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☆ Older dogs who sleep badly may have dementia, study says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

During his snooze, the study team will analyze Woofus’ brain waves to judge the quality of his sleep. John Joyner/NC State Veterinary MedicineTraining the dogs to accept EEGTo find out whether sleep problems in dogs indicate early signs of dementia as they do in people, Olby and her team turned to a group of senior dogs enrolled in an ongoing study testing antiaging supplements. John Joyner/NC State Veterinary MedicineFor the new study measuring a dog’s brain waves during sleep, researchers used a form of electroencephalogram called polysomnography, used in sleep clinics to diagnose sleep problems in people. Jake, a 13-year-old pointer, was one of 28 dogs trained to sleep with EEG electrodes. When sleeping brain waves were compared with a dog’s cognitive testing, researchers found that dogs with greater dementia spent less time in deep and REM sleep, just as people do.

☆ How a deadly bat virus found new ways to infect people
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +16 min

Scientists found bats with Nipah virus roosting near Sabith’s home. A search of the neighborhood led to a colony, near their house, of flying foxes, a common fruit bat. NETTING NIPAH: Researchers in Bangladesh use nets to catch bats and collect samples to find the Nipah virus in the wild. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir HossainWhether Sabith ate contaminated fruit or somehow came into direct contact with a bat, the virus entered his cells. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir HossainA year later, Chua’s team found the same strain of Nipah virus in flying foxes.

☆ Black taxpayers more likely to face audits, IRS confirms
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The IRS on Monday said that Black taxpayers are significantly more likely to face an IRS audit, confirming recent findings. IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel said the agency is weighing changes to address the disparity. A study released in January by economists at Stanford University, the University of Michigan, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the University of Chicago found the IRS audits Black taxpayers about three to five times more than other Americans. Specifically, he vowed to examine algorithms for audits of filers claiming the earned income tax credit, or EITC, a tax break to low- to moderate-income workers. Werfel added: "I will stay laser-focused on this to ensure that we identify and implement changes prior to next tax filing season."

☆ Meet 11 women who were promoted to partner or higher in Europe's male-dominated VC industry in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Riddhi Kanetkar | Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Women held just 13.5% of general partner roles in Europe's VC industry last year, per Atomico. Europe's venture capital ecosystem has long boasted a dire track record when it comes to diversity. The lack of representation in top-level positions has a trickle-down effect with female-founded startups securing a meager 1.1% of VC funding in 2022. VC firms can widen "the candidate pool, require diverse shortlists, and interview candidates with competency-based assessment techniques," she said. This year, we have spotlighted 11 contenders who have landed top roles at European VC firms.

☆ We may never know where the COVID pandemic originated
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

LONDONIt’s the enduring mystery of the COVID-19 pandemic: Where did the virus come from? They also mostly agree that many of the earliest known infections and deaths clustered around a wildlife market in Wuhan, China. Others suspect the pathogen somehow leaked from a Wuhan laboratory, 27 km from the market, where researchers study bat viruses. One concentration of jump zones includes a region of mountains and lakes about 175 km southeast of the Wuhan market. In late 2002, the SARS-CoV-1 virus emerged in Guangdong province, in southern China, and became the SARS pandemic of 2003.

☆ Does British tourism really need the royal family?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Ross Bennett-Cook | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Love them or loathe them, the royal family are up there with red telephone boxes and scones when it comes to images of Britishness. The royal family does bring tourism to the UK. But if the royal family were to disappear, would the UK’s tourism industry suddenly implode? And while the international perception of Britain is certainly intertwined with the royal family, this does not tell us whether a reigning royal family is necessary for tourism. After all, the history surrounding the monarchy and places associated with them would still be here even if the royal family was not.

☆ Blue-collar workers could save the US from recession as the tech industry withers
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | Andy Kiersz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

After a pandemic-era tech jobs boom — and now bust — more and more Americans are returning to blue-collar work for better pay and more security. As AI stands poised to potentially remake white-collar work, blue-collar work may emerge even more resilient. The Biden administration has been devoted to turning that around, pouring billions into projects devoted to bringing manufacturing jobs back stateside. And another key to the puzzle is treating blue-collar work with respect, like any other work — including high-paying tech jobs. Are you thinking of taking the plunge into blue-collar work, or have you already?

☆ American car culture is changing thanks to younger generations. But Gen Z and Millennials see vehicle ownership much differently.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The forward-thinking youths are at it again: This time, they're changing the car culture embedded in American society. Statistics from the Federal Highway Administration show that in 2021, 68% of 19-year-olds had a driver's license. "The turn away from cars is a little like the turn away from marriage and having children," Knowles writes. Throughout his book, Knowles writes that suburban sprawl, and the prevalence of cars, go hand in hand. Getting people, including younger generations, to envision a world with fewer cars is key, Knowles told Insider.

☆ My dog sensed all 4 of my pregnancies before I did. Vets say this is not uncommon.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Kate Watson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

When my dog started behaving protective around me, I wondered what was going on. Winston started choosing me to cuddle with, hopping on to our couch and sitting on my feet to keep them warm. When this dog started jumping on another colleague's lap and settling in for long snuggles, its owner had a strong hunch about why. How to help prepare your dog for your new babyYour dog may or may not be aware of an impending arrival. She also tells dog owners to be mindful that an owner's pregnancy can be a stressful time for dogs and that they may require extra attention and care whenever you can give it.

☆ Scientists updated the human genome to make it more inclusive
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Scientists have pieced together a new draft of the human genome that better captures humanity’s genetic diversity. The scientists involved say it will improve our ability to diagnose disease, discover new drugs and understand the genetic variants that lead to ill health or a particular physical trait. The pangenome, a digital amalgamation of sequences that can be used to compare, construct and study other human genome sequences, is still a draft. The first draft of the human genome was released in 2001 and was only fully completed in 2022. The new pangenome reference is an amalgamation of different genomes from 47 people with ancestry from around the world.

☆ Why buzzy weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy cost so much more in the US
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Trendy weight-loss drugs cost much more in the US than in other countries. The price of semaglutide, the drug sold as Wegovy, was three times higher in the US than in the UK. If you're searching for affordable weight-loss drugs, you may be better off looking outside of the US. New weight-loss drugs are unaffordableGetty ImagesWegovy and Ozempic are part of a class of weight-loss drugs known as GLP-1 agonists that have soared in popularity in recent months. Drug prices are highest in the USThe variation in prices for weight-loss drugs across the world is striking.

☆ Managers who use AI will replace managers who don't, says an IBM exec
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Managers who use AI will replace those who don't, Rob Thomas, an IBM exec, said during a press event. Last week, IBM announced the firm will pause hiring on roles that can be replaced by AI. Cutting-edge AI tools like ChatGPT isn't quite ready to replace managers — but those who don't learn how to use AI may be at-risk of losing their jobs. "AI may not replace managers, but the managers that use AI will replace the managers that do not," Rob Thomas, chief commercial officer at IBM, said during a recent press conference, TechCrunch reported. Thomas's thoughts on AI come a week after IBM announced it would pause hiring on jobs that could be replaced by AI.

☆ Opinion: Happiness is a trap. Here’s what to pursue instead
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Opinion Monica C. Parker | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Monica C. Parker Elena RossiniBetween chief happiness officers, the Happy Planet Index, Gross National Happiness, and the World Happiness Report (Finland scored the highest again this year), it seems as though happiness has some good PR. This one is: What if we’re so fixated on happiness that we’ve failed to question whether happiness is what we should be pursuing? We resist negative emotions such as sadness or fear at our peril. Even better than embracing your negative emotions is embracing both positive and negative emotions at the same time. Wonder makes us less stressed and feel like we have more time.

☆ Why the regional bank crisis could help fuel a shift to active ETFs
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Jesse Pound | In Jesse-Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Vanguard Small-Cap Index ETF (VB) is down 10% over the past three months, and the SPDR S & P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) has plunged 40%. VB 3M mountain Passive small-cap funds like VB have been hurt by the regional banking crisis. "Of the 130+ passively managed small-cap ETFs, the average Financials sector exposure is 16%. Small-cap funds is one category where active funds should have plenty of room to grow, Sohn said. Research shows that very few active managers can consistently beat index funds, and the index funds are almost always cheaper for investors by expense ratio.

☆ These states might be the next to legalize weed
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Stefan Sykes | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

The state became the 22nd to legalize recreational marijuana and follows Missouri and Maryland, which did so earlier this year. Some states are even moving ahead with proposals or ballot measures to legalize weed, putting them within arms' reach of having recreational markets. These are the states that have a chance to legalize adult-use marijuana in the coming years. OhioOhio may vote on whether to legalize recreational marijuana in November. Haren said the proposal also plans to build upon Ohio's medical marijuana program and issue additional adult use licenses to new companies.

☆ Harvard-trained psychologist shares 3 signs you're addicted to stress: 'It's a lot more common than you think'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Morgan Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Stress, even with the myriad of negatives it brings, can be addicting. Stress can cause a natural high by activating the arousal and attention centers in our nervous system, which, if prolonged, can be "as addictive as drugs," Hanna warns. In other words, your chronically stressed-out brain could be dependent on those small, euphoric hits of dopamine, says Debbie Sorensen, a Harvard-trained psychologist who specializes in burnout. But glorifying being busy all the time, both inside and outside of work, can be dangerous, making chronic stress and burnout all more likely. Research has shown that chronic stress, if unchecked, can cause high blood pressure, IBS, acne, and other health issues.

☆ 'Godfather of AI' says the technology could pose a 'more urgent' threat to humankind than climate change
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Artificial intelligence could present a more urgent danger to the world than climate change, Geoffrey Hinton said. The "Godfather of AI" recently quit Google so he could speak openly about the threat posed by the tech. The "Godfather of AI" who recently quit Google to raise awareness about the dangers of artificial intelligence has said the threat the tech poses to the world could be more urgent than climate change. I wouldn't like to say, 'You shouldn't worry about climate change.' "With climate change, it's very easy to recommend what you should do: you just stop burning carbon.

☆ The trendiest thing that adds value to your home – and livens up your summer BBQ: a pizza oven
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Pizza ovens tend to add more value to a home than they cost, with pricier models reaching $11,000. According to the report , having a pizza oven in your listing description can score you extra dough at selling time. Courtesy of the WatanabesThe desire for pizza, and pizza ovens at home, is only growing. Why pizza oven popularity is panning outKristi Jenkins, a Seattle-area broker for The Agency, showed her clients a $3.4 million home in Fall City, Washington — a 30-minute drive east of Seattle — with a large outdoor living space equipped with a Forno Bravo pizza oven. Douglas Elliman RealtyBianculli's pizza oven is a part of his kitchen and is connected to one of six fireplaces in the house.

This is an important moment not to cede leadership in any emerging technologies," Panchanathan said. The NSF is a federal agency that funds a big portion of science and engineering, including research at universities. TIP is the agency's first new directorate in more than 30 years and would help identify research, a lot of it already funded by the NSF, that can become technology products, he said. The directorate would help build up an ecosystem of academics, corporates, venture capitalists, and others to help researchers and startups get off the ground. Panchanathan and Khanna met nearly two dozen venture capitalists, startup CEOs, and some big tech firm executives in Santa Clara, California to discuss the CHIPS and Science Act.

☆ White House Unveils Initiatives to Reduce Risks of A.I.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( David Mccabe | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The White House on Thursday announced its first new initiatives aimed at taming the risks of artificial intelligence since a boom in A.I.-powered chatbots has prompted growing calls to regulate the technology. The National Science Foundation plans to spend $140 million on new research centers devoted to A.I., White House officials said. The administration also pledged to release draft guidelines for government agencies to ensure that their use of A.I. A senior administration official said on Wednesday that the White House planned to impress upon the companies that they had a responsibility to address the risks of new A.I. developments.The White House has been under growing pressure to police A.I.

☆ Harvard-trained doctor shares 10 signs you're not getting enough sleep: 'Each person is different'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Amy Shah | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Even on weekends, I naturally wake up at the same time. Research shows that people who smoke or vape often sleep for a shorter amount of time, with irregular sleep patterns. Cool temperatures of 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit are close to our own internal body temperature (which drops to its lowest level when we sleep) are the best for sleeping. By energizing your body, exercise raises your core body temperature, which is the opposite of what you want to have happen before going to sleep. Your body temperature naturally lowers in the evening, a signal to your brain that it's time to snooze.

☆ Instant View: Fed hikes another 25 basis points, hints it may be the last increase
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

TOM GARRETSON, STRATEGIST, RBC PORTFOLIO ADVISORY GROUP, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA"It was a pretty dovish rate hike today. The expectations were that it might be a bit more of a hawkish rate hike in terms of leaving the door open to further hikes if needed." "The updated language in the policy statement does suggest the bar is going to be quite high for further rate hikes. … The market is hoping or expecting the Fed to pause after this rate hike. From a consumer credit perspective, the impact of further rate hikes will likely continue to be felt by borrowers across a range of industries.

☆ A New Breast Pumping Law Has Gone Into Effect. Here’s What It Means.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Alisha Haridasani Gupta | Catherine Pearson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Last week, expanded protections for nursing mothers, officially known as the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act, or PUMP Act, went into full effect, giving more workers the right to break time and a private space to pump. Building on a 2010 law, which compelled employers to provide breastfeeding accommodations, the PUMP Act was introduced in Congress in 2021. Support grew last summer amid the baby formula shortage and after the American Academy of Pediatrics issued new guidelines that support breastfeeding for two years or more. “Part of the reason for that is that if you’re not emptying your breasts regularly, your milk supply goes down. And if your milk supply goes down, gradually, breastfeeding ceases.”

☆ Column: Inflation and the markets take a bite out of retirement confidence
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Mark Miller | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

But persistent inflation and last year’s sharp stock market decline have shaken the confidence of American workers and retirees about their retirement prospects in a way not seen since 2008. That is the key finding of the 2023 Retirement Confidence Survey - the longest-running survey of its kind measuring worker and retiree confidence. But inflation affects everyone, and it is a constant risk factor in retirement plans - even when it is not making headlines. For starters, most retirees depend on Social Security for a substantial portion of retirement income - and it comes with built-in inflation protection. This year, the COLA was a whopping 8.7%, the largest inflation adjustment in four decades.

☆ Premarket stocks: Why a US recession is probably coming
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

That would catapult the United States into recession during the second half of 2023 (Europe and the UK will feel it even earlier). It’s possible that the economy sees disinflation in a way that it hasn’t in previous cycles.”Has the gig economy peaked? So is the height of the gig economy behind us? “It hasn’t changed anything about the odds of a recession,” the chief executive said in response to a question from CNN during a press call. “Down the road, rates going way up, real estate, recession — that’s a whole different issue.

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