freedomdaily--2020-06-17--Quarantine bubbles – when done right – limit coronavirus risk and help fight loneliness

After three months of lockdowns , many people in the U.S. and around the world are turning to quarantine bubbles , pandemic pods or quaranteams in an effort to balance the risks of the pandemic with the emotional and social needs of life .
I am an epidemiologist and a mother of four , three of whom are teenagers in the throes of their risk-taking years .
As the country grapples with how to navigate new risks in the world , my kids and I are doing the same .
When done carefully , the research shows that quarantine bubbles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SARS-CoV-2 while allowing people to have much needed social interactions with their friends and family .
Reduce risk if you can ’ t eliminate it A quaranteam is a small group of people who form their own social circle to quarantine together – and a perfect example of a harm reduction strategy .
Harm reduction is a pragmatic public health concept that explicitly acknowledges that all risk can not be eliminated , so it encourages the reduction of risk .
Harm reduction approaches also take into consideration the intersection of biological , psychological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and behavior .
For example , abstinence-only education doesn ’ t work all that well .
Safe-sex education , on the other hand , seeks to limit risk , not eliminate it , and is better at reducing teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection .
Quarantine bubbles are a way to limit the risk of getting or transmitting SARS-CoV-2 while expanding social interaction .
Staying indoors , avoiding all contact with friends or family and having food and groceries delivered would be the best way to limit your risk of catching SARS-CoV-2 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ beyond the harm from infection .
Health encompasses mental as well as physical well-being .
The negative mental health impacts of the pandemic are already starting to become evident .
A recent survey of U.S. adults found that 13.6 % reported symptoms of serious psychological distress , up from 3.9 % in 2018 .
A quarter of people 18 to 29 years old reported serious psychological distress , the highest levels of all ages groups .
Many people are experiencing anxiety and depression due to the pandemic or were already living with these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help .
Loneliness and social isolation increase the risk for depression and anxiety and can also lead to increases in the risk for serious physical diseases like coronary heart disease , stroke and premature death .
Quaranteams , therefore , are not simply a convenient idea because they let people see their friends and family .
Isolation poses serious health risks – both physically and mentally – that social bubbles can help alleviate while improving social well-being and quality of life .
Social relationships enhance well-being and mental health but they also act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As people around the world emerge from lockdowns , this is the conundrum : How do we increase social interaction while limiting the risk of spread ?
A recent study used social network theory – how information spreads among groups of people – and infectious disease models to see if quaranteams would work in this pandemic .
To do that , the researchers built computer models of social interactions to measure how the virus spread .
They built a model of typical behavior , of typical behavior but with only half the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing approaches that also had half the number of interactions as normal .
The first social distancing scenario grouped people by characteristics – people would only see people of a similar age , for example .
The second scenario grouped people by local communities and limited inter-community interaction .
The last scenario limited interactions to small social groups of mixed characteristics from various locations – i.e .
quarantine bubbles .
These bubbles could have people of all ages and from various neighborhoods , but those people would only interact with each other .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the severity of the pandemic and were also better than simply reducing interactions at random , but the quaranteam approach was the most effective at flattening the curve .
Compared to no social distancing , quarantine bubbles would delay the peak of infections by 37 % , decrease the height of the peak by 60 % and result in 30 % fewer infected individuals overall .
Other countries are starting to incorporate quaranteams in their prevention guidelines now that infection rates are low and contact tracing programs are in place .
England is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with their support bubble policy .
New Zealand implemented a quarantine bubble strategy in early May and it seems to have worked .
Additionally , a recent survey of 2,500 adults in England and New Zealand found a high degree of support for the policies and high degree of motivation to comply .
To make an effective quaranteam , here ’ s what you need to do .
First , everyone must agree to follow the rules and be honest and open about their actions .
Individual behavior can put the whole team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quaranteam is trust .
Teams should also talk in advance about what to do if someone breaks the rules or is exposed to an infected person .
If someone starts to show symptoms , everyone should agree to self-isolate for 14 days .
Second , everyone must decide how much risk is acceptable and establish rules that reflect this decision .
For example , some people might feel OK about having a close family member visit but others may not .
Our family has agreed that we only visit with friends outside , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear masks at all times .
Finally , people need to actually follow the rules , comply with physical distancing outside of the quaranteam and be forthcoming if they think they may have been exposed .
Additionally , communication should be ongoing and dynamic .
The realities of the pandemic are changing at a rapid pace and what may be OK one day might be too risky for some the next .
Any increase in social contact is inherently more risky right now .
There are two important ideas in particular that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much risk they ’ re willing to take .
The first is asymptomatic spread .
Current data suggests that at any given time , anywhere between 20 % and 45 % of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic and able to transmit the virus to others .
The best way to know if someone is infected or not is to get tested , so some people might consider requiring testing before agreeing to join a quaranteam .
The second thing to consider is that consequences of getting sick are not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone you live with has another health condition – like asthma , diabetes , a heart condition or a compromised immune system – the assessment of risk and reward from a quaranteam should change .
The consequences of a high-risk person developing COVID-19 are much more serious .
One of the greatest difficulties facing both scientists and the public alike is the uncertainty about this virus and what lies ahead .
But some things are known .
If individuals are informed and sincere in their quaranteam efforts and follow the regular guidance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand-washing , quaranteams can offer a robust and structured middle ground approach to manage risk while experiencing the joy and benefits of friends and family .
These are things we could all benefit from these days , and for now , quaranteams may be the best step forward as we emerge from this pandemic together .
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freedomdaily--2020-06-17--How ‘vaccine nationalism’ could block vulnerable populations’ access to COVID-19 vaccines

Hundreds of COVID-19 vaccine candidates are currently being developed .
The way emerging vaccines will be distributed to those who need them is not yet clear .
The United States has now twice indicated that it would like to secure priority access to doses of COVID-19 vaccine .
Other countries , including India and Russia , have taken similar stances .
This prioritization of domestic markets has become known as vaccine nationalism .
As a researcher at Saint Louis University ’ s Center for Health Law Studies , I have been following the COVID-19 vaccine race .
Vaccine nationalism is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , paradoxically , I ’ ve concluded it is detrimental even for the U.S. itself .
Vaccine nationalism occurs when a country manages to secure doses of vaccine for its own citizens or residents before they are made available in other countries .
This is done through pre-purchase agreements between a government and a vaccine manufacturer .
In March , the White House met with representatives from CureVac , a German biotech company developing a COVID-19 vaccine .
The U.S. government is reported to have inquired about the possibility of securing exclusive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the German government to comment that “ Germany is not for sale.
” Angela Merkel ’ s chief of staff promptly stated that a vaccine developed in Germany had to be made available in “ Germany and the world.
” On June 15 , the German government announced it would be investing 300 million euros ( nearly US $ 340 million ) in CureVac for a 23 % stake in the company .
In April , the CEO of Sanofi , a French company whose COVID-19 vaccine work has received partial funding from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Authority , announced that the U.S. had the “ right to the largest pre-order ” of vaccine .
Following public outcry and pressure from the French government , Sanofi altered its stance and said that it would not negotiate priority rights with any country .
In India , the privately held Serum Institute is developing one of the leading COVID-19 vaccine candidates .
The Serum Institute signaled that , if development of the vaccine succeeds , most of the initial batches of vaccine will be distributed within India .
At the same time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , chose not to join the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator , which was launched by the World Health Organization to promote collaboration among countries in the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments .
Vaccine nationalism is not new Vaccine nationalism is not new .
During the early stages of the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic , some of the wealthiest countries entered into pre-purchase agreements with several pharmaceutical companies working on H1N1 vaccines .
At that time , it was estimated that , in the best-case scenario , the maximum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produced globally was 2 billion .
The U.S. alone negotiated and obtained the right to buy 600,000 doses .
All the countries that negotiated pre-purchase orders were developed economies .
Only when the 2009 pandemic began to unwind and demand for a vaccine dropped did developed countries offer to donate vaccine doses to poorer economies .
The most immediate effect of vaccine nationalism is that it further disadvantages countries with fewer resources and bargaining power .
It deprives populations in the Global South from timely access to vital public health goods .
Taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to moderately at-risk populations in wealthy countries over populations at higher risk in developing economies .
Vaccine nationalism also runs against the fundamental principles of vaccine development and global public health .
Most vaccine development projects involve several parties from multiple countries .
With modern vaccines , there are very few instances in which a single country can claim to be the sole developer of a vaccine .
And even if that were possible , global public health is borderless .
As COVID-19 is illustrating , pathogens can travel the globe .
Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deployment of vaccines , have to acknowledge that reality .
How nationalism can backfire in the US The U.S. in notorious for its high drug prices .
Does the U.S. government deserve to obtain exclusive rights for a vaccine that may be priced too high ?
Such a price may mean that fewer U.S. citizens and residents – especially those who are uninsured or underinsured – would have access to the vaccine .
This phenomenon is a form of what economists call deadweight loss , as populations in need of a welfare-enhancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health , deadweight loss costs lives .
This is not a hypothetical scenario .
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar has told Congress that the government will not intervene to guarantee affordability of COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. Secretary Azar has said the U.S. government wants the private sector to invest in vaccine development and manufacturing ; if the U.S. sets prices , companies may not make that investment because the vaccines won ’ t be profitable .
This view has been widely criticized .
A commentator has called it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further pointing out that American taxpayers already fund a substantial amount of vaccine research and development in the U.S .
Moreover , as legal scholars have pointed out , there are many regulatory perks and other incentives available exclusively to pharmaceutical companies .
If COVID-19 vaccines are not made available affordably to those who need them , the consequences will likely be disproportionately severe for poorer or otherwise vulnerable and marginalized populations .
COVID-19 has already taken a higher toll on black and Latino populations .
Without broad access to a vaccine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than others , leading to unnecessary disease burden , continued economic problems and potential loss of life .
What needs to be done Nationalism is at odds with global public health principles .
Yet , there are no provisions in international laws that prevent pre-purchase agreements like the ones described above .
There is nothing inherently wrong with pre-purchase agreements of pharmaceutical products .
Vaccines typically do not generate as much in sales as other medical products .
If used correctly , pre-purchase agreements can even be an incentive for companies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Institutions like Gavi , an international nonprofit based in Geneva , use similar mechanisms to guarantee vaccines for developing countries .
But I see vaccine nationalism as a misuse of these agreements .
Contracts should not trump equitable access to global public health goods .
I believe that developed countries should pledge to refrain from reserving vaccines for their populations during public health crises .
The WHO ’ s Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator is a starting point for countries to test collaborative approaches during the current pandemic .
But more needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the WHO – should coordinate negotiations ahead of the next pandemic to produce a framework for equitable access to vaccines during public health crises .
Equity entails both affordability of vaccines and access opportunities for populations across the world , irrespective of geography and geopolitics .
Insofar as the U.S. can be considered a leader in the global health arena , I believe it should stop engaging in overly nationalistic behaviors .
Failure to do so harms patient populations across the globe .
Ultimately , it may harm its own citizens and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our health care system .
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Ana Santos Rutschman does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .

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freedomdaily--2020-06-18--Domestic abusers use tech that connects as a weapon during coronavirus lockdowns

The coronavirus pandemic has driven much of daily life – work , school , socializing – online .
Unfortunately , perpetrators of violence against women and girls are also increasingly turning to technology in response to the pandemic .
Globally , violence against women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions , with one in three experiencing an act of physical or sexual violence in her lifetime .
Most of these acts of violence are perpetrated by intimate partners and family .
In the United States , women are at increased risk of violence from a current or former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely than men to suffer injuries , be treated in emergency rooms and be killed as a result of intimate partner violence .
Violence against women and girls is costly for victims and their families , communities and society .
The problem is complicated by new technologies , and now COVID-19 .
Left unchecked , violence against women and girls can increase in frequency and severity and damage victims ’ physical and mental health .
It can also place children who are exposed to the violence at risk for behavioral issues , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be lethal , as highlighted by homicide by intimate partners , homicide by strangers and even mass murders .
Pre-COVID-19 research shows that approximately 75 % of women and girls experience cyber or technology-facilitated violence , which is often misogynistic , hostile or both in nature .
Recipients of online harassment , image-based abuse such as “ revenge pornography ” and other digital transgressions experience them not only on social media platforms but also in the home .
These experiences include text message or online threats of death or rape , harassment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former intimate partner .
Technology-facilitated violence is the most common type of intimate partner victimization , and it accompanies in-person psychological , physical and sexual violence .
It ’ s also linked to physical , psychosocial and behavioral problems .
Since COVID-19 , reports of intimate partner violence , child sexual exploitation and other serious crimes suggest a surge in offenses .
Public health officials are asking people to socially distance and stay at home .
These policies isolate women and girls from sources of support and place them in contact with abusers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which worsens control and abuse .
Technology-facilitated forms of control and abuse , like disabling phone or internet services and monitoring electronic communications , are particularly damaging during pandemic lockdowns .
Many other digital transgressions including livestreaming child sexual abuse , nonconsensual photo sharing and forced pornographic consumption , are exacerbated by the combination of technology , time and isolation .
Abusers have also used technology and the pandemic in efforts to cover up their crimes .
In one case , a man disabled location services on his wife ’ s phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unsuccessful attempt to fool her family into thinking she was alive .
He was ultimately arrested for her kidnapping and murder .
Additionally , there are countless nonlethal acts of partner violence relating to COVID-19 , including threats of eviction for coughing , forced physical contact during times of isolation and refusal to share soap or hand sanitizer , among other behaviors designed to gain power and control .
Adults aren ’ t the only victims during the pandemic .
As children stay home from school and spend more time online , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones and online strangers .
Reports of online child sexual abuse are on the rise .
The system comes up short There are few resources to keep women and girls safe , and those that exist are commonly plagued with problems .
Police , courts and corrections officials historically have failed survivors by blaming the victim , dropping charges and not attempting to rehabilitate offenders .
They have also failed to take appropriate action in most cases of cyber violence against women and girls .
Budget cuts are creeping into already underfunded homeless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , community outreach and related human services in some of the most populous states , including New York and California .
Technological solutions like improved digital device security , abuse-aware technology design that distinguish users from others based on visual or behavioral cues and two-factor authentication to online services are not yet widespread .
At the same time , online providers have not done enough to curb harassing behaviors .
All of this is detrimental to public health , especially for vulnerable populations .
There are several ways to address COVID-19 , technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to reach people at home .
Local and national domestic violence hotlines and online chat services can promote their services via Hulu and Facebook ads , Roku background screens , Google homepages and local news .
Agencies can also conduct surveys to learn about vulnerable people ’ s communication preferences .
Insurance companies and local and state governments can offer telehealth visits , and social service agencies can reach people in crisis online .
Access to technologies like domestic violence apps SmartSafe+ and Circle of 6 can help victims with collecting and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later criminal justice proceedings .
They can also provide immediate access to local and national rape crisis hotlines and resources .
Also , tools like Take Back the Tech !
map instances of violence against women and girls worldwide as a way for survivors to have their stories heard and call on others to take action .
Social media platforms can find innovative ways to connect users with key resources and services , as Twitter has done with its new search prompt ( # ThereIsHelp ) .
They can also make it easier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traumatizing images that may harm survivors , family members , friends and others .
Technology by and for women Developing regenerative technologies , which foster online kindness and empathy , and diversifying the tech field with women who research or are survivors of violence against women and girls could make a meaningful difference .
It ’ s important to incorporate women and their perspectives in technological work .
It ’ s also important to find ways for women and girls to maintain connections and interact safely online while social distancing .
Considering the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s imperative that women and girls have access to services and strategies – in person and through technology – at local , regional and national levels .
By reimagining approaches to violence and safety , the health and social services systems can reduce violence against women and girls .
They can also better support those who find themselves in peril as they navigate life during and after trauma in ways that are safest for them .
[ You need to understand the coronavirus pandemic , and we can help .
Read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The authors do not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article , and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-06-18--‘Completely Crazy’: Lighthizer Disputes Bolton’s Claim About Trump-Xi Meeting

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer denied Wednesday that President Donald Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping in June 2019 for help in the upcoming presidential election , an allegation that former national security adviser John Bolton levels in his forthcoming memoir .
“ Absolutely untrue , never happened .
I was there , I have no recollection of that ever happening .
I don ’ t believe it ’ s true , I don ’ t believe it ever happened , ” Lighthizer testified during a Senate Finance Committee hearing .
New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez had asked Lighthizer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , about an excerpt from Bolton ’ s book in which he alleged that Trump asked Xi for election help during a meeting in Japan on the sidelines of the Group 20 summit in June 2019 .
“ Trump then , stunningly , turned the conversation to the coming U.S. presidential election , alluding to China ’ s economic capability and pleading with Xi to ensure he ’ d win , ” Bolton wrote in an excerpt published by The Wall Street Journal .
“ He stressed the importance of farmers and increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the electoral outcome .
I would print Trump ’ s exact words , but the government ’ s prepublication review process has decided otherwise.
” Lighthizer told Menendez that he was in the meeting in question and that Bolton ’ s allegation was “ completely crazy.
” “ Would I have recollected something as crazy as that ?
Of course I would , ” Lighthizer said .
Bolton makes numerous other bombshell allegations against Trump in his book , “ The Room Where It Happened.
” He accuses his former boss of appeasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin .
Bolton also claimed that top Trump administration officials , including Sec .
of State Mike Pompeo , were highly critical of the president during private conversations .
The Trump Justice Department sued Bolton on Tuesday to delay the release of the memoir , which is set for release on June 23 .
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freedomdaily--2020-06-18--Border Officers Arrest 23 Attempting Illegal Entry At Area Rail Crossings

– U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers at the El Paso port of entry apprehended 23 illegal aliens between June 15 and June 17 .
They all were attempting to enter the U.S. illegally as railcar stowaways or using the rail crossing as an avenue to travel from Mexico to the U.S. “ Vigilance is one of our core values , ” said El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha .
“ These apprehensions are a reflection of our officers ’ commitment to securing our border , protecting and keeping our community safe.
” The first incident occurred just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officers processing a northbound train arriving from Mexico apprehended three undocumented aliens attempting to make entry without inspection at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail crossing .
The undocumented aliens were hiding in a rail tanker .
One of the three was a prior deport .
The second incident occurred just before 7 p.m. June 16 .
CBP Officers processing a northbound train arriving from Mexico apprehended 15 undocumented aliens attempting to make entry without inspection at the Union Pacific rail crossing .
CBP Officers located the undocumented aliens hiding in two auto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were found to be previously deported , one had a prior battery/domestic violence charge , and one had an extensive criminal history .
The third incident occurred just before 10 p.m. June 16 .
CBP Officers processing a northbound train arriving from Mexico apprehended two undocumented aliens attempting to make entry without inspection at the Union Pacific rail crossing .
CBP Officers located the aliens in a cargo hopper , a container typically used for bulk materials .
The last incident occurred shortly after midnight June 17 .
CBP Officers processing a northbound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aliens attempting to make entry without inspection at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Rail Yard .
The undocumented aliens were running across the rail line bridge when apprehended .
The undocumented aliens taken into custody were from Guatemala , Honduras , Ecuador , Brazil , Mexico and Cuba .
All will be charged and processed according to the applicable immigration laws .
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freedomdaily--2020-06-18--Here’s why some people are willing to challenge bullying, corruption and bad behavior, even at perso

Here’s why some people are willing to challenge bullying, corruption and bad behavior, even at personal risk

Utah Senator Mitt Romney voted in February to convict President Donald Trump on the charge of abuse of power , becoming the first senator ever to vote against his own party ’ s president in an impeachment trial .
Two Theranos employees – Erika Cheung and Tyler Shultz – spoke out about their concerns regarding the company ’ s practices , even though they knew they could face lasting personal and professional repercussions .
Actors Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan came forward to report Harvey Weinstein ’ s sexual harassment and assault , despite his threats to ruin their careers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these people spoke up to call out bad behavior , even in the face of immense pressure to stay silent .
Although the specifics of each of these cases are quite different , what each of these people share is a willingness to take action .
Psychologists like me describe those who are willing to defend their principles in the face of potentially negative social consequences such as disapproval , ostracism and career setbacks as “ moral rebels.
” Moral rebels speak up in all types of situations – to tell a bully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a friend who uses a racist slur , to report a colleague who engages in corporate fraud .
What enables someone to call out bad behavior , even if doing so may have costs ?
First , moral rebels generally feel good about themselves .
They tend to have high self-esteem and to feel confident about their own judgment , values and ability .
They also believe their own views are superior to those of others , and thus that they have a social responsibility to share those beliefs .
Moral rebels are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They aren ’ t worried about feeling embarrassed or having an awkward interaction .
Perhaps most importantly , they are far less concerned about conforming to the crowd .
So , when they have to choose between fitting in and doing the right thing , they will probably choose to do what they see as right .
Research in neuroscience reveals that people ’ s ability to stand up to social influence is reflected in anatomical differences in the brain .
People who are more concerned about fitting in show more gray matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brain , the lateral orbitofrontal cortex .
This area right behind your eyebrows creates memories of events that led to negative outcomes .
It helps guide you away from things you want to avoid the next time around – such as being rejected by your group .
People who are more concerned about conforming to their group also show more activity in two other brain circuits ; one that responds to social pain – like when you experience rejection – and another that tries to understand others ’ thoughts and feelings .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when excluded by their group try the hardest to fit in .
What does this suggest about moral rebels ?
For some people , feeling like you ’ re different than everyone else feels really bad , even at a neurological level .
For other people , it may not matter as much , which makes it easier for them to stand up to social pressure .
These characteristics are totally agnostic as to what the moral rebel is standing up for .
You could be the lone anti-abortion voice in your very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocate in your very conservative family .
In either scenario it ’ s about standing up to social pressure to stay silent – and that pressure of course could be applied about anything .
What does it take to create a moral rebel ?
It helps to have seen moral courage in action .
Many of the civil rights activists who participated in marches and sit-ins in the southern United States in the 1960s had parents who displayed moral courage and civic engagement , as did many of the Germans who rescued Jews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look up to show moral courage can inspire you to do the same .
A budding moral rebel also needs to feel empathy , imagining the world from someone else ’ s perspective .
Spending time with and really getting to know people from different backgrounds helps .
White high school students who had more contact with people from different ethnic groups – in their neighborhood , at school and on sports teams – have higher levels of empathy and see people from different minority groups in more positive ways .
These same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some action if a classmate uses an ethnic slur , such as by directly challenging that person , supporting the victim or telling a teacher .
People who are more empathetic are also more likely to defend someone who is being bullied .
Finally , moral rebels need particular skills and practice using them .
One study found that teenagers who held their own in an argument with their mother , using reasoned arguments instead of whining , pressure or insults , were the most resistant to peer pressure to use drugs or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People who have practiced making effective arguments and sticking with them under pressure are better able to use these same techniques with their peers .
Moral rebels clearly have particular characteristics that enable them to stand up for what ’ s right .
But what about the rest of us ?
Are we doomed to be the silent bystanders who meekly stand by and don ’ t dare call out bad behavior ?
Fortunately , no .
It is possible to develop the ability to stand up to social pressure .
In other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a moral rebel .
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Catherine A. Sanderson does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-06-18--What is the ‘zero gravity’ that people experience in the vomit comet or space flight?

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages .
If you have a question you ’ d like an expert to answer , send it to curiouskidsus @ theconversation.com .
I have flown many times in zero-gravity airplane flights .
Each time I still enjoy the feeling of floating free , the ability to fly across the cabin from just one gentle push on the wall , just like astronauts in the International Space Station , and the novelty of rotating your body in whatever direction you choose .
The feeling is like the brief sensation on some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board , but for close to half a minute and without the air rushing past you – it ’ s fun !
People feeling weightlessness without being in spaceflight might seem like a contradiction .
But it is possible , and people frequently choose to do this for recreation or for research in an airplane that is flying in the atmosphere , not out in space .
I am a researcher in aerospace engineering and am interested in how to control and use liquids and gases in spaceflight .
Examples are liquid rocket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support systems in human spacecraft .
When standing still , you actually experience the force we call gravity when you feel the Earth pull us toward its center .
Gravity pulls you down , and the floor pushes up on your feet .
If gravity disappeared , you could push off of the floor and float away , never returning to the floor unless you found a ceiling to push off of again .
You would appear to float around like someone in a “ vomit-comet ” airplane flight or an astronaut in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have learned that the space station orbits the Earth because the force of gravity on it is balanced by the sideways force caused by the circular flight path .
This force is called centrifugal force , the same that you feel when turning in a car , train , amusement park ride or similar .
Airplanes fly closer to Earth ’ s surface , so gravity is a little stronger for the airplane than the International Space Station .
But clearly the force of gravity caused by the Earth exists at the space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ astronauts in space station and researchers or tourists in the vomit-comet look like there is no gravity .
Why ?
I have flown in the vomit-comet flights with science experiments and Purdue University students , and indeed , the experience feels like there is no gravity .
Yet each time I fly , gravity pulls the airplane down to the ground for the landing on the runway .
Therefore , we know gravity must be present , and yet people look like and feel like there is no gravity during part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typically full of qualified researchers who have earned an advanced degree , in my case a Ph.D. How weightlessness in an airplane happens One everyday event might help you understand how apparently gravity is both present and absent at the same time .
When you ride in a car that turns to the left , you feel pushed to right .
You may even feel pushed against the right-hand side of the car ’ s interior , and the door pushes back on you .
Turning in the direction the car is traveling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the car .
Velocity encompasses both the speed of the car and the direction that it is traveling .
Changing the direction feels like sideways gravity to you .
Changing the speed , such as a sudden stop , feels like forwards gravity to you .
Elevators starting and stopping feel for a moment like there is more or less gravity .
These changes in velocity are called accelerations .
Acceleration has an amount and direction , just like velocity does , and both are examples of vectors .
Another vector is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which pulls us down to the Earth ’ s surface .
You have experienced that acceleration feels the same as gravity does .
Suppose you could find a way to create an “ anti-gravity ” acceleration : that is , an acceleration acting in the right direction and in the right amount to cancel out gravity .
Is this possible ?
The answer is yes – this is what happens in a vomit-comet flight and in an orbit .
The shape of the vomit-comet flight path is called a parabola .
Pilots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angle of about 45 degrees and then they level out and dive at about 45 degrees , which creates the acceleration needed to cancel out gravity .
The maximum speed for the airplane and how rapidly the airplane can pull up before and after a parabola determine how long this acceleration can last , about 25 seconds .
Gravity pulls down on us , and by accelerating down in just the right way in an aircraft or spacecraft , we can feel like we are in zero gravity .
The correct physical term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a descriptive term that also describes the sensation , so even in the aerospace research world and in NASA , “ zero gravity ” is the common term used most often by experts .
Hello , curious kids !
Do you have a question you ’ d like an expert to answer ?
Ask an adult to send your question to CuriousKidsUS @ theconversation.com .
Please tell us your name , age and the city where you live .
And since curiosity has no age limit – adults , let us know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We won ’ t be able to answer every question , but we will do our best .
Steven Collicott receives funding from NASA .
He is affiliated with the Sub-orbital Applications Researchers Group Commercial Spaceflight Federation and CASIS/ISS-National Lab .


freedomdaily--2020-06-18--Rural America is more vulnerable to COVID-19 than cities are, and it’s starting to show

Rural areas seemed immune as the coronavirus spread through cities earlier this year .
Few rural cases were reported , and attention focused on the surge of illnesses and deaths in the big metro areas .
But that false sense of safety is now falling apart as infection rates explode in rural areas across the country .
Of the top 25 COVID-19 hot spots that popped up in the last two weeks , 18 were in non-metropolitan counties .
Arkansas , North Carolina and Texas all set records in mid-June for the number of people entering hospitals for COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from COVID-19 was up 35 % compared to three weeks earlier .
As a professor of rural sociology , I have been studying the challenges rural America faces in responding to this pandemic to improve how communities prepare and respond .
Being able to identify communities that are susceptible to the pandemic before people become ill would allow officials to target public health interventions to slow the spread of the infection and avoid deaths .
To do this , I developed a COVID-19 susceptibility scale to assess every county in the Lower 48 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak of COVID-19 will happen , but it means conditions are right for one to occur if the virus is carried in and takes hold .
Why rural populations are at high risk When you look at the factors that make a population more susceptible to the coronavirus , small communities and rural areas have higher risk factors , as a share of the population , than major cities do .
Rural areas tend to have older populations than the national average , with more chronic health conditions that raise the risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They have fewer health care providers and more uninsured residents , meaning residents often wait longer before seeking medical help .
They also tend to be home to large group facilities , such as prisons , meatpacking plants and nursing homes , where the virus can quickly spread to residents and employees can carry it back into the community .
In Iowa , for example , the Tyson plant in Storm Lake drove a 68 % increase in confirmed coronavirus cases during the past two weeks .
In New Mexico , where new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week of June , about half the new cases were at the rural Otero County Prison .
Anderson County , Texas , posted a 10-fold increase in cases when state officials counted infections in five prisons there .
The COVID-19 susceptibility scale uses 11 indicators of the disease based on initial reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Those fall into seven distinct risk components : population density ; people aged 65 and older ; people living in group quarters such as colleges , prisons and military bases ; employment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ processing facilities ; people with compromised health ; and the prevalence of diabetes .
Among people hospitalized with COVID-19 , more than 70 % have some underlying medical condition , often diabetes or lung or cardiovascular diseases .
Where the high-risk populations are Looking across the rural-urban continuum , the scale shows that populations in non-metropolitan counties are more susceptible to COVID-19 than in metropolitan ones .
That susceptibility increases when going from big cities to rural areas .
Why were big cities overrun with COVID-19 cases ?
While only 6 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to my scale , they tend to be our nation ’ s very large global cities .
A small number of COVID-19 cases in densely populated cities can spread rapidly causing numerically large outbreaks .
This can quickly overwhelm the health care system , even in large cities .
This is what happened in New York City , causing cases to spread across the northeastern U.S. About one-third of the most rural counties have susceptibility scores in the 80th percentile or higher , as do 29 % of semi-rural counties and 19 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of 50,000 people or less .
A map of these susceptibility scores shows high-risk communities are concentrated in the Great Plains , Midwest , around the Great Lakes and in some parts of the South .
Some counties are at high risk on just one factor , but have low overall susceptibility .
Apache County in northeast Arizona , home to the Navajo Nation , is one example .
High rates of diabetes mortality make this group highly susceptible to COVID-19 .
However , the lower percentage of senior citizens and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In analyzing the data , some trends stand out .
• Rural counties are primarily susceptible due to their large senior populations .
COVID-19 outbreaks are likely to originate in care facilities for the elderly , posing risks for residents and workers alike .
• In semi-rural places , institutions like prisons and military bases add to the risk , as do high numbers of residents who are older or whose health is already compromised .
• Micropolitans are at above average susceptibility due to residents ’ health issues , large numbers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Semi-rural and micropolitan counties typically provide employment and social services for a region , likely attracting higher-risk populations .
• By contrast , the populations of metropolitan counties have lower susceptibility , though the largest ones face a risk of community spread of the virus because of their high population densities .
Cities have lower percentages of older residents and people living in institutional settings .
However , a small number of cases in densely populated cities can trigger large outbreaks , driving national cases and deaths .
Researchers at Princeton came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of rural counties in a study published June 16 that modeled the impact if 20 % of the population in every U.S. county became infected .
By knowing how populations are susceptible to severe outbreaks , communities can tailor their responses .
In large metropolitan cities , susceptibility is clearly driven by high population densities , making business closures and shelter-in-place orders essential to slow community spread of COVID-19 .
But since rural areas are more sparsely populated , general shelter-in-place orders may be less effective .
Instead , rural and micropolitan communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable populations quickly .
This includes people in poor health , older residents , people living in institutional settings and workers in large meat processing facilities .
To accomplish this , local agencies and providers will need to provide essential services , including food and health care .
In many areas , the monumental task of providing these services to a dispersed population will require volunteers and civic groups .
Lack of health care and social services makes rural communities particularly vulnerable .
Any state or national response will be hindered by logistical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a large geographic area .
Limited broadband access means health planners can not rely solely on telemedicine to fill the gaps in rural areas .
Communities may also see social issues surface .
In micropolitan and small metro communities , susceptibility is linked to large meat packing plants whose workforces are predominately Hispanic .
Outbreaks may lead to people being treated as coronavirus carriers based solely on their ethnicity and may worsen the marginalization of people based on race .
Different communities have different vulnerabilities to COVID-19 , requiring distinctly different strategies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rural-urban continuum .
Such strategies should be developed now to prepare for the next COVID-19 wave .
[ You need to understand the coronavirus pandemic , and we can help .
Read The Conversation ’ s newsletter . ]
David J. Peters receives funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture , the National Science Foundation , and the National Institute of Justice .
He is a member of several academic professional societies , notably the Rural Sociological Society and the Southern Regional Science Association .
He is also a board member for @ @ @ @ @ @


freedomdaily--2020-06-19--Follow the Money: Only 6% of Black Lives Matter Funds go to Local Chapters, Financial Statements Sho

Follow the Money: Only 6% of Black Lives Matter Funds go to Local Chapters, Financial Statements Show

The national arm of Black Lives Matter spent millions on consultants , travel and compensation for its own staff between July 2017 and June 2019 , according to audited financial statements prepared by its fiscal sponsor , Thousand Currents .
BLM Global Network spent $ 899,000 on travel , $ 1.6 million on consulting and $ 2.1 million on personnel costs during its 2017 , 2018 and 2019 fiscal years , the financial statements show , together comprising 83.3 % of its total spending during the three year period .
BLM Global Network granted $ 328,000 to outside organizations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that same time frame , a figure that represents about 6 % of its total spending .
“ The numbers you have for the prior years do not reflect , for example , the in kind support for chapters and fundraising directed to chapters and programmatic assistance to chapters , that would not show up as direct grants on the audited financials , ” BLM Global Network Managing Director Kailee Scales told the DCNF on Tuesday .
“ That work was carried out by employees and consultants to BLM.
” But Scales did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its spending during that timeframe reflected the in-kind assistance she says BLM Global Network gave to its local BLM chapters versus the development of the various art projects the organization advertises as program areas on its website .
Additionally , Scales said her organization is not responsible for preparing the financial statements , noting that they were prepared by Thousand Currents , a California charity that has acted as a fiscal sponsor for BLM Global Network since 2016 .
“ The numbers you cite from the annual information return form [ sic ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that bear no relationship to how our programs have actually been run , ” Scales said .
“ These are not numbers developed by BLM Global Network Foundation and we can not speak to how they were calculated.
” Scales also said BLM Global Network has upped its grant-making activities substantially during its current fiscal year , granting “ over $ 770,000 ” to outside organizations between the beginning of June 2019 and the end of April 2020 .
Financial statements for BLM ’ s current fiscal year are not yet available .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was launching a $ 6.5 million fund to support its affiliated local chapters with grants of up to $ 500,000 after donations began flooding into the organizations following the death of George Floyd , an unarmed black man who died on May 25 after a white police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes .
On Wednesday , BLM Global Network announced an additional $ 6 million grant fund to support black-led grassroots organization groups .
The group told the Associated Press it has received more than 1.1 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The average donation clocked in at $ 33 , according to the AP .
A spokesperson for Thousand Currents , which was formerly called “ IDEX , ” confirmed in an email to the DCNF that it was approached by BLM Global Network in 2016 to create a fiscal sponsorship arrangement , which enables the activist group to use Thousand Currents ’ charitable status to receive tax-deductible contributions .
“ In this capacity , we provide administrative and back office support , including finance , accounting , grants management , insurance , human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Thousand Currents spokesperson said .
Thousand Currents ’ primary charitable activity is to support grassroots groups and movements in South America , Africa and Southeast Asia , according to its website .
The charity ’ s former executive director , Rajasvini Bhansali , told the Associated Press in 2016 that BLM Global Network agreed to make donations to Thousand Currents ’ partners in Zimbabwe and South Africa in lieu of an administrative fee for its fiscal sponsorship services .
Thousand Currents did not respond to numerous inquiries seeking clarification on how much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overseas partners since its fiscal sponsorship began in 2016 .
Scales , who did not respond to numerous requests for a phone interview with the DCNF , also did not respond when asked how much BLM Global Network has donated to its fiscal sponsor ’ s overseas partners .
Thousand Currents finance director Jenesha de Revera told FactCheck.org that BLM Global Network ’ s activities are referred to as the “ fiscal project ” in its audited financial statements for fiscal years 2017 , 2018 and 2019 .
Multiple BLM founders have said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones responsible for carrying out the movement ’ s mission .
“ We have impacted the world ; the Black Lives Matter Global Network , a crew of mostly young Black women and femmes challenging the culture to live up to our resilience .
We evolved from a phrase , to hashtag , to a global network , ” BLM co-founder Patrise Khan-Cullors wrote in a statement commemorating the group ’ s fifth anniversary in 2018 .
“ This work is carried out by our chapters , whose leadership spans across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Opal Tometi , told The New Yorker in early June that the affiliated BLM chapters “ are the ones leading ” the movement .
“ It has always been somewhat decentralized , ” Tometi said .
“ We have tried various structures , but we have always said the power goes on in the local chapter because they know what is going on , and they are the ones familiar with the terrain.
” “ There are chapters across the country , many of them are operational and do their own fund-raising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tometi said , adding that the chapters have great leeway in deciding which issues to focus on .
“ So different chapters might take on different issues , but there is this throughline of valuing black life and understanding that we are not a monolith but being radically inclusive in terms of chapter makeup , ” Tometi said .
Former BLM Global Network communications strategist Shanelle Matthews explained in 2016 that the national group plays a supporting role for its affiliated chapters .
“ Because we are decentralized , chapters are autonomous and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told PR Week .
“ They know what ’ s best for their communities .
Anyone working outside a chapter is here to provide technical assistance and support.
” All of BLM Global Network ’ s affiliated chapters must establish their own legal entities prior to their initiation to the network , according to the organization ’ s website .
Former BLM activist Ashley Yates has publicly criticized BLM Global Network since as early as 2018 for what she says is a lack of transparency and has accused the organization of squandering money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top staffers while giving little to its affiliated chapters .
Yates is described on a GoFundMe fundraising page established last year to support her work as having “ [ M ] et with President Obama at the White House in November of 2014 after the officer who murdered Micheal Brown failed to be indicted by a grand jury ” and that she “ was among the protesters who made headlines by interrupting presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Martin O ’ Malley at Netroots Nation in 2015.
” Yates also profiled in a 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and physical strains suffered by young black activists .
“ I had concerns since the donations started rolling in from day one and I asked each of the co founders individually what happened to all the money several times , ” Yates tweeted in January 2019 .
“ Each time I got the run around , outright dismissed.
” Black Lives Matter Cincinnati announced in March 2018 it was changing its name because the national group had “ perverted ” the Black Lives Matter brand .
“ BLMC has never been a chapter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its politics because , even at the onset of us establishing our name as BLMC , we recognized that our idea of the type of movement necessary to win black liberation was at odds with that national body and it ’ s [ sic ] directive , ” BLM Cincinnati wrote in its statement announcing it was changing its name to the Mass Action for Black Liberation .
“ BLM did not create or build this new grassroots movement against police brutality and racism ; they capitalized off a nameless groundswell of resistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own , and profited from the deaths of Black men and women around the country without seriously engaging , as a national formation , in getting justice for fighting families , ” BLM Cincinnati wrote .
“ All the while raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars from high-end speaking engagements and donations from foundations that support the Black struggle .
”


freedomdaily--2020-06-19--Port of San Luis CBP Officers Make Large Fentanyl Bust

– U.S. Customs and Border Protection , Office of Field Operations , officers seized nearly 111 pounds of fentanyl on Tuesday from a United States citizen when she attempted to enter the United States through the Port of San Luis .
The seizure represents one of the largest seizures of fentanyl in Arizona .
CBP Officers discovered more than 80 packages of drugs concealed within the vehicle ’ s gas tank driven by a 43-year-old woman .
Following an alert by a CBP narcotics detection canine , CBP officers seized approximately 111 pounds of fentanyl , with an estimated value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luis Port Director John Schwamm lauded his staff for this record breaking drug seizure and arrest .
“ I applaud our CBP officers for preventing this dangerous drug from entering our communities .
They work extremely hard , day and night , to keep America safe even during these unprecedented times.
” The driver of the vehicle was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ’ s Homeland Security Investigations , while the vehicle and the drugs were processed for seizure .
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freedomdaily--2020-06-19--More Than 75% Of Americans Approve Of The Police In Their Community: Poll |

There is a disparity between how Americans view policing and how they view policing in their own communities , a national poll found .
Seventy-seven percent of respondents said they approved of how their local police did their job , according to the Quinnipiac poll released Wednesday .
Debate over police reform has been heating up in the wake of the death of George Floyd who died in Minneapolis police custody May 25 after an officer kneeled on his neck , video shows .
Floyd ’ s death has been the catalysis for protests and riots across the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved of the way police are doing their jobs in the United States as a whole .
“ Voters give higher marks to police in their own communities , ” according to Quinnipiac ’ s introductory comments .
Both figures , approval of local police and approval of police nationally , represent significant changes since the last time Quinnipiac surveyed Americans on these topics .
Eighty-four percent of respondents said they approved of their community ’ s police in October 2016 .
Meanwhile , 65 % of respondents approved of how police do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 .
Democrats proposed legislation that would ban chokeholds and create a national registry of police officers , last Monday .
Republicans responded with a bill of their own which calls for more police body cam funding among other provisions Wednesday .
There is also a move to defund , or even disband , police departments across the country .
The Minneapolis City Council voted to dismantle its police department last Friday .
The Quinnipiac poll also showed disparities in the way white people and black people view policing , both nationwide and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respondents said they approved of how police do their job in the U.S. compared to 57 % of whites .
When it comes to community policing , 52 % of blacks approve while 83 % of whites approve .
The Quinnipiac poll surveyed 1,332 Americans between June 11 and June 15 .
The poll ’ s margin of error was plus or minus 2.7 % .
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freedomdaily--2020-06-19--‘Brooks Was Not Running Away’: Attorney For Atlanta Officer Defends Cop Charged With Murder

Rayshard Brooks offered “ extreme violence ” to the officer now charged with murder , the former Atlanta police officer ’ s defense attorney said on Fox News Wednesday .
An attorney for former Atlanta Police officer Garret Rolfe , who faces felony murder charges for the shooting , defended against claims that the shooting of Brooks was not justified on Fox ’ s “ The Ingraham Angle ” Wednesday .
“ Mr .
Brooks was not running away , ” Lance LoRusso , Rolfe ’ s attorney , told Laura Ingraham .
“ Mr .
Brooks turned and offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer .
If he was able to deploy the Taser , it would incapacitate Officer Rolfe through his body armor , and at that point , if he decided to disarm another officer , he would be in possession of a firearm.
” LoRusso ’ s comments directly oppose those of Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard who announced felony murder charges against Rolfe Wednesday during a press conference .
Howard said Brooks “ did not pose an immediate threat of death or serious physical injury , ” despite allegedly firing a taser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Howard also said that neither Rolfe nor Devin Brosnan , the other officer involved in the incident , tried to render first aid to Brooks after he was shot .
LoRusso denied that claim .
“ He [ the DA ] shows a still [ where ] one leg is planted and the other one ’ s bent .
He could be leaning down to try to give him first aid , it could have been when he was trying to evaluate whether he needed handcuffs , ” LoRusso said , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave him CPR , monitored his pulse prior to that , talked to him to try to keep him breathing and called for EMS and coordinated other efforts on the scene , ” he said .
Rolfe faces felony murder charges for allegedly shooting Brooks multiple times while his back was turned , after officers contacted him for a suspected DUI in a Wendy ’ s parking lot .
Body camera footage shows the officers interacting with Brooks before a struggle ensued .
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freedomdaily--2020-06-19--Cincinnati CBP Finds Meth in Industrial Equipment from Mexico

On June 1 , U.S. Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) officers in Cincinnati intercepted methamphetamine smuggled inside an industrial cylinder at a local express consignment facility .
While checking incoming freight from Mexico , CBP Narcotic Detector Dog Betty alerted to a shipment manifested as “ new industrial damper.
” The package contained a large metal cylinder with two threaded plugs on either end .
Officers noted inconsistencies with the density of the shipment during an x-ray exam , and after removing the plugs they saw a white powder contained in plastic wrap within the cylinder .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CBP has a world-class workforce reinforcing the continuity of our national security and supporting our international law enforcement counterparts , ” said CBP Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie .
“ Our officers in Cincinnati work round the clock to ensure the safety of Americans and people around the world.
” The cylinder and drugs , collectively weighing about 71 pounds , was destined to a private residence in Fitzroy , Australia .
Methamphetamine is dangerous and highly addictive stimulants .
Abuse can lead to paranoia , exhaustion , heart conditions , convulsions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classified as Schedule II stimulants under the Controlled Substances Act .
CBP conducts operations at ports of entry throughout the United States , and regularly screens arriving international passengers and cargo for narcotics , weapons , and other restricted or prohibited products .
CBP strives to serve as the premier law enforcement agency enhancing the Nation ’ s safety , security , and prosperity through collaboration , innovation , and integration .
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freedomdaily--2020-06-19--28 Congressional Democrats Sign Letter Demanding Department Of Education Allow Biological Males In G

28 Congressional Democrats Sign Letter Demanding Department Of Education Allow Biological Males In Girls’ Sports

Twenty-eight congressional Democrats signed a letter Wednesday condemning the Department of Education for ruling that public schools that allow biological males who identify as transgender to play girls ’ sports are violating Title IX civil rights legislation .
Democratic Conn. Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined 27 House Democrats in signing the letter , which charged that the department ’ s order “ discriminates against transgender youth ” by restricting girls ’ sports to biological females .
“ The decision of the Department of Education to issue a determination targeting transgender student athletes on the eve of Pride Month is not coincidental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their campaign against the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ children , ” Conn. Rep. Jahana Hayes , the letter ’ s lead signer , said in a press release .
The DOE on May 15 issued a ruling stating that public schools that allow biological males into girls ’ athletics are violating Title IX , which protects women ’ s access to education and athletics .
The Department of Justice previously backed a lawsuit filed by high school girls in Connecticut who said the liberal state ’ s transgender policies violated their rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on hold due to the novel coronavirus , but biological males who identify as transgender have previously racked up accomplishments in female athletics .
Franklin Pierce University runner CeCe Telfer , for example , won an NCAA DII women ’ s track championship in May 2019 .
Telfer is a biological male who identifies as transgender .
University of Montana runner June Eastwood , a biological male who identifies as a transgender woman , was named the Big Sky Conference ’ s female athlete of the week in October 2019 .
Both Eastwood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s men ’ s team before switching to the women ’ s team .
Rachel McKinnon , a biological male who identifies as transgender , won women ’ s cycling world championships in both 2018 and 2019 .
Wednesday ’ s letter isn ’ t the first instance of Democratic politicians arguing in favor of allowing biological males into female athletics .
Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar in February 2019 called for an investigation into USA Powerlifting for barring biologically male athletes from women ’ s events .
A piece of Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed the House with unanimous support from Democrats , would require schools to allow biologically male athletes into girls ’ sports , if the male athletes identify as transgender .
Former Vice President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee , pledged to get the Equality Act passed into law within his first 100 days in office , if he wins the November election .
“ Transgender equality is the civil rights issue of our time , ” Biden wrote in a January tweet .
“ There is no room for compromise when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”


freedomdaily--2020-06-19--Philadelphia woman charged with arson during protests

PHILADELPHIA – On June 17 , the United States Attorney ’ s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced that a Philadelphia woman was charged by criminal complaint for the arson of two Philadelphia Police Department ( PPD ) vehicles , following an investigation by the FBI , U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ’ s ( ICE ) Homeland Security Investigations ( HSI ) , the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , and Firearms and the Philadelphia Police Department , with assistance from the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness .
Lore-Elisabeth Blumenthal , 33 , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ custody and had her initial appearance in federal court yesterday .
The government will be filing a motion for the defendant to be detained pending trial .
“ Homeland Security Investigations fully respects the rights of all people to voice their opinion without interference , including through peaceful assembly and protest , ” said Brian A. Michael , special agent in charge for HSI Philadelphia .
“ Unfortunately , a number of protestors enticed violence that resulted in destruction of property throughout the City of Philadelphia .
In instances like these , HSI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and local law enforcement partners to ensure those who inflict damage that impacts the safety and security of our community are held accountable.
” Following peaceful protests in the early afternoon of May 30 , 2020 , in response to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis , Minnesota , civil unrest began to unfold later that afternoon in Philadelphia , resulting in widespread looting , burglary , arson , destruction of property , and other violent acts .
On that day , two vehicles , one PPD sedan ( number 2514 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number 1612 ) , were parked on the north side of City Hall in Philadelphia .
During the violent episodes that began around City Hall that afternoon , Blumenthal allegedly set fire to both vehicles .
According to the complaint , various videos taken at the scene captured the defendant wearing protective goggles and gloves , taking a flaming piece of wooden police barricade from the rear window of the PPD sedan that was already on fire , and then shoving the flaming wood into the PPD SUV that was not on fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was also completely engulfed in flames .
As result of the fires , both PPD vehicles were destroyed .
“ We at the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office fully support the First Amendment right of the people to assemble peaceably and to petition their government .
But torching a police car has nothing to do with peaceful protest or any legitimate message .
It is a violent and despicable act that will be prosecuted in this district to the fullest extent of the law , ” said U.S. Attorney McSwain .
“ Anybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by to put your hands behind your back and head to federal prison .
We are coming for you.
” “ During the past several weeks , multitudes of people peacefully and lawfully exercised their First Amendment right to protest , ” said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw .
“ However , there were individuals who chose to use the protests as an opportunity to engage in criminal activity .
Some of these individuals ’ actions were malicious , destructive , and could have resulted in critical injuries to others .
We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to work , with our partners in law enforcement to investigate , identify and hold accountable the persons who committed these unlawful acts.
” “ Our communities deserve to be safe from these types of violent crimes , ” said acting Special Agent in Charge John Schmidt .
“ Everybody deserves to be safe from violent criminals utilizing dangerous methods to destroy our neighborhoods and property .
ATF will always work with our local , state and federal partners to investigate and arrest the criminals who choose to use arson to commit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Masses of people took to the streets of Philadelphia May 30 , exercising their right to peacefully protest , ” said Michael J. Driscoll , special agent in charge of the FBI ’ s Philadelphia Division .
“ They were there to send a message in which they truly believed .
Sprinkled among the crowd , though , were agitators , whose sole purpose was to commit crimes and cause chaos .
As alleged , Blumenthal came prepared for just that , carrying out these arsons that destroyed property and put many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acts also hijacked the message of the day ’ s demonstrators , whose calls for change were obscured for a time by the smoke from all those fires .
Working with our law enforcement partners , the FBI is committed to bringing to justice those responsible for violent acts during the otherwise peaceful protests in Philadelphia.
” If convicted , the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of ten years in prison , followed by three years of supervised release , and a fine of up to $ 250,000 .


freedomdaily--2020-06-19--Kentucky National Guard to Assist With Primary Election

More than 200 Kentucky National Guardsmen will assist local officials at polling locations around the state for Kentucky ’ s June 23 primary election as part of the state ’ s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Guardsmen — who will serve out of uniform — will perform nonelection officer duties , such as setting up and cleaning poll locations and assisting with traffic , parking and crowd control in a non-law-enforcement capacity under the direction of election officers , officials said .
The guard will not perform duties reserved for trained election officials , such as handling ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote .
Many of Kentucky ’ s poll workers are older and have to self-quarantine because of high-risk factors for COVID-19 , creating a need for extra help at the polls , said Army Col. Andrew Bates , the deputy chief of staff for the Kentucky National Guard .
This partnership will help protect those who are most vulnerable and allow them to remain healthy at home , he added .
” The National Guard has been asked to help in many different ways around the commonwealth , as we stand together against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
” This is just another way the Kentucky Guard is making a difference in their neighbor ’ s lives in times of crisis.
” Army Lt. Col. Andrew Caldwell , the director of military support for the Kentucky National Guard , said this is the first time , to his knowledge , that the Kentucky Guard has been asked to assist in an election .
He said the guardsmen who are assisting volunteered to do so .
” We are here to support the commonwealth , ” Caldwell said .
” At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the polling stations are in the high-risk category for the coronavirus , we are here to step into that role and protect our state and our citizens.
” In addition , Caldwell said , guardsmen will serve only at locations in the 44 counties for which election officials requested the guard ’ s assistance .
Richard Vowels , director of the Jefferson County election center , said guardsmen were invaluable in assisting with setting up poll stations in his county ahead of the election .
Vowels said because of social distancing requirements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set up polling locations this large .
” Our office does not have many employees in it , ” Vowels said .
” We could not have made this happen without [ the guard ] , ” he continued .
” The help has really been tremendous.
” In Anderson County , where residents can vote early using drive-thru or walk-in stations , County Clerk Jason Denny said the guard ’ s assistance has been a great benefit .
” The soldiers have been helping us with traffic control and doing things like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus , ” he said .
” It ’ s been very beneficial .
We appreciate the guard being able to do this for us.
” On June 12 , Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Cureton , with the Kentucky National Guard , received a thumbs-up from a voter as he directed traffic through a drive-thru voting station at the Anthony Stratton Building in Lawrenceburg .
” I ’ m just doing my part to help provide support during COVID-19 , ” Cureton said .
The Kentucky National Guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the pandemic , such as assisting with food banks and turning an exhibit hall at the state fairgrounds into a field hospital .
This year has presented several missions that require skill sets that are not often required to be used outside of the training environment , said Army Maj. John Kwiek , the special project officer with the Kentucky National Guard .
” Our Kentucky National Guard soldiers have excelled at every task placed in front of them , ” Kwiek said .
” Our soldiers have shown the commonwealth and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide assistance in many capacities , both home and abroad.
” With this most recent assignment , Kentucky joins other states who have also recently used guardsmen in elections , including Nebraska and Wisconsin .
While preparing to assist at polls , Kentucky National Guard leaders said they studied best practices from the Wisconsin National Guard , which reported a successful election-support mission .


freedomdaily--2020-06-19--Pompeo Calls Bolton A ‘Traitor,’ Says Book Is Full Of ‘Outright Falsehoods’

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused John Bolton Thursday of lying in his forthcoming book about his stint at the White House , calling the former national security adviser a “ traitor who damaged America.
” “ I ’ ve not read the book , but from the excerpts I ’ ve seen published , John Bolton is spreading a number of lies , fully-spun half-truths , and outright falsehoods , ” Pompeo said in a statement released Thursday evening with the headline , “ I Was In The Room Too.
” The title is a spoof of Bolton ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It Happened.
” In the book , which is scheduled for release June 23 , Bolton accuses President Donald Trump of abusing his power by attempting to strike deals with several foreign leaders aimed at helping his re-election chances .
Bolton also alleges that Pompeo frequently bad-mouthed Trump behind his back , according to The New York Times .
Bolton wrote that during a meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 2018 , Pompeo slipped Bolton a note saying of Trump : “ He is so full of shit.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , accusing Bolton of betraying his country .
“ It is both sad and dangerous that John Bolton ’ s final public role is that of traitor who damaged America by violating his sacred trust with its people , ” he said in the statement .
“ To our friends around the world : you know that President Trump ’ s America is a force for good in the world , ” Pompeo said .
The Trump administration sued Bolton on Tuesday to delay the release of the book , saying that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The lawsuit has not stopped portions of the book from becoming public .
Bolton released an excerpt of a chapter from his book about China on Wednesday through The Wall Street Journal .
In the excerpt , Bolton alleged that Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping during a June 2019 meeting in Japan to buy soybeans and other crops from American farmers in order to help his reelection prospects .
Bolton also claimed that Trump supported Xi ’ s use of concentration camps against Uighurs , a Muslim minority in China .
U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolton ’ s claim about Trump ’ s plea to Xi to purchase agriculture products .
He testified that he was in the meeting in question and that Bolton ’ s allegation was “ completely crazy.
” Trump accused Bolton in interviews on Wednesday of lying about his White House tenure .


freedomdaily--2020-06-19--Great Recovery: McDonald’s To Hire 260K People In The US As Pandemic Lockdowns Come To An End

The restaurant chain will add 260,000 employees as it reopens dining rooms after shutting down amid lockdowns designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus , or COVID-19 , according to the president of the company .
“ We ’ ve put new minimum national standards and nearly 50 new processes in place in our restaurants as they continue to reopen safely and judiciously , ” Joe Erlinger , president of McDonald ’ s USA , said Thursday in a press release .
McDonald ’ s plans to hire a mix of full- and part-time positions .
Retail sales jumped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and marking the biggest single-month gain in records going back decades , according to a Commerce Department report released Tuesday .
A Bloomberg News survey of economists had anticipated 8.4 % increase in retail sales in May as COVID-19-related measures melted away following a 14 % decline in April .
Employment numbers have also rebounded faster than expectations .
Payroll employment rose by 2.5 million in May , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report published June 5 , and the number of unemployed dropped by 2.1 million to a total 21.0 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , in late December before going global , killing a reported 116,000 people in the United States .
Governors and mayors across the United States instituted strict stay-at-home orders , which resulted in tens of millions of Americans applying for unemployment .


freedomdaily--2020-06-19--The right way to breathe during the coronavirus pandemic

Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth .
It ’ s not just something you do in yoga class – breathing this way actually provides a powerful medical benefit that can help the body fight viral infections .
The reason is that your nasal cavities produce the molecule nitric oxide , which chemists abbreviate NO , that increases blood flow through the lungs and boosts oxygen levels in the blood .
Breathing in through the nose delivers NO directly into the lungs , where it helps fight coronavirus infection by blocking the replication of the coronavirus in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or engage in yoga also receive the benefits of inhaling through the nose instead of the mouth .
The higher oxygen saturation of the blood can make one feel more refreshed and provides greater endurance .
I am one of three pharmacologists who won the Nobel Prize in 1998 for discovering how nitric oxide is produced in the body and how it works .
The role of nitric oxide in the body Nitric oxide is a widespread signaling molecule that triggers many different physiological effects .
It is also used clinically as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in newborns with pulmonary hypertension .
Unlike most signaling molecules , NO is a gas in its natural state .
NO is produced continuously by the 1 trillion cells that form the inner lining , or endothelium , of the 100,000 miles of arteries and veins in our bodies , especially the lungs .
Endothelium-derived NO acts to relax the smooth muscle of the arteries to prevent high blood pressure and to promote blood flow to all organs .
Another vital role of NO is to prevent blood clots in normal arteries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , NO also relaxes smooth muscle in the airways – trachea and bronchioles – making it easier to breathe .
Another type of NO-mediated smooth muscle relaxation occurs in the erectile tissue ( corpus cavernosum ) , which results in penile erection .
In fact , NO is the principal mediator of penile erection and sexual arousal .
This discovery led to the development and marketing of sildenafil , trade name Viagra , which works by enhancing the action of NO .
Other types of cells in the body , including circulating white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nitric oxide for antimicrobial purposes .
The NO in these cells reacts with other molecules , also produced by the same cells , to form antimicrobial agents to destroy invading microorganisms including bacteria , parasites and viruses .
As you can see , NO is quite an amazing molecule .
Since NO is a gas , it can be administered with the aid of specialized devices as a therapy to patients by inhalation .
Inhaled NO is used to treat infants born with persistent pulmonary hypertension , a condition in which constricted pulmonary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Inhaled NO dilates the constricted pulmonary arteries and increases blood flow in the lungs .
As a result , the red blood cell hemoglobin can extract more lifesaving oxygen and move it into the general circulation .
Inhaled NO has literally turned blue babies pink and allowed them to be cured and to go home with mom and dad .
Before the advent of inhaled NO , most of these babies died .
Inhaled NO is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 .
Researchers are hoping that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight covid : dilating the pulmonary arteries and increasing blood flow through the lungs , dilating the airways and increasing oxygen delivery to the lungs and blood , and directly killing and inhibiting the growth and spread of the coronavirus in the lungs .
In an in vitro study done in 2004 during the last SARS outbreak , experimental compounds that release NO increased the survival rate of nucleus-containing mammalian cells infected with SARS-CoV .
This suggested that NO had a direct antiviral effect .
In this study , NO significantly inhibited the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of viral proteins and its genetic material , RNA .
In a small clinical study in 2004 , inhaled NO was effective against SARS-CoV in severely ill patients with pneumonia .
The SARS CoV , which caused the 2003/2004 outbreak , shares most of its genome with SARS CoV-2 , the virus responsible for COVID-19 .
This suggests that inhaled NO therapy may be effective for treating patients with COVID-19 .
Indeed , several clinical trials of inhaled NO in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 , who require ventilators , are currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that inhaled NO will prove to be an effective therapy and lessen the need for ventilators and beds in the ICU .
The sinuses in the nasal cavity , but not the mouth , continuously produce NO .
The NO produced in the nasal cavity is chemically identical to the NO that is used clinically by inhalation .
So by inhaling through the nose , you are delivering NO directly into your lungs , where it increases both airflow and blood flow and keeps microorganisms and virus particles in check .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trials with inhaled NO , and the development of an effective vaccine against COVID-19 , we should be on guard and practice breathing properly to maximize the inhalation of nitric oxide into our lungs .
Remember to inhale through your nose ; exhale through your mouth .
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Louis J. Ignarro , Ph.D. does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-06-19--5 ways the world is better off dealing with a pandemic now than in 1918

Near the end of the First World War , a deadly flu raced across the globe .
The Spanish flu became the most severe pandemic in recent history , infecting about one-third of the world ’ s population between 1918 and 1920 and killing between 50 and 100 million people .
It was caused by an H1N1 virus that originated in birds and mutated to infect humans .
Now a century later the world is amidst another global pandemic caused by a zoonotic disease that “ jumped ” from wildlife to people , a novel coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to diminish the hundreds of thousands of personal tragedies caused by this virus , we see reasons to be optimistic .
If managed competently , this fight may turn out differently , resulting in lower rates of infection and mortality and , possibly , fewer deaths .
We are part of a team of social scientists that span the fields of epidemiology , geography , history , urban planning and Asian studies who have studied how the Spanish flu played out in Asia , an understudied region where the largest number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advancements in communications , science and medicine over the past 100 years , which may create a better outcome in today ’ s pandemic .
A hundred years of innovation in communication has dramatically changed our ability to quickly exchange vital data .
Back in 1918 , early phone lines were still being laid , and in many places the telegraph was the only way to communicate .
Public information came mainly from daily newspapers or was spread by word of mouth .
It was difficult to share information about the new disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ populations at greatest risk – or alert people about what was coming their way .
There were no coordinated pandemic response plans in place .
By contrast , the world has been able to track this epidemic in real time , and scientists have quickly identified those most at risk of adverse outcomes : seniors and those with compromised immunity or preexisting conditions such as asthma , diabetes , lung disease or serious heart conditions .
Armed with knowledge , countries that tested extensively , implemented effective contact tracing and enacted strong national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flattened the curve ” of infections and deaths .
Rapid dissemination of research on this novel virus has alerted doctors to serious symptoms , including its ability to trigger blood clots and strokes as well as symptoms similar to Kawasaki Syndrome in young children – important information for assessment and treatment of patients .
One of the reasons the Spanish flu thrived in 1918 was because of overcrowded living conditions .
Though influenza viruses spread most efficiently in cool , dry environments , the 1918 flu thrived in the tropics because of dense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : As many as 14 million people died in the British-ruled districts alone , with the death rate more than 10 times higher than in Europe .
Our research shows that the most crowded areas suffered the highest losses .
With today ’ s response protocols in place , countries including Germany , Singapore and South Korea were able to rapidly enact measures to prevent contagion by enforcing lockdowns , shelter-in-place rules and social distancing orders .
To date , these interventions have prevented or delayed about 62 million confirmed cases and averted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and North America .
In 1918 , India ’ s colonial administrators noted that the poor and malnourished were much more likely to succumb to flu than the more affluent .
Overall , people across the world are better nourished today .
While malnutrition remains a global crisis , the World Health Organization reports that daily food consumption rose by 25 % between 1965 and 2015 .
To the extent that better nutrition strengthens the immune system , we are in a better position to fight off infection than our ancestors were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pregnant women were at particularly high risk .
Statistics reported monthly from Buffalo , New York , show the extent of the tragedy .
At the height of the pandemic in October 1918 , premature births more than doubled , reaching 57 a month ; stillbirths rose to 76 , an 81 % jump .
In Massachusetts , the number of women who died during or right after childbirth more than tripled to 185 .
In a study in Maryland , half of all pregnant women who developed pneumonia died .
They were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This flu disproportionately affected healthy women and men in the prime of their lives , 20-40 years old .
It also killed many children under five years of age .
This is not the case with COVID-19 .
While expectant mothers are at greater risk from infectious disease outbreaks and should take extra precautions , there is scant evidence that COVID-19 infection impacts childbirth , the growing fetus , babies or young children in the same way that the Spanish flu did .
COVID-19 is also far less deadly for young adults .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more advanced than they were a century ago .
During the 1918 pandemic , medical researchers were debating whether the disease was viral or bacterial .
Doctors didn ’ t yet know influenza viruses existed .
Without tests or vaccines , there was limited ability to prevent or contain the spread .
There were few treatment options for those who developed pneumonia , a common complication : Antibiotics were still years away , and mechanical ventilation wasn ’ t available .
Today ’ s innovations allow us to rapidly detect outbreaks , inoculate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severely ill patients .
Scientists were able to sequence the COVID-19 genome within seven weeks of the first reported hospitalized case in Wuhan , China , enabling rapid development of tests and identification of possible targets for treatments and vaccines .
While these factors give cause for optimism and it is unlikely that COVID-19 will take as many lives as the 1918 H1N1 pandemic , that event offers important cautionary lessons .
Depending on the location and timing , Spanish flu infections came in waves , each ranging from a few weeks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duration of these spikes was influenced by transportation routes , overcrowding and social distancing measures .
In some places , the pandemic dragged on for two years .
Recent data shows that globally , rates of infection are on the rise .
But the fact that there is hope in the form of a possible vaccine is an indication of the vast progress humanity has made in the century since the outbreak of the Spanish flu pandemic .
[ You ’ re smart and curious about the world .
So are The Conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can get our highlights each weekend . ]
Research reported here was based in part on data collected with support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health under award number R21DA025917 .
The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health .
Eva Kassens-Noor does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no @ @ @ @ @ @ @


freedomdaily--2020-06-19--We caught bacteria from the most pristine air on earth to help solve a climate modeling mystery

The Southern Ocean is a vast band of open water that encircles the entire planet between Antarctica and the Southern Hemisphere landmasses .
It is the cloudiest place on Earth , and the amount of sunlight that reflects off or passes through those clouds plays a surprisingly important role in global climate .
It affects weather patterns , ocean currents , Antarctic sea ice cover , sea surface temperature and even rainfall in the tropics .
But due to how remote the Southern Ocean is , there have been very few actual studies of the clouds there .
Because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that simulate present and future climates overpredict how much sunlight reaches the ocean surface compared to what satellites actually observe .
The main reason for this inaccuracy is due to how the models simulate clouds , but nobody knew exactly why the clouds were off .
For the models to run correctly , researchers needed to understand how the clouds were being formed .
To discover what is actually happening in clouds over the Southern Ocean , a small army of atmospheric scientists , including us , went to find out how and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world .
What we found was surprising – unlike the Northern Hemisphere oceans , the air we sampled over the Southern Ocean contained almost no particles from land .
This means the clouds might be different from those above other oceans , and we can use this knowledge to help improve the climate models .
Clouds are made of tiny water droplets or ice crystals , or often a mixture of the two .
These form on small particles in the air .
The type of particle plays a big role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ice crystal forms .
These particles can be natural – like sea spray , pollen , dust or even bacteria – or from human sources like cars , stoves , power plants and so on .
To the untrained eye , an ice cloud and a liquid cloud look much the same , but they have very different properties .
Ice clouds reflect less sunlight , precipitate more and don ’ t last as long as liquid clouds .
It matters to the weather – and to climate models – what kinds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to predict too many ice clouds over the Southern Ocean and not enough liquid clouds when compared to satellite readings .
But satellite measurements around the poles are hard to make and less accurate than other regions , so we wanted to collect direct evidence of how many liquid clouds are actually present and determine why there were more than the models predict .
This was the mystery : Why are there more liquid clouds than the models think there are ?
To solve it , we needed to know what kinds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around Antarctica .
Before we went down there , we had a few clues .
Previous modeling studies have suggested that the ice–forming particles found over the Southern Ocean may be very different from those found in the Northern Hemisphere .
Dust is a great ice cloud seeder , but due to the lack of dusty land sources in the Southern Hemisphere , some scientists have hypothesized that other types of particles might be driving ice cloud formation over the Southern Ocean .
Since most models are based on data from the Northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atmosphere were somehow different in the Southern Hemisphere , that might explain the errors .
It ’ s hard to directly measure the composition of particles over the Southern Ocean – there simply aren ’ t very many particles around .
So , to help us track down what is inside the clouds , we used an indirect approach : the bacteria in the air .
The atmosphere is full of microorganisms that are carried hundreds to thousands of kilometers on air currents before returning to Earth .
These bacteria are like airborne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell you where the car – or air – came from .
Since scientists know where most bacteria live , it ’ s possible to look at the microbes in an air sample and determine where that air came from .
And once you know that , you can predict where the particles in the air came from as well – the same place the bacteria usually live .
In order to sample airborne bacteria in this remote ocean region , one of us headed out on the Australian Marine National Facility ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The weather was unruly and the waves were often white-capped , but for one to two days at a time , we sucked air from the bow of the ship through a filter that caught the airborne particles and bacteria .
We then froze the filters to keep the bacterial DNA intact .
In most ocean regions around the world , especially in the Northern Hemisphere where there is a lot of land , the air contains both marine and terrestrial particles .
That ’ s what we expected to find down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back at our lab in Colorado , we extracted DNA from the bacteria and sequenced it to determine what species we had caught .
Much to our surprise , the bacteria were essentially all marine species that live in the Southern Ocean .
We found almost no land-based bacteria .
If the bacteria were from the ocean , then so were the cloud-forming particles .
This was the answer we were looking for .
Ice nucleating particles are very rare in seawater and marine particles are very good at forming liquid clouds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we ’ d expect the clouds to mostly be made of liquid droplets , which is what we observed .
Since most models treat clouds in this region the same way they do clouds in the dustier Northern Hemisphere , it ’ s no wonder the models were off .
Now that we know the summertime Southern Ocean clouds are being formed from purely marine particles , we need to figure out if the same is true in other seasons and at higher altitudes .
The larger project , which involved planes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atmospheric scientists a much better idea of the clouds both close to the ocean surface and high up in the atmosphere .
The climate modelers among us are already incorporating these new data into their models and will hopefully have results to share soon .
Discovering that the airborne particles over the Southern Ocean are mostly coming from the ocean is a remarkable finding .
It not only improves global climate models , it also means we confirmed the Southern Ocean is one of the most environmentally pristine regions on Earth – a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to human activities .
Our work will hopefully improve climate models , but has also given researchers a baseline for what a truly pristine marine environment looks like .
[ You ’ re smart and curious about the world .
So are The Conversation ’ s authors and editors .
You can get our highlights each weekend . ]
This research was funded by the National Science Foundation ( NSF ) .
Related research was funded by the Department of Energy .
I also receive funding from the NSF through a Graduate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the National Science Foundation .
This research was supported by US NSF Award 1660486 in support of SOCRATES .
Related research was funded by the Department of Energy .