Scientists ‘Inject’ Information Into Monkeys’ Brains

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. . .Imagine that you had a device implanted in your brain that could shortcut the pathway and “inject” information straight into your premotor cortex.

That may sound like an outtake from “The Matrix.” But now two neuroscientists at the University of Rochester say they have managed to introduce information directly into the premotor cortex of monkeys. The researchers published the results of the experiment on Thursday in the journal Neuron.

Although the research is preliminary, carried out in just two monkeys, the researchers speculated that further research might lead to brain implants for people with strokes . . .

The monkeys sat in front of a panel equipped with a button, a sphere-shaped knob, a cylindrical knob, and a T-shaped handle. Each object was ringed by LED lights. If the lights around an object switched on, the monkeys had to reach out their hand to it to get a reward — in this case, a refreshing squirt of water.
(Read more from “Scientists ‘Inject’ Information Into Monkeys’ Brains” HERE)

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Mueller’s Investigation Just Got Some Insurance

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The Dec. 1 plea deal struck with President Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, marked a big step forward in Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. It may also have provided some protection for Mueller against being fired by the president—and helped ensure that his probe will continue, even if one day he’s not leading it.

Flynn pleaded guilty to one count of lying to federal agents about his communications with the Russian ambassador last December. Given the other potential crimes that Flynn may have committed, including his failure to disclose that he was being paid millions of dollars by a Turkish company while serving as a top official in the White House, the relatively light charge signaled to many that Flynn had something significant worth sharing.

As Mueller’s probe has gotten closer to Trump’s inner orbit, speculation has risen over whether Trump might find a way to shut it down. The Flynn deal may make that harder. For one thing, it shows that Mueller is making progress. “Any rational prosecutor would realize that in this political environment, laying down a few markers would be a good way of fending off criticism that the prosecutors are burning through money and not accomplishing anything,” says Samuel Buell, a former federal prosecutor now at Duke Law School.

The Flynn plea also makes it difficult for Trump to fire Mueller without inviting accusations of a cover-up and sparking a constitutional crisis, says Michael Weinstein, a former Department of Justice prosecutor now at the law firm Cole Schotz. “There would be a groundswell, it would look so objectionable, like the Saturday Night Massacre with Nixon,” Weinstein says, referring to President Richard Nixon’s attempt to derail the Watergate investigation in 1973 by firing special prosecutor Archibald Cox. (Read more from “Mueller’s Investigation Just Got Some Insurance” HERE)

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US Moves to Block Transgender Military Recruits Signing Up

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By AFP. President Donald Trump’s administration has asked a federal court to block the Pentagon from starting the hiring of transgender recruits next year.

The filing by the Justice Department late on Wednesday is the latest in a series of legal measures that have unfolded since Trump sent out three tweets in July saying that transgender troops could not serve “in any capacity” in the military.

Those tweets, later followed by a formal White House memorandum, set off a roar of protest — with several service members and rights groups quick to sue.

Two federal courts have since temporarily blocked Trump’s ban, and the Pentagon was due to start accepting transgender recruits on January 1.

The government’s filing calls for a partial delay, specifically that the Pentagon does not accept transgender recruits from that date. (Read more from “US Moves to Block Transgender Military Recruits Signing Up” HERE)

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Pentagon Prepares to Accept Transgender Recruits by Jan. 1

By Tara Copp. The Pentagon is preparing to comply with a federal court ruling saying the military must accept new transgender recruits by Jan. 1, even as officials are still weighing how to comply with President Donald Trump’s directive that they not be allowed to serve at all.

“January 1 means January 1,” said Jennifer Levi, GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders Transgender Rights project director.

Levi was reacting to a U.S. District Court ruling that the Pentagon must move forward with accepting transgender recruits by the Jan. 1 deadline.

“That’s the date when the military can no longer deny transgender people from enlisting,” Levi said. “The court’s earlier order was clear on that point. This latest ruling is an exclamation point, not that any was needed.” (Read more from “Pentagon Prepares to Accept Transgender Recruits by Jan. 1” HERE)

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Dance Teacher Arrested on Sex Charges Involving Teen

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A 29-year-old recently fired youth dance instructor was arrested Thursday on multiple sex charges involving a 14-year-old girl, say police in Franklin, Tenn.

Police began investigating Ross McCord, of Brentwood, in late October after the girl’s parents came forward with “disturbing information, Nashville’s Fox 17 reported.

McCord has been indicted on four counts of statutory rape by an authority figure, four counts of aggravated statutory rape, solicitation of sexual exploitation by a minor and exploitation of a minor by electronic means, the Nashville Tennessean reported.

(Read more from “Tennessee Dance Teacher Arrested on Sex Charges Involving Teen” HERE)

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Arpaio ‘Seriously, Seriously, Seriously’ Considering Senate Run

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Former Maricopa County, Ariz. Sheriff Joe Arpaio told The Daily Beast Thursday that he is “seriously, seriously, seriously considering running for the U.S. Senate” to replace the retiring Jeff Flake.

The Daily Beast reached out to Arpaio shortly after Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., announced his resignation over discussions with two female staffers about whether they would consider being a surrogate mother.

Arpaio described Franks as “a great man, and a great friend, and it’s a great loss for Arizona and our country.” . . .

Should Arpaio enter the race, he would be joining a crowded Republican primary field that includes Rep. Martha McSally and former state senator Kelli Ward. Ward, who was leading Flake by 26 points in one poll taken before the incumbent chose not to run, is backed by former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon. (Read more from “Arpaio ‘Seriously, Seriously, Seriously’ Considering Senate Run” HERE)

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Trump to Undergo Physical Exam After Slurred Speech

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The day after President Trump slurred through part of a speech, the White House announced that he will undergo a physical exam.

Trump will take the exam at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, D.C., early next year and the results will be made public, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Thursday.

Questions about the President’s well-being were raised on Wednesday after he garbled the tail-end of a speech about moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump’s cap-off — “God bless the United States” — was barely audible because of the speech flub . . .

“The President’s throat was dry, nothing more than that,” [Sanders] told reporters. (Read more from “Trump to Undergo Physical Exam After Slurred Speech” HERE)

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Planned Parenthood Under Investigation by Justice Department Over Sale of Fetal Tissue

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The Justice Department has launched a federal investigation into Planned Parenthood’s practices and the sale of fetal tissue.

In a letter first obtained by Fox News, Justice Department Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs Stephen Boyd formally requested unredacted documents from the Senate Judiciary Committee, the same panel that led the congressional probe into the women’s health organization.

“The Department of Justice appreciates the offer of assistance in obtaining these materials, and would like to request the Committee provide unredacted copies of records contained in the report, in order to further the Department’s ability to conduct a thorough and comprehensive assessment of that report based on the full range of information available,” Boyd wrote.

Fox News has learned that last month, the FBI first requested the unredacted documents from the committee.

Fox News is told that Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said they needed to receive a letter and be assured that the documents would be used for investigative purposes. (Read more from “Planned Parenthood Under Investigation by Justice Department Over Sale of Fetal Tissue” HERE)

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Elementary School Teachers Smoked Marijuana in Office Every Day Before School Began

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Two Virginia elementary school physical education teachers smoked marijuana and hashish in an office nearly every day before classes began, using air freshener to mask the smell before students walked in, police said.

Taylor Elementary School physical education teachers Luke Lloyd, 25, and Michael Diaddigo, 28, were arrested, charged with possessing marijuana, and suspended from the school following the accusations, FOX5 DC reported. A third teacher, who has not been identified, was placed on administrative leave.

Police received an anonymous tip the three teachers were smoking marijuana in their office, NBC Washington reported.

On Friday, the Arlington Police Department received two search warrants, one for the school and the other for a car. Drug-sniffing dogs reportedly found the drugs in Diaddigo’s desk and in the desk of the unidentified teacher, The Washington Post reported.

Police told NBC Washington that Diaddigo supplied other teachers at the school with marijuana and exchanged it on school property. (Read more from “Elementary School Teachers Smoked Marijuana in Office Every Day Before School Began” HERE)

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Universities Strive for Christmas-Free Campuses

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As another Christmas quickly approaches, colleges across the country are issuing their annual guidelines on how to make the season as inclusive as possible.

At the University of California, Irvine, for instance, individual departments are encouraged to “focus on celebrating a special occasion, instead of a specific holiday,” suggesting that they have a “year-end celebration” or celebrate “seasonal themes such as fall, winter, or spring.”

The California university also requests that academic departments “ensure that office celebrations are not indirectly celebrating religious holidays,” suggesting that they display “diverse symbols representing a variety of faith traditions along with secular ones.”

The State University of New York, Brockport has issued similar guidance on “culturally sensitive holiday decorations,” even advising employees to “consider a grab bag instead of a ‘Secret Santa’ gift exchange.”

“Keep decorations general and nonspecific to any religion. Create a winter theme with lights and color rather than religious icons, or include decorations from all the cultural traditions represented in your department,” the guidelines add, saying the “holiday season should be considered an opportunity to demonstrate cultural sensitivity and inclusivity.” (Read more from “Universities Strive for Christmas-Free Campuses” HERE)

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Mayor Busted for Using Dead Woman’s Handicap Sticker

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A Florida mayor was arrested Tuesday on accusations that she used a dead woman’s expired handicapped parking placard to park her vehicle at City Hall.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office released video that shows Davenport Mayor Teresa Bradley, 60, parking her Ford Crown Victoria in a handicapped spot at Davenport City Hall on Monday and exiting her car without any assistance.

Deputies said the handicapped placard number displayed an expiration date of October 2018, but it was determined that the true expiration date was Oct. 30, 2013.

Authorities said the placard had been issued to Evelyn Klinger Letterman, of Davenport, who died on Aug. 29, 2012.

Deputies obtained a search warrant for the mayor’s home and said they discovered two handicapped parking placards — one that had been issued to Letterman and another that had been issued to someone else who died in 2015. (Read more from “Mayor Busted for Using Dead Woman’s Handicap Sticker” HERE)

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