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‘Batman’ Actor Adam West Dies

Jonathan Antonio
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‘Batman’ Actor Adam West Dies

Adam West, who will always be known to many people around the world as Batman, has passed away. The actor was 88.

Born in 1928 in Walla Walla, Washington, West was drafted into the United States Army where he served as an announcer on American Forces Network television. Before starring in Batman West appeared in several TV Westerns including episodes of The Outer Limits.

All of which were minuscule in comparison to Batman, which first premiered in 1966, and was a pop-cultural hit. The show was known for not only showcasing the art, culture, and identity of the 1960s but the show set the stage for all future representations of Batman. West was forever linked to the character for the rest of his life.

While that character forever typecasted West’s acting career, he would later embrace the acting role, reprising his role as Batman and often playing parodies of the character.

West would continue working in the entertainment industry through his voice over work. As an older actor, he played “Timothy North” on the hit TV show Kim Possible. He also played the deranged mayor of Quahog, Adam West.

West died after a long battle with leukemia. His family’s statement read, “Our dad always saw himself as The Bright Knight, and aspired to make a positive impact on his fans’ lives.”

DC Comics posted a tribute to the actor on Twitter saying, “The DC family is deeply saddened by the passing of Adam West, a Batman beloved by generations. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.”

Fans, celebrities, and entertainers shared their condolences through social media. Star Wars actor, Mark Hamill, posted on Twitter saying “ was such a wonderful actor & so kind, I’m so lucky to have worked w/ him & tell him how much he meant to me & millions of fans.”

“Adam West exemplified heroism. Kind, funny and an all around great guy. Thank you for showing us all how it’s done,” Ben Affleck said via social media.

Study Finds Brain Scans May Predict Autism in Infants

Brent Edward
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0
Study Finds Brain Scans May Predict Autism in Infants

Researchers announced on Wednesday that a new type of brain scan would be able to predict whether a baby as young as six months old will develop autism.

Scientists argue children considered high risk because an older brother or sister has autism may be useful for predicting the disease. Currently, the brain scans chose nine out of 11 kids who were later diagnosed with autism out of a group of 59 high-risk children.

Dr. Diana Bianchi, the director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, said, “If future studies confirm these results, detecting brain differences may enable physicians to diagnose and treat autism earlier than they do today.”

Researchers are trying to identify different types of scans to find any correlational evidence between brain scans and early autism.

The team of researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine structural changes in the brains of babies born with autism. The team of scientists from the University of North Carolina and Washington University in St. Louis also used another type of MRI called the functional connectivity MRI to see if they may find differences in the way different regions of the brain connect with one another while a child is only an infant. Ultimately, researchers were able to find differences, which allowed them to correctly predict with nearly 90% accuracy infants who were later diagnosed with autism.

This research comes after researchers found a new way to treat Autism. Scientists are focusing on improving the type of bacteria discovered in the stomach by doing fecal microbial transplants. In a small study of fewer than 20 participants found a 20 to 25% autism behavior improvement. For example, researchers discovered an improvement in social skills and sleeping habits.

Autism is a developmental disorder that weakens the capability to talk and socialize.

Google Increases Android Bug Rewards to $200,000

Jonathan Antonio
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Google Increases Android Bug Rewards to $200,000

Google has now increased the bounty for finding a bug in their Android operating system to as much as $200,000, according to reports.

Days after a malware attack called “Judy” hit and affected over 30 million Android phones, Google is stepping up their bounty program. Google started the bug bounty program for Android nearly two years ago. Ultimately, it centers around a simple premise, similar to other programs in the tech industry, the Android Security Rewards program pays people who find bugs in the Android operating software. Google uses that information to fix the bug and avoid potential exploits by malicious hackers.

So far, Google has paid security researchers more than $1.5 million since the program started. In an effort to attract more engineers and researchers to the program, Google has decided to increase the reward. The first reward is for remote kernel exploits, which could give unauthorized users the ability to hack and gain control of Android devices or steal an individual’s personal data. Google has increased the reward bounty for this type of bug from $30,000 to $150,000.

google-android
Mountain View, California, USA – August 15, 2016: Android Nougat replica in front of Google office in Google headquarters building. (Benny Marty / Shutterstock.com)

The second is for Trust Zone and Verified Boot bugs. Trust Zone is a system that ensures security software, biometric data, fingerprint scans and system settings are secure. Meanwhile, Verified Boot compromises ensure that the phone’s software has not been altered. Google has raised their reward for this type of bug from $50,000 to $200,000 in order to prevent hackers from exploiting two critical areas of the Android Operating Software.

According to cyber security firm Check Point, dozens of apps infected with malware were downloaded between 4.5 million to 18.5 million times from the Play Store. Some of the male-ware affected apps were reportedly living on the Google Play Store for several years. Moreover, “Judy” is just one type of malware and example of how an open mobile operating system can be exploited by hackers.

Man Dies After Swimming in the Ocean with His New Tattoo

Brent Edward
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Man Dies After Swimming in the Ocean with His New Tattoo

After swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, a 31-year-old man died after his tattoo became infected with a flesh eating bacteria.

According to reports, the man had recently gone a tattoo on his right calf. Even though men and women who receive new tattoos are encouraged not to go swimming for several weeks, the man went for a swim in the ocean just five days after he received the tattoo, according to a BMJ Case Report published last May.

Several days later, he started developing and showing signs of infection with symptoms including fever, chills, and inflammation. The man would arrive at the hospital with red and painful abscesses on his legs.

Doctors were shocked by how fast the person’s lesions were becoming worse and worse. Physicians suspected he had developed an infection with a bacteria that lives in warm coastal waters called Vibrio vulnificus. In rare situations, the bacteria can enter the body through an open wound and cause life-threatening bloodstream infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Moreover, the man previously suffered from alcoholic cirrhosis, a liver disease related to heavy drinking, which could have increased the risk of the bacterial infection.

Physicians treated the man with antibiotics. However, he developed septic shock. It would require further treatment, and in a few weeks, he was well enough to start a rehabilitation program. But, his condition worsened soon after, and two months later, he died due to complications related to liver damage, skin lesions, and kidney failure.

The CDC reports that among the 80,000 people who become sick with the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria infections each year, only 100 people die from the disease. The bacteria is most commonly seen as a foodborne illness when people eat contaminated seafood or undercooked shellfish.

Ultimately, it is recommended that anyone who gets a tattoo waits until the flesh art completely heals, which can take several weeks, before going swimming.

Internet Withdrawal is Real? Researchers Find Internet Withdrawal Increases Heart Rate, BP

Megan Diane
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Internet Withdrawal is Real? Researchers Find Internet Withdrawal Increases Heart Rate, BP

Last year, researchers discovered frequent Candy Crush Saga players are more likely to become addicts. Now, researchers argue that regular internet usage is linked to withdrawal symptoms.

Similar to how a drug addict may face withdrawal symptoms, people who use the Internet a lot may experience significant physiological changes including increased heart rate and blood pressure, according to a new study.

The study’s lead researcher Phil Reed, a Professor at Swansea University in Britain, explained a person’s dependence on their digital device is correlated with feelings of anxiety.

 “We have known for some time that people who are over-dependent on digital devices report feelings of anxiety when they are stopped from using them, but now we can see that these psychological effects are accompanied by actual physiological changes.”

Researchers studied 144 participants between the ages of 18 to 33 years old. Scientists analyze their heart rate and blood pressure before and after a brief Internet session. Their anxiety and self-reported Internet addiction were also assessed in the study. The results of the survey showed an increased physiological arousal following the end of the Internet session for those who report a problematically high Internet usage.

Moreover, there was an average of 3 to 4% increase in heart rate and blood pressure. In fact, some cases had double that number immediately following the end of Internet use.

While this increase is not enough to be life-threatening, such changes can be associated with feelings of anxiety and alter the human bodies hormone system.

Researchers suggest that these physiological variations following internet usage are similar to withdrawal symptoms seen in many drugs including alcohol, cannabis, and heroin. Ultimately, scientists argue that a person’s need to be on the Internet may be linked to these physiological changes. It is important to note that there were no such physiological changes for participants in the study reported no Internet usage problems.

Highly Contagious Dog Virus Spreads Across Florida

Brent Edward
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Highly Contagious Dog Virus Spreads Across Florida

If your dog is experiencing symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, fever, difficulty breathing, and or tiredness, then your dog may be suffering from dog flu, otherwise known as the H3N2 virus.

The highly contagious virus was discovered in Florida for the first time in several dogs in Florida. While only seven of the dogs were confirmed to be suffering from the type of dog influenza, Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services released a statement saying that several other dogs are six suspected of having the same virus and scientists are awaiting test results.

The illness is so severe that some of the animals infected with the dog virus had to be hospitalized. That said, Chief Vet Dr. Michael Short told the Miami Herald that all the dogs are in stable condition. Despite being extremely contagious and easily transmitted, the mortality rate is relatively low. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the illness spreads typically through coughing or sneezing and nearly all dogs become infected with the illness at some point in their lives. However, 80% of those dogs with the illness actually show symptoms.

While the H3N2 virus is similar to the influenza virus that affects humans, there has been no evidence to suggest that dogs pass the illness to humans. However, research has shown that the dog food can be spread to cats. The dog flu was first discovered in the US and dogs living in Chicago two years ago. Researchers believe that the virus first appeared in China, Korea, and Thailand and was spread through infected birds. However, the American Veterinary Medical Association says there is no research that proves this theory.

Currently, dogs can receive flu vaccinations. These vaccinations are usually recommended for animals that will be traveling to either a kennel, dog parks, grooming salons, or other areas where dogs can get in contact with many other canines.

Michael Kors to Close 100 to 125 Stores

Reginald Edward
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Michael Kors to Close 100 to 125 Stores

While Bitcoin’s valuation is surging and the tobacco business is thriving, retail giants are struggling to compete in this new era of business. Retailers are facing a paradigm shift, as more people are buying items online rather than traveling to the store. Now, Michael Kors is reporting lower revenue due to under-performing stocks.

Luxury retailer Michael Kors is planning to close between 100 to 125 stores. During the fourth quarter, the company made a net loss, with the company’s total revenue decreasing by double digits. Now, the company expects same-store sales for the next quarter to continue to decline.

Following the news that the firm was operating at a net loss, shares of the stock fell more than 9 percent during Wednesday morning trading. Michael Kors posted a net loss of $26.8 million in the latest quarter. According to CNBC, the company had a net income of $177 million just a year ago.

Michael Kors Stores
London, England – February 19, 2017: Michael Kors luxury backbag in a store in central London. (Creative Lab / Shutterstock.com)

Michael Kors executives explained under-performing stores caused the net loss for the company. Moreover, total sales for the company dropped by 11.2 percent to $1.06 billion in the fourth quarter, which ended on April 1st.

“Fiscal 2017 was a challenging year, as we continued to operate in a difficult retail environment with elevated promotional levels,” CEO John Idol said in a statement. “In addition, our product and store experience did not sufficiently engage and excite consumers.”

Michael Kors Fashion Week
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 14, 2017: Natasha Poly walks the runway at the Michael Kors Fall Winter 2017 fashion show during New York Fashion Week at the Spring Studios (Ovidiu Hrubaru / Shutterstock.com)

Now, Michael Kors says it anticipates the company’s first-quarter sales of $910 million to $930 million along with a decline in same-store sales. Moreover, the company plans to buy back $1 billion of shares.

This news comes after Amazon reaches $1,000 share price on Tuesday. The e-commerce giant’s share price doubled in less than two years.

DNA Study Finds Modern Egyptians Do Not Have Much in Common with Ancient Mummies

Megan Diane
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0
DNA Study Finds Modern Egyptians Do Not Have Much in Common with Ancient Mummies

Researchers have discovered the ancient mummies do not have much in common with modern Egyptians.

Analyzing DNA from mummies that are thousands of years old have revealed that ancient Egyptians are more genetically linked to people living in countries such as Israel, Lebanon, and Syria.

Scientists once believed mummies did not contain any DNA. Then a team in 2010 analyzed ancient DNA from 16 Royal mummies. At that time, their method they used was not very useful in distinguishing actual money DNA from new DNA that might’ve been contaminated. However, on Tuesday, researchers published a study in the Journal of Nature Communications illustrating how scientists used a more precise and innovative method of DNA sequencing to analyze genetic data from several mummies from several different time periods in ancient Egyptian history.

Mummy

ROME, ITALY – JUNE 4, 2016: ancient Egyptian pharaoh statues in the Vatican Museum (Viktor Gladkov / Shutterstock.com)

The team of researchers studied over 150 mommies from a site about 100 km south of Cairo. These mummies were excavated in the early 1900s, and carbon dating showed that their history range from 1388 BCE to 426 CE. While there was no available genetic material in any of the soft tissue, researchers were able to identify DNA in the bones and teeth of the mummies. Approximately, 90 of these bodies had incomplete DNA, and only three contains an entirely intact genome. Researchers then concentrated their focus on those three bodies.

Researchers compared the DNA of the ancient mummies to both old and modern people in the same region. As a result, researchers were able to identify that ancient Egyptians are more genetically similar to those living in the Middle East. Moreover, they have more in common with people living in countries such as Israel, Lebanon, and Syria then today’s Egyptians. In fact, the mummies identified in the study did not have any DNA from sub-Saharan Africa, while 20% of today’s Egyptians have sub-Saharan genes. Lead author and study Johannes Krause told Science that modern-day variation might be because of the spread of Islam or the increased amount of contact due to trade between different parts of Africa.

The DNA sequencing method used in the study adds credibility to the research results. Scientists looked at any DNA in a given sample and then isolated the genetic material that might be human. The team looked for DNA patterns that correlate with ancient DNA, allowing them to ignore DNA that might’ve been contaminated.

While the study is fascinating, the new DNA sequencing method may leave the way for further research studies regarding ancient animals, humans, and societies.

Researchers Discover 40 More Genes Linked to Intelligence

Brent Edward
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Researchers Discover 40 More Genes Linked to Intelligence

Recent research has found sleep plays a major part in forming new memories, and pregnancy brain may actually exist. Now, scientists reveal new genes that influence intelligence.

Researchers announced on Monday that they had found 40 new genes linked to intelligence. However, researchers claim that their finding does not show that there is a connection between the genetic pattern and intelligence. Moreover, intelligence is more complex than anyone previously thought.

Researchers have found 52 genes that influence intelligence. Researchers claim they account for less than 5% of the variation in human intelligence.

Researchers report their findings in the Journal of Nature Genetics, which was led by Danielle Posthuma of VU University Amsterdam.

Human Brain
Stock Photo: Profile of a bearded man head with symbol neurons in brain. (Lia Koltyrina/Shutterstock.com)

“These findings provide new insight into the genetic architecture of intelligence,” Posthuma explained.

The study examined a database of more than 78,000 adults and children, all of the European descent. Subjects included in the study included people from Britain’s BioBank, which is a sampling and analyzing of the entire genomes of volunteers, as well as a database of exceptionally intelligent people and twins.

Scientists used two different types of DNA analysis studies to pinpoint genes associated with intelligence, looking the genes in the DNA map.

“We show that the identified genes are predominantly expressed in brain tissue, and pathway analysis indicates the involvement of genes regulating cell development,” they wrote. “Our calculations show that the current results explain up to 4.8 percent of the variance in intelligence.”

One of the studies discovered a gene called SHANK3, which is involved in the formation of synapses, the connections between brain cells. Researchers found mutations in this gene is linked to a type of autism spectrum disorder.

“Mutations in this gene are a cause of autism spectrum disorder, which is characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, and restricted behavioral patterns and interests. Mutations in this gene also cause schizophrenia type 15,” the researchers wrote.

Another variation of the gene FOXO3 has been linked to brain cell death and brain longevity. Researchers also found genes linked to obesity and Alzheimer’s disease. However, it may take a while before scientists fully understand how these genes influence intelligence.

Ariana Grande Massacre – At Least 22 People Killed and 59 Injured

Jonathan Antonio
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Ariana Grande Massacre – At Least 22 People Killed and 59 Injured

On Monday night in Manchester, England an explosion that appeared to be due to a suicide bombing killed at least 22 people and injured 59 others following an Ariana Grande concert. Now, authorities are treating this incident as a terrorist attack.

Terror took control of the crowd at the Manchester Arena as the bomb shook throughout the building, just as the final song played and pink balloons dropped from the rafters towards the end of the 23-year-old American pop star’s concert.

Children became separated from their parents as screams seized concertgoers and what appears to be the deadliest episode of terrorism in over a decade following the 2005 London transit bombings.

Manchester’s chief constable, Ian Hopkins, revealed that the explosion took place around 10:33 p.m. Children were among those killed, and the wounded were taken to several different hospitals.

Hopkins explained that a man detonated “an improvised explosive device” and he had also been killed in the blast. He said the man had acted alone but, they were trying to determine whether he had been connected to a wider link of terrorists. Other officials pointed out that police are investigating reports the bomb had nuts and bolts, which were to be used as shrapnel to injure further and kill concertgoers.

The bombing in Manchester draws a connection to the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, which included a deadly shooting inside the Bataclan concert hall, where the Eagles of Death Metal had been playing. But unlike the Bataclan concert, the Manchester show was filled with children.

Prime Minister Theresa May said that this “is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack.”

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