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Brain fog and other long COVID symptoms are the focus of new small treatment studies

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:59:44 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Institutes of Health is beginning a handful of studies to test possible treatments for long COVID, an anxiously awaited step in U.S. efforts against the mysterious condition that afflicts millions.Monday’s announcement from the NIH’s $1.15 billion RECOVER project comes amid frustration from patients who’ve struggled for months or even years with sometimes-disabling health problems — with no proven treatments and only a smattering of rigorous studies to test potential ones.“This is a year or two late and smaller in scope than one would hope but nevertheless it’s a step in the right direction,” said Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly of Washington University in St. Louis, who isn’t involved with NIH’s project but whose own research highlighted long COVID’s toll. Getting answers is critical, he added, because “there’s a lot of people out there exploiting patients’ vulnerability” with unproven therapies.Scientists don’t yet know what causes long COVID, the catchall term for...

Russian ballistic missile strikes kill at least 6 people in Zelenskyy’s hometown in central Ukraine

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:59:44 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian ballistic missiles slammed into an apartment complex and a university building in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown Monday, killing six people and wounding 75 others as the blasts trapped residents beneath rubble, Ukrainian officials said.One of the two missiles that hit the central city of Kryvyi Rihon destroyed part of an apartment building between the fourth and ninth floors, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. Video showed black smoke billowing from corner units and burned out or damaged cars on a tree-lined street.The dead included a 10-year-old girl and her mother, according to Zelenskyy. More than 350 people were involved in the rescue operation, he said in a Telegram post.The morning attack also destroyed part of a four-story university building.The strike on Zelenskyy’s hometown, which has been hit in the past, happened a day after the Ukrainian president warned that the fighting was drawing closer to Russian land.“Gradually...

German American Bancorp: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:59:44 GMT

JASPER, Ind. (AP) — JASPER, Ind. (AP) — German American Bancorp Inc. (GABC) on Monday reported second-quarter net income of $22.1 million.The Jasper, Indiana-based bank said it had earnings of 75 cents per share.The results exceeded Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of three analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 68 cents per share.The financial services holding company posted revenue of $78.4 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $63.2 million, also beating Street forecasts._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on GABC at https://www.zacks.com/ap/GABCSource

Record heat waves reveal plight of Denverites without air conditioning

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:59:44 GMT

DENVER (AP) — As Denver neared triple-digit temperatures, Ben Gallegos sat shirtless on his porch swatting flies off his legs and spritzing himself with a misting fan to try to get through the heat. Gallegos, like many in the nation's poorest neighborhoods, doesn't have air conditioning.The 68-year-old covers his windows with mattress foam to insulate against the heat and sleeps in the concrete basement. He knows high temperatures can cause heat stroke and death, and his lung condition makes him more susceptible. But the retired bricklayer, who survives on about $1,000 a month largely from Social Security, says air conditioning is out of reach. Denver is offering rebates on cooling systems that could save homeowners money “Take me about 12 years to save up for something like that," he said. “If it’s hard to breathe, I’ll get down to emergency.”As climate change fans hotter and longer heat waves, breaking record temperatures across the U.S. and leaving dozens dead, the poorest Amer...

Pee-wee Herman star Paul Reubens dies at age 70 after cancer fight

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:59:44 GMT

(WFLA) -- Paul Reubens, known for his role in the Pee-wee Herman films, has died at age 70, according to posts on the Pee-wee Herman social media pages. According to a statement on Facebook, the actor died Sunday night after a six-year battle with cancer."Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness," his team said in the statement.The statement added that Reubens had "bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit."The post also quoted Reubens apologizing for not going public with his condition. "Please accept my apology for not going public with what I've been facing the last six years," he said. "I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for...

Mar-a-Lago manager De Oliveira makes his first court appearance in Trump’s classified documents case

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:59:44 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — The property manager of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate made his first court appearance on Monday on charges in the classified documents case against the former president but did not enter a plea because he has not found a Florida-based attorney to represent him.Carlos De Oliveira is accused of scheming with Trump to try to delete security footage sought by investigators probing the former president’s hoarding of classified documents at his Palm Beach club. De Oliveira was added last week to the indictment with Trump and the ex-president’s valet, Walt Nauta, and faces charges including conspiracy to obstruct justice and lying to investigators.De Oliveira, wearing a blue suit and tie, answered questions from a magistrate judge during a brief hearing in Miami federal court. He was ordered to turn over his passport and sign an agreement to pay $100,000 if he doesn’t return to court. He was represented by Washington, D.C.-based attorney John Irving, but under c...

Paul Reubens, Pee-wee Herman star, dead at 70

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:59:44 GMT

(CNN) — Paul Reubens, who found fame as the quirky man-child character Pee-wee Herman, has died, according to an announcement on his verified social media.He was 70.“Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness,” the post reads. “Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit.”CNN has reached out to a representative for Reubens for further comment.

Boston police arrest suspect wanted for stealing truck with infant still inside

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:59:44 GMT

A man wanted for allegedly stealing a truck in Dorchester while an infant was still inside of it has been arrested, according to authorities.The Boston Police Department announced the arrest of Cristofanes “Christopher” Mendes, 33, on Monday. The police department named Mendes as a suspect a week ago as they continued to investigate the incident that occurred at Geneva Avenue and Westville Street on July 14.Surveillance video captured the moment the suspect approached a parked pickup truck and got into the vehicle, driving off while an infant was still inside and in a car seat. The child’s family had been right next to the truck on a sidewalk when the theft occurred.Video obtained by 7NEWS showed the vehicle return to the area shortly afterwards, with the suspect leaving the infant on a street curb. About an hour later, officers located the stolen truck on Columbia Road.Two weeks later, on Monday, July 31, Boston police officers located Mendes in the area of Mass Ave. an...

Juul seeks authorization on a new vape it says can verify a user’s age. Here’s how it works

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:59:44 GMT

(CNN) — E-cigarette company Juul Labs is seeking US authorization to sell a “next-generation” vape with age verification capabilities in the United States.To verify a user’s age, the proposed vape pairs with a phone app, requiring a customer to either upload their government ID and a real-time selfie or input personal information and allow a third-party database to verify their identity, according to a Juul spokesperson.A unique Pod ID chip within the Juul device can also detect counterfeit cartridges made by other companies, many of which have flooded the market with illegal fruity flavors that appeal to minors.The mission of the new platform is twofold, according to the company: Encourage adult smokers to switch from combustible cigarettes to e-cigarettes while restricting underage access.The legal age to purchase e-cigarettes in the United States is 21.“We look forward to engaging with FDA throughout the review process while we pursue this important harm-reduction opportunit...

Changing workplaces: Tattoos no longer taboo

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:59:44 GMT

Carolann Mohrman, 75, perched behind an artist’s booth at the sixth-annual Denver Tattoo Arts Festival last week as the buzz of tattoo needles filled the air – slightly out of place because she doesn’t have any tattoos nor does she plan to get inked.“I don’t like having my skin punctured,” the Lakewood resident said. The first-time attendee instead walked through the doors of the Colorado Convention Center at 700 14th St. on Sunday, July 23, in a show of support for her niece, Eva Mohrman, a tattoo artist and co-owner of Constantly Custom Studio in East Brunswick, N.J.As a child in the 1950s, Mohrman was taught by society at large to view tattoos as “very demonic,” she said, adding that “only Navymen” boasted the body modifications.“Now, everybody has them except me,” she said with a laugh. When asked whether tattoos affect a person’s reputation in the workplace, she answered with a resounding “no” – “not here in Denver.”Today’s office culture has evolved beyond the norms that baby ...