The Daily Populous

Friday December 31st, 2021 evening edition

image for Thousands of coma patients may be conscious but we’re ignoring them, says pioneering neuroscientist

She survived, but suffered a massive brain injury, which left her in a vegetative state with little hope of meaningful recovery.

The vegetative state is often described as ‘wakefulness without awareness’.

These patients open their eyes and will often have sleeping and waking cycles, although they remain non-responsive to any form of external prompting or stimulation.

They are both ‘there’ and ‘not there’, lingering in the indeterminate space between life and death.

For decades, it was assumed that such patients lack any awareness, including who they are, where they are, and the predicament they are in.

Yet we now know that many of these patients have been completely conscious all along.

This article first appeared in issue 370 of BBC Science Focus Magazine – find out how to subscribe here. »

Colorado governor pardons 1,351 Coloradans convicted of marijuana possession

Authored by denverpost.com

Polis previously pardoned those convicted of possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, but lawmakers in 2021 raised the legal possession limit of marijuana from one to two ounces.

Those receiving the pardons did not need to apply and do not need to act further to clear their criminal record.

“Adults can legally possess marijuana in Colorado, just as they can beer or wine,” Polis said in a news release announcing the pardons. »

Russia’s Aggression Against Ukraine Is Backfiring

Authored by theatlantic.com

Yet a recent report concludes that despite its massive deployment and threatening rhetoric, Russia is not planning to invade Ukraine.

Even without an invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s military moves pose serious threats to America’s allies, including the Baltic states.

In an effort to de-escalate the crisis Putin created, the Biden administration has ruled out deploying American forces to defend Ukraine. »

Pa. Supreme Court says warrantless searches not justified by cannabis smell alone

Authored by pghcitypaper.com
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On Dec. 29, Pennsylvania's highest court confirmed a decision by a trial court that said the smell of cannabis cannot be the sole basis of a warrantless search by police officers.

Medical cannabis is legal in Pennsylvania, but not recreational This search by police was deemed unconstitutional by a trial court based it was solely on the smell of cannabis.

The evidence the police procured could not be used in the trial and the small amount of cannabis charge was dismissed. »

Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine Covid-19 Vaccine Technology Secures Emergency Use Authorization in India

Authored by texaschildrens.org

The initial construct and production process of the vaccine antigen was developed at Texas Children’s Hospital CVD, led by co-directors Drs.

Maria Elena Bottazzi and Peter Hotez and in-licensed from BCM Ventures, Baylor College of Medicine’s integrated commercialization team, to Hyderabad-based vaccine and pharmaceutical company Biological E. Limited (BE).

CORBEVAX™ after completing two Phase III clinical trials involving more than 3000 subjects was found to be safe, well tolerated and immunogenic:. »