freedomdaily--2020-01-23--Joaquin Phoenix’s lips mocked – here’s what everyone should know about cleft lip

After discussing actor Joaquin Phoenix ’ s appearance on her talk show earlier this month , Wendy Williams received near universal condemnation for mocking those affected with cleft lip – a common birth defect in which the upper lip does not form completely while still an embryo .
To her credit , Williams was quick to apologize .
Note that it is also unclear whether Phoenix has a cleft lip or simply a scar .
Unfortunately , however , the incident was another reminder of how individuals with facial differences ( and their families ) often feel stigmatized and can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have each devoted major portions of our professional lives to understanding what causes clefts and to the treatment and advocacy of those affected .
We are geneticists and a pediatric craniomaxillofacial surgeon .
Given that January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month the three of us felt this was an opportunity explain how clefts form and how clefts affect the people who live with them .
And , what , if anything , can be done to prevent them ?
There are several different types of facial clefts .
The most common are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not form properly leaving a gap , and cleft palate , when the roof of the mouth does not close while a baby is developing in utero .
These birth defects arise very early during development when the embryo is about the size of a grain of rice .
At this stage the face is merely a collection of swellings rapidly growing toward one another in order to fuse together and form the lips , nose and palate .
Thus , in a way , everyone starts out with clefts of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , these swellings fuse before the end of the first trimester of pregnancy , forming an intact lip and palate .
When this fails to happen , a child is born with a cleft of the lip , the palate , or both .
Worldwide , facial clefts are estimated to occur in 1 in 700 births , making it one of the most common birth defects .
People with cleft lip and palate , as well as their families , face many issues associated with this birth defect .
Although clefts may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact basic functions like eating and speaking .
Children with clefts must endure multiple corrective surgeries , often beginning when they are only a few months old .
However , the surgeries are often just the beginning .
Many years of intensive orthodontic treatment and speech therapy are routinely needed .
The total lifetime treatment cost is estimated to be at least US $ 200,000 per individual .
Beyond immediate medical care , individuals born with a cleft also tend to experience more learning difficulties , higher mortality rates at all stages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disorders such as breast , brain and colon cancers .
Children born in the U.S. with these conditions are lucky to have these supports given the myriad challenges cleft lips and palates present .
There are superb teams dedicated to advocacy , to their care and support , and who work to address the needs of the children and their families .
Facial clefts have likely been around for as long as people have .
An early example is the pharaoh Tutankhamun , better known as King Tut , suffered from a partial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ externally visible features , many have tried to explain their occurrence .
An early hypothesis suggested that the mother was pregnant during an eclipse , while Shakespeare attributed the feature to an intervention by mischievous sprites .
Many cultures also believed that clefts were “ in the blood , ” or familial , which aligns with current understanding .
Our group at the University of Pittsburgh has spent many years trying to understand the causes of clefts with some notable successes .
Clefts are considered “ complex ” by those who study birth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a combination of environmental factors during pregnancy and family genetics .
Some of the environmental causes include taking certain prescription medications and exposure to some toxins during pregnancy .
The completion of the Human Genome Project in the late 1990s and early 2000s provided important scientific tools for us to tease out the genetic factors leading to complex traits such as facial clefts .
To date , scientists have identified at least 30 possible genetic regions increasing risk of facial clefts , and we suspect that there are still many more regions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the ones that identified those 30 genetic regions can only tell us so much .
Researchers still face a major challenge identifying the specific genes that confer risk to specific individuals and families .
There are other mysteries as well , such as why cleft palate alone is more common in girls , but when cleft palate is combined with cleft lip , it is more common in boys .
Parents who have a child with a cleft sometimes blame themselves .
This is unfortunate , because there are still no known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent a facial cleft .
Doctors do know that smoking and poor nutrition during pregnancy can increase the chances of having a baby with a cleft .
But these are important factors to improve health outcomes for every pregnancy , not just for purpose of preventing a cleft .
There is also some evidence that supplementation with folic acid before and during pregnancy may provide some protection .
As scientists learn more about the genetic and environmental risk factors for clefting , new actionable evidence will hopefully emerge that will bolster prevention efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our most important task to work toward improving the quality of life for those affected .
That starts with understanding .
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Mary L. Marazita receives funding from the National Institutes of Health , primarily the National Institute of Dental and Craniofaical Research .
Bernard J Costello is affiliated with the AACMFS and ACPA .
Past-president of the American Academy of Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons and Past-President of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Institutes of Health .


freedomdaily--2020-01-24--Soros Takes A Page Out Of Liz Warren’s Playbook, Says Facebook And Trump Are Conspiring To Win Reele

Soros Takes A Page Out Of Liz Warren’s Playbook, Says Facebook And Trump Are Conspiring To Win Reelection

Billionaire financier George Soros floated the possibility Thursday that President Donald Trump and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg are conspiring to get the president reelected .
The tech titan has the ability to allow misinformation to spread widely on the platform , Soros said at the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland .
He did not provide evidence supporting his theory — Soros is not the only one to make such a claim .
“ I think there is a kind of informal mutual assistance operation or agreement developing between Trump and Facebook , ” Soros said .
He compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addicts its users to the type of technology that promotes misinformation .
“ Facebook will work together to re-elect Trump , and Trump will work to protect Facebook so that this situation can not be changed and it makes me very concerned about the outcome for 2020 , ” Soros added .
Warren made a similar claim in October 2019 , telling her Twitter followers that Trump and Facebook are brainstorming ways to thwart the will of the people .
The Massachusetts Democrat is running for president in 2020 .
“ Facebook has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national debate .
Mark Zuckerberg is telling employees that he views a Warren administration as an ‘ existential ’ threat to Facebook , ” Warren wrote .
“ The public deserves to know how Facebook intends to use their influence in this election.
” She added : “ Trump and Zuckerberg met at the White House two weeks ago .
What did they talk about ?
” Warren was referring to reports showing that Trump and Zuckerberg met Sept. 20 , 2019 , at the Oval Office .
The president says Facebook and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservatives online .
Facebook has not responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment .
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freedomdaily--2020-01-24--Biden: DACA Recipients Are ‘More American Than Most Americans’

Former Vice President Joe Biden said at a campaign event in Iowa on Tuesday that illegal immigrants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ( DACA ) program are “ more American ” than most of their U.S.-born counterparts because they do well in school .
“ These kids have come , they ’ ve done well , most of these kids — there ’ s a lot of them , and they ’ re not just Hispanic , they ’ re Asian-Pacific Islanders as well .
and they in fact have done very , very well , ” Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ames , Iowa .
“ In many cases , they ’ re more American than most Americans are because they have done well in school .
They believe the basic principles that we all share .
I think they should , in fact , put on a path to citizenship.
” Biden said Monday at an election forum that he does not support deportation for illegal aliens who are arrested for drunk driving .
“ You only arrest for the purpose of dealing with a felony that ’ s committed , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a felony , ” he said .
DACA , which former President Barack Obama enacted through executive order , defers deportation for illegal immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children .
Biden unveiled an immigration plan in December 2019 that included a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants .
Biden said at a campaign event Jan. 7 that illegal aliens would have to learn English before qualifying for citizenship .
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freedomdaily--2020-01-24--Why your zodiac sign is probably wrong

Why your zodiac sign is probably wrong

I was born a Capricorn ( please don ’ t judge me ) , but the Sun was in the middle of Sagittarius when I was born .
As a professor emeritus of astronomy , I am often asked about the difference between astrology and astronomy .
The practice of astrology , which predicts one ’ s fate and fortune based on the positions of the Sun , Moon , stars and planets , dates back to ancient times .
It was intermingled with the science of astronomy back then – in fact , many astronomers of old made scientific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But once Copernicus , Kepler and Galileo realized the planets orbit the Sun , rather than the Earth , and Newton discovered the physical laws behind their behavior , astrology and astronomy split , never to be reunited .
The science of astronomy is now at odds with one of the basic organizing principles in astrology – the dates of the zodiac .
The constellations of the zodiac Over the course of a year , the Sun appears to pass through a belt of sky containing 12 ancient constellations , or groupings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the zodiac and consist almost entirely of animal figures , like the bull ( Aries ) , crab ( Cancer ) and lion ( Leo ) .
It is a disappointment to many that the constellations only rarely look like what they represent .
How could they , since they are truly random scatterings of stars ?
They are meant to represent , not to portray .
Although the constellations of the zodiac , which date back to Mesopotamia or before , may seem definitive , they are only one example of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , all of which had their own , frequently very different , notions of how the sky is constructed .
The Incas , for example , made constellations not from stars , but from the dark patches in the Milky Way .
The number of constellations in the Western zodiac comes from the cycles of the Moon , which orbits the Earth 12.4 times a year .
Roughly speaking , the Sun appears against a different constellation every new Moon , the stars forming a distant backdrop to the Sun .
Though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you can know what constellation the Sun is in by looking at the nighttime sky .
There you will see the opposite constellation .
Astrology suggests that each sign of the zodiac fits neatly into a 30-degree slice of sky – which multiplied by 12 adds up to 360 degrees .
In actuality , this is not the case , as the constellations vary a great deal in shape and size .
For example , the Sun passes through the constellation Scorpio in just five days , but takes 38 days to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the reasons astrological signs do not line up with the constellations of the zodiac .
The main reason astrological signs fail to line up with the zodiac , though , is a wobble in the Earth ’ s rotational axis called precession .
As a result of its rotation , the Earth bulges slightly at the equator , not unlike how a skater ’ s skirt fans out as she spins .
The gravity of the Moon and Sun pull on the bulge , which causes the Earth to wobble like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s axis , which is the center line around which it rotates , to swing in a slow circle over the course of 25,800 years .
This movement alters the view of the zodiac from Earth , making the constellations appear to slide to the east , roughly a degree per human lifetime .
Though slow , precession was discovered with the naked eye by Hipparchus of Nicaea around 150 B.C .
In ancient times , the vernal equinox – or the first day of spring – was in Aries .
Due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around 100 B.C.
, where it is now and will remain until A.D. 2700 , when it will move into Aquarius and so on .
Over the course of 25,800 years , it will eventually return to Aries and the cycle will begin again .
As a game , astrology and its predictions of fate and personality can be fun .
However the subject has no basis in science .
It is to science what the game “ Monopoly ” is to the real estate market .
Astrology diverts attention away from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primarily their gravitational effects on one another that cause real changes in the shapes , sizes and tilts of their orbits .
On Earth , such changes likely caused past ice ages .
Direct collisions between Earth and celestial bodies can cause very rapid changes , such as the impact of an asteroid off the Yucatan Peninsula 66 million years ago that had global effects including the disappearance of dinosaurs and the rise of mammals .
Astronomical studies will eventually allow the prediction of such events , while astrological predictions will get you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve read ?
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James Kaler does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-01-24--If it’s below 40 degrees in South Florida, the forecast calls for falling iguanas

As temperatures were dipping this week , the National Weather Service issued freeze warnings for much of Florida and Georgia , adding a warning in South Florida for “ falling iguanas.
” University of Florida wildlife ecologist Frank Mazzotti explains the physiology of cold iguanas and why many people in Florida aren ’ t shedding tears for the iguana-cicles lying around the region .
What happens to iguanas when temps drop ?
When temperatures fall into the 40s and 30s , green iguanas become cold-stunned .
They enter what ’ s called a state of torpor .
Their breathing slows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Used to more balmy conditions , this is how tropical reptiles protect themselves from cold temperatures .
Torpor is an involuntary response , and the animals trade torpor ’ s benefit of conserving heat in cold conditions for an increased risk of being snagged by a predator .
Torpor causes green iguanas to lose muscle control , and since they live in trees , they fall out of trees .
A several pound iguana falling on your head would definitely get your attention .
What should you do if you see a dazed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , your best course of action is to do nothing .
If the animal warms up quickly , it will recover on its own .
If cold temperatures are prolonged , the iguana may die .
But please do not try to “ rescue ” any iguanas .
Native to Mexico , Central and South America and some Caribbean islands , green iguanas are an invasive species in the southern United States and you can not legally set them free here .
The iguanas you spot in South Florida are descendants of animals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you want to get involved when you see a fallen iguana , a better course of action is to eat it .
In their native range they are prized as delicious food items and are called chicken of the trees or bamboo chicken .
Why are some officials in Florida happy to see fewer iguanas ?
Officials believe green iguanas are rapidly increasing in numbers and expanding in range , though there are no concrete counts for how many live in Florida today .
For a long time , green iguanas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Unlike Burmese pythons , for example , which eat mammals and birds , green iguanas did not pose an obvious threat to ecological resources .
Any damage they did was confined to backyards where they readily consume landscape plants , burrow into seawalls and sidewalks and poop prodigiously .
But with more green iguanas on the loose , they are now commonly found on water management structures such as levees and pump stations where they actively burrow , especially nesting females .
These infrastructure facilities control water levels in South Florida and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply for both agriculture and residences .
Iguana-caused damage is not minor .
For example , the City of West Palm Beach recently paid US $ 1.8 million to repair a weir that was partially damaged by burrowing iguanas and to armor the low dam against further damage .
Removing invasive iguanas is now necessary to protect Florida ’ s ability to manage its water .
So a cold snap that eliminates some of the iguana population might be actually be good news in some quarters .
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Frank Mazzotti receives funding from the South Florida Water Management District , the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission , and the Department of the Interior .


freedomdaily--2020-01-24--The serious consequence of exercising too much, too fast

Every 365.25 days , when the Earth completes a full orbit around the Sun , we humans have the opportunity to hit the reset button and become fitter , finer versions of ourselves .
As usual for January , social media is humming with advice on how to eat better , exercise regularly , lose weight and remain healthy .
We feel particularly invincible at this time of year , armed with renewed vigor and motivation to purge ourselves from previous indulgences and our couch-potato ways .
The New Year is also the time when our overzealous , instant-gratification selves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercise too soon to make up for lost time .
Exhaustive muscular work , especially following a period of inactivity , can cause mechanical and chemical disruptions to muscle cell membranes which trigger the muscle cells to burst .
I am an exercise physiologist and sports medicine specialist who studies exercise-associated collapse .
I am seeing and hearing of more incidents of skeletal muscle ruptures that are causing harm in other parts of the body .
This information is not designed to scare people back onto the couch .
The key take-away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , coaches and mere mortals that the desired physiological response to a training stimulus requires both a gradual buildup period and period of recovery in between training sessions .
The medical term for skeletal muscle cell rupture is “ rhabdomyolysis , ” or “ rhabdo ” for short .
When muscle cells rupture or explode , the intracellular contents are released into the bloodstream .
These cellular contents include enzymes , such as creatine kinase ; electrolytes , such as potassium ; and proteins , such as myoglobin .
Myoglobin , in particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can block the kidney filtration system , or renal tubules , that serve as kidney plumbing .
It also can dissociate into toxic byproducts that injure kidneys .
In rare cases , too much myoglobin in the bloodstream can stop kidney function altogether , as happened with a 27-year old marathon runner who died from kidney failure .
In a study we conducted on college swimmers , we saw a cluster of rhabdomyolysis , in which six out of 34 swimmers were hospitalized after participating in a 20-minute or so “ arm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rows and bench presses they could complete .
Cases of “ symptomatic rhabdo , ” or those needing medical treatment , appear to be increasing within collegiate sports teams at an alarming rate , with the characteristic appearance seen in football players returning to January practice after a season-ending holiday layoff .
To date , 17 cases of team rhabdo have occurred from doing “ too much , too soon , too fast ” and include a variety of sports such as football , swimming , lacrosse , soccer , track , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So , what about us mere mortals trying to get back in shape ?
Any physical activity that is either new or excessive can cause symptomatic rhabdo .
Excessive gardening , weightlifting , CrossFit type activities and even a routine Army physical fitness test have triggered symptomatic rhabdo with kidney injury .
Over 90 cases of rhabdo have been documented after spinning , while 119 high school students in Taiwan ended up in the emergency room after their teacher made them complete 120 push-ups within five minutes .
Thus , harmful muscle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five minutes to 36 hours of exuberant and/or unaccustomed physical activity .
In combination , gradual training and appropriate recovery allow beneficial muscular , cardiovascular and body composition adaptations to occur , such as building muscle , increasing fitness and losing body fat .
Our research confirms that a two-week gradual introduction into training after a layoff is required for muscle cell membranes to fully adapt to training stress .
Subclinical rhabdo , or muscle breakdown without acute kidney injury or debilitating symptoms , is common and represents the typical response to training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , hard exercise , especially following a layoff , with the following signs or symptoms within one to two days requires an appropriate medical examination : • excruciating muscle pain that does not resolve over time • nausea or vomiting , or both • very dark ( looks like Coca-Cola ) or sparse urine .
There are risk factors which increase the likelihood of developing rhabdo following a workout .
These risk factors include exercising in the heat , dehydration or overhydration , binge drinking , excessive coffee consumption , extreme dietary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] https : //doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0000000000000310 ) ) and possessing the sickle cell trait .
Both men and women can develop symptomatic rhabdo , although we see more cases in men .
Smaller arm muscles appear more susceptible to rupture after five to 30 minutes of exercise than bigger leg muscles for reasons that remain unclear .
Although symptomatic rhabdomyolysis is uncommon , this emergent complication of exercise should be on everyone ’ s radar since cases are on the rise .
We coaches , trainers , scientists , practitioners and others encourage everyone to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercise training .
However , we caution against exercising too much too soon .
Self- ( or coach- ) inflicted skeletal muscle cell explosions are fully preventable with adherence to smart , physiologically sound approaches to training .
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freedomdaily--2020-01-24--Are you in danger of catching the coronavirus? 5 questions answered

Editor ’ s note : The Chinese government has quarantined Wuhan , a port city of 11 million people , and it has restricted travel to and from several other cities , including Beijing , to contain the coronavirus that has sickened more than 800 people and killed at least 25 as of Jan. 23 , 2020 .
A case has been reported in Seattle , and officials are monitoring a patient with a possible case in College Station , Texas .
This raises the question : Will this spread – to me ?
Not now , because currently every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Wuhan .
There are lots of different coronaviruses that group into three types .
The common cold can be caused by both alpha and betacoronaviruses .
Coronavirus was never really taken that seriously until 2003 , when a coronavirus jumped species – likely from bats to humans via civets – and led to SARS , or severe acute respiratory syndrome .
This species-jumping ability of coronaviruses is being observed again , now in Wuhan at the seafood market .
This coronavirus is in the betacoronavirus group .
China has now put travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan .
What ’ s the big concern with this virus ?
For the novel coronavirus from Wuhan , there is no vaccine , and we ’ re lacking a specific therapy .
So it is key to limit spread through quarantine of infected individuals and by tracing of contacts .
What is so unusual about this coronavirus ?
This is a coronavirus that has never been seen in humans before .
It likely came from bats , and it ’ s much more serious than the common cold coronavirus .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve seen a coronavirus jump species from animals to humans .
The concern is that this coronavirus is going to behave like SARS and MERS , or Middle East respiratory syndrome in 2012 , both of which were serious .
Do the deaths appear to be among people of a certain age ?
Many were in older men with pre-existing conditions .
First of all , you need not be concerned about catching this right now .
Practice the same precautions that you would to prevent catching a cold .
Viruses that cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handrails and doorknobs , so wash your hands , use sanitizers and stay home when you are sick .
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William Petri 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--2020-01-25--CDC Confirms Wuhan Coronavirus Case In Chicago As China Locks Down Travel In More Cities

Health officials confirmed a second U.S. case of a coronavirus as China locked down more cities near the epicenter of @ @ @ @ @ unidentified patient in Illinois has the respiratory illness , the Centers for Disease Control and @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
The Chicago woman in her 60s came home from a trip in Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ 13 .
“ Based on what we know right now , the immediate risk to @ @ @ @ @ CDC Director Robert Redfield tweeted Friday .
Meanwhile , Chinese authorities are restricting travel in @ @ @ @ @ York Times reported .
Around 35 million people are under travel restrictions ahead of Saturday @ @ @ @ @ .
The virus first cropped up in Wuhan in December 2019 .
More than 900 @ @ @ @ @ have died from the outbreak , Chinese officials said .
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freedomdaily--2020-01-25--DOD Official Says 34 Service Members Injured by Iranian Blast

The number of U.S. service members injured with traumatic brain injuries totals 34 after a Jan. 8 attack when Iran shot missiles into Al Asad Airbase in Iraq , the Defense Department ’ s chief spokesperson said today .
During an update to the Pentagon press corps , Jonathan Rath Hoffman said Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper directed the acting under secretary for personnel and readiness to begin work with the Joint Staff to report accidents and injuries , while keeping information transparent and informing the public .
Of the 34 service members who were diagnosed with traumatic brain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concussions — eight were transported to the United States for medical care and nine remain hospitalized in Germany where they are still undergoing evaluation and treatment .
Seventeen service members have returned to duty in Iraq , he added .
Arriving stateside this morning , the eight transported service members will continue to receive medical care at either Walter Reed National Military Medical Center or their home bases , Hoffman said .
Eligibility for purple hearts will be up to the services , he noted .
Hoffman said DOD will also review its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition to service members wounded in action .
“ The goal is to be as transparent and accurate as possible to provide the American people with the best information about the tremendous sacrifices our warfighters make ” and to offer best medical practices to service members who suffered injury , he said .
DOD will have an update on the review in the future , Hoffman added .
Turning to the National Defense Strategy and shifting troop presence from one part of the world to another , Hoffman said part of DOD ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to see what types and numbers of forces DOD needs for the Indo-Pacific region for the fiscal year 2021 budget .
“ A goal is to move forces to the Indo-Pacific region to counter China and regional flare-ups .
We can do multiple things at once , ” Hoffman said of world troop presence .
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freedomdaily--2020-01-25--Old School: Union Officials Plead Guilty to Severely Beating Construction Workers in Effort to Steal

Old School: Union Officials Plead Guilty to Severely Beating Construction Workers in Effort to Steal Contract

Two officials from the local Iron Workers union pleaded guilty today for their role in a brutal assault on a group of non-union ironworkers in Dyer , Indiana .
The attack , which left multiple workers with serious injuries , was part of an effort to obtain a contract for the union to assist with the construction of the Plum Creek Christian Academy , a school affiliated with the Dyer Baptist Church .
Thomas Williamson Sr. , 68 , and Jeffrey Veach , 56 , pleaded guilty to one count of extortion conspiracy before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Martin of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the current president of Local 395 of the International Association of Bridge , Structural , Ornamental , and Reinforcing Iron Workers ( Local 395 ) , based in Portage , Indiana .
Prior to his recent retirement , Williamson was a business agent for Local 395 .
Under federal law , following their guilty pleas , Veach will forfeit his position as president and both men will be barred from holding any union position for at least 13 years following the end of any prison sentences they may serve .
Pursuant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted that on Jan. 7 , 2016 , they conspired to use actual and threatened violence to obtain contracts for Local 395 – a business contract from general contractor Lagestee-Mulder of Illinois , and/or a labor contract from D5 Iron Works ( D5 ) , also of Illinois .
Prior to Jan. 7 , 2016 , the two defendants had learned that D5 was performing structural ironwork for the Dyer Baptist Church , which was located in Local 395 ’ s “ territory.
” They also knew that D5 was not signed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On the afternoon of Jan. 6 , 2016 , Williamson visited the church jobsite to talk to the foreman of the D5 crew and convince him to “ sign up ” with Local 395 , or to stop work on the site .
After being told to leave the site , Williamson went across the street to the church .
Once inside , he confronted a youth pastor for the church and told him that it was “ unethical ” to use non-union labor for the construction site .
Williamson offered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobsite instead .
The next morning , Williamson returned to the jobsite , this time accompanied by co-defendant Veach .
The D5 foreman again refused to join the union and asked the two defendants to leave the site .
Williamson became angry and grabbed the foreman ’ s jacket , calling him , among other things , a “ scab bastard.
” As they left the site , Williamson remarked to Veach that the two of them were going to have to “ take things back to old school.
” The two defendants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Local 395 to return to the jobsite that afternoon .
Once at the jobsite , the union members immediately attacked the D5 workers and beat them with fists and loose pieces of hardwood , kicking them while they were on the ground .
As a result of the attack , one D5 worker sustained a broken jaw that required several surgeries and extended hospitalization .
The DOL-OIG , the FBI and the Dyer Police Department investigated the case .
Trial Attorneys Alexander Gottfried and Robert Tully of the Criminal Division ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case .
Through its Labor Unit , the Organized Crime and Gang Section supports federal criminal prosecution in cases involving labor-management relations , internal union affairs , and the operation of employee pension and health care plans .
Assistant Chief for Labor-Management Racketeering Gerald Toner provided invaluable assistance in the prosecution of this case .


freedomdaily--2020-01-25--‘Ready To Move On’: David Axelrod Says Democrat Voters Don’t Care About Impeachment

CNN analyst David Axelrod lamented Friday that voters don ’ t seem to care about the Trump impeachment trial , citing a tepid response he received on the topic in a focus group with Democrats on Friday .
“ I was in a focus group this morning for the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago with Chicago Democratic voters and it was chilling to hear them talk about this because impeachment didn ’ t even come up , ” Axelrod , the chief strategist for President Obama ’ s presidential campaigns , told CNN ’ s Erin Burnett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80 minutes into the focus group .
And you know , we ’ re right in the middle of the trial .
When it came up , they said , ‘ you know , it ’ s terrible what he did .
The case has been proven .
But we know how it ’ s going to turn out so , we ’ re not really that interested .
We ’ re ready to move on.
’ ” Friday marked the third day of opening statements at the impeachment trial .
House Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the case for removing Trump for office on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of justice over his actions towards Ukraine .
Ratings for the trial have fallen short of what news networks and Democrats likely hoped .
Viewership fell 20 percent between the first and second day of the trial , according to one report .
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freedomdaily--2020-01-25--‘Good Job’ : Sen. Manchin Discusses Huge Impression Trump’s Legal Defense Team Left on Him

Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia said Saturday that President Donald Trump ’ s legal defense did a “ good job ” defending the president after House Democrats made their case for impeachment .
Trump ’ s legal defense is “ making me think about things , ” Manchin , a Democrat , told CNN ’ s Manu Raju .
His comments come as Trump ’ s team is given a period of time to defend the president ’ s dealings with Ukraine ’ s president .
“ One thing that stuck in my mind is they said there isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far that had direct contact with the president .
I ’ d love to hear from [ Office of Management and Budget Director Mick ] Mulvaney and [ former national security adviser John ] Bolton , ” he said .
“ I ’ ll be very impartial til the end.
” House Democrats believe Bolton ’ s possible testimony in the impeachment trial could be a game-breaker , leading to more potential charges leveled against the president .
Wake up Right !
Subscribe to our Morning Briefing and get the news delivered @ @ @ @ @ @


freedomdaily--2020-01-26--In Secret Trump Recording, Lev Parnas Spoke Little, But Said A Lot

Lev Parnas said few words during an April 30 , 2018 dinner with President Trump and a small group of associates , according to an audio recording of the event , which Parnas ’ s lawyer provided the media on Saturday .
But what Parnas did say in the 84-minute recording could shed light on why the Soviet-born businessman may have been interested in the removal of Marie Yovanovitch as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine .
His remarks also appear to conflict with his claims in interviews last week that his Ukraine-related efforts were merely intended to help Trump and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two main points during the event , in which attendees discussed golf , China , the border wall and other topics of the day : he and his partner , Igor Fruman , were in the process of purchasing a Ukrainian energy company , and Yovanovitch was bad-mouthing Trump and needed to be removed from her post in Kyiv .
Parnas ’ s unprompted remarks about Yovanovitch are the first known evidence of Trump being told derogatory information about the career diplomat .
His comments also raises the question of why Parnas was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prosecutors in New York appear interested in the same question .
A federal grand jury in New York indicted Parnas and Fruman on Oct. 10 on charges that they made illegal campaign contributions to Republican lawmakers and political action committees .
Prosecutors allege that the duo took part in the scheme in order to advance personal and business interests , as well as to force Yovanovitch ’ s removal as ambassador .
The indictment alleges that Parnas was operating on behalf of “ one or more ” Ukrainian officials to force Yovanovitch ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Trump , Parnas met with then-Rep. Pete Sessions .
After the meeting , Sessions wrote a letter to Sec .
of State Mike Pompeo urging him to recall Yovanovitch .
Parnas contributed a maximum donation to Sessions ’ campaign in June 2018 .
Prosecutors allege that Parnas pledged to raise another $ 20,000 for the Republican .
Trump eventually removed Yovanovitch from her post in Kyiv , but not until April 24 , 2019 .
In the months leading up to the decision , Parnas and Fruman worked closely with Trump lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information about Yovanovitch , much of it unverified .
The also alleged that Joe Biden intervened to shut down investigation in Ukraine of Burisma Holdings , an energy company that had Hunter Biden as a director .
How and exactly when Parnas and Fruman began working with Giuliani on Ukraine-related matters is not entirely clear .
But Bondy , the lawyer , for Parnas , said in an interview Saturday with CNN ’ s Anderson Cooper that they were not working with Giuliani at the time the dinner took place .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topic of Ukraine during a discussion about the oil and gas business , and Germany ’ s partnership with Russia on a pipeline .
“ We ’ re in the process of purchasing an energy company in Ukraine right now , that should help cut off Russia ’ s… , ” Parnas is heard saying in the tape .
Parnas said that Ukraine “ loves ” Trump and is dependent on U.S. support , especially in its ongoing fight with Russia .
Parnas then shifted gears to Yovanovitch .
“ The biggest problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where you , need to start is we got ta get rid of the ambassador , ” Parnas is heard saying on the recording , which Parnas lawyer Joseph Bondy released on Saturday .
“ She ’ s basically walking around telling everybody , ‘ Wait , he ’ s gon na get impeached , just wait , ’ ” Parnas asserted .
“ Get rid of her .
Get her out tomorrow .
I don ’ t care .
Get her out tomorrow .
Take her out .
O.K.
?
Do @ @ @


freedomdaily--2020-01-27--Nancy Pelosi Says House Democrats Will Vote To Block Trump’s Travel Ban

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that House Democrats will soon introduce legislation that aims to block President Donald Trump ’ s ban on several countries .
Pelosi revealed in a press release on Monday that Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee will introduce and vote on the s0-called NO Ban Act , which would limit the White House ’ s authority to impose travel restrictions on foreign nationals , in the next few weeks .
The introduction of the bill comes roughly three years after the president introduced his first travel ban , and follows confirmation that he plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ House Democrats continue to stand opposed to President Trump ’ s cruel , un-American travel ban in all of its iterations .
In the coming weeks , the House Judiciary Committee will mark up and bring to the Floor the NO BAN Act to prohibit religious discrimination in our immigration system and limit the President ’ s ability to impose such biased and bigoted restrictions , ” Pelosi said Monday .
“ In his last address as President , Ronald Reagan warned that ‘ If we ever close the door to new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would soon be lost.
’ House Democrats are working tirelessly to uphold our role as a global leader and a beacon of hope and opportunity for countless people around the world , ’ ” the Speaker continued .
While such legislation would likely pass the Democratic-controlled House , it faces a very uncertain future in the GOP-controlled Senate .
Trump introduced his first travel ban via executive order in January 2017 , nearly immediately upon entering the Oval Office .
That ban was later blocked by a federal court .
A similar chain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second travel ban .
However , it was his third ban that proved successful — surviving a challenge all the way to the Supreme Court in June 2018 .
The travel ban restricts travel from seven countries : Syria , Iran , Libya , Yemen , Somalia , North Korea and Venezuela .
The fact that most of the countries have majority-Muslim populations , detractors of the executive order have deemed it a “ Muslim ban.
” Trump confirmed earlier this month that the administration is working on expanding the travel ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list reportedly include Sudan , Nigeria , Eritrea , Tanzania , Kyrgyzstan , Myanmar , and Belarus .
However , the level of restriction is expected to vary from country to country .
In her Monday statement , Pelosi expressed disdain at the idea of expanding the scope of the ban .
“ Today , reports indicate that the Administration is once again preparing to expand its dangerous travel ban , threatening key international relationships and jeopardizing our ability to fight terrorism and extremism at home and abroad , ” she wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies and dangerous rhetoric , this fundamental truth remains : immigrants make America more American .
”


freedomdaily--2020-01-27--Supreme Court Allows Trump To Enforce Rule Barring Green Cards For Migrants Using Social Services

The Supreme Court Monday allowed the Trump administration to enforce a new rule that will deny green cards to foreign nationals who use taxpayer-funded social services , lifting lower court injunctions that blocked the change .
The 5-4 vote followed familiar ideological lines , with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , Stephen Breyer , Sonia Sotomayor , and Elena Kagan in dissent .
The Immigration and Nationality Act ( INA ) dictates that foreign nationals should not receive green cards if they are “ likely at any time to become a public charge.
” At issue in Monday ’ scase is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In recent years , the term was defined as a person primarily dependent on a cash assistance program .
The Trump administration promulgated a new rule in August 2019 that expands the definition to include those likely to use non-cash benefit programs like Medicaid , food stamps , or housing benefits for a period of months .
The rule does not apply to humanitarian migrants like refugees or asylum-seekers .
“ Throughout our history , self-reliance has been a core principle in America , ” then-acting director of USCIS Ken Cuccinelli said of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House press conference .
“ The virtues of perseverance , hard work , and self-sufficiency laid the foundation of our nation and have defined generations of immigrants seeking opportunity in the United States.
” Immigrant-rights groups say the rule will have a discriminatory effect , and warn that it deters migrants lawfully in the United States from applying for needed social services .
“ Our members have stopped accepting or refused to apply for public benefits for themselves and their family members , including their children , because of fear that receiving any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States , ” said George Escobar of CASA , a D.C.-area immigration non-profit that is challenging the rule in court .
“ This harms not just these families , who use these benefits to supplement their incomes and support their health , well-being , and stability , but also the broader community.
” U.S. District Judge George Daniels issued a pair of injunctions against the rule after two separate plaintiffs — the city of New York , and a coalition of three states — brought lawsuits challenging the change .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ give a reasonable explanation for its new definition , which is itself an unreasonable interpretation of the INA .
The 2nd U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that decision , prompting the government ’ s emergency application to the Supreme Court .
In legal filings at the Supreme Court , the plaintiffs warned that lifting the injunctions would abruptly upend settled immigration policy going back decades .
They also predicted that confusion would follow such a change because the government has not provided sufficient guidance for administering the new policy .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to negatively weigh an alien ’ s low English proficiency , but the plaintiffs say there are no guidelines for how language skills should be assessed .
The administration countered that the injunctions force them to issue green cards to applicants who are not eligible for permanent legal status under the new rule .
If the government ultimately prevails in court and gets to enforce the rule , they won ’ t be able to rescind green cards issued during litigation .
“ Respondents do not dispute that because of the nationwide preliminary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — on an effectively irrevocable basis — grants of lawful permanent resident status to aliens who , under the Rule , should instead be declared inadmissible , ” the Justice Department said in a court document .
The case is No .
19A785 Department of Homeland Security v. New York .


freedomdaily--2020-01-27--Obesity, second to smoking as the most preventable cause of US deaths, needs new approaches

The opioid crisis and deaths related to e-cigarette use among teenagers have dominated news headlines recently .
Recently , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 34 people had died as a result of vaping and , in 2017 , opioid addiction was responsible for more than 47,000 deaths in the U.S. Opioid addiction has been declared a public health emergency .
Yet these serious public health threats obscure an ever-present and growing calamity of obesity in the United States .
Obesity is second only to cigarette smoking as a leading preventable death in the U.S. Nearly one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Caucasians age 40 to 85 is attributed to obesity , a rate that is increasing across generations .
Clearly society needs better strategies to address this public health emergency .
As a health economist who has spent decades studying ways to prevent disease , I believe there are some policy options that could help .
Many factors contribute to obesity , including genetics , diet , physical inactivity , medications , lack of education and food marketing .
People who are obese face heightened risk for diabetes , heart disease , stroke , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancers , among other conditions .
The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the United States is $ 147 billion , with most of those costs hitting public programs such as Medicare and Medicaid .
Similar trends have been observed internationally among developed countries .
So what can we do about it ?
The massive public and private efforts to control smoking provide both a template for addressing obesity and a benchmark for social impact .
Tactics such as education , cigarette taxes , and smoke-free public spaces resulted in a 66 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , when cigarette smoking reached an all-time low of 13.7 % among U.S. adults .
This outcome is associated with major health improvements – reduced cardiovascular disease , stroke , various cancers and mortality from lung cancer .
Medicaid alone saves an estimated $ 2.5 billion a year from smoking-related health improvements .
From a public investment perspective , the potential bang for the buck is even bigger for obesity than it is for tobacco .
In my view , a successful anti-obesity campaign must encourage people to be less sedentary ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science ; and create regulatory and health insurance policies that reward behavioral change .
It also means broader access to effective therapies .
Our current emphasis on behavioral interventions has been disappointing .
Society needs to find a way to talk about obesity and come up with ways to deal with it that do not involve body-shaming Losing weight means eating less or exercising more , or both , but there are no guarantees with either approach .
Getting people to exercise is difficult .
Nearly 80 % of adults are not meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ muscle-strengthening activity .
Getting people to change their diet is similarly ineffective .
According to one study , half of dieters had gained 11 pounds five years after starting their diet ; some progress but hardly enough .
Similarly , nutritional labels have had little effect on consumers ’ food intake and body mass index .
So what should policymakers do ?
I think it is time to take several new approaches .
The intellectual property rights of companies that develop novel approaches to weight loss , such as mimicking the effects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with patent law and other mechanisms .
Currently , if a company discovers a way to get people to go for a walk with a new app or program , protection for intellectual property and reimbursement is uncertain .
Given the stakes , the U.S. government should offer greater rewards for behavioral interventions that can demonstrate long-term gains under the same rigorous regulatory standards similar to those required of new drugs .
U.S. companies invest billions of dollars to develop pharmaceuticals .
By contrast , there is less social investment in other prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone , gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding , among other procedures , have proven effective .
New incentives could expand access to these surgeries by lowering the BMI threshold for eligibility .
Some insurers have put up barriers to this treatment because obesity is not immediately life-threatening or related to our traditional notion of disease .
We need to find better ways to annuitize the cost of surgery and increase access while tying reimbursement to outcomes .
Other insurers with an interest in long-term outcomes , including the life insurance industry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a vested financial interest in avoiding mortality and disability but have traditionally remained on the sidelines while Americans grow fatter .
Evidence points to a 20 % reduction in BMI persisting up to 10 years after surgery .
In 2017 , 228,000 Americans received bariatric surgeries .
Of those , only 10 % of are eligible under current criteria .
Another approach is to consider new medications and utilize the successful approach that has been used to fight high blood pressure .
About 50 years ago , hypertension was considered untreatable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of controlling it .
The discovery of multiple agents to combat hypertension , beginning with diuretics and beta blockers , proved transformative .
A similar story emerged for elevated cholesterol .
About half the decline in U.S. deaths from coronary heart disease can be attributed to medical therapies like these .
Several clinically proven anti-obesity medications are already available for people who do not respond to lifestyle modification .
Furthermore , there is a robust clinical pipeline , with approximately 250 compounds under development , including dozens of novel compounds .
Drugs such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the obesity epidemic , if they are made widely available and reimbursed — challenges in today ’ s health care insurance system .
Another avenue to consider includes levying taxes on sweetened beverages , or the so-called “ soda tax.
” One study found that implementing a 1 cent per ounce soda tax would reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption by 20 % over 10 years .
The result would be a $ 23.6 billion savings in health care and improved population health .
Finally , the food and restaurant industry deserves some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States tried with the ban on the consumption and sale of alcohol – won ’ t work .
But responsible steps to regulate portions might .
Smart , bold strategies helped us address public health crises before , including smoking and hypertension .
We need to be similarly aggressive with obesity if we want to avert hundreds of thousands of unnecessary deaths .
As we did with smoking , it is time to make obesity a number one public health priority .
[ Expertise in your inbox .
Sign up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a digest of academic takes on today ’ s news , every day . ]
Dr. Goldman is a consultant to Precision Health Economics and holds equity ( < 1 % ) in its parent company .
He also reports grants from NIH , an honorarium from ACADIA Pharmaceuticals , and consulting for Novo Nordisk .


freedomdaily--2020-01-27--What is white-nose syndrome in bats?

What is white-nose syndrome in bats?

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 .
What is white-nose syndrome in bats ?
– Minti F. , age 13 , Boston , Massachusetts Scientists count bats in the winter to make sure their populations are doing okay .
They look in caves and abandoned mines where bats hibernate when it is too cold to hunt for insects to eat .
About 10 years ago , during their annual winter bat counts , scientists noticed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state were dying .
The bats that were still alive had a white fuzzy growth on their muzzles and wings .
Scientists didn ’ t know what it was and named it white-nose syndrome .
Now we know a lot more about white-nose syndrome , a disease that kills bats when they hibernate .
I am a scientist who studies bats to learn more about how to protect them .
The white-nose syndrome disease is caused by a fungus that grows on bats ’ skin when they are trying to survive winter by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like mines and caves .
Bats are mammals like you .
But unlike people , they have a special ability to “ go cold ” to save energy when there isn ’ t anything to eat .
This is called torpor .
The fungus that causes this disease can live on the walls of caves and mines .
It grows best in cold temperatures and infects bats when their immune system , which fights infection , isn ’ t as active .
Bats have skin on their wings , muzzles and a membrane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legs .
The fungus eats into those skin tissues , causing lesions .
The infection causes the bats to wake up from their energy-saving torpor .
Bats can ’ t survive for long in the middle of winter without food , and they starve to death .
Bats started dying by the thousands in the winter of 2006-2007 , sounding the alarm that something was seriously wrong .
Some bat species are more vulnerable to the disease , like the northern long-eared bat , the little brown bat and the tri-colored bat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ North America have died as the fungus has spread .
Bats need our help .
In the past 10 years , many wildlife biologists have worked hard to help bats survive .
There are no easy solutions , but a lot of scientific research is underway to discover how we can protect bats .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since curiosity has no age limit – adults , let us know what you ’ re wondering , too .
We won ’ t be able to answer every question , but we will do our best .
Winifred Frick works for Bat Conservation International , a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting bat populations around the world .


freedomdaily--2020-01-28--OOops: Bolton’s Former Chief of Staff Urges Him to Delay Book

Fred Fleitz , a former chief of staff to John Bolton , urged the former national security adviser on Monday to delay publication of his memoir until after the November election , asserting that a tell-all book would “ set a dangerous precedent ” by discouraging future presidents from seeking advice from their top national security staff .
“ Given the importance of protecting a president ’ s confidential discussions with his senior advisers , I strongly disagree with Bolton ’ s decision to release the book before the November presidential election and call on him to withdraw it from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a Fox News op-ed .
The New York Times reported Sunday that a manuscript of Bolton ’ s forthcoming book claims that President Trump told him in an August 2019 conversation that he was withholding military aid to Ukraine in order to force officials there to cooperate with investigations into Joe Biden and other political opponents .
The allegation undercuts one of Trump ’ s defenses at his Senate impeachment trial .
Trump has insisted that he withheld a nearly $ 400 million aid package to Ukraine over concerns about corruption there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributing too much compared to European nations .
Democrats called for the Senate to vote to invite Bolton to testify at President Trump ’ s impeachment trial , which began its second week on Monday .
Senate Republicans had hoped to complete the trial this week without calling witnesses , but two moderate Republicans , Mitt Romney and Susan Collins , said on Monday that the leaks of Bolton ’ s book made them more likely to vote for witnesses .
Fleitz , who served as Bolton ’ s chief of staff in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know what is in the book , which will be published on March 17 .
“ If a manuscript of this sensitivity was to be published at all , this should happen after the election , not in the spring of 2020 , ” said Fleitz , who was also Bolton ’ s chief of staff at the State Department from 2001 to 2005 .
“ I don ’ t understand the need for a former National Security Adviser to publish a tell-all book critical of a president he served , especially during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fate of the country , ” Fleitz continued .
“ There will be a time for Bolton to speak out without appearing to try to tip a presidential election .
”


freedomdaily--2020-01-28--Watch: CNN Doesn’t Think Very Highly of You – At All

Eighty seconds .
That ’ s how long it took for a CNN panel to show just what they think of President Donald Trump ’ s supporters .
CNN anchor Don Lemon , frequent CNN guest Rick Wilson and New York Times op-ed writer Wajahat Ali ( who is also a CNN contributor ) rolled out nearly every possible stereotype about Republican voters in a segment that aired Saturday night but didn ’ t really catch the public ’ s attention until Monday .
Wilson got the party rolling by saying that “ Donald Trump couldn ’ t find Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter ‘ U ’ and a picture of an actual , physical crane next to it , ” which sent Lemon into a hysterical fit of laughter .
They were just getting started .
Wilson went on to sneer at “ the credulous boomer rube demo that backs Donald Trump , the ones that think that ” — and here he broke out into a southern accent — “ Donald Trump ’ s the smart one , and there all y ’ all , y ’ all elitists are duuuumb.
” Lemon laughed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ You elitists , with your geography and your maps and your spelling.
” ( At this point , Lemon was laughing so hard that he pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his tear-filled eyes . )
Wilson , still in a faux southern accent , added : “ Your math and your readin !
’ ” “ Yeah , your readin ’ , your geography , knowing other countries , sipping your latte , ” said Ali .
“ All those liiines on the map , ” said Wilson , continuing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them elitists know where Ukraine is , ” Ali shot back , before seeming to half-realize that the panel had gone too far .
“ Sorry , I apologize , ” he said with a smile .
Lemon , meanwhile , was still laughing hysterically , only managing to say : “ Oh my gosh !
” in between cackles .
The anchor finally , slowly , regained his composure , but not before extending his gratitude for the sneers : “ Rick , that was a good one , I needed that @ @


freedomdaily--2020-01-28--When will there be a coronavirus vaccine? 5 questions answered

Editor ’ s note : The coronavirus that started in Wuhan has sickened more than 4,000 people and killed at least 100 in China as of Jan. 27 , 2020 .
Thailand and Hong Kong each have reported eight confirmed cases , and five people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with the illness .
People are hoping for a vaccine to slow the spread of the disease .
Is there a vaccine under development for the coronavirus ?
Work has begun at multiple organizations , including the National Institutes of Health , to develop a vaccine for this new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 2019-nCoV .
Scientists are just getting started working , but their vaccine development strategy will benefit both from work that has been done on closely related viruses , such as SARS and MERS , as well as advances that have been made in vaccine technologies , such as nucleic acid vaccines , which are DNA- and RNA-based vaccines that produce the vaccine antigen in your own body .
Was work underway on this particular strain ?
No , but work was ongoing for other closely related coronaviruses that have caused severe disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Scientists had not been concerned about this particular strain , as we did not know that it existed and could cause disease in humans until it started causing this outbreak .
How do scientists know when to work on a vaccine for a coronavirus ?
Work on vaccines for severe coronaviruses has historically begun once the viruses start infecting humans .
Given that this is the third major outbreak of a new coronavirus that we have had in the past two decades and also given the severity of disease caused by these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the development of a vaccine that would be broadly protective against these viruses .
What does this work involve , and when might we actually have a vaccine ?
This work involves designing the vaccine constructs – for example , producing the right target antigens , viral proteins that are targeted by the immune system , followed by testing in animal models to show that they are protective and safe .
Once safety and efficacy are established , vaccines can advance into clinical trials in humans .
If the vaccines induce the expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe , they can be mass produced for vaccination of the population .
Currently , we lack virus isolates – or samples of the virus – to test the vaccines against .
We also lack antibodies to make sure the vaccine is in good shape .
We need the virus in order to test if the immune response induced by the vaccine works .
Also , we need to establish what animals to test the vaccine on .
That potentially could include mice and nonhuman primates .
Vaccine development will likely take months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these types of outbreaks ?
We expect that these types of outbreaks will occur for the foreseeable future in irregular intervals .
To try to prevent large outbreaks and pandemics , we need to improve surveillance in both humans and animals worldwide as well as invest in risk assessment , allowing scientists to evaluate the potential threat to human health from the virus , for detected viruses .
We believe that global action is needed to invest in novel vaccine approaches that can be employed quickly whenever a new virus like the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zika , Ebola or influenza – emerges .
Currently , responses to emerging pathogens are mostly reactive , meaning they start after the outbreak happens .
We need a more proactive approach supported by continuous funding .
Florian Krammer receives funding from NIAID , DoD and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , including for work on influenza virus vaccines .
He is also named as inventor of technology in the field of human influenza vaccines and is a named co-inventor on patents on technology to develop chimeric HA-based universal influenza virus vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 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--2020-01-28--A secret reason Rx drugs cost so much: A global web of patent laws protects Big Pharma

The high price of insulin , which has reached as much as US $ 450 per month , has raised outrage across the country .
Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) has called it a national embarrassment , wondering why U.S. residents should have to drive to Canada to buy cheaper insulin .
As a legal scholar who focuses on the contradictory role of property rights on economic well-being , including through the role of intellectual property rights , my research makes it clear that drug pricing is far more complicated than any candidate on the debate stage has time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complexities requires looking at a web of international patent law and trade agreements .
Scientists working in Canada ’ s public sector discovered insulin nearly a century ago .
The first techniques for synthesizing the compound , which should have more readily allowed for the production of generic versions , emerged some four decades ago .
Yet today insulin remains unavailable in any significant generic version .
One of the three companies that control 90 % of the world insulin market , Eli Lilly , recently did bow to public pressure by announcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Lispro .
But that could still run some people $ 140 per prescription .
U.S. consumers are not alone in facing high prices of insulin and other life-saving drugs .
For the last two decades , intense controversy has raged around multinational pharmaceutical giants being able to monopolize access to vital medicines the world over .
A key means of doing so is through the legal power of patents , and the monopoly-like profits – or what some experts call unearned economic rents – they guarantee .
Think of rent as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one ’ s own .
Being “ unearned , ” rents are thus usually distinguished from ordinary business profits .
In this way , they are comparable to the fees a medieval lord would charge for access to cropland on a vast estate .
To fully explain the problem of economic rents and access to medicines , however , we need to look still further : to the controversies that have swirled around pharmaceutical patents in countries far less wealthy than the U.S. For more than 20 years , in various parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries have been battling a global system of rent-taking , or “ rentierism ” for short , that disproportionately benefits Big Pharma .
This state of affairs could not exist without the government officials whom Big Pharma has lobbied successfully in wealthy countries .
Patents and other intellectual property rights allow the multinationals to capture rent by evading competition for years on end .
This global battle around pharmaceutical patents began in earnest with the founding of the World Trade Organization ( WTO ) in 1994 .
This included an annex agreement on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights .
Many countries already allowed for patents before 1994 , but only on “ processes ” of manufacture or synthesis .
After 1994 , WTO member countries were required to extend patents to the vital end products of such processes as well .
For inhabitants of developing countries , whose greatest public health problems at the time derived from diseases like malaria , tuberculosis and HIV-AIDS , this crystallized various questions of great import .
Should the agreements enable Big Pharma ’ s monopoly-like patent rights to trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to obtain generic versions of life savings medicines ?
And if so , to what extent ?
By 2001 , all WTO member states officially had conceded the rights of developing countries to take measures to increase access to lifesaving medicines .
But Big Pharma and its allies have never relented in pressing for more , not less , stringent intellectual property protections around the world .
Since 1994 , Big Pharma has imposed ever more severe requirements around patent rights .
They have insisted that patent rights are necessary to “ incentivize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like tuberculosis and malaria that , having no markets in the developed world , require guaranteed premiums from whatever countries they are sold in .
Yet for just as long , critics have alleged that Big Pharma typically uses inflated , misleading or otherwise opaque cost data to tout the billions of dollars it claims to spend on drug development .
Likewise , critics have continuously called attention to the way that most drug development is built on publicly funded research .
And , finally , critics have never stopped highlighting the fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research and development for drugs for infectious ailments in developing nations , and increasingly switched to spending on blockbuster noninfectious disease drugs .
Yet as diseases such as cancer and heart disease begin to take an even greater toll in the developing world , patents will extract an ever greater toll on patient populations across the world .
In a developing world where public health problems increasingly look similar to the developed world ’ s , in fact , multinational pharmaceutical corporations could become better – not worse – placed to expand their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like insulin and beta blockers .
A convergence between the sick across the globe One unexpected lesson from this is that ordinary people around the world will increasingly find themselves in the same boat when it comes to accessing the medicines they need .
Therefore , if countries in the developing world are forced to give up the fight against patent rentierism , it should be a concern both to their own residents and to residents of wealthy countries too .
Just this past September , for example , Indian Prime Minister Narendra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a robust generic drugs industry that supplies low-cost medicines to people around the world – was ready to concede to the demands of Big Pharma by moving toward abdicating his country ’ s vital role as “ the pharmacy of the world.
” India has now signed an interim trade agreement with the Trump administration that will require it to more strictly enforce the patent rights of pharmaceutical multinationals , with the latest news reports indicating it may even now be finalized .
Over the course of the current battle for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the plight of residents of Michigan who are left asking how insulin costs 10 times in the U.S. what it costs 10 minutes away across our northern border .
Given the larger conversation about patent rents and access to medicines that we should be having , however , it behooves those of us who live in places like the U.S. to look not only to Canada but to what is happening around the world , where the sick and dying face increasingly similar ailments – and fights – as our own .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
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Sign up for The Conversation ’ s daily newsletter . ]
Faisal Chaudhry has received funding from the Mellon Foundation , the American Council of Learned Societies , the Fulbright Program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State and Harvard University .


freedomdaily--2020-01-29--Brain organoids help neuroscientists understand brain development, but aren’t perfect matches for re

Brain organoids help neuroscientists understand brain development, but aren’t perfect matches for real brains

What was going on with our brain organoids ?
As neuroscientists , we use these three-dimensional clusters of cells grown in petri dishes to learn more about how the human brain works .
Researchers culture various kinds of organoids from stem cells – cells that have the potential to become one of many different cell types found throughout the body .
We use chemical signals to direct stem cells to produce brain-like cells that together resemble certain structural aspects of a real brain .
While they are not “ brains in a dish ” – organoids can not function or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organoid models let scientists see developmental processes that may yield insights into how the human brain works .
If researchers better understand normal development , we may be able to understand when and how things go wrong in diseases .
When we recently compared our lab ’ s organoid cells to normal brain cells , we were surprised to find that they didn ’ t look as similar as we ’ d expected .
Our brain organoids , each the size of a few millimeters , were stressed out .
Our investigation into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new method since many labs are using it to study brain function and neurological disease .
Without accurate models of the brain , scientists will not be able to work toward disease treatments .
Our lab is particularly interested in the human cerebral cortex – the brain ’ s bumpy exterior – because it is so different in human beings than it is in any other species .
The human cortex is proportionally bigger than in our closest living relatives , the great apes , containing more and different types of cells .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ unique human abilities , including our cognitive capacity .
Why is this important ?
Because the cortex tells the rest of the brain what to do , and because these cortical cells and structures are disrupted in numerous diseases , ranging from developmental disorders like autism to degenerative diseases like Alzheimer ’ s .
A better understanding of how the cerebral cortex forms will give researchers insights into how such diseases develop .
Brain organoids may reproduce certain features of brain development and could provide a platform to develop treatments for these disorders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community , we ’ re excited by the promise of organoids to let us study features of brain development that are unique to human beings , but essentially impossible to learn from living people .
We wondered : What kind of cells do organoids make ?
What signals do they send ?
Do they connect together ?
Many scientific groups have characterized these models and determined that they make cells similar to those of the developing human brain .
But how do scientists know that organoid models mimic the real thing if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brain ?
Our lab had a unique opportunity to compare human brain samples with our organoids .
Additionally , recent technological advances now enable scientists to look at the genes expressed by individual cells , so that we can identify the programs that determine their cellular identity .
When we compared our organoid cells to normal brain cells , they looked more different than we ’ d expected , both in specificity of cell type and ability to mature normally .
Normal human brain cells turn on at precise times the sets of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These genetic plans determine how excitable the cells are , the chemical signals they send and receive , their position within the brain , their shapes and the cells they connect with .
What do the gene profiles of organoid cells look like ?
They have the broad molecular characteristics of normal human brain cells , but without some important details .
They have a confused identity ; a single organoid cell expresses multiple gene programs that are normally found in very different cell types .
The human brain has a plethora @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cells express markers of multiple different neural types at once .
Organoid cells also don ’ t mature like normal brain cells do .
In addition , many of the features that are hallmarks of the developing human brain – like the structural expansion and increasing architectural complexity – are not reflected in the organoids .
So , if organoid cells do not have the same activated gene programs as in the normal human brain , what programs are activated ?
Stress .
Organoid cells have inappropriate activation of several cellular stress programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cells are not receiving vital environmental nutrients that are typically found in the body .
The activation of stress pathways results in cells behaving incorrectly and producing abnormal proteins .
To ensure that it wasn ’ t just the organoids in our hands , we analyzed the sequencing data of organoids published by other labs .
Sure enough , there were significant levels of stress across all organoids , regardless of who made them or how .
When cells activate stress genes , they do not develop or behave correctly .
We wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stress in our organoids , so we put unstressed normal cells into the organoid environment .
These once-normal cells became stressed too , and they developed identity issues similar to the organoid cells .
This experiment suggests that stress activation contributes to the cellular confusion in organoid cells .
In a different experiment , we took organoid cells out of the culture environment and grafted them into a mouse – and the stress was relieved .
Something about the way we currently culture organoids is stressing them out and is , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their development .
If organoids do not make specific cells that act like they do in the normal brain , how can we trust that the experiments we use them for reflect biology ?
Are organoids useful , then ?
So what does this mean for the future of organoids ?
Organoids are still the best way neuroscientists have to access certain features of human brain development and disease .
But to make sure that these studies are the most accurate they can be , neuroscientists need to resolve the stress-related issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alzheimer ’ s , affect specific cell types – if researchers don ’ t make those cell types in our organoids , it may have major implications for future studies working toward treatments of these diseases .
In addition , many diseases induce cellular stress , and the manifestations of these diseases may be blunted or obscured in organoids if the organoid cells are already stressed .
The good news is the stress can be reversed – if researchers can figure out exactly what is causing it .
[ Deep knowledge , daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s newsletter . ]
Aparna Bhaduri receives funding from the NIH and the L ’ Oreal For Women in Science Fellowship through AAAS .
Arnold Kriegstein receives funding from the NIH and CIRM ( the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine ) .


freedomdaily--2020-01-29--AG Barr Compares Working With Trump And Bush: ‘I Love Both Men,’ But Trump ‘Listens’

Attorney General William Barr discussed working with former President George W. bush and President Donald Trump , saying that he loves “ both men ” and adding that “ Trump listens.
” Barr discussed the differences between Bush and Trump during an interview with Archbishop of New York , Cardinal Timothy Dolan , and co-host , Father Dave Dwyer , CSP on their show “ Conversation with Cardinal Dolan ” on SiriusXM ’ s The Catholic Channel .
Barr also served as attorney general for Bush .
“ They ’ re very different , ” he explained .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more low-key .
He had a very strong interest in foreign policy in which he really focuses attention on.
” “ He ’ ll bring people in to explain things to them , ” he said .
“ He ’ ll reach down and bring the experts in … and he listens.
” The attorney general sees Trump several times a week , he told Dolan and Dwyer .
“ He ’ s very easy to work with .
He has a good sense of humor .
He ’ s very direct.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump in public is “ very much what you see in private.
” “ He doesn ’ t have two different acts that he puts on , ” Barr added .
“ He ’ s much more engaged than people give him credit for , and he ’ s a strong leader .
He is getting things done .
I just sometimes say if he wasn ’ t facing the resistance that he is and the dogged opposition that he faces , you just wonder how much more he could accomplish because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face of great resistance.
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freedomdaily--2020-01-29--Biden: VP Choice Must Be Capable Of Running Country ‘Because I’m An Old Guy’

Democratic 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden said Tuesday that his choice for vice president will have to be “ immediately ” capable of taking over as commander-in-chief because “ I ’ m an old guy , ” he told an audience in Iowa , The remark highlights what is widely considered the former vice president ’ s biggest political liability .
If elected in November , he will be 78-years-old by Inauguration Day , making him the oldest president ever sworn into office by eight years .
Biden was initially asked if he would select California Sen. Kamala Harris as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential candidate , saying that “ she has the capacity to do just about anything.
” But he said that his first requirement for vice president is that the person is capable of taking over as president .
“ For me , it has to be demonstrated that whomever I pick , there ’ s two things : One , he ’ s capable of immediately being a president because I ’ m an old guy , ” Biden said .
He immediately qualified his candid remarks , saying that he is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out every morning .
Biden has insisted throughout the campaign that his age should improve his electability .
“ Look , one of the reasons I ’ m running is because of my age and my experience , ” Biden said during a debate on Oct. 15 .
“ With it comes wisdom , ” he continued .
“ We need someone to take office this time around who on day one can stand on the world stage , command the respect of world leaders from Putin to our allies , and know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get this country back on track.
” Biden has been dogged by concerns about his age throughout the campaign .
His chief critics have pointed to his repeated gaffes on the campaign trail , and several speeches where he misidentified cities and states , or mixed up decades when certain events occurred .
Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez questioned whether Biden ’ s age had anything to do with his poor debate performances over the summer .
“ His [ Biden ’ s ] performance on the stage kind of raised some questions with respect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New York Democrat said in an interview in July .
Earlier on Tuesday , Biden snapped at an Iowa voter who questioned his position on gas pipelines .
“ Go vote for someone else , ” Biden told the man .


freedomdaily--2020-01-29--Senators’ Letter Stirs Mystery Over 4 Classified Footnotes In FISA Report

The Republican chairmen of two Senate committees asked Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz on Tuesday to declassify information in four footnotes in the report on the FBI ’ s investigation of the Trump campaign .
The senators said the redacted information is “ essential ” for the public to fully understand what went wrong in the probe .
“ The American people have a right to know what is contained within these four footnotes and , without that knowledge , they will not have a full picture as to what happened during the Crossfire Hurricane investigation , ” Sens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Horowitz .
“ This classified information is significant not only because it contradicts key statements in a section of the report , but also because it provides insight essential for an accurate evaluation of the entire investigation.
” The letter stirs mystery over what is behind the redactions , and raises the possibility that the report is even more damning for the FBI than already known .
Horowitz ’ s 434-page report blasted the FBI for providing inaccurate and incomplete information to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court ( FISC ) in four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Page .
The report said that FBI agents failed to disclose information that undercut the bureau ’ s theory that Page was working as a Russian agent , or that he conspired with the Kremlin to influence the 2016 election .
FBI agents also failed to inform the FISC that the main source for former British spy Christopher Steele disputed information in a dossier that the bureau cited in its applications to the FISC .
The errors and omissions were so egregious that the FISC issued a public order reprimanding the FBI .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Carter Page applications , as portrayed in the [ Office of Inspector General ] report , was antithetical to the heightened duty of candor described above , ” Judge Rosemary Collyer , who then presided over the FISC , wrote in a letter on Dec. 17 .
“ The frequency with which representations made by FBI personnel turned out to be unsupported or contradicted by information in their possession , and with which they withheld information detrimental to their case , calls into question whether information contained in other FBI applications is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department notified the FISC on Jan. 7 that two of the four wiretap applications were “ not valid.
” Grassley and Johnson do not identify the four footnotes in question , and a spokesman for Grassley did not respond to a request for additional information about the footnotes .
Dozens of the 535 footnotes in the report contain at least some redactions , though only three are blacked out completely .
One of the footnotes refers to a section of the report about Steele ’ s working relationship with Oleg Deripaska , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin .
Republicans have questioned whether Steele ’ s relationship with a Kremlin insider influenced his investigation of possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign .
Another fully redacted footnote refers to information about Steele ’ s main dossier source , identified as “ Primary Sub-Source ” in the report .
The source ’ s identity remains unknown .
Another footnote refers to a separate Steele sub-source who told FBI agents that information attributed to them in the dossier was “ exaggerated .
”


freedomdaily--2020-01-29--Mexico Deports Over 2,000 Caravan Migrants Back To Honduras

The Mexican government announced it has so far deported more than 2,000 members of the latest migrant caravan , demonstrating the immensity of the country ’ s newfound enforcement of illegal immigration .
Mexico deported roughly 2,303 Honduran migrants between January 18 and 27 , the National Migration Institute — the department in Mexico that manages immigration — reported on Monday .
The Center for Immigration Studies , a Washington , D.C. , -based immigration think tank , translated and flagged the recent numbers .
The deportations pertained to the most recent U.S.-bound migrant caravan .
The National Migration Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chartered planes and 34 buses to carry out the removal of members of the migrant caravan .
Roughly 1,064 Hondurans were deported by buses and ground transportation , while another 1,239 were deported by aircraft .
The large removal numbers illustrate Mexico ’ s drastically different approach to U.S.-bound illegal aliens who area attempting to pass through its territory .
A caravan was formed near San Pedro Sula , Honduras earlier in January and began its journey to the U.S. southern border .
Due to travel agreements between Central American governments , most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to pass through Guatemala and continue north .
However , it reached a wall , of sorts , when members reached the Mexican southern border .
Armed with riot gear and tear gas , Mexico ’ s national guard has fended off attempts by members of the caravan to cross its border for days .
The adamant resistance by Mexico ’ s government has even sparked violent clashes between the two sides , with migrants at one point throwing rocks at them in an effort to pass .
The migrants who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the choice of applying for asylum there , where the government has promised them employment , or they can be transported back to their home country .
For the migrants who are determined to still reach the U.S. , most of them have remained stationed at the Suchiate river , which marks the border between Mexico and Guatemala .
Mexico has nonetheless made it clear that its territory won ’ t be used as transit for illegal aliens to reach the U.S .
The Trump administration , for its part , has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps to stop illegal immigration .
“ Appreciate the Government of Mexico ’ s commitment to enforcing safe , orderly and lawful migration .
Mexico continues to be a true partner in addressing this regional crisis , ” Mark Morgan , the acting commissioner of Customs and Border Protection , said in a statement earlier this month .
“ I ’ m confident they will continue to stop , deny and impede the caravan.
” While the majority of the caravan is made up of Honduran nationals , it also consists of Salvadorans @ @ @ @ @ @


freedomdaily--2020-01-29--E-cig flavors may be more than alluring; they could cause damage themselves

Millions of Americans are vaping , and some are getting sick .
Since June 2019 , 2,711 have been hospitalized and 60 have died due to EVALI ( e-cigarette-associated lung injury ) , the devastating lung disease linked to e-cigarettes .
Five million users are middle and high school students .
Some are as young as 11 , although it ’ s illegal to sell vaping products to anyone under 21 .
Especially for kids , much of the lure is flavor .
E-cigarettes offer attractive smells and tastes .
Fruit , mint , candy and dessert flavors are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the desire to vape .
That ’ s why the Trump administration just banned the sale of those sweet flavors from cartridge-based e-cigs , the delivery method most popular with teens .
One of us ( Weihong ) is a chemosensory neurobiologist , and the other ( Rakaia ) is a research assistant in my lab .
Put simply , we study how the sensory systems and brain react to chemical stimulation .
With e-cigarettes , we are focusing on how the enticing flavors ensnare our children .
But our studies have shown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pleasure they may bring – the flavorings themselves may actually harm tissue .
The tobacco industry has long been using flavorings make their products more palatable ; it added menthol to cigarettes nearly a century ago .
Today , the allure of flavors in e-cigarettes bring potential health consequences , and kids are particularly vulnerable .
E-cigarettes can put adolescents at risk for respiratory , cardiopulmonary diseases , brain disorders and cancers .
About 20,000 flavored e-liquids are on the market – countless combinations of hundreds of flavoring molecules extracted from natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority are volatile odor chemicals , perceived not by taste , but by smell .
Your olfactory system , with far more sensitivity than your taste buds , can distinguish more than 10,000 smells .
During vaping , a flavoring enters our nose , and like any agreeable scent , immediately evokes the fond memories and pleasant emotions associated with the aroma .
Vanillin , a popular e-cigarette flavoring , smells like dessert ; ethyl maltol , a flavoring used in many foods , has a candy-like odor .
The user , comforted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then goes back for more .
But e-cigarette vapor also contains nicotine , heavy metals and formaldehyde , as pungent as they are harmful .
Mixing in delectable flavorings disguises their unpleasantness , much like the cherry additive that camouflages the otherwise medicinal taste of children ’ s cough syrup .
Yet perceptions of irritation and pain in the nose , mouth , and throat serve as warning signals , the body ’ s cautionary bells and whistles evolved over millions of years .
A bitter taste might originate from a toxic plant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tract indicates the inhaled substance is potentially harmful .
But now that flavorings in e-cigarette mask the warning signals , many consumers have been lulled into believing vaping is benign .
They rate mint flavors as safer , though they are not .
And instead of irritation from the e-cigarette prompting a cough – an action that removes harmful stimuli from the airway – the flavorings instead dampen the user ’ s sensory alarms and protective reactions .
The risk of chemically induced injury , along with nicotine abuse , is increased .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has acknowledged some flavorings as “ safe for consumption , ” its label dodges a critical distinction .
Safe for consumption does not mean safe for inhalation .
While scientists still haven ’ t confirmed the inhalation toxicity for all flavorings , the latest research reveals some disturbing evidence .
Many of the most common flavorings when present at high levels can cause inflammation , cell death , free radical formation and DNA damage .
One class of compounds , known as furfurals , trigger tumor growth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the propylene glycol in the e-liquid , can produce metabolites , or intermediate substances that are part of metabolic reactions , that are irritating to the respiratory system .
Long-term exposure to irritants can lead to chronic cough ; inflammation ; hyper-reactive airway ( wheezing , shortness of breath ) ; edema ( swelling in the arms , hands , legs or feet ) ; and acute lung damage .
Some flavorings , inhaled chronically or at high levels , are already known to cause serious and sometimes deadly respiratory illnesses .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ processed foods – notably some popcorn products – causes “ popcorn lung , ” an irreversible disease that affects factory workers exposed daily to the compound .
Many e-liquids contain diacetyl ; an analysis found the substance in 39 out of 51 tested e-cigarette samples .
In about half the samples , the estimated daily consumption was above safety limits .
Patients with EVALI exhibit a significant number of these symptoms , and all were attributed to vaping .
In one survey , users reported cough ( 40.0 % ) ; dry or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) ; dizziness or lightheadedness ( 27.1 % ) ; headache or migraine ( 21.9 % ) ; or shortness of breath ( 18.1 % ) .
Similar health problems have been reported by patients with chemically induced sick building syndrome .
This implies that e-cigarette users share common health problems with those suffering from chemical exposure .
Ongoing chemical exposure , especially at high doses , can cause olfactory dysfunction , including a reduced sense of smell .
This encourages chronic e-cigarette users to choose stronger-flavored e-liquids to receive a sufficient buzz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generate more irritation and damage to the nose , lungs and lower airway .
The health effects of e-cigarette exposure go beyond the sensory and respiratory systems .
Mint and candy flavors are more than chemical accessories that enhance a harmless experience .
They shape our behavior , perhaps for a lifetime .
Our government is making progress towards keeping teens away from e-cigarettes .
Now , long-term research is needed to fully comprehend the adverse health effects and toxicity of flavorings and other chemical substances in the e-cigarette vapor to prevent the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deep knowledge , daily .
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Rakaia Kenney 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 .