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Dani Fitzgerald @dfitzgeraldb

WednesdayJul1,2020at2:34PM

Due to advances in DNA technology, Hermitage Deputy Chief Joel Ristvey said officials are likely able to identify the parents of the newborn baby girl whose remains were found July 2, 1970, in Hermitage, Pa.

HERMITAGE, Pa. A development has surfaced in a 50-year-old case, officials say.

Due to advances in DNA technology, Hermitage Deputy Chief Joel Ristvey said officials are likely able to identify the parents of the newborn baby girl whose remains were found July 2, 1970, in Hermitage.

The babys remains were found near a dirt road off Lynnwood Drive across from the Ohio border just northeast of Youngstown, Ohio. The baby was born less than a week prior and was unable to be identified.

"Due to recent advances in DNA technology, we now believe we will be able to identify this baby and her mother and father. We will be initiating this process shortly and are optimistic we will obtain positive results," Ristvey said in a release. "We would like to speak from the heart to the person who laid the baby down."

The baby was found off of Lynnwood Drive in what was then Hickory Township, near Swamp Road (now Broadway Avenue, Route 760) at the Taylor Sand Banks parking area.

"The DNA will tell us who placed the baby there that day," Ristvey said in the release. "I want to give you this opportunity to come talk to me, to give you the chance to explain to your family and friends before the DNA results come back."

To contact Ristvey with information, call 724-983-6782, ext. 3.

Read more here:
DNA from baby's remains may identify parents in 50-year-old case in western Pa. - Ellwood City Ledger

The effectiveness of DNA testing and searches of the national DNA database is well-known. Over the last three decades, 137 wrongly convicted people were exonerated through DNA database hits, which identified the person who had actually committed the crime. Currently, all 50 states, as well as the federal government, provide some kind of right to post-conviction DNA testing.

But there is no such right to fingerprint matching in most states. Only Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois and Minnesota give defendants the right to have crime scene prints compared with prints in law enforcement fingerprint databases. If every state established this right, other innocent people who have been wrongly convicted could be exonerated.

Archie Williams, who was recently seen by millions in his performance on Americas Got Talent, was exonerated last year based on a fingerprint search. He was convicted in 1983 for a rape that he did not commit and served 36 years of a life sentence in Angola prison in Louisiana.

The source of the crime scene prints in Williams case, some in blood, was not identified. The Innocence Project tried unsuccessfully for 20 years in federal and state courts to have those prints submitted to the national fingerprint database for comparison. On March 14, 2019, a new judge on the case, Kinasiyumki Kimble, simply ordered the database search even though Louisiana did not have a statute that specifically required that procedure.

There was a database hit: a deceased serial offender who had pleaded guilty to a similar crime and admitted to committing other sexual assaults in Baton Rouge, which occurred while Williams was in prison. Williams was freed a week later.

Because the right to fingerprint database searching is so limited, weve found only nine individuals (four of whom were co-defendants), who have been exonerated because fingerprint database hits pointed to an alternate suspect. All nine exonerees were African American. These alternate suspects were responsible for at least 40 other crimes, including assaults and rapes, committed after the nine exonerees were convicted.

And in April, the Maryland Court of Appeals reversed the murder convictions of Jonathan Smith and David Faulkner based in large part on a palm print database hit that came from the exterior of a propped-up window. The palm print belonged to an early suspect who had a record for similar burglaries in the area.

Improved fingerprint technology and the FBIs Next Generation Identification system (the latest version of the repository of fingerprints submitted by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies) allow for better post-conviction database searching than earlier systems.

The failure of states to provide post-conviction access to fingerprint databases is inexcusable. Besides robbing innocent people of their freedom, refusal to do fingerprint searches means the guilty remain free.

Of course, neither fingerprint nor DNA analysis is infallible. And even a database match to someone other than the defendant is only evidence, not proof, of that persons guilt. Moreover, the growth of law enforcement biometric databases can create ethical, legal and social hazards.

But if these databases, built with taxpayer dollars, exist, then they should be made available to people who may have been wronged by the criminal justice system.

Simon A. Cole is director of the National Registry of Exonerations, a project of the University of California Irvine Newkirk Center for Science & Society, University of Michigan Law School & Michigan State University College of Law. Barry Scheck is co-founder of The Innocence Project and a professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University. They wrote this piece for the Los Angeles Times.

See original here:
Cole, Scheck: DNA testing isnt enough. We need the right to fingerprint matching - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press

The team studied 464 pairs of adult twins about half identical and half fraternal aged between 19 and 84 years old. Based on their results, affectionate behaviour in women, specifically, can be explained 45% by heredity, while 55% is linked to environmental influences such as personal relationships.

Twin study design

The researchers enrolled adult twins, as twins are commonly used in studies that investigate how environmental and genetic factors influence particular traits. This is because twins are typically raised in the same household, which means that they've had similar upbringings and early experiences.

On the flip side, their genetic similarities vary depending on whether theyre fraternal or identical twins. Identical twins share 100% of their genetic material, while fraternal twins share only 50%, which is the same as in regular siblings.

Participants asked to rate statements

Each study participant was asked to rate several statements that were designed to measure how much affection they generally express. The researchers then studied their results and gauged the similarity between each pair's responses.

If the scores of people in fraternal twin pairs were similar to the scores of people in identical twin pairs, it could be assumed that genetics didnt play a role. However, the results revealed that the identical twin pairs scored more similarly than the fraternal twin pairs, suggesting that there is, in fact, a genetic component to affectionate behaviour. In a surprising twist, they found that this only applied in the case of women.

It isnt the same for men

For some bizarre reason, the researchers discovered that genetics dont appear to impact the level of affection in men. Instead, a news release by the university explains that, according to the study, men's variation in affectionate behaviour appears to stem entirely from environmental factors, but the studys lead author, Professor Kory Floyd who works at the universitys Department of Communication in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, noted that previous research shows that men, on average, do tend to express less affection overall than women.

Women and men

"The trait of being affectionate may be more adaptive for women in an evolutionary sense, explained Floyd, adding: There is some speculation that affectionate behaviour is more health-supportive for women than it is for men, and that it helps women to manage the effects of stress more than it does for men.

That may be partly why women are more likely than men to inherit the tendency to behave that way rather than that tendency simply being a product of their environment."

Twins shared environments, such as their socioeconomic background, were also found to have minimal effect on their level of affection. Rather, what stood out was unique environmental factors, such as an individual's friends and their experiences from their twin.

"It's not exactly what we would expect, but for many behaviours and personality characteristics including how affectionate you are what twins do and experience differently in their lives plays a much bigger role than anything they experience together," Floyd said.

Why this study matters

Floyds research interests include the communication of affection in close relationships and its effects on stress and physiological functioning. He commented:

"The question that drove the study was: Recognising that some people are more affectionate than others, what accounts for that variation, and is any part of that variation genetic?" Floyd said, further commenting:

"In my field, there is a really strong underlying assumption that whenever we see differences in a trait level in people's social behaviours like how talkative they are or how shy they are or how affectionate they are those differences are learned; they're a function of the environment.

"A study like this makes room for us to talk about the possibility that a number of social and behavioural traits that we automatically assume are learned may also have a genetic component."

However, Floyd also pointed to the importance of not drawing full conclusions, as their findings are at the population level, and not the individual level. This means that it may not be the case that every single womans level of affectionate behaviour is 45% hereditary and 55% attributable to environmental factors, nor do the researchers suggest that an individual cant be more or less affectionate based on their gene suggestions. Floyd explained:

"Our genes simply predispose us to certain kinds of behaviours; that doesn't automatically mean we're going to engage in those behaviours. And it certainly doesn't mean that we have no control over them."

Skin hunger during the Covid-19 pandemic

Those who are genetically predisposed to being more affectionate may especially be struggling with "skin hunger" during the Covid-19 pandemic, considering the implementation of strict measures, such as lockdown and physical distancing.

"Skin hunger", also known as touch deprivation, occurs when we feel deprived of physical contact. The pandemic has stripped us of every sense of normality, among them "normal" human connection. Being cut off from our loved ones lowers that confidence-boosting feeling we usually get from social connection.

Meaningful contact produces hormones in the brain such as serotonin, dopamine, and the bonding hormone oxytocin to help foster positive emotions, says Jo Ham, psychotherapist at the Human Givens Institutetold Marie Claire UK.

As well as making you feel good, human touch can slow down heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and boost the immune system. Even a friendly touch on the arm can be very soothing for somebody who is feeling upset or alone, Ham added.

Coping with skin hunger

In the absence of human touch, there are certain alternatives that may fill that void, suggested Floyd. Among them are petting your dog or cat; cuddling your pillow or blanket; or practising self-massage all of which have been found to help relieve stress and experience comfort.

"None of these is a perfect substitute," said Floyd, "but when being able to hug or hold hands with our loved ones isn't feasible or safe for us, these sorts of things are certainly better than nothing."

Go here to read the rest:
Are you a hugger? It might just be in your DNA - Health24

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Mitochondrial DNA copy number in cervical exfoliated cells and risk of cervical cancer among HPV-positive women - BMC Blogs Network

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Hermitage police issue plea, announce DNA probe in 50-year mystery of newborn's remains - TribLIVE

Investment incentives, the reduction of labor costs through tax and social security contribution cuts, incentives against undeclared labor, and encouraging Greek enterprises to grow are the governments objectives for the transformation of the economy, according to the prime ministers chief economic adviser Alexis Patelis.

The government intends to fund these interventions partly through the emergency recovery fund of the European Union, from which Athens anticipates some 32 billion euros. We shall see how we can use some of the resources from Next Generation EU to transform the economy, Patelis told an online conferenceon Wednesdayorganized by the European Commission and the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE).

Patelis also referred to three other priorities of the government plan that Athens will submit to the Commission by October 15, so as to collect the resources promised. They concern green development, the digital transition and the support of employment and social cohesion. Reforms are in our DNA, added Patelis.

The next great challenge for Greece is the full absorption of the EU funds, agreed European Commissioner for EconomyPaolo Gentiloni and the deputy director-general of the Commissions economy and finance department, Declan Costello.

Speaking at the event, Gentiloni referred to the economic sectors where Greece could utilize the EU package: improving its tax system organization, speeding up justice, improving energy sector efficiency, public administration, and the promotion of active policies for employment. Costello stressed the need for the strengthening of exports and increasing investments so as to cover the investment gap and improve the countryscompetitiveness.

Gentiloni went on to clarify that the recovery fund will not introduce any additional surveillance for countries: We will try to maximize synergies with the post-bailout surveillance, so as to avoid an additional burden, stated the Italian commissioner.

Read the rest here:
'Reforms are in our DNA' | Business | ekathimerini.com - http://www.ekathimerini.com

Two men accused in the slaying of a Coachella Valley couple who went missing more than three years ago were charged with murder and could face the death penalty if convicted, Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said Tuesday.

The announcement came during a news conference in Palm Desert, where it was unveiled that hundreds of interviews and more than 50 search warrants led to what appears to be the discovery of the bodies of Audrey Moran, 26, and Jonathan Reynoso, 28, who disappeared on May 12, 2017.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said DNA results have not yet come back to verify the identity of the remains, which were discovered somewhere in the Coachella Valley recently, he said.

The investigation that led us to the remains indicates we did find them, Bianco told reporters.

You can view the entire press conference below.

Three men were arrested in connection with the disappearance of the couple over the weekend.

Manuel Rios, 28, of Coachella, Abraham Fregoso, 32, of Indio and Jesus Ruiz Jr., 41, of Coachella were charged on Tuesday.

Ruiz is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday in Banning, while Rios and Fregoso Jr. are expected to be arraigned the following day, according to Riverside Superior Court spokeswoman Marita Ford.

Rios is charged with two counts of murder, and faces a special circumstance allegation of killing a witness. Fregoso is charged with one court of murder, and also faces a special circumstance allegation of killing a witness. The special circumstance allegations make the defendants eligible to receive the death penalty if convicted, although Hestrin said a decision on whether or not to seek the death penalty has not yet been made.

Ruiz Jr. was charged with two counts of being an accessory to murder after the fact.

Bianco declined to share additional information on the alleged crimes, citing the ongoing investigation, but did tell reporters the witness referred to in the charges reflected one of the victims, although it was not immediately clear which.

No motive was disclosed.

Hestrin said he was very confident that the charges against the three men were warranted.

Prior to the couples disappearance, Moran left her Coachella home to pick up Reynoso, who may have been returning to the Coachella Valley from the Brawley area the day the couple went missing, according to investigators.

Moran said she was going to give Reynoso a ride to his Palm Desert home, but the SUV she drove was later found parked on the side of Interstate 10 in Beaumont. A police bloodhound detected their scent near the SUV, but the trail disappeared about 50 feet from the vehicle.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing, and urged anybody with additional information to call the departments missing persons tip line at 760-393-3544.

Article from: City News Service

Read more from the original source:
DNA Remains Being Tested, Believed to be those of Missing Couple Jonathan and Audrey - NBC Palm Springs

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert in Mumbai and Konkan region in view of heavy rain forecast. The IMD has said that heavy rainfall is expected on Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar till July 5.

An orange alert with a forecast of heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places for Friday and Saturday has been issued for Mumbai.

There is also a forecast of heavy rain at isolated places in Mumbai on Thursday.

High convergence of strong moist westerly/southwesterly winds at low tropospheric level from the Arabian Sea is very likely along the west coast till July 5. Under the influence, fairly widespread rainfall activity with isolated heavy to very heavy showers are likely along the west coast, Gujarat, interiors of Maharashtra in the next five days. Heavy to very heavy with extreme heavy showers (over 200 mm) is very likely over Konkan and Goa on July 3 and 4 and over Madhya Maharashtra on July 4, an IMD bulletin issued on Wednesday said.

The IMD has warned people in Mumbai to stay indoors this week and only venture outside in case of extreme necessity.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) also issued warning for severe lightning in areas including coastal areas of Maharashtra.

An orange alert has been for Western ghats in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Daman, Diu, south Gujarat, Bihar, North Jharkhand, North Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh for July 2.

NDMA also issued a Red warning for several states.

For July 3, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at a few places with extremely heavy falls at isolated places very likely over and Konkan & Goa. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also expected at isolated places with extremely heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim.

On July 3, heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast has been issued for a few places with extremely heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Konkan & Goa.

Link:
Heavy rainfall expected in Mumbai this weekend, orange alert issued - DNA India