upi--2020-11-12--Watch: Robot wolves protecting Japanese town from bears

Nov. 12 ( UPI ) -- A Japanese town is protecting itself from wandering bears with a pair of unusual guardians : motion-detecting robot wolves .
Officials in Takikawa , on the island of Hokkaido , said concern about an increase of bear incursions into residential neighborhoods this year led to their purchasing two Monster Wolves , robotic guard canines created by machinery firm Ohta Seiki in partnership with a local university .
The Monster Wolves , which are made of metal and covered in fake fur to make them appear real to other animals , are outfitted with motion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The wolves then flash red lights in their eyes , move their heads back and forth and emit a series of howling and screeching noises .
`` We want to let the bears know , 'human settlements are n't where you live , ' and help with the coexistence of bears and people , '' Yuji Ota , head of Ohta Seiki , told Japanese newspaper The Mainichi .
City officials said the wolves have thus far been effective in preventing bears from entering the town .
Wolves once lived in the wild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country during the early 20th century .

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Nov. 12 (UPI) -- A Japanese town is protecting itself from wandering bears with a pair of unusual guardians: motion-detecting robot wolves.
Officials in Takikawa, on the island of Hokkaido, said concern about an increase of bear incursions into residential neighborhoods this year led to their purchasing two Monster Wolves, robotic guard canines created by machinery firm Ohta Seiki in partnership with a local university.
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The Monster Wolves, which are made of metal and covered in fake fur to make them appear real to other animals, are outfitted with motion detectors that cause them to activate. The wolves then flash red lights in their eyes, move their heads back and forth and emit a series of howling and screeching noises.
"We want to let the bears know, 'human settlements aren't where you live,' and help with the coexistence of bears and people," Yuji Ota, head of Ohta Seiki, told Japanese newspaper The Mainichi.
City officials said the wolves have thus far been effective in preventing bears from entering the town.
Wolves once lived in the wild in Japan, but went extinct in the country during the early 20th century.


upi--2020-11-13--Apple's new iPhone 12s, Pro Max and Mini, hit stores worldwide

Nov. 13 ( UPI ) -- Apple 's newest iPhone 12 models , the Pro Max and Mini , hit stores worldwide on Friday -- giving buyers the choice of going big or scaling down .
The new models were announced last month but did n't go on sale until now .
The iPhone 12 Pro Max includes an advanced pro camera system and the smartphone 's largest display ever , 6.7 inches .
The device 's enhanced night mode offers expanded depth and wider lenses for brighter pictures , Apple says .
The Pro Max has three cameras and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ iPhone 12s .
It is available in four colors .
As for the Mini , the company says it 's the `` smallest , thinnest , and lightest 5G smartphone '' ever made .
It features a 5.4-inch display .
The Mini model has two cameras and is available in five colors .
`` For customers who wish to pick up new products in person , many Apple Store locations are open and operating in various service models to protect the health and well-being of customers and employees , '' Apple said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the iPhone 12 lineup .
Apple has already been selling the standard iPhone 12 model and the Pro version .

1/5
Customers wait in a line to buy the new iPhone 12 during the launch day at Apple Omotesando store in Tokyo on Friday. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Apple's newest iPhone 12 models, the Pro Max and Mini, hit stores worldwide on Friday -- giving buyers the choice of going big or scaling down. The new models were announced last month but didn't go on sale until now. Advertisement
The iPhone 12 Pro Max includes an advanced pro camera system and the smartphone's largest display ever, 6.7 inches.
The device's enhanced night mode offers expanded depth and wider lenses for brighter pictures, Apple says.
The Pro Max has three cameras and is the most expensive of all the iPhone 12s. It is available in four colors.
As for the Mini, the company says it's the "smallest, thinnest, and lightest 5G smartphone" ever made. It features a 5.4-inch display.
The Mini model has two cameras and is available in five colors.
"For customers who wish to pick up new products in person, many Apple Store locations are open and operating in various service models to protect the health and well-being of customers and employees," Apple said in a statement.
The new models add to the iPhone 12 lineup. Apple has already been selling the standard iPhone 12 model and the Pro version.
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upi--2020-11-13--Myanmar’s ruling party declared winner in general elections

Nov. 13 ( UPI ) -- Myanmar 's ruling party won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections as opponents in a military-backed party contested the results .
The National League for Democracy , the party of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi , had won 399 out of 462 available seats in parliament by late Friday , the country 's Union Election Commission said .
That number exceeds the 322 seats required to form the next government .
The ruling party 's victory surpasses its general election results in 2015 , when the party took 390 seats , effectively ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 50 years .
Votes were still being counted late Friday , but the Union Solidarity and Development Party , the military-supported opposition , has protested the results .
On Wednesday , the USDP said the results of the election , after early Sunday voting , were not legitimate and asked authorities to hold an `` election that is free , fair , unbiased and free from unfair campaigning , '' according to the BBC .
The army has also said early voting showed `` errors of neglect '' in voter lists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Myanmar 's election commission has dismissed the charges , and told the Myanmar Times the accusations are baseless and the results are final .
The NLD claimed a sweeping victory in the capital of Yangon , and in the central regions of the country inhabited by the Burman , the majority ethnic group in the country .
Critics of the election have said the voting deserves scrutiny due to the disenfranchisement of the Rohingya , a minority group that fled the country in 2017 as they fell under the attack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rohingya refugees remain in Bangladesh .
Suu Kyi fell under heavy international criticism for her response to the Rohingya crisis .
In 2018 , Amnesty International stripped Suu Kyi of an award , but her 1991 Nobel Peace Prize was not rescinded amid accusations of genocide .

Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling party won a landslide victory in general elections, according to the country's Union Election Commission on Friday. File Photo by Monika Graff/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Myanmar's ruling party won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections as opponents in a military-backed party contested the results. The National League for Democracy, the party of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, had won 399 out of 462 available seats in parliament by late Friday, the country's Union Election Commission said. That number exceeds the 322 seats required to form the next government. Advertisement
The ruling party's victory surpasses its general election results in 2015, when the party took 390 seats, effectively ending a military dictatorship that lasted for more than 50 years.
Votes were still being counted late Friday, but the Union Solidarity and Development Party, the military-supported opposition, has protested the results.
On Wednesday, the USDP said the results of the election, after early Sunday voting, were not legitimate and asked authorities to hold an "election that is free, fair, unbiased and free from unfair campaigning," according to the BBC. The army has also said early voting showed "errors of neglect" in voter lists and "widespread violation of laws and procedures."
Myanmar's election commission has dismissed the charges, and told the Myanmar Times the accusations are baseless and the results are final.
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The NLD claimed a sweeping victory in the capital of Yangon, and in the central regions of the country inhabited by the Burman, the majority ethnic group in the country.
Critics of the election have said the voting deserves scrutiny due to the disenfranchisement of the Rohingya, a minority group that fled the country in 2017 as they fell under the attack of Myanmar's forces. Close to 900,000 Rohingya refugees remain in Bangladesh.
Suu Kyi fell under heavy international criticism for her response to the Rohingya crisis. In 2018, Amnesty International stripped Suu Kyi of an award, but her 1991 Nobel Peace Prize was not rescinded amid accusations of genocide.


upi--2020-11-13--Look: Al Roker returns home after prostate cancer surgery

Nov. 13 ( UPI ) -- Al Roker is `` relieved '' and at home following his surgery for prostate cancer .
The 66-year-old Today weather anchor and co-host gave an update Thursday after undergoing surgery to remove his prostate .
Roker shared photos on Instagram of himself with his wife , Deborah Roberts , and their son Nicholas , 18 .
`` Relieved to let you all know that my # prostatecancer surgery is done and back home , '' Roker captioned the post .
`` A big shoutout to everyone at the # josierobertsonsurgerycenter and so appreciate all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the wonderful care packages from my co-workers , '' he said .
`` Hope to see you all soon . ''
Actress Nia Long , celebrity chef Sunny Anderson and comedian Jim Gaffigan were among those to wish Roker well in the comments .
`` We love you Al rest up so you can get back in the kitchen : ) , '' Long wrote .
`` Great to hear .
Feel better ! ''
Gaffigan said .
Roker announced last week on Today that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news-bad news kind of thing .
Good news is we caught it early .
Not great news is that it 's a little aggressive , so I 'm going to be taking some time off to take care of this , '' he said .
Roker said he hoped to return to Today in two weeks .
He encouraged others to get regular checkups , particularly Black men .
`` The problem for African Americans is that any number of reasons from genetics to access to health care , and so we want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know they got to get checked , '' Roker said .
Roker and his Today co-host Craig Melvin previously teamed up with the New Jersey Devils hockey team to create a PSA about getting checked for prostate cancer .

Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Al Roker is "relieved" and at home following his surgery for prostate cancer.
The 66-year-old Today weather anchor and co-host gave an update Thursday after undergoing surgery to remove his prostate.
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Roker shared photos on Instagram of himself with his wife, Deborah Roberts, and their son Nicholas, 18.
"Relieved to let you all know that my #prostatecancer surgery is done and back home," Roker captioned the post.
"A big shoutout to everyone at the #josierobertsonsurgerycenter and so appreciate all the thoughts and wishes from our viewers and the wonderful care packages from my co-workers," he said. "Hope to see you all soon."
Actress Nia Long, celebrity chef Sunny Anderson and comedian Jim Gaffigan were among those to wish Roker well in the comments.
"We love you Al rest up so you can get back in the kitchen :)," Long wrote.
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"Prayers up!!" Anderson added.
"Great to hear. Feel better!" Gaffigan said.
Roker announced last week on Today that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September.
"It's a good news-bad news kind of thing. Good news is we caught it early. Not great news is that it's a little aggressive, so I'm going to be taking some time off to take care of this," he said.
Roker said he hoped to return to Today in two weeks. He encouraged others to get regular checkups, particularly Black men.
"The problem for African Americans is that any number of reasons from genetics to access to health care, and so we want to make it available and let people know they got to get checked," Roker said.
Roker and his Today co-host Craig Melvin previously teamed up with the New Jersey Devils hockey team to create a PSA about getting checked for prostate cancer.


upi--2020-11-13--New family of unusual quasiparticles discovered in graphene-based materials

Nov. 12 ( UPI ) -- Scientists have discovered a new family of quasiparticles that defy textbook physics .
Researchers found the particles , called Brown-Zak fermions , in graphene-based superlattices .
Physicists spotted the particles and their odd behavior -- described Friday in the journal Nature Communications -- after aligning a single layer of graphene with an insulating boron nitride sheet .
Typically , in the absence of a magnetic field , electrons travel in straight lines .
When a magnetic field is applied , the paths of electrons start to bend and the particles begin to move in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has been aligned with the boron nitride , electrons also start to bend -- but if you set the magnetic field at specific values , the electrons move in straight line trajectories again , as if there is no magnetic field anymore , '' study co-author Piranavan Kumaravadivel said in a news release .
`` Such behavior is radically different from textbook physics , '' said Kumaravadivel , a physicist at the University of Manchester in Britain .
Researchers hypothesized that the novel electron behavior is triggered by novel quasiparticles , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Those quasiparticles have their own unique properties and exceptionally high mobility despite the extremely high magnetic field , '' said Alexey Berdyugin , study co-author and Manchester physicist .
For years , scientists have been studying graphene-boron nitride superlattices to better understand -- and take advantage of -- a fractal pattern known as the Hofstadter 's butterfly .
The latest discovery has forced physicists to reconsider everything they thought they knew about the fractal phenomenon .
`` The concept of quasiparticles is arguably one of the most important in condensed matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said lead author Julien Barrier .
`` It was introduced by the theoretical physicist Lev Landau in the 1940s to depict collective effects as a 'one particle excitation . '
They are used in a number of complex systems to account for many-body effects , '' said Barrier , also a physicist at the University of Manchester .
Until now , scientists thought the behavior of electrons inside graphene-boron nitride superlattices were dictated by Dirac fermions , photon-like quasiparticles that proliferate at high magnetic field values .
However , Dirac fermions failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properties of graphene-boron nitride superlattices .
Researchers suggest Brown-Zak fermions is part of a family of quasiparticles that explain some of these mysterious properties .
When scientists supplied the superlattice with extremely high magnetic fields , 500,000 times Earth 's magnetic field , they circular-moving electrons began traveling in straight lines .
The electrons were able to maintain their straight-line paths for the entire length of the superlattice sheets without scattering .
Researchers suggest such tremendous electron mobility makes graphene-boron nitride superlattices an ideal material for the creation of ultra-high frequency transistors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greater electron mobility allows transistors to operate at higher frequencies , boosting the speed and efficiency at which they can power computations .
`` The findings are important , of course for fundamental studies in electron transport , but we believe that understanding quasiparticles in novel superlattice devices under high magnetic fields can lead to the development of new electronic devices , '' said Barrier .

Researchers have characterized a new family of quasiparticles called Brown-Zak fermions by aligning the atomic lattice of a graphene layer to that of an insulating boron nitride sheet. Photo by University of Manchester
Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Scientists have discovered a new family of quasiparticles that defy textbook physics. Researchers found the particles, called Brown-Zak fermions, in graphene-based superlattices. Physicists spotted the particles and their odd behavior -- described Friday in the journal Nature Communications -- after aligning a single layer of graphene with an insulating boron nitride sheet. Advertisement
Typically, in the absence of a magnetic field, electrons travel in straight lines. When a magnetic field is applied, the paths of electrons start to bend and the particles begin to move in circles.
"In a graphene layer which has been aligned with the boron nitride, electrons also start to bend -- but if you set the magnetic field at specific values, the electrons move in straight line trajectories again, as if there is no magnetic field anymore," study co-author Piranavan Kumaravadivel said in a news release.
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"Such behavior is radically different from textbook physics," said Kumaravadivel, a physicist at the University of Manchester in Britain.
Researchers hypothesized that the novel electron behavior is triggered by novel quasiparticles, which form at especially high magnetic field values.
"Those quasiparticles have their own unique properties and exceptionally high mobility despite the extremely high magnetic field," said Alexey Berdyugin, study co-author and Manchester physicist.
For years, scientists have been studying graphene-boron nitride superlattices to better understand -- and take advantage of -- a fractal pattern known as the Hofstadter's butterfly.
The latest discovery has forced physicists to reconsider everything they thought they knew about the fractal phenomenon.
"The concept of quasiparticles is arguably one of the most important in condensed matter physics and quantum many-body systems," said lead author Julien Barrier.
"It was introduced by the theoretical physicist Lev Landau in the 1940s to depict collective effects as a 'one particle excitation.' They are used in a number of complex systems to account for many-body effects," said Barrier, also a physicist at the University of Manchester.
Until now, scientists thought the behavior of electrons inside graphene-boron nitride superlattices were dictated by Dirac fermions, photon-like quasiparticles that proliferate at high magnetic field values.
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However, Dirac fermions failed to account for some of the unusual material properties of graphene-boron nitride superlattices.
Researchers suggest Brown-Zak fermions is part of a family of quasiparticles that explain some of these mysterious properties.
In the lab, researchers fabricated extremely large graphene-boron nitride superlattices, offering material's electrons greater mobility.
When scientists supplied the superlattice with extremely high magnetic fields, 500,000 times Earth's magnetic field, they circular-moving electrons began traveling in straight lines. The electrons were able to maintain their straight-line paths for the entire length of the superlattice sheets without scattering.
Researchers suggest such tremendous electron mobility makes graphene-boron nitride superlattices an ideal material for the creation of ultra-high frequency transistors, a key component in computer processors.
Greater electron mobility allows transistors to operate at higher frequencies, boosting the speed and efficiency at which they can power computations.
"The findings are important, of course for fundamental studies in electron transport, but we believe that understanding quasiparticles in novel superlattice devices under high magnetic fields can lead to the development of new electronic devices," said Barrier.


upi--2020-11-13--U.S. tops 150,000 COVID-19 cases in one day; experts predict rise to 330,000 in January

Nov. 13 ( UPI ) -- The United States for the first time has eclipsed the 150,000-case mark for a single day , according to updated data Friday , as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to worsen nationwide .
A record 153,500 coronavirus cases were added on Thursday , tracking data at Johns Hopkins University shows .
The new mark is 10,000 cases higher over the previous record on Wednesday .
The United States has now set new daily records for three consecutive days , during which there have been almost 440,000 new cases .
Since the first major spike on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.3 million new cases nationally .
At the start of the pandemic , it took the United States three and a half months to accumulate that many cases .
There were about 900 coronavirus deaths on Thursday , according to Johns Hopkins , which was a decline of several hundred from the previous day .
Since the start of the pandemic , there have been 10.6 million cases and about 242,500 deaths nationwide .
Nearly 4,000 more patients were hospitalized Thursday , bringing the total to 67,000 , according to the COVID Tracking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 5 % in 46 states .
Researchers at the University of Washington updated its forecast to project nearly 440,000 deaths by March 1 .
They also say deaths per day will rise to about 2,100 in mid-January , based on present control measures , but could rise to 4,700 per day if safeguards are eased .
The model forecasts the United States will reach a single-day high of 333,000 cases on Jan. 1 .
California has become the second state to top 1 million total cases , according to Johns Hopkins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Residents in Los Angeles County could face `` additional actions '' to bring transmission rates under control , Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said .
`` If collectively we fail to stop the acceleration of cases , we will have no choice but to look at additional actions , '' she said .
`` All around the country , elected officials and public health leaders are introducing new requirements to protect health care systems from becoming overwhelmed .
We 've been there before , just four months ago . ''
In Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a top health official expressed concern about possibly having to ration intensive care space .
As many as a quarter of Colorado hospitals anticipate short staffs within the next week In Illinois , the city of Chicago said it will begin new restrictions on Monday that ask residents to stay home except to go to work , school or perform essential tasks .
Residents are also asked to avoid gatherings with anyone outside their homes , even for Thanksgiving .
`` While this is tough , and of course this whole year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , you must cancel the normal Thanksgiving plans , '' Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said .
`` Particularly if they include guests that do not live in your immediate household . ''
The stay-home advisory will last for at least 30 days .
Chicago has seen its daily case totals rise significantly over the past month and now has a positivity rate of almost 15 % .

A masked woman checks the brightness of LED bulbs that will go onto the Salvation Army Christmas tree, in St. Louis, Mo., on Thursday. The tree will be lit next week. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 13 (UPI) -- The United States for the first time has eclipsed the 150,000-case mark for a single day, according to updated data Friday, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to worsen nationwide. A record 153,500 coronavirus cases were added on Thursday, tracking data at Johns Hopkins University shows. The new mark is 10,000 cases higher over the previous record on Wednesday. Advertisement
The United States has now set new daily records for three consecutive days, during which there have been almost 440,000 new cases.
Since the first major spike on Nov. 3, there have been almost 1.3 million new cases nationally. At the start of the pandemic, it took the United States three and a half months to accumulate that many cases.
There were about 900 coronavirus deaths on Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins, which was a decline of several hundred from the previous day.
Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 10.6 million cases and about 242,500 deaths nationwide.
Nearly 4,000 more patients were hospitalized Thursday, bringing the total to 67,000, according to the COVID Tracking Project. The seven-day average is up at least 5% in 46 states.
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Researchers at the University of Washington updated its forecast to project nearly 440,000 deaths by March 1. They also say deaths per day will rise to about 2,100 in mid-January, based on present control measures, but could rise to 4,700 per day if safeguards are eased.
The model forecasts the United States will reach a single-day high of 333,000 cases on Jan. 1.
In Illinois, Cook County officials on Friday issued a stay-home advisory in response to a recent surge in cases in suburban Chicago. Thursday, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot gave the same advisory for the city.
Both advisories will take effect on Monday and last for at least 30 days.
Chicago has seen its daily case totals rise significantly over the past month and Cook County now has a positivity rate of almost 15%.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said a full statewide stay-home order "seems like where we are heading."
In California, the state has become the second in the nation to top 1 million total cases, according to Johns Hopkins. Texas did so earlier this week.
Residents in Los Angeles County could face "additional actions" to bring transmission rates under control, Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said.
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"If collectively we fail to stop the acceleration of cases, we will have no choice but to look at additional actions," she said. "All around the country, elected officials and public health leaders are introducing new requirements to protect health care systems from becoming overwhelmed. We've been there before, just four months ago."
In Colorado, hospitals are facing critical staffing shortages and a top health official expressed concern about possibly having to ration intensive care space. As many as a quarter of Colorado hospitals anticipate short staffs within the next week
Cases statewide reached a record high Thursday, according to data.


upi--2020-11-13--Watch: James Spader says 'Blacklist' Season 8 is 'really dire right off the bat'

Nov. 13 ( UPI ) -- James Spader appeared on The Tonight Show to discuss Season 8 of The Blacklist , which premieres Friday at 8 p.m. EST on NBC .
Spader mentioned on Thursday how things get going quickly in Season 8 after Season 7 ended abruptly due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Season 7 concluded in May with an episode that blended live-action footage with animation .
`` We 're basically starting the season with , you know , things are really dire right off the bat , '' Spader told host Jimmy Fallon before mentioning that three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Season 8 .
`` There 's no sort of ramp-up like , 'Oh we 're starting out the season . '
You come in , really the train 's already left the station , '' the actor continued .
Spader also discussed what he has been up to since the pandemic started .
The 60-year-old said his experience did not compare to his costume designer having a baby and his co-star Megan Boone stating that she read all of Shakespeare 's tragedies .
`` My youngest son , my 12-year-old , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cans on the big rock out on the far end of the garden .
And shoot at them with BB guns , '' Spader said .

Nov. 13 (UPI) -- James Spader appeared on The Tonight Show to discuss Season 8 of The Blacklist, which premieres Friday at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.
Spader mentioned on Thursday how things get going quickly in Season 8 after Season 7 ended abruptly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Season 7 concluded in May with an episode that blended live-action footage with animation.
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"We're basically starting the season with, you know, things are really dire right off the bat," Spader told host Jimmy Fallon before mentioning that three unused scripts from Season 7 were rewritten for Season 8.
"There's no sort of ramp-up like, 'Oh we're starting out the season.' You come in, really the train's already left the station," the actor continued.
Spader also discussed what he has been up to since the pandemic started. The 60-year-old said his experience did not compare to his costume designer having a baby and his co-star Megan Boone stating that she read all of Shakespeare's tragedies.
"My youngest son, my 12-year-old, we'd go out and line up beer cans on the big rock out on the far end of the garden. And shoot at them with BB guns," Spader said.


upi--2020-11-13--Watch: Anya Taylor-Joy on learning 'The Queen's Gambit' chess moves

Nov. 13 ( UPI ) -- Anya Taylor-Joy says she learned her Queen 's Gambit chess moves `` five minutes '' before filming each scene with a game .
The 24-year-old actress discussed her experience filming the Netflix series during Thursday 's episode of Late Night with Seth Meyers .
Taylor-Joy plays troubled chess prodigy Beth Harmon in The Queen 's Gambit , which premiered in October .
Taylor-Joy said she did her best to learn chess for the show .
`` I had this wonderful idea that I was gon na get fantastic at chess and it was going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reality was I was working back-to-back and I just had to kind of give myself to it and learn as much as I could , '' the star said .
`` The actual sequences were learned five minutes before , because there was no way that I was going to be able to play 350 games from memory , '' she added .
`` So , yeah , just five minutes before . ''
In addition , Taylor-Joy said she learned about the theory behind chess .
`` I had to understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that people care about it so much that I could n't just sort of show up and not understand the theory of it .
But the theory and then applying that theory are two very different things , '' she said .
Taylor-Joy said she has played chess since wrapping the show .
`` I have a huge chessboard here with me -- I 'm working in Northern Ireland .
But the chessboard is huge , and that means if I have to go home , that means I 'm getting on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girl , with the chess set , in the chess show .
It 's a bit much , so I 'm trying to get it home with me , '' she said with a smile .
Taylor-Joy thanked fans for supporting The Queen 's Gambit in an Instagram post Thursday morning .
`` I can not begin to express how deeply moved I am by the reaction to The Queen 's Gambit , '' the actress wrote .
`` THANK YOU for the love you have shown Beth .
We went on such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glad you folks buckled in for the ride , '' she said .
`` Sending love and healing to everyone out there , stay safe . ''
Taylor-Joy is also known for the films The Witch , Split and Emma .
She will star in the upcoming movies Last Night in Soho and The Northman .

Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Anya Taylor-Joy says she learned her Queen's Gambit chess moves "five minutes" before filming each scene with a game.
The 24-year-old actress discussed her experience filming the Netflix series during Thursday's episode of Late Night with Seth Meyers.
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Taylor-Joy plays troubled chess prodigy Beth Harmon in The Queen's Gambit, which premiered in October. Taylor-Joy said she did her best to learn chess for the show.
"I had this wonderful idea that I was gonna get fantastic at chess and it was going to be my superpower forever, but the reality was I was working back-to-back and I just had to kind of give myself to it and learn as much as I could," the star said.
"The actual sequences were learned five minutes before, because there was no way that I was going to be able to play 350 games from memory," she added. "So, yeah, just five minutes before."
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In addition, Taylor-Joy said she learned about the theory behind chess.
"I had to understand chess for myself, because I felt that people care about it so much that I couldn't just sort of show up and not understand the theory of it. But the theory and then applying that theory are two very different things," she said.
Taylor-Joy said she has played chess since wrapping the show.
"I have a huge chessboard here with me -- I'm working in Northern Ireland. But the chessboard is huge, and that means if I have to go home, that means I'm getting on a plane, and that's the chess girl, with the chess set, in the chess show. It's a bit much, so I'm trying to get it home with me," she said with a smile.
Taylor-Joy thanked fans for supporting The Queen's Gambit in an Instagram post Thursday morning.
"I cannot begin to express how deeply moved I am by the reaction to The Queen's Gambit," the actress wrote.
"THANK YOU for the love you have shown Beth. We went on such an unbelievable journey together and I'm glad you folks buckled in for the ride," she said. "Sending love and healing to everyone out there, stay safe."
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Taylor-Joy is also known for the films The Witch, Split and Emma. She will star in the upcoming movies Last Night in Soho and The Northman.


upi--2020-11-13--Still cautious, China congratulates President-elect Joe Biden on U.S. election victory

Nov. 13 ( UPI ) -- After refusing for several days to acknowledge former Vice President Joe Biden 's election victory , the Chinese government on Friday congratulated him on becoming the president-elect of the United States .
China and Russia have been two of the most prominent nations that did not acknowledge Biden 's electoral victory when it was projected by nearly all major news outlets last week .
Previously , Beijing said it preferred to wait for the official results , which will not come until all states certify their election results later this month -- and still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message .
`` We extend congratulations to Mr. Biden and Ms. [ Kamala ] Harris , and we also understand that the U.S. election result will be decided in accordance with U.S. laws and procedures , '' Foreign Ministry representative Wang Wenbin told reporters Friday .
`` China has been following U.S. domestic and international reactions to the U.S. presidential election , '' he added .
Russia , which interfered in the U.S. election four years ago with a preference for then-Republican nominee Donald Trump , did n't move from its position on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certainly send a congratulatory message to the candidate who will be declared president-elect , '' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said .
`` It will be done after the official results of the election are announced .
As far as we understand , no one has been declared president-elect so far . ''
Peskov did say that Moscow did n't have the greatest relationship with the United States during former President Barack Obama 's administration .
`` [ Russian President Vladimir Putin ] met [ Biden ] , but still , mostly he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dialogue was mostly with Obama , '' Peskov said .
`` That was n't an easy dialogue , especially the last six months of Barack Obama 's presidency .
There were a lot of disagreements that were probably a harbinger of the degradation that occurred in our relations during Trump 's presidency . ''
Populist Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador , who is said to admire and respect Trump , and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro , who 's known by some as the `` Trump of the Tropics , '' also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Obrador said this week he does n't expect there will be a negative consequence for failing to acknowledge Biden as the president-elect .
`` There 's no reason for there to be reprisals because we 're sticking to our ... principles [ of non-intervention ] , to our laws , '' he said .
`` Besides , we 're not a colony , we 're a free , independent and sovereign country .
The government of Mexico is n't the puppet of any foreign government . ''
Bolsonaro , who publicly rooted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismissed the threat of economic sanctions under Biden 's administration if Brazil fails to stop deforestation in the Amazon .

Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, who then were both vice presidents of their nations, shake hands during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on February 14, 2012. File Photo by Chip Somodevilla/UPI/Pool | License Photo
Nov. 13 (UPI) -- After refusing for several days to acknowledge former Vice President Joe Biden's election victory, the Chinese government on Friday congratulated him on becoming the president-elect of the United States. China and Russia have been two of the most prominent nations that did not acknowledge Biden's electoral victory when it was projected by nearly all major news outlets last week. Advertisement
Previously, Beijing said it preferred to wait for the official results, which will not come until all states certify their election results later this month -- and still echoed a similar tone in Friday's message.
"We extend congratulations to Mr. Biden and Ms. [Kamala] Harris, and we also understand that the U.S. election result will be decided in accordance with U.S. laws and procedures," Foreign Ministry representative Wang Wenbin told reporters Friday.
"China has been following U.S. domestic and international reactions to the U.S. presidential election," he added.
Russia, which interfered in the U.S. election four years ago with a preference for then-Republican nominee Donald Trump, didn't move from its position on Friday.
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"The Russian president will certainly send a congratulatory message to the candidate who will be declared president-elect," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
"It will be done after the official results of the election are announced. As far as we understand, no one has been declared president-elect so far."
Peskov did say that Moscow didn't have the greatest relationship with the United States during former President Barack Obama's administration.
"[Russian President Vladimir Putin] met [Biden], but still, mostly he was meeting with his superior then, so the dialogue was mostly with Obama," Peskov said.
"That wasn't an easy dialogue, especially the last six months of Barack Obama's presidency. There were a lot of disagreements that were probably a harbinger of the degradation that occurred in our relations during Trump's presidency."
Populist Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who is said to admire and respect Trump, and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who's known by some as the "Trump of the Tropics," also have yet to acknowledge Biden's victory.
Obrador said this week he doesn't expect there will be a negative consequence for failing to acknowledge Biden as the president-elect.
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"There's no reason for there to be reprisals because we're sticking to our ... principles [of non-intervention], to our laws," he said. "Besides, we're not a colony, we're a free, independent and sovereign country. The government of Mexico isn't the puppet of any foreign government."
Bolsonaro, who publicly rooted for Trump to win re-election, has dismissed the threat of economic sanctions under Biden's administration if Brazil fails to stop deforestation in the Amazon.


upi--2020-11-13--North Korea Twitter accounts get noticed in South

Nov. 13 ( UPI ) -- North Korea could be expanding its social media presence with at least two new Twitter accounts , but the South says the online profiles can not be verified .
The two accounts , under the names of Kim Myong Il and Han Song Il , were created in October and include tweets condemning South Korea 's main opposition conservatives and promoting the Kim Jong Un regime , South Korea 's SBS reported Friday .
On Twitter , Kim Myong Il , or @ korea_myongil , was identified as the head of the North 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fatherland .
Han Song Il 's profile indicated the official is the chief of the Research Institute of Reunification of the Fatherland .
Kim 's profile read that he is an official with `` feet planted firmly on native soil , while looking out to the world . ''
The accounts included information on the latest North Korean policies , including the public smoking ban .
According to tweets the officials enjoy smoking but have `` resolved to quit smoking '' in line with policy .
Activity on the accounts began on Oct. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at one- or two-day intervals .
On Oct. 21 , Kim Myong Il condemned the South for conducting defense drills amid COVID-19 and African swine fever .
Tweets were also published in English , Chinese and Japanese in addition to Korean , according to South Korean newspaper Donga Ilbo .
Unification Ministry spokeswoman Cho Hye-sil said at a regular press briefing on Friday the North operates various accounts on social media platforms , including state media services DPRK Today and Uriminzokkiri .
Cho said the new accounts , possibly the first profiles identifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult to verify , '' according to SBS .
North Korea has kept quiet following the U.S. presidential election , as world leaders took turns congratulating President-elect Joe Biden .
Analysts in the South say they are concerned Pyongyang could test Biden with military provocations , News 1 reported Friday .
Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said during a seminar organized by Seoul 's Joint Forces Military University and the Korea Association of Military Studies that he is worried North Korea could test a missile during the transition , according to the report @

Nov. 13 (UPI) -- North Korea could be expanding its social media presence with at least two new Twitter accounts, but the South says the online profiles cannot be verified.
The two accounts, under the names of Kim Myong Il and Han Song Il, were created in October and include tweets condemning South Korea's main opposition conservatives and promoting the Kim Jong Un regime, South Korea's SBS reported Friday.
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On Twitter, Kim Myong Il, or @korea_myongil, was identified as the head of the North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland. Han Song Il's profile indicated the official is the chief of the Research Institute of Reunification of the Fatherland. Kim's profile read that he is an official with "feet planted firmly on native soil, while looking out to the world."
The accounts included information on the latest North Korean policies, including the public smoking ban. According to tweets the officials enjoy smoking but have "resolved to quit smoking" in line with policy.
Activity on the accounts began on Oct. 1, with new tweets being published at one- or two-day intervals. On Oct. 21, Kim Myong Il condemned the South for conducting defense drills amid COVID-19 and African swine fever. Tweets were also published in English, Chinese and Japanese in addition to Korean, according to South Korean newspaper Donga Ilbo.
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Unification Ministry spokeswoman Cho Hye-sil said at a regular press briefing on Friday the North operates various accounts on social media platforms, including state media services DPRK Today and Uriminzokkiri.
Cho said the new accounts, possibly the first profiles identifying individual North Korean officials, are "difficult to verify," according to SBS.
North Korea has kept quiet following the U.S. presidential election, as world leaders took turns congratulating President-elect Joe Biden.
Analysts in the South say they are concerned Pyongyang could test Biden with military provocations, News 1 reported Friday.
Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said during a seminar organized by Seoul's Joint Forces Military University and the Korea Association of Military Studies that he is worried North Korea could test a missile during the transition, according to the report.


upi--2020-11-13--In Photos: Moments from the 2020 Masters Tournament

Tiger Woods is framed by fall foliage as he putts on the 12th green during the first round of the @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday .
Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

Dustin Johnson, wearing the Green Jacket after winning the 54th Masters, embraces fiancee Paulina Gretzky at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. on Sunday. Johnson shot a record 20-under par over four days, including a final-round 68. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI


upi--2020-11-13--Watch: Ellen Pompeo knew 'how much joy' Patrick Dempsey's return would bring

Nov. 13 ( UPI ) -- Ellen Pompeo told Jimmy Kimmel about the Season 17 premiere of Grey 's Anatomy , which featured the surprise return of star Patrick Dempsey .
In the premiere Thursday , Dr. Meredith Grey fainted before she dreamed of Dempsey 's Dr. Derek Shepherd calling to her on a sunny beach .
Dempsey 's character , also known as McDreamy , died in Season 11 .
`` It was so fun because we know that people are going to freak out , '' Pompeo said on Jimmy Kimmel Live about filming Dempsey 's return scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a really long , ugly road .
We were so happy just to be able to film these scenes and know how much joy it was going to bring people was really , we definitely had a ball , '' the actress continued .
Pompeo would not confirm what is going on with her character or whether Dempsey will be sticking around .
The 51-year-old agreed with Kimmel that Grey 's Anatomy is now dabbling with Lost territory .
`` Seventeen seasons , we 've dabbled in everything there is to dabble @ @ @ @ @

Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Ellen Pompeo told Jimmy Kimmel about the Season 17 premiere of Grey's Anatomy, which featured the surprise return of star Patrick Dempsey.
In the premiere Thursday, Dr. Meredith Grey fainted before she dreamed of Dempsey's Dr. Derek Shepherd calling to her on a sunny beach. Dempsey's character, also known as McDreamy, died in Season 11.
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"It was so fun because we know that people are going to freak out," Pompeo said on Jimmy Kimmel Live about filming Dempsey's return scene.
"We all know 2020 has been a really long, ugly road. We were so happy just to be able to film these scenes and know how much joy it was going to bring people was really, we definitely had a ball," the actress continued.
Pompeo would not confirm what is going on with her character or whether Dempsey will be sticking around. The 51-year-old agreed with Kimmel that Grey's Anatomy is now dabbling with Lost territory.
"Seventeen seasons, we've dabbled in everything there is to dabble," Pompeo said.
Grey's Anatomy airs Thursdays on ABC at 9 p.m. EST.


upi--2020-11-13--Security officials: 2020 election 'most secure' in U.S. history

Nov. 12 ( UPI ) -- A coalition of government security and elections officials said Thursday the 2020 general election was `` the most secure in American history '' and that there is no evidence it was compromised in anyway , refuting claims of widespread voter fraud and tabulation irregularities by President Donald Trump , his campaign and supporters .
The statement from the Department of Homeland Security 's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency and several other top elections expert groups stands in contrast with the president , who has yet to concede defeat in the election to his democratic challenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will still win .
The elections experts said in the the statement they can assure the public of the security and integrity of the election .
`` The Nov. 3 election was the most secure in American history , '' the statement said , adding in bold type , `` There is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes , changed votes or was in any way compromised . ''
`` While we know there are many unfounded claims and opportunities for misinformation about the process of our elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the utmost confidence in the security and integrity of our elections , and you should , too , '' the statement said .
`` When you have questions , turn to elections officials as trusted voices , as they administer elections . ''
The elections experts said officials were reviewing and double-checking the entire election process prior to finalizing its results and that when states are close , many will recount ballots .
They said all states have paper records of each vote , which allows them to check and recount every ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mistakes or errors if any have occurred .
The statement was published while Trump and his campaign continue to make widely panned and unsupported claims of voter fraud .
The Trump re-election campaign has filed several lawsuits against states and counties as part of an effort to discredit results that show Biden has been awarded more than the required 270 electoral votes to be named president-elect .
Some of the lawsuits have been rejected .
It also comes amid mounting national security concerns over Trump 's refusal to cooperate with Biden 's transition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will win a second term in office .
On Thursday , Trump claimed the election was `` rigged '' in a tweet that was flagged by Twitter for being disputed .
Ballots are still being counted following last week 's Election Day with two states still too close to call : Georgia is leaning toward Biden and North Carolina toward Trump , though both on slim margins , CNN and NBC reported .
If Trump were to secure both , Biden would still win the presidency .

Top security and election officials said Thursday the 2020 presidential election was the most secure in U.S. history, refuting claims by President Donald Trump, his campaign and supporters who claim widespread voter fraud. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 12 (UPI) -- A coalition of government security and elections officials said Thursday the 2020 general election was "the most secure in American history" and that there is no evidence it was compromised in anyway, refuting claims of widespread voter fraud and tabulation irregularities by President Donald Trump, his campaign and supporters. The statement from the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency and several other top elections expert groups stands in contrast with the president, who has yet to concede defeat in the election to his democratic challenger, President-elect Joe Biden, and maintains he will still win. Advertisement
The elections experts said in the the statement they can assure the public of the security and integrity of the election.
"The Nov. 3 election was the most secure in American history," the statement said, adding in bold type, "There is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes or was in any way compromised."
"While we know there are many unfounded claims and opportunities for misinformation about the process of our elections, we can assure you we have the utmost confidence in the security and integrity of our elections, and you should, too," the statement said. "When you have questions, turn to elections officials as trusted voices, as they administer elections."
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The elections experts said officials were reviewing and double-checking the entire election process prior to finalizing its results and that when states are close, many will recount ballots.
They said all states have paper records of each vote, which allows them to check and recount every ballot if necessary and to identify and correct mistakes or errors if any have occurred.
The statement was published while Trump and his campaign continue to make widely panned and unsupported claims of voter fraud. The Trump re-election campaign has filed several lawsuits against states and counties as part of an effort to discredit results that show Biden has been awarded more than the required 270 electoral votes to be named president-elect. Some of the lawsuits have been rejected.
It also comes amid mounting national security concerns over Trump's refusal to cooperate with Biden's transition team as he continues to insists he will win a second term in office.
On Thursday, Trump claimed the election was "rigged" in a tweet that was flagged by Twitter for being disputed.
Ballots are still being counted following last week's Election Day with two states still too close to call: Georgia is leaning toward Biden and North Carolina toward Trump, though both on slim margins, CNN and NBC reported. If Trump were to secure both, Biden would still win the presidency.


upi--2020-11-13--What Joe Biden's win means for world: a change in tone, hope for climate

Nov. 13 ( UPI ) -- As soon as the major American broadcast networks announced Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as winners of the U.S. election on Saturday , congratulations poured in from around the world .
In the ensuing days , the new president-elect began speaking on the phone with leaders of some of America 's most traditional allies , who were all keen to stress the closeness of their countries ' respective relationships with the United States .
The Canadian prime minister , Justin Trudeau , was the first to speak with Biden in a conversation that touched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security .
The Irish taoiseach , Micheál Martin , said his call with Biden , who has Irish ancestry , was a `` warm conversation , '' while a call with Germany 's chancellor , Angela Merkel , stressed the importance of transatlantic cooperation .
Experts from around the world have been analyzing what the U.S. election results mean .
Here is a round-up of some of the themes that have emerged -- and the global challenges and opportunities ahead for a Biden administration .
As Biden 's team gets to work on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holds the keys to the White House until Jan. 20 .
A lot could still happen in foreign policy during this testing transition period , but beyond that , many expect a return to a foreign policy built on traditional alliances .
• A change in tone .
A return to diplomacy will be at the forefront of the new Biden administration , according to Neta Crawford of Boston University .
She writes that Biden , who has hinted at a smaller military presence overseas , `` may make modest cuts in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to seek to end the war in Afghanistan and transition the troops there into a regional counterterrorism role .
• International order .
Many have expressed hopes that a Biden administration will return some semblance of `` normality '' to the international liberal order .
Juan Luis Manfredi at Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha , is convinced Biden will understand European sensibilities and the need to support a particular type of international order .
He writes ( in Spanish ) that `` closeness , calm and pragmatism '' will be the balm of American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Where to fit in .
Some have identified a debate within the Biden camp on whether to restore U.S. foreign policy to its pre-Trump era , or to reform it by forging new alliances .
Frédéric Charillon and Patrick Chevallereau from the Université Clermont Auvergne suggest ( in French ) that the new administration 's biggest difficulty could be the absence of a clearly identifiable international system .
A reluctance among some countries in Asia to make the choice between Beijing and Washington , the growth of hybrid wars such as the conflict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` sharp power '' of disinformation , make for a blurring of the strategic landscape .
Leaders across the world will be busy thinking about what a new Biden administration means for their region .
His presidency will have ramifications for some key geopolitical theatres in the months ahead .
• Brexit and the Irish border .
Biden 's win comes as negotiations between the United Kingdom and European Union on a post-Brexit trade deal reach a crunch point .
Biden is adamant that a deal should respect the terms of the 1998 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way for peace in Northern Ireland , writes Etain Tannam of Trinity College Dublin .
She thinks that a Biden administration `` greatly increases the prospects of an EU-U.K. '' deal , and explains why the future of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland remains so crucial .
• Chinese duel .
The biggest foreign policy question facing Biden will be how to approach the People 's Republic of China , explains Nick Bisley at La Trobe University .
While he predicts a Biden administration wo n't significantly wind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to work to limit China 's ambitions to change Asia 's regional order , `` it is likely to try to build on some areas of common interest to improve cooperation . ''
• Human rights .
In southeast Asia , where almost `` every country '' has human rights problems , Yohanes Sulaiman at Jenderal Achmad Yani University doubts whether a Biden presidency will start forcefully pushing a human rights agenda in the region .
Part of the reason is the scale of the challenge ahead for the United States to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its efforts to balance China 's growing power in the region .
• Russia 's borderlands .
Political tensions have boiled over in recent months in some of Russia 's neighbors , including Belarus , Kyrgyzstan and most recently Georgia .
Tracey German at King 's College London writes that while Russia and its post-Soviet neighbors are `` unlikely to constitute foreign policy priorities for the incoming Biden administration , '' new priorities to promote democracy and rebuild ties with NATO have prompted disquiet in the Kremlin .
As soon as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Paris Agreement on climate change , which Trump left , providing optimism for more global momentum on climate action .
• Balancing act .
Biden 's campaign promised to introduce a $ 2 trillion investment plan -- though this may be difficult to get through Congress now that control of the Senate hangs in the balance .
Richard Beardsworth and Olaf Corry at the University of Leeds argue that : `` If Biden can link action on climate to economic regeneration , jobs , environmental justice and a proactive foreign policy with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet fulfill both his domestic and international agendas . ''
• Feeling the heat .
The Trump administration 's climate inaction has been `` a boon for successive Australian governments as they have torn up climate policies and failed to implement new ones , '' according to Christian Downie at the Australian National University .
He warns that Australian diplomats and businesses are likely to feel the heat over their government 's lack of climate action as soon as the Biden administration begins .
The mail-in ballots continue to be counted across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Senate still hangs in the balance ahead of a runoff for two seats in Georgia in early January .
With electors of the Electoral College due to meet in their respective states on Dec. 14 in the next step toward the formal declaration of the winner , attention is turning to why Americans voted the way they did .
• No uniform `` Latino vote . ''
Many analysts lumped 32 million eligible American voters under the name `` Latino '' and expressed surprise when Latino voters in Florida helped win the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at University of California , Berkeley , breaks down the way those in this `` racially , ethnically and geographically diverse group '' across the country voted , and why both parties need more culturally competent campaigns to reach them .
• Fossil fuel dynamics .
Before the election , speculation mounted that Biden 's commitment to move away from dependence on fossil fuels may turn off voters in states such as Pennsylvania that depend heavily on the shale gas economy .
But in his analysis of the overall results , Sibo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not materialize -- although the dynamics are more complicated when drilling down to the county level .
He suggests : `` Either Biden 's talk of fossil fuel divestment did not substantially change voters ' minds , or it led to larger voter turnouts of progressive young voters . ''
• Pessimism -- and hope .
Trump received the second highest ever number of votes in a U.S. election -- only it 's Biden in the number one spot .
So what does this mean for the Republican Party ?
Timothy Lynch at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five reasons why conservatives should feel concerned about Trump 's legacy .
But he also says Republicans have reasons for hope -- including that there still appears to be a `` strong Republican vote among those who feel they 've been ignored or forgotten by the Democratic Party '' and that the `` Biden win obscures how riven progressive politics have become . ''
Gemma Ware is a global affairs editor and podcast producer at The Conversation .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the @ @ @

President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, wave to supporters on Saturday in Wilmington, Del., after he became the projected winner. Pool Photo by Andrew Harnik/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 13 (UPI) -- As soon as the major American broadcast networks announced Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as winners of the U.S. election on Saturday, congratulations poured in from around the world. In the ensuing days, the new president-elect began speaking on the phone with leaders of some of America's most traditional allies, who were all keen to stress the closeness of their countries' respective relationships with the United States. The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, was the first to speak with Biden in a conversation that touched on COVID-19, climate change and global security. The Irish taoiseach, Micheál Martin, said his call with Biden, who has Irish ancestry, was a "warm conversation," while a call with Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel, stressed the importance of transatlantic cooperation. Advertisement Advertisement
Experts from around the world have been analyzing what the U.S. election results mean. Here is a round-up of some of the themes that have emerged -- and the global challenges and opportunities ahead for a Biden administration.
Foreign policy
As Biden's team gets to work on the presidential transition, Donald Trump still holds the keys to the White House until Jan. 20. A lot could still happen in foreign policy during this testing transition period, but beyond that, many expect a return to a foreign policy built on traditional alliances.
A change in tone. A return to diplomacy will be at the forefront of the new Biden administration, according to Neta Crawford of Boston University. She writes that Biden, who has hinted at a smaller military presence overseas, "may make modest cuts in the U.S. military budget" and is likely to seek to end the war in Afghanistan and transition the troops there into a regional counterterrorism role.
International order. Many have expressed hopes that a Biden administration will return some semblance of "normality" to the international liberal order. Juan Luis Manfredi at Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, is convinced Biden will understand European sensibilities and the need to support a particular type of international order. He writes (in Spanish) that "closeness, calm and pragmatism" will be the balm of American society under a Biden presidency.
Where to fit in. Some have identified a debate within the Biden camp on whether to restore U.S. foreign policy to its pre-Trump era, or to reform it by forging new alliances. Frédéric Charillon and Patrick Chevallereau from the Université Clermont Auvergne suggest (in French) that the new administration's biggest difficulty could be the absence of a clearly identifiable international system. A reluctance among some countries in Asia to make the choice between Beijing and Washington, the growth of hybrid wars such as the conflict in Ukraine, as well as the "sharp power" of disinformation, make for a blurring of the strategic landscape.
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Pinch points
Leaders across the world will be busy thinking about what a new Biden administration means for their region. His presidency will have ramifications for some key geopolitical theatres in the months ahead.
Brexit and the Irish border. Biden's win comes as negotiations between the United Kingdom and European Union on a post-Brexit trade deal reach a crunch point. Biden is adamant that a deal should respect the terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which forged the way for peace in Northern Ireland, writes Etain Tannam of Trinity College Dublin. She thinks that a Biden administration "greatly increases the prospects of an EU-U.K." deal, and explains why the future of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland remains so crucial.
Chinese duel. The biggest foreign policy question facing Biden will be how to approach the People's Republic of China, explains Nick Bisley at La Trobe University. While he predicts a Biden administration won't significantly wind back the U.S.-China trade conflict and will continue to work to limit China's ambitions to change Asia's regional order, "it is likely to try to build on some areas of common interest to improve cooperation."
Human rights. In southeast Asia, where almost "every country" has human rights problems, Yohanes Sulaiman at Jenderal Achmad Yani University doubts whether a Biden presidency will start forcefully pushing a human rights agenda in the region. Part of the reason is the scale of the challenge ahead for the United States to win the hearts of southeast Asian governments in its efforts to balance China's growing power in the region.
Russia's borderlands. Political tensions have boiled over in recent months in some of Russia's neighbors, including Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and most recently Georgia. Tracey German at King's College London writes that while Russia and its post-Soviet neighbors are "unlikely to constitute foreign policy priorities for the incoming Biden administration," new priorities to promote democracy and rebuild ties with NATO have prompted disquiet in the Kremlin.
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Climate hope
As soon as he is inaugurated, Biden plans to rejoin the Paris Agreement on climate change, which Trump left, providing optimism for more global momentum on climate action.
Balancing act. Biden's campaign promised to introduce a $2 trillion investment plan -- though this may be difficult to get through Congress now that control of the Senate hangs in the balance. Richard Beardsworth and Olaf Corry at the University of Leeds argue that: "If Biden can link action on climate to economic regeneration, jobs, environmental justice and a proactive foreign policy with both China and Europe, he could yet fulfill both his domestic and international agendas."
Feeling the heat. The Trump administration's climate inaction has been "a boon for successive Australian governments as they have torn up climate policies and failed to implement new ones," according to Christian Downie at the Australian National University. He warns that Australian diplomats and businesses are likely to feel the heat over their government's lack of climate action as soon as the Biden administration begins.
Results autopsy
The mail-in ballots continue to be counted across the United States -- and control of the U.S. Senate still hangs in the balance ahead of a runoff for two seats in Georgia in early January. With electors of the Electoral College due to meet in their respective states on Dec. 14 in the next step toward the formal declaration of the winner, attention is turning to why Americans voted the way they did.
No uniform "Latino vote." Many analysts lumped 32 million eligible American voters under the name "Latino" and expressed surprise when Latino voters in Florida helped win the state for Trump. Lisa García Bedolla, at University of California, Berkeley, breaks down the way those in this "racially, ethnically and geographically diverse group" across the country voted, and why both parties need more culturally competent campaigns to reach them.
Fossil fuel dynamics. Before the election, speculation mounted that Biden's commitment to move away from dependence on fossil fuels may turn off voters in states such as Pennsylvania that depend heavily on the shale gas economy. But in his analysis of the overall results, Sibo Chen at Ryerson University says that did not materialize -- although the dynamics are more complicated when drilling down to the county level. He suggests: "Either Biden's talk of fossil fuel divestment did not substantially change voters' minds, or it led to larger voter turnouts of progressive young voters."
Pessimism -- and hope. Trump received the second highest ever number of votes in a U.S. election -- only it's Biden in the number one spot. So what does this mean for the Republican Party? Timothy Lynch at the University of Melbourne, points to five reasons why conservatives should feel concerned about Trump's legacy. But he also says Republicans have reasons for hope -- including that there still appears to be a "strong Republican vote among those who feel they've been ignored or forgotten by the Democratic Party" and that the "Biden win obscures how riven progressive politics have become."
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Gemma Ware is a global affairs editor and podcast producer at The Conversation.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Moments from the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris


upi--2020-11-13--Lil Nas X gets festive, becomes Santa in new track 'Holiday'

Nov. 13 ( UPI ) -- Lil Nas X got into the Christmas spirit with the release of his new @ @ @ @ @ alongside an accompanying music video .
The rapper is a futuristic Santa residing in a @ @ @ @ @ music video , directed by Lil Nas X and Gibson Hazard .
Lil Nas X @ @ @ @ @ and takes to the skies in a sports car being pulled by robotic reindeer .
@ @ @ @ @ to stream Friday on Spotify , Apple Music and Amazon Music .
Lil Nas X @ @ @ @ @ by Michael J .
Fox not to travel to 2020 in a previous teaser for @ @ @ @ @ Holiday '' is Lil Nas X 's first new single since the release of `` @ @ @ @ @ in June 2019 .
Lil Nas X released his first EP , titled 7 , @ @ @ @

Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Lil Nas X got into the Christmas spirit with the release of his new song "Holiday," alongside an accompanying music video.
The rapper is a futuristic Santa residing in a high-tech North Pole in the music video, directed by Lil Nas X and Gibson Hazard.
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Lil Nas X also portrays an escaped toy and takes to the skies in a sports car being pulled by robotic reindeer.
"Holiday" is available to stream Friday on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music.
Lil Nas X became Santa and was warned by Michael J. Fox not to travel to 2020 in a previous teaser for "Holiday."
"Holiday" is Lil Nas X's first new single since the release of "Rodeo" featuring Cardi B in June 2019. Lil Nas X released his first EP, titled 7, in June 2019.


upi--2020-11-13--Gallup: Almost 80% in U.S. say crime is up, just not in their local area

Nov. 13 ( UPI ) -- A great majority of Americans believe that crime in the United States has risen over the past year -- unless it comes to their own communities , where most believe that crime has not gotten worse , according to a Gallup survey Friday .
The annual survey of residents ' perception of crime , conducted between Sept. 30 and Oct. 15 , showed a sizable 40-point gap between perceptions of crime nationally versus locally -- the largest gap in the three decades that Gallup has been tracking the issue .
According to the survey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now more crime nationwide than there was a year ago , an increase of 14 points over 2019 .
That 's the largest year-to-year increase since 2005 , Gallup said .
More than half of those who perceive more crime , 51 % , said those instances of crime are of the `` extremely '' or `` very '' serious variety .
Gallup noted that the increase in criminal perception has largely been driven by politics .
`` In most years , Gallup has found that those who identify with the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are more likely than those identifying with the president 's party to say crime in the U.S. has increased , '' Gallup wrote .
`` However , the latest figures offer an exception .
`` Since last year , there has been a sharp increase among Republicans and Republican-identifying independents saying there is more crime in the U.S. than there was the previous year .
The latest 83 % among this group is up 24 points from last year and nears the previous high of 86 % , measured in 2016 . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rise in crime .
But the difference there over 2019 is an increase of just 4 points .
Gallup found , however , that when asking about crime in respondents ' local areas , attitudes changed .
Just 38 % said they believe crime is rising in their communities and just 29 % , a record low , said they 'd feel unsafe walking in their neighborhood after dark -- a decline of 8 points from last year .
`` This figure consistently ranged between 40 % and 48 % from 1972 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The overall decline in the trend since the early 1990s is consistent with the corresponding decrease in reported household crime victimization . ''
Gallup polled more than 1,000 adults in every state and Washington , D.C. , for the survey , which has a margin of error of 4 points .

Firefighters respond to a blaze amid civil rights protests in the Fairfax area of Los Angeles, Calif., on May 30. Hundreds of protesters turned out to call attention to the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 13 (UPI) -- A great majority of Americans believe that crime in the United States has risen over the past year -- unless it comes to their own communities, where most believe that crime has not gotten worse, according to a Gallup survey Friday. The annual survey of residents' perception of crime, conducted between Sept. 30 and Oct. 15, showed a sizable 40-point gap between perceptions of crime nationally versus locally -- the largest gap in the three decades that Gallup has been tracking the issue. Advertisement
According to the survey, 78% of respondents said there is now more crime nationwide than there was a year ago, an increase of 14 points over 2019. That's the largest year-to-year increase since 2005, Gallup said.
More than half of those who perceive more crime, 51%, said those instances of crime are of the "extremely" or "very" serious variety.
Gallup noted that the increase in criminal perception has largely been driven by politics.
"In most years, Gallup has found that those who identify with the party opposite the one occupying the White House are more likely than those identifying with the president's party to say crime in the U.S. has increased," Gallup wrote. "However, the latest figures offer an exception.
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"Since last year, there has been a sharp increase among Republicans and Republican-identifying independents saying there is more crime in the U.S. than there was the previous year. The latest 83% among this group is up 24 points from last year and nears the previous high of 86%, measured in 2016."
Among Democrats, 73% also perceived a rise in crime. But the difference there over 2019 is an increase of just 4 points.
Gallup found, however, that when asking about crime in respondents' local areas, attitudes changed. Just 38% said they believe crime is rising in their communities and just 29%, a record low, said they'd feel unsafe walking in their neighborhood after dark -- a decline of 8 points from last year.
"This figure consistently ranged between 40% and 48% from 1972 to 1993," Gallup noted. "The overall decline in the trend since the early 1990s is consistent with the corresponding decrease in reported household crime victimization."
Gallup polled more than 1,000 adults in every state and Washington, D.C., for the survey, which has a margin of error of 4 points.


upi--2020-11-13--Secretary of State Mike Pompeo begins 10-day, 7-nation tour to Europe and Middle East

Nov. 13 ( UPI ) -- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo embarks Friday on a 10-day , seven-nation tour , that will take him to Europe and the Middle East to discuss issues including counter-terrorism and religious freedom .
The State Department said Pompeo will first travel to France , where he 'll meet President Emmanuel Macron , Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and other senior officials in Paris `` to build on our transatlantic work on economic and security matters , and on counter-terrorism and global threats . ''
Elysee Palace said Thursday Pompeo will meet with Macron on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will visit Istanbul to meet with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople , Bartholomew I , `` to discuss religious issues in Turkey and the region and to promote our strong stance on religious freedom around the world . ''
Pompeo will then travel to Georgia and meet with President Salome Zourabichvili , Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani in Tbilisi to express U.S. `` support for Georgia 's sovereignty and territorial integrity '' and `` urge further progress in democratic reforms . ''
Pompeo will also meet with Ilia II @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church .
After Georgia , Pompeo moves on to Israel where he will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and joint efforts `` to address Iran 's malign activities . ''
From Israel , the secretary of state heads to the UAE , which normalized relations with Israel over the summer .
There , Pompeo will meet with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayd to discuss security cooperation and regional issues .
From the UAE , Pompeo stops in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hamad Al Thani and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss bilateral and regional issues , including `` the importance of Gulf unity . ''
After leaving Qatar , Pompeo 's final stop is Saudi Arabia , where he will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman .
Pompeo 's tour comes 10 days after the U.S. presidential election , in which his boss , President Donald Trump , was defeated by Democratic challenger and former Vice President Joe Biden .
While many world leaders , including three he will meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bin Salman and Netanyahu -- have congratulated Biden on his victory , Pompeo has echoed Trump 's baseless claims that he was the victim of electoral fraud .

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) bumps elbows with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a visit in Jerusalem on August 24. File Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo embarks Friday on a 10-day, seven-nation tour, that will take him to Europe and the Middle East to discuss issues including counter-terrorism and religious freedom. Pompeo's itinerary includes: Advertisement
France
The State Department said Pompeo will first travel to France, where he'll meet President Emmanuel Macron, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and other senior officials in Paris "to build on our transatlantic work on economic and security matters, and on counter-terrorism and global threats."
Elysee Palace said Thursday Pompeo will meet with Macron on Monday.
Turkey
After leaving France, Pompeo will visit Istanbul to meet with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, "to discuss religious issues in Turkey and the region and to promote our strong stance on religious freedom around the world."
Georgia
Pompeo will then travel to Georgia and meet with President Salome Zourabichvili, Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani in Tbilisi to express U.S. "support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and "urge further progress in democratic reforms."
Pompeo will also meet with Ilia II, the patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
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Israel
After Georgia, Pompeo moves on to Israel where he will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and joint efforts "to address Iran's malign activities."
United Arab Emirates
From Israel, the secretary of state heads to the UAE, which normalized relations with Israel over the summer. There, Pompeo will meet with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayd to discuss security cooperation and regional issues.
Qatar
From the UAE, Pompeo stops in Qatar to meet with Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss bilateral and regional issues, including "the importance of Gulf unity."
Saudi Arabia
After leaving Qatar, Pompeo's final stop is Saudi Arabia, where he will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Pompeo's tour comes 10 days after the U.S. presidential election, in which his boss, President Donald Trump, was defeated by Democratic challenger and former Vice President Joe Biden.
While many world leaders, including three he will meet with on the trip -- Macron, bin Salman and Netanyahu -- have congratulated Biden on his victory, Pompeo has echoed Trump's baseless claims that he was the victim of electoral fraud.


upi--2020-11-13--Joe Biden projected to take Arizona; 1st Democrat to win state since 1996

President-elect Joe Biden takes the stage with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in Wilmington, Del., on Saturday after he was projected as the winner of the 2020 presidential race. Pool Photo by Andrew Harnik/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 13 (UPI) -- President-elect Joe Biden was projected to win Arizona and Georgia -- the first Democrat to do so in decades -- while North Carolina was called in President Donald Trump's favor Friday. With nearly all votes counted, Biden won 49.4% of the more than 3.4 million votes Arizonans cast in the general election to Trump's 49.08%, according to Arizona's Secretary of State's office. Advertisement
ABC News, NBC News and CNN late Thursday projected the former vice president to win the state's 11 electoral votes.
The outlets on Friday also called Georgia's 16 electoral votes for Biden. The Secretary of State's office said Biden had 49.52% of the votes to Trump's 49.24%, with almost all of the votes counted.
It was the first time a Democratic presidential candidate has won Arizona and Georgia, since 1996 and 1992, respectively.
The calls increased Biden's electoral vote total to 306, further securing his win of the presidency.
Trump, meanwhile, picked up North Carolina's 15 electoral votes Friday, giving him 232 total votes with all states called.
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With almost all the votes counted, Trump led with 49.93% of the vote and Biden had 48.59%, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
Trump has yet to concede defeat and has filed several lawsuits in states and counties requesting recounts and to prevent results from being certified, citing widely discredited claims of voter fraud and tabulation errors.
On Thursday, elections experts said the 2020 election was the "most secure" in U.S. history as they found "no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes or was in any way compromised."
Trump's campaign has complained, without evidence, that Maricopa County, Ariz., incorrectly rejected ballots cast by in-person voters. On Friday, the campaign dropped its involvement in the lawsuit after Biden secured an unsurpassable number of votes.
The win by Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in Arizona is the first for a Democratic ticket in the state since former President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore took the state in 1996.
"We did it, Arizona!" Democratic Party Chairwoman Felecia Rotellini tweeted late Thursday as news organizations confirmed their projections.
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U.S. Election 2020


upi--2020-11-13--Bacteria in lungs may play role in cancer development, study says

Lung cancer patients who harbor certain bacteria in the airways may have a poorer prognosis , a new study finds , adding to evidence that the body 's `` microbiome '' may play a role in cancer patients ' outlook .
The microbiome refers to the trillions of bacteria and other microbes that naturally dwell in the body .
Research in recent years has been revealing how important those bugs are to the body 's normal functions , including immune system defenses .
When it comes to cancer , studies have hinted that the microbiome can influence tumor progression , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain treatments .
For example , a number of cancers can be treated with immunotherapy -- various approaches to boosting the immune system 's natural tumor-fighting capacity .
Research has found that patients who respond well to immunotherapies tend to have a different makeup in the gut microbiome , compared to patients who do not respond .
The new study , published this week in Cancer Discovery , took a different view .
Instead of focusing on the gut microbiome , researchers analyzed lung microbes of patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has really been ignored , '' said lead researcher Dr. Leopoldo Segal , director of the Lung Microbiome Program and an associate professor at New York University Grossman School of Medicine in New York City .
Traditionally , he explained , the lungs were believed to be `` sterile . ''
But recent research has shown that even in healthy people , the lungs can harbor low amounts of bacteria -- drawn in from the air or the mouth .
Segal 's team wanted to see whether lung bacteria corresponded to lung cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ samples from 83 patients , the researchers found that those with advanced-stage cancer carried more microbes than patients in the early stage of disease .
And when patients did have `` enrichment '' with certain bacteria types , their odds of survival were lower -- even those with earlier-stage cancer .
Specifically , patients harboring Veillonella , Prevotella and Streptococcus bacteria had a worse prognosis .
They also showed signs of an inflammatory immune response that , based on past research , may worsen lung cancer patients ' outlook .
None of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to blame , Segal said .
The cancer itself might make the lungs more `` receptive '' to being colonized with bacteria .
So the researchers turned to lab mice .
They transferred Veillonella bacteria into mice with lung cancer and found that the microbes revved up `` bad '' inflammation , fed tumor growth and shortened the animals ' survival .
That suggests lung bacteria might modulate the immune response in a way that affects lung cancer progression , according to Segal .
But the microbiome is complicated , and it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Dr. Thomas Marron of Mount Sinai 's Tisch Cancer Institute in New York City .
Right now , he said , there is a `` huge interest '' in understanding the microbiome 's influence in cancer .
`` Studies like this are really interesting , '' said Marron , who was not involved with the research , `` but we 're probably a few decades away from being able to alter the microbiome to treat cancer . ''
Individuals vary in their microbiome makeup , and that 's determined by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Marron explained .
So even if the body 's microbial communities directly affect cancer prognosis , he said , it will be a long time before researchers can turn that into therapy .
`` We still do n't know how we could effectively target the microbiome , '' Marron said .
He pointed to one question from the new findings : Is there any link between the lung microbiome and patients ' likelihood of responding to immunotherapy ?
Segal said his team plans to study that .
Dr. John Heymach chairs thoracic/head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anderson Cancer Center in Houston .
He called the findings `` a compelling starting point , '' but also emphasized the long research road ahead .
`` At this point , we 're not ready to directly act on this in the clinic , by either trying to kill 'bad ' bacteria , or add back 'good ' bacteria , '' said Heymach , who was not part of the study .
So far , he noted , studies have reached different conclusions as to exactly which types of bacteria are related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to differences in how studies look for the microbes .
And like Marron , Heymach pointed to the microbiome 's complexity : It generally differs from one large population to the next and among individuals -- based on numerous factors .
Still , Heymach said the recent `` explosion '' in microbiome research could eventually lead to applications in cancer treatment .
Besides the possibility of altering the microbiome , he said doctors might be able to use patients ' microbiome makeup as a `` biomarker '' of their risk of progression @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on cancer immunotherapy .

Lung cancer patients who harbor certain bacteria in the airways may have a poorer prognosis, a new study finds, adding to evidence that the body's "microbiome" may play a role in cancer patients' outlook.
The microbiome refers to the trillions of bacteria and other microbes that naturally dwell in the body. Research in recent years has been revealing how important those bugs are to the body's normal functions, including immune system defenses.
Advertisement
When it comes to cancer, studies have hinted that the microbiome can influence tumor progression, and patients' likelihood of responding to certain treatments.
For example, a number of cancers can be treated with immunotherapy -- various approaches to boosting the immune system's natural tumor-fighting capacity. Research has found that patients who respond well to immunotherapies tend to have a different makeup in the gut microbiome, compared to patients who do not respond.
Advertisement
The new study, published this week in Cancer Discovery, took a different view. Instead of focusing on the gut microbiome, researchers analyzed lung microbes of patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer.
In microbiome research, "the lung has really been ignored," said lead researcher Dr. Leopoldo Segal, director of the Lung Microbiome Program and an associate professor at New York University Grossman School of Medicine in New York City.
Traditionally, he explained, the lungs were believed to be "sterile." But recent research has shown that even in healthy people, the lungs can harbor low amounts of bacteria -- drawn in from the air or the mouth.
Segal's team wanted to see whether lung bacteria corresponded to lung cancer patients' prognosis.
Looking at tissue samples from 83 patients, the researchers found that those with advanced-stage cancer carried more microbes than patients in the early stage of disease.
And when patients did have "enrichment" with certain bacteria types, their odds of survival were lower -- even those with earlier-stage cancer.
Specifically, patients harboring Veillonella, Prevotella and Streptococcus bacteria had a worse prognosis. They also showed signs of an inflammatory immune response that, based on past research, may worsen lung cancer patients' outlook.
None of that proves the bacteria, themselves, were to blame, Segal said. The cancer itself might make the lungs more "receptive" to being colonized with bacteria.
Advertisement
So the researchers turned to lab mice. They transferred Veillonella bacteria into mice with lung cancer and found that the microbes revved up "bad" inflammation, fed tumor growth and shortened the animals' survival.
That suggests lung bacteria might modulate the immune response in a way that affects lung cancer progression, according to Segal.
But the microbiome is complicated, and it's hard to draw conclusions from mouse findings, according to Dr. Thomas Marron of Mount Sinai's Tisch Cancer Institute in New York City.
Right now, he said, there is a "huge interest" in understanding the microbiome's influence in cancer.
"Studies like this are really interesting," said Marron, who was not involved with the research, "but we're probably a few decades away from being able to alter the microbiome to treat cancer."
Individuals vary in their microbiome makeup, and that's determined by things like genetics and the immune system, Marron explained. So even if the body's microbial communities directly affect cancer prognosis, he said, it will be a long time before researchers can turn that into therapy.
"We still don't know how we could effectively target the microbiome," Marron said.
He pointed to one question from the new findings: Is there any link between the lung microbiome and patients' likelihood of responding to immunotherapy?
Advertisement
Segal said his team plans to study that.
Dr. John Heymach chairs thoracic/head and neck medical oncology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He called the findings "a compelling starting point," but also emphasized the long research road ahead.
"At this point, we're not ready to directly act on this in the clinic, by either trying to kill 'bad' bacteria, or add back 'good' bacteria," said Heymach, who was not part of the study.
So far, he noted, studies have reached different conclusions as to exactly which types of bacteria are related to better cancer outcomes -- which might be due to differences in how studies look for the microbes.
And like Marron, Heymach pointed to the microbiome's complexity: It generally differs from one large population to the next and among individuals -- based on numerous factors.
Still, Heymach said the recent "explosion" in microbiome research could eventually lead to applications in cancer treatment. Besides the possibility of altering the microbiome, he said doctors might be able to use patients' microbiome makeup as a "biomarker" of their risk of progression.
The American Cancer Society has more on cancer immunotherapy.
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