Human trafficking super bowl

Scientists have managed to re-activate certain cells in human eyes that were removed up to five hours after the donor's death, raising questions about when neurons can be said to have truly died. The question of when human cells die is an important one for medical science in part because it allows doctors to know when certain organs can be transplanted . Kidneys, for example, can remain viable outside the body for between 24 and 36 hours under the proper conditions according to the Donor Alliance tissue bank. Tissues from the central nervous system are thought to lose their potential for re-use quickly after blood circulation stops, but scientists aren't too sure why or what the potential for revival is. To find out, researchers used retinas collected from both humans and mice after death to find out when neurons associated with sight could be revived. They discovered that they could "wake up" photoreceptor cells—cells that detect light and enable us to see—up to five hours … [Read more...] about Dead human eyes respond to light five hours after donor passed

Scientists have developed a specialized machine which can keep a human liver alive outside the body for one week. Current approaches are only capable of keeping the organ alive for a few hours. But with the new technology, researchers have significantly extended this period. According to a study published in the journal Nature Biotechnology , the machine has the potential to increase the number of livers available for transplant, potentially saving the lives of many people suffering from severe liver diseases and cancer. Intriguingly, the machine could allow for the repair of poor-quality livers that would otherwise be declined for transplantation. When placed in the device for a a few days, these livers may regain full function. "There is an urgent clinical need for more donor livers due to an increasing gap between available grafts and patients waiting for an organ," Pierre-Alain Clavien, Chairman of the Department of Surgery and Transplantation at the University Hospital … [Read more...] about Human livers have been kept alive outside the body for a whole week in medical breakthrough

A mother has donated more than 45 gallons of her surplus breast milk to help families struggling to feed their own infants amid the national baby formula shortage . Andrea Heidenreich, of Dubuque, reached the incredible milestone on Saturday (May 14) with her final donation to the Mother's Milk Bank of Iowa in Coralville. Frantic parents have increasingly turned to human milk banks to feed their babies, after facing empty supermarket shelves when supplies of formula plunged following a product recall over safety fears in February . And Iowa was one of the six worst-hit states, with more than a 50 percent out-of-stock rate, according to local news channel KCRG. Heidenreich told the station: "Sometimes women can overproduce breast milk, and I was one of those overproducers. We just decided we could help other parents and babies along the way. There are parents that are very stressed out trying to find formula to feed their babies and for moms who aren't able to breastfeed … [Read more...] about Woman donates 45 gallons of breast milk amid baby formula shortage

Elon Musk has said "the environment is going to be fine" even if the human population "doubled," in comments that set him on a potential collision course with climate campaigners like Prince Harry and Prince William . The Tesla CEO dismissed suggestions that "having fewer kids is better for the environment" as "total nonsense" during an appearance at the All-In Summit. The remark sets Musk at odds with many who campaign to save the environment, including Harry and William, although he did not name them. Elon Musk Says 'the Environment Is Going to Be Fine' Musk offered no evidence to support his contentions as he said: "We're currently headed towards a population decline. And that's everywhere in the world." He added: "Some people think that having fewer kids is better for the environment. It's total nonsense. "The environment is going to be fine, the environment is going to be fine even if we doubled the size of the humans. I know a lot about environmental stuff, so … [Read more...] about Elon Musk slams population concerns raised by Princes Harry and William

Activists and concerned residents in Foster City plan to protest the city’s proposal to potentially euthanize more than 300 Canada geese and goslings that some say are taking over — and contaminating — the city. The animal activists behind the protest, planned for Tuesday evening outside of City Hall, said the city’s interest in partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services to control the city’s sweling goose population would be a massacre that is both “inhumane” and “temporary” at best. Between 2020 and 2021, Foster City’s goose population doubled to the largest its ever been, city officials said, with 323 reported as of last June. The overpopulation has sparked ire from residents who say the birds, and their droppings in particular, are posing a threat to health and safety. Foster City officials said they intend to reserve euthanization as a last resort. “Where there’s water, there’s water fowl,” said protester and Larkspur resident Erik Allen, who … [Read more...] about Concerns over goose poop may lead this Bay Area city to kill off hundreds of Canada geese

Elon Musk ’s deal to take over Twitter “cannot move forward” unless he receives more information about spam accounts on the platform, he has said. Mr Musk has said that the deal is “temporarily on hold” until Twitter is able to prove claims in its filings that less than 5 per cent of its active users are spam or fake accounts. On Monday, in a long thread, Twitter chief executive Parag Agarwal claimed that the company would be unable to provide such proof publicly because it relies on private and internal information. Initially, Mr Musk replied to that with a turd emoji. He then asked “how do advertisers know what they’re getting for their money?” Now, in new tweets, Mr Musk said that he thought the number could be far higher than Twitter’s claims and that he would not move forward with the deal until more proof had been provided. Recommended What are Elon Musk’s political beliefs and who has he donated to? Elon Musk praises Netflix for … [Read more...] about Elon Musk says Twitter deal ‘cannot move forward’ until CEO proves spam claims

The stereotypes about cats and dogs are well documented, from the popular phrase " fighting like cats and dogs ," to portrayals in cartoons and movies. But this cat and dog pair are bucking the trend. Eight-year-old shorthair cat Nikita and 5-year-old Australian Shepherd dog Bleu have been best buddies for almost five years. Wrestling, playing, and cuddling the day away together. Living with their owners Alene Husson and her husband Gerry in Indian Lake, New York, Husson told us the story of these unusual friends. "After our last Australian Shepherd died, we decided to get a cat because they're so much easier to take care of," she explained. "But we found that even though the cat was wonderful it just didn't fulfill the need for a dog. So we decided to get Bleu." The Animal Humane Society reports that: "Despite the stereotype, many dogs and cats learn to live together peacefully," they advise: "Be patient and take the introduction process slowly, but know that whether or not … [Read more...] about Australian Shepherd becomes best buddies with cat whose owner died

When my husband and I reunited after our divorce and decided to move in together in Toronto with our daughter, I knew I wanted to own a house. So, we bought a cottage by the water and I realized I needed a dog in my life. I wanted a swim partner as well as a best friend and after careful research, we decided to get a Portuguese water dog. We drove to Delaware to see a breeder who was highly recommended, and as we got out of the car, we saw more than 50 dogs and puppies in a fenced-in area nearby. As most dog owners know, you don't pick a puppy, the puppy picks you. This little six-week-old black and white fur ball jumped in my lap a minute after we entered the yard. He was our new baby. We drove him home to Toronto and during the eight or so hour drive he was a perfect little passenger. We named him Barco. Barco means boat in Portuguese, so it was a perfect name for our new Portuguese water dog. Barco became my pet and swim partner. He was a strong swimmer who would swim ahead of … [Read more...] about “I hired a psychiatrist for my dog”

This is a good week to ponder the dynamics of human population growth, and how it relates to the coronavirus pandemic, which is surging in the U.S. and globally, driven in part by population density. World Population Day, which highlights the importance of issues like family planning for sustainable development, is this Saturday. Meanwhile, this week the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the Trump administration could let employers opt out of mandated contraceptive coverage in the Affordable Care Act. Does the pandemic demand a rethink of our attitudes toward growth, both demographic and economic? Is perpetual growth really a guarantor of human well-being? Can we create by fiat an endless future of unlimited human numbers and activity? At what point should hubris make some concessions to humility? "We are as gods," Stewart Brand wrote in 1968 at the opening of his Whole Earth Catalogue , "and might as well get good at it." Half a century later, we are no better at it. The more … [Read more...] about A lesson from COVID-19: Growth is part of the problem | Opinion

One day after the draft Supreme Court decision that would overturn Roe vs. Wade leaked, Pennsylvania Democrat Josh Shapiro declared that his bid to become governor was the only thing preventing Republicans from restricting abortion access in the state. “The next governor is going to have a bill on their desk that will restrict or outlaw abortion rights, and they will have a decision as to whether to sign it or veto it,” he told reporters this month. “I will, of course, veto it. My opponents would sign it.” If the landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision guaranteeing protection of abortion rights is overturned, abortion policy will be set by states, where Republicans hold the majority of legislatures and governorships. But in a handful of states, particularly Pennsylvania and Kansas, the winner of the November gubernatorial races could have a significant impact, vetoing or signing into law abortion legislation that would affect millions of people of reproductive age both in their … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania governor’s race could have outsize impact on abortion access