upi--2020-10-29--Hall of Famer Tony La Russa, 76, hired as White Sox manager

Oct. 29 ( UPI ) -- The Chicago White Sox hired Hall of Famer Tony La Russa to be the club 's next manager , the team announced Thursday .
The 76-year-old La Russa , who won a World Series title with the Oakland Athletics and two more with the St. Louis Cardinals , rejoins the White Sox more than three decades after they fired him .
He takes over for Rick Renteria after what the White Sox said was a mutual agreement to part ways .
`` We are extremely excited about the future of this team , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
`` As we showed in 2020 , this is a young , talented club that we expect to only grow better and better in the coming years .
`` Adding in a Hall of Fame manager who is recognized as being one of the best in the history of the game , we are a step closer to our goal of bringing White Sox fans another championship . ''
La Russa takes over a White Sox team stacked with young stars and productive veterans that reached the playoffs for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite the club 's strong season , Renteria and the White Sox agreed to split after the team sputtered down the stretch and got knocked out in the wild-card round .
With the hiring , La Russa becomes the oldest manager in the major leagues by five years .
Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker is 71 .
`` It was very difficult to sit and think about what 's going on downstairs .
It 's always more fun downstairs .
My heart was always in the dugout , '' said La Russa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for multiple teams since 2014 .
`` I think all managers would understand this , how rare it is to get an opportunity to manage a team that 's this talented and this close to winning .
`` ...
The last few days , as this has gotten closer , my internal response has been excitement .
No regret .
I 'm fired up and ready to go . ''
La Russa joins Jack McKeon as the only managers in MLB history to take over a club at age 75 or older , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McKeon was 80 when he became manager of the Marlins in 2011 .
`` While I have had other inquiries about managing since retiring , this opportunity with the White Sox brings together a number of important factors that make this the right time and the right place , '' La Russa said .
`` The on-field talent is amazing , and the front office , led by Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn , has done everything necessary to create an atmosphere of long-term success .
`` All of those factors aligned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am excited to get going as soon as possible by building a coaching staff and getting to work . ''
La Russa , who began his managerial career with the White Sox during the 1979 campaign , is returning to the dugout for the first time since 2011 , when he guided the Cardinals past the Texas Rangers in the World Series .
He also won championships with Oakland in 1989 and St. Louis in 2006 .
Across 33 seasons with the White Sox , A 's and Cardinals , La Russa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- has compiled a 2,728-2,365 record with six pennants .
Only Hall of Famers Connie Mack ( 3,731 ) and John McGraw ( 2,763 ) have more total victories .
La Russa was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014 .

Former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has won three World Series titles in his managerial career. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 29 (UPI) -- The Chicago White Sox hired Hall of Famer Tony La Russa to be the club's next manager, the team announced Thursday. The 76-year-old La Russa, who won a World Series title with the Oakland Athletics and two more with the St. Louis Cardinals, rejoins the White Sox more than three decades after they fired him. He takes over for Rick Renteria after what the White Sox said was a mutual agreement to part ways. Advertisement
"We are extremely excited about the future of this team," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Thursday. "As we showed in 2020, this is a young, talented club that we expect to only grow better and better in the coming years.
"Adding in a Hall of Fame manager who is recognized as being one of the best in the history of the game, we are a step closer to our goal of bringing White Sox fans another championship."
Advertisement Tony La Russa, a member of baseball's Hall of Fame, the third-winningest manager in baseball history, a three-time World Series champion and a four-time winner of the Manager of the Year Award, has been named the new manager of the Chicago White Sox. pic.twitter.com/RKP24rleHP— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) October 29, 2020
La Russa takes over a White Sox team stacked with young stars and productive veterans that reached the playoffs for the first time since 2008 this past season. Despite the club's strong season, Renteria and the White Sox agreed to split after the team sputtered down the stretch and got knocked out in the wild-card round.
With the hiring, La Russa becomes the oldest manager in the major leagues by five years. Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker is 71.
"It was very difficult to sit and think about what's going on downstairs. It's always more fun downstairs. My heart was always in the dugout," said La Russa, who has worked in the front office for multiple teams since 2014. "I think all managers would understand this, how rare it is to get an opportunity to manage a team that's this talented and this close to winning.
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"... The last few days, as this has gotten closer, my internal response has been excitement. No regret. I'm fired up and ready to go."
La Russa joins Jack McKeon as the only managers in MLB history to take over a club at age 75 or older, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. McKeon was 80 when he became manager of the Marlins in 2011.
"While I have had other inquiries about managing since retiring, this opportunity with the White Sox brings together a number of important factors that make this the right time and the right place," La Russa said. "The on-field talent is amazing, and the front office, led by Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn, has done everything necessary to create an atmosphere of long-term success.
"All of those factors aligned to make this a tremendous opportunity, and I am excited to get going as soon as possible by building a coaching staff and getting to work."
La Russa, who began his managerial career with the White Sox during the 1979 campaign, is returning to the dugout for the first time since 2011, when he guided the Cardinals past the Texas Rangers in the World Series. He also won championships with Oakland in 1989 and St. Louis in 2006.
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Across 33 seasons with the White Sox, A's and Cardinals, La Russa -- a four-time Manager of the Year -- has compiled a 2,728-2,365 record with six pennants. Only Hall of Famers Connie Mack (3,731) and John McGraw (2,763) have more total victories.
La Russa was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.


upi--2020-10-29--Mental, physical health has suffered during pandemic lockdowns, study shows

You might be onto something if you suspect your mental and physical health declined during the COVID-19 lockdown earlier this year .
Stay-at-home orders appear to have had an overall bad effect on people 's health around the world , a global survey shows .
People reported that they gained weight during the lockdown , were less active , suffered from poor sleep , and experienced increased stress and anxiety , said lead author Emily Flanagan , a postdoctoral researcher at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge , La .
Flanagan worries that these health changes will affect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been brought to heel as an infectious disease threat .
`` There 's research to show that even short-term changes in health -- short-term weight gain or short-term physical inactivity -- have long-lasting repercussions , more so than when you lose weight or start exercising again or start eating better , '' she said .
`` These , unfortunately , will have long-lasting impacts beyond the stay-at-home orders and beyond the COVID pandemic . ''
France and Germany both locked down this week in the face of a second wave of COVID-19 infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts or all of the United States will have to follow suit this winter .
Dr. Reshmi Srinath , director of the Mount Sinai Weight and Metabolism Management Program in New York City , said this is a `` powerful study '' that confirms what clinicians have seen in patients who are being followed for diabetes and weight gain .
`` Stress , anxiety , excess snacking and less activity all are contributing to weight gain and uncontrolled glucose [ blood sugar ] levels in patients with diabetes , '' said Srinath , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research .
For this study , Flanagan 's team surveyed more than 7,700 people through an advertising link on Facebook .
Most respondents were in the United States , with half from Louisiana , but people from more than 50 other countries also filled out the detailed online questionnaire .
Interestingly , one solid piece of good news did emerge from the lockdown .
While people were stuck at home , they tended to eat more healthy foods than usual , Flanagan said .
`` The main driver of that healthy eating score @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much , '' she said .
`` Because of that , we saw less fried food consumption , less takeout , less fast-food -- so overall , healthy eating scores increased . ''
Regardless of healthier eating , more than one-quarter of respondents -- 27 % -- said they still gained weight .
People who were already obese reported weight gain more often than people who were overweight or at normal weight , the results showed .
By contrast , about 17 % of respondents said they 'd lost weight .
Although diets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more snacks , desserts and sugar-sweetened beverages .
For example , about 26 % reported an increase in healthy snacking , but 44 % reported an increase in unhealthy snacking .
A decline in physical activity probably also played a big part in weight gain , the study authors noted .
People spent more time as couch potatoes during the lockdown , with increases in television viewing , video gaming and screen time .
Flanagan said they were less likely to engage in any physical activity or intense exercise .
Srinath said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caloric intake and expenditure .
Even though we might be eating less food outside the home and possibly making better food choices , there is more time for snacking when you are stuck at home .
We also forget how much activity we get just from going to work , being outside the home . ''
Mental health also took a blow during the lockdown , with overall anxiety increasing .
About 20 % reported symptoms of anxiety during the stay-at-home orders , compared to 14 % prior to the pandemic , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw major declines in overall mental health through increases in anxiety , '' Flanagan said .
`` The majority of the people who took our survey reported they were not only concerned for their overall health and safety with the virus , but also concerned for their loved ones and family friends . ''
Given all this , people tended to sleep poorly during lockdown .
About 44 % reported worse sleep quality , while 10 % said they slept better .
`` Overall , sleep patterns were shifted forward an hour .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour later and waking up an hour later , '' Flanagan said .
`` With that , their sleep quality declined .
People reported they were waking up in the middle of the night with fear of the virus . ''
The researchers found little difference in the way people around the world responded to lockdown orders , with no serious country-to-country variations .
`` This is a global pandemic .
It shows we 're all responding in similar ways with these shutdowns and how our daily behaviors are changing , '' Flanagan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the pandemic did appear to influence how lockdown affected you , the researchers noted .
`` We saw those individuals with obesity were actually the hardest hit by the stay-at-home orders with respect to their mental health decline , but on the other hand , we saw their eating behaviors improved the most , '' Flanagan said .
`` That was because when you looked at their pre-pandemic eating behaviors , they had the lowest scores .
With those stay-at-home orders , everyone increased , but those with obesity increased more .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the shutdown , and with the stay-at-home orders their diet improved more so than those with normal weight and overweight , '' she said .
If lockdowns occur again , Flanagan and her colleagues suggest doctors increase mental health screenings and stay in touch with patients through remote visits to help remind them to eat healthy and stay active .
`` Health providers are able to focus in on these things at their visits to try to mitigate these going forward , '' Flanagan said .
The report was published online recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people concerned about their health during lockdown to stay in frequent contact with their doctor , and to try to : • Find ways to mimic your old routine and create structure to your day .
• Add at least 20 minutes of walking or some form of movement into every day .
• Limit the amount of processed foods and high sugar-/high calorie-containing snacks in the home .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about COVID-19 .

Researchers have raised concerns that mental and physical health changes will affect people's lives long after COVID-19 has been brought to heel as an infectious disease threat. Photo by StockSnap/Pixabay
You might be onto something if you suspect your mental and physical health declined during the COVID-19 lockdown earlier this year. Stay-at-home orders appear to have had an overall bad effect on people's health around the world, a global survey shows. Advertisement
People reported that they gained weight during the lockdown, were less active, suffered from poor sleep, and experienced increased stress and anxiety, said lead author Emily Flanagan, a postdoctoral researcher at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, La.
Flanagan worries that these health changes will affect people's lives long after COVID-19 has been brought to heel as an infectious disease threat.
"There's research to show that even short-term changes in health -- short-term weight gain or short-term physical inactivity -- have long-lasting repercussions, more so than when you lose weight or start exercising again or start eating better," she said. "These, unfortunately, will have long-lasting impacts beyond the stay-at-home orders and beyond the COVID pandemic."
Advertisement
France and Germany both locked down this week in the face of a second wave of COVID-19 infections spreading across Europe, raising expectations that parts or all of the United States will have to follow suit this winter.
Dr. Reshmi Srinath, director of the Mount Sinai Weight and Metabolism Management Program in New York City, said this is a "powerful study" that confirms what clinicians have seen in patients who are being followed for diabetes and weight gain.
"Stress, anxiety, excess snacking and less activity all are contributing to weight gain and uncontrolled glucose [blood sugar] levels in patients with diabetes," said Srinath, who was not involved with the new research.
For this study, Flanagan's team surveyed more than 7,700 people through an advertising link on Facebook. Most respondents were in the United States, with half from Louisiana, but people from more than 50 other countries also filled out the detailed online questionnaire.
Interestingly, one solid piece of good news did emerge from the lockdown. While people were stuck at home, they tended to eat more healthy foods than usual, Flanagan said.
"The main driver of that healthy eating score was actually people not eating out as much," she said. "Because of that, we saw less fried food consumption, less takeout, less fast-food -- so overall, healthy eating scores increased."
Advertisement
Regardless of healthier eating, more than one-quarter of respondents -- 27% -- said they still gained weight. People who were already obese reported weight gain more often than people who were overweight or at normal weight, the results showed. By contrast, about 17% of respondents said they'd lost weight.
Although diets improved overall, people still reported eating more snacks, desserts and sugar-sweetened beverages. For example, about 26% reported an increase in healthy snacking, but 44% reported an increase in unhealthy snacking.
A decline in physical activity probably also played a big part in weight gain, the study authors noted.
People spent more time as couch potatoes during the lockdown, with increases in television viewing, video gaming and screen time. Flanagan said they were less likely to engage in any physical activity or intense exercise.
Srinath said, "Weight gain is directly tied to caloric intake and expenditure. Even though we might be eating less food outside the home and possibly making better food choices, there is more time for snacking when you are stuck at home. We also forget how much activity we get just from going to work, being outside the home."
Mental health also took a blow during the lockdown, with overall anxiety increasing. About 20% reported symptoms of anxiety during the stay-at-home orders, compared to 14% prior to the pandemic, the researchers found.
Advertisement
"Unfortunately, we saw major declines in overall mental health through increases in anxiety," Flanagan said. "The majority of the people who took our survey reported they were not only concerned for their overall health and safety with the virus, but also concerned for their loved ones and family friends."
Given all this, people tended to sleep poorly during lockdown. About 44% reported worse sleep quality, while 10% said they slept better.
"Overall, sleep patterns were shifted forward an hour. People were going to bed about an hour later and waking up an hour later," Flanagan said. "With that, their sleep quality declined. People reported they were waking up in the middle of the night with fear of the virus."
The researchers found little difference in the way people around the world responded to lockdown orders, with no serious country-to-country variations.
"This is a global pandemic. It shows we're all responding in similar ways with these shutdowns and how our daily behaviors are changing," Flanagan said.
But your body weight prior to the pandemic did appear to influence how lockdown affected you, the researchers noted.
"We saw those individuals with obesity were actually the hardest hit by the stay-at-home orders with respect to their mental health decline, but on the other hand, we saw their eating behaviors improved the most," Flanagan said.
Advertisement
"That was because when you looked at their pre-pandemic eating behaviors, they had the lowest scores. With those stay-at-home orders, everyone increased, but those with obesity increased more. They had a lower diet quality going into the shutdown, and with the stay-at-home orders their diet improved more so than those with normal weight and overweight," she said.
If lockdowns occur again, Flanagan and her colleagues suggest doctors increase mental health screenings and stay in touch with patients through remote visits to help remind them to eat healthy and stay active.
"Health providers are able to focus in on these things at their visits to try to mitigate these going forward," Flanagan said.
The report was published online recently in the journal Obesity.
Srinath encouraged people concerned about their health during lockdown to stay in frequent contact with their doctor, and to try to:
Find ways to mimic your old routine and create structure to your day.
Add at least 20 minutes of walking or some form of movement into every day.
Limit the amount of processed foods and high sugar-/high calorie-containing snacks in the home.
"This can help curb snacking on the wrong foods," Srinath said.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about COVID-19.
Advertisement
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-10-29--Supreme Court rejects second challenge to North Carolina mail ballot deadline

Oct. 29 ( UPI ) -- The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a second challenge to an extension on North @ @ @ @ @ mail-in ballots .
The court voted 5-3 to reject a challenge by North Carolina Republicans @ @ @ @ @ board 's decision to extend the deadline to count mail-in ballots until Nov. 13 .
@ @ @ @ @ Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito issued a dissent saying they would have granted the Republican @ @ @ @ @ in response to a challenge by the Trump campaign on Wednesday .
Justice Amy Coney @ @ @ @ @ court on Tuesday , did not participate in either ruling .
Republicans in the state @ @ @ @ @ undo the action by the state board of elections to extend the deadline under its @ @ @ @ @ in response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
In Wednesday 's ruling , Gorsuch and Alito @ @ @ @ @ as `` constitutional overreach . ''
The Supreme Court also allowed Pennsylvania to extend its @ @ @ @ @ to Nov. 6 , but rejected a similar extension in Wisconsin .

The Supreme Court rejected a challenge to North Carolina's decision to extend its deadline to count mail-in ballots to Nov. 13 for the second time in two days on Thursday. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 29 (UPI) -- The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a second challenge to an extension on North Carolina's deadline to count mail-in ballots. The court voted 5-3 to reject a challenge by North Carolina Republicans to block the state election board's decision to extend the deadline to count mail-in ballots until Nov. 13. Advertisement
Conservative justices Neil Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito issued a dissent saying they would have granted the Republican request, as they did in response to a challenge by the Trump campaign on Wednesday.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who joined the court on Tuesday, did not participate in either ruling.
Republicans in the state effectively asked the justices to undo the action by the state board of elections to extend the deadline under its powers to address natural disasters in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Wednesday's ruling, Gorsuch and Alito described the board's decision as "constitutional overreach."
The Supreme Court also allowed Pennsylvania to extend its deadline to receive mail-in ballots to Nov. 6, but rejected a similar extension in Wisconsin.


upi--2020-10-29--Air Force launches Minuteman III missile 4,200 miles in test

Oct. 29 ( UPI ) -- Experts from the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center launched an unarmed LGM-30G Minuteman III missile at California 's Vandenberg Air Force Base Thursday .
The launch , which took place at 12:27 a.m. Pacific time , was a test of the missile 's accuracy and reliability , according to the Air Force .
The missile traveled about 4,200 miles to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands .
In addition to serving as a demonstration of the Air Force 's nuclear launch capability to adversaries and assurance of the capability for allies , Quigley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our models of the Minuteman III fleet to ensure the ICBMs continue to meet stringent nuclear launch requirements . ''
The Minuteman III missile fleet was fielded in the 1970s and is marking its 50th anniversary this year .
The fleet 's launch infrastructure system is now spread across five states and 400 missiles .
The system is tested under the Air Force Global Strike Command 's Nuclear Weapon System Evaluation Program , and supported by the AFNWC Minuteman III Systems directorate at Utah 's Hill AFB , Utah .
Calling it the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. nuclear triad , Air Froce Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q .
Brown , Jr. said `` this event demonstrated the Air Force 's commitment to the nation 's nuclear enterprise while ensuring the United States ' nuclear deterrent is safe , secure , and effective . ''

An Air Force Global Strike Command unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test at 12:27 a.m. Pacific Time, Thursday. Photo by Patrick Harrower/U.S. Air Force
Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Experts from the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center launched an unarmed LGM-30G Minuteman III missile at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base Thursday. The launch, which took place at 12:27 a.m. Pacific time, was a test of the missile's accuracy and reliability, according to the Air Force. Advertisement
The missile traveled about 4,200 miles to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
"These operational test launches serve multiple purposes," said Col. Erik Quigley, Minuteman III Systems director.
In addition to serving as a demonstration of the Air Force's nuclear launch capability to adversaries and assurance of the capability for allies, Quigley said the test launches "help validate our models of the Minuteman III fleet to ensure the ICBMs continue to meet stringent nuclear launch requirements."
The Minuteman III missile fleet was fielded in the 1970s and is marking its 50th anniversary this year. The fleet's launch infrastructure system is now spread across five states and 400 missiles.
The system is tested under the Air Force Global Strike Command's Nuclear Weapon System Evaluation Program, and supported by the AFNWC Minuteman III Systems directorate at Utah's Hill AFB, Utah.
Calling it the "most responsive leg" of the U.S. nuclear triad, Air Froce Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. said "this event demonstrated the Air Force's commitment to the nation's nuclear enterprise while ensuring the United States' nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, and effective."


upi--2020-10-29--OSIRIS-REx successfully stows sample of asteroid Bennu

Oct. 29 ( UPI ) -- The asteroid sample collected by NASA 's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft early this month has been safely secured in its return capsule .
`` We had originally planned to conduct the stow operation next week , but we 're here to announce today that we 've successfully completed that operation , '' Rich Burns , OSIRIS-REx project manager at NASA 's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt , Maryland , said during a press conference on Thursday .
Last week , mission engineers were reviewing images of the spacecraft 's sample collection head , the TAGSAM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It turns out , the sample head was so full that a valve called the mylar flap -- designed to allow particles into the collection head but not out -- had gotten jammed .
Instead of going ahead with maneuvers intended to precisely measure the sample 's mass , mission engineers decided to expedite the sample stow operation .
`` Our team quickly redesigned the entire timeline for the stow campaign , which was extremely difficult , '' Burns said .
`` It takes approximately 37 minutes just to confirm that a command @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Because of this time-delay in communications between the craft and mission control , and the methodical nature of the stow operation , members of the OSIRIS-REx mission team had to work around the clock .
To ensure each step of the stow operation was completed properly , engineers routinely paused to take photographs and examine their progress .
The process involved precisely positioning the TAGSAM 's collector head into the Sample Return Capsule , or SRC , closing it and then conducting tests to ensure it was securely sealed and ready for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We wanted to only attempt the stow operation one time and make sure we were successful , and we definitely were , '' Sandy Freund , a mission support manager for OSIRIS-REx at Lockheed Martin , said during the press conference .
Images collected before and during the stow procedure suggest the collection head only leaked particles when it was in motion -- as a result of what engineers called a salt-shaker effect .
When spacecraft 's robotic arm and TAGSAM remained motionless , the asteroid sample material remained inside the collection head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the loss of particles , '' said Dante Lauretta , OSIRIS-REx principal investigator at the University of Arizona , Tucson .
`` Every one of those particles is scientifically valuable . ''
However , Lauretta and the rest of the team said they were confident that there was plenty of sample ready to be returned to Earth for scientific analysis .
`` Everywhere that we can see into the TAGSAM , we can see an abundance of sample materials , '' Lauretta said .
`` We are confident that we still have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan to bring back to Earth . ''
NASA plans to send OSIRIS-Rex and its asteroid sample on its journey home early next year , but the craft is currently 200 million miles away .
The sample wo n't make its way to Earth 's surface until the end of 2023 .

At left, the OSIRIS-REx collector head -- after recovering a sample from an asteroid -- hovers over the Sample Return Capsule after being moved into the proper position for capture, and the right image shows the collector head secured onto the capture ring in the SRC. Photo by NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona/Lockheed Martin
Oct. 29 (UPI) -- The asteroid sample collected by NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft early this month has been safely secured in its return capsule. "We had originally planned to conduct the stow operation next week, but we're here to announce today that we've successfully completed that operation," Rich Burns, OSIRIS-REx project manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, said during a press conference on Thursday. Advertisement
Last week, mission engineers were reviewing images of the spacecraft's sample collection head, the TAGSAM, when they noticed escaping particles.
It turns out, the sample head was so full that a valve called the mylar flap -- designed to allow particles into the collection head but not out -- had gotten jammed.
Instead of going ahead with maneuvers intended to precisely measure the sample's mass, mission engineers decided to expedite the sample stow operation.
"Our team quickly redesigned the entire timeline for the stow campaign, which was extremely difficult," Burns said. "It takes approximately 37 minutes just to confirm that a command has been received by the spacecraft."
Because of this time-delay in communications between the craft and mission control, and the methodical nature of the stow operation, members of the OSIRIS-REx mission team had to work around the clock.
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To ensure each step of the stow operation was completed properly, engineers routinely paused to take photographs and examine their progress. The process involved precisely positioning the TAGSAM's collector head into the Sample Return Capsule, or SRC, closing it and then conducting tests to ensure it was securely sealed and ready for the trip back to Earth.
"We wanted to only attempt the stow operation one time and make sure we were successful, and we definitely were," Sandy Freund, a mission support manager for OSIRIS-REx at Lockheed Martin, said during the press conference.
Images collected before and during the stow procedure suggest the collection head only leaked particles when it was in motion -- as a result of what engineers called a salt-shaker effect. When spacecraft's robotic arm and TAGSAM remained motionless, the asteroid sample material remained inside the collection head.
"I was of course concerned about the loss of particles," said Dante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx principal investigator at the University of Arizona, Tucson. "Every one of those particles is scientifically valuable."
However, Lauretta and the rest of the team said they were confident that there was plenty of sample ready to be returned to Earth for scientific analysis.
"Everywhere that we can see into the TAGSAM, we can see an abundance of sample materials," Lauretta said. "We are confident that we still have hundreds of grams of sample that we plan to bring back to Earth."
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NASA plans to send OSIRIS-Rex and its asteroid sample on its journey home early next year, but the craft is currently 200 million miles away. The sample won't make its way to Earth's surface until the end of 2023.


upi--2020-10-29--140 dead after migrant shipwreck near Senegal

Oct. 29 ( UPI ) -- At least 140 people drowned after a vessel carrying migrants to Europe capsized off the coast of Senegal , the United Nations ' International Organization for Migration said Thursday .
The agency said it 's the deadliest shipwreck recorded in 2020 .
Citing media sources , the IOM said nearby fishermen , and the Senegalese and Spanish navies worked to rescue 59 people from the boat and retrieve the remains of another 20 .
Members of the community said the vessel left Mbour , in western Senegal , on Saturday and was bound for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire a few hours after departure and capsized near Saint-Louis on the northwest coast of Senegal .
This was the sixth shipwreck with migrants recorded in the past week , including four in the Central Mediterranean and one in the English Channel .
The IOM said there has been an increase in the departure of migrant ships from West Africa to the Canary Islands in recent weeks .
There have been about 11,000 arrivals to the Canary Islands this year , up from 2,557 during the same period last year .
More than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We call for unity between governments , partners and the international community to dismantle trafficking and smuggling networks that take advantage of desperate youth , '' said Bakary Doumbia , IOM Senegal chief of mission .
`` It is also important that we advocate for enhanced legal channels to undermine the traffickers ' business model and prevent loss of life . ''

A vessel sits off the coast of Senegal. On Saturday another vessel caught fire and capsized, killing 140 people. File Photo courtesy of the IOM
Oct. 29 (UPI) -- At least 140 people drowned after a vessel carrying migrants to Europe capsized off the coast of Senegal, the United Nations' International Organization for Migration said Thursday. The agency said it's the deadliest shipwreck recorded in 2020. Advertisement
Citing media sources, the IOM said nearby fishermen, and the Senegalese and Spanish navies worked to rescue 59 people from the boat and retrieve the remains of another 20.
Members of the community said the vessel left Mbour, in western Senegal, on Saturday and was bound for the Canary Islands. The boat caught fire a few hours after departure and capsized near Saint-Louis on the northwest coast of Senegal.
This was the sixth shipwreck with migrants recorded in the past week, including four in the Central Mediterranean and one in the English Channel.
The IOM said there has been an increase in the departure of migrant ships from West Africa to the Canary Islands in recent weeks. There have been about 11,000 arrivals to the Canary Islands this year, up from 2,557 during the same period last year. More than 32,000 arrived there in 2006.
"We call for unity between governments, partners and the international community to dismantle trafficking and smuggling networks that take advantage of desperate youth," said Bakary Doumbia, IOM Senegal chief of mission.
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"It is also important that we advocate for enhanced legal channels to undermine the traffickers' business model and prevent loss of life."


upi--2020-10-29--Leg hairs help ogre-faced spiders hear predators, prey

Oct. 29 ( UPI ) -- Spiders do n't have ears , but they can `` hear '' by sensing vibrations through other parts of their bodies .
According to a new study published Thursday in the journal Current Biology , ogre spiders boast especially sensitive hairs and joint receptors on their legs .
The hairs allow them to pick up low-frequency vibrations made by unsuspecting prey , as well as high-frequency vibrations made by wing-flapping predators , researchers say .
`` I think many spiders can actually hear , but everybody takes it for granted that spiders have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're only good at detecting close vibrations , '' senior author Ron Hoy said in a news release .
`` Vibration detection works for sensing shaking of the web or ground , but detecting those airborne disturbances at a distance is the province of hearing , which is what we do and what spiders do too , but they do it with specialized receptors , not eardrums , '' said Hoy , professor of neurobiology and behavior at Cornell University .
Unlike most web-building spiders , ogre spiders -- named for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traps .
Instead , these hairy , long-legged spiders use their silk as a weapon , casting net-like webs onto absentminded insects .
Often , ogre spiders cast their nets as they hang from the fronds of Florida 's abundant palms , using their sharp eyes to spot hapless , earthbound prey .
But the spiders can also perform a complexly choreographed backwards strike on airborne insects .
The attack strategy seems to be unaided by vision .
`` In a previous study , I actually put dental silicone over their eyes so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first author Jay Stafstrom .
`` And I found that when I put them back out into nature , they could n't catch prey from off the ground , but they could still catch insects from out of the air .
So I was pretty sure these spiders were using a different sensory system to hunt flying insects , '' said Stafstrom , a postdoctoral researcher in the Hoy lab .
For the most recent study , researchers attached electrodes to the brains and legs of ogre spiders and subjected the arachnids to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neural reactions to different frequencies .
The tests showed ogre spiders can hear sounds up to 10 kHz in frequency .
`` When I played low tone frequencies , even from a distance , they would strike like they were hunting an insect , which they do n't do for higher frequencies , '' says Stafstrom .
`` And the fact that we were able to do that from a distance , knowing we 're not getting up close and causing them to vibrate .
That was key to knowing they can really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high frequencies likely helps the spiders avoid being eaten .
When subjected to high-frequency tones , the spiders did n't flee .
Instead , they froze .
`` They 're in a cryptic posture , '' said Hoy .
`` Their nervous system is in a sleep state .
But as soon as they pick up any kind of salient stimulus , boom , that turns on the neuromuscular system .
It 's a selective attention system . ''
The researchers are currently conducting followup tests to see if the ogre spider can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really amazing is that to cast their net at flying bugs they have to do a half backflip and spread their web at the same time , so they 're essentially playing centerfield , '' said Hoy .
`` Directional hearing is a big deal in any animal , but I think there are really going to be some interesting surprises from this spider . ''

Ogre spiders, named for their big eyes, use hairs on their legs to hear both high- and low-frequency sounds from several feet away. Photo by Jay Stafstrom/Cornell University
Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Spiders don't have ears, but they can "hear" by sensing vibrations through other parts of their bodies. According to a new study published Thursday in the journal Current Biology, ogre spiders boast especially sensitive hairs and joint receptors on their legs. Advertisement
The hairs allow them to pick up low-frequency vibrations made by unsuspecting prey, as well as high-frequency vibrations made by wing-flapping predators, researchers say.
"I think many spiders can actually hear, but everybody takes it for granted that spiders have a sticky web to catch prey, so they're only good at detecting close vibrations," senior author Ron Hoy said in a news release.
"Vibration detection works for sensing shaking of the web or ground, but detecting those airborne disturbances at a distance is the province of hearing, which is what we do and what spiders do too, but they do it with specialized receptors, not eardrums," said Hoy, professor of neurobiology and behavior at Cornell University.
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Unlike most web-building spiders, ogre spiders -- named for their giant eyes -- don't deploy passive traps. Instead, these hairy, long-legged spiders use their silk as a weapon, casting net-like webs onto absentminded insects.
Often, ogre spiders cast their nets as they hang from the fronds of Florida's abundant palms, using their sharp eyes to spot hapless, earthbound prey. But the spiders can also perform a complexly choreographed backwards strike on airborne insects. The attack strategy seems to be unaided by vision.
"In a previous study, I actually put dental silicone over their eyes so they couldn't see," said first author Jay Stafstrom.
"And I found that when I put them back out into nature, they couldn't catch prey from off the ground, but they could still catch insects from out of the air. So I was pretty sure these spiders were using a different sensory system to hunt flying insects," said Stafstrom, a postdoctoral researcher in the Hoy lab.
For the most recent study, researchers attached electrodes to the brains and legs of ogre spiders and subjected the arachnids to a variety of tones, measuring their neural reactions to different frequencies. The tests showed ogre spiders can hear sounds up to 10 kHz in frequency.
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"When I played low tone frequencies, even from a distance, they would strike like they were hunting an insect, which they don't do for higher frequencies," says Stafstrom. "And the fact that we were able to do that from a distance, knowing we're not getting up close and causing them to vibrate. That was key to knowing they can really hear."
The ability to hear high frequencies likely helps the spiders avoid being eaten. When subjected to high-frequency tones, the spiders didn't flee. Instead, they froze.
"They're in a cryptic posture," said Hoy. "Their nervous system is in a sleep state. But as soon as they pick up any kind of salient stimulus, boom, that turns on the neuromuscular system. It's a selective attention system."
The researchers are currently conducting followup tests to see if the ogre spider can hear directionally.
"What I found really amazing is that to cast their net at flying bugs they have to do a half backflip and spread their web at the same time, so they're essentially playing centerfield," said Hoy. "Directional hearing is a big deal in any animal, but I think there are really going to be some interesting surprises from this spider."


upi--2020-10-29--Man wins $3.4 million using lottery numbers from different drawing

Oct. 29 ( UPI ) -- An Australian man who won a nearly $ 3.4 million lottery jackpot said his numbers came from an unusual source -- a previous lottery drawing .
The Melbourne retiree told The Lott officials he always chooses his own numbers for the Set for Life drawing , and a few months ago he decided to change up the digits .
`` Last time the big Powerball jackpot was won I had a look at the numbers and thought to myself 'those must be winning numbers ' and decided to play those from now on , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whenever I mark an entry , I make sure some of those numbers are in there . ''
The man 's lucky feeling about the numbers proved prescient when he won $ 3,374,712 in the Oct. 26 drawing using a ticket he bought from the Reservoir Newsagency in Reservoir .
`` I do n't have a car at the moment , so that 's the first thing I 'll buy , '' the man said .
`` I 'll save up for a bit and get a nice new one .
I 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` I might go away for a bit of a break too when I can , '' he said .
`` Most of all I 'm just excited not to have to ask the bank for money ever again . ''

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Oct. 29 (UPI) -- An Australian man who won a nearly $3.4 million lottery jackpot said his numbers came from an unusual source -- a previous lottery drawing.
The Melbourne retiree told The Lott officials he always chooses his own numbers for the Set for Life drawing, and a few months ago he decided to change up the digits.
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"Last time the big Powerball jackpot was won I had a look at the numbers and thought to myself 'those must be winning numbers' and decided to play those from now on," the winner said. "So whenever I mark an entry, I make sure some of those numbers are in there."
The man's lucky feeling about the numbers proved prescient when he won $3,374,712 in the Oct. 26 drawing using a ticket he bought from the Reservoir Newsagency in Reservoir.
"I don't have a car at the moment, so that's the first thing I'll buy," the man said. "I'll save up for a bit and get a nice new one. I'll probably invest some of the rest."
"I might go away for a bit of a break too when I can," he said. "Most of all I'm just excited not to have to ask the bank for money ever again."


upi--2020-10-29--Wisconsin island for sale with two cottages, boathouse

Oct. 29 ( UPI ) -- A Wisconsin property listed for sale is gaining attention online for an unusual reason @ @ @ @ @ island with two cottages and boathouse .
Hohnback Island , situated in Wisconsin 's Okauchee @ @ @ @ @ acre of land , including more than 800 feet of shoreline .
The island , @ @ @ @ @ since the 1960s , is listed by Berkshire Hathaway Metro Realty with an asking price @ @ @ @ @ island features a pair of two-bedroom cottages , a boathouse with sleeping quarters , three @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There are not many islands out there that actually have more than one @ @ @ @ @ agent Brian Fendry , who is handling the sale , told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel @ @ @ @ @ listed in December 2019 with an asking price of $ 1.1 million , but was @ @ @ @ @ when it failed to sell .

Hohnback Island, a private island for sale in Wisconsin, includes two cottages, a boathouse, 800 feet of shoreline and three piers. Photo courtesy of Berkshire Hathaway Metro Realty
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Oct. 29 (UPI) -- A Wisconsin property listed for sale is gaining attention online for an unusual reason -- it's a private island with two cottages and boathouse. Hohnback Island, situated in Wisconsin's Okauchee Lake, has nearly an acre of land, including more than 800 feet of shoreline. Advertisement
The island, owned by the same family since the 1960s, is listed by Berkshire Hathaway Metro Realty with an asking price of $699,000.
The island features a pair of two-bedroom cottages, a boathouse with sleeping quarters, three piers and two boat lifts.
"There are not many islands out there that actually have more than one house," real estate agent Brian Fendry, who is handling the sale, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The island had been listed in December 2019 with an asking price of $1.1 million, but was relisted for a lower price when it failed to sell.


upi--2020-10-29--Dow climbs 139 points as tech stocks lead rebound

Oct. 29 ( UPI ) -- Tech stocks helped to lead a market rebound on Thursday , as the three major U.S. indexes were also buoyed by better-than-expected economic data .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 139.49 points , or 0.53 % , while the S & P 500 increased 1.2 % and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.64 % as major tech stocks rose ahead of their quarterly earnings reports .
Twitter stock shot up 8.04 % , Facebook increased 4.92 % , Apple gained 3.71 % , Alphabet climbed 3.05 % and Amazon ended the day up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set to release earnings reports when trading ended .
Alphabet stock climbed 8.81 % in after-hours trading as the Google parent company reported a third-quarter net income of $ 11.25 billion or , $ 16.40 a share , up from $ 7.06 billion the year before .
Twitter stock , however , plummetted 16 % after-hours as the company exceeded revenue expectations at $ 936 million but fell short of predictions for user numbers as it reported 187 million .
Apple stock also fell 4.31 % after the bell , while Amazon dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Netflix stock also rose 3.7 % after the company said it would raise its prices in the United States .
Markets also reacted to a Commerce Department report that the Gross Domestic Product climbed 33 % between July and October .
Additionally , the Labor Department reported 751,000 new unemployment claims , better than the Dow Jones estimate of 778,000 .
Overall , the Dow has fallen below its 50-day moving average after falling 2.3 % in September .
Thursday 's gains came after the Dow fell 943 points amid rising COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S & P 500 had their worst day since June , while the Nasdaq had its largest one-day drop since Sept. 8 .

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 139 points on Thursday as tech stocks helped markets rebound from their worst day in months. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Tech stocks helped to lead a market rebound on Thursday, as the three major U.S. indexes were also buoyed by better-than-expected economic data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 139.49 points, or 0.53%, while the S&P 500 increased 1.2% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.64% as major tech stocks rose ahead of their quarterly earnings reports. Advertisement
Twitter stock shot up 8.04%, Facebook increased 4.92%, Apple gained 3.71%, Alphabet climbed 3.05% and Amazon ended the day up 1.52% as all four companies were set to release earnings reports when trading ended.
Alphabet stock climbed 8.81% in after-hours trading as the Google parent company reported a third-quarter net income of $11.25 billion or, $16.40 a share, up from $7.06 billion the year before.
Twitter stock, however, plummetted 16% after-hours as the company exceeded revenue expectations at $936 million but fell short of predictions for user numbers as it reported 187 million.
Apple stock also fell 4.31% after the bell, while Amazon dropped 1.25% and Facebook slid 0.4%
Netflix stock also rose 3.7% after the company said it would raise its prices in the United States.
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Markets also reacted to a Commerce Department report that the Gross Domestic Product climbed 33% between July and October.
Additionally, the Labor Department reported 751,000 new unemployment claims, better than the Dow Jones estimate of 778,000.
Overall, the Dow has fallen below its 50-day moving average after falling 2.3% in September.
Thursday's gains came after the Dow fell 943 points amid rising COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. Both the Dow and S&P 500 had their worst day since June, while the Nasdaq had its largest one-day drop since Sept. 8.


upi--2020-10-29--Gene editing method may cause chromosome loss in developing embryos

Oct. 29 ( UPI ) -- Researchers testing technology to edit DNA during human development -- with the hope of preventing disease -- have found that the process often eliminates an entire section of genetic material and could threaten the health of the baby , according to a study published Thursday in the journal Cell .
The technology , the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing method , allows scientists to make precise changes to the DNA of cells .
Chromosomes are DNA molecules that carry genetic information from parent to child , and they exist in matching pairs , with one for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This chromosome loss , the result of a `` single break '' in embryonic DNA during the editing process , could have a significant impact on the healthy development of the baby , the researchers said .
`` And this loss of the chromosome is very frequent , '' study co-author Michael Zuccaro , a doctoral candidate at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons , said in a statement .
The first use of CRISPR in human embryos was reported in 2015 .
In 2017 , researchers reported the successful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal human embryos using the approach .
A year later , researchers claimed to have used the method in a pair of Chinese twins , with the goal of making them immune to HIV .
However , the long-term effects of the procedure in these children remains unknown .
The new study documents tests of the gene editing method 's effects on early-stage human embryos , researchers attempted to correct a genetic mutation called EYS -- or the eyes shut homolog -- that causes hereditary blindness .
The researchers found , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss of part of or an entire chromosome , Zuccaro and his colleagues said .
`` Our study shows that CRISPR/Cas9 is not yet ready for clinical use to correct mutations at this stage of human development , '' study co-author Dieter Egli said .
`` If our results had been known two years ago , I doubt that anyone would have gone ahead with an attempt to use CRISPR to edit a gene in a human embryo in the clinic . ''
`` Our hope is that these cautionary findings should discourage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Egli , assistant professor of developmental cell biology at Columbia University .

Researchers say that lab tests show the CRISPR gene editing method can result in destruction of part of whole chromosomes in DNA, which may affect the development of human embryos. Photo by Genome.gov
Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Researchers testing technology to edit DNA during human development -- with the hope of preventing disease -- have found that the process often eliminates an entire section of genetic material and could threaten the health of the baby, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Cell. The technology, the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing method, allows scientists to make precise changes to the DNA of cells. Advertisement
Chromosomes are DNA molecules that carry genetic information from parent to child, and they exist in matching pairs, with one for each pair inherited from each biological parent.
This chromosome loss, the result of a "single break" in embryonic DNA during the editing process, could have a significant impact on the healthy development of the baby, the researchers said.
"And this loss of the chromosome is very frequent," study co-author Michael Zuccaro, a doctoral candidate at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, said in a statement.
The first use of CRISPR in human embryos was reported in 2015. In 2017, researchers reported the successful correction of a heart disease-causing mutation in normal human embryos using the approach.
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A year later, researchers claimed to have used the method in a pair of Chinese twins, with the goal of making them immune to HIV. However, the long-term effects of the procedure in these children remains unknown.
The new study documents tests of the gene editing method's effects on early-stage human embryos, researchers attempted to correct a genetic mutation called EYS -- or the eyes shut homolog -- that causes hereditary blindness.
The researchers found, however, that the method can lead to the loss of part of or an entire chromosome, Zuccaro and his colleagues said.
"Our study shows that CRISPR/Cas9 is not yet ready for clinical use to correct mutations at this stage of human development," study co-author Dieter Egli said.
"If our results had been known two years ago, I doubt that anyone would have gone ahead with an attempt to use CRISPR to edit a gene in a human embryo in the clinic."
"Our hope is that these cautionary findings should discourage premature clinical application of this important technology," said Egli, assistant professor of developmental cell biology at Columbia University.


upi--2020-10-29--Asymptomatic kids With COVID-19 may also carry less virus

Most kids infected with COVID-19 who do n't have symptoms have low levels of the virus , compared with symptomatic children , a new study finds .
Researchers said it 's not clear why .
`` While these findings provide some reassurance about the safety of asymptomatically infected children attending school , these unanswered questions suggest that risk mitigation measures in day cares , schools and the community remain critical to reduce the spread of COVID-19 , '' said study first author Dr. Larry Kociolek , a pediatric infectious diseases expert at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children 's Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wear masks , maintain social distance and wash their hands frequently , '' he said in a hospital news release .
Right now , it 's impossible to predict which kids are likely to carry more or less virus , because in every age group researchers tested , some asymptomatic kids had a higher viral load , Kociolek said .
`` However , even the groups of asymptomatic kids with highest viral load in our study still had lower viral loads than the children with symptoms , '' he noted .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children who tested positive for COVID-19 .
Researchers found that asymptomatic kids with diabetes or recent contact with a COVID-19 patient , and those tested for surveillance purposes ( rather than pre-procedure purposes ) were more likely to be among those with the highest levels of virus .
`` We now need to know what the peak viral loads are in asymptomatic kids with COVID-19 , '' said principal investigator Dr. Nira Pollock , associate medical director of the Infectious Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory at Boston Children 's Hospital .
`` Did the timing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of the asymptomatic kids in this study , or do asymptomatic kids actually have lower peak viral loads than symptomatic kids ? ''
Researchers did find that viral levels in asymptomatic children were lower than those detectable by rapid antigen tests .
`` It is important to recognize that rapid antigen tests are less sensitive than the PCR tests used in hospitals and that many of the asymptomatic kids in our study likely would have tested negative using the rapid tests based on our understanding of the limits of detection of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .
She said the findings add to cautions about using low-sensitivity tests for asymptomatic screening of children .
`` Overall , we want to encourage more studies to better understand the viral loads in asymptomatic kids -- particularly peak viral loads early in infection , '' Pollock added .
The findings were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology .
For more on COVID-19 , see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Viral levels in asymptomatic children were lower than those detectable by rapid antigen tests, researchers found. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Most kids infected with COVID-19 who don't have symptoms have low levels of the virus, compared with symptomatic children, a new study finds. Researchers said it's not clear why. Advertisement
"While these findings provide some reassurance about the safety of asymptomatically infected children attending school, these unanswered questions suggest that risk mitigation measures in day cares, schools and the community remain critical to reduce the spread of COVID-19," said study first author Dr. Larry Kociolek, a pediatric infectious diseases expert at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago.
"Children must continue to wear masks, maintain social distance and wash their hands frequently," he said in a hospital news release.
Right now, it's impossible to predict which kids are likely to carry more or less virus, because in every age group researchers tested, some asymptomatic kids had a higher viral load, Kociolek said.
"However, even the groups of asymptomatic kids with highest viral load in our study still had lower viral loads than the children with symptoms," he noted.
The study included 339 asymptomatic and 478 symptomatic children who tested positive for COVID-19.
Researchers found that asymptomatic kids with diabetes or recent contact with a COVID-19 patient, and those tested for surveillance purposes (rather than pre-procedure purposes) were more likely to be among those with the highest levels of virus.
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"We now need to know what the peak viral loads are in asymptomatic kids with COVID-19," said principal investigator Dr. Nira Pollock, associate medical director of the Infectious Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory at Boston Children's Hospital. "Did the timing of testing just miss the peak in many of the asymptomatic kids in this study, or do asymptomatic kids actually have lower peak viral loads than symptomatic kids?"
Researchers did find that viral levels in asymptomatic children were lower than those detectable by rapid antigen tests.
"It is important to recognize that rapid antigen tests are less sensitive than the PCR tests used in hospitals and that many of the asymptomatic kids in our study likely would have tested negative using the rapid tests based on our understanding of the limits of detection of those tests," Pollock said in the release.
She said the findings add to cautions about using low-sensitivity tests for asymptomatic screening of children.
"Overall, we want to encourage more studies to better understand the viral loads in asymptomatic kids -- particularly peak viral loads early in infection," Pollock added.
The findings were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology.
For more on COVID-19, see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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-- Steven Reinberg
SOURCE: Lurie Children's Hospital, news release, Oct. 22, 2020
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-10-29--London cathedral live streams memorial for beloved stray cat

Oct. 29 ( UPI ) -- A beloved stray cat that made London 's Southwark Cathedral her home for 12 years was memorialized in a special service hosted by the cathedral 's dean on live stream .
Andrew Nunn , the dean of Southwark Cathedral , live streamed a service of thanksgiving on Wednesday in memory of Doorkins Magnificat , a stray cat that wandered into the building in 2008 and lived there for 12 years before her death Sept. 30 .
Nunn said Doorkins was a common sight inside the cathedral and was popular with visitors to the church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a massive Twitter following -- and was also the focus of a lot of people 's visits to the cathedral , '' Nunn told CNN .
He said he felt it was appropriate to hold a memorial for the feline .
`` When she died the response was huge , and we knew we had to do something -- there was no way in which we could just ignore the fact -- and why would you , we loved her , and she gave a lot to our life , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Cathedral included an encounter with Queen Elizabeth II during a 2012 visit .
He said the cat gave the queen a look before going to sleep , eliciting amusement from the royal .
He said the cat was an asset for the church 's public relations .
`` I got used to the fact that she had more Twitter followers than I did -- and that she brought more people to church than I will ever do , '' Nunn said .
`` People came in and they would n't necessarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in to find the cat -- and I think that they found themselves very welcome .
Ending up in a sacred space and spending time with a cat was good for people . ''

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Oct. 29 (UPI) -- A beloved stray cat that made London's Southwark Cathedral her home for 12 years was memorialized in a special service hosted by the cathedral's dean on live stream.
Andrew Nunn, the dean of Southwark Cathedral, live streamed a service of thanksgiving on Wednesday in memory of Doorkins Magnificat, a stray cat that wandered into the building in 2008 and lived there for 12 years before her death Sept. 30.
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Nunn said Doorkins was a common sight inside the cathedral and was popular with visitors to the church.
"She was enormously popular and had a massive Twitter following -- and was also the focus of a lot of people's visits to the cathedral," Nunn told CNN.
He said he felt it was appropriate to hold a memorial for the feline.
"When she died the response was huge, and we knew we had to do something -- there was no way in which we could just ignore the fact -- and why would you, we loved her, and she gave a lot to our life," he said.
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Nunn said Doorkins' tenure at the Cathedral included an encounter with Queen Elizabeth II during a 2012 visit. He said the cat gave the queen a look before going to sleep, eliciting amusement from the royal.
He said the cat was an asset for the church's public relations.
"I got used to the fact that she had more Twitter followers than I did -- and that she brought more people to church than I will ever do," Nunn said. "People came in and they wouldn't necessarily be churchgoers, but they'd come in to find the cat -- and I think that they found themselves very welcome. Ending up in a sacred space and spending time with a cat was good for people."


upi--2020-10-29--Trump says he'll deliver 'historic prosperity' at Tampa rally

Oct. 29 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump said during a rally Thursday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa he will deliver `` historic prosperity '' to America if re-elected .
`` Another major tax cut to go along with the biggest tax cut in the history of our country , and record job growth , '' Trump told supporters at the rally .
`` Joe Biden 's plan is to deliver punishing lockdowns . ''
The U.S. economy expanded by 33 % from July to October , breaking a quarterly record of 16.7 % quarterly growth in 1950 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterly report Thursday .
But the economy was still smaller than before the COVID-19 pandemic after declining by a record 31.4 % between April and July .
Trump cited an employment situation report of 11.4 million jobs gained nationwide over the last five months , which also showed 52 % of job losses from the pandemic had been recovered .
`` The fastest job growth in the history of our country , '' Trump said .
`` Our job growth has been 23 times faster than the first five months under Obama/Biden .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most of whom did not wear masks in contrast to Biden 's drive-in rally .
Trump said his wife 's appearance at the campaign rally was `` a surprise '' and thanked her .
Melania Trump echoed many of Trump 's grievances against the media and tech companies .
`` In a time when hate , negativity and fear are the messages the media streams into our homes and the large tech companies are protecting political censorship , we need to remember what is really important , '' Melania Trump said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the future . ''
The first lady received applause when she added that her husband is a `` law and order president . ''
Along with Thursday 's economic report , Trump supporters celebrated the recent confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett .
Trump was set to travel to North Carolina to meet with U.S. service members and hold a rally in Fayetteville later Thursday , but the campaign has postponed that rally , citing weather conditions .
`` Because of a wind advisory issued with gusts reaching 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the outdoor Fayetteville , NC rally has been postponed until Monday , '' Trump campaign communication director Tim Murtaugh tweeted .

Oct. 29 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said during a rally Thursday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa he will deliver "historic prosperity" to America if re-elected.
"Another major tax cut to go along with the biggest tax cut in the history of our country, and record job growth," Trump told supporters at the rally. "Joe Biden's plan is to deliver punishing lockdowns."
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The U.S. economy expanded by 33% from July to October, breaking a quarterly record of 16.7% quarterly growth in 1950, the Commerce Department said in a quarterly report Thursday. But the economy was still smaller than before the COVID-19 pandemic after declining by a record 31.4% between April and July.
Trump cited an employment situation report of 11.4 million jobs gained nationwide over the last five months, which also showed 52% of job losses from the pandemic had been recovered.
"The fastest job growth in the history of our country," Trump said. "Our job growth has been 23 times faster than the first five months under Obama/Biden."
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The rally featured a packed crowd, most of whom did not wear masks in contrast to Biden's drive-in rally.
Trump said his wife's appearance at the campaign rally was "a surprise" and thanked her.
Melania Trump echoed many of Trump's grievances against the media and tech companies.
"In a time when hate, negativity and fear are the messages the media streams into our homes and the large tech companies are protecting political censorship, we need to remember what is really important," Melania Trump said. "My husband's administration is focused on the future."
The first lady received applause when she added that her husband is a "law and order president."
Along with Thursday's economic report, Trump supporters celebrated the recent confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett.
Trump was set to travel to North Carolina to meet with U.S. service members and hold a rally in Fayetteville later Thursday, but the campaign has postponed that rally, citing weather conditions.
"Because of a wind advisory issued with gusts reaching 50 miles per hour and other weather conditions, the outdoor Fayetteville, NC rally has been postponed until Monday," Trump campaign communication director Tim Murtaugh tweeted.


upi--2020-10-29--Watch: Woman in labor stops to vote in Florida on way to hospital

Oct. 29 ( UPI ) -- A woman in labor had her husband stop on the way to a Florida hospital for the birth of their child so she could cast her vote .
Karen Briceno Gonzalez , an employee of the Orange County Supervisor of Elections , said she was processing voter ballots about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday when a man came in with his wife 's driver 's license .
The man explained his wife was outside in the car and wanted to cast her vote .
`` I go , 'We need her here , ' and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a problem because she refuses to go to the hospital until she votes , '' Briceno Gonzalez told WKMG-TV .
The man explained his wife was in labor and insisted on voting before going to the hospital .
Briceno Gonzalez said she initially took a mail-in ballot out to the woman , but she refused it .
`` She said 'No , no , no , I need to fill it out right now , '' Briceno Gonzalez recalled .
Briceno Gonzalez waited while the woman completed the ballot .
`` So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot while doing a little controlled breathing , '' she told WESH-TV .
She admitted it was an unusual incident for elections employees .
`` It was an odd situation , but she wanted to vote , and that was her right as an American citizen , '' Briceno Gonzalez said .
She said the grateful couple left after the woman cast her ballot .
`` We want to facilitate every voter that is eligible to vote , the right to vote , no matter their circumstances , no matter the situation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the importance of this election to some people .
I gave her an ' I Voted ' sticker , and she was on her way to the hospital .
She was very happy that she got to vote . ''
Elections officials said they plan to send the woman a onesie reading `` First Vote '' for the baby , as well as some `` Future Voter '' stickers .

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Oct. 29 (UPI) -- A woman in labor had her husband stop on the way to a Florida hospital for the birth of their child so she could cast her vote.
Karen Briceno Gonzalez, an employee of the Orange County Supervisor of Elections, said she was processing voter ballots about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday when a man came in with his wife's driver's license.
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The man explained his wife was outside in the car and wanted to cast her vote.
"I go, 'We need her here,' and he basically told me that's gonna be a problem because she refuses to go to the hospital until she votes," Briceno Gonzalez told WKMG-TV.
The man explained his wife was in labor and insisted on voting before going to the hospital.
Briceno Gonzalez said she initially took a mail-in ballot out to the woman, but she refused it.
"She said 'No, no, no, I need to fill it out right now," Briceno Gonzalez recalled.
Briceno Gonzalez waited while the woman completed the ballot.
"So the woman in labor filled out her ballot while doing a little controlled breathing," she told WESH-TV.
She admitted it was an unusual incident for elections employees.
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"It was an odd situation, but she wanted to vote, and that was her right as an American citizen," Briceno Gonzalez said.
She said the grateful couple left after the woman cast her ballot.
"We want to facilitate every voter that is eligible to vote, the right to vote, no matter their circumstances, no matter the situation, Briceno Gonzalez said.
"I understand the importance of this election to some people. I gave her an 'I Voted' sticker, and she was on her way to the hospital. She was very happy that she got to vote."
Elections officials said they plan to send the woman a onesie reading "First Vote" for the baby, as well as some "Future Voter" stickers.


upi--2020-10-30--Watch: Natalie Portman on training hard for 'Thor: Love and Thunder'

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- Natalie Portman says training for Thor : Love and Thunder has been a challenging experience thus far .
The 39-year-old actress discussed her preparations for the upcoming Marvel film during Thursday 's episode of Watch What Happens Live .
Portman will reprise Jane Foster in the Thor : Ragnarok sequel .
In the movie , she will play the character as a version of the Mighty Thor for the first time .
On WWHL , Portman was asked to name the best advice from her co-star Chris Hemsworth , who plays Thor , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan like the actor .
`` Chris Hemsworth , best advice .
Well , he would eat a baby animal every half hour or something to , like , keep protein going .
So I think I 'm going to have to figure out the non-animal equivalent of pounding protein , '' Portman , who is vegan , said .
`` Yes , I am training .
I 'm in so much pain .
Like , I 'm not good at this , '' she added with a laugh .
Portman said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ train as `` an almost 40 year old mother of two . ''
`` Like , it is a different scenario to try to get jacked .
I ca n't get up , I ca n't sit down , '' she said .
`` It 's a situation . ''
Portman confirmed in an interview with The Kelly Clarkson Show this week that her Mighty Thor will have powers .
`` She does have powers .
It 's not exactly the same as Thor .
It 's her own version of it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
On WWHL , Portman was also asked whether she thinks the Marvel or Star Wars fandom is more intense .
Portman played Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy .
`` Star Wars , '' she answered .
`` People who are Star Wars fans only refer to me by my character name , and I think that is quite different . ''
Thor : Love and Thunder is slated to open in February 2022 .
Portman most recently starred in the film Lucy in the Sky @

Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Natalie Portman says training for Thor: Love and Thunder has been a challenging experience thus far.
The 39-year-old actress discussed her preparations for the upcoming Marvel film during Thursday's episode of Watch What Happens Live.
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Portman will reprise Jane Foster in the Thor: Ragnarok sequel. In the movie, she will play the character as a version of the Mighty Thor for the first time.
On WWHL, Portman was asked to name the best advice from her co-star Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor, and if she is on a regimented workout plan like the actor.
"Chris Hemsworth, best advice. Well, he would eat a baby animal every half hour or something to, like, keep protein going. So I think I'm going to have to figure out the non-animal equivalent of pounding protein," Portman, who is vegan, said.
"Yes, I am training. I'm in so much pain. Like, I'm not good at this," she added with a laugh.
Portman said it's "a different scenario" to train as "an almost 40 year old mother of two."
"Like, it is a different scenario to try to get jacked. I can't get up, I can't sit down," she said. "It's a situation."
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Portman confirmed in an interview with The Kelly Clarkson Show this week that her Mighty Thor will have powers.
"She does have powers. It's not exactly the same as Thor. It's her own version of it, and she's called the Mighty Thor," she said.
On WWHL, Portman was also asked whether she thinks the Marvel or Star Wars fandom is more intense. Portman played Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
"Star Wars," she answered. "People who are Star Wars fans only refer to me by my character name, and I think that is quite different."
Thor: Love and Thunder is slated to open in February 2022. Portman most recently starred in the film Lucy in the Sky.


upi--2020-10-30--U.S. shatters record with almost 90K new cases in major COVID-19 spike

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- The United States has added close to 90,000 new COVID-19 cases -- the most ever for a single day -- and the nation 's top diseases expert says there 's `` a whole lot of pain '' to come unless things change , and quickly .
Updated data from Johns Hopkins University on Friday showed an addition of 88,500 cases for Thursday , the most for one day in the United States since the virus arrived early this year .
Thursday 's number was an increase of almost 10,000 cases .
The previous highs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last weekend .
There were also about 1,000 new deaths , the data showed .
The dramatic spike has pushed the U.S. case total close to the 9 million mark .
About 228,700 people have died nationwide since the start of March , according to Johns Hopkins .
There have been close to 550,000 new cases and 5,600 deaths in the United States in the past week alone .
Hospitalizations are up almost 50 % this month , according to the COVID-19 Tracking Project .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says the trajectory of this new surge in cases will lead to many more deaths this winter .
`` If things do not change , if they continue on the course we 're on , there 's going to be a whole lot of pain in this country with regard to additional cases and hospitalizations , and deaths , '' Fauci told CNBC .
`` We are on a very difficult trajectory , '' he said .
`` We are going in the wrong direction . ''
Fauci and numerous other health experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data was n't looking good for the colder months , when more people gather indoors and spread the coronavirus .
He said the greatest impact will probably hit the Midwest and Northwest , where health facilities are less equipped to handle large surges in cases .
Again , Fauci underscored that wearing masks , distancing and following all health guidelines is the best formula to defeat the pandemic .
Several states have set new case records in recent days .
Illinois surpassed two all-time highs this week alone .
State health officials say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , deaths more than 80 % and hospitalizations more than 70 % since the start of October .
`` We have a real problem on our hands and people 's lives hang in the balance , '' Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker told reporters , defending his decision to ban indoor dining in suburban Chicago .
`` If you look at the literally more than a dozen international and national studies that have been done , you 'll understand that bars and restaurants are spreading locations . ''
Ohio also set a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Gov .
Mike DeWine declared `` there 's no place to hide . ''
Ohio also recorded its highest level of hospitalizations , with about a quarter of those patients in intensive care .
`` We always rally when we need to rally and I 'm confident people will do that , '' DeWine added .
`` We can , in fact , slow down this invader .
The decisions each Ohioan makes each day will really determine what kind of winter we may have . ''

Masked elections officials process mail ballots at a sorting facility in Gaithersburg, Md., on Thursday. Ahead of Tuesday's election, poll workers nationwide have instituted a multitude of protocols to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19 among staffers and voters. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The United States has added close to 90,000 new COVID-19 cases -- the most ever for a single day -- and the nation's top diseases expert says there's "a whole lot of pain" to come unless things change, and quickly. Updated data from Johns Hopkins University on Friday showed an addition of 88,500 cases for Thursday, the most for one day in the United States since the virus arrived early this year. Advertisement
Thursday's number was an increase of almost 10,000 cases. The previous highs, about 84,000 cases, were seen last weekend. There were also about 1,000 new deaths, the data showed.
The dramatic spike has pushed the U.S. case total close to the 9 million mark. About 228,700 people have died nationwide since the start of March, according to Johns Hopkins. There have been close to 550,000 new cases and 5,600 deaths in the United States in the past week alone.
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Hospitalizations are up almost 50% this month, according to the COVID-19 Tracking Project.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, says the trajectory of this new surge in cases will lead to many more deaths this winter.
"If things do not change, if they continue on the course we're on, there's going to be a whole lot of pain in this country with regard to additional cases and hospitalizations, and deaths," Fauci told CNBC.
"We are on a very difficult trajectory," he said. "We are going in the wrong direction."
Fauci and numerous other health experts have been saying for weeks that the data wasn't looking good for the colder months, when more people gather indoors and spread the coronavirus. He said the greatest impact will probably hit the Midwest and Northwest, where health facilities are less equipped to handle large surges in cases.
Again, Fauci underscored that wearing masks, distancing and following all health guidelines is the best formula to defeat the pandemic.
Several states have set new case records in recent days. Illinois surpassed two all-time highs this week alone.
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State health officials say cases have risen more than 150%, deaths more than 80% and hospitalizations more than 70% since the start of October.
"We have a real problem on our hands and people's lives hang in the balance," Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker told reporters, defending his decision to ban indoor dining in suburban Chicago.
"If you look at the literally more than a dozen international and national studies that have been done, you'll understand that bars and restaurants are spreading locations."
Ohio also set a new record for cases in a single day and Gov. Mike DeWine declared "there's no place to hide."
Ohio also recorded its highest level of hospitalizations, with about a quarter of those patients in intensive care.
"We always rally when we need to rally and I'm confident people will do that," DeWine added.
"We can, in fact, slow down this invader. The decisions each Ohioan makes each day will really determine what kind of winter we may have."


upi--2020-10-30--Mental, physical health has suffered during pandemic lockdowns, study shows


upi--2020-10-30--Scarlett Johansson, Colin Jost get married, Meals on Wheels announces

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost got married last weekend , Meals on Wheels has announced on Instagram .
`` We 're thrilled to break the news that Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost were married over the weekend in an intimate ceremony with their immediate family and loved ones , following COVID-19 safety precautions as directed by the CDC , '' Meals on Wheels said on Thursday .
`` Their wedding wish is to help make a difference for vulnerable older adults during this difficult time by supporting @ mealsonwheelsamerica .
Please consider donating to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ link in our bio , '' the organization continued .
Meals on Wheels uploaded a photo of the Staten Island Ferry next to the announcement alongside the caption `` Jost Married . ''
Johansson , 35 , and Jost , 38 , were engaged in May 2019 .
Johansson was previously married to Ryan Reynolds and journalist Romain Dauriac who she shares 6-year-old daughter Rose with .
`` He killed it ! ''
the actress said in October 2019 about Jost 's proposal .
`` He did like a whole James Bond situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got a lot behind that news desk that he 's hiding ... [ He 's ] very charming and very thoughtful and romantic , '' she continued .
Jost appears on Saturday Night Live , while Johansson will next be seen in Marvel 's Black Widow , which is set to be released on May 7 , 2021 .

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Colin Jost (L) and Scarlett Johansson have become husband and wife, Meals on Wheels has announced. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost got married last weekend, Meals on Wheels has announced on Instagram. "We're thrilled to break the news that Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost were married over the weekend in an intimate ceremony with their immediate family and loved ones, following COVID-19 safety precautions as directed by the CDC," Meals on Wheels said on Thursday. Advertisement
"Their wedding wish is to help make a difference for vulnerable older adults during this difficult time by supporting @mealsonwheelsamerica. Please consider donating to celebrate the happy couple by clicking the link in our bio," the organization continued.
Meals on Wheels uploaded a photo of the Staten Island Ferry next to the announcement alongside the caption "Jost Married."
Johansson, 35, and Jost, 38, were engaged in May 2019. Johansson was previously married to Ryan Reynolds and journalist Romain Dauriac who she shares 6-year-old daughter Rose with.
"He killed it!" the actress said in October 2019 about Jost's proposal.
"He did like a whole James Bond situation. He's surprising. He's got a lot behind that news desk that he's hiding ... [He's] very charming and very thoughtful and romantic," she continued.
Jost appears on Saturday Night Live, while Johansson will next be seen in Marvel's Black Widow, which is set to be released on May 7, 2021.
Moments from Scarlett Johansson's career


upi--2020-10-30--Humans in ancient Turkey adapted to climate change and thrived

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- Climate change can trigger societal collapse and force populations to move , but not always .
New archaeological research suggests populations in ancient Turkey were able to adapt and flourish in the face of two periods of climate change , occurring between 4,500 and 3,000 years ago .
The findings -- published this week in the journal PLOS One -- suggest human responses to climate change are surprisingly variable .
The challenges presented by climate change can stress societies beyond the breaking point , but also provide opportunities for resiliency and ingenuity .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local , fine-scale archeological data across a northern portion of the Levant known as Tell Tayinat .
The Levant is a historical region of human occupation that stretches across the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea .
`` The study shows the end of the Early Bronze Age occupation at Tayinat was a long and drawn out affair that , while it appears to coincide with the onset of a mega-drought 4,200 years ago , was actually the culmination of processes that began much earlier , '' Tim Harrison said in a news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not point towards significant local effects of the climate episode , as there is no evidence of drought stress in crops , '' said Harrison , a professor of archaeology at the University of Toronto and director of the Tayinat Archaeological Project .
Instead , researchers found archaeological evidence of local political and spatial reconfiguration .
Some of the earliest cities and state-level societies were established in the Levant and surrounding Middle East , during the mid-to late Early Bronze Age , between 3000 and 2000 B.C.
, and the Late Bronze Age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These novel systems of social and political organization proved unstable , with both periods culminating in collapse .
Without precise , fine-scale archaeological evidence , researchers were unable to tease out detailed changes in societal activity .
As a result , archaeologists turned to shifts in climate to explain the societal collapses that marked the ends of the early and late Bronze Age .
Using radiocarbon dating , researchers created a more fine-scale timeline of societal activity at Tayinat during two periods of climate change .
`` The absolute dating of these periods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for many years , and this study contributes a significant new dataset that helps address many of the questions , '' said lead study author Sturt Manning .
`` The detailed chronological resolution achieved in this study allows for a more substantive interpretation of the archaeological evidence in terms of local and regional responses to proposed climate change , shedding light on how humans respond to environmental stress and variability , '' said Manning , a professor of classical archaeology at Cornell University .
The more robust archaeological timelines produced by Manning and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heightened societal activity some 3,200 years ago , despite a period of heightened aridity .
Amidst the threat of climate change , the settlement thrived .
The settlement 's restructuring was n't a sign of collapse , the new data showed , but evidence of resilience and adaptation .
`` The settlement of Tayinat may have been undertaken to maximize access to arable land , and crop evidence reveals the continued cultivation of numerous water-demanding crops , revealing a response that counters the picture of a drought-stricken region , '' said Harrison .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a significant degree of societal resilience during a period of climatic stress . ''

Using radiocarbon dating, researchers created a fine-scale archaeological timeline of societal activity across a northern stretch of the Levant during the early and late Bronze Age. Photo by Tayinat Archaeological Project
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Climate change can trigger societal collapse and force populations to move, but not always. New archaeological research suggests populations in ancient Turkey were able to adapt and flourish in the face of two periods of climate change, occurring between 4,500 and 3,000 years ago. Advertisement
The findings -- published this week in the journal PLOS One -- suggest human responses to climate change are surprisingly variable. The challenges presented by climate change can stress societies beyond the breaking point, but also provide opportunities for resiliency and ingenuity.
For the study, researchers collected and analyzed local, fine-scale archeological data across a northern portion of the Levant known as Tell Tayinat. The Levant is a historical region of human occupation that stretches across the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea.
"The study shows the end of the Early Bronze Age occupation at Tayinat was a long and drawn out affair that, while it appears to coincide with the onset of a mega-drought 4,200 years ago, was actually the culmination of processes that began much earlier," Tim Harrison said in a news release.
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"The archaeological evidence does not point towards significant local effects of the climate episode, as there is no evidence of drought stress in crops," said Harrison, a professor of archaeology at the University of Toronto and director of the Tayinat Archaeological Project.
Instead, researchers found archaeological evidence of local political and spatial reconfiguration.
Some of the earliest cities and state-level societies were established in the Levant and surrounding Middle East, during the mid-to late Early Bronze Age, between 3000 and 2000 B.C., and the Late Bronze Age, between 1600 and 1200 B.C.
These novel systems of social and political organization proved unstable, with both periods culminating in collapse.
Without precise, fine-scale archaeological evidence, researchers were unable to tease out detailed changes in societal activity. As a result, archaeologists turned to shifts in climate to explain the societal collapses that marked the ends of the early and late Bronze Age.
Using radiocarbon dating, researchers created a more fine-scale timeline of societal activity at Tayinat during two periods of climate change.
"The absolute dating of these periods has been a subject of considerable debate for many years, and this study contributes a significant new dataset that helps address many of the questions," said lead study author Sturt Manning.
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"The detailed chronological resolution achieved in this study allows for a more substantive interpretation of the archaeological evidence in terms of local and regional responses to proposed climate change, shedding light on how humans respond to environmental stress and variability," said Manning, a professor of classical archaeology at Cornell University.
The more robust archaeological timelines produced by Manning and company revealed a period of resettlement and heightened societal activity some 3,200 years ago, despite a period of heightened aridity. Amidst the threat of climate change, the settlement thrived.
The settlement's restructuring wasn't a sign of collapse, the new data showed, but evidence of resilience and adaptation.
"The settlement of Tayinat may have been undertaken to maximize access to arable land, and crop evidence reveals the continued cultivation of numerous water-demanding crops, revealing a response that counters the picture of a drought-stricken region," said Harrison. "The Iron Age at Tayinat represents a significant degree of societal resilience during a period of climatic stress."


upi--2020-10-30--Fine not expected for Falcons DE Harris after 'cheap shot' hit to Panthers QB Bridgewater

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- The NFL is not expected to fine Atlanta Falcons defensive end Charles Harris for his hit on Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater , which resulted in his ejection from the Thursday Night Football matchup .
A source told NFL Network -- a TV network owned by the league -- that Harris is not likely to see a suspension , but faces a possible fine for the hit .
Harris ' hit on Bridgewater came in the third quarter of the Falcons ' 25-17 win on Thursday in Charlotte , N.C. Bridgewater scrambled before he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the start of the sequence .
Harris then came flying in and delivered a hit to Bridgewater 's head and neck area when the Panthers quarterback was on the ground .
Bridgewater then visited the Panthers sideline tent to be checked for a concussion .
He sat out until he cleared the concussion protocol and returned in the fourth quarter .
Bridgewater completed 15 of 23 passes for 176 yards , one touchdown and an interception in the loss .
He also had 30 rushing yards .
The Panthers quarterback said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time of the collision , but his teammates praised him for his toughness and were more critical of Harris .
`` Yeah , I thought it was a cheap shot , '' Panthers running back Mike Davis told reporters after the game .
`` It was late , hit him on the neck .
You hate to see that . ''
Bridgewater was also sacked three times in the loss .
`` Teddy is tough , he came back out there on the field , '' Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finished the game with us . ''
The Panthers face the Kansas City Chiefs at 1 p.m. EDT on Nov. 8 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City , Mo .

Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The NFL is not expected to suspend Atlanta Falcons defensive end Charles Harris for his hit on Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, which resulted in his ejection from the Thursday Night Football matchup.
A source told NFL Network -- a TV network owned by the league -- that Harris is not likely to see a suspension, but faces a possible fine for the hit. Harris' hit on Bridgewater came in the third quarter of the Falcons' 25-17 win on Thursday in Charlotte, N.C.
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Bridgewater scrambled before he tripped and fell down in the backfield at the start of the sequence. Harris then came flying in and delivered a hit to Bridgewater's head and neck area when the Panthers quarterback was on the ground. Bridgewater then visited the Panthers sideline tent to be checked for a concussion.
He sat out until he cleared the concussion protocol and returned in the fourth quarter.
Bridgewater completed 15 of 23 passes for 176 yards, one touchdown and an interception in the loss. He also had 30 rushing yards.
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The Panthers quarterback said he didn't know who hit him at the time of the collision, but his teammates praised him for his toughness and were more critical of Harris.
"Yeah, I thought it was a cheap shot," Panthers running back Mike Davis told reporters after the game. "It was late, hit him on the neck. You hate to see that."
Bridgewater was also sacked three times in the loss.
"Teddy is tough, he came back out there on the field," Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel said. "He showed that and he finished the game with us."
The Panthers face the Kansas City Chiefs at 1 p.m. EST on Nov. 8 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-10-30--Watch: Paris Jackson attends gothic ball in 'Let Down' video

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- Paris Jackson is back with new music .
The 22-year-old singer and actress released a music video Friday for the song `` Let Down . ''
In the sumptuous video , Jackson attends a gothic masquerade ball while singing about heartbreak .
The video ends with Jackson literally having her heart ripped out .
`` You were my all / And now , I fall to the ground / You hit the wall / And now , I crawl underground , '' Jackson sings .
`` Let Down '' is the lead single from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilted .
She discussed the song in an Instagram post Monday .
`` so thankful to my close friends , family , and work colleagues for always supporting me and encouraging me to do what makes me the happiest , and that is making music , '' the star wrote .
`` this song means a lot to me because even thought it 's a small part in a much larger story , i poured my heart and soul into this .
this song is my baby and i 've found so much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and i hope it brings joy to others , '' she added .
Jackson will release Wilted on Nov. 13 .
She previously released music as part of the duo The Soundflowers with her ex-boyfriend , musician Gabriel Glenn .
The couple split in August after more than two years of dating .
Jackson is the daughter of late singer Michael Jackson .
As an actress , she has appeared on the series Star and Scream .

Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Paris Jackson is back with new music.
The 22-year-old singer and actress released a music video Friday for the song "Let Down."
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In the sumptuous video, Jackson attends a gothic masquerade ball while singing about heartbreak. The video ends with Jackson literally having her heart ripped out.
"You were my all / And now, I fall to the ground / You hit the wall / And now, I crawl underground," Jackson sings.
"Let Down" is the lead single from Jackson's forthcoming debut solo album, Wilted. She discussed the song in an Instagram post Monday.
"so thankful to my close friends, family, and work colleagues for always supporting me and encouraging me to do what makes me the happiest, and that is making music," the star wrote.
"this song means a lot to me because even thought it's a small part in a much larger story, i poured my heart and soul into this. this song is my baby and i've found so much hope and healing through creating this, and i hope it brings joy to others," she added.
Jackson will release Wilted on Nov. 13. She previously released music as part of the duo The Soundflowers with her ex-boyfriend, musician Gabriel Glenn. The couple split in August after more than two years of dating.
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Jackson is the daughter of late singer Michael Jackson. As an actress, she has appeared on the series Star and Scream.