Wednesday, 2 July 2014

Tim Howard: 'Modern Jesus'?





  • The 35-year-old goalie made a World Cup-record 16 saves against Belgium

  • Howard is loaded with tattoos

  • He was born in New Jersey to an African-American father and Hungarian mother

  • His coaches say he's one of the best keepers in the world




(CNN) -- The word "epic" gets thrown around a lot these days, but there's no other way to describe what we saw Tuesday.


It was an epic battle. Team USA goalie Tim Howard on one hand. The entire Belgian team on the other.


Facing the relentless onslaught of Belgium's offense, Howard made 16 saves -- setting a World Cup record.





Hail to the goalie, Tim Howard




What's next in the World Cup?




Tim Howard inspires off the field, too

The United States lost the match 2-1 and is out of the tourney, but the nation gained a soccer hero.


Here's what you need to know about the 35-year-old Howard:


He's a devout Christian


Faith is a key part of Howard's life and shapes who he is.


"The most important thing in my life is Christ," Howard said in a 2006 interview with Campus Crusade for Christ. "He's more important to me than winning or losing or whether I'm playing or not. Everything else is just a bonus."


He was born in North Brunswick, New Jersey, to an African-American father and a Hungarian mother.


He is all tatted up


Howard loves his body art.


You want ink, you got it -- chest, abs, biceps, back.


His kids are there on his left pec. Jesus is on the left biceps. You'll find his home state of New Jersey on his belly.


There's a dove, too. A star. Some Roman numerals. The more you look, the more you find.


He is anti-fur


Howard bared his well-sculpted upper body for PETA's "Ink, not mink" campaign.


The pitch? "Fur only looks good on its original owner. Be comfortable in your own skin, and let animals keep theirs."







He lives with Tourette's syndrome


For Howard, it's not a big deal -- just part of his life. But it does come with some misconceptions.


"It's something that I live with every day. For me now in my life, it's like breathing for me. If I woke up and didn't have Tourette's syndrome, it would feel weird -- not better or worse, just different. So I'm very happy and comfortable with it," he said.


Many know it only as the "swearing disease," but only about 10% of people with Tourette's syndrome swear uncontrollably.





Tim Howard shines despite Tourette's




Tim Howard finds new publicity 'amusing'

"You know, we don't all curse," Howard told Yahoo Sports a couple of weeks ago. "I do on the field, unfortunately, to get my point across, but it's not because of my condition."


People with Tourette's syndrome suffer from involuntary tics, which can be either verbal or physical. Physical tics may include jumping or twitching. People with the syndrome describe a tic as being like a sneeze, impossible to hold in without extreme discomfort.


Twitter surrenders to Tourette's syndrome


He once scored a goal


How many goalkeepers can claim this feat?


While playing for Everton, his English Premier League team, Howard booted a ball the length of the pitch, catching the Bolton goalie by surprise.


The crowd and his teammates went nuts, but Howard told The Guardian he felt bad for the opposing keeper.


"You never want to see that happen," he said. "It's not nice, it's embarrassing."


He wasn't really that good when he started out


When Howard began his pro career as a 22-year-old goalkeeper for the New York/New Jersey MetroStars of MLS, he was known as a great athlete who could make great saves. Some reports have even said he could have played basketball in college.


But the 6-foot-3 Howard wasn't particularly good at other things, like distributing the ball after he made a nice stop. It's something he is much, much better at today.


In 2001 he was MLS goalkeeper of the year. And Manchester United, one of the most successful European clubs in history, worked out a transfer deal for him.


Howard spent four years with Manchester United before transferring to Everton.


He is the 'modern Jesus'


Even before the game ended Tuesday, Howard's incredible saves got Twitter in a tizzy.


Comparisons to Jesus abounded. Sample tweet: "Jesus saves, and so does Tim Howard."







Then came the memes of all the things #TimHowardCouldSave: Dinosaurs, the Titanic, Blockbuster from closing.


He is the 'U.S. secretary of defense'


Well, at least he was for a little while on Tuesday, according to Wikipedia.


So impressive was his performance against the Belgians that someone edited the free on-line encyclopedia, pulling Chuck Hagel from the page and inserting Howard.


The folks at Wikipedia caught the vandalism and restored the real secretary of defense to his rightful position.


Someone thinks with a little mentoring Howard might be able to make that Wikipedia change again one day down the road.


At least that's what the Pentagon says Hagel told Howard when he called him on Wednesday.


Hagel phoned the goalkeeper to "thank him for defending the United States of America at the World Cup," Pentagon press secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said.


Hagel also invited the team to drop by the Pentagon next time they are in town.


"He told Howard that with some training, he could someday become the real secretary of defense," Kirby said.







He is one of the best goalies in the world


Don't believe us? Just ask his coaches.


His club coach has said there is no better goalkeeper in the Premier League.


"His belief and understanding of the game and his desire to achieve more is contagious," Roberto Martinez told FIFA.com.


National team coach Jurgen Klinsmann said in May that Howard is one of the top five goalies in the world.


And, if there were any doubters, he silenced them all on Tuesday.







He is coming back in 2018 (or is he?)


This may not be Howard's final World Cup. Plenty of goalies have played in their late 30s and early 40s.


But backup Brad Guzan, who plays at Aston Villa in England, is five years younger.


Howard has yet to say whether he wants to be in the net when the team tries to qualify for Russia, host of the 2018 World Cup.


And he wasn't giving any clues on Wednesday when he talked with CNN's Chris Cuomo.


"Right now, emotions are high and that's never a time to make an important decision," Howard said. "I'll speak to the important people who matter in this process and take my time and figure it out.


"It's a long four years, but also this team is very talented and very young -- and so it's exciting."


Off the field: The men of the U.S. team



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'Breakthrough' stem cell study retracted






In January 2014, researchers announced they had developed a new method of making stem cells -- by placing skin cells in an acidic environment. But the researchers retracted their papers in July 2014, citing "several critical errors" in their study data. Click through the gallery to learn more about stem cell research.In January 2014, researchers announced they had developed a new method of making stem cells -- by placing skin cells in an acidic environment. But the researchers retracted their papers in July 2014, citing "several critical errors" in their study data. Click through the gallery to learn more about stem cell research.

Stem cells have the potential to become many different kinds of cells, and can renew themselves through cell division. Scientists view stem cells as a possible gateway to curing many medical conditions, from Parkinson's disease to diabetes. Stem cells are viewed on computer here at UConn Health Center in 2010.Stem cells have the potential to become many different kinds of cells, and can renew themselves through cell division. Scientists view stem cells as a possible gateway to curing many medical conditions, from Parkinson's disease to diabetes. Stem cells are viewed on computer here at UConn Health Center in 2010.

A closeup of a microscope slide taken in 2000 at the Reproductive Genetics Institute's Chicago laboratory shows transplanted stem cells taken from the umbilical cord blood of a baby named Adam Nash. Adam's sister Molly has a genetic disease called Fanconi Anemia. Their parents wanted to have a child who could be a stem cell donor for Molly. Using in vitro fertilization, doctors created embryos and then tested them for the genetic disease. They chose one that did not have the disorder, which grew into baby Adam. Molly received a stem cell transplant from stem cells from Adam's umbilical cord. Both children are alive today.A closeup of a microscope slide taken in 2000 at the Reproductive Genetics Institute's Chicago laboratory shows transplanted stem cells taken from the umbilical cord blood of a baby named Adam Nash. Adam's sister Molly has a genetic disease called Fanconi Anemia. Their parents wanted to have a child who could be a stem cell donor for Molly. Using in vitro fertilization, doctors created embryos and then tested them for the genetic disease. They chose one that did not have the disorder, which grew into baby Adam. Molly received a stem cell transplant from stem cells from Adam's umbilical cord. Both children are alive today.

In 1998, then-President Bill Clinton requested a National Bioethics Advisory Commission to study the question of stem cell research.In 1998, then-President Bill Clinton requested a National Bioethics Advisory Commission to study the question of stem cell research.

In 2000, The National Institutes of Health issued guidelines for the use of embryonic stem cells in research, specifying that scientists receiving federal funds could use only extra embryos that would otherwise be discarded. President Clinton approved federal funding for stem cell research but Congress did not fund it. Above, a Cell Expansion System which is used to grow cells is seen during the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit in Detroit.In 2000, The National Institutes of Health issued guidelines for the use of embryonic stem cells in research, specifying that scientists receiving federal funds could use only extra embryos that would otherwise be discarded. President Clinton approved federal funding for stem cell research but Congress did not fund it. Above, a Cell Expansion System which is used to grow cells is seen during the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit in Detroit.

In August 2001, then-President George W. Bush announced he would allow federal funding for about 60 existing stem cell lines created before this date. Above, a human stem cell colony, which is no more than 1mm wide and comprises thousands of individual stem cells, grows on mouse embryonic fibroblast in a research laboratory in September 2001.In August 2001, then-President George W. Bush announced he would allow federal funding for about 60 existing stem cell lines created before this date. Above, a human stem cell colony, which is no more than 1mm wide and comprises thousands of individual stem cells, grows on mouse embryonic fibroblast in a research laboratory in September 2001.

In 2005, Connecticut and Illinois designated state funds to support stem cell research in their states. Above, a woman works on stem cells at the University of Connecticut's Stem Cell Institute at the UConn Health Center in August 2010 in Farmington, Connecticut.In 2005, Connecticut and Illinois designated state funds to support stem cell research in their states. Above, a woman works on stem cells at the University of Connecticut's Stem Cell Institute at the UConn Health Center in August 2010 in Farmington, Connecticut.

In March 2009, President Barack Obama signed an executive order that removed restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. His action overturned an order approved by President George W. Bush in August 2001 that barred the National Institutes of Health from funding research on embryonic stem cells beyond using 60 cell lines that existed at that time. Above, Obama signs the order.In March 2009, President Barack Obama signed an executive order that removed restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. His action overturned an order approved by President George W. Bush in August 2001 that barred the National Institutes of Health from funding research on embryonic stem cells beyond using 60 cell lines that existed at that time. Above, Obama signs the order.

In November 2010, William Caldwell, CEO of Advanced Cell Technology, told CNN that the FDA had granted approval for his company to start a clinical trial using cells grown from human embryonic stem cells. The treatment would be for an inherited degenerative eye disease. Above, dozens of packages containing frozen embryonic stem cells remain in liquid nitrogen in a laboratory, at the University of Sao Paulo's human genome research center, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in March 2008.In November 2010, William Caldwell, CEO of Advanced Cell Technology, told CNN that the FDA had granted approval for his company to start a clinical trial using cells grown from human embryonic stem cells. The treatment would be for an inherited degenerative eye disease. Above, dozens of packages containing frozen embryonic stem cells remain in liquid nitrogen in a laboratory, at the University of Sao Paulo's human genome research center, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in March 2008.

In May 2011, stem cell therapy in sports medicine was spotlighted after New York Yankee pitcher Bartolo Colon was revealed to have had fat and bone marrow stem cells injected into his injured elbow and shoulder while in the Dominican Republic. Above, Colon pitches against the Boston Red Sox on in May 2011.In May 2011, stem cell therapy in sports medicine was spotlighted after New York Yankee pitcher Bartolo Colon was revealed to have had fat and bone marrow stem cells injected into his injured elbow and shoulder while in the Dominican Republic. Above, Colon pitches against the Boston Red Sox on in May 2011.

In February 2012, early research published by scientists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Johns Hopkins University showed that a patient's own stem cells can be used to regenerate heart tissue and help undo damage caused by a heart attack. It is the first instance of therapeutic regeneration. Above, fluid is removed from the knee of a patient to collect adult stem cells by at a clinic in Broomfield, Colorado.In February 2012, early research published by scientists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Johns Hopkins University showed that a patient's own stem cells can be used to regenerate heart tissue and help undo damage caused by a heart attack. It is the first instance of therapeutic regeneration. Above, fluid is removed from the knee of a patient to collect adult stem cells by at a clinic in Broomfield, Colorado.

In October 2012, Sir John Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for discovering how to make pluripotent stem cells. They both showed that cells could be reprogrammed after they had already specialized. This changed scientists' understanding of how cells and organisms develop. Above, Sir Gurdon speaks at a press conference after being awarded the Prize.In October 2012, Sir John Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for discovering how to make pluripotent stem cells. They both showed that cells could be reprogrammed after they had already specialized. This changed scientists' understanding of how cells and organisms develop. Above, Sir Gurdon speaks at a press conference after being awarded the Prize.

On May 16, 2013, scientists announced that they had, for the first time, produced embryos using skin cells, and then used the embryos to make stem cell lines. This technique resembles what was used in cloning Dolly the sheep, but the earlier technique could not have led to a fully-cloned human baby. Above, a photo provided by the Oregon Health & Science University shows a stem cell colony produced from human skin cells.On May 16, 2013, scientists announced that they had, for the first time, produced embryos using skin cells, and then used the embryos to make stem cell lines. This technique resembles what was used in cloning Dolly the sheep, but the earlier technique could not have led to a fully-cloned human baby. Above, a photo provided by the Oregon Health & Science University shows a stem cell colony produced from human skin cells.

On August 5, 2013, the world's first stem cell burger was cooked and eaten in London. The brainchild of Maastricht University's Mark Post, the burger was made of 20,000 small strands of meat grown from a cow's muscle cells and took three months to create and cost $330,000 to develop.On August 5, 2013, the world's first stem cell burger was cooked and eaten in London. The brainchild of Maastricht University's Mark Post, the burger was made of 20,000 small strands of meat grown from a cow's muscle cells and took three months to create and cost $330,000 to develop.

In September 2013, scientists announced they had created what they are calling "cerebral organoids" using stem cells. These pea-sized structures are made of human brain tissue, and they can help researchers explore important questions about brain development and disorders that occur during these first stages of life.In September 2013, scientists announced they had created what they are calling "cerebral organoids" using stem cells. These pea-sized structures are made of human brain tissue, and they can help researchers explore important questions about brain development and disorders that occur during these first stages of life.








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  • In January scientists published an easy, inexpensive way to produce stem cells

  • The researchers now say their articles had "several critical errors"

  • Investigators categorized the errors as "misconduct"




(CNN) -- It was hailed as a fast, easy, inexpensive and uncontroversial way to produce stem cells.


Scientists took a skin cell and coaxed it into acting like an embryo, producing embryonic-like stem cells that could theoretically be turned into any cell in the body. What was described as a "breakthrough" is how these cells were coaxed -- by placing them in an acidic bath.


The process was developed primarily by researchers at the Riken Center for Developmental Biology in Japan.





Understanding the stem cell breakthrough




Human cloning: One step closer

But five months after their studies were published in the journal Nature, researchers are retracting the results.





Are stem cells curing 'incurable' boy?

"Several critical errors have been found in our article," they write in their retraction, which the journal published Wednesday.





Tasters: Stem cell burgers a bit 'dry'

An investigation into the studies was started by the Riken Center in February. The institution said its investigators "categorized some of the errors as misconduct."


This is not a complete surprise. One of the co-authors of the study called for a retraction in March, because he questioned some of the data that were used in the experiments, which led to the creation of so-called STAP cells (or stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency cells).


In an editorial accompanying the retraction, Nature said that "errors were found in the figures, parts of the methods descriptions were found to be plagiarized, and early attempts to replicate the work failed."


The investigation found that data supposedly representing different cells and different embryos in the study were actually describing the same cells and the same embryos.


"All co-authors of both papers have finally concluded that they cannot stand behind the papers, and have decided to retract them," according to Nature.



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