upi--2020-01-29--Girls with autism diagnosed later than boys

Girls tend to be diagnosed with autism at an older age than boys , perhaps delaying essential treatment , a new study concludes .
That delay in diagnosis is a clinically important finding , said study author Eric Morrow , an associate professor of molecular biology , neuroscience and psychiatry at Brown University .
`` The major treatment that has some efficacy in autism is early diagnosis and getting the children into intensive services , including behavioral therapy , '' Morrow said in a university news release .
`` So if we 're identifying girls later , that may delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often the first sign of autism noticed by parents and doctors , but girls in the study had more advanced language abilities than boys , the researchers said .
That may have delayed their diagnosis .
The study included the first 1,000 participants in the Rhode Island Consortium for Autism Research and Treatment .
On average , girls were diagnosed with autism nearly 1.5 years later than boys .
Early diagnosis of autism is important , agreed study author Stephen Sheinkopf , an associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at Brown .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can improve recognition of autism in individuals -- including many of these girls -- who do n't have the same level of primary language delay but may have other difficulties in social communication , social play and adapting to the social world , '' he said .
`` We must also rethink early interventions to make sure they 're designed appropriately for children who might need assistance on more nuanced elements of social adaptation .
We need to refine treatments so they cater to individual needs , '' Sheinkopf added .
The study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as many boys as girls have autism , and that people with autism often have other mental and physical conditions .
Nearly half the study participants had another neurodevelopmental disorder such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or intellectual disability .
In addition , 44 percent had a psychiatric disorder , 43 percent had a neurological condition such as seizures/epilepsy , migraines or tics , and 93 percent had at least one general medical condition .
Nearly one-third had other behavioral problems , the findings showed .
Morrow said that `` these co-occurring conditions need also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients . ''
The study was published Jan. 20 in the journal Autism Research .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on autism .

Girls tend to be diagnosed with autism at an older age than boys, perhaps delaying essential treatment, a new study concludes.
That delay in diagnosis is a clinically important finding, said study author Eric Morrow, an associate professor of molecular biology, neuroscience and psychiatry at Brown University.
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"The major treatment that has some efficacy in autism is early diagnosis and getting the children into intensive services, including behavioral therapy," Morrow said in a university news release. "So if we're identifying girls later, that may delay their treatments."
Language delays are often the first sign of autism noticed by parents and doctors, but girls in the study had more advanced language abilities than boys, the researchers said. That may have delayed their diagnosis.
The study included the first 1,000 participants in the Rhode Island Consortium for Autism Research and Treatment. On average, girls were diagnosed with autism nearly 1.5 years later than boys.
Early diagnosis of autism is important, agreed study author Stephen Sheinkopf, an associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at Brown.
"We need to think about how we can improve recognition of autism in individuals -- including many of these girls -- who don't have the same level of primary language delay but may have other difficulties in social communication, social play and adapting to the social world," he said.
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"We must also rethink early interventions to make sure they're designed appropriately for children who might need assistance on more nuanced elements of social adaptation. We need to refine treatments so they cater to individual needs," Sheinkopf added.
The study also found that more than four times as many boys as girls have autism, and that people with autism often have other mental and physical conditions.
Nearly half the study participants had another neurodevelopmental disorder such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or intellectual disability. In addition, 44 percent had a psychiatric disorder, 43 percent had a neurological condition such as seizures/epilepsy, migraines or tics, and 93 percent had at least one general medical condition. Nearly one-third had other behavioral problems, the findings showed.
Morrow said that "these co-occurring conditions need also to be a focus of treatment for patients."
The study was published Jan. 20 in the journal Autism Research.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on autism.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-01-29--Oak leaves contain 'potential cure' for citrus greening disease, researchers say

ORLANDO , Fla. , Jan. 29 ( UPI ) -- Scientists in Florida have confirmed what some citrus growers suspected for years -- that oak trees could inhibit citrus greening disease , which has brought the once-thriving Florida industry to the brink of collapse .
Oak leaves represent `` the first potential organic cure '' for the destructive tree sickness , said Lorenzo Rossi , a University of Florida biologist and co-author of a study published in the January issue of the journal Plant Physiology and Biochemistry .
Research over the past year at a University of Florida greenhouse in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from citrus greening when sprayed and drenched with treated water twice a week for two months .
The water was treated by steeping chopped oak leaves in it overnight , allowing leaf compounds to leach out , according to the published findings .
The findings bring new hope to Florida 's citrus growers , said Andrew Meadows , director of communication at Florida Citrus Mutual , a trade association .
`` We all are watching closely , and it sounds promising , '' Meadows said .
`` This has been a curiosity in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as word of the study traveled through the farming community .
`` Growers knew that oak trees provided some protection , but not why . ''
According to the oak leaf study findings , citrus leaves treated with oak extracts showed a decrease in the presence of bacteria with more chlorophyll and plant nutrition .
Treated trees were better able to digest nutrients than were citrus plants treated only with water .
Citrus greening was discovered in Florida groves around 2005 , according to the University of Florida .
Some groves have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropped to 387,100 acres in 2019 from 679,000 in 2004 .
Industry experts say the decline mostly is attributable to citrus greening , although other contributing factors , such as sprawling development , come into play .
The disease arrived with a bug , the Asian citrus psyllid , which bites leaves or young branches of trees to eat their sap .
The sickness renders orange or grapefruit trees completely worthless -- branches die at the end , leaves turn yellow with dark blotches with and fruit becomes bitter .
Growers tried a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little effect .
Previous approaches included spraying the trees with kaolin clay , covering them with screening , releasing a wasp from Asia that eats the psyllid and studying Guava trees for resistant compounds .
But citrus greening kept spreading .
Central Florida grower Edward James , whose grove is about 40 miles northwest of downtown Orlando , said he knew about the benefits of having an oak tree near citrus trees .
But he cautioned that oak leaves are not the only solution .
`` Oak leaf does work , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this than what we 've been doing by spraying pesticides , among other things , '' James said .
`` But that 's not the only solution .
There 's no one magic bullet . ''
James said citrus trees that grow wild in forests , though rare , have survived citrus greening .
Besides oak trees , he has focused on cover crops , which entails growing other plants in the rows between citrus , like legumes , that restore nitrogen naturally to the soil .
James has hosted demonstrations at his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There still is a long way to go in understanding the success of the oak leaf study , biologist Rossi said .
For example , the university 's research was limited because it took place with young trees kept in a greenhouse .
`` We are mimicking what happens in nature the best we can , '' Rossi said .
`` There are no artificial chemicals .
It 's organic and natural . ''
The research now will focus on isolating the compound or group of compounds in the leaves that inhibit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're also exploring oak mulch among other methods of delivering oak compounds , '' Rossi said .

Oranges show signs of citrus greening disease. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Scientists in Florida have confirmed what some citrus growers suspected for years -- that oak trees could inhibit citrus greening disease, which has brought the once thriving Florida industry to the brink of collapse. Oak leaves represent "the first potential organic cure" for the destructive tree sickness, said Lorenzo Rossi, a University of Florida biologist and co-author of a study published in the January issue of the journal Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. Advertisement
Research over the past year at a University of Florida greenhouse in Fort Pierce showed that citrus trees recovered from citrus greening when sprayed and drenched with treated water twice a week for two months. The water was treated by steeping chopped oak leaves in it overnight, allowing leaf compounds to leach out, according to the published findings.
The findings bring new hope to Florida's citrus growers, said Andrew Meadows, director of communication at Florida Citrus Mutual, a trade association.
Advertisement
"We all are watching closely, and it sounds promising," Meadows said. "This has been a curiosity in the industry for a year now" as word of the study traveled through the farming community. "Growers knew that oak trees provided some protection, but not why."
Decrease of bacteria
According to the oak leaf study findings, citrus leaves treated with oak extracts showed a decrease in the presence of bacteria with more chlorophyll and plant nutrition. Treated trees were better able to digest nutrients than were citrus plants treated only with water.
Citrus greening was discovered in Florida groves around 2005, according to the University of Florida. Some groves have been wiped out since then, and acreage dropped to 387,100 acres in 2019 from 679,000 in 2004.
Industry experts say the decline mostly is attributable to citrus greening, although other contributing factors, such as sprawling development, come into play. The disease arrived with a bug, the Asian citrus psyllid, which bites leaves or young branches of trees to eat their sap.
The sickness renders orange or grapefruit trees worthless -- branches die at the end, leaves turn yellow with dark blotches and fruit becomes bitter.
Growers tried a wide variety of defenses besides pesticides with little effect. Previous approaches included spraying the trees with kaolin clay, covering them with screening, releasing a wasp from Asia that eats the psyllid and studying guava trees for resistant compounds. But citrus greening kept spreading.
Advertisement
Central Florida grower Edward James, whose grove is about 40 miles northwest of downtown Orlando, said he knew about the benefits of having an oak tree near citrus trees. But he cautioned that oak leaves are not the only solution.
Better than pesticides
"Oak leaf does work, and it's a lot better way to manage this than what we've been doing by spraying pesticides, among other things," James said. "But that's not the only solution. There's no one magic bullet."
James said citrus trees that grow wild in forests, though rare, have survived citrus greening. Besides oak trees, he has focused on cover crops, which entails growing other plants in the rows between citrus, like legumes, that restore nitrogen naturally to the soil. James has hosted demonstrations at his farm for the University of Florida.
There still is a long way to go in understanding the success of the oak leaf study, Rossi said. For example, the university's research was limited because it took place with young trees kept in a greenhouse.
"We are mimicking what happens in nature the best we can," Rossi said. "There are no artificial chemicals. It's organic and natural."
The research now will focus on isolating the compound or group of compounds in the leaves that inhibit the disease, he said.
Advertisement
"We're also exploring oak mulch among other methods of delivering oak compounds," Rossi said.


upi--2020-01-29--On This Day, Jan. 29: Carter, Deng sign accords

Jan. 29 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1820 , 10 years after mental illness forced him to retire from public life , Britain 's King George III , who lost the American colonies , died at the age of 82 .
In 1845 , Edgar Allan Poe 's The Raven was published .
In 1861 , Kansas became the 34th state of the United States .
It joined as a free or non-slavery state at a time when southern states were seceding from the Union .
In 1886 , German Karl Benz was awarded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 1900 , eight baseball teams were organized as the professional American League .
They were in Buffalo , N.Y. ; Chicago ; Cleveland ; Detroit ; Indianapolis ; Kansas City , Mo .
; Milwaukee and Minneapolis .
In 1963 , the first inductees named for the Pro Football Hall of Fame included Sammy Baugh , Harold `` Red '' Grange , George Halas , Don Hutson , Earl `` Curly '' Lambeau , Bronko Nagurski and Jim Thorpe .
In 1979 , Deng Xiaoping , deputy premier of China , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades of U.S. opposition to the People 's Republic of China .
In 1995 , the San Francisco 49ers became the first team to win five Super Bowls when they routed the San Diego Chargers 49-26 .
In 2000 , delegates from more than 130 nations meeting in Montreal adopted the first global treaty regulating trade in genetically modified food products .
In 2002 , U.S. President George W. Bush warned in his State of the Union address that the war on terrorism was just beginning , with thousands of potential terrorists `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bombs . ''
It was in this speech he referred to Iran , Iraq and North Korea as part of an `` Axis of Evil . ''
In 2006 , Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was sworn in as the 5th emir of Kuwait .
He replaced the 4th emir , Sheikh Saad Al-Salim Al-Sabah , who ruled for nine days following the death of Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah , 3rd emir of Kuwait .
In 2010 , Scott Roeder was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2009 Wichita , Kan. , church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for performing late-term abortions .
Roeder , 52 , was sentenced to life in prison .
In 2013 , Ray LaHood , U.S. transportation secretary , announced his resignation .
In 2014 , the U.S. Federal Reserve , indicating optimism in the country 's economic growth , announced a $ 10 billion cut in its monthly bond purchases .
In 2018 , Marvel 's Black Panther , starring Chadwick Boseman , Lupita Nyong ' o , Michael B. Jordan and Danai Gurira , premiered in Hollywood .
It grossed some $ 1.3 billion @ @ @ @ @ @

1/4
On January 29, 1979, Deng Xiaoping, deputy premier of China, and U.S. President Jimmy Carter signed accords reversing decades of U.S. opposition to the People's Republic of China. UPI File Photo | License Photo
Jan. 29 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1820, 10 years after mental illness forced him to retire from public life, Britain's King George III, who lost the American colonies, died at the age of 82. Advertisement
In 1845, Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven was published.
In 1861, Kansas became the 34th state of the United States. It joined as a free or non-slavery state at a time when southern states were seceding from the Union.
In 1886, German Karl Benz was awarded a patent for the gasoline-driven automobile.
File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI
In 1900, eight baseball teams were organized as the professional American League. They were in Buffalo, N.Y.; Chicago; Cleveland; Detroit; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Mo.; Milwaukee and Minneapolis.
In 1963, the first inductees named for the Pro Football Hall of Fame included Sammy Baugh, Harold "Red" Grange, George Halas, Don Hutson, Earl "Curly" Lambeau, Bronko Nagurski and Jim Thorpe.
In 1979, Deng Xiaoping, deputy premier of China, and U.S. President Jimmy Carter signed accords reversing decades of U.S. opposition to the People's Republic of China.
Advertisement
In 1995, the San Francisco 49ers became the first team to win five Super Bowls when they routed the San Diego Chargers 49-26.
In 2000, delegates from more than 130 nations meeting in Montreal adopted the first global treaty regulating trade in genetically modified food products.
In 2002, U.S. President George W. Bush warned in his State of the Union address that the war on terrorism was just beginning, with thousands of potential terrorists "spread throughout the world like ticking time bombs." It was in this speech he referred to Iran, Iraq and North Korea as part of an "Axis of Evil."
In 2006, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was sworn in as the 5th emir of Kuwait. He replaced the 4th emir, Sheikh Saad Al-Salim Al-Sabah, who ruled for nine days following the death of Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, 3rd emir of Kuwait.
File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI
In 2010, Scott Roeder was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2009 Wichita, Kan., church slaying of Dr. George Tiller, noted for performing late-term abortions. Roeder, 52, was sentenced to life in prison.
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In 2013, Ray LaHood, U.S. transportation secretary, announced his resignation.
In 2014, the U.S. Federal Reserve, indicating optimism in the country's economic growth, announced a $10 billion cut in its monthly bond purchases.
In 2018, Marvel's Black Panther, starring Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong'o, Michael B. Jordan and Danai Gurira, premiered in Hollywood. It grossed some $1.3 billion worldwide at the box office.


upi--2020-01-29--Famous birthdays for Jan. 29: Greg Louganis, Tom Selleck

Jan. 29 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aquarius .
-- William @ @ @ @ @ the United States , in 1843 -- Former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan in @ @ @ @ @

1/2
Greg Louganis attends the 30th annual GLAAD Media Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in California on March 28. The Olympian turns 60 on January 29. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aquarius. They include: Advertisement
-- Swedish scientist/philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg in 1688
-- American colonial political philosopher Thomas Paine in 1736
-- William McKinley, 25th president of the United States, in 1843
-- Russian dramatist Anton Chekhov in 1860
-- Businessman John D. Rockefeller Jr. in 1874
-- Comic actor W.C. Fields in 1880
-- Actor Victor Mature in 1913
-- Actor John Forsythe in 1918
-- Writer Germaine Greer in 1939 (age 81)
-- Actor Katharine Ross in 1940 (age 80)
-- Actor Tom Selleck in 1945 (age 75)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Drummer Tommy Ramone, born Erdelyi Tamas, in 1949
-- Actor Ann Jillian in 1950 (age 70)
-- Singer Charlie Wilson in 1953 (age 67)
-- TV personality Oprah Winfrey in 1954 (age 66)
-- Olympic gold medal-winning diver Greg Louganis in 1960 (age 60)
-- Actor Nick Turturro in 1962 (age 58)
-- Former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan in 1970 (age 50)
File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
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-- Actor Heather Graham in 1970 (age 50)
-- Actor Sara Gilbert in 1975 (age 45)
-- Actor Justin Hartley in 1977 (age 43)
-- Rapper Riff Raff, born Horst Christian Simco, in 1982 (age 38)
-- Singer Adam Lambert in 1982 (age 38)


upi--2020-01-29--Native oysters make comeback, thrive again in Puget Sound

Jan. 29 ( UPI ) -- After more than a century of overharvesting and industrial pollution , the Pacific Northwest 's only native oyster is making a comeback in Washington 's Puget Sound .
The tiny , but resilient , Olympia oyster , or `` Oly , '' is becoming a delicacy again at seafood restaurants after almost being wiped out from 95 percent of its habitat along 2,500 miles of estuary shoreline .
`` Olympias are different .
They 're feistier , '' said Shina Wysocki , owner of Olympia 's Chelsea Farms , which specializes in shellfish .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Maybe the ones that are left are so strong , and we just got the toughest brood stock . ''
A 25-year restoration plan is attempting to bring back some of the dense , foot-deep oyster beds that once thrived over about 10,000 acres along the inlet bays of Puget Sound .
Oyster bed ecosystems filter algae from seawater and provide habitat for numerous sea creatures .
`` This is not a species that is going extinct .
It is present throughout this historic range , but in very small numbers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the non-profit Puget Sound Restoration Fund .
`` Olympias are one of the foundational species native to this area .
We 've lost the lower intertidal habitat structure and the marine architecture that helped support other organisms and critters . ''
The Puget Sound Restoration Fund set a goal by 2020 to restore 100 acres of dense oyster bed habitat , and it has restored 84 acres so far .
Olympia oysters were rare during years when logging and industrial runoff polluted the bay , said former oyster farmer Marlin Holden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and now in his 70s .
`` They were almost extinct there for a while .
They were once the food of our ancestors , '' Holden said .
The tribe now operates an oyster farm on tribal land repurchased from logging companies and cleaned up .
Workers have begun to breed Olympias .
`` They were once the mainstay oyster of our people , '' Holden said .
`` I hope we can eat them soon at our tribal picnics . ''
Olys are smaller and pack a stronger , more robust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raw bars .
`` They tend to taste of horseradish and copper , a very strong flavor , similar to a European flat oyster , '' said oyster farmer Wysocki .
During the Gold Rush , starting in 1850 , early Puget Sound settler shellfish farmers dredged out entire beds of oysters .
The shellfish were shipped by schooner to San Francisco , where they were served with bacon and eggs in a dish called the Hangtown fry .
Mark Twain slurped Olympias on the half-shell at the Occidental Hotel in 1864 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1920s , paper pulp mills and logging operations poured effluence into Puget Sound .
Native oysters , buried in goopy silt , could not survive .
Toxic pulp liquor interfered with larvae breeding .
In the 1990s , the number of native Olympias had dropped so low that Washington 's Department of Fish and Wildlife declared the species a candidate for listing as `` endangered , threatened or sensitive . ''
But given the right environment , Olympias are hardy opportunists and will thrive , said marine biologist Paul Dinnel of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2002 , Dinnel and volunteers have spread seeded oyster shells along the tidewaters of Fidalgo Bay near Anacortes , Wash. , where the number of native oysters had dropped to almost zero .
`` From the the original seed of 50,000 larvae , we now have almost 3 million oysters throughout the bay , '' Dinnel said .
Olympias also appear to be better able than other oysters to withstand increased acidification of seawater .
Ten years ago , a die-off of commercial Pacific oyster larvae in Puget Sound was traced to lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the water was binding in a chemical reaction with calcium , leaving less calcium for the larval baby Pacific oysters to make their shells .
`` A decrease in pH makes it harder for Pacific oysters to make their shell , it takes more energy to make the shell very quickly and they often do n't make it , '' said George Waldbusser , associate professor in ocean ecology and biogeochemistry at Oregon State University , who helped identify the problem .
Olympia oysters grow slower in the larval stage , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at once , Waldbusser found .
Olympia larvae also brood protected inside their mother 's shell instead of being broadcast into the water at the seed stage like Pacific oysters .
Today , commercial shellfish farmers monitor the pH level in hatchery water to protect baby Pacific oysters during their first days .
But even after the larval stage , Olympias are more robust than other types of oysters , Wysocki said .
Almost 90 percent of the Olys survive to harvest , she said , while half of the operation 's Pacific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oysters to Puget Sound is a reminder of the importance of the entire ecosystem to all shellfish farmers , who are part of a $ 270 million industry , Wysocki said .
`` The Olympia oyster tells the story of how we were making mistakes in how we were managing Puget Sound early in our history as settlers , '' she said .
`` Olympias dying off was one of the first signs that oyster farmers had to change .
And their story resonates with people .
Plus , they 're delicious , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Native Olympia oysters are returning to the shores of Puget Sound and to the restaurants of the Pacific Northwest after nearly being wiped out. Photo courtesy of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Jan. 29 (UPI) -- After more than a century of overharvesting and industrial pollution, the Pacific Northwest's only native oyster is making a comeback in Washington's Puget Sound. The tiny, but resilient, Olympia oyster, or "Oly," is becoming a delicacy again at seafood restaurants after almost being wiped out from 95 percent of its habitat along 2,500 miles of estuary shoreline. Advertisement
"Olympias are different. They're feistier," said Shina Wysocki, owner of Olympia's Chelsea Farms, which specializes in shellfish. "They survived through all that pollution. Maybe the ones that are left are so strong, and we just got the toughest brood stock."
A 25-year restoration plan is attempting to bring back some of the dense, foot-deep oyster beds that once thrived over about 10,000 acres along the inlet bays of Puget Sound. Oyster bed ecosystems filter algae from seawater and provide habitat for numerous sea creatures.
Advertisement
"This is not a species that is going extinct. It is present throughout this historic range, but in very small numbers," said Betsy Peabody, executive director of the non-profit Puget Sound Restoration Fund. "Olympias are one of the foundational species native to this area. We've lost the lower intertidal habitat structure and the marine architecture that helped support other organisms and critters."
The Puget Sound Restoration Fund set a goal by 2020 to restore 100 acres of dense oyster bed habitat, and it has restored 84 acres so far.
Once rare
Olympia oysters were rare during years when logging and industrial runoff polluted the bay, said former oyster farmer Marlin Holden, an elder of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and now in his 70s.
"They were almost extinct there for a while. They were once the food of our ancestors," Holden said.
The tribe now operates an oyster farm on tribal land repurchased from logging companies and cleaned up. Workers have begun to breed Olympias.
"They were once the mainstay oyster of our people," Holden said. "I hope we can eat them soon at our tribal picnics."
Olys are smaller and pack a stronger, more robust flavor than Pacific oysters typically served at raw bars.
Advertisement
"They tend to taste of horseradish and copper, a very strong flavor, similar to a European flat oyster," said oyster farmer Wysocki.
During the Gold Rush, starting in 1850, early Puget Sound settler shellfish farmers dredged out entire beds of oysters. The shellfish were shipped by schooner to San Francisco, where they were served with bacon and eggs in a dish called the Hangtown fry. Mark Twain slurped Olympias on the half-shell at the Occidental Hotel in 1864.
Industrial pollution hurt
Then came industrial pollution. Starting in the 1920s, paper pulp mills and logging operations poured effluence into Puget Sound. Native oysters, buried in goopy silt, could not survive. Toxic pulp liquor interfered with larvae breeding.
In the 1990s, the number of native Olympias had dropped so low that Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife declared the species a candidate for listing as "endangered, threatened or sensitive."
But given the right environment, Olympias are hardy opportunists and will thrive, said marine biologist Paul Dinnel of the Skagit County Marine Resources Committee.
Since 2002, Dinnel and volunteers have spread seeded oyster shells along the tidewaters of Fidalgo Bay near Anacortes, Wash., where the number of native oysters had dropped to almost zero.
Advertisement
"From the the original seed of 50,000 larvae, we now have almost 3 million oysters throughout the bay," Dinnel said.
Better survival rates
Olympias also appear to be better able than other oysters to withstand increased acidification of seawater.
Ten years ago, a die-off of commercial Pacific oyster larvae in Puget Sound was traced to lower pH in the ocean water. Carbon in the water was binding in a chemical reaction with calcium, leaving less calcium for the larval baby Pacific oysters to make their shells.
"A decrease in pH makes it harder for Pacific oysters to make their shell, it takes more energy to make the shell very quickly and they often don't make it," said George Waldbusser, associate professor in ocean ecology and biogeochemistry at Oregon State University, who helped identify the problem.
Olympia oysters grow slower in the larval stage, and don't need as much calcium all at once, Waldbusser found. Olympia larvae also brood protected inside their mother's shell instead of being broadcast into the water at the seed stage like Pacific oysters.
Today, commercial shellfish farmers monitor the pH level in hatchery water to protect baby Pacific oysters during their first days.
But even after the larval stage, Olympias are more robust than other types of oysters, Wysocki said.
Advertisement
High survival rate
Almost 90 percent of the Olys survive to harvest, she said, while half of the operation's Pacific oysters die.
The return of native oysters to Puget Sound is a reminder of the importance of the entire ecosystem to all shellfish farmers, who are part of a $270 million industry, Wysocki said.
"The Olympia oyster tells the story of how we were making mistakes in how we were managing Puget Sound early in our history as settlers," she said.
"Olympias dying off was one of the first signs that oyster farmers had to change. And their story resonates with people. Plus, they're delicious, and that doesn't hurt, either."


upi--2020-01-29--Coronavirus: Australians at outbreak epicenter to be evacuated

Jan. 29 ( UPI ) -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled plans Wednesday to evacuate hundreds of Australians trapped in China amid a spreading coronavirus outbreak and to fly them to Christmas Island where they will be under quarantine for up to two weeks .
The operation was decided upon based on advice from medical professionals and it was being conducted in partnership with New Zealand and will go ahead if given permission by China , he told reporters during a press conference .
`` We can not give a guarantee that this operation is able to succeed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we may not be in a position if we 're able to do this in one occasion to do it in another occasion , '' Morrison said .
The plan was devised as some 600 Australians and 80 New Zealanders are believed to be in Hubei Province , whose capital of Wuhan is where the coronavirus outbreak began in December .
The disease 's spread prompted officials earlier this month to place Wuhan and several other cities under lockdown , affecting millions of people .
Morrison said they have a `` limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be focusing on `` isolated and vulnerable Australians , '' meaning the very young and old and those who have only been in China a short time and lack local support networks .
`` We are moving very , very swiftly to ensure we can put this plan together and put the operation together , '' Morrison said .
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed the joint operation in a statement .
`` Specific details of the evacuation plan , including the medical protocols that will be applied to returning New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground in China are being worked by officials , '' she said .
China announced earlier Wednesday that 26 people died since the day prior , increasing the death toll from the coronavirus to 132 while the number of infected increased by 25 percent to 5,974 confirmed cases .
The number of confirmed cases has surpassed the 5,327 cases of SARS , which killed more than 800 people worldwide in 2002 and 2003 , according to the World Health Organization data .
China 's National Health Commission said there 's an additional 9,239 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently undergoing medical observation .
In Hubei province , health officials confirmed 840 new cases with 315 located in Wuhan .
Twenty-five of the 26 new deaths were reported in Hubei , which also accounts for 3,554 confirmed cases of the disease , known as 2019-nCoV .
British Airways said Wednesday that due to the outbreak it suspended all direct flights to the Asian country , apologizing to customers in a statement .
`` The safety of our customers and crew is always our priority , '' the company said .
The move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Air Canada , which canceled select flights to China on Tuesday .
There are at least 80 confirmed cases of the disease in more than 15 countries , with Thailand accounting for the largest number of 14 .
The United Arab Emirates also confirmed its first cases of the disease Wednesday , stating in a statement published by the official Emirates News Agency that the patient was a member of a family that had recently traveled from Wuhan .

Chinese wear protective respiratory masks in Beijing on Saturday as all major Chinese New Year events have been canceled in the capital city in a bid to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which officials said Wednesday has killed 132 people nationwide. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled plans Wednesday to evacuate hundreds of Australians trapped in China amid a spreading coronavirus outbreak and to fly them to Christmas Island where they will be under quarantine for up to two weeks. The operation was decided upon based on advice from medical professionals and it was being conducted in partnership with New Zealand and will go ahead if given permission by China, he told reporters during a press conference. Advertisement
"We cannot give a guarantee that this operation is able to succeed and I also want to stress very clearly that we may not be in a position if we're able to do this in one occasion to do it in another occasion," Morrison said.
The plan was devised as some 600 Australians and 80 New Zealanders are believed to be in Hubei Province, whose capital of Wuhan is where the coronavirus outbreak began in December.
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The disease's spread prompted officials earlier this month to place Wuhan and several other cities under lockdown, affecting millions of people.
Morrison said they have a "limited window" to execute the operation and will be focusing on "isolated and vulnerable Australians," meaning the very young and old and those who have only been in China a short time and lack local support networks.
"We are moving very, very swiftly to ensure we can put this plan together and put the operation together," Morrison said.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed the joint operation in a statement.
"Specific details of the evacuation plan, including the medical protocols that will be applied to returning New Zealanders, and access arrangements on the ground in China are being worked by officials," she said.
China announced earlier Wednesday that 26 people died since the day prior, increasing the death toll from the coronavirus to 132 while the number of infected increased by 25 percent to 5,974 confirmed cases.
The number of confirmed cases has surpassed the 5,327 cases of SARS, which killed more than 800 people worldwide in 2002 and 2003, according to the World Health Organization data.
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China's National Health Commission said there's an additional 9,239 suspected cases nationwide with nearly 60,000 others currently undergoing medical observation.
In Hubei province, health officials confirmed 840 new cases with 315 located in Wuhan. Twenty-five of the 26 new deaths were reported in Hubei, which also accounts for 3,554 confirmed cases of the disease, known as 2019-nCoV.
British Airways said Wednesday that due to the outbreak it suspended all direct flights to the Asian country, apologizing to customers in a statement.
"The safety of our customers and crew is always our priority," the company said.
The move followed that by several other airlines, including Air Canada, which canceled select flights to China on Tuesday.
There are at least 80 confirmed cases of the disease in more than 15 countries, with Thailand accounting for the largest number of 14.
The United Arab Emirates also confirmed its first cases of the disease Wednesday, stating in a statement published by the official Emirates News Agency that the patient was a member of a family that had recently traveled from Wuhan.


upi--2020-01-29--House passes bill in support of Tibet human rights

Jan. 29 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed legislation in support of protecting human rights in Tibet , the latest congressional condemnation against China 's treatment of its citizens .
Passed by lawmakers 392-22 on Tuesday , The Tibet Policy Support Act of 2019 aims to update its predecessor signed in 2002 with the aim of protecting Tibetans from continued Chinese oppression .
If enacted , it would establish a U.S. policy that recognizes the succession or reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhist leaders as an exclusively religious matter overseen solely by the Tibetan Buddhist community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who interfere in this process .
It would also mandate that no Chinese consulate be established on U.S. soil until a U.S. consulate is established in Lhasa , Tibet 's historical capital .
`` It should be clear that we support a positive and productive U.S.-China relationship but it is essential that the human rights of all the people of China are respected by their government , '' said Rep. James P. McGovern , D-Mass.
, in his remarks from the House Floor before the vote .
McGovern , who introduced the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congressional-Executive Commission on China , told lawmakers that the human rights situation in Tibet has worsened in recent years and the Chinese government has refused dialogue with Tibetan leaders while restricting access to Tibet , an autonomous region within China , of both natives and foreigners .
In the commission 's 2019 annual report , it said in the past year Chinese authorities have continued to `` systematically repress the peaceful exercise of internationally recognized human rights and intensify their restriction on the religious and cultural life of Tibetans . ''
The report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year restated its claim as the sole authority to select the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , said from the floor that by passing the bill they would be supporting the Tibetan people 's right to religious freedom and autonomy .
`` We are sending Beijing a clear signal that they will be held accountable for interfering in Tibet 's religious and cultural affairs : making clear that Chinese officials who meddle in the process of recognizing a new Dalai Lama will be subject to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The vote comes after President Donald Trump last year passed a bill in support of Hong Kong protesters who have been battling the Chinese government for months .
Following Trump signing the bill into law , the Asian nation retaliated by suspending U.S. port calls to the autonomous region and imposing sanctions against NGOs .
International Campaign for Tibet president Matteo Mecacci applauded the passing of the Tibet Policy Support Act of 2019 and said it reflects the widespread of support of the American people for their cause .
`` By passing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House is sending another clear message to Beijing that U.S. support for Tibet is getting stronger and more institutionalized and will not waver despite China 's bullying tactics , '' Mecacci said in a statement .
`` We look forward to this bill passing the Senate next and to it becoming law . ''

Chinese soldiers hold portable water guns at a regional ethnic minority performance celebrating the opening of the Dunhuang Silk Road International Tourism Festival being held in Gannan, a major city in Gansu Province's Tibetan Autonomous Region, on July 31, 2019. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed legislation in support of protecting human rights in Tibet, the latest congressional condemnation against China's treatment of its citizens. Passed by lawmakers 392-22 on Tuesday, The Tibet Policy Support Act of 2019 aims to update its predecessor signed in 2002 with the aim of protecting Tibetans from continued Chinese oppression. Advertisement
If enacted, it would establish a U.S. policy that recognizes the succession or reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhist leaders as an exclusively religious matter overseen solely by the Tibetan Buddhist community, and impose sanctions against Chinese officials who interfere in this process.
It would also mandate that no Chinese consulate be established on U.S. soil until a U.S. consulate is established in Lhasa, Tibet's historical capital.
"It should be clear that we support a positive and productive U.S.-China relationship but it is essential that the human rights of all the people of China are respected by their government," said Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Mass., in his remarks from the House Floor before the vote.
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McGovern, who introduced the bill in September and is chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, told lawmakers that the human rights situation in Tibet has worsened in recent years and the Chinese government has refused dialogue with Tibetan leaders while restricting access to Tibet, an autonomous region within China, of both natives and foreigners.
In the commission's 2019 annual report, it said in the past year Chinese authorities have continued to "systematically repress the peaceful exercise of internationally recognized human rights and intensify their restriction on the religious and cultural life of Tibetans."
The report also noted that the Chinese government last year restated its claim as the sole authority to select the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said from the floor that by passing the bill they would be supporting the Tibetan people's right to religious freedom and autonomy.
"We are sending Beijing a clear signal that they will be held accountable for interfering in Tibet's religious and cultural affairs: making clear that Chinese officials who meddle in the process of recognizing a new Dalai Lama will be subject to targeted sanctions," she said.
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The vote comes after President Donald Trump last year passed a bill in support of Hong Kong protesters who have been battling the Chinese government for months.
Following Trump signing the bill into law, the Asian nation retaliated by suspending U.S. port calls to the autonomous region and imposing sanctions against NGOs.
International Campaign for Tibet president Matteo Mecacci applauded the passing of the Tibet Policy Support Act of 2019 and said it reflects the widespread of support of the American people for their cause.
"By passing the Tibetan Policy and Support Act today, the House is sending another clear message to Beijing that U.S. support for Tibet is getting stronger and more institutionalized and will not waver despite China's bullying tactics," Mecacci said in a statement. "We look forward to this bill passing the Senate next and to it becoming law."


upi--2020-01-29--Psychedelic drug may ease long-term distress in cancer patients

A single dose of the psychedelic ingredient in `` magic mushrooms '' may bring long-lasting relief to cancer patients who suffer anxiety and depression , a new , small study suggests .
Researchers found that of 15 patients who 'd received a one-time treatment with psilocybin , most were still showing `` clinically significant '' improvements in anxiety and depression four years later .
The study , published Jan. 28 in the Journal of Psychopharmacology , is a follow-up to one reported in 2016 .
That trial involved 29 cancer patients with psychiatric distress who received a single dose of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effects that lasted up to six months .
These latest findings suggest there can be ongoing benefits from what many study patients described as a `` life-changing experience , '' the researchers said .
`` It can come off as sounding like voodoo , '' said lead researcher Dr. Stephen Ross , an associate professor of psychiatry at NYU Langone Health , in New York City .
And , the truth is , no one is sure exactly how psilocybin works to lift entrenched anxiety and depression -- including the kind of `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a life-threatening disease .
Magic mushrooms have long been used recreationally for their hallucinogenic effects -- meaning they alter users ' perceptions of their surroundings , and their own thoughts and feelings .
That could end badly -- if people mistakenly think they can fly , for instance .
But given in a controlled medical setting , Ross said , psilocybin may help people with psychological distress `` get out of that scared , stuck place . ''
It 's not that the drug is `` magic '' or a `` cure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not everyone benefits .
Plus , the patients in this study also received psychotherapy .
`` I do n't think you can just give psilocybin alone , '' Ross said .
`` We definitely see this as psilocybin-assisted therapy . ''
And it 's a therapy you can not yet find at your local doctor 's office .
Psilocybin is illegal in the United States , and researchers need permission to use it in studies .
But a growing number of institutions are doing just that .
NYU , Johns Hopkins , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are currently studying psilocybin-assisted therapy for conditions such as eating disorders , addiction and major depression .
Medical research into psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD began in the 1950s , and then famously ended after a surge in recreational use by the 1960s `` counterculture . ''
`` Research stopped because of the sociopolitical context and street use -- not because the science was n't there , '' said Matthew Johnson , associate director of the university 's Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research .
He stressed that no one is suggesting people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` With recreational use , there 's the risk of engaging in dangerous behavior , '' Johnson said .
`` In the research setting , we 're not only minimizing the risks , but also trying to maximize the benefits , '' he explained .
`` I would n't expect these positive results from people using psilocybin on their own , '' Johnson said .
As for the mechanisms behind psilocybin , research points to a correlation between patients ' perceptions of `` mystical experiences '' while on the drug and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained , can refer to a feeling of transcending the ego or , for the religiously inclined , feeling closer to God .
The experience seems to , in essence , allow some people `` to do their own self-analysis , '' Johnson said .
What about effects on the brain ?
There is evidence , according to Ross and his colleagues , that psilocybin alters activity in the brain 's default mode network , which turns on when we engage in self-reflection .
But in people with depression or anxiety , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with worry and ruminating .
More research is needed to understand what 's happening in the brain , Johnson said .
Even more importantly , results from larger , rigorous studies are necessary to prove psilocybin is effective as medicine .
A limitation of the current study , Ross said , is that all patients eventually received psilocybin , so there was no true `` control '' group .
And patients in the follow-up study were people who were still alive several years after a cancer diagnosis , most of whom were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always possible , Ross said , that they would be feeling good even if they 'd never received psilocybin .
He noted , however , that cancer survivors frequently suffer from lingering anxiety and fear .
But of the 15 patients in this study , 60 % to 80 % were meeting the criteria for a `` clinically meaningful '' improvement in their anxiety or depression four years out .
And nearly all , Ross said , still described their psilocybin experience as one of the most personally or spiritually meaningful ones of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has more on managing distress .

A single dose of the psychedelic ingredient in "magic mushrooms" may bring long-lasting relief to cancer patients who suffer anxiety and depression, a new, small study suggests.
Researchers found that of 15 patients who'd received a one-time treatment with psilocybin, most were still showing "clinically significant" improvements in anxiety and depression four years later.
Advertisement
The study, published Jan. 28 in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, is a follow-up to one reported in 2016. That trial involved 29 cancer patients with psychiatric distress who received a single dose of psilocybin. Most responded quickly, with effects that lasted up to six months.
These latest findings suggest there can be ongoing benefits from what many study patients described as a "life-changing experience," the researchers said.
"It can come off as sounding like voodoo," said lead researcher Dr. Stephen Ross, an associate professor of psychiatry at NYU Langone Health, in New York City.
Advertisement
And, the truth is, no one is sure exactly how psilocybin works to lift entrenched anxiety and depression -- including the kind of "existential distress" that can plague people with a life-threatening disease.
Magic mushrooms have long been used recreationally for their hallucinogenic effects -- meaning they alter users' perceptions of their surroundings, and their own thoughts and feelings. That could end badly -- if people mistakenly think they can fly, for instance.
But given in a controlled medical setting, Ross said, psilocybin may help people with psychological distress "get out of that scared, stuck place."
It's not that the drug is "magic" or a "cure," he stressed. For one, not everyone benefits. Plus, the patients in this study also received psychotherapy.
"I don't think you can just give psilocybin alone," Ross said. "We definitely see this as psilocybin-assisted therapy."
And it's a therapy you cannot yet find at your local doctor's office. Psilocybin is illegal in the United States, and researchers need permission to use it in studies.
But a growing number of institutions are doing just that. NYU, Johns Hopkins, the University of California and other universities are currently studying psilocybin-assisted therapy for conditions such as eating disorders, addiction and major depression.
Advertisement
Medical research into psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD began in the 1950s, and then famously ended after a surge in recreational use by the 1960s "counterculture."
"Research stopped because of the sociopolitical context and street use -- not because the science wasn't there," said Matthew Johnson, associate director of the university's Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research.
He stressed that no one is suggesting people self-treat their mental health symptoms with mushrooms. "With recreational use, there's the risk of engaging in dangerous behavior," Johnson said.
"In the research setting, we're not only minimizing the risks, but also trying to maximize the benefits," he explained.
"I wouldn't expect these positive results from people using psilocybin on their own," Johnson said.
As for the mechanisms behind psilocybin, research points to a correlation between patients' perceptions of "mystical experiences" while on the drug and their symptom improvement. Those experiences, Johnson explained, can refer to a feeling of transcending the ego or, for the religiously inclined, feeling closer to God.
The experience seems to, in essence, allow some people "to do their own self-analysis," Johnson said.
What about effects on the brain? There is evidence, according to Ross and his colleagues, that psilocybin alters activity in the brain's default mode network, which turns on when we engage in self-reflection. But in people with depression or anxiety, that same network can be hyperactive and associated with worry and ruminating.
Advertisement
More research is needed to understand what's happening in the brain, Johnson said. Even more importantly, results from larger, rigorous studies are necessary to prove psilocybin is effective as medicine.
A limitation of the current study, Ross said, is that all patients eventually received psilocybin, so there was no true "control" group.
And patients in the follow-up study were people who were still alive several years after a cancer diagnosis, most of whom were in full or partial remission. It's always possible, Ross said, that they would be feeling good even if they'd never received psilocybin.
He noted, however, that cancer survivors frequently suffer from lingering anxiety and fear. But of the 15 patients in this study, 60% to 80% were meeting the criteria for a "clinically meaningful" improvement in their anxiety or depression four years out.
And nearly all, Ross said, still described their psilocybin experience as one of the most personally or spiritually meaningful ones of their lives.
More information
The American Cancer Society has more on managing distress.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-01-28--Apple posts record quarter on iPhone, wearable sales

Jan. 28 ( UPI ) -- Apple reported record earnings for the first fiscal quarter of 2020 on the back of strong iPhone 11 sales , services and wearables , the electronics giant said Tuesday .
The California-based company said in a statement that it posted quarterly revenue of $ 91.8 billion , an increase of 9 percent compared to the same period last year , as its flagship phone bolstered earnings .
International sales accounted for 61 percent of the quarter 's revenue , it said .
`` We are thrilled to report Apple 's highest quarterly revenue ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro models , and all-time records services and wearables , '' Apple 's CEO Tim Cook said in a phone call with reporters .
Cook said the iPhone 11 in all of its incarnations are `` the best iPhones we 've ever shipped '' due to its increased battery life and camera technology , causing revenue to surge 8 percent from the same segment last year to $ 56 billion .
Besides iPhone sales , the quarter ending Dec. 28 saw Appel 's fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for services and a `` blowout '' quarter for wearables , which grew 37 percent on quarter , Cook said , adding that 75 percent of those who purchased an Apple Watch were first-time buyers .
`` Not only is our large and growing install base a powerful testament to the satisfaction , engagement and loyalty of our customers but it is also fueling our growth across the board , particularly in services , '' he said .
In services , it generated an all-time record of $ 12.7 billion , growing 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth in cloud services , music , payment services , app search business and Apple care .
Concerning wearables , its segment has now grown to the size of a Fortune 150 company , Cook said , due to demand for its AirPods and its newest product , the AirPods Pro .
Apple Watch , he said , also generated all-time numbers .
`` Both AirPods and Apple Watch were must-have holiday gifts , helping drive unprecedented results for the category even as we face supply constraints for Apple Watch Series 3 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @

New iPhone 11 models are displayed during launch day at Softbank Ginza store on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Apple reported record earnings for the first fiscal quarter of 2020 on the back of strong iPhone 11 sales, services and wearables, the electronics giant said Tuesday. The California-based company said in a statement that it posted quarterly revenue of $91.8 billion, an increase of 9 percent compared to the same period last year, as its flagship phone bolstered earnings. International sales accounted for 61 percent of the quarter's revenue, it said. Advertisement
"We are thrilled to report Apple's highest quarterly revenue ever, fueled by strong demand for our iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro models, and all-time records services and wearables," Apple's CEO Tim Cook said in a phone call with reporters.
Cook said the iPhone 11 in all of its incarnations are "the best iPhones we've ever shipped" due to its increased battery life and camera technology, causing revenue to surge 8 percent from the same segment last year to $56 billion.
Besides iPhone sales, the quarter ending Dec. 28 saw Appel's fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, including setting an all-time record for services and a "blowout" quarter for wearables, which grew 37 percent on quarter, Cook said, adding that 75 percent of those who purchased an Apple Watch were first-time buyers.
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"Not only is our large and growing install base a powerful testament to the satisfaction, engagement and loyalty of our customers but it is also fueling our growth across the board, particularly in services," he said.
In services, it generated an all-time record of $12.7 billion, growing 17 percent from last year, setting double-digit growth in cloud services, music, payment services, app search business and Apple care.
Concerning wearables, its segment has now grown to the size of a Fortune 150 company, Cook said, due to demand for its AirPods and its newest product, the AirPods Pro. Apple Watch, he said, also generated all-time numbers.
"Both AirPods and Apple Watch were must-have holiday gifts, helping drive unprecedented results for the category even as we face supply constraints for Apple Watch Series 3 and AirPods Pro," he said.


upi--2020-01-28--Nets' Kevin Durant on Kobe Bryant's death: 'It hurts to even just think about it'

Jan. 28 ( UPI ) -- Brooklyn Nets star forward Kevin Durant spoke to reporters for the first time since the death of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant .
Bryant , 41 , and his 13-year-old daughter , Gianna , were among nine killed in a helicopter crash Sunday in Calabasas , Calif .
The group was headed to Mamba Sports Academy , a facility that Bryant created and coached at , for a girls basketball game when their helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances .
There were no survivors .
Durant , who said in 2015 that he `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters Tuesday `` it 's hard to comprehend all of this . ''
`` It 's hard to keep going right now , '' Durant said .
`` But as a basketball community , as a world as a whole , I know we 're all just mourning and sticking together when it comes to this .
...
But just having that time and those moments with Kobe , he 's always about pressing forward .
At this time it 's just hard , just the amount of impact he had on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selected with the No .
2 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft , 11 years after Bryant was picked in the first round of the 1996 draft .
Bryant , a two-time NBA Finals MVP , retired from the league in 2016 after winning five NBA championships and one Most Valuable Player Award ( 2008 ) with the Lakers .
Over the nine years where their NBA careers intersected , Bryant and Durant squared off 25 times in the regular season .
Bryant and the Lakers held a 14-11 overall record against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraged him on multiple occasions , saying the best advice he got from the Lakers icon was to `` just put the work in , man . ''
`` Kobe did n't really have any long-winded messages for me as a player .
It was just quick , short gems , '' Durant said .
`` And he led by example -- so he came in and worked , and you [ saw ] it .
`` The craft was the most important thing and mastering it , and everything you learn from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in life .
And he poured everything into the game , and poured everything into everybody that was involved with him . ''
Durant 's teammates also were deeply impacted by Bryant 's death .
Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie announced on social media that he will change his jersey from No .
8 to No .
26 as a tribute to the Lakers great .
During Bryant 's illustrious 20-year career with the Lakers , he famously wore No .
8 and No .
24 .

Current NBA star Kevin Durant (R) is guarded by Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant during overtime in a game on Jan. 14, 2008, in Seattle. Durant scored 19 points in the matchup, while Bryant scored 48 points for the Lakers. File Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Brooklyn Nets star forward Kevin Durant spoke to reporters for the first time since the death of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, were among nine killed in a helicopter crash Sunday in Calabasas, Calif. The group was headed to Mamba Sports Academy, a facility that Bryant created and coached at, for a girls basketball game when their helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances. There were no survivors. Advertisement
Durant, who said in 2015 that he "wanted to be like" Bryant, told reporters Tuesday "it's hard to comprehend all of this."
"It's hard to keep going right now," Durant said. "But as a basketball community, as a world as a whole, I know we're all just mourning and sticking together when it comes to this. ... But just having that time and those moments with Kobe, he's always about pressing forward. At this time it's just hard, just the amount of impact he had on all of us."
Durant was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, 11 years after Bryant was picked in the first round of the 1996 draft. Bryant, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, retired from the league in 2016 after winning five NBA championships and one Most Valuable Player Award (2008) with the Lakers.
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Over the nine years where their NBA careers intersected, Bryant and Durant squared off 25 times in the regular season. Bryant and the Lakers held a 14-11 overall record against Durant-led teams.
"It's hard to keep going right now. But as a basketball community, as a world as a whole, I know we're all just mourning and sticking together when it comes to this." Kevin Durant's comments today on the life and impact of Kobe Bryant: pic.twitter.com/l5z1YG5oFp— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 28, 2020
Durant revealed that Bryant encouraged him on multiple occasions, saying the best advice he got from the Lakers icon was to "just put the work in, man."
"Kobe didn't really have any long-winded messages for me as a player. It was just quick, short gems," Durant said. "And he led by example -- so he came in and worked, and you [saw] it.
"The craft was the most important thing and mastering it, and everything you learn from that is what you're going to be in life. And he poured everything into the game, and poured everything into everybody that was involved with him."
Durant's teammates also were deeply impacted by Bryant's death. Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie announced on social media that he will change his jersey from No. 8 to No. 26 as a tribute to the Lakers great. During Bryant's illustrious 20-year career with the Lakers, he famously wore No. 8 and No. 24.


upi--2020-01-28--U.S. military issues furlough notice to South Korean employees

SEOUL , Jan. 28 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. military has begun issuing a notice of a potential furlough to its nearly 9,000 South Korean civilian employees as a defense cost-sharing arrangement between Washington and Seoul remains unresolved .
In a press statement issued Wednesday , United States Forces Korea , the main command for U.S. troops stationed on the Korean Peninsula , said that residual funds from 2019 being used to pay the salaries of the Korean employees would soon run out .
`` Without the Republic of Korea 's continued commitment to share the cost of employing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon exhaust programmed funds available to pay their salaries and wages , '' the statement said .
The Republic of Korea is the official name of South Korea .
An administrative furlough would begin on April 1 if a new Special Measures Agreement , which covers costs for maintaining the roughly 28,500 U.S. troops stationed on the peninsula , is not signed , the statement said .
The military is issuing the notice 60 days in advance of a possible furlough as required by U.S. law .
`` USFK greatly values its Korean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RoK-U.S. alliance , and will continue to provide them timely updates for their preparation of a potential furlough , '' the statement said .
Seoul and Washington remain deadlocked over the cost-sharing agreement .
U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly asked for a $ 5 billion annual contribution from South Korea , a more than five-fold increase from the $ 890 million Seoul paid in 2019 .
A sixth round of talks to renew the Special Measures Agreement ended earlier this month in Washington , D.C. , without a deal .
U.S .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters that the United States has already compromised on its original figure and said that the gap between the two sides was narrowing .
However , administration officials are still pressing Seoul to substantially increase its contribution .
In a joint op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal on Jan. 16 , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper wrote that South Korea `` can and should contribute more to its defense . ''
In a letter to Pompeo and Esper issued Monday , U.S .
Senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reed ( D-R.I. ) expressed concern about the lapsed Special Measures Agreement , saying it is `` creating increasing diplomatic and military risk on the Peninsula '' and calling for a `` fair and mutually beneficial burden sharing agreement that reflects the realities of the twenty-first century . ''
`` Our alliance with Korea is critical to deter adversaries , provide stability to the region , shape the environment , and endows U.S. forces in the region with leverage that enhances our nation 's security , extends our values and enables our prosperity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yet the current U.S. negotiating position appears to contradict these key principles and undermines our enduring commitment to the Republic of Korea . ''
South Korea 's foreign ministry said in a statement after the latest round of negotiations ended that both sides `` broadened their mutual understanding and consensus but confirmed that there are still differences . ''

The U.S. military began issuing furlough notices to its almost 9,000 South Korea civilian employees on Wednesday. Seoul and Washington have been deadlocked over a new defense cost-sharing agreement on the Korean Peninsula. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo
SEOUL, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. military has begun issuing a notice of a potential furlough to its nearly 9,000 South Korean civilian employees as a defense cost-sharing arrangement between Washington and Seoul remains unresolved. In a press statement issued Wednesday, United States Forces Korea, the main command for U.S. troops stationed on the Korean Peninsula, said that residual funds from 2019 being used to pay the salaries of the Korean employees would soon run out. Advertisement
"Without the Republic of Korea's continued commitment to share the cost of employing our Korean national workforce, USFK will soon exhaust programmed funds available to pay their salaries and wages," the statement said. The Republic of Korea is the official name of South Korea.
An administrative furlough would begin on April 1 if a new Special Measures Agreement, which covers costs for maintaining the roughly 28,500 U.S. troops stationed on the peninsula, is not signed, the statement said.
The military is issuing the notice 60 days in advance of a possible furlough as required by U.S. law.
"USFK greatly values its Korean national workforce and their contributions to the RoK-U.S. alliance and will continue to provide them timely updates for their preparation of a potential furlough," the statement said.
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Seoul and Washington remain deadlocked over the cost-sharing agreement. U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly asked for a $5 billion annual contribution from South Korea, a more than five-fold increase from the $890 million Seoul paid in 2019.
A sixth round of talks to renew the agreement ended earlier this month in Washington, D.C., without a deal.
U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris recently told reporters that the United States has already compromised on its original figure and said the gap between the two sides was narrowing.
However, administration officials are still pressing Seoul to substantially increase its contribution. In a joint op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal on Jan. 16, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper wrote that South Korea "can and should contribute more to its defense."
In a letter to Pompeo and Esper issued Monday, U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., and Jack Reed, D-R.I., expressed concern about the lapsed agreement, saying it is "creating increasing diplomatic and military risk on the peninsula" and calling for a "fair and mutually beneficial burden-sharing agreement that reflects the realities of the 21st century."
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"Our alliance with Korea is critical to deter adversaries, provide stability to the region, shape the environment and endows U.S. forces in the region with leverage that enhances our nation's security, extends our values and enables our prosperity," the senators wrote. "Yet the current U.S. negotiating position appears to contradict these key principles and undermines our enduring commitment to the Republic of Korea."
South Korea's foreign ministry said in a statement after the latest round of negotiations ended that both sides "broadened their mutual understanding and consensus but confirmed that there are still differences."


upi--2020-01-28--Spencer Dinwiddie, Terrence Ross switch jersey numbers to honor Kobe Bryant

Jan. 28 ( UPI ) -- Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie and Orlando Magic swingman Terrence Ross will change their jersey numbers from No .
8 to honor Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant .
Bryant , 41 , and his 13-year-old daughter , Gianna , were among nine killed in a helicopter crash Sunday in Calabasas , Calif .
The group was headed to Mamba Sports Academy , a facility that Bryant created and coached at , for a girls basketball game when their helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances .
There were no survivors .
As players and coaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the tragedy , multiple NBA players have started to informally retire Bryant 's jersey numbers as a tribute .
During Bryant 's illustrious 20-year career with the Lakers , he wore No .
8 and No .
24 .
Dinwiddie announced Tuesday on Twitter that he will switch his jersey number from No .
8 to No .
26 .
He explained that he chose No .
26 because his son , Elijah , was born on April 20 and Dinwiddie was born on April 6 .
NBA fans on social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sum of Bryant 's No .
24 jersey and Gianna 's jersey ( No .
2 ) .
The Magic announced later Tuesday that Ross would wear No .
31 instead of No .
8 , starting with Saturday 's game against the Miami Heat .
Ross previously wore No .
31 before changing to No .
8 this season .
League sources told ESPN that New Orleans Pelicans center Jahlil Okafor , who also wears No .
8 , plans to change his jersey number .
Earlier this week , the Dallas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
24 in honor of Bryant .
According to NBA rules , any request to change jersey numbers must happen by Feb. 15 of the prior season .
Typically , the number switch would go into effect for next season .
In the same rule , the league states it will review requests on a case-by-case basis , as they were for both Dinwiddie and Ross .

Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie (8) is changing his jersey number from No. 8 to No. 26 in honor of Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash Sunday in Calabasas, Calif. Bryant wore No. 8 and No. 24 in his NBA career. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie and Orlando Magic swingman Terrence Ross will change their jersey numbers from No. 8 to honor Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant. Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, were among nine killed in a helicopter crash Sunday in Calabasas, Calif. The group was headed to Mamba Sports Academy, a facility that Bryant created and coached at, for a girls basketball game when their helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances. There were no survivors. Advertisement
As players and coaches from around the league attempt to cope with the tragedy, multiple NBA players have started to informally retire Bryant's jersey numbers as a tribute. During Bryant's illustrious 20-year career with the Lakers, he wore No. 8 and No. 24.
Dinwiddie announced Tuesday on Twitter that he will switch his jersey number from No. 8 to No. 26. He explained that he chose No. 26 because his son, Elijah, was born on April 20 and Dinwiddie was born on April 6.
NBA fans on social media also pointed out that 26 is the sum of Bryant's No. 24 jersey and Gianna's jersey (No. 2).
Advertisement Honor your people. Number 26, Spencer Dinwiddie. pic.twitter.com/Y3oZREw602— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 28, 2020
The Magic announced later Tuesday that Ross would wear No. 31 instead of No. 8, starting with Saturday's game against the Miami Heat. Ross previously wore No. 31 before changing to No. 8 this season.
League sources told ESPN that New Orleans Pelicans center Jahlil Okafor, who also wears No. 8, plans to change his jersey number. Earlier this week, the Dallas Mavericks announced the franchise will retire No. 24 in honor of Bryant.
According to NBA rules, any request to change jersey numbers must happen by Feb. 15 of the prior season. Typically, the number switch would go into effect for next season. In the same rule, the league states it will review requests on a case-by-case basis, as they were for both Dinwiddie and Ross.


upi--2020-01-28--Wienermobile stopped for traffic violation in Wisconsin

Jan. 28 ( UPI ) -- The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile got off with a warning after committing a traffic violation in Wisconsin .
The Waukesha County Sheriff 's Department shared a photo of officers pulling over the hot dog-shaped vehicle after the driver failed to follow the state 's `` Move Over Law . ''
`` When a motorist sees a vehicle on the side of the road with its emergency lights flashing ( red , blue and amber ) , they are required to move out of the lane closest to the vehicle if possible , '' the department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change is not possible , or the motorist is traveling on a two-lane roadway they are required to slow their vehicle , maintain a safe speed for traffic conditions and drive at a reduced speed until completely past the vehicle . ''
A Waukesha County officer administered a verbal warning to the driver and sent the Wienermobile on its way .
Wienermobile drivers -- known as Hotdoggers -- navigate the 27-foot-long vehicle throughout the United States and are given extensive behind-the-wheel training before taking the vehicle on the road , said Lynne Galia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Co. , which owns Oscar Mayer .
`` Since the inception of the Hotdogger program , we 've promoted safety first and ensured all Hotdoggers are up-to-date on all rules of the road , '' said Galia .
`` We have reinforced the importance of obeying traffic laws , including the Move Over Law , and will continue to do so to ensure safe roadways for all . ''

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Jan. 28 (UPI) -- The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile got off with a warning after committing a traffic violation in Wisconsin.
The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department shared a photo of officers pulling over the hot dog-shaped vehicle after the driver failed to follow the state's "Move Over Law."
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"When a motorist sees a vehicle on the side of the road with its emergency lights flashing (red, blue and amber), they are required to move out of the lane closest to the vehicle if possible," the department said. "If a safe lane change is not possible, or the motorist is traveling on a two-lane roadway they are required to slow their vehicle, maintain a safe speed for traffic conditions and drive at a reduced speed until completely past the vehicle."
A Waukesha County officer administered a verbal warning to the driver and sent the Wienermobile on its way.
Wienermobile drivers -- known as Hotdoggers -- navigate the 27-foot-long vehicle throughout the United States and are given extensive behind-the-wheel training before taking the vehicle on the road, said Lynne Galia, a spokeswoman for The Kraft Heinz Co., which owns Oscar Mayer.
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"Since the inception of the Hotdogger program, we've promoted safety first and ensured all Hotdoggers are up-to-date on all rules of the road," said Galia. "We have reinforced the importance of obeying traffic laws, including the Move Over Law, and will continue to do so to ensure safe roadways for all."


upi--2020-01-28--Coronavirus: Death toll climbs to 132; Hong Kong restricts travel to China

Jan. 28 ( UPI ) -- Chinese health officials reported early Wednesday that 26 people have died since the day prior , increasing the death toll from an outbreak of a deadly coronavirus to 132 as Hong Kong officials clamp down on its border with mainland China to contain its spread .
In a statement , China 's National Health Commission said as of midnight Tuesday , it had received nearly 1,459 new cases , increasing the total number of confirmed cases nationwide to 5,974 .
It reported an additional 9,239 suspected cases with nearly 60,000 others currently undergoing medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials confirmed 840 new cases with 315 located in Wuhan city , the epicenter of the outbreak .
Twenty-five of the 26 new deaths were reported in Hubei , which also accounts for 3,554 confirmed cases of the disease , known as 2019-nCoV .
In Hong Kong , eight cases have been confirmed , and officials there are working to prevent further spread of the disease from the mainland .
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam announced travel restrictions between the Beijing-controlled territory and the mainland , although she stopped short of a full-scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rail lines connecting Hong Kong with the mainland will be suspended starting at midnight Thursday , as the first two cases of the Wuhan coronavirus were found to have entered via the rail link .
Flights between the two sides will be cut by half , she said , and cross-border tour buses will also be reduced .
Lam added that China has agreed to stop issuing tourist visas to mainlanders seeking to visit Hong Kong .
`` The flow of people between the two places needs to be drastically reduced , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disease Control issued its highest-level warning advising against `` all nonessential travel to China . ''
Since the start of the outbreak in early December , cases have been confirmed as far from China as Canada and the United States and as near as South Korea and Thailand , the latter reporting 14 confirmed cases on Tuesday , the second most next to China .
Dr. Sukhum Kanchanaphimai of the Ministry of Public Health confirmed six new cases of the disease among two females and four males , including children .
All are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Wuhan and five of them are from the same family .
`` Currently , all cases are improving , '' the Ministry of Public Health said in a statement .
In Japan and Germany , officials reported their first human-to-human transmission of the virus not connected with travel to China .
The Japanese case , its sixth , involves a tour bus driver .
In Germany , health officials said a man from the Starnberg region of Bavaria had been hospitalized with the coronavirus , but added that the risk of transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , World Health Organization officials met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing Tuesday , agreeing that the international medical organization will send international experts to China as soon as possible to work with their Chinese counterparts to conduct a global response to the diseases spread .
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , WHO director-general , said stopping the spread of the coronavirus is his organization 's `` highest priority . ''
`` We appreciate the seriousness with which China is taking this outbreak , especially the commitment from top leadership , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharing data and genetic sequence of the virus , '' he said .

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (center) announces travel restrictions Tuesday in a bid to halt the coronavirus outbreak. Photo by Jerome Favre/EPA-EFE
Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Chinese health officials reported early Wednesday that 26 people have died since the day prior, increasing the death toll from an outbreak of a deadly coronavirus to 132 as Hong Kong officials clamp down on its border with mainland China to contain its spread. In a statement, China's National Health Commission said as of midnight Tuesday, it had received nearly 1,459 new cases, increasing the total number of confirmed cases nationwide to 5,974. It reported an additional 9,239 suspected cases with nearly 60,000 others currently undergoing medical observation. Advertisement
In Hubei province, health officials confirmed 840 new cases with 315 located in Wuhan city, the epicenter of the outbreak. Twenty-five of the 26 new deaths were reported in Hubei, which also accounts for 3,554 confirmed cases of the disease, known as 2019-nCoV.
In Hong Kong, eight cases have been confirmed, and officials there are working to prevent further spread of the disease from the mainland.
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Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam announced travel restrictions between the Beijing-controlled territory and the mainland, although she stopped short of a full-scale border closure. Lam said two passenger rail lines connecting Hong Kong with the mainland will be suspended starting at midnight Thursday, as the first two cases of the Wuhan coronavirus were found to have entered via the rail link.
Flights between the two sides will be cut by half, she said, and cross-border tour buses will also be reduced. Lam added that China has agreed to stop issuing tourist visas to mainlanders seeking to visit Hong Kong.
"The flow of people between the two places needs to be drastically reduced," she said.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control issued its highest-level warning advising against "all nonessential travel to China."
Since the start of the outbreak in early December, cases have been confirmed as far from China as Canada and the United States and as near as South Korea and Thailand, the latter reporting 14 confirmed cases on Tuesday, the second most next to China.
Dr. Sukhum Kanchanaphimai of the Ministry of Public Health confirmed six new cases of the disease among two females and four males, including children. All are Chinese nationals who had traveled to Thailand from Wuhan and five of them are from the same family.
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"Currently, all cases are improving," the Ministry of Public Health said in a statement.
In Japan and Germany, officials reported their first human-to-human transmission of the virus not connected with travel to China.
The Japanese case, its sixth, involves a tour bus driver. In Germany, health officials said a man from the Starnberg region of Bavaria had been hospitalized with the coronavirus, but added that the risk of transmission to the local population was low.
Meanwhile, World Health Organization officials met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing Tuesday, agreeing that the international medical organization will send international experts to China as soon as possible to work with their Chinese counterparts to conduct a global response to the diseases spread.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said stopping the spread of the coronavirus is his organization's "highest priority."
"We appreciate the seriousness with which China is taking this outbreak, especially the commitment from top leadership, and the transparency they have demonstrated, including sharing data and genetic sequence of the virus," he said.


upi--2020-01-28--New England Patriots OL coach Dante Scarnecchia, 71, to retire from NFL

Jan. 28 ( UPI ) -- Longtime New England Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia is retiring from the NFL after 36 seasons , the team announced Tuesday .
Scarnecchia , who was the league 's longest-tenured coach with one team , spent 34 seasons with the Patriots .
The 71-year-old coach is widely considered one of the NFL 's top assistants and a vital part of the organization 's Super Bowl success over the years .
`` It was a privilege to coach with Dante for so long , '' Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his initial retirement and throughout a second act of continued excellence .
Dante is among the very best assistant coaches ever . ''
Scarnecchia owns the most coaching seasons in Patriots history .
The last NFL coach to spend at least 30 seasons with one team was Dick Hoak , who was employed for a league-record 35 seasons as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Steelers .
`` Dante Scarnecchia has been unbelievable in every way , '' Patriots owner Robert Kraft said .
`` As a coach , he was extraordinarily talented at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of each of them .
There truly is no way to sum up the incredible career he 's had , the positive impact he 's made on our franchise or how much he will be missed . ''
Scarnecchia initially retired for two seasons ( 2014-15 ) before returning in 2016 .
He also was an offensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts from 1989-90 .
The Patriots originally hired Scarnecchia in 1982 under coach Ron Meyer .
Scarnecchia worked under head coaches Meyer , Raymond Berry , Dick MacPherson , Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New England .

New England Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia was the NFL's longest-tenured coach with one team. Photo courtesy of New England Patriots/Official Website
Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Longtime New England Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia is retiring from the NFL after 36 seasons, the team announced Tuesday. Scarnecchia, who was the league's longest-tenured coach with one team, spent 34 seasons with the Patriots. The 71-year-old coach is widely considered one of the NFL's top assistants and a vital part of the organization's Super Bowl success over the years. Advertisement
"It was a privilege to coach with Dante for so long," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. "I knew that long before his initial retirement and throughout a second act of continued excellence. Dante is among the very best assistant coaches ever."
Scarnecchia owns the most coaching seasons in Patriots history. The last NFL coach to spend at least 30 seasons with one team was Dick Hoak, who was employed for a league-record 35 seasons as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"Dante Scarnecchia has been unbelievable in every way," Patriots owner Robert Kraft said. "As a coach, he was extraordinarily talented at teaching his players and bringing the most out of each of them. There truly is no way to sum up the incredible career he's had, the positive impact he's made on our franchise or how much he will be missed."
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Scarnecchia initially retired for two seasons (2014-15) before returning in 2016. He also was an offensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts from 1989-90.
The Patriots originally hired Scarnecchia in 1982 under coach Ron Meyer. Scarnecchia worked under head coaches Meyer, Raymond Berry, Dick MacPherson, Bill Parcells, Pete Carroll and Belichick in New England.


upi--2020-01-28--Maryland police officer charged with murder in shooting of handcuffed suspect

Jan. 28 ( UPI ) -- A Maryland police officer was charged with murder on Tuesday after officials said he shot and killed a man who was handcuffed in the front seat of his police cruiser .
Prince George 's County Police Chief Hank Stawinski announced murder , manslaughter , assault and weapons charges against Cpl .
Michael Owen Jr. who allegedly shot William Green seven times on Monday .
`` I am unable to come to our community this evening and offer you a reasonable explanation for the events that occurred last night , '' Stawinski said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night was a crime . ''
The shooting took place in Temple Hills at 8 p.m. on Monday after police received calls about a driver who struck multiple cars , Prince George 's County Police Department spokeswoman Christina Cotterman said .
Green was handcuffed and placed in the front seat of the police vehicle while officers waited for a drug recognition expert to identify a substance that was removed from his car .
Police initially believed Green may have been under the influence of PCP , but Stawinski on Tuesday said the hallucinogenic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in the incident .
`` A short time later , for reasons that are now at the center of the investigation , Green was shot seven times by the officer 's duty weapon , '' police said .
Owen and the officer administered medical aid to Green after the shooting and he was transported to a hospital where he died .
Police said Owen 's vehicle did not have a transport partition that would allow officers to transport Green in the rear seat and that it was standard practice to place suspects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined the force in 2009 and was involved in two earlier shootings , including one that was fatal .
The ACLU Maryland condemned the shooting and the lack of body camera footage of the incident in a statement on Tuesday .
`` Once again , a Black man -- William Green -- has been killed needlessly by officers with the Prince George 's County Police Department , this time in Temple Hills , Md .
Once again reports indicate that the unarmed man was in a disoriented state when he was shot and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put into a patrol car , '' the ACLU said .
State 's Attorney Aisha Braveboy said a grand jury will be convened in the case and promised a thorough investigation .

Maryland police officer Michael Owen was charged with murder on Tuesday for fatally shooting a suspect who was handcuffed in the front of his police cruiser. Photo courtesy Prince George's County Police Department
Jan. 28 (UPI) -- A Maryland police officer was charged with murder on Tuesday after officials said he shot and killed a man who was handcuffed in the front seat of his police cruiser. Prince George's County Police Chief Hank Stawinski announced murder, manslaughter, assault and weapons charges against Cpl. Michael Owen Jr. who allegedly shot William Green seven times on Monday. Advertisement
"I am unable to come to our community this evening and offer you a reasonable explanation for the events that occurred last night," Stawinski said. "I have concluded that what happened last night was a crime."
The shooting took place in Temple Hills at 8 p.m. on Monday after police received calls about a driver who struck multiple cars, Prince George's County Police Department spokeswoman Christina Cotterman said.
Green was handcuffed and placed in the front seat of the police vehicle while officers waited for a drug recognition expert to identify a substance that was removed from his car.
Police initially believed Green may have been under the influence of PCP, but Stawinski on Tuesday said the hallucinogenic drug does not appear to have been involved in the incident.
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"A short time later, for reasons that are now at the center of the investigation, Green was shot seven times by the officer's duty weapon," police said.
Owen and the officer administered medical aid to Green after the shooting and he was transported to a hospital where he died.
Police said Owen's vehicle did not have a transport partition that would allow officers to transport Green in the rear seat and that it was standard practice to place suspects in the front passenger seat.
Owen joined the force in 2009 and was involved in two earlier shootings, including one that was fatal.
The ACLU Maryland condemned the shooting and the lack of body camera footage of the incident in a statement on Tuesday.
"Once again, a Black man -- William Green -- has been killed needlessly by officers with the Prince George's County Police Department, this time in Temple Hills, Md. Once again reports indicate that the unarmed man was in a disoriented state when he was shot and killed -- after he was handcuffed and put into a patrol car," the ACLU said.
State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy said a grand jury will be convened in the case and promised a thorough investigation.