Category Archives: Transhuman News

A California man has been arrested and charged in the 1994 murder of a mother of three thanks in part to DNA retrieved from bite wounds on the victim, Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin announced Tuesday. Cheri Huss was found stabbed to death and bitten by her killer inside her Desert Hot Springs apartment 28 years ago.

Sharron Eugene Gadlin, 48, was pulled over while he was driving in Gardena and arrested on Friday. He is being held in Riverside's Southwest Detention Center on $1 million bail.

"I hope Cheri and her family will finally get the justice they deserve and have waited so long for," Hestrin said in a statement.

According to the District Attorney's Office, Huss was found stabbed multiple times and was bitten by her killer on April 24, 1994. Homicide investigators determined she fought off her attacker, and blood left at the scene was determined to be male and matched the DNA of the saliva in Huss' bite wounds.

The case was cold for nearly 28 years, until forensic genetic genealogy identified Gadlin as a person of interest last month, district attorney's officials said. Further investigation determined Gadlin lived in Thousand Palms in 1994, about 12 miles from where Huss was found murdered.

Cold case investigators got a warrant to get a saliva sample from Gadlin on Feb. 14. The state Department of Justice lab determined the sample from Gadlin matched the DNA profile of the man who killed and bit Huss, prosecutors said.

Gadlin was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.

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California man arrested after DNA from bite wound helps solve 1994 murder of mother of three - CBS News

State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, has introduced legislation to prohibit law enforcement agencies from using the DNA of victims collected from rape kits for use to investigate separate crimes.

That is a sensible proposal and should be implemented statewide to make sure it never happens anywhere ever again.

There are so many barriers to survivors coming forward, Wiener tweeted on Monday, announcing his introduction of the proposal through Senate Bill 1228. If survivors believe their DNA may be used against them, its just one more barrier.

The proposal follows a recent incident out of San Francisco in which the police department, using DNA from a 2016 rape kit, linked the DNA of the victim to an unrelated property crime.

USA Todays Tami Abdollah has subsequently reported that the police departments crime lab was not only storing sexual assault victims DNA through the last seven years, the department was also routinely searching suspect DNA for matches against DNA belonging to victims of other crimes, including children, as well as volunteers like consensual sexual partners who provided DNA to help isolate a suspects DNA in a rape case. All matches were reported to police investigators.

Though San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin wisely declined to prosecute the individual whose case brought all of this to light, it is troubling that law enforcement departments could end up in this situation.

Victims of sexual assault should be encouraged and supported in coming forward to undergo sexual assault examinations to identify their perpetrator, Boudin said in a statement. Instead, the practice by a police crime lab that my office exposed treats victims like criminals. It not only violates their privacy, but it dissuades victims from reporting sexual violence which makes us all less safe.

Thats right.

While police investigators may want to have access to as much information as they can potentially get to help them solve crimes, there are rules and processes in place to protect civil liberties and to avoid discouraging victims of crimes from engaging with law enforcement as well.

San Franciscos police chief has vowed to not allow victim DNA to be used to investigate unrelated crimes.

It doesnt matter what case it is, if its a serial killer, San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott told USA Today. No victim information will be shared with investigators. Im not a scientist but I know what direction I gave. I know what confirmation I gave to my lab people, the chief of investigation is very clear, that its not to be done.

But according to USA Today, the departments policies are written in a way that could in fact allow the practice to continue, just with less transparency.

Hence, a clearly and directly written state law to prohibit the practive to take this option out of the hands of police departments is in order.

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Prevent the use of victim DNA by the police - Daily Breeze

Two new studies have looked into why some people are more seriously ill from Covid than others

Differences in DNA could explain why some people are more seriously ill from Covid, researchers have found.

A new study, published in the Nature Journal, identified 16 new genetic variants - differences in DNA - associated with severe coronavirus, including some related to blood clotting, immune response and inflammation.

One genetic variant was found to be slower at signalling to the immune system that cells are under attack from the virus.

Having just one of the 16 genes could be the difference between getting a mild cough or being admitted to intensive care, according to researchers.

What did researchers find?

The government-funded study, which is the largest of its kind, saw researchers from the GenOMICC consortium, led by experts at the University of Edinburgh, assess the genes of more than 57,000 people across the UK, including 7,941 Covid patients from 224 intensive care units.

Researchers from the GenOMICC consortium a global collaboration to study genetics in critical illness led by University of Edinburgh in partnership with Genomics England, assessed the genes of more than 57,000 people across the UK.

They sequencing the genomes of 7,491 patients from 224 intensive care units and compared their DNA with 48,400 other people who had not had coronavirus, and 1,630 people who had experienced mild Covid.

Key differences in 16 genes were found among intensive care patients.

The findings included how a single gene variant was enough to increase a patients risk of severe disease.

One gene variant, called interferon alpha-10, was found to be less effective in signalling to the bodys immune system that cells were under attack from a virus and people with this gene were more likely to die from Covid.

Another variant, called Factor 8, is linked to the blood clotting disorder haemophilia and was also found in severely ill patients.

Experts say the findings could help to reveal a persons risk from various diseases, such as Covid, and suggest a specific treatment may help manage disease in the early stages.

Professor Kenneth Baillie, the projects chief investigator and a consultant in critical care medicine at University of Edinburgh, said: These results explain why some people develop life-threatening Covid-19, while others get no symptoms at all.

But more importantly, this gives us a deep understanding of the process of disease and is a big step forward in finding more effective treatments.

It is now true to say that we understand the mechanisms of Covid better than the other syndromes we treat in intensive care in normal times sepsis, flu, and other forms of critical illness.

Covid-19 is showing us the way to tackle those problems in the future.

Researchers say that not everyone will have all of the DNA changes they identified, meaning some people will have a greater or lesser tendency to have severe outcomes.

Professor Sir Mark Caulfield from Queen Mary University of London, formerly chief scientist at Genomics England and co-author on the study, explained: Through our whole genome sequencing research, weve discovered novel gene variants that predispose people to severe illness which now offer a route to new tests and treatments, to help protect the public and the NHS from this virus.

I think what we can say today is that these variants do denote people that are more likely to have a critical illness.

And if we knew about them earlier in the course of their illness, we might be able to consider early intervention with some of the medicines weve been talking about, such as dexamethasone or others to try and prevent an adverse outcome.

Can blood type influence the risk of severe Covid?

Another study, published in The Conversation, suggests that proteins in the blood could be another biological factor that increases the risk of suffering severe disease from Covid.

Some proteins help the body to defend against viruses, while others transport molecules around the body and distribute information.

The study claims that through these functions, blood proteins can impact the severity of coronavirus.

As everyone has different amounts of these proteins in their body, this could explain why some people only develop a runny nose from Covid, while others require intensive care, and in the severest cases, some may die.

Researchers from Kings College London and the Medical University of Vienna assessed more than 3,000 blood proteins using a technique called Mendelian randomisation, which looks at variation in genes and its influence on disease outcomes.

Findings revealed several proteins that potentially increase or decrease the risk of severe Covid.

Increased levels of one protein, called FAAH2, was found to heighten the risk of someone needing hospital treatment for coronavirus, as it causes cells to absorb and inactivate substances called endocannabinoids, which have anti-inflammatory effects.

Having more of these proteins that remove them could be problematic as it potentially lessens the bodys ability to control inflammation caused by Covid.

Another protein identified was the ABO enzyme, which determines your blood group.

The study found that having higher levels of this enzyme appears to increase the risk of hospitalisation from Covid and subsequently needing intensive care.

Previous studies have shown that blood group A is more common in those with severe Covid and this study strengthens the case that the ABO enzyme and blood type influence coronavirus severity.

It was also found that Covid can cause disease in the blood vessels, especially when severe, but proteins that attract white blood cells to the wall of blood vessels can help to protect against this and help fight off infection.

Researchers said: Identifying these risk factors may help scientists develop new treatments, as these proteins could be targeted by new medicines - or existing ones that have been repurposed.

It has also allowed us to draw up a list of proteins that can be prioritised by other researchers, so that in future we can understand even more about what the biological risk factors for Covid are.

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Blood type and DNA difference could increase risk of severe Covid, research finds - NationalWorld

23andMe

Your genetic makeup can determine a lot about you, from physical attributes like your genetic weight and muscle composition, to medical conditions like Type 2 diabetes or celiac disease. A genetic test kit is one of the easiest ways to help you understand your health a little better. 23andMe is one of our absolute favorite DNA tests for 2022, especially if you've never tried one of these test kits before. And right now you can pick it up for just $99 at Amazon, down $50 from its usual price. But hurry: This deal is only available for today until 2:55 a.m. ET (11:55 p.m. PT).

Compared to the very popular Ancestry.com, 23andMe's test kit is primarily geared toward understanding the relationship between your genes and health, rather than tracing your family tree or discovering distant relatives. In addition to general wellness reports, which provide detailed information about your sleep, exercise and diet patterns, 23andMe tests for genetic carriers linked to health conditions like cystic fibrosis and determines your predisposition to developing certain conditions such as Alzheimer's. Using the test couldn't be easier, too.

All you need to do is register your test kit on the website, provide your spit sample in the included test tube, ship it out to the lab, and in roughly three to four weeks you'll be able to access your results online, so there are no appointments or doctor visits necessary.

It's possible that your DNA information could be shared with pharmaceutical companies andlaw enforcement agencies, so be sure to consider your comfort level with that before you do any at-home DNA tests. 23AndMe does have a privacy pagewhere it outlines how your information is stored and protected.

Subscribe to our daily spotlight on the best tech deals on the web from phones to gadgets and more.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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Learn All About Yourself With $50 Off This 23andMe Health Service DNA Kit - CNET

Russia has made serious allegations against the US and western countries. It has said that the US is helping Ukraine's military in this war. In the last 13 days, it has given more than 500 stinger missiles to Ukraine. Germany has given 500 stinger missiles; the Netherlands 200 and the rest of the other NATO countries have given 700 stinger missiles to Ukraine. Germany has also sent 1,000 Anti-Tank missiles to the Ukrainian army. In addition, the US has created an air field on the border of Poland and Ukraine, where Ukraine is being given air support by the US and other western countries.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken himself met the Foreign Minister of Ukraine at the Poland-Ukraine border. The US and NATO countries are doing everything in Ukraine that they once did in Afghanistan. That is, just as these countries destabilized Afghanistan to defeat the Soviet Union and Soviet Russia, today, all these countries are talking about peace and democracy on the international forum. But at the same time, they are sending weapons to Ukraine and fuelling the fire of this war.

In the 1980s when the Soviet Union had control over Afghanistan and even when the Mujahideen organisations were fighting against its army, the US and NATO countries had helped them in the same way. The US had ignited the fire of war at that time to defeat the Soviet Union by giving stinger missiles to the Mujahideen organizations. And then the Taliban's Mujahideen were able to easily shoot down the planes of the Soviet Union with these missiles. And that's what the US is still doing today.

He is giving more and more stinger missiles to Ukraine, so that the Russian air force suffers heavy losses in this war. At the time of the Afghanistan war, the US thought that terrorism was only a problem for Asian countries, but when the 9/11 attacks took place, it removed the Taliban's government in 2001, sent its troops to Afghanistan and pushed the entire country into a 20-year-long war again. If the US manages to do the same in Ukraine, then this war will go on for a long time. And just as there is an Afghanistan in Asia right now, so too will there be an Afghanistan in Europe, which the world will know as Ukraine.

Today, there is an atmosphere of instability and fear in these two countries. The citizens of both countries are forced to become refugees in the world. The only difference is that all are giving shelter to the people of Europe's Afghanistan, that is, Ukraine, but no one has given help to the Afghanistan of Asia. Because in Afghanistan in Asia, people with blue eyes and brown hair do not live. They are not Christians and they don't have fair skin.

In the last 13 days, two million Ukrainians have taken refuge in European countries. In the last one year, hardly 300,000 people in Afghanistan have not been able to find refuge in the world.

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has been on for 13 days now. And so far, the Russian army has occupied most of eastern Ukraine, south-eastern Ukraine, southern Ukraine and northern Ukraine. And now from all these areas, its forces are moving towards central Ukraine. In addition, Russia claims that its troops are only 16 kilometres away from the Presidential Palace in Kyiv. And the military conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues in the areas of northern Kyiv. In the last 24 hours, the war has taken a serious turn. And maybe now Russia will take a big action on Kyiv. Because most of the buildings in the residential areas like Irpin in Kyiv have now been destroyed and not a single citizen is left here. That is, Kyiv is emptying very fast. And these empty areas are echoing with the noise of war.

The US and the UK have imposed restrictions on Russia's oil and gas imports. But Putin has warned that if this happens, he will stop the supply of crude oil to the international market. And the gas supply to Europe that it needs will also be stopped. If Russia takes such a step, crude oil prices will reach 300 dollars a barrel, which are already on a historical level. Today, due to the war, crude oil prices reached $139 per dollar, the highest since 2008. This will have a direct impact on the pockets of India and the common people of India. Petrol may also cross the Rs 150 per litre mark in the coming months.

The US and NATO are helping Ukraine. But Ukraine's President Zelensky has said that the aid is equivalent to a drop of water in the sea. Zelensky wants NATO to declare Ukraine's war-torn areas a no-fly zone, but NATO has officially refused to do so, and Zelensky is calling it a betrayal of western countries with Ukraine.

The No-Fly Zone defines a particular place where it is ensured that no country's aircraft can fly in that area. In 2011, NATO placed many areas of Libya under the category of no-fly zones, so that Libya's dictator Gaddafi could not use his air force against the rebels. And Zelensky wants the same. In fact, when NATO puts an area in the No-Fly Zone, planes of NATO countries start hovering in that area. And if a military aircraft of another country comes into that area, it is attacked and destroyed. Now if this happens in Ukraine, NATO will directly join this war and Vladimir Putin has already said that in such a situation he will understand that the West has waged a war against Russia. This is why NATO is not declaring a no-fly zone in Ukraine despite pressure from Zelensky.

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DNA Special: Will Ukraine become the Afghanistan of Europe? - DNA India

The Beswick family name was already engrained in the programs history.

After all, coach Jason Beswick has been part of Northern Highlands ice hockey for nearly 2 decades and this year his only son, Brent, joined the fray as a freshman forward.

But even the father-son connection, one that has seen Northern Highlands raise its second ever NJSIAA state championship, runs so much further than that.

They got me there when they asked me about my son in the video over there, Beswick said following the Highlanders championship win. I met my wife through Highlands hockey. I was coaching Highlands, and she was a figure skating coach. Brents my only son, and when he was born, Highlands hockey was life.

We dont actually live in the towns- he chose to go to Highlands. Theres no words to describe it. Hes an incredible kid. When he puts on the Highlands jersey, he plays extra special and I couldnt be more proud of him, as well as all of the boys.

Brents obviously my only son, but I consider all of these guys my kids, for sure.

It was also cinematic to a point that Brent scored the final goal of the game to officially seal the win.

Middletown North had pulled its goalie to gain an extra attacker in an attempt to equalize the game. Brent, after getting the puck in the neutral zone, sent it into the back of the net and got the Northern Highlands celebration started early.

Its really great, the younger Beswick said. Honestly, I grew up watching Highlands every year, hoping to get a state championship. It was great to finally get one especially with him.

Middletown North, all credit to them. Theyre a great team and I think we just knew how theres a lot of firepower and offense. To win this game, we had to play solid defense and we knew we had really good forwards. So we knew when our chances come wed bury them.

While the father and son did embrace on the ice, it was something that the younger Beswick didnt do that may stick most with the duo.

Walking in the bowels of the Prudential Center towards the locker room, Jason was greeted with a classic Gatorade bath by his team in celebration.

Brent wasnt the one holding the jug but he has a feeling he may take the brunt of the responsibility,

Its pretty funny to be honest with you, Brent said. Hell probably blame me, because why not?

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Northern Highlands ice hockey engrained in Beswick family DNA - NJ.com