Part 2 - South Asian Daily

Porsche 718 Boxster, 718
Cayman: highlight history
of distinguished sports cars
OTTAWA - The 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman - these will be the new
names of the two-door mid-engine sports cars from Porsche effective with the 2016 model changeover. Both are showing more similarities - both visual and technical. In the future, both will have equally
powerful four-cylinder flat engines with turbocharging. The Roadster
will be positioned at a higher price level than the Coupé - as is done
for the 911 models. Porsche will introduce the 718 Boxster and 718
Cayman over the course of 2016.
The 718 model series is a continuation of the proven four-cylinder
concept and the history of distinguished Porsche spor ts cars. The
latest example is the 919 Hybrid LMP1 race car which also has a
highly-efficient, turbocharged four-cylinder engine with just two litres
of displacement. So, not only did Porsche finish first and second in
the 24 hours of Le Mans, but most recently it also won the
manufacturer's and driver's championship titles in the WEC World
Endurance Championship.
History of the 718
Four-cylinder flat engines have a long tradition at Porsche - and they
have enjoyed incredible success. In the late 1950s, the 718 - a successor to the legendary Porsche 550 Spyder - represented the highest configuration level of the four-cylinder flat engine. Whether it was
competing at the 12-hour race in Sebring in 1960 or at the European
Hill Climb Championship that ran between 1958 and 1961, the Porsche
718 prevailed against numerous competitors with its powerful and
efficient four-cylinder flat engine. The 718 took first place three times
between 1959 and 1960 at the legendary Italian Targa Florio race in
Sicily. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans race 1958, the 718 RSK with its
142-hp four-cylinder engine scored a class victory.
The new model series is named after the 718
In 2014, Porsche returned to the top category of the famous endurance race. The LMP1 vehicle, which was designed for extreme efficiency, is the most complex race car that Porsche has ever built. It
serves as a platform for fundamental technology research for future
production models - combining two different energy recovery systems with a two-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine.
ANIL KAPOOR AND JACQUELINE FERNANDEZ DURING ANIL KAPOOR'S 59TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION PARTY HOSTED BY CHAIRMAN
CHANNEL 2 GROUP AJAY SETHI IN DUBAI (IANS).
2015 RECORD YEAR FOR HOME SALES IN
GTA, PRICES UP 9.2% COMPARED TO 2014
TORONTO - The second best sales result on record for
December capped off a record year for TREB MLS® home
sales in the GTA. Toronto Real Estate Board President Mark
McLean announced that there were 4,945 sales repor ted in
December bringing the 2015 calendar year total to 101,299 - a
substantial 9.2 per cent increase compared to 2014 as a
whole. Strong annual sales increases were experienced for all
major home types last year.
"Home ownership is a quality long-term investment that
families can live in while the value increases over time. A
relatively strong regional economy in the GTA coupled with
low borrowing costs kept a record number of households first-time buyers and existing homeowners alike - confident in
their ability to purchase and pay for a home over the long
term," said Mr. McLean. "If the market had benefitted from
more listings, the 2015 sales total would have been greater.
ADITI RAO HYDARI
As it stands, we begin 2016 with a substantial amount of pentup demand," continued Mr. McLean.
The average selling price for 2015 as a whole was $622,217 up 9.8 per cent compared to $566,624 in 2014. The MLS® HPI
Composite Benchmark Price was up by a similar annual rate of
10 per cent in December. GTA home price growth was driven by
the low-rise segments of the market, but condominium apar tment price growth was generally well-above the rate of inflation
as well through 2015.
"TREB will release its official 2016 outlook later in January, but
suffice to say that the demand for ownership housing is expected to remain ver y strong in 2016. Despite stricter mor tgage
lending guidelines and the possibility of slightly higher borrowing costs, on average, there will be many buyers who remain
upbeat on the purchase of ownership housing," said Jason
Mercer, TREB's Director of Market Analysis.
SONAM KAPOOR
RAVEENA TONDON
SANA KHAN
FOR BEST DEALS AND INFORMATION SEE PAGE 36
SONAKSHI SINHA
PICS: IANS
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Drinking during pregnancy can
give your baby 400 disease
MAX BUPA CEO - ASHISH MEHROTRA WITH AKSHAY KUMAR AND NIMRAT KAUR TAKING A SELFIE WITH PARTICIPANTS AT MAX
BUPA WALK FOR HEALTH IN MUMBAI (IANS).
AKSHAY, NIMRAT ENCOURAGE
PEOPLE TO 'WALK FOR HEALTH'
MUMBAI, (IANS) Actors Akshay Kumar and Nimrat Kaur flagged off
the four th edition of Max Bupa Walk for Health here on Sunday. The
initiative has been inspiring thousands of families to walk more to
enhance their overall health and well-being.
Extending suppor t to the initiative, Akshay said in a statement:
"Walking is an intrinsic par t of my fitness regime. I strongly believe
that walking is a great way to stay fit and encourage everyone to
star t walking, since it is one of the easiest and most effective ways
to get healthier.
"I urge the whole of India to pledge to walk and take a step towards
good health." Nimrat also shared a similar view. "Regular walking
should be practised by all ages as it not only keeps you fit and
energised but also makes you look fabulous and in-shape all the
time. I'm a walking enthusiast and go for a regular morning walk to
the beach. "Walking is a great way for women to stay fit and I
encourage everyone to star t walking as it is the easiest and the
best way to get healthy," she said.
In an attempt to encourage the entire nation to walk more and
discover the multiple benefits of walking, Max Bupa Walk for Health
this year has transformed into a 33-day walking event which will
touch upon 15 cities including Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Ahmedabad
and Jaipur, and will conclude in Delhi on February 14.
WAGE GAP LINKED TO GREATER
DEPRESSION AMONG WOMEN
NEW YORK, (IANS) Women who earn less than their male
counterpar ts despite having equivalent education and workexperience are more likely to suffer from depression and
anxiety disorder as compared to men, says a study. "Our
results show that some of the gender disparities in depression
and anxiety may be due to the effects of structural gender
inequality in the workforce and beyond," said lead author
Jonathan Platt from Columbia University in the US.
"The social processes that sor t women into cer tain jobs,
compensate them less than equivalent male counterpar ts, and
create gender disparities in domestic labour have material and
psychosocial consequences," Platt added. The researchers
found that among women whose income was lower than their
male counterpar ts, the odds of major depression were nearly
2.5 times higher than men; but among women whose income
equaled or exceeded their male counterparts, their odds of depression
were no different than men.
Where women's incomes were lower than their male counterparts,
their odds of anxiety disorder were more than four times higher. The
findings are based on data from a 2001-2002 U.S. population-representative sample of 22,581 working adults ages 30-65. The researchers
referred to the norms, expectations, and opportunities surrounding the
types of jobs women occupy and the way those jobs are valued and
compensated relative to men.
"If women internalize these negative experiences as reflective of inferior
merit, rather than the result of discrimination, they may be at increased risk for
depression and anxiety disorders," Platt explained. The study was published
online in the journal Social Science & Medicine.
TORONTO, (IANS) Drinking any amount of alcohol during pregnancy can put your baby at increased risk of 428 distinct disease conditions which are associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), says a new study. FASD is a broad
term describing the range of disabilities that can occur in individuals as a result of alcohol exposure before bir th. In this
study, researchers have identified 428 distinct disease conditions that co-occur in people with FASD.
"We have systematically identified numerous disease conditions co-occurring with FASD, which underscores the fact that it is not
safe to drink any amount or type of alcohol at any stage of pregnancy,
despite the conflicting messages the public may hear," said study lead
author Lana Popova from Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto,
Canada. "Alcohol can affect any organ or system in the developing fetus,"
Popova noted.
The severity and symptoms of FASD vary, based on how much and when
alcohol was consumed, as well as other factors in the mother's life such as
stress levels, nutrition and environmental influences. The effects are also
influenced by genetic factors and the body's ability to break down alcohol,
in both the mother and fetus.
The 428 co-occurring conditions were identified after reviewing 127 studies. These disease conditions can affect nearly every system of the body,
including the central nervous system (brain), vision, hearing, cardiac,
circulation, digestion, and musculoskeletal and respiratory systems, among
others.
"It is important that the public receive a consistent and clear message - if
you want to have a healthy child, stay away from alcohol when you're
planning a pregnancy and throughout your whole pregnancy," Popova
said. The study appeared in the journal The Lancet.
Students with influence over
peers can help reduce bullying
NEW YORK, (IANS) Engaging students who have considerbale
influence over their peers can lead up to 30 per cent reduction
in bullying incidents in schools, says a new study. "We think
the best way to change social norms is to have these student
influencers speak in their own voices. Encouraging their messages to bubble up from the bottom using a grassroots approach can be very powerful," said lead author Elizabeth Paluck
from Princeton University in New Jersey, US.
The researchers engaged groups of influential students in 56
New Jersey middle schools to spread messages about the dangers of bullying and school conflict. Using messaging platforms
such as Instagram, print posters and colourful wristbands, the
selected students were encouraged to discuss in their own
voices positive ways to handle conflict, using terms with which
their peers could identify.
The research team wanted to test whether cer tain students,
who they label "social referents" or social influencers, have an
outsized influence over school climate or the social norms and
behavioural patterns in their schools. These social referents
were not necessarily the most popular kids school-wide, but
rather students who demonstrate influence within their smaller
peer group.
All activities were designed to test whether, by making their
anti-conflict stance well known, these social influencers could
shape their peers' behaviours and social norms. In the course
of a year, the middle schools that employed social referents
saw a 30 per cent reduction in student conflict repor ts. The
study was published in the journal of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
WRAP IT AROUND THE NECK
IN STYLE THIS WINTER
NEW DELHI, (IANS) It's time to amp up the style quotient with
muffler this winter. Ditch the boring scarves for thick, chunky,
faux fur or super wide wrap muffler with tassels. Aastha Bahl,
designer of brand Mistletoe, lists out some trends in mufflers
to make this winter super fashionable:
* The cable knit muffler: Thick, chunky and warm, these mufflers are a staple for the winter wardrobe as these are classic.
Cable knit snoods are very versatile too. Wear these in offwhite, beige or any pastel colour to up your style quotient.
* The faux fur muffler: These are super hot this winter. Available in a variety of colours like black, white, beige and dark
brown, they can make a casual outfit look chic and look great
with evening wear.
* The pashmina reversible jacquard muffler: This par ticular
style looks great with ethnic or western outfits. Long lengths
are popular. They are also great as wraps for an evening out.
* The knitted ruffled muffler: This is perhaps the cutest style in mufflers. The
muffler looks like a circular ruffle that is knitted and drapes incredibly well.
These can be used as a centre piece accessory for a monochrome look.
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YOUR DRESSING STYLE
TELLS YOUR STORY
KANGANA RANAUT AND ARJUN KAPOOR DURING AN EVENT ORGANIZED BY THE RTO IN THANE (IANS).
EXPAND YOUR SOCIAL NETWORK
TO ENJOY HEALTHIER LIFE
NEW YORK, (IANS) The more social ties people have, the better their health
is during adolescence and the golden years of their lives, says a new study.
"Based on these findings, it should be as important to encourage adolescents
and young adults to build broad social relationships and social skills for
interacting with others as it is to eat healthy and be physically active," said
one of the researchers Kathleen Harris, professor at University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, US. The study builds on previous research that shows
that aging adults live longer if they have more social connections. Specifically, the team found that the sheer size of a person's social network was
important for health in early and late adulthood. In adolescence, that is, social
isolation increased risk of inflammation by the same amount as physical
inactivity while social integration protected against abdominal obesity.
In old age, social isolation was actually more harmful to health than diabetes
on developing and controlling hypertension. In middle adulthood, it was not
the number of social connections that mattered, but what those connections
provided in terms of social support or strain, the study said.
"The relationship between health and the degree to which people are integrated in large social networks is strongest at the beginning and at the end of
life, and not so important in middle adulthood, when the quality, not the
quantity, of social relationships matters," Harris said. For the study, the researchers drew on data from four nationally representative surveys of the US
population that, together, covered the lifespan from adolescence to old age.
The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences.
NEW DELHI, (IANS) Do you prefer bright coloured clothes?
Perhaps it's to do with your positive thoughts. Or if you have
an eye for abstract prints, it's likely that you have a bold personality. Your wardrobe choices can depict who you are as
a person, say exper ts. The design team at John Players,
which offers a fashion wardrobe for men, have decoded
how one's clothes can help people interpret his personality.
* Bright outfits: Yellow, orange and red
If you move away from the classic grey and blacks and
wear the hot colors of today, you are definitely a trendsetter
and a change-maker. You are friendly and people approach
you for help with an ease. The bright colour radiates positive energy making you feel comfor table. Such shades are
a symbol of your dynamic personality.
Styling mantra: Wear such colours with a raw jeans or
chinos to grab all the attention that you want.
* Abstract Prints: Tribal, geometric and numeric
If you play unscripted with the prints then you are nothing
but bold. You are outspoken and spontaneous and do not
wish to be spoon-fed. The prints are unique and classy and
so are you. You are seen as someone who knows it all and
will express his individuality by using creative mind to
inspire and create new ideas.
Styling mantra: Do not accessorise with these prints.
* Necklines to suit your style: Crew vs V-neck
Men who love their crew neck are more logical in their
approach. They are practical, uptight and would take a lot of
time before making a decision. Their no-nonsense approach to
work is highly respected amongst the peers. The men who go for
a V-neck instead, are seen as chilled out and casual loafers who
would not give into the pressures of the world. Natural go getter,
they are often driven by their passions and instincts.
Styling mantra: Be it V-neck or crew neck, one should be
very sure of the occasion before carrying the look.
* The classic: black, grey and blue
These colours are a symbol of age-old tradition. Hence,
when you carry these colours, you are seen as a culture
loving person who is more urban and groomed. Sophisticated and well-organised are two words that top your personality traits.
Styling mantra: Make sure that you pick the right fit to make
your look sophisticated and elegant.
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HOW NOT TO COUNTER
HOMOPHOBIA
NEW YORK, (IANS) The argument that sexual orientation is
inborn may not be the most effective way to promote more
positive attitudes toward lesbian, gay and bisexual people,
says a new study. The study challenge the notion that the
belief that people are born with their sexual orientation -a belief that has proliferated in the past 20-30 years,
par ticularly among social and biological scientists -- is
the key to improving attitudes toward lesbian, gay and
bisexual people.
The findings suggest that the belief that sexual orientation
is inborn is not what distinguishes people who hold
negative or positive attitudes toward gay men. For the
study, the researchers used their previously developed
sexual orientation beliefs scale, which attempts to capture
a wide variety of beliefs such as the idea that sexual
minorities are fundamentally different from straight people
or that sexuality is based in biology. Most respondents
believed sexual orientation is inborn and unchangeable,
but it is what else they believed about sexual orientation
that distinguishes them, the researchers said.
For example, the researchers looked more closely at
respondents who had negative attitudes about gay men.
Even among those who believed gay men are "born that
way," those who also believed gay men are "all the same
and act the same way" were more likely to hold prejudicial attitudes toward gay men, said one of the researchers
Patrick Grzanka, assistant professor at University of
Tennessee in the US.
"We suggest that this demonstrates the limited capacity of
'born this way' arguments to reduce homophobia," he
said. Grzanka said the study may help activists, educators and other researchers better understand that people's
beliefs about the nature of sexual orientation should be
considered within the context of other beliefs, since it is
the sum of their beliefs that shapes their attitudes toward
sexual minorities. The study was published in the Journal of
Counseling Psychology.
SHAHRUKH KHAN DURING A PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMME IN KOLKATA (IANS).
STOP DIABETES FOUNDATION LAUNCHES
"PLACES OF WORSHIP" HEALTH INITIATIVE
BRAMPTON - Brampton-based charitable organization, STOP
Diabetes Foundation, invites you to come and suppor t the
launch of their "Places of worship" health initiative at Dixie
Gurudwara (Ontario Khalsa Darbar) on Sunday, January 17 from
10am to 2pm.
"Our volunteers will organize a health camp, including free diet
and healthy lifestyle education provided by cer tified healthcare
providers on that day." said Dr. Harpreet Singh Bajaj - the
founder of this volunteer-run organization. He continued "We are
thankful to the Dixie Gurudwara sahib's executive committee for
agreeing to inaugurate this initiative and serve healthier snack
options in the main langar hall on this day, while limiting
sweets and fried foods.
"We request the punjabi community to join this health promotion
movement and suppor t the health day by attending the event in
large numbers. Our hope is to expand this healthy snacks
initiative to other religious places in Peel region, including
temples and mosques within the coming months." STOP
Diabetes foundation's mission is to remove the Diabetes capital
of Ontario tag from Peel region by the year 2020. More information about the foundation's mission, members and public health
awareness work can be accessed at
www.stopdiabetesfoundation.com
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FAIRY TALE, VINTAGE LINGERIE
STYLES TO RULE 2016
HARSHWARDHAN RANE AND PAKISTANI TELEVISION ACTOR MAWRA HOCANE DURING THE MUSIC LAUNCH OF FILM SANAM TERI
KASAM IN MUMBAI (IANS).
Anti-depressants during pregnancy
can increase birth defects risk
TORONTO, (IANS) Using a medication prescribed to treat conditions
including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and
post-traumatic stress disorder during the first trimester of pregnancy
may increase newborns' risk of hear t defects, says a study. Up to
one-fifth of women of childbearing age experience depressive symptoms that often lead to mild to moderate depression, and prescriptions for anti-depressants during pregnancy have increased in recent
years.
The most common drugs for treating depression in pregnant women
are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and up until 2005, one
drug in that class - paroxetine - was considered to be safe for use
during pregnancy. To provide a comprehensive assessment of the
effects of paroxetine on newborns, the researchers conducted a literature review and analysis of all relevant studies published from
1966 to 2015. The investigators uncovered 23 eligible studies. Compared with no use of paroxetine, first trimester use of paroxetine was
associated with a 23 per cent increased risk of any major congenital
malformations and a 28 per cent increased risk of major cardiac
malformations in newborns, the study said.
"Indeed, the risk/benefit ratio suggests non-use in women with mild
to moderately depressive symptoms, which is 85 per cent of pregnant women with depressive symptoms," said lead researcher Anick
Berard from University of Montreal in Canada. "Therefore, planning of
NEW DELHI, (IANS) Be they inspired by fairy tales or the 1980s
fashion, lingerie with such styles are going to be in vogue this
year, says an exper t. Neha Kant, founder, Clovia.com shares a
few lingerie trends of 2016:
* Fairy tale lingerie: Inspired by the stories of Disney princess
like Cinderella and Rapunzel, the fairy tale styles are now being
given a sexy twist, taking away some of the delicateness of these
characters and adding some playfulness. The intricate detailing
and use of soft fabrics such as silk, satin and frills have been brought
together in a sophisticated piece of lingerie.
* Vintage collection: The high-cut bottoms of the 1980s and the sporty,
minimalist aesthetic of the 1990s are gradually coming back into vogue. The
Cuban heel stockings and the stylish waist cinchers are being aesthetically
elevated and reimagined by various designers.
* Organic lingerie: From bra-and-underwear sets to sporty tape bras paired
with high-waisted briefs, the latest lingerie made from organic cotton lets your skin breathe, giving comfort to your intimate wears.
These chemical-free and organic collections are designed for everyday use and are available in various colours, cuts and sizes to
match up with any version of you.
* Pop colours: Candy colours, shocking pink, and electric blue
are considered among the most sensual colours. Pair these
bright coloured pieces with a white tank top or sheer top.
GHULAM ALI ENTHRALLS KOLKATA, SAYS
SADNESS ENDS WITH CONCERT
pregnancy is essential, and valid treatment options such as psychotherapy or exercise regimens are warranted in this special population," Berard said. The study was published in the British Journal of
Clinical Pharmacology.
KOLKATA, (IANS) Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali, who
has over the years enthralled millions across the globe with his
baritone voice, on Tuesday expressed gratitude and elation as he performed to a packed audience in the eastern metropolis, three months after
cancellation of his concert in Mumbai. "I am very happy today. I have been
coming to Kolkata for 30 to 35 years. But this time it feels like I have come
back after 50 years. I was so sad and today my sadness ends," Ghulam Ali
said at the start of the concert at the Netaji Indoor Stadium here. Performing
with his son Aamir, Ghulam Ali hailed West Bengal Chief Minister
Mamata Banerjee as a form of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of
wisdom and music. "I am grateful to her. She has done us a
favour in the form of Saraswati," Ghulam Ali said with a smile.
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BONE FRACTURE MAY LEAD
TO BODY PAIN
DIVYA KHOSLA KUMAR, ACTOR PULKIT SAMRAT WITH SALMAN KHAN ON THE SETS OF BIGG BOSS SEASON 9 DURING THE PROMOTION
OF FILM SANAM RE IN LONAVALA (IANS).
EMOTIONS DO AFFECT
BRAIN'S CREATIVE NETWORK
NEW YORK, (IANS) Emotional expression affects the brain's creativity network, says a new brain-scanning study of jazz pianists, adding
that "happy" and "sad" music evoked different neural patterns in their
brains. The workings of neural circuits associated with creativity are
significantly altered when ar tists are actively attempting to express
emotions, the researchers repor t.
"The bottom line is that emotion matters. It can't just be a binary
situation in which your brain is one way when you're being creative
and another way when you're not," said senior author Charles Limb
from University of California-San Francisco. "Instead, there are greater
and lesser degrees of creative states, and different versions. And
emotion plays a crucially impor tant role in these differences," he
explained. The team focused in a brain region known as the dorsolateral prefrontal cor tex (DLPFC), which is involved in planning and
monitoring behaviour.
The researchers found that DLPFC deactivation was significantly
greater when the jazz musicians improvised melodies intended to
convey the emotion expressed in a "positive" image (a photograph of
a woman smiling) than a "negative" image (photo of the same woman
in a mildly distressed state). On the other hand, improvisations targeted at expressing the emotion in the negative image were associated with greater activation of the brain's reward regions.
"This indicates there may be different mechanisms for why it's pleasurable to create happy versus sad music," added first study author
Malinda McPherson. For each musician, any brain activity data generated during these passive viewing periods, including emotional responses, were subtracted from that elicited during their musical performances.
This allowed the researchers to determine which components of brain
LONDON, (IANS) Breaking a major bone is likely to increase
the risk of a widespread chronic body pain later in life, says a
study. Women experiencing a hip fracture are more than twice
as likely to suffer a long-term widespread pain in the whole
body than those without a fracture, the findings showed.
The risk is similar for men and women with a spine fracture, the
study said. "This is the first study to demonstrate an association with the past fracture. If confirmed in fur ther studies, these
findings might help us to reduce the burden of chronic pain
following such fractures," said lead researcher Nicholas Harvey,
professor at University of Southampton in Britain.
To investigate the associations between a past history of fracture affecting upper and lower limb, spine or hip and the presence of chronic widespread body pain, the researchers analysed
data involving 500,000 adults between ages 40 and 69. They
found that the risk of chronic widespread body pain increased in
the case where par ticipants repor ted of having a past fracture,
especially in the spine and the hip. The study was published in
the journal Archives of Osteoporosis.
Longer working hours don't kill
romance in your life
activity in emotional regions were strongly associated with creating
the improvisations. Moreover, Limb said, the research team avoided
biasing the musicians' performances with words like "sad" or "happy"
when instructing the musicians before the experiments. The paper
appeared in the journal Scientific Repor ts.
SUGAR CUT IN FIZZY DRINKS CAN
PREVENT 3 LAKH DIABETES CASES
WASHINGTON, (IANS) Cutting sugar
in sweetened drinks by 40 per cent can
prevent over three lakh obesity-related
Type 2 diabetes over the next two decades, a significant study has found.
An average reduction in energy intake
of 38.4 kcal (calories) per day by the
end of the fifth year will lead to an average body weight decrease of 1.20 kg in
adults, leading to a reduction in overweight and obese adults by approximately 0.5 million and 1.0 million, respectively, researchers have found.
This would, in turn, prevent 274,000309,000 obesity-related Type 2 diabetes over the next two decades. If fruit
juices were excluded from sugarsweetened beverages (SSBs), the corresponding reduction in energy intake
and body weight would be 31.0 kcal/
day and 0.96 kg, respectively.
"This would result in a 0.3 million cases
reduction in overweight and a 0.8 million cases reduction in obesity, which
would in turn prevent around 221,000250,000 diabetes cases over two decades," the study noted. The study, published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal, was led by Professor Graham MacGregor who
chairs the Action for Sugar group.
The predicted impact was greater
in adolescents, young adults and
individuals from low income families who consume more sugary
drinks.
According to the authors, the proposed strategy could lead to a profound reduction in energy intake
from sugar-sweetened beverages
and could, therefore, lower the
prevalence of overweight, obesity,
and Type 2 diabetes in the long
term. "The findings provide strong
support for the implementation of
the proposed strategy," they added.
LONDON, (IANS) Turning conventional wisdom on its head, a
new study has found that there is in fact no negative association
between the hours worked and relationship satisfaction. "Our
research questions the assumption that working longer hours
is hazardous for all romantic relationships," the study said.
Conventional wisdom and research seem to suggest that par tners in dual career-couples -- relationships where both par tners pursue their careers -- have to decide whether they would
rather risk their careers or their romantic relationship.
"Our study attempts to help answer the question of whether
dual-career couples should be hesitant to devote many hours to
their work when they fear negative relationship consequences,"
the researchers noted. In the study, 285 couples took par t to
determine the effect of working hours on relationships. As the
researchers explain:
By examining the associations between par ticipants' working
time, private lives and happiness in their respective relationships, the team of researchers from Switzerland and Germany
found that couples compensated for the time lost with their
par tners by making the most of time they have after work.
The researchers explained how career driven people who are
investing long hours into work, crucial in the pursuit of their
career goals, are also aware that they cannot have everything
in their private lives. "There was no negative association between working time and relationship satisfaction," the study
said. The findings appeared in the journal Human Relations.
Muscle exercise can help
reduce lower back pain
SYDNEY, (IANS) Exercises that improve coordination of muscles
that suppor t and control the spine offer a strategy to reduce pain
and disability caused by lower back pain, finds a new study.
Lower-back pain is one of the most common health conditions
worldwide. It can have substantial health and economic costs
as people experience disability and general ill health, leading
them to need time off work.
"Targeting the strength and coordination of muscles that suppor t the spine through motor control exercise offers an alternative approach to treating lower back pain," said lead author
Bruno Saragiotto from The University of Sydney, Australia. Motor control exercise is a popular form of exercise that aims to
improve coordination of the muscles that control and suppor t
the spine.
Patients are initially guided by a therapist to practise normal
use of the muscles with simple tasks. As the patient's skill
increases the exercises become more complex and include the
functional tasks that the person needs to perform during work
and leisure activities. The study gathered together data from 29
randomised trials involving a total of 2,431 men and women, aged
between 22 and 55 years old.
The trials investigated the impact of using motor control exercises as a
treatment for lower back pain compared with other forms of exercise or
doing nothing. The researchers found that people who used motor control
exercises experienced improvements, especially in pain and disability
compared with minimal intervention.
"We can be confident that they are as effective as other types of exercise, so
the choice of exercise should take into account factors such as patient or
therapist preferences, cost and availability," Saragiotto added.
The study was published in the journal Cochrane Library.
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Celebrate fitness and health with Actiwear
NEW DELHI, (IANS) Consumer lifestyle electronics company ENRG
on Friday announced the launch of Actiwear, the world's smar test
fitness band for serious fitness enthusiasts. Using Actiwear, a smar t
band which stands out for its sleek design, is as simple as wearing a
wrist watch, ENRG said in a release here.
One can tie it around the wrist and perform daily activities and the
smar t band will track all activities, workouts, and calories burned,
distance travelled and sleep patterns. ENRG founder Nikul Raj Gupta said
this was an easy way to monitor one's activity and keep oneself motivated for
daily activities. The band also keeps one updated about any new messages
and incoming calls through real-time notifications.
Moreover, the five-day-long battery life and gesture-recognizing feature is
enough to give rivals a run for their money. Actiwear is compatible with both
iOS and Android operating systems. Its Bluetooth feature makes it more
energy-efficient. It has OLED touch screen that is more bright, flexible, lighter
and energy-efficient than LED or LCD screen. The blue colour LED display
increases the life of the device to more than 20,000 hours.
The water resistant device has the ability for easy data sync and sedentary
alerts, i.e. alerts about when you are completely inactive. In addition to
wireless sync ability, it shows date, time, distance in km and calories
burned. Actiwear, priced at Rs.2,999, comes with camera control
capability and contact notifications display on the screen. It is available at www.enrg.in, Amazon and Shopclues. The product comes
with seven-day replacement guarantee and one-year warranty.
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VALUING YOUR TIME, NOT MONEY,
WILL BRING HAPPINESS
TORONTO, (IANS) If you thought money is what ultimately brings
more happiness, you could not be far ther from the truth. New
research suggests that valuing your time more than the pursuit
of money can make you a lot happier.
"It appears that people have a stable preference for valuing their time over
making more money, and prioritising time is associated with greater happiness," said lead researcher Ashley Whillans from the University of British
Columbia in Canada. The researchers also found that older people were
more likely to say they valued their time compared to younger people. "As
people age, they often want to spend time in more meaningful ways than just
making money," Whillans added. The findings are based on six studies
involving more than 4,600 participants. Some of the studies used real-world
examples, such as asking a participant whether he would prefer a more
expensive apartment with a short commute or a less expensive apartment
with a long commute. A participant also could choose between a graduate
programme that would lead to a job with long hours and a higher
star ting salary or a programme that would result in a job with a
lower salary but fewer hours. "Having more free time is likely more
important for happiness than having more money," Whillans said. If
people want to focus more on their time and less on money in their
lives, they could take some actions to help shift their perspective,
such as working slightly fewer hours, paying someone to do disliked chores like cleaning the house, or volunteering with a charity.
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MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016
Golden Globes: 'The Revenant', 'The Martian' named best films
LOS ANGELES, (IANS) "The Martian" was named the best motion
picture - musical or comedy at the
73rd Golden Globe Awards ceremony, where "The Revenant" was
adjudged the best motion picture drama, and won the best actor's
trophy for Leonardo DiCaprio and
best director award for Alejandro
Inarritu.
"The Revenant", set in 1823 Montana and South Dakota, and was
inspired by the experiences of frontiersman and fur trapper Hugh
Glass, was in competition in the
best motion picture - drama category with "Carol", which was leading this year's nomination pack for
the Golden Globes. Other contenders were "Mad Max: Fury Road",
"Room" and "Spotlight".
The movie features DiCaprio as
Hugh Glass, the protagonist left for
dead by his fellow hunters. His effortless portrayal led him to beat
fellow nominees Will Smith ("Concussion"), Michael Fassbender
("Steve Jobs"), Eddie Redmayne
("The Danish Girl") and Bryan
Cranston ("Trumbo").
In the best director's category,
AIAAirritu was competing with the
likes of Todd Haynes ("Carol"),
George Miller ("Mad Max:Fury
Road"), Tom McCarthy ("Spotlight")
and Ridley Scott ("The Martian").
However, apart from winning the
best motion picture - musical or
comedy, Scott's "The Martian" won
an honour for Matt Damon, whose
per formance in the movie was
named the best by an actor in a
musical or comedy motion picture.
Among the actress in the same
category, it was Jennifer Lawrence
who walked away with the laurels
for "Joy". Meanwhile, the best performance by an actress in a motion picture - drama honour was
given to Brie Larson for "Room".
The best screenplay - motion pic-
ture award was won by Aaron
Sorkin for "Steve Jobs"; best original score - motion picture went to
Ennio Morricone for "The Hateful
Eight"; and the best original song motion picture award was taken
home by Sam Smith for "Writing's
on the wall" for James Bond film
"Spectre".
The 73rd Golden Globe Awards
ceremony, hosted as the 'biggest
party of the year' by the Hollywood
Foreign Press Association, saw
Hollywood's creme de la
creme. The occasion saw the
prestigious Cecil B. DeMille
Award being bestowed on actor
Denzel Washington.
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