It’s possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way (K.Marx, Letter to F.Engels on the Indian Mutiny)
Friday, January 24, 2025
Trump revokes security protection for COVID advisor Fauci
President Donald Trump has revoked security protection for his former Covid advisor Anthony Fauci (POOL/AFP)
U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he has revoked security protection for Anthony Fauci, his former COVID advisor who has received death threats over his handling of the pandemic.
"You can't have a security detail for the rest of your life because you worked for government," Trump told reporters in North Carolina, where he was on a visit to inspect flood damage.
Trump withdrew Secret Service protection earlier this week from his former national security advisor John Bolton.
The New York Times said the president had also revoked government security provided to his former secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, and a top Pompeo aide, Brian Hook.
Asked by a reporter whether he would feel partially responsible if anything happened to Fauci or Bolton, Trump said: "No."
"Certainly I would not take responsibility," he said.
"They all made a lot of money," Trump said. "They can hire their own security."
"I can give them some good numbers of very good security people," the president said. "Fauci made a lot of money."
According to the Times, Fauci's security protection was canceled on Thursday and he has hired his own security detail.
Fauci, who led the country's fight against the Covid pandemic during Trump's first term, has become a hated figure for many on the right and has received numerous death threats.
Former president Joe Biden issued a preemptive pardon to Fauci on Monday before leaving office.
Bolton, who has been the target of an alleged Iranian assassination plot, has become one of Trump's most outspoken critics since leaving the White House.
The State Department has announced a $20 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the alleged Iranian mastermind behind the plot to assassinate Bolton.
U.S. officials have also accused Iran of seeking to assassinate Trump to avenge the death of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in 2020 in a US drone strike.
Cybernews research has discovered one of the largest data leaks mainly involving Chinese nationals. One unknown server exposed 1.5 billion records of users’ sensitive data, such as full names, government ID numbers, and more.
Cybernews researchers believe the dataset is likely a mix of known and completely new data leaks collated on a single now-closed Elasticsearch server. While not all 1.5 billion records were exposed for the first time, some undoubtedly were, as the analysts found no indication of previous data leaks from companies included in the list.
The largest number of identifiable records were grouped in a collection credited to QQ messenger, Tencent’s instant messaging software. The second largest collection of leaked records, 504 million, was credited to Weibo, sometimes called China’s Twitter.
It is worth noting that while 1.5 billion records were exposed, this does not mean the same number of individuals had their details leaked online. Since details come from different platforms, organizations, and economic sectors, some users may have had their data leaked several times.
“Saying the magnitude of this leak is alarming is an understatement. The leaks’ volume alone is mind-boggling. Worse so, the exposed server had data from essential sectors like healthcare and finance, amplifying the potential harm,” Cybernews researchers said in a statement.
What data was exposed?
• Full names • Email addresses • Platform ID numbers • Usernames • Phone numbers • Healthcare data • Financial records • Transportation-related details • Education-related records
As the database’s owner remains unknown, it raises serious concerns about data privacy and security.
Spotlight: China
The third largest exposed dataset, with over 25 million records, was credited to China’s largest courier service, SF Express. The researchers discovered tens of thousands of leaked records titled Sichuan Nurse, another million titled Doctor and Patient, and 400,000 more credited to pharmacies.
Collections like Securities (243k), China Provident Fund (531k), China Union Pay Users (1.1 million), China Merchants Bank (1 million), Bank of China (985k), as well as a collection named Cryptocurrency (100k), strongly suggest a massive financial data exposure.
In addition, the collection of Zhejiang Student Records (9 million) and Graduate data (366k) points to the exposure of educational data likely involving millions of Chinese students. There’s also the addition of the Zhilian collection (1.1 million), which likely refers to Zhillian Technology, an automotive R&D company.
With specific records, 2.6 million records were credited to vehicle owners, and another 3.5 million were credited to an unnamed driving school, pointing to the server owners’ interest in Chinese motorists. Another 65k records were attributed to customers of an unknown mobile carrier, residents of Beijing (196k), KFC China (5 million), and Household registration data (5.4 million).
Study shows drop in life expectancy in the Gaza Strip
A collaborative team of international researchers estimate that between Oct. 2023 and Sep. 2024 compared to pre-war levels, life expectancy in the Gaza Strip almost halved.
Life expectancy in the Gaza Strip has been nearly cut in half (-46.3%) since the current war began in October 2023, according to new estimates published in The Lancet. The study led by Michel Guillot, professor of sociology in the School of Arts & Sciences, and a team of international collaborators found that life expectancy dropped from a pre-war average of 75.5 years to 40.5 years for the period of time between October 2023 and September 2024. The decrease in life expectancy was higher for men (-51.6%; 73.6 years pre-war to 35.6 years) than for women (-38.6%; 77.4 years pre-war to 47.5 years).
The authors calculated three life expectancy scenarios:
The central scenario—based on the official count of fatalities from the Gaza Ministry of Health, excluding the estimated count of individuals reported missing or under the rubble, estimates life expectancy between Oct. 2023 and Sep. 2024 to be 40.5 years
The low scenario—based on deaths for which complete identifying information was available—estimates life expectancy between Oct. 2023 and Sep. 2024 to be 44.4 years
The high scenario—based on the official count of fatalities from the Gaza Ministry of Health, including the lower bound of the estimated count of individuals reported missing or under the rubble—estimates life expectancy between Oct. 2023 and Sep. 2024 to be 36.1 years
The authors caution that the central scenario estimate of 40.5 years life expectancy includes deaths for people whose identification information was not complete and whose existence could not be cross-checked against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) register. As the estimate doesn’t include individuals reported missing or under the rubble it may still be an underestimation. Additionally, the authors highlight that none of the scenarios include the indirect effects of the war—such as lack of access to health care and malnutrition—on mortality.
Michel Guillot is a professor in the Department of Sociology and a research associate in the Population Study Center in the School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania.
Life expectancy losses in the Gaza Strip during the period October, 2023, to September, 2024
Article Publication Date
23-Jan-2025
City-level sugar-sweetened beverage taxes and changes in adult BMI
JAMA Network Open
About The Study: Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) excise taxes were associated with reduced mean body mass index (BMI) among adults in demographic subgroups, including in young adults who consumed the most SSBs, and in Berkeley, in this cohort study. Future research should examine the mechanisms of these associations to inform how SSB taxes could be more equitable for weight-related outcomes.
Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Emily F. Liu, MPH, email emily.f.liu@kp.org.
Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.
About JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is an online-only open access general medical journal from the JAMA Network. On weekdays, the journal publishes peer-reviewed clinical research and commentary in more than 40 medical and health subject areas. Every article is free online from the day of publication.
Journal
JAMA Network Open
How human activity has shaped Brazil Nut forests’ past and future
Genomic analyses reveal the vital role of human activity in the Amazonian species’ genetic makeup.
The significant decline in genetic diversity in the Amazon Basin, following historical events such as European colonisation, deforestation and the extinction of megafauna such as the sloth – the main seed dispersal agents, is of particular concern for the genetic health of Brazil Nut trees (Bertholletia excelsa). As one of the most impacted keystone species in rainforests, Brazil Nut trees are essential for biodiversity and a vital income source for local economies.
A crucial study led by researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology and the Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen unveils critical insights into the species' genetic diversity and population dynamics, providing valuable anthropocentric and biological information for this threatened forest ecosystem.
“This research provides an amazing opportunity to study see how human actions, even in the distant past, have affected genetic makeup in a wild species over short time scales,” stated Detlef Weigel, Director of the Department of Molecular Biology at the Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen.
Genomic analyses reveal the importance of Indigenous management practices
Using advanced genomic techniques, the researchers comprehensively analysed total sequence variants of 270 Brazil Nut tree samples with known archaeological evidence at different locations to reveal insights into genetic structure and gene flow. The study provides detailed genomic data, including identifying over 126,000 genetic variants in Brazil Nut, providing valuable insights into the genetic health and adaptability of the species in the face of environmental changes.
Victor Caetano-Andrade, Postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Coevolution of Land Use and Urbanisation at the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, explains, “We aimed to bridge gaps in our understanding of the long-term anthropogenic influences on forest ecosystems. Our findings demonstrate how Indigenous land management practices play a significant role in maintaining the genetic diversity of Brazil nut populations.”
Promoting collaboration between scientists and local Indigenous land stewards and their historical ecological knowledge has the potential to create more effective and inclusive conservation policies.
Looking ahead, the researchers plan to expand their studies to include more regions and additional species within the Amazon rainforest. The goal is to develop comprehensive conservation frameworks that protect Brazil Nut trees and enhance the ecosystem's resilience.
New INFORMS Information Systems Research Study Key Takeaways:
Over 15 years, attractive MBA graduates earn a 2.4% “beauty premium,” equating to an annual salary increase of $2,508 on average, rising to $5,528 for the top 10% most attractive individuals.
Attractive individuals are 52.4% more likely to hold prestigious job positions 15 years post-graduation, underscoring the long-term influence of appearance on career success.
The beauty premium is most pronounced in socially interactive fields such as management and consulting, whereas its impact is significantly smaller in technical sectors such as IT and engineering.
BALTIMORE, MD, January 23, 2025 – A new study published in the INFORMS journal Information Systems Research reveals a striking link between physical attractiveness and career success. According to the findings, attractive MBA graduates not only earn higher salaries but are also significantly more likely to secure prestigious job roles, highlighting how appearance influences professional trajectories over decades.
Researchers found that attractive MBA graduates enjoy a 2.4% “beauty premium” over 15 years, earning an average of $2,508 more annually than their less-attractive peers. For the top 10% most attractive individuals, this premium increases to $5,528 per year, amounting to tens of thousands of dollars in cumulative career earnings. For context, the gender wage gap within the same group of MBA graduates is approximately $10,000.
The study, “When Does Beauty Pay? A Large-Scale Image-Based Appearance Analysis on Career Transitions,” also highlights how these advantages amplify over time. Attractive individuals are 52.4% more likely to hold prestigious job positions 15 years post-graduation, demonstrating that the impact of appearance extends far beyond the early career stages. However, the benefits of attractiveness vary significantly by industry. Fields that require frequent social interaction, such as management and consulting, showed the highest beauty premiums, with attractiveness perceived as an advantage. In contrast, technical fields such as IT and engineering displayed significantly smaller rewards for attractiveness.
“This study shows how appearance shapes not just the start of a career, but its trajectory over decades,” says Nikhil Malik, the study’s lead author and professor from the University of Southern California. “These findings reveal a persistent and compounding effect of beauty in professional settings.”
To arrive at these findings, the researchers analyzed data from more than 43,000 MBA graduates, leveraging advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to track how attractiveness and career success evolved over a 15-year period. This large-scale study provides one of the most comprehensive examinations into the long-term impact of appearance on career outcomes and emphasizes the need for organizations to recognize and address biases in hiring and promotions.
“This research underscores how biases tied to physical appearance persist in shaping career outcomes, even for highly educated professionals,” says Param Vir Singh, co-author and professor at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU).
“It’s a stark reminder that success is influenced not just by skills and qualifications but also by societal perceptions of beauty,” concludes Kannan Srinivasan a co-author also from CMU.
About INFORMS and Information Systems Research INFORMS is the world’s largest association for professionals and students in operations research, AI, analytics, data science and related disciplines, serving as a global authority in advancing cutting-edge practices and fostering an interdisciplinary community of innovation. Information Systems Research, an INFORMS journal, focuses on the utilization of information technology to enhance organizational efficiency. INFORMS helps its members advance research and practice through cutting-edge journals, conferences and resources. Learn more at www.informs.org or @informs.
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Journal
Information Systems Research
Method of Research
Observational study
Subject of Research
People
Article Title
When Does Beauty Pay? A Large-Scale Image-Based Appearance Analysis on Career Transitions
Study points to South America – not Mexico – as birthplace of Irish potato famine pathogen
Credit: Photo courtesy of Jean Ristaino, NC State University.
Call it a mystery solved.
North Carolina State University researchers firmly point the finger at the South American Andes Mountains as the place where the Irish potato famine pathogen, Phtytophthora infestans, originated.
In a wide-ranging study of the genetic material found in P. infestans and other members of the Phytophthora species, the NC State researchers provide more evidence that P. infestans spread from South America to North America before wreaking havoc in Ireland in the 1840s. The pathogen still causes late-blight disease on potato and tomato plants around the world.
Much of the study’s evidence compares whole genomes of P. infestans with those of close relative pathogens – Phytophthora andina and Phytophthora betacei – which are only found in South America. The results show that these three species are very similar.
“It's one of the largest whole-genome studies of not only P. infestans, but also the sister lineages,” said Jean Ristaino, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Plant Pathology at North Carolina State University and corresponding author of a paper in PLOS One that describes the study. “By sequencing these genomes and accounting for evolutionary relationships and migration patterns, we show that the whole Andean region is a hot spot for speciation, or where a species splits into two or more distinct species.”
In recent decades, scientists have been split in their theories about the point of origin for P. infestans, with some hypothesizing a Mexico origin rather than a South American origin. Yet, the paper shows distinct differences between P. infestans and the two Mexican pathogen species, P. mirabilis and P. ipomoea.
“A lot of the search for resistance to this disease has focused on a wild potato species in Mexico – Solanum demissum – which was used to breed resistant potato lines that were used for the past 100 years,” Ristaino said.
“It points out the importance of looking at the center of origin where a host and pathogen have evolved together over thousands of years,” she said. “Climate change is bringing more drought to higher Andean elevations, so we could be losing some of these potatoes before we learn if they could provide resistance to late-blight disease.” Ristaino added that more research is needed to examine wild potato species from the Andes to learn more about host resistance to P. infestans.
“Our data show that there have been more migrations of the pathogen into and out of South America, and the migrations into and out of Mexico are small in comparison,” said Allison Coomber, a former NC State graduate student researcher and lead author of the paper. “We did find there was gene flow from the Andes to Mexico, and also in reverse, because there's a big Mexican potato breeding program and potatoes have gone into the Andean region in more recent times. But in historic times it was the other way around.”
“Historic P. infestans – the samples collected from 1845-1889 – were the first to diverge from all other P. infestans populations, with modern South American and Mexican populations both showing shared ancestry derived from historic P. infestans,” Ristaino said. “Modern global trade appears to contribute to mixing together the pathogen populations in South America and Mexico.”
Amanda C. Saville, a research and laboratory specialist in Ristaino’s lab, and Ignazio Carbone, a professor of plant pathology at NC State, also co-authored the paper, along with Michael Martin and Vanessa Bieker from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Funding was provided by a National Science Foundation National Research Training Grant (award number 1828820), and by two USDA APHIS Plant Protection Act 7721 grants: AP21PPQ&ST000020 and AP21PPQ&ST000062.
- kulikowski -
Note to editors: The abstract of the paper follows.
“A pangenome analysis reveals the center of origin and evolutionary history of Phytophthora infestans and 1c clade species”
Authors: Allison Coomber, Amanda Saville, Ignazio Carbone and Jean B Ristaino, NC State University; Michael Martin and Vanessa C. Bieker, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Published: Jan. 24, 2025 in PLOS One
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0314509
Abstract: We examined the evolutionary history of Phytophthora infestans and its close relatives in the 1c clade. We used whole genome sequence data from 69 isolates of Phytophthora species in the 1c clade and conducted a range of genomic analyses including nucleotide diversity evaluation, maximum likelihood trees, network assessment, time to most recent common ancestor and migration analysis. We consistently identified distinct and later divergence of the two Mexican Phytophthora species, P. mirabilis and P. ipomoeae, from P. infestans and other 1c clade species. Phytophthora infestans exhibited more recent divergence from other 1c clade species of Phytophthora from South America, P. andina and P. betacei. Speciation in the 1c clade and evolution of P. infestans occurred in the Andes. P. andina – P. betacei – P. infestans formed a species complex with indistinct species boundaries, hybridizations between the species, and short times to common ancestry. Furthermore, the distinction between modern Mexican and South American P. infestans proved less discrete, suggesting gene flow between populations over time. Admixture analysis indicated a complex relationship among these populations, hinting at potential gene flow across these regions. Historic P. infestans, collected from 1845-1889, were the first to diverge from all other P. infestans populations. Modern South American populations diverged next followed by Mexican populations which showed later ancestry. Both populations were derived from historic P. infestans. Based on the time of divergence of P. infestans from its closest relatives, P. andina and P. betacei in the Andean region, we consider the Andes to be the center of origin of P. infestans, with modern globalization contributing to admixture between P. infestans populations today from Mexico, the Andes and Europe.
