upi--2020-05-06--U.N. chief Antonio Guterres: Persons with disabilities should be part of COVID-19 plans

May 6 ( UPI ) -- Those with disabilities are among the most affected by the coronavirus pandemic , U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday , and inequalities they already experience are being further exacerbated by the crisis .
Roughly 1 billion people worldwide who live with disabilities already have limited access to education , healthcare and income opportunities -- and are at heightened risk of violence , neglect and abuse , he said .
Guterres issued a new report recommending an integrated approach aimed at ensuring persons with disabilities are n't forgotten amid response and recovery plans .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with disabilities to access healthcare and lifesaving procedures during the pandemic , '' he said in a video message .
Guterres called on governments to do more for those with disabilities nearly two weeks after he warned the pandemic was `` fast becoming a human rights crisis . ''
On Wednesday , he said those with disabilities who lack accessible health information and face barriers to basic hygiene measures are at heightened risk of contracting the disease .
If they do , he said , they are likely to develop severe health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guterres also said some countries are rationing healthcare based on discriminatory criteria , including age or `` assumptions about quality or value of life , based on disability . ''
`` We can not let this continue , '' he said .
In the 18-page report , the United Nations called for governments to ensure access to health information and services and establish mechanisms to ensure disabled are included in the response .
There have been almost 3.7 million cases and 260,000 deaths worldwide , according to Johns Hopkins University .
About 1.2 @ @ @ @ @

A traffic sign on Highway 28 in Pittsburgh, Pa., pictured Tuesday, recommends social distancing to stem the spread of the coronavirus disease. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
May 6 (UPI) -- Renewed coronavirus-related lockdowns could occur if governments around the world move too quickly in reopening their economies, the World Health Organization warned Wednesday. As local authorities in hard-hit Europe and the United States pressed ahead with plans to relax strict social distancing requirements, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the plans must be phased in with care to avoid another round of lockdowns. Advertisement
"The risk of returning to lockdown remains very real if countries do not manage the transition extremely carefully," he said during an update from the agency's headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
He urged nations to follow WHO's six criteria for reopening, emphasizing strong surveillance of new cases, contact tracing and sufficient hospital capacity to treat the infected.
Even then, Ghebreyesus warned, countries must work diligently to buttress their national health infrastructures to deal with renewed outbreaks and future pandemics.
"The COVID-19 pandemic will eventually recede, but there can be no going back to business as usual," he said. "We cannot continue to rush to fund panic but let preparedness go by the wayside."
There have been more than 3.7 million cases and 260,000 deaths worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. About 1.2 million patients have recovered.
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In Spain, the socialist-led government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday won approval for a 15-day extension of the country's "state of alarm" after a bruising political battle in the Congress of Deputies, the lower house of the national legislature.
It was the fourth extension of the coronavirus-related emergency since Sanchez first imposed it on March 14.
The measure was strongly opposed by the conservative People's Party, whose members abstained during the vote. Party leader Pablo Casada accused Sanchez of taking advantage of the health crisis to set up a "constitutional dictatorship."
At the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the pandemic is worsening the plight of those with disabilities.
Roughly 1 billion people worldwide who live with disabilities already have limited access to education, healthcare and income opportunities -- and are at heightened risk of violence, neglect and abuse, he said.
Guterres on Wednesday issued a new report recommending an integrated approach aimed at ensuring persons with disabilities aren't forgotten amid response and recovery plans.
"We must guarantee the equal rights of people with disabilities to access healthcare and lifesaving procedures during the pandemic," he said in a video message.
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Guterres called on governments to do more for those with disabilities nearly two weeks after he warned the pandemic was "fast becoming a human rights crisis."
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-05-06--India police: Top militant commander 'trapped' by security forces in Kashmir

May 6 ( UPI ) -- Police in India said early Wednesday security forces have trapped a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander amid a series of gunfights in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region that has resulted in at least one dead terrorist .
Jammu and Kashmir Police said three anti-militant operations were launched Tuesday night -- one in the village of Sharsali in Awantipora and the other two in south Kashmir 's Pulwama district .
At least one terrorist was killed in Sharsali village following an `` encounter '' that started Tuesday night , Jammu and Kashmir Police said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police said a top militant commander has been `` trapped '' amid an exchange of gunfire .
Senior officers have been monitoring the situation since Tuesday night , police added .
Security forces also arrested at least one Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist during another operation in Satura , recovering a cache of weaponry , including grenades , ammunition and at least one assault rifle as well as cell phones .
The activities come amid increased anti-militant operations conducted by India in Kashmir .
On Sunday , at least seven people were killed in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militants in the region .
The day after , three Central Reserve Police Force members were killed in an attack in North Kashmir .
On Tuesday , Jammu and Kashmir Police Director General Dlibagh Singh told reporters to expect intensified anti-militant operations in Kashmir in the coming days .
`` Tight security arrangements have been put in place around vital security installations and onwards anti-militancy operations will be further intensified , '' he said .
Kashmir , which is claimed by both India and Pakistan , has for decades been a site of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hindu nationalist-led Indian government terminated the predominantly Muslim region 's autonomy , sparking outrage in Pakistan .

Indian paramilitary soldiers walk near site where a gunfight took place in the village of Beighpora in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on Wednesday. Photo by Farooq Khan/EPA-EFE
May 6 (UPI) -- Police in India said security forces killed a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander amid a series of gunfights in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region on Wednesday. Riyaz Naikoo, the leader of the militant group, was killed in Beighpora, a police official and a member of Parliament said. Advertisement
Jammu and Kashmir Police said three anti-militant operations were launched Tuesday night -- one in the village of Sharsali in Awantipora and the other two in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, where Beighpora is located.
At least one other militant was killed in Sharsali village following an "encounter" that started Tuesday night, Jammu and Kashmir Police said.
At the operation in Beigpora, Awantipora, police said a top militant commander has been "trapped" amid an exchange of gunfire. Senior officers have been monitoring the situation since Tuesday night, police added.
The Washington Post reported that protesters in Beighpora threw stones at security forces after Naikoo's death. Officials responded by suspending Internet and cellphone service there.
Police said they launched the operations in response to militants killing eight security personnel in two separate attacks.
Advertisement Contact established in the third operation at #Beighpors #Awantipur. Top terrorist commander is trapped. Exchange of fire on. Details shall follow.. https://t.co/umZv0JgVbs— J&K Police (@JmuKmrPolice) May 6, 2020
Security forces also arrested at least one Jaish-e-Mohammed militant during another operation in Satura, recovering a cache of weaponry, including grenades, ammunition and at least one assault rifle as well as cellphones.
The activities come amid increased anti-militant operations conducted by India in Kashmir. On Sunday, at least seven people were killed in a gun battle between the Indian army and militants in the region. The day after, three Central Reserve Police Force members were killed in an attack in North Kashmir.
On Tuesday, Jammu and Kashmir Police Director General Dlibagh Singh told reporters to expect intensified anti-militant operations in Kashmir in the coming days.
"Tight security arrangements have been put in place around vital security installations and onwards anti-militancy operations will be further intensified," he said.
Kashmir, which is claimed by both India and Pakistan, has for decades been a site of contention, which intensified in August after the Hindu nationalist-led Indian government terminated the predominantly Muslim region's autonomy, sparking outrage in Pakistan.


upi--2020-05-06--Dangerously hot days may double by 2050 for U.S. farm workers

Dangerously hot days for crop pickers in the United States will double over the next three decades because of climate change , a new study warns .
`` Studies of climate change and agriculture have traditionally focused on crop yield projections , especially staple crops like corn and wheat , '' lead author Michelle Tigchelaar , a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University who conducted the study while at the University of Washington .
`` This study asks what global warming means for the health of agricultural workers picking fruits and vegetables , '' Tigchelaar said in a UW news release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faces 21 days each year when the daily heat index -- a mix of air temperature and humidity -- exceeds workplace safety standards .
Those unsafe days will nearly double by 2050 and triple by the close of the century , the study shows .
Using climate model projections , the researchers predicted 39 unsafe days per season in crop-growing counties with 2 degrees Celsius , or 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit , warming , which is expected by 2050 .
The total will be 62 unsafe days under 4 degrees Celsius , or 7.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected by 2100 .
`` I was surprised by the scale of the change -- seeing a doubling of unsafe days by mid-century , then a tripling by 2100 .
And we think that 's a low estimate , '' Tigchelaar said .
The researchers also found that heat waves will occur five times as often , on average , with 2 degrees C of warming .
Officially , about 1 million people are employed in picking agricultural crops in the United States .
All 20 counties that employ the most pickers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida .
The actual number of agricultural workers in the United States is estimated to be more than 2 million , according to background notes with the study .
`` The climate science community has long been pointing to the global south , the developing countries , as places that will be disproportionately affected by climate change , '' said study co-author David Battisti , a professor of atmospheric sciences at UW .
`` This shows that you do n't have to go to the global south to find people who will get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warming -- you just have to look in our own backyard , '' he added .
The findings were published online recently in the journal Environmental Research Letters .
The U.S .
Global Change Research Program has more on climate change and human health .

Dangerously hot days for crop pickers in the United States will double over the next three decades because of climate change, a new study warns.
"Studies of climate change and agriculture have traditionally focused on crop yield projections, especially staple crops like corn and wheat," lead author Michelle Tigchelaar, a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University who conducted the study while at the University of Washington.
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"This study asks what global warming means for the health of agricultural workers picking fruits and vegetables," Tigchelaar said in a UW news release.
Currently, the average crop picker faces 21 days each year when the daily heat index -- a mix of air temperature and humidity -- exceeds workplace safety standards. Those unsafe days will nearly double by 2050 and triple by the close of the century, the study shows.
Using climate model projections, the researchers predicted 39 unsafe days per season in crop-growing counties with 2 degrees Celsius, or 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, warming, which is expected by 2050.
The total will be 62 unsafe days under 4 degrees Celsius, or 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit, warming, which is expected by 2100.
"I was surprised by the scale of the change -- seeing a doubling of unsafe days by mid-century, then a tripling by 2100. And we think that's a low estimate," Tigchelaar said.
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The researchers also found that heat waves will occur five times as often, on average, with 2 degrees C of warming.
Officially, about 1 million people are employed in picking agricultural crops in the United States. All 20 counties that employ the most pickers are in California, Washington, Oregon and Florida. The actual number of agricultural workers in the United States is estimated to be more than 2 million, according to background notes with the study.
"The climate science community has long been pointing to the global south, the developing countries, as places that will be disproportionately affected by climate change," said study co-author David Battisti, a professor of atmospheric sciences at UW.
"This shows that you don't have to go to the global south to find people who will get hurt with even modest amounts of global warming -- you just have to look in our own backyard," he added.
The findings were published online recently in the journal Environmental Research Letters.
More information
The U.S. Global Change Research Program has more on climate change and human health.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-06--With COVID-19 cases in decline, South Korea opens up to a new normal

SEOUL , May 6 ( UPI ) -- Wednesday marked the beginning of a new phase of loosened social distancing guidelines in South Korea and streets were crowded in downtown Seoul as daily life returned to something close to normal .
The country , which marked its third day in a row of no new locally transmitted COVID-19 infections , commenced its `` everyday life quarantine '' phase , meant to allow for the continued opening up of social and economic activity while maintaining basic health and hygiene protocols , such as wearing masks and practicing safe distancing .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sky , office workers in downtown Seoul filled restaurants and cafes during lunchtime and strolled or sat outdoors alongside a stream that runs through the center of the city .
Most said they felt safe under the relaxed regulations .
`` The atmosphere is looser now , '' said 27-year-old Jang Ji-eun , an IT worker who was sitting by the stream on her lunch break .
`` I still have my mask and am being cautious but my daily routine seems pretty much back to usual . ''
Jang said she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other countries that have seen far more severe outbreaks and extreme lockdown measures and appreciated the steps her government has taken to contain the coronavirus .
`` I feel proud of South Korea , '' she said .
`` At first people were worried because we had an early outbreak .
But now South Korea seems like one of the least dangerous places and is seen as a leading country in treating COVID-19 . ''
South Korea was the first country after China to see widespread local transmission of the coronavirus after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Daegu .
But officials managed to dramatically flatten the curve of new infections through early and aggressive testing and tracing .
Health officials announced just two new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday , both brought by arrivals from overseas .
The country 's total number of cases rose to 10,806 , while the death toll rose by one to 255 .
As new cases have continued to steadily drop , South Korea has allowed for the reopening of venues , such as recreational facilities , nightclubs , places of worship and museums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stadiums without fans as the Korean Baseball Organization kicked off its 2020 season .
Schools will also start reopening next week , with high school seniors returning to class on May 13 and other grades resuming in a phased process throughout the rest of the month .
Health officials stressed that the new measures were not a full return to normal life .
`` We are transitioning into social distancing for daily life , which is all about striking a balance between our ordinary daily lives and the quarantine measures , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , said at a press briefing Wednesday .
`` However , it 's not going back to the pre-COVID-19 days and if the situation is aggravated we will return back to intensified distancing measures at any time . ''
Jung said that officials would be closely watching for any outbreaks tied to a long holiday weekend , which just ended and saw heavy domestic travel .
More than 200,000 visitors descended on the popular tourist destination of Jeju Island over the holidays , a higher-than-expected total , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ packed with eager shoppers .
The KCDC director said the country is aiming to maintain control over the spread of COVID-19 but warned that another outbreak could easily occur .
`` This does not mean that we can be letting our guards down yet , '' she said .
`` COVID-19 can spread silently among people with no symptoms and it also can lead very quickly to widespread cluster infections . ''
Jung added that people were being called on to take personal responsibility under the new guidelines in order to avoid scenarios @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Europe and the United States , they are going through very intensive lockdowns and immense economic fallout , '' she said .
`` In order to prevent this from happening here in Korea we will have to be responsible for our own quarantine measures . ''
In the meantime , South Koreans continued to enjoy a sense of freedom that is rare in many places .
`` I feel the situation is quite under control , '' said Kim Ji-Hoon , a 40-year-old office worker who was strolling during his lunch break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to normal .
Maybe 80 percent , but that makes me very proud . ''

1/5
South Korea began a new phase of loosened social distancing guidelines on Wednesday as the country reported no new local COVID-19 infections for the third day in a row. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI
SEOUL, May 6 (UPI) -- Wednesday marked the beginning of a new phase of loosened social distancing guidelines in South Korea and streets were crowded in downtown Seoul as daily life returned to something close to normal. The country, which marked its third day in a row of no new locally transmitted COVID-19 infections, commenced its "everyday life quarantine" phase, meant to allow for the continued opening up of social and economic activity while maintaining basic health and hygiene protocols, such as wearing masks and practicing safe distancing. Advertisement
As temperatures approached 80 degrees under a sunny sky, office workers in downtown Seoul filled restaurants and cafes during lunchtime and strolled or sat outdoors alongside a stream that runs through the center of the city.
Most said they felt safe under the relaxed regulations.
"The atmosphere is looser now," said 27-year-old Jang Ji-eun, an IT worker who was sitting by the stream on her lunch break. "I still have my mask and am being cautious but my daily routine seems pretty much back to usual."
Advertisement
Jang said she was aware of the contrast between South Korea and other countries that have seen far more severe outbreaks and extreme lockdown measures and appreciated the steps her government has taken to contain the coronavirus.
"I feel proud of South Korea," she said. "At first people were worried because we had an early outbreak. But now South Korea seems like one of the least dangerous places and is seen as a leading country in treating COVID-19."
South Korea was the first country after China to see widespread local transmission of the coronavirus after a February outbreak centered around the southeastern city of Daegu. But officials managed to dramatically flatten the curve of new infections through early and aggressive testing and tracing.
Health officials announced just two new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, both brought by arrivals from overseas. The country's total number of cases rose to 10,806, while the death toll rose by one to 255.
As new cases have continued to steadily drop, South Korea has allowed for the reopening of venues, such as recreational facilities, nightclubs, places of worship and museums.
On Tuesday, professional baseball returned to stadiums without fans as the Korean Baseball Organization kicked off its 2020 season. Schools will also start reopening next week, with high school seniors returning to class on May 13 and other grades resuming in a phased process throughout the rest of the month.
Advertisement
Health officials stressed that the new measures were not a full return to normal life.
"We are transitioning into social distancing for daily life, which is all about striking a balance between our ordinary daily lives and the quarantine measures," Jung Eun-kyeong, director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a press briefing Wednesday. "However, it's not going back to the pre-COVID-19 days and if the situation is aggravated we will return back to intensified distancing measures at any time."
Jung said that officials would be closely watching for any outbreaks tied to a long holiday weekend, which just ended and saw heavy domestic travel. More than 200,000 visitors descended on the popular tourist destination of Jeju Island over the holidays, a higher-than-expected total, and department stores around the country were packed with eager shoppers.
The KCDC director said the country is aiming to maintain control over the spread of COVID-19 but warned that another outbreak could easily occur.
"This does not mean that we can be letting our guards down yet," she said. "COVID-19 can spread silently among people with no symptoms and it also can lead very quickly to widespread cluster infections."
Jung added that people were being called on to take personal responsibility under the new guidelines in order to avoid scenarios seen in many other countries.
Advertisement
"In Europe and the United States, they are going through very intensive lockdowns and immense economic fallout," she said. "In order to prevent this from happening here in Korea we will have to be responsible for our own quarantine measures."
In the meantime, South Koreans continued to enjoy a sense of freedom that is rare in many places.
"I feel the situation is quite under control," said Kim Ji-Hoon, a 40-year-old office worker who was strolling during his lunch break. "It's not 100 percent back to normal. Maybe 80 percent, but that makes me very proud."


upi--2020-05-06--USDA announces another $470 million in purchases for food banks

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, May 6 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a plan to purchase more food from struggling farmers and distribute it to food banks -- some $ 470 million this time .
The purchases , announced this week , will come in addition to the $ 3 billion the USDA pledged to buy farm products as part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program that was announced April 17 .
While across the country farmers welcomed the news , they were quick to warn that even when combined with the other aid programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save the rapidly declining industries .
`` This is like a down payment , '' said Kam Quarles , CEO of the National Potato Council , a Washington D.C.-based trade group .
`` Clearly , more is going to be needed . ''
The USDA intends to use this latest $ 470 million on more than a dozen specific commodities , including potatoes .
Other items include asparagus , chicken , dairy , various types of fish , orange juice , pears , pork , prunes , raisins , strawberries , sweet potatoes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these items have had their markets suddenly disappear during the coronavirus pandemic as a result of the closure of restaurants , schools and other food service providers .
`` Sixty percent of the potato industry went to food service , '' Quarles said .
`` When that market slammed shut , basically overnight , the supply chain for the potato industry started to back up .
And now we 're dealing with a huge oversupply . ''
More than $ 1 billion worth of potatoes are sitting in processing plants and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the backup keeps growing , Quarles said .
The latest USDA purchase plan sets aside $ 50 million for potatoes .
Other farming industries are experiencing similar distress from the sudden loss of food service .
Across the country , dairy farmers are dumping milk once bound for schoolchildren , while fresh produce growers are tilling vegetables no longer needed by restaurants into the soil and livestock producers are euthanizing animals they ca n't sell for slaughter .
`` Anything helps , '' said Donovan Johnson , president of the Minnesota-based Northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're grateful for anything that could help relieve the catastrophic damage that 's going on .
But this is total devastation . ''

People line up to receive bags of food from the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank in the parking lot of the Cow Palace in Daly City, Calif. on April 17. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
EVANSVILLE, Ind., May 6 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a plan to purchase more food from struggling farmers and distribute it to food banks -- some $470 million this time. The purchases, announced this week, will come in addition to the $3 billion the USDA pledged to buy farm products as part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program that was announced April 17. Advertisement
While across the country farmers welcomed the news, they were quick to warn that even when combined with the other aid programs, this won't be enough to save the rapidly declining industries.
"This is like a down payment," said Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council, a Washington D.C.-based trade group. "Clearly, more is going to be needed."
The USDA intends to use this latest $470 million on more than a dozen specific commodities, including potatoes. Other items include asparagus, chicken, dairy, various types of fish, orange juice, pears, pork, prunes, raisins, strawberries, sweet potatoes, tart cherries and turkey.
Many of these items have had their markets suddenly disappear during the coronavirus pandemic as a result of the closure of restaurants, schools and other food service providers.
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"Sixty percent of the potato industry went to food service," Quarles said. "When that market slammed shut, basically overnight, the supply chain for the potato industry started to back up. And now we're dealing with a huge oversupply."
More than $1 billion worth of potatoes are sitting in processing plants and in farm storage with nowhere to go, and the backup keeps growing, Quarles said.
The latest USDA purchase plan sets aside $50 million for potatoes.
Other farming industries are experiencing similar distress from the sudden loss of food service.
Across the country, dairy farmers are dumping milk once bound for schoolchildren, while fresh produce growers are tilling vegetables no longer needed by restaurants into the soil and livestock producers are euthanizing animals they can't sell for slaughter.
"Anything helps," said Donovan Johnson, president of the Minnesota-based Northern Plains Potato Growers Association. "We're grateful for anything that could help relieve the catastrophic damage that's going on. But this is total devastation."


upi--2020-05-06--Florida team studies hydroponic hemp as toxic algae remedy

ORLANDO , Fla. , May 6 ( UPI ) -- Florida researchers have started to study how hemp plants could battle toxic algae blooms by cleaning polluted waterways .
If research results appear promising , they intend to grow large mats of hemp in key Florida waterways , potentially providing a source of industrial hemp fiber while also benefiting water quality .
`` I 'd like to see 10,000 acres of hemp mats growing in Lake Okeechobee to help restore the lake as the pristine bass fishery it once was , '' said Steven Edmonds , founder of Hemp4Water and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Orlando .
Edmonds teamed up with researchers at South Florida State College , near Tampa , on the project .
Edmonds has been an advocate for water quality and for cannabis legalization for years .
He started Hemp4Water as a Facebook group in 2013 to encourage using hemp to improve water quality .
A severe bloom of red tide algae that year in southwest Florida killed more than 240 manatees , motivating Edmonds to seek a solution .
Hemp is a non-intoxicating version of cannabis .
`` I know that hemp growers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water supply that 's rich in nitrogen and phosphorus because cannabis needs that , '' Edmonds said .
`` It just makes sense to try this . ''
So far , the project has not been funded , but help has come from staff members at Florida State College .
Martin Ecosystems , of Baton Rouge , La.
, donated growing containers and floating mats .
The college became involved when Kendall Carson , a program specialist in agriculture research there , overhead Edmonds talking about hemp 's water cleansing abilities at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hemp research .
To conduct the research , staff members place hemp plants on the mats with some soil and clay .
Roots are allowed to hang down into the water .
The plants eventually suck up nitrogen and phosphorus , two nutrients that occur naturally .
After decades of farming , development and canal dredging , Lake Okeechobee and other Florida waters are overloaded with the nutrients .
Water from the lake travels to both Florida coasts through canals , or into the Everglades , carrying the nutrient pollution that feeds toxic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health problems associated with harmful algae cost the nation $ 22 million annually , according to a report from the University of Florida .
Toxic algae , which usually float near shore or wash onto beaches and cause foul odors , kill fish and marine life .
A severe outbreak of red tide algae in southwest Florida in 2018 damaged the fishing and tourism industries .
Blue-green algae in 2016 left harbors full of dead fish in the Indian River Lagoon along the Atlantic Coast .
The research will show how much nitrogen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water .
Researchers then will calculate how much of the nutrients can be cleaned up by larger plantings .
Carson said students in biology , agriculture and environmental studies help to grow the plants and process data .
A chemistry instructor plans to publish a paper on the results .
`` You can grow the hemp and clean the water systems and harvest it and put it to good use , '' Carson said .
`` If every person with a lakefront home had a mat growing hemp , they could harvest it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plants have been many times used to clean polluted water and soil , said Paul Gray , a scientist with the non-profit Everglades Foundation , which is n't involved in the project .
He said the research could be valuable , but large-scale plantings would need a lot more study .
Gray pointed out that Lake Okeechobee has tremendous water volume even though it is very shallow .
It is the 10th-largest lake in the United States at over 440,000 acres .
`` Hydroponics for other plants have been used to clean up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for Lake Okeechobee would be ambitious , and it would be hard to anchor it , '' Gray said .
`` If you put 10,000 acres of hemp in the lake , that could cause other complications that would have to be studied , like blocked sunlight . ''

1/3
Researchers at South Florida State College study floating hemp plants for their ability to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from water. Photo courtesy of South Florida State College
ORLANDO, Fla., May 6 (UPI) -- Florida researchers have started to study how hemp plants could battle toxic algae blooms by cleaning polluted waterways. If research results appear promising, they intend to grow large mats of hemp in key Florida waterways, potentially providing a source of industrial hemp fiber while also benefiting water quality. Advertisement
"I'd like to see 10,000 acres of hemp mats growing in Lake Okeechobee to help restore the lake as the pristine bass fishery it once was," said Steven Edmonds, founder of Hemp4Water and a political science instructor at Valencia College in Orlando.
Edmonds teamed up with researchers at South Florida State College, near Tampa, on the project.
Edmonds has been an advocate for water quality and for cannabis legalization for years. He started Hemp4Water as a Facebook group in 2013 to encourage using hemp to improve water quality.
Advertisement
A severe bloom of red tide algae that year in southwest Florida killed more than 240 manatees, motivating Edmonds to seek a solution. Hemp is a non-intoxicating version of cannabis.
"I know that hemp growers spend a lot of money creating a water supply that's rich in nitrogen and phosphorus because cannabis needs that," Edmonds said. "It just makes sense to try this."
So far, the project has not been funded, but help has come from staff members at South Florida State College. Martin Ecosystems, of Baton Rouge, La., donated growing containers and floating mats.
The college became involved when Kendall Carson, a program specialist in agriculture research there, overhead Edmonds talking about hemp's water cleansing abilities at a conference. She was seeking ideas for hemp research.
To conduct the research, staff members place hemp plants on the mats with some soil and clay. Roots are allowed to hang down into the water. The plants eventually suck up nitrogen and phosphorus, two nutrients that occur naturally.
After decades of farming, development and canal dredging, Lake Okeechobee and other Florida waters are overloaded with the nutrients.
Water from the lake travels to both Florida coasts through canals, or into the Everglades, carrying the nutrient pollution that feeds toxic blue-green algae and red tide algae.
Advertisement
Health problems associated with harmful algae cost the nation $22 million annually, according to a report from the University of Florida. Toxic algae, which usually float near shore or wash onto beaches and cause foul odors, kill fish and marine life.
A severe outbreak of red tide algae in southwest Florida in 2018 damaged the fishing and tourism industries. Blue-green algae in 2016 left harbors full of dead fish in the Indian River Lagoon along the Atlantic Coast.
The research will show how much nitrogen and phosphorus each plant removes from the water. Researchers then will calculate how much of the nutrients can be cleaned up by larger plantings.
Carson said students in biology, agriculture and environmental studies help to grow the plants and process data. A chemistry instructor plans to publish a paper on the results.
"You can grow the hemp and clean the water systems and harvest it and put it to good use," Carson said. "If every person with a lakefront home had a mat growing hemp, they could harvest it and clean up the water."
Plants have been many times used to clean polluted water and soil, said Paul Gray, a scientist with the non-profit Audubon Florida, which isn't involved in the project. He said the research could be valuable, but large-scale plantings would need a lot more study.
Advertisement
Gray pointed out that Lake Okeechobee has tremendous water volume even though it is very shallow. It is the 10th-largest lake in the United States at over 440,000 acres.
"Hydroponics for other plants have been used to clean up waterways, but trying to scale it up for Lake Okeechobee would be ambitious, and it would be hard to anchor it," Gray said.
"If you put 10,000 acres of hemp in the lake, that could cause other complications that would have to be studied, like blocked sunlight."


upi--2020-05-06--Famous birthdays for May 6: Roma Downey, Bob Seger

May 6 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus .
-- Martin @ @ @ @ @ records as an NHL goaltender , in 1972 ( age 48 )

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Roma Downey arrives for the 68th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 18, 2016. The actor turns 60 on May 6. File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
May 6 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus. They include: Advertisement
-- French revolutionary Maximilien Robespierre in 1758
-- Austrian psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud in 1856
-- Arctic explorer Robert Peary in 1856
-- Silent screen star Rudolph Valentino in 1895
-- Restaurateur Toots Shor in 1903
-- Actor/director/writer Orson Welles in 1915
-- Author Theodore White in 1915
-- Baseball legend Willie Mays in 1931 (age 89)
-- Rock musician Bob Seger in 1945 (age 75)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1953 (age 67)
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-- TV host Tom Bergeron in 1955 (age 65)
-- Musician John Flansburgh in 1960 (age 60)
-- Actor Roma Downey in 1960 (age 60)
-- Actor George Clooney in 1961 (age 59)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Martin Brodeur, who set numerous records as an NHL goaltender, in 1972 (age 48)
-- Actor Gabourey Sidibe in 1983 (age 37)
-- Actor Adrianne Palicki in 1983 (age 37)
-- Rapper Meek Mill, born Robert Rihmeek Williams, in 1987 (age 33)
-- Actor Naomi Scott in 1993 (age 27)
-- Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, member of the British royal family, in 2019 (age 1)


upi--2020-05-06--Niecy Nash: Except for the pandemic, 'I'm always working'

LOS ANGELES , May 6 ( UPI ) -- The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Niecy Nash to stop acting as she follows stay-at-home orders in California .
Nevertheless , Nash 's shows Mrs. America , Never Have I Ever and Reno 911 !
, her movie Uncorked and an appearance on an OWN show all released between March and May .
`` I 've always been employed with at least two jobs at a time , sometimes three , '' Nash told UPI in a phone interview Monday .
`` So I know that is the way it has worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID , what would I be doing right now ?
Working . ''
Before productions shut down across the industry , Nash had completed her roles in Mrs. America , Never Have I Ever , Reno 911 !
and Uncorked .
She also filmed an appearance on Fear Not with Iyanla Vanzant remotely from home .
Nash tries to pay every job forward , too .
On each acting job , she tries to get others work , whether as production assistants and stand-ins or sometimes songwriters who may be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show .
`` I just think it 's the law of reciprocity that it comes back to me , '' Nash said .
`` That 's not why I do it .
I do it because I do n't want to be selfish and I do n't want to hoard a blessing .
However , the other side of that is that the universe responds in kind and I 'm consistently working . ''
She also spread the wealth while working on Never Have I Ever , which premiered April 27 on Netflix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therapist Devi ( Maitreyi Ramakrishnan ) sees to talk through her weekly high school troubles .
Nash said she hired her own makeup person , following her personal rule .
`` My therapist is not as glamorous as my character was , '' Nash said .
`` My character was super cute on Never Have I Ever . ''
Created by Mindy Kaling , Never Have I Ever had filmed the therapist scenes with a different actor .
The show decided to recast and called Nash .
`` When they reached out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at hello .
Let 's do it . '
'' Nash said .
Nash said she did not inquire about the previous actor .
She filmed all the Dr. Ryan scenes in two days .
`` I feel like they wanted me to just play it real and let the comedy just come naturally , '' Nash said .
`` I had worked with Mindy before on The Mindy Project , so we were already familiar with each other .
It was like , 'You know what to do . '
And I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Ryan tries to help Devi address her deeper issues .
Devi 's father ( Sendhil Ramamurthy ) died at one of Devi 's recitals .
Devi experienced temporary paralysis , but now wants to focus on boys , her social life and college prospects .
Dr. Ryan believes Devi has more work to do psychologically .
Nash could relate to Dr. Ryan trying to help the younger generation cope .
`` I have children , so I talk to them very straightforwardly and directly , '' Nash said .
`` So I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my motherly instincts in [ Dr .
Ryan ] . ''
Nash does n't stop at her own kids .
She also mentors a young woman she met in 2012 at a Girls Inc. event .
`` I 've been working with her since she was probably 14 or 15 , '' Nash said .
`` A lot of celebrities went down and spoke to the girls .
The rest of the girls , I think , just showed up for the day , but I ended up taking on the challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now . ''
Nash takes credit for convincing her co-stars to do the Reno 911 !
revival that premiered on Quibi on Monday .
`` I will call [ the other cast members ] , '' Nash said .
`` I will put a group email together two or three times a year , like , 'Hey guys , we really should do this .
Hey guys , we were really great together .
Hey guys . '
I was relentless .
I feel like I kept putting good juju in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now has work spread over multiple streaming services .
Mrs. America premiered April 15 on FX on Hulu .
In the story of feminist activist Gloria Steinem ( Rose Byrne ) and Equal Rights Amendment opponent Phyllis Schlafly ( Cate Blanchett ) , Nash plays feminist leader Flo Kennedy .
She said the ensemble cast -- which includes Sarah Paulson , Uzo Aduba , Tracey Ullman , Elizabeth Banks , Margo Martindale , Melanie Lynskey , Jeanne Tripplehorn , Ari Graynor and more -- inspired her to pitch yet another project .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women I have ever met , '' Nash said .
`` I said , 'Girl , I did n't know you were that funny , ' because we always see her play very dramatic roles and intense roles .
So we walked away from that and decided we needed to do a buddy comedy together . ''
Back on Netflix , the film Uncorked premiered March 27 .
Nash plays the matriarch of a family who owns a barbecue business .
Her son ( Mamoudou Athie ) wants to be a sommelier instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's his father ( Courtney B. Vance ) who wants him to take over the family business .
`` It 's a beautiful father/son story that you typically may not see this particular story with African Americans , '' Nash said .
`` It 's funny and fun and heartwarming and all that stuff . ''
In the unscripted realm , Fear Not premieres May 16 on OWN .
Vanzant interviewed Nash about coping with fear during the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` I am really trying to just keep my peace by journaling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm still in therapy remotely .
There are so many things that we do not know .
Right now , I 'm responsible for so many people in my family , so to be unemployed and to not know how long you 're going to be unemployed can cause some anxiety . ''
One job about which Nash is unsure is her TNT series , Claws .
She was in the middle of filming the show 's fourth and final season when production shut down .
The future of Claws remains uncertain .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we were on Episode 4 or 5 , '' Nash said .
`` There 's talk that we 're going to come back and finish it , but we do n't know . ''

1/2
Niecy Nash stepped in as Dr. Ryan for "Never Have I Ever" reshoots. Photo courtesy of Netflix
LOS ANGELES, May 6 (UPI) -- The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Niecy Nash to stop acting as she follows stay-at-home orders in California. Nevertheless, Nash's shows Mrs. America, Never Have I Ever and Reno 911!, her movie Uncorked and an appearance on an OWN show all released between March and May. "I've always been employed with at least two jobs at a time, sometimes three," Nash told UPI in a phone interview Monday. "So I know that is the way it has worked for me. Were it not for the COVID, what would I be doing right now? Working." Advertisement
Before productions shut down across the industry, Nash had completed her roles in Mrs. America, Never Have I Ever, Reno 911! and Uncorked. She also filmed an appearance on Fear Not with Iyanla Vanzant remotely from home.
Nash tries to pay every job forward, too. On each acting job, she tries to get others work, whether as production assistants and stand-ins or sometimes songwriters who may be able to sell a piece of music to her show.
Advertisement
"I just think it's the law of reciprocity that it comes back to me," Nash said. "That's not why I do it. I do it because I don't want to be selfish and I don't want to hoard a blessing. However, the other side of that is that the universe responds in kind and I'm consistently working."
Inspiring youth
She also spread the wealth while working on Never Have I Ever, which premiered April 27 on Netflix. Nash plays Dr. Ryan, the therapist Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) sees to talk through her weekly high school troubles. Nash said she hired her own makeup person, following her personal rule.
"My therapist is not as glamorous as my character was," Nash said. "My character was super cute on Never Have I Ever."
Created by Mindy Kaling, Never Have I Ever had filmed the therapist scenes with a different actor. The show decided to recast and called Nash.
"When they reached out, I was like, 'You had me at hello. Let's do it.'" Nash said.
Nash said she did not inquire about the previous actor. She filmed all the Dr. Ryan scenes in two days.
"I feel like they wanted me to just play it real and let the comedy just come naturally," Nash said. "I had worked with Mindy before on The Mindy Project, so we were already familiar with each other. It was like, 'You know what to do.' And I'm like, 'OK.'"
Advertisement
Dr. Ryan tries to help Devi address her deeper issues. Devi's father (Sendhil Ramamurthy) died at one of Devi's recitals. Devi experienced temporary paralysis, but now wants to focus on boys, her social life and college prospects. Dr. Ryan believes Devi has more work to do psychologically.
Nash could relate to Dr. Ryan trying to help the younger generation cope.
"I have children, so I talk to them very straightforwardly and directly," Nash said. "So I just try to bake a little bit of my motherly instincts in [Dr. Ryan]."
Nash doesn't stop at her own kids. She also mentors a young woman she met in 2012 at a Girls Inc. event.
"I've been working with her since she was probably 14 or 15," Nash said. "A lot of celebrities went down and spoke to the girls. The rest of the girls, I think, just showed up for the day, but I ended up taking on the challenge, being in her life up until now."
Nash's busy season
Nash takes credit for convincing her co-stars to do the Reno 911! revival that premiered on Quibi on Monday.
"I will call [the other cast members]," Nash said. "I will put a group email together two or three times a year, like, 'Hey guys, we really should do this. Hey guys, we were really great together. Hey guys.' I was relentless. I feel like I kept putting good juju in the world and here we are."
Advertisement
Nash now has work spread over multiple streaming services. Mrs. America premiered April 15 on FX on Hulu. In the story of feminist activist Gloria Steinem (Rose Byrne) and Equal Rights Amendment opponent Phyllis Schlafly (Cate Blanchett), Nash plays feminist leader Flo Kennedy.
She said the ensemble cast -- which includes Sarah Paulson, Uzo Aduba, Tracey Ullman, Elizabeth Banks, Margo Martindale, Melanie Lynskey, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Ari Graynor and more -- inspired her to pitch yet another project.
"Sarah Paulson is one of the funniest women I have ever met," Nash said. "I said, 'Girl, I didn't know you were that funny,' because we always see her play very dramatic roles and intense roles. So we walked away from that and decided we needed to do a buddy comedy together."
Back on Netflix, the film Uncorked premiered March 27. Nash plays the matriarch of a family who owns a barbecue business. Her son (Mamoudou Athie) wants to be a sommelier instead, which his mother supports. It's his father (Courtney B. Vance) who wants him to take over the family business.
Advertisement
"It's a beautiful father/son story that you typically may not see this particular story with African Americans," Nash said. "It's funny and fun and heartwarming and all that stuff."
In the unscripted realm, Fear Not premieres May 16 on OWN. Vanzant interviewed Nash about coping with fear during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I am really trying to just keep my peace by journaling," Nash said. "I'm still in therapy remotely. There are so many things that we do not know. Right now, I'm responsible for so many people in my family, so to be unemployed and to not know how long you're going to be unemployed can cause some anxiety."
One job about which Nash is unsure is her TNT series, Claws. She was in the middle of filming the show's fourth and final season when production shut down. The future of Claws remains uncertain.
"We shut down production maybe when we were on Episode 4 or 5," Nash said. "There's talk that we're going to come back and finish it, but we don't know."


upi--2020-05-06--On This Day, May 6: 'Grapes of Wrath' wins Pulitzer Prize

May 6 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1863 , Confederate forces commanded by Gen. Robert E. Lee routed Union troops under Gen. Joseph Hooker at the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia .
In 1915 , Babe Ruth of the Boston Red Sox hit his first major league home run in a game against the New York Yankees .
In 1935 , in the depths of the Depression , the Works Progress Administration was established to provide work for the unemployed .
In 1937 , the German passenger airship Hindenburg erupted in a fireball at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Europe after static electricity ignited the airship 's flammable fabric skin .
The disaster killed 35 of the 97 passengers and crew aboard the zeppelin .
In 1940 , The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction .
A rare , first-edition of the novel fetched $ 48,000 at auction in 2007 .
In 1941 , Josef Stalin became official leader of the Soviet government .
In 1954 , 25-year-old British medical student Roger Bannister cracked track and field 's most famous barrier , the 4-minute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , England .
His time : 3 minutes , 59.4 seconds .
In 1992 , legendary actress Marlene Dietrich died at her Paris home at age 90 .
In 1994 , the Channel Tunnel , a railway under the English Channel connecting Britain and France , was officially opened .
In 2001 , John Paul II became the first pope to enter a mosque -- the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus , Syria .
In 2006 , the largest rebel group in Sudan 's Darfur region and the government of Sudan signed a peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed an estimated 200,000 lives .
In 2009 , Dave Bing , Hall of Fame star for the NBA 's Detroit Pistons , was elected mayor of Detroit , succeeding the ousted Kwame Kilpatrick .
In 2010 , British voters gave the Conservatives control of Parliament , ultimately making David Cameron , 43 , Britain 's youngest prime minister in almost 200 years .
In 2012 , Socialist leader Francois Hollande was elected president of France .
In 2013 , three women missing for 10 years were found alive in Cleveland .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleaded guilty to charges including kidnapping and rape .
He killed himself in prison .
In 2017 , French lawmakers passed a bill that requires models to provide a doctor 's note to prove they are healthy , a bid to crack down on dangerously skinny models in the nation 's highly competitive fashion industry .
In 2019 , Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said the country would n't execute gay people after receiving backlash for its interpretation of Islamic law .

1/3
John Steinbeck in November 1939. File Photo courtesy of McFadden Publications, Inc./Wikimedia
May 6 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1863, Confederate forces commanded by Gen. Robert E. Lee routed Union troops under Gen. Joseph Hooker at the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia. Advertisement
In 1915, Babe Ruth of the Boston Red Sox hit his first major league home run in a game against the New York Yankees.
In 1935, in the depths of the Depression, the Works Progress Administration was established to provide work for the unemployed.
In 1937, the German passenger airship Hindenburg erupted in a fireball at Lakehurst, N.J., on its arrival from Europe after static electricity ignited the airship's flammable fabric skin. The disaster killed 35 of the 97 passengers and crew aboard the zeppelin.
In 1940, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. A rare, first-edition of the novel fetched $48,000 at auction in 2007.
In 1941, Josef Stalin became official leader of the Soviet government.
In 1954, 25-year-old British medical student Roger Bannister cracked track and field's most famous barrier, the 4-minute mile, during a meet at Oxford, England. His time: 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds.
Advertisement
File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI
In 1992, legendary actress Marlene Dietrich died at her Paris home at age 90.
In 1994, the Channel Tunnel, a railway under the English Channel connecting Britain and France, was officially opened.
In 2001, John Paul II became the first pope to enter a mosque -- the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria.
In 2006, the largest rebel group in Sudan's Darfur region and the government of Sudan signed a peace agreement ending their three-year armed conflict that claimed an estimated 200,000 lives.
In 2009, Dave Bing, Hall of Fame star for the NBA's Detroit Pistons, was elected mayor of Detroit, succeeding the ousted Kwame Kilpatrick.
In 2010, British voters gave the Conservatives control of Parliament, ultimately making David Cameron, 43, Britain's youngest prime minister in almost 200 years.
File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI
In 2012, Socialist leader Francois Hollande was elected president of France.
Advertisement
In 2013, three women missing for 10 years were found alive in Cleveland. The man who had kept them as hostages pleaded guilty to charges including kidnapping and rape. He killed himself in prison.
In 2017, French lawmakers passed a bill that requires models to provide a doctor's note to prove they are healthy, a bid to crack down on dangerously skinny models in the nation's highly competitive fashion industry.
In 2019, Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said the country wouldn't execute gay people after receiving backlash for its interpretation of Islamic law.


upi--2020-05-06--Study reveals evidence of brain hitting 'replay' during sleep

If you 've ever wondered what your brain is doing while you sleep , a new study gives the first direct evidence that it 's busy `` replaying '' our waking experiences .
The finding comes from a research project called BrainGate , which is testing new technology for people who are paralyzed or have lost a limb .
Participants have `` micro-electrodes '' implanted in their brains , to allow them to exert mind control over assistive devices or prosthetic limbs .
The work also let researchers catch a glimpse of what happens in the brain during rest -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game .
It turned out that the same brain cells that were firing during the game kept firing as people drifted into light sleep .
In a nutshell , the brain seemed to be `` replaying '' the experience , said researcher Beata Jarosiewicz , a senior scientist at NeuroPace , Inc. , a California-based company that makes implantable medical devices .
That 's not direct proof that sleep helps us consolidate memories or learn more efficiently , Jarosiewicz emphasized .
But , she said , the findings add to the list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sleep is important for many reasons , including your brain function , '' she said .
The findings , published May 5 in the journal Cell Reports , are not surprising .
Based on past research in animals and humans , researchers have believed that replay happens during sleep , according to Dr. Phyllis Zee , a sleep researcher who was not involved in the study .
But past studies of humans have used non-invasive recordings of brain activity .
And they 've looked at broader patterns of `` collective '' brain-cell firing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , in Chicago .
Here , she said , researchers were able to zero in on which brain cells were firing .
And the same ones that fired during the game fired during the rest period immediately after .
For the study , Jarosiewicz and her colleagues observed two patients who had had micro-electrodes implanted in their brains .
Both were paralyzed -- one due to a spinal cord injury , the other to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , or Lou Gehrig 's disease .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sequence-copying '' game , which they describe as similar to the 1980s game Simon : Four color panels lit up in different sequences that the players had to repeat .
But instead of using their hands to do it , they used their minds .
Before and after each game-playing session , participants had a rest period of about 30 minutes .
During that time , they drifted off into early-stage sleep , Jarosiewicz said .
Yet their brain cells continued to fire as they did during the game -- as if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study did not dig into whether such replay improved participants ' learning or game performance .
That 's for future research , according to Jarosiewicz .
Another question , she said , is whether similar replay happens when we go to sleep at night -- and not just during a catnap .
What 's interesting , Zee said , is that the replay activity was present when participants were simply resting and grew stronger once they were dozing .
That raises the possibility that even short rest periods could be a learning aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people took a break during the day -- got a little down time -- it might help with memory consolidation , '' Zee said .
That idea is in line with some advice she often gives patients .
`` Just lie back and close your eyes for a while , '' Zee said .
`` It calms you down and may help your brain reset . ''
The National Sleep Foundation has more on sleep and memory .

While the brain "resets" while people sleep, a new study has shown it also replays waking experiences. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
If you've ever wondered what your brain is doing while you sleep, a new study gives the first direct evidence that it's busy "replaying" our waking experiences. The finding comes from a research project called BrainGate, which is testing new technology for people who are paralyzed or have lost a limb. Participants have "micro-electrodes" implanted in their brains, to allow them to exert mind control over assistive devices or prosthetic limbs. Advertisement
The work also let researchers catch a glimpse of what happens in the brain during rest -- specifically after participants had played a new game. It turned out that the same brain cells that were firing during the game kept firing as people drifted into light sleep.
In a nutshell, the brain seemed to be "replaying" the experience, said researcher Beata Jarosiewicz, a senior scientist at NeuroPace, Inc., a California-based company that makes implantable medical devices.
Advertisement
That's not direct proof that sleep helps us consolidate memories or learn more efficiently, Jarosiewicz emphasized. But, she said, the findings add to the list of reasons to get enough rest.
"Sleep is important for many reasons, including your brain function," she said.
The findings, published May 5 in the journal Cell Reports, are not surprising.
Based on past research in animals and humans, researchers have believed that replay happens during sleep, according to Dr. Phyllis Zee, a sleep researcher who was not involved in the study.
But past studies of humans have used non-invasive recordings of brain activity. And they've looked at broader patterns of "collective" brain-cell firing, said Zee, a professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, in Chicago.
Here, she said, researchers were able to zero in on which brain cells were firing. And the same ones that fired during the game fired during the rest period immediately after.
For the study, Jarosiewicz and her colleagues observed two patients who had had micro-electrodes implanted in their brains. Both were paralyzed -- one due to a spinal cord injury, the other to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease.
The researchers asked both to play a "sequence-copying" game, which they describe as similar to the 1980s game Simon: Four color panels lit up in different sequences that the players had to repeat. But instead of using their hands to do it, they used their minds.
Advertisement
Before and after each game-playing session, participants had a rest period of about 30 minutes. During that time, they drifted off into early-stage sleep, Jarosiewicz said. Yet their brain cells continued to fire as they did during the game -- as if the cells were replaying the experience.
The study did not dig into whether such replay improved participants' learning or game performance. That's for future research, according to Jarosiewicz. Another question, she said, is whether similar replay happens when we go to sleep at night -- and not just during a catnap.
What's interesting, Zee said, is that the replay activity was present when participants were simply resting and grew stronger once they were dozing.
That raises the possibility that even short rest periods could be a learning aid, she said.
"Maybe if people took a break during the day -- got a little down time -- it might help with memory consolidation," Zee said.
That idea is in line with some advice she often gives patients. "Just lie back and close your eyes for a while," Zee said. "It calms you down and may help your brain reset."
More information
The National Sleep Foundation has more on sleep and memory.
Advertisement
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-06--New England pair first in nation charged in payroll relief program scam

May 6 ( UPI ) -- Authorities have arrested two New England men for attempting to defraud a federal loan program , becoming the first people charged in connection to a government program aimed at helping small businesses suffering amid the coronavirus pandemic pay employees .
The men , David A. Staveley , 52 , and David Butziger , 51 , are accused of applying for more than $ 500,000 in forgivable loans from the new CARES Act Payroll Protection Program claiming to have dozens of employees at four companies , the Justice Department said in a statement .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pair of applying for the loans to pay employees at businesses that had stopped operating prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and had zero staff on payroll .
`` It is unconscionable that anyone would attempt to steal from a program intended to help hard-working Americans continue to be paid so they can feed their families and pay some of their bills , '' said U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Weisman for the District of Rhode Island .
The charges come as the Justice Department has been tasked by Attorney General William Barr to target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including price gauging , scams and the selling of fraudulent products .
According to the court documents , the two men conspired over email to defraud the $ 660 billion Payroll Protection Program that is part of the federal government 's more than $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief bill President Donald Trump signed in late March .
Prosecutors said Staveley , of Andover , Mass.
, filed bank loan applications for more than $ 438,000 to pay dozens of employees at three restaurants that an investigation showed two of which were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic and the third he did not own .
Butziger , of Warwick , R.I. , is accused of filing for more than $ 105,000 from the Small-Business Administration under the Payment Protection Program to pay seven full-time employees but agents interviewed several of the supposed workers who said they were never employed by the restaurant in question .
The two men were arrested Tuesday and have been charged with conspiracy to make false statements to influence the SBA and conspiracy to commit bank fraud .
Staveley faces an additional charge of aggravated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bank fraud .
`` David Staveley and David Butziger tried to capitalize on the coronavirus crisis by conspiring to fraudulently obtain more than half a million dollars in forgivable loans that were intended to help small businesses teetering on the edge of financial ruin , '' said Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta of the Federal Bureau of Investigation 's Boston Field Office , adding , their arrests `` should serve as a warning to others that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will aggressively go after bad actors like them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opportunity to commit fraud . ''

May 6 (UPI) -- Authorities have arrested two New England men for attempting to defraud a federal loan program, becoming the first people charged in connection to a government program aimed at helping small businesses suffering amid the coronavirus pandemic pay employees.
The men, David A. Staveley, 52, and David Butziger, 51, are accused of applying for more than $500,000 in forgivable loans from the new CARES Act Payroll Protection Program claiming to have dozens of employees at four companies, the Justice Department said in a statement.
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According to court documents, prosecutors accuse the pair of applying for the loans to pay employees at businesses that had stopped operating prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and had zero staff on payroll.
"It is unconscionable that anyone would attempt to steal from a program intended to help hard-working Americans continue to be paid so they can feed their families and pay some of their bills," said U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Weisman for the District of Rhode Island.
The charges come as the Justice Department has been tasked by Attorney General William Barr to target crimes attempting to exploit the coronavirus pandemic, including price gauging, scams and the selling of fraudulent products.
Advertisement
According to the court documents, the two men conspired over email to defraud the $660 billion Payroll Protection Program that is part of the federal government's more than $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill President Donald Trump signed in late March.
Prosecutors said Staveley, of Andover, Mass., filed bank loan applications for more than $438,000 to pay dozens of employees at three restaurants that an investigation showed two of which were not open prior to the start of the pandemic and the third he did not own.
Butziger, of Warwick, R.I., is accused of filing for more than $105,000 from the Small-Business Administration under the Payment Protection Program to pay seven full-time employees but agents interviewed several of the supposed workers who said they were never employed by the restaurant in question.
The two men were arrested Tuesday and have been charged with conspiracy to make false statements to influence the SBA and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Staveley faces an additional charge of aggravated identify theft and Butziger was charged with bank fraud.
"David Staveley and David Butziger tried to capitalize on the coronavirus crisis by conspiring to fraudulently obtain more than half a million dollars in forgivable loans that were intended to help small businesses teetering on the edge of financial ruin," said Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Boston Field Office, adding, their arrests "should serve as a warning to others that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will aggressively go after bad actors like them who are utilizing the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to commit fraud."


upi--2020-05-06--'Masked Singer:' Jackie Evancho eliminated; show renewed for Season 4

May 6 ( UPI ) -- Opera singer Jackie Evancho -- dressed in a kitty costume -- became the latest @ @ @ @ @ 3 of Fox 's The Masked Singer competition series Wednesday night .
Previous stars who @ @ @ @ @ show this season include Hunter Hayes , Bret Michaels , Jordyn Woods , Rob Gronkowski @ @ @ @ @ Thorne , Sarah Palin , Tom Bergeron , Dionne Warwick , Tony Hawk , Chaka @ @ @ @ @ Lil Wayne .
Four costumed performers remain in the competition , which is hosted by @ @ @ @ @ ' panel is comprised of Ken Jeong , Jenny McCarthy , Robin Thicke and Nicole @ @ @ @ @ Did n't see that coming at all .
# KittyMask is @ jackieevancho , '' @ @ @ @ @ aired .
The show was also renewed Wednesday for a fourth season , which is @ @ @ @ @ August for a fall debut , Deadline.com said .
Season 3 is slated to wrap @ @ @ @

Jackie Evancho was eliminated from "The Masked Singer" on Wednesday night. File Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI | License Photo
May 6 (UPI) -- Opera singer Jackie Evancho -- dressed in a kitty costume -- became the latest disguised celebrity eliminated from Season 3 of Fox's The Masked Singer competition series Wednesday night. Previous stars who have been voted off the show this season include Hunter Hayes, Bret Michaels, Jordyn Woods, Rob Gronkowski, JoJo Siwa, Bella Thorne, Sarah Palin, Tom Bergeron, Dionne Warwick, Tony Hawk, Chaka Khan, Drew Carey and Lil Wayne. Advertisement
Four costumed performers remain in the competition, which is hosted by Nick Cannon.
The judges' panel is comprised of Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Robin Thicke and Nicole Scherzinger.
"WOAHHHHH! Didn't see that coming at all. #KittyMask is @jackieevancho," Scheriznger tweeted after the episode aired.
The show was also renewed Wednesday for a fourth season, which is expected to begin taping in August for a fall debut, Deadline.com said.
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Season 3 is slated to wrap on May 20.


upi--2020-05-06--COVID-19 leaves U.S. hospitals in financial crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic has done untold economic damage in the United States , with businesses shuttering and people self-isolating at home to try to slow the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus .
You might think hospitals and health care systems would be immune to this wave of financial ruin , since there 's no industry more crucial to America 's fight against the pandemic .
The health care industry experienced an estimated $ 500 billion reduction in revenue during the first quarter of 2020 , said Dr. David Shulkin , a former secretary of Veterans Affairs and former president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New York City .
`` There 's no doubt our hospitals , health systems , health care providers in general have taken a significant financial hit during this crisis , '' Shulkin said during a HealthDay Live Stream interview .
`` In general , the average hospital has seen about a 40 percent to 45 percent decrease in operating revenue during this period of time . ''
In response , hospitals and health care companies have announced a wave of layoffs and cutbacks : • Mayo Clinic said it will cut $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 3 billion revenue loss , including furloughs or shorter hours for about 30,000 staff members .
• Quest Diagnostics is furloughing nearly one in every 10 employees , more than 4,000 people , following a decline in testing that 's not related to the coronavirus .
These cuts might seem incongruous , given news reports of emergency rooms overrun with COVID-19 cases and hospitals running out of beds in epidemic zones , said Leighton Ku , director of the George Washington University Center for Health Policy Research .
But the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business of health care in much the same way it has affected other industries , Ku and Shulkin said .
Elective procedures account for about one-third of total inpatient hospital revenue , according to a recent editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association .
By one estimate , hospitals earn $ 700 more for an elective admission than for an admission through the emergency department .
Nearly all elective procedures were halted under lockdown orders intended to promote social distancing , including lucrative surgeries to treat orthopedic injuries , heart problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Those are some things that tended to be their profit centers , '' Ku said .
The Illinois Hospital Association estimated that COVID-19-related cancellations and delays were causing hospitals to lose $ 1.4 billion a month , according to the American Hospital Association .
There 's also been an alarming decrease in the number of people coming to the hospital for emergency treatment of strokes , heart attacks and other dire illnesses , Shulkin added .
`` Patients have stayed away from the hospitals because of concerns they have about getting infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Alabama-Birmingham Stroke Center experienced a 50 percent decrease in stroke cases during the last month , even though it 's located on the `` buckle of the stroke belt in the southeast United States , '' said UAB neurologist Dr. Mark Harrigan .
ER visits in Chattanooga , Tenn. , have decreased 45 percent for adults and 71 percent for children compared to this time last year , according to the American Hospital Association .
`` That is both more puzzling to people and a little scarier , because those are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put off , '' Ku said .
At the same time , hospitals have had to pour resources into protecting both its employees and incoming patients from COVID-19 infection , Ku said .
For example , `` women are [ still ] having babies , '' Ku said .
`` So , you now want additional procedures to be done to protect the mothers and the babies . ''
All of this adds up to nearly $ 1.3 billion lost per month for hospitals in Ohio , $ 600 million lost in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 100 million lost for Montana hospitals during the first three weeks of the pandemic , the American Hospital Association reported .
The federal stimulus packages that have passed will provide about $ 175 billion , or about 35 percent of the revenue lost to the health care industry in the first quarter of 2020 , Shulkin said .
`` The rest will need to come from hard decisions that hospitals are going to need to make , '' Shulkin said .
Phased reopening of state economies could help health care 's bottom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other clinical activities that were halted or scaled back during lockdowns , Shulkin said .
`` We 're beginning to see this opening up in parts of the country that appear to be safe , '' Shulkin said .
But that might be too late for some hospitals , particularly those located in the rural parts of America , Ku noted .
`` Rural hospitals were in trouble already , even before all this happened , '' Ku said .
`` It could be that the losses right now are that extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the edge .
I would n't be surprised to hear that some more rural hospitals or very small hospitals , this was the thing that pushed them into bankruptcy . ''
Health care will definitely take a severe financial hit as a result of COVID-19 , Shulkin said .
`` But how bad it is , the script is still being written .
What happens with the infection is really going to determine that , '' he added .
`` If we see a second wave or resurgence of infections , we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stopping some of those elective activities , and that 's going to hurt hospitals and health providers further , '' Shulkin concluded .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about COVID-19 .

Nurses get prepared to do testing at a new coronavirus testing center at the Affinia Health Care in St. Louis on April 22. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
The COVID-19 pandemic has done untold economic damage in the United States, with businesses shuttering and people self-isolating at home to try to slow the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus. You might think hospitals and health care systems would be immune to this wave of financial ruin, since there's no industry more crucial to America's fight against the pandemic. Advertisement
You'd be wrong.
The health care industry experienced an estimated $500 billion reduction in revenue during the first quarter of 2020, said Dr. David Shulkin, a former secretary of Veterans Affairs and former president and CEO of Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.
"There's no doubt our hospitals, health systems, health care providers in general have taken a significant financial hit during this crisis," Shulkin said during a HealthDay Live Stream interview. "In general, the average hospital has seen about a 40 percent to 45 percent decrease in operating revenue during this period of time."
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In response, hospitals and health care companies have announced a wave of layoffs and cutbacks:
Mayo Clinic said it will cut $1.6 billion in employee pay after suffering a $3 billion revenue loss, including furloughs or shorter hours for about 30,000 staff members.
Quest Diagnostics is furloughing nearly one in every 10 employees, more than 4,000 people, following a decline in testing that's not related to the coronavirus.
These cuts might seem incongruous, given news reports of emergency rooms overrun with COVID-19 cases and hospitals running out of beds in epidemic zones, said Leighton Ku, director of the George Washington University Center for Health Policy Research.
But the U.S. response to the pandemic has impacted the business of health care in much the same way it has affected other industries, Ku and Shulkin said.
Fewer elective procedures
Elective procedures account for about one-third of total inpatient hospital revenue, according to a recent editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association. By one estimate, hospitals earn $700 more for an elective admission than for an admission through the emergency department.
Nearly all elective procedures were halted under lockdown orders intended to promote social distancing, including lucrative surgeries to treat orthopedic injuries, heart problems and cosmetic concerns, Ku said.
Advertisement
"Those are some things that tended to be their profit centers," Ku said.
The Illinois Hospital Association estimated that COVID-19-related cancellations and delays were causing hospitals to lose $1.4 billion a month, according to the American Hospital Association.
There's also been an alarming decrease in the number of people coming to the hospital for emergency treatment of strokes, heart attacks and other dire illnesses, Shulkin added.
"Patients have stayed away from the hospitals because of concerns they have about getting infected," Shulkin said.
The University of Alabama-Birmingham Stroke Center experienced a 50 percent decrease in stroke cases during the last month, even though it's located on the "buckle of the stroke belt in the southeast United States," said UAB neurologist Dr. Mark Harrigan.
ER visits in Chattanooga, Tenn., have decreased 45 percent for adults and 71 percent for children compared to this time last year, according to the American Hospital Association.
"That is both more puzzling to people and a little scarier, because those are the kinds of procedures you don't want to put off," Ku said.
PPE costs sap budgets
At the same time, hospitals have had to pour resources into protecting both its employees and incoming patients from COVID-19 infection, Ku said.
Advertisement
For example, "women are [still] having babies," Ku said. "So, you now want additional procedures to be done to protect the mothers and the babies."
All of this adds up to nearly $1.3 billion lost per month for hospitals in Ohio, $600 million lost in one month for Virginia hospitals, and $100 million lost for Montana hospitals during the first three weeks of the pandemic, the American Hospital Association reported.
The federal stimulus packages that have passed will provide about $175 billion, or about 35 percent of the revenue lost to the health care industry in the first quarter of 2020, Shulkin said.
"The rest will need to come from hard decisions that hospitals are going to need to make," Shulkin said.
Phased reopening of state economies could help health care's bottom line, by bringing back elective procedures and other clinical activities that were halted or scaled back during lockdowns, Shulkin said.
"We're beginning to see this opening up in parts of the country that appear to be safe," Shulkin said.
But that might be too late for some hospitals, particularly those located in the rural parts of America, Ku noted.
"Rural hospitals were in trouble already, even before all this happened," Ku said. "It could be that the losses right now are that extra little thing that would push them off the edge. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that some more rural hospitals or very small hospitals, this was the thing that pushed them into bankruptcy."
Advertisement
Health care will definitely take a severe financial hit as a result of COVID-19, Shulkin said. "But how bad it is, the script is still being written. What happens with the infection is really going to determine that," he added.
"If we see a second wave or resurgence of infections, we're going to have to go right back to stopping some of those elective activities, and that's going to hurt hospitals and health providers further," Shulkin concluded.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about COVID-19.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-06--U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic

U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic

A man barbecues in a tent camp that has been set up for the homeless in downtown St. Louis on @ @ @ @ @ camp has been in place for several weeks prompting St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson to @ @ @ @ @ on May 1 , due to unhealthy conditions and the danger of coronavirus spreading among @ @ @ @ @ Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Bass Pro Shops marketing manager David Smith (R) carries a box of donated face masks into Mercy Health in Chesterfield, Mo., on May 13. The company is donating 1 million FDA-approved ASTM Level 1 Procedure Face Masks to healthcare workers and first responders working on the front lines of the pandemic. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI


upi--2020-05-06--Blake Lively to star in Netflix's 'Dark Days at the Magna Carta'

May 6 ( UPI ) -- Gossip Girl alum and Rhythm Section actress Blake Lively is set to star in @ @ @ @ @ thriller , Dark Days at the Magna Carta .
The Hollywood Reporter and Variety reported @ @ @ @ @ it could be the first installment in a possible trilogy .
Plot details were not @ @ @ @ @ about a woman trying to protect her family against the backdrop of an as-yet-unspecified catastrophic @ @ @ @ @ writing the screenplay for the movie and Shawn Levy is producing it .

1/3
Blake Lively has signed on to star in Netflix's "Dark Days at the Magna Carta." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 6 (UPI) -- Gossip Girl alum and Rhythm Section actress Blake Lively is set to star in and produce Netflix's post-apocalyptic thriller, Dark Days at the Magna Carta. The Hollywood Reporter and Variety reported the project Wednesday, saying it could be the first installment in a possible trilogy. Advertisement
Plot details were not disclosed other than it is about a woman trying to protect her family against the backdrop of an as-yet-unspecified catastrophic event.
Michael Paisley is writing the screenplay for the movie and Shawn Levy is producing it.


upi--2020-05-06--Huntington Ingalls nabs $187.1M for overhaul of USS John C. Stennis

May 6 ( UPI ) -- Huntington Ingalls was awarded a $ 187.1 million contract modification Wednesday for the refueling complex overhaul of USS John C. Stennis , according to the Pentagon .
The Stennis the seventh Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier in the United States Navy and is currently docked at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia .
The deal , which modifies a contract awarded in 2018 , funds continued advance planning efforts including material forecasting , long lead time material procurement and pre-overhaul tests and inspections on the ship , with an expected completion date of January 2021 .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sole-source acquisition , citing a clause in U.S. code that waives federal competition requirements if the property or services are available from only one responsible source or a limited number of sources .
`` Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. is the original building yard contractor for all ships of the CVN-68 class , the reactor plant planning yard , the lead design refueling yard and the only private shipyard capable of refueling and overhauling nuclear powered aircraft carriers .
Therefore , it is the only source with the knowledge , experience and facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the CVN 74 RCOH , '' the contract announcement said .
Work will be divided between Newport News and Norfolk , Va .

Ships assigned to the John C. Stennis Strike Group and ships assigned to the Republic of Korea Navy 1st Fleet Maritime Battle Group One steam together during Maritime Counter Special Operations Force (MCSOF) exercise, which is part of Foal Eagle 2016. On Wednesday Huntington Ingalls was awarded a $187.1 million contract for refueling and overhaul of the USS John Stennis. Photo by Andre T. Richard/U.S. Navy
May 6 (UPI) -- Huntington Ingalls was awarded a $187.1 million contract modification Wednesday for the refueling complex overhaul of USS John C. Stennis, according to the Pentagon. The Stennis the seventh Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier in the United States Navy and is currently docked at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. Advertisement
The deal, which modifies a contract awarded in 2018, funds continued advance planning efforts including material forecasting, long lead time material procurement and pre-overhaul tests and inspections on the ship, with an expected completion date of January 2021.
This contract was awarded as the result of a sole-source acquisition, citing a clause in U.S. code that waives federal competition requirements if the property or services are available from only one responsible source or a limited number of sources.
"Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. is the original building yard contractor for all ships of the CVN-68 class, the reactor plant planning yard, the lead design refueling yard and the only private shipyard capable of refueling and overhauling nuclear powered aircraft carriers. Therefore, it is the only source with the knowledge, experience and facilities required to accomplish this effort in support of the CVN 74 RCOH," the contract announcement said.
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Work will be divided between Newport News and Norfolk, Va.


upi--2020-05-06--Ruth Bader Ginsburg released from hospital after gallbladder treatment

May 6 ( UPI ) -- Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is `` doing well '' back at home @ @ @ @ @ the hospital Wednesday following gallbladder treatment , the high court said .
The court said @ @ @ @ @ be home '' after one day at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore .
She underwent @ @ @ @ @ benign gallbladder condition .
Outpatient tests determined she had a gallstone that migrated to her @ @ @ @ @ and causing an infection .
She 'll have to return for followup treatment for the @ @ @ @ @ , was hospitalized in November after being admitted for chills and a fever .
She @ @ @ @ @ tumor on her pancreas in August and has been treated for colon and pancreatic cancer @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court said she heard oral arguments on a case by phone from the hospital @ @ @

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg speaks at the University of Chicago in Chicago on September 9. The justice underwent treatment this week for a gallstone. File Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo
May 6 (UPI) -- Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is "doing well" back at home after doctors released her from the hospital Wednesday following gallbladder treatment, the high court said. The court said Ginsburg is "glad to be home" after one day at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Advertisement
She underwent non-surgical treatment there for a benign gallbladder condition. Outpatient tests determined she had a gallstone that migrated to her cystic duck, blocking it and causing an infection.
She'll have to return for followup treatment for the condition.
Ginsburg, 87, was hospitalized in November after being admitted for chills and a fever. She was previously treated for a tumor on her pancreas in August and has been treated for colon and pancreatic cancer in the past.
The Supreme Court said she heard oral arguments on a case by phone from the hospital Wednesday morning.
Daniel Uria contributed to this report.


upi--2020-05-06--Supreme Court declines to lift Pennsylvania order closing non-essential businesses

May 6 ( UPI ) -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to lift an executive order by Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf that mandated all non-essential business close in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
A conservative political action committee and a group of businesses petitioned the Supreme Court to remove the executive order , saying it `` has and is continuing to cause irreparable harm . ''
The Supreme Court denied the request without comment and there were no known dissents .
Wolf 's order mandated all non-life-sustaining businesses temporarily close while those that remain open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standards .
The businesses filed an emergency request with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court , alleging the order was unconstitutional .
The state court denied the request , leading the businesses to call on the U.S. Supreme Court to review the lower court 's decision .
The plaintiffs said the order `` permits the continued closure of petitioners and tens of thousands of other businesses across Pennsylvania and as such constitutes severe , immediate and ongoing deprivation of their rights under the U.S .
Constitution . ''
Pennsylvania 's attorney general , Josh Shapiro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this week urging the Supreme Court not to intervene .
`` Applicants seek to upend the status quo and force Pennsylvania to prematurely reopen all businesses locations , regardless of public health data and contrary to the phased reopening currently underway based on that data , '' Shapiro wrote .

The Supreme Court blocked a request by a group of businesses seeking the removal of an executive order by Gov. Tom Wolf ordering all non-essential businesses to close amid the COVID-19 pandemic. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
May 6 (UPI) -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to lift an executive order by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf that mandated all non-essential business close in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A conservative political action committee and a group of businesses petitioned the Supreme Court to remove the executive order, saying it "has and is continuing to cause irreparable harm." Advertisement
The Supreme Court denied the request without comment and there were no known dissents.
Wolf's order mandated all non-life-sustaining businesses temporarily close while those that remain open were ordered to comply with social distancing standards.
The businesses filed an emergency request with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, alleging the order was unconstitutional.
The state court denied the request, leading the businesses to call on the U.S. Supreme Court to review the lower court's decision. The plaintiffs said the order "permits the continued closure of petitioners and tens of thousands of other businesses across Pennsylvania and as such constitutes severe, immediate and ongoing deprivation of their rights under the U.S. Constitution."
Pennsylvania's attorney general, Josh Shapiro, filed a response to the justices earlier this week urging the Supreme Court not to intervene.
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"Applicants seek to upend the status quo and force Pennsylvania to prematurely reopen all businesses locations, regardless of public health data and contrary to the phased reopening currently underway based on that data," Shapiro wrote.


upi--2020-05-06--Defense top brass criticize Ligado's 5G proposal

May 6 ( UPI ) -- Top Pentagon officials told lawmakers Wednesday that a proposed nationwide network to provide 5G and internet-of-things services was `` too risky to be worth it . ''
`` This is fundamentally a bad deal for America 's national and economic security , '' said Dana Deasy , the Department of Defense 's Chief Information Officer , at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the recently-approved Ligado proposal and its implications for national security .
In April the Federal Communications Commission approved a proposal that would allow Ligado Networks to deploy technological services using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spectrum used for global positioning systems , which form the basis for most mapping software .
The Department of Defense has repeatedly criticized the proposal , saying it would disrupt defense operations as well as significant aspects of civilian life .
At Wednesday 's hearing defense leaders warned that the Ligado plan would disrupt the accuracy of weapons systems , first responders ' 911 navigation ability and shipping systems .
`` GPS has also long been a critical technology that has supported the Nation 's public safety , law enforcement medical and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While Americans at home are typically not under threat of purposeful electronic attack , the GPS services they depend on every day for life and livelihood are also threatened if the GPS signal and its environment are not protected from disruption , '' said General John W. Raymond , head of the newly-created United States Space Force .
Retired U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Thad W. Allen criticized the lack of transparency in the process by which the decision was made , as well as the likely technological consequences .
`` In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not follow the normal regulatory process for reasons that remain unclear , '' Allen said , drawing a contrast from the process of issuing a license to Dish Networks to convert satellite service spectrum to terrestrial mobile broadband spectrum .
Ligado wrote a letter to the committee , which was read Wednesday , defending its technology as critical to 5G development .
`` We now look forward to the opportunity to build a network that will advance our Nation 's progress on the race to 5G , '' the company wrote .

Chief of Space Operations at U.S. Space Force General John Raymond testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the FCC's Ligado 5G network approval on Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Pool photo by Shawn Thew/UPI | License Photo
May 6 (UPI) -- Top Pentagon officials told lawmakers Wednesday that a proposed nationwide network to provide 5G and internet-of-things services was "too risky to be worth it." "This is fundamentally a bad deal for America's national and economic security," said Dana Deasy, the Department of Defense's Chief Information Officer, at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the recently-approved Ligado proposal and its implications for national security. Advertisement
In April the Federal Communications Commission approved a proposal that would allow Ligado Networks to deploy technological services using the L-band spectrum that runs adjacent to the spectrum used for global positioning systems, which form the basis for most mapping software.
The Department of Defense has repeatedly criticized the proposal, saying it would disrupt defense operations as well as significant aspects of civilian life.
At Wednesday's hearing defense leaders warned that the Ligado plan would disrupt the accuracy of weapons systems, first responders' 911 navigation ability and shipping systems.
"GPS has also long been a critical technology that has supported the Nation's public safety, law enforcement medical and medical responders. It literally saves lives. While Americans at home are typically not under threat of purposeful electronic attack, the GPS services they depend on every day for life and livelihood are also threatened if the GPS signal and its environment are not protected from disruption," said General John W. Raymond, head of the newly-created United States Space Force.
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Retired U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Thad W. Allen criticized the lack of transparency in the process by which the decision was made, as well as the likely technological consequences.
"In the case of Ligado Networks, FCC did not follow the normal regulatory process for reasons that remain unclear," Allen said, drawing a contrast from the process of issuing a license to Dish Networks to convert satellite service spectrum to terrestrial mobile broadband spectrum.
Ligado wrote a letter to the committee, which was read Wednesday, defending its technology as critical to 5G development.
"We now look forward to the opportunity to build a network that will advance our Nation's progress on the race to 5G," the company wrote.