[ad_1]
Leave a Reply
[ad_2]
Miami Today
Source link
Miami, Florida Local News | ReportWire publishes the latest breaking U.S. and world news, trending topics and developing stories from around globe.
[ad_1]
A fan carries a giant Bad Bunny head through The Dead Flamingo bar, which hosted a watch party for the Puerto Rican star’s halftime show.
cjuste@miamiherald.com
To the hundreds of partygoers at a Little Havana bar, Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show was the main event, and they were celebrating history in the making with the game’s first Spanish-language performance.
During the “Benito Bowl Weekend: Mi Casa Tu Casa” festivities at The Dead Flamingo, people were packed inside the tiki-inspired bar with Latin flair Sunday night with seemingly high spirits. They waited impatiently for the first half of the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots to conclude so they could enjoy the real entertainment — a free show by one of the hottest artists on the planet. It was one of several promoted throughout the city that focused not on the the game but on the halftime experience.
Read more: Bad Bunny’s halftime show reminds the world ‘America’ is more than just the U.S.
Bahamas native Paola Wells was dancing with a drink in one hand and her phone in the other, recording Bad Bunny on the bar’s big screen. She said it was her first time in the United States during the Super Bowl, and she couldn’t think of a better place to be.
“I love Bad Bunny,” Wells said, wiping tears from her eyes. “I loved the show.”
Bad Bunny, whose full name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was the reason for the evening with “everything Benito-inspired” from cocktails to guest attire, the bar’s marketing director, Michael Guerrero, said.
“We’re obviously very Latino-based with a lot of pride,” he said.
Read more: What songs did Bad Bunny perform at the Super Bowl? Here’s the setlist
The show, which featured stars like Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, turned the football field into a Puerto Rican sugarcane field where aspects of Puerto Rican life and the culture of Latin America and the Caribbean were celebrated. At the very end of the 13-minute performance, dancers ran through the field carrying flags of countries from North, Central and South America.
Unlike most Super Bowl parties, the football game was muted after Bad Bunny’s performance. A DJ took over to continue playing his tunes for a “strictly party mode,’ Guerrero said.
While the night was for drinks, dancing and fun, it held a deeper significance for Miami and the country, said Guerrero.
“He made it,” he said. “We made it. It’s a proud moment.”
People of all ages were shouting Bad Bunny’s songs during the commercial breaks leading up to the show. One man led a conga line around the bar while holding a giant cutout of Bad Bunny’s face. Some got up on a stage to compete in drinking games (putting on a football helmet and pads and chugging a beer) for bar credits. Dozens of people were dressed in limited-edition “Benito Bowl” gear.
When the halftime show kicked off, the bar erupted into cheers. A group of women danced. Drinks were spilled. One woman shrieked, “it’s starting,” as a man held up the Puerto Rico flag. It was hard to hear Bad Bunny’s performance at some points over the sounds of the crowd.
Gio Caceres called the show performance and the evening “perfect” — “the drinks, the vibes, the show… I loved it,” he screamed.
Owner Eddie Fuentes didn’t want to get into politics during the celebration, but his bar is a safe space for all people to enjoy, he said.
“Bad Bunny is the one that pushed that narrative,” Fuentes said. “We stand together with the Latino community, and Bad Bunny has been waving that flag.”
His halftime performance is an example of what can be achieved in America, he said
“Whatever background, whatever ethnicity, you can make it in the United States,” he said.
Alex Valle, who is the owner of Thank You Miami Cocina & Beerhouse, was among those seated at the bar enjoying the celebration. He called Bad Bunny’s performance “a step forward in life.” People need music and good times, especially in today’s political climate, he said.
For some, like Sasha Torres, it felt very significant for the country to see Bad Bunny perform amid “everything going on with ICE,” she said, adding he has always been vocal about his politics.
Torres said she’s seen Bad Bunny in concert several times, and she’s a huge fan of his work.
“As a Puerto Rican, it’s a proud day for us,” Torres said. “It’s recognizing our culture on the national stage.”
This story was originally published February 8, 2026 at 11:02 PM.
[ad_2]
Sofia Saric
Source link
[ad_1]
Why does social media seem to both endanger and protect young people’s mental health?
Growing research links excessive online use to addiction, cyberbullying and suicide risk among adolescents. However, those same digital platforms simultaneously provide connection, understanding and community support to many.
As researchers continue to uncover these conflicting effects, it is clear that the relationship between social media use and suicide risk is not a simple one. Emerging research shows that the relationship between social media use and suicide ideation is correlational not causational.
People need to stop blaming social media for teen’s poor mental health, as it is not directly correlated to suicidal thoughts; however, many patterns of use do coincide with higher risk. The issue is complex and evolving that demands our attention, exploration and evidence based reasoning.
TMH posted an anonymous survey to its Instagram story on Jan. 20, which received 60 responses. A junior survey respondent explains their experience with comparing themself with others on social media.
“Just watching people’s stories and posts sometimes contributes to a feeling of loneliness and that I’m not experiencing college ‘the right way.’”
As a result of the digital age, young people often feel pressured to participate online in order to maintain friendships, express themselves or stay relevant within their peer networks. This pressure is often intensified by fear of missing out (FOMO), where the expectation to stay constantly updated and visible online highlights anxiety and reinforces feelings of exclusion. The constant connectivity can blur the line between genuine connection and performance, often leaving teenagers empowered, but more importantly, exposed and isolated.
Marcia Gomez, professor of social media messaging and coordinator of social media internships at the University of Miami offers her thoughts on FOMO.
“FOMO can be understood as a psychological response to constant exposure to curated online lives rather than a superficial social trend,” Gomez said. “The concern is less about social media itself and more about the intensity and comparison-driven nature of exposure, which can subtly shape emotional well-being over time.”
Many studies suggest that the way adolescents engage with social media matters more than the platforms themselves. They highlight how excessive engagement can foster addiction-like behaviors, expose young people to cyberbullying and intensify feelings of isolation, inadequacy and social comparison. In the most extreme cases, these online experiences correlate with self harm and suicide ideation.
The data collected by TMH’s anonymous survey further reinforces the distinction between social media itself and how it is used. A majority of respondents reported spending several hours a day on social media platforms, with many acknowledging compulsive checking behaviors, pressure to post and concern over likes and comments.
While many participants also reported positive outcomes such as staying connected with friends or finding community, negative experiences were just as prevalent.
Feelings of comparison, insecurity, loneliness and exposure to cyber bullying appeared repeatedly across responses, particularly among those with higher daily usage. Notably, approximately 70% of respondents out of 60 selected “strongly disagree” for the statement “social media is good for my mental health”. This indicates a clear majority perceived social media as having a negative impact on their mental well-being.
An article published by Leonido Mendes and Marta Morgado found that “addiction to social media was a statistically significant predictor of suicidal ideation, after controlling for gender and physical activity.”
While the study captures data from a single point in time, it reveals that it isn’t simply the time spent on social platforms that correlates with suicidal thoughts, but rather the addictive behaviors surrounding social media use. These addictive behaviors include compulsive checking of social media, interference with everyday tasks and dissociation from relationships and social encounters.
One respondent from the survey, who identified herself as Elena, emphasized a negative experience with ‘doom scrolling’.
“I spend hours scrolling and it messes with my attention span, consumes a lot of time and isn’t productive at all,” Elena said.
Additional warning signs linked to online activity include cyberbullying and digital self harm. Most probably already know what cyberbullying is, but digital self harm refers to individuals posting or sharing negative content about oneself. Overall, the CDC’s national‐scale data supports the conclusion that frequent social media engagement is associated with increased risk of suicidality among adolescents and helps researchers identify particularly vulnerable sub‑populations.
Despite these findings, social media is not solely harmful, it has the ability to both harm and heal ultimately mirroring adolescents itself. It’s a developmental stage marked by both vulnerability, growth, and the formation of identity and belonging.
To understand social media’s true relationship to adolescent mental health, it is crucial to examine not only its risks, but also its potential to serve as a lifeline.
Researchers and mental health organizations increasingly emphasize that these digital spaces can be used as a tool to combat depression and suicide ideation. A 2023 psychological autopsy study by Elias Balt and colleagues in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health underscores this dual nature of online engagement.
The researchers examined the digital histories of teens who died by suicide, analyzing their social media activity, communication patterns and online communities. These findings revealed a complex dynamic of both harmful and protective factors.
For many victims, cyberbullying, exposure to self-harm content and imitation behaviours were present. These are all clear indicators that social media amplifies vulnerability and contagion effects.
However, other adolescent victims had participated in online support groups, expressed empathy for others and used their platforms to reach out for help. In several cases, peers within these digital spaces had even encouraged the individuals to seek counselling or talk to trusted adults.
This highlights the fact that adolescents’ digital footprint encompasses both risks and protective influences, and cannot be attributed to just one cause. Researchers argue online behaviour often mirrors the complexities of offline life, reflecting both suffering, resilience, risk and recovery.
After properly understanding the complex and sometimes contradictory relationship between social media and youth mental health, it is important to focus on the work that can be done to make digital engagement safer.
UM Professor David Berry teaches a course on social media messaging and strategies. He argues that the evidence linking social media to negative mental health outcomes is now strong enough to warrant meaningful safeguards for young users.
“I feel that the research is statistically significant enough; the impact is clear,” said Berry. “And we are at a point where social media should be treated with consideration as getting a driver’s license to drive a car, having a legal drinking age limit, and so on.”
The APP’s framing of social media as a protective factor challenges the public opinion that frames these platforms as purely detrimental. Rather than telling teens to stay off of social media, the organization calls for digital education on its intentional use.
They encourage parents, educators and health professionals to guide adolescents in appropriate online habits and foster healthy online connections. This shift is known as restriction to regulation as we must acknowledge that social media is an inseparable part of our modern society. Eliminating these platforms is not realistic or productive as we have seen several different platforms come and go over the years.
Instead, the goal should be to teach young users how to interact with digital platforms in ways that nurture self-expression, empathy and safety. Unfortunately, it is also vital to acknowledge that many children, particularly those who are neglected or lack attentive caregivers, can fall through the cracks, missing these protective interventions and remaining at heightened risk. This gap underscores the importance of community, education and mental health systems in providing the guidance and oversight that may be absent at home.
When looked at together, these findings position social media as both a potential risk factor and site of opportunity. This underscores the need for balanced approaches that acknowledge its dangers while harnessing its capacity to support youth well-being.
[ad_2]
Sierra McDonald
Source link
[ad_1]
Preseason concluded today with the final scrimmage following an engaging Fanfest clinic hosted by the Cane’s pitching staff. If they sustain the effective pitching from last night, they could advance significantly into the postseason. The team finished their preparations with 6 1/2 innings of play. The two starting pitchers are competing for the midweek starting role and possibly a weekend spot, considering Tate DeRias’s recent struggles on the mound. Sebastian Santos-Olson and TJ Coats each pitched 5 innings to open today’s scrimmage. On Saturday night, the pitching staff dominated the offense; today, they showed increased resilience, reducing strikeouts from 25 to more balls put into play and runs scored. Defensively, there was a slight regression from yesterday’s flawless performance to some flaws today. Notably, the bunt, a strategic element not seen yesterday, reemerged as part of the team’s tactics. This is expected to be an important weapon going forward, and it’s hoped they will incorporate it more frequently throughout the season.
Sebastian resumed pitching where the bullpen left off last night, maintaining control over the hitters with a clean 1-2-3 inning. Michael Torres started the second with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch, and scored on Alex Sosa’s opposite-field single—taking advantage of the shift, a strategy I believe should be outlawed. In the third, Brylan West reached on a walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice by Jackson Hugus, and scored on an error. Sebastian faced more challenges in the fifth, again due to defensive mistakes. After two outs, Watkins drew a walk, prompting Torres to bat. A chop in front of the plate led to an airborne throw by Alvarez to first, which sailed into the outfield, allowing Watkins to score and Michael to reach third. On the next pitch, he scored on a wild pitch. Though Sebastian is vying for a starting role, he struggled at times, hindered by defensive errors.
Similar to Sebastian, TJ had a quiet first inning after Vance Sheahan’s one-out single and being caught stealing by Alex. In the second inning, Alonzo smoothly rounded the bases on an opening walk, advancing to second on a wild pitch. The catcher appeared uncertain, throwing to second in an attempt to recover from the wild pitch, but the ball sailed into center field. The throw from center was to home, which the catcher’s wide throw to third aimed at catching Alonzo, who instead waltzed home. Two errors by the catcher and a wild pitch, not the defensive display a coach hopes for. In the third inning, a two-out double by Brandon DeGoti was left stranded after a groundout by Max Galvin. A one-out double by West in the fourth scored Williams, who had walked prior to his at-bat. Once again, sloppy defense led to errors and runs, a far cry from the flawless defense exhibited last night.
The remainder of the scrimmage featured each pitcher throwing one inning. Dylan Dubovik began the 6th inning abruptly after recording the first out. He then walked Derek Williams, followed by back-to-back singles by West and Hugus, which scored Williams. Defensive lapses continued in the outfield, with Greenhouse dropping a ball that allowed a second run to score. Dylan’s counterpart, Jake Lodgek, also faced challenges—he hit Galvin, then walked Sosa and Alvarez to load the bases. Michael Torres then hit a ball through the middle, driving in two runs and ending the inning.
Packy Bradley-Cooney, today’s closer, found himself in a jam, hitting initially Greenhouse and then walking Alvarez and Covet to load the bases before managing to strike out Cian Copeland for the final out, bringing the curtain down on the preseason. Next stop: Lehigh on Friday at 7PM
Offensively, Michael Torres and Brylan West were the only two with multiple hits. West and Brandon DeGoti each doubled, but overall, it wasn’t a strong return to their recent performance. The defense was the biggest disappointment, dropping from Saturday night’s stellar play to the flawed showing we’ve come to expect. Reflecting on Saturday night’s pitching and the past two weeks’ offense, we had much more to look forward to. Today, however, we took a step back after last night’s excellence.
They will have a week to prepare for opening night, which is expected to resemble Saturday pitching night, and the offense, which has demonstrated it has awakened from its slumber and is beginning to produce runs. Everything starts to count this Friday as they begin their journey to Omaha.
[ad_2]
Mike Kaffee
Source link
[ad_1]
When the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots square off today in Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, it will be an opportunity for the Seahawks to avenge a single play that has haunted their fans for more than a decade.
It was 11 years ago that the two franchises were part of one of the most memorable games in NFL history. In the waning seconds of Super Bowl XLIX, with the Patriots clinging to a 28-24 lead and the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks knocking on the doorstep of a second straight title, Patriots corner Malcolm Butler intercepted Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson on the goal line to secure the Patriots’ fourth Super Bowl title.
The stunning moment marked a divergence of sorts for the two teams. The Seahawks, then led by coach Pete Carroll and the “Legion of Boom” defense, would fail to make another NFC title game until this season. The Patriots would go on to win two more Super Bowls with legendary coach-QB duo Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. But after Brady’s departure from the Patriots in 2020, Belichick struggled to sustain success.
Then, in January 2024, in a twist of fate, the Seahawks parted ways with Carroll just one day before the Patriots did the same with Belichick. It was the end of an era for the league.
After just a few short years of relative irrelevance, the Patriots, to the frustration of the rest of the NFL, have quickly ushered in a new chapter of success, segueing from Belichick and Brady to coach Mike Vrabel and QB savant Drake Maye. For the Seahawks, Carroll and Wilson — who was traded to the Broncos in 2022 — have been replaced by coach Mike MacDonald and veteran QB Sam Darnold.
Once considered a draft bust, Darnold could cap one of the greatest redemption arcs ever seen in football if he hoists the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday night, while the Patriots will be hoping that Maye can recreate the magic of Brady’s first Super Bowl title in 2001, when he led them to an upset over a heavily-favored St. Louis Rams team.
Follow the latest updates from Super Bowl LIX below:
[ad_2]
[ad_1]
Dona-Lee Raymond dances during the Reggae Genealogy music festival at Volunteer Park on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Plantation, Fla.
mocner@miamiherald.com
The Reggae Genealogy Music Festival lit up Volunteer Park on Saturday with music and celebration. The park in Plantation came alive with performances and food as part of Black History Month. Take a look at sights.
[ad_2]
Alie Skowronski
Source link
[ad_1]
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) – A special celebration took place in Fort Lauderdale, as a community gathered to celebrate the 100th birthday of a World War II veteran.
Friends, family and loved ones came together to celebrate the birthday of Gordon Smith on Saturday.
“Really, it’s like a reunion for his first family, his second family, and everybody in between,” said an attendee.
The Navy veteran enlisted with his twin brother in World War II.
His son, Randall G. Smith St. John said that his grandmother wrote to her congressman for her boys to serve on the same aircraft carrier during D-Day.
St. John’s uncle was one of many who did not live to see this day.
“He has outlived many family members, and cousins, and uncles, and we’re so blessed to have him with us to this day, still working 40 hours a week,” said Randall G. Smith St. John.
The centenarian is still working full time at Farrey’s, the same place that he’s worked at for over 68 years.
Smith attributes his longevity in part to a great work environment.
“Well, I did it by not sitting around, being active all my life, and working for good people,” said Smith.
On that day, the good people in Smith’s life wanted to make sure that he felt the love.
“Beautiful, beautiful,” said Smith. “This is such a surprise that I don’t know what to say, but this is terrific.”
His three children all still live in Florida, and jumped at the chance to throw him a party that he never expected.
His son said that what keeps his father going is sheer tenacity. He started work as a carpenter, moved to the warehouse, and continues working a 5 day 40 hour week.
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
[ad_2]
Jayme Berezdivin
Source link
[ad_1]
(WSVN) – The South Florida Water Management District issued a water warning for multiple counties Saturday.
The areas affected include Miami-Dade, Monroe, Collier, Highlands, and Lee counties.
The warning by the SFWMD comes amid continuing drought conditions and increasing water supply concerns.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to conserve water and limit irrigation.
If the drought continues, water restrictions are the next step.
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
[ad_2]
Jayme Berezdivin
Source link
[ad_1]
The 2026 Super Bowl has the Seattle Seahawks facing off against the New England Patriots, potentially shaking up the list of NFL teams with the most Super Bowl wins, and players with the most rings.
The 2025 Super Bowl saw the Philadelphia Eagles easily defeat Kansas City 40-22, avenging their loss from two years earlier and preventing Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs from becoming the first three-peat Super Bowl winners in NFL history. The win also earned the Eagles their second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history. The Eagles earned their first title in 2018, after defeating the Patriots 41-33 with backup quarterback Nick Foles in what became an instant classic.
This year, the New England Patriots will look to take sole possession of the record for most Super Bowl wins. They are currently tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for most wins all time with six. It would be Mike Vrabel’s first Super Bowl win as a head coach after he won three with the Patriots during his standout career as a linebacker.
On the other side, the Seahawks hope to score the franchise’s second Super Bowl win. They came tantalizingly close to winning back-to-back titles in 2015, when, on the verge of a go-ahead score in the waning seconds against the Patriots, cornerback Malcolm Butler picked off Russel Wilson in the end zone to wrest the victory away from Seattle. Sunday marks the Seahawks’ first return to the big game since that heartbreaking loss.
Below is a list of the teams and players who have won the most Super Bowls in NFL history.
Note: All Super Bowls in this article are categorized by the year in which the game itself was played, not the season for which the title was earned. This article also does not take into account NFL championships prior to 1967, when the first Super Bowl was played.
The New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers are both tied for the most Super Bowl wins with six each. The Patriots also have the most Super Bowl appearances in history with 12, having lost the title game five times. The Steelers have eight appearances, with two losses.
The San Francisco 49ers missed winning their sixth franchise title in the 2024 Super Bowl, which would have moved them into a three-way tie with the Patriots and Steelers. They remain tied with Dallas for second place with five Super Bowl wins.
Third place is held by three teams, the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants, each with four Super Bowl wins.
No team has ever won three Super Bowls in a row, but several teams have won back-to-back titles: the Patriots, 49ers, Packers, Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos and the Steelers — who accomplished the feat on two separate occasions.
Tom Brady has won the most Super Bowls of any player in NFL history with seven. Brady won the 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, and 2019 Super Bowls quarterbacking the New England Patriots, and the 2021 Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brady also has the most Super Bowl appearances of any player in NFL history, having competed for the championship 10 times in his career. His losses came at the hands of the New York Giants in 2008 and 2012, and to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. The 2008 loss prevented the Pats from achieving what would have been a 19-0 record and just the second-ever undefeated season in NFL history.
Simon Bruty / Getty Images
Charles Haley has the second most Super Bowl wins, with five. Haley played both linebacker and defensive end throughout his career with the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys. Haley won the 1989 and 1990 Super Bowls with the Niners, and then went on to win three more titles with the Cowboys in 1993, 1994 and 1996.
Third place is held by 34 players, all of whom have four Super Bowl rings:
Super Bowl LX will air on NBC on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
[ad_2]
[ad_1]
The University of Miami Men’s tennis team fell 4-0 against the No.9 ranked UCF Knights in Orlando on Friday evening.
UM struggled from the very beginning, failing to gain momentum in doubles. The talented Knights squad came out strong, dominating their service games and controlling the net.
Antonio Prat and Nacho Serra Sanchez were the first to lose for Miami as they fell 3-6 to UCF’s Wissam Abderrahman and Mehdi Benchakroun at court two.
At court three, Luca Hotze and Nicolas Oliveira clinched the doubles point for the Knights, taking down Rafael Segado and Jules Garot.
The Hurricanes’ Saud Alhogbani and Jakub Kroslak were winning 5-4 at court one when the point was decided.
Singles play did not go any better for Miami.
The Knights came out on fire, as Pedro Rodrigues defeated Mehdi Sadaoui 6-0, 6-2. Court 5 was a similar result with Segado falling 6-3, 6-1 to UCF’s Paul Colin.
UCF clinched the sweep at court 3 with Benchakroun taking down Kroslak 6-1, 6-4.
Despite the scoreboard, the Hurricanes were able to put up a decent fight on the other courts.
No. 95 Prat was down 6-2, 5-4 with his serve on deck when the match finished, while Serra Sanchez was in a tight battle on court two, holding a 5-1 lead in the second set after losing 6-4 in the first. Finally, Garot held a 7-6(3), 2-1 advantage in his matchup.
Miami fought hard, but was unable to build any sort of traction early against the top-10 Knights, which proved too much to overcome.
The Hurricanes (5-3) will return home to the Neil Schiff Tennis Center on Tuesday, Feb. 10 to take on USF (1-5).
[ad_2]
Nathan Rafal
Source link
[ad_1]
A University of Miami team conducted research that might create more effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and perhaps lead ‘to a cure,’ UM said.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
In a new study that could have significant implications for future Alzheimer’s treatment, researchers at the University of Miami have possibly figured out how to combat one of the early signs of the neurodegenerative disease.
In the study published in the Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association in December 2025, two Ph.D. students in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Biology conducted research that could help trailblaze more effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, “perhaps even leading to a cure for the memory-robbing disorder that affects more than 7 million adults in the U.S.,” UM shared on Thursday.
By using a mouse model with Alzheimer’s, researchers Supriya Chakraborty and Zeynad Tabrizi found that activating Piezo1 — a mechanosensitive ion channel that is functionally expressed in blood vessels — improved microvascular flow and neurovascular coupling in the mouse model.
According to the research duo, reduced blood flow and impaired vascular responses in the brain are early features of Alzheimer’s and contribute to the disease’s progression.
“While our study was able to improve and actually restore such functions in a mouse model with the disease, we believe such a method may hold great promise as a therapeutic strategy for humans,” Tabrizi said.
Additionally, the researchers employed the pharmacological activation of Piezo1 to improve functional hyperemia — the localized increase of blood flow to a specific tissue or organ, such as the brain or muscles, in response to increased metabolic activity or function.
“It’s another major steppingstone in the race to solve the mystery of Alzheimer’s,” Chakraborty said. “But further investigation is needed, which is our goal.”
According to UM, Chakraborty might have been studying insects in a lab had it not been for an immunology instructor who taught him in India about the “superheroes” inside him: immunity cells.
“That really fascinated me,” he said. “My focus shifted from entomology to wanting to solve illnesses that affect humans, specifically neurodegenerative disorders.”
Meanwhile, Tabrizi took a different path to studying conditions that damage and destroy parts of the human nervous system. She had long been a student of immunology and neuroscience in her home country of Iran, researching the causes of disorders like schizophrenia and autism, UM said.
“I had some experience working in the industry,” Tabrizi said. “But my heart was in academia.”
For Tabrizi, the study came on the heels of other dementia-related research that she conducted at UM. While working with former Department of Biology neuroscientist Oliver Bracko, she investigated how the immune system might factor in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. In the research, she focused on neutrophils — a type of white blood cell. In previous studies that she conducted, neutrophils were shown to block blood vessels and contribute to blood-flow reduction to the brain in mouse models.
“Alzheimer’s is a disease that not only affects the patient but also family members, who are often the ones who end up caregiving for a loved one with the disorder,” Tabrizi said. “So, our work will aid people on all fronts of battling the disease.”
This report was produced by Miami Herald news partner CBS News Miami.
[ad_2]
Hunter Geisel
Source link
[ad_1]
Here are the guests for Feb. 8, 2026, on CBS News’ “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” this Sunday.
“Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” airs on CBS News at 10:30 a.m. ET and streams on Paramount+ and CBSNews.com at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sundays.
[ad_2]
[ad_1]
A Fort Lauderdale financial advisor was sentenced to 20 years after running a $94 million international Ponzi scheme that defrauded 150+ investors across South Florida, Venezuela and Spain.
Miami Herald File
A Fort Lauderdale financial advisor will be spending the next 20 years in a prison cell after being found guilty of captaining a decades-long international fraud scheme, prosecutors say.
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Becerra handed Andrew Hamilton Jacobus, 64, a 240-month sentence in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced.
“That sentence reflects the real harm to victims and sends a clear message: sophisticated financial fraud will be exposed and punished in South Florida,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones.
Jacobus started his career in finance in the early 1990s, but that quickly spiraled into him falsely portraying himself as a seasoned financial advisor who managed legitimate investment portfolios, authorities said.
Over the years, he solicited funds through business entities he controlled and promised investors high-yield returns. In reality, he was running a Ponzi-scheme in which he would forge account statements, falsify financial documentation and divert client funds, according to court records.
Jacobus was able to rake in over $90 million from more than 150 investors and used the money to “support a lavish personal lifestyle and unrelated business ventures,” prosecutors said.
More than 100 of his victims appeared during his sentencing hearing, about 20 in-person and 80 remotely, some offering testimonies to Judge Becerra, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
“This was a $94 million international fraud built on lies and broken trust,” Reding Quiñones said. “The defendant preyed on families, professionals, and faith-based institutions across our community and beyond.”
The scheme spanned South Florida and multiple countries, including Venezuela and Spain, and roped in powerful figures, such as members of the Venezuelan Archdiocese, lawyers and doctors, records show. Jacobus also defrauded members of his own family.
“Greed was Jacobus’s greatest tool — paired with a computer and a phone, it fueled a scheme that stole millions and shattered lives,” said Special Agent in Charge Ron Loecker, of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Florida field office. “IRS Special Agents will continue to work tirelessly to uncover financial fraud and deliver justice to victims.”
[ad_2]
Devoun Cetoute
Source link
[ad_1]
The Miami Hurricanes women’s basketball team fell short to the Virginia Cavaliers in an epic ACC matchup on Thursday evening. Losing 67-56, Miami is now 12-11 while Virginia sits at 16-7 overall.
Despite the loss, there were several stand out performances with Ra Shaya Kyle, Gal Raviv, Vittoria Blasigh and Amarachi Kimpson all scoring in the double digits.
The Canes started off strong with the first score of the game following a spin move from freshman forward Soma Okolo. However, on the other side, Virginia answered with four straight points.
The Cavaliers held the lead for more than five minutes of the first quarter. Miami was able to tighten the game, ending the period 14-10 after a three pointer from Blasigh.
The Canes started to fight back after the deficit, tying the game at 14-14 following back-to-back jumpers from Raviv and freshman forward Natalie Wetzel. The two teams went back and forth in scoring, but Miami finally widened the gap with two free-throws from Kyle and a pull-jumper from Kimpson.
UVA had the final basket of the half, making the score 26-25 Miami.
Although the Hurricanes were going strong the entire first half, they slowly lost their momentum going into the third, and the Cavaliers were able to secure a 13-1 scoring run forcing the Canes to respond.
And Okolo did just that, working on both sides of the ball with a tip in lay-up, six points in the game and three of Miami’s eight rebounds in the third quarter.
The Hurricanes shot a game low of 28.6 percent from the field in the third, and it showed from the score with Virginia leading 47-38.
The final ten minutes consisted of similar play to the last ten, with Miami lagging behind. They were only able to put up six points in the first five minutes, all coming from free throws. In the end, the Cavaliers outscored the Canes 20-18 in the final quarter.
Miami will have a chance for redemption on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. against in-state rival, FSU.

[ad_2]
Vivian Amoia
Source link
[ad_1]
(WSVN) – 71-year-old civil rights icon Ruby Bridges was honored by the Golden State Warriors, who named her an “Impact Warrior”.
In 1960, Bridges became the first Black student to attend Williams Frantz Elementary School, a formerly all white school in Louisiana.
She walked past angry mobs alongside her mother and four federal Marshals, which started desegregation in schools.
Her non-profit, the Ruby Bridges Foundation, empowers children to lead with courage.
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
[ad_2]
Jayme Berezdivin
Source link
[ad_1]
One week from today, the practice jerseys will be stored away as the regular season gets underway. We are nearing the final scrimmages before everything begins to count. Whether the team is fully prepared remains uncertain. The position players have finally shaken off some rust and are starting to make solid contact with the ball. The concern is the pitching, which has shown signs of decline, and the weekend rotation remains a topic of discussion, except for AJ Ciscar, who is still a strong candidate for Friday nights. Tate DeRias has taken a step back as hitters have adjusted to his pitching, which has affected his stats, as seen in the first inning tonight. Middle relievers are still struggling to find their rhythm against batters. Defensively, additional work is needed; communication among players is lacking, leading to routine outs being missed. One area that stood out was the efficiency of bunt execution. Last year, this wasn’t part of the strategy, but it seems JD is now emphasizing it, and the players are responding positively. Today’s focus was on improving communication and leadership, as evidenced by the successful bunts.
AJ Ciscar and Tate DeRias, our scheduled starters for Friday and Saturday, received the initial call and were set to pitch the first five innings, with the fifth inning starting with a runner on second base. Tate took the mound first today but faced immediate challenges with the opening batters. An early error in left field, due to miscommunication as the LF did not call off the infielders charging for the ball, allowed the ball to drop and set a difficult tone for the inning. DeGoti, on second base instead of returning to the dugout after what should have been a routine out, evolved into a costly mistake. This was the first of two errors in the inning, leading to three runs—highlighted by Max Galvin’s single after DeGoti’s error, and Daniel Cuvet’s first preseason home run, which scored three runs. Cian Copeland nearly added to the score but was caught on the warning track in right-center. The second error was on a grounder to third by Jackson Hugus, with a throw into the dirt that the first baseman couldn’t scoop. After six batters and only one out recorded, JD decided to end the inning early and handed the ball to AJ. AJ quickly settled the situation, starting with Fabio Peralta’s leadoff single. Despite the initial struggles from our potential starters, AJ regained control and displayed the pitching dominance expected, retiring the next three batters in order.
Tate rebounded nicely in the second inning, complemented by Alonzo Alvarez hitting into a 4-6-3 DP to end the inning after Michael Torres reached base on a one-out single and Brylan West was struck. The third inning reflected what JD wanted to see in his Saturday starter, striking out three after walking the initial batter. The 4th showed a slip in the progress he had made in the prior two innings, with opening doubles by Derek Williams and Cian Copeland. A passed ball advanced Cian to third, and he scored on a 4-6-3 DP. The 5th inning, with the predesignated baserunner on second, was short-lived, with Dylan Dubovik leaving the yard convincingly. Tate’s performance today will have JD seriously considering whether Tate is the direction he wants to go in for Saturday night.
AJ breezed through the second inning, facing three batters. An opening double by Dubovik to open the third came in to score on what should have been called out at home, barring the catcher dropping the ball for the score. Just another example of sloppy defensive play. AJ bounced back in the 4th with a quick 3-man showing. AJ’s 5th gave way to a SF by Cuvet to right for a score. William’s double would go unchecked, with AJ striking out Copeland for the final out of the inning. All said and done, AJ showed he is still the best consideration to start us off with a W Friday night.
The remaining BP pitchers each pitched one inning, starting with a runner on second to simulate coming in for relief. Jack Durso and Michael Fernandez had the opening responsibilities. Jack managed to hold the runner at third after a successful sacrifice bunt by Fabio, striking out the next two batters he faced. Michael, however, was less fortunate, allowing a bunt single by Michael Torres followed by a sacrifice fly by Alvarez. Both pitchers delivered a satisfactory performance.
Brixton Lofgren and Lonzo Drummond received the call for the 7th inning. Brixton quickly shut down the three batters he faced. Although he was used sparingly at the end of last season, his impressive preseason performances have moved him to the top of the pitching roster, and he’s early in being called up for relief work in the upcoming season. If he remains healthy, I expect to see him frequently this season. Lonzo is another strong candidate, having been called upon in relief as well. Watkins set up the scoring opportunity with a successful SAC bunt, and Fabio drove in the run with a 4-3 groundout. Both pitchers looked solid, and like Brixton, I anticipate Lonzo’s name being announced regularly over the PA system.
Finalizing today’s scrimmage are the presumed setup and closing pitchers: Packy Bradley-Cooney and Ryan Bilka. Packy did not perform at his best in his last outing. Another sacrifice bunt by Michael Torres set up Brylan West with an RBI single. Ryan, who also struggled in his previous appearance, continued on the same course, walking the first two batters to load the bases, with Derek Williams doubling for 2 RBIs. After striking out Copeland, he loaded the bases again with his third walk of the inning. The scrimmage concluded on a somewhat concerning note, raising questions about whether our closer, after walking three batters, remains the right choice.
Our position players are steadily finding their rhythm, tallying 14 hits, half of which were for extra bases. Derek Williams led the way with a perfect 3-3 performance, all doubles. Notably, his double in the final inning against closer Ryan Bilka was a game-changer. Dylan Dubovik, trying to establish his role either as a pitcher or outfielder, appeared to find his spot as a pinch hitter, going 2-3 with a double and a home run. Two other players with multiple hits today were Jake Ogden and Michael Torres. Daniel Cuvet launched his first home run of the preseason, driving in 3 RBIs, while Cian Copeland contributed an RBI double. This is the offensive potential we anticipated and have been waiting to see all preseason. On paper, this team is strong offensively, and until recent games, it has yet to fully showcase its capabilities. Hopefully, the rust has been shaken off, and we can move forward with high-octane power.
Tomorrow marks Fan Fest, a full day of activities beginning at 3PM with player autographs and the softball alumni game, culminating in an intrasquad game at 6 PM. Former players will be introduced by Jay Rokeach after the softball game. This year’s event features a different format, but it promises to be an exciting day at the Light.
[ad_2]
Mike Kaffee
Source link
[ad_1]
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A Bad Bunny look-alike contest at a San Francisco restaurant snowballed into a street party after hundreds of fans of the global superstar showed up to cheer his doppelgangers and sing along to his music ahead of his Super Bowl halftime show this weekend.
More than 30 contestants from across the Bay Area, including men with tight curly hair, women in wigs and fake facial hair and a kindergartener in a fedora, white tank top and bow tie, competed for a $100 prize at a packed Mexican restaurant in the Mission neighborhood.
They channeled the 31-year-old Puerto Rican singer through some of his signature looks, donning straw hats known as a “pava” and traditionally worn by Puerto Rican farmers, or a shearling aviator hat like the one the artist has worn at times since the release his 2025 album, “Debi Tirar Mas Fotos,” which translates to “I should have taken more photos.” It won album of the year at the Grammy Awards on Sunday.
Adam Fox, 24, and his friend Alejandro Kurt, 23, traveled from Belmont, a city about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of San Francisco, after both men with curly dark hair and dark facial hair were told they look like Bad Bunny.
Fox, an aspiring actor who wore a suit, bow tie, and dark sunglasses, said he is a fan of Bad Bunny’s music even though he doesn’t speak Spanish.
His music “is like art. You don’t have to totally understand it. It could just be something that’s beautiful,” Fox said.
Bad Bunny, who sings in Spanish, is sparking huge interest by non-Spanish speakers in Latin music and culture when some communities in the U.S. have voiced anxieties about even speaking Spanish in certain public spaces amid growing anti-immigrant sentiment and raids. His Grammy-winning album “Debi Tirar Mas Fotos,” which mixes Latin trap and reggaeton with traditional Latin rhythms like salsa and merengue, catapulted him onto the global stage.
The contestants imitated Bad Bunny’s “perreo,” or twerking, and repeated his criticism of the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign with one wannabe-Bad Bunny in a wig and a black tuxedo holding an “ICE Out” sign as she danced through the packed Tacolicious restaurant to roaring cheers from the crowd.
But the artist’s music remained the focus of the look-alike contest organized by Mission Loteria, a group that promotes Latino businesses, with people spilling out to the street where a DJ played Bad Bunny’s most-loved tracks and some in costumes resembling the Puerto Rican crested toad, an endangered species that is featured in one of his music videos, danced with contestants.
Pamela Guo, 33, traveled from San Jose to compete in the contest dressed in an aviator hat, shorts and an athletic jacket. Guo, who had a painted-on beard, said she is such a fan of the singer that she traveled to Mexico City to see him in concert.
“I love to perrear and dance, so I do love that aspect of his music,” she said, adding that his last album has deeper lyrics that speak to her because they talk about our shared humanity.
The grand prize went to Abdul Ramirez Arroyave, a professional Bad Bunny impersonator from Colombia, who was dressed in a red shirt and straw hat on top a tight curly hair wig.
When asked to say a few words after his win, he said “thanks for everything” then broke into song with the crowd singing along Bad Bunny’s “Debi tirar mas fotos.”
Ramirez Arroyave then joined the party outside and took photos with his new adoring fans.
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
[ad_2]
Jayme Berezdivin
Source link
[ad_1]
Lindsey Vonn hit the slopes for a final training run ahead of Sunday’s Olympic race event after rupturing her left ACL when she crashed in a World Cup race in the Swiss Alps a week ago.
The 41-year-old Alpine ski great injured her knee when she crashed in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, but has vowed to race Sunday’s downhill regardless.
On Friday, Vonn confirmed the severity of her injury.
In a social media response to a doctor’s post questioning her ability to compete, Vonn said: “lol thanks doc. My ACL was fully functioning until last Friday. Just because it seems impossible to you doesn’t mean it’s not possible. And yes, my ACL is 100% ruptured. Not 80% or 50%. It’s 100% gone.”
Saturday’s run was the second official downhill training to take place ahead of Vonn’s first competitive Olympic event, the women’s downhill, which is scheduled for Sunday.
There were supposed to be three training events, but the first, which had been scheduled for Thursday, was canceled due to the weather. Vonn successfully participated in a training event on Friday, which was also subject to weather delays.
41-year-old Vonn completed Saturday’s run without any apparent issues.
Tiziana FABI /AFP via Getty Images
Fellow Olympic U.S. alpine skiers told CBS News on Thursday that they believed their teammate would be able to persevere despite her injury.
“If anyone can come back from this, if anyone could do it, it’s Lindsey,” Team USA skier Isabella Wright said during a U.S. athlete training ahead of the opening of the Games.
“If it’s your last Games, and you know, already probably have a lot of knee damage, then there’s not that much to lose,” Vonn’s teammate Breezy Johnson told CBS News.
[ad_2]