profit research organization, based in Cambridge, Mass., is made up of economists from major universities and is known for identifying the starts and end dates of economic recessions.
The pandemic caused a sudden drop in economic activity spread across the economy, "normally visible in production, employment, and other indicators," the bureau said.
Advertisement
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics confirmed that the labor market peaked in February, the committee said. The amount of consumer spending, called real personal consumption rates, also peaked in February and then dropped.
More than 42 million United States workers have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic began, and stay-at-home orders closed many businesses for weeks to keep the virus from spreading.
But the report did not address the official U.S. Labor Report, released Friday, which surprised economists by showing that job losses were lower than expected in May and 2.5 million jobs were added while the national unemployment rate declined.
Economists are mixed about whether the economic effects of the pandemic will be far-reaching.
Last week, the U.S. Congressional Budget Office predicted in a report that the pandemic's economic toll could last more than a decade and cost the economy $8 trillion, or three percent of total gross domestic product.
But the federal agency said that the economic situation was unprecedented and that more research would have to be done to adjust predictions of the economic toll in the future.


upi--2020-06-09--Once COVID-19 vaccine is ready, getting people to take it may be challenge

June 9 ( UPI ) -- Flattening the curve to contain the coronavirus is the current mantra , but after that , what ?
With international vaccine development well underway , implementation of a possible nationwide vaccination program warrants attention .
While a vaccine would be a cause for celebration , some are concerned about the feasibility of an effective rollout .
The behavioral and political challenges ahead may mean that the process of getting sufficient doses ready for delivery to Americans may prove to be the easy bit .
Vaccine effectiveness demands a certain percentage uptake .
For COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 82 percent , depending on bio-socio-environmental factors .
So the ultimate goal of an immunization campaign is to achieve the efficacious threshold .
However , healthcare delivery in the United States is fragmented , with no national regulatory provision for adult vaccination , so a coherent federal intervention may be necessary .
Beyond the Beltway , vaccination resistance may be a significant challenge .
Overcoming this resistance may require addressing vaccine safety concerns , hostility to big pharma , religious beliefs , fear , unsubstantiated anecdotes or political dogma .
Thus , any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple fronts simultaneously .
This may be undesirable in military campaigns , but in this case it may be unavoidable .
A two-pronged strategy could effectively surround the problem .
The first prong could be a top-down nationwide program delivering a clear and compelling message , underpinned by communication science .
Focusing on defeating the disease and its risks to citizens , rather than on the vaccine itself may be optimal .
Visualizing a world without vaccines might remind those with short memories how immunization has saved us from living life paralyzed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calipers or gasping for breath with whooping cough , notwithstanding preventing vast numbers of entirely avoidable deaths .
However the campaign is packaged , a simple `` take this and do n't die '' message may convince even hardened skeptics .
The campaign 's second prong could be from the bottom up ( hopefully less painful than it sounds ) .
This could involve identifying all points of resistance and addressing each specifically to tackle entrenched behavioral barriers .
Targeted educational programs may be necessary to correct vaccine misinformation , neutralize disinformation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factors .
When providing input for a measles vaccination campaign , marketing experts suggested that preaching is best avoided , but religious and community leaders and social media influencers could usefully be consulted and recruited .
Celebrity endorsements might also be persuasive ; personalities from sports and entertainment might participate , along with local sports teams that could provide regional influence .
An added incentive , such as a certificate of vaccination , may help leverage behavioral change .
A vaccination passport could open access to activities that the pandemic has restricted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face-to-face businesses activities , exhibitions , flights and public transportation .
Immunization could liberate people at work and leisure , restoring the freedoms they crave .
But this passport would only be feasible if identifying vaccinated individuals is fast and easy .
This implies establishing a secure , machine-readable and auditable document as proof of vaccination .
To facilitate travel globally , a certificate should be standardized and accepted internationally , as passports are .
Public health authorities and international organizations may need to organize to verify vaccinations .
Of course , any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who can not be vaccinated on medical grounds .
Every level of society could play its part .
Experts need to deploy convincing and consistent messages that counter unrestrained and inaccurate anti-vax narratives .
Health providers have an important role in educating patients about historical facts and scientific evidence of immunization safety and other benefits .
They would be adequately informed and trained to do this .
Employers large and small would likely advocate a protected workforce , and ordinary people could be influential too , through their personal testimonies .
Political consensus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to funding this infrastructure and free vaccinations .
During a national crisis , elected officials , who may otherwise be steeped in partisan politics , could be required to accept their social responsibility and adopt a unified leadership role .
Whatever shape the campaign strategy may take , and however compelling the pro-immunization argument , the safety of any new vaccine is paramount .
Any concerns that the Food and Drug Administration in the United States had rushed certain medicines through its internal approval benchmarks to benefit big pharma could fuel a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all this , the negative themes seem to include fear , mistrust , disunity , haste , misinformation , confusion and conspiracy theories , while positive themes include self-preservation , national unity , fighting a common enemy , defeating the virus , patriotism , regaining freedom and not dying .
Recent collective success in flattening the curve indicates that coordinated action with voluntary public compliance can really work , and that persuasion is important because mandating vaccination is fraught with problems .
The American traditions of self-preservation and patriotism may light the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your community , and through all this , you may also save your country .
Alina Palimaru is an associate policy researcher at the nonprofit , nonpartisan RAND Corp. Marcus Dillistone is member of the Royal Society of Medicine .
Ambassador Charles Ries is a vice president at RAND .

Photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz/U.S. Air Force
June 9 (UPI) -- Flattening the curve to contain the coronavirus is the current mantra, but after that, what? With international vaccine development well underway, implementation of a possible nationwide vaccination program warrants attention. While a vaccine would be a cause for celebration, some are concerned about the feasibility of an effective rollout. The behavioral and political challenges ahead may mean that the process of getting sufficient doses ready for delivery to Americans may prove to be the easy bit. Advertisement
Vaccine effectiveness demands a certain percentage uptake. For COVID-19, this may range between 55 and 82 percent, depending on bio-socio-environmental factors. So the ultimate goal of an immunization campaign is to achieve the efficacious threshold. However, healthcare delivery in the United States is fragmented, with no national regulatory provision for adult vaccination, so a coherent federal intervention may be necessary.
Advertisement
Beyond the Beltway, vaccination resistance may be a significant challenge. Overcoming this resistance may require addressing vaccine safety concerns, hostility to big pharma, religious beliefs, fear, unsubstantiated anecdotes or political dogma. Thus, any vaccination campaign could find itself fighting on multiple fronts simultaneously. This may be undesirable in military campaigns, but in this case it may be unavoidable.
A two-pronged strategy could effectively surround the problem. The first prong could be a top-down nationwide program delivering a clear and compelling message, underpinned by communication science. Focusing on defeating the disease and its risks to citizens, rather than on the vaccine itself may be optimal.
Visualizing a world without vaccines might remind those with short memories how immunization has saved us from living life paralyzed in an iron lung, staggering around in calipers or gasping for breath with whooping cough, notwithstanding preventing vast numbers of entirely avoidable deaths. However the campaign is packaged, a simple "take this and don't die" message may convince even hardened skeptics.
Advertisement
The campaign's second prong could be from the bottom up (hopefully less painful than it sounds). This could involve identifying all points of resistance and addressing each specifically to tackle entrenched behavioral barriers. Targeted educational programs may be necessary to correct vaccine misinformation, neutralize disinformation, answer theological concerns and ameliorate other hesitancy factors.
When providing input for a measles vaccination campaign, marketing experts suggested that preaching is best avoided, but religious and community leaders and social media influencers could usefully be consulted and recruited. Celebrity endorsements might also be persuasive; personalities from sports and entertainment might participate, along with local sports teams that could provide regional influence.
An added incentive, such as a certificate of vaccination, may help leverage behavioral change. A vaccination passport could open access to activities that the pandemic has restricted, such as sporting events, concerts, face-to-face businesses activities, exhibitions, flights and public transportation. Immunization could liberate people at work and leisure, restoring the freedoms they crave. But this passport would only be feasible if identifying vaccinated individuals is fast and easy. This implies establishing a secure, machine-readable and auditable document as proof of vaccination.
Advertisement
To facilitate travel globally, a certificate should be standardized and accepted internationally, as passports are. Public health authorities and international organizations may need to organize to verify vaccinations. Of course, any reward for immunization should not disadvantage those who cannot be vaccinated on medical grounds.
Every level of society could play its part. Experts need to deploy convincing and consistent messages that counter unrestrained and inaccurate anti-vax narratives. Health providers have an important role in educating patients about historical facts and scientific evidence of immunization safety and other benefits. They would be adequately informed and trained to do this.
Employers large and small would likely advocate a protected workforce, and ordinary people could be influential too, through their personal testimonies. Political consensus may be needed, particularly when it comes to funding this infrastructure and free vaccinations. During a national crisis, elected officials, who may otherwise be steeped in partisan politics, could be required to accept their social responsibility and adopt a unified leadership role.
Advertisement
Whatever shape the campaign strategy may take, and however compelling the pro-immunization argument, the safety of any new vaccine is paramount. Any concerns that the Food and Drug Administration in the United States had rushed certain medicines through its internal approval benchmarks to benefit big pharma could fuel a more considered level of resistance. In all this, the negative themes seem to include fear, mistrust, disunity, haste, misinformation, confusion and conspiracy theories, while positive themes include self-preservation, national unity, fighting a common enemy, defeating the virus, patriotism, regaining freedom and not dying.
Recent collective success in flattening the curve indicates that coordinated action with voluntary public compliance can really work, and that persuasion is important because mandating vaccination is fraught with problems.
The American traditions of self-preservation and patriotism may light the way -- save yourself, your family and your community, and through all this, you may also save your country.
Alina Palimaru is an associate policy researcher at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corp. Marcus Dillistone is member of the Royal Society of Medicine. Ambassador Charles Ries is a vice president at RAND.


upi--2020-06-09--North Korea building up nuclear arsenal, researchers say

June 9 ( UPI ) -- North Korea may have as many as 35 nuclear warheads in its arsenal , up from a previous estimate , according to a Japanese think tank .
The Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition , RECNA , at Nagasaki University says North Korea 's weapons are included in a global total of 13,410 nuclear weapons , Japanese news agency Kyodo News reported Tuesday .
North Korea 's warheads lag far behind other countries .
Russia is No .
1 on RECNA 's list , with 6,370 nuclear warheads , followed by the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the report .
Other countries keep more than 100 nuclear warheads .
According to RECNA 's estimates , France retains 290 warheads , followed by Britain at 195 , Pakistan at 160 , and India at 150 .
Israel has developed about 80 to 90 nuclear weapons .
The number of nuclear weapons worldwide is down , RECNA says , with 470 less weapons than a year ago .
North Korea has increased its nuclear arsenal , however , according to the estimates .
In 2019 , RECNA calculated about 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
China has also added about 30 nuclear weapons since 2019 , a year of high tensions with the United States , RECNA said .
Top U.S. weapons expert Siegfried Hecker has previously said North Korea would never give a full declaration of its nuclear weapons .
`` A complete account of North Korea 's nuclear weapons , materials and facilities would , in Kim [ Jong Un 's ] view , likely be far too risky in that it would essentially provide a targeting list for U.S. military planners and seal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and possibly his regime , '' Hecker wrote in 2018 .
The North Korean leader has previously proposed dismantling the Yongbyon nuclear complex if the United States takes reciprocal measures -- namely sanctions relief .
Recent satellite imagery analysis by U.S. analyst Jacob Bogle indicates North Korea could be maintaining underground facilities near Yongbyon , in an adjacent workers ' district .

North Korea's nuclear warhead count has increased in the past year, according to estimates from the Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition at Nagasaki University, Japan. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
June 9 (UPI) -- North Korea may have as many as 35 nuclear warheads in its arsenal, up from a previous estimate, according to a Japanese think tank. The Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition, RECNA, at Nagasaki University says North Korea's weapons are included in a global total of 13,410 nuclear weapons, Japanese news agency Kyodo News reported Tuesday. Advertisement
North Korea's warheads lag far behind other countries. Russia is No. 1 on RECNA's list, with 6,370 nuclear warheads, followed by the United States at 5,800 and China at 320, according to the report.
Other countries keep more than 100 nuclear warheads. According to RECNA's estimates, France retains 290 warheads, followed by Britain at 195, Pakistan at 160, and India at 150. Israel has developed about 80 to 90 nuclear weapons.
The number of nuclear weapons worldwide is down, RECNA says, with 470 less weapons than a year ago.
North Korea has increased its nuclear arsenal, however, according to the estimates. In 2019, RECNA calculated about 20 to 30 nuclear weapons for the isolated country.
China has also added about 30 nuclear weapons since 2019, a year of high tensions with the United States, RECNA said.
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Top U.S. weapons expert Siegfried Hecker has previously said North Korea would never give a full declaration of its nuclear weapons.
"A complete account of North Korea's nuclear weapons, materials and facilities would, in Kim [Jong Un's] view, likely be far too risky in that it would essentially provide a targeting list for U.S. military planners and seal the inevitable end of the nuclear program and possibly his regime," Hecker wrote in 2018.
The North Korean leader has previously proposed dismantling the Yongbyon nuclear complex if the United States takes reciprocal measures -- namely sanctions relief.
Recent satellite imagery analysis by U.S. analyst Jacob Bogle indicates North Korea could be maintaining underground facilities near Yongbyon, in an adjacent workers' district.


upi--2020-06-09--Georgia, West Virginia hold delayed Democratic primaries Tuesday

June 9 ( UPI ) -- Although former Vice President Joe Biden has effectively clinched the Democratic Party presidential nomination , Georgia and West Virginia will stage their primaries on Tuesday .
Both states are holding the contests weeks after they were originally scheduled , due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Georgia , which will award 105 total delegates in the vote , was originally scheduled to stage its primary on March 24 and then May 19 before finally being moved to June 9 .
West Virginia 's contest , which will award 28 delegates , was first scheduled for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record 1.2 million ballots have already been received by mail .
The ballots include the Democratic primary and candidates for Congress .
`` This election day will look different , '' Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said .
`` There will be lines .
Voters will be interacting with a whole new system .
Results will be slower .
Things would be better if it were n't for this pandemic , but it is what it is . ''
Georgia officials said there will be distancing rules for those voting in person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apart and limit the number allowed at polling locations .
Because not all Georgia precincts will be open , the state has designated `` mega polling locations . ''
In West Virginia , nearly 200,000 absentee ballots have been received , officials said .
In 2016 , that figure was 6,700 .
West Virginia Gov .
Jim Justice is also fighting to keep his seat in a field of eight Republican contenders , including former state Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher and former delegate Mike Folk .
There are also six Democratic candidates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Robert Rupp , a political science professor at West Virginia Wesleyan College .
`` This is history .
The incumbent 's being seriously challenged . ''
Like Georgia , West Virginia voters will be restricted by distancing rules to cast ballots in person .
Biden needs 1,991 Democratic delegates at this summer 's national convention to receive the party 's nomination .
While the delegates are n't formally pledged until then , Biden surpassed the threshold on Friday .
Both states will also stage their Republican Party primaries on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lock to win both .
Trump carried both West Virginia and Georgia in the 2016 election .

In primaries delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, voters turned out Tuesday, some enduring long lines in summer weather. File photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
June 9 (UPI) -- Long lines and voting machine glitches, especially in the Atlanta area, frustrated voters and officials in Georgia in a twice-delayed primary election Tuesday. West Virginia and South Carolina voters also went to the polls Tuesday in elections delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Nevada voters closed out a mail-in primary. Advertisement
Former Vice President Joe Biden has effectively clinched the Democratic Party presidential nomination, as has Donald Trump for the GOP, after primary elections in other states. But Tuesday's ballots also include congressional, state and local races.
In Atlanta, voters stood in long lines for hours in 80-degree heat. Inside polling places, some machines were not working, possibly because of inexperienced election personnel, officials said.
A civil rights group, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law threatened Tuesday to sue officials in Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett if counties don't hold precincts open past 7 p.m., the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported.
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Gwinnett County election officials acknowledged that polling equipment was missing from some polling sites. "However, every voter who showed up to vote at all those polling places [was] about to cast an emergency ballot," county officials tweeted.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, called the situation "unacceptable."
"My office has opened an investigation to determine what these counties need to do to resolve these issues before November's election," Raffensperger said Tuesday.
Georgia officials said a record 1.2 million ballots have been received by mail, a logistical challenge for election officials who are accustomed to seeing fewer than 40,000 mail-in ballots per election. The ballots include the Democratic primary and candidates for Congress.
Because not all Georgia precincts will be open, the state has designated "mega polling locations" meant to handle 10,000 or more in-person voters.
Voters tweeted to Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms, who reported that polling machines were not working across the city. "Is this happening across the county or just on the south end?" Bottoms asked in a tweet.
In West Virginia, nearly 200,000 absentee ballots were received, officials said. In 2016, that figure was 6,700.
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Gov. Jim Justice is fighting to keep his seat in a field of eight Republican contenders, including former state Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher and former delegate Mike Folk. There are also six Democratic candidates.
"Usually the incumbent is not challenged," said Robert Rupp, a political science professor at West Virginia Wesleyan College. "This is history. The incumbent's being seriously challenged."
In South Carolina, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham faces three challengers seeking to block his fourth term. He will face Democrat Jaime Harrison in November.
Polling appeared to be running smoothly in South Carolina.
As of Tuesday 83,607 absentee ballots were returned for the Democrats and 80,380 for the Republicans, according to the South Carolina Election Commission.
In Nevada, Tuesday marks the end of an election conducted completely by mail. Republicans and Democrats made their presidential selections earlier this year through the caucus process. Tuesday's vote will decide a slate of local races.
Biden needs 1,991 Democratic delegates at this summer's national convention to receive the party's nomination. While the delegates aren't formally pledged until then, Biden surpassed the threshold on Friday.


upi--2020-06-09--Author Rick Riordan: 'Percy Jackson' films put stories 'through a meat grinder'

June 9 ( UPI ) -- Author Rick Riordan said he did n't like the film adaptations of his Percy Jackson fantasy novels based on their scripts , but he has high hopes for the upcoming Disney+ series .
Logan Lerman played the titular teen demigod in 2010 's Percy Jackson & the Olympians : The Lightning Thief and its 2013 sequel , Percy Jackson & the Olympians .
No casting has been announced for the TV version .
`` To you guys , it 's a couple hours entertainment .
To me , it 's my life 's work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleaded with them not to do it .
So yeah .
But it 's fine .
All fine .
We 're gon na fix it soon , '' Riordan replied on Twitter Monday to someone who said fans of the Percy Jackson books hate the movies .
Riordan added : `` Finally , I still have not seen the movies , and do n't plan on ever doing so .
I judge them from having read the scripts , because I care most about the story .
I certainly have nothing against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I 'm just sorry they got dragged into that mess . ''

Logan Lerman starred in the big-screen adaptations of Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson" fantasy novels. A Disney+ series is in the works. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
June 9 (UPI) -- Author Rick Riordan said he didn't like the film adaptations of his Percy Jackson fantasy novels based on their scripts, but he has high hopes for the upcoming Disney+ series. Logan Lerman played the titular teen demigod in 2010's Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief and its 2013 sequel, Percy Jackson & the Olympians. Advertisement
No casting has been announced for the TV version.
"To you guys, it's a couple hours entertainment. To me, it's my life's work going through a meat grinder when I pleaded with them not to do it. So yeah. But it's fine. All fine. We're gonna fix it soon," Riordan replied on Twitter Monday to someone who said fans of the Percy Jackson books hate the movies.
Riordan added: "Finally, I still have not seen the movies, and don't plan on ever doing so. I judge them from having read the scripts, because I care most about the story. I certainly have nothing against the very talented actors. Not their fault. I'm just sorry they got dragged into that mess."
Advertisement Finally, I still have not seen the movies, and don't plan on ever doing so. I judge them from having read the scripts, because I care most about the story. I certainly have nothing against the very talented actors. Not their fault. I'm just sorry they got dragged into that mess.— Rick Riordan (@rickriordan) June 8, 2020


upi--2020-06-09--ITV Studios to distribute Season 6 of police drama 'Line of Duty' internationally

June 9 ( UPI ) -- ITV Studios has announced it plans to distribute internationally Season 6 of Line of Duty , a British police drama starring Vicky McClure , Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar .
Kelly Macdonald joined the ensemble for the new episodes , playing Detective Chief Inspector Joanne Davidson .
The show about the members of Anti-Corruption Unit 12 was created by Jed Mercurio , whose credits include Strike Back , Lady Chatterley 's Lover and Bodyguard .
Production on the sixth season was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic .
It is unclear when it will resume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights to the first five seasons .
Seasons 1 through 4 are streaming on Hulu .
`` I 'm so pleased that we can take the upcoming season of the hugely addictive and hotly anticipated Line of Duty series to market .
It 's a formidable show that has grown from strength to strength and really is 'must-see ' drama .
We are thrilled to represent another Jed Mercurio and World Productions masterpiece on the global stage , '' Ruth Berry , managing director of global distribution at ITV Studios , said in @ @ @ @ @

Kelly Macdonald has joined the cast of the British police drama "Line of Duty" for Season 6. File Photo by Paul Treadway/UPI | License Photo
June 9 (UPI) -- ITV Studios has announced it plans to distribute internationally Season 6 of Line of Duty, a British police drama starring Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar. Kelly Macdonald joined the ensemble for the new episodes, playing Detective Chief Inspector Joanne Davidson. Advertisement
The show about the members of Anti-Corruption Unit 12 was created by Jed Mercurio, whose credits include Strike Back, Lady Chatterley's Lover and Bodyguard.
Production on the sixth season was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. It is unclear when it will resume.
Quiver Entertainment has the international distribution rights to the first five seasons. Seasons 1 through 4 are streaming on Hulu.
"I'm so pleased that we can take the upcoming season of the hugely addictive and hotly anticipated Line of Duty series to market. It's a formidable show that has grown from strength to strength and really is 'must-see' drama. We are thrilled to represent another Jed Mercurio and World Productions masterpiece on the global stage," Ruth Berry, managing director of global distribution at ITV Studios, said in a press release Tuesday.
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upi--2020-06-09--U.S. soccer's Fabian Johnson to leave Bundesliga's Monchengladbach

June 9 ( UPI ) -- U.S. soccer star Fabian Johnson is set to leave German Bundesliga squad Borussia Monchengladbach .
Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl confirmed the move Tuesday .
Johnson , 32 , joined the club in 2014 from Hoffenheim .
The midfielder and fullback has appeared in just seven games this season while limited by injuries .
`` In Fabian Johnson 's case , it was a mutual decision not to extend his contract , '' Eberl told the team website .
Eberl also said German midfielder Tobias Strobl plans to join FC Augsburg and the club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has a contract about to expire .
Johnson has 15 goals and 19 assists in 140 appearances for Monchengladbach .
The Munich native began his senior career with Bundesliga third-tier squad 1860 Munich II in 2004 .
He joined VfL Wolfsburg in 2009 .
Johnson , the son of a German-American mother , joined 1899 Hoffenheim in 2011 .
He has two goals in 57 appearances for the U.S. Men 's National Team .
Johnson 's last appearance for the national team was in a World Cup qualifier in 2017 against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States in the 2014 World Cup .
Monchengladbach lost 1-0 to SC Freiburg on Friday in Freiburg , Germany .
They rank fourth in the Bundesliga standings .
Monchengladbach battles Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich at 12:30 p.m .
ET Saturday in Munich .

Fabian Johnson plans to leave Borussia Monchengladbach after six seasons with the German Bundesliga squad. Photo by Sascha Steinbach/EPA-EFE
June 9 (UPI) -- U.S. soccer star Fabian Johnson is set to leave German Bundesliga squad Borussia Monchengladbach. Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl confirmed the move Tuesday. Johnson, 32, joined the club in 2014 from Hoffenheim. The midfielder and fullback has appeared in just seven games this season while limited by injuries. Advertisement
"In Fabian Johnson's case, it was a mutual decision not to extend his contract," Eberl told the team website.
Eberl also said German midfielder Tobias Strobl plans to join FC Augsburg and the club is in negotiations with Brazilian midfielder Raffael, who has a contract about to expire.
Johnson has 15 goals and 19 assists in 140 appearances for Monchengladbach. The Munich native began his senior career with Bundesliga third-tier squad 1860 Munich II in 2004. He joined VfL Wolfsburg in 2009. Johnson, the son of a German-American mother, joined 1899 Hoffenheim in 2011.
He has two goals in 57 appearances for the U.S. Men's National Team. Johnson's last appearance for the national team was in a World Cup qualifier in 2017 against Costa Rica. He also appeared for the United States in the 2014 World Cup.
Monchengladbach lost 1-0 to SC Freiburg on Friday in Freiburg, Germany. They rank fourth in the Bundesliga standings. Monchengladbach battles Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich at 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday in Munich.


upi--2020-06-09--Watch live: George Floyd funeral service in Houston, Texas

June 9 ( UPI ) -- George Floyd , the man whose death two weeks ago spurred a national civil rights movement unlike any the nation has seen in decades , will be buried during a private funeral service Tuesday in his hometown of Houston .
Floyd , 46 , died on Memorial Day during an attempted arrest by Minneapolis police officers who 'd responded to a report of a man passing a counterfeit bill at an area store .
The police killing of an African American , which was captured on video , set off outcry and backlash nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every major U.S. city that are still going .
Memorial services were held for Floyd in Minneapolis and North Carolina last week .
Monday , there was a public visitation period for Floyd at a Houston church .
Tuesday 's funeral , which begins at 11 a.m. CDT , is private for those in attendance but the event will be livestreamed and broadcast by Houston and national media .
The Rev .
Al Sharpton is scheduled to deliver Floyd 's eulogy at the service , which will be held at the Fountains of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Floyd 's body will be taken by horse drawn carriage to Houston Memorial Gardens cemetery in suburban Pearland , Texas , to be buried next to his mother , Larcenia Floyd .
A contingent of Houston police will escort the funeral procession .
Thousands of mourners -- including Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott -- gathered at the church for the public visitation on Monday to honor Floyd 's life .
Former Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden met with Floyd 's family on Monday at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crump wrote in a Twitter post .
Aides said Biden recorded a video message that will be played during Floyd 's service Tuesday .
`` These disparities have plagued our nation for far too long , '' Biden tweeted .
`` It 's time we rebuild our country upon more just and equal foundations -- and finally close race-based wealth and income gaps .
`` American history is n't a fairy tale with a guaranteed happy ending .
But we have the power to write the future we want for this nation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Four former Minneapolis officers have been charged in Floyd 's death , including Derek Chauvin , who pressed his knee down onto Floyd 's neck for several minutes during the arrest , which an autopsy said asphyxiated him .
Chauvin faces a charge of second-degree murder and the other three are charged as accomplices .
Chauvin made his first court appearance via video link on Monday , exactly two weeks after Floyd 's death .
Hennepin County District Court Judge Jeannice Reding raised his conditional bail from $ 750,000 to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1 million to $ 1.25 million .

A horse-drawn carriage carries a golden casket containing the body of George Floyd to a cemetery in Pearland, Texas, to buried next to his mother on Tuesday. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo
June 9 (UPI) -- The Rev. Al Sharpton asked for support for the family of George Floyd and called for police reform at a funeral service Tuesday at The Fountain of Praise church in Floyd's hometown of Houston. "We must commit to all of this family. When the last TV truck is gone, we'll still be here," Sharpton said. Advertisement
The minister thanked former U.S. President Barack Obama and athletes and celebrities who had reached out to Floyd's family, including actor Jamie Foxx and singer Al B. Sure!, who were in the congregation.
Sharpton said the police-involved death of Floyd, 46, was a case of an "institutional, systemic problem that has been allowed to permit since we came to these shores. ... We have permitted people to become officers of the law that ought to be somewhere else.
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"How are you going to scare a bad cop, when bad cops don't go to jail?" he asked rhetorically.
Sharpton called for a quick trial of the Minneapolis officers accused in the Memorial Day death of Floyd.
"Lives like George's will not matter unless someone pays the cost for taking their lives," Sharpton added.
The funeral for Floyd, whose death has spurred a global movement against police brutality, began Tuesday with six men bearing his gold casket into the church.
In the congregation were parents of other African Americans killed by police or hate-crime violence, including mothers of Trayvon Martin, killed at age 17 in 2012 by George Zimmerman and Eric Garner, who died in Baltimore police custody in 2014.
Also attending were the fathers of Michael Brown, who was shot unarmed by a police officer in Ferguson, Mo., in 2014, and Ahmaud Arbery, who was allegedly shot and killed by a retired police officer and his son while jogging in Georgia in February.
Floyd, 46, died on Memorial Day during an arrest by Minneapolis police officers responding to a report of a man passing a counterfeit bill at a store.
Video captured a white officer kneeling on the neck of the unarmed black man for nearly nine minutes before he died, setting off protests around the world.
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U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, addressed mourners at Floyd's funeral, callling for the creation of a federal Department of Reconciliation to atone for historic and systemic racism against African Americans.
"We have got to have reconciliation. This country has not reconciled its differences with us," Green said. "We survived slavery, but we didn't reconcile. We survived segregation, but we didn't reconcile.
"It's time for a Department of Reconciliation in the highest land, the highest office," he added. "It's time to have someone who's going to make it his business to seek reconciliation for black people in the United States of America every day of his life."
Former Vice President Joe Biden offered condolences for Floyd's family and encouraged the country to take action against systemic racism in a taped address played at the service.
"To George's family and friends ... I know the deep hole in your hearts when you bury a piece of your soul deep in this earth," Biden said in the video address.
"As I've said to you privately, we know, we know you will never feel the same again. For most people, the numbness you feel now will slowly turn day after day, season after season, into purpose, through the memory of the one you lost.
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"But for you, that day has come before you can fully grieve, and unlike most, you must grieve in public, and it's a burden. A burden that is now your purpose to change the world for the better in the name of George Floyd."
Biden added: "I know you miss that bear hug that only he could give, the pure joy of riding on his shoulders, so you could touch the sky" in referring to his daughter, Gianna, 6.
"The countless hours he spent playing any game you wanted because your smile, your laugh, your love, is the only thing that mattered at the moment. I know you have a lot of questions, honey.
"No child should have to ask questions that too many black children have had to ask for generations. Why? Why is daddy gone? ... Why in this nation do too many black Americans wake up knowing that they could lose their life in the course of just living their life?"
Biden continued: "Now is the time for racial justice. That's the answer we must give to our children when they ask why. Because when there is justice for George Floyd, we will truly be on our way way to racial justice in America. And then, as you said, Gianna, your daddy will have changed the world."
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Tuesday's funeral was private, but was broadcast and live-streamed. Following the service, Floyd's body was taken by horse-drawn carriage to Houston Memorial Gardens in suburban Pearland, Texas, to be buried next to his mother, Larcenia Floyd.
A contingent of Houston police escorted the funeral procession.
A vigil was planned for Tuesday night at First Christian Church in Houston.
"We invite the Houston community to join us outside to honor the life of George Floyd and all the other Black lives lost due to injustice," church leaders wrote in a Facebook post.
A similar vigil was held Monday at Floyd's alma mater, Jack Yates High School, where he starred in football and helped win the Texas state championship in 1992. Hundreds attended the candlelight event, including former teammates, alumni and members of the Floyd family.
Four former Minneapolis officers have been charged in Floyd's death, including Derek Chauvin, who was seen on the video pressing his knee onto Floyd's neck. A private autopsy concluded that asphyxiated him.
Chauvin faces a charge of second-degree murder. Three other officers are charged as accomplices. All four have been fired from the Police Department.
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Chauvin made his first court appearance via video link on Monday. Hennepin County District Judge Jeannice Reding raised his conditional bail from $750,000 to $1 million and his unconditional bail from $1 million to $1.25 million.


upi--2020-06-09--WWE Raw: Asuka and Charlotte Flair collide

June 9 ( UPI ) -- Raw Women 's Champion Asuka reignited her rivalry with Charlotte Flair in the main event of Raw .
Asuka and Flair were orginally going to open Raw with their match on Monday but they were interrupted by newly crowned Women 's Tag Team Champions Bayley and Sasha Banks .
Bayley is also SmackDown Women 's Champion , making her a double title holder and the most dominant woman in all of WWE .
The pair gloated until The IIconics arrived onto the scene and announced that Bayley and Banks will be defending the Women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross in a Triple Threat match Sunday at Backlash .
The crowded scene was also turned into a Triple Threat match with Asuka and Flair having to put their differences aside as a team against The IIconics and Bayley and Banks .
Asuka and Flair were effective together but could not get along throughout the bout , tagging each other in and out of the match as they pleased .
Asuka won after she forced Billie Kay of The IIconics to tap out to the Asuka Lock .
Flair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asuka and posed with the Raw Women 's Championship .
Asuka and Flair had a highly competitive match in the main event which also featured Bayley , Banks and The IIconics watching the action from ringside .
Flair threw Asuka into the announcer 's desk toward Bayley and Banks , causing The IIconics to attack them ahead of their match on Sunday .
Asuka , after gaining control against Flair , was distracted by the arrival of Nia Jax .
Asuka took Jax down but then immediately walked into a Big Boot from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Queen to score a three count .
Jax , after the match , then continued to attack Asuka and took her out with a Samoan Drop .
Asuka defends her Raw Women 's Championship against Jax at Backlash .
Also on Raw , Hall of Famer Edge was a guest on his best friend Christian 's talk show , The Peep Show .
Christian questioned if Edge is ready to take on Randy Orton at Backlash and tried to motivate his former tag team partner .
Orton interrupted the show from backstage and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's career and send him home to his family .
Other moments from Raw included Rey Mysterio announcing that his recovery is going well after he was attacked by Seth Rollins ; Aleister Black and Humberto Carrillo defeating Rollins ' disciples Murphy and Austin Theory ; Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits facing The Viking Raiders in a decathlon ; Andrade defeating Angel Garza and Kevin Owens to earn a U.S. Championship match ; and Bobby Lashley and MVP defeating The Viking Raiders .
Lashley , after the match , locked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Viking Raiders .
The Street Profits tired to help but WWE Champion Drew McIntyre sent Lashley out of the ring with a Claymore .
McIntyre defends his WWE Championship against Lashley Sunday at Backlash .

June 9 (UPI) -- Raw Women's Champion Asuka reignited her rivalry with Charlotte Flair in the main event of Raw.
Asuka and Flair were orginally going to open Raw with their match on Monday but they were interrupted by newly crowned Women's Tag Team Champions Bayley and Sasha Banks.
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Bayley is also SmackDown Women's Champion, making her a double title holder and the most dominant woman in all of WWE. The pair gloated until The IIconics arrived onto the scene and announced that Bayley and Banks will be defending the Women's Tag Team Championships against them and Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross in a Triple Threat match Sunday at Backlash.
The crowded scene was also turned into a Triple Threat match with Asuka and Flair having to put their differences aside as a team against The IIconics and Bayley and Banks.
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Asuka and Flair were effective together but could not get along throughout the bout, tagging each other in and out of the match as they pleased. Asuka won after she forced Billie Kay of The IIconics to tap out to the Asuka Lock.
Flair, after the victory, knocked down Asuka and posed with the Raw Women's Championship.
Asuka and Flair had a highly competitive match in the main event which also featured Bayley, Banks and The IIconics watching the action from ringside. Flair threw Asuka into the announcer's desk toward Bayley and Banks, causing The IIconics to attack them ahead of their match on Sunday.
Asuka, after gaining control against Flair, was distracted by the arrival of Nia Jax. Asuka took Jax down but then immediately walked into a Big Boot from Flair, which was enough for The Queen to score a three count.
Jax, after the match, then continued to attack Asuka and took her out with a Samoan Drop. Asuka defends her Raw Women's Championship against Jax at Backlash.
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Also on Raw, Hall of Famer Edge was a guest on his best friend Christian's talk show, The Peep Show.
Christian questioned if Edge is ready to take on Randy Orton at Backlash and tried to motivate his former tag team partner. Orton interrupted the show from backstage and claimed that he would finally end Edge's career and send him home to his family.
Other moments from Raw included Rey Mysterio announcing that his recovery is going well after he was attacked by Seth Rollins; Aleister Black and Humberto Carrillo defeating Rollins' disciples Murphy and Austin Theory; Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits facing The Viking Raiders in a decathlon; Andrade defeating Angel Garza and Kevin Owens to earn a U.S. Championship match; and Bobby Lashley and MVP defeating The Viking Raiders.
Lashley, after the match, locked in the Full Nelson on Ivar of The Viking Raiders. The Street Profits tired to help but WWE Champion Drew McIntyre sent Lashley out of the ring with a Claymore.
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McIntyre defends his WWE Championship against Lashley Sunday at Backlash.


upi--2020-06-09--Dangerous combination of factors elevate fire danger in Southwest

June 9 -- Elevated to critical fire conditions are expected to span across several states from California to Texas into Tuesday evening .
New growth from grass and brush from the early spring has already begun to dry out across much of the region in response to persistent heat and mainly dry weather conditions in recent weeks .
Temperatures surged past 100 degrees and even topped the 110-degree mark during late May and the first few days of June in some locations .
At this level , temperatures were 10 degrees above average or more on a few days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ June is typically very dry across the deserts , prior to the beginning of the North American monsoon , when higher humidity levels can help to fuel locally drenching thunderstorms .
Even though some cooler air has now swept into the region , gusty winds and very dry air will increase the risk of existing wildfires to spread and new wildfires to ignite .
`` The winds are being produced in the wake of a potent storm system that sparked severe weather over the Intermountain West and the northern High Plains over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Multiple small fires were sparked by recent dry lightning in the region , according to the Storm Prediction Center .
Image by AccuWeather The Blue River and Dry Lake fires in the San Carlos Apache reservation of Arizona began from dry lightning strikes on Friday , according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group .
The combined fires have burned nearly 19,000 acres .
The Sawtooth Fire , which also started from dry lightning on May 30 , has consumed nearly 25,000 acres in the Mazatzal Mountains , east of Phoenix .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Tuesday , the overall zone of gusty winds will shrink , as will the elevated and critical fire risk area , when compared to Monday .
About 86,000 square miles will be in a critical fire risk , as opposed to a little over 256,000 square miles under this category on Monday , according to the SPC .
`` Winds in general will not be as strong as Monday with most gusts ranging between 20 and 30 mph , '' Fortier said .
`` But , even at this speed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fast pace . ''
An elevated fire threat will continue over part of Southern California , including the Los Angeles area on Tuesday .
Image by AccuWeather

Forecasters say gusty winds and very dry air across the southwestern U.S. will increase the risk of existing wildfires to spread and new wildfires to ignite. File Photo by Al Golub/UPI | License Photo
June 9 -- Elevated to critical fire conditions are expected to span across several states from California to Texas into Tuesday evening. New growth from grass and brush from the early spring has already begun to dry out across much of the region in response to persistent heat and mainly dry weather conditions in recent weeks. Advertisement
Temperatures surged past 100 degrees and even topped the 110-degree mark during late May and the first few days of June in some locations. At this level, temperatures were 10 degrees above average or more on a few days.
The period from late April to early June is typically very dry across the deserts, prior to the beginning of the North American monsoon, when higher humidity levels can help to fuel locally drenching thunderstorms.
Even though some cooler air has now swept into the region, gusty winds and very dry air will increase the risk of existing wildfires to spread and new wildfires to ignite.
"The winds are being produced in the wake of a potent storm system that sparked severe weather over the Intermountain West and the northern High Plains over the weekend," AccuWeather Meteorologist Tiffany Fortier said.
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Multiple small fires were sparked by recent dry lightning in the region, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Image by AccuWeather
The Blue River and Dry Lake fires in the San Carlos Apache reservation of Arizona began from dry lightning strikes on Friday, according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. The combined fires have burned nearly 19,000 acres.
The Sawtooth Fire, which also started from dry lightning on May 30, has consumed nearly 25,000 acres in the Mazatzal Mountains, east of Phoenix. This fire is about 81 percent contained.
On Tuesday, the overall zone of gusty winds will shrink, as will the elevated and critical fire risk area, when compared to Monday. About 86,000 square miles will be in a critical fire risk, as opposed to a little over 256,000 square miles under this category on Monday, according to the SPC.
"Winds in general will not be as strong as Monday with most gusts ranging between 20 and 30 mph," Fortier said. "But, even at this speed, any fires can be pushed along at a fast pace."
An elevated fire threat will continue over part of Southern California, including the Los Angeles area on Tuesday. Image by AccuWeather


upi--2020-06-09--Cristobal to bring rains to Midwest; flash floods possible

June 9 ( UPI ) -- The remnants of Tropical Storm Cristobal are moving into Missouri , prompting watches and warnings in parts of the Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes regions .
The National Hurricane Center said in its 4 a.m. update the center of the storm is about 80 miles southeast of Springfield , Mo.
, and has maximum sustained winds of 30 mph .
A flash flood watch is in effect for areas in and near the length of the Mississippi Valley , it said .
Tropical Storm Cristobal was downgraded to a tropical depression early Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ before and after it made landfall Sunday in southern Louisiana .
The system struck with tropical storm strength by Grand Isle , La.
, and swamped much of the rest of the Gulf Coast .
With its formation last week , it became the earliest C-named storm in recorded history .
By reaching land on Sunday , it became the second-earliest named storm to impact Louisiana , as only Tropical Storm Arlene from 1959 made landfall earlier in the calendar year , on May 30 .
But Louisianians did n't have time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared all weekend and hunkered down on Sunday .
With over 20,000 residents without power by Monday morning , communities throughout the southern portion of the state have cleanup to address .
Power has since been restored to a majority of customers , as of Monday night .
Roadways and highways were flooded hours before the storm arrived as an intense storm surge brought the highest water level in years .
In Grand Isle , mandatory evacuations were ordered for the island on Saturday .
`` This is the highest water the island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parish Councilman Ricky Templet said , recalling the August 2012 Category 1 hurricane that made landfall in southeastern Louisiana , to NOLA.com .
`` Grand Isle is 7 miles long .
We only have 2 miles of the island that 's passable . ''
Before Cristobal arrived , strong rip currents from the system claimed the lives of two children swimming at a beach in Grand Isle on Friday night and left two others hospitalized , according to WWL TV .
The destruction mounted on Sunday night after landfall , as the storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to Harrison County Emergency Management Director Rupert Lacy , a portion of the Biloxi Lighthouse pier in Mississippi was destroyed by the waves on Sunday , the Sun Herald reported .
As shown by video and pictures shared , the high winds pushed parts of the pier over a half mile down the beach .
River flooding across Mississippi and Louisiana is expected to remain a concern in the areas even though Cristobal and its impacts have moved northward .
By Biloxi , the U.S. 90 ramp to Mississippi 619 Jerry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flooded Monday morning .
Gusty winds continued pushing water from Lake Ponchartrain into nearby communities and causing flooding concerns on Monday .
In Mandeville , Louisiana , located along the northern shores of the lake , some residents elected to navigate flooded roads with kayaks rather than cars .
Even at low tide , the community was inundated with storm surge .
As the system continues its rare northerly track , damage reports are likely to continue mounting , particularly as river flooding persists across portions of the lower Mississippi basin , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety director for Jackson County , told the Sun Herald conditions could have been much worse if the storm strengthened to hurricane status .

The remnants of Tropical Storm Cristobal are seen over the U.S. Midwest early Tuesday, where they are forecast to produce strong winds and rain in the Mississippi River Valley. Image courtesy NOAA
June 9 (UPI) -- The remnants of Tropical Storm Cristobal are moving into Missouri, prompting watches and warnings in parts of the Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes regions. The National Hurricane Center said in its 4 a.m. update the center of the storm is about 80 miles southeast of Springfield, Mo., and has maximum sustained winds of 30 mph. Advertisement
A flash flood watch is in effect for areas in and near the length of the Mississippi Valley, it said. Tropical Storm Cristobal was downgraded to a tropical depression early Monday.
Cristobal thrashed its way into records books before and after it made landfall Sunday in southern Louisiana. The system struck with tropical storm strength by Grand Isle, La., and swamped much of the rest of the Gulf Coast.
With its formation last week, it became the earliest C-named storm in recorded history. By reaching land on Sunday, it became the second-earliest named storm to impact Louisiana, as only Tropical Storm Arlene from 1959 made landfall earlier in the calendar year, on May 30.
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But Louisianians didn't have time to think about the historical context as they prepared all weekend and hunkered down on Sunday. With over 20,000 residents without power by Monday morning, communities throughout the southern portion of the state have cleanup to address.
Power has since been restored to a majority of customers, as of Monday night.
Roadways and highways were flooded hours before the storm arrived as an intense storm surge brought the highest water level in years. In Grand Isle, mandatory evacuations were ordered for the island on Saturday.
"This is the highest water the island has seen since Isaac," Jefferson Parish Councilman Ricky Templet said, recalling the August 2012 Category 1 hurricane that made landfall in southeastern Louisiana, to NOLA.com. "Grand Isle is 7 miles long. We only have 2 miles of the island that's passable."
Before Cristobal arrived, strong rip currents from the system claimed the lives of two children swimming at a beach in Grand Isle on Friday night and left two others hospitalized, according to WWL TV.
The destruction mounted on Sunday night after landfall, as the storm packing 50-mph winds moved inland over Louisiana. According to Harrison County Emergency Management Director Rupert Lacy, a portion of the Biloxi Lighthouse pier in Mississippi was destroyed by the waves on Sunday, the Sun Herald reported.
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As shown by video and pictures shared, the high winds pushed parts of the pier over a half mile down the beach.
River flooding across Mississippi and Louisiana is expected to remain a concern in the areas even though Cristobal and its impacts have moved northward. By Biloxi, the U.S. 90 ramp to Mississippi 619 Jerry St. Pé Highway in Jackson County remained flooded Monday morning.
Gusty winds continued pushing water from Lake Ponchartrain into nearby communities and causing flooding concerns on Monday.
In Mandeville, Louisiana, located along the northern shores of the lake, some residents elected to navigate flooded roads with kayaks rather than cars. Even at low tide, the community was inundated with storm surge.
As the system continues its rare northerly track, damage reports are likely to continue mounting, particularly as river flooding persists across portions of the lower Mississippi basin, according to meteorologists.
Earl Etheridge, public safety director for Jackson County, told the Sun Herald conditions could have been much worse if the storm strengthened to hurricane status.


upi--2020-06-09--Watchdog: NYPD misconduct often involves black, Latino youth

June 9 ( UPI ) -- Complaints filed against New York City police show black youth have been arrested , handcuffed and held at gunpoint for engaging in normal activities such as playing with friends or shaking hands , a newly released watchdog report found .
In its 55-page report released on Monday , the Civilian Complaint Review Board said it has analyzed 112 fully investigated complaints filed between Jan. 1 , 2018 , and June 30 , 2019 , against the police over situations involving New Yorkers between the ages of 10 and 18 , and discovered various examples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involving boys of color .
`` The cases include instances when young teens or pre-teens of color were handcuffed , arrested or held at gunpoint while participating in age-appropriate activities , such as running , playing with friends , high-fiving , sitting on a stoop or carrying a backpack , '' the report said .
`` Young New Yorkers should be able to participate in such activities without fear of negative encounters . ''
According to the report , an 8-year-old black male was handcuffed and detained for playing with a stick , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son was not treated properly and that his dreams of being a police officer were over . ''
In another encounter , an 11-year-old black male was frisked by an officer after having shaken the hand of an adult he knew .
And in another , an 11-year-old black male and a 13-year-old black female playing basketball had a weapon drawn on them for running to their guardian while being approached by police officers .
`` Sadly , after years of witnessing news about police misconduct and possibly experiencing it themselves , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the tension that too often exists between police and civilians , '' said CCRB Chair Fred Davie in a statement .
`` As young New Yorkers lead the way in calling for change in our city following the deaths of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor and countless others , it 's time for the NYPD to reconsider how officers police our youth , address disparities in law enforcement and commit to swift discipline when officers engage in misconduct . ''
Of the 112 complaints investigated , 42 percent were unsubstantiated , 32 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 10 percent were closed as unfounded with the reminders either being unable to identify the police involved or the complaint was found to have been filed concerning an adult .
During the period in question , the report said there were more than 15,000 interventions by police with children ages 10-18 .
Among them , 88 percent of the youth were either black or Hispanic and only 6 percent were white , the report said .
Among recommendations for the NYPD , the CCRB said it should take into account the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiative , train all police officers on the difference between policing adults and youth and take the age of the youth victim into consideration when disciplining officers for misconduct .
In a statement , the NYPD said Commissioner Dermot Shea has accepted the CCRB 's report and recommendations .
`` A top priority Commissioner Shea has set for the NYPD is to reimagine doing all we can to protect and serve New York City 's kids , '' the NYPD said .
`` After careful review , we accept each of the CCRB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which are already in the process of being implemented and all of which will strengthen our new youth strategy . ''
In the report , the CCRB said it is aware that the NYPD `` believes it is working hard to protect youth '' in New York City .
The report comes amid fraying relations between much of the U.S. public and the police as protests nationwide have erupted over the May 25 police-involved killing of Floyd , which followed Taylor 's March 13 police-involved shooting death .

Protesters march on 34th Street near the Empire State Building in Manhattan as protests, looting and rioting around the country continue over the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police in New York City on Wednesday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 9 (UPI) -- Complaints filed against New York City police show black youth have been arrested, handcuffed and held at gunpoint for engaging in normal activities such as playing with friends or shaking hands, a newly released watchdog report found. In its 55-page report released on Monday, the Civilian Complaint Review Board said it has analyzed 112 fully investigated complaints filed between Jan. 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, against the police over situations involving New Yorkers between the ages of 10 and 18, and discovered various examples of "negative encounters," particularly involving boys of color. Advertisement
"The cases include instances when young teens or pre-teens of color were handcuffed, arrested or held at gunpoint while participating in age-appropriate activities, such as running, playing with friends, high-fiving, sitting on a stoop or carrying a backpack," the report said. "Young New Yorkers should be able to participate in such activities without fear of negative encounters."
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According to the report, an 8-year-old black male was handcuffed and detained for playing with a stick, and his mother complained, "her son was not treated properly and that his dreams of being a police officer were over."
In another encounter, an 11-year-old black male was frisked by an officer after having shaken the hand of an adult he knew.
And in another, an 11-year-old black male and a 13-year-old black female playing basketball had a weapon drawn on them for running to their guardian while being approached by police officers.
"Sadly, after years of witnessing news about police misconduct and possibly experiencing it themselves, even the youngest among us have an awareness of the tension that too often exists between police and civilians," said CCRB Chair Fred Davie in a statement. "As young New Yorkers lead the way in calling for change in our city following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and countless others, it's time for the NYPD to reconsider how officers police our youth, address disparities in law enforcement and commit to swift discipline when officers engage in misconduct."
Of the 112 complaints investigated, 42 percent were unsubstantiated, 32 percent were substantiated, 13 percent exonerated and 10 percent were closed as unfounded with the reminders either being unable to identify the police involved or the complaint was found to have been filed concerning an adult.
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During the period in question, the report said there were more than 15,000 interventions by police with children ages 10-18. Among them, 88 percent of the youth were either black or Hispanic and only 6 percent were white, the report said.
Among recommendations for the NYPD, the CCRB said it should take into account the report's findings when finalizing its new youth initiative, train all police officers on the difference between policing adults and youth and take the age of the youth victim into consideration when disciplining officers for misconduct.
In a statement, the NYPD said Commissioner Dermot Shea has accepted the CCRB's report and recommendations.
"A top priority Commissioner Shea has set for the NYPD is to reimagine doing all we can to protect and serve New York City's kids," the NYPD said. "After careful review, we accept each of the CCRB's thoughtful and constructive recommendations -- some of which are already in the process of being implemented and all of which will strengthen our new youth strategy."
In the report, the CCRB said it is aware that the NYPD "believes it is working hard to protect youth" in New York City.
The report comes amid fraying relations between much of the U.S. public and the police as protests nationwide have erupted over the May 25 police-involved killing of Floyd, which followed Taylor's March 13 police-involved shooting death.


upi--2020-06-09--Every day use of AI for health diagnoses still years away

Back before coronavirus took over the headlines , every week seemed to bring another report about artificial intelligence besting human doctors at everything from diagnosing skin cancer to spotting pneumonia on chest X-rays .
But these artificial intelligence , or AI , tools -- computer programs that get better at performing a task by being `` trained '' on the right kind of data -- are years away from being used to help diagnose real-life patients , according to the doctors helping to develop and test them .
`` We still have a lot of unknowns in terms of generalizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can start using them as standard of care , '' said Dr. Matthew Hanna , a pathologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City .
Generalizing means building an AI tool that can be used in multiple hospitals , and validation involves testing and adjusting an AI tool to ensure it 's accurate .
`` These are the types of studies we need to do to make sure these models are performing properly and not potentially harming patients , '' Hanna explained .
Meanwhile , humans are in no rush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosis .
In a 2019 New York University-Harvard study , business school students said they 'd be OK with getting poorer quality health care as long as it was provided by a human instead of AI .
People resisted AI , the study authors found , because they felt it would not take their `` idiosyncratic characteristics and circumstances '' into account .
Whether people like it or not , AI will increasingly play a supporting role in medicine , helping doctors work more efficiently and consistently .
The U.S. Food and Drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for applications including monitoring patients remotely , identifying brain bleeding on a CT scan , recognizing abnormal heart rhythms based on Apple Watch recordings , and even diagnosing autism .
All of these available tools are supervised , meaning they do n't go off and learn things on their own .
Think of them as trusted assistants working behind the scenes , offering suggestions but not making decisions .
AI tools are being developed to speed up cancer diagnosis and treatment , for example , by helping radiologists with jobs that they now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` contouring , '' or manually drawing the boundary line between a tumor and normal tissue on multiple images .
`` What we really want to do is , in a structured way , teach an algorithm to find lung nodules , characterize them according to the standard classification schema , and then help radiologists put them into a useful report , '' explained Dr. Bibb Allen Jr. , chief medical officer of the American College of Radiology 's Data Science Institute .
`` AI is all about information and bringing information as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care of the patient , '' Allen added .
`` We have an explosion of data around our patients , but it 's hard to access . ''
Radiologists made the switch from reading X-ray films on light boxes to interpreting images on computer screens decades ago .
But digitalization is not as far along for pathologists , many of whom are still peering through microscopes at thin slices of biopsied tissue fixed on glass slides .
Even when reviewing slides on a computer , `` it can be time-consuming for pathologists to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specimens to identify potential metastatic disease , '' Hanna noted .
`` If an AI model is trained to detect the presence or absence of metastatic breast cancer , this automated screening could help triage cases for pathologists -- bringing specific cases to their attention . ''
AI wo n't replace pathologists , who report multiple other diagnostic findings for each specimen they review , Hanna added .
`` But AI could create greater efficiencies to potentially shave off hours , or even days , so that pathology reports may be finalized sooner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We have a very large shortage predicted in pathologists in the U.S. , and we also have a vastly increased workload , so I think these machine learning models will be a necessity in the future , '' Hanna explained .
Allen pointed out that `` it 's not going to happen overnight .
Every year , we 're just going to put more and more AI tools into the way we care for patients .
It 's going to do things that are just going to , over time , improve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's not going to be , 'Oh , we flipped a switch and we 've got AI , ' '' he added .
`` Patients need to understand that their physician will be there helping them and they will be using AI to help their patients , but not as a tool to give to patients to replace their physicians , '' Allen said .

Back before coronavirus took over the headlines, every week seemed to bring another report about artificial intelligence besting human doctors at everything from diagnosing skin cancer to spotting pneumonia on chest X-rays.
But these artificial intelligence, or AI, tools -- computer programs that get better at performing a task by being "trained" on the right kind of data -- are years away from being used to help diagnose real-life patients, according to the doctors helping to develop and test them.
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"We still have a lot of unknowns in terms of generalizing and validation of these systems before we can start using them as standard of care," said Dr. Matthew Hanna, a pathologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
Generalizing means building an AI tool that can be used in multiple hospitals, and validation involves testing and adjusting an AI tool to ensure it's accurate.
Advertisement
"These are the types of studies we need to do to make sure these models are performing properly and not potentially harming patients," Hanna explained.
Meanwhile, humans are in no rush to swap their doctor for an AI diagnosis.
In a 2019 New York University-Harvard study, business school students said they'd be OK with getting poorer quality health care as long as it was provided by a human instead of AI.
People resisted AI, the study authors found, because they felt it would not take their "idiosyncratic characteristics and circumstances" into account.
Research vs. the real world
Whether people like it or not, AI will increasingly play a supporting role in medicine, helping doctors work more efficiently and consistently.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved dozens of AI platforms for applications including monitoring patients remotely, identifying brain bleeding on a CT scan, recognizing abnormal heart rhythms based on Apple Watch recordings, and even diagnosing autism.
All of these available tools are supervised, meaning they don't go off and learn things on their own. Think of them as trusted assistants working behind the scenes, offering suggestions but not making decisions.
AI tools are being developed to speed up cancer diagnosis and treatment, for example, by helping radiologists with jobs that they now must do by hand, such as "contouring," or manually drawing the boundary line between a tumor and normal tissue on multiple images.
Advertisement
"What we really want to do is, in a structured way, teach an algorithm to find lung nodules, characterize them according to the standard classification schema, and then help radiologists put them into a useful report," explained Dr. Bibb Allen Jr., chief medical officer of the American College of Radiology's Data Science Institute.
"AI is all about information and bringing information as appropriate to the physicians that are taking care of the patient," Allen added. "We have an explosion of data around our patients, but it's hard to access."
'Greater efficiencies'
Radiologists made the switch from reading X-ray films on light boxes to interpreting images on computer screens decades ago. But digitalization is not as far along for pathologists, many of whom are still peering through microscopes at thin slices of biopsied tissue fixed on glass slides.
Even when reviewing slides on a computer, "it can be time-consuming for pathologists to manually review images of all lymph node specimens to identify potential metastatic disease," Hanna noted. "If an AI model is trained to detect the presence or absence of metastatic breast cancer, this automated screening could help triage cases for pathologists -- bringing specific cases to their attention."
AI won't replace pathologists, who report multiple other diagnostic findings for each specimen they review, Hanna added. "But AI could create greater efficiencies to potentially shave off hours, or even days, so that pathology reports may be finalized sooner for patients," he said.
Advertisement
"We have a very large shortage predicted in pathologists in the U.S., and we also have a vastly increased workload, so I think these machine learning models will be a necessity in the future," Hanna explained.
Allen pointed out that "it's not going to happen overnight. Every year, we're just going to put more and more AI tools into the way we care for patients. It's going to do things that are just going to, over time, improve the way we take care of patients. It's not going to be, 'Oh, we flipped a switch and we've got AI,'" he added.
"Patients need to understand that their physician will be there helping them and they will be using AI to help their patients, but not as a tool to give to patients to replace their physicians," Allen said.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-06-09--Prosecutors charge St. Paul man with arson over Minneapolis police station fire

June 9 ( UPI ) -- Prosecutors in Minnesota have charged a 23-year-old man from St. Paul in connection to an arson attack against a Minneapolis police station during protests demanding justice for the police involved-killing of George Floyd .
U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald on Monday announced Branden Michael Wolfe has been charged with aiding and abetting arson for the May 28 fire that greatly damaged the Minneapolis Police Department 's Third Precinct .
Protests erupted in Minnesota before spreading nationwide over Floyd 's death on May 25 .
Video of the incident shows Derek Chauvin , a white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black man , to the ground with a knee to the back of his neck for more than eight minutes .
Days later during protests , the third precinct was set ablaze and vandalized .
Wolfe was arrested Wednesday while wearing numerous items that were stolen from the precinct , including body armor , a police-issued duty belt with handcuffs , an earphone piece , a baton and a knife , prosecutors said , adding , Wolfe 's surname was handwritten on duct tape that was adhered to the back of the body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called to a St. Paul home improvement store over a complaint that a person wearing body armor and a law enforcement duty belt had tried to enter the building .
According to court documents , Wolfe had been a security guard at the store but was fired earlier that day over social media posts he made claiming to have stolen items from the precinct during the May 28 arson attack .
After his arrest , Wolfe told law enforcement officers he entered the precinct the night in question and stole police property , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted to pushing a wooden barrel into the fire .
`` Wolfe also identified himself in multiple witnesses ' photographs depicting Wolfe in front of the Third Precinct holding a police baton , with smoke and flames visible in the background , '' the U.S. Attorney 's Office for the District of Minnesota said .
`` In his statement to law enforcement , Wolfe confirmed that he pushed a wooden barrel into the fire , knowing that it would help keep the fire burning . ''
Metal barrel rings were later recovered from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A police search of Wolfe 's apartment discovered other items stolen from the precinct , including a riot helmet , a 9mm pistol magazine , a police radio and a police-issued overdose kit .
Wolfe is scheduled to make his first court appearance Tuesday before Magistrate Judge Hildy Bowbeer in St. Paul .

Protesters cheer as fireworks are lit and multiple fires burn near an abandoned police precinct, the site of prolonged protests over the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 28. Photo by Craig Lassig/EPA-EFE
June 9 (UPI) -- Prosecutors in Minnesota have charged a 23-year-old man from St. Paul in connection to an arson attack against a Minneapolis police station during protests demanding justice for the police involved-killing of George Floyd. U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald on Monday announced Branden Michael Wolfe has been charged with aiding and abetting arson for the May 28 fire that greatly damaged the Minneapolis Police Department's Third Precinct. Advertisement
Protests erupted in Minnesota before spreading nationwide over Floyd's death on May 25. Video of the incident shows Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, pinning Floyd, a black man, to the ground with a knee to the back of his neck for more than eight minutes.
Days later during protests, the third precinct was set ablaze and vandalized.
Wolfe was arrested Wednesday while wearing numerous items that were stolen from the precinct, including body armor, a police-issued duty belt with handcuffs, an earphone piece, a baton and a knife, prosecutors said, adding, Wolfe's surname was handwritten on duct tape that was adhered to the back of the body armor.
Police arrested Wolfe after being called to a St. Paul home improvement store over a complaint that a person wearing body armor and a law enforcement duty belt had tried to enter the building.
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According to court documents, Wolfe had been a security guard at the store but was fired earlier that day over social media posts he made claiming to have stolen items from the precinct during the May 28 arson attack.
After his arrest, Wolfe told law enforcement officers he entered the precinct the night in question and stole police property, the complaint states, adding he also admitted to pushing a wooden barrel into the fire.
"Wolfe also identified himself in multiple witnesses' photographs depicting Wolfe in front of the Third Precinct holding a police baton, with smoke and flames visible in the background," the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota said. "In his statement to law enforcement, Wolfe confirmed that he pushed a wooden barrel into the fire, knowing that it would help keep the fire burning."
Metal barrel rings were later recovered from the crime scene, prosecutors said.
A police search of Wolfe's apartment discovered other items stolen from the precinct, including a riot helmet, a 9mm pistol magazine, a police radio and a police-issued overdose kit.
Wolfe is scheduled to make his first court appearance Tuesday before Magistrate Judge Hildy Bowbeer in St. Paul.