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☆ Permanent daylight saving time? Sleep experts vote no—'That idea is terrible for our bodies'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Daylight saving time is when time jumps forward by an hour. And though we "lose" an hour of sleep temporarily, we gain an hour of sunlight until the fall. ET, time went back and we "gained" an hour of sleep, but lost an hour of sunlight. While permanent daylight saving time might sound like the perfect solution, the bill was stalled recently by the House of Representatives — it was unanimously passed by the Senate in March. And the opinions of sleep experts like Shelby Harris, a licensed clinical psychologist and director of sleep health at Sleepopolis, just might have had something to do with the delay.

☆ Emirates plane returns to Athens after U.S. security tip off
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

ATHENS, Nov 10 (Reuters) - An Emirates plane flying to New York from Greece was forced to return to the Athens International Airport after a security alert, police sources said on Thursday. Greek authorities were tipped off by U.S. about a "suspicious" passenger on the plane, according to police sources and local media. Just after 2000 GMT the plane, escorted by two fighter jets, landed back at the Eleftherios Venizelos airport in Athens for security checks, the sources said. Earlier on Thursday, another Emirates flight to Dubai was not allowed to take off from Eleftherios Venizelos and all passengers were thoroughly checked also for security concerns but nothing suspicious was found, police sources added. Reporting by Renee Maltezou and Angeliki Koutantou; Editing by Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Nutrition content is huge on TikTok, but a new study shows trends like #WhatIEatInADay may influence disordered eating behaviors
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Researchers at the University of Vermont analyzed 1,000 TikTok videos under the most popular hashtags related to body image and eating by using search terms like food, nutrition, weight and body image. The study included 10 hashtags with at least one billion or more views. On the list were #WhatIEatInADay and #WeightLoss, which had 3.2 billion views and nearly 10 billion views respectively at the start of the study. Less than 3% of the nutrition-related TikTok videos analyzed by the study's researchers were weight-inclusive. Nearly 44% of the shared videos included content about weight loss; 20.4% portrayed someone's weight transformation.

☆ Covid, flu, RSV: Here are the best masks and masking methods for protection against the 'tripledemic'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

As we get deeper into fall season, experts are warning of a potential 'tripledemic' – the circulation of Covid-19, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), all at the same time. "The KN95 and N95 [masks] have a particulate filtration efficiency of 95% or above," Taubner explains. "Cloth masks [without filters], which don't have a minimum threshold, probably test in the neighborhood of 20% or 30%." But it's important to keep in mind that, depending on where you purchase your KN95 and N95 masks, you could be receiving less protection than you think, he says. When purchasing masks, he suggests: Buying from a reputable companySeeking out companies that are transparent about their supply chain, including listing their manufacturerReferring to the CDC's guidance for masksMasking methods for the most protection

☆ Greece to ban sale of spyware amid wiretapping scandal
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou said the report that the government was behind the spyware surveillance was "unfounded". He said the Greek state had not used or bought any such spyware and added that judicial authorities would investigate the latest report. Greece, he told reporters, will soon submit a bill to parliament banning the sale of spyware. The Documento report was the latest development in a wiretapping scandal that has sparked political uproar in Greece, as the European Union takes a harder look at the use and sale of spyware. A special European parliamentary committee (PEGA) that is investigating the use of Pegasus and similar surveillance spyware concluded a visit to Greece and Cyprus last week.

The recently authorized booster vaccine protects against the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the more recent omicron variants, BA.4 and BA.5. But there's a new batch of so-called "Scrabble" variants circulating globally. But experts still expect the shots to ramp up your immunity against all Covid variants, to some degree. The Scrabble variants are descendants of omicronThe new variants are descendants of omicron, which is a promising initial sign for the boosters. That can "restore a level of immunity and patch up the holes that some of these new Scrabble variants have found," she explains.

☆ ‘Bridget Jones’ author working on 4th film, with plans to adapt book with tragic twist
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

“Bridget Jones’s Diary” author Helen Fielding is working on a fourth film, with plans to adapt her 2013 book “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” into a movie. “Yeah, I’m working on it and I really hope it will happen,” she told Radio Times on Oct. 31. I’d love to see it on the screen.”There are three movie in the series, including 2001 “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” 2004’s “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason” and 2016’s “Bridget Jones’s Baby.”The first two movies were adapted from a Fielding book, while “Bridget Jones’s Baby” was not. “Bridget Jones: The Menopause,” Zellweger joked on “The Talk” in 2019 when asked if she’d be into another movie and what her character would be doing. “No, I know Helen’s (Fielding) written the book, and I love this character.

☆ 50% of voters say the overturning of Roe v. Wade makes them more eager to vote in this year’s midterm election
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

It's crunch time for the midterm election season and a recent survey shows that major rulings in the Supreme Court, like the overturning of Roe v. Wade, will have an impact on if and how Americans vote this November. In fact, half of voters polled by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) say that the Supreme Court's ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade back on June 24, is motivating them to get out and vote on Nov. 8. Eagerness to vote based on the issue of abortion and reproductive rights has increased to 50%, over the past few months – which is up from 43% in July, shortly after the court's ruling, and 37% in May after the draft opinion was leaked. The most recent KFF survey was conducted online and by telephone in September, and 1,282 U.S. adults between the ages of 18 and 49 were reached. Individuals were randomly chosen to participate through an automated system that pulled different addresses and telephone numbers from a database.

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’Even before making its way to theaters, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” — the long-awaited sequel to the 2018 film starring Chadwick Boseman — has birthed some of this fall’s biggest pop culture moments, including a Rihanna song drop. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” opens in U.S. theaters Nov. 11. “The Inspection” opens in U.S. theaters Nov. 18. “Bones and All” opens in U.S. theaters Nov. 23. “Strange World” opens in U.S. theaters Nov. 23.

☆ Here's how often you should change your toothbrush—and what can happen if you don't, according to a dentist at UCLA
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Oral hygiene is so much more important than most people realize, says Michelle Kelman, lecturer at UCLA School of Dentistry and an advisor at Flossy.com. "You have to remember that oral medicine is a part of medicine, and that's something that's forgotten. And though changing your toothbrush isn't the biggest puzzle piece for stellar oral health, there can be consequences for keeping the same toothbrush for too long. Here's everything you need to know about when you should swap out your toothbrush and why. Plus, other oral hygiene tips from Kelman.

☆ Haunted houses and scary movies may actually help reduce stress, lower anxiety. Here's how to have the best experience this Halloween
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

The fear you overcome from walking through haunted houses and watching classic Michael Myers movies this Halloween could help to lower your stress levels overall. When done right, a horror movie marathon can even alleviate some of the anxiety you experience on a daily basis, according to Michelle Cutler, an associate professor of clinical psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. "There's actually a neurobiological response that comes when we do something that's scary, especially if it's done in a community with other people and if we're able to get through it," Cutler says. "We get a rush of adrenaline, endorphins and dopamine, and that actually translates into feelings of euphoria and satisfaction or even empowerment once that fear subsides." To trigger this response, you'll need to be intentional and set up your environment for the best experience.

☆ These dads drove over 57 hours, livestreamed the cross-country trip on YouTube and raised $156,000 for their kids’ rare genetic disease
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

That's how long it took three dads to drive across the country to raise money for their sons' rare genetic disease. The three men drove from New York to California, starting at the Red Ball Garage in NYC and ending at The Portofino Hotel & Marina in Redondo Beach. Along the way, they were able to raise $156,000 in donations to help fund research for SYNGAP1-related non-syndromic intellectual disability, more commonly referred to as SYNGAP1. All donations go to the SynGAP Research Fund, a volunteer-based nonprofit organization that raises money for the illness. "Inviting other SYNGAP dads who are also fundraising for the kids just made the most sense," Stelmaszek adds.

☆ Here's why you should focus on frequency and speed to get the most benefit out of your 10,000 steps a day
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Number of steps: Aim for 9,800 - 10,000 a dayFor every 2,000 steps, risk of heart disease, cancer and premature death decreases by 10%, peaking at 10,000 steps each day, the research shows. Additionally, a little under 10,000 steps a day (9,800) can drop risk of dementia by 50%. And "adults who took 8,000 or more steps a day had a reduced risk of death over the following decade than those who only walked 4,000 steps a day," according to the National Institute of Health. At 112 steps per minute, individuals were able to lower their reduction risk of the condition by 38%. The individuals included in the study did not have cardiovascular disease, cancer or dementia when the research first began.

☆ Her Home Destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, She Found Her ‘Zen’ 150 Miles Away
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Seth Schwartz | Photographs Jacqueline Marque For The Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

After a grueling two decades of personal hardships and natural disasters, Renee Brown finally found a peaceful haven for her small family. Now on a large, old estate she bought 150 miles from her native New Orleans, she is expanding her business developing natural products and reconnecting with her family’s history. Ms. Brown, 43, started by adding to the large and varied garden left by the previous owner. A portion of her 2 acres is filled with trees, including more than a dozen citrus, plus olive, peach, pear, cherry, kumquat, papaya and guava. She also planted eggplant, tomatoes, beans and herbs, and her favorite flowers—orchids.

Pappas, 27, an aspiring actress, says it is not the dividend young people hoped for after a ravaging debt crisis and a decade of austerity. He attributes the surge in rents mainly to "an overly depressed market during the (debt) crisis." Loan-to-values on mortgages have dropped to 70-75%, from more than 100% before the debt crisis. Banks' caution underpins financial stability but could also keep young working people off the property ladder for decades. Officials expect about 10,000 young couples aged 25-39 will benefit from the programme offering 1% interest on loans up to 150,000 euros.

☆ This journalist and author of 'The Dry Challenge' participated in Sober October 4 times. Here’s how it benefitted her sleep, overall health
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Not only do participants experience the general clarity that comes with being sober, but many also see some physical and mental health benefits as well. While this might be the first dry fall season for some, it's not for Hilary Sheinbaum who has committed to Sober October four times. She always participates in Dry January, will sometimes practice Sober October, or will choose whichever month feels right to her. With countless sober months under her belt, Sheinbaum says she's experienced benefits like better sleep and clearer skin. Here's how Sheinbaum says a month (or two) of no drinking every year has affected her health.

☆ Doctors decry 'record profits' for fossil fuel companies as climate change weighs on global health
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Evan Bush | Evan Bush Is A Science Reporter For Nbc News. He Can Be Reached At Evan.Bush Nbcuni.Com. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

The report’s theme reflects a growing frustration and helplessness expressed by medical professionals left to deal with the impacts of climate change as world leaders struggle to address the root cause. The annual report catalogs the health impacts of change worldwide and a separate policy brief outlines impacts in the U.S. Tiny particles released into the air as pollution during fossil fuel use were responsible for 1.2 million deaths in 2020. Climate change is taking a toll on mental health. The report notes growth in renewable energy investment, increasing media coverage of climate change and growing engagement from government leaders on health-centered climate policies.

☆ How concerned should you be about Covid-19 ‘Scrabble' variants? Here's what we know so far
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Though BA.5 still accounts for most U.S. Covid-19 cases, percentages are rising for the other omicron variants circulating throughout the country, per the CDC. "The ones that are particularly concerning are BQ.1 and another related one called BQ.1.1. Internationally, another concerning variant, XBB, which first emerged in Singapore and hasn't been detected in the U.S., is being closely watched worldwide as it spreads quickly in other countries. The new variants were coined the "Scrabble" variants by Peter Hotez, co-director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children's Hospital, during an interview with the Houston Chronicle. The nickname refers to the letters that are used to define the variants like B, X and Q, which would rack up many points in a game of Scrabble.

☆ Pinterest, Headspace offer free mental health resources to content creators: 'We wanted to inspire the people who do the inspiring'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Not a second goes by that I'm not thinking about making content," said @jaegurley in a TikTok video from early this year. "I don't watch sunsets or have genuine moments with my friends without being like 'Oh guys, can we do that again? With the pressure that content creators often feel in mind, Pinterest announced a partnership with Headspace, an app that provides mental health resources, to offer free access to Headspace's offerings for its influencers. The initiative, timed around World Mental Health Day, allows creators on Pinterest to sign up for a free 6-month subscription on Headspace. "We really wanted to inspire the people who do the inspiring and provide them with the tools and offerings to really help them with their mental health and wellbeing," Ducard says.

☆ I chemically straightened my hair for 7 years. Now there’s a link between ‘relaxers’ and higher risk of uterine cancer in Black women like me
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

I found out only recently that those models didn't actually have the relaxed hair themselves. My hair is thick and coarse, so at the time, I assumed the chemical straightening cream had to stay in my hair for a longer length of time to really get the kinks and curls straighter. — I pushed through and held out just a little bit longer to make sure it would really work. That belief was reaffirmed for me that Monday when I walked into school and people responded well to the length and straightness of my hair. My mom, myself, our friends and family had never given any thought to how the application of these chemicals on our hair and scalp might be affecting our physical health.

A voter casts their ballot in the Pennsylvania primary elections at Congregation Beth Or in Ambler, Pennsylvania, U.S. May 17, 2022. The alleged security breach came to light last month when Fulton County sued election equipment maker Dominion Voting Systems, citing purported security flaws discovered in Speckin's analysis of six hard drives from the machines. In a Pennsylvania Supreme Court filing on Tuesday, lawyers for the Secretary of the Commonwealth had asked the court to hold Fulton County officials, including Republican Commissioners Stuart Ulsh and Randy Bunch, in civil contempt for the breach. The lawyers said county officials "openly thumbed their noses at a clear and direct order of this Court" by allowing Speckin, a Michigan-based company, access to the machines. Stefanie Lambert, a Detroit-based attorney representing the county, did not immediately respond to a query about the special master appointment.

☆ These 5 everyday activities can help reduce risk of chronic health conditions like diabetes if you do them more often
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Nearly 500 million people worldwide will develop severe conditions like heart disease and diabetes by 2030 if they don't increase their physical activity, according to a new study conducted by the World Health Organization. Lack of movement costs the world $27 billion a year, researchers discovered, which would be $300 billion in total by 2030. NCDs like diabetes and heart conditions are greatly impacted by physical activity, the organization notes. Yet, only 30% of over 170 countries analyzed have national physical activity guidelines for all age groups, according to WHO's global status report on physical activity. Thankfully, there are simple and safe ways to incorporate physical activity — or increase the amount of what you're already doing — into your already busy lives.

☆ Can one-star Amazon reviews for Yankee Candles actually predict the next Covid surge?
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Initial claims about a link between Yankee Candle reviews on Amazon and a rise in cases of Covid were posted on Twitter and later explored on the platform during the Omicron surge in December 2021. Twitter user @drewtoothpaste took screen grabs of one-star reviews of Yankee candles that were all made within a week of each other. "The reviews were leading, and the Covid cases were lagging. In Beauchamp's paper, he analyzed nearly 10,000 Amazon reviews and was able to determine that negative reviews weren't linked to specific seasons where Covid cases typically rise and fall — like winter and summer. Another consideration was the link between negative scented product reviews and cases of the flu, and there wasn't a correlation there, he notes.

☆ Kevin McCarthy says it's 'not God's plan for me to be speaker' if Republicans win the House in November but reject his leadership bid: report
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Kevin McCarthy's mission in life is to become speaker of the House. Regaining control of the chamber this fall would help him stake a claim for the leadership gavel. If GOP colleagues still deny him the speaker post next year, McCarthy says it wasn't meant to be, he told Punchbowl News. If dissatisfied colleagues still deny him the gavel after that, it's clearly "not God's plan for me to be speaker," the California Republican told Punchbowl News of the prospective political gut punch. "If I'm not going to be acceptable to the body having that scenario this time, no one's acceptable," McCarthy estimated.

Paris CNN —Some 28.5% – nearly one third – of gas stations in mainland France are out of stock of at least one fuel, French Energy Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher told journalists Friday. A source from the office of the French prime minister on Friday blamed the long lines and exhausted stocks at French gas stations this week on panic buying, rather than just supply problems. This is despite gas companies providing between a 30% and 50% increase in supply of gas to pumps this week, compared to a normal week, the source said. Earlier this week, the French government ordered staff at an ExxonMobil refinery in Normandy to return to work, a highly unusual step. Meanwhile, on Friday, French energy giant TotalEnergies struck a deal with two French trade unions, CFE-CGC and the CFDT, to increase salaries for 2023.

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