XCR1250
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Posts posted by XCR1250
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23 minutes ago, Skidooski said: Whatever you say Brandon. Now go have your Metamucil and meet todays geriatric nurse
MC is the biggest Lunatic on FS and should be in a Mental Institution, he's nuts.
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Common Energy Drink Ingredient Linked to Blood Cancer
Taurine was found to “significantly accelerate disease progression” in a new study of the supplement, commonly given to chemotherapy patients
By
Published on May 15, 2025 08:49PM EDT
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NEED TO KNOW
Taurine has been linked with the progression of the blood cancer leukemia, according to new research published in Nature
The amino acid may fuel cancer cells, with researchers saying it was found to "significantly accelerate disease progression"
Researchers said, given its inclusion in energy drinks and often as a supplement, "it may be of interest to carefully consider" having leukemia patients consume taurine
A common energy drink ingredient has been linked to the progression of the blood cancer leukemia, prompting researchers to voice concerns about the consumption of those beverages.
Taurine — an amino acid that occurs naturally in proteins like meat and fish — is a common ingredient in energy drinks like Red Bull. As the Mayo Clinic explains it can help balance fluids, salts and minerals.
PEOPLE has reached out to Red Bull for comment.
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But according to research published in Nature, taurine may promote leukaemogenesis — the development of leukemia cells — and “identifies taurine as a key regulator of myeloid malignancies,” which, like leukemia, are cancers that begin in the blood.
The study says cancer cells in mice are fueled by taurine: “Taurine supplements could significantly accelerate disease progression in immunocompetent mice (around threefold higher likelihood of death… indicating that taurine can promote leukaemic progression.”
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In plain terms, the study found that cancer cells consume the taurine, which triggers glycolysis (breaking down glucose for energy), which then further fuels the cancer cells, according to a press release from the University of Rochester, which conducted the research.
Previously, taurine has been proven useful as a supplement in chemotherapy. One study in Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutic said, “Taurine supplementation could be a protection against chemotherapy-induced toxicities probably by its antioxidant capacity.”
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This has prompted the researchers to add a caveat regarding energy drinks.
“As taurine is a common ingredient in energy drinks, and is often provided as a supplement to mitigate the side-effects of chemotherapy our work suggests that it may be of interest to carefully consider the benefits of supplemental taurine in patients with leukaemia," researchers wrote in Nature.
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8 minutes ago, Skidooski said: First flags were offensive
Now its Banners
MC just can't get over how wrong he's been on everything he's posted on here, I almost feel sorry for him..NOT!
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FBI folds the public corruption squad that aided Jack Smith's Trump investigations
Ryan J. Reilly
Updated Thu, May 15, 2025 at 1:11 PM CDT
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Former special counsel Jack Smith; President Donald Trump. (AP; Getty Images)
WASHINGTON — The FBI’s Washington Field Office is folding its federal public corruption squad, the same unit that aided Jack Smith’s special counsel investigation into President Donald Trump, three people familiar with the matter tell NBC News.
The field office has three units that work on public corruption issues, but this one — known internally as "CR15" — was deeply involved in the bureau’s "Arctic Frost" investigation, which was the precursor to the Smith probe into efforts to overturn the 2020 election results by Trump and his allies. That investigation resulted in one of the two federal criminal cases against Trump, both of which were dropped after his election.
FBI special agents assigned to the squad will be reassigned. A FBI official said the change was part of a broader reorganization at the Washington Field Office and that there would be additional changes to come — and that public corruption cases would still be pursued.
The move to shutter the unit comes amid a major shift of FBI resources towards immigration enforcement, an area that is primarily the responsibility of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. A top leader in the FBI’s Washington Field Office was also recently reassigned, two people familiar with the matter said. A FBI official said the person was not reassigned for any adversarial reason.
Earlier this year, the Justice Department slashed its Public Integrity Section, which had also worked on public corruption cases. Members of the unit had also resigned after refusing to sign off on dropping the federal corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. A judge ultimately dropped the case, adding a condition beyond what the Trump administration had sought: He said that the Justice Department would not be allowed to revive the case later, because that would give the government leverage over the mayor.
“This is yet another sign that it’s open season for political corruption," said Stacey Young, the executive director and founder of the group Justice Connection, a network of Justice Department alumni supporting DOJ's workforce. "The administration gutted the Public Integrity Section, neutered the U.S. Attorney’s Office in D.C., and is now shuttering the FBI’s pre-eminent federal public corruption squad. This isn’t what voters had in mind when they heard, ‘drain the swamp.’”
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chair Ron Johnson, R-Wis., have recently scrutinized the work of CR15, writing letters to FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi about the unit.
“My oversight has shown time and again how the FBI’s CR-15 unit was weaponized to execute one-sided political attacks, particularly against President Trump and his allies,” Grassley said in a statement. “It’s good news it’s been shut down after I exposed the unit for its misconduct. Transparency brings accountability, and the FBI must ensure all records are preserved as my investigations continue.”
The investigation into the effort by Trump and allies to overturn the 2020 election results was launched in April 2022, before Trump had announced his run for president in 2024. After Trump launched his campaign, then-Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith as special counsel in late 2022, saying it was in the public interest to have an outsider lead the investigation rather than have Garland, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, oversee the probe.
Trump was indicted in August 2023, but his trial was delayed by appeals, which resulted in a Supreme Court ruling that gave Trump immunity for official actions taken as president.
Smith issued a report finding that Trump had “inspired his supporters to commit acts of physical violence“ during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and that he had knowingly spread an objectively false narrative about election fraud in the 2020 election
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17 minutes ago, akvanden said: Only in Wisconsin.
I live in a Tourist area near Hayward Wi., wife works at Walmart.. many times she works in the Liquor dept. she says folks from many states buy Spotted Cow and take it back to whatever state they are from. Many folks have a second home here and take S.C. back to the State they are from, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, & Iowa, even a few here from Arizona & Texas. Must be something special about that Beer.
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This is great news for South Carolina and Boeing
Boeing inks record-breaking deal for Qatar Airways to buy up to 210 planes
Published Wed, May 14 202511:45 AM EDTUpdated 2 Hours Ago
Kevin Breuninger@KevinWilliamB
Key Points
Boeing secured an agreement to sell Qatar Airways up to 210 aircraft.
Qatar Airways also signed an agreement with GE Aerospace for more than 400 engines to power the Boeing planes.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg appeared alongside President Donald Trump in Doha for a signing ceremony on the deal for the 787 Dreamliner and 777X planes.
The deal could draw more scrutiny toward President Donald Trump’s defense of Qatar’s offer to gift the U.S. a luxury 747 jet that will act as the new Air Force One.
U.S. President Donald Trump, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, on May 14, 2025.
Brian Snyder | Reuters
Boeing and Qatar Airways on Wednesday announced a deal for the Middle Eastern airline to buy up to 210 jets, notching the U.S. planemaker’s largest-ever order of widebody aircraft.
The order — the biggest in Qatar Airways’ history — includes 130 of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliners and 30 of its much-delayed 777-9s, with options for up to 50 more planes, the companies said in a press release.
Qatar Airways also signed an agreement with GE Aerospace for more than 400 engines to power the Boeing planes, those companies said in another joint release.
The purchase of widebody aircraft engines is the largest in GE Aerospace’s history, according to the release.
Boeing and Qatar Airways struck the agreement during President Donald Trump’s state visit with the emir of Qatar, part of the president’s four-day tour of the Middle East.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg appeared alongside Trump at the Amiri Diwan in Doha for the signing ceremony.
“This is a critical next step for Qatar Airways on our path as we invest in the cleanest, youngest and most efficient fleet in global aviation,” Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said in a statement. “This is so we can meet the strong demand in the airline as we seamlessly connect passengers to the world better than anyone.”
Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope said the “record-breaking order” with Qatar Airways “solidifies their future fleet with our market-leading widebody airplane family at its center.”
The 426-seat, twin-engine 777-9 is part of Boeing’s 777X series, which has yet to produce any deliveries and has still not been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The White House earlier Wednesday valued the plane deal at $96 billion, and said it will support 154,000 U.S. jobs annually and more than one million domestic jobs in total.
Boeing and Qatar Airways, however, said the deal will result in roughly 400,000 jobs in the U.S.
Boeing’s website says it currently employs around 170,000 people globally.
“It’s the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing,” Trump said after Ortberg signed the agreement at the Amiri Diwan.
The deal could be a boon for Boeing, which has not posted a profit since 2018.
The plane maker has been beset by major safety concerns, manufacturing defects, cost overruns and a nearly two-month-long machinist strike last year.
Its business dealings have also been disrupted by Trump’s trade war. China stopped accepting deliveries of Boeing planes to its airlines in response to U.S. tariffs, Ortberg said last month.
But the company has recently narrowed its losses as it addresses a backlog worth more than $500 billion, Ortberg said in Boeing’s first-quarter earnings call.
“This is great news for South Carolina and Boeing,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., calling the deal “a gamechanger.”
Graham’s office said the new planes will be assembled at Boeing’s Charleston facility.
The deal announced Wednesday would nearly double Qatar Airways’ fleet of 233 aircraft, according to its website.
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Residential Proximity to Golf Courses Linked to Parkinson’s Disease
May 09, 2025
Living within a mile of a golf course is associated with a 126% increased risk for Parkinson’s disease (PD), possibly due to increased pesticide exposure, results of a population-based case-control study suggest.
Results also showed drinking water from groundwater service areas with a golf course was associated with almost a twofold increased risk for the disease.
Brittany Krzyzanowski, PhD
The study results imply that both vulnerable drinking water and airborne pollutant exposure may contribute to the risk of developing PD near golf courses, study investigator Brittany Krzyzanowski, PhD, assistant professor, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, told Medscape Medical News.
However, she cautioned that because the study is observational it cannot establish causality, so it is too early to recommend that individuals move away from golf courses.
Nevertheless, she added, the results suggest individuals should be aware of the potential risk and take steps to minimize their exposure.
The study was published online on May 8 in JAMA Network Open.
Novel Research
PD is likely caused by a complex interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental factors, including pesticide exposure. Previous research showed pesticides such as paraquat and rotenone induce Parkinson-like neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra, primarily through mechanisms involving oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and dopaminergic neuron apoptosis.
Golf courses are frequently treated with pesticides to uphold the visual and maintenance standards of putting greens and fairways. In the United States, the amount of pesticide used on golf courses can be up to 15 times greater than that in European countries.
One anecdotal report has suggested that living near golf courses may increase the risk for PD. However, few studies have explored the role of pesticide exposure from golf courses on PD risk, said Krzyzanowski.
Using the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP) medical records linkage system, researchers identified patients with PD in Olmstead County, Minnesota, from 1991 to 2015. From medical records, a movement disorder specialist confirmed the PD diagnosis as well as the date of onset.
Investigators used home addresses 2 or 3 years prior to PD symptom onset to allow for a delay between potential environmental exposure and development of PD. Address-level data provide the most accurate distance-to-exposure values.
The study included 419 individuals with PD, median age of 73 years at diagnosis and 61% men, who were compared with 5113 age- and sex-matched control individuals without the disease.
Researchers collected data on 139 golf courses in the 27-county study region. Using satellite imagery, they manually digitized golf course data to confirm the correct placement of golf course boundaries in 2013, the earliest year relevant data were available.
After adjusting for age, sex, race and ethnicity, index year (date of PD symptom onset for cases), household income, and urban or rural category, the study found living within one mile of a golf course was associated with 126% increased odds of PD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.26; 95% CI, 1.09- 4.70; P = .03) compared with those living more than 6 miles from a golf course.
The analysis uncovered a modest dose response. The odds of PD increased by 198% at 1-2 miles (aOR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.46-6.06; P = .003), 121% at 2-3 miles (aOR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.06-4.59; P = .03), and 92% at 3-6 miles (aOR, 1.92; 95% CI, 0.91-4.04; P = .09) compared with those living more than 6 miles away.
Contaminated Drinking Water?
A sensitivity analysis showed the link between proximity to golf course and PD was stronger in urban areas. The authors speculate that greater density surrounding golf courses in urban areas may lead to higher levels of airborne pollutant exposure to nearby residents.
Researchers also assessed whether individuals received their drinking water from groundwater sources located either with, or without, a golf course or from private wells. Overall, 77.3% of the study population lived in areas served by groundwater-based water systems. They noted that pesticides used on golf courses can seep into groundwater, potentially contaminating drinking water supplies.
Results showed that individuals receiving tap water from groundwater service areas with a golf course had nearly a twofold increased risk for PD compared with those in groundwater areas without golf courses (aOR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.20-3.23). They also had a 49% higher risk for PD than those using private wells as a drinking water source (aOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.05-2.13).
The researchers acknowledged the water distribution process is complex and varies from city to city, so it’s possible not everyone within the same water service area shared the same water source.
The investigators also determined whether water services areas were within a vulnerable groundwater region, defined as those with coarse texture soils, shallow bedrock, or karst geology.
Krzyzanowski explained that karst topography describes a region with limestone bedrock that slowly dissolves over time, creating underground voids that allow water from the surface to move more rapidly through it.
“This means that pesticides applied to grass or crops can more readily move into the groundwater supply after a rain,” the investigators noted.
The analysis showed that individuals whose tap water was from service areas with a golf course located in vulnerable groundwater regions were 82% more likely to have PD compared with those in similar areas with a golf course but nonvulnerable groundwater (aOR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.09-3.03).
Study limitations included the restricted geographic scope of the population-based dataset and the predominantly White study population. In addition, the lack of occupational history data may have led to exposure misclassification, as some individuals may have spent significant time away from their home address. The study also did not account for other relevant risk factors for PD, such as head trauma or genetic predisposition.
Experts Weigh In
Commenting on the findings, David Dexter, PhD, director of Research, Parkinson’s United Kingdom, raised a number of other potential limitations of the study.
In a statement from the Science Media Center, which features expert comment on science news, Dexter noted the study didn’t restrict participants to those who lived permanently in the area, an important consideration as PD starts in the brain 10-15 years before diagnosis.
“This would not only affect participants’ exposure but also suggests their Parkinson’s could have started before they moved around a golf course,” he said.
Dexter also noted that 80% of individuals with PD lived in urban areas compared with only 30% of control individuals, so other factors such as air pollution from motor vehicles could have accounted for some of the increased incidence of the disease. He also noted that the drinking water wasn’t analyzed for pesticide levels.
Commenting on the research for Medscape Medical News, Michael S. Okun, MD, Adelaide Lackner professor of Neurology, University of Florida, and executive director, Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, both in Gainesville, Florida, said the study’s findings “highlight a clear and urgent need to re-evaluate pesticide use on golf courses.”
Okun, who is also medial advisor for the Parkinson’s Foundation said the link between proximity to golf courses and increased PD risk is “striking.”
“These results raise concerns about how chemicals applied for aesthetics may silently shape neurological health,” he said. The fact that pesticides used to keep golf courses pristine may be seeping into local water supplies and increasing PD risk “is a hidden hazard we can no longer ignore,” said Okun.
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05-09-2025
Volcanic white gold: A lithium deposit valued at $1.5 trillion has been discovered in the U.S.
Earth.com staff writer
McDermitt Caldera in Oregon is attracting attention for what could be one of the largest lithium deposits ever identified in the United States. Many view it as a potential boost for domestic battery production, while local communities voice concern over the impact on wildlife and cultural sites.
The excitement stems from estimates that value the deposit at about $1.5 trillion. Some geologists say these ancient volcanic sediments could contain between 20 and 40 million metric tons of lithium.
Lithium deposit exposes priorities
“This feature is 16 million years old, and we’re making decisions in a matter of years,” said Sammy Castonguay, a geologist at Treasure Valley Community College.
Castonguay’s statement has stirred local debate over how the development might reshape the high desert.
Industry advocates see a path to addressing the ballooning need for electric vehicle batteries.
Neighbors around the caldera and the McDermitt deposit worry that large-scale extraction could damage an ecosystem that supports pronghorn antelope, sage-grouse, and other sensitive species.
The environmental dilemma
A proposal from HiTech Minerals Inc. seeks to add roads and hundreds of wells to test for lithium in Malheur County.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) once offered a brief window for public comment, which drew criticism from groups who say that’s not enough time to evaluate lasting changes.
The Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club indicates they support cleaner energy but believe drilling must not come at the expense of fragile habitats.
Some see parallels to disputes in Nevada, where communities have fought lithium ventures they say threaten water sources.
Malheur County is among Oregon’s poorest areas, and certain residents hope new jobs might brighten its economic outlook.
“We need to do this the Oregon way – with full accountability and shared benefits,” said Greg Smith, director of economic development in Malheur County.Why lithium deposits are so valuable
Cleaner transportation and renewable energy storage have skyrocketed demand for lithium. Its light weight and excellent electrochemical properties make it key in modern battery production.
Global interest in ramping up supply has fueled both exploration and debate. Many want a homegrown source to cut reliance on overseas materials, but critics stress that extracting metals can have lasting ecological implications.
Mining typically means large excavations, chemical processing, and water usage. Press releases and early studies mention concerns about dust, vehicle exhaust, and possible leakage of industrial byproducts.
Meanwhile, some economists argue that lithium’s high market price presents an opportunity to jump-start local development. Balancing those perspectives can be tough for rural communities.
Unique volcanic origins
Past eruptions formed the caldera and left mineral-rich clays across a wide basin. The environment eventually became a semi-arid habitat that’s important for migrating wildlife.
One study found high levels of lithium in these sediments, suggesting an unusually concentrated resource. Analysts say that if extraction methods prove efficient, the U.S. could rank among the top global suppliers of this metal.
The caldera lies near the Oregon-Nevada border. Projects on both sides have followed a similar pattern: geological surveys, land modification, and pilot drilling.
Some scientists emphasize that claystone deposits differ from salt brine operations found in South America.
Processing claystone may require more complex techniques, including acid leaching, which can raise questions about waste disposal and water safety.
Concerns for wildlife and culture
Habitat for sage-grouse is already shrinking, and many local groups fear the consequences of losing more desert terrain.
The region also holds deep cultural value for several Indigenous tribes.
Tribal leaders in nearby areas have contested past proposals by pointing to sites sacred for ceremonies and important for traditional ways of life. As the push for lithium grows, local voices want to remain central in discussions about land use.
Opponents argue that insufficient environmental reviews could harm unique species such as Lahontan cutthroat trout.
Past drilling in high desert regions showed that groundwater tables can be affected by large-scale operations. Proponents, though, say modern techniques and strong oversight may mitigate many risks.
Mixed signals on lithium’s future
Experts note that the caldera deposit could give the U.S. a competitive advantage in battery supply. At the same time, non-governmental organizations believe short-term profit shouldn’t overshadow the ecological and historical wealth found in Oregon’s high desert.
Mining companies emphasize their intent to follow federal standards and incorporate feedback from local communities. Yet friction persists over whether that outreach is genuine.
Sierra Club Oregon suggests it’s possible to develop lithium alternatives or find better ways to source the metal. Advocates of the project maintain that these clays represent a crucial resource in an era when every major carmaker is transitioning to electric models.
Disagreements arise from how fast these projects roll out, and whether rural populations have a real say in shaping them.
What’s next for this lithium deposit?
Local debates often center on water needs for drilling and processing. Some scientists point out that advanced recycling and new battery chemistries might alleviate the environmental strain.
Others say U.S. projects reduce dependence on foreign supply chains, which could lower geopolitical risks.
The trade-off is that most lithium deposits, wherever they are, carry certain environmental implications. A few watchers say this moment holds a chance to reevaluate how to conduct resource extraction.
As these Oregon proposals move ahead, investors are confident that demand for lithium won’t dip anytime soon, but local communities want to ensure they aren’t left with the mess once the initial excitement fades.
The study is published in Minerals.
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54 minutes ago, Mainecat said: Hey old man you were off topic.
You best seek immediate help, old guys like you can't wait or it will be too late to help you , the way you respond it's probably too late already, sad though.
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Armed Forces Day, 2025
in Current Events
Posted
Presidential Actions
Armed Forces Day, 2025
Proclamations
May 16, 2025
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
On Armed Forces Day, we pause to honor the men and women of America’s Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force. Every day, throughout our homeland and in far-flung regions of the world, our fighting forces valiantly safeguard our liberty, defend our border, and support global stability through humanitarian missions and disaster relief operations. In America’s legacy of awe-inspiring heroes, they are without equal.
As Commander in Chief, my highest responsibility is to ensure our all-volunteer military, 2.1 million-strong, is the world’s most lethal fighting force. I have taken bold steps to prioritize military excellence and readiness across every branch of service, ensuring that all active duty, National Guard, and Reserve members who wear our Nation’s uniform are prepared to deploy, fight, and win against any adversary in any domain. America’s military will soon be stronger and more powerful than ever before. Since November, enlistment numbers for every branch of the Armed Forces have surged — recruitment is now the highest it has been in 30 years.
On Armed Forces Day, we celebrate those for whom patriotism is not a passive, lofty ideal, but a way of life that is measured by the unyielding commitment to serve this Nation with valor, vigilance, integrity, and devotion to duty. It is worthy not only of a day of recognition but also a lifetime of respect from a grateful Nation.
The First Lady joins me in saluting our service members — on land, at sea, and in air and space — along with their devoted families, who share in this legacy of service and sacrifice.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, continuing the tradition of my predecessors in office, do hereby proclaim the third Saturday of each May as Armed Forces Day. I invite the Governors of the States and Territories and other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to provide for the observance of Armed Forces Day within their jurisdiction in an appropriate manner designed to increase public understanding and appreciation of our Armed Forces. I call upon all Americans to display the flag of the United States at their homes and businesses on Armed Forces Day, and I urge citizens to learn more about military service by attending and participating in the local observances of the day.
Proclamation 10762 of May 17, 2024, is hereby superseded.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
DONALD J. TRUMP