Hey, North West, greetings from the Northwest

Pop culture

Kurt Schlosser TODAY

11 hours ago

Eric Ryan / Getty Images file

New parents Kim Kardashian and Kanye West.

Northwesterners are a proud lot. We actually like being 3,000 miles from everything. We like our music. We like the rain. We're not big on attention -- especially the kind that comes with a major celebrity couple naming their new baby after the region we call home.

Seattle, where this story is originating from, is hardly a backwoods outpost devoid of celebrity intrigue. We've got our own hip-hop royalty in Macklemore ... you know, the "Thrift Shop" guy. (Tired of that song? At least his album, which went gold in April, isn't called "Yeezus.") We've got memories of Elvis singing under the Space Needle and the Beatles fishing from a hotel window. Frasier Crane lived here and the "Grey's Anatomy" doctors worked here; so did Tom Hanks in that movie we don't need to name.

We were all a little "Sleepless" Thursday night when Twitter started pointing at us. Actually, Twitter started pointing at a little girl whose new name is North West. Her parents, rapper Kanye West and reality-er Kim Kardashian, bucked weeks of K-name rumors, it seemed, and went in a new direction. We wish they'd used a different kompass.

For a little girl who will likely grow up in Los Angeles and New York and Miami and Paris, being saddled with a soggy moniker will take some getting used to. Kind of like getting used to being the daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. Nori, as she'll reportedly be known, should be aware of some of the stereotypes associated with the Northwest, even if she never lives here.

Forget the coffee thing and the grunge thing. Two companies, through relatively recent advertising campaigns, get at the heart of the Northwest mystique with a little more humor. A SoCal/Miami Beach girl should be aware of Northwest beach culture, so check out this ad from Henry Weinhard's beer, a one-time Oregon brewery:

And Pemco Insurance has a campaign aimed at nothing but Northwest stereotypes. Socks with sandals guy, excessive recycling lady, the roadside chainsaw woodcarver ... as the slogan states, "We're a lot like you. A little different":

The couple will certainly turn a fashionable eye toward their daughter. Kim and her K-named sisters have a line for Sears; Kanye has a line for people who don't walk in the rain. People no doubt still associate Northwest fashion with flannels and fleece, but who better to outfit the little girl than The North West Clothing Co.? The Seattle-based T-shirt, hat and hoodie maker needs to start a onesie line before the girl is wearing nothing but Rob Kardashian's socks.

Through it all, we hope North West the girl grows to love Northwest the destination, even if Northwest the airline isn't around anymore to fly her here. She wouldn't be the first or last Californian to ditch all that for all this.

But she may have trouble finding us if she Googles "north west." As Buzzfeed pointed out Friday morning, the search was already returning pictures of her parents among the images of maps. Yeezus H ...

Source: http://www.today.com/entertainment/north-west-should-know-thing-or-two-about-northwest-6C10411618

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TWA Flight 800 investigators claim the crash story is a lie

A new film claims the official government report on the crash of TWA Flight 800 in 1996 is an elaborate?fabrication, but the most shocking part of the story is that charges are being leveled by some of the very investigators who put the report together. Six experts who appear in the film were members of the?National Transportation Safety Board investigation team that concluded the crash was an accident, but they now claim they were silenced by their superiors. The movies, "TWA Flight 800" will debut on EPIX TV next month, on the 17-year anniversary of the crash.

TWA Flight 800 was en route from JFK Airport in New York to Paris, France, when it exploded and crashed off the coast of Long Island, killing all 230 people on board. From the very beginning, there were some who?speculated?that the plane was the victim of a terrorist attack, leading the FBI to conduct its own criminal investigation. Among the?possibilities?that were suggested as the cause were a bomb in the cargo hold, or an anti-aircraft missile. Several witnesses even claimed they saw an object or streak of light that looked liked a missile or rocket moving toward the plane before it exploded.

The final NTSB reported said that faulty wiring connected to a central fuel tank caused a blast that destroyed the fuesalage, however, there were still many skeptics and conspiracy theorists who have long doubted that official story. In one particularly famous example, Pierre Salinger, a former Press Secretary for President John Kennedy and reporter for ABC News, claimed?he'd seen proof that the U.S. Navy shot down the plane and then covered it up.

Now, those theories are likely to get a new airing, thanks to accident investigators who worked on the TWA 800 case, but say they were not allowed to speak up at the time of the official report. The experts include NTSB and TWA accident investigators, who say they are only able to speak up now that they are retired. According their statements in the film, they believe the official explanation is wrong and the damage was caused by an explosion that came from outside the plane.

The filmmakers won't speculate on what could have caused such an explosion, and haven't yet offered up evidence to support their theory (you'll have to watch on July 17), but they are asking the NTSB to re-open the investigation. Whether or not that happens, or even if a follow-up reaches the same conclusions as the original, this new film will ensure that the alternate theories and claims up a cover will probably never be put to rest.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/twa-flight-800-investigators-claim-official-crash-story-120157562.html

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Altidore scores, US beats Honduras 1-0

Honduras' Roger Espinoza (15) falls as United States' Jermaine Jones (13) defends in the first half during a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Rio Tinto Stadium on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, in Sandy, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Honduras' Roger Espinoza (15) falls as United States' Jermaine Jones (13) defends in the first half during a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Rio Tinto Stadium on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, in Sandy, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Honduras' Roger Rojas (21) defends against United States' Michael Bradley (4) in the first half during a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Rio Tinto Stadium on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, in Sandy, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

A United States fan cheers in the first half during a World Cup qualifying soccer match against Honduras at Rio Tinto Stadium on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, in Sandy, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Honduras' Carlo Costly (13) is helped off the field after being injured in the first half during a World Cup qualifying soccer match against the United States, at Rio Tinto Stadium on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, in Sandy, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

U.S. national soccer team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann walks from a bus after arriving at Rio Tinto Stadium before the start an World Cup qualifying soccer match between Honduras and the U.S. Tuesday, June 18, 2013, in Sandy, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

SANDY, Utah (AP) ? No amount of tight defense could keep Jozy Altidore from doing what he does best.

Altidore has been money in scoring timely goals for the U.S. national team this spring. Honduras made a concerted effort to keep him in check, but the American forward still put himself in the highlight reel again.

Altidore scored a goal in his fourth consecutive international match, enough for the United States to edge Honduras 1-0 in a World Cup qualifying game Tuesday night.

Before 20,250 fans at Rio Tinto Stadium, the Americans remained atop the six-team CONCACAF group. The United States (4-1-1) won three straight games this month, all since a 0-0 draw at Mexico gave it a boost toward the top.

It has also shut out its last two opponents, Panama and Honduras.

"We're trying to keep our feet on the ground, of course," U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard said. "But going back over the last 15-20 years, we know what points total gets you to the World Cup. So it's been a hugely successful summer."

And summer hasn't even begun.

Honduras (2-3-1) was the last team to win at the United States in a World Cup qualifying match, back in 2001. The Americans have won or drawn 25 straight at home since then.

The top three teams in CONCACAF qualifying move directly to Brazil 2014, and the fourth-place team will face a playoff against New Zealand.

The visitors made it difficult on the Americans for much of the game by slowing the pace before Altidore broke through.

After several second-half near misses, the U.S. got its goal in the 73rd minute. Altidore took a cross from Fabian Johnson from near the end line and put it past goalkeeper Noel Valladares across the goalmouth inside the right post.

It was Altidore's ninth goal in a qualifier as he finally develops into the scoring threat the United States has hoped for.

"We always told him from a coaching perspective that it takes a lot of hard work, it takes a lot of adjustment, it takes the right moment to be there, it takes the hunger," U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. "The energy he has put in the last four or five games has been tremendous. It's not only that he scored those goals, the work he does for the team is awesome."

Both teams played physical soccer in the first half, leading to an emphasis on defense and a limited number of scoring chances on either side of the field.

Just before the first period ended, though, Howard was forced to make a difficult save when Andy Najar launched a running right-footer from the right side of the box. He met the ball in the center of the box and deflected it outside the right post.

Eddie Johnson had a chance in the 17th minute when he latched onto a cross from Fabian Johnson. His left-footed shot from the center of the box was knocked away by Valladares.

Klinsmann expected Honduras, even with a depleted roster, to force his players to slog through a tough first half. Their ability to be patient and grind down the Honduras defense offered an example of how much the Americans have grown in 2013.

"The team now understands it's not only a physical grind you put into these games," Klinsmann said. "It's a mental one. Mentally we're getting stronger. We're getting tougher. We are now prepared to go through the games."

When the U.S. stepped up the offensive pressure early in the second half, it put Honduras on its heels. Altidore, who did not speak to reporters, had the finishing touch to make the aggressive push count.

He even appeared to score earlier in the half. Moments after Graham Zusi sent a free kick into a crowd of players just outside the 6-yard box in the 56th minute, only to see Brad Evans' header go right into Valladares' gloves, Altidore got behind the defense. Clint Dempsey sent a through ball ahead to Altidore, who was ruled offside and his score was negated.

His teammates knew Altidore couldn't be denied forever.

"As long as we do our job in the back, they get the opportunity to score goals," defender Omar Gonzalez said. "Jozy is on fire right now. He keeps on scoring. Man, I love Jozy up top. He's doing great."

Valladares came up with another clutch save in the 69th minute. Zusi, who was particularly active all night after sitting out the win over Panama because of yellow card accumulation, sent a ball into Dempsey in the center of the box and he leaned into a point-blank header. The ball bounced off of Valladares' hands and Michael Bradley sent a follow-up shot too high.

Honduras did little to threaten the Americans offensively before and after the game's only goal. It marked the fourth time in six games the U.S. earned a shutout.

"Every time we get a clean sheet, we feel like the best players in the world," Howard said. "We've been on a roll. It's good for the young guys in the back. It gets us feeling good about ourselves. Every time we have a good performance, we put in our back pocket and save it."

NOTES: The U.S. improved to 5-2-1 all-time vs. Honduras. The Americans also improved to 3-0 in games played in Utah ... Altidore is the sixth American to score in four straight matches, equaling Landon Donovan (twice), Eddie Johnson, Brian McBride, Eric Wynalda and William Looby ... Clint Dempsey's next U.S. appearance will be his 100th ... Howard has 26 shutouts for the national team.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-06-19-SOC-WCup-Honduras-US/id-4f8dafe5d4ed446f8e7138fc0902fb00

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Four US Troops Killed In Attack In Afghanistan

US representatives could meet with the Taliban in Doha within days after the Islamist group opened a "political office" in the Qatari city.

Senior Obama administration officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the Taliban's move to open the office as a stepping stone to full Taliban renouncement of al Qaeda.

They said US and Taliban representatives will hold bilateral meetings, with Afghan President Hamid Karzai's High Peace Council expected to follow up with its own talks a few days later.

One US official said: "I think the US will have its first formal meeting with the Taliban, and the first meeting with the Taliban for several years, in a couple of days in Doha.

"I would expect that to be followed up within days by a meeting between the Taliban and the High Peace Council, which is the structure that President Karzai has set up for talks of this nature."

Taliban representative Mohammed Naeem told a news conference the group wanted good relations with its neighbours.

He said: "We want to keep good relations with all of the world countries, in particular with our neighbouring countries.

"But the Islamic emirate (Taliban) sees the independence of the nation from the current occupation as a national and religious obligation."

A Taliban statement added: "We support a political and peaceful solution that ends Afghanistan's occupation, and guarantees the Islamic system and nationwide security."

No date has been set for any talks.

On Tuesday, four American troops were killed in an insurgent attack on Afghanistan's Bagram air base, a US defence official said.

The deaths were caused by insurgent "indirect fire," either mortars or rockets, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Taliban opened its Doha office on Tuesday and plans to hold talks with Mr Karzai's government on ending the conflict which erupted after US troops ousted them from power in 2001 after the September 11 attacks.

The process is likely to take some time. The US will insist the Taliban breaks all ties with al Qaeda, end violence and accept the Afghan constitution.

It comes hours after Afghan government forces formally took over responsibility for national security from a Nato combat mission scheduled to leave the country next year.

The security handover at a military academy outside Kabul marked a major milestone in the US-led combat mission.

It includes the last 95 districts with areas in the south and east where the Taliban has concentrated its insurgency since 2001.

• 
• 

Source: http://web.orange.co.uk/article/news/taliban_ready_to_talk_peace

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'The Voice' Winner: Danielle Bradbery Crowned Season 4 Champion

"The Voice" has crowned its winner: Danielle Bradbery is the Season 4 champion.

The 16-year-old country singer from Team Blake is the competition's youngest winner ever, beating out fellow team members The Swon Brothers, who came in third place, and runner-up Michelle Chamuel of newbie coach Usher's team to become Season 4's "Voice" winner.

"I"m so thankful," Danielle said after the final results were announced as tears filled her eyes and confetti fell on the stage. "I'm sorry. I'm speechless."

No one went home empty-handed, though: All of the finalists won cars, courtesy of Kia.

A very confident Blake -- who celebrated his 38th birthday on Tuesday and won both Season 2 (Jermaine Paul) and Season 3 (Cassadee Pope) -- said in his final confessional, "I know that Danielle and The Swon Brothers want this so badly that it's going to make my year to see them standing in the winner's circle."

"I came from singing in my room to being in the Top 3 and it's crazy," "Voice" winner Danielle said in her final confessional before the results came in. "I told my high school I would come back home with the win for them."

Earlier in the evening, younger Swon Brother Colton told Michelle and Danielle, "I would gladly lose to either one of them ... not just because they're awesome talents, but because of their hearts. The Swon Brothers love you very much. You know that." Michelle added that the other finalists "inspire [her] as people" as well and she's "very grateful and honored" to be part of "The Voice" Season 4.

"I'm already proud of her to even be this far," Usher said of runner-up Michelle at the start of "The Voice" finale. "I could think of nothing sweeter than for me to be able to stand on stage and greet her as the winner of 'The Voice.'"

The two-hour "Voice" finale was chock-full of big-name performances, plus the three finalists and more Season 4 contestants. Pitbull and a newly-svelte Christina Aguilera, who will return with Cee Lo Green for Season 5 in the fall, kicked things off, performing their hit "Feel This Moment."

The Swon Brothers brought back their eliminated team members Holly Tucker and Justin Rivers, as well as Team Adam's Amber Carrington, for Lady Antebellum's "Stars Tonight." Continuing the starry theme, Michelle took the stage with One Republic for "Counting Stars."

Then, Florida Georgia Line and Nelly performed the summer smash "Cruise" and Team Usher's Vedo and Josiah Hawley, and Team Shakira's Kris Thomas and Garrett Gardner took on The Temptations' "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" with Holly on the sax (seriously). Before she became "The Voice" winner, Danielle brought out three Team Adam alumni -- Amber, Caroline Glaser and Sarah Simmons -- for an energetic performance of Carrie Underwood's "All-American Girl."

Bruno Mars also stopped by with his new '70s-inspired single "Treasure" -- complete with gold chains and red suits -- and Bob Seger took the stage with The Swon Brothers, singing "Night Moves." Team Adam's controversially-eliminated Judith Hill, Team Usher's Cathia and Team Shakira's Karina Iglesias and Sasha Allen put on a girl-powered performance of En Vogue's "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)."

Season 4 "Voice" winner Danielle also got to perform with one of her favorite country singers: Hunter Hayes joined the young artist on stage for a duet of his hit "I Want Crazy." And when the opportunity came for Michelle to bring back some Season 4 contestants, she chose her fellow Team Usher contestants: Josiah, Vedo and Cathia took the stage with her for The Beatles' "We Can Work It Out."

Finally, Cher came out with a wild headpiece, for a highly-anticipated performance of her new single "Woman's World" before "The Voice" winner was crowned.

That's it for "The Voice" Season 4! Do you think the right person won? Will you miss Shakira and Usher in Season 5 or are you looking forward to the return of Cee Lo and Christina? Sound off in the comments!

CORRECTION: This story has been corrected to reflect that Blake Shelton was celebrating his 38th birthday.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Selena Gomez stopped by a beauty salon in Hollywood, Calif., on June 18.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Taylor Lautner showed off his skills as he leapt along a stone wall on the set of "Tracers" on June 18 in New York City.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Eva Longoria attended the Lifetime Original Series "Devious Maids" Premiere Party held at Bel-Air Bay Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif., June 17.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Miranda Kerr smiled for the camera while out and about in New York City on June 17.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Brad Pitt hit the streets of Times Square to make an appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America" to promote his new film "World War Z" on June 17 in New York City.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Heidi Klum was seen leaving the "Today" show in a see-through striped top in New York City on June 17.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Taylor Swift posed at the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto on June 16.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Diane Kruger and a friend went out for lunch with a friend at Serafina in New York City on June 15.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Pregnant Fergie was seen at a recording studio in Santa Monica, Calif., on June 15.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter posed together at the "Dexter" Series Finale Premiere Party at Milk Studios in Hollywood, Calif., on June 15.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Stacy Keibler revealed the secret weapon behind her rockin? bod as she fit in a workout with the Cybex Arc Trainer in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 15.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Rihanna flashed lots of leg at Cuckoo night club in London on June 14.

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  Sandra Bullock attended "The Heat" Gala Screening at Curzon Mayfair in London on June 13.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Ashley & Mary-Kate Olsen were spotted out and about on their 27th birthday in New York City on June 13.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Ali Larter grabbed her mat and headed to yoga class in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 13.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Miley Cyrus rocked a bra top at the MySpace Event held at The El Rey Theater in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 12.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Kim Kardashian showed off her huge baby bump after lunch with Jonathan Cheban at Casa Vega in Beverly Hills, Calif., on June 12.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Sarah Jessica Parker walked her son James Wilkie to school on June 12 in New York City.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Julianne Hough left The Den of Hollywood after enjoying a night out on June 11 in West Hollywood, Calif.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer attended the premiere of HBO's "True Blood" at ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, Calif., on June 11.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  A smiling Katie Holmes left Tartine restaurant wearing an adorable spring dress in the West Village in New York City on June 11.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Halle Berry and her fiance Olivier Martinez leave the Plaza Athenee and do some shopping along Avenue Montaigne in Paris, France on June 11

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Heidi Klum and her boyfriend Martin Kristen grabbed lunch together and do some shopping in New York City on June 11.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Denise Richards visited ABC studios for an appearance on "Good Morning America" June 11 in New York City.

• Celebrity Photos; June 2010

  Maria Menounos prepped for summer beach days, picking up designer swimwear and cover-ups at Marshalls in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 10.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Amy Adams attended the "Man Of Steel" World Premiere at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City on June 10.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  "Les Miserables co-stars Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman met up for a coffee at Hugh's cafe, Laughing Man in New York City on June 9.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Cat Deeley attended the 1st Annual Children Mending Hearts Style Sunday in Beverly Hills, Calif., on June 9.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Anna Kendrick attended The 67th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 9 in New York City.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Pink debuted her new long hair while enjoying a day out with daughter Willow in Venice Beach, Calif., on June 9.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Jessica Alba and Cash Warren took their girls to lunch in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 9.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Jessica Biel was geared up for a workout as she headed out for a walk with her two dogs in Tribeca in New York City on June 8.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Katy Perry wad seen leaving the Pantages Theater after attending Bjork concert with friends in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 8.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Lady Gaga was pictured hanging out poolside with friends while on vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on June 7.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  George Clooney was snapped while directing scenes for his upcoming film, "The Monuments Men" in Rye, England on June 6. The actor seized the opportunity to promote his Casamigos Tequila as well, wearing a t-shirt for his ultra premium brand.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Anne Hathaway was seen filming a scene on the set of her upcoming movie "Song One" in NYC on June 6.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Hayden Panettiere left the "BBC Breakfast" studios after making an appearance in Manchester, England on June 6.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Taylor Swift attended the 2013 CMT Music awards at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on June 5.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban attended the 2013 CMT Music awards at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on June 5.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Eddie Cibrian and LeAnn Rimes do an interview at The Grove for the show "EXTRA" in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 5.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Leonardo DiCaprio watched the French Open on June 5 in Paris, France.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Naomi Watts was seen out for a stroll with friends in New York City on June 5.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Ashton Kutcher left Mila Kunis's apartment in London wearing an Indiana Jones style fedora on June 5.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Victoria Beckham and her son Brooklyn attended the Glamour Women of the Year Awards 2013 at Berkeley Square Gardens on June 4 in London.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Jennifer Garner took her son Samuel to get a haircut on June 4 in Santa Monica, Calif.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Rihanna took advantage of her day off and went shopping at Chanel and Colette stores and dined at L'avenue on June 4 in Paris.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Natalie Dormer attended the "Game Of Thrones" third season premiere at the Palafox cinema on June 4 in Madrid, Spain.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Model Miranda Kerr attended the Gillette Venus Step Up & Step Out event on June 4 in New York City.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  "Hunger Games" actor Liam Hemsworth left the gym after a workout in West Hollywood, Calif., on June 3.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie smiled as they left the premiere of "World War Z" in Paris, France on June 3.

• Celebrity Photos: June 2013

  Television host Michael Strahan looked relaxed as he snacked on Chili Cheese Wheat Thins in New York City on June 3.

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/18/the-voice-winner-danielle_n_3462943.html

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Chemical probe confirms that body makes its own rotten egg gas, H2S, to benefit health

June 18, 2013 ? A new study confirms directly what scientists previously knew only indirectly: The poisonous "rotten egg" gas hydrogen sulfide is generated by our body's growing cells.

Hydrogen sulfide, or H₂S, is normally toxic, but in small amounts it plays a role in cardiovascular health.

In the new study, chemists developed a chemical probe that reacts and lights up when live human cells generate hydrogen sulfide, says chemist Alexander R. Lippert, Southern Methodist University, Dallas. The discovery allows researchers to observe the process through a microscope.

The researchers captured on video the successful chemical probe at work, said Lippert, an assistant professor in the SMU Department of Chemistry.

"We made a molecular probe that, when it reacts with hydrogen sulfide, forms a fluorescent compound that can be visualized using fluorescence microscopy," Lippert said. "This is the first time that endogenously generated hydrogen sulfide has been directly visualized in a living system. This confirms a lot of hypotheses that scientists have, but no one had the tools to directly detect it in real time."

H₂S is one of several small gaseous molecules increasingly recognized as key signaling molecules in the body. For example, H₂S helps reduce high blood pressure. Scientists discovered in the past decade that cells in the human body generate small quantities of H₂S molecules, which in turn deliver information to proteins. The proteins act on the information to perform critical functions in the body.

Previously, scientists couldn't observe H₂S being generated in live cells. As a result, researchers faced challenges when studying hydrogen sulfide in living systems, Lippert said. The new discovery now provides a tool to view directly how and when hydrogen sulfide is generated, he said. Lippert and study co-author chemist Vivian S. Lin made the discovery.

Discovery provides research tool for scientists to observe H₂S in live cells

"Having the tools to do this in living systems is going to open up a lot of possibilities and experiments for scientists," Lippert said. "As a tool, this will allow researchers to ask questions that weren't possible before."

Lippert's real-time video features live human cells, taken from the lining of blood vessels and treated with the chemical probe and with a protein known to promote cell growth. Once the cells start generating H₂S, they behave like squiggly fluorescent green worms.

The researchers' scientific article, "Cell-trappable fluorescent probes for endogenous hydrogen sulfide signaling and imaging H₂O₂-dependent H₂S production," was published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Lippert and Lin authored the research with Christopher J. Chang, principal investigator. Lin is a PhD candidate at the University of California at Berkeley. Chang is with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California at Berkeley. Lippert and Lin carried out the research in Chang's UC Berkeley laboratory.

Discovery can help scientists attack diseases such as cancer

H₂S -- along with nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and others in this emerging class of gaseous signaling molecules -- assists the body's large proteins.

Large proteins do much of the functional work in the body, such as digesting the food we eat and harnessing the energy in the oxygen we breathe. Their size, however, forces them to move slowly inside the cell. In contrast, H₂S and other small gaseous molecules diffuse quickly and easily across cellular membranes, enabling them to travel much faster and rapidly deliver information that mediates critical functions, such as blood pressure regulation, Lippert said.

For their experiments, Lippert and Lin placed living endothelial cells cultured from the internal lining of a blood vessel into a petri dish under a microscope.

Lippert and Lin then added a chemical solution containing an azide-functionalized organic molecule that they'd synthesized to act as a molecular probe. They gave the cells time to absorb the probe, then added a protein solution known to stimulate blood vessel formation. As the cells initiated blood vessel formation, H2S was generated. In reaction, the scientists observed a steady increase in the probe's fluorescence.

"Essentially we're observing the initial events that lead to the building of new blood vessels, a process that's active in babies as they develop, or in women during their menstruation cycles," Lippert said. "We see the cells get really bright as they start moving around and ruffling their membranes. That's the H₂S being formed. In the control group, which weren't stimulated with the growth protein, they don't get any brighter and they don't move around."

The discovery provides new insights that can help scientists attack diseases, such as cancer, by starving the nutrient supply to a tumor, Lippert said.

"When tumors grow they need a lot of blood support because they need the nutrients to support their rapid growth," he said. "If you can stop blood vessel formation you could starve the tumor and the tumor will die. So inhibiting H₂S formation might be a way to treat cancer using this method."

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/~3/Gdgl9ypwoSg/130618131854.htm

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Ex-NFL star Chad Johnson released from jail

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) ? A contrite Chad Johnson apologized Monday for disrespecting a judge when the former NFL star slapped his attorney on the backside in court last week and was released from jail after only a week instead of 30 days.

Broward County Circuit Judge Kathleen McHugh accepted Johnson's apology and cut back his jail term for a probation violation to the seven days he had already served since the rear-swatting. Johnson, a flamboyant wide receiver formerly known as Chad Ochocinco, said in court that he'd had time to think about why his flippant attitude was wrong ? especially in a domestic violence case.

"I just wanted to apologize for disrespecting the court last time," said Johnson, wearing a tan jail jumpsuit with his hands shackled at the waist. "I apologize. I did have time to reflect on the mistakes I made in this courtroom."

Johnson walked out of jail shortly after 4 p.m. and was met by his attorney, Adam Swickle, and sports agent Drew Rosenhaus. Johnson told reporters he was thankful to McHugh because she was the first person to get him to slow down and think about the path his life was taking.

"No one has been able to do it, not even my parents," he said. "I thank her. Everything she did was justified."

Asked if he hoped to latch on with an NFL team, Johnson said, "I just have to say my next move, my best move."

McHugh noted that in a previous hearing, Johnson put his arm around a female prosecutor's shoulders, prompting her to tell him twice not to touch her. The judge also pointed out that when Johnson head-butted his then-wife, Evelyn Lozada of the reality TV show "Basketball Wives," she suffered a three-inch gash on her head that required eight stitches. The judge called those injuries horrific.

McHugh also said Johnson failed to appreciate "the gift of probation" after pleading no contest to battery in the altercation last August with Lozada, which prompted her to quickly file for divorce. Johnson, 35, was in court because he had failed to meet with his probation officer for three straight months.

"I find that's an arrogant disregard for a court order," the judge said.

McHugh ordered Johnson to perform 25 hours of community service and attend domestic violence counseling sessions twice a week during probation, and she extended his probation an extra three months through mid-October.

Swickle, the attorney who had his backside slapped, said Johnson will fully comply with all probation conditions and hopes to resurrect his NFL career. The six-time Pro Bowler was cut by the Miami Dolphins after his arrest for battery; he played most of his 11 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals along with one year with the New England Patriots.

"He understands that this is the kind of situation that can derail a person's career," Swickle said. "We're very confident he will do what he should do."

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Follow Curt Anderson on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Miamicurt

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ex-nfl-star-chad-johnson-released-jail-204835434.html

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