Daily Archives: June 26, 2022

Family of missing Staten Island man will submit DNA to database – PIX11 New York News

Posted: June 26, 2022 at 10:30 pm

NEW YORK (PIX11) The Office of Chief Medical Examiner said the brother of a Staten Island teen who went missing in 1976 will submit DNA for a databank at Saturdays Missing Persons Day.

Freddie Escobar, the brother of Rafael Escobar Jr. who was 19 when he disappeared from a Staten Island group home told forensic scientists he will get swabbed for DNA.

The goal is to see if Freddie Escobars DNA matches any of the unidentified missing found in the United States, dead or alive.

Their DNA will only go into the Missing Persons data bank, said Mark Desire, assistant director at the Department of Forensic Biology.

He said the genetic profiles dont go into any other databases.

We are bound by law to only search missing persons cases, Desire added.

Veronica Cano is a criminalist whos worked at the DNA MIssing Persons lab for six years.

Its very rewarding, Cano said of the times when theres a DNA match. I love my job.

Jonathan Holly works on the initial phase of investigations, when the remains of unidentified people show up at the medical examiners office. He showed PIX11 News how bone fragments can get pulverized into powder, so DNA can be extracted.

Every year, about 14,000 people go missing in New York City. Even though most eventually turn up, hundreds of others vanish without a trace.

Desire said the remains of 40,000 Jane and John Does are buried in potters fields around the United States.

He said his scientists are using a new technology called Next Generation Sequencing to better extract DNA from bones.

Families interested in submitting a DNA sample at the Office of Chief Medical Examiner can go to the Hirsch Building at 421 East 26th Street this Saturday, June 25. Missing Persons Day will last from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Desire said the quick swabbing for saliva is free, quick and not painful.

Test results could take two to four weeks.

See the article here:
Family of missing Staten Island man will submit DNA to database - PIX11 New York News

Posted in DNA | Comments Off on Family of missing Staten Island man will submit DNA to database – PIX11 New York News

This DNA testing kit could predict how you might die and show how to prevent it – The National

Posted: at 10:30 pm

Imagine being given advanced warning as to how you might be likely to die, along with advice on what you could do to prevent it.

That is the power of genome sequencing. And while the rapidly developing technology cannot make you immortal, it could help us all live healthier for longer.

By knowing not only if a patient is likely to develop diabetes or cancer, but what drugs will be most effective for recovery based on their DNA, doctors will have the power to transform the way health care is delivered.

Home DNA testing is now available in a Dh999 ($272) saliva sampling kit provided by the Dante Labs' Genetic for Everybody project.

People can use genomics not when they are sick, but before they get sick

Andrea Riposati, group chief executive of Dante Genomics

Once collected at the Silicon Oasis laboratory, the DNA contained in the saliva is analysed to create a full report.

Results can determine predispositions of the body, from potential illness to muscular and bone constitution.

The comprehensive analysis gives a clear view of metabolic and injury susceptibility, food intolerances and even the most suitable skincare routine, packed inside a unique genetic profile.

Andrea Riposati, group chief executive of Dante Genomics, said the technology has the potential to transform health care.

Genomics is at a similar stage to when the internet was first launched, he said.

It was first used by just a few people but would go on to change the world within a few years. The beauty of genomics is transforming the science into individual benefits and saving lives.

It can personalise how we eat and train to tailor our lives to live longer and healthier. People can use genomics not when they are sick, but before they get sick.

Andrea Riposati shows the sequencer machine in the Dante Labs at Silicon Oasis in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The $6 million laboratory, which opened in January, has the capacity to analyse up to 1,000 samples a week but is currently processing about 300.

Saliva collection kits instruct the user to brush their teeth, then wait 30 minutes without eating, drinking or smoking before spitting into a tube.

Shaking the tube mixes it with a buffer solution, after which it is placed inside the return box provided and collection is arranged via email.

When the sample arrives at the lab, the DNA extraction begins inside a sequencing room known as The Temple to technicians. This is where the magic happens.

Sample DNA is turned into data, with one genome providing about 19 gigabytes of genetic information.

A supercomputer analyses that data and produces a report within a minute, creating a persons genetic health map or biomarkers that could indicate a red flag for potential disease.

Results are compiled into a report and returned securely via encrypted email within two to four weeks.

The challenge is transforming this massive amount of genomic data into genomic information which is easy to understand but also scientifically validated, said Mr Riposati.

You dont need to be a doctor to interpret the results.

Currently, people visit a doctor when they are sick and that can be too late in some cases.

This kind of test is like an insurance. By knowing what kind of drugs you will respond well to, physicians have more clarity of a course of treatment to deliver.

It is about getting a better knowledge about your own health.

The data is encrypted and anonymised, with personal information isolated in a separate database to the genetic data so there is no chance of identification.

Genomic sequencing and DNA extraction could solve one of the biggest puzzles facing mankind how to deal with antimicrobial resistance.

With the knowledge of the antibiotics someone is most likely to respond to, medics can deliver the most effective treatment rather than spin the wheel in the hope of finding an antibiotic that will destroy a bacterial infection.

Genes control the production of enzymes that metabolise drugs when we are ill. These enzymes influence how effective a drug could be, or what side effects may appear.

Our unique genotype reveals the volume of enzymes produced to break down medicine so it can be more easily absorbed.

It is only one of the many ways genetic information can be harnessed to improve healthcare decisions.

In April, Dante Labs was selected as the genetic testing provider for the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre (ADSCC), where scientists will focus on cell therapy and regenerative medicine.

A joint programme was created to develop an mRNA vaccine platform to identify individual cancer treatments.

The nations Emirati Genome Programme is one of the worlds most ambitious.

It will explore the genetic make-up of Emiratis, using DNA sequencing and artificial intelligence to generate comprehensive, high-quality genomic data.

The resulting reference genome will pave the way for more personalised and preventive healthcare delivery for UAE citizens.

Sequencing takes place at the G42 Healthcare Omics Centre of Excellence in Masdar City.

We see the Emirates becoming more of a powerhouse and global hub for this kind of research, said Mr Riposati.

In the last 18 months, the sequencing of different Covid variants has really brought genomics to the forefront.

People have reacted differently to Covid and to the vaccines, which has shown how our genetic make-up impacts the way we respond to different triggers.

Updated: June 23, 2022, 5:16 AM

Original post:
This DNA testing kit could predict how you might die and show how to prevent it - The National

Posted in DNA | Comments Off on This DNA testing kit could predict how you might die and show how to prevent it – The National

LeBron James Nearly Paid $4 Million Over a Failed DNA Test With an Impostor Claiming to Be His Father – EssentiallySports

Posted: at 10:30 pm

LeBron James is a brilliant example of rags to riches story. He was raised by his mother, Gloria, as she had LeBron when she was just 16. James had a tough childhood as he had to move around a lot with his mother who was trying to make ends meet. They changed houses multiple times. Gloria made sure she took care of her son as he had no father to look up to.

To this date, LeBron doesnt know who his father is. As a single mother, Gloria raised a child who has only gone on to become one of the greatest players of all time. As there was no information about LeBrons dad, one man tried to claim himself as his father. A long casefollowed, that included DNA tests of LeBron and his mother, which eventually culminated in 2011.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The man, Leicester Bryce Stovell, suddenly appeared in the lives of LeBron James and Gloria more than two decades after the birth of the King. By this time, LeBron was already a superstar in the NBA and was earning millions. While his mother didnt want anything to do with Stovell, LeBron asked for a DNA test.

DIVE DEEPER

I Dont Think Anybody Is Better Than Me: NBA Rookie Calls Out LeBron JamesWhile Revealing His Goals for the Upcoming Season

1 day ago

The test proved that Stovell was not the father of LeBron, but Stovell felt the results had been tampered with. After this, Stovell sued LeBron and Gloria for $4 million on the grounds of fraud, defamation, and misrepresentation. The case was dismissed after months by the presiding judge.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The Los Angeles Lakers forward is currently the only active billionaire in the NBA. He rose from nothing to become one of the most recognizable faces on the planet.

The credit for who LeBron is today is likely to be given to his mother, Gloria. She worked hard to make ends meet and she raised a future NBA champion. Off the court, LeBron is now the father of two sons and one daughter. He makes sure he actively participates in their lives because he knows what it was like to grow up without a father.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

WATCH THIS STORY: How much of Liverpool does LeBron own?

Do you think LeBron James will win another NBA title? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Link:
LeBron James Nearly Paid $4 Million Over a Failed DNA Test With an Impostor Claiming to Be His Father - EssentiallySports

Posted in DNA | Comments Off on LeBron James Nearly Paid $4 Million Over a Failed DNA Test With an Impostor Claiming to Be His Father – EssentiallySports

Is American democracy already lost? Half of us think so but the future remains unwritten – Salon

Posted: at 10:30 pm

The American people understand that their democracy and their society are in deep trouble.But they do not agree on who or what is the cause of the problem, and do not share a common understanding of basic facts. To make matters worse there is a kind of sinister synergy between America's democracy crisis and other serious problems facing the country, which risks creating a state of collective paralysis.

During his prepared comments before the House Jan. 6 committee last Thursday, retired judgeJ. Michael Luttig, a lifelong conservative Republican who advised former Vice President Mike Pence before and during Donald Trump's coup attempt, issued this dire warning:

A stake was driven through the heart of American democracy on Jan. 6, 2021, and our democracy today is on a knife's edge.

America was at war on that fateful day, but not against a foreign power. She was at war against herself. We Americans were at war with each other over our democracy.

Jan. 6 was but the next, foreseeable battle in a war that had been raging in America for years, though that day was the most consequential battle of that war even to date. In fact, Jan. 6 was a separate war unto itself, a war for America's democracy, a war irresponsibly instigated and prosecuted by the former president, his political party allies, and his supporters. Both wars are raging to this day. America is now the stake in these unholy wars. America is adrift. We pray that it is only for this fleeting moment that she has lost her way, until we Americans can once again come to our senses.

In response to a question from committee chairman Bennie Thompson about the danger to the republic still represented by Trump and his supporters, Luttig elaborated further:

Almost two years after that fateful day Donald Trumpand his allies and supporters are a clear and present danger to American democracy.

That's not because of what happened on Jan. 6. It is because, to this very day, the former president and his allies and supporters pledge that in the presidential election of 2024, if the former president or his anointed successor as the Republican party presidential candidate were to lose that election, they would attempt to overturn that 2024 election in the same way that they attempted to overturn the 2020 election, but succeed in 2024 where they failed in 2020.

If there are any reasonable and intelligent Americans who continue to doubt that this country is in the midst of an existential crisis, facing the dangers of Trumpism and a growing white supremacist authoritarian movement, Luttig's words should shock them back into reality.

A new Yahoo News/YouGov poll adds even more weight to Luttig's warnings about American democracy as it teeters on the precipice of irrecoverable disaster. The lead finding is that more than half of those surveyed, across the political spectrum 55% of Democrats and 53% of Republicans believe it is "likely" that the United States will "cease to be a democracy in the future."

RELATED:Global forecaster on "another bad year for democracy": Is the world near a dire tipping point?

Further findings in that poll are arguably even more troubling given the events of Jan. 6 and the Republican-fascist movement's increasing embrace of violence and terrorism:

This new poll also demonstrates that negative partisanship and other forms of extreme political polarization now appear to be permanent features of American political life.Andrew Romano summarizes this at Yahoo News:

When asked to choose the phrase that best "describes most people on the other side of the political aisle from you," a majority of Republicans pick extreme negatives such as "out of touch with reality" (30%), a "threat to America" (25%), "immoral" (8%) and a "threat to me personally" (4%). A tiny fraction select more sympathetic phrases such as "well-meaning" (4%) or "not that different from me" (6%).

The results among Democrats are nearly identical, with negatives such as "out of touch with reality" (27%), a "threat to America" (23%), "immoral" (7%) and a "threat to me personally" (4%) vastly outnumbering positives such as "well-meaning" (7%) or "not that different from me" (5%).

These findings offer further evidence that the U.S. in the Age of Trump and beyond is what political scientists call an "anocracy," a system that combines features of dictatorship and democracy. The coup against democracy and the rule of law did not end when Trump's insurrectionists left the Capitol on Jan. 6. The Republican-fascists and the larger white right continue to advance a strategy whose ultimate goal is a Christian fascist plutocracy, one modeled on a system of competitive authoritarianism in which political parties still exist and elections occur, but where outcomes are manipulated as in Russia, Hungary or Turkey.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

This dystopia made real will be a combination of such books and films as "The Handmaid's Tale," "Atlas Shrugged," "Brazil," "Idiocracy," "Robocop," "CSA: The Confederate States of America" and "1984."

Donald Trump and his acolytes continue to threaten political violence against their "enemies," meaning liberals and progressives, nonwhite people, Muslims, immigrants, LGBTQ people and any other groups or individuals they deem insufficiently "American" and not part of the MAGA faithful.

The Republican Party, its propaganda machine and other opinion leaders continue to amplify Trump's Big Lie and its inherent conclusion that further violence may be necessary to return Trump (or a successor) to the White House and, more generally, to prevent Democrats from winning or holding power by any means necessary.

The core tenets of the "great replacement" conspiracy theory which a white supremacist terrorist recently claimed as the motive for murdering 10 Black people last month at a Buffalo supermarket have been embraced by a majority of Republicans, and an even larger majority of Trump followers.

National security experts on terrorism and armed conflict have continued to warn that Trump's coup attempt and the Capitol attack are further evidence that the U.S. may face a period of sustained right-wing violent insurgency. Robert Pape, director of the University of Chicago Project on Security and Threats, has estimated that more than 20 million Americansbelieve that using political violence to return Trump to power is justified.

In a widely read December 2021 essay in the Globe and Mail, Canadian political scientist Thomas Homer-Dixon offered a memorably grim prognosis of America's future. He predicted that "American democracy could collapse" by 2025 that is, following the next presidential election and that by 2030, the U.S. "could be governed by a right-wing dictatorship":

We mustn't dismiss these possibilities just because they seem ludicrous or too horrible to imagine. In 2014, the suggestion that Donald Trump would become president would also have struck nearly everyone as absurd. But today we live in a world where the absurd regularly becomes real and the horrible commonplace.

Mr. Trump's electoral loss has energized the Republican base and further radicalized young party members. Even without their concerted efforts to torque the machinery of the electoral system, Republicans will probably take control of both the House of Representatives and Senate this coming November, because the incumbent party generally fares poorly in mid-term elections. Republicans could easily score a massive victory, with voters ground down by the pandemic, angry about inflation, and tired of President Joe Biden bumbling from one crisis to another. Voters who identify as Independents are already migrating toward Republican candidates.

Once Republicans control Congress, Democrats will lose control of the national political agenda, giving Mr. Trump a clear shot at recapturing the presidency in 2024. And once in office, he will have only two objectives: vindication and vengeance.

Homer-Dixon then drew the this parallel between the current state of the U.S. and the collapse of the Weimar Republic in the early 1930s:

The situation in Germany in the 1920s and early 1930s was of course sui generis; in particular, the country had experienced staggering traumas defeat in war, internal revolution and hyperinflation while the country's commitment to liberal democracy was weakly rooted in its culture. But as I read a history of the doomed republic this past summer, I tallied no fewer than five unnerving parallels with the current U.S. situation.

America's future stability is so much in doubt that even global rivals or enemies are concerned about the destructive forces unleashed by the Age of Trump. In a series of phone calls before and after the 2020 election, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sought to reassure his Chinese counterpart, saying, "The American government is stable and everything is going to be OK. ... Everything's fine. But democracy can be sloppy sometimes."

An ambush is always disorienting, and intentionally so, but the best option is always to fight back. That's where we are right now.

This situation is undeniably bewildering, and deliberately so. But for pro-democracy Americans, inaction is not an option. That will inevitably lead to defeat. In military terms, a successful ambush is almost always disorienting, but the best option is always to fight back, not hunker down. The Republican-fascists and their allies want the American people to feel so confused and overwhelmed by their unending attack on democracy, the rule of law, the common good and basic human decency that they essentially turn away, close their eyes and surrender.In essence, the Republican-fascist movement is using their own version of a political "shock and awe" strategy here at home against the American people.

The Lincoln Project recently offered this evaluation of America's democracy crisis:

After three [Jan. 6 committee] hearings we know for certain the nation is at one of the most dangerous moments in its history. These revelations will not change the true MAGA believers mind but will cause them to double and triple down on the "Big Lie" making them more dangerous and perhaps more violent. Every single American needs to decide if they are the side of the seditionists who tried to tear down a free and fair election, or do they support our Republic and its democratic principles?

In short, the American people must act with deliberate purpose and speed if they hope to save their democracy and society. Voting is of course necessary, but by itself is insufficient. "Hashtag activism," with its "likes" and "shares" and memes, is for the most part symbolic or performative politics that accomplishes little or nothing in the long run, and may actually be counterproductive if people mistake it for real action. In the long-term struggle, substantive movement-building and organizing will be required to defeat fascism in America and around the world.

Voting is necessary, but not sufficient. "Hashtag activism" accomplishes little or nothing, and may even be counterproductive. What we need is movement-building.

Supporters of democracy must engage in grassroots organizing. They need to join, establish, and grow a range of civil society organizations. They must raise and donate money in effective ways, not by giving it to doomed Democratic candidates in hopeless races. Ultimately, they must be willing to engage in corporeal politics, including general strikes, street protests, civil disobedience and other forms of direct action where they can confront the Republican-fascists and their allies with overwhelming numbers.

Right now, almost all the momentum is with the Republican-fascists and their broad-spectrum attack on American democracy and society. They are in revolutionary mode, and they are are winning. They will press onward to total victory, unless and until they are stopped. This will require people of conscience to take a personal inventory and ask themselves, "How much am I willing to sacrifice to save my country, my family and future generations from this nightmare?" The future of American democracy and society largely hinges on how many of us can answer that question honorably and rise to the challenge.

Read more on America's crisis of democracy:

Here is the original post:

Is American democracy already lost? Half of us think so but the future remains unwritten - Salon

Posted in Atlas Shrugged | Comments Off on Is American democracy already lost? Half of us think so but the future remains unwritten – Salon

Fanatics is in talks to buy sports betting company Tipico, sources say – CNBC

Posted: at 10:28 pm

Michael Rubin arrives at the 2019 Fanatics Super Bowl Party on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, in Atlanta.

Paul R. Giunta | Invision | AP

Fanatics, the sports merchandising company, is in talks to acquire sports betting company Tipico, according to two people familiar with the matter.

A deal hasn't yet been reached, and the two sides are currently at an impasse on price, though talks are ongoing, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private.

Tipico has a small U.S. sports gambling business, with licenses in New Jersey and Colorado, but is the leading sports betting provider in Germany, according to its website.

Michael Rubin, Fanatics' billionaire executive chairman, announced Wednesday he's selling his 10% share in Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment, which owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, clearing the way for Fanatics to enter the gambling arena. National Basketball Association rules prohibit team owners from operating a gambling platform.

Fanatics has completed several acquisitions in recent years as a closely held company. In 2020, it acquired sports merchandise manufacturer WinCraft, and earlier this year it bought trading card company Topps for $500 million. Fanatics has a private valuation of $27 billion.

"As our Fanatics business has grown, so too have the obstacles I have to navigate to ensure our new businesses don't conflict with my responsibilities as part-owner of the Sixers," Rubin said in a statement posted on Twitter Wednesday announcing the sale of his 76ers stake. "With the launch of our trading cards and collectibles business earlier this year which will have individual contracts with thousands of athletes globally and a soon-to-launch sports betting operation, these new businesses will directly conflict with the ownership rules of sports leagues. Given these realities, I will sadly be selling my stake in the Sixers and shifting from part-owner back to life-long fan."

Rubin hasn't been shy about his desire to enter the sports gambling industry.

"We can be the No. 1 player in the world in that business in 10 years," Rubin told Sports Business Journal earlier this year. "That does seem ambitious for someone who's not in the business today, but our strategic advantages are that we are one of the best-known digital sports brands and we touch so many fans."

Fanatics is aCNBC Disruptor 50 company,ranking No. 21on this year's list.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.

WATCH: Watch CNBC's full interview with Fanatics executive chairman Michael Rubin

Originally posted here:

Fanatics is in talks to buy sports betting company Tipico, sources say - CNBC

Posted in Sports Betting | Comments Off on Fanatics is in talks to buy sports betting company Tipico, sources say – CNBC

USFL Playoffs odds: How pros are betting the big games – FOX Sports

Posted: at 10:28 pm

By Sam PanayotovichFOX Sports Betting Analyst

The USFL semifinals get underway this Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, and boy are we in for a pair of doozies.

First up, the New Jersey Generals (-4.5, O/U 47.5) battle the Philadelphia Stars while the Birmingham Stallions (-5, O/U 44.5) take on the New Orleans Breakers in the nightcap.

I reached out to my buddy Eric Eager for his two cents on both contests. Eager runs research and development for Pro Football Focus, and his ability to create power ratings and fine tune advanced analytics gave him quite the leg up on the sportsbooks throughout the USFL season.

For starters, Eager is expecting fireworks in the matine.

"Philadelphia and New Jersey are the two best offenses in the league per expected points added and the two worst defenses in expected points added," he told FOX Sports. "I dont think either of these teams will stop anybody. If the pace starts quick, look out."

Its worth nothing that both teams were 7-3 to the "Over" this season.

Birmingham is a 5-point favorite at night, but Eager disagrees with that betting line because the Stallions enjoyed a lot of home cooking this season since every game was played in Alabama.

Given the Stallions are hitting the highway for the first time, the analytics believe the point spread is a few points too high.

"There was a legitimate home-field advantage for Birmingham this year," Eager explained. "Stallions games clearly had the most fans in the stands and with these playoff games being played in Canton, that advantage is gone.

"Birmingham is laying -4.5 or 5 and I make the game more like Birmingham -2. I like New Orleans even with all their deficiencies. You have two solid defenses, and New Orleans unit is a little bit better. Im digging the dog and the Under."

Laying points wasnt exactly a fool-proof system for USFL bettors over the course of the regular season. Favorites took care of business straight up (30-10 SU), but they were nothing special against the spread (21-19 ATS).

"Favorites were covering early on," Eager recalled. "They were 3-1 in Week 1 and 3-1 in Week 2, then the books caught on. As we got closer to the end of the season, the cover rates declined drastically for favorites. Take a team like the Stallions. They havent covered the spread in three weeks as a favorite.

"And lets not forget that a lot of covers came against Pittsburgh. The Maulers (1-9 SU with a -96 point differential) were eight or nine points worse than the average team on a neutral field. Everybody got right against them, which skewed the ATS record for favorites.

"Generally, it was tough to lay points in this league."

Eager is definitely attracted to the two teams catching points this Saturday and he isnt ruling out the possibility of either one winning two games to claim the crown this inaugural season.

But theres always a method to the madness with mathematics.

"With four teams remaining, youre never getting a good enough edge taking underdogs to win championships in the futures market," Eager said. "Youre always getting a better bet when you roll over the moneyline.

"Rather than take New Orleans [+320 at FOX Bet] or Philadelphia [+333 at FOX Bet] to win it all, you bet the moneyline in the first round and if it wins, you can decide whether or not you want to run it back in the title game.

"It would not surprise me in the slightest if both underdogs win outright."

Sam Panayotovich is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports and NESN. He previously worked for WGN Radio, NBC Sports and VSiN. He'll probably pick against your favorite team. Follow him on Twitter @spshoot.

Download the FOX Super 6 appfor your chance to win thousands of dollars on the biggest sporting events each and every week! Just make your picks and you could win the grand prize.Download and play today!

Link:

USFL Playoffs odds: How pros are betting the big games - FOX Sports

Posted in Sports Betting | Comments Off on USFL Playoffs odds: How pros are betting the big games – FOX Sports

Sports betting in California: When it will be legalized, how to bet online, where to get picks, optimal promos – CBS Sports

Posted: at 10:28 pm

Fans of California sports betting are counting down the months until they get an answer on whether California mobile sports betting will be legalized. A bill to legalize California sports betting will be voted on in November, which could make California the newest state to have legal sports books. Gambling at race tracks and at Indian gaming casinos is already permitted, but the new bill would make it possible for sports betting in California to become a reality. Californians love their sports teams, so California sports book promo codes and deposit bonuses are sure to be very popular.

Until California online sports betting becomes a reality, bettors can head to the race track and take part in the sports betting in California the state has to offer now. They can also brush up on their sports-betting terms with this quick guide from our friends at SportsLine.

There are several ways you can make sports wagers both online and in retail sportsbooks and plenty of bet types you'll want to familiarize yourself with.

Live betting: California sports fans could be able to wager on their favorite players and teams in real-time thanks to live in-game odds updates. With pro baseball season in full swing, online sportsbooks let fans wager on live-updated totals or even the outcome of the next at-bat. California has five professional baseball teams, so placing a live bet on baseball will be very popular if California sportsbooks are legalized.

Prop bet: Want to bet on something other than the score of a game? A prop bet is a wager on a given outcome within a game or match other than the final score. For example, a prop bet in a pro baseball game can be on whether a big hitter gets a home run or whether a player on a hot streak gets an RBI. Prop bets can even be placed on the number of strikeouts a pitcher will have in his outing.

Outright: This is a popular kind of bet because it is easy to place and doesn't involve multiple sides or handicapped points. With an outright bet, the bettor picks which athlete will win an entire event. This is a very popular betting method for sports like pro golf where single athletes compete against one another. Outright betting can also be used for title fights or for car races.

If you're looking for the best values on the board in California or elsewhere, be sure to check out SportsLine, which specializes in Vegas picks, DFS advice and season-long fantasy sports projections.

An industry leader, SportsLine.com provides advanced computer modeling, expert picks, news and analysis of all the biggest events in sports. It can help you identify in which games you'll have the biggest statistical advantage. Plus, you'll get access to a team of over 40 experts.

SportsLine provides betting advice across the four major professional sports, college sports, golf, tennis, soccer, combat sports, horse racing, auto racing and more. It's a proven resource to sports bettors around the world. You can sign up here to enjoy all of the sports betting and fantasy sports advice that SportsLine has to offer. Then, use your knowledge to crush California online sports betting when it's a reality.

Read the original here:

Sports betting in California: When it will be legalized, how to bet online, where to get picks, optimal promos - CBS Sports

Posted in Sports Betting | Comments Off on Sports betting in California: When it will be legalized, how to bet online, where to get picks, optimal promos – CBS Sports

Does CBD Kill Bacteria? What to Know – Healthline

Posted: at 10:27 pm

When it comes to cannabis, most attention centers around two parts of the plant: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the component that produces the high sensation, and cannabidiol (CBD), the part typically used for medicinal purposes.

As you might already know, CBD enjoys a lot of popularity in the wellness field. Its widely used as an alternative remedy for conditions ranging from nausea to chronic pain. Some people even find it helpful for easing mental health symptoms like anxiety.

Until 2018, it was difficult to get government approval to study CBD, so most of the research exploring its uses is quite new. One emerging area of study thats gathered a lot of excitement? CBDs antimicrobial traits.

As it turns out, CBD actually does a pretty good job killing bacteria even some strains that are resistant to traditional antibiotics. Having a potential weapon against these supergerms could save a lot of lives.

Read on to learn what experts know about CBDs ability to kill bacteria and what this means for you.

CBD can kill both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Both types of bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics. However, Gram-positive bacteria usually prove much harder to kill because they have thicker protective membranes.

According to a 2021 study, it takes very little CBD to kill most Gram-positive bacteria. CBD can even destroy species that have developed resistance to multiple drugs, such as:

Among the Gram-negative bacteria also studied, 20 species survived CBD exposure. This wasnt too surprising, since scientists havent come up with any new classes of antibiotics to treat Gram-negative bacteria since 1962.

What the researchers did find surprising? CBD could kill four kinds of Gram-negative bacteria, all of which have a history of drug resistance and can be life-threatening:

Overall, CBD seems to show promise as a versatile antimicrobial agent.

That said, the researchers did reported numerous conflicts of interest, the main one being that the pharmaceutical company Botanix funded much of the study. Botanix makes a topical CBD formula thats currently undergoing clinical trials.

However, other studies without conflicts of interest have reported similar findings. For example, a 2022 study found CBD can fight Salmonella typhimurium, a Gram-negative bacteria that attacks your stomach and intestines. Around 59 percent of salmonella infections resistant to ampicillin (a specialized antibiotic used to treat salmonella) involve the typhimurium strain.

CBDs ability to fight bacteria is potentially a huge deal. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate 2.8 million people develop an antibiotic-resistant infection each year, and around 35,000 people die from these infections.

Cannabidiol appears to kill many of the more harmful bacteria species, including:

These numbers come from the 2019 CDC report Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States.

MRSA, in particular, appears to have a much harder time mustering resistance against CBD than against antibiotics. The 2021 study measured drug resistance by growing MRSA in petri dishes and measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), or amount of substance needed to kill all the bacteria in the dish.

The antibiotic daptomycins MIC increased 26-fold over 20 days of exposure. In other words, the MRSA bacteria developed so much drug resistance after 20 days that it took 26 times the original amount of daptomycin to kill it.

Meanwhile, cannabidiols MIC only increased by a factor of 1.5. Relatively speaking, MRSA barely developed any resistance against CBD.

CBD isnt avoiding resistance just because its new to the bacteria battlefield. Theres something special about how CBD functions that makes it harder for bacteria to adapt.

Many drug-resistant bacteria defend themselves by preventing antibiotics from entering their cells. Common antibiotic-fighting tactics include:

Yet CBD doesnt need to enter the bacteria to kill it. Instead, it attacks bacteria membranes, popping cells like microscopic water balloons. Bacteria cells dont have defined organelles the way animal and plant cells do. Their innards are more like a soup that just spills out into the void, once something destroys the membrane keeping everything together.

But some traditional antibiotics, like penicillin, also kill bacteria by destroying their membranes. Further research may help experts determine which specific molecules CBD targets and why CBD appears more effective than antibiotics at breaking down certain kinds of bacterial membranes.

Despite this encouraging lab performance, CBD is far from ready to be used as antimicrobial treatment in the real world. This substance has a major weakness that keeps it from becoming a miracle drug: It binds to protein very easily.

When CBD enters your bloodstream, most of it will latch on to proteins in your plasma. CBD doesnt kill human proteins like it does germs, but it does become glued to those cells. Only 10 to 14 percent of CBD will remain floating free and available to attack bacteria. Even if the CBD does reach the site of the infection, other tempting proteins might lure it away.

In a nutshell, taking cannabis or CBD oil most likely wont help you fight off an infection. CBD spreads too much through the body to launch a targeted attack against bacteria. And you cant exactly flood your system with CBD without risking an overdose.

Scientists continue to study ways to take advantage of CBDs bacteria-fighting potential. Possibilities include formulas to transport CBD directly to the bacteria in an infection, or synthetic CBD that ignores human proteins and focuses only on attacking bacteria.

Animal and human studies to date have found the most success with oral formulas. Rather than an injection, future CBD treatments may take the form of a nasal spray or pill.

In short, while CBD gummies cant currently treat infection, its possible you could take an antimicrobial CBD gummy in the future.

You may not be able to harness CBDs antimicrobial potential just yet. Still, you might notice some benefits when using CBD for pain or anxiety.

A few helpful reminders before you try CBD:

CBD has the ability to kill certain species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Even so, it likely wont replace antibiotics anytime soon.

Experts need to conduct more research to determine exactly how CBD functions in the human body before they can put it to use as a treatment for infections.

Emily Swaim is a freelance health writer and editor who specializes in psychology. She has a BA in English from Kenyon College and an MFA in writing from California College of the Arts. In 2021, she received her Board of Editors in Life Sciences (BELS) certification. You can find more of her work on GoodTherapy, Verywell, Investopedia, Vox, and Insider. Find her on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Visit link:

Does CBD Kill Bacteria? What to Know - Healthline

Posted in Cbd Oil | Comments Off on Does CBD Kill Bacteria? What to Know – Healthline

Selling CBD products to power up profits – Carwash Online

Posted: at 10:27 pm

Relatively few full service carwash operators with interior customer service or waiting lounges offering retail merchandise have discovered the high profit power associated with the inclusion of CBD oil-infused and sublingual products. However, that norm is rapidly changing with the recognition of the recent explosion of the CBD market. Current U.S. annual sales of CBD products now top $5 billion and is projected to grow to $17 billion by 2025.

Click Here to Read More

By far, the dominant beneficiary of CBD product sales are c-stores, which quickly discovered that displaying those products required a very small amount of counter area with high value items securely stocked under-counter or in employee accessible wall cabinets. The growth is also seen in the numbers of specialty stores that are 100% focused on the sale of CBD products and even the rapid increase of golf pro shops, which are experiencing high demand from players and members.

On-site display of free-standing exterior or interior signs simply stating CBD products sold herework like magic to propel sales and with little effort, profit margins are exceptional. Even with minimum quantities qualifying for wholesale pricing, sellers can expect a 40% gross margin and for multiple location carwash operators, volume purchasing can easily enable a 60% or greater gross margin.

As with most consumer products, resellers are now faced with multiple CBD brands and the question for you, as a carwash operator, is, How do I choose the best brand?

Let me be blunt some of you will care less about brand or quality. If the label says CBD, its good enough. But is it?

For those with a commitment to providing a superior quality customer experience and a desire to maximize benefits for those who are members of loyalty programs, then be certain that your selection of CBD products meets those high quality standards.

So, how does quality relate to CBD products? First of all, CBD oil is extracted from hemp seeds. Under what conditions was the hemp grown? Was the ground contaminated with pollutants? Or, was the hemp harvested in controlled organic conditions?

Now, to the oil. How was the oil distilled and to what grade? Think of this analogy with the quality of distilled liquors. There are low priced bottom shelf, medium quality and premium quality higher priced top shelf brands.

With CBD oils there are three grades. Full spectrum contains many of the components associated with the cannabis plant, including traces of the potentially addictive THC as well as possible heavy metals. Broad spectrum processing, while eliminating THC, may well still contain undesirable contaminants. Isolateoil is the ultimate in terms of purity (think top shelf) and contains only the beneficialcomponents of the hemp seed with zero THC and zero contaminants.

If you want to focus on offering isolate grade products, then your brand choices are greatly reduced. Aside from fewer sources, consider that the percentage of CBD isolate in milligrams is also an important consideration. Most offer products that range from 250 milligrams up to 2,000 milligrams whereas a handful offer isolatesublingual oils and topically applied pain relief creams and roll-ons in ranges from 1,500 milligrams up to 5,000 milligrams. Higher potency oils are more expensive, but buyers use much less of the product and a single unit lasts longer.

Prestige brands of isolate CBD oil will readily affirm that their oil has been third-party lab tested to meet critical purity standards.Brands offering any grade that lacks such transparency should be regarded with caution.

With all of that said, you may be wondering what exactly the benefits of CBD sublingual oils and CBD oil-infused products are.

Sublingual oil that is applied by holding the oil under the tongue is known to alleviate stress, anxiety, depression and mood swings, while enhancing cognitive response. These oils also have cardiovascular benefits, reduce many symptoms of PTSD and improve sleep quality. It is important to remember that these oils are non-addictive if classified as isolate grade, which has 0% THC.

Topically applied creams, transdermal patches/strips and roll-ons provide natural and fast relief of neuromuscular pain, joint pain, inflammation, post exercise soreness and provide significant relief to those suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, and a wide range of pain conditions associated with arthritis, sciatica and fibromyalgia. Given the variable characteristics of each individual, the degree of CBD benefits will have a wide range of effectiveness from zero to it exceeded my expectations.

As with most OTC natural supplements lacking FDA approval, as is the case with CBD products, This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. That said, there is an abundance of published and positive medical opinions regarding the efficacy of CBD oils, which are freely available online.1,2

Carwash operators offering loyalty membership programs can also generate rapid CBD interest by executing an email-blast campaign with a discount and call to action.

The bottom line is with the addition of effectively promoted and merchandised CBD products, especially if you invest in quality isolate grade products, your retail sales volume and profitability will rapidly grow.

Editors note: While federal regulations do not prohibit sales or distribution of CBD products, a few states do. States where CBD sales are permitted include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Sources:

1 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

2 http://www.cbdclinicals.com

Richard S. Cooper is a Charleston, South Carolina, based consultant with a primary focus on the fast-evolving CBD market. He can be reached at 843-364-5413 EST between 8 a.m.-6 p.m. or by email at [emailprotected]

More:

Selling CBD products to power up profits - Carwash Online

Posted in Cbd Oil | Comments Off on Selling CBD products to power up profits – Carwash Online

Private islands still exist in Florida, and theyre attracting the mega rich in a booming market – The Philadelphia Inquirer

Posted: at 10:26 pm

A thin strip of asphalt reaches out into the Atlantic Ocean south of Islamorada and leads to an idyllic looking private island. Patti Stanley, a Coldwell Banker Schmitt real estate agent, is one of the few who have ever set foot there. She represented the former owner, who sold the nearly 16-acre lot for $10 million in December.

Amid a pandemic-fueled real estate boom in South Florida, real estate agents whove tapped into the niche private island and investment property market say theyre seeing unprecedented action.

Ive sold more real estate in the last year than Ive ever done in my life, Stanley said, and Im 67 years old. Ive been in the business for quite a while.

Stanley focuses on properties near the upper Florida Keys, which she said have become a hotbed for investment properties. But at least 21 private islands across Florida are listed for sale on privateislandsonline.com, ranging from $1.1 million to $95 million.

READ MORE: A new island emerges at the Jersey Shore, and boaters are angry its been closed to protect birds

She noted housing uncertainty caused by the pandemic as a factor in competition for the finite land of the Keys. Its just been the perfect storm so to speak, Stanley said.

Here is a look at three island properties.

A 5,000-square-foot mansion sits amid 26 tropical acres on the bay side of northern Key Largo. The $95 million island is reachable only by boat and is a short ride from the Ocean Reef Club, an exclusive marina club in Key Largo equipped with its own grocery store, veterinarian center, medical center, and school.

Theres not many buyers for something of that price, but theres lots of interest, said Russell Post, a real estate agent who holds the listing with Ocean Sothebys International Realty.

Pumpkin Key has its own water, electric and high-speed fiber cellular and internet service. A main home with three bedrooms is the islands prized estate, but there are also two cottages for groundskeepers as well as an office and apartment for a dockmaster.

The island is within three miles of the Florida barrier reef, the only living coral reef in the country; theres a marina large enough to accommodate a large yacht.

Current developments account for a fraction of the total land. The listing suggests a potential for up to 12 homes on one and one-half acre bay front lots.

Its just really a canvas for a new buyer to paint on, Post said. There have been people who look at it hoping to buy it for a price where they can then turn around and sell the individual lots. But I think ultimately the buyer will probably be a wealthy family that just wants that kind of island lifestyle with all the amenities.

Palm Beach is already a wealthy island enclave. But Todd Michael Glaser, a developer from Miami, is in the process of building a residence on a private island within that island.

10 Tarpon Isle, a nearly three-acre man-made island created by dredging in the 1930s, will be home to Glasers opulent mansion. The estate will build upon an existing 12,321-square-foot house and include new amenities. Glaser was tight-lipped about details but said the sticker price is currently $220 million.

READ MORE: Multimillion-dollar home sales in Philly have reached record levels as prices and remote working increase

Its the most expensive house in the United States, Glaser said. This isnt a private island in the Bahamas that were talking about; this is a private island in Palm Beach. Its a whole different animal.

The property will have its own bridge, tennis court, and in-ground swimming pools overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. A six-car garage is another possible addition to the estate.

Glaser did not disclose when the construction will be complete or when the mansion will be formally placed on the market, but he said hes already begun showing the island off to interested buyers.

For $9.5 million, Cow Key offers nature-minded millionaires 50 acres of open space and mangrove shoreline. The property is accessible by a land bridge and is on the southern, ocean-facing side of Stock Island, an unincorporated community right next to Key West.

According to the listing, the current owners use the land to run a small farm, beekeeping operation, and summer camps.

Since the current owners make use of the land for farming, there currently no developments on the island. Yet the listing suggests a possible equestrian estate or an excellent place to host large events or possibly therapeutic programs or retreats, for someone who wants to spend a few extra million dollars adding event space or curating a personal nature park on the island.

Cow Key is commercially zoned. But Ellen Gvili, a real estate agent who holds the listing with Ocean Sothebys International Realty, said the current owners plan to request approval from the Monroe County Planning Department for the construction of residential units on the island. This would expand the islands possibilities for future owners.

Gvili said she received at least 10 calls about the property in the first week it was on the market.

Its been practically a call every day, she said.

Read more:

Private islands still exist in Florida, and theyre attracting the mega rich in a booming market - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Posted in Private Islands | Comments Off on Private islands still exist in Florida, and theyre attracting the mega rich in a booming market – The Philadelphia Inquirer