upi--2020-06-10--White House memo calls for study of improved Arctic icebreakers

June 10 ( UPI ) -- A White House memorandum on polar security has the U.S. Coast Guard considering the addition of armed , nuclear-powered icebreakers to its aging fleet .
President Donald Trump , in a memo on Tuesday , called for `` a ready , capable and available fleet of polar security icebreakers that is operationally tested and fully deployable by Fiscal Year 2029 . ''
The United States has only two operational heavy icebreakers in use , the 44-year old Polar Star and the 24-year old Healy .
Each is prone to breakdowns , officials have said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has positioned the Arctic region as a possible shipping route , as well as a source of available mineral resources , and calls for evaluation of a `` defensive armament adequate to defend against near-peer competitors and the potential for nuclear-powered propulsion . ''
Some U.S. Coast Guard ships have been armed with Harpoon anti-ship missiles and 25mm automatic cannon mounts .
Russia currently operates four nuclear-powered icebreakers -- one , the Taymyr , built in 1987 , suffers frequent radiation leaks -- and is expected to build five more , in addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is constructing one nuclear-powered icebreaker as well .
Trump 's memorandum requires the Department of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard to submit reports within 60 days , after risk/benefit studies with various government agencies are performed .
The Department of Energy is mentioned as a participant , suggesting it will offer advice on a nuclear-powered ship .
`` Our adversaries are well ahead of the United States when it comes to Arctic infrastructure , '' said Sen. Dan Sullivan , R-Alaska , told Breaking Defense after the memo was released .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the United States when it comes to Arctic infrastructure . ''

The 44-year old icebreaker USCGC Polar Star may be replaced by nuclear-powered ships, a White House memo suggested on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard
June 10 (UPI) -- A White House memorandum on polar security has the U.S. Coast Guard considering the addition of armed, nuclear-powered icebreakers to its aging fleet. President Donald Trump, in a memo on Tuesday, called for "a ready, capable and available fleet of polar security icebreakers that is operationally tested and fully deployable by Fiscal Year 2029." Advertisement
The United States has only two operational heavy icebreakers in use, the 44-year old Polar Star and the 24-year old Healy. Each is prone to breakdowns, officials have said.
The memo comes as global warning has positioned the Arctic region as a possible shipping route, as well as a source of available mineral resources, and calls for evaluation of a "defensive armament adequate to defend against near-peer competitors and the potential for nuclear-powered propulsion."
Some U.S. Coast Guard ships have been armed with Harpoon anti-ship missiles and 25mm automatic cannon mounts.
Russia currently operates four nuclear-powered icebreakers -- one, the Taymyr, built in 1987, suffers frequent radiation leaks -- and is expected to build five more, in addition to numerous conventionally-powered ice-capable ships.
China is constructing one nuclear-powered icebreaker as well.
Advertisement
Trump's memorandum requires the Department of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard to submit reports within 60 days, after risk/benefit studies with various government agencies are performed.
The Department of Energy is mentioned as a participant, suggesting it will offer advice on a nuclear-powered ship.
"Our adversaries are well ahead of the United States when it comes to Arctic infrastructure," said Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, told Breaking Defense after the memo was released. "Unfortunately, our adversaries are well ahead of the United States when it comes to Arctic infrastructure."


upi--2020-06-10--Racial disparities in deaths among premature babies narrowing, study finds

June 10 ( UPI ) -- Racial disparities in the care received by babies born prematurely -- and with low birth weight -- and their mothers might be narrowing and generating improvements in overall survival , a study published Wednesday has found .
The improvements in care have led to increases in overall survival among babies born prematurely , and that in-hospital mortality for preterm infants is comparable among racial and ethnic groups , researchers report in the study , published in JAMA Network Open .
For the study , researchers at 16 universities , including the University of Alabama-Birmingham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network , analyzed data on more than 20,000 preterm infants born between 2002 and 2016 .
In-hospital death rates among black infants born prematurely dropped to 24 percent in 2016 from 35 percent in 2002 , compared to a decline to 27 percent from 32 percent for Hispanic infants and to 22 percent from 30 percent for white infants , the researchers found .
Past research has suggested that death rates for black and Hispanic infants born prematurely were twice those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narrowing racial/ethnic disparities in key interventions , including receipt of antenatal corticosteroids and cesarean delivery '' over the study period , the study authors wrote in explaining the trends .
`` Adherence to evidence-based medicine and continued quality improvement efforts should further improve outcomes of extremely preterm infants among all racial and ethnic groups , '' said the authors , who did not respond to requests for comment .
Overall , about 10 percent of all babies in the United States are born prematurely , according to the Centers for Disease Control and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die , the agency estimates .
Common causes of death in preterm infants include breathing problems , sepsis and neurodevelopmental issues , among others , according to the March of Dimes .
Roughly 40 percent of the infants included in the new analysis were black , while 40 percent were white and 20 percent were Hispanic .
Rates of late-onset sepsis among black infants declined to 24 percent in 2016 from 37 percent in 2002 , and to 23 percent from 45 percent among Hispanic infants , compared to a drop to 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the authors found .
In all , 90 percent of black infants born prematurely in 2016 received corticosteroids -- which are administered to treat breathing problems and promote lung development -- up from 72 percent in 2002 .
Similarly , 83 percent of preterm Hispanic infants received the drugs in 2016 , compared to 73 percent in 2002 , they said .
Rates of cesarean delivery also increased among preterm black infants -- to 59 percent from 45 percent -- and preterm Hispanic infants -- to 59 percent from 49 percent -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
Cesarean deliveries among preterm white infants held steady at just over 60 percent , they said .
Narrowing racial and ethnic disparities in care , including the use of corticosteroids and cesarean delivery , likely led to declines in death rates among preterm black and Hispanic infants , the researchers said .
`` This ... study found no racial/ethnic differences in changes in mortality rates or most major morbidities among extremely preterm infants , with mortality decreasing over time across all groups , '' they wrote .

June 10 (UPI) -- Racial disparities in the care received by babies born prematurely -- and with low birth weight -- and their mothers might be narrowing and generating improvements in overall survival, a study published Wednesday has found.
The improvements in care have led to increases in overall survival among babies born prematurely, and that in-hospital mortality for preterm infants is comparable among racial and ethnic groups, researchers report in the study, published in JAMA Network Open.
Advertisement
For the study, researchers at 16 universities, including the University of Alabama-Birmingham, with RTI International, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network, analyzed data on more than 20,000 preterm infants born between 2002 and 2016.
In-hospital death rates among black infants born prematurely dropped to 24 percent in 2016 from 35 percent in 2002, compared to a decline to 27 percent from 32 percent for Hispanic infants and to 22 percent from 30 percent for white infants, the researchers found.
Advertisement
Past research has suggested that death rates for black and Hispanic infants born prematurely were twice those of white infants.
"There were narrowing racial/ethnic disparities in key interventions, including receipt of antenatal corticosteroids and cesarean delivery" over the study period, the study authors wrote in explaining the trends.
"Adherence to evidence-based medicine and continued quality improvement efforts should further improve outcomes of extremely preterm infants among all racial and ethnic groups," said the authors, who did not respond to requests for comment.
Overall, about 10 percent of all babies in the United States are born prematurely, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Roughly one-third of preterm infants die, the agency estimates.
Common causes of death in preterm infants include breathing problems, sepsis and neurodevelopmental issues, among others, according to the March of Dimes.
Roughly 40 percent of the infants included in the new analysis were black, while 40 percent were white and 20 percent were Hispanic.
Rates of late-onset sepsis among black infants declined to 24 percent in 2016 from 37 percent in 2002, and to 23 percent from 45 percent among Hispanic infants, compared to a drop to 25 percent from 36 percent among white infants, the authors found.
Advertisement
In all, 90 percent of black infants born prematurely in 2016 received corticosteroids -- which are administered to treat breathing problems and promote lung development -- up from 72 percent in 2002. Similarly, 83 percent of preterm Hispanic infants received the drugs in 2016, compared to 73 percent in 2002, they said.
Rates of cesarean delivery also increased among preterm black infants -- to 59 percent from 45 percent -- and preterm Hispanic infants -- to 59 percent from 49 percent -- over the study period, the researchers reported. Cesarean deliveries among preterm white infants held steady at just over 60 percent, they said.
Narrowing racial and ethnic disparities in care, including the use of corticosteroids and cesarean delivery, likely led to declines in death rates among preterm black and Hispanic infants, the researchers said.
"This ... study found no racial/ethnic differences in changes in mortality rates or most major morbidities among extremely preterm infants, with mortality decreasing over time across all groups," they wrote.


upi--2020-06-10--Long lost class ring found at Tennessee recycling center

June 10 ( UPI ) -- A class ring lost by its owner 15 years ago is on its way back to him after it was found by workers doing sorting at a Tennessee recycling plant .
The Town of Collierville said workers came across the Collierville High School class of 2003 ring while sorting through materials at the West Tennessee Recycling Hub and turned it over to officials .
Josh Russell , Collierville 's assistant sanitation manager , said the name Joel Fong was inscribed on the ring .
`` We went through the records of the local government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we were able to pinpoint him and get in touch with him , '' Russell told WMC-TV .
Fong , who now lives in Corpus Christie , Texas , said he lost the ring 15 years ago while working at a Collierville grocery store .
`` There 's still good people out there .
Somebody took time out of their day to do that and it 's just a blessing .
Everybody needs to keep doing the same .
Little things like that just gives people hope , '' Fong said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its way to Fong 's new home .

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
June 10 (UPI) -- A class ring lost by its owner 15 years ago is on its way back to him after it was found by workers doing sorting at a Tennessee recycling plant.
The Town of Collierville said workers came across the Collierville High School class of 2003 ring while sorting through materials at the West Tennessee Recycling Hub and turned it over to officials.
Advertisement
Josh Russell, Collierville's assistant sanitation manager, said the name Joel Fong was inscribed on the ring.
"We went through the records of the local government system, found the name, and we were able to pinpoint him and get in touch with him," Russell told WMC-TV.
Fong, who now lives in Corpus Christie, Texas, said he lost the ring 15 years ago while working at a Collierville grocery store.
"There's still good people out there. Somebody took time out of their day to do that and it's just a blessing. Everybody needs to keep doing the same. Little things like that just gives people hope," Fong said.
The ring is now in the mail, on its way to Fong's new home.


upi--2020-06-10--Concussion may lead to vision, balance problems in young kids

Young children who suffer a concussion are likely to have vision and balance problems , according to a new study .
`` Since one-third of pediatric and adolescent concussion injuries occur in elementary school-age children , we set out to provide a comprehensive description of children ages 5 to 11 years who were diagnosed with a concussion to pinpoint opportunities to improve the quality of diagnosis and care for this age group , '' said lead author Dr. Christina Master .
She 's a sports medicine pediatrician at Children 's Hospital of Philadelphia .
For the study , Master 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients who were diagnosed with a concussion .
The researchers found that vision and balance problems were as common among these 5- to 11-year-olds as they are in teens .
Yet , assessments of vision and balance were n't routinely done in younger children , the investigators found .
About two-thirds of the patients studied reported vision and balance problems .
In all , 74 percent of patients had an assessment at some point .
Among them , 63 percent had issues , the study authors noted in a hospital news release .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ given a concussion recovery plan to inform their child 's school about needed accommodations , such as taking breaks for symptoms , the use of larger print or audio books , or extra time for assignments .
Most patients ( 95 percent ) seen only in the emergency room were not given school instructions , the study found .
In addition , only 56 percent of patients were given letters of clearance to resume play , gym class or other recreational activities .
Master noted that 5- to 11-year-olds had rates of vision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older kids .
Doctors know that teens who have these issues are at higher risk for persistent symptoms and poorer outcomes , she added .
`` Our older youth really benefit from early intervention in the form of school accommodations , return to school and physical activity plans , and vestibular or vision therapy , '' Master said .
`` We believe intervening early can also improve outcomes for younger children diagnosed with visio-vestibular [ vision and balance ] deficits . ''
The findings were published online June 4 in The Journal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in kids , visit the American Academy of Pediatrics .

Pixabay About two-thirds of 5- to 11-year-olds diagnosed with concussions reported vision and balance problems, a new study found. Photo by Paul Cornec
Young children who suffer a concussion are likely to have vision and balance problems, according to a new study. "Since one-third of pediatric and adolescent concussion injuries occur in elementary school-age children, we set out to provide a comprehensive description of children ages 5 to 11 years who were diagnosed with a concussion to pinpoint opportunities to improve the quality of diagnosis and care for this age group," said lead author Dr. Christina Master. She's a sports medicine pediatrician at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Advertisement
For the study, Master's team collected data on more than 1,500 patients who were diagnosed with a concussion. The researchers found that vision and balance problems were as common among these 5- to 11-year-olds as they are in teens.
Yet, assessments of vision and balance weren't routinely done in younger children, the investigators found.
About two-thirds of the patients studied reported vision and balance problems. In all, 74 percent of patients had an assessment at some point. Among them, 63 percent had issues, the study authors noted in a hospital news release.
But only 44 percent of parents were given a concussion recovery plan to inform their child's school about needed accommodations, such as taking breaks for symptoms, the use of larger print or audio books, or extra time for assignments.
Advertisement
Most patients (95 percent) seen only in the emergency room were not given school instructions, the study found.
In addition, only 56 percent of patients were given letters of clearance to resume play, gym class or other recreational activities.
Master noted that 5- to 11-year-olds had rates of vision and balance problems comparable to those of older kids. Doctors know that teens who have these issues are at higher risk for persistent symptoms and poorer outcomes, she added.
"Our older youth really benefit from early intervention in the form of school accommodations, return to school and physical activity plans, and vestibular or vision therapy," Master said. "We believe intervening early can also improve outcomes for younger children diagnosed with visio-vestibular [vision and balance] deficits."
The findings were published online June 4 in The Journal of Pediatrics.
More information
To learn more about concussion in kids, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-06-10--Turkey to buy additional S-400 missile defense system from Russia

June 10 ( UPI ) -- Turkey will purchase an additional Russian-made S-400 air defense system , the head of Turkey 's Defense Industries Administration said .
`` We have a basic agreement on the supply of the second batch of the Russian S-400 system , and there are some technical issues regarding transport operations , '' Ismail Demir said in a television interview earlier this week .
`` Ankara is also interested in proposals to purchase Patriot and Eurosam air defense systems . ''
A Turkish official said the sale would go on despite production and delivery issues caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a loan from Russia to partially finance the $ 2.5 billion purchase of the S-400 system of ground-to-air armaments .
An agreement was signed in December 2017 and the first `` Triumf '' missiles and missile launchers arrived in Turkey in July 2019 .
The deal caused a crisis in U.S.-Turkish relations , with Washington demanding an end to the sale in exchange for the opportunity to purchase American Patriot systems .
The United States also threatened to delay or cancel the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey and impose sanctions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure .
The S-400 missile includes a command and control center capable of coordinating several battalions of troops , a radar detection system and ultra-long-range missiles .
Russia has said that the missiles are designed to destroy aircraft , and cruise and ballistic missiles .
It can also be used against ground installations , and can engage targets up to 250 miles away or at an altitude of up to 18 miles .

Turkey will purchase an additional S-400 missile defense system from Russia, the head of Turkey's defense industry administration announced. Photo courtesy of Russian Ministry of Defense
June 10 (UPI) -- Turkey will purchase an additional Russian-made S-400 air defense system, the head of Turkey's Defense Industries Administration said. "We have a basic agreement on the supply of the second batch of the Russian S-400 system, and there are some technical issues regarding transport operations," Ismail Demir said in a television interview earlier this week. "Ankara is also interested in proposals to purchase Patriot and Eurosam air defense systems." Advertisement
A Turkish official said the sale would go on despite production and delivery issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Turkey received a loan from Russia to partially finance the $2.5 billion purchase of the S-400 system of ground-to-air armaments. An agreement was signed in December 2017 and the first "Triumf" missiles and missile launchers arrived in Turkey in July 2019.
The deal caused a crisis in U.S.-Turkish relations, with Washington demanding an end to the sale in exchange for the opportunity to purchase American Patriot systems.
The United States also threatened to delay or cancel the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey and impose sanctions, but Ankara did not yield to U.S. pressure.
Advertisement
The S-400 missile includes a command and control center capable of coordinating several battalions of troops, a radar detection system and ultra-long-range missiles.
Russia has said that the missiles are designed to destroy aircraft, and cruise and ballistic missiles. It can also be used against ground installations, and can engage targets up to 250 miles away or at an altitude of up to 18 miles.


upi--2020-06-10--Housing activists push lawmakers for swift action on rental assistance

WASHINGTON , June 10 ( UPI ) -- Affordable-housing activists warned lawmakers Wednesday of a looming rent crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and called on Congress to act swiftly to provide billions of dollars to help millions of Americans .
The activists told the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing , Community Development and Insurance that if legislators fail to act , the country will experience increased homelessness and housing instability , especially in communities of color , which have been hit hardest by the pandemic .
`` Failure to address the looming rent crisis will have dire consequences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housing ecosystem that underpins our economy , '' said Mike Kingsella , executive director of the affordable-housing advocacy organization Up for Growth .
The House passed the $ 3 trillion HEROES Act , which includes $ 100 billion in emergency assistance for low-income renters .
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , called the measure `` an 1,800-page liberal wish list '' last month and has not scheduled any action on it .
Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters , D-Calif. , said at the hearing she believes the $ 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kingsella said emergency rental assistance is `` the most urgent action Congress can take '' to ensure stability to landlords and tenants as the pandemic persists .
Ann Oliva , a visiting senior fellow at the progressive Center on Budget and Policy Priorities , said provisions in the HEROES Act include `` short- , medium- and longer-term rental assistance options that communities need to form a comprehensive COVID-19 response to a variety of demands . ''
There are roughly 44 million renter households in the United States , according to the Joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Before the coronavirus pandemic , 47.5 percent of renter households were spending over 30 percent of their income on rent , according to the center .
`` Fifteen million people are living in the renter households where at least one person works in an industry most likely to be affected by COVID 19-related layoffs , '' Kingsella said , adding that many of these households can not afford to lose any income .
The $ 2.2 trillion CARES Act , which was signed into law in late March , enacted a moratorium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 120 days .
But Kingsella and the other activists said Congress needs to do more .
Cashauna Hill , executive director of the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center , said the `` moratorium was an important step in the right direction , but it has proved incredibly difficult to implement at the local level and leaves far too many renters out . ''
Hill added that in Louisiana , the last four digits of a landlord 's Social Security number are required to look up a mortgage , so it was difficult for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covered by the CARES Act , which only provided protections for a defined group of rental properties .
Oliva also warned of dire consequences of a rent crisis .
`` If we do nothing now , we will see increased homelessness and increased housing instability that we will have to deal with down the road . ''

The $2.2 trillion CARES Act, which was signed into law in late March, enacted a moratorium on evictions due to unpaid rent for 120 days. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
WASHINGTON, June 10 (UPI) -- Affordable-housing activists warned lawmakers Wednesday of a looming rent crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and called on Congress to act swiftly to provide billions of dollars to help millions of Americans. The activists told the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development and Insurance that if legislators fail to act, the country will experience increased homelessness and housing instability, especially in communities of color, which have been hit hardest by the pandemic. Advertisement
"Failure to address the looming rent crisis will have dire consequences for millions of Americans and for a housing ecosystem that underpins our economy," said Mike Kingsella, executive director of the affordable-housing advocacy organization Up for Growth.
The House passed the $3 trillion HEROES Act, which includes $100 billion in emergency assistance for low-income renters. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called the measure "an 1,800-page liberal wish list" last month and has not scheduled any action on it.
Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters, D-Calif., said at the hearing she believes the $100 billion in rental assistance can be secured.
Advertisement
Kingsella said emergency rental assistance is "the most urgent action Congress can take" to ensure stability to landlords and tenants as the pandemic persists.
Ann Oliva, a visiting senior fellow at the progressive Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said provisions in the HEROES Act include "short-, medium- and longer-term rental assistance options that communities need to form a comprehensive COVID-19 response to a variety of demands."
There are roughly 44 million renter households in the United States, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. Before the coronavirus pandemic, 47.5 percent of renter households were spending over 30 percent of their income on rent, according to the center.
"Fifteen million people are living in the renter households where at least one person works in an industry most likely to be affected by COVID 19-related layoffs," Kingsella said, adding that many of these households cannot afford to lose any income.
The $2.2 trillion CARES Act, which was signed into law in late March, enacted a moratorium on evictions due to unpaid rent for 120 days. But Kingsella and the other activists said Congress needs to do more.
Cashauna Hill, executive director of the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center, said the "moratorium was an important step in the right direction, but it has proved incredibly difficult to implement at the local level and leaves far too many renters out."
Advertisement
Hill added that in Louisiana, the last four digits of a landlord's Social Security number are required to look up a mortgage, so it was difficult for them to check if their landlord was covered by the CARES Act, which only provided protections for a defined group of rental properties.
Oliva also warned of dire consequences of a rent crisis.
"If we do nothing now, we will see increased homelessness and increased housing instability that we will have to deal with down the road."


upi--2020-06-10--Starbucks to close up to 400 cafes, expand drive-through, pickup

June 10 ( UPI ) -- Starbucks announced Wednesday that the company will close some stores and focus on a new model of drive-through and `` to-go '' services as customers adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Seattle-based gourmet coffee company closed many stores in March following local safety precautions due to the pandemic .
As many as 400 U.S. cafes will not be reopening over the next 18 months , based on expiring leases and a new Starbucks `` to-go '' focus .
The company runs almost 30,000 locations worldwide .
`` Starbucks stores have always been known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcoming place outside of our home and work where we connect over a cup of coffee , '' Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson said in a statement .
`` As we navigate through the COVID-19 crisis , we are accelerating our store transformation plans to address the realities of the current situation , while still providing a safe , familiar and convenient experience for our customers . ''
Even before the pandemic , more than 80 percent of Starbucks sales were from customers using the cell phone app to order and pay in advance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it would be expanding the Starbucks Pickup store model in dense urban markets , including New York , Chicago , Seattle and San Francisco .
In suburban areas , customers will find new drive-through options , including curb-side pickup and walkup windows , where purchases can be made in advance with the Starbucks phone app .
High-volume cafes will be remodeled with fast pickup windows for couriers from Uber Eats and other delivery services , the company said .
New changes will promote `` higher levels of mobile ordering , more contactless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of which naturally allow for greater physical distancing , '' the company said .

Starbucks announced the company would close some cafes and remodel others to focus on drive-through and pickup due to customer preference in pandemic times. File photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
June 10 (UPI) -- Starbucks announced Wednesday that the company will close some stores and focus on a new model of drive-through and "to-go" services as customers adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Seattle-based gourmet coffee company closed many stores in March following local safety precautions due to the pandemic. As many as 400 U.S. cafes will not be reopening over the next 18 months, based on expiring leases and a new Starbucks "to-go" focus. The company runs almost 30,000 locations worldwide. Advertisement
"Starbucks stores have always been known as the 'third place,' a welcoming place outside of our home and work where we connect over a cup of coffee," Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson said in a statement. "As we navigate through the COVID-19 crisis, we are accelerating our store transformation plans to address the realities of the current situation, while still providing a safe, familiar and convenient experience for our customers."
Even before the pandemic, more than 80 percent of Starbucks sales were from customers using the cell phone app to order and pay in advance, the company said.
The company said it would be expanding the Starbucks Pickup store model in dense urban markets, including New York, Chicago, Seattle and San Francisco.
Advertisement
In suburban areas, customers will find new drive-through options, including curb-side pickup and walkup windows, where purchases can be made in advance with the Starbucks phone app.
High-volume cafes will be remodeled with fast pickup windows for couriers from Uber Eats and other delivery services, the company said.
New changes will promote "higher levels of mobile ordering, more contactless pick-up experiences and reduced in-store congestion, all of which naturally allow for greater physical distancing," the company said.


upi--2020-06-10--Quest for COVID-19 vaccines: Where they stand

May 29 ( UPI ) -- As the worldwide death toll from the novel coronavirus continues to rise , scientists across the globe are racing to find a vaccine .
It often takes years to secure funding , research and develop a vaccine candidate , test it on humans and get regulatory approval .
And that 's all before pharmaceutical companies can begin the task of actually manufacturing millions of doses for distribution .
A New York Times analysis indicates that under a normal timeline , a COVID-19 vaccine would n't be ready for distribution until May 2036 .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to a Johns Hopkins University tracker , and the global economy struggling under mitigation efforts , world leaders are eager to speed up the process .
U.S. President Donald Trump in May announced Operation Warp Speed , an effort to shorten the time frame in which a vaccine goes from concept to distribution .
He 's called for a vaccine to be available for use within about 18 months , a goal some experts warn is too optimistic .
With more than 100 vaccine trials underway , scientists are hoping at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to hit that 18-month goal .
Here are a handful of the more notable research efforts underway : Pfizer partnered with German company BioNTech in early May to administer a vaccine candidate known as BNT162 on human test subjects .
Tests were carried out at New York University , the University of Maryland and Cincinnati Children 's Hospital as part of a Phase I/II clinical trial .
The initial trial is designed to determine the safety , immunogenicity and optimal dose level of four versions of Pfizer 's vaccine candidate , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the body to produce antibodies that fight the coronavirus .
The companies have yet to report results .
They aid they 're preparing a large-scale rollout that will produce millions of vaccine doses this year and hundreds of millions next year .
This Ad5-nCoV vaccine candidate produced in China was the first to be tested in humans -- a study of which found that it appears to be safe and able to generate an immune response against COVID-19 .
It uses a weakened common cold virus , adenovirus , which infects human cells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deliver genetic material that codes for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to the cells .
They then produce the spike protein and allow the immune system to create antibodies to fight the coronavirus .
A study , released May 22 , found that low , medium and high doses of the vaccine produced some level of both COVID-19 antibodies and T-cell response .
The vaccine will need to pass through Phase II and Phase III clinical trials in humans with similar positive results before widespread use .
Moderna said on May 18 that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible vaccine indicated a `` potential to prevent '' COVID-19 .
The vaccine succeeded in producing antibodies to attack the virus in all 45 test subjects in quantities `` of the magnitude caused by natural infection . ''
Moderna is conducting the trial in partnership with the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health .
U.S. regulators cleared mRNA-1273 for a second phase earlier this month , which officials said should begin `` shortly . ''
Moderna 's Phase I results announcements caused stocks to soar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets .
Oxford Vaccine Group and the Jenner Institute have entered Phase I/II human trials for their potential vaccine AZD1222 .
Researchers are enrolling volunteers to test the vaccine , which is made from a weakened version of the adenovirus .
In May , Oxford announced it received more than $ 1 billion from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority , a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .
The British government has also supplied $ 79 million for the AstraZeneca/Oxford collaboration .
AstraZeneca plans at least 400 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity for 1 billion doses with first deliveries set for September .
Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech began Phase II clinical trials of its CoronaVac vaccine candidate in May .
The study is evaluating the immunogenicity and safety of the potential vaccine in a larger population .
In preclinical studies in macaque monkeys , the inactivated vaccine proved to be safe and provide immunity .
The company is constructing its own production plant to manufacture up to 100 million doses of the vaccine each year .
Sinovac received $ 15 million on May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In late March , Johnson & Johnson said it identified a lead candidate for development for a vaccine and had planned to start human testing in September .
But on June 10 , the company announced the trials would begin earlier , in July .
The company has also identified two backup options .
It plans to use funding from the federal Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to scale up manufacturing with the goal of producing more than 1 billion doses .
Johnson & Johnson plans to collaborate with Emergent BioSolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giant Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline partnered together in April to create an adjuvanted vaccine , a type of vaccine that requires a smaller amount of vaccine protein per dose , allowing more doses to be produced more quickly .
Sanofi paired its S-protein COVID-19 antigen -- based on recombinant DNA technology -- with GSK 's adjuvant technology to create the vaccine candidate .
This vaccine is in the pre-clinical phase , but GSK announced May 28 that it plans to make 1 billion doses of a vaccine adjuvant system through 2021 .
This vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being designed and engineered by International AIDS Vaccine Initiative scientists .
Merck will manage its regulatory approval process .
It uses the same recombinant viral vectoring , or rVSV , technology as Merck 's successful Ebola Zaire virus vaccine , Ervebo .
Merck is also working on two other vaccines -- one with biotechnology company Themis and another with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics .
U.S. biotechnology company Novavax said Monday it 's entered clinical trials for a potential vaccine called NVX‑CoV2373 .
Researchers began a combined Phase I/II preliminary immunogenicity and safety trial .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and high levels of neutralizing antibodies '' during pre-clinical tests and showed `` strong evidence '' it will be effective in fighting COVID‑19 in humans .

The research and testing that goes into creating a new vaccine normally takes years, a process world leaders are hoping can be safely and effectively shortened to 18 months or less. File Photo by John Keith/Wikimedia Commons
May 29 (UPI) -- As the worldwide death toll from the novel coronavirus continues to rise, scientists across the globe have spent the year racing to find a vaccine. It often takes years to secure funding, research and develop a vaccine candidate, test it on humans and get regulatory approval. And that's all before pharmaceutical companies can begin the task of actually manufacturing millions of doses for distribution. Advertisement
A New York Times analysis indicates that under a normal timeline, a COVID-19 vaccine wouldn't be ready for distribution until May 2036.
But with the number of dead growing worldwide, and the global economy struggling under mitigation efforts, world leaders have been eager to speed up the process.
U.S. President Donald Trump in May announced Operation Warp Speed, an effort to shorten the time frame in which a vaccine goes from concept to distribution. He'd called for a vaccine to be available for use within about 18 months, a goal some experts warned was too optimistic.
Advertisement
More than 100 vaccine trials are ongoing, but scientists have hit that 18-month goal early -- one vaccine, from Moderna, was approved in early December by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is now being distributed.
Here are a handful of the more notable research efforts underway:
BioNTech and Pfizer
Pfizer partnered with German company BioNTech in early May to administer a vaccine candidate known as BNT162 on human test subjects. Tests were carried out at New York University, the University of Maryland and Cincinnati Children's Hospital as part of a Phase I/II clinical trial.
The initial trial is designed to determine the safety, immunogenicity and optimal dose level of four versions of Pfizer's vaccine candidate, which uses "messenger DNA" to spur the body to produce antibodies that fight the coronavirus.
All 24 participants in an early trial of the vaccine candidate generated antibodies against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the companies reported on July 1. The level of antibodies needed to provide immunity will be determined in a larger safety and efficacy trial scheduled to start this month.
They company also said they're preparing a large-scale rollout that will produce millions of vaccine doses this year and hundreds of millions next year.
Advertisement
The companies said on July 20 that one of four vaccine candidates they are testing, BNT162b1, produced "robust" T cell and antibody responses in patients participating in the study.
On Nov. 9, the two companies announced that a stage 3 trial showed their vaccine can block infection with the coronavirus. Just 10% of the 100 participants who tested positive for COVID-19 had received the vaccine rather than a placebo, the trial results showed.
The companies said an interim analysis of the trial data shows the two-dose vaccine provides protection beginning seven days after the second dose and 28 days after the first dose. They will now seek an emergency use authorization from the FDA once "the required safety milestone is achieved" -- which may happen before the end of November.
Pfizer officially requested an emergency use authorization from the FDA on Nov. 20, which the company said could allow it to start shipping its vaccine to high-risk groups by the middle of December.
The British government on Wednesday became the first Western nation to approve a COVID-19 vaccine, with Pfizer receiving the approval and officials expecting it to become available as soon as next week.
Advertisement
Pfizer's vaccine was approved by the U.S. government on Dec. 11 and distributed across the country over the weekend, with the first shots given to front-line health workers on Dec. 14.
Moderna and NIAID
Moderna said on May 18 that a Phase I trial of its mRNa-1273 possible vaccine indicated a "potential to prevent" COVID-19. The vaccine succeeded in producing antibodies to attack the virus in all 45 test subjects in quantities "of the magnitude caused by natural infection."
It announced on June 11 that it plans to enter its third and final clinical stage of testing in July using 30,000 participants.
Moderna is conducting the trial in partnership with the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. The company said it plans to deliver between 500 million and 1 billion doses per year starting in 2021 in collaboration with drugmaker Lonza.
Moderna's Phase I results announcements caused stocks to soar after a tumultuous two months in the markets.
On July 15, Moderna announced the Phase 1 trial saw a "rapid and strong" immune response against COVID-19, and that the vaccine was "generally safe and well-tolerated" among the 45 study participants.
Advertisement
Moderna announced on July 27 that it started a 30,000 patient Phase 3 trial for it's vaccine candidate, with the first study participants already having been dosed. The primary endpoint for this trial, titled COVE, is prevention of COVID-19.
An update on data from the Phase I trial on Aug. 25 showed older adults that received the vaccine displayed higher levels of COVID-19 antibodies than patients who had recovered from it.
Moderna on Nov. 16 published an interim analysis of data in its Phase III trail showing its COVID-19 vaccine candidate is 94.5% effective at preventing infection. No serious side effects have been detected in study participants.
The company's CEO said it will pursue an emergency use authorization from the FDA later this month once it has finished compiling safety data on the vaccine.
On Nov. 30, Moderna said it would be applying to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for an emergency use authorization after further trial data showed the company's vaccine is 94% effective.
With an expected FDA approval, the vaccine could become available within weeks, officials said.
The FDA on Dec. 15 said in a 45-page report that Moderna's vaccine is safe and effective enough for use. The agency's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meets this week to consider approval of an emergency use authorization for the vaccine.
Advertisement
Oxford University and AstraZeneca
Oxford Vaccine Group and the Jenner Institute have entered Phase I/II human trials for their potential vaccine AZD1222. Researchers are enrolling volunteers to test the vaccine, which is made from a weakened version of the adenovirus.
In May, Oxford announced it received more than $1 billion from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The British government has also supplied $79 million for the AstraZeneca/Oxford collaboration.
AstraZeneca plans at least 400 million doses and has lined up manufacturing capacity for 1 billion doses with first deliveries set for September.
Oxford and AstraZenaca on July 20 announced that their vaccine candidate, also referred to as ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, induced an immune response in 91 percent of study participants within 28 days of receiving a shot.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Aug. 19 announced a deal with AstraZeneca to provide enough doses for every person in Australia to receive one, should the vaccine be approved.
AstraZeneca on Sept. 1 announced it was starting a Phase III trial in the United States, with the goal of enrolling up to 30,000 adults in order to assess safety, efficacy and immunogenicity of AZD1222. The company also has separate late-stage trials ongoing in Britain, Brazil and South Africa, with trials planned for Japan and Russia, which will bring the total number of participants to 50,000, officials said.
Advertisement
Global trials of the vaccine candidate were paused on Sept. 9 after an unexplained illness in a participant. The company said an independent review of the illness was being conducted, and Matt Hancock, Britain's health secretary, said the concern should not yet be considered a setback.
The company said on Nov. 5 that late-stage trial results are expected for its vaccine before the end of 2020, raising hopes that the vaccine could be available by the end of the year or early 2021.
AstraZeneca on Nov. 23 announced its vaccine has 70% efficacy, based on an interim analysis of clinical trial data. The company said it has tried a number of dosing regimens, including one that reaches 90% efficacy within one month of vaccination.
The company is currently preparing to submit for regulatory approval and emergency approval from the WHO, with a full analysis of the interim trial data also being submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.
Imperial College and British government
British researchers announced June 16 plans to start Phase II human trials for a potential vaccine. Three-hundred healthy participants will receive two doses of the vaccine candidate.
Advertisement
The candidate uses synthetic strands of genetic code called RNA. This genetic material will self-replicate once injected into the test subject, and will instruct the body's cells to create copies of the virus' spiky protein.
If the Phase II trial is successful, researchers will be move on to Phase III involving 6,000 test subjects.
Imperial College London's research is funded by $50 million from the British government.
Johnson & Johnson
In late July, Johnson & Johnson said its lead candidate, Ad26.COV2-S, produced a "robust immune response" in monkeys during trials. The trials in animals came simultaneously while the company tested the experimental vaccine in humans in both single and double doses.
The experimental vaccine is vector-based and uses an Ad26 virus to take the coronavirus spike protein gene to human cells. The cells then use the spike gene to replicate the coronavirus proteins and protect themselves from the virus.
The company said it plans to begin Phase III trials in September. It has also identified two backup options.
It plans to use funding from the federal Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to scale up manufacturing with the goal of producing more than 1 billion doses.
Johnson & Johnson plans to collaborate with Emergent BioSolution to manufacture the vaccine.
Advertisement
The company said on August 5 that it has come to an agreement with the U.S. government to provide 100 million doses of its vaccine after it is approved on a "not-for-profit basis."
CanSino Biologics and China's Institute of Biotechnology
This Ad5-nCoV vaccine candidate produced in China was the first to be tested in humans -- a study of which found that it appears to be safe and able to generate an immune response against COVID-19.
It uses a weakened common cold virus, adenovirus, which infects human cells but is incapable of causing disease, to deliver genetic material that codes for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to the cells. They then produce the spike protein and allow the immune system to create antibodies to fight the coronavirus.
A study, released May 22, found that low, medium and high doses of the vaccine produced some level of both COVID-19 antibodies and T-cell response.
The vaccine will need to pass through Phase II and Phase III clinical trials in humans with similar positive results before widespread use.
Chinese officials on June 29 approved the vaccine candidate for immediate use by military personnel, though it was unclear how many of the 2.2 million members of China's military would receive it.
Advertisement
On July 20, results from a Phase II trial showed 95% of patients receiving a higher dose and 91% given a lower dose had immune responses to the vaccine candidate within 28 days of receiving the shot. About 70% of participants in the study reported mild side effects, researchers reported.
Sinopharm and China National Pharmaceutical Group
Sinopharm on Aug. 18 announced it has started international Phase III trials for it's coronavirus vaccine candidate, and plans to enter the screening and approval phase at an accelerated rate.
Phase I and II trials of the potential vaccine showed it is safe and generated an immune response, according to a paper published earlier in August.
Sinopharm said it expects the vaccine to be approved and publicly available by the end of December.
Sinovac Biotech
Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech began Phase II clinical trials of its CoronaVac vaccine candidate in May. The study is evaluating the immunogenicity and safety of the potential vaccine in a larger population.
In preclinical studies in macaque monkeys, the inactivated vaccine proved to be safe and provide immunity.
The company is constructing its own production plant to manufacture up to 100 million doses of the vaccine each year.
Advertisement
Sinovac received $15 million on May 22 to accelerate the development of CoronaVac.
Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline
French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline partnered together in April to create an adjuvanted vaccine, a type of vaccine that requires a smaller amount of vaccine protein per dose, allowing more doses to be produced more quickly.
Sanofi paired its S-protein COVID-19 antigen -- based on recombinant DNA technology -- with GSK's adjuvant technology to create the vaccine candidate.
This vaccine is in the pre-clinical phase, but GSK announced May 28 that it plans to make 1 billion doses of a vaccine adjuvant system through 2021.
Merck and IAVI
This vaccine candidate, now in pre-clinical studies, is being designed and engineered by International AIDS Vaccine Initiative scientists. Merck will manage its regulatory approval process. It uses the same recombinant viral vectoring, or rVSV, technology as Merck's successful Ebola Zaire virus vaccine, Ervebo.
Merck is also working on two other vaccines -- one with biotechnology company Themis and another with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.
Novavax
Biotechnology company Novavax announced Aug. 4 that a Phase I clinical trial of a potential vaccine called NVX‑CoV2373 generated favorable immune response results. Researchers began a combined Phase I/II preliminary immunogenicity and safety trial.
Advertisement
The vaccine candidate produced neutralizing antibodies in the subjects at a higher rate than observed in people who have recovered from COVID-19. Novavax said immune response for those who received an adjuvant was also stronger.
On Aug. 17, the company announced it was starting a Phase II trial for it's vaccine candidate in South Africa, where they will enroll 2,600 participants. The company also said it plans to start a 1,500-participant Phase II trial in the United States and Australia "in the near future."
Novavax on Sept. 3 published results from the Phase I trial of its vaccine candidate showing it is safe and well-tolerated by patients. The vaccine produced immune responses greater than that found in convalescent plasma and induced T cell responses in patients during the randomized, placebo-controlled trial, the company reported.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-06-10--'Lab-on-a-chip' blood test could spot breast cancer early

A cutting-edge `` lab-on-a-chip '' has shown promise in detecting early breast cancers and tumors that have developed in other parts of the body .
Roughly the size of a glass microscope slide , the EV-CLUE uses nanotechnology to pump a tiny amount of blood into eight miniscule channels equipped to detect different markers of cancer , explained co-researcher Liang Xu , a professor of molecular bioscience at the University of Kansas .
How tiny ?
The EV-CLUE requires about 2 microliters of blood to run a scan , Xu said .
A typical droplet of blood contains 50 microliters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lab-on-a-chip by equipping one of its channels to look for MMP14 , an enzyme released by tumors that has been linked to cancer progression .
The enzyme attacks healthy cells in ways that seem to promote the spread of cancer .
In early tests focused on MMP14 , the device detected early-stage or metastatic breast cancer with 97 percent accuracy in a first group of 30 people and 93 percent in a second group of 70 people .
`` This highly sensitive technology can catch early signs of cancer metastases .
The early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce the death rate of women with breast cancer , '' Xu said .
The chances of long-term survival are high for women whose breast cancer is caught early , the researchers noted .
The five-year survival rate of women with localized breast cancer is 99 percent , but only 86 percent for those whose cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and 27 percent if tumors have appeared in far-flung parts of the body .
The problem is that once a breast cancer has migrated outside its original location , cancerous cells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Xu said .
This technology could root out those hidden tumors .
This new technology is one of many efforts to develop a `` liquid biopsy '' that would use blood tests to find cancer , said Dr. Bill Cance , chief medical and scientific officer with the American Cancer Society .
Tumors shed many different types of chemicals and matter into the bloodstream , and these telltale signs could help detect cancer that 's not yet advanced .
`` This is proof of principle that it has potential , '' Cance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` But like other new technology , it 's going to need a lot of patients to validate it . ''
Such a liquid biopsy could one day supplant mammograms as the initial screening tool for breast cancer , if it is proven through rigorous testing to be accurate , Cance said .
`` They need to be as close to 100 percent accurate as you can get , '' Cance said .
`` That said , if a patient could get a blood test that could detect whether you have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be such a useful screening tool . ''
Armed with such a blood test , doctors might then use mammograms only after cancer has been detected , to confirm the test 's results and find the location of the tumor , Cance said .
The EV-CLUE chips are created using a 3-D printer , in a process that could be distributed widely and affordably , Xu said .
He added that using the chips would be `` much cheaper than a mammogram . ''
The chips would not be limited to breast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just started an early trial to see if the EV-CLUE can detect lung cancer as well , Xu said .
`` This is not limited to breast cancer , '' Xu said .
`` MMP14 exists in many , many other types of cancer . ''
The early results of the EV-CLUE were published June 10 in the journal Science Translational Medicine .
The American Association for Cancer Research has more about liquid cancer biopsy .

Pixabay In early tests, the device detected early-stage or metastatic breast cancer with 97 percent accuracy in a first group of 30 people and 93 percent in a second group of 70 people. Photo by PublicDomainPictures
A cutting-edge "lab-on-a-chip" has shown promise in detecting early breast cancers and tumors that have developed in other parts of the body. Roughly the size of a glass microscope slide, the EV-CLUE uses nanotechnology to pump a tiny amount of blood into eight miniscule channels equipped to detect different markers of cancer, explained co-researcher Liang Xu, a professor of molecular bioscience at the University of Kansas. Advertisement
How tiny? The EV-CLUE requires about 2 microliters of blood to run a scan, Xu said. A typical droplet of blood contains 50 microliters.
Xu and his colleagues tested their lab-on-a-chip by equipping one of its channels to look for MMP14, an enzyme released by tumors that has been linked to cancer progression. The enzyme attacks healthy cells in ways that seem to promote the spread of cancer.
In early tests focused on MMP14, the device detected early-stage or metastatic breast cancer with 97 percent accuracy in a first group of 30 people and 93 percent in a second group of 70 people.
Advertisement
"This highly sensitive technology can catch early signs of cancer metastases. The early detection for cancer metastases is key to reduce the death rate of women with breast cancer," Xu said.
The chances of long-term survival are high for women whose breast cancer is caught early, the researchers noted. The five-year survival rate of women with localized breast cancer is 99 percent, but only 86 percent for those whose cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and 27 percent if tumors have appeared in far-flung parts of the body.
The problem is that once a breast cancer has migrated outside its original location, cancerous cells can hide undetected elsewhere in the body, Xu said. This technology could root out those hidden tumors.
This new technology is one of many efforts to develop a "liquid biopsy" that would use blood tests to find cancer, said Dr. Bill Cance, chief medical and scientific officer with the American Cancer Society.
Tumors shed many different types of chemicals and matter into the bloodstream, and these telltale signs could help detect cancer that's not yet advanced.
"This is proof of principle that it has potential," Cance said of the EV-CLUE's first results. "But like other new technology, it's going to need a lot of patients to validate it."
Advertisement
Such a liquid biopsy could one day supplant mammograms as the initial screening tool for breast cancer, if it is proven through rigorous testing to be accurate, Cance said.
"They need to be as close to 100 percent accurate as you can get," Cance said. "That said, if a patient could get a blood test that could detect whether you have a cancer and at what stage, that would be such a useful screening tool."
Armed with such a blood test, doctors might then use mammograms only after cancer has been detected, to confirm the test's results and find the location of the tumor, Cance said.
The EV-CLUE chips are created using a 3-D printer, in a process that could be distributed widely and affordably, Xu said. He added that using the chips would be "much cheaper than a mammogram."
The chips would not be limited to breast cancer detection, either. Researchers have just started an early trial to see if the EV-CLUE can detect lung cancer as well, Xu said.
"This is not limited to breast cancer," Xu said. "MMP14 exists in many, many other types of cancer."
The early results of the EV-CLUE were published June 10 in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
Advertisement
More information
The American Association for Cancer Research has more about liquid cancer biopsy.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-06-10--Watch: BTS recreates first birthday party in 'Festa' teaser

June 10 ( UPI ) -- South Korean boy band BTS is gearing up for its Festa 2020 celebration .
@ @ @ @ @ teaser for the celebration Wednesday that shows the members recreating their first birthday party .
@ @ @ @ @ members of BTS prepare food and cake and reflect on their time together as a @ @ @ @ @ the seventh anniversary of its debut single album , 2 Cool 4 Skool , on @ @ @ @ @ has a number of events planned leading up to the official anniversary .
Last week @ @ @ @ @ family portrait in honor of the anniversary .
BTS is also focused on social causes @ @ @ @ @ support for the Black Lives Matter movement last week in the wake of George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ have helped raise over $ 1 million in donations for BLM since June 1 .

June 10 (UPI) -- South Korean boy band BTS is gearing up for its Festa 2020 celebration.
The K-pop stars shared a teaser for the celebration Wednesday that shows the members recreating their first birthday party.
Advertisement
In the video, the members of BTS prepare food and cake and reflect on their time together as a group.
BTS will celebrate the seventh anniversary of its debut single album, 2 Cool 4 Skool, on June 12. The group has a number of events planned leading up to the official anniversary.
Last week, BTS released a special family portrait in honor of the anniversary.
BTS is also focused on social causes. The group voiced its support for the Black Lives Matter movement last week in the wake of George Floyd's death.
BTS fans have helped raise over $1 million in donations for BLM since June 1.
BTS performs on 'Good Morning America'


upi--2020-06-11--Labor Dept. says 1.5 million more U.S. workers file for unemployment

June 11 ( UPI ) -- The Labor Department said in its weekly report Thursday 1.5 million Americans have filed new unemployment claims .
The department said the figure is a decrease of 355,000 from the previous week .
The report also revised last week 's figure up to 1.9 million new claims .
Thursday 's unemployment report is the first since the department surprised Wall Street last week by saying the U.S. economy added 2 1/2 million jobs in the month of May .
Analysts expected May to see a loss of between 7-8 million jobs .
The unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent .
Continuing claims , which lag initial jobless claims data by one week , were expected to total 20 million for the week ending May 30 , down from 21.5 million in the prior week .
U.S. unemployment claims peaked in April at 6.6 million for two weeks in a row and the department said a record 20 million U.S. workers lost their jobs during the month .
Economists are eyeing this week 's jobless figures as they relate to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program , which covers `` gig economy '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits .
PUA claims fell last week from 1.3 million to about 623,000 , signaling that the labor impact of the COVID-19 outbreak may have reached a bottom .
Continuing PUA declines , the Commerce Department said last week , would further `` increase our conviction in the labor market stabilization and suggest processing backlogs have been cleared . ''
Wednesday , the Federal Reserve indicated that the economic toll of the pandemic is likely to remain in some form for at least two years .
It projected an unemployment rate of 9.3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall contraction of 6.5 percent for the year .

Diners eat outside at Tavern on Main in Belleville, Ill., on May 29 to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
June 11 (UPI) -- The Labor Department said in its weekly report Thursday that 1.5 million Americans have filed new unemployment claims. The department said the figure is a decrease of 355,000 from the previous week. The report also revised last week's figure up to 1.9 million new claims. Advertisement
Thursday's unemployment report is the first since the department surprised Wall Street last week by saying the U.S. economy added 2.5 million jobs in the month of May. Analysts expected May to see a loss of between 7 million and 8 million jobs. The unemployment rate also fell last month to 13.3 percent.
Economists predicted Thursday's assessment to report another 1.6 million jobless claims.
Continuing claims, which lag initial jobless claims data by one week, were expected to total 20 million for the week ending May 30, down from 21.5 million in the prior week.
U.S. unemployment claims peaked in April at 6.6 million for two weeks in a row and the department said a record 20 million U.S. workers lost their jobs during the month.
Economists are eyeing this week's jobless figures as they relate to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which covers "gig economy" and self-employed workers ineligible for traditional unemployment benefits.
Advertisement
PUA claims fell last week from 1.3 million to about 623,000, signaling that the labor impact of the COVID-19 outbreak may have reached a bottom. Continuing PUA declines, the Commerce Department said last week, would further "increase our conviction in the labor market stabilization and suggest processing backlogs have been cleared."
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve indicated that the economic toll of the pandemic is likely to remain in some form for at least two years. It projected an unemployment rate of 9.3 percent by the end of 2020 and overall contraction of 6.5 percent for the year.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-06-11--Rapinoe says protests 'always worth it' as U.S. Soccer repeals kneeling ban

June 11 ( UPI ) -- United States Women 's National Team soccer star Megan Rapinoe says her peaceful protests , including kneeling before games , have always been `` worth it '' as the United States Soccer Federation recently repealed a rule against the practice .
Rapinoe made the comments during an appearance Wednesday on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert .
The federation on Tuesday voted to repeal a 2017 rule that required players to stand during the national anthem before games .
Rapinoe started to kneel as the anthem played before games in 2016 .
Like Colin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racial inequality as her motivation .
Kaepernick and Rapinoe , at the time , were not joined by many athletes during the protests and their respective leagues did not offer public support for their stances .
Many league commissioners and players have recently raised their voices as protests have swept the United States and Europe after the May 25 death of George Floyd .
Floyd was killed while handcuffed and pinned to the ground by police in Minneapolis .
`` Do it .
It 's always worth it to do it , whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rapinoe said of her activism and protests .
`` Everybody likes it now .
Everyone is like , 'wow good job . '
Four years ago , they were like , 'bad job .
Do n't do that . '
`` It 's just always worth it .
Use your voice in whatever way you can . ''
The federation 's board of directors voted to repeal it 's anthem policy while on a conference call Tuesday .
The policy was put in place in 2017 .
Rapinoe honored the policy after her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women 's team and with the OL Reign of the National Women 's Soccer League .
`` The [ federation 's ] board of directors voted [ Tuesday ] afternoon to repeal Policy 604-1 , which required our players to stand during the national anthem , '' the federation said .
`` The policy was put in place after Megan Rapinoe kneeled in solidarity with the peaceful protest inspired by Colin Kaepernick , who was protesting police brutality and the systematic oppression of Black people and people of color in America .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was wrong and detracted from the important message of Black Lives Matter . ''
The federation 's repeal will take effect immediately .
`` It should be , and will be going forward , up to our players to determine how they can best use their platforms to fight all forms of racism , discrimination , and inequality , '' the federation said .
`` We are here for our players and are ready to support them in elevating their efforts to achieve social justice .
`` We can not change the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the future .
We are committed to this change effort , and we will be implementing supporting actions in the near future . ''

The United States Soccer Federation cited Megan Rapinoe (15) when it repealed its ban on players kneeling during the national anthem on Tuesday. Photo by Ian Langsdon/EPA-EFE
June 11 (UPI) -- United States Women's National Team soccer star Megan Rapinoe says her peaceful protests, including kneeling before games, have always been "worth it" as the United States Soccer Federation recently repealed a rule against the practice. Rapinoe made the comments during an appearance Wednesday on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The federation on Tuesday voted to repeal a 2017 rule that required players to stand during the national anthem before games. Advertisement
Rapinoe started to kneel as the anthem played before games in 2016. Like Colin Kaepernick, she cited policy brutality and racial inequality as her motivation. Kaepernick and Rapinoe, at the time, were not joined by many athletes during the protests and their respective leagues did not offer public support for their stances.
Many league commissioners and players have recently raised their voices as protests have swept the United States and Europe after the May 25 death of George Floyd. Floyd was killed while handcuffed and pinned to the ground by police in Minneapolis.
"Do it. It's always worth it to do it, whether people like it or not," Rapinoe said of her activism and protests. "Everybody likes it now. Everyone is like, 'wow good job.' Four years ago, they were like, 'bad job. Don't do that.'
Advertisement
"It's just always worth it. Use your voice in whatever way you can."
The federation's board of directors voted to repeal it's anthem policy while on a conference call Tuesday. The policy was put in place in 2017. Rapinoe honored the policy after her peaceful protests before games with the U.S. women's team and with the OL Reign of the National Women's Soccer League.
"The [federation's] board of directors voted [Tuesday] afternoon to repeal Policy 604-1, which required our players to stand during the national anthem," the federation said. "The policy was put in place after Megan Rapinoe kneeled in solidarity with the peaceful protest inspired by Colin Kaepernick, who was protesting police brutality and the systematic oppression of Black people and people of color in America.
"It has become clear that this policy was wrong and detracted from the important message of Black Lives Matter."
The federation's repeal will take effect immediately.
"It should be, and will be going forward, up to our players to determine how they can best use their platforms to fight all forms of racism, discrimination, and inequality," the federation said. "We are here for our players and are ready to support them in elevating their efforts to achieve social justice.
Advertisement
"We cannot change the past, but we can make a difference in the future. We are committed to this change effort, and we will be implementing supporting actions in the near future."


upi--2020-06-11--Working moms at risk of being left behind in economic recovery

June 11 ( UPI ) -- It 's a tenuous time to be a working mother .
At the start of 2020 , before even the coronavirus pandemic upended daily life , being a working parent was a challenge .
Parents are less happy than non-parents .
But in the United States , where there is less access to subsidized childcare , parental leave and paid time off , the happiness penalty to parenthood is even larger .
And unlike fathers , mothers are less likely than their childless counterparts to be hired and receive lower salary offers when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wage penalty to the happiness penalty .
On top of this , time-use surveys have consistently found that , unlike many working fathers , the majority of working mothers have a second shift at home , in which they carry out a greater share of household tasks .
Yet , working mothers are often critical economic contributors to their household .
In 2017 , the Department of Labor estimated that mothers earned at least half of household income in 40 percent of households with children .
Enter the pandemic .
Schools are closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year in most states , and many childcare facilities closed by state order or local preference .
For working mothers , this means adding a third shift to the day -- full-time childcare and homeschooling .
While there is early anecdotal evidence that mothers are pulling back hours in order to provide care while their partners continue working full-time , that is not a feasible or desirable option for everyone .
For example , the two occupations with the largest number of mothers in the workforce -- elementary and middle school teachers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to carry the expectation that they continue working .
And for single mothers , there is no other worker whose income can support the family .
We do not have data yet on how working mothers have managed this incredible amount of responsibility -- if they left their jobs , dropped to part time , hired in-home help , arranged for a family member to move in , changed the household division of labor or any combination of these possibilities .
But we do have early data on one consequence : mental health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic 's increased mental burden has not been borne equally .
While women overall report negative mental health impacts from the pandemic at a higher rate than do men , this gap is particularly profound for parents of children under the age of 18 , with 57 percent of mothers , compared to 32 percent of fathers , reporting negative impacts .
And among parents trying to work , a recent survey found a 20 percentage point difference in the likelihood of working mothers taking a primary role in home education and caregiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequences of the squeeze on working mothers brought on by the pandemic may only cascade from here .
As businesses reopen , the continued closure of schools , summer camps and childcare centers will likely require at least one parent to continue to work from home or forgo working .
Telecommuting while other colleagues work in person may limit opportunities for networking and informal communication .
Missing out on the development of additional social capital may disproportionately harm women 's careers , as women tend to be part of less powerful networks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The pandemic has increased the opportunity cost of working , in that the more affordable childcare options are off the table for most .
We know from prior research that the cost and availability of childcare strongly relate to women 's labor force participation .
The extant stereotype that mothers are less committed to their jobs leads to discrepancies in pay and promotion .
Parents who are currently working without childcare are unlikely to be able to engage at their usual level .
To the extent that the pandemic may intensify the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , there may be devastating career consequences for both today and tomorrow 's working mothers .
As working mothers reconfigure the logistics of grocery shopping , supply management and children 's education diversions during a pandemic -- some of them telecommuting , some of them working essential jobs -- they also must navigate the societal biases that assume that they may be putting in less productive hours than their working father counterparts .
Given that many employers are looking to cut back on staff , there is a real danger that working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery .
Melanie A. Zaber and Kathryn A. Edwards are associate economists at the nonprofit , nonpartisan RAND Corp .

Many working mothers are in jobs deemed essential during the pandemic. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
June 11 (UPI) -- It's a tenuous time to be a working mother. At the start of 2020, before even the coronavirus pandemic upended daily life, being a working parent was a challenge. Parents are less happy than non-parents. But in the United States, where there is less access to subsidized childcare, parental leave and paid time off, the happiness penalty to parenthood is even larger. And unlike fathers, mothers are less likely than their childless counterparts to be hired and receive lower salary offers when they are offered a job, adding a wage penalty to the happiness penalty. Advertisement
On top of this, time-use surveys have consistently found that, unlike many working fathers, the majority of working mothers have a second shift at home, in which they carry out a greater share of household tasks.
Advertisement
Yet, working mothers are often critical economic contributors to their household. In 2017, the Department of Labor estimated that mothers earned at least half of household income in 40 percent of households with children.
Enter the pandemic. Schools are closed for in-person instruction through the end of the year in most states, and many childcare facilities closed by state order or local preference. For working mothers, this means adding a third shift to the day -- full-time childcare and homeschooling.
While there is early anecdotal evidence that mothers are pulling back hours in order to provide care while their partners continue working full-time, that is not a feasible or desirable option for everyone. For example, the two occupations with the largest number of mothers in the workforce -- elementary and middle school teachers and registered nurses -- are extremely likely to carry the expectation that they continue working. And for single mothers, there is no other worker whose income can support the family.
We do not have data yet on how working mothers have managed this incredible amount of responsibility -- if they left their jobs, dropped to part time, hired in-home help, arranged for a family member to move in, changed the household division of labor or any combination of these possibilities.
Advertisement
But we do have early data on one consequence: mental health. There is preliminary evidence that the pandemic's increased mental burden has not been borne equally. While women overall report negative mental health impacts from the pandemic at a higher rate than do men, this gap is particularly profound for parents of children under the age of 18, with 57 percent of mothers, compared to 32 percent of fathers, reporting negative impacts. And among parents trying to work, a recent survey found a 20 percentage point difference in the likelihood of working mothers taking a primary role in home education and caregiving, compared to working fathers.
The consequences of the squeeze on working mothers brought on by the pandemic may only cascade from here. As businesses reopen, the continued closure of schools, summer camps and childcare centers will likely require at least one parent to continue to work from home or forgo working. Telecommuting while other colleagues work in person may limit opportunities for networking and informal communication. Missing out on the development of additional social capital may disproportionately harm women's careers, as women tend to be part of less powerful networks.
Advertisement
And these are just the short-term considerations. The pandemic has increased the opportunity cost of working, in that the more affordable childcare options are off the table for most. We know from prior research that the cost and availability of childcare strongly relate to women's labor force participation. The extant stereotype that mothers are less committed to their jobs leads to discrepancies in pay and promotion. Parents who are currently working without childcare are unlikely to be able to engage at their usual level. To the extent that the pandemic may intensify the perception of parenting being at odds with work, there may be devastating career consequences for both today and tomorrow's working mothers.
As working mothers reconfigure the logistics of grocery shopping, supply management and children's education diversions during a pandemic -- some of them telecommuting, some of them working essential jobs -- they also must navigate the societal biases that assume that they may be putting in less productive hours than their working father counterparts. Given that many employers are looking to cut back on staff, there is a real danger that working mothers will come second in the economic recovery.
Advertisement
Melanie A. Zaber and Kathryn A. Edwards are associate economists at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corp.


upi--2020-06-11--WWE NXT: Adam Cole faces Dexter Lumis, Scarlett delivers a message from Karrion Kross

June 11 ( UPI ) -- NXT Champion Adam Cole faced off against Dexter Lumis for the first time in a non-title match on WWE NXT .
The mysterious Lumis has been giving Cole 's group The Undisputed Era trouble for weeks and has also helped out The Velveteen Dream multiple times in his matches with Cole .
Lumis , who does n't seem to mind pain , kept daring Cole to hit him as hard as he could .
After being thrown out of the ring , Lumis crawled underneath the squared circle and came out the other side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lumis tried to lock in his submission hold the Kata Gatame , but Cole escaped with help from Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish of The Undisputed Era .
Fish distracted the referee while Strong kicked Lumis in the head .
Cole then won the match after nailing Lumis with the Last Shot .
As The Undisputed Era celebrated , Lumis quickly got back up and finally locked in the Kata Gatame on the champ .
Strong and Fish beat down Lumis until Dream arrived onto the scene to help out .
Dream brawled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cole was left all alone in the ring until the lights in the arena went out .
Scarlett , the partner of Karrion Kross , then appeared holding an hourglass .
Scarlett flipped the glass over , a message to Cole that his time as NXT Champion could be over soon .
Also on WWE NXT , Drake Maverick challenged newly crowned NXT Cruiserweight Champion El Hijo del Fantasma to a title match .
Fantasma defeated Maverick for the title last week in the final round of the Cruiserweight Championship tournament .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pair of masked men started to come down to the ring .
The masked men have been responsible for abducting NXT stars in recent weeks .
Fantasma appeared to be joining Maverick in the fight before he turned on him and joined forces with the masked men .
The masked men then revealed themselves to be Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza .
Fantasma took out Maverick with the Phantom Driver and also took off his mask before he referred to himself as Santos Escobar .
Other moments from WWE NXT included Johnny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Champion Keith Lee and Mia Yim ; Indus Sher with Malcolm Bivens defeating Mikey Delbrey and Mike Reed ; Finn Balor defeating Cameron Grimes and Dakota Kai defeating Kacy Catanzaro .

June 11 (UPI) -- NXT Champion Adam Cole faced off against Dexter Lumis for the first time in a non-title match on WWE NXT.
The mysterious Lumis has been giving Cole's group The Undisputed Era trouble for weeks and has also helped out The Velveteen Dream multiple times in his matches with Cole.
Advertisement
Lumis, who doesn't seem to mind pain, kept daring Cole to hit him as hard as he could. After being thrown out of the ring, Lumis crawled underneath the squared circle and came out the other side in order to surprise attack Cole.
Lumis tried to lock in his submission hold the Kata Gatame, but Cole escaped with help from Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish of The Undisputed Era. Fish distracted the referee while Strong kicked Lumis in the head.
Cole then won the match after nailing Lumis with the Last Shot. As The Undisputed Era celebrated, Lumis quickly got back up and finally locked in the Kata Gatame on the champ.
Strong and Fish beat down Lumis until Dream arrived onto the scene to help out. Dream brawled with Fish while Lumis chased down Strong.
Advertisement
Cole was left all alone in the ring until the lights in the arena went out. Scarlett, the partner of Karrion Kross, then appeared holding an hourglass. Scarlett flipped the glass over, a message to Cole that his time as NXT Champion could be over soon.
Also on WWE NXT, Drake Maverick challenged newly crowned NXT Cruiserweight Champion El Hijo del Fantasma to a title match. Fantasma defeated Maverick for the title last week in the final round of the Cruiserweight Championship tournament.
Fantasma seemingly agreed to the match before a pair of masked men started to come down to the ring. The masked men have been responsible for abducting NXT stars in recent weeks.
Fantasma appeared to be joining Maverick in the fight before he turned on him and joined forces with the masked men. The masked men then revealed themselves to be Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza.
Fantasma took out Maverick with the Phantom Driver and also took off his mask before he referred to himself as Santos Escobar.
Advertisement
Other moments from WWE NXT included Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae defeating North American Champion Keith Lee and Mia Yim; Indus Sher with Malcolm Bivens defeating Mikey Delbrey and Mike Reed; Finn Balor defeating Cameron Grimes and Dakota Kai defeating Kacy Catanzaro.


upi--2020-06-11--Google, Microsoft, other tech giants forge plan to fight child sex abuse

June 11 ( UPI ) -- A coalition of tech leaders including Facebook , Google , Microsoft and Twitter announced a plan Thursday to rid the Internet of child sexual abuse .
The Technology Coalition , established almost 15 years ago to fight child sexual exploitation online , said working together the companies can make a sizable impact .
Growth in technology , it said , has made it more difficult to consistently fight sexual crimes against children .
`` The world has changed since we first came together in 2006 , '' the coalition said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there has been an explosion of new Internet services , including mobile and online video streaming .
`` The number of people online -- more than 4.5 billion in 2020 -- has added to the challenge of keeping the internet a safe place . ''
The coalition proposed a five-pillar plan to reinforce a cross-industry approach to combating child sex abuse and exploitation , establish a research fund to create tracking tools , publish an annual progress report and start a forum to share best practices .
The coalition said it 's working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international group that fights child violence worldwide .
`` [ The plan ] brings together the brightest minds from across the tech industry to tackle a grave issue that no one company can solve on its own , '' Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg said .
The coalition said because predators have gotten more creative , they have taken their crimes to popular online gaming platforms like Roblox to target children .
The move led Roblox to employ machine learning and human moderators to review and block child abuse materials .
Tech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over encryption it on services like WhatsApp , Messenger and Instagram .
Authorities say such security measures sometimes hinder child exploitation investigations .

Facebook is part of the Technology Coalition's five-pillar plan to fight child sex predators online. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 11 (UPI) -- A coalition of tech leaders including Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Twitter announced a plan Thursday to rid the Internet of child sexual abuse. The Technology Coalition, established almost 15 years ago to fight child sexual exploitation online, said working together the companies can make a sizable impact. Growth in technology, it said, has made it more difficult to consistently fight sexual crimes against children. Advertisement
"The world has changed since we first came together in 2006," the coalition said in a statement. "Technology is more advanced, and there has been an explosion of new Internet services, including mobile and online video streaming.
"The number of people online -- more than 4.5 billion in 2020 -- has added to the challenge of keeping the internet a safe place."
The coalition proposed a five-pillar plan to reinforce a cross-industry approach to combating child sex abuse and exploitation, establish a research fund to create tracking tools, publish an annual progress report and start a forum to share best practices.
The coalition said it's working with the WePROTECT Global Alliance, an international group that fights child violence worldwide.
Advertisement
"[The plan] brings together the brightest minds from across the tech industry to tackle a grave issue that no one company can solve on its own," Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg said.
The coalition said because predators have gotten more creative, they have taken their crimes to popular online gaming platforms like Roblox to target children. The move led Roblox to employ machine learning and human moderators to review and block child abuse materials.
Tech companies have occasionally conflicted with law enforcement over encryption it on services like WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram. Authorities say such security measures sometimes hinder child exploitation investigations.


upi--2020-06-11--Blazers founder Harry Glickman dies at 96

June 11 ( UPI ) -- Harry Glickman , the founder of the Portland Trail Blazers , has died .
He was 96 .
The Blazers said Glickman died Wednesday .
The team did not reveal his cause of death .
The Portland , Ore. , native was also the general manager for the franchise 's only championship team in 1977 .
Glickman , considered the father of professional sports in Oregon , put together the Blazers ' original ownership group after the NBA granted Portland an expansion franchise in 1970 .
Herman Sarkowsky , Larry Weinberg and Robert Schmertz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the team .
Glickman was also a shareholder when Paul Allen bought the franchise in 1988 .
Glickman was general manager for the Blazers from 1970 through 1994 .
He then became president emeritus .
The Blazers won two Western Conference titles in addition to their championship run .
`` Harry Glickman laid the foundation and established the benchmark for small market success in the NBA , '' said Neil Olshey , Blazers president of basketball operations .
`` He was the driving force that set the stage for the 1977 NBA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Portland and allowed it to join the elite of professional sports franchises .
`` His contributions to the city of Portland and the Trail Blazers are immense and for that we all owe him a great debt of gratitude . ''
Glickman attended Lincoln High School in Portland before he graduated from the University of Oregon in 1948 .
He then served for three years in the U.S. Army .
Glickman went on to form Oregon Sports Attractions and promoted events , including an annual NFL exhibition game , boxing , the Harlem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also founded the Portland Buckaroos of the Western Hockey League .
The Buckaroos won three Lester Patrick Cup championships while Glickman was co-owner and president .
Glickman nearly brought an NFL expansion franchise to Portland after he was assured of a team from NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle in 1964 .
Portland voters nixed the plan when they rejected a proposed 40,000-seat stadium .
Glickman is survived by his wife , Joanne , son Marshall and daughters Jennifer and Lynn .

June 11 (UPI) -- Harry Glickman, the founder of the Portland Trail Blazers, has died. He was 96.
The Blazers said Glickman died Wednesday. The team did not reveal his cause of death. The Portland, Ore., native was also the general manager for the franchise's only championship team in 1977.
Advertisement
Glickman, considered the father of professional sports in Oregon, put together the Blazers' original ownership group after the NBA granted Portland an expansion franchise in 1970. Herman Sarkowsky, Larry Weinberg and Robert Schmertz paid the $3.7 million expansion fee for the team. Glickman was also a shareholder when Paul Allen bought the franchise in 1988.
Glickman was general manager for the Blazers from 1970 through 1994. He then became president emeritus. The Blazers won two Western Conference titles in addition to their championship run.
"Harry Glickman laid the foundation and established the benchmark for small market success in the NBA," said Neil Olshey, Blazers president of basketball operations. "He was the driving force that set the stage for the 1977 NBA Championship, a seminal moment that elevated Portland and allowed it to join the elite of professional sports franchises.
Advertisement
"His contributions to the city of Portland and the Trail Blazers are immense and for that we all owe him a great debt of gratitude."
The father of professional sports in Oregon, a true Trail Blazer. We will miss you, Harry pic.twitter.com/FaHj4yzMbO— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) June 11, 2020
Glickman attended Lincoln High School in Portland before he graduated from the University of Oregon in 1948. He then served for three years in the U.S. Army. Glickman went on to form Oregon Sports Attractions and promoted events, including an annual NFL exhibition game, boxing, the Harlem Globetrotters and the Shrine Football Game.
He also founded the Portland Buckaroos of the Western Hockey League. The Buckaroos won three Lester Patrick Cup championships while Glickman was co-owner and president.
Glickman nearly brought an NFL expansion franchise to Portland after he was assured of a team from NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle in 1964. Portland voters nixed the plan when they rejected a proposed 40,000-seat stadium.
Glickman is survived by his wife, Joanne, son Marshall and daughters Jennifer and Lynn.
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-06-11--U.S. passes 2 million COVID-19 cases amid rise in new infections

June 11 ( UPI ) -- The number of coronavirus cases in the United States passed the 2 million mark Thursday amid looser restrictions on social mobility .
Nationally , the total number of confirmed coronavirus disease cases topped 2 million since the start of the pandemic , according to Johns Hopkins University -- more than twice the number of the next-highest nation , Brazil .
Nearly 113,000 patients have died of COVID19 in the United States .
Florida has reported 1,300 new cases and Wednesday marked the seventh time in eight days that new cases surpassed 1,000 .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jump in cases since the pandemic began .
In Arizona , public health officials in the Phoenix area urged residents to take stronger disease precautions as Maricopa County reported an average of almost 600 new daily cases in the last week , compared to 200 new cases per day before the spike .
Texas reported more than 2,100 hospitalizations on Wednesday , the third straight day of record levels .
Hospitalizations have also gone up in Arkansas and California as all 50 states have begun easing quarantine restrictions , even though many have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening businesses .
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington said in an updated outlook it expects the U.S. death toll to reach 170,000 by October if current easing trends continue .
Institute said a second wave of deaths is likely in September , following `` fairly stable '' levels through the end of August .
`` If the U.S. is unable to check the growth in September , we could be facing worsening trends in October , November , and the following months if the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said IHME Director Dr. Christopher Murray .

A worker washes the sidewalk near Grand Central Station when New York City entered the first stage of a four-part reopening plan after being closed for almost 3 months due to COVID-19. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 11 (UPI) -- The number of coronavirus cases in the United States passed the 2 million mark Thursday amid looser restrictions on social mobility. Nationally, the total number of confirmed coronavirus disease cases topped 2 million since the start of the pandemic, according to Johns Hopkins University -- more than twice the number of the next-highest nation, Brazil. Advertisement
Nearly 113,000 patients have died of COVID19 in the United States.
Florida has reported 1,300 new cases and Wednesday marked the seventh time in eight days that new cases surpassed 1,000. It was also the state's third-highest single-day jump in cases since the pandemic began.
In Arizona, public health officials in the Phoenix area urged residents to take stronger disease precautions as Maricopa County reported an average of almost 600 new daily cases in the last week, compared to 200 new cases per day before the spike.
Texas reported more than 2,100 hospitalizations on Wednesday, the third straight day of record levels. Hospitalizations have also gone up in Arkansas and California as all 50 states have begun easing quarantine restrictions, even though many have not met the White House criteria for reopening businesses.
Advertisement
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington said in an updated outlook it expects the U.S. death toll to reach 170,000 by October if current easing trends continue.
Institute said a second wave of deaths is likely in September, following "fairly stable" levels through the end of August.
"If the U.S. is unable to check the growth in September, we could be facing worsening trends in October, November, and the following months if the pandemic, as we expect, follows pneumonia seasonality," said IHME Director Dr. Christopher Murray.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic