Alzheimer’s treatment proves effective at preventing inflammation, failure of orthopedic implants – Study Finds

Researchers tested the molecule’s impact on both bone cells and immune cells. During their experiments, the team discovered metal particles coming from the implants accelerate the progression of bone resorption. However, in animal tests, study authors found SNV could suppress this resorption. Therefore, the new drug shows great promise at preserving the hold joint implants and teeth have in the surrounding bone tissue.

“This project is a classic example of collaboration between different departments at TAU’s Faculty of Medicine,” says Prof. Yankel Gabet.

“On the one hand, together with Prof. David Kohavi, my group has for years studied the connection between the immune system, inflammatory response, and bone cells. On the other, Dr. Michal Eger is a dentist who decided to explore these processes for her doctoral thesis. She attended a course given by Prof. Gozes, in which VIP and SNV were discussed, and an in-depth conversation led to the idea of checking whether these molecules can prevent bone loss around implants and natural teeth. We quickly discovered the enormous potential of SNV for people who suffer from bone loss around teeth and implants. Currently we are working on translating this new discovery to the clinic.”

Source: Alzheimer’s treatment proves effective at preventing inflammation, failure of orthopedic implants – Study Finds

Tyson Raises Pay to Combat Turnover | Food Manufacturing (Me: Read this GOP it’s not unemployment keeping people at home – it’s poor working conditions and competition from those who will pay more!)

To combat the virus, Tyson began vaccinating workers in February through clinics at more than 100 sites. The company said Monday it has vaccinated more than 42,000 employees, or about one-third of its workforce. Tyson said it’s also offering vaccines to team members’ families when possible.

Tyson said it’s raising wages and implementing more flexible scheduling in order to keep its plants staffed. Executives did not elaborate on the percentage pay hikes workers were being given and a company spokesman was unable to provide further details.

“There’s not a magic bullet here. We’re looking at all kinds of things, trying to generate worker-driven solutions,” King said.

Source: Tyson Raises Pay to Combat Turnover | Food Manufacturing

(Me: Game changer for testing!) Is It Covid or the Flu? New Combo Tests Can Find Out. – The New York Times

This so-called quad test, now available at thousands of hospitals and clinics around the country, could detect not only the coronavirus, but two types of influenza and the respiratory syncytial virus, or R.S.V. A little more than a half-hour later, Dr. Blake Gustafson had the patient’s result: He had the flu.

To Vaccinate Younger Teens, States and Cities Look to Schools, Camps, Even Beaches – The New York Times

A recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Vaccine Monitor found that many parents — even some who eagerly got their own Covid shots — are reluctant to vaccinate pubescent children. Yet doing so will be critical for further reducing transmission of the virus, smoothly reopening middle and high schools and regaining some sense of national normalcy.

Vaccination for the age group is expected to begin across the country later this week. Sites are anticipating an initial surge in demand before an inevitable softening, much as happened with adults.

States, counties and school districts around the country are trying to figure out the most reassuring and expedient ways to reach younger adolescents as well as their parents, whose consent is usually required by state law. They are making plans to offer vaccines not only in schools, but also at pediatricians’ offices, day camps, parks and even beaches.

Joni Ernst Claims Liz Cheney is a Victim of Cancel Culture

In yet another sign that cancel culture isn’t real, even Republicans can’t agree on what constitutes “cancel culture.” This episode of intra-party confusion comes courtesy of Republican leaders’ push to oust Representative Liz Cheney from her leadership post in the House.  Source: Joni Ernst Claims Liz Cheney is a Victim of Cancel Culture

When One City Gave People Cash, They Went Out and Got Jobs

Besides feeling less pain and anxiety about their lives and their financial situations, a surprising percentage of the program’s recipients got jobs. By the end of the first year of the study (2019, before the pandemic began) full-time employment in the recipient group had risen from 28 percent to 40 percent — double the increase found among folks who didn’t receive the money.

This runs counter to some conventional wisdom, which says that free money disincentivizes work. Rather, the report, along with anecdotal evidence, seems to say the opposite: it is the uncertainty that low-income folks live with that makes it harder for them to find the jobs they desire. Providing this modest monetary cushion allows folks to realize their potential, which benefits the entire community.

Source: When One City Gave People Cash, They Went Out and Got Jobs

Bills to Combat Extremism in Law Enforcement Stall Across the Country

My general feeling on the matter is that if your job involves a gun, you should be held to a higher standard than everyone else. When it comes to the military, soldiers have limitations placed on what they can and can’t say for matters of combat readiness and unit cohesion. “Some of our rights are abridged because of the nature of the military organization and the importance of cohesion and combat readiness,” John Altenberg, a retired deputy judge advocate general of the Army, told NBC News when discussing extremism in the military. “We can’t just say anything we want.”

It only makes sense that that same principal should be carried over to people who are in charge of public safety. If you hate a large swath of the public, you probably shouldn’t be allowed to have a job where you can hurt those people. I don’t understand why this is a complicated issue. I mean I do—white supremacy will always try to intellectualize the brutality needed to maintain it—but still.

The result of all this hemming and hawing is that momentum on many of the bills introduced in these states has stalled. The bill in Portland is limited to just pre-screenings of potential officers, and the bill in California essentially boils down to a piece of text that says, “No member of a hate group should be in law enforcement and if you are a member of one of these groups don’t apply, you have no place in our profession.”

Source: Bills to Combat Extremism in Law Enforcement Stall Across the Country

Destruction of coastal forest for a major tourism project raises questions about Jamaica’s climate change posture · Global Voices – Emma Lewis

As Caribbean governments and people are painfully aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a serious blow to tourism. The Jamaican industry continues to struggle through another year of “lockdowns,” fluctuating vaccine supplies, and ever-changing travel requirements. However, as Jamaica works towards the reopening of hotels and attracting visitors again, a new development is raising concerns—and questions about the government’s commitment to climate change. Source: Destruction of coastal forest for a major tourism project raises questions about Jamaica’s climate change posture · Global Voices

Putin submits bill to Russian parliament on withdrawing from Open Skies treaty — Meduza

(Me: President Biden has not yet reversed Trump’s call on this vital issue) The United States withdrew from the Open Skies treaty on the grounds that Russia was in breach of the terms of the agreement. The U.S. State Department accused Russia of banning observation flights over Moscow, Kaliningrad, Chechnya, and near the borders of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Moscow denied the allegations, arguing that Washington hadn’t fulfilled the terms of the treaty.  Source: Putin submits bill to Russian parliament on withdrawing from Open Skies treaty — Meduza