upi--2020-02-04--Students, faculty pose cybersecurity risk at universities, experts warn

Feb. 4 ( UPI ) -- After cyberattacks surged worldwide in 2019 , potential targets are taking steps to mitigate the possibility of ransomware hijacking their computer systems -- including educational institutions , where such attacks may be aided by students and faculty .
A recent study by British non-profit research company Jisc tracked the frequency of denial-of-service , or DDoS , attacks over the course of two years and found the periods with the least activity coincided with breaks in the academic calendar .
Two possible conclusions to draw from the trend is that students and staffers might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they may be opening the doors for cybercriminals .
`` This pattern could indicate that attackers are students or staff , or others familiar with the academic cycle .
Or perhaps the bad guys simply take holidays at the same time as the education sector , '' the Jisc report said .
`` Whichever the case , there 's no point sending a DDoS attack to an organization if there 's no one there to suffer the consequences . ''
`` Universities are currently experiencing an increase in malicious cyber activities , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted in a recent letter to faculty and staff .
`` These attacks are carried out by both state-sponsored attackers who attempt to steal research data and post political messages and by financially motivated criminals who target actual money . ''
Reza Azarderakhsh , an associate professor at the university 's Department of Computer & Electrical Engineering & Computer Science , said the very structure of university campuses make them more vulnerable .
Their computers are more easily infected by flash drives in computer labs , and such large numbers of unique Internet-connected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access they need to infiltrate .
Such a network of interrelated devices is referred to as `` Internet of things , '' or IoT , and they are popular among modern computer hijackers .
`` You can bring an IoT development board on campus have it connected to the campus Wi-Fi system , and then since it does n't come with security solutions , attackers can exploit it within minutes , '' Azarderakhsh said in an interview with UPI .
He said university research projects , which often involve classified information or are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the schools enticing targets for hackers looking to steal or expose precious data -- or delete it to shake up the system .
`` Sometimes , you ca n't even get your own data to become public ; your data disappears , '' Azarderakhsh said .
`` They take your data ; they delete it from your system .
`` For example , let 's say you got paid a couple of millions of dollars from the government or industry to perform the research and your data is not available anymore .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially , is phishing -- a practice that involves attackers posing as a trusted source and sending bogus emails to gain access to a network .
All it takes is for one recipient to click on a link in the email to open the door for hackers .
If successful , they can infect the system with malware or mine sensitive and critical information .
`` Due to the increased activity , there may be a greater-than-usual number of phishing scams and malware sent via email , '' Ball said in his letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entities were targeted by ransomware hackers in 2019 -- including Baltimore and Greenville , N.C. Two Florida towns opted to pay the ransom -- more than a combined $ 1 million -- in an attempt to recover their files .
Some still have n't fully recovered .
Universities in Colorado , New Jersey , Ohio , Iowa and New York were targeted last year , and the University of Maryland Medical System was hit in late 2018 .
Last month , hackers demanded a ransom after hitting a computer network at the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school paid up , to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars .
Experts say simple knowledge and awareness are the best weapons against the rise of cybercrimes .
`` We still need our staff to be trained on what cybersecurity attacks look like , and how to avoid them , '' said Thomas Dobbert , chief technology officer at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno , Nev .
The school recently contracted a firm to provide security awareness training .
`` This kind of training is valuable , '' Dobbert added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the best tools against attacks at colleges and universities is awareness -- and understanding that truly everyone on campus can be used as a vector for a larger attack .
`` People do n't take these things seriously , '' he said .
`` Although we have a lot of cyber awareness at schools , people still come to universities easily sharing private data online -- or even sometimes offline -- to people they really do n't know . ''

Experts say patterns in the frequency of cyberattacks at colleges and universities suggest some form of involvement, knowingly or unknowingly, by students and faculty members. File Photo by nikolayhg/Pixabay
Feb. 4 (UPI) -- After cyberattacks surged worldwide in 2019, potential targets are taking steps to mitigate the possibility of ransomware hijacking their computer systems -- including educational institutions, where such attacks may be aided by students and faculty. A recent study by British non-profit research company Jisc tracked the frequency of denial-of-service, or DDoS, attacks over the course of two years and found the periods with the least activity coincided with breaks in the academic calendar. Advertisement
Two possible conclusions to draw from the trend is that students and staffers might be the ones doing the hacking, or they may be opening the doors for cybercriminals.
"This pattern could indicate that attackers are students or staff, or others familiar with the academic cycle. Or perhaps the bad guys simply take holidays at the same time as the education sector," the Jisc report said. "Whichever the case, there's no point sending a DDoS attack to an organization if there's no one there to suffer the consequences."
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"Universities are currently experiencing an increase in malicious cyber activities," Florida Atlantic University Associate Provost Jason Ball noted in a recent letter to faculty and staff. "These attacks are carried out by both state-sponsored attackers who attempt to steal research data and post political messages and by financially motivated criminals who target actual money."
Reza Azarderakhsh, an associate professor at the university's Department of Computer & Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, said the very structure of university campuses make them more vulnerable. Their computers are more easily infected by flash drives in computer labs, and such large numbers of unique Internet-connected devices on campus can give hackers the access they need to infiltrate.
Such a network of interrelated devices is referred to as "Internet of things," or IoT, and they are popular among modern computer hijackers.
"You can bring an IoT development board on campus have it connected to the campus Wi-Fi system, and then since it doesn't come with security solutions, attackers can exploit it within minutes," Azarderakhsh said in an interview with UPI.
He said university research projects, which often involve classified information or are supported by federal or industry grants, make the schools enticing targets for hackers looking to steal or expose precious data -- or delete it to shake up the system.
Advertisement
"Sometimes, you can't even get your own data to become public; your data disappears," Azarderakhsh said. "They take your data; they delete it from your system.
"For example, let's say you got paid a couple of millions of dollars from the government or industry to perform the research, and your data is not available anymore."
One significant threat to universities, especially, is phishing -- a practice that involves attackers posing as a trusted source and sending bogus emails to gain access to a network. All it takes is for one recipient to click on a link in the email to open the door for hackers. If successful, they can infect the system with malware or mine sensitive and critical information.
"Due to the increased activity, there may be a greater-than-usual number of phishing scams and malware sent via email," Ball said in his letter.
A number of municipalities and government entities were targeted by ransomware hackers in 2019 -- including Baltimore and Greenville, N.C. Two Florida towns opted to pay the ransom -- more than a combined $1 million -- in an attempt to recover their files. Some still haven't fully recovered.
Universities in Colorado, New Jersey, Ohio, Iowa and New York were targeted last year, and the University of Maryland Medical System was hit in late 2018. Last month, hackers demanded a ransom after hitting a computer network at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands. The school paid up, to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Advertisement
Experts say simple knowledge and awareness are the best weapons against the rise of cybercrimes.
"We still need our staff to be trained on what cybersecurity attacks look like, and how to avoid them," said Thomas Dobbert, chief technology officer at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nev. The school recently contracted a firm to provide security awareness training.
"This kind of training is valuable," Dobbert added.
Azarderakhsh said one of the best tools against attacks at colleges and universities is awareness -- and understanding that truly everyone on campus can be used as a vector for a larger attack.
"People don't take these things seriously," he said. "Although we have a lot of cyber awareness at schools, people still come to universities easily sharing private data online -- or even sometimes offline -- to people they really don't know."


upi--2020-02-04--Strong support network key to women's cancer recovery

Older women with colon or rectal cancer are more likely to die early if they lack support from family , friends or others , a new study finds .
For the study , researchers looked at more than 1,400 postmenopausal women with colon or rectal cancer who were enrolled in the long-term U.S. Women 's Health Initiative study .
Compared to those with strong social support , those with low support had a 52 percent higher risk of death from all causes and a 42 percent higher risk of death from colorectal cancer , the findings showed .
When the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rates of death were higher when the women did not have emotional support ; informational support ; help with tasks , chores or other daily needs ; or someone to have fun with and take their mind off their illness .
Having a partner or being involved with their community or in a religious organization was associated with lower risk of death from rectal cancer , but not colon cancer .
And living alone was linked to a higher risk of death in patients with rectal cancer , according to the Kaiser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cancer .
`` These findings support the idea that women who have supportive friends and family around them when they are diagnosed do better , '' said lead author Candyce Kroenke , of Kaiser 's division of research .
The message to patients with a serious illness is to seek help .
`` You can and should ask for support instead of going it alone , '' Kroenke said .
The findings are a reminder to health care providers that social support is an important factor in patient outcomes .
`` Clinicians can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low social support and provide them with additional resources , '' Kroenke said in a Kaiser Permanente news release .
Those resources could include a therapist to help patients deal with the emotional burden of cancer treatment , or social services to provide logistical support such as rides to medical appointments , Kroenke suggested .
The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more on colon cancer .

Older women with colon or rectal cancer are more likely to die early if they lack support from family, friends or others, a new study finds.
For the study, researchers looked at more than 1,400 postmenopausal women with colon or rectal cancer who were enrolled in the long-term U.S. Women's Health Initiative study.
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Compared to those with strong social support, those with low support had a 52 percent higher risk of death from all causes and a 42 percent higher risk of death from colorectal cancer, the findings showed.
When the researchers delved into specific types of support, rates of death were higher when the women did not have emotional support; informational support; help with tasks, chores or other daily needs; or someone to have fun with and take their mind off their illness.
Having a partner or being involved with their community or in a religious organization was associated with lower risk of death from rectal cancer, but not colon cancer.
And living alone was linked to a higher risk of death in patients with rectal cancer, according to the Kaiser Permanente study published recently in the journal Cancer.
"These findings support the idea that women who have supportive friends and family around them when they are diagnosed do better," said lead author Candyce Kroenke, of Kaiser's division of research.
Advertisement
The message to patients with a serious illness is to seek help.
"You can and should ask for support instead of going it alone," Kroenke said.
The findings are a reminder to health care providers that social support is an important factor in patient outcomes.
"Clinicians can identify patients who are at risk of low social support and provide them with additional resources," Kroenke said in a Kaiser Permanente news release.
Those resources could include a therapist to help patients deal with the emotional burden of cancer treatment, or social services to provide logistical support such as rides to medical appointments, Kroenke suggested.
More information
The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more on colon cancer.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-02-04--On This Day, Feb. 4: Big Three meet on Germany's surrender

Feb. 4 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1789 , George Washington of Virginia , the commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War , was elected the first president of the United States by all 69 presidential electors who cast votes .
John Adams of Massachusetts was elected vice president .
In 1792 , George Washington was unanimously elected to a second term as U.S. president in a vote of the Electoral College .
In 1861 , the 25-year period of conflict known as the Apache War began at Apache Pass , Ariz. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cochise for raiding a ranch .
Cochise escaped his U.S. Army captors and declared war .
In 1938 , Adolf Hitler seized control of the German army and put Nazi officers in key posts as part of a plan that led to World War II .
In 1945 , the U.S. Army liberated the Santo Tomas Internment Camp in the Philippines from Japanese command .
Churchill , Roosevelt and Stalin , the Big Three , meet at Yalta to discuss unconditional surrender terms for Germany .
In 1974 , urban guerrillas calling themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the 19-year-old daughter of publisher Randolph Hearst , from her apartment in Berkeley , Calif. Hearst was arrested as a fugitive in September of 1975 .
She said she had been forced to join her captors and was charged with participating in bank robberies .
In 1976 , a magnitude-7.5 earthquake struck the Guatemala City region in Guatemala , killing an estimated 23,000 people and injuring tens of thousands .
In 1983 , singer Karen Carpenter died after battling anorexia nervosa for years .
The condition weakened her heart and she died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a jury in a civil trial in Santa Monica , Calif. , found O.J .
Simpson liable in the killings of his former wife and her friend and he was ordered to pay a total of $ 33.5 million to the families .
Simpson had been acquitted in his murder trial .
In 2004 , Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook from his Harvard College dorm room .
The social media network would grow to include some 2 billion users .
In 2006 , widespread Muslim protests of caricatures depicting Muhammad in a negative way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , set fires and burned flags .
Syrian mobs burned Danish and Norwegian embassies because newspapers in those countries published the drawings .
In 2012 , Russia and China vetoed an effort by the U.N. Security Council to end the violence in Syria with an Arab League peace plan .
In 2018 , the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis .

1/5
On February 4, 1945, Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin, the Big Three, meet at Yalta to discuss unconditional surrender terms for Germany. UPI File Photo | License Photo
Feb. 4 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1789, George Washington of Virginia, the commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, was elected the first president of the United States by all 69 presidential electors who cast votes. John Adams of Massachusetts was elected vice president. Advertisement
In 1792, George Washington was unanimously elected to a second term as U.S. president in a vote of the Electoral College.
In 1861, the 25-year period of conflict known as the Apache War began at Apache Pass, Ariz., with the arrest of American-Indian leader Cochise for raiding a ranch. Cochise escaped his U.S. Army captors and declared war.
In 1938, Adolf Hitler seized control of the German army and put Nazi officers in key posts as part of a plan that led to World War II.
File Photo by NARA/UPI
In 1945, the U.S. Army liberated the Santo Tomas Internment Camp in the Philippines from Japanese command. Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin, the Big Three, meet at Yalta to discuss unconditional surrender terms for Germany.
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In 1974, urban guerrillas calling themselves the Symbionese Liberation Army abducted Patricia Hearst, the 19-year-old daughter of publisher Randolph Hearst, from her apartment in Berkeley, Calif. Hearst was arrested as a fugitive in September of 1975. She said she had been forced to join her captors and was charged with participating in bank robberies.
In 1976, a magnitude-7.5 earthquake struck the Guatemala City region in Guatemala, killing an estimated 23,000 people and injuring tens of thousands.
In 1983, singer Karen Carpenter died after battling anorexia nervosa for years. The condition weakened her heart and she died of heart failure.
In 1997, a jury in a civil trial in Santa Monica, Calif., found O.J. Simpson liable in the killings of his former wife and her friend and he was ordered to pay a total of $33.5 million to the families. Simpson had been acquitted in his murder trial.
File Photo by Myung J. Chun/UPI
In 2004, Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook from his Harvard College dorm room. The social media network would grow to include some 2 billion users.
Advertisement
In 2006, widespread Muslim protests of caricatures depicting Muhammad in a negative way turned violent. Angry demonstrators smashed windows, set fires and burned flags. Syrian mobs burned Danish and Norwegian embassies because newspapers in those countries published the drawings.
In 2012, Russia and China vetoed an effort by the U.N. Security Council to end the violence in Syria with an Arab League peace plan.
In 2018, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis.


upi--2020-02-04--Comedian Tom Papa: Audiences are 'craving sincerity right now'

Feb. 4 ( UPI ) -- Comedian Tom Papa , whose fourth hourlong stand-up special , You 're Doing Great !
, streams Tuesday on Netflix , said he takes `` pride in not being a cynical comedian . ''
Papa , 51 , co-host of What A Joke With Papa And Fortune on SiriusXM 's Netflix Channel , told UPI in a recent interview that the title of You 're Doing Great !
is meant to be taken at face value , without a trace of irony .
`` I actually take pride in not being a cynical comedian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a writer and performer for nationally syndicated radio show Live From Here .
`` I think most comedy lives in the negative space .
I 'm naturally an optimist , and I realized I can be positive and hopeful and be funny at the same time .
That 's what I want people to realize .
'You 're doing great ' actually means that you are winning if you have a simple , good life . ''
The performer said he feels comedy already has `` enough people that deal in irony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be more `` positive and sincere , '' even if it occasionally might be seen as `` corny '' to some audiences .
`` I think we 're kind of craving sincerity right now , and I 'm not afraid to say that I really enjoy something or I really think there 's a reason for optimism .
Sincerity is sometimes laughed at by the cool kids , but that 's the world I deal with . ''
Papa said the sincerity in his comedy results from his personality and worldview .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a comedian through the years , if you 're striving for anything , it 's to be more honest and truthful .
And it 's only with developing more skill and better writing that I was able to translate what I really am into my stand-up , '' he said .
You 're Doing Great !
deals mostly with stories and observations stemming from Papa 's life and relationships with his family .
He said keeping subjects like politics and world events out of his material is a conscious decision inspired in part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` She was talking about how she likes to deal with comedy that 's timeless .
Current event comedy is disposed of much quicker .
You talk about something in the news and it 's gone inside of a couple of months .
That really resonated with me , because the places I like to write about are family stuff , aging , anxiety -- things that are more timeless . ''
Some of the most prominent characters in Papa 's comedy are his family -- his parents , wife and two daughters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great sense of humor about it , my parents a little less so , because they get teased by their friends .
My kids , I 'm not even sure that they know I 'm a comedian , '' he laughed .
Papa also is preparing to release a book in May titled You 're Doing Great !
: And Other Reasons to Stay Alive .
He said the book has more in common with his stand-up special than just the title , but it 's more than a mere transcription of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jokes from the special are mentioned in the book , but in a book you get to expand on it a lot more and go much deeper .
Take that same theme and go much further with it , '' he said .
Both the special and the book deal heavily with the idea of overcoming feelings of inadequacy .
`` We have this overwhelming feeling in the culture that we 're not doing enough , and that we 're falling behind our neighbors and other people in the culture , like when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Papa said .
`` I just took stock of that and realized , 'No , we 're actually doing pretty great , this is what life is .
A simple life is what wins . '
'' Papa also lends his comedic sensibilities to What A Joke With Papa And Fortune , the SiriusXM radio show he hosts with fellow comedian Fortune Feimster .
He said stand-up and radio might seem superficially similar , but he sees them as `` totally different forms . ''
`` I was actually talking with my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , and she was saying her radio show was helping her develop a lot of material for her act , '' Papa recalled .
He said the other comedian 's perspective was surprising `` because I have n't gotten anything from the radio show that 's been in my act .
I do see them as really , really different . ''
Papa said he sees himself as more of a writer .
`` I think that 's where I 'm spending most of my time and what I really enjoy doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the second book in a couple of years .
I write for Live From Here , do my 'Out .
In .
America . '
monologue , and I 've got scripts and I 'm writing my stand-up -- I 'm writing all the time . ''
Papa said he has some `` improvisational skill , '' which he puts to use during his stand-up act when he 's `` riffing off the audience . ''
`` I think that 's the closest to what 's happening on the radio .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improviser .
I 'm definitely a writer first , '' he said .
Papa said he 's identified the next place he would like to test his writing skills : the big screen .
`` I 've written on movies , but I 've never created my own film , '' Papa said .
`` I 'm starting to get that kind of itch .
...
While I think it 's a ways away , and I do n't even have a clear idea of what I would do with it , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think of that . ''
The multitalented entertainer said that no matter where his other projects lead him , he has no plans to give up stand-up comedy .
`` Since I was in seventh grade , this is what I wanted to do , '' he said .
`` I wanted to do it because I love making people laugh , and I knew that I could do it as a kid .
There 's something just genuinely fun about all of us getting together and sharing a laugh about these common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're all dealing with .
It 's just simply the most alive , relatable , fun thing you can do .
`` I love writing , and I love putting out my books , and I 'm going to do that for a long time , but that 's a different kind of satisfaction .
It 's not purely as much fun as walking into a club or a theater and doing your act .
Nothing comes close to that . ''

1/2
Comedian Tom Papa said he keeps subjects like politics and current events out of his comedy because he wants the material to be "timeless." Photo courtesy of Netflix
Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Comedian Tom Papa, whose fourth hourlong stand-up special, You're Doing Great!, streams Tuesday on Netflix, said he takes "pride in not being a cynical comedian." Papa, 51, co-host of What A Joke With Papa and Fortune on SiriusXM's Netflix Channel, told UPI in a recent interview that the title of You're Doing Great! is meant to be taken at face value, without a trace of irony. Advertisement
"I actually take pride in not being a cynical comedian," said Papa, who is also a writer and performer for nationally syndicated radio show Live From Here. "Most comedy lives in the negative space. I'm naturally an optimist, and I realized I can be positive and hopeful and be funny at the same time. That's what I want people to realize. 'You're doing great' actually means that you are winning if you have a simple, good life."
Advertisement
The performer said he feels comedy has "enough people that deal in irony and cynicism," freeing him up to be more "positive and sincere," even if it occasionally might be seen as "corny" to some audiences.
"We're kind of craving sincerity right now, and I'm not afraid to say that I really enjoy something, or I really think there's a reason for optimism. Sincerity is sometimes laughed at by the cool kids, but that's the world I deal with."
Papa said the sincerity in his comedy results from his personality and worldview.
"As you develop as a comedian through the years, if you're striving for anything, it's to be more honest and truthful. And it's only with developing more skill and better writing that I was able to translate what I really am into my stand-up," he said.
Timeless comedy
You're Doing Great! deals mostly with stories and observations stemming from Papa's life and relationships with his family. He said keeping subjects like politics and world events out of his material is a conscious decision inspired in part by comedian and actor Lily Tomlin.
"She was talking about how she likes to deal with comedy that's timeless. Current event comedy is disposed of much quicker. You talk about something in the news, and it's gone inside of a couple of months. That really resonated with me, because the places I like to write about are family stuff, aging, anxiety -- things that are more timeless."
Advertisement
Some of the most prominent characters in Papa's comedy are his family -- his parents, wife and two daughters.
"My wife's got a great sense of humor about it, my parents a little less so, because they get teased by their friends. My kids, I'm not even sure that they know I'm a comedian," he laughed.
Papa also is preparing to release a book in May titled You're Doing Great!: And Other Reasons to Stay Alive. He said the book has more in common with his stand-up special than just the title, but it's more than a mere transcription of his comedy.
"A couple of the jokes from the special are mentioned in the book, but in a book you get to expand on it a lot more and go much deeper. Take that same theme and go much further with it," he said.
Both the special and the book deal heavily with the idea of overcoming feelings of inadequacy.
"We have this overwhelming feeling in the culture that we're not doing enough, and that we're falling behind our neighbors and other people in the culture, like when you see people on social media," Papa said. "I just took stock of that and realized, 'No, we're actually doing pretty great, this is what life is. A simple life is what wins.'"
Advertisement
Writing vs. improvising
Papa also lends his comedic sensibilities to What A Joke With Papa and Fortune, the SiriusXM radio show he hosts with fellow comedian Fortune Feimster. He said stand-up and radio might seem superficially similar, but he sees them as "totally different forms."
"I was actually talking with my friend Nikki Glaser the other day, and she was saying her radio show was helping her develop a lot of material for her act," Papa recalled.
He said the other comedian's perspective was surprising "because I haven't gotten anything from the radio show that's been in my act. I do see them as really, really different."
Papa said he sees himself as more of a writer.
"That's where I'm spending most of my time and what I really enjoy doing," Papa said. "This is the second book in a couple of years. I write for Live From Here, do my 'Out. In. America.' monologue, and I've got scripts and I'm writing my stand-up -- I'm writing all the time."
Papa said he has some "improvisational skill," which he puts to use during his stand-up act when he's "riffing off the audience."
"I think that's the closest to what's happening on the radio. But I would never say I'm an improviser. I'm definitely a writer first," he said.
Advertisement
Papa said he's identified the next place he would like to test his writing skills: the big screen.
"I've written on movies, but I've never created my own film," Papa said. "I'm starting to get that kind of itch. ... While I think it's a ways away, and I don't even have a clear idea of what I would do with it, I am for the first time starting to think of that."
The multi-talented entertainer said that no matter where his other projects lead him, he has no plans to give up stand-up comedy.
"Since I was in seventh grade, this is what I wanted to do," he said. "I wanted to do it because I love making people laugh, and I knew that I could do it as a kid. There's something just genuinely fun about all of us getting together and sharing a laugh about these common experiences and anxieties and tensions that we're all dealing with. It's just simply the most alive, relatable, fun thing you can do.
"I love writing, and I love putting out my books, and I'm going to do that for a long time, but that's a different kind of satisfaction. It's not purely as much fun as walking into a club or a theater and doing your act. Nothing comes close to that."
Advertisement
Tom Papa: You're Doing Great! begins streaming Tuesday on Netflix.


upi--2020-02-04--Cruise ships switching fuel to cleaner liquefied natural gas

ORLANDO , Fla. , Feb. 4 ( UPI ) -- U.S. cruise ships have started to switch to cleaner-burning liquefied natural gas , starting with a new vessel due at Florida 's Port Canaveral in November .
The use of LNG in cruise ships will slash harmful pollution from the ships and help the industry meet new global environmental standards and lower fuel costs , according to Florida port authorities and the Cruise Line International Association .
LNG also will mean a clearer view for passengers by eliminating visible smoke from ship smokestacks , said Brian Salerno , senior vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lines International Association .
As to whether air quality will improve on board , cruise companies dispute there ever was a problem .
`` I think we 'll begin to see , throughout the maritime world , greater use of LNG in all kinds of ships , '' Salerno said .
`` Over the next five years or so , you 'll see many new cruise ships launched for this . ''
While Port Canaveral in east-central Florida will be the first cruise line port to handle the new fuel , PortMiami , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Port of Palm Beach in Riviera Beach are gearing up for it .
Salerno said he is not aware of ports outside Florida preparing to fuel cruise ships with LNG , but added that is understandable because about 70 percent of the U.S. cruise industry is based in Florida .
The first cruise ship in the United States to use LNG fuel will be the Carnival Mardi Gras , which is under construction in Finland and expected to start service at Port Canaveral in November .
Carnival 's AIDA Cruises has had two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the new ships that are under construction with LNG capacity cost $ 1 billion dollars or more each .
The move to LNG was driven by demands from environmental groups and from the European Union to reduce greenhouse gases and other emissions , said Tom Strang , Carnival Corp. 's senior vice president of maritime affairs .
Cruise ships historically used a dense version of diesel that releases pollutants such as sulfur and particulate matter .
LNG has a lower energy cost per ton when compared to marine fuel oil by nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report from the U.S. Congressional Research Service .
But the report said installing an LNG-fueled engine can add about $ 5 million to the cost of a new ship .
The Congressional Research Service report concluded that the pollution reduction of using LNG is real , but also noted that natural gas production has less measurable impacts on greenhouse gas emissions -- such as the release of methane in fracking -- that may offset some benefits of using LNG as a fuel .
Strang said the cost of building new ships that use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for traditional fuel oil .
He said the big difference is in the space needed for onboard fuel tanks and the thick insulation required .
Training crews to handle a super-cooled fuel is also a significant cost , he said .
LNG is natural gas -- like the fuel used in a common kitchen stove -- that has been cryogenically frozen to subzero temperatures , making it liquid .
Like any fuel , there 's a risk of fire and explosion , but such incidents are very rare in the history of LNG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry with an impeccable safety record .
I would say it is as safe as marine fuel oil , and the people that are going to be using it are highly trained and will be closely regulated , '' said Barry Compagnoni , Port Canaveral 's senior director of public safety and security .
U.S.-based cruise ship operators have 26 new LNG cruise ships on order for delivery by 2026 , according to Cruise Ship Order Book , a trade publication .
The companies are Carnival , Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest cruise company , operates more than 100 ships under 10 brands , including Princess Cruises , Holland America and Cunard Line .
Although the cruise industry has explored retrofitting older ships to handle LNG , Carnival 's Strang said that is not likely because of the expense and need to take ships out of service for long periods .
`` As a company , Carnival has been on this journey for some time now , '' Strang said .
`` Besides the benefits of carbon reduction , we saw an opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more efficient . ''
Pressure to reduce emissions prompted the International Maritime Organization in 2016 to order a tight cap on sulfur for marine fuels by last month .
Cruise companies have outfitted existing ships to meet that cap by using scrubbers in exhaust systems .
But those systems store the sulfur in water , which eventually is discharged into the ocean and is another form of pollution .
The Mardi Gras is coming to Port Canaveral , rather than PortMiami where new ships often head , because the Central Florida facility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Executive Officer John Murray said .
`` When I got to Port Canaveral five years ago , I understood the benefit of LNG from a low-sulfur standpoint , and I said if we 're going to have LNG cruise ships , we 've got to be right out front , '' Murray said .
`` And now we 're there . ''
Murray had experience with LNG in his previous role as the head of the U.S. subsidiary for global cargo shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd .
For now , however , Port Canaveral will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tanks , but will contract with Royal Dutch Shell to bring the fuel on barges from Elba Island , Ga. No plans exist to build LNG tanks for land-based storage at Port Canaveral .
But Murray said LNG storage probably is in the port 's future , and it has set an area aside in case Shell or another energy company wants to build a facility .
Carnival is working with ports globally to develop a network of LNG fueling stations .
In the meantime , LNG cruise ships will have dual fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used if the vessel arrives at a port that ca n't provide the LNG .
Carnival was among cruise companies that came under fire for alleged pollution in January 2019 .
That 's when a researcher from Johns Hopkins University published a report on air quality tests he conducted on several ships .
The report said air quality on cruise ships was worse than a bad smog day in China .
Carnival called the findings `` ridiculous '' and `` inaccurate '' and said its air quality met or exceeded all requirements .

This is a rendering of Carnival Mardi Gras, which is under construction and will be the first cruise ship in the United States to use liquefied natural gas. Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line
ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. cruise ships have started to switch to cleaner burning liquefied natural gas, starting with a new vessel due at Florida's Port Canaveral in November. The use of LNG in cruise ships will slash harmful pollution from the ships and help the industry meet new global environmental standards and lower fuel costs, according to Florida port authorities and the Cruise Line International Association. Advertisement
LNG also will mean a clearer view for passengers by eliminating visible smoke from ship smokestacks, said Brian Salerno, senior vice president for maritime policy at the Cruise Lines International Association.
As to whether air quality will improve on board, cruise companies dispute there ever was a problem.
"I think we'll begin to see, throughout the maritime world, greater use of LNG in all kinds of ships," Salerno said. "Over the next five years or so, you'll see many new cruise ships launched for this."
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While Port Canaveral in east-central Florida will be the first cruise line port to handle the new fuel, PortMiami, Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and the Port of Palm Beach in Riviera Beach are gearing up for it.
About 70 percent of the U.S. cruise industry is based in Florida.
The first cruise ship in the United States to use LNG fuel will be the Carnival Mardi Gras, which is under construction in Finland and expected to start service at Port Canaveral in November. Carnival's AIDA Cruises has had two LNG ships operating in Europe.
Salerno said the new ships that are under construction with LNG capacity cost $1 billion or more each.
The move to LNG was driven by demands from environmental groups and from the European Union to reduce greenhouse gases and other emissions, said Tom Strang, Carnival Corp.'s senior vice president of maritime affairs.
Cruise ships historically used a dense version of diesel that releases pollutants such as sulfur and particulate matter.
LNG has a lower energy cost per ton when compared to marine fuel oil by nearly 24 percent, according to a recent report from the U.S. Congressional Research Service. But the report said installing an LNG-fueled engine can add about $5 million to the cost of a new ship.
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The report concluded that the pollution reduction of using LNG is real, but also noted that natural gas production has less measurable impacts on greenhouse gas emissions -- such as the release of methane in fracking -- that may offset some benefits of using LNG as a fuel.
Strang said the cost of building new ships that use LNG is only slightly higher than building for traditional fuel oil. He said the big difference is in the space needed for onboard fuel tanks and the thick insulation required. Training crews to handle a super-cooled fuel is also a significant cost, he said.
LNG is natural gas -- like the fuel used in a common kitchen stove -- that has been cryogenically frozen to subzero temperatures, making it liquid. Like any fuel, there's a risk of fire and explosion, but such incidents are very rare in the history of LNG fuel storage.
"This is an industry with an impeccable safety record. I would say it is as safe as marine fuel oil, and the people that are going to be using it are highly trained and will be closely regulated," said Barry Compagnoni, Port Canaveral's senior director of public safety and security.
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U.S.-based cruise ship operators have 26 new LNG cruise ships on order for delivery by 2026, according to Cruise Ship Order Book, a trade publication. The companies are Carnival, Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International.
Carnival, the world's largest cruise company, operates more than 100 ships under 10 brands, including Princess Cruises, Holland America and Cunard Line.
Although the cruise industry has explored retrofitting older ships to handle LNG, Carnival's Strang said that is not likely because of the expense and need to take ships out of service for long periods.
"As a company, Carnival has been on this journey for some time now," Strang said. "Besides the benefits of carbon reduction, we saw an opportunity to move to a fuel that was cleaner and more efficient."
Pressure to reduce emissions prompted the International Maritime Organization in 2016 to order a tight cap on sulfur for marine fuels by last month.
Cruise companies have outfitted existing ships to meet that cap by using scrubbers in exhaust systems. But those systems store the sulfur in water, which eventually is discharged into the ocean and is another form of pollution.
The Mardi Gras is coming to Port Canaveral, rather than PortMiami where new ships often head, because the Central Florida facility prepared for LNG early, port CEO John Murray said.
Advertisement
"When I got to Port Canaveral five years ago, I understood the benefit of LNG from a low-sulfur standpoint, and I said if we're going to have LNG cruise ships, we've got to be right out front," Murray said. "And now we're there."
Murray had experience with LNG in his previous role as the head of the U.S. subsidiary for global cargo shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd.
For now, however, Port Canaveral will not fuel cruise ships from land-based LNG tanks, but will contract with Royal Dutch Shell to bring the fuel on barges from Elba Island, Ga. No plans exist to build LNG tanks for land-based storage at Port Canaveral.
But Murray said LNG storage probably is in the port's future, and it has set an area aside in case Shell or another energy company wants to build a facility.
Carnival is working with ports globally to develop a network of LNG fueling stations. In the meantime, LNG cruise ships will have dual fuel systems so marine fuel oil can be used if the vessel arrives at a port that can't provide the LNG.
Carnival was among cruise companies that came under fire for alleged pollution in January 2019. That's when a researcher from Johns Hopkins University published a report on air quality tests he conducted on several ships.
Advertisement
The report said air quality on cruise ships was worse than a bad smog day in China. Carnival called the findings "ridiculous" and "inaccurate" and said its air quality met or exceeded all requirements.


upi--2020-02-04--Famous birthdays for Feb. 4: Alice Cooper, Hannibal Buress

Feb. 04 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aquarius .
-- Former @ @ @ @ @ in 1947 ( age 73 )

1/2
Alice Cooper and his daughter Calico Cooper arrive for the MusiCares Person of the Year gala honoring Aerosmith at the Los Angeles Convention Center on January 24. He turns 72 on February 4. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 04 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aquarius. They include: Advertisement
-- Polish-born American patriot Tadeusz Kosciuszko in 1746
-- French cubist painter Fernand Leger in 1881
-- Aviator Charles Lindbergh in 1902
-- Legendary golfer Byron Nelson in 1912
-- Civil rights activist Rosa Lee Parks in 1913
-- Actor Ida Lupino in 1918
-- Feminist Betty Friedan in 1921
File Photo by Debra Myrent/UPI
-- Former Argentinian President Isabel Martínez de Perón in 1931 (age 89)
-- Comedian David Brenner in 1936
-- Actor John Schuck in 1940 (age 80)
-- Filmmaker George A. Romero in 1940
-- Former U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle in 1947 (age 73)
-- Shock rocker Alice Cooper in 1948 (age 72)
-- Actor Lisa Eichhorn in 1952 (age 68)
-- Football Hall of Fame member Lawrence Taylor in 1959 (age 61)
-- Country singer Clint Black in 1962 (age 58)
File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
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-- Actor Gabrielle Anwar in 1970 (age 50)
-- Boxer Oscar de la Hoya in 1973 (age 47)
-- Singer-songwriter Natalia Imbruglia in 1975 (age 45)
-- Singer Gavin DeGraw in 1977 (age 43)
-- Comedian Hannibal Buress in 1983 (age 37)
File Photo by Patrick Rideaux/UPI


upi--2020-02-04--New, more appealing varieties of kale in the works

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, Feb. 4 ( UPI ) -- Loved by some for its health benefits and disliked by others for its cardboard-like consistency , kale might be heading for a makeover .
After surging in popularity several years ago , sales of the dark green , leafy vegetable are beginning to plateau .
One vegetable breeder hopes to change that by creating varieties of kale with new flavors , textures and colors .
`` It 's mainstreaming kale , to some extent , '' said Phillip Griffiths , an associate professor of horticulture at Cornell Agri-Tech in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those health foods , and only certain people eat it , '' he said .
`` But there are a lot of people who eat leafy greens because they want something fresh and healthy . ''
To reach those customers , Griffiths is creating a whole line of new kale .
Some of his plants have a milder flavor that might appeal to those who dislike the taste of traditional kale .
Others are less fibrous for those who like their greens easier to chew .
And a kale offering in lighter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with their eyes and are looking for a brighter salad .
Ultimately , the changes are meant to help kale appeal to a wider range of consumers without fundamentally changing what people already love about the plant , such as the curliness of its leafs or its nutritional profile , Griffiths said .
`` You take a product that 's become popular for some very good reasons and improve it based on market preferences , but still keep it very close to what it is , '' Griffiths said .
`` You have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wider range of people . ''
To achieve these changes , Griffiths is using tradition methods .
In some cases , he is selectively breeding kales to bring out certain characteristics .
In others , he is crossing kale with other leafy green vegetables .
Griffiths is particularly proud of a new variety he calls `` savoy kale , '' which is a selectively bred Tuscan kale `` with some collard in its ancestry , '' he said .
`` It has a milder taste and a more fleshy , less fibrous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kale varieties could be coming at just the right time , said Steve Lutz , the senior vice president of insights and innovation at Category Partners , an Idaho-based strategic insights company that collects data on fresh produce sold in grocery stores .
Kale rose from obscurity to become a popular leafy green vegetable about five years ago , Lutz said .
Farmers in states like California , Georgia and New Jersey rushed to grow enough to satisfy American consumers ' growing demand .
`` If you go back six or eight years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of kale on the shelf , '' Lutz said .
`` Then , what really got kale going was that companies started launching packaged products -- things like salad mixes that appealed to convenience shoppers .
That really expanded the options for retailers . ''
A short time later , kale became swept up in the juicing craze .
Now , half a decade later , the novelty of bagged kale has subsided and juicing has plateaued , Lutz said .
And it 's showing in the sales .
Between 2015 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at American grocery stores dropped by more than 5 percent , according to data compiled by Category Partners .
Sales in dollars dropped by nearly 12 percent during that same period .
`` What you 're looking at here is basically a category that 's stopped growing , '' Lutz said .
`` And you could almost argue that it is declining .
If you 're going to continue the growth of the kale market , you 're going to need new innovation .
What [ Griffiths ] is doing at Cornell might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breeding his new kales a couple years ago , he said .
With several new varieties now in hand , he is seeking progressive , upscale restaurants that are willing to try them out .
If customers at these restaurants like the new kale , he hopes to expand to other restaurants , and eventually see the new vegetables in the mainstream market .
`` The net goal is you want to encourage people to have a healthier , more nutritious diet , '' Griffiths said .
`` So , if you take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to develop new varieties with characteristics that people are more used to , you might encourage them to eat a healthier diet . ''

1/3
Phillip Griffiths, a plant breeder and associate professor in the Horticulture Section of the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University, poses with several of his new kale varieties. Photo courtesy of Phillip Griffiths
EVANSVILLE, Ind., Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Loved by some for its health benefits and disliked by others for its cardboard-like consistency, kale might be heading for a makeover. After surging in popularity several years ago, sales of the dark green, leafy vegetable are beginning to plateau. One vegetable breeder hopes to change that by creating varieties of kale with new flavors, textures and colors. Advertisement
"It's mainstreaming kale, to some extent," said Phillip Griffiths, an associate professor of horticulture at Cornell Agri-Tech in New York.
"Kale has become one of those health foods, and only certain people eat it," he said. "But there are a lot of people who eat leafy greens because they want something fresh and healthy."
To reach those customers, Griffiths is creating a whole line of new kale.
Some of his plants have a milder flavor that might appeal to those who dislike the taste of traditional kale.
Advertisement
Others are less fibrous for those who like their greens easier to chew.
And a kale offering in lighter green color could entice customers who shop with their eyes and are looking for a brighter salad.
Ultimately, the changes are meant to help kale appeal to a wider range of consumers without fundamentally changing what people already love about the plant, such as the curliness of its leafs or its nutritional profile, Griffiths said.
"You take a product that's become popular for some very good reasons and improve it based on market preferences, but still keep it very close to what it is," Griffiths said. "You have the potential to open it up to a wider range of people."
To achieve these changes, Griffiths is using traditional methods. In some cases, he is selectively breeding kales to bring out certain characteristics. In others, he is crossing kale with other leafy green vegetables.
Griffiths is particularly proud of a new variety he calls "savoy kale," which is a selectively bred Tuscan kale "with some collard in its ancestry," he said. "It has a milder taste and a more fleshy, less fibrous leaf."
The introduction of new kale varieties could be coming at just the right time, said Steve Lutz, the senior vice president of insights and innovation at Category Partners, an Idaho-based strategic insights company that collects data on fresh produce sold in grocery stores.
Advertisement
Kale rose from obscurity to become a popular leafy green vegetable about five years ago, Lutz said. Farmers in states like California, Georgia and New Jersey rushed to grow enough to satisfy American consumers' growing demand.
"If you go back six or eight years ago, you only saw a big head of kale on the shelf," Lutz said. "Then, what really got kale going was that companies started launching packaged products -- things like salad mixes that appealed to convenience shoppers. That really expanded the options for retailers."
A short time later, kale became swept up in the juicing craze.
Now, half a decade later, the novelty of bagged kale has subsided and juicing has plateaued, Lutz said. And it's showing in the sales.
Between 2015 and 2019, the volume of kale sold at American grocery stores dropped by more than 5 percent, according to data compiled by Category Partners. Sales in dollars dropped by nearly 12 percent during that same period.
"What you're looking at here is basically a category that's stopped growing," Lutz said. "And you could almost argue that it is declining. If you're going to continue the growth of the kale market, you're going to need new innovation. What [Griffiths] is doing at Cornell might well be it."
Advertisement
Griffith said he began to breed his new kales 12 years ago. With several new varieties now in hand, he is seeking progressive, upscale restaurants that are willing to try them out. If customers at these restaurants like the new kale, he hopes to expand to other restaurants, and eventually see the new vegetables in the mainstream market.
"The net goal is you want to encourage people to have a healthier, more nutritious diet," Griffiths said. "So, if you take a nutritious food and you're able to develop new varieties with characteristics that people are more used to, you might encourage them to eat a healthier diet."


upi--2020-02-04--Daniel arap Moi, Kenya's 2nd president, dies at 95

Feb. 4 ( UPI ) -- Daniel arap Moi , the second president of the Republic of Kenya who ruled the country for more than 20 years , died Tuesday at the age of 95 .
Current Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta announced Moi 's death and declared a period of national mourning effective immediately until the day of his state funeral .
Kenyatta said Moi died at the Nairobi Hospital early Tuesday in the presence of family .
`` Our nation and our continent were immensely blessed by the dedication and service of the late Mzee Moi , who spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Africa in a number of capacities , '' Kenyatta said in his presidential declaration .
`` The late Mzee Moi served us as an educator , a teacher , a legislator , member of Parliament , a cabinet minister , the vice-president and finally as the preside of the Republic of Kenya . ''
Though the cause of his death was not released , the former president 's health had been uncertain since he was rushed to the hospital in October and in January he was placed on life support machines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led the country as its second president for 24 years following the death of the nation 's founder , Jomo Kenyatta , in 1978 .
Credited as a leading figure in Kenya 's struggle for independence from Britain and an ardent Pan-Africanist , Moi was also a controversial figure who was accused of committing human rights abuses , including by Amnesty International .
After he stepped down , investigators accused Moi of siphoning billions of dollars from Kenya and two of his four elections were dogged by claims that they were rigged .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought stability and calm to the country amid a turbulent continent .
`` The late Mzee Moi stepped into apex leadership in 1978 and immediately brought calm and confidence to a nation reeling in shock following the unexpected death of the Head of State , '' Kenyatta wrote in his presidential proclamation .
Moi also created the multi-party election system in Kenya , which Kenyatta said culminated in `` the peaceful transfer of power in December 2002 , a then rare occurrence in Africa and one which set an example that has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since . ''

Former President of Kenya Daniel arap Moi died Tuesday in Nariboi. Photo by Philip Dhil/EPA-EFE
Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Daniel arap Moi, the second president of the Republic of Kenya who ruled the country for more than 20 years, died Tuesday at the age of 95. Current Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta announced Moi's death and declared a period of national mourning effective immediately until the day of his state funeral. Advertisement
Kenyatta said Moi died at the Nairobi Hospital early Tuesday in the presence of family.
"Our nation and our continent were immensely blessed by the dedication and service of the late Mzee Moi, who spent almost his entire adult life serving Kenya and Africa in a number of capacities," Kenyatta said in his presidential declaration. "The late Mzee Moi served us as an educator, a teacher, a legislator, member of Parliament, a cabinet minister, the vice-president and finally as the preside of the Republic of Kenya."
Though the cause of his death was not released, the former president's health had been uncertain since he was rushed to the hospital in October and in January he was placed on life support machines, Kenya's The Star reported.
Moi led the country as its second president for 24 years following the death of the nation's founder, Jomo Kenyatta, in 1978.
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Credited as a leading figure in Kenya's struggle for independence from Britain and an ardent Pan-Africanist, Moi was also a controversial figure who was accused of committing human rights abuses, including by Amnesty International.
After he stepped down, investigators accused Moi of siphoning billions of dollars from Kenya and two of his four elections were dogged by claims that they were rigged.
However, some see Moi as having brought stability and calm to the country amid a turbulent continent.
"The late Mzee Moi stepped into apex leadership in 1978 and immediately brought calm and confidence to a nation reeling in shock following the unexpected death of the Head of State," Kenyatta wrote in his presidential proclamation.
Moi also created the multi-party election system in Kenya, which Kenyatta said culminated in "the peaceful transfer of power in December 2002, a then rare occurrence in Africa and one which set an example that has been emulated across the continent and beyond ever since."
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-02-04--Eating disorders, exercise addiction linked in study

People with an eating disorder are much more likely to have exercise addiction than those with normal eating habits , British researchers say .
They analyzed data from more than 2,100 people who took part in nine studies in the United States , Britain , Australia and Italy .
People with an eating disorder were 3.7 times more likely to have an exercise addiction than those with no eating disorder , according to the findings .
`` It is known that those with eating disorders are more likely to display addictive personality and obsessive-compulsive behaviors , '' said study leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge , England .
`` We are also aware that having an unhealthy relationship with food often means an increased amount of exercising , but this is the first time that a risk factor has been calculated . ''
He noted that it 's common at the start of a new year to want to eat better and exercise .
But it 's important to stay away from crash diets or any eating plan that eliminates some foods entirely , he added .
`` Our study shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significantly increases the chance of an unhealthy relationship with exercise , and this can have negative consequences , including mental health issues and injury , '' Trott said in a university news release .
He said health professionals working with people who have eating disorders should consider monitoring their exercise .
This group has been found `` to suffer from serious medical conditions as a result of excessive exercise , such as fractures , increased rates of cardiovascular disease in younger patients , and increased overall mortality , '' Trott said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journal Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia , Bulimia and Obesity .
The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health has more on eating disorders .

People with an eating disorder were 3.7 times more likely to have an exercise addiction than those with no eating disorder, new research shows. Photo by stevepb /Pixabay
People with an eating disorder are much more likely to have exercise addiction than those with normal eating habits, British researchers say. They analyzed data from more than 2,100 people who took part in nine studies in the United States, Britain, Australia and Italy. Advertisement
People with an eating disorder were 3.7 times more likely to have an exercise addiction than those with no eating disorder, according to the findings.
"It is known that those with eating disorders are more likely to display addictive personality and obsessive-compulsive behaviors," said study leader Mike Trott, a researcher in sport science at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, England. "We are also aware that having an unhealthy relationship with food often means an increased amount of exercising, but this is the first time that a risk factor has been calculated."
He noted that it's common at the start of a new year to want to eat better and exercise. But it's important to stay away from crash diets or any eating plan that eliminates some foods entirely, he added.
"Our study shows that displaying signs of an eating disorder significantly increases the chance of an unhealthy relationship with exercise, and this can have negative consequences, including mental health issues and injury," Trott said in a university news release.
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He said health professionals working with people who have eating disorders should consider monitoring their exercise.
This group has been found "to suffer from serious medical conditions as a result of excessive exercise, such as fractures, increased rates of cardiovascular disease in younger patients, and increased overall mortality," Trott said.
The study was published online recently in the journal Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity.
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health has more on eating disorders.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-02-03--Bedside 'sitters' may not prevent hospital falls

Many hospitals use bedside `` sitters '' to protect patients from falling , but a new review finds little evidence the tactic works .
However , researchers said the problem is a lack of rigorous studies -- and not proof that bedside sitters are ineffective .
So it would be premature to abandon the practice .
`` We 've been doing this for years , '' said Dr. Cathy Schubert , a geriatrics specialist at Indiana University School of Medicine and the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center , both in Indianapolis .
`` I was surprised there really has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
`` That was the eye-opening part . ''
Schubert wrote an editorial published with the review Feb. 3 in the Annals of Internal Medicine .
Falls are an enduring problem in hospitals .
Each year , between 700,000 and 1 million Americans fall in a hospital , according to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality .
Schubert said it 's a particular problem among elderly patients -- especially those who have dementia or are suffering from delirium .
The rationale behind bedside sitters is simple , Schubert said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eye on them , we can prevent falls . ''
So for years , many U.S. hospitals have had nurses or other staff stay in the room with patients at high risk of falls -- helping them in and out of bed , and making sure they move safely around the room .
Not surprisingly , it 's expensive .
A U.S. hospital may spend more than $ 1 million a year on bedside sitters , according to study author Dr. Adela Greeley and colleagues at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common-sense , Greeley 's team wanted to see how much evidence supports it .
So they searched the published medical literature and found 20 studies that have put bedside sitters to the test .
The vast majority -- 18 -- compared bedside sitters with an alternative , like watching patients on video monitors or keeping high-risk patients in `` close observation units . ''
Only two studies actually added bedside sitting to a hospital 's standard care , to see whether it curbed fall rates .
One study found about a 50 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no benefit .
As for the studies that tested sitter alternatives , several suggested that video monitoring can be as good as bedside sitters , or even prevent more falls .
But the VA researchers said the studies had limitations , and it 's hard to draw firm conclusions .
Even the two studies that added sitters to standard care had issues : They were done in Australia , at two hospitals whose fall rates are three to four times higher than the norm for U.S. hospitals , Greeley and coauthors said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteers who worked only limited hours .
Those findings can not be applied to U.S. hospitals , according to Schubert .
`` It 's a bit like comparing apples to oranges , '' she said .
At this point , the use of bedside sitters is `` ingrained , '' Greeley 's team wrote .
And the researchers are not suggesting giving up the practice .
`` The rationale for the use of sitters to prevent falls is compelling , '' they wrote , `` and it seems premature to conclude that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they said , better studies are needed -- specifically , ones testing alternatives to sitters .
Schubert agreed .
For now , she said , hospital patients and families should be aware that fall prevention is critical , but so is getting out of bed and moving around .
`` The answer is not to keep patients in bed , '' Schubert said .
`` We want to keep them safe , but we also need to maintain their functioning by getting them up and moving . ''
Being stuck in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to muscle loss , deconditioning and blood clots in the legs , among other problems .
The U.S. National Institute of Medicine has advice on preventing falls .

Many hospitals use bedside "sitters" to protect patients from falling, but a new review finds little evidence the tactic works.
However, researchers said the problem is a lack of rigorous studies -- and not proof that bedside sitters are ineffective. So it would be premature to abandon the practice.
Advertisement
"We've been doing this for years," said Dr. Cathy Schubert, a geriatrics specialist at Indiana University School of Medicine and the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, both in Indianapolis.
"I was surprised there really has been little study of it," she said. "That was the eye-opening part."
Schubert wrote an editorial published with the review Feb. 3 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Falls are an enduring problem in hospitals. Each year, between 700,000 and 1 million Americans fall in a hospital, according to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Schubert said it's a particular problem among elderly patients -- especially those who have dementia or are suffering from delirium.
Advertisement
The rationale behind bedside sitters is simple, Schubert said: "If we keep a close eye on them, we can prevent falls."
So for years, many U.S. hospitals have had nurses or other staff stay in the room with patients at high risk of falls -- helping them in and out of bed, and making sure they move safely around the room.
Not surprisingly, it's expensive. A U.S. hospital may spend more than $1 million a year on bedside sitters, according to study author Dr. Adela Greeley and colleagues at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center.
But while the practice may sound common-sense, Greeley's team wanted to see how much evidence supports it. So they searched the published medical literature and found 20 studies that have put bedside sitters to the test.
The vast majority -- 18 -- compared bedside sitters with an alternative, like watching patients on video monitors or keeping high-risk patients in "close observation units."
Only two studies actually added bedside sitting to a hospital's standard care, to see whether it curbed fall rates. One study found about a 50 percent reduction in falls; the other found no benefit.
As for the studies that tested sitter alternatives, several suggested that video monitoring can be as good as bedside sitters, or even prevent more falls. But the VA researchers said the studies had limitations, and it's hard to draw firm conclusions.
Advertisement
Even the two studies that added sitters to standard care had issues: They were done in Australia, at two hospitals whose fall rates are three to four times higher than the norm for U.S. hospitals, Greeley and coauthors said.
And the sitters in those studies were volunteers who worked only limited hours.
Those findings cannot be applied to U.S. hospitals, according to Schubert. "It's a bit like comparing apples to oranges," she said.
At this point, the use of bedside sitters is "ingrained," Greeley's team wrote. And the researchers are not suggesting giving up the practice.
"The rationale for the use of sitters to prevent falls is compelling," they wrote, "and it seems premature to conclude that their use should be abandoned."
Instead, they said, better studies are needed -- specifically, ones testing alternatives to sitters.
Schubert agreed. For now, she said, hospital patients and families should be aware that fall prevention is critical, but so is getting out of bed and moving around.
"The answer is not to keep patients in bed," Schubert said. "We want to keep them safe, but we also need to maintain their functioning by getting them up and moving."
Being stuck in a hospital bed, she said, can lead to muscle loss, deconditioning and blood clots in the legs, among other problems.
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The U.S. National Institute of Medicine has advice on preventing falls.
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upi--2020-02-03--Houston Astros hire former Rays executive James Click as general manager

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- The Houston Astros hired former Tampa Bay Rays executive James Click as the club 's new general manager , the team announced Monday .
Click , 42 , served as vice president of baseball operations for Tampa Bay from 2017-19 .
The Yale graduate joined the Rays organization in 2006 and gradually worked his way up in the team 's front office .
Click is expected to be formally introduced Tuesday .
`` I am excited to join the Astros family , '' Click said in a statement Monday .
`` The Astros are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deeply talented group in the front office .
I am grateful to [ owner ] Jim Crane and the Astros for giving me this opportunity to help lead this team to more championships . ''
Click will take over for former Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow , who was fired by the team last month in the wake of a Major League Baseball investigation that found the Astros cheated by using an illegal camera-based system to steal signs of opposing teams .
`` James has had an impressive career , '' Crane said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a respected leader who has progressed in this game across all aspects of baseball operations and he has built great relationships with both front office and clubhouse personnel .
I am thrilled to introduce him as our new general manager .
He is a great addition to the Astros . ''
According to a nine-page report released by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred , the Astros used the elaborate sign-stealing scheme during the regular season and postseason of their World Series-winning 2017 campaign and part of the 2018 regular season .
The sign-stealing system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Houston manager A.J .
Hinch and Luhnow .
The Astros hired Dusty Baker to replace Hinch last week .
Click becomes the latest executive to leave the Rays organization for another team .
Senior vice president Chaim Bloom was named chief baseball officer of the Boston Red Sox earlier this off-season .

Houston Astros owner Jim Crane (pictured) replaced former general manager Jeff Luhnow with Rays executive James Click. Luhnow was fired last month for his connection to the Astros' illegal sign-stealing scheme. File Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- The Houston Astros hired former Tampa Bay Rays executive James Click as the club's new general manager, the team announced Monday. Click, 42, served as vice president of baseball operations for Tampa Bay from 2017-19. The Yale graduate joined the Rays organization in 2006 and gradually worked his way up in the team's front office. Advertisement
Click is expected to be formally introduced Tuesday.
"I am excited to join the Astros family," Click said in a statement Monday. "The Astros are a progressive and innovative organization with a deeply talented group in the front office. I am grateful to [owner] Jim Crane and the Astros for giving me this opportunity to help lead this team to more championships."
Click will take over for former Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow, who was fired by the team last month in the wake of a Major League Baseball investigation that found the Astros cheated by using an illegal camera-based system to steal signs of opposing teams.
"James has had an impressive career," Crane said in a statement. "He is a respected leader who has progressed in this game across all aspects of baseball operations and he has built great relationships with both front office and clubhouse personnel. I am thrilled to introduce him as our new general manager. He is a great addition to the Astros."
According to a nine-page report released by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, the Astros used the elaborate sign-stealing scheme during the regular season and postseason of their World Series-winning 2017 campaign and part of the 2018 regular season.
The sign-stealing system led to the suspension and subsequent firing of Houston manager A.J. Hinch and Luhnow. The Astros hired Dusty Baker to replace Hinch last week.
Click becomes the latest executive to leave the Rays organization for another team. Senior vice president Chaim Bloom was named chief baseball officer of the Boston Red Sox earlier this off-season.


upi--2020-02-03--Former Stanford QB K.J. Costello announces transfer to Mississippi State

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Former Stanford Cardinal starting quarterback K.J .
Costello is joining the Mississippi State Bulldogs as a graduate transfer .
Costello , a two-time captain at Stanford , announced his decision to transfer to the school Monday on Instagram .
`` I remember dreaming about playing at Stanford since I was a little kid , '' Costello wrote .
`` The legacy and the tradition was something I always knew I wanted to be a part of .
I feel so fortunate to have spent my last four years at the top institution in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because I felt it would drive me to become the best version of myself , it did just that .
`` With that being said , I would like to announce that I will play my final year of college football at Mississippi State . ''
Costello will join Mike Leach , who was announced as the Bulldogs ' new head coach last month , at Mississippi State .
Leach oversaw the nation 's top passing offense in four of the last six seasons at Washington State .
Costello , who has one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games over the past three seasons at Stanford .
He earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2018 , when he started all 13 games and recorded 3,540 passing yards , the second-highest total in team history for a single season .
Costello struggled with injuries last season , appearing in only five games .
He passed for 1,038 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions .
Costello will join a Mississippi State team that returns quarterback Garrett Shrader and veteran reserve Keytaon Thompson .
Shrader started four games as a freshman in 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first two seasons .

Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Former Stanford Cardinal starting quarterback K.J. Costello is joining the Mississippi State Bulldogs as a graduate transfer.
Costello, a two-time captain at Stanford, announced his decision to transfer to the school Monday on Instagram.
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"I remember dreaming about playing at Stanford since I was a little kid," Costello wrote. "The legacy and the tradition was something I always knew I wanted to be a part of. I feel so fortunate to have spent my last four years at the top institution in the world. I decided to attend Stanford because I felt it would drive me to become the best version of myself, it did just that.
"With that being said, I would like to announce that I will play my final year of college football at Mississippi State."
Costello will join Mike Leach, who was announced as the Bulldogs' new head coach last month, at Mississippi State. Leach oversaw the nation's top passing offense in four of the last six seasons at Washington State.
Costello, who has one year of eligibility left, started 25 games over the past three seasons at Stanford. He earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2018, when he started all 13 games and recorded 3,540 passing yards, the second-highest total in team history for a single season.
Costello struggled with injuries last season, appearing in only five games. He passed for 1,038 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions.
K.J. Costello has been ruled out for Saturday's game at Oregon State, per David Shaw. Davis Mills is expected to make his second career start. pic.twitter.com/iTPXqnPpDY— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) September 27, 2019
Costello will join a Mississippi State team that returns quarterback Garrett Shrader and veteran reserve Keytaon Thompson. Shrader started four games as a freshman in 2019, while Thompson appeared in 19 games across his first two seasons.


upi--2020-02-03--Seattle Mariners ink pitcher Marco Gonzales to four-year extension

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- The Seattle Mariners signed left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzales to a four-year contract extension , the team announced Monday .
The extension , which begins in 2021 , contains a club option for 2025 , according to the team .
League sources told The Athletic that Gonzales ' four-year deal is worth $ 30 million .
`` Since joining the Mariners , Marco has been a model of consistency , quietly ranking among the most productive starting pitchers in the AL , '' Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement Monday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership make him a key part of our future . ''
Gonzales , entering his third full season with the Mariners , arrived in Seattle after being traded by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017 .
According to Spotrac , he is scheduled to earn $ 1 million this year in the final season of his two-year , $ 1.9 million deal .
`` This is truly an exciting day for me and my family , '' Gonzales said .
`` We consider the city of Seattle our home , and to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans with such open arms , and now this contract , is a dream come true .
This organization has a vision for winning a championship , and I am honored to be a part of their plans .
`` This will only further motivate me and the passion that I have to compete and win .
I do not take their commitment to me lightly , and I will always represent this team and this city with honor and pride . ''
Gonzales is coming off the best season of his MLB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he tied for the American League lead with 34 starts and was tied for fifth with 16 wins .
Gonzales , 27 , also had a career-best 3.99 ERA and set career highs in starts , innings pitched ( 203 ) and strikeouts ( 147 ) last season .

Former St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Marco Gonzales was traded to the Seattle Mariners in 2017. He was the Mariners' opening day starter last year. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- The Seattle Mariners signed left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzales to a four-year contract extension, the team announced Monday. The extension, which begins in 2021, contains a club option for 2025, according to the team. League sources told The Athletic that Gonzales' four-year deal is worth $30 million. Advertisement
"Since joining the Mariners, Marco has been a model of consistency, quietly ranking among the most productive starting pitchers in the AL," Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement Monday. "His presence, competitiveness, preparation and leadership make him a key part of our future."
Gonzales, entering his third full season with the Mariners, arrived in Seattle after being traded by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017. According to Spotrac, he is scheduled to earn $1 million this year in the final season of his two-year, $1.9 million deal.
"This is truly an exciting day for me and my family," Gonzales said. "We consider the city of Seattle our home, and to be welcomed by the Mariner organization and the fans with such open arms, and now this contract, is a dream come true. This organization has a vision for winning a championship, and I am honored to be a part of their plans.
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"This will only further motivate me and the passion that I have to compete and win. I do not take their commitment to me lightly, and I will always represent this team and this city with honor and pride."
Gonzales is coming off the best season of his MLB career. During the 2019 campaign, he tied for the American League lead with 34 starts and was tied for fifth with 16 wins.
Gonzales, 27, also had a career-best 3.99 ERA and set career highs in starts, innings pitched (203) and strikeouts (147) last season.


upi--2020-02-03--2 women killed, toddler injured in shooting at Texas A&M University-Commerce

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Two women were killed and a toddler was injured in a shooting on Monday at a Texas A & M-University Commerce residence hall , authorities said .
Campus police chief Bryan Vaughn told reporters the child , who is approximately 2-years-old , was in stable condition .
He said police responded to a call from a student at the Pride Rock residence at about 10:17 a.m. and officers arrived to find the two women dead and the toddler injured in one of the rooms .
The identities of the victims were not released nor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the incident was under investigation and `` there appears to be no other threats . ''
University officials told students , faculty and staff to shelter in place while the university investigated the shootings at Pride Rock residence hall earlier Monday .
The shelter-in-place request has since been lifted .
Pride Rock and surrounding areas are still blocked off , an update said , adding that counselors were available in the Rayburn Student Center to help students cope with the situation .
Texas A & M University-Commerce President Mark J. Rudin said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working diligently '' to investigate the shooting .
`` Our hearts go out to everyone in this community who has been impacted by this tragedy , '' he said during the press conference .
The university confirmed the two deaths on Twitter Monday afternoon , and that a third person was injured and being treated in a hospital .
All classes including online , programs and events have been canceled until Wednesday .

Counselors were available at Texas A&M University-Commerce's Rayburn Student Center for students who need help coping after a school shooting Monday. Photo by Michael Barera/ Wikimedia
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Two women were killed and a toddler was injured in a shooting on Monday at a Texas A&M-University Commerce residence hall, authorities said. Campus police chief Bryan Vaughn told reporters the child, who is approximately 2-years-old, was in stable condition. Advertisement
He said police responded to a call from a student at the Pride Rock residence at about 10:17 a.m. and officers arrived to find the two women dead and the toddler injured in one of the rooms.
The identities of the victims were not released nor information about the shooter, but he said the incident was under investigation and "there appears to be no other threats."
University officials told students, faculty and staff to shelter in place while the university investigated the shootings at Pride Rock residence hall earlier Monday. The shelter-in-place request has since been lifted. Pride Rock and surrounding areas are still blocked off, an update said, adding that counselors were available in the Rayburn Student Center to help students cope with the situation.
Texas A&M University-Commerce President Mark J. Rudin said law enforcement and campus police were "working diligently" to investigate the shooting.
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"Our hearts go out to everyone in this community who has been impacted by this tragedy," he said during the press conference.
The university confirmed the two deaths on Twitter Monday afternoon, and that a third person was injured and being treated in a hospital.
All classes including online, programs and events have been canceled until Wednesday.


upi--2020-02-03--Watch live: Closing arguments in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Democratic managers on Monday made their final case for removing President Donald Trump from office , arguing that failure to do so would show that a U.S. president is above the law .
Both sides were given two hours to make their final arguments .
Democrats went first and completed the factual portion of their argument .
The Senate then recessed , and White House attorneys gave their final presentation followed by final closing speeches from the Democratic managers .
`` When the history books are written about this tumultuous era , I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tyranny , '' said manager Rep. Adam Schiff , quoting the late Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland .
`` For those who are standing up to lawlessness and to tyranny , Donald Trump has betrayed his oath to protect and defend the Constitution , but it 's not too late for us to honor ours , to wield our power to defend our democracy . ''
`` In America , nobody is above the law , not even a person who 's elected to president of the United States , '' said Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would say especially the president of the United States . ''
Jeffries noted that Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani recently `` returned to the scene of the crime '' to keep up efforts against Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden .
Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow called on the Senate to `` protect the Constitution and the separation of powers '' by rejecting the articles of impeachment and allowing voters to weigh in on the president 's conduct in the upcoming election .
`` What the House Democrats have done to this nation , to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , to the president himself and to this body is outrageous , '' he said .
Sen. Joe Manchin III , D-WVa.
, said the Senate should censure Trump after the trial , although it has not been discussed by leaders from either party .
`` Censure would allow this body to unite along party lines , '' Manchin said .
`` His behavior can not go unchecked by the Senate . ''
After Monday 's proceedings , the Senate will adjourn until Wednesday for a final vote , when it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges -- abuse of power and obstructing Congress , stemming from his dealings with Ukraine last year .
An acquittal seems probable after Republicans narrowly voted to deny a motion Friday to allow witnesses and new evidence .
`` I hope Republicans and the American people realize that the totally partisan impeachment hoax is exactly that , a hoax , '' Trump tweeted Monday .
`` Nothing will ever satisfy the [ Democrats ] . ''
Schiff said his team has proven corruption in the Trump administration and cited some Republicans ' comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong , but not impeachable .
`` That 's pretty remarkable when you now have senators on both sides of the aisle admitting the House made its case and the only question is : 'Should the president be removed from office because he 's been found guilty of these offenses ? '
'' Schiff said Sunday on CBS News ' Face the Nation .

Rep. Adam Schiff said Monday that President Donald Trump has "betrayed" his oath to protect the U.S. Constitution. UPI Photo | License Photo
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Democratic managers on Monday made their final case for removing President Donald Trump from office, arguing that failure to do so would show that a U.S. president is above the law. Both sides were given two hours to make their final arguments. Democrats went first and completed the factual portion of their argument. The Senate then recessed, and White House attorneys gave their final presentation followed by final closing speeches from the Democratic managers. Advertisement
"When the history books are written about this tumultuous era, I want them to know I stood up to tyranny," said manager Rep. Adam Schiff, quoting the late Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland.
"For those who are standing up to lawlessness and to tyranny, Donald Trump has betrayed his oath to protect and defend the Constitution, but it's not too late for us to honor ours, to wield our power to defend our democracy."
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"In America, nobody is above the law, not even a person who's elected to president of the United States," said Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado. "I would say especially the president of the United States."
"Donald Trump hasn't stopped pressuring Ukraine," added Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York.
Jeffries noted that Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani recently "returned to the scene of the crime" to keep up efforts against Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow called on the Senate to "protect the Constitution and the separation of powers" by rejecting the articles of impeachment and allowing voters to weigh in on the president's conduct in the upcoming election.
"What the House Democrats have done to this nation, to the Constitution, to the office of the president, to the president himself and to this body is outrageous," he said.
Sen. Joe Manchin III, D-WVa., said the Senate should censure Trump after the trial, although it has not been discussed by leaders from either party.
"Censure would allow this body to unite along party lines," Manchin said. "His behavior cannot go unchecked by the Senate."
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After Monday's proceedings, the Senate will adjourn until Wednesday for a final vote, when it is expected Trump will be acquitted on two charges -- abuse of power and obstructing Congress, stemming from his dealings with Ukraine last year.
An acquittal seems probable after Republicans narrowly voted to deny a motion Friday to allow witnesses and new evidence.
"I hope Republicans and the American people realize that the totally partisan impeachment hoax is exactly that, a hoax," Trump tweeted Monday. "Nothing will ever satisfy the [Democrats]."
Schiff said his team has proven corruption in the Trump administration and cited some Republicans' comments that Trump's actions may have been wrong, but not impeachable.
"That's pretty remarkable when you now have senators on both sides of the aisle admitting the House made its case and the only question is: 'Should the president be removed from office because he's been found guilty of these offenses?'" Schiff said Sunday on CBS News' Face the Nation.


upi--2020-02-03--Nielsen: Almost 100M in U.S. watched Super Bowl LIV on Sunday

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- The Kansas City Chiefs ' 31-20 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV averaged 99.9 million viewers on Fox , marking the first ratings increase for the NFL championship game in five years .
The Nielsen company said Monday viewership increased slightly from last year 's Super Bowl LIII between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams , which drew 98.2 million viewers .
According to Nielsen 's data , 69 percent of U.S. homes with televisions in use had their dials turned to the Super Bowl on Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ its peak in 2015 , when a record 114.4 million people watched the Patriots defeat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX .
In total , Fox estimated that Sunday 's game had 102 million viewers when including those who watched on Fox Deportes or through NFL and Verizon streaming services .
That viewership figure makes Super Bowl LIV the 10th most-watched NFL championship game in history .
The Super Bowl LIV halftime performance shared by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira was viewed by 103 million people , according to Fox .
That marked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's halftime performance headlined by Maroon 5 and rapper Travis Scott .
While the game drew lots of attention online , it was the halftime show that most engaged social media posters .
The most Twitter interactions during the game occurred immediately following the performance , Nielsen said , stating the pair generated some 144,000 interactions on the platform .
Jeniffer Lopez also earned the game 's `` top social talent account , '' Nielsen said , by generating 2.2 million engagements -- dwarfing the 514,000 engagements Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ athlete account . ''
On social media , users made roughly 44 million interactions online about the game , making it Sunday 's most `` social TV program '' and the most social telecast of the year , Nielsen said .
The television ratings company also said the cost for a 30-second commercial spot hit a record $ 5.4 million for the game , a $ 160,000 increase over last year .
During Super Bowl I in 1967 -- the only one that was simulcast on two networks , NBC and CBS -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 37,500 .

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and Super Bowl LIV MVP Patrick Mahomes holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-20. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- The Kansas City Chiefs' 31-20 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV averaged 99.9 million viewers on Fox, marking the first ratings increase for the NFL championship game in five years. The Nielsen company said Monday viewership increased slightly from last year's Super Bowl LIII between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams, which drew 98.2 million viewers. Advertisement
According to Nielsen's data, 69 percent of U.S. homes with televisions in use had their dials turned to the Super Bowl on Sunday.
Super Bowl viewership was slowly declining since its peak in 2015, when a record 114.4 million people watched the Patriots defeat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX.
In total, Fox estimated that Sunday's game had 102 million viewers when including those who watched on Fox Deportes or through NFL and Verizon streaming services. That viewership figure makes Super Bowl LIV the 10th most-watched NFL championship game in history.
The biggest game of the year lived up to the hype, and viewers around the country took notice Advertisement Super Bowl LIV on FOX is the 10th most-watched Super Bowl in history.#SBLIV pic.twitter.com/QsfFyyMGjh— FOX Sports PR (@FOXSportsPR) February 3, 2020
The Super Bowl LIV halftime performance shared by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira was viewed by 103 million people, according to Fox. That marked a 4 percent increase over last year's halftime performance headlined by Maroon 5 and rapper Travis Scott.
While the game drew lots of attention online, it was the halftime show that most engaged social media posters. The most Twitter interactions during the game occurred immediately following the performance, Nielsen said, stating the pair generated some 144,000 interactions on the platform.
Jeniffer Lopez also earned the game's "top social talent account," Nielsen said, by generating 2.2 million engagements -- dwarfing the 514,000 engagements Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes garnered as the "most socially engaging athlete account."
On social media, users made roughly 44 million interactions online about the game, making it Sunday's most "social TV program" and the most social telecast of the year, Nielsen said.
The television ratings company also said the cost for a 30-second commercial spot hit a record $5.4 million for the game, a $160,000 increase over last year. During Super Bowl I in 1967 -- the only one that was simulcast on two networks, NBC and CBS -- the same chunk of airtime cost $37,500.
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Jennifer Lopez, Shakira perform at Super Bowl LIV halftime show