upi--2020-03-13--Slow testing may be skewing numbers of U.S. COVID-19 survivors, deaths

March 13 ( UPI ) -- Estimates of the number of COVID-19 cases , recoveries and deaths in the United States may be affected by the lack of testing capacity , public health experts say .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the National Institutes of Health and the Trump administration have been criticized over the `` failure '' -- as Dr. Anthony Fauci of NIH put it to Congress -- to perform diagnostics on sufficient numbers of the population who may be at risk for infection .
As part of its plan to expand COVID-19 testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced the creation of a new screening website for the virus that will guide people through a series of `` yes '' or `` no '' questions and , based on their responses , direct them to where they can get the type of healthcare they need in their local area .
This would not only help identify those in need of testing , but also would prevent people from being tested unnecessarily .
The president said 500,000 new coronavirus testing kits would be made available early next week , with `` millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Food and Drug Administration recently awarded fast-track approval on a third testing platform , and delivery of that is expected to begin next week .
`` We still have a long way to go , '' Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases , told the press .
`` There will be many more cases .
But we 'll take care of that .
What 's going on here today is going to help it end sooner than it would have . ''
However , the delays up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be ill are n't getting immediate treatment .
It also indicates officials may not have a real sense of the outbreak 's scope .
`` We need to act faster to contain and limit the infection in the U.S. , '' Andrew Pekosz , a professor of microbiology and immunology in the Center for Global Health at Johns Hopkins University , told UPI Thursday night .
`` China 's response to the infection bought the world some time to prepare , and we need to learn that early action has a chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus gets too far ahead of us , we will not be able to catch it , '' Pekosz said .
Catching up will require a significant increase in testing , officials have said .
According to congressional testimony from Fauci and others on Thursday , just 22,000 people in the United States had been tested .
In comparison , South Korea has tested some 230,000 people .
That has enabled the country to get a better handle on the COVID-19 outbreak , World Health Organization officials said earlier this week .
Through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases , with 72 deaths -- a fatality rate of less than 1 percent .
The United States has reported 41 deaths from 1,881 confirmed COVID-19 cases , for a fatality rate of more than 2 percent .
That figure is in line with an analysis published last month in JAMA that included 72,000 patients in Wuhan , China , the epicenter of the pandemic .
Those numbers suggest the overwhelming majority of those infected survive .
Still , it 's hard to get a true sense of the impact without knowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected .
`` The death rate and severe disease rate will drop some more as we get a better idea of the total number of mild cases that are occurring , '' Pekosz said .
`` However , you have to balance this against the fact that there is no pre-existing immunity in the population , no vaccine and no antivirals .
That means we could see an extremely large outbreak in the population because we are all susceptible . ''
Without knowing how many people in the United States have or had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have no way to adequately plan how to allocate resources in the short term .
`` A high number of cases would counter a low fatality rate and still result in more severe disease cases than the hospital infrastructure can handle , '' he said .
This is further complicated by what 's known about disease progression .
A study published Wednesday in The Lancet suggests that the progression time from symptom onset to severe disease is seven to nine days .
`` It 's not a rapid , sudden onset of respiratory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is a critical area of research that needs to be given a high priority . ''

Workers in protective suits check the ID of possible patients when they arrive by car at New York State's first drive-through coronavirus mobile testing center at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle, N.Y., on Friday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 13 (UPI) -- Estimates of the number of COVID-19 cases, recoveries and deaths in the United States may be affected by the lack of testing capacity, public health experts say. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and the Trump administration have been criticized over the "failure" -- as Dr. Anthony Fauci of NIH put it to Congress -- to perform diagnostics on sufficient numbers of the population who may be at risk for infection. Advertisement
As part of its plan to expand COVID-19 testing capabilities, the Trump administration on Friday announced the creation of a new screening website for the virus that will guide people through a series of "yes" or "no" questions and, based on their responses, direct them to where they can get the type of healthcare they need in their local area.
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This would not only help identify those in need of testing, but also would prevent people from being tested unnecessarily. The president said 500,000 new coronavirus testing kits would be made available early next week, with "millions" more to follow.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently awarded fast-track approval on a third testing platform, and delivery of that is expected to begin next week.
"We still have a long way to go," Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, told the press. "There will be many more cases. But we'll take care of that. What's going on here today is going to help it end sooner than it would have."
However, the delays up until this point mean that some who may be ill aren't getting immediate treatment. It also indicates officials may not have a real sense of the outbreak's scope.
"We need to act faster to contain and limit the infection in the U.S.," Andrew Pekosz, a professor of microbiology and immunology in the Center for Global Health at Johns Hopkins University, told UPI Thursday night.
"China's response to the infection bought the world some time to prepare, and we need to learn that early action has a chance to minimize disease impact. If the virus gets too far ahead of us, we will not be able to catch it," Pekosz said.
Advertisement
Catching up will require a significant increase in testing, officials have said. According to congressional testimony from Fauci and others on Thursday, just 22,000 people in the United States had been tested.
In comparison, South Korea has tested some 230,000 people. That has enabled the country to get a better handle on the COVID-19 outbreak, World Health Organization officials said earlier this week.
Through Friday, South Korea has had 7,979 confirmed cases, with 72 deaths -- a fatality rate of less than 1 percent. The United States has reported 41 deaths from 1,881 confirmed COVID-19 cases, for a fatality rate of more than 2 percent.
That figure is in line with an analysis published last month in JAMA that included 72,000 patients in Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the pandemic.
Those numbers suggest the overwhelming majority of those infected survive. Still, it's hard to get a true sense of the impact without knowing exactly how many people actually have been infected.
"The death rate and severe disease rate will drop some more as we get a better idea of the total number of mild cases that are occurring," Pekosz said. "However, you have to balance this against the fact that there is no pre-existing immunity in the population, no vaccine and no antivirals. That means we could see an extremely large outbreak in the population because we are all susceptible."
Advertisement
Without knowing how many people in the United States have or had the virus, Pekosz said, officials have no way to adequately plan how to allocate resources in the short term.
"A high number of cases would counter a low fatality rate and still result in more severe disease cases than the hospital infrastructure can handle," he said.
This is further complicated by what's known about disease progression. A study published Wednesday in The Lancet suggests that the progression time from symptom onset to severe disease is seven to nine days.
"It's not a rapid, sudden onset of respiratory failure," Pekosz said. "This is a critical area of research that needs to be given a high priority."


upi--2020-03-13--President Donald Trump declares national emergency over COVID-19

March 13 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump declared a national emergency Friday , saying that `` no resource will be spared '' to battle the coronavirus pandemic .
The president said the declaration will release up to $ 50 billion for states to battle the disease , which has sickened more than 1,200 people and killed at least 33 in the United States , according to Johns Hopkins University figures as of noon Friday .
`` No resource will be spared , nothing whatsoever , '' Trump said during a news conference in the White House 's Rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to set up emergency operation centers and all hospitals to activate their emergency preparedness plans immediately .
He also announced `` broad new authority '' for Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar , allowing him to waive certain regulations and requirements to allow `` all hospitals maximum flexibility to respond to the virus and care for patients . ''
Under this new authority , Azar will be able to waive requirements and allow doctors to practice at out-of-state hospitals , and allow hospitals to increase bed capacity and length of stay for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease , said the declaration will allow healthcare facilities to `` do everything they possibly can '' to contain and mitigate the virus .
`` We still have a long way to go , '' he said .
`` There will be many more cases , but we 'll take care of that . ''
Trump said his administration is considering the possibility of removing some countries from the United States ' travel ban , and may add Britain after it saw a recent spike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused airline fares to plummet , leading Delta Air Lines to announce Friday that it 's cutting flights over the next month .
There will be a 40 percent reduction in flight capacity and a halt to all flights to Europe -- other than London -- for 30 days .
The airline also plans to park up to 300 aircraft and offer voluntary short-term , unpaid leave for employees .
Trump said he also waived all interest on student loans held by the federal government and authorized Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette to purchase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while prices are low .
Speaking to reporters after his announcement , Trump said he and House Democrats have n't come to an agreement on a multi-billion dollar bill to combat the coronavirus .
`` We just do n't think they 're giving enough , we do n't think the Democrats are giving enough , '' he said .
`` We thought we had something , but all of a sudden they did n't agree to certain things . ''
Earlier Friday , the Trump administration instituted new measures to speed up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from health officials and lawmakers over the slow pace of the rollout .
The Department of Health and Human Services appointed Assistant Secretary Brett Giroir to coordinate all COVID-19 testing efforts among an array of federal public health agencies .
HHS also announced it awarded nearly $ 1.3 million to two private companies developing rapid coronavirus tests that could yield a result within an hour .
The Food and Drug Administration said it gave the state of New York the power to authorize testing laboratories of its own choosing after Gov .
Mario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal officials to manage the testing efforts .
The FDA also issued an emergency authorization for a currently available test made by Roche -- its third such authorization during the COVID-19 outbreak .
The HHS grants were given to DiaSorin Molecular of Cypress , Calif. , and Qiagen LLC of Germantown , Md .
The companies are developing new types of rapid coronavirus tests , which officials said could be ready for widespread deployment within 6 to 12 weeks .
The developments came after lawmakers and health officials leveled harsh criticism of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easily available to Americans .
During a hearing of the House oversight committee Thursday , Fauci said that government efforts were failing to provide easy and accessible testing .
`` The changes have been made , and testing will soon happen on a very large scale basis , '' Trump said in a pair of tweets Friday morning , while also faulting previous planning efforts by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under President Barack Obama .
`` All Red Tape has been cut , ready to go ! ''
he said @

1/5
President Donald Trump declares a national emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic during a news conference at the White House on Friday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
March 13 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump declared a national emergency Friday, saying that "no resource will be spared" to battle the coronavirus pandemic. The president said the declaration will release up to $50 billion for states to battle the disease, which has sickened more than 1,200 people and killed at least 33 in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University figures as of noon Friday. Advertisement
"No resource will be spared, nothing whatsoever," Trump said during a news conference in the White House's Rose Garden.
Trump called on all states to set up emergency operation centers and all hospitals to activate their emergency preparedness plans immediately.
He also announced "broad new authority" for Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, allowing him to waive certain regulations and requirements to allow "all hospitals maximum flexibility to respond to the virus and care for patients."
Advertisement
Under this new authority, Azar will be able to waive requirements and allow doctors to practice at out-of-state hospitals, and allow hospitals to increase bed capacity and length of stay for patients.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, said the declaration will allow healthcare facilities to "do everything they possibly can" to contain and mitigate the virus.
"We still have a long way to go," he said. "There will be many more cases, but we'll take care of that."
Trump said his administration is considering the possibility of removing some countries from the United States' travel ban, and may add Britain after it saw a recent spike in cases.
Global travel restrictions have caused airline fares to plummet, leading Delta Air Lines to announce Friday that it's cutting flights over the next month. There will be a 40 percent reduction in flight capacity and a halt to all flights to Europe -- other than London -- for 30 days. The airline also plans to park up to 300 aircraft and offer voluntary short-term, unpaid leave for employees.
Trump said he also waived all interest on student loans held by the federal government and authorized Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette to purchase "large quantities of crude oil" while prices are low.
Advertisement
Speaking to reporters after his announcement, Trump said he and House Democrats haven't come to an agreement on a multi-billion dollar bill to combat the coronavirus.
"We just don't think they're giving enough, we don't think the Democrats are giving enough," he said.
"We thought we had something, but all of a sudden they didn't agree to certain things."
Earlier Friday, the Trump administration instituted new measures to speed up the availability of coronavirus testing after facing criticism from health officials and lawmakers over the slow pace of the rollout.
The Department of Health and Human Services appointed Assistant Secretary Brett Giroir to coordinate all COVID-19 testing efforts among an array of federal public health agencies.
HHS also announced it awarded nearly $1.3 million to two private companies developing rapid coronavirus tests that could yield a result within an hour.
The Food and Drug Administration said it gave the state of New York the power to authorize testing laboratories of its own choosing after Gov. Mario Cuomo voiced frustration with the ability of federal officials to manage the testing efforts.
The FDA also issued an emergency authorization for a currently available test made by Roche -- its third such authorization during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Advertisement
The HHS grants were given to DiaSorin Molecular of Cypress, Calif., and Qiagen LLC of Germantown, Md. The companies are developing new types of rapid coronavirus tests, which officials said could be ready for widespread deployment within 6 to 12 weeks.
The developments came after lawmakers and health officials leveled harsh criticism of the administration's performance in making COVID-19 testing easily available to Americans.
During a hearing of the House oversight committee Thursday, Fauci said that government efforts were failing to provide easy and accessible testing.
"The changes have been made, and testing will soon happen on a very large scale basis," Trump said in a pair of tweets Friday morning, while also faulting previous planning efforts by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under President Barack Obama.
"All Red Tape has been cut, ready to go!" he said.


upi--2020-03-13--Stocks rebound Friday, fail to make up for week's losses

March 13 ( UPI ) -- U.S. stocks had their best single-day gains since 2008 , but Friday 's rally failed to overcome sharp losses in a volatile week beset by coronavirus fears .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 9.4 percent or 1,985 points , but was down 10.4 percent for the week .
The S & P 500 was up 9.3. percent Friday , but had an 8.8 percent loss for the week and the Nasdaq Composite closed up 9.4 percent Friday and dropped 8.2 percent for the week .
The jump followed a trend in other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improvement after a brutal Thursday that saw massive losses across the board .
The S & P/ASX 200 in Australia rose 4.42 percent to 5,539.30 after falling 8 percent earlier .
India 's Nifty 50 improved 2.15 percent .
London 's FTSE 100 rose 7 percent , France 's CAC 40 jumped 6 percent and Germany 's DAX improved 6 percent .
Italy 's FTSE MIB improved 17 percent , making up for the 16.9 percent it lost on Thursday , but was still 26 percent off from the start of 2020 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ States , S & P 500 Futures had bounced up 5 percent while oil prices improved 7 percent to $ 35.50 per barrel after a string of losses this week .
Not all things were rosy in the global stock market .
South Korean stocks fell 3.4 percent Friday while the Hong Kong market tumbled 1.1 percent .
The Shanghai and Shenzhen markets saw more than a 1 percent drop even though the Chinese government sets loss limits there .
Central banks around the world got involved this week during the current coronavirus-sparked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Norway 's central bank cut rates .
Sweden 's Riksbank opened a $ 51 billion lending for its local banks .
Australia 's Reserve Bank added $ 5.5 billion to the lending market there while the People 's Bank of China cut its reserve requirement ratio .

1/2
The previous session with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down over 2000 points and 10 percent which was the worst since the "Black Monday" market crash in 1987. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 13 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks had their best single-day gains since 2008, but Friday's rally failed to overcome sharp losses in a volatile week beset by coronavirus fears. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 9.4 percent or 1,985 points, but was down 10.4 percent for the week. The S&P 500 was up 9.3. percent Friday, but had an 8.8 percent loss for the week and the Nasdaq Composite closed up 9.4 percent Friday and dropped 8.2 percent for the week. Advertisement
The jump followed a trend in other financial markets around the globe that showed improvement after a brutal Thursday that saw massive losses across the board.
The S&P/ASX 200 in Australia rose 4.42 percent to 5,539.30 after falling 8 percent earlier. India's Nifty 50 improved 2.15 percent.
London's FTSE 100 rose 7 percent, France's CAC 40 jumped 6 percent and Germany's DAX improved 6 percent. Italy's FTSE MIB improved 17 percent, making up for the 16.9 percent it lost on Thursday, but was still 26 percent off from the start of 2020.
Before the opening bell in the United States, S&P 500 Futures had bounced up 5 percent while oil prices improved 7 percent to $35.50 per barrel after a string of losses this week.
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Not all things were rosy in the global stock market. South Korean stocks fell 3.4 percent Friday while the Hong Kong market tumbled 1.1 percent. The Shanghai and Shenzhen markets saw more than a 1 percent drop even though the Chinese government sets loss limits there.
Central banks around the world got involved this week during the current coronavirus-sparked financial crisis. The Bank of England and Norway's central bank cut rates. Sweden's Riksbank opened a $51 billion lending for its local banks. Australia's Reserve Bank added $5.5 billion to the lending market there while the People's Bank of China cut its reserve requirement ratio.


upi--2020-03-13--Study reveals how plants communicate for defense using gene regulation

March 13 ( UPI ) -- An examination of jasmonic acid , a plant hormone , could lead to hardier plants in an era of climate change , Salk Institute researchers reported Friday .
In a study published Friday in the journal Nature Plants , researchers noted that plants have hormones to signal defenses against drought , insects or intense temperature change , and then respond .
Using Arabidopsis thaliana , a small flowering plant in the mustard family whose genome is well-studied , researchers exposed the plant to additional doses of jasmonic acid three days after germination .
Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system were MYC2 and MYC3 .
These genes code for proteins that are transcription factors , indicating that they regulate the activity of thousands of other genes in the plant .
`` By deciphering all of these gene networks and subnetworks , it helps us to understand the architecture of the whole system , '' researcher and study lead author Mark Zander said in a press release .
`` We now have this very comprehensive picture of which genes are turned on and off during a plant 's defense response . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genes most important in response to the stimulant , as well as cellular cross-communication within the plant through hormone pathways .
They added that the results provide a comprehensive understanding of how a plant hormone remodels cellular functions and plant behavior .
The genetic details researchers have found with this study , Zander said , can be useful for breeding crops that are better able to withstand attacks from pests .
`` In the past , the MYC genes and other transcription factors have been studied in a very linear fashion , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an associate professor at La Trobe University in Melbourne , Australia .
`` Scientists look at how one gene is connected to the next gene , and the next one , and so on .
This method is inherently slow because there are a lot of genes and lots of connections .
What we 've done here is to create a framework by which we can analyze many genes at once . ''

Salk Institute researchers experimented with a mustard plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, to determine which of the plant's hormones rose to communicate with its network of genes. Photo courtesy of Salk Institute
March 13 (UPI) -- An examination of jasmonic acid, a plant hormone, could lead to hardier plants in an era of climate change, Salk Institute researchers reported Friday. In a study published Friday in the journal Nature Plants, researchers noted that plants have hormones to signal defenses against drought, insects or intense temperature change, and then respond. Advertisement
Using Arabidopsis thaliana, a small flowering plant in the mustard family whose genome is well-studied, researchers exposed the plant to additional doses of jasmonic acid three days after germination.
Two genes that rose to importance across the system were MYC2 and MYC3. These genes code for proteins that are transcription factors, indicating that they regulate the activity of thousands of other genes in the plant.
"By deciphering all of these gene networks and subnetworks, it helps us to understand the architecture of the whole system," researcher and study lead author Mark Zander said in a press release. "We now have this very comprehensive picture of which genes are turned on and off during a plant's defense response."
The research team was able to identify the genes most important in response to the stimulant, as well as cellular cross-communication within the plant through hormone pathways.
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They added that the results provide a comprehensive understanding of how a plant hormone remodels cellular functions and plant behavior.
The genetic details researchers have found with this study, Zander said, can be useful for breeding crops that are better able to withstand attacks from pests.
"In the past, the MYC genes and other transcription factors have been studied in a very linear fashion," said study co-first author Mathew Lewsey, an associate professor at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia. "Scientists look at how one gene is connected to the next gene, and the next one, and so on. This method is inherently slow because there are a lot of genes and lots of connections. What we've done here is to create a framework by which we can analyze many genes at once."


upi--2020-03-13--Combo of heart drugs may also lower dementia risk

Certain combinations of cholesterol and blood pressure drugs may do more than help the heart -- they might also lower a person 's risk of dementia , a new study finds .
The drugs in question include two common types of blood pressure medications -- ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers ( ARBs ) -- as well as cholesterol-lowering statins .
It 's long been known that keeping blood pressure and cholesterol under control is important for a healthy heart .
But `` this study tells us there might be certain combinations of drugs that have additional benefits for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ management of those targeted conditions , '' study co-author Douglas Barthold said in a University of Southern California news release .
Barthold is a research assistant professor in the department of pharmacy at the University of Washington in Seattle .
In the study , a team led by USC researcher Julie Zissimopoulos tracked 2007-2014 data from nearly 700,000 Medicare beneficiaries .
The participants were ages 67 and older , and had used both a high blood pressure drug and a cholesterol-lowering statin drug for the two previous years .
None had been diagnosed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken any Alzheimer 's disease-specific medications .
The use of the statins pravastatin and rosuvastatin , combined with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers ( ARBs ) for high blood pressure , was associated with a reduced risk for dementia , compared to other combinations of drugs .
One combination -- pravastatin or rosuvastatin in combination with ARBs -- was especially good at lowering the risk , with men benefiting even more than women .
For example , using a combination of ARBs and pravastatin was associated with a 21 percent lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of the study , compared to other combinations of drugs , according to the study .
Dementia affects about 7 million Americans and that number is expected to increase to 12 million over the next two decades .
`` We do n't currently have drugs that are proven to treat dementia , but even small delays in onset can dramatically reduce the burden on patients , caregivers , and the health system as a whole , '' Zissimopoulos said in the release .
She directs the Aging and Cognition program at USC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Our research found dementia risk may be reduced with specific combinations of drug treatments for vascular health . ''
If these findings are replicated in future research , they might lead to specific combinations of statins and high blood pressure drugs being recommended to reduce the risk of Alzheimer 's disease and related dementias , the researchers said .
Two experts in brain and heart health said the new findings make sense , given links between the two organs .
`` Yet another study that says heart health equals brain health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a neurologist and psychiatrist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City .
She said that besides using meds to better your heart health , people interested in keeping their brain healthy should consider `` eating a Mediterranean diet , doing aerobic exercise 30-45 minutes three to four days a week , maintaining healthy sleep habits and having community involvement . ''
Dr .
Guy Mintz directs cardiovascular health at the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital in Manhasset , N.Y. Reading over the findings , he said that `` this choice of medications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce blood pressure , but they have an anti-inflammatory effect , '' as do statins -- and inflammation negatively affects blood vessel health in the brain .
`` As we move into an era of precision medicine , the idea of targeted combination therapies for hypertension and cholesterol in patients over 67 years of age -- translating to better vascular health in the brain and leading to a reduction of brain dysfunction -- is exciting and warrants further research , '' Mintz said .
The study was published recently in the journal PLOS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Physicians has more on dementia .

Certain combinations of cholesterol and blood pressure drugs may do more than help the heart -- they might also lower a person's risk of dementia, a new study finds.
The drugs in question include two common types of blood pressure medications -- ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) -- as well as cholesterol-lowering statins.
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It's long been known that keeping blood pressure and cholesterol under control is important for a healthy heart. But "this study tells us there might be certain combinations of drugs that have additional benefits for Alzheimer's and other dementias beyond the management of those targeted conditions," study co-author Douglas Barthold said in a University of Southern California news release.
Barthold is a research assistant professor in the department of pharmacy at the University of Washington in Seattle.
In the study, a team led by USC researcher Julie Zissimopoulos tracked 2007-2014 data from nearly 700,000 Medicare beneficiaries. The participants were ages 67 and older, and had used both a high blood pressure drug and a cholesterol-lowering statin drug for the two previous years. None had been diagnosed with dementia, and they had never taken any Alzheimer's disease-specific medications.
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The use of the statins pravastatin and rosuvastatin, combined with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) for high blood pressure, was associated with a reduced risk for dementia, compared to other combinations of drugs.
One combination -- pravastatin or rosuvastatin in combination with ARBs -- was especially good at lowering the risk, with men benefiting even more than women.
For example, using a combination of ARBs and pravastatin was associated with a 21 percent lower risk of dementia diagnosis over the seven years of the study, compared to other combinations of drugs, according to the study.
Dementia affects about 7 million Americans and that number is expected to increase to 12 million over the next two decades.
"We don't currently have drugs that are proven to treat dementia, but even small delays in onset can dramatically reduce the burden on patients, caregivers, and the health system as a whole," Zissimopoulos said in the release. She directs the Aging and Cognition program at USC's Center for Health Policy and Economics. "Our research found dementia risk may be reduced with specific combinations of drug treatments for vascular health."
If these findings are replicated in future research, they might lead to specific combinations of statins and high blood pressure drugs being recommended to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, the researchers said.
Advertisement
Two experts in brain and heart health said the new findings make sense, given links between the two organs.
"Yet another study that says heart health equals brain health," said Dr. Gayatri Devi, a neurologist and psychiatrist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
She said that besides using meds to better your heart health, people interested in keeping their brain healthy should consider "eating a Mediterranean diet, doing aerobic exercise 30-45 minutes three to four days a week, maintaining healthy sleep habits and having community involvement."
Dr. Guy Mintz directs cardiovascular health at the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y. Reading over the findings, he said that "this choice of medications make sense because not only do ARBs reduce blood pressure, but they have an anti-inflammatory effect," as do statins -- and inflammation negatively affects blood vessel health in the brain.
"As we move into an era of precision medicine, the idea of targeted combination therapies for hypertension and cholesterol in patients over 67 years of age -- translating to better vascular health in the brain and leading to a reduction of brain dysfunction -- is exciting and warrants further research," Mintz said.
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The study was published recently in the journal PLOS One.
More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more on dementia.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-03-13--Tests for prostate cancer 'fingerprint' in blood could improve care

A test that can detect the genetic `` fingerprint '' of prostate cancer in blood could improve diagnosis , monitoring and treatment of the disease , researchers say .
The test checks for prostate cancer DNA in blood in order to provide the earliest evidence that prostate cancer is active .
This could help doctors monitor tumor behavior , determine if cancer has spread ( `` metastasized '' ) and choose the most appropriate treatment , according to the team at University College London Cancer Institute in the United Kingdom .
The study was published March 9 in The Journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to assess whether this test could be used along with , or replace , the current prostate-specific antigen ( PSA ) test , according to the study authors .
`` Metastatic prostate cancer -- the most dangerous late stage of the disease -- can vary substantially in its treatment response and clinical progression , '' lead author Dr. Anjui Wu said in a college news release .
`` We urgently need biomarkers that will help us determine how far along each patient 's cancer is , to determine the best course of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ author Gerhardt Attard , a professor at the institute , said researchers are testing the technique in a patient trial .
The aim is to see if it can complement or replace the PSA test .
`` We believe the increased sensitivity and additional information we derive will significantly improve the outcomes of men with advanced prostate cancer , '' Attard added in the news release .
Mark Emberton , dean of the faculty of medical sciences , said `` liquid biopsies '' have shown great potential to improve diagnosis and management of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the first to tell us cancer has got into blood before the spread is large enough to see on imaging , '' Emberton said .
`` This could allow targeting of treatment for men at the highest risk of prostate cancer spread . ''
The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more on prostate cancer .

A test that can detect the genetic "fingerprint" of prostate cancer in blood could improve diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of the disease, researchers say.
The test checks for prostate cancer DNA in blood in order to provide the earliest evidence that prostate cancer is active.
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This could help doctors monitor tumor behavior, determine if cancer has spread ("metastasized") and choose the most appropriate treatment, according to the team at University College London Cancer Institute in the United Kingdom.
The study was published March 9 in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.
The next step is to assess whether this test could be used along with, or replace, the current prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, according to the study authors.
"Metastatic prostate cancer -- the most dangerous late stage of the disease -- can vary substantially in its treatment response and clinical progression," lead author Dr. Anjui Wu said in a college news release.
"We urgently need biomarkers that will help us determine how far along each patient's cancer is, to determine the best course of treatment," he explained.
Corresponding author Gerhardt Attard, a professor at the institute, said researchers are testing the technique in a patient trial. The aim is to see if it can complement or replace the PSA test.
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"We believe the increased sensitivity and additional information we derive will significantly improve the outcomes of men with advanced prostate cancer," Attard added in the news release.
Mark Emberton, dean of the faculty of medical sciences, said "liquid biopsies" have shown great potential to improve diagnosis and management of cancer patients.
"This test could be the first to tell us cancer has got into blood before the spread is large enough to see on imaging," Emberton said. "This could allow targeting of treatment for men at the highest risk of prostate cancer spread."
More information
The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more on prostate cancer.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-03-13--Tate Donovan's 'Tuscaloosa' psychiatrist has many dimensions

March 13 ( UPI ) -- Actor Tate Donovan said his new film Tuscaloosa may be set in 1972 Alabama , but its central themes most likely will resonate with contemporary viewers .
Written and helmed by celebrated music video director Philip Harder , the adaptation of W. Glasgow Phillips ' novel depicts what happens when dreamer Billy ( Devon Bostick ) romances Virginia ( Natalia Dyer , ) a young patient involuntarily committed to the mental hospital at which his psychiatrist father ( Donovan ) works .
Meanwhile , Billy 's childhood friend , Nigel ( Marchant Davis ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that challenges the local authorities , leading to violence .
`` We 're still dealing with all these issues -- race and sexuality and mental illness , '' Donovan told UPI in a recent phone interview .
`` Obviously , there is a great divide in our country right now , '' he said , noting he hopes people will find comfort knowing Americans have survived troubled times in U.S. history .
`` Hopefully , we will get through that as a nation again .
History is sort of cyclical . ''
Donovan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not judge the characters he plays -- had no reservations about playing Dr. Mitchell , even though the widower plays cards with racist cops and practices psychiatry in ways that seem dangerous by 2020 standards .
`` Working with Philip , we both agreed that he was a man who was just trying to do the right thing and love his son , '' the actor said .
`` Everything comes out of love , even though he is super misguided and he is not the greatest guy .
He does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Dr. Mitchell also is protective of his patients and tries to care for them the best he can using the science of the day .
`` He was a good doctor , '' Donovan said .
`` Electroshock therapy -- we all look at it as barbaric and horrific , but it saved a lot of people 's lives , including people 's lives in my own family , '' Donovan said .
`` I was really glad that the character was n't just the bad guy .
There are many dimensions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of leave it up to the audience to figure out who is good or bad . ''
Mitchell tries to discourage Billy from falling in love with Virginia because he does n't think it is healthy for either of them , and the clash between characters led to some fascinating moments between them .
`` Devon really informed my performance a lot , '' Donovan said of Bostick , who is best known for his work in the Diary of the Wimpy Kid franchise .
`` We just naturally had a chemistry together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and acting and directing , has kept things exciting throughout the years for Donovan , whose high-profile credits include Rocketman , Damages , The O.C.
, Argo , Good Night , Good Luck , Friends , Love Potion No .
9 , Memphis Belle , No Small Affair and SpaceCamp .
`` When we are all starting out , we all just want to be stars , '' he said .
`` If that does n't work out , then you 're like , ' I just need to make a living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because you get to where [ it 's ] 'OK , I 've got to do this television show .
Let 's do this play .
Let 's do this voice-over . '
`` You 're just sort of scrambling constantly to stay afloat .
In that , you have a very varied career .
It 's only in hindsight that all comes together .
While you 're doing it , you 're just trying to stay alive . ''
Collaborating with young actors and new filmmakers has had an energizing effect on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really fun because you see yourself in them a little bit and then also you recognize , 'Wow !
These guys are really different than I am .
They really approach this differently , and thank God they do , ' '' Donovan said .
His 14-year-old son -- an enthusiastic Stranger Things fan -- was thrilled when Donovan told him he would be working with Dyer .
The actor 's vocal performance in the 1997 animated movie Hercules and subsequent TV cartoon series has likewise earned him legions of young fans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ me saying : ' I ca n't believe you got Hercules !
That 's crazy !
It 's going to live on forever . '
`` But , actually , when it came out , it was kind of a box-office flop .
For Disney , at least .
It did n't do half as well as the other ones , but over the years it 's held its own , and I am really super proud of it , '' he said .
Tuscaloosa was released in select theaters and on video-on-demand @ @ @

1/2
Tate Donovan's new film "Tuscaloosa" is now in theaters and on video-on-demand platforms. Photo courtesy of Cinedigm
March 13 (UPI) -- Actor Tate Donovan said his new film Tuscaloosa may be set in 1972 Alabama, but its central themes most likely will resonate with contemporary viewers. Written and helmed by celebrated music video director Philip Harder, the adaptation of W. Glasgow Phillips' novel depicts what happens when dreamer Billy (Devon Bostick) romances Virginia (Natalia Dyer,) a young patient involuntarily committed to the mental hospital at which his psychiatrist father (Donovan) works. Advertisement
Meanwhile, Billy's childhood friend, Nigel (Marchant Davis), joins a radical civil rights group that challenges the local authorities, leading to violence.
"We're still dealing with all these issues -- race and sexuality and mental illness," Donovan told UPI in a recent phone interview.
"Obviously, there is a great divide in our country right now," he said, noting he hopes people will find comfort knowing Americans have survived troubled times in U.S. history. "Hopefully, we will get through that as a nation again. History is sort of cyclical."
Advertisement
Donovan -- who said he tries to understand and not judge the characters he plays -- had no reservations about playing Dr. Mitchell, even though the widower plays cards with racist cops and practices psychiatry in ways that seem dangerous by 2020 standards.
"Working with Philip, we both agreed that he was a man who was just trying to do the right thing and love his son," the actor said.
"Everything comes out of love, even though he is super misguided and he is not the greatest guy. He doesn't express it in the best way."
Dr. Mitchell also is protective of his patients and tries to care for them the best he can using the science of the day.
"He was a good doctor," Donovan said.
"Electroshock therapy -- we all look at it as barbaric and horrific, but it saved a lot of people's lives, including people's lives in my own family," Donovan said. "I was really glad that the character wasn't just the bad guy. There are many dimensions to him. ... You just sort of leave it up to the audience to figure out who is good or bad."
Mitchell tries to discourage Billy from falling in love with Virginia because he doesn't think it is healthy for either of them, and the clash between characters led to some fascinating moments between them.
Advertisement
"Devon really informed my performance a lot," Donovan said of Bostick, who is best known for his work in the Diary of the Wimpy Kid franchise. "We just naturally had a chemistry together."
Moving between TV and film, and acting and directing, has kept things exciting throughout the years for Donovan, whose high-profile credits include Rocketman, Damages, The O.C., Argo, Good Night, Good Luck, Friends, Love Potion No. 9, Memphis Belle, No Small Affair and SpaceCamp.
"When we are all starting out, we all just want to be stars," he said.
"If that doesn't work out, then you're like, 'I just need to make a living.' That's a wonderful experience because you get to where [it's] 'OK, I've got to do this television show. Let's do this play. Let's do this voice-over.'
"You're just sort of scrambling constantly to stay afloat. In that, you have a very varied career. It's only in hindsight that all comes together. While you're doing it, you're just trying to stay alive."
Collaborating with young actors and new filmmakers has had an energizing effect on him, too.
"It's really fun because you see yourself in them a little bit and then also you recognize, 'Wow! These guys are really different than I am. They really approach this differently, and thank God they do,'" Donovan said.
Advertisement
His 14-year-old son -- an enthusiastic Stranger Things fan -- was thrilled when Donovan told him he would be working with Dyer.
"He just flipped," Donovan recalled.
The actor's vocal performance in the 1997 animated movie Hercules and subsequent TV cartoon series has likewise earned him legions of young fans.
"Everyone was just coming up to me saying: 'I can't believe you got Hercules! That's crazy! It's going to live on forever.'
"But, actually, when it came out, it was kind of a box-office flop. For Disney, at least. It didn't do half as well as the other ones, but over the years it's held its own, and I am really super proud of it," he said.
Tuscaloosa was released in select theaters and on video-on-demand platforms Friday.


upi--2020-03-13--Watch: Kangaroo caught eating toilet paper in campground bathroom

March 13 ( UPI ) -- A visitor to a campground in Australia captured video of a different type of @ @ @ @ @ kangaroo raiding rolls from the restroom .
The filmer said they have been traveling the @ @ @ @ @ their family for the year , and they were stopped this week at the Wilpena @ @ @ @ @ .
The video shows a kangaroo inside the campground 's restroom eating toilet paper from @ @ @ @ @ Maybe word of coronavirus has spread this far into the arid center of our country @ @ @ @ @ 6 hours drive from the South Australian coast .
It 's pretty dry , dusty @ @ @ @ @ the kangaroos have become tame from interacting with tourists , '' the filmer wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ talked to campground managers and learned they are planning to put up a fence next @ @ @ @ @ from raiding the toilet paper .

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March 13 (UPI) -- A visitor to a campground in Australia captured video of a different type of toilet paper shortage -- a kangaroo raiding rolls from the restroom.
The filmer said they have been traveling the country in a camper with their family for the year, and they were stopped this week at the Wilpena Pound campground in South Australia.
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The video shows a kangaroo inside the campground's restroom eating toilet paper from a bathroom stall.
"Maybe word of coronavirus has spread this far into the arid center of our country? Wilpena Pound is about 6 hours drive from the South Australian coast. It's pretty dry, dusty and fly-blown out here and the kangaroos have become tame from interacting with tourists," the filmer wrote.
The filmer said the family talked to campground managers and learned they are planning to put up a fence next month to keep the kangaroos from raiding the toilet paper.


upi--2020-03-13--Store clerk alerts Michigan Lottery player to his big win

March 13 ( UPI ) -- A Michigan man said he has his local store clerk to thank for alerting him to the fact that he won $ 25,000 a year for life from a lottery drawing .
Richard Miller III , 47 , told Michigan Lottery officials he bought his Lucky For Life ticket at 7-Eleven in Saginaw , where he is known as a regular customer .
`` I play Lucky For Life at the 7-Eleven when I stop to get my energy drinks , '' Miller said .
`` I 've become friends with one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning after the drawing to tell me they sold the winning ticket and thought it was me . ''
Miller matched all five white balls in the Feb. 24 drawing : 23-27-33-44-48 .
The matches won him the Lucky For Life second prize of $ 25,000 a year for life .
`` I went to 7-Eleven to check my ticket and was amazed when I saw I really won !
I was so close to winning $ 1,000 a day for life .
The Lucky Ball drawn was 11 , and I had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Winning $ 25,000 a year for life is great though . ''
Miller chose to take his prize as annual installments of $ 25,000 for life or for 20 years , whichever is greater .
`` I do n't know how to feel about winning yet .
I 've had a lot of sleepless nights since I won , and I 'm so glad to finally get this money in the bank , '' Miller said .

A Michigan man said the clerk at his local 7-Eleven store called him at home to tip him off that he had won $25,000 a year for life from a lottery drawing. Photo courtesy of the Michigan Lottery
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe March 13 (UPI) -- A Michigan man said he has his local store clerk to thank for alerting him to the fact that he won $25,000 a year for life from a lottery drawing. Richard Miller III, 47, told Michigan Lottery officials he bought his Lucky For Life ticket at 7-Eleven in Saginaw, where he is known as a regular customer. Advertisement
"I play Lucky For Life at the 7-Eleven when I stop to get my energy drinks," Miller said. "I've become friends with one of the clerks there and she called me the morning after the drawing to tell me they sold the winning ticket and thought it was me."
Miller matched all five white balls in the Feb. 24 drawing: 23-27-33-44-48. The matches won him the Lucky For Life second prize of $25,000 a year for life.
"I went to 7-Eleven to check my ticket and was amazed when I saw I really won! I was so close to winning $1,000 a day for life. The Lucky Ball drawn was 11, and I had that three times on my ticket. Winning $25,000 a year for life is great though."
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Miller chose to take his prize as annual installments of $25,000 for life or for 20 years, whichever is greater.
"I don't know how to feel about winning yet. I've had a lot of sleepless nights since I won, and I'm so glad to finally get this money in the bank," Miller said.


upi--2020-03-13--Switching to keto diet may cause flu-like symptoms

If you are feeling the aches and pains of what you think is the flu , a trendy diet may be the culprit instead , a new study confirms .
Researchers took a dive into what 's become known as `` keto flu '' -- the fatigue , headache , nausea and mental fog that some people develop soon after starting a ketogenic diet .
The keto diet , which is loaded with fat and skimpy on carbs , has become a popular way to lose weight .
By depriving the body of carbs -- its main source of fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fat instead .
The tactic `` undeniably works '' in spurring quick weight loss , said Ginger Hultin , a Seattle-based registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics .
At the same time , though , it can leave people feeling miserable , at least in the first few weeks .
That so-called keto flu has been recognized for some time , and it 's thought to be the result of the radical dietary change .
Keto plans typically recommend getting 70 percent to 80 percent of calories from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from protein , and a mere 5 percent to 10 percent from carbs .
`` You 're asking your body to shift into a completely different metabolic state , '' Hultin explained .
For the new study , researchers looked to online forums to see what keto dieters had to say about their short-term side effects .
First , they found 43 forums with threads dedicated to `` keto flu , '' then scanned posts from 300 users .
Overall , dieters ' most common complaints were headache , `` brain fog , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But their issues ran the gamut , from fatigue and dizziness , to heartbeat changes , sore throat and body aches .
People 's symptoms generally peaked in the first week of starting the keto diet , then resolved over the next few weeks .
The findings , published March 13 in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition , do not necessarily reflect the typical keto diet experience -- or even the typical keto flu experience .
People who turn to online forums for help may be different from those who do n't , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania , in Australia .
But , she said , there is still something to learn from their stories .
`` It 's important to consider symptoms from a number of perspectives in order to gain a composite picture , '' Bostock said .
For example , she said , the forum users give an idea of how severe and lasting keto flu symptoms can be : Of 60 people who discussed the extent of their symptoms , 45 described them as moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who gave a time course , all but four said their symptoms faded within a month of starting the diet .
Hultin said that in the quest to find a diet , people may not always consider the unpleasant side effects .
So it 's important to be aware they exist .
But even if you battle your way through keto flu , is it a healthy way to lose weight ?
`` One of the biggest problems with our weight-loss culture is this endless diet rollercoaster , '' Hultin said .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the keto diet , or another restrictive plan ; but if the diet is not sustainable , those pounds are likely to come back , and then some .
Despite the indulgence in fat , the keto diet is difficult to maintain , and severely limits carbs from healthy sources like vegetables , fruits , beans , whole grains and dairy .
So there is a concern that dieters will fall short on various vitamins , minerals and fiber , according to Hultin .
Ultimately , she said , it 's best to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your health , and can be sustained for the long haul .
Actually enjoying your food is important , too , Hultin pointed out .
`` A lot of times in my work , '' she said , `` it 's about helping people find a way of eating that 's healthy and makes them happy . ''
As for the keto diet , Hultin recommended that people who have a chronic health condition , such as diabetes or high blood pressure , use caution .
Talk to your doctor about whether it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she advised .
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has more on the ketogenic diet .

Pixabay The so-called keto flu is thought to be the result of radical dietary change. Photo by zuzyusa
If you are feeling the aches and pains of what you think is the flu, a trendy diet may be the culprit instead, a new study confirms. Researchers took a dive into what's become known as "keto flu" -- the fatigue, headache, nausea and mental fog that some people develop soon after starting a ketogenic diet. Advertisement
The keto diet, which is loaded with fat and skimpy on carbs, has become a popular way to lose weight. By depriving the body of carbs -- its main source of fuel -- the diet pushes it to burn fat instead.
The tactic "undeniably works" in spurring quick weight loss, said Ginger Hultin, a Seattle-based registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
At the same time, though, it can leave people feeling miserable, at least in the first few weeks. That so-called keto flu has been recognized for some time, and it's thought to be the result of the radical dietary change. Keto plans typically recommend getting 70 percent to 80 percent of calories from fat, 10 percent to 20 percent from protein, and a mere 5 percent to 10 percent from carbs.
Advertisement
"You're asking your body to shift into a completely different metabolic state," Hultin explained.
For the new study, researchers looked to online forums to see what keto dieters had to say about their short-term side effects.
First, they found 43 forums with threads dedicated to "keto flu," then scanned posts from 300 users.
Overall, dieters' most common complaints were headache, "brain fog," constipation and other gastrointestinal problems. But their issues ran the gamut, from fatigue and dizziness, to heartbeat changes, sore throat and body aches.
People's symptoms generally peaked in the first week of starting the keto diet, then resolved over the next few weeks.
The findings, published March 13 in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, do not necessarily reflect the typical keto diet experience -- or even the typical keto flu experience.
People who turn to online forums for help may be different from those who don't, said lead researcher Emmanuelle Bostock, of the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania, in Australia.
But, she said, there is still something to learn from their stories.
"It's important to consider symptoms from a number of perspectives in order to gain a composite picture," Bostock said.
For example, she said, the forum users give an idea of how severe and lasting keto flu symptoms can be: Of 60 people who discussed the extent of their symptoms, 45 described them as moderate or severe. And of 56 people who gave a time course, all but four said their symptoms faded within a month of starting the diet.
Advertisement
Hultin said that in the quest to find a diet, people may not always consider the unpleasant side effects. So it's important to be aware they exist.
But even if you battle your way through keto flu, is it a healthy way to lose weight?
"One of the biggest problems with our weight-loss culture is this endless diet rollercoaster," Hultin said. That is, people may shed pounds on the keto diet, or another restrictive plan; but if the diet is not sustainable, those pounds are likely to come back, and then some.
Despite the indulgence in fat, the keto diet is difficult to maintain, and severely limits carbs from healthy sources like vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains and dairy. So there is a concern that dieters will fall short on various vitamins, minerals and fiber, according to Hultin.
Ultimately, she said, it's best to focus on cultivating a diet that supports your health, and can be sustained for the long haul. Actually enjoying your food is important, too, Hultin pointed out.
"A lot of times in my work," she said, "it's about helping people find a way of eating that's healthy and makes them happy."
As for the keto diet, Hultin recommended that people who have a chronic health condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, use caution. Talk to your doctor about whether it's a safe way to lose weight, she advised.
Advertisement
More information
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has more on the ketogenic diet.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-03-13--Poll: Majority of Americans think United Nations is doing a poor job

March 13 ( UPI ) -- A slight majority of Americans -- 54 percent -- believe the United Nations is doing a poor job of solving problems , though approval of the agency has largely improved over the past decade , a Gallup poll released Friday indicates .
The survey found that despite the negative assessment , 64 percent of Americans believe the United Nations should play a `` significant '' role in the world .
Of the U.S. adults surveyed , 43 percent said the United Nations does a good job , down slightly from 2019 .
The overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incline since 2008 , when the favorability rating hit a six-decade low of 26 percent .
Democrats are more likely than Republicans to think favorably of the United Nations , with 55 percent in approval .
Thirty percent of Republicans approve of the agency .
Americans ' opinions on the role the United Nations should play in the world has remained largely stagnant since 2008 .
Forty percent believe it should play a `` major role , '' 33 percent believe it should play a `` minor role '' and 24 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role . ''
Democrats are more likely to believe the United Nations should play a leading or major role in the world ( 84 percent ) , compared to Republicans ( 45 percent ) .
Gallup surveyed 1,028 adults from Feb. 3-16 for the poll , which has a 4 percent margin of error at the 95 percent confidence level .

Attendees sit and listen to speakers and performances at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on March 6. Though a majority of Americans think the United Nations is doing a poor job, most think it should play a major or leading role in the world. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 13 (UPI) -- A slight majority of Americans -- 54 percent -- believe the United Nations is doing a poor job of solving problems, though approval of the agency has largely improved over the past decade, a Gallup poll released Friday indicates. The survey found that despite the negative assessment, 64 percent of Americans believe the United Nations should play a "significant" role in the world. Advertisement
Of the U.S. adults surveyed, 43 percent said the United Nations does a good job, down slightly from 2019. The overall trend, though, has been on the incline since 2008, when the favorability rating hit a six-decade low of 26 percent.
Democrats are more likely than Republicans to think favorably of the United Nations, with 55 percent in approval. Thirty percent of Republicans approve of the agency.
Americans' opinions on the role the United Nations should play in the world has remained largely stagnant since 2008. Forty percent believe it should play a "major role," 33 percent believe it should play a "minor role" and 24 percent believe it should play a "leading role."
Democrats are more likely to believe the United Nations should play a leading or major role in the world (84 percent), compared to Republicans (45 percent).
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Gallup surveyed 1,028 adults from Feb. 3-16 for the poll, which has a 4 percent margin of error at the 95 percent confidence level.


upi--2020-03-13--Watch: British man identifies front stoop milk thief as wild fox

March 13 ( UPI ) -- A British man who noticed his milk delivery had been stolen from his doorstep @ @ @ @ @ was shocked to identify the culprit as a thirsty fox .
Antony Neale , 55 @ @ @ @ @ deliveries at his home in Essex , England , said one of his bottles went @ @ @ @ @ retrieve it from his doorstep .
Neale checked it security camera footage and identified the @ @ @ @ @ .
He said the animal returned a few days later and repeated the same crime @ @ @ @ @ started retrieving his milk earlier in the morning , before the fox can sneak up @ @ @ @

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March 13 (UPI) -- A British man who noticed his milk delivery had been stolen from his doorstep checked security camera footage and was shocked to identify the culprit as a thirsty fox.
Antony Neale, 55, who receives daily milk deliveries at his home in Essex, England, said one of his bottles went missing recently before he could retrieve it from his doorstep.
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Neale checked it security camera footage and identified the thief as a wild fox.
He said the animal returned a few days later and repeated the same crime.
Neale said he has started retrieving his milk earlier in the morning, before the fox can sneak up and take it.


upi--2020-03-13--Watch: NCT 127 performs 'Kick It' choreography at dance practice

March 13 ( UPI ) -- South Korean boy band NCT 127 is giving a glimpse of its choreography for the single `` Kick It . ''
The K-pop group , a subunit of the boy band NCT , shared a dance practice video Friday that shows a behind-the-scenes look at a rehearsal for the song .
`` Kick It '' features synchronized and hard-hitting choreography .
NCT 127 released an energetic music video for the song last week .
`` Kick It '' is the lead single from NCT 127 's album Neo Zone , released last week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ including `` Elevator ( 127F ) , '' `` Boom , '' `` Pandora 's Box '' and `` Love Me Now . ''
NCT 127 made history Tuesday by becoming the first K-pop act to perform at RodeoHouston .
On Wednesday , the rest of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was canceled due to concerns about the coronavirus .
NCT 127 consists of Taeil , Johnny , Taeyong , Yuta , Doyoung , Jaehyun , Winwin , Jungwoo , Mark and Haechan .
The group is known for the singles `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` Regular '' and `` Superhuman . ''

March 13 (UPI) -- South Korean boy band NCT 127 is giving a glimpse of its choreography for the single "Kick It."
The K-pop group, a subunit of the boy band NCT, shared a dance practice video Friday that shows a behind-the-scenes look at a rehearsal for the song.
Advertisement
"Kick It" features synchronized and hard-hitting choreography. NCT 127 released an energetic music video for the song last week.
"Kick It" is the lead single from NCT 127's album Neo Zone, released last week. The album features 12 other songs, including "Elevator (127F)," "Boom," "Pandora's Box" and "Love Me Now."
NCT 127 made history Tuesday by becoming the first K-pop act to perform at RodeoHouston. On Wednesday, the rest of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was canceled due to concerns about the coronavirus.
NCT 127 consists of Taeil, Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Winwin, Jungwoo, Mark and Haechan. The group is known for the singles "Cherry Bomb," "Touch," "Regular" and "Superhuman."


upi--2020-03-13--Watch: 'Unicorn' puppy has one ear in the middle of her head

March 13 ( UPI ) -- A golden retriever puppy in Michigan has been branded a `` unicorn '' due to an unusual facial feature : having only a single ear , positioned on the top of her head .
Rae - `` ear '' spelled backward - was brought to Family Friends Veterinary Hospital in Grand Rapids as a newborn because she required emergency surgery .
The now-12-week-old puppy is now in the care of Brianna Aardema , who was one of the people caring for Rae at the hospital .
`` The minute I saw her , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be there for her even though I knew the road to recovery would n't always be easy , '' Aardema told ABC 's Good Morning America .
Rae was dubbed a `` unicorn '' by hospital staff due to her unusual ear , and she soon found viral fame thanks to a video on TikTok and an Instagram account .
Aardema said there is no name for Rae 's condition .
She said the dog 's existing ear was originally on the side of her head , but started rising to the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amazingly brave tough little girl who has the most confidence of any puppy I 've known , '' Aardema said .

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March 13 (UPI) -- A golden retriever puppy in Michigan has been branded a "unicorn" due to an unusual facial feature: having only a single ear, positioned on the top of her head.
Rae - "ear" spelled backward - was brought to Family Friends Veterinary Hospital in Grand Rapids as a newborn because she required emergency surgery.
Advertisement
The now-12-week-old puppy is now in the care of Brianna Aardema, who was one of the people caring for Rae at the hospital.
"The minute I saw her, I knew I wanted to raise her and be there for her even though I knew the road to recovery wouldn't always be easy," Aardema told ABC's Good Morning America.
Rae was dubbed a "unicorn" by hospital staff due to her unusual ear, and she soon found viral fame thanks to a video on TikTok and an Instagram account.
Aardema said there is no name for Rae's condition. She said the dog's existing ear was originally on the side of her head, but started rising to the top after her surgery.
"She's amazingly brave tough little girl who has the most confidence of any puppy I've known," Aardema said.


upi--2020-03-13--Denver Broncos place franchise tag on safety Justin Simmons

March 13 ( UPI ) -- The Denver Broncos on Friday placed the franchise tag on safety Justin Simmons .
Denver said they are still planning to negotiate a long-term contract extension for the four-year veteran .
Simmons , 26 , had 93 total tackles , 15 passes defensed , a career-high four interceptions and two tackles for a loss in 16 starts last season for the Broncos .
He has started every game in the Broncos secondary over the last two seasons .
`` We remain focused on reaching a long-term contract agreement with Justin , and he 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broncos president of football operations and general manager John Elway said .
`` This is a placeholder in that process and our goal is the same -- to make sure that Justin is a Bronco for a long time . ''
Simmons was a second-team All-Pro in 2019 .
He was also the Broncos ' 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee .
The honor recognizes a player for outstanding leadership on the field and in the community .
Simmons joined the Broncos as a third-round pick in the 2016 NFL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make about $ 11.5 million in 2020 if he plays under the franchise tag .
The Broncos have until July 15 to reach a long-term agreement with Simmons before he must play under the franchise tag .
Franchise tags allow NFL franchises to keep a free agent under team control for one season .
That player can earn no less than the average of the five highest salaries for players at his position .
The Broncos are now the only team that can negotiate with Simmons .
The NFL 's free agency window @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new league year .

Denver Broncos free safety Justin Simmons (31) has started 16 games in each of the last two seasons. File Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI | License Photo
March 13 (UPI) -- The Denver Broncos on Friday placed the franchise tag on safety Justin Simmons. Denver said they are still planning to negotiate a long-term contract extension for the four-year veteran. Simmons, 26, had 93 total tackles, 15 passes defensed, a career-high four interceptions and two tackles for a loss in 16 starts last season for the Broncos. He has started every game in the Broncos secondary over the last two seasons. Advertisement
"We remain focused on reaching a long-term contract agreement with Justin, and he's a big priority for us," Broncos president of football operations and general manager John Elway said. "This is a placeholder in that process and our goal is the same -- to make sure that Justin is a Bronco for a long time."
Simmons was a second-team All-Pro in 2019. He was also the Broncos' 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee. The honor recognizes a player for outstanding leadership on the field and in the community. Simmons joined the Broncos as a third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Boston College product would make about $11.5 million in 2020 if he plays under the franchise tag.
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The Broncos have until July 15 to reach a long-term agreement with Simmons before he must play under the franchise tag. Franchise tags allow NFL franchises to keep a free agent under team control for one season. That player can earn no less than the average of the five highest salaries for players at his position. The Broncos are now the only team that can negotiate with Simmons.
The NFL's free agency window opens Wednesday at the start of the new league year.


upi--2020-03-13--Netflix to release Jeffrey Epstein, Larry Nassar documentaries

March 13 ( UPI ) -- Netflix will release documentaries about late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the sex abuse scandal surrounding former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar .
The streaming service shared details about a number of new documentaries in a press release Friday .
Jeffrey Epstein : Filthy Rich is a new limited series that explores Epstein 's serial abuse and sex trafficking of underage girls .
The series will examine the failures in the justice system that allowed Epstein , who died in August , to evade justice for decades .
Filthy Rich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produced by Joe Berlinger ( Conversations with a Killer : The Ted Bundy Tapes ) .
Athlete A is a new film that explores Nassar 's systematic abuse of young women on the USA Gymnastics team .
The film follows the Indianapolis Star reporting team , which broke the story of Nassar 's abuse , as they uncover more evidence of abuse and cover-ups .
Athlete A is directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk ( A Inconvenient Sequel ) .
The film premieres June 24 .
Netflix will also release David Attenborough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new film featuring David Attenborough .
The film tells the story of life on Earth by Attenborough , who has visited every continent on the globe and explored the world for dozens of documentaries .
A Life on Our Planet is produced by the WWF and wildlife filmmakers Silverback Films .
In addition , Netflix will release Tiger King ( March 20 ) , a limited series about Oklahoma zoo owner Joe Exotic , A Life of Speed : The Juan Manuel Fangio Story ( March 20 ) , a film about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Camp : A Disability Revolution ( March 25 ) , a film about a summer camp for teenagers with disabilities , this month .
Coming in April are How to Fix a Drug Scandal ( April 1 ) , a limited series about crime drug lab chemist Sonja Farak , The Innocence Files ( April 15 ) , a limited series about eight cases of wrongful conviction , Circus of Books ( April 22 ) , a film about the owners of gay porn shop Circus of Books , A Secret Love ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the relationship between Terry Donahue and Pat Henschel , and Murder to Mercy : The Cyntonia Brown Story ( April 29 ) , a film about Cyntoia Denise Brown , who received clemency in 2019 after being sentenced to life in prison for murdering a a 43-year-old man who picked her up for sex when she was 16 .
In May and June , Netflix will release Have a Good Trip : Adventures in Psychedelics , a film featuring drug tripping stories from actors , comedians and musicians , Trial by Media ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the press ' role in memorable trials in recent history , Spelling the Dream ( May 23 ) , a film about four Indian-American students competing in the Scripps National Spelling Bee , Lennox Hill ( June 10 ) , a series about four doctors working at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City , and Father Soldier Son ( June 19 ) , a film following a military family over the course of 10 years .
Coming in July are Mucho Mucho Amor : The Legend of Walter Mercado ( July 8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mercado , and Street Food : Latin America , a new season of Street Food .
Netflix will also release Dick Johnson is Dead , a film about New York City psychiatrist Dick Johnson and a reboot of Unsolved Mysteries in 2020 .

"Athlete A" and other documentaries are coming to Netflix in 2020. Photo courtesy of Netflix
March 13 (UPI) -- Netflix will release documentaries about late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the sex abuse scandal surrounding former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. The streaming service shared details about a number of new documentaries in a press release Friday. Advertisement
Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich is a new limited series that explores Epstein's serial abuse and sex trafficking of underage girls. The series will examine the failures in the justice system that allowed Epstein, who died in August, to evade justice for decades.
Filthy Rich is directed by Lisa Bryant and executive produced by Joe Berlinger (Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes).
Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich (2020) The series exposes a horrifying story of relentless manipulation and sex trafficking. Epstein's survivors serve as the series' pre-eminent voices, providing powerful testimonials about their experiences, and inspiration in their resilience.— See What's Next (@seewhatsnext) March 13, 2020
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Athlete A is a new film that explores Nassar's systematic abuse of young women on the USA Gymnastics team. The film follows the Indianapolis Star reporting team, which broke the story of Nassar's abuse, as they uncover more evidence of abuse and cover-ups.
Athlete A is directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk (A Inconvenient Sequel). The film premieres June 24.
Netflix will also release David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet, a new film featuring David Attenborough. The film tells the story of life on Earth by Attenborough, who has visited every continent on the globe and explored the world for dozens of documentaries.
A Life on Our Planet is produced by the WWF and wildlife filmmakers Silverback Films.
David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020) In his 93 years, Attenborough has visited every continent on the globe. This unique feature tells the story of life on our planet by the man who has seen more of the natural world than any other. pic.twitter.com/pS2c4GJyMD— See What's Next (@seewhatsnext) March 13, 2020
In addition, Netflix will release Tiger King (March 20), a limited series about Oklahoma zoo owner Joe Exotic, A Life of Speed: The Juan Manuel Fangio Story (March 20), a film about F1 driver Juan Manuel Fangio, Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (March 25), a film about a summer camp for teenagers with disabilities, this month.
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Coming in April are How to Fix a Drug Scandal (April 1), a limited series about crime drug lab chemist Sonja Farak, The Innocence Files (April 15), a limited series about eight cases of wrongful conviction, Circus of Books (April 22), a film about the owners of gay porn shop Circus of Books, A Secret Love (April 29), a film about the relationship between Terry Donahue and Pat Henschel, and Murder to Mercy: The Cyntonia Brown Story (April 29), a film about Cyntoia Denise Brown, who received clemency in 2019 after being sentenced to life in prison for murdering a a 43-year-old man who picked her up for sex when she was 16.
In May and June, Netflix will release Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics, a film featuring drug tripping stories from actors, comedians and musicians, Trial by Media (May 11), a series about the press' role in memorable trials in recent history, Spelling the Dream (May 23), a film about four Indian-American students competing in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Lennox Hill (June 10), a series about four doctors working at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, and Father Soldier Son (June 19), a film following a military family over the course of 10 years.
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Coming in July are Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado (July 8), a film about astrologer Walter Mercado, and Street Food: Latin America, a new season of Street Food.
Netflix will also release Dick Johnson is Dead, a film about New York City psychiatrist Dick Johnson and a reboot of Unsolved Mysteries in 2020.


upi--2020-03-13--India frees Kashmir politician Farooq Abdullah after 7 months

March 13 ( UPI ) -- Prominent Kashmir politician Farooq Abdullah was released from prison Friday after spending seven months @ @ @ @ @ son Omar Abdullah were taken into custody last August when the Indian government imposed a @ @ @ @ @ autonomous , India-controlled regions of Jammu and Kashmir .
The crackdown cut all cellphone and @ @ @ @ @ security .
India used a strict public safety law to detain Abdullah , a former @ @ @ @ @ and could have held him for two years without trial .
Farooq was released Friday @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I am free today .
Now , I will be able to go @ @ @ @ @ and speak for you all , '' Abdullah told reporters Friday from his home .
@ @ @ @ @ complete when all leaders are released .
I hope the government of India will take @ @ @ @ @ '' India has used the Public Safety Act in the past to arrest terrorists and @ @

Farooq Abdullah (C) stands with his wife Molly (R) and daughter Safia at his home in Srinagar, India, on Friday. Photo by Farooq Khan/EPA-EFE
March 13 (UPI) -- Prominent Kashmir politician Farooq Abdullah was released from prison Friday after spending seven months in detention. Abdullah and son Omar Abdullah were taken into custody last August when the Indian government imposed a communication shutdown in the formerly autonomous, India-controlled regions of Jammu and Kashmir. The crackdown cut all cellphone and Internet service and added extra security. Advertisement
India used a strict public safety law to detain Abdullah, a former government minister in Kashmir, and could have held him for two years without trial.
Farooq was released Friday, but Omar was not.
"I am free today. Now, I will be able to go to Delhi and attend Parliament and speak for you all," Abdullah told reporters Friday from his home.
"This freedom will be complete when all leaders are released. I hope the government of India will take action to release everyone."
India has used the Public Safety Act in the past to arrest terrorists and separatists.


upi--2020-03-13--Researchers confirm presence of nitrogen on recently-mapped comet

March 13 ( UPI ) -- Researchers confirmed the presence of nitrogen on a recently-mapped comet by using a lab simulation to detect ammonium salt , containing nitrogen , according to a study published Friday in the journal Science .
Researchers used the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko , known as Chury and mapped by the Rosetta satellite in 2015 , to make the finding .
The comet consists of a combination of minerals , and almost uniform in distribution , but the exact nature of compounds responsible for its absorption features have been difficult to establish until now .
Comets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planets were formed , scientists say , since they have made no evolutionary advancements and can be regarded as the archives , or building blocks , of the solar system .
Dr. Oliver Poch led a team of researchers at the Institute of Planetology and Astrophysics at the Université de Grenoble Alpes in creating models , or cometary analogs , and simulated conditions found in space .
The presence of ammonium salts , containing nitrogen , as a specific feature of Chury was a part of their conclusions .
The results were identical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Rosetta , compiled at the University of Bern .
It confirms the presence of nitrogen , regarded as a building block of life , in the covering of comets but hidden in ammonium salts .
The occurrence was not measurable until the experiments of Poch and his team , researchers say .
The results also contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of nitrogen in space and its role in prebiotic , existing prior to the existence of life , chemistry .

Evidence of nitrogen on a comet mapped in 2015 was established in a new study by Dr. Oliver Poch and his team of researchers. Photo courtesy of European Space Agency
March 13 (UPI) -- Researchers confirmed the presence of nitrogen on a recently-mapped comet by using a lab simulation to detect ammonium salt, containing nitrogen, according to a study published Friday in the journal Science. Researchers used the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, known as Chury and mapped by the Rosetta satellite in 2015, to make the finding. Advertisement
The comet consists of a combination of minerals, and almost uniform in distribution, but the exact nature of compounds responsible for its absorption features have been difficult to establish until now.
Comets and asteroids offer an understanding of how planets were formed, scientists say, since they have made no evolutionary advancements and can be regarded as the archives, or building blocks, of the solar system.
Dr. Oliver Poch led a team of researchers at the Institute of Planetology and Astrophysics at the Université de Grenoble Alpes in creating models, or cometary analogs, and simulated conditions found in space. The presence of ammonium salts, containing nitrogen, as a specific feature of Chury was a part of their conclusions.
The results were identical to those concluded from data on Chury from Rosetta, compiled at the University of Bern. It confirms the presence of nitrogen, regarded as a building block of life, in the covering of comets but hidden in ammonium salts.
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The occurrence was not measurable until the experiments of Poch and his team, researchers say.
The results also contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of nitrogen in space and its role in prebiotic, existing prior to the existence of life, chemistry.


upi--2020-03-13--Russian regions OK changes to allow Vladimir Putin 2 more terms as president

March 13 ( UPI ) -- All 85 regional governments in Russia have approved a measure that will allow President Vladimir Putin to remain in office until 2036 , parliamentary officials said Friday .
The regional bodies quickly approved a bill passed by this week by the Federation Assembly -- Russia 's national parliament -- amending the country 's `` Basic Law , '' under which Putin 's presidential clock will effectively be reset after his second term ends in 2024 .
Prior to the changes , Russian presidents were allowed to serve only two six-year terms .
The amendments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court .
If it 's authorized , Putin would then devise wording for a ballot referendum to be put to voters on April 22 for final approval .
Two more terms would allow Putin to stay in office until 2036 , when the 67-year-old Russian leader would be 83 .
Supporters in the president 's ruling United Russia Party said the changes are necessary to ensure stability , and insist they were n't designed to keep Putin in power .
Critics , however , say they do n't buy it .
Russian opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Putin has been in power for 20 years , and yet he is going to run for the first time , '' he tweeted earlier this week .

The proposed amendments still need approval from Moscow's Constitutional Court and Russian voters in an April referendum. File Photo by Emmanuel Dunand/UPI | License Photo
March 13 (UPI) -- All 85 regional governments in Russia have approved a measure that will allow President Vladimir Putin to remain in office until 2036, parliamentary officials said Friday. The regional bodies quickly approved a bill passed by this week by the Federation Assembly -- Russia's national parliament -- amending the country's "Basic Law," under which Putin's presidential clock will effectively be reset after his second term ends in 2024. Advertisement
Prior to the changes, Russian presidents were allowed to serve only two six-year terms.
The amendments still need approval from Russia's Constitutional Court. If it's authorized, Putin would then devise wording for a ballot referendum to be put to voters on April 22 for final approval.
Two more terms would allow Putin to stay in office until 2036, when the 67-year-old Russian leader would be 83.
Supporters in the president's ruling United Russia Party said the changes are necessary to ensure stability, and insist they weren't designed to keep Putin in power.
Critics, however, say they don't buy it. Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny has denounced the changes.
"Putin has been in power for 20 years, and yet he is going to run for the first time," he tweeted earlier this week.


upi--2020-03-13--Watch: Massachusetts college holds 'fauxmencement' for seniors

March 13 ( UPI ) -- Seniors at a Massachusetts college held a `` fauxmencement '' ceremony , complete with garbage bag gowns and yarn tassels , to replace their likely-canceled graduation ceremony .
The Olin College of Engineering , which is finishing its semester online due to coronavirus fears , is unlikely to hold an in-person graduation ceremony in the late spring , leading students and faculty to come together Thursday for the `` fauxmencement '' celebration .
`` It was yesterday morning in the dining hall at about 9 or 10 am when a set of students and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have this idea .
We can do a fake commencement , '' Mark Somerville , Olin 's Dean of Faculty , said at the ceremony .
`` Which seemed like a pretty awesome idea in a challenging time . ''
Seniors attended the ceremony in graduation gowns made from trash bags , caps fashioned from paper and tassels made of yarn .
`` This is amazing that this is happening right now , '' Somerville said .
`` It is a testament to what Olin is as a community and it kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm gon na not do that quite yet . ''

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March 13 (UPI) -- Seniors at a Massachusetts college held a "fauxmencement" ceremony, complete with garbage bag gowns and yarn tassels, to replace their likely-canceled graduation ceremony.
The Olin College of Engineering, which is finishing its semester online due to coronavirus fears, is unlikely to hold an in-person graduation ceremony in the late spring, leading students and faculty to come together Thursday for the "fauxmencement" celebration.
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"It was yesterday morning in the dining hall at about 9 or 10 am when a set of students and staff came and said 'Hey, we have this idea. We can do a fake commencement," Mark Somerville, Olin's Dean of Faculty, said at the ceremony. "Which seemed like a pretty awesome idea in a challenging time."
Seniors attended the ceremony in graduation gowns made from trash bags, caps fashioned from paper and tassels made of yarn.
"This is amazing that this is happening right now," Somerville said. "It is a testament to what Olin is as a community and it kind of makes me want to cry but I'm gonna not do that quite yet."