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Texas A&M researcher unraveling the mystery of a kidney disease epidemic

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:54 GMT

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KXAN) — A Texas A&M researcher and her team are one step closer to determining the cause of a pervasive and fatal kidney disease that affects mostly young men working in agriculture in Central American countries. The puzzling disease has stumped scientists for decades. Chronic kidney disease typically affects people who are older, and it is usually associated with other health problems, such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes. It is a serious medical condition that increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and early death, according to the CDC.In the late 1990s, researchers discovered a peculiar phenomenon occurring in Central America, where ostensibly healthy men in their 20s and 30s were developing chronic kidney disease. Kidney disease is so pervasive in these regions it is now the leading cause of death.The epidemic is called Mesoamerica nephropathy – named for the location where it is common. “It’s a rapidly progressing kidney disease at fi...

City of Kyle adds new traffic solutions to decrease congestion, focus on first responder safety

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:54 GMT

KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — The City of Kyle said the Kyle Police Department was integrating innovative traffic solutions to decrease congestion and focus on the safety of first responders while improving response times.The city said it selected Global Traffic Technologies' Opticom Cloud Platform for emergency vehicle preemption.  “The technology utilizes advanced algorithms to determine vehicle status. It sends that data to compatible intersections to make signal phasing requests, granting emergency responders the right-of-way to pass through an intersection. The system simultaneously reduces traffic flow on side streets, resulting in decreased response times, improved intersection safety, and saved lives,” the city said.According to the city, KPD initially purchased the Opticom Cloud Platform for 19 intersections and 50 vehicles. The Kyle Fire Department joined the system, adding 15 fire units, and the San Marcos Hays County EMS, who previously purchased GTT’s Opticom GPS syste...

This small Missouri town could become state's 'UFO Capital'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:54 GMT

PIEDMONT, Mo. - One small southeast Missouri town could potentially hold the title of the "UFO Capital of Missouri" as soon as this summer. State Rep. Chris Dinkins (R-District 144) introduced HB 1261 in an effort to recognize Piedmont, Missouri in Wayne County. Piedmont is home to around 2,000 people and sits nearly an hour and a half west of Cape Girardeau. According to the bill's language, Dinkins claims that "hundreds of UFO sightings occurred in Piedmont, Missouri, between February and April 1973." Trending: A Missouri barbecue spot shows up in ‘Ted Lasso’ episodes: This is why In 1973, now half a century ago, UFO sightings gained attention not just in Missouri, but nationwide. The Missouri Historical Society recently reviewed some accounts of mysterious lights in the skies that support the phenomenon around Clearwater Lake and the Missouri Lead Belt. A documentary titled "UFOs 1973: Aliens, Abductions and Extraordinary Sightings" uncovers some patterns, plus the case of an ...

Rain halts Masters play yet again, making Sunday a long day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:54 GMT

By DAVE SKRETTA and STEVE REED (AP Sports Writer)AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Heavy rains that left pools of standing water across Augusta National brought play to a halt at the Masters on Saturday, and Brooks Koepka and the rest of the field will have a long Sunday slog to decide who will wear the green jacket.Many players had returned to the course early to finish second rounds, which were suspended Friday when a storm came through the area. It caused three towering pine trees to fall — nobody was hurt — and workers made sure there there was little evidence it even happened by the time patrons returned to the course.The crushed chairs and other debris had been cleaned up, and all that was left were three 10-by-10 foot areas near the 16th green and 17th tee that were roped off. Some wood chips were scattered about where the workers had cut up the pines, and two of the areas were covered with green gravel and another with pine straw.Sergio Garcia teed off at the 17th as he ...

Masters Live Updates | Heavy rain halts play for rest of day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:54 GMT

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Live updates from Saturday’s second and third rounds of the Masters (all times local):3:25 p.m.Play has been halted for the day at the Masters because of nasty weather.A steady rain only got heavier after the third round began shortly before lunchtime, with those making the cut going off in threesomes from both the first and 10th tees.But it became impossible to carry on as large puddles began to form on the pristine greens.The horn sounded about 3:15 p.m. EDT, and Augusta National officials quickly announced that play was suspended for the rest of the day with the forecast showing no signs of improving.So, everyone will return to the course early Sunday to finish off the third round, with Brooks Koepka holding a four-shot lead over Jon Rahm. Then, they’ll jump right into the final round with hopes of completing play before sundown,At least Sunday’s forecast is much more promising, with temperatures expected to climb into the mid-60s and s...

Brothers pointed guns at La Quinta restaurant patrons, including a child: RCSD

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:54 GMT

A pair of Riverside County brothers were arrested Saturday after they allegedly entered a restaurant in La Quinta and pointed guns at the diners, including at least one child.Ramiro Diaz, a 24-year-old Desert Hot Springs resident, and Nicholas Diaz, a 22-year-old Indio resident, entered a restaurant in the 79800 block of Highway 111 on Sunday and "pointed firearms at patrons inside, to include a 3-year-old child," the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said in a news release. The brothers then fled separately, one in a light-colored SUV and another in a dark-colored sedan, authorities said.While no one was injured or physically harmed, the Sheriff's Department arrested the brothers on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and child endangerment. Additionally, Nicholas Diaz will face charges for being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm and violating probation, officials said. Nicholas Diaz was arrested in the 83000 block of Avenue 48 in Coachella, and Ramiro Diaz was arre...

Sierra Nevada couple assaulted, robbed elderly man near Indio: RCSD

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:54 GMT

A couple from Sonora is in Riverside County Sheriff's Department custody after they beat and robbed a 69-year-old man near Indio on Tuesday, officials said. Brooke Prentiss, 36, and Morgan Styre, 27, were arrested Saturday in Holtville after the Imperial County Sheriff's Department recognized their vehicle, took them into custody and turned them over to the RCSD.According to investigators, Prentiss and Styre punched and used a stun gun on the victim in the 84200 block of Indio Springs Parkway a few minutes before 2 a.m., then took his belongings, which were later found in their car in Holtville. The elderly man sustained minor injuries and declined medical treatment at the scene. Prentiss and Styre were booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio on robbery and physical elder abuse charges. In addition, Styre faces a charge of violating parole, which Sgt. Deirdre Vickers said relates to a burglary case from Calaveras County.Anyone with additional information is asked to co...

Full circle: SF Giants sign Darin Ruf to minor league deal, put Roberto Perez on 60-day IL

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:54 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — The Darin Ruf trade is still paying dividends for the Giants.Saturday, the Giants signed Ruf to a minor league contract and will pay him only the league minimum salary after he was released by the Mets on April 2.“We love Darin,” said Giants manager Gabe Kapler. “Obviously, we have a lot of familiarity with him. With (injured outfielders) Mitch Haniger and Austin Slater needing a little time here and no timetable for them to actually go out on rehab assignments at this point, no specific date, it’s a good option for us to have some right-handed hitting depth in Triple-A.”Ruf was a key piece of the Giants’ attack against left-handed pitching from 2020 until last August, when they traded him to the Mets for J.D. Davis and pitching prospects Carson Seymour, Thomas Szapucki and Nick Zwack. Coincidentally, Seymour and Zwack were scheduled to be on the mound for Double-A Richmond in both games of a doubleheader on Saturday.Ruf struggled with the Mets, hitting just .1...

Kurtenbach: A weird Warriors regular season comes down to one last game and a plethora of possibilities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:54 GMT

Klay Thompson was feeling confident Friday night, even after a shaky Warriors victory in a must-win game over the Kings.“I don’t see a team who can beat us in a seven-game series when healthy,” Thompson said.The Warriors’ wing isn’t unjustified in holding that stance. The Warriors have never lost a Western Conference playoff series when the team’s star trio — Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Thompson — are healthy.Heck, they’ve even won a few when they weren’t fully healthy.But that was a different time, and those were different teams.Those past Warriors squads never needed to win game No. 82 of the regular season to make the playoffs.These Warriors do.Related ArticlesGolden State Warriors | Warriors still pushing for playoff spot after 119-97 win in Sacramento Golden State Warriors | Light the beam? Kings have been doing it all season while Warriors remain in hunt for playoff spot Golden State Warriors ...

Hit-and-run collision leads to juvenile DUI arrest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:54 GMT

PETALUMA, Calif. (KRON) – A juvenile was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence after a hit-and-run collision early Friday morning, according to the Petaluma Police Department. Shortly after 1 a.m., officers responded to a collision in the intersection of East Washington Street and South McDowell Boulevard. The party who witnessed the collision and reported it to police said they witnessed a blue pickup truck flee the scene going westbound on East Washington Street, police said. Two separate illegal sideshows reported in East Bay The reporting party followed the pickup truck and observed the driver and passenger switch seats as the truck stopped in the middle of the roadway. The car then traveled toward Kenilworth Drive and drove through East Washington Plaza shopping center, PPD said.The reporting party continued to follow the car as it traveled toward Lindberg Lane and turned into the Gateway Shopping Center to park. Officers located the vehicle and detained two...