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James Sample Discusses President Trump’s Use of the Military in Cities
Hofstra Law Professor James Sample provided legal commentary to MSNBC, ABC News, and Raw Story on President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles. He discussed the recent ruling by United States District Judge Charles Breyer, which found that the Trump Administration violated the Posse Comitatus Act with its actions.
Ask an Expert: Augusta University's Gokila Dorai, PhD, talks Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is dominating the news cycle. There's a lot to know, a lot to prepare for and also a lot of misinformation or assumptions that are making their way into the mainstream coverage. Recently, Augusta University's Gokila Dorai, PhD, took some time to answer some of the more important question's she's seeing being asked about Artificial Intelligence. Gokila Dorai, PhD, is an assistant professor in the School of Computer and Cyber Sciences at Augusta University. Dorai’s area of expertise is mobile/IoT forensics research. She is passionate about inventing digital tools to help victims and survivors of various digital crimes. View her profile here Q. What excites you most about your current research in digital forensics and AI? "I am most excited about using artificial intelligence to produce frameworks for practitioners make sense of complex digital evidence more quickly and fairly. My research combines machine learning with natural language processing incorporating a socio-technical framework, so that we don’t just get accurate results, but also understand how and why the system reached those results. This is especially important when dealing with sensitive investigations, where transparency builds trust." Q. How does your work help address today’s challenges around cybersecurity and data privacy? "Everyday life is increasingly digital, our phones, apps, and online accounts contain deeply personal information. My research looks at how we can responsibly analyze this data during investigations without compromising privacy. For example, I work on AI models that can focus only on what is legally relevant, while filtering out unrelated personal information. This balance between security and privacy is one of the biggest challenges today, and my work aims to provide practical solutions." Q. What role do you see artificial intelligence playing in shaping the future of digital investigations? "AI will be a critical partner in digital investigations. The volume of data investigators face is overwhelming, thousands of documents, chat messages, and app logs. AI can help organize and prioritize this information, spotting patterns that a human might miss. At the same time, I believe AI must be designed to be explainable and resilient against manipulation, so investigators and courts can trust its findings. The future isn’t about replacing human judgment, but about giving investigators smarter tools." Q. What is one misconception people often have about cybersecurity or digital forensics? "A common misconception is that digital forensics is like what you see on TV, instant results with a few keystrokes. In reality, it’s a painstaking process that requires both technical skill and ethical responsibility. Another misconception is that cybersecurity is only about protecting large organizations. In truth, individuals face just as many risks, from identity theft to app data leaks, and my research highlights how better tools can protect everyone." Are you a reporter covering Artificial intelligence and looking to know more? If so, then let us help with your stories. Gokila Dorai, PhD, is available for interviews. Simply click on her icon now to arrange a time today.
As the Gaza City ground offensive has begun - FAU has a leading expert on the region
Israel has launched a massive ground incursion into Gaza City. Aiming to destroy what the Israeli government has said is one of the last remaining Hamas strongholds. The offensive will escalate further fighting as the Israeli military indicated this current attempt to remove Hamas strongholds could take months. The attack on Gaza City has drawn criticism from allies of Israel who are seeking to see a stop the fighting and see peace in a region. Media are also watching - and looking looking for experts like Florida Atlantic's Robert Rabil who has been commenting and contributing on this topic since the conflict began almost two years ago. Florida Atlantic University's political science professor, Robert Rabil Ph. D. is a star expert in political Islam, terrorism, U.S. foreign policy, and U.S.-Arab relations. His expertise has appeared in major newspapers and academic journals, including the Wall Street Journal, Chicago-Sun Times, Daily Star (Beirut), History News Network, National Interest, CNN, Middle East Journal, Middle East Policy, the Journal of International Security Affairs, Middle East Quarterly, and Middle East Review of International Affairs. He has also contributed several book chapters on political Islam and Middle Eastern politics. Rabil is available to speak with media. Simply click on Rabil’s icon now to arrange an interview today.
First scientific paper on 3I/ATLAS interstellar object
When the news started to spread on July 1, 2025, about a new object that was spotted from outside our solar system, only the third of its kind ever known, astronomers at Michigan State University — along with a team of international researchers — turned their telescopes to capture data on the new celestial sighting. The team rushed to write a scientific paper on what they know so far about the object, now called 3I/ATLAS, after NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS. ATLAS consists of four telescopes — two in Hawaii, one in Chile and one in South Africa — which automatically scans the whole sky several times every night looking for moving objects. MSU’s Darryl Seligman, a member of the scientific team and an assistant professor in the College of Natural Science, took the lead on writing the paper. “I heard something about the object before I went to bed, but we didn’t have a lot of information yet,” Seligman said. “By the time I woke up around 1 a.m., my colleagues, Marco Micheli from the European Space Agency and Davide Farnocchia from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, were emailing me that this was likely for real. I started sending messages telling everyone to turn their telescopes to look at this object and started writing the paper to document what we know to date. We have data coming in from across the globe about this object.” The discovery Larry Denneau, a member of the ATLAS team reviewed and submitted the observations from the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile shortly after it was observed on the night of July 1. Denneau said that he was cautiously excited. “We have had false alarms in the past about interesting objects, so we know not to get too excited on the first day. But the incoming observations were all consistent, and late that night it looked like we had the real thing. “It is especially gratifying that we found it in the Milky Way in the direction of the galactic center, which is a very challenging place to survey for asteroids because of all the stars in the background,” Denneau said. “Most other surveys don't look there.” John Tonry, another member of ATLAS and professor at the University of Hawaii, was instrumental in design and construction of ATLAS, the survey that discovered 3I. Tonry said, “It's really gratifying every time our hard work surveying the sky discovers something new, and this comet that has been traveling for millions of years from another star system is particularly interesting.” Once 3I/ATLAS was confirmed, Seligman and Karen Meech, faculty chair for the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Hawaii, both managed the communications flow and worked on getting the data pulled together for submitting the paper. “Once 3I/ATLAS was identified as likely interstellar, we mobilized rapidly,” Meech said. “We activated observing time on major facilities like the Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope and the Gemini Observatory to capture early, high-quality data and build a foundation for detailed follow-up studies.” After confirmation of the interstellar object, institutions from around the world began sharing information about 3I/ATLAS with Seligman. What scientists know about 3I/ATLAS so far Though data is pouring in about the discovery, it’s still so far away from Earth, which leaves many unanswered questions. Here’s what the scientific team knows at this point: It is only the third interstellar (meaning from outside our solar system) object to be detected passing through our solar system. It’s potentially giving off gas like other comets do, but that needs to be confirmed. It’s moving really fast at 60 kilometers per second, or 134,000 miles per hour, relative to the sun. It’s on an orbital path that is shaped like a boomerang or hyperbola. It’s very bright. It’s on a path that will leave our solar system and not return, but scientists will be able to study it for several months before it leaves. The James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope are expected to reveal more information about its size, composition, spin and how it reacts to being heated over the next few months. “We have these images of 3I/ATLAS where it’s not entirely clear and it looks fuzzier than the other stars in the same image,” said James Wray, a professor at Georgia Tech. “But the object is pretty far away and, so, we just don’t know.” Seligman and his team are specifically interested in 3I/ATLAS’s brightness because it informs us about the evolution of the coma, a cloud of dust and gas. They’ve been tracking it to see if it has been changing over time as the object moves and turns in space. They also want to monitor for sudden outburst events in which the object gets much brighter. “3I/ATLAS likely contains ices, especially below the surface, and those ices may start to activate as it nears the sun,” Seligman said. “But until we detect specific gas emissions, like H₂O, CO or CO₂, we can’t say for sure what kinds of ice or how much are there.” The discovery of 3I/ATLAS is just the beginning. For Tessa Frincke, who came to MSU in late June to begin her career as a doctoral student with Seligman, having the opportunity to analyze data from 3I/ATLAS to predict its future path could lead to her publishing a scientific paper of her own. “I’ve had to learn a lot quickly, and I was shocked at how many people were involved,” said Frincke. “Discoveries like this have a domino effect that inspires novel engineering and mission planning.” For Atsuhiro Yaginuma, a fourth-year undergraduate student on Seligman’s team, this discovery has inspired him to apply his current research to see if it is possible to launch a spacecraft from Earth to get it within hundreds of miles or kilometers to 3I/ATLAS to capture some images and learn more about the object. “The closest approach to Earth will be in December,” said Yaginuma. “It would require a lot of fuel and a lot of rapid mobilization from people here on Earth. But getting close to an interstellar object could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” “We can’t continue to do this research and experiment with new ideas from Frincke and Yaginuma without federal funding,” said Seligman, who also is a postdoctoral fellow of the National Science Foundation. Seligman and Aster Taylor, who is a former student of Seligman’s and now a doctoral candidate in astronomy and astrophysics and a 2023 Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Fellow, wrote the following: “At a critical moment, given the current congressional discussions on science funding, 3I/ATLAS also reminds us of the broader impact of astronomical research. An example like 3I is particularly important to astronomy — as a science, we are supported almost entirely by government and philanthropic funding. The fact that this science is not funded by commercial enterprise indicates that our field does not provide a financial return on investment, but instead responds to the public’s curiosity about the deep questions of the universe: Where did we come from? Are we alone? What else is out there? The curiosity of the public, as expressed by the will of the U.S. Congress and made manifest in the federal budget, is the reason that astronomy exists.” In addition to MSU, contributors to this research and paper include European Space Agency Near-Earth Objects Coordination Centre (Italy), NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Caltech (USA), University of Hawaii (USA), Auburn University (USA), Universidad de Alicante (Spain), Universitat de Barcelona (Spain), European Southern Observatory (Germany), Villanova University (USA), Lowell Observatory (USA), University of Maryland (USA), Las Cumbres Observatory (USA), University of Belgrade (Serbia), Politecnico di Milano (Italy), University of Michigan (USA), University of Western Ontario (Canada), Georgia Institute of Technology (USA), Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago (Chile) and Boston University (USA).
Seniors Pay the Highest Price When Politicians Dismiss Healthcare Evidence
Disclaimer: This is an opinion piece. It reflects the author's perspective and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult with your physician or healthcare provider to discuss your individual health and vaccination needs. If you’re experiencing health issues, don’t rely on blogs (even snappy ones)—rely on a qualified medical professional. Fall is here. Kids are back in class, pumpkin spice is back in mugs, and—like clockwork—news headlines are back stirring fear and doubt. This season, RFK Jr. is making noise about vaccines, throwing science under the school bus, and leaving some older Canadians wondering: Who should I trust—politics or science? Spoiler: if you’re betting on politics to keep you healthy, you might as well ask your neighbour’s cat for medical advice. So, let’s get back to basics: what shots you really need, why the science is solid, why politics muddies the waters, and how you can be your own best health advocate. Oh, and because you know me—I’ll sprinkle in a few “if only” vaccines we all wish existed. Science vs. Politics: Who Wins? Science: Vaccines work. They reduce severe illness, save millions of lives, and prevent outbreaks of diseases we thought we’d left in history books. COVID-19 vaccines alone are credited with saving over 1.4 million lives in Europe since 2020. Vaccines aren’t some modern fad cooked up in a lab—they’ve been saving lives since 1796, when English doctor Edward Jenner made a discovery that led to the first smallpox vaccines, which at the time was one of the deadliest diseases on earth. Fast forward to today, and the results speak for themselves. Data from the CDC shows that vaccines have slashed major diseases in the U.S. and Canada to the point where polio and smallpox haven’t been seen in decades—down from tens of thousands of cases every year in the 20th century. Even measles, which has made a resurgence due to rising vaccine skepticism, is still nowhere near the half-million infections Americans used to see annually. Thanks to vaccines, measles, pertussis, mumps, and rubella are now more likely to show up in a history book—or on a pub trivia night—than in your family doctor’s office. Over a century of data shows that vaccines don’t just work—they’ve rewritten medical history. A landmark CDC study published in JAMA by researchers Sandra W. Roush (MT, MPH) and Trudy V. Murphy, MD, with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia did a major study comparing disease rates before and after vaccines became widespread. The results were jaw-dropping: Cases of diphtheria, mumps, pertussis, and tetanus dropped by more than 92%, and deaths by more than 99%. Endemic polio, measles, and rubella have been eliminated in the U.S and Canada. Smallpox is gone from the globe. Even newer vaccines introduced since 1980—like those for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Hib, and chickenpox—cut cases and deaths by 80% or more. The evidence found by the CDC study was so overwhelming that the authors called vaccines “among the greatest achievements of biomedical science and public health” (Source: JAMA, 2007) The number of cases of most vaccine-preventable diseases is at an all-time low; hospitalizations and deaths have also shown striking decreases. Think about it. When was the last time someone at your dinner table worried about catching smallpox? Enter RFK Jr., stage left. He has wasted no time since his appointment as US Secretary of Health & Human Services to undermine confidence in the public health system. His recent moves—firing the CDC director, cutting mRNA funding (even for cancer vaccines!), and gutting expert panels—are sowing doubt faster than a Toronto raccoon opening a green bin. Even Dr. Martin Makary, Commissioner of Food and Drugs for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), recently chimed in with an opinion piece published last week in The Wall Street Journal. His take? Vaccines should mostly be reserved for high-risk groups, healthy people don’t really need them, and maybe we should start running more placebo trials “just to be sure.” That sounds reasonable until you realize it’s the same playbook RFK Jr. uses: shrink access, shift the burden of proof endlessly, and treat vaccines like optional extras. When Politics Drowns Out Science, Seniors Pay the Highest Price When politics drowns out science, we pay the highest price. Because the truth is: our immune systems age just like our knees do—creaky and slower to respond. Vaccines aren’t optional; they’re essential. Demanding new placebo trials for vaccines we already know work is like asking a baker to prove yeast makes bread rise every single year. And framing vaccines as “only for the sick” ignores the basic truth: when coverage falls, outbreaks rise. Period. Vaccines for Canadian Adults & Seniors (Source: Health Canada) Vaccines aren’t just for kids—they’re part of healthy aging, too. Health Canada has issued clear guidelines on which shots adults and seniors should have on their radar, from flu and pneumonia to shingles and RSV. Think of it as a maintenance schedule for your immune system. That said, every person’s health history is unique, so always check with your doctor or healthcare provider before rolling up your sleeve. Flu shot (Seasonal Influenza Vaccine) – Protects against flu strains that mutate yearly (PHAC – Influenza Vaccine). Everyone should receive it annually; seniors may be eligible for a high-dose version. Pneumococcal (Pneu-C-20) – Shields you from pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and meningitis (PHAC – Pneumococcal Vaccine). One dose at 65+. Shingles (Recombinant Zoster Vaccine – RZV) – Stops the chickenpox virus (that never left your body) from staging a painful comeback tour (PHAC – Shingles Vaccine Guidance)—two doses, starting at age 50. Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis Vaccine) – Protects against lockjaw, a throat infection, and whooping cough (PHAC – Tdap Vaccine). One-time booster, then Tdap every 10 years. Polio (Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine – IPV) – Keeps polio from making a comeback (PHAC – Polio Vaccine). Needed if you missed doses or travel to outbreak zones. RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine) – Prevents serious lung infections in older adults (Health Canada – RSV Vaccine Information). Recommended for ages 75+ or in long-term care. MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine) – Blocks childhood triple threats (PHAC – MMR Vaccine). One dose if born after 1970 and not immune. Varicella (Chickenpox Vaccine) – For those who have never had chickenpox (PHAC – Varicella Vaccine). Two doses under age 50; For those over 50, the shingles vaccine is recommended. The Vaccines We Wish Existed Because let’s face it: medicine has cured smallpox, but not small talk. RV – Rectitious Vision Correction: For correcting poor attitudes and selective hearing in spouses. FOMOVAX: Stops the green-eyed monster when your friends are on a Caribbean cruise and you’re at Costco. TechTonic: For when Zoom won’t unmute and your iPad keeps asking for your “Apple ID you made in 2009.” EarPeace: Selective hearing—blocks whining, amplifies compliments. WineNot: The Thanksgiving booster that helps you tolerate in-laws, politics talk, and Uncle Bob’s gravy complaints. MemoryMap: Protects against the “where did I put my glasses?” epidemic. Spoiler: they’re on your head. If only. Until then, we’ll have to stick with flu and shingles shots. Screening Schedule: The Other Half of the Health Checklist Keeping your health on track sometimes feels like managing a full-time maintenance schedule. After all, the human body has more moving parts than a Canadian Tire catalogue—so of course things need regular tune-ups. If vaccines are like scheduled oil changes for your immune system, screenings are more like the regular safety inspections—checking the brakes, the lights, and making sure nothing rattles when it shouldn’t. Our bodies have a knack for keeping secrets until it’s too late, which is why Health Canada and national guidelines recommend routine checks for cancer, heart health, bone strength, and more. Here’s the recommended Health Canada guidelines—your doctor may adjust based on your risk.: Cervical (Pap test): Every 3 years, ages 25–69 (CTFPHC – Cervical Cancer Guideline). Breast (Mammogram): Every 2–3 years, ages 50–74 (CTFPHC – Breast Cancer Screening). Colorectal (Colonoscopy or FIT test): Every 2 years (FIT) or 10 years (colonoscopy), ages 50–74 (CTFPHC – Colorectal Cancer Screening). Prostate (PSA test): Discuss with your doctor around age 50 (CTFPHC – Prostate Cancer Guideline). Lung Cancer Screening: For current/former heavy smokers, typically ages 55–74 (Canadian Partnership Against Cancer – Lung Cancer Screening). Bone Density (DXA scan): At 65+ or earlier if at risk (Osteoporosis Canada – BMD Testing). Blood Pressure & Cholesterol: Annual or as needed (Hypertension Canada Guidelines). Diabetes (A1C test): Every 3 years starting at 40 (Diabetes Canada – Clinical Guidelines). Your Fall Holistic Health Checklist Still with me? Here's a checklist that I personally follow as a seasonal tune-up—part vaccines, part screenings, part lifestyle hacks. It’s not about chasing perfection; it’s about making sure you’ve got the energy to keep doing what you love (and maybe even outpace the grandkids). Whether you’re just easing into retirement, solidly in the groove, or rocking your seventies with style, these age-by-age tips will help you stay sharp, strong, and one step ahead of sneaky health surprises. Pre-Retirees (55–64) • Annual flu shot • Covid-19 shot • Start shingles series (50+) • Tdap booster if due • Immunization catch-up (MMR, polio, varicella) • Screenings: Pap, mammogram, colon, bloodwork • Exercise, hydrate, and learn to say no—yes, that’s preventive care too. Post-Retirees (65+) • Annual flu shot (high-dose if offered) • Covid-19 shot • Pneumococcal vaccine • RSV vaccine (75+ or communal living) • Shingles vaccine if not done • Screenings: colon, prostate, bone density, cholesterol, diabetes • Keep bones strong: vitamin D, weight training, and occasionally lifting grandkids count. Active Retirees (70+) • All of the above • Review meds and fall-prevention strategies • Stay social—book clubs, golf leagues, dance classes. Loneliness is a silent epidemic. • Advocate for friends, spouses, and grandkids—because being the family health quarterback matters. Your Best Shot: Be Your Own (and Your Community’s) Advocate Vaccines and screenings are only half the story—the other half is using your voice. Seniors have enormous influence, and when you speak up, policymakers listen. Here are a few ways to make sure your concerns don’t get lost in the shuffle: Start local. Write a short letter or email to your Member of Parliament, MPP, or Mayor. Personal stories are more powerful than statistics—tell them why vaccines, screenings, and health services matter to you and your community. Pick up the phone. Constituency offices actually log every call, so even a five-minute conversation with a staffer goes on record. Think of it as Yelp for public policy. Go public. A letter to the editor in your local paper or a well-placed comment at a town hall gets noticed by decision-makers. Be persistent (but polite). Politics moves slowly, but steady nudges add up. You don’t need to storm Parliament—just keep knocking on the door. You’ve spent a lifetime paying taxes, raising families, and building communities—you’ve earned the right to be heard. And let’s be real: nobody wants to mess with a senior who’s got a phone, an email list, and time to follow up. This fall, don’t let politics steal your peace of mind. Don’t let headlines plant seeds of doubt. Vaccines and screenings aren’t about fear—they’re about freedom: freedom to keep moving, keep laughing, keep living the “Hip, Fit & Financially Free” life you deserve. And until they invent the "WineNot" booster or the "MemoryMap" shot, your best defence is still the good old-fashioned flu, shingles, and pneumonia vaccines—plus the screening tests that catch sneaky stuff early. So roll up your sleeve. Book that screening. Be your own health advocate. And while you’re at it, sign your spouse up for the RV shot—because an attitude adjustment should absolutely be a household vaccine. Stay healthy. Don't Retire - Rewire! Sue Resources Want to dig deeper? Here are links to a few of my other health and wellness posts where I share practical tips, a little humour, and more ways to keep your retirement years strong, savvy, and stress-free. > The Retirement Games: From Sprint to Marathon, The New Retirement Reality > Life Hacks in Retirement: Strategies for Aging Well Also for each vaccine mentioned, here are some links to trusted sources of information. Please consult with your physician or healthcare provider before commencing with any treatment. COVID-19 Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) - COVID-19: Spread, prevention and risks - https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks.html Flu Shot (Seasonal Influenza) Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) – Canadian Immunization Guide, Influenza Chapter: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/page-10-influenza-vaccine.html Pneumococcal (Pneu-C-20) PHAC – Canadian Immunization Guide, Pneumococcal Chapter: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/page-16-pneumococcal-vaccine.html Shingles (Recombinant Zoster Vaccine – RZV) PHAC – Shingles Vaccine Guidance: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/vaccines-immunization/shingles-vaccine.html Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) PHAC – Tdap Vaccine - https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/page-21-tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis-vaccine.html Polio (IPV) PHAC – Polio Vaccine Guidance - https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/polio-vaccine.html RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) - Health Canada – RSV Vaccine Information - https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/vaccines/respiratory-syncytial-virus.html MMR & Varicella - PHAC – Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella Chapters: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines.html
No More Edits for “Face the Nation”
Mark Lukasiewicz, dean of Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, is featured in an article in Variety: “CBS News Agrees Not to Edit ‘Face The Nation’ Interviews Following Homeland Security Backlash.” The report covers a CBS News decision to discontinue editing taped interviews with newsmakers who appear on “Face the Nation.” The agreement came after the Trump administration complained about an interview with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. During the course of the segment, Noem made unsubstantiated statements about Kilmar Abergo Garcia, a Salvadoran man who was deported from the U.S., despite having protected legal status. CBS decided to air an edited version of the interview and to make the full exchange available online. “A national news organization is apparently surrendering a major part of its editorial decision-making power to appease the administration and to bend to its implied and explicit threats. Choosing to edit an interview, or not, is a matter for newsrooms and news organizations to decide. The government has no business in that decision,” said Dean Lukasiewicz.
Are raw oysters safe to eat? A seafood expert has answers
Two people recently died in Louisiana after eating raw Gulf oysters contaminated with the flesh-eating bacteria Vibrio vulnificus. Now that we have returned to the “r” months of autumn, a period historically considered safer to consume the mollusks on the half shell, seafood lovers are rightfully on edge about enjoying what many consider a saltwater delicacy. Evelyn Watts, a seafood extension specialist with the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant, has spent the better part of her adult life working with the seafood industry on the best ways to process and work through regulations about their catches. She wants to set the record straight about the safety of eating Gulf oysters throughout the year. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vibrio is a type of bacteria that thrives in warm, brackish waters, especially between May and October. Watts said that while Louisiana is observing some above-average cases, it is important to remember that vibrio is a seasonal pathogen with most infection cases linked to wound exposure or ingestion. On July 31, the Louisiana Department of Health reported four deaths and 17 hospitalizations from vibrio infections this year. The number of hospitalizations had risen to 22 as of the last week of August. Watts emphasized safe handling and cooking of all Louisiana seafood. Thoroughly cooking oysters and other shellfish eliminates any vibrio risk, she said. “The Louisiana seafood industry follows strict safety protocols, including cold-chain management and traceability systems, which includes the use of tags,” she said. “The tag color indicates if harvest refrigeration times have been followed.” Watts said white-tagged oysters may be consumed raw while those with green tags must be sold for processing and cannot be purchased for raw consumption. “Restaurants are required to post consumer advisories about raw shellfish risks, especially for those with liver disease or weakened immune systems,” she said. “Consumers may purchase oysters either as shellstock — live molluscan shellfish still in the shell — or shucked, where the meat has been removed from the shell.” Watts explained that if consumers intend to purchase shellstock oysters for raw consumption, they must look for the white tag, which confirms the product has followed proper refrigeration protocols. This tag includes key information such as the harvester’s name, the dealer’s name and address, certification number, date of harvest and harvest location. Conversely, pre-shucked oysters or half-shell oysters sold in tubs, bags or trays — whether refrigerated or frozen — are not intended for raw consumption unless the label explicitly states otherwise. “While vibrio is more common in warmer months, it’s important to remember that it can be present year-round," Watts said. "The good news is that by staying informed and choosing properly cooked oysters, consumers can enjoy seafood safely in any season.” According to LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant economist Rex Caffey, oysters are the third-most lucrative seafood commodity in the state, behind shrimp and crab. Thus, the recent uptick in illnesses could adversely affect the state’s economy if the public isn’t properly informed on how to mitigate potential infections. “Louisiana is the national leader in oyster production and accounts for more than 75% of Gulf oyster landings,” Caffey said. “The value of Louisiana’s oyster crop has varied in recent years, with an average of $65 million annually from 2022 to 2024.” For additional information about oysters as it relates to handling and production, Watts suggests visiting https://louisianadirectseafood.com/oyster/. Article originally posted here
Don't let brain bias tank your fantasy football season
The National Football League season kicks off this week and that means millions of fantasy football coaches are already overthinking their lineups. But before they blame a bad draft slot or a fluke injury for bombing from one week to the next, they might want to look in the mirror and give their head a shake. Renee Miller, a professor of brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Rochester, studies cognitive biases and literally wrote the book on bias in fantasy sports. She plays fantasy football, too. She warns that our brains are wired to interpret fantasy football results in ways that are suboptimal and illogical. “Biased thinking occurs in everyday life and work, and in fantasy sports,” Miller says. “Through the course of a season, you can see a full range of the ways cognitive bias affects a person’s weekly fantasy matchups.” Here’s the good news: Miller says we can untangle those wires if we know what to look for. Among the biggest culprits are what Miller calls “the endowment effect” (overvaluing and clinging to players you drafted high), “recency bias” (falling in love with last week’s star), and “confirmation bias” (cherry-picking stats that support what you already believe). But especially beware of Week One. Thanks to the “primacy effect,” those games early in the season loom larger in memory than later ones. One hot debut or a disappointing flop can warp a coach’s thinking for weeks. The result? Lineups driven more by emotion than logic — and possibly a lot of pick sixes. Biases aren’t all bad, though. Sometimes instincts pay off. First impressions and recent performances sometimes hold fast. But the best fantasy players, Miller says, know when to slow down and think systematically. They stay skeptical, challenge their gut reactions, and accept that they’ll be wrong sometimes. So before you rage-drop that underperforming wide receiver or crown your Week One sleeper a superstar, remember, the smartest move might be to take a look in the mirror and give your head a shake. Miller is available for interviews for journalists covering fantasy sports. Connect with her by clicking on her profile.
Trump-Putin Talks in Alaska: Randall Stone Available for Expert Commentary
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet today in Alaska to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine, which Russia invaded in 2022. But Ukraine, whose president wasn’t invited to the talks, and its European allies, whose representatives were also kept out of the conversation, have expressed fears that a deal could be struck without Kyiv’s involvement. Randall Stone, a political scientist and director of the Skalny Center for Polish and Central European Studies at the University of Rochester, has been following the developments in the war closely and is available to lend insight to reporters covering the high-stakes summit. “The war has shifted Russian strategy and economic ties away from the West and toward China, Iran, and India,” Stone told Newsweek last year. “If he succeeds in Ukraine, he will probably seeks to challenge U.S. NATO allies Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, whose membership in NATO he has always seen as a threat to Russia.” Trump has downplayed his expectations for a possible breakthrough, voicing frustration with what he has described as Putin’s “meaningless” gestures toward resolving the conflict, and referring to the talks as a chance for him to see what Putin has in mind. The two leaders are expected to hold a joint news conference at the conclusion of their talk. Contact Stone for fresh perspective on the high-stakes summit.
Dr. Sameer Hinduja is one of the world’s foremost experts on cyberbullying, adolescent mental health, and digital safety. A Professor at Florida Atlantic University’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, he has advised the White House, testified before federal agencies, and worked with schools and tech companies worldwide to protect young people online. View Full Profile→ Amid the U.S. youth mental health crisis, his latest peer-reviewed study, published through FAU Newsdesk, reveals that hope not only boosts well-being and academic achievement but also acts as a powerful shield against bullying and cyberbullying in adolescents. Results, published in the journal Frontiers in Sociology, show that students with less hope were 56% more likely to cyberbully others than their peers over their lifetime, and 57% more likely over the last 30 days. Those with more hope were 36% less likely to cyberbully others over their lifetime and over the last 30 days when compared to their peers with lower levels of hope. The key takeaway? Hope matters. It buffers against the urge to aggress against others online and off. “Hope acts as a powerful protective factor against both school bullying and cyberbullying among youth,” said Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D., lead author, a professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice within FAU’s College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, and a faculty associate at the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard University. “When young people believe in their ability to set meaningful goals and stay motivated to reach them, they are far less likely to lash out or harm others. Hope gives them a sense of direction – and that can make all the difference.” Hinduja's previous research has been featured in The Washington Post, where he emphasized that cyberbullying is not just emotionally distressing—it can cause trauma responses in teens that mirror clinical Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. “As our research clearly shows, cyberbullying in any form — whether it’s exclusion from a group chat or direct threats — can lead to significant trauma in youth,” Sameer Hinduja, a professor in Florida Atlantic University’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and the paper’s lead author, said in a news release. “We were surprised to find that no single type of cyberbullying caused more harm than others; all carried a similar risk of traumatic outcomes. This means we can’t afford to dismiss or trivialize certain behaviors as ‘less serious’ — being left out or targeted by rumors can be just as detrimental as more overt attacks.” Why This Matters Now As students return to school this fall, Hinduja’s research offers a clear reminder: digital harm is real harm. Emotional safety in online environments deserves the same urgency as physical safety in school buildings. His work calls for: • Preventive education over punitive responses • Trauma-informed approaches in schools • Support systems that validate and protect victims • Tech accountability and policy reform ⸻ Dr. Hinduja is available for media interviews on topics such as: Adolescent Mental Health • Cyberbullying • PTSD • Digital Safety • School Culture Click on the icon below to connect.
